Need A Christmas Gift For A Pre-Schooler?

If you are looking for a great gift to give your pre-schooler for Christmas, I highly recommend Cranium Hullabaloo by Hasbro.  My son, Wyatt, absolutely LOVES this game and has been playing it every day since I got it for him. It keeps him occupied for at least an hour every time he plays it! Not only is he having fun and getting exercise, he is also learning about colors, shapes and animals.

Check it out on Amazon if you don't feel like braving the holiday masses at the stores!



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Leia Mais...

Day 3 – your favorite television program

Ok, this post has taken me a while simply because I really don't like TV that much.  I have a very hard time watching any of the junk that is on there.

So, after much deliberation, I chose American Pickers.  When it's not a re-run. 


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Leia Mais...

How To Get A Man To Get A Job Part 1

So, J.T. and I have been together for almost 2 years. In all that time, I have worked consistently while he had a job for approximately one week.  He quit that job when he 'sprained his ankle' and has not had one since. That was way back in the beginning, like within the first few months of our relationship. 

So, now I am at my limit. I work, my daughter works, (notice it's the women) and he doesn't.  I'm frustrated, angry and resentful. It is time for action!

My first step in getting J.T. to work was setting him up with my step-dad in his landscaping business.  That was maybe 2 months into the relationship, possibly even earlier.  Now, my dad is not the easiest person to work for, but how many people who work really LOVE their bosses and like working?  Not many. You just do what you have to do in order to pay the bills, right?  At this job, he had rides to and from work, got taken out to lunch, etc. He had some down time on the job, but hey, who cares when you actually have one.

Needless to say, it didn't work out for a couple reasons.  He didn't go to work a few times, he got paid but never helped with OUR house... he spent it or 'lent' it to members of his family. He'd take the money, go get wasted and we would fight, then he would be too embarrassed and uncomfortable to go work with my dad.  So, that was the end of that.  I mean, really ... the end.. He hasn't done any type of work since.

In May, we moved to Georgia.  JT claimed that he would find a job right away and that he would take over the bills, etc.  So, we set out to find him a job.  I took him to the temp agencies, to maybe two interviews, but he didn't get a job.  See, he only filled out applications for carpet factories and construction, which are highly competitive and need a strong work history.  He doesn't have that. For some reason, he believes he should make much more than minimum wage, that he is WORTH much more than minimum wage... But, if you look at his half-blank application, no boss will ever think that. If you have no work history by the time you are 31 years old, you don't look all that good on paper, that's for sure.

Maybe he should have aimed a little lower, for like a dish-washing job?  I mean, hey... I would take it. If I had bills to pay and that was the only job I could get, I would take it in a heart-beat. Some money is better than NO money, right?

Not to JT.  So, by the end of June, we were really in bad shape.  No money coming in at all, barely making it, almost ready to be thrown out and live in the van.  I gave up and went out and put my own applications in. And within a couple weeks, I had a job. (Imagine that)

Originally, it was only for two days a week.  I didn't care!  It was $50 more per week in our pocket than we had at the moment!  And due to a chance turn of events, within a month, it was full time. Whoohoo!  Making minimum wage - GREAT!

Did I get the first job I applied for? Nope. I had quite a few apps out there, had one horrible interview but didn't give up. I just did what I had to do. 

I'm not bragging about anything, I'm just making a point.  What is it with these guys who just absolutely refuse to work?? If they spent as much time pursuing a job as they do concocting excuses, they would all be millionaires!

So, my first attempts at getting JT to work were failures. Now I have to come up with some more ideas. Since I have the only vehicle and he doesn't have a drivers license, I would have to be able to transport him. That means it would have to be a night job. (His argument for this will be that he takes care of Wyatt during the day) BUT, I worked night shift for years and was a single mom to four kids at the time, with a baby at home. And I did it!

I will breech this subject carefully today and see how it goes.  (I almost cringe at the thought)

Any ideas on how to get this man to WORK?? All would be appreciated!


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Leia Mais...

30 Days Of Me - Day Two

My favorite movie...

Ok, so deep down, I guess I am a romantic..

My favorite movie is... The Notebook.



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Leia Mais...

30 Days of Me Day One

I keep coming across these 'About Me' memes, so thought I would hook up viea Mommy To Three Monkeys blog post!


Day 1:
My favorite song is What Love Can Be by Kingdom Come. It's an oldie but still my favorite after all these years:



If you decide to play, too.  Let me know.  I’d love to know all these mundane things about you, too!

Day 1 – your favorite song
Day 2 – your favorite movie
Day 3 – your favorite television program
Day 4 – your favorite book
Day 5 – your favorite quote
Day 6 – 20 of my favorite things
Day 7 – a photo that makes you happy
Day 8 – a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9 – a photo you took
Day 10 – a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11 – a photo of you recently
Day 12 – something you are OCD about
Day 13 – a fictional book
Day 14 – a non-fictional book
Day 15 – your dream house
Day 16 – a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 – an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18 – your wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19 – a talent of yours
Day 20 – a hobby of yours
Day 21 – a recipe
Day 22 – a website
Day 23 – a youtube video
Day 24 – where I live
Day 25 – your day, in great detail
Day 26 – your week, in great detail
Day 27 – my worst habit
Day 28 – what’s in my handbag/purse
Day 29 – hopes,dreams, plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 – a dream for the future beyond the next year

Feel free to link up any or all of your 30 Day’s of Me posts here!  I’m only going to keep this one, main linky for all of your posts.  If you would like, feel free to grab the code and put the linky on your own blog (see the linky, it says “get the code”), then your readers can find all the fun posts, too.  I can’t wait to read all about you!



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Leia Mais...

Help The Homeless And Others In Need!

Recently while blog hopping, I came across a blog owned by my new friend Lavonda.  You can visit at:
http://writeforhim.blogspot.com/ .

Now, she had posted that she was involved with Warm Up America Foundation, making crocheted, knitted or quilted rectangles to be sewn together to make blankets for people in need. And she put out the call to action to join her in this endeavor.  Needless to say, I have! 

I learned to crochet as a child and have loved it ever since my mom showed me the basic single stitch.  I always end up giving away what I make anyway, so this is another way to 'share the love'. 

I would like to invite you all to check out Lavonda's Blog and read through her posts about Warm Up America and our group of crafters. If you would like to join us, please submit a comment while there, or while here and let us know!

Have a wonderful day!
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Leia Mais...

Today's Thoughts & Things

Outside my window… cold, overcast, thunder…I love it!
I am thinking… about how to fit in everything I need to do today.
I am thankful for… friends that stick with you, family that loves you and a cup of hot coffee
I am wearing… not dressed for my day yet, still in my warm jammies
I am remembering… ways in which God has come through for me.
I am going… to pick up Beth from work later.
I am currently reading… Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado
I am hoping… that my leg is feeling better by tomorrow!
On my mind… bills, work, family...
Noticing that… I haven't eaten yet today! I'm starving!
From the kitchen… coffee, tea, sub
Around the house… must clean my room today and finish up the laundry
One of my favorite things~ Listening to the rain when you have nowhere to go in it!

From my picture journal…


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Leia Mais...

Mom Blog Monday!



The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a First Time Mom
 
Are you a Mommy blogger? Do you blog about your kids? Do you blog about great things for Mommies? Do you wanna meet other Mom Bloggers?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then Link Up!

This blog hop is hosted by Sippy Cups and Cloth Bums, The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a First Time Mom , and Luxury Living Frugal Style!


Rules?

All we ask is that you follow Sippy Cups and Cloth Bums, The Not- So- Secret Confessions of a First Time Mom, and Luxury Living Frugal Style.We are the first three on the linky!Then follow spot #4 which is the featured blog! Be sure to leave us a comment so we can follow you back!

We would LOVE it if you'd grab our button and put it somewhere on your blog or in a blog post! This would help us spread the word. However, you aren't required to.

You can follow as many or as few blogs as you'd like.

Each week one lucky blogger that links up will be chosen to be the featured blog.

This week's Featured Blog is.....
Laura from Baby Bunkins
( #4!)






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Leia Mais...

Internet Connection Woes & Homework Issues

I've been having internet connection issues for the last few days.  Seems it just wants to connect and disconnect every few minutes or so, which is very frustrating. Everything I want to do online is taking me forever... (Reminds me of my dial up days)

Anyway, I'll try to get this post up quick before I lose it again!

My 8 year old is having issues this year at school.  He doesn't like to do his homework and will tell us he doesn't have any, leave it at school or hide it before I get home from work. His teacher is having fits and is not the easiest person to get along with either. I have learned from some of his friends that every day Chad is at the 'silent table' for lunch and can also be found sitting alone in the hallway doing his school-work. He has come home from school telling me that they are going to put him back in 2nd grade and that his teacher is mean, etc. 

Now, I work all week.  I do not get home until 6:30 at night and his school is like 40 miles away, so a face to face parent teacher conference is out of the question. So, I asked her to please email me his homework every day and to contact me if there are problems. I recieved one email saying he writes his homework down and that is good enough. And Chad came home saying his teacher was complaining, saying "Why should I have to email your MOTHER every day?".  Well...... isn't that her JOB?  I tried to explain to her that I cannot understand what he is supposed to be doing for homework from instructions like "definintions" or "writing".  Do what with the definitions?  What is he supposed to write about? "Math" .... uh... which math problems?   But, she doesnt want to be bothered.

Secondly... Chad doesn't respond well to NEGATIVE beavior or verbal abuse.  He gives up and figures there is no way to please that person so he just doesn't try.  If you don't lose your temper, reward him, tell him how great he is doing, THEN he excells.  He is very smart.  But if you sit and badger him and tell him he will never do it and how he is a failure, he will not do a thing.  Can you blame him?  If he doesn't understand something, and you are telling him what an idiot he is, he won't try. But, if you explain it to him (The way teachers are supposed to do) and sit with him a second to make sure he understands, THEN he will get it all right. 

For example.  He had a math worksheet.  He got frustrated because he had to keep putting his pencil down to count on his fingers.  So, he didn't want to do it.  I taught him how to use touch points (with the dots, like on dice?) to count so he didnt have to put his pencil down anymore.  Once he mastered that, it was easy-peasy.

So, I am not sure what to do here.  If I know what his homework is, he and I can whip it out in just a little while. When he brings home directions that just say 'writing' and 'math' and 'words', that tells me nothing.  With just a little communication from his teacher the homework would be fine. As for his schoolwork, well, if she is going to treat him in a negative way, there is no way he is going to work for her.

Don't they teach teachers to deal with children with all types of personality types?  Don't they teach them that children are people too, who should be treated with respect instead of hounded and segregated? Don't they teach them to look for the reason behind the behaviour instead of just punishing and putting down the child?

If anyone has any suggestions... I'm open to them all!



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Leia Mais...

Mom Blog Monday

The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a First Time Mom
 

Are you a Mommy blogger? Do you blog about your kids? Do you blog about great things for Mommies? Do you wanna meet other Mom Bloggers?



If you answered yes to any of those questions then link up!




Rules?

All we ask is that you follow Sippy Cups and Cloth Bums, The Not- So- Secret Confessions of a First Time Mom, and MidgetMomma $1200 Budget Deals and Freebies.We are the first three on the linky!Then follow spot #4 which is the featured blog! Be sure to leave us a comment so we can follow you back!

We would LOVE it if you'd grab our button and put it somewhere on your blog or in a blog post! This would help us spread the word. However, you aren't required to.



You can follow as many or as few blogs as you'd like.


Each week one lucky blogger that links up will be chosen to be the featured blog.


This week's Featured Blog.....
 
Kelly from The Coupon Scoop...

About Kelly and her blog...

"I'm a deal finding, coupon carrying wife and mom of two,I live for deals, and I love to review the latest products and give you my honest opinion so you don't waste your money. At The Coupon Scoop you will find the scoop on the coupons, deals, reviews and giveaways. I am celebrating my first blog birthday this week with 5 days of giveaways. Make sure to stop by and enter over 25 giveaways!"


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Leia Mais...

Follow Along Fridays!

Whoohoo!  I've been featured!

Grab the Code:

Follow Along Fridays


We’ll keep this simple.

Follow The Mom Road (if you like me) and at least one other new blog.
Skip along visiting as many blogs as you can, be sure to leave a comment telling them you’re visiting from Follow Along Fridays.
Follow the blogs you want.
Return the visit back to your commentors.
Feel free to grab the button and the linky code to and paste it up on your blog.
That’s it!

As a BIG thank you to Carrie over at Carrie’s Cache for grabbing the linky code last week, I’m going to feature her blog at the top! Click on over and check her out. Thanks!






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Leia Mais...

Fun Follow Friday


Welcome to Fun Follow Friday hosted by Simply Stacie and My Wee View. The goal of this hop is to get new Google Friend Connect Followers for your blog and be introduced to new blogs to follow! We wanted to keep it fun and easy so all you have to do is add your blog link and start blog hopping and following away! You aren’t required to write a post for your blog for Fun Follow Friday unless you want to (but we really appreciate it if you do to help get the word out).

When you visit a blog that you like and want to follow, leave them a comment with your link telling them you are following from the Fun Follow Friday. Of course, we would love for you to follow both hostesses blogs, Simply Stacie and My Wee View, but it isn’t mandatory. If you do follow us, just leave us a comment and we will follow you back.

The main goal is to have fun and follow the blogs that interest you!

There are a few fun things that Fun Follow Fridays does each week:

1.  Each week 1 winner will be randomly drawn for the #3 Spot, this week it’s #136 Create With Joy.

2. Each week 1 winner will get Premium ad space for 1 week on both Simply Stacie and My Wee View.

 To enter, you have to blog about Fun Follow Friday! This week’s winner is With Our Best. (You can still participate in Fun Follow Friday without making a blog post about it. However, to participate in this special giveaway, you need to write a post about it)


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Leia Mais...

I've GOT to learn Spanish!

Okay, I have decided to learn Spanish.  I have wanted to do it for quite a while, since I have a lot of non-English speaking customers and it would be nice to know what the heck we are talking about, lol.  But, up until today, I wasn't in that big of a hurry. Now it is a necessity!

There is a Mexican man who comes into the store where I work and speaks to me all the time.  Now, I know enough of the Spanish language to get that he wants to be my boyfriend (novio) and that he doesn't care that I have one already or that I have five kids or that he is 11 years younger than me. (No Problemo).
Well, he keeps saying something to me that I cannot decipher and it was driving me crazy.

Today, I waited on a couple Mexicans who were purchasing a bed frame. They were two males and from our conversation about the bed, I thought that they had  a good working knowledge of the English language. I mean, we didn't have any trouble negotiating a price or anything.  Well, MY mistake!

I decided to ask the one who spoke with me the most what "Querer te mucho" means. I know mucho means 'much' but I didn't know the rest. No sooner had I gotten these words out of my mouth that their eyes got huge, they began grinning like cheshire cats and I realized I had just made a mistake.

They started strutting around the store, giving me the 'eyes' and asking me if I love him. I said NO!  I did NOT say Te quiro AT ALL!  I finally told them I didn't understand (no comprende) and that I had a boyfriend (novio). Finally they left.

So, as soon as I got home, I went to SpanishDict.com and typed in my query. (Which I should have done in the first place, by the way!)  It seems I had just told this man that I wanted him very much!  O-M-G !!!!

Needless to say, I have now signed up for their FREE Spanish classes and will never speak spanish again unless I know for sure what the heck I am saying!

Yep, that's my life for ya!
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Leia Mais...

Five Question Friday!


1. If you could speak with a different accent, what would it be (i.e Australian, Scottish)?
Hmmm... I would probably speak with an Irish accent. :)
2. Can you fall asleep anywhere? (i.e floor, couch, deck)
Oh, I WISH!  I have a hard time sleeping ANYWHERE!
3. Do you use public restrooms? If so, do you sit on the toilet?
Hey, if you gotta go, you gotta GO! Wherever and whenever!
4. If you were stuck in an elevator for 24 hours, what celebrity would you most want to be stuck with?
Jim Carrey -  I'm sure it would be hilarious!
5. Where did you & your significant other go on your 1st date?
I don't remember. We didn't go 'out' much.  He just showed up at my house one day and never left!

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Leia Mais...

A Is For Alligator

Jenny Matlock

A Is For Alligator


Being a relocated Pennsylvanian living in the South, alligators kind of fascinate me.  I moved my family to Florida in the fall of '08.  Having never seen an alligator before, my first order of business.  We lived right on Crescent Lake, so I thought this would be easy.  Not so!

It was months before I got a peek at one while out on a boat with my friend Run Ronnie Run. (note: That is not his real name. He just resembles him)


I didn't even get to really see the alligators.  They were 99.9% underwater!


But, the boat trip was fun :)

Anyway, now we are living in Georgia and I never got to see much of the alligators in Florida. I really wanted to touch one. Maybe when we go back to visit next year they will be less shy.

Some interesting facts about alligators are as follows:

  • There are only two existing alligator species: The American Alligator & The Chinese Alligator.

  • Early Spanish explorers and settlers in Florida called the alligator el legarto which means "lizard".

  • The average lifespan of an alligator is 50 years.

  • They can get huge!  The largest alligator recorded in Florida was 17 feet 5 inches! The average adult weighs in at 800 lbs and is 13 feet long.

  • Large adult alligators like to live alone and are very territorial.

  • Alligators prefer to eat their meals in one single bite but will attack larger prey by using a death roll or by letting it rot at the bottom of their body of water so they can tear of bite sized chunks.

  • An alligator's jaw muscles are awesome for biting down, but not so hot for the act of opening up and saying 'Ahhhh', which is why you see those animal dudes using their hands or duct tape to immobilize the alligator's mouth.

  • Though an alligator will usually shy away from humans, don't be fooled into thinking they are harmless. Never provoke an alligator, no matter how many wildlife shows you watch. They bite!

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Leia Mais...

My Achy Breaky Heart

  It's been almost 11 years since my open heart surgery.  I can still remember it like it was yesterday. What a terrifying time of my life.

  I was 24 years old.  I had been having heart palpitations since I was about 19 and didn't think much of it untill they become a real nuisance and started sending me into real episodes of 'weirdness'.  I just didn't feel right. I knew that something was wrong, but doctors kept telling me it was because I was young, with three children and was stressed. 

  Finally, the Dr's ran some tests and noticed 'something' and sent me to a cardiologist. She told me I probably had nothing to worry about and gave me some rediculous things to do when I had an attack.  OK, and she makes the big bucks WHY??

  I eventually checked myself into the emergency room where they tried to tell me that my blood sugar was low.  It was not.  I finally convinced them to admit me and they scheduled an EchoCardiogram for the next morning.  By that evening, I was told I had a hole in my heart.

  OK, here I have to add a funny -  My cardiologist now is an Italian man and at that time was in his late 30's.  When he came in to give me my test results, I happened to be breast-feeding my son, Beau, who hadn't seen me all day.  Dr. Olsen could not look at me and kept stammering and asking me if he should come back later.  I said, "NO! Doc, come on! You see your patient's chests all the time!"  To which he replied, "Yeah, but they're not usually so YOUNG!" ROFL  I knew then and there that he was the Dr. for me!

  So, I had a hole in my heart.... wonderful. Now we know what is going on.  Let's schedule a heart catheterization to see just how big it is. Turns out that it is about the size of a pencil eraser and I will need to have open heart surgery.

WHAT??

  At this point in my life, I had never had a surgery before.  I had never had a broken bone, stitches... nothing.  I was scared.

  My Dr. tried to convince me to schedule it for the very next morning.  That was out of the question.  I had three kids at home. I needed to think about this. I needed time to prepare!

  Did I mention that I was terrified?  I was going through a rough spot in my relationship.  He had been cheating on me and now I couldn't trust him.  How could I trust him to be there for the kids if I was in the hospital with my ribs spread? I thought for sure that I was going to die on the operating table. I was convinced of this fact.  So convinced that I spent a whole week with noone but my children.  I told only a handful of people what was going on. I wrote my will. I made the kids' dad write a statement that he would let my mom have custody of the kids if I died and had it notorized.  I was a total wreck.

  I remember during this time, I just wanted to be with my kids. I honestly thought that it was going to be the last time I ever spent with them. I remember putting music on and holding my babies and dancing with them in my arms and trying not to let them see my tears. I don't think I slept at all that week.

  Eventually it was time to face the music, not to mention the surgeon.  My mom came to get me and took me and the kids' father to the hospital. I was to check in through the Intensive Care Unit. We walked in there and I saw all those people hooked up to machines to keep them alive and I almost lost it. I actually turned around and tried to walk through my mother to escape that place. But, she wouldn't let me by.

  I get checked in, put on my gown and sign all sorts of papers that do not help my emotional state at all. They decide to give me a shot to calm me down so the anesthesiologists can come in to start my IVs. Well, the shot does not work. The anestesiologists cannot find a vein anywhere on my body but will not give up. One of them actually slams the door in my mother and pastor's faces and yells at me that it is my fault that my veins are not big enough because I smoked. I felt like a human pin-cusion and this went on for over an hour. Try after try after try. I was in tears, begging them to just stop. I didn't want the surgery anymore. Just let me go home!

  After they deemed I had been tortured enough, my surgeon came in and decided that they would just put me to sleep first and then start a central line. Actually two.  One in my neck and one in my groin.  Let's go.. we're getting behind schedule here!  (Don't mind me.. I actually loved my surgeon. He was amazing. He did the very first open heart surgery in our area. He died a year after my surgery in an automobile accident in New York)

Once they wheeled me into the operating room the last thing I remember was the nurses telling me to just relax and it would be all over when I woke up. Until I woke up and everyone was standing around me saying "Hey, she's awake! Give her some more!".

  The first thing I remember after my surgery is my mind waking up. I had been paralyzed for the surgery, been intubated and was in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Now, I couldn't move. But, I could think and hear. I remember the blackness and wondering if I was dead. I remember my first thoughts being "Praise God, Praise God, Praise God" even before I realized what I was thinking.Then I heard my mom and felt that my eyes were itching like CRAZY!  I heard the respirator and goof that I am, wondered if I held my breathe, would the respirator breathe for me anyway. So I tried it.  Needless to say, the respirator won, lol.

  I wasn't in any pain at the moment, but DAMN did my eyes itch! I kept trying to open them, squinch them.. anything. My mom noticed and started talking to me.  Asking me what was wrong, telling me to open my eyes. LAUGHING at me for making strange faces, hehe.Then, all at once, with one final inhuman effort, my eyes popped open and there was Mom, about an inch away from my face! ROFL

  Slowly, I regained some function of my arms and hands but I was strapped down and my mom got a piece of paper and a pen and I could write that my eyes itched.  Oh the relief when she finally understood what I was trying to tell her and rubbed them for me!

  Soon, the respirator came out, I was able to move and the pain set in.  My family left and I was alone with the nurses who took wonderful care of me. Everyone kept coming in to look at me because I was the 'young one'. Definately NOT at my best, but, Hey, I guess they had seen worse.

  The next day, the anesthesiologist had to come and apologize to me for the abuse he put me through.  I was black from head to toe from all the needle pricks that I had gone through the day before. I just told him he would thank me enough to NEVER do that to another person again!

  Five days later I was able to go home. It was a rough recovery for me.  I don't know how elderly people ever make it through that. I was prepared for the pain, but the total and utter exhaustion and lack of strength just threw me for a loop.

  I did a lot of praying during that time of my life.  Probably more than ever before or since.  I know that God saved me and that He was with me during that surgery. The fact that my unconcious self was praising Him as I came out of the anesthesia tells me that.  And though I know He has been with me since my creation, this was one of the most profound experiences of His Hand on my life so far. There have been a few that have come close, but not like that one.

 Though I never thought I would make it through that day, I did, and it has given me a different perspective on life.  It has taught me most importantly to cherish every single second I have with my children. They are the ones who got me through it all. They are the reason I had the surgery in the first place. I was told I would most likely be dead by 33 if I didnt have it. And I would have been.  During the surgery they found three more holes in my heart for a total of four. Three were the size of pencil erasers and one was the size of a quarter.

  This  post is brought to you by the Writers Workshop which can be found at Mama's Losin' It.  It's never too late to join in on the fun!  This week I used prompt number 2!

  Till Next Time,
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Leia Mais...

Wordless Wednesday - The Perpetual Headache


























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Leia Mais...

I wanna sleep till noon...

OK, this is more of a rant than anything.

I just wanna sleep till noon, get up and have nothing to do but maybe the dishes and the laundry and vaccuming and hang out with Wyatt.

I'm kinda tired of being the driver, provider, etc. On Sundays, I don't even go to church because it is the only day I have that it is not required of me to leave the house.  The rest of the week is go, go, go!  It's exhausting!

Others in my household, besides the children who go to school, get to sleep till noon.  Granted, it's quiet then, but heck.... I WANNA TOO! lol

Ok, done whining.
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Leia Mais...

Welcome to Mailbox Monday!! A blog hop to boost your subscriber count!


Here’s how to join in the fun:

Add your blog link to the linky

Subscribe by email to the three hostesses. They will return the favor.

Visit the other blogs on the list and subscribe by email to the ones that interest you. Leave them a comment with your blog link so they know you are subscribing from Mailbox Monday. Don’t forget to confirm your subscription!

Everyone is welcome to participate. Each week a new linky will be generated so make sure you stop by on Monday’s to add your blog.

Your blog *must* have a place for people to e-mail subscribe.We will be subscribing to everyone’s blog who participates. If there isn’t an e-mail subscribe option, your link will be removed from the linky.

The Mailbox Monday Blog of the Week is StashMama which takes the #4 spot on the linky. Next week, we will choose from this week’s participants for the Blog of the Week.

Help us spread the word about Mailbox Monday! Write a post for your blog and add the blog hop code.

Let’s have fun and meet (and read via email) some new blogs!




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Leia Mais...

What word describes me most? ... Tired!

I swear, I need to be cloned.  If only there were one or two more of me, my life would be so much easier!  Everything needs my undevided attention - kids, work, house, errands.  There just doesn't seem to be enough time or energy in a day to get everything done that needs to be done.


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Leia Mais...

Being The Husband I Always Wanted

When I was a child, I often thought about the day when I would be the happy and proud wife of a man who was honest, trustworthy, respectful, loving and hard-working.  We would never lie to each other, enjoy spending time together, raise our children together and build a life together.

At 35 years of age and with five children who have noone to call 'dad',  I have resigned myself to the fact that this is not how things will ever be for me.  Unfortunately, I have been the one who has worked, provided and cared for myself and my children with little or no help from any 'significant other', much less a husband.

I have realized that I am the husband I always wanted.  I work, pay the bills, strive to provide for everyone's needs and am always finding ways to provide what 'wants' I can, as well.  I love my children unconditionally, am always home when I am not at work and do not find ways to 'escape' out of boredom or restlessness.  I do not lie to anyone, I can be trusted and I am respectful of other people's feelings and values.

Though most days seem to not provide enough hours or energy for me to do all that I want to do, we still manage.

I may not be particularly happy with the way my life has turned out, but I can make the most out of any circumstances that come my way. I have learned that no matter how much you do for someone, you cannot make them do what they are supposed to do unless it comes from within themselves. Thank God, He has given me that gift.

I find it a shame that the men in our time have become such selfish, lazy creatures who have no idea how to be real men. Granted, their are a few exceptions, but they are few and far between. I know many more single moms struggling to be both mother and father, provider and caregiver to their families than I know men who work to support their wives and children.  I know many more men who shirk their responsibilities of paying child support than I do who make it a priority to work enough hours or jobs to support themselves, their new families AND provide for the children they left behind.  I know more men who have spent more on their drug and alcohol habits than they have ever spent on birthday or Christmas presents for their sons and daughters.

Am I bitter... maybe.  Am I disappointed....yes.  But I AM the husband I always wanted to have.
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Leia Mais...

Playing Catch-Up

Well, a whole summer has passed and now I need to play catch-up with my blog.  We are now living in Georgia, as my illness and leave of absence left me without a job in Florida. I could have transferred, however, I found a different job once I got here that is a bit better in the working conditions department, but worse in the paycheck department. Sometimes you just have to decide what is more important.

As for my illness, I slowly got better without ever seeing a neurologist. Still not sure exactly what went on there, just thanking God that I am back to normal brain function.

Georgia is nice, but bad on the arthritis.  Or maybe it's the long hours I spend on my feet or even getting old. All I know is that I am way too young to be in this much pain all the time. Kinda depressing, but I do go on.

Only a little time until I leave for work, so making this short. Will catch up better on my days off.



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Leia Mais...

Looks Like Spring Has Sprung!

It has been a beautiful week so far here in Florida. Today the temps are in the low 80's and the sun is just shining away!

I have been especially busy this week. Went to the flea market on Sunday and though it rained by the end, my daughter Cheyanne made a bit of money selling her old clothes.  Also met some interesting people. We had a crack-head one one side of us hinting around that he had all sorts of illegal drugs for sale besides the stuff he had in his booth and a total redneck on the other side of us who kept us all laughing for six hours. All in all, it was a very interesting day.  We will be going back this weekend. 

Also this weekend, my daughter Cheyanne will be in a parade at our annual Catfish Festival. She is in ROTC.  This will be her first event with them. She's pretty excited.

I'm going to keep this short today, as I do not feel very badly at the moment and need to get caught up on my housework and laundry.


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Leia Mais...

Getting Through The Hard Times

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

James 1:12 (NIV)



This is the verse of the week listed in the CWAHM Newsletter that I received today. Inspiring, isn't it? I, myself, have been going through a personal trial for the last couple of months and at times, I have been tempted to throw in the towel. Thank God that he gave me a whopping dose of perseverance.

Throughout everyone's life, there are times of peace & contentment as well as times of trial. I've had my fair share of trials in all areas of life, whether in personal relationships, health matters, financial issues.. the list goes on and on. What I have learned is that you cannot let your emotions rule your actions. Yes, we get depressed and stressed-out. We get overwhelmed at times and can't see the silver lining around each grey cloud that comes our way. Our emotions will wreak havoc on us if we do not have the proper mind-set that will allow us to take things one step at a time, one obstacle at a time and continue to push forward toward our goals.

How do we create this can-do, never-give-up attitude within ourselves to allow us the peace of mind and quietness of spirit to get through our many tests and trials?

A Firm Belief In God.

I don't know any better way to get through life's difficulties than to take to heart the words of our Father in Heaven, who has promised victory to those who love and serve Him. Some of our difficulties are direct results of our own mistakes .... so what? God is certainly a lover of all people. All you have to do is read the Bible to realize that he had no less love for the prostitute or the tax collector than he did for the men of the cloth. Many of the people He chose to do amazing and wonderful things had backgrounds that would make anything you might have done look like small potatoes.

A Daily Routine Of Studying God's Word

Very often, the Lord will lead you to just the right inspirational verse or promise that will give you just what you need to hang on till the end. One of my favorite sayings is "Don't give up on the brink of your miracle." Read about the tests that others in the Bible have gone through and how they handled their situations. Get inspired by the many ways God came through on their behalf. Get a reality check by comparing what you are going through to what our forefathers went through. When is the last time you wandered in a desert for 40 years? When is the last time YOU were whipped and beaten for what you believe in?

Experience is one way, unfortunately!

As we go through life and come up against situations where there seems to be no way out we can always look back on times when we had faced similar trials before and in some way, found the solution to our problem. Some things have a way of working themselves out. Often, it is just in the nick of time! Right before we give up. We can be encouraged by the times in our life when we have overcome difficulties and know that it wasn't a fluke. We have it within ourselves to keep on keeping on. Asking God to increase our Faith in Him to see us through is never a prayer left unanswered.

Share What You Are Going Through With Someone Who Has Been There - Done That

God allows us to go through certain things in order to help others who will eventually come into our lives and are experiencing the same situations. Seek out someone who has been through what you are going through and learn what they did to overcome their delimma. You can draw strength from others who have beaten the odds, come out on top and share their experiences with you. And when someone comes into YOUR life who needs your experience and encouragement - give it to them!

Prayer and Praise

You don't have to be an eloquent person to pray to God. At times we are so overwhelmed that we hardly know what to think, let alone pray! Even a one word prayer of 'Help' is heard by our loving Heavenly Father. Just as you would hear that one word from your own dearly beloved children, He hears your heartfelt prayer even if it is just a thought. Thank Him for helping you even when you cannot see or feel anything specific going on. God works in mysterious ways and we don't always know what is going on behind the scenes.

Know That All Things Work Together For The Good Of Those Who Love Him

Regardless of what we think is good for us or not, God knows what is good and right for our lives. Our children think it is good for them to have a diet consisting only of candy, soda and potato chips. But, we know better and do not allow them to subsist on only those things. We consistantly expose them to new and different meal choices, whether they like it or not. As they grow older, they realize that their bodies need other nourishment than just what tastes good to them at the moment.

I hope that you have gained some perspective from these few suggestions on how to get through your times of trial. You will undoubtably come across times when your emotions will leave you feeling wiped out and drained, thinking that you just don't have the power within you to take one more step. But, they are wrong. Look up and not down. Seek peace and not quarrel. Take a break instead of getting broken. Don't give up! You may be on the brink of your miracle!


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Leia Mais...

Dude! Where's My Brain?!?!?!

Ok, so... last ya'll knew I had taken JT back, lost my brain functions and was cranky about the lack of health care available to me.  Not much has changed, except JT is gone again, rofl.

See, I set him up to work with my step-dad. Now, my step-dad is a little overbearing, doesn't pay all that well and has a raw sense of humor. BUT, JT has not worked the whole year we have been together and I have supported him very well. He didn't need to worry about anything. So, since I've been having these medical issues, my dad got a bunch of jobs and asked JT to help him figuring it would help out the family since my income is a bit lower than it was when I was working full time. I didn't want to waste gas by running JT back and forth to work every day, so I let him use my van. Funny thing was... it was always on empty. Now, the other day, he came home, said he ran into some cousins of his and was going fishing and was going to crash at his mom's and go to work from there. Fine. He didn't ask  how I was feeling that day, if I needed him to help me out at all.. nothing. Within 10 minutes he was gone. This rubbed me raw in a few ways, but mostly because I had been harping for weeks that since I now did not have to go to work, I really wanted to go fishing. We DO live in the Bass Capital of the World, here! And, besides, I'd been having horrible headaches, heart palpitations and generally not being myself.

Once he left, I actually got dressed, did my hair and makeup and headed out... determined that if he could go out and have fun, so would I. Unfortunately, I felt so horrible and was having such dizzy spells, I ended up back home just hanging out with the kids. So much for that!

When he got back the next day he actually had the balls to accuse me of going out to hang out with other guys and what was I doing for the three hours I was gone! Excuse me??

He used my van again to work Sunday and my dad paid him. (I didn't know that my dad had already paid him about $75 before this) He made no mention of helping with any of grocery shopping we did that night, or the bills I was paying by phone yesterday morning. In fact, I only found out that he supposedly had $80 when my youngest daughter mentioned it to me. Well, yesterday he was awfully intentional about getting the van to take some drill bits back to his dad and that maybe I should stay home since I wasn't feeling well. 

Hmmmmm........

Three hours later (his parents live 10 minutes away) he strolls in and says he has to spend the night at his mom's because she has to go get her nose cauterized and someone was prowling around their house the night before. Now, his cousin lives there. A 21 year old male. Why couldn't HE watch the house? Again, no inquiries of how I was doing. In fact, I had just gotten off the phone with his mom and she had said NOTHING about him staying there.

I asked him if he had any intention of helping me pay any of this month's bills with the $80 my dad gave him the day before and he said he put his last $3 in the gas tank right before he got here. Huh? Where did all the money go, then?
I said, "You know what, JT. I don't need this anymore. I have enough going on, enough stress... I'll take you to your mom's to 'guard their house' and then that is where you are going to stay."  I've had it. No more.

Come to find out, my dad had paid him about $175 in the last few days and I saw absolutely none of it. Even a little of it would have helped. I don't think it's fair that I spend every cent I have on bills, gas and groceries while he didn't even THINK about helping me with any of what my dad gave him (thinking it was going to the household). I don't know what he is up to but it's nothing good. In fact, he didn't even bring any fish home the night he was supposed to be 'fishing'.

I'm going to chalk this all up to another brain malfunction. I musta forgot that he will never grow up, never be a responsible adult. That he will never grow out of that selfish 'me-first' attitude.

I have to admit I did have one childish outburst during the drive to his mom & dad's. He kept telling me how much he loved me and how he didn't want this to be over ... but never said, you know what? I know you aren't feeling well and my dad and Chad can guard the house. I'll help you.. So I threw my cup of coffee all over him. :D  Childish, yes, but it felt wonderful.

So, I packed up his stuff last night. It's in the van for me to deliver to his mom and dad's tomorrow morning. I hung out with my girls till 2am, laughing and joking and bonding. I did laundry, dishes and am still up 'cause I can't sleep. Insomnia has been my friend lately. At least my head is not hurting too badly at the moment and I don't feel too 'cloudy headed'.

Maybe I'm allergic to JT......


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Leia Mais...

Stick It To Me


Ran across this fun bloghop at It's A Sweet Thing & thought I'd join in!

Here are mine..



Head on over to It's A Sweet Thing's Blog and follow along!



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Leia Mais...

Doctor Visit Update

Since moving to Florida, I have had nothing but stress concerning doctor visits. See, in Pa, I had the same doctor since I was 14 years old. I went to her for everything. I knew the office staff, the other doctors in the 'loop', could go any time I or my children needed anything. I would be seen by family doctors, specialists, NEUROLOGISTS, be able to get CT SCANS, whatever I needed, I could get it done.

NOT HERE, NOPE, SORRY, NO SELF-PAY PATIENTS ALLOWED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I may have a brain tumor or be suffering from some type of seizure disorder. but SORRY! No specialists will see me.

My regular job took me off the schedule and said I coudln't work so I had to have medical leave of absence papers filled out by the doctor. Even THAT was like pulling teeth because I have no diagnosis. ROFL Oh, this is grand.  Needless to say, there are a lot of 'unknown' and 'unable to determine's on that form. Hope they accept it.

THIER advice is that since I have no medical insurance, to wait till I'm having a real bad episode, then drag myself to the E.R. and have them do all the tests I need. Great. I can see that. I am trying to AVOID being in a hospital, and that is what they tell me. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

I miss Pa for one reason only.. my medical care. Florida is NOT the place to be if you may be dying. They don't care.

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Leia Mais...

Another Doctor Appointment

Well, I've got another doctor appointment tomorrow.  I don't mind going so much, I really need something to make my heart beat correctly.  Yesterday was pretty rough.  When I had my open heart surgery 10 years ago, they told me that I may have the palpatations the rest of my life. However, they usually only really bother me when I'm lying down.  Lately, they've been happening all the time and yesterday was an all-day affair. I was almost convinced to go to the hospital - almost.  But, I knew that they would admit me and I couldn't have that! lol

So, tomorrow, I'll see if they have anything that can get my heart under control. Plus, I've got to get these Medical Leave of Absence papers filled out. It would have helped if I would have been able to see a neurologist already, but I have to wait.

I think, later when it's quiet, I will do a rememberance post about my open heart surgery.  THAT was definately an unforgettable experience!

For now, I've got to get some work done.  Ta-Ta !


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Leia Mais...

Today Is Wyatt's Fourth Birthday!


Today is my baby's fourth birthday !!

For those who don't know about Wyatt... let me tell you... he is something else!

Wyatt is smart.. He uses words in context that you would never believe a four year old could understand. Although sometimes he mispronounces words in very comical ways, he definately gets his point across!

Wyatt is loving...  He tells me every day, practically every minute that he loves me.  He will come up to me out of the blue just to kiss my arm or leg or whatever is closest to him at the  moment and say "Mommy, I love you, yup, I do" and run off again to play.

Wyatt is a Playstation Master...  Wyatt's favorite thing in the entire world is playing Playstation. I think it is the very first thing he thinks about when he wakes up in the morning.   And once he is cut off, his famous excuse is "But I only played for TWO SECONDS!!" 

Wyatt loves to scare you...  One of his favorite games is sneaking up on you and screaming 'BOO! Mommy, did I scare you? BOO! Mommy, did  I scare you that time?  BOO! Did I scare you again, Mommy?"  This can go on all day, lol.

Wyatt can hold his own...  Being the youngest out of five children with two older brothers who enjoy wrestling and fighting and kung-fu-ing each other all day and night, Wyatt had to learn early not to let anyone pick on him.  I'll hear the boys 'dog-piling' Wyatt till he starts crying, then I will yell something like "Are you guys happy now ?  You hurt the baby!"  Next thing you know, one of the older ones is howling and Wyatt will strut out saying "Don't worry, mommy. I got 'em back."

Wyatt is the last of the mohicans.  I will not be having any more children unless God himself comes down from heaven and tells me I have to.  In that respect, watching him grow up is bitter-sweet.  I don't want to send him to school.  I don't want him to grow up! I want to keep him right where he is now, my silly little guy who just ran up to me and asked if he is a 'moron' and when I told him no, he said he likes being a moron, CAN he be a moron?! ROFL



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Leia Mais...

Curiouser and Curiouser

In my blog hopping today I ran across a giveaway listed at Momma Findings and which has jogged my memory and prompted this post.

I remember when my oldest son was into the 'snooping' stage.  Some may call it just being curious, I however called it snooping, as he was definately into things that he had no business being into!

I had a few friends over and thought my beloved son was being a good boy, entertaining himself upstairs in his room. That line of thinking was quickly dismissed when he came downstairs with a larger sized 'silver bullet' in his hands and walked confidently and excitedly up to the table and announced:

"Just look at THIS!!"  It must go to a HUGE gun!!!!!!"

Much to my dismay and embarassment!!

Needless to say, my guests enjoyed the evening immensely.



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Leia Mais...

It's Raining, It's Pouring.. My old man is snoring...

Ok, so me and JT are back together again and well, did I expect anything to change? Not really, but I did hope against hope, lol.  I'm trying not to be mad that I am plugging away and working my butt off to try and make sure that the income keeps rolling in and we are able to pay our bills on time while he is in  the bedroom in his pj's. That is the concept behind working from home, right? Being home in our pjs?

So, let's cut to the chase, here.  I need a reality check pertaining to my expectations and the reality that I live in.

Expectation #1:  I expect to not be the only one responsible for paying bills, buying food, cleaning the house and earning income
Reality: I am the only one who actively works on ways to provide for my family. JT is a good grocery shopper, but with my money. People only clean around here once they see mom get up and start doing it. While mom is working at the computer, everyone else believes it is their break time.

Expectation #2: I expect people to take care of their own obligations.
Reality: Apparantly, I am the only one who believes that if you have something that is totally your responsability, take care of it ASAP before it becomes a massive snowball of destruction headed straight at you. 

Expectation #3: I expect children over the age of 10 to know that there are certain things that they can do to make a household run easier, and then do them without being told a million times and watching their mother turn into a stark raving lunatic.
Reality: They are kids.

Expectation #4:  I expect that if you need something to wear to school the next day or have a school function that mom needs to be let known of, you should do it weeks in advance, leave me notes, put it on the calendar, SOMETHING, because mom's brain is overloaded and I CRS.
Reality:  I am usually told at midnight of the evening before the specific item or event is needed. Usually for the first time, lol!

Ok, that's some of them.  And I've accepted the fact that my reality is a bit different from what I expect of others.  Kinda.

I don't necessarily think that what I expect is all that bad.  I mean, they are only common sense things, right? Or, am I wrong?

Well, I'm off to blog another blog, eat me a bagel and advertise, advertise, advertise. 

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Leia Mais...

Puppies, Puppies Everywhere!

This is an endorsement for spaying and neutering your pets!

It seems that fertility doesn't just run in my human genes, it has been passed down to my 'baby', Azo:


She apparantly also likes the 'bad boys' and was convinced to give up her virginity to the local 'Dog About Town'.  Now, mind you... Azo doesn't go off looking for 'it'.  She is happily confined to our neck of the woods. But, you know how those 'Dawgs' are when they smell a 'bitch-in-heat", right?  He came right into our backyard and impregnated my little girl!  And then, you know what he did?  Ran off, never gave her ONE ounce of support as she grew round as a house, FOUR pairs of boobs hanging to the ground, gave birth to SEVEN babies and had to let them go at her like she was some kind of buffet table for months!!

Now, I have seven Grand-Puppies: Zoe (who looks exactly like her mom), Chip (the runt who looks like a chipmunk), Ludo (the brute of the bunch - fat and fluffy, only one other fluffy one), Lu-Chin (Ludo's twin sister - also fat and fluffy), Rodney (who was named after my friend Rodney who also has a Napoleon Complex - short and stocky), Valerie (the smart one who looks at you intently no matter what you are doing) and Loki (named after the God of Mischief, need I say more?)

 (Wyatt & Zoe)                                                         (Chip)     

Now, it got real cold here for a few weeks, and we brought the puppies inside. And if you don't know what seven puppies can do to a household, let me tell you - It's not pretty!  My children are in love with them. So am I, but they are BEASTS! And, now that they are on Nee-Nee restriction, they are eating us out of house and home!       

I must find homes for them.  Quickly.  I wish I could keep them all.  They are so adorable :(  Every morning there is a puppy stampede, running, jumping, barking... to see who can get to me and their breakfast first. Even my CAT likes them!

Puppies, puppies everywhere!           



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Leia Mais...

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