Perhaps you’re one of those super organized women who cooks a month’s worth of dinners and stows them away in the freezer so as to save time later.  If so, I totally hate you.  But I applaud you nonetheless.

     As for me, I’m a bit challenged when it comes to that sort of thing.  That is of course, until I came across this place in town that organizes that whole process for me.  It’s a local business that features a new menu of dinners (about 15 at any given time) each month.  They do all the planning, kitchen prep work, and clean up.  All the customer (yours truly in this case) has to do is set up an appointment time to go in and assemble any number of meals that suits the family.

     I visited for the third time on Thursday.  I spent about two hours there and in that short time I prepared 13 meals.  Tasty and unique meals to boot.  Each entree has directions applied right to the disposable packaging so that all I have to do at home is either grill, bake, or cook it on the stove-top according to the directions.  Simple as pie I tell ya.  And since they use all kinds of fresh and tasty herbs and ingredients, my meals come out that much better than they would at home.

     I’ve heard that little shops like this are available all over the country.  I just thought I’d share in case any of you are as organizationally challenged in this regard as I.  You might want to check your phone book or ask around for a similar place.  Because when summer rolls around, I’m all about simple.  And seriously… who isn’t?

     Friday already?  It’s amazing how much faster the week goes by in the summer!  You know what Friday means though right?  Uh-huh.  Finish This Sentence!

     When it comes to _________________, I’m your go-to girl (or guy).

     This one is another no brainer for me.  When it comes to Walt Disney World travel planning, I am such the go-to girl.  No really, I am.  Check out the unbeatable advice me and eleven of my Disneyphile counterparts have to offer here.

     So, that’s my area of expertise.  What about you?  What are you insanely knowledgeable about?

     I had IT (individual time) with Kennedy tonight.  It’s something I try to do monthly with each of the kids, but it doesn’t always happen.  Tonight we chose to do a date night theme and opted for dinner and a movie.  The dinner was at Texas Roadhouse which, save for the homemade yeast rolls with honey butter, isn’t anything to write home about.  The service was lacking and that brings me to my topic.

     What’s considered normal tip-wise?

     Here’s my philosophy:

     I expect a server to keep our drinks refilled, to respond to requests in a timely manner, to check back periodically to see if we need anything, and to not disappear for extended periods of time (especially once we’ve finished our meal and are ready for the check).  I know a lot of people prefer to linger around at the end of the meal, but with four kids in tow, we’re not those people.  If a server meets these expectations, I think a 20% tip is appropriate.  If he/she goes above and beyond by making conversation with us or the kids, or bringing out extra crayons or something, then I like to cushion the tip a bit (22-25%).

     If, on the other hand, the server lets our cups run dry, doesn’t bring the ketchup in spite of the fact that we’ve politely asked twice, or leaves us sitting idly with empty plates in front of us, I tend to think that the tip should reflect the service and I prefer to leave 15%.

     Tonight, Kennedy and I had one of those servers in the second category.  Our drinks were not promptly refilled, she took forever to come back for my credit card once she left the bill, and there were a few other minor issues that I won’t bore you with here.  So she got the 15%.

     After I squared up we rushed out of the restaurant so that we could make the movie on time.  When I pulled out my wallet to pay for our theater tickets, I noticed that I’d left my credit card at the restaurant.  No biggie.  I figured I’d just pop back in and get it on the way home.

     After the movie I stopped at the restaurant to pick up my card.  The hostesses at the front had to go get the server.  When she came to the front she was not nice in the least.  I couldn’t think of any reason for her less than hospitable attitude other than she was not pleased with her 15% tip.

    And that, my friends, is why I’m turning to you.  I’m curious what your tipping standards are.  I know that at many places the standard tip they tack on to a bill for large parties is 18%.  I never pay 18%.  For me it’s either 15%, 20% or greater.  But I really wonder what the norm is.  So please, do share.

     Oh, and in case you wondered…

     Turns out I didn’t leave my credit card at the restaurant.  I found it at the bottom of my purse.

     And…

     We saw the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.  Both of us whole-heartedly give it two thumbs up.  I absolutely loved the first one and this one certainly did not disappoint.  I highly recommend it as a wholesome family movie with a great good vs. evil message that even little ones can’t help but come away with.

     Enough of the Roger Ebert stuff though.  Let’s talk tips!

     It’s late.  I’m tired.  But… I couldn’t go to bed without putting a shiny new post up on my blog for all you east coasters who come visit me long before the sun has even thought about rising here in southern AZ. 

     I’ve mustered up three things that aren’t necessarily worthy of their own post, but definitely shareable.

       1.  I planted the beginnings of an herb garden last weekend.  Um, wait.  That’s not entirely accurate.  Jeff planted the beginnings of an herb garden last weekend at my insistence.  Ever since seeing the idea in this month’s Real Simple magazine I’ve been itching to do it.  We started with basil and flat leaf Italian parsley.  I want to get some rosemary and oregano and mint (mostly for mojitos) as well.  But, since my thumbs are more of a fleshly pink than green, I am concerned about the longevity of this little project.  I’m open for tips from some of you gardeners.  And ideas about what other herbs are invincible hearty.

       2.  When I was little my family made semi-annual trips to the nearest mall (about 60 miles from our house in what was then a podunk town).  It was not fun trying to entertain myself for hours on end while my mother perused the clothing racks at Miller’s Outpost, but, the treat we were sure to get at the end of the day made it all worthwhile.  There was (and very well still may be) a bakery in that mall called the Cookie Cookery.  Now, chocolate really isn’t my cup of tea so your everyday chocolate chip cookies don’t excite me so much.  That, my friends, is why the Cookie Cookery was so popular in my book.  They made these sugar cookies there that were to die for.  To.  Die.  For.  They were a little piece of melt-in-your-mouth, sold-by-the-pound heaven.  And the little yellow bags they were packaged in were always empty before we even made it home. 

       I’ve never seen another Cookie Cookery in all my thirty years.  Nor have I ever tasted another sugar cookie that even came close to rivaling the gems of my childhood.  That is, until I found this.  I happened upon this Martha recipe last week and thought I might as well give it a shot.  I didn’t have high hopes seeing as how it was only the umpteenth sugar cookie recipe I’ve tried in a string of fruitless attempts to duplicate the Cookie Cookery masterpiece of my youth.  I followed the recipe precisely though and was tickled pink at the result.  It is a perfect replica of the cookie I so fondly remember.  And I think I’ve discovered the folly of my ways.  All these years, in trying to duplicate the original, I’ve always thought that cream of tartar was the key ingredient that infused the tangy hint of goodness in my beloved Cookie Cookery sugar cookies.  Ah, but now I know.  It was the sour cream. 

       My life will never be the same.

       And last but not least, #3.  My new Wii Fit has come in pretty handy in helping me counteract the effects of all those buttery delicious sugar cookies.  I am head over heels for it my friends.  I mean, as head over heels as one can get for an electronic personal trainer who totally kicks my butt on a daily basis.  I’m learning yoga and new strength training exercises and all about how important core muscles are in developing great posture and good balance.  Betcha didn’t know all that stuff was related didya?  Okay.  Maybe you did, but I didn’t.  Either way I am so digging this cool new toy.  I have just as many achy muscles now as I did back in the day when getting thrown into the air for a split-second toe touch in the end zone was a weekly occurrence.  It feels pretty good too.  Jeff is addicted as well.  So, for those of you waiting for the verdict on this baby, I gotta tell ya: it was worth every penny.

     Okay.  That’s all she wrote.  Literally.

     You remember how I wrote here about Cassidy being my own little starlet?  Well, the proof is in the pudding right?  I thought I’d share some pictures of her last day of school.

     This child was an autograph signin’ fool that day!  Everywhere she turned there was a yearbook or a water bottle or a t-shirt being pushed her way and a Sharpie held out for her to grab.  I hung around for most of the festivities on her last day and I was brought to tears many times at the what her teachers and classmates had to say about her.  One little boy asked if Cassidy would be in his class next year and when the teacher responded honestly that she didn’t know he replied, “I hope so; Cassidy’s cool!”

     Eight years ago I wasn’t sure I’d ever hear one of her peers utter those words.

     We live in a school district where, barring extenuating circumstances, special needs children are mainstreamed into regular classrooms with their typical peers.  The idea is that the arrangement benefits not only the special needs child, but the classroom as a whole.  Cassidy learns behavioral and other skills from age appropriate models while the other children learn to tolerate and appreciate differently-abled kids. 

         All the kids were given awards that day.  Cassidy’s recognized her for “inspiring and amazing” the whole class throughout the year.  More than one of her second-grade classmates came up to tell me that Cass was funny or that her favorite thing to do at recess was the monkey bars or that she loves the “Very Hungry Caterpillar” book.

      I can’t express enough how thankful I am for the opportunity she has in this district.  For the friends she’s made and the people who’ve influenced her.  Truth be told, months ago we debated sending her to a different school next year.  One that was closer and more convenient.  After those few hours spent as a fly on the wall in the classroom though, I’ve decided not to mess with a good thing.

     I think she’s right where she needs to be.

     Buckle up kids…it’s time for another Finish This Sentence Friday.  This one came to mind yesterday as I was running errands in town and I saw SUV after SUV with graduate well wishes written across the windows.  Okay, so here’s your food for thought:

     This time of year, it’s all about the Pomp and Circumstance.  But my high school years were best summed up in the lyrics of ____________________________.

     I had to cheat and pick two.  Sara Evans’ Born to Fly has always hit home with me.  And John Mellencamp’s Jack ‘n Diane.  Before you go all judgemental on me I gotta say that the main reason I picked this one was for the stanza towards the end of the song that says,

“Hold on to 16 as long as you can
Changes comin round real soon
Make us women and men.”

     If you’ve read my Who Am I page then you can see why I relate. 

     Of course nowadays, Rascall Flatts’ Bless the Broken Road says it all.

     Okay, okay.  Enough about me.  What songs that tell the story of your life? 

     This, my friends, is a glorious day.  A day I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time now.  A day that will change life as I know it, temporarily at least.  For you see, it’s the final day of school around these parts.  And do you know what that means for me?

       – It means I’ve racked my weary brain for the last time trying to stuff lunch boxes with offerings that are both delicious and nutritious.

       – It means I don’t have to leave the house ten minutes too early so as to avoid driving behind my dreadfully slow and completely frustrating next door neighbor.  Dreadfully slow because she honest to goodness drives at least ten miles under the speed limit.  Completely frustrating because she backed out of a carpool with me because our teenage daughters had a bit of a falling out.  So now we drive two vehicles with half as many peope inside.  It’s a 22 mile rountrip jaunt that we now both set out on twice each day.  On our way to the exact same place.  At what would be the exact same time if I didn’t make every effort to avoid following her along this route five days each week.  I really shouldn’t say it but in all honesty it makes me wish I had a rotten egg rocket attached to my minivan.  Oops.  Did that slip out?

       – It means I don’t have to deal with my not-so-morning-friendly teenager who would rather memorize the phone book than drag herself out of bed at 6 am.

       – It means I have a six week hiatus from arguing with my ten-year-old over what is and what is not suitable school attire.  And we’re not arguing about shorts that are too short.  Oh no.  This child has a passion for fashion and she tires easily of wearing the same clothing item (think jeans, or shorts) to school for too long.  In the dead of winter, for instance, she’ll frequently decide that she’s bored with pants and instead she wants to sport her too cute denim miniskirt and sequined tank.  Call me crazy but a mom has to put her foot down sometimes right?  Well not anymore.  Not this mom.  Not until 5th grade anyway.

       – It means that the hectic cluster of class parties, plays, picnics, poetry readings and performances has finally wrapped up and won’t come around again until this time next year.

       -It means that the kids and I can look forward to blissfully unscheduled summer days.  It means we’ll awake because the light is creeping through the blinds, not because the alarm says it’s time.  It means we’ll enjoy fresh strawberry smoothies on the patio instead of cold cereal in a bowl.  It means swimming pools and sleeping in and library book clubs and sleeping in and homemade ice cream, and oh yeah, did I mention sleeping in?

     Summertime and I are friends that go way back.  And though she doesn’t come around as often as I wish she would, she’s always a welcome guest in this house.  I hope she’ll come in and stay awhile. 

     Mr. Fed Ex man came through for me today, big time.  BIG TIME.

     I pre-ordered this little diddy a couple of weeks ago and I have been dying for it to be officially released so that I could give it a whirl.  And lo and behold, here it is.  I can’t wait to slip into my yoga pants and sports bra and see just how much of a beating this little baby can dish out.  Whatever it takes to get this blueberry (muffin-top) of mine up and outta heya!  I’ll let you know how it goes!

     In the spirit of brotherly love I thought I’d start an entire category for Things I’ve Learned.  You know, to pass along the wealth of knowledge that I’ve acquired thus far in my adventurous life.  Maybe adventurous isn’t the right word.  Perhaps eventful would be more accurate. 

     Well then.  Here are the first of the tidbits I thought I’d share.  Just a few nuggets of knowledge that I’ve picked up at one point or another during this eventful life of mine. 

     And be sure to stay tuned; this well of wisdom ain’t even close to runnin’ dry. 

       1. Never buy generic boxed scalloped potatoes.

       2. After the age of 25, it’s whole lot harder for your body to bounce back post pregnancy.  The term ‘muffin-top’ will take on a whooooooooooole new meaning.

       3. Evaporated milk can safely be used 9 months after the “best by” date.  Don’t let the brownish lumps fool you.

       4. If you run out of disposable nursing pads, maxi pads (cut in half) will do the job.

       5. The teenagers working at the theater could care less about the M & M’s you smuggled in.

       6. Just about everything tastes better with a splash of fresh lemon juice.

       7. The guy you dream of marrying when you’re in high school will likely make your skin crawl when you’re thirty.

       8. Don’t bother leaving voicemail for a doctor, plumber, banker, or anyone who works, in any capacity, for the government.  They won’t call you back.

       9. If, in a moment of panic, you should administer an anal suppository into the wrong end of your infant daughter, she will be just fine.  It may take a bit longer to kick in, but she really will be fine.  The 911 operator can confirm it if you don’t believe me.  As can the paramedics who will most assuredly show up at your door within minutes of your frantic 911 call.

      10. Some things–many things–are worth waiting for.