To My Better Half

Happy Sweetest Day, Honey!!!

Here's to another 22 more Sweetest Days together!

Love,

Me

Remembering Our Angel

October 15th is National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day. It is a day to remember all babies who were lost to a miscarriage, stillbirth or other complications after birth, that result in a neonatal death.

April 2, 2008 was a life-changing day for my family and me. It was the day that we learned that our third baby, who we were so excited to welcome into our family, would not be joining our family after all. In the beginning of my 11th week of pregnancy, we lost our little one. My due date was October 30th, so if things had gone as we had hoped, we would be celebrating our baby's first birthday this month.

Although it was a devastating loss, and one in which the emotions that accompanied it can not be explained, time has made it easier to remember. Instead of being distraught when I think of my baby, as I was most of last year, it now makes me a little sad wondering what could have been. I don't think that wondering will ever disappear and, in a way, I am very grateful for that - because that "wondering" also makes me smile.....thinking of our one year old beginning to walk, opening presents and digging into birthday cake!

But most of all, I feel blessed. Blessed for the time I had with our baby, although short. Blessed that God was there to help me survive. Blessed that I have a wonderful husband, two other beautiful children, supportive parents and an awesome sister, who didn't even tell me she was pregnant when I miscarried because she thought it was more important to keep from hurting me than to share her joyous news.

And, finally, I am blessed because I will forever have a guardian angel.

Mommy loves you sweetheart.

The Things Kids Say

Ben and I got to talking about milk today, for some odd reason, and it's not like it's all that interesting of a subject.

Unless you are a dairy farmer. Which I am not.

Anyhoo, Ben doesn't like milk, he's really never been a big milk drinker like Ali. I told him that I love milk but I can't drink it because I am allergic to it.

He then asked if I was black toast intolerant.

What the?

Ooohhh.....black toast intolerant.

Yes. Yes, honey, I am "black toast intolerant." I do not tolerate toast that is burnt. Unless it is covered with a half of pound of butter and a ton of grape jelly. Oh, and with a side of bacon. Then I can tolerate black toast just fine thankyouverymuch!

I love my guy Ben. He makes me laugh.

Things I Did Not Do Today

Today I did not eat left over chili for breakfast because, seriously, who does that? Not me.

Today I did not watch Oprah, so I have no idea that Mike Tyson actually has a sensitive side.

Today I did not spend three hours reading my favorite blogs, so my eyes are perfectly rested and I did not strain them in the least by staring at my bright computer screen all morning.

Today I did not snuggle up with Ali and her favorite stuffed animals and take a two hour nap.

Today I did not spent $126 at K-Mart, which did not include purchasing cat litter, socks for Ali, a Spongebob t-shirt for Ben and miscellaneous Halloween costumes for an upcoming Halloween party which we are not invited to.

Today I did not play the memory card game with my 5 year old daughter and she definitely did not beat me...twice.

Today I did not forget that Ben's class was having a party for his teacher's 40th birthday, so I did not stay in all afternoon napping while the other moms were volunteering at the party.

Today I did not rush to the store, with only 10 minutes to spare before the store closed, to pick up roast beef sandwiches for tonight's supper.

Today I did not get pulled over by the police rushing to pick up roast beef sandwiches and I most certainly was not issued a $75 speeding ticket because I was driving 45 m.p.h., when the speed limit was only 35 m.p.h.

Today I did not tell the young, good looking man in uniform that "I was just following everyone else ahead of me...." And he did not say "Ma'am, you were going fast....do you want to see the video?" I did not reply "No, thank you. I believe you." I also did not mumble under my breath, did you have to call me ma'am?

Today I did not watch the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Making the Squad and it did not make me want to go on a diet.

Today I did not eat a gigantic bowl of cereal after watching the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Making the Squad because that would just be weird.....chili for breakfast and cereal for a bedtime snack?

And, finally, today I did not tell a bunch of lies to my blog peeps.

Nope. Never happened. :)

You Might Be A Stay At Home Mom If.....

.....you start counting down the hours to the kids' bedtime, and it's only 10:30 a.m.

.....you find yourself singing "clean up, clean up, everybody do their share" while vacuuming, even when there's no one else around.

.....you shave you legs before going grocery shopping because an hour at the store is your "night out on the town."

.....you get excited when a telemarketer calls because you are desperate for adult conversation, so you keep her on the line for a half hour but when she finally insists (for the hundredth time) that she MUST get back to work, before she hangs up, you beg her to "call me tomorrow, my new BFF!"

.....you can recite every word to every episode of Caillou.

.....you can totally relate to Caillou's mom because she wears the same outfit everyday and, sadly, so do you sometimes.

.....you hide in your bedroom closet when playing hide & seek with the kids and when they can't find you and they shout "come out, come out, where ever you are," instead of coming out, you stay in there for 45 minutes because you see this as an opportunity for a little "me time."

.....you can't eat your sandwich at lunch unless the crust is cut off and it's cut into four little triangles.

.....you have a blog.

.....you invite other stay at home moms on the block to your house for a wild and crazy afternoon of board games and then spend the whole evening telling your husband how lucky he is to be married to the new "Candyland" champ.

.....you refer to yourself as a domestic engineer.

.....you consider the DVD player man's greatest invention and can't imagine how moms before the 1990's ever survived motherhood without one and lived to tell about it.

.....you tell your husband that the only thing you want for your birthday is for him to take the kids somewhere, anywhere, for the day so you can have some peace and quiet but then you call him a half hour after he leaves and beg him to come home because the silence is deafening.

.....you put on your fancy sweat pants to run errands.

.....you intentionally flush a bucket of Legos down the toilet, just so the plumber has to come over and when he arrives at your house, you greet him with a cup of coffee and say "Soooo, how are you?? What have you been up to lately? So, how's the whole plumbing thing going for you? Sit, tell me ALL about it!"

.....you refuse to clean the little hand prints that adorn your living room windows because you see them as "artwork."

.....you consider the highlight of your day a heated game of "Go Fish" with your 5 year old.

.....you think they should make the first day of school a national holiday, complete with a ticker tape parade honoring those moms who survived summer vacation.

.....you can't call in sick to work because you are already there.

And, above anything else, you can be CERTAIN you are a SAHM if.....you FINALLY get out of the house by yourself for a little while and all you can think about is quickly getting back home because you miss your children.

Do you have any "you might be a SAHM if...." that you would like to share?

Take A Walk With Me Down Memory Lane

I am traveling down Memory Lane to April of 2008 for Ali's birthday. It was a Saturday and Ray had to work that day. So, I took the kids to the movies. If memory serves me (which many times it doesn't, even if it was only 18 months ago!) this was the first time I took both of the kids to the movies by myself. I think the movie was College Road Trip starring Raven Simone. It was the only movie playing that was mostly kid-friendly and it was a Disney movie, too.

Just a few weeks before, we lost our baby in the 11th week of my pregnancy. I was still grieving at the time and probably didn't feel much like doing birthday stuff but I needed to push forward for Ali's special day. Even in the midst of pain and loss, God reminds us that we can find joy and that there is always something to smile about.

Like my little girl's 4th birthday.

Waiting for the movie to begin. Ben looks less than thrilled that I brought my camera. Ali is holding her baby in one hand, while clutching her package of Starbursts with her other hand.

Ben can't wait for the movie to begin before diving into his popcorn, while Ali at least tries to keep up her smile all the while continuing to clutch her beloved package of Starbursts

(oh and her baby, too!)

Ben has apparently had enough of the whole picture taking thing
but Ali has never met a camera that she didn't like.

Later that night at dinner, the waitress at the restaurant brought her a
chocolate birthday cake and everyone in the restaurant sang Happy Birthday to her.
Notice the green icing on her face!

Wearing her birthday hat from Toys R Us.


While I was making her cake, Ali received a call to wish her a happy birthday.

I let her lick the spoon, as evidenced by the cake batter around her mouth!

Well, I hope you enjoyed sharing my walk down memory lane, even if it was only back to last year! Thanks, Erica at Scottsville, for setting this up! This is a great idea and so much fun!

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Pajama Daughter

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Food For Thought

My family likes to eat every day. They are needy like that. So, yesterday I went grocery shopping for food for the week. I'm thoughtful like that.

It's a relationship that works for us.

I usually do my grocery shopping on Mondays. It's one of my least favorite things to do, so I prefer to get it over with early in the week. It's kind of like removing a band-aid, I like to do it quickly and be done with it!

I made my list of items needed for the week, which may or may not have included a box of Entenmann's chocolate donuts. My intention was to get the shopping done before I picked Ben up from school at 3:15. Because shopping with one child is enough to make me lose it, let alone trying to get it done with two children in tow begging me for Pringles potato chips and Little Debbie's Nutty Butty bars.

Not that I ever buy Pringles or Little Debbie's.

Not for the kids, anyway.

However, I was extra tired yesterday afternoon, what with all the blog visits I made earlier in the day, so I tried to squeeze in a short nap before the dreaded event. I think I'm fighting a sinus infection and really wanted to rest before heading out. When I got up, it was 2:35.

Now, any rational thinking person might say to themselves "I don't have enough time to drive to the store (which is 10 minutes away), do a week's worth of shopping, check out, put the groceries in the car and then drive to Ben's school all in less than 45 minutes." But for someone who would rather have her wisdom teeth pulled out without the luxury of novocaine than do the weekly grocery shopping accompanied by her two children, rational thinking tends to take a back seat to crazy thinking.

Thoughts like "40 minutes? Psst! I'll do it in 30 and have 10 minutes to spare. Plenty of time to arrive to Ben's school early to welcome him with open arms as he emerges from the building, showering him with kisses and inquiries about his day at school and walk him lovingly to the car.

I'm a "the glass is half full" kind of girl.

What I didn't anticipate is that Walt's, my favorite eager-to-serve-you with a smile grocery store, was anything but eager to serve me.

There is a sign hanging above the courtesy counter at Walt's that reads: WALTS - We Always Love To Serve. Unless you are an idiot who only allows 15 minutes to do something that realistically could take 30-45 minutes to do. Which, apparently, I am. In that case, they don't so much as love to serve you, as much as they love to torture you.

So, all of the employees decided it was their civic duty to teach me a lesson about time management. Starting with the lady at the deli counter, who I swear, was giving me the evil eye the minute I walked in the store. I waited for a few minutes for my turn but she was slicing ham so painfully slow, that I decided to run and get a few other items that were near by and then come back to the deli. The only problem with that decision is that, when I came back, the line was even longer than the first time I was there.

I decided to ditch the deli because I'm sure Ray won't mind peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch all week. I then headed to the meat department to grab me some ground beef for the chili that I plan on making this week. Are you impressed with culinary ambition? I know. I even surprised myself with that one.

But the meat man, as I like to affectionately call him, was not aware of the fact that I had plans of welcoming Ben into my loving arms in less than 20 minutes. And I still had to find no less than 17 items. My list seemed to be getting longer as the minutes grew shorter and it was very clear that meat man was not down with giving me my meat in a timely fashion.

Now that's something I never thought I would say.

No, meat man walks to the beat of a different drummer. He's got all the time in the world to calmly do his job, even whistling all the while. Unlike that of this hurried housewife. He even takes time to visit with Ali, asking her about school, telling her a joke and asking if there is time for him to get her a sticker. "Oh yes, there's always time for a sticker!" he laughs.

Is he on crack?

There is never time for a sticker.

But, I politely smile and nod but inside I am screaming "Give me my meat!"

After I finally got my ground beef, I ran through the store like a lunatic searching for my remaining items. Ali is pushing the cart, while I ran ahead of her grabbing stuff of the shelves and recklessly throwing them over my shoulder into the cart. I'm pretty sure that people were looking at me with sympathy, knowing that I am domestically challenged. That, or they thought that I must have broke into my box of Entenmann's chocolate donuts and I was high on sugar.

After getting all of the items on my list, we headed to the checkout lanes and managed to get there without knocking over any elderly people or small children in the process. But when we arrived to the checkout lanes, I gasped. Never before has Walt's ever seen this many people at one time. Not since New Year's Eve of '99, when everyone thought the world was about to end and wanted to stock up on bread and milk. And Entenmann's chocolate donuts.

I scoped out the situation for the shortest lane and dashed to get in line. Big mistake. Huge. (Did you notice I was channeling my inner Julia Roberts from Pretty Woman? Remember? When she goes shopping on Rodeo Drive and the sales clerk won't give her the time of day, what with her being a hooker and all, but then she goes back and they realize she does indeed have money to spend.....oh, never mind.)

The cashier in my lane is either new and this is her first day on the job or, like meat man, likes her job just a little too much because she is not efficient in the way that I need my grocery store cashier to be.

Slowly, with just minutes before I need to be at Ben's school, I have advanced to second in line. But then the unthinkable happens. The lady in front of me pulls out a fist full of coupons and, at that moment, I know I have been defeated. New cashier lady is never going to enter those coupon codes in the speed in which I need her to.

So, I did what any self-respecting person would do in this situation.

I abandoned my cart in the corner of the store by the courtesy counter and ran out of there as fast as a 5 years old's little feet would allow me and drove to Ben's school. It was not the glorious reunion I had envisioned but the good news is that I got there at EXACTLY 3:15.

Can I time stuff out perfectly or what?

This story does have a happy ending. I went back to Walt's after getting Ben and my cart was still in the same place where I had left it, with all of it's contents undisturbed.

Except for the box of Entenmann's chocolate donuts. Word on the street is that some crazy woman ripped it open in a fit of frenzy.

A Slow Start

My plan today was to begin my transformation into a domestic diva. Or at least to try to find my super hero Mom cape under the huge pile of laundry calling my name. Come to think of it, I don't think I own a super hero Mom cape.

Maybe that's why I stink at all things domestic.

No. It's because I lack direction. And a plan. Remember? Please stay focused. I obviously can't, so you will have to, ok?

So, because of the whole lacking direction and a plan thing, I didn't chart my chores for the week or tackle some serious messy closet issues. No, I spent 3 hours this morning visiting my favorite blogs. Sigh.

Please don't judge me.

I know. I know. Yesterday, I was all "I'm going to be a domestic diva! I'm going to be a domestic diva!" I was all prepared to bring it and get all up in my house's dirty grill. Really, I was. But then I woke up and I was tired. And it's Monday. And a few minutes on the computer couldn't hurt, I thought. The only problem with that last excuse, is that my brain doesn't understand "just a few minutes." It's like eating just one M & M. It's just not going to happen.

My only defense is that old habits die hard and it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

And I couldn't find my super hero Mom cape. Of which I do not own.

On the upside, I did stumble upon a great blog that, not only makes me laugh out loud but also offers great domestic-y kind of advice. If you are in need of some domestic inspiration, head over to Mom's the Word . Her post today is so true and exactly what I needed to hear. Whew! There is so much to learn. But to my defense, I have only been a SAHM for 7 1/2 years. I really shouldn't be good at all this stuff yet.

Should I?

Finally, so that you don't think I'm a total domestic loser, I did accomplish one of my very important duties today. I went grocery shopping. Ooohhh!! Aaahh!! I will post about that memorable experience tomorrow.

I promise.

Unless I forget.

Domestically Challenged? Welcome to My World.....

Today was a "do nothing" kind of day.

I have been having a lot of those lately.

I don't know why that is. It actually could be because of any number of reasons. Including, but not limited to, the following:

A) I don't actually like doing things (if those things involve cleaning, scrubbing, organizing, grocery shopping, cooking and all things domestic.)

B) I am old and tired. 40 is not the new 30, no matter what they say.

C) I am allergic to dust. And cooking. Strange but true.

I know what you are thinking. These are all very valid reasons for not cleaning and cooking. I hear you, I do. However, I don't think any of them are the real reason why I am so domestically challenged. I think if I were to dig a little deeper, I would discover why I will never appear on the cover of Martha Stewart's magazine.

Does Martha Stewart even have a magazine? That's how "out of the loop" I am when it comes to this kind of stuff.

After reading blog after blog of other super hero Moms who are able to keep their household running on an even keel, I finally figured out what my problem is.

I lack direction. And a plan.

How do you like them apples? Pretty profound, huh?

In all honesty, I really do want a clean, organized home. I really do want to be a better cook and make delicious and healthy meals for my family. I really do desire to sew all of our clothes, make soap and churn butter.

My life motto is "Go Big or Go Home."

Seriously, I would love to be a better homemaker. Is "homemaker" politically correct? Or are we now called Domestic Divas? Again, out of the loop. Anyway, what I have found is that other moms who have it all together, seem to have some type of method to their madness. I am learning so much about domestic issues that I never knew I wanted to know.

Surprisingly, I am all excited about it.

Originally when I discovered the blog world, I really enjoyed reading humorous stories of women keeping it real for the readers. Stories of moms pulling their hair out and drowning their stress in a double mocha cappacino latte something or other. Those stories made me feel like I wasn't alone in this crazy ride we call motherhood. They still do.

Then I started to notice that many of these same hair-pulling, caffeine-drinking mamas were also getting stuff done. And they were pretty good at it, too.

Because they have direction. And a plan.

Whether it's following daily chore charts, preparing a months worth of meals and then freezing them or organizing the entire house in handy storage containers, there is a secret to their success. All have incorporated ways of doing things that have helped them to be more organized and efficient, thus succeeding at getting things done.

Did I just use the word "thus?"

So, I think when it really comes down to it, it's just a matter of learning the tricks of the trade. It's not rocket science or a "domestic gene" that I wasn't born with. It's just a matter of incorporating some of these clever little household tips, little by little and week by week, and maybe I just might start making some progress. I will continue to scour (scour, get it? oh, never mind) my favorite blogs for helpful hints and domestic advice. There are so many awesome domestic divas out there to teach me the ropes. So, if you have any smart little tips you would like to pass on, please don't hesitate to share! I'm very excited to begin the process and report on any transformation that ensues.

OK. Seriously, did I use the word "ensues" properly? You never know with me.

So, here's to starting over and turning over a new leaf. Tomorrow is a new day!

Because now I have direction. And a plan.

I Can Do This, I Think

When I first started my blog back in June, I had every intention to post every day. If you're going to dream, dream big right? Well, 3 1/2 months later, I only have 13 posts to show for myself.

Mediocre at best.

I do love reading other people's blogs. There are just so many great ones! I could literally spend ALL DAY reading the touching stories and humorous antics on other people's blogs. Not that I have ever done that. All day? No. Never. Not me.

Really. Think about it. How would I be able to read blogs during my daily 3 hour nap?

Priorities people. Priorities.

Anyway, today's a new day and I am overcome with renewed ambition. God willing, from here on out, I am committed to posting every day. And by every day, I mean those days that my brain decides to cooperate with my computer keyboard. To be honest, my brain cooperating in any capacity is really hit or miss most days.

Keep me in your prayers. I'm gonna need it.

Best Mommy In The World?

First, I want to give a big shout-out to the awesome ladies that left comments on my blog in the past 24 hours. Thanks so much for taking the time to come visit me! You made my day!! I'm feeling the love!

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I had a doctor's appointment today at 11:30. So, I promised Ali that afterwards (if she was a good girl in the waiting room), I would take her to McDonald's for lunch where she could also play in the indoor playland. I usually don't take the time to eat at McDonald's, so the kids don't get the chance to do the playland thing very often. I'm usually all "let's just take it home and have a picnic on the floor like Caillou's family would do!" Not that Caillou's family would actually eat McDonald's. But if they did, you know the mom and dad would totally have a picnic and make a learning experience out of it, all the while Caillou finding something to whine about.

And by the way, why is a 4 year old bald? I mean, Rosie has a head full of red hair and she is only 2 years old. What's up with that?

Anyway, I usually like to eat at home because then I can multi-task while I'm having lunch and by multi-task, I mean vegging out on the couch watching a thought provoking movie on the Lifetime channel starring the ever talented Tori Spelling, while balancing a double cheeseburger and a super-sized order of french fries on my lap.

Now that is talent, my friends.

But today I was feeling like "nice Mommy," so we skipped the drive-thru and headed inside. The only problem with this "best mommy in the world" moment is that the the playland was closed for repairs.

OK. Did NOT see that coming.

So, I had to think quick for an idea that Ali would think was equally as fun as jumping into a pit of germ infested plastic balls.

And if you think I do quick thinking, it's as if you don't know me at all. I am a planner and any deviation from the plan usually throws me into a tizzy.

I don't really think "tizzy" is a word but I like the way it sounds so I'm gonna go with it.

So, during our healthy lunch, which included the likes of one ginormous root beer for added "thinking" power, I had to do some some heavy soul searching and decide if I could actually bounce back from McDonald's so rudely deciding to do "repairs" to the indoor playground and jeopardizing my "Best Mommy In the World" title. I mean, who do they think they are? I am trying to earn some major Mommy points by actually eating inside McDonald's, instead of taking it home and eating in the comfort of my pajamas and they're all like "we're McDonald's and we can close our gross indoor playground for repairs whenever we want."

Repairs. Yeah, right. My hunch is that some kid went down the slide after eating one too many McNuggets and then ralphed all over the place and nobody wanted to clean up the smelly mess.

Would you?

Anyway, I finally came up with another idea that I hoped a 5 year old would find equally as stimulating as the indoor playland and one that would require minimal effort on my part. So, I carefully presented Ali with plan B.

"Honey, since the indoor playground is closed and I know how disappointed you must be, we could go to Dollar Tree and I'll you pick out a few things." She replied "OK. 'Cuz I didn't really want to go in the playland anyway. I just like sitting on these seats that twirl around and watching Barney on the McDonald's fancy big screen tv, even though I don't really like Barney but this is fun!"

Huh?

Note to self: stick to the original plan and if original plan fails, don't device a plan B because 5 year old daughter is happy to just twirl around and watch purple dinosaurs on tv.

When we got home, Ali hugged me and thanked me for the cool stuff I bought for her at Dollar Tree. She said she is so happy that I am her Mommy. I told her that I was so proud of her for being so good at the doctor's office and that I was the lucky one because God gave me the most special little girl ever.

Talk about a warm and fuzzy moment. You can't put a price on that.

Not unless that price is $5 for a princess paint set, a package of butterfly stickers, a jumbo coloring book, a purple wig and a box of Swedish Fish.

Now What?

Now that I have finished my 100 things about me list, I have discovered that I may not have anything else to write about. I am drawing a blank big time. It was fairly easy coming up with 100 useless and random things about myself but now I am searching my foggy brain for something interesting to write about.

Nope. Nothing. Nada.

I gotta tell ya, this blogging thing isn't getting any easier. How do people find something interesting to post about EVERY DAY?

Is my life that boring? Am I not creative enough? Am I too tired for my brain to put coherent sentences together?

I think it might be all of the above. Especially the one about being too tired.

Speaking of being tired, have any of you (and by any of you, I mean my 1 reader - God bless her heart) watched the new tv comedy Cougar Town? Did you like that segway? I know. I just pulled it out of thin air. I guess I'm getting the hang of blogging after all.

Anyway, Cougar Town is about a divorced forty-something woman named Jules (played hilariously by Courtney Cox), who is trying to "re-capture" her 20's, which she feels she missed out on because she was raising her son during those crucial "partying" years. The trouble is, she's too pooped to party.

I can totally relate.

Except the part about being divorced.

And the part about having a baby in my 20's.

Oh, and the part about missing out on partying. I didn't so much as "miss out" as much as choosing "not to participate."

I am, however, in my 40's and I am also too pooped to party. So, I totally get her!

The difference between Jules and I is that I was happy spending my 20's with my boyfriend-turned-fiance-turned-husband doing absolutely no club hopping and what-not. My wild and crazy days weren't so wild and crazy. When it came to living on the edge, staying up past midnight on December 31st to watch Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve is about as wild and crazy as we ever got. Pathetic, I know.

Some things never change.

Don't get me wrong. We can shake things up a bit. Now on New Year's Eve, we throw confetti at midnight, made out of newspaper that we spent the whole day cutting into little pieces, that I will still be vacuuming up come 4th of July.

Do we know how to party or what?

My husband and I have never been big social-drinking-party-going kind of people. Except for the occasional wedding cocktail, I don't drink. I never had any interest. So even though I could have partied it up in my 20's, especially since we didn't have children at the time, I chose not to. It wasn't a conscious choice really. I guess I'm just more of a homebody. That's how I roll.

There are plenty of other things I did in my 20's that I can look back on and smile about. Memories that I can actually remember because I was sober. Like Ray and I taking a 45 minute walk to the 7-11 every Saturday night after dark to buy a candy bar, chatting and holding hands the whole way there and back. Like renting the movie Trains, Planes and Automobiles and laughing so hard when John Candy is driving the wrong way on the express way. To this day, that movie has remained our all time favorite comedy movie for both of us. Like drinking bottles of pop all night and returning the glass bottles for a refund. Like taking weekend trips to Galena just because. Like adopting our four kitties (2 from the Humane Society and 2 strays) proving that love knows no bounds. Like ordering hot dogs and a big basket of hot french fries from Wally's. Like buying a water ski boat and spending lazy, summer afternoons at the lake. Like never missing an episode of Friends or The Wonder Years.

I think it's because I am not too hard to please (although Ray might disagree on occasion, just maybe) that little things like candy bars from a convenience store and watching a favorite tv show make me happy. I don't need fancy clothes or expensive jewelry or a vacation to Australia (ok, that last one I might need) to feel content.

When it comes down to it, whether I am 21, 31 or 41, my needs haven't changed much. I am a simple girl, who doesn't need or want for much. I have a roof over my head, food on the table, two precious children gifted to me and the love and devotion of the most wonderful man. What more could I want or need?

Just give me a bottle of pop, a big basket of Wally fries and a rerun of Friends (preferrably the one where Ross wears leather pants on a date for the first time but then he starts sweating so bad from the pants that he has to secretely call Joey from his date's bathroom for help and Joey tells him to use baby powder so Ross does but it becomes a sweaty, powdery mess and Ross cries to Joey "it's not working man!") and I'm good to go.

Seriously. It doesn't take much to make me happy.

Crossing The Finish Line

I'm almost finished with my "100 Things About Me List." And it only took me 3 months.

Slow and steady wins the race.

Except when blogging. Because blogging isn't a race, so who am I kidding?

But it sounded so much better than say "lazy and procrastinating wins the race."

DRUM ROLL PLEASE......... "100 THINGS ABOUT ME" (91-100):

91. I am a natural redhead (but not as red as when I was younger-ish.)

92. I have freckles (but not as many as when I was younger-ish.)

93. I don't tan. I can burn really good but I don't tan. It's the Irish in me.

94. I am 5' 8" tall.

95. You couldn't drag my weight out of me even if you bribed me with 2 lbs. of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.

96. Well maybe you could.

97. But I would just lie to you anyway, so what's the point?

98. Except that I would have scammed you for 2 lbs. of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.

99. And I LOVE white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.

100. So, do you want to know how much I weigh? Show me the cookies and you've got yourself a deal!

You're Never Too Old (At Least That's What Gets Me Through Day)

I babysat for three of my sister Jenn's children Saturday night. Her Nicholas is two and half years older than Beb and her Natalie is just nine weeks younger than Al. Her youngest, Thomas the Tank Engine, is 9 months old with a toothless grin that would melt even the coldest heart. He's so stinkin' cute!

Let's just say my ovaries hurt now.

And hurting ovaries at age 41, kind of painful......just sayin'.

"100 THINGS ABOUT ME" (81-90):

81. I never thought much about having children when Ray and I were first married. I was only 25 at the time and thought we had plenty of time for baby making. But time flies when you're having fun.

82. Nine years later, at age 34, I became a mother with the birth of our son Benjamin.

83. In cat years, that's really old.

84. Two years later, our daughter was born.

85. For those of you doing the math, I was 36 when Alexandria was born.

86. Our boy. Our girl. We were complete.

87. Until I was staring down the backside of 39. Can you say 'tick tock'?

88. So, after much discussion (and by discussion, I mean me relentlessly asking Ray if we could have another baby and him responding that we are too old - tell me something I don't know Cowboy), we finally realized that we didn't want to have any regrets if we didn't at least try for a few months. I prayed to God that if we were meant to have another baby, I would embrace that. If He had different plans for us, I would accept and embrace that also.

89. Two months after my 40th birthday, I became pregnant. Seeing those two little lines was so exciting! It was such a happy moment for our family.

90. In my 11th week of pregnancy, I had a miscarriage. The excitement and happiness of earlier weeks was replaced with the kind of pain and heartache that I thought would never end. But with God as the calm in our storm, the pain eventually did ease. And although we never got to hold our baby, look into his or her beautiful eyes or hear that beautiful cry, we are comforted by the knowledge that someday we will. Before becoming pregnant, I prayed to God that I would embrace another baby - and I did. I also prayed to God that I would accept His decision if He had other plans - and I have. For now.

But as we know, God has a sense of humor and can throw you a curve ball even if you didn't know you were up to bat! At age 41, I don't know if God will bless us with another baby. Sometimes, I pray that He does and other times I know I am CRAZY for even praying for such chaos that a newborn baby is sure to create. Hello? Poo poo diapers, bottles, spit-up, bath time, teething, drooling......

But on the other hand, poo poo diapers, bottles, spit-up, bath time, teething, drooling......

$aving Dollar$

After dropping Beb off at school this morning, Al asked if we could see if there were any garage sales today. I told her yes, letting her believe she came up with this grand idea. Little did she know, I was already planning on hunting for garage sales before we even left the house. This way, she thinks Mommy agreed to do something super fun today, when all along I couldn't wait to find that perfect treasure.

Score one for Pajama Mama.

So later today, when I ask her to do the laundry, wash the dishes and scrub the toilets, I will have some ammunition to work with.

"But hon, Mommy took you to garages sales today and bought you a Beanie Baby, a Halloween coloring book, a plastic Hello Kitty watch and 2 Mardi Gras bead necklaces.....remember?"

Guilt. It's a beautiful thing.

Not that I would make my sweet 5 year old daughter do laundry or wash dishes because I bought her exactly seventy cents worth of fun at a garage sale.

But she loves to scrub toilets. And what else is she going to do when I'm watching "The View?"

"100 THINGS ABOUT ME" (61-80):

61. I love garage sales.

62. That bares repeating.

63. I. Love. Garage. Sales.

64. It's in my blood. When I was growing up, my Mom was the Queen of Garage Sales (a title that I'm pretty sure trumps the Miss America title.)

65. My Mom's garage sale smackdowns are legendary in the south suburbs.

66. She tells tales of stuffing a paper grocery sack until it was overflowing with summer clothes for my younger sister and paying just $1 for the ENTIRE bag of contents. Can you even imagine?

67. And don't get me started on all of the Barbie furniture and accessories that she managed to scope out for just pennies.

68. When it came to saving money, she was a woman with a mission.

69. She also was the Coupon Queen. Much like Queen of Garage Sales, she earned this title because of her knack of clipping coupons and buying $500 worth of groceries for like seventeen dollars and twenty-four cents. I kid you not.

70. She even taught classes at a local college about all the ways to save money from clipping coupons and published a smart monthly newsletter called "$aving Dollar$."

71. To this day, I sometimes still dream about the piles of Banquet dinner cartons and Campbell's soup labels, which were all saved for the valuable UPC codes to send in for rebates.

72. My Mom became an honest-to-goodness celebrity when she was invited to appear on the television show "AM Chicago," to share her adventures in money saving.

73. And as we all know, AM Chicago is now know as a little show called "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

74. I know.

75. So now I have no choice but to seek out those garage sale "gotta have it" deals.

76. I mean who can pass up a twenty-five cents coffee mug with "Foxy Mama" painted on it?

77. Not me. And I don't even drink coffee.

78. Even the clearance racks at K-Mart never know what hit 'em. I show no mercy on Halloween candy. Even if it is January.

79. What? Chocolate has a long shelf life.

80. And thanks to my Mom, I now know that a family of 6 can survive on $1.94 a week, if need be.

First Love

The 11th season of Big Brother ended tonight. I am heartbroken. It ended all too soon. What will I do every Tuesday night at 8:00 and every Thursday and Sunday nights at 7:00? Why Big Brother? Why did it have to end? Was there someone else? I gave you everything Big Brother. We were together a long time and shared a lot over the years. I will truly miss our special time together.

Until next week when the new season of Survivor begins.

Anyhoo, with much anticipation, I give you more stuff about me.

"100 THINGS ABOUT ME" (51-60):

51. I have a serious problem. It's hard to admit but today I come clean.

52. My name is Valerie and I am a reality tv addict. Oh, the shame.

53. It all started about 9 years BK (before kids) when hubby and I were able to watch tv shows that didn't involve a yellow sponge named Bob or a backpack toting explorer.

54. Little did I know, back in 2000, I was about to begin a roller coaster relationship with a little showed called "Big Brother."

55. Strangers living in a house for 3 months, with no connection to the outside world, voting to evict houseguests out every week? And we can watch their every move?

56. What is this madness you speak of CBS?

57. What would be the harm in watching one episode? After 5 minutes, I was hooked. How could I not be? I tuned in every episode to see Jamie single handily bring back the lip gloss revolution, to see one legged Eddie hobble across the backyard screaming "Don't be a hater!" and to see Chicken George being, well, Chicken George. Big Brother and I were a match made in heaven.

58. As I watched throughout the next several seasons, I often wondered how I would do if I were rooming in the Big Brother house with the likes of Dr. Wil, Mike Boogy, Cowboy, Janel and Evil Dick.

59. I'm pretty I would be crying within the first hour. People can be so cruel in the Big Brother house.

60. Well, that AND seeing the pool in the backyard and remembering that I would probably be required to wear a swimsuit on national television at some point. This would send me running back into the house crying, begging Big Brother for only fully clothed HOH and VETO competitions. This would not go over well with the other guests because they're young and they don't have stretch marks. Then they all gang up on me because I am the old lady in the house who is cramping their style. Then the unspeakable happens. I am the first one evicted from the Big Brother house. Oh, the horror.

Makes me want to apply for next season.

Gotta love that reality tv drama.

41-50....I'm too tired to come up with a more creative title.

"100 THINGS ABOUT ME" (41-50):

41. I am tired.

42. Very tired.

43. Beb was sick with a cold and cough combo (say that 10 times fast) last week and missed school on Friday. He then passed the torch to Al, who generously passed the torch to my hubby Ray and me.

44. Kids are generous like that.

45. Since I am not feeling my usually perky self, I plan on napping most of the day with Al while Beb is doing his thing at school.

46. So today will be pretty much like every other day.

47. Oh, it's a joke.

48. I don't take a nap every other day.

49. I nap EVERY day.

50. What? Like you don't. OK. You probably don't but don't act like you don't want to. Honesty, that's all I'm asking from you.

So, I'm off to rest.

And when you are out saving the world or whatever it is you are doing today, think of me napping all "snuggley" with Al.

Sweet dreams, y'all.

Yes, I am suddenly from Texas. That's how tired I am.

Chasing the Crown

Yes, one week has passed since my last post. Yes, I need to get more motivated at posting every day (or least every other day!) And yes, I bring you more exciting and useless facts about me.

"100 Things About Me" (31-40):

31. I entered my first pageant when I was a senior in high school.

32. According to "Toddlers and Tiaras," I was a late bloomer. Basically over the hill at age 18.

33. My first attempt at a pageant title was in the '80's at the Miss Illinois T.E.E.N. Pageant.

34. T.E.E.N. was an acronym for Teens Encouraging Excellence Nationally.

35. If by "excellence", they meant a 2.9 grade point average and star of the badminton team, then I was sure to win!

36. Sadly, that is so not what they meant by excellence (sadly, I was also not the star of the badminton team so much as a second string player but in my mind I WAS the star.)

37. I guess being in the honor society, president of student council, captain of the cheerleading squad and working weekends to help save the world was more what they had in mind.

38. Who knew?

39. The judges, that's who.

40. Needless to say, my name was not called out as a Top 15 finalist.

And on that downer down memory lane, I bid you all a great day!

Time Flies During Summer Vacation

Is summer vacation over? Has it actually been over 2 months since I last posted? Was I 10 lbs. thinner when I started this blog? Did I forget to brush my teeth today?? (By the way, I already know the answer to these questions and, sadly, the answer is a resounding YES across the board.)

However, I am back, ready to pick up where I left off over 2 (ahem) months ago and continue my "100 Things About Me" list. Read on for more fascinating, yet useless facts about me that you never wanted to know.

"100 THINGS ABOUT ME" (21-30):

21. I am a SAHM. That's the cool hip way of writing "stay at home mom." Yeah, I know lingo. Word to your mother.

22. Being a stay at home mom is kind of like being a doctor but instead of the letters MD after my name, my name is followed by the letters SAHM and instead of wearing a white jacket and stethescope, my uniform is usually pajama pants and a stained t-shirt but whatever.

23. I am now officially the mom of a second grader. Although I love him with all of my heart and more than words can express, the first day of school couldn't come soon enough.

24. I am also now the mom of a kindergartner. As I did for my son, I will homeschool our daughter for her first year of education. Beb received straight A's in first grade, so I guess I didn't screw up too much teaching him how to read and how to do basic math. Let's just hope the same holds true with Al, what with me being two years older and two year's worth of my brain cells dead.

25. In addition to my titles of SAHM and homeschool teacher, I am also co-owner of a masonry restoration business. And by co-owner, I mean that I do none of the work and my husband does all of the work. Our business does have my name in the title so, in my mind, that makes me co-owner. My husband may or may not agree.

26. Before I was CEO of our masonry restoration business, I worked at a variety of jobs over the years. For some unknown reason, I have been hired for every job that I have applied for. That is no surprise to those who know me, what with my undeniable wit and sparkling personality. That, or I really know how to do a good "snow job." Regardless, I have had more jobs than I can count on both hands (and both feet for that matter.)

27. I am really good at getting hired for jobs. Sticking with any of them, not so much.

28. Some of my career choices that, in hindsight, were probably best left to those with experience and skills included: dental assistant (3 different dental offices, you think I would have learned after the first one but no); working in the food industry (pizza place and candy store - enough said); working for a magazine editor (the editor was never in the office and all I did was watch tv...come to think of it, I wonder if they are hiring again); construction worker (yes, I said construction worker); cleaning houses (my husband just laughs at that one and if you saw our house at this moment you would understand); and working in the health industry as a home health aid (and believe it or not, I actually went to "home health aid school" or whatever it was they called it.)

29. I was also a pageant director for 14 years.

30. Before becoming a pageant director, I was a pageant contestant.

And with that exciting cliffhanger, I am off to clean my house.

Stop laughing.