A Message from the Lawd...

Lately one of Puckey's favorite movies has been Jonah (you know, the Veggie Tales movie). So she sometimes quotes phrases like, "Jonah was in the belly of a whale." or "A message from the Lord" (but she pronounces it "lawd" - apparently she is from New Jersey or something).

I have recently been trying to lose weight. (Hi, my name is Julie, and I'm a food addict) I haven't made a big deal of it to the kids, I'm just slowly trying to change my eating habits. Last night, Ande and I went with his dad to Fuddrucker's (which is one of my favorite places to eat). I was good, I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and NO FRENCH FRIES. I didn't even steal any fries off of Puckey's plate. I wish I had Puckey's appetite - she picks at her food for a few minutes, usually taking 1 bite of each piece of chicken or whatever, then starts running laps around the table. Alas, I don't. This is why I'm overweight.

I was finishing my sandwich, and Puckey was on lap 6, 427. She stopped next to me and held her hands out like she was holding something. Then she said, "A message from the Lord" (remember, it's pronounced "lawd") She "handed" me the "box" that the message was in (I LOVE that she has a great imagination!). I "opened" the box, but told her I couldn't read the message, and asked if she could read it to me. She looked up at me, TOTALLY serious and said, "Don't eat donuts."

I looked and Ande, and the expression on his face was, well - let's put it this way, if he would have smiled any bigger, I think I would have seriously been able to see the inside of his head. He even had the nerve to chuckle about it.

Okay, so I laughed too. It WAS really funny.

Out of the mouths of babes, right??

4 The Kids

Michelle, over at My Semblance of Sanity, has an exciting new project that will help raise money for pediatric cancer research. She's calling it 4 the Kids, and she's looking for people to help out with the project. There's lots of ways you could help, by volunteering your services (like web design), offering up items for sale, or just linking back to Michelle's blog to help spread the word.

I personally have not been affected by childhood cancer, but many members of my family HAVE suffered from different types of cancer as adults. Some have won their battles, others have not. I feel so fortunate that my immediate family and my children are healthy. I'd like to help make that dream a reality for other families who aren't so fortunate.

You can help, too. Just check out Michelle's blog by clicking here, and let her know how you would like to help.

Because you asked...

Well, since half of you have asked, (okay, well it was only 2 people - but only 4 people have commented on my with/without crust post, so that makes it 50% right?) you can get a Ped Egg at Bed Bath and Beyond. Use your 20% off coupons. Don't have one? Let me know, I've got plenty!!!

(I didn't tell you that I found about 7 or 8 MORE coupons AFTER I took this picture. I think I may have a problem...)

You can also get them at Linens & Things, Target, and maybe even Wal Mart.

Run, don't walk, to your nearest retailer and get yours today! Let's make this a crustless summer!!

Oh, and Amanda - you're right, I was totally thinking of other people's needs when I did my pedicure...HA HAH HA!! That was GREAT. Hope we get to see you when you come back to MI!!

Do you like yours WITH or WITHOUT crust?

You'd think I was talking about sandwiches, right?

World's Most Expensive Sandwich, the "McDonald" by Selfridges- $170. Apparently it has since been "dethroned" by another sandwich at the Cliveden in Berkshire - the “von Essen Platinum Club Sandwich” (cost:$200) a couple months ago.

Nope... Toast?

Nah... I'm talking about feet.

Royal pedicure? Toes were pampered in high-end mummifications—wrapped individually and sometimes even capped by gold sheaths to ensure they wouldn't break off. Here, the feet of the mummy thought to be Rameses I.

Last Sunday morning before church I decided to give myself a mini-pedicure. You know, because I have ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD on Sunday mornings. Not really, but I did want to paint my toenails, since I was going to do that, I figured I'd make the time to do it right.

Have you heard of the Ped Egg?

Okay, well here's a little free advertising for the Ped Egg - I have one, and it is GREAT! I don't know exactly when I got "old" and actually needed to remove callouses from my feet. I think it may have happened gradually, but regardless of when or why it happened, SOMETHING needed to be done. I like to paint my toenails and wear sandals and flip-flops in the warm weather, but there was NO WAY I was putting my piggies on display looking like they did. So I bought the Ped Egg a while back, and it really works. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't used it myself.

ANYHOO....so I broke out the Ped Egg and started removing the callouses from my heels. Puckey walked in and said, "Are you getting the crust off your feet, Mama?" I about fell over! I told her I WAS getting the crust off, and let her feel how soft my heels were when I was done. She thought it was pretty cool.

So I guess you could say I like mine WITHOUT crust, thank you very much!

However, if you also like your SANDWICHES without crust - Pampered Chef has a nifty little gadget that will do that for you....I have one of these, too. It's pretty much one of the coolest things ever.

Coming out of my shell

In life, we all have embarassing moments that we can laugh about later. Vibrio vulnificus bacteria is no laughing matter. Could you be at risk? Check out Be Oyster Aware's website to find out if you might be at risk for a potentially life-threatening illness associated with eating raw oysters. There are also some recipes for cooked oyster dishes. Visit their site and find out more at: Gulf oysters.