Happy Birthday to ME...

Tomorrow is my birthday (a young, spry 28) and although the economy is horrible and my husband is currently unemployed and in these times we should all be thankful for what we have...I'm going to allow myself to be shallow and materialistic for a few. I hope you will indulge and join me. And because I won't get 99-100% of the items listed, feel free to donate to the "Give Stacy a Rockin Birthday" cause.

I now introduce my Birthday "I Wish I Was Rich" List:

Mary Jane Round-Toe in Black

Mary Jane Flat in Red

Judy Round Toe in Brown

Airwalk Von EVA Sandals

SweetPea Sandals in Black

I Love Shoes Sandals

And just so my shoes don't get lonely, I'll throw a couple handbags in the mix:

Hope Mid-Hobo in Magenta

Hudson Mid-Satchel in Red

YES PLEASE!!!

Recipe Exchange - A-1 Chili

This past Saturday night we tried a new chili recipe and OMG...it is absolutely to die for. I figured it would certainly be a crime against humanity if I didn't share it with the world.

A couple of notes:

1. The recipe calls for green pepper, but I left that out because the hub is not a fan - it still tasted awesome.


2. The recipe calls for Chili Powder but because I have mushy toddler brain, I forgot to add it - it still tasted awesome.


3. The recipe calls for a LARGE onion, which I thought was too much so I used a medium-sized onion - it still tasted awesome.

Bottom line: this chili is awesome. So without further adieu:

A-1 Chili by Kraft Foods

Ingredients

1-1/2 lb. lean ground beef

1 large green pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

3 Tbsp. chili powder

1 can (14-1/2 oz) tomatoes, undrained

1/2 cup water

1 can (16 oz) kidney beans, drained

1/3 cup A-1 Original Steak Sauce

Directions

Cook meat, green pepper, onion and garlic in a large heavy saucepan on medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, stirring frequently. Add chili powder; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Drain tomatoes, reserving liquid; chop tomatoes. Add tomatoes, reserved liquid and the water to meat mixture. Bring to boil; cover. Reduce heat to low; simmer 15 minutes, stirring occassionally.

Add beans and steak sauce; stir until well blended. Cover and simmer an additional 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

I'll have to remember her on boss' day...

The picture below is from an email I got from my BOSS. This brought a smile to my face, a hearty laugh from my belly and the thankfulness that I not only have a job, but also a boss as awesome as this picture would suggest. SWEET.

Tribute to a Wonderful Woman

This past Friday, February 27th, marked the anniversary of my grandmother's death.

My grandmother was a wonderful woman, kind, funny, generous, beautiful, proud, and strong after raising 7 children on a single income. But my mom and her brothers and sisters were never without because the love her and my grandfather gave them was worth more than all the riches in the world.

Her death was sudden and unexpected so the wound is still fresh for me 4 years later. And, unfortunately, she was not able to be a part of my wedding or the birth of my son. Getting through those times, the two biggest days of my life, without her was quite a challenge. I miss her like crazy and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her.

So, in honor of her admirable life, a tribute to Jean (Smith) Heiden. I love you!

Jean Smith as a wild, young woman of the world - LOVE the shoes!

My grandma and grandpa on their wedding day

Jean (Smith) and Ervin "Jim" Heiden

With their 7 children - check out the clothes!

Busting up the dance floor at a family wedding

Wedding Anniversary Party

Grandma with half of her grandchildren; there would be 12 total
There I am, on Grandma's lap in the snazzy pink jump-suit - SWEET!

It's always so entertaining when old people kiss
My cousins and I (right in purple) look on in awe-struck humor

Just as I remember them

My mouth is watering...

I am in love...no, wait...obsessed, with everything and anything crafty. Scrapbooking, photography, graphic design...if I could, I would live at Michaels.

And some day, some glorious day, this WILL be mine. If you want to donate to the "Get Stacy a Kick-Ass Craft Room Fund", please email me. All monetary donations are accepted...except for anything under $100.

In the words of my oh-so-wise co-worker: I want to go to there.

The Ultimate Scrapbooking Room

And the winner BETTER BE...

One of my favorite parts of the evening comes after my hub and I put my son to bed and we get to relax together and watch the prime-time TV we've recorded throughout the night.

::Side bar - GOD BLESS the DVR. It's a parent's dream come true::

One of our favorite shows is American Idol and although we usually lose interest after the bad auditions and Hollywood Week portions of the show, this year we have a vested interest in the form of Danny Gokey.

Danny, seen here in all his Idol splendor, is not only a Milwaukee native, he is also the best male vocalist, bar-none, that American Idol has ever seen. After making it to the top 36, last night was his break-out moment and on live TV he did nothing short of showing America why he deserves to be in the spotlight. His rendition of "Hero" (Mariah Carey) was AMAZING. You could feel his connection and passion for the song and that is what makes an artist.

But, despite the insane level of natural raw talent, he has his haters: "He's not worth the hype", "The only reason he's popular is because people feel sorry for him" "He's using his 'story' to get attention", blah.

How can people be so heartless? This man just lost his wife. Not his dog, not his neighbor's bestfriend's mom, his WIFE. I couldn't imagine losing my husband at such a young age - it would crush my life to pieces. If he wants to get on national television, tell his story, sing his heart out and inspire others in the process, why do people begrude him fame? The votes he will receive for his talent will more than outweigh any "sympathy votes" he may receive.

Besides, if "bikini-girl" can get her 15 minutes using her rockin' body to hide her lack of vocal talent, anything should be possible. WTF?!

Cross your fingers for the voting results tonight! Go Danny!

It's a MIA blog life, for me...

Whilst pretending to myself that I have at least 853 anonymous followers (because I'm friggin hilarious and reading my blog is the best damn thing in your life...) I thought to myself "my peeps must be wondering why my blogs are very few and far between".

Now, I'm sure it's come across your mind that perhaps I'm on a rescue mission in the tropical rainforests of Malaysia to salvage what's left of the dying Saturn Butterflies. Or perhaps I'm in sunny Cali working as the leading lady on the set of the "blockbuster movie of the century". Who would have time to blog with a life like that? And while I appreciate how highly you all think of me, my life wouldn't be that exciting if I paid someone to steal my identity.

So, I am here to fess up to the real reason I am so blogless....

Let me introduce you to the love of my life: my two year-old son Elijah. He's the reason my house is never clean:: he's the reason I never watch TV "live" anymore:: he's the reason I sing the Blue's Clues theme to myself instead of "Single Ladies by Beyonce:: he's the reason my husband and I may need a book the next time we try finding the bedroom:: he's the reason my life is complete.

And, because of my limited blogging-time, he's the reason why I wrote this blog at work...shhhhh...)

So while mourning my blogless life the other day, I made a New Year's resolution (and yes I realize it's February 18th, smart ass...) to blog at least once a day...well maybe at least once every couple days. See, I figure that most of the material that supplies my sarcastic blog style comes from Elijah. And the fact that we've recently hit the "terrible-two's" and "NO!" stages both at the same time and because he's technically not even two yet (April 25th - he likes Blue's Clues, coloring and ball pits) I think my blog supply will not soon run dry. I hope you all like toddler hilarity because it's coming like the thunder!

Soon you too will fall victim to the hypnosis that is my love ::Elijah::