Not Enough Hours in a Day

Christmas Letter

2011-12-23T23:56:00.000-05:00

I am seriously lame and only sent a few cards, to those who don't have email or FB. The 'online' category of people, ya'll got an email! I'll put Christmas cards on my list to do earlier next year. Don't feel too slighted, I don't have our Shutterfly book done from the Rome Trip in September yet either! So here you go- a quick sum up our our year. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday!

Love,

Ang & gang!

Merry Christmas 2011

Family& Friends,

Whatan extremely busy and fulfilling year we've had! After a difficult2010 for me, early 2011 was full of new hope with an opportunity forJay and I to get together and build on 20 years of friendship! Wehave been truly blessed!

Ourwhirlwind year started off taking Brittany & Tyler on their firstplane ride to Chicago in early February. The Windy City sure livedup to its name that week- BBBRRR!! Willis (Sears) Tower was amazing,standing on the glass over Wacker Drive at 100+ floors up!! Tyler ofcourse loved the train.

Earlysummer, we drove to Gatlinburg...in the middle of severe storms,sideways rain and HAIL! Crazy! We spent the days touring Ripley'sattractions, walking through shops, taking ghost walks and had somuch fun on slides, rides and sky lifts at Ober Gatlinburg. Can'twait to go back!

Junebrought the annual dance recitals, bittersweet as it would be thelast dance event with our Starmaker family of 5 years. We miss ourteachers and friends so much!

Wespent the summer moving down to Crooksville from Akron. Whew- thatwas a chore!! I was afraid Jay would lock the doors and hide if Ipulled one more U-Haul in front of the house! Such a good guy helpedme load/unload and drive several trips over several weeks on his fewdays off to get here. I had no luck relocating the furbabies, sothey had to come too (anyone want a dog?? or two??) and a placeoutside was prepared for the dogs. Thanks to Aunt Dorothy for somespare fence!! Jake & Elwood (cats) had no problem taking overthe house and showing Jay that he really IS a 'cat person'! Hehehe!!

Earlyfall took us to Myrtle Beach with Jay's sister's family- 2 cars, 4adults, 8 kids...one LOOOOOONG drive. HA! We all had a blast in the funpools, the beach, and I got a daily soak of sun!! We loved the newPirate Dinner show. We were lucky to visit with a few sorely missedfriends down in Goose Creek.

Brittanyand Tyler have adjusted to life in a small town...which to them meansdoing more! Excited to ride their bikes around town, go to thelibrary, or Grandma Harriett's house on their own. Who knew?

InOctober, Jay took me on an amazing trip to Rome! Too beautiful todescribe- both food and art!! You'll have to check out our pictureson Facebook or Flickr! (search for ang.jewelrygirl@gmail.com)

Hopethe Holidays are happy and healthy for you! Take care and keep intouch!

Loveand Hugs! Merry Christmas!

The Chaos Gang!

alsoLucy, Lyla, Jake & Elwood

Plusall the neighborhood cats who think they live/belong on our porch: Goldie, Momma, Jinx, Sickly, Blackie, Andrew, Tippy & Squirt. (anyone want a cat? Or three??)

-Yes,I am still waiting for Jay to come to his senses and run for thehills screaming!! Ha! Ha!

Thankful

2011-11-30T03:18:00.001-05:00

One year ago, I was in a whole different place, not a good place. A very sad, kicked in the gut place...

All I can say is, "WHAT a difference a year makes! !" An awesome man who loves me, helped by some fantastically supportive friends and family, two fun-loving kids and I have had a dream-come-true of a year! Sure there have been a few tough spots to work through (mostly within myself), but overall, those don't even scratch the surface of how freaking happy I am! Can't even explain how loved I feel...without a doubt!

I'm sure y'all have something to be thankful for- that's mine.

Happy Turkey Day!

2011-11-24T03:34:00.001-05:00

Hope everyone has a safe and filling holiday! I for one am super excited about shopping at midnight and catching up with the bestie from school days, can't wait! Woot woot!

Nutella Freaks- peek here!!

2011-11-15T13:56:00.001-05:00

Look here: More ways to crave Nutella!!
Going to try this to surprise the kids later!

Nutella Ice Cream!!

The look of genius.

2011-11-09T00:16:00.000-05:00

T-Man is writing. On his own. Without being told. He's focused and determined. ..

WOOOO FREAKIN' HOOO!!!

Ok, truth be told, he received a letter from his pen pal today and was so excited, he had to write back- RIGHT away!! I'll take it! Whatever gets him to write willingly- woot! Now I'll just cross my fingers he keeps it up!

O dark early

2011-11-07T23:53:00.000-05:00

The fall time change usually doesn't bother me. This year?? I must be getting older or something, this darkness outside by 6 has me wanting to crash by 8 pm....and I'm usually up until 2 am. Explain that?? Weird.

Cool finding today: Target and Kohls to open at midnight for Black Friday!! YES!!

FREAKY finding: Women ingesting encapsulated placenta after birth to help with hormone swings and depression. The article sounds horrible, but gotta admit the title draws you in. What do yo think?
Consume placenta?? I get it, but not sure I could/would.

Yes, I am close to midnight and seriously winging it so I don't blow NaBloPoMo. So sue me. heh.

Sunday view

2011-11-06T23:48:00.001-05:00

A rearview shot of my every other Sunday evening scene, picking up the kids...gorgeous colors tonight.

Why Google Rocks- Beyond Barrel Roll: 10 Hidden Google Tricks

2011-11-05T23:46:00.000-04:00

If you were captured by Google's 'do a barrel' roll this week, get a load of this article:

More games and Easter Eggs thanks to some genius, and I'm assuming hysterical, Google developers.

Go have some fun!!

Beyond Barrel Roll: 10 Hidden Google Tricks

Oh no...

2011-11-04T23:43:00.000-04:00

Almost got me!! You crazy Friday...snuck up on me and almost ran off with another NaBloPoMo. HA! I got you! Yess sir-eee!! Since I'm racing to beat midnight, here's a snack idea for you:

I really wish I'd taken a better picture of this 5 kg JUG of this glorious stuff. This stuff was everywhere in Rome. I kept trying to find ways to get this on the plane home.

One little gelato shop had a WALL of Nutella in these large containers-

Oh mah gawd... droool...

Oh look! To-Go Packs!! Woohoo!!

Nutella-swirled gelato!! (lower center) Heaven chilled!

Happy Friday all!! Have an awesome weekend!

... swiping the last tiny bit of Nutella out of the jar with my fingers.

Goofy dog, crazy kid

2011-11-03T17:24:00.001-04:00

Of course after yesterday's iPod find, Monster Man is trying to redeem himself. First thing this morning, came down stairs, DRESSED already, bed made up and headed to the kitchen to fix his breakfast. Seriously? Normally that process takes hours- fussing, complaining- ridiculous. Like he doesn't know those are things you do every day.

We talked a bit about this morning's behavior was how each day should start. Crossing my fingers for tomorrow.

Oh, he is soooo TOAST

2011-11-02T03:14:00.000-04:00

Monster Man is such a fitting name lately. It's not helping that he's STILL off his meds for ADD because it's taken three months to get him into a new doctor. We had an appointment last week, which they cancelled on us when we arrived for the appointment, so to make a new appointment, we have to wait another week. (said my cell number didn't work...really?? I gave them TWO, said they only take one and apparently they took that one down incorrectly. Nice.) So stick with them or try someone else new that will take a month to get in?! I'd take a witch doctor at this point or an exorcist!! Getting him through school work is like slowly getting your fingernails removed via your eyeballs. Just torture. I keep thinking, it will get better. He really is trying, most of the time, but keeping him on task is just in.freaking.sane. Add to it, lying, telling on his sister after pestering the CRAP out of her, acting a fool, not listening PERIOD and now cussing. A new outlet to ensure I lose my sanity. We've heard 'sh!t' slip a few times from him but what I just saw/heard on his iPod Touch from recording himself while he was supposed to be doing writing today-- well let's just say..

Yeah, that. With some variations and additions. Nice. Ok, I'm guilty of saying 'Holy Sh!t' quite often, but I've rarely let the mother of all words fly in front of the kids. I know he's a boy and kids go through those phases, but AAARRGGHHH!!!
I do think it's comical that he caught himself on video and then SHOWED me the video, quickly realizing, 'Oh I meant to delete these' and taking it back. Well after viewing the whole recording, I know why! Hmmmm. He'd previously had the iPod taken away for being glued to it and not listening because of being glued to it- he had to take it to Dad's place for two months- I was done fighting for his attention with an ipod that I didn't think he was old enough to have in the first place!! Apparently I neglected to reset the school-time lock out doing a system reset a couple weeks ago because he locked himself out of the ipod.... I can only assume trying to hide other videos, swearing, torturing his sister and Lord knows what else.

In about 5 hours, he'll learn what soap tastes like.

NaBloPoMo....Here we GO!

2011-11-01T03:26:00.001-04:00

Don't laugh, I'll probably never make it through even a week, but what the heck? If nothing else maybe it will get me thinking about blogging again that I might actually get a few posts done before 2011 is in the books. Meh.

Any brave souls want to join me in Blog Posting Month? Join the Blogroll on BlogHer by Nov.5th. Good luck!

Day1 down! Woot woot! !

I think I can, I THINK I can...

2011-10-31T03:10:00.002-04:00

I've intended to blog for ~~days~~ ~~weeks~~ -who am I kidding?- MONTHS now, but every time I sit down with the MacBook in my lap, open to Blogger, I go blank. So much to write about and yet again, nothing spectacular except for the relationship stuff, though I figure no one wants to hear the sappy, OMG I am so FREAKIN' happy tidbits... ok, well maybe later.

Another Halloween is here, another cousin has gotten married, a great aunt hit 99 years old and I've been to Italy. I guess that pretty much rocks, especially the Italy part! But I go blank on getting it down in words. Maybe I should switch to a photo blog- pictures I can do. Words I seem to struggle with more as time goes on. Check out my G+ link on my profile, you can catch my Flickr stream from there. You can see what I've been up to- way more interesting in picture form!

I have learned over the last month that even when you are freakishly happier than allowed by law, depression can still wreck havoc with your brain and functioning. Thinking 'this is amazing,' I feel great and have felt wonderful for so many months, so without-a-doubt loved that I could try weaning off my meds....yes, slowly. WRONGO! I was only two weeks in to the stepping-down process and had formed into this constant blubbering pile of nothingness, crying over songs on the radio, feeling stabbed by comments that were in no way meant to be insulting or hurtful in any way, and tired. I was so stinkin' tired- all I wanted to do was sleep and disappear. It was horrible. More proof that this disease is some serious chemical malfunction in the brain and in no way 'attitude.' Wow. Knowing the difference now, I don't know how I dealt with the ex's extraneous ways for so long without medication. Maybe the denial or attempt to believe it wasn't happening was self-preservation by what WAS functioning in my brain. Who knows?? Though my Knight dealt with me like a trooper, kept his sanity somehow ( I swear he's a saint) and I realized even being well loved and cared for, it was not going to 'fix' me. He definitely deserves better than me being a mess. Ok, well a depressed mess...I still am a bit wacky, have ADD fits and the boxes and totes in the front room I have yet to unpack or find place for... I'll get to it eventually.

Ok, happy tidbits forewarning- I have never felt so loved, so worth being a part of something, so truly wanted in my life! I am so blessed and very lucky to be given this chance with my Knight. As much as I knew we'd be good together, I never had a freaking clue it would be this awesome!! Pinch me, I swear I'm dreaming!! Better than dreams!

BTW- the 99-year-old aunt is constantly on my butt about getting married, to do this right. Well, I know this is right. I spent years of a marriage trying to make it right and believe it was right, it doesn't seem fair to consider that THIS falls under the same term. Besides, I can't get divorced and married in the same year...how will that look?? Well according to AuntA, it would be fine! She cracks me up, I love her so much!!

Oh hey, forgot to mention, I've lost 15 pounds*!! Being blissfully happy is apparently good for my arse too!! Again, who knew??

Well, it's 3 am, I have a foot gone numb, a cat sleeping across my wrists on the Mac and my battery is about to give up the ghost. Speaking of ghost, I watched Long Isl@nd Medium tonight- how awesome! Also watched a couple episodes of Sister Wives. I so love that show, the feeling of family you get from them is just wonderful. Not that I could do what they do, but wow, what an awesome connection those wives have and growing with their kids as a big family, like true sisters. Oh, sorry got distracted. I need some sleep. G'night!!

*Truthfully I know I lost most of that WALKING all over God's gorgeous creation called Rome, Italy, for 5 days. Starting to faithfully take my ACE has helped no doubt by keeping me from wanting to snack in the evenings. See 'Want the Skinny?' link above.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

2011-09-24T00:57:00.000-04:00

Whoa!! I neglect my blog for a few months and come back to shiny new nifty format change!! Nice! I only hope these changes are somehow related to a merge of Blogger into Google+ (please?? maybe??) That would be SWEET!! I partially blame Google+ for my absence here...ok well moving, school starting, vacation in sunny Myrtle Be@ch MAY have had SOMEthing to do with it....ah hem. BUT I have enjoyed the Google+ versatility of totally public to simply private posting- I've used it in the place of Twitter, FB, blogging and even down to personal messages (email in a sense) to individual friends. LOVE IT!! Finally it's out of invite-only use and into beta so anyone can jump in and join.

A wrap-up of the last few months:
-I'm moved and ecstatically happy with my Knight in Shining Armor...words cannot explain!
-School is underway. Monster Man is still alive. heh.
- Twentieth HS reunion in the books. 20 years??? Seriously?? Ugh. Lots of fun, but man I feel OLD.
-Trip to the beach was FREAKING AWESOME- got lots of sun, sand and 1200 pics to go through. Sad I am losing my tan already...sniffle.
-More fun to come!!

I disappear for a few months again, look for me on Google+

In the thick of it

2011-07-06T12:41:00.000-04:00

Winding down to the last few weeks before the move with sorting, cleaning, tossing in full force. A little bit of packing in there for good measure, but HOLY COW my house looks like a bomb went off leaving paper, box, grocery bag, clothes and toy shrapnel as far as the eye can see!!   The kids are with their dad for about 10 days- so time to sort through kid things and ditch/sell what I can (and no dear daughter if you read this, I don't mean YOUR stuff so relax baby girl). I did get several things from Monster Man's room moved over the weekend- bed, some closet things/clothes, a bookshelf, several bins of toys, etc. That helped, but now I need to tackle the toy box, another bookshelf, weed through books & toys he's outgrown, etc.   I don't really want to think about it!!

Of course in the midst of all this time when I should be kicking ass and loading boxes, my ADD and procrastination get the better of me so what did I spend the morning doing??? Giving the dogs a bath...one twice because she rolled in the dirt, REALLY rolled and made mud...hosed off the porch and front of the house, hosed down/cleaned the cushions on the swing then set them out to dry, hosed down the swing shade cover. Did these things really NEED done right now, no. They were dirty but not desperate, but it was nice outside! :-)   Last night I compared Crocs clearance sales online with what Croc deals I could find on ebay. Lost about 90 minutes on that adventure.   Last week when I spent a day cleaning up and re-arranging the motorcycles in the garage- it did give me more space, but did it help with sorting/packing/ moving???

Sir Knight is heading this way to help and of course all I want to do is straighten the house from this wretched state...hmmm, at least there is a reason for the house being in shambles. Even so, it makes me insane to have the house a wreck.   SO-- I'm going to crank the tunes (sorry neighbors!) for the next 7 hours and get busy! Things to dig out of the basement, a boy's room to work on, clothes to sort and at bare minimum I need to vac the house and clean the kitchen. I'll have to hit a shower somewhere eventually...PHEW- I reek already! I'll be utterly disgusting by the time I get done diving around the basement crawlspace in the 'kitty' domain. I'm going up there armed with a vacuum and a BIG LIGHT. ;-) I don't mind critters, but I don't want them spookin' me! My cats have boycotted hunting for years... too much effort.

Speaking of getting distracted, I need to get back to shampooing the small couch..I think the foam spot cleaner has soaked long enough. BTW- I love, love, LOVE my Hoover carpet shampooer- it kicks serious butt cleaning furniture!!

Have an awesome HUMP day everyone!

Let's review...

2011-06-15T11:22:00.000-04:00

I guess a recap is in order for the first half of 2011 as I've only blogged a handful of times in the past six months. Sad. I've wanted to...I think about it...never get to it!! BUSY BUSY!!

So over the last few months:

February- My girl turned 12. Can I be sick now?? I mean pre-teen...this ought to be a good time! Thankfully she's a pretty level-headed girl. Now if we can just rein in the crying and sudden mouth she's discovered. Somewhere in the last few months she's shot up about 4 inches...

April- Easter. Started the holiday with Great Aunt Anne, who was as excited over the kid's baskets as they were. Spent the afternoon with Knight In Shining Armor's sister and family and had a GREAT day!! There was awesome food, kids all over playing and everyone catching up. Sister set up an egg hunt for the kids; even the older ones had fun! The day went by too quickly!

Early May: Dissolution/divorce final. The day was actually pretty tough- the finality of it, courthouse, the papers. The wow this really isn't happening but it is. I'd fought so hard for years NOT to get to that point. Not regretting it at all- just whew. Wow.    I understand better NOW that God had different plans and apparently He had been trying to clue me in for years, but I just didn't hear it. Well, guess what God? I'm LISTENING NOW!!! :-) Moving on!! So excited and happy, I might spontaneously combust!! If you see me bouncing around, stand clear!! She could blow at any given moment and it won't be purty! Gearing up for a move back to my hometown this summer and not waste a single minute of this life with my guy and the kids!! Excited to be closer to family and get a little warmer too!! heheh. :-)

Memorial Weekend- Smokey Mountains- woohoo!! Knight in Shining Armor took us to Gatlinburg for a long weekend, and it was a GORGEOUS one...well, after the tornadoes, golf-ball+ size hail beating the truck and sideways blinding torrential downpours GETTING there...THEN it was gorgeous! Add to that mix Monster Man complaining and whining most of the trip, then getting giddy over the hail, "Look at THAT big one!! That one's HUGE!" and cracking up hysterically. You could sense the blood pressure rising in the front seats imagining the dents those HUGE hail chunks were probably leaving. Thankfully only a few small dents- it sounded & could have been much worse.
After we get to the hotel and the rain/hail slows, I step out by the lobby, "No, I don't need an umbrella, it's just a few steps..." where I proceed to blow out a flip flop, fall down knees, to hip, hands to elbows and the side of my head on the pavement just as the a freaking downpour resumes...SHIT!! Right in front of the front bumper I go down. Soaked to the skin, knees busted, palms red and ripped I get up and limp my way over to lobby overhang out of the rain and Knight looks at me with a 'what happened to you?' glance..."How did you get THAT wet??"
"You didn't see that?!"
"See what??"
"That I fell."
Laugh. "No, seriously?!"
"Yes, I just busted my arse in the pouring rain and broke my flip flop!" as I start laughing and shaking because I'm soaked to the bone. Just as I'd stepped out, the kids were asking questions and he turned to answer so none of them saw me fall. Thankfully he put the car in park as said he thought I'd disappeared awful quickly, he might have moved the truck!! Left knee and right palm sustained the most damage...and I quickly learned that I favor the left knee when crawling into bed, to sit, to lean on a bench- left knee first. Took me about 10 times of screaming in pain to realize it and consciously use my right leg. Fun times.
Did you know Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have about 89 Mini Golf places, 370 fudge shops, and about 100 air soft gun & knife places?? No?? Well, they do.   And Monster Man wanted to hit every single mini golf...ugh. BONUS- all the fudge shops give free samples--WOOHOO!! Maybe they figure you will pass out doing so much mini golf that you need the sugar to make it the rest of the day!
If you plan traveling there with kids, I highly recommend Ober Gatlinburg all day pass- WORTH it!! Great time!

Into June:   Finally, FINALLY finished up school work! PHEW! Hard to imagine I will have a 7th and 3rd grader come fall. AACCKKK!!
   Dance rehearsals and recital done. Very sad as this will be our last year with our awesome Starmaker family. We have so enjoyed dancing the last five years; it will be tough to leave such great kids and good friends. I can't think about it... Monster Man is convinced that we can drive 2-1/2 hours four days a week to continue dancing at this studio...HA! He either needs a job or learn to teleport!!

Hope your last few months have been just as fun and exciting!! Have an awesome summer!!

Back in Bargain Mode!

2011-06-14T17:06:00.002-04:00

Look at my CVS haul for today!
Not as great as could have been, had I done this Sunday before my Purex coupons expired and the Off! Reppellant disappeared or I'd had a wayyy bigger pile! Anywhoo...I spent under $70 on this AND three items- Sonicare toothbrush heads @ $26 and 2 hair color, $10 & $12 make up most of that. The cheapest I've found the Sonicare are Wally Hell for $25...that's IF they are on the shelf and I'd waste more than $2 in gas, not to mention 30 levels of aggravation finding out!
In this trip I had some B1G1 coupons and free coupons (hair color) to go along with some good B1G1 sales. So I basically ~paid~ for the items on the left and got everything on the right for F-R-double-E FREE! Plus 3 Fuze drinks not pictured & the card was $5 (moves,sings).
So not the best CVS trip I've ever done, but I'm happy! Less than $70 for over $150 worth...I'll take it!
Yesterday, three bags of items at T@rget for $28 including 2 face washes, 3 cereals, coffee, etc...woohoo!

Spring...yeah, woot. woot.

2011-04-19T01:27:00.001-04:00

That is the opinion of my sinuses, nose and throat right now as I choke down Zyrt@c and Sud@fed while shoving Vicks up my nose so I can breathe and try not to drown in my own gunk, i.e. my body fighting the coming of Spring. And we had snow flurries yesterday morning. Nice.

The kids are with their dad for an extended weekend, and thank goodness for that as I've accomplished no more than plow my way through 4000 kleenex, drink enough hot tea and coffee to sink an aircraft carrier and pee 50 gazillion times...and sleep. I've slept more in the last three days than I have in a month. This getting older and sick crap is for the birds!

Things are going well with my Knight in Shining Armor (I keep thinking I need to give him an abbreviation or acronym, but he deserves the whole title...suck it, haters) and I despise feeling like garbage with allergies and sinus crap when I'm honestly on Cloud9 most of the time. Feeling sick makes me grouchy...if you couldn't tell by the above! Once in a while a gust of wind from the court dealing with bankruptcy or dissolution will knock me in the gut, but I think that is more of a whole life outlook kick in the gut. I mean, who plans on those things as your 'goal' in life?? Things were so NOT planned that way, and I hate it. It makes me sick. On the other hand, I know those things brought me to where I am now- getting stronger, losing lots of emotional baggage, and enjoying a wonderful life with my soul mate and my kiddos.

I haven't blogged much as of late because I've been super freaking busy with school work, visiting out of town, beating my head against the wall with Monster Man and his lessons, taking the kids back and forth to their dad's and getting things pared down around here, staying up way too late, wasting wayyy too much time on FB and being overwhelmed buy this house - I have too much STUFF. Stuff I've kept around me for years as love and memories of friends and family. I have started spending more time with the friends and family, as I have always enjoyed doing, (with help of being loved by my Sir Knight) and weeding through to CHUCK the STUFF.

BTW- this summer is sure to be exciting!! I promise to update here more often, even if I have to do it with short posts via my phone! Stay tuned!!

P.S.
If you don't read VodkaMom, you should! Link also over here--------->>>>
She's a hysterically funny teacher going through a tough situation, so some somber posts as of late, but browse through. Find out who Frank is, you'll love him! Go read her awesome writing and make her feel better with some comment love, k?? Thx.

I only need...

2011-03-10T01:25:00.000-05:00

Life would be so much easier if you could measure it by the Tooth Fairy visits.

While in a store last week, T-man voiced that he, 'Only needed $24' for a Lego set he wanted. Then he informed us, 'So I only need to lose 23 more teeth!!' B quickly retorted with, 'But you only have 22 teeth in your head...'

Oy vey.

Blog...I have a blog??

2011-03-08T16:54:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah, whoops...I guess I do! A seriously neglected one. Knock! Knock! Is this thing on?? Does it still work??

Been an extremely busy few months, some highlights:

The pile of dissolution paperwork to end my former marriage is done and been filed...waiting...waiting.

Been trying to sort through and de-clutter this house. I SOOO need to jump back on the FlyLady wagon. This house definitely shows my last several years of being 'lost.'

The kids have been spending the weekends with their dad/Mr. F, having a blast in the snow (more than here) but I think they are getting tired of the packing and the trips. We'll see how long that lasts.

Surprisingly I've been keeping up with my workouts either on the elliptical, tap, walking the dogs or exhuasting myself with Just Dance2 on the Wii. The kids love it, but WHEW- what a work out! I do feel better... now if I could lose more than 5 pounds in 3 months, I'd be ecstatic!!

Monster Man's front teeth he lost before Halloween are FINALLY coming in. Yes, we're a slow bunch.

Two snowstorms in one week- over a foot of snow- need I say more?? Blech.

The critters are all still kicking- Momma Rabbit included. Puppy is 110 pounds; she towers over Lucy...and the kids. Big dopey puppy, we just love her!

B's progressing toward teen years not only with her recent 12th birthday but also accompanying little random tiffs of attitude. Yay. Joy.

Dance is going well- everyone excited working on really fun recital routines, me included. This year is going to rock!!

Monster Man continues to try my patience. He's become extremely negative lately. The words lame, dumb, stupid and hate are furthermore BANNED! Also constantly asking for things, wanting to go buy things/a toy every time we go out...which he does NOT get and never has so WHY now?? Is this an almost 8-yr-old phase thing?? A boy thing? A this kid needs all possessions taken away to live a 'boring life' for a while thing?? I'm about to wits' end.

School- well, I believe I've slacked enough to barely get Pathetic Parent of the Year award for this year, but we're getting it done nonetheless. Ugh. Trying to step it up a couple notches to finish the year out with a BANG!

My Knight in Shining Armor has been exactly that- all-around amazing, wonderful with the kids, talks to me and WITH me (let me stress how AWESOME that is!!!), makes my heart do flip flops and is completely spoiling me with attention. If I'm dreaming, don't wake me!! I am definitely NOT use to anyone fussing over me, but I'm liking it!! Wow. Just wow. The clam-up, shut-down, can't get my thoughts/feelings/opinions out problem I've had for the past two decades apparently doesn't exist in this relationship. Perhaps being with the right person does the trick! I'm comfortable enough to let about anything in my head fly whether I think he'll agree or not...I'm pretty sure he's trying to figure out a way to get me to shut up! ;-) I've known him nearly as long as I've known the soon-to-be ex, but there's always been the whole other level of connection and understanding, even years ago working together....and it never CLICKED in my head why or that it meant anything. To me an amazing friend, a big brother I never had- I chalked the connection & understanding up to that. I never thought he'd even THINK of the possibility of 'us' and he'd never mentioned it out of respect for the relationship I was in. If he even hinted I was totally blind/naive to catch it. And heck no, I'd never mentioned he was the absolute perfect guy, an awesome catch for some girl who really deserved him - why? because he might think I was crazy for thinking of him that way!! So keeping in touch as friends over the years was the best I could do, and that's what we'd done. Now 16, 17 or so years later, all those little things from the past start to click into place and make sense...whoa, seriously?! We are just deliriously happy!! Even if it did take years to get together, everything happens for a reason so I don't see those years as time wasted at all- I have to believe that God wanted us to live through other situations first, see if we still had that connection, maybe to be sure?? who knows?? I wouldn't have my B and Monster Man; he wouldn't have done the traveling he wanted to. That time certainly not 'lost' by any means, just time to get to where we are now. Have I mentioned the man has patience beyond Job?? Without a doubt! He's more than earned his halo. I know he has a guardian angel up there- I sure hope she's pleased with all this. I'm definitely very thankful for him! I'm just hoping he doesn't come to his senses and start running for the hills!! ;-)
--yes, the Knight in Shining Armor gets a humongous paragraph- he's certainly worth it!

That catches you up for the most part! Back to craziness!!

It's OK Tuesday!

2011-01-25T17:28:00.001-05:00

And by God it's OK that:

I post when I'm happy and the kids have had a great day and are happy as well. Not that the last two decades haven't had good times mixed in, but I've dealt with enough crap and struggled in a hell hole of depression and horrid self-confidence that I am entitled to declaring 'I have had an absolutely fantabulous day and feel like a queen!!' once in a while. If you don't like it, don't read it!! And don't kill my happy buzz by spreading that I'm slamming someone who would CERTAINLY deserve it...even though I'm not and I wouldn't! I could go on about being in my shoes and all that jazz, but I won't.

My son is outside playing in the snow with his full-body, footie PJs under his snow clothes. I don't care. He's bundled. He's warm. He's out of my hair and burning energy!!

That I stick up for myself and what I KNOW to be true, even if that pisses off a someone related.

That I give the soon-to-be ex the option to stop at the house and do his laundry on days I will be gone and he has the kids. No, I absolutely WILL NOT DO his laundry, but he can do it himself here and save the $$ and fuss of laundromat- why not?? These would be times I'm not home anyway, the kids can do things they want with friends here also. Crazy offer maybe, but who cares? Helps him and benefits kids which helps me!

I painted my nails blue with yellow stripes for the dance studio spirit week!! WHEEEEEE!!!

There are upcoming plans to do something fun with the kids, and I can't wait!! (SSSHHHH- secret, kids don't know of anything planned- will be total surprise! ...yes, their dad knows and is ok with it )

New Year, New Life!

2011-01-10T10:48:00.000-05:00

So much has happened in the past month that I don't think I can get it all down!! I have attempted to post but wasn't sure how/what to write. One thing is certain, I DO need to get my previous post off the top of the list. THAT chapter is over and done with- my life is on the mend and emotions have done a total 180!! The kids can tell, my friends can tell...my mom has even noticed and said, 'It's about time!!'

Come to find out, even when you think life is just going to have to suck and you know you need to start over, the fairy tale does exist. Apparently I had a Knight in Shining Armor waiting to rescue me- I knew he was there. I knew he would always be there- I just didn't realize that's what he was! Funny part- after finding out about my wonderful Knight, my mother said again, 'It's ABOUT TIME he jumped in here!!' Huh?? What?? Ok, my mom knew this, and I've been clueless?? Hmmmm...ok!! I'm still kind of in shock, on both counts, but I'm liking this feeling I've never experienced before. Unreal- that high school, giggly kind of over-the-moon stuff...wow, just WOW! Occasionally we hear people talk about soul mates- the one person who is out there for YOU, just you- and often think there's no way- those people are crazy! Spending near two decades with the same person- even if you love them- you convince yourself that time will help work towards that deeper status/connection, but if it's not there...you can't make a soul mate no matter how hard you try. I near lost myself trying.
But now?? Well, I must be one of those crazy fools because I know now my Knight is and always has been my soul mate...I just never realized it. I never had any idea he was the Knight for me...or was always there waiting. I had no doubt he'd rescue someone, he's that kind of person...but me?? Never thought I was even on the same map :-D Maybe the crazy part is I hadn't realized it sooner!!

So 2011 has started off on a very bright note for me!! It's only going to get better- I know it!! I hope the same happiness for you!!

-I'm sure after reading about my gripes and frustrations as of late, y'all are relieved to see something positive for a change!! Thanks for hanging in there with me.
Love you guys!!

Starting over

2010-12-14T14:21:00.000-05:00

Well, it's done. Mr. FixIt moved out this past weekend fulfilling the decision we made months ago that 'we' were over. Have been over for a long time, despite continuing to TRY to trust and love- it just wasn't how it should be or maybe could have been, who knows? Maybe not? Maybe truly was never meant to be as this problem between us has been ongoing for so many years. Many things I wish I'd done differently over all that time, but I have to look to the future, be thankful for my kids, thank the stubborn family genes and determination for not letting me give up easily and take the whole thing as a learning experience.   So that's that. It will be a few months before it's official, but in my heart it's been done for a loooong time- scary to admit that now.
The kids had a rough weekend with all of it even though they have also known about this for over a month.   I think taking the kids to visit family Friday and Saturday helped (while he did some packing/moving). The yearly dance Christmas party helped to take their mind off the situation Sunday afternoon, though both kids sobbed the whole way there. Breaks your heart to look at them so upset, mostly because they don't really understand. They know their dad and I have had differences, but to them, he's just gone- it doesn't matter why. Ugh. Sunday night we watched a movie with some popcorn, piled on the couch together. Popcorn makes everything better :-D One day they will realize this was best- that mom shouldn't be a zombie from worry & lack of sleep, or feeling like she's lost and being only a small part of the whole person she can be. They deserve better than that- so do I. Finally learning that...took me long enough!! ;-)

Hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for Christmas!   Oddly enough, in the middle of a potential stressful situation I've had a couple of great weeks- best I've had in years! I believe it's only going to get better from here... :-D

Love y'all,
Ang

Holiday Comedy

2010-12-08T11:33:00.000-05:00

I have to say I look forward to Elf Yourself every year- cracks me up!! Even the same dances... the kids and I end up in fits of giggles watching!!

I'm doing one with the dogs & cats next.... hehehe

What a week!

2010-12-06T14:19:00.000-05:00

Is it possible to have the worst possible day(s) and the best possible days in the same week?? I do believe I've experienced it! More details later, but I am feeling human again! My house is still a long way from how I prefer it, but it's definitely improving from the what had become the 'norm' of the past 10-18 months. Ack.

The snow is coming down and temps are frigid, but that isn't even bothering me as much. Kids have played in the snow between lessons, in the early stages of snowball forts, and the dogs are running around chasing, diving in the little snow we have thus far, having as much fun as the kids. One week to our dance studio Christmas party/show and I think I'm finally starting to feel like Christmas!! Woohoo!!

Some of the errands on today's agenda- finish packing 1700+ Box Tops that Mr. F helped me bundle Saturday evening, getting another round of laundry done, work on a few bills, get another pile of the Pit sorted/thrown out, and hopefully get a few things listed on eBay. First duty is to go cuss at the elliptical for awhile... oh joy!!

I know Mondays can seriously suck, but hope yours has started a nicely as mine did. :-D

It's OK Tuesday!

2010-12-01T22:39:00.000-05:00

Thanks Whispering Writer for this idea!

*Yes, I realize it is now Wednesday- I crashed yesterday before I could finish.

It's TUESDAY, which means IT's OK...

That I like the feeling of seeing the light at the end of that dark tunnel. I've had a crappy couple of months...or well years. It's time I had some SUNSHINE!!

That I've barely made a dent getting this house back in order over the last few days. Have to remind myself that the dent is progress and as long as my motivation sticks, it will improve steadily!!

I DETEST Justin Bieber!! I saw a snippet of an interview/show with him this morning- whipping his hair around worse than a girl. Who does he think he is- Elvis?? NOT HARDLY. He needs scissors and manners PRONTO.

That my baby is growing up, and it makes me sad. He was a very demanding baby, but I miss my sweat-stink chunky monkey legs little guy.

That I've felt awesome over the past two days, even with the mess my life is in!! And THAT's MORE than OK!!

Pretty much sums it up

2010-11-30T00:40:00.001-05:00

I am done.
Smoking gun.
We've lost it all.
The love is gone.

She has won.
Now it's no fun.
We've lost it all.
The love is gone.

And we had magic,
And this is tragic.
You couldn't keep your hands to yourself.

I feel like our world's been infected.
And somehow you left me neglected.
We found our lives been changed.
Babe, you lost me.

And we tried,
oh how we cried.
We lost ourselves.
The love has died.

And though we tried,
you can't deny.
We're left as shells.
We lost the fight.

And we had magic.
And this is tragic.
You couldn't keep your hands to yourself.

I feel like our world's been infected.
And somehow you left me neglected.
We found our lives been changed.
Babe, you lost me.

Now I know you're sorry, and we were sweet.
But you chose lust when you deceived me.
And you'll regret it, but it's too late.
How can I ever trust you again??

I feel like our world's been infected.
And somehow you left me neglected.

We found our lives been changed
Babe, you lost me.

You Lost Me, Christina Aguilera

Songwriters: Aguilera, Christina Maria; Dixon, Samuel Ronald; Furler, Sia Kate Isobelle;

Read more: http://www.metrolyrics.com/you-lost-me-lyrics-christina-aguilera.html#ixzz16k6mvugZ

Heart hurts, but has hope.

2010-11-29T13:10:00.000-05:00

The Wedding Singer has always been one of my favorite movies. If I get into why, I'll may end up crying again- no crying today!! I'm been kicking major butt in a thorough kitchen cleaning today with my tunes up, but I've had this song in the back of my head since Saturday night. Makes me smile.

It's OK Tuesday!

2010-11-23T14:08:00.002-05:00

I think Whispering Writer over at Airing My Dirty Laundry... for this idea.

It's OK Tuesday, which means it's OK that:

I am still in comfy yoga pants and my new favorite over-sized dance hoodie at almost 2 pm.

I have not even THOUGHT about dinner yet...until just now. And I probably won't until 5 or so. Queen of the last second, oh yes I am.

Mr. FixIt is getting ready to set up his apartment, and his 'new place giddiness self' will be out of my hair. He needs to get his cheating ass out of my space if he's that damn happy about leaving.

My dogs still have freaking fleas. Little bastards. The fleas, not the dogs.

I wrote down the code to fix my cell phone myself if I ever have to factory reset it again...at 11 pm when Veriz@n customer service is NOT open, I can fix the dang thing myself. IF the same problem surfaces, which I hope does not.

I have not had a jewelry show in months. I can't help it if people do not want to spend money right now. Even to spend a little to get a lot of free stuff. Frustrating but understandable. I don't have extra to spend either- I can't much complain.

My husband is taking the burden of my debts with him and my credit will suck. Thankful for a chance to start over, but I'm not happy about it. I can live with it, but not one of my shining moments.

I talked to a long-time friend today, and it made me feel soooo much better.

My house looks like a bomb went off in the Wally World Christmas aisles. The kids drug out the tubs of decorations, working all evening on the tree and around the house. I might get the scattered remnants back to the crawlspace before we leave for Thanksgiving. I might not.

P.S.
My mom is driving me insane, but thankful to have her. The loss of a friend's mom this weekend makes me sick because I know how much she has to be hurting, and I can't get to her until Friday. Love ya Mon, my other half, the Garth to my Wayne, troll dolls forever. Toilet- Peephole-120!!!

It's almost HERE!!

2010-11-20T14:27:00.000-05:00

Almost as exciting as Christmas....Black Friday!! I cannot WAIT!! I don't have much to spend this year, but I am going to make the most of it!! If you are working on your shopping strategy, or even if you plan on skipping the OMG EARLY crazy people crowds and will be shopping from home on Cyber Monday, here are some links and great sites to help you plan and budget your holiday shopping:

THE Black Friday Ads Site, broken down by Store links on the left. They have the Black Friday Target circular you can browse through!!

Penny Pinchin' Mom -list of Black Friday posts by store.
She also has menu planning, meal suggestions, and shopping list blanks you can print.

A Full Cup- AWESOME Coupon Message board with blogs, coupons and links to store's ads and sales, not just Black Friday.

Check out the lower sidebar for more coupon blogs/websites ---->>>

Rite-Aid, Right ON!

2010-11-11T23:58:00.001-05:00

Quick post about my Rite-Aid bargains today:

If you shop Rite-Aid, you really should have a Wellness Plus Card and sign up for Video Values (VV) online. You basically watch short commercials (videos) and for each one you complete you can print a coupon for that product which you can STACK with a manufacture's coupon for the same item. Which is exactly how I got Finish DW detergent which was on sale for 50% off (which is about the Wally World price) then used a $3 manuf. Q + $1 VV Q. Dishwasher detergent for a buck- YEAH, I'll take that!!

Ok, here's the skinny, Total price before coupons $54
** using sale prices mind you, savings would be much greater if I gave the store's regular retail price BUT most pharmacy chain's sale prices are close to mega-store chains prices like Wally World. So I consider the sale price in these cases 'Retail'

What I spent- $14 Yes, Fourteen smackers for all THIS:

Garnier HerbaShine Hair color x3 (yes, THREE of them. Best retail would be @ $18 for just those)
Garnier Wonder Waves spray
Garnier Sleek & Shine leave-in Conditioner
Purex laundry det
Finish Dishwasher Detergent Power ball Tabs
Finish DW Det large box powder
Quilted Northern Ultra 12-pk double roll
Cottonelle moist wipes
TheraFlu Cold liquid

Total ended up about $1.30 per item. Not too shabby!!
It is a bit of work, but when you get into it. It is so worth it. I treat it like a job, and truly, if I save 50-70% off the stuff I'd normally be buying anyway, it makes it worth my time!!

I'll explain Target goodies another time and give some links to an awesome Target $$ saving blog.
Hint- Had $30 taken off my total with ONLY coupons today. Woohoo!!

NaBloPoMo down in flames

2010-11-10T10:23:00.001-05:00

There goes another attempt- thud. Dropped like a bad egg...and the stench is wafting through my foggy brain and hit me as my java started to kick in. Nine days. I made it nine days-ha! Oh well, there's always next month.

Bawahahahaha! Yeah, right!

by Ang, Posted via Blogaway app for Android

SLEEEEEEP

2010-11-08T23:52:00.000-05:00

I have felt like a dead dog all day long, like a have a barrel of weights attached to my legs. ugh. I knew going to bed at 3:48 this morning I'd be kicking my butt today...but I've been too tired to kick my own ass. I have a million things to do before Mr. FixIt gets back from Europe mid-week. Ugh. DUH!

So, I am going to bed now. I swear. Nighty nite all.

When girls get bored

2010-11-07T01:19:00.003-04:00

They may do this to an unsuspecting animal that sleeps so soundly she doesn't care that she may wake up with bright pink toenails.

by Ang, Posted via Blogaway app for Android

Post!

2010-11-07T00:00:00.003-04:00

Got it! 11:59 p.m.!!

*edit at 12:04 a.m.
Ok- dangit- that was last minute effort in attempt to not blow NaBloPoMo in the first frickin' week!
I created a post on my phone earlier in the evening and just realized it had failed to upload. After watching it attempt to upload for the last 8 minutes of the day, I jumped on here in a last ditch effort to get something on this page at 11:59, hit post and it went to midnight. Well crap. If my phone loads the dang post through Blogaway, it better have the Saturday time on it!!

Friday Fill-Ins Wheeeeee!!

2010-11-05T23:37:00.000-04:00

Thanks again to Janet for Friday Fill-Ins this week!

1. Sometimes, _it's good to think of happier times and better days. If nothing else it gives me hope that one day in the future, I'll find those times again.

2. ___Some days I want to just throw my hands up and cry__ about the whole thing.

3. Small _gestures means so much__.

4. __Information from Monster Man's point of view can be__ very enlightening.

5. I keep meaning to _do a million things- I need to narrow my list!!

6. As far as I've come out of that nasty dark barrel, I'm not quite near the top ...yet.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _kicking my feet up and watching some movies___, tomorrow my plans include _hopefully talking to my youngest sister__ and Sunday, I want to _ relax and READ_!
Posted by Janet

You want to what??

2010-11-04T14:49:00.000-04:00

"Mom, I want to clean the basement."
--THUD--

"Mom... MOM?? You ok?"

Yeah. Sure. I'll be fine once I check my hearing and put an ice pack on my head. Maybe I'll keep dreaming long enough for the basement LOOK clean! Obviously that statement came from B, not Monster Man, but he's grudgingly down there making a slight effort to help. His effort seemed to improve after I heard B remind him, "This is your stuff too! You need to help! Do you want your stuff to go in the trash? Hmmm?? You'd better get these train tracks picked up!!"
"FINE!' he grumbled and growled as I heard wooden Thomas tracks being thrown angrily into the track box. He must have moved on from tracks to cooking as I heard, "Where did the kitchen set go?"
B asks, 'The one we sold at the yard sale?"
"What yard sale?"
"The yard sale in summer..."
"I do NOT remember that- where is the kitchen set?! I NEED an oven!!"
So Monster Man tromps up the stairs to ask me. I told him yes, we got rid of it this past summer.
"But I still played with that!"
"Dude, it's been gone over 4 months and you JUST now noticed??"
He tromps down the stairs, "FINE. I won't bake anything today...or ever AGAIN!"
How quickly he forgets that just yesterday under the couch was a perfect Play-Doh cookie oven... :-D

Both of them are still working, an hour later, intermittently arguing and yelling at each other. I'm not too concerned with light arguing. I do fuss at them about getting along, but nothing they've done is even in the ballpark to the extreme fighting my sisters and I did. I have too many battle scars to count. The items broken around our house growing up was of epic proportion- including each other. I'm sure there isn't a school friend or boyfriend that doesn't remember one sister in particular hurling a drinking glass/shoe/hairspray can/ book/etc at our heads...or being chased around our house with a knife, broom or tennis racket. Ironically, not matter how big the fight, one hint that mom was on the way home or a relative was pulling up, we all jumped high-gear into clean-up mode like nothing ever happened...the battle would continue another day.

Anyway, I believe I still hear progress in the basement. I'll take whatever I can get-- I'm not going down there unless I hear a skull smash or see blood splatter coming up the stairs.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-03T11:14:00.000-04:00

No words...

YAY Election Day!!

2010-11-02T09:15:00.001-04:00

THANK the Lord!! I've had it with political junk in my mail, phone calls all day long with recorded messages, and mud-slinging commercials all day long....aaaarrrgghhhhh!!!!

And today it's over!! Over!! Over!! WOOO-frickin'-HOOOO!! YAY!!

Other than being seriously aggravated with all that fuss, it bothers me the amount of money and time put into all that advertising. Why not put all that to good use- do SOMEthing with it instead of bombarding our lives with negativity? Wouldn't that make sense. I'd vote for the person who did the most long-lasting good with their campaign funds...

Anywho--Make sure you go vote! If you don't and aren't happy with the results...don't WHINE and complain about it!!
Ok, that ends my election rant.

...at least until next election. ;-)

Some days

2010-11-01T16:19:00.001-04:00

Some days just stink. Yesterday evening was the pretty rank...nasty. Started off fairly productive- Mr. FixIt put new rotors and brakes on his car- which pretty much ensures I'll fling myself through the windshield next time I drive it. Then he worked on the mountain of leaves around the yard while I cleaned up the kitchen, and finally washed the downstairs windows...who KNEW sun existed outside!! Holy cow those windows were horrible!! Now hopefully sometime this week I'll wash/swap curtains. I knocked down a few slopes of Mt. WashMore in between chorse. Having been sick the prior week I'd completely neglected laundry...and it showed, ACK! Mr. FixIt getting ready to head out of town and Monster Man on the hunt for clean underwear had me down to the wire on clean laundry. RED ALERT laundry stage stresses me out, but I was just too sick last week to move, let alone drag myself to the dungeon and lug baskets back up. Oh, can't forget, I even worked on my coupons yesterday morning, getting all the new ones cut out, nicely stacked according to type, cleaning the old flyers out of my binder with new ones ready to insert. Cool! Color me a happy camper!

Since I was caught up a bit on housework and no longer hacking my head off quite so severely, I figured I'd get on the elliptical for a bit. Lord knows I hadn't been on it for a week- sneaking Halloween candy before the sinus/allergies hit didn't do me much good either. One thing that helps me stick to working out is my tunes! On my phone I use Pandora radio with stations for Pink, Christina, and misc dance music that keep me moving. Once in a while I have to 'thumbs down' a slow song, but not often- the majority of songs are great for pacing a workout. Except yesterday. No idea WTH was going on with Pandora but every flippin' song was heart break or lost love or cheating... Hey Pandora, sobbing like an idiot doesn't do much for my workout, so spare me the deep emotional mushy stuff!!! Thirty minutes and 40 kleenex later, I'm back to hacking up layers of my esophagus, plus my head is pounding. Great. So I get cleaned up to get ready for dinner. Mr. FixIt tries to make me feel better... for a bit. Then I'm back to sobbing again, recent events and the end of this marriage as I always thought it was supposed to be filling my head. Told him I didn't know if I want this to be over. As much as I still don't understand how/why regarding the cheating... He puts up a strong face to not seem bothered- no emotion. Hugs me and blames himself out loud, but nothing more. Seemed almost chipper. And I'm a total blob on the floor?? What gives?? Maybe all these years of hanging in there, giving him the benefit of the doubt and second/third/ fourth chances...he REALLY didn't deserve those. Maybe he always has wanted 'out' -who knows? I guess loving someone so much it physically hurts doesn't mean much if they DON'T love you back in the same way. Now my head was REALLY throbbing. Life sucks.

I made it through dinner that Mr. FixIt made (yummy ribs were AWESOME) but shortly after...that horrid pain behind the eyes started to settle in and light made me cringe. Just what I need- a migraine! Oh joy!! Tried to keep up on a bit of the football games was painful. Then Dad called- if you know my dad, he's horribly L O U D on the phone, worse than in person. It was true torture to talk to him for 8 minutes. Mr. F could tell I was in serious pain, he brought me a pain pill and muscle relaxer while I was on the phone. Then I realized I hadn't taken my depression medicine- oh crap! I don't think I took it Saturday either. No wonder I'm like a pathetic basket case! Ugh. What a LOVELY evening!

Today has been a slight better- no crying thank goodness, but head still pounding. I went back to bed for a while this morning which helped a bit. After being up a while and taking some medicine it subsided just to the verge of a dull throb. Second nap seemed to be working until some nitwit decided to bang on my door and ring the bell about 4 times. Ugh. Dogs barking, bell ringing. Loud & painful. That really helped. Since I was 'awake' I drank another round of water just in case dehydration had a part in this throbbing head, then cleaned the kitchen and restarted Monster Man on lessons. Dinner will have to be something quick and easy tonight...or maybe I can talk B into cooking. :-D I'll figure something out, always do I guess. Just wish I could figure out life as easily as dinner. I'll probably never really understand the last couple decades, but if someone could give me a clue about the next few, I'd appreciate it! It HAS to get better!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-21T10:46:00.001-04:00

What my morning was spent working on.

by Ang, Posted via Blogaway app for Android

How to have a good time

2010-10-13T14:31:00.001-04:00

In case you were wondering, I've provided instructions.

1. Have hubby leave his car at the office and take company car on out-of-state trip, though not really his choice.

2. Have said car break down 4-1/2 hours from home.

3. Get up early for a parade. Drop kids off for a parade. Watch parade with fellow dance mom friends.

4. Take tired kids, who have walked the entire parade, and drive them 4-1/2 hours to meet stranded hubby. (but stop halfway for a Starbucks since you haven't had one for months and you have a splitting headache)

5. Get instant buzz in addition to cool burning sensation in your ears from Starbucks because the obviously NEW girl dumped half the bottle of peppermint flavoring in your grande-size cup. Totally makes your eyeballs bounce and ears feel 'light and fuzzy' while attempting to ignore the, "How much looooonger??' pleas from the back.

5. Threaten child with mortal wounding if he gripes ONE more time that 'he's BORED'
5. a. Apologize to Monster child but let him know he will be walking home if he continues to be rude and obnoxious.
5. b. Turn Pandora radio on phone as loud as it will go, singing over child whining with your ears on fire because you are in no man's land radioville, and the scum of the earth thieves took your audio adapter to play tunes through the stereo!!

6. Pick up uHaul car trailer and load PoS car that sounds like it's going to blow any second. Monster Man beating on the driveway with a shovel makes less noise. Have smallest child crawl through cracked open back door of POS car to roll up window that hubby climbed OUT of getting the car on the trailer.

7. Begin long trip home towing enormous, heavy beast car. Listen warily to the gas being sucked out of your truck like a 6 year-old chugging a Capri Sun.

8. Listen to Pandora Radio's Maroon5 station while it plays a song about how stupid a man is for cheating/losing his girl, but don't change it because you really want hubby to feel like a schmuck...plus it's a good song. Nobody make a move to change the station allowing the tense moment to fully bloom.

9. Pull over an hour from home in the dark because after the last toll booth you notice the trailer lights are no longer on.
9.a. Pull off the highway using a ramp where the re-entry ramp has been closed and blockaded.
9.b. Spend 45 minutes in the dark in the middle of nowhere replacing trailer connection wires (thanking yourself for having a spare for own trailer) and digging through fuses under hood and in dash to replace three blown ones.
9.d. Witness Hubby approach meltdown. Thankful kids are asleep at this point. Pat yourself on the back for having spare fuses hubby didn't know existed in the 'tub of tricks.'
9.c. Thank the good Lord for GPS on your phone & hubby decent w/ to get around blockaded re-entry and back to interstate through corn fields and abandoned factory ghost towns.

10. Arrive home and let kids go to bed w/o showers- nearing midnight. They're cranky, who cares.

11. Second Day: Once again, hubby sends the son in and out of cracked-open rear car door to turn the key on and put the driver window down. Kid climbs out. Husband climbs in window to start car and attempt to diagnose situation. Hubby back out. Situation deemed terminal after removing belts and testing pulleys. Husband BACK in and out window. Child back in to close window and slide out rear door.

12. Though hubby has previously used car haulers and various trailers, at this time, his attention moves to short straps on driver's side wheel coverings of trailer which allow the trailer fenders down for easy access into PoS car....no small child necessary.
a. Take a picture to capture the moment.
b. Rush inside to laugh your ass off and accidentally delete picture.

13. Go with hubby, truck, trailer and kids to dealership near hubby's work because HIS car is still at work from previous week so you need to go there anyway. Drop off trailer. Stop at hubby's work to drop him off and because kids want to visit.
13.a. Run into office hussy who has been in said hubby's pants, force a smile and enjoy her face going white when she suddenly realizes you are RIGHT behind hubby walking in the door. Try not to scratch out her eyes when she baby talks to your kids.
13.b. Re-live previous tense moment of #8 x 100.
13.c. Talk to her like nothing is wrong. Hold back urge to hurl, scream obscenities and beat husband with nearest office chair.

14. Drive home in rain and hordes of construction traffic, cussing husband and hussy silently in your head.

15. Give in to the kids and stop for fast food on the way home...after a weekend like that, the oven blowing up would just be icing on the cake, so why risk it?

Now, wasn't THAT Fuuuunn??

A sight that makes a grown man cry

2010-10-11T11:17:00.001-04:00

Well almost. Definitely has him sick to his stomach.

Imagine- fishing, slippery dock, wobbly chair, listening to the race on the Droid which is IN the chair pocket. Whole shebang goes ass over teakettle into lake.

Droid still in rice bed recovery 18 hours later with visible moisture under the screen.

Prognosis? Not favorable.

Poor guy.

by Ang, Posted via Blogaway app for Android

Friday Five- albeit SUNday!

2010-10-03T01:19:00.000-04:00

Thanks Ms. G over at Derfwad Manor for Friday Five!!

1) How did you meet your partner?
Met him in the 6th grade, I was the new kid. He had a friend tell me he loved me, and I called him an idiot. Hmmm...

2) What did you think you were going to be when you were a kid?

A nurse or a teacher.

3) Which would you least like to encounter on your front porch--possum or raccoon?
Raccoon.

4) Who taught you how to drive? What kind of car?

Oh, Lord. I have blocked most learning-to-drive excursions from memory as Dad was too short-tempered and had ZERO patience; Mom was paranoid, always freaking out. I learned on a '76 ?? red Ford Granada with dual pipes. Dad pulled a couple wires on it one time and made me figure out why it wouldn't run. Oh the joy. He did let me drive in his scary, old work pick-up a few times. (I taught my youngest sister to drive in that two years later.)

In desperation to learn to drive a stick, my boyfriend let me use his Cavalier hatchback...which I totally killed repeatedly at the entrance of town park one summer afternoon. I was beyond flustered and so upset I couldn't think. He had to come rescue me from work, across the park on foot. I was mortified. I finally learned to drive it - sadly the throwout bearing was a casualty.

5) Who is the funniest person you know?

Monique- I can thank her for 20 years of spewing food and drink out of my nose!

In the bloggy world- tie between Danny at Dad Gone Mad and VodkaMom. They both have me in tears of laughter regularly.

Fellow Coupon Clippers- Take a Gander

2010-09-29T13:44:00.000-04:00

Skipping Wordless Wednesday with good reason today. If you are a fellow Grocery Gamer or just lover of a great bargain...lookie here!! Great deals in the Northeast when you click here: Cherry Picker, a blog with all the sale and coupon info gathered for you! Each week!! Including ACME!! YES! I'd cancelled my subscription to the Grocery Game a few years ago because they didn't yet have Acme stores so I had to dig through the sale ads, comparing them to GE, CVS and BJs on my own anyway. I'm always out for a bargain-very rarely do I buy anything unless it's on sale AND I have at least one coupon. Yes, it can be time consuming, but to see the jaws drop of people behind me in line when I have an overflowing cart that only rang up to $100 bucks after coupons (and I got some fuel perks too)...PRICELESS!!

Got sidetracked...heh. I only know about this site because B's teacher with OHVA had mentioned in her newsletter about her starting to use coupons more and the Cherry Picker web site. Wow- LOVE IT!! If you are new to couponing or Grocery Game, some of the terms or acronyms may be confusing, don't let those overwhelm you. Here is a link courtesy of Hot Coupon World to help you out: Coupon acronyms and terms.

Go check it out!! Save money!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-15T18:04:00.002-04:00

by Ang, Posted via Blogaway app for Android

Fall Picnic

2010-09-10T18:05:00.000-04:00

OHVA Back-to-School picnics took place in various locations all over the state today. We only had to travel to the Falls to meet up with other OHVA families, friends and teachers. Games were set up around the picnic area and students played a 'Get to Know Each Other' scavenger hunt. Teachers divided the kids into groups by grade for activities while parents chatted and swapped stories. After eating lunch, the kids raced off to the playground to burn some energy letting parents and teachers continue conversations and pass advice for the new school year. Was a great turnout for our location and everyone seemed to have a good time. The kids played with old friends, made some new friends, swapping Webkinz IDs or email addresses. Great day!!

Afterwards, I had to run for dog food, cat litter and coffee creamer- MUST have creamer!! Was totally out. I didn't even have any of my back-up, last resort powder reserve left! The situation was dire, let me tell you! ;-D Dog food situation was not quite as bleak...they had a few days left.

Home now- kids are out and about playing with friends and I'm on the swing enjoying the sudden appearance of sunshine! Yay! Bonus!! Thinking about holding dinner off another 30 minutes if the sun continues, Mr. FixIt hasn't even left the office yet and kids are distracted so I think I can stretch a little more sun time in this day.
Scratch that thought- he just pulled in. Crap. Oh well, was a good idea! :-D

Have a wonderful weekend!!

What a weekend!

2010-09-07T15:00:00.000-04:00

For starting the weekend feeling seriously bummed that I couldn't make the yearly bike trip with Dad to southern Ohio, it ended up being a great couple of days off! Of course I missed spending time with Dad and his buddy Dave, so I called throughout the weekend to check on them, so I was at least able to talk with him a bit. Mr. FixIt and I took some nice rides on the bike, mostly enjoyable because I could soak up SUN, ride and THINK uninterrupted. 100 miles on the back of a bike offers plenty opportunity for thinking...my future, the kids, his financial 'things', ways to step up my business, etc. Funny that as I'm finally getting my mind straight what/need to do with my future, I've had this odd calm that's been missing for wayyyy too many years. Seems the situation with Mr. FixIt is no longer stressing me- I may have found the ladder to climb up from the bottom of that dark, muddy barrel. Caught a glimpse of my old happy self and haven't looked back. Why did it take me so long?? That muddy barrel is pretty cramped, nasty place...finding a way out shouldn't be that difficult. Apparently I'd missed a rescue rope or two- whoops!

So onto the weekend... I had a wonderfully lazy Saturday- Monster Man was itching to get another big catfish so Mr. Fixit took him for most of the day. B and I fiddled around the house. Sunday, we made pies and pasta salad to take to a friend's cookout with their family & friends. Awesome food and a fun evening! Some cornhole games in the yard and washer toss that Steph and I decided we really needed catcher's gear for!! Someone could get knocked out or lose an eye in that game!! :-D Finished the evening with a roaring campfire, hot dogs and s'mores until late. Arrived home just before midnight, expecting Lyla to come bounding out of the garage as we'd left her out and Lucy in the house. Figured poor Lucy's eyeballs were floating we'd been gone so long, she'd REALLY need let out! Opened the garage all the way. No doggies. Oh crap. Not cool. I jump out of the truck ahead of Mr. FixIt and run to the garage- both dogs jumping and yipping AT the door from INSIDE the house!! Oh no. Visions of my furniture in shreds flash through my head. The last time Lyla was left inside (a few months ago) she used two dining room chairs as chew toys. This may not be pretty. Open the door, both mutts come bounding out, excited to see us after 9 hours, like we'd been gone a month! Mr. FixIt and I split up surveying inside- chairs intact, couches appear untouched, nothing bothered on the counters, shoes still look like shoes...wow. Really?? Lyla didn't destroy ANYthing?? No potty messes either?? Lucy has a 10-hr bladder, she could make it, but Lyla, not so much. Mr. F said our bed looked like they'd be on it, but laundry still in basket, not upturned, nothing out of place. Kids room ok. Hmmm. Then I noticed the back door....WIDE OPEN. oh nice. Checked to make sure the door wasn't actually knocked out...no. Just open. Hmmm. Well at least with the huge, noisy beasts I don't have to worry about someone having been in the house. :-D Still not sure if one of us left the screen door open or of the dogs managed to wedge it a crack and push the rest of the way. Oh well, at least the house wasn't destroyed! YAY!

Monday we had a blast with the neighbors out at West Branch on their boat and jet skiis. Was kind of a chilly start, especially on a ski when you've left capris on because the sun is hiding and you're on the verge of a cold anyway. The first major misjudged wave, ski nose dive into the water I was soaked and then REALLY freezing!! WHEEEE!!! Sun came out later in the afternoon, thankfully, then we had a blast with the kids taking turns on the skis and riding around on the boat making waves for the guys to romp on. Beautiful ending to the long weekend!!

Hope your weekend was exciting!

Friday Fill-Ins #192

2010-09-03T11:05:00.000-04:00

1. Family - makes me think of Grandma T and how much I miss her_.

2. __I am horrible at decisions, always_ back and forth.

3. I love a _bargain!

4. ___Grilled catfish, salad and new potatoes__ makes a good meal.

5. I've got the _Fever for the Flavor of the Pringles! ___(which is why I don't buy them!!)

6. __Craftastrophe.net___: WTH?!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _having a night off dinner duty__, tomorrow my plans include _making pasta salad and peach pie___ and Sunday, I want to _have a great time/food/fun with friends in their new place_!

Thanks Janet!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-01T20:15:00.001-04:00

by Ang, Posted via Blogaway app for Android

It's OK Tuesday!

2010-08-31T15:05:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Whispering Writer for Airing her Dirty Laundry...

It's OK Tuesday again...so in keeping with the new Tuesday idea,

It's OK...

That I am seriously craving brownie batter right now. -- I will not mix any! I will NOT mix any!

That my child was running around outside in her PJs at 10 am playing with the dogs. At least she had SOME sort of clothing on, unlike her brother aka The Superhero Streaker.

That the Pit is still a scary place as I can only work on it 15 minutes at a time (FLYlady style). That's all it's going to get. -I watched Hoarders last night. Made me feel MUCH better about that one room!! AACK!! GAG! SCARY!!

My dogs have fleas...yes, even on their knees.

I get seriously pissed off when people fly down my street at 2x the posted speed!! Do I drive like a maniac down theirs??

I told my son to 'shut UP!!' yesterday. It was that or take his head off with an Uzi. He lived. I have mentioned that he's a 'learn the hard way' kind of kid, right??

I don't feel bad about my husband taking responsibility for his problems/actions without my help. I won't make it difficult for him to take care or deal with, but will I make it any easier and/or do the legwork/extra effort/continue it on?? I think not.

Auntie Flo is gearing up to take me a few rounds (see brownie batter & son above) & I'm going to take a nap to prepare.

That I don't feel bad about working on making some changes in my life. As the song says, ' Every new beginning is some other beginning's end,' - yeah something like that.

*** Want to join in the It's OK Tuesday fun?? Come on, you know you want to.... :-D ***

I've considered joining in Wordless Wednesday also. Let's see if tomorrow I remember to post a pic...
just don't hold your breath!

Friday Fill-Ins

2010-08-27T10:27:00.000-04:00

1. You do your thing; I do mine and sometimes _ we'll wind up in the same place_.

2. __Days gone by__ is what's been on my mind on and off all day.

3. Remember when _life was simple and days were taken for granted?__.

4. ___Reading (web/print/anything!), & saving money w/coupons and sales, and (sadly) searching for truth vs. deception__ are three of my favorite obsessions :-)

5. During the last year __I wasted more time than I care to think about or admit- hitting me in the face now, I realize it. Need to break out of the rut and make some changes- in more ways than one...with more than just me. ___

6. __Yesterday afternoon's conversation___ puts a smile on my face.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __making popcorn for the kids' movie night and reading a few chapters of my book__, tomorrow my plans include _making some calls and doing jewelry work___ and Sunday, I want to _FLING, FLING, FLING stuff from the house and get my CJ in order_!

Thanks Janet!

Ho hum

2010-08-24T23:23:00.000-04:00

Sitting on the swing with a jacket listening to the squirrels drop acorn clusters like atom bombs and watch oak seed helicopters fly around...even a few brownish leaves falling. Four years, not counting growing up in Uh-HI-uh, you'd THINK I'd be use to the coming of fall, but I am SO NOT READY!! This summer has been a blur with thankfully a few positive splashes over the top. Of course there are a few reasons I am ECSTATIC for school to start which you can peek at over here. One negative spot to my summer has been my poor pathetic garden.

This side of the mowed part is my sad, thin plant space.

There are accumulating reasons for its non-productivity, but mainly: put in too late, not enough water- oddly enough that spot is UNDER water more often than than not- and the final straw: the poochies and dead fence collars.

I was so excited my tomato plants were growing like crazy, literally a jungle from only 4 plants and on Saturday I had to tie them up AGAIN. A dying cherry tomato plant my dad had given me had more than recovered and was producing several yummy clusters Monster Man had already picked, leaving multiple little green and bright orange ones. YAY!! My poor green beans...out of five rows, only four pathetic plants came up. Not sure if that was due to Monster Man being the planter or birds going crazy over my garden space the few days after.

The dead fence collars are the result of Man Eyes which is the technical term for a male person literally NOT seeing what is directly in front of his freaking face. *That will be discussed further in a a whole 'nother post! Basically, he unplugged the Invisible Fence that keeps the dogs in our yard. So over the weekend, the collars beeped the dogs all over the yard in the SAFE zone, wore down the batteries until they were toast. So by Tuesday and I've had to call the dogs YET again from two yards away, I finally figure this out-- I saw the cord dangling...crap!! He had unplugged the fence (in the house) to plug in his computer. Well, just slap me stupid. AAARRGGGHHH. Dogs now need retrained on fence area...because safe zone was beeping them all weekend. No wonder Lucy is acting like a freak- she's been so well trained to the fence I rarely even have to put a collar on her and she's flipping out and running around like a spazz. As an added bonus, both collars are DEAD. Now the garden is beyond the 'Safe' area were the dogs normally can't reach. I stress normally.

Anywho... so now I've figured why dogs are running amok, had to wait a day or so before I could get more batteries - tell kids to help keep an eye on the dogs. Mr. FixIt the next afternoon yells at Lucy to get out of the garden. Oh man! He informs me she was picking tomatoes. ??? Dog that freaking picks tomatoes!! Run down to check my few crazy tomato plants and OMG!! She had carefully picked every flippin' cherry tomato off the plant. Green. Red. Orange. All GONE. Three near-ready-to-pick beefsteak tomatoes from one of my wildly growing plants. Gone.

Naked tomato plant. Guilty party is top left peeking around a tree, "Who me?...naaahh."

Then I saw the green beans. SMUSHED. Broken. Flat in the mud...near some very big paw prints. GREAT! Apparently while Lucy delicately picked tomatoes for a snack, Lyla tromped through my few beans, one pepper plant, and pulled 6 cucumber plants totally out of their mounds.
AARRGGHHH!!! Thankfully, upon scanning the neighbor's garden it appears untouched. Only one edge paw print and plenty of tomatoes, etc, appear undisturbed. THANK GOD! I retreated to the massacre, picked my 7 green beans that weren't quite ready but on broken stems, and sternly scolded both dogs. Cooked those beans with my rice for lunch. Damn pup.

And I'd wondered the day before, when I'd caught Lucy with a tomato, which kid had given it to her.
Damn dog. I hope she has some killer heartburn. For a week.

Hello August!! errr...I mean GOODbye!

2010-08-23T15:34:00.000-04:00

**AACCCKK!! Holy crap it canNOT be August already!! Only a few weeks until we are back to school work, lessons and hectic schedules.

On the other hand, what a COMPLETELY insane July we've had!! Wow- I'm a bit glad the past few weeks are, in fact, PAST!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**I started this post on August 1st. Today is the 23rd. Go figure.

Friday Fill-Ins #190

2010-08-20T10:33:00.000-04:00

Thanks again to Janet...or I'd not have blogged at all in several weeks!

And...here we go!

1. Laughter _is indeed the best medicine, especially when it involves snorting food out your nose! (love ya M!)__.

2. _"When I clicked..."____ are the three words that started off the last email I sent.

3. What I'm most looking forward to today is _enjoying some sun on the last true day of our summer before diving into school/lessons next week___.

4. __Chatting with a very dear, long-time friend __ puts a smile on my face.

5. Where in the world _is my willpower?? motivation?? Apparently they ran off with my good sense of years gone by.___

6. __Surprisingly, a great workout yesterday was___ just what I needed! (Did I seriously just type that??!! )

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __making garlic pasta with sauteed mushrooms and shrimp for dinner___, tomorrow my plans include _visiting family and friends at my home church festival (STAY AWAY RAIN)___ and Sunday, I want to _relax_!
Posted by Janet

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

Friday Fill-Ins #187

2010-07-30T10:31:00.000-04:00

Thanks Janet! I remembered Friday Fill-Ins!!

And...here we go!

1. I'm going _to get on that elliptical today...and tomorrow... I HAVE to__.

2. _Not everyone was meant to be _ adventuresome and daring.

3. Perhaps today you can make it a point _to give your kids a hug!____.

4. __T-man has a_ true adventurer’s spirit.

5. Compassion is _a trait a certain family member lacks_

6. __I have to make myself stick to my guns__ no matter how difficult.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _attempting to get my house back in order from being away__, tomorrow my plans include _spending some time with my visiting nieces while Mr. FixIt takes B & T to the drag race__ and Sunday, I want to _enjoy a day off and finally finish the Janet Evanovich book I started months ago_!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

It's OK Tuesday!

2010-07-20T10:27:00.000-04:00

While trying to figure out what portion of my muddled brain to dish out on this here blog today, I came across this post over at Airing My Dirty Laundry... and her "It's Ok Tuesday" post. GREAT IDEA!!
She here goes- some random things that I've come to terms as being 'ok' ....either that or I'm just too tired of fighting them anymore.

It's OK...
-that my poor pathetic garden was put in late. Hopefully I'll have some tomatoes and beans before frost. If not it was a whole $4 in seeds.
- that my house wasn't totally clean when the nieces arrived. I worked at it while they visited and I don't think they even noticed.
-that my kids hate me some days- raising un-bratty kids means NOT being their FRIEND!
-that I don't have a new car. I don't NEED one, and Mr. FixIt with ZERO dollars needs to quit talking about one!!!
(is it ok to have a new Mr. FixIt??)
-that I take my time in the morning with my java and my Macbk on the swing. We all need some time for ourselves, right?

Yumm- Holiday fixins

2010-07-06T12:04:00.000-04:00

Mess of catfish eggs fryin' up slow...wish I could describe how fantastic they smell!
Have a safe holiday everyone!

Some days

2010-07-02T18:37:00.001-04:00

I need way more patience. Nothing infuriates me more than lying.
Counting to 1000...

June, oh June, where have you gone?

2010-07-01T11:15:00.000-04:00

Wow- a month flew by like a lightning flash! Wasn't it just yesterday I was dancing around so happy school was finished, recitals were coming up and warmer weather was on the horizon?? Has school really been out a month already?? Rehearsals and recitals long gone?? Trip to WV for Father's Day over?? July canNOT be here already. I need more than 6 weeks before getting back to school work- AAACCKKK!!! To make up for my total loss of time over the past month and lack of blogging, I've learned a few things:

* When adding 6-inch risers to the bed...make a FLASHING sign on the ceiling and night stand to WARN yourself of the potential to bust your ass when you step out of bed half-asleep to a missing floor. Six inches doesn't seem like much until your stomach ends up in your throat and your arms smack the dresser trying to catch yourself while your brain has forgotten the bed is a little farther off the floor than it was yesterday...or the day before...or the day before that.
Copy that reminder to the cats who cannonball themselves into the side of the bed in the middle of the night...which shakes the bed, wakes Mr. FixIt, and promptly gets them thrown out.

*Taking a phone in the bathroom is a necessary emergency tool. My sisters and I have a running joke that if we need to go to the bathroom, we call each other (works like a charm- yes, we have tummy issues), also it never fails when one of us goes to the bathroom, one of the others will call. So keeping a phone handy saves a lot of racing in and out of the powder room. Phone will also save you when you don't realize you are TOTALLY out of TP until business has already begun, the kids are roaming the neighborhood completely out of earshot and your really don't want to contemplate alternative items for tissue. This is when you can be thankful your oldest child (and the most likely suspect to have left you stranded w/o TP in the first place) actually has a cell phone- hopefully ON her. If not, calling a neighbor to tell your kids to get their hineys home will suffice. Lazy child 0, cell phone rescue 1.

* Monster Man's ADHD reigned in with Focalin makes for one majorly improved boy!! Amen and Hallelujah!! I've always been against medication for kids unless a true need exists so you name it- but for alternatives, I've done it/tried it/near lost my mind. After two years of schooling, I made an appointment with the doctor, showed him the forms and behavior surveys I've filled out intermittently over the years (with no change), and let him know my bag of tricks is empty- he and I both need help with this. Doc agreed after seeing the boy for less than 2 minutes in action..."so I see the reason for your visit today..." with a big grin. Thanks doc, glad you got a laugh out of it.
Now that he's not taking it for the summer- makes his constant bouncing off the walls and lack of focus that much more prominent after seeing what he 'CAN' do with a little help. Aye yi yi!!

*Taking my medication late is NOT fun. Realizing I've forgotten a dose a DAY later even less so. Talk about dizzy- YIKES!! The cold-sweat, world-still-moving-when-you-stop type dizzy. I'm not one to get nauseous easily thankfully or I'd probably be heaving all over the place. The only time I've been car/motion sick was the first few days of starting Pristiq and when I've missed a dose. Potentially missing my morning front yard swing time because I'm so dizzy (my head just keeps on swinging after I get up!) should be enough motivation to remind me to take it. I guess I need to make a reminder sign for that beside my bed.

Yummy Easy Salsa!

2010-06-17T09:52:00.001-04:00

Getting my kids to eat veggies is a serious chore, especially for super picky B. Monster Man does a bit better, but here is one way to get BOTH of them to eat veggies (and sometimes fruit) and ASK for more!!

SALSA!!!
Yes, salsa with tomatoes, onions and avocado. Will my kids touch avocado?? Oh yes they will now and it's so super easy!
The first time I made this I did follow a recipe which I thought was from AllRecipies.com or Pioneer Woman Cooks, though I can only find her avocado corn salsa, not this one...hmmm. So since then, I kind of wing it, which isn't difficult with only a few ingredients. Easy to play with and vary according to your family's tastes. :-D

The Basics:
1 sliced/chopped avocado
1 large (or 2-3 small) diced tomato
about 1/4 to 1/2 of a chopped or diced medium onion

*(all the above can be diced or chopped, depending on how smooth or chunky you like salsa...or how tired you are and really don't want to dice anything! :-D)

Dash of garlic powder
Dash of pepper
1 or 2 TB of cilantro flakes or fresh, finely-chopped cilantro (better)
1 TB of lime juice

The easy part is you can improvise:
-use some plum or cherry tomatoes cut in halves or quarters OR
- use small can of already diced tomatoes (fresh does taste better)
-In an "OMG I'm have NO onions" panic, I even used dehydrated onions from the Amish store (set in warm water for a few minutes first)
-Fresh minced garlic instead of powder
-Totally leave out the lime juice or use just a splash balsamic vinegar

Mix well with a spoon. Can be enjoyed right away, though the flavors do enhance if you chill the mix for a couple hours. Dip with white corn chips or layer on tortillas, use as a side to grilled fish, or Mr. FixIt's fav- dipped using pretzel chips as an "I'm starving and can't wait for dinner!!" snack.

In searching for the original recipe, I came across several others- some with corn, some use chillies or jalapenos and even apples. Yes- APPLES!! Veggies and fruit- BONUS!! That was the new ingredient for us last night. I added a teaspoon of taco seasoning, the balsamic vinegar and one chopped granny smith apple. Talk about YUM!! I didn't tell Mr. FixIt what was in it before he tasted it. He kept going after it saying, "Wow- a little heat but something sweet is in there!!" S-U-C-C-E-S-S!

Ok, there you go- Take it! Play with it!! Enjoy!!

Frumpy Day

2010-05-02T23:58:00.000-04:00

Been one of those bum around rainy, head pounding, blah-feeling days. Too bad my mid-day nap attempt to rejuvenate myself was riddled with horrible nightmares. WTH?? Thankfully Mr. FixIt has weekend duties! He cleaned the kitchen TWICE today, made yummy pork chops for dinner, even rubbed my neck and brushed my hair trying to get my out of my funk. Such a good guy, always trying to make me feel better. I still have days I wonder if all the 'love' is out of guilt, and I want to rip his manly parts off and question past indiscretions including if he could have all that, why in the WORLD would he want me. I don't get it.

oh, and Auntie Flo...

YOU SUCK!!

And that's all I have to say about that.

Look UP!

2010-05-01T20:55:00.000-04:00

Look up in the sky and what do I see??

A golden bright sunshine glowing down on me!!

YAY!! That completes the poetry moment- enjoy the little couplet that fell out of my brain. :-D

And truthfully someone probably has said that or sung it and that's why it spewed out of my fingers so easily, heh. Was a beautiful day despite the clouds intermittently hiding that shiny sun today, with the kids doing well and having a great time at their dance competition. Not too much of a drive either, and sharing the ride makes the trip so much more fun!! --apologies to the white Toyota, witness to ~~whacko~~ funny lady with a hair clip up her nose and the trucker who saw the front end of my truck bouncing to 'Topsy Turvy!' being sung with GUSTO, yeah, that's what we'll call it-- AnyWHO- fun trip, great day, and happy, tired kids! WHEEEEE!!! Granted there would've been much more joy if the awards ceremony hadn't taken nearly 12 hours, but that's just the opinion of a mom who sat in the saaaaaame chair alllllllllll day long.
May looks up to be purty busy: wrapping up school lessons and hours, last weeks of dance classes, dance competitions and getting this house in order by way of an INTENSE spring cleaning. It may be another month before I blog! ha!

Friday Fill-Ins

2010-04-03T00:23:00.000-04:00

So, it's technically Saturday now (12:02 am)- sue me. Easter edition of Friday Fill-Ins from Janet.

1. All you need is _a little less than what you want.
2. __B's sweet gestures and Monster Man's crazy antics_ fill me with laughter.
3. Each generation, as it grows up, _should be more respectful of the previous and more educated in guiding the next.
4. __Not being assertive_ is something I have a hard time dealing with.
5. A trip to __the beach _ is what I need.
6. ___If you smell smoke, there's usually fire__ and you get back.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _coloring eggs with the kids (did that)_, tomorrow my plans include _dance, make macaroni salad & decorate a bunny cake__ and Sunday, I want to _watch the kids find their Easter baskets early then spend the afternoon with my Dad's family!

April Fool's ya fool!

2010-04-02T00:07:00.000-04:00

The fool be me- thinking I'm gonna get something slapped down on this little text box...or trying to for the past several weeks!! Not happenin' obviously. Oh well- here be the highlights.

Puppers Lyla is approaching 60 pounds and almost 5 months old. I still call her 'Chunk' She sounds like an elephant wearing swim fins flopping her big feet through the house, cracks me up.

Mr. FixIt tore out the scary, horrible bathroom tub and shower walls and replaced them- oh yes!! I was so excited- still am!! Details and pics later, but I am oh SO head over heels about my new shower!!

Monster Man is about to make me loose my mind with his school work- thankful for the holiday weekend and our upcoming trip for spring break. I think I'm as ready for summer as he is! B thankfully is doing well, better in spelling even and still reading up a storm...at least when I can get her off Webkinz! :-D

Finally warm weather is here, even if only for a little bit, but I'll take what I can get! Mr. FixIt put the swing back in the front yard...it's be-ginning to LOOK -a -lot -like SUM-mer!! Wheeee!!!

Shoveling injury

2010-02-19T09:53:00.001-05:00

In helping the kids make sled runs, through hacking and sneezing, I created this lovely wound when i misjudged the shovel in 10 inches of snow, hit the well cap on the patio and pinched my upper thigh between the shovel handle and my body pushing to get the ice under the snow loose...it hurt, but when I got ready for shower last night, I didn't realize how bad. Looks likr someone whopped me with a bowling ball. Purty, eh?

Winter sucks!

Dance away now!

2010-02-05T23:52:00.001-05:00

That is a late 80's Roxette song title_ remember that one? Thinking happy thoughts for the team this weekend. So proud of B and MM with this team! Get out there and show KAR what you guys can do! Dance away with a barrel full of Platinums and trophies gang- dance away!

New 'do part deux.

2010-02-03T22:51:00.001-05:00

First off, loving my HTC Droid Eris! Android apps ROCK! Though last night I was having a one-on-one with the Blogaway app. Very easy to use/post from the phone. You can even attach images. Cool, eh? This is where Blogaway and I had our differences. Grrr. Lucky I got anything on here!

SO.... the hair is still at my shoulders, but quite a bit short for my normal. I did have it curled in that picture. I was going to upload a shaggy yet slightly curly, from what hasn't grown out and now been cut off, of my wave-only perm from months ago. Uploaded that second picture and Blogaway yells at me it has to close. Dang. So I type up a quick description again and try to upload the first picture, AGAIN, when Blogaway yells at me the second time- It has an error, please close. No draft saved-DANG. So third time, I uploaded pic first with quick description and SENT it before it disappeared like a fart in the wind of the previous two attempts! Technology can be so cool, but frustrating at the same time.

Speaking of part TWO- Here's a shot of Mr. FixIt with the Grizzly Adams/Abe Lincoln effect reduced.

The beard is back to normal. :-D He trimmed enough off you can see his face shape now. Woohoo!!

New 'do

2010-02-02T23:18:00.001-05:00

Ok. Third try. Picture now- explain tomorrow!

February

2010-02-01T22:55:00.000-05:00

Started the month with a hair cut! Had 5+ inches taken off my mop and thinking I might go back to get it shortened up a bit more. Still a LOT of hair there, so not much different really. Hope this helps with the hair always caught in my coat, and purse strap (when I even carry one), and always pulling it up to put a hat on, since it's so freaking cold. Really had enough with ponytails and clips because it's just EVERYWHERE. I like to really fix it nice, big curls/waves, but lately that's been about once every two or three weeks. So off it goes! :-D

Mr. FixIt started the day ok, but it ended quite painfully. He was showing B some self-defense, nothing heavy, just basic 'don't get trapped, use your weight and stronger body parts' etc. Then she was talking about being tough and she wouldn't want to mess with him. Monster Man had to chime in that he could 'box him' and be tough. So Mr. FixIt declares he could whip both of them blindfolded. Hmmm. B brings on the blindfold. Oh Lord.
Mr. FixIt on his knees in the middle of the living room, taking big wide swings at the kids, knocking them down or taking their feet out from under them- to which I remind him, PLEASE don't break anything! They both have a dance competition this weekend!! JEESH! So anyway, B trying to get jabs in and Monster Man jumping on his shoulders and head from behind, they gang up on him. Mr. FixIt gets a hold of MM's legs- gets him pinned down so he can't kick anymore. B backs up and squares off facing the blindfolded Mr. FixIt. She takes a giant step back and gears to kick before I choke out a, "NO!" mid-swig of my Pepsi, she fires a foot full force into his manly parts. Oh. shit. He groans, falls over. Monster Man wiggles free. Both kids escape to the other room laughing and high-five'in while I'm dripping soda and streaming tears laughing. Mr. FixIt continues to roll and choke in the fetal position when the dogs decide to tackle him while he's down! So I pull off the jaws and paws heathen combo and try stifle laughter while telling the kids to knock it off. That was not funny! I finally got the kids to settle telling B she wasn't supposed to do that- that kick is only for 'serious-you are in big trouble and need to escape type situations' and still trying not to laugh. B toned down the celebration realizing what she'd done and ran went crying to the bathroom.
Great. Husband rolling in pain- no chance of any fun time tonight. Daughter sobbing- shuts herself in bathroom and won't come out. My nose is raging fire from the soda's unorthodox exit. MM- squealing around the house with a hyena laugh taunting the dogs to tackle him. Family time- PRICELESS!!

Mr. FixIt lived. He's still moving around quite gently.
B calmed down and came out of the bathroom finally. Mr. FixIt made her laugh by saying- "ok, you've seen that kick work. Don't ever do it again unless you fear death."

Needless to say, I don't think Mr. FixIt will be offering to "whoop ass blindfolded" in the near future. Hehehe.

Droid ROCKS!

2010-01-27T12:16:00.001-05:00

So I blew it with Nablopomo. My house is a total disaster. The kids are still in PJs and Mt. Washmore is rising to new heights...but my HTC Droid Eris is in my hands and kicking booty!!

Priorities.

Let me introduce you-

2010-01-19T14:09:00.000-05:00

To Lurker Girl and her post from Friday about
Common Courtesy.

Check it out- what a hoot!!

Premier Regional Conf- amazing people!

2010-01-16T19:33:00.001-05:00

When you get to your car an hour later

2010-01-11T22:53:00.001-05:00

What to do, what to do...

2010-01-09T23:57:00.000-05:00

Finish putting Christmas stuff away? -no I did not do it last weekend.
Fold another load of laundry? -folded five today, already over my quota.

~~Finish~~ Get another pile cleared out of the Pit?? -probably, but I need full daylight in there or I could be lost forever.
Shampoo the LR carpet from a few scattered puppy accidents?? -too late tonight. I'll can't get the spots done w/o just doing the whole dang floor. Must be some OCD thing...or something.
Clean off the buffet and move the kitchen around, like I've wanted to for two months?? -I haven't had near enough to drink.
Go to bed? -Yes, I need to but I'm going to catch some SNL first. Maybe I'll get one of the above mentioned tasks done tomorrow and report back.

Don't hold your breath.

On either the above tasks or a post. :-D

Droid, Nexus One, iPhone???

2010-01-07T15:37:00.000-05:00

I just came across this and my jaw is on the floor.

Yours probably too as I'm posting twice in the same day.

iPhone to Verizon- Official??

Now I might be in a pickle...

Droid-oh yes, I want one!

2010-01-07T10:15:00.001-05:00

Mr. FixIt upgraded his cell phone last month and got the very cool Motorola Droid. I'm sure you've seen the commercials. Loving all things Apple and craving an iPhone but despising AT&T's lack of coverage- an iPhone has been a far-fetched dream. Sigh. Until now- Android OS and functionality of the Droid rivals iPhone- finally!! I really like the Droid, but I'm not crazy about the slide out keyboard or the heft of this gadget. I currently have a Samsung touchscreen phone and love it! So a new touchscreen phone that doesn't run on WinDoze or require At&T- I'm IN!! Cool apps of the Android phones are a big seller- games, goofy sounds, music, handy gadgets such as the barcode scanner. Seriously, use the phone's camera to scan any barcode and you will see the price of that item in different stores and where to purchase. Nifty, eh?! Another one- Keychain. All those store and club cards hanging on your keys?? Scan them and store in the phone- hold up your phone to scan at the store = less junk to hang on your keys!! Fun apps including sirens, movie sound bites, animals, and Mr. FixIt's favorite- the Fart Noise app. Twenty+ different disgusting fart sounds including a timer so you can play tricks on your children/coworkers/relatives. Monster Man also loves this goofy app- go figure. Another favorite, the gun apps. Chose your weapon, realistic click/cocking/bolt slide sounds and FIRE! Mr. FixIt does that when one of us is driving him crazy...he just opens fire with his phone. hehe.

Ironically my phone has worked flawlessly for over a year until the past week when Verizon started sending me, 'upgrade early' info. Darn they are tempting me! Of course we came from Alltel and as long as I have an Alltel phone, Verizon has to keep our billing the same as before. Upgrade to Verizon phone, voila! Get Verizon billing. Really it's not a big change, pricing is figured differently though ends up the same $$. The difference is we will lose 5 of our Friends & Family numbers...unless we up to a larger plan. Well the budget isn't allowing me for a larger plan right now, so 5 people are gonna get called a lot less around here! :-D

Where was I?? Oh, sorry brain wandered off... so an Android phone is in my future, but not wanting a Moto Droid...I've fallen in love with the HTC Droid Eris. More slim, lighter, has a trackball, and dedicated call/hang up buttons. The Eris has an older Android version, but still works pretty much the same as the Moto Droid. Both have 5 mp camera, though Eris doesn't have a flash. Eris is $100 cheaper- $99 at Verizon online and $49 at Best Buy. Cool deal- though Best Buy can't authorize the early upgrade Verizon offers- DARN! So I'll have to wait until price goes down to get this nifty phone.

THEN- Google throws me a curve ball with their Nexus One phone.OOOOHhhh, AAAAAhhhhh.
Only available at the moment with T-Mobile, but coming this spring to Verizon. An Android phone, with guts made by HTC and sold by Google. Similar to the Eris in looks with upgraded OS, a flash and still has that trackball I love on the Eris. Larger screen to match the Moto Droid. Much longer battery life. Price yet to be determined for Verizon. I guess I'll have to wait until my phone totally kicks the bucket... and hope it's not until Spring and cross my fingers Verizon has a killer deal on the Nexus One. If not, I'll be happy with an Eris. Ohhh- Android phone here I come!!

Ah, it has begun.

2010-01-05T23:32:00.000-05:00

Time sure flies by! Holidays are gone, we're in 2010, and the first semester of school will finish up this week. Wasn't it just sunny afternoons on the swing and kids barefoot playing in the sprinkler...yesterday?? Blink and BOOM- six inches of snow and still piling up. Aaacck. Great for the kids; they've had a blast sledding and playing in the snow most every day. Sucks for me- freezing temps and gloves, hats, snow boots...bah humbug.

With the new year underway, I have to get off my arse!! Literally and figuratively!! Many things around this house need to be dealt with and apparently they don't work on themselves. Darn. School materials are pretty much under control, but home papers, bills, etc, need a revamp. All that was formerly contained and under control at my desk when I was transcribing 10-12 hours a day. Since then, it's migrated into several hot spots around the house. It's NOT efficient. The piles of STUFF drives me insane. I have to get that taken care of. First project of the year. I have fluttered behind FlyLady for several years and one thing I didn't do was the Control Journal, as I was at my desk through the day, every day. Now, with homeschooling, dance most every night, and more visiting family...Flylady wins. I need to make my Control Journal and USE it.

I also need to get back on track with de-cluttering this house. If you follow FlyLady, you know what a super fling boogie is. I did one today and WOW!! Why did I stop doing those?? What a difference and makes you feel GREAT to have a room more clean by tossing that junk! I think I need to do that every day for a month! I also did get several things listed on eBay. Jewelry business has been a bit slow lately. I need the income and I love to eBay! Woohoo! Hopefully I can make a few bucks until I can get some more jewelry shows on the books.

With that, I'm calling it a night. Mr. FixIt is snoring in the COD beside me...he's been there since he got home from work. Literally crashed. He didn't even eat dinner. He can stay in the chair because I'm not waking him up! I already have the mattress pad warming up the bed- hehe. Mine! All MINE!!

Like homemade? Try this.

2010-01-04T15:51:00.002-05:00

If you like to save money, here's an easy home recipe to try...for laundry soap. Yup. I've always been one for bargains and hate to pay big bucks for detergent. I was always super happy to get Arm& H@mmer or Pur#x depending on whichever one was on sale with a coupon to lower the price even more. About a year ago, I came across a site with information how to make your own laundry detergent for super cheap!! So why not, I already had two of the three ingredients anyway. All you need is a bar of Fels-Naptha soap (or Ivory or Castile soap), a box of 20 Mule Team Borax and a box of Arm & H@ammer Washing Soda (not baking soda, WASHING soda). The Mule Team Borax and the washing soda are located in the laundry aisle at the grocery, usually top shelf. The Fels-Naptha may be there, though in Giant Eagle you have to look in the hand soap aisle, bottom shelf between lotions and hand soaps. You can make the detergent either a powder or liquid. I've made both, and I prefer powder. Faster and easier to make; easier to measure out. Easier for the kids to use (since you have to remember to stir or shake the liquid before use). Google will find you a multitude of recipes all over the place. This one is from The Frugal Shopper Site. This page also has links to other homemade items- check it out.

Powdered Laundry Detergent (aprx. 32 loads)
1 Cup grated Fels-Naptha Soap
1/2 Cup Arm & Hammer WASHING Soda
1/2 Cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Grate the bar of soap, nearly one entire bar grated = 1 cup. If you want to work out your forearms and hands, use a hand grater as I have here. If you'd rather do this in 30 seconds instead of 15 minutes and don't care about your forearms...use your food processor. :-D

You can leave the soap grated as is or you can further reduce it down to powder. It does mix better as a powder, but I've made it both ways. Takes about three whirrrs in the Magic Bullet to make a powder out of the grated shavings, or if you already have your food processor out, change the blade and give it a whirl in there. You can see the difference below.

Put the grated/powdered soap into a container, add the washing soda and borax. Mix thoroughly. *Great science lesson about measuring and mixtures here. :-D If you make the liquid version (see link), more lessons about solutions-solute, solvent, suspension, etc. FUN stuff!!

I use a plastic coffee container with a snap lid (pic above). Works well. Easy for even the kids to pick up and scoop out of. Oh and that's the best part...note the measuring utensil in the container: a tablespoon. Only ONE Tablespoon per load. This is low sudsing and great for front loaders. If I had a top load washer, I'd probably use 2 TB. A double batch of this recipe will about half fill a large coffee container and gives you aprx 64 loads of detergent.

The cost breakdown:
1 Bar Fels-Naptha - $1.50 to $1.75

1 Box Arm & Hammer Washing soda- about $4 bucks depending on where you get it. (aprx 7 cups)

1 Box 20 Mule Team Borax - $5 to $7 depending on where you buy it. (aprx 9 cups)

You can get at least 14 batches out of washing soda and 18 batches of borax per box. When you do the math it equals to just slightly over $2 per batch (32 loads). Cheaper if you find any of the above on sale or have coupons. Not to bad, eh? It cleans clothes really well -trust me I have THOROUGHLY tested it out! Two, get down in the mud and grass kids, who also like to help hunt (blood and guts), and work on bikes with daddy (grease). All comes clean with this stuff.

You will also find hints of using white vinegar as a laundry softener and I have used that. Yes, it does work, and no, it doesn't make your clothes smell like a salad! :-D I do like nice scents to my clothes but have yet to go get the essential oils to make my own (by adding them to vinegar)...so until I get motivated in that department I'll keep my bargain store-bought with coupon softener. Though it is good to know if you run out of softener, you can use vinegar in a pinch!

There you go. Cheap laundry detergent that can be made in less than 5 minutes and WORKS!!
Enjoy!

My little drummer hero

2010-01-02T22:39:00.001-05:00

Giving it a shot.

2010-01-01T11:37:00.001-05:00

Ok, new year, new goals, starting over with a clean slate...blah, blah, etc. So not that I have a snowball's chance in hell of completing even a week of NaBloPoMo, I'm on the blogroll for January. Stay tuned to watch me spiral down to a silent-forgot-to-blog death in the YOU SUCK blogging category. I would hate to disappoint my ~~hundreds~~ four followers by actually finishing a month of blogging! Hehh. Giving it a shot for the heck of it.

Speaking of shots- OMG - Mr. FixIt received a recipe from a co-worker over the holidays. It is a long-time used family recipe. If you like B@iley's...you are sooooo going to love this. HOMEmade Irish Cre@m. A shot of this stuff is not enough. You need a glass :-D

Easy peasy. You probably have most of this stuff at home already. Here goes.

1 cup whiskey (cheap is fine, we used Evan Williams)

3 beaten eggs

1/4 teaspoon coconut extract

2 teaspoons Hershey’s chocolate

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping (not whipped, straight from the carton)

1 14oz can Eagle Sweetened Cond. Milk

Put all ingredients in a blender and mix on high. Refrigerate and it will thicken. Keep refrigerated, should keep for about a month or so.

Like it will last that long?? What kind of non-drinkers suggest that?? Mr. FixIt cranked out a batch of this last night for New Year's Eve and it's more than half gone already. Wheeeeeeee!!!!!

Honestly, I think you could put a touch more chocolate in it and touch of mint extract and have an equivalent B@iley's Irish Mint, but whatever you try, in honor of the family that has passed it down for years...don't screw it up. :-D You wouldn't want to waste even cheap whiskey anyway, hehe.

Alrighty NaBloPoMo....Day 1 down. Only 30 more to go! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Wednesy Wackday

2009-12-10T01:17:00.000-05:00

That's exactly how the day started and ended...as screwed up as a football bat.   Started it ticked off, ended it crying. Not one of my finest. Somewhere in the middle I managed to make coffee early and fell back asleep until it was off and cold, forgot to make two phone calls I should have for the past three days, realized I hadn't even set foot in the laundry room for two days and still as I type this hadn't been in there yet, YELLed at Monster Man and in total toddler fashion threw ~~a fit~~- two counting blocks across a room to which he said 'That was AWESOME!" so I sent him to his room while I locked myself in a dark bathroom fighting to not flush my own head down the toilet, I totally forgot to pay a bill and mother TRUCKER I am renewing that dang library book RIGHT NOW.....
Ok, done. I should have purchased the library children's wing as it would probably have been cheaper!!

Not to be outdone, Mother Nature is giving it both barrels today with high winds, dropping temps and blowing snow. Lovely. Thankfully she's dished out over a foot on my sister in NY instead of here- thank GOD for small favors! Hehe Love ya, J.

Mr. FixIt and I seem to be back to 'don't ask, don't tell' regarding what's bothering me or when things come up that we SHOULD be talking about. Hence the crying end to this crappy day. Having some after-kids-go-to-bed ah hem ...exercise when emotion overtook me and all I could do was heaving sobs with 'who else?' and 'did the others get this?' running through my head. I mean seriously. Did they entertained by a get-er-done short version, some wham-bam thank ya ma'am quickie or did they get what I get? My time and attention? How much of what is OURS has he given to others??? Then I got pissed off. Then back to trying NOT to cry.   Did I say anything, did any of these questions dive from my brain and out my mouth?? Heck no, of course not! Totally clammed up. Did he ask what was bothering me?? Nope. He did say he was sorry for making me cry. And what did I respond... "No, it's ok." Whiskey Tango Foxtrot....WAKE up DIPSHIT and SPILL IT!! Nope. Nada. Zilch. End of conversation. T minus 45 seconds to commence male snoring....................................................................................
annnnnd he's out. And I'm down here slugging on my poor Macbook what my vocal cords could not formulate in person. AAARRGGHHH!! Frustrating!

Maybe I need my meds adjusted or something. Looking back I am seriously swinging from pathetic cryer to outright wench, even with the kids Especially Monster Man. My patience has grown so thin with that boy and his school work. I have to keep taking a breath and reminding myself that being my kid is making lessons more difficult a task than being someone else's kid. Then try to think of strategy #458 to keep him focused and progressing in school work and game plan #7762 for his behavior. I think God's sense of humor has become severely twisted.

With Mr. FixIt, sap mode to evil wench mode seems to flip flop at record speeds. Last week, he came home from hunting with B early (I just felt deflated and wanted to cry though I was proud of my girl for her first gun hunt) because they were the only two left to hunt and he said, "I didn't want to be alone. I wanted to spend some time I have off with you too!"           Really?? Didn't want to be alone, did you?? How about the days, mornings, nights I was alone while you were out screwing some chick?? Hmmm?? What about our quality time that is forever lost because you stayed at work long hours to hump the office whore?? As usual, none of those thoughts came out vocally, just in my head. The broken record of self-torture when I think he fully deserves to hear all that, yet I have a hard time saying so.   Why?? Would someone please explain that to me?? It makes absolutely not a lick of sense.

Maybe tomorrow will be better! :-D I shouldn't gripe because it could be a LOT worse. In a hundred ways worse.   To give tomorrow a decent shot I need sleep, so I'm off. Thanks for the ears, er..um... eyeballs. :-D

Friday Fill-Ins

2009-11-20T11:52:00.001-05:00

While cupcakes bake, I'm not missing Friday Fill-Ins this week!
Courtesy of Janet-

1. We need __a whole bunch of holiday spirit!! A couple thousand bucks to fall out of the sky would be nice too. hehe
2. _Talked to an old friend_ and it made me smile.
3. If you want _something done, get off your arse and DO IT!
4. __I'm a spazz at the moment_ because _I have 278 things on my to-do list for today to get ready for the next week. I'm on #4_.
5. Massachusetts has a proposed 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think ___WTH?? I don't plan on ever living in Mass. or having $$$ or interest to DO any of those surgeries___.
6. __The kids excited (and my house in decent shape)_ makes for a happy holiday.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __watching the kids dance and packing for next week___, tomorrow my plans include _having a great early holiday dinner/visit with the other half's family__ and Sunday, I want to _relax in the evening at the barn after truckin' the kids, dog and boatload of crap to West-by God-Virginy!!

Any clues??

2009-11-13T14:14:00.000-05:00

Why do I start projects the day before Mr. FixIt is due home from being out of town- when I've had all week?? Procrastination at its finest!! :-D

Monster Man's room has irked me since we moved in. Light blue carpet and the walls are slate gray with a grayish-blue sponge paint/swirly/splash overtop. It seriously clashes with the carpet...unless you stand all the way down the hall and look from afar, it kind of works. Also, it looks like a cave in there because of the dark, dingy colors. Several trips over the past couple years to Lowe's the kids and I have looked over paint colors. He STILL chooses red, he wants fire-engine red. Wow. So I talked him into using red with another color to liven and brighten it up. Don't want the room to turn into a RED cave.

Did I mention I started this project after re-arranging Monster Man's room?? Yeah, two walls clear, might as well paint! So after a day of cleaning, rearranging and painting, I have two walls done, one wall waiting second coat and the last wall half trimmed out. Need to second coat the second wall (long wall) and let it dry so I can move furniture and GET to the last wall to work on it.

During this little project I have discovered the reason not only for the sponge paint job, but also the two tone color. Hides 40 bazillion holes in the wall and the craptastic job someone did of removing, I assume, old wallpaper. Big rip slashes and chunks where the top layer of the drywall has been literally ripped off the walls. Nice. VERY noticeable when you cover with one solid color. Great. So I got the putty out and filled holes for over an HOUR after doing the first coat on the two walls. No lie. For missing chunks/layers of wall, a truck load of putty and a scraper the size of a coffee table might do the trick. So leveled and evened it out best I could with what coordination I had at 2 am. It will have to do. I see some humongous posters in Monster Man's future!

Alrighty, my break is over. I need to get a second coat on that long wall so it has time to dry so I can move furniture and get the last wall done - before dance tonight at 6! :-D

Hodge podge

2009-11-10T10:27:00.000-05:00

Monster Man has been on a roll lately, evident in his assortment of Good and Not Good evening tally marks of the renewed behavior chart. For N days (not good) he has to go to bed early, no evening treat or special event the next day. Thankfully, by the third week of the resurrected behavior chart, he's had more G days, but the N days-wow. Insane. In attempts to have a 'G day,' Monster Man shocked me one morning by being up early, WITH his school books open and working! The boy had six school books open to the correct pages in the den floor, moving from one to the next. He did have the TV on, which is a no-no during school time, but as he was doing work without me ~~threatening him within an inch of his life~~ nagging and being mean mom/teacher, I let him go and redirected him to the table after break. On the negative, he was a pistol Saturday morning! AAARRGGHHH!! I held off strangling him in front of his dance team buddies- four N's (not good) on his behavior board in two hours. He went directly to his room until lunch was ready. That afternoon and evening was much improved. Sunday night, he drew a picture for me on his way to bed. Literally, grabbed the paper from the school shelf and pencil from the table, sitting down to draw on the living room floor in the path to the stairs. Two little stick people, one slightly taller than the other, holding hands with a heart above them. He brought it to me, "This is me and you because I love you Mom. I'm gonna have a G day tomorrow!" Just melted me. Little fart.
The kicker- this morning after the first round of school work, he announced he was going to the basement to play trains. Our basement is the equivalent of a ToysRUs that upchucked the Thomas Train and Play-doh sections in the plastic food aisle. Throw in a few huge Rubbermaid tubs, toy boxes, misc DVDs racking up my overdue tab from the Library. Cleaning the basement usually means several pick up race games which gets about half of it, then a second and sometimes third cleaning session of fussing, growling and frustration. Today, after hearing nothing but whistling, tracks being moved and singing, I was summoned to come look. Lo and behold, the basement floor was clean with the exception of a very interestingly and well-put together train track!! WOW- I was shocked and Monster Man was beaming!
Color the day a victory! Whew.

I talked to Mr. FixIt tonight from more than halfway round the world. He sounded tired and he's only been gone three days. He's been from meeting, to dinner, to presentation, getting very little sleep, to meeting...GOOD. They're keeping him busy! HA! Hehehe. He'll probably feel bad when he finds out I did leaves again today- until he realizes working on the yard consisted of me burning about a half tank out of the mower, mulching and bagging it! Woohoo! He knows better than to leave yard toys and power tools behind. I'll use them!

Very thankful for the recent beautiful days- awesome!! Took advantage of the not-yet-gloomy mornings to take down and wash curtains and windows in the living and dining rooms over the weekend. YUK- they seriously needed it! I gave the LR and DR a good dusting and B helped vac. The den is next on the list. I've had the house open as much as I can, at least until evening. Not sure smacked motivation into me, but over this gorgeous weekend, the kids and I also stripped/swapped all the bedding and ran about 3 bazillion loads of laundry. Somebody'd better check my temp- I must be feverish.

Shoulda cont'd & Life

2009-11-08T19:12:00.000-05:00

(Keep in mind, this was written in early summer. Time to get it out!)

Originally, I didn't care who knew the details of me kicking out Mr. FixIt and our separation, but something has kept me from finishing a post about it. Maybe as much as I was pissed off, hurt and wanted to inform the world, the fight in my heart that I still love him made me hold off. I don't have the foggiest clue WHY as much as he's crapped on my love and trust, not to mention my self-esteem, my thoughts and well, me. I can't even explain why'd I'd still SPEAK to him!! Glutton for punishment I guess. Or way too forgiving and plain stupid. Take your pick! :-D So to sum it up: Cheating, lying, denial- repeat many episodes for many years. Now for the second half of Days of My Life... Ugh.

For years the cheating occurred when he was traveling, or when I was out of town. One example: I drove my baby 11 hours by myself through crappy weather from SC to OH to be with family on Easter and 5 minutes after I was gone he was arranging a meeting online. I called him on that one before Monster Man was even a thought. He denied anything going on, but I had the adult forum chat room proof. Proof he was online chatting up people and making dates, meeting people. He still denied it. I was crushed, a total wreck, though I never told anyone. Figured it was my fault. I shouldn't have left for the holiday without him ( he HAD to work.) I couldn't let my family and friends think bad of him, so I kept quiet. Then after another year or so, time had smoothed it over a bit when more evidence popped up. Letters. Cards. Emails. Calls to MY house. More denial. More disassociation. I just felt more guilt and low. Not long after this was when I figured out- it wasn't me. I'd done everything I possibly could to avoid giving him a reason to look elsewhere for ANYTHING. I'd busted my ass, taken care of house/kids/dogs/yard while he was out of town for days/weeks/months on end, made sure I gave plenty of bedroom time- even when sick or dead on my feet, I always tried to be positive, I didn't nag for him to do things, I didn't yell or fuss at him. If he was frustrated I gave him space. If he needed some time on his own for hunting or cars or motorcycle rides, I never complained- even when he was gone all week working, come home Friday night and then leave 4 am Saturday for a weekend of hunting. Yes, he did hunt- that one was not a cover, but it WAS an escape. Funny part was my BIL and his best friend, whom he spent all these weekends with getting hunting property ready and hunting all fall and winter, had NO clue any of this had happened. He was seriously shocked. Mr. FixIt was indeed VERY secret in his 'other life.'

Now?? After being gone for about 6 weeks, I asked Mr. FixIt to move back home...with condition that 1. Therapy continues. 2. Progress he/we are making will continue. He's gotten enough free passes so I'm not putting up with, "ok I can quit fixing it, I'm back home." If something bothers one of us, we have to discuss it. The therapist put it this way. We had so much time apart in the beginning, that's how we dealt with difficult times- apart, so we never really learned to discuss them. Tough times including his acting on his impulsive drive, constant need for attention

Also 'house' duties are being more evenly divvyed up. I am horrible at asking for help, because dangit, I can just do it myself!! I HAVE had to do it all myself for years. (not because he won't but from him being gone) He never hesitates to do anything I ask and often will load/unload dishwasher, even swap or fold laundry once in a blue moon on his own. He does cook quite often. Too often the 'man eyes' that don't see the stuff on the floor, glasses by the chair, odds-n-ends piling up in various corners and counters that get my blood boiling as it piles up and makes me crazy to get it all taken care of. Well, we discussed this and he admits he is horrible at noticing 'things' that need done. So he will try to notice what needs done around the house and help in more, and I will speak up when he doesn't! So far I have tried, though hard to do this after biting your tongue for years on end. I can be a tad stubborn too.

There are still many things I need him to admit to me, in detail. After tossing him out, he confirmed several of the events and meetings I'd suspected from years ago, previously denied. Though he's afraid divulging details will be too painful to me-- not knowing is far worse. I can't get him to understand that. He says details are painful to admit- tough caca dude. Should have thought of that before! So events I know, all the details of such events I don't yet. I want the when, where, what, etc. His therapist says the details won't make a difference, but to me it does. It may not do him good to hash it back out- too freakin' bad. He spent too many years of our life doing what he wanted. Time to MAN UP and confess. I want to know. I need to know. No matter how horrible or hard to hear. My brain has all sorts of ideas of what COULD have happened. I have a pretty vivid and creative imagination! The details are pretty ugly as I think they might have occurred. What he finally did admit to, though pathetic and repulsive, have been more tame and less occurring than I'd imagined. A few meetings here and there over several months' time, when my brain was stuck on daily/weekly trysts. Of course since he'd denied any wrongdoing for years, what was I to think?? I always had that 'gut' feeling on and off and according to those, I knew WHEN the infidelity struck, so far what he has admitted- I was right. I was always afraid to push the issue farther than just asking. He'd deny. I'd fold but knowing I wasn't getting the truth but terrified to continue; the 'truth' might be he didn't want me or love me and he'd leave. I'd grown up with Dad always telling me, that's not good enough, you CAN do better. I felt like I was still stuck I the same rut. I just wasn't good enough for him to love me, just me. I had to keep trying- it must be my fault. Those thoughts compiled in my brain and kept getting heavier and harder to get out from under after so many years. Again- my fault, right? I should be able to shake this off- right?

At least that's what I talked myself into for so long. Shaking it off, moving on. Whatever finally snapped in my head and decent medication later- I KNOW it's not just me. I might be submissive and avoid confrontation at all costs but years of trying to please him and sacrificing myself contributed to that mindset. He made me that way. (My father has to take a good chunk of that blame also.) Now I understand it.

His other life is out in the open now and no longer secret. He's even told people at work about it, which completely shocked me. He's talked to our neighbors and my family. He does seem serious about getting better, though the therapy, talking to me and not hiding things. I hope so. 'bout dang time!!

Unlocking the skeletons

2009-11-04T20:56:00.000-05:00

Three posts looming back in Finish Me PLEEEEASE Land will hopefully show up soon. They are similar in content, but I started each with different attitude and mindset. The first one I began in a flurry of frustration, added to it, kept going back to try and finish it. About a month later, frustrated with it, I started over again with a new post. Worked on it a few times, then ditched it too. A month after THAT, a third post was attempted, until today, still unfinished. These are parts of an explanation of our family chaos this summer, at times when I just needed to get that garbage OFF my chest and out of my head. In recent attempts to salvage my musings, I combined two of them. What remains overlaps a bit here and there. Still have half a notion to just delete them.

My! What big teeth you have!

2009-10-26T17:17:00.001-04:00

My! What big teeth you have!
Originally uploaded by Angela's chaos

The dinosaur exhibit at the zoo would no doubt be fun for the kids! Even better than seeing near life-size moving replicas of extinct critters was that these prehistoric beasts were dressed up for Halloween! Was pretty comical. Ok, well the toddlers viewing didn't think so. Many a little one ran to moms and dads screaming in fear of their lives as the dinosaurs moved, roared and spit water at them. Poor things. Monster Man kept telling them, "They are fake! You won't die!" Ha! Oh yeah, they GET THAT. Sure.
I tried not to laugh.

More fun pics with big beasts wearing party hats, coconut bras and hula skirts will be forthcoming.

Friday Fill Ins

2009-10-23T16:22:00.000-04:00

From Janet at Friday Fill-Ins:

1. The crickets sing, loudly during a clear night, making me fall asleep quickly.

2. _Good friends will always find you wherever you are.

3. I want to get far away from the _negative thinking in my head.

4. __I had small back end and my bills were paid_; this was OBVIOUSLY a dream.

5. But as for me _I need to get my butt in gear and snap out of this FUNK!

6. __A very small football town and a good-sized fun family is where I come from.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _enjoying another round of family Wii games then watching L&O, tomorrow my plans include _taking the kids to dance rehearsal then uploading and working with some pictures and Sunday, I want to watch movies and bake a red velvet cake_!

Sheesh! That group of fill-ins was fairly difficult to do! Thanks Janet for making me think...I think.

Elwood

2009-10-09T10:07:00.003-04:00

One goofy story deserves another so I might as well tell you an Elwood tale, Jake's brother (seriously) our other kitty.

When the weather first turned cold, you know that NE Ohio cold where you need the heat for a week then ~shock~ you need to go back to AC for a week, then bitter cold the next day?? Yeah, that weather... well, it was a Saturday morning, drizzly rain and just a bit chilly outside. It was just before 8 o'clock, and as we were getting dressed I heard Elwood give his "I'm STARVING!!" meow, which is a horrible drawn out cry that he usually gives from the basement or top of the basement stairs. The cat food is in the basement, accessed by a kitty door, safe from the dog. I said to Mr. FixIt, "He must really be starving. I can hear him all the way up here from the basement!" It was a far off, muted meow but definitely Elwood. Mr. FixIt replies, "He did that at 4:30 this morning, a couple times. Woke me up, and I told him to 'Knock it Off!! You're not going to starve to death by morning!" We laughed at our gluttonous kitty, he's ALWAYS starving. His bottomless pit rivals Monster Man's. Finishing up, quick brush through my hair and flip it up into a clip, I hear Elwood cry again, "I'm comin', I'm comin'! Jeesh!" and as I turn to head out of the room, I see a shadow in the window. OMG it's Elwood. OUTSIDE!! He on his hind legs on the roof, paws up on the window meowing to "LET ME IN!!" He never was in the basement! Our bedroom is second floor, over the garage and den, set back a bit, so there is garage roof visible/accessible from outside our window.

Mr. FixIt and I look at each other and crack up, "You said you heard him at 4:30?!"
"Uh, yeah."
"So he's probably been out there on the roof in the wind and rain since then?"
"Uh, yeah. Stupid cat."
Both of us crack up hysterically as I opened the window and let my poor nitwit cat back in to warmth.
Elwood didn't appear to be any worse for wear. A little cold and wet, but he was fine. He followed my downstairs to fresh food and a big drink of water. Apparently screaming outside for 4 hours makes you thirsty. whoops.

We never did figure out how he got on the roof, but he hasn't been found up there since. Lesson learned...the cold, rainy, lonely way. Poor kitty.

Little Jake

2009-10-05T13:19:00.005-04:00

The past few nights have been a mix of torture and hilarity. Torture as in being brought from a deep sleep by "BEEP....BEEP, BEEP....BEEP....BEEP, BEEP" after finally achieving slumber having spent the first three hours exhausting myself in and out of near-sleep twitching and jumping like I had ants crawling over my skin. The unrest due to either an afternoon of sitting in the car and/or forgetting my meds- either way, when I was jolted out of the bed by the loudly squealing series of beeps, I was simultaneously concerned and ticked off. Grab a robe and slowly work my way toward the sound, ok now the noise is coming in to focus, it's coming from the Pit- the noise is my Dell laptop. I can see the glimmer of screen lighting the room but a big shadow looming in front- what the??? Very loud 'Me-OOOW' and more beeping. You dipshit cat- ugh!! He had been sleeping then apparently grooming himself on my open laptop which I DID shut down before I went to bed, but I never closed the lid. I haven't the lid of that machine for over 6 years, unless it's in my bag, which is rare. Nice one of the cats decided it's a suitable place for a nap and a bath, in doing so he not only turned it ON, he managed to click "Guest" to log on to windows, then open about 20 windows and boxes including the command prompt, which THANK goodness he didn't manage to hit 'enter' with all the jibberish typed in the run line. The beeping was from the computer asking for password to come out of screensaver. He'd typed enough letters that it filled the "user" name box and was denying him entry. Little monster Jake.

Bad enough it happened two nights ago. It happened again last night. DUH, someone slap me. Though it didn't take me as long to figure out the beeping noises the second time, it still made me grumble at first but laugh as I rescued my computer from an in-progress kitty bath. Mr. FixIt laughed as I returned to bed, "Did you shut the lid this time?"
"Yes, shut up. How about some cold feet on your butt!?" as he chuckles and rolls over.

I assume Jake was enjoying the warm surface of my keyboard. Then again, the laptop is the only clean level surface in the Pit that won't avalanche if a gnat breathes heavily in the vicinity. Maybe I need to work on that this evening. Or maybe I'll just close the laptop lid and worry about the Pit tomorrow. :-D

ETA: If anyone needs their computer clock adjusted or wireless card enable/disabled, I'll send Jake right over. After writing this post on the Mac, I fired up the Dell and realized he ALSO managed to disable my wireless card, change my clock to a day ahead and somehow disconnect my USB keyboard. Nice.

There goes summer!

2009-10-01T10:56:00.005-04:00

October already?! Six+ weeks MIA. Wow, I'm seriously slack around here! If this was fairy tale land, I could say my house is spic-n-span, my laundry is all caught up, and you can see floor and desk surface in The Pit from my absence, but alas it is not and you can't. OH WELL- what else would I do if I didn't have these daily things to keep slogging away at? Sit in the sun and eat bon bons?? HA! Not happening. Temps have dropped significantly and my butt doesn't need any help in the widening department. ;-P

Something I did accomplish was finally changing my bedroom around. I drug out the huge headboard/footboard to use a simple bed frame instead. That frees up about 8 inches in width and 10 inches head to foot from the bed in our small bedroom. Amazing the difference those few inches make! Also jockeyed things around to put Mark's side of the bed towards the window (cold side) of the room and swapped dressers to opposite walls. We actually have FLOOR space in there now, though probably the only one using that space will be my baskets of laundry waiting to be folded and the dog to stretch out at night. She loves the space- now if I don't break my neck tripping over her in the middle of the night! If our room didn't have its own door to the bathroom, I'd swapped rooms with B as her bedroom is bigger than ours, but I do like handy dandy bathroom access. No, I'm not spoiled at all. Oh, final touch of the bedroom swap-a-roo was putting my heated mattress pad back on the bed and dragging out my heavy down comforter- JUST in time as temps dipped to near freezing last night. Ahhh, nothing like hitting the hay in an already warm comfy bed!

Ok, there I've blogged. Bored you with insignificant details of my absence. I'm alive. The scary part of my absence?? I started to hand write a journal...that lasted three whole days and my handwriting sucks after all these years of typing. Didn't take long to ditch THAT idea.

Blah

2009-08-12T11:40:00.003-04:00

Allergy drainage is getting to me. Very little sleep last night. I'm a zombie. Nieces headed this direction, festival this weekend, then headed to mom & dad's- all things I've really been looking forward to and I feel like a gunked up slug. I don't want to get off this chair. I really don't want to go swap laundry. I really, really don't want to drag some of it outside to the line. I don't much want to go upstairs and work on the Pit and piles of stuff up there either. Ugh. I do have a contact to call about a jewelry show and I'm excited about that, but that's about the level of my excitement today. Thankfully after more than a week in school work under their belts, the kids can autopilot some lessons- B most of hers and Tyler a few of his- so we don't blow a whole day this early in the game. At least Tyler will bring me his work to check, get direction for the next task, and then go back to work w/o me standing over him. Thank goodness.
Another round of allergy and sinus meds coming up- whew. I think I need a nap.

Picture Pages, Pictures Pages...

2009-08-11T12:35:00.006-04:00

The old Cosby morning kid's show has little to do with my post, but it popped into my mind looking at the blank 'title' line and knowing I wanted to ask my bloggy and FB friends about cameras! :-D

There- Tuesday morning trip down memory lane!

So, I have questions about cameras. I have thought for a while now I need to step up from a point-and shoot to an SLR camera. Though in my search at various stores, I've found some point-and-shoot cameras in the $175-$250 range with functions similar to those found on SLRs, such as adjustable ISO- the white balance to brighten a dark shot w/o flash, and lens size/zoom similar to the lens that comes with several SLR cameras. I currently have an HP Photosmart point-n-shoot 8 megapixel, 6x optical zoom (8-48 mm lens) which has been a kick-butt camera! It has taken thousands of pics over the past few years! The problem? I fear it is dying a slow death. For some reason either the image stabilizer w/o flash OR the focus w/o flash has not been working for months. Outside pics or pics in bright light are fine. Pics with flash are fine. If I'm in a dim area and can't use a flash- I be screwed! For example- auditorium where flash is not permitted, such as dance rehearsal, forget it. If I shut the flash off I get blurry pics- it just won't focus. So I end up taking a dark pic, fussing with exposure and lightening options later on the computer (ends up washed out or grainy) OR end up with a fuzzy pic, not worth editing. I assume being dropped a couple times, slammed around in my truck and bags traveling and being sat on a few times has NOT helped this poor camera.

I have been to a few stores trying out various cameras, also online reading reviews, and I believe I have slightly narrowed down to these choices: a Canon 10.1 mp EOS Rebel XS (slr) or comparable Nikon (slr), Canon 12 mp Power Shot, a Nikon 10 mp 15x zoom Coolpix L100, or Kodak Easyshare 10 mp 12x zoom. Comparatively, the Canon and Nikon SLRs have similar features, though the Nikon is cheaper but felt the Nikon had more confusing controls and didn't feel as sturdy.

So I'm in the battle of: Do I want a more compact camera I can slip in my purse easily? Would the additional features/adjustments of the SLRs be enough use to me that would offset the higher price?? Do the higher-end point-and-shoot Kodak or Nikon with adjustment features of SLR w/o removable lenses, but higher cost than compacts be enough?? I would like to have a little more megapixel and a bit more zoom, but I don't necessarily need a separate zoom lens (yet, ha!). I would like to stick with regular battery sizes, AAs in the Nikon versus recharging camera battery of the Canon. Price is a factor, I'm always out for a deal, but maybe it's time to bite the bullet and just go for a larger, better camera? Not that I have $400 or $500 right now to buy a camera anyway! Now I have written this, I need to go back and handle the Nikon Coolpix and Kodak Easyshare, both 10 mgp and more than double zoom what I have now. Both less than half the cost of the Canon EOS Rebel. Decisions, decisions. You should have seen my trying to decide on a new vacuum last year!

As a side note, I love Pioneer Woman's blog and she is an awesome self-taught photographer! Her ranch pics rock! If you haven't read her blog, click her name link above and get acquainted! I want to go live with P-Dub!! Back to topic: She likes the Nikon D70 and D80. She takes awesome pics with that thing! For kicks I might check the price on an older or refurb D70/80 but the D90 is $1100+ on Amazon- WAAAAYYYY WAY out of my price range! YIKES!

I'm interested in what kinds of cameras y'all have and what you think of them. Do you love it, hate it, put up with it because you have it?? Is it a point-and-shoot, an SLR, what brand/model is it?? I need some more opinions!

Start spewing info...ready, set- GO!

It's the MOST wonderful time...of the year!

2009-08-03T22:05:00.006-04:00

Truthfully, this time of year consists of tons of work to be done, but my favorite back-to-school commercial was years ago for Staples with the dad riding the cart down the aisles to the Christmas tune..."It's... the... MOST wonDERful time... of the YEAR!" and the kids dragging behind.
(click link to see commercial on YouTube)

Though I'm not sending mine OFF every day to school which was the whole reason that commercial at the end of summer was always hysterical, but it still makes me laugh. Yes, I tortured my kids and made them start lessons today. B even woke up early to get busy and was mostly done by 10 am. Monster Man didn't give too much fuss as he's super excited to be a first grader now! He will have double the work load from last year which will be an adjustment for him time-wise, but the smart little stinker can handle it- as long as I can keep him focused! That will be my chore for the year.

So this busy month of the year includes getting school started, dance intensives, reunions, cousins visiting, last minute vacations, church festivals---whew!! Time to buckle in and hang on!!

Tomorrow

2009-08-01T01:10:00.004-04:00

Though tomorrow is technically today, I haven't been to bed yet, so it will still be tomorrow. Sorry, one screaming headache and head full of snot from crying, one glass of wine plus one black cherry fizz cooler and I'm numb if nothing else.

I have given myself future time to think about what I really want since I made Mr. FixIt move out (yes, again) tonight. The kids were upset of course though neither one of them flinched as he was loading his car with bags and suitcases- they are too use to him leaving. Ironic, eh? Though when he called them into the den to talk with them, B said, "you aren't going to the apartment again are you??" Ugh. Well, as sad and as shocked as her face was with his answer, she was MORE shocked to learn he isn't going to the drag race with us tomorrow. I was originally going to let him take the kids while I stayed home, but thought "why? why should I miss out on a fun day?" Ok, I'm getting sidetracked. I don't regret having him move back in mid-June, I really don't. Though I am bothered that our positive progress in communication up to that point started to dwindle considerably with each passing week he was home. He was paying more attention to me, the kids, continued doing things around the house, but that brick wall was starting to build back up around him. I know the lack of communication is my fault as well- I wasn't asking the questions. I wasn't saying I was bothered as much as I should have. Though he'd been told my two conditions when I originally made him move out in May- get counseling and tell me the truth! (about what he's done over the years). Tonight he finally told me, confirmed some of what I suspected and dispelled others. What sucks is I had to make him leave again to get it out of him! Am I wrong to be bothered by that?? He give me "the story" AFTER he was packed, stuff in the car. Not that giving me details of his past flings would be easy, I knew that. But I certainly didn't expect it to get down to 'get your shit and get out' before I got those answers. Ugh. So now he's gone. I have my answers and as I thought, I'm not any more upset by them. Now maybe I can get over this or work through it. Questioning if I should. Why should I?? I've given my time, my chances. He says he's sorry, truly sorry like he's never understood he could be sorry before. Does sorry cut it?? After six different women over several years, not counting the ones in chats, photo swaps, phone sex, hotel calls, affair web sites, etc. Could I trust him again?? I don't think I could. I know I shouldn't even consider it- is that crazy?! I have over the last month and a half he's been home. I haven't questioned one thing. Though is that enough good behavior to make it worth overlooking many years of infidelity?? Is that fair to him for me to be constantly looking for betrayal?? Is it fair to me to continue looking or think I have to?? I really don't have answers other than I'm seriously fu-bared. Why do those we love the most fling the most jagged daggers???

Hopefully tomorrow will be a much better day. Today has sucked dirty dog guts.

Confused

2009-07-28T22:35:00.004-04:00

Been a 'blah' few days, well make that weeks/months. I'm stuck in what I think I should do, what I want to do, what I think I need to do. * Ugh. I am horrible at making decisions for normal daily things- this is like torture. I usually think of the positives for every outcome...this time I can only think negatives of the choices I have.

*I have the back story in a prior note, yet unpublished. Every time I work on it and start to publish it, something stops me. I don't know why. So if none of this makes sense, I apologize. I'm getting it out and off my chest in chunks. I just have yet to post the worst portions.

I really don't want to be alone, but I'm my best on my own. Or at least I have been- I've been alone so much of the past decade and a half, those are my most productive times!
I don't want the kids to be upset, but I know they are resilient and will adjust.
I don't want to break off a long marriage, but I can't live always wondering what's happening behind my back.
I don't want to seem I'm giving up, but I feel I've given way too many chances and too much time to a lost cause already.

His weekly therapy was going well since I made him move out middle of May, and we were talking more for a month or so than we had in years--until I told him I wanted him to move back home. After a few weeks being home, he's back to clam-up mode. He did talk with the therapist about filling me in on details which I wanted to know (him not telling me is like still lying, continued denial- he could at least finally tell me the truth). Well two weeks after he worked through the 'details talk' with the therapist to have with me, nothing. I debated asking a question to start the conversation several times, but why should I?? Ok, yes, I'm being stubborn by not initiating the conversation. So he only has to be truthful when I drag it out of him?? Fuck that. He can be a big boy and pony up to all this crap over the years on his own. Well, it hasn't happened yet, though he KNOWS exactly that he needs to get this out and over with. I'm feeling I made a mistake letting him come back home. He helps with the kids. He helps with the house. He's not helping me- he's still not being honest with me. Nothing can be 'worked on' or 'fixed' until everything is on the table. Who, when, where- Is that too much to ask??

Stuffed Pepper Soup

2009-07-24T09:06:00.003-04:00

Rainy and cold here in NE Ohio lately- YUK! Weather more reflective of chilly spring makes perfect opportunity for some Stuffed Pepper Soup, which I have to thank my mom for passing on the recipe. Very easy, yummy enough that my picky child will even eat it!

1 to 2 lbs browned ground lean meat
--I use 2 lbs because we like it meaty! I've used beef, turkey and venison- all good!
2-3 diced green peppers
1/2 to 1 diced onion
--saute peppers and onions in pan with browned meat
Dash of salt and pepper
1 large can of tomato sauce + 1/2 to 1 can water
--if you want to make a large batch to fill a dutch oven/stew pot, add another large can of tom sauce and water, another diced pepper and a quarter to half onion
1 cup spaghetti sauce (mom adds this, but I add a couple shakes of Italian seasoning and pinch of garlic instead unless I have plain spag. sauce leftover.)

Heat to easy boil, then turn back and simmer until ready to eat!

Five minutes before serving, add 1-2 cups of minute rice (2-3 cups if making huge batch) though truthfully, most of the time I totally forget the rice! Ha!

This soup is very good with some white corn chips or cornbread. Mr. FixIt likes to throw some corn in it and about half the rice when he's making dinner.

This recipe is so easy to fit what you have on hand. You can use fresh peppers and onions diced up or you can use bagged frozen ones if you are in a time crunch. I've even used dried onion flakes from the Amish market when totally out of onions. You can also use one large can tomato juice and not add any water in place of tomato sauce. Depends on how thick/thin/tomato-y you like it. Either way you fix it, the whole house smells like yummy stuffed peppers but you don't get any complaints, "MOOOOOOM, I hate the big PEPPERS!" Hehehe!

Enjoy!!

Little helper

2009-07-12T11:22:00.004-04:00

Beautiful day to clean up the bikes! This is part of what Monster Man and I did on Friday while B was at horse camp. Pulled out both bikes, washed and got them ready for weekend ride. Though yesterday was rainy and cruddy, and I was out of town anyway, today has some serious potential! Ride anyone??

--Side note- I took this pic with my phone and sent it to my dad- knew he'd be proud of the little man helping out with the motorcycles. The comical part was dad had to go to the phone store to get a new case for his phone, the clerk said, you have something on here a message, and dad told her he didn't know what it was so she opened it for him to view- LMAO!! Dad and technology do mix!

Great day for Tow Path ride!

2009-07-05T20:29:00.003-04:00

What a great afternoon for a bike ride! Not too hot, just sunny with slight breeze. Five miles was the course for today. Of course at the turn around, Monster Man wanted to keep going, then as soon as we turned...'my legs are tired!'