Taking out 2014...

Last day of the year.
Last day for me to use my personal time at work so I was off.
Muhahahaha.

A few months back I was fortunate enough to win a contest from Girl Gone Mom.  She was giving away a family four pack of passes to the Adventure Aquarium here in South Jersey.  

Today we decided to use those passes and headed to Camden NJ where the aquarium is located.  It's on the Delaware River, that separates New Jersey from Pennsylvania.  Camden is right across the river from Philadelphia.  Here is the skyline...plus some two awesomely good looking kids!

Do not let the hoodies fool you.
It was freakin cold out.
If you look closely at the 8yo you can clearly see he is freezing.  Don't listen to your mother when she tells you to put your coat on.  Listen to your 16yo brother who thinks a Nike hoodie will keep him warm.  Sigh.
Being that close to the water dropped the temp by about 15 degrees.  The wind was so bad my eyes were watering.

So like any good parent, I told them I would feed them to the sharks if they didn't listen!
Proof is in the pudding, people!

I mean business.
Look at those faces, scared of me now aren't they.

Yes! I know!

Next up we let the younger one touch some sharks.  Figured if I couldn't feed him to the sharks, I would let him play with them.

We were also lucky to catch the tail end of the aquariums diving show for the holidays.
I do believe that is Santa & an Elf.  Guess this is what he does to relax after Christmas Eve!

We even saw a small aligator try to take out a turtle but he lost sight of him, so he popped up out of the water & gave us the evil eye!

Of course, you can experience being in the sea if you wish.
Our fish decided to give it a go:

All in all it was a great family day & I am glad that is how we took 2014 out...as a family.

How was your NYE?

Christmas Recap 2014

First I would like to start with a small disclosure...or confession, which ever you prefer.
Whatever photos you see here were taken with my somewhat older smartphone.  They are not good quality what so ever.  I have great photos on my digital camera.  Love this camera.  The problem? I have a card reader but lost the cable to it and still have not gotten around to getting another cable.  It is not your typical USB cable either or I'd be set with the gazillion ones we have around Casa de Buchman.

The morning started quiet enough.
All of us asleep except the 16yo, who woke up at 7am, crept into the kitchen & started to open and shut the cabinets.  Open and shut, open and slam, same thing.  Bobster told him, go wake up your brother.

That's when the party got started.
We all came downstairs & started to open the gifts from youngest to oldest.
Cheeks was surprised with his "haul", he said he hadn't been the best behaved so he didn't think he would get anything.  When he saw his stuff he was like "I was wrong!".  He got all the minecraft toys he could handle, legos and of course, snow boots.

  Last year in Jersey it snowed if you looked out the window.  He really needed new boots so I got them.  This year we will have nothing.  Murphy's Law.

Christafus when next.  He got some small things then then big surprise.  Bobster and I got a terrific deal on a PS4 from Target.  Thanks to the cartwheel apps, some earned gift cards, an old credit and my red card we saved more than we ever imagined.  Hence the only reason he got.  He set up the system and was good to go.

He had to go to his mom's for a bit but not before we headed over to my in-laws for breakfast.  My brother in law ended up making breakfast, don't tell him but he can really cook.

We did gift exchanged and watched the youngest nephew ride his first fourwheeler at 17 months old.

Back to our house where my family came over for gifts and dinner.

I managed to get a picture of Cheeks with his cousin, B.  Two cutie patooties if I ever saw a pair.

B turned 9 yesterday.  I can not believe how big they both are.

I made dinner for my family.  It was really good.  The Nana brought the pasta salad.  She said it was for Bobster, her son in law, but I managed to sneak some before he ate it all.  All people.  You should have seen the size bowl it was served in.  Good Lawd!

I had to work the day after so Bobster was home with the boys.
He let Cheeks just play Legos all day.
I saw this when I arrived home.

I'm not going to sugar coat...the table still looks like that.
I seem to like my house best at night.  When it's dark & you can't see the mess.

All in all I think this year Christmas was the best.
I got to have dinner with my family, breakfast with the in-laws, all my kids in the morning & at night (minus a certain oldest child who lives in Fl...bummer).  It was a great day spent with both sides of our family and together.
That's what counts.

How was your holiday?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Bobster, Meghan, Chris & Cheeks

Gin, Gin, Gingerbread House!

Trying to keep the blog going...another entry...can. you. stand. it!

Monday night, as is our tradition, we did our family Gingerbread house.
It was just Cheeks and myself.  The other members are just party poopers.

As you can see Cheeks jumped right in.

I will let you know, I buy a pre-assembled house.
Why?
Trying to get the roof & sides to stay upright & together is a b*tch.  Yes, I said it.

The kit I bought provides the white icing, which I get the pleasure of putting on the house, making windows, doors.  Since I am so handy, the icing shot out of the open end of the bag and ended up on my table.

We finally got down to business & started decorating away.  That's Cheeks fav part...decorate, eat a few pieces of candy, decorate, break a tooth...you know how it goes. He didn't really break a tooth but the candy that comes with kit is really hard.

Here is the end result:

How cute is this!

I also broke out Amy's Chocolate Bunny Graham crackers to add a little whimsy to the house.

I really like the way turned out.
Most of all, I loved creating it with my Cheekers.  This is our own tradition that we started and I hope it lasts forever.  I fully intend to keep doing it with my grandchildren one day.

Tell me, what do you do with your family or friends this time of year.

Update, update, update

Hola my peeps.
As you can see I have not been that great at keeping up with the bloggeroo.  I was doing well with my Sunday Confessions but I didn't really see any feedback so I figured not really anyone was into it.
Then again, they are not overly juicy.

Cheeks has been taking karate since last March.  He has missed a few belt tests due to not enough classes, being on vaca etc.
Well this past Saturday he got to take his test.

He was so focused and determined.

Even Mr. Tony singled him out in the start of the class to have him show the other kids how to do some kick.

Proud mommy moment!!!

He passed his test.

Woo!

Here he is with all the kids and instructors.

Karate is great for him.
He even takes leadership, which they get to use weapons in.  Of course, those are his favorite classes.

Taking karate is really helping him focus in all aspects of his life.  He is doing much better this year in third grade.  He has an aide but she steps back..a lot.  He doesn't like it but he needs that little bit of guidance.  The ADHD is getting better.  Some children will out grow it.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Tell me, what activities do your kids do?

Sunday Confession

I know that's it's Thanksgiving week, for us in the US.  
I love Thanksgiving.  It's my favorite holiday.

I have a confession tho.

I am excited for Christmas this year!!!

Can not wait to put up the tree.
Decorate.
Bake.
Shop.
I love shopping.  Black Friday...my favorite!

Tell me, are you excited for the holidays?

Sunday Confession

Not sure who reads my blog, but for those that do, there were no Sunday Confessions last week.

This week is not so much a confession as much as an explanation.

Last Sunday, my friend/coworker called me to tell me that our beloved boss and good friend, had passed.

This was sudden and unexpected.

She was out walking her dog, when she collapsed from an aneurysm.  Sadly, she was gone.

No amount of resuscitation worked.

At the young age of 48, taken from all those who loved her.

It has been a rough work.

In my heart I know she is experiencing happiness.  She is with her dad and her dog, Chloe.  

She is not suffering from the illnesses she had.

Her passing leaves a hole in all of our hearts.  I have worked with my boss since 1998. We were both bridesmaids in another coworker/friends wedding.  We had fun on a daily basis and she was a very dear friend.

This is why there was no entry.

This is why it's been a rough week.

Things will get better, as they say, time makes it easier.

A little bit of my heart will always have sorrow but most of it will be joy because I knew her and loved her to pieces.

Miss you!

Sunday Confession

Welcome to another addition of Sunday Confession...where I tell you something earth shattering.
Wait?
What?
It's not earth shattering?
Hmm, I thought I was more interesting.

I digress.

Today I am going to tell you something that will amaze you, stun you, make you reconsider life in general.

I am tall.
Like 6ft tall.

Guess what? I like it.

Growing up I was not a fan of being taller than everyone else.  Not even in high school.  Then in my early twenties I started working at a supermarket, where there was not one, not two, but five women all my same height and around the same age.  I started to feel like one of the group.

Then I realized, I could reach things and didn't have to ask for help.  I could stand in back of crowds and usually see what was going on.  I never have to have the hem on my pants taken out (although for being tall, I have short legs).

There are cons to being tall...probably too many to name but I appreciate my height.

I take my "tallness" as a blessing...so tell me how tall are you?

Halloween 2014, Unknown to Protect the Innocent

We have arrived.
Halloween 2014.
Yes.
Like the meme says "At 12 midnight, Bam! Christmas carols everywhere!"
Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

I was fortunate enough to meet up with one of my oldest & dearest, favorite friends ever...Karen.  Her son is a grade ahead of Cheeks, so we watched the parade & then TOT together.

You would think a blogger would have taken photos.
Not so much.

I got like, one.

Here is the child,  I mean the Unknown Phantom.

Lost a glove, wearing shorts, & of course, rocking his ever menacing, neon blue sneaks.

We are keeping his face protected because I have nicknamed the boy, the informer.
He likes to tell a lot of stuff.

Example:  Wednesday, Bobster & I were having a slight disagreement as all married couples do.  Cheeks decides to tell my "new" neighbor that his father said "Marriage is a mistake".  Mortified doesn't cover it.  I was like get in the car! Get! In! The! Car!

Seriously, tho.  it was a great Halloween spent with a wonderful friend and her boy.  Two years in a row we did it, let's go for three!!!

How was your Halloween?

Sunday Confession

I was beaten by an 8 yo.

Yep.

Apparently, we were having a contest but I was unaware.

Well, really, it was a challenge.  The Iron Chef Haunted House Decorating Challenge, as my son called it.

Being the good mom that I am, I picked up a decorate haunted house brownie kit.  We decided today was the day to make them.  You know, with Halloween being less than a week away.

So I baked the suckers, let them cool & we started to decorate.

Exhibit 1: He starts out innocently enough.

Exhibit 2:  He is going to town!

Exhibit 3:  Look at me, I am so cute.  I am just decorating my house, minding my business, not planning my diabolical plan at all.

Exhibit 4: Mommy's house.  I finished before Cheeks & he said "Oh I'll call you when I'm done."

Exhibit 5:  His finished house!

This is where he threw in the challenge.

Ok, I'm game.

We walked our plates into the living room and the judges were his father & older brother.  You know, the men that I painstakingly make meals for, wash clothes and run around to every activity know for man.

Judging was based on the amount of clapping one got.

Well they went crazy for Cheek's house.

Mine...crickets!

I think the child fixed the contest.

Sunday Confession

Ok, we all have that one somebody in the celebrity world that we really "don't get", like why they are a celebrity or how they even go to that status.

Here is mine:

Lena Dunham.

I just do not get it.
I do not see her appeal.

Yes, yes, she's self depreciating, but so am I.
Yes, she's chubby & not afraid to show her curves.
I get that.

I just don't get how she is revered by so many people.

Lena is probably a really nice person, sweet in fact.  It just boggles my mind that she is so popular.
Awkward is in, I know.

I have never seen "Girsl" but from what I hear, she's naked a lot.  If I want to see a naked chubby girl, I'll look in the mirror.  Ok, it might be like Orca the killer whale but either way...

Tell me do you have a celebrity that you just don't get?

Giving Back

This past Saturday I had the very fortunate opportunity to volunteer my time with the Ronald McDonald House of South Jersey.

I took my 8yo with me.  I believe it is hyde time he learns about giving back and service.

A coworker of mine made arrangements with RMH for a few of us to come in and prepare dinner for the families staying there.  Cheeks and I brought brownies.  

What is great about the RMH is that it provides a comfortable place for families with members in the hospital.  I wanted my son to see that other people need our help and kindness, that we are blessed to be in the position to help.

Cheeks got to meet a young boy from Puerto Rico who was staying there.  They played Legos and video games.  He then met a young girl who was from South Korea and they played on the computer.

He also got to see a puppet show.

Do you know what was wonderful about the Puppet show?

It was done by a religious group, who showed the puppets praying to God.

Guess what?  No one was offended in the audience.  They appreciated the time this group spent with them.

No matter what your problems are in this world, someone, somewhere always has bigger problems or issues.  Health is our number priority and so many families have loved ones that have poor, poor health. Making dinner for these families is a great way to show your support for them.  Nothing says comfort like a good warm meal and that is what we did for them.  All the members of the families said thank you and many came back for seconds.

It felt good to help out and make others happy...if only for a few hours.

I want to teach my children to always give to others.  Whether through your generosity, time or abilities, people will always appreciate what you have done for them.

Sunday Confession

What do I have to confess this week?
I know you are all waiting with bated breath.
I can tell.  I'm good like that.

This weeks confession involves my children.  Mostly the youngest, the 8yo, the one I affectionately call "Cheeks".

My confession is...I give in!
I give in to nagging.

I would say it's 80% giving in, 20% me saying No! & sticking to it.

The reason: he just doesn't give up.  It is constant, even if I punish him by sending him to his room.  All you hear is whine, cry, whine, MOM!, cry, whine, cry.  Usually what he is asking for isn't outrageous.  Extra time on video games, stay up a bit longer, burn the house down.  That kind of stuff.

Tell me moms, I can not be the only one who can not take the constant plea of a young child.

Of course, he is not the only one.  Bobster nags as well.  The only one who doesn't nag is the 15yo.  He is even trying to teach his younger brother that if you just leave Mommy alone, life will be easier.  If only my husband understood that.

Sigh.

Am I the only one peeps?

You know....

You know you have been to the WaWa one too many times when the cashier waiting on you says:

"Where's your Sizzli? You usually get a French Toast Sizzli"

You know that you pick the hairs on your chin in the mini van a little too much, when your 8yo son picks up said tweezers, flips the visor down & says "I have to pick the hair off of my beard!"

So, what do you do a little too much?

Sunday Confessions

Here again.
Sunday Funday.
Of course it's time for confessions.

This one, for some of you, may not come as a surprise...others who don't know me so well will be like "Whaaaaat?"

I, Meghan, author of this blog, loathes & despises:

Can you believe it?
I can not stand watermelon.
Even to touch it.

I think it goes back to my days of cashiering.  People would being them up and I would have to bag them.  Whether whole or cut up.  The watermelon was always so cold and it would give me a chill right up the palm of hands to my spine.

Weird.
I know.

I have a lot of quirks.

It's so bad that I refuse to buy it.  If anyone in my household wants it, they get it somewhere else or the Nana takes pity on them, buys it, chops it & brings it over.  

I can't even stand the smell.

So, No Watermelon for you!

Tell me, do you skeeve anything?

Sunday Confessions

For many of you, this will be a sad, sad, day and a horrific confession.
Please, for those of you with heart conditions, you may want to sit.

I know that I will lose many of you...if you are out there...is there anyone out there?

It's time I came clean.
Time I confessed.
I, Meghan of Meghan's Mindless Mutterings, do declare, I can not stand Nutella!!!

I will give you all a minute to recoup and let it sink it.
It's true.
I can not stomach it.

I remember when I first tried it.
Took a big ole honkin spoonful and like to die.
The chocolate is not what does it, it's the disgusting hazelnut they add to.
Just keep the hazelnut out and everything will be yummy in the tummy.

My grandfather used to love those Ferrare Roche candies.
YUCK!
Again, hazelnut.

So tell me, is there something the world is nuts about and you just can not stand?

Doing Dishes: Men vs. Women

Bobster did the dishes the other night.

Usually this falls to the 15yo boy, who thinks as long as they are done by the next morning, everything is a-okay.

Oh, so not true.

The real story is how “doing the dishes” is done by the men in my family and by me, the sole female.

Bob had the dishes done in less than 10 minutes.  It takes  me approximately 20 mins to half an hour.

Bob put the one piece of chicken on a plate, uncovered, stuck it tin he fridge.  He put the mac & cheese leftovers, God knows where & he just put the green beans in the bowl they were in back in the fridge, uncovered.

He then washed the dishes and stacked them sky high to dry.

Walked out of the kitchen and called it a night.

Here is how I would have done it.

I would have wrapped the chicken in a piece of foil, put it in the fridge.  I would have placed all the leftovers in plastic containers.  So they are cover and will not dry out.

Then I would have cleaned the sink out from the dirty dishes, so I had room to wash them.

Commence washing dishes, stop when drainer is full, dry dishes and put away.  Commence doing rest of dishes, dry, put away.  Repeat til all dishes are done.

Then I put away the pots/pans that I keep in my oven.  Small kitchen, lack of storage.

Then I would wipe the counters down, dry them, wipe the stove down, dry it, wipe out the sink.

I would put away the salt & pepper shakers plus the butter.  Then I would wash the apples off and put them in the refrigerator.  I would also sweep the floor.

Then, if I decided to not bake something, I would be done.

Now I am just wondering, if, in your household, you have the male’s way vs. the female’s way.

Sunday Confessions

My first confession for this week is I have just not been myself.
Lots of problems going on in the personal, not blog, life.
I read a quote today, though, that lets me know everything will work out the way it's supposed to.

Now onto the real confession of the week.
Back in the beginning of the internet...waaaaaaaaaaaay back then, I met a guy via AOL chat, gave him my number after a few chats, got to talking and flew to Florida to meet him.
Now before you gasp, I wasn't alone.
I went with my girlfriend and we stayed at our other girlfriend's house who was married to a guy from Florida at the time.
So we met.
We hung.
We stayed at my friends house for the week.
We parted ways.
A month later, we went our separate ways.

Lesson not learned, I then met another whiptedoo on the net.
Drove with my friend, Megan, to the restaurant where he was playing guitar.
This one worked out...well I thought it did.
We got married.
Yep.
Then he decided he wanted a divorce because well, being married put a damper on his dating life.

So about 3 months after being separated, my good friend, Kathy, decided to fix me up on a blind date.
That blind date was Bobster.
I think about 3 weeks after we met, he moved in.
A year to the day I met him, Cheeks was due.  Cheeks was 10 days early.
8 years later we got married.
I wanted to make sure it would work.

So, you could say, or I can confess, I met a lot of my relationships not in person.

Weird?
Seems to work for me.

What's your confession?

Sunday Confessions

Another Sunday.
Another Confession.

This weeks involves a celebrity.
No, not Tom Hiddleston.
I am extremely open about my obsession with him.  Matter of fact, I fell asleep to the Avengers last night & woke up to it this morning. Oh Loki! I love you.

Back to my confession.
I am talking about Rob Drydek.

Who is he, you ask?
He is a pro skateboarder who is a brilliant business man.

He starred on a show called Big & Rob on MTV.  Now he is the host of Ridiculousness.  These are not my choice of shows to watch BUT I do live with boys, lots of boys.  Ridiculousness is right up there alley.

Make no mistake though, I knew of Rob long before his tv career.  How I have no idea.

Now I do not have a crush on him.  Not at all.  I just adore his personality. 
I can't put my finger on what it is that makes me like him I just think he is so much fun.
He entertains me I suppose.  I also respect him for the empire he built. 

My question to you on this confession Sunday is what is your confession?

When is it...

 

Seriously...when do you share to much on social media?

It's in our face. 24/7.  I love to share.  Pics of the family, quirky sayings, jokes, links.  The list is endless.

When does the filter in your brain kick in?

I recently read a blog post by someone who I follow.  She is pregnant with her second child.  I couldn't be happier for her.  Recently she suffered an almost miscarriage.  I understand her pain.  I had a miscarriage shortly after Cheeks was born...my children would have been Irish twins.
I digress.

I don't mind her sharing her story and struggle.  I didn't mind some of the photos.  Girlfriend actually posted a photo of the bloody pad she used.  This is where I thought, um, hello...filter?  She said it was real life and she did give a warning in the beginning of her post.  I kept reading though because I am a big girl.

It just kept popping in my head that maybe that particular item should have remained private.  All women at one point in their life will see a bloody pad & so will most med.  People in the medical field see it frequently.

Perhaps I am wrong.  I am sure it helped her get over the hurdle of an almost miscarriage.  It helped her emotionally.  She is in her 2nd trimester now, so things are going good.  It is just I thought...really?

What are your thoughts?
Do you think we share to much on the internet?

Sunday Confessions

My sister will never forgive me when she reads this...but I am Disney'd out.

No matter how cute this kid looks in his Pirate Ears.

He looks good doesn't he?
YES he does!

Anyway, I had a fabulous time on our trip.  Upcoming post about it, promise.

I just really don't want to see a mouse or a princess for awhile.  The parks were fun, the hotel was nice, the pool great.  The heat was unbearable.  August in Florida? We aren't the brightest bunch.

Disney vacations require you to take a vacation when you get back.  To recover from your vacation.  Lots of going, going, going. 

It was fantabulous though.  I have my sister, the Grandpop and the Nana to thank for the trip. Without them, we wouldn't have been able to go.

It's just that all the sugary sweetness in one place makes a girl yearn for Jersey.
You know where I can flip you off if you cut me off, not smile and say "It's ok!"

Think I'll be ready to go back next year tho!

What? 3rd grade?

How did this happen?
When did this baby grow up to be 8yrs old & in third grade?

I guess since today.
He started third grade.
I remember third grade like it was yesterday.
Seriously.
Although sadly it was many, many moons ago.
Talking like mid 70's peeps.

Anywho, I got him up early because he will be attending before school care this year.
I was taking him today but I wanted him up!

He kept coming in the room, going "Can we go?"
Finally I told him "Look I know you are excited!"
He cuts me off & goes "It's not that."
"Well what is it?"
He actually said to me "I just wanna get it over with".

Yes, my little scholar hates school.
He says all they day is listen & write, write & listen.

Today was only a half day so his father picked him up.
His dad told me, Cheeks came home, grabbed some marshmallows, went upstairs and took a nap.

Guess school tuckered him out.

Well stay tuned to see what shenanigans third grade brings this household this year!

Sunday Confessions

Yes.
I am bah humbug when it comes to masks.
Even when my own children wear them...nope, don't like them.

Never have, never will.

I don't like the sense of not knowing who is behind them.

Even cutesy masks...not a fan.

However I don't mind Disney characters.  Yes, weird I know.

Guess it's something with my psyche.  I know there is a human behind it but my brain just screams "Flee, this does not compute". 

What are you creeped out by?

Sunday Confessions

I thought I would start a new feature on the bloggeroo.
I will do it every Sunday.

I am going to do confessions.  You know my guilty pleasures, embarrassing stories, photos and the like.  Whatever I am feeling at the moment.

Today is a confession.  Although it could double as a guilty pleasure.
I haven't told anyone but my sister.
She just looked at me like I was from another planet.

Ok, here it goes.

I enjoy the music of India.

It started years ago when I listed to Sting.  He has an Indian man singing on one of his songs and I thought "Oh, that sounds good!".  Then I would watch Bollywood movies late at night & toe tap along.

Now I might stop at the music channel on cable.

It's true.  I am proud to announce it to the world.

Now, tell me...do you have a confession to make?

Book #9 of 2015: The Book of You by Claire Kendal

 

Another day, another book review.

I was fortunate enough to win this book from Sweeps4Bloggers…if you haven’t visited that website, you need to run.  She has so many giveaways & such on her blog.  I have won quite a few times.  Remember, the more you enter, the greater your chance of winning.

 

Let’s move on to the real reason for the post.  The Book of You by Claire Kendal is the story of a woman who is being stalked.  Kendal’s talent emerges as does the stalkers sociopath tendencies do.  She makes you feel as if you are Clarissa, the victim.  I held my breath quite a few times, as well as experienced a stomach flip or two.   

 

What I look for in a book, is a story I can immerse myself in.  A story where I picture every little detail.  Kendal does not disappoint.  If I can tune out my family while reading, it’s a good tale!   This is a story of many emotions that makes you say to yourself “Just one more page!”

 

I would definitely recommend.

 

What have you been reading lately?