The Faerie Castle

Heartbroken

2012-01-29T13:33:00.000-06:00

Any of my readers who are also friends with me on Facecrack already know that my Mother passed away. She was always after me to write in this blog more often. So, in memory of her and to help me work through my grief and get my life back on track here it goes....

Sandra Lee Basel White

February 14, 1945 - December 29, 2011

A friend of my Mom's read the following at her Memorial Mass:

Good morning. I am Patti T***r and I have had the privilege of working with Sandy the past 27 years. But I am not here just as a co-worker, because Sandy was so much more than that to me. When her family asked me to speak today, I started thinking of what Sandy would want to me tell you.

The word FAMILY kept coming into my head. I think the most important thing to Sandy was FAMILY
•not just her natural family – her mother, sisters, children, and grandchildren
•but also her spiritual family here at this church which she loved
•her family at Curves who helped her stay physically active
•and her family at Waldo Community School of coworkers, students, parents, and grandparents.

Many of you know me and know that I come from a very small family, of which I am the only one left. Sandy and I had known each other for 11 years when my mother died, and I became a family of 1. Sandy never tried to “be my mom” at that time, but she definitely adopted me into her family.
•She would invite me to family gatherings at times she knew it would be difficult for me to be alone.
•She would let me moan, groan, and complain - and later forget I ever said anything.

•She would irritate me, I think sometimes on purpose - just so we could laugh about it later.
•She was always patient with me when I needed some distance, and she was loving when I needed a slap up side the head.
•She would remember my birthday and ALWAYS sing “Happy Birthday” to me.
•She would celebrate my successes and mourn my losses as if I was her daughter.

And that’s what family does
•they make you feel wanted,
•they comfort you,
•they make you laugh,
•they make you cry,
•they frustrate you,
•they correct you,
•they are patient with you,
•they embrace you,
•they just love you.

Sandy was family – She truly comforted, corrected, embraced, and loved everyone in her many families.

Some of my students drew pictures and wrote letters which I gave to the family on Wednesday. One young man was absent Wednesday, so he gave me his card late. He drew a picture of a heart with a circle in the middle. When I first looked at it, I saw a hole – a place in all of our hearts where we miss Sandy.

This morning when I looked at it, I saw it completely differently. I see it as a little piece of Sandy living our hearts. I believe Sandy will always be with us. And I think Sandy would want everyone to remember to look for those people we can embrace into our families as she did. And then love them as Sandy loved us.

What Patti wrote really speaks volumes about the type of woman my Mother was. She loved everyone. You can read a little but about her life HERE where I wrote about her before.

I am devestated. I feel as if a part of me is missing and it hurts tremendously. Every day I struggle to go through the motions, to get back to where I need to be with my life and my home. And every day I feel as if I am failing.

And then I remind myself that it has only been a month since I lost one of the most important and possibly the most influential person in my life. The pain will continue for a long time. I have to learn to embrace it and then move onward and upward each day. And eventually it will get easier. It's hard to believe that right now.

I tried to find a song to post that was one of her favorites. It sucked. I cried. I tried to find a song to describe how I am feeling. It sucked. I cried. I tried to write something that actually had some depth and used correct punctuation and grammar and expressed how I am feeling. It sucked. I cried.

And that's how life is going for me right now.

Menu Schmenu

2011-09-20T10:38:00.001-05:00

Menu planning is driving me crazy. I want to do it, but it just slips away from me. Then I spend half of my day each day trying to figure out dinner. It sucks. So here is this weeks plan and maybe I will actually stick to it! And I am listing here the foods that I know the boys will eat for dinner so I can, maybe, plan them a menu. *sigh*

Tuesday - Candied Chicken (from the freezer) with rice and broccoli
Wednesday- Pot Roast with carrots, potatoes and onions (maybe in the slow cooker) and fresh bread from the bread machine.
Thursday - Pizza night?
Friday - Pork chop and hash brown casserole from freezer. Experimental recipe so we will see if it is any good. If it sucks too bad it's grilled cheese and soup night!
Saturday - Leftovers/ Fend for yourself
Sunday - Mexican casserole/ Navajo taco bake (will link the recipe if I can find it)

Some baking I want to get done this week:

BrownSugar Cinnamon Muffins
Waffles
Several breads in the bread machine. No ideas what kind yet.
COOKIES!!

Foods the boys will eat for dinner:
Frozen cheese pizza
cheese ravioli, no sauce
green peas
corn on the cob
pasta with cheese
chicken nuggets
mac & cheese
nutella or pb&j sandwiches
grilled cheese
fruit (apple slices, pineapple)
ramen noodles
waffles
pancakes
oatmeal
grits

For more, and probably much better planned, menus, head over to Menu Plan Monday at OrgJunkie!

Explaining the Unexplainable

2011-09-16T16:39:00.000-05:00

Braeden 2010

Beautiful. Funny. Silly. Smart. Loving. Cuddly. Strong. .... Autistic.

It's part of who he is. Just one part. One part that impacts every other part of his life. When you look at him.... you don't see it. When you talk to him, interact with him, you start to wonder. You may feel a little uncomfortable when he runs up to you and hugs you without even knowing who you are. When he gets right in your face to talk to you. When you can't understand what he is trying to tell you. When he stutters and trips over his words. And then struggles to find the right word that is in his little brain and just won't come out. When he spends the time you are at my home visiting hiding in his room or lining up his cars because he just had a stressful day and can't deal with any more. When he gets angry and shouts and throws toys because his frustration level is just too high and he has no way to release it. When he asks to jump because he needs to be quiet. When he cries over something that would make another child laugh. When he tries to interact with your child and gets frustrated when they don't do what he wants them to. When he tells you what You should be saying or doing because in his mind... that's the way it should be. When you realize that at 6 years old... we still have problems with potty training. When he won't eat what you fixed him for lunch because it has sauce on it. Or the food is touching. Or he doesn't like food that is too hot. Or too cold. Or too.... anything. When he begins to twirl in the grocery store. Or pretends to be a cat in the middle of Wally World... complete with rubbing on your legs and meowing. When he gets scared of the loud intercom, the loud siren or the loud insects. When he cries because the music is too loud. When he throws his toys around the room and breaks them because he can't decide what to play with. Or because they are too bright. Or too noisy. Or for some reason that I just can't figure out. When you see me on Facebook at 3 am because he is still awake and we are worried about leaving him up without supervision but nothing is working to get him to just.... go to sleep. When he runs away from me in a parking lot. In my yard. At the store. In the library. When he screams because he just can't figure out what else to do.

When you look at him, you can't really tell that he is autistic. That he has autism. That he has a disability that will be with him for the rest of his life. And so you think maybe he is just.... spoiled. Or being naughty. Or maybe he is retarded. His parents just need to spank him, teach him right from wrong, control him.... You think his behavior is a choice on his part. But it's not. Or, to be honest, not always. He is still a little boys and sometimes he has typical little boy issues. But most of the time.... he can't control the emotions. He can't stop the behavior. He doesn't understand that he is acting in a socially unacceptable way.

But he sees the way you look at him. He feels the stares. He hears the whispers. He hears you when you walk up to his parents and say "Why don't you control that little boy? He needs a good spanking!". He hears and he knows but he doesn't know why. And we are left to try to explain the unexplainable.

Autism is cruel. Humanity has the ability to be crueler.

Autism is not the tradgedy. Ignorance is the tradgedy.

PLEASE. Please. Please. If you see a child misbehaving, try not to stare. Try not to be judgmental. You don't know what the parents are going through. You don't know why the child is behaving the way he is.

PLEASE help to raise awareness of autism. 1 in 110 children is diagnosed with autism. Boys are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed than girls. These numbers are growing every day. Autism is not curable. But it is treatable. Therapy can help. Understanding can help.

My son is very special. He is an incredible little boy. One day, I expect to watch him graduate from high school. If he chooses, I expect to see him graduate college. I hope one day that he will live in his own home. I hope he is able to find a partner in this life, to love him and understand him.

Until then.... I'm here.

Menu Planning Around Chaos

2011-07-11T18:36:00.003-05:00

It's going to be a weird week. Jenna is out of town for the whole week, gone to her boyfriend's basic training graduation. Braeden has therapy on Wednesday. They are doing social therapy with him so we will be spending time at the park and then eating with a group of children. And Malachai has a beginning evaluation at the School of Psychology on Wednesday afternoon. The rest of my week will probably be just as hectic and crazy.

Along with the crazy scheduling, cooking for one less adult makes my menu wonky. I am just not used to cooking for just me and Steven. The boys are here, of course, but they eat different meals. Due to Braeden's food issues, I usually feed them things like pizza, chicken nuggets and sandwiches which I know they will eat. I hate wasting food. The food battles are just not worth the hassle, either.

Also, Steven is working closing shifts all week long. Which means he goes in to work at noon and doesn't get home until around midnight to one am. I hate cooking and eating by myself. And whatever I cook has to be easily reheated for S when he gets off work. Challenging.

So here are the meals I will be trying to make this week in no particular order:

~Leftovers
~Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole
~Red Beans and Rice with Ham
~Potato Kielbasa Skillet made with Italian Sausage
~Ravioli Casserole
~Probably Taco Bell one night (LOL)
~Steven's choice on Sunday when he is off work.

So, that's it. What's on yoru menu this week? And how does your weekly schedule impact your menu?

Linked up with tons of other menus at Organizing Junkie!

Menu Planning .... Wednesday? And the 4th. And stuff.

2011-07-05T22:15:00.001-05:00

Yeah yeah. The 4th of July. Big whoopie. See, the thing is..... Braeden has anxiety in large crowds. And he hates loud noises. And Malachai is uber shy. So...... we didn't do anything. No fireworks, no picnics at the park with tons of people, no nothin baby. We stayed home and vegged out and watched tv. theend. LOL

I am currently making an effort to organize my life and streamline crap so I can get back to blogging regularly. It's a dream of mine. I think it MIGHT happen! Shocking, I know.

Right now, I am going to post my menu plan for the rest of this week. In hopes that that will help me stick to it. Let's see how that goes, shall we?

Wednesday: Chicken, broccoli and rice casserole
Thursday: Black beans (or red beans) with rice and leftover smoked pork loin
Friday: Some sort of something made with leftover smoked beef brisket.... any thoughts?
Saturday: Breakfast for dinner (I need to make a huge batch of waffles and pancakes for freezing)
Sunday: Steven's choice

Jenna is headed up to her boyfriend's parents' house on Friday or Saturday. They will be leaving for Missouri on Tuesday and will be gone until the 15th. Her boyfriend is graduating from Basic Training! (Army) We are proud of him! And Jenna can't wait to see him since he has been gone all this time and will be leaving for his other school/ training in California straight from Basic.

I am a nervous wreck about Braeden's school this coming year. That will be a whole separate post soon.

Anyway, off to try to get little boys to go to sleep. More soon!

PS: I linked up to the fab blog Organizing Junkie for her Menu Plan Monday! If you are looking for any inspiration, head over there!

Obviously, I suck....

2011-06-08T18:34:00.000-05:00

I know. I suck. Probably all of my loyal followers have moved on. That's okay. Things have just been crazy. Anyone following me on Facebook knows that. LOL Anyway, it is going to take me a bit to get caught up here and back on track.

One of the things that I am going to be attempting to do is post more recipes. I have a long list of recipes I want to try out and plan to post about over the next little bit. Who knows whether my plans will work out!

Anyway. I am alive. I have NOT lost any weight. I have NOT been going to the Y or exercising. I am looking at the possibility of my youngest having developmental issues as well. My daughter graduated high school but is still here. Much more has happened. I am stressed out, my hair is going so gray I may just give up on the dye job and I was diagnosed with PCOS and am growing a beard. Maybe I will just be the bearded fat lady from now on!

Off to read blogs.....

A New Me?

2011-01-23T09:49:00.000-06:00

The New Year brought with it a determination to get my life back on track. We joined the local YMCA and I am hoping to get my weight under some control. They have a 12 week to a new you type of program that I signed up for. Basically, it is a way to get yourself used to working out on a regular basis. The first thing we did was weigh me, measure me and look at my BMI. Talk about depressing.

I am at my heaviest weight ever.... including my weights through three pregnancies. *sigh* It's no wonder I have high blood pressure! So. I weigh 228 pounds at 5 foot 5 inches. I am obese. The little machine that the Y uses told me that I am carrying 39 lbs of excess body fat and that my ideal weight is between 166 and 189 lbs. Which I can deal with, cause every other scale I have looked at shows me needing to get down to like 130 lbs.

Anyway. I started working out and have done 3 days so far (since Tuesday). Although 30 minutes on a treadmill is not much of a workout. But, my legs are sure feeling it. I am going to try to ease into this and not push myself too hard. I want to keep it up, not burn out. Ideally, I will lose a pound or two a week once I really get into this. But for now, if I can get off that treadmill and not be winded or have burning thighs I will be happy.

I am planning to update my progress here weekly. I hope that means I will HAVE something to report. Wish me luck.

Quick Note

2010-12-20T15:16:00.000-06:00

Busy baking, busy cleaning, busy with life. I miss all of my bloggy friends but have NO TIME to really post right now. It's been such a crazy year.... I really hope 2011 slows down a little and sends some positive things our way.

Don't forget to check out the lunar eclipse tonight!Winter Solstice, total lunar eclipse, amber moon, AND the Ursids meteor shower all in one night!! Not something to miss. I plan to set my alarm clock to try to make sure I am up at the best viewing time. I will be thinking of all of my family and friends as I watch the beauty of the night sky!

Blessings to all and I hope to be back to post tomorrow.

My World Gets Busier Every Day

2010-12-07T16:52:00.001-06:00

It's been another wild and crazy time here at the castle. No apologies.... face book ate them all. *snicker*

I am full of awesome plans for the holiday season and hoping to get at least 1/4 of all I have planned actually done. *snicker again*

For now, until I get an inspiration to write a longer post later, check out Ms. Jenna's fabulous Senior Portraits. These are the sneak peek of her casual shots! We love the photographer, she did a wonderful job of getting shots of Jenna that really show off who SHE is! Not posed, forced shots that seem vaguely uncomfortable. Just shots of her being her. I can't wait to see the rest of them!

We also had pictures of the boys taken right before Thanksgiving. Waiting eagerly for those to come back. The photographer, a different one, did a good job with the boys. Especially considering it was a quick mini session (1/2 hour).

I promise to post pics once we have them! Since BOTH boys got their hair cut they are so damn handsome I could eat them with a spoon....

Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T20:26:00.002-06:00

My Mom and my MIL and my nephew are all here. They have been here since Saturday and we have been oh so busy....

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I will be back on Friday or Saturday!!!!

Dreaming of a Debt Free Christmas

2010-11-18T21:17:00.000-06:00

Late today. It has been a crazy crazy day today. I guess that means it was a normal day! As of right now, Jenna is at the Harry Potter Premier, hanging out outside the theater with some friends, waiting to get it. Hopefully she has fun waiting in the cold, in costume, for 4 hours (she got there at 8).... I have no doubt that she will! (I am sooooooo jealous that she is there and I am here with little kids and no babysitter!!!)

Anyway.

My thing this year is that I want to have a stress free and debt free Christmas. We do not use credit cards, but we usually end up borrowing money from one of our Mothers just to make sure we have everything covered. I really want this year to be more low key. I want to concentrate on time with each other, gifts from the heart and giving back a little bit. In addition, Braeden gets so overwhelmed with all of the chaos and confusion on Christmas morning that I want to make it a little easier for him. Less presents to open, more time to play with each present before tearing in to the next. Less pressure for him. My Mother and MIL will be here for Christmas as well.... for the first time ON CHRISTMAS MORNING since Braeden was born. That will be enough excitement in and of itself!

We are cutting back on the number of presents we purchase for the kids. And I will be making several items for each of them. I want lots of activities and experiences in the days leading up to the holidays, less importance placed on the actual gifts.

So, do any of you fabulous people have any suggestions on new traditions, new activities, frugal gift ideas, crafty fun or any other Christmas stuff? Leave me some links and I will love you forever! And I promise to link to the items I will be making and give a full run down of our plans sometime soon.

Right now I have to go see why it sounds like elephants on parade in the boys' bedroom.....

Obligatory Mommy Bragging

2010-11-17T10:33:00.000-06:00

All of my regular readers have probably been introduced to my daughter through guest posts or links. But new friends.... I am going to introduce you today! AND I have some major Mommy bragging to do! So hold on to your hats.... and meet the Faerie Girl!

My daughter, Jenna, is 16 going on 30. Well, some days she is more like 16 going on 5, but that's just fun! LOL She is a Senior this year because she skipped most of the 7th grade. She is a goof and a dork. She is bright and beautiful. She is pretty damn awesome and really impressive if I do say so myself! She lives out loud and doesn't care what anyone says. She respects herself and expects others to respect her as well. She cares deeply about many different social issues and tries her damndest to change the world. She is a talented and ambitious writer who awes me daily. Even while she irritates the crap out of me with the teenage drama!

She has... ummm..... well, three blogs that are openly public, but one of those is linked to a forum. Her personal blog is The Delusional and her writing blog is As The Plot Thickens. She also owns and moderates a writing forum called Quill and Ink. She owns and runs a website for a project she is doing called The Juniper Project which is all about Guerrilla Art. She writes for the Yahoo! Contributors Network (used to be Associated Content) for free until she turns 18 and can earn money there! Her personal web site is HERE. You can click on any of the links to get to know her.OR, you can click on any of the following links to read some of my favorite posts from her blog:

Love is in the Air, I'm Wearing a Gas Mask
Babyface
I've Got a Sword, Fool
Politics, Religion and all that Other Good Stuff
Don't Eat the Red Snow
The Journey
Kicking Down The Door
The Snotpocalypse

Now for the REAL bragging! If you follow me on Facebook then you have probably heard all of this already, if you don't follow me on FB then why not?!? LOL (Click on the Stalk me here tab up top for a link to my FB page!)

Jenna was accepted to The University of Tampa and will be studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Writing. That was exciting enough! Then we found out that she was accepted as an Honors student and was awarded an $11,000 (renewable!) Presidential Scholarship from the school! That's my girl!

So, while that scholarship will not come close to paying for her education, it will be a major help. She should qualify for full financial aid (we are poor) and is applying for numerous other scholarships. We are fully confident in her ability to fund her college education through her academic achievements and her writing ability. Those scholarship essays should be a breeze! So, while she is stressing out to some degree, she is also pretty proud of herself. And so am I.

In addition to that, she also participated in NaNoWriMo again this year. For those who do nto know, that is National Novel Writing Month where you are challenged to write a novel of 50,000 words or more int he space of a month. This is her 3rd year. I think. She succeeded in writing her 50,000 words in the space of 4 days. Yes. FOUR DAYS. Granted, it is an extremely rough first draft. But, damn.Then she proceeded to get sick with walking pneumonia. Told her she was working too hard.....

I would love it if any of you should feel like leaving a comment for her! While she can be an irritating teenager, she is also pretty awesome.

Tomorrow I am writing about Christmas and my dreams of it being a debt free holiday this year so make sure you wander by and check in!

The Maiden Within

2010-11-13T21:44:00.000-06:00

Hiding in plain sight
camouflaged beneath layers of responsibilities
and mundane daily life

Parent teacher conferences
steam cleaning carpets
potty training
searching for meaning
underneath couch cushions
and mountains of dirty laundry

The dancing Maiden of my youth
has given way to the Mother of today
hiding within and awaiting
bending but never breaking
hiding but never forgotten

Blog Revamp

2010-11-13T14:53:00.000-06:00

I have been struggling to get the blog all prettiefied and organized over the past weeks. With all of the sickness in the house it has taken some time! And, obviously, my month of thanksgiving has suffered due to the illness in the house as well. It's all good.

I am about to take the blog to the next level. I am ready to get back to blogging on a regular basis. I plan to start doing reviews of the books I am reading, menu planning and recipes, some videos of the kids should migrate here soon and I really want to host some giveaways. I also plan to post some of my poetry again. Maybe some crafty posts to show y'all what I have been up to with my sewing? Who knows what will show up over the next few months!

I have redone my links to the blogs I follow. I have them separated into different categories and hope to keep them that way. Maybe that will help me visit each of you more regularly! There is no guarantee, however, that i did not accidentally delete someone in the process. If you visit and your blog is NOT listed in one of my blog rolls, please let me know! I will rectify that.

Please comment and let me know what you think of the new design. If you have a blog button that I am not sporting here then let me know that as well!

I should be visiting everyone on my blog rolls over the next few days to play catch up and visit!

I am also looking for awesome blogs to read. Whether they are frugal blogs, mommy blogs, giveaway sites, blogs about autism or just funny..... please share links with me! Please? I am in need of new reading material! LOL

I will leave you with this picture of Braeden from Halloween. You can't see it to well, but he got a hair cut. No more long curly hair. Which makes me cry. But he's pretty damn cute anyway!!

Sick House

2010-11-10T12:43:00.000-06:00

Malachai has been sick for 2 1/2 weeks. Braeden was sick for a week and is better now. Steven is sick. Jenna got to take her first trip to the ER on SUnday with a temp of 106.4 and I was terrified! She has walking pneumonia. Which Mal now has too.

I am thankful for antibiotics and digital thermometers.

And I can't wait until all of these people in my house are well.

I may be coming down with something too.... send healing thoughts.

(But at least my laptop survived the great coke debacle and is back home with me in one piece!)

Bloggy Thanks

2010-11-05T22:49:00.000-05:00

I am, obviously, in the midst of some bloggy housekeeping. Feel free to let me know what you think as things move around and change up a bit!

My thanks today go out to my fab daughter, Jenna, for being willing to tweak my template and move things around based only on a vague description and arm waving comments..... you rock babe! Now, what in the world will I do when she goes away to college next year?!?

Giveaway of Awesomeness!

2010-11-03T16:09:00.002-05:00

Thanks to a bloggy friend for sending me over to this really fab giveaway.... Rune Soup is giving away a ton of great magickal items from Florence! Go check it out. Enter.

(and if you win, remember I sent you over there... LOL) (Just kidding)

Seriously. Go. Check it out!

Why are you still here?

Thanks for Day 3

2010-11-03T15:15:00.002-05:00

Today I am thankful for the internet. I think without the internet I would have gone stir crazy many many moons ago! Today is just one more long day in a long line of long days filled with whiney kids. The boys are feeling better but still not 100% so they have spent ALL DAY LONG whining at me. And being unhappy about everything. Poor guys.... but they still make my ears bleed!

So, thanks to the beauty of the interwebs... I have kept myself sane today! I was also able to purchase (for my Mom) a plane ticket for Jenna to go to Florida in December. And I won several giveaways on blogs. And told some jokes with some people on FB. And and and...... played games.

And I am no longer losing my mind!

Thanks you interwebs for saving my sanity (and therefore very possible the lives of my chilluns) (jk) (mostly)

A Month of Thanks - Day Two

2010-11-02T16:13:00.003-05:00

Today I am thankful for Braeden's Behavior Therapist. Really. Not only does Mr. Sergio work with Braeden and us every week, he also goes out of his way to work with Braeden's school. Today is just one example.

Sergio and I went to Braeden's school today to observe several different classrooms. Since there are some concerns with the class that he is in, we wanted to know what the other options are. Once of the classes that we observed was a "behavior class". This class has 7 children in it and two full time teachers. This was what the principal was suggesting as an alternative for Braeden. The classes use the same curriculum as the regular ed classes and work specifically on overcoming behavior issues to get the children into regular classes. Since our issues with the class Braeden is in now is that it is using a different curriculum and is not working at grade level, it seemed like a good option.

After observing the classroom, we walked outside, Sergio looked at me and said "That is NOT the right place for Braeden." I wanted to hug him. My instincts were telling me the same thing and it was great to have them validated by a professional.

We then went to Braeden's regular classroom and observed. Braeden was not there today as he is sick, but we got to see his teacher in action, how she works with the children and what they are doing. The difference between the two classes was amazing. Sergio leaned over and said "We need to keep Braeden in here."

When all is said and done, our worries are that Braeden will slip through the cracks academically. He is already a little bit bored with the work he is doing in class. However, we can work on that. We can do extra work at home, he can have more challenging things at school that still fall within the curriculum, etc. That we will address in a meeting with the teacher next week. Along with adopting a specific behavior plan and writing very speicific and measurable behavior goals for his IEP.

The main thing we decided is that he NEEDS to be in the class with this teacher. She is wonderful. And we know she cares about Braeden and wants what is best for him.

So.

I am thankful for Sergio. For having him there to back up my instincts. To help me feel that the decisions I am making are valid. To ask the questions that I would never even think of. And I am thankful that he so obviously cares about what is best for Braeden.

Sorry this isn't very cohesive, I have been trying to write it all day in between sick kids and running errands, meetings and phone calls. So, I am not even going to attempt to proofread or rewrite.

How was your day today? Did you find anything new to be thankful for?

A Month of Thanks - Day One

2010-11-01T07:44:00.002-05:00

This month I am determined to remember the things about my life that are wonderful. With that in mind, every day I will be posting about something I am thankful for!

Today (the day after my anniversary), I am thankful for my husband. He is the one person I have ever been with who is willing to put up with, and even revel in, my weirdness. He likes the fact that I am a bitch. He lets me do what I need to do. He makes me laugh. His music makes my soul sing.

Without Steven I would not be the woman that I am today. Even on the days that I am really irritated with him, I still am thankful that he entered my life and woke me up. He has helped me to grow. He has helped me to realize dreams that I never knew I had. And he supports the dreams that I am following now.

He makes my life complete.

What are you thankful for today?

A Fresh New Month

2010-11-01T07:28:00.002-05:00

It's a brand new day and a brand new month! I am keeping my spirits up this month and staying positive. I have a feeling that this month will bring GOOD things to my family. The past month or two have been rough. Deaths, sickness, depression, mourning, stress and money problems have made it difficult for me to stay on top of everything. It's time to wake up and be one with the world again. Time to make my to do lists, take care of business and then find the time to play a little. Time to get my act together for the up coming holidays. Time to be happy.

What are your plans for this month?

2010-10-30T19:53:00.001-05:00

My brain is broken......

Full Moon Fever

2010-10-23T22:22:00.003-05:00

It's bright and beautiful outside. The air is crisp, the night is full of beauty and suspense and I am feeling closer to my Father than I have in some time. We are creeping slowly towards October 31st. Also known as Samhain to my pagan friends. Also known as Ancestor Night, Feast of the Dead, All Hallow's Eve, Hallowmass and many other names in many other traditions.

It's a time to remember those who have passed on.

I have spent the past month trying to come to terms with my Father's death. I think it as been good for me to be blog silent for a bit. I had a lot of emotions to work through and it has been tough.

This Halloween, this Samhain, I will be remembering my Daddy in the best ways. I will also be celebrating my 4th wedding anniversary! Dad would love that.

So. Time to get back on the blogging, come visit all of you lovelies once again and see if I can get my act together. Things have been rough with the kids due to all of my stress and the confusion with schedules but I have high hoped that this week will bring us the peace we all need.

Back to work....

2010-10-07T12:04:00.002-05:00

We went to Florida for Dad's memorial. Things are okay. I am struggling with getting back to daily life since we were gone for most of a week.

But I know what my Dad would say! He'd put a boot up my ass and tell me to get to work. Time to get my shit together and get back in the swing of things.

Look for the next 30 day challenge post later today or tomorrow morning. And an update on the kids as well.

Thank you all for the comments, FB comments and private emails. You all mean the world to me.

Daddy's Hands

2010-09-25T17:01:00.003-05:00

For my father, Fred Howland White II, 4/13/44 - 9/25/10. Willie Nelson was one of his favorite artists. This song is for him.

And this one is from me for him. I love you Daddy,

I can't write this again......

2010-09-23T20:18:00.002-05:00

Copied from my FB page for anyone who has not seen it:

Tracy White DeLuca Dad is still hanging on. He will be transferred to a convalescent home soon as there is nothing the hospital can do for him at this point. He does not seem to be in pain so that is a blessing. DNR orders have been signed and now it is just waiting and thinking and praying.

I may be missing in action or only here off and on even though I am doing my 30 day challenge. It will just take me longer to work through it. I promise to write more about my father at a later time. I just can't wrap my head around it for more than a few sentences right now.

30 Day Challenge: Day 2 A Favorite Movie

2010-09-20T17:00:00.003-05:00

hahahahahahahahahahaha

ahem....

A favorite anything is going to be difficult for me! So, here is a bit of a list of some of my fave movies and why....

Numero Uno...

The Boondock Saints. Great movie, great music. Action packed and with an interesting message. And the boys are just so HAWT!

Next would be The Princess Bride. Who doesn't love that movie?? "My name is Inigo Montoya. You keeled my Father. Prepare to Die!"

Thirdly, Practical Magic. Love story, revenge, drama and heartbreak, magic and mayhem... what more do you need???

Finally, and just because I am out of time to post tonight.... V for Vendetta. Politics, freedom fighters, vengeance, explosions, emotions, heart wrenching drama and death scenes, a man in a mask and Natalie Portman. I cry, I laugh, I get angry and I sit on the edge of my seat every time I see this movie, even though I have seen it more times than I can count. ALL of the scenes I wanted to post are disabled for embedding on youtube. All I can say is that if you have not watched it.... go watch it. Seriously.

I guess I really love big dramatic movies! I also love Disney movies and stupid sophomoric humor type movies.....

30 Day Challenge: Day 1 A Favorite Song

2010-09-17T18:03:00.005-05:00

Felicia from over at Living Just Like Grandma came up with this fabulous idea.... a 30 day blog challenge. This is being hosted by a group she is part of on CafeMom. The basic premise is to post every day on a particular subject. Since I really need to get back into the swing of things as far as blogging is concerned, I decided to jump on board. While Felicia and the others have been doing thsi since September 1st, I am just starting with Day 1 and going from there. I may post each day or I may post randomly intermixed with my regular updates on me and the kids. We'll see!

The day one challenge is to write about our favorite song.

I don't have one. LOL I love too many songs to pick just one. So, here are a few of my faves:

I figured you out by Nickelback
I don't know. It brings back memories. Aren't so many songs linked to memory for most of us?

Survive by Lacuna Coil
Just totally love it. Lacuna Coil is an awesome band anyway but this song rocks hard. And it is a song that I listen to when I am really feeling overwhelmed. Makes me ready to kick ass and take names!

Exactly by Amy Steinberg. Listen to the lyrics. They give me peace.

32 Flavors by Ani DiFranco. My theme song!

And finally.........

Anything by Opeth. But here is one of my favorite melodic songs. I love the heavier metal side of them as well but their melodic stuff is just awesome.

Pictures!!

2010-09-15T21:45:00.002-05:00

I hate blogger sometimes. These pictures are all wonky ordered but oh well..... Here are some pictures! Yay!!!!

One of my favorite pictures of Miss Jenna from this Summer. She was a counselor in training at Camp Crystal in Florida. She had a blast and matured so much... it was awesome. I missed her bunches, though. Now she is a SENIOR!!!! OMG I will be posting about her college search and stuff soon.

Braeden helping Jenna and Daddy put a rub on a brisket. He is wearing rubber gloves about 10 times too big but really dug the whole thing.

Jenna and Braeden getting ready to "rub meat".... LOL

Daddy trying to get the gloves on Braeden.

Braeden in his classroom at school. What a big boy!!!! He loves school and loves his teacher. We are having some issues.... but that is a whole other post....

Malachai asked his sister to cut his hair. So she did. *facepalm* But really, for a mullet it's not too bad! At least it is out of his eyes. And not too too crooked!!! LOL

Braeden. Oh, Braeden. That ponytail certainly becomes you! And I wonder why people call him a girl? LMAO

Overwhelmed and Underblogged

2010-08-31T08:25:00.003-05:00

Between Facebook and real life, this blog sure has suffered this Summer! LOL

Braeden's first day of Kindergarten... almost a month late! But better late than never, right?

Things are going.... well. He has one or two yellow behavior days each week which is no surprise to me. Yellow means some behavior issues but nothing extreme. Mostly he is having problems with transitions and noncompliance. Same ol same ol. His teacher is going to start documenting all behavior issues for his ABA therapist so we can see exactly what is going on.

I have a meeting on Thursday afternoon with all of his "specials" teachers. Art, music, etc. Now I just have to figure out exactly what I want to talk to them about, etc. *sigh*

SO much of my time lately is spent wondering if I am doing the right things for him. And I have a feeling that that will never go away. Questioning myself as a parent sucks.

Malachai has a doctor's appointment on Thursday morning. He has low iron and we want to get some extra blood work done to check it out. Steven has pernicious anemia so we hope this is not an early indication that Mal has it as well. When I am at the doctor's I am also requesting a referral for Malachai to the same office that evaluated Braeden. I need to know if Mal's issues are just learned behaviors or if we are looking at him having issues as well.

So. A fun filled week ahead!

What have y'all been up to? I need to make it by to visit blogs today.... catch ya later!

Internetz... why haz u forzaken me????

2010-08-22T22:59:00.002-05:00

My modem got fried in the horrible storm we had tonight. We may be without ta internetz for most of this week. OR I may be able to get us up and running tomorrow. I drove around and found a wifi connection tonight to be able to take care of a few things but tomorrow is a busy day anyway. I hope to be back online and visiting blogs and writing here by Thursday afternoon...

Hope everyone else had better luck in any storms today!

Shining Moments of Joy

2010-08-19T20:50:00.002-05:00

Joy blossoms full

dependent upon no specific action

spreading within my soul

shining through my spirit

in moments

captured in time

Swinging with my head back, hair streaming, eyes closed, heart open

to possibilities

First rush of infatuation, heat blooming, blushes and flirting

Heart enraptured, captured by the tiny hand of a newborn

Wedding day jitters, calmed by the sight of the man waiting for me as I walk towards our future

Cool breezes full of salt smell, warm sand beneath my feet, sun baking my worries away

Shrill laughter, quiet giggles and belly laughs as children play and dream

Damp earth beneath my knees and within my grasp as I plant new growth in the ground

Dew seeping through my clothing as I lay in the grass and dream

Huge harvest moon lighting my way through midnight's darkness

Running, stretching, muscles burning, feeling my body work as it is meant to

Rich chocolate bliss melting upon my tongue

Crisp sheets still warm from the sun, smelling of the breezes that dried them

Deep red wine swirling in a crystal glass, dry and tart within my mouth

Sticky boy kisses and dirty boy hugs, the sweet smell of a baby just after a bath

Snuggling on a lazy morning, safe, warm and loved

Belly laughs, silly movies and inside jokes that no one else understands

Seeing my daughter grow to be the woman I believe she can be, confident, independent, happy

Gazing at the night sky, unexpected shooting stars bringing wishes

Connections...

Shining moments

captured in time

bringing joy

all unexpected.

“This post is part of SOYJOY‘s What brings you joy contest. Learn more here.”

Wingmen Unite!

2010-08-14T20:27:00.004-05:00

The youngest Wingman of Mayhem is following in his brother's footsteps. He makes us all proud...

He is sitting in my foot spa. His brother helped him fill it with water and soap and then they turned it on. I laughed my ass off when I saw it! He really liked the bubbles and the vibration on his behind!

Falling...

2010-08-14T17:18:00.003-05:00

I am diligently working to fall in love with myself. I haven't loved myself for some time now.... I need to remember who I am that makes me special.

My mother and mother in law are coming to visit for a week as they bring my lovely daughter home. She has been away all summer and I miss her! But one of the things I am planning to try to do while they are here over the next week is take some time for myself. Just to be with me.

Maybe I will have some happier posts soon!

Here is to reconnecting with my soul, reconfirming my self and finding that spot within that needs some love and giving it a hug.

Catch ya on the flip side!

Beyond Facebook: The return of the blogger

2010-08-13T19:47:00.003-05:00

I know, I know, I know! I can't seem to get back in my groove. And when I do post it just seems to be depressing and morose and all those other words that mean you may want to stick your head in a meat grinder. Or at least a toilet.

So here I am again. With some more news about the eldest Wingman of Mayhem. And some more depressing shit. And some teary confessions. And maybe even some anger.

Feel free to hit the next blog on your list. If you keep reading.... thanks for being here. No promises about what the future holds for this blog. It has always been a way to share the news of my life with my family and also a journal to document what I am thinking and feeling. It is awesome when people read. I LURV comments. But lately I have been so damn depressed that it is all I can do to get off the couch and take care of my kids. The blog just did not seem like a realistic expectation of myself. Although it might have helped to get it all out.... who knows.

Anyway. Enough excuses and rambling. On with the meat.

Braeden's IEP went well. I wasn't 100% happy with the outcome but I feel like it is the best we can expect right now. It's like a little book mark. Holding his place until we see how he does.

He was placed in a self contained DD kindergarten. A SPED classroom.

There is one full time teacher and one full time aid. There are 10 other kids in the class. All of them are supposed to be at about the same level behaviorally. The more extreme behaviorally challenged children (is that PC? I don't want to offend anyone) are all in a separate class. The kids join the mainstream classes for specials like music and art.

He will receive two half hour sessions of speech therapy each week at school. The Occupational Therapist will consult with his teacher monthly to see if is progressing or needs to be further evaluated for OT. Same with behavioral therapy.

He is receiving two 45 minute sessions of speech therapy with a private speech pathologist after school. He is also receiving one one hour session of ABA therapy each week after school.

His first day of Kindergarten was weird. The school here has a staggered start schedule. All of the children with last names starting A to..... something go to school on Monday, and then then do not go back until Thursday. Some kids go Tuesday and then Thursday and some kids go Wednesday and then Thursday. Just for the first week.

So, he only had 2 other kids in class with him on Monday. He also screamed and fought when I left him. And the teacher told me later that he cried for quite some time but eventually calmed down. When I picked him up he told me he had had a good day but he "was no go back to that school". He was "too too scared" and he "wouldn't like it". *sigh*

I talked to his teacher on Wednesday and got to get to know her a little bit. I feel comfortable with her. She told me Braeden was smart and very sweet. Also very lovable. Nothing new to me! LOL

Thursday morning rolls around. I was anticipating a full scale meltdown. He got dressed in his uniform, loaded up in the van and proceeded to ask me for the entire drive to school "are we there yet?" The ENTIRE drive. When he saw the school he was excited. He went in and showed me his classroom. Then, he started to run to his teacher and hug her. He stopped and hid behind me. But it was encouraging! He had a great day Thursday. No tears.

Today was an even better day! He has not stopped talking about the book they read or the cupcakes they decorated. And he brought home several things they made in class. He was happy.

I was happy. So excited that he is happy about school!

So why did I spend half of this evening crying?

Why am I anxious and depressed and upset?

I finally admitted to my mother that it is because he is in a SPED class.

He is in a special education classroom.

He is not a typical child.

This will not go away.

He is autistic.

There is no magical cure. No pill. No wand waving.

I ran into a mother who had a child in preK with Braeden last year waiting to pick up her son yesterday. She asked what teacher Braeden had gotten. I told her and then had to explain that he was in the SPED class because she did not know the teacher.

I felt embarrassed! WHY???? Why should I feel embarrassed? It makes no sense! Braeden is an awesome kid. And it's not like she didn't already know he had issues....

I guess I had not really accepted everything yet. And now I have to. There is no ignoring it. There is no thinking it is a "phase" or that he will "outgrow" it.

Of course I know that things will get better with therapy. But I have to wrap my head around the fact that he will never be a typical child. No matter how hard he works and how much he improves. His brain will always work differently.

And on my good days I think that that is an awesome thing indeed. Now how to make the good days outweigh the bad?

Catch up

2010-07-29T20:29:00.002-05:00

I am so dang busy this summer with appointments and meetings and cleaning and yada yada yada! I know, everyone is busy. I feel like a chicken with no head.... anyway. For anyone reading who does NOT follow me on Facebook, here is what has been going on (in bullets) (cause I is feelin' lazy)

Braeden had his second evaluation with a diagnosis of PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) (I hate that diagnosis, it seems like they are just saying they have no idea) which is on the spectrum but not specifically autism.
He saw a psychiatrist who agrees with us that medication is not right for Braeden. She had us start him on an Omega -3 fish oil supplement as well as probiotics (which we had already been giving him) and his multi vitamin.
He is now seeing a therapist for ABA therapy (applied behavioral) but has just started and I have no idea how often he will be going, etc.
He had a speech evaluation with a private therapist this past week. SHe is reccomending an additional 2 hours of therapy each week in addition to the one hour the school will provide.
We are supposed to meet with Special Services and the school next week to write his IEP for starting Kindergarten. (!!!)

Malachai updates:

Mal was turned down for Headstart (preK program) because we are over income. Sound familiar? Same thing happened to us with Braeden at 3 years old.
He is on the waiting list in case anyone drops out. I'm not holding my breath but am crossing my fingers
His speech comes and goes. Some days he is clear as a bell, other days I can't understand a word he says. He is very much into "babbling" which concerns me as I feel that he should be beyond that at this point.
I am trying to decide if I should request an evaluation for him for ASD just to ease my mind. I really think all of his behaviors and speech issues are learned from his big brother. But, I could be wrong.
Mal is refusing to use the potty. I am about to go old school on both of the boys! Actually, I am going to implement a plan from Braeden's ABA therapist for BOTH boys to try to deal with the potty issues.

Jenna's update:

She is gone for the summer.
She is now a SENIOR!!! OMG!!!!
She wants to attend Pratt Institute in NYC. OMG!!!!!
She still has not learned to drive. My bad. Now we have to go get her a new learners permit! LOL
She is currently working as a Counselor in Training at Camp Crystal in Florida. She will not be back here until the 2nd week of school. But, since it is volunteer work, she will be okay.
I miss her like crazy!!!

Steven's update:

He is working 12 hour shifts Tuesday through Saturday. Noon to midnight. Which means he actually is not getting home until after 1 am. It sucks.
He and I are ..... okay. Things are bumpy but will get better.

My update:

I am stressed.
I am tired.
I need a break.
I need a drink.
I am completely overwhelmed by all of the stuff with Braeden.
I am freaking out about him going to Kindergarten.
I am writing again. For Demand Studios mostly. It is helping make ends meet but sure is hard to do with the Wingmen of Mayhem running around.
I am smoking too much but am trying to exercise more and lose weight.
I am in need of a vacation and can't wait until my Mom and MIL come to visit in a few weeks! I could use a hug.

So. There you go!

I plan to try to write at least every other day on the blog. No guarantees though. It depends on what is going on IRL. I'll try to get by to visit all of y'alls blogs soon!

HUGS and blessings

Summertime Blues

2010-07-22T09:26:00.003-05:00

I'm alive. For any of the few of you who might still be paying attention to this blog, I am sorry I have not posted in so long. Processing all of the things going on with Braeden and his diagnosis has been difficult. Not to mention having a busy summer with no teen to help me out!

I am back, though. I have missed having this outlet for my emotions and writing. I need to reconnect with my bloggy friends and try to get myself back on an even keel. I have been so very focused on the children that I have let myself sink into obscurity.

So.

This post is just to get my tippy toes wet. And I will be writing about the summer soon.

A is for Autism

2010-04-27T18:32:00.002-05:00

B is for Braeden.

The official diagnosis is in from the private psychologist. Autism. Not really surprising and really kind of a relief. Now I know and we can move on from here. I am still waiting for the diagnosis from the psychologist that the school referred him to but i will be surprised if their diagnosis is any different.

Now I just have to figure out where we go from here. I am already frustrated with the school district and I just had my first conversation with their Special Services office today!

For those of you who have, or are, dealing with a special needs child, what were the first things you did? What steps do I need to take? What therapies and services do you think are the most important to start with? **SIGH** so many questions....

You think you are prepared until it comes right down to it. Now I am feeling overwhelmed again.

One step at a time.

One day at a time.

Braeden Orion DeLuca is one hell of a great kid. He makes me crazy and frustrates me but he also melts my heart every day. I am thankful he is my son and came into my life when he did. Now I just have to be the Mommy he needs me to be and make sure that he gets any help he needs.

Thank you for all of the kind comments, FB posts and emails. You all make this easier just by being you.

Downward Facing Preschoolers.....

2010-04-24T14:58:00.004-05:00

Just popping in to say Hi. Sorry I have been out of touch. I am stressed and just trying to make it through right now. I get Braeden's diagnosis from the psychologist on Monday and am biting my nails waiting to find out.

For now, I leave you with this thought:

Malachai (3) and Braeden (4 1/2) really enjoyed exercising this afternoon. They did some yoga from a kids yoga video and it was adorable! Picture a three year old with a round belly and a bubble butt doing a downward facing dog and then a half moon pose..... too cute for words!

Am thinking about trying to teach Braeden to meditate and do deep breathing. I think it would really help him. But I'm not sure if he might still be too young. Although he did the sitting pose and breathed with the instructor on the video with no problems so who knows!

Will post again soon. I promise.

Did you miss me?

2010-03-24T11:27:00.005-05:00

I have some awards to acknowledge soon, some posts about fairly interesting things to get around to writing and some stressful posts to get out of my system.... but none of that has happened recently. Obviously.

So, here is just a little something to tide us all over.

100 Things About the Fae Lady

My favorite colors are dark blue and black.
I love silver jewelry and really don't care for gold at all. It makes me look sallow.
I love bells on my jewelry. I would love to learn to belly dance and wear those girdle/ belts of bells all over the place. I used to wear an anklet of bells all the time when I was younger. It irritated many people.
I have always wanted to learn to fight in the SCA. I have never ended up getting involved but want to one day. My local group has not been as welcoming as I would have liked. Maybe when we move again and the kids are older....
I love dressing in both flowing, feminine clothes and black leather/ slutty clothes. Unfortunately, my body does not look as good in any of my old outfits as it should! Now I mostly wear jeans, tshirts and mommy clothes.
I have my ears pierced 5 times each and my nose pierced. I have always wanted to get my eyebrow, my bellybutton and my nipples done. Maybe one day.
I have one tattoo. It is a wolf howling at the moon. I have about three others planned and may be able to afford them one day!
I really want blue hair. Black with blue tips maybe. But have never really gotten around to getting it done. I can't afford professional dye jobs so.....
I hate cheesecake. And peach pie. My daughter and my MIL think this makes me a communist.
I do not eat eggs.
I don't eat mayo or fish either.
But I love lobster. Because it is awesome.
I once worked as a pizza delivery girl. I was pregnant with Jenna at the time. I got really great tips.
My husband's nickname at one time was wolf. Which I found amusing when I met him since I have a wolf tattoo.
I have written poetry since I was about nine years old.
I still have no idea what I really want to do with my life. Write? Who knows. I don't want to grow up.
I have a bit of a black thumb but try to grow vegetables every year. I figure it will work eventually. It's all about perseverance.
I really don't like the icing on most cakes. I like the whipped cream icing, not the really sweet kind.
I used to be incapable of cooking grilled cheese sandwiches. I either burned them or they got soggy. I finally discovered that spraying the bread with Pam instead of spreading it with butter makes for the perfect grilled cheese.
I lost the cord to my camera so I can't upload any pictures to my computer. That sucks.
I'm a pagan who was raised catholic.
My favorite food is probably pizza. Or bacon.
My favorite dessert is ummm...... anything chocolate? Or with whipped cream. Or pastry. I like sweets.
My stomach shows that I like sweets.
When I was about 24 I had to have surgery to remove a tumor near my ovary. They ended up having to do exploratory surgery and remove the ovary. I went into the surgery having no idea if I would wake up having had a hysterectomy or if I would ever be able to have more children. It was very scary.
I fell asleep behind the wheel in 1998. I flipped my car, was ejected, landed in the top of a tree and then hit the ground. I woke up with my car upside down about a foot away from me. My had malfunctioned and allowed me to be ejected. The state trooper who came told me that this was one of the tiny percent of accidents where if the seat belt had not broken, I would have been killed in the car. The only injuries I had were a piece of glass in my calf and a broken breast bone. It took me years to be able to wear my seat belt again without feeling trapped.
I am 5'5" tall. Unless I shrunk recently. Which could happen.
When I got pregnant with Jenna at 19, I weighed 125 pounds and thought I was fat. I look back at pictures now and am amazed!
I now weigh 225 pounds. That makes me sad. I have gained 100 pounds in the past 16 years.
I have high blood pressure and am worried that I will end up with Type 2 Diabetes if I don't lose weight.
My favorite flower is the Calla Lily.
I have worn glasses since the 7th grade and got contacts when I was about 27 I think. I love them! But my husband thinks glasses are hot so I end up wearing them quite a bit. LOL
I hate eating tomatoes but love tomato sauces.
I love cheese. All kinds of cheese. Cheese fondue is like golden orgasms in food form.
I love Carmex. I use it constantly to keep my lips smooth, unchapped and cold sore free.
I have never flown in a plane.
The only states I have ever been to are Florida, Georgie, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Maine and Washington DC.
I am still waiting to go on my honeymoon.
I really really want to go on a Cruise.
If I could do anything, I would travel all over the world and be able to explore wherever I want to for as long as I want. I want to see everything.
I love camping and hiking but rarely get a chance to indulge myself.
I love outside sex.
I love the beach. That is one of the things that I miss the most about not living in Florida.
The scariest movie I have ever seen is probably Poltergeist. It really disturbed me when I saw it. I can watch it now with no problems but it scared me to death when I was younger.
I have a hard time making real friends. I am a very quiet person until you get to know me.
I am terrified of spiders unless there is no one else to kill them and they are around my kids. Then I can smush them like there is no tomorrow.
I hate my teeth. They are in horrible condition and just got worse after each child.
I think I am pretty sexy, even though I am overweight. It's all about the attitude.
I love music but hate listening to the radio. Most of the new music that they play on our local stations is crap.
I love going to hear live music. Almost any kind works for me!
I love cats but am not a big dog fan at all.
I never thought I would get married and be a SAHM. Very weird to me! LOL
I love my laptop. I never thought I would like using one but I do!
I like snacking on rice cakes. Weird but true.
My favorite nonalcoholic drink is Coke. But I am trying to quit drinking soda altogether. Water is my new Coke.
My favorite alcoholic drink is Jack and Coke but I also love Harp, margaritas on the rocks and Jameson's whiskey, neat.
Irish car bombs (drink) knock me on my ass.
I used to drink very heavily. Now I drink maybe once every few weeks.
I used to also drink lots and lots of coffee. Now I rarely drink it at all. It makes me stomach hurt.
My favorite season is Fall. I love the weather, the colors and the feeling of the air.
I am a Virgo.
I have slight OCD tendencies.
I worked in a donut shop for more than a decade. I used to work the overnight shift from 10 pm to 6 am. I loved it. I was a donut finisher (decorator) and was also training to be a baker.
I have a BS in Business and am almost finished with my Master's. One day i will go back to school.
I also have a degree in Legal Assisting but have never used it.
I think I would make a pretty good lawyer but never had the desire to actually go to school for that long.
I didn't learn to swim until I was about 9 years old. In a lake in Maine!
I am scared that I will go blind one day.
I have a really hard time believing that my daughter is going to be a senior in high school next year. The whole college thing is freaking me out.
I tend to be lazy when given any choice in the matter. Since having the boys, I have not had much choice! LOL
I live across the street from a giant Baptist church and in between two cemeteries. It's kind of weird. If the zombie apocalypse happens we will be screwed.
I love all books and movies about the supernatural.
I once saw a ghost in my friend's bedroom in the middle of the night. It was both scary and awesome at the same time.
I think that I have psychic abilities that are undeveloped. I have dreams that come true quite often and I think that I feel what other people are feeling more strongly than most people do.
I am fascinated with tarot cards and other forms of divination.
I am fairly introverted and private about my true beliefs and emotions.
I am considered a bitch by many. I do not think that it is an insult.
I find both men and women to be equally attractive.
I think my husband is incredibly talented and fabulous. Not only can he cook like a pro, he plays guitar like a pro too.
I really want to be able to play an instrument but seem to be a musical idiot.
I found a $100 bill at Red Lobster a month ago. I turned it in to the manager. I sure hope it got back to the person that owned it! I secretly wish I had kept it.
I like to read fluffy romance books when my brain is fried.
I read constantly. I always take a book with me wherever I go. I mostly read scifi/ fantasy and paranormal books.
I love playing board games and will play to win. I don't care who I am playing against.
I love shoes but only have two pairs that I wear right now. I want thigh high black leather boots with buckles all over them. Yes. Yes, I do.
I will only dance at gay clubs. I think I dance like an idiot and have to be pretty drunk to get out on the floor.
My daughter and I tweet and/ or message each other on facebook when we are in the same house. Sad.
I cannot carry out practical jokes because I cannot keep a straight face. So I give my daughter ideas.
I used to think I would be a teacher. Then I realized that I generally don't like other people's children that much. At least not for long periods of time. I lack patience.
I have a very bad temper. Sometimes it gets the better of me.
I hate the word "moist". It never used to bother me before I watched the show Dead Like Me. Now it creeps me out.
I think Taylor Lautner is HAWT. So is Jensen Ackles. Dibs.
I think that Salma Hayek is hot. So is Milla Jovavich. And Audrey Hollander.
My favorite Disney Villain is Maleficent. But I also love the Red Queen.
I hate Gatorade type drinks.
I call my daughter "Dib" sometimes. It pisses her off. hehe (Dib is a character from Invader Zim that has a really big head)
I want a yellow house. See Millennium for understanding. (Frank Black. FBI)
My son loves to watch me play Plants vs Zombies. He sits next to me and asks me to "play zombie". LMAO I am raising him right.
Petyoooooooooooooooooooooooooniahhhhhhhhh. hehe My husband is odd.
This was really hard. You better appreciate it. he.

Menu Madness

2010-03-14T13:16:00.007-05:00

I have been SO disorganized for the past few months. I am determined to get back my mojo! So, to start off this week with a bang, here is my menu plan.

Sunday - Sweet and Smokey beef brisket with mashed potatoes, corn and Outback Steakhouse breadmachine bread

Monday - Pork Chops either grilled or pan fried with Sweet Potato Risotto (made without sausage) and peas

Tuesday - Mac and Cheese with hamburger

Wednesday - Leftovers (Brisket sandwiches? Yum)

Thursday - Chicken Broccoli Couscous

Friday - Jenna's Night (she will be cooking every Friday night for a while) Chicken and Beef Fajitas

Saturday - Vegetable soup of some kind with grilled cheese sammies

Sunday - Malachai turns 3! Dinner out at Pizza buffet.

Since it is Spring Break here, all three kiddos will be home for breakfast and lunch each day. I know that Jenna and I will eat leftovers for lunches or maybe Tuna Pea Wiggle or something similar. The boys usually eat PBJ or chicken nuggets and fries or even pancakes! Breakfasts are iffy. I made waffles today and have some left for the boys breakfast or snacks and I will make a huge batch of pancakes one day soon. They love the little silver dollar ones. I may need to pick up more yogurt and other breakfast foods for Jenna.

I am planning to try to have a baking day one day this week since Jenna is home to help with the boys. It would be great to have muffins in the freezer again! And pizza blanks, cookies and maybe some whoopie pies for snacks. I am also thinking of making some rolls and biscuits to freeze for later baking.

Wish me luck! And head on over to I'm An Organizing Junkie for more menu plans!

The Zombies - They Ate My Brain

2010-03-12T17:32:00.002-06:00

Rough week..... I give you:

Bullet post of holding! (Like a bag of holding but, ya know, not)

Braeden has been getting up at night to go potty. We are very happy and sooooo proud. But, he feels the need to make sure we know WHEN he is going. He will come into our bedroom, shake one of us awake and then tell us "I go pee pee!" And he does that every time he gets up to use the bathroom. So much fun. Steven thinks he is hoarding his pee for night just so he can wake him up!
One of the stray cats that adopted us is having kittens. She has had two so far. I am less than amused. I was looking for a home for her when she got preggers. Now I have even more cats to find homes for! At least they are cute.
The other female cat that adopted us is preggers too.
The fans quit working in my van so I am constantly in danger of overheating (the van, not me) and must have them fixed. Dual fans. Both broken. $$$ My mechanic, Dr. Bob, is checking the junkyard for a set this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed. $30 is a lot better than $250 for parts.
Spring Break is officially here! All 3 kids are home for the next week. I am both looking forward to it and dreading it.
Steven's boss is an asshat. Steven almost went and got another job and then calmed down. I wish he would get another job, the guy is a real jerk.
I am addicted to the game Plants vs Zombies. So is Jenna.
I am scared of Jillian Michaels. Her 30 Day Shred shredded my ass about 10 minutes into it. I need to get in shape in order to get in shape. Sad.
Braeden went for an observation visit at the USM School of Psychology and has another appointment there in a week and a half. He has a big eval/ testing date at the psychologist's office on April 6th.
Malachai thinks he is in charge. He is turning 3 on the 21st. I need to disabuse him of that notion soon.
My printer broke. My house phone is on the fritz. Everything waits until we are broke to break.
I need a date night and I think I may insist on it this week.
Steven has a "date" on Tuesday night with a lesbian. LMAO His friend Shana that he works with is leaving and he is going out drinking with her. All of their coworkers think they have a "thing" even though she has a girlfriend. I just giggle. Shana is a sweetheart. I may end up going out with them.
I am stressed. I am tired. I need a massage and a hot bath. I need a hug. I need a drink.
I'm going to get a few of those tonight.......

Back again soon. Promise.

The Softer Side of the WOM

2010-03-07T14:54:00.002-06:00

For anyone confused by the term WOM, it stands for Wingmen of Mayhem and is the nickname that I gave my sons some time ago. Very appropriate on most days! However, they have their softer sides. Today, they both spent a good amount of time picking flowers, leaves, blades of grass and little sticks and bringing them to me. Because they love me! How sweet..... and they do this almost every day that they play outside and can find flowers. In the winter, they bring me colored leaves and rocks.

Here is the cute little vase of flowers that came of their offerings (Thanks to Jenna for arranging them!).

So, in the middle of stress, anxiety and chaos..... the Wingmen prevail with offerings of love and beauty. And my day is just a little bit brighter as a result.

Thank you for all of the awesome and supportive comments lately. Your kind thoughts and warm wishes are the flowers that I needed......

Flawz

2010-03-06T15:18:00.001-06:00

Epic Fail

2010-02-28T11:06:00.002-06:00

So, I have epic fail on the blog front for the past few weeks. In my defense, things have been kind of crazy. However, in reality, I was avoiding the actual process of writing. Sometimes you need to ignore things. And, for me, when I physically write something out it becomes more "real". So, in order to avoid allowing certain things to gain that concrete "realness" in my head.... I just haven't written them down.

Not healthy. And it doesn't change a damn thing.

On February 15th (cause appointments were canceled on the 12th due to snow!) Braeden had his initial appointment with a psychologist. This was the basic "get to know him, get his history and observe him" appointment. The final outcome of the appointment was that the psychologist is fairly certain that he is falling within the autism spectrum.

Autism.

It seems to be the giant boogie man of the parental sphere anymore. It's the huge monster that looms in the background for any child deemed "different" or "odd". Any child with behavioral issues. Any child with socialization problems. Any child with developmental problems. That's the diagnosis that we all fear. Why?

For me, autism has been the elephant in my home for two years. The thing I tried not to think about or talk about. Even though I had a very good idea that that was really what was going on with my son.

Well, you can only ignore an elephant for so long before it tramples on your cats.

The diagnosis is by no means definite as of right now. We still have to go through the official evaluations. And we will also be having separate evaluations with another group. But. But....

I was not surprised by this. I was upset by it and disappointed. (It would have been really nice to hear that I was imagining the whole thing) But I was not surprised.

And there are so many other things that could be going on with him. SO many other issues that could be harder to deal with and with a much poorer prospect for his future.

But it sure is hard to finally look that elephant in the eyes and name it Norbert.

Jumpstart

2010-02-16T11:26:00.001-06:00

A quick note to let everyone know we survived the great snowstorm of 2010 in Mississippi! We had about 3 inches of accumulation on Friday and had a blast playing in it. The kids loved seeing the snow actually falling and built snowmen and threw snowballs. Jenna made zombie snowmen in the front yard and we had the apocalypse going on.... red food coloring blood, snow corpse and all. I am missing the cord for my camera but Jenna has some pics up over here. I will try to post some more soon (once I find that damn cord).

All is well. I have had a rough few days. I had a meeting/ consultation with a psychologist regarding Braeden and will post about it later. Now I have to head up to his school for a late Valentines Day/ Mardi Gras party.....

ZOMG! It's The A-freaking-pocolypse!

2010-02-11T16:46:00.002-06:00

Here in Southern Mississippi we are expecting about 3 - 5 inches of snow overnight. It is supposed to start this evening and snow off and on until around lunchtime tomorrow. Now, I am from Florida so I am probably overly excited about the prospect of seeing snow for the second time this year. However..... I am not freaking out.

Come on, folks! We are talking about MAYBE 3 inches of snow accumulation. Maybe. It will probably end up mostly sleet and rain. But when I stopped at wally world a bit ago to pick up a few things, you would have thought the end of the world was nigh!

People rushing everywhere, stockpiling on everything and lines out the ying yang. Wow. Personally, I keep about 2 - 4 weeks of food on hand at all times. And I have water. And I even have wood although we never use the fireplace because I do not trust my boys around it.

Come on folks. Even if we get the 5 inches, the chances that we will be "snowed in" or lose power are slim to none.

Personally, I am planning to make a snow man or two with the kids (school is cancelled for tomorrow) and watch the snow fall.

Then I plan on taking a hot bath and drinking some hot tea and relaxing.

I'll be back with pics of any snow we may get!

Kreative Blogger Award!

2010-02-08T09:19:00.003-06:00

Mother Moon's Message bestowed an award upon me several weeks ago. In the midst of all of my drama and hullabaloo, I had not had a chance to post about it. So, here it is!

I am actually really really honored to get the Kreative Blogger award, seeing as how I have not felt very creative lately! Thank you so much for the award.

Seven Rules:
- Thank the person who gave the award to you - Thank you Mama Moon! I love your blog and really, truly appreciate the award.
- Copy the award to your blog - Done
- Place a link to their blog - See above!
- List 7 things people do not know about you - See below
- Nominate 7 other bloggers - See below
- Link to the bloggers you nominate - See below
- Comment on their blogs to let them know - Will do!

So, it has taken me some time to think of seven interesting things about myself. See, I don't generally think of myself as being all that interesting! Plus, I usually lay it all out there. There isn't too much about me that I have not talked about on this blog! LOL But, with some thought, and some help from my MIL, I came up with the following:

1. I am a Romulan... ha! I know, you are shaking your head now. But, that is what my MIL calls me. It's because I am weird about food. My SIL is the same way and so my MIL always called her a Romulan and now I am called that as well. I am weird about my food in that I do NOT like my food to touch any other food on my plate. Especially corn. Corn cannot be in anything or touch anything if I am going to eat it. Really. And if food touches on my plate, the part that has touched will PROBABLY be thrown away. My MIL periodically buys me divided plates and laughs at me. But, my food rules are serious. I have no control over it. It is just part of my weird OCDness!

2. I am a Virgo, born on August 28, 1974. My husband is also a Virgo (September 12, 1970). I share a birthday with his cousin. I am the same age as his sister. He is a Dog and I am a Tiger. His sister is also a Tiger. Tigers and Dogs get along really well.

3. My husband and I were both very close friends with the same person for more than a dozen years. But, we never met each other in all that time. The night that we finally met, we hooked up immediately. You can read more about our story here. Personally, I think we both had to grow and learn before we were right for each other, but it was fate that we be together eventually!

4. I used to run a quail farm. My father ran it for years and when he needed to retire, I took over. It was fun in some ways but too time consuming when I was working two other jobs. The quail were cute when they were little but boy are those birds dumb! I used to catch and deliver thousands of birds at a time to hunt clubs for hunters to shoot at. I always ended up with poop in my hair and scratches all over me from their little claws and beaks. Darn birds. ANd I don't even want to talk about trying to catch them when it had been raining and the flight pens were muddy!!!

5. I also used to work as a laborer for my father. He was a mason/ bricklayer. I worked for him for several years. I mixed up mud (mortar mix), stacked brick, cleaned joints, dug footers and did anything else he needed me to do. He was starting to teach me to lay brick, too. But, I was also working two other jobs at the time and the office job ended up winning out over the laboring jobw hen push came to shove. But I used to liek working with him and being out int he sun. I would wear a bikini top or tank top with some cut off shorts. The other construction workers used to give me lots of crap! LOL But I was in better shape then that at any other time in my life!

6. I never wanted children. When I was growing up, I never babysitted or even wanted to babysit. I thought babies smelled weird and never wanted to be tied down by kids. I wanted to be a single, strong woman with no ties so that I could do whatever I wanted. Then, I had my daughter at 19. And I still did not want any more children. I loved Jenna, never would have changed having her, BUT... that was it. Then, I ended up a SAHM with 3 kids. LOL And I love it. Just goes to show that you never can tell what life will bring to you. And sometimes, what you think you want is not what will be best for you.

7. My Mom just told me something really interesting. I called her and told her that I had no idea what #7 should be because I don't think I am very interesting. She told me that one of the things she thinks is most interesting about me (to her) is that while I am not religious at all and do not go to church, I am one of the most spiritual people she knows. ANd that my grandmother thinks the same thing! So, I guess one more interesting fact about me is that I view myself differently than others do! The things about myself that I think are just boring and jsut plain old me.... others think are interesting or fascinating.

ANyway!

I would love to give this award to 7 others.... but I suck at that kind of thing. Most people that I would have given this to have already gotten it. I do have a three bloggers that I enjoy who I think deserve this that I do not think have gotten it yet. I am sure there are more and if I think of any I will come back and post them as well! Here goes:

Christina from Beena's Blog
Ana from I'm a Hodge Podge
Lesley from Life at the Beck's

Heading out to let these ladies know..... I also got another award that I will try to post about soon. And I have plenty of everyday posts to write! LOL

Still here....

2010-02-04T13:10:00.003-06:00

I'm still around. We are having some issues with Jenna and her emotional state/ school stuff/ teen stuff. I am just trying to get through each day right now.

Yesterday I met with the behavioral specialist for Braeden's school and went over her report/ evaluations of him from seeing him in class. meh. She is referring him to a specialist at USM for further evaluations. She didn't tell me anything I didn't know already and some things she said I did not agree with. But, a separate evaluation in addition to the one he will be getting from the psychologist he will see next week will be welcome. Independent evaluations and observations. We'll see what comes of them.

I have a meeting with Jenna's guidance counselor and her next week to discuss colleges and career choices since she is having such a difficult time right now.

I feel like I am running from one meeting to the mext, from one emergency/ situation to the next, from one problem to the next. I am getting nothing accomplished, just spinning my wheels....

I'll be back when I have something to say. Other than gah and meh.

Another Day - Another Struggle

2010-02-02T10:43:00.002-06:00

First, thank you so much for the wonderful comments and emails. It really made my day easier!

Now, I must be honest. If I can't be honest here in blogland then where can I be honest? I smoked. I did. Although, I do not consider it a failure by any means. Rather than a normal pack and a half day, yesterday I smoked a half a pack. And each time I broke down, I reaffirmed my determination that I am done. I tried again each time. And I will try again today. I am int his for the long haul. I need to quit. I want to quit. I am quitting.

So keep on sending me warm thoughts of strength as I struggle through each day trying to make each smoke the last.

Seriously, it felt like there was a 178 foot cigarette standing outside my house peeking in the window at me. All day long. And it kept whispering to me. It sucked. I hate you giant cigarette addiction man. I hate you.

A Day of Change

2010-01-31T17:35:00.002-06:00

Today is my quit date. No more cigarettes for me. I will update later. Right now I need to go and get a drink.... LOL

Send me positive energy, prayers, thoughts, strength and determination... Please!

Emails and comments giving encouragement would be awesome. My email is faeriecastle at yahoo dot com

UPDATE- That's so weird that this posted with yesterday's date. February 1st is today, right???

Blazing Saddles

2010-01-26T11:48:00.002-06:00

I am back in the saddle and raring to go! We have all mostly recovered and are healthy once again. I hate sick kids, they are so whiny and pitiful! LOL

In the midst of the sickness, we purchased (with a helpful loan from a good friend of mine, Thanks Julia!) a new (to us) van. Our old van has been having issues and our mechanic said it was time to retire the old girl. To get it where it needed to be would cost more than it was worth. So, I checked out a few vehicles and looked on Craig's List. I found a van for sale that sounded to good to be true and went to check it out. Long story short:

It's a 1999 Plymouth Voyager Expresso. It has about 154,000 miles on it. It has 4 new tires (less than a year old) and has had the water pump replaced recently. It is in good condition both on the body and the interior. The AC and heat both work, the stereo is great, it has dual airbags, anti lock brakes and cruise control. It has only one minor flaw.... it is missing one of the center captain's chairs. That's why he was selling it as cheaply as he was. Even without that chair, the van still seats 5 or 6.

We paid $1600 for it. Blue book value for a private sale for this van is $2400. ANd my mechanic is looking for a new chair for me now!

I am happy with it and will post pictures one day soon. It's purple!

I have to take Braeden to a therapy session today. He has been having some issues with his potty training lately and we need to discuss them with his therapist. Hopefully we will get some great ideas on how to get him to actually USE the potty at home instead of peeing wherever he happens to be. He also has an appointment with a psychiatrist in February for evaluations. I am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well there.

Malachai is .... being a toddler. He has had some of the worst temper tantrums lately! It makes me crazy. I am trying to come up with a plan to help him deal with transitions better. And I am about to institute a "naughty spot" for both boys. I am tired of fighting with them all the time! They need to learn consequences and I am turning to the Super Nanny for some ideas ont his.

Jenna is having some issues about her future. She is young. She is scared. And she is feeling pressured to make decisions that she does not feel ready to make. About college and career fields and the future. Poor baby. Feel free to pop over to her blog and leave her some encouragement!

I am trying to set up my lenu plan for the next week or so and then get on the ball with cleaning and getting my house recovered from being a sick house. But I am also working on my knitting and getting a very nice gift basket of goodies together for a giveaway!

I am off to visit all of your blogs now and see if I can catch up on my reading!

Sick House

2010-01-20T11:24:00.002-06:00

I promise to come back and post regularly again soon. Right now, my house is a sick house. I thought Braeden was better but had to go pick him up from school. Poor baby, his stomach hurts and he is running a temp again. Steven (hubby) is sick. Malachai is sick. Jenna is back at school but I had to pick her up yesterday after her third bloody nose.

Now I feel sick. Sigh.

Last night, Braeden burped and told me he had farted from his mouth. Boys. Gotta love em!

Boys Will Be Boys

2010-01-15T21:40:00.002-06:00

I have several posts floating around in my head.... but I have been in a funk for the past few days. I am still trying to get around it. For now, I leave you with this....

Today, I was driving to pick Jenna up from school and I turned on the radio. After a few minutes, I heard Braeden holler something from the back seat. I tuened off the radio and asked him what he said. He said "Turn music back on!" so I did but turned it down so I could hear him better. Then he told me he wanted me to "go fast, Mommy!". Turn the music on and go fast.

I am in trouble when that boy turns 16.

Haiti

2010-01-13T12:56:00.003-06:00

I'm having a rough day. I have been trying to find ways to focus more on the positive but today is just not helping. Case in point:

Haiti. Those poor people! Already living in poverty with political unrest and horrible situations, now an earthquake comes along and flattens them. The outpouring of humanitarian aid is nice. But you know what bothers me? The fact that the people of Haiti may end up better off after this recovery process than they were before the earthquake. Countries around the world are sending medical help, food, clothing, shelter, aid for rebuilding their homes and their infrastructure. And it took the deaths of who knows how many poeple, the destruction of businesses, homes and a way of life to get the rest of the world to really care. Yes, I know that there have been peacekeeping missions and Doctors Without Borders and other charities trying to help them for years. But. But.

How many Americans really paid any attention to the situations these people lived in prior to this? I will be honest and say that I really didn't. And we are just one country. How many people the world over have been more concerned with buying a better iPod than with feeding other people, making sure they have potable water, helping to provide health care for people with NO OPTIONS and keeping children from starving to death?

I have in the past said that I am more concerned with American children who are poor. That I am more worried about healthcare in America. That I don't have any way to help others until I am in a better situation.

Wow.

How incredibly asinine and isolationist of me.

I have no idea how to help. I have no idea what to do. And I realize that my feeling guilty and horrible for past thoughts and behaviors does nothing good for anyone. I have no money to send.

But at least I can send my thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti.

I Knitted!

2010-01-11T19:22:00.002-06:00

Not a great pic but you get the idea! It's a washcloth. Knitted by me. My very first knitting project!! I took a class on Saturday and worked on this a bit over the past few days. Now I just have to practice and learn more advanced things and I am on my way! I really enjoyed the actual knitting. Which is good. So, look for occasional updates on what my knitting needles are up to...

Onto a completely different subject...

I signed Malachai up for school today. Well. I turned in his application for the Early Headstart program. His speech therapist and I are in agreement that he really needs some socialization. His speech delay appears to be because of learning to speak from his brother (who has a speech disorder) so we hope that being around other children who speak without the issues that Braeden has will push Mal to speak more clearly. Clearer. Whatevs. You know what I mean, right?

There is a new program about to start for infants in our county which he may qualify for. Otherwise it would be next year before he can enter the 3 year old program. IF he gets accepted. Please keep your fingers crossed for us!

I am exhausted. Again. It seems to be a recurring thing with me lately. Like for the past 4 or 5 years. HA! *gigglesnort*

I am planning out my giveaway and I know that it will include several handmade items and some special little things.... but I am not giving it away yet! I will probably plan on getting it ready to go and posting the official giveaway announcement in a week or so.

For now... off to watch some trashy TV, start knitting another project and put my feet up.

Tomorrah is anothah day......

Soup, Snow and Sauce

2010-01-07T19:17:00.002-06:00

No snow yet. But the schools are all closed tomorrow because of the possibility of icy roads. No one here in MS has snow tires or whatever. Icy roads = dangerous. No school for any of the kiddos tomorrow! But, I do have to venture out to take Steven to work around noon. Hopefully by then the roads will be okay.

I made soup for dinner. My famous (in my own head) pantry cleaning soup! I used the leftover turkey carcass I had in my freezer from Thanksgiving and made some stock. Picked the bones for meat and added carrots, onion, garlic, a can of diced potatoes from the cabinet, a can of diced rutabaga, a can of tomato with chilis and some frozen green beans. Lots of herbs and spices, an imerssion blender and lots of cooking and I have a fab soup. I served it with a brown and red rice, barley and rice mix that I made. Yummy. And perfect for this icy night! And really.... pretty damn healthy too!

I got an order from Eden Fantasy today and one of my items is defective. Hate it when I have to do any kind of returns!

I am about to go and fix myself a drink... Jack and Coke for Mama. Steven is closing tonight and will not be home until around 1 AM but has a ride home so I do not have to venture out. So, time to have a drink, take a bath, read some trashy novels and relax!!!!!!

Hope you are all safe, warm and happy on this cold winter night!

Fitness Goals

2010-01-06T10:19:00.003-06:00

Before I get into the meat of this post, I want to say thanks for the suggestions on giveaways! I will think it out, plan it and probably try to have it set up and running in a week or two. Have to decide on item and get it first! LOL SO, make sure you keep an eye out for that post so that you can enter to win something cool! Now, on to today's post...

One of my major goals for this year is to get in shape. I have mentioned that here before but I want to lay out a few of my goals and plans. Writing them down should, hopefully, help keep my accountable.

#1 - Wii Fit! We got a Wii with Wii Fit for Christmas. Jenna and I used it every day for more than a week. And then I crapped out and have gone a few days without any exercise. My goal is to do the Wii Fit every day for at least 30 minutes.

#2 - Yoga. In addition to the Yoga on the Wii Fit, I really want tto start a daily yoga program. I really need the quiet time. So, my goal for this is to get up about 30 minutes early each day and try to get some yoga in before the kids get up.

#3 - I got new shoes! Sketchers Shape Ups to be exact. Here is a picture of the pretty pretty shoes:

These shoes are supposed to help with posture, toneing and weight loss. They were a gift from my MIL. As of right now, I am only supposed to walk int hem for 25-45 minutes each day. That is for the first few weeks to get used to the way they feel and make your body feel. Then it is no holds barred. Once I have worn them for a bit I will review them so y'all can know how they work! So far, I really like them. They almost force your body to hold correct posture.

#4 - Water. Lots of it. My doctor told me that in order to avoid dehydration and help with weight loss I really needed to be drinking 1 ounce of water for each 2 pounds that I weigh. Well, damn. I have been drinking nowhere near that amount! I need to be drinking at least 110 ounces of water a day for right now (Yes, I am fat. That's why I want to get fit!) and that is a little less than a gallon of water a day. Wow. So, my goal is to work my way up to a gallon of water each day before 5 PM. That way I will not be up peeing all night long! Think I can do it?

#5 - Weight loss. I really would love to lose a lot of weight. My ultimate goal is to be about 135 pounds. But, I would settle for 150. After three kids, I don't know if my body will get back down to where it should be without a major struggle. For right now, my goal is to drop a pound a week. And keep it off. If I can do that then I will be a happy camper!

So. I will be trying my darndest to stick to these goals and update my progress on this blog weekly. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed..... Any suggestions on other fitness goals or how to stick to these?

100 Followers Rock!

2010-01-04T11:57:00.003-06:00

Wow! I have finally made it to more than 100 followers! I am totally shocked actually. You guys rock. The supportive and understanding comments have made my last few years of blogging just wonderful. Thank you to all of you for reading!

So, as a great big sloppy kiss of a thank you, I am planning to host a giveaway soon. But I am having a horrible time figuring out what to give away. So, what say you? What are your favorite things to see on giveaways? What would you love to get from me? (hehe) Let me know in the comments and then keep your eyes open for a giveaway in the near future!

Also, I am cleaning up the blog roll this week. If you want to be added to my blog roll, let me know. If you are following me and do not see your blog on my roll, let me know..... etc etc etc..... Also, feel free to grab my button (lol) from the sidebar. If you do, I would love to know!

Catchya later and thanks again for following!

Happy New Decade!

2010-01-01T11:18:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year and a New Decade to all of you! I had a nice day yesterday, did some relaxing, did some reading, had a nap.... basically I used yesterday to do some thinking and reflecting on the past year. And planning on the coming year. Thinking about what I wantt o accomplish and the steps I need to get where I want to be.

Very nice.

I hope all of you had a wonderful new Year's Eve and that yoru New Year has started off peaceful, joyous and sweet.

As part of my resolutions and goals for the New Year, I will begin posting here on the blog about my struggle to lose weight, get healthy and quit smoking. Hopefully, if all goes as I plan, I will post once a week with an update on what I have accomplished and what my new goals are. In addition to that, I am jumping back into menu planning. I have hated not knowing what I am cooking for the past month or so! We have eaten more junk food over the past month than in the 3 months prior. I hate that. So unhealthy. AND expensive!

I will be trying to pop over to visit everyone's blogs soon and I will be cleaning up my blog roll and following list over the next week or so. If you are following my blog and I am not following back, please post a comment so that I can come check out your blog! Sometimes, on Google Friends, you cannot follow the link back. I am trying to streamline my blogging to accomodate the new writing I need to be doing.... and still be able to enjoy what all of you have been writing!

Off now to work on my first article for Examiner.com. I need to get it done today!

I Named Him Frank.

2009-12-30T20:47:00.004-06:00

Man, I can't wait for school to start again. I love my kids but the boys are making me crazy! They are fighting constantly and I have to spend every second of every day separating them, making them share and trying to keep them entertained. It's time for Mommy to have a break! Why DO they call it Winter break anyway? It's certainly not a vacation for me! LOL

My house is a wreck. Although I have washed most of the dirty clothes and actually folded quite a bit of it. And most of the dishes are clean. And I vacuumed yesterday. It's just cluttered with toys everywhere. I need to have a chance to find homes for all of the new stuff. Thatw ay the boys know where they go when it is "clean up"time!

I got a fabulous new toy for Christmas. A Dismember-Me Plush Zombie! So much fun to play with when you are frustrated or irritated with someone! Here is a picture:

I named him Frank.

He is having a romance with Jenna's Smurfette right now. Pictures, and the story, will appear here soon. Let's hope the angry mob does not appear before I get a chance to document their lurv.

Catch ya on the flip side.....

Exciting Times

2009-12-29T08:14:00.002-06:00

Between all of the wonderful exercise (Wii Fit!) and the dieting (marginal) and the lack of sleep (terrible twos, anyone?), I am having spastic moments lately. Squeeing and cooing over things and acting like a dork. Course my daughter probably doesn't see much different than normal, hehe.

I am very excited right now because I have been approved as the Hattiesburg Budget Meals Examiner for Examiner.com. I am in the process of writing my first article for them and then will be off and running. I think this is a great next step for me as a writer. I need to step it up a little and get ready for when both boys are in school and I can really get serious.

So, now I will be writing for Associated Content, Helium, Demand Studios and Examiner. I also have been approved to write for Bukisa and several other small sites but have not had the time to tackle anything yet. It's starting to get to the point that I am going to have to schedule my writing time instead of just writing when I get a chance. I really need to start doing more for each of the sites I write for and Examiner is going to expect at least 3-4 articles each week.

What all of this means is that I need to start working on a blog schedule as well. I will probably try to write here at least 3 -4 times each week but will definitely not be able to handle every day posting (not like I was doing that anyway).

I am just so excited by the fact that I may actually be able to contribute more financially to our family. And be able to build up my resume at the same time. One day soon I may just end up writing for some of my favorite magazines. You never know what the future holds! I may even attempt more in the way of poetry and even some fiction one day soon....

Wish me luck as I embark on the next stage of my writing career!

Merry Belated Christmas!

2009-12-28T08:57:00.002-06:00

I took an unannounced break from the blog to spend some much needed time with the family. My wonderful husband was able to swing four days off from the restaurant so he was home for the holidays with no interruptions. It was awesome.

We had a great Christmas and the kids had fun with all of their new toys and stuff. We got a Wii and Wii Fit for a family gift and Jenna and I have been working out every day. Love it! There were lots of other great presents but I really see no need to document every one. I will say a big THANK YOU to any of my family reading this!

I will be back later with another post, I just wanted to say that I hope all of my bloggy friends had as wonderful of a Christmas as we did. I will be by to visit everyone sometime soon!

Turn Around Tuesday - Baby Face

2009-12-22T19:52:00.002-06:00

I am participating in Turn Around Tuesday over at The Soccer Mom's Guide to Wicca. It's all about sharing great posts with each other so that we can all enjoy some new blogs.... Well, unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of time to troll the blogoverse lately but I do have a post from my daughter's blog that I would like to share. Those of you who have followed my blog for a while may remember me mentioning this post and directing y'all over to giver her some support.

The reason this particular post, Babyface, is so interesting for me is that it reminds me of what it really is like to be a teenager. It makes it easier to interact with her when I am reminded of the feelings and emotions of that angst ridden time. Jenna is a wonderful writer, she loves putting words together and did a wonderful job in this post of pulling you in to see her side of things.

So, hop on over and take a look at Babyface. She would love some comments! And if you would like to participate in Turn Around Tuesday, click the button below and check it out!

Takin a Quick Break!

2009-12-21T16:11:00.001-06:00

I baked 3 kinds of bread on Saturday, I baked approximately 70 dozen cookies yesterday and today I still need to make fudge and two kinds of candy.

I am exhausted!

Tomorrow I will pop in with a post and try to visit you all this evening/ tomorrow. For now, I am going to put my feet up and take a deep breath.....

Thoughts o'Mine and a Giveaway

2009-12-18T19:58:00.003-06:00

Do you ever feel like you are living your life way too fast? The past few months have sped by so fast that I have been left breathless and with my head spinning. There are times I would give anything to be able to slow down, take a deep breath and just go for a walk. I love my husband, I love my children and I love my life but boy is it tiring!

As of today, both of my older children are out of school for two weeks. That could possibly mean a bit of a break for me. Maybe I will get a chance to bake my cookies, breads and candies for Christmas. And maybe I will get a chance to wrap all of my Christmas presents before Christmas Eve. Don't laugh, it could happen!

Darling Steven and I were discussing the children last night and he was inexplicably struck with a slight case of baby fever. What I mean is that he refused to look at a newborn in the store because he didn't want to start cooing and making kissy faces! In the process of discussing this, the possibility of another child was brought up. We have decided to revisit the issue in another year and see where we stand financially and emotionally. Are we ready to go there again? No idea. But it will be interesting to find out!

So, over the next year I want to get myself to the point with my health (both physical and mental) where I can make a reasonable decision about getting pregnant again. If I thought about it right now, the answer would be no. With my High Blood Pressure and other issues, pregnancy on purpose is just silly. But, I am willing to try to get myself to the point that I can decide yes or no without my health being a deciding factor. We will see what happens in a year.

One of the things that I want to work on over the next year is my spirituality. I have been feeling discontented with some aspects of my life and restless. I need to discover what the root of this is and decide what path I need to be taking in my life. Both spiritually and otherwise. So, I have been doing some reading and be bopping all over the internet. One blog that I stumbled upon was Magickal Enchantments. This blog is run by a woman who also has an Etsy shop that sells items such as oils and incense, herbs and candles. Her wares are not only for use by Wiccans or Pagans but would be appreciated by many people of other faiths as well. Here is a little blurb from her shop:

Since the days of old people of all cultures and traditions have used herbs, flowers, symbols, and the elements to make charms and amulets to aid them in connecting to a higher realm, to banish negativity and evil forces, to empower themselves and to honour life's journey.
Every herb, flower, tree, and stone carries it's own energy to aid in these workings, meaning that Mother Earth and all her creatures are sacred and connect to a higher source.

The Magickal Enchantments blog is having a giveaway right now that I would absolutely love to win. She is presently giving away a Custom Spirituality Kit that contains a custom blended oil, a custom blended herbal sachet and a crystal specific to the intent decided to be right for the winner. Each of the items will be made to the winner's specific spiritual needs. It sounds awesome to me. If you are interested in entering the giveaway, head on over to Magickal Enchantments and check it out. The giveaway ends on New Year's Eve. You can also check out her Etsy shop here.

I haven't had a chance to post about the Christmas party yet, or about Braeden showing up the other kids in his class, or about Jenna rocking her AP American History test today (that means she is bring home a 98 on her report card!) or even about the cool fudge recipe I found. with the help of some friends on Facebook and Twitter..... I suck at prioritizing my time so that I can actually blog in a timely manner. One day I may just get around to doing everything I need to do. Then I would probably die of boredom. hehe

Anyway. Everyone have a great weekend. I will be baking for the next 3 or 4 days and may not be posting!

Here is a nice holiday wish that I read on another blog and loved and am now adopting for myself,

Happy Yule/Peaceful Solstice/Merry Christmas/Joyous Kwanzaa/Happy Hanukkah/Enjoy the holidays with peace and love whatever your beliefs!!

Customer No Service

2009-12-16T19:40:00.004-06:00

Thank you to everyone for your wonderful, sweet and supportive comments on my ranting breakdown of a post yesterday. Today was a better day for me emotionally. Even though Braeden brought home bad reports from school (again), it wasn't as earth shattering as it was yesterday. It's all about perspective and finding that balance.... hopefully I can keep my balance on this tightrope walk that is raising an exceptional child.

So, I mentioned the other day that I was having some issues with customer no service. And if you follow me on twitter then you may have an inkling as to what it is all about! LOL Over a month ago, I ordered a Christmas present for Jenna. I am not going to say what it is, cause she reads this blog (Hi Jen!) BUT I will say it cost several hundred dollars. I put this item on my Mother's Sears card and am paying her back in cash. So, we ordered it and waited for the package to arrive. All of the other items I ordered at the same time arrived within a week or so. No sign of this specific package yet and no tracking number sent to us.

On the 20th of November I got an email stating that my item was ready to be picked up. Okay. #1 We asked to have it delivered. #2 The store address listed for pickup was my home address. What? SO, I called Customer Service and spoke with several people AND called the local store to make sure that it was not there waiting for me. No dice. CS said that this was a new way of doing things and that the item was being shipped to my local store and would then be shipped to me from there. Fine.

The day after Thanksgiving, still no sign of the item. I called again. Was told that it had been received at the store on the 25th and I should get it by the end of the next week. Fine.

The following Friday arrives. No package. I call again. I speak with someone who tells me that they have no idea where my package is. But that they will forward the info to a recovery department. I then ask to speak with a Supervisor. Same story. Wait 3 days and the recovery department would either call or I would have my package. I waited 3 days. Then I called again.

This time, the CS rep went out of her way and discovered that the item was supposed to be at a warehouse in California. She then called the warehouse and was told they had no record of the order. She asked them to physically check the warehouse to see if they had one of the items to ship out to me. She then told me that she would call me back when she heard back from them. This was last Friday.

I waited until about noon on Monday. Meanwhile, I had tweeted about my frustrations with Sears and one of the Sears Homestore reps on twitter contacted me. He told me that if I was not satisfied with the outcome of the CS calls that I should send him my info and he would forward it to Sears Cares which is a separate customer service division within Sears. So, on Monday I went ahead and sent him a Direct Message with my info.

About a half hour later I got a call. I explained what was going on (again) and he checked into it. Told me he would contact the warehouse in CA and call me back. Fine. I expected to hear from him the next day. Maybe.

Ten minutes later he called me back. The basic gist of this was that the warehouse still had to locate one of the items. If they had the item in stock they would ship it out. It would be 3 - 5 days before they knew if they had the item. Then it could be as long as 20 days before I received it. WHAT?!? I ordered this thing on 11/14 specifically so that I could get it in plenty of time for Christmas. And so that I would not have to stress out and so that I didn't have to rush around trying to get it here in town. I asked the man if he really thought that I was getting the item by Christmas. He stuttered a little and said no. I then told him to cancel the order and I would reorder the item in another color since they could not just send me a different color without me doing that. He canceled the order and I hung up.

I was mad! I tweeted the results and the fact that I was disgusted that they did not even offer a free upgrade on shipping for the new item. Or anything. Just a sheepish "I'm Sorry".

About 10 minutes after I tweeted this, I get a call from the same man at Sears Cares. He is sending us out a $50 Sears card to help make up for the "inconvenience" that we experienced. Great. But I better get my package before Christmas anyway.

The new item has been ordered. It has been shipped and I have a tracking number. Hopefully this will be the end of my GAH! moments with Sears. I have never had issues with them before and was really surprised at the lack of communication between one CS rep and another. And the fact that they actually seemed really confused as to what was going on with this item. Maybe it is just the fact that it is Christmas and busy. I don't know. But I was really disappointed with my experience. Yes, they tried to make up for it. But not until I was a bitch. And not until I spoke with approximately 6 different people and two different departments. And tweeted with a third department!

Honestly. What ever happened to great customer service and caring about your customers? I guess it went the same way as the corner stores and mom and pop places. Sad.

Tune in tomorrow for stories about Steven's Christmas party at work. Highly amusing. But I will wait until tomorrow to post about it because I think I have rambled on enough for tonight!

What the Hell IS Normal Anyway?

2009-12-15T14:21:00.002-06:00

**My Christmas Party/ Customer No Service post has been delayed due to a need to rant a bit.**

For those of you who are new to my blog, you may not be familiar with the super fun times that my middle child has given me over the past four years. He is one of the sweetest and most lovable kids ever, but boy is he a handful. He has given me trouble since the day he was born... colic, reflux, sleep issues, behavior issues, walking late, sensory problems and speech disabilities have all combined into one giant anxiety ball for me. I have struggled to figure out exactly how to handle all of his issues and make decisions on whether to push for a diagnosis or let things ride, tried to back off and let him find his way in school and social settings, tried not to be defensive and irritated when people treat him differently or look at us as if we are bad parents because of his behaviors and have truly tried my best to teach him, love him and raise him to be who he is.

This is an ongoing struggle for me every day.

We used to be part of a play group here in our area. I used to try to take the boys to meetups and to play with other children, do crafts and have little trips. I kept trying even though it was not working very well. I wanted, maybe NEEDED, to have them in a "normal" social setting. To act like and play with other "normal" children. And I wanted to be able to make friends with other Mothers. Mothers of "normal" children.

And one day, I was sitting at a table, watching my child wander apart from the other children and spend the next 15 - 20 minutes lining up cars along the edge of a bed, when I realized.... I was totally alone. Alone in the middle of all of these women. Not one of them had any clue what I was thinking. What I was feeling.

Just like Braeden was alone in the middle of all of the other children. And no one (including me) had any idea what he was thinking or feeling either.

And I realized that by trying to push him to act "normal" and play with "normal" kids... I was just pushing him into more aloneness. Even in the middle of a crowd, he was still separate. Still different. He didn't know HOW to play with these kids. And when they reacted badly to his overtures, he went off by himself and went back to what he knew made him feel better. Lining up cars.

So, I stopped taking him to the play dates. It was a relief in many ways. There were no more screaming fits when we went to a new home. No more screaming and fighting when it was time to leave. No more wondering if the other kids, and Mothers, really wanted us there.

When Braeden started school I worried about how he would interact with the other kids. But, he has done really well in some ways. I think it is because he is in a structured environment where he knows exactly what is expected out of him. When they go out of those normal areas, that is when he has problems.

When I picked him up today, he was in the middle of a full blown crying fit. One of the other boys had hit him. He was all blotchy and snotty. He really had his feelings hurt more than anything, he had no idea why this boy had hit him. And I think, honestly, the little boy had no idea why he did it.

And as I watched his teacher comfort him and wipe his face, I started to get angry. Not at the teacher. Not at the other kids. Not at Braeden. But at myself.

Here was my sensitive and loving little boy, crying his eyes out and so heartbroken.... and I was just wondering if it was "normal" for him to be such a big cryer. Was it "normal" for him to react that way. Or was this another sign that he was not "normal".

His teacher told me this morning that the school's behavior specialist had decided to implement some new things with Braeden. But she did not give me any details. So, I called and left a message for her to call me back. Because I have no idea what she is planning.

I am in the process of setting up more testing and evaluations for him to see what steps we need to take next.

And I really just want to cancel it all and say STOP! I just want my little boy to be happy. Is all of this really necessary? What is "normal"? Really? And why is it so important to me all of a sudden? Since when?

I used to tell my daughter that the only normal people in the world were really abnormal because nobody was really "normal". Everybody was weird in their own way. I used to revel in being different. But I guess the difference, for me, is choosing to be different and odd versus being that way and having no control over it. I want my son to be able to fit in if he wants to. I want him to be able to choose to be different. Does that make sense?

So, I am spending my afternoon feeling lost and scared. How do you parent a child when you have no idea what to do? How do you decide when to get help and when to stop? How do you know if pushing for more "normal" behavior is just making your child into someone they should not be? I told his therapist that I did not want to lose who HE is in the middle of treating his behaviors.

I don't want to wonder who he might have been and what he might have been like if I had done things differently. Being a parent is so hard.

so..... tired.... must.... sleep.....

2009-12-14T23:57:00.000-06:00

Look for a post tomorrow all about ass grabbing at Christmas parties, Customer No-Service Centers and all of the extremely tiring stuff I have been up to.

Boy do the holidays wear me out......

Sleep tight, jelly bean.

THIS

2009-12-10T20:53:00.002-06:00

...is a post.

I always have these great ideas for posts while I am doing something like washing clothes or wiping asses. And then they get sucked out of my head by the demon children.

So.

Here I am.

With nothing to write about.

Cause I am boring.

And my life is boring.

And my kids are soul sucking demon children with direct call lines to the devil. And Santa.

And my daughter is a grammar nazi blog beyotch. Who is reading over my shoulder and correcting my spelling before spell check can even highlight it.

Go away evil child.

The zombies will eat your brains.

(She says thats not nice. But really... she has a big, juicy brain. Of COURSE they will eat her brain.) (Dib.)

Anyway. Back to what I was writing before the evil grammar nazi child interrupted me.

*clears throat*

*coughs loudly to shut up the grammar nazi again*

(I know. You just wish you could see what my blog looks like before I use spell check...)

um.

What was I writing about again?

Cheese.

I love cheese. I love cheddar and parmesan and mozzarella and....

Oh.

You think cheese is boring? WHat about cheese fonbdue? *sutup Jenna*

(I am leaving my misspelled words and ham fingered typing just to irritate her)

(Of course she DOES know my password for blogger so if it shows up fixed... blame her)

ANYway.

I am bored. How come so few of you comment on my posts? Am I really THAT boring?!?

(Lie to me, please.)

If I ever write a post (not a giveaway) that gets a lot of comments I just may keel over. In a dead type way.

Jenna says to stop using her lines. But, she needs to stop reading over my shoulder and commenting out loud.

Just sayin.

NOW she wants to know if I love her. What? Why are you getting all wishy washy touchy feely on me now? I am TRYING to be a bizatch here. God.

I am not even repeating the insulting comment she just made about me. Cause she is MEAN! Mean I tell you!!!!!!!!

(MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA. This is ME, the DAUGHTER PERSON! I HIJACKED THE KEYBOARD!!! MUWAHAHA!!! I told the Mother-of-Mine that she is no longer chief bitch. 'Cuz I out-bitched her. And she is sour. 'Cuz I now have her crown.)

*Sounds of a scuffle as the keyboard is wresled away from the Daughter Person*

Haha. SHE misspelled that word up there. SHE did, the grammar nazi! LMAO as she throws herself ont he ground and beats her head on the floor....

OK.

Now, I promise.... really I do.... I promise to have a real post for y'all tomorrow. Really.

*wanders off in search of Jack and coke*

New Moon Madness

2009-12-08T08:24:00.002-06:00

I swear, I wrote this post in my head a week ago and then completely forgot all about it! That happens to me a lot. What I need is some kind of special brain reading computer software that can translate my thoughts directly to the blog! Of course, that might get me in trouble... LOL

We went to see New Moon (the newest Twilight movie) on Thanksgiving night. Jenna and I and my MIL and my nephew went to a late showing. It was packed and full of swooning Rob Pattinson/ Edward fans. I am not an Edward fan. I totally love the hawtness that is Jacob. And let me tell you, Taylor Lautner did a great job!

The movie itself was okay. They did a good job of translating the book into movie format, I had wondered hwo they would handle it. New Moon (the book) was told so much in the thoughts of Bella that I wasn't sure how they would handle it. But, they did a good job. The acting of Rob and Kristen left much to be desired, IMHO. But, that follows right along with the acting int he original Twilight movie so it was no more than I was expecting. Taylor (Jacob) without his shirt completely stole the show! It was a decent movie, followed along with the book nicely and had great scenery. But, not a truly epic film and not something that made me want to rush right out and buy the DVD. My poor nephew was disgusted by the movie. Too sappy for him (he is 13) but he did love the special effects and werewolves so it wasn't a total loss for him.

I have a real problem with Bella and have had since I read the first book. She is not what I consider a good role model for young girls. WAY too dependent on her man. WAY too hard on herself, she has a poor self image and a definite problem with being strong and standing up for herself. The story is decent, but I would have liked it better if she had stood up for herself and told Edward to stop whining and being all emo and just bite her already!

What made the movie hilarious was the reactions of the crowd watching it! The first time Jacob took his shirt off, the entire female audience started clapping! LMAO At the end of the movie, it ends on a total cliff hanger. Like right in the middle of a line basically. I won't give it away to those of you who have not seen it yet. But, a lady behind me reacted quite loudly to the ending by saying "God Damn It!" right after the last line! The entire audience laughed hysterically. It was too much. She must not have read the books.

So, while half naked Native American hawtness made the movie worthwhile for me, it wasn't a movie that I would have chosen to watch if I had never read the books. I know many people may disagree with me over that opinion, but hey.... free country, my opinion. And, that said, I will probably go see the third movie(and the fourth if they make it) just so that I have seen them all! LOL

Any of you seen it yet? What did you think?

ITSNOWEDITSNOWEDITSNOWEDITSNOWEDITSNOWED

2009-12-05T10:33:00.004-06:00

It snowed, it snowed, it snowed, it snowed, it snowed, it snowed, it snowed, it snowed, it snowed!!!!!!!!!!! In Mississippi. It started snowing, mixed with rain, and at about ten we went out to watch. There were huge flakes, and the DD and I went out to play in it. The boys were asleep, so they missed out.

Jenna and I were total dorks, giggling and running around. Jenna made a snowman, we had a snowball fight, caught snowflakes on our tongues (and in our eyes), Jenna made a snow angel, and we basically had a great time.

This morning when we got up, there was still snow on the ground. I think we got more than two inches total. I took Braeden outside to play in the snow. He liked it a lot, until his hands got cold. Then he was ready to go in. Malachai stepped outside, felt how cold it was, shivered, and went back inside. LOL. He pointed out the window and said "I watch."

Here's some pictures to enjoy. Be back later.

Our front yard in the middle of the "snowstorm."

Me in the snow. What fun!

Jenna geeking out [note from Jenna, who happens to be typing this as Tracy dictates: That's what I do. I geek out. Yo.].

Lumpy Bumpkin, the Mississippi snowman. Notice the leaves and dirt.

In the boys' play yard. Wanna go for a slide?

Snow angel! The strategically placed snow is actually on the lens. LOL.

Lumpy is a little melty.

Snowball fight with Braeden.

Making a snowball.

"My hands, my handsss!"

"What is this strange white orb I see in front of me? It is cold. It is wet. Food?"

First It Rains - Then You Get A Damn Typhoon

2009-12-03T22:12:00.002-06:00

Things are, as usual, crazy here. But more so than usual for the past few days. In between crazy car trouble and new job opportunities and decisions needing to be made concerning both, my two youngest children have decided to become demon children and eat my soul.

Just kidding on the demon thing.

Sort of.

On a happier note, rather than doing his normal Santa visiting routine of standing 10 feet back and hollering out his toy requests (oh, please don't let the big fat hairy guy look at me! Please no touching! No! No sitting on him! Don't let him look at me!) , Braeden actually sat on Santa's lap today. His school went on a field trip to the mall to see the big guy. Braeden sat in his lap. IN.HIS.LAP. And told him he wanted trucks for Christmas. By the time we got home this afternoon, the Christmas list sounded something like this:

A red fire truck
A white bus
A yellow car
A yellow dump truck
TWO purple BIG trucks

And a hundred cars.

Wow. He has really grasped this whole ask Santa and get presents thing.

I wonder when he learned the number 100? Damn school.

Finally A Chance To Sit Still!

2009-12-01T10:15:00.003-06:00

So. I think I might have caught up on reading blogs although I did not comment as much as usual. Now I guess it is time to actually post here! OMG. Imagine that! hehe

Jenna finished nanowrimo with more than 70,000 words in a whole new genre this year. For a 15 yo I think she just kicks ass in general. But I may be prejudiced! She is so hard on herself sometimes, it makes me wish I had a magic wand to make the next few years fast forward for her. High school sucks the big one. Go check out her blog post here and give her some comment love, she could use it!

Braeden is back in school after a week long break. He had a great day yesterday and I love his teacher. She is able to make him behave better than anyone else and he loves her. She is the one who brought up the fact that he has some issues and needed to be evaluated again for sensory problems. But, every day when I pick him up, she pats me on the shoulder and tells me that he will be JUST FINE. It really helps with the anxiety to hear that from someone else who deals with him on a day to day basis.

Malachai got caught beating up his older brother with a plastic baseball bat. I have told Braeden for the past year that he was going to regret picking on his baby brother so much! He certainly regretted it on Sunday! LOL Of course, Mal got a talking to and time out. But, I laughed in the bathroom about it. Where no one could see or hear!

I also caught Mal with a tub of cool whip yesterday. He was eating it with his hands and making his toy dinosaur eat some as well. What a mess! And what a sneaky little guy he is.... I never even heard the fridge door open. Time for a new fridge lock that he cannot open.

I am busily planning my last minute shopping lists for Christmas, I still need stocking stuffers and about 2 more gifts. I am also really wanting to get my Christmas Cards done this week but I may end up late with them this year. I am sooooo not in the mood to write them all out! And I think I may just wait until the week before Christmas for the tree and decor to come out this year. It is coming on way too fast. Where did the Fall go?!? I just don't feel emotionally ready for the holidays. I am ready as far as gifts go. Just not as far as enthusiasm. Maybe I need to spend the day tomorrow listening to Christmas music and baking cookies. That usually helps with the mood!

Coming up later is a post about a few more blog awards and I promise to actually give them all away to others this time! One day this week I will be posting a book review and giveaway. I also have a product review to post sometime in the next few weeks. In addition to my regular posts about the kids and my insanity, I plan to try to post about the stress of raising a teen girl, the joys of a dirty little boy and how frustrated I am with my son's psychologist's office. The joys of the season.....

Playing Catch Up

2009-11-29T10:13:00.003-06:00

The past week has been crazy busy! My Mom, MIL and nephew all came to stay for the week. Add to that fumigating the house, cleaning, tons of laundry, Thanksgiving prep and then dinner and all of the normal day to day Mom stuff and you have me running around like a chicken without it's head! LOL But we had lots of fun and a great meal with great company. We even made it to a few Black Friday sales. We ended up at Toys R Us at Midnight, waiting in a line a mile long to get in! Wow. That was an experience that I do not want to repeat any time soon!

I have several new blog awards to post about, some bragging on my daughter to do and some stress release posting to get to. For now, just know that I am in recovery and trying to get back in blogging mode. I am also trying to catch up on reading evryone's blogs. And you all have such interesting posts lately!

Oh! My daughter made me a button for the blog, you can see it over in the sidebar. I love it! Feel free to grab it for your site and let me know so that I can giggle and blush.

Zhu Zhu for You

2009-11-28T18:03:00.002-06:00

Just a quick note to let you know about a wonderful giveaway that I stumbled upon over at Quinoa and Corn Chips! Anyone with a kid probably has heard of the Zhu Zhu pets. If you are looking to acquire one, head over to Alyssa's blog because she is giving away one of them next Saturday!! Alyssa's blog looks really interesting and I can't wait to pop back over there and read more. But I wanted to give you all a heads up on the giveaway. But I know you won't be interested and I will win it. Right? Right? LOL

I'll be back in a bit with a real post documenting the Thanksgiving week that I was missing in action on the interwebz.....

In Which there are Injured Legs, Crazy Family Members, Tired Castle Keepers, Intense House Cleaning, a Crazy Writerly Daughter, and Many Dead Bugs

2009-11-23T18:53:00.003-06:00

Hello, good readers of the Faerie Castle. This is Jenna, of As the Plot Thickens and The Delusional (loving that shameless blog promoting, eh?), Tracy's kickass and oh-so-modest (heh) daughter, here today (erm, tonight) with none other than a GUEST POST! Because Mother has all but LOST HER MIND!

(Which isn't exactly a good thing, but it does provide me with endless hours of amusement, so there ya go.)

Mah Mommeh has been a bit occupied these past couple of days. I succeeded in busting my knee on Thursday night and pulling a muscle, which caused me not to be able to walk for a day (which meant I, unfortunately, had to miss school and TWO TESTS AND A PRESENTATION). So she had to wait on me and take me to the doctor. But I'm fine now, so no worries there.

My grandma, nana, and cousin all got into town from sunny Florida on Saturday afternoon, and Mother-of-Mine and I spent most of that day cleaning the house from top to bottom. I spent three hours up to my elbows in bleach water, scrubbing my bathroom from tub to toilet. Most definitely NOT my favorite task in the world.

Over the past few days, I have been frantically trying to finish this year's National Novel Writing Month novel, which I have titled The Endless. It's a murder mystery, and it's hard work. I've met the official goal of 50,000 words, but I'm shooting for 90,000 total. Meaning that I've been holed up in my room for the past two days doing not a whole lot with the family unless they make me. Which irritates Mother-of-Mine. But hey, last year I typed through Thanksgiving dinner. I don't think much can top that level of irritation. But don't worry, I won't do that this year.

Maybe.

Anyway, we fumigated today (again) and killed some bugs (again). They're still sort of...everywhere...but we did manage to put a dent in the scurrying, many-legged, icky population. For a few days. Maybe.

Icky, icky, grosstastic, ucky, yucky, absolutely disgusting little creatures are bugs. Ugh.

Before I leave you to go do your thing, I'll toss a funny lil' video at you:

(Be sure to check out my blogs, kthnxbai.)

Love and hugs and stuff,

Jenna.

:P

Laptop Envy

2009-11-18T19:38:00.002-06:00

I really need a laptop. My PC has been acting up lately and really causing me loads of angst and anger. My husband has a laptop that I could use but I really don't care for it. The space bar sticks and the way the keys clack isn't nice. sigh.....

I love my daughter's laptop. I totally want it. And I was just getting ready to start trying to use it when she was at school and she decided to start taking it with her! How dare she! She takes notes with it in class and write sin her spare time..... so. I could be using it to read blogs, dammit! (LOL)

My plan is to get a laptop for myself next year. I think I will end up with one similar to Jenna's since, ya know, I like hers and stuff.

Meanwhile, I haven't really been on the computer much for the past few days because it hates me. And wants me to go insane from dealing with it's slow and irritating ass.

I'll try to catch up with everyone soon!

Thanksgivings for Good Behavior

2009-11-16T13:03:00.004-06:00

I'm pretty sure the bug is gone so everyone can stop being all grossed out now. That includes me! LOL

My 4 yo had his Thanksgiving Program today. This is, of course, my 4 yo with interesting behavioral issues. I was dreading this as I had NO IDEA how he would react to #1 riding a bus for the first time and #2 being on a stage in front of a large audience. Oh yeah, not to mention #3 wearing a paper hat/ Indian headband and #4 singing (he does NOT sing).

I was honestly very pleasantly surprised. He stood on the stage and did not run away. He wore his headband and did not tear it up. And he listened to the teachers while getting there and back on the bus. He did not sing but that's okay! I think he did a wonderful job anyway. He is growing up fast and is actually making great progress at school with his behavior. We have started making absolutely sure that we follow HIS routines int he morning to get him ready for school and to school. That way he starts off the day feeling comfortable. And I have been picking him up each day before nap time so that he is not tortured with having to lay still for no reason. He starts his therapy sessions this week and we are still waiting to hear back from the psychologist for his appointment there for evaluation. Right now, we are going day by day. Once I have met with the psychologist we will know whether we are on the right trtack or need to go another direction.

Isn't it hard being a parent sometimes? Making decisions that could affect the rest of your child's life is scary.

So, while I am dealing with all of the wonderful and time consuming parenting business, cleaning my house in preparation for the holidays, doing meal planning and holiday meal planning, trying to juggle all of my other mom and wife duties, I am also trying to plan Christmas presents. And Cards.

I love sending Christmas cards every year. I really do! I try to have my addresses ready and get the cards ready to go as soon after Thanksgiving as possible. If any of you lovely people would like a Christmas card from em this year, I would love to send one! You can email me your mailing info to faeriecastle@yahoo.com and I will add you to my list!!

I could use ideas for unique and inexpensive gifts for The Girl as well. We have some ideas and plans going right now but other ideas are always welcome! SO, gift ideas for teen girls who enjoy writing, reading, blogging and being a dork would be great!! LOL

I don't have a whole lot going on right now to write about, so that's it for today. I have to go hang out some laundry to dry and put my 2 yo back in bed. He thinks naps are for wimps....

Let Me Put A Bug In Your Ear

2009-11-15T09:18:00.004-06:00

First, I have to thank several bloggers for some great awards! Thanks to Kat from Kat's Confessions for awarding me the Lovely Blog Award again! I really love that people appreciate the work that went into this little spot on the blogosphere....

Second, I have to thank Feliciae from Living Just Like Grandma for giving me a special little award: This award is given to blogs that warm your heart and give you that fuzzy feeling. Unfotunately, I do NOT have time to pass out award today. I promise to post who both of these are going to just as soon as I can.

Right now I am dealing with an issue. A little bitty one. I have a bug in my ear. Yes. Gross. I woke up at about 4:30 this morning and I could hear it running around and FEEL IT!!!! GAH!!!!! Nastiest damn thing ever. So, I tried to beat it out and when that did not work, I turned to the trusty interwebz. I poured some oil in my ear and it smothered the bug. So, after it's death throes (totally freaky feeling and sound) it stopped moving and I was able to stop screechinga nd running in circles. Now the challenge is to get it OUT of my ear. We tried pouring a little water in hoping that it would flush it out. No luck. I have a doctors appointment next week before Thanksgiving so if nothing else works, I will see if I can get her to remove it! It's driving me crazy. That's all I can think about.

Do you think this is revenge for fumigating and killing so many of the bug's brethren?!?

Send chocolate. I need it.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

2009-11-13T10:26:00.002-06:00

It's been busy here! Normal.... I got distracted on Wednesday and then was consumed with fumigating my house yesterday. So.Much.Fun.

Honestly, I have my Mother, My MIL and my nephew coming to stay for a week for Thanksgiving. And I have about four other people who will be here on Thanksgiving. So, it was necessary for us to take care of the yucky roach issue we have been facing. Now, I am in the midst of having to wash every dish and surface in my home to make sure that the yucky bug spray is gone from them. Again.... so.much.fun. At least my house will be clean when I am done! LOL

So, speaking of Thanksgiving.

Being married to a chef can make for interesting holidays. Luckily, over the past few years, my husband has worked at a restaurant where they are closed for both Thanksgiving and Christmas days. That means..... he cooks! I love that I am able to have him cook holiday meals and he loves doing it. In addition to that, we usually end up with several other cooks coming over to join us. This year we will have two or three line cooks from the restaurant coming over and helping with the cooking and joining us for the meal. Fun!!!! (That means I will get to hand over my title of sous chef to someone else and spend time sitting on my butt.... LOL)

Anyway, we have quite a few traditional dishes that we cook every year and Steven always adds one or two new dishes. This year, we may end up switching out some of our regular dishes. We haven't planned the total menu as of yet. I am going to link to articles I wrote that share the recipes for some of our favorite Thanksgiving dishes. Feel free to pop over and read them, I get paid per view on these articles. Don't feel obligated, though! I am just too lazy to repost them here or I would.

Tea Brining A Turkey
Green Bean Casserole with A Twist
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Zesty Cranberry Sauce
Marinated Butternut Squash
Cucumber Salad

Of course, we also have sweet potato casserole and mashed potatoes as well. Along with many other foods! What are your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes? I would love to get links or recipes to some new dishes to try this year! Do you plan your menu well in advance or just a week or so? And how many people do you usually end up cooking for?

I am also trying to find some good, easy Thanksgiving crafts to do with the boys that week. We get the entire week off of school here so we will have plenty of time to craft and color.... if you have some great crafts or traditions I would love to have you share them with me!

Alright, back to post-fumigation clean up....

Wicked Bewbs Of The South

2009-11-11T10:36:00.003-06:00

Dear Bewbs,

I realize that after three children you are baby chewed and saggy. You resemble your younger selves no more than an elephant resembles a mole. Your perky, firm C cup selves would be mortified to see the ends to which you have come. You may even have succumbed to a little bit of banana bewb action. You are well loved dirt pillows. And I appreciate all that you have done for me, my children and my husband over the past years.

However. Seriously, bewbs? Seriously?

That black wiry hair that you decided to sprout overnight really just crosses the line. Haven't you noticed all of the plucking, waxing and shaving that goes on here on my body? Don't you realize that you will not be allowed to keep that hair? Is it jealousy? You need some attention?

Fine. I will break out the cocoa butter lotion and put on a romantic movie.

If you continue to try to morph into the Wicked Bewbs of the South with your hairy surprises, I will be forced to get firm with you.

Don't make me break out the nipple clamps.

Love,

Overworked and Under-pampered Me

Weekends Make Me Tired

2009-11-10T09:02:00.002-06:00

Aren't weekends supposed to be relaxing? Not so much here. I did succeed in getting the boys' rooms rearranged and cleaned. All of their toys are still packed in bins and boxes and locked in another room. I still have to go through them. But, I got a lot done! And, I roatsed two huge pumpkins and now have more than 28 cups of pumpkin puree in my freezer and fridge. Time to do some baking this week!

I need some suggestions for new bands or groups to listen to. I want to keep growing my musical soul but I really hate the music I have heard on the radio lately. I would love suggestions for bands or groups that I may not have heard of or listened to. You can check out the post I wrote about the soundtrack of my life to see some groups I enjoy or check out this post for one of my favorite bands of all times..... The only music I really do not care for is country, gospel and that gangster rap stuff. Otherwise, I am open to anything! LOL

Just as an aside, I think I may have lost my taste for coffee. Either that or all the coffee shops here just serve really nasty coffee....

The Wingmen of Mayhem (my sons) had a great weekend. Saturday was constant whining from the moment they woke up until I finally got them to bed around 10 PM. I think it was all of the changes going on with their rooms. And Malachai is freaked out by his bed. No, OK, he likes the bed. He just doesn't want to sleep in it. I keep finding him sleeping on the floor next to his brother's bed. Sweet, huh? But, I know they will get used to it and it will be better in the long run for all of us.

Just so y'all know, I am planning to do some reviews and giveaways here periodically. This will still be mostly my blog about the daily life of me and family, but I do love me a good giveaway.... so we will see what kind of cool products I might be able to come up with for an occasional contest here! LOL

So, kind of random and floaty today, but I still feel like I got stomped on this weekend. I may just need a nap today.

Tomorrow, I plan to discuss Thanksgiving. Food, plans, traditions and deals. Catch ya on the flip side....

Jiggly Butts Unite!

2009-11-09T20:36:00.002-06:00

I am sooooo exhausted. I promise to update tomorrow. For now, I am too mentally exhausted to actually write anything..... So, enjoy the following video with Foamy the Squirrel.....

** CAUTION..... Adult Language **

Reorganization To Subvert Mayhem

2009-11-05T08:48:00.003-06:00

I love my sons. I do. However, there are times that I could strangle them. The other night, while I was trying to deal with a situation involving a full box of Cheerios being dumped out all over the living room floor, the boys went to play in their bedroom. They destroyed it. Braeden seems to have this need for mayhem and destruction. I'm not sure what his deal is, we are working on that. And Malachai will do whatever his brother does. So, they took every toy they own and dumped them in the middle of the floor. They pulled every book off the shelves and tossed them. Every piece of clothing out of one of the closets. Every DVD off the shelf. Fun times were had by both boys.

I had a near heart attack when I saw it.

One thing about their bedrooms, they are arranged weird. The room is really two rooms. They are two rooms the same size as regular bedrooms with a connecting little hall and a separating wall that is actually a closet, built in desk and shelves on each side. If that makes sense. And there is a connecting bathroom as well. It's a great setup for kids. Normally. We have had the boys sleeping in one room and the other room has been a play room.

I am in the middle of rearranging this. I want the boys sleeping in separate rooms. I am really hoping that will help them to settle better at night. I am also in the middle of trying to buy and get installed closet doors that I can lock. That way I can keep them from pulling their clothes down. AND I can lock up their toy boxes at night to keep them out of them.

But, part of this process involves a need for a new bed. Braeden has been in a toddler bed (racecar) and will not let it go. He still fits in it fine so no problem there. But, we ended up having to put Malachai into the bigger bed that was meant for Braeden. And he needs a toddler bed. The twin is too big for him and it has other issues. I also need to get rid of a lot of their toys. They have too many. I think it is an issue for Braeden and is becoming overwhelming for him.

So, I posted on freecycle and am picking up a toddler bed and mattress this weekend from someone. I will be spending some time between now and then trying to box up all of their toys and books in preparation of going through them and getting rid of at least half of everything. Either throw away broken and incomplete toys or sell toys they have outgrown or donate things. I need to be able to have every toy they own in a toy box to be locked up at night, on a high shelf that they cannot reach or put away where they cannot get at it. That way, when it is bed time, they will have nothing better to do than go to sleep.

Maybe then I can get them settled better.

With Braeden's sleep issues, the only way he ever falls asleep is watching television. So, they have a TV in their room. However, Malachai goes to sleep better in the dark with no noise. This will hopefully solve that issue as well with them in separate bedrooms.

I also found some great cabinet locks on a child safety site recently that I am going to order. I am still looking for a decent refrigerator lock that they will not be able to open. Since I cannot trust Braeden to stay out of the fridge in the middle of the night, I really need to be able to keep it locked. Any ideas? We have a simple slide lock on it now, but he can open it....

Wish me luck as I tackle the mayhem that is their bedroom over the next few days!

Awards, A Giveaway and Maintenance Issues

2009-11-04T10:13:00.004-06:00

First, let me tell you that Anne over at My Mommy Reviews is having a giveaway for some child safety items from the My Precious Kid site. This is a great giveaway with very few entries so far. Head on over and check it out! You won't regret it.

Ang over at Just An Army Wife and Just a Mommy has a giveaway going on as well!

Both of these end November 9th.

There will be a little bit of site maintenance here over the next few days. I am trying to add some different lists and buttons on my sidebar and may end up screwing some things up. I am sooooo not tech savvy. Hopefully Jenna will be available to help me out so that I don't ruin the blog....

I received an award from two different people over the past few days. It's a great award!

Margaret from Pickles and Lollipops gave me the award first and then Feliciae from Living Just Like Grandma passed it over to me as well! Both of these ladies have beautiful blogs. Take the time to pop over and visit if you never have!

So here are the official rules

Accept the award and post it on your blog.Make sure to link back to the person who awarded you. Then pass it on to 15 other blogs you find worthy and make sure to let them know they have been awarded.

I am going to have to think about who to award this to.... have patience! I promise to award it soon! I want to try to give it to people who have not already gotten it....

AND, just a shout out to my lovely daughter, Jenna, who helped me design this blog. She made the header up top for me and we worked to getehr to choose the layout and background. Thanks for making my blog lovely, kiddo!

Southern Charm

2009-11-03T08:58:00.002-06:00

I've been reading a series of books by Carolyn Haines for a little while now. I picked up the newest book int he series at the library this weekend. The books are murder mysteries based in the Mississippi Delta. The author is actually from Mississippi and so the books are so accurate that it's almost scary! From the use of first and middle names when talking to someone to the friendly and charming actions and speech, it really is on the money.

The South is different. For anyone not living in the South, you just won't get it. I moved to Mississippi from Florida. We joked that we had to move North to go South! Because, let's be honest, Florida is sooooo not the South. Florida is a weird mixture of Florida Crackers who have lived there for generations, Yankee transplants, Cuban immigrants and Haitian immigrants. The culture is different. Where I lived, in Central Florida, it was like a melting pot. Living in a college town, we had all nationalities, religions and political ideologies all mixed up together. People were very tolerant and accepting for the whole. People tended to be a little standoffish but friendly. There was a tendency towards rudeness, especially in the college town, and while I loved my friends and family and liked my town, it wasn't a big wrench to leave.

Mississippi is like a foreign country. Talk about culture shock! People are open and welcoming. There is a tendency to be all up in other people's business that I was never used to. While welcoming everyone, the people (as a whole, not at all across the board however) tend to be more judgmental. Less tolerant of differences in religion, sexual preferences or political beliefs. It's been weird. I love the friendliness and the openness. I hate the fact that I feel as if I need to hide the fact that I do not go to church. Or the fact that I am pro-Choice. Or even the fact that I have friends and relatives who are gay. Now, if you know me.... you know I am not one to hide anything. So, I have struggled with my need to be as open and up front as I normally am and juggling that with not wanting my daughter to have issues at school because of people judging us.

Poor Jenna had a rough week last week. Some people here seem to find the idea that my husband and I got married on Halloween to be weird. They have called us Satanists or asked if we worship the devil or are witches. I laugh at them. Jenna gets mad. She spent all last week telling people they needed to get their facts straight and that Halloween had nothing to do with the devil.... she got quite angry about the whole situation.

I think I lost the point of this blog post....

Basically, what I am saying is that while living in the South has been a revelation and an education, I will not be sad to leave. I will miss some of the people. And I will miss the friendliness and charm of strangers.... but I will be glad to get back to where I can be myself without any fear that my children will suffer as a result.

The South. A big mish mash of wonderful, beautiful, charming people and places mixed together with a surprising amount of judgment and inability to accept change and differences. Maybe it is just the small town South that is this way.... or maybe it is just me.

Eleventy-One in 1001

2009-11-01T14:33:00.003-06:00

I have seen several lists on different blogs lately and decided to look into what they were all about. Day Zero started a movement years back that involves making a list of quantifiable and realistic goals for yourself. The lists are 101 items long and you have 1001 days to complete them. Here is what Day Zero has to say about it:

The Challenge:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

So, since I have been on a bit of a quest of self improvement lately, this seemed to be right up my alley! It took me a while to come up with 101 goals. Then, once I reached 101, I thought of some more. So, here is my list of eleventy-one goals that I will be trying to complete before July 29, 2012. I will update the goals weekly as I complete or am working on each. I will eventually have a link in the sidebar to get directly to this post if you would like to check up on me! LOL As I complete goals I will make them bold. Any that I am in the process of working on will be highlighted in blue.

Implement a laundry plan
Exercise at least 3 days per week for 30 minutes (0/429)
Clean out and organize closet
Sell or donate all old baby clothes
Finish cataloging DVDs
Catalog books and organize on shelves
Pedicure once a month (0/33)
Implement cleaning schedule
Update address book
Start a price book
Finally go on our Honeymoon – Vegas or a cruise
Make a recipe book for Jenna
Finish teaching Jenna to drive so she can get her license
Give away 7 of the 9 cats (0/7)
Get two remaining cats fixed (0/2)
Walk or Run a 5k marathon
Reach my goal weight of 150 pounds
Quit smoking
Lower BP enough to come off of meds
Implement a savings plan
Research adoption laws for step parent adoption
Write one snail mail letter each month to family (0/33)
Visit Tupelo and Vicksburg before we move away from MS
Grow blog followers to at least 100
Write at least 5 articles per week for pay (0/715)
Write a budget
Get credit checks for me and DH
Make a list for debt snowball
Learn to knit
Knit a Doctor Who scarf for DH
Teach myself to quilt
Quilt the three blankets my mom started and gave to me to finish (0/3)
Learn yoga
Set up iPod station/ speakers in kitchen
Drink more water
Stop drinking soda
Cut out caffeine
Make a master list of craft projects I want to complete
Work on one craft project each month (0/33)
Finish potty training kid #2
Potty train kid #3
Finish my MBA
Get a new (to me) car
Blog 3 days out of 5 each week (0/429)
Go through old garage sale boxes. Donate or throw away everything.
Move boys into separate rooms
Get rid of at least ½ of all the boys' toys. Donate/sell/trash.
Go through children's books and organize
Build a second garden box
Learn to can
Learn to make really great risotto
Buy a back scratcher
Find a back washing tool that actually works good
Go through the rest of the still packed boxes of junk. Unpack/throw away.
Go through piles of old cords, electrical stuff. Organize/throw away.
Buy myself a laptop
Clean up and organize my favorites links on the PC
Read at least 20 books from this list that I have never read before (0/20)
Read 100 new books (not from the list on #58) (0/100)
Listen to one new band each month (0/33)
Have date night with hubby once a month (0/33)
Get a family membership to the YMCA
Swimming lessons for #2 and #3
Take the kids to Animal Kingdom
Take the kids to Sea World
Travel to Gatlinburg, TN
Sew a lap quilt for my Meme
Sew lap quilt for Mom
Sew lap quilt for MIL
Work on learning to meditate
Spend alone time at least once a month (0/33)
Make a list of books I want to buy new copies of
Grow pumpkins for Halloween
Set up a cookbook of favorites in Mastercook
Go camping with #1 in a tent
Learn to do origami
Take the kids on a picnic at least 4 times each year (0/12)
Go to the zoo once a month (0/33)
Make homemade play dough with the kids
Make homemade gingerbread
Start one new Christmas tradition each year (0/3)
Try one new herbal tea each month for a year (0/12)
Go to a concert or music festival once a year (0/3)
Try one new food or new dish each month (0/33)
Wake up one hour early each day for a month (0/30)
Have one unplugged day each month. No computer. (0/33)
Do something romantic for or with hubby at least once a month (0/33)
Learn at least 10 new words each month in FRENCH (0/330)
Make one truly awesome and decadent dessert each month. No calorie counting! (0/33)
Watch all 50 of the top cult movies on this list (0/50)
Buy a new camera
Do a detox/ body cleanse
Write to my Father once a month (0/33)
Visit the farm for a hayride/ corn maize/ pumpkin picking grand old time
Participate in bookcrossings.com and send out 15 books (0/25)
Participate in postcrossings.com and send out 25 post cards (0/25)
Learn to belly dance
Take a strip tease class/ DVD class and then dance for hubby
Buy all new lingerie/ night wear
Get a new tattoo
Take the kids on a train trip
Take #1 to Rocky Horror
Complete the Couch to 5K workout
Complete the 30 day shred
Complete NaNoWriMo once
Explore my spirituality
Write my will
Implement a recycling program for home
Take pictures of myself/ have hubby take pics
Dye my hair black again – with blue highlights
Make a new 11-1 list before the end of this one

A Falling Down Kind Of Day

2009-11-01T07:19:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was long and tiring. Fun, too. The kids had a blast trick or treating and didn't care that it was daytime. In fact, considering the number of injuries they racked up between them, it was probably better that they were doing it in the daytime! Malchai was dressed up as William Wallace from Braveheart... blue face and all. Braeden was Steve from Blue's Clues.

1. Malachai fell down while holding the hilt of a wooden sword in his mouth. I had just finished telling him to get it out of his mouth before he fell on it! He scraped the roof of his mouth. Blood and tears but no serious injury. Thank goodness!

2. Malachai fell face first into the edge of a door at one of the first houses we went to. Big bruise on the cheek.

3. Braeden tripped over a root in someone's front yard and went face first full length on the ground. Dirty, possibly bruised knees and an injured pride were the result.

4. Braeden fell off of a porch. He wasn't watching where he was stepping and tumbled right off. I couldn't help but laugh. He was fine.

5. Malachai fell down a total of about 3 more times, not paying attention to where he was going.

6. Braeden fell into a ditch. Too excited.

7. Malachai got a bloody nose. Not sure if this was a result of one of the falls or just because of sinus issues.

They got tons of candy, several bruises and a wicked cool memory!

Steven and I had a nice anniversary, nothing much to speak of. We had a library date early in the day (we are too broke for a real date! And we love the library) and basically spent some time together both talking and doing the horizontal mambo after the kids went to bed.

Jenna had a bad time at her party. No details here, just imagine gawky teenage years and crushed feelings and you get the basic drift. Go here to see pics of her costume.

If you want to read anymore about our Halloween wedding, go here. I don't have the time to go into a detailed post about it again.... the kids are awake and chanting "food,food,food" I need to go take care of that before they start eating each other.... hope your Halloween was frightfully fun! I'll be back later when I have time to post by 101 Things in 1001 Days list!

Later!

Quick note: Jenna is in the paper again today! Go here to view the great article. We are proud of her.... as always!

Here's Your Sign

2009-10-30T10:10:00.002-05:00

I think I need to make a sign. When my child/ children start screaming and throwing tantrums in the grocery store I will hang the sign around my neck so it hangs at my back and people can read it. Then maybe they will mind their own business. This is what it will say:

"Please ignore this screaming child. He is in no way being abused. I am trying to teach him that his bad behavior does not dictate what I do or what he gets. We will be leaving soon. If his behavior offends you, I am very sorry. If you think you can do a better job... I laugh in your general direction. Thanks for your patience!"

Think it would work?

Halloween Suckage?

2009-10-30T08:24:00.002-05:00

First, thank you to all who commented/ gave advice on my last post. I will update more as things progress with him. Wendy, I will be emailing you as soon as I get my thoughts together....

Honestly, what has happened to Halloween? I remember growing up and spending 4 -5 hours on Halloween night begging candy and scaring each other with costumes. Then staying up all night eating candy....

This year, in my town, there are designated hours for trick or treating of 4 - 6 pm. What? It's not even dark then! How silly is that! Yes, it will actually make things easier for the little ones, I will be able to get them home and in bed on time, but that's not the point! How am I going to be able to steal my month's worth of chocolate from their bags if they don't get to trick or treat enough???!!!??? Seriously. I am not sure if this is a delayed reaction to terrorism. Or if maybe it is just because we live in the Bible Belt. But whatever it is, I hate it.

This will be the first year that Jenna will not be trick or treating with us. Se is 15 now and people no longer give her candy, even if she is dressed up! So, since she has been invited to a party this year, she will be attending that and getting her costume all set while we are out trying to get candy. I'm not sure how I feel about her not being there this year.... my baby is growing up! She is going to a real high school party and will be celebrating without me. Too weird for words.

In other news, tomorrow is my third wedding anniversary! I will be writing a special little post about my hubby and the wedding later today or early tomorrow so keep your eyes peeled!

Seeking Advice.....

2009-10-28T13:02:00.004-05:00

When I went to pick Braeden up from preschool today, he was sitting in the Director's office.

#1: I was going to pick him up early because yesterday he spent the entire nap period screaming. I figured I would spare the other children his inability to settle down for a nap.

#2: When I picked him up yesterday he threw a tantrum in the parking lot and ran away from me in the middle of traffic. I then had to drag him (while carrying Malachai) to the van. He then proceeded to try to run away again when I set him down to open the door.

#3: Today, he spit on a little boy in his class.

So, he is not allowed to go on the field trip to the airport that was scheduled for tomorrow. I agree completely. In fact, it was my idea that he stay home. I am concerned that they would not be able to control him and he would cause problems. Be a danger to himself and others.

We saw his pediatrician last week. He has been referred to both a psychologist and a family therapist. I spoke with the therapist's office and his first appointment is in mid November. I spoke with the psychologist's office and we are in the midst of scheduling. I have agreed to a behavior log and observation by a behavior specialist at school.

(This post is just the tip of the iceberg with the behavior problems he has been having since starting school. And not just at school.... he has been horrible at home as well.)

We have tried every form of discipline and nothing seems to make an impression. I am at the end of my rope with him.... I am taking the steps to get him help and to help me help him. If that make sense.

What I need advice on is this:

He has a Fall Festival scheduled at the school for Friday. He will miss tomorrow because of the field trip. My gut reaction is to keep him home on Friday because I have a feeling that the festival will be too much for him. He will be overstimulated and act out. Plus, I think he needs to not be rewarded for his bad behavior. And if his first day back is full of parties and fun then won't he feel rewarded?

I don't know. Steven thinks him missing the field trip is enough punishment. Personally, I don't think Braeden has any concept of what a field trip is. He could care less that he is staying home tomorrow!

Not sure how to handle this one.

Any thoughts?

**UPDATE - My mother suggested taking him to school and just picking him up before the festival. Makes sense. But then I thought maybe I would just let him go.... I would be there to supervise as I was planning to volunteer and work a booth. And maybe it is best to just let it go until we speak to the professionals.... or, like Marilyn said in her comment, maybe it is best to let him see that school can be fun?

Still interested in any advice/ words of wisdom!

OMG... I Suck Today

2009-10-27T10:35:00.004-05:00

The 2 yo just smeared Organic Miso paste all over my kitchen floor. So much fun.

I am in the middle of one of the worst and most emotionally trying weeks that I have ever had. I'm sorry for the lack of blog posts but it really is all I can do just to get from one day to the next right now.

I am just glad that my teenager is decent and loving. If I had to worry about her doing drugs and getting preggers right now I think I would go insane. Thank you, Jenna, for having a good head on your shoulders. And thanks for the reminder that you love and appreciate me when I am feeling so down!

I promise to share what is going on with the 4 yo in more detail when I can. Just know that I am doing what I need to to get where I need to be with him. And trying to stay healthy and sane while doing so.

Wow. I guess Mal decided that since I just cleaned the kitchen floor and ruined his masterpi ece that it was now necessary to dump a 1/2 gallon of milk all over the clean floor. Impressive.

Just because I need the laugh today and I want to leave this post with something better than "OMG"....... enjoy.

Geeking Out

2009-10-24T16:13:00.002-05:00

SQUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Sorry. Geeking out and turning all fangirl there for a moment! But, I am so excited!

There are three movies that are about to start filming that I absolutely cannot wait to see. In fact, I can't wait to hear more about them in general. Casting? Locations? Anything?!?!?!?

First, The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan was sold to Seven Star Pictures. Taht's all I know so far.... except that I lurved the book and I can't wait for the next one to come out. If you haven't read it... you should! Coming of age zombie book. What's not to like?

Next, The Host by Stephanie Meyer will be made into a movie. Read more about this here. OMG. I love love love love love The Host. Don't let the fact that it is written by the author of Twilight turn you off. This book is fabulous. Read a quick review of it that I wrote here.

Finally..... after more than 30 years, ElfQuest is finally being made into a movie. I started reading the comics and graphic novels when I was about 11 or 12. I love the story. I love the art work. I love the characters. I can't wait for this. I hope it is handled well and that it is not screwed up like so many comic adaptations are...

Anyway. I am geeking out majorly right now and I don't know if I can wait for any of these movies to come out! I am getting ready to reread The Host.

And if Carrie Ryan ever wanders over to my blog and sees this... I would LOVE to get an ARC of the newest book when it gets released! I would totally review it. And squee over it. And love you forever. And I would even have your babies. If we could work that out. Just sayin.

Memories Of Peace and Love

2009-10-21T19:33:00.002-05:00

Thanks for the comments guys!

TentCamper asks: I'd like to hear about the place from your past/a time when you were at complete peace and the happiest that you can remember...we all have that one memory...what is yours?

Oh, wow. OK. See, I have had many times in my life when I have been completely content and happy and at peace. The times when this happens for me are when I am able to just live in the present. No worries about tomorrow. No concerns about what I might or might not have done wrong in the past. No thoughts about anything but that particular moment. That one spot in time when everything aligns just right to make happiness inevitable. It's all about the "now" of thought. Many of those times have been when I was nursing a child. Or cuddling in the middle of the night with one or more children. Or spending time with my husband. Or having really incredible sex. Or even just playing Monopoly with DH and the Girl... on a night when we had no TV and we all just laughed and had a great time.

Some time ago, I did a question session. And one of the questions was to describe my most sensual experience in less than 50 words. The result was the following poem that is about sensual experiences that, coincidentally, are also some of the most peaceful and happy moments of my life. (Yes, it is more than 50 words! LOL)

Sensual Snapshots Of Love

Soft flesh meeting softer
a kiss that consumes and devours
never the same after

flash

Heat beating down
warm, coconut-scented
oil-slicked skin
against soft grass
Muscles stretching and relaxing
to the rhythm of a Summer day

flash

Crisp Autumn air
wafting wood smoke in the wind
a roaring fire warming bodies
on frost-bitten ground

flash

Three in the morning
hot muggy air full of silence
rocking on the front porch
baby at my breast
a breeze drifts by
to dry the sweat
a kiss lands gently
to fill the heart

flash

Porcelain cauldron of bubbles
sweetly scented air
wavering light envelopes the night
as the candles surround us
music enchants us
love enraptures us

flash

Surrounded by strength
Captured by moonlight
Salty breezes ruffle
the scent that surrounds us
Shifting sands underfoot
Water rocking
Arms supporting.
Midnight at the beach

flash

Booming thunder
Roaring winds
Day bright lightning illuminating
icy rain on wet skin

It's All ABout The Attitude

2009-10-20T08:32:00.003-05:00

Welcome to my corner of the Universe to any new visitors! The Castle is my place to be myself and kick back a little bit.

Since I have been nominated as a Hot Mama by the dads over at Hot Dads, I have been thinking quite a bit about attitude. Being "hot" has less to do with a physical "look" or a perfect body than it has to do with attitude. While I consider myself to be quite hot and really sexy, I am not perfect by any means. I carry extra weight and have flaws and features that I am not happy with. However, when a woman carries herself and acts as if she is desirable and sexy, then she is much more likely to be perceived that way by others. And that attitude and the ramifications of it can carry over into other parts of your life as well.

My friend, Chelle, has always called me her "Hot Mama" and it only seems appropriate that the rest of the world follow suit! LOL Here is my fave pic of Chelle and I together...

I am on the left and Chelle is on the right.... I am her "Hot Mama" and she is my "Sexy Lady". And whenever we went out..... everyone knew we were the shit! LMAO

As a part of embracing my "hotness", I decided it is time to change my attitudes about the hardships my family is facing right now. Rather than bitch and moan all over this blog, I need this to be a place to relax a little more and forget about the troubles. I am fighting enough depression IRL that I do not need to drag it into the internetz as well....

So, all of my regulars and any new visitors, tell me what you want to read about here at the castle! Ask me questions.... I promise to answer truthfully. There are only a few things that I will not discuss on this blog, and I would tell you why I won't answer a question if it hits that spot. And I am more of a NC-17 blog than Rated R or X... but only because my daughter reads me regularly. And so does my Mom! So, I will not give detailed info regarding me sex life. Unfortunately. hehe

For any of you who have not visited Hot Dads, you really should pop over. It is always interesting for women to read about things from a man's viewpoint. I love reading their posts and think you will too!

My Balls Have Sharp Edges

2009-10-18T09:14:00.003-05:00

Juggling can be dangerous.

I may not be juggling knives but I am feeling pretty "on edge" right now as I juggle our finances. *groan* (I know. Very punny, right?) Seriously though, I feel like if one more financial ball gets thrown into the mix, all of my balls will come crashing down around my head. And my balls have sharp edges. (hehehe) It's been a rough time here at the castle lately. And I see no end in sight. So, while I would love to be able to post amusing and enlightening posts for the entertainment of my teeming masses of readers, I will probably be stuck in the same rut I have been lately. Bear with me. I am sure I will get my funny back one day. While we wait, maybe I can at least be punny. LOL

I am also struggling with more issues surrounding the middlest child and his behavior problems. I will, maybe, address that in a future post. Right now, the feelings are a little too close to the surface. My emotions are tender and in need of cushioning.... so I will keep them to myself for a bit longer.

I will be planning my menu for the week soon. We are eating out of the pantry again for another week due to, once again, financial issues. I have plenty of food available, I just have to figure out ways to combine what I have to make it pleasing and interesting. Any budget friendly meals based around rice would be appreciated!

I am also in search of a "Steve" costume for my 4 yo. You know, Steve? From Blue's Clues? Yep. That is what he wants to be. The Steve shirts I have seen on ebay are going for about $35 each. Way too much in my opinion.... so, if you have a spare size 4T Steve shirt hanging around.... feel free to send it my way! LOL

The 2 yo will be, hopefully, William Wallace from Braveheart. We have the kilt and costume, we can paint his face blue and he loves to scream and holler. Perfect. LMAO Jenna is planning to be a shifter in mid change from the show Supernatural. Steven is going to be a clone. (He will look just like himself. Get it?) And I still need to figure out my costume. I could be lil' Bo Peep again. Or a sexy witch. Or lil' Red Riding Hood after being ravaged by the wolf. Or a bad Faerie. Or Super Mom. Or..... no idea. I am open to suggestions!

All three of the kids are playing with their guitars right now. Steven really needs to start giving lessons. These noises may drive me to drink. More. he.

Catch ya on the flip side.....

I Would Totally Be A Vegetarian But I Can't Give Up Bacon

2009-10-15T15:25:00.007-05:00

My bacon cravings are through the roof today.... the taste, the smell, the look of bacon all make my mouth water. I could eat bacon and cheese sandwiches every day and be perfectly happy. Fat and unhealthy.... but happy! (Who am I kidding? I am slightly pudgy and unhealthy anyway! Bring ont he bacon!)

For today's viewing pleasure I bring you.... the Bacon Roll! Woven bacon baked in the oven, filled with cheese, rolled up and sliced. Yes. Oh, yes.

And then.... Chocolate covered bacon. So wrong that it seems just right. Anyone ever tried this?

Of course, just bacon and pancakes is always pretty nice, too. Or just bacon. I'm not picky.....

Something To Blog About....

2009-10-14T14:49:00.002-05:00

Yeah. I got nothing.

Wait, not true.

I have a 2 yo you loves to take the poop out of his diaper and bring it to me.

I have a 4 yo who is doing great in school scholastically but is unable to settle down and behave.

I have a 15 yo who just took the PSAT test today.... and makes me feel old.

I have a husband who is pretty fab but NOT HERE. These 12 - 14 hour days are killing me.... and him!

I have a broken AC unit in my living room, a toilet that has been running for 4 days and a living room overhead light that decided it was on strike this morning.

I have dirty laundry, clean laundry and wrinkled laundry awaiting my attention.

I have to do lists and menu plans and coupon clipping and ten million other house wifely things to take care of.

I have a NEED.... desperate and unattainable.... for a stiff drink....

It's been one of those days, folks. Time to go play in the rain, eat ice cream and jump on the bed. I think I am tired of being an adult today!!!!!

Is It Monday Again???

2009-10-12T15:10:00.003-05:00

This weekend flew by. The boys were typical overactive and rambunctious boys and kept us hopping! So, with no more than a blink of an eye, here I am back at Monday again! Today's post may be kind of long, so hold onto your hats!

I had to attend a nutrition class today as part of a new WIC program. For those who do not know, WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a food program geared to help out low income families and feed young children healthy food. They have made some major changes in the food packages we receive each month and have instituted mandatory nutrition classes every three months. It wasn't a big deal, only a 30 minute class. Today they talked about Fiber and how important it can be. I honestly did not learn anything new but several other women int he class seemed to. So, it is a good thing!

The new food package that we recived today was great! It includes a choice of 3 of the following: Fresh fruits and vegetables (choice of bags of apples, oranges, sweet potatoes or carrots) and canned fruit and vegetables (choice of 2 cans of diced tomatoes, green beans, peaches and pears, maybe more) , a choice of either whole wheat bread, brown rice or tortillas, a choice of cheese (American, string, Cheddar and others), a choice of cereals (grits, oatmeal and various healthy cold cereals) a choice of peanut butter or dried peas or beans, shelf stable milk, eggs and juices. They only had apples available this month for fresh fruits, though.

So, we get a food package for each of the boys. We ended up with two cases of milk, enough apple juice concentrate to make about 4 gallons of juice, 8 juice boxes, a package of string cheese, a package of American slices, 2 cartons of eggs, 6 boxes of Kashi Mighty Bites cereal (LOVE this!), 2 bags of apples, 2 cans of green beans, 2 cans of diced tomatoes, 2 cans of peaches, 2 cans of pears, 2 jars of peanut butter, 2 bags of brown rice and 2 loaves of whole wheat bread. I felt like I had gone shopping! What a great blessing WIC is to our family. Honestly, it is so helpful when it comes to stretching our grocery budget. Next month, I plan to get more fresh veggies and fruits rather than canned. And more bread since that is generally more expensive to buy than rice is.

Anyway. If you or someone you know is pregnant, breastfeeding or has a child under 5 years old, WIC can be helpful. It never hurts to apply! Not everyone who receives WIC is low income, some people have other risk factors that make them eligible.

So, after I finished with my WIC appointment, I did my menu planning. I have NO money to do any shopping this week. AT all. So, everything on this week's menu has to be made from things in my pantry and freezer. Hopefully it all turns out wonderfully!

Monday - Pork Chops with Creamy Orzo

Tuesday - Homemade baked beans with whole wheat biscuits

Wednesday - Spaghetti Pie and salad

Thursday - Curried Beef and Apple Couscous

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Red Beans and brown rice with Cajun sausage

I am participating in the 30-Day Encouragement Challenge over at Laughing Family. It is a challenge geared towards enhancing and enriching a marriage. As part of the challenge, I am supposed to say no negative things about my husband for the next 30 days. And am also supposed to say one positive thing about AND to him each day. I will be posting a positive message about my husband here on the blog each day that I blog over the next month. Since so many of my posts do complain about him and his foibles, I figured it was only fair to share the good things as well!

So, today's Encoragement is: I love that my husband will eat whatever I put in front of him! He never complains, he never turns his nose up and he rarely eats only one serving of anything I cook! This is a wonderful thing for me as I learn to cook new foods and experiment with recipes that do not always turn out as I anticipate! Thank you, honey, for always being willing to be my guinea pig!