Stream of Conciousness

You really have to thank James Joyce for creating this style of writing.
I would tlhank him but as an English major in college I read to much Joyce & wanted to slit my wrists w/ a butter knife.
Hated it!

So it's officially October.
Break out the pumpkins!

I love my little pumpkin.
Wait til you find out what he's going to be this year.
His choice.
I swear.
For those that follow me on Facebook you may already know.
We picked up his costume today...well some of it.
I have to get the actual outfit & some felt still.

Would have gotten it at Walmart today
BUT
I left.
In disgust.
They didn't have anything I went for.

Here's what I've been wondering....
Do you ever feel like your teeth are wearing sweaters?
Don't get me wrong.
I brush.
Sometimes, at random times during the day, my teeth will feel like they are wearing sweaters.
Weird eh?

Not as weird as Sister Wives eh?
Hows that for a segway.
I am watching the show & I am thinking are you kidding me?
First, let me say this, I am very happy that the guy explained that he is part of the Fundamentalist Mormons & not the Main Stream Mormons.
I always get someone who thinks it's funny to ask how many wives my dad has.
Like I've never heard it before.
Then they follow it up with do you know Donny & Marie?
Why yes.
Every Sunday my dad & my 8 mom's get together with the Osmonds for a hoe-down.
Gimme a break.
Not all Mormons know each other
&
Polygamy has been outlawed in the church for eons.

Now here is where I might get in trouble.
While I do not believe in it, and while I understand it's wrong, let them be.
They aren't harming anyone & legally he's only married to one woman.
What's the diff btwn that & being married to one & having an "open" marriage.
Again, I believe in none of that so no flames please.

It's sort of like the Duggars.
Would I want 19 children?
No.
Do I care that they have 19?
Heck no, the more the merrier, for them.
They are not relying on the govn't for their income, their children are well fed, well taken cared of, polite & good members of society.

Just my opinions on these important matters in society today.
I am a wealth of opinions.  Ha.

So lets make this clear....I believe in one man, one wife.
I believe in letting people have as many kids as they wish if they can take care of them.
I have some other beliefs but won't discuss here.

You can ask me my opinion, I will let you know.
Just know it's my opinion, doesn't make it right or wrong.
Right?

Let the games begin!

What? You're How Old?

For the love of God, today was an eye-opener.
Apparently, I'm old.
Yep.
Old.

For those that do not know, I turned 40 this past July.

No biggie.
I handled it with grace & finesse.


Today tho., ugh, it bit me in the tushie.
Went to lunch w/ my dad, as I do every Wednesday.
We go to the same place.
This is hole in the wall diner by my work.
Our server today was Kyle whose bil owns the joint.


He's a cutie.
Blonde, blue eyed, nice smile.
My dad thought he was greek.
Sigh.
He's Irish. I can spot an Irish boy a mile away.


I digress.
Talking w/ Kyle I flat out asked him how old he was...it was totally part of the convo.
Kyle said 22.
I did the math & then asked the dreaded question.
"What year were you born?"
Kyle responded with
"1988"
WTF!
I graduated high school in 88.
When I told young Kyle this he goes "WoW! I'd have never you were that old"
Thanks Kyle, that makes me feel much better.


Then I go to work where I'm reading my blogs.
Shh...it's allowed in my world.
I find out that the original Beverly Hills 90210 debuted 20 years ago.
20!!!!!

Holy crap!
You're kidding me right?
First, who remembers Scott?
Kid on the end, next to Andrea?
Poor kid, killed off in the 2nd season & never mentioned again.

This show was an icon of my youth.
I remember going to my friend's house who was holding a premiere party for the season opener of season 5 I think?  I can't remember...I'm old.

Really, 90210, 20 years old?
This has to be wrong.

Then again, we were chatting the other day & reminiscing about old tv shows.
Like Starsky & Hutch, Eight is Enough & my personal fav:

Sigmund the Sea Monster.
You know, with Jodi from Family Affair.
Another total fav show & did you know Jodi was Mormon.
Oh that's right.
Holla for the Mormons!

So I feel officially old.
To help me feel older or younger, tell me what tv shows you remember from your youth.
I'd love to know!

Countdown to Christmas!!!

That's right.
It's coming.

Today is the first official day of fall tho.
So to help us get ready for Christmas I think we should take the suggestion that Jennifer at 100 Days til Christmas suggests.

That is breaking out the fall festive decor.
That's right.
Get those pumpkins.
Get those gourds.
Gussy up the joint.

Sure it may be 90 degrees & humid as all get out here in my neck of the world
BUT
Fall is a coming.
I'm confident.

I will be decorating a little.
Already have the fall smelling candles burning.

Go sign up at 100 Days til Christmas to get helpful tips & ideas & such to help prepare for the holiday season coming!!!

LMK if you sign up.

Child Passenger Safety Week

To help with Child Passenger Safety Week, this Saturday, September 25th, is National Seat Check Saturday.

If you have a child, you know your child must be a car seat til a certain age/weight and then once out of the car seat, at all times, in a seat belt.

Car seat inspection stations can be found here: Click me!

To check out instructional videos & recalls go to Child Car Safety Ad Council by clicking here: Click me!

Child passenger safety even has their own facebook page: Click me!

So for your peace of mind & your child (rens) safety check these sites & places out.
You won't be sorry.

*I received no monetary compensation but I was entered in a contest for a gift card.  All opinions are my own*

Where did my toddler go?

An oldie but a goodie.
I love my boy!

Mother of the Year Strikes Again

The other night I run Cheeks bath.


He decided he needs to go to the bathroom.
Well before I had a chance to stop him curiousity got the best of him & he held his hand out in front of little jim & the twins & proceeded to pee on his hand.
Sigh.
I was like "What are you doing? Don't do that. Ew"


I told him not to touch anything he could wash it off when he got in the tub.
So I picked him up, swung him over my legs, into the tub.


He just stood there.
Looking at me.
Dumbfounded.


I kept telling him to sit.


He just stood there.


All of a sudden he looks at me & goes:


"MY SOCKS!"


Yes, I put him in the bathtub with his socks on.


Sigh.
I don't know what I am thinking lately.
Maybe I'm just tired.


What have you done lately?

Conspiracy Theory?

Ok, whose seen the movie Astro Boy?
It's on On Demand this month & it's a freebie since we have Starz so we've watched it a katrillion times.
Along w/ Bolt but that's another post.

Anyway I've watched Astro Boy & I realized he strucks a resounding resemblence to someone.

Exhibit A:
Astro Boy

Now, remember the restaurant Bob's Big Boy?
I used to love it as a kid.
Well here's there mascot:

Exhibit B:

Now I'm thinking the studio that created Astro Boy was heavily influenced by Big Boy & is using subliminal advertising to help bring this chain back.

I dunno.
What do you think?
Hmm.


Do tell!

Hate to tell you this but

There are less than 100 days til Christmas.
Tis true.


About 2 years ago I found the coolest site, 100 days til Christmas.Jennifer offers you challenges, tips, fun topics to help you get ready for the Christmas season.
It will be here before you know.

Right now 100 Days til Christmas is offering a chance to win a membership to  ListPlanIt.com
This site is going to help you with calendars, wish lists, card list.  Every thing imaginable to help you organize your holidays & beyond.

Sooooo, check out 100 Days til Christmas & enter to win a membership to ListPlanIt.com

Um, Merry Christmas!!!

Mother of the Year ~ Fail

Finally a photo of all 3 children that is recent.
Taken w/ my cell phone.
Yes. I know. It sucks.
Sadly, I have no camera.
True.
I am still cameraless.
Feel as if I lost my right arm.


Could be worse.
I could have left the house without my pants on.
Strange segway you say?
Nope.
Why?
The other morning as I ran around like a nut trying to get myself & Cheeks out of the house, I forgot something.
Not on my.
On him.
I put his socks & shoes on, handed him his lunchbox & out the door we went.
He walked to the minivan
&
That's when I said
"Cheeks, where's your pants?"
There was my son.
Just in green boxer briefs.
You would think he would have reminded me that he was missing his shorts.
His fault really as he gets dresssed himself.
So back in the house we went & got properly dressed.


Have you ever done that?
Over the winter I tried to get him outta of the house w/o shoes.
Mother of the Year = FAIL.


Do me a favor, tell me your Mother of the Year moment.
Please.

My little sister started a new blog.


Mix n Me


Come check her out & follow her too!!!

Come see

how you can get a free week at The School for Rock.

Clicky this linky:

Meghan's Mindless Mutterings: Reviews & Giveaways

Racoon at Day, Runaway! Racoon at Night, Everything is Alright

First I would like to thank Preston & Steve for the title.
Such a true, true phrase. {Click the link to find out who P&S are}

Anywho, yesterday about 1pm I was driving down a road in town.
It's a pretty populated road & heavy with pedestrians.
I notice not one but two police cars sitting on the right, just parked & hanging out.
I pass them.
No biggie.

About 10 minutes later I go by again.
This time I see only one cruiser.
I notice there is a cat hunched in front of the cruiser.
Thought "That's odd"
Except that was no cat.
Oh.
That's right.
Racoon.
Hunched as if it was ready to attack & it didn't move.
Looked like taxidermy had already been practiced on it.

Now we all know racoons are nocturnal.
If one is out during the day, it must be sick.
This poor racoon actually just stayed in the position while cars went zooming by.

It was not there today.
I assume animal control came & got it.
Do you know how they test for rabied racoons?
Chop their head off.
How sad for the little racoon.

On another poor animal note.
I arrive home tonight & go to park outside my house.
Right on my front lawn, the ducks were having a family reunion.
Everyone was there.
Great Granpop duck, the Nana, the kids etc.
As they crossed the street all the cars stopped, beeped, went slowly around.

Then Cheeks & I noticed the lame duck.
Literally.
The duck was lame.
He walked with a limp
AND
Was holding his leg up.
His little leg & flipper just hung there.
Like a wet noodle.

I explained to Cheeks he was injured.
Well that's all it took.
"Aw mom, it's so cute, let's help it"
Right on that there Cheeks.

Lame duck finally got tired of limping across the road
So
He spread his wings & flew.
Only to land on the noodle leg
AND
I swear I so the duck wince.

I think he knew we were watching.
You know, he played it up for show.
The rest of the duck family ignored him.
I felt bad for him.
Just not bad enough.


So what kind of outdoorsy animals have you encountered?

Happy Grandparents Day

It only comes once a year!

He's catching up with me.
Yes, he's younger than me.


Happy Birthday Bobster!!!


We love you!

The Duel to end all Duels

What?

This isn't what decorates your bathroom sink?

Oh, that's right.

A little Incredible Hulk vs. Abomination action in the bathroom.

It's obviously they were both taken out by the Glade room spray.

You just don't mess with an aerosole can! Especially Cinnamon Spice.

Yep.

I like to keep my bathroom smelling "food" fresh.

Ha.

What scent do you have in your bathroom?

Take a look at the toe nails on Abomination.

Obviously has let his feet go this summer.

Dire need of a pedicure.

Speaking of which, mommy needs one as well.

Do you like the "trendy" mint green tile in bathroom?

How retro chic!

Well, that's what I tell myself.

You know, so I can continue to live here since I rent.

Sigh.

One day I will have a cool bathroom.

Like when I'm 70 at this rate.

It is, what it is.

Tell me what's hanging out in your bathroom?

Condition known as Slobberitis

It's bad.
The condition my dh has.
I've never seen anything this severe in my life.
My dh suffers from Slobberitis.
He is onto Stage V.
I don't think there is a chance for recovery
BUT
I will secretly, my heart, hold out hope.

See I know he has this b/c of certain things his limbs are incapable of doing.
Like making the hamper.
It's a simple laundry basket that sits on the floor of our bedroom.
Inevitably his underwear never makes it in the basket.
It's always just shy of the hamper, laying helplessly on the floor right next to it.
I mean RIGHT next to it.
Obviously, Bobster is unable to life his leg any further up to get the underwear in the basket.

Of coure, there is the problem with his back & waist.
See he must bend at the waist to empty the bath water after Cheeks takes a bath.
Usually I have Cheeks pull the plug himself but Bobster doesn't want to overexert the poor child so he tries to do it himself.
Sadly, he can't seem to get quite bent over perfectly b/c when I go to take a shower, the water is still left in there.
I see it in there b/c Bobster's arms are incapable of pulling the shower curtain closed.

It's sad really.
I think Jerry Lewis is considering starting a telethon for those that suffer from Slobberitis.

The 11 yo is showing signs as well.
Take this weekend.
He took off his gray sweatshirt which promptly landed next to the toilet.
I asked him numerous times on Saturday to pick it up.
Then on Sunday.
Finally on Monday it was still sitting there so I threw it out.
Evidentally, if he can't bend to pick it up, how in the world would he lift his arms to put it on?

Unfortunately, all the Slobberitis sufferers in this household also can't take their dirty socks to the hamper.
They prefer to leave them in the living room.
Strewn about.
It's as if, the limbs allow them to take them off but suddenly become paralyzed if they have to remove them from the floor.
Again, the only thing I can do is throw them away.
It's going to be an awfully cold winter for a lot of toes around these here parts.

So tell me, do you have a loved one who suffers from Slobberitis?

Happy Lurker, I mean, Labor Day

It's the end of the summer.
Sigh.

I really am a fall girl so I am not too upset plus in this area of the country we have many HOT days to come.

Anywho, to celebrate end of the summer Dear Crissy is doing a lil lurker par-tay!
Mommy PR is playing along too (that's how I found out)

Here's' what you have to do.
It's super simple.

Tell me who you are
&
Leave me a linky to your blog.

That's it.
If you want to tell me a bit about yourself in the comments, please do.
I want to meet you!!!
And if I already know you tell me hi anyway.

Go to the other parties & link up.

You never know who you will meet.

Friday Night Stream of Conciousness

Little disappointed with the upcoming cast of DWTS.
First off, I adore the Situation...but on the Jersey Shore.
Not sure if I really consider him to be a celeb let alone a half decent dancer.

Then we have Bristol Palin.
Really?
Really?
She's considered a celeb.
Let her be what she is.
A mom.
A mom whose mom is famous.
If she wants to be left alone dancing across America is not the way to achieve that goal.

Then we have Michael Bolten.
Again, really?
Perhaps he'll grow the mullet back.
Now that would be worth watching him strut across the dance floor.

As for the Hoff will he be booging to "Cheeseburger in Paradise"?
Just sayin.

I will watch.
I will pick a fav.
Hopefully next season they find some real celebs because I don't think these are even D listed.

Sigh.

So whose ready for Autumn?
Halloween?
Me!
Me!
Me!

Cheeks informed that now that he is 4 and he's a man (his words!) he wants to be Iron Man for Halloween.
Gone are my days of dressing him like a pumpkin or a lion or even a cute race car driver.
I was hoping to keep him as a baby at least for one more year.
That went out the window.

Cruised by Christmas Tree Shoppe tonight for a little Autumn/Halloween decor inspiration.
I was disapointed.
They had some cute stuff
BUT
Nothing eye catching enough.

They even had some Christmas stuff out.
Let's be real here, I liked it.
I love holiday decor.
Ask the Nana.
She endured many a year of me decorating the house for holidays b/c she's not that into it.
I held on to my little sister's paper plate pilgrims that she made in Kindergarten til I moved out of the house in 2002.
Oh yes.
Yes I did.

Do you decorate for Thanksgiving?
I collect turkeys.
Weird? Perhaps.
I just can't break out the Christmas decor til Black Friday.
Then it's game on!
Of course, that's after I hit up the Black Friday sales.
Nothing like a bargain at 3am with bedhead, puffy eyes & wearing pj's.
Wait.
I just described the female cast of the Jersey Shore.
Oh!

I like that show.
It's a guilty pleasure.
I dig Snook's bump.
I did it the other night.
I bumped.
It made me 6"1 in my stocking feet.
And my it was attractive.
Red hair, grey & brown roots with a big ole honkin poof held in place by a red clip that has seen better days.
Thank God Bobster wasn't home.
He would have thrown me to the floor & had his way with me.

So tell me what's going on in your neck of the woods.

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend is upon us.
Summer is over.
Boo! Hiss!
Really I am glad to see summer go, as I am an Autumn fanatic.

Anyway this is a busy weekend for picnics, partying, hanging down the shore (you know, like in Jersey Shore, holla!)

What I am asking you is take the pledge.
The pledge to either become a designated driver or designate a driver for you.
If you become one or pick one send them this badge:

Did you know that in 2008, just over the Labor Day holiday weekend, 194 people were killed in crashes involving an impaired driver?
Easily fixable, if you designate a driver.

Let me tell ya.
I don't drink
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I was always the designated driver.
I was always glad to do it b/c I knew my friends & family would arrive safely home to the best of my sober abilities.
This is nothing to mess around with.
Do you really want to lose your life b/c you like the taste of alcohol?
I didn't think so.

Check out their Facebook page here <~~~click it! They list 50 non alcoholic drinks that you can partake in. Again...HOLLA! Even getting buzzed is drunk driving. Not good. The Facebook page evens has a ride locator for those that don't have a designated driver but need one. So take the pledge with me at Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.
There is even a little game you can play.

Whose with me???
Are you going to take the pledge?

*I received no monetary compensation for this post. I do get entered in a contest. All opinions are my own & yes I do not drink so I feel very strongly about this!*

Cowboy & Wills

Recently my book club read Cowboy & Wills by Monica Holloway.
The book, based on a true story, follows the many animals Monica brings into her life to help her son, Wills, cope w/ autism.
Of course, the animal Wills most takes to is Cowboy, who is a little on the unhealthy side.
Cowboy & Wills are the best of friends & it's very much a love story between the little boy and the pup.

His relationship reminded me of my relationship with my cat, Beige.
Original name, no?
ANYWHO
I had that cat for what seemed like forever.
I think I got her when I was 6 or something.
She was half Siamese, half Manx.
Meaning she didn't have a tail.
She got sick & passed away.
I remember my mom telling me.

I was at my Grandparents & she called.
I cried so hard.
I loved that cat.
She was the best non attack, little thief one could have.
She loved Cheese Doodles & Yogurt.

She purred a lot.
We have had other cats since Beige.
Like one cat, who earned the nickname Pusshead. Don't ask. It was gross.

We had Cozette, Lucy, Murray.
Lucy out lasted all of them.
Sadly Murray was put to rest.
What's more pathetic is that he was put to rest & my sister & I never noticed.
Our parents had to tell us.
I really don't think we were attached to him.

Wills definitely is attached to Cowboy & vice versa.
Cowboy helps Wills is ways that are unimaginable.

This is definitely a book you do not put down.
I think I read it like 2 days.

It should be on your "to read" list.
You will not be disappointed.
Just keep the tissues handy.
Trust me.

Tell me what have you read lately?

Woo hoo

Come check out the latest giveaway I got going on.
It's for a good cause!

Meghan's Mindless Mutterings: Reviews & Giveaways

Just clicky the linky...you know you wanna!

His new jam!

Cheeks has a new fav song.

Check out the video...the music starts at the 1:03 mark.

Cheeks likes to sing the part that goes "Shhh....I got you"
And I am proud to say he sings just like me.
Horrendously off key!
Ha.

Warning tho., if you are in Cheeks presence & you want to sing this song, he will quickly tell you "No, please don't sing, this is my jam!"

Shuts me right up, it does!

What is your little ones current fav jam?

He works the charm

Cheeks was in trouble the other day.
Big trouble.

All was quiet in the house because he was being punished.
No toys.
No tv.
No books.
He was walking aimlessly in circles in the living room.
I was opening mail.

This is the conversation that transpired.

Cheeks walked over to me, I looked down.

C: "Mommy, I wanna give you a kiss"
M: "Ok" {i bent down & kissed his little lippies}
C: "I love you Mommy" {he grabbed my leg & hugged me}

He then walked away.
About 7 seconds later he reappeared.

C: "Oh Mommy"
M: "Yea?"
C: "Your really pretty too!"
M: "Thanks your still in trouble though"
C: "OH MAN!"

Yep, 4 yrs old & he's already figured out how to work the charm.

Thank God he's like his father & I knew his motives. Ha!

The hits just keep coming...

As if it isn't to have had kidney stones since my birthday, my 40th year has also given me another gift.

A root canal.

In my lifetime I have had like 8 root canals so I am used to it by now
BUT
do you think this could have just been a cavity…NOOO!

Bring on the power tools & novacaine, it’s root canal time!

I knew I was going to need one.
You just know.
Especially after all the dental work I've had done.
Numerous fillings.
All 4 wisdom teeth pulled on 4 separate occasions.
Braces not once, not twice but three times.
4 teeth pulled to make room for the braces when I was 13.
I had 8 extra teeth compared to the average person, who has 32.

I am just a walking tooth.
Now I have a tooth that has decided to revolt & not want to be part of the team.

So annoying.
Thank God for Vicodone!

Tell me, what dental work have you had done?

Curious George Live!!!

How did you spend your weekend?
Well this past Saturday I took Cheeks & my friend & her little princess to see Curious George Live!

You can barely make it out but the monkey is dancing with an Italian Chef in the pic.

My camera is broken so all I had was my phone.
Sigh.
I know, I know, the pic couldn't be any worse.

So the show was really cute.
Despite me hating that darn monkey the show was entertaining.
I don't know who played the monkey but OH MY! that person is very limber.
Swinging from here to there & jumping & dancin.
Whew!
I was exhausted just watching it.

The kids had a good time.
Although all thru the show they kept saying it's over & then when it was they wanted to see it again.

It was about an hour or so long with a 15 minute intermission.
Definitely worth taking the kids too.

I'd like to thank Comcast who provided me with the tickets to see the show.

What did you do this weekend?

Totally "MacGyvered" It

Remember MacGyver?
You know, cute guy, horrendous mullet, can do anything with a paperclip?

I totally MacGyvered last night.
Yes, MacGyvered.
It's a word.
Particularly a verb.
I just made it up.
You can thank me later for your new action word.

Anywho, yesterday the Grandpop, was at my abode waiting for the delivery guys to deliver Cheeks new big boy bed.
So while he was hangin out he was doing God knows what & had to call to ask me something.
The answer to it was my middle name.
Do you know that after 40 years, my dad doesn't know how to spell my middle name?
Seriously!
He even picked it out.

I digress.
After that debacle, I guess he was feeling the guilt so he decided to put together Cheeks new headboard.

When I got home all that was left to do was attach it the bed frame.
The Grandpop said it would take 2 peeps to do it & we would have to do it over the weekend.

Well I can't wait so I carried the sucker upstairs, got a screw driver & other tools, got Cheeks to help & proceeded to figure out how to attach this sucker.

Here's what I did.
I leaned this 30 pounder of a headboard against the wall.
I told Cheeks to get me his Candyland game, then he Hi Ho Cherry-O game.
Which I promptly put under the post of the headboard thus lifting it to be even with the bed frame.
Then I screwed the headboard to the bed frame.
Viola!
Done in 20 minutes.

Totally "MacGyvered" it.

The Grandpop was impressed.

So, tell me, what have you "MacGyvered" lately?

Happy 4th Birthday Cheekers

How did my sweet newborn go from this:

To a little boy:

overnight?
It feels like the other day I brought him home & endure sleep deprivation.
I miss my baby
BUT
I so enjoy my little boy!!!!

Happy Birthday Cheeks.
We love you!

Let's get this party started!

That's right everyone.
She did it!

She won The Next Food Network Star.

Rightly so because Aarti rocked all season.
What a sweetie.
What a cook.
Makes me want to try Indian food & to be honest, I am not usually a fan of Indian food.
Unfortunate experience with some curried goat.
Don't want to rehash the incident, I'm still in therapy.

Did you watch this season?
Who were you rootin for?

I knew she was gonna win.
I just knew it.
She fits the niche I think.
Not to mention, the biatch can cook & work the camera!

You go Aarti!
You go!

Fresh Beat Band

Do you have a small child?
A tween perhaps?

Have you heard of The Fresh Beat Band?
It's on Noggin, sorry, Nick Jr or whatever they changed it to now.
I still call in Noggin.
Love the channel.
Love this new show.

4 kids.
In a band.
Cute show.
Clean language.
Cool themes.

Likable kids.
Except one.
I feel like such a heel saying this
BUT
Twist, OMG, can not stand this boy!

I am sure in real life he's great.
What a dork on this show.
He's the one in the yellow hoodie.

So annoying.
I really don't think it's him singing either.
If he doesn't talk I can handle him
BUT
He is such a doofus.

Am I going to Hell now b/c I can't stand this kid?

I think the show is great.
I just wish they would downsize Twist's role.

Do you watch?
What shows do your kids like?

Psst...local readers

I'm having a giveaway.
Over here:

Meghan's Mindless Mutterings: Reviews & Giveaways

Come enter!

Red Alert! Red Alert!

The Dollar Tree has put out there fall stuff.

That is all.