With A Little Help From My Friends

We Want to Know

2012-03-07T19:24:00.000-06:00

Welcome to We Want to Know Wednesdays Q&A Hosted by Mamarazzi and Crazymama

Crazymama is asking the questions this week:

{1} What is your favorite way to celebrate birthdays?
Making a big deal for my loved ones! I love to make them feel special on their birthday. I just want them to know that I am grateful for the day they were born. For my birthday, just spending time with my loved ones.

{2} Which is more fun to celebrate? Celebrating yours or your loved ones?
Celebrating loved ones. I have come to face the fact, my birthday will always be over shadowed by Christmas, so I never expect much. Most of the time people are done with celebrating when it comes to my birthday.

{3} What is your dessert of choice for birthday celebrating?
Anything but left over Christmas pies or cake. Seriously... my 16th birthday we were staying with my Grandparents while our house was being repaired from a fire the month prior. My Grandma refused to let my Mom bake a cake or buy a cake for my sister and I because we had so much left over from Christmas, cake and pie. Our birthday is 2 days after Christmas and we are 1 year apart.

{4} Tell us about your best birthday you've ever had.
I think this is the hardest question being asked. *tapping my fingers on my desk* Yeah, that is not helping. I think it is a toss up between my 12th birthday and my 40th and 41st birthday. My 12th, I had a slumber party with a few of my friends from school. I remember that I made these blue velvet pin cushions and a stick pin was placed in it, to give as gifts to my friends. I remember that we stayed up all night and did the "Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board" thing. Rhonda was there. My father would tease my friends. My 40th birthday, Todd took me out to dinner to a very romantic dinner. I had a good idea I was going to get my engagement ring. He was not very romantic by proposing to me at all, matter of a fact, this may be my most humorous birthday, because, he slid the box to me and said. There you go, I just wish I could give it to you on your real birthday. I cracked up laughing and said it is my real birthday. He looked like a scared deer in the headlights then. On the 41st birthday we were going to go eat at Texas Road House but it was going to take nearly an hour to wait, so we ended up going to Lonestar and had the worse service, however it was fine they forgot to deliver our food to us (We ended up waiting an hour), this gave us time to set our wedding date and plan what we wanted. The children were waiting at home (all of them) and we made the big announcement of the date. They all said something to the nature it is about time. This made us both happy because not all were happy when he gave me the ring...okay one wasn't happy but she was fine with it a year later.

{5} Share your favorite birthday song
Well... my favorite birthday song is for two reasons. The Beatle's , Birthday. Of course because it is from the Beatles (if you follow my post you will know, how much I love Paul McCartney) and because of the lyrics. "You say it's your birthday. It's my birthday too." While I was in college, the first year I was not with my sister for our birthday, she called into the radio station and dedicated this song to me. Every year after that, we try to rush and beat one another to the call (up until 7 years ago when I moved two hours away.) to dedicate the song to one another. It is so appropriate for us since we share birthdays. Now I just post the YouTube Video on her Facebook page. It's our song.

{6} Bonus question: if you could pick any age to be again, how old would you be and why?
Oh, so difficult. I miss my Grandpas so much, it might be back to before my Grandpa Rich died, then I could see both. It might be back to when the boys were younger but then I would be in an awful time of my life, so I wouldn't pick it again. I would love to have the opportunity to become healthier at a much younger age, so maybe I would not be in as much pain as I am now with my knees...YES, that would be it. I would pick 39 again. This would be when the boys were still respectful, life was so much happier. They were all doing good, I am with Todd and for the first time in my life know what it feels like to be loved and respected and I was working on losing weight at that time. This time, I would just not let life get in the way and keep working on it. Todd was as well, he was just diagnosis with diabetes then.

Happy List

2012-03-06T21:00:00.002-06:00

This week I feel like I have something to post that I am HAPPY about! I had a wonderful weekend. It started with Friday, a late lunch date with my husband. We aired some feelings and I shared how I felt we were growing apart and feel such tension between us anymore. I think this helped because the tension is not there any more. HAPPY! HAPPY! HAPPY!

Saturday, Noah and I went and had our hair cut. OH I AM SO HAPPY with my cut. I think I have found my new hair dresser that I am going to request from now on! He did what I asked and more. He even showed me another way to style it, so now I have 3 different ways I can wear my hair. I am so HAPPY! It has been a long time since I have felt good about my hair.

Saturday, Noah, Ethan and I went to a ceramic cafe and spent several hours... I mean several hours just painting. Anything crafty makes me HAPPY. Spending quality time with my boys makes me HAPPY! I can not wait to blog about it, just waiting to have the final product to come back.

Later that night I played Apples to Apples with Noah, Ethan, and Joshua. I enjoy time with the boys. It reminded me when there was less stress, my boys being respectful, closeness with one another. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!

Sunday was great too. My husband and I spent quality time with one another and this made me very HAPPY. We also did a little Spring Cleaning and moved some furniture around in the bedroom. I love the way it looks now.

It has been 4 days now without crying. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!!!

What do you have to be HAPPY about? Come join Mamarazzi and link up.

Friday Confessional

2012-03-02T22:40:00.000-06:00

It is that time of week again...Confession time.

I confess...

I totally missed Noah's conference last Thursday. I can not believe I completely forgot about it. It was not like ... Oh I am late, I have to hurry. It was not, Oh darn, Noah's conferences were an hour ago.

I confess...

I did not remember until Wednesday when I came home from work (nearly a week later) when Noah handed his folder to me and said his teacher wanted me to sign the forms and send it back since I missed his conference.

I confess...

I seriously feel awful. I KNOW why I forgot with everything going on, it was actually the same night I was told about my Dad not having chemo. Although the crap going on is HEAVY and honestly understandable why I missed it...I STILL FEEL AWFUL!!!!

What do you have to confess?

We Want to Know

2012-03-01T00:05:00.000-06:00

Welcome to We Want to Know Wednesdays Q&A

Hosted by Mamarazzi and Crazymama

This week's questions are from Mamarazzi, and this is what she want to know...

{1} What are your Top 3 blogging tips for other bloggers?
{2} What book have you read lately that you would recommend?
{3} What is a physical feature you have been complimented on?
{4} What color is your toothbrush?
{5} What question would you like to add to a future WWTK?

Here are MY answers, I cannot wait to come around and read yours!
{1} What are your Top 3 blogging tips for other bloggers?
I am not professional by no means, but here are my tips.
1. Be true to yourself. Blog what is in your heart, do not be fake.
2. Know why you are blogging...for friends, join linky parties... for crafting/recipes, join other similar style blogs to get your ideas out there... Just to put it out there.
3. I'm guilty of this one...proof read your blog. I am so guilty that I do not proof read it until the day after I post it. Sometimes, I am just running and think I have to publish this now so I can get on to my next thing. I am going to try hard to step back and try to proof a little more.
{2} What book have you read lately that you would recommend?
This is sad. I do not even have time to read for pleasure. I have it on my goals for this year to read at least 3 books. The last time I sat down and read for pleasure was 3 Summers ago while on vacation, I actually read 2 books and loved it! However, out of all the books I have read so far as an adult, I would recommend the Left Behind series. (There again, I only made it to the 5th book)
{3} What is a physical feature you have been complimented on?

My Eyes. I used to hear smile once in awhile and a few people have mentioned that I have a cute giggle. I don't know about the smile (which is not posted here) or the giggle but I do have to agree, the one thing I like physical feature of mine is my eyes.

{4} What color is your toothbrush?
Pink and white
{5} What question would you like to add to a future WWTK?
*Favorite music or what would be your theme song of your childhood life, 10 years ago life, and now life?
*How do you handle stress?
*How many siblings do you have?
*What did you want to be when you grow up? Are you doing it?
*What is your favorite drink?

Rain Rain Go Away

2012-02-29T00:15:00.000-06:00

Meteorologist use some jet streams to aid with weather forecasting. Some storms follow jet streams patterns. Well, I am ready for my life to follow a different jet stream pattern. Yes, I am ready for the storms to be over. Today the weather was a rough one and they will probably scratch that will have some damages after the storms settle.

Today I filed a letter with the court house regarding the supervision of my grandson and his father. I hope that my step daughter does not get into trouble from this at all, but I can not give what was being told to me. I was never explained that I was going to be the supervised person, nor any clue the amount of hours they were expecting me to do this. I have things I have to take care of as well. I will be going to Des Moines more, even if it is by myself.

Back in December when my Dad had his operation to remove the adrenal gland, the oncologists then told us chemo is not an option, the liver transplant is the only hope for his liver cancer. He had to go 6 months without any new cancer popping or spreading in his liver. January's MRI showed that the cancer did spread. The team of doctors in Des Moines talked to the team of doctors (transplant team) in Iowa City. Transplant was then not an option. They wanted my Dad to meet up with the chemo doctors (oncologist) to set up chemo for him. I brought up to my sister and my mother what the surgeon said on December 6th. They both looked at me as if I was crazy. My sister denied he said such thing. I told them they did, it was right after one of his sisters (my aunts) asked about it. My sister has her hands full with her daughter's health issues. I understand, this is why I suggested that I go to the doctor appointment. She insisted that the meeting wait for her to be there too. I then told her to ask about what the surgeon had told us. She never did. They walked away from this meeting with some impression and I have no idea, that he will have a special type of chemo that will isolate the tumor and hopefully with hold the tumor from spreading.

It has been weeks and my sister never followed up with setting the chemo treatment up. My father feared the cancer has been spreading inside of him. I can see his fear, every month since October he has been receiving bad news. Today she finally called, when she did, they told her they would not set up any chemo treatments for him. They told her the treatments will not help any so the course of action is to do nothing now. Nothing at all. We have no idea how long he has. We have no idea what stage he is in. All we do know is we have now. Now he is not feeling much pain. He is tired more often, but not in much pain.

Rain Rain

Go Away

Come Back Some Other Day

They say sometimes when it rains it pours...I am so ready for some sunshine. The gray skies makes one truly appreciate the sunny days.

Not so Happy List

2012-02-27T23:29:00.001-06:00

I am so skipping my HAPPY List...mainly because I am NOT HAPPY!

* As some who follow may know, my older two (Matthew and Joshua) are not going back to college due to finances. The oldest made me believe he was only to find out later he ended up being dropped due to money as well. Wednesday night when I left work I had to call him due to a text. He informed me that he had to move out of the dorm, that night!
*With trying to get everyone ready for the short notice move, Joshua, who Matthew will share a bedroom with fought me every bit of the way to clean his room and make room for Matthew...it never happened until Sunday, he still has no dresser space or even a small part of the closet.
*While cooking dinner for everyone, Taj became hungry. His mother would not quit looking at the lap top to feed him. She would make comment, half joking, to my youngest to feed him because he is hungry. He crawled to each one of them crying and ended up turning and coming to me in the kitchen. Naturally, I am not going to let him cry because he is hungry, so there I was back in time when I was the mother of an infant preparing dinner and feeding a baby. {such bull...when I am the grandmother}
*Same night my younger two fought me as usual when it came time for them to do their weekly chore...recycles. The youngest also had to unload and load the dishwasher as well. Ethan, the 15 year old fought me regarding his homework. Another common battle every night. I battle homework, dishes, and going to bed on time nightly. It is getting old when they are 15 and 12 years old. I will punish only to have wicked attitudes and tongue. The 15 year old learned well from Joshua. Todd had enough and came out and started waiving his finger in front of Ethan's face yelling at him, telling him he is tired of the disrespect, the tone, the attitude every night. He told him to do what he is told and stop giving attitude. Ethan did as he said.
*Noah, however butted in {another bad habit they have learned from Joshua. They feel anytime I am dealing with one, they have a right to add their two cents in, typically making the situation worse.} Noah told Todd that he had not right to say anything to Ethan. This made Todd mad and he did the same thing to Noah, pointing his finger in his face yelling at him. Only Noah asked him to please move his finger. This making Todd even angrier. He told him he will when he is done, that he is 12 and needs to mind his own business and how horrible they are at jumping in when they do not belong.
*This action from Todd then made Emily jump in telling him he had not right talking to his step sons like that, he had no right to discipline them because they are not his children. Naturally Todd then started to yell at Emily stating she needs to mind her own business as well. She does not see the attitude every night, she does not see how they fight me every night regarding homework, dishes, or going to bed. They continue. I pipe in, stating he has every right to step in with the boys, because he is helping me raise the younger two. He is their step-father and more of a father then their biological father. She then tells me she will never talk to her children this way. {She has talked back to her father as well when she was their age.} I tell her to come talk to us when she has teenagers with attitudes and then we can discuss how she handles them.
*I finally receive a call at 10:45 pm to come get Matthew to move his belongings. Joshua was suppose to help but went out with friends {nothing new...this is why he did not do well in college} Matthew still was not packed completely. 12:30 am I finally arrive with Matthew and the last of his stuff. Todd had one car full his self and left sooner then we did, so I can help clean up.
All of the above happened on Wednesday.
*Kera has been battling David (Taj's dad) regarding domestic abuse and custody for Taj. She had approached me once asking if I would be the go between for them, because there is no one else they can ask. She was trying to get supervised visitation. The night the police were called and David was arrested I was informed that DHS was notified and now they are going to be involved as well.
*Kera received her court papers sometime over the weekend and only told me yesterday at 8:30 that he does have supervised visits and that I AM the appointed person to supervise. Not only am I this person but I am to supervise him every Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm and every other Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. What? I had no idea this is what they were going for. How can a judge order me to be away from my own family? Away from my own children. My only days off. I will not be able to go on vacation with my family. I will not be able to go to Des Moines to see my family. My Dad has terminal cancer. I will miss Father's Day, maybe his last. NO WAY. Kera states she told me this. She did not.
*I contacted the court and told them that I was not made aware of this is exactly what I was being asked and there will be no way I can do this. This is suppose to start this Saturday and I have plans with my youngest that I have no intentions of breaking. He has had issues from his father doing this to him all the time, I do not plan to start just for my grandson. I was told to put this in writing as soon as possible and that a new court date would have to be granted. I was told if I did so I will not be held in contempt of court.
*Kera's lawyer told her that I have to do this for a short time, until they have something in place. I told her NO I will not! This is not what I agreed upon nor had any indications I would have to give so much up. I also told her what the court told me. I think she still thinks I am going to do this. I am not.
*I have gained the weight back that I lost... 10 lbs. My knee is aching in the worse way.
*My father still has no appointment made for his chemo.

As you see... I have too many things that are not going right at this time. In just a few days, that I can not find anything to list being HAPPY for.

Oh wait....my new mattress. I am HAPPY for that. I do not plan to link my list up, because...well I am just putting this out her to get it off my chest. I am about to scream madly like a crazy woman. I need a new cloud hanging over me. I think I need a new jet stream pattern over me. One that has more sunny weather and happy things going on in my life.

Friday Confessional

2012-02-24T23:04:00.000-06:00

That time a week again...come confess with Mamarazzi.

This will be a random post once again!

I confess...

It has been over a week since I last posted.

I confess...

So many things have been going on, I have peeked online once in awhile and read a few blogs, looked at Facebook, pinned a few items on Pinterest.

I confess...

I am very very angry with my sister right now! She demanded to have our dad wait to meet with the chemo doctor until she could be there. Yet, she can not follow through and call to set up his chemo. He is worried that the cancer has spread now. It has been close to 3 weeks since the meeting.

I confess...

I made a gift for my friend Rhonda. Today is her birthday. I took pictures so I could post on my blog too, but stupid life came to a halt on Tuesday-Thursday. Happy Birthday Rhonda. Your package will be in the mail this weekend for you.

I confess...

The boys thought the gift was cool too.

I confess...

Thursday was like a day from Hell once I left work. It was not good for Todd either.

I confess...

I wanted to run away. I was mad at each one of our children! So so mad!!!!!

I confess...

I miss the days when my children were respectful. I miss the days when they understood we all are family. I miss the days when they were not so self centered and realize they are NOT adults. {Okay...some are adults but they really are not adults, if you know what I mean}

I confess...

Spring break is not what it was going to be. We are not getting away to go to St Louis now to watch the wrestling tournament. Instead we are now doing a lot of spring cleaning, getting rid of stuff and painting rooms. Yes, plural rooms.

What do you have to confess about?

Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-15T00:10:00.000-06:00

He has two teeth now!

This is posted to 5 Minutes for Mom's...Wordless Wednesday

Wednesday Woo Hoos

2012-02-15T00:09:00.000-06:00

This week Wednesday Woo Hoo is all about Valentine's Day. I just love Valentine's Day. WOO HOO!!!!It is my favorite holiday. As I posted yesterday, I have a new Valentine's decoration, I have two others in the works, just not completed. I plan to finish them and still post, but might not rush on it since Valentine's is over now. WOO HOO!!!

Why I love Valentine's Day? It is all about love. I love being loved. I love showing others I love them. I show everyone I love them every day, but to dedicate a day is so wonderful. It has been my favorite since I could remember. It was the one true holiday that my father never ever was drunk. Even when I was alone and left my ex, Valentine's was special. I had my boys with me. We created a special day. WOO HOO!!!

This Valentine's Day, we picked up goodies for the kids. WOO HOO! I made sure my boys had cards from me, something I have always done. Todd and I picked up bath toys for Taj since he is too little for sweets. We also picked up his little shirt. WOO HOO! Our family's little cupid and I do mean family. Everyone loves him so much in our family. Woo Hoo...this child feels our love too.

The boys and girls wished us Happy Valentine's Day...Woo Hoo. The boys even told me they loved me ... Woo Hoo. That is the only thing one said to me...he is still mad at me for being grounded. *sigh...awh, the life of being a Mother of teenagers* Emily even picked up a gift certificate to the Olive Garden.

I made a special dinner for all of them. Woo Hoo...only thing missing was Matthew. He was working. Both Todd and Joshua had T-Bone Steak. The girls, Ethan, and I had NY Strip. Noah had pork chop, this child does not like steak. All but Ethan had a twice bake potato, Ethan does not like them. Woo Hoo everyone enjoyed dinner. We also had veggies. I made some brownies with red frosting. Emily also brought over some cupcakes she bought.

Todd and I had our special lunch date. WOO HOO!!! Honestly, this was the best lunch I have ever had! We went through 3 Samurai (where we would have went for dinner), we had vegetable pot stickers for appetizer. Woo Hoo...they were delicious with a spinach wrap. We both had Bento Boxes. Woo Hoo! This includes soup, I love the clear soup they serve. A small salad with the best white vinaigrette dressing, the salad is about the size of a baseball. Tempura, shrimp, zucchini, and sweet potato, rice,and the main dish. Woo Hoo! My main dish was Tilapia stuffed with blue crab. Woo Hoo! So delicious! Originally we were going to get sushi. Todd was thinking about ordering some but when we realized what all came in the Bento Box, we both thought that we would not have room to eat everything. Woo Hoo...we were right. I did not even eat any of my white rice. Everything was so flavorful.

While we were at lunch we talked about taking some classes together since we have completed all the dancing classes. Woo Hoo! I love time like this with him. We both have agreed that we are going to take some Culinary Classes. Woo Hoo! I think this is going to be so much fun. This is what I love about special dinner dates. Woo Hoo! We get to talk...talk about things that are not stressful to us.

When we arrived home from lunch, a special delivery was dropped off. A dozen of long stem roses, a small box of chocolates, and a small spa set. The card that came with the flowers...Woo Hoo is always my favorite. Here is what he said:

They say you only fall in love once, but that can't be true...Every time I look at you, I fall in love all over again-Love Todd

How can anyone not say WOO HOO to that? Not me!

I ended up getting him a couple bags of Sugar Free Dark Chocolates, since he is diabetic and a card. Woo Hoo, he loved them.

I just love Valentine's Day.

What do you have to Woo Hoo about?

Christmas Baskets

2012-02-14T23:41:00.000-06:00

I do not believe I posted one picture about Christmas. We had a very different Christmas but I really wanted to share one of the gifts we gave to our parents and children that do not live with us.

I was thrilled with this gift for them. I had a lot more plans for their baskets but when it came closer to Christmas the less I was in to it. I think this Fall I will plan to make the entire basket. I wanted to add soup, scrubs for the women, homemade hot cocoa, and more garden goodies.

What I did accomplish in the baskets were: Sliced Dill Pickles, Sliced Bread & Butter Pickles, Kosher Dill Pickles, Apple Sauce, Spiced Apples, Pasta Sauce, Chili Base, and Apple Butter.

They were thrilled with their baskets.

Happy List

2012-02-14T00:46:00.003-06:00

This week's HAPPY List:

I know... maybe an over kill with my grandson being making my Happy List...but HE MAKES ME SO HAPPY! It just does not matter what kind of problems are being thrown at me, Taj just makes me HAPPY.

He loves his Grandma too! Oh, do not get me wrong, he loves Grandpa, but Grandma sits down with him on the floor while he is playing. She is there for him to crawl to when he wants to climb up on her lap. Grandpa is great at flying him in the air as if he is a plane and doing some crash (soft) landing on the bed. HAPPY!!! I love watching Todd playing with him.

However, Grandpa gets involved with t.v. or the computer so it is Grandma who entertains more. I was able to take more pictures this past Saturday when we watched him. I love his dimple smile in this one.

Just looking at it makes me HAPPY on so many levels of HAPPINESS.

This is the sparkle in the eyes I get when he sees me. How can anyone not be HAPPY when you have a sparkly, twinkled eyes smile like this? Not me...HAPPY, HEART MELTING every time.

I am also HAPPY I was able to do some crafting on Sunday. Here are just a couple of things I made this weekend...

Redneck Wine Glasses

L O V E Letters

I also made a couple of small hurricanes out of a couple of glasses and a couple of candle stick holders from the Dollar Tree... my cost...$4 for the set. I will post pictures later of this when it comes time for Easter decorations.

OH and a HAPPY for finding out who my Favorite Things Swap. I am looking forward to getting to know her.

What do you have to be HAPPY about? Come join Mamarazzi's party.

Check back tomorrow to see what I have to Woo Hoo about on Wednesday.

L O V E

2012-02-14T00:19:00.003-06:00

I am addicted to Pinterest. I love getting ideas from it. I came across this adorable Valentine's Day decoration, simply taking wooden letters, pretty scrap book paper, and mod podge. I wanted the black boarder on my letters, so I picked up some black paint as well.

Ta Da! I love it! Todd loved it! The boys liked it (okay...they are boys and not much into decoration.) It actually only took 30 minutes, drying time and all.

I just L O V E it. Just in time for Valentine's Day.

I am going to post this to 5 Minutes for Mom's... Tackle It Tuesday

Making Lemondae's... Refresh Your Nest Friday.

Adventures-In-Mommy-Land...Weekend Show and Share

Redneck Wine Glasses

2012-02-12T20:28:00.036-06:00

One of my co-workers/facebook friends posted a picture of what is called 'Redneck Wine Glasses'. She made a comment how this would be perfect for an anniversary gift. I just had to look, the place she posted it from was charging $15 for a set. I explained she could make it, it looked simple to make. Of course this put me on a mission to make for her. TaDa! Redneck Wine Glasses for $2. I had the mason jars, from canning. I went to the Dollar Tree and picked up two glass candle stick holders...total $2. I already had some glass glue, that is suppose to be dishwasher safe.

First clean the candlestick holders and the mason jars thoroughly.

Once all pieces are dry, place glue on the edge of the candlestick as well as on the bottom of the mason jar. You will need to hold the candlestick to the jar for 15 minutes up to 60 minutes. Then let it cure for 24 hours.

After you have the base is glued and does not move, place a couple of books on top and let them set for 24 hours.

Low and behold... a set of Redneck Wine Glasses. My cost only $2.00.

I'm going to post this in 5 Minutes for Mom's ... Tackle It Tuesday

Making Lemondae's... Refresh Your Nest Friday

Adventures-In-Mommy-Land...Weekend Show and Share

Friday Confessional

2012-02-10T01:17:00.000-06:00

It's that time of week again... come confess with Mamarazzi.

I confess...

My confessions are going to be so random this week.

I confess...

I have one more week of late hours and then I go back to my normal schedule. I am disappointed with my Tuesdays off. I had planned on having both living rooms painted by the end, however all of my Tuesdays have been watching Taj...not that is all bad, but what I planned fell to the side. The biggest disappointment was this past Tuesday. I had 4 different Valentine projects I really wanted to complete...but I do not think I will get to them now.

I confess...

Crafting is my me time. I need to have more me time.

I confess...

I am lucky with the friends I have BUT I have one friend that has been my friend for *sometime this fall* 40 years. Yes, you read that right 40 years. We met while we were in Kindergarten and became friends then. She has seen me at my worst and has been there all the way. Some of you are beginning to know my friend as well because she is starting to join in Mamarazzi's linkys sometimes...Her blog is Everything but the Kitchen Sink. Honestly she is the smartest female I know...not saying the rest of you are not smart, but her IQ has to be way up there.

I confess...

I still get away with calling her by her former first name. I feel special that she allows me to still. I love you Rhonda.

I confess...

Some day I will make it to California and see her and maybe Mamarazzi as well. Definitely hit Disney...some day will be when we have less kids at home or still needing financial assistance.

I confess...

I love my children, but I am not fond of teenage years...still love them, just do not enjoy the attitudes one bit. My snuggle bug is NOT SO snuggle with me at all. I think I see more glares from him then smiles any more. I can not wait for him to grow out of this stage. I miss his smile.

I confess...

Taj loves me a lot! This makes me feel so warm.

I confess...

The last two weeks I have not done well with my healthy changing lifestyle. Umm... next week is our 6 week mark of our 12 week competition. I have only lost 10 lbs and that was just the first 3 weeks. I think I need to get back on track if I plan to win.

I confess...

I can not wait for Valentine's Day. My favorite holiday of all time. It is the only holiday that my Dad never was drunk or abusive with. It is the only holiday that has always been what it stands for... LOVE. Todd and I can not go out to celebrate that night or even the weekend. Our work schedule conflict too much, so... we are going to have a romantic Valentine's Day Lunch date instead. It is Tuesday and my last Tuesday off. Who knows...maybe a little afternoon delight too. *Did I just post that? ha ha ha*

I confess...

We are just beginning to make plans for Spring Break. Half of it will be fun with the boys and the other half watching collegiate wrestling tournament in St Louis. I totally confess...I am looking forward to both. I do not think Iowa will do as well as in the past but it will be fun to cheer them on.

I confess...

Yes, Rhonda I did get the certificate. I am having a hard time deciding what to buy at Zappos. I have nearly purchased a couple of things...but then I rethought...your instructions were to spend it on me. I am trying to be good and follow that.

I confess...

She knows me. I have a hard time spending money on just me.

I confess...

I caught Joshua smoking this week. Needless to say, I am very disappointed that he chose to begin this expensive habit. He just out grew his asthma, now he wants to do this.

What do you have to confess about? Come join the fun.

We Want to Know

2012-02-08T23:08:00.000-06:00

Welcome to We Want to Know Wednesdays Q&A

Hosted by Mamarazzi, Queso and Crazymama

Yours truly, Mamarazzi, is asking the questions this week, and she will admit it's a little random.

{1} What is for dinner tonight (bonus for sharing the recipe)?
{2} Share something you are currently looking forward to.
{3} What are your thoughts on re-gifting?
{4} How often do you rearrange your furniture?
{5} Share a picture from your cellphone or camera.

{1} What is for dinner tonight (bonus for sharing the recipe)?
I am working until 7 pm...Todd will be making dinner, so I have no clue. After Valentine's Day week, it will be back to me cooking. I kind have enjoyed the time off rushing home and cooking a meal. I still have to clean up the mess though. LOL
{2} Share something you are currently looking forward to.
I am currently looking forward to Spring Break. I actually have it off as well. The first part of the week I am looking forward to doing fun activities with Ethan and Noah, any other child that is not working. The end of the week, Todd and I will be going to St Louis for the NCAA Wrestling tournament for 3 days.
{3} What are your thoughts on re-gifting?
I do not see anything wrong with re-gifting something that is in 'new' condition and if it fits the person you are giving the gift to. If it is just to get rid of something you don't like or want any more and it doesn't fit the person you are giving it to, then don't do it.
{4} How often do you rearrange your furniture?
Rarely.
{5} Share a picture from your cell phone or camera.

This is a picture of how we grow lose leaf lettuce and baby spinach. We grow them in under the bed storage containers. You do not need a lot of dirt to grow lettuce or baby spinach. We have the containers on our deck. It makes is so convenient to walk out of the kitchen, go through our porch to cut a piece of lettuce for a fresh salad that evening. We had to place a cage on it last year to keep the squirrels from digging when the plants were so tiny. I wanted to show everyone that one can garden from the earth as well as tubs. Carrots are very successful in 32 gallon storage tubs. Potatoes grow in outdoor trash cans. Even if you are renting your home or have just a patio you can do some sort of gardening.

Wednesday Woo Hoos

2012-02-08T00:15:00.000-06:00

My Woo Hoo Wednesday is about a class that Todd and I went to on Saturday. It was on vegetable gardening. Woo Hoo...Spring is definitely in our thoughts...Gardening is in our thoughts.

To be perfectly honest, we did not learn a lot. It was an okay class. We had to pay $5 each and we received a $5 coupon when we purchase something in their shop for $10 or more. Woo Hoo, we could put that to good use. I believe we are going to get a heating mat to place under our tomato seedlings. Woo Hoo I did learn what we did wrong with our celery last year and I am in hopes to do better this year. Woo Hoo I won the door price. A gift certificate to the shop. Ha ha ha... I have no idea how much it has on the card. I was afraid to ask, we will see when we go back within the next two weeks to make our purchase.

Woo Hoo for gardening! Veggies and Flowers! I just love seeing the beauty of the gardens, even the vegetable garden holds such beauty in colors. I love the different shades of green it supplies us to view.

What do you have to Woo Hoo about?

Happy List

2012-02-07T23:36:00.002-06:00

This week's HAPPY List:

I am very HAPPY that Jim's surgery went well. Jim is Todd's Mom's (Connie) boyfriend. The two should be married because they have been with one another for years. He had an aneurysm that needed an abrasive surgery. There was a possibility that he could have lost a kidney from treating the aneurysm. They had to shut off many organs and move his intestines to get to it. It was a very risky surgery. HAPPY that he did better then the thought and did not lose a kidney. HAPPY that Connie can worry less. His surgery was Monday and he is still in ICU. He may be in the hospital for at least 2 weeks. With all of the bad news and all going on in my life I can not express how HAPPY finally some good news!

I am HAPPY that my Saturday (well Todd's and mine) get away was good. A full day and night getting away. The lap top did not work so we could not watch our DVD we brought. We ended up in the Casino since nothing was on t.v. HAPPY we ended up being there for 3 hours and walked away $5 ahead. HAPPY that we did not walk away down. I broke even. I broke our rule...double up and quit. I wanted to win some of the money that Todd lost. I thought I would play with the winnings and leave my original $40 alone, this way I would not be out too. Todd won everything back plus $5. Once we finished the shoe, we thought we would walk away while we were ahead. HAPPY. The tub...HAPPY...HEAVENLY HAPPY! A warm jacuzzi tub. I love this tub. We came back home to a house that was not torn up at all...HAPPY!

What do you have to be HAPPY about? Come join Mamarazzi and post your Happy List.

Come back tomorrow for my Wednesday Woo Hoo

Friday Confessional

2012-02-03T19:20:00.000-06:00

It's that time of week again... come confess with Mamarazzi.

I confess...

I am excited for the newest SWAP! I can not put it to words how excited I am. I love giving. I love having something special sent. Last time, the Autumn Swap, the timing of the package was perfect.

I confess...

News from Dad's doctor was not good. It seems like that is all it ever is any more. He was misdiagnosed for liver cancer 2 years ago. He did have it. 2 years ago, they may have been able to do more than they can now. We are going for quality of life right now. He will start a different kind of chemo, not so harsh to the liver and some pills. No guarantees but nothing in life is a guarantee right?

I confess...

I found a show that is 30 minutes of laughing for me. I look forward to watching it just to have some way to laugh...

I confess...

Sunday I can not wait to do some crafting. Tuesday will be a repeat.

I confess...

My husband asked his Mom to get a room for us tomorrow. He felt I need some time to get away from work and ... I guess life. He also thought it would be good for us to have time for each other. The room has a jacuzzi tub. I plan to take at least 3 baths. I can not wait. I plan to have no lights on too...more relaxing. Just a small light on.

What do you have to confess about?

My Favorite Things SWAP

2012-02-02T21:50:00.001-06:00

I was super excited when I read Mamarazzi was having a SWAP!

I think this is something that will cheer me up for sure.

My first SWAP... Autumn SWAP was so fun.

This time we are to send gifts to our swap buddy of our favorite things.

I keep singing the song from Sound of Music with this one.

Come join the fun! Well at least come look at her post.

Who Am I Right Now?

2012-02-02T00:26:00.008-06:00

Who I am right now, is not really who I am.

Since Thursday I have not been the best me at all.
Actually it had been longer than since Thursday.
Just Thursday things came to head.

Every day I cry.

I plan to post but do not.

I have in my head what I want to post but do not.

I had my HAPPY post planned in my head but I could not.

I am not HAPPY.

I wanted to participate in We Want to Know but could not.

I do not want my followers to think I am a Debbie Downer

but I am depressed right now.

I keep paddling and paddling but I am barely treading.

What is wrong with me?

I have so many things going at me right now...

Dealing with Dad's Cancer is bothering me.
More than my closest friends can even imagine.

Why is it bothering me?
A man who has not been in my life for so many year.

Mainly because he is my father and I do love him.

Work...Todd's and mine.

Having one son not go back to college due to money
(he not saving or paying like he should have)
and feeling relief that the oldest one was able to continue...

only to find out I was deceived last night that he had to take some time off as well due to expense.

My older boys are partying a little too much.
It totally frightens me.

I know it is an age thing to some degree.
We have alcoholism in our family.

My father's cancer is all from being an alcoholic.

One of my step daughter is going through some rough time with abuse.

Finally, she is following through.
Doing what she should have from the start.

The law is finally involved.

It could have brought up some feelings...
I thought I was past from my first marriage.

Death threats to intimidate.

The girls are wearing on my husband.

It is bringing him down as well.
It is so hard as a parent to see your children
not come to their full potential.

The boys bring him down as well.

He sees so much potential in them.
He feels upset that they are just throwing opportunities away.

He felt his oldest did the same thing.

We rarely laugh any more.

We rarely smile any more.

He used to make a point to make me laugh every day.

We used to laugh all the time.

Some issues in my marriage came to the front again last week.

We are working on it.
I feel he is being honest and will follow through this time.
This was my issue that made me realize...
I can not do this alone any more.

I am going to get help.

I need help.

I want to be HAPPY.

I want to be healthy.

I want to like me.

I do not want to cry anymore.

So please forgive me if I can not post.

Please do not give up on me.

I do not want to lose friends or followers.

Sometimes this is my only way I can get things out.

It will not be often.

Just sometimes.

Pin It Friday

2012-01-27T22:43:00.000-06:00

Here is my favorite Pin this week on Pinterest! I do love Pinterset...so many ideas now!

Friday Confessional

2012-01-27T22:08:00.000-06:00

It's that time of week again... come confess with Mamarazzi.

I confess...

I am totally excited for tomorrow...wait Sunday.

I confess...

Todd bought us (mainly me) a treadmill. It is for everyone, but Todd and I are not in shape. He has been watching me struggle and watched me add 60 lbs over the past 3 years since my knee started acting up. The only true aerobic exercise I can do daily is walking on a flat surface. It is not so flat where I live.

I confess...

Over the past few years, I have not been very active. Sadly I am winded just walking from my car to my desk every morning. It is not a very long walk. I am very out of shape.

I confess...

I want to be healthy. It is so hard getting up when I am on the floor with Taj.

I confess...

I am also going to go through my closet and dresser and get rid a lot of clothing. I have decided... I am going to dress what I like. No more punishing just because I am large. I will dress to feel good. Thanks everyone! Your support is very much appreciated.

What do you have to confess about? Come joint the fun!

Wooden Angel

2012-01-25T22:18:00.000-06:00

I made this angel years ago. While I was at my Mom's I found it again. I am thinking about making some for Christmas next year to decorate part of the house with, in Christmas colors.

It's easy peasy...here is how I made it. Her body is a wooden candle stick that I picked up at Michael's craft store. The head is a wooden ball. Paint the body and the ball the same color. A little paper raffia torn for the bow tie. The halo is a small grape vine wreath...very small grape vine wreath. Now the for the wings. Take a brown paper sack. Cut out the pattern of your wings. After the wings have been cut out, apply a thick layer of Aileen's tacky glue, while it is still wet place the wing under a fire. Yes, you burn some of the tacky glue off. It will look like a roasted marshmallow. You will have to do one side of the wing at a time in order to lay the wing down to dry. Once both sides have this process down, the next thing you will need to do is sponge a little bit of yellow paint on it here and there. This will give an illusion leather. Add any type of decoration to the wing that you want. With your hot glue, glue the wooden ball to the body, the grape vine to the wooden ball. Place your wings in the back of the body.