AWWW, A New Year

I am absolutely ridiculous when it comes to these chain letters that get sent to my e-mail where you have questions and you erase the other persons answers and put in your own and pass it along.  I ALWAYS have to do those.  Not sure why but, I love them.  I love reading them, answering them, and sending them on (sorry to those of you who do not). That being said, I was so happy to receive on my blog a New Years type one of these to answer and pass on from 3baybchicks (I can tell we will be life long blogging friends).  

The rules are modeled after the 2008 Christmas Spirit Award.  Thus...

1. You must be a true lover of the New Year to receive this award (uh huh, sure I am...I just got an award!!  wooo hooo).  The person to whom you give the award must also be in love with the New Year. 

2.  List 5 things that you love about the New Year.  If you can't limit it to 5 things, then keep going till you run out of space.

3.  Pass the award along to as many people as you like. That can be 1 or 50. It is up to you but, keep the New Year cheer going.

4.  Let your recipients know that you have tagged them by leaving a comment on their site.  Also, link back to the person who gave you the award.

Got it?  Good, here we go...this is what I love about the New Year:

1.  A fresh start and excitement for what the upcoming year will entail.  Oh ya, and the school year FLYS by after this holiday and we are out for summer. 

2.  Staying up until Midnight, on purpose, to watch the ball drop in Times Square.

3.  See who will be performing on Dick Clark's Rockin Eve and how cold she will be in the skimpy outfit she wears. (reminder of Mariah Carey last year...holy cow, she must have been freezing)

4.  Counting down from 10 to 1 with my girls and clinking our glasses of sparkling cider for them and anything alcoholic for me when we get to 1.

5.  The Rose Parade.  I grew up going to the Rose Parade every year and did you know you can actually smell the roses while watching it?  

I am only passing this on to one blog friend since I don't have many blog friends yet and I don't want people to be mad at me so...

Counselormama you are it!!!  

Enjoy!!  Have a safe and Happy New Year to all!!!  

New Picture

A picture has been chosen for my blog and it is worth a thousand words.  While it is NOT a picture of myself, it very well could be.  Seriously, I do look like this little guy at any given point throughout any given day.  Hair all a mess and standing on end, so much stress that my fingers are just stretched out to maximum extensions, I may even have a pair of pants like this guy is wearing.   He is the craziness that I experience everyday with being a mom, wife, daughter, aunt, sister, friend, counselor, psychiatric patient, etc...

Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition

I have gone back to the original design on my blog since I agree with ThreeBayBchicks that it just did not fit me.  I am NOT flowery and fluffy like I was portraying myself to be.  I can't even find a picture to post for gods sake, let alone take on a blog makeover!!!! Maybe I need a show like Extreme Makeover for blogs?  Someone can just send me away (away on a trip, not from my computer) and they can completely redo my blog to fit me.  

The best part about this blog for me is the fact that people are reading it that don't even know me.  I am quite sure you all have in your mind what I look like, talk like, act like and such but, just aren't quite sure.  Just for the record, I am tall, thin (with a sleek like athletic build), beautiful skin, gorgeous hair, eyebrows to kill for, hot in jeans of any kind, I do NOT have a muffin top even after having two kids and I don't even have to wear make-up of any kind.  I just look that way naturally.  Can you believe it?  Just so you know, I have been told that I write this blog the way I talk (which scares me because I never say YIKES or m'kay) but, I do have a sarcastic "tone" to most of my language.  The hardest part is finding a picture... not just any picture but, the right picture.  I am working on it, please be patient. 

New Design

There is this underground world that no one else seems to understand besides those of us that blog and read blogs.  There are certain blogs that I read everyday and am truly disappointed when there isn't a new post.  I am sure that those of you that read my blog can understand that, right?  :)  Now that I have started blogging, I can't seem to stop writing, reading, browsing, etc.  People that don't blog don't seem to get this.  I have been asked several times "so, is it like a journal that you let others read?"  It is not like that at all...I don't know how to explain it but, I am sure that fellow bloggers understand.  When I find myself sitting at my computer during lunch time and the grilled cheeses burning on the stove, I am fully aware of my "problem".  So, I found myself on Christmas...CHRISTMAS for god's sake...reading blogs and getting upset since no one had posted anything.  Why?  Because it is Christmas and they were doing other things like playing with their kids, being with family, opening presents and such. I posted to my blog and then I found out I could change my design?  This kept me busy for a while.  I am not sure if I like this new design, I am not one for change too often (unless it is a great new pair of jeans).  So, I will sit with this one for a while and see if it grows on me.  

Merry Christmas

I didn't think I would post anything today as it is Christmas and I have a TON of stuff to do before we have everyone over for dinner.  Here I am, sitting in the quietness of Christmas morning, after the presents have been opened and the kids are playing with their new toys.  I love this holiday season.  My oldest daughter asked me this morning "Mommy, do you know why I love Christmas so much?"  I said "well, I can guess but, why don't you tell me."  She says, "I love having all of our family over for dinner."  I told her "That is sweet but, Santa has already come and brought you all your stuff."  She then tells me "OK, then I love the presents."  Kids are so honest. 

American Girl

For any of you out there that have darling little girls, I am quite certain that you know of the "secret" world that exists in my life.  We have two new additions to our house as of last Christmas...Julie and Ivy and they are American Girl Dolls.  I love them, maybe even a little bit more than my kids do.  They are freakin awesome and I really want one for myself (Kit Kittridge to be exact if anyone is interested in a last minute gift).  I was never one as a little girl to play with dolls, barbies, or anything girly for that matter.  My sister was VERY into Barbie and anytime she would allow me to play with her I had to be Ken or Skipper or Tiffany...never Barbie.   I am so over that though after many years of therapy and drinking.  

I find myself playing with these dolls with the girls (or after they go to bed by myself, shhhh).  What I find so amazing is that they have a 4 giant stores that you can go to and it is like Disneyland for dolls.  There is a salon, a cafe where you can eat with your doll, a hospital for all your doll "emergencies", a photo studio and every doll has their own room.  I am totally serious too.   Each doll has their own story and comes with a book (I know, very educational, right?).   Anything you want for a doll, you can find for Julie and Ivy.   Outfits, accessories, pets, skis (skis?), a concession stand, pom poms, anything...why didn't I think of this idea?  I would be rich!!!  I have been told that more money is spent for one of these dolls than most people spend on their heart medication and the sad part is, that is probably true.  

Drama Mama

I am not sure if you have noticed but I can, at times, be a tad bit dramatic in my reactions to things.  While I don't necessarily see this trait in myself, it has been repeatedly pointed out to me by my super hot hubby.  With the remodel, vomit everywhere, the looming holidays with no kitchen, shopping, parasites, wrapping, and did I mention the vomit? and being in the f'in Christmas spirit...there is a little stress around here.  I have found myself storming out in a huff several times for no other reason than to get the attention of my husband and tell him I am quite upset.  Only, I don't even think he has even noticed I have left.  I have made my dramatic exit from the house wanting to slam the door behind me and peel out as I drive away with tears rolling down my face and a country song on the radio about why he doesn't love me anymore  (And the academy award goes to...) only it is a sliding glass door and I don't think it would get the reaction I am looking for.  For all the husbands out there that are reading my blog (probably there is just one and that one is mine), I am going to let you in on a little secret.  All we want is a little bit of sympathy, a little pat on the back, a little love every now and then.  So, when we say "I'm fine." we usually mean..."please talk to me more and ask me more probing questions about why I am acting like a 5 year old."  When we say "I don't mind if you stay home and watch football while I attend this family function with the kids."  we usually mean..."get your ass up off that couch and come with me." When we say "Only if you want to."  we usually mean...I want you to do whatever it is I am asking you do to and I want you to WANT to do whatever it is I am asking you to do and if you don't want to do it, YOU SHOULD!!!  We are such simple creatures, I think.  

Is there a Dr. in the house?

We have a sick ward around here these days.  My oldest daughter has been sick for the last 14 days.  It is the strangest sickness I have ever seen and if I didn't know any better, I would think she is faking it to get out of something.  She seems fine throughout the day and at night, she spews everywhere.  There is nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night and needing to clean up vomit.  She really wants to go back to school and we have gone to the Dr. two times already.  It seems as though she has ingested a parasite of some kind and it is trying to work itself out.  Apparently, it one of those bugs that just latches on to the insides and refuses to let go.  I feel so bad for her and all I can do is hold her hair back and encourage her to "get it out".  All I can say is when that parasite gets itself out of her body, I will stomp on it to make sure it is in fact dead.  

Update

I am trying to think of a clever and fun profile picture for my blog and I cannot come up with anything.  Rarely am I at a loss for words but, this time it is true.  I am wishing I HAD taken a picture of my youngest daughters butt print on the mirror as that would have been great!!  Any suggestions...send them my way, k?

Now, it has come to my attention that my lovely mother has now, in fact, decorated her golf cart.  Yes, re read that last sentence and tell me she is NOT crazy.  She has it all pimped out for the holidays complete with a wreath and garland.  She is looking for lights that she can put on it too!!!  I told her that she needed to get one of those police sirens that she can pull out and pop on top of her car as she is chasing all the criminals down Main St.  Just close your eyes for one second and picture this scene.  A completely tricked out golf cart with a siren speeding (25 MPH) down the scary streets of a small beach community in hot pursuit of a common thug.  COMICAL!!!  The best part about telling you all these stories is that she is reading them and wants so desperately to leave a comment but, she can't figure out how to do it.  Mom, get in your pimp mobile and go down to the local Starbucks with your laptop and have one of the barista's (those are the people making your frappachino Mom) help you....Please we are waiting patiently to hear from you.  

EXCITED and scared!!!

I am beside myself with excitement at the fact that people are not only reading my blog but, leaving me comments too!!!  I LOVE IT!!!  Please leave more, even if I don't know you, you think I am crazy, or you just want to tell me off...OK don't do that, I am fragile and will probably cry.  

I had the most fun conversation with my craz...I mean, lovely mother the other night. We talked on the phone for about an hour and I was laughing so hard I was crying. I may have been crying because I am fragile, or because I realize that this woman gave birth to me so that means that I am half her genes which scares the crap out of me!!! About a month ago, she called to tell me that she had bought a golf cart to drive around town in and to save money on gas and be more environmental.   All those reasons are great if that was the true reason for the purchase.  Last time I was visiting her, the kids and I went for a ride in the cart and I noticed that she has a little notepad and pen on the steering wheel.  I was scared, to say the least, that she MAY be writing something as she is driving what I refer to as a death trap.  I asked her what she writes down on such a little pad of paper truly thinking that she would respond with "directions" or "list of things I need from the store"  but, NO she says and I quote..."in case I see someone stealing something, I can write down their license plate and turn them in."  I made sure to tell her that some things don't need to be said out loud. She at least knows that she can't chase after them since her golf cart does not go over 25 MPH. OMG!!  Do you see why I am freaking out???  

Can't get caught up

I decided to stay behind and complete an entry tonight in the peace and quiet of my own house.  I sit here at the computer with sap in my hair and getting poked by Christmas tree needles because we literally have no place for a tree this year.  My super hot hubby has decided that a good place for it is right behind the computer so, here I sit hunched over the keyboard trying to be in the f'in Christmas spirit.  

I just can't seem to keep up with all the musings in my life. I swear, between the remodel, my mother, my kids and my super hot hubby I have enough material for a year. But, crazy things continue to happen to me.  The other day I took my darling, sweet precious little girls to the mall to return a pair of jeans that I loved but, needed a smaller size (so I loved them even more).  It was a scene out of a Norman Rockwell painting, we walked hand in hand throughout the mall smiling and talking about Santa.  Then we made the turn into Ann Taylor Loft, my children were transformed. They began crawling under the racks and hiding in the sweaters.  I grabbed the jeans quickly and went to go and try them on.  When I turned to admire how skinny I knew these jeans would make me look, I saw my youngest daughter with her pants and panties around her ankles and her head between her legs looking at all her "business" in the mirror.  She was singing a song that I hope she made up that went "Look at my booty....look at my booty" as she was shakin' it in the mirror.  As if that wasn't funny enough...she started to back it up and left the most perfect butt cheek imprint on the mirror in Ann Taylor Loft. I was mortified and decided that the least I could do was purchase the jeans even if they made me look like a fat cow. I really didn't care.  I just wanted to get out of that store as quickly as possible.  When the sales woman was ringing me up, she commented on how adorable the kids were. Little did she know, that my youngest left her a "present" in the dressing room.  I am quite certain I have been banned from shopping at Ann Taylor Loft and that a picture of my face and my youngest butt cheek imprint is now a "most wanted" poster. 

The Long Drive

I know, I know...It has been so long since my last post and I am quite certain my fan base is waiting on pins and needles wondering what has happened to me.  So much has happened I cannot put it in one post so I have decided to break it up into several fun filled little nuggets of joy and laughter at my own expense.   Just know that I have had an "incident" with some birds and another mom story that will knock your socks off.  

This last week was Thanksgiving, a great holiday with lots of food, family and fun.  We decided to take a trip to visit my family 425 miles away and for some reason we decided it would be a fantastic idea to do a road trip.  It is one of those things that sounds great at the time but, put the plan in motion and you envision yourself dying a slow and torturous death.  We drove those 425 miles with the two kids in the back seat and my super hot hubby at the wheel.  I had forgotten that he refuses, adamantly refuses, to drive over 65 mph due to fuel efficiency.  I jokingly said half way through the drive that I should take a picture of every car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, unicycle, snail, etc that passed us up on this trip.  I quickly realized that would take up all the memory in my camera as there must have been a gazillion!!!  This was not bugging me too much until the kids starting getting restless and we were passed by an GIANT RV with a motorized scooter on the back (you know, the kind that has commercials of old people when they can't get around as well anymore?).   I had had enough when that occurred.  I was explaining and begging and pleading and crying and shouting that the gas pedal was on the right in case he was confused.  I felt like someone was running over me with the very car I was riding in...only they were actually going to speed limit of 70 MPH!!!!  OUCH!! Those extra 5 mph really pack a punch.