Toothpaste In the Sink

All you other moms out there will see the title of this post and immediately know what I am talking about. For the rest of you, let me shed a little light on what this vent of a blog posting is all about!

Everyone knows that cleaning up after yourself can be hard enough, but when you add kids to the picture things tend to get a little messier. Now my house isn't the cleanest on the block, but I do try and keep it sanitary at least. But I seriously swear to you there is some sort of toothpaste conspiracy going on here. And I intend to get to the bottom of it!

I clean bathrooms on Mondays. Like really clean them - tubs, toilets, sinks, floors, etc. Toilets get extra attention throughout the week as well with the whole boy-pee-on-the-seat issue. Sorry if that is too much info, but big props to you mothers of lots of boys out there. I can't even imagine the amount of times you have to wipe that old porcelein chair down. Anyways, off track again. So back to Mondays with the cleaning of the bathrooms. Luckily, my kids have their own bathroom because every time I go in there I know it's going to be bad. We already talked about the toilet seat, but now lets move on the the splatters on the mirror (all the way up to the ceiling I might add!), empty toilet paper roll, unsightly bathtub ring and last but most importantly AND the reason for this post: THE GIANT GLOB OF TOOTHPASTE IN THE SINK! Argh!!!!!

Every Monday I clean the bathroom I ask the same question, "who is spitting these giant blobs of toothpaste in the sink??" and every Monday I get the same response in complete unison by all three of my beautiful children, "Not me!!!" Now either I am continuously getting punked by the toothpaste blob fairy or someone isn't telling me the truth. At first I am sure it was purely accidental, but now they think it's funny to see how long it takes me to rid the sink of this glue like substance (picture me in there with a chizzle). Me? I don't find it so funny. It's irritaing. It's not fun to try and clean up and it's a waste of perfectly good toothpaste!!

It is really curious though. One of these kids is either using way too much toothpaste, not getting ANY on their teeth because it's falling off of the brush OR something like that. I have tried hovering over them while they brush, but I can never catch the culprit in the act. I am five seconds away from using an old coffee can as a their little spittoon!!

Now I love my kids and am grateful to have something as small as this to complain about. Someday when they're all grown maybe I will think back and miss the toothpaste globs in the sink. But probably not!!!!

Emerald Isle Martini

One of many drinks to make for St. Patrick's Day!!!!



1 oz Triple Sec or citrus liquer
1 oz Vodka
1 oz Midori Melon Liquer
1 oz Rose's Lime Juice

Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker with ice and shake it. Pretty green color and super smooth flavor! The citrus and melon vibe nicely!

I Will Follow

The name of a great U2 song. A band that I have followed and will continue to follow! As you know, they have a new album out called 'No Line On the Horizon'. The single didn't really impress me much, but the rest of the album is so much better. Thank goodness! I'm not sure what I would do if my favorite band came out with an album I didn't like. Maybe that's not even possible? I hope not!!



I'm not sure that U2 even needs much of an introduction. Everyone knows who they are. Their contribution to the music world and to human rights and social injustices are immeasurable. I have been in love with them since I was seven and we got MTv! They have put out more music than one person could possible put in one blog, so I am going to try and narrow it down to a few of my personal favorites.

"Kite" - there isn't a song that brings me to tears more easily than this one right here. Bono wrote this for his father when he was dying of cancer. It is one of the most beautiful songs written about the uncertainty of our life on earth and how hard it is to let go of someone you love.



"Where the Streets Have No Name" - this is my ALL time favorite song by U2, if I can even say that I have a favorite! First music video I EVER saw!!



"The Saints Are Coming" U2 & Greenday - amazing song/video about the horrific events of Hurricane Katrina.



"Stay - Far Away, So Close" - love it!!!



"All I Want Is You" - such a beautiful love song! We make love harder than it has to be.



"City of Blinding Lights" - this was the song that they opened up with on the Chicago concert we saw with my brother-in-law Matt and his wife Tricia. I was speechless. Thought this video was super cool because it's at the Lincoln Memorial.



I could really go on and on, but have some kids that need my attention. I will stop here and leave you with a complete playlist of other well knowns and faves! You also better believe that I will be one of the millions at the Chicago concert at Soldier Field in September! Who's with me???

Irish Cream Bundt Cake

I will start off by saying that this is one of the best cakes you will ever taste in your entire life. Even if you don't love irish cream flavored things, you cannot deny it's deliciousness. One of the reasons I love it so much is that it is made with yellow cake mix. I LOVE yellow cake! I know that sounds weird, but I do. Chocolate is good and all, white cake is nice when you want something plain that everyone can handle.... but yellow cake. It's magnificent! I also like recipes where I get to use my bundt pan. It's pretty and I like saying bundt. I made this last year and will be making it again this year for St. Patty's Day!



1 cup chopped pecans (so good, but I can't put them in for allergy reasons)
1 (18.5 oz pkg) yellow cake mix
1 (3.5 oz pkg) instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I ALWAYS use plain applesauce instead of oil)
3/4 cup Irish Cream (Bailey's is best, but we also like Ryan's)
1/2 cup butter (do NOT use margarine or I will kick your ass)
1/4 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup Irish cream

Preheat oven to 325. Grease and flour bundt pan. Sprinkle chopped nuts evenly over bottom of pan if you're using them. In large bowl, combine cake mix and pudding mix. Mix in eggs, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup oil (or applesauce) and 3/4 cup Irish cream liqueur. Beat for 5 minutes at high speed. Pour batter over nuts in pan.

Bake in preheated oven for one hour or until it's done. Cool for 10-15 minutes in pan, then invert onto cake dome or dish. Prick top and sides of cake. Spoon glaze over top and brush sides of cake. Allow the cake to absorb glaze and repeat until glaze is used up. Enjoy!!!

To make glaze: In saucepan, combine butter, 1/4 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Bring to a boil and keep boiling for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup Irish cream.


This tastes great with a hot cup of coffee!!!!!!!!