Friday, October 30, 2009

Under the Sea..... under the sea....

I woke up this morning to find the most beautiful princess Ariel had come to visit us....

Of course I let her stay and visit..... and she even met 3 of the greatest big brothers around...
Happy Halloween-- EARLY.... more pictures to come after the weekend's festivities!!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Ahem... listen up, Please....



Supah, Supah, Supah.... thank you for creating this fun way for me to vent my inner thoughts... All week I think about who or what is going to get a "post it note" from me on Tuesday.... so, you all better be nice to me and buy me lots of nice gifts or you too will find your name up here!! :-)











In case you are wondering.... I am not a bad mom for letting Angie watch Transformers 2; she watches ALL movies that her brothers watch without ever being scared....EVER!!

But for some reason, those big- loud- mean Decepticons with deep voices and red eyes that are pouncing and throwing people around, scared the beejeebies out of her!!

(hmmm, maybe that was a bad decision on my part...)

Monday, October 26, 2009

Tap, Tap, Tap.... Scratch.....

In honor of the upcoming Halloween weekend; today's "All About MeMe" is going to the Darkside.... creepy, scary darkside...

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I actually like scary things.... I love to watch scary movies and I love haunted houses (a like that I share with CJ, who is taking after his mommy)... probably mostly because I know I can get scared, but it won't really happen to me, so it's ok!!
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BUT, as a 5 year old girl, it was hard to seperate reality from the scary TV stuff. At 5 years old, my babysitter/nanny at the time let me watch Salem's Lot with her. It was late one evening, we had all the lights out, she made popcorn and I felt like a.big.girl.
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That was short lived.... I don't remember much of the movie that scared me except for the one scene.... the one image that has never left my mind....
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If you have seen the movie, you know what this is...... A boy was sleeping in his bed when he hears a scratching, tap-tap-tap on his window; and when he looks out he sees this vampire (who happens to be his brother) floating outside his window!!! yikes.... I cried...
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And from that moment on until just recently (i know I'm a nerd), I would not sleep with the blinds open and I had to have some kind of light on at some place in my house (as a kid, it had to be the hall light right outside my door).
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Of course now I am a BIG.GIRL and I have still yet to watch that movie again.... I am sure it really won't be that scary now, but I am not chancing it... I am finally able to sleep with my blinds open and all lights off!! :-)

Thursday, October 22, 2009

R-U-S-H-E-D

I hate feeling rushed.... I hate being late and I hate that tense feeling inside when I am running behind. This morning I got up late.... mind you, the kids were all awake, but decided to stay in their beds and lounge around until I got up (yes, they SHOULD have gotten up and startd getting ready).

After getting up late, I was running around the house getting everyone up, moving dressed, breakfast, lunches made, myself dressed and bed made all in a matter of 30-40 minutes (and no, I don't look particularly "put together" today).

Finally get everyone in the truck, boys to school, Angie to school and when I open the door to her class I realize that I forgot it was "pajama party" day!! Bad mommy...bad, bad mommy!! Sooooo, I got back in my car, drove back home to get pajamas, drove back to her school, change her clothes and finally got to work!!

And because I got to work late, there was crap piled on my desk to be done, people needed me for something, I had to notarize a bunch of crap and talk to a bunch of insurance peeps..... and have still yet to feel settled!!!

Don't you hate running late for anything.... especially in the morning..... then the WHOLE day is completely thrown off!!! I think I need a glass (or 2 or 5) of wine tonight!!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Post it Notes-- It's What I'm Thinking

I have sooooo much to share from this past weekend... we had a great day/night on Friday when we hung out at Biketoberfest.... then Saturday, I went to Joseph's baseball game, then I took Angie to a play and then I met Joe at the tailgate/football game..... and Sunday, we just relaxed... I have some great pictures to show you all, but they will have to wait for another time because today is Tuesday; and you know what that means:
HOSTED BY SUPAHMOMMY

Have a great day!!! :)

Monday, October 19, 2009

Did You Know that I've Never...........

Hosted by SUPAHMOMMY and MOMMYBRAIN

As I tried to think about 5 things I've never done, I actually had a hard time with it.... I have always been a go-getter; I've always "took the bull by the horns"... "gone for the gusto"... I am an adreniline junkie... love adventure... And don't tell my dad this, but I have done some "experimenting" in my day (it was high school, people... who didn't "try" something).

So as I sit here, thinking.... I would have to say that more of my "never have dones" are more on the reserved, quiet, peaceful side.... well, except for the first one:

I've never:
jumped from an airplane (sky-diving) or hung high from the back of a boat (para-sailing); two things I have always wanted to do. I really don't think I ever will sky-dive, because now I am older and am a mom....and well... it is pretty dangerous. but I do fore-see myself para-sailing... soon...like the next time I am in Key West.

I've never:
been good about accepting "constructive criticism"... I am a defensive person (don't know why) and I've never liked to be told what I am doing wrong!! I work better with "positive reinforcement".. know what I mean?

I've never:
cheated on any boyfriend, husband, S.O. etc..... EVER.. and have no desire too!! I just don't have the time or energy to do the whole "sneaking around and hiding phone calls or texts" BS. If I ever feel the need or the want to stray, I will just leave him all together... obviously something would be VERY wrong to cause me to feel that way.

I've never:
betrayed a friend........EVER........ and never will!! I may have my b-i-t-c-h-y moments, but I am a loyal, faithful person. I am a good friend... true to them.. would never want to hurt them. I love my best girl friends like they are my sisters and would do anything for them.

AND, I've never:
gotten through the grief of losing my mom.... and I never, ever, ever will!!! There is not much explaining to this one, except that you all know how CLOSE we were to each other... and that it was HORRIBLE to watch my mom, my friend, my companion, my comforter suffer and die. IT SUCKS... Time does not make it better... time only makes it "bearable" to live with.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Writer's Workshop - My Mom!!!

When I read MamaKat's writing assignment prompts, it made me kind of sad.... every prompt has something to do with a mom. And even though her prompts were to write about different aspects of our lives and/or our moms; it's still just the thought of HER that makes me sad. She.is.not.here. She was only 52 and she should be here!!!!
Anyway- I chose to write a poem to my mom.....
:)
I can't remember the time I first felt your loving touch
But it was from that moment on, I know you loved me so much
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I always say, you were more than just my mother,
A confidant, a comforter, a friend like no other
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You were so strong and fought so hard, it sucked to see you in pain!!
I hate that cancer took you from us and that I will never get to talk to you again!!
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It was because of YOU, that I am the woman I am today!!
I hope I make you proud; and that's all I have to say!!
I love you and I miss you terribly mom.... it doesn't get any easier not having you here with me!!!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Wordful Wednesday - Tailgating


Wordful Wednesday... Check it out.....
A couple weeks ago we finally took Angie to a UCF football game..... she has been wanting to go for a long time, but we usually bring her to Grama's. Not that we don't want her there, it's just that we do enjoy that little bit of time with just us and our friends....without having to entertain, feed and chase after a 4 year old... get it?? :)

Anyway, we did finally cave and brought her with us and it had to be the hottest day...ever (well not ever...... but for the freaking "fall")!! It was at least 90 something degrees.... WTH???

She didn't care if she was hot...she didn't care if she was beat red... she didn't care if I kept pouring water down her neck.... she didn't care if we really didn't want her sitting on our laps because WE were also hat.... she didn't mind because she was having a blast... and you know... that's all that really matters!!!
This was her tailgating spot....
Of course she had to do her "booty shake" dance... (don't ask..)

Joe and Angie, so hot it was almost unbearable....
... but at least she had her cotton candy..
We did end up having to leave the game early because it just got too hot for her (and us) to handle; but we just hung out at our truck until our friends came down; and she was fine with that!!
And once they did come back, her and "Uncle" Stretch (he's not really her uncle, but all of our kids call him that because he is so fun and caring with them) had a blast running around, playing Tag and wearing my girl out... gosh he is SOOO good with kids!!
All in all, it was a good HOT day.... now please Florida, please cool off already... it's OCTOBER... geez!!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Post it Note Tuesday - Read it... Hear it...


Go check out Supahmommy and all the other "post its"

One of my favorite posts of the week.... I love to get my message heard with a bit of sarcasm... and not actually have to "say" it... know what I mean??

Shhhhh, don't tell my dad about the last one.......

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

WW- 1, 2, 3......... JUMP!!!!

Wordful Wednesday - Hosted by Angie (no, not "MY" Angie)


Last night we went to my Dad's house to visit with my Aunts and Grandfather.... And since it is still blazing hot here, the kids were still able to swim!!

We thought it would be fun to try to get a picture of all of them jumping in together.... yea right... fun for them.... BUT for this mommy trying to get them all to jump on 3 (and not 2...or not after 3), it was...let's say... interesting!! :)

Always, Joseph is in first.... most of the time he can't even wait for me to count!!
Joseph and Ethan...but not Angie...
They were all jumping...just not at the same time...
This is a shock-- Ethan and Angie, but NOT Joseph (he probably wasn't listening to me)...
Once again...Joseph and Ethan, but not Angie.... arrrggghhhh...
OK, let's take a break.... Gamps, you just throw Angie in...
Ok... now CJ has decided to join the fun...
Finally-- Joseph, Angie and Ethan... but NOT Cj... I was ready to strangle them....
OK....here we go... 1, 2, 3.................. JUMP!!!!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Post It... If You Want To Be Heard....

Oh, I do love Post-It Note Tuesday... I do love to get it "out there" so I am heard!! :) Thank you Suaphmommy for hosting this fun way for me to get my point across without actually having to "speak it"!!

I wonder if anyone has these problems like I do..........
Help me understand......
Oh and puhleezzzeee....
And just so you don't think I am always complaining......

Monday, October 5, 2009

All About MeMe-- I Like to Move It, Move it!!

All About MeMe Monday.... sponsored by SupahMommy and Mommybrain

This is about 5 songs that move MeMe....


I love music....I love all kinds of music... I am a rock girl at heart, but I do still enjoy every other kind of music too. I have certain songs that I listen to when I'm happy and want to really move. I have songs that I listen to when I am pissed about something and I need to blare the screaming hard rock on my radio. There are songs that remind me of my parents...remind me of when I met Joe... when my kids were born...hanging with my friends in school... GEEZ, how do I pick just FIVE songs....


Oh well... let's try...


1. Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks. I wrote about this song HERE. It reminds me of my mom and riding in her car as a young girl, watching her dance and sing... and eventually I learned the words and we would sing it together!!


2. American Pie by Don Mclean. This one reminds me of my Dad. Again, it reminds me of riding in the car with my Dad...jamming to this song. I never understood the words, but I would dance and sing as loud as I could.

3. Ya'll Want a Single by KORN. I like all of KORN's music...actually all of it really makes me move. But I especially like this one because it is one of my "angry songs"... there is quite a bit of the "F" word in it; but when I am in a bad mood, I just love to blast this song and sing it!!

4. Learn to Fly by Foo Fighters. Again, I like all of the Foo Fighters music, but there is just something about this song (and the music video) that I especialy like. And paired with the fact that I am in love with Dave Grohl (shhhhhhh, don't tell Joe).

5. Seeing Things for the First Time by Black Crowes. What do you know.... once again, I like all of Black Crowes music.. I have seen them lots of times in concert; and am actually going to see them this weekend. But this song was a "big help song" for me when getting divorced. The lyrics are about love gone wrong and about not "bending over backwards baby, just to please". LOVE IT!!!

Gosh, there are SOOOOOOO many more I could put down here, but I won't bore you with my music,,,, especially since I am not tech savy enough to figure out how to put youtube videos on here!!






Thursday, October 1, 2009

Writer's Workshop --- She's My Girl!!!

Poor MamaKat has been sick, sick these past few days; so I am going to make this writing assignment extra special to help cheer her up.

I have had a few best friends over the years; and a couple friends that I can really call my best friend now. I had a childhood best friend, Susan, who lives out of state now; but we still e-mail and keep in contact. I had an adolescent/high school/college best friend, Nikki, who I did everything with, shared everything with, got into all kinds of trouble with and learned a lot with. Over the years, we have sort of lost touch, although we still talk periodically and we really are trying to get together soon.

My two best friends now are Blondie and Brunette (remember when I talked about them HERE)….. and today I am going to tell you about Blondie (not sure if she would want me to use her name on here).


We met about 6 years ago… her husband and Joe (and I) worked together (this is before they started their own company together) and they had all been friends with each other since college. Joe and I had just recently started hanging out and he finally brought me “out” with HIS friends. We went to a UCF football game, and I knew she would be there. I was a little nervous because even though Joe and I weren’t officially dating yet, I still wanted his friends to like me. We hit it off right away…. I remember we were eating hot boiled peanuts and talking about how good they were.


Over the years, we began talking more and more…. And after she had her first child, we became even closer. I was with her for most of her labor until she had to get a c-section; and then my mom went to visit her the next morning in the hospital (one of the only times they got to talk before my mom died). Our daughters have always been very close, so we would see each other often. Then she had her second daughter and I remember going to the hospital everyday during post-partum and sitting/talking with her for hours. And then her Dad died….. I believe I was a “help” to her during that time. I believe that through my experience of losing my mom, I was able to help her understand her feelings.


The real crazy thing is that we pretty much have opposite views on politics, yet we NEVER argue about it and can still be civil about it, if it ever comes up.


As the years have gone by, and the kids are getting older, we have been able to go out and do more stuff alone. Of course we still have play dates/swim dates with the kids; but it is nice to also go out and just “whoop it up” (and that we do). We have gone on quite a few vacations together… both with our men and just alone. Actually, our first girls trip together was to the Bahamas; and what an awesome time we had!! We have been to many, many concerts together too, as we have the exact same taste in music. We both love football and actually have in depth conversations about the players and games.

Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.....
At CHEERS in Boston...

Now, we pretty much talk every day, sometimes twice a day. As a matter of fact, lately we’ve gotten into the habit of a “morning call”, where as soon as we are both in the car, we’ll call each other and chat until we both get to work. It is a great start to the day, as we can laugh or vent or whatever we need to get off our chests.

I cherish her friendship very much. It is so good to have a friend who you can trust and who shares a lot of common interests. I am so glad she came into my life!!