I Did It!

Algebra... the hardest class I have EVER taken. EVER. I'm talking.... like EVER!!

And I passed. I got a C... and I will take it!

Yeahhhhh ME!!!!!!

I actually started sobbing when I saw my grade. Never in the history of all my credit hours have I ever had a grade impact me the way that did.

Top that off with Emily's team being in FIRST PLACE after today's games! They took all 4 games, but I can't remember the scores. They are starting to run together, lol.

We are back in Richmond at 8:30 tomorrow morning to take on the First Place in the other division.

It's been a GREAT... but draining day. Good Night!

Stand by!

It's late, and we have to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow for Emily's tournament. Greg made me a Mothers Day book at school, and let me tell you... it is a total treasure. I don't have time to scan it in right at this moment, but trust me, it's something you don't want to miss. It's funny to see how your kids REALLY think of you. I promise to do it as soon as I get a free moment. Be sure to check back!

Full Swing!

Softball and Baseball are both in full swing! This year Emily is on the Macomb Eagles Fast Pitch team. It is a SMAFF, travel team. She rocks at it. She can jack that ball out of the park, but then gets so excited she forgets to look at her coaches for signals! By the time she reaches her base, she is holding on to her helmet, jumping up and down!

Last weekend they had a tournament in New Haven in which they won all 3 games. The second game they killed the other team, 12 - 2... and I heard the coach of the other team had no business putting those girls in the tournament. They weren't prepared for it and just got annihilated. The down side is that because they were so easy to beat, the third team almost won, because our girls were slacking off. They weren't ready to really "play" again. Regardless, they pulled themselves together and won the tournament.

Emily had a lot of hits, but the best one that I saw was a double. That ball FLEW over the girls heads. The parents were going banana's, the team was cheering her on, and she was so excited, she only made it to second base! Her coach on third was yelling for her, but she didn't look over at him, lol. She'll get the hang of it soon enough. She's a slugger!!!

I LOVE this photo...

Then there is my little leaguer. He is so handsome in is little uniform. Greg expressed interest around the time the sign up form came home. Then it was down hill. We couldn't get him to play catch, he didn't want to do anything... Until he started practicing with the team. That's all she wrote. HE LOVES IT! Greg is a "Knight" on the Coach Pitch League. He is having a GREAT time and takes it soooo seriously!

While Mr. Green Shirt over there is playing in the dirt, some little sneaker looks like he's about to steal third!

We watched a total of 4 games last Saturday. 3 were her's and 1 was his. It was exhausting to say the least, especially with 40 mph winds.... but we figure that this is just temporary. The kids are having fun, and we LOVE watching them. However this is what Emily looked like by the time Greg's game was half over...

This weekend, the insanity continues. She has a tournament in Richmond on Saturday & Sunday. Den has an alumni game at his alma mater on Saturday, and Greg has a game on Saturday at 4.

Calgon... take me away, lol.

She is playing in a tournament in Lansing for you West Side readers.. it will be June 26th - 28th. We'd love to see you there.

Now Hiring

Ok, here it comes... if I haven't said it before, I LOVE Tastefully Simple. I LOVE this company, and love how they operate.

We had our team meeting here last night. We were talking about the economy and people losing their jobs. Oddly enough, our sales were up 57% in March. I have more parties booked than I ever thought possible, and the calls keep coming in. Everyone wants to book for June, however I'm starting to push them into July. It's CRAZY!

We sell food. Although there is a recession, we are not participating in it, because people are still eating. They are still eating dinner, entertaining friends, and having staycations. People NEED TO EAT! We have a recession proof product! I love home parties and have had quite a few of them here, however I really don't need another food storage container, or baking stone. I already have them. They last FOREVER! Beer Bread on the other hand... usually doesn't make it a week in the pantry. EVERYONE loves beer bread.

So! If you need a job. You are looking to make anywhere from $50 to $100 per week, Tastefully Simple is the company you are looking for. There are no pyramid schemes. You don't have to carry inventory. Reorders are plentiful. In fact, I didn't do any parties from last August to December, and still got loads of reorders. It is that easy.

For parties... You may think, "I can't stand up there and talk". Well let's put it this way... I failed speech in college because I was so afraid of speaking in public. Today... I pass a tray and talk. They aren't looking at me, and half the time they aren't even listening to me. They are eating, oohing and aahhhing, and having a GREAT time with their friends. It's an AWESOME job and this October it will be my 2 year anniversary. I LOVE IT!

Sparked your interest... click the link on the right and read up about it. If you want more information, contact me and we'll discuss it. Totally no pressure. I firmly believe people need to do what is right for themselves, and not for anyone else. But if you think the time is right for you... this may be exactly what you are looking for.

No lay-off's, no pay cuts, no one to schedule you, but yourself. Health Care benefits... This is ONE GREAT COMPANY. I'm loving the ride.

My mom...

My mom was 18 when she married my father, the day after her high school graduation. A few months later, my brother was born. 2 years later, another son, then a daughter, and finally me. My mom was very young, raising a large family. We grew up in the country for most of my life. Living there, I learned about hard work, the beauty of nature, how to handle family conflict, or more like how NOT to handle family conflict.

Through it all, we managed to stay together. While my parents had some rough years, my mom managed to keep the family together, and tried her best to raise her family. All of us kids turned out pretty well I think. We are all homeowners, happily married, and didn't turn out to be drug addicts, wife/husband beaters, or drunks.

Now I look at my parents in awe. There was a lot of turmoil in our lives, yet my mom still managed to provide a nurturing environment. In one case, she saved my brothers from being punished because one of them put their foot through a wall. She just moved her curio cabinet over in front of it, and shortly after the entire family went up north for a vacation. It wasn't until after we returned, that she confessed to my Dad, who still wasn't happy. She did this so that we could still enjoy a very much needed vacation.

Sometimes I think my mom's heart is so much bigger than her brain. She is way too generous to people, yet forgets that she and my Dad are now on a limited income. Today on Mother's Day I rushed out of there with my kids because she started giving them things. While I'm sure she was doing out of her own good nature, I personally don't need another thing in my house!

Yet on the way home, I started to realize how much I am like my mother. While we are just barely getting by, I'm thinking of teacher gifts for the end of the year, or of our dear friends, one of which was diagnosed with Leukemia this week. I'm so worried about their financial situation now that he will be off work for more than a year. While we are barely getting by, I am already pulling out everything in my pockets for them because I love them dearly and do not want to see them suffer.

My mom is an amazing woman who's heart may be bigger than her brain, but one thing is certain. When she leaves this earth, the number of people that she has touched, will be immeasurable.

There once was a time when I shuddered at the thought of being anything like her. Now I can only hope that I become half the woman that she is. I hope that my children will grow up to LOVE the Christmas season, and not for the gifts. I hope that I too will be as loving and giving as she is.

Happy Mothers Day.

Quest for Directions

Today I'm going to the Scrapbooking Megameet with my friends Kim & Michele. In order to avoid the freeway closure at I-275 & I-696, I was on mapquest plotting out map to get there from M-59. That's when I noticed it.... Did you know that on mapquest.com you can actually look up a route by Gas Prices? What the heck? That's... pretty bad.

Obligations

Tonight the first graders are having a musical at the school. Greg does not want to go. He has been telling us this since we first found out about it a while back.

I feel that we should not make him go if he does not want to. Emily on the other hand is very upset that he isn't going. She's carrying on as if the building will shut down because Greg is not there.

We have SO MANY obligations that we are always trying to meet. I do not consider this an obligation. The child REALLY does not want to go. He has already said that he isn't singing, and that he doesn't care for the song selection. He has sung in other musicals before and has been excited for them. This one, he's not so fond of.

I am not making him go. I do not wish to battle the parking lot (imagine about 25 parking spaces for about 700 families), forcing him to go, only to see him not sing. What's the point?

Am I wrong for not making him go?

I'm here

Just studying for a final test. Test scores are 60% of our grade, and I haven't done that well on them. I rocked on the quizzes though. Explain that one! 5/14 is the last day. I can't wait for this class to be over with. In the mean time, factor this...

2x+7y-10

Did I Ask?

When a woman announces her pregnancy, people seem to think that is the green light for them to go ahead and dump their pregnancy or delivery disasters on them. Everyone has had something bad happen, or they try to "out do" the others with their stories.

I didn't have the most wonderful pregnancies. There. I said it. I loved being pregnant, but my body seemed to think otherwise. I survived. So did my children. End of story. I believe that this kind of information shouldn't be "dumped" on to the newly expecting mother because there is no need for it. I mean, why would you do that to someone? "Congratulations! We are so excited for you! But...." I just don't understand that mentality.

That whole scenario brings me to this...

I've told you all that I've switched gears and am aiming for the Nursing program at Macomb. While every one of you have given me a HUGE kudos, there are a great many that have "shared" their major problems with me, even though I NEVER asked for the information.

"FORGET IT! You'll NEVER get in" I've heard. "My son has a 4.0 but didn't score that well on the HESI test, so he didn't get in. Good luck." Oh and then there's... "I've got a 4.0, and scored high on my HESI and I didn't get in"... blah, blah, blah.

I have found ONE consistancy in EVERY stories I've heard. Every single person that gave me their unsolicited advice... transferred their credits from other colleges. I've heard it through the grapevine (a few years back), that most schools will take most of their own students, before taking transfer students. While I'm not banking on this theory, it does sound that it could be a possiblity. Even still... What makes any one of those story telling people think that I am like all the rest of the candidates? Why would they say these things, trying to undermine my intentions and drive?

You know me. You know that my glass is almost always half full. Even with all of the negativity flying my way, I'm still looking PAST the obstacle at the goal. I can see it on the other side, plain as the nose on my face. The obstacle is "getting in". I am living proof that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Paramedic school was relentless. It was hard, challenging, and extremely rewarding at the same time. I worked my butt off and received all A's. Before I ever got into EMT school, I totally thought it was a pipe dream. It wasn't. It was attainable just as anything else is if you work hard and focus on the finish line.

I am excited. I am so excited and just FULL of energy to complete this next chapter in my life. I LOVE to learn new things, and love to reach the goal. I just wish people would put a sock in it when it comes to their negative comments. I, appropriately named Queen Busta Chops am speechless when it comes to their negativity. I wish I knew the appropriate thing to say to put an end to their unsolicited comments, without sounding like a total jerk.

What would you do?

What the.... Where was I?

I was just looking at the newsletter from Emily's class. There are only 7, yes I said SEVEN more weeks of school left! WHAT THE HELL!! Where in the world has all the time gone?! I'm completely floored and stunned at the same time. They just opened up their Christmas gifts like last week!!!

I'm completely blown away.

Billy Ray Cyrus - Back To Tennessee - Official Music Video (HQ)

There I said it... I like country music too. I like all kinds of music, however Country has my vote right now. Enjoy the video from the Achey Breaky Heart guy. V

"The List"

Last week was pretty bad for Greg. It was spring break. They got out on Thursday, and by Friday night, he had a rip roaring fever. This wasn't so great considering the Easter Celebration was to be held at our house. Alas, we still had it here, but little boy blue was sick in my bed the whole time. By Monday, I had to take him to the Doctor.

Sinus Infection we were told. We were given an Rx and sent on our way. On Thursday, we had him back to the doctor as he was still running a 102 fever. Change and antibiotics, and VOILA! He was better by Friday night.

His little illness put the kabosh on every plan we had for that week. I felt HORRIBLE for him as he was the only one counting down days until his "break". What a break that was.

Emily and I went to see the Hannah Montana movie on Wednesday while Greg stayed home with Den. What a GREAT MOVIE. I totally loved it. Absolutely purchase worthy in our book. Regardless, we heard The Climb the other day in the car. I really like this song and the message that is sent. I asked Emily if she knew what the song was about.

We then started talking about life. I told her about my brother Mike and how he told me about "the dash" poem I posted earlier. She then said, "I love Uncle Mike, they should move up here". I then told her how he and Mary Ann plan to move to Tennessee in a couple of years. Of course, then Peepers pipes up and says, "Let's move to Tennessee! I love it there".

I never realized how unrealistic it is for us to relocate. Not that I'm seriously thinking of moving, but to put things into perspective, I explained that Dennis doesn't have a "normal" job by any sense of the word.

A huge amount of training and education goes into the preparation for the job. Then when a F.D. is hiring, you have to apply. Then you take a test. If you rank high on the test, you get on "the list". Then when your number is called, you have an interview, and a backround check, and an agility test. Then maybe, just maybe, they will hire you. Of course then you are on probation for like 6 months to a year.

I can honestly say in Dennis' 14 years on the department, I don't think I have EVER seen anyone quit. Can you blame them? I have, however, seen many people end up being #1 on "the list" only to have that list expire without them ever receiving a phone call.

Which brings me to this... I found out I have 3 classes to take before the end of Fall, to apply to the Nursing program at the college. Unfortunately I found this out AFTER my priority registration expired. So I ended up being waitlisted for a class I desperately needed to get into. #15 out of 15. Yuk. Then it happened...
#11 out of 15
#7 out of 15 (then they opened up another class, but I didn't need that one, but it made the waitlist smaller...
#6 out of 13
#4 out of 13...
#3 out of 12... and finally yesterday...
#1 out of 12
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This morning... I got in. RELIEF! Now send good karma for an A, please.

Life Made Simple

A friend and I recently had an email conversation about simplifying and facebook.

Ok, I admit it. I'm pretty much done with Facebook. It was fun while it lasted, but honestly, I'm rarely ever on there any more. Plus I found yesterday that my friend posted photos of her little boy and I didn't even know about it, until I clicked on her name. To me, this is front page news! I want my friends stuff to be front and center the moment it hits the web! In all reality, Facebook sucks the time right out of my day and seems to take away from the things I really like to do. Plus, I don't really care to see what other people are doing, except for those that matter most to me.

I also just realized that the voicemail on our home phone had 4 messages on there that are relatively old, but hadn't been heard. I'm seriously thinking about shutting off the voicemail. It is yet just another time consumer, listening to people's "stories" on the voicemail. The people I REALLY want to talk to, know how to reach me.

I hate that I'm in this frame of mind, but in all reality, I feel like I'm trying to get back to the basics. Den and I were just talking today about the News. We rarely ever watch the news anymore because it is all sensationalized, and depressing. They use scare tactics on a regular basis and to tell you the truth, I really don't want my kids watching it at all. They don't need to know the graphic details about child preditors, or molesters. I will tell them what I think they should hear.

I guess I'm just sick of being pulled in so many different directions at once. I just want to have more time for the things I want to do, plus if all goes well, I will have my head buried in school books before we know it. I guess this is the perfect time to start simplifying my life.

I'm Not Ready...

I'm starting to feel like I'm the only blogger left on the planet. I would hate to think Facebook is taking over. While I do like facebook, there is something special about a blog that I love. It's random thoughts, requests for advice, memories of the past, hope for the future, hysterical moments, painfully sad moments, and virtual trips that we all take together.

Facebook is ok, but the novelty has worn off, and sometimes I just don't have the time and energy to keep up with the flow. With blogger, it's a once a day post. Like reading your favorite news article written by your favorite journalist. I feel like I'm the only one left here and I am so sad. I'm not ready to stop blogging yet, but it is painfully obvious that not many people are in to it any more. Rest assured my friends, I check your blogs daily. I understand you are busy. I just miss your different styles of writing, and fear that you've decided to be done with the blogger.... But I'm still here.

Hodge Podge

So yesterday, I was in the WORST mood. It is almost impossible to be happy about anything these days. Everything is always bad on the TV and in the newspapers.

I set off for the post office yesterday. While in the post office, this arrogant butt head starts spouting off to the people in line, including myself. He starts slamming Obama for this, and that. Then he proceeds to say that the democratic people are brainwashed, and if we all think this mess is Bush's fault, we need to learn a thing or two. He c0ntinued with his unsolicited opinion for quite a while.

Let's just say by this time, I was staring at the ceiling, literally biting my lip. I wanted to rip into this a-hole like you can't imagine. Not because of my political views, but more so for feeling the need to give everyone in line his opinion, whether we asked for it or not. This jerk had no idea what kind of day people were having, and just felt the need to voice his opinion.

After the post office, I went to Meijer for a few things. As I approached the check out, I remembered Melanie's rant o' rama about self check outs. You know what... The girl is dead on. Why are we paying MORE for our groceries, only to ring them up and bag them ourselves?! I'm taking a stand against this one. I got into a line with a cashier. I had time to burn and really didn't care how long it took. Come hell or high water, I am NOT ringing up my own groceries, and I am NOT going to bag them either.

Moments later, I hear a woman behind me. She works for the store. She tells me to go down a few aisles and another cashier would ring me up. So I go down there, and guess where the cashier is going to ring me up... Yep! At the self check out! So now I have this angry cashier that is running 8 self check out units, ringing up my groceries and bitching about her supervisor. Next thing I know, she has to STOP ringing up my groceries to go handle another customer's check. Here I am, at the self check out stuck waiting for about 5 minutes for the girl to come back. By this time I couldn't ring myself up because she did something to the screen that changed the view. I should have fooled with it enough to give myself 50% off all my groceries, lol.

I've decided that I am NO longer going to those self check outs. I'm going to do my part in putting people back to work, by making sure I go into the aisles with an actual human being ringing me up. Period.

On a different and happier note.... I passed my test! Not only did I pass it... I ACED IT! 100%!!!! WHEW!!

I take pride in being an optimistic person, however it is becoming more and more difficult as time goes on. Sometimes I find that I can't even stand myself because of the life sucking mood I am in. I can't tell you enough how much I would love to snap out of this funk.

Comfort and Joy

I love Walgreens. There I said it. I professed my love for a convenience store. We have a Walgreens about 1/4 mile from my driveway. I love that store. Whenever you are in a pinch, it's there. Last night we needed and ice cream fix... Walgreens was there. Gift card, greeting card, make up, shampoo, sugar, cold medicine... Walgreens is there.

Yesterday, Emily and I both finished Professor Layton and the Curious Village on her DS. She worked on her saved game, then I worked on mine. It took a while but we finished it.... and loved it. Emily actually cried when she finished her game. It works you through some crazy puzzles, but they are all so much fun, and sometimes the easiest answer is all you need, even though you've gone through quantum physics only to realize the answer didn't require all that much. (wow, huge run-on sentence there!).

While chilling with the family in sweats, a comfy cotton tee-shirt and my pretty pink and white socks that I just got, she and I decided to run to Walgreens. While I am the first one to rip on people that wear their pajaja's in public, I must say I did go in sweats... and sandals (with socks), lol. Because it's only Walgreens, it was at night, and we needed the fix! I LOVE that store.

The Dash

The Dashcopyright 1996 Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speakat the funeral of a friend.He referred to the dates on her tombstonefrom the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birthand spoke of the following date with tears,but he said what mattered most of allwas the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the timethat she spent alive on earth...and now only those who loved herknow what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;the cars....the house...the cash.What matters is how we live and loveand how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...are there things you'd like to change?For you never know how much time is leftthat can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enoughto consider what's true and real,and always try to understandthe way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,and show appreciation moreand love the people in our liveslike we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,and more often wear a smile...remembering that this special dashmight only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being readwith your life's actions to rehash...would you be proud of the things theysay about how you spend your dash?

Uncle Joe

This week our family said good-bye to a very dear family friend. Uncle Joe and Aunt Norma lived next door to my Grandparents in Detroit. Their son Greg is my brothers godfather. I honestly can't remember a family function in which I didn't see them while growing up. We were part of their family, and they were our's. Uncle Joe was always radiant with positivity. He was a handsome man, and dearly loved his wife. They had an amazing marriage. You could see it when they were together, and you can see it from photo's past. They are both extremely special people, whom you would love to be around.

I learned a lot about Uncle Joe today. Things that I never had the opportunity to learn. For this I have regrets. He lived a very interesting life and his glass was always half full. Our hearts are broken, however we are glad he never suffered.

Good Bye Uncle Joe. You made the world a better place. I feel like a better person, just having known you. For that I am so lucky. You will be missed.

Joseph V. Bilpuch
Date:
May 1st, 1918 - March 28th, 2009
Obituary:
BILPUCH, JOSEPH V. March 28, 2009 age 90 of Lake Orion. Beloved husband of Norma M. of 62 years. Dear father of Greg(Sandra) Bilpuch of Lake Orion. Grandfather of Kristen (Kevin) Gretka, Wendy (Jeffrey) Edgett and Michael Nobar. Great-grandfather of Shelbie, Kaden, Tobias, Kendall and Garrett. Brother of John Bilpuch, Edward (Marilyn) Bilpuch and Betty McRoberts. Also survived by loving nieces and nephews. Mr. Bilpuch was an Environmental Engineer for Alpha Electric in Detroit. He was a Veteran of the United States Army serving during WWII where he was a Prisoner of War for 28 months. He was a member of the Lake Orion American Legion Post 233; a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Funeral service Wednesday 10:30 am from the Lake Orion Chapel of the Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home. Family will receive friends Tuesday 2-5 & 6-9 pm. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Orion War Memorial 312 S. Broadway, Lake Orion, MI 48362 A Guest Reflection can be made @ www.sparksgriffin.com

Whew!

I know I've been non-existant lately. I've had a lot going on. First off, I wanted to meet an incentive that Tastefully Simple offered the consultants. Thanks to all of those people that held parties in March, not only have I earned the incentive, I blew my personal sales out of the water. It has been a whirlwind of a month, but a very fun time at that. It is amazing how you would think the economy would drive down this business. I guess my luck is that people STILL HAVE TO EAT AND I SELL FOOD! Imagine that! lol. Guess I made a good choice with TS!

Second... From my earlier post I told you about ALL of those classes I would have to take to be a registered dietitian. Let's just say I don't want to be in school for the next 8 years. So on a whim, I started looking at the college book to see what programs are offered.

Imagine my suprise when I found out I am like 3 classes away from applying to Macomb's Nursing program.! 3 classes! This is something I wish I would have known about 2 years ago when I was at Baker, retaking a bunch of classes that I DIDN'T NEED TO RETAKE! Had I looked into Macomb's program, I very well could have been half way through the nursing program by now! WTH!

Regardless, I have been online all day trying to get into 1 of the three classes that I need. The unfortunate thing is that the registration for the spring/summer semester opened, and when I had the opportunity to sign up early, I didn't... because I was still reeling over the thought of going to Wayne State until I'm 90.

Please send good karma my way. I need to get into A&P, English (need to retake for higher grade) or General Microbiology. I need 1 opening so I can get in. Send good karma, por favor!

2 B or not 2 B

First order of business....

I would like to thank all of my awesome friends that have written to Greg at school. The amount of letters he has received is amazing. And most of them start off with, "This is _______. I'm a friend of your Mom's", or they have come from family.

While he LOVES getting them, I love the feeling I get when he comes home with a folder full of mail from my girls, or from family. It's priceless. So thank you. Thank You for taking the time to do this wonderful little thing. It has totally enlightened our spirits, and especially of one little boy. I wish ALL schools would do this.

Moving along...

I'm in a funk. I went to class yesterday to find out that I barely passed yet another algebra test. At first I hadn't passed it, then after looking at the key and comparing it with my test, I found that I did a bit better than he thought, and I called him out on it.

Regardless, this is BASIC Algebra. In order to become a Registered Dietician, I have to take A LOT more math classes AND about 4 different chemistry classes. PLUS last week I went to the counselor at Macomb to find out if I am on the right track. Let's just say that it was very enlightening. I found that I have even more classes to take on top of the program requirements.

I am in a funk. The hurdle of the math classes alone is daunting. I'm 37 (there I said it). As much as I joke around about being 29, I'm actually 3 years from 40, which is still very young. If I live to 80, my life is still not even half over. But do I want to spend the next 10 years in class AGAIN? Not really.

I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Is this a mid-life crisis? I have a degree as a Paramedic, and have no intentions on working the road again. What are my options? It's not like there is this pressing for me to go find a job. But the thing is... I feel like I should be doing something more to bring in an income.

My cousin suggested I work in a scrapbook store. I told her to clean out her crack pipe. Me working in a scrapbook store? You could reword that as Me working to PAY OFF the scrapbook store.

I am in a funk and I feel that I should be doing something. But what.

I wonder if there are any good books that would help me sort this out. I feel like a failure, yet I know that I'm not.

My Big Brain

Couple things on my mind this week. 1. I can't believe that Natasha Richardson died. I saw her in Maid in Manhattan and really didn't like her. Not "her" but her character. One of Emily's favorite movies is The Parent Trap, with Lindsay Lohan, the cute guy and Natasha Richardson. I LOVED her in this movie. It's gotten to the point that we all watch it when it is on, no matter how many times we've seen it.

It is just so sad that something so bizarre took her life. It has been said that she had a minor fall and by looking at her, you would never know anything happened. To put this in English, she developed a bleed and clot between the membrane of her brain and the skull. It pressed inward on her brain and basically killed her.

After going through some websites and seeing what people were saying, one man said he bought helmets for his kids, but because he is older, he doesn't need one. HELLLOOOOOO? The woman was 45 years old! Kids heads are bigger because they are growing. Adults brains start to shrink after a period of time, which leaves MORE ROOM in your skull for your brain to bounce around. Mr. Man doesn't seem to get it that his brain is like a marble in a tin can. Dork.

Anyway, her death bothered me so much that it actually interrupted my sleep more than once this week. She wasn't my favorite actress by any means. I guess it is just the whole thought of how something so simple can take a life.

On the flip side, I went to the College today to make sure I am on track to eventually apply to Wayne State. So far so good. I am relieved to say I don't have a whole lot of credits that are needed so that is good. Regardless, I am still very excited about this and will continue to move forward in this adventure. I just wish it wasn't at 3... I mean 29 years old! lol.

Have a GREAT weekend Y'all!!

What they think of me.

Me according to E & G.Saturday 7:05 pm
Me... according to my kids
Answered by E (9) & G (7)

1. What is something mom always says to you?
E: You're very pretty.
G: I Love you.

2. What makes mom happy?
E: When I clean my room
G: Uh... ME.

3. What makes mom sad?
E: When I'm sick.
G: Uh... When I don't get all smiley faces on my work.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
E: Imitating Sandy in the bowling alley. (She smokes A LOT and has the raspiest voice I've EVER HEARD!)
G: When you put your "thingers" in my arm pits. (He means fingers)

5. What was your mom like as a child?
E: Dorky
G: She pooped all over the place. (They are going to bed early).

6. How old is your mom?
E: 29 maybe.
G: 97

7. How tall is your mom
E: About 5 feet
G: 5'2"

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
E: Scrapbook
G: Go to Tastefully Simple parties, ALL NIGHT.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
E: I don't know, what do YOU do when I'm not around?
G: Sit and watch TV. (definitely going to bed early now)

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
E: uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... selling food.
G: Kisses

11. What is your mom really good at?
E: Scrapbooking
G: Math (lol)

12. What is your mom not very good at?
E: cooking. (E once asked if we were having "toxic vomit surprise" for dinner).
G: Math (I reply, "You just said I was good at math!", Oh.... UH.... COOKING!

(not sure why there is no 13)
14.What is your mom's favorite food?
E: Spaghetti
G: Dirt

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
E: Um... because you're my mother.
G: Your baking

16. What do you and your mom do together?
E: Scrapbook
G: Sit around.

17. How are you and your mom the same?
E: Um.... we both hate math.
G: Uh because I look like you. (He does)

18. How are you and your mom different?
E: You wear glasses and I don't.
G: Because I eat dirt.

19. How do you know your mom loves you?
E: She lets me sleep with her sometimes. I know you love me because you make time for me.
G: Uh... Because she likes to make stuff for me.

20. What does your mom like most about your dad?
E: He's HOT! lol
G: That you go crazy with him. (I asked how) Because you kick his booty, lol.

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
E: "To your bedroom, no I'm kidding." I have no idea.
G: White Castle (Mom says YUCK)

This was fun... and taken off Facebook. Their answers were pretty funny. But they are still going to bed early. lol

Another Gregism

Greg gets into his pajaja's and comes to sit by me on the couch. He is planted right up against me and starts talking. Here is the conversation that ensues;

G: Mom, you know that man that comes to the school all the time?
M: Huh? Who are you talking about?
G: You know, that man. That man that is at Emily's practice.
M: Oh! Mr. "so and so".
G: Yeah. DID YOU KNOW... that he's touched a blue whale before?
M: He did?
G: Yeah, when he was in the Navy.
M: WOW. I didn't know that.
G: Yep, he said it was very smooth. Not wrinkly like this... and he starts stroking my cheek!!!
M: WHAT?! By this time Greg is zeroing in on my cheek really checking it out. Now I'm freaking and starting to wonder if I have the grand canyon developing on my face.

Greg then starts to play with my hair and sweetly says, "Let's see if we can find your first gray hair".

Yep. Love him to death, but could have rang his bell. Hair was cut and dyed promptly the next day.

kRaZyyyy!!

I am having the most insane week. First off... THANK YOU MELANIE for booking a party with me. As most of you know, I have been a Tastefully Simple consultant for about 2 years now. I love the company, love what I do and swear to you it is in no way like A***y. With TS, what you see is what you get. And what you make of it is what you get too!.

So this month TS is offering this amazing incentive. Hit certain sales levels and earn beautiful clothing items. Who couldn't use free beautiful clothes? So I sent out an email asking a few people to do a book party at work. Rather than that, they want to do a real party. So I am well on my way to earning every incentive this month!! Melanie is helping me! Trust me. I'll be taking care of my girl.

Then I came home today to find a "secret" client (whom I don't recall ever meeting), placed a HUGE order on my website. Let's just say it was well over $200. Bang! Even closer to the incentive!

To make things even better... I have a wild hair. I hate certain things about my house right now. Dishes included. While we've decided to make more "changes", one thing I am grateful for is the fact that Den gave me carte blanc to get whatever dishes I wanted.

I'm sick of having Kmart elcheapo dorky dishes. I've had them for 12 years. I'm done. So I found the ones I want...

Life is too short to eat on a dorky dish. So I fell head over heels for these dishes. A bit fancy, but like I said... Life is too short.

So yesterday I am late running to class. I high tail it up to my room, only to find class is dismissed. The teacher is out. So on a whim, I decided to go to JcPenny where the dishes are. I just wanted to see them in person. Oddly enough, I love the green in this photo, yet HATED it in the store. It is a weird cheap looking green/blue, yet I still LOVE the design of the dishes. So I stalked the dish department for like an hour. This worker comes up. Asks if he can help me. I ask him about the deal with the credit card. You can save 15, 20 or 30% on your purchase if you use your JCP card. He gets these rub off cards, fans them out and tells me to pick on. Guess who picked a 30%! And guess which dishes were on sale for 50% off on top of that!

I decided to go with the same dishes, but in yellow. The yellow is absolutely charming. Problem. The only ones in stock are a setting for 4 ppl. I need 8.

So I mention to the man that I found the 8 place setting online, but I wanted to pick them up here to avoid shipping. Then he tells me if he can find it online, he will order it and have it sent to the store, with FREE shipping. HE FOUND THE DISHES!! So I got the most beautiful set of dishes, in a beautiful color, FREE shipping and 80% off!!!

SOMEBODY PINCH ME. I am having the most fun, CRAZY week!!!

Spring!!!!

Before I've seen my first robin of the season, and before I noticed my tulips poking through the dirt, I've seen the first signs of spring.

The other day I saw the resident squirrel playing tug o' war with the burlap on the tree out front. I wondered why it looked so ratty, then saw why. Mrs Squirrel was getting supplies for her "nest". I'm a bit worried though because the tree she is nesting in, will be cut down this year. The new neighbors next to us have decided to level all the trees in their yard. This is very sad for the tree hugger in me. I just hope that Mrs. Squirrel will be ok. Maybe they will wait until fall to do that.

My second sign of spring... the birds are building a nest in the bird house on our patio. Pretty soon we'll have the joy of seeing them going at it on the bush out side, lol.

I am so relieved. Spring is coming.

The Bachelor

I admit it. I got sucked in to this season. Particularly because I watched the Bachelorette and saw Deanna dump Jason. So my heart was broken for him... until last night.

Let me be the first to admit that I am an overly emotional person. As strong as I try to be, the water works turn on and the tears start flowing. I try to control it, but sometimes I just can't. On the other hand, the Bachelor got on my nerves. Enough already. I started to feel like he was acting. What guy cries THAT MUCH???

So I watched it to the end to see who he chose. Funny enough, Molly is my sister in law's cousin. Acutally it's her cousin's daughter. So it's a pretty close connection. I didn't really "feel" the connection between Jason & Molly, but still felt horrible for what he did to her. To make matters worse, the "after the final rose" show that came on next was TERRIBLE!! Jason actually told Melissa (the one he purposed to) that he was still in love with the OTHER girl that he sent packing. He broke off their engagement right there on TV. Then they brought out Molly and SHE TOOK HIM BACK!!! I couldn't believe it.

I could not believe that I wasted all those Monday nights watching that dumb show. I could not believe that I actually felt sorry for this piece of work named Jason. I am so mad at myself for getting hooked into it. I am NEVER watching that show again... unless Melissa is the next bachelorette. ;o)

Telling You Like It Is...

This is Charlie since he's been on a diet. That old bag pretty much sums up how I was feeling last week. A haircut and dye job fixed that! But Chuckie Ton's O' fun is still doing the dance.

Friday

A man on a horse road into town on Friday. He stayed 3 days and left on Friday. How did he do it?

Punks

As you know me, I am not normally a negative person, however I have something I want to rant about that is really pissing me off. Soon enough I promise to take this blog to the happy fairytale land as you know it. As y'all know, I failed my last math test. Math obviously does not come easy to me. I am great at a lot of other things, but not math.

This class could be the beginning or the end of the next chapter of my life. If I don't pass, I will not be able to continue to my goal. With that being said, I would like to go off about the punks in my class.

Aside from the instructor who appears to be in his 60's, I am the eldest of all the students. I probably have a 15 year lead on the next oldest student. The rest are young punks. Fresh out of high school. Unfortunately I have to take day classes because it is easier for me to go when the kids are in school. I'm sure that the night classes have more adults in them.

Regardless, here is the situation... The instructor is very nice. He is very polite, and has tried many times to get the punks to 1. stay there for the entire class time, and 2. keep the side conversations to a minimum. After all of his efforts, many of the students are coming in late (like 20 minutes late), leaving early (one even said he was hungry as he dragged his feet, carrying his punk ass out of the class), carrying on loud conversations, and disrupting the rest of the class. I'm not talking quiet banter here. They are really causing a problem.

Then there is me. 37 y/o (there I said it), mother of 2, on her third attempt with this class. I don't have the luxury of getting a do over. This is it. At this rate, things aren't going well (hopefully todays quiz will be a turn around), and I have no choice but to try harder. That means that I totally can not let myself get confused with what he is doing or saying. It is virtually impossible with the crap that is carried on in that room.

I'm not saying that I would like to sit in a library, but these kids are disrespectful and pompous. Yet as I sit there, I desperately want them to shut the hell up! I don't have the luxury of doing this again, but obviously I can't do that.

I keep telling myself to just keep going, tune them out, and just keep trying harder. But part of me wants something done about it.

That's my .02 cents for the day. Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

Money.

I may have mentioned it before, but if not... Emily bowls with my mom and the other kids on a Sunday morning league. It is a lot of fun for them, and they are getting to be pretty good bowlers.

Today while I was there a young girl that was with them, started going through the Target Ad. She then proceeded to go on and on about all the things she wants. For instance, Target has the Ipod Nano 8gb for $145. She wants it. Forget the fact that she just received the iPod Shuffle for Christmas. I thought she told me her parents gave her the iPod, but as it turns out Santa did. I am so bothered by what she said. She now wants the Ipod Nano. Regardless of the fact that her Shuffle has been in her possession for about 60 days.

I'm bothered because her parents both lost their jobs last year. Her father was out of work for almost a complete year and has luckily found work at a warehouse recently. Her mom is still out of work. They do the best they can to provide for their kids and are just getting by. Santa giving her this iPod basically tells me that he gave it to her because maybe her parents couldn't afford it. Yet she is constantly WANTING more and more things. Maybe this doesn't bother her parents at all, but it makes me sick to my stomach.

Now I look at my own children. My parents did the best they could while I was growing up and I never learned how to "save" money. In this society of instant gratification, we buy whatever it is our hearts desire. We still save money, but many people wouldn't be in the predicament they are in now, if they had learned this major life skill.

Emily has holes in her pockets. If she has a quarter, sure enough it will go into a vending machine. If she has a dime or nickel, she will blow it at the school spirit store. She can't save money to save her life, and I don't know how to teach her how important it is. As parents, we try very hard to not let the kids feel the negative impacts of the economy, as we felt them for most of our lives. I guess this is why we are all now an instant gratification society!

Regardless, I am totally stumped as to how to teach my kids about saving money. They need to know WHY they are doing it, rather than for me to force them to put half of their money in the bank when they just don't understand. I am so bothered by this whole thing today. The kids just want, want, want, and when they get what they want, it isn't good enough and they want more.

While there is nothing I can do about this other little girl, I can do something about my own kids. But the thing is... what? How do I teach them something I was never really taught? Please post your thoughts and comments. I'm am racking my brains on this one.

Reincarnation

Have you ever heard someone say, "When I come back, I want to be a cat". If I had a nickel for every time I've heard this, I'd be.... well I'd have about a buck-fifty, but anyway.

Charlie.

He is huge. In fact it has been said that his body looks like a boulder and his head looks like a dot. I don't get it. Charlie & Pumpkin have been eating Iam's weight management cat food, they've eaten canned cat food, low fat cat food, food with herbs in it. You name it, they've eaten it.

Dennis is starting to think he will need to take out the cat door that leads to the basement. He's thought about tracing a basketball onto the door, then cutting it out... for Charlie to fit through it. He's that big. The other day, Den went downstairs to play his drums. When he started pounding away, Charlie shot up the stairs like an elephant, running through the door - which wasn't all the way closed, and got stuck. So instead of being able to go through the door, the door swung open hitting the garage door with a cat stuck half way through it. Two Ton Tessie had to be "rescued".

After all my feeble attempts at feline weight reduction, I called the vet and made his appointment. After pouring dear ole chuck into the carrier feet first, I carried it by the bottom, for fear of the handle breaking off.

26 pounds. I know Miranda, he doesn't compare to your kitty, but this dear fuzzy feline weighs half of what my son weighs. After being hauled to the lab area for a lab draw, dear ole' Chuck was brought back.

Canned cat food said the doc. Any kind of canned cat food and as much as he wants to eat. Fresh water and she'll call tomorrow with the lab results. Chuck is officially on the "Catkins" diet.

Reincarnation. If you wanted to come back as a cat, how would you feel if your favorite past-time of eating and sleeping suddenly got thrown out the window. Your mindless grazing of kibble suddenly came to an end, and you were FORCED into a weight loss routine. At this moment, I'm willing to bet that dear ole tons o' fun wishes he had thumbs.

Results are In

I failed my math test. :o(

I am NOT giving up. I am NOT throwing in the towel. Some things come easy for some people. Some things are harder for others. I WILL pass this class. Failure is NOT an option. I will pass.

Now I have to go do my homework.

The Bet

This is Chase. My "honorary nephew".

Chase has been wearing the same look on his face since fall.

The look on his face will hopefully turn into a smile on

10.03.2009

Can you guess why?

We Interrupt This Program...

Hey folks, I have a math test on Thursday. I'm taking algebra... AGAIN because I never understood it, therefore never could pass the class. I'm working hard and studying so that I can do well.

I'll post as soon as I can. Wish me luck! Send good Karma!

Ted

In our old neighborhood, we knew a total of 4 neighbors in the 4 year span that we lived there. That was pretty bad considering it was a normal city block where the houses are jammed together.

Once we moved into Macomb, we knew almost every neighbor on our street within a week. There are about 14 houses on our street and we know almost every family.

Two people that I really like are Ted & Lucy. They are probably in their late 50's and are polish. Ted keeps his lawn meticulous. In fact he mows in his bare feet. I once asked him if he was worried about stepping on something, like a bee's nest, which of course he replied "no". The first time I saw Ted, I immediately thought of my Dad. Ted works for GM, and wears the same uniform that my Dad wore for so many years.

He is always outside doing something, whether it be to his house or lawn. He also rolls his lawn with a huge roller filled with water, which my dad has also done. On one occasion, I borrowed it after the spring thaw, to roll the ruts out of the lawn. It worked like a charm.

Ted and Lucy mostly keep to themselves, but any conversations with them are usually always good ones. One year however, I noticed there was no activity at their house for an extended amount of time. I started to worry. For people that we normally see every couple days, there was nothing. The lawn remained untouched and there were no signs of life. Finally I saw Lucy outside, and I went over there. I told her that I was very worried (although whatever or where ever they were, remained none of my business). She was pleasantly surprised that someone noticed. They had gone to Poland for a vacation. A day or two after they arrived, her Dad passed away. They remained in Poland longer than originally planned. I felt so bad for her.

Regardless, a year or two has passed. Today it's warm out. I'm ready. I am so ready for this snow to be gone that I am half tempted to shovel the lawn off. But instead, I decided to go out and clear the areas around the drains in front of our house. Our drain was already clear, as it lays directly in front of our mailbox. Across the street however, the drain was hidden. I grabbed a gardening tool and went to work. I was diligently working at the snow and ice, trying to locate the drain, when Ted came out to his mailbox. We then talked for a few minutes, then he too decided to take up the cause. Locating the one in front of his house was of special interest to both of us. Within minutes, we found it.

We continued with tools in hand, cutting rivers through the ice, watching the melted snow rush into the drains. It was the most therapeutic hour I've had all week. At first I'm sure Ted thought I was nuts, but then when we started working together, the conversations started as well. We talked about work, school, the economy, why everyone should speak English (which this foreigner not only brought up, but agrees to). We talked about the kitten he found in his engine compartment, and how Dennis took it to the Humane Society this winter. We talked about how the neighborhood used to look before 400 ash trees were leveled to the ground. Most have planted something new. We chose a silver maple, while he went for an oak.

I am sure this post has probably bored you to tears, but for me, I feel so much better having spent the time clearing the drains today. If not for the snow to make a quicker exit, but more for time working with Ted... which is like being with Dad.

Money

So on the Comcast.com web page, the woman in California who gave birth to octuplets spoke out about it. She said she had 6 embryo's implanted via invitro. They also went on to say that she has been criticized because she is single, unemployed and already has six children.

My question is... If she is unemployed, who paid for the invitro? I thought that was very expensive.

Another Day in Paradise

Grab your seats, I'm 2.2 seconds from going on a screaming rampage.

Emily is sick. Strike that. Emily AND now Greg too... are both sick. This makes for horrendous illness #3 in this house for these kids.. this winter alone. Let's not lose sight of the 2 boughts of stomach flu prior to Christmas.

Emily went to a birthday party on Saturday, and spent the night. Sunday, I went to pick her up and the birthday girl's mom (who happens to be a friend of mine) told me that 2 girls went home sick. One had asthma issues and the other had a fever. Instantly I thought GREAT - because it is inevitable that my kids will catch it.

Monday evening, Emily was up all night with a horrendous stomach ache. Tuesday morning she felt better, but was exhausted. We let her go to school at lunchtime. (Because she was symptom-free). 3:15 we pick her up and guess who has a fever.

Last night Emily woke us up at 3:30 with the most awful cough, and raspy breathing I had ever heard come out of that child. I literally can see how parents would panic as I almost was myself. I grabbed my stethescope and listened to her lungs. No wheezing. It was coming from her throat, not her lungs. But again... she had a fever. This morning I made the appt and took her to the doctor. Diagnosis: Influenza. Luckily she is in the window for Tamiflu.

About 2 minutes after we got in the door, the school called. Guess who is in the office with a headache?! YEP. Greg.

I picked him up and brought him home. Temp of 101.4. He's now in his pajamas, camped out on the futon, with a shot of motrin in his tummy.

So here is what I'm pissed about...

The girl at the party with the fever... just spent the week with her entire family sick. She was the exception last week... until she went to the birthday party. Now Emily has it, Greg probably has it, Dennis is praying his flu shot works, and I'm wishing I had gotten one. Instead I am pounding down spoonfuls of that healthy liquid I told you about last time.

I FEEL SO DEFEATED!! We are a busy family! We have things going on almost every day and don't have time for people to be inconsiderate! I give my kids probiotics religiously so that they won't get gastritis again. They take a multivitamin daily. I make sure they are eating all the colors of the rainbow, but not in the form of junk! WTF PEOPLE!!!

As I sit here, I'm feeling sort of strange, myself. Is my stomach turning because of something I ate? Why is my neck sore? Why am I so tired?... probably because I'm nuts! The thing is, I have class tomorrow. 5% extra credit for good attendance. I don't have time to be sick. My family does not have time to be sick.

And people need to be fricken considerate of others health! Now I get to hold vigil with tylenol and motrin over my very sick children, praying they get better as soon as possible, and although I have been against the flu shot - mark my words. We are ALL getting one next year!

DAMN!!!

Mikey's Cup of Coffee

My friend Mike used to do a newsletter where he worked. From what I have read on facebook, it must have been something pretty cool, as people want him to start it up again.

At the urging of a person that shall remain anonymous, he has a blog now! Visit the link on the right under "Blogs I Stalk". He's a very funny, quirky and intelligent. I'm sure we're all going to enjoy his musings.

Are You Ready?

I am starting to equate the digital transition commercials to the political ones prior to the election. I'm sick of them. If people aren't ready for the transition, then they will move their asses once they can't watch tv. Enough already! It's a waste of perfectly good air space.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know...

If you take a buy out to leave a company, can you still collect unemployment too? I always thought that would be double dipping.

Your thoughts please...

Bear Attack!

Bear Attack in Churchill , Manitoba , Canada .
These are pictures of an actual polar bear attack in Churchill.
These pictures were taken while people watched and could do nothing to stop the attack!
Reports from the local newspaper say that the victim will make a full recovery.
The photos are below....

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As you may notice from my previous post, I'm not having a very good day. My friend, Helen sent this to me, and it totally made me smile.

What to do, what to do...

I am sure I speak for all of us when I say this winter is sucking the life out of me. I am sure I would feel so much better if I could just see the grass. It may not change things, but it would make me feel better.

Complaint

Inquiring minds would like to know...

How is it that we pay the same amount of $ in our taxes, yet we are supposed to expect less when it comes to service by the road commission. I live 3 houses off a main road, yet TWICE this year we've had to call them to come plow the fricken street. They've only been out here 3 times TOTAL. You do the math. Thank GOD for 4WD. Never thought I would have to turn it on, turn it off, turn it on, turn it off... so much! Biatches.

It's Been A While...

After Greg's bath, he comes to the living room dressed in pajamas which consist of an army top and bright yellow SpongeBob pants. He curls up on the couch next to me and puts his head in my lap. (He NEVER does this).

I start playing with his dark, silky hair. We turn on the history channel which is doing a segment on past presidents, in order of their terms.

A commercial comes on, then the show resumes.

Greg sits up and says, "How far away is the year 33999?"
I look at him and realize there is no way I can do this math in my head. Then I say, "Thousands of years from now."

He says, "We won't be alive, will we?"
I reply, "No honey, none of us will be here. That's a very long time from now."

He says in the saddest voice I ever heard, "Great. When that car comes out, I won't even be here to see it."

Then I made the connection. The Mercedes SUV STARTS at 33,999 DOLLARS! NOT YEARS! lol

It's been a while since he's said something so cute.

Who'd a Thunk It?!

First off, I felt my post on the hawk was sort of lame. Well who'd a thunk this hawk would have an impact on the family. Because of the lack of birds, Pumpkin & Charlie are spending their days sleeping, instead of looking at the little turkey dinners out on the bird feeders. Therefore, they kept us all up the other night, because they weren't "tired"! Lucky enough, the birds returned yesterday and the patio was a "buzz" with bird traffic. The cats were up ALL DAY, glued to the window, and slept all night with a hangover.

Today was my first day of school. I had a bit of a breakdown before I went in, because this isn't like any other college class. This is a class that I've dropped twice before because I had the intelligence of a box of rocks. The last time I attended Macomb Community College, was in 1995. When I went to purchase the book for my current class, I found that not only have they added new buildings, but they've also moved the bookstore. Who'd a thunk they would move it in the 14 years that I was absent.

I went into a brand new building today and BAM! I was transported to high school. The last time I set foot on that campus, was probably the year most of those kids were born. At least it felt that way. I felt SO OLD!!! Girls and their cutsie little purses, and their jingling keys... their trendy little cellphones. Guys driving what they believe to be hot cars, with the windows down in 6 degree weather, and cologne billowing out the windows, radios thumping. OMG. I am so old.

My professor is an older gentleman. He and I could probably relate on a lot of different issues, which is probably why he kept looking at me, as if he were talking DIRECTLY to me. He would laugh, I would laugh. The teenie boppers would continue being disrespectful by carrying on their meaningless little conversations.

It was a very eye opening day and if there is anything that became crystal clear, it's that I'm in it to win it my friends. I'm not there because it's just that thing you do after high school. I'm there because I choose to be there. I'm there to accomplish something that is major to me, that will carry me on to a greater thing.

So while I felt very awkward at first, I realize that I have experienced so many more things than these young people, and that I am so set in my life. They have a lot of uncertainties coming their way, where I am certain... that I will ACE this class. Whatever it takes.

Uncharted Waters

There comes a time in every parent's life that they are suddenly put on the spot. When to let the child stay home... ALONE.

Today Emily is home sick. She had a horrendous headache when she went to bed last night. She was then woken up multiple times by Charlie, who is like a bull in a china shop. He found himself locked in the basement by 2:30 this morning.

She woke up this morning feeling even worse, and proceeded to throw up the Tylenol I gave her... on an empty stomach (lesson learned).

Regardless, adjustments have to be made when a child is home sick. First off, I started really feeling like a Mom as I was walking down the hall with toast for her. How lucky am I to be home with nothing else pending... when my child needs me most?

Yet there was something that actually couldn't wait. Laundry, and I am out of fabric softener sheets. I don't know about you, but the last time I tried drying clothes without one, they came out like a Velcro ball, and I got shocked every time I tried to shake them apart.

Because school starts tomorrow for me, and the fact that I am leaving on Friday, the laundry just can't wait. But then again, Emily is here. Do I venture out?

I decided she would be ok. I gave her explicit instructions that she is NOT to answer the door. Not only is she NOT to answer the door, if the doorbell rings, she isn't even permitted to go look out the door. She is to stay in bed, and let them go away. Even if the Pope happens to stop by. She also was not to answer the phone unless it was me or Daddy, and of course, I called her to check on her.

I ran up to Walgreens which is about 1 minute from my door, got my dryer sheets, and flew home to find her exactly where I told her to stay. While she was fine, I felt like I was leaving my newborn baby alone in the house while I went to work! A new milestone for us. One I'm not so sure I'm ready for.

Foghorn Leghorn

Aside from school starting on Thursday and scrapbooking up north this weekend, I don't have a lot going on. Which leaves me looking out the doorwall, watching time go by. I know I don't have to tell you about my obsession with nature. I LOVE the birds, the trees, and everything that goes along with it... except things that try to eat my birds.

First off, Fuznut the squirrel seems to have vanished. She was coming here for more than 2 years, almost daily. Then one day she stopped coming. For more than a week, I was looking for her. Then she showed up with a couple babies, and a patch of hair missing off the side of her body, which means something got her. This was the last time we would see her.

I filled my bird feeders on Saturday, and to say business has been slow is putting it mildly. I see the occasional Downy Woodpecker, and a finch or two. Then yesterday, I saw why.

I happened to walk by the window only to see this HUGE brown hawk diving INTO the bushes, causing snow to explode off of them, and little birds fleeing for their lives. He darted in and out of every bush in the backyard. I think he scared the hell out of every thing out there. It's been slow ever since.

I didn't realize I was setting up a buffet!

Taxi!

I have to laugh. Donna & Mike are Emily's godparents. When we got pregnant with her, we threw the whole "thing" off balance. We used to vacation together, get together on a weeknight (gasp) for drinks. We'd have dinner... whenever! Donna commented more than once on how I was going to be a Minivan Mom. (You know where this is going). "Mom's Taxi" she would say. Today... I felt like I was a Taxi. Here is my Monday:

8:00 drop off at school

~Come home

12:00 run to mall to exchange broken xmas gift

~come home

3:15 pick up Greg from school

~come home

3:45 take Greg, pick up 2 other kids, drop off at catechism'

~come home

5:30 pick up Emily from afterschool meeting

~come home

NO wonder I am exhausted today! My tires are smoking! BTW... This is what Donna is driving her kids around town in these days, lol.

Meanwhile, I'm sportin' around town in an SUV, lol. Who's the "Minivan Mom" now biatch?! ;o)

Math.com

I've been practicing algebra on Math.com and have come to the conclusion... I'm doomed. lol

Name this product.

Ingredients: Milkfat and Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Sweet Whey, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Natural and Artificial Vanilla Flavor, Guar Gum, Mono- and Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Phosphate, Carrageenan. Natural flavors from plant sources. Contains Milk. In some areas, may contain traces of strawberry. Corn Syrup, Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Artificial Flavor, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), and Colored with Red #40
http://www.bk.com/Nutrition/PDFs/ingredients.pdf

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Answer: It’s amazing that Burger King can call this a Strawberry Shake. A better name might be Fake Shake.

ZUMBA!!!!!

Slow to start, but gets fun! I did this last night, it was a blast! Best fitness class I have EVER been to. Enjoy!

That Poor Girl

Today I had the pleasure of taking the suv in for service. Oil Change and now a tire rotation, as that the drive over there put me over 10,000 miles. As I pulled in, I started thinking... "who can I call to come get me, and take me home". The service department was crazy busy. As in... I had to wait outside in my car for them to shuffle cars around inside the garage, so that I as well as the other 3 behind me, could fit inside.

45 min to 1 hour I was told, much to my surprise. So I ventured off to the waiting area with my fresh cup of joe, prevention magazine & purse. It was slightly full, so I chose a seat at a round table with 4 chairs. Lucky for me, there was also a newspaper sitting there, which I promptly started to read.

Approximately 15 minutes later, a woman walks in and sits next to me. No big deal. Then it happened. Suddenly the television screen was red and WXYZ was interrupting GMA with breaking news. Christine Beatty was going to jail. Not 2 minutes go by and the woman sitting next to me gets on her cellphone. The phone is so loud, everyone in the room can hear the entire conversation. She proceeds to tell the woman on the other line about her "baby daddy" and about some woman she kicked the s*** out of. Then proceeds to talk about how her baby daddy gonna hafta come ta her house if heeee want ta see heeim.

At first I tried to focus on my paper, occasionally glancing up at the felon on TV to see her sentencing. Then it happened. She said it. "mmmmmmmmmmmm hm, did you see Christine Beatty is on TV? That poor girl, she look like she gonna cry".

It took EVERY ounce of self control I had to keep my mouth shut, my head in my paper, and not cause a scene. That poor girl? ARE YOU SERIOUS? That poor girl, lied under oath, ruined the careers of two police officers as well as her two daughters, cost the city taxpayers over $8 million dollars to cover up that lie, and still tried to keep her affair with the other married felon a secret. Hell, she spent her career like a bull in a china shop! What type of example is she setting for the little people? While I'm trying desperately to raise sweet, innocent children into respectible adults, this tramp turns around and does this... and it's NATIONAL NEWS! That poor girl. Well that poor girl is now someone elses Biatttch. She got exactly what she deserves.

Miss thug supporter also proceeded to call 3 other people. 1 of which was checking her voicemail. 1 of which she asked if they got her text messages about her beating up some woman last night and the other she reached someone elses voicemail.

All within 1 hour. As I sat there, I started thinking about the glass enclosed kiddy area behind me that was currently unoccupied. I could go play with the blocks. At this point, anything to keep me from ripping the extentions out of this dumb asses hair for 1. Being inconsiderate to those around her by talking loudly on her cellphone, and 2. For public display of sympathy for someone who DESERVES TO GO TO JAIL, and thinking that everyone else feels the same way.

I will tell you this... If at any point, the people of Detroit re-ellect Mr. Kilpatrick, I will NEVER spend another dime in that city. Period.

That poor girl. yeah... right. I need to go do some deep breathing now.

Marley & Me The Movie

Last night we went to the very crowded theater to see Marley & Me. I won't go into detail, but I will say it was very good. If you are going to see it, I suggest you read the book first, as there was a lot missing in the movie. I will say that I liked the book more than the movie, but the movie was still very good.

The biggest thing I want to tell you is that it should NOT be rated PG. If you are taking kids to see it, maybe think twice.

Happy Holidays!

Things are about to get crazy for pretty much all of us. I just wanted to wish all of you a VERY, MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

Valerie

The Ritual

Today I learned something new! Apparently there is a Snow Day ritual. I learned about it while visiting a friend.

This is how it goes;

Flush 3 ice cubes down the toilet
Put a penny on the window sill
Wear your pajamas inside out
and sleep with a spoon under your pillow.

I haven't ever heard about this before, but apparently I am the minority. Even Emily's softball coach knew about the "list". Rest assured that frick and frack are snuggled safely into their beds, flatware under their pillows, change on the sill, pajaja's on inside out AND backwards (added for good luck).

I think there will be a nuclear meltdown in the Milobar household if there is actually school tomorrow.

Did you know about this ritual?

Recipe!

Tonight I made Chicken Georgia for dinner. Recipe to follow. It was AWESOME!

Chicken Georgia
4 TBS Butter (I did half w/olive oil)
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1 c sliced fresh mushrooms
2 tablespoons minced shallots (never had before, but liked!)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 ounces grated mozzarella cheese

Melt butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms and shallots. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Cook 10 minutes. Add chicken and cook 10 minutes on each side or until tender. Transfer chicken to platter and sprinkle with grated cheese. Top with mushroom mixture. Cover and let set 5 minutes or until cheese melts.

This recipe compliments of Paula Deen. It was awesome. The mushrooms & shallots got a bit crispy/carmelized in the pan which made for an amazing texture. We had this with fresh salad, and Newmans Own Olive Oil/Vinegar salad dressing, which Katrina recommended. VERY good dressing, with ingredients I can pronounce!!

Enjoy!

I LOVE January!

First off, I LOVE Christmas. It is my favorite holiday with Easter running an extremely close second. I love the colors, I love the music, I love the whole attitude that it brings (for most people). Christmas is a time to change gears. It's a time to forget about everyday doldrums and to appreciate life.

My next favorite things came this week. The January edition of my current subscriptions, Better Homes and Gardens, and Martha Stewart Living. I LOVE the covers! I look forward to this so much that I've already read the BHG mag! The people at these magazines are so smart. The covers are bright, clean, and totally inspire you to organize, think fresh, and to start the year off on a good note. They are so inspirational. They have never failed to get me motivated for spring.

While I know we still have a bit of time before we smell the soft thawing earth, Winter is a great time to complete projects that we've put off. That way we can spend all summer long, sitting in our 0asis (our patio), listening to the kids play and the water in the fountain.

This January I plan to paint my craftroom, redo both kids rooms, and to organize this place we call home.

Poll time

Inquiring minds want to know...

How many of you keep a journal? Post on the side please.

After reading Marley & Me, I read the interview in the back of the book. The interviewer asked the author how he was able to keep track of 13 years and then write a book about it. The author being a newspaper columnist, said he always keeps a journal, so it was somewhat easy.

Then I started thinking about my own life, the funny things that go on, and how much easier it may be to blog and journal my life if I started writing it down.

So cast your vote, and tell me your thoughts on the subject.

Joy to the World

Inquiring minds want to know, what the hell is with the crotchety old people these days? Point in case...

Target in Utica - Wednesday

Emily's Piano teacher and I are good friends. We decided to go do some Christmas shopping before Emily's lesson. As we are finishing up our shopping, I was side tracked in the card section by a funny looking card. As Autumn peers over my shoulder, this old man on a rascal says in this deep, LOUD voice, "EXCUSE ME!"
Autumns says, "Oops! I'm sorry" as she was standing in his way.
He replies, "I'LL BET YOU'RE SORRY!!"

WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR??

So Autumn starts singing, "Tis the season to be Jolly", and everyone within an earshot of the whole thing, starts laughing. Literally this jackass sucked the wind right out of her sails. She talked about it for the next 15 minutes.

Target, Today, same location.

Dennis and I go shopping. I'm in the check-out. The cashier is obviously ailing from a runny nose, but is very pleasant. As I am trying to "swipe" my card, the crotchety old bag behind me starts asking the cashier in a voice that suggests the cashier is hearing impaired, "DO YOU HAVE GIFT RECEIPTS?" And the cashier didn't really answer her because she was completing my transaction. "EXCUSE ME! DO YOU HAVE GIFT RECEIPTS?!"

NOW she has the cashiers attention, and she cordially answered, "Yes". Well my transaction took a little bit because my card didn't swipe the first time. So as we are trying to wrap this up, the old bag then asks, "DO YOU TAKE DISCOVER CARD?"

What the hell is with people these days? I'm going to start asking them, MYSELF!

Nuts

PECANS IN THE CEMETERY

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts. "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me," said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.

Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off.

Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along. "Come here quick," said the boy, "you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls." The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk." When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery.Standing by the fence they heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord.

"Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord. At last they heard, "One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done."They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the kid on the bike.

Injured Players List

Poor Peepers. Yesterday while ice skating, a friend ran into her at high speed. Emily fell and when her hands went down, her blades came up. She has quite the gash on her right thumb. She'll be out of commission for a bit.

I'm very impressed with the stitch job, I must say!

Let's Get Sirius

Attention Sirius/XM radio fans... did you notice anything today? A while back they talked about merging. Then it became official, but still nothing happened.

Today while out tooling about town, I found that the Kenny Chesney Channel is now Elvis, and FRED, my favorite alternative channel is now First Wave. There are many other changes, but I was flying through the dial so fast in excitement, that I couldn't keep track of the newbies.

I LOVE the new changes, but can't find the Chesney Channel to save my life. There seems to be a bit more talking by the DJ, but it's still quite GROOVY! Wooohoooooo!!

I promise to try and blog more. I had a pretty crappy month and everything I would have posted would have been very dark. So I just tried to "get by".

My First Time

I remember it like it was yesterday. I almost remember what I was wearing when it happened. It was 1992. I was in college. I was so scared because it was my first time, yet I was assured that everything would be fine. When I went into the room, my heart was beating a hundred mph. What I was about to do was a VERY grown up thing to do. It was the end of my childhood as I knew it. There would be no turning back. After I did the deed, I reeled over it all day long in the comfort of my friend Cherie's house. I couldn't believe that I actually did it. I voted. What were you thinking I did? Get your mind out of the gutter and go vote!

Broken.

I'm broken. Absolutely broken. Something happened to me the other day and I am completely stumped as to how this happened. I did something so out of character that I feel really lost. It was so unlike me, and so strange that I still can't believe it happened.

We spent 2 hours at Borders Friday night and I DIDN'T BUY ANY BOOKS!!!!

This is so strange for me because I LOVE to read. But here is the kicker. They had a GREAT history section. LOTS of local history about different cities, including Detroit. They must have had over 200 books just on this. Cute little paperback books. They were $19.99... and weren't even 1/2" thick. I just couldn't bring myself to buy it.

Then there were the romance novels. I LOVE romance novels. But I just couldn't bring myself to spend the $6 on something I would read in 2.2 seconds.

And then there were cookbooks. If you know me at all, you know I don't have to answer this one. Let's just say that my mom called me out on my love of recipes cookbooks. She cut this out of the paper, because that old bag is me, and the little girl is Emily... minus the glasses!

Another Conversation with Greg

The Scene... Paulees Restaurant.

The setting, an evening dinner with Emily & Greg. We sat in our cozy booth, talking about how our favorite waitress who has recently graduated from college, is moving to Wisconsin. She is took a job with a casino as a the promotions director. After a short conversation with her, she walks away.

Greg: "When I grow up, I'm moving to a COUNTRY!"
V: "You ARE in a country"
Greg: "I'm moving to Britain, because they speak ENGLISH there!"

On the Next Dancing with the Stars!!!

Product Review

The Swiffer duster

I'm not one for too many chemicals around the house. So as you can guess, I definitely have this product in my home. The concept of this product is great. It magnetically attracts the dust, picking it up. Unfortunately I am giving this product a thumbs down. This past week as I was dusting, I noticed more dust flying around, than was being picked up. I have a black wood TV stand, and a large black bookcase. As you can imagine, it shows EVERYTHING... but I love it. Seconds after dusting the tv stand, I immediately noticed the airborne dust landing on it again.

Hence, I had to get out the vacuum and use the dusting attachment for 100% success.

Meap Madness

Ahhh yes, it's that time of year again. Time for the Meap tests. Time for all of the studying to be put to good use. Time for Emily to show off her big brain. This morning she was up before I was. She was in and out of the shower before her Daddy and she had the biggest positive attitude I've seen in a long time. She chose a healthy breakfast, and had her snacks packed in her backpack. She chose comfortable clothes, and mentally prepared herself for the big day.

On the way to school, she chanted over and over "I hope I do good, I hope I do good", while I said over and over in my head, "I know she'll do great, I know she'll do great". As we pulled up to the school, she turned, gave me a kiss, told me she loves me, and popped out of the car. She turned towards the building, ready to take on the world, and the Meaps. Althought I tell her often, the child will never know how much I adore her. How I watch her while she sleeps, praying that she will always make good choices, and will continue to excel in her own life. How I pray that she will always be healthy, and how I thank god for the opportunity to be her mother. I am the luckiest person in the world.

This says it all!!!

My reaction if he becomes President!

Relief!

I'm sure I've mentioned before that sometimes when Greg speaks, I sweat. You NEVER know what is going to come out of that kids mouth. Trust me when I tell you that he is not the least bit shy.

Today I took the kids to Johnnie's Barber Shop. It's such a cool little "out of the way" place, where interesting conversations are held. I would LOVE to sit in there for a day and just listen to the barrage of stories that come and go.

While Emily's "edge trimming" took a mere 5 minutes, Greg's took much longer. Johnnie must be a perfectionist, and from the look of Greg's new doo, it shows. It was worth the wait... and so was the conversation.

Greg made small talk to Johnnie, and Johnnie told Greg jokes. My favorite? Why did the boy throw a stick of butter out of the car window? He wanted to see a butterfly, lol. OMG, I'm LMAO.

Anyhow, as we were leaving, and Greg finished his stories about Muskie, Sturgeon, and France, he turns to Johnnie and says, "You were very nice. I hope to see you next time I come in here."

All I heard was a gasp and saw a HUGE smile on Johnnie's face. My thoughts? THANK GOD... my child is polite!

Tink, Tink, Tink... Is this thing on?

Wow, where have I been? All of those blog links on the bottom right, are blogs that I look at EVERY DAY. From the looks of it, everyone else has been as busy as I have. Plus I must admit... lately I haven't been online much. I have been so busy trying to get some things done, that a couple days have gone by, where I didn't even turn on the computer.

Add to that my dark frame of mind. I will be fine though. Just sick of media hype.

I have some exciting news to share! Emily has been invited to join the EXCEL team at her school. It is a team of talented and gifted students. Something that I would have NEVER qualified to be a part of. She scored very high on her MEAP tests last year. I went to the parental meeting tonight, and was so excited to see a bunch of people that I know. Looks like her class must still be the bumper crop, that her preschool teacher loved so much.

As I was driving home from the school, I suddenly realized how many opportunities our children have, that we were never given. As far as I remember, I do not recall having any type of after school activities, other than sports. I do not remember the teachers pushing their students to be the best. I... am a product of that environment. I... am so glad that my kids won't be.

Shocker!!!

A Halloween favorite, Original Skittles, has 47 grams of sugar in one serving, some of it in the form of corn syrup. Would you ever have your child sit and eat 12 packets of sugar? That’s the amount they are getting from eating one bag of Skittles. This info came right from the maker of this candy at www.marshealthyliving.com. Their idea of healthy living must be different than ours?!?!

I found this in a newsletter I get from Nourish Your Kids

I'm Not Funny

I miss myself. Sometimes I find things so funny, that I just can't stop laughing. I'm not laughing lately, and I'm sorry, but here comes a dark post. I would like to say that I am witty, but I don't feel it right now. I would like to say that my glass is always half full, and the sun is always shining, but lately it isn't. I would like to say that the air feels so light, but it doesn't.

Yesterday while we were at Meijer, I had a very short conversation with a woman in the produce section. BTW, Meijer had cheese on sale... 3 for $6... thank you very much Kroger, you can stick your $4.49 cheese sideways up your hoohaa's.

Prior to this conversation with this lady, I definitely took notice of the faces people were wearing that day. Doom and gloom. I honestly don't think I saw even one person smile. Den and I noticed a sharp increase in many prices.

The conversation with the woman was brief. She commented on how 4 peppers in a cellophane bag for $4.99 will NEVER sell at that price. I agreed. She went on to say how she is a nervous wreck, as she had just left her bank, and was expecting a call from her banker. I mentioned to her that we too, were feeling the pinch. I only had in my basket, what I absolutely needed. The days of frivolous shopping are definitely on hiatus.

This whole thing is wearing on me. Personally, I think we are doing fine, and we will be ok... but as I look around, and especially on the news. OMG the news... It literally sucks the life out of me to watch it. Everything is so bad all the time.

It is absolutely shocking to see how bad things have gotten in 8 years under the village idiot. I am scared to death that the walking corpse (McCain) will get in, because he and the idiot seem to share a brain. On the flipside, I'm not so sure that Obama is any better. I am so scared for this country... so scared. Then there is that nitwit that is running with the corpse. Did you see the clip of her with Katie Couric? Katie asked her about which publications she reads as far as news papers goes, and nitwit goes on and says, "Oh I read all of them", and basically dodged the question. Can she even answer a question at all? BTW, GMA went to Alaska today to see if you really CAN see Russia from "her house". Unless she lives on Little Diomede, there is no way she can see Russia from her house.

Regardless, I hope I find my sense of humor soon. As of now it is just sitting at bay, and I hope that the fire isn't diminished completely before it surfaces again.