Away in Arooba

Dear Blog...

2009-06-24T14:17:00.002-04:00

I have neglected you!!! I'll try to do better...

Does anyone even read you anymore??

IS ANYONE OUT THERE?????

Both kids are napping, so.. I'll un-neglect you some other time..

xo!

Vote for RYAN to win $5,000!!!!

2009-05-08T12:45:00.001-04:00

Will you guys all help me out & vote for Ryan on a Baby Battles Contest??

He's on Page 4, the second from the left in the second to last row.

YES, you do have to register BUT you can vote ONCE A DAY.He's on the couch with a bib on!!!

If you guys could all just take ooonneee tiny second to vote (possibly each day??) for my little guy I would forever be in debt to you.. and hell..if he wins the $5,000..I'll do something special for everyone!!!!!

Thanks TONS!!

Cook out!!!

2009-03-19T21:57:00.006-04:00

Ryans first taste of marshmellow..it just stuck to his lip..he didnt even notice!

My horsemallows..

Mikes!

Andy was ticked it wasnt mallow time yet!!!

Ryan loves ALL food.

CUTE boys, huh??

Andy examined the ground very closely..

Mike checking if the brats were done..

Ah..adventures.. Its no wonder we never do things, its fun until its over, then all hell breaks loose, LOL!!

Thanks Skye!!!

2009-03-11T20:51:00.004-04:00

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Hailey & Skye, WE LOVE YOU!!

"I so prouda you"

2009-03-05T12:12:00.003-05:00

Today I walked past Andy & said "Hang on buddy, moms gotta go potty" and he pushed past me saying "I gotta potty TOO!"
So.. okay.. he sat on the potty with daddy the other day ( each on their own potty, that is) so we gave it a whirl.

Andy told me "I gotta push out a big big monster turd!" Oh!! Wow.. thanks Daddy for that one!!!!

We sat, and we sat.. and we sat some more.. Andy said he had to push it out..and he even did some rocking. Sorry, this is alot of info but..

I smelled farts!! I REALLY thought it was going to happen, so we talked baout how when Andy starts to use the potty, he will get a special treat, maybe a TRAIN!!

He got "SO excited for Henry, I poopin, then we go to the store!" I told him Skye is mailing him Henry & he cooed "Skkyyee.. I SOO excited!! Woow!!!"

Andy hopped off the potty & asked for a diaper "I wanna diaper, lkets go store & get a train" I told him we couldnt get a train if he didnt use the potty! He sat back down & I went to change Ryan "because Ryan is a baby & cant pee like a big boy Andy can!"

Came back.. ANDY PEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!! He is so excited too, he keeps telling me!!

I just tucked him in for his nap & walked out to him whispering to Max "Hey max, I so prouda you pee in the potty"

=0) My little boy is getting big!

Nevermind!!

2009-03-04T14:11:00.003-05:00

Andy's girlfriend Skye, was reading my blog today ( shes a genius, reading, on the internet much less at not quite 3!!!) has decided that Andy shouldnt have to wait for mom to load her lazy butt up in the car & go to Target.. She strapped her mother down in a chair & poked her with Dora until mom followed Skyes demand to buy Henry for Andy! How sweet ( and scary) is that??

Skye was so forceful that her lovely mama also added in an EMILY for Andy too!!! Andy is going to be SOO excited when a special package comes just for him!!!

That Skye..she's tricky.. she refuses to dance with Andy once day & is bribing him for his love with trains the next!!!

Thanks Skye, your the best daughter in law a mom could ask for! But please, tell your dad to keep his shot guns to himself.. Andy IS a gentleman, and he gets scared..easily. Andy is so lucky to have a thoughtful friend like you, that sends him new trains "just cause."

Come back & play soon Skye, we miss you! ( and Hailey, of course too!!!..Annnd I guess Jon can come too!)

Oops.

2009-03-04T09:52:00.002-05:00

Last night while I played with Andy, I was naming off his trains.. "And Percy, and James and Henry..eer..Gordon.. and.." We only currently have James, Percy & Gordon.

Andy's no fool. He looks up "Henry?? Wheres Henry??" I say "Um...uuhh.. Henry is at the store buddy. We didnt buy a Henry!" Andy looks at me like I'm stupid..

"Lets go start the car, gotta go shop it. S'go get henry mom" I say "Next time we will, or for a birthday maybe!" And I'm pretty sure I hopped up & left the room before I got myself into more trouble.

Flash forward to this morning, Andy is lining up his cars, trains & trucks & saying hello to all of them.. He turns to look at me "Wheres Henry Mom? I know! The store! Gotta go get him, lets go mom!"

..Guess Henry is the next train on the "buy for Andy" list!! I wonder how long I can hold out.. a week?? Until I go to Target next??

Playdate

2009-02-27T18:24:00.004-05:00

Last week we all loaded up & we went to Mrs Katies house!!! Katie is probably my sister from another Mister. We lead identical, yet VERY different lives. Both of our children were both 2 weeks apart ( Jack was born on Andys due date & Andy was born on Jacks due date! Ellie was born 2 weeks after Ryan) we both have the same sleep/eating/you name it parenting situations plus the mom crazies & I just love her!
My friend Emily, just had her second baby a few weeks ago too! I have known Emily literally, my entire life. She & my sister have been friends since they were 2 years old. Her little boy Sam, is about 2 months older than Andy =)

Katie has a big fabulous house with a whhoolleee room dedicated to a train table & a super awesome play kitchen, so of course Andy was like "OHMGEE" and he actually told me he didnt want to leave =X

I also got to meet a new mama! Her name was Jenny, she had a 4 year old boy, a 2.5 year old boy & an 8 month old girl & I REALLY liked her, which speaks volumes because I'm not usually a fan of "girls" But I really enjoyed meeting Jenny!

It was funny because at one point or another, evey one of us was nursing a kiddo, and it was kind of cool to find a group of people who "do what you do" and your comfortable with! I might have had more fun than the kids, I'm not sure.

Check out the pictures!!

Miss Ellie! She was born 2 weeks after Ryan was.

Sam, this is Emily's son.

Andy leaned over to Ellie & said "Hey baby!!!" (I think Andy has an Ellie crush, last time he saw her at the play ground, he sat down & just held her hand!!!)

He got to play with some COOL planes!

Baby Eliza! Emily's teeny tiny daughter!!!

Andy & Ellie.

Ryan stole Ellies duck. Nice one Ryan!

I gave Ellie a new duck & all was good in the world.

How cute are they?? I hope my boys dont fight over her!

Jack, Katies son. I just LOVE this, he looks TOO cute & thoughtful! He told me to take a picture of him eating, so I did!

Ryan checking out his surroundings.

Andy, Ryan & their new buddy playing trains.

Katie & Ellie and Jenny & Julia.

It was nice. It was good for the kids, it was good for the mom!! We all had a really nice time & hopefully, will be doing it more often, especially as the weather gets nicer!!!!

Andys Adjectives

2009-02-23T12:07:00.002-05:00

Ah..I remember the not so long ago days when we WISHED Andy would talk more!

Oh how the times have changed!

Andy now uses words in ways we didnt know he understood! Here are some examples.

Andy used to say "Want car song"

Andy now says "I want a really COOL car song"

Andy also knows the difference bwteen WANT and NEED.

As in, "I want more water" and "I NEED more chocolate eggs"

Mike was playing Music Videos on Demand for Andy, put a song on to see what it was & then said to himself "Ah, thats gay" and turned it off..

Several minutes later, I passed through the living room, Mike put it on a song *he* wanted to hear & Andy goes "No dad, 's gay song, turn it off"

Thanks Dad!!!

I've also lately heard "No, DONT sing!" and "I dont like it" and so many other wonderful phrases it makes me wonder why we ever craved for Andys speech to pick up in the first place!!!

(kidding, of course, I love even the crazy things he says!!!)

Ah..he NEEDS more chocolate eggs.. he IS my son, huh?

10 Months!

2009-02-16T09:22:00.003-05:00

My little( BIG) Ryan is now 10 months old!! I just cant believe it!

Here are 10 things about him,

1-Ryan can not only walk, but he can RUN!

2- Ryan can get on ( and off!) both the couch & (low) beds by himself.

3- Ryan can take his own diaper off.

4- Ryan likes to drive cars & trucks, he vroooms them acrossed the floor JUST like his big brother!

5- Ryan likes to pull his brothers hair.

6- Ryan LOVES the pets, he pulls Echos ears when she steals his Cheerios & he lets out screams ONLY emitted for the cats.

7- Ryan likes to repeat "Uh Oh" and attempt to say Andy's name.

8- Ryan LOVES Mommy. We have special snuggle/wrestling time on the floor when Ryan dives head first into mommy, giggles & rolls over head first onto the floor. He thinks its the best thing EVER.

9-Ryan is the size of an average 24 month old. Hes a beast!

10- Ryan is the happiest baby anyone who has met him, has ever seen. Friends, family, doctors. He is smiley, giggly & just all around HAPPY!

We love you Ryan!!!!!!

Who loves shoes??

2009-02-12T12:41:00.003-05:00

I dont.. actually...I'm a flip flop kinda gal myself...but I like cute shoes for my kids!! And I LOVE free shoes, and I love even more droolin gover the cute little pink shoes on this cute little pink baby!!!

Check out the cutie patootie & her mama, who are giving away a free pair of See Kai Run shoes to one lucky winner, and enter for yourself!

Through Hazel Eyes

Wait..maybe I should say..dont enter..because I want to win. Yeah..thats it, just go look at her cute blog & even cuter kiddos!!!!!!

Ryans 10 month well check

2009-02-12T11:17:00.003-05:00

Ryan had what should have been his 9 month well baby check today. Although, he'll be 10 months in a few days!

He's almost 23 pounds and he is 33.7 inches tall. I THOUGHT the nurse said 37 inches, but the print out says 33.7 so...

Either way.. when the NP showed me a growth chart.. all the averages were way down there.. and then up above was Ryan! If you follow his mark over til it meets up with the average height..it shows that he is the average height of a 24 month old.

I'm not shocked.

However, the NP sure was!! Ryan has been walking for 2 months now. He is RUNNING now! He can climb on & off the couch & the (low) beds. She said the highest milestone for his age on their computer is "pulls self to standing" so she was reading as she had to add extra notes "RUNS!!!!" She was qyuite impressed & we had a proud mommy moment where she agreed when I said "All parents think their little one is so developed & ahead of schedule but I think he really is!" and she said "OMG..he IS!! Doesnt he know how old he is????" lol

Well..his weight is lacking.. which I knew. Since starting baby food around 6 months Ryan has had constipation issues. I'mt alking hard rabbit poop that he grunts & screams to get out =(

Last time we talked about it she said she had no idea what to think of it, and he should have 2 oz of pear juice a day.. which we have been doing, to stick with P foods, prunes & pears & to keep an eye on him. When I leave the house for errands, Mike would give Ryan puffs, of a biter biscuit & bam, he'd be constipated again. So since its gotten pretty bad, I've sort of stopped baby food all together the last few weeks. I give him little bites of table food but I've mostly wanted to just see what his bowel movements do. I have figured out, cheese gives him diarreha. Which is... I guess better than the painful poos.. but not ideal. So.. the plan for now is, switch fully to table food. No baby food anymore.

Andy was such a picky eater ( and still is!) I have been at a loss of what Ryan CAN have at this age, so we went over some good options & I need to run to the store to pick up some soups, frozen veggie, Yo Baby, etc for him to try out. The plan is to mostly worry #1 about his comfort level.. we cant have him hurting trying to poop.. but since his weight is dropping ( which also, is due to his mobility however) then getting more food in him. The kid WANTS to eat, that isnt the issue, it sjust figuring out what backs him up & what doesnt. So, I'm supposed to give this a try for a little while & if we dont figure it out ourselves, she is going to refer him to a pediatric GI specialist. She said alot of kids have constipation issues, but it can be hard to figure out at this age if its a GI issue, or just certian foods in itself. So! Lets all cross our fingers we can get it figured out with out the help of a specialist. Ryans had *different* bowel movements since he was born in comparision to Andy, but i'm hoping its just since hes so big, his body is doing things a bit differently!!!

So, if you have any ideas of good finger foods, let me know!! We never really got to do the food thing with Andy..so Its sort of like the first time all over again!!!

Happy Birthday Husband!!!!!

2009-02-10T21:35:00.009-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE!!!!!!!!!!

I've loved you since you were 22.. and I'll..hopefully.. love you until your 100!!! ( B/c after 100 all bets are off..I signed up for THIS life time, duh LD!!)

..That being said.. please, start picking up your sock, 'kay? Thanks.

Here are 27 ( I mean..25 plus 2) things that I LOVE about you!!!

Your hot.
Your smart!
Your sensitive to my needs.
Your a great husband!! The BEST!!
Your a rockin' dad!
You gotta purty mouth.
You ( help) make really cute babies.
You fold a mean basket of laundry.
You smell good ( once you've scared the shit goblin away, that is)
You put up with ME!
You feel good too, I love gettin pit! =0)
You occasionally, are REALLY funny!
You play a rockin air/crotch guitar to 80 hair bands.
I like kissing you!
You make great 'dillas.
You put up with ME. Yes..I listed it twice b/c its that big of a deal.
You have a GREAT sense of humor.
You have fart humor too!
Your probably the most loyal, willing to help person I've ever met, even when the people dont deserve it!
Your alot of fun, you can always make me smile, or have a good time.
You are working your butt off for our family to make sure I can be with the boys. Your family values are exactly like mine, but not selfish & much better!
You never cancel my TIVO's (well, rarely)
Timbertop Bathroom adventures.
The hospital visit & your ever faithful ness, compassion & worry.
You love my family.
You sing me sweet songs!
Your the best man I've ever ever met & I am SO lucky to have married you!!

I LOVE YOU MIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope today is a good one for you babe!! Jew Rock & Jai love you.

Glamour Mom

2009-02-10T12:06:00.004-05:00

For anyone needing a new nursing tank. Check out Glamourmom. And since yo ulove me, please click the link above to use me as your refferal =0)

I LOVE their long tanks in the summer with a skirt, or in the winter under a sweater. They often have a buy 2, get one free sale going on & have discounted colors of the month as well!

Thanks!!!!

Give a cat a home.

2009-02-09T20:19:00.007-05:00

Give a cat a home & she will be grateful.SO grateful she rubs all,over you, even if you are hateful!

Give a cat to a home who already has ( and dislikes!) a cat, and she will be shooed away from this rubbing with the smack of a hat ( not really but I'm going for a rhyme kay?)

Give this cat to a home who uses an air mattress in the attempts to get a toddler to sleep alone & you will get a husband who yells PPSSSTTT when the cat gets near the air mattress.

Leave a cat alone, near an air mattress & she is fine. Scare a cat with a PSSSTTT, who pops the mattress, who makes the dad mad & her lives wont be nine!!

Then you have a (almost 27!!) 26 year old dad & a (almost 3!) 2 year old who attempt to sleep together in a twin sized bed for 2 nights.

Give a mom a project!!! Figure out the bed dilemma!!! Go mom GO!

But, when you give a mom a project, she cant just put a new bed in a room. That mom must remove a chair, move it to another room, move a storage unit out of that room to make room for the chair, I mean, isnt that fair?? Its only nice, to make room for the chair!

Then, you have an extra storage unit! What to do with it???

Put it in the laundry room!!!!

But, of course, you still have a bed situation to figure out.

Buy a new bed!!! Good bye to the money that hasnt yet warmed the pocket of a cranky dad with a pounding head.

We have a bed!!! And a cranky mom, move out of the way, its almost the end of this very long day!!

But, give a mom a bed in a very small house & mom cant just put it in the corner looking all ugly yet useful!!! She must arrange & make things look ... gooseful!?!?! ( wtf rhymes with useful???)

Mom must MOVE!!

Move mom MOVE!!!

Move the dresser, move the book shelf, take apart the book shelf & make a table!

Reorganize the closet the size of a mouse , pull out the lady bug the size of a HOUSE!

Which scares the boy who throws a fit which makes dad crabby & so angry he could to spit!

So mom saves the day & throws things in a bucket..She calls it a day, take a glance at the room...shuts the door & says....

Fuck it.

Moral of the story.. stop being so damn sappy & leave the f-ing cat outside next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disclaimer-Mike & I were both suprisingly delightful during this wonderul event, but.. I AM tired.. and my rhyming skill sare lacking.. so, I improvised!!!!

Olive You!

2009-02-09T17:09:00.000-05:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Bitchin New Blog

2009-02-09T16:46:00.004-05:00

Okay Okay Okay..I'll post a link for those of you who cant figure it out.

Be warned.. If I talk about you on & you get pissed..

Well.. that sucks, I gave ya'll a good warning!!!!!!!!!

My Bitchin New Blog

Even rock stars need naps..

2009-02-08T22:44:00.000-05:00

No matter WHAT they say!!!

Andy & Mommy

2009-02-07T13:39:00.000-05:00

I had to run to the mall today to get my 6 month check on my wedding band, so I thought I'd take Andy with me. I told him we'd go ride the horse ( carousal) and the truck too & have some fun.

We loaded up in the car & he goes "We ride horse & truck & I SO excited..Then home, and nap and then Gamma & PawPaw & Cassie... I cant WAIT!!" Then he giggled & said "we drive doooowwwn the hill!!!!" and we laughed together. It was ADORABLE.

I cant believe how much he's talking & the things he can say, they just come out of no where!!

We got to the mall (((shudder))) and we did good, trying on some clothes for mommy, taking care of the ring, we rode the "santa sleigh" because Andy doesnt like to even get remotely close to the horses, but the sleigh is (as I was told by the operator) the most popular seat, actually.

Then we got an ice cream!!! Andy told me he'd hold it with 2 hands & that mom needed to just sit it down & not hold it for him. LOL

We took the ice cream to the car in a bowl, which caused a slight melt down, but was quickly forgotten as I abandoned the cone out the door as quickly as possible ( I dont litter..it was food, so..doesn't count!!!)

We went to Target to continue the quest for Moms dream dress.. and instead tried on swimsuits.. Hilarious, I know. I actually found one I really like & don't look too awful in, but I have real issues with spending $40 on something I might never actually wear...

While I tried on clothes Andy sat there & gave me the silliest grin..I was just praying he didn't bust out with "moms fat tummy" or boobies or something loudly through the dressing room walls. But it was a shy I have a secret grin.. and he told me he loved me, offered me his hand & we went through the rest of the store.

We found 50% Thomas the train stuff & stocked up for upcoming birthdays, and as I set the basket down to check something out for Dads birthday..Andy tried to pick it up for me & says loudly "Oh NO!! I TOOOO small, its TOO heavy!!!!" in the most adorable voice EVER!!

I simply love him, and I had a GREAT day with him today!!!!!!! =0)

Holy Crappers

2009-02-04T11:43:00.000-05:00

I have been gone for ever!! Did ANYONE miss me??

Mikes gone back to school, hes 1/2 way done with his degree!! Co-op time is rapidly approching, but with the economy the way it is, we're not entirely sure whats going to happen with that.He's definately got a busier work load as his classes go on, I cant even tell you what hes doing b/c its all just jibberish to me, but I'm super proud of how well he's been doing, his grades & that he's gotten this far. I mean.. you couldny pay me to want to go back to school!!

So, for now, hes gone like he would be with a normal job, wakes up, heads out & comes home at a late dinner time. At first I thought it was great! The house stayed cleaner, the boys got back into regular nap time routines, I was exercising during nap time. I got alot more done, you name it.

Thheennn we got sick. Both boys had temps up to 103, and luckily, they both got over it in about 2-3 days, but I am just starting the road to mend. When you dont get a break, your body doesnt get a rest & its pretty hard to kick a virus that way.

Luckily, Mike was really sweet last night & when Ryan decided he wanted to stay up late & play with Andy, Mike sent me to bed at 9:30 and put both boys to sleep when they were done playing. I definately feel better today & I think if we can do that again one more night, I'll be able to fully kick this by the weekend.

Andy is just peachy. Or.. cheeky, as he prefers to call his new pal, Percy. Oh, that Percy is so cheeky, is often his new line. Or "go fast go fast, Hurry Hurry!" or another line from his new favorite show, Thomas the Train. Now that his fever is gone, he's doing alot better, his vocab never fails to amaze me. He's really just blossomed the last few months. He asks for specific things, he tells me "I looveee it" in regard to whatever he just got ( water, juice, etc) He always tells me he loves me SO much, or asks for a kiss, or if he runs a toy into my foot, he will run to kiss it. He's really really sweet & for the most part, I am really proud of his manners!! Of course, he IS 2, so he has his moments, but he's a good natured, sweet buddy! We've been doing alot of pretend play lately.. He nags me over & over "You Hungry? Hungry mama??" ( I ask him over & over b/c he often says no in the AM, lol) and then will tell me he is going to make me french toast. Go into his kitchen & he cooks for me. Then he brings he coffee, he puts a cup on the table & goes "bbuuurrrrrrr" (the noise the expresso machine makes) and brings it to me & says "Here hot mama" ( what dad says in the morning) and then we drink our coffee, he says "Its good, want more?" and makes me more. Its A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E. I am just loving the level of pretend he's been getting to lately. The best is when he cooks in his chef outfit!

And on to Ryan.. Ahh Ryan.. He's not quite 10 months old yet, but boy... He amazes me. He's been walking for 2 months now-

He is obsessed with food, until he goes to his well check next week & I discuss my worries with his tummy troubles yet again, he's still on a limited diet, but the poor guy, he sees food & runs at it like an untrained puppy!! He's managed to try pizza and chocolate chip cookies in the last week.. Both of which went over well, of course.

He's also learned how to remove a diaper, ahh the first true sign of being related to Andy!! He'd been playing alot more too, he runs cars or trains up & down to mimic Andy & is really into putting things inside of other things.He was playing with a bucket of cookie cutters the other day whilew I cooked & was carrying arounf the bucket, putting them all in & taking them all out. He likes to take his pacifier out ( or cookie, or whatever is in his mouth, or hand) and *feed* it to you.. aka, cram it in your face. He's a blankie boy. Yay!! His lovey blankies are Aden & Anais muslin swaddler blankies. They are by far the best blanket eithjer child has had so far & the top of my "must have" list for anyone having a baby! He sees his blankie, grabs it, puts it in his mouth & just rolls forward happily with it.. then trails it around behind him asa he walks away, often, still in his mouth. He even steals MY blankie in the morning, pushes it to his face, breathes deep & then giggles at me. (Yes, I still have MY baby blanket.. you gotta problem with it????)

Andy is learning to share with him..sometimes... They are loving playing with eachother. Andy got some new train toys a week ago & sat in the kitchen ALL night playing with them & Ryan just sat outside the gate staring at him & fussing. If Ryan came near the train, he'd pull at the tracks & Andy would get very cross! I asked Andy if he would play with his broither a bit since he was sad & missed him, Andy said "I share Gordon with Ryne" he handed him the Gordon train & Ryan just lit up! The played & giggled & were in the best of moods. I LOVE those moments, they ALMOST make me forget the moments when Andy places a little hand on Ryans chest & pushes him down, then burys his face in Ryans and growls at him..... Almost.. Not quite..

And then there is me.. Ahhh me. Well... I've lost 11.5 lbs in the last 30 days. Which is good... I havent exercised since Jan 16th.. I've learned Miller 64 is my new best friend, although, I havent wanted to visit with her as much lately.. I basically need to get better & get back to exercise. If I can lose 11 pounds in a month with out exercising half time time, and half assing my diet, then I'd love to see what I can do in 2 months of actually making an effort! But, I'm just un motivated, tired & well.. lazy. I like chocolate, it tastes good. Ya know?? But, once I kick this flu, I'm goin got get back on it. I'm finding myself really anxious for Spring. All this SNOW.. we're all stuck in the house, I want to get out, get some air, take some walks with the kids & get fit outside instead of with some peppy lady on On Demand!

Every year when the stores flower department starts carrying one of my favorite flowers

I just start getting the spring time itch!!! I've been findin gmyself wanting to re do our living room in something lighter.. but.. that isnt a realistic idea b/c you know me.. I cant just re do curtains.. I'd need the picture frames, the carpet & the candles to all match too!!! But, I've been trying to work some new art onto our walls...

I searched the web for ( non copy righted, of course) images of my favorite flowers, or just anything that really stuck out to me. Printed them from Walgreens and put them in gallery frames that I got for $1 a pop at Pat Catans. I've gotten a few up so far, but I'm starting by working them into the bedroom. I have a "family only" rule about photos in the bedroom. Lets be honest.. as much as anyone loves their mother/ in law/father/ in law/siblings/etc.. The bedroom is a personal place, and I really prefer not to wake up & see their faces staring right at me, or at any other bedroom moments. So, we only do pictures of the 4 of us in the bedroom. Extended family is pictured through out the rest of the house, but the bedroom is off limits, so its been fun to work them into the array of photos in the bedroom this week. I'll post a pic when they're all done.

Well, I think thats about it for an update on everyone. I need to try to get back into posting more once we're att at 100% and things get back to normal. However, I've been tossing around the idea of branching out, and this blog JUST being for family/kid stuff.. I dont know who reads this, but I need a place that I can feel free to really be myself, say what I want & to be honest? If I offend someone, then I dont need to apologize for it b/c its MY place. And this isnt the place for that. Unapologetic me needs a place to be just that, unapologetic.If I want to bitch about my mom, I can, if I want to bitch about my sister, I can. ( Not that I would of course, they ARE related to me, so they ARE perfect, duh) But If I WANTED to, I could, and they would know, hey..I might read something that might upset me..

This way, If I offend someone, or upset someone, or am crass or rude, then my reader can only be mad at themself for choosing to read my writings, because the warning was there. With this blog, it was started for family, and I think it needs to go back to that. I wont be posting a link to my new blog on here, I've had my personal thoughts, private postings, etc violated by people before so, for those of you who will want to read along into MY world.. you'll know how to find me when the time comes. Dont you worry ;-)

And for the rest of you.. I hope you'll still read along with my family updates, events & keep up with pictures of the boys. I'll be accessable other ways, and I'll be easy to find, but you have to *know* me, to know how to find me ;-)

See those of you there, and the rest of you, Cheers.

Claire

Are you there God? Its me, Claire

2009-02-01T19:29:00.000-05:00

So, Lord.. People tell me.. you dont give people things they cant handle. "So they say" right?

I guess I just have a question for you..

W-T-F??

I was all "yeah..I can handle Andys 103.0 temp!!!" then I was like "shheeaa.. I mean,now it makes sense, this head ache is me not feeling too good, duh" THEN the kicker came.. Ryans 101 temp!! But oh NOOO!!! The nausea got so bad with me I POAS just to be sure b/c I got a bit freaked out!! ( Thank you for THAT one, SERIOUSLY man!!!!) But I mean...dude????

Sweet Jesus.. you dont know me very well, DO you??

You wonder why I question my faith in You.. BUT-I'm ready to make a deal... Dont let Mike get sick & I'll try to be a little better for ya.

Kay?? Thanks God.

Love ya,
Claire

Lets try this again...

2009-01-30T20:22:00.000-05:00

Andy rocking out to his FAVORITE song.. "Lucifers Rocking Chair" by the Cancer Bats..

(wait til the end.. its the best part!)

Our Day with The Keys!

2009-01-29T22:29:00.000-05:00

Today Hailey, Jon & Skye came to visit us!! Hailey & I met on a cloth diapering website about 2 years ago & along wth Sierra we have all become super close! Yes dude..I meet friends online. I AM cool like that.

So, when Jon was having some work done to his car in Northern Ohio, it was the perfect oppertunity for us to all finally meet! Of course, the mass amount of snow delayed some of our plans

Jon dropped Hailey & Skye off this afternoon for a mommy play date. Skye IS a diva, I must say, a very cute one at that! She does some great booty shaking dances, is a warm loving helper with Ryan & very much knows what she wants!!! She is simply adorable!

I am also so proud of Andy. He hasnt played with little girls before & when I told Mike what he did, Mike said " my boys just naturally know how to be gentleman!" When Skye sat down for a snack, Andy stood up & pushed her chair in for her...

He also got her a napkin & wiped her face after snack!

They brought Andy a cool new train & (um..eventually) he shared it with her too!! Ryan even shared his toys willingly!!! I am filled with pride at how well behaved they were, I am always a bit worried ;-)

When Mike got home from school & Jon came over, we got pizza & all had a really nice time hanging out, joking & talking. I had been a bit nervous, but both of them were so warm & friendly I felt at ease quickly.

Hailey & I made sure to take lots of pictures ;-)

It was alot of fun, I am EXHAUSTED,but I think we all ended the night wishing we'd be able to see our new friends more often than we can!! Well..I feel that way..there is a chance Hailey & Jon have officially decided Skye should be an only child ;-) But..we'll see, LOL

I will not buy this watch..I will not buy this watch..

2009-01-24T12:34:00.000-05:00

I NEVER buy myself anything with gift money..

And I wont start now..

I will not buy this watch..I will not buy this watch..I will not buy this watch....I will not buy this watch....I will NOT buy this watch..

I'll let you know if I buy this watch =X

Goodbye 24...

2009-01-23T20:27:00.001-05:00

..Hello 25.

This year, I added my second child to my life.I learned I could love 2 children just as much as I could love each individually.Its been a long year.. and I'll be honest, I'm sort of glad its over.

I'll be 25 tomorrow morning..And I'm not sad, I'm not pretending its my 4th 21st birthday, I am A-OK with the big number. I mean hell, I have 2 kids, its sounds much more responsible to be 25 with 2 kids than 24 with 2 kids when your talking to strangers, right? LOL

Ah... Lets see..I've lost 10 lbs since Jan 5th.. 20 to go til my goal.

I want to get 2 new tattoos this year ( go away mom..SMALL tattoos..I'm an adult!!!) , lose an extra 10 lbs on top of my goal so I can wear my favorite pair of 18 year old pants..around the house.. definately not out of the house!!!!

I want to be more active this year.. just because my husband is a lazy ass doesnt mean I need to be do. I want to go to the zoo, with our zoo pass at the LEAST once a month, preferably more when its nice out!!

I want to take more walks. I want to stress less about house stuff.. the dishes can wait sometimes.. I just forget that.

I want to bitch at Mike less, and be more patient with Andy when he's throwing fits & talk to him more about them instead of using time out. I want to tickle Ryans toes more. I want Andy & Mommy dates, just the 2 of us..movies, lunch, playground...

I want to do more playdates! i want to do more gardening. I want us to visit my sister & brother in law this year. I want to spend more time with my parents. I want to learn my dads spaghetti sauce recipe. I want to go hiking all the places we used to.

I want to talk to Mike more..I want to read to Andy more! I want Ryan to let me clip his finger nails!!! I want to blog more, lately I've been getting them half way written & they are all saved in drafts b/c I've been too busy! I want to send out more pictures of the boys to family that isnt close..

I want to do alot of things..It would take all night to list them All of my wants are acheivable, I AM going to make this the year to do ALL of them.

Happy 25th to me!!!!

Hear that????

2009-01-21T21:49:00.000-05:00

Its the strings of my heart tugging!!!

Andy, Ryan & I had such a good day today. I am tired, I am very tired..but I cant believe I could be happier.

I had such a nice day with my boys today, playing cars, cleaning, enjoying alone time with each of them. Reading the "Mr.Men" books with Andy (Mr Tickle is his favorite!!!)
Giggling with Ryan in his high chair as I did dishes & we gave eachother silly stares..

Andy & Ryan started playing tonight..Ryan holds on to Andys shirt.. Andy walks & Ryan holds on & walks behind him..I giggle & say "Your a train!!!" and Andy yells CHUGGG CHOOHHOOO!!! And Ryan cracks up.LOVE them!!

Andy & I were playing today while Ryan slept, I heard a noise on the moniter & was waiting to make sure it was Ryan..Andy whispers "RYNES CRYING!!" and waits at the door for me..i am stillw aiting to make sure hes really up but Andy just KNEW. He opened the door when I nodded & we got Ryan together. I sat down on the ground & Andy asked Ryan to play on the floor with him..I told him to give Ryan a minute to wake up, as I rubbed his back as he sat on my lap..And then it happened..

Andy sat there patiently waiting.. then he glanced at Ryan & just looked at him, then a smile came over his face.. and he giggled..Ryan was so dazed & half asleep, but a smile broke up, and they giggled like they were sharing a secret. And they were, the secret of brotherhood. Andy let out a ramble I didnt understand & they shared more giggles & I just melted. My boys are going to be the best of friends, and if they arent, it wont matter, because the bond they have is incredible.

I'll admit, Ryan was a *suprise* And it took me awhile to get used to the idea of another babay so soon. Andy was only 2 years old & he was still nursing, in diapers & sleeping in my bed!!!I was positive I was having a girl & cried when I found out he was a boy. But I would NEVER want it to have gone ANY other way. Looking at the 2 of them, since DAY ONE. Its been clear that THIS was what was meant to be.. This friendship, this bond, this brotherhood , of course to me, is one in a million. These boys love eachother more than I could ever begin to describe. And I LOVE watching them love eachother.

Andy told me just now "Good Night Mommy, I see you later. You bes frend EVER" And I grabbe dhim for the biggest kiss I could muster.

I couldnt be a luckier mother, wife, or woman if I tried.Money can NOT buy this kind of happiness.. its a once in a lifetime experience & I am SO lucky to have these moments with all THREE of my boys.

I love you guys.

A day for the history books..

2009-01-20T12:20:00.001-05:00

Today our 44th president, Barack Obama is being sworn in. It doesnt matter if you voted for him or not, today is a big day in history! The first African American president! Wow.

I'm watching it all unfold with the boys, Andy is wearing his "Omama" shirt & saying YAY, as he eats an orange. Ryan is now napping..

Its pretty amazing, to be a part of history. Someday, when my boys are falling asleep in their history class, this day will be in their lecture. They will have been a part of history!

Since 9-11, when a major event happens, on that day I write a letter to my (at the time future) children telling them about the day, so that someday, when they are grown they can read my emotions & thoughts of that exact moment in history. Something the books cant capture, the shock, or terror, or excitment that I feel in that very moment. It goes in an envelope, with clippings or other important memorabelia for them to someday open. If you scrap book, or not, I urge you to do the same, someday it will be amazing for our children to witress history through the words of their parents, not just text books.

Heres to a new year, a new president & a new start. Good luck President Bush, and welcome, President Obama!

I lied to you all..

2009-01-19T22:29:00.000-05:00

Last Monday was in fact NOT Shitterday.

TODAY was shitterday..

Seriously?? Have you noticed the lack of blogging?? Mikes back in school, I'm back to being everything for everyone & having NO free time..

This weekend was supposed to be some *me* time..which of course, didnt happen. Then tonight..after I soent all day cleaning the crap ( no pun intended) out of the house & even doing some CUTTEE new things in the bathroom..Mike is like "Hey, the sink is clogged.."

Then he asks me if "when you pull your hair out of the shower, do you put it down the sink??" To which I got pissed.. SERIOUSLY??? Do you think I'm THAT stupid??????????????

So of course, a normal person would grab some drano. Nah..Mike does the whole "this is way deep, I'm just going to have to take the sink apart & pull whatevers out"

Sitting in the living room & I hear SSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT come from the bathroom.

Open the door to a nasty smell & OH.. SHIT! OKay.. we later found it wasnt actual poo, but like.. "sick crap" from year sof build up in the pipes.. that basically backed up & sprayed ALL OVER THE F-ING BATHROOM.

I make Mike call the landlord who for some reason tells him to "try ___ again" So he does.. and then about 5 gallons of this crap comes flying out.

My head is hurting, Andy is ASKING to go to bed, Ryan is just crabby & Mike is piiissseedd as ALL hell cleaning up what we seriously were calling raw sewage for HOURS.

My sister is excited they put in an offer on a house ( Yay M&M!!!) And i'm like "Yeah..just think..soon you'll be cleaning up sewage in your very own house that you OWN!!!"
Nice one Claire!!!!!!!!!!!! Dumb ass.

I'll spare all of you details.. I took a picture of Mike looking REALLY pissed in the middle of it but since he got me a new camera for my birthday, I dont know hwo to put them on line yet.

So, trust me, it'll be up soon!!

Now..I'm going to go click my heels, look for a beer & go to bed hoping that this was all a dream.

Watch out world!!!

2009-01-17T19:03:00.000-05:00

I am armed with Miller 64, cookie dough, a new digital camera and a new phone..
All in the course of 2 days!!

Oh. My.

Seriously.. this could be D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bye George.

2009-01-15T20:05:00.000-05:00

I once read an article that claimed President Bush is one of the nicest people the author has ever met. That he knows & remembers everyone in his house. That he asks everyone from a chef, to the janitorial staff personal questions about their life. That he actually can remember who they are & goes out of his way to make them feel at ease & cared about.

As I have watched him, since I now know, he is going away from our presidential office.. I have to say.. I feel bad for the guy. It must REALLY suck to be hated by EVERYONE. I mean.. I'd cry myself to sleep EVERY night if I was as publically hated as that poor guy is.

I watched him talking the other night, about his blind trusts, how he is confident in the economica status he will be re-entering the "real world" in. And I felt strangely bad for this poor, kinda dumb guy. It isnt his fault he's ...not so bright.

I'm glad he's leaving, dont get me wrong, I just..I dont know..felt kinda bad for the guy!

I think he'd be lots of fun to hang out with, ya know?? Go golfing.. be like a fraternity brother, play some cards.. I think hes everything a guys guy would look for in a buddy.. unfortunately, a president? Eh..not so much. But he's a person too, and I wish him luck. Poor guy.. he'll forever be known to me, as the amazing shoe dodger.

Adios amigo!

I am sick and tired of your shit.

2009-01-12T16:18:00.001-05:00

If I could rename today..it wouldnt be Monday. It would be called Shitterday.

I kid you not.

Today was Mikes 1st day back to school, so.. all of us started our day at 6:45am. That is WAY too early, FYI.

Mike leaves, after, I'll give him this..being very helpful & cheery.. As I get Ryan down for a nap, Mike calls.. He left his card in the ATM, when he drove around, the guy denied having the card.
Let me please note here..we ha dno idea that if you leave a card too long, it gets sucked in.

Mike is positive this guy took it, whats the # on my card to call? I call.. thewy have no record of our account, I need to talk to our CU. Well..they dont open until 9am..It is 7:30.

Blah blah phone calls yada yada.. Change Andys poopy diaper that I have to WRESTLE away from him, do the same with Ryan..although he hummed the whoile time & seemed to enjoy it!

Start doing chores.. I dont need a chore chart..I just need Mike out of the house. I got more done before 2pm today, than he did the entire MONTH he was home!!! Dishes..cat box..laundry..clean toilet... Gag & get really pissed b/c I KEEP telling Mike I am "tired of his shit..literally.. clean it off the damn toilet YOURSELF." Gag & think about above picture.. think.. I need to get back to blogging.. I'm going to start with a bitch about SHIT.

Andy goes down for a nap, Ryan goes down for a nap.. Ryan wakes up & sleeps in my arms for 2 hours.. During these 2 hours my dog whines & cries while sitting on the couch staring off into space..

(Note- Shes geriatric, senile & a touch retarded...Seriously.. I'm not being mean or silly..Look at her for Gods sake!!!)

So..I take her out THREE times in the course of 1 hour.. I realize..I need to pee.. cant pee myself..I'll have to clean that up too!! Juggle a sleeping baby as I go to the bathroom to come back to the living room & smell.. oh GOD..WTF IS THAT SMELL??

Oh!!!Echo was barfing on the couch..and while she barfed..she shit herself.. ALL OVER THE COUCH.

This is why we have a futon. We had a couch once..its a real bitch to take covers off couch cushions.. So,we keep a waterproof cover under a fitted sheet on our futon specifically b/c our dog is nasty. Someday we will have a couch.. but someday we will also no longer have Echo..sooo.. you figure it out.

As I peel off the shit/vomit couch coverings.. It hits me..

I have cleaned every single house members shit today... EVERY SINGLE ONE. Husband, kids, cat, dog... Not myself.. I started taking my pre natal vitis again after realizing I wasnt taking an vitamins so.. I "dont go".. Oh iron..the funny things you do to a body!!!!!

Then I vomited.. all over the dog shit/vomit..as I was putting it into the wash.. I grabbed the closest thing, a dirty dish towel, scooped up what I could, threw it in the trash, dry heaved a few more times & went on my FABULOUS day/way.

Oh... then Andy woke up.. freaking out.. Ryan was up.. crying.. And some chick from Samoea ( isnt that a cookie??????) who apparently has a baby with the guy I dated when I was 15 called me from Hawaii to ask me if I had feelings for him still b/c hes a *friend* on MySpace.. I told her she's majorly insecure in her relationship, to which she suprisingly said "I know, I really am.." & then listened to a really lonely girl talk to me for 45 MINUTES B/c I have a hard time hanging up phones with people..during which time, Andy managed to flip his eye lashes under neith his eye lid..

If this is a sneek at how this semester is going to go.. Let me be quite frank & say..

Please. Fucking shoot me. NOW.

2009-01-05T14:47:00.000-05:00

Ryan has a star named for him, Ryne Majoris.. its located in the Big Dipper!!!

Thats all!!!

2009-01-04T10:41:00.001-05:00

Well.. I wasnt sure if I was going to post about this, but I figured, it might give me more of an incentive to keep it up.

Lets be serious for a minute...I've always been thin. But when I get pregnant I get HHUUGGEEE.. And while I DO have big babies, they certianly arent 500lb babies, which is about what I gain when pregnant.

After Andy I didnt really try to lose weight until the Spring before he turned 1. Well, its about that time with Ryan now, so I figured with the new year, I might as well kick it into high gear & actually make an effort rather than just bitching about it..

I'm on day 3 now. I'm not dieting.. I'm just cutting out & adding a bit of exercise when I can. I had lost nearly all my baby weight from Ryan when he was 11 weeks old & then Mike says "Oh yeah!! You can have a beer now..want one??" and the weight came back with our nightly beer or 3 after the kids were down to bed.

So, thats my first step, no more drinking. On special occasions, a low cal cocktail is ok, but I dont need the random beer at night with Mike. He hasnt had 2 babies in less than 2 years..my metabolism just cant do it anymore, sadly.

Except for the occasional chocolate binge, I'm not really THAT bad of an eater. I try to limit pastas & breads, I use fruit & nuts as snacks..

Yada Yada.. SO! My "plan" is to cut out alcohol, limit sweets, but not cut them out.. if I try to cut them out all together, I'll probably just go nuts when I do have them, so a sneak of chocolate here & there is my plan. Drinking more water, which I need to do anyway, with nursing.

If I'm eating bread/dinner rolls.. I only have a half of one, I'm upping the fruit/veggies of dinner & cutting the main entree in half.

Then there is the exercise, which honestly, is the hardest part for me. We packed away our bowflex before Ryan was born due to space contraints, and Mike uses my eliptical as a closet when he walks in the door, coats, hats, pants, shirts.. Plus the wire came out so I can go & go & it doesnt show me my time/miles/etc. I have a hard time sticking on it with out seeing progress on that screen ya know?

So.. I'm adding in little things, when I'm laying on the floor with a kiddo, leg lifts, or push ups while they hop on my back & ride around, just little add ins to what I'm already doing. Plus, as soon as the mail comes next, I should have a new 20 minute daily DVD which is about the time limit I GET daily!!

So.. I'm going to add a ticker, so that I can keep track of my progress. I've lost 5 lbs since the start of the new year, although its probably just water weight, it feels good already to see a change on the scale!!!

Wish me luck!!!!!!

The Kiddos

2009-01-02T22:41:00.000-05:00

I suppose my children & their adventures rank up there with squirrel poop... maybe..

SO!

Andy is CRAZY!! Heeellloooo 2 year old!!! His language skills have just exploded.

Here are my favorite examples...

-He leans back on his bed, there is a tractor there "Oh! 'Scue me tractor"

-Andy has recently developed a love for trains. While watching a Thomas the Train on demand, they showed an ad for a train video. Andy told me he "wanst special train movie" I told him it was a commercial, sorry buddy. He insists "want commercial!!!!" I told him that couldnt really happen.. so he told me he wanted a "big special train" and then said "mom go get it!!!!!"

SO!! I think tomorrow we're going to use some Christmas money from his Gigi & go get him a train already!

-He now likes to pick up his Little Tikes table & say "watch your step, watch your step,w atch your step!" as he carries it to the middle of the living room..there, Mike puts his feet on top of the table.. Andy says "scue me legs..scue me toes!" and removes Mikes feet..then bends down to look at Mikes feet "hheeyy toes!!!!!"

-Of course..he lets us know when he needs to #2 ( but WILL NOT use the bathroom!!)( by saying "!!!! Big turds coming!!!!!"

...Thanks Dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-When he wants to unt, he comes & tells me "Want unt!"When its time to stop, he pats the other & says "want other unt..want GOOD one unt!!!"

-The kid has a mad love for music videos.. he likes to croon some country man & rock out to Linkin Park.. when Mike puts it on a video he wanst to see, Andy grabs the remote & says "nooo!! Moms mote!!!!" hads me the remote & says "good song..want GOOD song!!!" LOL

Ahh...there are MANY, but those are my current favorites.

On to Ryan!

Well..he walks!! He's taken as much as 6 plus steps now.. He getsreally excited at night & does alot of walking. It is SO crazy to see his little self moving like that! He's not even 9 months old!!!!

I've been working on getting a video, but then he just gets excited & tries to go for the camera..

He's been repeating a bit.. if I say "uh oh" he says "uh uh uh uh uh..ooo" and it sounds to more than just me, that he's trying to say Andy!!! Its crazy!!! Andy was such a later talker.Its probably just a coincidence though, right??

Andy has been pushing him lately ( not cool!!!) but for the most part they are REALLY playing together. It is SO amazing to watch

=*)

The kid LOVES food.. poor guy.. hes still stuck on pears & prunes.. I've been trying to branch out a BIT.. Carrots go over ( and out) well.. Peas are a BIG no go ( for everyone in this house!!!) I sort of let him lick my pizza crust the other day.. he didnt know what to make of that!! And I let him suck on a piece of those sausages you get in holiday boxes..He liked that!! He ate abiteof Mikes mashed potatoes today. Poor guy, he sees food & goes RIGHT for you, he can smack anything out of Andys hand.. Andy eats with his bowl over his head while saying "no popcorn Ryne!!!" over & over, LOL.

My mom came over for lunch the other day & we sat in the living room with Ry eating salads & he actually threw a mini fit!!! The kid is just a beast! He WANTS FOOD!!

Ahh.. my boys are sweet. I'm tired, so.. I've been having a really hard time uploading videos, so I'll post a few pics instead.

Night everyone!!

action shot!

he's a lip smacker!!

the big snow!!!

learning the important lesson of GLOVES

love them!!!

Love this face!!!!

walking!

This is how Andy likes to rock out..literally..on the chair.

I've waited my WHHOOLLEEE life!!!

2009-01-02T22:31:00.000-05:00

Do you just have one of those burning questions that's nearly impossible to answer??

I have ALWAYS wondered WHERE do squirrels go to the bathroom?? I mean..you don't see squirrel turds on your lawn now do you?????

My senior year, I was in the bathroom one morning getting ready for school, there is a piece of porch roof below the bathroom window & as I stood there, I saw a squirrel pause & then liquid run down the roof. I must admit..with the exception of things like.. my kids births, marriage, yada yada whatever..It was probably one of the BEST moment of my LIFE.

Well.. the last few days, whenever I open the back door, which is where our recycling is, this fat black squirrel jumps off the roof to a tree & looks like I caught him being naughty. Sometimes, we stare at each other.. Today... wait for it.....

..wait for it!!!!

HE POOPED!!!!

I'm not lying people!! He dropped a little deuce right there in the snow.. I couldn't believe my eyes. I was deliriously happy that I dont even remember the rest, but I raced inside to tell several friends of mine who I've h ad the "squirrel bathroom" discussion with..
I was promptly told pictures were needed...

So!!!

After providing the poo...proof.. I was promptly mocked & rediculed.. where are the squirrel tracks?? They asked.. Only Claire would watch a squirrel poop, come tell people about it & then return to the scene of the crime for a picture..one of my lovelies said..

DUH.

It was IN THE TREE!!!!! And you guys asked for the picture damnit!!!

So.. all of you who have believe the myth that squirrel poop is a magical substance that doesnt exist, much like I previously had been.

Here is your proof.

Feel free to curtsy on your way out the door.

Thank you.Good night.

Good bye '08

2008-12-31T22:02:00.000-05:00

My 2008 is ending fabulously.. My cat vomited something large & black up on my brand new bed spread.. It was chunky, black & had hair on it. I am assuming..plastic?? But I didnt want to dig to find out.
Tomorrow I get to spend my day stripping my bed & duvet to figure out how to spot clean a down comforter with out leaving the house. Yay.

Ryan is super F-ing consitpiated & Andy cant keep his voice down long ewnough for Ryan to sleep more than 20 minutes lately, so hes C-R-A-B-B-Y with a capital C!!!

Mike is just a GROUCH tonight..

And..and... I dont even know what else..LOL!

Know how I spent my free/no kid time on New Years Eve???? Learning about COUPONS. Yeah..thats right..I want to be one of those moms with the little coupon thingy matching products to the shelves..

I laugh when I see them,well..more like smile to myself, my parents luckily taught me some manners..but I have just heard too damn much about how much money people save NOT to try it. I mean...its a hobby, technically, right??? So.. I'm always game for a new hobby!! I'm sure I'll obsess over it for a week to a month & then toss it to the side when it gets boring anyway..

Good thing I never got too far on the king sized blanket I was crocheting b/c I've redone the entire bedroom & it doesnt even match by now!!!

So..resolutions!!!

I have 2

One to be kept & one to be broken, right???

1- Dont use a credit card all year.
2- Be nicer to my husband.

Which do YOU think is the one to be kept & the one to be broken????

Oh..I'd also like to lose some weight.. I mean..who DOESNT say that at New Years?????

So..yeah... F-ing 08.. I'm glad I got a gorgeous little boy out of you.. (well, really out of ME...) but I think 09 is going to kick your A-S-S.

Cheers!

Facelift!!

2008-12-29T18:50:00.000-05:00

I gave mys..site.. a face lift. Take the poll to the right to give me some feedback!!

For Andy..

2008-12-26T17:58:00.001-05:00

Ahh Christmas!!!

2008-12-25T22:54:00.000-05:00

I've learned a few things about Christmas in the last few years, since I have become a wise old mother...

Let me share them with you!

#1- Dont buy so much crap. You will spend MONTHS excited, waiting til you can put those AWESOME gifts under the tree. Christmas will come, your child will glance at them & go for that one item that you probably didnt buy & not give a shit about anything you got. And you will be VERY dissapointed & let down.

#2- More isnt better. I forgot this year.. buy them each 2 things & they'll just pick them from eachother & go about their business!!!

#3- Holidays suck when your an adult. It is WWAAYYY more fun to just wake up & open gifts. As an adult, you have to wrap them, worry about who is fed, who needs changed, who got what & why they wont share, do you need a time out? did you say thank you? Stop pushing your brother, SHARE YOU CARS!! No, thats his, if you wont share with him, he wont share with you! Come on, put the truck down & come open THIS!!!

And that my friends..is just at your own house..Dont even get me STARTED on going to relatives houses afterwords!!! Eek.

Here are some pictures & videos of our few days of Christmas..

Christmas Eve Day, going to Nanas!

First gift of the year! A train book!!!

Our corner tree, LOL. After Santa came!!!!

"Wha??"

He didnt like the Croc Zoobie so he stole Ryans..

Madness!

Hess truck!!!! Florida boy..

The end..

The kitchen of Mass destruction!

He got a guitar!!!

And PawPaw looks like Tiny Tom with a ukelele!! ;-)

Andy says he can do it himself..

ACTION SHOT!!!!

LOL. I love him.

Ry Tom & Tom!!

3 of my favorite guys!!!

Hes so going to be a surfer..he's such a chill dude ;-)

I hope all my readers had a fabulous holiday!!!!!!!!!

Why I love ...

2008-12-23T20:51:00.000-05:00

..Videos..

What a creepy little weirdo!!!
Alien Puppy

Why I someday hope to own livestock....

Horse Farts

Love..
kitty petting parrot

Best. Card. EVER.

2008-12-22T18:58:00.001-05:00

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15349512

Of course, its fairly close to the rest of them, this is just one of the ones that really "hit home"

;-)

Check them out, and try not to pee yourself in the process.

Whats new!

2008-12-21T20:33:00.001-05:00

Well, here a little update on all of us.

Mike is done with school for the semester! ( 3 looonnggg weeks together, hahaaaaa!!!) He finished with a 3.2 GPA. Which he's pretty ticked about that. Somehow he got really high grades on his Calc 3 tests but somehow the final grade wasnt what he expected. I think he should write the teacher just to ask how that happened but, you know how he "gets around to it."
So, now he's home.. Yep.

On to Andy ;-)

Andy has a new phrase.. It is "I cant" I tell him "take a nap" and he yells I CANT!!!!!!! Or.. Andy pick up your blocks.. I CANT!!!!
Mike has been taking him to play with his little brother & sister so we're assuming it probably came from them since we never really say anything that would envoke that reply. I hate to say it, but I think its funny. Haha, Of the mouth of babes, right?
He's REALLY into the Polar Express, he knows words, songs, etc. he calls it "Train Movie" Andys vocab is just crazy now! He uses full sentances, he knows time periods like "soon" or "later" We're working on numbers 11-20 currently & reviewing colors a bit more than we previously have. He is quite a stinker. He is definately at the terrible 2's, but he's sweet anyway!!(well..sometimes... lol)

Ryan took his first steps last night!!! We went to my parents for dinner & to help them decorate their tree & Ryan took 2 steps towards me. Mike & I were shocked & turned him back to Mike where he took 3-4 steps back to Mike!! Andy walked at 10 month but Ryan is just a few days over 8 months. I am impressed, but a bit sad, of course.
Ryans current favorite game is what I call "Mommy Mountain" I lay on the floor, he barrels at me & climbs over me, head first on the floor, butt up in the air & them flops over & cracks up giggling. Then he gets back up & does it again!!! He "wrestles" me. I lay on the floor, hold him & rolla round a bit & he just LOVES it. He's such a big sturdy guy!! We do this during Andys nap ( so Andy doesnt get ideas!!!) and he just has a BALL. He is a hungry boy, he would probably eat all day if he could, but he has some bowel issues even the pediatrician doesnt know what to say about, so he's pretty much on a P diet- pears, prunes.. (we dont DO peas in this house..)
He tried peas once, and had a large full body shudder..thats my boy!!!!
(I often wonder, I hate peas, Mike hates peas..so Andy never eats peas & Ryan wont either..are we just dooming generation opon generation of pea haters??????)
Ryan has his 3rd tooth poking through, I just noticed today. Its on the top!!! I love the bottom 2 teeth, they are TOO cute, but I guess this one is ready to join the fun.

Andy went to Chuck E Chesse for the first time the other day! It was his Aunt Nikkis birthday!
(and they are too sweet together.) Nikki really mothers him, its so sweet to watch. She holds his hand & plays with him, makes sure to feed him & that he drinks water. One time at Mikes nanas house, a piece of ice dropped & Andy went for it, I did the "no.." and reached forward & she was there before ME!! Shes impressive, that Nikki is!!! Andy LOOOVVEESSS her. When you ask "who do you love" Nikki, is the first person he always says.. (mom & dad come long after cars & trucks...) Anyway, it was her birthday so Andy went & other than being scared shitless by the big mouse, Mike said he had a good time!! I have pictures & videos to get up here soon.

We put up our tree today. I havent wanted it to be up for TOO long, its just too much temptation for Ryan ( AND Andy!!!) They have these "wall trees" ...check it out....
So, we set up HALF of our tree and secured it to the wall. LOL!! This way Ryan cant pull it on himself & it isnt taking up TONS of room. It looks a little Charlie Brown-ish.. but I like it!!

Ah..I hear calls of I CANT.. must be time to sign off!!

Until next time!!

Woo and Boo

2008-12-15T19:50:00.000-05:00

Here are my current Woo's and Boo's

Woo

#I have 2 really amazing best friends. They help keep me SANE. Hailey & Sierra.. Thank you guys. For EVERYTHING you have both done for me over the last (few!!) year.

#I got a Christmas gift from my friend Hailey today, at a MUCH needed moment. I LOVE Willow Tree figures, I've been really wanting to start a collection of them but havent had the chance. She found me the perfect friendship one. Its called Heart & Soul, and has a little card with it that reads "Open Hearts, sharing souls, trusted friends." and it came at the most perfect time imaginable. I love it. Thank you Hailey!! I will always look at it & think of you ( I figure I'm the pony tail one?? What do you think???) and I really hope that I'll be able to finally start my own collection, and that your piece inspired the beginning of it!!!

#I am getting excited for Christmas!! Andy has been obsessed with "Train Movie" (aka the Polar Express) and when I am sitting there watching bits & pieces, its funny how excited I can still get! Holidays lose alot of fun as an adult, I think. Your so concerned with making it good for everyone else, you dont get to enjoy it yourself. But, I'm really excited for this year!! I will actually get gifts!! I bought all my own gifts when I found a great sale, or what I really wanted, or had a good coupon, or code or co-op and put them all in a box for Mike to give me. So.. no baking sheets this year!!! The boys got some really cool stuff from the co-ops I've been in all year. They are getting Zoobies, Bilibos, Babals, Happy Green Bee clothing & dolls ( yes DOLLS..for BOYS!!!) Hop Balls/Rody Ponies, some really awesome um..rubber duck infused bath soaps from Pampering Delights (its holiday shaped soaps around little ducks..SOOO cute) and some other nifty stuff I've forgotten about. I think I'm genuinely just excited for these toys to finally be out of my closet b/c I am excited for them myself!! LOL

# Thats another thing I'm WOO-iong about.Co-ops!! Group buying allows all of us to get items at wholesale prices, by buying in large quantities. So, it allows me to buy things for myself, my family & my children I couldnt afford to buy at retail prices!!

# My mom. We recently had a nice talk..and I love her. Woo mom.

And now for some boo..

BOO

# CRAPPY Drivers. No, I'm not talking about people who have accidents under their belts ( raises hands..) or people who sometimes speed.. I'm talking about those assholes who ride your bumper, or get in the fgast lane going slow, or pass you, only to slow down in front of you so you cant pass them, etc etc etc.

SERIOUSLY?? In my wildest fantasies there is a huge microphione/sign on my car.. so that I can say "HEY F-YOU" to the car next to me & they can hear it & it flashes at them while parked next to me or passing me.

I just dont get it.. do people RREEALLLYY think it will make me go FASTER if you are 2 inches from my cars ASS.

# People who CONSTANTLY are talking about " my faaabulous luxury car" or "my large swimming pool" or "I spent __ amount on this" In other words..people who CONSTANTLY flaunt what they have/buy/etc. I am all for being like "OMG I am SO excited!! I got this awesome deal so I got ____" but I've come across some people who I cant think of ONE thing they have EVER said with out mentioning a price tag, or a designer, or to call other people poor, ot make cracks at others lifestyles while boasting their own,etc. It mostly just makes me sad.. I mean, how bad must their lives be that they have nothing better to do than to put other people down to boost themselves?? Its sad, and pathetic. And I will pray for them.

I'll go ahead & keep this short for tonight.. Today has been an AMAZINGLY bad day for me. And I could BOO all night long.. but, I wont.

What are your woo's & boo's of the day???

I changed my mind..

2008-12-14T18:03:00.001-05:00

I give the Roomba an A!!!

I lock it in a room & it cleans for me!! I havent had to pull out the manual vac since we got it!!! It would be an A+ if it had a longer battery life..But, I am revoking my previous grade & replacing it with an A!!!!

Oh..and Andy calls it "Moms vaccuum" and says "Robot cleaming" when I turn it on..he also likes to pet it & say that its *soft* but he runs when I turn it on...

Andy reads!!!

2008-12-12T11:08:00.000-05:00

Andy, Ryan & I were just sitting together, enjoying a "car song" on the Music on Demand channel when Andy says "Look! Music Choice"

..what??

So, I look up at the screen and the words MUSIC CHOICE are flashing acrossed the bottom of the screen.

Holy crap!! It never SAYS music choice on this channel, it SAYS music on demand, the words music choice are only written!!

I am so proud. ((tears))

Roomba

2008-12-11T17:57:00.000-05:00

I have ALWAYS wanted a Roomba. I think we first saw one in real life at Mikes grandmothers condo in Florida when we went to visit them one weekend. I thought "wow..she says it does work..hmm" But the $300 price tag was quite a turn off.

Mike & I have always discussed getting one, when he was working at Lowes we REALLY considered it. But, no, we always stuck with a faithful old normal vac!

WELL! There is this website, that every woman should probably ban from their accessable websites..
www.slickdeals.net

Unfortunately, 2 of my best friends LOVE it & they held me at gun point until I caved & looked at the page myself ( what? I feared for my life, OK??)

Bad idea.. I found a Roomba for $60, with free shipping. Mike & Idecided to splurge& snatched it up & called it our Christmas gift to eachother. (Wow, 2 years in a row I've bought MYSELF a vac for Christmas..hmm) Free shipping apparently meant over night express from Amazon, which was lovely, of course.

The baby is BURNT orange.. You know, that color that they creator spitefully handed his 5 year old a crayon box & said "pick out the UGLIEST color son.." to color a handful of Roombas before he quit his job. However, their loss, my gain!!

Andy calls it "No touch, MOMS vaccuum!!!!" and he & Ryan watch it eyefully from a distance while it cleans the poop out of my floor ( not literally, of course..but it cleans alot of crap off my floors..just not fecal matter.. thats gross)

I have to say.. For $60, its impressive. However, I'd be REALLY pissed, and making a quick return if I paid $300 for one of these suckers.

Cons

-Its round, do those little corners dont get taken care of.

-Its also not that perfect of a design to empty the filter..Mike emptied it, and then used the Dust Buster to clean up its mess, with out the remote, you cant spot clean, so you have to wait for it to follow its cycle around the room, if you only need one little area cleaned, that isnt too helpful.

- If you buy it for a steal, like we did, getting accessories is kind of crappy.. I'd like a wall docking base for it.. A wall docking base is close to $50..I'm not going to buy a base for $50, when I paid $60 for the damn appliance itself ya know???

Pros

-It plays a sad little tune when it sout of batteries, which makes me laugh, so that adds major bonus points.Poor little robot..dying, singing a lonely tune..

-Its ugly. I've always had a penchant for ugly things..I believe in my heart they have feelings & that poor brown game player, or the ugly orange sweater stuffed in the back of the rack is sad that no one loves it.. So, It makes me happy I gave a fugly Roomba a home.

-It makes MIKE happy..I havent seen the guy this excited for something since.. hmm..I SHOULD say since Ryan was born..but he recently got a new computer game..and he was PRETTY excited about that....

-I turn it on, lock it in the bedroom & it cleans for me. Whats NOT to love about THAT??

I give it.. hmm.. a B plus. It could definately be better. I thought perhaps the reson it wa smarked so low, it was the crappy old model. But, the sale on it lasted only a few hours, its at $150 right now as a "normal on sale price" So.. thats not the case..It does work!!! However, I have a feeling that the newest possible model of it (which is likely $300+ dollars) might have some of the kinks worked out of which I complain.

SO.. The model 4000 gets a B plus, it sure could be better, but it certianly could be worse!!!

I liked the review I read on Amazon.. "If it could cook, do dishes & laundry..I woul dget rid of my wife"

I suppose for me.. if it could watch TV and play computer games.. Oh.. hmm.. I guess that doesnt really apply to me!!!!

Here is how I really feel..

2008-12-11T17:12:00.000-05:00

About taking your kids to get pictures done.

I've never had professional pics opf my kids done except that one in the hospital.. I take tons of photos, so..eh I just never really bothered to.

I really wanted to do Holiday photos this year, the first Christmas with 2 boys! We cancelled a session b/c of course, not only are Holiday budgets tight, but the end of a semester is always tough for us financially.
So, my darling mother paid for a photo session for the boys for my big Christmas gift. I really just wanted to have pictures of my boys, taken by someone other than me, for my house & my own memory.

WELL!! The appointment was for 3:20.. Mike had an exam he had to leave for at 4pm. I love you Mike, but husbands are that helpful, they just sort of stand there with the "yep, thats my kid" grin. The lady is trying to get Andy to not be scared of her, with a frog, which worked.. but as soon as she would get him to cross his legs, Ryan would get into position, Andy would move. She went to grab a *helper* and I believe I heard the words " not going so well.." being uttered.

Yada Yada.. I could only find ONE pair of black socks as I got them dressed & for some STUPID reason, put them on Ryan thinking Andys pants were long enough & blue socks would be ok. Well, duh. Andy moves, he crosses his legs, etc. Ryan just sits there, so, I got to hate myself a little bit every time those damn blue socks popped out. I'll say this.. it could have gone ALOT worse, but it could have also gone alot better. I'm positive that they were glad when they decided to be done. I could hear them muttering "they're done.. " with a THANK GOD tone under their breath..

Then the fun starts. MIKE LEAVES. Not that my wonderful husband wasnt helpful to begin with, but I get to sit there with Andy trying to play with devil child of mom bitch over there who is showing Andy how to stand on chairs & jump off while Mom ignores my "boys" smile at her & just glares around like shes the ice queen. I'm juggling Ryan, who is getting crabbier by the second, trying to tell Andy to knock it off whil ehe says "No!!!" and trying to pick pictures.

By the time I was done picking them ( they are ready in 15 minutes) I just blurted out "I can come for them tomorrow, right?" the girl tol dme Absolutely.. and I said "I'm sure you want us to get out of here just as bad as we do" Paid, and we left..

Off to a car ride full of "ICE CREAM" screams (Oh, I forgot to mention..after 5 minutes I told him if he was good we'd get ice cream & he talked about it until we finalyl did!!) & Ryan practically hyperventilating..

SO.. what do I REALLY think about taking your kids to get pictures done??

I do NOT recommend it. EVER.

2008-12-10T09:09:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Elf Yourself!

2008-12-09T22:38:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Train

2008-12-08T18:12:00.000-05:00

Today I finally ventured on down to check out the tipped train. I couldnt get super close, and there were people near by & I didnt want to get yelled at & feel like an idiot..So, here is what I got!!

Either Mikes updates to the computer, or Blogger have messed with my picture settings, so I cant see what I am uploading..I have more pictures, but they'll just have to wait =0)

Really Easy Big Bread

2008-12-08T18:00:00.000-05:00

Today I made one of my favorite bread recipes.

Outrageously Easy BIG Bread

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

2 packs of yeast
1/4 cup warm water
2 cups hot water
3 tablespoons turbinado
1 tablespoon salt
3 cups flour
1/3 cup vegetable or corn oil
3 cups flour

Directions:

Note: This recipe works best if all ingredients are set out, ready to go, in advance. Also, make sure the turbinado, salt, flour, and oil are measured in the exact amounts called for.

Pour warm water into a small ceramic bowl and add the yeast, but DO NOT STIR. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, pour hot water over the turbinado and salt, then stir with a wooden spoon to completely dissolve. Combine 3 cups flour with the water mixture. Pour the oil on top of the dough mixture then add the yeast mixture on top of that, but DO NOT STIR. Top with the remaining 3 cups of flour and mix well. (I begin mixing with the wooden spoon but I very quickly have to move into squishing the dough with my hands.) At this point, the dough should be pliant and moist, but not gooey. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and set aside to rise for at least 45 minutes. (I've left it for almost two hours.)

On a lightly floured cutting board or countertop, divide the dough into half. (This is when I recruit someone to knead the dough, but the recipe actually calls for no kneading; I've done this recipe many times without kneading anything, and it always turns out really good.) Flatten each half into roughly an oval/rounded rectangular shape, about 1/2- to 3/4-inch thickness; then roll the dough lengthwise and place on an ungreased, but very BIG, cookie sheet. (If you don't have a very large cookie sheet, use two cookie sheets, one for each half of the dough.) Cover the dough with a moist towel and set aside to rise again for another 45 minutes (or longer).

After the dough has risen the second time, preheat the oven to 375 and bake for exactly 23 minutes. If you can keep everyone from digging in right away, allow to cool for about 15 minutes and then enjoy. (Also, before the bread bakes, you can slit the top of each lump of dough a couple of times and brush lightly with some kind of egg substitute. The glaze helps the bread come out with a slightly crunchier crust. I don't usually bother.)

I personally, leave out the sugar. It makes it too sweet for a dinner bread. I'm eating a warm piece with some soy butter riiigghtt now. Yum Yum!!!

Men..BEWARE

2008-12-08T17:39:00.000-05:00

Beware of the Doghouse- Hilarious! - The most popular videos are here

Score!!!

2008-12-08T15:23:00.001-05:00

I have been searching ALL
over for a plain white dress shirt in Andys
size the last 2 weeks...
Pictures are tomrrow so I did a last ditch attempt and swang in a resale kids store today..Got a brand new shirt for $4, a black belt for $3 and while I'm not really into buying used toys ( germs and all...) I started browsing & found THIS!!!
I LOVE Taggies..but sorry..I can sew tags on for a heck of a lost less than $40!!! You cant even tell its used & it was only $9.

Yay for deals!!

The best part is, I was on the way back from the Little Tikes manufacturers..I got 2 pirate dress up outfits for $1 each, and since they're local, pick up was free!!!

Today was a good day.

Things

2008-12-04T20:31:00.001-05:00

So..I figured..as much as I've been bitching lately..I oughta go ahead & share some things I currently am LOVING.

1- Vitamin C Toner from Pampering Delights. For you Northerners, you know how when you wake up in the morning in the winter & your so pale you look dead? (Please..dont even pretend I'm the only one this happens to..) I KID you not, I put this on after putting my contacts in, in the morning & My skin GLOWS. Typically, I just use bronzer ona daily basis, if I use this, I dont use bronzer. My skin glows with that pink "flushed" look that people get after running a mile ( or so I hear..I've never run shit in my LIFE) It is 98% Vegan Organic & a TOTAL steal at $3 a POP!!!!

2- Also from Pampering Delights.. Who I might add, I think has actually replaced my Victorias Secret body scrub... I am LOVING her Lemon Sugar scent.I've only in my whole life found ONE scent similar & it was a one time Bath & Body Works scent..
This scent is TO DIE FOR.

MY FAVORITE product from her is by far the foaming body smoothie.. Its unlike anything I've ever found in a store..It is a scrub that also lathers. It actually leaves such a moisture on your skin that I dotn shave after using it because I can literally see on my razor, the mositurizers my razor takes off!! ( this is a GOOD thing people..) lol. I LOVE LOVE LOVE her products.. I mean..I can not talk enough about how FABULOUS they are. I ordered soem "manly" scents for Mikes Christmas gifts from her & she even customized the labels on the products for me!!! Pamela is AMAZING to work with.. Oh.. and shes also my long lost twinsie.. But even if I didnt like her..I couldnt live with out her stuff.. Its truly addicting.

#3- I am loving my absolute favorite tart.. EVER. For those of you who know.. I burn tarts instead of candles..I buy from Mothers who make products in their homes to they can earn money while staying home with their kiddos, and tarts are avery popular product. My favorite tart maker is a SAAWWEEET little lady named Mandy. She owns Cat Lady Candles...I will say this.. she is actually a dog person..
I know..I was shocked too.. BUT..I understand. Cats are real assholes.
ANYWAY!!! She & I are swing mates, and she actually named a tart for me.. my FAVORITE scent.. CLOVES. Its called Claires Cloves. She told me today it keeps selling out of stock..and I know..this is just because people LOVE me SO much..it has nothing to do with the fact that she makes a really amazing product..
Okay so maybe it does..whatever.. If you like home fragrence..I STRONGLY suggest you push your Yankee candle away, and check her out. I light one tart & my ENTIRE home smells for HOURS. The scent is simple and sexy..JUST LIKE ME!! ;-)

#4-Pushing Daisies. Mike & I started watching this when it first came out.. Then Mike would "not be in the mood" so I'd miss a bunch of TIVO'd episodes..this season..I watch it A-L-O-N-E. And it is truly unlike any other show out there..it's a PERFECT Claire show. I believe I named my cat, Chuck, for the main female lead. And I also think..I am digging Lee Pace.. He's sorta hot..in a pie maker kinda way!

#5- Ryans mouth. There is just something SO perfect about a baby's breath. (well..breastfed babies atleast.. I've heard that formula stuff is pretty nasty!) Its a sweet, sour milk sort of scent..And I admit it..I straight up put my nose to Ryans open mouth & HUFF. Yes...I am a mouth huffer. And I'm proud of it!! If I could bottle that scent I'd make bazillions..there is nothing sweeter than a babys breath.. And dont think I'm crazy..TONS of other women think the same ( some even like breastfed poop... I'm not THAT nuts..Ryans smelled like chedder chex mix!!!!!)

..Thats all for now.. I'ms till ppreeetttyy cranky over here, So, be thankful you got this.

I have to get back to my life now.. Hopefully none of you will be joining me soon.
(yet another thing I LOVED.. Paris Hiltons my New BFF!!!)

Free Advice

2008-12-03T20:49:00.001-05:00

...The next time you'll have to pay for it.. ok??

#1- Answer your phone "Hello" or "Hi" even. DONT SAY "What?" Its rude, tacky & disrespectful. It takes the same amount of energy, yet doesnt make people feel like crap.

#2- Be nice to your kids. Someday, they will be choosing the people who wipe your ass for you.

What a stud muffin..

2008-12-03T17:59:00.001-05:00

I had Andy try on his picture clothes today..

He is just TOO handsome!!

Tis the season...

2008-12-03T14:26:00.000-05:00

..So here is MY holiday wish list

-Trade husband for seeing eye/trained helper dog. Those puppies are SWEET.
-Wii plus Wii Fit.. to get rid of the extras my sweet boys left me with.
Calorie free chocolate. ( What.. no one has created that yet?????)

See?? I dont ask for much!!

I've been reasonably nice this year.. I give to charity when I can.I make my husband do my parents big yard of leaves so they dont have to rake themselves when I really could use his help at home, I dont litter, I care about the environment. I give advice whenever asked to help people with problems & I never complain that they dont listen, I just keep wasting my time politely!! I do lots of good things.. SO!

Santa.. Dont be an asshole. Kay??

I am SO over you.

2008-12-02T20:12:00.001-05:00

I am SERIOUSLY over people who use me, people who take me for granted,and people who walk all over me.

I am SO over the people who "expect" things of you. Who dont consider, HEY!! I have a life to attend to to.. oh.. no no no.. let me take care of YOURS.. MINE can wait, of course!!!

I am over people who GUILT you. I "joke" guilt with Mike (IE- "Ohh..its okay.... I'll just pass out from hunger so you can watch this TV show...Just try to shake me when its over so I can eat..") But the people who truly CONSTANTLY have a "poooorrr me" about everything so you just feel guiltily obligated..THEY SUCK.

I am over people who are CHEAP. It is ONLY money. The whole "you cant take it with you" is popular for a REASON. If you need to remind people of gifts they've been given, or favors you've done, or basically be a cheap ass. Heres the deal for me.. Dont get me ANYTHING. Dont give me anything, dont DO anything for me. Because THAT, is wasted when you later bitch about it/hold it over my head/complain/whine/moan.

I'm not saying "go nuts: with buying things, I'd be perfectly fine if no one ever bought me or gave me a gift again. Its the attitude I dont like, the ((scoff)) Well I got you_____"

Wow..and I really appreciated that, I'm REALLY sorry I twisted your am until you had no choice to get me __ and now your obviously remorseful. Seriously?? STFU.

I am over the "friends" who dont have ANYTHING to say to me unless oh!! THEY NEED SOMETHING.

I am over the whole "but they're family" thing. THIS one my friends, has been a LONG time coming, I've just never had a "reason" to put it in writing. If you had a friend, who called you names/who treated you badly/who hurt your feelings/stole from you/etc.. You would NOT keep them in your life...RIGHT??

I cant think of a sane person who would say "Please, more!!" So WHY does EVERYONE always say "well.. they're my mom/dad/sister/brother.." like its OKAY to let someone treat you like this??

WHO CARES. Wow.. I mean..gosh.. I'm having a bad day..I guess I'm going to go kick my sister in the face because HEY!! She'll forgive me.. I mean..we ARE family after all!!! Well..my sister is so nice she'd probably cry apologizing for whatever she did to make me kick her in the face.. But a typical person would say "Wow.. F you..You kicked me in the face.. Dont talk to me again!"

So why do people keep negative, hurtful,m even abusive people in their lives when they BRING THEM DOWN, for NO other reason than, they are family??For example.. I love my mom & all but if she treated me super SUPER shitty.. mother or not..I dont need that in my life..and hell, I'd HOPE my family would do the same to ME!!!

Sorry..I just dont buy it.

I'm over people who offend you, you kindly tell them "Look..when you do ___ it upsets me for ___ reason" and they KEEP doing it. Or, when you even give people a heads up "Hey..I'm feeling a bit sensitive about ____ could you not bring it up so I dont feel even worse than I already do?? And not only do they bring it up..but over the next few months, or even YEAR.. they REPETIVELY bring it up.. Despite how many times you ask..either they DONT GET IT. Or they dont CARE. I dont know which is worse.

To sum it up.....

I'm over people who...

act like they're your kids parents

give too much advice

are rude about parenting choices

are offensive/think they know it all

know NOTHING

dont do research on their own

are mean to animals

take someones word as best & dont question things

kick dogs

eat soft eggs ((gag))

act like fart jokes arent funny

cant take JOKES

are assholes

work in customer service/with the public who have gigantic sticks up their asses

dont brush their teeth..seriosuly dude.. Gross.

get all up in my busssiness

pronounce it "li-barry" LI-BRA-RY

saw "worsh" ..where is there a R is WASH???

dont wash their face in the morning..when I was little.. I mean like..third grade, the kids with eye boogers.. Gross.. HTF hard is it to wash your face?? COME ON.

snort snot. BLOW PEOPLE, BLOW. This is why tissues were created!!!!

use me

guilt me

are cheap ( not cheap as in.. penny saving but like "OMG..I spent $5 on this for you!!!" @@

people who just dont "get it".. EVER.

People who THINK they "get it" but..REALLY really REALLY..D-O-N-T

And last but not least..

I am SO over people who are just plain fucking stupid.

I'm off to read God's blog..I see he was making something in the microwave last update...

2008-12-01T11:31:00.000-05:00

Well! LOTS to catch up on.. I started a new medication this last week that has this minor little side effect, called.. Trouble breathing.
So.. I've been feeling pretty bad lately, hopefully we'll get it all cleared up today when I go to the doctor!!

Lets see.. Ryan is just getting over Roseola. Yucko! He had his well check & he weighs a bit over 20lbs and is almost 31 inches tall. He is quite advanced physically, as we already knew & she was shocked at what an easy going baby he is ( she knows Andy, haha!)

Andy is really putting together LOTS of words.. he tells me to put my coffee down when I only offer him one hand to jump & am holding my cup in the other.. He is pretty much forming sentences that make sense, all on his own. Its pretty cool. He's also learning all the lyrics to his 2 favorite songs, "All I wanna Do" by Sugarland and his "car song" 'Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts. He does the motions they do in the videos, sings, dances & plays guitar right along with them!

Mike is at the end of the semester, lets all cross fingers he aces exams!!! Then he has about a month of break to be at home.. all day.. with US!!!! ..Poor guy...

Chuck the cat is doing quite well.. other than chewing & playing with EVERYTHING b/c Andy keeps losing her toys.. she's really good. Ryan is in LOOOVEE with the cats.. he gets SO excited to see them & when he catches one for a pet, its probably the highlight of his little life so far.

I'd say Andy is having a liitttllee trouble with sharing & being gentle lately..he means well, of course. I think we really need an Andy date before too long, to just spend on him.

We are taking the boys Friday for professional pictures. I've never taken them before this, so I'm pretty excited! I wont spoilt it by saying what they're wearing..but.. I'm expecting it to be PRETTY cute!!!! I hope it goes well & Andy gives NICE smiles ;-)

Mike & I saw Twilight yesterday. It was good..but I am always dissapointed with movies after I've read the book.. I expect a bit TOO much. I think Little Women is the only one that I've perfectly loved the movie as the book.

Getting excited fpr Christmas over here!! I'm thinking we arent going to put up a big tree this year.. Ryan is too into things & I could se ehim pulling it over on himself, or the kitten climbing it.. Our house is TOO small for that!!

Andy has adopted an old bracelet of mine..its covered in tiny jingle bells. He LUURVVEES it.. Hes sitting on my lap right now stroking it, jingling it & telling me how pretty it is and singing Life Is a Highway. he also has a new love for pockets.. He tries to put anything he can in them..things much much MUCH bigger than the pockets themselves.. He's a sweet boy, my Andy.

Well.. Its time to get back to cleaning.. I guess I've sat here attempting to breath for long enough..Silly breathing..Like its a necessity or something crazy!!!!

Breakfast Meat & Brothers

2008-11-27T20:17:00.000-05:00

I've been working on this blog in my head for WEEKS now.

Andy has a major love for breakfast meat.. He asks for sausage in the morning, he likes bacon.. He is truly MY child. On a cloth diaper forum I post on.. once someone said " I mean, who REALLY needs more than 2 pieces anyway?" And I thought.... shit... Last time my sister visited when I was still pregnant, Mike made me like, a whole PLATE of sausage!! .. Then again..I DO tend to gain 40-60 lbs in my pregnancy, LOL.

So.. The other day we had abuddy, Sam come over in the AM so his mommy coul dget to work when her usual kiddo watcher was sick & Mike work oup & found a pound of thick cut peppered bacon I had in the fridge for a dinner. He spent the whoel time frying, and baking .. bacon. Attempting to find "the trick"

And our house smelled like bacon..and it was FABulous.

So.. It has been giving me this fond memory when I realized how TRULY wonderful my BROTHER, Matt ( my sisters hubby!) is..

Ahh yes.. I remember it all too well ((fog comes in as I recall..))))

We were visiting them at his parents house in FL, Andy was just a few weeks old.. Matt was inpressed with Andys massive farting ability ( which by the way..Matt.. he farted on Mikes back while sleeping last night.. a pusher, Mike told me..and he told me today in the car "Butt FARTED!!!" ...Hes so sweet, isnt he???)
But then the perfect moment came.. It was breakfast... bacon, ham, sausage, steak?? Mike & I were perplexed with the decision.... We stood there..debating.. Steak is a given.. but how would we EVER choose between the rest??

I cant recall the exact words.. the memory is just TOO intense.. but something along the lines of "can we have them all?" and Matt's "somethingsomething ...after my own heart" and I just thought "Wow..I TRULY know why Mischa loves him now.. he is AMAZING."

Ah yes... So.. Lately, in our love for breakfast meats.. I've been thinking lots of my meat faithful brother.. Matt.. I toast to you.. tomorrow morning..I will raise my sausage link in the air.. I will eat it.. and then..I will make some bacon. You are truly a brother of substance.. Greasy, fatty, meaty goodness substance. Just the way I always envisioned my perfect brother in law!!!

xo

Tons of pictures...

2008-11-27T19:38:00.000-05:00

It is impossible to get a good picture of BOTH kids.. One is always doing something funky..Check it out..

Another attempt after the haircut...

Another day..

Some actualy cute ones.. where they look NORMAL & not in pain!!!!!

Dont you know?? Our dog is as sweet, soft & smells as good as an angel!?!?!

My happy boy =0)

Us today =)

Probably the best picture these stinkers have ever taken, LOL!

Ryan is going to be T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Love them!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2008-11-27T19:17:00.001-05:00

Happy Turkey Day evewryone!!!

Guess what??

I HATE HOLIDAYS!!!!
Yep..being an adult REALLY takes all the fun out of it.. and then having kids, that just makes it even worse. You spend an hour in the car, then you have a nice time.. but its all quickly forgotten by the hellish ride home with over tired children screaming in your ear the ENTIRE way.Of course, if your a dad, its no biggie, but if your a mom it pulls these certain heart strings that make you yell at your husband.

Color me green & call me scrooge..

That being said.. we had a nice time today!! (Minus the car ride, obviously!!) I like Mikes family more & more the more I get to know them, we don't go over there too often, likely due to the rediculously crabby car ride, but we really should. Andy is simply smitten with Mikes sister Nikki & his brother Johnny. And he loooveess Gramps! He talks about the 3 of them quite often. There was lots of good food, Linda, as always was great & insisted on holding Ryan when he got crabby so I could eat. She was the only one who got to hold Ryan, he was a CRAB!! And I mean.. pinchers out, angry red C-R-A-B!!! Hes also covered in a red rash.. I'm worried its celery.. last night I was eating celery & I let him mouth a bit & this AM he's covered in a rash =(
I REALLY hope that's not the case.. he has a well visit tomorrow, so we shall see.

I dressed the boys alike today. Its horrible, but I love them EVEN more when they are dressed the same.. they can do no wrong. They are just TOO cute & impossible to resist!!
(as I hear Ryan calling out & then Andy screaming back in his face in the next room..(((sigh))) OH!! He's saying " No, its mine ball!" .. and to think..we used to wish he had a bigger vocab, HA!!!

I havent been blogging much lately, been busy.... and.. crabby..... and tired too. Ryan has had a fever which hasnt been fun to deal with, I've had appointments, needing to wake early.. it all just sucks. Basically!

But don't you worry your pretty little heads..there are some FABULOUS things coming up for my few readers.. I have a serious plan in motion..its just a matter of time ( this is where I tap my fingers together..and cackle...)

So.. Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you all ate so much you felt like you were about to puke...And then you had pie.

xo!

Tears of Inspiration

2008-11-24T18:56:00.000-05:00

2008-11-22T23:10:00.000-05:00

Book Three..

11pm..Saturday..

DOOOONNEEE!!!!!!!

Oh..and I cooked a Thanksgiving dinner today.. Yeah.. I know.. I'm AHHHMMAAZZINNGG!!!

2008-11-21T19:40:00.001-05:00

I finally got the whole Twilight series today...I started New Moon at 5pm..I'm on 175 now..
Dont expect to hear much from me until Sunday.. I'll likely be reading a book a day..

I'm officially a Twilight geek now.. I am SO into it! I cant even imagine where book 2 is leading to right now, and I LOVE that. Usually by page 100 of any book I can typically guess the ending & be right.. not the case here!! Unfortunately, someone on a message board didnt put a SPOILER ALERT in front of a post & I do know something that will be in book FOUR. Which basically sucks ass.. but.. I'm trying to ignore it, unsuccessfully.

Happy reading!!!!!!

2008-11-20T22:45:00.000-05:00

...Mike wants Wii..

and then..when he gets that Wii...

..I want a Wii Fit.

If you need our current address to send said Wii & Wii Fit... please, PLEASE..just let me know.

Thank you.

As we all know...

2008-11-19T16:22:00.003-05:00

Mike & I have both banned ourselves from cutting our poor childs hair.

SO!!! Andy went & had a pro do it today ( a monther of several boys, of course!!!)

Here he is before....

AANNNDDD...

AFTER!!!!!!!!!!

She did an AMAZING job!!!! Mike said he did SO well, he didnt cry or anything!! WTG Andy!!!!

I am a victim of the Target/Britax Scandal!!!

2008-11-18T15:56:00.000-05:00

Well.. Let me see..

Sunday I thought was about the best day..E-V-E-R!!!

I got 2 pairs of Kitson boots for $19.99 each at Gabes..

THEN I got basically a $300 car seat for $43 shipped from Target.com!! Andy has out grown his car seat in Mikes car & they are SO expensive to get a good, safe seat. I skimp on myself, but never my kids, ESPECIALLY when it comes to safety, like car seats. Only the best for my kiddos.. So to find a Britax for $43 was a MIRACLE.

And you know what they say..if something is too good to be true..It usually is.

Lets just say..I personally know of over 200 really pissed (ex!!) Target shoppers as of Monday... And those are JUST from cloth diapering associations. I spoke to several "Target Team Members" and was basically told "Sorry, go buy it for $200.. thats outr ACTUAL sale price" even though my order had already been processed.. They claim it was supposed to be $43 OFF the original price, not $43 in general.. HOWEVER.. A FEW peoples orders slipped through, so SOME people go their $300 seat for $43.. every one else's order just dissapeared with a ageneric email that eventually followed.

There are Facebook groups, Cafemom groups, messages board, etc over ridden with angry mothers.I'll say.. I'm ticked too.. but now, I'm just more angry at the lack of customer service, when I finally got an english speaking supervisor on the phone, he was rude, bored & annoyed sounding. I get it..I bet he WAS annoyed by that point..but a SALES job means being nice.. Believe me..I know its hard..but its your JOB. I didnt even get offered an apology.Just a flat, bored tone of sheer annoy-ism..

So now, I've been searching high & low trying to find the best car seat possible now, for the least amount of money. Andy flat out does NOT fit in his seat anymore. We cant safely wait any longer,I've been trying to stretch until Christmas but it just isnt an option any longer. I finally decided on the Nautilus from Walmart, $122 with 97cent shipping.. Thats $20 less than if I drove to Target & picked one up right now. And realistically, as tall as Andy is, this seat will last him until he is 10 years old, or can ride with oput a booster. It IS a better deal for us, but I dont like being "taken" and I beleive Target took quite a few people.. and quite a few people are PISSED.

Stupid Target...I'm on a Target Ban for as long as I can manage... BOO TARGET!!

Thats all =0)

I have lots more to say about lots of things, but Ryan just woke up.. So.. Ta Ta for now my friends..

And remember..We no longer like Target..

It will be hard.. but I'm going to try to stear clear as long as possible.. Not that they will notice or care..but damnit, in my head, its *doing something*!!!!

As requested...HOP BALLS!

2008-11-15T14:51:00.000-05:00

OOkkayy..

Finally..its here, the long awaited.. HOP BALL REVIEW!!! ((insert WHOOPPWHHOOPPP here))

My mom took Andy for dinner the other night.. I was laying on the floor with Ryan while Mike folded some laundry & it hit me.

I CAN BLOW UP THE HOP BALL!! ANDY ISNT HERE!!!

I was excited..to say the least. Mike got out the automatic pump thingy that we use on the air mattress & we pumped this baby up!

I hopped on.. and..... I fell off.. on my ass.. It needed more air..

So.. we pumped again... and I just sort of stumbled on my ass...

More air... FINALLY.. I HOPPED!!!!!!!!!!! ..Sort of.. it was no "three feet in the air" like the website says though...

This is my view (listen..you can hear it sticking to the floor..Nope, that isnt my ass sticking to the ball..THAT came later..)

Thats me..hopping along in the hall.. Its pretty hard to hop and take a video.. I might add..And no.. I'm not that fat that I was squashing the thing..It STILL needed more air..but I lack a little thing called...PATIENCE.. So.. I hopped anyway.

Ryan digs the hop ball too... He thought it was hysterical when I held him on it by himself.. Its very very very hard to hold a baby on a hop ball & take a picture.. all by yourself..so.This is the best I got.

Thats right.. No makeup.. free Miller High Life shirt & sweatpants.. Getting a mustache ride..
(I cant believe I'm putting this here b/c my family reads this but omg.. how could I NOT..LOOK AT HIM! He's got the handlebar stache!!!!)

another unsuccessful try..

So.. oh we half bounced.. damn me & my impatience... I will say this..I actually LOL'd..Yes..I laughed OUT LOUD.. All alone by myself as Ryan watched me from the living room & I said..and I quote... "WWHHHHEEEEEE!!!" and then died laughing because.. I am alone, by myself.. 24 years old, in my hall way, bouncing on a giant plastic ball & saying WWWHHHEEEE.

Let me tell you. that thing IS a work out.. I broke a sweat bouncing around.. And you reallyu do get a good butt/thigh work out..I felt the burn!!!
So yes..I bounced around in my underwear..those sweatpants got very hot.. ok??? And I also will say..the ball DID in fact stick to my ass when I stood up from bouncing..and that made me laugh too.. I called Mike to tell him, I thought it was so funny.

I also may have called out "whhooohhoooo" at one point.. I dont remember..Things get a little fuzzy..

I've been asked several times..so I'll add quickly..No..my boobs didnt knock me out. FYI ;-)

Then, worrying Andy would come home & steal my sunshine, I stuffed mustache man in my closet, with a blanket over him..

And then yes... the next day..I shut the bedroom door while Andy napped & bounced for a minute.. And it was fun..and mine. ALLLL MIIINNEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

I give Hop Balls an A+. One I find the "correct amount of air" as the website discusses, I fully do believe I will bounce.... not 3 feet..but perhaps one, off the ground. Maybe if I get back to my once tiny statue..I COULD bounce 3 feet off the air..but uh.. Not for now.
And if I never do reach maximum height, the excitement & happiness of feeling like a child again were worth it all in their own!!!

A boy & his cat.

2008-11-14T20:23:00.000-05:00

Well.. Mike went to pick our kitty up from her "surgery" today.

He said he waiting in line behind 2 people & when he came up, they said "Fluffy?" ( the name we gave for her) he said Yes..and then a doctor and a few nurses walked out somberly..

They asked "Your here for Fluffy??"

Yes.. Mike said.. This is where he told me "It was like, taking your mom to the hospital & they were about to tell me she didn't make it!!"

They told him that Fluffy has had a positive test for feline leukemia.. and they are REALLY sorry.. So Mike says "like,..cancer??" They explain it as an autoimmune deficiency, and that she needs to come back in 2 weeks for more blood draws so they can send it off to a more comprehensive facility to be tested to be sure. So Mike says "..Autoimmune..like.. AIDS???"

They tell him "Yes..sort of .. feline AIDS"

Mike comes home & tells me "Dude..shes got the HIV" ( pronounce HIV..not H-I-V)

WHAT!?!??!?!?!?!?

Basically, if she catches a cold, she could die from it. She got it from her mother, who before she died got all wonky, got a cough & basically went nuts. Feline leukemia attacks the neurological system when very far gone.. Coughing is a symptom.. So.. our little kitty was born into this sad cruel disease.

I cant lie..For the first few hours, I looked at Fluffy with new eyes.. I mean.. shes sort of like a transsexual hooker whose got an STD!!!

We always thought she was a boy..until she got pregnant.. by some random guy she likely met in a back alley ( or..her brother..eh!) so..she puts out for anyone, obviously.. And well..now we know..she's got the FIV!!!! That dirty kitty...

I think most of my shock was that "now we have TWO indoor cats" If we let her back outside, its a death sentence for her. She will catch a cold, or a sickness from the other cats that roam our redneck hood and..well.. die. And as Mike said "I spend $80 on her..shes not going outside to die damnit"

So, after the appropriate research ( no, humans cant get it, no dogs cant get it.. Max is neutered so unless they fight & draw blood or bite.. he wont get it either) I feel ok.. She potentially could live a very long life, as long as we keep her healthy & keep her from getting sick. I will add this though.. According to her papers & online..FIV and cat leukemia are 2 different things, which often coincide..She technically doesn't have cat AIDs.. she has cat leukemia..but it sounds WAY more dramatic to say that our cat not only had an abortion but shes got AIDs too.. So.. Yeah.. I'm always one for dramatics! =0)

We have a new cat..And I got to name her..

HER name.. is Chuck.

On a completely unrelated note..I read the entire Twilight book today. All 498 pages.. from 8am to 3pm.. I'm a fast reader.... Obviously..

I really want to go see the movie, the book was AMAZING!! I see what everyone raves about! One of the things on my "To Do" list is to see a movie by myself.. I am thinking this might be my one.. We shall see!

Argh.

2008-11-13T11:01:00.000-05:00

Well..Mike just dropped "Flussie" off for her..big day...

And I decided to clean the crap out of the closet... yes..AGAIN.

Why, you may ask?? WELL! Let me tell you..

Last night my mom took Andy to her house for dinner so I..... BLEW UP MY HOP BALL!!!!!!!!!!!

That is a WHOLE different post in itself, which dont you worry, will come soon. BUT! Now I had to.. well.. hide it!!! Its mine & I'm not sharing damnit, so until Christmas comes & Andy gets his.. mine will remain hidden except for when I sneek into the bedroom alone to hop around on the floor. (And yes..I have already done this..that thing is a GOOD work out!!!!)

So!! Its too big to hide under my little table where I hid the exercise ball Andy is obsessed with so I stuffed it in the closet with a blanket over it for last night.. This morning, I opened our ONE hall closet & tackled the mess that I call "Mikes hording of junk given to him by people"

Yes.. You see.. My dear husband can not say NO. People give him stuff.. often with the "we were just going to throw this away but I thought I'd give it to you instead" which is OH so sweet..and Mike just CANT say NO. It doesnt matter if he will NEVER EVER EVER even touch the thing, he will say "Oh wow! Thanks!!" and then KEEP it. SERIOUSLY..People he meets at SCHOOL..even our NEIGHBOR give him random CRAP!!!

Not "Oh wow thanks!!" and then donate it to GoodWill later with out them ever needing to know..

Nope..I love my sweet sensitive husband, but he attaches love to objects.

While he does have great parents, he didnt have the childhood, or connection or, in my opinion, secure, wanted feeling that children deserve, as unfortunately, most children of divorce wind up with at some point in their life, so now.. He seems to attach the feeling of being loved or cared about to people giving him THINGS.

Please dont get me wrong, I'm not "dissing" Mikes family yo.. I'm just saying, that in general, often children who come from divorced families wind up with their own issues, or insecurities, or sadnesses from that divorce & lack of 2 biological parents. Not always, but from what I've seen, quite often.

We've been working really hard on it, trying to remind him that the memory isnt in the sweater, or the ball, or the shirt, but the memory is with HIM. After his step dad, Greg passed away Mike held on to all of his old clothes.. Thats totally okay, but it got to the point where Mike had no room for more clothes ( that fit him) and he was getting rid of clothes that he wore, and clothes that fit him, to keep 5 identical shirts that are 3 sizes too big & he never wore. So, we took some time to take pictures of objects/clothes/etc and to make a little "memory piece" out of his 2 favorite shirts & donate the rest to people who could really use them.Which, in the end Mike said he felt good about, because he knew that Greg was a giver too, and we both remember one time he tells us about these pretty glass coasters we have "If you have them use them. Dont just keep them around, actually use what you have." And Mike felt that giving them to people who would be able to use them, was a good thing in the spirit of Greg.

I'm lucky he's such a sweet, caring, thoughtful man. I hope I dont sound like I'm complaining.. I'm complaining more about the massive amounts of things he is hording in the TINY amount of storage space we have.. Which is ONE closet. A SMALL one..closet..We use my moms basement for storage right now & I cant even tell you how much stuff down there, are Mikes things that I could bet money on, he doesnt even know what is in there!!

SO.. The whole point of this.. duh.. I've been trying to stress to Mike .. NO BIG CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

I personally, would really like to ask of people to only get each child ONE toy. Pamela gave the suggestion to ask for people to put money towards an extra year of Preschool for Andy,which I LOVE. I also like the idea of Gymboree/Little Gym/etc classes for the kids.. We dont NEED more toys.. Both boys have a savings account, both kiddos have a college account. I'd MUCH rather, while we are in a SMALL house and they are young, have people give to this type of thing.. in a few years the kids will "know" and have gifts they actually ask for.. I'd like to be able to do this while we can get away with it, so to speak. My family has always done "Christmas Lists" where you write down a few things you'd like.. As a kid, mine was always changing..making sure my BIG #1 was at the top of my list!! I just figured, everyone did that? I mean.. why would someone want to get you agift that you dont need/want/already have/dont have room for??? I would much rather get someone something they actually WANT or can use.. Right??

I already over did it on the gifts for the kids.. not in quantity. but a select few special toys that are bigger than I'd prefer.(Damn co-op pricing..) I've passed the word on "SMALL gifts!!!" to my family, but then Mike told me that his family doesnt do that.. No lists, no mentioning of what people would like, etc..

And I was suprised..I guess I thought Christmas Lists were something most people did..I mean.. When you "go see Santa" dont kids have their little list in mind to tell him what they want??

So, it got me wondering..Do you do Christmas Lists?? I know I read in a magazine one lady keeps a Word document all year & adds little notes to it when she comes up with an idea through out the year so she can pass it on to family & I thought that was a great idea! No doubles of toys, everything you KNOW the person will like!!Right??

Am I just crazy???? I might be.. I go from "Man this closet has alot of junk.." to wondering "Does everyone to Christmas Lists??"

...I often wonder if other peoples minds work the way mine does..or if I'm actually crazy...

The world may never know.

=*(

2008-11-11T23:40:00.001-05:00

I saw this video today on a fellow blogger & mamas page...

I started out thinking "Oh dear.." as her title was "get your tissues..."

Well..just watch it..then we'll talk..

Ya know..I started it with "Okay....this wont be that bad..."

..then I went to" .....this is really touching...How beautiful.."

THEN I went to.. "Wow...this is so emotional!!.... wait..why is dad bending over her stroaking her..shuddering holding back tears??"

Then I thought.. "wait..why would 50 people be at this birth, taking ALL these pictures...no..no...oh..Mom seems so happy..No..."

And by the time it was over I was HYSTERICAL with tears...

I can honestly say..I admire & am SO jealous of this family. To have the strength, the courage and THE FAITH to find the happiness they did in sorrow, the courage they found to be the way that they were with the sad situation they had found themselves in, the strength they had to carry on through their breif time with smiles, and the ...the just FAITH that they have..

I admire people who have such a strong faith that when they lose a loved one, they can comfort themselves by knowing their loved one is with Jesus.
I just..I'm not religous.I dont know exactly what my beliefs are..and me & the big Man are a-ok with how we roll..
But to have THAT kind of relationship... I just..I know if I was ever in these shoes..I could never be that strong, that brave, and that wonderful as this family has been..

I admire them, so VERY much to have found the happiness, the grace, composure & the strength to turn what some people could never do, into the most joyous thing that they could. A celeration of what little time they got, instead of a mourning over what they would never have.

Weeell...

2008-11-11T13:16:00.001-05:00

Lets see..whats new..

The gray kitty is just..gone.. =*(

The little orange one is pregnant & all alone.. So, my gift to myself, "doing good to cat-kind" is that tomorrow she is going to a local Planned Pethood. they operate on donations & voulenteers & spay, neuter & vaccinate, as well as provide well care, flea treatment & screenings at a VERY VERY VERY low cost so people can take in abandonded & feral cats & have them cared for instead of being taken to a shelter & eventually killed.

So.. since they dont spay cats until they are 6 months old (as she is..) this happens alot.. outdoor kittens get pregnant themselves.. and as sad as it makes me to think about it.. She will no longer be "in the family way" when we pick her up on Thursday.

Both Mike & I felt really bad thinking about it, but after reading online how cats under the age of 1 who have kittens can die from child birth, give birth to still borns or disfigured or deformed kittens & have a high chance of complications. I know its whats best for all in the end. Brining more kittens into the already over populated animal world is never good & I dont advocate people breeding for any reason actually. Not show dogs, not designer dogs, not to teach kids about nature..Nothing.

So.. she'll come back to us Thursday still a kitten who wont be a mommy. And its sad..but I know its whats best. We'll continue to treat & vaccinate her but I think she's going to be an indoor/outdoor cat. Let her in at night, when its cold.. but once Andy gets going chasing her yelling "Nononon kittens..and..lots..MITTENS.. nonononn.. shal NO PIE!!!!" her ears go back & she looks somewhere to hide.. SO. I think especially when the weather is nice, she'll be find outside for most of the time. But, she'll be up to date on all her vet care so when she is inside, it wont be a worry around our indoor pets or children, of course.

We have such a small house & with the air mattress blow up, we've had to keep the door to the bedroom shut & it doesnt leave her much room to hide right now!

So.. wish us luck & her some speedy recovery vibes. =(

So..Ryan has suddenly developed a LOVE for food! Its hilarious, Andy never really got into eating until he was over a year old, so I never got to see this, but Ryan opens his mouth & *chews* with this little old man face, it cracks me up! He LOVES it. He's like everything we've tried, sweet potatoes, squash, apples & pears. Andy, ALSO likes it. He says "Andy bite....Ryne bite...Andy bite..Ryne bite" and they each eat a bite out of the little dish.. Its probably the most vegetables Andy has eaten in MONTHS. Which is fine by me! He also likes to wipe both of their faces with a cloth when it gets messy. He's a goooodd helper!

Ryans second tooth has broken through.. and he is in LOVE with standing. He holds on to things with one hand, waves his other hand & then plopshimself down when he sees something he wants to go after next. He squeals & laughs & just loves being up. He "4 walks" at a lightening fast speed now.. He doesnt have time for his knees to touch the ground..he just GOES.

Its been really sweet to watch the 2 of them lately, they're starting to actually play together. And boy..Ryan is BIG. He took a block from Andys block train he was building & Andy took him down to the groud trying to get it back.. Ryan held on the whole time & just went down.. no giving up the block for him!!! Andy has shot up a few inches ( maybe 2?) in the last 1-2 months so Ryan now comes to a little below Andys shoulders.. which for a 21 month difference, isnt much. They're sweet... My 2 "bes friends" as Andy calls them...

Andy is really talking..SO much! he sings his fvaorite songs & rhymes.. He has a new favorite book. The Third Story Cat. ( my old book!) and he reads it to himself.. talks about " and..OHH!! the cat jump..and OHH butterfly!! OOohh dogs barking!" ( these all actually happen in the book too...) Its pretty very adorable to watch. He tells us "Big turd in da butt..'s go fush it!!!" And we change him & flush it.. and he waves bye bye.. lol.

His new favorite song is "All I wanna Do" by Sugarland. He sings "whhoo ho ho ho hooo" and when he watches the music video, it shows a chicken so anytime he hears the song, at the point the chicken would be shown he whispers "LOOOOKK!! CHICKEN!!!!!!!!!!" in an amazed voice..Mike is very annoyed with the song by now..but I like it =X

Hm.. Think thats about it for now! Both boys are napping so I'm going to go watch The Hills from last night & relax while I can!!!

You dont understand..I DONT mop..

2008-11-06T16:02:00.000-05:00

I can honestly say, I have no memories of my mother mopping..I'm not saying she didnt..but I can not recall ever seeing her mop ( that beign said.. for some reason I dont remember ANYTHING about my junior year of high school either....)

Mike on the other hand, recalls his mom mopping daily..

Well... I DONT mop.I just...dont do it! I did in Florida b/c the whole house was hard floors.. then I nearly cracke dmy head while slipping & pregannt & have maybe mopped.. a handful? Of times since then..If I need mopping done, I ask Mike.. which ..I never ask Mike..maybe once every few months.. I know..gross.. but I mean.. its just the kitchen really.. and we dont exactly eat off the floors.. ( ok..Andy occasionally pretends to be a dog & he does but WHATEVER!!)

ANYWAY!! I get down on the floor & spray & wipe..l but I just DONT like that big stupid mop & bucket..its annoying..I'd go as far as to say..I HATE IT!

I clean the bathroom floor with Clorox Wipes, LOL..

...I'm feeling suddenly embarrassed..

No no..I'm sharing my embarrasingness to help others like me..

SO!!! I was reading a thread on "environmental friendly mopping" on DS, and I learned about hard floor cleaners..steam mops!

DUDE. I had NO idea these excisted mmkay??? So..I checked the out a week & a half ago.... and then.. a few days ago..I was STILL thinking about it, SO.. I figured, that means i REALLY do want it.. SO.... Mike told me to buy it =)

(it was my Christmas gift!! Last year...I got a dust buster.. YAY!!!)

It came super quick..Walmarts 97cent shipping aint bad 'yall ;-)

Annnddd.. here is my product review!!

Bissel Steam Mop

Before starting...

Easy to assemble..only 2 screws!!

You fill it with lukewarm water...it says wait for light to light up to start....Light was on from the start..so, no waiting time.. Niicee!!!

Its a microfiber washable mop head.. which at first, since it was so clean/un used..it sort of stuck to the floor.. which was akward but as it became wet/used it moved acrossed the floor alot easier..but it did smell a little funny at first....

Your supposed to hold it for 15 seconds over each spot.. I.... probably held it for 5 seconds..LOL

It lacks *scrubbers* so while yes, it does steam the stuck crap off the floor, its not a bad idea to wipe over it with a towel of your own just to get the little stuck stuff off of the floor.. ya know what I mean?? It doesnt pick things up along the wall, or the corners, so I wiped along the edge with a towel of my own, which did the job & wasnt hard to do..

Here is half of the floor clean vs the unclean half...

I would say "look closely" but um..its pretty obvious.. that top layer of .....scum...LOL.. Yeah..well..it takes it off!!!!!!!

I did think it left a good amount of water on the floor, which I'm sure in hindsight I could have taken the mop cloth off & wrung it out, but it did bump my leg when I took it over a baby gate & it was actually pretty hot!!!!

So..I did this....

which not only wiped up the excess water, it picked up anything the mop didnt after it had been steamed off the floor!!!

And the end result of the kitchen AND bathroom...

And that baby STEAMS.. The bathroom filled up like a hot shower was running!!!

I'll say..I'm impressed!! It takes longer than mopping since you do spot by spot, but it does a very good job, there are no chemicals involved, its easy to use. The mop heads are washable & it comes with 2, but when those 2 wear out, they are $20 for 2 more..Considering I paid $70 for the whole machine, thats a bit much, and I will probably make my own out of my own microfibertowels. I give it a B+ because it could leave less water behind, it had a very small tank so it needs to be filled often, but those arent big deals, just inconvient & it really does the job!!

So.. I decided I should be aproduct tester.. techincally I already do this *for work* but..i think I should upgrade..So, if there are any products your curious about..you can go ahead & send me the money to buy them, try them & then review them for you!! Good idea huh????

Well..

2008-11-05T10:35:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we went to the super awesome red playground to play with Sam, Jack & Ellie...

Andy was reeally excited but told me before we left he didnt want to see Ellie ( shes Ryans age)

We ended up getting there an hour earlier than everyone else & by the time they got there, my batteries died..but here are the pictures I got =)

Andy & Sam.. I think he was getting tired by the time they got there b/c he just sort of hung out on this car for awhile...

He decided he liked baby Ellie.. and held her hand for awhile!! =)

I love this..

He LOVES the big slides!

my sweet boy!

Love this!!

up up...

It was a long play..Andy fell asleep on the couch waiting for Ryan to get put to bed last night!!! Thats a first.. ;-)

ps

2008-11-03T13:11:00.001-05:00

Houston?? We have a TOOTH!!!!

..Yup..

2008-11-03T12:39:00.001-05:00

I have a bad habit of waiting so long before I eat that I'm shaking & about to pass out ( once, in high school..twice actually..I DID pass out!! Go me!) And Mike has a love for things "you can pop in the microwave and eat" So, today I was STARVING..looking in the freezer & found a burrito Mike got..it says on the package-
"Made with real cheese"

..... as..opposed...to what???? Ew..

But uh... yes..I did in fact eat it..and it was good.

And that brings me to this.. I have been whining to Mike about being "fat and bloated" all weekend... (what? its true!!) Last night I was laying on the floor with Andy & Ryan & Andy was pointing out my body parts, which.. thanks to Mike, include "boobies" now.. He lifted my shirt..patted my tummy & said "Moms fat tummy" LOL!! I about died laughing.. Mike still doesn't believe me, that I must have prompted him to say so.. .Buuutt..I didn't..and I'm not mad, or offended, I think its pretty hilarious! I keep asking him "Moms what??" seeing if he'll say it again..Today he told me I have a BIG fat tummy!!! Better lay off those "real cheese" products mama!!!

On another "out of the mouths of babes" note... In the mornings & at night, I prompt Andy to tell his brother "good night" or "good morning" and that he loves him.. This morning Andy says "Love you brother".. then said "Love you..MATT."
Uncle Matt?? I asked..he nodded..I asked if he loves Mischa..he said "Yes, love Mursha" then we went on to think.. and then told me he loves Nikki, Johnny & Gamps.. (and then proceeded to ask to go Trick or Treat with them..AGAIN!!) then he thought for a minute & said "Andy love CARS!!!" LOL!! We both had a bit giggle over that one!

Andy is reaallyy gaining on his words ( obviously, as my fat tummy knows!!!) when he poops now he comes & tells you "Big turd in the butt" LOL Mike dies laughing every time.. Eiihh...

He told me in the car the other day "cheeseburger samwich in da mouth????" while pointing at his mouth...Yes..I got him a cheeseburger..How could I not after THAT?!

Ahh.. fun stuff!!!!

I realized something important yesterday..

I told Mike.. "Wanna know something REALLY pathetic??? Almost all of the kids Christmas gifts..there is one for each of them...and for me too..and its sort of killing me that I have to wait for Christmas, when they get theirs, to get mine too.. Because well..I really want to use them! But I don't want to share.. so..I have to wait" LOL!! And sadly..its true!!! I have a giraffe Zoobie, waiting for me.. a stuffed animal, pillow & blanket all in one sitting in the Christmas box in the closet..and I want it! I've had perfect occasions to curl up all alone with that soft, plush little thing..but.. once I do.. Andy will confiscate it for himself..so..Alas.. it sits,stuffed in a box full of Mr.Potato head products & glow sticks & squishy balls.... ((sigh)) It MUST be lonely..Ryan's elephant & Andy's croc are in another box all together...

Andy is getting this for Christmas ( the kid REALLY needs to burn off some energy & in the winter, there aren't a ton of options...)

And uh... (((cough)))... I got THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...It SAYS its for ages 13-99.... I fall in that category!! And um.. its ALSO exercise..which apparently, according to Andy, my fat ass needs!! Soo....... SHUTTUP! You KNOW you want one.. mmmkay??? On the website it even has quotes from buyers..and one person said "Thank you Thank you!! I have wanted one of these since 1980!!!" And ya know what?? ME TOO DAMNIT!! I ALWAYS wanted one of those as a kid..so.. now its my turn!!!!

Here is the kicker...I was laying in bed last night thinking about it.. and how incredibly excited I am for it.. and I was really sad, I'll have to wait for Christmas b/c if I blow it up when t comes..Andy will steal it.. Then I thought..

...well...maybe.. I could blow it up..and just lock myself in the bedroom & bounce around on it by myself!! And then hide it when I'm done!!!!!!

..And then.. I realized.. I have a problem. I really, really do. And there is also a REALLY large chance I'm fairly immature in many many MANY ways...

That doesn't really bother me though.. but what DOES bother me, is that I am STILL going to have to wait for Christmas to be able to use that damn ball for myself!! LOL

One of our outdoor kitties is pregnant.. As Mike says "damn inbreeding rednecks!!!" ( I mean..come on..if your a follower you KNOW about my neighborhood..kay??) iam SO sad though.. We really dont have the money to take the to the vet & our neighbor who wanted to got laid off.. His vet told him neutering outdoor cats gives them a disadvantage in the wild b/c they lose some of their "animal instinct" But geeze..these kittens are SMALL.. Their mama was tiny too.. and they're barely 7 months old!! We're going to try to talk to this tiny pet store ( locally owned.. dont worry) down the road & see if they'll take the kittens when they're old enough.. they always have a sign that says "kittens wanted' then a week later "kittens for sale" @@ Not ideal, but I see lots of college girls walking out of there with tiny kittens so.. its the least Mike & I can do.. we were naive & silly once, not realizing that cute tiny free kitten in the pet store would turn into Max's fat shitty ass!! So.. really.. its the LEAST we can do in return for our own experience ;-)

But geeze..poor thing... It snowed the other day & they freaked out.. I cant let them in..fleas.. the kids.. so many reasons.. Both us & our neighbor have built little "kitten houses" for them to shield them from the elements.. hopefully they take advantage of it =(

So.. yep.. I obsessively tried to get Ryan down for a nap since ANdy is sleeping too & thank GOD.. Finally I won.. I am needing "alone" ( aka blogging or computer...) time BADLY. I've been EXHAUSTED lately..I took TWO, count them..TWO naps last week!! I DO NOT NAP. Period.. I NEVER do..I did a FEW times during both pregnancies.. THATS how tired I've been.. As of today its "Time for a Change" and Mike is going to remember our original agreement of his balancing school time better, We agreed, I can handle his absence around the house during this schooling process, if he can handle giving up "his" time ( his time IS school time.. hes alone, hes out of the house..that IS his time!!!) and he can do more of "kid time" and "give Claire her time" when he is home...instead of what we currently have which is "Mikes school time" and "Mikes TV time.." Because unfortunately, playing with the kids, doesnt count if your also watching TV..and they are playing on the floor...and your in a chair..

SOOO.. Mike said this time its a "change you can believe in".. I gagged..and just told him that this needs to be a change I can trust ;-)

Dont forget people.. vote tomorrow!!!!
I already did.. hopefully it will be worth my $1.17 in postage.. if not.. Someone is going to get seriously yelled at.

Oh..and please.. no one fall for the "Didnt you hear?? Republicans are voting on Tuesday..Dem's vote on Wed.." line.. Seriously.. if I ever meet someone who ACTUALLY believes that..I might have to hurt myself..for having laid eyes on a person THAT stupid.

Fat tummy mama, OUT.

The crawl...

2008-11-01T19:58:00.001-04:00

Ryan has a special crawl..he started it when he REALLY wants to get somewhere...and now he just does it... well..in general..

This isnt the best,but its the best I got!!!

It is HILARIOUS to see him from behind.. toddling away on all fours!! Ahh..Its scary how quickly he started all this stuff this last week!! =(

And here is Ryan..REALLY excited to be standing...(Yes.. a toy box DID in fact throw up in my home..and yes..Andy sits on TOP of our futon & it is permanantly squashed like that.. or so I tell myself...)

And last but not least..Ohh.. SURELY not least..LOL!!

I was trying to get a video of Ryan crawling away from me.. and I just thought I'd offer it up.. so each of you can experience a moment in the life of..ME

And last, but not least... I was nursing & rocking Ryan down for a nap the other morning..Andy started to put Bear to bed..I got Ryan down..came to see Andy all tucked inder the pillows & HE was nursing BEAR!!

How sweet!!!

Can you explain this to me???

2008-10-28T18:49:00.000-04:00

..I just opened up a Babies R Us catalog I got in the mail.. to check out these "gifts under $20"

..Since when is $19.99 under $20????? Seriously???? I hate Toys/Babies R Us.. they may possibly have everything in just one store..but they are OUTRAGEOUSLY over priced..It amazes me people still shop "normally"
I dont pay retail for ANYTHING. I went to catch Kohls "Biggest Sale of the Season" last night when I realized I needed a winter coat..

$220 Columbia jacket.. on sale for $140..

I come home, googled the coat & the "average price" for it ANYWHERE is $130-$149.. Soo.. Kohls marked it up & then marked it DOWN. I googled a coupon code, got free shipping & got the coat in the color that I actually wanted ( which wasnt in the store) for $118 shipped.

I remember seeing this super awesome blow up slide/pool/sprinkler marked down 40% and Kohls last summer & being like "WOW! What a STEAL!!" So I got it ($20..) came home & was telling a friend in an email about it, looked it up online for a pic & Amazon sells it for yes.. $20, LOL.. I didnt get a steal!! I got ther TYPICAL PRICE!!

I must be an idiot, because I never realized this.. I have never worked in a department store, I've worke dat retail clothing stores..Tommy Hilfiger, Vanity, DKNY.. I got hired at a Ralph Lauren storee & then declined it.. At Tommy, I got a 50% discount on all my purchases & a 25% disacount on clearance items. Soo..I paid $3 for mens shirts half the time.. I never CARED what the prices were b/c um.. I got good deals anyway.. ya know??

But now.. well.. I'm an adult!! Peopl esay babies are SOOO expensive.. but I really dont believe so.. I mean.. sure, they CAN be.. If YOU choose to buy $100 baby shoes.. But I have a fond love of resale.. and co-ops...

I will shell out the money for some kids stuff, for SURE. I mean.. God knows I of all people have a shopping addiction..but I NEVER pay retail!!! $350 top of the line car seats.. Um.. only with a 20% off coupon, free shipping & $5 return if you dont like it or it doesnt fit in your car..

Gently used Polo & Tommy kids clothes that still have new tags on at a resale store for $5..duh!

Basically every Christmas gift this year is from a co-op, or with a snazzy deal from Snapfish..

No waiting until things go on sale, and them being out of stock.. Get yourself a MyPoints account & use retailmenot.com or couponmountian.com
Hell..just type in "OLD NAVY COUPON CODE" (or whatever store your using) and I promise you, every time you will find between 15% off, to free shipping, to $5 off a $20 purchase..Its just basic knowledge now'days..

Isnt it??????????

More pics...

2008-10-27T23:05:00.000-04:00

look at his hand!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!

Andy & Bear..heading to 'Gamps with Daddy this last weekend!! Too cute right?

One of the frames I made the other day...out of wrapping paper =)

Ryans new soaker!!

Andy today..he seemed to have gotten up from his nap too early & changed his mind!!!

Andy really likes when Mike gets home from school to put him to bed.. Check him out..

Yes..its bad that he is imitating Mike drinking a beer, blah blah..what a bad example.We really need to think about what images we want to portray to our children & assess their mental/social/emotional blah blah..
GET OVER IT. Its sweet to see a boy wanting to be just like daddy.. Andy asks for toilet paper to wipe his butt, JUST LIKE DAD..
We're good parents, we love our kids & do more for them than our parents did for us so, as I assume they will with their children one day.we also do more than a typical parent does, sadly, now a days, much less a YOUNG family!! SO..keep it to yourself, I dont care. Its a cute video. Period.

aannndd here is Ryan this morning...I never let him play with the "skishy ball" but he got ahold of it today & was hysterical with laughter!!

Feeling honest...

2008-10-27T22:29:00.000-04:00

I am tired of people not caring about my feelings, people who are selfish ( yes i WAS selfish, but as a teen...your SUPPOSED to be..whas you excuse as an ADULT?) I am tired of people whining like they are 7 years old, I am tired of manipulative, self centered, snobby people. Grow up & get over yourself. Your NOT that fabulous. If you were..you wouldnt need to toot your own horn moron!

I am tired of Mike being right and I am ..not sad..not let down.. just.. disgusted, maybe..that all those "best friends" who were guys , that Mike insisted only liked me b/c they wanted a chance with me, DID drop off the face of the earth when I was off the market.. I always have been stupidly trusting of people who dont deserve it, now havent I?

I am tired of all the fake friends I have. People I've known for YEARS who only have something to say when they dont have anyone else who can understand.. Girls who find themselves pregnant, or in a relationship issue & oh gee.. they cant talk to their friends who arent there yet..but Oh.. CLAIRE! SHE'S there.. and its only when I am of use, that they come to talk to me.. I want SOO badly to tell them where to go when it happens again & again, but I instead, turn the other cheek & offer sincere helpoful advice.. Maybe it IS time I stop & stand up for myself.. Thats the only way it will stop happening, right??

I believe some people, MANY people, never truly "leave highschool" And I feel sad for them. It must be miserable to be SO worried about what everyone thinks of you, being fake, feeling worried about being judged..

I am a jealous person. I never knew it, then again..I never had anyone worth being jealous over, until I met Mike.

I am tired of hearing "well the __(baby,toddler,child) wouldnt let me.." You weigh at the least 100 lbs more than your child..what do you mean THEY wont LET you?? COME ON.

I really dislike how people are so very fake. They are one way in front of friends/some family, etc..but thats different from who they REALLY are. I've seen ALOT of this before, and there is nothing prettier than a person who smiles for a camera out of happiness.. but there is nothing good in pictures of people who are so worried about how they look that each picture shows the tenseness in their bodies & faces. it shows on film ya know... being YOURSELF, and having the confidence to say :if they dont like me as I am" and to RECOGNIZE that you ARE self conscious & to still be, but to stop putting on an air.. THAT is gorgeous, admirable, and all around FABULOUS.

I LOVE people who gift for the reason of giving to do good. Paying it Forward.. nothing in return but the pleasure of doing something nice for someone, that they know, or not. I've had several people do this for me in the last few weeks, and it always happens when I least expect it and most need it.. And I pass it on too.. So in turn, it comes back to me again. For this I am grateful.

You can not accept the light if you can not pass on the light as well.....In order to enjoy whats been given to you, you must also know the pleasure of giving that happiness to someone as well. If you keep it to yourself, you dont get the joy that comes from sharing!

I can count my FRIENDS on one hand.. And I appreciate them very much.. people dont get it.. those people have obviously never had a TRUE best friend... I'm lucky enough to be someone who does know..

Mike said it snowed today on his way home from school.. I cant wait! I bought myself a new winter coat..FINALLY!! I had a bad day today & Mike decided I needed to go find it TODAY. He's sweet..

I feel so guilty every time I go outside, not letting those kittens in..I know, its what sbest for US.. But I worry about THEM. Sweet bugs..

For some stupid reason I decided to get a flu shot this year..the nurse was a real bitch, to be quite honest..Anyone who doesnt even smile or blink when a child is being super sweet & cute in front of them, cant be a fabulous person, in my opinion.. Sure enough, I have a black bruise the size of a quarter on my arm. Not only does she hate kids, but she was a crappy shot giver.. Just my luck.

I am having a bad day... can you tell?? LOL! I have SOO much I want to say, but hold alot of it in..I figure, this is a tiny step in the right direction..If someone reads this & doesnt like what I've said.. I really dont care..dont come back to my blog then!!! I NEED to start unloading.. I know this was started to be about the kiddos..but this is my place too.. So.. Yeah..

Hang on, or get out.

Trick or Treat!

2008-10-27T11:42:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Trick or Treat. I've been prepping Andy .. so he would say "say trick or treat" ( I say say before hand & he repeats that part too, lol)

My best friend drove up to see us & wound up T or T'ing with us too! Andy didnt quite get the hang of it til the 3rd house maybe.. when he found someone who insisted he "take another...one more!" When he finished, said thank you & turned to walk back, the biggest grin EVER lit up his sweet little face.. like "THIS..is... AMAZING." lol! He decided "Shammon" is much cooler than mom & asked her to hold his hand the whole way, which was sweet to see, but the mom in me, of course, was a bit hurt. But, HE chose it, so.. I let them be.

I wound up feeling a little left out so Mike swapped Ryan in the Ergo to me, thanks Mike.. and we ventured on.. Andy isnt pushy, he isnt rude & he isnt greedy. I realized..I already knew all of that, but he thanked every person & other kids pushed past him & he didnt bat an eye. Not that I want him to be a push over, believe me, but I like to think that hes better mannered than some of the kids who were needing to be told several times "just ONE" and then ran away yelling "this house only gives out ONE!!" in a ticked off manner... Andy was just thrilled to realize all he had to do was ask & say thank you & people gave him treats!!!

We probably only got about 10 houses before it started to rain, so we all loade dup & went home. Where Andy was thrilled with his loot.. I gave him a mini chocolate bar & then he asked for M&Ms while I was cooking..I did the ((tug tug tug)) wow Buddy, its stuck, i cant open it!!! That we usually do & he gives in & I guess I tugged a bit too hard b/c the bag flew open & Andy was THRILLED!! LOL.

Here are some pictures from the last few days..

(we were black eyed peas....And Mike just wanted to wear a cowboy hat, lol)

2008-10-25T14:25:00.000-04:00

Well..Ryan just pulled himself up to stand with the couch..got a good look at the dog, squealed with glee, attracted Andy who ran to him..annnddd.. fell over.

lol. Silly boys!

We are HOT.

2008-10-22T23:24:00.001-04:00

Check us out...

In a week..

2008-10-21T16:24:00.000-04:00

Well, in the last week, we've managed to all get sick. It started with Andy getting a runny nose...then a cough..

Then Ryan got a runny nose..

I started to get a sore throat last week.. used some oral spray & it went away...

Ryan's developing more of a cough now..

Andy just has snot still.

Mike just randomy starts throwing up & is completely out of commission ( you know how sick men are!) last night.. I made him soup from scratch & he went to bed early with Andy.

Today I am weak, shaky, vomiting & feeling like he did last night..

BUT! Somehow I've managed to do some major cleaning today, and even make Halloween cupcakes! haha..Isnt it funny how when a MOM is sick, the world keeps turning, but when Dad is sick it comes to a screeching halt????

((Sigh))

Well..lets see..

Last week Ryan officially switched from creeping, to CRAWLING.

Check him out!!!

I woke up the other day & realized...I think this is the age when Andy randomly yelled "MAMA" and then didnt talk again for MONTHS.. So Ryan & I laid in bed waking up while I said Mama Mama Mama over & over...I did this through out the day.. in the late evening I felg uilty & threw in a few Dada's.. set Ryan on the ground to go get some water & he starts yelling "Dadadadadadadadadada"

DAMNIT.

My plan was foiled.. he laughs at me now when I say Mama.. then gets a silly grin when I say Dada. Silly boy!!!

Andy is officially a naked wild child..The kid refuses to wear pants ( and a diaper!) the SECOND your in a different room than him, its OFF! Then he yells "GO POTTY!!!" Which is just his *excuse* for taking the diaper off, of course, this kiddo has No interest in the potty what so EVER!

Thanks to Mike.. my wonderful husband & fabulous father...when Andy poops he now says one of 2 things..

"Big turd..Andys big turd"

or..

"Dop Deuce" ( since Mike asks "you dropping deuces buddy??"

Ahh.. arent boys lovely?????

Hm..what else is new.. I've drank probably close to a gallon of water today & my lips keep getting dry b/c it just isnt enough, I seem to be dehydrated =(

We were hoping to go a large Zoo this weekend, but its going to be rainy..so we might not even get to Trick or Treat Sunday either.. I'm not going to drag both barely well kids ( and sick parents) out for T or T if its cold & rainy..

My best friend is going to come see us Sunday, either after T or T or if we dont go due to weather, instead of.. I'm excited. Shes never met Ryan & only seen Andy once.. its hard to get together with people when you have little kids & dont live super close...

I've been doing manjor organizing lately.. its a slow process, and its making somewhat of a mess in the process, but is long awaited.. I've even reorganized & labeled my spice cabinet.. Scary huh??

I think thats it! Off to chase Andy with a diaper!

Our Day at the Orchard

2008-10-19T11:45:00.001-04:00

the corn maze..

last say at the Custard place we love!

Ryans claws...

I LOVE this..it could be a magazine Ad!!

it took us about 5 minutes of standing on the hill staring for Mike to say "Wait..are those real?? They havent moved.." to realize all the geeze were fake, LOL! So they "pet the geese"

Food is a no go...

2008-10-19T11:38:00.000-04:00

I tend to be into the whole delaying solids thing for babies, however, Ryan has been REALLY interested in our food, he reaches for it whenever hes close enough, etc.

So, I figured, why not give it a whirl. Rice cereal really dont have anything of nutritional value for babies, but I found an Organic Brown Rice & Probiotics cereal I thought I'd give a whirl anyway..

i love this face!! haa haa!!!

I was wrong.. Maybe we'll try something new in a few more weeks!!!

You tell me...

2008-10-17T21:13:00.003-04:00

Are they brothers??? ;-)

Here is Andy.. he was a little over 3 months old here....

And here is Ryan today..( he was more compliant than Andy!!!)

He was 6 months as of Wed...

..Poor kid..I nearly couldnt get him in, OR out of that outfit, LOL!! Look at the ankles & wrists, oops, LOL!

Fun with PhotoBucket..

2008-10-16T21:34:00.000-04:00

Haha.. Amber, this is for YOU!!!

look close..the leaves are colored!!!

For my Mama!

Happy..

2008-10-15T21:48:00.000-04:00

HAPPY 1/2 BIRTHDAY RYAN!!!!

Mon petit chou is 6 month old today, can you believe it???

He's got himself propped to nearly sitting ( he just doesnt really care for the sit position, he digs the *lean*) He can move through out the house like nobodies business, he cracks up at bat time with his brother, he loves being kissed on BOTH cheeks, he USED to love his boogers being sucked out of his nose..until last night...

Ryan is also a beast.. at 5.5 months, he weighed 18 lb 15 oz.. (For reference..Andy weighs 28 lbs at 25 months old)

He is a smiley boy, a happy boy, a goof! He steals from his brother & also shares, he has a mean left hook, and makes the sweetest Unt noises..

Hes my sweet baby boy, and experiencing him, has made me say ( scary!) I definately want more babies ( SOMEDAY....) because he is SO sweet, If my kids keep being sweeter with every one born, I would have.. 5.. max.. LOL

Happy 6 months Ryan, you slept alot today.. Thank you.

2008-10-14T10:39:00.000-04:00

Ah..lets see..Lots to catch up on!! Our date was super nice ( Thanks M&M!!!)

I'll c&p what we had from their online menus...;-)

Mike had a Stout beer, I had a Bistro-tini-Choice of Ketel One, Grey Goose,dry vermouth ,three blue cheese-stuffed olives to start..
Then we had an app with scallops,shrimp,lobster, sort of a baked scampi with toast.. It was yummy!

For lunch Mike had-Adult mac n’ cheese-Maine lobster & chorizo sausage, roasted banana peppers & onions,white cheddar cream, crispy spinach & orecchiette pasta
and I had-
Seafood pappardelle fresh herb ‘ribbon’ pasta, wild caught sea scallops, crab meat, littleneck clams,black tiger shrimp roasted onions & smoked tomato‐vodka cream
Then for dessert we had-
Blueberry Mille-Feulle -lemon curd & curry spiced blueberries, vanilla,crème fraiche and I had a Mojito-tini.. which had passion fruit & Mango juice mixed it.. It was REALLY good!!

Then after we stuffed ourselves silly, we went to a local park, walked around a little bit, felt a bit sick & went home!! It rocked, we have the best sister & brother EVVEERR!!

Sunday we got up & Andy felt a bit warm, he had a cough & a runny nose.. I feared the worst but Mike insisted we troop on ( remember this, mother ALWAYS knows best...)
Monday, Andy is still snotty, cough-y & sneezy...And oop!! So is RYAN!!!! Hmm.. So, we have a really nice day, Ryan isnt cranky, neither is Andy.. we do some cleaning, I did some exercising, we hang out, blah blah blah..I make a really nice roast, home made potatos, home made gravy ( go me) and green beans.. Andy hasnt been eating much for about a week now.. Mike goes off to school....
All seems fine.. I go to start putting a tired Ryan to be at about 8.. and then again at 9.. and finally at about 9:45 he goes down..poor guy, has a lot of snot, hard to breathe at night.. propped him up.. Andy apparently thinks now, since one night we"wait dad" for Mike to get home & put him to bed that's what we always do.. so while I dealt with Ryan, he opened his little couch, laid blankets & pillows on it & laid down to "wait dad" Okay..I guess that was good because Ryan wakes up again at about 10:15, right as Mike gets home.. I get Ryan back down & go to bed with him.. Mike deals with getting Andy to bed..
Ryan wakes up SCREAMING hysterically ( may I add, this is the first time in all of his 6 months he's ever been difficult at night, lucky us I know!!!) I think "wow, it must be LATE" b/c I feel like I've been asleep for awhile, so we walk to the living room to walk..and huh..Mike is still up?? Its only midnight!!!
Mike goes off to bed so if Ryan wakes Andy up, he's there & we dont have a living room full of screaming kids.. I suck out boogies, jiggle, rock, pat, etc etc a HYSTERICAL Ryan until 2 something AM... FINALLY he goes down.. thank GOD!! Suddenly at 3:30ish hes up again... Yay.I don't know when he goes down b/c the power goes out at some point.. We wake up at 8 am, Ryan is happy..snotty, but happy..and Mommy is.. T-I-R-E-D..

Mike of course "had a horrible night & is SOOO tired" ;-) so he gets to sleep til 9ish.. And well.. here we are! Mike is giving me some time to myself while Ryan takes a nap, so I am blogging.. and wishing very hard that he doesn't leave me today.. please.. I begged, DONT LEAVE ME!!!! ((Sigh))
But he will..stupid school..I mean, what? Like he needs this expensive education we're going into debt over while he could let me blog all day & wipe noses himself?? Geeze!!!!

On to pictures...

Here are Andy & his buds...(Andy is in the grey/black..)

Andy sees a plane..

Andy & his buddy Jack!

Chasing Hope, the cat.

This is adorable, isnt it?

My favorite!!!

Now, pics of Mike & I.. while on our date, we were talking about how everyone has what we call "MyspacePictures" which means several things..

1 or more of the following must apply...

1- You take the picture yourself

2- you give a kissy face in the picture

3-you take 50 photos.. and post them ALL, not just the good ones!!

4- you must give a finger sign..peace sign, middle finger, etc etc etc

5-always wear sunglasses

6-some sort of kiss must apply- blowing a kiss, kissing someone, etc

So..in a vain effort to be as cool as everyone else..here is our Ode to Myspace..

I'll end with a quote appropriate for myspace..

You WISH you were this cool!!!

2008-10-10T22:42:00.001-04:00

PostSecret Mini-Movie

Today was Aaahhmazing!

2008-10-10T20:22:00.000-04:00

I had a Freakingfabulous day today..

We slept til 9:45 ( ok..so waking up for an hour to *play* at 5:45 might have had something to do with that..Ryan!!!)
Mike hopped right up & helped us get ready, then he watched Ryan & did dishes while Andy & I went to ther "payground" with Sam(Emily) and Jack(Katie)!!!

We walked a few blocks from Em's house to the playground, which Andy remarked "truck."..."car."..."truck"...'PLANE!!" as we walked, LOL.. Then the 3 little boys all took of running acrossed a big open field, giggling & weaving through out eachother..and I thought "What a GREAT way to start off a day!!!!"
Katie has Jack, who was born on Andys due date (so, about 2 weeks before Andy was born) & Ellie, who was born around 2 weeks after Ryan! She & I could probably swap lives & neither of us would realize.. our home/child lives are THAT similar.. It was SO wonderful to talk with her, I havent seen her since we were both pregnant & our situations are so rare that I found myself smiling all day that I have a friend "just like me" that can actually understand what I go through.. Its refreshing & it really makes a difference when someone doesnt just "know what your talking about" ( while they have NO idea) but they REALLY DO know.. and she does. I couldnt be more excited for us to spend more time together!
And Emily..well.. shes just awesome in general.. I have literally, known her my entire life. She often makes me wistful for what I wish I were like as a mom..she is amazing with Sam, and she'd expecting a little girl in Feb 09!! Wont the 3 of us be a pair?? LOL

Well..after playing for awhile we all walked back to Emily's house.. and these 3 little boys, Andy, the tallest with dark hair.. Jack in the middle, with a cute blonde mop, and Sam on the end, a light brunette & a skinny little guy at that..all joined hands..and walked down the sidewalk together.. swinging arms, giggling, fallin gdown in a domino effect, laughing & then purposefully doing it again...and I just thought "This.. is ... perfect!!"
How lucky are they to have eachother??
How lucky are WE (moms) to have eachother???

We're all going to kick eachothers butts for weekly playdates, not only will it be good for the kidsa, but for the moms too!!! Ryan & Ellie will soon be older ( sniff sniff) and check out eachother on the floor like the boys used to ( aka, slap a hand out & knock someone over) and I hope, the 3 of these boys will be able to have regular play time with eachother & grow up to be buddies. Not to mention, all of us moms too!!!

Emily is sending me pictures soon, you can bet you'll see them too!! I cant wait!

So then I come home, put Andy down for a nap, feed Ryan & head off for errands..have an AWWWEESSOOMMEEE talk with my BFF ( My sister..DUH) and then head home for a bit.. Mike goes homework, Ryan takes a LONG nap & Andy learns mommy can be a horsey & he can ride on her back ( seriously..I pulled a muscle I didnt even know I HAD..ouch) ..Mike got pizza for dinner ( noooo cooking!!!!!!!!!!) And then my sister calls..

.."Can you & Mike talk?" ..I about fainted..I got nervous..she said "no no I'm not pregnant!" LOL
So I put her on speaker phone, Andy proclaimed his love for her & Matt..then I got nervous while Mike mouthed "SHES PREGNANT!!!" at me, LOL..

So..SUPRISE!! Matt wanted me to feel "tiara special..not "you need a helmet" special" (LOL) So they made us reservations at probably one of the nicest restaraunts around this area.. "No limit..although, no $400 bottles of wine please, but no limit & enjoy yourself!!!" are our requirements... They said they remembered when they were in school & broke & they wanted us to feel special & enjoy some "not parent" time on our date out..

..Okay.. HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?!?! I was actually speechless for a few minutes..ME.. SPEECHLESS.. IIII KKNNOOOWWW!!!!!!!!!!

How totally super awesome AMAZING are they?? I know.. SUPER awesome amazing!! And they're ours.. My sister & brother.. not yours..neiner neiner!! I am a LUCKY duck eh???

So yeah.. today has been one of the best days I've had in um..EEVVVEERR!!!

Yeah... let me pull a 17 year old myspace and say "be jealous" ahh haaa!!!

Something to ponder....

2008-10-10T18:09:00.001-04:00

Sew....

2008-10-09T21:29:00.001-04:00

..Yeah..

I've been feeling bummed this last week or 2.. We NEED to move.. I mean.. ((sigh)) We live in a college town, which means several things..
1- You can charge outrageous prices for a rental b/c duh...10 guys will split it & pay $100 each per month for the place!!!
2- Anything you can find is next to a fraternity
3- Anything you can find has been trashed by the 10 guys in #1

So.. I dont want to live in an apt. again.. OR a duplex..I'm not a sharing kinda gal..so its hard to find a rental HOUSE for an affordable ( on our loans) price!

But I've just been REALLY wanting to get out of this house lately..Dont get me wrong, our landlords are really nice & this places is a STEAL!! In fact, they're so nice Mike never wants to "bug them" so he does everything himself! @@ ( he says its good karma for his bad rental past, lol) But ya know.. do I really want Andy to start preschool while living on a road that has a pedophile a block away, a bounty hunter whop "keeps out the pedophile & watches our street" ( which isn't BAD, but I'd like somewhere that doesnt NEED the bounty hunter!!!) or somewhere where angry dogs don't jump the fence & roam our street, where cats don't die under our house, where boys don't jump our fence, where ..well.. lots of other unmentionables happen..
Don't get me wrong, we surely don't live "in the ghetto" In fact..we live in the redneck part of town!! And Mike is certainly a good ol' boy (Helooooo Florida!!!) But I mean..when I want to go for a walk..I load the kids, drive 5 miles to my moms & walk THERE..which sort of defeats the whole purpose of walking for exercise/enjoyment..not to mention spontaneity!!

The biggest issue is..this house is f-ing SMALL. I mean..WOW!! I want to ask people instead of toys ( limit ONE toy per kid) to get them books, or a class at a gym, etc..but Mike thinks "that's awkward" =\ But seriously?? We are moving OUR stuff to my moms basement to make room for kids stuff.. its THAT small here.. It isnt un livable, for for 2 adults & 2 kids..its a tid bit cramped...

((((sigh)))) Just needed to whine..

So..spent an hour at the doctors office waiting yesterday to be told "He has eczema..keep doing what your doing! Bye!" @@ Thanks.. So.. I guess Ryan got the sensitive skin gene, poo kiddo!

Had a playdate with Sam today.. Sam said something or other Sam & Sidekick.. it was sweet..they chase eachother & laugh & hugged... they are buddies, I love it. I feel a little like "is this what Misch & Emily were like??" and it makes me smile..

Send some thoughts out to Mikes nana for me.. She had surgery today.. apparently it was deeper than they thought =( Mike only breifly talked about it tonight but I guess they had to take out a nerve or something related to her right side.. Mike didnt really want to talk about it.. so.. thats a stinker..
=(
We're really thinking about her today & hoping she makes an amazing recovery!!

I sewed curtains!!! Check out
before -

yes..its messy..that isnt the point!!!

& after-

..still messy & STILL not the point..

I even painted the picture frames for that back 4!!! ( the bed is usually on the other side so those 3 frames look a bit lost, LOL)

My mom cute the fabric, I helped pin but I did all the sewing ((brag)) She even made me do finished seams, LOL!! Not the easy route I had planned.. I just need to find the perfect ribbon now & make balloon ties from the top so the bottom can be tied up! I found an amazing lamp base today at Gabes for $3 that matches PERFECT! Mike even likes it =0) Yay me!

This, is a lamp that I remember being in my sister & I'd room..when I was THREE...

little stem thingy on the base, lol..but the thing about it is, inside that "bird hole" is a night light!! PERFECT for what Andy needs at night!!!

So..I am re finishing it.. I'd cleaned it & re painted a bit of it today.. but it takes a clip on shade..which they ONLY make for chandelier lights now ( aka 3x5 in big!!) so.. this might take awhile.. ((sigh))

I also made an ugly doll ( did I already post this??????)

..thank God its an ugly doll b/c I sure made that thing UGLY as sin!! Look at its legs/feet, LOL!! Ah.. not TOO bad for a prototype I guess.. Andy hates it.. go figure.. but hey..it probably cost all of $5 to make.. one that big costs $50, not including shipping, LOL. So.. screw it right?? I like it.. the fabric is OH so soft...

I need to make the bed skirt now ( aka try to convince my mom to make it for me b/c I hear its hard!!)

This Saturday Mike & I will have our SECOND date since Ryan was born!!!!! (I dont count us going to the chiropractor alone a date, sorry..) We've had a low of close to 30 degrees this last week & its going back up to the 70's this weekend, so we're going to go hike at the Lock. We fell in love at Metroparks, and that was one we only did once but I really have wanted to go back to, so we're going to go hit up our old trails for some hiking, maybe I'll pack a picnic!! I'm excited, it'll be like old times.. only with wedding vows, extra weight on both of us, we'll both be sober & we'll be walking more than skipping along kissing behind bushes, LOL..Ah...the good old days.. youth ((sigh)) I love my husband =0) I'm excited, we havent been to this one since we left for FLA!!! I hope we'll be able to hit a few trails , depending on how long my mom can handle 2 kiddos!!!

Pics....

..yeah..I know.. he is, isnt he??

Argh, arent they ADORABLE?? Andy was asking to snuggy Ryne! ;-)

So..whoever is reading from Pakistan..Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

To-Do

2008-10-09T11:59:00.000-04:00

..so I cantback out of all the junk I need to do today...

Vac.
~~Trash~~
Swap out toys ( I did half..lol)
~~Min. 1 load laundry~~
~~Playdate~~
~~Clean lamp~~
~~Clean off back room~~
Swing down?
Dishes..maybe.. lol
Bathroom
~~Wood polish~~

Well.. we had a longer play date than planned.. and a crabbier baby than planned.. and a long day of trying to find something that doesnt exist.. There is always tomorrow! LOL

Light the Night with Dani!!!

2008-10-07T16:17:00.000-04:00

Sponser Dani for Light the Night!!!

Please feel free to visit this link, and donate even $1 for a very sweet woman (who will be 9 months pregnant!!) for a 2 mile walk in honor of her brother who recently passed away.

If not for the fact that its a good cause,well.. do it because if she can walk 2 miles at 9 months.. you can spare $1!!!!

Light the Night

2008-10-02T19:55:00.002-04:00

As Operation Get Not Fat goes.... I've gone back to eating alot of salads.. I love salad..always have..as a kid, I ate iceberg leuttace with grated cheese on top daily.. ...yum.... Oh..anyway..
In college I fell in love with the salad bar.. What a wonderful creation....even though OU's leuttace contains a special chemical spray to keep it *fresh* which in turn, people could set their clock by when they'd need to be in the bathroom..if ya know what I mean ((nudge nudge)) But I found alove for adding garbanzo beans, a good source of protein, to my salads.. veggies, cheese, all sorts of fabulous CRAP.. Never croutons..I dont enjoy them.. and I always said "dont eat something unless you'll enjoy it" because that my friend, is how you wind up in the "Operation Get Not Fat" program!!! (or..enjoying things TOO much!!!)

So.. I've ventured beyond iceberg in the last few years.. Boston is my current fave ( never have your husband pick out leaf leuttace OR herbs.. he will come home with parsley & romaine when you ask for cilantro & Boston..EVERY TIME my friend..EVERY time..)
But I've found the dilemma... wash leuttace...sit in colander/dish basket to dry...

wait...

wait...

wait..

Start to worry it will wilt...

nope..still wet..
finally try to pat it off as best you can while not using a whole roll of paper towels which you dont like to use b/c they are "wasteful"

still isnt dry...

squish in plastic bnag & put in fridge anyway..

open to use.. still wet..

...Try to dry as best you can... still wind up with slightly wet salad..Ew.

So.. I began to wonder... if a salad spinner to MIX the salad.. or to DRY the salad??? I pondered this for a pathetic amount of time in the last few weeks....

Today, remembered something I once read in a magazine...

Wash leuttace...
Put leuttace in washer on spin cycle..

So..I dropped it in the washer! In fact..I believe I tried this once in Florida too.. cant quite recall........

Result- Works!

Called mom... Salad spinner is to get the water off leuttace..hm... I'll just stick with the washer I guess..

PS- I washed my washer this week.. yes..I wash my washer occasionally!!!! So.. no..it didnt have anything left over from the diapers to add to my meal.. incase you wondered.. and if it did?? I would have just put that in Mikes bowl..duh!

Oh yes..the children.. I forgot..wasnt this blog supposed to be about them?? Eh!!

They are making me CRAZY. Andy fits well in a box..you pay shipping.. takers???????
;-)

i flat out laughed...

2008-10-02T19:55:00.001-04:00

I snickered..

2008-10-02T19:45:00.000-04:00