Wow!!!

It is Saturday morning. I am exhausted....completely and fully. 

I was awoken by a 6 yr old at 7am who just had to tell me the Monte Carlo comes out on July 1st. What????? I am not sure I have recovered yet. 

At about 8am I was asked if they could play outside. I almost said yes because I was craving the quiet...but then I figured my neighbors would hate me. So instead I told the kids I would take them swimming at 10:30 while their daddy was playing tennis.  

It is 10:22 right now. I have absolutely no desire to put on my bathing suit. I have less of a desire to swim. But I am about to drag myself off the computer and away from my coffee to get on my suit.

Happy Saturday friends!!!

Reflections and Resolutions

Well I said I would post by goals for this year but first I need to go over 2010's resolutions. So I am going to list them out and let's see how I did.

1. Cook dinner at least 4 times per week.

2. Use the crock-pot for 1 meal per week.

3. Keep my house clean.

 4. Only volunteer for things I really want to do.

5. Stay on top of the laundry.

6. Exercise more and eat better.

7. Do not yell at my kids.

Okay, so I would say I had success with #'s 1, 2, 3, and sometimes 4.

I tried with #6 and did fairly well when I was able to get to the gym. It is definitely going back on the list.

I started off well with #7 but now I babysit anywhere from 2-6 kids somedays and really I lose my patience. Plus the Little Dudes tubes came out.  So for about half of the month, he is whining non-stop because of the fluid in his ears which is a little trying. I would say I failed at this. And it probably not going to make the list again.

I completely failed at #5.  Consistently and regularly. I am going to attempt it again, I think.

So on to 2011! Here are my resolutions!
1. Have *me* time daily.
2. Complete laundry in a timely manner. No more than a one load backup.
3. Say no more often than yes to favors/volunteer opportunities.
4. Make money for our family. 
5. Use the cash system to save money and pay off debt (car, house, etc.) I am not going all Dave Ramsey crazy but going to take steps in that direction. We already use the cash system for weekly purchases but we are amping it up big time in 2011. We have some big financial goals this year :-)
6. Coupon more.
7. Say yes more than no to the kids.
8. Have one family time activity/event/outing a month (or 12 in the year).
9. Make time to exercise(at least 3 times/week).


Okay so I think this is it for 2011! I will check in and let everyone know how it is going.

I am freezing...

The weather here is absolutely freezing. I can not even get comfortable in the house. I am either so cold or hot because of all the layers. Plus my hair is all static-ey which I hate.

The drama queen said this was the coldest day ever.  I am not sure but it is record breaking cold here...A record from the 1910's.

I moved to the south because I hate cold weather. This is one of those times when I just want to ask "Seriously?"

Oh Thanksgiving...you came too quickly this week!

Wow.As I am sitting on the couch typing this post, I am literary exhausted.

I have spent the last week with a sick, cranky 2 year old. One who will not leave my leg. He has been clinging to it when I am not holding him.  The hubby took him to our wonderful md (and I mean that sincerely) last week. He had double ear infections. So they put him on a heavy dose antibiotic.  Said antibiotic gave him such diarrhea that he developed the worst diaper rash I have ever seen in my 6 years as a mommy.  Yesterday I took the almost 6 year old to the md (more on that in a minute) and mentioned the problem to my md.  I didn't have the Little Dude with me and of course she wanted to see him. So back we went today.  And I found out he had developed a staph infection from the rash. Ugh! So I had to fill another script for him. Now he is taking two antibiotics. I am sure this will be great for the tummy.

Yesterday I took the almost 6 year old drama queen for her physical. She is doing well. Nothing to report. She is still tiny. But still on her own little 8% curve. The md. said she much rather her be on this end than the other. And especially since she eats well. So I was happy for that. We also were able to get her asthma diagnosis reversed because she hasn't had an "attack" in over a year. She was diagnosed at 1 year old and I have been trying to get the label taken off her chart ever since. I do think she has breathing issues when she gets a cold, but I am not sure she needs the asthmatic label. So I was very happy about that. The doctor was also able to give her the flu mist instead of the shot because of it. But she was up for a immunization of some sort. Yes, I should no what they gave her.  But I don't. I am not that kind of mom. I give my kids immunizations so that they don't get funky diseases. I respect the opinion of those who don't believe in them, but I am just not one of those people.  So anyway back the Drama Queen...as we are sitting in the room she tells me "Mommy, if I get a shot today I am not going to cry". I was like "yeah okay, why?". And she told me that now that she is 6, she can't be a baby and only a baby would cry when getting their shots. So I was a little shocked at this new attitude.  I mean she isn't one of the kids who I have to drag to the md., nor do we have to hold her down when she gets shots, or chase her around the room, but she definitely cries. But yesterday my trooper squeezed her eyes really tight to stop the tears and just smiled after the shot. I was in shock. And very proud of her!!!

On Monday, I started to feel my own throat getting sore. I started drinking tea and honey to ward off the sickness. I also had a milkshake to try and coat it. Which really just hurt my lactose intolerant stomach more than helped my throat. And yesterday as the day went on, my throat got worse and worse. By midnight when I could barely even swallow. I had taken 4 Motrin (800 mg) and felt like I was going to have to call in sick today. Ha ha, I know. I would have told the hubby but he was out at poker night with the guys and not even home yet for me to complain to. So instead I took some benadryl and prayed it would put me to sleep. Oh yeah and at like 11:30am, I tried to get seen by the md. because I was slightly worried it could be strep. The kiddos I babysit for had it last week and I had spent all day Monday with them. But of course I couldn't get an appt. until 5:30 on Wed. What a pain! But anyway, it must have been a nasal drip because the benadryl dried me up and my throat really isn't hurting anymore. But luckily, my kids wonderful md. took a look in my throat and ears and gave me a strep test when I was in the office. She said it seemed like I am coming down with a cold. Sometimes I wish God knew that there is no time for a cold in my plans until at least January. I mean, seriously?

So today, I took the Little Dude to the md. We were there forever. And then stopped at my friends house to pick up the kids. I had a glass of wine because she twisted my arm. After the kids cleaned up the toys, we headed on home to pack them up for a night at the grandparents.

The hubby and I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some beer and wine for tomorrow. Then we came home and started prepping the food. I made an gooey butter cake from Paula Deen. I'll upload a picture later and a recipe.

While the cake was baking, I finished up all our Disney plans. I printed out our touring plans and made an itinerary with all our meal reservations and what not. I was supposed to pack tonight but I think I will as soon as I get up in the morning.

Then I have to finish all the prepping, insert the leaf into my dining room table, set the table, pick up the kids, and clean up the kids rooms, especially their bathroom. I also need to plan out the Black Friday plan of attack. P (the bf) and I are going shopping together. I don't think either of us know what the heck we are buying so I need to figure that out soon.

Okay I think I need to go to bed now. Have a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow and remember to think about all you have to be thankful for!

The new evite

We don't get along.

I really don't like the evite!

That's it...I'm just putting it out there.

Oh and tonight, I am going to a wine tasting with the girls!!!

Seriously???

So the other night in bed, our DVR switched to tape Keeping up the Kardashians.  I love that show.  My hubby, all irritated, asks "Do you really have to tape this junk. All you watch is junky tv?"  I am thinking yes but instead I say something along the lines of "sure change it, watch what you want".  So he puts on Jackass. 

Seriously ?!?!?

I mean really???

I didn't realize that show was so much better.

Cell phone woes

Until last April, I had an old school cell phone. It was a flip phone. It was so ancient I couldn't stand text messaging on it.

Then in April after holding out for an I-Phone, I decided to bite the bullet. I bought a Droid from Verizon. I am a Verizon customer.  Loyal, in spite of their prices. The hubby tries to make me switch carriers all the time.  I refuse.

The transformation...I could text, email and do basically anything from my phone. I love it!  So as I am running out of the house tonight to go to a party at a neighbors house, I drop my phone.  Not on the hard ground or anything, on the couch...and the screen breaks.  I swear it gave me a panic attack.

I couldn't enjoy myself at the party. It was awful. Finally, I had to leave the party to go to Verizon.

They were closed but the man who works there told me a "bleeding screen" isn't covered.  And then he asked me "Do you have insurance?". And for once I had ignored the Clark Howard advice of not getting insurance and purchased insurance for this phone.  So guess what? I am getting a new phone. Tomorrow!  Shipped right to my house.  You can't beat that service.

My word might just be "LOST"

So yesterday I went to see the movie Eat, Pray, Love at the theater. I have been wanting to see it since it came out but never seemed to find the time.  I read the book about 2 years ago. I saw it in Target and for some reason, it called me. I am not normally a fan of memoirs.  But I liked the book, really liked it.  The Italy part was my favorite. I have always wanted to travel there.

In July, my book club read the book. Lots of the women had different ideas than me about the book. But none of their thoughts really were able to change my opinion. I didn't find the author whiny. I didn't think the book closed up in a neat little package. I mean, it did, but not in a way that seemed fake to me at all. I understood the author.  I mean I don't have a box filled with maps, but I have a notebook.  And I have lots of dreams/ideas in that notebook.

So when watching the movie, there was a part in Italy where everyone was using one word to describe themselves and places they have been. I spent the better part of yesterday attempting to come up with my word. It is hard to come up with one word to define yourself.  I mean of course I could say mommy but I'd like to think I am more than that. And I could say tired since that is certainly true 99.9% of the time. I am sure some would say the word is b*itch. I have tons of b*itchiness in me. Just ask my husband or one of my best friends, or even someone who has gotten on my "crazy" list...it is definitely a describing word. But a defining word. I just don't know. While trying to think about all these words, I have thought of many things I have done and all the things I still want to accomplish. I thought about the goals I have set for myself. And how I am still not sure what I want to be when I grow up. I mean I know what I dream to be but that is a dream. A dream that I have never shared(& probably won't ever). So I think right now, today, my word is lost. 

I think I have lost myself a little bit. I have spent this year trying to get myself back. But I am not sure who exactly I am channelling. It isn't like I can be the 18 year old version of myself. I mean I have kids now. And I definitely don't want to be any younger versions of myself than that.  Now the college version of myself was fun, but way too insecure with boyfriends. And I don't think the hubby could go back to that time. He'd kill me. But I guess when I think about it, I don't really want to go back. I don't want to erase one single thing that has happened. I just wish I didn't get so caught up in the day to day. I wish I didn't feel like I have given up so many dreams. And I wish I wasn't so selfish so I wouldn't think this way.

I started blogging back in 2008. I know you can't see back that far.  Blogging has always been therapeutic for me. So with that said, I didn't advertise this being me. Not that I really do now. But I was extremely real on the blog. And because people I know read it now I found it necessary to censor myself so no ones feelings were hurt. But I realized yesterday, I was losing myself in the blog because of that. So I am back. No more censoring. But I will still keep names anonymous.  My family and friends didn't sign up for this. In fact most of them don't even know I blog. Hey, it is cheaper than therapy...

Friends...

Okay so last year, I was not in a great place. I had some friends who always left me wanting for more. Whether it was me being more thin, fit or fashionable...or even being a better mother, I always wanted more. I had a great friend from preschool/church. In fact, she was/is my best friend. But even she needed the acceptance of the "cool" crowd.

So at preschool I met a new friend. And the bff introduced us to a new friend. This all happened last spring, I feel like a whole new life has come my way. Life is great. I feel so blessed. And I have the best friends, extremely trustworthy and honest. People who make every day feel great. Not anyone I ever have to think about ulterior motives with.

Even this past weekend the hubby and I were out with some of the old friends. And one had the nerve to sit in judgement of another friends time in a 5k race. There are so many things wrong with it. One person in the car said something to him. But it just made me want to scream hypocrite. No one is perfect.  Yes I bet he feels good sitting in judgement of others in the moment. But to make fun of someone who is trying. Well, I wonder what will happen when his judgement day comes.

It all just made me(and luckily, the hubby) realize how lucky we are now.

Manic Monday

We all overslept.  And I forgot the Little Man's school bag at home. So I had to run to Publix to get him lunch.

I hosted playgroup at the house. This is always a source of terror and dread for me.

I spent all afternoon brainstorming/working on my new project.  I can't wait to share!

The hubby is out of town and so I invited a friend over for dinner. It is always nice to have another mom to share dinner with when he is gone.  And the kids love having the playdate. 

It is 7:19pm and the house is quiet. I guess that is my payment for the crazy day. I am about to have a glass of wine and indulge in some reality tv.

And maybe I will make a meal plan.  I haven't made one for the week yet.  I really need to go back to the monthly one. We'll see.

Wednesday Wisdom

Okay so the boys woke up a million times last night.  And I am very tired. So my wisdom just wasn't there.  I ended up posting on FB "Beer then liquor, never sicker. Liquor then beer, in the clear."

But then about 10 minutes later while waiting in the carpool line at the Little Guy's school it came to me.  Of course, it came by way of a crazy lady inches away from banging into Little Dude's door because it couldn't be easy today.

Today's wisdom is"Patience is a virtue."

Everyones time is important. And I really don't think the 10 seconds saved rushing into the parking spot instead of waiting her turn really made that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. Especially since the parking job was so lousy, it had to be straightened out thus the almost hitting me. Seriously lady!
Plus we were in the church parking lot where I felt bad opening my window to yell at you. So I was forced to shake my head at you instead. Not to mention it is carpool for a reason, not for you to bypass it and walk in your child anyway.  Ugh!

I love my girl friends!

I can remember when I first moved here from college. I was extremely unhappy. I mean, I liked my job and our life but I missed having good girlfriends.  I would be on the phone for hours with one of my two Lisa's (my hs bff and college bff are both named Lisa).  And no one really knew I was unhappy.  But one day I stumbled across an article in some magazine about the power of women friendships, and I thought this person really gets it.  I think it actually may have included some sort of research about women and why we needed to have someone to talk to. 

Fast forward three years, the hubby and I are getting married.  I still worked in a male dominated field with very little chance to make girlfriends. The hubby and I lived in a bubble where most of our friends we met through his family. And most of the friends were guys. At this point, a few of the guys were married and had girlfriends.  And while we were all friendly, got along and had fun times together, I never felt like I completely clicked with any of the girls (my sisters-in-law excluded).  I've always had good relationships with my sisters-in-law.  But it is a little weird to complain to your DH sister about him (like we wives tend to do).  So suffice it to say we were as close as we could be and I loved them.  But something was still lacking.

So fast forward to the Little Angel being 5 months old.  My one sis-in-law could tell I was getting down.  She told me and urged me to join a local MOMS Club.  She had been a member of the one in her area for a while and loved it.  She had met some great friends, was getting out, and couldn't stop telling me about it.  So even though I have always been shy in a group, I did it.  I looked it up and the president called me.  She invited me to an event.  I was still a little nervous so I invited my other sis-in-law who lives right up the street. And off we went.

By the time my Angel was turning 1, I felt like I finally had made friends.  Since then, I have made lots of friends in the group.  And I have recruited lots of friends and neighbors to the group. I believe in the importance of the group. I believe in the support it provides for other mommies out there in need. But this isn't a MOMS Club commercial. 

Three years ago, I was lucky enough to make a friend through the Drama Queen.  She had a "boyfriend" at preschool.  His mom and I became fast friends.  You know how that just happens sometimes.  And last year, I met another great friend through our preschool.  The time it was through the Little Guy.  There is probably a group of 8-10 of us girls who have become close through our school or our different neighborhoods and the MOMS Club. We are all close to different people in the group but somehow always all weave together.  These are a great group of girls.  I never feel like I have to be anyone but myself with them.  Even when that means I am wearing my tee-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes while everyone else has on their dresses. I know there are one or two of them who are judging me (I mean we are women), I even could pick out who they are but I feel so comfortable with everyone else I just don't care.  It has taken me 10 long years in the Atlanta area to get to a place where I finally have a good core group of girlfriends.

On that note, I would like to say that this year has also brought me much closer to the wives in our old(in the fact that we have known them longer) group of friends.  Four of us took a cruise in May to celebrate one friends graduation and we had a blast.  We bonded in ways that I will remember forever. I never could have imagined our trip being as great as it was.

Fast forward to the present...last week one of my friends planned a girls night out.  We went to Firesalt Tavern.  It is a new local place.  The vibe was good, service was great and the food as excellent.  We may or may not have all gotten free shots from the bartender.  We enjoyed a nice relaxing evening.  As the night got later some of the friends went home. I should have, but like always, I did not.  Instead I went to 37 Main.  I love 37 Main.  Mostly because it reminds me of a college bar and let's face it, I wish I was in college still.  The had live karaoke.  If you have never been to something like this you have to go. It was so cool, pinkie swear. Note to self, do not go to 37 Main until after 1am when you have promised a bunch of people to go to Chuck E Cheese's the next day.  What a headache! And I mean that literally. But we had a blast. And I have the pictures to prove it.

To the point, I am so glad to have such a great group of girlfriends. I really do LOVE them!!!

Women can be crazy....

I woke up Wednesday morning all prepared to bake a batch of Tastefully Simple brownies for the teachers.  But like most days, something happened and my whole day was thrown off. One of my really close friends woke up to find out some crazy lady, a fellow blogger (who has something against her husbands company) decided to post all the personal info about their family she could dig up.  She talked about their siblings, parents, pets, health and even children.  This friend of mine immediately went online and took down her anonymous blog.  Three years of her life erased.  But not even this could make her feel better.  She had been violated and personally attacked on the internet in front of thousands of strangers.  Now I know that I have been blogging only for a little while, and I try to keep my info anonymous as well.  But I have been reading blogs for years.  And I read upbeat and fun blogs.  Or blogs about peoples everyday lives.  I never read blogs that are posters for the "I hate" so and so club. So when I read this, I was completely disgusted.  And I still am. 
So because we spent most of the morning determining what a sick woman would do that, I didn't have time to do my baking.  No harm done.  I brought a box full of goodies (snacks) for the teachers. I think they liked it.  But as for the teachers, I LOVED them.  I am so happy that the Drama Queen is in their class. It was like immediate relief came over me. I am no longer so stressed for school to start on Monday.

I think I mentioned in an earlier post that the Drama Queen ended up in class with my BF's little boy, B. When I first found out about it was by someone else and I knew then(by her reaction) it was bound to be a big deal with all our mutual friends.  She told me "what are the chances" as if I would ask the school to put them together.  I mean really, who does that?  And when I said I didn't ask, she gave me a look like yeah right. So I swore I didn't.  And honestly what kind of school would really honor a request like that? I really didn't think much more about it.  But then the next morning another friend told me she heard by way of the first friend (but secondhand) that the two kids were in the same class and one of us parents must have requested it.  I told her no, that wasn't true and maybe she could keep it quiet. So yesterday I said something to friend number 1 who denied saying anything to friend number 2 who told friend number 3.  So I guess I have to be over it. But do people really ask for their kids to be in class with one of their friends? And do schools really think that is okay and the administrations honor it? I would be shocked if that is so.

On a much better note, I spent most of Thursday with my BF whom I haven't gotten to spend any alone time with in about a month.  Between vacations and her work schedule, it has been bad.  This is the friend whose house I used to spend hours when the Little Dude was a baby.  I would just sit on the recliner and chat away the hours our older kids were at preschool.  I missed that time so I am glad we got the chance to have some downtime.  And after that, we went to a playdate at another friends house.  Which became a mini happy hour while the kids had dinner and our hubby's got to enjoy some free time.  Mine was taking a nap when we got home.

We spent the Drama Queens last day of freedom swimming with all her Georgia cousins. We packed lunch and spent a couple of hours at the pool.  It was very relaxing minus the Little Dudes high pitch scream whenever he wasn't getting his way. I am proud to report that after all the swim lessons, the Little Man was swimming the pool like a fish.  It made all the nights at the pool this summer worth it.  Even the Little Dude was using either a noodle and swimmies or a tube. Normally he makes me hold him the whole time.  What a pain! It looked like a rain cloud might be coming so we packed up and headed home.  And the Little Dude took a 3 hour nap.  It was an unproductive one for me. I showered and napped myself. It has been an exhausting week. 

So here I am Saturday afternoon.  I have made a batch of vegetable soup for my lunches over the next couple of weeks. We had a really big lunch with the family.  The hubby and I are going out tonight with some friends to celebrate his brothers birthday. We cleaned the garage, did a million loads of laundry, meal planned for next week, and got my grocery list ready.  Next up is moving of the Little Dude's clothes into his new room with his brother.  But I might wait until tomorrow. I am feeling like I might want to just sit with the kids and relax. What are your plans for tonight?

There is no place like home, there is no place like home...

Okay so I did love our trip to NJ but I am so GLAD to be home. There I said it. 

By Saturday after battling 100 degree temps in Philly I really wanted to be able to eat dinner and go down to the pool.  Then Sunday I was dying to put the kids bed early...but we weren't home. And the baptism party was never ending (or so it seemed). So late bedtimes again.

But then Monday came and we began our trip further north. No more having to carry around the little dude because with lack of the dogs presence he would actually walk. It was a miracle. We took the kids to meet my high school friends.  We went to a local zoo/park where the hubby and I grew up.  We visited with the hubby's family. Then it happened. A migraine. Since we were away where I had no painkillers handy, I thought we would be making an ER trip. But luckily for me, I got the TLC of my aunt.  She has had migraines, so she knew just what would help.  She applied wet cloths to the back of my neck and one to my forehead. She gave me meds.  She let me lay in her sanctuary. And when that wasn't helping, she cleared out my cousins bedroom and put me to sleep.  I listened to waves crashing (the noise machine) and had the best sleep in a week. It was wonderful.

Tuesday we spent with my aunt and her girls.  There was lots of Wii playing and a big dance party. We had dinner plans with the rest of my high school girlfriends so we loaded up our cooler with cheese, packed the car, and waved goodbye.  We had dinner with two of my girlfriends. It was so nice to see them again.

Our original plans had us traveling back to my sisters for the night. But we were ready to come home. So we decided to try and drive straight through the night.  It didn't work out.  The kids were uncomfortable sleeping in their boosters. So we stopped at a hotel in Virginia around the halfway mark. I really wanted to be home. I really wanted to click my shoes together and be in my bed.  The kids weren't too bad on the drive but I was over it. That is when it dawned on me, there really is no place like home.

Vacation or Obligation?

Every year, I take the kids on a trip to NJ to visit with family.  Some years this trip has served as our vacation.  The last two years, we have made multiple trips up.  The hubby dreads these trips.  He thinks the kids are bad, he hates staying at a million different houses and mostly just doesn't want to be in NJ. Normally I let him off the hook for at least part of the trip.  This requires begging another family member to drive one part of the 12 hours with me.  I may be crazy but I am not crazy enough to make the drive all alone with kids. 

In April my sister, Cat, had her first baby.  While I have been longing to come for a visit we waited until the baptism to make our trip.  And here we are.  For a long while, I was planning this to be a vacation. By that I mean, I was going to make lots of plans to take the kids to different day trips and places. But the hubby told me going to Disney is cheaper than these NJ vacations we go on.  So...we are going to Disney later in the year. But that is a story for another blog.  Anyhow I was telling my girlfriend all about these trips. You know how each day is reserved for a family member or friend visit.  She told me that I was not going on a vacation, I was going on a trip of obligation.  It never occurred to me in that way before, but she was right. 

So here we are. In NJ. On our obligation trip. Yesterday we visited with my grandmother (GiGi).  What a great visit we had.  Of course, there was the part of the visit where she thought Angel was going to be "sexy" for Halloween. Her hearing isn't all that good and when Angel told her "Jessie" she heard "sexy".  It was funny to say the least. We have the baptism coming up.  And then a day to spend with my girlfriends from growing up (and their kids for those who have them), a dinner with hubby's side of the family, a sleepover with the "girls", and a dinner with the rest of the high school clan.

Even though this is a trip of obligation, it is one obligation I am so happy I have!