HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

I want to take this moment (I am not drunk I swear) to wish everyone

a Happy New Year! May 2009

be a wonderful year for each and everyone of you!!

God Bless and Keep smiling..

it makes people wonder what you are up to ;o)~

Good bye Old hello New

Today is the day before the new year, we watch as 2008 comes to a close. In 2008 we added Miss Emily to our family, we moved from a crime driven area to a genuinely nice area, and we learned some important life lessons along the way. We met some wonderful people, we said goodbye to some people who we needed to get away from, and we said good bye to some that we were sad to see go. With the close of 2008, we welcome 2009 with open arms, we wait with watchful eyes to see if our economy can bounce back, if campaign promises will be fulfilled and if change is really coming or just a clever word used to get elected. I am ready to see what happens but I am also worried for the economy, I am worried for our family that we won't survive this horrible mess we are all in. But I look forward to what is coming new..

Every year we all make New years resolutions, we all do it.. by January 5 we all question what the hell we were thinking and do what we can to break them as fast as humanly possible.. ok we all may not do that.. but I do. This year i have three.. without further aideau.. .

Tricia's New Years Resolutions:

1) I plan on losing weight so I can look in the mirror and like me. My goal is to give up on my beloved Dr Pepper.. ok.. not completely.. cutting off Dr Pepper totally would be dangerous... for my husband and children. So instead I will cut back to one a day (and no chuck it wont be my 7-11 cup full :oX) I plan on drinking more water and exercising more

2) I plan on stop spending money like I am a millionaire, to stick to my budget. I can do this, it will be a challenge but I can do it. Make a grocery list and stick to it and dont shop when I am emotional. Hmm do I get one last emotional shopping trip goodbye? No i don't need it.. sniffle..

3) I plan to dance like nobody is watching, laugh outloud one time each day, and love like nobodys business. ;o)~ Come on 2009...bring it on.

These are my plans.. now to stick with them.. THAT will be the catch ;o)~ Wish me luck! Happy 2009 to everyone, if you are going out, please be safe. If you are staying in, drink one for me!!

Misc Mumblings of a woman gone mad......

Ok seriously its not that bad.. but... its gotten rather close. First of all, my mom update. My mom is still in the hospital, she had a minor stroke, which is more then a mini stroke but not quite a full stroke. she just told me a few minutes ago her head is pounding and I made her call her nurse. I am nervous that even though it may be nothing something big might be brewing and it scares the hell out of me. I can handle alot, but losing my mother would be something that would send me over my edge. They have given us a few whammys today none that were that shocking but it still sort of sucks to be so far away. Mom has diabetes (not altogether a shock.. nana had it), Mom has high chlosterol (moms ingredients on her potato "salt, butter, sour cream, butter and salt" (think i am kidding? ask chuck) and they are doing an echocardiogram to see if she has congestive heart failure. they have her on blood thinners, and she is on a water pill for something (I am not sure what). They tried an MRI last night, but she is claustrophobic and she freaked out. :o( So we will see what tomorrow brings. But as of now she is stable.

Today, I took Mary to her birthday luncheon (her birthday is Monday with Emilys), we took her two best friends and her bestfriends Mom Kenya (who is a very good friend of mine) we went to Cinema Cafe and saw Bolt. Two things 1) This movie is completely adorable..we laughed and laughed and laughed and 2) Rhino the Hamster kicks butt!! hes so cute too!!!! Hes just a fat happy hamster guy who loves Bolt. (you have to see this movie.. TRUST me.. Mommy's don't lie)... isn't he just a doll???

I even made the girls goody bags.. we found bangle bracelets and really wild socks on clearance at walmart and put those, some lipglosses that were on clearance, and some candy in there. The girls were tickled ;o)~ and it was cheap! bonus.

I finally found Emily a dress for her birthday and a crown ;o)~ lol. she doesnt like the crown as much as Stephanie and I do. .but we arent trying to entertain her.. we are trying to entertain us lol. the first birthday cake is to entertain her right? Just saying...I can't believe Emily is going to be one.. heck I can't even believe Mary will be 11. sighs. I am getting old. Ok.. seriously.. Mary is running out to the garage to get Lazy sister a soda... I had to interupt my blog to tell you guys this.. the child is wearing a redskins hoodie.. knee socks that go to her thighs and elf slippers.... sexy.. really.

Edited to show you I was not lying.. this is a crappy pic taken with my cell but you will get the gist.. i am not sure you can miss it:

Ok more tomorrow.. :o)~ Please still keep Stellan in your prayers and my mom Betty.

Not me Monday

I did not blog for three days about what a complete jerk my brother is.. even if it is true.. because that would be really screwed up of me.

I did not just cry at the end of Princess Diaries 2 even though I have seen it like six hundred times and I am just a sap.

I did not have to make myself blog today, because while I am typing this blog, my mother is in the hospital undergoing observation and tests to see if she had a minor stroke or something more. ;o( (Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers)

I did not just witness Emily get changed for the FOURTH time today as she has found M&M's, other chocolate (man.. does it make anyone else nervous when you see something brown around your childs mouth and they are only sitting around 4 feet from the litter box..) and then she found ketchup on the plate David left on the couch. .fun stuf......

I did not really almost stay in bed today because I didnt want to get up..

I did not avoid posting here, all the results from last weeks tests for David, because I am still in a panic about it. David is getting that stupid label the school wanted, but its so much more then we thought it was going to be. :o( Which is sort of hard to handle.

I did not just get all the way through this blog, wondering with every word I type if my mom is ok. and how would I survive if shes ever not.. :o(

More later on today, I am sure when I know what is up with my mom.. please also keep Stellan in your prayers, he belongs to the mommy who started Not Me Monday and is not doing very well.

Eureka! we found him!!!!!!

No, not a missing pet... no, not a missing relative.. and no not my insensitive brothers 3 sizes too small heart.. we found HANDY MANNY!! We got David (ok Santa got David) the truck for Christmas.. we looked high and low and in about literally 12 stores.. NO luck. are you kidding me? I made the BAD joke that he was hiding from us.....but thankfully today, the K Mart pretty much everyone refers to as Ghettomart had sitting on their shelf not 1 but 2 Handy Manny's. WOOOHOOO!!! we quickly purchased both (one for David and one for Caleb) As I hit the belt buckle he says "Oh thank you.. Gracias" just hit me as sort of funny. ;o)~ Course with all the snarling and crying I have done over the past few days it was sort of nice to smile.. or have something to smile about.

Today, we cleaned the house from the holidays and unpacked, I told myself I was going to take down the tree but umm.. well it can wait another day or two. I promise by Emily and Mary's birthday it will probably be down. (that works right?). I love putting the Christmas stuff up, I loathe taking it down.. Last year it just magically disappeared.. which may or may not have been due to the fact that I was 100 years pregnant with Emily ;o)~ I think this year we will go with a Fairytale theme for Emily and Bratz for Mary. but next year since they are Em and M we may go with an M&M theme. I still have yet to find the one year birthday dress... or even shirt.. I will find one if not she has a really cute cupcake pillow case dress she got from Punk Rock padding (Christine is a dream over there!!! www.punkrockpadding.com) I am NOT the perfect mom as proved in an earlier blog.. I have not planned the party etc to the T.. but with six.. two on the SAME day (10 years and 3 minutes apart....that's talent) its sort of a challenge. I will figure it out, one day this week. I cant believe she's about to be one.. ;o( This was the baby that was supposed to go slow.. shes the end.. my exclamation point... sighs.

OK time to go watch The Sound of music with the kids (yes I have seen it a million times too but who doesn't love the music???). More tomorrow..

Be it ever so humble.....

There's no place like home.. .for so long last night I was seriously debating clicking my heels three times and repeating "There's no place like home... There's no place like home....There's no place like home" but I knew it was just not going to be that easy. My brother and I had another blow up... and then I got told by my mother (who seriously saw her halo turn from gold to brass for a little bit), "well you ALWAYS pick on him first" (trust me.. Chuck, Me, and Mel (who I text messaged quick as can be) all replied the same way.. "huh?" I went off.. on my mom.. I am not proud of it.. but I was like "why are you sticking up for someone who calls you such lovely names and tells people he is JUST waiting for you to die?" Grrrrr... anyways.. after I sat with Chuck and told him I was done and ready to leave right then, my mom stopped and sort of recovered her brain (and halo). Today, all I said to him was hello... that seemed to be enough. I was polite.. It was a challenge. I am not sure what will happen with him... my mother thinks it will blow over... but I am in the mind frame right now, where I am not ready to stop being mad or even apologize. I won't. Spoiled rotten reply or not, I am not wrong. His behavior whether its fueled by alcohol, general mean streak, or just a desire to hate a little boy who has done him no wrong, is wrong. I just can't do it anymore. I have decided until he changes, we will skip holidays at my mothers house, this news did not thrill her, but its for the best. Now I just have to be strong enough to do it. That will be the hard part.

ok.. enough about my brother... deep breaths.....

It is such a relief to be home, I missed my house, I missed my bed and I am thrilled be getting out of living out of a suitcase (Which I loathe), I even missed my kitchen, and as weird as this will sound my bathroom (my mothers has ZERO water pressure). I am very glad to be home and plan to head to bed soon.

So, what is everyone's plans for the New Year? I am not sure what we will do, every year we throw a party at our house, but my two oldest boys are up at my moms visiting their cousin (this was again a battle.. I didn't want to leave them.. but in the end I did). I am sure we will have some friends over and I will overcook ( I am REALLY good at that) and we will probably play Apples to Apples or something silly. (Chuck has to work most of the night, but will be home before the ball drops). And after the new year. .just four short days later.. my baby turns 1.. and Mary turns 11. :o( my kids are all growing up.. I wish we had a way to slow that down ya know? Just a little bit... slow down the time, and take more time with them as babies. I love that Emily is 11 months old and still wants to be snuggled before bed, I love that David still likes to sit on my lap and watch a movie or play with toys, that Mary still realizes its ok to be a girl and play with dolls. I am glad my last 3 aren't as rushed to grow up as my first three .. Hopefully it will last a bit longer.....OOOO I got a song for that!!!!!!

Let them be little
Billy Dean

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
You felt so good in it; no bigger than a minute.
How it amazes me you're changin' with every blink.
Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon.

So let them be little,'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give 'em hope, give them praise,Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

I never felt so much in one little tender touch.
I live for those kisses, your prayers an' your wishes.
An' now you're teachin' me how only a child can see.
Tonight, while we're on our knees, all I ask is:

Please, let them be little,'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise,Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

The so innocent, precious soul:
You turn around, an' it's time to let them go.
So let them be little,'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give 'em praise,Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,Let them sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.
Let them be little

:o)~ I think I just found the perfect song for my kids.. giggles. Go me. More tomorrow.. who knows what time.. we have to grocery shop or start feeding the kids the tiles off the floor.. grins.

Just a Mother Lioness......

That's the best way to describe me today, I am ready for a fight with my brother. I am ready for him to say something insulting (he usually does), waiting for him to call me a name, waiting for him to be well himself. But I will NOT subject my children to it. I am guarding them like a hawk, keeping them out of his path, if he is one room we will move to another. If he is eating in the kitchen, then we will not. This is NO way for a family to behave, but certainly any mother can understand. I don't care if he decides to say lousy rotten things to me. Ok thats not true. I care and it bugs me incredibly bad, butI would rather he spew his venom on me then to do it to children who have NEVER done a thing to him. Mr Perfect can bite me. I am NOT going to let him get one snide remark off on my kids today, and if he thinks I am he is out of his mind. I feel like we are being forced out of my mothers house early because he is here. Because he is here and I am not convinced he will know how to shut his mouth. And God knows my sweet mother can't do anything about him because then he will turn around and say something to her. (a great example.. he calls her "The Old bag" Isn't that just lovely? What kind of a person would do that? He goes on about how rough his life is, his twin brother (also my brother) David died from AIDS in 1997, he got divorced (which was the best thing ever for him.. she was almost as sarcastic and nasty as he was) and he had to move home... he lost his kids for awhile because she lied to the authorities, in the end, he got them ALL back and now she is in Florida alone. (The "Old hag" paid thousands and thousands of dollars for him to fight her in court.) But he has a rough life... he doesn't like David because I named him after his twin.. OH the horror.. who again btw. was my BROTHER too. David is named for my brother David and my fathers middle name Erich. Oh well.. he can just build a bridge and get over it. I am not sure why he doesn't like Emily other then I remarried an amazing man who is a billion times better then my ex husband.. whos NOT a bad man hes just not the one for me, and he doesn't approve. blah. oh well. What gets me is my mother doesn't see it. She sees he's nasty but doesn't see that he treats those two so bad. This morning I fed the baby her breakfast, and we sat at the same table not a word exchanged.. because believe me I would have called him something that is not printable if he would have started..

argh.

I am really thinking of leaving today just to get away from him, but my mother is adamantly against that. She wants us to stay, probably because we don't come visit. We don't come over here because of my brother, I dread holidays, because of my brother. I dread anything having to do with him because hes a jerk. Thanksgiving he played Jeckyll.. Christmas we got Hyde. I am done. I can't deal with him anymore.

Ok.. sorry to be so down and grumpy but its just the way thing go eh?

Merry Christmas to all.. and to all a good night

The day started out ok.. but my brother Gregg quickly did all he could to screw it up. He has this knack for drinking too much and then well.. speaking. Thanksgiving was the holiday i was dreading.. and it was wonderful. I looked forward to Christmas and it stunk so bad I am thinking of going home tomorrow instead of Saturday. I don't understand him.. i have six kids.. six wonderful bright kids... he treats the four i had with my Ex like Gold.. hell he treats my EX like Gold . ya know the one who slept with my best friend for three years BENEATH my nose..Yep, thats him. And treats me, Chuck, David and Emily like we don't belong.. < GASP! > I am CATHOLIC and I got divorced and ::::oh the horror:::: remarried!! how dare I! Yes, he was married and NO, hes not anymore, they divorced too. Only Mr Perfect would never consider remarrying.... hes Mr Perfect. @@ Only in truth, he is so far from perfect its not even remotely funny.. argh!

Ok.. anyways... deep breath.. sorry had to get that out.

Christmas minus my brother the tool the day was really good. Santa was good to me, Chuck was amazing as always and the kids were great. I told my mom now i remember why I never come visit and it hurt her feelings, but who would want to come visit and feel unwelcome? Honestly......

I hope everyone had the most amazing holiday, with lots of love, good food, and happiness. And I hope 2009 brings you health, peace and love. God bless!

WOOOHOOOO!!

Today is Christmas Eve and as much as a pain in the tail everything has been (I swear there are people in Walmart who know me by sight now.. and then there are some who are still mad at me or mad in general because they have no Christmas spirit). This morning I ran all over the world for my mother.....I mean.. I love her I do.. she is out of this world the most amazing woman, but.... I swear if I don't 5 minutes of peace and quiet I will lose my ever loving mind. We easily have enough food to feed 2 small countries Armys, but hey at least no one can say "there is NOTHING to eat" well without having their tail kicked that is. ;o)~

So, we are now on the way to my mothers, and yes I am blogging... its like a drug I cant help it. We packed the car up while Chuck was at work, I had my annual Christmas nervous breakdown, and now we are on our way. WOOOOOHOOOO. Finally, paydirt for alll the stuff we have done. Now lets just hope tonight is as peaceful and wonderful as Thanksgiving.

If by chance I don't get time to post tomorrow (christmas and all) MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I hope Santa treats you all great!!!!!!! *MUAH*

Ready or Not.......

Today, is the day before Christmas eve.. AKA the day my sweet wonderful mother blows up my phone. She will call me anywhere from 10-20 times (in the next four hours) because she will want me to run from one side of the great Hampton Roads area to the other.. why? well there are roughly five reasons. 1) My mother does not drive, so I am her legs er her wheels. Well, except she lives 200 miles away and I am running on my own 2) My family while supportive for the most part.... doesn't always like to get involved to help (think about this for one second--we have dinner and presents for 20 some odd people and nobody likes to do anything...so Mom calls me.. the one who lives the furthest away.. make sense? if it does.. can you do me a favor and explain it to me? 3) She will make a decision, change her mind, alert the media, and then change her mind back or again, its one of moms quirks. 4) Mom is a little neurotic. don't get me wrong, my mother is the most awesome woman in the world, but... she definitely has a flair for the dramatic... which *I* may have inherited.. (stop laughing Chuck). 5) and finally, Mom will give me five or six different shopping lists.... the first one will be quick and easy, by the end though, I will be one of those idiots in walmart that people are cussing at because I am on the cell phone asking Mom "what do you wan if i can't find Yep, today is the day Verizon wireless makes a fortune off of me.. fun stuff.

Meanwhile...we have two days til Christmas and i am done shopping.. and WAIT it gets better.. head Elf number 1 even WRAPPED everything.. my goal is to be home tomorrow packing to go to my moms. That's my goal... now... if I thought for one second it could happen well that would be awesome.. however.... i am not stupid.. so I know it will not happen that way.. *sighs* (ok off topic) Emily is standing up against the TV watching Super Why.. and dancing to the music.. shes so darn cute.. ok.. back to my topic.....

We had David's ADHD appt....and David was in super active hyper active mode.. he zipped around like we fed him a 50 lb bag of sugar... and thats just David normally. The doctor didn't want to give the school their "label" and about had a conniption when i told them about the Vice Principal telling me that David can return when we "know whats wrong with him" @@ I have a five letter word for her.. rhymes with witch.. let me know when you get it.. ;oX bad Tricia I know.. but OMG. anyways... so they wrote a letter telling the school THEY have to get a child psychologist to evaluate him and do a child find study (which FYI I asked for in SEPTEMBER!) because they want their findings and then the will work on a solution. I so cant wait until January 5th to hand carry this letter to their school. ooh buddy.. ;o)~ lol

Ok.. and finally a great Christmas story.......So my mom sent me to buy a nativity set... we found a really cute little people nativity set, i called her half joking and said "well i found one.. its made by fisher price" she says "Thats the one I want" I was laughing .. but i bought it for her.. ;o)~ so i get it home and David sees it in my hatchback of my van, he says "whats that?" I said "thats for Nana" he says "but SHES OLD! and its a toy" LMAO. I called my mom who replied "Thanks a lot!" and laughed.. ;o)~ out of the mouth of babes.

More tomorrow assuming i can still type seeing as my keyboard is still super sticky on the inside from the soda i spilled inside of it on Sunday..woops.

Not Me Monday...

Good Monday Morning today brings us to yet another wonderful rendition of Not me Monday.

I did NOT spill an almost fan can of soda on my laptop while on the phone with my mother and then begin to cry because I am at my wits end.. it always seems there is one more bill or something else and being broke sucks. I did NOT cry because what silly 37 year old would cry over such a thing? Not me.

I did NOT let my kids eat hot dogs and crescent rolls last night because I was too tired to make a good healthy dinner. Not me.

I did NOT get out of bed and search for the alleve because I felt like hell to find out it was in my room on Chucks bedside table. I did not groan audibily because I had wasted steps and felt like crud. Not me

I did NOT stop and watch PS I love you everytime it was on this weekend because I just love that movie.. Nope not me.

I did NOT play Sudoku while in the middle of this blog because I needed my "fix" cause that would be sad. Not me

Ok confessions are over.. i am off to get some stuff done to prepare for the trip to Alexandria.

So so much Sunday

So this morning Chuck and I woke up at 10 AM (yea I know. .I hate us too), and we immediately got to work cleaning our room. No, we are not Oscar the grouch and it wasn't that bad.. but we had mounds of clothes that had to be put away. As easy as it is to wash and fold, lately the putting away has escaped me.. its ridiculous to say that we have too many clothes right? well, we do. but sadly. as much as we have. Emily is worse.. someone who works with Chuck gave him a 32 gallon trash bag FULL of little girl clothes.. Inside were some of the worlds cutest outfits I have ever seen..... and name brand stuff too. But Emily now owns... 62 pairs of pants :oX and I gave a bunch away on freecycle. My mom started to laugh out loud when I told her that too. it really is sad. She has two full drawers of long sleeve shirts, two drawers of dresses, a full drawer of size medium and large onesies and so many short sleeve shirts and summer clothes that I figure next year at this time we MAY need to buy clothes.. its actually a little sad. We did go through and fill a box of stuff for someone from freecycle and we also filled a Disney store bag (the great big ones) for some friends who have had some issues lately. I am glad we are so blessed to have so much, and so many friends who have helped us (Karen <3, class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Nikia <3)

We did our family "mini Christmas" yesterday...we do a nice family meal (this year we did the worlds easiest meal.. we made cheesy chicken and rice casserole with rolls and a cake for dessert. And we take the kids stockings early in the day, and we refill them... I knew this was going to be exciting this year because David is VERY into Santa. So i pointed out that the stockings were gone, and he said "oh no! my socks!" I said its ok.. santa must have taken them. And then Chuck (Mr Claus), Stephanie (head elf) and I (Mrs Claus) stuffed the stockings in the van, while we ran around getting a few other last minute things. We came home, he, David, AJ and Emily went on a drive and Mary (mini elf 1) and Danny (mini elf 2) helped us get everything down stairs to the living room. And then I made "The call" to Mr Claus.. I said put me on speaker phone and I told him to hurry home that Santa had been here and left presents to which David said "DAD! hurry up and drive!" They got home and we did our Christmas here, the reason we do this is two fold 1) so we can do this as our family and 2) so we dont have to cart as much stuff up to my moms. So the following gifts were received:

Emily got a winnie the pooh activity table that I got on sale on Black Friday, this thing is DARLING and she loves it. oooh and she got a birdie cage Xylophone, and a shirt because obviously after what i told you all earlier you see she really needed clothes.. um. ok not so much. but its cute it says "hug me, kiss me, hold me!" and she got her stocking that was stuffed with fun stuff.

David got a Little Einsteins laptop, which is perfect because he is VERY into letters and numbers, he got the Little einsteins Baton (ITS NOT A WAND MOM! its LEOs BATON!.. mea culpa.. mea culpa.. mea MAXIUM culpa) and he got Hungry Hungry hippos..i have heard about this game FOREVER I knew he had to have it, now I will just pray we never find one of the little white balls in Emilys diaper ewww.. and he also got his stocking filled with stuff that was fascinating.. um. for a four year old.

Mary.. well Mary came REAL close to getting coal.. but i was good. instead she got a tinkerbell handheld game, a Baby Bratz doll (hurry up and get these if you haven't they go off the market in January and most places have started clearancing them already), and she got her ipod shuffle... may I say this child has been a DOLL the past day.. gee i wonder why? :o)~ oh and her stocking.

AJ ooh we got him good.. he asked for a hoodie (check), a Mets skull cap (check), an Ipod (oh yea we got him GOOD.. he didnt see this coming at all), a handheld baseball game, a watch and his stocking... not as exciting as toys but he asked for the hoodie and hat.. so we did good ;o)~ btw, mary and David got watches too..

Danny got the new Harry Potter book that JK Rowling put out.. its real short but he was tickled.. Danny is a book junkie, Danny also got head phones for his Ipod he got last year, Three lego characters you build and they do something.. I know I know I should know.. but I don't... sighs.. oh and a battleship game (yes the handheld games are for the car to avoid hearing "shes looking at me" "hes touching me" "how much longer?") No watch for danny, he got one for his birthay, but he did get a stocking.

Stephanie got her makeup set that she begged me for.. I am talking she offered to clean her room FOREVER...she got her sunglasses (big and blingy.. so teenager), and two new shirts.. I said "not very exciting" she says "all materialistic SO cool!" um ok. weirdo. .she got her stocking too.

Chuck got his presents, he got a watch with a gadgetty knife (boys and their toys), The new JD Robb book (no, I dont know the name.. I dont read them lol), a hand held game of Press your luck.. and then he got me.. good. I mean.. I am talking I didnt see it coming... And for chuck thats impressive.. I got a tea pot (I love hot tea and really wanted one) that I am told was from the kids, then I got a hoodie (mine was religious.. it was very holy haha i kill me), then he gave me a sudoku hand held game.. woohoo!! and finally.....i got a watch.. a really pretty my first grown up watch. its so pretty!! I am proud. wow he got me good.. shocking.

Ok that was mini christmas we even made a "grinch cake" it was green :o)~ with red frosting.. and we were having a great night.. until.......

My brother Gregg called.. he says "whatcha doing?" (playing mini golf and getting mad that chuck was beating me..) "what do you want to be doing?" (going to bed so i can stop losing) so he says Joshua apparently called him and cut his fingers on a bailer (The machine that crushes boxes.. see now you know what its called.. my blog is educational too) he cut his middle finger and ring finger and pointer.. (makes that whole where is pointer game sort of hard.. well good thing is hes a little big for it huh?), anyways I ask "what hospital is he at?" he replies with pure man smarts " I dont know" Grrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaattttttttt.. somehow I manged to find him (see I NEED a theme song) went to check on him, and I am very happy to say it was not as bad as we originally all thought... while he did need 3 stitches on the middle finger, sterile strips across his middle finger nail, and one stitch on his other finger.. all is well that ends well.. thank heavens!!

Ok on that note. .I am off to try and get some stuff done.. Have a nice day and remember be good!! Santas watching!!!!

Reasons why I will NOT win mom of the year

there are so many reasons why this award has slipped through the clutches, and i feel inclined to share them with you today.. my blog. .my rules.. :oP

1) I yell. I don't hit but I yell. and somedays I curse. alot. see its not that i am mean, its that I have six kids and I have to be heard. is that an excuse? well no not really.. but its just one of the reasons why I will not be 2008s mom of the year



2) I let my kids eat foods that aren't organic and 100% perfect for you. Yep, I said it. I let them eat bad for you foods. They eat the fast food stuff.. .why because its easy and because I am tired. Yep... again another reason I will not be 2008s mom of the year



3) I dont take them to see Santa or the Easter Bunny. No, the trauma on the face of Mary the last time I tried is still too fresh in my mind.. the bad part is that was umm 9 years ago. See no, i am not gonna get 2008s mom of the year award for not taking my kids to be traumatized... but hey shouldn't I get a point for being good??



4) oooh speaking of Mary. I will NOT be Mom of the year because I am not the perfect parent.. she proved that yesterday when she got in trouble in school and announced to the staff "I am tired of this No, i am not perfect, 1) because she said it and 2) because I have grounded her until February 2009. (hey I am generous with that.. her father (My ex) suggested we send her to reform school or put her up on Ebay)



5) no, I am not gonna win the mom of the year award, because my kids don't have warm fresh baked cookies waiting when they get off the bus, or notes in their lunchboxes.. ok they don't take lunchboxes, they prefer to "get their lunch" at school and only need me for field trips.. (which may i add I make a GREAT lunch for.. and NO not a lunchable... well except that one time..I was weak.. sue me)



6) I am not gonna be the perfect mom because my kids do chores.. chores? HOW rude!! what kind of mother would make her children do chores?? Me. Yep. I sure do. Do they do them? Well um. Sometimes.. other times I find myself well see number 1.



7) Mom of the year slipped away from me, because I have let them stay up and watch TV, play video games, and basicall waste their brain power. Yep, i let my kids be couch potatoes.


8) sometimes they don't wear outfits that match, or arent put together perfectly or God Forbid sometimes we have to threaten the teenage alien boy with

9) sometimes I watch movies or shows and I cry.. and sometimes i cry just because well cause I can cry.. and good moms perfect moms never let them see you sweat. well dammit I do!!! i am emotional. so i lost my award

But ya know, for all my faults, I have kids who love me, kids who will randomly give me hugs (even teenage alien kids) that has to speak for something right? so while 2008s award will go to the mom with the organic meals, who doesn't yell, who makes martha stewart look like she is domestically challenged, to the mom who is perfect. And she can have it. I'll take my hugs and kisses over an award any day ;o)~

a year in review....

Yes, i am stealing someone else's idea.. she posted this on her blog and I love it.. so this is my review..

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
I moved to a house that I am absolutely in love with, every inch of this house, I love. But especially that for the first time since I was 16 I feel like I am HOME. :::sighs::::Oooooh and I didn't get knocked up or worry about it since Chuck got neutered.

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
You bet your butt I did. I made a resolution to give birth before 2009 and I did ;oP

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
So many! LOL My January Mommys (<3>, and um who else.. oh yeah! ME!! And I am so talented I did it 10 years and 3 minutes AFTER I gave birth to Mary.. damn I am good.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
I refuse to answer on the grounds that I might jinx things.

5. What countries did you visit?
Ireland, France, Scotland, Germany...... Busch Gardens baby. ;o)~ lol..

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
patience... and um well money would be nice lol.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
January 5, 2008 <--Emilys bday and July 25, 2008 <--we moved out of the ghetto into our beautiful home.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My house ;o)~

9. What was your biggest failure?
The diet.. communicating when I am sad..and.. getting out with my husband more

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
csection recovery and all the other crap that has happened since then.. nothing real major

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Brain Age ;o)~ MAN I love that game..

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration
ummmmmm.......well the dog has stopped peeing on the carpet does that count?

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
politicians, Casey Anthony, Chucks Ensign, The Navy for the crap they pulled on us, Someone who works with Chuck and Mel, and I am sure this list can go on and on.

14. Where did most of your money go?
bills and the new house

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Have I told you about my house ;o)~

16. What song/album will always remind you of 2008?
LOL.. um I swear its only because I love the songs but either "So what" from Pink or "Chicken Fried" from the Zach Brown band.. or "BAd things" from Jace Everett

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier/sadder,thinner/heavier,richer/poorer?happier, about the same, my tush still makes up its own zipcode.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
hmm.. visited my mom.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Laundry or dishes ;o)~ lol

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
with my family in Alexandria, VA

21. who did you spend most of your time on the phone with?
Oh thats easy.. Chuck, my mom, Mel, Nikia, Erica, and my kids "STOP FIGHTING" "Yes I am COMING home"

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
head over heels with the sweetest baby girl ever. even when she does get up at 5:45

23. How many one night stands in this last year?
I was more for the one night sleeps... ;o)~ and i had a few of those.. but I had more of the one night get up and feed me mommys

24. What was your favourite TV program?
Greys, ER, Ugly Betty, Dirty Sexy Money (HOW dare them take it away from me) oh and without a doubt TRUE BLOOD!!

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I just really don't have the time to hate anyone..

26. What was the best book(s) you read?
Any of the Amish ones I read, and I really love Nicholas Sparks new one.. I started it this morning and I am already half done (yes Karen i know I have had it for weeks but no time)

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
oh this one is so easy... I discovered that Rob McNelley plays a MEAN version of hammerhead stew and I discovered Lady Antebellum is awesome.

28. What did you want and get?
my house..

29. What did you want and not get?
that damn winning lottery ticket

30. What were your favourite films of this year?
Twilight, Mad money, Dan in real life.. and I know there are more.

.31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Chuck and I went to dinner at Red Robin for our birthdays (3 days apart) and I celebrated the 8th anniversary of my 29th birthday

32. What's one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
hmm.. I am not sure

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
that would be the fashion of poor fat mama.

34. What kept you sane?
sane? did you not read where I previously said you either get kids or sanity.. NEVER both?

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
umm.. I still <3 McDreamy

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Probably the historical nature of the election

37. Who did you miss?
My daddy..gone 9 years still hurts

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Emily and Nikia

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Freecycle is a great way to get rid of stuff and get stuff.
Never underestimate how good it is to feel safe.
People who are mean suck
Everyone needs to be held accountable for their actions, good and bad
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones
and
Never underestimate how good a pair of new socks or new underwear feel ;o)~

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
"Don't worry.. be happy" <--and I had to THINK of that.. pretty good eh?

Growl..snarl.... you get the idea.

I know.. its only 7:49 and I am up and in a bad mood.. not good. Its never good to roll out of bed with a snarl on your face.. but today, I have one. And once again its partly due to that damn almighty dollar. Ok not partly mostly.....We are due to get a deposit tonight at midnight.. I have checked the bank pretty much hourly for the last two days.. nothing. Chuck called the pay people, they show its coming.... but its somewhere lost in cyber space or wherever lost pay goes. Its not that I am being neurotic.. ok.. maybe I am being neurotic but dammit, this is NOT the time for them to play pay games.. When we have our taxes.. THEN they can play those games.. not now. When we have money in the account and aren't needing the pay.. that would be ok.. TODAY its NOT ok. growls.

Where is the logic on starting with kids first thing in the morning before they go to school about their get up and go being gone when it comes to doing chores.. I have told him numerous times NOT to start on them. Mainly because sending a kid to school, after you upset them, only leads to a bad day. I have said this over and over, I am at the point where I want to start making flash cards so I don't have to say it anymore, I can just show the flash cards. growls x 2.

ok.. while I posted yesterday that i feel like we are broken.. or even just chipped. And he did read it, I know this because even though he said not a word (strong silent type.. no...more the ignore and try and correct quickly type), we sat in the room and he talked to me, touched my leg etc.. but sadly.. while he sees it, he doesn't get it. I feel like I am standing in a glass room.. one more thing goes up and I am gonna scream and shatter the room around me. I know communication is golden, but how do you communicate that you need something and you aren't even sure what you need? I am back to the whole Buy me a Rose thing.... God Bless guys who can write songs, because they can say stuff that nobody else can say.... and no its NOT that I want roses, its the theory of it.

Buy me a rose
Kenny Rogers

He works hard To give her all He thinks she wants
A three car garage, Her own credit cards
He pulls in late To wake her up With a kiss Good night
If he could only Read her mind, She'd say:

Buy me a rose, Call me from work
Open a door for me, What would it hurt
Show me you love me By the look in your eyes
These are the little things I need The most in my life

Now the days have grown To years Of feeling
All aloneAnd she can't help But wonder what She's doing wrong
Cause lately she'd Try anything To turn his head
Would it make a differenceIf she'd said:

Buy me a rose, Call me from work
Open a door for me, What would it hurt
Show me you love me By the look in your eyes
These are the little things I need The most in my life

And the more that he lives The less that he tries
To show her the love That he holds inside
And the more that she gives The more that he sees
This is a story Of you And me

So I bought you a rose On the way home
From workTo open the door To a heart
That I hurtAnd I hope you notice
'This look in my eyes Cause I'm gonna make Things right
For the rest of your life(Rest of your life)And I'm gonna Hold you tonight
Do all those Little things
For the rest Of your life

thats about as out there as I can put it. Its not the big things, its the little things. What happened to the pause in the kitchen, to give a hug? What happened to the snuggles? Where did it go? and can it be found? I realize things change and people change, but if you can't show someone you love them, why are we here? It sounds so easy as I type it out, why is it so flipping complicated? I hate that other people see a different side of you, and I see this side, I want to see the old side.. the side I have seen you show to others. I need to see it.

wow. I just put all that out there in black and white. On that note, I am gonna go get my morning started, dress the baby and we are gonna go have breakfast. Please pray that this stupid deposit goes in, or things will most defnitely be more bleak then they feel now.

Whats up Wednesday?

Whats up? Chuck and I went shopping last night and are about 93% done with Christmas shopping...the last 7% is stocking stuffers and a few items we will get this weekend sadly we did not buy one item that David has spoken about religiously (Handy Manny tool truck.. its $59.99 OMG... anyways this morning he opens up the fisher price catalog sees it and says "and THATS what I am getting from Santa" uh oh.. we are gonna work it out..

Whats up? I am still as far from knowing what to get for Chuck as I was last week when I posted this, the practical things I would buy, i am not sure he would want or even like.. it sucks. Plus, :deep breath:: sometimes I feel like we really don't even know each other anymore.. we can be in the same room and barely a word will be exchanged. its like we are here, but we are not here together. I am not sure what it is, but sometimes things feel broken, or more like just chipped. sighs.

Whats up? bad mothers put on Elmo in grouchland for 20 minutes of peace and quiet and to watch their 11 month old little girl shake her tushy to the blanket song lol.. psst I am a bad mother

Whats up? wanna know what stephs getting for christmas.. sike.. so does she and she reads my blog. .haha stephanie :oP

Whats up? there is a lady I know, she is so very sweet, and she is having it rough right now.. i only know her through our blogs, but I wanted her to know that whats up, is i am thinking of her and hoping her path grows smooth soon. :o)~

Whats up? Emily needs a nap so its time for me to end this for today.. more tomorrow.

Trouble with a capital T

There is sooo much I want to talk about today, and so little I can say.. but suffice to say... I am a bit ticked off. I can and will say this, my neice (Who I love dearly) got involved with the wrong kind of person.. REALLY wrong kind of person and that is now effecting her life and my mother. I can deal with her screwing up her life, and it effecting her.. 1) she's a grown up and its her choice 2) even if I did give a damn see number 1. Ok I lie.. I hate that she is screwing up her life, she is a bright wonderful woman who is screwing up so bad its going to have massive long term effects and that PISSES me off (pardon the bad word. I am mad). Anyways.. now this stuff is effecting my mom (as in when someone shows up at your door bangs the door down looking for that person.. it will effect someone.. especially someone who is in her 70s with a heart condition and has NEVER even had a fricking parking ticket (ok I know she doesn't drive but she has a license it could happen). Anyways... my mom calls me I answered hi how are you, typical for me.. mom and I talk like 100 times a day.. (Chuck would say that is a slow day har har) anyways.. she says "fine well except the six people who just came in with guns drawn looking for (insert jerk of the years name here)" do what? So we talk... neice and sir butthead did breakup, and she has nothing to do with anymore.. too bad the damage is already pretty much effectively done. Neice is now all but guilty due to her association and it can cause issues for her.. GROWL I am ticked..

Ok.. breathe... other events of my morning:

1) Emily has learned to climb up on the bricks to the fireplace..great.. we are now climbing.. fun. i knew she was part mountain goat.. all my kids are.

2) I spilled my soda (ok I know its not serious. but its caffeine and that does NOT belong on my floor today.. I NEED it)

3) I found out that my washing machine was EMPTY instead of having the load of clothes that were in the hamper inside and washed.. Growl I hate that.

4) I read David's teacher of her account of David and whether he has ADHD, she pretty much wrote down that he is the second coming of Damian.

and

5) I have threatened to call Santa three times, and had to think of what I was going to do when December is over.. "I am gonna call the Easter bunny" just doesn't have the same pull. Santa leaves coal.. what does the Easter bunny leave.. rabbit pellets? oy vey.

Ok.. I am gonna go smile.. start my day over and make my list for shopping tonight... funny shopping story for saturday, we were getting the boys erector sets.. not once, not twice but three times I called them erection sets.. :oX I am not sure why.. but that is just further proof I need adult contact more often.. oh and probably nookie lol.

Not Me Monday....

With the day on the calendar, we see that today is Monday, and therefore it is time for Not me Monday.

I did not feel myself age at least 10 years this morning, when my son Daniel turned 15 years old, making me the mother of a 17, 15, 14, 10(almost 11), 4 and 11 months old (almost 1) . wow. hard to believe how time has flown by. it was NOT me who feels 50 instead of 37.

I did not look at pictures of me with disgust and anxiety this morning, as i realize that i feel as big as a house. I did not question whether I should just stop eating altogether or do something else exreme.

I did not argue with Chuck about the football game, even though he is still going on and I told him yesterday to drop it.

I did not become further annoyed today about a phone call I received, that made me question why I try and accomplish anything, because for every two steps forward I get pushed two steps back.

I did not try and think of the best way to tell someone that I am just miserable, and I am not sure how to fix that issue.

I did not really enjoy that Saturday I spent all day with Chuck doing Christmas shopping and being out, and i did not become slightly sad when he reached out and touched my arm a few times that night, or kissed my hand and i realized i could not remember the last time he did that.

I did not just audibly get excited because Muppets Christmas Carol is on the Disney family movie channel and its one of my FAVORITE Christmas movies..ok maybe i did do that one ;o)

Sunday Stammers........

So. the Redskins just lost to the Bengals.......... Chuck's team is the Bengals. If that was NOT bad enough... losing to the Bengals is similiar to well. .ya know that kid in kindergarten who is just really obnoxious and does the whole na nee na nee boo boo thing? yep.. you are now living my life. Yea we all trash talked this week a bit....... because well its the Bengals vs the Skins... but the thing is....they should NOT be losing this game.. oh well.. Goodbye Playoffs.. our only solace is.. well... the Bengals are playing the spoilers... but they arent going either.. only 3 more months to baseball season starts (preseason and we got K-Rod so F you very much Chuck...we'll see whos team does better at baseball huh?)

This morning started off wonky anyways because Mary got up with an attitude... which just doesn't sit well with me to begin with, but then she starts a fight to end all fights.. Mary's favorite comment is "YOU ARE NOT MY DAD" to Chuck... That comment irritates the living hell out of me. While Chuck is NOT her birth father... and yes, my ex is involved with the kids (and I would have it no other way), Chuck works his ass off for this family. He gets up and works 7 days a week half the damn time. He works 3 jobs to make sure they are clothed, fed, and have not just any roof but a nice damn roof over their head. It annoys the HELL out of me when that statement is made. No matter what kid says it. But this morning, it was like lighting a fire under my tail. I pulled her aside after world war 3 blew up, and told her that she was completely out of line. I even called GW and got him involved, he agreed with me and Chuck that Mary was wrong.. but even more so, and this is proof the end of the world is coming.... Stephanie, Danny and AJ all agreed that Mary was wrong. The thing is, Yes, we are a combined family.. and yes we have drama.. sometimes fueled by Chucks short fuse, but they are lucky to have someone who 1) took on four kids that were not his by birth and made them his 2) loves them unconditionally and 3) works his ass off for them and for all of us. Growls.. hopefully they all know that and if not, hopefully at some point they will..

Alright, i am off to go sort toys we have three piles "Trash, freecycle and keep" does it ever blow anyone else away that the keep pile is always the biggest pile even though "We have nothing to play with and we are SO bored" mmm hmm.. ok more tomorrow.. with Not me Monday

Hi, I am Tricia..and I am addicted.

Sadly....we bought Big brain academy months ago, and it became well a challenge between Chuck and Ifor awhile to see who's smarter :::::coughcoughmecoughcough::::::: It was actually nice because it helped me use my brain on something that wasn't being shown on sprout, noggin, pbs kids or disney channel..which in my world made it well better then chocolate. I know i know.. bite my tongue. but seriously.. its REALLY good. I have my favorite games, but for the most part i just like that i have the high score in the house .. go me.

But then.......

Last week we added Brain age..... I am 37 years old.. (yes thats my age.. on a blog..i said it.) My brain age is 32....and Chucks is...80. (hes 32 lol) ok I have once again conquered one of these games... (seriously.. its math and reading and other different mind games.. the bad part is it really does screw with you.. .there is this one game they will list colors (the words) and then show you them in DIFFRENT colors you have to read out loud "RED" when the word is blue but is colored red.. it makes you so horribly tongue tied. But hey I am 32 so its NOT so bad lol. then as I was going through this disk I find Sudoku..

::::::Scarey movie music::::::

For whatever reason these stupid things have always terrified me........I mean I am not unfriendly with numbers, numbers and I get along . .I mean, I am AWESOME with the cell phone (numbers..ooo and letters.. I am GREAT at texting.. ask verizon wireless i think they made unlimited text messages to save us a small fortune :oP lol), I can add stuff in my head, I balance a checkbook etc. numbers are my friend.. but the idea that you had a grid could only use 1 number in each little 9 section and not have the same number going across or down.. screwed my head up.. so i decide.. ok.. lets try this.. MAYBE i grew.. MAYBE I could do this... I do the tutorial.. i pass... whew.. do the next tutorial.. pass.. whew x 2. All of a sudden i realize I am doing these stupid puzzles.. and they are EASY. So day one.. I killed the Nintendo DS batteries.. :oX whoopsie. But damn if I have not discovered NOT only can I sudoku but I LIKE it. So now i have to say.. "Hi, I am Tricia, and I am helplessly addicted to Sudoku"

Aww much better

Dear Santa:

I realize its been a number of years since I wrote you, and you must be thinking that I fell off the Santa bandwagon, but Santa, I have been busy, I have had six children (you know them, I think you call them nice, naughty, nice, naughty, naughty and nice what can I say.. 3 and 3 my odds aren't so bad.. I kid.. they are all nice.. they just have their moments). Santa, I come to you this year because this year more then any, I need to know you are out there. I need to know you are out there and listening. This is the year the whole world needs to believe. So Santa, here is my list.

1) World Peace. Yep, right off the bat, I am asking for it. Look, I know I won't get it, but it can't hurt to ask right? I mean everyone keeps pointing out that "change" is coming, why not ask for it early? While I realize its a big request, what list isn't complete without that one big ticket item, and Santa this is mine.

2) Ok Santa, my first item was big, how about we ask for something smaller.. how about 24 hours of peace and quiet? With my husband.... a day away. It doesn't matter where we go, we just need some time. We need to do what Lonestar said in one of their songs "Let's be us again" And of course the awesome booty call would work too.. because you can only be so free sharing the room with a 11 month old.

3) How about we ask for good health through 2009? Not perfect health but good health would be nice (oh and if you can help me arrange to lose those nagging pounds that are hanging over me like a bad dream that would be greatly appreciated) :o)~ Come on Santa.. I know you can help.

4) how about a recipe book? Apparently my kitchen ideas are running thin.. the kids want something new, Santa i want something new and easy.... ooo or you can just send Paul Deen or Emeril to live here for 2009.. I will give them back in 2010.. I promise

I would really like some good movies this year, the new Harry Potter would be good but really anything that requires me to think and not require me to enjoy myself.. let it just happen on its own would be nice :o)~

OK Santa.. i put some pretty big requests in front of you, but if anyone can handle it big guy I know its you. So get to it! and in the meantime.. I will make you cookies and milk ok?

xoxox

Truth be told

So today, I am going to do the whole confession is good for your soul thing... sure why not. Its Thursday, Christmas is coming.... Santa is watching. I may as well right?

1) Truth be told, I love my winnie the pooh stuff on the entertainment center, but I am thinking of selling them or freecycling them. At first it was the money, now its to save them from being broken. Nobody else cares that I dont want random stuff placed up there. And before something gets broken, I would rather see it given away.

2) Truth be told, I am exhausted today. Emily had a horrible night last night she was fussy and didn't want to sleep, by the time she finally closed her eyes, i had 10 minutes before the alarm went off for Stephanie and Danny... Granted all i do for them is tell Chuck to get them up, but it didn't make getting up easier. Luckily its a half day, so when I see the first teenager i am going to take a nap.

3) Truth be told, My teenagers cleaned up the house last night, it wasnt God awful just cluttered (mostly their crap) and they put it all away, and cleaned up. I was impressed and thrilled (oh and wondering how many drug tests I needed to buy because they did it without me asking over and over again)

4) Truth be told, little kitty and I are gonna rumble if he doesn't leave my damn tree alone

5) Truth be told, have I mentioned how tired I am today?

6) Truth be told, I have to have a very difficult conversation this week with someone who I do love dearly, but its time to speak up.

7) Truth be told, I need to get out more... David has watched four shows today and i have known all four theme songs..oy vey.

ok truth be told, i have come to the bottom of this blog. more tomorrow. havea nice day

Whats up Wednesday?

Welcome to another rousing edition of what's up Wednesday... Ok.. maybe not rousing.. but it sounded better then "welcome to another round of Tricia's daily Blog because she doesn't want to pay a doctor to tell her she's nuts. ;o)~

What's up? I forget how little Emily is until I see another baby her age near her or talk to someone from the mommy board. she is just fitting into 6-9 month clothes, and actually had on a pair of 3-6 month pants earlier that fit. yipes. Tiny little girl.

What''s up? Speaking of peanut, she took a few steps the other night, and is getting more daring (letting go and standing to drink her bottle) this is exciting but sad. I am not ready for her to stop being dependent yet.. but believe me.. SHE is :o)~

What's up? I am really enjoying looking at my fireplace and seeing the stockings hung by the chiminey with care. Its just so festive.. and considering in the past few years its been a struggle to even WANT to put the tree up, this is nice.

What's up? My mother is a saint.. enough said.

What's up? Mel has some horrible creepy crud, she sounds like butt her throat hurts oh and she compared the feelings of eating warm grits to sex.. either a) I need to eat more grits or b) she needs to get out more. :o)

What's up? I thought it was hysterical that someone brought up the Incredibles and the cape yesterday. I had forgotten all about that.. so sighs.. no cape. sighs.

What's up? I still have no idea how to make 6 pictures into one picture, so I officially give up. Some day I will learn..

What's up? a good friend called me today, her family is struggling, and she asked me to bail them out. I had to tell her no. While I feel for the situation, I am not in the position where I can do that right now. I did offer her some suggestions, but even with knowing we can't help I feel awful for saying no. (I am a fixer. .if i can fix a problem I want to)

Whats up? speaking of problems.. Chuck used Nikias potty last night, left the door open and her angel girl got in there and threw something in the magical spinning pot (the toilet) and now they have to call a plumber.. we feel terrible. .and we are sorry :o(

What't up? Chucks back is tweaked badly..:o( he's in a lot of pain and yet still getting up and going to work every day.. my ex would have been in bed and not moved for the week. so while i feel for Chuck, I am inspired and impressed by his work ethic.

Ok time to get some stuff done around the house... hopefully going to do christmas pictures tonight.

Where's my cape......

I want a cape, and it better be cute and not weird looking.. I deserve cute

ooo ooo and I want a theme song. definitely a theme song

Because lately I feel like I must be super mom, or at the very least auditioning for the role. Recently, I have found myself able to leap to a screaming baby in a single bound. Able to make dinner out of four items in the fridge, freezer and pantry. Able to make things work even when they don't want to. Able to clean a house, change a diaper and let the dog out within five minutes of the first scratch at the door. Able to clean the bathroom after a four year old misses (ok.. any mother or father of a little boy.. so gets this).. Able to catch the cup before it spills (that was a special super power but he had milk and it was NOT hitting my carpet). Able to flip a burger, fry a french fry, and make a meal before the first child can get out a full "I am starving" Able to lend an ear when needed, able to scream a deafening yell when needed. Able to clean a room, and sort out clothes.

Super Mom? Nah.. just me. Just a mom who tries to get it done, tries to make it work, and all without special effects.. but really just once... I really would like a theme song and a cape :o)~

Not me Monday.

Happy Monday!! Ok.. so the alarm went off and we had to get out of bed .. a new week begins, its not so bad is it? er. yes. it is. groans.. and thus starts a new week of "Not me Monday"

I did NOT audibily complain that my mother and two brothers and parts of their respected families are going to Walt Disney World the day after Christmas because I think their timing stinks, and I hate that we are not part of the cool group, so we dont get invited.

I did NOT giggle out loud everytime someone stopped to look at Emily yesterday in her Santa Dress and hat that her sister bought her, when they would say "oh she is so cute"

I did NOT wish that I had the money to do Christmas shopping because i desperately need retail therapy.

I did NOT play Brain age on the Nintendo DS for 15 minutes on the potty because i had ALMOST solved sudoku and couldnt leave it undone.

I did NOT giggle that I had a ring around the heiney. ;oX

I did NOT wish Chuck could have stayed home with me today, because I feel like we never spend anytime together anymore.

I did NOT laugh when the little kitty got even with the dog because hey paybacks are a and she deserved it.

I did NOT snap at David for taking my peanut butter toast, its fricking peanut butter toast.. gee I think my periods coming.. (I did apologize and he forgave his grouchy mommy)

I did NOT have AJ tell someone I wasn't home on the phone because i did not feel like talking.

I did NOT wish I was one of the cool kids with a cool blog that people read and comment.. because I was in a spoiled brat mood..

I did NOT look forward to Not Me Monday so I had right to complain today.. lol.

Ok I think that sums it up more tomorrow...

Just five more minutes mom...

No, its not the kids.. its me. i am so worn out. I would love to be in bed but between Chuck having drill and me having to keep the van, to Emily who has decided she was ready to be up nice and bright and early today (thanks Emily) Ok it probably didn't help that we were all up thanks to the alarm clocks going off and the fact that she decided to blow up a diaper (no really.. THANKS Emily). Shes sitting on the floor playing, i am watching her and blessing AJ who is manning the coffee pot. God Bless that boy.

I think the crockpot and I are going to put dinner on by about 11:30 today. (spaghetti and meatballs) because its so much easier then making anyhing challenging. Besides the length a big pot of spaghetti and meatball stretches sort of rocks in this house...with the exception of David who hates spaghetti. I have never seen a kid in my life who hates red sauce... he loves pasta... will eat the meat balls will not touch them altogether. Yep.. he's a freak. :o)~

I just noticed the bottom of the tree is missing lights and ornaments.. no no not the baby.. the flipping felines. They have managed to pull the lights down and for that matter the ornaments. stupid cats. argh. AJ is fixing it as we speak. I will just have to remember to take all my pictures from the top to the middle eh? And to think i was warned about Emily and thre tree and while she will touch it.. she mostly leaves it alone.

Ok so whos ready for Christmas? Of the kids i will say I think I have 3 of the 6 done. I will work on the other ones in the next few days and finish them too. teenagers are impossible to shop for they are so spoiled nowadays, they all have ipods (well except AJ who either lost his or had it stolen depending on who you ask), the request this year from Stephanie was for clothes. Danny wants video games, and I am pretty sure AJ will want something/everything Mets or Redskins related.. cause well he's AJ. As for Chuck, I am not sure what to get him this year.. it will come to be.. probably the 24th at 5 PM but I will figure it out.

Ok I am off to shower and start my day, more later.

100? WOW!

Today is my 100th Blog. I have posted at least one blog every day.. yes I know I cut it close a few times but i made it. So today is Random discoveries day.....100 of them. Ready? Set.. GO!

1. I have discovered blogging is therapy, only the doctor is the keyboard, and the couch is wherever I have plopped to blog.
2. I have discovered that for every true friend you have, you have 3 more that are good friends but not true.
3. I have discovered that while Chuck can drive me batty, I am the lucky one. I have a husband who loves me, even when I am in a mood. He has seen me at my best and my worst and still loved me.
4. I have discovered my kids are amazing people, and as they grow up I look forward to seeing what they will do with their lives.
5. I have discovered that mistakes are ok, and that you don't have to be perfect.
6. I have discovered that My family does genuinely love each other, we may forget it sometimes, but we really do.
7. I have discovered that blogging is an addiction, and I don't want a 12 step program
8. I have discovered that while I may not always love myself, I am trying harder to at least like myself.
9. I have discovered that the smell of a fresh baked cookie is sometimes as good as sex.
10. I have discovered that pink is my favorite color on Emily
11. I have discovered that while I am glad I am done being pregnant, I am sad that Emily's first birthday will be the last first birthday we celebrate.
12. I have discovered that 100 is a BIG number and I am only on 12!
13. I have discovered you don't have to spend a million dollars on the holidays to make them special, a nice tree, pretty ornaments, and even dollar tree stockings can look great when its done with love.
14. I have discovered that my dog loves to eat diapers.. so gross.
15. I have discovered that AOL isn't as good as it used to be, they took away our message boards, and while Brandi rocks for creating one on Cafemom, I really miss AOL.
16. I have discovered that I need more recipes.
17. I have discovered that AJ may never be a pro baseball player but whatever he plays at he will do it with all his heart always.
18. I have discovered that Danny may not always think he can do things, but when he puts his mind to it, he can do anything
19. I have discovered that Stephanie is my hero.. shes bright and vibrant, and everyone needs a daughter just like her.
20. I have discovered Mary's imagination is wild, she can come up with so many different things
21. I have discovered David is a sponge and the people at his school SUCK
22. I have discovered Emily is my sunshine, when things are sad and depressing I grab that little girl who is so fresh and ready for a new adventure every day and she makes me smile
23. I have discovered that living in your own home is so much better then living in a house you hate.
24. I have discovered I owe my husband the world for everything he does for us
25. I have discovered people take advantage of me, because I let them.
26. I have discovered that I need to STOP doing that.
27. I have discovered that 100 is REALLY REALLY A big damn number
28. I have discovered that towels may go in a teenagers room, but they don't always come out.
29. I have discovered not much does come out of a teenagers room
30. I have discovered I may get over but I will never grow up
31. I have discovered that I miss having a Pooh watch (Christmas hint Chuck)
32. I have discovered that ER's last season is so far my favorite.. and that makes me sad its the last.
33. I have discovered Charlaine Harris who wrote the Sookie Stackhouse series is a little disturbed and I think we would be GREAT friends.
34. I have discovered I miss seeing Nikia and we need to fix that soon
35. I have discovered my nephew Keith is an amazing man, and I just hope his parents see it.
36. I have discovered that all my neice and nephews are pretty damn great
37. I have discovered hearing Extreme Home Makeover is a great show to watch when you need good old fashioned cry.
38. I have discovered when a pacifier goes missing at 3 AM, it is DEFINTIELY a BAD thing.
39. I have discovered that real women admit they snore.. guilty!
40. I have discovered that hyper active kittens need to be strung up by their tails
41. I have discovered that I love taking pictures but I will never be near the quality of some of the ladies on my January board (Lisa is so incredibly talented and I am jealous)
42. I have discovered that I need to give a shout out to Eileen who reads and comments .. HI EILEEN!!
43. I have discovered that Emily thinks the best room to play in is mary and Davids and that scares me lol
44. I have discovered sometimes its hard to tell someone when they are hurting your feelings even when you think they should realize it first.
45. I have discovered that 5:30 AM comes too damn early no matter what day of the week it is.
46. I have discovered that Chuck needs to change the alarm clocks on his phone. lol
47. I have discovered that I don't care if other people in the house get annoyed about our alarm clocks because they are ours and its our house .. so f em. Pay rent.. pay utilities then you can bitch.. don't contribute shut your trap.
48. I have discovered that people who live in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones
49. I have discovered that Emily is serious as cute as she can be!
50. I have discovered backgammon on my cell phone is an addiction
51. I have discovered the missing key on my laptop isn't so bad, I can make it work.. for now.
52. I have discovered that I have no idea what to get Chuck for Christmas
53. I have discovered that the movie the Notebook will always make me cry.
54. I have discovered another towel is about to escape to the teenage abyss (AKA stephanies room) as she just got out of the shower.. damn.
55. I have discovered that baby feet are precious until they turn into stinky little boy or girl feet. blech
56. I have discovered that I have alot of highlights from 2008 (Emily, the new house,etc)
57. I have discovered if I could change anything in history, it would be my dad dying. I miss him.
58. I have discovered Mary is as cute as she can be even though she is more hormonal then me, Stephanie and Lily put together
59. I have discovered hearing "your a good mommy" from my kids no matter what age makes me smile.
60. I have discovered that 100 is a REALLY big number.. damn
61. I have discovered that Jeff Dunham is hilarious but in a weird way Peanut is funnier .yea I know same guy.. but Peanut is so someone different.
62. I have discovered my last thought made NO sense
63. I have discovered rambling is ok. .its my blog. hahaha
64. I have discovered that sometimes the first sip of the morning cup of coffee can make the choirs of angels sing in my head
65. I have discovered DR Pepper should come in IV form
66. I have discovered AJ is the one kid EVERYONE needs one of, he is awesome he does everything he is asked and some stuff he isn't
67. I have discovered that David knew how to talk all along andwas snowing us the whole time.
68. I have discovered that the sound of kids fighting has to happen in more houses then JUST this one.. please??
69. I have discovered that more people need to believe in Santa and make this world a bit nicer.
70. I have discovered that some day AJ and I are going to go on a road trip to NY and see the Mets play
71. I have discovered that I am glad OJ went to jail yesterday, and while it may be 13 years too late and for a crime he probably wouldn't have gotten 17 1/2 years for if he wasn't OJ it was really nice to see him locked up.. cause I think he did it
72. I have discovered as happy I am that there is a new President coming in to office, I don't believe the war in Iraq will end and we will all sing Kumbaya.
73. I have discovered that one of these days I have got to get back to Mass
74. I have discovered that freecyle and craigslist are addictions and for that I may just need a 12 step program.. nah
75. I have discovered that even though I have receiving blankets I should pass on, I just can't let them go.. not yet. I am not ready.
76. I have discovered maybe I will find out how to make a quilt out of them. ooo an idea!! go me
77. I have discovered that the Disney store is my favorite place to go in a Mall.
78. I have discovered that kisses from a four year old who says "I need to give you a kiss" are the sweetest kisses.. until you find out he just wants to go on the computer.. pbskids.org MOM!
79. I have discovered that the greatest words ever from a four year old are "I gotta blow my nose" because it gives hope he won't use his sleeve
80. I have discovered that I have ALOT on my mind
81. I have discovered that in 2009 I am going to make a real effort to lose weight.. because I am tired of not liking the me in the mirror that looks back
82. I have discovered that Perez Hilton is hilariously funny, a bit crass but really funny.
83. I have discovered that while the families on TLC (The Roloffs, the Goslings and the Duggars) all sort of disturb me, they also all intrique me.
84. I have discovered that no video channel shows Videos anymore.. its more shows and oh btw heres a song.
85. I have discovered that the sock monster in the dryer DOES exsist
86. I have discovered a good movie, a good book, and even a good song are priceless considering all the crap thats out there nowadays
87. I have discovered one should never underestimate the power of chocolate
88. I have discovered that if I had money I would love to buy Emily a special shirt for her first birthday, but I don't so she will be ok in a regular shirt.
89. I have discovered that I can't wait for her to get her smash cake
90. I have discovered that this Christmas is exciting because it will be the first one David is excited about and because its Emilys first.
91. I have discovered that shopping for teenagers is impossible.
92. I hve discovered teenagers themselves are impossible.
93. I have discovered that Stephanie NEEDS her bangs cut (I know I know its the style but man.. she better never fall asleep near me and scissors)
94. I have discovered that the barking Jingle Bells song annoys the hell out of the dog.
95. I have discovered that the words "Whatever" are grounds for murder
96. I have discovered it doesn't matter who says "whatever" it makes homicide justifiable in my book
97. I have discovered my reindeers are cuter then Santa's
98. I have discovered that random acts of kindness are awesome and dont happen nearly enough.
99. I have discovered that I have been blogging for over an hour!
100. I have discovered that in these past 100 blogs, i have shared alot more of myself then I ever have. I am glad that I started the blog, and if you ever read it and smiled I am happy. Stay tuned I promise there will be NOT be 200 discoveries

Desperately seeking creativity.

Ok.. I know there has to be someone out there who can tell me how the @%@)*@ you make pictures into a postcard and make them look so deliciously cute. I asked Mel last night to help, but she is worn out and was unable to do it. I tried to look it up myself, but I am not too talented, and I can't figure out what program you are supposed to use (no, I don't have photoshop. Yes, I do need it to be super easy cause I am super slow). I took pictures of the kids with reindeer antlers... While I want to do a group shot and at some point will get one, I really want to make a signature/card I can get printed that says: Celebrating the holidays with all the ones deer to us. Yea yea i know I am corny. I have six kids... I am insane.. we have been through this.. numerous blogs ago.. you either have kids or sanity. NEVER both.. ok I take that back.. you can have both until the teenage years. So dear Gentle readers.. I am throwing this out there, can ANYONE help me? Please? Pretty please with sugar on top? Before I decide to try that turkey recipe with the Whiskey today I know everyone has seen this before but its so worth repeating:

How to Cook a turkey:
1) Go buy a turkey.

2) Take a drink of whiskey (scotch) or Jack Daniels.

3) Put turkey in the oven.

4) Take another 2 drinks of whiskey.

5) Set the degree at 375 ovens

6) Take 3 more whiskeys of drink.

7) Turn oven the on.

8) Take 4 whisks of drinky.

9) Turk the bastey.

10) Whiskey another bottle of get.

11) Stick a turkey in the thermometer

12) Glass yourself a pour of whiskey.

13) Bake the whiskey for 4 hours.

14) Take the oven out of the turkey.

15) Take the oven out of the turkey.

16) Floor the turkey up off of the pick.

17) Turk the carvey.

18) Get yourself another scottle of botch.

19) Tet the sable and pour yourself a glass of turkey.

20) Bless the saying, pass and eat out

Please save my children from this meal.. ok.. save them from eating Pizza.. wait.. never mind they would like that.. save them from eating ramen? (sounds good) Help me create something.. or the turkey/me gets it.

In the meantime here are the pictures.. ya know now that I see the picture of Lily (the dog) with her antlers.. I think I can forgive her for chewing up the pair of underwear..;o)~ LOL..the reindeers are Stephanie, Danny, AJ, Mary, David, Emily, Lily, Hercules, and Obama: