And a one and a two and a cough and sneeze

My two youngest sons are sick with some hacking, coughing, sneezing type of nastiness. It hit my youngest one on Friday and by Sunday, my 9 year old had joined in the chorus of sickness. Thankfully, they don't feel horrible. It is more annoying that anything. They stayed home from school today and I am not sure about tomorrow. I would hate it if a parent sent their child to school sounding like my boys sounded today. I blame it on this wacky weather we have been having. It was a balmy 54 degrees here in Chicago today, with the same or warmer expected tomorrow. Definitely not the norm for a Chicago winter day in January. This time last year we were getting ready for the epic snowfall of 2011. Now, we are seeing plants pop out too early because they are as confused about the temperatures as we are. The forecast calls for more of the same tomorrow. And then in true Chicago fashion, it will probably be a blizzard next week. So, with my boys tucked in bed with their chests rubbed down with Vick's, I pray they feel better tomorrow. As for me? I am going to bed having drank two mugs of homemade chicken broth with garlic and cayenne sprinkled in. I feel a cough coming on. Peace

You Gotta Know When To Hold Em'

My little guy, Ky stayed home from school today. He was half-way complaining of a sore throat and is a little stuffy, but it really wasn't anything that he would have needed to stay home for. I let him stay home because, he looked like he needed a day. I could have sent him, especially since they are out of school tomorrow. But, I realized that he just wanted to have some quiet time. And he definitely wouldn't get that tomorrow when everyone is home. I took the regular "could be coming down with a cold" precautions. I checked his throat,(normal) took his temp,(normal) made him some toast and tea and let him chill out on the couch with a big fluffy blanket and my pillow. I really thought my 9 year old would ask to stay home too, but he was eager to go. I suspect this has to do with the fact that today was "Jeans Day" and he wouldn't have to wear his uniform and he has discovered girls!. I initially thought that being out of uniform would be an incentive for Ky to go to school. Nope. He was intent on having a day home. I went to check on him a little while ago and there he was, happily in his pajamas, sipping his tea and watching a cartoon. I remember needing a day away from the chaos, when I was in school. Unfortunately, nowadays their chaos is starting in kindergarten. So many young kids exposed to too much, too early, and bringing all of that nonsense to school. Not a day goes by when my boys don't come home upset about how much bad language their classmates are using in school, or how violent they are. Something really needs to be done and I have some ideas, but that will be a whole blog post in itself. In the meantime, my house is quiet. I don't hear any arguing over what shows to watch, no one upset about who drank the last of the juice. It's just him, watching his favorite shows without interruptions. And me,looking at him wondering where the time has gone and wishing I could take the chaos away from all of my boys. But, if this one day is what is needed to help him get through the rest of school year, then so be it. Everybody needs a day away from the rat race from time to time. Even kids.

Quick Dinner Tip for Taco Night

Now, I mentioned before that I have picky eaters, but not when it comes to "Taco Night"! I have a quick money saving tip for you today. Instead of purchasing those packets of taco seasoning, make it yourself. All you need is garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, chili powder, and cumin. You can add cayenne pepper if you like it spicier. All I do is brown my meat( we use ground turkey). Season it, (i never measure anything) and you are good to go. Try it next time you have taco night!

To give, yet be given to.

I went to work at a food pantry last week with my mother and aunt. I was borrowing her car for the day and I really didn't feel like driving back and forth, so I decided to just tag along with them. They had been volunteering for several months and even though I had been asked to go, I had just never gone until that day. As we pulled up to the place, I was struck by how the neighborhood had changed. I used to walk up and down those streets long ago. My grandmother had lived just around the corner. Now, most of the big apartment buildings and stores that had once lined the streets were gone. The remaining ones were either boarded up or in desperate need of repair.It was a very eerie feeling, seeing how the neighborhood had become a ghost town. The food pantry itself was inside a small store front with boxes of food lining the walls. There was hardly enough room for the 6 volunteers(including myself) that were there that day, let alone all the people that had started to line up outside. I was quickly given a task to do. There were lots of boxes that needed to be moved, opened and arranged to make things easier for when the clients were let in. They came in with their bags and carts, anxious to see what was being offered. That day there was, chicken, potatoes, oranges, greens and canned black eyed peas. There were also a choice of salad, carrots, frozen vegetables, jelly, boxed mac and cheese, summer sausage, sweet and sour sauce, cereal, oatmeal, and grits. The lines moved quickly as the people filed in. Some were excited to have such choices, some only wanted cereal and meat. Grape Jelly was the most popular item that day.( i was told it always was a hot item)However, we had to beg some people to take a bag of carrots or some vegetables. There were some many young moms that wouldn't accept them because they didn't know how to prepare them for their families. I was almost moved to tears as I looked into the faces of these people. All they wanted was food. Something so basic and taken for granted by so many. I thought about all the waste that goes on in this country everyday and it made me sad. With each item that I put into those bags, I felt something stir inside of me. With each, "thank you" and "God bless you" I received that day, I was being changed. I realized that as I was giving them food to nourish their bodies, I too was being nourished in return. My spirit was being fed in a way that must have been hungry for a long time. As the lines dwindled down, and the last clients came and went, I was thankful that I had come with my mom that day. She had always raised us to help others and has always been such a wonderful example of a person who gives to others. She herself, now retired and on a fixed income, fixes food for the homeless every week rain or shine. I asked her once, why she went to the food pantry to volunteer sometimes when she was tired and maybe didn't feel that great. I know now. I know it because, I have started volunteering every week at a food pantry right around my house and it is addicting. It is an amazing thing when you can be of service to others.I usually, would have stayed indoors on a cold, snowy day like this. But, I was eager to go and "get fed". The pantry served over 220 people today. They came in cars, on buses and on foot. Some with canes and crutches. They waited patiently until their numbers were called to get their bags of food that were filled with a variety of healthy foods. Some donated sweets from a neighborhood store was available as a treat for them as they left for their allowable 1 day a month visit to the pantry. I came home spirit filled and excited to share my experiences with my husband. He promises to accompany me one day. I know it will touch him as it has touched me. I remember early on in our marriage receiving food from places like this. He was only working temp or part-time jobs and I was home caring for our 2 small children. Money was tight, but we never went hungry. Neighbors and family helped us out until my husband got a good job. A lot had changed since those early days and I feel blessed to be able give back now. If you have a chance this year, find a food pantry and volunteer. It will do wonders for you. If you can't find a food pantry, find somewhere, to do something, for someone. I believe it is what God put us on this earth to do. Plus, when you fill up on "spirit calories", you can keep going back as many times as you want without fear of an expanding waistline. Peace.

Finding Nemo 3-D Trailer

I told you this was gonna be a good year! Disney is re-releasing Finding Nemo this year in the ever popular 3-D format. This is another one of the Dorsey favorites. I can just imagine how awesome it will look in 3-D. Here's the trailer for you to check out! (psst! you don't need those funny glasses to enjoy it)
FINDING NEMO 3D hits theaters September 14th, 2012!

The Things my Kids Eat

As you may know, I have four sons. They all have very unique tastes in food.  For instance, my teenage son doesn't eat any fruits or vegetables and my youngest son doesn't eat red meat or seafood. (his choice) My oldest son, puts hot sauce on everything and my 3rd son is pretty flexible, but refuses to eat mushrooms, cabbage, greens or beans. I decided to share with you some of their quirky recipes, they have created for themselves. You may or may not want to try these at home.

The Heart Stopper Breakfast:
This is a meal that my oldest son, D. makes on special occasion.  It consists of, 2 pancakes the size of a 10 inch plate, 2 or 3 scrambled eggs w/cheese, either turkey bacon, turkey links(or patties) or smoked sausage and grits. He puts one pancake on the bottom, the eggs and breakfast meat go in between, 2nd pancake on next with the grits on top. Mind you, he THEN adds syrup! I can feel my arteries hardening as I type this. Can you believe he is the one that continuously complains about not being to gain weight? I gain weight watching him make it!

Next up, is the Turkey Hot dog and what ever noodles are in the house meal. The one was also started by my oldest son and adopted by my teen.

This one is pretty simple. You take cooked Ramen Noodles (flavor packet included) or boxed Mac and Cheese (any brand will do) and add cooked and sliced turkey hotdogs to it. I don't quite understand this one and I don't dare eat it.

My teen has an aversion to Miracle Whip and most other condiment. So, he only takes dry sandwiches to lunch. His favorite is Turkey Pastrami and Provolone on a croissant. I wondered how he was eating these sandwiched dry, but he finally told me that he was microwaving them to melt the cheese. Not too weird. This same teen also, always drinks milk with his candy bars. he also never wants anything on his burgers but cheese. We stopped buying outside burgers because they would always make a mistake and put some time of ketchup, mayo or the DREADED lettuce on it and then he just couldn't bare to eat it.

My 9 year old doesn't really eat anything that I find odd.

Now, that youngest one is a different story. He has a whole different way of eating. I told you that he doesn't like meat or seafood. He only eats turkey hotdogs, never eats meat on a sandwich, but he will eat ground turkey in a taco and says that fish are too peaceful to eat.

Can you tell how wonderful dinnertime is at my house? Luckily, they all love pizza, spaghetti (as long as there aren't any mushrooms or pieces of tomatoes showing), macaroni, turkey tacos (minus everything but cheese) and fried chicken. (legs only for the youngest)

Do your children (or you) have any funny eating habits? Post them in the comments below.

Parenting Tip that worked for me and my boys

Here is a quick tip that I have found that comes in handy with all the cuts and scraps my boys have gotten. I keep a red washcloth on hand that I use when they get a nosebleed or a bad cut. The red color of the cloth keeps them from freaking out when they are bleeding. Doesn't help me out much, but it works wonders for them.

2nd Peek at the new Tangled short

I don't know about you, but I loved Disney's Tangled. I might have mentioned that before, but it's true. It made me feel like a kid again. That's why I am so excited about this new Tangled short. As I said before, it is showing before the re-released 3D version of Beauty and The Beast. The great people at Disney have been kind enough to give us another quick peek at it. Check it out. Beauty and The Beast 3-D is in theaters today!

2012 Already?

Whew! 2012 already? It has taken a bit of a moment for me to recover since the boys went on Winter break. It was the 1st time that I have had 3 children out on break at the same time. We had a lot of fun together and my husband was even off a week with us. We were also planning for our annual "present day" and New Year's Eve party. It takes a lot of planning to pull off and every year I promise myself that I am not going to do it the following year. Guess what, I still have the party. I made the same promise this year and I hope to keep it. Not that I don't love having the party and seeing everyone, because I really do. It just wipes me out. All the shopping and cooking and setting up. I don't even want to talk about the clean up afterwards! Every year different guests come, meet new people and leave as family.  Anyway, this year I would love to be in the Bahamas or someplace warm with my family watching the New year roll in. I have always dreamed of doing that with my husband and sons. I had the experience once a long time ago. I didn't have a husband and children then. My mother, brother, aunt, great uncle and several family/friends spent the holiday in the Bahamas. It was a wonderful time! It was the 1st time(and last) we were all there together. It was that trip that really solidified my bond with the Island of Freeport, Grand Bahamas. It felt so natural being there. Walking along the beach, riding mopeds, fishing. (that's a really funny story) Remind me to tell you about it one day. Anyway, I want my boys to have that experience. I think about it all the time and I am sure I have blogged about my love of the Bahamas on several occasions. Well, we shall see. It is more than a notion to purchase 5 passports(I already have mine), plane tickets for 6, money for 3 or more meals a day and have enough money to stay someplace nice. Although, I do have someplace in mind. Dundee Bay Villas www.dundeebayvillas.com/  is where I stayed the very the time I traveled to the Bahamas with my mother for my 21st birthday, and we all went together. I just realized that that trip was in 1989. Wow! The time has gone by too fast! I had better get to saving my pennies if we are gonna do this. If we aren't able to go, I'll send you an invite to the next New Year's Eve party. Maybe we'll just do a Caribbean theme. I know where to buy some conch and I make a mean peas and rice!

Do you have any travel places or stories that have stayed with you? Let me know in the comments below. I hope 2012 brings you health, wealth, prosperity and most of all, Love!

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Whenever I have a giveaway on my blog, I use Rafflecopter. Now, the great folks at Rafflecopter are having their own giveaway to celebrate their public launch party. The prize is the hottest thing out there right now, the Amazon Kindle Fire. You can win one for yourself. Just fill out what you can.( it's okay if you don't use twitter or write a blog) Make sure you let them know that I referred you. Good Luck!