Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Green Works!!!
I've been meaning to post about this for weeks & keep getting caught up in other "issues" and forgetting.
Obviously, I am not an "earthy, crunchy" tree-hugging type of person. But I have also told y'all plenty of times about how I prefer to use the most natural foods possible in feeding my family. The same goes for cleaning my house. BUT I also want to use products that are going to be the most effective and help me get housework done as quickly as possible, with the least effort, and with the longest lasting effect. For example, I use baking soda to scrub my sink. Not just because it is natural and doesn't hurt my skin, but also because it works at least as well as any scouring powder I have ever used. Plus, if it somehow ends up in someone's cup or bowl, it won't require a trip to the ER.
Now, I have been trying various "green" products over the past few years, honing in on what works best. I tried several "green" dishwasher detergents and still haven't found one that gets my dishes as clean as I'd like. I've also tried various multi-purpose sprays and glass cleaners. Most of those haven't worked well at all and/or the smell has made me crazy. (Lilac and lavender both gag me and give me a nasty headache!)
MomCentral invited me to take a look at the new site, 30 Days to Natural, from Green Works cleaners (by the makers of Clorox). It's a really cool site with lots of tips on how to make cleaning your house a little more natural. You can have little tips emailed or texted to you each day. They even have a list you can print of easy ways to make you kitchen more natural.
I was lucky enough to get a bottle GreenWorks All Purpose Cleaner. I was pleasantly surprised at how effective it was. Even on my nasty stainless steel stove that is a giant PITA to clean, usually. I used it on the countertops & sink in the kitchen and then took it to clean the bathroom sink & the outside of the toilet. AND? My hands weren't burning when I finished, nor did I have a headache! We have a winner.
I'm looking forward to trying the GreenWorks glass cleaner and toilet bowl cleaner next. I am really enjoying this new "Natural" me!
Obviously, I am not an "earthy, crunchy" tree-hugging type of person. But I have also told y'all plenty of times about how I prefer to use the most natural foods possible in feeding my family. The same goes for cleaning my house. BUT I also want to use products that are going to be the most effective and help me get housework done as quickly as possible, with the least effort, and with the longest lasting effect. For example, I use baking soda to scrub my sink. Not just because it is natural and doesn't hurt my skin, but also because it works at least as well as any scouring powder I have ever used. Plus, if it somehow ends up in someone's cup or bowl, it won't require a trip to the ER.
Now, I have been trying various "green" products over the past few years, honing in on what works best. I tried several "green" dishwasher detergents and still haven't found one that gets my dishes as clean as I'd like. I've also tried various multi-purpose sprays and glass cleaners. Most of those haven't worked well at all and/or the smell has made me crazy. (Lilac and lavender both gag me and give me a nasty headache!)
MomCentral invited me to take a look at the new site, 30 Days to Natural, from Green Works cleaners (by the makers of Clorox). It's a really cool site with lots of tips on how to make cleaning your house a little more natural. You can have little tips emailed or texted to you each day. They even have a list you can print of easy ways to make you kitchen more natural.
I was lucky enough to get a bottle GreenWorks All Purpose Cleaner. I was pleasantly surprised at how effective it was. Even on my nasty stainless steel stove that is a giant PITA to clean, usually. I used it on the countertops & sink in the kitchen and then took it to clean the bathroom sink & the outside of the toilet. AND? My hands weren't burning when I finished, nor did I have a headache! We have a winner.
I'm looking forward to trying the GreenWorks glass cleaner and toilet bowl cleaner next. I am really enjoying this new "Natural" me!
Monday, October 27, 2008
No, SERIOUSLY
SOCIALISM. "Spreading the wealth" - that's called SOCIALISM. That's what they want to bring us. Everything else just falls into place after that. Their version of "morality." They get to choose how you live, what you do....don't you people SEE THAT? Is that what you want?
And don't be fooled. There are rich people and poor people under socialism, too. Only the divide is much, much greater. And the chance of "anybody" being able to make it through hard work is just a joke. Look at Cuba. Look back at Russia. Look at China. There are/were very wealthy people there. They were the ruling class and they live(d) high on the hog. At the expense of everyone else in that country.
And you people want to CHOOSE THAT?
You are freely VOTING FOR THAT? It's insane, that's what it is. Before you vote in seven days, take a few minutes to look at "Spreading the wealth" and how well it has worked. Look up Karl Marx. East Germany. That little country that used to exist called the "Soviet Union." See how taking all incentives for excellence and hard work "improve" a nation. They don't. They lead to its downfall. We are better than that.
You want change? That's all you're going to have left if you make the wrong choice. The change in your pocket. About 37 cents. The rest of it is going to the government. If we aren't wiped off the planet first.
Don't do this to us. We are the greatest country in the history of the world. Don't blow it.
Sorry, I'm freaking out a little. Please excuse me. I realize this probably isn't even coherent. I should never post right after watching the news. Nothing to see here....move along folks....
And don't be fooled. There are rich people and poor people under socialism, too. Only the divide is much, much greater. And the chance of "anybody" being able to make it through hard work is just a joke. Look at Cuba. Look back at Russia. Look at China. There are/were very wealthy people there. They were the ruling class and they live(d) high on the hog. At the expense of everyone else in that country.
And you people want to CHOOSE THAT?
You are freely VOTING FOR THAT? It's insane, that's what it is. Before you vote in seven days, take a few minutes to look at "Spreading the wealth" and how well it has worked. Look up Karl Marx. East Germany. That little country that used to exist called the "Soviet Union." See how taking all incentives for excellence and hard work "improve" a nation. They don't. They lead to its downfall. We are better than that.
You want change? That's all you're going to have left if you make the wrong choice. The change in your pocket. About 37 cents. The rest of it is going to the government. If we aren't wiped off the planet first.
Don't do this to us. We are the greatest country in the history of the world. Don't blow it.
Sorry, I'm freaking out a little. Please excuse me. I realize this probably isn't even coherent. I should never post right after watching the news. Nothing to see here....move along folks....
UPDATE: Lizzi at The Bitten Word explains the whole tax cut/increase scam in her post What Obama's Tax Plan Means For You. It is fantastic & explains things much more clearly than I ever could.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Revealing my Red Side
It won't come as a big surprise to anyone how I am voting. I have made no secret of the fact that I am a Republican. Have been since I was 10 years old and Ronald Reagan was running for his first term. My parents took me to both the GOP and the Democrat headquarters answered any questions I had. It didn't take me long to come to figure out what makes sense and what....was crazy. Also, I fell in love with Ronald Reagan. Understandably.
I have tried really, really hard to keep my mouth shut and be happy, happy and non-political here. Which is one of the reasons posting has been so sparse. The thing is, I LOVE politics. And I have STRONG opinions. I try to educate myself about all sides of an issue. I am compassionate. But I am also sensible. And I have to tell you that this Presidential race has been driving me crazy for months & months.
McCain wasn't my first choice for the GOP. He's a very good man and I admire him. But he was not my ideal candidate. I was a Fred Thompson girl. But McCain got the nomination. And, considering the alternative, I am behind him all the way. I am a social conservative as well as a fiscal conservative. I am NOT a single issue voter. But when it comes down to the big picture? It's all about taxes and national security.
Taxes. The economy. DUH.
The whole "punish the rich" frame of mind confounds me. Even my 11 year old has figured out that raising taxes on the rich & on corporations doesn't help anything. I don't get why people don't understand the whole taxes/revenue thing. It's very very simple. When taxes are lowered, tax revenue increases. Seems paradoxical? Not really. Think about it. When people get to keep more of their money instead of giving it to the government, what do they do? They spend it. And when they buy stuff, who benefits? The people who make the stuff and sell the stuff. And when more people are buying more stuff, then more stuff needs to be made which...creates jobs. And when jobs are created, that's more people to pay taxes and? more people to buy stuff. See the circle of prosperity? More taxpayers = more tax revenue.
Conversely.....if I am forced to give more of my money to the government, I am going to buy less stuff, much like most people I know. And if we are all buying less stuff, there less of a need for people to make stuff & therefore FEWER taxpayers & lower tax revenues.
The other argument is that they are taxing corporations. That's great. After all, corporations are things, right? And if you are taxing a corporation then nobody gets hurt, right? Ummmmm....no. See, when corporations (businesses) are taxed, then that is money that they don't have to hire new people. And/or they have to raise the price of their products. Businesses don't pay taxes. YOU pay their taxes. And not because they are greedy, money-hoarding assholes. But because in order to pay their employees, their share-holders, and their bills, they must turn a profit.
Here's what SugarPlum and I discussed. Say you have a lemonade stand. You are selling lemonade at 25 cents/cup. Then your mom tells you that for every cup you sell, you have to give her 10 cents. What are you going to do? Well, my 11-year-old tells me that she will start charging 35 cents. And this is what most businesses do. Only, in addition to raising their prices, they are also forced to reduce their costs - either stop hiring and/or firing employees. Which means? Fewer taxpayers. Less people buying stuff. Lower tax revenue. Hmmm.
I am not in any way saying that we should abolish the income tax (though, a flat tax or a National Sales tax makes more sense to me). There are many very necessary services that our taxes pay for. National Security for one thing. They also pay for US Mail, the FCC, the FDA, Social Security, highways, schools, etc, etc, etc.....some things I agree with, some I do not. But, I won't be opening that can of worms. For now.
But, I DO take issue with the whole "spread the wealth" philosophy that is being spouted right now. That is called SOCIALISM and it doesn't work. It fails - every. time.
I know that I mentioned National Security up there, too. But this post is long, rambling ,and incoherent enough. There are very strong, divisive views on the wars and about our National Security out there. I'm sure I'll get worked up enough again soon to share that as well. If you want to hear more about that, let me know. I can get that posted here, too. If you dare.
I have tried really, really hard to keep my mouth shut and be happy, happy and non-political here. Which is one of the reasons posting has been so sparse. The thing is, I LOVE politics. And I have STRONG opinions. I try to educate myself about all sides of an issue. I am compassionate. But I am also sensible. And I have to tell you that this Presidential race has been driving me crazy for months & months.
McCain wasn't my first choice for the GOP. He's a very good man and I admire him. But he was not my ideal candidate. I was a Fred Thompson girl. But McCain got the nomination. And, considering the alternative, I am behind him all the way. I am a social conservative as well as a fiscal conservative. I am NOT a single issue voter. But when it comes down to the big picture? It's all about taxes and national security.
Taxes. The economy. DUH.
The whole "punish the rich" frame of mind confounds me. Even my 11 year old has figured out that raising taxes on the rich & on corporations doesn't help anything. I don't get why people don't understand the whole taxes/revenue thing. It's very very simple. When taxes are lowered, tax revenue increases. Seems paradoxical? Not really. Think about it. When people get to keep more of their money instead of giving it to the government, what do they do? They spend it. And when they buy stuff, who benefits? The people who make the stuff and sell the stuff. And when more people are buying more stuff, then more stuff needs to be made which...creates jobs. And when jobs are created, that's more people to pay taxes and? more people to buy stuff. See the circle of prosperity? More taxpayers = more tax revenue.
Conversely.....if I am forced to give more of my money to the government, I am going to buy less stuff, much like most people I know. And if we are all buying less stuff, there less of a need for people to make stuff & therefore FEWER taxpayers & lower tax revenues.
The other argument is that they are taxing corporations. That's great. After all, corporations are things, right? And if you are taxing a corporation then nobody gets hurt, right? Ummmmm....no. See, when corporations (businesses) are taxed, then that is money that they don't have to hire new people. And/or they have to raise the price of their products. Businesses don't pay taxes. YOU pay their taxes. And not because they are greedy, money-hoarding assholes. But because in order to pay their employees, their share-holders, and their bills, they must turn a profit.
Here's what SugarPlum and I discussed. Say you have a lemonade stand. You are selling lemonade at 25 cents/cup. Then your mom tells you that for every cup you sell, you have to give her 10 cents. What are you going to do? Well, my 11-year-old tells me that she will start charging 35 cents. And this is what most businesses do. Only, in addition to raising their prices, they are also forced to reduce their costs - either stop hiring and/or firing employees. Which means? Fewer taxpayers. Less people buying stuff. Lower tax revenue. Hmmm.
I am not in any way saying that we should abolish the income tax (though, a flat tax or a National Sales tax makes more sense to me). There are many very necessary services that our taxes pay for. National Security for one thing. They also pay for US Mail, the FCC, the FDA, Social Security, highways, schools, etc, etc, etc.....some things I agree with, some I do not. But, I won't be opening that can of worms. For now.
But, I DO take issue with the whole "spread the wealth" philosophy that is being spouted right now. That is called SOCIALISM and it doesn't work. It fails - every. time.
I know that I mentioned National Security up there, too. But this post is long, rambling ,and incoherent enough. There are very strong, divisive views on the wars and about our National Security out there. I'm sure I'll get worked up enough again soon to share that as well. If you want to hear more about that, let me know. I can get that posted here, too. If you dare.
Monday, October 13, 2008
If I start talking politics, you'll never get me off my soapbox....but this is too funny
" I keep thinking we should include something in the Constitution in case the people elect a fucking moron."Sorry...the print is very teensy, so I transcribed!
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Things I swore I would never, ever say to my kids (and then I became a Mother!)
- If you aren't asleep soon, I'm coming in there and spanking your bottom!
- How can you possibly call this room clean?
- Please just stop talking. For five minutes. That's all I'm asking.
- I didn't ask if you wanted to, I told you to clean off the table/pick up the legos/go feed the dogs......
- Really? That's how you are going to do your hair for school?
- I embarrassed you? Well, then, my work here is done!
- You can eat it or not eat it, but this is what we are having for supper.
- When you get a job, you can have all the (insert toy/food here) you want. But I don't have any money for that today.
- Yeah, well, LIFE'S not fair! Get used to it.
- I don't care that your friends get to. If it's that important to you, maybe you should live there.
- Yes, you can (insert activity here). As soon as you get your room cleaned up.
- Because I'm mean and evil through and through.
- Also? Because I said so!
Now it's your turn. What did I leave out?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Now, where was I?
Oh, hi! Fancy meeting you here! Someone reminded me recently that I did, in fact, at one point in my life, maintain a blog. Since it has been so long since I was here, I had totally forgotten about that. Imagine!
Okay, no, not really. But life has been wild lately and as much as I love you people, posting here hasn't been as big of a priority as, say, my marriage. Or my children. Little things. Crazy, I know, but true.
Oh, yeah. And I went on a cruise with four friends to celebrate my friend Matt's 40th birthday. (Just for the record, I have had a crush on Matt since the 7th grade. Unfortunately for me, his partner, Andy, won his heart. So, instead we sat on a ship to the Bahamas together last weekend and evaluated the hot guys. And drank Pina Coladas. All in all, that was pretty cool.) Anyway...yes, went on a cruise, didn't get a sunburn, didn't get rip-roaring drunk, got enough sleep, didn't gain a single pound (I know, right?!)...I was the very picture of all things in moderation. I realize that this DOES officially make me an old person. But you know what? I don't care. I got to have a fantastic time and then come home to my family and not be wiped-out exhausted and on the verge of illness - as I might have in the past.
I guess that the last time I woke up the morning-after-the-night-before saying, "I'll never do THAT again," I really meant it. Some people can wake up with a hangover, take some aspirin, drink some coffee and get on with the day. For me, a hangover is a three-day affair. On the up side, I usually end up losing about five pounds. On the downside, as soon as I can keep water down, I gain it right back.
So, I was careful about my consumption on this trip. It was only a three day cruise, so if I got drunk the first night, that would pretty much have ruined it for me. And then, I would have been PISSED. Because I had been looking forward to this trip for months. Also? I got a new bikini and I look HOT in it. If I do say so myself.
The only crappy part of the whole thing was not being able to call home. As much as I looked forward to some totally kid-free time, I missed the little buggers. And their daddy. My bestest friend CRB missed her hubby and kiddos, too. Especially the cutest baby in the world, my Buttercup**. So when she decided to dash it all and phone home from Nassau, I looked pitiful until she handed me her cell phone and let me follow suite. It was like a junkie getting a fix. Hearing my babies voices made it all better. Especially since I would be home like, 24 hours later. I'm so lame.
This was my first cruise. And it was fun. I mean, laying on a private beach, under a palm tree, with a frozen drink in my hand and a warm breeze blowing across me and is pretty much my idea of heaven. It was the first time in a long time that I have been totally relaxed. But I could have dealt with a bigger room. An 8'x10' cabin for three women is asking a lot. The whole "rocking boat" thing I could have lived without. I think I'm more of an All-Inclusive Resort kind of girl. I really dig the beach part & would have like to have STAYED there. But if anyone else wants to take me on a cruise for free, I certainly won't say no.
**If you scroll down to about the third post or so, you can see a picture of Buttercup with her Aunt Buffi - the person who loves her the most!
Okay, no, not really. But life has been wild lately and as much as I love you people, posting here hasn't been as big of a priority as, say, my marriage. Or my children. Little things. Crazy, I know, but true.
Oh, yeah. And I went on a cruise with four friends to celebrate my friend Matt's 40th birthday. (Just for the record, I have had a crush on Matt since the 7th grade. Unfortunately for me, his partner, Andy, won his heart. So, instead we sat on a ship to the Bahamas together last weekend and evaluated the hot guys. And drank Pina Coladas. All in all, that was pretty cool.) Anyway...yes, went on a cruise, didn't get a sunburn, didn't get rip-roaring drunk, got enough sleep, didn't gain a single pound (I know, right?!)...I was the very picture of all things in moderation. I realize that this DOES officially make me an old person. But you know what? I don't care. I got to have a fantastic time and then come home to my family and not be wiped-out exhausted and on the verge of illness - as I might have in the past.
I guess that the last time I woke up the morning-after-the-night-before saying, "I'll never do THAT again," I really meant it. Some people can wake up with a hangover, take some aspirin, drink some coffee and get on with the day. For me, a hangover is a three-day affair. On the up side, I usually end up losing about five pounds. On the downside, as soon as I can keep water down, I gain it right back.
So, I was careful about my consumption on this trip. It was only a three day cruise, so if I got drunk the first night, that would pretty much have ruined it for me. And then, I would have been PISSED. Because I had been looking forward to this trip for months. Also? I got a new bikini and I look HOT in it. If I do say so myself.
The only crappy part of the whole thing was not being able to call home. As much as I looked forward to some totally kid-free time, I missed the little buggers. And their daddy. My bestest friend CRB missed her hubby and kiddos, too. Especially the cutest baby in the world, my Buttercup**. So when she decided to dash it all and phone home from Nassau, I looked pitiful until she handed me her cell phone and let me follow suite. It was like a junkie getting a fix. Hearing my babies voices made it all better. Especially since I would be home like, 24 hours later. I'm so lame.
This was my first cruise. And it was fun. I mean, laying on a private beach, under a palm tree, with a frozen drink in my hand and a warm breeze blowing across me and is pretty much my idea of heaven. It was the first time in a long time that I have been totally relaxed. But I could have dealt with a bigger room. An 8'x10' cabin for three women is asking a lot. The whole "rocking boat" thing I could have lived without. I think I'm more of an All-Inclusive Resort kind of girl. I really dig the beach part & would have like to have STAYED there. But if anyone else wants to take me on a cruise for free, I certainly won't say no.
**If you scroll down to about the third post or so, you can see a picture of Buttercup with her Aunt Buffi - the person who loves her the most!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Things I have been excited about that, in retrospect are just flat-out irritating
- "Wow! Gas is only $3.62 at that station!"
- "The boys actually stayed in bed all night!"
- "Hmmmm, it only got up to 101 today. So much better than 110!"
- "I'm down to four loads of laundry! WOO HOO!"
- "If I listen to children whine for five hours straight without killing anyone, will I get a prize?
- "I got out of Target under $100! I ROCK!"
- SugarPlum's sneakers still fit. That means I only have to buy shoes for the boys....and "nice" flipflops for SP."
- The boys now wear the same size nighttime pull ups. Now I can buy just one size! (for the five and seven year olds who still pee all night...)
- I'm so glad that my parents were never judged by the horrifyingly bad choices I made when I was seventeen....
Friday, August 22, 2008
Conversations with Bug & Bear
Bear (looking at a red SAAB convertible): That's a sweet convertible, isn't it, Mommy?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I told the boys that since they didn't get the Legos picked up, that they wouldn't get to play with them for a week.
Bug: A week? I can live with a week.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bug: Mommy! Guess what my favorite thing is!
Me: Umm...snuggling your Mommy?
Bug: No!
Me: Kissing your Mommy?
Bug: No!
Me: Hugging your Mommy?
Bug: NO!
Me: Taking a nap...with your Mommy?!
Bug: No, Mommy!
Me: What then? What's your favorite thing?
Bug: NINJAS!
(The Bloggess would be so proud)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bug: When I grow up, I will live in a different family. I will have a family of my own and i will be the Daddy.
Me: How many kids are you going to have?
Bug: Six.
Me: (!) Wow. Boys or girls?
Bug: Well, I guess whatever they come out as!
Me: giggle
Bug: But, I hope that they are all girls because boys make REALLY big messes!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I told the boys that since they didn't get the Legos picked up, that they wouldn't get to play with them for a week.
Bug: A week? I can live with a week.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bug: Mommy! Guess what my favorite thing is!
Me: Umm...snuggling your Mommy?
Bug: No!
Me: Kissing your Mommy?
Bug: No!
Me: Hugging your Mommy?
Bug: NO!
Me: Taking a nap...with your Mommy?!
Bug: No, Mommy!
Me: What then? What's your favorite thing?
Bug: NINJAS!
(The Bloggess would be so proud)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bug: When I grow up, I will live in a different family. I will have a family of my own and i will be the Daddy.
Me: How many kids are you going to have?
Bug: Six.
Me: (!) Wow. Boys or girls?
Bug: Well, I guess whatever they come out as!
Me: giggle
Bug: But, I hope that they are all girls because boys make REALLY big messes!
Monday, August 18, 2008
All's well in Candyland
I know, I know. TWO WEEKS. Two weeks since my last post. Crazy, right?
I'm fine. Everyone is fine. Things were a little tense around here, but nothing too extraordinary. I have just been trying to re-prioritize since things have gotten a little out of whack. We went to visit my parents for a few days. Then we all went to the lake for a couple of days and even rented a boat! A good time was had by all.
Now I am focusing on spending time with SD and the SugarBabies since school starts next week. I am reeeaaaalllllly happy that school is starting next week. But it is also a little bittersweet. I am looking at all the time I wasted when I could have been taking the kids to the water park or the library or the park....or just spending time enjoying them more. I hate that. Fortunately, they had each other to play with (and fight with).
All three kids are SO excited about school starting. SugarPlum starts jr. high and is just beside herself. Last night she went to the Candyland Junior High 6th grade skating party. She had a blast and got to see her buddies and meet a few new kids, too. She is growing up so very, very fast. I'm torn between being proud and being sad, once again at how time flies. She gets her schedule and locker, etc Thursday evening. She is really looking forward to it. She's been speculating on what classes she will get and who will be in them. I remember not being able to even imagine what jr high would be like. She seems much less apprehensive than I was. But she has always had such amazing self confidence and maturity, so I'm not surprised.
Bug starts Kindergarten and is about to burst with excitement. Candyland Elementary only has one Kindergarten class, so we already know his teacher (who is NOT the old biddy who was Bear's kindergarten teacher, thank goodness!) and he loves, loves, loves her. And she seems to already be pretty fond of him. This is such a relief, considering what a hard time we had with Bear's teacher. Mrs. Kindergarten sent them all a postcard a couple of weeks ago and he was over the moon! I'm really looking forward to this year with her.
Bear starts 2nd grade. He seems happy to be starting, but I think a lot of that is that he is just so bored at home! I'm a little concerned for him because he just doesn't seem to be able to focus lately. And he seems too quick to freak out over things. His teacher last year loved him and really tried to find ways to help him learn. She recognized that he is highly intelligent and she worked with me to figure out his learning style. I am hoping that his teacher this year will be as accommodating. He is such a sweet child but can be really, very frustrating. Right now, I am having him work on handwriting because his somehow got worse by the end of last school year. I may have a new ulcer by the end of the week.
So....that's what's going on. I'm going back to my babies. I should be posting more regularly once everyone is settled into the school routine. Until I find a job anyway. We'll see. Thank you to all of you who have checked in on me, emailed, called, Twittered. I am so happy to have you. People who don't blog just don't get how I can have these friends from all over the world who I love like I do you all. That's too bad for them. You all are wonderful.
I'm fine. Everyone is fine. Things were a little tense around here, but nothing too extraordinary. I have just been trying to re-prioritize since things have gotten a little out of whack. We went to visit my parents for a few days. Then we all went to the lake for a couple of days and even rented a boat! A good time was had by all.
Now I am focusing on spending time with SD and the SugarBabies since school starts next week. I am reeeaaaalllllly happy that school is starting next week. But it is also a little bittersweet. I am looking at all the time I wasted when I could have been taking the kids to the water park or the library or the park....or just spending time enjoying them more. I hate that. Fortunately, they had each other to play with (and fight with).
All three kids are SO excited about school starting. SugarPlum starts jr. high and is just beside herself. Last night she went to the Candyland Junior High 6th grade skating party. She had a blast and got to see her buddies and meet a few new kids, too. She is growing up so very, very fast. I'm torn between being proud and being sad, once again at how time flies. She gets her schedule and locker, etc Thursday evening. She is really looking forward to it. She's been speculating on what classes she will get and who will be in them. I remember not being able to even imagine what jr high would be like. She seems much less apprehensive than I was. But she has always had such amazing self confidence and maturity, so I'm not surprised.
Bug starts Kindergarten and is about to burst with excitement. Candyland Elementary only has one Kindergarten class, so we already know his teacher (who is NOT the old biddy who was Bear's kindergarten teacher, thank goodness!) and he loves, loves, loves her. And she seems to already be pretty fond of him. This is such a relief, considering what a hard time we had with Bear's teacher. Mrs. Kindergarten sent them all a postcard a couple of weeks ago and he was over the moon! I'm really looking forward to this year with her.
Bear starts 2nd grade. He seems happy to be starting, but I think a lot of that is that he is just so bored at home! I'm a little concerned for him because he just doesn't seem to be able to focus lately. And he seems too quick to freak out over things. His teacher last year loved him and really tried to find ways to help him learn. She recognized that he is highly intelligent and she worked with me to figure out his learning style. I am hoping that his teacher this year will be as accommodating. He is such a sweet child but can be really, very frustrating. Right now, I am having him work on handwriting because his somehow got worse by the end of last school year. I may have a new ulcer by the end of the week.
So....that's what's going on. I'm going back to my babies. I should be posting more regularly once everyone is settled into the school routine. Until I find a job anyway. We'll see. Thank you to all of you who have checked in on me, emailed, called, Twittered. I am so happy to have you. People who don't blog just don't get how I can have these friends from all over the world who I love like I do you all. That's too bad for them. You all are wonderful.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
What do I want to be when I grow up?
As much as I hate to, I am thinking of going back to work. I'm not even sure what I would want to do. I haven't had a job in nearly 12 years (other than working in the baby room at the Mothers Day Out on Thursdays...occasionally). I have a degree in Early Childhood and I'm certified to teach thru sixth grade. I really don't want to go back to teaching. There are many things I would like to do, but I have no idea how to achieve any of them. At least not any time soon.
No secret that I'd like to be a lactation consultant and/or a doula. But I'd have to take lots of and classes and put in lots of volunteer hours to do this. And I just don't have that in my now. Something else I'd like to do is be a Family Life Educator. Honestly, I could probably get some sort of job that is kind of like that right now.
I'm not wanting to get rich. I just need to find a way to not be dependent on anyone else. Just to prove to myself that I can. I mean, I know I can...but I have been having a lot of self doubt. I've been trying to find some writing jobs. I really like writing and would love to do it more. But, it's difficult in the summer when the kids are home and all over the place. I can't concentrate enough to write anything of quality. (I know...obviously!) I want to spend time with my munchkins. They are actually pretty cool kids...when they're not making me homicidal. I try to write at night, after everyone is in bed, but then, evidently, I'm cheating my husband of time. BALANCE. It's elusive.
*sigh* Maybe after school starts in a few weeks. Yeah, because things always get EASIER after school starts. *hmph*
I don't know. I'm feeling sad and lost and introspective. I'm not caught in the "whirling vortex of despair," but I can see it from here. There is a lot going on that I really don't want to talk about right now to the whole internet. Sorry to subject you to this. I suppose I'm just hoping that someone will have some good advice for me. Time for me to put on my big girl panties and act like a grown up, I guess.
Thanks for listening....if you didn't fall asleep first.
No secret that I'd like to be a lactation consultant and/or a doula. But I'd have to take lots of and classes and put in lots of volunteer hours to do this. And I just don't have that in my now. Something else I'd like to do is be a Family Life Educator. Honestly, I could probably get some sort of job that is kind of like that right now.
I'm not wanting to get rich. I just need to find a way to not be dependent on anyone else. Just to prove to myself that I can. I mean, I know I can...but I have been having a lot of self doubt. I've been trying to find some writing jobs. I really like writing and would love to do it more. But, it's difficult in the summer when the kids are home and all over the place. I can't concentrate enough to write anything of quality. (I know...obviously!) I want to spend time with my munchkins. They are actually pretty cool kids...when they're not making me homicidal. I try to write at night, after everyone is in bed, but then, evidently, I'm cheating my husband of time. BALANCE. It's elusive.
*sigh* Maybe after school starts in a few weeks. Yeah, because things always get EASIER after school starts. *hmph*
I don't know. I'm feeling sad and lost and introspective. I'm not caught in the "whirling vortex of despair," but I can see it from here. There is a lot going on that I really don't want to talk about right now to the whole internet. Sorry to subject you to this. I suppose I'm just hoping that someone will have some good advice for me. Time for me to put on my big girl panties and act like a grown up, I guess.
Thanks for listening....if you didn't fall asleep first.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Obviously I need to censor myself better...but at least it wasn't the f-bomb
Bear, noticing the rather large ding in my windshield:
"Wow! That was a damn big rock!"
Me: *coughcoughcough* What did you say?
Bear: "That was a damn big rock!"
Yes, we discussed how that wasn't a word that is okay children use, blah, blah, blah....
LATER:
after telling SugarDaddy about the earlier conversation: *snicker* "Well, at least he used it correctly!"
Me: That's what I was thinking! hee hee hee
"Wow! That was a damn big rock!"
Me: *coughcoughcough* What did you say?
Bear: "That was a damn big rock!"
Yes, we discussed how that wasn't a word that is okay children use, blah, blah, blah....
LATER:
after telling SugarDaddy about the earlier conversation: *snicker* "Well, at least he used it correctly!"
Me: That's what I was thinking! hee hee hee
Monday, July 28, 2008
Again, where was my camera?!
Driving home from, yes, another soccer tournament yesterday, we passed the Adult Video & Bookstore that is out in the big middle of Nowheresville. I have mentioned it before, not that long ago. Well, this time SD was with us and he was the one who noticed the sign that said:
Adult Video sale! RISE TO THE OCCASION!
Seriously? I have to hope that the meant to do that.
Adult Video sale! RISE TO THE OCCASION!
Seriously? I have to hope that the meant to do that.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Help! I'm melting! (and a SugarPuppy update)
W0e are at another soccer tournament in DALLAS this weekend. Seriously, it's like 147 degrees. It is miserable. Though, watching my girl play goalie like a pro makes it totally worth it. She is amazing. It would be even better if it was about 85 degrees.
I know, bitch & moan, bitch and moan......
On a good note, we got Snazzy home Thursday! SO happy. Actually a lady found her about five blocks from our house. That she was sighted with Yogi when he was found about 8 miles from our house, makes it a miracle, I think. She was coming home.....again! Everyone seems healthy and happy! My kids are still beside themselves.
Okay....off to sweat to death at our final game. Pray that I don't melt!!
I know, bitch & moan, bitch and moan......
On a good note, we got Snazzy home Thursday! SO happy. Actually a lady found her about five blocks from our house. That she was sighted with Yogi when he was found about 8 miles from our house, makes it a miracle, I think. She was coming home.....again! Everyone seems healthy and happy! My kids are still beside themselves.
Okay....off to sweat to death at our final game. Pray that I don't melt!!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
More random crap about me....just what you wanted, right?!
My lovely friend, Faith, from Momma's Tantrum has tagged me for a meme. I have done this one before, with varying numbers of required "random things." So, I will try to think of six MORE random things...but if I repeat myself, sorry.
Six Random Things About Me
- I am a dog person. I have had at least one dog all my life except for the first year I was married and for the 2 1/2 years we lived in England. And I was so sad without one. In fact, I got my first dog after I was married on my first anniversary. Her name was Mischief (for a reason!) and she was one of the best dogs ever. Right now, we are anxiously awaiting the return of Snazzy, who escaped Saturday night with Yogi. Yogi was found by a very nice lady about eight miles from our house. But still no Snazzy puppy. We are all profoundly saddened by this. :(
- I have a real need to watch the local news every night. I get twitchy when I can't watch it.
- I can read encyclopedias for HOURS. I love Google and how handy it is to look up information (sometimes too handy - re: medical issues!). But when I am at my parents' house I look stuff up in our old encyclopedias and end up with seven or eight of them stacked around me later and reading about whatever has caught my attention. Sort of Informational ADD.
- I have an inexplicable, almost unnatural love for Gorgonzola cheese. I put it on pizza, pasta, salad. LOVE IT. Maybe it's because it's one of the few foods I don't have to share. At least not with the kids, who run screaming when I say that's what I'm eating.
- I. cannot. stand. Celine. Dion. No, seriously. I still have never seen Titanic because of her. She is quite possibly the most over-rated singer of all time. And she is weirder than weird. Ugh.
- I don't understand hockey. And I REALLY don't understand why we have hockey in the South. It is a COLD sport, people. It's crazy that there is hockey in DALLAS, TEXAS of all places. When Dallas won the Stanley Cup a few years ago, I heralded it as the first sign of the apocalypse. Truly. It's that disturbing.
THE RULES:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
Write six random things about yourself.
Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
Let your tagger know when your blog entry is up.
So, since I have to tag six people, I guess it'll be....
OH HELL. You know I can't tag anyone. Everyone gets pissed at me when I tag them. If you want to do it, please, DO! And leave me a comment and let me know that you did. (Though, Faith, next time I have to do this, you are SO getting tagged back - love you!)
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Why Bug is my favorite right now
Since my surgery, the boys have been all about gallbladders, the digestive system and just anatomy in general. So, last weekend, I bought them one of those science books about the human body with sections on muscles, nerves, different systems, the brain, skin, etc. And it has those cool overlays and really great descriptions and explanations of the various parts of the body. All three kids have been poring over it daily.
So, the other night, SD and I were looking through the book with them and they came to the section about the brain. We were talking about how different parts of the brain control different parts of the body and its functions. SD told them about how the front lobe controls personality and, essentially, about frontal lobotomies. How doctors do this (albeit RARELY) to "cure" sever mental/personality disorders.
Then SugarBug - totally seriously - says, "Is that what happened to you, Daddy?"
So, the other night, SD and I were looking through the book with them and they came to the section about the brain. We were talking about how different parts of the brain control different parts of the body and its functions. SD told them about how the front lobe controls personality and, essentially, about frontal lobotomies. How doctors do this (albeit RARELY) to "cure" sever mental/personality disorders.
Then SugarBug - totally seriously - says, "Is that what happened to you, Daddy?"
Friday, July 18, 2008
Perspective
You know, no matter how many lost wallets, extracted gall bladders, screaming kids, marital issues and other crap I have endured, never in all my days have I had to deal with what Lisa has had to deal with today. Never have I had to contemplate telling my children and everyone else that I love that I, most likely, am dying. AND? That while I am getting sicker and sicker I don't know how we will afford to put food on the table or a roof over our heads. It is a nightmare that I can't even let myself imagine. And yet, Lisa is living it. Right. now.
And to make things even more unbearable, someone is trying to take advantage of her situation to make himself look good. How is it that parasites like this are allowed to continue existing on this planet? Incomprehensible. And disgusting. That's what that is.
I apologize for every single time I have complained about my life. Because my life is amazing and comfortable and healthy and carefree and wonderful. I wouldn't trade this life or these people for anything in the world. So to those who might not be sure, know this: I love you. I appreciate you. I will not take any of you or any day God has given me for granted.
If there is any way you can help Lisa and her family through this, please try. Even if all you can afford is prayers, I'm sure that they would be welcome. Isn't that what we are all here for? To support each other?
And to make things even more unbearable, someone is trying to take advantage of her situation to make himself look good. How is it that parasites like this are allowed to continue existing on this planet? Incomprehensible. And disgusting. That's what that is.
I apologize for every single time I have complained about my life. Because my life is amazing and comfortable and healthy and carefree and wonderful. I wouldn't trade this life or these people for anything in the world. So to those who might not be sure, know this: I love you. I appreciate you. I will not take any of you or any day God has given me for granted.
If there is any way you can help Lisa and her family through this, please try. Even if all you can afford is prayers, I'm sure that they would be welcome. Isn't that what we are all here for? To support each other?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
THIS IS NOT A DRILL
ATTENTION ALL CANDYLAND HUSBANDS:
Four days until your wife's birthday. You still have time to get her a great gift! She has even made it SUPER EASY for you by putting her Wishpot wishlist in the sidebar over there ----->
Four days until your wife's birthday. You still have time to get her a great gift! She has even made it SUPER EASY for you by putting her Wishpot wishlist in the sidebar over there ----->
Click on that or go to the site. Buy one of the many wonderful things she has expressed an interest in having. The sparkly, ones for the ears will get you lots of good karma. (If that's what the kids are calling it nowadays) (Not OUR kids....::shudder::)
Act now before it's too late!!!!!
(attention all IRL friends of Candyland. Help SugarDaddy out here & remind him. No excuses!)
(All the rest of you: Go check out Wishpot.com. It's a really, really cool way to get your wishlist going or keep track of those things you find on the interwebs and then wonder, Now where did I see that?)
Monday, July 14, 2008
How to make an ass of yourself for three days solid (A Step-By-Step Guide)
- Go to get your haircut.
- and one for your daughter.
- When it's time to pay, realize that you must have left your wallet in the car.
- Go look in car.
- Realize that you must - for some unknown reason (probably those rotten boys) - have taken your wallet out at home and left it.
- Go back in hair place, offer to leave daughter as collateral and run home (with daughter since the hair ladies are terribly trusting) and tear house apart (as well as car).
- FREAK THE HELL OUT because you can't find your wallet.
- Call CVS to see if you could have possibly left your wallet there when you went to get (yes, ashamedly) Hairstyle magazines.
- FREAK OUT EVEN MORE because the lady says your wallet isn't there.
- Dig out the credit card that you were going to stop using from the desk drawer so that you can go back and pay for the haircuts (which, incidentally, was possibly the worst haircut you have ever received and make note to self to never, ever get hair cut at "Kidz Kutz" ever again).
- Consider very real possibility that some kid at the hair place took the wallet from your purse during the 29 seconds you turned your back to talk to lady cutting daughter's hair (which, incidentally was the most fantastic haircut ever - maybe THAT lady could cut your hair)
- Pick boys up from kind friend's house and see if there is any chance that you took your purse in for the 5 minutes you were there dropping boys off and left your wallet.
- Of course not.
- Drag everyone home and bribe them all with $5 for who ever finds the wallet.
- No dice.
- Admit to husband that though yes, that very day, he escorted you to get a new military ID because you had lost yours just days before, you have now lost your wallet (containing new ID) and it was most likely stolen by some little hoodlum at Kidz Kutz.
- Consider the very real possibility that the UNIVERSE IS FUCKING WITH YOU.
- Wait for husband to come home and look for your wallet because he is always great at finding lost things.
- Still. no. wallet.
- Call all credit card companies to report stolen cards.
- Call bank to report stolen ATM cards (yes there were 2)
- Contact credit bureaus to flag your & husbands SSNs because they are on (brand freakin' new) military ID.
- Realize that there was a $25 Old Navy gift card, $5 Starbucks card about $85 in cash in stolen wallet. Fucking hoodlum.
- Realize that only good news is that drivers license was NOT in wallet because you'd had it out all week to get on base w/ the temp pass while husband was TDY (out of town).
- Apologize to husband 900 times for losing wallet even though he is being very gracious and kind - which couldn't be easy for him - about the whole situation.
- Sulk, bitch and moan all day Saturday about the little hoodlum who took your wallet even though you know that it won't do any good.
- Go to Sunday School even though you're still feeling sore & crappy from surgery and grouchy about lost wallet.
- Yell at children who ask for offering money because ALL OF MY MONEY WAS IN MY WALLET you foolish children!
- Come home from Sunday School to discover a message on your voicemail from the manager at CVS.
- Call and discover that your wallet was at CVS all this time, locked in the safe, but that the stupid girl that you AND husband talked to wouldn't even go to the trouble of asking her boss if a wallet was found.
- Resist urge to curse stupid, stupid girl once you realize that if you had half a brain then you would have put the wallet in your purse and not left it on the counter by the register.
- What the hell is wrong with you anyway?
- Throw a big "I found my wallet" Party all day long. (Okay, that's an exaggeration. Perhaps what is closer to the truth is call your best friend and sing the "I found my wallet" happy song and make a total fool of yourself.)
- Still believe that the universe was fucking with you because, COME ON.
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