Two time Liebster Award winner

Thank you to Aubree from Akashic Aisles: The Basement View

I'm supposed to answer these eleven questions that Aubree chose herself..

1.) Do you consider yourself to be super-duper fly?
I DON'T CONSIDER MYSELF SUPER DUPER FLY.  MAYBE, ONLY SUPER FLY.. NOT MY APPEARANCE THOUGH, I THINK I HAVE A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR. 

2.) What is your favorite reality show?
OH, THIS ONE IS EASY.. I LOVE BIG BROTHER.  I'VE WATCHED THAT SHOW SINCE IT BEGAN.

3.) Do you fear that the Apocalypse or Armageddon will occur in your lifetime?
NOPE

4.) What is one of your top three favorite quotes of all time?
QUIT YOUR BITCHING AND SUCK IT UP
EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON
YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE

5.) Who is your Favorite writer?
STEPHEN KING IS MY FAVORITE WRITER.. BUT I READ A LOT OF EVERYTHING.

6.) Can you recite any movie in its entirety, and if so, which one?
PRETTY WOMAN

7.) What one person has most influenced your life thus far?
ACTUALLY, I CAN'T THINK OF ONE PERSON.  MAYBE THAT'S WHY I FEEL LOST ALL THE TIME.

8.) What is your favorite childhood memory?
TALKING MY MOM INTO DOING A CARTWHEEL IN THE FRONT YARD, WHILE SHE WAS WEARING A DRESS!


9.) Why do you blog?
I THINK I BLOG BECAUSE IT'S AN OUTLET FOR ME.  I'VE ALWAYS LIKE TO WRITE, AND TELL STORIES.

10.) What is the most terrifying thing to ever happen to you?
I HAVE MORE THAN ONE AND I GOING TO WRITE THEM ALL.
1.  I WAS HELD UP BY GUN POINT YEARS AGO.
2.  WHEN MY BEST FRIEND DIED.
3.  WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN AND I ALMOST DIED OF BLOOD LOSS.
4.  WHEN MY SON WAS BORN AND HIS LUNGS WEREN'T FULLY DEVELOPED.

And finally, number 11) Do you wipe front to back or back to front?
DEFINITELY, FRONT TO BACK.. I DON'T WANT ANY DINGLE BERRIES IN MY LADY BUSINESS.


Thank you again for the award..
Everyone, please go check out Aubree's Blog.  She is an amazing writer and has a way with words that you will want to read over and over again.
Akashic Aisles: The Basement View

Thanks for reading,
xoxo

Yes, I am the Grinch!

I've never been a fan of Christmas since I hit adulthood and had to play Santa.

When I had children, my idea of Christmas changed.   I thought this is going to be so great, watching my kids open her presents.  Yes, it was great for a while. But as they get older the more stressful it gets.


Let's talk about Christmas decorations now.. they are almost as bad as Christmas songs.  It all makes me want to punch Rudolph in his big fat red nose!

We put up the decorations and the Christmas tree and they annoy me until the day I take them down.  And that day is usually the day after Christmas.  It's sad to say, but I'm usually happy and chipper while taking down the Christmas tree compared to me putting it up.

I have a problem with clutter.. and I see Christmas decorations as clutter.  The big ass tree is always in the way of the T.V.  The kids touch the ornaments   At least this year, I don't have to worry about any cats/dogs climbing up the tree and eating the ornaments.

Maybe, one year I will turn into the jolly guy instead of the green hairy guy.  That day will come when I have enough money to be able to buy my children and Chris what they want, and not have to worry about money.


It's all about money, I want this, I want that.  I have to keep up the "Santa" charade to scare them into being good in November, December.

Seems like every five minutes I'm called into a bedroom where my daughter or son wants to show me some commercial with a toy they want.  I can't remember which Monster High Doll she wants.. and I have to make sure "Santa" brings the Spiderman mask with the light up eyes and this certain kind of Web Shooter.

"Mommy, I want a new iPhone, since I lost mine."  

(Yeah, right like that's gonna happen!!)

Before Andrew was born.  I think Emilie was 3 or 4 years old.  I took her to Kmart and I let her pick out all of the toys she wants for Christmas.  Then, when she was satisfied, I rolled our over filling cart to the back of the store, where adults call layaway.  But, that year I called it, the portal to Santa's workshop.  I told her that, we would bring all these toys here and Santa will come by (through the secret portal) and pick which toys he wants to bring her on Christmas morning.  It actually worked out really well.  And, I'm not ashamed of doing it. I was then sure, she liked everything she would get for Christmas. I only did that once with her.  But, we were thinking of doing that with Andrew this year, but now it's too late to do it. 

When I think about it, I just feel bad that I know they are not going to get everything they want.  And, I will have to look at their disappointed faces when all the presents are gone and Santa didn't bring the one thing they forgot to tell me about or write down on their list. 

Chris and I haven't exchanged gifts since Andrew was born.. we just can't afford it. I really don't need/want anything, but to make my children happy.  

It is what it is I guess... 

Thanks for reading,

xoxo

A Fresh Start...

It has been quite a Thanksgiving weekend for me and my family.

We normally go to Chris' mom's house for Thanksgiving every year.  Although, this year since we moved two and a half hours south we decided to stay here for Thanksgiving.  I was kind of sad to know we wouldn't be seeing our family for the holiday.  We did something out of the ordinary for us though.

Since we are new to this area, we decided to do a little sight seeing.  We went to a few different places, which all included being close to the water.  We visited a place downtown where you can see manatees, we spotted one manatee and one dolphin.   I don't think I will ever get used to seeing dolphins so often.  I squeal like a little girl every time I see one.

Then we went to Port Canaveral, we saw a huge Carnival cruise ship loading people for their trip.  I was in awe of the size and quite jealous that we weren't on it.  Would love to spend next Thanksgiving on a cruise.
We then visited a place close to that called Jetty Park.  Chris fished and me and the kids played on the playground and of course walked on the beach for a bit.

Our plan was to go to either Golden Corral or Cracker Barrel for our Thanksgiving dinner.
When we drove past both places, the lines were out the door.  So we decided that we really didn't want to spend half the day on line.  We let the kids pick where we would eat.  McDonald's was our Thanksgiving dinner.  I really didn't mind, my belly got full and my family was happy. I really liked that we did something non-traditional this year.

The next day, Friday, we moved.  We had been living with my friend Kyley since we moved here almost three months ago.  Long story, shit happens.
Long story short... we moved into a little two bedroom apartment.  I haven't lived in an apartment since Emilie was 2 months old.  I liked the idea of not having to take care of a yard and the electric bill has to be lower in a smaller place.  Of course, I would have loved a three bedroom but you do what you have to do.

Friday we moved all damn day!  Today is Sunday and I unpacked the last box this morning.

We are basically starting all over again, we do have furniture.  Well, Chris and I don't have a bed, so we took out the mattress from our couch (it pulls out into a bed).  Now, you can't really sit on the couch I guess the folded up mattress kind of serves a purpose. UGH!
We don't have a microwave either, do you realize what a pain in the ass it is not to have a microwave?  I never did till today.  We don't have a washer/dryer either, time to visit the laundry mat again.  Oh well, we will live.  I'm so happy that we finally have our own place, somewhere to call home.

Thanks for reading.
xoxo

Pics below of our Thanksgiving Day....

The cruise I wished I were on.

Drew on the playground at Jetty Park

Chris fishing @ Jetty Park

Walking down to the beach

The beach

Emilie

Jetty Park

The kids watching Daddy fish (it was freaking windy)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Holy crap, I am thankful for stuff....

I see on many blogs and on Facebook people giving thanks each day for something different.  I didn't join this bandwagon only because, I didn't want to be committed to doing this task everyday.
I thought I would just do it once and be done with it.

If you would have asked me two weeks ago what I was thankful for, my list would have been much shorter and my tone would be very angry.  Lucky for me and my readers that I'm in a better place (mentally) now.

So here goes my list of what I'm thankful for right now in my life.

1.  Two beautiful, healthy children that I adore.  I sit back sometimes and just look at them and I think how much of a difference these 2 little people make in my life.

2.  My man,  I'm thankful that I have a man in my life who I know one day (hopefully soon) will actually become the man I know is hiding deep down in him.  Every once in a while I see a glimpse of that man, and it makes me smile.  He works very hard for his family and we love him very much.

3.  My sister.  When I actually think about her and what she means to me it brings tears to my eyes.  A year ago I wouldn't have had this reaction.  But, since our parents are passed and I realize my Mom was right when she used to yell at us to be nice to each other.  We will only have each other when they are gone.
Wow, she was right.  When I think of Shawn (my sis) I remember what it was like to grow up with her.  She is always fun and we had a great childhood.  I'm thankful to have her in my life and I will always cherish our relationship.  Because, just like Mom said, we do only have each other.

4.  My nieces, Marissa and Hannah.  Damn I fell in love with those two as soon as I seen their faces.  They are the most amazing girls.  I'm so thankful that my children have two wonderful cousins to share a life with.

5.  My friends, I have the most amazing friends.  When I lost my best friend over a decade ago, I really didn't think any one would replace that friendship.  Well, these new friends don't replace Debby but, they sure do come close.  Amber, I love laughing with you about anything and everything.  Shirley, you keep my head on straight and tell me how it is.

6.  I have one more friend I would like to acknowledge who does belong in the list above, but she also deserves her own paragraph.  Kyley, I can't thank you and Andrew enough for opening up your home for what was only supposed to be a month at the most.  Almost three months later and we are at our final days here in your home.  You will never know how much your friendship and kindness these last three months have meant to me.  You and your man are truly life savers!  Love to you both.

7.  My Mother In-Law.. Colleen.  She has opened my eyes to who has been with me this whole time.   God.  I've always believed in God and Heaven. She and I talk a lot about religion and the word of God. I am thankful that I have someone in my life who helped my find my faith again.  I really enjoy learning and talking to her.

8.  Finally, I'm thankful for me.  Yeah you read right.. why not?  I am thankful that I try every single day to be the best mom, spouse and person I can possibly be.  I am thankful for my funny personality, the ability to act like a silly mom who makes my children laugh.  I'm thankful, that I'm the person I am.

There are of course many other things and people I'm thankful for. I didn't want my list to be too long. Since, I'm currently watching like 5 kids and 2 of them are ready for a nap.

Thanks for reading
xoxo

Black Friday

There are two words that make my body shiver.. no the two words aren't multiple orgasms. Well those words do make my body shiver but a different kind of shiver, and give me a big smile

BLACK FRIDAY does not give me a big smile!

I stay far, far away from any stores when that dreaded day comes around every year.

I'm not the kind of person who likes to shop anyway.  When I have to go shopping I have money and I know exactly what I want/need and get the hell out of there.

I tagged along with a friend last year to Walmart and couple of other stores for Black Friday.

From the moment I walked in I was in awe.  I couldn't believe there were so many people there.  

There were pallets and pallets of items and there were crowds of people standing next to those specific pallets waiting for them to get unwrapped.  

I was baffled that these people had been standing in the same spot for who knows how long waiting for that item.  And, they couldn't get the item until a certain time. 

Me and my friend got separated. I was NOT happy.. all of a sudden a freaking bull horn or some sort of siren went off and then terror spread across my face.  I seriously found a small place to hide from the madness.  The shrink wrap was ripped off the pallets and people started screaming.  I really thought something was wrong.. I thought, oh  my god, there must be a bomb in the store, why would these people be screaming.  I stuck my head out of my hiding place and realized these crazy ass people are screaming and fighting of towels!!! REALLY! TOWELS!

I finally found my friend.. I was horrified. "Amber, what the fuck is wrong with these people?" 

She laughed.. I could see in her eyes. Oh my god, she is one of these people.

That was the first and last time I have ever attended any Black Friday anything.

So, this year I'm in a new town.. and my friend is begging me to go with her. 

Yep, my answer.. "NOPE, NO THANKS, HELL NO AND HAVE FUN!!"

I'm not even going to look at one Black Friday Ad, I don't want to know what kind of "deals" I will be missing while I'm snuggled in my bed.  

YES!! I GOT A SET OF HAND TOWELS
AND SAVED $5.00.

So to all the Black Friday shoppers who plan to join the madness this year.. 

Have fun, I wish you all the best deals!

Thanks for reading

xoxo