Wordful Wednesday - Organized

Awwww Wednesday... I am so glad you are here... it has actually taken you a while to get here this week... but welcome anyways!!!! You come second only to Thursdays; and that's just because I don't work on Fridays, so technically Thursday is my Friday (are you still with me?)!!!

Anyway, todays Wordful Wednesday (hosted by the lovely Angie at Seven Clown Circus) will showcase just what happens when you leave the kids to "put things away neatly".

This is the hall closet that is basically all kids stuff.... it holds their towels, their craft supplies, their extra school supplies, their extra sheets and blankets for their beds, light bulbs for their rooms, their lite brite, and their container of beads (you know the ones you put on the peg board and then iron).
When things need to get put away in that closet, I usually have one of the kids do it, since it is their stuff.... and they need to learn how to take care of their stuff and put it away.

They are kids, I know.... kids are kids... kids do not think like adults and that's fine..... So, WHY does it bother me so much when I open the closet to get something and it looks like this....

AND..... why is it ME who is the one to spend an hour cleaning, throwing away crap and organizing their stuff so that it will look like this......

Please.... someone enlighten me.... am I expecting too much for my kids (especially the 11 and 13 year old boys) to want to keep their stuff neat and organized....?

Post it Note Tuesday

Another fun, therapeutic post inspired by Supahmommy (go check her out)......

So, remember last week, on THIS post, when I said I couldn't wait to watch The Cleaner...hmmm, yea... well not anymore....

I guess I better make sure Benjamin Bratt can reach me, huh???

And then there's the kids..... Please read:

Awwww.... I feel much better now!!

It's All about Me--- Survival Mode

It’s all about Me-me Monday again….. and this week, SupahMommy and Mommy Brain want to know what are the 5 things I can’t survive without….. hmmmmmm, let me see where to start…..

1. My Chic-Fil-a LARGE cup, filled with ice and Crystal light drink in it… actually, I go between Tea and Crystal Light, but it HAS to be in that styrofoam cup (I know--- bad for the environment; sorry) or it just doesn’t taste right to me!!

2. My cell phone…. As much as I complain about some of the electronic communication items (because I feel like we will eventually stop communicating personally), I do still feel “connected” with my phone.

3. My laptop… again, this is something that keeps me “connected”; but also keeps me busy when I am bored!!

4. My CHI--- a girl’s gotta have her hair straightened, right?

5. James Patterson books… he is my favorite author and I never get tired of reading his books; whether they are about the “women’s murder club”, “Alex Cross”, Michael Bennett” or others… I just love reading his books!!!

The funny thing is, while looking at that list, I really do believe I’d be just fine ANYWHERE as long as I had those things….. who needs food and water or deodorant and soap….?

Play Ball.....

It's fall baseball season again and you know my boy Joseph is ready to play.... he is now playing "rookies" ball, so it is so fun to watch him learn the "real" game (although I am not super happy with his coach)!!

Today he played his 2nd game of the season; and while we were all burning up (91 degrees here in freaking September), we did have a great time!!

Here's to a fun, learning season..... PLAY BALL!!!

In Remission!!!

It's OFFICIAL.... Joe's Leukemia is in remission!! We got the news yesterday at his monthly appointment; after getting back the results of his chromosone tests.

We both know that it is because of the chemo pill that he's taking.... that he has to take the rest of his life.... and we know that if he stops taking it the cancer may come back.... but, whatever!!! Right now, his body is CANCER FREE and that is cause for a celebration!!!!

Wordful Wednesday - Upside Down Margarita...yummy!!

For my Wordful Wednesday post today, I am going to share with you the fun of an "Upside Down Margarita".

This past weekend Joe and I decided to go to the Florida vs. Tennesse game instead of our usual UCF (which we have season tickets for) game.... we were offered the tickets and since I have never been to a "big" college game, we figured what the heck.

One of our buddies, who is a UF alumn, has a huge tailgate party for every game.... he has tons of food, drinks, people, drinks (oh I said that) and music. About every 30 minutes, they play "Zorba the Greek" and you wouldn't believe the people who line up to get an upside-down margarita.... that being a shot (or two) of tequila and margarita mixed poured into your mouth while you are reclined, leaning your head back)....good times!!

This is how it went.....

Me and Joe BEFORE it got crazy:

Another buddy announcing that the first "round" of the day was about to start

After a few other people, it was my turn

And then Joe's turn

And then later... my turn AGAIN

And as the day got on (and more drinks were had)... things got "creative"...

3 college girls at a time (you know the guys were loving that)

"Co-Ed" Upside Downer

It amazed me HOW MANY people lined up for these....as soon as the music came on...

Needless to say, we had loads of fun.... :)

Just BLAH!!

Do you ever feel like you know what the RIGHT thing to do is, but just don't know HOW to do it?? Do you ever feel like you know what the plan should be; but just don't know how to "plan the plan"??

Yea..? Me too....

Just one of those days.....

On a much lighter note-- Ethan went to the Orthodontist this morning and now we finally have that ball rolling. Within a couple weeks my boy will have braces!! :)

Go visit Supahmommy and send a Post-it....

It's All about Me!!!

So, I have found another new blog, "Adventures of a Wanna-Be SupahMommy", that I so enjoy reading and have decided to crash and join her party today!!!

This is going to be one of my favorite weekly posts, as I love.to.talk.about.me. :) This week I will tell you about 5 shows that I can't wait to watch this season..... and my kids better be reading this so they know DO NOT BOTHER MOMMY DURING THIS TIME!! (now, come on...do you really think that will happen...?)

1. The Cleaner-- Does anyone else like this show as much as me....? And does anyone like Benjamin Bratt as much as me?? :) Now, I am not a drug addict..or even a recovering drug addict for that matter...but there is something that is so interesting about watching "William Banks" clean people up!!

2. The Big Bang Theory-- This is one that I just started watching recently, but I just LOVE it.... I love the mix of nerdiness, OCD, quirky jokes and the "hot girl".

3. GLEE-- Another new one... but it is a great show!! Very funny and I actually love the musical aspect of it.

4. 90210-- Guilty pleasure...don't judge!! :) I used to watch the old Beverly Hills 90210...actually I still watch the old reruns on the SOAP channel; and even though this new version is a little "too much" at times, I still enjoy it!!

5. Melrose Place-- Yes, another guilty pleasure... again, not as good as the original and the story lines are ridiculously unbelievable; but I still enjoy it!!

Hopefully, I will actually get to watch some of them without duct-taping the kids mouths shut and glueing them to the couch (hmm...that actually sound like it might work)!!

Thanks Supahmommy and Mommy Brain for letting me hang with you girls... I will be back!! :)

Writer's Workshop-- If My Dogs Could Talk......

This week, MamaKat wants to know... If my dogs could talk, what would I want to ask them...

I have two dogs… a 15-year old Bluetick Coonhound named Daisy...

and an 11-year old English Springer Spaniel named Eddie....

Daisy was Joe’s dog and Eddie was my dog before we lived together…. And now they are OURS… At first they did not get along AT ALL….as a matter of fact, they barked and fought with each other so much we usually had to separate them. Things are better now, although they do still have their moments; but if they could talk, I’d like to know:

1) Daisy: Why do you constantly bark at Eddie?? Why can’t he even walk into the room or by you without you barking right in his face?? Oh and on that barking subject… are you losing your hearing and that’s why you bark at such a HIGH decibel?? And why do you follow us everywhere we walk... and can’t settle until one of us is sitting somewhere?

AND

2) Eddie: Why do you randomly growl and squeal, even if you are just sitting on the couch? Why do you run from me when I am trying to give you your medicine, wrapped in meat…and then force me to shove it down your throat?? And on the medicine subject, does that Xanax really help you feel level headed?? I mean, you definitely act like a more relaxed dog, without that crazy look in your eyes…. But is it really from the Xanax that you take twice a day...or because you knew that if you didn't stop growling, snapping and biting at the kids (and everyone else for that matter) that you might not be around to see your 12th birthday?? :)

AND

3) This is for both of you: Why is it that you chose the middle of the night, while we are trying to sleep, to lick every part of your bodies for hours (with that slurping sound)…. And then get hairballs, so you end up coughing and gagging on the hair…in our room….while we are in bed….???

Inquiring minds want to know……

I'm at the Age..........

...when THIS purchase makes me happy...


I was like a kid in a candy store while shopping for this.... trying each and every one... listening to the guy at Best Buy with a twinkle in my eye, as if I were a school girl in love.

The First Day of..........

My crazy, hectic (but wouldn't change it for the world) life......

That was the day, my 4th child.... my 1st daughter, came into our lives!!! That was the day when all sanity left my head (well not really... but it sounds good for effect)!!

It's funny how each of my children have their own unique personalities, quirks, good and bad moments and challenges. CJ and Ethan were pretty easy babies (well, except for the colic that Ethan had for 3 months), toddlers, kids etc... Angie has been somewhat easy, in that she was a fast talker, walker, learner and can do alot of stuff on her own pretty fast; which frees up a hand for me. AND THEN THERE'S JOSEPH....

Please don't get me wrong... I love my Joseph... as a matter of fact, I have always babied him a little more than I should... he was born early, was very sick in the NICU for 2 weeks, was a baby when we divorced (which I ALWAYS felt guilty about), has always been little and somewhat "behind" on his progress...so, I think I have always felt like I had to nurse and baby on him a little extra....and for that, I am paying for now!!
He is the MOST.STRONG-WILLED.CHILD in this world....believe me.... he fights me for anything I say or ask him to do...

Me: Joseph, pick-up the mess
Joseph: I didn't do it
Me: I didn't ask WHO did it
Joseph: well I am not cleaning what I didn't do
__________________________________
Me: Joseph, go sit in time-out and don't get-up
...a little bit later (after he's been in time-out)
Me: Joseph, go put your stuff away and then you can go back and play
Joseph: No, you told me not to get up
__________________________________
Me: Joseph, hold my hand while we cross the street
Joseph: No, I'll hold your arm
Me: No, hold my hand
Joseph: no, I'll hold your wrist
Me: NO, HOLD MY HAND
Joseph: No, I'll hold your finger...
__________________________________

Do you get were I am coming from....??? Do you understand my frustrations and struggles with him...?
Yesterday we were in a band store, getting Ethan stuff, and Joseph grabs a kazoo off the counter (that didn't belong to us), puts it in his mouth and starts blowing on it...then puts it back in the box and walks away. The guy at the counter looks at me and says "well, now you have to buy it".... great, thanks!!

AND, then, I got him home (ready to pull his hair out--- and no, I didn't reall do it), opened his planner and found a note from his teacher "joseph was very talkative and silly in class today...couldn't settle him down".... great, thanks!!!

There are some times/days/moments where he is a little angel...and he always wants to love on me....and during those moments I am thankful.... but then I am just waiting for the next defiance...always waiting to pull my hair out... arrrgghhhh!!!

Any advice on dealing with a hard-headed, strong-willed child?

Check out more wrtiting fun at MamaKat's house!!! :)