NEW ADDY

Please find me at www.chronicallydistracted.wordpress.com

Spanks!!

Would you rather...

If I moved to Wordpress and changed my URL would all 6 of you come with me?

wondering...
are there more options?
it is still easy to use?
can i make it prettier?
do i dare....? (i'm chicken, bawk bawk)

For Jim...

This week was my husband's birthday.  
I wanted to acknowledge here in front of... well, I just wanted to acknowledge it.

You know those lame people that say they knew he was the one for you from the moment you met?

Rehearsal Dinner

Well, I'm one of those lame people.

From the time I met my husband, we have been through good times and bad, sickness/illness/injury and health, happiness and sadness, have experienced gut-wrenching heartache and been overflowing with love.

I love him.
It hasn't been all wine and roses, a couple miscarriages, a period or two of intense poor communication, financial hardships.  But when the times came to talk about whatever issues there were, we always chose to keep loving each other, to forgive each other. 

A fine Tuna!

He is a better man than I thought he was when I met him.  He has grown into a wonderful, loving and tender father.  He is an amazing husband.  He's my best friend, loving and supportive.  He's not too shabby in the sack either.  Ha!

When we said our I-do's, we both meant every word.  We said our own vows, but neither of us wrote them down, we just said what was in our hearts.  My veil blew off in the middle of mine.  We both cried through the whole thing.

I am so happy every day that I found him at a blackjack table in Vegas. 
I didn't know where I would end up or how. 
But I can't imagine being right here, right now, with anyone else. 

Napping with Mags

Thanks, Jim, for being the best husband and friend I could have hoped for.

Long Beach

And please don't let this jinx it and you leave me tomorrow!  Ha!  If you do, you take the kids.

Blog Dare: How I use Social Media

It's Jan 22nd, and this is my first blog dare.  Mostly b/c I just found it. 

I use social media as a way to socialize with friends and family (Facebook) and to meet new people (Twitter). 
I'm relatively new to Twitter, and I love it!  I have met, online and IRL, amazing people. 
I have met an amazing woman who has figured out how to actually bring these online peeps into real life and I think it's ... well, amazing.  And wonderful!

I started on Twitstown in order to try and further market my business as a Mary Kay Consultant and it has definitely helped/worked.  I am continuing to use these networking lines to keep on furthering my business, so I'm hopeful.  I also try to market some through Facebook, but I'm not sure it's as vast a networking platform as Twitter is, in that respect.

Social Media is amazing (obviously) and I think it will only become more of a marketing player in the future!
So... here goes nothin'!

Stop the emoting already!

You know those days when you hate being a girl?
I'm having one.

I am having emotional reactions to things that don't warrant an emotional reaction!
AND I HATE THIS!!!!!

I'm tired.
I'm lazy.
I feel bloated.
And I just don't wanna....

But I do - I take Mags to school, go deliver some goods, go to the grocery store, lock baby and groceries in the car, call AAA, they save baby, go home, unload/put away groceries, discover I forgot 1 thing I NEED, go back to store quicklike, go pick up Mags, go home, make a cake, clean kitchen, take 5 min to empty my brain onto this computer (sorry whomever reads this), and now I will pound some chicken breasts for cordon bleu, call my MIL and invite her to dinner (since it's her son's b'day), get ready for return of kids, go to store, buy gift, come home, wrap gift, make dinner, do laundry, get ready for my mother to arrive tomorrow, fall in bed and cry.
When will I do my Shred, you ask?  Who knows, I may need to double up tomorrow or something... it's life people, it happens. 

And I wanna have a whole bunch of other things.
But I don't wanna work for them.
Basically, I just want to be someone else.
Someone I know, but don't know, know what I mean?
That person you see and you're all "I wanna be like her".
Yes, I'm 35 and I will have these thoughts.
Am I secure in myself?  No.
Am I me?  No.  Because I don't know who 'me' is half the time.
It's like looking at a 15 yr old thinking, "man, she has so much potential"... but I am just looking in the mirror.

One of these days, I will get it figured out.
Until then, I will revel in mommyhood and I will carve out a place for myself, scoop by scoop, brick by brick.

This may be b/c a period of time is coming when I have to pretend to not be me.  And I don't really like all that.  But survival is survival, and I can do because I'm awesome!
(you like that self talk, don't you?)

Confession: Insanity

I crave comfort and understanding and acceptance. 
But it's times like these I feel painfully.... insignificant.

I feel like the weight of the world is on me right now.
Or just the weight of a few major items in life.

And I want to someone to take them away.
I would like to have NO major items.  I would like to be item free.

Maybe it's all about perspective... My perspective is insane.
As in, I am going insane.  These issues are insane.  How they have come about is insane. 
I will go insane before they are resolved.  That I have to figure out the best and healthiest way to handle these issues is insane.  I don't like insane so much... I used to.  When it meant that I was partying all night and dancing and drinking and dancing... that was insane. 
This insane, I no like so much.

I believe that in another year, it will all be less insane.
But how am I to know?  I don't.  I won't. 

But a gal's gotta have hope.

Ya gotta have faith....

You ever have one of those days when you try really really hard to just keep your thoughts straight and happy?

I got a crazy phone call today. 

And it's been hard to keep my mind clear.

I drift back to the what if's and whozits and whatzits...

My tolerance/patience level is automatically lower.  I am more on edge.
I want this to be no big deal.  But between my mom coming to visit and all the preparations for that, and now this?  I'm having a hard time keeping balanced.

This call didn't have a number (withheld) and didn't leave a call back number on the message left.
The caller said they would call back.  But when?  If ever.
I am not left hanging.  Again.  Not in a good way. 
So I have to control these emotions I have and thoughts I have while taking care of business at home.

I am praying a lot, and remembering that I am a child of God.
He is in control of my life and I am resting in Him. 
I don't need to worry or be scared or confused or sad.  I know that He's at my side and on my side. 

One of those things where I have to dig deep to get through it. 
But I can.  I have weapons in my arsenal now that will help me. 
I can win this battle. 

This is not the only battle I have right now.  There are a couple major ones.
But I am taking the steps to arm and protect myself against these.
I am LUCKY to be able to do this.
I am THANKFUL I know the knowledge and courage to do this.
I will be a better person and mother after fighting these fights.


Dear God,
Please watch over me and keep me safe today.  Give me the mercy to forgive others as you have forgiven me.  Bring Peace to my heart as I face the challenges ahead of me in the coming weeks and let the Holy Spirit guide me.  Thank you for your love. 

It's alive!!!!

So I started doing the 30 Day Shred.
I'm on Day 2.
I love it.

Why?

Because I feel alive.

My body aches a bit, I'm creaky in some spots.
And I love it.

This DVD claims I could lose 10 lbs in a month or MORE.
I will be toned and lose inches.
I will be strong. er.

We shall see.

I started this b/c I needed to reduce my stress and get in shape.
I don't have a weight loss goal.  Don't hate me.
This means I will be eating just as much or more chocolate than normal.
Sorry.

But after only day 2 - I feel great.
Inside.
I am so happy I am doing this...
I can't wait until tomorrow morning when I can do it again!
I love happy hormones!

::happy sighs::

Read/Watch my progress in the Shred here.
War Babe Shredders!

Who's a Babe Shredder? I AM!

I am shaping and molding myself into a new woman....

I have started participating in the 30 Day Shred with the Babe Shredders on Facebook and Stay at Home Babe and a couple other lovely ladies!  Yes, I'm talking about you, Wendy!

I am recording for posterity my adventures at Beyond the Bandaids! 
It's a new blog/project I am starting to attempt to put to use some of the seven or eight years of eduction I have in my head!  ha!

Enjoy!
I now return you to you regularly scheduled ranting!

Something Hard Wrapped in Paper

It's the little things.
A friend called this AM at like 8:15 as I was trying to get shoes on and out the door to preschool.

"Hey! What are you and JJ doing this morning? We are looking for something different to do.  Wanna go to the park?"

How about you come over here?  I suggest... knowing but not explaining that my kid still has to nap and hers are a tad older and on the 1 nap schedule now. 

"Sure.  Give me directions."

And it's done.  We spend the AM with me drinking coffee, kids playing contently because all these toys are new and different and it's a new house to destroy, and playing outside with them.  My kiddo napped, so I was able to just sit and be for a bit while she chased. (nice!)
I drank coffee.  She drank water.  We talked about all kinds of stuff.  Friend stuff, family stuff, God stuff.  The usual. 

Then I get the big G from preschool, come home, obligatory snack which today was a piece and a half of cheese pizza (what?!) and Curious George.  Then to nap and THEN - and THEN - my Mary Kay shipment arrived!  Love new stuff and love to deliver awesome stuff to people! 

AND THEN!  I went in the garage to get a box to pack up and send out some product.  I grab the box I just received a Lush Cosmetics gift in.  No biggie.  It's kinda heavy... and something is rattling around in there.  Lush packs their boxes with their ad paper which is newspaper style... and they wrap things in it apparently too.  I reach in a hand b/c I can't "see" anything out of the ordinary. 

I feel something.... hard.  OOO!  "Something Hard!" I think.

I shake the box a bit and see a sample in there too that I had missed.  "Oh happy day," I think, "Godmother Body Soap!"

I take the box inside and set it on the kitch counter.  I reach around for that something hard and I pull it out - I unwrap it from the paper and it's ANOTHER BAR OF LUSH SOAP!!!!!!!! 

Ring of Roses Buttercream.  Which, of course, makes me think of a bunghole.  Don't ask why, I don't even know.

Now my butt WILL smell like Roses! 

This just made my day!

(no subject)

There are so many things floating around this empty cavern I call a mind these days.

1. Bloggers/Blogging is an amazing tool that can be used for good or evil.  The do-gooders are astounding people who give me (us) a taste of their inner self.  Whoa.

2. My dad

3. Making myself a better person for me, but for my kids.

4. I don't want to be bitter, but live in love.

5. I feel myself being lead to a purpose.  I am trusting in Him.

6. When you stop looking at yourself and see others, you see joy.

7. My kids are crazy, but they are my crazy.

8. I am lucky and blessed all the time, even when I don't think I am.

9. My mom

10.  Apple Pie

I am going to become the true, realized me very soon.  I hope my family and friends still want me.
I will start every day over with a clean slate.  Don't carry on the burdens of the day before, you only slow yourself down with all those heavy bags.
I will find what I love and what fulfills me, finally.
I will be confident and secure and not scared anymore.

Oh, How I love thee, let me count the Zzz's.

My love.

My sweet sweet salvation.

The one I look forward to every night.

My ear plug(s).

I have a special love affair with my ear plug(s).  Usually, it's just one.  Just for the side that's "up". 

I'm a light sleeper.  Not SUPER light, but enough so that every little rustling wakes me.  And I have 2 kids, so there's a bit of rustling going on from time to time.  And one of those kids is 14 months old and not sleeping totally awesomely and we have to have some crying which is torturous enough, let alone at 3:30 AM. 

Also?  My husband snores.  A lot.  Loudly.  All.  The.  Time.
Bad sinuses, I'm sure.  Chronic congestion.  And he loves to annoy me.  Well, maybe not, but it seems that way.

So a while ago, before kids I think, I started wearing ear plugs.  I think it actually started when I was traveling a lot and working and sharing hotel rooms.  Then I carried it over because I discovered that I could sleep and not have to kick someone in the shin 3 times a night for snoring in my face.

I like quiet, people.  I like to have silent darkness when I sleep.  Silent.  Darkness.
I love my sleep.  Who doesn't, right?  But these days, it's like a case of beer to me.  I want it sooo soo bad.  And when I get it, I can only have a little, then I have to wait until the next day to have more.
So when it got to critical stages of me needing to get some quality z's, I went back to the ear plugs.

Now, don't be alarmed.  You can still hear with them in, apparently a misconception among my friends who complain about being a light sleeper when I tell them about this marvel of modern society.  But it blocks out plenty of the ranges and sounds that keep me up.  But I can also hear crying and yelling and bumps in the night - as long as they are loud enough.  And if they are loud enough to wake me up, I'm pissed, because I was probably sleeping gooooood.

In addition to my husband being an awesome horn blower, he is also an avid nighttime video gamer.  Of the RPG variety, with lots of guns and stalking and rat-a-tat-tat-ing going on.  HATE IT.  Especially when the lighting makes it like feel like I am about to have a seizure from the strobieness (not sure that's a word, 'puter says no).  At this point, it's pillow over the head time (or eye mask, if I can find it) and ear plug time. 

Then, amongst the sweet darkness, subtle lavender smell (if I found the eye mask), and mostly silence, I feel... alone.  Utterly alone.  I use my killer meditation skills to transport myself to my "happy" place.  Sometimes I eat there, I relax there, I watch TV there.  I know...  It's kinda weird that I have to mentally visualize myself doing these to feel any satisfaction from doing it.  But IRL, it ain't happening.  IRL?  I have kids yelling for me, dinner to cook, dishes/laundry to wash.  There is no watching TV and relaxing.  And even when there is?  I'm not alone. 

The other major thing that happens when the plug goes in, is I pray. 
Deeply, from my heart, wholly.  I don't usually get to do this at just anytime, either.   The oneness with God and the Holy Spirit I feel at these times is amazing.  And it carries me into the night and next day of feeling good.  I pray for my friends, for my enemies (the hard one) and for my kids and family and food and coffee and grace and mercy (so as to not kill my kids) and for smiles. 

I love my ear plug. 
I once told Big Daddy, and I repeat this to myself almost daily, if, God Forbid, anything was to happen to him that he was no longer with me?  I would marry ear plugs.  I would.  I would do it.  Not just for the 15 minutes of crazylady fame it would bring me either...
Because I truly truly love them. 

*I dedicate this post to my Leight Sleepers Ear Plugs.  Here's to many more nights together in sweet slumber.*

Start your morning with a loaf (not of bread)

*WARNING* This post contains information regarding normal human processes.  Read at your own risk.  It's kinda gross.

These kids are lucky I'm in a good mood. 

It's Monday.  And even though it's Monday, I still feel a bit rejuvenated.

Perhaps it was evening church service last night.  Since it was the evening, the kids came home, bathed and went quickly to bed allowing me time to actually *think* about the message. 

Perhaps it's the fact that I managed to get out of bed (and jack Big Daddy out of the first shower, a minor victory) and get showered and dressed. AND my coffee was already ready b/c I set it up the night before.  So by 7 AM, I am rolling.  I'm proud of myself for this.

Then the obligatory breakfast for 3 children, clean up, going over the to-do list for today, so on and so forth.  By this time, it's about 8:30 or so and I decide to sit in the kitchen and satiate my need for social media.  The olders are playing nicely (odd) and the younger is behaving, mostly. 

It's quiet.  And you moms know, this can't always be good.  But I roll with it b/c I just don't care.  I need social media, and coffee.

Eventually, I decide I had better intervene.  I think the hairs in the back of my neck were starting to stand up alerting me to impending disaster.

I go to the back bedroom and find the kiddos in there. 
Door closed, not necessarily a bad sign.

I open it, "Hey guys!" I cheerily greet them.

I look around the corner into the bathroom and I see C on the toilet... OK.
"Hey, you going potty, buddy?" 

Before he can answer, I glance down and there it is... [insert sound of disaster here].

A giant turd.  [enter Psycho music here and me wanting to gasp in horror, but I don't]

Sidebar: I have girls.  Apparently, we have skinny, demure poo.  This boy child - huge, adult size loafs. 

"WHOA!  What is that?!" I exclaim.  "C?  Did you poo on the floor?!" 

"Yeah.  I missed."

What the bloody hell is going on? 
Again, LUCKILY, I am in a good mood this morning. 

"I need some privacy," he tells me.
"No problem!" I tell him and usher Mags out of the room and am still keeping JJ away from the obvious, disgusting biohazard in the middle of the bathroom floor.
I leave him to finish his business - turd(s) on the floor and all.

A couple minutes later, I come back in and peek around the corner as before, a little more cautiously this time, and he is done.
Now, his mom has taught him to "assume the position" for wiping...
Please allow me to laugh my ass off here for a minute!  BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

C has gotten down off the potty, closed the top and is standing half bent over the can with his hands on the lid, pantless.  He sees me come in, and in the sweetest, cutest, most innocent voice, gently smiles and sings, "I'm doooone."  It made me smile.  Then, I sniffed the air and looked down and was reminded of the giant ball (and 2 smaller pebbles) of poo on the floor that I had to clean up, and since this is not my child, was grossed out, again. 

Wipe wipe.  Job done.  I pick up the loaf on the floor and the couple stray ones on the side and flush and move on. 

I have to tell you, after the wiping, C recounts what happened to me.

"I was playing.  And I had to go poo-poo.  And I came in here.  But it started coming out and went in my pants.  And I pulled my pants down.  And it fell out on the floor.  And then I sat on the potty.  I didn't make it."

Fantastic.
This is is C.  He's lucky I'm in a good mood today. 
I feel like this is payback for Mags doing her business while Big Daddy was still home and he did the wiping detail for me.  At the time, I was all, sweet! I got out of that one!

Little did I know.

PS - I REALLY wanted to take pics.  But figured I would be the only one that would think it was funny.  So I didn't.  I regret this now. 

Reduced to a pile of Mom

So there I am.

A limp, lifeless, soulless blubbering mess.

First in my bathroom, then on my 3 year old daughter's bedroom floor. 

It was mommy meltdown day.  I broke.  Like a matchstick house, I broke.

And who broke me?  A 3 year old. 

Crying my eyes out, gasping for air, downright sobbing because my daughter has taken me once again to the edge of insanity with her not listening, disobeying, lying, running, jumping, yelling, banging, throwing, ripping.

I know I am not alone in this.  I know that mother's all over the world go through this repeatedly and even my own friends tell me, "oh, yeah, I've been there".

But every time it brings up every vulnerability.  Every feeling of not-good-enough-ness and every inadequacy.

Man, I hate that.

I know this is all normal.  I know I am a good mom.  I know it in my head, but sometimes forget in my heart.  I know that my kid knows I love her, but sometimes I worry.  Because I worried about that when I was little.

I want to rule with love, I want to discipline with love.  But it gets to the point when I feel like it's the temper talking.  I don't like that.

I'm tired.

I'm sore.

I'm worn out and worn down.

But I have to hope and pray that tomorrow will be better.  I have to think of the wonderful awesome things my little one does.  And remember how funny she is and how smart and silly.  And how her blond hair makes me smile and her curls make me jealous.

Then when she comes all sweet in the morning, begging me out of bed to make her something to eat.  And I comply and then she started running circles in the living room (I'm not kidding, she really does, at 7 in the morning) then I will go make coffee and ignore.

Because what else can I do?

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Smile.

Mission: Accomplished

I did it.

I braved Costco w/ 3 kids and 1 cart and several items and had lunch and made it home. 

One Q.
 Why was everyone and their mother at Costco today??  Really.  Didn't they know I had to go and they should clear out?

Sheesh.

How is it possible for a 3 yr old to eat an entire 1/2 piece of cheese pizza, drink some lemonade, and want more?? After she had snack too.  When I told her no more pizza, Mags' response: can we go look for some ladies with snacks?? 
Of course, dear.

The other 3 yr old: why do I have to hold the bananas? 
Because I know you really like them.
Mags: [whining] But I want to hold something....
Try holding your breath.  (I didn't really say this, but I should have)

After lunch before shopping: OK, who has to go potty?
Mags: I do
C: I don't
JJ: No response (go figure)
[load up in cart] Here we go!
C: Why do I have to go to the potty?  I don't have to go.
Cuz you're part of the fam now....
C: Oh, but I don't want to go.
Sorry dude.  You're going.

Hey C. What are you doing in the cart there buddy?
C: [as he is leaning over, bouncing off the side of the cart] I'm tired and I'm trying to go to sleep.
Uh, why don't you want like 15 minutes then you can sleep in your bed at home?
C: But I want to sleep now.
Well, I think you should wait b/c that's not going to be too comfortable.
C: [disgruntled moaning] uhuhhguhughugh.

This was my trip. 
I am proud to say - I made it!!!! 

Just a minute alone... PLEASE!!!

I find it interesting that I crave solitude, but I crave the company of others at the same time.

And when I say "crave", I mean want so desperately I can almost taste the beer that comes with it.

Like, I almost cry at the thought of 3 hours alone... possibly in a nail salon, or a bar, or my car.

These days solitude has been a little lean.  There is an ebb and flow to life that is pretty normal.  Especially as a stay at home / work at home mom... there is a cycle to it all. 

But damn.  With Big Daddy gone skiing for a few days, and a couple kids, and an extra sick one and dinner and dishes and cleaning and and and... I would like to run away right about now.

Then I feel guilty that I want to run away. 

Shouldn't I be LOVING this crap?  Isn't this why I chose to stay home?  To revel in the joy of the daily grind to domestic perfection? 
Psyche.

I have learned that, as with all things in life, balance is necessary.

Then I feel guilty again.  Because I have that one friend, and you know you do too, that is AWESOME at all home things... raising kids, having each kid in the exact right number of extra-curriculars, making sure the youngest boy child has the appropriate about of masculine activity to offset the princessness of the two older sisters, can make the potluck dish and have the kids perfectly dressed and handmade cards made and leave ON TIME for that special function, and barely ever bitches or complains or loses her temper or spanks her kids or has to runaway to Palm Springs for the weekend by herself because she just can't take it anymore.  And when she does go away for the weekend, she always takes at least 1 kid. 

Man, I really dislike her sometimes.  But I remind myself, I am not her.  I have to forge my own path.

Today is just one of those days, nay, one of those weeks.
I feel like every other thought in my head is damn this or how come frickin that...
There's a legion of lamentations running around in this brain today...
I hate the dishes, I hate laundry, I hate shopping, I hate financials, I hate Max & Ruby, I hate kids that chew with their mouth open, I hate 3 yr olds that don't listen (I know, I'm preaching to the choir on that one), I hate multitasking, I hate antibiotics and the feminine problems that accompany them, I hate that my chest still hurts and I think I have to go back to the Dr again.
All I want to do is sit and write and use my brain and feel like I am feeding society in someway.

I went to school for a long time.  I have a quarry of kinesthetic knowledge waiting to be mined over here.

I would really like to get out of here.  So I'll go to Costco.  Maybe small children will behave sufficiently to warrant a hot dog lunch.  Maybe I will blow my cork and cause the employees to call CPS right then and there.  Maybe I will forget them there and get a little alone time....

*sigh*

My other most favorite thing ever....

So back in... um, November, I participated as a vendor in Green Scene at Grape Day Park in Escondido.

It was in conjunction with America Recycles Day and I was there for my Mary Kay business because MK does a lot of earth friendly packaging, as well as recycling programs involving planting trees and giving back to the community to encourage outdoor activities, especially for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

So anyway, I met this wonderful couple who own a phenomenal business with products to make your life "greener".  It's called Eco Green Monster!  Great, huh?!  

I visited their booth.  There was a bit of "down" time as it wasn't super crowded and they were one of the few other merch vendors there.  Awesome people, really.

But one of the products that caught my eye was the E.G.G.: Ethylene Gas Grabber!

Ta Da!!!!!

Dude!
The premise is that fruit and veggies emit Ethylene Gas that causes food to ripen and spoil.  This is a fact.  So these little beauties absorb that gas, thereby keeping your produce fresher, longer.

And I kid you not, this is NO JOKE.  THESE SUCKERS WORK.

Like I said, I bought a pack of 2 E.G.G.s in November, came home and put them in the fridge right away (even though I didn't have any fruit or veggies. Don't judge.).  I also purchased at the time, a pack of refills, which was 4 sets (8 total).  So this will last me 1 YEAR AND 3 MONTHS!  Since the packets last 3 months, and a set already came with the E.G.G.s.

So the next week, I got some fruit and veg.  The first thing I noticed, I put a cut apple in the drawer with one of the E.G.G.s, and again, I kid you not, that apple barely browned (not more than when I put it in) AND AND after 2 days, it was NOT mushy.

Did you hear that people?!  IT WAS NOT MUSHY!!!!
Totally just skinned it and cut it like it was out of bowl, and still sweet and yummy!
I almost did a freaking dance.

Over the past few months, I have put many a cut fruit in the drawers and they would last for a week - no baggie or anything.  Even new veg that are in the package - lettuce, spinach, a tomato in the produce bag - for not less than a week, and even in the bag, the greens didn't brown and were crisp and tasty.  And that tomato, I think I got it 2 weeks ago (don't judge) and pulled it out tonight and cut it, seeded it, chopped it, and it was 100% fine. 

AMAZING!

I have saved so much $ so far, I know.  I would toss out tons of cut fruit that didn't get eaten or lettuce I bought and didn't even crack the bag, and it turned and was gross.  Those days are loooooong gone.

People, this is the find of the century, to me.  If you have kids, or not.  If you are single, or not.  And especially if you are trying to eat healthy but get all bummed out b/c the fresh fruit and veg spoil so fast and who can eat THAT much stuff THAT fast - then THIS is for you.

Almost forgot the best part - they are $10.  WHAT?!

The E.G.G.s are not listed on the Eco Green Monster site, but I daresay that if you sent them a NOTE they would help you out.  They are a super awesome couple!  I even saw them at another street fair and went and said Hi and they remembered me *eee!* and were, again, super nice!

They have several other fantastic products too!  Acyrlic Cups, Porcelin Cups, Reuseable bags, Stainless Steel water bottles, all at reasonable prices. 
And you know I love a local business!  Support locally, grow locally.

I am not getting any compensation for this - I just really really think this is an awesome product and the peeps at Eco Green Monster are rad.  You can follow on Twitter at @EcoGreenMonster and they go to several of the local farm markets too.  Their schedule is HERE.

Get your E.G.G. today and SAVE!!!!

Got me some Nook-ie!

At the risk of overblogging -
I have to share some simply sensational news! 

I PURCHASED A  NOOKCOLOR FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!

I will wait while you get back into your chairs and stop screaming jealous epitaphs my way... hee hee!

And let me just say, that while I am not being paid to share this info (perhaps I should and so should my friend Danette at Olive + Hope for enlightening me to all the wonderful perks the Nook has to offer), I still freaking love this thing!


The potential is definitely there, and with the reported coming addition of an app store in the 1st Quarter this year, I'm hooked. 

I debated between the Kindle and the NookColor. 
The main advantage was the color option at first, then I got the low down on what the NookColor can do. 
Here are one highlights...

• Read books (duh)
• Touchscreen!
• Play games - loaded is chess, crosswords, sodoku
• PANDORA
• Web browisng - no flash player available yet, but things like YouTube and general sites work fine.  
• Social Media - FB and Twitter!  I admit, it's a big laggy and slow, and I need to get a hootsuite or seesmic type site hooked up.  
• Kids books generally have audio!  Sweet!
• LendMe Technology where you can share books between friends with NookColors!  Fun!
• Per Danette - you can rent books from the library!  Haven't totally figured this out yet - but I plan on it! 
• You can look up words you don't know instantly!  Very good for my simple minded self.

There are more - and it's only been a week or so of actual usage time - but I really do like it!!!! 
I see huge advantages over the Kindle - in terms of flexibility of usage and multitasking.  I find it hard to purchase a pricey piece of technology that can only do 1 thing... I need maximum bang for my buck!
I will keep all 2 of you updated as I continue to explore and utilize my new toy!

I love frivolous birthday spending!!!  Thanks to Mom and Grandma Rosie for the fundage!  Cha-ching!

Ok, I give....

I'm seeing a lot of talk these days about resolutions and goals, etc.  Must be that start of the year thing.

I do love that it feels like you can just start over again, but I like to think that I can start over whenever I want.  Maybe that's why I suck at goals.

I don't have that "oh I HAVE to do this or I will let myself down" thing.  I just think, well, it didn't work out this time, try again.  I don't always get that sense of urgency in completing a goal.

Can't decide if this is good, or bad.

But if I really want something, I will get it.  If I really want to do something, I will get it done....

So what do I want to accomplish for this year?
I feel like I have to categorize these. 
And I am fully aware that by actually "writing" these down, and sharing with cyber universe, I am not somewhat accountable in case the 2 followers I have actually read these and someday, God forbid, call me on them. *damn*

Career:  Income of $1000/month by June 30.  4 new team members by June 30.  25 new customers by June 30. 

Family:  Everyone's happy and healthy.  2 "field trips"/month to places not normally traveled.  Foster independence among babes.  Foster love/caring/respect.  Not blow my cork more than 2x/wk.

Marriage:  Compromise more and be flexible when necessary (this is purposely vague).  Hugs and kisses 4x/day.  Smiles instead of frowns.  Open communication at the time of frustration instead of holding it in.

Financials:  Get some.  (ha!) Dave Ramsey, be my savior.  Save 90% of extra funds/month.  Follow the damn budget.

OK - so I commit that I will achieve these goals... I think.
I would also like to have a home makeover, a personal makeover, a child makeover, and something invented so I would not have to go to the bathroom and I could just think about going pee and go pee and be able to keep doing wh......

Wanna know what it's like to have boys instead of girls??

As I sit here watching Real Housewives of Atlanta, lamenting the fake tan of Kim, and the half naked pictures of herself on her wall, I think about the best part my day....

when I took my two girls to the doctor this morning and left my husband at home...

with two kids...

who were not ours! 

BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!

Sweet justice.

Don't get me wrong, my husband is than better than some I know in that he does let me sleep in at least 1 day on the weekend and more if he happens to be home during the week.  He loves our girls and me and loves spending with us.

But times are special these days... we have a friend staying with us who is making some major life changes.  And she has a 3.5 year old son, who is amazing.  But having TWO 3 year olds in the house is freaking unbelieveable.  They love each other (note the hugging contest at the grocery store today) and they hate each other (note the no-that's-my-fork argument at dinner). 

THEN another friend needed a caregiver for a half day for her 1 yr old son who is also fanfreakingtastic, because her normal lady was off today for an extended new year's break.

No prob.  But it was Mags' 3 yo check up and JJ needed her #2 flu shot, now that she is healthy. 
LUCKILY Big Daddy was home... so I ditched.  Again, BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Me:  Uh, honey, are you going to be home Monday?
BD: Hmm, yeah, I think so.
Me: b/c I have to take Mags to the Dr... can you stay w the boys?
BD:  What?
Me: Just for a couple hours.  They will be good.
BD:  Oh I know.  Uh, sure no problem. 

So I left and it was fine.  Big kid and little kid were fine.  Little kid wanted mom a couple times and Big Daddy just gave him more snacks.
When I got home tho, I made a comment about it almost being lunch time.  He says, "yeah, C might not be too hungry for lunch."
"Why," I ask.
"We've been eating a lot of bunny grahams this morning."

Ahh, daddy rule.