I may be 34 but my skin thinks I'm 14 again

Like many women my age I thought for sure that my pimple days were well in my rear view mirror. Luckily, I had gone many, many years without the pain in the ass bumps that attack our faces, however, times they are a changing. I am not ignorant to the fact that hormones change, however I was really hoping for the "older women get hornier" ones, instead of the "Where's the Proactive?" kind.

What have my 34 year old, post 2 baby hormones decided to take on these days...Big F-ing pimples. What in the hell, body? And not just the sweet ones on your face but nasty vicious bastards inside of my nose, and yes the shit hurts. Without fail at the end of every cycle and right before the next one begins, these monsters appear. They are ridiculous, and even more why? M.I.L.F. acne is shit that I don't want to add into my daily worries.

And as coincidence strikes, while I write this bitch fest the brainiacs at Oil of Olay interrupt my Real Housewives to explain that I am not alone, and they have created a for sure cure all for my menacing issue. Thank you skin gods, but is it really a magic serum?

Skepticism hits a raw spot, since lately I have been overcome by many a cure all, and specifically about those concerning my next pending issue-my weight. As I stated earlier, I am a mom of two born in the last 3 years, and like most women my body took a hit. However, I have lost 50+ lbs since my 2nd baby was born, a feat that I hold with great pride. Furthermore I worked hard for these results by using diet and exercise. Unfortunately, this didn't happen overnight, in fact it has taken 18 months to get where I am. But too many women these days want to get these results in 6 weeks time, and the shit is ludicrous.

I admitted to my husband tonight and I'll put it out to the world now that I am envious of the ladies I know who have recently started intense diet pills and lost 15 lbs a week. It's like the Oil of Olays of weight loss-use this and all your woes are cured. Since I am sane, deep down I know that this is not realistic, because to change a body for life it takes time and permenant lifestyle changes. However on the flip side, like most I want to say "F*%@ this give me the pills!"

Cheers to my husband who once was the driving force to my 70 lb weight loss in college, which I kept off till my first babe baked in the oven, and who said tonight, "If you want it done right you must work hard." I may feel behind in the weight loss race now but speak to me come spring when I have nipped these pain in the ass pimples as well as the dimples still lingering on my ass.

Happy tummies=happy families

Eating out is not a regular in the Davis house so cooking is my favorite hobby since like most peeps we love tasty food. I haven't yet shared any recipes so I am deflowering with a tasty dish that is meant to appeal to a family with various tastes.

We love burgers but I am someone who is encouraged by twisting an old favorite so and my Cheeseburger Paradise Casserole is a perfect example, and yes it is a casserole but a damn delicious one. My fam scarfed it up and Magnus even took the time between bites to say, "This is very yummy in my tummy and splendid!"

It helps that the tomatoes were fresh from our garden, the last before the season was over, however any tomatoes will do. By using the 1% milk the cheese sauce is not as high in calories as typical cheese sauces can be, and draining the meat helps to cut down on the majority of the grease. But the best part of this meal is that for as tasty as it is, it does not break the bank.

Cheeseburger Paradise
1 lb Cavatappi noodles
1 ½ cup sliced onion
½ cup pickles diced
1 lb 80/20 ground beef
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp celery salt
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup grape tomatoes sliced
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
½ cup 1% milk
Pinch pepper
Pinch salt
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs

1. Start boiling water. When it comes to rolling boil lightly salt water and add noodles. Stir occasionally and boil for 10 minutes then drain.
2. Heat skillet with a small dash olive oil.
3. Slice onions and sautee in pan till lightly brown.
4. Dice pickles and add to pan. Sautee for 3 minutes.
5. Remove to plate.
6. Begin browning meat for 5ish minutes, and then add spices. Continue to brown for another 5 minutes.
7. Remove to pastry cooling rack layered with paper towels to drain. Then lightly wipe out the pan.
8. Warm tomatoes in pan then remove to plate with onion mixture.
9. Add butter and melt. Remove from heat and stir in flour. Next, whisk in ¼ cup of milk and whisk till smooth. Add another ¼ and repeat. Return to heat.
10. Add remaining milk and whisk till small bubbles appear and thickens.
11. Remove from heat and add cheese. Stir till it melts.
12. Layer noodles, meat, veggie mix, and pour cheese over. Cook for 15 minutes at 375 degrees.
13. Spread bread crumbs and put under broil for 5 minutes.
14. Remove from oven and let stand 5 mintues.

Redemption is mine

If you read my previous post than you are aware that I endured a devastating Halloween last year courtesy of my Scarecrow and his distaste for his home made digs, but such a fate did not deter me from crafting again this Halloween season. To my shock and awe Magnus requested a snowman costume and proving how fickle a child's memory can be agreed I should make it. No problem. I researched and found the ideal template or so I thought.

I began creating the said snowman with a good deal of anxiousness, because well truth be told I could not endure another Halloween heartbreak. I got my husband's old wind breaker, cut the sleeves, and draped it over my step ladder so the spray adhesive madness could begin. After the said adhesive was applied I stuck pillow batting everywhere, but as I stepped away to inspect my snowman I began to see no resemblance to the Frosty friend my Mags was anticipating, and no I was not just clouded by all the fumes. As I took in the fluffy monstrosity a new idea emerged. This was no snowman, but a cloud and how could I toughen up a cloud-make it a thunderstorm. But I had to sell the idea to Mags, the nervous-pervous, who was scared to death of thunderstorms.

The sell was successful and thunderstorm creation went full force. I sprayed the pillow batting silver, cut raindrops out of cardboard, covered each in foil, hung them from the bottom, and adhered a yellow lighting bolt across the top. Awesome was the only word to sum it up. Lighting in a bottle, if you will. I then took the idea went with it and made it a family affair. Nellie would be the sun, which was also crafted by me-Martha Stewart kiss-ass.

I am happy to report that Magnus had one kick-ass Halloween and found a great deal of enjoyment by being unique. Instead of tears I received accolades for all my hard work. It is lame to say but I was moved more than you would expect. Parents, each in their own way, try to make an impact on their children in case tomorrow they may not have the chance, and yes it seems silly to think of a costume that way, but one day my work will have memories that a costume in a bag would never elicit.