Christmas

Have a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Week

Life is busy, especially the week of Christmas. I'm sure that everyone feels like time is passing faster then they can keep up. I sure do!!

A friend of mine lost her father last week from a massive heart attack. It's always difficult to lose loved ones, especially when it was not expected. As she shared a little with me earlier today, I thought about what we take for granted and how we need to cherish the time we have now. It's so easy to get caught up in the hubbub of kid's games, piano lessons, school, and every other activity out there.

I love my family. I'm thankful that I have a job in this difficult time when so many are struggling without one. How fortunate I am that we are healthy and have a nice home that is safe and warm. Thank you Lord, for the blessings that you have poured out on me and my family.

FOOT ART?

I was sitting at the computer earlier this evening and looked over to see this:

Maybe this is a better angle!

Silly girl!!

Tasty Tuesday is TOO Yummy this week!!

Aunt Katy, Uncle Rick and I made homemade caramel popcorn and now I'm going to share this fabulously sinful recipe with the rest of you! Print it and make it! You'll love me and hate me for it all at the same time!! Guaranteed!!

**Fill a disposable turkey roasting pan with fresh-popped hot air popcorn. Add a handful or two of peanuts if desired**

Caramel Popcorn

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup white corn syrup

1 cup butter

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

Cook first five ingredients to hard ball stage (260 degrees). Stir constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda. Pour over popcorn. Mix well. (There were two of us with large spoons working hard to make sure all the popcorn was covered) Bake for one hour at 200 degrees...make sure you mix the popcorn every 15 minutes while baking. Pour out on wax paper. Break popcorn apart and let cool. Store in air tight container.

Eat and Enjoy!!

Family Jenga!

Our family has always been into games. Hubby and I try to set aside nights to play with the kids. Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, Sorry!, Jenga, Connect 4, Checkers...and the list goes on.

Bubby is concentrating while trying to set daddy up to fail!
Daddy's turn

Little Miss is the mouthy one...harassing everyone while talking about what a wonderful player she is.

I so didn't want to put this picture of myself...but here I am.

Little Miss says "Whoever loses has to give me some lovin'". I was the first to take it down and the second game Bubby lost. So she looks at him and says, "Give me some sugar!". And yes, he was grossed out at the thought of that!
My kids are silly!

I feel blessed!

What a relaxing day this has been! The whole family did nothing productive...and it was wonderful! How nice to not have to be anywhere, ignore the outside world, and just hang out together. All four of us laid down for naps (three of us took them...Little Miss has never been much on naps). Saturdays like this are, unfortunately, few and far between. I feel blessed!

ZOOM!!

ZOOOOOOOM!! That's how fast the time is going. Oh my goodness, it's only 16 days until Christmas and I'm so not ready. This year I get to work Christmas Eve, the weekend after Christmas, and New Year's Day (yes, I also got to work Thanksgiving). Notice how I say I "get" to...are you totally digging my positive attitude? I know I've said this before but I wish that I could push the pause button on life. Life just seems to keep going and somehow I seem to get left behind at times.

So, hubby and I were sitting on the sofa a little while ago, getting ready to put the kids to bed. Little Miss was playing on the computer and bubby was finishing up his bath. Out of the corner of my eye I see this little creature run past me and around the piano. Believe it or not, it wasn't the gerbils (still waiting to find out if we're going to have babies soon) but the guinea pig. Slick then darted behind the sofa and ran behind the Christmas Tree (which of course, is in the corner and hard to get behind) where he immediately dropped little guinea pig turds. Finally, we chased him down the hall and into bubby's bedroom where we eventually got him back into his cage. Why did I think that these little creatures were a good idea?? Remind me!!

Last week I went over to my aunt's house and we made peanut butter fudge and homemade caramel popcorn. TO DIE FOR!! I got some really cute little containers from dollar general (for $2) and filled them up with popcorn. With baggies full of fudge and little porcelain snowmen in tow we delivered teacher's presents already! Bubby's teacher is having a baby in nine days and I didn't want to not get it to her and have to eat her gift. I plan on posting the recipe next week for that popcorn and believe me, you'll want to try it!!

I work the next two days...have a glorious end of the week!

Three trees for our house!

The last several years I've had a pretty ribbon on top of my tree, but this year we decided to go with a star. We took the time to talk to the kids about why we put a star on the top of the Christmas tree and what the star did all those years ago.

I did give up my "theme tree" and allowed Santa Clause and reindeer, etc. I know it's not about me...but it was still hard!

Little Miss' tree! Notice the pink feather boas with porcelain doll and pink roses. Love the shatter proof plastic ornaments.

Bubby picked the colors of the Power Rangers (minus pink). So boy!

The journey getting these trees up can be stressful, however, the end result is so pretty!!

Looking forward to this...

I am proud to admit that I am a Sarah Palin supporter... ...looking forward to what I hope is a great read!
I'll let you know!

What is it about infomercials?

What is it about infomercials?? Or QVC?? It's like they have some sort of hypnotic powers! The other night we were watching some infomercial about this belt that works your ab muscles...I'm looking at it and thinking "I could look like that...I just have to buy the belt!". Of course, these women were size 4 and had some of the most amazing abs EVER! By the way, I did NOT buy the belt.

QVC had some skinny jeans on the other evening and again...I'm thinking "I need skinny jeans...they'll make me look skinny". Of course, I don't really think that is what skinny jeans are for. My little sis, who is almost 18, asked for skinny jeans and flats for Christmas. I used to wear skinny jeans and flats back in high school!! It's crazy how all the styles come full circle. Do you think we'll be tight rolling our pants soon and ratting our bangs while spraying Aqua net? I've learned that I'll never say "never" because I've had to eat my words before.

While I had the flu and was vegetating in front of the TV, I came across Montel Williams and he was doing a show (infomercial) about his new Healthmaster, a food emulsifier. This time I actually broke down and purchased it. The first evening we made fruit smoothies with two oranges, 2 whole apples (seeds and all), a banana, and frozen strawberries. My kids loved it! The next morning I made them an apple and banana smoothie with spinach and they drank that as well. Think of all the fiber they're getting--It might just be worth it! Looking forward to pineapple sorbet!

Call me Oscar the Grouch

I'm a grump...a crab...call me Oscar the Grouch! Somehow I woke up scowling and haven't felt like smiling yet. I hate to admit it, but as I was helping my kids get ready for school, I wasn't the most pleasant mommy. My answers were short and my voice was probably louder than it should have been. It has been one of those mornings where I keep thinking to myself "Why are you acting this way? Why are you saying these things? Why don't you keep your mouth shut?"

I work again tomorrow and I sit and look at the house. The bathrooms need cleaned. The kitchen needs cleaned. My bedroom is a wreck. And I want to climb in bed and ignore it all.

My mother-in-law always says "This too shall pass," and it will. My crabbiness will get better, the house will finally get cleaned, and life in general won't look so bleak. I know that I have so much to be thankful for, especially as we enter this Chritmas season, and I need to focus on that which is positive. It's supposed to be 55 degrees and sunny today...I should probably go out and get some Vitamin D therapy.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances. -- Martha Washington

WHAT TO DO?

Whew...have I ever said that twelve hour shifts are long? I like my job but at the end of the day my feet hurt!

As many know, I went part-time back in early October (or right around there) and I really enjoy the time off. I have considered going back full-time through June, when the kids will finish summer school. Hubby and I think that it would be a real opportunity to save for a down payment on a house or finish paying off the credit cards.

It's really a tough decision because on the days that I work hubby has to get the kids up and ready for school, put in his 8-hour work day, pick the kids up from his mom's, feed the kids, get them ready for bed, and put them to bed. There are times that they are already down when I get home from work or I'm just too exhausted to give them the attention they need. I can guarantee that there will be more fast food meals because I won't be home to cook. Plus, there's just something "right" about me being able to pick them up almost everyday from school.

I have considered trying to find something one day a week for eight hours...then I would be home at a decent time.

Hmmm...maybe I should be prayerful about this? How is it that I forget this simple solution. I've often thought that it would be so much easier if God would talk to me in a burning bush...or send me a big news flash...or hit me over the head with the answer.

So, What To Do??

Happy Thanksgiving!

Off to work I go...

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Wordless Wednesday

Anyone know a good plastic surgeon??

It's amazing what people can do with photoshopping...

...at least I hope this is digital photo manipulation!

Somehow I'm never able to be "wordless"!

PARK DAY--LOVE IT!!

WHAT A GORGEOUS SUNDAY AFTERNOON IT WAS!

Little Miss is more than happy to pose for me, no matter what (although I'm not sure you can tell by this face)...
...while Bubby never asks for it but will say "Mom, look at me..."
I interpret that as "Mom, take a picture even though I'd never ask..."

It always amazes me how they can make friends at the park and play like they've known that other child forever

I actually got a genuine smile here! He tells me "I doesn't know how to smile". When he was little, it came so easy...

She is my monkey, where he is more cautious...

BOTH are beautiful!

THE BEST PUMPKIN PIE EVER!!

I usually try to post recipes on Tuesdays but this is sooo yummy, I don't want it to be too late!I always use Libby's Pumpkin, however, I don't follow the recipe exact. This is how hubby's grandma made her pies and they were the absolute BEST!!

Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie

(with a few changes!!)

2 unbaked pie crusts (No, I don't make my own...it was a flop!)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

I leave out the cloves!

1/2 cup brown sugar (the recipe doesn't call for this)

3 eggs (the recipe calls for two)

1 1/2 cups (12oz can) Evaporated milk

Then follow the directions on the can!

Believe me...you won't regret it if you follow this recipe.

Now, I have some pumpkin pie to go eat...and Oh My Goodness...there's egg nog too! We'll worry about our weight later!

SPIKETTE?

Remember Spike? Well...me being the idiot that I apparently am...decided to get Spike a friend. The people at the pet store said that since he's a male I could get another male and they might not fight. If they did, I was told that I could bring him back.

There was NO fighting at all when I put the new friend in the cage. As a matter of fact, they happily sniffed each other's rear ends (Did you think dogs only did that??). I started thinking... Is Spike really a he?? Thank goodness for the internet because I was able to look at pictures on how to tell the difference between male and female gerbils. Guess what folks? I'm thinking Spike is really a Spikette.

Who wants some gerbil pups? As you can see, they are in love!

Told you I'm an idiot!

CAN I HIBERNATE?

This weather is incapacitating to me...I think I could just hibernate. Yesterday, after my shower, I put a clean pair of flannel PJs on and stayed in them all day. Several of my friends on Facebook have been mentioning the snow and how they are looking forward to it. I'd be happy to never see snow again. That's not true...I'd be okay seeing it...I just don't need to experience it. Driving in the snow and ice at 5:30 in the morning so I can get to work on time is not my idea of fun!

Trying hard to "bloom" but it's hard when it's gray, rainy, and 30 degrees. How am I going to get through this winter? Here's where I pause and realize that it's still fall...more than 4 weeks away from actual winter. Here's where I also see that it's 79 degrees in that awful place we left last year. Here's where I question my sanity for leaving. Here's where I need to LET IT GO!

Contentment...where or where can it be?

Jolly Mom's Giveaway...I could use this one!

Jolly Mom will be giving away an HP Touchsmart 600 starting Novemeber 23rd!

Microsoft and HP collaborated to create best-in-class touch technology that melds the power of Windows 7 with HP’s revolutionary TouchSmart PCs. The HP TouchSmart 600 showcases this technology within its sleek design, HD widescreen, BluRay, adjustable webcam and more. It offers limitless potential for enhancing life at home.

I could really use one of these, couldn't you??

Tasty Tuesday is back!

PUMPKIN CAKE ROLL

(click on image for printer friendly recipe)

Beat three eggs for five minutes
Add 1 cup sugar and 2/3 cup pumpkin
Mix in 3/4 cup flour
1 T baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt

Mix ingredients together then spread in cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Spread tea towel out and sprinkle with powdered sugar, then roll cake in tea towel. Chill.

Filling:
1 cup powdered sugar
3 oz cream cheese
4 T butter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Unroll cake and spread filling. Reroll and chill. You can sprinkle more powdered sugar over top when serving if desired. Enjoy!

BUBBY'S CHRISTMAS PICK

Apparently, this is one of the big Christmas hits for the year...Bubby has already let me know that he wants one. For those with little men, you might keep this in mind.

(info copied from Amazon)

Maxus Dragonoid is a combination of 7 Bakugan (1 Bakugan and 6 Bakugan Trap) that unite to form the ultimate monster

• The 6 Bakugan Trap that make up Maxus Dragonoid are unique to the Maxus Dragonoid monster and cannot be found in any other Bakugan products


• Comes with Grakas Hound, Dark Hound, Grafias, Brachium, Spitarm, SpyderFencer & Neo Dragonoid


• All the Bakugan that compose Maxus Dragonoid can also be used individually in the game


• 1 Bakugan and 7 Bakugan Traps unite into ONE.

WELL WORTH THE READ...

**Well worth the read...

regardless of party affiliation**

The following letter was read on Glenn Beck's show. Americans everywhere can identify with this 53-year-old woman from Arizona. She has given us a voice.

(This is from way back in June but I missed it and want to share it)

GLENN BECK: I got a letter from a woman in Arizona . She writes an open letter to our nation's leadership:

"I am a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. Instead, we are burdened with Congressional Dukes and Duchesses who think they know better than the citizens they are supposed to represent.
There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would feel so horribly disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut-job am I? Well, these briefly are the views and issues for which I seek representation:

One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This is not to be confused with legal immigration.

Two, the STIMULUS bill. I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you No, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.

Three, Czars. I want the circumvention of our constitutional checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution, and honor it.

Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There are many conflicting opinions and it is too soon for this radical legislation. Quit throwing our nation into politically-correct quicksand.

Five, universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision that will burden me, my children, and grandchildren. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night without even reading it. Slow down! Fix only what is broken -- we have the best health care system in the world -- and test any new program in one or two states first.

Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. More is not better! Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real [Constitutional] obligations. Why don't you start there.

Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes -- how did they pull that one off? Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with any of our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs -- and that is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person! Why do you want me to hate my employers? And what do you have against shareholders making a profit?

Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Every company must sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. (Have you ever ripped off a Band-Aid?) We will pull together.. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please stop trying to manipulate and appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.Take a breath. Listen to the people. Slow down and get some input from non-politicians and experts on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed-reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent.. I work. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is needless urgency and recklessness in all of your recent spending of our tax dollars.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back.. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on bringing our concerns to Washington . Our president often knows all the right buzzwords like unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.

We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented.. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work, pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone... and we are now looking at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic freedom spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us who will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution, and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them.. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you.
If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming."

BLOOM WHERE YOU'RE PLANTED

I am where I am for a reason...I need to remember "Bloom where you're planted"

(taken in beautiful Hawaii)

Be happy where I am, thankful for what I have, looking forward to the future...

Wordless Wednesday

He's singing...seriously! We had a blast at last year's American Idol tour!

Hi ho, hi ho...it's back to work I go

Hi ho, hi ho...it's back to work tomorrow. I have been off for the past 17 days and it just doesn't seem possible. For the most part, I am better, but I still have the cough that's holding on. Today I went out for lunch and by the time I got home I felt like I'd ran a marathon. It will be interesting to see what a 12-hour shift does, huh?

Praise report: I follow Mckmama at My Charming kids and her little Stellan has come through surgery with huge success! Praise God!!

Happy Tuesday...God is good!

Spike!

Before Little Miss's 6th Birthday we asked her what she wanted... I asked her if she wanted a bike and she replied "Mom, you already got me one of those...found it in the garage a few days ago." Little Stinker!

The only thing she asked for was an animal "just like bubby's". We had bought him a guinea pig and I decided that we didn't need two in the house. I could just imagine the arguments about whose guinea pig was the best. My other fear was that, somehow, she'd wind up with a guinea that actually was better and liked to be held and petted. So, after much thought we decided on a gerbil because it actually stays up during the day and has less tendency to bite than a hamster.

Meet Spike!

Kinda cute in a mousy kind of way!

I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, most of the time. This little piece right here connects to his cage and came with some litter because supposedly gerbils/hamsters/other small critters can be pottie trained to only go in there! Can you read gullible on my forehead from where you're sitting?? It actually came with a little yellow shovel to scoop the poo as well. Can you believe I seriously fell for it? Duh!

I've found out what it REALLY is. It's an escape pod. It's where he goes to get out of his cage. There's nothing worse then sitting here at my computer, happily typing away, and see this little white, furry critter scurry under my chair. We've found him everytime so far, but I always have this fear he's going to get into the vents or something. I think my mother planted that in my mind when I was a child and my hamster kept getting out of it's cage.

So here's my question?? How do you persuade the child to get rid of it??

Something to think about...

"Through clever and constant application of propaganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell, and also the other way around, to consider the most wretched sort of life as paradise." (Adolf Hitler)

I only share this because I'm afraid that it's happening and most don't realize it...

Smile!

What has made you smile today? This little fella from the San Francisco zoo brought a grin to my face.

photo by George Nikitin

Worldless Wednesday

Happy Humpday...Friday will be here soon!

(yes, still sick but now on antibiotics, Tamiflu, codeine cough syrup and Advil...)

My turn...and a little pumpkin carving

Anyone getting sick of hearing about the flu?? Oh yeah...that was me that posted about it in my last post like two minutes ago...

Bubby will not be going to school tomorrow--poor little guy is coughing so bad he gags, though fever is gone. Little Miss WILL be back in school (thank goodness). Unfortunately, I started coughing last night before bed and I woke up this morning with the aches and yup...my fever is 101 (update: make that 102). So, I guess it's my turn.

WE DID ENJOY OUR PUMPKIN CARVING!

I carved this one...honestly, I was kinda impressed with myself! By the way, those little carving kits are pretty cool!

Daddy also participated...

Little Miss enjoyed doing hers and wanted to "count the seeds". Yeah, that didn't happen!

Thank goodness that they're old enough to do this part now!!

Congressman Blasts H1N1 Vaccine Distribution to Gitmo Detainees During Shortage - FOXNews.com

And I say...SERIOUS??

Congressman Blasts H1N1 Vaccine Distribution to Gitmo Detainees During Shortage - FOXNews.com

Posted using ShareThis

Most know that I didn't get the vaccine, however, the majority of the United State's citizens that want it haven't either and we're giving it to suspected terrorists (WHO ARE BASICALLY IN A QUARANTINED SITUATION ALREADY)??

What do you think?? Would they be doing the same thing for our guys??

Getting better...

Slowly but surely we're getting there!

Little Miss is feeling better and is back to being her little stinker self. Bubby is still running a fever (now on day four) but it is lower and he's acting more himself. They were actually out of school today and Tuesday anyways...so here's hoping they'll be back in the game, come Wednesday.

Both Home Sick

Bubby woke us up about 6am this morning because he had a headache, his nose was so stuffy, and he had a dry cough. His fever was 102.2 so I gave him an Ibuprofen and decongestant then sent him back to bed. His headache and sore throat has stayed away all day and so did the high fever. Unfortunately, evening is at hand and his fever is back up to 102.4...you can tell he just feels yucky.

Little Miss has ran a low grade fever all day...this is day three for her. She too has a dry, unproductive cough but without complaints of aches, headache or stuffiness. Hopefully, she'll be through all of it soon.

Funny that neither one of them feel too bad to irritate the other...I've been dealing with that all day...

Now hubby and I stare at each other and wonder, who is next? And is this just some bug or could it be a case of mild H1N1 or the seasonal flu?

Giveaway Winner!

Wow! Somehow I lost track of time and it's time to announce the winner of my giveaway. There were 15 comments left and I used Random.org to pick my winner. And the winner is....

Amanda, at Lunchbox Limbo

Amanda, you have 48 hours to collect your prize! Message me and I'll make arrangements to send it your way! Congratulations!

Is it SAD?

Where has the time gone? For those of you that haven't thought about it...Christmas is 57 days away. Haven't started my shopping yet, how about you??

This grey and overcast rainy weather is depressing the heck out of me. My mother-in-law tells me I have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Of course, I read the description on Web MD and I thought we just might all have a bit of SAD. I went out to lunch with a girlfriend the other day and she actually said "I can't wait for the snow". That just seems crazy to me and I don't understand that line of thought. Snow is okay if I don't have to be anywhere and it melts in it's entirety in about 24 hours. I'm already thinking and saying "I can't wait for the sun and warm weather" which unfortunately, is several months away. By the way, don't forget that your clocks fall back an hour on November 1st. Then it can be cold and dark... This is a picture of that awful place we lived last summer on the gulf coast. This was 15 minutes from my house and now I'm thinking maybe I was a little crazy...

Little Miss hasn't been herself spunky little self the last few days. She's been crying at the drop of a hat, seems so sleepy and has had a cough. I kept her home from school today (much to her dismay) and she told me all day she felt fine. As a matter of fact, she cried for two hours this morning when she woke up and realized bubby was at school while she'd been left behind. Of course, I told her that it was evident to me that she indeed did need to be home if she was going to cry like that. This evening I used my beloved and accurate glass thermometer and she had a fever of 100.0--will keep a close eye on it tonight. Amazingly she took the news that she would not being to school again okay. Bubby pipes in, "Am I going to school tomorrow?". As if....

Bubby is nine!

Bubby had his 9th Birthday! He decided he wanted to have it at Burger King...initially I thought that there were better options but we really had a ball! He's going through that phase where he doesn't know how to smile...Blowing out the candles...

I know he's growing up because he actually reads the cards...

We got kid's meals for all the kids...that was fun to keep straight

I was trying to show my pretty blue teeth off from the cake. Thought I'd share this because we moms really are at the parties, we're just not usually seen!

The children had a blast playing in the play area but somehow I missed pictures of that because I was trying to get everything else done.

I recommend a party at Burger King...it was very affordable and the kid's had fun...which is the most important thing!

First word that comes to mind...

First word that comes to mind when you see this picture...please share

I'm so not "techy"

Thank goodness that my internet is up and working again! Of course, I feel like a complete moron because the reason it wasn't working was MY fault. Not to everyone and self: Make sure you have a filter on all phone lines if you have DSL...life without internet just didn't feel right!!

Hard Wallet Giveaway

At my in-law's house...again...darn computer!

Just a reminder that my giveaway ends on this coming Wednesday, October 28th. For more information follow this link.

My computer is sick...

My computer is sick...at my in-laws right now...and will hopefully be back on next Monday. If I'm not back on before then, have a fabulous weekend!

Tasty Tuesday: Chicken & Rice

This is one of those super easy, put all the ingredients in one pan and forget about it meals!

Chicken & Rice

1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can cream of celery
1 pkg. onion soup mix
1 cup water
3 cups rice (yes, I use Minute Rice)
4 chicken breasts

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

Pretty in Pink

My pretty princess...

Gratitude Challenge

I was visiting "Deal"ightfully Frugal and I saw the "Gratitude Challenge". Last month I posted Gratitude Attitude and I shared about how I often forget all that I have to be thankful for. I've also mentioned some of my greatest struggles and how I sometimes have the tendency to feel really sorry for myself, while forgetting to see the blessings in my life.

So...I'm taking the Gratitude Challenge, a 21-day challenge created to help you take note of the brighter side of life. I'm planning on sharing what I learn on my journey and how I feel about the blessings I so often neglect, ignore or just plain don't see.

Feel free to join me on this journey!

It's the sun!!

For those of you that don't remember...this is the sun...and I have really, really good news!
It's still out there. I know this to be true because it peeked it's little head out to shine through my patient's windows today. So, for those that are tired of the unusually cool temps and grey skies, be encouraged. Beneath those clouds, the sun is still there!!

Wordless Wednesday

(kind of the wrong time of the year, but what the heck...)

If you look close you can see the Easter egg right in the middle of the flower. Sometimes we don't see what is right in front of our face...

My First GIVEAWAY

Drum roll, please...time for my first

GIVEAWAY!While I must admit that I'm a bit of a nerd that carries a really small purse that has the special little zipper compartment on the side that holds my I.D., cash and credit cards, I don't use one of these myself. However, my mother-in-law and several of my girlfriends love theirs and frequently tell me I need to convert to a full fledged big purse carrying gal, with a wallet.

The Metropolitan Hard Case Opera wallet is sleek, unique & chic - soft on the outside! Small enough for a purse, convenient enough so that you won't need one. Superb full-frame design & stylish exterior, pairs fashion with durability. Opens easily & lies flat to allow easy access. Multi-function interior accommodates book of checks, zippered change pocket, ID photo window, credit card slots & billfold pocket. Measures 7" X 4".

(Description borrowed from http://www.myjewelthief.net/)

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Rules: Open to readers in the US and Canada. Giveaway ends October 28, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be randomly chosen by third party and will have 48 hours to respond. Good luck to everyone entering!

You can't buy a paper with a Chucke E. Cheese Token

We just stopped by Baskin Robbins (yummy!!) to get an ice cream cone. This girl was banging on the front of the newspaper coin insert thingy and was frustrated because it ate her money. She said she'd paid her three quarters. As I got close, I looked at the coin insert and a coin was hanging out...a Chucke E. Cheese Token, that is. Thanks goodness that hubby had a spare quarter in his pocket!

What would we do without our kids?? Live would be so boring!