It's the most Stressful Wonderful Time of the Year

How does this happen every year? How is it that I plan, VOW, from Dec 26, I will get my Christmas presents bought little by little over the year? And then, every year, it is suddenly the week of Thanksgiving and I realize that, CRAP! I haven't been buying presents!! I've been making mental lists of all of the cool things that I plan to get my loved ones for Christmas. And I have been mentally paring that list down as I realize that all those trips to all those out-of-town soccer games have left our finances a leeetle tighter than they were last year. Note to SugarPlum: Surprise! Your Christmas present is that you get to play soccer. That is the most freaking expensive present that anyone in our family is getting - by far.


I actually do have a couple of gifts already. There's the huge Lego set for the boys that I found on clearance at WalMart in July. The miracle there is that a) I remember, four months later, that I bought it; and b) that I remember, four months later, where I put it! Yay me! I also managed to nab a couple of gifts at a recent holiday bazaar that we went to, but that was totally happenstance.

As for that mental list, I had every intention of making those purchases well before, well, NOW, because I hate, hate, hate shopping at Christmas. People are so ugly and mean when they are Christmas shopping. And that makes me sad....and pissy. So, I've decided that I am going to make most of my purchases online. This wears me out because I am always determined to find the best of what I am looking for: best telescope, best video mp3 player, best (gift that I am getting for SugarDaddy). So, I go to several different sites to read reviews and then to compare prices. Then, inevitably, my short attention span gets the best of me & I forget where I found the best buy and have to start over. It's almost as exhausting as getting out and actually physically shopping. Only without the rude people.

THEN I found Shop.com. And this place rocks. I know that there are lots of comparison shopping sites. But those always end up frustrating me. Shop.com is designed for women. Don't ask me how, it just makes more sense to me. I like it. I can find what I want and, regardless of which store I am buying from, it all goes into one cart and gets paid for at once. No forgetting where I found the good buys!

Mom Central describes it thusly:

Shop.com is a comparison shopping site specifically designed for women that allows you to shop from over 2,000 merchants all in one place. Purchases can be conveniently made using one universal "shopping cart" to buy everything at one time or by clicking over to participating merchants' sites.

SHOP.COM gives busy moms an opportunity to ease the stress of holiday shopping with tools to help us figure out what to buy, find recommendations, and pinpoint which stores have the best price. With a combined total of over 20 million products, we can stop running from store to store to find the best deal or the perfect gift for the impossible-to-shop-for relative.

Additionally, SHOP.COM provides expert advice, shopping tips, and articles, while giving easy ways to save money via price comparison tools, coupons, and rebates.

See? Cool. And stress reducing. I am SO using this site this year. It'll save me a ton of money on Xanax alone!!


Happy Shopping!

Thanksgiving Giggle.....and a chance to save a life?

UPDATE:

Occasionally, I get over to read The Domestic Diva, who is really quite wonderful. Today, though, Lisa is pleading for help in saving her daughter's life. Marielle is in dire need of a kidney. This sweet "Sunshine Girl" has been in so much pain lately and Lisa has had such a hard time getting the hospital to help, that she has changed Marielle's hospital. Go, read about this precious family and see if you or someone you know might be able to help.

I share because I care, people.

I received this in an email from a friend. It's too funny not to share....


IMPORTANT HEALTH ADVICE FOR WOMEN.

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?

Do you suffer from shyness?

Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Chardonnay.

Chardonnay is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Chardonnay can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Chardonnay almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live! Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living.

Chardonnay may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Chardonnay. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, erotic lustfulness, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of m oney, loss of virginity, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke and play all-night rounds of Strip Poker, Truth Or Dare, and Naked Twister!

WARNINGS: -

* The consumption of Chardonnay may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

* The consumption of Chardonnay may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.

* The consumption of Chardonnay may cause you to think you can sing.

* The consumption of Chardonnay may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

* The consumption of Chardonnay may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.

Please feel free to share this important information with as many women as you feel may benefit!

Now Just Imagine What You Could Achieve With a Good Dry Merlot!!!

See - GENIUS! I told you!

Why do people argue with me? I told you I'm always right!!

There Are 0 Gaps in Your Knowledge

Where you have gaps in your knowledge: No Gaps! Where you don't have gaps in your knowledge: Philosophy Religion Economics Literature History Science Art

Do You Have Gaps in Your Knowledge?

The last political post for a while (and you thought the others were rambling and incoherent!)

Okay, no, my team didn't win. And yes, I am very disappointed and more than a little scared. But I also have a very strong faith and I know that God is still in control no matter who is in the White House. (But I am wearing black all day today. Because the stores are all sold out of sackcloth and ashes)

That said, before I can "move on," I must vent.

I figured that this was how the election would turn out. I really hoped and prayed that John McCain would end up winning, but bless his heart, there are just some things he refused to do or say just to get elected. Which is one of the many things I do admire about the man. He has integrity enough for all of us.

What has me cranky right now, is one person in particular who asked me to go read her post about how great this all turned out. So, I did and left what I thought was a respectful comment. But I did feel that I had to mention my uneasiness about the socialist, big government leanings of our now-president-elect. This person responded (very politely and respectfully as well, I will concede) by implying that I was simply responding to "campaign rhetoric and fear mongering." Well, socialism is socialism. And "spreading the wealth" is straight from Karl Marx and is pretty much the dictionary definition of socialism - at least when the government is who gets to decide where and to whom my "wealth" is spread.

I am not a selfish person. Nor are most conservatives. From the research I have done (and I don't have time to provide links to the places I have researched, but rest assured I am not just assuming or repeating what I have heard), my family and I give a much greater percentage of our income to charities and to help those in need than either of the incoming members of our executive branch. I am afraid that I won't be able to give to these people and agencies any longer if the government is going to be taking that money in the form of taxes. Or at least I won't be able to give as much. Because I will still give what I can. This is what the Bible - and my conscience - says to do.

I am an intelligent, well educated woman who thinks for herself and I form my opinions based on what I see and hear from the candidates themselves. Not what people tell me to think, not what any campaign says.. I know that there are lots of us on both the left and the right. I just really resent people assuming that I don't know what I am talking about. Or that I am some sheep. I don't drink the koolaid. Anyone's koolaid.

:::DEEP CLEANSING BREATH:::

That said.....I will not be forced into being some bitter, pessimistic person who is toppled by one election that I am dissatisfied with. I will not be like those people four and eight years ago who said that if their guy didn't win, they were moving to Canada or France or wherever (but, golly, why didn't they?). Because I am an American. And damn proud of it. We're better than that. And even though my guy didn't win, it was the result of a free election and votes that were cast by secret ballot. And any citizen of this great country of ours was free to cast that vote without fear of retaliation or any other threat. And that is a remarkable and precious right and freedom. And we get to do this every four years. We have no dictators, no kings, no "ruling class."

This country we have is one amazing place. One man, one election cannot change this. And, you know what? I agree with Chris. I could be totally wrong about this new president. He may be just what we need. He may be able to bring us together and not ruin our economy and keep us safe. And I will be among the first to admit if I was wrong. I am reserving judgement about that. But either way, we will survive. Because God is good and I trust HIM.

So congratulations Sen Obama. I have already started to pray for you and will continue to do so. I will respect you, if for no other reason than you will be our President and the leader of our country. And those who show disrespect for that hurt us far more than they help. God bless you, Mr Obama. And God Bless America.

Red State has posted an Obama Administration Survival Guide. It actually has some great points and isn't vitriolic at all. Very good, encouraging thoughts and advice.

Our most precious, amazing right....

I think you can pretty much figure out how I am hoping you vote. But mostly, I just hope that you VOTE. Better do it now, though. If things go wrong, who knows how much longer we'll have that right. (sorry, I'm a little anxious)

UPDATE: Okay, so, obviously, I'm not thrilled with how things have turned out tonight. But I did read Chris' post at My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and it made me feel a little better. Or at least it gave me a kick in the pants I needed to get over it and move on already. If you need a boost go read it!

Socialism: Not so "fair" when it's YOUR wealth being spread....

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!

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....

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.

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.

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!

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?

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!

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....

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!

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.

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.

My Hero!

SugarBug decided to be a Superhero today. SUPER BUGGY!

(it was hard not to giggle at him!)

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

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.