My New Toy

I took this picture tonight at the fish camp.
It's brandi, colleen, and carson.

I took it with my new camera.
To check it out, look on my kids blog.
I really love it!

Need An Attorney?

I live in South Carolina, very close to the North Carolina border. Knock on wood I have never needed an attorney. I haven't been in trouble with the law, so I don't have to look up a Criminal Attorney NC. I gave up drinking years ago, and you all know I don't drive, so I don't have to worry about being pulled over for DWI in NC. It might be interesting to learn more about Immigration Law in NC because we have all the migrant workers picking peaches and working the fields.

If you are in North Carolina, and need an attorney for any reason, check out William Fay. He may be able to help.

Taxes

We officially filed our taxes today. Hopefully tomorrow we will have some money. It will be nice to shop a little bit, and get the purple camera I have my eye on. It's so pretty! Oh, and maybe get some new bras. I've yet to but anything other than a sports bra since my surgery. Maybe I'll get something lacy...

My Own Dot Com

Lately I have been toying with the idea of becoming a dot com. Unfortunately, I know nothing about the process, and don't know where to find the best web hosting. With so much information out there, it's nice to see it all compared in one place. WebHostingReport.com has a beginner's guide to web hosting, which is probably something I really need to read. I have tons of questions, and now I have somewhere to start looking for answers. Like how much does it cost, and who offers the best plan features? I have so much research to do before I make a decision, and WebHostingReport.com is a great place to start.

Publish Post

Border Be Gone

I hate the border above the cabinets in my kitchen. It's blue with grapes and vines and just not me. So this afternoon, I went crazy and started peeling it off. This is not fun. I got most of it off, but still have some to do tomorrow. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I will be able to paint the kitchen, too. I am so tired of everything being beige. This place needs some color!

Let's Dress Up

When you think of costumes, do you automatically think of Halloween? I know I do. Most of you know we make a big deal out of Halloween at my house. Not because we worship the devil or anything like that, but because Ryan's birthday is right around that time, and he likes to have a costume party. It's getting easier to come up with Kids Halloween Costumes, because we have been doing this for a couple of years now. I like to get a head start with the planning, although talking about this in January is a little crazy.

This time of year, you might want to look at Sexy Halloween Costumes. With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you might want to dress a little sexy for your man. Heck, you might be one of those couples who likes to role play. I know my husband would flip if I walked into the bedroom all dressed up. He doesn't need to get his hopes up, though, because I am not that brave. Maybe when I finally lose some of this weight...

For now, I will keep looking for costumes for the kids. I think Ryan said something about wanting to be scary and bloody this year. Thankfully I have Brandi, who still wants to dress as a princess.

Bathroom Walls

This is what the walls of my bathroom look like. I love the purple, but the blue is getting old. I want to repaint it in a couple of weeks, but i can't decide what to do. I'm leaning towards white walls, which will look really clean, with all my purple accents. Or I could do white walls with the purple sponge look, but I'm not sure how good a job I can do.

What would you do?

Beautiful Watches

How gorgeous is this watch? It's the Bulova 95U31 Ladies 14kt Gold Dress Watch with Diamonds. It has a mother of pearl dial, and a scratch resistant face. I love the look of this watch, because it looks more like a bracelet. This is just one of many beautiful Bulova watches you can find at BlueDial.com. They only sell new, authentic timepieces, and they offer free 2nd day shipping in the United States.

This would be the perfect Valentine's gift for that special someone in your life. I was even looking for watches for my daughters, and found a nice selection, although I think I might wait until they are a little older to invest so much into a watch. I, however, would love to own the one pictures right there. I need some new bling.

The After Pictures

I think I made good progress. I still have some things that I need to find a home for, but I think I need more drawers first! lol! I didn't picture the bottom drawer...maybe I'll tackle that tomorrow. For tonight, I am tired and ready for bed. I will be dreaming about organized yarn baskets, too....

Reaching Out

When I met my husband, he was a heavy drinker. I wasn't. I saw him drunk one time. The next day I gave him a choice: stop drinking or I would not date him. He chose me. Luckily, he was able to stop drinking on his own. Some people need alcohol detox to be able to stop. The Pat Moore Foundation has been helping people stop drinking for over twenty three years. They offer support and counseling, and each program is based on the individual in need. If you are an alcoholic, and want to stop drinking, please reach out. You so not have to do this alone.

What A Mess!

This is my project of the day. When we moved, I had my craft stuff so organized. Now it is a mess. I have stuff thrown everywhere, and the drawers in my cabinet are a disaster. I need to empty it all out and reorganize everything. Hopefully I can get it all done today.

The before shots:

Thinning Hair

I remember, right after I had Brandi, that my hair was falling out. I would take a shower, and when I washed my hair, I would be pulling out handfuls of hair. I blamed my hormones, just like every other woman I know that this has happened to. Luckily it didn't last long, and my hair went back to normal after a few weeks.

This isn't necessarily the case for all women. Just like men, as women get older, they can start losing their hair. Now, they may not go bald like men do, but thinning hair is a problem for many women. I have a bad feeling that when I get older, my hair will thin out. I already have long, thin hair, so if I lose any it will be extremely noticeable. I will have to use some nioxin to keep it looking full and healthy. This hair system is designed to give hair thickness and strength, and you can pick the specific formula that describes your hair. I would need to use the Nioxin System 1, which is for fine, natural, normal to thin looking hair. This system comes with a cleanser, a scalp therapy, and a scalp treatment. Each step helps hair to look healthy and full, and protects hair from the damaging components that contribute to thinning hair. There are eight different Systems to choose from, so you are sure to find one that will work for you. With discount prices and fast shipping, it is easy to get on the road to healthier, fuller hair.

Back To School

Ryan is feeling good enough to go back to school today. His throat is finally less swollen, and he can talk normally. Is it horrible to say that it just gets on my nerves when he voice goes all funky when his throat hurts? It grates on my nerves so bad! I know, I'm a horrible mother! Send the award my way!

Reverse Mortgages

Most people spend their lives making monthly mortgage payments. When you reach your sixties, you now have the option of applying for a reverse mortgage. I was reading about reverse mortgages and it sounds like a great way for seniors to have money come in each month. Basically, you can have payments made to you, so you can enjoy the equity in your home while you are still alive. No payments are made back until after you die. If you are looking into a California reverse mortgage, check out this site. They have lots of reverse mortgage facts that can help you make an informed decision.

Did Somebody Say Baby?

My sister is having a baby. The first thing I did when I found out was go buy some yarn.
Pretty, huh?

I started this blanket, and plan on making a sweater, too. Now we just have to pray for a little girl. She already has three boys, so I don't think the odds are in my favor, though, lol!

Valentine's Special

I know, I have told you all about the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing in the past. I just found out they are offering an amazing package deal for Valentine's Day, and I want to share the details.

The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel Package for Valentine's Day is available for the entire month of February. Since my birthday is also in February, this could be extra special for me. I have never had a vacation with just my husband, so it would be nice to have some alone time. Those of you who have kids understand exactly what I am saying. While I'm sure the kids would love a trip to Branson, because they have tons of things for families to do, they will have to stay home this time. For couples, when you book this package, you get deluxe accommodations, a $50 food and beverage credit that you can use at any of the hotels food and beverage outlets, and admission to the Titanic Museum Attraction.

And because it is a Valentine's package, and Valentine's Day is all about love, you can renew your wedding vows at the base of the Grand Staircase. This would be extra special for me, since I never had a wedding. Junior and I were married in the courthouse, in front of family and friends. It would be amazing to have a beautiful little ceremony, even if it is just the two of us. You will also receive a box of chocolates and a Heart of the Ocean replica necklace.

To take advantage of this special package, you have to purchase it in advance. It requires a three day stay, and starts at $209 per couple, which is non-refundable.

Of course, they have all the winter activities going on as well. You may also be able to participate in the Third Annual Ice Carving, the exciting 2009 Polar Plunge and the 2nd Anniversary of the Hilton Promenade. They also have all the little shops and wonderful restaurants to visit, so I am sure you will be able to find something to do with every minute of the day.

Another Seven Random Things

It's been a while since I have done this, and since Swapna, from crafts & cooking tagged me, and since I have nothing better to do at 11pm on a Sunday night, here ya go:

***be warned...if you are a regular, you may know these already!

1. I just found out on Friday that my older sister, Tami, is pregnant with her fourth child, and I have already bought yarn and started to crochet a blanket...the yarn is kinda girlie, cause I'm really hoping for a niece!

2. I am super shy, almost to the point that I hate to go out of the house. My baby sister Colleen bullied me into going to a jewelry party at her house on Saturday, and I almost had a stroke when we had to go around the room and introduce ourselves. I'm still not over it...

3. I can solve the Rubik's cube. My mom just got me one for Christmas, and my kids love messing it up, just so they can watch me solve it again. Ryan really wants to know the secret...

4. I have a very addictive personality. If I find something I like, I am all about it for weeks, New movie I like? I will watch it every day for a month. New food? I will eat it every day! Luckily the last thing I found I enjoyed is Lean Cuisine's mushroom and spinach pizza, so I have been eating that for lunch every day. It could be worse, like chocolate or something...

5. I HATE HATE HATE when people judge other people solely based on how they look.

6. Our kitten, Ginger, is a boy. We only realized this a week or so ago, and we've had him for months, so I refuse to change his name.

7. I love my kids. The only thing I have ever wanted to be is a mom, and I love that God blessed me with my little monsters. Though the hardest job I have ever had, it is also, by far, the best and most rewarding, too.

Little story....

Junior doesn't wear his wedding band. He was a mechanic, and for safety reasons, couldn't wear it. Now it's too small, and we just haven't gotten around to getting it fixed. Well, tonight, while in bed, Brandi asked me where Juniors wedding ring is. I told her I didn't know. She asked why he didn't wear it, and I told her it didn't matter, because I knew he loved me, even if he didn't wear it. She looks at me and says...

"You have his heart...that's all that matters"

From the moth of my seven year old...

And because I am feeling lazy, I am not tagging anyone. If you do do it...I just typed do do! lol...let me know and I'll show you some love.

Is Your Pet Scary?

Do you have pet pictures that are scary or funny? If so, you should enter it for a chance to win a $500 gift card to Lowe's or Home Depot. I entered the picture to the left of Ginger looking out our front door. He likes to watch the other cats, and will sit there all day long. You will have to register with the Energized Seller website, but it is free and only takes a minute or two.

I was reading the website, and found it quite interesting. I had no idea that when you are trying to sell your home, your pets can deter future buyers. I was surprised to read in their 101 Home Selling and Staging Tips that you should remove any trace of indoor pets when showing your house. I guess to someone who hates, or who is allergic to, cats it would not be appealing to know a cat lives in the home.

They had other great tips, too. They recommend removing furniture from crowded rooms, and maybe even renting furniture to make rooms look more professionally decorated. They suggest replacing carpet with neutral colors, as well as painting the walls a neutral color. They do not want buyers to see the things they will have to do in order to live in the home. Putting a little money into the house before putting it on the market can increase the value of the home, so it's a good idea to update the kitchen a little, and make sure your front door is the prettiest and most welcoming on the block. All of these tips are very helpful, and most of them I have never thought of doing.

The Little Man

A self-portrait.

When we were bowling on Monday, Carson got very upset when it wasn't his turn.

To keep him from screaming, I gave him my camera.

He took some pictures.

This is my favorite! lol!

My Birthday Wish

My birthday is two weeks from today. I am going to be 37 years old. I do not know where the time has gone, or how I ended up almost 40. It's amazing how one day you are complaining that high school is lasting forever, and then the next you are the mother of three children, wondering how they ended up almost old enough for high school. Time sure does fly by.

This year for my birthday, I would love to be able to get away, without the kids. Just Junior and I. With the holidays behind us, and tax time close at hand, we will have some extra money. Going to Missouri and staying at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing sounds like a great, and relaxing, idea. If Junior books a room for any night between February 5th and 8th, he can take advantage of their Hilton Branson Escape Package. We can get deluxe accommodations, a complimentary in room movie with drinks for two, and breakfast the next morning, for only $79 a night. I hear they have an amazing fountain in their town square, that has a laser and light show set to music. That has got to be amazing to see. I'm sure we can find little shops and restaurants to visit, and maybe even take advantage of their river walk, if the weather isn't too cold. I can not think of a better way to spend my birthday.

Brandi's Creations

These are what brandi painted the other day. The paint by numbers she got from my mom for Christmas. The ornaments were left over from her party. I love doing crafts with her. I think she did a great job!

Did You Watch?

The kids being home today was a mixed blessing. Granted, I was so ready for them to go back to school after a four day weekend, but since they were home, we sat and watched President Obama being sworn into office. I am not a political person, and my views on him are not relevant to the fact that history was made today. I wanted my kids to be able to say, years from now, that they watched the first black president being sworn in.

Ryan didn't really want to watch because he thought it was boring. The girls, however, listened intently as the ceremony progressed. They asked a few questions, which I answered to the best of my ability. We chuckled a little when President Obama forgot what he was repeating. I recited the Lord's Prayer while they were praying, and was shocked when I realized that my kids did not know it. I say shocked, but maybe that isn't the right word. I think I just assume they know these things, but I have never taken them to Sunday School or Church, so how would they? I am not being a very good teacher, and I need to change that.

I hope each of you were also a witness to the inauguration today. If you want to commemorate this occasion, you could buy an Obama inauguration signs. Each sign is 9.5 “ wide by 39 inches tall, and for the next ten days, you can get one for $9.99. This price includes free USPS ground shipping, and orders will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. You do, however, have to pay by paypal or Google check out. This would be a perfect way to remember this historic day.

Puzzled

This:

Becomes This:

Pretty cute, huh? I got this at Hobby Lobby after Christmas for about a dollar. I still need to paint the board, but I think it looks cute. Brandi and I spent yesterday painting, because she was bored. Kasi went to spend the night at her friends house, and poor Boo was left to fend for herself. Somehow it ended up being my job to entertain her, so we painted. I'll post pictures later of what she painted.

What To Do

When we moved in this apartment, it was so nice to have the shed that we were able to use. If only we knew then what we know now. My Easter stuff is ruined, and the tree for my Christmas tree is soaked. It seems there is a huge hole in the roof, that they covered with a tarp. We thought the tarp kept the rain out. Yeah, not so much. Now we need to look into climate controlled storage because the house is just too small to store the stuff in here, and if we get climate controlled, I can put even more in it. Right now, the top of my bedroom closet has boxes of candles and craft things that can't get too hot, or too cold. I guess it's just one more monthly bill we'll need to find money for.

Tree Down

This is a picture of the tree that fell in our yard a few weeks ago. You can see how muddy my yard was. It still is, actually. I will be happy when it warms up enough to dry it out, but I don't see that happening any time soon. In fact, Junior called this morning to say it was snowing on his way to work. I didn't hear the phone...I was sleeping, so me and the kids missed it!

In Your Own Words

You know when you are listening to the radio, and you hear an amazing song for the first time. You just can't wait to tell your friends about it, and hope that it comes back on the air soon. Then there are the songs that make you want to vomit. You know, the ones where after the first verse you can not change the station fast enough? Well, if you want to share your own Pop Music Reviews, check out everhype.com. You can sign up for free, and then dish about the songs you love, and the songs you hate. You can review music, as well as artists. They have all types of music reviewed, from 80's to folk, and gospel to funk. No matter what style you prefer, you can share your opinion with the world, and also read what the world thinks of your favorite music. When you sign up, you get to fill out a personal profile, and start doing your own music reviews. You can make friends on the site, or have your existing friends join, too, and hype together. Aside from music, you can also hype games and movies. I, personally, love the ideas of a site where the reviews are from regular people.

Haircut

For Christmas, my sister Colleen gave Kasi a trip to the salon for a haircut. This is a big deal for her, since no one has ever cut her hair besides me. She wants to get a shorter, layered look, but I really want her to keep the little length that she has. In order for her to get what she wants, I have decided not to go with her. I'm just hoping Colleen doesn't let her get carried away.

Have You Met Ted?

So I need to do this post, and all I have to do is mention this guys name. You know, give him a little exposure. When I heard his name, I immediately thought of Barney, from How I Met Your Mother. All I keep thinking is...."Haaavvvvveee you met ted (murphy)?" Okay, so maybe I'm the only one who thinks that's pretty funny.

New Neighbors

They finally rented the other half of our duplex. I'm not sure who's moving in, if it's a couple, or a family, or even just one person. I guess I'll find out soon enough. I am a little nervous, though. Paranoid is maybe a better word. What if it is a smoker, and they are careless?

I know....I need to not worry too much. I'll drive myself insane!

My, Ahem, Office

My home office consists of my computer, on a desk, in a corner of the living room. The lighting in this corner is horrible, especially at night. Even though I have two elephant table lamps already, I need something to sit on my desk to help me see when the rest of the house is sleeping. I hate turning the overhead light on, because it shines right into the bedrooms. Maybe this cute little elephant lamp will do the trick.

The Police Officer Was Here....

I have had one of those days. Junior had to come home from work for a little while, and have the police come take a statement. Long story short, Ryan came home with a big bruise on his chin, and the school didn't call me and tell me. According to Ryan, the school didn't do anything, so we wanted to know what our options are, legally. I will post the whole story on my journey later...I'm too tired right now.

Me And Kasi's Dollhouse

I know at one time I posted pictures of the dollhouse I made for Kasi. I tried to find them, but somehow they disappeared. I wanted to show off my handy work, and if my computer wasn't broken, I would take new pictures to download. My Dollhouse has three floors and six rooms. I made one room a kitchen, and think this little cat food and bowl set would look perfect in there. We still need to decorate two bedrooms, and Kasi wants to make one of them a nursery. I love buying, and making, things to decorate the house, and it is something Kasi and I enjoy doing together. In fact, I know more adult woman who have dollhouses than I do young girls. Maybe it's our way of holding on to our youth.

Just In Case....

....you don't read my other blog, let me remind you that Thursday Thirteen is back! Well, not back, but picked up by some new lovely ladies who didn't want to see it go! The new hub is here. Go ahead, play along. And make sure you go check out my TT for today!

Paid Posting

I was dropping ecards the other day, and came across a blogger who was writing about paying post. After reading what she wrote, I knew it was something worth looking into, and I'm happy I did. It was very easy to register my blogs, and they were both accepted quickly. Their site is very user friendly, and easy to figure out. I have already done a few posts for them, and I have to say that I am impressed with how quickly they reviewed and approved them. I did have a question about a post, so I sent them an email. I was floored when I received a reply within an hour.

You can reserve up to three opportunities per day, and unlike other sites, you can reserve all three at one time. They give you six hours to come back and submit your post, so it's not like you have to rush to get them done. Another thing I like about paying post is that they pay once a month, on the first. The only drawback is that they only payout if you have fifty dollars in your account. However, it shouldn't be hard to make that much each month. I joined a week or so ago, and already have more than half of that in my account. I found that they offer more money per post than some of the other sites, so that should help with meeting the minimum every month.

I never knew how easy it was to make money blogging. I used to frown upon those bloggers who seemed to only do paid posts. I now understand why. It is so easy when you use sites like paying post to make extra cash every month. This is the perfect place to get matched up with advertisers who are willing to pay you for your opinion. If you have been thinking about doing paid posting, this is the perfect place to start.

New Recipes

Kasi got a cookbook for Christmas from my mom. It is a Paula Deen cook book specifically for kids. It has some really cute and easy recipes for her to try. I just have to remember to get the ingredients, and renters insurance first! Poor Kasi is so accident prone, and is likely to burn the house down!

Valentine's Day Is Coming

As most of you know, I am a big girl. I haven't always been this way, and there was a time when I enjoyed wearing sexy clothes and sheer lingerie. I haven't worn any in years, but ever since my breast surgery, Junior has been after me to buy some. I wish I had the body to be able to pull it off, but I would feel silly wearing it. I can, however, use this as motivation to lose more weight. I wish I looked like this:



Heck, Junior probably wishes I looked like that, too. I still haven't bought any new bras yet. The doctor suggested I wait a few months, until my breasts "settle" to their new size before I tried any on. I have been wearing the sports bras I bought, so I do have some support. I am looking forward to being able to wear the sheer, lacy bras that don't come in my old, huge size. I want to buy a black bra. I know this is going to sound funny, but it has been about twenty years since I have worn a sexy, black bra. I want a red one, too. That might be a nice Valentine's present for myself.

What I Used To Wear

It has been many years since I have gotten really dressed up for anything. It was probably my sister's wedding, about 5 years ago. I say I was really dressed up, but I was wearing a nice pair of black pants and a black and red flowered shirt. I remember when I was younger, and thinner, and I could get away with wearing sexy mini skirt. In fact, I used to wear short, flirty skirts all the time when I was in high school. It used to be the fashion to wear boots with skirts. Some girls even wore cute little slip on tennis shoes with their mini's. It's funny how lately, I have seen the same trends coming back. I have seen women wearing skirts with boots or heels, bare legged or with patterned hose. My girls both have short skirts, although at their age I would in no way call them sexy. They are more cute. I am not looking forward to the day when Kasi wants to dress to impress the boys, even though I know it is inevitable. I hope I am open enough to let her express herself with what she wears, within reason, of course. After all, once upon a time, I did that exact thing myself. Maybe I didn't look like this girl, but I did look cute. Man, Junior would love if I could pull this off!

Fire Pit

Junior got home from work around 5 this afternoon. We needed to run to the grocery store, and while we were walking in the store, he asked me if I still wanted to get a fire pit. I laughed and told him how funny it was that he asked me that today, because I had just done a post about pits. He wants to get one that is a little smaller than the one I picked out, but he loves the design of it.

I knew he had good taste!

Outdoor Dreams

How beautiful is this fire pit? One of the things we miss most about moving is the big yard we had. We had lots of plans for that yard. We were going to build a big patio area, with a fire pit,
patio furniture, and a custom grill. I say custom because Junior and I were going to build it ourselves. It was going to have a barbecue pit, a big grill, a rotisserie, a refrigerator, and even a sink with running water. It would have been beautiful. But now that we are back to renting for a while, that dream will have to be put on hold. We can, however, get one of these fire pits to put here, because they are portable, so we can take it when we leave. We didn't get to enjoy the outdoors here too much last year, because we moved in July, right after my surgery. This year we plan on spending a lot of time outdoors, so having some wicker furniture may come in handy. We promised the kids a pool again this year, and they are not allowed to swim unless I am out there with them. It would be wonderful to have somewhere comfortable to sit and enjoy whatever book I am reading at the time.

Another Long Weekend

I can not believe the kids have a four day weekend this week. They are off Friday and Monday. They just went back to school last week! It feels like they are home more than they are in school these days. Did someone tell the district that I wasn't enjoying my "me" time?

Mud

It is getting cold outside. Luckily the rain has finally stopped, so my leaks are no longer dripping. Unfortunately, my yard is still so muddy. We have a lot of tress lining our yard, so the sun is blocked most of the day, which means the ground doesn't heat up. This means the mud is not drying up. When the tree fell, the guy who came to cut it up pulled a huge truck into the yard, and completely ruined the grass, so now I have mud where there used to be grass. I am going to have to invest in some boots for the family soon if I want to keep our feet dry. Junior said yesterday that he is going to get some grass seed to try and grow some grass. I don't see how that will help if we are going to keep driving on it. The other side of the duplex has a gravel parking spot, but there is a wood fence between us and them. Junior insists on driving around the fence, all over the grass, to park in front of our apartment. This is just ruining our grass, too. But, hopefully if it continues to stay cold, the ground will freeze, and somehow the mud will disappear. Hopefully!

Back In Business

I am getting my computer back this weekend! I am so excited that I will be able to download my pictures again. Of course, I have lots on my camera I have been waiting to share. I have also decided that instead of buying a new PC at tax time, I am going to invest in a laptop. The kids will then be anle to be doing homework on this one, while I blog on my new laptop! lol!

Yummy Gum

My youngest daughter, Brandi, has a new addiction. Whenever we go into the store, she has to have a pack of gum. She begs and pleads until I give in. After we pay for it, she sticks it in her Hannah Montana pocketbook, and she's good to go. She is good about sharing it, too. All you have to do is ask. Mostly she likes the funky flavors that are sour and fruity.

I have found out that beemans gum is available again, and you can find it here at a great price. This is one of the first brands of gum, and it is being produced again for everyone to enjoy. I am not sure what it tastes like, but maybe something minty. It would be fun to try a piece. It would be like chewing a piece of history. It is only available for a limited time, so if you want to experience a blast from the past, don't hesitate. Order today. And if you love it, make sure you stock up, because there is no guarantee that this gum will ever be available again.

You can also buy and try Black Jack Chewing Gum. This gum tastes like licorice, and I love licorice. I wonder if it makes your mouth turn black?

Wordless Wednesday ~ 1

At the zoo we go to, they allow you to feed the birds. You just have to buy a cup of nectar, and they let you into an enclosed area with all these beautiful birds. They like to land on your hands to drink the nectar. This bird was happily drinking on my hand when my sister Tami walked over. she thought it was funny to chase the bird up my arm, onto my shoulder. I snapped this picture right before the bird pooped down my back! It was so gross. I got my sister back, though, by riding back home in her truck!

To participate, go here.

Let's Dress Up

When I think of dressing up in a costume, I immediately think of Halloween Costumes. However, there are many other reasons to purchase a costume. With Valentine's Day coming up, I thought it would be fun to try and find some Cupid costumes. I was able to find one, and it is pretty funny looking. I could just see my husband putting it on and prancing around the house. Okay, maybe not, but that would be funny to see.

Costumehub.com has a large variety of kids costumes as well as adult costumes. I know when we had the kids birthday party in October, we tried hard to find them the costumes they wanted. We looked locally in the stores, but every store carried the same costumes. There was nothing different for them to wear so they could stand out from their friends. This site has just about everything you could be looking for. I would love to be able to shop early for next Halloween. I know we'll throw another party, and maybe this year I'll dress up. For the past two years I have thrown on a pair of ears and called myself a mouse or a cat. I need something different and fun this year. I know it's only January, but if I could find the perfect costume now, that would be one less thing I have to worry about in October. Besides, right now I have the extra money to spend. Who knows if I'll have anything extra come Halloween.

Study Habits

Ryan just got home from school, and my blood is boiling!

Report cards come home next week, and he has his first "F".

I am very frustrated because this is in the class where the teacher wanted to do a conference, and when hubby went, he was out sick, and never rescheduled. Okay, maybe I can take the blame for that, because I listened to my son when he told me that he was making up work, and his grade was improving. I am sure as hell going to request a conference now, because obviously something isn't working. I am in no way blaming the teacher, because I know Ryan can be lazy when it comes to getting his work done. I am just very frustrated that he is failing.

I never failed a class in school....ever.

My husband failed all the time.

I do not want my kids failing. And neither does Junior. He is as mad as I am.

So I told Ryan no computer/playstation/gameboy/television/portable DVD player/electronics of any kind for the next 5 weeks, until I see a progress report with at least a "B".

Am I being unreasonable?

A New Television

A few weeks ago, the television in the kids bedroom broke. I say broke, but it was more like it became possessed. It would turn on and off all by itself, and the volume would go up and down all on it's own. The first time it happened in the middle of the night it woke up the whole house. I insist that it be unplugged now when the kids aren't in their room.

I am not sure if I want to buy them a new one, or if I want to give them the one out of the living room, and invest in a new family television. There are so many new LCD and high definition TVs
out there, but I think an HD is the way we should go. We are not big sports watchers, but Junior and Ryan are big race fans. The girls and I are big movie watchers, so I think maybe a big screen HD would be perfect. My dad has one, and the picture is so clear and beautiful.

Have any of you invested in a new television lately? Which would you recommend? I want to get the best product I can for the money I spend. Is there a specific brand you would suggest I look into? I know there are comparison sites out there. I just need a heads up before I start looking.

Creepy

There is this new craze sweeping cemeteries in my area. I find it extremely disturbing. My kids enjoy making fun of me, because it freaks me out so bad.

Do you want to know what I am talking about?

Glow in the dark crosses.

That's right...glow in the dark crosses.

So when you drive by at night, there is a sea of shining crosses, and it totally creeps me out. It makes me think of low budget horror movies.

Who thinks of these things?

XML Challenge

Are you an XML Superstar? If you think you are, you should enter the XML Challenge.
There are different contests going on, with lots of great prizes.

The video contest consists of recording yourself talking about, singing about, or just working with XMl or DB2. The highest rated monthly video creator will receive an 8GB iPod nano.

The gadget contest consists of submitting a gadget you created that simplifies database work. The winner of this competition wins a 80GB Zune.

The ported app contest offers great prizes! You could win a laptop, a Wii, or iPod nanos.

Then there is the XML challenge. This contest consists of using IBM's DB2 technology to build an application. There are many ways to do this, and to be honest, they are all over my head. If you are interested in winning some great prizes, and just want to be recognized for your work in the XML field, check out this contest. A simple quiz is all it takes to get the ball rolling. You get participation points for each entry, and a special prize is awarded to the person with the most points, so enter often.

Baby Knitting

It has been too long since I have made anything with yarn. I really want to knit a baby layette, but need an easy/beginner pattern to follow. Anyone have any ideas where to look? I have only done one knit project, and that was Brandi's sweater. I think it came out really good, so I am excited to do something else. It's fun now that I have niece's to make things for.

My Home Office

Since I am doing more and more work from home, I have decided that I need my own little work area. Right now I just have my desk in the living room, with my computer and notebooks. This is fine when I am home alone, but when everyone is here, it gets loud quickly. When the television is on, I find it hard to concentrate on what I am writing. Add in three noisy kids and it's almost impossible to get anything done.

Unfortunately, the apartment is too small for me to put my desk anywhere else. But that doesn't mean that I can't make this little spot my own. I want to look into getting some recycled business cards and other eco-friendly office supplies. I have specific notebooks for each site I write for, but I have no system of filing or keeping track of the payments I get, except for a calender I write on. And it's handmade by me. Ryan even made me a handmade calender for Christmas, which I love, but I think I need something more task specific. Maybe a planner of some sort. I do know that I want to do my part to help our planet, so buying supplies made with recycled materials is important to me. Yes, they may be a tad more expensive, but it's a small price to pay to keep our planet healthy.

Marley and Me

I am supposed to take the kids to the movies tomorrow with my mom. We are going to see Marley and Me. The only thing is that I am worried about how Brandi will react to the end. Has anyone with kids seen this already? Is it really sad?

My Former Nudist

I found the coolest website that sells t-shirts. I was browsing, of course, for a tootsie roll shirt for Carson, my nephew. You see, when he was a newborn, Junior pretended to let him suck on a tootsie roll, and my sister Colleen, his mom, freaked. Ever since then, my husband has been wanting to find him a tootsie roll t-shirt. It's not exactly easy to find.

Even though I did not find any tootsie rolls shirts here, I did find a bunch of cool t shirts for kids, and thought the one pictured is pretty funny! Former nudist...that's so cute!

I also found a fresh t shirt for Ryan. Even though it is a man's t-shirt, he is big enough now to wear a small in mens. It has a picture of a Lamborghini, and says "Fresh Like That". That is certainly something he would like and wear.

And of course I had to find something for myself, and this green t-shirt that says "respect your mother" is perfect! I am constantly telling Ryan there are things I never want to hear come out of his mouth, like how he is into boobs now, and that he should respect me. If I wear this shirt, all I'll have to do is point!

Gone Already

Yesterday, around noon, the tree fell.

By 4, the tree was gone!

I love renting for this reason.

We called the management company, and they sent a man out with a chainsaw.

A couple of hours later the tree was all cut up and stacked in his trailer.

We didn't have to do a thing!

Forks

I have a confession to make. You may think I am weird, but that's okay. I have accepted the weirdness in myself. What makes me weird today, you ask? It's all about forks.

Yes, I said forks. And spoons. You see, over the years, I have bought several sets of silverware, mostly from wal-mart. I will usually buy the cheap sets, because lets face it, with young kids, forks and spoons tend to get lost. No one will ever admit to throwing them away, but they end up in the trash somehow. I'm okay with that.

A few years ago, a friend of the family gave us a nice set of cutlery and silverware for Christmas. I will be the first to admit, it was a beautiful set. Did you catch that I said was? Yes, that's right, there are only a few forks and spoons left. I was careless enough to let the kids use them, and they somehow disappeared. The remaining few are my favorites to eat with, because the tines are perfectly spaced, and the spoons have just the right dip in them. Now, when I say favorites, I mean that I will not use any of the other forks in the house. It has to be those, or I won't eat. I know, it sounds crazy.

But there is just something about eating with good silverware that makes me feel special. Not to mention that it makes a set table look more elegant. I think one day I will invest in a new set, one that is shiny and beautiful. But for now, until the kids are more responsible, I will eat with my special fork, and let them use the wal-mart stuff. That's just the kind of mom I am.

This Was A First

Our kitten, Ginger, is psychotic. I'm not kidding. She runs around the house, chasing invisible mice. She chases her tail. She has ruined more of my yarn than I care to admit. She is full of energy, and will playfully bite your toes as you walk by.

Well, when we left her alone this afternoon for all of twenty minutes to go get something for lunch, she decided to play with the toilet paper. She unrolled the whole thing, and had it dragged all over my house! I was laughing so hard, but hubby was not amused. I swear, I have heard of kittens doing the things she does, but have never seen it.

Until now.

Super Bowl Party

My sister is the ultimate sports freak. God knew what he was doing when he gave her three healthy boys who love to play all kinds of sports. Every year, she hosts the biggest Super Bowl Party around. She has at least a hundred people at her house, and every television is turned on, showing the game. She has a "man's" basement, with pool table and such, and a huge big screen television, where the guys hang out and watch. Tami is usually in the kitchen, preparing all the food. She definitely goes all out, making her dishes match the colors of the teams playing. She has a ton of super bowl recipes including these yummy pretzels. She special orders m&m's in the team colors, then melts a kiss on top of each mini pretzel, topping it with an m&m when it comes out of the oven. They are delicious. She also decorates her entire house. Like me, she is pretty crafty. One year she painted a glass bowl with the names of all the football teams, then painted little footballs and goalposts on it too. It came out amazing! She can use it every year since it has all the team names on it. She also buys team specific things to decorate with, like team flags and pom poms. I am going to tell her to check out celebrations.com, because they have a huge array of decorating and party ideas, like drinks and games. She can even print out a checklist to make sure nothing is overlooked.

Close Call

I mentioned on my other blog that my yard is one big mud puddle. Or maybe that was facebook. Either way, our yard is a soggy swampy mess. When we went out this afternoon, hubby decided to park on the other side of the fence and walk over to our house, because the van was getting stuck in the mud. Who knew that would be the best decision we would make today.

About an hour after getting home, I am sitting here blog hopping, and all of a sudden we heard an awful cracking, followed by a whoosh.

A huge pine tree in our yard toppled over!

And landed in the exact spot where we usually park our car!

Thank God we parked it on the other side, or we would be hurting right now.

And thank God it didn't land on the house.

As soon as I get my computer back I will post pictures.

My Surgery

I am not sure if I have discussed this here on this blog, but those of you who read my other two blogs know that in July, I had breast reduction surgery. It was the best decision I have made in my entire life.

It started in Junior High School, when all my friends were developing, and I was already wearing a size "D" cup. I am very shy, so the attention from boys was not something I welcomed. I learned early on that if I wore baggy clothes, or kept my jacket on all day, they would leave me alone. Of course, it didn't help that I was a little heavy as well. The rest of my school days were pretty much the same as Junior High.

After graduation, I got married and had three kids. With every pregnancy, my breasts got bigger. People told me they would go back to normal size, but they never did. At the beginning of this year, I was squeezing myself into a "DDD", and was never comfortable. I had dents in my shoulders where for so many years my bras were cutting into the skin. I had back pain all the time, and looking back, I think I let myself get so heavy to try and hide the fact that my breasts were huge. I can see now that that was not a smart thing to do, and that as I gained weight, they got even bigger. Now I am left with small breasts, and a tummy that looks like I am about to give birth.

The MYA breast reduction surgery itself was pretty simple. I was scared to death because I had never been put under before, but I was never concerned about the actual procedure. They simple removed my nipples, and after taking off the excess tissue, reattached them in a new position. In my case, I had so much breast tissue, they ended up cutting me from under one arm on one side, to the same place on my other side. He removed fifteen pounds of breast. I asked how many stitches I had, and the doctor said I had too many to count, but somewhere in the hundreds. I had a rough couple of weeks afterwards, because it was difficult to lay down because of the pain in my sides. I had to sleep in our recliner. But six weeks after my surgery I was good as new, and in love with my new breasts. There is no more back pain, or shoulder dips, and for the first time in my life I can go somewhere without a bra. I Have never left the house bra less before, and it is an awesome, freeing feeling!

If you are considering this type of surgery, do not hesitate. I did for years, and regret that decision. While it may not be the solution for everyone, at least look into it. I know firsthand how it can change your life. Let the MYA breast reduction specialists help you make an informed decision.

Puzzle

I love the after Christmas sales, when they put all the seasonal items on sale for 75% off. I went into Hobby Lobby and got a bunch of crafty things to paint. One of the things I got was a wooden puzzle. I have never seen anything like it before. It has about 16 pieces, and has a snowman/wintery scene on it. I plan on painting it as a gift for next year, for one of my nephews or something. I also got three wooden ornaments for my kids special ornaments with their names for next year. I have a year to get them done, so hopefully I can find the time. ;)

All About Taxes

Last week I got a call from the company we use to file our taxes. We have gone to them for the past four years, and they always do a great job. The call was about a new service, where you bring in the last paycheck stub of last year, and they estimate your taxes, then give you a certain portion of your refund on a Visa Debit Card. We went in this morning, and we started discussing the fact that I am now making money working online. This money is not taxed. I have to pay the taxes myself. Our agent told us that if Junior just payed a little more each week out of his check, at the end of next year it should all even out, because we file jointly.

I know there are people out there who may not have known this, and are finding themselves in need of IRS tax relief. Not necessarily bloggers, but anyone who owes money to the government.
There are people facing IRS tax audits who need someone on their side, who knows the laws. That is one of the things that scares me about doing my taxes myself. If a mistake is made, I have only myself to blame. This could lead to liens and penalties, and all kinds of scary things. There is such a thing as IRS lien subordination, which can help if you are needing to refinance your property. I do not understand all the technical stuff, so it's a good thing there are people out there who specialize in these things.

Today we walked out of our appointment with a couple of hundred dollars, and an estimate of our refund. Luckily, it is enough to pay off our yearly debts, and still have a little left over. That is always a good thing.

Sun Catchers ~ Finished

I let the sun catchers sit overnight, and sure enough, they dried out. They really did come out pretty. I wish this computer would let me download the pictures, but they will have to wait. The finished products are proudly being displayed on our front door. It was over seventy degrees today, so the sun was shining through them, making them sparkle even more. I even talked the girls into letting me do one! lol! It was fun!

Stay Warm

I live in South Carolina. For the most part, our winters are mild, and if we get storms, it is more likely to be ice than snow. The problem with ice storms is that our power usually goes out, because the power lines snap from the weight of the ice. Our last bad storm a couple of years ago left us without power for almost a week. Let me tell you, that was not fun, especially for the kids. My husband vowed that before the next storm he would buy a Power Generator so we could run the refrigerator and maybe the television.

We looked into a bunch of different types of generators, like Natural Gas Generators and diesel generators. My sister actually had one put in at her house, and she says it is comforting to know that she has that back up in case her power goes out. Bowers Generator Systems are longer lasting, because they do not use regular gas, which can burn hotter and shorten the life of a generator. You can utilize a Generator Transfer Switch to use power from your generator, instead of your power company, to help save some money on power costs.

If you live in an area where your power is interrupted frequently, you might want to look into getting a generator. They are a good investment, considering the amount of food you lose when the power is out for days at a time. If that's not enough incentive, think of how much the kids would enjoy being able to watch television, or staying warm. Quiet kids equal happy parents. That's all I'm saying.

Glitter Lava

Brandi got this kit for Christmas. It's called Glitter Lava, and the one she got is to make sun catchers. The glitter is almost like silly putty. It stretchable, and you mold it into the sun catchers, and it supposedly hardens overnight. The girls are doing them right now, and they love it. I wish my computer would let me download pictures so I could show off the finished product. I''ll let you know in the morning if they do harden.