So, last month I was at the dentist for my six month cleaning.


Not a big deal really but it turned into a big deal, one we were so not expecting so quickly.

You see the mom mobile was having a bit of an issue once we returned back from picking the boys up from PA.

I had the transmission flushed before we went because she was running so hot before we left. I was told that there was quite a bit of water in it...not good.

Once we got back she was acting really funny, stalling, bucking and still running super hot. Grrrr!

Now, these issues would only appear when I drove which did not help matters any.

Now.. here I am driving to the dentist's office and I am having oodles of issues with the car as get closer to the office.

Crossing my fingers I was able to make it there, park the car, notice the awful metal burning scent from the front *try to ignore it* and get into the office.

Teeth cleaning went well, no cavities and I was free to go.

Hop in car, she turned over, backed out, pulled forward and then the unthinkable.

The car died.

I was able to throw it into drive and let it coast into a parking spot.

DH arrived about an hour later, I was able to sit in the lovely 103 temp and fall to pieces.

AAA arrived about an hour after DH picked me up and we had her towed to our local Dodge dealership.



Turned out the transmission was pretty well shot and to replace it was really equal to a nice down payment on a new car.

Earlier than we wanted (we were hoping to get a new car in Dec.) and sort of in a bind it was time to work with the dealership on a new car.

We ended up with a car neither of us expected.

I was thinking Mazda CX8 or Tribute neither of those did not do anything for us. We tried the new Dodge van and were really impressed and came this ** close to buying one but....
in the end we bought a PT Cruiser.


I know, really.

It is a really, really fun car to drive and easy to load up the groceries in the back. We have added a hitch to tote around our bikes and I have a moon roof now!

The goal is let Nate have the car in three years since he will be off to college then. *gasp* He is looking so forward to driving this car next year (in SC you can learn to drive when you are 15) me not so much.

So, now I have a new zippy mom mobile that I really love. :-))

A lizard!

I noticed a tiny little rustle in the lettuce when I was going to enter the house yesterday and I spotted this little green fellow.

I must admit that I never noticed the fly that was above him until now. :)


He was happy just hopping from leaf to leaf, never eating them just hopping on them.

Simply stated.


Sad day in this house because DH is a *cough*Alabama fan *cough*.

He will never live this day down.

Poor guy.

One item we really enjoy eating is rice.

Mmmmm...

On a side note we have switched to Jasmine rice due to the lower amount of glucose found in it and we prefer the taste.

The boys really enjoy Spanish Rice and were asking for it once they arrived back home.

DH said to just add ketchup with some spices to some cooked rice.

Uh - yeah, I could do that but it did not sound very tempting to me.

I stumbled across this recipe and opted to try it.

A word of warning: Do not attempt to make this recipe when you are chatting on the phone.

Why?!

Er... I ended up doubling the rice and did not catch my error until well into the cooking process which had me flying around the kitchen making more chicken broth and adding in more tomatoes.

In the end we had enough to feed oh.I would say 20 people. Oops!

This is one tasty recipe that does not disappoint!

I used low salt chicken broth and canned tomatoes with chilies in this recipe.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Classic Mexican Rice

Recipe By: rec.food.recipes pat rgrzy
Serving Size : 6
Categories: Side Dishes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup long-grain rice
3 Tbl oil
1 Small onion -- diced small
1 clove garlic -- minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
4 ounces tomato sauce
2 1/4 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups Monterey jack cheese -- shredded

• In a large skillet, brown rice in oil. Add
• Add the remaining ingredients, let simmer, covered, over low heat for 25 minutes or until tender.
• Add one can chopped green chilies* after the rice has browned, along with other ingredients.
• When done, transfer to an 8"x8" casserole dish.
• Top with shredded Monterey Jack Cheese.
• Micro-wave at high, right before serving, to melt cheese.

Source:
"http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/483/Classic_Mexican_Rice57914.shtml"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NOTES :

* I purred a can of tomatoes with chilies and added that in to the rice in place of the plain green chilies.

Just to refresh your memory *click me* I was down and almost out in getting Spencer's bedroom

done before we had to go North and bring them back home.


I was working right down to 5 hours before we left, the white trim was painted, curtains up and walls completed.

He is quite happy with the way how it all has turned out and I am more than thrilled.

My only wish would be for him to let me place the season schedule poster on his wall but he is

not going for it at all. *sigh*

So, here is the transformation:

How could I not share this delightfully fun speaker with you?!

This Mai Coffee Cup speaker is perfect for your iPhone, iPod or any MP3.

What a great gift for that coffee lover in your life. *grin*

The speaker is charged through your USB port, smaller MP3 players can fit inside.

Why not add some fun to your office or desk?!

Check out the Mai Coffee Cup Speaker at Buy.com to read more about it and purchase one.

How cute are these little cupcake hats for that extra special little girl ?

You can purchase both and not even break the piggy bank!

Now is the perfect time to get ready for those cool fall days that are right around the corner.

Plus, it is a cupcake hat!

Check out Lakeside Collection to purchase yours. :)