Crazy Wife and Mama

Snow Cream

2011-01-23T14:43:00.001-08:00

It is the EASIEST thing ever to make. Yummy. We used to make it in elementary school. And I just found the recipe again.

Ingredients

8 cups of snow (or shaved ice if you live where there is no snow. But I think this winter everyone has had a bit of snow!)

1 Can of Condensed milk

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. (or however much you like. I'd start with the teaspoon and then taste. You can use peppermint extract too. Yum)

Directions

Place the ice in a bowl, combine the milk and vanilla and mix! And then ENJOY IT! (You could use peppermint extract too if you'd like a different flavor. I suppose you could try chocolate syrup although I never have.)

Of course, I also had someone tell me I shouldn't eat it because of the pollution in the snow but I figure I eat veggies that are grown in goodness knows what and then I eat meat from the store where they inject who knows what. (we are trying to eat local but still you never know)

But it is yummy and cheap. And something hopefully your kids remember making and eating just I like I remember!

Boy am I a clutz!

2011-01-23T13:47:00.000-08:00

Tuesday started like any other day. I worked 9 to 5. So I got up and got ready, then got the kids ready for school. Went to work and managed to only work an hour before I fell off the ladder. OK, I missed the step. It wasn't a free fall from the top. I landed on my feet and but my right knee popped twice and down I went.

Clutzy me managed to strain my knee. Of course, the ER told me I strained my ankle. And when I went to the workman Comp doctor I told him I just didn't think it could be my ankle. On Tuesday, he said he would check to make sure I didn't tear my ACL. My ankle is HUGE. It is nice and swollen which is why he can't feel if my ACL is torn.

So I get to watch everyone around me do everything for me. And while that sounds nice and theory, I don't like it. I hate being helpless. I hate not being able to go up and down stairs without assistance. AND

I'M BORED! BORED I tell you! You can only watch so many lifetime movies and facebook so much. And Angry Bird it so much before you are just plain bored.

AND while I'm doing nothing I'm gaining weight. I had these grand plans of doing Couch to 5k and I can't. I feel like I ran a 5k just going up and down the steps.

Sigh....but on a better note at least I just hurt my knee. I mean it could be worse.

I have grand plans of reading Crazy Love. Can't wait to get started! I bought it to read with a book club and never got to it. Everyone has loved this book so I can't wait to get started on it!

Five Question Friday---Happy Freezing Friday!

2011-01-21T06:38:00.000-08:00

Wow! I seem so hit or miss with this blogging stuff! But I figured while I'm out of work for a few weeks (sprained my knee), I may as well give this blogging stuff a try.

Today it is FREEZING and we are having white outs. One would think maybe my kiddos wouldn't have had school but they did. I can't decide if I'm sad or happy. Sad because now I have to hobble around and sad because it was terrible this morning and I had to worry about them getting to school. Happy because they won't be here to fight!

Ok enough blabber....on to Five Questions! Join MamaM every Friday for Five Question Friday

1. Where did you meet your spouse and did you instantly know it was love?

My husband and I went to the same high school and elementary school but didn't really pay attention to each other. I was 18 and he was 17 I think. He was pumping gas and I was out in my parents new car (yes I was THAT kid). And goodness knows I wouldn't have known how to pump my own gas. Silly me, reached into the back seat to grab my cash and my tired bumped the curb. He had a good chuckle about it and then decided to ask my brother--my older brother about me. He started coming to see me at work and asked me out on our first date while I was working the drive thru window!

And no, I thought it would just be the end of my senior year thing and then I would be off to college. So no I didn't know it was instant love. But he grew on me.

2. What is your favorite room in your house?

I'd say my bedroom but we haven't gotten rid of the horrible paneling. So I'm going to say my living room. I love my tv, I love the way the light comes through the big picture window and I LOVE my fireplace. And ssshhhh....I love that it is a gas fireplaace not a real one. I've done a real one and don't want that mess!

3. Can you wiggle your ears?

That's a big NO and I don't even have a tongue to nose ability to fall back on....sniffle!

4. What is your evening ritual?

Depends on the day of the week.

If I have off. It is get the kids off the bus, homework, make dinner, clean up dinner, get the kids bathed, get their clothes ready for the next day and get their lunches packed so we don't have to fight in the morning.

If i work til 5, I pick them up at my mom's and fit all the above in minus the extra 2 hours.

If I work til 9, well thank goodness God blessed me with wonderful parents, they help the kids with the homework and generally feed them dinner on those two days a week. My husband picks them up at 6:30 and then starts the evening ritual.

5. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?

I'll be honest, 6 or 7. I love sleep. I love to get lots of sleep. It makes me happy. I don't mean sleep my life away sleep, I just love getting a good nights sleep.

AND now I must hobble out to the kitchen and bring in coffee. All I can say is thank goodness for traveling mugs with lids because otherwise I'd have one cup in the morning when my husband could help and then I'd be coffee-less! YIKES!

Couch to 5K!

2011-01-10T06:54:00.000-08:00

Ok so today I am going to start Couch to 5 K. It is a 9 week program. I will do some before and after pics and let you know how I did. Here is the thing, I am 75 pounds overweight. I will be happy with 60 pounds. The extra 15 is a bonus because it has me at the bottom of the weight chart that the docs use. Which I tend not to go by that chart.

I'm certain that I am going to look like this.

But I really want to be able to do a 5K for diabetes and the American Heart Assoc. I want to be able to RUN a 5k not walk. Not that there is anything against walking a 5k. Because I would walk it right now. But my GOAL is to RUN. I want to improve my lung capacity. I don't want to hack and cough and sound like the out of shape person I am when running.

In all honesty to my out of shape body and mind, this plan sounds daunting and hard. Am I up for the task, HECK NO! But I have to be. I see my stomach and it still looks pregnant and my baby is going to be 8 on FRIDAY!

So wish me luck. I'm sure I will fail quite a few times and my 9 week program will turn into who knows how many weeks. But I seriously am going to do a 5K this summer. Not because I enjoy running. Because I most certainly do not. I hate everything about it. But I hate my fat stomach and my chubby cheeks more. Now don't think I don't love me. I LOVE my mind, my attitude, but I don't like my outer shell right now. And fortunately that can be changed.

No More Santa?

2010-11-17T05:35:00.000-08:00

Oh my! This year is the first year that both "Cletus' and the Princess believe there is no Santa. It is sad but at the same time it makes Christmas so much easier. AND it helps keep their focus on what Christmas is about. We've always tried to Jesus the very center of Christmas but when you are little it is so easy to think of Santa first.

Plus it makes it easier as they get older and their toys get more expensive. This year Cletus realizes that if he does indeed get that Xbox he is hinting at that there may not be 20 other gifts under the tree. And the Princess wants the hot pink Dsi that I can't find. I found the anniversary addition and the lime green one but no hot pink. So it will make it easier to explain why I can't get it and maybe get the one that comes with a game.

The Princess asked me if it meant there was no more tooth fairy too. I told her to believe whatever she liked. But that I bet somebody would bring her 1.00 for her tooth! I guess it is a concern when you have a lose tooth!

I don't remember when I stopped believing in Santa. I think I was about the same age as the Princess. I had a ton of older cousins who spilled the beans. Poor Princess has a 4th grade brother who I think spilled the beans to her. There always has to be a party pooper. Once I realized what happened, I had to make sure they know they couldn't tell any other kids. I don't want to have the kids who ruin the fun for the parents!

Do your kids believe or not believe? Were you sad or just fine with it?

Our Fall in pictures!

2010-11-09T06:14:00.000-08:00

Here is our fall in pics. These are all the important people in my life...well minus my friends cause I don't have their permission to post their pics here!

These are the crazy bums after running around the corn maze for hours!
They look a little crazy but hey that is us on a normal day!

Taking a break from the chaos. Me and Mr. Cutie!!

The crazy Princess and Cletus (that's the boy...that's what his ball team calls him!) My husband was peeking at my nephew and unfortunately that is when the pic was taken!

The princess looking scared cause she is in jail! She's with her friend "H"

The Princess with "H" and "A"

Here is Cletus riding his tractor. He was getting ready to race with his friends!

And here is Uncle "Cutie" with our nephew! If you've read previous posts then you know the amazing story behind this little pumpkin head!

All my pumpkins with their silly looking faces on!

And Uncle "Cutie" again! We just love this boy to pieces!

And this is my family looking like bums on a normal day around here! We often look a little crazy with old bummy clothes and hair undone. But this is the REAL us. But yes the princess has had her hair cut since this... And the boy doesn't like his pic taken as often. I'm thinking that is the 10 year old in him??

Weight Watchers Here I come!

2010-10-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

OK--so I bit the bullet and joined Weight Watchers. My mom has lost 20 pounds in a month and a half and I figured if she could do it, I would do WW with her. Oh and honestly can I share that I'm a tad bit jealous at how well she is doing. I mean yes I want her to lose her weight. I'm just jealous it isn't me. And I don't mean I'm jealous as in I don't want her to lose the weight cause I'm so freakin happy for her! Like I said, I'm just jealous it isn't me!

Today I have kept up with my points though and still have 9.5 left and it is 6:30 pm so I may just make it...yay! It is so frightening when you look at food you eat regularly and realize how many points are in them. It just shows you how bad the food is!

One of these days, I will be brave enough to post a full body pic of myself but for now, I'm just not ready. I mean honestly it isn't like people don't see me daily. But people aren't generally cruel to your face. There are a few out there but online when weak people don't have to look into someone's eyes and say it, they can be quite mean and hurtful. And heck I will even tell you how much I weigh when I share that picture :-)

So wish me luck and I will keep you posted on my weekly status with Weight Watchers

5QF--I'm back!

2010-09-17T05:32:00.000-07:00

Well I've been so far out of blog land lately that I figured the best way to jump back in was with Mama M's 5 question Friday! If you would like to participate just click the little picture up there that takes you to Mama's blog and make sure to link back to her!

1. What is the first nightmare you remember?
Oh my. I remember it so vividly that there are moments that I think it was real. I had a dream that my mom was walking down the hallway and I was crying. I assumed she was coming to see me, only she walked past my room and I said Mom, and when she looked back in my room I could see right through her. Like she was white and see through. It was so weird and so real. So like I said, not sure if my little self decided it was a dream or if it was real. I'm still going with the whole dream thing cause that is just to freaky if it was real!

2. Even if you're not a sports fan, what's your favorite sport to play/watch?
I live an hour north of Pittsburgh so I have to say the Steelers. Honestly, I love to watch the games when they play at Heinz field because the fans make it so fun to watch! And of course, LOVE the Penguins.
We go to Erie a lot and watch the minors play hockey too....Go OTTERS! , Seriously, I love going to hockey games. We do go watch minor baseball too. Their games are so fun to watch. But we always have good seats and I'm terrified of getting hit with a baseball going 100 miles an hour. Not so certain that would help me face at all!

3. If you could pull off one piece of trendy fashion, what would you want it to be (jeggings, hats, thigh high boots, etc.)?
Um, being skinny enough to make any of the above work would be just wonderful. Heck, I don't think I'd care if I was even trendy if I was skinny...lol

4. Did you make good grades in school?
Yes, and then I went to college and it was just way to challenging. Nothing came easy to me anymore. It was a huge wake up call. So parents who have smart kids. Still teach them to study cause some day it won't be easy anymore!!

5. What magazines do you subscribe to?
None. I'm totally into the stupid grocery mags that are in the impulse aisles at check out. You know what the celebs are doing now cause it makes my life seem so normal. But I just tune into perez for that cause I'm too cheap!!

Working full time

2010-04-22T06:03:00.000-07:00

Monday I started my new job. My last job was only 20-25 hours at the most a week. My new job is 40 hours so I've finally gone full time. I gotta say working 3 days at 9 to 5 and 2 days 1 to 9 is harder than I thought it would be.

When I work 9 to 5, I get up and get the kids ready for school and onto the bus. Then I get back home and get ready for work. Pick them up from my parents at 5:30. Run home and make dinner, play with the kids for a few minutes. Get them a bath and put them to bed. And by 8:30/9, I'm so whopped that I still haven't gotten my house cleaned.

Working 1 to 9 gives me a chance to get a few things done during the day but I miss putting my kids to bed. I know my husband is quite capable of putting them to bed but I miss doing that. But when I worked part time I worked til 10 or 11 so things aren't any different.

But the extra money will be so nice and a relief when I'm doing the bills to know there is quite a bit of extra money now!

I have to sit down and come up with a schedule of things I can get done the days I work 1 to 9 and the days I work 9 to 5. The mess is driving me nuts but until I get used to juggling everything the house is the least of my concerns.

So how do you other working moms cope? Do you keep a tight schedule or just go with the flow?

Conflicted emotions!

2010-04-15T10:44:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned on and off that my nephew is a shaken baby survivor. In May, it will be one year. This coming week his attacker goes to court for what he did. He was arrested this past week and released.

I'm so conflicted on how I feel. I want the man to pay for what he did. I do! My nephew suffered with seizures, brain bleeds, he is 17 months old and can only army crawl. He can't sit up and he can't walk. For a while, after the accident he was blind. I have a LOT of anger. I have anger that I was being blamed. I was his full time baby sitter but I hadn't watched him for over a week and hadn't even seen him. And the man who did it, tried to blame me. How dare he! How dare he try to ruin my life because he had a weak moment. He lived 2 houses up. Why wouldn't he have pounded on my door, called or whatever if he couldn't handle the little boy anymore? There was no excuse! None!

But the other emotion I have is sadness. The man has 3 little girls. They are going to be without their dad. And that saddens me because he has never hurt them. And now they are going to hurt, they are going to miss their dad. They are going to be the ones that suffer. I don't think the man meant to hurt him. But he did. Now he has to pay. And he has to hurt those little girls when he tells them WHY he is in jail.

My heart just hurts. It hurts for my nephew who will never be the same. It hurts for my SIL for the life she almost had, for the trust she put in this man. And it hurts for those precious girls who did nothing but still have to deal with this going public now and being embarrassed.

I don't think I can even explain the drama that this caused in our family. People no longer talk to each other. It's crazy!

But as bad as I feel, I just want it over. I want this part over. So everyone can shut up about it. So people aren't whispering about what is going on.

Sigh....soon. Maybe soon this part will be over. We will never forget what happened but maybe people can deal with this soon and stop talking like it just happened.

Do you want to win an ipad?

2010-04-09T11:05:00.001-07:00

If you do, be sure to stop by Mckmama's and see what you need to do!

Donate any small amount(as little as 5.00) and you will be entered to win! For every 5.00 increment you will be given an entry! So 20.00 would be 4 entries!

Remember, you don't have to do anything on MY blog. Just go to Mckmama's and follow her directions :-)

It is for such a wonderful cause. You could help a child who desperately needs it!

Click here

Le Creuset Baking Dish(es) GIVEAWAY

2010-03-08T07:35:00.001-08:00

Mom's Sanity is making a comeback is having AN awesome giveaway! If you want to win Le Creuset Baking dishes, then stop by her blog. Follow her entry rules and you could win!!

I've always wanted dishes like these :-)

So stop by her blog and find out how to enter!!

http://regainingmysanity.blogspot.com/2010/03/le-creuset-baking-dishes-giveaway.html

Sense of accomplishment!

2010-03-08T06:35:00.000-08:00

When we moved in October, it was a long process. Half of our stuff was still in the old place. But it was mostly the stuff we didn't need or use often. So when we finally sold the other place, we had to go over and bring it all over. We sat it in our basement and left it for 2 months. Well, the kids got into it because some of it was old toys. Plus it was in the way of their computer, wii, and tv. They have their own room in the basement. And we had boxes unpacked, toys thrown everywhere, and just a HUGE HUGE mess!

I'm happy to say that side of the basement is clean and ready to be remodeled! We are going to drywall the basement, paint and close it off from the other half of the basement which is the laundry room. The floor is cement so I think we are honestly just going to paint it with that cement paint and buy an area rug. I don't want to put carpet down there. I mean after all, it IS a basement and I don't want to have a leak and have to replace carpet. An area rug sounds much cheaper in case that happens.

We got rid of 4 of those industrial sized garbage bags of junk....now why in the world did we pack junk? I think because we got in such a big hurry when we were moving that we just started tossing stuff in boxes.
Note to self: If we ever move again, take more time to pack. Toss junk BEFOREHAND! Not when you move into the new place.

So we got rid of broken toys. Packed boxes for a yard sale this spring.

Now this week I'm going to be joining Lynette's Simplifying for Sanity. This week the choices are a bedroom or living room area. I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to do a bedroom or living room. My living room is clean and decluttered. BUT remember above where I said we moved?? Yes, you guessed right! I have no pictures on my walls!! Crazy I know. How can a person live here for 6 months and have no pics on their walls! Well, if I chose the living room that will all change! But I'm thinking of going with my daughter's room instead!

So look for pictures coming soon! Yay! Yes there will be before and after pics!!

Oh wait and you wanna know the best part of the clean basement??? I can go down and do wii fit AND play my Super Mario Bros game!! WOOHOO for me. Completely selfish reason but hey it worked!

Feeling like Rudolph the Rednose Wendy!

2010-03-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

Oh gosh, my nose is bright, bright red. I swear you can see my coming a mile away with this shiny red thing on my face. This sinus infection is killing me. My husband had it and shared it with the kids. And then he decided it would be nice to share with me. Now I love my husband. I really really do. But I think I could have done without him for the week or two that he was sick. I think I could have nicely shut him in the basement. I know that sounds mean but it has a recliner and two couches and even has cable! I mean it wouldn't be like I shoved him in a dungeon.

I can't take meds for it without going to the doctor because of the other meds I'm on. So I can't even relieve any of the pressure. And Vicks, well it isn't getting half way through my congestion. And Vicks tissues, well, they just make me sneeze and my eyes water! Who knows, maybe that means it is helping.

Today I went to Walmart to buy cough meds for my munchkin and I couldn't buy it without proving I was 18. LOL!! I had a chuckle. I mean here I am, 31 years old. I have a 9 year old and they want to make sure I'm 18 :-D

Last weekend, we went to the casino and I had to wear the bright bracelet that alerted everyone to the fact that I was indeed over 21 or else I'd be carded by security all night....woohoo!! I sure hope I can keep this up until I'm elderly! Ok according to my kids, I am OLD!

Sorry, I know that my whole post doesn't make much sense to me. But in my sinus congested world, the whole thing makes wonderful sense :-D

It all boils down to this.....honey don't share. I don't like it. Ok well usually I do but please pick more wisely before you share a cold with me.

Is it the weather???

2010-03-01T09:17:00.000-08:00

OK so lately I notice everything has been so negative. It doesn't matter where I'm at. If it is real life or online. If it is kids or if it is adults. Negativity is just running rampant.

Is there anything we can do? I mean the old killing people with kindness isn't working. BUT it makes me feel better to know I wasn't a snot to someone else.

The grocery store was an eye opener. Once upon a time, people used to smile, say hi, excuse me, how are you. Now, you better just get out of the way. I had an older lady get all nasty with me when I said excuse me and just thought how dare she. How dare she try to hurt my feelings, when I just said excuse me while she stood in the middle of the aisle. I didn't try to fit by her, push her or stand behind her and sigh rudely. I nicely with a smile said excuse me and she acted like I swore and cussed her out! I mean she honestly made me feel like I was a two year old!

I get online to chat with friends on facebook or on certain communities and everyone is fighting. Everyone is causing drama. Why?

Or how about someone who says he is my son's friend and calls his chubby and how he hopes he isn't like him. Um....my son isn't fat, he's almost 10. He honestly is in a growth spurt. His doctor even said he is at that age and he will get taller at some point. And me, wanting to stretch the poor kid out so his friends wouldn't make fun of him, really wouldn't work!

And then I find out that my sister in law who is 17, talks about me while she is at school to her friends. Why? I'm 31. She said she hates me and that I will just talk about her to everyone. Um, I haven't seen her since Christmas.

Really, why does it bother me that a 17 year old hates me? I guess because I thought that I was always nice to her. I've always gone out of my way to help her, and to drive her to places when she needed a ride even if it is was really out of my way. And that is how I get repaid?

So how do we change it? I mean how do we change negativity? It is so easy to get wrapped up in it. But I can't. It isn't in me to just be mean because I feel like it. And honestly it just brings me down.

I've come to the conclusion that it is the weather. I mean it has to be right? People want out of their houses. They are tired of being snowed in. It has to be the weather....it sure has been weird lately. It sorta matches attitudes. Just plain weird!

5 Question Friday :-)

2010-02-26T05:27:00.000-08:00

It's that time! It's 5 Question Friday! If you'd like to participate just stop by Mama M's and link up with her!

1. Do you sing karaoke? If so, what is your go to song?
Uh no. If I did, bar owners would pass out pictures of me and say if you see her coming don't let her in, her voice will chase all customers away.

2. What is your favorite coffee drink?
YUM! I love coffee. But can I be honest and say anytime I've gone to starbucks it has been terrible but dunkin donuts and sheetz coffee...yum! Plus, I like the Christmas drinks. LOVE the Peppermint mocha

3. If you could choose your own name, what would it be?
I don't know. I wouldn't have chosen Wendy but after 31 years I'm used to it.

4. Were you ever bullied?

Nope. And I didn't put up with bullies either....so did that make me a bully? If you bulied the bully? Seriously, I just hate to see someone pick on someone else simply to hurt them for no reason.

5. How often do you eat fast food?
Way more than we should....we've tried to switch to sit down restaurants where we can get salads and stuff though.

Food Menu for 2/28-3/6

2010-02-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

This week I'm going to try to use stuff we already have in stock. I'm going to try to pick up only a few things for lunches and a few things so groceries aren't so expensive the next week.

Sunday: we will probably eat out while my daughter is at a birthday party at chucke e cheese

Monday: Stuffed cabbage rolls

Tuesday: homemade veggie soup and homemade bread (yum)

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: NY strip steak. Was bought for V-day but I wasn't home to make it.

Friday: I work this night so the kids and hubby eat out (they do every Friday) or maybe the rest of the veggie soup....whatever strikes their fancy at the time I guess.

Saturday: Once again I work, so the kids and hubby will have something easy like pizza, fish sticks, tomato soup....whatever the husband thinks is easy...heck it could mean eating out...LOL!!

No we don't eat out this often in a normal week. But with my daughter having a party to go to from 2-4 and then taking 45 minutes to get home, it is just easier. Normally Sunday is our big dinner day at home.

Tomorrow I'll do my grocery list so I will have to see what I need. I'm hoping that if I can stick to my weekly menu that it will help keep down the grocery bill. But I have to still do the weekly lunch menu for the kids. I don't know if they are packing or buying yet and they haven't sent March's menu home yet so I can't plan too much.

5 Question Friday

2010-02-05T08:34:00.000-08:00

It's that time again! It's 5 Question Friday! Make sure you stop by Mama M's and join the blog spot!

1. What are you most afraid of?
Dying! It's always been a huge fear! I watched my grandma die of liver cancer and it was the most horrible thing. But I mean there is no getting out of it so I have to come grips someday...eek. It's not the dying so much as the suffering and pain. And the worries about what happens to those I love.

Otherwise, snakes. I can't even look at one on tv. I get panicky and have dreams at night that I'm getting attacked....seriously. So I've decided the reptile house for me on the zoo is a no, no!

2. Do you use a flat iron or curling iron?
Neither one. Just a good 'ol blow dryer.

3. Hands-free or phone to the ear?
Depends what is going on and where I am. I will do both.

4. Do you have a matching bedroom set?
I used too but when we moved my huge big dresser wouldn't fit in our new bedroom so I gave it to my daughter and now I've decided that we need a new bedroom suit. Won't happen for ages but it's a nice dream....

5. Do you believe in the paranormal?
Yes! I posted on MckMama's community sharing my experience. And now I hate that feeling I get in the middle of the night when I get up to use the bathroom. I hate thinking there is someone behind me. Makes the hair on my arms (legs too in the winter...but shhhh!!!) stand straight up!

Whew! I finally got to answer 5 question Friday! I'm normally busy, busy!

Why can't people just get along?

2010-01-27T07:15:00.000-08:00

I have a wonderful group of friends. They are fantastic. The women get along and the men get along. I've just never had a group of friends like this before and I feel incredibly blessed.

Until this week.

We had a get together at a restaurant because two of them just recently turned 30. Then after wards we went out dancing. Well, thank goodness I couldn't make it til the dancing part, so I missed all the drama. Although at this point, I don't feel like I did.

Today, I get a phone call from my bestie explaining what went down and how on Sunday one of the girls(she is new to the group) was talking about her(my bestie) on Sunday and her kids in front of OTHER kids and adults. And when confronted about it the new one got real snotty. She got snotty because she was caught not because she did it! Oh how I dislike those kind of people. the kind that don't feel sorry but just sorry for themselves because they were busted. So needless to say our little group has a bit of division in it right now. BUT even though this happened with my best friend, I'm trying hard not to pick sides. Because you know....I'm 31. I'm not in high school, but all sides of me want to stick up for her. You know rush out tell the other girl to mind her business. But the small part of me just thinks the new girl in the group is jealous and I know darn well she wants to be the center of attention. She's hard to deal with and hard to work with in all aspects. She expects people to walk the line around her and heck she talks like that to her husband which is rude. And no, I'm not a do every single thing my husband tells me to do and like it. BUT I respect him enough to not talk to him like this other lady does especially in front of people.

So I have this huge feeling that our little group is just never going to be the same. And it is sad. It is one of those times that you know people are going to pick sides. And I don't want to. Well I do but the adult side of me is telling me to stay out of it because I wasn't there both days. I just hate to see one friend so sad and the other thinking she did nothing wrong.

Ugh...sometimes it just stinks to grow up and act like an adult.

I know, I know this is such a boring blog post. But see, you can't even escape grade school behavior when you grow up!

Decluttering Plans!

2010-01-20T06:39:00.000-08:00

We moved into our new house in October and I can already see where our "hot spots" are going to be.

The main area is in the basement. The area where we come in from the garage gets coats, tons of shoes, backpacks. and whatever junk they bring home from wherever we are. Plus the one room in the basement is the kids play/game room. It has their tv, wii, dartboards, basketball hoop and nerf guns. So it always looks a mess. Which stinks because that is the first area we walk into.
****My goal in the basement is to have an area to place their backpacks. We do have a coat rack but I need to convince those kids to use it instead of tossing it on the furniture. Plus, I want to toss at least 10 items a week. I know I can easily toss more stuff in the trash but 10 items is the minimum.

The second room is the kitchen.
****The dining room table is a MAJOR hot spot so is one section of the counter alongside the coffee pot and the microwave stand. In this room, I want to make sure that all old school work is thrown away and the hot spots cleaned nightly. I work in the evenings so I come home to a messy kitchen area. But we are working on that ;-)

The living room is generally clean but just to be safe, I want the endtables cleared out of the books weekly, unless they aren't finished being read.

Bathroom.
****go through the cupboards and toss empty bottles. My kids have a habit of emptying shampoo bottles and placing them back in the cupboards....kids I tell ya...lol

Kids room.
****Light clean weekly. Deep clean monthly where we toss broken toys or toys missing parts. And go through their clothes to check sizes. I try to do this when we fold laundry but sometimes a few smaller items make it through. Oh and we are going to work on donating so many toys every few months. They get so many toys that they push quite a few to the side.

Remember this isn't my cleaning schedule. These are just my plans to declutter. My cleaning schedule itself needs its own plan but at this point as long as it is getting done, I'm happy!

ugh....Why do we have to share?

2010-01-18T08:56:00.000-08:00

This past week I have been so sick. I had a 103 fever for a few days and had the worst sore throat I have ever had and it wasn't even strep! And now I have passed it on to my daughter. Poor thing. I feel like crying for her because I know how bad it hurts. Ugh....why do we have to share again? Good news is that no one shared the impetigo my son had, THANK GOODNESS!!

Friday night we went and played games at a friends house and had a blast. OK so we never got to the game playing but it was a lot of fun anyways. I love having friends with that I can take my kids or the same friends that I can go away without friends and we have fun either way. Our relationship isn't based on just our kids playing together or us hanging out. And the best thing is that our husbands have turned into best friends. I feel blessed that they have come into our lives when they did. My husband and I were the first of our friends to have kids and they all turned their backs on us because our life was different. Sad. But such is life and they aren't in my life for a reason now but it still just hurts when I allow myself to sit back and think about it.

My baby girl had her 7th birthday on Thursday! Oh how I love that munchkin. She was in Zhu Zhu heaven. She has to wait for some of her presents from us until her party which is this Saturday.

And here is the cake. Yes I bought it and in my drugged up fever mode, I attempted to write Happy Birthday on it. Um....yeah should have waited...LOL

*btw, the pics were taken with my env3 so don't mind the bluriness.

Now, I'm in clean up mode from being out of commission all week. My house is a mess. The junk and dishes collected. So I think this week there will be a few posts on decluttering this house of mine! It became quite the mess....real quick!

Until next time......Have a great one!

Snow, ice and impetigo

2010-01-11T09:26:00.000-08:00

Last week we got hammered with snow and freezing rain. The snow was wonderful and just beautiful! The kids have been sled riding in the backyard. We had a snow day on Friday and today "C" wanted, well not just wanted, he begged for a 2 hour delay.

The freezing rain caused some massive accidents on the interstate that caused traffic to be rerouted past my house for 18 hours or so. But I would have taken all that traffic longer than that and not complained a bit if the 2 adults and child would have lived. I feel so terrible for complaining about traffic blocking my drive way (couldn't get in or out). At least my family and I were happy and warm while we were stuck in our house. We were all together and those 3 people won't be with their family again. Sometimes I need a kick in the behind to stop feeling sorry for myself. Really I do!

Ugh and lets not forget our visitor last week. My 9 year old son got impetigo from someone. Poor kid. I thought he had a cold sore for a day or so. And then the next day he had a huge rash all over his cheeks! We got him right into the doctor and got him his antibiotic and ointment for his face. So far, the rest of us haven't gotten it. And we've turned into Germ X freaks...lol. I so hope it stays away. But seriously I check the mirror every single day...heck multiple times a day. I'm not counting cause I'd be embarrassed at how many times I look to make sure I don't have a rash appearing.

My daughter is going to be 7 on Thursday so we are going to be having a bday party soon. Ideas, please!! HELP!!! I'll have another post on that soon.

Have a GREAT day everyone :-)

Random things about me

2010-01-03T14:40:00.000-08:00

1. Do you like bleu cheese? Only Bleu cheese salad dressing and then only one certain brand.

2. Have you ever smoked? No way.

3. Do you own a gun? Not me but my husband does.

4. What color Kool Aid was your favorite? Blue Raspberry. They don't make it anymore :-(

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yup...I go every 3 months for a diabetes check up and I'm just sure he will yell at me...lol

6. What do you think of hot dogs? ok. I like peek a boo the best (hot dog wrapped with a crescent roll

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Vacation! LOVE LOVE it!

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Hot tea or coffee

9. Can you do push ups? No and it drives my husband nuts.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My engagement ring! And the necklace my kids picked out for me. Both pieces had lots of love behind them!

11. Favorite hobby? Reading and facebooking

12. Do you have A. D. D.? Nope.

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Glasses and have since 6th grade.

14. Middle name? Sue

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. I hate that commercial. I hope the boy is having fun at his friends. and I wonder if the girl is frozen stiff out there with her daddy!

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee, Water and soda

17. Current worry? Money but isn't that a biggie for lots of people

18. Current hate? Unannounced visitors. Gossip from certain family members that is hurtful. You just know if they are talking about that person that they will talk about you when you leave.

19. Where would you like to go? hmmm...I'd love to take the kids to Disney World.

20. Name three people who will complete this: Not a clue

21. Do you own slippers? yeah if I can find them.

22. What color shirt are you wearing? Hot pink

23. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? We have them but they don't stay on the bed.

24. Can you whistle? No.

25. Where are you now? The couch in the living room

26. Would you be a pirate? No.

27. What songs do you sing in the shower? None. It is normally me telling the kids I will be out and to leave me for a few minutes. That I won't drown and I really don't need them with me...lol

28. Favorite Girl's Name? Hmmm...I've always like Colleen. I don't have a clue why

29. Favorite boy's name? Christian

30. What's in your pocket right now? Don't have a pocket in these pants.

31. Who last made you laugh? My husband.

32. What vehicle do you drive? Jeep Commander

33. Worst injury you've ever had? Broken elbow

34. Do you love where you live? Yes

35. How many TVs do you have in your house? 5

A December Review

2010-01-02T11:11:00.001-08:00

I've been such a horrible blogger this past month. I was anxious to spend as much time with my family as possible.

Christmas was fantastic. We all had a blast. BUT my husband and I realized we spend way too much money on gifts and not enough time on the meaning of Christmas. We are definitely going to be changing that.

Here are the kids at their Christmas program. My daughter is the second in on the bottom with the black, white dress and red bow. My son is in the top row with the gray sweater on. They sang Little Drummer Boy, Away in the Manger and Go Tell it on the Mountain. They all did such a fantastic job. This is our jr. youth....ages 6 to 5th grade. The rest of the kids are all family friends. Whoops you gotta click the pic to see Christian....gotta resize when I have second

Here is our Christmas tree with our kids and our two chihuahua's. The black dog is named Angel (she is a longed hair chihuahua) and the white dog is named Harley.

On December 26th my husband and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. We went to Niagara Falls. And had a great time! Yes it was cold but it was beautiful.

And here is one of the light houses on Lake Erie in Erie Pennsylvania. Doesn't it look like a post card! I thought it was just beautiful!

Well this was just a snap shot of our December. A have a new post coming up with what we are thankful for and what we are hoping for the New Year.

So far behind this year!

2009-12-10T05:46:00.001-08:00

I'm so far behind on everything! I think every year it gets worse and worse. I love Christmas. But everyone has taken the meaning out of Christmas and I'm so miserable until about February! That's how long it takes me to recover from bills and all that lovely stuff! I know I shouldn't let the outside world do that to me. But I do and I'm trying so hard to stay happy this year!

This weekend we are getting our tree. And hopefully putting the lights outside! And today I'm hoping to get my Christmas cards out! I do have my fireplace mantle decorated. I love my gingerbread houses and couldn't wait to drag them out.

And cookies and fudge??? Don't get me started on that! I haven't even thought about what kind to make this year. But I know my daughter will want to help. The kids will look forward to the fudge making. That means that if the batch doesn't come out perfectly we get to eat it ;-)

I'm happy that we didn't put up lights yet or our deer. They would have blown away yesterday. We have thunderstorms in December! Odd but it brought the snow. I love the first few snows. Then after that, I'm ready for it to go away. But I don't hate it enough to move from where I live.

Until next time........Have a great one!

How do you Pray?

2009-11-29T13:59:00.000-08:00

So today has been a little stressful and as I was praying, I thought boy it is a good thing He knows what I mean because none of that made any sense! So I wondered if I was the only one who just talked like He was standing right beside me? I sorta blunder through like I have no clue what I'm saying...lol

I have family members that do the long elaborate praying and they say that is correct. They always have the proper form like we are sitting in church and the preacher is praying.

So how do you pray? Is there a right or wrong way? Or is the fact that we are talking to him enough?

What I'm thankful for!

2009-11-25T07:27:00.000-08:00

Well since it has been a while since I posted on my blog, I thought I would do a thankful post since tomorrow is Thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for my fantastic, loving husband. He puts up with my craziness, moodiness and he loves me faults and all and trust me there are quite a few faults. I love how hard working he is. How he let us sacrifice so much extra stuff so that I could stay home for 9 years. I love what a wonderful father he is!

Oh and I'm thankful he gave me two beautiful healthy kids too because I'm most certainly thankful for those two munchkins too! I love how at 9 years old, my boy still calls me mama. I may not get hugs and kisses from him anymore but I'm hanging on to that mama as long as I can keep it!

And my princess. Oh how I adore how she loves me.

Hugs, kisses, more hugs and lots of love to give me everyday. I love how she hangs on to me before I go to work in the evenings and says I don't want you to go mama!
And although it breaks my heart, it makes coming home so sweet because I know they miss me more than I thought they would when I went back to work. I only work 2 minutes (walking) from my house so my husband nicely brings them to see me before bed!

Let's not forget family and friends. I truly have the best of each! I had to work hard to get friends once we got married. I never had that problem before. But we got married before most of our friends and then had a baby right away who needed special attention since he was born 10 weeks early. They didn't know how to relate to us anymore and they stayed away. So I lost them and 2 years ago I made the most wonderful friends. Friends I can go away with my kids and friends I can go away with by myself! They are always there, just like my family.

This year I'm thankful that my most adorable nephew is ALIVE! My nephew is a shaken baby survivor. And although he is struggling to catch up to where he should be, he is healthy and alive! A far cry from where we thought he would be. We honestly thought he would not be with us right now.

And I'm going to have a selfish moment cause after all I am just a normal human being! I'm so thankful that we were able to buy a house a few months ago. Happy doesn't begin to cover how I feel! Not bragging. Just moving has improved my mood by leaps and bounds. Previously, we only lived two houses down from my nephews attacker. Someone we thought we were friends with. Someone we thought loved my husband's sister and her baby. We just couldn't handle living there anymore and although we didn't think we could move, God provided away!

Which leads me to the most important thing I'm thankful for. I'm thankful for God who made it so I could have all these blessings. Without him, I can't imagine how worse things could be. I mean we could be without my nephew and even our son who was born 10 weeks early.

I'm thankful for every day I'm given to feel the love from my husband, family and friends.

Thankful Thusday!

2009-11-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Thankful Thursday! If you would like to blog hop on Thankful thursday just link back to Saving Sherry.

This is my first Thankful Thursday :-)

I am thankful for my children. Even when they are sick, like they are now, and driving me up the wall;-), they still can bring a smile to my face. They make me feel better, just by calling me Mama!

And I'm thankful for my great friends that I just developed last year. They help keep sane. We do stuff together as families with our kids and we all get together to go away without our kids. I love having friends I can do both with. We used to have friends that only wanted to see us if we could go away without our kids and we can't always do that so it is nice to have friends who get it!

Most importantly, I'm thankful for my hard working husband. He works long hours for us to have the life we do have. He isn't afraid to help me around the house when I get behind and he loves to get down and play with those kids of ours! And I'm thankful that he chose me to be in his life. After 10 years, it feels like we just got married.

So that is my thankful Thursday. What are YOU thankful for today! Link up and let us know!

I won some awesome games for the kids!

2009-11-04T05:04:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Raising Olives, I won some awesome games for my kids.

They won Giraffe Limbo and Scatterpillar Scramble! My daughter saw these the other day in the store and was drawn to them immediately. She doesn't know we have them now and I'm thinking of keeping them back for Christmas. But I know she will be ecstatic when she sees them!

Thanks so much for the win! We appreciate it!

Holiday Check list #1

2009-11-02T11:59:00.000-08:00

WOW! Thanksgiving is almost here. This year, Thanksgiving is going to be at my house. My mom doesn't want to have it this year because this is her first holiday without her mom. So they are breaking in my new home! Woohoo but EEK all at the same time!

*Need to have everything unpacked.
*Make menu
*Buy turkey
*Decorate
*Deep clean
*Need dinner ideas!!!!

Christmas shopping list:
*Buy Kelsey her Christmas dress **DONE *It was half off too*
*Make a list of what items we've already bought.
*Make a list of what to buy kids, parents, nephew and siblings.
*Start Christmas cards and address them.
*Be finished shopping in the next couple weeks
*Buy tires for the Jeep (yes this is on my Christmas list because--well because it needs done the same time of year...lol)
*make sure all Christmas lights work. I don't want to be running to the store the day we drag the tree in from the woods. And I want my Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving. Not to have them on, just to have them up.

Monday, Monday...

2009-11-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

Oh boy, it is Monday! What can I say, yes, I am one of those people who hate Monday's I get into sleeping until 8 and boom it is back to 6:30. Although my husband's alarm starts at 4:30 so I'm up, just not completely aware yet...lol

Today, it is just me and my son at home. The poor boy has the nastiest cough and I don't feel my best either. So we decided even though he felt ok, not to pass these germs on since most of our school is just getting over the H1N1. I just knew I was going to get sick. I was at the school all day Thursday to help with picture day and there were some very sick kids at school. Parents sent them just for their pictures! Ugh...there is a make up day!!

This past weekend we had a lot of fun. Saturday I thought was going to start terrible but ended up being a blast. I thought I had the day off and then ended up having to work which I was so sad about but sucked it up and ended up working til 10:00. Rushed home, got cleaned up and became a cave woman for the Halloween party that my husband and I were off too! Didn't get home til 3. I cannot remember the last time we did that. It was a much needed time out with some fantastic friends of ours. The only picture I have is from the waist up and from an iphone so the quality is not the best.

Being a working mom is harder than I thought it would be. Seriously I was blessed to have almost 10 years at home. I only work 20 hours a week but it is all at night. So I miss bed times and that alone time with my husband. Plus, I find it hard to give up that control over my kids. I know it sounds so silly. It's just that they were always my job. And well they weren't even a job. I just miss that part nightly. It could be worse I know. And I know I'm lucky that I have just now had to start back to work. I just don't like it.

Sorry for such a blah, blah post. I'm sure tomorrow will be different once I start my first day of the 30 day shred and you all can hear me cry from wherever you all may live. And if you do happen to hear me cry. Don't worry. Just know that Jillian Michaels is kicking my butt!

Menu Planning

2009-10-19T05:35:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one who struggles with menu planning? I make my grocery list, I plan my menus and wouldn't you know I never do what I plan. But having just bought this new house and adding another payment to our budget, I have decided to try much much harder to stick with what I plan. I think it was easy for me to not stick with the budget because we always had the extra cash because we didn't have a house payment. Now that we do, I want to be more frugal where I can. Some

Since I already got my groceries this week, I will just share my menu and next week I think I will actually say if I managed to just get what I put on my grocery list or not. I swear I just wonder aimlessly through the store throwing stuff in the cart!

Monday--Steak, scalloped potatoes, veggie (maybe rice instead of the potato)
Tuesday--Stuffed Peppers (Tae Kwon Do night so this will be crock pot day)
Wednesday--Meatloaf, potatoes, veggie
Thursday--Spaghetti & meatballs (our cub scout night always has something quick)
Friday-- I work Friday nights so DH always takes the kids out to the pizza place. It is their special night together
Saturday--I work too but I try to have something quick made since I don't leave til 5:00. Even if it is just chicken nuggets and french fries. Which everyone seems to love for some reason.
Sunday--I'm not sure yet. Friday, Saturday and Sunday start our new grocery week but Sunday is generally a big family meal since that is the only day my husband has off.

I really hope to get better at planning. I have so many things I want to change now that we have this new house and are sorta starting over with all of our schedules.

So does anyone else stuggle or are you organized in meal planning?

Five Question Friday

2009-10-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

This my first Five Question Friday so most of you will learn something new about me.

1. What phrase, or phrases, do you say a lot (holy cow, geez, seriously?)
Holy Moley! You're kidding me! I always say you're kidding me to the kids.

2. Swimming: Are you a kamikaze off the boat, take the plunge from the deep end, or a gradual, slow submersion from the shore or shallow end kind of person?
Neither one! I can't swim. Although, my husband thinks it is his duty to throw me in the lake knowing I can't swim. He said I'll never learn if I don't try....hmmm....I also won't think I'm drowning if he'd just stop tossing me in!

3. Have any tattoos? If not, what would you get?
No tattoos and I don't really want one.

4. What is your favorite tree?
I love the burning bush. Don't know what the real name is but it turns bright red in the fall. I also love red maples :-)

5. Two pronged question: What is your favorite non-physical thing about your spouse? What is your favorite physical thing about your spouse or significant other.
I love my husband's sense of duty. He always feels drawn to help those around him.
Physical thing? Umm.....his eyes. They change colors all the time and you can just read the emotion in them! I especially love them when they are looking at me :-)

The 3's of Me!

2009-10-16T05:40:00.000-07:00

I'm just doing some intro things until I get time to sit down and make a normal blog post!

The 3's of Me!Share

Three names I go by:
1. Mama
2. Wendy
3. Hon

Three Jobs I have had in my life:
1. Burger King
2. student tutor (high school and college)
3. Mom

Three Places I Have lived:
1. Clintonville
2. Bullion
3. Gulfport, Ms

Three Favorite Drinks:
1. Sweet Tea (too bad I can't drink it...lol)
2. Diet Pepsi
3. Diet Dr. Pepper

Three TV shows that I watch:
1. Hells Kitchen
2. Survivor
3. The Amazing Race

Three places I have been:
1. Gatlinburg, Tn
2. Biloxi/Gulfport, Ms
3. Washington DC

People that text me regularly:
1. Den
2. Mom
3. Missy/Missy

Three of my favorite dishes:
1 Fajitas
2. Lasanga
3. Chicken Alfredo

Three things I am looking forward to:
1. Blake getting better (and he is)
2. Getting this new house in order!!
3. Getting back to church

Hmm.....about me?

2009-10-09T03:37:00.001-07:00

OK so I'm not a crazy wife and I'm not a crazy mama. But I do feel like it some days. My husband and I have been married almost 10 years. Oh about 8 years longer than his family thought we'd be married :-) I have awesome role models for what married life should be like.

We have two children. My son 9, was born 2 1/2 months early and we spent some time in the NICU. We have no lasting problems. He was developmentally delayed but we just have speech and that is coming along nicely now.
My daughter is 6 and is quite the adventure. Think teenager stuck in a 6 year old's body! I tell ya, girls are so different then boys!!
Let's not forget the animals. We have two chihuahua's and 1 black lab.
We are in the process of buying a house and close on Monday...eeek!!!! Crazy!

My kids have a crazy schedule and we have toned it down this year. Well it isn't any crazier than anyone else's but would have been out of control had we not cut stuff down.

Tuesday--Tae Kwon Do til 6-8 and Daisies 5-630. I leave one for 15 minutes at Daisies while the other goes to Tae Kwon Do. Wed. they both go to youth. Thursday is cub scouts. I have PTO stuff on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But my son is mad because we cut out flag football and wrestling. Those were 3 days a week and took 25 minutes to get there. My daughter had ballet, tap and gymnastics and we were just so overwhelmed that I wasn't happy and I don't think they were happy. They were in too much that they just couldn't be kids and play outside with the neighborhood kids because they just didn't have the time. Example: my daughter is 6 and just learned to ride her bicycle without training wheels because she didn't have time to ride the silly thing! So we cut way back and we no longer have overlapping activities where I feel so rushed--well except for Tuesdays but the buildings aren't even 5 min. apart.

Ok--this is just my into post....I swear I won't be so boring once I start posting normally or I hope I'm not this boring!