Minxy Mimi Unplugged

Long time, no see

2011-07-14T13:18:00.001-07:00

I am sorry I deserted everyone that followed my blog, it was a hard choice to make. I made the mistake of being too public with it and having too many people know about it in my personal life, people I was not sure I wanted to know. (no offense to my wonderful family!!) I like to remain annonomous so if I say too much, no-one who can beat me up in person, knows about it~!
I recently started blogging again on a very small scale. If anyone wants to see that blog and is still interested after all this time, drop me a line at:
mimibunny31@gmail.com
I apologize for abandoning everyone.

Long time...no see!

2009-07-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

Hello all. Sorry to have not been updating. I stopped due to some rather painful Carpel Tunnel issues. I was barely sleeping, let alone being able to write. I have a Dr.s appt in a week to test for it, altho the Dr. is sure I do.
I also was dealing with swollen hands, legs...you name it! Marshmallow girl!!!
I am now on high blood pressure meds and surpringly, my hands have started to get back to normal. So although I still have issues, it is bearable.

I miss my bloggy friends, hope you all are well! Be catching up more soon.
Promise!

Ecostore $25.000 Gift Cert winner!

2009-04-28T14:37:00.001-07:00

Congrats to CCakaJapan #25
I have e-mailed you!

Be back soon

2009-04-27T14:21:00.000-07:00

Sorry to be such a bad blogger. I have been a tad bit depressed and anxious lately and just this week my Carpal Tunnel (or whatever it is) is acting up, my hands get tingly and numb and I cant type too long without having to shake my hands out. I am hoping a week or so of taking it easy will get me back into shape. Please excuse my many absences lately. I will announce the ecostore winner tomorrow~

Whose fault is it?

2009-04-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

The US mails... always. and mine of course.

Chase pisses me off. They took over Washington Mutual whom I have a credit card with. Payment is always due on the 16th of the month. So, I log in and Lo and Behold!!! Its now the 13th! I pay and it processes on the 15th and I am charged a late fee of $39.00. Picture me upset.

Well, perhaps not that upset, but you can thank me now for the gratuitous Hugh Jackman picture. Yummy!!!

Moving on... I call, I explain it was not on my on-line statement that it would change and I am told that a Change in terms was mailed to me In January and it was not their fault but it was the "US mails" fault so I still have to pay. So I tell them I did not receive this notice, so why it it now not the US mails fault, but mine? Why can they use that excuse but not me? My answer:

Well, it was Silence...not this creepy guy...but you get the point.

So I now wrote to the company and I am hoping for a better outcome. I guess they would rather lose my business (I also have a bank account) rather than refund me $39.00
They sound like a bunch of

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-22T09:38:00.001-07:00

The first cousins at Easter...I am large and in center! LOL

Toni's Quotable Sunday!

2009-04-19T11:50:00.000-07:00

Time for Toni's Quoteable Sundays! I love this and participate every week. If you want to participate then do your own, head to Toni's site and sign her Mr. Linky and visit as many others as you can!

Dont forget to enter my Giveaway for a $25.00 ecostore Gift Cert HERE

My quotes today are on warm weather... or heat! Cause its almost 90 degrees today and I am remembering how much I do not like Summer... but I am taking what I can from this day... its not as hot as it could be!

"At the entrance, my bare feet on the dirt floor, Here, gusts of heat; at my back, white clouds. I stare and stare. It seems I was called for this: To glorify things just because they are."
~ Czeslaw Milosz

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."
~ Sam Keen

"Summer is a promissory note signed in June, its long days spent and gone before you know it, and due to be repaid next January."
~ Hal Borland

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time."
~ John Lubbock

"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." ~Author unknown, commonly misattributed to Mark Twain

"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world." ~Ada Louise Huxtable

ecostore USA Review and Giveaway!

2009-04-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

I had the chance to review products from ecostore USA where all of the products are made from Plant or Mineral products.
Here is what the site has to say:

"Our eco friendly, plant-based household cleaning products are as effective as the leading supermarket brands, and our body and baby care ranges are gentle on your skin and are simply beautiful to use. Our pet care products let you spoil your pets with our nourishing, rich blends of ingredients and show them how much you care by reducing their exposure to unhealthy chemicals.

All of our products are made from plant- and mineral-based ingredients, free of toxic chemicals that bring people closer to nature with non-toxic, environmentally safe solutions that also help to reduce our carbon footprint."

I was sent a few items to try out. First was the Lemon grass soap WOW, the smell was so fresh, fragrant and clean, and pleasant. My skin was left soft and wonderfully scented.

The site had this to say:

"All ecostore USA soaps are created from pure vegetable oils and natural fragrances. They are gentle on the skin and perfect for the kids too. Our cleansing Lemongrass soap is the perfect soap for the whole family. Lemongrass oil is soothing and leaves a pleasant, light lemon scent."

I also reviewed the Manuka sandalwood Shampoo. This shampoo is helpful to people who suffer from Dandruff. Now instead of people asking me when I went to the mountains and why do I still have snow on my shoulders... people just tell me my hair looks shiny and healthy! LOL
It works, and its good for the environment. It is a win/win!

April is Earth month and orders of $25.00 or over at ecostore USA will have FREE SHIPPING! YAY

Overall I was impressed by ecostore USA and its products and its commitment to doing right by our beautiful planet! This company is dedicated to providing you with safe, natural and economical products that do not harm our Mother Earth. Thanks ecostore USA for this opportunity!

Now for the Giveaway...ecostore USA is offering one of my readers a $25.00 Gift Certificate to spend as they will!

How do you win? All you have to do is head over to ecostore USA and tell me what you might spend the gift certificate on, BUT, it must be something other than the items I reviewed, or your entry will be invalid. For extra entries you can: 1. Subscribe to my blog and/or 2. Put my button on your sidebar (Button and code is on the top right of my blog) 3. Follow me on Twitter (Click on icon on my left sidebar) AND tweet this contest and show me where ya did it. Make sure you make a separate comment when you do those things.
IF YOU DO NOT GO TO ecostore USA AND PICK AN ITEM FIRST, THESE WILL NOT COUNT. USA ONLY AND CONTEST WILL END ON APRIL 27, 2009 AT 6:00 PM PST

So get to it! Thanks again ecostore USA for this opportunity!

There's a sucker born every minute

2009-04-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

And I don't really care if its me.

I was heading out to lunch after I went to the bank to deposit my work check... I saw a man on the corner with a sign saying "Will work for food" Typical... you see it often. What got me was he looked "normal", Lucid and he had a dog. Animals always get to me. I am sure they get others too.

Yes, I have heard the stories about how some of these people have nice cars, nice homes and their job is to stand outside and act homeless. I know this, and being in a hurry I just thought "how sad" and went by... but in a few minutes I turned the car around and went back and handed him $5.00... because I thought "what if this was me and my dog (or cats)" "What if he really is hungry?" So, I handed him the money and told him to please feed his dog too. He thanked me, said he was having a hard time right now.. he acted and spoke just like anyone else you would meet in the store, in a line, on the street. And I felt like I did the right thing.

But I know... he could have been scamming me. But I also know that that is on him if it is so. I did my part to brighten up someones day...to make their load a little easier. And I hope that the spirit moves him when he gets back on his feet, and I hope he does.

Doing good things doesn't require going to another country... doesn't require your life savings... doesn't require your life.
It requires your compassion, your caring, your empathy. It could be holding a door, helping in a soup kitchen, donating food and clothes... or handing $5.00 to a homeless guy and his dog. And hoping that your good deed will go full circle and come back to you if you need it.

So today... I felt good, I felt sad, I felt glad. I hope he feels the same way, but I hope I helped eased some of the sadness I saw in his eyes and his dogs eyes. If only I could ease it for the many others out there in the same situation. I can only try my best to do so. I will do my best. I can make a difference, even if its only a small one. Will you?

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

This is one of the best from Easter... sad.
I am awaiting pics for a family member...

Tuesday tidbits!

2009-04-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

First of all, let me assure you. I am not in the "Crazy House" AKA Mental Hospital. I did not need a straitjacket... nor did my kids freak out, scream, cry, fight ect... on the 2.5 hour trip to and from my cousin's house for Easter. In fact, I think someone cloned my kids and left in their place those impostors. Because they were sweet, well behaved and quiet in the car. and out of it too. Too bad the next day they took the clones away and brought back the originals. They probably couldn't handle it. I barely can, and I am "The Mother" LOL

I do have to apologize for my lack of posting and visiting lately. I promise I will be back to normal soon. We have been thinking of moving, so I have been focusing on that. We are planning to move into a cheaper rental and they are hard to find and those damn applications take about 10 hours to fill out and a PHD. UGH

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!!! I will be checking on you all out as soon as my boss starts working again!!! LOL

Quotable Sunday!

2009-04-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Time for Toni's Quoteable Sundays! I love this and participate every week. If you want to participate then do your own, head to Toni's site and sign her Mr. Linky and visit as many others as you can!

Today my quotes are on Childhood... since *to me* Easter is about Spring, joy, and the innocence of childhood. Its so hard to believe that we all used to believe in the Easter Bunny!

"There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again." ~Elizabeth Lawrence

"Sweet childish days, that were as long
As twenty days are now."
~William Wordsworth, "To a Butterfly"

"There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in." ~Deepak Chopra

"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older." ~Tom Stoppard

"Old age lives minutes slowly, hours quickly; childhood chews hours and swallows minutes." ~Malcolm de Chazal

"If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life."

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in." ~ Rachel Carson

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." ~
~ John W. Whitehead

Have a wonderful Easter!

Fantastic Friday!

2009-04-10T06:57:00.000-07:00

Well, lets hope so!

Ive been a bit lax on writing and visiting blogs this week... I am sorry to all the people who visit me and whom I usually visit. Work (How dare they!) takes up time lately and my mommy forum too. Throw in a dash of drama and things just need my attention.

It is a fantastic Friday because of it being Friday at last!!! YAY!!!
Even though the market is closed I still have to work which is a bummer. But I feel good because I got something done at work that I was putting off. Its easy for me to "talk" here... to make a remark, be witty (in my mind at least...hahahaha) but its hard for me to be like that with people I do not know in "real life" But I was able to call someone and get what I needed with minimal embarrassment and/or stumbling over my words. I hate that I do that.

Easter is the time we spend with my cousins... so in essence we drive 100 miles in order to feast, visit, egg hunt and enjoy being together. The visiting is awesome (except for my posturing and snobbish cousin-in-law) but the drive is not so fantastic... fights in the first 5 minutes followed by this:

AHHHHH, the joys of having children.

What more could I ask for?

HAHAHAHA
Totally kidding... right now. Ask me again on Sunday night.

Have an awesome Easter my bloggy friends!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-08T05:59:00.000-07:00

Rocks in the Monterey Bay

Not me Monday

2009-04-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. do yours and head on over to sign the Mr Linky!

Ahhh, Monday again...

Just a little list of things I did NOT do this lovely weekend.

1. I did not eat entirely too much, and eat all the Pringles, Peanut butter Easter Eggs ( I also did not hide them from my kids) Popcorn, Ice Cream and crackers. I would not do that since I am watching my figure... watching it expand!

2. I did not take those Pringles and instead of throwing away the crumbs, I did not... I would not put my mouth to the can and pour them into my mouth. How uncouth!!! That's something *I* would never do. Maybe those other ghetto people would. Not me.

3. I did not obsess on my fluff friends Easter Hunt... I am so not an obsessive person. Just ask Olivia Newton-John, who does NOT have me on her list of potential stalkers... (just kidding)

4. I did not dye my hair using 2 different brands and colors of dyes cause I was too lazy and cheap to go to the store and get a matching pair. (I use 2 since I have thick hair) I did not get the dye all over my ears, my cheek, my elbow or my cleavage cause I was in a hurry and annoyed that I have to cover my grey hair and I am not that old. Well... maybe 41 IS old. My hair does not look like this:

5. I did not wear the MuuMuu my mom gave me around the house and outside. I would not do that. I mean, MuuMuu's are very flattering and all... I would not wear it for the simple fact that I might get attacked for being so hott... and so fashionable. Jealousy sucks. Just ask Kristina and her Snuggie...

Quotable Sunday!

2009-04-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Time for Toni's Quoteable Sundays! I love this and participate every week. If you want to participate then do your own, head to Toni's site and sign her Mr. Linky and visit as many others as you can!

My quotes today will be on intelligence.

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson (1958 - ), cartoonist, "Calvin and Hobbes"

"Readers are plentiful; thinkers are rare." ~ Harriet Martineau (1802 - 1876)

"To repeat what others have said, requires education; to challenge it, requires brains." ~ Mary Pettibone Poole, A Glass Eye at a Keyhole, 1938

"Perhaps imagination is only intelligence having fun." ~George Scialabra

"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence." ~ Albert Einstein

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." ~ Bertrand Russell

"Intelligence appears to be the thing that enables a man to get along without education. Education enables a man to get along without the use of his intelligence." ~ Albert Edward Wiggin

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." ~ Albert Einstein

"Wit is educated insolence." ~ Aristotle

Industrial Joe coffee review

2009-04-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

First of all a big thanks for the wonderful girls over at Extraordinary Moms for hooking me up with this opportunity. Check them out!

I had the chance to review Industrial Joe coffee and despite my hesitation to give up my bland and boring store brand coffee (bought for budget purposes) I decided to give the Bold Roast Ethiopia a try!

Ahhh.... my nose was the first one to perk up and take notice...it smelled DIVINE! I was hoping that the taste could live up to the smell. I was not disappointed! This is what Industrial Joe had to say about this blend:

One of our favorite coffees, it is grown at an altitude of over 5000 feet, hence, the beans are quite small and the flavors and aroma very concentrated. You will notice the Blueberry and sweet, citrus-like acidity. Ethiopia is the land where wild coffee was originally cultivated, fertilized naturally with bananas and other fruit shade trees.

WOW! I feel very high class and very Cosmopolitan now. Thank you Industrial Joe!

There are may other blends and strengths. Wanna try a few? Then get the mild/medium/bold Sample Pack

All in all, I was impressed by the aroma and the flavour. It was bold, but not bitter. I enjoyed every drop and I think you should head on over and try Industrial Joe coffee yourself!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-01T06:14:00.001-07:00

Friends... I hope they always are.

The joys of motherhood

2009-03-31T09:29:00.000-07:00

How true these words ring:

"So when the great word 'Mother!' rang once more,
I saw at last its meaning and its place;
Not the blind passion of the brooding past,
But Mother -- the World's Mother -- come at last,
To love as she had never loved before --
To feed and guard and teach the human race." -- Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Except of course when you have kids like mine. This is based on a True Story.

Sweet? Innocent? Adorable?
Adorable... I think yes. The rest, I think not!

Unless of course the Little People cow and farmer like residing in the toilet with the refuse of the humans who own them. I mean, they could perhaps. Personally I doubt it. Good thing my husband has patience and kindness coursing through his veins. and a good wrench. Because he had to take that toilet apart to rescue those poor toys. Now they are resting in the landfill. RIP

And I guess the baby powder was just asking to be "set free" from the shackles of its plastic prison. My boys answered the call to action and freed the oppressed mass (of powder) Mommy, however is more of a tyrant. I put the newly released powder in another prison... a vacuum bag. Except for the escapees that managed to elude the vacuum. I just rubbed them into oblivion. I feel like Saddam. But I am cuter. and I don't live in a hole. At least not at the moment. I may do so to escape my kids. As long as I have wireless, I will be OK!

Ahhh, the joys of motherhood... Yes, even with all the naughtiness, mouthiness and fighting my kids do I still love them. What mother wouldn't? Because being a mother is an enormous responsibility, a wonderful and scary gift. A blessing, a curse. All of those wrapped into a little body full of energy, sweetness, brattiness, rebellion, and immense love. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Not Me Monday!

2009-03-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. do yours and head on over to sign the Mr Linky!

I did not: D0 1,000 loads of laundry... nope! More like 10,000. How can two small boys make more dirty clothes than they actually own? Do the clothes just migrate over to my dirty clothes pile???

Thank goodness I live in Modern Times and don't have to use this contraption:

I did not: Spend hours on Mafia Wars offing other mafia members... feel free to join my mafia. We can terrorizer together!

I did not: Eat another 1,000 tortilla chips at the Mexican Restaurant...

Not me, I have the appetite of a bird. This bird:

I did not: Do three chores all at the same time and not finish one of them... I am so much more organized. not!

I did not: Let me cat lick my spoon while I was eating cottage cheese... I would not do something so gross.... would I? Only Rudy knows for sure....

Quotable Sunday!

2009-03-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

Time for Toni's Quoteable Sundays! I love this and participate every week. If you want to participate then do your own, head to Toni's site and sign her Mr. Linky and visit as many others as you can!

Mine are on Spring... since its been almost 80 degrees and sunny here!

"Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer." ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade." ~Charles Dickens

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" ~Mark Twain

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." ~Anne Bradstreet

"And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest."
~Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant"

"Is it so small a thing To have enjoy'd the sun, To have lived light in the spring, To have loved, to have thought, to have done..."
-- Matthew Arnold

"Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart."
-- Victor Hugo

"Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems." ~Rainer Maria Rilke

My life, my sorrows...

2009-03-26T14:17:00.001-07:00

Well, my life. I have not had that much sorrow lately. Thank goodness!
But I have had frustration and anger and ups and downs... kinda like a Katy Perry song!

Its been lovely here, the weather has been good, my boss was out of town and it was relaxing.
My boys have been angels and Devils all in a span of 5 minutes. How is it possible that children (is it just mine?) can be so loving one minute and such utter PITA's next.

Jack is sweet, he is four and has FINALLY gotten potty training. OMG!! I thought I was going to be changing poopie nappies until he was 10 and I was 50! Not cool.

Max is 2.5 and he is also doing well on the potty training...which makes me happy since he smells worse than the port-a-potty's on my dad's farm in the 105 degree weather. Max can stink up a room and break up a party... as well as turn a stomach!

But these two sweeties decided that the GIANT container of baby powder was a cool new toy. The cats did not think so, they hid under the bed...smart cats! But mommy who left them playing in the back bedrooms for 5 minutes while she finished up General Hospital left Sonny Corinthos and walked into an even bigger mess. A roomful of powder and 2 boys who looked like this (but without the glitter and make-up) But OH< what mother doesn't want a powdered wig wearing drag queen for a son... I cant think of any.

OMG...I was so upset, angry and I wanted to just lick them all the way into next week! Needless to say, they now know powder is NOT a toy that mommy approves of!

Ive been suffering from some mysterious disease.... my tongue has been swollen and had painful bumps on it. OUCH. I seem to finally be feeling better. But that's a quick update on me and mine.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

Me... not yesterday!!!
LOL, I think I was about 9 months or a year!

Review of Udderly Smooth

2009-03-24T07:06:00.000-07:00

First of all a big thanks for the wonderful girls over at Extraordinary Moms for hooking me up with this opportunity. Check them out!

I was lucky enough to be able to review Udderly Smooth Udder cream for dry skin! First of all the full sized products came in the cutest cow patterned box, and when opened up contained four full sized products for me to try and enjoy. I cannot say how impressed I was with Udderly Smooth

A few facts from their wonderful site!

"Made in the USA for over thirty years, Udderly Smooth® products contain rich moisturizing ingredients. Not your average moisturizing lotion- Udderly Smooth® can be used on Dry Skin, Cracked Skin, for Diabetes Foot Care, as a Facial Moisturizer, as a General Moisturizing Lotion and many other uses.

Pioneered by a Pharmacist, reasonably priced and made in America’s heartland. Use Udderly Smooth® daily for smooth, soft skin head to toe."

My husband who is a type 1 diabetic was excited to try the Foot Cream with Shea Butter for Dry Feet, we all know diabetic people need to take special care of their feet in order to avoid infection. My husband tried it out, and was very pleased with the results. After three days use, his feet looked and felt softer and smelled better too! LOL
I was impressed by the results and here is what the site has to say:

"Udderly SMOOth® Foot Cream with Shea Butter for Dry Feet was the winner of Woman's Day Magazine's Best in Beauty for 2005.

Udderly SMOOth® Foot Cream with Shea Butter for Dry Feet was improved by adding Shea butter to make a more intensive moisturizer. Udderly Smooth® Foot Cream with Shea butter, smooths extremely dry skin and feet. Member tested and recommended by Today's Health and Wellness Magazine and Creative Home Arts Magazine."

I tried the Original Udderly Smooth® Udder Cream
and I loved the light fragrance and amazingly enough my udders Ummm... my hands and legs were transformed from dry and painful, to refreshed and moisturized. YAY!!!
I cannot recommend Udderly Smooth enough!

What is even better is that it is available at many stores and for a reasonable price. Udderly Smooth is available at These Fine Retailers
They include: Safeway, Amazon.com. Walmart, Albertson's, Target, Menard's, Walgreens and many others!
So, try out the cool, original and awesome Udderly Smooth creams and lotions!

Not Me Monday!

2009-03-23T06:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. do yours and head on over to sign the Mr Linky!

1. I did not forget my mom was visiting me until Thursday night... Not me! Its not like I wanted to forget...not me. (Just kidding Mom)

2. I did not forget (that's the wording I use) to clean the kitchen floor, and the kitchen itself because I knew she wouldn't care and I was feeling lazy... Not me!

3. I did not just rub the powder that my sons spilled all over the floor into the rug because I didn't feel like vacuuming, not myself, no way. I am such a neat freak... well... not me.

4. I did not eat a whole Panettone (or Papa Tony as my sons called it) almost by myself on Saturday cause it was so yummy with melted butter... not me yet again!

5. I did not sit here blog hopping while my husband cooked dinner and did the dishes. Not me!!! I am a much more submissive and dutiful wife. umm.... who wants to take a bet that's not me? LOL

Quotable Sunday!

2009-03-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

Time for Toni's Quoteable Sundays! I love this and participate every week. If you want to participate then do your own, head to Toni's site and sign her Mr. Linky and visit as many others as you can!

Mine are on Motherhood... since my mom is visiting me this weekend!

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." ~Rajneesh

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." ~Abraham Lincoln

"Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together." ~Pearl S. Buck

The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. ~Honoré de Balzac

"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his." ~Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895

"She never quite leaves her children at home, even when she doesn't take them along." ~Margaret Culkin Banning

"Every beetle is a gazelle in the eyes of its mother." ~Moorish Proverb

"A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest." ~Irish Proverb

"A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother." ~Author Unknown

Finish the Sentence

2009-03-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

Finish the sentence...found this on facebook!
Feel free to steal and do your own!

1. I've come to realize that my last kiss...was given to me by two sloppy kissers... my sons!

2. I am listening to... my co-workers... LOL, naughty me!
3. I talk....often quite a bit, others times not so much!
4. My love......for my family is boundless.

5. My best friend......are my HP girls, Dani and my sister!
6. My first real kiss....is something I don't care to discuss! LOL
7. Love is......amazing and takes so many shapes and encompasses so many different elements and people. My husband, my family, my In-Laws, my animals, my friends. I love them all in so many different ways. I am truly lucky.

8. Marriage is...... a comfort. Its nice to know the person you love will be there for you, always.

9. Somewhere, someone is thinking....I wish she would just shut up!
10. I'll always be grateful for.....my Noni. I wish we would have had more time.
11. The last time I really cried was....a few weeks ago. I was overwhelmed.
12. My cell phone....is always waiting for Toni to call!
13. When I wake up in the morning...I rush to make coffee, and check my e-mail and Facebook! Mafia wars!!!!!!!!
14. Before I go to bed.....I go pee again, always.
15. Right now I am thinking about...how my son finally pooped on the potty. Hope I didn't gross ya out! LOL
16. Babies are....tougher than they look, irresistible and a lot of work!

17. I get on Myspace....Rarely. I am a Facebook girl
18. Today I...am working. Sorta!
19. Tomorrow I will be.....doing chores, and enjoying the perfect California weather.
20. I really want to be....home alone with my book.

Diamonds are forever

2009-03-19T17:45:00.001-07:00

I hope I win these diamond earrings!
Scarymommy lost 700 followers when she transfered to wordpress. Now all you have to do to WIN Diamond Earrings is head over to her site and follow her
HERE
I hope we win!!!

Thank you all so much

2009-03-19T06:45:00.000-07:00

For these crazy last 8 months of blogging. Ive passed the 200 post mark!!! YAY
I started this blog when I was a member of a mom forum/blog site. It was a whim. I started out slow and realized what a huge, yet small world it is out in bloggy land.

Ive been through many things with you all... depression, anxiety about kids, finances, friends... and whatever else was the Post Du Jour. Thank you for being there with me. Coming back, commenting. Even when I had nothing interesting to say.

Ive met many cool people here. I appreciate each of you. You've all done something for me, even if you didn't know it. Maybe a comment that saved my day from being one of the worst in my boring life! Maybe a recommendation for something I needed, maybe just a kind word of acknowledgment and support. Maybe just agreeing with me, or disagreeing with me so I could learn to see another side of an issue.

I have been contacted by a few companies to do a review or two and a giveaway. I DO NOT plan to become a review site. I plan on doing a review here and there between my regular posts, I hope you all do not mind. It gives me a chance to review and try some products I could not normally and a chance for you to read, or not and to maybe win something fun occasionally. This site is too personal and enjoyable for me to make it anything else.

In this upcoming year, I have no real plans for this blog... just my random thoughts, pet peeves, joys and tribulations. I hope you all stay with me on this journey, and I hope I can some way touch each of you, help you, comfort you and make you think. Just like you do for me. Thank you all so much!

Wordless Wednesday JLo edition

2009-03-18T05:59:00.000-07:00

Notice the filthy lenses...not sure how he could see.
Note: These were broken 5 minutes later. GRRRRRRRR

Not Me Monday!

2009-03-16T06:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. do yours and head on over to sign the Mr Linky!

Well, we had an eventful weekend (not me, really) I did not let the boys play in the mud again, no... not me! I would not give them baths twice a day just to keep them happy and in good spirits. Not me!

I did not set my TV to show General Hospital's Friday episode (Soapnet rocks) and I did not shed tears of anguish and joy when Maxie told Spinelli she loved him... My hubby did not look at me like I had two heads even though he was not standing there as engrossed as I was... not him!!! Or me! LOL

I just love dorks!

I did not forget to take a shower Sunday... not me!!! I am not so lazy that I would rather play on facebook than take a shower and beautify myself. Not me. My hair is not showing massive amounts of grey roots because I am just that lazy. Nope, its not me. (just in case I didn't mention that!)

I did not get up at 5 AM just to have a few minutes of free time, NOT ME! Nor do I have a 4 year old who seems to know this and appropriately wake up at 5:30 AM. No, not him.

I am not about to cut this post short so I can have coffee... no, not me. I would never do that. I would for this:

But not some random cup of coffee!!! Not me.

Quotable Sunday!

2009-03-15T05:00:00.001-07:00

Time for Toni's Quoteable Sundays! I love this and participate every week. If you want to participate then do your own, head to Toni's site and sign her Mr. Linky and visit as many others as you can!

Sorry mine are a little on the down side... Ive been feeling a bit down and having a hard time with our problems lately. So Adversity quotes for me this week. I promise I will perk up soon!

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." ~M. Kathleen Casey

"If you're going through hell, keep going." ~Winston Churchill

"The healthy and strong individual is the one who asks for help when he needs it. Whether he's got an abscess on his knee or in his soul." ~Rona Barrett

"When it is dark enough, you can see the stars." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter." ~Author Unknown

"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." ~ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (movie)

"Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are." ~Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha

"Problems are only opportunities with thorns on them." ~Hugh Miller, Snow on the Wind

I need to remember this:

"Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes, and adversity is not without comforts and hopes." ~Francis Bacon

People from California suck

2009-03-13T06:10:00.000-07:00

Well, that's what I hear. Just like all New Yorkers are bad drivers, people from Oklahoma are "Okies" and countrified, people from Miami are drug dealers and have loose morals, people from Alaska are all Oil lovers/drunk Indians and people from the South are all friendly with good manners.

WRONG. I hear things from other bloggers, forums, on the web and it makes me mad to be honest... because...

I am from California, born and bred... 3rd generation. I am proud of where I come from, The unique and crazy people, the liberals (LOL) and the natural beauty of my state. We have it all. Desert, Beaches, Valleys, Mountains with snow. We grow the most luscious fruits and veggies. Yes, many of us are "tree huggers" but many are not. We are diverse, unique and we have good and bad people. Just like every other state.

I hear things like "California people are rude"
Sure, some are. But many are not. I am not. We all have different levels and ways of expressing ourselves. Maybe I don't smile at you on the street... but ask me to help find something in the store and I will do it. I will try to make your crying baby laugh, I will hold the door for you.

"California people are all flakes, hippies and Liberal Hollywood types"
Yes, a quite a bit of us are. Perhaps we care too much about things. We think too much. Maybe we want equality for all. We know its not possible, but we try. At least we have our passion.
I, however live in a very conservative, religious town. In California. Honestly, I dont fit in here... but I still like it here. Perhaps I like to shake things up.... LOL Thats the Hollywood liberal in me!

What I am trying to say is this: Dont judge us all by what you hear. Dont put us all into a box until you've met us all. We are all different, all unique. Just like everyone else in this great nation. I promise if you do this for me, I will do the same for you.

Mimi needs...

2009-03-12T06:27:00.000-07:00

Kathy B over at The world according to me did this and I couldn't stop laughing at hers! So I did my own. Type your first name into google and then needs and use the first 7 things that come up!

1. To Lose the Attitude~
WOW, does Google have a bone to pick with me? Me, a frickin attitude??? COME ON!!
Well... maybe there is a grain of truth to that. I will work on the attitude ASAP. Better?

2.Prayers~ Hmmm.... odd one since I am not religious. Maybe I should be. Maybe Godoogle is trying to tell me something...

3.A tummy tuck Now that's just plain rude. No wonder I am afflicted with #1.

4.Love Obviously... Dont we all need a little love? Are you listening Google? Instead of going on an on about my attitude and needing tummy tucks, maybe you should just give me some love.

5.A home~ Google may me snotty but they have insight. Yes, I need a real home, not this rental. I miss being able to paint, to have curtains that are actually cute and I miss knowing the house you live in, is the home you own. Thanks Google for making me sad.

6. Needs a Thriller When She Goes to Bed~

Ummm.... I think not. Plus I believe that I am of the wrong sex and about 30 yrs too old for that thriller.

7.Antibiotics~ After having that thriller in my bed, this is probably Googles best idea!

4 things and more!

2009-03-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Found this one facebook. Copy if you wish!

4 things and then some........

FOUR THINGS:
This one is a bit different from the rest. Here are four things about me that you may or may not know, in no particular order... Some directions are at the end.

Four names that people call me
1. Michelle
2. Mimi
3. Shell
4. Mrs. Malfoy...LOL

Four jobs I have had:
1. Farm work (Dad is a farmer)
2. Nordstrom CAFE...COOK, DISHWASHER, CASHIER, BUSSER, SERVER. ALL THINGS!!!
3. Optical Lab Secretary/Admin
4. (Current job) Admin for a financial planner

Four movies I would watch more than once:
1. Grease
2. Zoolander
3. The Philadelphia Story Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart)
4. Any Harry Potter movie

Four places I have lived:
1. San Martin, CA
2. Lodi, CA
3. Woodbridge, CA
4. No four.

Four places I have been:
1. Italy
2. France
3. Florida
4. Nevada

Four People who e-mail/call/text me (regularly):
1. Jeannette
2. Moo
3. Toni
4. Bradd

Four Animals I have known or had in my lifetime
1. Ralph...Cat
2. Rudy....Cat
3. Perro....Dog
4. The Clintons AKA Percy and Polly...Cats

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Cinabons!
2. Eggplant Parmesan
3. Thai food
4. Cheesecake!

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. Italy, particularly Venice. I loved it there
2. The Louve. I could spend days there and not get bored.
3. The country. I want to live in the country..not in town
4. The Mountains. Somewhere with a lot of trees and space.

Four things I am looking forward to this year:
1. The new Harry Potter movie!!! YAY
2. The economy improving.
3. Easter with the family.
4. Jack going to Preschool

Four TV shows that I watch:
1. General Hospital
2. American Idol
3. The Daily Show
4. The Colbert Report!

Some of my favorite songs

2009-03-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my old time faves!
Enjoy and let me know yours!

This was the song we danced to at our wedding!
My hubby picked it.

Very dated and very cool (In my opinion)

Local boy makes good!

My current fave songs are Pink: So What and Katy Perry's Hot N Cold

Whats yours?

Not Me Monday!

2009-03-09T06:56:00.001-07:00

My first time doing this!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. do yours and head on over to sign the Mr Linky!

1. I did not go to my sisters house and then I did not sneak off with my sister for a trip to the Thrift Store AND the Scandia bakery, where I did not get a piece of yummy lemon cake. That was not me. So if you thought you saw me, it was my evil twin.

2. I did not let the boys play in the mud all day yesterday because they were quiet.
I wouldn't do that!!!

Those children are not mine... they are the evil twin's children. Funny how we look so much alike, kids and all!

3. While my children were playing in the mud I did not play on Facebook with my fluff friends... NOT ME!

My evil twin gets around, doesn't she?

4. I did not, no, not me... make my kids watch The Aristocats last night... and they did not enjoy its almost campy and quaint old fashioned-ness!

5. I did not pretend it was 10:30 in order to get them to bed at 9:00 so I could sleep early. Not me.
I am glad that my evil twin did tho, she is very rested!

Quotable Sunday!

2009-03-08T05:21:00.000-07:00

Time for another installment of Toni's Quoteable Sunday!
My quotes this Sunday are simply quotes reflecting the week that just passed.

"The shifts of Fortune test the reliability of friends."
Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC), De Amicitia

"When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends."
Japanese Proverb

"The friendship that can cease has never been real."
Saint Jerome (374 AD - 419 AD), Letter

"Our lives improve only when we take chances - and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves."
Walter Anderson

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

"There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness."
Josh Billings (1818 - 1885)

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)

"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us."
Marcel Proust (1871 - 1922)

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana (1863 - 1952), The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905

Friendships shouldnt be so hard

2009-03-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

What is it about some friendships? Why do some connections seem so tenuous and fragile? Why do some sneak up on you and amaze you with their elasticity, their compatibility, their endurance? But why is it that sometimes the effort you make, the allowances, the thought you put into it is for naught?

There has been a little shake-up in my online world... friendships that have come and gone, not for lack of trying. Sometimes I feel like I try too much, and in turn expect far too much. To be connected to people for years and then they drop you, they choose someone over you and they choose not to listen to you when you try to help. Because even the most hurtful person has some good inside of them and although it may be naive to hope (and we know its naive) that they will listen and choose to work on themselves and your friendship... a part of you still gets disappointed when they do not. And I am sorry to say, the immature person inside of me hopes they regret it, hopes they regret the loss. Hopes they realize what a good friend they let slip away.

But then there are the ones who stick around... the ones who put up with you. The ones who care, who tell you when you screw up, who tell you when you are wrong and they expect you to listen and you do. Because you know they love you, care for you and honor your friendship the same as you do for them. And those are the ones who matter most... those are the ones who make the others fade away, make the hurt bearable, make your life worth living. Because true and loyal friends accept you for who you are all the while trying to make you a better you. Those are the ones with whom you shares life's joys and sorrows and you wish you could take on those hardships and you know they would do the same for you.

But still...you wish the ones who you lost could experience it, you wish that for them...even though you could not be the one to share it with them. Perhaps that's what being a true friend is as well... to wish the best for someone even though they could not or will not reciprocate.

I leave you with a few friendship quotes:

“True friendship isn't about being there when it's convenient; it's about being there when it's not.”

"True friendship consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and value."

“Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.”

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-04T06:26:00.000-08:00

Spring Edition. Our plum tree is flowering... even tho we have a ton of rain, Spring has arrived!

Do you sometimes feel life has passed you by?

2009-03-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I feel like I missed out... I was born in the wrong era almost. I should have been born in the regency era, or I should be young right now. Not 41, not pushing middle aged. I want to be young, vibrant, sexy... I want to be a reality TV star!

I missed out on dating him, on being on his show and vying for his attentions... How wonderful and classy could I be RIGHT NOW, if I were only young and hot and slightly (too much credit???) intelligent.

He is a Renaissance man for sure. What more could a girl ask for? White teeth? a baseball cap? a Timex? Perhaps. But isn't life worth living large?

Americas next top model. I could probably win this right now, if I were not so shy. But who wouldn't want to be shallow, vain, a drama queen and end up marrying Peter Brady!!! (I actually like Adrienne) LOL
But really, what fool wouldn't aspire to be all these things? Now I just need to lose 190 lbs, that would leave me at 80 lbs... a perfect size for someone 5'10.

The Bachelor. Another show I should have been on.

I can pull hair with the best of them, I could defend my stake with all Ive got. What? You say that its degrading the way they portray women, women fighting for a man's attention, crying on cue when they get handed that oh so classy rose as a farewell? Come on, you damn feminists!!! Its all about winning the hand and heart of the man you will spend 8 exhausting weeks at press conferences, shopping in Beverly Hills with (while the paparazzi is nearby... oh you didn't realize they were there? No, Of course not!!!) Then you will end up parting ways, NOT that you don't love each other... it was just hard making it work. Its OK... on to the next reality show.

American Idol.

Just watching Simon and Ryan fight like an old married gay couple would be enjoyable enough. But to compete with a bunch of vain and annoying 16 yr olds. Joy. To see stage moms and dads pimping kids out for fame and money. To suffer the humiliation of being eliminated in front of 30 million people. To deal with morons like these guys:

Who think they are are "The Bomb" and of course Simon and Paula and Randy have no idea what is good or not.

But really... I should have been on. Even if my song choice sucks, and I am "Pitchy" cause ya know I have "Raw, natural talent"

Dont I?

Quotable Sunday!

2009-03-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Time for another edition of Toni's quoteable Sunday. Do your own, then head on over and sign her Mr. Linky and visit the other participants!

Mine focuses on Integrity.

"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters." ~Alan Simpson

"Fortune does not change men; it unmasks them." ~Suzanne Necker

'Tis better to suffer wrong than do it." ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.”

“Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.” Spencer Johnson

“Never separate the life you live from the words you speak.” Paul Wellstone

"Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity."
W. Clement Stone

"Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you."
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

"Your life may be the only Bible some people read." ~Author Unknown

MEME

2009-02-27T16:40:00.001-08:00

Facebook MEME

1. WHERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Well, I was named for the Beatles song "Michelle" just like the other 10,000 Michelle's from my era...LOL
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Yesterday. Tears of frustration.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Sometimes, when I work at it.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Italian Dry Salami!!! YAY
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 2 boys, Jack aged 4 and Max 2.5. The joy and bane of my Existence! LOL
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes, I would... but I might get irritated with me, I am too intense sometimes.
7. DO YOU EVER USE SARCASM? On occasion... every occasion! LOL
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? NO WAY. I can do roller coasters, paragliding ect... but if I am the one who has to do the jumping, it wont happen.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Capt Crunch!!! LOL
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No, I try to slip them off and on with the minimal of effort.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Pecan Praline!!! Caramel and pralines!!! YUMMY
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Depends. Usually the eyes and mouth. Teeth too.
15. RED OR PINK? Red.
16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I can be abrasive and bossy.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Noni
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST? Well, I would love to have some steal it and link back!
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Grey pants and Blue Simple shoes.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Some random cartoon, the boys are outside playing and I didn't change the channel.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Purple... Royal and vibrant!
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Coffee, Bacon and Cinnamon rolls... all food items!
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My Mother in Law, Marcia.
25. DO YOU KNOW THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes. The person who tagged me on Facebook is my cousin Terri
26. WHAT SPORTS DO YOU LIKE TO WATCH? None, they bore me.
27. HAIR COLOR? dark brown/red
28. EYE COLOR? Brown.
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No, no way. I would wear glasses if I had to.
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Thai food, I love it!
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Never scary, or should I say Gory... I dont like bad dreams that come along with it.
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Wedding Crashers. Too funny!
33 WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? White.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter. Fall is best though
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Tiramisu, cheesecake.
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? N/A
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? N/A
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Nothing, fixing to read Twilight.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? No mouse pad.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST Night? Nothing.
42. FAVORITE SOUND? Happy Children, Crickets chirping...
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles. Much more talented, IMO
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? France
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Not that I am aware of! LOL
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Gilroy, CA
47. WHO'S ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? I would love to read anyone's.
48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOU SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER? Online in a Yahoo local chat room!!! LOL The rest is history!!!

Do you ever get surprised

2009-02-27T05:16:00.000-08:00

By people? I don't mean like they jump out from behind a door and shout "BOO"
I mean people you thought were absolutely awesome and cool and kind and had integrity, turn out to be frauds. Or maybe fraud is too broad of a word. Maybe they are misguided, insecure. Its disinheartening to see someone you like, you think you know, fall into a trap, a pit. And nothing you can say will save them. Because they think they are safe.

And then there are the people you think are not so cool. People who you misjudge and label. People whom you don't even give a chance to because you think you know what they are all about... until one day you see the person inside. You see a glimpse of something. Kindness, Loyalty, Empathy. Then you wonder why you didn't give that person a chance... Ive done that two times in my life. Both of those people turned out to be some of the very best friends I have ever had.

Of course I have been burned a few times too... who hasn't? But the burns tend to be third degree ones! Not requiring skin grafts, but yet you wish you could graft that person a nice, new attitude... But of course they don't think they need it. Those types never do. I think it angers me and frustrates me so much because I can see glimmers... glimmers of kindness, glimmers of coolness. Its an eye opening experience. It shows you the best and the worst that we humans can be, and how we can always change. We just have to want to try.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-25T06:02:00.000-08:00

One minute fighting (like the scratched face?) the next minute sitting together and holding hands. I give you: Brothers

ONE WORD

2009-02-24T16:52:00.000-08:00

More 1 word answers but not just yes/no ... originally on Facebook!

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your significant other? Home
3. Your hair? Messy
4. Your mother? Unique!!!
5. Your father? Interesting
6. Your favorite sound? Kiddos!
7. Your dream last night? Random
8. Your favorite drink? Soda
9. What room you are in? Office
10. Your hobby? Stamps
11. Your fear? Doctors
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Affluent!
13. Where were you last night? Couch
14. Something that you aren't? Flighty
15. Muffins? Cranberry!!!
16. Wish list item? Riches! LOL
17. Where you grew up? Cali!
18. Last thing you did? Pee...LOL
19. What are you wearing? Clothes (:
20. Your TV? Whatever...
21. Your pets? CATS!!!!!!!
22. Friends? Loyal
23. Your life? Boring...
24. Your mood? OK
25. Missing someone? No
26. Car? Reliable
27. Something you're not wearing? Undies... J/K Makeup!
28. Your favorite store? Target
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today!!!
31. Last time you cried? Fortnight
32. Who will repost this? N/A
33. One place that you go to over and over? MingSing
34. One person who emails you regularly? MOO!!!
35. Your favorite place to eat? MingSing

Funny? Accurate? Stereotypical? Pointless? You decide.

2009-02-23T06:04:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine posted this on my forum about Democrats/Liberals. It is, in my opinion a collection of half truths/stereotypes/assumptions about a wonderful group of people (of whom I am a member) who try to do good, try too much at times and make mistakes, blunders but also triumph and do many good things.

Lists like this are amusing (I chuckled a bit) especially when its aimed at "The Other Guy" LOL, but Heaven Forbid you think its offensive...you will be told that you are too sensitive and being PC is overrated! hahaha This one in particular kind of made me sad. "You can give everyone healthcare, if you can find any practicing doctors. We'll continue to believe healthcare is a luxury and not a right."
I mean really... only the rich and republican deserve to have access to medical care? No-one deserves to die a preventable death. Unless of course you are The Phoenix on Days or Helena Cassadine on General Hospital. Those rich Republicans can rot in Hell.

I think that things like this just drive a wedge between us deeper, we laugh, we chuckle but a little portion of us might believe all are this radical, all deserve to be dismissed as "tree hugging liberals" and that is simply not true. All of us are onions... we have many layers, each deeper than the last. To trivialize a whole group of people is to your own detriment, once again...in my opinion. To me, these kind of things speak of bitter people...people unwilling or perhaps unable to see another side, to tolerate, to co-exist.

What do you think of the following?

Proposal Below. Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists,Marxists, Obama supporters, et al:

We have stuck together since the late 1950's, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce.

I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has run its course. Our two ideological sides cannot, and will not ever agree on whatis right, so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile, chalk it up to irreconcilable differences, and go our own way.

Here is a model dissolution agreement: Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that it should be relatively easy!

America Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes.

We don't like redistributive taxes so you can keep them.

You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU.

Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA, and the military.

You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore, and Rosie O'Donnell (You are,however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough tomove them).

We'll keep the capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart, and Wall Street. You can have your beloved homeless, homeboys, hippies, and illegal aliens. We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEO's, and rednecks.

We'll keep the Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood You can make nice with Iran and and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us.

You can have the peaceniks and war protestors. When our allies or way of life are under assault, we'll provide them job security.

We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values. You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism, and Shirley McClain.

You can also have the U.N. But we will no longer be paying the bill.

We'll keep the SUVs, pickup trucks, and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Subaru station wagon you can find.

You can give everyone healthcare, if you can find any practicing doctors. We'll continue to believe healthcare is a luxury and not a right.

We'll keep The Battle Hymn of the Republic and the National Anthem. I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute Imagine, I'd Like to Teach theWorld to Sing, Kum Ba Ya, or We Are the World.

We'll practice trickle down economics, and you can give trickle up poverty its best shot.

Since it often so offends you we'll keep our history, our name, and our flag.

Would you agree to this? If so please pass it along to other like minded patriots, and if you do not agree, just hit delete and hang on. In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you ANWAR onwho will need whose help in 15 years.

Sincerely,
John J. Wall law student and an American
P.S. Also, we'll throw in Barbra Streisand and Jane Fonda.

Quotable Sunday!

2009-02-22T07:13:00.000-08:00

Another edition of Toni's Quoteable Sunday Do your won, head on over to her Mr. Linky and post yours and visit as many others as you can!
I am doing mine today on attitudes...
P.S. I will visit all my bloggy friends soon, Ive been busy but I feel bad Ive not had a chance to visit all of you who are so sweet to comment.

Attitudes:

The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances ~ Martha Washington

Everything can be taken from a man but ... the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.
~ Victor Frankl

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. ~Francesca Reigler

There are no menial jobs, only menial attitudes. ~William J. Bennett, The Book of Virtues

We awaken in others the same attitude of mind we hold toward them. ~Elbert Hubbard

Being a sex symbol has to do with an attitude, not looks. Most men think it's looks, most women know otherwise. ~Kathleen Turner

A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. ~Hugh Downs

Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude. ~ Timothy Bentley

Life is 10 percent what you make it and 90 percent how you take it. ~ Irving Berlin

Thought is the sculptor who can create the person you want to be ~ Henry David Thoreau

44 Random things about me

2009-02-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

This has been going around Facebook and I thought I would steal it from there!

1. Do you like blue cheese? Of course!!! Its YUMMY!!!
2. Have you ever been drunk? Once. and yes, I am 41 yrs old.
3. Do you own a gun? No way! I would not be comfortable with a gun in my house.
4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Grape and I loved the Sunshine Punch flavor that was later discontinued.

Wasn't it weird the way he busted thru walls and stuff?
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Extremely nervous to the point of being nauseous and weak kneed.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? They are OK if I don't think about it too much. LOL
7. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim and I also love Elf!

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee, always and forever with powdered coffeemate and 2 teaspoons of sugar.
9. Can you do push ups? UMMM, no! Unless its of the ice cream variety!
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I love jewelry. My fave stone is a Garnet or Ruby.

11. Favorite hobby? Reading, internet surfing...
12. Do you have A.D.D.? I do not believe so!!! I think I am too focused on things sometimes.
13. What's your favorite shoe? Simple Shoes!!!
14. Middle name? Ann...
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? Wish my tooth didn't hurt, I hope the boys will sleep tonight, Gotta call my dad tomorrow.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee, Diet soda, Juice
17. Current worry? Whether we can move soon.
18. Current hate right now? Money worries.
20. How did you bring in the New Year? Max woke me up, he was sick and had a fever... exciting!
21. Where would you like to go? Venice. I really loved it there.

22. Name three people who will complete this? Well, N/A
23. Do you own slippers? No
24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? Red
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Yes~

OOPS... how did that get in there???

26. Can you whistle? yes, but my sister cant~
27. Favorite color? Red and Purple
28. Would you be a pirate? Probably not... unless Capt Jack or Will was around...
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I'm your's or Rock Star by Pink
ROCK STAR
30. Favorite girl's Name? Isabella
31. Favorite boy's name? Jack and Max!
32. What's in your pocket right now? nothing.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Looking at my hubby's 12th year high school pic!
34. Best bed sheets as a child??? Probably the flowered ones my Auntie bought me.
35. Worst injury you've ever had as a child? I fell and my head was cut in many places requiring many stitches.
38. Who is your loudest friend? Toni!!!
39. How many dogs do you have? 0, I like dogs well enough but I am a cat lover.
40. Does someone have a crush on you? Perhaps... Maybe this guy??? Although that's just a guess.

41. What is your favorite book? Harry Potter books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

42. What is your favorite candy? Maltesers and Snickers

43. Favorite Sports Team? I do not have a favorite.
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? I have no idea... I would hope something kinda sad and kinda happy.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-18T05:36:00.000-08:00

I feel compelled to say, no...this is not his "real" smile. and yes, we do dress him fully in a shirt and pants.
So: Fashion innovator? or Fashion Disaster? You decide.

Random things from my childhood

2009-02-17T10:14:00.000-08:00

I was born in 1967 (some might think this is old... perhaps it is, I don't feel old though) Some of you "young uns" may not know of these things of which I speak, but I think you should! This is just some random things from my childhood I wanted to remember and share.

Nancy Drew was cool... but I find that Trixie Belden was even cooler! Normal, sassy, wholesome yet real. She was a cooler girl detective than stuffy old "Titian haired" Nancy Drew. I still don't know why more people didn't know about her... I found my first Trixie book in a neighbors old barn in an old box... I have since read them all and saved them all too! I am a hoarder~

Scooby Doo! I don't mean the movies that pretty much ruin my idea of Scooby. I mean old school Scooby (pre Scrappy-Doo and The Harlem Globetrotters LOL) they were funny, have groovy tunes and were the most amusing cartoons out there. And yes, we all know why Shaggy always had the munchies and even ate a Scooby Snack when he was desperate!

Gilligan's Island.

1.Annoying... Check. 2. Rather inane... Check. 3. Ridiculous...Check. 4. Stereotypical....Check. 5. Funny..... Double Check.
Gillian was so annoying, so stupid yet endearing... The Captain was bossy, The Millionaire and his wife were so lofty and hoity toity. Then there was the bombshell and the innocent country girl, and the professor. All the stuff he invented and he couldn't invent a phone line!

Spirograph

You made cool designs with a minimal of instruments. Its so hard to describe...anyone remember it?

Music... yes, I loved Olivia but remember The Captain and Tenille? Muscrat Love is all I'm gonna say.

I hope you enjoyed my mini trip down Memory Lane!

Quotable Sunday!

2009-02-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Time for another edition of Toni's quotable Sunday. So your own quotes of the day and head on over to Toni's site and sign her Mr. Linky and visit as many other participants as you can! Find Toni HERE

My quotes today are on Mistakes... we all make them. If you learn from your mistakes, then making the mistake was worth it, if you don't learn... then you have wasted an opportunity to grow.

"Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it's a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from."
Al Franken, "Oh, the Things I Know", 2002

"Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life."
Sophia Loren (1934 - )

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”
Albert Einstein

“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.”
John Powell quotes

"A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them."
John C. Maxwell

"Mistakes are the portals of discovery."
James Joyce

"You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm." ~Colette

"I tell you: you must not be afraid of making mistakes. People think they will become good by doing no harm, but that's a lie. Such a frame of mind leads to stagnation and mediocrity."
Vincent Van Gogh

"More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren't so busy denying them." Harold J. Smith

AMEN!!!

Meme for fun!

2009-02-13T16:05:00.000-08:00

Lana over at The kids did WHAT?! had this on her blog, so I stole the idea! It was a long time ago... just getting to it now!

I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments.. what is it?

1. Produce: Tomatoes

2. Dairy: Butter

3. Meat: Chicken Breasts

4. Frozen: Corn!

5. Dry goods: Nutri grain bars!

Let’s say we’re heading out for a weekend getaway this weekend. You’re only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what’s in your bag?

1. Black Pants

2. Long sleeved top

3. Shoes

If I was to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 3 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?

1. NO! When home with the kids

2. STOP HITTING YOUR BROTHER NOW!!!

3. Say you are sorry.

So, what 3 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn’t get to do, you probably wouldn’t be in the best mood?

1. Going online

2. Eating. I love to eat!

3. Lay in bed with my kitties

Sweet, you just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We’re talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 3 activities might we find you doing?

1. Surfing the net.

2. Reading the latest issue of The Star!

3. Watching General Hospital!

We’re going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it’ll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?

1. Big Cats

2. Giraffes

3. Dolphins

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show that comes on T.V. of your choice. You can pick between 3, so what are you deciding between?

1. American Idol

2. General Hospital

3. Brotherhood.... LOL

You’re hungry for ice cream. I’ll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?

1. Pecan Praline

2. Butter Pecan

3. Caramel swirl!

Somebody stole your purse/wallet…in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what’s in there?

1. Backup CD from work

2. A Hot Wheels!

3. Wipies

4. Drivers License

5. Tons of receipts from numerous stores!

You are at a job fair, and asked what areas you are interested in pursuing a career in. Let’s pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 3 careers would be fun for you?

1. A Celebrity of course... sexy, young, perfect hair, perfect voice... JLo without all the airbrushing.

2. A reporter for CNN

3. An Archeologist.

American Idol Watchers!!!

2009-02-12T09:34:00.000-08:00

What did you think of last nights show?
I am sad the two BFF's were split up. Jamal was very talented although I agree, he didnt have that extra special "something" his friend had (Cant remember his name, but he looks like Robert Downey Jr, or my hubby's friend Robert Edmonds)

Doesnt he look a bit like this guy?

Norman... oh Norman... the Dragoonas abound on AI! I love it when Queens (dont be offended, I mean it lovingly) are on AI... they always throw Simon for a loop, because he cannot pigeonhole them, he cannot outwit them and he cannot trump them! I love to see Simon speechless. Jack and Karen could maybe make Simon cry... LOL

Tatiana... OH MY!!! Is she annoying, or is it just me and the other 13 million viewers? Is her speaking (can we call it that, siriusly?) voice kinda like fingernails on this?

But even so, she still doesnt annoy me as much as this woman. UGH

And the thing that has always bothered me greatly is Simon's rude and unnessasary comments about peoples weights. The pretty blonde versus the slightly chunky blonde with pink streaks (with a much better voice, IMO) and Simon has to ask if they really think they should pick the fat, fat blonde over the thin blonde. He really makes me angry the way he makes it about looks, always. Its looks as well as talent, stage presense, charisma...

You can be different, fat, ugly, weird, odd, quirky... and be a STAR, have star quality... like this guy.

He has Star Quality in spades. He may be odd, but he stands out, he is unique, he has charisma.

So, what did you think of American Idol?

Wordless Wednesday Happy Valentines Day Edition!

2009-02-11T05:48:00.000-08:00

Enjoy!!!

Meme Fun!!!

2009-02-11T05:40:00.000-08:00

MeMe Fun

I saw this on Simply AnonyMOM I liked it and am posting it here.

YOUR REAL NAME: Michelle...SURPRISE!!! Its isnt Mimi
WITNESS PROTECTION NAME:(mother and fathers middle names) Elizabeth Augustus
NASCAR NAME:(first name of your mother's dad, father's dad) Robert Louie
STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name) Mammi
DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal) Red Cat
SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, town where you were born) Ann Gilroy
SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning) The Purple Colada
FLY NAME:(first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name) Mini
STREET NAME:(fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie) Pecan Praline Chocolate Chip!
Flight Attendant NAME: (1st pet's name, street you grew up on) Momma Kitty Foothill....LOL
YOUR GANGSTA NAME:(first 3 letters of last name plus izzle) Mamizzle
YOUR GOTH NAME:(black, and the name of one of your pets) Black Rudy
Night Club Singer NAME: (name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy) Heaven Red Vines! hahaha
I hope you like this meme. If you do it, let me know. I love reading ones like this!

I really love my Gangsta name!!!

Have you ever been so down

2009-02-10T06:39:00.000-08:00

You cant recover? I feel like I am drowning... drowning in bills, obligations, payment plans...
We are renting now, our house has been foreclosed. (no judgment please) Not something to be proud of, something that was necessary. Bad choices we will not make again. Now we face the choice of moving again. we need to save money somewhere and a smaller house may have to suffice.

How much more can we cut out? We are getting rid of cell phones and going to pay per minute phones (my husband commutes, its necessary I think) Once our contract is up for cable TV, that will be gone. I refuse to give up internet... I think I would die if I couldn't vent to my online friends. We eat out once a week... we probably should cut this out, I am sure we will be. I feel hopeless sometimes. Like we can never recover.

I feel guilty that my boys cannot do fun things, we cannot sign up for T ball, Music class... I feel like they are being short changed because of my mistakes. Yes, I love them...but they deserve so much more.

I think I need to remember the things I am thankful for, right now I am having a hard time doing that.

Tomorrow. Back to our regularly scheduled program.

Extraordinary moms!

2009-02-09T06:12:00.000-08:00

Join the girlies this week with the launch of Extraordinary moms... a giveaway, review and HELPFUL site geared towards us bloggers, reviewers and hopeful reviewers!!!

Check us out!!! HERE

Quotable Sunday!

2009-02-08T08:10:00.000-08:00

Another version of Toni's Quoteable Sunday... Today its about love... for Valentines Day!

Love is everything it's cracked up to be…It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for.
Erica Jong,

There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)

Love is, above all else, the gift of oneself.
Jean Anouilh (1910 - 1987)

“Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.”

“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.”
Brandi Snyder

“We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.”
Mother Teresa

My favorite Sonnet by Shakespeare

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Freak Out Friday!!!

2009-02-06T09:48:00.000-08:00

Ok, these are things that are normal but they still freak me out...

This makes me nervous and twitchy!!

These worry me and make me wanna run away screaming...

These are supposed to be fun, happy, and entertaining... NOT! I find them disturbing...

Dolls..I am OK with Barbie and Cabbage Patch dolls... they are simple and cute and happy!

Not scary

Not scary (Well maybe to some Dems out there...LOL)

SCARY!!!

What freaks you out???

I have made progress!

2009-02-05T09:08:00.000-08:00

I have started a new eating regimen... I do not starve myself, I just eat healthier, low calorie meals and snacks. I do have a free day on the weekend and I look forward to that ALL week! I have now lost in three weeks 5 lbs!!! YAY I look better, feel better, and I feel like I can keep this up...for the first time in my life. I am sure I will fall off the wagon and eat a whole cheesecake one day, or a giant cinnabon... but I am making a promise to myself to be better. I want my kids to be healthy individuals and how can I get them to make better choices if I do not?

But, I have to admit part of me is torn on my happiness with such an insignificant thing (in the general scheme of life) The goal of my life is to be happy, be kind, raise moral, gentle, kind and ethical children, live life to the fullest and feel every emotion and not hold back. Ive accomplished this, especially in these last 5 years. Ive gotten married to a wonderful man, gained a whole new awesome family... had two amazing children, adopted three wonderful kitties and been through good and bad, enlightenment and disillusionment... and Ive come out on top! I made it through.... so why does losing weight mean so much to me?

It makes me feel shallow. It makes me feel like I am conforming to society and their expectations and restrictions. It makes me feel like I am like those silly women who ask always "does my butt look big in this?" (sorry if that's you and I offend you, but I don't get it... we are all so worried and I am sure no-one but us notices)
I don't want to be like everyone else so I can fit in, and never get a second glance. I don't want to live my life worrying about the size of my butt. I want to eat, I want to enjoy my food, I want to savor a piece of cheesecake, a piece of pizza, fried shrimp...without beating myself up and feeling like a failure.

So, I am proud that Ive made better choices for myself... but I want to be doing it for the right reasons. I don't want to do it to be the ideal woman (per the media) I have no desire to look like Kate Moss on drugs.
But I do want to be here for these guys...

I guess that's worth conforming to society after all.

Wonkable Wednesday!

2009-02-04T08:56:00.000-08:00

Moo's Wonkable Wednesday!
(Scroll down for my Wordless Wed)
My Wonkable Wed may be rather obscure, or perhaps old school...but theres something about a funny man, an All American guy that sometimes makes me sit up and take notice!
A former teen idol, current adult hottie! (to me)
Jason Bateman!

Awwww, as a teeny bopper!

NOW

FOR ME??? YOU DIDNT HAVE TO...

I so miss AD

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-04T06:16:00.000-08:00

This is a few years old!

When do you stop caring?

2009-02-03T06:11:00.000-08:00

Well, when do you stop having sympathy for friends that stay with men that are abusive/mean/unkind/controlling?
I am not talking about the man who might not be good at communicating, or is a couch potato, I am talking about men who control, who belittle, who call names and the women who love them, stay. and excuse. and get sympathy... but when the cycle repeats itself over and over and over...no matter how much good advice they get, my sympathy starts to fade into annoyance. I think its completely irresponsible and very wrong to subject yourself to that, add a child into the mix (or 2 or 3 or 4) and my annoyance turns into righteous anger. How dare women subject a child to a life like that. A child has no choice, but you do.

Is it a certain type of woman who lets herself be used and abused in this manner? Is it religion? Is it low self esteem? Is it simply habit? Is it a need for drama? I want to understand so that I can be more understanding, more supportive and less judgmental. I see many different types of women in my online life and my "real life" and these questions are ones that come up daily.

Enlighten me, help me to understand. I don't want to be one of those people who look down on others, who don't give support when needed.
But is there enlightenment? Am I right? Am I wrong? Am I an unsympathetic condescending jerk who thinks I know more than they do?

Thanks for listening to my rant.

Quoteable Sunday!

2009-02-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

Sorry, a late edition of TONI'S Quoteable Sunday. Do your own, then head over and sign her Mr. Linky and visit others!

Mine is on sleep...slumber... cause after my fun but sleepless weekend at my sisters... that's all I want!

“Night has brought to those who sleep, only dreams they can not keep.”
~Enya~

"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one." ~Leo J. Burke

"The bed is a bundle of paradoxes: we go to it with reluctance, yet we quit it with regret; we make up our minds every night to leave it early, but we make up our bodies every morning to keep it late." ~Charles Caleb Colton

"A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow." ~Charlotte Brontë

"There are twelve hours in the day, and above fifty in the night." ~Marie de Rabutin-Chantal

LOL! This is how I felt last night:
“Sleep is like the unicorn - it is rumored to exist, but I doubt I will see any”

I hope I can go to bed early tonight... Sweet dreams!

Why are people such jerks?

2009-01-30T09:27:00.000-08:00

UGH... I work for a financial planner... Yes, I know full well that the market is down. I am not sure what my boss or I can personally do about that. I am sure you will be happy to tell me how and what. However, I have put my crystal ball back in storage or I would consult it, along with my spirit guide "Chief Dancing Bear" And as far as I remember I am not in Congress, Wall Street, nor am I the President of the United States of America. This guy is:

Why not ask him? Last time I heard he was trying very hard to stabilize the market and boost the economy. Its not a 7 day project...so stop treating me like I am personally responsible and start practicing kindness and good manners. That will get you a lot farther in life... and maybe some rich, yet lonely old lady will leave you her multi-million dollar estate and I wont have to get these annoying and rude calls from people like you.

Thanks, and when I find that crystal ball, I will call you back ASAP, honest.

Mama Kats writing assignment

2009-01-29T13:00:00.000-08:00

Time for Mama Kats writing assignment...

here are the rules:

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back and sign Mr. Linky!!

The Prompts:

1.) Tell us about a stray animal you took in.

2.) Write a poem for your favorite teacher of all time.

3.) Describe someone in your life you wish you saw more of.

4.) Write a letter to someone who bothered you this week.

I am doing #4...with a twist!

I am writing this to you TWITTER yeah...you know who you are...you suck me in, you promise me friends, loyal readers... but you fail to deliver. Your seductive and dulcet tones enchanted me at first... then I started to see you for what you really are...

For I am really bothered by your failure in these departments... I try to faithfully "tweet" in hopes that all 145 of my "twitter-ees" will head, no RUSH over to my blog posts... the ones I labored on, the ones where I poured my heart out... BUT NO. Even my BFF's fail to utilize your little "tiny url" and visit me... Yes, a few do visit... but not as many as you promised me... hordes of readers are not singing my praises, or perhaps I should say "tweeting" my praises... you are a liar... NO, worse than a liar...you are a tease...For Ive wined you and dined you... tweeted and re-tweeted... posted url after url after url and you take my gifts and leave me hanging. Leave me unsatisfied, leave me wanting more...

Yet, I still come back for more... what does this say about me and about you?

Cute or sexy???

2009-01-29T05:45:00.000-08:00

Lori over at Did I just say that? posted this, here is mine! I am:

You Are Cute-Sexy!

You are definitely attractive, and you have an interesting mix of sexiness and cuteness.

You are both hot and quirky. Gorgeous and silly. Charming and natural.

You are not so in-your-face sexy that you're unapproachable. You tone things down a bit.

More than anything else, you are real and genuine. And that makes you truly captivating.

Are You Cute or Sexy?

Moo's Wonkable Wednesday

2009-01-28T06:51:00.000-08:00

SCROLL DOWN TO NEXT POST FOR MY PIC IN WORDLESS WED

Started by my twin MOO Wonkable Wednesdays is all about handsome or simply attractive, oddly appealing or delicious men we love!

Enjoy!

Today I am doing "Oddly Appealing"
Owen Wilson... Funny, charming, different, weird... all the things I love! His busted nose only makes him more appealing to me! I find his perfect brother oddly unappealing... weird, isn't it?

ZOOLANDER... YAY

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-28T05:54:00.000-08:00

Me....circa 7th grade!

Questions, Comments? Here ya go

2009-01-26T14:39:00.000-08:00

Inspired by my buddy over at The wife O Riley She had her followers/readers ask her questions and she answered... so, have you ever wondered anything about me? Have any questions? Got a comment? Constructive criticism? Now is the time to ask it, or break the news to me!

Inspired by Darcie and Denise!

2009-01-25T13:39:00.000-08:00

Find Darcie HERE and Denise HERE

TAG! YOU ARE IT! Copy and post this on your blog ASAP!) What is this?

Well, you’re supposed to bold the things you’ve done so readers
can find out how you've led an awesome life so far.

Here's what I have done in bold...

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain...it was a tiny one...but still! LOL
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort...No snow here!!!
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors, Yes, Ive been to Italy once...I cant wait to take my own children to see it too.
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris...Well, I saw it!
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud... many, many times!
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter, In Hawaii!
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar... YUCK
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life... maybe I have, who knows?
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one...I still miss Noni
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Quotable Sunday

2009-01-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

Once again its time for Toni's Quoteable Sunday! Pick a subject, or just random quotes you like and post them, then head on over to sign Toni's Mr. Linky over at her site A Daily Dose of Toni and visit as many others as you can!

I am doing mine today on Conformity... I don't believe in conforming to anyone's idea of what I should be... I live by my own rules...

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~Dr. Seuss

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary." ~Albert Einstein

"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." ~Winston Churchill

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." ~Friedrich Nietzsche

"One who walks in another's tracks leaves no footprints." ~Proverb

"How glorious it is - and also how painful - to be an exception." ~Alfred de Musset

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh because you are all the same." ~Daniel Knode

"The reward for conformity was that everyone liked you except yourself." ~Rita Mae Brown

I apologize

2009-01-23T09:07:00.000-08:00

To everyone who has given me an award this last month... its been a struggle to write posts in between work (LOL) and kid time so Ive slacked., Its not that I don't appreciate you all thinking of me and appreciating what I am trying to do here, because I do!!! I appreciate all of the people who visit and especially those who comment!!!
I promise to be better in the future!

Here is to you ALL

Do you ever have a little

2009-01-23T06:03:00.000-08:00

Devil on your shoulder?

Sometimes I find it hard to be the bigger person... the kinder person... the one who just lets things roll off her back.

Sometimes I want to tell people off, tell them the truth about their silly, self indulgent and self delusional ways and perhaps just knock some sense into them.

Sorry for the rambling post... sometimes I just wonder why people choose not to better themselves by recognizing and learning from their mistakes. For Goodness Sakes even Britney learned. If she can do it, anyone can do it!

Dont be the crazy Britney:

Or be this attention seeking Britney: (Disclaimer, unless you really are Lesbian/Bi)

Or this mommy Britney...

For all of our sakes be the happy, healthy Britney... the one who got mental help... the one who loves and cares for her kids...

I thank you, we all thank you.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-21T06:22:00.000-08:00

Welcome to a new era...

All of us different, all of us once divided, we must come together.

My feelings today, on this important day in our countries history.

2009-01-20T07:21:00.000-08:00

My feelings today, on this important day in our countries history~ By Michelle Mammini-Savage

Its hard to say all that I feel today. I feel elated, hopeful, vindicated and ecstatic. I feel Proud to be an American! Ive always been proud of that, but I feel it more so today... I feel this pride coursing through my veins, invading my heart and uplifting my soul.

For Barack Obama will be our 44th President. I voted for this man, I supported this man and I congratulated this man when he won this historic election. I voted for myself, for your children, for my children and for our country. I voted for a man who will make mistakes, but he will learn from them and not make them again. I voted for the man who was and is committed to making this country better, stronger, and once again a nation not divided, but joined for a common good. We will not always agree but we can talk, compromise and if necessary, agree to disagree. Much like we do in "real life."

I know that many in this country have yet to be convinced of this man's worthiness, his resolve and his abilities... I implore ALL of you... Please give him a chance to prove himself. Give him the support he needs and an open mind and heart to see the good he wants to accomplish, and will accomplish if he follows through. And I feel he will... he has already done so much; made plans, made overtures, made allowances, made good.

I am so hopeful today. What a beautiful day, a day for the history books. The first Black man as President of our great country. A man of dreams, of hopes, and of action. Regardless of whether you voted for him or not, please welcome this new and exciting time of our lifetime into your lives, your heart and your minds. We can do it. We just did.

Congratulations to our 44th President of the United States of America... Barack Obama!

Extraordinary moms!

2009-01-20T05:56:00.000-08:00

This is a new site that I belong to and am excited about! Giveaways, reviews for us mommy bloggers and fun for all! check it out. My friends Kristin and Toni are heading this up!

You can win prizes like a Sak!!! WOO HOO HERE

Do you feel the same?

2009-01-19T06:31:00.000-08:00

As I sit here blogging this post, my son woke up 2 hours too early and I am so annoyed with my lack of "me" time that I am not playing with him, and I am slightly resentful. I woke up at 5:30 AM just to have an hour alone... well guess who woke at 5:45 AM? Jack!!!

I love my boys so much. But my lack of alone time upsets me, tires me and makes me feel a slight resentment. I know I only have two children, and many other moms who stay at home have it worse...but for some reason I have a hard time letting go of my pre-mom days when I had time to myself to read, play, talk on the phone, take a bath or lay with my cats. I just want an hour or two... is that too much to ask?

I know its not just me... But I start feeling like the more I feel this way, the worse my kids will be. They are not "bad" kids...but they have their issues, their bad days, their good days. I guess just like me. I know being a mom is about sacrificing...but sometimes I want to be selfish and do what I want...

So, I am off to play with my son. It would help me to know that sometimes you all feel this way, and sometimes you are not a perfect mom and ignore your kids for 15 minutes, it would help to know I am not the only crazy person getting up at 5:30 AM just to be alone!!!

Quotable Sunday!

2009-01-18T08:20:00.000-08:00

Time for a new edition of Toni's Quotable Sunday! Pick your own subject, post some quotes, head over to Toni's site A Daily Dose of Toni sign her Mr. Linky and then visit as many others and comment!
Thats it!

Mine today focuses on cats... the most beautiful, graceful and enigmatic animals on earth... I also happen to love my cats more than they deserve!!! LOL But cats have a quality about them, you cannot describe it, or deny it, or resist it... thats why the ancient Egyptians worshiped them as I do.

"Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat." - Mark Twain

"I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior." - Hippolyte Taine

"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this." - Anonymous

"One must love a cat on its own terms."- Paul Gray

I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul. - Jean Cocteau

Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose. - Garrison Keillor

"Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!" - Theophile Gautier

"People who hate cats, will come back as mice in their next life." - Faith Resnick

"The furry little buggers [cats] are just deep, deep wells you throw your emotions into." - Bruce Schimmel

The smallest feline is a masterpiece. - Leonardo da Vinci

Mama Kats writers workshop!

2009-01-15T12:10:00.000-08:00

Its time for Mama Kat's writers workshop!
Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back and leave your link in the comment section!

The Prompts:

1.) Describe your significant other's most attractive quality (on the inside).

2.) Tell about a time you stole something.

3.) Choose a poem you like. Take the last line and use it as the first line of your own poem. (creativewritingprompts.com)

4.) Write about a scary encounter with one of your old professors.

I will describe my hubby's most attractive quality (inside)

ONE of Bradd's most attractive inner qualities is how he truly cares.

He cares about me, about the kids, the cats, my job, my family, my friends... he takes the time to ask how my day went, and listens to me when I answer... he doesnt just say "Mmmm Hmmm" and he gives me the benefit of his advice.

He loves the boys more than I expected or imagined he could and would. (so do I, actually) although we may not have the patience of the saints, we do have an abundance of love for them. Sometimes I see him just looking at them, thier faces, their toes, their noses!!! I know he is looking at them and marveling at how handsome, smart and amazing they are!

He puts up with my cats, the way Geegers can turn the faucet on in the middle of the night and the way they fight, growl, have litter box mistakes (EWWW) and the way they hog my bed! He loves them and puts up with and loves them like I do.
A man who loves animals in my book... is the perfect man!

He cares so much for me, for us, that he deals with my cranky moods, my bossiness, and my yelling. He does so much for us. We are truly lucky, I couldnt have asked for a better man to raise my family with and to grow old with.

Wonkable Wednesdays!

2009-01-14T09:33:00.000-08:00

LOL! My BFF twin at Moo-Musings and I decided to also start "Wonkable Wednesdays" Post a pic of any guy (or girl, if you prefer) that you consider "wonkable" or in non Moo terms... Attractive, hott, yumm-a-licious ect...

My choice today is an oldie but goodie... CARY GRANT

Handsome, Suave, Sophisticated, Witty... all that is missing is a British accent...well, it would be nice if he were still living...but I give you Mr. Grant!

WHY is she resisting???

Even older he looks great!

SO, if you got a suggestion, comment...ect... let me know. Or better yet, post yours on your blog!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-14T06:12:00.000-08:00

This wordless Wednesday is especially for Kim over at Whats that smell?
since we discovered a mutual admiration and dare I say, love??? for Olivia Newton-John??? Well, for me, its love! LOL

An award was won...

2009-01-13T16:39:00.000-08:00

By me! WOO HOO. The wife of Riley gave me this award, you can find her awesom-ness HERE Thanks so much!

I started this blog in mid 2008 and it started out just being a whim...but I truly enjoy blogging and having met new and interesting friends here!

I am passing this on to 3 people...

Denise over at Laughing with spoons SHE ROCKS!

Ann over at Ann again and again She is cool!!

Simply AnonyMOM HERE She is funny and makes me laugh!!!

Enjoy! and thanks for reading me!

If you want to laugh until you cry.... click this!

2009-01-13T08:22:00.000-08:00

You need sound. I usually dont like many of the stuff people send me, but this is well worth watching again and again and again. I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes.
Wait for the sound to come on!!!
Teen Break Up Letter

Tell me if you laugh too...

Quoteable Sunday!

2009-01-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Once again its time for Toni's Quotable Sunday. Toni over at A Daily Dose of Toni started this and its so fun! Do your own and head on over and sign her Mr. Linky and join in!

Since my son just turned 4 I am doing this Sunday's quotes on Motherhood.

“It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding.”
~Erma Bombeck~

“When a woman is twenty, a child deforms her; when she is thirty, he preserves her; and when forty, he makes her young again.”
~Leon Blum~

How true! I am 40 and I can agree with this statement.

"Making the decision to have a child-it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

"To understand a mother's love, bear your own children."

“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers ~ strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”
~Barbara Katz Rothman~

"There is none, In all this cold and hollow world, no fount Of deep, strong, deathless love, save that within A mother's heart."
~ Mrs. Felicia D. Hemans~

"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That is his."
~Oscar Wilde~

This scares me.

Happy 4th Birthday Jack!

2009-01-10T06:39:00.000-08:00

Happy 4th Birthday to my son Jack Augustus. Who knew what was in store for us before you were here. You were a diffucult baby, I was in tears more often than not...you never slept well until your 1st birthday and you wouldnt eat much either. You worried me. Now, you are my sweetie, my clingy and loving boy who thinks his mommy is the prettiest, funniest, smartest and best mommy in the whole world! I hope that I can live up to your high expectations. Just know that I try... and I love you so very, very much.

This was a few weeks ago at Christmas time! Its amazing how he has grown.

Fab Friday!!

2009-01-09T06:40:00.000-08:00

I am going to start this Friday off with 5 Fab things about me. Yes, yes... I know there are Waaaayyyyyy more than five. But please, lets not be vain here. LOL

1. I have been a Fab mom this week. I have been working on my yelling, and trying a new thing on my oldest. I am praising and admonishing within 30 seconds of an incident. This praise thing is working very well. He is behaving in a much nicer manner, less time-outs and generally sweeter overall. This is not working on my 2 year old. Oh well... you take what you can get, right?

2. I have been thinking about going on a weight loss regimen. Not because I think I am ugly and gross, because unlike most women, I do not... but I would like to feel a little healthier... at this point I am only thinking about it! I am lazy like that. Thats how I roll.

3. I have been a Fab employee! Working more than usual (hahahaha) and doing many tasks that no-one wants to do and excelling at them. YAY me! I can tell my boss appreciates it.

4. I have been a kinda, sorta, almost Fab house cleaner!! WOO HOO I have been keeping up on dishes, I cleaned the bathroom and I have picked up those annoying little toys that you don't see laying there and you step on and then you double over in pain! My hubby thanks me.

5. I have been a Fab Bloggy friend! I decided when I started getting more followers (YAY for people with good taste!!) I would go through my list and visit my followers as often as I can. With work this turns out to be 1-2 times per week... but I always feel good visiting and I have a ton of interesting and fun blog posts to read! Thanks for following me!

Thats my Fab Friday list! I hope you have been FAB this week too!

Do you ever find yourself bored by people?

2009-01-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

I don't mean you all... my loyal and cool readers (honest, I think the coolies tend to have blogs these days!) I mean most other people seem to me to be so.... bland. Bland I guess is a good term for it. Don't get me wrong, I don't think I am perfect, or so witty that no-one can stop laughing the whole time they are with me, or so wise that I can solve the Middle East Peace crisis in a nano-second if I tried. I do think I am a little weird, sometimes funny and insightful and occasionally vain I have to admit. I DO have a great hair and I know it. LOL What I do is I keep looking, poking, hinting and probing to find something, some "inner funk" in others and I rarely seem to find it.

Are people just afraid to be different these days? Is their inner strange/random/goofy/funky/crazy self bottled up, waiting for someone to find the key to unlock it? Or are people really just like houses in a track home neighborhood... the same on the outside and inside? Or am I expecting too much from people? Because I want to discover some little thing that makes me sit up, take notice and admire and maybe even envy about them. I guess I want to be amazed, I want to be surprised and I want to feel perhaps, not so alone out here.

Because I know I am different... I don't worry about my butt being too big, I don't stress over a wrinkle, I don't try to pretend that I am mistake free or just not like everyone else. I don't want to be the perfect soccer mom, I don't want to do what everyone else does just to fit in. I want to revel sometimes in the absurdness of life. I want to bask in the glory of uniqueness and I want to be known as a person who lived by her own rules (and one who had too many cats..haha) and I want to meet other people, people just like me whom I can relate to, and discuss cranberry bogs and Harry Potter Quotes and the absolute beauty of Johnny Depp... and anything else that randomly comes to mind without looking and feeling like some half-baked fool. Is that aiming too high?

Thank goodness I have YOU ALL here with me! Now you all just have to move to Cali and keep me company!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-07T06:15:00.000-08:00

Accidental picture which I think features my pretty eye and new reddish hair, AND my horrendously overgrown eyebrows! A certain person I used to know would be appalled! LOL

Are you one of those people?

2009-01-05T06:03:00.001-08:00

Who take an hour to get ready... lipstick on, make-up perfect...every hair in place and smelling like a rose?
Well, I am not! I barely have enough time to shower... let alone make up??? Perfume??? Hair Gel??? But maybe I should... I might get a whistle now and again! LOL

Are you one of those people who don't like to go to the bathroom in a public restroom? Who feel like the whole world is listening?
Thats me! I do, because I have to, but even though in my head I know no-one one is listening/caring... It still makes me uncomfortable and self-conscious. I know we "all do it" but I wish my body would be better behaved and do it at home only!

Are you one of those people who worry about every little thing your child does? What they eat? What they drink? What they touch?
Not me! Of course I don't let them touch fresh boogies on the swings or anything... But I am a firm believer in the reasoning that children are hardy creatures. They wont break if they fall once in awhile while trying something new... they wont perish from eating "non-organic fruit" and they wont become sugar addicted fiends by having a cup of juice or HEAVEN FORBID...a sip of my sprite. They don't need sugar to be fiends, it comes naturally.

Are you one of those people who obsess on things, people, places, games...ANYTHING?
Well, I do! Whether it be my favorite HP guy, my forum, planning a trip to Lake Tahoe or playing Webkinz online... I have a hard time just letting it flow, having fun and not having to have ALL the Webkinz items, not having to see all the movies my HP man is in, not having to be on my forum all the time! I have a hard time being blase about anything! I don't think I would change it though. I would rather be too into something, than indifferent to things.

So, agree or disagree? You tell me!

Quoteable Sunday!

2009-01-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

Toni at A Daily Dose of Toni hosts "Quotable Sunday" Do your own and head on over and sign her Mr. Linky!
My quotes are focusing on beginnings for the new year and the new beginning I hope to have!

~ There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning. ~
~ Louis L'Amour

~ Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

~ We have it in our power to begin the world over again. ~
~ Thomas Paine

~ Every beginning is a consequence - every beginning ends some thing. ~
~ Paul Valery

~ Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success. ~
~ Henry Ford

~ Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. ~
~ Carl Bard

I have high hopes for this year... I feel like its the beginning of a new era in our world, in my life... I hope to have better year, or if I face hurdles and difficulties... I hope I learn many lessons that I take with me to make my life better now, and in the future.

Mama Kats writing assignment

2009-01-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

Time for Mama Kat's writing assignment.

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back and sign Mr. Linky:

The Prompts:

1.) Describe a New Year's where you would have been better off just staying home.

2.) What do you do that drives your mother crazy?

3.) Share your favorite gluten free recipe (hey, so what if I rig the topics to suit my life...)

4.) Close out 2008 with your own TOP 10 list!

I chose to close out 2008 in my own Top Ten List! Not in any particular order...

The top ten good things about 2008 (I may have to dig deep here...LOL)

1. We moved to a new home, we didn't want to move, but we had to. The new house isnt exactly all I would wish for... but we are warm, safe, together and we do have an awesome kid friendly back yard for the boys! You take the good anywhere you find it.

2. I went on an awesome trip to Florida to meet up with friends... by myself!!! It was a meet-up of my forum friends... there were 13 or 14 of us! We stayed at an awesome place called The Portofino it was beautiful, luxurious, and had an awesome wrap around balcony! But the best part about the trip was the friends I met... relationships started online and cemented into "Real life" life-long (I hope!!!) true friendships! Even though I did not connect with one person on the trip like I wanted to, it was still an eye opening experience for me, and one I would never give up. Plus I got to meet 2 of my HP girls...and it was fun to giggle for hours with them! I enjoyed meeting my girls so much. I hope someday we can do it again!

LOL, the crazy wind storm and my buddies... Brandi and Toni!

3. My job! Even though I started my job in late 2007, I finally started enjoying my job in 2008. I learned more about the position, learned to use computer programs I had never used, learned a lot of things I thought were boring before. I developed a rapport with my co-workers and my boss... My boss is awesome... We both watch General Hospital!!! YAY so I have someone to discuss it with, plus he also has a young family and understands the pressures I go through.

4. My family. Gotta love a family who doesn't judge you (foreclosure) who support you, who care about you. I am lucky I have wonderful in-laws as well.

5. This blog...started on a whim, and almost deleted. But I stuck with it, drew from within myself and posted things I felt, things I wanted to feel and things I hoped to feel. I made new friends here and I cherish all of them. Who knew blogging could be so therapeutic, so fun and so empowering!

6. My hubby... my hubby is there for me always, he helps with the kids... doesn't threaten to leave me when I get grumpy... when I yell... He tries his best to understand, to support me and maybe most importantly...to listen to me. How did I get so lucky?

(AWWWW!! Look how small Jack was!!!)

7. My kids were a high point! They got cuter, smarter and unfortunately...more ornery! But I love them a ton and I am so happy I have them around!

8. My cats... I love them, I worship them... I would die without them. Am I crazy, or what?

9.

The 2008 Presidential Election!!! WOO HOO!!! Obama in the house!!! YAY
after a two term president whom I had a hard time supporting... I am happy to have a fresh start. He will make mistakes, but I am so excited to have someone **I** voted for in the White House. Read my after election thoughts HERE

10.
ME ME MIMI

It feels good to be myself! To have almost "come into my own" and become the person I want to be, the person who makes her own rules and doesn't follow anyone elses in order to "fit in".
I have pondered religion, friendships, forgiveness, honor, karma, motherhood, human rights, animal rights, and love and relationships... I may not have come out on top in all these situations...but I tried my best... can I expect anything more from myself? Should I?

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T09:58:00.000-08:00

I am thankful 2008 is over... I have great hopes for 2009... Obama will be president, stocks should be trending up, We will be working our way out of debt, Jack will be fully potty trained (LOL) The next Harry Potter movie will be out (YAY) My blog will continue to be a wonderful outlet and I will continue to make bloggy friends... Thank you for making 2008 tolerable!

Heres to a bright, healthy and prosperous 2009!!!!

Kinda Wordless Wednesday

2008-12-31T06:11:00.000-08:00

This is the gift... the gift that made the rounds for 2 years in my work party's round robin game... this year my hubby stole it for us to bring home... I am fond of it and find it oddly pleasing to the eye...
What's strange about a southwest colored and sequined Christmas tree topper?

Christmas present musings...

2008-12-29T06:22:00.000-08:00

Christmas is for children, that's what Ive always heard and I think its really the most magical for time for them. If you are a parent who has a lot of money, the high expectations of gifts received is usually satisfied or surpassed. If not... well some kids will be disappointed. Especially if they are older, and can see what "Santa" or a classmates parent gave their friends.

I am not tying to say there is anything wrong with giving your children gifts, large gifts, expensive gifts... but I think sometimes it makes other parents not as well off feel inferior (me sometimes) I envy the ability of some parents to buy things for their kids that they really want, even if they are pricey. Lets face it, if my kids asked me for a Wii, or Guitar hero, the answer would be no. And then I would feel badly, and I would feel like I was a failure...even though I know deep down in my heart that it isn't all about what you give, but the why and the hows... I do not begrudge anyone the means and ability to make their children's Christmas dreams a reality. I think its awesome to be able to give to your children things that they want and hopefully have been good enough to deserve...LOL The thing is, its my issue, and one I need to work on. Because I know I am a good parent, a parent who provides the necessities in life and a few luxuries... I just wish I could do more.

Why are we so hard on ourselves as parents? Why is what we do never good enough? Because even my more well off friends think they are not giving enough... When will we realize its the happiness and love you give that will be remembered in years to come, not the amount of presents given, or not given... The riches we have are not of the material variety, they are something that comes from inside... that comes from our family and our bonds and love for each other. Thats something we all need to remember...rich or poor.

Toni's Quotable Sunday!

2008-12-28T13:32:00.000-08:00

Toni over at A Daily dose of Toni hosts this. Do your own and head on over and sign her Mr. Linky!
Mine today focus on endings...since the year is coming to an end...

“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes (American Baptist Minister and Civil-Rights Leader. 1929-1968)

"I existed from all eternity and, behold, I am here; and I shall exist till the end of time, for my being has no end."
Khalil Gibran

“It's weird...you know the end of something great is coming, but you want to hold on, just for one more second...just so it can hurt a little more.”

“In my end is my beginning.”
~ T.S. Eliot

"All's well that ends well; still the fine's the crown. Whate'er the course, the end is the renown."
William Shakespeare

"The opera isn't over till the fat lady sings."
Dan Cook

LOL, I am singing now!

THE END

Our Christmas days!

2008-12-27T14:15:00.000-08:00

We had a good Christmas... instead of a sit down/bog meal, we did an appetizer and dessert meal! It was great and we were able to try a bunch of different things!
The boys were pretty well behaved and managed to sleep some on the way to and from my sister's house!
Here are a few pics!

My sisters Christmas tree

Me, my sister and my Aunt

One of my nephews (Emiliano)

My boys , emiliano, and my dad (Their Nono)

Max and his cheesy smile!

Max with his cheesy chocolate smile! LOL

Wordless Wednesday

2008-12-24T06:01:00.000-08:00

A not so exciting Wordless Wednesday
My hubby and I at my work Christmas Party.

My top Christmas movies!

2008-12-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

According to me! Please remember, I dont watch many movies.... I know there are many great movies out there yet for me to see! I came up with my list of seven! Let me know which ones I missed and what I need to see!

I saw this on another blog...but cant remember where, or I would link them! In no particular order...

Elf

Really the movie that gets a top score for me. Will Ferrell is always awesome, its funny, heart warming and just plain crazy. Syrup on spaghetti... EWWWWWWW Makes me cringe every time!

A Christmas carol (Alistair Sims 1951 version)

I have always loved the story of the mean, miserly man transformed by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Its a timely story, in my opinion. Although they are not the special effects of our time, I find this version super creepy and well acted. Who needs special effects when you have a good story and cast.

A Christmas Story

Fun, Quirky and campy! Love it!

Its a wonderful life

WOW, talk about happiness, sadness and hope. This movie is tops for sheer drama, love and the hope that Christmas and friends adds to our life. If you wanna cry for a few hours but enjoy every minute of it, watch this movie.

Die hard...for Moo

Eye Candy, I admit... Bruce and the "Oh So Lovely Voiced" Alan Rickman! Not fun to be a hostage on Christmas Eve...but still a great movie!

Who doesnt love a well read and articulate bad boy?!?

Home alone

The premise of leaving a kid home alone for Christmas, forgetting him... is a parents nightmare!!! But this movie is pretty funny! I enjoy seeing the bad guys get their comeuppance!

Miracle on 34th street...

Santa crazy? Santa persecuted? HECK NO!!!

Thank goodness it all ends up well! I love old movies!!!

I hope you check these out if you haven't seen them and
I hope you have some recommendations for me as well.