-Be As You Are-

I've Moved!

2010-03-13T16:38:00.000-06:00

http://goodbye-weight.blogspot.com/

Letters from Santa

2009-11-04T16:08:00.002-06:00

Are you ready for Christmas? There are only 52 days left! Would your kids love a letter from Santa? We ordered one last year and Natalie thought it was just totally awesome. Now that she is learning to read, she will love it even more this year! I totally recommend my friend Heather's Santa Letters. They are awesome and the kids love them too.
Click the banner to see the some samples and to order in time for Christmas!

Don't miss out!

Crinkly Hair and some Dress Up Fun!

2009-07-16T21:56:00.002-05:00

Before crinkly hair:

After crinkly hair:

Princess Natalie:

Great Coupon Give-away!

2009-07-02T18:47:00.006-05:00

My friend told me about this cool blog that is giving away 9 $65 off $100 Old Navy Coupons! That is Awesome. All you have to do is go to her blog and leave her a comment about why you love Old Navy! She has a fun blog. It's called From Dates to Diapers and Beyond! After you do that check out www.oldnavyweekly.com to find some other great coupons for Old Navy.

I love a good giveaway! Good Luck!

It's what you didn't do...

2009-05-22T18:59:00.002-05:00

We were leaving Pre-K graduation today and heading on over to Old Chicago for lunch when I see this behind me in my mirror.

Just Great! Just what I need.

Officer gets to my car and I open my door.

Me: Sorry, my window doesn't open.
Him: That's okay.
Me: What did I do?
Him: It's not what you did, it's what you didn't do.
Me: What didn't I do?
Him: Seat belt.
Me: I had my seat belt on.
Him: He doesn't. (Pointing to my dh in the passenger seat).
Side Note: ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME, YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO THEN SEARCH OUT PEOPLE WHO'S PASSENGERS DON'T HAVE ON A SEATBELT? GHEEZ THE CITY MUST BE HURTING FOR MONEY OR SOMETHING.
Him: Do you have your license and insurance.
Me: hand it over to him.
Him: Do you have ID Sir?
Me: Hand it over to him.
He leaves and comes back with the ticket.
Him: Sir, here is your citation for not wearing your seat belt. You don't have to go to court. It's $25 and won't affect your license.
Rich: (Sarcastically) Slow Day?
Him: It's just what we are out doing.

So, as I pull up to leave he is still behind me. We are at a light. All of a sudden he is gone. I'm like where did he go, he was just there. He JUMPED the median flipped on his lights and was stopping someone else before I was even 3 feet away.

What a joke!

Tea Please!

2009-05-10T19:51:00.002-05:00

Mother's Day Tea Party!

Flashdance!

2009-05-10T18:27:00.002-05:00

Last week we went to McDonald's and the Happy Meal toy was a Kidz Bop CD. This CD kept her busy for awhile so I figured I should get her the rest since she seemed to like it so much. I went on ebay and ordered the complete set of Kidz Bop CD's.

She loves them!

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T16:58:00.004-05:00

Happy Mother's Day. I had a wonderful day, I hope you did as well!
I woke up to some jumping on the bed to wake me up yells of "Happy Mother's Day". It was great! Once I was awake, Natalie brought me my gifts one by one. I am usually not surprised. I usually pick out what I want. This year I picked out some things but was also surprised with some more! Daddy took Natalie shopping at Target yesterday while I was out getting my hair done. I picked the scale and the videos and Natalie picked and made the rest! I got a scale, 3 workout videos, an 8x10 picture frame, a planner that I can put my own picture as the cover, a picture of Natalie, a rose, a working mothers prayer, cards, and hugs!

I have to tell you too that all of my presents were wrapped in clear plastic. When they were at Target, Daddy let Natalie pick the rolled wrapping paper. She really loved the SHINY SILVER wrapping paper so Daddy let her get it. . Little did she or Daddy know that it was clear wrapping paper that you put in bags or something. They are so cute!

She also loves the Music Cards. Doesn't matter the occasion. My card said Happy Birthday and Daddy didn't notice until they got home. So they just crossed out Birthday and added Mother's Day! lol I love them. Oh and the card sang, "That's the way..uh huh uh huh I like it, uh huh uh huh! :) :)

When I finally got out of bed we got ready for Church. After Church, Daddy made us some breakfast of spam and eggs. lol Then my MIL came over and brought me some flowers and lots of food! She brought salad, bread. fruit, lasagna, candy, cookies, and some other stuff too. Then we went to the hospital to see my Sister In Law, Jeannie. She is having gallbladder problems and so Amber is staying with my MIL and FIL. Anyhow, we went to visit so that she could see Amber on Mother's Day. After that, we came home and ate lasagna. (It was so good too!) Now we are just lounging around. Later Natalie and I are going to have a tea party.

Hair

2009-05-09T16:15:00.003-05:00

You know you had a bad day at the hair salon when:

1. You are there for 5 hours.
2. You say don't cut my hair, I am letting it grow and she cuts it anyway.
3. She says come back next week and I will give you a free deep treatment.
4. You are paying and she gives you a discount.
5. She gives you a bag full of creamy stuff to put on your hair.
6. While you are paying, she says "My recommendation for your hair is to NEVER get a perm and color" AFTER she just gave you a perm and a color.

Hit and Run!

2009-05-08T10:00:00.002-05:00

I-AM-SO-ANGRY!

This morning on the way to school I was stopped at a light waiting to turn and this guy runs right into the back of my car! No big deal right. I put my flashers on and turn the car and he makes sure to turn behind me to make the light. I pull into the nearest parking lot and HE-KEEPS-GOING!! I quickly get back onto the road behind him but it's a one lane and there are now 4-5 cars behind him and in front of me. The one in front of me thinks I am a jerk and decides to drive 1 mph ON PURPOSE! I understand they don't know what happened but still I am trying to follow this guy and you are going 1 mph! I finally get behind him and he pulls into OUR SCHOOL! Imagine that! He pulls up to let his kid out and I jump out of my car and I knock on his window. He rolls it down and I say, "You hit my car, were you even going to stop?" and he yells, "Well was there any damage." (NOT THE POINT). I say, "I don't know yet, I was trying to follow you to get your license plate number for leaving." AND-HE-LEFT-AGAIN!!! I scramble to get his license plate and park my car to take Natalie in and to call the cops to file a Hit and Run. (I forgot my cell phone this morning...never again will that happen!) The cop finally gets there and I have no idea what make the car is. I just know it's a white car driven by an older gentleman. I guess when I wrote down the license plate, I had a letter instead of a number. I think they still found it though. I CANNOT believe that this guy didn't stop and left twice all while taking his child to a CATHOLIC school. Un-freaking-believable!

Cinco De Mayo

2009-05-06T17:15:00.002-05:00

Happy Cinco De Mayo...one day late!

Natalie and her ~~weeds~~ "babies" (as she calls them).

Spring '09

2009-05-06T08:52:00.002-05:00

Beach Party!

2009-05-01T13:29:00.003-05:00

Natalie has been looking forward to her Beach Party in her class all week. They were supposed to bring in a beach towel today along with their show and tell that is something that has to do with the ocean. Today was the day. Unfortunately, she is sick for the second day in a row and couldn't go to school again. :( She was so sad. I told her we would have our own beach party today instead.

Not your typical beach foods though. Natalie had Chicken Noodle soup, pickles, peanut butter crackers, & water. I had tuna salad, pickles, and a dt. coke.

Later after nap time, maybe I will take her swimming to try out her new swimsuit...in the bathtub!

I think she's enjoying herself!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T21:29:00.002-05:00

Happy Easter!

He Has Risen!

We woke up early this morning and headed to Mass.

After Mass we went to Grandma & Grandpa's house for the day.
We ate lunch, played outside, colored eggs, and just hung out.

When we got home we colored our own eggs!

We had a wonderful day!
Hope you did too!

Egg "Hunting".

2009-04-05T22:32:00.003-05:00

Today after Mass was the Easter Egg "Hunt". We got there and they had just started to put the eggs on the soccer field when it started raining. Not to worry though, we all just filed into the gym for some egg fun!

On our Way...

Before the rain.

Passing some time beforehand.

The beginning of Holy Week...Palm Sunday.

2009-04-05T22:22:00.002-05:00

These are the palm crosses we made at Mass today.

Palm Sunday occurs on the Sunday before Easter Sunday. It signals the upcoming end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. The day commemorates the spreading of palms and clothing in Jesus' path as He entered Jerusalem prior to His crucifixion:

They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:7-9)

Spring Break-Day 5- We've come full circle!

2009-03-27T21:51:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the 5th and final day of our spring break fun. We have come full circle! Daddy surprised us by taking the day off and having breakfast with us. He went out and got us Grandy's.

Natalie had pancakes and bacon.

Mommy and Daddy had eggs, bacon, and biscuits w/ gravy.

Later, we met some friends at Cold Stone and had some ice cream.
The lady suckered me into the chocolate sprinkle waffle bowl. I didn't like it, but it was so expensive that I felt I had to eat it!

Natalie had strawberry w/ rainbow sprinkles and I
had peanut butter w/ peanut butter cups.

Here's Natalie buying some water.

After ice cream we had to go grocery shopping. Always a fun event!

After we got home, I decided on a whim to go to the movies.

So, there we have it. 5 days of Spring Break fun!

Totals for the day:

Grandy's: $5.00

Ice Cream/Water: $10.00 (I could have bought 3 gallons!)

Movies $14.50

Popcorn/Drink: $9.00

Daddy gave us $20 for the movies!

Total for day 5: $18.50

5 Day Total: $99.21 which makes .79 cents to spare!

Spring Break-Day 4- An impromptu date and some bowling!

2009-03-26T21:57:00.005-05:00

Well, here we are at day 4. This week has gone by so fast! We have had tons of fun though. On the agenda for today was bowling but we had a last minute impromptu play day at Pizza Hut with some friends also. So we started out at Pizza Hut. They have a salad bar and pizza buffet and a kids play place.

Look at my new jewelry!

When we left Pizza Hut, we went bowling!

This is the funniest video! My baby is so talented. She can dance and bowl
at the same time! :)

Totals for the day:

Pizza Hut: $11.31

Shoe Rental: $3.75

2 Bowling Games $5.50

Total for day 4: $20.56

Spring Break-Day 3- "Where a kid can be a kid"

2009-03-25T21:28:00.004-05:00

"25 cent fu-uun! Where a kid can be a kid!"

So today we headed on over to Chuck E Cheese.

We brought her report card and got 19 free tokens! WooHoo! Can't beat free tokens!

We started out by playing a few games and riding some rides.

After we rode some rides and played some games we decided to eat lunch. To our surprise they had more than just pizza! Thank Goodness! If you don't know, my dear, sweet, darling child REFUSES to eat pizza. Natalie got chicken fingers and I got the salad bar.

My sweet babe won't eat pizza but she will chow down on some cottage cheese.
Strange, I know!

After we ate, we played some more games and kept playing until our coins ran out!
We ended up with 175 points.

We took our loot over to pick out some cool stuff!

Then she played in the tubes.

and did some dancing...

*The video is sideways in the middle but turns back up correctly soon after*

One last picture with Chuck E and it was time to go!

After we left we walked over to Once Upon a Child to look around. We got a couple of pairs of capris for the warmer weather.

She had such a great day that she fell asleep on the way home!

Totals for the day:

Lunch: $14.43

Tokens: $7.00

Total for Day 3: $21.43

(Half way through we have spent a total of $60.15.
We are over so far only .15 cents for the week!)

Spring Break-Day 2- Roller Skating!

2009-03-24T16:23:00.003-05:00

So today we went roller skating. I can honestly say that I have not been roller skating in oh...I don't know...20 years or so! Apparently it's like riding a bike, you don't forget how! Although, I am certain it is much easier alone then with someone ripping your arm out of it's socket! lol Although I haven't been in 20+ years, I remember the rink where I used to go perfectly. Multicolored rug, dj booth, disco ball, food section, games. Back when I used to go it was pinball. This rink had cranes. Same difference. Something to waste your quarters on! Plus, you can't forget the Chicken Dance, YMCA, and the Hokey Pokey! I guess they are all the same and don't change with time!
Multi-colored rug:

We decided to stay in the Kid Zone since it seemed to be much safer!

I think I am getting the hang of this!

Maybe not...

It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A!

Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around...

That's what it's all about!

After we skated for a little while, we stopped and got some lunch.

Then came a game!

where she earned 5 tickets and got a ring!

We followed the rules

and had a terrific time!

Natalie: I didn't have a great time, Mama. I had the BEST TIME EVER! Can we come again when I am 6?

Mama: Absolutely!

Totals for the day:

Skate World Entry: $6.00

Skate Rental: $4.00

Nachos, drinks, hotdogs, pizza: $7.50

Skeeball: .50 cents

Total for day 2: $18.00

*$2.00 under budget!*

See you at Chuck E's tomorrow!

Spring Break on $20 a day!

2009-03-23T13:37:00.004-05:00

So it's Spring Break. 5 days off with no work or school! What to do? I decided that since we can't afford to go anywhere we would try to have fun on $20 a day for 5 days! I'm certain it can be done!

Day 1:

We started out our day at Target!

At Target we got:

We also got a package of zip lock bags to put the popcorn in!

Then we headed on over to the movies!

Natalie said that she didn't like the movie...she LOVED it. She says it is the BEST movie EVER!

After the Movie, we stopped at McDonald's for a Happy Meal and a McChicken Sandwich!

Totals for the day:

Target Total: $8.98

Movie Total: $4.00

McDonald's Total: $7.74

Total for Day 1: $20.72

So, we ended up .72 cents over for the day. I can probably find that in the couch though so we will start over again tomorrow with $20!

and for tomorrow.....Roller Skating!

Fun Dip!

2009-03-05T21:53:00.001-06:00

:) Fun Dip! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-13T20:25:00.002-06:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

$1100 out of pocket and no dishwasher later...

2009-02-13T20:12:00.005-06:00

Well we had to use our tax refund to have the storm damage taken care of. That means that I still don't have a dishwasher and probably won't until next year's taxes......if nothing else comes up at that time. Seems like something always breaks when it's tax refund time. They came with a huge wood/tree chipper and their tree climbing materials to cut down a dozen large branches in the tree yesterday and removed everything. I am glad to have a clean backyard but sad that it cost so much. In case you forgot what it looked like:
Before:

After:

I Won, I Won!

2009-02-06T18:28:00.004-06:00

I won, I won! I never win! I won the credit contest for the month of January at work. The person who could open the most credit cards won. I opened 22 in January. I won a $25 gift card for Victoria's Secret. Fitting since that is where I work! I already spent it too! Here's what I got:

I got 2 bottles of conditioner. (This is the most awesome conditioner!)

and this pouch for my purse that I would never normally buy for myself! (I got the color that is in the back!)

A random pic.

2009-01-31T17:29:00.003-06:00

Here's a random picture of Natalie and Muffy from last week!

A haircut for Natalie.

2009-01-31T17:23:00.002-06:00

Natalie decided that she wanted her hair cut to her shoulders today.

and the finished result...

Last Minute Appointment!

2009-01-29T15:18:00.007-06:00

Okay, so here's the story! On the day after Thanksgiving I ate a pecan and my lip swelled up. I ended up biting my lip.......HARD! I immediately had a mucocele start growing. (An oral mucocele, also referred to as mucus extravasation phenomenon, is a swelling of connective tissue consisting of collected mucin from a ruptured salivary gland duct, which is usually caused by local trauma.) It pretty much feels like a marble underneath your lip. When they take it out it is a little round ball. A few weeks ago I stopped by my dentist and he drained it. The draining lasted about 2 days before it filled up again so he referred me to an oral surgeon. It is snowing and icing here so there is a school day today. I called the Oral Surgeon and asked if they had any cancellations today and if I could get in. An hour later I was sitting in the chair with my lip being cut open! I have to go back in two weeks to make sure the stitches dissolved correctly and that the pathology report on it is good! Here are before and after surgery pics!

WARNING! SOME OF THEM NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!

Here is with the stitches.

24 hours later:

48 hours later:

So today it feels like it's ripping apart. It's definite pain! I am eating ice pops today!

It is now 72 hours later. I'm not sure it is supposed to look like it does. It looks like the stitches are dissolving but it's still a hole in my lip. I will stop by the surgeon's office tomorrow after work if I get off early.

Snow Fun!

2009-01-28T18:40:00.002-06:00

Winter Storm Photos!

2009-01-28T08:48:00.003-06:00

It was a crazy night last night! I was woken up out of sound sleep and then it wasn't so easy to go back to sleep when I knew what was happening! All I could think of was the tree that went through Wendy's house! We could hear every branch breaking. These are [B]thick[/B] branches too. I am so glad they didn't land on the neighbors house too since they are jerks! They will probably freak out that they have branches in their yard. This is too big of a job to get rid of the branches we will have to hire someone.

Farewell to a Great Leader.

2009-01-20T17:14:00.003-06:00

It was an honor to have you as My President.

Glenn Beck summed it up perfectly for me at the end of his show today.

“Mr. President, on the darkest day you gave us hope when we were hopeless. You were unafraid when we were terrified. You lead when nobody else wanted to. Mr. President you don’t have any idea what you meant to me personally right after 9/11. Job well done Good and Faithful servant. Thank you Mr. President.”

I (heart) Glenn Beck!

Candice does not live here...

2009-01-12T14:06:00.002-06:00

At work this morning I was going down the phone list to look for someone to work for me today. I have never called anyone on the list before and of course I could have just said thanks and hung up but this guy was C-R-A-Z-Y and I couldn't help myself!!

This is pretty much how the conversation went:

Guy: Hello?

Me: Hi, is Candice there?

Guy: I TOLD YOU TO STOP CALLING HERE. CANDICE DOES NOT LIVE AT THIS NUMBER.

Me: I'm sorry. This is the first time I've call-

Guy: IT IS NOT, I TELL YOU ALL THE TIME THAT THIS IS NOT CANDICE'S NUMBER.

Guy: I TOLD YOU LAST TIME NOT TO CALL THIS NUMBER AGAIN, YOU STUPID B!TCH.

Me: Omg, you need to take some kind of meds or something, I simply had the wrong number.

Guy: HANG UP STUPID B!TCH!

Me: Ooh maybe just for fun, I will call and ask for Candice every day.

Guy: GO AHEAD.

Me: I will.

Guy: I'LL REPORT YOU.

Me: Go for it, I just had the wrong number by accident.

Guy: I'LL CALL YOU THEN, YOU KNOW I HAVE YOUR NUMBER NOW.

Me: Good for you.

Guy: HANG UP NOW!

Me: No, you want to hang up go ahead.

Guy: ---
Me:---

I finally hang up because I am actually trying to do something....A minute later my phone rings and I let it go to voicemail...

My message: Hello, you've reached the --- family, we aren't here to take your call right now, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Guy: THIS IS NOT CANDICE'S NUMBER.

He was seriously yelling at me. This guy is cracked! Rich wants to spread his number at a bunch of Truck Stop bathrooms. For a good time call Candice at this number... He's a truck driver too, he'll do it! lol

The Making of a Christmas Card!

2009-01-07T21:21:00.003-06:00

The Making of a Christmas Card...Thank GOD for digital!

Final Results:

Christmas-2008

2009-01-07T21:05:00.002-06:00

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday. My Mom came to visit from New Jersey for a couple of weeks. We had a ton of fun! She has only been gone for 2 days and we miss her so much already. We missed her instantly.
YAY! Santa Came!

Grandma and Grandpa's house was next!

YIPEE! A Barbie Cruise Ship!

Mommy, Daddy, Mom-Mom, Natalie, & Amber!

Mom-Mom and Natalie:

Daddy and Natalie (and a little bit of chocolate face!):

Mommy and Natalie:

My brother-my HERO!

2009-01-07T20:48:00.004-06:00

My brother is a hero to many. I love him so much!

A girl and her dog!

2009-01-07T20:45:00.001-06:00

Natalie playing Leapster and Muffy chewing on her bone! They are never far apart!

Happy Birthday to Natalie!

2008-12-07T20:58:00.005-06:00

5 years ago yesterday my little girl was born. We had her family party today. Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Jeannie, Amber, and Aunt Sherry all came over today. We went out to lunch at Mongolian Barbecue and then came back home to open gifts and have some cake. It was a fun day.

Here she was 5 years ago at 17 days old:

1 year old:

2 years old:

3 years old:

4 years old:

Today-5 Years old:

Best Day Ever...

2008-11-11T19:03:00.005-06:00

I had the best day today!

*Dropped Natalie off at school at 7:30*

*Met up with some friends that I haven't seen in awhile and we made some Christmas Cards. It was totally fun and just what I needed this morning.*

*Picked Natalie up from school at 11:00.*

*We headed over to the Dr. to get her a flu shot. We didn't have to wait very long. Thermisol Free)*

*After that, we went to the mall and shopped around for a few hours and had lunch and a snack.*

*I got one of those Mall Massages. $12 for 12 minutes. It was awesome and I KNOW it had to be more than 12 minutes. It felt like forever! Natalie sat in the chair and quietly waited for me to be finished. I was so proud of her.*

*Played in the play area for awhile.*

*Then we left the mall and met some other friends we haven't seen in a long time at Pump It Up!*

I had great conversations today. Wonderful conversations that I needed and missed. I needed to see and be with my friends today. Thank you Jennifer, Laurie, Kim, and everyone else for great times today with us!

We came home and had some bowties with butter for dinner. Natalie actually ate the entire bowl! Now she is laying on the couch watching Scooby Doo. Soon, I will read her a book and it will be bedtime and back to work tomorrow.

What a great day!

School Pictures are In!

2008-11-10T08:05:00.004-06:00

I was a bit nervous to order school pictures. I have taken TONS of pics of Natalie and have seen first hand the funny faces that she can make while taking a pic. And the blinking from the flash makes for a whole slew of drunk looking pics! So, when picture day arrived, I ordered the smallest package. (6 minis, 3 wallets, and the class photo). My intentions were to take her to Walmart where I could SEE the pics as they were being taken so that I could approve them. After all, nobody wants to pay hundreds of dollars for a half drunken, eye closed, sneezing, photo! Well, the pictures are in. They came out nice. I have the option to order more online but I think I will still take her to Walmart and get them done. Or maybe not, I'm just not sure! So anyway, without further ado...

Where did my sweet child go?

2008-11-07T08:15:00.003-06:00

One of us is not going to make it out alive! lol (Okay, we WILL make it out alive but at the moment it doesn't seem that way!). My wonderful, sweet, nice, caring child has been taken and replaced with a rude, spoiled, bratty little stranger! EVERYTHING is a struggle. Getting out of bed-struggle. Eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner-struggle. Getting dressed-struggle! I am ready to pull my hair out. Please and Thank You has gone out the window. Today she went to the bathroom when she finally got out of bed and said, "I didn't turn the lights on". Meaning... I didn't turn them on so I am not turning them off. I told her that bratty little children don't get visits from Santa. They don't get Birthday parties or presents. Today for breakfast she ate 3 bites of apple sauce in a baby spoon and said she was full. Of course she is full, she refuses to eat a meal and her stomach is probably the size of a pea! I have to find a different approach. It seems like all I do all day is yell and as Dr. Phil might say......."How's that working for you?" It's NOT! She will be 5 in a month........if we make it! lol

Be Heard! Vote!

2008-11-03T20:04:00.003-06:00

Your vote is your voice. You cannot complain about what happens unless you vote. You have the right to Vote. Just do it! Every Vote Counts!
I will be voting tomorrow. I feel a bit discouraged that the candidates are my only choices this year. However, I cannot dwell on that. I have to vote for who I think will be the best for my Country. I don't completely follow politics. There are many things I don't really know much about. These are the things that I do know:

1. I don't believe in Abortion and I would never have one. However, who am I to tell another woman what they should do with their own life?

2. I believe that we needed to go into this war the way we did and I stand behind President Bush's decisions on it.

3. I believe that we need to continue further with Stem Cell Research. This could be the only way we find cures for diseases such as AIDS.

4. I believe that we need to make it possible for EVERYBODY to be able to afford Health Insurance no matter how much money you do or don't make.

5. I believe that our borders MUST be more secure.

6. I believe that we have the right to bear arms.

7. I believe that homosexuals should have the same rights as anyone else. If they love one another and want to enter into a union together, who am I to say they shouldn't?

8. I believe in the Space program.

Sometimes I wonder if I should have all of these beliefs. I am a practicing Catholic. I go to Church every week. My child goes to Catholic School. I believe in my religion but I also believe in my opinions above. I will be voting tomorrow for who I think will be best for our Country.
I will be voting for McCain. I just cannot vote for Obama based on who he is associated with. I know he is not those people, but he is associated with them.

Photo Card Giveaway!

2008-11-01T23:17:00.005-05:00

Who wouldn't want to win 40 Christmas Photo Cards? I would! My friend, Jennifer, is having a giveaway on her website. www.cutiepiescustomcreations.com

Simply click this photo below to get to her site:

If you go to her blog from her website there is a place to sign up for the contest! You just have to comment her and tell her which design you would pick if you won! So Simple and worth the chance of winning your cards for this year! Good Luck! If I don't win, I hope it's you!!

Festival Fishing

2008-10-10T22:25:00.004-05:00

We went to the Festival today to get some food and ride some rides. We had some lunch that consisted of a sausage sandwich and corn on the cob on a stick for me and cheese fries and cotton candy for Natalie! Yummy! After that we got a wristband for the rides for Natalie. She had so much fun riding the rides. Then, we went and walked around the carnival area. If you have ever been to a festival, a lot of them have the game where you toss the ping pong balls onto a table of fishbowls filled with fish. I paid the $2.00 and got 20 ping pong balls. On about my 15th toss, it landed in the bowl! Yipee, we won a fish! Natalie got lucky though, the girl handed her a bag with 2 fish in it! We left the Fest with our prize in tow! We headed to Walmart to get a home and some fun stuff for Fluffy and Sparkle.

We set the bag in the home and waited for the water in the bag and in the home to stabilize. When I went to put Fluffy and Sparkle in their new home, Fluffy was gone. But that's okay because we still have Sparkle and she's doing great so far!

I love Festival Fishing!

Nothing bad to say!

2008-10-05T18:13:00.003-05:00

So, today I am sick. I woke up with congestion and a sore throat. I took some meds and we headed off to Church. Halfway through Mass, I feel like I might pass out because I made the mistake of wearing a sweater and I was sweating to death! I just kept thinking pleeeeeeeeease let me not faint in Church! lol We left a bit early right after Communion. By the time Natalie and I get home, my entire body is aching so much that my skin and hair hurts. I lay on the couch until I have to go back out 45 minutes later to a mandatory tithing meeting for school. After the meeting, I stop at CVS and pick up some NyQuil and some DayQuil. When I get home, Natalie and Rich had done the dishes and made a cake! I pass out on the couch. When I wake up, dinner is done and so are the rest of the dishes! I asked him to bring a bin in from the garage for me to put some of Natalie's summer clothes in and end up passing out again. (DayQuil makes me REALLY tired!) When I wake up again, the bin is inside waiting for me. Normally I have to ask like 50 times for something out of the garage! Now I am having some coffee and hoping to stay up the rest of the evening so I might be able to sleep tonight. My darling husband has been so nice today. He must truly love me! Hmmm...wonder if I can get him to do the laundry tonight too!

Happy Birthday to Amber!

2008-09-27T16:56:00.002-05:00

Amber is 3 now and we had a little party for her today!

Pure joy and excitement!

2008-09-21T17:37:00.003-05:00

Rich was outside using the chainsaw to cut some trees down in the front yard and he found a little frog. Natalie was so excited! I thought it was pretty darn fun myself!

In a perfect world, I would be a great photographer and you might be able to actually tell that it's a frog! But, with me, you get what you get!

I am in on THE secret!

2008-09-20T11:35:00.005-05:00

I wanted to update you all on my job! As some of you know, I got a job at Victoria's Secret. I LOVE it! I never thought that I would work at a place such as V.S. and I am so excited to have gotten the job. I am a cashier for the PINK, Beauty, and Lingerie sections. I have been working there for about about 6 weeks. We just redid our store and it is all completely brand new and beautiful. It is actually the size of 3 stores in the mall. If you haven't shopped there in awhile, it's not just lingerie anymore! There is an entire beauty section and an entire section of "Pink" brand clothing! You definitely need to check it out!

I like junky stuff!

2008-09-20T11:24:00.003-05:00

hahaha words from my precious Natalie!

Natalie: Can I get that? The commercial for GEMZ was on.

http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=gemz

Me: Natalie, that's junky. It's not even real gems, it's has holes that you color in with markers.

Me: If it was really gems I'd say okay but that is junky.

Natalie: I like junky stuff.

Natalie: Junky stuff is FUN!

Natalie: So I can get it right?

God love her. She really does like and want all the junky toys! They really DO make them look fun! lol

Let's Roll...

2008-09-11T22:00:00.003-05:00

September 11, 2001. I remember it like it was yesterday. My dog had gotten loose that morning right before I was leaving for work. I had not turned the tv on at all that morning. I was searching all through the neighborhood for Scarlet. I could not find her. I came home to call work and tell them I was going to be late for work and wouldn't be in until 10. I flipped on the tv while I was waiting to go to work. I could not believe what I was seeing. It was pure shock and horror. I immediately called my family in NJ and got my Dad on the phone. He said that the sky was black. (My family lives about 2 hours South of NYC). I asked about my brother. My brother at the time was living in Hoboken at a halfway house. He was stuck there right across the Hudson. My Dad said that they let them on the roof to see what was up and he saw the 2nd plane hit. I felt horrible for him. I wouldn't wish seeing that in person on anyone. I can only imagine the fear. I hung up with my Dad and went to work. When I got there it was somber. The sister of one of my co-workers lives and works in Washington DC and he could not get a hold of her. We had our cell phones out the entire day hoping that they wouldn't ring with any bad news from his Sister or my Brother. I watched the news in shock for days after. I couldn't believe that this was happening in our Country. To our own people. It is so very sad. I think of it often and worry and pray for the families of everyone affected by this tragedy.

2008-08-18T15:28:00.001-05:00

Yearbook Yourself!

2008-08-16T19:24:00.003-05:00

www.yearbookyourself.com
This is the funniest!
Love it!
Thank you Stephanie for showing this to me!

1964

1966

1976

1978

1956

1972

1982

My baby isn't a baby anymore!

2008-08-11T08:51:00.003-05:00

Well, not a true baby. She will always be MY baby though! Today is her first day of school. We got up early so we would not be late. I think it was probably harder on me than it was on her!

She goes to a Catholic School but the pre-k class does not have to wear uniforms. I had some really cute clothes picked out for school and then a haze came over me. What am I thinking! Yes, it's really cute, but is it comfortable and practical? I am slowing realizing that her clothes can be cute, practical, and comfortable instead of just cute! For example, I had a cute skirt picked out for today but the temperature wasn't cooperating for that so I had to pick last minute pants! (Oh and I wasn't expecting that and we have only 1 pair of 4T's! I bought all 5's thinking she wouldn't need pants until she was a little taller! I guess I get to go shopping some more!)

So, we got her cubby all set up and I told her where her lunch was and her blankie and made sure she knew if she needed anything to just ask and someone would help her. I gave her a hug and I could feel the tears welling up inside my eyes. I didn't let her see that though. I left the room and had to go to the office to ask about paying for milk. I was in tears. Worried that because she doesn't know her pin number she wouldn't be able to get milk for lunch! Here I am bawling in the office and strangers are hugging me and someone was saying "Oh she's a new pre-k Mom!" (Just writing it makes me tear up again!) So these strangers are hugging me and telling me it will be okay and then another lady starts welling up watching me well up! They reassure me that she will be able to get milk for lunch!

I don't know what to do with myself. I'm not sure if I want to clean my entire house to keep my mind off of her or whether I want to crawl back into bed and sleep until it's time to go and pick her up!

Summer Fun!

2008-08-02T19:14:00.003-05:00

We filled up the pool and hooked up the sprinkler
and had some Summer Fun out in the backyard today!

Jennifer

6 years ago today...

2008-08-02T18:56:00.004-05:00

We both forgot today was 8/2 I woke up and logged onto my email and there was anniversary wishes from the radio station and O'Charleys! lol I looked at the date and sure enough....So he comes out a little later and I say Happy Anniversary and the look on his face was sooooo funny! It's not that we forgot the day, it's just that August snuck up on us so fast that we didn't
realize it was already the 2nd!
Jennifer

Magic Rocks.......not so magic!

2008-05-31T00:02:00.003-05:00

We were at Target and saw these Magic Rocks. We thought it would be fun to do.

We got everything ready and got it all set up.

It said that best results are after 2 hours so we waited....and waited....and waited some more.

Turns out they are either not so Magic or we just don't know how to do it right!

Was still fun anyway!

Is THAT what you're wearing?

2008-05-30T16:55:00.003-05:00

I love flip flops. I wear flip flops ALL the time. They are always on my feet. We were in Target and I saw some flip flop slippers. Knowing that I love flip flops I decided to try them out. I LOVE THEM! They are so comfortable. So, the other day we are getting ready to go somewhere and we are walking out the door and Natalie says, " Is THAT what you're wearing?!?!" My flip flop slippers were so comfortable that I forgot they were on! I can only imagine the day that I will REALLY embarrass her by going out in slippers!

Mommy! This is GOOD!

2008-05-30T16:48:00.002-05:00

We were pulling into the driveway and I hear slurping from the back seat. I said, "Did you drink my whole drink?" Turned around and looked and said "You should see your face!" and she said, Mommy, THIS is GOO-OOD! 2 Thumbs up from Natalie for the Mint Chocolaty Chip Blended Cream Frap!

B is for...

2008-05-15T23:46:00.003-05:00

Buyer's Remorse! I haven't been to Gymboree since before Christmas. A long time. We went today and I went crazy! I got so many things and now I am feeling a bit guilty for spending the money that I don't really have for clothes. Natalie does need summer clothing though so it's not a completely frivolous purchase. I got some sweaters for the fall too. Here's just one sample of something we got!

A is for...

2008-05-14T16:58:00.006-05:00

Asparagus...One of my favorite vegetables that we can't afford on a normal basis. The picture above is a normal bunch of Asparagus that you would see at the grocery store. For that little bit of veggies is a TON of money. We can't afford to buy it! Luckily for us, my in-laws have 13 acres of land and grow every vegetable and fruit you can imagine! My MIL, Lek, brings us Walmart grocery store bags FULL of Asparagus. So much Asparagus that you would ask yourself, how is one person going to eat all this. (I am the only one in our house that eats it!) Same thing with tomatoes when it is that time. I like the "feathered" part of the Asparagus the best so I just cut in half what she brings us and only eat the part I like, and because there is so much, I can do that!
This is one of those GIGANTIC mixing bowls full of Asparagus cut and ready to be eaten!

The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board at www.asparagus.org considers asparagus to be one of the most nutritionally well-balanced vegetables, supplying significant nutrients and fiber for a healthy diet...and it tastes good too!

Bed time

2008-05-13T13:54:00.002-05:00

Every night before I go to bed, I go in and check on Natalie. Well, last night when I went in, I found her sleeping all scrunched up and backwards in her bed! She looked so cute. She got this new little Spongebob pillow yesterday and she was using at as her sleeping pillow with her regular pillow as a blanket. I just love her!

My Silly Girl

2008-05-12T21:13:00.000-05:00

Girls Day Out!

2008-05-12T21:00:00.003-05:00

Today I decided to surprise Natalie with a Girls Day Out! We started the day at the Nail Salon. I got a pedi and Natalie got a Mani and Pedi! After that, we went to the mall to look around and have some lunch!

When we came home, we couldn't leave Daddy out!

It was a fun time!

It Ain't Easy

2008-05-07T10:28:00.001-05:00

This pretty much summarizes my feelings right now. :(

Staying on Budget

2008-05-04T18:07:00.003-05:00

While grocery shopping, I wrote every price down and added it up before I went to the register so that I didn't have to put anything back! I think I did so well! When I was putting it on the belt thingy, I thought, this sure seems like a lot of food for $100.00. I really hope I didn't add it wrong! It came to $96.00! I was so proud I stayed under my limit! I have started doing this every time I go grocery shopping now. It really does help me stay on budget and I feel like I get so much more food!

Please Move...

2008-05-04T17:57:00.002-05:00

I was drifting in and out of sleep on the couch while Natalie and Daddy were on the Playstation 3 in the other room. I could hear Natalie saying, "Daddy, if the light is red, you have to stop. Ok?" and "Daddy, that's not nice. Wouldn't it be nicer to say please move?" Apparently he was playing a new driving video game. I couldn't help but smile knowing that she is right! :)

The Law of the Garbage Truck!

2008-04-18T18:25:00.002-05:00

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport . We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked,
"Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage (frustration, anger, and disappointment, etc.). As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so... "Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't."

My SIL is a garbage truck. She blames everyone else for her problems. She dumps nasty things all over her family that is trying to help her. Karma is going to bite her real hard and I am trying to pray for her. She needs it desperately.

EaRtHqUaKe!

2008-04-18T14:25:00.002-05:00

We had an earthquake this morning. It was crazy! At 4:37 am the shaking was so rough that it woke us up instantly! My first thought was OMG-do I need to get Natalie out of bed and stand in the door frame? Rich's first thought was OMG-this is so awesome! (insert eye rolly here)! Turns out the Epi-centre was only 40 miles from here! We live in the Midwest. We are in Tornado Alley, so we are used to that but not so much earthquakes. We do however live right on top of the New Madrid Fault Line. Most people don't know that there is a fault line right in the middle of the country. We also felt a few aftershocks very soon after the original earthquake. Several hours later, we felt again another aftershock. Crazy!

Bento (no) Box

2008-04-16T22:57:00.000-05:00

A friend that lives in Japan was so nice to send Natalie a cute little pink bunny Bento Box. Natalie loves it! It's so small though. It's no wonder all the Japanese people are so skinny. They must not eat much! ;) I did put her rice in the Bento though. We will just have to get a few more accessories to match it! Here is a picture of what would have been in her Bento. Gingerbread peanut butter sandwich, (with sprinkles of course), doritos, and strawberries. I call this her Bento (no) Box!

Sprinkles

2008-04-16T09:34:00.001-05:00

Sprinkles make everything taste good. This is, of course, according to my 4 year old. Sprinkles on cereal. Sprinkles on spaghetti noodles. Sprinkles on spagettios. You name it, she wants sprinkles on it. At first, I was like no way! You are NOT putting sprinkles on everything. But now, as long as she eats it, I don't care! So now, no matter what she is eating, it has sprinkles!