Have Great Kids

Since Christmas Eve, my nine-year-old daughter has been so sick.  She has still not been able to play with any of her Santa stuff yet (I am hoping she'll wake up today feeling much better).  I took her to the doctor yesterday morning and the diagnosis was virus (good news - better than appendicitis) and she started to improve through the day to where she actually smiled. I had to leave yesterday evening to take my oldest to her basketball game and my son did such a great job taking care of his little sister - making her dinner to nibble on, making sure she took sips of fluids every 15 minutes.  He is such a good boy. 

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Drama-Filled Teen Life

My daughter got a zit on her chin and thought it was the end of the world (it was one small zit...not like she needs to worry about acne scar cream). Just wait several years (it better be several years anyway) when she gets stretch marks or needs an episiotomy!  That tiny, little zit loses its importance.  However, for now, in her teenage life, a tiny zit is HUGE. 

Somebody save me from the drama in a teen's life!

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Electronic Cigarettes

Has anybody ever used those electronic cigarettes?  I saw a group of teenagers using them and wondered about them so I'm looking for a electronic cigarette faq page.  Are they better for your health than regular cigarettes?  How are they cost-wise in comparison to the high cost of a pack of cigarettes?  Do they give you ashtray breath like cigarettes do?

I don't actually smoke (anymore) but with teenagers using them, I wondered.

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Lauren Klein Holiday Sale for Jewelry

The holidays are just around the corner!  Who knew, eh?  Given the state of every retail parking lot that is packed full, I think we're all well aware of just how close Christmas is and how little time you have left to finish up your shopping.

I found these beautiful 14K White Gold Diamond Princess Stud earrings at Lauren Klein.  I have five ear piercings and I need quality material in my ears to prevent infection.  These beautiful white gold stud earrings are just the thing for me! 

I was looking around at the rest of their women's jewelry and came across this necklace for a friend of mine.  It is yellow gold for the Star of David and is surrounded by a diamond circle in white gold.  Beautiful!

Lauren Klein makes it easy to shop.  For their merchandise, you can find a box on each product's page giving you all the important information such as: metal type, diamond information (weight, cut, color and clarity), and the gemstone information (name, weight, and cut). 

Another beautiful piece of jewelry:

Matte Finish Yellow Gold Diamond Cross
14K Yellow Gold, .65 ct round cut.

Lauren Klein also offers the very popular key necklaces.  These diamond key necklaces come in many different styles (with flowers, peace signs, personalized with your initial) and they come in yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold.  They key to my heart! 

I have a great promo code to share with you from Lauren Klein.  If you mention: Holiday Sale and use Promo Code shp10, you will get free shipping.  If you're ordering jewelry as a gift, they'll also put it in a pretty jewelry box and include a free gift card.  Get shopping! 

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Lost 20 Pounds

I've lost 20 pounds overall so far!  I pulled out a dress my husband bought for me when we were dating and boy is it tiny!  I'm not quite ready for THAT dress yet but a few nice women's dresses might be nice to wear again. A few nice short skirts with boots would be a nice in-between for school functions and stuff.  I can't wait to finish losing all my weight and go shopping for smaller clothes.

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More Inappropriateness from Stepson

Last week, my stepson sang and recorded a disturbing, obscene song and posted it all over his facebook for all the kids and family to see on his facebook.  The ex had no clue (because she doesn't monitor his online time).  At that point, I seriously considered blocking my younger kids from their older brother's facebook because of the inappropriate content and language he was using.  So, I let the ex know and she said she was grounding him from the computer for a week and had a talk to him about what is and isn't appropriate.  She didn't even take down the song for a whole week!!!  I didn't think that punishment was enough personally but I'd wait and see if it changed so I didn't have to block my kids from their half-brother.  My husband thinks his ex just told us that is what she did while she did nothing about it.

Well, nothing changed.  My stepson  left an inappropriate comment on his 11-year-old brother's facebook profile picture last night (the picture is of my son and his girlfriend at their band concert last week).  He wrote, "Get some ."  Get some?  He is 11 YEARS OLD!! 

I deleted the comment (hoping she and her parents didn't see it), let the ex know via email this morning what was left and attached a print screen of what was left (it's not like she'd believe me without proof in front of her face), and that he was now blocked from my son's facebook.  I doubt much will come of it. 

If it was one of my young daughter's, and somebody was leaving comments about "getting some" on pictures of them, I'd be upset.  I'm hoping I won't be fielding calls from parents today!

Needless to say, my stepson is now blocked from my son's facebook page.  It's sad that it has to come to that but my 15-year-old stepson doesn't know right from wrong because his mother never taught him and she sabotaged us everytime we gave him consequences for inappropriate behavior.  I also let my daughter know that he'd likely be blocked from hers as well. 

Yup, wicked stepom - that's me. 

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Technology Free Holiday?

I am really looking forward to my kids' holiday break to turn the alarm clock off for a couple weeks and spend time with the kids.  I'm tempted to turn the phones off and leave Facebook off and actually enjoy a really peaceful holiday this year.  Christmas always brings major dysfunction in the family and, on schedule, it has hit this year.  One of my sisters couldn't resist, I guess, and for some reason, she aimed it my way too.  No clue why since I don't talk to her ever...hmmm...maybe that ticks her off.  Oh well. 

I have enough left to do this holiday season so she can just stew in her own rage.  I have some shopping left that I want to get finished before my kids get out of school on break (Santa can't be shopping at Walmart or other stores in front of the kids), some gifts to get ready for shipping, and tracking down a Kangol hat for a friend.

I wonder why dysfunction always becomes amplified during the holidays, especially from people who you have no contact with whatsoever. What's the point of that?

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Other People's Kids

It's hard to grocery shop through Wal-Mart anymore because they have point of purchase displays for toys everywhere on the way to the food aisles, outside the toy department.  Don't these people have kids?  Don't they know that it starts the whining in the stores other people can hear from aisles away?  Of course they do.  It's the same reason they put a bunch of goodies next to the register - so kids can whine and parents can throw the food/toy onto the conveyor belt to stop the whining.

I'm pretty immune to whining for kids to get their way, thankfully, and my kids know better.  Listening to other people's kids cry though isn't a pleasant shopping experience.

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Winter is Here!

The frigid cold has hit!  I was wondering when it would.  It seemed like during Autumn, we kept getting teased by warmer temperatures.  Wow is it cold with blowing snow and icy sidewalks and roads. 

When cold hits, I want to head south!  Hawaii sounds good to me.  Relaxation, warm temperatures, the smell of tanning lotions (not on me because I fry no matter what with my lily white, ghostly skin but on everybody else).  Love the smell of tanning lotion.

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Ditropan Side Effects in Child

My five-year-old is on a bladder anti-spasm medication (Ditropan) and I have her at a half dose because she was hallucinating on a whole dose.  On a whole dose, her face was also splotchy.  The pediatric urologist doesn't want her to stop taking it and it does keep her from having accidents but I think she may be starting to hallucinate again at the half dose - it might have happened once anyway that I know of.  She's also started teasing and messing around (probably something she picked up from the kids at school - she's pretty good at it too) so I don't know what is teasing and what isn't.  I need to make another appointment at the Children's Hospital for her to find out. 

I never expected the side effects we had with this medication and it is a bit worrisome that both the pediatric urologist and pediatrician think this medication is still ok to take.  Side effects - especially hallucinating - are scary. 

Be sure to read the inserts with your prescriptions before taking medication so you know what to watch for no matter what the medication.  Some of those commercials on television seem to list side effects that seem worse than the symptoms of the disease they're for! 

Anything that affects the heart, mental function, or growth (ex:  check for extenze side effects), read the reviews, read the side effects, and make informed decisions. 

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Halfway Done with Xmas Shopping - Phew!

I am about halfway through with my Christmas shopping and about three quarters of the way through the Christmas money.  Huh, somehow that didn't work out right.  Guess I better do some fancy stuff with the budget this month. 

I found out that the XBox 360 Kinect system is sold out as well as most of the Monster High dolls (I found one...three were on the list).  Guess those are the hot toys this year.  My nine-year-old wants the Monster High Lagoona Blue doll and  Monster High Draculaura doll.  I found her Monster High Frankie Stein already.  Might have to extend the shopping area a bit.
My oldest daughter wants some stuff that will go in her floor trunk (like a journal, etc.) that I will buy her a lock for (she's almost 14 and wanting privacy).  Of course, I'll know the combination but she probably doesn't have to know that - or maybe she should.  I don't know.  She's into privacy, mood swings, boys and worrying about zits and good acne treatments like acsonix.  I'm not worried about her hiding anything yet but within the next couple years...oh boy.  I remember everything I did as a kid so I know what to watch for - she's not going to get away with much.



 

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Blah - Who Needs a Normal Family?

What do you do when your mother lies to you to protect one of the "chosen ones" (a favorite child)?  Being talked to, lied to, like you aren't smart enough to know already, is a bit degrading. 
I hate the dysfunction of our family and I am sick of the favoritism to some and disrespect/meanness directed at others. Mothers aren't supposed to be like that. I can not ever seeing me treating any of my children that way.

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Gotta Love Dysfunction During the Holidays!

Yikes, the annual holiday family dysfunction is here!  What are you going to do but just ride it through the holidays eh? 

I am making my Christmas list for family and friends despite the normal family squabbles.  I am trying to come up with different ideas. 

For the nurse or other medical personnel on the holiday list, how about a great pair of medical scrubs?  With Blue Sky Scrubs, it is easy to buy scrubs, scrub hats, nursing uniform scrubs, jackets, and more!  You get free shipping after spending $155 (they offer gift certificates too).  Being a nurse is a hard, honorable profession with the ability to manage ill patients and their doctors.  It takes a special, stable kind of person to be a good nurse. 

(Plus, scrubs are really comfortable to wear around the house too.)

Kids are pretty easy to shop for - video games, dolls, and Lego's seem to be the way to go (at least for my kids).

My husband is easy - he is a guitarist so his gift from Mrs. Claus is a guitar. 

What are we up to now?  25 shopping days til Christmas?  Better get moving!

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Bling Like a Celebrity

How many of you see a celebrity wearing something on the front pages of a rag magazine and all of a sudden, a new fashion trend hits the streets?  It's not just for clothing; jewelry isn't any different.  You have to go online and check out Lauren Klein for women's jewelry and dress yourself up to look like the celebrities.

I particularly love this Peace Sign Diamond Key Necklace (shown left) in Yellow Gold.  I can picture this around the neck of an A List celebrity easily, perhaps up on stage performing. 

Celebrities are all about the bling and Lauren Klein offers quality bling! 

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Christmas Ideas from Zappos

I am on the lookout for great deals on boots for Christmas.  I want to get each of my four kids a great pair of boots (plus give myself a Christmas present as well).  My husband could use a pair of work boots as well.  I am thinking for my husband, a pair of work boots from Dr. Martens.  For my girls, I am looking at the Jenny Pull-On Dr. Martens boots or the white lace-up Dr. Martens boots.  My son would probably like the Blake 3 boots.  I found them all on Zappos!
Zappos also carries clothing, handbags, housewares, watches for women, men, and kids.  They also have a great return policy and free shipping! 

If you order from Zappos.com, order before 1 p.m. PST on December 23, with free shipping, they guarantee delivery by Christmas!  That's great for those last minute shoppers! 

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Daughter's First Sorta Date

My 13-year-old daughter has a boyfriend and wanting her to be able to confide in me, and hearing what she has to say, are really two different things.  They held hands during a movie at school even though she said PDA (public displays of affection aren't allowed) - not PDAs - electronic handheld devices used for keeping track of your life like appointments, birthdays, contacts, etc. I have to hear about how good he smells and his muscles (gag).  I took her to meet him at the movies.  I sat elsewhere and heard all about how he put his arm around her and held her hand.  It makes me cringe a bit to think about my oldest girl being old enough to do this but if you think "I" cringe, you should see her dad.  He does not want to hear about anything - at - all! 

She called it a date.  I told her it was a "sorta" date.  It's not a date until the guy can pick you up, come in to get grilled by the parents, and leave (with his tail tucked between his legs too scared to make a move) with your child for a solo date. 

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Kids Christmas Lists

What is on every kid's list for Christmas?  Usually some type of video game system like the Nintendo Wii. I know it always is in our house!  We have both the Nintendo Wii and XBox 360 and now the kids want that Kinect system that turns the XBox 360 into more like the Nintendo Wii plus a bunch of games for each. 

I still limit their video game time for both but at least they get some movement out of systems like this instead of just sitting there zoned into the television like little zombies.  My girls love the cheerleading video games and are constantly bouncing around the living room playing the games. 

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First Sorta Date and the Honking Zit

My 13-year-old daughter was asked to the movies tonight by a boy she likes so she is going on a "sorta date."  I don't consider it a real date because I will be taking her and I will be in the theatre (sitting elsewhere of course).  I know a lot of parents around here just drop their kids off at the theatre but I'm not ready for that yet.  Especially knowing that if she has a devious bone in her body that I don't know about (and she will if she is anything like me), she'll be sneaking out of the theatre and doing other things until it is time for me to pick her up again.  That's not going to happen. 

She's been so nervous and excited about tonight that she got this honking zit on the side of her nose!  This is the biggest zit she's ever had so she's not happy about it happening right now.  I don't have any acne-pills but she's been cleansing her face better so hopefully, it won't become common for honking zits!

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Wedding Anniversary Next Month

My husband and I will celebrate our 15th anniversary next month!  I can't believe we've been married that long already!  My son asked us when we were going to renew our vows.  I'd love to look at men's rings and plan a vow renewal with the dress and party but we just don't have the money. Maybe when my stepkids turn 18 and child support stops, we can set aside a few months worth of what would've been child support and renew our vows.  There's an idea.  We can celebrate the end of the legal relationship with the ex and renew our vows in one big party!

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Occupational Therapy for Tendonitis

My husband just started occupational therapy on his elbow/wrist today.  They are going to do ultrasound (or ultrasonic?) and weight training to see if that helps the tendonitis or whatever it is that has caused him so much pain.  I'm wondering with all that ultrasound, if we should've asked for an insurance quote first, but then it has to be done so it's really not going to matter how much insurance doesn't cover at this point. He can't keep going on in pain.

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Break from Doctor Who

Guest post written by Dave Tanner

It always makes me sad when some of my favorite TV shows are on breaks. I'll even rewatch the last seasons just to stay caught up on them. Right now one of my shows, Doctor Who, is actually on break until Christmas, when the Christmas special is supposed to air, so I'm really missing it right now.

I had heard of the show before, but never actually watched it until this summer. My brother kept telling me that I could watch it on Netflix's instant watch and that I should. When I was thinking about rewatching all of the new show's seasons again, I came across the web site www.clearwirelessinternet.net/ and after reading through it decided to sign up for internet access with them.

Well, I did decide to rewatch the Doctor Who TV show from the first season over again. It's funny to watch them all back to back because then it's obvious how much their budget increased because it's reflected in the sets and special effects and just the overall look of the show, even the opening credits!

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Big Taylor Swift Fans

My girls LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Taylor Swift.  They enjoy singing her songs and playing her music on guitar as well.  My daughter sang one of her songs for her first talent show too (3rd grade).  I was thinking a great holiday present would be Taylor Swift tickets! Wouldn't they just love that!!

My daughter also wants a karaoke machine so she can sing Taylor Swift.  Her last karaoke machine broke so, of course, my little singing girl needs to have another.

Love Story

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Motion Sickness Question

We used to look at property in the area to build on in a few years but stopped when we planned to move out of state.  Since we are staying, I am keeping my eye open for 5-10 acres of property.  The only problem is a majority of the property that is for sale on our side of town is in an area that gets flooded.  We'd need engine driven pumps to keep the water clear!

The other side of town is the prettier side because it is all rolling hills, except my kids and I get car sick and the land is more expensive.  Can you imagine wanting to yak everytime you drove to the grocery store?  Yuck!

Motion sickness - it makes me wonder.  If I had been born in this hilly area, would I still get car sick?  What is it that makes some people get car sick and others are fine with it?  Are all people born in the mountains immune to motion sickness? 

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Safety on the Road

You are a mom out driving with your kids and you have car problems that prevent you from driving the car any further.  What do you do?  Do you belong to a roadside assistance club that you can call for help? Do you call a friend or spouse? Do you start walking with your children?

I think about this a lot because my husband's work schedule makes him being of much help impossible and I have no family in the area I can call.  I am chauffeur to my children for their various activities on a daily basis.  If we had car problems, it'd be up to me to figure it out.  I have my fingers crossed that I won't have to figure it out on my own.

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Fairy Godmother Makeover

I need one of these - a fairy godmother.  I want her to wave her magic wand and I'll be skinny again, with great skin and pretty hair. A closet full of clothes from The Buckle would be nice too! She'll just give me a slimming pill and poof! 20 pounds gone!  Oh, well, since it's magic, might as well go for 30 pounds gone!

On Friday, I am getting my hair cut and colored.  I've decided to try dark.  I'm not sure how it is going to look with my skin tone - might look like death warmed over - but I won't know until I try.  I know blond makes me look washed out.  My normal brown is blah boring.  I'm going dark! What the heck, it's only hair.

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Most Important Men's Vitamin

What is THE most important vitamin for a man to take if he was only going to take one?  I have been looking for a men's vitamin that includes everything a man needs but not being male, I don't know what that is and my husband doesn't really care all that much.  I have been telling him for the last few years that he has to start taking Lycopene for his prostate but he has no clue what Lycopene is (he probably doesn't know what a prostate is either).  I set his vitamins out for him and he's good for the first day or two of taking them and then he stops.  Maybe if they tasted fruity and were chewable like the kids' vitamins, he'd remember to take them. 

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Web Directories

I just googled web directories and my URL for this blog and it came back as being in a directory for parenting/mothers. I don't remember doing that.   Does google index things that way on their own? 

Maybe I did do it and don't remember.  That wouldn't surprise me at all.  My memory is pretty much mush anymore.

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Celebrity Weight Gain & Loss

Everybody makes a big deal about celebrity weight gain, like they're not human like the rest of us.  Of course, the rest of us don't have access to personal trainers on a daily basis and fancy diets and their choice of diet pills so they do have some advantages to the weight issue.  Of course, the average person's weight gain isn't splashed across the magazines for the world to see (can you imagine how horrid that would be?) so maybe it's not all that great.

Marie Osmond and Valerie Bertinelli did a great job with losing weight.  They look a lot better than I do and they're years older!

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9 Pounds Back On! Ugh!

I've gained back nine of the 18 pounds I lost.  I told my husband this morning and he said, "That's ok, there's just more of you to love."  He's just kissing up because I've been really angry with him the last few weeks so he's trying to score points. 

My thyroid isn't managed.  This silly little organ just wreaks havoc on my body!  My husband suggested I go back to managing my thyroid myself, which was when I lost all that weight to begin with.  I can. I just prefer to be able to have my new doctor's input and approval for it because he's trying and he's not close-minded. I just don't think he's THAT open-minded about my getting my medication from Thailand as opposed to him.

I know my weight problem is my thyroid and stress and if I get my thyroid managed, it'll go away.  That doesn't stop me from browsing the aisles for the best weight loss supplement. I can't stand being this big! It's so frustrating.

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Old & Acne? Seriously!?!?

I just turned 39.  I would've thought by now that acne was behind me!  I was browsing the supermarket aisles this morning looking for a blackhead removal product but didn't find anything that I believed might work.  So now I am going to search online at bestacnetreatment.net and see what I can come up with.

I have two spots that I am about ready to gouge out of my skin. Seriously! I've tried scrubs, pads, masks, and washes. I'm about at the end of my rope.  If I have to get old, wrinkly, saggy, and ornery from hormone upheaval, at least let me live without the acne!

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Order the baby gift baskets for a new mom at 40!

I have to tell this story here because my older sister reads this blog and this will freak her out.

This past Saturday, I turned 39 years old.  It wasn't a birthday I looked forward to because it is only one away from 40 (and boy do I dread 40).  While out to dinner with the husband and our four kids on Saturday, my kids asked me in the middle of dinner if we'd have another baby because they want a baby sibling. 

*sputter*  Huh?

OK, you tell your aunt that she's going to need another baby shower for us, get the baby gift baskets ordered, and see what happens.  You will hear your aunt either yell, or hit the floor, from another state!

Just kidding (about what I told the kids, not about my sister's reaction were it to happen, lol). 

No babies.  That is what I told the kids.  No babies.  I told the kids that we are too old to start over again.  Between our four and my husband's two kids, isn't six enough?  Geesh!  I mean, I know we give our kids awesome chromosomes and everything but come on, give mom a break here!

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Clumsy Teenager

This afternoon, my 13-year-old will meet her physical therapist for her ankle.  She has been so accident prone the last few years.  Must have something to do with the growth spurts or something.  I know I'm totally graceful so she didn't get her clumsiness from me.  Ha ha. 

She's sprained her wrist.  She's tore ligaments in her finger.  She's bruised her eyeball twice (to the extent the eye specialist told us at the time if she did it again, it could cause blind but we got through it without anymore mishaps so eye sight intact!).  Now it's her ankle.  Two of the injuries came from playing basketball and two of them came from messing around outside.  I can't even remember where the scar below her eyebrow came from. 

I wonder if all teenagers are clumsy.

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Bickering Girls!!

It's been one of those frustrating afternoons with the kids.  The trip to the pediatrician for my daughter's sprained ankle resulted in a referral for physical therapy.  Not a huge surprise and that wasn't the problem.

The problem came when I took four kids into Wal-Mart with me.  My three girls bickered, bickered, bickered.  No bickering from my son (of course).  Not what I wanted to deal with when my allergies have been bad since I woke up (Claritin isn't working).  Why can't females get together without bickering? 

The highlight of my afternoon:  My 11-year-old son wanted to spend some of his birthday money while my teenage daughter needed a bra so he walked through the lingerie aisles with us with his eyes covered.  His five-year-old sister steered him through aisles every color and size bra until we were done.  He gets that embarrassed.

I ended up so frustrated with my girls that I didn't finish shopping.  I wanted to look around at baby gifts but decided to come home and look at personalized baby gifts online instead for a better selection of gift ideas without bickering kids.  The kids are all outside playing and I get some peace and quiet to finish shopping for baby stuff.  Between the bickering and my allergies, I could not get out of that store fast enough.  It will be a long time before I shop with all the girls at the same time again.

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How to feel respect when all you think is STUPID

This Friday is the big day.  The day hubby is going to go 30+ hours without sleep so he can see his daughter in another state play for about ten minutes in her marching band, driving nine hours - on no sleep - driving home really late at night - on no sleep.  I'm thinking he'll get home around 4 a.m. or so.  Yeah, that's real smart.

Dad didn't even go to our teenager's marching band performance a week ago and he lives here because of his sleep/work schedule.  If our daughter realizes dad is going to watch her sister in another state but didn't adjust his sleep schedule by only two hours to see her performance, she's going to be hurt.  A little emotional blackmail from an almost 18 year old girl works on dad apparently and that whole sleep/work thing doesn't matter any longer.  If he kills himself, or somebody else on the road, in the process, then what the heck are his six kids going to do?


My husband told me yesterday that I am even turning away from him in my sleep.  What does that tell you about my anger level about this trip when my subconscious doesn't want anything to do with him either?  This trip is an accident waiting to happen, a financial strain not only for the money needed for the trip but he's losing overtime he's supposed to work (on top of the money he just spent on my birthday which I told him NOT to and he didn't listen - hoping to butter me up a bit?), and it is giving into a "child's" blackmail. 

Mommy Dearest (the ex) should be so proud of herself. She's trained her daughter well.

Then my husband asked me yesterday if I think my weight gain is stress related.  Gee, ya think I'm feeling stress right now?  It's definitely stress and it is definitely thyroid.  A lot of the stress is from his actions, or lack thereof.

I can't respect his choice here.  Not only is it stupid and dangerous, he went against everything we agreed upon before I would agree to marry him - that we would discuss decisions that affect our family together when it concerned his kids and his ex.  If somebody else was running the show, I wanted no part in it and I made that very clear before I accepted his marriage proposal.  Apparently, his daughter runs things now.  He certainly didn't talk to me about this before he made his decision.  He knows how I feel about it.  I hope he can live with the consequences because he's shredding my respect and trust.  If he gets himself hurt or killed, our four young kids are going to be devastated.  I can't speak for his two older kids because they don't give him the time of day ever - can't even be bothered to send him a text on Father's Day, or call, or visit.  I'm not even sure why the emotional blackmail to get dad to this thing on Friday.  The ex did say she'd save a seat.  Isn't that sweet of her?

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Ups & Downs of Marriage

There are ups and down in every marriage.  For the last couple of weeks, we've been on a huge downer.  There has been a lot of tension lately over his decision to drive nine hours next weekend to watch his almost 18-year-old daughter play about ten minutes of marching band material (the same daughter who doesn't give him the time of day at any time and purposely over schedules for anything she can so she doesn't have to visit her dad to make her momma happy, even ignoring him on Father's Day without even a phone call or text).  He'll spend gas money and his expenses for this trip when our kids need winter coats and jeans for school.

He said his daughter doesn't want to be a part of our family.  So why the trip when it is going to strain us financially? 

He told his daughter he had to work that weekend but she won't forgive him if he doesn't go so the emotional blackmail wins out over our own agreement between man/wife to discuss anything that affects our family, like this does before making decisions.  Even after telling him we couldn't meet our bills this month if he went, he's still going. 

He missed our own daughter's marching band performance last week because of his work schedule and that was in the same darn town as us and yet he's going to refuse needed and rare overtime and drive nine hours for a ten minute performance. 

To say I am upset is putting it mildly.  There's a very angry part of me that wants to tell him to go and not come back.  The fact that he doesn't talk to his daughter when she blows him off, blows her siblings off, really bothers me and this emotional manipulation on her part just heaped on resentment towards hubby for allowing it.  She is old enough to know better and as her father, he has a responsibility to be dad and talk to her about her hurtful behavior.

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Dreaded Birthday Tomorrow

Tomorrow I will be 39 years old.  One year away from 40, which I dread SO MUCH.  I am really hating this birthday.  I didn't want gifts or anything but as usual, the husband said too bad and took the kids shopping this morning for me.  I know they bought me a digital camera.  If I had the receipt, I could even tell which digital camera he bought me from what the barcode scanner scanned onto the receipt. As it is, he didn't give me the receipt like he usually does. Kind of a "no peeking" thing I guess.

Of course, when he goes to work tonight, I could easily find my present downstairs.  I could be sneaky that way.  However, I won't.  I don't think. 

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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Did you know that when you file for chapter 7 bankruptcy, you have to list all your assets' worth down to your furniture, clothing, etc.?  We met with an attorney yesterday to discuss the possibility of filing and he said we don't need to list each individual lamp but group it as a whole (living room furniture, bedroom, etc.).  Good thing they don't want to know specifically about our lighting, eh? One living room lamp, one bedroom lamp in this bedroom, one bedroom lamp in this bedroom, a ceiling fan here, etc.  That'd be a pain.  The whole process actually seems like a pain.

What was really sad is that when we walked out of there, we realized that we don't have a whole lot that is worth very much.  Besides the house, the cars, my wedding ring, two horses, and a couple guitars, the rest is just piddly stuff that wouldn't get very much at a garage sale. 

Not a whole lot to show for the last 21 years of adulthood.  Everything we have goes to our four beautiful kids so it's all worth it.  We'll get nice stuff after they're grown...unless it's going towards our grandkids at that point.

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Arm and Elbow Surgery

My husband might need surgery on his arm.  They think there might nerve damage or something else going on.  I guess after all the cortisone they shot him up with, that didn't work, the next step might be surgery.  He will find out when he sees the specialist if he will need surgery. 

I hope he's not going to need to use disability insurance or anything like that, but I would think if he is going to be off work for any amount of time, he will need to use disability.  Time will tell. 

Hopefully it'll be an outpatient thing that won't require major recuperating time or anything like that.

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Another Planet Found That Can Sustain Life?

Scientists have discovered another "earth" (earth, jr.), similar to our own 20 light years away.  According to Discovery, it might be habitable and in fact, could already have life on it!  Read about it here.  There are some differences (in terms of day/light and temperature changes), but the opinion seems to be that it can sustain life.

How cool.  I've always thought we'd have to be pretty close-minded to think we are the only ones out there. 

There is also talk that Christians will not like this discovery.  I don't know about that, not being Christian myself any longer, but I think it's pretty cool to know it exists, instead of just think it does.

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The Witching Hour

The kids just got off the bus not too long ago.  The dogs are nutty, the kids are all trying to talk at once, my middle daughter is arguing about the answer to a problem (nothing new there because she always asks for help and then tries to tell me why she doesn't like my answer), and I want to run and hide.

The witching hour has begun at my house...

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Close-Up Picture of Your Face

Wow! That was scary! 

Put your camera on close-up and take a picture of your facial skin!  I took a few because I wanted to post about blackheads and home remedies for blackheads but the pictures were too gross.  I ended up deleting every one of them from the camera.  No way am I immortalizing my awful skin online for the world to see!

Eek!  They could've used my pictures to make a Halloween mask! 

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Halloween Masks

My kids are already asking about Halloween costumes and what they should be.  Geez, let me get through September first! 



How about this old lady mask?  Sure, she needs a lot of wrinkle cream but hey, it's Halloween! 

My kids don't like scary masks so this one is perfect.  There's nothing scary about an old lady unless she's pinching your cheeks and asking you "for a little sugar".  (Sorry, grandma!)

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What is the best face cleanser?

What's the best face cleanser for a young teen?  My daughter is getting tiny bumps across her face.  It's not quite pimples yet so not sure I'm looking for acne remedies at this point. I think she just needs a gentle cleanser she can use everyday on her face?  I just don't know what that is!  A soap bar that's not soap?  Those cleansing cloths?  A face cream? 

I obviously have no clue.  I used to use Noxzema when I was a teenager.  I don't know what kids use nowadays.  After all, I was her age 26 years ago. 

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Kids Who Hunt

My big sis thinks she's going to be able to get my very sensitive kids to hunt and shoot down a deer (right sis?).  She'd have better luck handing them binoculars to watch for them and point them out for her to shoot them. Actually, they'd probably see them and not tell her so she couldn't shoot Bambi's mommy or daddy.

This will be interesting to see, but when they come crying out of the woods because auntie struck down a cute deer, or wanted them to, she'll have to wipe their tears, talk them through it, and lose sleep over it with them because it was her idea.  :)

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I want to invent a vitamin patch!

Can you take prenatal multivitamins as a regular daily vitamin if you're not pregnant? I am so depleted on vitamins and minerals, I'm thinking I need a boost.  As it is now, I double up once in awhile on my regular daily vitamin but I'm too afraid to do that more often because I don't want to OD on any one of the many vitamins in a multi-vitamin. 

I'm bad about remembering to take them regardless.  They need to make a patch for vitamins that you can wear and just absorb what you need for up to a week.  That'd be great!  There are patches for smoking and patches for birth control.  Why not a patch for vitamins?

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Mom, your cheeks are squishy.

"Mom, your cheeks are squishy." 

...says my 13-year old daughter.  Wasn't that nice of her?

It's a really good thing that human moms are genetically programmed to love and protect their young and that programming is very strong in me (anybody messes with my kids will deal with me).

So, yes, still struggling with weight loss.  I have struggled to lose more and struggled not to gain back what I lost.  It's not going too well.  I've thought about a diet pill that works but if my thyroid isn't working right, I don't know that there is anything else that can help until my thyroid hormones are right.

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Stressed & Relocating

Whew!  I'm feeling a little bit of anxiety now.  My husband has a job interview on Friday.  If they both agree to a job, he'll be moving within a week.  We will follow within a few weeks we hope. 

How am I going to get all of this done by myself, with four kids?  When I had to get us packed and ready to move by myself before, we only had two kids.  Now I have double that to move, plus five dogs and two horses.  Hubby will be in another state so it'll be up to me - again.  Darn, I really don't get paid enough!  Ha ha.

I guess I'll alternate between stress eating and fat burning supplements to counteract my stress eating!

I can do this.  I can do this.  I can do this. 

I didn't say I could do this without losing my mind though!

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Relocation List of Things to Do

We are actively looking to relocate back to our homestate.  My husband has two upcoming telephone interviews that have yet to be scheduled yet.  Wish they'd schedule them already!  I need to plan everything.  I'm OCD like that.  I need to know who, what, and when so I can plan what I need to do from there.  It's a compulsion of mine. 

There's so much that I need to do if it is looking like we are really going to move:

• Find good schools in an affordable place to live.
• Plan when/how to get us moved from point A to point B.
• Contact our current insurance company, and other auto insurance companies, to find out how much our rates are going to increase and who I can save money with. They decreased by 50% when we moved here so I'd expect them to double if we move back.
• Starting planning the transfer of school records.
• Research a new pediatrician, new thyroid doc for me, and a family doctor for both my husband and me, then arrange the transfer of medical records.
• Etc., etc., etc. 
• Get our docs routine vet care before we leave because it's less expensive here.
• Arrange for the transfer of 1-2 horses (I hope, I hope, I hope).  I don't want to leave them behind. 
• Etc., etc., etc. again.

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Riding Horses Again

Wow am I a bit sore today after my riding lesson yesterday.  Yesterday's lesson was the first one in two years - since my daughter's horse, Rex, had died.  I am being reminded of muscles I don't normally think about every time I move.

I wouldn't trade it for anything though.  I was so excited to get back on a horse again.  I didn't want to after Rex died.  That broke my heart, but I have to say it was time to get back on again.  It was so much fun. 

I thought I'd be starting over from the beginning, but I remembered how to tack my horse up again and trotted for about half my lesson.  It was like I picked up where I left off.  So much fun!!

What was also fun - - - being able to have a riding lesson without kids there yelling, "Mom?" repeatedly throughout the lesson for my attention.  It was just "mom" time yesterday morning.  It was nice.

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Willow Smith Releases First Song - Whip My Hair

If you don't know who I'm talking about, Willow Smith is the daughter of Will Smith (everybody knows who Will Smith is) and Jada Pinkett Smith.  Willow just released her first song under Jay-Z's recording label.  It's called "whip my hair" and I think the younger crowd will like it.  The "whip my hair" over and over again sounds like chipmunks to me but I'm not ten years old. 

I think she's nine years old.  With Will and Jada as parents, both Willow and Jaden Smith are going to be names in the business in the coming years.  I loved Jaden in Karate Kid.  His interviews to promote the movie were really cute too. 

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Say NO to Drugs Kids!

As a parent, drugs are a big concern to me, especially since my kids don't stand up for themselves very well.  I am afraid peer pressure will have them doing drugs that are pushed on them, or being there when drugs are being used and getting into trouble, because they don't want to speak up. 

I've been looking up what happens to your brain while on drugs and addiction facts.  Scary stuff.  I was what was called a "goody goody" - I didn't try illegal drugs as a teenager, never once.  I hope my kids follow in my footsteps because the drugs today are a lot worse than the drugs of my childhood!  Nothing wrong with being smart!

If you need to look up drug rehab for your area, as an example, google Portland Drug Rehab and you'll find what you need.  Don't let yourself get hooked on them. They'll destroy your life.  As the aunt of a little girl who is growing up without her dad because of drug use, it is so not worth it to lose everything you have, your family, and your life. 

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Slow Internet

We pay for high-speed internet, yet we don't have high-speed internet.  Why? 

I don't really know.

We got a new modem and Linksys router because we thought it might've been one of those, but neither fixed the problem.  The problem is with our ISP, I think, but they don't see what it is.  We went from high-speed internet access, overnight to dinosaur-age speeds - it's like dial-up all over again!  I am going to change our ISP this week I think because I've had it with waiting for our current ISP.  We've been like this for months!

I want blazing fast internet access for work and play (and by play, I mean my facebook addiction).

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I am out of things - google trends

I was looking at the hot trends for internet searches today and I don't know what any of it is!  Here they are:

• Stephen Green (who?)
• Reggie Bush (who?)
• Kellen Moore (who?)
• Google dots (what?)
• Charley Hoffman (who?)
• Google Balls (what?)
• Erin Gray (who?)

Am I out of the loop or what?  I don't know who or what any of this is! 

Maybe now that the kids are back in school, I'll have more time to actually read some online papers instead of separating fighting kids, chauffeuring kids around, and trying to veg out in front of facebook to give my brain some time to not have to think about anything.

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Monogrammed Baby Gifts on Sale at Baby Stuff Gifts

Baby Stuff Gifts is having a really great sale right now.  If you order now through September 15, 2010, you can get 15% off your entire order!  That's a really good discount for personalized baby gifts.  I love the monogrammed baby gifts, like the monogrammed receiving blankets.  The little monogrammed hooded towel for after baby's bath would look so cute too!

I just love babies - baby smell (well, the good after bath smell, not the dirty diaper smell), cuddling the little babies, watching their little fingers curl around your own, the tiny clothes and gifts.  I LOVE babies.  I was just telling my husband this past week that I needed to hold a newborn baby again.  He about freaked out because he thought I meant I wanted another baby.  I had to carefully explain to my almost 45-year-old husband of six kids that I meant I needed to hold someone ELSE's newborn baby for a little while to get the baby fix in and then give him or her back.  Geez!  Almost gave my old man a heart attack. 

Though when I start shopping for other people's babies, and seeing all the tiny clothes and personalized toys, the baby urge hits.  It goes away...but then it comes back.  It always comes back.

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Might Be Relocating

We are thinking about relocating to another state from where we live now, back to our home state.  We are in the process of job hunting and finding a house to lease.  You'd think finding a four bedroom plus house, in the country, that allows horses and dogs would be easy, right?  It's not like I'm asking for gourmet kitchens (wouldn't know what to do with one anyway), hot tubs (somebody would have to show me how to even open hot tub covers), and pools.  Kidding.

Well, not kidding about what we need, just that it would be easy.

If my husband finds a job, everything will move very fast from that point on in terms of needing a house, changing schools, etc.  Should be interesting.

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Nurse? Vet? Auto-Mechanic? What to be when she grows up.

My 8th grade daughter has to write a paper on what she wants to be when she grows up.  Are they already supposed to have it narrowed down by now?  Right now, she either wants to be a vet, a nurse, or an auto mechanic.  My husband is trying to talk her out of the auto mechanic but I told him to leave her alone.  One, because all of these will likely change in the next four years, and 2) if it's something she really wants to do, I'd rather she be doing what she wants to do, rather than what she doesn't want to do for the rest of her life, even if she ends up with permanently dirty fingernails.

My personal hope is that she'll go to nursing school.  She can become a RN in a couple years and have a career.  From that point, she'll be able to go to school for whatever if she wants to change career paths throughout her life while still making a good income from nursing.  I think it'll give her more options and security since there will always be a need for health care jobs.  I didn't tell her that though.  It's her choice.

Hubby wants her to try out for an orchestra.  Yes, she has natural musical talent.  HOWEVER, she doesn't LOVE to play her flute.  If it is going to be a career, I want her to love it.  Dad lost his own chance at a musical career when he got in trouble with the law his last year of high school and lost his scholarships to a great music school.  He's not allowed to push his dreams on the kids because he messed up.

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One of THOSE Mornings!

This morning was one of those school mornings when the kids argue, kids whine over brushing their teeth or the shoes they're wearing, patience wears thin (ok, down to nothing) and I start my day with a headache.  I LOVE these mornings.  Not.

Just think - I get to do this until June! 

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Direct TV in the Office

While picking up my daughter at school for cheerleading practice, I noticed they had Disney on the television in one of the teacher's rooms.  I had no idea they had satellite at the school.  When did that happen?

I think it's a really good idea to set up satellite television in the office.  When clients are waiting in the lobby, it gives them something to do other than stare at the wall or smile politely at the receptionist (you should still do that anyway but it'd be nice to have something else to look at after that was done).  When I worked as a receptionist, I ran for coffee and made small-talk with them but the client probably would've preferred to be left alone on their own (and I would have preferred using that time to finish up the quotations the customers were waiting on). 

Can you imagine how much nicer it would be to watch real television on satellite when the doctor is running behind (which 99% of them do), instead of getting overly irritated at the wait while watching those health programs they run on DVD's over and over about cholesterol and heart disease?  Put on HGTV or Disney instead!

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First Day School Tears

I am hungry for lunch and just realized, I don't have anybody else to fix lunch for now that my baby has started school too.  All four of our kids started today, including the littlest starting kindergarten.  That had me choked up leaving her there, especially since she did not look too confident as we were leaving, but hopefully she'll learn to love it.  I hope.

Darnit, my baby has started school.  She went to preschool but it wasn't the same.  It was only for 2-1/2 hours.  Now she's gone all day long.  That sucks right now but I'm sure I'll adjust quickly and like it eventually.

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Girl Circumcision Death - Female Mutilation

A girl died after an Egyptian doctor circumcised her.  Here's the article here.

Why is this done?  Religious reasons?  Thinking that females are less than males?  Why? 

It's mutilation in my opinion. 

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Might Be Moving

We are tentatively looking at possibilities for moving back to our home state.  The biggest obstacle is going to be finding a good job.  The next obstacle would be finding a place big enough to rent (with option to buy) that will accept dogs and has room for horses.  Finding a 4+ bedroom farmhouse, in a good school district, may or may not be easy.  I just don't know yet because I don't know where to look online for places "rent with option to buy" or just plain old "for rent" in another state.

I know I don't want to "settle" for just anything either like we did with this house.  I've spent the four years living here not liking this house because we rushed to buy it. 

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Free Disney Vacation Planning Services with Travel with the Magic

If you are thinking about a Disney vacation in the future, check out Travel with the Magic to plan the best Disney vacation, with the best deals!  You have nothing to lose because they offer free Disney vacation planning services!  Yes, that's what I said - their services are FREE!

Here's the details you need to know:

• Travel with the Magic will make your dining reservations, plan your itinerary, airplane, and more!
• If you've already scheduled your Disney vacation (including the Cruise Line), they can take over your reservation (at no cost to you and only about five minutes of your time) and make sure you have the best deal!  Plus, they keep checking back to make sure you always have the most current deals being offered.  Saves you a lot of time!
• Travel with the Magic will send you a Welcome Packet full of fun stuff for the kids plus information about the reservation and park maps for the adults. 
• If you have a problem while on vacation, contact Travel with the Magic while there and they will work with Disney for you.  No need spending time on your vacation dealing with problems that arise.  They'll do it for you. 

Travel with the Magic offers a great time-saving, money-saving service - for free!

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Should we turn garage into living space?

My in-laws mentioned remodeling our two car garage to turn it into actual living space.  We don't actually park our cars in there and it'd be nice to have the extra room.  I'm thinking either a master suite or a den, laundry room, and extra bathroom.  I'm looking at DuraMax Stronglasting Teton Vinyl Sheds 20221 as extra storage for the bikes, tools, and miscellaneous junk that garages accumulate.

When my in-laws come into town, I am going to ask them how much it'd cost to do something like this.  It might be something we can plan for in the future as a project.  My mother-in-law says we have to do it before my father-in-law is too old to do it (he's going to be 81 I believe). 

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Not Wearing Wedding Ring

Well, I haven't lost enough weight yet to put my wedding ring back on without feeling claustrophobic at how tight it is.  That's just weird that it would make me feel claustrophobic!  I can get it on but it is very difficult to take it off so I don't wear it.

I am contemplating whether I should look at a basic wedding band, maybe some wholesale jewelry, so I still have the "I'm married" ring on my finger. I don't feel right not wearing my wedding ring.

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'Cause I'm the Mom!

There are 16 days left until school starts and while I dread my littlest one starting kindergarten and my "running out of" kids at home with me, a part of me is looking forward to the routine and the quiet (and being able to clean the house and have it stay clean...until they get home from school).

I was enjoying summer break until a few nights ago when I had to ground three out of four of my kids.  Now they think I can be mean. Well, yeah, when you disobey and misbehave so badly that things start shattering in the house, momma is going to get mad. 

They were extremely upset.  They don't normally see mom mad enough to remove every privilege, unplug computers, and remove cell phones from their hot little hands.  They have to learn that rules are to be followed and I mean what I say. 

Relationships can be difficult.  They aren't always happy, happy, joy, joy.  They take work.  My kids can help me, and themselves, by not blatantly disregarding household rules.  My husband can just listen to everything I tell him to do and we're fine.  I'm just kidding.  He's a man.  He doesn't listen to everything I say.  I think it is genetically impossible.  We each try to find agreement with the other if it is very important to that other person and compromise on everything else.

If you're struggling and in need of relationship coaching, search for help in your area.  For instance, look up Relationship coaching New York for Contemplation Marks.  If you are in the New Jersey area, Contemplation Marks is holding a Heart vs. Mind discussion at Barnes & Noble on September 9, 2010.

I should send my hubby to New Jersey for that discussion.  I think he's genetically programmed to not discuss feelings too.

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Blew a Tire

My husband is a road biker (bicycles, not motorcycles).  He can ride 20-30 miles in about an hour.  On Saturday, he rode about 50 or so miles in the morning to raise money for a new bike trail.  He went out this morning riding and blew a tire.  It was a good thing he was within walking distance of the house by a mile or so because he hadn't brought his cell phone with him.  It's not like he has roadside assistance club for his bike! I tell him and tell him - bring your cell phone just in case. Being male, he didn't listen.

I wonder if he'll bring it now in the future. Wouldn't want to get caught 20 miles out in the country and have to walk home!

Men!!  It seems like he purposely chooses not to listen because I tell him to take his cell phone with him.

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Diamonds

I love diamonds!  I'm a diamond girl.

That is all.

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Went on a Mini-Vacation

It's been a couple weeks since I've posted here.  I got busy with the kids and went on a mini-vacation, just me and the kids.  It was four against one for a four hour drive each way and they didn't do too bad.  We drove to a family reunion and saw family we hadn't seen in forever.  Got a little baby fix in and sang happy birthday to several little ones.  I probably should've looked for baby gifts at redenvelope before we went but it was a last minute decision (seriously, we decided two hours before we left).  I am more than happy to buy baby gifts for other people's kids rather than have more babies myself.  That time has come (with four children) and is now gone (with me heading towards 40). 

Other than the sunburn that blistered on my back, it was a good time.  Maybe next time hubby will be able to come with us and make it even better.  I missed him, but I am glad I went.

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Eczema & Thyroid Disease

Another clue that my menstrual cycle was just off (again) instead of being pregnant should've been the small eczema patches on my leg and chest this past week or so.  I only get eczema when my thyroid needs attention.  Once my thyroid hormones get close to where they should be, the eczema goes away quickly. 

I get blood work next week so that'll give me some clue what my thyroid has been up to this past month. 

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Won't Need Prenatal Vitamins - Whew!

Being female sure is a ride!  I'm a week late this month (well, late compared to my cycles for most of the past year) but I am not in need of prenatal vitamins because I'm not pregnant. I was beginning to get worried even though it should be virtually impossible for me to get pregnant right now.  I even took a test to make sure! 

The thyroid affects many things, including menstruation.  I used to be 40-45 days apart for years, then I went down to 30 days for most of this past year except when I was down to every two weeks for a couple months (which was a bummer), and now...still waiting!  With the change in thyroid medication and dosage last month, I should've expected it but it still had me a little bit worried.

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Clostridium Difficile Illness from Antibiotics and Hospital

If you've been in the hospital for more than a couple days and on multiple antibiotics, and then get home and within a few weeks start to experience major digestive upset, you might have contracted C. Diff. from the hospital or because of one or more of the antibiotics.  It is not pleasant at all if you have. 

I did after my hospital stay in May and let me tell you, I was beginning to wonder if I had irritable bowel syndrome or colon problems. I was looking up all kinds of things online for digestion, antibiotics, bacteria, www.supplementing.com/supplements/colon-cleansers/, etc. when I came across C. Diff (Clostridium difficile, often called C. difficile or "C. diff").  I knew right away it was exactly what I had.  The symptoms matched up completely.  No question.

It doesn't make sense that the cure for one illness creates another, does it?  It was awful.  The cure is another antibiotic.  How strange is that!?!

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Stressful In-Law Relations

We have an upcoming vacation planned and some unexpected (aggravating) news to bring our joy over our vacation down a few notches.  Part of it is going to be spent with somebody who hated me for years.  Sounds like fun right?  Instead of relaxing and enjoying a few days with family, I'm going to be stressed while spending a few days with family.  I figure by the time the vacation is over with, I'll need deep wrinkle cream (or xanax).

To cancel the vacation would disappoint my husband's parents (which I don't want to do) and based on hubby's "silent, moodiness" the last couple of days, he doesn't want to cancel even though he's not thrilled at the news either.  We'd reschedule the vacation, which was hubby's first choice, but I need to see my uncle on the first half of our vacation because it'll probably be my last chance (he's had cancer the last few years) so it's either go then because we can't afford two different trips.  Not to cancel the part of the trip with the difficult family member will disappoint me and drain our bank account to pay for an unhappy vacation (and probably end up with hubby and I fighting during vacation over his sister).  Oh decisions, decisions...   Here I thought vacations were supposed to be fun!!

Darned if I do and darned if I don't.  If I do, I need to figure out how not to let this person totally ruin the vacation and stress me out.

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How to tell if a person is drowning

Do you know the drowning you see on television isn't usually the way drownings occur?  Every parent should read this article here.  I had no idea.
Another important article to read, about dry drowning, can be read here.

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Cheap Auto Insurance Rates

I received a letter today about saving a few hundred dollars a year on car insurance rates.  With us living check to check right now due to reduced hours the last year, and falling behind, saving a few hundred dollars a year would be nice.

I've not shopped around for automobile insurance rates in years, which is bad when I think about it.  It just becomes so easy to pay that monthly auto insurance bill without thinking too much about it when you've been running after six kids. 

With the economy down the drain right now, it's forcing us to think about how and where to cut back on what we can and save on what is necessary.  Our cars are a necessity for work so car insurance is a must.

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Oily Hurricane

Will the next hurricane in the Gulf be an oily hurricane?  The National Weather Service is predicting an unusually heavy hurricane season.  With oil spills just off the coast, will a storm surge drench people's property in oil? 

Will Tropical Storm Alex turn into Hurricane Alex?

I hope not.

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Landscaping Ideas

I was online last night looking up my dry shade plant options and got sidetracked looking at pond plants. I'd love to have a water feature in our yard with a small rock bed of water going downhill into another pond to catch it.  My father-in-law did this on his property and it is really neat.  The kids love it because they can watch the frogs and turtles enjoy it as well. 

I have big ideas on redecorating and landscaping.  Only problem is I didn't marry Bob Vila or even Tim the Toolman Taylor.  I have to stick to the very basics when it comes to redecorating with my hubby:)

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Point and Shoot Cameras

I am looking for a good point and shoot camera.  My husband told me to start researching digital cameras for my birthday. I told him that's not until October but hey, I'll start now.

I have a good digital SLR camera but I want a smaller, more casual camera for everyday picture taking.  It needs to have a better than average zoom on it with good picture clarity (mega pixels) for using it at the stable taking pictures of my daughter on her horse.  I don't take my SLR camera to the stable often because of the dust.  I'd hate to get arena sand in my lens.  The camera I am looking for also needs to be able to take video.  It needs to be able to go from a birthday party, to a school music program, to the stables.  I'm not sure what to choose from.  Any suggestions?

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Hospitals and Antibiotics Make Ya Sick...Seriously!

It appears that my hospital stay and treatment for PID ended up giving me something new to treat - C. Diff (aka Clostridium difficile, C. difficile colitis).  What a pain in the behind!  Um...literally.  I'm taking new antibiotics now to get rid of the infection caused by the treatment from my other infection...makes sense eh?  Sure doesn't help my trust in the medical community at the moment.

It also makes me want to learn more about natural remedies because if the pharmaceutical treatment for one infection gives you another (and a nasty one at that)...that's just stupid!  If I hadn't figured out what was wrong with me, I wouldn't have needed any weight loss products because the symptoms of C. Diff. make it pretty difficult to enjoy eating anything or retaining any nutrients from what I could eat.  I'd have wasted away. 

It's been one very long month and I am looking forward to the day when I don't feel sick anymore.  It's coming soon.  It has to.

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Repair Pal: Great Auto Repair Estimate Site

We're trying to plan another vacation in July to visit family and I have my fingers crossed that my transmission will make it to and through that vacation because we're driving.  Besides the rumbling being plain annoying, I hope it doesn't give out during the drive to or from.  That would really stink.  They initially thought it was a wheel bearing but I paid to replace that and guess what?  Still rumbling and shaking!  They told me to drive it until it goes, unless I'm ready to spend $2,000-$3,000 to replace the transmission, so I'm driving it.

I'm never sure if I'm overpaying, especially being a woman.  I did pretty good negotiating the brakes and rotors I needed this past winter but sometimes, mechanics make me wonder how much they are trying to get away with because of my gender.  I found this great site to get approximate estimates for different car repairs.  It's called Repair Pal.  For instance, if you are looking for Chicago auto repair for a water pump for your Toyota Corolla, you enter that search criteria and it gives you repair estimates for your area.  I used it to see if I overpaid on my brake pad and rotor replacement and it was within the range, on the lower end, which makes sense for our rural area.  I did good with that negotiation!

This is a pretty cool site.  One I will bookmark for future reference.

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Easy Flower Garden

My flower garden has turned into a jungle with all the rain we've had.  Weeds have been out of control.  My four kids and I went out there to weed today but we waited too long.  The ground was too dry and hard and nothing wanted to come out.  What a pain.  I need to get all the weeds out so I can plant impatiens and other annuals between my perennials.

I don't have a green thumb to begin with and I'm definitely not at the level to need hydroponic systems for plant growth, but I'm managing the very basic. I'm just happy my Stella D'Oro Daylilies and Hostas have come back a third year in a row! Now if the weeds don't choke them out, they'll come back next year.

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Wedding Cake Toppers

My husband and I didn't have a big wedding. He was in the middle of a court battle with his ex and a big wedding wasn't a priority.  Part of me regrets that. I still look at the white wedding dresses or things like this pretty cake topper though we celebrate our 18th anniversary this year. The opportunity for white wedding days are long gone.

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Direct TV Shows No Loyalty to Returning Customers

Well, I tried to get satellite television service but the Direct TV rep ticked me off so I didn't sign-up for a two year contract.

What happened was they wanted to charge us more for the service than they would a new customer because we used to have Direct TV last year so we are considered returning customers.  How does that make sense that a returning customer would be charged more?  I would think they'd give a discount for loyalty or something!  I told them that too.  I guess they didn't want a returning customer bad enough.

I wonder if we'd be considered a new customer if it was in my husband's name because I was the customer the first time - different name but same address?  Not sure how they view that.

I guess I look at our other television options for our area besides Direct TV.  You'd think in this economy that businesses would be working to gain customers, not lose them.

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Tour de France for My Marriage's Sake

The Tour de France runs from July 3 to July 25th and if I don't get television service back up by then (we've not had it for months and I've been enjoying not having television all year long so far), I think I'm going to be in need of some Relationship coaching because my husband probably won't forgive me.  I'm just teasing...he'll forgive me but he won't be too happy for the month of July. 

The Tour de France is a really big deal to him.  He used to race bicycles.  When I met him, he was more cross country through trails (hitting trees and getting thrown over his handlebars...sounds like fun right?).  Then he switched to road cycling when he started to feel too old to keep getting knocked around on the trails.  Eventually, his knees put a stop to his racing but he still loves to watch the Tour every year. 

It looks like Lance Armstrong is racing again this year.  Yup, I better get the satellite company out here soon. 

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School is Out. Straitjacket anyone?

School is out for my children for the summer.  Instead of one little one home, I now have four kids home including one teenager whose moods swing back and forth so fast they give you whiplash.  Here's hoping for a smooth summer!

I'm thinking it's not going to be that smooth though, especially where my teen is concerned.  She likes this boy...who is the ex of her best friend.  Her best friend still likes this boy.  They both say it isn't going to come between them and I hope it doesn't.  They are really, really good friends.  The one good thing is that she won't see this boy over the summer (and neither will her best friend probably) so while the girls are spending time together, hopefully they are both getting over this kid. 

That's the problem with living in a really small town I guess.  Eventually, crushes are going to overlap because there seriously aren't enough decent kids to choose from.  Ha Ha.

She is only 13.  I have several more years of this.  Straitjacket anyone?

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Teenagers with Weight Perception Problems

My 13-year old is complaining that her stomach is big (believe me, it isn't at all...she has an athletic body).  She was also complaining yesterday that her legs were too long and she didn't want long legs. 

Where do kids come up with these things?  Most people love the idea of having long legs and a flat belly.  Why are legs too long and bellies not flat enough? 

If she starts trying to diet or look for natural weight loss products, I will get upset. Hopefully, this is just normal teenage complaining (she's really good at that).

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Oldest Getting Driver's License

My stepdaughter is getting her driver's license in a couple weeks.  She's actually a couple years late getting it.  In fact, her little brother is in driver's training right now too.  I don't know if she took her time getting it due to her schedule or fear (anxiety, OCD). 

She doesn't live near us so my car is safe from a teenaged driver thankfully.  Otherwise I'd be looking for the best anti wrinkle cream because I know my nerves would be shot knowing when one of our kids was on the road. My oldest is 13 so I have a couple years before I need to worry personally.  I know I will worry too.  The thought of my kids being teenage drivers, knowing some of the things I did as a teenage driver, scares me.

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Do you know the symptoms of thyroid disease?

From what I've read, there are higher incidences of thyroid disease than what the doctors find because labs aren't read correctly.  If you're experience fatigue, memory/focus problems, skin problems, weight gain or loss, or worried about hair loss prevention, and other unexplainable symptoms, you need to ask for thyroid labs be drawn (Free T3, Free T4, TSH, T3, T4, ferritin (iron) come to mind off the top of my head) and see if your problems are your thyroid (or your doctor's inability to read the lab results correctly. There are new standards in place for some thyroid lab results that the labs and doctors don't even follow!

It took doctors almost nine years to figure out I had a reverse T3 problem! 

Crazy, right?

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Moms Can't Get Sick

I am so behind with everthing since getting sick this past month.  I have to get caught up on balancing the budget, paying bills, doing paperwork and filing, and so much more.  I forgot that our auto insurance is due tomorrow and I haven't paid that yet either.  Mom gets sick and it all goes to heck, lol. 

I should get another auto insurance quote while I am thinking about it too. We've been with the same auto insurance company for 15-20 years now. I wonder if there are less expensive options out there. I guess I'll just add one more thing to my "to do" list.

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Medical Alert: Always Ask for Medical Record Copies

I found out after asking for copies of my hospital labs from my hospital stay a couple weeks ago that the CT scan also showed gallstones and diverticulosis.  Neither of the hospital doctors said a word about it.  I'm glad I went back to the hospital and requested copies! 

Now I'll use my scanning software to scan them all in and send them to my family doctor so I can talk to him about what needs to be done next. I've already called them and told them about it so they're expecting more information that they also didn't get from the hospital doctors. 

That's just crazy!!

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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) can be a very serious infection and if you suspect you have it, you need to get to the doctor ASAP.  I was hospitalized with this a couple weeks ago.  It was caused by an overgrowth of regular bacteria found in my body (not an STD which the doctors assumed until the cultures came back proving otherwise).  The antibiotics they gave me in the hospital were not fun but the morphine they gave me for pain gave me a couple hours of bliss.  Ha ha. 

I was released from the hospital after my fever and pain level went down.  Boy was I ripe!  When you can smell yourself, you REALLY need a shower.  The acne was bad too.  When I looked in the mirror for the first time on my 3rd day (day I was released), the zits were horrendous.  How disgusting.  I didn't have chin acne but the nose acne made me look 14 instead of 38. How embarrassing. I wonder how long I had whiteheads around my nose and didn't know it! 

I am on the mend now.  I am not back to 100%.  The pain still comes and goes and I am still on antibiotics.  It will take me longer to get better because I can't take my medication during the day because they make me really sleepy and I have a little one to take care of.  When I take them at bedtime though, boy do they give me a hard night's rest (and leave me real groggy in the morning).

The long-term prognosis is unknown right now.  I may have scarred my reproductive organs up enough to be infertile.  I just don't know the extent of damage yet until more tests are done.

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Middle School Field Trips Far Away

My daughter's 7th grade trip this year was to Chicago - a few states away from us.  We couldn't afford to send her and didn't think it was a good idea that she went anyway (due to problems we've had with one of her teachers) so she missed it.  We have been looking at pictures her friends took while in Chicago.  They should get hired for brochure printing for tourists with these pictures. It looks like it was a fun trip, not necessarily educational but fun.  I'm not sorry we didn't spend $400 to send her on this trip at all. 

She's asking to go on the 8th grade trip already for next year which is to Washington D.C.  Oh lordy help me.  At least that would be educational but spend money to send her to Obama's house?  Hmm...lol.

We never did field trips like this in junior high.  Boy how things change.

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3rd Grader Talent Show Auditions Next Week

My 3rd grader has a talent show audition next week. She is going to sing The Climb by Miley Cyrus.  The courage it takes to get up on stage and sing in front of the school kids, teachers, and parents is just beyond me.  I could never do it.

My husband seems to think that he'll get me up on stage for mic nights at some local places to play guitar but I know it'll never happen.  Besides looking up lipozene reviews for weight loss help since there's more of me than I like to think about getting on stage, I am not and have never been one to get up on stage to have the attention centered on me playing or singing like that. Now out on a dance floor, that's another story.  I'll leave the stage for my husband and kids. 

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Boys and Teenage Girls

My 13-year-old is in love - again.  I think she's going to end up with a broken heart - again.  It seems like this guy is just a really good friend to her but she's developed "those feelings" for him.  *sigh*  I see the need for wrinkle filler in my near future.

She wants to know how to talk to him, how to flirt, etc.  I need another ten years to answer those questions I think. 

They talk all the time at school and text every evening.  That might be a sign that he likes her as more than a friend, but in his case, he's just friends with a lot of people like that I think. 

A convent or all-girls school is looking good right now.

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Kids Say the Darndest Things!

Kids are SO honest.  Today when I wouldn't put on a skirt because I want to lose weight first, my four-year-old daughter asked me, "You mean around here?" and she pointed at her waistline. 

Kids say the darndest things, don't they?

I just laughed.  I know where I carry most of the added weight so it's not like she surprised me. I could do with a good belly fat burner. Heck, I could use a mega belly fat burner! Ha! Ha!

I'm glad my husband doesn't care about the added weight at all.  I care though.  It's important to me that I don't feel like a lump.  Ick. 

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Cancer Sucks!

A high school friend passed away yesterday from cancer.  She was a year younger than me and never had a bad word to say about anybody.  She was one of those people who was always sweet, always helpful.  We sat together in our business classes and became friends.  After graduation we lost touch, which so often happens, and then facebook put us back in touch again recently. She ended up marrying another friend from high school.  I feel really bad for him right now.

I'm sure this is not how it really is but from an emotional standpoint, is seems like the good people are taken too early.  People with pure hearts leave too soon.

Very sad.

Cancer sucks!

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Puppy Housebreaking Problem

I need potty training help!  My puppy will not use her puppy housebreaking pad consistently if there are any area rugs around for her to use instead. She ruined the rug under my dining room table! We pulled it up and got rid of it and she's using her puppy pad now 99% of the time.  She'll use clothes too if they're left on the floor - bathroom towels too - so I have to be extra vigilant behind the kids when they leave a trail of clothing and towels after showers or else there are 3" piddle spots on clothing.

I sure hope I can eventually have area rugs in my living and dining room again.  I wish she was a little bigger and could go outside with the rest of the dogs but we can't risk a coyote or hawk getting to the little 3 lb. bundle.  She's a bit on the high-maintenance side.

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Downside of 30 and Getting Tired

Where do four-year-olds get all that energy?  My daughter ran me around the yard a few times yesterday and I was tired!  I need to build some endurance if I am going to keep up with her this summer (and always keep my inhaler on hand). 

I was looking at an elliptical machine, wishing we had room to have some good equipment in the house (that doesn't just collect dust). Our house is too small though.  We walked by some in the store and my daughter said, "Mommy, there is your exercise stuff."  Yeah, in my dreams.

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Oil Spill Biggest in the World?

The oil spill is worse than originally thougth according to the BBC.  According to the latest report, it has a circumference of 600 miles and it covers 28,600 square miles.  It is 16 miles away from shore and with the weather changing tomorrow, the shoreline might be impacted.  There is a third leak just discovered.  There are 11 workers missing (presumed dead). 

It's expected to be the biggest oil spill in the world - ever.

To read more, click here.

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Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico

So far, they've collected 48,000 gallons of oily water from the Gulf off the Louisiana coast.  It hasn't reached shore yet but if the winds shift...

According to what I just read on ABC News, they are still trying to get the leak stopped as well.  What a mess. 

When I think about the environmental impact of it, it's very sad.  I went online to read up about hydroxycut but got sidetracked by this. The effect this has on wildlife...sad.  I hope they get the leak stopped soon. 

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