Yay for me!

So I've been making cupcakes still. And loving it. Tim's work is constantly finding excuses to have food and this week was no exception. So when I got a text asking if I could make cupcakes tonight, I was pretty stoked.

I had no creative ideas, so I thought I would just use a different tip for my frosting to make the cupcakes look prettier. So I was going to do yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Always classic, right? But in the process of making the cake mix I spotted a recipe on the back of the box. A recipe I had seen once and not saved. So I got giddy and decided to adapt...

Enter the idea for peanut butter cupcakes with a sweet peanut butter filling and chocolate frosting. You know you just gained weight and got a cavity reading that.

So I threw peanut butter in the mix and baked. Cooled them off and filled with my sweet mixture. That was based off something I found online, but adapted to something I liked better. And it is sooooo tasty! Then I frosted using my special frosting tip and icing bottle. Only I ran out of frosting. Because that method takes a lot more than just spreading it with a knife. So I went back and used the knife so I could have enough frosting.

During all this I was asking Tim about why I was making them. Turns out, someone asked him to ask me. Yup. Someone at work requested cupcakes by me! Made my day.

So if you're jonesing for some peanut buttery goodness, gimme a call. We can arrange something.

Yeah, yeah...

I know. I haven't been posting.

But by the time I get home I'm usually tired. Or I just forgot what it was I wanted to say. So I'll work on that. I may just come up with some stuff and set it to post without me being at the computer.

So I promise: there's still blogs in my future.

Tad moments

My nephew stayed the night here last night and tonight. And as is always the case when he stays over, I notice little things that I love and have to share.

I've realized just how exciting little things are to him. Like recently he has noticed his heartbeat. And comments on it. If he's been particularly active he feels his chest and comes running with this look in his eyes that's simultaneously amazed and proud. "Tia Ashley, feel my heart. It's beeping really fast."

Yes, he says his heart is "beeping." And it's just about the cutest thing I've ever heard. So I put my hand on his chest and feel his heart, and he says, "Can you feel it???" He's so impressed with his own heartbeat.

Then today he surprised my mom and I. We enunciate syllables sometimes with him to help him get the sounds right. Ya know, "Say 'sock,' now say 'er.'" Well today he did it to us! I couldn't figure out who he was talking about so he tried to enunciate it for me. And the look on his face was classic. He's quite the know-it-all feisty one lately. But it's adorable.

I also love when he's tired and watching a movie. He's reached the conclusion that if it's time to be quiet and we're really into a movie, he needs a blanket. Then he'll just cuddle up on the couch with the blanket and watch the movie. He has a serious attention span sometimes. But really, is there any better way to watch a movie than curled up with a blanket?

Hopefully he can demonstrate some more genius tomorrow so I can share it with you.

Confession

It's time for another confession. Don't think less of me for this one.

I enjoy Britney Spears.

Yeah, I do. But before you accuse me of having bad taste, let me remind you that she hit it big while I was in high school. And it was cool seeing someone my age be successful. I never wanted to be her like some girls did, but I was a closet fan.

Because for some reason you can't like Britney (or boy bands or any other pop singer) without being judged. Which is pretty ridiculous. If you strive to be like that person then you may need help, but it's not a crime to enjoy the music.

Seriously, put on a Britney CD and try not to dance or tap your foot or something. It's difficult. Because even if it isn't the most original or creative sound on earth, it's catchy. I'm not comparing her to the Ramones or John Mayer or anything, but for that genre, it's enjoyable.

Was I waiting for a comeback after she divorced her husband? No. Was I counting the days to a new album? No. But I hoped she would succeed when she finally gave it another shot. Then came the award show on MTV. And the train wreck that was her performance. I felt bad, but also laughed at it. Because some people can only be that bad if they try. It was bad. I watched the video a few times, posted it in a myspace bulletin, laughed at the commentary by bloggers...

But I hope she can do better next time.

A little something from class

So everyone knows I started school this week. I have sixth grade. I love them. My master teacher has all these awesome projects and stuff planned for them already. So one of the assignments they have been working on throughout the week is their "Autobiopoem." It's exactly what it sounds like. So here's one about me. I left out the last line (my last name) because who knows about some of you weirdos reading this...

Ashley

Procrastinator, overthinker, creative, and sarcastic

Wife of Tim, daughter of the best parents in the world

Lover of baking, decorating, quiet mornings, and the rain

Who feels children should have fun, gas should be cheaper, and teens should be reigned in

Who needs a good massage, some time for herself, and money for groceries

Who fears the loss of loved ones, failure, and being alone at night

Who gives a shoulder to friends, love to family, and time to her students

Who would like to see Spain, a tornado, and many more movies

Resident of sunny California

So that's just some of what my kids have been doing. I liked it so I thought I'd do my own here. Feeling brave or poetic? Do your own. The format is there. Name, traits, relative, loves, feelings, needs, fears, what you give, what you want to see, residence... and last name if you trust the crazy interwebz (knot term).

*sigh*

I'm tired, my feet hurt, and I want to throw a pillow at my husband.

School went great this week. Great to the point that being at home is boring and I love my sixth graders more than Tim right now. They don't make me cook.

Have to go to the college campus tomorrow and tell financial aid to give me book money. That should be an adventure in incompetence.

I want a foot rub and a glass of wine. Hopefully I can give you something interesting tomorrow.

Yes, I actually said this

Tim just killed a spider. It was up on the wall behind the TV so he had to stretch to do it. Thing was so big it didn't just get squished, it exploded.

Me: Ewwww there's spider guts all over my wall!

Tim made a weak attempt to wipe them, there's still a huge spot of his guts.

Me: You didn't even clean it! There are guts on my wall. And now there's poop. Because poop is in their guts and you know he hasn't pooped after his dinner yet.

Tim: I don't think spiders poop dear.

Me: Yes they do. Everything poops. Except for girls.

Because I still maintain that girls do not poop.