Downhill to 40

As 40 rapidly approaches for me this week (Friday) I have begun to notice some changes in my body.

Say today for instance.

There I am, deep in thought, when my hand grazes my chins (yes, chins, keepin it real.)

I feel something wirey, yet soft.

What was Meghan? you say.

A hair.

Not only one but three.

Gasp!

There I said it.

The closer 40 gets, the more chin hairs sprout.

They are either white or black.

Sorry to be so graphic.

My blog.

Not only that, my knees are killing.

They always have but they seem to be getting worse.

Let's not talk about the girls.

You know what Im talking about.

Girls, twins, tatas, kasaba melons.

Gravity is not my friend.

I would like to know why is that when I lay down, the girls decide they are more comfy on the sides of body in between the side of chest & my arms.

Attractive, I know!

So tell me, when you were approaching a new decade in your life, what have you experienced?

Mooooo.......

The other day was Cow Appreciation day at a certain "serves only chicken" fast food joint.

So on our way home from getting hair cuts I decided to stop, completely forgetting about this promo.

Cheeks is a bit nosey & started asking the gentleman behind us all kinds of inquirying questions.  I think he is going to be an interrogater when he's an adult. 

The guy liked him so much, next thing I know he's taking his kids costume & putitng it on Cheeks.

So thanks to my chatterbox & the generousity of one stranger, Cheeks ate free!

MOOO!

And the award goes to....

I am so excited!
I got another award.
From whom you say?
From Kathleen @ Life with Four Boys (God bless her!)

The only rules are to thank the person who gave it to you.
Thank you Kathleen!!!!

Then pass the award on to other bloggers that add some sunshine to your life.
Without further adieu, let's check out the other bloggers who get the sunshine!

Cloudy with a Chance of Erin
Fmily Fun Blog
Look it's MegRyans Mom
The Dalomba Days
John & Lisa are eating in South Jersey
Mother of Pearl it is

So tell me, what adds sunshine to your life?

New giveaway & campaign info for Electrolux & Kelly-Confidential over at my new blog:

Meghan's Mindless Mutterings: Reviews & Giveaways

The giveaway....$25 Amex

Come see!

Psst....

I have started a new blog for reviews & giveaways...come join me over there!

Meghan's Mindless Mutterings: Reviews & Giveaways

By the by, the first post will include a giveaway!!!

Despicable Me

All I can say is...I want a minion!
Yep!
A minion!!!!!

Go see it.

I saw it & let me tell you...AWESOME! HEART WARMING! FUNNY! LIGHT HEARTED!

Took Cheeks, Aunt Erin & Brandon to see it.
We all loved it.
Even saw it in 3D & both lil boys kept their neat-o peachy keen glasses on through the whole movie.

It's only 95 minutes and keeps your interest the entire time.
It has many one liners & portrays typical parent & child behaviors, along with evil criminal behaviors as well.

Definitely a must see for the summer!

If you see it in 3D be prepared.to jump because I did a few times. 
I have seen a few 3D's here & there & the animation part was nothing compared to this 3D special effects.

So really, don't waste your time on other non animated films, head on out this weekend & see Despicable Me!

Let me know if you do.

Conversations w/ the Cheekers

This evening on the ride home Cheeks & I were discussing his field trip.
I asked who he sat on the bus with.
He told me Summerlyn.

Here is how the rest of the convo went:
Me: "Do you like Summerlyn?"
C: "Yes I like her"
Me: "Is she pretty?"
C: "Yes but she doesn't wear a dress so no she isn't pretty"
Me: "She isn't pretty because of her clothes"
C: "She needs to take her clothes off"
Me: "You would think she would be pretty naked?"
C: "Yes but she would need to wear a dress or a skirt then she would be beautiful."
Me: "Oh beautiful?"
C: "Yes, in a dress or skirt"

Aunt Erin asked Cheeks if she was pretty
C: "Yes, no"
AE: "Im not pretty?"
C: "Well no you don't wear a dress or skirt?"
AE: "I have to wear a dress or skirt?"
C: "Yes"
AE: "Well if I'm not pretty what am I?"
C: "A man!"

I had to hold Aunt Erin from teaching Cheeks about female equality.
I think he has seen one too many princess movies really.
He told me the same thing last night.
I wasn't beautiful because I didn't wear dresses or skirts.

Sigh.
If only it was that easy to be beautiful.

What have you discussed with your kids lately?

For the love of God

It's hot.
Like white hot.
Like Africa hot.

Sigh.
It reached over 100 degrees today.
Hello!
This is Jersey....you know humidity, not inferno temperatures.

All I want to do is sit & sip some lemonade.
Inside.
In a climate controlled environment.

How about you?
What's the weather like were you are?

40 things

Since it's my birthday month I thought I would do a little post about moi.
Yep.
Call me narcissistic but I'm going to do 40 things about me post.

Your enthralled.
I can tell.


Let's do it, shall we:
1.  My middle name is Kathleen.
2.  I'm 6ft tall.
3.  My fav ice cream is Ben & Jerry's Phish Food.
4.  Fav band is Sister Hazel.
5.  I've been to Ireland, England, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland & Holland.
6.  I appeared on the tv show Dancin On Air & Dance Party USA.
7.  I graduated from Rutgers w/ a degree in English & Elementary Ed certified.
8.  I busted my lip open as a kid resulting in a huge bump as a scar.  It's not visible now but as a kid it was horrendous.
9.  Almost all my friends are named Kathy or Megan.
10.  Fav color is PINK!
11.  I am terrified of spiders. Ick.
12.  I am addicted to blogs.
13.  Total Food Network addict.
14.  I enjoy baking.
15.  My fav # is 15.
16.  My friends threw me a surprise sweet 16 party.
17.  I've been out of school 22 years. O.M.G.
18.  My cell phone tune is "Bulletproof"
19.  My first concert was when I was 23 & I saw The Steve Miller Band.
20.  I have traveled by train to Florida from Philadelphia...down & back.  Never again!
21.  This is a lot harder than I thought...fact #21.
22.  Bobster & I were set up on a blind date.
23.  I love the pin up look but I would look like a moron.
24.  I'm LDS.
25.  I am not a nature person.  Give me a temperature controlled climate any day.
26.  My first car was a 79 Chrysler Cordoba.
27.  I have red hair.
28.  I worked in a dry cleaners, a pharmacy, a clothing store for older people, Bath & Body Works, a candle store, a supermarket, a paper manufacturer, a floor installer & a distributor.
29.  I failed gym, not once but twice in highschool.
30.  Had braces 3x's.
31.  When I sing it sounds like cats are dying.
32.  My favorites movies are Steele Magnolias & The Matchmaker.
33.  I love to read.
34.  Adore celeb gossip.
35.  I forgot I've been to Canada.
36.  I was 36 when I had my son.
37.  I've never lived anywhere but the state I was born in.
38.  I lied I've been to Puerto Rico too.
39.  I still have my tonsils.
40.  I used to have my ears double pierced but I grew keloids in the second hole & had them removed.

Ok, now it's your turn to tell me something about yourself.

Go!

Happy Birthday America!

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Today we celebrate being able to live free.
Make our own choices.

How are you celebrating?

Our town did the parade/fireworks thing yesterday.
Today we are heading to a friends for a picnic.
They have a pool.
I do not have a bathing suit.
I can't do that to others, let them see me in a bathing suit.
All you would hear is:
"OMG! My eyes! Cover your watch! Land ho! Beached something or another!"
It wouldn't be pretty.

Let me know how you will be celebrating.

In the years I've been alive

I never expected I would be content with watching 2 little boys eat their dinner & run around like nuts at the playground.

What contentment have you experienced lately?

Guess what month it is!!??

Tis July!

My birthday month.

Can you stand it?

I know I can't!!!

How shall we celebrate a new decade for me on this little old blog?

Hmmm....give me some ideas.

How about we first come up with some suggestions for something scumptious to have for dessert.

What is your fav treat for your birthday?

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!