Valentine's Day preparation is under way

I'm currently on the lookout for fun Valentine's Day opportunities to do both at home and in the classroom.

Here at home we're doing a Valentine's Day advent. Yes, my kids LOVE the countdown to anything. Having a little something special to look forward to every day just gives them a happy feeling inside and since it's such a simple thing to do, WHY NOT?!

I'm also room mom for Drew's Kindergarten class so I'm looking for fun activities to do in the classroom and also for the boys to give their teachers.

I, personally, don't like a big hoopla made about me on Valentine's Day (I'm not into the delivery of flowers -- paying $70 for roses doesn't make you sweet, it makes you stupid in my book!) Let's take that $70 and go out to eat at Souper Salad and I'll stop by Costco, pay $12 and get 18 roses and we'll just call it a day! Sound like a plan? Of course!

I don't want chocolates.

I don't want mushy gushy cards that I feel guilty for throwing away so I have to hang onto them for no reason in particular OTHER than I just feel guilty for tossing them.

I just want to cook a good meal and be surrounded by those that I love.

So, that's exactly what I'm doing. Being the social coordinator of a household means you get the final veto on lots of things. Yes, my position definitely has its perks!

This year we're having COMFORT food. Comfort food spells love in my book! Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuits and something equally yummy and divine for dessert! That's love. Now, I don't like chocolate but I WILL make it because my boys DO. Now, my friends, THAT is love! That's how I show my love every day and that's how I want to show my love on Valentine's day, too.

I'll share our advent in a day or so.

Wednesday Wickedness with Steven Tyler

Today we picked Steven Tyler. Here's Wednesday Wickedness!

1. And the things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those that got there first.
When was the last time that you wanted to do something, it was done before you got there?
I doubt it was anything worth getting upset over. I mean, I liked the deal on http://www.peachycheap.com/ a couple of days ago but when I clicked on it, it was all sold out. In the grand scheme of life, that's not a big deal or anything worth pouting about.

2. As good as I am, I'm nothing without my band.
Do you feel there is anyone you could not do without?
My husband and my children....well, and my parents for that matter. My husband works so that I can stay home and raise our family and care for our home and make sure things here are taken care of. I respect him so much for that and so I try to honor him by cooking good foods, staying within my "budget" and always showing him the respect he deserves in front of the boys.

3. Back then it was nothing like today. So you'd go to the bowling alley. We bowled and you could be in the back and you could make out, you know? And you know how hot it was to make out.
When you were young and innocent, what place did you make out?
Mid Cities Skate - everyone made out back in the back corner by the air conditioner or whatever that big vent thing was.

4. Drugs will get you out of your own way, but we lived it, and that's dangerous. It can actually turn around on itself and steal your soul, and that's what happened.
Were you ever temping by something that could “steal your soul”?
Drugs? Never. I am too much of a control freak to let something stupid like that screw up my mind. I don't understand addictions of any sort for that matter. I think people that have them are weak... and they need some self confidence and a backbone...

5. Every life has a measure of sorrow, and sometimes this is what awakens us.
How do you deal with sorrow?
I cry. Then I evaluate what the situation has meant to me... what it means to me... try to learn from it and move on. Dwelling in sorrow just isn't a way to live life.

6. Fake it until you make it.
Did you ever have dreams of making it in showbiz in some capacity?
Doesn't everyone? I love to sing. I love to act. I'd have loved to have done either... MINUS the celebrity. The thought of people nit-pickin' EVERY.SINGLE.SOLITARY thing you do, say and wear for the rest of your life... I wouldn't put a price tag on that.

7. Humility is really important because it keeps you fresh and new.
What keeps you fresh and new?
My three sons.

8. I don't mind being a grandfather.
If you are a grandparent, do you at first “mind it”? If you aren't, how do you think that you would feel about it?
I'm not a grandparent and I BETTER NOT BE for a LOOOOOOOONNNNNNNG time! :) Josh is only 11. Give me 20 years and I'll be near ready. I'm sure I'd love it but right now, having a TEN MONTH OLD (today) I can't even think of being excited about another baby.

9. I grew up in New Hampshire. My closest neighbor was a mile away. The deer and the raccoons were my friends. So I would spend time walking through the woods, looking for the most beautiful tropical thing that can survive the winter in the woods in New Hampshire.
Do you enjoy winter where you live?
Not really... I'd like more snow.

10. I have to get inspired by something that touches my soul, or rocks my soul.
What rocks your soul?
Life. People. Music.

Read the labels!

The doctors will tell you to read the labels. Your nutritionist will tell you to read the labels. Your personal trainer will tell you to as well.

Yeah, yeah. We get it! We get it!

We look and we see this.



Right? Now that's exciting!

Well, when you're in a hurry and the night is late and it's time to bathe your baby. Just a word of caution... be sure you still... READ THE LABEL! Otherwise you will likely wind up with this

instead of this

(Go ahead and snicker. Just get it out of your system!) Yeah, major laughter. I was just going through the motions.

Bottle of bath wash empty.
Toss it in the trash can.
Grab a new one from under the counter.
Set it on the edge of the tub.
Run bath.
Insert baby.
Wet hair.
Open top.
Splurt it on his head.
Start to rub it in and then immediately realize there is a huge mistake.
WHOOPS...

Well, CRAP, his hair is FULL of lotion. Guess I should have...

ok, let's say it all together now...

READ-THE-LABEL, huh?

Break out the good old fashioned Johnson & Johnson's we keep under the sink as a backup.

End result is the same... clean baby.

Random Monday

Today I was bound and determined to be productive. The alarm went off at 5:30 and I was up easily with it. And then I realized that was stupid to be up so early and so I just dozed back off and got up at 6.


Co-sleeping has its challenges. One of those is that you really can't get up unless you get the baby up because if he wakes and I'm not in the room, he'll crawl right off the bed. Not a good thing.


So, up at 6 we were. I've found Fox 4 News is a great way to wake him up in a GENERALLY good mood. Frankly, he doesn't like being stirred when he's asleep and has been rather grumpy every morning.

I nursed him and then headed to my haven -- the kitchen. I whipped up a batch of homemade biscuits and gravy with a bunch of Jimmy Dean maple infused sausage. The biscuits were made a little stickier today and it made for a much more moist biscuit. I was pleasantly pleased. I need to find some more homemade biscuit recipes to find "our" biscuit recipe.


I even went so far as to immediately clean up the mess in the kitchen. Don't get me wrong, it generally gets done during the day, but not IMMEDIATELY as in -- before the kids leave for school -- done.

I tried to put Ben down in the bed and then sneak away to the chair to read the volumes of backlogged blogs I subscribe to in my iGoogle reader. He wasn't having it though. He took a 30 minute power nap and then was up. So, I gave him playpen time and I grabbed a shower.


==sidebar== Why do we say we "grab" a shower? You can't really GRAB one. I guess because you say you'll "take" and then people sometimes interchange "take" and "grab" but you really can't TAKE one either. You CAN shower or you can wash up... hmmmmmm. The English language is so perplexing.


Anyway, I washed in the shower. Hopped out, got ready and gave the little guy a snack.


Finally, he was showing signs of "tired" and so into his electric swing. (God bless the creator of the electric swing.)


While that was going on, I finally took the garland off the stairs (don't judge, it's not fun for anyone to take the stuff down!) and put it up. I couldn't stand the fact that I still had Christmas decorations up. It's almost the end of January for goodness' sake!


I bagged up the rest of the "stuff" and cleaned off the stairs. I put up books that had been accumulating both on the stairs and in front of the library shelves. I need to find a way to both catalog and organize the books. They're currently kind of organized but I think with a baby, an emerging chapter book reader and a "real" reader, I need to be sure the books they want are easy to find. I thought about labeling the spines with some colored duct tape for different genres and/or levels. See how my mind wanders. I start one project and then think of all the other things I need to do and start making mental notes and lists and then my wee little brain gets over-worked and by that time Ben wakes up and I've got little bombs going off in every room with nothing fully accomplished. Or, well, that's how it usually goes.


I cleaned and purged the rest of Drew's room and got all kinds of... well... "stuff" now just sitting at the top of the stairs waiting on me to finally bring it downstairs to sort and trash, wash, donate or put up. Because, we all know that if I want it done now, that I need to be the one to do it. I'm the only one with a sense of urgency at having a clean, neat, tidy home. However, knowing that it feels good to get things done and purged and organized, I generally have no problem doing so.


And while I thought I had previously started the beginning of the end of his nursing... Ben stopped biting me about as fast as he started. So, luckily, we have still be successfully nursing. However, now he isn't wanting to nurse much if at all. Which is odd because these little guys are still supposed to take bottles until they're about a year but he won't nurse but ... maybe two or three times a day. I'm not sure what to think about that or what to do about it to ensure he's getting adequate nutrition and fluids. Since he can only "gum" things and not really chew, what DO you feed these kids?


I do believe, however, that with all the changes he's going through... that it is time to move him to his crib. I know that I will miss the silence at night (seriously, you have no idea and I fear that I will sleep on the couch or in his room more often than not because I just can't stand snoring) and I will miss his snuggling... and his little hand searching me out to make sure that I'm right there... and I will miss his smiley little face in the morning... but I know it's time. And I guess when you know, you just know.


On yet another note, (yes, this is a random Monday), my Albertson's is closing. I'm kind of sad about that as they had a great meat department. I had to run to the store last night to grab a few things I needed to finish dinner and so I went to Kroger instead. (NOT enough cashiers!) Because of the little detour in my dinner plans, we ate QUITE late! I hate that. I feel like an epic failure when dinner isn't ready by 6:30 at the latest.


Josh left the garage door wide open and the light on in the garage. Hey world, come steal everything out of OUR garage! Grrrr!

Today's weather was quite nice... sunny but chilly. I like it like that. Unfortunately, 95% of my wardrobe is still inaccessible due to the abundance in the mammary department but that's okay. I like my comfy, stretchy t-shirts. No worries. This, too, shall pass.

Tonight's dinner conversation was extremely bizarre. So much so that I was compelled to break out the camcorder. Josh has these random thoughts and somethings will be much better in LIVING memory than being told about. It was truly exceptional. I laughed so hard I was crying. He can so be so bizarre.

Another first for Ben today -- he ate blueberries for the first time. Loved 'em.

Tonight I'm wearing my new red striped Christmas flannel jammies that Andy got me. They have pockets in the pants. I love that. Why more pajama pants don't have pockets is beyond me. Everyone likes to have a place to put their hands. I always like Seinefeld's take on the importance and necessity of pockets. He was like... that's why people feel so awkward when they're naked --there's no where to put your hands. So he thinks there should be a belt... with POCKETS... and that would make naked people feel more comfortable! What a concept (I'll pass, however.)

Andy told me his friend William's wife lost her wedding ring, too. Same scenario as us -- switched insurance companies and the extra riders didn't carry over so the ring wasn't insured. I can't even begin to imagine her pain. I still keep a photo of my ring on my desktop just to admire from time to time. Not because I'm materialistic. I mean, it's just a ring. It doesn't mean anything that I can't profess. It's just the symbol of what it means. I'm no less married without it. I just miss it, though. I'll let you admire it, too. I miss my ring.

Monday Mayhem - Over rated!

This is the hip and cool place to be on a Monday. For each of the prompts below, mention something that is over-rated. (over-rated means that it is not as good as someone or someone's say it is)

Have fun!!!

1. Name a restaurant that is over-rated? Wow, an over-rated restaurant... I know Chili's is but doesn't EVERYONE know that?

2. What food is over-rated? Chocolate

3. Name an experience that you have had that is/was over-rated? Senior prom

4. What celebrity is over-rated? Take your pick...

5. What movie is/was over-rated? Titanic... or, surprisingly enough, by the same director, that one with the blue animated people

6. What famous person is over-rated? Barack Obama

7. Would you rather be over-rated or under-rated? Under-rated

8. What or who is the most over-rated thing in the world? See answer to #6

9. Is there something that your S.O. (spouse etc ) likes a lot that you think is over-rated? Football

Five Question Friday

Welcome to Five Question Friday! The easiest, most fun blog hop around! Rules for Five Question Friday: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky to appear Friday morning!

1. Where did you meet your spouse and did you instantly know it was love?
We met at Gators in Bedford (yes, it's a bar) and I really liked him but I wouldn't say "instant"... I wanted to make sure he wasn't full of crap ... you know, like men tend to be. I was immediately smitten, however. I never let HIM know that, however.

2. What is your favorite room in your house? At the moment, whichever one is clean! Seriously.

It couldn't be Josh's room because it's a den of tween. What does that mean? It equates to piles of clothes that you generally have to sniff to know if they're clean (or not), random shoes, guitar picks that stick to the bottom of your feet when you step on them, an open (and crusty) tube of toothpaste on the sink and an uncapped tube of deodorant just thrown random places. No thanks.

It couldn't be Drew's room because of the open Lego containers. That is a serious hazard to the soft, tender soles of mine feets! No thanks.

It couldn't be anywhere near the man cave... that's the testosterone zone.

It couldn't be the kitchen (unless it's clean -- which right now, it's not.)

It couldn't be MY room because it needs carpet.

It couldn't be the playroom because the carpet needs to be cleaned (as does the playroom).

It couldn't be... ok... you get the point. I need some help this week. Anyone? Anyone?

3. Can you wiggle your ears? Sure, if I use my hands. (My dad can, however, and NOT use his hands! I know... it's just amazing. I think he should win an award or something, shouldn't he? Ha!

4. What is your evening ritual? Make dinner, feed the family. Clear the dinner dishes. Put away leftovers. Clean the dishes, pots, pans. Dry the hand-washed items and put them away. Send the older two upstairs to get ready.

I would like to insert here that at this point I WOULD LIKE to then go upstairs and read Drew a story (this DOES happen, just not frequently enough to my liking) and then go read Josh a couple of chapters from a book.

Scoop up a generally tired, fussy baby. Let the dogs out. Put Ben in the playpen while I run his bath. Bathe him. Dry him. Diaper him. Dress him. Put him back in the playpen while I pee, brush my teeth, put on my jammies, put on some lotion and pull my hair back in a headband. Then I nurse him. Let the dogs in. turn off the lights. Crawl in next to my little angel and we sing a little. I turn on his little Glowmate Junior and watch it change colors as he talks to it and gets sleepy. He falls asleep generally within ten minutes and me about 15-20.

5. How many hours of sleep do you need to function? To function six. To not be a witch... eight. I would, however, love to sleep about 9-10 some days... heck, maybe even TWELVE!!! That'd be... amazing... but I fear the rest of my children would starve. You see, I love sleep. I believe it's grossly underrated.

Wednesday Wickedness with Rick Gervais

Today we picked Ricky Gervais. Here's Wednesday Wickedness!

1. “Why by a book when you can join a library.”
When was your last trip to a library? It would have to be... about a year ago. I just tend to go on Paperback Swap and get the books I want rather than go check them out.

2. “People see me in the suit and they know I'm not fooling anyone, they know I'm rock and roll through and through.”
Does your attire properly represent you? Absolutely. I rock the mom attire! Stretchy pants, sweat shirts, Nikes and a hat!

3. “I'm from a little place called England ... We used to run the world before you.”
Do you feel the United States really runs the world? Perhaps once upon a time. Not anymore.

4. “No one grows up saying 'I hope I work in an office one day?' And that fascinated me. People from 16 to 65 are just thrown together and that is a tantalizing mix.”
When was the last time that you worked in an office like that? Ummm... 8-10 years ago

5. “Where there's a will-there's a relative!”
Do you have a will? If yes, have you ever changed it? I do but it's very, extremely out-dated and needs to be updated.

6. "When I see a toreador in a bullfight getting gored I think: `Good, you shouldn`t be in there`. What is the pleasure in seeing an animal speared to death? It`s the same with fox hunting. They`re just psychopaths.”
How do you feel about bull fighting and hunting? Well, being in Texas and NOT being an advocate of "sport" hunting doesn't make me quite popular. I will say that I absolutely adore the wilderness, the outdoors and animals. I don't believe in killing anything you don't intend to eat. I don't believe anyone that hunts should be able to FEED their PREY. If you are using a feeder to get your mark, you're not a hunter. To HUNT means to actively seek something. If you use a feeder you're waiting for them to come to you. Surprisingly enough, that's not hunting. Anyone who likes to kill, for the fun of killing is a psychopath.

7. “Money gives me the creeps and mildly embarrasses me. I get paid too much anyway.”
Have you ever thought that you were over paid for a job? Of course not.

8. “I hate lateness. I hate people who are late. There is no excuse for turning up late for anything. I`ve never been late for anything in my life. I was actually born a week premature, because I wanted to be early for my own birth.”
Are you usually on time for things? Generally, no. What's even funny about that is that I hate being late. I don't care if I plan everything and give myself ample time, SOMETHING happens and I'm late. I'm married to someone who likes being late. It's annoying.

9. “I have plenty of pet hates. I can`t stand people scraping their plate or slurping their soup. I can`t stand waiting in lines. I hate people talking inanely about the Lord Of The Rings. I hate people whistling. But I`m not like this because I`m famous. I`ve always been a grumpy bastard.”
What are your “pet hates”? Do you have an hour or two? I hate people with Jesus fish on the back of their car that cut you off in traffic and the flip you the bird -- hypocrites. I hate people that lie about their age. I hate hypocrites. I hate child molesters and those who abuse animals and the elderly. I hate that our country is being run by a freakin' moron who has his intentions of completely ruining our country and raising the debt so that the Gross National Product is LESS than the DEBT we owe. How is that even possible? I hate people living off of the government assistance instead of getting a freakin' job. I hate people that will talk about you behind your back and not have the nuts to admit what they say when you call them on the carpet. I hate all the video ads on web pages that cause it to load/run slowly. Commercials. Drunk people. Illegal aliens having more and getting more rights than nationals. Criminals having cable/satellite, health care, medication and access to law libraries when the victims they preyed upon didn't. People posting messages about it's "love your child, brother, mother, sister, husband" week on Facebook -- all in the same week. Does ANYONE know what week it really is? There needs to be a collective movement. When dogs drag their butt across the carpet -- makes me want to clean the carpet immediately just so I won't step on any invisible butt-yuck. That there are enough ding-bats out there to warrant "the people of Wal-Mart" site with continual updates. Do that many people REALLY not have a clue? People who threaten suicide. Politicians. All those dumb fliers that are posted to the door. Telemarketers. Charities that don't give more out than they take in and their organizers are making MILLION dollar salaries. People that write computer viruses -- get a freakin PRODUCTIVE hobby, seriously. Having to press "1" for English. The sound of a fork being scraped across a plate -- it's like fingernails on a chalkboard. The word "uber." People that live vicariously through their children instead of acting like an adult. People afraid to BE a parent and wanting to be their kids' friend. Disrespectful kids. Children in public with runny noses -- the runny kind that is like... going into their mouth. People that KNOWINGLY take their sick kids ANYWHERE they are going to be around OTHER KIDS. Racists. Racial jokes. Anything having to do with celebrity. Getting home to find out your drive-thru order is screwed up. Seriously, I could go on... and on... and on...


10. “I don`t like all this stupid Gollum begat Wobblo and the Oompa Loompas and...Oh Jesus Christ! There was too much "Oh, God, here come the gloodloys..." Christ Almighty, what are they talking about!?”
Are you a fan of “Lord of the Rings”? Absolutely!

This is going to hurt me....

... more than it hurts you.

Parents typically say that when it comes to dishing out corporal punishment. But what about just grounding your kids. Seriously -- it hurts us too.

It does.

Seriously.

Why?

Because we have to listen to them WHINE ALL FRICKIN DAY.

I had asked Drew to do something no less than FIVE TIMES and when I was like... your plans for the day are officially over. He ran upstairs to do what I'd asked him to do.

Then he wonders why he's not going to go get to have a fun day with his Mimi. Well, sorry, because you did it when YOU felt was time doesn't count.

I"m generally an "ask once" "remind politely" and then I'm done kinda mom. Five times. I'm sorry, you're done.

Josh is being punished, too. He's having to learn the social graces of having a cell phone AND having a sleepover. He was texting and calling other friends until after 11pm last night... while having a friend sleep over.

I likened it to, "Do you like to sit and watch someone play a one-person video game for hours one end?"

"No."

"Well, how would you like being at a friend's house to have fun and they sit and fondle their game controller all night while you just sit and be there. Does that sounds like fun?"

"No, ma'am."

"Would you want to go back?"

"No, ma'am."

"When we get back, you will hand over your phone for the week and I hope that you go upstairs and apologize and ask for his forgiveness. You won't be allowed to have your phone for any future sleepover because you haven't shown grace, respect or kindness while having one and a friend present."

"Yes, ma'am."

And so it is... I now have two phones in my possession until next week.

I'm such a mean mom.

BUT, my children WILL learn respect of others and cell phone etiquette. PERIOD.

He waved!

Ben waved at me this morning while I was taking a shower. He was babbling away in his playpen and then I waved at him and he sat there waving his little arm like crazy waving back at me. I wish I had a picture but I'll have to settle for the memory because, while I do typically have a camera in hand or nearby at all times, I simply draw the line at taking one to the bathroom.

Thirteen

Isn't it crazy that the first month of the new year is almost half gone? Wow... time flies!

Today I had all kinds of productive plans. And that's about as far as it got. You see "had" is the key word in that sentence. Ben started running a fever. I can't get rid of this pflegm-y cough and runny nose. Much needed to be done, yet we didn't do much at all.

I took the kids to school because I had to attend a room mom meeting to discuss the final parties of the year and then while we were there Ben fell and hit his head on the ground (ouch). That pretty much set the tone to his day.

The rest of my day was pretty average. I played in the floor with a clingy 9 month old who seems to be getting braver every day with letting go of whatever he clings to in order to take a step. I love how he's started to clap lately. He does it usually when he's upset. Could you imagine if we all just clapped when we were upset? What a funny world it would be. Either that or his outstretched hand(s) like he's hearing some silent sermon and has to extend his "hallelujah hands" in the air!

The only other significant thing of the day was that it was COLD. I could NOT get warm! I had on socks, shoes, jeans, a long sleeved turtleneck AND a big ole honkin' sweater and I was still cold! I needed to move but I had no energy to do so. I did what anyone else would do -- I built a fire! It felt good. The boys were starting to get on my nerves after school (picking on one another which starts the whining which starts the tattle-tails which starts the I'm-going-to-cry/scream/whine-so-loud-mom-will-hear-me-regardless-of-where-she-is-on-the-planet-and-you-will-get-in-trouble-acts) so I told them to play Yahtzee.

They went and got the game and went to the table. I never heard them roll. I asked, "Aren't ya'll going to play?"

"We're waiting for you."

My reply? "Ok, can you tell me how dinner is going to get made if I'm playing Yahtzee?" YOu'll have to remember that when I'm tired (and I was very and didn't feel good either), sarcasm oooozes from my pores.

I tell them to go ahead and start to play. Josh pouts. He then explains that he wants to play but he doesn't want to have to learn how to play. Yeah, that makes sense. I remind him that having to depend on everyone else becuase he won't take the time to learn to play is silly. He likes strategy. He likes Yahtzee. Learn the play the stupid game. That's laziness. It's annoying.

The phone rings and they both hear it becuase everyone looks around for the phone. I find it and I answer. They then just start SCREAMING as if it's not hard enough to chase a 9 month old away from the dog food while making dinner and trying to talk on the phone at the same time. They had made virtually NO noise whatsoever, yet I get on the phone and it takes negative two point three seconds for them to start to scream. Seriously, at that point, the head-spinning and pea-soup-spittin started!

"I AM ON THE PHONE. SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND STOP SCREAMING!!!" I screamed.

Seriously, how stupid that I'm screaming for them not to scream.

Don't judge.

The irony of that entire exchange just now made itself known to me -- not while I was in the moment. In the moment, I was so pissed. And tell me, those darn Duggar kids, they never act like that do they? And the mom never screams? How can you have 19 kids and never scream? Seriously, I must be doing something wrong. BUT, I did get their attention!

Anyway, Andy was trying to carry on a conversation and I was like... DONE. I just said that I just had to go. LOL. Talking on the phone in that instant was just insanity and was only exacerbating the situation.

Regardless of how I felt during the day, however, I should have gone to the grocery store but I was being sweet to my little one and let him nap at home rather than in a grocery cart. Thus, because of my lack of grocery-gettin' we were pantry challenged!

For dinner, I had to look in the pantry and find anything that I could to throw together for dinner since I hadn't thawed a single thing (bad mommy!). I wasn't too hungry so I made them nachos and soft tacos. (I ate a bowl of yogurt with some granola and peaches.)

Andy came home just as I was pulling out his tray of nachos and I grabbed my new cookbook -- The Pioneer Woman Cooks and went to read it by the fire. It was heaven. Pure heaven. A few minutes of "me" with a book and a fire. Bliss.

The night consisted of that, and an 8:30 p.m. bedtime.

Note to the world...

I just want to have a note to the world

My son HAS pants. My son HAS long sleeved shirts. My son even HAS a coat. He chooses not to wear these items.

YES, you heard me right, it's like freakin frackin freezin outside today... and he's in SHORTS. His coat? No, he didn't wear it -- he wore just a very thin fleece zip up jacket.

Personally, I think he's freakin' crazy!

Why?

In the summer, you can't PAY the kid to wear shorts!
He was BEGGING me for fleece or flannel lined jeans.
...and he won't wear pants to school.

I'm like... what about recess? "I'm running... it's not cold."

I'm sorry... but it IS cold. HE's freakin nuts.

So... note to the world, the child HAS CLOTHES... he just refuses to wear them.

Theeeeey're heeeeEEEEeere!

Isn't it cool how some phrases, when said correctly, can just take you right back to a certain place in a movie?!




So you're wondering, what, exactly is here. It's not like I've made any announcements here about anything being on its way. But, I tell you Josh will know what I'm talking about. When I tell him, "They're here." He will know exactly what I mean.

You see, this child needed ANOTHER pair of shoes. Yes, he just got some Zigs for Christmas but darn it if his feet won't stop growing! And, since he's playing basketball and wanted some, I got him a pair of hi-tops...and, well, they came today. So, THEY.ARE.HERE.

These are here.

Not that he will be able to wear them for anything OTHER than basketball (until basketball season is over) but, regardless, they're here and he'll be excited.

We had this conversation about hi-tops the other day and why he needed those as opposed to just a traditional sneaker.

"Mom, they make you jump higher."

Me, "No, that power would come from your thighs."

"Well, they make you pivot better."

"Um, no again. That comes from your torso, legs and feet."

"Josh, by your reasoning, if I buy an apron, it makes me a better cook."

"... hmmm... well, they look cool!"

And, THEREIN lies the logic of why THIS basketball player needed hi-tops.

Why I don't watch award shows or 99.9% of reality TV

I have a rant coming on. Just be forewarned.



I'm a firm believer in being a person who does something for the greater good -- be it yourself, your family, society or nature. I believe, too, that you should seek out and then act upon your God given talents. Should your talent be... say... acting or singing. That's great. Good for you and I certainly hope you do it and are not only successful at it but that it opens doors for you.

So, as it stands, I guess it seems that I don't really have a problem with the occupations--it's more the fact that the celebrities IN these professions (not all, but the majority) seem to be not only so completely out of touch with reality but also so ridiculously narcissistic and egocentric.



Enter the award shows.



Those in the acting profession have the Golden Globes, the Oscars, the Tonys, the Emmy's, and the People's Choice Awards. Then you hit the more obscure (but still star-studded) Palm Springs Film Festival Awards, Critics Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and the Independent Spirit Awards. Oh but wait, there's more. They have untelevisied award shows too! Gasp! You know the Directors Guild Awards, the Writers Guild Awards, and even the Producers Guild Awards.


Along the same lines -- while I'm on the subject of those with talent -- take singers. Sometimes I think their jobs are actually more strenuous becuase they're exercising fragile vocal muscles sometimes daily and generally are putting on very labor-intensive performance for the better part of any year that they tour. They are as glamorized and idolized just as actors are.



Their ego parties are the American Music Awards, the Grammys, the Latin Grammy Awards, the Latin Billboard Grammy, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (induction), the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, the Dove Awards, the MTV Video Music Awards, the CMA Awards, the Teen Choice, the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Ozone Magazine awards, the NAACP Music Awards and the newest – the Hip Hop Awards.

Don't get me wrong, I certainly think that everyone deserves to be recognized for a job well done but the way our society currently functions is BEYOND PATHETIC. People are more concerned with who is screwing whom, what so-and-so DIDN'T wear under her skirt, the latest Mel Gibson rant, or who is in rehab than on how to improve ourselves...



our world....



our education....



our spiritual well-being...



our family...



our economy...



our natural world...

Most people have no clue of what is really going on in their own city... their state... our country... the economy... the Congress... the bail-outs... the corruption... the international laughing stock our "p"resident is (yes, I intentionally left that lowercase. He can have a capital when he ACTS like a real leader. Humph!)


Isn't it ironic that America knows more about reality TV than the REAL world. People are so caught up in the worlds labeled as "reality" but that are so far removed from reality. It is quite sad they think it's synomosus.

So, without further adieu --Enter reality TV.

You know like Jersey Shore... the Bachelor... the Bachelorette... Big Brother... The Biggest Loser... OH my GOSH it's sick...the list of reality tv shows. I found this list HERE:

• The $25 Million Dollar Hoax
• 13: Fear is Real
• 16 & Pregnant
• 19 Kids & Counting
• 30 Days
• 30 Seconds of Fame
• 50 Cent: The Money and the Power
• 8th & Ocean
• 9 by Design
• A Double Shot at Love
• A Model Life with Petra Nemcova
• A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila 1
• A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila 2
• Ace of Cakes
• Addicted
• Adventures in Hollyhood
• Age of Love
• The Agency
• Airline
• Airplane Repo
• All American Girl
• The Amazing Race 1
• The Amazing Race 2
• The Amazing Race 3
• The Amazing Race 4
• The Amazing Race 5
• The Amazing Race 6
• The Amazing Race 7
• The Amazing Race 8
• The Amazing Race 9
• The Amazing Race 10
• The Amazing Race: All-Stars
• The Amazing Race 12
• The Amazing Race 13
• The Amazing Race 14
• The Amazing Race 15
• The Amazing Race 16
• The Amazing Race 17
• America's Best Dance Crew 1
• America's Best Dance Crew 2
• America's Best Dance Crew 3
• America's Best Dance Crew 4
• America's Best Dance Crew 5
• America's Got Talent 1
• America's Got Talent 2
• America's Got Talent 3
• America's Got Talent 4
• America's Got Talent 5
• America's Most Smartest Model
• America's Next Great Restaurant
• America's Next Muppet
• America's Next Producer
• America's Next Top Model 1
• America's Next Top Model 2
• America's Next Top Model 3
• America's Next Top Model 4
• America's Next Top Model 5
• America's Next Top Model 6
• America's Next Top Model 7
• America's Next Top Model 8
• America's Next Top Model 9
• America's Next Top Model 10
• America's Next Top Model 11
• America's Next Top Model 12
• America's Next Top Model 13
• America's Next Top Model 14
• America's Next Top Model 15
• America's Toughest Jobs
• American Chopper
• American Gladiators
• American Hot Rod
• American Idol 1
• American Idol 2
• American Idol 3
• American Idol 4
• American Idol 5
• American Idol 6
• American Idol 7
• American Idol 8
• American Idol 9
• American Idol 10
• American Inventor 1
• American Inventor 2
• American Loggers
• American Pickers
• American Dream Derby
• American Juniors
• Amish In The City
• Amne$ia
• Anchorwoman
• The Anna Nicole Show
• Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
• The Antonio Treatment
• Anything For Love
• The Apprentice 1
• The Apprentice 2
• The Apprentice 3
• The Apprentice 4
• The Apprentice 5
• The Apprentice: Los Angeles
• The Apprentice 7
• The Apprentice: Martha Stewart
• Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?
• Are You Hot?
• Armed & Famous
• Arranged Marriage
• The Ashlee Simpson Show
• Ashley Paige: Bikini or Bust
• The Assistant
• Average Joe 1
• Average Joe 2: Hawaii
• Average Joe 3: Adam Returns
• Average Joe 4
• Ax Men
• The Baby Borrowers
• Bachelor Pad
• The Bachelor 1
• The Bachelor 2
• The Bachelor 3
• The Bachelor 4
• The Bachelor 5
• The Bachelor 6
• The Bachelor 7
• The Bachelor: Paris
• The Bachelor: Rome
• The Bachelor 15
• The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman
• The Bachelor 11
• The Bachelor: London Calling
• The Bachelor 13
• The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love
• The Bachelorette 1
• The Bachelorette 2
• The Bachelorette 3
• The Bachelorette 4
• The Bachelorette 5
• The Bachelorette 6
• The Bad Girls Club
• Baldwin Hills
• Bank of Hollywood
• Basketball Wives
• Battleground Earth
• Battle of the Network Reality Stars
• Beauty And The Geek 1
• Beauty And The Geek 2
• Beauty And The Geek 3
• Beauty And The Geek 4
• Beauty And The Geek 5
• Beg, Borrow & Deal 1
• Beg, Borrow & Deal 2
• Being Bobby Brown
• The Benefactor
• Bethenny's Getting Married?
• Better Half
• The Beverly Hillbillies
• Big Brother 1
• Big Brother 2
• Big Brother 3
• Big Brother 4
• Big Brother 5
• Big Brother 6
• Big Brother 7: All-Stars
• Big Brother 8
• Big Brother 9
• Big Brother 10
• Big Brother 11
• Big Brother 12
• Big Brother (International Editions)
• The Biggest Loser 1
• The Biggest Loser 2
• The Biggest Loser 3
• The Biggest Loser 4
• The Biggest Loser: Couples
• The Biggest Loser: Families
• The Biggest Loser: Couples 2
• The Biggest Loser 8
• The Biggest Loser: Couples 3
• The Biggest Loser 10
• The Biggest Loser 11
• The Biggest Loser: Special Edition
• Big Man on Campus
• Bindi: The Jungle Girl
• Black Gold
• The Block
• Blonde Charity Mafia
• Blood Dolphins
• Blow Out
• Blush
• Boarding House: North Shore
• Boot Camp
• Born Country
• Boy Meets Boy
• Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business
• Brat Camp
• Breaking Bonaduce
• Breakthrough with Tony Robbins
• Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It
• Bridal Bootcamp
• Bridalplasty
• Bridezillas
• Bridget's Sexiest Beaches
• Britain's Got Talent
• Britney And Kevin: Chaotic
• Bromance
• The Buried Life
• But The Sex Is So Good
• Cake Boss
• Can You Duet?
• Canadian Idol
• Carnie Wilson: Unstapled
• Cash Cab
• The Casino
• The Celebrity Apprentice 1
• The Celebrity Apprentice 2
• The Celebrity Apprentice 3
• Celebrity Circus
• Celebrity Cooking Showdown
• Celebrity Duets
• Celebrity Fit Club 1
• Celebrity Fit Club 5
• Celebrity Fit Club 6
• Celebrity Fit Club 7
• Celebrity Mole Hawaii
• Celebrity Mole Yucatan
• Celebrity Rap Superstar
• Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House 1
• Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House 2
• Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew 1
• Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew 2
• Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew 3
• Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew 4
• CHA$E
• Change of Heart
• Chasing Farrah
• Chef Academy
• Chopped
• The Chopping Block
• The City
• Clash of the Choirs
• The Club
• Coal
• Cold Turkey
• College Life
• College Hill
• The Colony
• Color Splash
• Combat Missions
• The Complex
• Confessions of a Matchmaker
• Confessions of a Teen Idol
• The Contender 1
• The Contender 2
• The Contender 3
• The Contender 4
• Cops
• Craving Comfort
• Criss Angel Mindfreak
• Croc Hunter Challenge
• The Crocodile Hunter
• Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants
• Cupcake Dreams
• Cupid
• The Cut
• Dad Camp
• Daisy of Love
• Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team
• Dance Machine
• Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann
• Dance Your Ass Off 1
• Dance Your Ass Off 2
• Dance Fever
• Dancelife
• Dancing with the Stars 1
• Dancing with the Stars 2
• Dancing with the Stars 3
• Dancing with the Stars 4
• Dancing with the Stars 5
• Dancing with the Stars 6
• Dancing with the Stars 7
• Dancing with the Stars 8
• Dancing with the Stars 9
• Dancing with the Stars 10
• Dancing with the Stars 11
• Date My Ex: Jo & Slade
• Date My House
• Dating in the Dark
• The Dating Experiment
• DEA
• Deadliest Catch
• Deal Or No Deal
• Deion & Pilar: Prime Time Love
• Denise Richards: It's Complicated
• Destination Truth
• Destroyed in Seconds
• The Detonators
• Dice Undisputed
• DietTribe
• Dinner: Impossible
• Dirty Jobs
• Dog The Bounty Hunter
• Dog Whisperer
• Dog Eat Dog
• Don't Forget the Lyrics!
• Double Exposure
• Downfall
• Dr. Steve-O
• Dream Job 1
• Dress My Nest
• Driving Force
• Dudesons in America
• Eco-Challenge: Fiji
• Eco-Challenge: New Zealand
• Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke
• ego trip's The (White) Rapper Show
• Engaged and Underage
• Estate of Panic
• Ex-Wives Club
• The Exterminators
• Extreme Makeover
• Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
• Fake-A-Date
• Fame
• The Family
• Family Foreman
• Family Business
• Family Plots
• Fantasia For Real
• Farmer Wants a Wife
• The Fashion Show 1
• The Fashion Show 2
• The Fashionista Diaries
• Fast Cars & Superstars
• Fat March
• Fear Factor
• Find My Family
• The First 48
• Flavor of Love 1
• Flavor of Love 2
• Flavor of Love 3
• Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School starring Mo'Nique
• Flip This House
• Flipping Out
• Flowers Uncut with Jeff Leatham
• Fly Girls
• Food Detectives
• Football Wives
• For The Love of Ray J 2
• For Better Or For Worse
• Forever Eden
• For Love Or Money 1
• For Love Or Money 2
• For Love Or Money 3
• For Love Or Money 4
• Frank the Entertainer... in a Basement Affair
• From G's to Gents
• Funniest Mom in America
• Gay, Straight or Taken?
• Gene Simmons Family Jewels
• Ghost Hunters
• Ghost Hunters Academy
• Ghost Hunters International
• Ghost Lab
• Gimme My Reality Show!
• The Girls Next Door
• Giuliana & Bill
• Giving Hope
• Gone Country 1
• Gone Country 2
• Gone Country 3
• Gone Too Far
• Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live
• Grease: You're the One That I Want
• Great American Road Trip
• Greatest American Dog
• Growing Up Gotti
• Hair Battle Spectacular
• Hammertime
• Hard Knocks
• Harlem Heights
• Harry Loves Lisa
• The Hasselhoffs
• Have Fork, Will Travel
• Heli-Loggers
• Hell Date
• Hell's Kitchen 1
• Hell's Kitchen 2
• Hell's Kitchen 3
• Hell's Kitchen 4
• Hell's Kitchen 5
• Hell's Kitchen 6
• Hell's Kitchen 7
• Hell's Kitchen 8
• Here Come the Newlyweds
• He's A Lady
• Hey Paula
• HGTV Design Star 1
• HGTV Design Star 2
• HGTV Design Star 3
• HGTV Design Star 4
• HGTV Design Star 5
• High School Musical: Summer Session
• High School Reunion 1
• High School Reunion 4
• High School Reunion 5
• High School Reunion 6
• High Society
• The Hills
• Hit Me Baby One More Time
• Hoarders
• Hoarding: Buried Alive
• Hogan Knows Best
• Hole in the Wall
• Holly's World
• Holmes on Homes
• Homeland Security USA
• Hooked Up
• Hope for Your Home
• Hopkins
• Househusbands of Hollywood
• House Rules
• How to Look Good Naked
• Howie Do It
• Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling
• I Can Make You Thin
• I Get That A Lot
• I Love Money 1
• I Love Money 3
• I Love New York 1
• I Love New York 2
• I Propose
• I Survived a Japanese Game Show
• I Wanna Be a Soap Star 4
• I Want To Be A Hilton
• I Want to Work for Diddy
• I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 1
• I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 2
• I'm From Rolling Stone
• I've Got Nothing to Wear
• Ice Road Truckers
• The Imploders
• In Harm's Way
• In Search of the Partridge Family
• Intervention
• Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein
• Invasion Iowa
• Iron Chef America
• The It Factor
• Jackass
• The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty
• Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution
• The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency
• Jersey Couture
• Jersey Shore
• Jesse James Is A Dead Man
• Jingles
• Joe Millionaire
• The Joe Schmo Show 1
• The Joe Schmo Show 2
• Jon & Kate Plus 8
• Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
• Keeping Up with the Kardashians
• Kell on Earth
• Kendra
• Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design
• Kid Nation
• Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane
• King of Cars
• King of the Crown
• Kirstie Alley's Big Life
• Kitchen Nightmares
• Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami
• LA Ink
• Lady or a Tramp
• Laguna Beach
• Last Comic Standing 1
• Last Comic Standing 2
• Last Comic Standing 3
• Last Comic Standing 4
• Last Comic Standing 5
• Last Comic Standing 6
• Last Comic Standing 7
• Last One Standing
• The Last Resort
• Launch My Line
• The Law Firm
• Leave it to Lamas
• Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods
• Let's Dance
• Life of Ryan
• The Little Couple
• Little Miss Perfect
• Little People, Big World
• The Littlest Groom
• Live for the Moment
• Live to Dance
• Living Lohan
• Liza & David
• The Locator
• Looking for Love: Bachelorettes in Alaska
• Losing It With Jillian
• Love Cruise
• Love Shack
• Luke's Parental Advisory
• Mad Mad House
• Make Me a Supermodel 1
• Make Me a Supermodel 2
• Making It Home: Greensburg
• Making Menudo
• Making News: Texas Style
• Making The Band 2
• Mall Cops: Mall of America
• Man vs. Wild
• Manhunt
• Manhunters
• Marcel's Quantum Kitchen
• The Marriage Ref
• Married By America
• Mary Knows Best
• Master of Dance
• MasterChef
• Maui Fever
• Meerkat Manor
• Meet Mister Mom
• Meet My Folks
• Meet The Barkers
• Megan Wants a Millionaire
• Miami Social
• The Michael Vick Project
• Million Dollar Listing
• The Millionaire Matchmaker
• Minute to Win It
• Miracle Workers
• Miss America: Reality Check
• Model Citizens
• Models NYC
• Models of the Runway 1
• Models of the Runway 2
• The Mole 1
• The Mole 2
• The Mole 5
• The Moment of Truth
• Momma's Boys
• Monster Garage
• More to Love
• Moving Up
• Mr. Personality
• Mr. Romance
• Murder
• Murder in Small Town X
• Must Love Kids
• My Antonio
• My Big Friggin' Wedding
• My Big Redneck Wedding
• My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad
• My Super Sweet 16
• My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss
• My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance
• My Fair Brady
• My Life Is A Sitcom
• Mythbusters
• Nanny 911
• NASCAR in Primetime
• Nashville
• Nashville Star 1
• Nashville Star 2
• Nashville Star 3
• Nashville Star 4
• Nashville Star 5
• Nashville Star 6
• National Bingo Night
• New York Goes to Hollywood
• Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica
• Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County
• The Next Best Thing
• The Next Food Network Star 3
• The Next Food Network Star 4
• The Next Food Network Star 6
• The Next Great American Band
• The Next Iron Chef 1
• The Next Iron Chef 2
• Next Action Star
• The Next Great Champ
• The Next Joe Millionaire
• No Boundaries
• No Opportunity Wasted
• NYC Prep
• Obsessed
• The OCD Project
• Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch
• Omarosa's Ultimate Merger
• The One: Making a Music Star
• One Big Happy Family
• One Ocean View
• The One Who Got Away
• On The Lot
• Oprah's Big Give
• The Osbournes
• Our Little Genius
• Outback Jack
• Outsider's Inn
• P. Diddy's Starmaker
• Pageant Place
• Pam: Girl on the Loose
• Pantry Raid
• The Paper
• Paradise Hotel 1
• Paradise Hotel 2
• Paranormal Cops
• Paranormal Investigators
• Paranormal State
• Paris Hilton's My New BFF
• Parking Wars
• The Partner
• Party Monsters: Cabo
• The People's Court
• Pepsi Play for a Billion
• Perfect Match: New York
• Performing As...
• Phenomenon
• The Pick-Up Artist
• Pimp My Ride
• Pirate Master
• Pitchmen
• Plain Jane
• The Player
• Playing It Straight
• Police Women of Broward County
• PoweR Girls
• Prankville
• The Price of Beauty
• The Principal's Office
• Private Chefs of Beverly Hills
• Project Greenlight 2
• Project Greenlight 3
• Project Runway 1
• Project Runway 2
• Project Runway 3
• Project Runway 4
• Project Runway 5
• Project Runway 6
• Project Runway 7
• Project Runway 8
• Property Ladder
• Punk'd
• Push, Nevada
• Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll
• Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious
• Queer Eye For The Straight Girl
• Queer Eye For The Straight Guy
• R U The Girl With T-Boz & Chilli
• Race To The Altar
• The Rachel Zoe Project
• Raising Sextuplets
• Raw Nature
• Real Chance of Love: Back in the Saddle
• The Real Gilligan's Island 1
• The Real Gilligan's Island 2
• The Real Housewives of Atlanta
• The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
• The Real Housewives of D.C.
• The Real Housewives of New Jersey
• The Real Housewives of New York City
• The Real Housewives of Orange County
• The Real L World
• The Real Roseanne Show
• The Real Wedding Crashers
• The Real World: Austin
• The Real World: Back to New York
• The Real World: Boston
• The Real World: Brooklyn
• The Real World: Chicago
• The Real World: Hollywood
• The Real World: Key West
• The Real World: Las Vegas
• The Real World: Los Angeles
• The Real World: New Orleans
• The Real World: New York
• The Real World: Paris
• The Real World: Philadelphia
• The Real World: San Diego
• The Real World: San Francisco
• The Real World: Seattle
• The Real World: Sydney
• Reality Racing - The Rookie Challenge
• The Rebel Billionaire
• Recovery
• Renovate My Family
• The Restaurant
• Rich Guy, Poor Guy
• Rich Girls
• Road Rules
• Road Rules: South Pacific
• Road Rules: X-TREME
• The Road To Stardom With Missy Elliott
• Rob & Amber: Against the Odds
• Rob and Big
• Rob And Amber Get Married
• Rocco's Dinner Party
• Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels
• Rock of Love Charm School with Sharon Osbourne
• Rock of Love with Bret Michaels 1
• Rock of Love with Bret Michaels 2
• Rock the Cradle
• Rock Star: INXS
• Rock Star: Supernova
• Rookies
• Ruby
• Run's House
• Runaway Squad
• Running in Heels
• Sarah Palin's Alaska
• Say Yes to the Dress
• Scare Tactics
• The Scholar
• Scott Baio is 45... And Single
• Scream Queens 1
• Scream Queens 2
• The Search for the Next Elvira
• The Search For The Most Talented Kid In America
• Second Chance: America's Most Talented Senior
• The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom
• Secret Millionaire
• Secret Talents of the Stars
• Secrets of Aspen
• Seducing Cindy
• Sell This House
• Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew
• Sex in the Itty Bitty City
• Shaq Vs.
• Shaq's Big Challenge
• Shark Tank
• She's Got the Look
• Shear Genius 1
• Shear Genius 2
• Shear Genius 3
• Shipmates
• Shooting Sizemore
• The Simple Life 1
• The Simple Life 2
• The Simple Life 3
• The Simple Life 4
• The Sing-Off
• The Singing Bee
• The Singing Office
• Sister Wives
• Skating with the Stars
• Skating With Celebrities
• Smash Lab
• Snoop Dogg's Father Hood
• So You Think You Can Dance 1
• So You Think You Can Dance 2
• So You Think You Can Dance 3
• So You Think You Can Dance 4
• So You Think You Can Dance 5
• So You Think You Can Dance 6
• So You Think You Can Dance 7
• Solitary
• Sorority Life
• The Spin Crowd
• Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search
• The Springer Hustle
• The Stagers
• The Starlet
• Star Search
• Starting Over
• Step It Up & Dance
• Steven Seagal Lawman
• Storm Chasers
• Street Customs
• Style Her Famous
• Stylista
• Sunday Best
• Sunset Tan
• Super Millionaire
• Supernanny
• The Superstars
• Superstars of Dance
• Superstar USA
• Surf Girls
• The Surreal Life 1
• The Surreal Life 2
• The Surreal Life 3
• The Surreal Life 4
• The Surreal Life 5
• The Surreal Life 6
• The Surreal Life: Fame Games
• Survivor: Borneo
• Survivor: The Australian Outback
• Survivor: Africa
• Survivor: Marquesas
• Survivor: Thailand
• Survivor: The Amazon
• Survivor: Pearl Islands
• Survivor: All Stars
• Survivor: Vanuatu
• Survivor: Palau
• Survivor: Guatemala
• Survivor: Panama
• Survivor: Cook Islands
• Survivor: Fiji
• Survivor: China
• Survivor: Micronesia
• Survivor: Gabon
• Survivor: Tocantins
• Survivor: Samoa
• Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains
• Survivor: Nicaragua
• Survivor 22
• Survivorman
• The Swan 1
• Tabatha's Salon Takeover
• Table For 12
• Tacky House
• Take Home Nanny
• Taking on Tyson
• Taquita & Kaui
• Taxicab Confessions
• Teen Mom
• Teen Mom 2
• Temptation Island 1
• Temptation Island 2
• Temptation Island 3
• Thank God You're Here
• That's Amore
• There Goes the Neighborhood
• There's Something About Miriam
• Thintervention with Jackie Warner
• 'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave
• Tim Gunn's Guide to Style
• Toddlers and Tiaras
• Todd TV
• Tommy Lee Goes To College
• Tontine
• Tool Academy 1
• Tool Academy 2
• Top Chef 1
• Top Chef 2
• Top Chef 3 Miami
• Top Chef 4
• Top Chef All-Stars
• Top Chef Masters 1
• Top Chef Masters 2
• Top Chef: D.C.
• Top Chef: Just Desserts
• Top Chef: Las Vegas
• Top Chef: New York
• Top Design 1
• Top Design 2
• Top Gear
• Top Shot
• Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood
• Tori & Dean: Inn Love
• Tough as Nails
• Tough Love
• Tough Love: Couples
• Tough Enough
• Toughest Race on Earth: Iditarod
• Trading Spaces
• Trading Spouses
• Transform Me
• Treasure Quest
• Treasure Hunters
• Trick It Out
• Trick My Truck
• Trick My Trucker
• Trista & Ryan's Wedding
• True Beauty
• Tuesday Night Book Club
• Twentyfourseven
• The Two Coreys
• Two-A-Days
• Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge
• UFO Hunters
• Ultimate Cake Off
• The Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search 3
• Ultimate Recipe Showdown
• Unan1mous
• Undercover Boss
• Under One Roof
• Varsity Inc.
• Victoria Beckham: Coming to America
• The Victoria?s Secret Fashion Show
• Viva La Bam
• Walk the Lion
• Wanna Bet
• WCG Ultimate Gamer
• The Weakest Link
• Welcome to the Parker
• Welcome To The Neighborhood
• Whale Wars
• What Chilli Wants
• What Not To Wear
• When Women Rule the World
• While You Were Out
• Who Are You Wearing?
• Who's Your Daddy?
• Who Wants to be a Superhero? 2
• Who Wants To Marry My Dad? 1
• Who Wants To Marry My Dad? 2
• Wickedly Perfect
• Wife, Mom, Bounty Hunter
• Wife Swap
• The Will
• Will Work for Food
• Wipeout
• Work of Art: The Next Great Artist
• Work Out
• World Idol
• Worst Case Scenario
• Worst Cooks in America
• Wreckreation Nation
• The X Factor
• You're Cut Off!
• Your Mama Don't Dance

Is that list not MIND NUMBING? And to think, that people will DVR not one, not two but three, four or even more of those shows and watch them religiously. I don't understand that. America is FAT because it sits on its ASS watching crap like "the Situation."

I'll tell you what a "Situation" is... when you know more about a group of NOBODYs than you do about your own CHILDREN -- that's a sad situation.

If you spend more time on your butt watching television than you do doing something HELPFUL for someone... that's a sad situation.

If you spend more time in a day in the "company" of the strangers on reality TV than you do with your own KIDS... that's a PATHETIC situation.

If you are fondling the remote control instead of a dumbell, jump rope handle or dog leash, that's a sad situation.

If you're spending more time WATCHING than DOING ANYTHING beneficial for yourself... you've got a sad "situation" on your hands there my friend!

Get off your butt, turn off the nonsense and LIVE YOUR LIFE! Ugh!

Now, I will say that I don't care if someone watches TV. I have been known to watch a few shows in my day but not at the expense of my health, well-being, family, friends, fun. I am definitely not a slave to the telelvision and if I miss an episode -- WHO CARES?!

WHO CARES?!

I don't mind the shows that actually have a purpose. Some shows actually do provide some sort of entertainment but the reality shows like Jersey Shore... they've made celebrities out of people for being sluts. I don't understand the entertainment value in that. These people are now famous and have no talent.


Society has glamorized nothingness. And those nothings are paid well... for nothingness. How sad. They do nothing. They contribute nothing.

However, take actors... you know, people with a TALENT and a SKILL. They can make $3-20 million a movie. Then, depending on where the movie is being filmed, yes, there could potentially be travel. We understand that it means time away from family.

Let me grab a tissue...

... so they're making at least 3 MILLION per movie... while working 12-14 hour days (which I'm sure is industry standard) for a couple months away from their family.

Now, I'm not in the film industry, obviously, but I wouldn't think that a movie wouldn't take anymore than a couple of months to shoot. So, yes, there are potentially days when you're not at home... you're away from your family but I believe your heavy compensation should count for something. After all, this is your chosen profession. It'd be like a teacher complaining s/he made little. Everyone knows you don't enter that profession to get rich -- you enter it because you have a heart for children.

Further, if you were squeaking by on a mere three MILLION for those three months, I'd still say you were making a great living.


I remember reading somewhere about a celebrity throwing a public fit becuase she didn't make as much as her counterpart (who subsequently had a bigger role and a bigger name).


I just think, you know, you don't feel that your three million (or whatever it was) is enough and you want to complain because someone ELSE makes 15 million? Why don't you complain to those American soldiers who are away from THEIR families...

... while working 12-14 hour days OR LONGER

... while wearing FLACK VESTS

... and living in freakin' TENTS (not some cushy trailer)

... whose family lives on the borderline poverty level

... and are being shot at daily

... eating MREs while digging sand out of their ears


Why don't you whine and complain to THEM about your pathetic little life. Why not ask THEM if THEY'd like to make three million for the YEAR OR MORE that they're away from THEIR families?! Cry me a FREAKIN RIVER!

We are so ready to beat down on those on welfare and public assistance but forget that the "gimme" mentality goes all the way up to the eliteist snobs in Hollywood, too. Because we've let it!


So, in general, it's not the occupations themselves, it's the men and women who have CHOSEN to go these routes then get even more self absorbed with all the award shows... they seriously have to be the most self-conscious, ego centric, group of people lacking in self esteem to have to win trophies to feel validated in life.

I guess when I'm tuning into anything I wonder, is that imporant in the grand scheme of life? Is there anything about these people that I would care to emulate? No. Is there anything I can personally gain from watching this show? If the answer is not... the TV get turned off.

The current idea of what "entertainment" is saddens me.


I miss Seinfeld.

Sunday Stealing

The First 2011 Alphabet Meme

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Neil Turner at the blog Neil Turner from the blog Neil Turner's Blog (duh). Neil is from Yorkshire, England. He said he stole it from Troy. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Cheers to all of us thieves!

A is for Age: 38

B is for Beer of choice: Shiner Bock

C is for Career: Domestic Diva

D is for favourite Drink: Diet Big Red or sweet tea

E is for Essential item you use everyday: toilet paper

F is for Favourite song at the moment: I honestly don't have one... how sad!

G is for favourite Game: XBox 360 Just Dance (or whatever the name of that Dance one is)

H is for Hometown: Irving, TX

I is for Instruments you play: nada

J is for favourite Juice: pineapple-orange-banana

K is for Kids: three, Josh, Drew, Ben

L is for Last kiss: smack-a-roo from the hubs before he left to take Drew to a b-day party

M is for marriage: Yes, I believe in marriage... and am married.

N is for full Name: April Rene

O is for Overnight hospital stays: Several... at birth since I was a preemie... probably when I had my facial surgery as an infant. With Josh when he had pneumonia at 9 months old and was hospitalized for 5 days and a couple night with the birth of each of my kids.

P is for phobias: eating meat off the bone -- oogies me out. Staying in anything known to be haunted.

Q is for quote: This, too, shall pass. or This is a dictatorship, not a democracy. or Life's not fair.

R is for biggest Regret: Not finishing college out of high school.

S is for sports: ...whatever my kids are playing is my favorite.

T is for Time you wake up: depends on the day... Monday-Friday about 5:30. Saturdays more like...whenever Ben wakes up.

U is for colour of underwear: Why is that necessary? That's not a very nice thing to ask. I'll answer with NUNYA! :) As in... NUNYA business.

V is for Vegetable you love: Cucumbers, lettuce, radishes, onions, squash, asparagus, tomatoes, potatoes, okra, ... I love veggies!

W is for Worst Habit: over-planning things

X is for X-rays you've had: back, neck, foot

Y is for Yummy food you make: EVERYTHING I make is yummy!

Z is for zodiac sign: Sagittarius, baby!

Remember this moment....

cold front moved in...

woke up to rain...

house completely quiet...

early afternoon snow starts to fall...

still in our jammies...

open up my thick, plush red fleece robe and wrap you up inside...

only your little head is visible...

tie it tight...

you're babbling away "da da da" and "baah baah muh mamama"

I step outside...

then, you see it...

you see the huge, puffy, white snowflakes falling from Heaven and you grow completely silent...

you look left, right, up, down and completely take it all in...

the magic of snow has captivated you completely...

and I was given the blessing and gift to be the one with you as you witnessed your first snowfall ever...

magical moments with Ben...

Rock N Roll Friday with KISS!

Today they picked KISS. I had to do it...regardless of HOW "behind" I am on blogging because...well, JOSH likes KISS! Ha!

1. DETROIT ROCK CITY: “You gotta lose your mind in Detroit Rock City, Get up
Everybody's gonna move their feet, Get down, Everybody's gonna leave their seat”
Have you ever been in a line dance or group dance? What was it?
I took dance when I was younger - jazz, tap, ballet at Dana's Dance Academy.

2. BLACK DIAMOND: “Out on the streets for a living, Picture's only begun, Your day is sorrow and madness, Got you under their thumb”
What would be the worst change in your life right now?
Having to adjust to being a single mom or having to adjust to having someone I loved be sick in the hospital. There's almost an infinite possibilities of potential horrors that one would have to adjust to the change of that I really don't care to think about.

3. DEUCE: "Baby, if you're feeling good, Yes, baby, if you're feeling nice, You know your man is workin' hard, He's worth a deuce”
When was the last time you got a tip?
I get tips every day. Today's tip: never eat yellow snow. Ha! I've never worked for tips...

4. STRUTTER: “She wears her satin like a lady, She gets her way just like a child. You take her home and she says, "Maybe, come on, baby", She puts you down and drives you wild”
Do you know someone who easily manipulates others?
Yes, he's running our country, however, I don't personally KNOW him. I only know OF him. But parents, we easily manipulate our children into doing what WE want them to do. Not that that's a bad thing... it's a responsibility of being a parent. Perhaps manipulation is a harsh word. On second, thought, maybe not!

5. I WAS MADE FOR LOVIN YOU: “Tonight I wanna see it in your eyes, Feel the magic, there's something that drives me wild. And tonight we're gonna make it all come true, 'Cause girl, you were made for me, And girl, I was made for you”
What was the last thing you saw in someone’s eyes?
The complete look of amazement as Ben witnessed his first snowfall this afternoon. Precious moments.

6. LICK IT UP: “Don't need to wait for an invitation, You gotta live like you're on vacation. There's something sweet you cant buy with money - lick it up, lick it up, Its all you need, so believe me honey, It ain't a crime to be good to yourself”
When was the last time you treated yourself to something special?
I treated myself to something special a week or so ago when I purchased Project Life and Log Your Memory! I'm so excited to start those projects!

7. LOVE GUN: “I'll be a gambler, Baby, Lay down the bet. We’ll get together, Mama…You'll sweat”
When was the last time you gambled?
About 45 minutes ago when I went out in this snow to get lunch. People in Texas can't drive in ANY kind of precipitation. If you're talking with MONEY, about 8 years ago.

8. HARD LUCK WOMAN: “I keep telling you hard luck woman, You ain't a hard luck woman
You'll be a hard luck woman, Baby, till you find your man”
Do you have hard luck, good luck or no luck lately?
I'd say a good mix of no luck or good luck. I'd be hard pressed to define myself as EVER having "hard luck" because if you feel like your life is that bad, you're not counting your blessings enough.

9. GOD OF THUNDER: “I was born on Olympus, To my father a son, I was raised by the demons (she laughs), Trained to reign as the one”
Who is your favorite super hero?
It'd probably be.... hmm.. Batman. When it was played by Val Kilmer. Mrow! (Mrow THEN... DEFINITELY not now! HA!)

10. BETH: “Just a few more hours, And I'll be right home to you, I think I hear them callin'
Oh, beth what can I do? Beth what can I do?”
What was the last reason you were late or detained?
Probably a dirty diaper or having to feed a hungry baby.

11. CALLIN DOCTOR LOVE: “And even though I'm full of sin, In the end you'll let me in
You'll let me through, there's nothin' you can do, You need my lovin', don't you know it's true”
What can you do that helps other people?
Pay it forward.... not take life for granted... be generous with your time, gifts, money and talents. Be kind. Speak positively. Pray.

12. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE STATE OF ROCK N ROLL: “I gave my blood and I gave my soul; I stood my ground and I took control, The legend's growin' as the story's told, I pledge allegiance to the state of Rock 'n Roll”
What would you pledge allegiance to if given a choice?
My God, my country, my family, my friends.

13. CRAZY CRAZY NIGHTS: “And they try to tell us that we don't belong, But that's alright, we're millions strong, You are my people, you are my crowd, This is our music, we love it loud”
Are you a member of a group, (church, hobby group, civic group, network)?
I am not an "official" member of Gateway Church but I attend it. I am a member of the Grapevine Colleyville Southlake Mom's League. I'm a member of the Northwood Church MOPS Club. I'm a member of Project Life 2011.

Five Question Friday

1. What is your current favorite book, and why?
Honestly, I don't have a favorite book. I'm boring like that. Depending on what my season in life, there have been all kinds of favorites. When I was in 4th grade, "Little Women" was my favorite book. I've read several parenting books and at the moment those were the favorites of the day. I don't really have "a" favorite. Sorry.

2. Do you go to the dentist regularly?
No. Isn't that horrible? I hate the dentist! Loathe them. I know that when I go I'll need to drop a few couple g's to get my mouth fixed because I had times when I would grit my teeth in my sleep which has caused stress fractures in ALL my molars. Do you KNOW how expensive porcelain crowns are? Yeah, like a grand each! I need six. SIX... at like $1200 each. Yeah, that's crazy freakin expensive.

3. What is your worst memory from High School?
But... that means I'd have to remember it. There are tons. I didn't have the fun, free, "best days of my life" time when I was in high school. I didn't like it that much. I didn't feel prepared for the future when I left. I didn't have a grasp on the whole purpose of it all. I had to work my butt off while I went to school which left no time for all the fun stuff that everyone gets to do while they're IN high school like... Friday night games (no, couldn't do that, had to work) or extra curricular clubs. So, while lots of people like to go down memory lane and reminesce about high school, I'd rather just leave it in the past where it is better suited.

4. What do you hope to be remembered for in your life?
Wow... there are so many things that I'd LIKE to be remembered for. For instance, I'd LIKE to be remembered for curing cancer. But... I mean... that means, I'd have to be all scientifical and... I'm SO not.

So, what I HOPE to be remembered for... hmmmm

... being a humble servant of God

... being a loyal friend

... being a devoted and loving wife

... being a super crafty, amazingly creative, organized supermom

... being an awesome photographer

... being patient

... being kind

... being generous

... being charitable

... being skinny (ha ha.. ok, just had to throw that in there). Ha!


5. Are you superstitious or do you have any superstitions?

No, and no.

Random Drafts

Wouldn't it be nice to think that sometimes are lives are like my blog posts... saved in "Draft" form until they can be submitted for a last edit, perfected and then put out there as a perfect final draft? Well, in theory it would be nice but what about all those great life lessons you learn along the way from the ups and downs? I wouldn't want to surf my way through life having everything be all rainbows and butterflies.... how we react to challenge, adversity, change and struggle is what shapes us as individuals. It's what makes you YOU!

So, while my life is not full of first drafts and final edits, my blog is! Ha! I have about a months' worth of draft posts just sitting there patiently waiting (unlike my children), screaming (more like my children) to be posted! I have a bunch of posts from December. I have my 2010 wrap up post. I have my "looking ahead" post on the beginning of a new year. Heck, I still have days of the Advent Calendar activities just waiting to go up. I was going to add photos to the drafts but have decided not to. (Just in the interest of getting them up on the blog!) I have the pictures and can ultimately match those up with the story when I scrapbook them. After all, that's what my blog really started out to be -- a documentation of the journaling to accompany the photos of my scrapbooks.

Randomness --

Today: Today is the day that the Christmas decorations finally come down! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my house all "done up" for the Big Guy's birthday, but after a while, I really just want my house back! It's beyond impossible to get anything done during the day that I want to do (like blogging, surfing, reading, crafting) when there are so many things that need to be done. Then throw in this little guy who apparently thinks I'm supposed to feed him and change his poopy diapers. The nerve of that kid! LOL

So, I haven't had time to finish anything -- except for right now! I had to sit down to do this so that I didn't forget! Ha!

Today is also the day that I go up to Drew's school and present his teacher with her "half-birthday" gift (a new CD/boom box/cassette player) from the classroom. Yes, among my other duties, I signed up to be room mom for Drew's class. His teacher's birthday is in the summer and I didn't want her to feel left out SO, I thought it'd be fun to throw her a "half-birthday" party.

I got a mom to volunteer to make cupcakes and I sent out a request for donations to get her a classroom gift and told them what it was and that anything over and above the gift would be in a generic gift card that would be placed in a card for her.

While I totally understand the whole "donation" thing -- that you're asking for donations and you can't give a suggested amount since it is a donation which means voluntary... it's just sad to me that when all anyone has to do is send in as little as $5 or $10 to cover a gift for a teacher that loves on and spends more time with our kids in a day than WE do... I only get THREE people submitting donations. It just makes me sad. This woman is really just so wonderful! She's so sweet and loving and prays for our kids and blesses them with patience and understanding and three people submitted donations.

But, at least with my donation, we had enough to purchase the gift for her that is from the entire class... just seems sad (to me) that everyone gets credit when only four of us (out of 15) put in any "work." Hmmm... seems like there's a really big way to tie this into something political... such a perfect parallel, huh? Ok ok ok... I won't even go there.... Ha ha... just kidding. The IMPORTANT thing is that we are glorifying God in blessing His servant and being thankful she was born! That's the important thing... period.

Ultimately, I understand the important part is that she is gifted with something and knows she's loved and appreciated and such... but I still think it's just in bad taste to do nothing at all. If you've got your kid in a private school, you can obviously spare $5 or $10 to put toward a group gift to an amazing person. That's all I'm saying.

Among other randomness... the weather -- it's supposed to get cold and ugly the next couple of days. Cold as in HIGHS in the low 30s and UGLY as in RAIN! Cold and rain are YUCK! Cold, I can deal with (and, by the way, so can Lola now that she's got her fancy new fleece jacket that is GIRLIE color (pink!!))

And what does this woman do when the weather gets ugly? I make CHILI! :) So, tonight it is lasagna, Caesar salad and garlic bread. Tomorrow it's chili and cornbread and Sunday it's STEW and cornbread. I think I'm on a cornbread kick right now! YUM!

So... I'm still here and keeping notes, but not finalizing my blog posts because they're just brainstormed lists so that I don't forget what the heck I'm up to! So, as it stands, right now, all the fun events of life are being lived out, but for the blog, they're still in draft mode. :)

Fun things are coming up for us, however... our Valentine Advent calendar is in full planning mode!

I mean, it's a new year, it's time for new fun! Right? Who's with me?