It's a jungle out there

Really it's a jungle in here.
I feel as if the great outdoors has decided to take up living in my humble abode.

As I have stated before, I have a mouse.
Not the kind that lives in sunny Florida & is happy all the time.
The kind that likes to only come out at night & visit.
Ick!

Well yesterday there was some sort of beetle thing in my bathroom.
I waited til it got on the wall.  It was on the ceiling & I don't kill anything above my head for fear it will fall in my hair.
Once it got to where I was comfy with it, I broke out the hairspray & stunned it.
I then waffled it with the canister of Lysol wipes.
Using said wipes I attempted to pick it up.
Til it crunched under my fingers.
Oh.
My.
God!
I do not "do" crunchy.
I eventually got it in the trash but it wasn't my proudest moment.

Now this morning I saunter on into the kitchen & what to my wondering eyes spy?
Ants.
Baby ants
BUT
Ants none the less.
I killed them til I didn't see anymore & then got some ant killy house things.
Wish me luck.

After the ant massacre I go into my living room when I see something green on top of my air conditioner.
I pull back there curtain & there it is.
A grass hopper.

So, like any good mom, I call for my 3 yo to come get it.
He can't reach it & expected me to  pick him up so he could grab it.
Uh uh, not gonna happen.
Could you see it?
He would get it & the sucker would hop into my mouth or ear.
"shiver"
So I did what any good respectable mom would do.
I got my size 10 sneaker & beat the crap out of it.

That's right.
I killed it.

Sorry to all you bug activists but I loathe them.
It was instinctual.
Please forgive me.

I won't tell you what I have in the cabinet waiting for "Micky" to make his appearance.
PETA would be calling me & protesting outside my house.

So tell me, have you ever had the jungle come a callin inside your abode?

I'd like to thank the academy

Look what Tree over at Mother of Pearl it is gave me! I am so honored.

The rules are to post 7 random things about myself & pass on the award.

Well let's get on with it then:

1.  I am LDS. 

2.  I am totally addicted to blogs.  Seriously, it's an illness!

3.  I went to school to become a nail technician.  I was licensed in the state of NJ for 5 yrs but let it lapsed.  I would now have to return to school to get relicensed & well that's not going to happen.

4.  My favorite number is 15.

5.  I didn't get my drivers license til I was 21.

6.  I would love to quit my job & be able to make $$$ doing something creative.

7.  I graduated Rutgers Univ in 2005 with a degree in English w/ an Elementary Education certificate.  Yes, I am a school teacher but I work as a csr.

Now to award 2 blogs that I love:

Preston @ Me and the Blue Skies

and

Abby @ Art by Abby

Go visit them & tell them how awesome they are!

Caio!

Well...

What do you think of the new look?

Guess what today is??!!

6 months til Christmas.

You don't have to thank me for the reminder.

That's what I'm here for.
I'm a giver, ya know.

Seriously, have you done anything?
Crafty?
Purchase?
Planning?

I am planning on trying to use my g/c's to Amazon that I get from Swagbucks & Opinion Outpost to help pay for it.  Not to mention MyPoints.  I might try to make some stuff to give.

I dunno.

So tell me, are you happy I let you in on this monumental day?

Please floor, swallow me

This afternoon I took Cheeks & we went to the grocery store (Aldi...totally rocks!)


We walked up to the check out & in front of us, with her son, is a woman wearing one of these:

So I get in line when all of sudden my son yells in a voice acceptable for a football stadium.


"Mommy, look! Look at this black thing"


Im thinking "Oh.My.God. Shut up!"
I ignore him.
You know ignore, he will stop.


Didn't work.


He then says:
"What's he wearing?"


At this point the woman turns around & says
"Im a lady"


Supermommy kicks in & I say
"Oh I think he's talking to your son"


She than says (in such a nice way..thank God)
"These are just clothes, just like your mommy wears. I am a mommy just like your mommy"


I am now wishing the floor would swallow me & decide I will make a quick get away.
I smile, start talking to Cheeks & decide it's time for a potty break.


When we came out, she was leaving.


Thank God she was sweet about it.
Besides wishing I would get swallowed up, I just kept thinking "Holy Crap, she's got to be hot"


I did spy a very pretty purple skirt w/ flowers on it underneath.


Now how do I get my kid to stop speaking what comes into his head?
Ugh.

Really?

All in all it wasn't a horrific day.
It just went to crap around dinner time.

See it started w/ a very whiney 3 yo who appeared to not have a fever or any other symptoms.
Then he woke up from his nap.
Kabam!
Fever.
Motrined his tushie up & fed him pizza for dinner.
Yes, yes, mother of the year.
I know.

Now I decided to get my craft on by spray painting a frame today.
I laid the frame on top of the pizza box that I laid in the grass.
Oh that was mistake #1.

I brought said box in & laid it on my washer.
Mistake #2.

For some unknown reason I opened the box.
To my wondering eyes, there were about 2000 ants who were ready to party.
They immediately decided my washer, the inside & out, was the place to do it.

Got that all cleaned up.
Opened up the cabinet under my kitchen sink to get a wipee & noticed rice.
Black rice.
Now I don't keep food under there
NOR
Do I keep burnt rice.

Upon further investigation, I noticed it was FREAKIN mouse poop.
Again, with the mice.
It was nice, I had like 2 years off between mouse visits.
I live across the street from some woods.

Good times.

Then my evening continued when I discovered Cheeks had gone to the bathroom.
While I thought he was doing #1, he was really doing #2.
He proceeded to clog the toilet with about 20 wipes & then flushed.
Needless to say I was plunging.

So that is how I spent the early evening, how did you spend it?

And the award goes to....

Cheeks!
For best dramatic actor in a starring role.

It seems Mr. Cheekers is sick.
You know the drill, sore throat, fever, headache.

Here are some of the quotes that have been said today:

"Mommeeeee, I can't go fast, I have to go slooooow because I don't feel good"

"Mommeeeee, I slept to hard, my mouth hurts"

Now I asked him to pull the plug while he was in the tube.
His response
"I can't mommeeeeee, I am soooooo sick"
He then threw his head back, closed his eyes & whimpered.

Just like his father!

Caio!

Happy Fathers Day to all the daddys in my life.

Hey all you local readers

My friend looks sad, no?

Well stay tuned to see how you can make him & yourself smile!!!

As of today...

I am entering the last month of my 39th year.
Sigh.
Yep.
I am waving goodbye to my 30's.
Wish I could wave goodbye to 30lbs with such ease.

One month from today, my age will change.
I will officially have a son that is 10% of my age.

My little sister will still be in her 20's.
B*tch.

Caio!

Book Review ~ The Girls from Ames

Have you read this yet?
No.
You haven't read The Girls from Ames.
What are you waiting for???

Run to the library, nearest bookstore or order off Amazon here, The Girls from Ames.

What an awesome book!
Totally loved it.

It's a story of a 40 year friendship between 11 girls, well woman now.
Jeffrey Zaslow visited these woman, stayed with them, learned from them and he shares his incredible findings in this book.

11 women to keep track of may seem like a lot but the book pulls you in so that you don't even realize how many women are in the book.  Plus there is a great photo page in the beginning of each woman.

I loved reading about their friendship over the years.
The ups, the downs, the closeness, the meanness, the moves, the gatherings.
Their friendship reminded me of mine with 3 of my close girlfriends. 
We have gone through rough patches were we didn't talk, or just weren't able to connect but when we do we just pick up where we left off.
These women consistently stay in touch and they love each other as sisters.  Perhaps deeper than sisters.

I actually shed tears in this book.
There are a few surprises that will get you in the heart and there are many moments that will make you laugh out loud!

Jeffrey Zaslow has written about the extraordinary bond of the female friendship and he has done it with beauty and a grace.  A true story about 11 fabulous people.  Makes me want to write my story about myself and my friends.  Although I would doubt anyone would get a kick of reading about my adventures of smuggling my under age girlfriend into bars & letting her drink. 

Seriously, go get this book!
It's a must have for any female.

Have you read it?
Let me know what you think.

Caio!!

Paging Jack Sparrow...

Sexy isn't he?
A bit on the "Needs a bath" side
BUT
Still sexy.
I digress.

This post concerns my soon to be 4 yo son.

He's always good for a fun time!

Sunday evening, Cheeks & I were in the local Wally World (much to my chagrin but they have my hair enhancement the cheapest around).
So there we are.
Minding our own business, well I was anyway.

In the aisle walks a very tall man.
6'3 or so.
About 175.
He was wearing a wife beater, jeans, lots of tattoos on his arms.
Wrap around mirror sunglasses.
Long hair.
Top off with a do rag.

Then I hear it.
Cheeks.
Exclaiming, as he is pointing at this man
"Look Mom, a real pirate!"

I just about died.
I grabbed Cheeks & got the heck out of dodge.

You just got to love kids.

Has your little sweetums done anything to embarrass you?

Caio!

Winner! Winner! Brownies for Dinner!!!

Comment #21 is the winner.
Let's take a gander & see who it is!


Kathryn said...
my favorite dessert is cheesecake!


Muy excellente!
Congrats Kathryn!!!!


Thanks to everyone who entered.
Keep reading, I will have more contests soon.


Caio!

Technical Difficulties

If posting seems sparse, it's because I am having technical difficulties.

I am currently posting from the Nana's house.
Thank God she lives a block away.

Don't forget to enter the contest for the Mississippi Mud Brownies giveaway.
Nothing I like better than some chocolate!!!!

Caio!

Bedtime = Sahara Desert

We have entered the "Mommy I need a drink of water" phase in Cheeks young life.

Every night, approximately 15 minutes after he goes to bed (& has asked me a million questions) he gets dry mouth.  He whines for the water as if he's been out on the pet camel in the desert we like to call the Jersey Shore. 

Some nights, I'm the good mom & I go up there & give him water.
Granted, it's the only time he will drink water w/o me having to cut his juice with it.

Other nights, I tell him he will survive, I'm not giving him water & to go to sleep.

Am I cruel?

Tonight, when I gave him his water, he smacked his lips, made a "aaah" noise, said "That was good!" & handed me back the cup.

Glad I could help him quench his thirst.

Do you have a dehydrated camel in your house?

Caio!

Didja know?

That in the state of NJ it's illegal to buy & sell turtles.
Yep.

The Bobster & I had decided that Cheeks was old enough for a pet.
I wanted low maintenance so I suggested a turtle.
Little did I know, they poop & you have to constantly take care of them.
I found this out after the fact.

Off we go.
Local chain pet store.
Ask the associate for turtles & she says
"Oh, I'm sorry, they are illegal in NJ"
Is this like illegal aliens? They will move in, get health care and govn't spending?
Oops, sorry, had to be a bit snarky there.
It's illegal to sell them.
Apparently you can get disease from them.
Who knew!??!

So Cheeks is still petless.
I'm thinking goldfish.
Change the water, feed it, your done.

What kind of pets do your kiddo's have?

Caio!

I was recently asked by the One to One Network to take a listen the soundtrack for the new Sex and the City 2 movie.

So channeling my inner Charlotte & Carrie, I said Heck yes!

I am glad I didn't turn this one down!
What a fun, girly cd.
This cd features artists like Dido, Jennifer Hudson & Leona Lewis dueting on "Love is Your Colour", Cyndi Lauper and even Liza Minnelli (much to my chagrin but that is what the forward button is for).

"Can't Touch It' by Ricki-Lee is definitely my fav song on the soundtrack.  Even the girls get in on the act and do a version of "I am Woman".  There is even a SATC Men's Choir.  Hello! Showtunes!!! 

This is definitely a soundtrack you will want to have in your collection.  It's beboppy, dance-able & even evokes the feeling of being in the "New" Middle East with a few middle eastern inspired tracks.   I like to play those when I am driving in the mini van..since it's a/c is broken, it's gives me a real feeling of being in the Middle East this time of year.  Ha!

You can find this soundtrack over at here.
Definitely get it and let me know what you think of the soundtrack.

Caio!

Who Missed Me?

Did you notice I was gone?
I haven't been around.
Why you ask? Meghan, where o' where have you been?  Somewhere exotic & tropical? Somewhere fun w/ cabana boys peeling you grapes?

If only.

I was here.
My computer...not so much.

It appears that I still had an entire folder of my ex's on my computer.
For those that are new to the bloggeroo, I was previously married
I like to refer to him as the Porn King of South Jersey.
I was so proud.

Anywho, unbeknownst to me, his folder was still on the computer & I couldn't remove it because I didn't have administration privaliges (that so looks spelled wrong!).
Well I decided to click on a link...it was to a music sight.
Before it even had a chance to load, I closed it.

That's all it took.
1. 2. 3.
Computer infected with a virus that would only open porn or have me buy a virus protection.

The Grandpop decided he would buy me a computer for my birthday next month (I will be entering a new decade so it's a big one...it's not every day a girl turns 21...I was a child bride OK!).

Anywho I am up & running, sadly I lost everything on the old 'puter, including pics of all the kids & fam etc.
I am hoping my IT dept at work will take pity on me & take a gander at the old hard drive to see if anything is salvagable (my spelling is so off tonight).

But stick around...I have reviews coming, tidbits of my life & a giveaway.
Oh that's right.
I said giveaway!

Let me know how you have been!!!

Caio!

Thank God, I got an adorable kid!

There I was.
Minding my own business.
Driving the mini van.
Off the exit ramp of one highway.
On to another highway.

Well at the top of that exit ramp is a 8 sided sign.
In red.
Has 4 letters on.
Normally I would see this.
I grew up here.
Today I kind of kept glancing to see if there was traffic coming in the lane I was going.
It wasn't.
So in the words of Cher from Clueless...
"I totally paused"

Unbeknowst to me, in my lane, beyond were I could see, was a police car.
With a policeman in it.

Next thing I know, the lights go on & I pull over.
He pulls behind me!!!
As if.

I had all my stuff ready.
He told me why he was pulling me over.
He was the sweetest cop EVER!

Then my Cheeks asked me a questioned & I replied.
The police officer thought I was talking to him & asked me to repeat myself.
I told him I was talking to my son, that his dad & I were trying to teach him that police officers are good & he is to go to one if he ever gets lost or in trouble.
The police officer moved so he could see Cheeks & said "Hey Buddy!" and smiled.

After he walked back to his car, to run my license & such, Cheeks says "Mommy is he going to write you a ticket?"
I told him I hoped not
BUT
I broke the law.

About 2 mins later the police officer appears at my window.
Hands me my stuff
Then
Hands me police badge stickers for my "little guy!"
He then really nicely reminded me about the stop sign at the top of the ramp & let me go.

NO TICKET!

Thank God for cute kids!!
And really nice police officers!!

Have you ever gotten out of a ticket?
LMK!

Psst...want some cute shoes for boys!

Being the mom of a boy & only boys, I realize boys get the short end of the stick when it comes to cute outfits  & accessories.

Well, parents of boys, fret no more.
Megryan's Mom is having a giveaway.
For what you ask?
For Uneaks.
Great fashionable sneaks & sox boys.

Wait! This could be a bad idea because if you enter her contest, my chances of winning get slimmer.
This is very much the conundrum!
Well, the good heart in me is going to allow you all to enter the contest.

What are you waiting for?
Go!

Late!

Psst...

I'm also over here!

NJ MOM BLOG

PSA~Pronunciation

Let me just start by saying this is not another PSA about how to pronounce or even spell my name.
Although I think we could use refesher. Especially for those who email me or respond to my emails which has my name in it & still spell it Megan.  Sigh.  My mom gave me the "h" for a reason.

This PSA is about how people pronounce certain words because they drop a letter.
I took linguistics in college...I understand dialects are regionals.  Trust me I was up my Linguistic Professor's ass!  Passed w/ a B!!!

This is about when people feel it necessary to drop the pronunciation of letters that clearly exist in words.

For example, today I was speaking with a woman on the phone.
I updated her on the status of something she was looking for.
Her reply:
"Uh, uh, no way, I orda that lat munt"
Thankfully because I have dealt with the public since high school I was able to decipher that she said:
"Uh, uh, no way, I ordered that last month"

Perhaps she thought the "s" in last was optional.
Sort of like stop signs....feel free to blow them, it's just an option to stop.

Now "munt" is just wrong altogether.
I can only deduce that she felt the ending "h" in the word, making th sound, was merely a suggestion. Such as a speed limit is a suggestion for roads. 
"Hey if you would like to pronoune the th sound, feel free, but if you don't, then that's ok too"
Of course, she subbed a "u" for the "o".  Common in some areas of the country...I assume.

I wanted to help.
I wanted to teach her how to speak properly but I thought she obviously has more important things in this life like getting her hearing tested when I had to repeat my answer to her 3x's.
Her prompt reply all 3x's:
"Whaaaaa?"
Again, she chose not to pronounce the "t".
Really, why should she.
Clearly, an optional letter in the world.

So, please, world, if the letter is meant to be pronounce, please pronounce it.
Of course, if it is not meant to be pronounced, like say the "h" in Meghan, then don't say it.  Trust me, after almost 40 yrs the joke gets tired of people saying "Meg-Han"

Tell me what pronunciation of a word drives you crazy?

Late!

Did you know May is National Foster Care Month?

Adoption and foster care is close to my heart.  Not because I am adopted (I'm not) or I was in foster care (I wasn't), neither was anyone in my family BUT
Because children of all ages need good homes.
Older children, as we all know, have a tougher time being adopted.  Foster families are needed for children of all ages, sizes, colors and needs as are adoptive families.

The total number of children waiting for a safe, permanent family have from more than half a million to 463,000 in 5 yrs!  That's incredible!!!

Please welcome my guest blogger: Adopt Us Kids

Did you know it would take less than 1% of the U.S. population to provide a family for every child in foster care?

May is National Foster Care Month and there has never been a greater need to bring attention to children waiting for forever homes. More than 463,000 children are currently in foster care and 123,000 children are waiting to be adopted.
Children in foster care are loving children. They are children like Shaquane and Edlina and Albert. Every child deserves to have a home with caring and supportive parents.
Help us spread the message this month to reach all Americans and teach them about the love and joy that foster care adoption can bring to your life.


Visit www.adoptuskids.org to learn more about fostering and adopting. You can also join our online communities on Facebook and Twitter.


So, do you want to get involved?
Any way you can?
Visit: http://adoptuskids.org/content.aspx?q=National-Foster-Care-Month to see how you can make a difference in a child's life!!!  I know I will.
 
*This post is a part of a campaign w/ GlobalInfluence*

Winner, Winner, Eggplant Dinner!

Well I have a theory.
Either no one reads my blog anymore
OR
No one likes Michael Bolten.

We had 2 entries....yep.
2.

And the winner is:
Megryan's Mom!

Congrats! Send me your snail mail & I will get this out to you!

It's a review, no it's a giveaway, no it's a review & a giveaway! Woo!

One World One Love by Michael Bolton.
Look at those eyes!
So blue!
&
That smile...oooh la la.
He's a good lookin guy sans the mullet.
Thank God that trend went to the wayside.

Onto the cd.
One World One Love is a cd of island melodies.
I was listening this in the mini van on a hot day with Bobster & the kids. 
As soon as it started playing I was daydreaming about being on a carribean island...alone. 

This is definitely a cd that you will want to have in your collection.
I can almost hear this music being played at Bahama Breeze & Sandals as I type!

Not to mention on this cd he has collaborated w/ Lady Gaga (Cheeks fav) & Ne-yo.
He's also touring the US & Europe for 6 months.

Out of the songs on the cd, my fav has got to be Ready for You.
Puts me in a relaxed mood immediately!

Not only did I get to review this great cd, Thanks to Team Mom Media, they are also providing me with one copy to give away to one of my lucky readers!!!

Woo!

Here is what you have to do.

Leave me a comment telling me if you like Michael Bolton with the mullet or without.

If you would like extra entries try these:
1.  Follow my blog!  If you are already a subber, leave me a comment telling me.  If you are a new subber, leave me a comment telling me.

2.  Follow me on Facebook.   Meghan's Mindless Mutterings.  Leave me a shout on my Facebook page telling me hey!

3.  Tweet this giveaway & leave a comment with link the tweet.  My twitter name is mkw70.

4.  Finally, blog about this giveaway & link to my post.  Then leave me the link in the comments.

Easy Peasy, Cottage Cheesy.

You have until Tues, May 16th to get your entries in.  By 8pm est

Ciao!

Thinking ahead

Whew!
Will you look at that shine on that bald little head?
Sad, really.
The bald spot is back yet I don't look that cute any longer.
Yep.
Still chubby.
Yep.
Bald spot.
Yep.
Still smiling (with the help of medication...girls got to do what a girls got to do!)
Sadly, the big 40 is approaching.
Can you stand it?
I can't.

In just a little bit more than 2 months I will 40.
Really, I don't get it.
At work they just hired a new girl for our sales department.
She's 21.
Her mom?
40!
Yep.
My age.
Dear God, how is this happening!!!???

Inside I feel like a kid.
Especially if my mom is around.
Why?
Well she's the mom.

Does that mean, that I will the mom to Cheeks & his friends?
I know I am the mom but will I be THE mom.
You know, the one who can fix the problems, cook the meals, comfort when sick.
The kids in Cheeks preschool call me "Cheek's mom", then they usually tattle on him.
That's another post.
Cheeks & his preschool.

Tell me, are you having a momental bday this year?
Had one?
How did you cope?
I know 40 is still young & viral.
It's just that 40 is like a "moms" age.
KWIM?

Ciao!

Sigh

That's me.
Not happy right now.


Kinda blue.


Why?
1. I am still cameraless.
Yep.
No camera.
Still waiting to get the money to get fixed.
I feel like an appendage has been removed.


2. I just got some fresh strawberries.
Cut them up.
Put some whipped cream on them
&
Sat down to eat them.


Apparently, I am now allergic to strawberries.
My mouth is itching & my lips feel like they are chapped & swollen & they also itch.
Sigh.
That is what happens when I eat apples, peaches, kiwis, pears etc.
Except my throat closes up with those.


Gotta love it!




On a brighter note, I did get to scrap this weekend.
I know.
Don't fall off of your chairs.
I did 4 pages!!


I would share but my scanner needs some sort of wire to make it work & I have yet to figure it out.
I would take pics but well you know the situation.


I might take some pics with my phone.
Yea, that's the ticket.


OOH! Tell me who used to say that line.
Do you remember?


Leave me a comment & I will let you know if you are right.


Ciao!

Here's your real NJ Housewives!

I'm not gonna lie to you.
I love this show.
Monday night I was riveted to Bravo watching the rerun's of the NJ Housewives, waiting for the premiere of the second season to start.


I watched.
I enjoyed.
BUT
While I thoroughly enjoy this show this is not the reality of a NJ housewife.


First, these women are from North Jersey.
To us in South Jersey, that's like another state.
Plus they are from Franklin Lakes.
Um, hello, upper class neighborhood.


I would like Bravo to featur the real housewives of NJ.
Those of us who get up in the morning.
Get ourselves and our family ready for the day.
Then fill up the "used" minivan on our ATM card & hope it doesn't clear before we get paid.
Drop off the kids at school/pre-school.
Then head off to work for 9 hours minus 1 hour for lunch.
Leave work,
Pick up child from day care.
Head home,in traffic, on a hot day in a car w/o a/c.
Make dinner but first clean up the mess that has magically appeared from early in the day when no one was home.
Clean up dinner.
Do some laundry.
Bathe some kids.
Put kids to bed.
Pick up.
Figure out how to make the money last all month.


You all get the drift.
I want to see the moms who do it all.
Who lose sleep over the bills being paid or the child acting up at daycare & it is "obviously" only your child who is doing this.


The moms who are overweight.
Don't wear make up all day.
Barely do their hair.
Hope the clothes they have on aren't stained.


Film the kids.
Watch while the youngest runs around half naked yelling "penis, magina! I like them mommy"
Focus on the father who asks any of the children to "pull his finger" so he can omit a loud noise that is usually followed by a smell so foul we have to fumigate the house.


Yes,America, this is the life of a real NJ Housewife.
Where our parties are few & far between & usually involve some sort of demonstration, ie: Tastefully Simple, Tupperware.
Fundraising?
Would you like to buy some wrapping paper for my kids preschool?
Great that will be $12!


So tell me, how is it being a housewife in your town?


Late!