Cooking On Vacation? Sounds Like Fun To Me!

I love to cook. I especially love trying new recipes, and then watching my family enjoy what I have made. Recently, my girls have started showing an interest, too. Ryan has always loved cooking, and he knows how to make quite a few things. In fact, he can probably cook more than I could when I first got married. I am teaching the girls now, and they are so happy when they get to join me in the kitchen. Brandi has become an expert egg cracker, and Kasi loves to measure. She's not the best egg cracker, but if you know Kasi, bless her heart, you know why.

Imagine how excited I was when I found out about the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel 's Cooking School Weekend. For a really reasonable price, Junior and I can spend the weekend of October 16th learning how to cook with the hotel's chef, Chef Nathan Read. The first night we arrive, we can enjoy a wine tasting reception, and then the following morning, we can learn how to make the appetizers served the night before. How fun does that sound? I would thoroughly enjoy learning from a professional chef.

That night, we can enjoy a lavish four-course dinner paired with appropriate wines, and then learn how to make it the following morning. Really, how cool does this sound? I wish I could talk Junior into going, because I think he would enjoy watching me make a fool out of myself, trying to pretend that I know what I am doing. I may be able to make meatballs and barbecue chicken, but I have so much more to learn.

And this weekend sounds like the perfect way for me to learn.

The Fits Gonna Hit The Shan

Really, Toby Keith?

Isn't that a little obvious?

How you got this lyric played on country radio is beyond me.

They censor The Zac Brown Band's "Toes" because he says "ass", and yet you can cleverly slip in a line like this?

Lady Antebellum is also censored. When I bought their CD, I was shocked to discover that the line that says "would you get the wrong impression, if I asked you to dance right now" is actually "would you get the wrong impression if I called us a cab right now". I don't see anything wrong with what they say...in fact, I like that lyric better.

And Taylor Swift's Picture To Burn...she can't say "so go and tell your friends that I'm obsessive and crazy, that's fine, I'll tell mine that your gay". Nope...can't say gay on country radio.

Now, don't get me wrong. I like the Toby Keith song, especially the line "spill a cup of coffee, make a million dollars". It's a cute song.

I just think that if radio stations are going to censor songs, they should do it for everyone.

Getting Rid Of Fleas

Ever since I can remember, we have had cats in our house. When I got married, I brought with me my cat that I had had for years. She lived to be 17, and it broke my heart when we had to put her down. Since then, we have only had one other cat who stole my heart, and unfortunately, he was put to sleep when he was only 2 years old, due to complications with his kidneys. I know it sounds crazy, but I am just not ready to welcome another cat into our home right now.

The one thing I don't miss about having pets are the fleas. My friends uses Promeris for Dogs on her dog, and she says it works well. We had an awful flea infestation, and after several attempts at bombing the house, we finally got rid of them. Since then, I have used Advantage Flea on my cats. I have also used Frontline Plus, and find that it works well, too. I don't miss the days of flea collars. I remember how much our cats hated them when I was growing up.

Not as much as they hated those collars with the bells on them, though, those were really annoying.

Trauma

I have been looking for something to take the place of ER in my heart this season. I heard about this new show on NBC called Trauma, and I was not sure if I wanted to watch it or not. I was thinking it would be too similar to ER, and that I would hate it.

The first episode was on last night, and I watched.

I loved it. I think it is going to be a good show. It wasn't at all like ER. The characters seem real, except for the doctor. I remember him from Chicago Hope, and I hope this character won't end up being like that one. I didn't recognize anyone else. Are they all newcomers?

Payday Loans...The Good And The Bad

I have mixed feelings about payday loans. On one hand, they can really help you out if you find yourself in a bind between paychecks. On the other hand, if you don't pay them off immediately, you can get sucked into an endless cycle of fees, and it becomes hard to find a way out.

I speak from experience.

We have used payday loans in the past, and for the most part, if used responsibly, they can be a life saver. Last year around Christmas time, we wanted to get the kids a few more things, and Junior got paid the day after Christmas. We went and got a payday loan and were able to get the kids what they asked for. Without that loan, I don't know what we would have done.

The only problem was that we didn't pay it off right away, and ended up paying unbelievable interest. So my advice is to make sure you can pay back the entire amount with your next check. If you are looking for a payday loan, check out Accept My Cash. Like most check advance places, you receive money instantly, and there is no credit check. This makes it the perfect way for people with bad credit to get the money they need.

Cleaning Like A Mad Woman

I don't know what has gotten into me today, but I have been cleaning like a mad woman. I am cleaning my kitchen like it's never been cleaned before. I started at 9 this morning, and have only gotten about a quarter of it cleaned. I am on the floor, scrubbing it with orange spray and paper towels. I hope I can keep this up and get the rest of the house done, too.

Getting The Help You Need

Addiction to alcohol or drugs is not something people set as a life goal. But, it happens. Sometimes it is from being in an accident, and developing a prescription drug abuse problem. I remember when Junior had his shoulder operated on, he lived on his painkillers for weeks. He wouldn't miss a dose, and sometimes was taking more than he should have. I was extremely worried, but luckily his doctor stopped refilling his prescription, so he had to stop taking them. I know there are ways to get the drugs you want illegally, and thankfully Junior never went that route. I think, because of his past alcohol problem, he is easily addicted to things. Does that make sense? Lord knows I am not a psychologist or anything, but it seems logical to me.

I was lucky that he never got to the point where he needed to go to a treatment facility. I know there are people out there who aren't as lucky as we were, and they need the structure of a rehab facility. The Narconon drug rehab program is an option to consider if you find yourself, or a loved one, in need of treatment. They focus on a natural detoxification, instead of giving your body more drugs. They also offer a social rehabilitation, where they will teach you the life skills you need to control your addictions, and lead a happy, healthy life.

Of course, picking a treatment center is a very personal decision, and there are so many options out there. The important thing is that you find the help you need to get over your addiction.

The Best Sale EVER!

Wanna guess how much I paid for 20 boxes of macaroni and cheese?
(I know there are only 19 in the picture...we ate one with supper)

Did you guess?
Did you guess $2?
If so, pat yourself on the back!
Food Lion has their brand of mac and cheese for $.10 a box.
There is a limit of 10, so I had Brandi pay for 10.
I am tempted to go back tomorrow, but seriously, where am I going to put it all????
Oh, and if you are wondering, it tastes great, too.

Can You Name Every State?

I am apparently working my way through every state, letting you know about chat rooms. I should have started with the arizona chat lines, and worked my way to Wyoming. I used to be able to name every state; I wonder if I can still do it. I might have to try and see.

Happy Birthday Carson

Today is my nephews birthday. When I called to tell him Happy Birthday, I didn't exactly get the reaction I was looking for.

Carson: Hello

Me: Happy Birthday!

Carson: who is this?

Me: Aunt Jenn

...and then he was gone. Apparently he didn't want to talk to me. lol! He wouldn't even get on the phone for Brandi, who is his favorite, so I didn't feel too bad.

Jack's Quest

What are you plans for Halloween this year? We are having our annual Halloween party in the middle of October, and then doing lots of Trick Or Treating on Halloween.

Last year's party was awesome! Both Kasi and Ryan invited friends, and it was the first time we had a co ed party. I think it made the party more interesting for the kids. They are at that age where they want boyfriends and girlfriends, so there was a lot of flirting going on, which was pretty funny considering the kids were only 12 and 13 years old. I told Ryan he should invite girls again this year, but he said he has to think about it.

I remember it rained so hard at last years party, too, so the kids couldn't do all the things I had planned. I am hoping for better weather this year, so that the kids can be outside. I need to think of some new Halloween themed games. Any suggestions?

I already have the girls costumes. Ryan wants to be the SCREAM guy, because he is really into those movies right now. He was beside himself when he found out they are going to be putting out Scream 4, and to be honest, I am looking forward to it also. I was surprised when they said they got the original actors to come back for a 4th time. Anyway, last year he was a haunted clown, and I think he looked pretty freaky.

I entered his picture into the "Jack's Quest", which is a contest where people can vote for the best posted adventure picture. You can follow the link below to vote for Ryan's picture, or check out quest.halloweenadventure.com to submit your own adventure. Winners will receive gift certificates to the site, to spend on another awesome costume for this year.



Don't wait to get your costumes. Buy Halloween Costumes Online or in a Halloween Store Near You now. Last year we waited until the last minute, and didn't have many choices. Shop early to get the costume you want.

Kids, Kids, And More Kids

Colleen had Carson's birthday party today, and there were so many people there. I think there were about 25 kids; mostly 3 years old. There were lots of babies, too. I was helping Colleen, so I really didn't have time to stress about all the people, and was able to really enjoy myself. Since my mom wasn't there, it was my job to keep an eye on Carson, and be his little helper...a role I really enjoyed. I love that little booger. The only problem was that I was so busy, I didn't take one picture. I know! Crazy.

Finding Love

I have been writing a lot lately about chat rooms, and how interesting it is that each state has their own. You can check out rhode island chat lines, or any other state's chat rooms, and meet interesting people. Most of you know that I met my husband on a blind date, so I know first hand that love happens, no matter where you are looking for it.

My Blog Is Halloweenie!

Yes, I like the word Halloweenie.

I also love my new header...it's a little spooky.

I am working on one for Thanksgiving.

And of course, an extra awesome one for the best holiday of the year, CHRISTMAS!!!!

I loved the one I made last year for Christmas, so it's going to be hard to top it.

But trust me, I will try!

I Love Charter, And You Can Too

I have my internet through Charter. I pay extra every month so that I can have high speed internet. I don't have their fastest, but plan on upgrading soon. I also have my phone and cable through them. They have wonderful customer service, and that is not something I am just saying. I know first hand, because I had a issue a couple of weeks ago with my phone. Turns out the problem was because of a flood from my bathroom, but the service guy who showed up was great, and had the problem fixed pretty quickly. Whenever I have called them in the past, they have always gone out of their way to answer all of my questions.

They are known for having awesome giveaways, too. In the past they have given away computers and game stations, but I think what they are giving away now is the best prize yet.

It's a 2010 Camaro 2SS. How cool is that? Not that I drive or anything, but Junior would love it! Charter will also pay the sales tax, which is great. You can enter the Camaro Sweepstakes simply by ordering any Charter service online. They are also giving away gift cards to restaurants and clothing stores, or prepaid VISA cards. If you order all three Charter services like I have, you get a $100 gift card. Ordering two gift cards will get you a $50 gift card, and one service will get you $25 gift card. I wish I didn't have it right now just so that I could qualify for the gift cards.

You can follow Charter on Facebookif you happen to be on there, or if you Twitter, you can follow Charter on Twitter, too. Both are great ways to keep up to date on all the great things that Charter has to offer.

Man, I Have Had One Of Those Days

I didn't blog at all today. Well, even though it is only a little after midnight, i guess it is technically tomorrow. Junior started a new shift at work, and it is messing with my sleep. He needs to get up at 2 now, to be at work by 4. This means I am just staying up until 2, then going to bed and sleeping until 5:15, then going back to bed around 7, and sleeping until around 10. This is only about 6hours of broken sleep, and I am not dealing with it too well. I am so tired! I know I can sleep a little later, but then I can't get my housework and blogging done. Like today. I chose to clean instead of blogging; until now. I should be finishing the laundry, but I don't feel like it, and besides, the dryer buzzes really loud, and disturbs the kids, and Junior.

So here I sit, trying not to fall asleep.

I guess I better start dropping my ecards...

The Poconos

I remember, when I was younger, spending a week each summer at a Christian retreat in the Poconos with my grandparents. I remember making friends, and becoming pen pals with very interesting girls. The first year, there was a group from an Oriental church, and my sister and I became fast friends with a couple of the girls. We would attend church every day, and we would sit with them. I remember my grandparents commenting on how funny we looked; two blond heads in a sea of black headed children.

I miss writing letters to old friends. Nowadays there are pennsylvania chat rooms
which is kind of like having a pen pal, because you get to know someone without "knowing" them, know what I mean?

Just....Gross

We just got back from our favorite grocery store. It was just build a couple of years ago, and it is about 2 minutes from us. We are in there at least three times a week.

We were walking the aisles today, and I told the kids they could pick out some pudding cups. They decided on the flavors, and when I took one off the shelf, it had shredded paper on the top.

I looked a little closer and found some droppings, too, from mice.

Yeah, to say I was grossed out was an understatement.

I went and got the manager, who we know well. He is the guy who took care of the front end manager who made the sexual comment to me about Junior and my boobs. Anyway, he came over there, and was so embarrassed. I was understanding, because I know these things happen. Where there is food, there are mice.

I just don't want see the evidence.

Mobile Gaming

I love video games. We have a Playstation, and I have been known to lose an entire day in a game. My son, who is almost 14, still comes to me when he is playing certain games, begging me to get him past a hard level. My favorite games are the Jak and Daxter series. I can play them over and over, and still enjoy myself.

Back in February, I broke down and bought Ryan a PSP. He loves it. He makes it a point not to let me play it, though, because he knows he would never get it back. What I really need to do is buy myself one of those fancy iPhones, so I can download games onto it, and play whenever I want. Some people might call this an addiction, but I just think it's fun.

It's more fun to play against someone, so having a multiplayer iphone game platform would be a necessity. Since I do not have a cell phone right now, I have no idea what kinds of games are available. Can I get the same games I play online? Oh, did I forget to mention that I become addicted to computer games, too? I know, I probably need some type of intervention.

Or maybe you would want to play against me?

9 PM Tonight

CBS and I have a date. It's been too long since I have seen my old friends:

I can wait to see what happens.

Than at 10, Bravo and I have a late date.
Top Chef, baby.
Wednesday is turning out to be a good night.

Las Vegas

When I think of Nevada, I think of Las Vegas.

Sin City.

What Happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

"If you get married in Vegas, you are only married in Vegas", said Pheobe Buffet, on an episode of friends. How wrong she was!

I have never been myself, but imagine it is quite a sight to see. I imagine there are some colorful people who live there, too. If you want to meet one of them, check out nevada chat rooms. They are free to join, and you can browse peoples profiles and video chat.

I don't think I could live with all the crowds and that lifestyle, so I am perfectly content to stay here in South Carolina. Although, it might make a fun place to go on vacation.

Kinda Wordless Wednesday

When we went to the zoo a couple of weeks ago, the kids had fun milking the fake cow. It was actually kind of gross...it really looked like utters. They squeezed, and some kind of milky liquid came out. When they were done, we went and fed the real cow, which was just as gross. You had to see the tongue on that thing!

Are You Home Schooling Your Kids?

Sometimes I feel like I should be homeschooling my kids. Ryan has been having some issues with a kid in his gym class, and I feel like I should be protecting him from stuff like that. Kasi would probably be upset if I pulled her away from seeing her friends everyday, but Brandi would be elated. She has been begging for years to be home schooled.

If I did home school the kids, I would be able to purchase Microsoft Office 2007 for a great price through Cost Captain. All I would have to do is provide my academic eligibility to their fast and friendly customer service people, and then I could get Microsoft Office 2007 from $99 and Vista Upgrade from $89. Regular schools and libraries can also take advantage of this pricing.

My friend home schools her kids, so I really need to pass this information on to her. If you know a home schooling mom, or if you are one yourself, check out www.costcaptain.com, and take advantage of these amazing prices.

An Update On My Sister

My sister Tami is still in the hospital, and they are not sure when they will be letting her go home. She started running a fever, almost 103, so they want to find the source of that. They told her today they will not send her home with the fever. She had a whole bunch of tests done today that came back negative, so tomorrow she will have an ultrasound of her heart, and I think they said something about seeing the infectious disease doctor tomorrow.

I know she is not happy about being stuck at the hospital, and I know my mom is anxious for her to be released, too. I think she might stay a little longer than she planned, too, so she can help Tami once she is allowed to go home.

Please continue to pray for her, and that the doctors will find what is wrong so they can treat it.

Picture Blanket

A few years ago, my sister gave my mother a blanket that had a picture of her kids on it. I thought it was the coolest thing.

I want one of my own, so I searched for Photo Blankets
online. I want to use the picture over there, because it has four of my favorite things in the world on it. If only Junior was in there; then it would be perfect.

I also discovered that I can put this picture on other things, like pillowcases and shower curtains. I'm not sure how I would feel having the kids staring at me when I got out of the shower, but I can totally see myself laying my head on them when I go to sleep at night.

All Mowed With Music

I just finished cutting the grass, and you all know how much I love doing that. I dragged it on as long as I could, listening to a little Def Leppard, David Cook, and Sugarland. I know, an interesting mix. Mowing is my time to sing at the top of my lungs, because no one can hear me to complain.

I really need a new mp3 player, too. I bought myself the latest Keith Urban cd the other day, and when I tried to sync it to my mp3, I had no room. I had to delete a ton of stuff to get it on there. Right now, I only have Sugarland, Keith Urban, Billy Joel, Lady Antebellum, Daughtry, David Cook, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, and Meat Loaf. I want to get one big enough to hold all of my CD's, cause I never know what I'll be in the mood to listen to. I don't want an iPod, though. I used to have one, and I hated it.

Maybe I need to talk to Santa...

Three Months, Three Days

It is almost that time of year again. I don't want to say the "C" word because it will very likely send me into a panic. There are only three months and three days until the big day, and I have only bought a few things for my girls, and that's only because I found some really cute, and inexpensive jewelry, online. I have no ideas yet about what to make for my nieces and nephews. In case you didn't know, I prefer to make things for them because a, it's cheaper, and b, they have enough toys and stuff already.

I am going to have two new babies to but for this year, so I was looking at activity sets, because it is impossible to make them something they can use at that age, except for blankets and name signs, which I will have already made and given when they were/are born. These mats are perfect, though, because they can use them for a while before they outgrow them. I'm loving this Baby Einstein one, and am thinking about buying one for each of them.

I am also looking at books, because both of my girls love to read. I want them to read Charlotte's Web, because I think they will love it, although it might be too sad for Brandi. She is a little tenderhearted, and cries very easily. I wish Ryan would learn to love to read, but I think he has more Junior in him when it comes to that.

Ryan does love playing board games, though, but the biggest problem with that is that we already have just about every game. I was browsing ShopWiki.com and found Parcheesi. I used to love this game! I don't remember exactly how to play, but I am sure that once I read the directions it will all come back to me. It's not uncommon for us to have game nights at our house, and I love that just as much as the kids do. I cook all kinds of finger food, and we sit and eat and play games for a couple of hours.

Now that I am thinking about it, we are due for one of those. Maybe this weekend...

Finally, Food

I mentioned in a post I did yesterday that we had reapplied for food stamps because of a little financial mess we seem to be in right now. We dropped off the necessary paperwork yesterday, and crossed our fingers. They did a piece about food stamps on our local news a few weeks ago, saying that too many people are applying for FS, and it is taking months for cases to be approved.

I was prepared to have to wait a while, but was happy that we got all our stuff turned in.

I don't know what prompted me this morning to call and check, but I did. See, we still have our card from last time, and they had said we would be able to use it this time, too. Anyway, I was shocked to discover we had money in there, almost $200. I am not sure if that is how much we will get every month, or if it is just for the remaining days of this month, but let me tell you, I am beyond thankful for every cent. Junior and I went food shopping this morning, and it's nice to have meat in the freezer again. Of course, I only bought meat that was marked down or on sale, so that helps stretch our dollars. I didn't buy any junk food...just healthy stuff...so hopefully this won't interfere with my weight loss.

Jake's Christening

I spoke to my sister this morning, and she is still stuck in the hospital. They are hoping she can be released tomorrow, or Thursday. She has a long road to recovery ahead of her, so please continue to keep her in your prayers.

Baby Jake is doing wonderfully. Tami said he is eating like a champ, and is not a fusser, which is awesome. I seriously can not wait until I am able to see this little guy. Me and Missy are talking about taking a trip up when Jake is Christened, which will hopefully be after the first of the year. I was looking at baptism gifts now so I had some idea of what I want to get, and how much money I need to save to be able to buy it. The trip up there is going to cost me an arm and a leg, so if I can get the gift early, that will help me out.

For Kat

Kat's computer has been sick lately, so I thought she could use a little cheering up.
So what do you think?
Will this put a smile on her face?
Did it put a smile on YOUR face? lol!
Yeah, we all love us some vampires!

Visiting new Orleans

I am going to start hanging out in louisiana chat rooms. You know why? Because I want to visit New Orleans someday, and I am hoping to make a friend there. What could be better than having someone who lives there show us around? That's right, I said us. I plan on being totally honest with whoever I meet, letting them know I am not interested in anything more than friendship. That's okay in chat rooms, right?

I Need A New Book To Read

I always have to have something to read. It's weird, I know, but when I have nothing new to read, I will reread something I love. I used to reach for a Dean Koontz book, but last week I wanted something different. I grabbed Twilight. That was probably on Wednesday or Thursday. Tonight, I am almost done with Eclipse.

I don't know why I like reading these books so much. I am just as absorbed this time as I was the other three times I have read this series.

How many times have you read them?

Who Does Your Taxes?

Are you in need of IRS tax relief? Do you find yourself facing IRS tax audits? For the past few years, we have had our taxes done by one of those places that pop up at the first of the year inside Walmart. I know we could save a ton of money if we just did them ourselves, but I am not that confident in my ability, because I am really not that good at math. I know there are programs that you can use on the computer that can offer state income tax help, but I still don't trust myself. I feel better knowing that a reputable company is responsible if any mistakes are made.

We did have an issue today, though. With all of our financial worries recently, we decided that we needed a little help right now, so we applied for food stamps. Junior went down last week, and our case worker said we needed to bring in a copy of our tax return from last year. Of course, I couldn't find our copy, because I had put it somewhere safe. Junior called the place that did our taxes, and they said their computer was down, and they didn't know when they would be able to make us another copy. I ended up ripping the house apart this afternoon, and I finally found our copy. I am hoping it won't take long for our case worker to approve us. We could really use some food around here.

I Know The Comments Will Flow On This Post

I am going to let you in on a little secret...come closer...okay...ready???

I think Glee SUCKS!

I know. I know. I am in the minority about this, but man, oh man did I regret the 60 minutes I spent watching this. I kept hoping it was going to get better, but it never did.

I do not understand the following this show has. The acting is horrible (in my opinion). I watched the second episode, I think, where they did the dance in front of the school to Push It. Come on. That was ridiculous, or maybe that's the point? Is the show trying to be unbelievably bad, and that's what makes it so good? I don't know.

I do know, however, that I will not watch it again. Ever.

Finding Old Friends

I have been thinking a lot lately about the friends I had long ago. In fact, today is my best friend from high schools birthday. It's funny how I still remember that. I remember how we were inseparable our senior year. In the HS I went to, Junior were able to create their own schedules for senior year, and I did both of ours, insuring we were in all the same classes. A few years after graduating, I moved from NY to SC, and we lost touch for a while.

My sister still lives up north, and about a year ago, she ran into a mutual friends husband, and he told her that my old friends parents had both died in the last year. I was so sad to hear that, because I loved her parents. I decided it was time to find her again, if for no other reason than to offer my condolences for her loses.

I checked with MyLife, and was able to find out that she was still living in NY. In case you don't know, My Life is a pretty cool site where you can search for people from your past, like lost friends or first loves. You can search for free, but to get all the good details and view that person's profile, you have to become a premium member. You should try it if you are looking to reconnect with someone from your past. It worked for me; like I said, I was able to find out that my friend still lived in the area we grew up in. I decided to send a letter to her old address, on the off chance that she still lived there.

She did. Turns out she bought her parents house when her mom died, and her and her new husband are living there. I was so happy to hear from her, and even happier to know she was doing well. We now keep in touch with emails and Christmas cards, and I can not wait until I can make a trip up north to get to see her again.

50 Questions I Stole From Someone's Blog, Though I can't Remember Whose

1. Where were you three hours ago?
eating a taco salad at Taco Bell...yum!

2. Who are you in love with?
my husband, duh!

3. Have you ever eaten a crayon?
no, but I remember when my mom babysat my nephew, and he went home and pooped flouresent green...she thinks it might have been from eating a crayon!

4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?
nail polish and Brandi's Halloween costume

5. When was the last time you went to the mall?
this is weird, because we never go, but we were there on Friday night l;etting Kasi spend a gift card I have been carrying around for her since her birthday in May

6. Are you wearing socks right now?
nope

7. Do you have a car worth over $2000?
um, maybe...I'm not good with all that...I would assume so, though

8. When was the last time you drove out of town?
wow, that would be NEVER, cause I don't drive

9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
nope

10. Are you hot?
no, I'm a little chilly, actually. I wish Junior would agree to turn off the a/c

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
diet coke

12. What are you wearing right now?
black tshirt and gray shorts...my hang around the house outfit! lol

13. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?
neither...we like it dirty!

14. Last food you ate?
remember the first question????

15. Where were you last week at this time?
probably right here, doing the same thing I'm doing now...blogging!

16. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
actually, I did. Sears was having an awesome sale, and I got jeans and a shirt for $10...not too bad if i do say so myself

17. When was the last time you ran?
lol! that's funny....this big girl don't run. period.

18. What was the last sporting event you watched?
I don't watch sports.

19. Your favorite animal?
wanna take a shot at this one yourself???? lol!!!!

20. Your dream vacation?
Hawaii

21. Last person’s house you were in?
ummmm...I think my moms

22. Worst injury you ever had?
I strained the ligaments in my ankle, and according to the doctor, had I broken it, it would have been less painful. I believe him. I have never been in so much pain! I went into shock a little and almost passed out when I did it.

23. Have you been in love?
yup.

24. Do you miss anyone right now?
I miss my sister...the one who just had the baby...I wish I was with her.

25. Last play you saw?
years ago, my sister was in plays in HS, and I watched all of those...

26. What is your secret weapon to lure the opposite sex?
yeah, who the hell knows! lol!

27. What are your plans for tonight?
House...Big Bang...I love premiere week!

28. Who is the last person to send you a Myspace message or comment?
I don't do MySpace, but the last message I got on Facebook was from Jennifer.

29. Next trip you are going to take?
Hopefully, after the first of the year, I can make a trip up north to see my new nephew.

30. Ever go to camp?
nope.

31. Were you an honor student in school?
yes I was

32. What do you want to know about the future?
um...I don't think I want to know anything...

33. Are you wearing perfume or cologne?
nope...I hate the smell of most perfumes

34. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor’s visit?
maybe...I was supposed to go back to the plastic surgeon in July, but I didn't, so I suppose I should go see him

35. Where is your best friend?
outside, making fishing rod holders

36. How is your best friend?
he's enjoying himself...doing manly things with metal

37. Do you have a tan?
yup, but it is really fading fast

38. What are you listening to right now?
iCarly

39. Do you collect anything?
yup, elephants, but you all knew that already, right? lol

40. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?
um, I used to be a bad gossiper, but thankfully I have outgrown it.

41. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?
I don't drive, so never

42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?
I always drink with a straw...I hate drinking without one, actually

43. What does your last text message say?
I don't have a cell...so no texts for me

44. Do you like hot sauce?
nope

45. Last time you took a shower?
last night...I am a night showerer...I like going to bed clean

46. Do you need to do laundry?
yesno...it's all done, for now!

47. What is your heritage?
Let's make it fun and you guess!

48. Are you someone’s best friend?
yup

49. Are you rich?
money wise, no, but I am plenty rich in other ways

50. What were you doing at 12 AM last night?
*hangs head* I was on facebook

Getting Back On Our Feet

I have written on my other blog a little more about the financial mess Junior and I are in right now. A few weeks ago, we were really struggling, and couldn't see a way out. Luckily the bank we use was very understanding, and right now we are back on our feet, although I am waiting for the moment we are knocked down again. There are still things that need to be taken care of, but we are in a better position to do just that.

The biggest thing we have done is put ourselves on a budget. This has been working pretty good so far, though we could use a little more money for food. I do have the weight loss to be happy about, though. I guess there is always a bright side to everything.

I will offer this advise to you. Unless it is absolutely necessary, let Payday Loans be your last resort for money, and make sure you can pay them back immediately. It is a hard cycle to break when you have to continuously write checks with them.

Trust me on this. We know first hand.

Another New Addiction

I hate Facebook. I hate all the games on facebook. I really hate that I get sucked into these games, and can't stop playing them. Thankfully, for the most part, unless they add something new, I am over Farm Town. But, I traded Farm Town for Fish World. Here is a look at one of my tanks:

I have only been playing for a few days, but I am addicted. I think I must have that kind of personality. I need neighbors, so go sign up. Trust me, you'll love it. ;p

Meeting Your Soul Mate, Locally

It used to be when you join a chat room online, most were nationwide, or even worldwide. When you met someone, you did't know if they lived 5 minutes, or 5 hours away. That has changed recently, though, and with every state having it's own chat room. If you live in NC, you can go into a north carolina chat and find someone local. The nationwide chat rooms are still around, but this is a better option if you want to find someone who lives close by.

Long Weekend

It's been quite a weekend. With all my sister's complications, and me wishing I could be up there with her, it feels like this has been the longest weekend of my life. Junior got his yearly bonus this morning at his store meeting, so we went out and had a nice lunch in a , gasp, restaurant, and then spent a little money on things we haven't been able to afford lately, the biggest thing being a printer for the computer. It was only $30, and we have been needing one for a while now. Kasi had a project to do, and it was going to require a couple of hours at the library so we could type it up and find all the material online, and print it out. I think we made the right decision getting the printer this weekend, because I was able to help her at home, and it took us a few tries to get it to print right. I would have been ticked if we were at the library, because they charge per page, and it would have been a little pricey.

Junior also got new shoes, which he only does twice a year. The ones he has been wearing had no support left, and holes in the bottoms. He sure knows how to wear out a pair of shoes.

Help A Girl Out

I know nothing about SEO. I read posts everyday written by bloggers about how important SEO is, and I don't understand one word. I really need to hire someone like Doug Kaplan to explain it to me in terms I can understand. Heck, I should just hire him to do all the work for me, because this is something he specializes in.

I know my blog can be better, and I also know it is not where it should be in the big searches. I need to work on my keywords and theme. See, I just said that like I knew what I was talking about, even though I really don't have a clue. If you are like Doug and understand all of this, help a girl out. Share with me your expertise. Recommend a book I can read, or a website I can browse. I promise, in return, I will share my expertise on, wait a minute, I have no expertise.

And that's kind of sad.

Gone

My sister requested I remove her baby's picture from facebook, so I figured I better get it off of here, too. She is convinced the internet is evil, so I must abide by her wishes.

She is doing better, but seems to have one thing after another go wrong. Hopefully she will be home with the baby by Wednesday.

I am taking a little break from the blog thing for the weekend...I'll be back tomorrow!

Senior Dating

As people get older, they tend to migrate south. Not all people, but Florida is known to have it's share of seniors. I wonder if any of them spend time in florida chat rooms? I bet it's a nice way to meet other people who share their interests. I would recommend using your webcam, though, so you can see exactly who you are talking to.

Another Parking Lot Sale!

Tomorrow morning we are going to fight for groceries again.

This time, we have a plan.

Will it work?

I hope so!

I also hope I remember my camera this time!

Going Back To College

I have been thinking a lot lately about going back to school. The biggest problem I am having, though, is deciding what I want to study. My mom and my sister both went for nursing, and I am thinking about following in their footsteps. I know there are plenty of jobs right now for nurses, so I wouldn't have to move to one of the best places to be a nurse. I am sure I would be able to find a job locally. I also know that nurses are paid well, so that is weighing in heavily with my decision.

I know it won't be easy, and dealing with patients who suffer from hypochondriac symptoms might drive me insane. I have very little patience, so that might be something I will have to work on. Good bedside manner is so important in nursing. I hope there is a class that teaches that. You would think having kids would have done the job, but no. I find that the kids test my patience more and more each day.

One of the benefits of being a nurse is the uniform. I have no fashion sense what so ever, so wearing in style scrubs everyday would be an improvement to my bland, boring wardrobe. I would also be able to wear my hair up everyday, like I do now, without getting grief for it. I am such the fashion forward girl, aren't I?

My Sister

UPDATE: she is out of surgery, and it went well. The doctor fixed the problem, and hopefully she will be going home on Tuesday. I can not wait to see pictures of this baby!

I know I asked for prayers a couple of posts ago, but I don't want it to get lost.

I am still waiting to hear something. They didn't know how long the surgery would last.

Please continue to pray the doctor will be able to fix the problem, and that my sister will heal quickly. Two surgeries in one day is going to make for a rough recovery.

Find The Ugly In Your Life

How ugly is this?

There is a contest going on right now, called Find Your Bliss, where you can win a LG Bliss phone by uploading a picture of something you think is ugly. I don't know what that thing is above, but someone entered this picture, and I have to agree. That is one ugly critter!

Head to the LG Bliss Facebook Fan Page to upload a picture of something you think is ugly to enter. You have until November 6, 2009 to get your picture uploaded. Five grand prize winners will win a new LG Bliss phone. Fifty second place winners will win a $50 gift card, which they can use to buy their own LG Bliss. You can only have one entry per facebook page, so make sure your picture is really bad.

Trust me when I say there are some really ugly pictures posted already. There are quite a few funny looking animals already, so try and be a little more creative. You can take a picture of a Trashy Trend; you know, the outfits people wear that make you say "what on Earth were you thinking?". There are plenty of ugly wonders of nature; you know what I mean. That tomato that looks like a butt, or the tree whose knots look like a funny old mans face. I am sure we all have old electronics that are so outdated people would think we are crazy for using them. Or think outside the box, and come up with a picture no one else has thought of yet.

Just make sure it's ugly!

Please Say A Prayer

My sister Tami had a baby this morning, and is facing a few complications. Please say a little prayer that the surgery she is having right now is successful, and she is able to take baby Jake home on Monday as planned. Thank you bunches!!!!!

Trying To Get Organized

I am not a very organized person. I would love to be, but no matter how I organize things, they never stay that way. One of the biggest things I need is a calender. I keep meaning to pick one up when I am at the store, but I always forget. At this moment, all my "to dos" and "don't forgets" are on sticky notes, stuck around my computer screen. And trust me, this is not a good system, because the sticky notes can fall off, and then I forget important things.

I found a Family Calendar online, and I really want the black one. These are really cool because you can customize the pages to suit your needs. You can keep track of sports and school events, and anything else that is important in your life. I also found a Digital Photo Album that I could put to good use. It looks kind of like the planner, but the pockets hold all the CDs that have your pictures on them. Right now all my picture CDs are stacked on a shelf by my desk, and it is not attractive at all. I can also get a Leather Photo Album that matches the planner and digital photo album to hold all my actual pictures, although I don't have many of those these days. In fact, I can not remember the last time I had pictures printed.

I might want to look into doing that soon. I probably have 20 CDs full of pictures that need to be printed. I also have 35 mm film from when Kasi was born 12 years ago that is still undeveloped. Do you think the pictures will still come out?

My New Nephew Is Here!!!!

Born at 8:37 this morning.
6 pounds, 9 ounces...a little guy!
Both mommy and baby are doing well.
As soon as I get a picture, I will share it with you guys.
Congrats Tami, Marc, Michael, Kyle, and Kevin!!!!

National Recovery Month

Did you know that this month, September, is National Recovery Month? I didn't, so I decided to find out all I could about it. This is the time when the benefits of substance abuse treatments are highlighted. It recognizes those in recovery, and the people who support them and help them in their journey to sobriety.

I have talked about this numerous times before, but I think it is important enough to discuss again. I am married to a former alcoholic. We never have alcohol in the house, and avoid situations where alcohol may be too tempting for him to resist. Over the years it has gotten easier for him to not want that drink, but it is still a possibility that one sip could send him right back to where he was.

When he quit drinking, he didn't have the benefit of a treatment center, or AA meetings. He was one of the lucky ones who was able to beat this on his own. Back then, they didn't have websites like InTheRooms, where he could discreetly find meetings to attend. I think if it was available, I might have encouraged him to attend a meeting or two. It is always beneficial to learn from others mistakes, as well as your own, and listening to others stories might have helped him. Heck, sharing his story might have helped someone else.


In The Rooms also offers a place where you can connect with other people who are in recovery. You can learn about the recovery process, make new friends, and so much more. If you are suffering from any form of substance abuse, now is the perfect time to reach out for help. Make the first move, and find a treatment center close to you. I know first hand how much better life can be when you are not dependent on an outside source for happiness.

Paying Our Respects

This afternoon, Lance Corporal Chris Fowlkes arrived at our local airport, and was honored with a police escort from the airport to his hometown. Fowlkes was killed a week ago in Afghanistan. I wanted my kids to witness this outpouring of love and respect, so we headed to the closest overpass, and watched as he passed underneath. As you can see, we weren't the only ones there.

So sad.

Meeting Local Singles

Did you know that each state has it's own chat room, where you can meet singles in your area? I can check out south carolina chat for free, and meet people in my own area. Makes dating a little easier, right? At least you know that you won't have to travel too far to meet that someone special.

My Carpet Is Still Wet

For those of you who read my other blog or are friends with me on facebook, you know that yesterday we discovered a leak in our bathroom that flooded our bedroom. I say flooded, but it's more like the water seeped under our carpet, under my bed, so I didn't know it. It took the phone repair guy to find it, because it shorted out the phone lines, and he came to fix it. Did that just make sense?

Anyway, the carpet is still wet, and no matter how many towels I use to sop up the mess, the water comes back. Luckily Junior fixed the leak, so no more water is coming into the bedroom. I just need to find a better way of drying this carpet.

Recovery Date

Junior used to be an alcoholic. Our first date was a blind date, and he took me to a bar. It was the one and only time we ever went to one. I was very uncomfortable, because I wasn't a big drinker. A week or so later was New Year's Eve, and we were at a party where he got fall down drunk. I told him the next day that it was the alcohol or me, and obviously he made the better choice. :)

Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to stop drinking cold turkey, and not everyone has someone to support them during their recovery. That is why I think RecoveryDate is a really great concept.

Basically, it is a place where people in recovery can go to find others who are in the same situation. You can meet people who are going through the same things you are, and you can offer support, or be supported by people who understand how hard just facing each day can be. I truly believe that the relationships that last are the ones that start off as friendships. Recovery Date offers the opportunity to form friendships, and who knows where those friendships will lead. If you are lucky enough, you might just find your soul mate.

Chopped

I have a new favorite show.

I will admit to being a sucker for a good reality cooking show. Top Chef, Iron Chef, and now Chopped.

Four chefs start the show, and each is given a basket of mystery ingredients to make an appetizer. One of the dishes is "chopped", and the three remaining chefs get another basket to make a main dish. Another dish is "chopped", and the two remaining chefs get a final basket, and they make a dessert.

Right now, past winners are competing to see whole is the best. I don't think I explained how fun this show is to watch. Check it out for yourself.

Chin And The Magic Stones

"When a moment of magic presents itself to ten-year-old Chin it is good that he has Eagle, his talking dog, to turn to for guidance. The magic leads Chin and his canine companion to encounter dark forces lurking beneath their quiet and otherwise uneventful town. Ultimately Chin learns to trust himself and his own powers, taking on the challenges that he faces with pluck, resolve, and a loyal friend at his side.", from the Chin and the Magic Stones website.

My youngest daughter Brandi, who is seven years old, loves to read. Like me, she always has a book close by that she is in the middle of reading. Recently, she asked if she could read Twilight, and I had to explain to her that she wasn't really old enough for that book. She said she wanted to read a book about the supernatural (though that wasn't her exact word), so I went on a quest to find the perfect book for her. Chin and the Magic Stones sounds like it has everything she is looking for, and it is written for kids her age. It is about a boy and his talking dog who go on a wonderful adventure, and along the way they learn the power of positive thinking, among other things. The main character in this book is a boy, which is a rare thing in children's books. Most books write a girl as the main character. I know Brandi will enjoy the fact that the dog can talk, although deep down she will probably wish the dog was a cat.

This book is available for $9.85, and can be purchased on the book's website, www.ChinMagic.com, and amazon.com. I have a couple of nephews that I think will also enjoy this book, and I think it will make a great Christmas gift. Once Brandi reads it, I will let you all know what she thought of it, in her own words.

My Terrific Kid, For The Third Year In A Row

Brandi brought home another Terrific Kid award today. Every month, one kid from each class is chosen to receive the award. It is given to the students in recognition of demonstrating a positive attitude, good character, and responsible citizenship. This is the third year in a row that Brandi has gotten this award. I think it is going to her head, because she is dancing around the house singing, "Oh yeah! I won again! Oh yeah!".

iLasik Video Contest

I wear glasses. All day, every day. There are times I wish I didn't have to though. It has nothing to do with vanity, but simply the fact that while I am swimming, I would love to be able to see. I have tried wearing contacts, but find they irritate my eyes. Since I love the water, and swim every chance I get, I am thinking about iLasik as a way of solving my vision problem. I know a couple of people who have had it done, and they claim it has made a tremendous difference in their lives. I need to tell them about this contest I just found out about.

Abbott Medical Optics Inc., a global leader in laser vision correction, is having a iLASIK Video Contest called “You Gotta See This". It's really simple to enter. All you have to do is make a video, explaining how laser eye surgery has, or will, impact your life. You then enter your video into one of these three categories:

“My contacts are getting in the way of my good time”
“My favorite sport or activity would be so much cooler with better vision”
“You should see life after the iLASIK® Procedure”

After submitting your video, make sure you tell everyone you know to go and vote for it. If you are a blogger, beg your readers to vote or it. I did this last year to win a computer game, and I won by a landslide! In fact, I did a Thursday Thirteen post stating all the reasons I should win, and asked everyone to go vote. If you win this contest, you get way more than a computer game.

The Grand Prize in this contest is $5000! I am sure you could buy hundreds of video games with that much money, although I am sure you would spent it a little more wisely. The grand prize will be awarded to one video from every video entered. First Prizes will be awarded to one video in each category. First Prize is an HDTV package, which is a $2,500 value. There will also be second prize winners in each category, and they will win the Flip UltraHD™ camcorder, which is a $199.99 value. These are some pretty awesome prizes, so go make your video and get it submitted. Your friends can vote once per day up until December 10. Winning would be an awesome Christmas gift for yourself!

My Journey

For those of you wanting to know me a little better, I have another blog where I write about me. No kids. No mommy stuff.

Okay, maybe the kids and mommy stuff sneak in sometimes, but it is mostly things I don't feel comfortable writing about here. Check it out if you want a look at the real me.

New Kitchen Set

Now that we have decided to move, I am all excited about maybe getting some new furniture. I know we need a new kitchen table, so I have been checking out dining tables online. The one we have now is old, and all the chairs are falling apart. Oh, and it only has four chairs, and we are a family of five.

I don't want formal dining furniture, because I am pretty sure we won't have a formal dining room. I am going to need something that will fit into a eat in kitchen.

I googled casual dining furniture and found this set, which is perfect for my family. It has six chairs and I love the matching china cabinet. It's narrow enough that it won't take up much space on the wall, which will probably be a good thing. I love the color of the wood, which will match perfectly with the rest of my kitchen accents.

I wish I could replace all of our furniture when we move. We desperately need a new couch, and I want a better computer desk. But, I know we won't have the money for all that. I am going to start with the kitchen set, and maybe next year we can replace the couch, and the year after that I can get a new computer desk...

Wordless Wednesday ~ 9/16

Check out the baby flamingo. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this little fellow. The zoo keeper said they only let them out for a few minutes every day to be with their moms, and we just happened to be there at the right time. There were two babies, but one kept hiding in the tall grass. As cute as they are, I have got to say that the whole exhibit smelled horrible...it was the worst smell in the whole zoo!

Going To Hawaii

I really want to go to Hawaii. It has always been a dream of mine, but it is so expensive, and I am afraid to fly. I was thinking they could build a bridge, and I could meet a nice Hawaiian family using hawaii chat lines and talk them into letting us stay at their house, so we could save the money we would have spent on a hotel.

I know, I am living in my own little dream world. There will never be a bridge, and chat lines are for meeting singles, not talking families into hosting you on your vacation.

But how cool would that be?

Goodbye Johnny Castle

To me, Patrick Swayze will always be Johnny Castle.

I know he did other things, like The Outsiders and Ghost, which were both amazing movies, but there is just something about Dirty Dancing. I can watch this movie over and over, and never get tired of it. In fact, some of it was filmed not too far from here, and when I first moved down here, I remember going and walking through the woods, finding all the spots from the movie.

It is so sad that he died so young, but at least he is no longer suffering.

Rest In Peace, Johnny Castle.

Computer Brain Games

I love computer games. I especially love online brain games that test your mind. The only problem is that I am not that good at them. MIND360.com has a variety of free games that you can play, or you can become a premium member for a week, three months, or a year. I would suggest paying the $3 for a week to see if you like the games. That's what I plan on doing, and then if I like them all, or better yet, if I can figure out how to play them all, I will consider joining for longer.

I was playing this game called Fish's Last Wish, and basically all you have to do is catch the fish that has the same symbol as the barrel on your boat. You can even flip the design to make it match the fish.

Sounds pretty easy, right?

Well, I stunk. I couldn't figure out exactly when to drop the line to catch the fish. I am not sure what that says about my brain, but I am sure it can't be good. I am going to let the kids try when they get home, and I can assure you they will do better than I did.

The Phone Guy

Today will be spent waiting on the guy who is going to fix my phone. They said he will be here between 1 and 3, but who knows. They are never on time. I just hope he is able to find the problem.

For the past weeks or so, I haven't been able to have people call in. All they get is static. I have no problem making calls, which is kind of weird. I need my phone to be working by Friday, because my sister in NY is having a c-section, and I need to be able to receive the phone call saying her and baby Jake are healthy. I wish I could be there...

What Do You Think?

I was looking at photo christmas cards and really like this one. It is fun, and not too traditional. I used the most recent picture of the kids, which just happens to include an elephant. What could be more "me"?

Don't worry. I won't use that picture when I order. I need to get the kids a little dressed up, and I really want Junior and I in it this year. Maybe this weekend I will suggest a photo session. My friend Carrie just did a photo shoot with her family on the beach, and the pictures came out awesome! I think I might steal her idea, although I will have to switch the beach for the lake, since we are pretty far from the ocean.

Whatever I decide, I am sure the picture I choose will be perfect. It will be of my family, so how can it not be?

Jelly Fish

I know how much you all love my zoo pictures ;p.

Seriously thought, this is a pretty good shot.

The zoo we go to has a pretty big reptile house, and in it there was a jelly fish display. I don't know if it's new or if I just never noticed it before, but it was awesome. You could really see the jelly fish because just like the picture, the tank is completely dark, and the jelly fish kind of glow.

Very cool.

Clothes Shopping

My nephew's birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks, and I have no idea what to get him. I was trying to find ideas online, and came across this site that sells the latest and coolest ed hardy kids clothes. I found this green shirt that I think he would love. I can get free shipping, which you all know I love, and if I (or you) use the code DEHK, I can get 15% off my first order. This site also has baby clothes, so I might get something for my newest little nephew, who is going to be born this Friday.

I will admit, I didn't know this particular trendy line of clothing was available for kids. Apparently this brand name of clothing is popular with celebrities, with Heidi Klum's family wearing it. I just love her kids; they are adorable. I can not wait to see who her newest little girl is going to look like.

I am going to continue looking around the site, and see what else I can find. I have three more nieces or nephews who are going to be born in the next six months, so I may as well stock up on some gifts.