My Store
Swarovski bracelet:
Must Have Tags:
Earrings:
Coming soon will be a new line of beautiful and colorful swarovski pearl earrings and more jewelry for the "princess" section.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
New Things In My Store
I am so excited to add a few new things to my online store including a new little girl swarovski bracelet, cell phone/bookbag/luggage tags, and little girl earrings. Here is a link to the store and then I have put my photos here.
My Store
Swarovski bracelet:
Must Have Tags:
Earrings:
Coming soon will be a new line of beautiful and colorful swarovski pearl earrings and more jewelry for the "princess" section.
My Store
Swarovski bracelet:
Must Have Tags:
Earrings:
Coming soon will be a new line of beautiful and colorful swarovski pearl earrings and more jewelry for the "princess" section.
The Mommy Wars
Sometime back in 1992, I made the decision (along with my then-husband) to go back to work after giving birth to my first child. I was lucky enough to have an extended maternity leave of 4 months and had saved enough personal vacation to extend that another month. I was also lucky enough to have a supervisor who was very understanding of the transition I would have to make upon going back to work and was willing to work with me. I explained to her that always my child comes first and we worked together on those issues that would inevitably come up not just now but in the future. I promised myself I would never push my baby on anyone if he was sick or needed me and I would never let work get in the way of an important function that involved him or any future kids.
What I didn't realize at the time was that whether or not I liked it I was going to be thrown into the "Mommy Wars." I was totally clueless of the term and the internet wasn't around for me to figure it out. But the judgements and questions certainly were there. Many women who I knew or were acquaintances of actually challenged me on my decision. I heard a lot of "why would you have a child if you were going to pawn it off on a day care worker?" I took offense to those questions. Those women don't know me, they don't know my family situation, they didn't know my level of love and committment, they didn't understand my relationship with my son, my husband and God.
Back then (and still today) I am a lover not a fighter. Certainly I have opinions but I don't presume that my opinions are the right way...it's just the right way for ME. I couldn't understand why there was (and still is) such a thing as mommy wars. Why not be supportive of each other and build each other up? That's my thinking anyway. Thank goodness we live in the greatest country in the world where we CAN make that choice freely and openly. We can work outside the home or work inside the home. Either way, it's work. Hard work.
The Mommy Wars never got easier as I had more kids. In fact, with the internet coming long, I read more about the wars. I read forums that pit working moms against stay at home moms and all the time I scratch my head. More judgments, more presumptions, more perceptions. I don't quite get it.
I read a lot of reports about kids in daycare. The statistics say that day care kids are more likely to grow up to be aggressive bullies. Day care kids are more sickly. I think to myself "but my kids all went to daycare and they are not bullies or aggressive and they go to the doctor only once a year for a checkup (knock on wood)." Maybe the stats are true. I don't know. But they aren't true for me and my family.
And then on Friday I see something I never thought would ever happen. A working mom on a Republican ticket. How very interesting! Whatever your thoughts of her are politically (I don't blog politics) I have to wonder if Governor Sarah Palin was ever asked why she decided to go back to work after her children were born.
It definitely makes me wonder.
What I didn't realize at the time was that whether or not I liked it I was going to be thrown into the "Mommy Wars." I was totally clueless of the term and the internet wasn't around for me to figure it out. But the judgements and questions certainly were there. Many women who I knew or were acquaintances of actually challenged me on my decision. I heard a lot of "why would you have a child if you were going to pawn it off on a day care worker?" I took offense to those questions. Those women don't know me, they don't know my family situation, they didn't know my level of love and committment, they didn't understand my relationship with my son, my husband and God.
Back then (and still today) I am a lover not a fighter. Certainly I have opinions but I don't presume that my opinions are the right way...it's just the right way for ME. I couldn't understand why there was (and still is) such a thing as mommy wars. Why not be supportive of each other and build each other up? That's my thinking anyway. Thank goodness we live in the greatest country in the world where we CAN make that choice freely and openly. We can work outside the home or work inside the home. Either way, it's work. Hard work.
The Mommy Wars never got easier as I had more kids. In fact, with the internet coming long, I read more about the wars. I read forums that pit working moms against stay at home moms and all the time I scratch my head. More judgments, more presumptions, more perceptions. I don't quite get it.
I read a lot of reports about kids in daycare. The statistics say that day care kids are more likely to grow up to be aggressive bullies. Day care kids are more sickly. I think to myself "but my kids all went to daycare and they are not bullies or aggressive and they go to the doctor only once a year for a checkup (knock on wood)." Maybe the stats are true. I don't know. But they aren't true for me and my family.
And then on Friday I see something I never thought would ever happen. A working mom on a Republican ticket. How very interesting! Whatever your thoughts of her are politically (I don't blog politics) I have to wonder if Governor Sarah Palin was ever asked why she decided to go back to work after her children were born.
It definitely makes me wonder.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
California Dreamin' - Day Three
Continuing with my California Dreamin vacation series.....
After our nice drive up the PCH and past Santa Barbara, we ended up at a resort on the oceans at Pismo Beach. It is a really nice beach area fairly close to the town of San Luis Obispo. The beach has a really nice boardwalk and pier type of area where we had a BBQ dinner. It's very touristy here so there are lots of ice cream stores, candy stores, and souvenier shops.
After dinner we walked toward the beach and found a candy store where they sell all kinds of chocolates and salt water taffy. Silly me thought salt water taffy was only popular on the East Coast. Anyway, this particular store also sold chocolate covered bugs. That's right...BUGS. We were fascinated and thought why not try some bugs. So the older boys and husband tried chocolate covered scorpions while I played it safe and went for the worms. Both were really no big deal. In fact it just tasted like crunchy chocolate.
We moved along and watched the sunset off the pier and it was quite beautiful but very COLD. I could not believe how cold it was for an August day.
After much needed rest, we woke up the next morning and enjoyed a nice leisurely morning at the hotel. We mapped out the day and husband suggested that we might want to venture over to the sand dunes. Curiously I said yes not really knowing what to expect. After a fairly short drive we drove down the highway and saw signs for the sand dunes. This venture took us on the beach where we literally drove on the beach (I thought that you could only do that in Daytona) and then to a trailer that sold dune buggy rides.
After a quick education and $250/hour, my older boys and husband decided to give it a try. Geared up in helmets and safety belts, the kind dune buggy guy strapped them in and they were on their way. While they were out dune-buggying, I stayed on the frigid beach with my two little munchkins trying to figure out a way to keep two little people entertained while surrounded by a mountain of sand and 40 degree beach water. We decided to sit in the sand and just play away until the older ones came back. They tell me that it was an awesome experience and that a few times on a few intimidating 40 ft sand dunes they actually were a bit afraid but said the entire experience was worth it.
After leaving Pismo Beach we enjoyed a scenic ride up the Central Coast of California. I enjoyed looking at the mountains since we don't get to see much of that kind of land in Florida. Our goal was to get to Monterey before dinner. We ended up making good time and had some time to kill so we ventured over to a nice park right near our hotel. Although I didn't take any photos while there, this little town is so quaint and cute. It was still quite cold and I still had my jacket on but we had a lot of fun at the park. We ended up retiring for the night pretty early because the agenda for the next day was going to be pretty full.
Next up: Monterey Aquarium, Pebble Beach, and the moment we all were waiting for....San Francisco!
After our nice drive up the PCH and past Santa Barbara, we ended up at a resort on the oceans at Pismo Beach. It is a really nice beach area fairly close to the town of San Luis Obispo. The beach has a really nice boardwalk and pier type of area where we had a BBQ dinner. It's very touristy here so there are lots of ice cream stores, candy stores, and souvenier shops.
After dinner we walked toward the beach and found a candy store where they sell all kinds of chocolates and salt water taffy. Silly me thought salt water taffy was only popular on the East Coast. Anyway, this particular store also sold chocolate covered bugs. That's right...BUGS. We were fascinated and thought why not try some bugs. So the older boys and husband tried chocolate covered scorpions while I played it safe and went for the worms. Both were really no big deal. In fact it just tasted like crunchy chocolate.
We moved along and watched the sunset off the pier and it was quite beautiful but very COLD. I could not believe how cold it was for an August day.
After much needed rest, we woke up the next morning and enjoyed a nice leisurely morning at the hotel. We mapped out the day and husband suggested that we might want to venture over to the sand dunes. Curiously I said yes not really knowing what to expect. After a fairly short drive we drove down the highway and saw signs for the sand dunes. This venture took us on the beach where we literally drove on the beach (I thought that you could only do that in Daytona) and then to a trailer that sold dune buggy rides.
After a quick education and $250/hour, my older boys and husband decided to give it a try. Geared up in helmets and safety belts, the kind dune buggy guy strapped them in and they were on their way. While they were out dune-buggying, I stayed on the frigid beach with my two little munchkins trying to figure out a way to keep two little people entertained while surrounded by a mountain of sand and 40 degree beach water. We decided to sit in the sand and just play away until the older ones came back. They tell me that it was an awesome experience and that a few times on a few intimidating 40 ft sand dunes they actually were a bit afraid but said the entire experience was worth it.
After leaving Pismo Beach we enjoyed a scenic ride up the Central Coast of California. I enjoyed looking at the mountains since we don't get to see much of that kind of land in Florida. Our goal was to get to Monterey before dinner. We ended up making good time and had some time to kill so we ventured over to a nice park right near our hotel. Although I didn't take any photos while there, this little town is so quaint and cute. It was still quite cold and I still had my jacket on but we had a lot of fun at the park. We ended up retiring for the night pretty early because the agenda for the next day was going to be pretty full.
Next up: Monterey Aquarium, Pebble Beach, and the moment we all were waiting for....San Francisco!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
First Day of School - Bittersweet
First days of school are always bittersweet...for me, anyhow. It's yet another reminder that my dumplings are growing up. It's always a day of firsts. This week it was a major first for my princess - first day of kindergarten. I have been watching her excitement grow all year long awaiting this day. We bought her uniforms, new shoes, new belt, new bookbag, new supplies box, new lunchbox, new water bottle to go in said lunchbox. I made her a new pair of earrings.
We walked her in to make sure she got to where she needed to be. We briefly met with the teacher in the cafeteria. And then the teacher gathered them all in a line and walked them to their class. My princess waved to us the entire time she could see us. She was BEAMING!. And we were crying.
And then there were the older boys. One in high school, one in middle school. It's his last year of middle school.
Next year they will be going together. Maybe even driving themselves. I shudder to think that I have only 3 more years with my oldest before college. It's not that far away. Where did the years go?
When you first have kids, people tell you that the years will fly by. I know they do and I know they will. I try to make the most of each day but that doesn't stop time. You always want to hold them and kiss them like you did when they were firstborn.
So I do what I always do. Embrace the moment and let myself cry. Because this is life.
We walked her in to make sure she got to where she needed to be. We briefly met with the teacher in the cafeteria. And then the teacher gathered them all in a line and walked them to their class. My princess waved to us the entire time she could see us. She was BEAMING!. And we were crying.
And then there were the older boys. One in high school, one in middle school. It's his last year of middle school.
Next year they will be going together. Maybe even driving themselves. I shudder to think that I have only 3 more years with my oldest before college. It's not that far away. Where did the years go?
When you first have kids, people tell you that the years will fly by. I know they do and I know they will. I try to make the most of each day but that doesn't stop time. You always want to hold them and kiss them like you did when they were firstborn.
So I do what I always do. Embrace the moment and let myself cry. Because this is life.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
California Dreamin' - Day Two
Day two of our California tour found us on a leisurely drive through L.A. and toward the beaches. I then had a brilliant idea that we should meander through the town of Calabasas. Why Calabasas you ask?
Perhaps it has something to do with this...
This is the store where they film the show "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" which is one of my favorite E! celeb reality shows. I felt like a paparazzi jumping out of my car to take photos of the storefront. In reality the town is so beautiful and shows more of the country side in the mountains in LA County.
After we left Calabasas we headed over to Malibu and the Pacific Coast Highway where we were hoping to run into some stars hanging out at the beach. I am pretty sure I saw Matthew McConaughey but upon second glace it ended up being an impersonator of this character...
I don't know how I mixed the two of them up...maybe it was just my imagination wanting to see Matthew and his beach tan.
So after not seeing so many stars we continue up the PCH for a leisurely drive toward Santa Barbara. The PCH is really nice but I was not too impressed with it in the L.A. area. It looked to me like any other highway with beach on the side and with my being from Florida it didn't look much different than the beach roads I have seen all my life.
We finally make it to Santa Barbara right in time for lunch and I am really impressed with how beautiful this beach area is. The weather is picture perfect. Air temperatures are mid-70s with low humidity. The wind made it feel a bit chillier and the water temps are much colder than what I am used to here in Florida. We find the Santa Barbara pier and it was amazing to me that you can drive your car on it. We did that and found a cute restaurant to eat lunch right on the pier. After lunch we walked up and down the pier. There were tons of sailboats in the water and was such a relaxing time. We made our way down to the beach and played in the water and sand and just soaked in the California air.
After we left Santa Barbara, we continued up the PCH to a beach called Pismo Beach where we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon and evening on the boardwalk. We ended up at a little candy store on the waterfront that is known for fudge, salt water taffy, and chocolate covered bugs. Of course, we had to try some bugs so we tried worms and scorpions. I have to say that was interesting watching one of my kids chew up a scorpion but in reality they tasted like crunchy rice krispies dipped in chocolate. The night ended as we watched the sunset and then turned in to end another fun filled day on the California coast.
Stay tuned for Day Three where I will talk about our first ever dune buggy rides on the famous sand dunes at Pismo Beach and the most beautiful ride of our lives as we drive up the PCH through the mountains of Big Sur. I can see why it is called one of the nicest drives in the entire country.
Perhaps it has something to do with this...
This is the store where they film the show "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" which is one of my favorite E! celeb reality shows. I felt like a paparazzi jumping out of my car to take photos of the storefront. In reality the town is so beautiful and shows more of the country side in the mountains in LA County.
After we left Calabasas we headed over to Malibu and the Pacific Coast Highway where we were hoping to run into some stars hanging out at the beach. I am pretty sure I saw Matthew McConaughey but upon second glace it ended up being an impersonator of this character...
I don't know how I mixed the two of them up...maybe it was just my imagination wanting to see Matthew and his beach tan.
So after not seeing so many stars we continue up the PCH for a leisurely drive toward Santa Barbara. The PCH is really nice but I was not too impressed with it in the L.A. area. It looked to me like any other highway with beach on the side and with my being from Florida it didn't look much different than the beach roads I have seen all my life.
We finally make it to Santa Barbara right in time for lunch and I am really impressed with how beautiful this beach area is. The weather is picture perfect. Air temperatures are mid-70s with low humidity. The wind made it feel a bit chillier and the water temps are much colder than what I am used to here in Florida. We find the Santa Barbara pier and it was amazing to me that you can drive your car on it. We did that and found a cute restaurant to eat lunch right on the pier. After lunch we walked up and down the pier. There were tons of sailboats in the water and was such a relaxing time. We made our way down to the beach and played in the water and sand and just soaked in the California air.
After we left Santa Barbara, we continued up the PCH to a beach called Pismo Beach where we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon and evening on the boardwalk. We ended up at a little candy store on the waterfront that is known for fudge, salt water taffy, and chocolate covered bugs. Of course, we had to try some bugs so we tried worms and scorpions. I have to say that was interesting watching one of my kids chew up a scorpion but in reality they tasted like crunchy rice krispies dipped in chocolate. The night ended as we watched the sunset and then turned in to end another fun filled day on the California coast.
Stay tuned for Day Three where I will talk about our first ever dune buggy rides on the famous sand dunes at Pismo Beach and the most beautiful ride of our lives as we drive up the PCH through the mountains of Big Sur. I can see why it is called one of the nicest drives in the entire country.
Friday, August 15, 2008
First Day of School Anxiety
My precious princess is starting her first day of school this coming Monday and last night was the first night that I saw her cry about it. I asked her why she was crying and she said that she is going to miss all of her preschool friends when they all go to new schools. Even though I told her not to worry, that they will probably see each other at the preschool camp on occasion, I couldn't help but think of how we all experience this type of anxiety no matter how old we are.
I thought that all of the talking in the world with her probably won't rid her fears of the first day in a new school. After all, I am experiencing the same fears as I start a new job in a few weeks...and I am 42 years old!
I understand where she is coming from being a creature of habit myself. I like it when I know everyone and everyone knows me. I like knowing where the restrooms are. I like knowing all about my boss. I love having my same ole friends around who know all of my quirks and when to laugh at my jokes. I hate forgetting the new co-workers names because there are so many of them that I cannot keep track of them all. I hate trying to learn a new organizational chart.
I am finding a lot of similarities between me and my princess' feelings at this moment in time.
So I decided to try to help her much like I am helping myself out...by just reminding her that it is ok to feel scared and nervous and anxious. Trying new things will always make you feel that way no matter what it is we do in life. But once you get past it your eyes will be opened to a new world filled with new people, new experiences, new friends, new tasks, new challenges and this newness will eventually become familiar once again.
It's hard to explain that to a 5 year old so I did the best job I could. And then I told her I would buy her a "lunchable" and a brownie to take to lunch on the first day. I think that is what did the trick.
I thought that all of the talking in the world with her probably won't rid her fears of the first day in a new school. After all, I am experiencing the same fears as I start a new job in a few weeks...and I am 42 years old!
I understand where she is coming from being a creature of habit myself. I like it when I know everyone and everyone knows me. I like knowing where the restrooms are. I like knowing all about my boss. I love having my same ole friends around who know all of my quirks and when to laugh at my jokes. I hate forgetting the new co-workers names because there are so many of them that I cannot keep track of them all. I hate trying to learn a new organizational chart.
I am finding a lot of similarities between me and my princess' feelings at this moment in time.
So I decided to try to help her much like I am helping myself out...by just reminding her that it is ok to feel scared and nervous and anxious. Trying new things will always make you feel that way no matter what it is we do in life. But once you get past it your eyes will be opened to a new world filled with new people, new experiences, new friends, new tasks, new challenges and this newness will eventually become familiar once again.
It's hard to explain that to a 5 year old so I did the best job I could. And then I told her I would buy her a "lunchable" and a brownie to take to lunch on the first day. I think that is what did the trick.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
California Dreamin' - Day One
After a really nice 4 1/2 hour flight from the east coast to Long Beach, we made our way to our hotel for some much needed rest in the Los Angeles area in anticipation of our first full day at Six Flags Magic Mountain. We definitely had to move from east coast time to west coast time.
After a decent highway drive from the hotel to Magic Mountain, one thing I noticed was that it is DRY in California. The mountains are huge and beautiful but also very brown! Which probably explains why everywhere you go you see signs on conserving water. Also, in August, it is a fairly nice 80s temperature in the city but when you go to the valley where Six Flags is it gets into the upper 90s.
Six Flags was a really fun day as you can see from our picture on my new banner. I have never seen more roller coasters in my life than at this park.
If you want to see them more up close and personal go here.
In addition to the many coasters was a really awesome kids area. There were a ton of rides for the little ones including a real Thomas the Tank Engine Train! My little guy was in pure heaven.
Of course he wanted ALL of us to squeeze on this train which we did lovingly for him.
My prince and princess enjoyed the many other kids rides like the tank engine roller coaster, Tweety's bird cage ride, the spinning tea cups, the carousel, and a pounce and bounce ride. The little ones were having so much fun there that we decided to hang around for a while with them and let the big boys loose to run around on all of the roller coasters.
However, the best ride of all in kiddie land was not really a ride. It was a playground called The Looney Tune Lodge. This was a huge fun zone filled with slides and thousands of foam balls to throw all around and put in these big cannon-like devices so they can be catapulted all over. It was loads of fun and a great place for kid energy.
Overall, I would rate the experience a huge success. After all, how many theme parks can you go to and get a plate of sushi? Not many.
Day One finished with a very hot, sweaty, and tired group of people as we headed back to the hotel for a nice bath and good night sleep.
Stay Tuned for Day Two where you will hear about my paparazzi moment, our drive up the Pacific Coast Highway, and how I swear I saw Matthew McConaughey.
After a decent highway drive from the hotel to Magic Mountain, one thing I noticed was that it is DRY in California. The mountains are huge and beautiful but also very brown! Which probably explains why everywhere you go you see signs on conserving water. Also, in August, it is a fairly nice 80s temperature in the city but when you go to the valley where Six Flags is it gets into the upper 90s.
Six Flags was a really fun day as you can see from our picture on my new banner. I have never seen more roller coasters in my life than at this park.
If you want to see them more up close and personal go here.
In addition to the many coasters was a really awesome kids area. There were a ton of rides for the little ones including a real Thomas the Tank Engine Train! My little guy was in pure heaven.
Of course he wanted ALL of us to squeeze on this train which we did lovingly for him.
My prince and princess enjoyed the many other kids rides like the tank engine roller coaster, Tweety's bird cage ride, the spinning tea cups, the carousel, and a pounce and bounce ride. The little ones were having so much fun there that we decided to hang around for a while with them and let the big boys loose to run around on all of the roller coasters.
However, the best ride of all in kiddie land was not really a ride. It was a playground called The Looney Tune Lodge. This was a huge fun zone filled with slides and thousands of foam balls to throw all around and put in these big cannon-like devices so they can be catapulted all over. It was loads of fun and a great place for kid energy.
Overall, I would rate the experience a huge success. After all, how many theme parks can you go to and get a plate of sushi? Not many.
Day One finished with a very hot, sweaty, and tired group of people as we headed back to the hotel for a nice bath and good night sleep.
Stay Tuned for Day Two where you will hear about my paparazzi moment, our drive up the Pacific Coast Highway, and how I swear I saw Matthew McConaughey.
Back From Vacation
We are finally back from a very long and fun-filled vacation that took us all the way across the country to the great state of California. Our plane just landed at 5:30 this morning and boy am I tired. I have to choose between the 10 loads of laundry that await me or sleep off some of this jet lag.
There will be weeks of blogging to come on the trip with lots of pictures! Stay tuned.
There will be weeks of blogging to come on the trip with lots of pictures! Stay tuned.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Why Do They Call This Yoga?
I went to my first yoga class this morning. I think they need to rename this to "Body Pretzel Twisting" which is how I felt before, during, and after. The instructor says "just put your right leg over here, your left leg over there and twist your arms back there" and I am thinking "how exactly are the human bones supposed to twist in this manner" until I look around and see other women doing it. Ugh, I think, I have given birth to 4 children through my hoo-ha so surely I can get into this plank position. Well that was the easy part. Staying there and balancing on one foot with both arms over my head for 20 minutes was the challenge.
In the end I got through it and I want to continue...not because I am a masochist (well I am sort of) but because I want to be able to master getting both of my legs behind my head. I just love a challenge.
In the end I got through it and I want to continue...not because I am a masochist (well I am sort of) but because I want to be able to master getting both of my legs behind my head. I just love a challenge.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Come Visit My New Store
It took me a while but I am so excited to be showing off my latest creation.
I am going to work hard on building it up and then advertising it. I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of craft and jewelry shows in my future and I am going to enjoy blogging my adventures here.
Also, as promised my premiere sidebar widget has changed and is now showing my new store line.
Enjoy!
I am going to work hard on building it up and then advertising it. I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of craft and jewelry shows in my future and I am going to enjoy blogging my adventures here.
Also, as promised my premiere sidebar widget has changed and is now showing my new store line.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Lost Highway
Tonight Bon Jovi is in New York for their last concert for this season. So on behalf of the Jersey Boys I am embedding one of my favorite current videos.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Another Fine Tour Ends
If you have visited my blog in the past few months you have surely seen the widget to the right. It's my featured link to the tour schedule for Bon Jovi. Every day when I visit my blog I notice that list shrink. Now they are down to only two more concerts and eventually my widget will need to be replaced with a new feature. I have been working hard (but not hard enough) at my replacement widget so stay tuned this week to find out what it is.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
I Am Not A Runner
I have been thinking about my insane decision to sign up for another marathon next year. It will be my second. If you weren't catching my blog earlier this year, I posted incessantly about my first half-marathon. Now after taking several months off and waiting on a clean bill of health, I have decided to get back into some sort of training.
But I am really NOT a runner at all. I know this. I don't know strategy. I have a pretty big butt and flat feet. These two characteristics do not exactly make for a runners body. But I am a goal setter and I have determination so I like to think that those two things can help carry me through some training and an actual race. Well, at least they did last time and I did finish! In the middle of the pack too, I might add.
So as I threw my body on the scale last week, it confirmed what I had already known. I need to lose at least 10-15 pounds before I get into a running schedule. Not a problem! Just set goals and get determined, right?
So I laid out a really aggressive exercise plan that takes me to the gym 5 days a week with one of those days being yoga for an hour and then bootcamp for another hour. I also laid out a pretty aggressive 1200 calorie-a-day meal plan.
I am not sure how I will incorporate this plan into my blog but I will figure it out as I go.
But I am really NOT a runner at all. I know this. I don't know strategy. I have a pretty big butt and flat feet. These two characteristics do not exactly make for a runners body. But I am a goal setter and I have determination so I like to think that those two things can help carry me through some training and an actual race. Well, at least they did last time and I did finish! In the middle of the pack too, I might add.
So as I threw my body on the scale last week, it confirmed what I had already known. I need to lose at least 10-15 pounds before I get into a running schedule. Not a problem! Just set goals and get determined, right?
So I laid out a really aggressive exercise plan that takes me to the gym 5 days a week with one of those days being yoga for an hour and then bootcamp for another hour. I also laid out a pretty aggressive 1200 calorie-a-day meal plan.
I am not sure how I will incorporate this plan into my blog but I will figure it out as I go.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Mark Your Calendar
For This!
I just got a big thumbs up from my doctor and passed my physical with flying colors...everything from an extensive blood workup (had to add B Complex to the list of daily vitamins) to EKG to nuclear stress test to heart ultrasound and echo.
It feels good to be back exercising like I used to once again.
I just got a big thumbs up from my doctor and passed my physical with flying colors...everything from an extensive blood workup (had to add B Complex to the list of daily vitamins) to EKG to nuclear stress test to heart ultrasound and echo.
It feels good to be back exercising like I used to once again.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Why Sports Is Cool
I am not a huge tennis watcher but I watched all day today because I love to see an underdog win.
On a separate note, how cool is it that a 41 year old mom beat out a bunch of young pups at a shot at another Olympic medal. I also love that at the end of her race she couldn't see the scoreboard because of her aging eyesight. I can so relate. She is my new hero.
On a separate note, how cool is it that a 41 year old mom beat out a bunch of young pups at a shot at another Olympic medal. I also love that at the end of her race she couldn't see the scoreboard because of her aging eyesight. I can so relate. She is my new hero.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Edamame
I was recently watching a talk show and stumbled upon a conversation they were having about these.
The hostess said that if you buy them frozen and then boil them up, throw a bit of salt on them, they are a delicious snack and so nutritious for you. I have been thinking that my choices of snacks lately are not very health conscious so perhaps I should give it a try.
I found a few bags of these frozen pods and cooked up a handful and threw the salt on. They are so delicious. I can't believe I have gone all this time without them.
Now I enjoy them as a delicious snack after work and before dinner knowing that they are rich in vitamins and fiber and extremely low in calories. Give them a try!
Bon Appetit.
The hostess said that if you buy them frozen and then boil them up, throw a bit of salt on them, they are a delicious snack and so nutritious for you. I have been thinking that my choices of snacks lately are not very health conscious so perhaps I should give it a try.
I found a few bags of these frozen pods and cooked up a handful and threw the salt on. They are so delicious. I can't believe I have gone all this time without them.
Now I enjoy them as a delicious snack after work and before dinner knowing that they are rich in vitamins and fiber and extremely low in calories. Give them a try!
Bon Appetit.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Back Home
It's always a real treat to take those types of vacations where you can just sit back, relax, and regenerate the senses. We have been doing this every summer for the past 5 years now and it never gets dull. It's just a short 13 hour hop in the car from our house to the foothills of South Carolina and I love it on Lake Keowee. Everyone has their share of fun and my fun is breathing in clean air and dipping myself in clean lake water.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
We Interrupt This Blog
for a much needed week long vacation. So until I return here is my favorite video and ballad from my favorite rock group of all time.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
This Past Week
It's been a sad week for me. At the risk of sounding like the rest of the country I am going to join in and say I was really sad to hear that Tim Russert had died unexpectedly. But since then I have really reflected on a few things in my own life that I feel could be fine tuned. I can always be a better this and a better that and so have thought a lot about how I want to make myself better and also about the legacy that I want to leave behind when I am called home just as Tim was last week.
At first I liked Tim Russert because I loved watching his show "Meet The Press." I was a faithful watcher each week and I always felt that I learned so much from his questions and answers. I really don't like those shows where the hosts scream or are condescending or create spin. I just want to hear the truth and I felt that Tim Russert worked the hardest at getting to the truth without injecting his own opinion. In addition, it was really because of his ability to simplify the issues and explain them in common every day language so that those of us who are not as politically savvy can understand and participate. So for that I thank you Tim Russert for helping me engage.
But even better than that I have been inspired this week by the personal side of Tim Russert. The devoted husband, father, and Irish Catholic that he was. I never realized he was raised by the nuns and the Jesuits and grew up as an Irish Catholic. He dedicated his life to his political and journalistic passions and lived every day to the fullest. He cared about people and lifted people up. Mario Cuomo said of him that "a day spent without real enthusiasm is a sadly lost opportunity." Such true words that I want to live by.
So as I woke up this morning, I quietly said a few prayers for those in need today. Some of them I know and some of them I don't. I dropped my kids off at preschool and sat with my princess while she drank her juice. I talked to her classmates who were all preparing for a bowling field trip today. I thanked her teacher for being so wonderful to her. I then dropped off my little man to his little class and sat with him. I offered to help his teacher pass out cereal cups for the little ones. I hugged one of the new kids in the class who was missing his dad. I stopped by the front desk and asked the ladies if they needed a Starbucks run. I feel enthusiastic and good today. It's going to be a day well spent.
Thank you Tim Russert.
At first I liked Tim Russert because I loved watching his show "Meet The Press." I was a faithful watcher each week and I always felt that I learned so much from his questions and answers. I really don't like those shows where the hosts scream or are condescending or create spin. I just want to hear the truth and I felt that Tim Russert worked the hardest at getting to the truth without injecting his own opinion. In addition, it was really because of his ability to simplify the issues and explain them in common every day language so that those of us who are not as politically savvy can understand and participate. So for that I thank you Tim Russert for helping me engage.
But even better than that I have been inspired this week by the personal side of Tim Russert. The devoted husband, father, and Irish Catholic that he was. I never realized he was raised by the nuns and the Jesuits and grew up as an Irish Catholic. He dedicated his life to his political and journalistic passions and lived every day to the fullest. He cared about people and lifted people up. Mario Cuomo said of him that "a day spent without real enthusiasm is a sadly lost opportunity." Such true words that I want to live by.
So as I woke up this morning, I quietly said a few prayers for those in need today. Some of them I know and some of them I don't. I dropped my kids off at preschool and sat with my princess while she drank her juice. I talked to her classmates who were all preparing for a bowling field trip today. I thanked her teacher for being so wonderful to her. I then dropped off my little man to his little class and sat with him. I offered to help his teacher pass out cereal cups for the little ones. I hugged one of the new kids in the class who was missing his dad. I stopped by the front desk and asked the ladies if they needed a Starbucks run. I feel enthusiastic and good today. It's going to be a day well spent.
Thank you Tim Russert.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
The Coach Purse
I had a stage moms meeting yesterday at my princess' dance studio for the upcoming recital. I love volunteering for this. Anyway, the meeting last about 30 minutes and there were about 50 moms there.
When I came home my better half asks me how it went and were there any dumb questions asked (long story for another day). I said "No but there were at least 7 Coach purses there."
I don't know why I am fascinated with the Coach purse but it seems that wherever I go I have to count how many I see. (It reminds me of when I was a kid and wanted to buy a Camaro when I got older so I decided to count Camaros during the course of any given day). Anyway, I am into counting Coach purses.
What is it about the Coach purse that everyone has to have one? They are pretty, indeed, but $400-$800 pretty? When I think that the money to buy one is equivalent to the cost of one month tuition at my son's high school, I shudder. I see so many people with them. I see a lot of people with them who I KNOW cannot afford them. So what is it?
I decided to wander into a Coach store at my local mall one afternoon. I had one of my teens with me who also indicated he was not sure why the Coach purse was so popular. So inside the store we went. First stop was the section with coin purses, you know, those little tiny purses that are so small that you can't even put credit cards or bills in...they literally only hold coins. It went for $250. I had to scream out "WHAT?" My teen echoed "that's equal to three pairs of D.Wade shoes" which in my opinion are ridiculously over-priced.
Anyway back to the Coach store. I tell my teen that if he thought the $250 coin purse was expensive maybe we should wander on to the regular purses as I am sure we would get an eyeful. Sure enough those were double and triple the cost of the little cheap coin purse.
I then looked around and did a double take. The store was mobbed with people seeking out these purses and I scratch my head to figure out why.
So until I can figure it out, I will continue to count them and marvel in what makes this purse so special.
When I came home my better half asks me how it went and were there any dumb questions asked (long story for another day). I said "No but there were at least 7 Coach purses there."
I don't know why I am fascinated with the Coach purse but it seems that wherever I go I have to count how many I see. (It reminds me of when I was a kid and wanted to buy a Camaro when I got older so I decided to count Camaros during the course of any given day). Anyway, I am into counting Coach purses.
What is it about the Coach purse that everyone has to have one? They are pretty, indeed, but $400-$800 pretty? When I think that the money to buy one is equivalent to the cost of one month tuition at my son's high school, I shudder. I see so many people with them. I see a lot of people with them who I KNOW cannot afford them. So what is it?
I decided to wander into a Coach store at my local mall one afternoon. I had one of my teens with me who also indicated he was not sure why the Coach purse was so popular. So inside the store we went. First stop was the section with coin purses, you know, those little tiny purses that are so small that you can't even put credit cards or bills in...they literally only hold coins. It went for $250. I had to scream out "WHAT?" My teen echoed "that's equal to three pairs of D.Wade shoes" which in my opinion are ridiculously over-priced.
Anyway back to the Coach store. I tell my teen that if he thought the $250 coin purse was expensive maybe we should wander on to the regular purses as I am sure we would get an eyeful. Sure enough those were double and triple the cost of the little cheap coin purse.
I then looked around and did a double take. The store was mobbed with people seeking out these purses and I scratch my head to figure out why.
So until I can figure it out, I will continue to count them and marvel in what makes this purse so special.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
My Gift
Five years ago I got a special gift. It was a total surprise and shock. I had never had one like it and when I received it I had no idea what I would do with it. I never thought it would look the way it looked or sounded the way it sounded. I didn't know what to call it or how it would fit into my family. I prayed for most of my life to have a gift just like this but never thought my prayers would have been answered so perfectly. The gift was not purchased in a store but was more beautiful than the most precious diamonds in the world.
Now that the gift is five years old it has reached a very important milestone today.
It graduated from preschool and what a beautiful site she was.
Now that the gift is five years old it has reached a very important milestone today.
It graduated from preschool and what a beautiful site she was.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Old Friends
I got an email the other day from an old friend from high school. It flooded back so many memories. I think she may be lurking around my blog so I decided to make a mad dash back to 1982. I am sure she will get a kick out of this....
I remember playing Missile Command on your brother's old Atari.
Do you remember the night that we were supposed to go to see the Osmonds in concert but then it got cancelled because of poor attendance?
When we were juniors we spent the night of the senior prom together at my house crying because the guys we wanted to go with never asked us.
I remember swapping one of my shoes with you and walking around all day with one of your shoes on and one of my shoes on. You did the same thing.
I never loved purple but I liked it because you did and we were....friends.
I will never forget the horrified feeling inside when we threw a surprise birthday party for our friend and when I was driving her over to your house she told me that she figured it out. I made her promise to act surprised.
You liked Barry Manilow and so did I. End of story.
I knew I could count on you all of those days during junior year when we spent more days crying over the boys that we liked but you were the one who helped me through it.
I remember playing Missile Command on your brother's old Atari.
Do you remember the night that we were supposed to go to see the Osmonds in concert but then it got cancelled because of poor attendance?
When we were juniors we spent the night of the senior prom together at my house crying because the guys we wanted to go with never asked us.
I remember swapping one of my shoes with you and walking around all day with one of your shoes on and one of my shoes on. You did the same thing.
I never loved purple but I liked it because you did and we were....friends.
I will never forget the horrified feeling inside when we threw a surprise birthday party for our friend and when I was driving her over to your house she told me that she figured it out. I made her promise to act surprised.
You liked Barry Manilow and so did I. End of story.
I knew I could count on you all of those days during junior year when we spent more days crying over the boys that we liked but you were the one who helped me through it.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
High Cost of Groceries
Stop griping about the high cost of groceries and go here for some awesome BOGO deals starting today. Click on "weekly ad". Strawberries, blueberries, lettuce, ribs, chicken breasts, ice cream, cereal, milk, seafood, frozen veggies, canned goods (for hurricane season), pudding, cheese, chips, toilet paper! It's ALL ON SALE!
If you don't have the luxury of one of those stores in your area, click here for the best deals in your area. You won't regret the savings.
If you don't have the luxury of one of those stores in your area, click here for the best deals in your area. You won't regret the savings.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Time For Mom
My life is usually as busy as Grand Central Station at rush hour. Though I am not complaining and believe I have mastered the art of organization, things still get rough at certain times of the day. Those times are mainly morning rush hour getting myself and all 4 kids ready for the day and off to 3 different schools and then evening as I pick all of them up, homework, sports, and dinner at 6.
When my first baby was born I remember just emersing myself into him. I subsequently had a second one two years later and then I was emersing myself into two small children. They became the center of my world, as they should have but I never knew how to balance their world and my world. I failed at it and that sent me into a terrifying depression that I believe was one of the many reasons that my marriage ended.
In retrospect it was not my children's fault. It was my fault. I didn't have the skills or tools or the knowledge to recognize the problems and fix them. I paid the price (and still am paying) but I like to think I learned something along the way about how to call "time out".
I believe there is nothing wrong with calling on your kids, spouse and family for help. I believe that there is nothing wrong with mommy time whether it is mommy taking a nice long walk, exercising, shopping, reading alone, getting a pedicure, or whatever it is that regenerates your senses and helps to clear your head.
It's not selfish. It's necessary. Taking care of your spouse, children and family is a demanding job regardless if you are a stay at home mom or a working mom. Being Wonder Woman is a myth and a fantasy, in my humble opinion. I have tried it and it didn't work. The expense was and is too great.
I admit to my kids and to myself that I cannot DO IT ALL and I admit to them that I am a human being filled with faults and imperfections. I remind them that I try to make the best decisions based on the love that I feel for them and what I believe is for their well being. But nothing is perfect and if I screw up, I will be the first to admit it.
I try to communicate the best that I can. I try to admit I am sorry. I pray every day that I be the best that I can be and the best that God wants me to be. I pray for forgiveness. I tell my children and spouse that I love them dearly. I kiss and hug all of them as much as I can.
Spend time with your family but also take some time to spend with yourself.
When my first baby was born I remember just emersing myself into him. I subsequently had a second one two years later and then I was emersing myself into two small children. They became the center of my world, as they should have but I never knew how to balance their world and my world. I failed at it and that sent me into a terrifying depression that I believe was one of the many reasons that my marriage ended.
In retrospect it was not my children's fault. It was my fault. I didn't have the skills or tools or the knowledge to recognize the problems and fix them. I paid the price (and still am paying) but I like to think I learned something along the way about how to call "time out".
I believe there is nothing wrong with calling on your kids, spouse and family for help. I believe that there is nothing wrong with mommy time whether it is mommy taking a nice long walk, exercising, shopping, reading alone, getting a pedicure, or whatever it is that regenerates your senses and helps to clear your head.
It's not selfish. It's necessary. Taking care of your spouse, children and family is a demanding job regardless if you are a stay at home mom or a working mom. Being Wonder Woman is a myth and a fantasy, in my humble opinion. I have tried it and it didn't work. The expense was and is too great.
I admit to my kids and to myself that I cannot DO IT ALL and I admit to them that I am a human being filled with faults and imperfections. I remind them that I try to make the best decisions based on the love that I feel for them and what I believe is for their well being. But nothing is perfect and if I screw up, I will be the first to admit it.
I try to communicate the best that I can. I try to admit I am sorry. I pray every day that I be the best that I can be and the best that God wants me to be. I pray for forgiveness. I tell my children and spouse that I love them dearly. I kiss and hug all of them as much as I can.
Spend time with your family but also take some time to spend with yourself.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
And The Winner Is.....
I love this show. I really do. In fact sometimes I watch it at midnight because it comes on at 8:00 pm just at the height of rush hour traffic in my house. But I have never missed a show and every week voted for my favorite, Jason Taylor.
Watch for yourself to see who came away with the disco ball trophy.
Watch for yourself to see who came away with the disco ball trophy.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Poop-ie In The Potty
You know you are far gone when the words "Mommy come see my poop-ie in the potty" bring on the greatest excitement of the day!
We are far far into this potty training and pleased to say that it has been a nice success so far. Many accidents but I am following my own advice nicely and it's the reason why my stress level has been pretty low so far.
We are far far into this potty training and pleased to say that it has been a nice success so far. Many accidents but I am following my own advice nicely and it's the reason why my stress level has been pretty low so far.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
We Interrupt This Program....
I was watching an online feed from a reporter on site of those horrible Central Florida wildires. My brother and his family are living up there really close. Anyway, the report was giving an update and since I work for the power company in that area I was interested in hearing any updating power company news and news on my brother and his family.
About 30 seconds into the story, the reporter PICKS UP A DOWNED POWER LINE! Now I don't usually scream in all caps on my blog except when it involves something like this. If that power line had been energized, we would have probably witnessed an electrocution on live TV. Coincidentally a co-worker saw it too and called the TV station to let him know what he just saw from the reporter. He suggested the reporter get back on TV and make a disclaimer that you are to never touch a downed power line and that what she did was wrong and dangerous.
Not only didn't they make that disclaimer later in the program but they repeated the same mistake on the early morning broadcast with a different reporter! It's the worst kind of irresponsible journalism ever!
Anyway since I have a blog that has maybe a few visits I feel it would be responsible blogging to post my own PSA. So here is my PSA.
DON'T EVER TOUCH A DOWNED POWER LINE!
I hope that was a strong enough message. But I am serious. Here is what most people don't understand. Many power lines that lay on the ground look unthreatening. They are usually not sparking or making hissing noises. They look lifeless. Therefore must be de-energized.
Not necessarily true.
A lot of times when the power goes out, generators will start up. If the power line is configured a certain way and a generator is hooked up a certain way, a feedback can occur. That feedback of power going back through the power line can be created by the very generators that are running inside a home or business. So the de-energized power line can actually become re-energized by the generator.
So there you have it. Your power lesson for the day. Oh, and before you go please do me a favor and help me spread the message and tell everyone and anyone what I just told you about downed power lines.
About 30 seconds into the story, the reporter PICKS UP A DOWNED POWER LINE! Now I don't usually scream in all caps on my blog except when it involves something like this. If that power line had been energized, we would have probably witnessed an electrocution on live TV. Coincidentally a co-worker saw it too and called the TV station to let him know what he just saw from the reporter. He suggested the reporter get back on TV and make a disclaimer that you are to never touch a downed power line and that what she did was wrong and dangerous.
Not only didn't they make that disclaimer later in the program but they repeated the same mistake on the early morning broadcast with a different reporter! It's the worst kind of irresponsible journalism ever!
Anyway since I have a blog that has maybe a few visits I feel it would be responsible blogging to post my own PSA. So here is my PSA.
DON'T EVER TOUCH A DOWNED POWER LINE!
I hope that was a strong enough message. But I am serious. Here is what most people don't understand. Many power lines that lay on the ground look unthreatening. They are usually not sparking or making hissing noises. They look lifeless. Therefore must be de-energized.
Not necessarily true.
A lot of times when the power goes out, generators will start up. If the power line is configured a certain way and a generator is hooked up a certain way, a feedback can occur. That feedback of power going back through the power line can be created by the very generators that are running inside a home or business. So the de-energized power line can actually become re-energized by the generator.
So there you have it. Your power lesson for the day. Oh, and before you go please do me a favor and help me spread the message and tell everyone and anyone what I just told you about downed power lines.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
How To Maintain Sanity While Potty Training
I have been through this 3 times in my life and about to go through the 4th. I don't think it has gotten any easier and I wonder why not. I mean you would think I would have learned something from the first kid and then had taken that to second but it's strange. All kids are not created equal (at least in their minds) so they all take to the potty differently. The worst so far has been my little princess. Geez, I am ready to wager money that she will be having accidents when she gets into high school!
But I am different now. This is my last one. I want to go out with a bang. I want to pay attention. I don't want to be stressed out over the usual daily accident or poopy pants. I want to enjoy this experience....I know it's hard to imagine enjoying the wild smell of poopy underwear. But it is nice to see the joy on a child's face when he has accomplished something like going pee pee potty.
So now I share my tips on how to make pee-pee potty just a little less stressful.
1. Always have a box of wipes in all of the bathrooms. This makes cleanup much easier.
2. The hardest part about pee-pee potty is taking short trips away from the house. Be prepared and that will take the stress away.
3. Don't ever leave the house without wipes and at least 3 changes of shorts and underwear. Always carry a few ziploc bags with you in case there is a pee-pee accident. You can put the soiled underwear right in there.
4. Put a small towel down in the car seat in case of a wet accident.
5. When you are at home set a timer every 30 minutes that will remind you of pee-pee time.
6. When there is an accident, and there will be many, don't worry. You can clean the floor and even the carpet. I have found that toddler pee-pee doesn't stain or smell horribly so it isn't a real big deal. Just buy a standard carpet cleaning spot remover and that should do the trick.
7. Let your child watch you go pee-pee. I know this sounds really gross but they need to see how it is done. When they master it, then you can talk to them about privacy and closing the door.
8. Never forget to teach them about washing their hands. So important.
9. Let them be a part of the whole process including buying their underwear. Let them pick out the kinds that they like with their favorite characters. Let them enjoy owning their underwear.
Well, that is it for my pee-pee potty tips and tricks. If you all have any to add, please send me a comment and I will be sure to post everything you send me.
But I am different now. This is my last one. I want to go out with a bang. I want to pay attention. I don't want to be stressed out over the usual daily accident or poopy pants. I want to enjoy this experience....I know it's hard to imagine enjoying the wild smell of poopy underwear. But it is nice to see the joy on a child's face when he has accomplished something like going pee pee potty.
So now I share my tips on how to make pee-pee potty just a little less stressful.
1. Always have a box of wipes in all of the bathrooms. This makes cleanup much easier.
2. The hardest part about pee-pee potty is taking short trips away from the house. Be prepared and that will take the stress away.
3. Don't ever leave the house without wipes and at least 3 changes of shorts and underwear. Always carry a few ziploc bags with you in case there is a pee-pee accident. You can put the soiled underwear right in there.
4. Put a small towel down in the car seat in case of a wet accident.
5. When you are at home set a timer every 30 minutes that will remind you of pee-pee time.
6. When there is an accident, and there will be many, don't worry. You can clean the floor and even the carpet. I have found that toddler pee-pee doesn't stain or smell horribly so it isn't a real big deal. Just buy a standard carpet cleaning spot remover and that should do the trick.
7. Let your child watch you go pee-pee. I know this sounds really gross but they need to see how it is done. When they master it, then you can talk to them about privacy and closing the door.
8. Never forget to teach them about washing their hands. So important.
9. Let them be a part of the whole process including buying their underwear. Let them pick out the kinds that they like with their favorite characters. Let them enjoy owning their underwear.
Well, that is it for my pee-pee potty tips and tricks. If you all have any to add, please send me a comment and I will be sure to post everything you send me.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Please Somebody Clone Me!
Have you ever really wanted to be in two places at one time? Well, today is that day for me. You see, I have to take one of my teens to the doctor because he has a really bad-looking (ok let's face it..it's downright pukey looking) rash on his leg and it's not getting better. I called the doctor and she suggested going in to take a look.
At the same time I would be picking up my oldest from school. I LOVE picking him up from school. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Why do I love it so much? Well, because one day he won't need me to do it. One day he will want to do it himself. One day he might choose to go home with a friend or ***dread*** girlfriend. One day he will graduate and no longer need my assistance. Better than that is the way I watch him walk to the car - not yet a full grown man, no longer my little baby- and I watch him laughing with his friends. I watch him carry his books. I watch him. I just watch him and remember how it was when he was in kindergarten.
Today my better half will get the pleasure of picking him up and I will miss it for this one day. I will be back tomorrow but I will feel bad that I missed today.
I could have changed the dr appt time but that would have meant that my little rash boy would have to miss even more school than he needs to. But I will be back in that pickup line tomorrow. Nothing is going to stop me tomorrow.
At the same time I would be picking up my oldest from school. I LOVE picking him up from school. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Why do I love it so much? Well, because one day he won't need me to do it. One day he will want to do it himself. One day he might choose to go home with a friend or ***dread*** girlfriend. One day he will graduate and no longer need my assistance. Better than that is the way I watch him walk to the car - not yet a full grown man, no longer my little baby- and I watch him laughing with his friends. I watch him carry his books. I watch him. I just watch him and remember how it was when he was in kindergarten.
Today my better half will get the pleasure of picking him up and I will miss it for this one day. I will be back tomorrow but I will feel bad that I missed today.
I could have changed the dr appt time but that would have meant that my little rash boy would have to miss even more school than he needs to. But I will be back in that pickup line tomorrow. Nothing is going to stop me tomorrow.
Friday, May 9, 2008
My Latest Obsession
My better half will just have to get used to me watching youtube until the next tour.
Making an Appt with Mom
I cannot imagine being a child and having to make an appointment to spend time with my mother. I often wonder what the point of that is.....and does that make one "Mother of the Year?"
Duggar expecting baby 18
Duggar expecting baby 18
Thursday, May 8, 2008
What Are You Doing For Mother's Day
I have never liked or wanted any material gifts for Mother's Day. Call me wierd but all I really want this Mother's Day is to spend time with my family..maybe by the pool or having a nice lunch and dinner with my kids. No fighting. No bickering. No iPods. No playstation.
I don't ask for much because I don't need much and whatever I do need I usually buy myself. Luckily my salary allows me to do that.
The other day though my princess told me that she knows what she is going to do for me for Mother's Day and I asked her what that was and she replied "On Mother's Day I am going to call YOU princess." You gotta love that.
I don't ask for much because I don't need much and whatever I do need I usually buy myself. Luckily my salary allows me to do that.
The other day though my princess told me that she knows what she is going to do for me for Mother's Day and I asked her what that was and she replied "On Mother's Day I am going to call YOU princess." You gotta love that.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Teacher Appreciation Week
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and I intend to do something really nice for the teachers at my kids' schools. More on that later.
My princess came home with her usual homework paper and we enjoyed working on it together. I let her do most of it with myself giving some general guidance. Other than that I think she is hitting her milestones nicely. I can't complain because most of what she does is not pushed hard by me. Rather she is the one who is thirsty to learn and much more eager than I ever expected.
My princess came home with her usual homework paper and we enjoyed working on it together. I let her do most of it with myself giving some general guidance. Other than that I think she is hitting her milestones nicely. I can't complain because most of what she does is not pushed hard by me. Rather she is the one who is thirsty to learn and much more eager than I ever expected.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Speaking of Bon Jovi....
My last blog entry raised some questions so here are the answers...
1. Did I take the photos? No I did not take the pictures. A co-worker of mine who I ran into at the concert took them.
2. Was I really that close? Yes I was only a few rows behind my co-worker so I was seeing what she was seeing.
Back to my continued obsession with Jon Bon Jovi. I have always loved this band even back to the hair days of the '80s when I was in college. I was always secretly jealous that I couldn't get my hair to look like this....
so it goes without saying that since their Bounce tour in 2002 and 2003, I have been attending every concert that has come to my area (4 total!). It is one of the few rock-n-roll bands that I feel I can take my kids to go see. No bad words. No indiscretions. Just lots of singing, dancing, and drooling. My better half asked me if I had the chance to do anything with Jon Bon Jovi, what would it be?
In all honesty, I would just want to sit down and talk to him. Really! I would ask him all sorts of questions about his music such as "Was his breakup to Diane Lane the inspiration to You Give Love A Bad Name?". I would also ask him who he was singing to in the hit "I'll Be There For You." I would ask him about his family and his kids and his wife and what is Richie Sambora really like. I would ask him about his skin care regimen and what products he uses in his hair and how does he pick out his wardrobe. I would ask him how he gets all of that energy before a concert and what gave him the confidence to start a band when he was a teenager? I would ask him what time he goes to bed and what he eats for dinner.
Ok. I would ask him just about everything!
But since I am a realist and understand that this opportunity might not ever come around, I might as well keep memories like this alive in my head.
1. Did I take the photos? No I did not take the pictures. A co-worker of mine who I ran into at the concert took them.
2. Was I really that close? Yes I was only a few rows behind my co-worker so I was seeing what she was seeing.
Back to my continued obsession with Jon Bon Jovi. I have always loved this band even back to the hair days of the '80s when I was in college. I was always secretly jealous that I couldn't get my hair to look like this....
so it goes without saying that since their Bounce tour in 2002 and 2003, I have been attending every concert that has come to my area (4 total!). It is one of the few rock-n-roll bands that I feel I can take my kids to go see. No bad words. No indiscretions. Just lots of singing, dancing, and drooling. My better half asked me if I had the chance to do anything with Jon Bon Jovi, what would it be?
In all honesty, I would just want to sit down and talk to him. Really! I would ask him all sorts of questions about his music such as "Was his breakup to Diane Lane the inspiration to You Give Love A Bad Name?". I would also ask him who he was singing to in the hit "I'll Be There For You." I would ask him about his family and his kids and his wife and what is Richie Sambora really like. I would ask him about his skin care regimen and what products he uses in his hair and how does he pick out his wardrobe. I would ask him how he gets all of that energy before a concert and what gave him the confidence to start a band when he was a teenager? I would ask him what time he goes to bed and what he eats for dinner.
Ok. I would ask him just about everything!
But since I am a realist and understand that this opportunity might not ever come around, I might as well keep memories like this alive in my head.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Keeping Healthy
Lately I have been thinking a lot about my heath. Vitamins, nutrition, exercise, screening, etc. I believe it is a good thing to reevaluate how I am doing with my overall health especially as I get older. Also, I need to be as healthy as possible so I can care and raise my children as best as I can.
Having said that I am taking several measures to do the best I can in that area including:
1. Daily vitamin intake - multi vitamin, calcium with D vitamin, and omega 3 vitamin
2. Eat 6 small meals each day which includes a peanut butter sandwich for breakfast (two slices of 100% whole wheat toast + natural peanut butter + sugar free preserves), yogurt at least once a day, and a few cups of raw and cooked green vegetables.
3. Drink lots of water - I am a horrible Diet Coke addict and it's really my only addiction (well other than my hobbies). I must concentrate on this a lot if I want to be totally committed to better healthy eating habits. But I do drink a lot of water so hopefully that counts for something.
4. Exercise - this is a tough one because I try to get to the gym as much as possible with my busy schedule. I am lucky because we recently were given some weights and a spinning bike by the owner of a newly built gym that my better half's company built. We transformed the garage into a gym so I ride that spinning bike for at least 30 minutes each day in the event that I cannot get to my local gym. That has helped tremendously in maintaining my weight and overall cardio health.
5. Health screening - I religiously go for my proper screenings such as mammograms, yearly physicals and I take advantage of the free health screenings offered at work. Today I did the cholesterol screening and I was off-the-charts good. My LDL (bad cholesterol) was 38 which is fantastic (less than 160 is good). My total cholesterol is 120 (less than 200 is good). My glucose is 84 (less than 100 is good).
Everything is pretty much in check. Just have to work on that Diet Coke and I should be in total working condition.
Having said that I am taking several measures to do the best I can in that area including:
1. Daily vitamin intake - multi vitamin, calcium with D vitamin, and omega 3 vitamin
2. Eat 6 small meals each day which includes a peanut butter sandwich for breakfast (two slices of 100% whole wheat toast + natural peanut butter + sugar free preserves), yogurt at least once a day, and a few cups of raw and cooked green vegetables.
3. Drink lots of water - I am a horrible Diet Coke addict and it's really my only addiction (well other than my hobbies). I must concentrate on this a lot if I want to be totally committed to better healthy eating habits. But I do drink a lot of water so hopefully that counts for something.
4. Exercise - this is a tough one because I try to get to the gym as much as possible with my busy schedule. I am lucky because we recently were given some weights and a spinning bike by the owner of a newly built gym that my better half's company built. We transformed the garage into a gym so I ride that spinning bike for at least 30 minutes each day in the event that I cannot get to my local gym. That has helped tremendously in maintaining my weight and overall cardio health.
5. Health screening - I religiously go for my proper screenings such as mammograms, yearly physicals and I take advantage of the free health screenings offered at work. Today I did the cholesterol screening and I was off-the-charts good. My LDL (bad cholesterol) was 38 which is fantastic (less than 160 is good). My total cholesterol is 120 (less than 200 is good). My glucose is 84 (less than 100 is good).
Everything is pretty much in check. Just have to work on that Diet Coke and I should be in total working condition.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Meeting Milestones
My princess just turned 5 and I am so pleased that we have reached most of the goals that I have set for her to this point.
1. She is 100% on board in handwriting and able to write words in both upper case and lower case. In fact, last night she wrote her first thank you note for one of her birthday gifts. Of course, each word had to be in a different crayon color but she is an artist so who am I to argue.
2. She is able to add single digit numbers and we are starting on learning money and coins. I work with her all of the time on counting real life applications and also on paper with her homework and online tools. There are so many real life opportunities to count things that it just takes observation.
3. Princess is reading full sentences. Woo Hoo. This is the biggest milestone to date. I love the look of excitement she gets when she reads. I have been reading to her every night since she was born and it has proven to be a time investment that has had a huge payoff.
4. Shoe tying - this was a no brainer and I actually taught her this skill over the Thanksgiving holiday when I was off from work. It happened by accident when I was tying her shoe and a light bulb went off in my head that perhaps she could give it a try. After about 30 tries, she did it and has been doing it since.
I have noticed over the years that my kids love to achieve. They love to hear that they did a good job. They love verbal encouragement. They are competitive so they love to win the game no matter if the game is baseball or report cards. I believe it is important to positively reinforce achievements and discuss failures. It is necessary to let your children know when they failed but also to help them to learn what they did wrong to be able to learn from the failures. I have found that with my older boys this works pretty well. For example, if one of them gets a bad grade in school, they never feel good about it and that is how I want it to be. That means they have a desire to achieve. Instead of tearing them down about it, we sit down and review what went wrong and how to move forward. I try to explain to my kids that a bad grade is NOT the end of the world just as most mistakes we make in real life. Rather what is important is how we move on from those mistakes. Can we turn them into positive learning experiences? Can the next test grade be better than the last? Did we LEARN from it? It's an important coping skill that needs to be taught as they move into real adult life.
Wow. Sorry for digressing.
Yesterday was cap and gown photos. Unfortunately I could not be there to see the photos taken which ended up being a good thing. Her teachers said I would be nicely suprised when the pictures come out. Oh, my little baby girl is growing up fast!
I have always loved witnessing all of my children reach milestones and achievements. They are such proud moments for me as a parent and I think one of the absolute joys that all of us parents should embrace.
1. She is 100% on board in handwriting and able to write words in both upper case and lower case. In fact, last night she wrote her first thank you note for one of her birthday gifts. Of course, each word had to be in a different crayon color but she is an artist so who am I to argue.
2. She is able to add single digit numbers and we are starting on learning money and coins. I work with her all of the time on counting real life applications and also on paper with her homework and online tools. There are so many real life opportunities to count things that it just takes observation.
3. Princess is reading full sentences. Woo Hoo. This is the biggest milestone to date. I love the look of excitement she gets when she reads. I have been reading to her every night since she was born and it has proven to be a time investment that has had a huge payoff.
4. Shoe tying - this was a no brainer and I actually taught her this skill over the Thanksgiving holiday when I was off from work. It happened by accident when I was tying her shoe and a light bulb went off in my head that perhaps she could give it a try. After about 30 tries, she did it and has been doing it since.
I have noticed over the years that my kids love to achieve. They love to hear that they did a good job. They love verbal encouragement. They are competitive so they love to win the game no matter if the game is baseball or report cards. I believe it is important to positively reinforce achievements and discuss failures. It is necessary to let your children know when they failed but also to help them to learn what they did wrong to be able to learn from the failures. I have found that with my older boys this works pretty well. For example, if one of them gets a bad grade in school, they never feel good about it and that is how I want it to be. That means they have a desire to achieve. Instead of tearing them down about it, we sit down and review what went wrong and how to move forward. I try to explain to my kids that a bad grade is NOT the end of the world just as most mistakes we make in real life. Rather what is important is how we move on from those mistakes. Can we turn them into positive learning experiences? Can the next test grade be better than the last? Did we LEARN from it? It's an important coping skill that needs to be taught as they move into real adult life.
Wow. Sorry for digressing.
Yesterday was cap and gown photos. Unfortunately I could not be there to see the photos taken which ended up being a good thing. Her teachers said I would be nicely suprised when the pictures come out. Oh, my little baby girl is growing up fast!
I have always loved witnessing all of my children reach milestones and achievements. They are such proud moments for me as a parent and I think one of the absolute joys that all of us parents should embrace.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
"Back In The Day"
Oh how we loathe when a conversation with our parents starts out with those four words. "When I was your age" or "Back when we were kids"...aggghhhh....I want to run and scream, "but it doesn't snow here and we don't live 7 miles from our school!"
Still, I find myself doing the EXACT same thing with my own kids. Funny how that works. I try to use different words as if that might make it seem better that I am making comparisons of their childhood to mine. It's still not flying even with the different words. They are definitely on to me.
When they complain that their TiVo stinks because they can only record one show while watching another I politely remind them that "back in the day, we had only three channels on a TV with an antenna made out of tin foil." When they complain about their veggies or dinners in general, I let them know that when I was younger we were always eating broccoli soup with noodles and were not allowed to complain or we would go hungry. "Mom, we need a new car with a better air conditioner" always emits the response, "Ask your uncles about our 1966 Dodge Dart with the crazy built in air conditioner called WIND coming from opened windows." "Can I get a fancier ipod?" follows up with "maybe I will get you an 8-track player and see how you like that fancy piece of machinery."
When I was a kid we didn't get shiny new bikes. If we wanted a bike we would find an old one from the woods or at the dump and take them home and paint them and make them new again. Our first cars certainly weren't anything remotely close to being new. My first "job" was at 10 years old when I used to do chores for my elderly next door neighbor. She was kind enough to pay me decently for doing all of those things around her house that she couldn't do.
We had a lot fewer materialistic things but I can tell you matter of factly that I coveted the things I owned because it usually took me so long to save up for them. Remember when those fancy multi-colored click pens came out (you could click from 4 colors and the circumference of the pen was so thick you could barely hold it)? I got one as a birthday present. My kids laugh at that kind of stuff but it was one of the few birthday presents I got as a child that I clearly remember. How bad could it have been. I certainly was not spoiled.
It's ok to remind our kids of the challenges of our generation just as our parents did with us. Just try to pick words other than "Back in the day" and you should be just fine.
Still, I find myself doing the EXACT same thing with my own kids. Funny how that works. I try to use different words as if that might make it seem better that I am making comparisons of their childhood to mine. It's still not flying even with the different words. They are definitely on to me.
When they complain that their TiVo stinks because they can only record one show while watching another I politely remind them that "back in the day, we had only three channels on a TV with an antenna made out of tin foil." When they complain about their veggies or dinners in general, I let them know that when I was younger we were always eating broccoli soup with noodles and were not allowed to complain or we would go hungry. "Mom, we need a new car with a better air conditioner" always emits the response, "Ask your uncles about our 1966 Dodge Dart with the crazy built in air conditioner called WIND coming from opened windows." "Can I get a fancier ipod?" follows up with "maybe I will get you an 8-track player and see how you like that fancy piece of machinery."
When I was a kid we didn't get shiny new bikes. If we wanted a bike we would find an old one from the woods or at the dump and take them home and paint them and make them new again. Our first cars certainly weren't anything remotely close to being new. My first "job" was at 10 years old when I used to do chores for my elderly next door neighbor. She was kind enough to pay me decently for doing all of those things around her house that she couldn't do.
We had a lot fewer materialistic things but I can tell you matter of factly that I coveted the things I owned because it usually took me so long to save up for them. Remember when those fancy multi-colored click pens came out (you could click from 4 colors and the circumference of the pen was so thick you could barely hold it)? I got one as a birthday present. My kids laugh at that kind of stuff but it was one of the few birthday presents I got as a child that I clearly remember. How bad could it have been. I certainly was not spoiled.
It's ok to remind our kids of the challenges of our generation just as our parents did with us. Just try to pick words other than "Back in the day" and you should be just fine.
Grocery Savings Rocks
I have blogged about my grocery savings for awhile now but I believe it often bears repeating. If you have not been to this site you don't know what you are missing. I don't get paid one penny to advertise this here but I do know how happy I get when I enjoy immense savings at the grocery and drug stores.
Last night I was watching the national news on NBC and there was a story about the ever growing rise in price of food. Milk up by 30%, eggs up by 40%, tomatoes up by 25%. But I snicker inside because, for me, my grocery bill has never been lower.
How is that possible? It's because this site retrained the way I shop for food. If you have an aversion to going to this site (believe me it's not a scam) I will give you a few pointers in what I have learned over the past several months. I can say I am somewhat of an expert shopper now considering I never pay more than $100 a week for groceries and drugs for my family of 6 and that includes one child in diapers and two teenage boys.
Here is my list of do's in order to save the most:
1. Don't be a slave to name brands. Decide which brand names you can cross over to other brands. Don't turn your eye to generic brands. A lot of stores offer many wonderful generic brand alternatives.
2. Stockpile, stockpile, stockpile. This takes some clever pantry use especially if you don't have a very big pantry unlike my sister in law Cindy who has a pantry that is the size of one of my small bedrooms. But if you are not her, don't sweat it. Get creative with the storage space you do have.
3. Strive to NEVER buy an item at full retail price. Sometimes this is not possible. You always seem to have that one NEED item that you cannot do without. That's ok. But limit it as much as possible by stockpiling and planning ahead. If you go to the Grocery Game website and sign up, you can print out lists that tell you when an item has hit a rock bottom price. When it does, go out and buy it and as much of it as possible. (I remember the day when my store had peanut butter on sale for $1 a jar. I was so ecstatic that I bought 10 jars. I wished I had bought more. My husband looked at me like I was nuts. I have not seen it on sale like that since which means that it is destined to go back on sale like that soon).
4. Except for perishables, you can never have too much of an item (unless of course you eat it once a year). Things in this category would be cereal, pasta, canned veggies or spaghetti sauce, cake mix (yes at one point I had about 7 boxes of these in my pantry), peanut butter, jelly, jello, olive oil, etc. You get the point.
5. Don't be a slave to any one store. I used to be a Publix purist. I never wandered anywhere else. Not any more. My new favorite store is Winn Dixie. Why? Because they send me $10 off coupons in the mail. They also offer great sales every week if you sign up for their free customer card. Publix sends me nothing. Not one coupon. In fact at Publix they won't accept printed online coupons. Winn Dixie is ok with that. Winn Dixie always has their meat on sale and great sales too. Buy one get one free. You can't beat that for chicken, fish, and steaks. Publix never has meat on sale like that.
6. You must go into CVS and sign up for one of their store cards as long as you have one in your area. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about that. If you have a card you can always get a gallon of milk there for no more than $3.99. Some weeks they run a sale for $3.49. That is almost a dollar less than at the grocery store. When you go into CVS you can get free coupons with your card. Most stores have a scanner machine where you can scan the card and coupons start popping out. Many times they are $10 off with a total purchase of $50 or more. Can't complain about free money. Also at CVS certain items go on sale every week where they offer to give you extrabucks back. That is like FREE MONEY toward your next purchase. In addition, for every dollar you spend at CVS, you get 2% back at the end of every quarter. They are paying YOU to shop there. The prices are no more than any other store. In fact with the coupon machine there, the extra bucks and the 2% back, it just doesn't make any sense to NOT go there. (Sorry Pauline, I know you respectfully disagree).
7. I know I mentioned stockpiling groceries but it is also important to stockpile toiletries. If shampoo is on sale buy one get one free buy a lot of it, unless there is a specified limit. You should see my bathroom closet. It is FULL of enough toothpaste to last me a few years....shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shaving cream, dental floss, q-tips, facial scrub, makeup. All of it was bought at rock bottom prices. I will never NEED any of that because as my stockpile decreases I will be on the look out for it to hit rock bottom again.
8. The stores generally cycle their products to go on sale. If you keep your eyes open you can tell when something will go on sale. For example, I drink diet coke and my husband drinks pepsi. I have stockpiled 6 cases of Pepsi for him and I am down to my last case of Diet Coke. The CVS flyer came in the mail today for sales starting Sunday. Guess what soda is on sale.....Diet Coke! I could have predicted that because I am starting to run low because it's been awhile since it has gone on sale. The reverse will happen in a few weeks when his Pepsi stockpile runs low too. Strange how that works.
9. Notice how I have not yet mentioned clipping coupons. The reason for that is because if you do #1-#8 you can already enjoy savings in the 30%-50%. I know I do. Now if you are a SERIOUS saver and want to really step it up in the savings category, get your Sunday paper every week, take out all of the coupon flyers and clip EVERY COUPON out. You will need to get a small little organizer for them but if you do it right you will enjoy even more savings. You will come to realize that stores know which coupons are being sent to regional areas and it's amazing how many items go on sale when a coupon is being offered in the paper. And if you happen to shop at a store that offers double coupons (25cent coupon gets you 50 cents off) you may have the store paying YOU for your groceries.
Ok. Now that I have talked your ear off, the best advice I can give you is to read my bullets and get into the savings game. I can tell you that there is nothing like going to the grocery store and having the cashier tell you that the total is $80 and then saying "you saved $90 today" and having the person behind you look at you in shock.
Last night I was watching the national news on NBC and there was a story about the ever growing rise in price of food. Milk up by 30%, eggs up by 40%, tomatoes up by 25%. But I snicker inside because, for me, my grocery bill has never been lower.
How is that possible? It's because this site retrained the way I shop for food. If you have an aversion to going to this site (believe me it's not a scam) I will give you a few pointers in what I have learned over the past several months. I can say I am somewhat of an expert shopper now considering I never pay more than $100 a week for groceries and drugs for my family of 6 and that includes one child in diapers and two teenage boys.
Here is my list of do's in order to save the most:
1. Don't be a slave to name brands. Decide which brand names you can cross over to other brands. Don't turn your eye to generic brands. A lot of stores offer many wonderful generic brand alternatives.
2. Stockpile, stockpile, stockpile. This takes some clever pantry use especially if you don't have a very big pantry unlike my sister in law Cindy who has a pantry that is the size of one of my small bedrooms. But if you are not her, don't sweat it. Get creative with the storage space you do have.
3. Strive to NEVER buy an item at full retail price. Sometimes this is not possible. You always seem to have that one NEED item that you cannot do without. That's ok. But limit it as much as possible by stockpiling and planning ahead. If you go to the Grocery Game website and sign up, you can print out lists that tell you when an item has hit a rock bottom price. When it does, go out and buy it and as much of it as possible. (I remember the day when my store had peanut butter on sale for $1 a jar. I was so ecstatic that I bought 10 jars. I wished I had bought more. My husband looked at me like I was nuts. I have not seen it on sale like that since which means that it is destined to go back on sale like that soon).
4. Except for perishables, you can never have too much of an item (unless of course you eat it once a year). Things in this category would be cereal, pasta, canned veggies or spaghetti sauce, cake mix (yes at one point I had about 7 boxes of these in my pantry), peanut butter, jelly, jello, olive oil, etc. You get the point.
5. Don't be a slave to any one store. I used to be a Publix purist. I never wandered anywhere else. Not any more. My new favorite store is Winn Dixie. Why? Because they send me $10 off coupons in the mail. They also offer great sales every week if you sign up for their free customer card. Publix sends me nothing. Not one coupon. In fact at Publix they won't accept printed online coupons. Winn Dixie is ok with that. Winn Dixie always has their meat on sale and great sales too. Buy one get one free. You can't beat that for chicken, fish, and steaks. Publix never has meat on sale like that.
6. You must go into CVS and sign up for one of their store cards as long as you have one in your area. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about that. If you have a card you can always get a gallon of milk there for no more than $3.99. Some weeks they run a sale for $3.49. That is almost a dollar less than at the grocery store. When you go into CVS you can get free coupons with your card. Most stores have a scanner machine where you can scan the card and coupons start popping out. Many times they are $10 off with a total purchase of $50 or more. Can't complain about free money. Also at CVS certain items go on sale every week where they offer to give you extrabucks back. That is like FREE MONEY toward your next purchase. In addition, for every dollar you spend at CVS, you get 2% back at the end of every quarter. They are paying YOU to shop there. The prices are no more than any other store. In fact with the coupon machine there, the extra bucks and the 2% back, it just doesn't make any sense to NOT go there. (Sorry Pauline, I know you respectfully disagree).
7. I know I mentioned stockpiling groceries but it is also important to stockpile toiletries. If shampoo is on sale buy one get one free buy a lot of it, unless there is a specified limit. You should see my bathroom closet. It is FULL of enough toothpaste to last me a few years....shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shaving cream, dental floss, q-tips, facial scrub, makeup. All of it was bought at rock bottom prices. I will never NEED any of that because as my stockpile decreases I will be on the look out for it to hit rock bottom again.
8. The stores generally cycle their products to go on sale. If you keep your eyes open you can tell when something will go on sale. For example, I drink diet coke and my husband drinks pepsi. I have stockpiled 6 cases of Pepsi for him and I am down to my last case of Diet Coke. The CVS flyer came in the mail today for sales starting Sunday. Guess what soda is on sale.....Diet Coke! I could have predicted that because I am starting to run low because it's been awhile since it has gone on sale. The reverse will happen in a few weeks when his Pepsi stockpile runs low too. Strange how that works.
9. Notice how I have not yet mentioned clipping coupons. The reason for that is because if you do #1-#8 you can already enjoy savings in the 30%-50%. I know I do. Now if you are a SERIOUS saver and want to really step it up in the savings category, get your Sunday paper every week, take out all of the coupon flyers and clip EVERY COUPON out. You will need to get a small little organizer for them but if you do it right you will enjoy even more savings. You will come to realize that stores know which coupons are being sent to regional areas and it's amazing how many items go on sale when a coupon is being offered in the paper. And if you happen to shop at a store that offers double coupons (25cent coupon gets you 50 cents off) you may have the store paying YOU for your groceries.
Ok. Now that I have talked your ear off, the best advice I can give you is to read my bullets and get into the savings game. I can tell you that there is nothing like going to the grocery store and having the cashier tell you that the total is $80 and then saying "you saved $90 today" and having the person behind you look at you in shock.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Wanna Sneak Peak
At my latest project I am working on? ( I wish I had a better camera). I have many other samples but just have been frustrated with the difficulty in photographing.
Blog and website coming soon to a theater near you.
Blog and website coming soon to a theater near you.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Graduation Song
This was my first look at the Pre-K graduation song. I am crying today. I can only imagine how I will be on June 6. I am sure I will be a mess. Time for waterproof mascara.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Handwriting Progress
I am so proud of my princess. Her handwriting is improving so much. Now if I could just get her to write the hanging letters on the correct line.....sigh.....
Learning How To Read
I absolutely love this book and so does my little princess.
I don't remember where I got it but she pulled it out of her library to read to her last week. When I looked at it to read, I stopped. I turned to her and said "no. You are going to read it to me today." She looked at me strangely and I told her that I would help her with any words she could not figure out on her own.
Little a had a box.
He said, "I will fill my box."
Little a put on his hat and went for a walk.
He found apples, apples, apples.
He put the apples into his box.
Little a found an alligator.
He put the alligator into his box.
Little a found ants, ants, ants.
"In you go, ants," he said.
She read most of it...slowly....but on her own. I had to help her with the words "walk, found, and said." The rest she sounded out and figured out.
The next night she wanted to try to read some more. Great! She did it again. I helped her with the same words. She wants to read it again tonight except I am wise to this. She tends to memorize her books so I have to be careful that she learn how to read and not memorize. I decided I would need to switch it up a bit.
So I went online to find the boxed set and I found a really nice set on ebay. I am so excited for it to come so she can read more and more. I am very confident that by the time kindergarten comes in 4 months, she will be more than ready.
I don't remember where I got it but she pulled it out of her library to read to her last week. When I looked at it to read, I stopped. I turned to her and said "no. You are going to read it to me today." She looked at me strangely and I told her that I would help her with any words she could not figure out on her own.
Little a had a box.
He said, "I will fill my box."
Little a put on his hat and went for a walk.
He found apples, apples, apples.
He put the apples into his box.
Little a found an alligator.
He put the alligator into his box.
Little a found ants, ants, ants.
"In you go, ants," he said.
She read most of it...slowly....but on her own. I had to help her with the words "walk, found, and said." The rest she sounded out and figured out.
The next night she wanted to try to read some more. Great! She did it again. I helped her with the same words. She wants to read it again tonight except I am wise to this. She tends to memorize her books so I have to be careful that she learn how to read and not memorize. I decided I would need to switch it up a bit.
So I went online to find the boxed set and I found a really nice set on ebay. I am so excited for it to come so she can read more and more. I am very confident that by the time kindergarten comes in 4 months, she will be more than ready.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Taking Toddler to Church
This post reminded me of something I was going to write about regarding another memorable Easter Sunday mass a few weeks ago.
I have been going to our Catholic Church now since 1991. I love our pastor and this church so much that I became a eucharistic minister several years ago. All four of my kids have been baptized there, two have had their First Holy Communion, and one has been confirmed there. My better half and I officially had our church marriage there last year. So it stands to reason that we are long standing parishioners of the church.
When our church was built back in 1973 by our pastor who is still the current pastor, he tells us that he purposely did not build a "cry room" for the children of the church in the event that they make noise. The purpose of this was that he didn't want families to feel isolated from the rest of the congregation and that since Jesus welcomes everyone to His house noisy children should be included too.
He was smart enough, though, to add a balcony which has somehow grown to be the place where we take our children in the event that they are restless but still feel a part of the church. The regular parishioners know this and has been pretty much adapted as our own "cry room."
Which is why I am amused every Easter Sunday when people come to the church and have either never been to church before or have not been to this church before. This past Easter I was with my family up in the balcony because my littlest tiger still can't totally sit still in his seat. No problem. Except for the fact that when we went up to the balcony there was a couple sitting in front of us who were extremely agitated with our presence....so much so that they kept looking back at us with sour faces as if to tell us that somehow we didn't belong there because Tiger wouldn't sit down. He wasn't even making any noise but they could hear him doing the whole stand-sit-stand-sit ritual. But that didn't matter to me. How dare people come to God's church on the highest holy day of the church year and make nasty faces in judgement on myself or my children. Weren't we there to celebrate the rising of Jesus Christ our Savior King???? Hadn't we prepared ourselves for the past 40 days of Lent?
I celebrate this day with Easter Bunnies, candy, and colored eggs for my children and it is so festive for them. But I celebrate this day at Church because that is where I am called to be. I feel blessed on this day NOT angry. Why would others feel anger toward me? I am not sure of the answer.
Maybe that couple was never blessed with children to understand how difficult it can be to juggle taking little ones to church. Maybe they are not filled with grace so as to tolerate the children who are there brought by their parents to learn about the Lord.
I took the opportunity to pray for them that they would find grace and patience and perhaps that they would return to church next week to learn even more.
I have been going to our Catholic Church now since 1991. I love our pastor and this church so much that I became a eucharistic minister several years ago. All four of my kids have been baptized there, two have had their First Holy Communion, and one has been confirmed there. My better half and I officially had our church marriage there last year. So it stands to reason that we are long standing parishioners of the church.
When our church was built back in 1973 by our pastor who is still the current pastor, he tells us that he purposely did not build a "cry room" for the children of the church in the event that they make noise. The purpose of this was that he didn't want families to feel isolated from the rest of the congregation and that since Jesus welcomes everyone to His house noisy children should be included too.
He was smart enough, though, to add a balcony which has somehow grown to be the place where we take our children in the event that they are restless but still feel a part of the church. The regular parishioners know this and has been pretty much adapted as our own "cry room."
Which is why I am amused every Easter Sunday when people come to the church and have either never been to church before or have not been to this church before. This past Easter I was with my family up in the balcony because my littlest tiger still can't totally sit still in his seat. No problem. Except for the fact that when we went up to the balcony there was a couple sitting in front of us who were extremely agitated with our presence....so much so that they kept looking back at us with sour faces as if to tell us that somehow we didn't belong there because Tiger wouldn't sit down. He wasn't even making any noise but they could hear him doing the whole stand-sit-stand-sit ritual. But that didn't matter to me. How dare people come to God's church on the highest holy day of the church year and make nasty faces in judgement on myself or my children. Weren't we there to celebrate the rising of Jesus Christ our Savior King???? Hadn't we prepared ourselves for the past 40 days of Lent?
I celebrate this day with Easter Bunnies, candy, and colored eggs for my children and it is so festive for them. But I celebrate this day at Church because that is where I am called to be. I feel blessed on this day NOT angry. Why would others feel anger toward me? I am not sure of the answer.
Maybe that couple was never blessed with children to understand how difficult it can be to juggle taking little ones to church. Maybe they are not filled with grace so as to tolerate the children who are there brought by their parents to learn about the Lord.
I took the opportunity to pray for them that they would find grace and patience and perhaps that they would return to church next week to learn even more.
Speaking Of My Tiger
His newest thing now is to refuse to get dressed. He usually picks these moments just as we are having to leave the house to go out. He stops and off come the clothes...diaper too! I don't quite understand this. None of my kids did this. He is certainly unique. What do I do?
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Strange Coincidence
I walked into my princess' preschool yesterday to pick her up and I noticed a sign on her classroom door for her upcoming preschool graduation. It was the first news coming out regarding the date. I can't believe this day is quickly approaching. She has grown and learned so much. She is so totally prepared for school and I am so pleased with the choices that we made to place her in the preschool that she is in. I moved down to see the date of the ceremony and after party.
June 6, 2008
I didn't have to look at my calendar to recognize the date. My heart sank. I remember that I have prepared myself to be sad on this day. You see this day will be the 10th anniversary of the death of my mom. Even though I try to ignore this day every year that it comes, it is tough. This year I promised myself I would be sad on this day. Now I have to rethink my strategy because it will be a wonderfully happy day for my little girl and my family all of whom were too young to remember the date or not around to even know her.
Maybe that was God's plan. Maybe there is a tie there that is way beyond my understanding. My mom never knew my princess. But somehow they are now tied together in a bittersweet way. Maybe this was God's way of allowing me to be happy on this day. God sure does work in mysterious ways, doesn't he?
For now I will follow His plan and be happy on this day. I think that is what my mom would have wanted.
June 6, 2008
I didn't have to look at my calendar to recognize the date. My heart sank. I remember that I have prepared myself to be sad on this day. You see this day will be the 10th anniversary of the death of my mom. Even though I try to ignore this day every year that it comes, it is tough. This year I promised myself I would be sad on this day. Now I have to rethink my strategy because it will be a wonderfully happy day for my little girl and my family all of whom were too young to remember the date or not around to even know her.
Maybe that was God's plan. Maybe there is a tie there that is way beyond my understanding. My mom never knew my princess. But somehow they are now tied together in a bittersweet way. Maybe this was God's way of allowing me to be happy on this day. God sure does work in mysterious ways, doesn't he?
For now I will follow His plan and be happy on this day. I think that is what my mom would have wanted.
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