Coming Back Together ~ The Beginning

I am on a mission.

I have fully accepted this mission and I mean to attain it.

This is way more important than  when me and Hubs mucked out our room. Like 1,000,000 x Infinity more important.

I blogged awhile back about things are what they are but they don't have to be. I've been in prayer and meditation about it. Yes I have. I am almost positive the time is now.

Today while sitting in church and listening to the message on forgiveness I realized I had nearly forgotten about it. About my mission. What I want and need. Not only for me but my for family. Not just my immediate family but the whole family. Too long our family has been apart and dare I say living in the past. Holding onto past hurts and insults (for lack of better wording).

I don't know what I can do about it. All I know is that someone must be the beginning. I know I can do this. Not alone but with God backing me. With prayers and positive thoughts.

It's all powerful stuff. We do not have to be separate. We have chosen to be so because it is easier to not face it and pretend it doesn't exist. To just let the chasm in the family get bigger and bigger. It can end with us. Those that choose to face facts. To see that we are only hurting ourselves. The not knowing each other and the families we've begun. It's like my kids are paying for what happened 32+ years ago.

I happen to be in the middle of both sides of the original catalyst. I get it. I know the pain. But the way it went down does not have to continue through the generations. We cannot hold onto all the pain and hate or it will tear each of apart and drive us crazy.

The past is the past. It is what it is and cannot be changed. It's what we do with it that matters. For too long hate, pain, fear have ruled. Now it is time for love, healing, forgiving, and moving on to begin.

I don't know how. Actually, yes I do. One step. Just taking the first step. It has to begin somewhere. I know my Mom would not want her family to be the way it is now. Old hurts and new ones causing the family to separate and be weakened. I know my Grandma wouldn't want that either. Their lives meant more than that.


I am on a mission.

I have fully accepted this mission and I mean to attain it.

Mission Accomplished And Then Some!

So yesterday I posted that me and Hubs were on a mission to find a chest of drawers and muck out our room. We were way over feeling like we lived in a storage room. Our battle plan was to get started as early as possible. The more time we had to find the right chest of drawers the better.

This is a good idea of what our room looked like. 

Of course, it is usually not this messy. I took these right after kids left for school.

Given we planned to muck out the room and do some rearranging, I saw no point in making the bed or picking up. 

Of course, a good breakfast is always a plus before going on the hunt. I just love Whataburger! I like breakfast but hubs, not so much. So he can get a burger and I can get breakfast. Perfect!

We found nothing in town. The Goodwill and resale shops sale things like chest of drawers almost as soon as they get them. There are couple antique malls here but hubs and I decided not to check them out on this day. Mostly because he didn't like them when he shopped there before.

This had us going to nearby Cleburne. They have all kinds of shops. The first place we stopped at had one chest of drawers and it wasn't exactly antique. At the second antique mall, I found two potential chest of drawers. Hubs, was not enamored of them. Something about too 40's ish. I think that's why I liked them.

So, on we went. First to the Goodwill there. Which again had nada. Then to a new/used furniture store. Which also had nothing and were very proud of what they did have.

 Hubs then decided we'd also look for storage cabinet or something of the sort for his massive coin stock. Off we went to a place he knew of. Sadly, they didn't have what he was looking for. We did however meet a rather unusual occupant of the business.

Apparently, he/she is sort of a pet. It uses a kitty litter box. Repeat customers bring he/she food. I think the workers are even able to pet it. I know they hand feed it. We were told he/she appeared at sometime in the summer. Since we are in extreme drought conditions it makes sense he/she would seek out shelter. It was just a baby raccoon when the business noticed it was hanging around. He/she keeps the same hours as the business.

We then headed to Benbrook. The antique mall there was really nice. Hub did get a little irritated of my several too many Oooo Shiny Moments. But, in the end we found just what we were looking for. Two potential chest of drawers. One eve had matching vanity. We were leaning towards that set so we could be rid of the rickety shelf that called itself our desk.

The price was putting us off. Especially since we were on limited budget. The mall owner contacted the seller and she brought the price from $370 + tax to $300 and she'd use her own tax id so we didn't have to worry bout the tax. We had told the sales lady of our recent experience of being robbed and that they of course had no care for the furniture they were so mad to go through. Thus why we were looking for replacements. We'd have brought ours when we moved but didn't think it'd fit.

An unexpected blessing, she was willing to not only help us out but work with us. We briefly considered taking the chest of drawers and putting the vanity in lay away. Decided if we truly wanted to organize the room we needed to take both pieces home. Okay, so I talked him round to it. (He said just that to me when he decided to agree with me.)

Isn't it lovely! It's quirky beautiful! Big bonus that hubs loved it, too!

I wasn't fast enough to snap pic of the chest of drawers.

We aren't quite done getting our room all organized but it's coming together quite nicely.

 I wasn't brave enough to take a pic of the closet before. It was filled w/all kinds of MILs and maybe BILs storage stuff. It looked like a closet ready to burst. I have no idea how we got anything in or out before.

 Again, not yet picked up from the morning rush.

The chest of drawers! Finally, we can find clothes easily w/o digging through laundry baskets!

Our room is finally starting to feel like a room. Who knows how much longer we'll be here. It's just nice to have a room and not a storage closet. 

Plus, since Sean sleeps on a pallet in our room, this arrangement gives him more space on the floor that before. He had been laying between the rickety shelf/desk and our bed. No bueno. He's much happier now that he can stretch out a bit. Me, too. I no longer have to pick up items he knocks off in middle of the night. Nor do I worry that shelf/desk will fall on him.

Hopefully, I can share the 100% finished pics soon. This at least gives y'all an idea of how it is now. 

As I was cleaning the chest of drawers and the vanity/desk I realized something. These two items are the first ever chest of drawers and vanity/desk we've ever bought. Most all of our furniture had been given to us by MIL. The only exception was the sofa and matching chair we bought when we moved in together. There was once that make do desk from Wal Mart, but I don't count that as a major furniture purchase. That will forever make this set very special to me. Some day it will have a home in one of the kids rooms or a guest room.

We had so much fun spending the day together on this adventure, I hope to be blessed enough to do so when we do finally have a place of our own again. Was definitely more time consuming and more adventuresome that going to a major furniture store. It was also infinitely more rewarding.

(P.S. While mucking out the room no music was on. Just the sounds of kids totally taking advantage of distracted parents and running amok. In case you were wondering.)

Today Is The Day!

Today is the day!

I wish I could say today is the day we are moving out of in laws house and into our own place again, but we're not.

So, what could be almost as good as that? (we all know moving into our own place again would totally rock) Me and Hubs are going to muck out our room and make it more livable for us. I won't lie, I'm hoping he's the labor and I'm the supervisor, but I doubt it'll go like that.

First we are going to see if Goodwill has a chest of drawers! (Thanks to the idiots who trashed our old place our chest of drawers is unusable and we have no place/way to refinish it at this time) If we do manage to get a chest of drawers we can finally find things w/o digging through the 2 baskets of stuff we have in this tiny room.

Then we are going to get cracking and make this room look like it should. Too bad we can't paint it. I've always wanted a teal bedroom. That'll have to wait til we have our own space again. MIL is very against the color teal in any form on walls. I hope when we have our own place again that I can show her how awesome teal can be.

This mucking out of the room should lead to interesting conversations and music choices. The music being the most interesting as we have varying degrees of differences in our tastes. So, I guess NKOTB is out but then so is oh I don't know maybe Pink Floyd.

Please don't give me that look! I can only take so much Pink Floyd and it's so not muck out a room music. However, neither is NKOTB. Hmmm, maybe the Beatles? I'll let y'all know.

Now upon reflection of this marvelous plan, I'm wondering if once we get the room just so if suddenly, Hubs finds a job, and we then are able to start looking for a place....You get the picture? As much as we like the pros of living extended family style, we really need our own space. 5 people and 2 rooms just doesn't quiet fit. I mean, we share the whole house but Sean needs to have his own room. The girls, really need a bigger room to share. We just can't have that here. This house really isn't big enough for the 8 of us living here.

So, today we get this room organized. Where it leads to? Who knows. But at least it'll feel more like a room  than not. We'll feel more at home rather than temporary guests.

Today is the day!

(After hubs informed me we need to find a dresser first, I came back to edit this post. Now, I'm thinking  DUH! It'd totally help to have a place to put things while we muck out the room. :P )

Riding the Wave, Sort Of

You know, I can't recall talking about TV Shows out and about in public before. But I did just that this past Wednesday.  Finally, I'm on the wave of being in the know. I could probably count on one hand how many times that's happened.

Like most people I talk about shows or movies with friends and family. Then came Twitter. So that added more people to talk with. I didn't so much talk about shows or movies too much on Facebook. Why? No idea? Funny how things like that happen.

So it was rather strange to me to be at the dog groomers to pick up Daisy and hear one of the two groomers in the room telling the other about New Girl. I joined in on this conversation and was practically animatedly telling the groomer who had no clue about this show my thoughts on it.

Later I thought about it and I was like WOW! Is the show buzz picking up steam or what?! I kept thinking how crazy it was that a show I was loving was being publicly talked about. Not that it doesn't happen, just that it doesn't when I'm out and about. Really, it doesn't. It was just so exciting. I can't explain why it was so exciting to me. Maybe the fact that I was finally semi knowledgeable about a new trendy thing.  Maybe I was still excited about the FOX VIP Klout Perk that enabled me to preview New Girl and Terra Nova before they aired. Maybe it was the left over excitement from the New Girl gear dropped on my porch last weekend containing my new fav tee (Adorkable on the front New Girl on the back), glasses like Jess wears, and a cute little tote. I had never ever dreamed to be trendy in that way. Hubs may not watch New Girl with me but he watches Terra Nova with me. Lord knows it beats Star Trek Voyager, which I only mention because that was the only Sci Fi type show I watched with him. Generally speaking, I'm not the Sci Fi kind of gal.

Being hip and up on the latest trend would hardly describe me. I'm one of those people that didn't know Harry Potter was a book series before it was a movie series. I was late to jump on the Friends phenomenon.  I've never been crazy about following fashion or anything. I'm just me. A jeans and tee shirt or shorts kind of gal. Waiting for the next Dallas Cowboys football game. I never cared if what I liked was popular or not. I just kept being me.

I really have no idea why I felt the need to share this or what I'm trying to say, for that matter. I just wanted to share it. My first experience of the excitement of finally being in the know about something that was popular. The last time I was close to that feeling was way back when a little show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer started. That was a rare exception to being on the wave before the wave really gained force. Only, I never talked about it with anyone and ending up defending myself for watching that show. If only that was the worst thing I had ever watched. It wasn't and isn't,  of course. *small giggle* But that's another story.

Vlog Talk ~ Stupid Pet Tricks

Below you'll meet my dogs Casey and Daisy. They're lovable bits of fluff and stuff. They love to get attention and even more they love to steal the spot light! ;)

This vlog is unedited and unembellished, as I couldn't get it from my camera ph to the computer.

Enjoy!

P.S. I promise I said "sit" and not a four letter word 

Um, My 4 Year Old Is Talking About...

So I've been thinking...I know, I know. Everyone says that from time to time. For this particular topic I've been mulling it over mostly because a post by the lovely Tracy from sellabitmum has me wondering at my own girls.

Tracy recently wrote a blog post on how one of her lovely girly girl daughter has recently found the love of a pair of jeans. If you haven't read her post, you really should. While my girls have their share of girly girlness they do love their jeans.

I have no issues with this. I love that they love all types of clothes. Though, Meg does much prefer twirly dresses or skits, just not for school right now. But I am finding it hard to handle Meggie's newest obsession. What is it? Breasts. I know you just gasped. Imagine my reactions when she mentions she has them. She doesn't of course but she's seems obsessed about the having or getting them.

This summer she got her first bikini. It may have started with that one simple thing. As soon as she had it on she proudly walked out of the room and announced to everyone "I have boobies!" I could only watch in shock and somewhat in awe as she walked into Uncle's room and patted her chest and said "Look I have BOOBIES!" Laughter abounded by one and all. After it settled, I took Meggie aside and had little motherly discussion with my 4 year old how that kind of talk was not acceptable especially to boys.

Little did we know how often we'd hear this over and over. Thankfully, she seems more intent on discussing this with me, or sometimes Nana. Like after baths. Every time she says she has bobbies I point out she doesn't yet and tell her not to be in such a hurry to grow up.  To which se responds, "Well I almost have 'em, see?" I usually just smile and sigh. I can't really argue with that.

I didn't go through this at all with Bridge at Meg's age or even much at all for that matter. Nor do I recall ever talking bout breasts to or with them or in front of them. If we're being honest, I have a love hate relationship with my breasts. I may have mentioned in their hearing a time or two of my love of my cute butt jeans. Yet, they're not obsessed with their butts. Lord help me when they do start to wonder about how good their bodies look or don't look.

Growing up without a Mom I have no idea how to handle these things. For as much as I didn't get along with the step mom I had while growing from 10 to 18, I do appreciate she was around for the whole period thing. After having to go through training bra fiasco with Daddy I can only grimace at how he'd have handled the monthly visits from Flo. Anyways, I pretty much just take it one day at a time, one thing at a time.

For Bridge the talk of breasts just has her recalling how they were fed. She remembers me nursing Meggie and telling her she used to eat the same way. So she doesn't yet care about these mystical things called breasts. So, why does Meggie? I shudder to think that it may mean my baby girl is going to be a horrendous flirt.

So, like Tracy wondering if jeans means tube tops are next, I have a question of my own. What does Meggie's obsession mean? Where does an obsession of breasts at 4 years old go? Topless? Lord, I hope not.

I do know some day these discussions will be less cute and more in depth. I am not at all sure I meant to word it that way, hopefully you know what I mean.

Kids grow so fast. I know I am barely ready for the day the girls are serious about boys. Heck, Sean's closer to being interested in girls than my girls are to be interested in boys. Yet, I'm not all worried bout that, maybe I should be. I'm also sure I have no idea how to deal with that either.

See, where this talk of breasts by a 4 year old leads? It just has my mind racing with all the things to come I am not ready for. It's not at all like them crawling and me grimacing that walking is not far off. No, this is bigger than that.

I Need To Get Over Myself

So last week I went to the dentist. I had one wisdom tooth extracted. I am still in pain from it. Why? No idea but it is starting to wear thin. I feel the need to spill my guts here. I hope to do so in a manner that makes sense but it may not.

My hubs and I are blessed enough to have some really good friends. One of these friends graciously offered to help get my teeth taken care of. Due the cost of dental care we haven't been able to go. I have (or had) 2 wisdom teeth and a split tooth that bug me. The split tooth is rather new and bothered me for like a month or so. The wisdom teeth would bother me for like a week here or there and then go away to bother me another day.

So, when the offer came to have it taken care of I was over joyed and very. very thankful. Then came stupidity. I never like to feel that I am taking advantage of peoples generosity. That and the lack of sleep we've been experiencing lately led me to only having the tooth that was bothering me the most taken care of. I also, misunderstood, I thought once tooth was all I was there for. Seems silly to look back and know I thought that. At the time it was only the lower right wisdom tooth. The split tooth was really more of a nuisance. Now, the upper right wisdom tooth is bothering me a bit. It's hard to say cause where the one was extracted is still moderately painful.

Yesterday hubs was talking to our friends and they were like, "Why did she only have the one removed?" and "Why hasn't she called our office to say anything?" I was all like, cause I really don't want to complain or take advantage of their generosity. Y'all are probably given the screen the same incredulous stare hubs gave me and our friends gave the phone when hubs was talking to them. I just really had no idea what all hubs and they had discussed prior to my visit. I also still overwhelmed that someone was being so nice to us.

So, I guess the other reason I said nothing was I really have no idea how long an extracted wisdom tooth hurts. I was guessing at least a week since that's how much pain medicine was filled, a weeks worth.

I just feel incredibly stupid now. Of course, multiple visits cost more than one visit and could be seen as taking advantage. Also, I am still trying to figure out why I thought I was only going to be able to have one tooth taken care of. A little misunderstanding along the way, I think. I didn't feel right asking to have 2 wisdom teeth removed and what can we do bout the split tooth, doc? Also, when it comes to my needs, I'm not that assertive. I suffer no such issues when getting my kids taken care of. Strange, no? Maybe not.

Putting this in words on a screen isn't easy. Doing so makes me wonder what the hell is wrong with me. *sigh* I don't know. Other than I am in some crazy pain. To add the craziness, I think it's nearing that time of month again, lovely. (Sorry for the TMI but you ladies will totally get it)

I guess I don't do well with others being so generous. Literally, the dental visit wasn't costing us a thing. Only payment expected, hubs to grill for our friends. I am humbled and incredibly blessed to know such people. As I am sure hubs is, too.

The lack of sleep I believe led to some of this confusion, I hope it's stabilizing. Sean has finally seen our family dr and meds are being adjusted. The girls, I hope are hitting an even kiel. This last week has been nothing but kids drama left and right. Though, I suspect that's another post. The Sean thing, I'm still trying to find words for. The girls, well not so much. They're just having sinus/allergy issues complicated by a run of bad dreams.

I think, I'll get with hubs and our friends and see about one last dental visit and not be afraid of asking to have all wisdom teeth taken care of, I know the left sides are nearly as bad as the right ones, and ask about the split tooth. Like I said, the spilt one really isn't in pain it's just a nuisance. I realize, I should've said something to the dentist sooner. I just have to get over myself, I guess. That's hard for me to say, but it's true.

Apologies if this post is a bit discombobulated. I'm finding it difficult to talk about this dental thing. Not cause of the dental part so much as trying to talk about our friends without giving too much info, ya know? I hope this post made some sort of sense. I hope I can have the rest of my dental needs taken care of and not feel like I'm taking advantage of people.

Someday, I hope to be able to give just as much to help someone else out. There still is some good left in the world. It's nice to know that in this day and age. Nice to know that those kinds of people are out there, and have kids who have been taught this. With that, I close this post.

So, We Think We Can Dance

A take on So, You Think You Can Dance for  #VlogTalk.
Watch as me and my crew dance for you, sort of. Hilarity ensues.

The music is Chantilly Lace by The Big Bopper. No copyright infringement intended. I have the song downloaded on my iTunes,  that is what I used to play the song.

You may need to check your computer volume!

The Art of Awesome

Ok, maybe that title is a bit much to live up to. I'm going with it anyways. While the iTunes plays random stuff, I'm gonna tell you a bit how I am sneaking in self confidence to my kids. Was that the right phrasing? Eh, whatever.

I have self confidence issues that still sneak up on me from time to time. Shocking? What? Don't we all? Now that I'm 33 I've found myself and my voice. Well, almost. What I mean is that I'm finding it easier to be more assertive but in a good way. (Not in the I'm gonna knock your teeth out way.) Be more me and not care what others think of me. I was that kid that wasn't quiet good enough for any group. Not popular, though I desperately wanted to. Outcasts, or whatever you want to call it, not so much. I apparently wasn't freaky enough for them. Nerd, oh hell no! Book Smart I was, but not enough, ya know? You might say that my group of friends was eclectic. Just a mix of different people who just liked to be with each other. Sadly, it seems that life has left me with one friend from those days. (You know no one tells you this will happen?) Anyways...

I don't want my kids to wonder about their worthiness to the world. I want them to feel that them being them is enough. It is. So, every morning I have the kids each say to their reflection in the mirror the following:

"Good Morning Beautiful/Handsome!! Today's going to be an AWESOME Day!!"

Now at first, I'm sure they thought I was off my rocker. They did it anyway. They're trusting like that and still young enough to join the crazy train with Mama.

Yesterday my son was taking to me about how I have them say, as he put, "...that awesome thing". This morning, he did it without me prompting. I hope it's catching. As many struggles as Sean, has and all of us really, I want this to catch. This tell yourself your AWESOME every morning to catch! I never want them to look in that mirror when they reach Jr High and wonder why the hell they bother, like I did. Like I still do, sometimes. I've found that not only is this helping them, but me too. Amazing!

So catch the AWESOME! Tell it to yourself every single day! Teach it to your kids! Lord knows that life is a series of ups and downs. Make sure they start the day with their AWESOME on board!

Just for fun! A little musical inspiration! ;D

Writer's Workshop ~ First Day of School 2011

Sean 4th, Bridge 1st, Meggie PreK ~ Frist Day of School Aug 22, 2011

The first day of school is always emotion filled and then some. This year, it was more so.

After all the frantic shopping for supplies (5 stores y'all! cause stores were sold out of different sets of things) and making sure each kid was properly registered, shots, etc.... We were all ready for the First       Day of School.

Hubs took bets I'd cry. Why? All my kids are now in school all day. This is Meggie's first year. In this district Pre-Kindergarteners go all day. With Sean and Bridge, PreK was only 4 hours. So this was new for all of us.

The picture? Speaks volumes! Even though each had their own worries, not one showed in this picture. Just eagerness for the new school year.

Me? I think I've adjusted rather well to having no kids at home during the day. The emptiness I felt at the beginning is no more. I love having time with the hubs and running errands w/out any kiddos in tow.

This is the 3rd week of school for my kids. I still kinda miss my Meggie being with me but it's time for both of us to let go, a little. Meggie has adjusted well and loves her class and her teacher. Bridge, so far so good. Sean, doing okay. For Sean, it helps that he has the same Success Team/Resource teachers to assist him.

I may not have liked this move last year. In fact, I'm still hopeful we can have our own place soon, but I plan to stay in this district. For Sean. He's done so well here. If he can do that well, I know the girls will too, even if they could/would do well anywhere. Sean made such progress last year it was amazing!

Linking up w/Mama Kat

The Magic of Word of Mouth

I am telling you bout something you may already be aware of. Word of Mouth.

Have you ever stopped to think bout how often people tell you bout things? Not just things, but products they've discovered.

Countless times I am sure.

They come from all directions. In this day and time that can be actual word of mouth from a pal on the phone or right next to you, research on your own, OR social media.

As crazy as it sounds this just hit me today as I was in the shower. Amazing how often enlightenment happens in the shower. And in this case, it is so fitting that the shower is where this thought came to me.

There on the shower caddy was my girls new shampoo and conditioner. The other stuff shoved in a cabinet for emergency back up purposes only.

It started on Facebook over a week ago. I noticed a posting by my niece about how much she was loving her daughter's new shampoo. This post got me to asking her where I could buy it. This was after one of her fiends talked bout how awesome it was for her kid too! That's 2 word of mouth raves bout this stuff!

I was told Wal Mart. Sadly, our Wal Mart didn't have it. Nor did any other store here. A few days later, I found it at our HEB. (That's a grocery store for those of y'all not familiar with it.) I won't lie, the price ($3.50 a bottle) nearly put me off on it. BUT I told myself what if this stuff is that awesome? What if I didn't need gobs of leave in conditioner/de-tangler just to comb the girls hair after baths and in the morning? So, I put in the cart. Then, I took a picture of it saying I had finally found it.

Didn't take long before my niece was reassuring me I'd love it and she was glad I found it.

That night I was in love with the stuff. Yes, already I was loving it. Almost week later, even more so. It was only a day or so before I told my sister about it. Knowing her girls, like my niece's daughter, had very curly hair. The HEB is a special trip for her as it's no where close to where she lives. It's literally on the other side of town. But she told me via Facebook that she may love the stuff, too! Which means she went to find it on my recommendation. Word of Mouth is so freaking AWESOME!

So ya see how it worked? How it's always worked? Only more so in this day and age. If not let me recap:

Niece talks bout awesome kids shampoo on Facebook.
I start hunting it down on her recommendation.
I tell my sis and my BFF.
Sis buys the stuff, too. BFF, her daughter has to use special shampoo for scalp condition.

Word of mouth.

Even my MIL is like, I want some. I've even thought about using it on my hair, too. I settle for just telling anyone I know who has kids about this stuff.

I used to use a 2 in 1 shampoo that smelled great. Still, always needed leave in conditioner/de-tangler for em. Also used my shampoo and conditioner on em a few times too. But kids, always prefer their own stuff. Preferably in easy to handle bottles.

What is this amazing stuff?

Monkey Brains.

No, you didn't misread that. It's called Monkey Brains. It comes it a yellow banana shaped bottles. If you currently struggle with combing/brushing your kids hair maybe this stuff is for you.

If you'd like to learn more you can visit the Moneky Brains Web Site. On their web site you can learn more bout their products and where a store near you is selling their stuff.
They're on Twitter @monkeybrains4u and Facebook Monkey Brains Hair, too. 


Just So We're Clear:


This Post is Not Sponsored by anyone, company, etc.... (I don't even know how that works.)
This is just me talking about word of mouth and how often it influences what we buy and recommend ourselves. 

MsPDrama Fire Alarm PSA

 Yes, I'm seriously posting this blog/vlog as a PSA! You may thank me some day. Your neighbors may thank me. It could happen. Apologies for looking a hot mess. I think it keeps the reality in the drama. No?

    

EDIT: There are 7 total Fire Alarms in this house. Apparently only 4 were trouble makers. Hubs is changing the batteries in all the ones we can reach.

Also, has been brought to our attention that Fire Alarms also have expiration dates. Like car seats. They are only meant to be used for X amount of years.  So make sure yours are in date every year. If there in date replace the batteries every year. 

Vlog Talk ~ How I Spent Labor Day

So I've been on a bit of a blog vacation. I just haven't had the time or topics. Something to do with kids getting sick the first week of school. The second week was just as crazy minus the sick part but toss in dentist visit for all kids and Curriculum Night at the their school.

ANYWAYS....Thank God and for  Jessica, Elena, and Vlog Talk! I'm inspired to get off my lazy non-blogging butt (is that what I meant to say? We'll just go with it)!


The Prompts/Topics


1) How did you spend Labor Day weekend?
2) Who do people say your kids look like and what do you think? (Submitted by @TeresaThinks)    
3) What would you do with your days if you didn’t blog anymore?




I am going with how I spent my Labor Day Weekend. Why? Sounded like the prompt for me. Plus, I think the kids resemble me but if you're talking famous people then I'm clueless. As for what I'd do if I didn't blog? I don't think I blog enough to say what I'd do if I didn't blog.


 Little different type of Vlog for me. Enjoy!

I googled all images by looking up laundry, kids fight, sleeping, and I forget what else. As soon as I remember I should post the links, right?

It Is What It Is But It Doesn't Have To Be

It is what it is but it doesn't have to be.

There are things I want to know. Things I need to say. I know I'm a strong person. I pray for the strength to say what needs to be said. I pray for patience for those that I have to deal with but would rather not.

I wish my family was close. I know we love each other but I think we're all looking at the past with different rose colored glasses. Burying the truth. Pretending it isn't what it is. Some not even seeming to see the toll it takes on me.

I want to know my family like my hubby knows his. I want to feel that bond. I don't need their version of what happened all those years ago. I don't need to be a part of the drama between the sides. I'm in the middle. I'm part of each side.

I'm not to blame for the past. I once thought I was. It took a very great friend, time, and faith to make me see it was not my fault.

I don't need to know or rehash what happened to cause this split. I simply want to belong again. Feel like I am truly a part of the family and not just an after thought.

It shouldn't matter to them what they think of my daddy or my hubby. It should only matter that we've wasted so much time.

Time they could've been telling me what my Mama was like as a girl. What she was like before what I am sure was Depression then Postpartum Depression or even Postpartum Psychosis took over. I need to know these things from family.

Once a few years ago, not more than that I'm sure, a friend of my Daddy's told me I had my Mom's mannerisms. Really? Those things aren't learned? You see, my Mom, as some know, died when I was 5 months old to the day.

I would love to know how much of her is in me that I'm not aware of. Is she in my girls? Beyond the physical and blood things, of course.

How do I reconnect? My 18 year old self tried desperately to belong. In my twenties it was drifting. I finally stopped trying. It was much to painful to feel rejected.

How do I avoid feeling like I'm in the middle of an ongoing silent war? My Daddy gets very upset if I talk bout them. Almost makes me feel like a traitor. It shouldn't, I know. I am not certain what they think of my Daddy. Why can they not just accept that I am my Mother's daughter, too? Let the past go. At least when and if we are ever together in any way.

I can have realtionships with them all. It isn't necessary for them to like Daddy or Daddy to like them. Isn't necessary to make me feel like I have to be everyone's defender.

Get to know me. Love me for me. If you love me, want to be a part of my life, then you can surely put aside your pain and bitterness of the past. Even if it's only while you're around me.

In my prayers I remember all my family and pray they let the pain/bitterness of the past go. It's the only way forward.

I've reconciled myself to being that Miracle Baby and a Survivor. I could use my past as an excuse for many things but I don't. Instead, I learn from it. I know I could just as easy go down that same path. That one of my kids will be fighting this same thing, too. I feel the past struggles prepared me for this fight. Prepared me to make sure my son knows he is not alone. To know that we know so much more today than yesterday.

I could go on forever. Really. But my heart is telling me this is enough for now.

For now all I can do is breath. Live one day at a time. Be consistent in my faith and prayers.

It is what it is but it doesn't have to be.

And just cause I think it's fitting

Also, late link up with Mama Kat and her fab Writer's Workshop.

The Prompts:

1.) A mom fail moment.

2.) Top Ten Reasons Bacon is Awesome prompt.

3.) Songversation. Take a current song that teens and tweens are listening to, share the lyrics, and offer a conversation that you might have with your child about the song.

4.) Write a post that begins and ends with the same sentence.

5.) Top ten reasons why you’re glad you’re done with school.

Inner Turmoil

Parts of her missing. Daily she questions it. She knows it's not spoken of. She wants to shout to those who bury it. Truly begin to heal.

Linking up with Write on Edge who gave the promt:
This week’s assignment will require the fewest number of words ever: we want you to write a story – your choice of topic – as a tweet.


When I saw this I knew I had to give it a try.

My Take on New Girl & Terra Nova

Be still my heart!   


That is what I said or rather thought when I received notice via email that I was eligible for a Klout Perk. 


I had the chance to be a FOX VIP. This perk was described as:


FOX and Klout are inviting select influencers to preview episodes from two of FOX’s new Fall series and to see what it’s like to be a FOX VIP. Participants will receive a FOX VIP hoodie and early access to the first episodes of NEW GIRL and TERRA NOVA! Additionally, the most active members will be selected to be a FOX VIP for the 2011-2012 TV season, with access to new FOX shows, one-of-a-kind FOX VIP merchandise, exclusive content to share with their networks, and maybe even a chance to meet some of their new favorite FOX stars!


It may sound silly to you, but to me it was so freaking awesome. I never ever thought I'd get to see early screenings of anything ever. I mean, I'm no celebrity. Plus, that hoodie is comfy. I tried it on and dreamed of the fall weather so I could wear it. It's like a bazillion degrees here so I didn't leave it on long. But still, I imagine it'll get lots of use when Fall does get here. And not to be over looked is that last part, potentially getting to meet new FOX stars! OMG! I know I sound like a complete dork or something but whatever. 


Brilliant idea by Fox and Klout to promote the new FOX Shows this way. Twitter and Facebook are powerful and fun tools. How many times have you heard, ok read it, on Twitter or Facebook before you hear/see it on the news? Exactly. 

 New Girl  Premiers Tues Sept 20 9/8C

First I watched New Girl. How can you go wrong with Zooey Deschanel? I just knew I'd love this show. Ok, so I hope I would. I loved her in Failure to Launch (she totally makes that movie, no ill will to Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey intended) and in Tin Man. Those are the only two movies I recall her in. Meaning it's the only two I've seen her in.


In New Girl Zooey Deschanel plays Jess. Due to some unfortunate embarrassing incident she ends up looking for a new apartment. She eventually moves in with 3 single guys. Rather a bit like Three's Company flipped around. Jess is quirky with that certain something. It's hard to put a word to it. I say Jess is a mix of Kit from Failure to Launch and DG from Tin Man. It's that quirky but perky bubbly kinda something. That may not be the best description but it seems to fit, as far as I'm concerned.  The guys are Nick, Schmidt, and Coach. They all have their quirks, for lack of a better term. Seems that they all need and will benefit from each other. I know I am not doing this show justice as far as descriptions go but I do encourage you to look it up, read about it, but most importantly watch it when it airs. New Girl premiers on FOX Tuesday, September 20 at 9/8C. With the over abundance of reality shows, crime and medical dramas, of which some I am a fan of, New Girl promises to be a refreshing change. 

Terra Nova Premiers Mon Sept 6 8/7C 

As for Terra Nova, I must confess that Sci-Fi shows are not really my thing. I watch them and sometimes I  do like them. Hubby loves Star Trek, I can take it or leave it. In fact I even told hubby this show would probably be right up his alley. I'm not certain I recognize any of the actors/actresses in this show. You may.  They are Shelly Conn, Christine Adams, Stephen Lang, Landon Liboiron, Allison Miller, Jason O'Mara, and Naomi Scott.


It's about the human race and Earth dying. In order to save the human race people are being sent back to Prehistoric Days with the dinosaurs. In the hopes that the human race can save itself and once again prosper.


As I watched it, I must confess that it started drawing me in. So much so that I can hardly wait to see Part 2 of the Terra Nova premier. In the first hour we learn that it is 2149 and that Earth is no longer a healthy beautiful place to be. Families of four are ok, more than that against the law. The main characters have broken this law. The father goes to jail. When he learns his family, minus the littlest one, are being sent to Terra Nova a plot to break out commences. They all safely, if only by the hair of their chins, arrive in Terra Nova. As they are adjusting and acclimating we are introduced to other characters who I am sure will be very important in the coming episodes. 


While watching Terra Nova I was taken aback by the look of it. No surprise since Steven Spielberg is among the producers. That as much as the cast of characters and the story drew me in. Had me rooting for the success of this family and the human race. As odd as it may sound it kind of reminds me a bit of The Postman and Mad Max. It doesn't have that look but the feel of the world changing, struggling, and the human race trying to survive any way they can. We also learn that Terra Nova is not the only colony. One of the other groups sent to Terra Nova broke off and formed their own colony for reasons not yet revealed. 


Even if you're like me and not the biggest fan of Sci Fi anything, I do suggest you give it a try. You might just find yourself pleasantly surprised as I did. Terra Nova premiers on FOX Monday, September 26, at 8/7C in a 2 hour premier.

Necessary Disclaimer: 

I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

http://klout.com/perks/disclosure

Say What?

 Common Sense, Back to School, Throw Up, & Spilled Fabric Softener

So last Thursday (8-18-2011) I took this photo. I Tweeted and Facebooked it. (In case you missed it)

Maybe Common Sense is not such a forgotten thing after all?

       
I thought it was worth sharing on my blog today. I love that it says "Common Sense Caution". I also thought this would be Pinterest worthy IF I were on Pinterest BUT I'm not, yet. Apparently it takes an invite and I'm still waiting. *sigh* (Should I have said that? :-/ )



Monday was the first day of school for my kids.

They say, "Do we have to do this every year?" Yes we do.

So, I took this photo. For the first time ever all of my kids are in school. Sean is a 4th Grader, Bridge a 1st Grader, & little Meggie is in Pre K. They make such a cute bunch. They seemed rather ready for school. Love it.

I woke up this morning to Dave telling Sean (rather loudly) to go to the bathroom. Moments later discovered he threw up (thankfully no pic of this) on his pallet in our room then by Dave's side of the bed. (Is it wrong that I'm happy he shared so well?) Took a peek at the clock, 4:00am. Awesome.

Dave cleaned up the mess while I started tossing things in the laundry and made sure Sean was not running a fever. He wasn't. We think it's just sinuses. But since he was up and down 3x over 2 hours we decided to keep him home today.

At around 5:00 am (ish) I heard a big boom but thought it was Dave. (No I do not want to explain that). A bit later, 5:50am to be exact, I walked to laundry room to switch loads. This is what I found.

At least it's not puke. 

Is it odd that my first thought was "Damn! My Shark Steam Mop died and I haven't got a new one yet."?
I blame Mommy Brain for me tweeting how to clean it up w/o a mop.

Me (@LittleMsP): Anyone know how to clean up a whole bottle fabric softener spilled on tile floor? Anyone? We do not own a regular mop in this house, btw.

Thanks to @NicoleFree for this: Use your bath towels to soak it up, but wash them right away so they don't get stained from fabric softener.

Gotta love this tweet from @redheadstepmom: @LittleMsP do you have a dirty, furry pet of some sort?

What more to say? It's almost 7:20am I'm typing this and Dave has taken the girls to school. Here I sit with finally something to blog about, sort of.

I was thinking that surely I'd become a social maven when all the kids started school this year. I'd be able to do whatever I wanted. Facebook and Tweet all day if I like. Have the ability to blog without being interrupted or feeling like I was ignoring anyone. So far, none of that has come true. Instead, I tweeted less, my klout score went down a whole 2 points. I couldn't think of anything to blog about. Rather, words to go with ideas.

Thank goodness for Wordless, or not so wordless, Wednesday and for lovely tweeps always ready to help or give ya a good laugh.



EDITS:  
Thanks @FarewellStrangr for the Piniterest Invite. =) Now I have something new to explore and love. You should check out her blog Farewell Stranger.

Added @redheadstepmom as the tweeter of fluffy pet tweet.

Not Crazy Just Human

Today started rough to say the least. I just woke up irritated. Maybe because I woke up late. 10 am is very late to be waking up when you have 3 little ones running around. Picture this, one full bowl of cereal uneaten, an empty bag that had chocolate donuts in it, two toy bins dumped from bed room to living room, Sean yelling at Bridge to move, and Meg swearing she's starving (of course she is since the uneaten bowl of cereal was hers.) I'm not proud to say that the first thing I did was start yelling like a crazy woman.

Mostly I was mad at myself for not knowing the kids were awake. We have this hurricane type fan in our room and it's great for keeping the room cool but it also drowns out noise from rest of the house. Thus, hard to tell when kids are awake unless they are fighting and screaming loud enough for people in China to hear.

Now reflecting back on it, I wonder what the hell is up with me? Next week can't get here soon enough to suit me. Surely the kids feel the anxiousness of getting back to school. I've been feeling overly exhausted for days. Thought maybe I was coming down with something. My conclusion, I'm exhausted because I'm trying to be everything to everyone and forgetting that I need to take care of me. I need sleep. My kids need me to be on my game. I need to be on my game cause let's face it, kids are the ultimate never know what you're gonna get from one minute to the next some days.

Dave works late into the night on his coin stuff and I feel the need to try to wait up for him. I woke up at 1am still connected to my iPad and no Dave in the bed next to me. Just Sean. As I was taking my shower this morning and calming down from my crazy mama rant it hit me. Through the tears it suddenly became clear. I need to retrain myself to sleep w/o Dave. 15 years of marriage. At various times due to jobs he's had that required him to go out of town often or work when most of us are sleeping I've slept alone. But that's been years ago. I've gotten spoiled with him most always being around working from home, so to speak. During the day he runs around buying or selling inventory. Or taking care of things like getting the kids registered for school. He's great like that. He, like the kids, deserves to have me be on my game and not some crazy woman who yells at everything.

I'm not proud of my actions this morning. I apologized for to my kiddos and my husband for going off the deep end. For the kids, an added lesson of hey we're all human and it happens. We reviewed that dumping two bins of toys from one end of the house to the other was wrong. Fixing a bowl of cereal and then deciding not to eat it, wrong and wasteful. None of that is acceptable. Then we talked about how it's okay to wake Mommy up when you wake up. In fact, I encourage them to do so. BUT I'm no idiot, if I'm up they get away with much less so of course they prefer me to be none the wiser as to what they're up to.

I think we're all ready for school to start. It'll give me the freedom to have a nap during the day while I adjust to going to bed at a decent time w/o Dave. Plus, I'm way more efficient at cleaning when kiddos are not running around famously undoing what I've just cleaned.

Days like today are rare for me but they do happen. I'd venture to guess they happen to other parents, too. How many of us are able to talk about our not so grand moments? I'm not perfect. Just human. These days while few and far between happen. It's how it's handle and how we move in that nakjes a difference. I DO NOT yell all day everyday. I'm happy to embrace the act of time out either for them or for me.

I'm not crazy, just human. Okay, maybe I can be the good kind of crazy sometimes but that's it. In case you're wondering, school starts here next Monday.

Clay Bowls Full of Love & Memories

So this summer Bridge was a busy Girl Scout Daisy. As you can imagine we were busy parents. She had a Twilight Camp, a Day Camp, and 3 Summer Extreme Events. She worked hard (with some help from us) to sell cookies. She met her medium goal of 500 packages sold. She picked her events. Dave and I discussed them and decided we'd make sure she could do all 5. Originally I was going to volunteer at the camps but then I found about my Daddy. Not wanting to make a commitment I couldn't keep we paid what the Cookie Bucks didn't cover. I cannot thank Dave enough for working hard and making it work. It was a great summer of events. Sure to keep reinforcing hard work pays off. Plus, she's so proud of her vest and talking about how she earned all the patches on it. So for the time being Girl Scouts is a big interest to her.

Today I am talking about her first Summer Extreme Event. Just for the record, two of her three Summer Extreme Events. My Buddy and Me is just what it says. Bridge and one other adult person. I was signed up as her Buddy for both her My Buddy and Me Events.

Her first Summer Extreme was called Klay Kids. We learned how to work with clay and form shapes. We made bowls. It was fun and a great learning experiecne. I was impressed how well she was following directions and forming her bowl. The clay was all prepared for us. So, all we had to do was flatten it and roll it out. Lucky for both of us, and probably most everyone there, we didn't have to free form the bowls. There were molds. Big molds for the girls as they would be slightly easier and various other size molds for the Buddies. I helped Bridge roll her clay out and that was about it. She helped me decorate mine. Neither of us noticed that we stamped the frogs on mine upside down. But I don't think it matters much at all.

Those bowls are proudly displayed in the living room. They're wonderful memories of the fun and learning experience. I hope these bowls last a very, very long time. I hope to hear Bridge tell her kids and maybe even grand kids about how those bowls were made.

Bridge's Bowl

Bridge's Bowl ~ View of the legs

My Bowl ~ See the upside down frog?

Bottom of B's bowl ~ See the kitty?

Bottom of my bowl

View of a frog right side up 

Where B's bowl sits

Where my bowl sits

This post is linked up with Bees With Honey ~ Let's Bee Friends by

My First Throat Punch Thursday

Okay. So I haven't blogged in a while. I've been preoccupied with sick kids and falling once again this week. Yeah, I did. More bout that in a bit.

It's Thursday. Every Thursday or maybe most every Thursday my friend in blogging Leighann from Multitasking Mumma does a  Throat Punch Thursday post.  You should check her out. She's AWESOME!

Today for the first time I am participating. Not as witty or creative as some in my manner but rather straight forward in my approach.

First Throat Punch goes to sickness & klutziness. In this instance they go together. Most of y'all may recall that I've been hit with a round of klutziness lately. If you follow me on twitter you know this already. If not, I recommend this post.

After the worst of the sickness had passed my son I scrubbed & disinfected the crap outta the bathroom. I decided the shower curtain was over due for a wash and God knows what nastiness it was hiding. Once it was washed I went to hang it up. I've done this countless times before. As afore mentioned, this last week I have been the Queen of Klutziness. As I finished hanging up the shower curtain and was stepping off the side of the tub, (What?! How else does one hang a shower curtain?) I slipped and landed on my butt. Bruising, jarred back, and jokes abound. Unfortunately, my bounce has of late lost some of it's bounce back.

To the sickness that had me staying up all day and night with Sean therefore making me incredibly tired, cranky and yet determined to clean the bathrooms anyway I deliver you a double whammly left right punch to the throat. Not satisfying enough to my sense of fairness, I give you a nice kick in the ribs while your down! After all, I give as good as I get.

Second Throat Punch goes to that bitch Fate! Oh me and my BFF, Rach, may have fooled her and got around her plans to thwart us getting together this past Friday. Who knew Fate would attempt to have the last laugh? Oh we really should know better by now. We really should.

We had planned to hang out at her place and have a girls night for us and our kiddos, tossing in Nic just to be fair and for fun. Dave and Sean were going to be at local baseball game and all. But no. It was not to be. Due to unforeseen and sad circumstances we called it off. Causing me to be cranky and snappy. Hubby hands me money tells me to take the girls out. Get out of the house and stop being so thin with everyone. He's lucky I didn't bite his head off. I fully believe the $100.00 bill he handed me saved him.

Deciding to take them to see the Smurfs I called up Rach to see if she's up for it. She tried to beg off cause she had no funds and I was all like no problemo. Off we went to meet a theater near us to see the Smurfs. Oddly, not as horrid as I thought it'd be.

This must have really ticked Fate off. I mean it had to be at least the third time we got around her attempt to keep us apart. We had planned on a Tuesday get together at her place. Visiting and what not and toss in some sewing of patches to B's vest. Thanks to the above mentioned sickness and klutziness our planned day together never had a chance.

Fate, a good round house to the throat is the least I'd like to do to you but it'll do for now. Me and Rach are still working on more torture for you. She's a real genius at stuff like that.

Lastly I give a good hearty throat punch to a company that shall remain nameless. I love how you just today sent me an email telling me when an item I ordered was shipped on July 29. What happened to the email telling me when it was being shipped and when I could expect it? I got that item days a go. You my friend (I use the term loosely) are as they say a day late and a dollar short. While I did get my item in a timely manner but I may not recommend you as your customer service leaves a lot to be desired. I truly don't appreciate my business being an after thought. If you say an email will be sent when my item is shipped I expect it to be so. I do not expect an email days after I received said item. Nor do I care what other neat items you have available. I may have cared had you sent the email in a timely manner like you did the item I ordered. I give you an A+ for quick service but an BIG FAT F- for your customer service. By the way, when I was trying to figure out how to place my order I tried calling you and you told me all representatives were busy and told me I could leave a message. WHAT?! No option to hold for the next available representative? I don't know bout anyone else but iffy or out right bad customer service ruins it all. So to you iffy Customer Service I give you a triple throat punch!

Phew! I feel much better now.

Via Twiter Leighann informed me that @TruthfulMommy is the originator of Throat Punch Thursday. Her sight is The Truth About Motherhood. I'll definitely be checking her out and you should, too.