What I've Been Stuggling With

Some of you may have noticed I have not been blogging here much.
Lately, it just seems like nothing worthwhile has been going on.
Although a lot has been going on.

At least in my head it has.
I've been having anxiety attacks left & right, all day & all night.

They started on the weekends back in the fall.
Especially on Saturdays.

It seems like if I don't get up, jump in the shower & get started on the days chores & errands I will get an upset stomach, my heart will start racing a mile a minute and my head starts to hurt.

Gets worse once I am at the supermarket, as well.  I feel like I am not going fast enough for people so my heart will start to race while checking out & then bagging.

The anxiety has started to affect me during the week.  Not too bad at work, yet, but my the attacks will hit after dinner...I think to myself "Do I have enough time to do this? that? Will I get enough sleep? How will I get my stuff done in the morning?" 

Our financial woes are at a all time high, so I know that has a lot to do it with it.  I just worry all the time. 

The worse part is about 3 days after my little monthly friends disappears.  People can't talk to me without me wanting to cry. 

I try not to let things bother me or to let it go but the anxiety just isn't going away with those thing.

I already take Celexa and I'm not going to lie, I've been known to take a Benadryl or two when I need help going to sleep.  Although the last time I took one, it didn't make me tired at all...although my nose was clear!

Worries just seem to always be there.  The anxiety has gotten so bad now that I am trying to use breating techniques to help calm me down..so far...no good.

Perhaps sharing that I have anxiety will help. 

Do you have it? Do you have any methods to help you cope? 

It just seems to be getting harder day by day.

I promise my next post will be more uplifting.  I swear I am not a Debbie Downer just wanted to share.

Hey Philly! It's Here!!!!

Hurry!
Hurry!
You don't want to miss the Greatest Show on Earth.

Really, it's the Greatest Show on Earth.
How do I know?

The Aunt Erin, Cheeks & I hit up Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus last night.  It's showing at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.  I love the sports complexes...they are like 15 minutes from my home in Jersey.

What an absolutely fantabulous time.

It was the Aunt Erin & Cheek's first time at the circus.  Cheeks kept saying to me..."This is Awesome" about every 10 mins & the Aunt Erin kept snapping phots.  I just sat there & enjoyed. 

We all the best time.

How could you not when it starts out like this?

 

Then they break out the Tigers (Cheeks thought they were going to wrestle..he was a tad disappointed they did not)

Of course, a high wire act always makes my tummy do somersaults since I am a wuss & can't stand heights...even for other people...Oy!

 

 

A circus worth it's name, always has a girl shot out of a canon!

 



 

Of course, the piece de resistance...CLOWNS!

If I were you and you are in the Philadelphia area, check out the circus while it's in town because my family had THE. BEST. TIME. EVER!

*Disclaimer: I was given complimentary tickets to the show.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Brrr...Really? You HAVE To Play This Sport?

I love my boys.
They are all there own person.

The middle one, he is a sports nut.
So much that he has decided Winter Deck Hockey is the sport for him.
Wouldn't be bad if we lived in Florida.

To say this past weekend was bone chilling cold was an understatement.

His team, The West Deptford Eagles, played a tournement in Somers Points, NJ.
All night Saturday.
All day Sunday.
And this evening.

Somers Point from our home in Jersey is over an hour away...down the shore as we like to say.

I did get some great action shots:

 

 

The Face Off...my favorite part of the game.

This kid plays with heart.
He was falling, sliding & even had his stick flung in the air by the other player.

His legs, elbows, knees and hips show his heart...with bangs, bruises and cuts ands scraps.
Sigh.

God knew what he was doing when he gave me boys, right?
RIGHT?

What sports do your kids play?

Hurry! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Built to Amaze!! Giveaway

It's coming to the Delaware Valley.
Feb 13th -17th!!!

I am so excited I could tinkle.  Not gonna lie.  I think I am more excited than the 6yo.

Guess what else?

I get to give a family 4 pack of tickets away to one of my readers.
HOLLA!

Of course if you don't win, you can always purchase your tickets here: < Click me >
Plus since you are a reader of my magnificient blog, you get a code for 20% off.
Just use the code: MOM

Tickets prices are:

$15 flat price (valid on all $30, $25 seats)

Valid 2/14 10:30am and 7pm, 2/15 10:30am and 7 pm

Here's the fun part.
Enter to win a family 4 pack of tickets.

We are going to make it easy, peasy...just leave me a comment with your favorite thing about the circus.

That's it.

Of course, if you would like "extra" entries, you can follow my blog through GFC ~~~>
AND
Tweet this (by using the handy dandy button down there at the end of the post) Leave me the link in a comment
AND
Share on Facebook, (see button below) Leave me the link to your post in a comment.

Giveaway ends Sunday, Feb 10th at 8pm est.

*Disclaimer: This is a sponsered post.  I received tickets to see the circus but all opinions & views are totally 100% my own.

Comes back to bit ya in the tush, err, ear

Magic.
It's a great thing.

Even greater when the Daddy can go it.

Bobster constantly "finds" things that Cheeks "looses". 
Of course, Bobster has lost these items for him.

It's all in the illusion of magic.

Well, well, well...that illusion is being put to it's test because as most of us know, 6yo's constantly misplaces items.

Now he expects Daddy to find them...behind his ear.

At least twice today he has asked Bobster to find his angry bird and a truck from behind his ear.

Bobster had to think fast & come up with an answer. 
He told him magic doesn't work that way.

That's a solid answer Bobster.

Way to have the magic come back and bit ya in the rear!

Psst...Wanna Win Some Valentines Cards?

Check out my "Treat.com: 5 Personalized Cards Giveaway!"

Click it, enter & you could win!

Out of the mouth of babes

 

Such an angel face no?

Look him....not a snarky thing would come out of that 6yo's mouth.

 

Exhibit A:

This morning Bobster & I were discussing the color black.

 

Me: You know, black like your heart.

 

Bobster:  Yea, like your teeth.

 

From out of no where Cheeks pipes in with:  Yea, like your soul!

 

I don't quite know where I went wrong.

Pinterest Slow Cooker Challenge...Accepted!

Definitely love me some Pinterest.

Definitely love me some CrockPot cooking.

Put them together & what do you get?

A Pinterest Slow Cooker Challenge courtesy of Six Sister's Stuff blog.

I saw there post called Nacho Grande Soup and thought *Bam!* I am makin that!

 

So last week I broke out the CrockPot, the ingredients & got started.

First gather your ingredients to fry up in the pan:

(1lb ground beef, 1 med. onion diced & 1 clover garlic minced)

 

 While that is sizzling away, gather your ingredients that you are going to combine with the meat mixture in the slow cooker.

 



(1 can of Cheddar Cheese Soup, 1 can of Rotel Orignal w/ Peppers, 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese & 1 1/2 cups of milk)

 

(Taco Seasoning...I made my own but you can use a packet)

 

Once the beef mixture is cooked through, drain & put in crockpot.

 

Add the taco season, soup, tomatoes & peppers, milk & cheese.

 

Stir together...like this:

 



 

Cook on low for 3-4 hours. 
Stir before serving...top with tortilla chips & sour cream if prefered.

Viola!

 

The verdict:  Bobster really liked it.  So did Chris.  Cheeks wouldn't eat it based on the looks but let's face it, he's 6.  I thought it was ok.  A little spicy for me.

 

 

So how did I do on the challenge?

 

I passed per the family.

 

Will I make it again?

 

Probably for something different.

 

Tell me what is your fav thing to make in the slow cooker.

 

***********************************************************************************

 

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 med onion - diced

1 clove garlic - minced

1 pkge taco seasoning

1 10.75 oz can of condensed cheddar cheese soup

1 10oz can of diced tomatoes & green chilis

1 1/2 cups of mlk

1 c shredded cheddar cheese.

 

Directions:

In skillet cook beef, onion, & garlic over med heat til thoroughly cooked; drain.

 

Place meat in crockpot.

 

Add taco seasoning, soup, tomatoes, milk & cheese.  Stir together.

Cook low for 3-4 hours.

 

Stir before serving.

 

Top with tortilla chips & sour cream (extra cheese too).



Easiest Tastiest Chicken...EVER!

For the love of God, I made the best chicken ever today.
And the easiest.

Seriously.
E-Z!

Garlic & Brown Sugar Chicken.

Yumm!

All you need is 2 TBS of minced garlic (of 4 cloves of garlic minced).  I buy already minced so I just used that.  I actually used 2.5 TBS.

Then you need 5 TBS brown sugar.

4 thawed chicken breast

S&P to taste.

Here is what you do:

Saute garlic in small pan with EVOO until soft.

Remove from heat, stir in brown sugar.

Place chicken breasts in casserole dish (I suggest spraying it with some Pam first).

Season w/ S&P to taste.
Pour garlic/brown sugar over chicken.

Bake in a preheated oven at 500 degrees for 15 to 30 mins (til cooked thru).

I did 30 mins & the edges got a bit dry
BUT
The rest was so moist.

I think next time I will only do 20 mins.

I am telling you this chicken can not be beat.

Loved it!

It's National Slow Cooker Month ~ I'm very EXCITED!

I make no bones about my love of my slow cooker.
Well I like to call it my crockpot.

Just yesterday I made a pork loin in it.
Yum! Yum! Yum! Deliciousio! (I have watched too much Dora the Explorer).

I made pork because the Nana says it's good luck to eat Pork & Sauerkraut on New Years.
Well I rather lick dirt than have sauerkraut cross my lips, as would Bob, so we skipped that part.

What I did was poke a bunch of holes in the loin in a fork.
Then I sprinkled salt, pepper & onion powder all over the sucker.  I then threw about 3 cloves of minced garlic in the pot with it.

Turned it on low.

About 4 hours before it was to be ready I took some already cut up red potatoes and threw them in there.


WoW!  The potatoes were my fav part of the meal.

So being National Slow Cooker I invite you to share a recipe in the comments and I will feature it, right here on my little ole blog.  Now there's excitement for you.

Go.
Share.
Enter the contest below to win a new slow cooker...I did.

#1 Post of 2012 is:

I feel so honored.

So liked.

Almost as if I won an Academy Award.

It's so humbling to see that all you all like this post the most: My Take: Pinterest Crockpot Italian Chicken .

 

Tell me, did you make this?
Did you like it?

Do you make stuff off your Pinterest food boards?

LMK & leave me a link & I will check it out!

My Little LDS Jewish Boy

Cheeks has been learning all about Hannukah in school.
I think it's great.

He can even pronounce the names on the Dreidel and knows how to play it.

He's a little sketchy on why Hannukah is celebrated.
He knows it's for 8 days and that a gift or gifts are given.

So as we were driving in the car we were discussing different things relating to Christmas and Hannukah.

He proceeded to tell me that he was Jewish.
I explained to him that no, he isn't.  He is Christian and we are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The discussion got a little heated on Cheeks side when all of a sudden he screams:

"I'm Jewish!"

I couldn't argue.  I was spent.

I thought he would figure it out when he didn't get anything for Hannukah or that we do not attend services at a Temple or Synagog but nope, he's steadfast on his Jewish faith.

So I guess I'll be planning a Bar Mitzvah!

Mazel Tov!

Testify

Some of you, who have been with me since the start of this little bloggeroo or from a ways back know that Bobster & I have had our handsfull with our little Angel, Cheeks.

He was finally diagnosed with ADHD/ADD last winter.

It was a blessing to finally have someone diagnose him with the issue we knew he had all along.

When Cheeks takes his meds...he's pretty good.
Focused.
Relatively calm til it starts to where off around dinner time.

Over the past weekend he was without it.
Don't ask why.

Let me tell you...what a different child.
He was constant motion and at one point he stood outside the bathroom door and waited for me.
When I opened the door, 20 minutes later, he was jumping up & down...as he had been for 20 minutes.

He just couldn't sit still.
His focus was horrendous.
I felt so bad for the kid and he was passing out immediately upon his head hitting his pillow (which is always a good thing, either way)

I want to Testify that I have tried everything under the sun before Bobster & I agreed to put him on medication.
The medication he is on makes such a world of difference for my little guy.
His personality hasn't changed at all..he's still a sweetie.
He is just calmer & more focused.

So, if you are debating the issue about to try the medicine or not, give it a go, it can't hurt.

Pencil Sharpeners & Fingers Don't Mix

I'm not quite sure what Cheeks was thinking.
I'm not quite sure Cheeks was thinking.

Apparently, the other day he thought it would be a good idea to stick his left index finger (his dominant hand) into the pencil sharpener at school & turn the handle.

Sigh.

He showed it to me.
It was scabbing over.

Today I got a call from Nurse Owen.
Cheeks was complaining of a hurting finger.

It seems it puffed up & got all pussie.
Nice.
Not to mention a small red line was slowly going up his finger to his hand.
Ah, even better.

I called his dad.
He picked him up & off we went to the doctor.

This is what the patient's finger looked like when I saw him:

We were called back & this is where everything went down hill.

As soon as Cheeks realized the Dr. was going to use a needle to break it open, he started screaming "ow! ow!"
Um, she hadn't even gotten near him.

It was a 1 second procedure.
She nicked the blister on accident & it opened.
She squeezed.
Puss.

Viola...over.

Although he is now scarred traumatically...or so he says.

He is sporting a few bandaids & is on antiobiotics twice a day til they are done.

Will he stick his finger in another pencil sharpener?
Probably not but I am sure my future will include him sticking other parts of himself in other openings.

Wait,that sounded really bad.

Well you know what I meant!

Everybody loves a parade...

Now that the holiday season is officially upon us, the festivities have kicked off.

The next town over from us had their official Christmas Parade today.
So we got on our winter coats, stopped at Mickey D's for some breakfast & off we went.

We parked in the speedline's parking lot (Speedline = elevated train that runs from NJ into Philly for commuters & shoppers) & walked about two blocks up.  We then hit the avenue & walked about three blocks down.

We had about 5 mins to spare.
Which was great because it was COLD!
Like 27 degrees with 90 mph winds...ok, fine, maybe not 90 mph but it felt like it.

Cheeks was ready for the parade but not the cold.

As every parade starts, here is the obligatory Veterans opening the parade.

Of course, there was many a marching band from all over the South Jersey area.

The motorcycle patrol always shows up & does a little routine.

No parade is complete with a few Mummers in the parade (if you do not know what a Mummer is, please leave me a comment & I shall explain)

I had more photos but sadly I am not too bright when it comes to my new smartphone & I deleted them before the email to my account went through so they never transferred.

Believe you me, there were floats & holiday characters.

Unfortunately, Cheeks hands were frozen & the wind was whipping so hard he asked to leave.

We did not get to see the finale, the big bang, the man in the red suit, Santa.

That's ok because he got to come home & play Wii.  Mom of the year, I am.

Tell me what kicks off the festivities in your neck of the woods?

Tony Award Winning War Horse is Here!

Academy of Music

Tuesday, November 20 - Sunday, December 2
A remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship. England, 1914. As World War One begins, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped from England to France. He's soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home. This powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-sized puppets created by South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to life on the stage.

 

I can't wait to see it...how about you all?

Winners Run in the Family

Take a gander at this:

That's my 14yo on the right end & my 16 yo nephew next too him in the black shirt.

They won the latest tournament the PJBT sponsered.
They played doubles & won!
The whole thing!

Trophies & scholarships for all.

You can read all about it here: My kids win!

Small Business Makes BIG Donation to Hurricane Sandy Children

I am from Jersey.
South Jersey to be specific.
I live approximately 15 minutes from downtown Philadelphia & 60 minutes from Atlantic City.

The destructin of Hurricane Sandy hit extremely close to home for me.
While I was blessed to have just my lights flicker, those an hour away from me, suffered tremendously. 

Growing up in Jersey, "going down the shore", no matter which one it was, was a right of passage.

Thankfully out pouring of generousity has been happening.

I want to share this one woman's way of helping the victims of Sandy.

Judith Raye Paintings, LLC (http://www.judithraye.com) is partnering with Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.)( http://www.kidsdonations.org) to donate $600 worth of new toddler tee-shirts from their Inspired by Caden collection to children affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The shipment is currently in transit to the east coast and will be distributed by K.I.D.S. to children in New Jersey in the coming days. Specifically, the shipment is headed to Newark Now (www.newarknow.org), an organization that provides Newark residents with skills, tools, and support to transform their neighborhood. It should arrive by Monday.

“I am so thankful that I am in a position to help these children who are suffering and who have lost everything,” said Judith Raye Smith, owner and co-creator of the small business.

“It is so exciting to be able to get the community and interested citizens involved as well,” she added. The public can assist in this effort by purchasing a tee shirt or onesie. For every shirt or onesie purchased from Judith Raye Paintings a similar item will be donated to K.I.D.S. “We plan to keep this in place at least through the end of December, or as long as the items are needed,” she said.

According to Smith, she is honored to be working with a charity that already does so much for needy children. K.I.D.S. helps children that are victims in a variety of situations. In the days following Hurricane Sandy, they mobilized their resources and immediately established a Hurricane Relief Fund to respond to the need for new products for children and families affected by the super storm.

According to the K.I.D.S. VP, Christ Blake, the agencies in the affected communities are in dire need of new apparel, blankets, shoes, toys, baby products and books. K.I.D.S. has set up major distribution sites in Queens, New Jersey and other locations. For more information about K.I.D.S. and how you can help, visit their website at http://www.kidsdonations.org.

Judith Raye Smith is a grandmother who started painting to decorate her granddaughter’s walls. Her adventure has turned into much more and her one-of-a-kind artwork is now sold on clothing, note cards and other products. You can learn more about her products, and more specifically her efforts to help in the Hurricane Sandy relief, at her website http://www.judithraye.com/online-store/#!/~/category/id=4015029&offset=0&sort=normal.

Smith is the owner and co-creator, with her husband Rawlen, of Judith Raye Paintings, LLC. She can be reached for comment at judithraye@frontier.com or by phone at 503.784.9638.

Judith Raye Paintings, LLC online: http://www.judithraye.com

Judith Raye Paintings, LLC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Judith-Raye-Paintings/228659330488584

Judith Raye on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JudithRayeArt

You're How Old??

I am not sure when but this kid:

Decided to turn 14 today.

14???!!!???

How did that happen?

He came into my life at 6...the same age as his little brother.

I don't get it.
Surely, he won't get any older...right?

Happy Birthday Christopher...we love you!

It all Depends

(Disclaimer: so not me!)

While that is not how I am built...it is how I feel.

Since I turned 40, it's been downhill.

My most recent ailment...if I sneeze, laugh or cough..I pee a little.

Tis true.

I don't get it.

Sure I had an 11 pound baby but that was 6 years ago.  Would the bladder just now feel the effects?

It's a little annoying.
No wait...it's a lot annoying.

Why is it that you only hear about women experiencing this little inconvenience?
So not fair!
Of course, I don't have to get a prostrate exam so I guess it's even, right?

Tell me, are you experiencing things you didn't experience when you were younger.

Hey you...The Heart of Christmas is this way

Want the Heart of Christmas?
I thought so.

For a chance to win a free dvd of this great movie check out my review blog:

Meghan's Mindless Mutterings: Reviews & Giveaways

Competitive? Meh

Are you competitive?
Me?

Not so much.

I think it drives my family of men cray cray (impressed with my street lingo? I know, I know!)

I don't ever remember a time in my life when I would get the rush of trying to win.
Winning?
Yes, that's a rush.

But if I don't win, then I just shrugg my shoulders & call it a day.

Even betting.
I like to bet.
Gamblers anonymous here I come.

Not money bets as much as chore bets between me & Bobster.
If I lose, I pay up.
If Bobster loses...well he bet me a foot rub a few years back.  I think Cheeks was 3.  Cheeks is 6 now & I am waiting for my tootsies to be pampered.

Will I play a game to win & gloat?
Not really.

I just am happy to play.

How about you?

Heed My Warning: Have a Spare

I have done some really "bright" things in my day.
I won't go into detail but just know that I was a strawberry blonde as a child.

So this morning, I caught a ride with a coworker. 
We have one mini van so Bobster & I must share.
Yea, good times.

Today was his day.

He was going in later than me so I kissed him goodbye & off I went.

About 10:30 my phone at work rang.
Oh! Look...it's my honey.

Well he really wasn't that sweet.

The conversation went something like this:

Me:  Hi Lovedoodle, the light of my life, the cream in my twinkie, my dream man

Bobster:  Where are the car keys?

Me:  I don't know you had them last.  Remember you drove home while Cheeks & I walked home from Trick or Treating yesterday (we are in NJ so Trick or Treating was rescheduled due to Sandy)

Bobster : No, Meg, remember you took them when you went to the van to get your purse.

Me:  Wait. A. Minute!

I spun my chair around, grabbed my purse & lo & behold...our car keys were in there.
Our only set of car keys.

We do not have spare set.

So I immediately started to apologize.
I was hung up on.
The nerve.

Seems someone had to call out of work because he had no way of getting there & no one could run him 30 mins up to my job to get the keys.

Folks, heed my warning...always have a spare or two.
I will...after this weekend when I get a spare made.

Sigh.