Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Check out Odd Jobs Momma

I posted a new entry this morning that I would like you to check out if you're looking to make a couple of fun $$.
Go to http://www.oddjobsmomma.blogspot.com

Will either be slow on posts this week or blogging like crazy because my momma is landing soon and I have to kick it to JFK soon. When she's out with her homies is probably when I'll have some time as she steals my car out from underneath me!
Happy Tuesday!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

CAll THe PRESS I am Staying AWAke and Going OUt TonigHT!!

I made a new friend yesterday. I don't know her name. I'll probably never see her again. But, for 10 minutes yesterday I had a temporary best friend. I was at Kohl's all giddy about the fact that I'm going out dancing with my girlfriend. I wanted something new to wear since I had some gift cards from Christmas that I hadn't spent yet. I'm hanging out in the Vera Wang section (trying to look like I know what's fashionable) and I asked this woman if a pair of pants and shirt went together. She laughed, said yes and started pointing out all the other things that would match. We started laughing and chatting and by the time it was over, we were both commiserating on being moms that just don't go out and don't get dressed and where the stains were on the clothes that we were wearing at that moment! I liked her.
If anyone hears a story from one of their girlfriends about her shopping experience at the Ronkonkoma Kohl's, tell her where to find me. I have to thank her still for pointing me in the direction of the Candie's tank top that hid all the right stuff and showed off the right stuff (OH! HEllo Ladies! Spring is here - time to get dusted off and get our demi cups ready!)
This morning, I patiently waited until 10 AM to start texting my girlfriend about what she was wearing. From my past experience with her, she probably just got to bed a few hours before that and I'm waking her ass up with ridiculous questions. "What are you wearing? I'm thinking all black. Bought new shoes, but will probably return them. Can I come over early so I don't fall asleep on my couch waiting for you?"
She actually answered all my questions and didn't YELL at me in the responses. So, I will feed my minions this evening, put some big girl makeup on (already got my hair did) dress in black and go dancing!
I'm not even drinking tonight but i know I'm going to be "dancing queened" hung over tomorrow and we have a bouncy house birthday party tomorrow to remind me about why I am not a dirty stay out anymore.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Oh, and a P.S.S.

Back in Business
You know, this happened to me once before. I decided that if it was meant to be, I would make my quota and keep my Tastefully Simple Business. So, when I was almost out at the end of the last quarter, the holidays happened and I made the quota. Last week, I was no where near meeting that sales quota, hence, last Saturday's post.
Well, wouldn't you know. I woke up Sunday morning with over $250 of online sales while I was sleeping - I have to wonder now if I'm supposed to be going on with this for a reason.
I posted on my TS website that I donate a portion of my sales to Schneider CHildren's Hospital because they saved my son's life. Maybe it's my mission to keep going with that. It's an answer that I like!

Friday, Friday

Ahh - it's been a week!! Happy that my son did not have appendicitis, not happy that we had to go through the ordeal. We did get to spend quality time together and that is a plus to the whole experience.
Tomorrow night I am going out. I actually sent an "event" invitation on Facebook to some of my friends. My girlfriends know me all too well - the fact that I am leaving the house is A.) A Miracle and B.) an event.
My high school girlfriend contacted me a month ago to clear the date to go out (if we get to see each other once a year, that in itself is an event) so, since we're going to a local place that is a lot of fun, I thought that it would be fun for my girls to know that I would be awake past bedtime, with makeup on (actually getting my hair done tomorrow so I feel pretty) .
It's springtime, so I think it's time to chop the locks off. I still need to have ponytail length hair, but, something lighter and fluffier. My hair has been through the ringer lately (yet another post for another day) and I want to clean it up a bit. My birthday is in a few weeks, so, I'll be used to styling it by then! My mother bought me a new makeup kit for Christmas, and now I'll be able to open it. Maybe even paint my nails tonight! Too bad my husband isn't coming out. It's a shame to look as good as I am going to and not have him on my arm (Sarcasm doesn't come across very well in cyberland)
I think I'll take before and after pics(LOL!) Then you'll have an actual updated pic of the face behind the words (most pics I used of me have been from 6 years ago except me and my momma at the bottom of this page)

I added a new post to my Odd Jobs Momma site this morning. It's about a new passion of mine that I have been able to make a few dollars off of. Please check it out and let me know what you think. I'm doing a lot of research still before I start doing some internet job postings.
http://www.oddjobsmomma.blogspot.com
It's all about passion ladies. I'm passionate about making money and convincing myself that I want to stay awake to go out dancing when I would normally be closing my eyes!
Happy Weekend!
PS - This weekend, I will be catching up with all my following!! Sorry, it's been a crazy week, and I have lots of messages and follows to return - I will get there!!!! Please don't think me rude!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Day That Was Yesterday

Big little was not well on Sunday. He was vomiting every 25 - 30 minutes like clockwork. When he finally fell asleep, he was able to extend it to every hour. We got some sleep between 4:30 -6AM. Then when he woke up, he proceeded down the same 1 hour path and started compaining about his right side hurting. (uh-oh)
I turned into "one of those moms" yesterday morning. I went to the doctor's office before there were any doctors there (the upside to that, I used to work there, so, I kinda took advantage of that) and wanted to make sure that he wasn't completely dehydrated like he was 3 weeks ago and try to avoid the hospital. This time around he had no fever, so I figured the pain on his side was from such painful, persistant vomiting. Well, the docs did not like this at all. OFF to the ER we went (which was about the only thing that made this kid smile because he wants to be a doctor when he grows up and "liked" being there 3 weeks ago with his own private room and a TV that he didn't have to share with his brother!) - I believe the previous statement is not true anymore after you hear the rest of this story.
So, triage and waiting. Waiting and then finally getting into a bed. The docs come in. Eh - he looks a little dehydrated. Here's a zofran (anti-nausea meds) and get him to drink 8 oz then you can go home. No pain. No discomfort. Holds down his liquids and now we're waiting for his discharge papers.
Within 5 minutes, big little starts looking a little flushed. I ask the doc to take his temp - 99.5. Mind you, when we got there, his undert he tongue temp was 96 so a 3.5 degree in temp that makes him sweat and look flushed is significant to me. Don't tell me, I know my kid. Doc says, eh, body temp changes all day.
3 minutes later, the pain is back. NOW the docs are concerned. This was the reason that we were sent in the first place. He's finally showing the symptoms that concerned the pediatricians. I'm not a crazy mother.
Here comes 2 docs and 2 nurses and they are all about him now. Fortuneately, when they are ready for blood work, they had already numbed his elbows. Unfortuneately, he still felt everything. That IV needle killed him all day no matter what I said to the nurses. But they had a good vein and they were getting blood and pushing fluids. I just tried to keep him as calm as possible. After the blood draw, he started drinking the CT drink (poor baby) mixed with apple juice. Thank goodness he hates apple juice as it is so it didn't ruin anything for him. The sweetness helped though since he was able to take about 2/3 of it by the time we would have to go for that test.
We were taken down for ultrasound first. They explained to me that they were trying to spare him the radiation of the CT by doing this first, but, instead, all I saw was a little boy that wrythed in pain everytime the tech pressed down. I saw the pain on her face too as she explained that she was a mommy too and was doing her best to go as fast as she could to spare him any more pain. When the test was done, she gave him a Kung Zhu pet to which he didn't say "thank you" but instead in the weakest little voice, "Do you have one for my brother too?" Bestest little boy on the planet!
I thanked her for him.
When we got back to the PEDS ER, our room was given away. WHAT?!?
We were only gone for 40 minutes. I saw plenty of other kids come and go without losing their rooms. So we're sitting in the hallway. Poor baby is starving and all I want him to do is get some rest. He's crying. Crying! My cell phone wouldn't work for you tube or hulu. NOTHING> COME ON! He needed something to distract him! What do I do?? Tell him the worst bedtime story EVER. STAR WARS EPISODE III. He's not allowed to watch it,so, I decided that I would tell him all about it in the sweetest voice I could while stroking his hair. He was unconscience by the time I got to the best part!! (atleast I still have it in me to tell a bedtime story!!)
He was asleep for about a 1/2 hour when they were ready to take us to CT. They kept talking to him and I kept telling him that he was sleeping with his eyes open. Creepy!! He slept through the whole thing and woke up as we were getting him back on his stretcher. Then the hysterics started again. I just wanted to crawl up on that gurney with him and hug him and tell him we were going home.
My thumbs hurt at this point from all the texting that I was doing. I could NOT calm him down. He was unconsolable. It took everything I had not to start crying too. If he had appendicitis, how was I going to tell him that we were staying and he still couldn't eat??
THen, my face turned white. It had been about 1/2 hour since we were put back in the hall (???WTF???) and waited for results. The doc and intern now come towards me together - I hadn't seen the 2 of them together all day. They had to double team me to tell me that he had a virus and his pain was just that. pain. Probably sore from all the vomiting. REALLY??? Do you have to approach me like that as relieved as I am?????
Holy Crap!
Give us our friggin walking papers so I can get this kid fed! (But put it on the nurse to tell him that he couldn't have Wendy's until Tuesday)
I also had a small amount of saltines stashed in my pocketbook which lit up his face completely.
Then we went home. My husband came home early, picked up the littlest guy from his fun day at Grandma's, bought me some pizza and then I went to bed.
10 hours of sleep last night. Not enough, but sufficient.
Keeping big little home today to get some food in him, though, you would never know in a million years where his day was spent yesterday. Love the docs and nurses for taking care of him the way they did. Hated being in the hallway to take care of him. But who cares. No surgery. He's home with us the way it should be.
***SIGH....*****

Sunday, March 20, 2011

The Big little is Sick :(

3 weeks ago I had my 6 year old in the hospital for dehydration. It was a weird week of wheezing and coughing and ear pain and it turned into vomiting every 45 minutes for what seemed like an eternity!! A random fever was thrown in there, but, the problem is, is that this kid doesn't complain. That's where we worry about him.
He's got no fever now and he's been throwing up consistently every 25 minutes since 10 AM. (actually, he's been unconscience for the past hour so that doesn't count) My husband is a nervous wreck that we're going to end up back at the hospital if this doesn't let up. Big little wants to go back to the hospital because he likes it there. He liked watching them put the IV in his arm (kinda helped I suppose that he had that numbing cream all over him which has started a riot for my 30y.o. SIL that hates needles!!) He is so sweet and stinky at the same time!
eewww - stinky, BTW is my 4 y.o. little that it a farting machine and is doing everything in his power to not go to the bathroom. I love this age.
My littles usually have to poop at the same time. In the morning. After my husband has left. Before the bus comes. My house smells like a cesspool. The two of them not wanting to go, farting like crazy and then bolting to the bathroom at the last possible second that becomes a yelling match about who has to go worse! UGH> I live with boys.

SO, fingers crossed that my sleeping boy is working on being better. THis sucks and I hope that he ignores everything I ever taught him and doesn't share this.
Guess we'll all find out soon........

Going out of Business....

I'm a Tastefully Simple Consultant. Atleast for the next 11 days. I started selling in '07 to get out of the house. Lately I've been finding it a chore. Please don't get me wrong, I have made WONDERFUL friends through this. But, the actual issue is is that my heart just isn't into it anymore. I used to really love what I did, loved what I sold. The product just isn't doing it for me anymore. Each calendar quarter, a certain quota must be met and I told my husband, if it was meant to be, I'll make the quota. From the looks of it, it's not. And that's okay. I didn't really try. I'm not a salesperson as it is.
My passion has been teaching piano for (holy cow) just about 20 years now (I started teaching my first semester of college!!) So, if that passion is still there, that's what I should still be going forward with. When religion is over, I'll be able to take on even more students and still allow for plenty of time with mine.
This sounds to me like I'm having a psych session with myself and trying to convince myself of what I already know!
EH - This post isn't snarky enough and I haven't had enough coffee yet for a Sunday morning.
ANyway, case closed. I will be making notifications this week.
I'm sure that I"ll be posting more later - haven't bragged about my kids enough or my awesome husband in over 24 hours, so that's overdue.
GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY SUNDAY!!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

St. Patrick's Day Part Deux!!

So, Round 2 begins today. We only eat corned beef once a year, so, I decided that we needed to have it again.. This time with a little bit of leftovers for my father in law and some for my 4th mouth to feed A.K.A - husband's best friend. I actually try to plan some menus around him. And since I know that he doesn't read my blog, I can openly say that!
So, tonight, we get to relax, kick back and have my corned beef with my mexican cerveza w/lime. Yum!!
I believe that my fridge is slowly kicking the bucket. If the finances were there, I would pull the plug (literally) on the old girl and let her go in peace. But, I'm too concentrated on finishing off paying off the bills and getting on a budget. This is not allowed at this time. So, that ticking time bomb has to just keep ticking right now even as the noise grates on my every nerve!! Then the neighbor's kid is supposed to be here a little later and who knows what kind of mood I'll be in with 2 more hours of this god-awful noise. When I try to shut the sucker up, it rattles like it's revving an engine at me - like Old Yeller dying.
Small children in my home now don't know that we're getting temporary company so I have asked them to quietly watch a movie and now another battle has erupted and all the noise, Noise NOise NOISE!!!!!
AHHH< st.patty's day part deux - you cannot start soon enough.

This page....

YOu know, I'm sitting here on my Saturday morning, trying to catch up on my email and stuff and wanting to change things a bit on the blog. Rearrange, add, delete, etc. I realized that I am a dumb ass when it comes to HTML and all that. I am married to a man who pays our mortgage with HTML code, so you would think that I would have a little bit of insight to this. NO. I have to get him involved and hopefully I won't look like a complete idiot to him. I have researched, copied, pasted, deleted, and all sorts of other stuff. It's still not right. UGH.
I laugh because when my husband comes home from work each day, I'm as giddy as the kids because I love telling him about how many followers I have and how many page views I've had and how many pennies I made from ad sense. widgets make everything so easy - so why can't I widget a stinkin' "GRAB MY BUTTON" thingy. I understand, code, code, code. I worked for an engineering company for years (how I met hubby!) and still, not one ounce of osmosis took effect there.
Ahhh husband of mine, someday your children will be doing this for you, but, until then, I need you. Please read this while you're still laying in bed and add this to your "honey do" list for the weekend! Thanks! LOVE YOU!!!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Wasn't yesterday Sunday??

I swear, I woke up this morning, laying in bed and thinking to myself, "where the hell did this week go??"
I mean, seriously, I feel like yesterday I was itching to go to that parade so bad and so disappointed in my son's intestines!
THen it was a week of cleaning and lessons and karate and corned beef and here I am. Friday morning. Having a girls night tonight and nothing is done. (well, some cleaning is done). But, nothing is cooked. The groceries aren't bought. I have no dinner plan for my children (when I say children, I do include my husband in there) But that is up to him because he's taking them to his mother's tonight anyway and I know that she'll feed them well.
Today on long Island, it's supposed to reach 70. 70!!!
Now, i want to get outside, set up the patio and the fire pit. But look at the extended forecast and it's going to be rainy and in the 50's the next 10 days. SO, that idea is in the trash.
I only have one friend that smokes, so, I'll set her up outside with a little table and chairs and she can enjoy the "fresh" air.
I'm an ex-smoker. I'll never go back. (develop a blood clot that takes up 1/3 of your arm, miraculously have none of it break off into your blood stream and tell me you won't take care of yourself) Another story for another day - I seem to have a lot of those! Anyway - there's still that lovely sent of a first lit cigarette - then it's gross - thank goodness - and I pretty much can't stand it as much as I can't stand my pot smoking neighbor (scroll down for that post if you haven't seen that one yet!)
So friends, I bare you adieu as if I don't get off this addiction of mine, I will most certainly be ordering take out with my friends and hiding baskets of household crap in the bedrooms because I haven't cleaned the rest!

PS - I think this was the biggest A D D blog I have written to date! How did I go from partying with my friends to blood clots and, whatever.....

Thursday, March 17, 2011

The beef is a cookin'!

So, I got the first corned beef cooking. I bought a second one to cook on Saturday so that I can enjoy a few more beers and not worry about a school day the next morning!
I am cooking on the stove top this year out of pure laziness. Normally I really would break out the crock pot and let it do it's job, but, Didn't feel like lugging it up from the basement.
I placed the beef in the pot, added a nice beer on top and 3 cups of beef broth. I don't like the seasoning packet that usually comes with the beef and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't in the package this year!
Got some new potatoes and as a kind gift to my husband, I didn't make the cabbage this year. Unfortuneately, I picked the wrong year to do that because now I have windows open all over the house because it is stinking beautiful outside right now! Maybe I'll boil some cabbage up on the grill on saturday so I can give my intestines a workout!
Happy Eating all!

Irish Music

Pandora Celtic Radio has such a great variety of music to have on while working today - so, this should help you get yer IRISH on! EVERYONE is IRISH today!

The Irish Rovers - The Unicorn Song



This is St, Patrick's Day in my house growing up - Be proud Dad!

Yelling!!!

Well, lent is not going well. I've managed to avoid meat so far for the 2 days that it has mattered. But, the yelling?? Well, that's a whole other story. 6 and 4 year old boys just don't know when to shut up be quiet!! I teach piano in my den 2 days a week. I have been doing this at home since the first one was born. So, it's not like this is a new concept to them! The kids show up for the lessons - sometimes the parents stay, sometimes not. And I don't mind that! My children are still there and they know that this is supposed to be a quiet time to watch TV or play a video game. Then there's times when it's not just one student, but, siblings that come along. Still, this is quiet time - said sibling knows also that this is quiet time. So, when the yelling, screaming, running up and down the hall and crying starts in the first 5 minutes of lesson 1 of 5, there's no getting out of the yelling that is about to incur. Now, breathing deeply, my children are sent to their rooms for 5 minutes to chill out with no talking - that's when the 4 year old decides that he doesn't know this concept. "BUT MOOOOOOMMMMMMMM< I'm SOOOORRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY" "be quiet" "BBUTTT..." "be quiet"
AND NOW, quiet time has become a conversation between me and my 4 year old with a musical interlude in the background because my student is still playing - my favorite happened when one of my kids was playing Mozart's rondo alla turk while this was going on. Reminded me very much of a TOm and Jerry cartoon going on.
With that background now in place, you can just imagine how the rest of Monday went. Then there was TUesday. UGH! Repeat Monday. We haven't had a week like this in a long time. It's because it's lent, isn't it?

I also teach 1st grade religion - again, another post for another day - but it's for my son because I'm the over involved mother. But, the kid is really into it. So, I would think that all the "good deeds" that he's doing for lent should be that he should help mommy not yell. HMMMM.......

Well, it's just about time to get the slow cooker out. I have my own little recipe that I'm going use for today on my corned beef and I can't wait for the hubbs to get home so we can do an irish jigger of corned beef and beer!!

CHEERS! - Now, go get yer irish on!

Lucky Linky List

Trying a new Linky today! The Lucky Linky List!
Sign up and show your stuff! (if you're not already a follower, bring your luck of the irish over this way!!)

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Reluctant Poo-ologist

The Reluctant Poo-ologist

This post from another mommy made me laugh out loud this morning!!!
Enjoy!

Thinking Spring!

Let me paint a picture for you. My home is on a corner lot. SO, the property is very long. I have side yards as opposed to a backyard.
My kitchen window faces out of the back of my house at which point I see my loverly neighbors yard. They really are a nice old Italian couple, retired and old school. And when I say old school, my friends always get the post of when it is "tighty whitey and wife beater day"! In other words, atleast once a week, the wifey there hangs out all their underwear - tighty whiteys, wife beaters, moo moos, and extra large brazirres!
Okay, so with that said, I have already planted Arborvitae in what little space I have to. They really are nice, but, well, enough!'

so, back to the side yard. There is no shade. And in the warm months when I'm not worried about the pot smoking neighbor (scroll down for that post) I need help. This is a completely barren piece of land that the kids are going to be playing on. I have an elctircal pole in the corner of the property that a large tree would provide the perfect shade for my patio. so, that's out of the question due to the fact that I want electricity in my house.
I'm now a very good designer. My whole house is bland except for my dining room that I proudly painted "chianti" and I love it!!
How many umbrellas in a yard is too many? If they match, does it make it okay? I have a beautiful patio set that we purchased last year and have a great market umbrella for it that will be great for me when I'm finally reading again this summer while the children play. Do I just loob the kids up with SPF 900 and call it a day? (BTW, I do have the whitest children on the planet - they take after their mother - see pics at bottom of page!) I try to get in the sun with SPF and just end up freckling and it looks tan!
Another tangent for another day! That's this mornings ramblings. I have a lot to say today because I kept pretty quiet yesterday - wll not really - I have to give a lent update in a little while - HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
THe rain is going to clear out soon and I still need to get my corned beef - so slow in getting my IRISH on this year - Really gotta work on this!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Trippy Tuesday Blog Hop

HOla! Good Morning (well, atleast I hope you all are having a better morning than me!!) If the little lad doesn't stop crying at EVERYTHING I don't know how to get through the rest of the day. This time change thing is KILLING me!
Anyway - Just wanted to try something new - look for the link on the right, I'm trying my own Blog Hop!
It's really cool!
Leave me a comment that you signed up and a follow too!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Adding links....

I'm in the process of adding some followers links to my blog. Some of these blogs seriously make me laugh out loud! Check some out and let me know if your should me added too!!

Taming the savage mommy

Well, if there was ever a way to turn today around, it would be finger paints and pandora celtic music!
Wow! THe boys (well the big one did, little one had to have one too) made Leprechaun traps today for school. Finger paints and smiles were had all around - little man had more fun on the step stool to wash his hands in the kitchen sink than he did painting!
I turned up the pandora and little man starts telling me how much daddy loves rock n roll. I proceed to tell him that in 2 attemps already, Mommy has not gotten her irish on yet. So, for 4 more days, Pandora shall be blastin' and my laddies shall enjoy or, well, there is no or. They should get used to their heritage now and their crazy irish families too. Very sad that I could not go to the parade today (that's another post for another day) but, there's a lot of people posting pics on facebook. I'll take it.
Get yer irish on folks!
SLAINTE!

EPIC Fail

Okay - maybe not that bad. Wanted to start St. Patty's Day last night - didn't happen. Had one beer and was completely annoyed with the littlest person who decided to attach himself to my hip for 2 hours because of a little yappy dog. Of course, when I had had enough and wanted to go home, he starts crying that he wants to stay and play with the dog. COME ON!!!
Although, my mother in law made me sit down to my sis in law piano and I put on a mini concert - that was kind of fun. Haven't done that in a long time. Felt good!
I then sent my husband back to his sister's house for a round of poker - which I think he then forgot about losing an hour's sleep because I am about to wake his "dirty stay out" ass up!!
I have a cool recipe to post later (atleast I think it's cool - I'm going to taste it before I post it!)
We're off to the Ronkonkoma parade today - can't wait for the kids to whine and complain to me that it's too loud. Too bad. I want to go.
HAPPY SUNDAY PEEPS! IT"S STILL THE WEEKEND! I think I can throw a beer in there somewhere!!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

St. Patty's Day festivites start this evening

Well, atleast in my head they do. It's my nephew's 12th birthday tomorrow but we're celebrating this evening with beer and poker (mind you, the little people will be in another room for the most part - we're still working on WAR and Go FISH with them!)
Tomorrow is a parade in Ronkonkoma. The kiddos have not been to one of those yet and the weather should be perfect!
I cancelled religion class this Thursday so I don't have a whole bunch of first graders complaining about the smell in my house. THey can complain to their own mothers about the smell in their own houses. I have enough complaining from Frick and Frack.
Lent update, BTW - realized this morning that I yelled at the 6yo yesterday. Kind of necessary when the sweaty little thing comes off the bus with only a t-shirt and a backpack. WT??? After the fact, I realized I kept yelling before he got off the bus "WHERE'S YOUR COAT????" Does it count that I wanted him to stop and look back on the bus for it??? But as he kept running to me to tell me the answer (and I kept getting angrier in the moment because all I could think about was having to chase down the bus) he finally got to me to tell me that his shirt and coat were in the backpack. He had the shirt off at school and then put the coat in the backpack on the bus because that was what every one else was doing. "if your friends jumped off the brooklyn bridge"....... my nana is ringing in my head.............
I pressed the reset button in my head this morning.
Happy Saturday!

Friday, March 11, 2011

TGI....WAIT!! What the....

How did it get to be Friday already?? I mean seriously, i am not complaining, but, WOW!! It's Friday already!
This week was a whirlwind but I guess in a good way.
And this weekend proves to be lots of fun as well. I may need some suggestions from you Star Wars fans out there. My son has a variety show at school and he and his friend want to act out a lightsaber scene. THen he comes home from school yesterday and 3 more boys want in on the act (this is a bunch of first graders, mind you!!)
The school is not allowing solo acts (WTH??) So, this group is now growing and there are going to be a lot of dads (and this mom in particular) that know a lot about the star wars and fortuneately, the little people already know who they want to be, it's a matter of how the act is going to go on!!
We have: The Emporer, Darth Vader, Annakin (yes, yes, I know!! - they are in first grade, remember?) Obi Won and Luke. This is just for the audition!! We have less than 2 weeks to get this figured out!!
My nephew is turning 12 this weekend and that means a poker tournament after the birthday party at his house. We definately don't get to see my husband's sisters enough!! Good times....good times.
Dayight savings is this weekend - that means that the little guy might actually let me sleep past 6 AM for the first time in 4 years.....wishful thinking - I'm a glass half full type of girl!
Well, Happy Friday - may your weekend be full of all the happy little things in life!
PS - Lent update - Have caught myself a few times - raised my voice, but have not yelled, yet. The lasers did start to warm up last night during homework debates, but, they were quickly cooled off. Only 38 more days to go!!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

My OH SO BRILLIANT 6y.o. first grader!

Just a little bragging going on around here. We just got a stellar report card for the second trimester of school and I couldn't be prouder. He is ahead in reading and excelling at science and social studies.
Any suggestions though on how to get him to complete his classwork in class and not at home?? That's a stumper....

TASTEFULLY SIMPLE FREE SHIPPING

THIS OFFER IS ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH EMAILING ME!! THIS IS NOT AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE!!
With that said, Free shipping on any order through 3/17. Please message me and I'll answer any questions that you have and we'll get your order on the way.
Thanks!

Tell-A-Friend - Ebates.com

Tell-A-Friend - Ebates.com

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

What I'm giving up for lent.....

This is going to be a real tough one.
I have decided that I am not going to yell at my children. HAHAHAHA. 40 days and 40 nights of no yelling. I hope I make it to tomorrow morning. I will be taking lots of deep breaths. I will not argue over mealtimes. I will speak softly and let lasers shoot from my eyes.....
I don't think my darling children actually get what I'm talking about, but, I'm trying to explain it to them. I teach 1st grade religion class in our home. The little guy actually sits in during class and, of course, is the class clown.
In 1st grade for lent, they have to show signs of love. They don't fast or give up anything. THey just show these signs of love as God teaches them about his son as a sign of love - I digress - this is not religion class!!
ANYWAY, I'm trying to explain to them that my sign is my quiet voice. So big boy asks if I'm not going to get mad - I said no, that's not what I meant - I just mean when you get in trouble, I'm going to quietly ask you to go to your room.
He's still perplexed. We'll see after school. He usually saves up his bad for getting off the bus (which is probably why he never gets in trouble at school)
Also, today is jiu jitsu day. 99% of the time it's a struggle to leave the dojo to get back home. I'll let y'all know later how that goes!
Somebody please send me a coupon for a free bottle of motrin.....
Even better, I've seen those rebate coupons for when you buy certain liquors...............

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

done. Done. DONE!!!!

Am I crazy for not wanting to be a short order cook?? I specifically ask the little people what they want for dinner and they must agree upon it. SO, why is it that when I cook it, only 1 out of 2 children eats it???? THE ONE WHO ASKED FOR IT DOESN't EAT IT> This is definately not the first time this has happened. I'm so done with this. I make dinner seperate for my husband and myself during the week and we all eat together on the weekends. so even on a night like tonight, I give them options and they agree. THey know this is how it works. UGHH!!!!
I guess this is more of a rant than a question, unless I ask, anybody else get this frustrated???

Little Man Growing Fast with a Heart of Gold!

Today is PRE-K registration. I am excited. I am probably one of very few moms for this. Don't get me wrong - this kid has my heart. But, he has a mind of his own and I know that he gets bored with me at home, so, engaging him with new friends and activities is very exciting to me. I'm not one of those moms that gets sentimental on the first day of school - I get anxious for the end of the day because I want to know all about the day. I have a 1st grader and look forward to his stories every day (which he is very proud of the fact that he is the only boy in class that has never come off of the green card for good behavior!)
Little man is just now starting to tell me more about his day in preschool. I try to ask him about who he played with and what they did together and usually I get the stories about who hit him and got in trouble, Who didn't him let him in their tea party or why there were ants in the bathroom that he didn't like. Strange little duck, that one!
My biggest concern with him is making sure that there is an AED in each school that he attends. He was born with a congenital heart defect and we go regularly to the cardiologist who has cleared him for 100% activities (there's not stopping this kid anyway even if he did have restrictions!) but, for the rest of his life, we have to make sure that everyone is aware of this condition and have the AED there just in case.
Bigger concern is as he gets older, is what kind of sports that he wants to get involved in. I don't know if I'm going to have the capability to let him go out for the more aggresive stuff (football, wrestling, basketball) There's always a spot in my brain that worries about him constantly. I don't think he even understands why he goes to the cardiologist as much as I have tried to explain - I don't want to go too far into detail with him because he does tend to fall to the dramatic side of things and I honestly believe that he would go overboard with "chest pains" if he knew that it got him out of something. I don't want the little boy to cry wolf - he does that when his brother gets attention. it's exasperating!!
He's also most of the reason that my brain went nutty - but I would never tell him that. I have been on anti-depressents since a few months after he was born. The surgery, being sent home with this child, having a 2 year old at home with a speech impediment, and my parents moving 3000 miles away. My brain could only take so much. He was on meds. Every cough and sneeze sent me into a tizzy. If he tried pushing out the poops and his face changed color, I would sometimes be ready to call 9-1-1!! THe doc appointments (atleast 1 a week for the first couple of months) that had us all over long island. Did I mention the c-section that I had no time to recoup from? Ugh! Now I have a million stories popping into my head and I better stop typing now before this gets out of control! Have a great day everyone!

Monday, March 7, 2011

This child of mine.....

The child that makes me panic the most makes me smile and laugh the most! When the 4y.o. gets sick - I am panic stricken. He was born with a congenital heart defect called a coarctation of the aorta. He had closed heart surgery when he was 8 days old. I laugh at him right now because he is sitting at the piano trying to figure stuff out. The 6 y.o. is trying to teach him from the kitchen table.
The 4 y.o. has a motormouth. Yup. I called him a motormouth. He does not stop making noise. He wakes up religiously at 6 AM. He starts talking or humming right out of bed and does not stop until he passes out at 7:40 PM. He's going to be like the guy from the Police Academy movies that was able to make all sorts of different sounds with his mouth.
He rides his pillow pet lady bug like a horse - sound effects and all. Both boys are excellent at mimicking laser blaster sounds from Star Wars.
My husband had an experience of spending a day a lone with the littlest one and couldn't believe his ears by the end of the day. He even hums when he is eating!!
Back to topic work tomorrow..........

I FOUND SO MANY FREEBIES!!

Okay - so I'm not giving anything away yet, but, holy crap have I gotten more freebies in the past 48 hours since joining the Mommy Bloggers Club. There are more giveaways and posts than you can keep up with.
Budget Savvy Diva has more connections to free stuff and discounts with coupons that equal free stuff.
Money Minded Moms is another group with tons of info.
I have entered into more giveaways than I can count as well.
I am completely off track of what my original mission was here but I'm sure that I'll find my way back somehow!!
I WILL do my own freebie -
When you order Tastefully SImple products, EMAIL ME with your order and I'll give you free shipping. That offer is good until March 17. That's a pretty good freebie right there I think! This offer is only good through my email - not the website and not any other consultant!! http://www.tastefullysimple.com

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Super Simple Sunday Supper!

Tonight's menu is Chicken Burritos.
I'm starting off by making a pot of Goya yellow rice.
Then I'm sauteeing up a few chicken cutlets rubbed with chili powder, cumin and garlic powder. To the pan I am then adding a can of Goya Black Beans (undrained). Let that simmer for a few minutes to heat through.
Heat a few burrito size flour tortillas in the microwave to warm through. Lay out a burrito and line bottom of it with freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese mixed with Monterey Jack. Add a layer of rice, then the chicken and beans. Dice some fresh red onion and tomato. Shred some lettuce if desired. ENJOY!! (If you don't have fresh onion or tomato, salsa or picante will do just fine too!)

My pot smoking neighbor

The other day I went on a mommy website and posed a question - it pretty much goes like this:
We have been living in our home for 6 years. I have 2 small boys. There are 2 other children living across the street. We have been lucky enough to become friendly with most of our surrounding neighbors. We really like them all. EXCEPT, as much as we like our next door neighbors, their 20-something son that still lives at home smokes pot in the backyard. THis has been going on for years - we have our windows open and then when the stench hits, I have to close up my house and turn on all the fans so the stink will dispense. This is not 24/7, but, when the nice weather hits, it is atleast once a week that the wind blows right into my house! We even smell it at the busstop across the street some mornings!!
SO, I have had it. Personally, I want to walk next door and let the guy know how much it affects me and my family. I don't want to be mean about it, just ask if there is some way we can work something out. My husband on the other hand thinks we have no right to say anything to him as he is in his yard minding his own business. Now, before you go any farther with the "pot is illegal, call the cops" - I know that. THe fact of the matter is, we like our neighbors. i know pot is illegal. We don't want trouble. I teach piano to children here all week though and I don't need to have these issues.
I want opinions and comments. '
PLEASE SHARE AWAY!! NOTHING WILL GO UNREAD!!!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Fantasy Friday

Probably not what you thought! When Fridays roll around, I have ideas of grandure!! My husband only works a half day, the little one is home by lunch time and the big guy is home by 4. It really does feel like a 3 day weekend every weekend. Life is good. I keep thinking about all the wonderful things we can do as a family and the stuff that we'll get done around the house.
Then it's Sunday night and we're watching AFV and I'm wondering where the weekend went!!
Does this happen to a lot of other people other than me? Hubbs and I are on completely different schedules. I am up before the sun and he goes to bed a few hours before the sun comes up. So, needless to say, our nights aren't too exciting. Summertime will change that a bit, but, the school year does me in.
I love playing with my kids. I tend to back off quite a bit when the husband is home so they get quality time with him on the weekends. MAN TIME!!
I am still reading a lot of information on where to go with this blogging. The truth of the matter is, as much as I want to have followers, and I want to make a little bit of extra spending cash at the same time, I don't know if I've found my niche here. I know that answers and followers show up in a day, or a week even. I think I want a website. I already got the domain name, it's just a matter of taking the time that it needs to put it together.
Little bits at a time.
Well, here's to all my new cyberfriends. Hope you have fantastic weekend and keep posting all the great ideas that I love to read!!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Still working

I am on complete blog overload. There are so many pages and posts to read I really don't know where to STOP!! I read one, I click a link before I'm finished and before I know it, I have 10 pages open! There are so many brilliant people out there, I'm going to start just posting their links soon so I can share this all with you!!
My head is spinning with ideas now. Keep the blog, start a website about the multi-jobbing that I do. Stop the blog, focus full time on a website. Forget the website and just do different blogs for the different ideas???
So many choices - I have a lot of decisions and I'm going to start tweeting a lot of questions and I'm going to ask for a lot of answers!!! BE FOREWARNED!!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Back to routine

It was a very long winter break. Started with one child finishing being sick and the start of another child beginning. Of course, this kid doesn't complain. He's really bad at being sick. So bad, infact, that he ended up in the ER for a day because he was so completely dehydrated from vomiting. Kids. Love them.
Anyway, still rooting around on the computer and finding so many interesting blogs and websites. It's a whole new world for me out there. My head is taking me in 10 different directions about what I want to write. I have a lot to say - even if it is just here on the computer. Will I get followers? Do I get paid at all for this if I keep trying? Do I look like a fool for doing this to the people that do know me? I think I'm pretty passed the age of giving a crap about what other people think. I don't want to filter myself. I don't want to sound too scattered either. I guess this will all iron itself out as I go. Cheers!!

WAHM post

Poking around on the computer last night, I found this site as well. It's called payperpost.com

"These folks pioneered the "get paid to blog" concept. Besides being the most popular paid blogging network, I've found that they always seem to have the most job opportunities available at any given time. PayPerPost pays bloggers anywhere from $5 to over $200 per completed and approved post." (copied from ehow.com!!)


Read more: How to Get Paid To Blog - Paid Blogging Networks | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2100793_paid-blog-paid-blogging-networks.html#ixzz1FLdRjXO6

Now personally, I just signed up with them last night. I have always read due diligence is key to everything that you do. As I figure more out, I'll post, but if you have comments, please, let me know!