PLEASE REDIRECT YOUR BROWSER TO www.SuburbanFizz.com!!!

Hello Dear Readers!

I’m now publishing at www.suburbanfizz.com

The new RSS URL is http://www.suburbanfizz.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Please come visit me there!!!

De Agony of De Pleats

Although I normally avoid controversy on my blog, I’m going to take a stand: I am firmly opposed to pleated pants, both for men and women.

For women, they were never really flattering, and they went out of style around 1985.  Women’s pleats are designed to camouflage a chubby stomach while sucking in the waist.  In practice, they actually made bellies pooch out and bottoms appear three times bigger their actual size.  Ladies soon tired of the resulting onion-shaped silhouette.

For men the trend lasted longer, but they’ve now joined sweater vests and turtlenecks as being a fashion “don’t” for the under-sixty crowd (don’t worry, Dad, you still look fabulous).  They look outdated, and they make men’s legs look shorter.

I’ve tried to enlist my husband, SJ, in my war on pleats, but I’ve had little success.  At first I made subtle comments and suggestions, like “I bet you’d look great in some flat-fronted pants,” and “look how nice that guy’s abdomen looks in his plain front pants!”

That last one backfired a little.

I’ll Allow It*

When my brother and I were about four and six years old, my parents informed us that we would start receiving an allowance.  If we helped out around the house and cleaned our rooms every Saturday morning, we would earn ten cents a week.

Although this wage was paltry even in 1978 (candy bars cost a quarter then, to give some context; wow, my folks were cheap!), money was money, and we gladly accepted the deal.  Eventually our pay increased and we began to save up our allowance, plus birthday and Christmas money, for specific purchases.

I set my sights on a portable cassette player (this was before boom boxes and walkmen) from the J.C. Penney catalog.  It cost $23, plus tax, and it took me about six months to sock away enough money to buy it. 

Juno: Coming To DVD Tuesday, April 15

Here’s a reason to welcome (rather than dread) April 15:  Juno is coming to DVD.

I didn’t see Juno until about a month ago, when it had already been in theaters for a long time.  There were only a few other people in the theater, which is probably a good thing, because my belly laughs might have disturbed anyone sitting close by.

Dr. Bennett/Mr. Hyde

Is it bad that I’m temporarily somewhat afraid of my toddler?

Young Bennett is going through a tough phase. He’s 18 months old, so he’s old enough to understand everything he hears and the world around him, but he’s unable to articulate his wants, needs, and opinions. 

His verbal skills haven’t caught up with his clever mind, and it understandably drives him nuts.

Egg-Free Food Options From Trader Joe’s

I found some great new egg-free food options today at Trader Joe’s.

Trader Joe’s is a tricky place to shop.  Foods aren’t marketed in an obvious way in the store, so I generally discover good items by word of mouth.  I’ve noticed that their frozen food is remarkably good, and my sister-in-law, Eliza, recommends their bread and cheese.

From The Onion: “Dad Keeps Dropping Hints About Mom’s Sexual Proclivities”

I read this article in The Onion years ago and it still makes me giggle. 

Remember this the next time that you talk in code to your spouse and think your kids don’t understand.

Playing Questions

Our kids’ bedtime routine takes about forty-five minutes (seventy-five if you count the post-dinner daily TV allowance).  Lord knows we didn’t design it that way, but somehow we ended up here.  It starts with going potty and putting on jammies, followed by two stories, prayers, and brushing teeth.   

After this group activity – with the baby already in bed – my husband and I switch off putting one of the older kids into bed.  This part of the evening is always super for me, since my designated child is guaranteed to cry and whine that they want Daddy (the rock star) to be the “Lucky Duck” for them tonight.  Eventually my charge will admit defeat and grudgingly settle for Mommy, the “Crappy Duck” (my unspoken name that I’m pretty sure sums up their feelings, at least for a moment.)   

Inspirational Video: Dr. Randy Pausch

Last night I caught up on a little TiVo’d Oprah (I love my Opie!)

I watched an episode featuring Randy Pausch. Randy is expecting to die in the next few months.

Egg- and Dairy-Free Cakes: Whole Foods and Chantel’s

I was at a birthday party recently where they served egg- and dairy-free chocolate cake from Whole Foods.  It was pretty good, although not any better than the box cakes that I’ve made with dairy and egg substitutions (if I do say so myself!). 

The Whole Foods cake was nicely decorated, and the kids there all loved it.  If you’re looking for convenience (besides the whole schlepping to Reston thing), this may be a good option for you.

Whole Foods’ cakes are available in yellow and chocolate.  Six-inch cakes are $14.99 and Nine-inch cakes are $24.99.  They ask for twenty-four hours notice when ordering.

Chantel’s Bakery in Sterling makes an excellent egg-free cake, but it doesn’t come cheap.  An eight-inch cake costs $43.95.  Perhaps little Johnny would rather have a cake than that new bike…

Here’s an article about Chantel’s bakery from the Observer.  According to this article, Chantel’s can bake cakes without soy, gluten, dairy as well.   Contact Chantel’s at 703-709-1487.