I spent the day tweaking a theme on one of my new blogs. I know, how many does one person need, right! Anyway, before I go to bed, I kind of like to visit each blog and put them to bed so to speak. But last night I couldn’t get on any of my sites. Now, I understand there are sometimes when servers go down and such, but without a warning…you just get a little nervous. All of my blogs are hosted with the same company, and for the most part I’ve been very happy with them. Until times like this hit, and I’m ready to go running to the first cheap hosting company I can find. I did that tonight, and found a site full of articles about what to look for when finding a cheap host. I found many of the articles very well written, and although the main site isn’t live yet, it looks like it will be amazing. What I found most interesting was the cPanel Tutorials. That is one area where I lack a TON of knowledge! Usually I’m pretty up to date on a lot of things where blogs and codes are involved, but the cPanel…it’s a Pandora’s Box to me. I just know that if I touch one part of it, all of my sites will come crashing down!

I will probably stick with my current host for the time being, but if they continue to have outages, I may just have to look elsewhere for my hosting needs.

My Chef husband apologized that I had to make my own birthday cake, and I have to be honest…I didn’t mind at all. Not only did I get to use the new Kitchenaid to make the cake batter as well as the whipped cream–but I got to FINALLY take pictures of my Pina Colada cake for my Cake Blog.

I came up with this recipe for my mother in law’s birthday and have made it once since then. Each time I’m in a bit of a hurry so I forgo the photos. It is such a yummy, Summery cake recipe—I just love it! Click on over to the cake blog if you would like to see the recipe, it’s very easy–and oh so tasty!!

Sitting in the concert last night I was loving it, but sitting there with a bit of melancholy. First off, music plays a very small role in my life right now–mostly I’m an “Enjoy The Silence” kinda gal–but there are some songs that throw me back to different stages in life. Some happy, and some not so happy. Last night was all happy–but the sadness sprang from the fact that so much has happened in the past 25 years, good and bad. I’m one of those people who would give anything to take what I know now–and go back in time and start over. I made so many DUMB mistakes since I was 13–mistakes that although they shaped who I am now, still make me kick myself for. Some of the dumb ones…being boy crazy. I’m trying to teach my kids that boy/girl friends are not important during high school. I’m not sure they are listening, but that is one thing I would get rid of. Another, I would do well in school. I was capable of it, but with problem number 1 hanging around…I didn’t really try. Habits–I would love to overcome some dumb habits that I had, even then! I still bite my nails, and I’m 37 years old!!! College–I would stay in (again, problem number one sneaked in there too)–I would have finished college, if for no other reason than you just need a bachelors degree (in anything) to be a substitute teacher. That’s a job I could have while my kids are in school!! So instead of thinking about going back to school (online) at 37 to finish up before my baby hits 2nd grade (I’m taking 1st grade off)–I would be done already, and ready to work! And one of the biggies…Temple Marriage. Yes, I still want the same hubby—and it’s still possible, but I should have pushed much harder for it, the first time!

There’s more of course! I remember feeling the need to write to my aunt who was very ill but didn’t have enough time left to send a letter to, but then she emailed me and I was so excited that I could email her everything I wanted to say (pretty lame, eh). I sobbed writing that letter–how do you say goodbye to someone that you love so much! Anyway, the one thing I said to her was that I wish we had never moved here to Chicago. I was surrounded by such dysfunction and chaos, and even though I thought I had the rest of my life to spend with my family at home–I wouldn’t get to spend them with her, and I had wasted all of that time here, with crazy people! That is still true–I do wish we didn’t live here–BUT, I’m going to try to learn from the past——-Just find a way to be happy where you are!! So…my new quest for me…happiness! Changing the things that make me unhappy–and being thankful for what I do have! I hope it will come quickly–but if not, hey, this life is a journey anyway!

And one thing that needs to be said—REALLY loud…I LOVE YOU, MOM!!

My Mom is my best friend, and always has been…and that’s one thing I wouldn’t change at all!

ME!!

I enjoy birthdays much more the older I get. I know, I’m a bit out of norm with the rest of society–but I require far more enthusiasm and celebration than I used to! In fact, being the cake person that I am, I’m making cake (in my new baby) and letting my kids decorate it. The hubby and I celebrated last night with dinner and the Duran Duran concert. He was such a good sport, and dinner was soooooo good! We love the kids, but it is so rare that we don’t have them with us, that it was just nice to get out alone together and enjoy the evening.

I think I’ll have the kids help me make my favorite dinner. Don’t worry–I’m thinking “Pigs In A Blanket”–no they aren’t really my favorite dinner to eat-but one of my favorite to make–or, um, let the kids make!! I remember when I was younger my favorite consisted of hamburger stroganoff and strawberry colada. I do have a fabulous pina colada cake recipe I keep meaning to put on my cake blog…maybe we’ll have that instead!!

Yep, totally stole that line from a STYX song! But it is indeed fitting! It’s been 25 years coming–and it’s finally here! Yes, I’m weird! No, I don’t know any of Duran Duran’s new songs! Yes, I will still cry like a baby tonight–and life will be good!

The man and I are heading out for dinner tonight and then off to the show. His parents are watching the kids at our house…so I may just make him buy me dessert too! We get so little time all alone together, that I think that is actually what will be the most fun part of the evening! Plus—imagine the fun watching my ACDC/Metallica loving husband “grooving” to 80’s Pop music that he won’t be able to find the beat with. Hee Hee, I’m so excited!!

Have you heard of this great fund raising option? Schoolpop.com? I just signed up. I am not a fan of sending my kids door to door to collect donations or to sell things. I remember hating it when I was younger, and vowed that my kids wouldn’t have to ever do it. Little did I know that earlier this year when I volunteered to pay Jake’s fees for the field trip to Springfield, he was mad at me. He WANTED to go door to door selling candy bars. So NOT my child!! Anyway, with Schoolpop you get to shop with all of your favorite merchants and school fundraising supporters and buy what you normally would buy anyway, and a portion of your sale goes to the school of your choice. I was disappointed to find out that our school isn’t listed, but I will definitely be forwarding this information onto the PTO Treasurer to see if it’s something they would be interested in implementing. Anyone can join, anyone can shop, and any school can earn extra money! Check the list for your child’s school, and if it’s not listed, let your PTO officers know as well. It really is a great idea!

My birthday is coming up in the next 48 hours! I’m really excited, tomorrow we start our festivities with the Duran Duran concert. Tonight at the Cubs game, Simon LeBon (lead singer) threw out the first pitch and sang the 7th Inning Stretch. Too bad we had tickets for last nights baseball game instead of tonights–that would have been awesome!!

Tonight my sweet husband gave me my Mother’s Day/Birthday/Anniversary gift early. It’s what I really wanted, and about the only thing I really asked for–and it’s beautiful! I keep staring at it, and I have this really bizarre urge to bake something! This isn’t too bad, except that while he was out shopping, I made him a homemade batch of his favorite peanut butter cookies…oh, to have waited 2 hours for that one!! Anyway–take a look at my new baby…he’s AWESOME!!