Apparently, there is some big shit going on tomorrow. I am going to choose to ignore that for now, and instead, write about some stuff that doesn't make me want to fucking vomit. I hope I can do the same for you.  

What's to drink....

We are going to need something strong to steady ourselves. This beaut is a little sour (much like how my soul feels), and a little sweet..but not too much, as the name says. I'll be totally honest, I can't pronounce half the shit on this list of ingredients, but I can tell you that it hit the spot. The Oyster and Wine Bar at Jockey Hollow Kitchen (Morristown, NJ) knows how to make you feel special, and may, even for a brief moment, make you forget that we have a maniacal moron about to take over the country. Cheers!

What's to eat....

Oh you guys, these things are my new FAVES. Do yourself a favor, and go buy a bag or two. I like them on the well done side, so they're a little crispy. And they couldn't be easier. Just throw them on a baking sheet with some cooking spray, straight from the freezer, and flip them once. Super yummy, super convenient, and a good alternative to traditional starchy carbs...unless you eat the whole bag. Yeah, they're that good. 

Wishing you ALL of the Good Stuff.

XO
Tara

P.S. I left this one on the short side. But, I will leave you with 2 things....the shirt I plan on wearing for the next week straight..... And, the huge props I would like to offer to my Crossfit BFF, Maureen, for getting her feminism on, and getting her ass down to D.C., to participate in The Women's March on Washington. I am proud to be your friend. Thank you for being a great teacher, and a fine example of a "nasty woman". 

You know what really chaps my ass? Whenever I have to fill in my "occupation" on a form. I am still unsure of what to write. Is the correct term "stay-at-home-mom", is it "homemaker", is it something else I am not aware of? Either way, I don't think any of those titles do the job, my job, and the job of millions of other women, any justice. The term "stay-at-home" hits me like it's insinuating that I am ACTUALLY staying at home, on my ass, on the couch, which, I'm not going to lie, sometimes I DO, but mostly, I don't. And before you get yourself into a tizzy, I am REALLY grateful for this job. I just want a better name for it on paper. And if there's no way to come up with a better name, can the powers that be, at least, give me some more space to describe, in better detail, what my "occupation" actually consists of.  The form below cut me off before I could write "personal assistant to husband" and "picker-upper-of-all-the-socks". I would have liked to include that stuff and some more on my passport renewal application. 

So, it got me thinking of other things to include under occupation. Here are some of my favorites.

1. Conflict resolution specialist

2. Grill Master

3. Dead animal removal person (I need assistance with this one...from another stay-at-home-mom)

4. Part-time landscaper, part-time teacher, part-time therapist, part-time financial planner

5. Plumbing, garbage, and other gross shit also may fall into my jurisdiction from time to time. 

Can we all agree that a new, more appropriate title is needed? I've decided that from now on, when asked about my occupation, I am just going to write, "I run shit". 

What's to drink....

I have to offset last week's pricey wine, because that baby is going to blow right through the new 2017 budget, but this little surprise I received, it will fit just right. A friend brought this to my house for an impromptu get together. I was grateful for the bottle and happy to try something new. It's a dry sparkling wine from Spain (Cava), and it's pretty damn good. I'm starting to think that (dry) sparkling wine, or Champagne, is much like pizza to me. I never really meet one that I don't like. Cheers!

Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava

What's to eat....

My timing was all off with this one, as I made it, when it was about 20 degrees outside. But, it would be perfect for these next few warmer days in NJ. Please remember that I froze my ass off making this. For you. You will need to add some salt to the marinade because duh, salt makes everything better.

Grilled Shrimp Scampi

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/12771/grilled-shrimp-scampi/

Working on my favorite things....

You know how I just mentioned that salt makes everything better? Add to that lime, avocado, vodka, coconut, and a hot shower, then rub it all over yourself. Your dry, cracking, corpse-like winter skin will thank you. Oh, don't try to eat it. It doesn't taste good. You're welcome, again. 

Lush Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub

Wishing you ALL of the Good Stuff. 

XO

Tara

P.S. "The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - Socrates. I came across this and felt like it was really good advice. That Socrates really knew his shit. 

I gotta be honest, I'm a little nervous about the fact that I already published one blog this week, and it happened to be an "ode" to my friend, for her birthday, AND it also happens to be my husband's birthday, tomorrow. I will not be writing an ode to my husband. There are a couple of reasons for this, but the first thing that comes to mind is, that generally speaking, most normal-minded people want to vomit at the first sight of PDA over social media. Now, I'm not sure if this is a jealousy thing (it could be), or an overall feeling of being uncomfortable with all that emoting (possibly), or that's it usually a total crock of shit (ding-ding-ding-winner-winner-chicken-and-champagne-for-dinner). I am not trying to knock anyone, at all, but if I were to write a long blog about how Tommy and I are soulmates, I would be blowing absolute smoke up all your asses. I'm pretty sure, those who know us, are WELL aware of that. I think Tommy and I are like most couples in our life stage, sometimes things are great. Other times, we want to fucking kill each other not so much. Also, I know that Tommy does not want me gushing over him (gag) on social media. So, I'm being a good wife by NOT writing a blog piece for his birthday, and instead, saving a different kind of piece for him, for when he gets home. I could be talking about cake, you animals. But I'm not. 2017 is going to be spicy. Bring it. 

What's to drink....

I figured with the new year, I would start being more mindful about the money that I spend. I am doing a little experiment this month, to see if paying for things with cold hard cash, instead of a credit card, makes me stop, and really THINK about whether or not I really need said item. I set an allowance for myself for every week. This does not fit in the allowance. This pinot noir is around $60 a bottle, so it's one to be saved for a special occasion (like a 40th birthday). It's really delicious, super smooth, and full of berries. When I read about it, I found out this bottle is good to drink until 2022. This wine wouldn't make it a week in my house. No bottle does, really. Find a special occasion (or make one up) and give it a shot. Cheers!

 Martinelli "Moonshine Ranch" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

What's to eat....

This is one of them that photographs more like dog food, and less like edible for human consumption, but I needed something for this blog, I made it, and it's actually really good. I opted to only use spices and skip out on the barbecue sauce, because we could all stand to do without the sugar after gorging ourselves all last month. But, by far the most exciting thing about this dish, besides it being easy and delicious, was that I got to use the most romantic Christmas present my husband has ever gotten me, my new set of meat claws. Behold, these babies. 

Part kitchen tool, part wolverine, part weapon, all romance. 

Crock Pot Pulled Pork (that looks like shit but tastes really good)

(5-8 lb) Pork Shoulder

Season liberally with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and throw in a crock pot with a few tablespoons of liquid smoke.

Cook 6 hours on high

Shred the hell out of it with your sexy meat claws

Working on my 2017....

We have made it. I don't think I am alone in saying we suffered some bumps and bruises along the way. The last few months of 2016 were especially challenging for me. I found myself in uncharted territory, and had to find a way to cope with a lot of discomfort. I have used an array of coping mechanisms, as any human will do, that included, but are not limited to crying, wine, food, therapy, exercise, xanax, self-help books, more wine, and so on. It's not all pretty, and it's not all ideal, but it's survival. So, now we come to 2017, not with a clean slate, but with more experience, and more knowledge to deal with what lies ahead. And while there is no way to control everything that is going to happen, we can surely set some intentions and goals to balance out what WE are DOING, and what is HAPPENING around us. For me, I would like to write more. I would like to find an outlet to help people (not just help them get drunk and fed). Writing makes me feel good. Helping people gives me purpose. I think that's a good start. I am willing to say that I have no fucking clue what 2017 holds in store for us, but I'm ready for it. I think. I hope. I'm going to definitely still be using some of those coping mechanisms mentioned above.

Wishing you ALL of the Good Stuff. 

XO
Tara

P.S. Happy birthday, Tommy. I hope that 42 brings you happiness, health, and a Notre Dame winning season. I love the meat claws, and I love you. (Now everyone is gagging).

I started writing "In Pursuit of All the Good Stuff" because I like to share things with people. In my first blog post, I told you I am not a professional writer, my grammar is often terrible, and I'm not REALLY an expert at anything. Yet, you've continued to read, and for that, I am grateful. I'm going to do my best to keep writing. This one is going to look a little different. Don't worry, we will resume with booze, food, and swearing, on Thursday. We can't be savages all the time, ALTHOUGH, if you look at how I spent the last few weeks, you may beg to differ. But, moving forward....

The Top 3 Things Needed So That You Don't Lose Your Damn Mind As A Stay-At-Home Parent

1. Patience. You are going to need boat loads, buckets, oceans, of patience. I happen to be someone who was born without a patience gene, so I have had to work at this. I have to work at it every day. I fail at it, most days. Then I feel guilty, most days. Guilt is another thing. It could have it's own number. Get ready to feel guilty. I feel guilty writing this because I don't want it to be perceived that I am not appreciative that I can stay at home with my kids. I am appreciative, but I frequently lose my shit as well. So, dig deep, and get ready to figure out a way to find some more patience, and then get ready to not find it and feel like shit about it. 

2. Sharon. I will get to her at a later date (like late March). But just know that you need a friend who is savvy in ALL the things. You need a Yoda, like in real life.

3. Kate. You will need a Kate (preferably one that lives 5 houses away) in order to not lose your damn mind as a stay-at-home parent or as whatever it is you are. Kate, who is 1/2 of the blonde duo (see #2 for the other 1/2) who came to me at a point in my life when I was sure that I had met my quota for good, deep, friendships. I'm glad I was so wrong. 

What can you say about a girl who has a way of lighting up a room with her big beautiful smile, and her goofy, and sometimes clumsy, antics. Someone with the kindest heart, the best Mom, and best friend, you could ever ask for. She plays the fiercest air guitar you have ever seen, and has faith in God, that is unwavering, and admirable. She has run multiple marathons, but never takes herself too seriously, and can be spotted running around town, in a full-blown elf costume, in December. Kate and I share a love of food and wine (I mean, obviously), but she often takes that one step further, and shares that love with local families who are having a tough time, and could use a home-cooked meal. I have been on the receiving end of Kate's never-ending kindness, so what I can say is, thank you, Kate. You make everyone around you better. You make life better. Happy 40th birthday, my friend. I love you so. Till the bed breaks. 

XO

Tara

PS - I wish there was a way to send a stripper to your house without traumatizing your children. If there was anyway I could have pulled it off (and gotten myself a lap dance in the process) I would have.