Chili's Winner

Beach Bum, you were the 13th commenter, so you are the winner of the two Chili's Guiltless Gourmet meals!

Email me at barelytogether at yahoo dot com and I'll put them in the mail to you tomorrow!

Congrats!

Chili's Guiltless Grill

Yesterday I went to lunch with my dear friend Heather to celebrate her birthday. We were having a hard time deciding where to go when I remembered the BzzAgent Chili's Guiltless Grill campaign I was in. BzzAgent had provided me with coupons to try items off their new menu for free! All six entrees have less than 750 calories and are served with steamed seasonal veggies and Parmesan cheese.

Heather and I braved the extremely windy and cold and rainy day and went to Chili's at 11:30. We were seated immediately, which was nice since we were hungry!

We had several items to choose from, but Heather and I both ended up choosing the Guiltless Buffalo Grilled Chicken Sandwich.

Here's the description from Chili's webpage: Grilled chicken breast topped with low-fat Ranch, shredded lettuce, tomato and sauteed onions. Or kick it up with our traditional Buffalo spicy wing sauce. Served on a whole wheat bun. $7.79

We both agreed that our sandwiches were fabulous! The ranch and buffalo sauce together made for a spicy, but not too spicy, kick for the chicken. Since I am not a veggie fan, Heather decided she liked the broccoli so much she'd enjoy mine too!

I still have two coupons left to try one of these entrees for free, and I'd love to give them to one of my readers! Leave a comment on this post and I'll choose a winner on Monday at 8 pm CST.

One quick thing: You need to be a follower to enter. Last time I did a giveaway, a link ended up on a random giveaway site, and lots of people I didn't know entered. I want this to be a fair reward for reading Sasha Says, so please don't enter if you aren't a follower, because I will delete your comment.

Good luck!

My Stomach Has a Crush On

Bakerella.

I stumbled across her blog last week when the bargain board was going nusto-crazy for her Cake Pops and once I got sucked in, I couldn't stop reading. This woman is fabulous. And a genius. And I may just want to marry her. At least so she can make treats for me and the kiddos.

I emailed the hubs a link to her Nutter Butter Balls, and he replied back that he gained 5 pounds looking at the picture, but I if made them, the world was mine.....

We all know that as a general rule, I could not and will not ever make the Cake Pops, but the Nutter Butter Balls might be within my reach, but I certainly don't want a repeat of the Snow-Capped Volcanoes.

So I'm considering myself her new student, and will be doing quite a bit of research towards my goal of becoming The Mom Who Makes Really Neat Treats. Wouldn't it be great to be known as that? I'm not sure what I'm known as right now... maybe The Beer-Drinking Mom, or
The Mom With the Daughter Who Has Some Behavioral Issues. I might be The Mom Who Runs, and I think I'm The Mom Who Looks a Bit Younger Than Her 35 Years.

Anyway... since I know I'll make this happen since I know that I have a fab teacher, I went ahead and ordered this shirt from Bakerella's site:

Can't you see me in that? Precious. And I will attain it. (in all that free time I have)

Toddlers & Tiaras: Munchausen by Rhinestone

Have you seen Toddlers and Tiaras?

One part of me wishes I hadn't. And the other, bigger portion of me is addicted to seeing this little slice of life of this crazy subculture called Glitz Pageants. So far I have seen two episodes and I am anxiously awaiting my Tivo picking up some more.

I wish I could take credit for the whole "Munchausen by Rhinestone" thing, but I have to admit I saw it on the TWOP forums yesterday.

So your assignment is to give it a watch and let me know what you think. I personally think these parents are Crazy with a capital C and that they are living vicariously through their admittedly adorable kids. But that's just my opinion.......

The Performer

Last night, I asked The Politician to put his shoes on so we could leave to go to dinner at the home of some friends of ours.

I saw him putting on socks and I said, "If you just want to wear your Crocs, you won't have to worry about socks."

He replied (somewhat impatiently), "Well, I'll need them for my act."

If You Have 4 Spare Minutes

you should check out WB's new online series Rockville CA. Each episode is around 4 minutes long and features an up-and-coming band recorded live. Created by Josh Schwartz (The OC, Chuck, Gossip Girl), this series basically follows a group of 20-somethings around a rock club.

Although there are only 4 episodes to watch at this time, a new episode will be uploaded each Tuesday. I just finished watching all 4 and I'm intrigued enough to at least give it a few more episodes. Maybe it's because I'm a music-loving working mom who can't make it out to the clubs to watch live music all that often these days......

I Can't Believe I Forgot To Comment On This Last Week

"I'm dedicating my first dance to all my girls in the federal detention center."

-- Lil' Kim, who has spent time in prison, on Dancing With The Stars

Oh. My. Word.

I *Heart* Ebates

Guys, I just found the coolest link and description of my blog on the ebates blogroll:

A mother of two breaks down all aspects of her life from her shopping habits to her children's health. Generally entertaining, and always value-focused, it's a great resource.

I'm a great "resource"- how fab is that??

I've been a fan of ebates for years- in fact, I've been with them for so long I've amassed almost $800 in rebates and referrals!

If you've been living under a rock and haven't signed up yet, what are you waiting for? Ebates is a shopping site that gives you up to 26% Cash Back every time you shop online. You can shop at over 1000 stores including Barnes & Noble.com, Gap, Target, Buy.com and Expedia. Plus you get additional savings with exclusive coupons, free shipping offers, and limited-time sales!

Sign up with Ebates today and we'll each get a $5 bonus when you make your first purchase!

Click here to sign up:
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=m3mwtfM2CWTiwGJU%2Bp86ew%3D%3D

Happy shopping!
Sasha

The Apple and The Tree

I think he inherited my mad dance skillz.

Edited: Can you all see this post on Tuesday night? I tried to schedule it to post first thing in the AM, but the scheduler doesn't seem to be working (or else it's user error). Help!

The St. Patrick's Day Run Report

Last April a group of my college besties and I ran a marathon relay and had the best time. We also have a standing Girls Weekend the last weekend of July each year and I can not get enough of these girls- they are the best friends a girl could ask for! Plus, two of them grew up with my hubby and introduced us way back in late 1992.

This year we decided we would all run the half. Since none of us live in the same town these days, we've been doing our training separately. Stephanie found a St. Patrick's Day run near me and we planned a fun weekend that included the morning race and going our for dinner and drinks, husbands included.

This is what Cory wanted to wear. Since the temperature here can be 20 one day and 80 the next (hell, the same day even!), it's truly hard to plan your wardrobe too far in advance.

See these long sleeves, pants, and knee socks? Very handy when it's in the 30s! I am well aware that the Yankees cap doesn't go with the green theme, but it was raining! (And yes, eqsmom and East Coast Girl, I know you don't approve of the hat.)

Super-special thanks to Chic Runner who coached me on what kind of pants to buy the day before the race since I typically stay indoors on the treadmill when it's this cold! I got these at Target and loved them- specially the zippered back pocket for my key.

We ran in an 8K that had pizza and green beer at the finish! My kind of race!

That afternoon we met at 4 for dinner and drinks. Because we're senior citizens already at 35.

I truly love all your girls and can't wait for our night at the M family farm and our Mexico trip this summer! I miss you all and had the best time with you this weekend! Smooches!

Pimpin' green sequin style.

Many drinks and a few Red Headed Sluts later..... I have no idea what the 4 means......

Spring!

Lookit!

It's Spring!

I'm sure it will be 20 degrees again soon. And probably snow.

But I'll take this nice week of weather and not complain one little bit.

Are you watching DWTS?

Chuck Wicks

Back in 2007, I introduced you to him and we discussed his hotness. Well, actually I talked to myself about it because only the lovely and lately-MIA Kate commented on my list.
Chuck Wicks is beyond dreamy and makes DWTS so much better. It's adorable that is dating Julianne Hough- love her too! She's the ballroom dancer I wish I was.
I am also loving that Melissa from the Bachelor is on there. She is precious and a fabulous dancer.
Do you think I might watch too much TV?

Newest Motto

Always on the hunt for my own personal mission/vision statement, I found this and thought it was perfect:

Trying to arrange my life so I don't even have to be present.

American Idol Woes

Yup, I had Jorge in the office pool. As usual, the person I drew went home the first night. Seriously, that always happens. I even sat out the last Survivor pool to see if that would break my streak.

Obviously, that didn't happen.

Broadway Bound

Rock of Ages

In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA’s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80s. It’s ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Bon Jovi, Foreigner and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on.

ROCK OF AGES takes audiences on a musical joyride set to blazing hits from iconic rockers such as Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Reo Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. Crowds and critics agree—ROCK OF AGES is ”a nonstop party laden with sexy choreography, energetic performances and an on stage band that totally rocks the house" proclaims The Associated Press. The New York Post says, ”ROCK OF AGES does for 80s rock what Mamma Mia! did for ABBA.“

I will be in NYC next month and I've always wanted to go to a Broadway show. What do you think about this one? I think it looks great. Thoughts?

Countin' the Benjamins

Last month I signed up for mint.com and have been tracking all of our expenses.

Which is great, but now it is scarily quantified just how much money I spend on health and beauty items (read: nail polish).

I'm not sure anyone needs to know that, especially my husband.

Nail polish spending aside, mint.com is really pretty cool. All your bank and credit card transactions are downloaded each day and categorized for you. You can set up a budget amount for each category, and it will send you email alerts if you are close to going over-budget. You also get email alerts when your credit card payments are almost due, which is fab if you are finding yourself very unorganized like I seem to be these days.

The Sickies

have infected the Sashas and put some kinks in The Weekend Plans.

And since I didn't get much sleep last night, the fab post about the weekend, complete with pics, just won't be up until tonight.

I shall direct you to Mamalicious for a run-down of the fabulousness. Here's some trivia for you: While there, I came down with DTMB Virus (Drank Too Many Beers Virus) but I am feeling better this AM than I did yeseterday AM. Damn Texas Beverlies!

Dear Old Navy Marketing Execs,

The Modelquins scare me and do not make we want to buy your clothes.

That is all.

Home After a Great Day

This morning, before surgery

Our goal for this second (and final) surgery was to remove the remaining scar tissue.

Tonight, after surgery

They were able to remove all the scar tissue! Don't be scared by the uneven-ness of the wound- they assure me that as it heals, it will stretch and smooth out nicely. We are so pleased!

We let them know that we wouldn't be letting her have the Versed that caused such a major problem last time. When I told the anesthesiologist that, she said, "Oh, will we have a problem taking her back to surgery without it?"

I assured her that WC has never met a stranger and would have no problem going back to the surgery un-medicated. The plan was to give her gas once they got her back in the surgery room, followed by the IV.

The surgery took less than 20 minutes, and when they wheeled her back out to us, she was drinking an apple juice box. She saw her brother's Popsicle and of course asked for one.

The doctor and nurse practitioner came out to chat about the results and let us know that WC was "quite entertaining" before they got started with the surgery.

I can't tell you how glad I am to have this all behind us! Thanks for all your prayers over this hemangioma journey!

Heading South Tomorrow

for The Wild Child's second and final hemangioma scar revision. It's just an outpatient surgery, so we'll hopefully be home by dinnertime.

I'll take some before pics and some after pics when the bandages come off. I'm very excited to put this all behind us.

Keep us in your prayers!

You'll Never Believe This

but I just ran 8 miles. In 1:20:20. (including 7 one minute breaks)

Holy carp. It was super-cold and I had freezer burn (frostbite?) on two fingers when I got back. Really- two fingers were bright white from the knuckle up and I wasn't sure what to do about that, but I keep moving them around and the problem seem to right itself after about 20 minutes in my 70 degree house.

Proof positive that anyone, literally anyone, can learn to run.

Right now I am listening to Undomestic Goddess on my ipod and loving it. Seriously- my hour and 20 minute run flew by because I was listening to an awesome book.

Hope you guys had a great weekend! Smooches!