Now Hiring: Home Inventory Coordinator

I thought of a really cool job today! Home Inventory Coordinator. This is not something I wish to do, but I encourage others out there to give it a shot.

The basic job description is this:

Someone who comes into a home and takes an inventory of food, and health and beauty products. For instance: The Home Inventory Coordinator (HIC) will conduct a weekly inventory on the contents of the home owner's fridge and pantry. Health and Beauty products, usually located under a bathroom sink, or in a linen closet will get an inventory taken on a monthly basis. Reports will be printed, therefore, making trips to the grocery, or drugstore more affordable for the home owner. A regular inventory can help eliminate any wasted food that has been duplicated, and also lessens the "OMG, no one told me we needed butter!" issue. 

 In a previous post I mentioned how I happened upon like, three unopened containers of sour cream in our fridge, as well as stuff that just shouldn't have been in there. Well today, I made a roast chicken for dinner and, being the good housewife I am, I also decided to make some nice gravy to go with it. As I searched the spice cupboard for packages of Turkey Gravy mix, which I discovered two of, but also found seven packages of Brown Gravy Mix. SEVEN. When I told D about what I found he said that when he made a trip to the store the other day, he passed it in the isle and grabbed a package. Ya know, just in case. As he was putting it away, the other six packages came tumbling out. We now realize we have enough.

To make matters even crazier, I happily surprised D today with six bars of Irish Spring soap that were on sale. We all know D loves a good sale! And that is why we already had 10 bars under our bathroom sink.

Either we need to hire a HIC, or we need a therapist.

PS - I claim bringing brown gravy to our next family dinner!

Good For You Ice Cream!

My wine buddy, Lana, told me about One Ingredient Ice Cream made from bananas. I wasn't sure if it was the wine talking, so I did some research and she was in fact right. There is such a thing as turning bananas into ice cream!

AJ and I go through a lot of bananas. I use them for my morning smoothie and she often has them as a bedtime snack. But once in a while, more often than not, we end up with a few who are tired of sitting on the kitchen counter and decide to go bad. They probably think, "I bet we will get baked into a nice warm banana bread!" Not so much.

But now that I am aware of this banana ice cream, I will be putting them to good use.

Or maybe not.

The idea is to cut up some bananas, freeze them, then puree them into an ice creamy texture. You can add cocoa powder, peanut butter, strawberry jam, honey, or other ingredients to create some neat flavors. How can one go wrong, right? Just remember who wrote this post.

The only reason this failed for me was because I don't have the proper equipment. I tried to use my smoothie mixer, then a hand mixer. They DO NOT work. The bananas are too hard. I did manage to get a little bit to taste and just from that, I can tell you this stuff is kick ass! It has a definite ice creamy texture, and there wasn't a harsh banana flavor. Certainly not like eating baby food.

Give this recipe a try, and tell me what you think! What extra flavors did you add?

My Child Likes the Cuke

I am thinking I should plant a cucumber garden next year, just for AJ. She loves her cucumber! If I happen to have enough in the house, I bet she would eat one whole English cuke a day. Could be worse things, right?

Here she is in action:

Calming the Terrible Twos Monster

I was certain I would not have to deal with the terrible twos, as AJ has always been such a calm, sweet, well behaved child. I am not saying she is not well behaved now because I have seen how some kids can act, but she is starting to have her moments. I realize this is to be expected and shall pass, so thank Goddess for that! But I can't deny that when the Terrible Two Monster surfaces, I want to run and hide in the closet.

Or the nearest local pub.

When this demonic monster takes over my child she will scream, lay on the floor and scream, hit the couch and scream or look me right in the eye and scream. It usually lasts a few minutes then all of a sudden like a light being turned off, she stops and hugs me. It often amazes D and I how quickly she will correct herself.

But I tell you, her and I can go at it like I know we will when she is 15. I see the future and it is scary. I am tasting my own medicine and it is bitter. You were right, Mom.

Since it is pretty well just AJ and I all day, we get to spend time doing fun things. But, on days where I have deadlines for work, she may watch Tangled twice in a row. Maybe three times. Possibly four. Yes, I know ..... MOTY!

Done judging me? Ok, let's move on.

So on days where I see the tail of the Terrible Two Monster starting to emerge, I stop it with distractions. Yesterday it was a Ring Pop, today it was finger painting, and tomorrow it will probably be letting her watch Dora on my phone. Whatever it takes.

I get my work done, so I am happy. She gets to feel special, so she is happy. Which then makes D happy. One happy little family!

The way to look at the terrible twos is as if AJ has PMS everyday. I know how it feels, and I also know how chocolate and wine make it all better. So what if her chocolate and wine is candy and Disney movies? Who cares?

Just So Ya Know ...

My blog posts have been a bit few and far between these days, as I am sure you have noticed. It is not for lack of trying or material I can tell you that. When you head out on a camping trip and realize 45 minutes down the road that you have no blankets or pillows, you lead a life worth writing about.

Here's the deal, folks - I am busy!

When we made the move to Calgary last summer, I lost the job that I had, for obvious reasons. I didn't have much time to find something else, plus childcare, so I combined the two and opened up a dayhome. It worked for the first year, and is now starting to leave me with no energy, and even worse, no writing energy. By the time all the kids are gone home, I still have my own family to take care of. After dinner, cleaning up, bath time and putting AJ to bed, I am left with little time before I, myself, am off to dreamland. Honestly? The only thing I end up wanting to do is watch TV or troll facebook.

I have been plugging away at creating a home based business for a while, and believe I even mentioned it here before. There have been little jobs here and there which make me feel like I am still in the game, and now, the game is just beginning.

So far, this is what I have been working on:

• CanadianMusicians.com - Social Media Manager, Contest Director and Ad Sales 
• Suntset Homes - Blog Writer
• Grumans Catering and Delicatessen - Promotions
• WhatToExpect.com - Word of Mom Blogger 
• Planning a wedding - Bride 
• Dayhome - Childcare worker and pulling out my hair 

On the horizon:

• Impact Society - Social Media Manager
• ConsultWebs - Blogger 
• "How To Become a WAHM" Kindle Series - Co-writer 

I have a meeting with a gentleman who runs a social media consulting business, this week as well. I apply for little writing jobs all the time, so I really feel I will have a full time home based business super soon.

So, with all this said ..... once I get my footing and have it all in place, I plan to make up a solid schedule where I will fit in time for personal blogging. I mean come on, if I am here telling companies to make an effort to blog about what they do .... should I not follow my own advice?