Bear With Me - I Used To Love To Fly

I spent the last five days in New York at BlogHer, and I'm still exhausted - which really means that I'm slightly crabby, so it's possible that might come through in this post. And when I admit to being slightly crabby, well... let your imagination go from there. Apparently sleep and I are better friends than I thought, and I miss my buddy!

I used to have a job where I flew weekly. I was always on the road traveling, and it was actually sort of fun. A (reimbursed) car would drop me off and pick me up, and I had status on an airline so I could use the "special people line" - as some of my friends called it - and get through security extremely quickly. I mastered the art of showing up at the gate as the plane was beginning to board and just breezing on.

It wasn't a bad life. But times have changed, and I fly only a few times a year now - not that I'm complaining. I have flown enough though that I have a few pet peeves about other travelers. On my way to and from New York, I witnessed many of them, and I just have to share them to regain some of my zen.

My Top Ten Pet Peeves About Flying

10) Smelly food With the cuts in airline service and the need to arrive at the airport so early now, I completely understand the need to eat during travels. My issue comes when you bring your greasy, smelly food into the airplane where the recirculated air causes everyone to smell it for way too long. If you are going to eat food that has a strong smell, do it before you get on the plane. If you need to eat while flying, bring something that won't bother everyone around you. Plenty of outlets sell sandwiches or salads or bagels that have no scent. Or be like me and bring your own food from home - cheaper and no worries about smelling up the cabin.

9) Loud music Small quarters, remember? I don't need to know that you're listening to the latest OutKast single or that you're really into Peter, Paul, and Mary. When you have an iPod or DVD turned up loud enough that I can understand the lyrics, it's too loud. Be respectful of the shared space, and keep it at a reasonable volume. I promise I'll do the same with my Indigo Girls and INXS and Pat McCurdy.

8) Putting up the armrest This one sort of creeps me out, actually. We're strangers sharing a small space. I'm taking advantage of any and all barriers between us to avoid becoming too close. The armrest between seats is there for just that reason. When you sit down and attempt to raise the armrest? Ewww. And no, I'm not going to let it happen.

7) Not knowing how to get through security I know there are lots of rules. Nothing more than 3(.4) ounces, all liquids have to be in your quart bag and removed from your suitcase. Shoes have to come off. Laptops need to be screened separately. You can't wear any jackets or other outer clothing. While this is a lot to remember if you don't do it regularly, the fact that the TSA employees are repeating this constantly should make it not too difficult a process. But the people who try to walk through without taking off their shoes? Or the ones who have to go back and unpack their bags to remove the illegal items after they've gone through security and hold up the lines? Or figure out only as it's their turn to go through security that no, you can't push the baby in the stroller through the scanner? Hold me.

6) Personal grooming is not for public places Yes, this actually happens. On my flight to New York, I could hear someone clipping nails ... of some sort. Even if, by some miracle, you have a receptacle to put them in, I don't want to see or hear you clipping your nails on the plane (or at work - but that's a different complaint). It's gross. And wrong. And please wait until you're in a private place like ohhhhh maybe your bathroom.

5) Not knowing where your seat is (sitting in C instead of A) Planes have these nifty things above each seat that show which seat is where. It's also really easy to figure out that A starts on the right side of the plane as you're walking down the aisle and goes from there. If you have 8A, don't try to sit in the aisle seat. If you have 16E, really don't try to sit in the aisle. And if you truly can't figure it out and someone comes to sit in the seat you're in, don't get all huffy when someone wants to sit in their legitimate seat.

4) Crowding around the gate Airlines are trying to get planes loaded as quickly as possible to get out on time. If they don't get the doors closed in time, they lose their spot in line, and the flight is delayed while they try to get reshuffled in the takeoff order - just like when you're 20 minutes late to your doctor's appointment! That being said, they know how to be efficient, thus the boarding groupings. If you are in group 5 and the plane is boarding only the premier people, there is no need to block the gate area and crowd around everything. They aren't going to give away your seat, and you aren't going to miss the plane. Let the people board who are currently being called. And if you're in Group 5, don't try to board with Group 2. You'll still get on the plane and arrive in one piece. Just be patient - the plane will board faster if you let people actually get on the plane.

3) Shoes off on the walls A plane is a public place (ummm, did I mention this already?), and lots of people are right there. Leave your shoes on. Trust me, your feet stink. And not only that, I don't want to see them, especially not if you're putting them up on the wall of the plane. That's gross. And just flat out wrong. It makes me gag just thinking about it. Please leave your shoes on. And if you really have to take them off, hide your feet under your seat so I don't know it's your feet that I'm smelling.

2) Pushing to get off the plane Much like the grand rush to get on the plane, I sometimes see a huge rush to get off. If you're in the back of the plane, you need to wait your turn. The flight attendants can only open the doors so fast, and everyone in the rows ahead of you should be getting off the plane first. The only exception to this is if there is a tight connection and the attendants have asked that you let those people connecting get off first. In that case, let those people out and just sit tight for an extra minute or two. It'll all be good, I promise. But pushing ahead to get off the plane first just because you want to get off the plane? Not cool.

1) Using the back of the seat to get up I totally get that the legroom on planes is small and makes it somewhat difficult to maneuver in the planes. On the other hand, those seats that recline oh-so-nicely are pretty sensitive to people touching them. When you stand up, don't use my seat back to hoist you up or help you move across the row. When you're walking in the plane, don't hold onto every seat as you go by. When you do that, it shakes the seat and is rather uncomfortable for the person sitting in it. And if you accidentally do? Have the courtesy to apologize to the person you just shook. A much better solution? Use those armrests that you didn't put up to support you as you stand and make your way.

Oh I feel so much better now. Thanks for listening. What are your traveling pet peeves?

Tasty Tuesday!

Hmm, ok so I haven't done a ton of cooking since I was at BlogHer all last week and am still exhausted right now. And there was a recipe that I had promised to post this week, but my sleep deprived brain won't tell me what it was. Boo.

I'm breaking away from my soup fixation this week, though. Instead I'm going quick and easy again tonight. This is another of those recipes that sounds super fancy and hard to do but is so easy - perfect for impressing others!

And I know, I have no pictures again. It's possible I didn't actually make this one this week but instead made it previously. Eh, you'll live. Besides, I wouldn't want you to drool all over your keyboards and ruin them!

Crispy Zucchini with Parmesan Dip

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c flour (add a little more if the batter isn't thick enough for you)
1 12 oz bottle of "good" beer
1 T red chili flakes
1 1/2 t sea salt
4 zucchini, cut into sticks
Canola oil for frying

1 c sour cream
1 c parmesan cheese, grated (do not even think of the green can!)
1 T horseradish
2 T Worchestershire sauce
1 T fresh dill, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste

Whisk together the flour, beer, chili flakes, and salt in a small bowl. Let them sit for a few minutes to get friendly. This is a great time to cut the zucchini into sticks and heat the oil in a heavy pot to a temperature of 365 to 375 degrees.

Dip the zucchini into the batter, one by one. Carefully lower the zucchini into the hot oil a few at a time so that they aren't all touching and getting stuck together (you don't have to do them one by one). Fry them until they're golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel lined plate and serve with Parmesan dip.

Combine sour cream, parmesan cheese, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, dill, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl - just mix them together. Serve chilled with the zucchini sticks.

Yum. Ok, so I need to make these again. Fortunately I'm too tired to go make them now, or I'd be eating a whole bowl of them right now by myself. Enjoy this and more with Tempt My Tummy Tuesday with Blessed With Grace!

We Did It!

Phew! I have so much to say right now, but I'm utterly exhausted. While I may have been able to function somewhat on that college no sleep schedule, I am at my breaking point and need to head to bed and get a good night's sleep tonight very soon!

There will be lots of posts coming up, but I have one that just can't wait.

I mentioned that Melisa and I have been training for the 5K for BlogHer. We both completed the C25K program before we left for BlogHer, but running in New York with lots of heat and humidity, through Central Park, at 6:15am after little sleep is daunting to say the least.

Since we were running so early, we knew we wouldn't have a huge cheering section, we decided to have a virtual one instead. Before we left for BlogHer, we purchased matching shirts for our run, and at BlogHer we asked people to sign them (when we remembered to have our shirts with us!) to support us while we ran. Thank you to everyone who signed - the messages were great!

And run we did. As not fun as it was to get up so early on Friday morning, we did it. We got down to the lobby, put on our tutus (supporting Tanner!), and headed out towards Central Park. We walked the first block or so as our warm up, and then we began to run.

There was a nice group of eight or so who ran with us, which made it really fun. While we had a bit of difficulty navigating the lower loop of Central Park a few times, but the maps we had and eight brains working on it got us through. Although a few teams got lost and did some extra mileage, we did not - somehow.

The running wasn't always easy, especially when we had to wait for stoplights on our way to and from the park and when we had to stop to figure out where we were on the map. Stopping and then starting up with the running again makes it really hard, but that's really about the only walking or stopping I did.

I ran the 5K. And I now need to update my shirt with the messages to say that I completed my first 5K! Melisa did, too - go us!

Interestingly, I had a really hard time eating breakfast after running. I just couldn't cool down (it's that whole not sweating thing), and I had no blood in my stomach to digest food for a good forty-five minutes.

Once I had eaten my breakfast, Melisa presented me with a gift. She's such a sweetheart and so thoughtful. She had a beautiful card she'd written that absolutely cracked me up - and yes, I'm saving it! And then she gave me a necklace, too.

The really scary thing is that I almost bought her a nearly identical necklace. When we'd wandered Chinatown the day prior, we found a jewelry store with all sorts of fun stuff. I discovered a running shoe necklace that I thought would be a perfect first 5K fit. I was going to buy one for each of us to celebrate finishing the 5K. Buuuuut everyone left the store, and I didn't have time to purchase them before we had to move on, so I skipped it.

Apparently it's a good thing I did skip it. Melisa and I are sometimes just a little bit too alike for our comfort. It's freaky.

Check Your Change!

I have a trio of fun giveaways going on right now:

Family calendar giveaway from BusyBodyBook right here.

JumpStart Get Moving Family Fitness game for the Wii right here.

Spinbrush MyWay! (for girls) battery operated toothbrush right here.

***

Mister Man unfortunately broke his sunglasses. Finding a size that fits an almost seven year old boy is not easy. We found a pair, and now they are no more.

He was playing with them, which he's been warned not to do. Pulling and pushing on the arms of the sunglasses will eventually cause them to sheer off, and that's exactly what happened.

I don't have much sympathy for the wee ones when things like this happen after they've been warned. Mister Man needs sunglasses though, since I have this thing about protecting his light colored eyes from damage.

He and I went on a hunt for new sunglasses, and we luckily found a pair that fit him without having to hit too many stores. Even better, they were only $9.99 ($10.69 with tax).

Mean mommy that I am, I made Mister Man pay for them. Since he didn't have his money with him, he had to go raid his piggy bank when he got home. Although he keeps telling me things like I have wayyyyy more than ten dollars, Mommy, I keep reminding him that just because you have money doesn't mean you want to waste it buying replacements for things you've broken. It's much more fun to buy things you actually want that are new to you.

He headed upstairs to go get my money.

And came back with $5.80. I had him count it out, and I sent him back uptairs.

He came down with $5.05 and insisted the five dollars plus the five cents made ten dollars. Ummm no, not so much. Back up he went.

And then I was proud of him. He found another five dollar bill, and he also brought change. Two quarters. A dime. A nickel. And four pennies. I had my $10.69.

And I'm beginning to wonder now if he didn't know how to make the $10.69 from the start and wasn't trying to get away with maybe not paying me all the money he owed.

I don't think that he's going to play with his sunglasses again anytime soon. He was convinced that he wasn't going to be able to go outside to play without his sunglasses.

Packing For BlogHer: I've Got A Strategy

I have a trio of fun giveaways going on right now:

Family calendar giveaway from BusyBodyBook right here.

JumpStart Get Moving Family Fitness game for the Wii right here.

Spinbrush MyWay! (for girls) battery operated toothbrush right here.

***

So in - let's see - less than nine hours, I will be in the air on my way to New York City for Blogher '10. There's a reason that I'm not yet asleep, but I'm actually not quite sure what that is. Maybe it's just practice for my sleep deprivation while at BlogHer.

The good news is that I'm pretty much packed. And I say pretty much because not everything is in my suitcase. But I am a champion packer, so I know I can finish it lightning quick. I have a strategy for packing.

There are certain things I've learned that make packing and getting to the airport much easier for me. And since I'm such a nice person, I'm going to share them with you!

My Top Ten Packing Strategies

1) That one-quart bag that you're allowed to bring in your carry on with your up to 3.4 ounce liquid items? Put it in the outer pocket of your carry on or in your purse. No digging, no delays, just a quick zip and you've got it out and ready.

2) It's possible that I sometimes cheat with my carry ons. I will put my purse into a carry on as I'm going through security if I need to - when I take out my laptop, I can sneak my purse in and voila, an extra carry on, if needed. I will say that I still put only one item in the overhead compartment; the rest goes under the seat in front of me. I'm not a carry on storage hog!

3) To avoid digging through everything to get my license to go through security, when I arrive at the airport, my license goes into my front pocket so that I've got it handy - especially if my purse is inside another carry on! Once I'm through security, the purse comes out and my license goes right back in its place.

4) I always wear easy slip on shoes when going through security, too. When it's summer, those slip on shoes are frequently ones where I'm not wearing socks. There is no way that I'm going to walk barefoot on the airport floor though. Call me a wimp, but the thought just skeeves me out. Instead, I carry a pair of socks in my purse (or outside pocket of my carry on) strategically placed so that I can easily grab the socks and put them on while I'm without my shoes.

5) I carry a reusable water bottle with me almost everywhere I go. Headed to NYC for five days? It's definitely joining me. I'm not going to waste the space that my forty ounce bottle takes inside a carry on, though. I use a carabiner to attach the bottle to the outside of a carry on, and it's easily passed through. Bonus? Once I'm through security, I can fill up my water bottle giving me plenty to drink on the plane without having to wait for service aboard the plane.

6) I always pack a few little snacks. They are always ones that can't be crushed (no potato chips!) and are shelf stable (duh?), as well as being ones that don't smell. There's nothing worse - ok, there is, but this is still a pet peeve of mine - than getting on a small plane with recirculated air and having to smell other people's food. Granola bars are perfect for this, and I've got a few packed in my purse already.

7) All my electronic chargers are in one place. I usually put them in the outside pocket of my carry on, and they are somehow magically the right size. It makes them easy to access when I'm in the airport and need to charge something while I'm waiting around. Plus, it makes it super easy to unpack and find everything once you've arrived at your destination. Everything in its place and all.

8) I carry a couple extra packs of gum with me when I'm traveling, too. When you're in the dry air of an airplane for an extended period, you start to feel dehydrated. If you don't have a water bottle or other beverage available, gum is a great way to keep your mouth from drying out.

9) I know I'm not alone in this one, but I dress to avoid having to pack extra items. I tend to wear simmilar colors, which means I need fewer purses, jewelry, and shoes. I will actually change out outfits to ensure that I'm not causing myself to carry more luggage. Fortunately, there are some color palettes that I tend to like.

10) Did I mention that I always check in online? You can check in up to twenty-four hours before your flight, including checking luggage now (cheaper than doing it at the airport!). If I don't have a seat assignment or I don't like my seat, checking in early gives me a better shot at grabbing one of the seats that has been released. But if I still don't have a seat (and I don't for Sunday's flight back), there's no panic. I still have a ticket, and they'll find a seat for me unless I choose to give it up for compensation from the airline. If I don't like my seat, I can always request a seat change at the gate. I don't always get it, but it never hurts to ask!

So with that, I'm off to go finish my packing. BlogHer in T minus not enough hours!

Tasty Tuesday!

I have a trio of fun giveaways going on right now:

Family calendar giveaway from BusyBodyBook right here.

JumpStart Get Moving Family Fitness game for the Wii right here.

Spinbrush MyWay! (for girls) battery operated toothbrush right here.

***

Apparently, I'm on a bit of a soup kick right now. Maybe it's because you can find soups that are not super heavy in the oppressive heat we've got right now. Or maybe I'm just being lazy, and I've got some soups that are super easy to throw together.

Take tonight's soup, for instance. It took me a total of ten minutes to make it, and only about four of those involved actually paying attention to the recipe. The rest of it was getting the wee ones' plates and cups full of their dinner and setting the table.

This is a recipe I love - and not only because it can be tossed together so quickly. It's perfect for the days where I don't have a ton in the fridge but I do have some leftovers that need to be used or tossed. For this one, even if the spinach is getting old and might turn soon (e.g., no more spinach salad for me!), it works just fine in the soup.

Stracciatella (Italian Wedding Soup - just not what you're expecting!)

Ingredients:
6 c chicken or vegetable broth (I always use chicken, but so easy to make vegetarian)
10 oz baby spinach, chopped (or be lazy like me and don't both to chop them)
3 eggs
1/2 c Parmesan cheese
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t nutmeg (no I don't measure either of these last two; I simply grate until I have what looks like enough)

Directions:
Boil the broth.

While you're waiting for the broth to boil, crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk lightly. Add the cheese, nutmeg, and pepper and mix again.

Once the broth is boiling, add the spinach. Stir and bring back to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in a circle. While whisking, add the eggs in a stream to create a vortex - this will make long strands of eggs, like in egg drop soup. (I made a smaller version of this recipe with the ingredients not measured so I didn't have enough broth, which is why my eggs turned out as they did. I was still yummy though!)

Let it cool a few minutes, and serve. Yum! I had about two cups of this, and I was absolutely full afterwards. It's amazing how something so small and light and easy is so filling.

Enjoy this and more with Tempt My Tummy and Blessed With Grace! (And see - I remembered a picture this time!)

Looking Back On Five Years....

I have a trio of fun giveaways going on right now:

Family calendar giveaway from BusyBodyBook right here.

JumpStart Get Moving Family Fitness game for the Wii right here.

Spinbrush MyWay! (for girls) battery operated toothbrush right here.

***

Little Miss was born five years ago. She was an extremely planned baby. We knew we wanted Mister Man to have a younger sibling who was somewhere between twenty and twenty-eight months younger than him. She is twenty-two months younger. We knew she would be a C-section because Mister Man was and my doctor didn't give us the option to try a VBAC. We knew what day she would be born, and we knew approximately what time.

While I love planning, I could have used a few more unknowns with her birth. I did keep her gender a surprise, so after the pulled her out, I asked (weakly? I'd had a really bad reaction to the initial anesthesia) if it was a boy or girl. I received no response, and several panicked questions later, my husband finally asked for me, and we found out that Little Miss was a girl.

Once I was in recovery, my husband called my parents, who were anxiously waiting by the phone to hear the news of another healthy grandbaby. They were thrilled - and kindly watching Mister Man for us while we were at the hospital. They promised to visit as soon as Mister Man woke up from his nap later that afternoon.

When Mister Man walked in, I had Little Miss in my arms while sitting in the standard issue hospital chair. She was tucked up in her blanket with the little knitted stocking cap volunteers had made for new babies. As soon as he saw Little Miss, he marched over and immediately grabbed the top of her hat and pulled it off.

Little Miss's head went kaboing as it bounced from the surprise of having her hat suddenly removed - and I sat there open-mouthed stunned by what had just occurred, unable to cushion Little Miss's head in time. After assuring myself that Little Miss was ok and hadn't suffered any permanent injury in her only hours old life, I asked Mister Man why he had done that.

But, Mommy, you aren't allowed to wear hats inside. That's the rule.

Well, yeah, I suppose it is the rule. I hadn't thought to explain to Mister Man about the infant bonnet beforehand, nor had anyone else. It was a very memorable introduction to her big brother, but Little Miss hasn't held it against him.

And somehow, it's five years later. Five years of growing and changing and learning for all of us. Five years of a very strong bond created between the siblings. Five years of sharing and ... not. Of generosity and selfishness.

But mostly five years of a love that is proven by Mister Man sneaking into Little Miss's room last night long after she'd fallen asleep to give her one of his favorite toys for her birthday present from him. And I don't think I could ask for anything more.

(And yes, I know I've posted before about the tradition of a cake for the birthday and cupcakes for half-birthdays, but ever since I went to the Wilton Tent Sale and found this cupcake stand - among many other things - Little Miss has been begging to have it for her birthday. So of course I obliged.