Author: Melissa

about driving 8 hours to Ohio. By myself. With the kids.

It'll be super!

I'll get to listen to 4 or 5 movies. Probably Bolt. And Cars. Maybe VeggieTales. Or Lady and the Tramp. If I'm really lucky, we'll "accidently" forget Blues Clues. Whoops.

I'll get Wendy's for lunch. Because they have Coke Zero on tap. Holla!

I'll get lots of stretching done as  reach to pick up Colin's sippy cup/book/blankey/toy that he purposely just threw on the floor, but now desperately wants.

I'll order the extra large Starbucks Yumminess. With whipped cream. And savor it with ZERO guilt.

I'll get to listen to the book on cdI downloaded  onto my ipod during the kids naps. Because I'm being so incredibly optimistic, I'm assuming they will take naps.

I'll be pampered by my mom when I arrive. Because she'll feel so sorry for me 😉

Yesterday morning, I opened the door of the van and just about threw up.

Just close your eyes for a second and imagine the smelliest thing you've ever smelt. (Most of you are moms, so this should be easy.) Now imagine something a million times worse.

The good news is I found what was causing it: a sippy cup that rolled under the seat. That had what was once milk in it. Did I mention it has been around 100 degrees here lately? Gag.

The bad news is that after removing the aforementioned grossness… my minivan still reeks. REEKS.(It was that stinky.) I've Febreezed and Resolved and cracked the windows tonight. I'm hoping it will be better tomorrow. I'm really hoping it will be better before I drive to Ohio on Thursday. (Because the only thing more fun than driving to Ohio with three small kids by yourself is doing it in a stinky van!!)

As a result of this incident, our kids have changed the name of our van.
It used to be called "Wall-E" because it was big, grey and filled with garbage.
Now they are calling it "Stinky Yuck Van." Cute.  

And, yes, we rode in that Stinky Yuck Van today. When Mama's got to go to Target, no stinky van is going to stop her.

Any suggestions on de-stinking a car would be appreciated!

UPDATE:
Thanks so much for all of your very helpful advice on dealing with Stinky Yuck Van.

The smell is almost gone after just two days! (Thank you, Lord!) I Resolved the carpets, Febrezed the seats and put a container of baking soda in the car and let in bake in the sun for two days.

After scoring a major deal at the grocery store, we had filet. As soon as I picked them up, I knew exactly what recipe I would use — the one I had just seen Ina make on her show titled "Steak and Sides." It was very yummy, but my husband and I both agreed that it was waaay to seasoned. I will be cutting the pepper by at least half next time I make this.
I didn't have the ingredients to make the Roquefort cheese sauce, so I just caramelized some onions.

Steakhouse Steaks
 

2 (10-ounce) filet mignon
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon fleur de sel
1 tablespoon coarsely cracked black peppercorns
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, optional
*Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Heat a large, well-seasoned cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot, 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, pat the steaks dry with a paper towel and brush them lightly with vegetable oil. Combine the fleur de sel and cracked pepper on a plate and roll the steaks in the mixture, pressing lightly to evenly coat all sides.
*When the skillet is ready, add the steaks and sear them evenly on all sides for about 2 minutes per side, for a total of 10 minutes. Top each steak with a tablespoon of butter, if using, and place the skillet in the oven. Cook the steaks until they reach 120 degrees F for rare or 125 degrees F for medium-rare on an instant-read thermometer. (To test the steaks, insert the thermometer sideways to be sure you're actually testing the middle of the steak.)
*Remove the steaks to a serving platter, cover tightly with aluminum foil and allow to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes. Serve hot with Roquefort Chive Sauce on the side.

recipe origin: Barefoot Contessa Show

some other bloggers have started their own 'try this' Tuesday! Check them out!

I LOVE school shopping. Scratch that. I love school supplies.

Fresh notebooks. New markers and crayons. Pens (Gee, I love pens). Organizers and folders and files (oh, my). Highlighters. Wite-out. Pretty binders. Notecards. Post-its (The sizes! The colors!). Binder clips!! (Why do I love binder clips so very much?)

And everything is on sale.

Its really very dangerous for me. I need to exercise great self-control when wandering through the back-2-school aisles at Target. (I can't even walk in to Staples – that is beyond my limits. Seriously.)

Even as a child, I loved getting those new school supplies. I felt so organized, so excited to start using them. And there was that wonderful feeling of a fresh start, a new beginning.

Its the same today. Even when I'm not going to school. I love getting a few new binders and folders and pens (pens!), organizing my desk and file cabinet, and swearing that THIS year, I'll STAY organized.

And now my girls are getting into it: the seriousness as they picking out their lunchboxes and pencil cases, the thrill of new markers and crayons, and the excitement as they pack up their backpacks (two weeks early).

Its nice that some things don't change.

There has been a lot of changes going on here at Girlymama lately and I wanted to update you!

1. I was beginning to feel that girlymama was getting a bit too businessey. I really want this to remain my personal blog. So In an effort to keep girlymama full of my bumbling attempts at parenting and very important discussions about shoes, I've begun a separate review blog, Modern Motherhood.
I'll occasionally post bloggity business here – like blogging events or super cool promotions I want to be sure you don't miss out on – but most reviews and stuff will be there. Hop in over and subscribe because we have some great giveaways coming up!  (Check out my sidebar for recent review links and giveaway alerts!)

2. I changed my design. Again. Because I can. Because I designed it. Eliza Grace Design is expanding to include some graphic design services. I used to LOVE doing graphic design when I was gainfully employed before children, so I'm really enjoying getting back into it. I'm learningblog design, but also offer things like logo design, etsy shop design, custom invitations, cards and birth announcements. Its very fun!!

3. Check out my amazing sponsors this month!

Himalayan Tapestry: incredibly unique and exotic gifts straight from India. They have yoga mat bags, placemats, handmade paper notecards, cotton grocery bags, and gorgeous quilts! All items are made at a battered women's center in North India. All proceeds directly benefit the women there.

Popham Lane: wonderful handmade items!! personalized kids towels, reusable lunch bags, adorable aprons, placemats, and amazing quilts.

Fresh Gems: gorgeous, simple handmade jewelry that looks much more expensive than it is! I am completely in love with this necklace.

4. I'm about 5 comments away from my goal getting a donation to a local food bank! Please click over here and comment!!

I love summer in Barnes & Noble.  I love the tables stacked high with reading list books. Its like going back in time.

I remember struggling through Hamlet, reading Shakespeare on my own for the first time.

I remember falling in love with Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice.

I remember being bored to tears by The Grapes of Wrath. The only thing I remember was there was an entire chapter about a turtle crossing the road. Really?

I remember sobbing during Little Women.

I remember hating Catch-22. What was going on? Why did I have to read this?

I remember being surprised by The Hobbit. How could a book for boys about wizards and dragons be so entertaining?

I remember being shocked by The Lord of the Flies and Animal Farm.

I remember not reading 1984. Don't tell my teacher.

What was your summer reading book growing up?

I was changing Colin on his changing table/dresser. He was standing up as I tried to button his onesie when he lost his balance and fell headfirst off the table.

Just before his head hit the floor, I caught him… by the snaps of his onesie.

That's a better jolt than coffee, that is.

–verb 1. to overcome completely in mind or feeling. 2. to cover or bury beneath a mass of something, as floodwaters, debris, or an avalanche; submerge: 3. to load, heap, treat, or address with an overpowering or excessive amount of anything.

I'm completely overwhelmed by life this week.

By my to-do list, which is getting longer and longer.
By my calendar, which is full until mid-October.
By my house, which is a total disaster. And getting worse.
By my kids, who are determined to make messes and fight and be generally difficult.
By my responsibilities, which seem daunting lately.
By my emotions, which keep bring me to tears at random moments.
By my exhaustion, which my insomniac kids aren't helping with.
By my body, which is aching. Especially my head. From the crying.
By my unfinished projects, which are piling up.
By the days, which are rushing past in a blur.

I need a vacation. Yes, I realize I just had one, but while it was extremely fun, it was not restful.

But exactly two weeks from today, I will be here. With my very favorite person in the whole world. For three whole days. With no kids – just us.

It's just the medicine I need.