Late for the party

I love to read.
Super love it.
I can read pretty quickly too.

I have read some pretty good books in my day.

So after seeing a certain movie, that I found on the floor of my 19yo's room, I decided to read:

That's right.
I finally read "The Hunger Games" trilogy.

Darn skippy happy that I read it too.

What awesome books.

I was so surprised these are marketed as teen lit.

This time around I think seeing the movie first made me want to read the books.
Of course, I usually read the book then see the movie.

Now I am bookless.
Nothing to read.

Do you have any suggestions?
Does anyone even read this blog besides the Nana?
Hello Nana.

If you do, please leave me a book selection you think I might like!

20 Things You Didn't Know About Me!

I was perusing blogs today (because I am addicted to them) and I saw this post from About Mom who got her inspiration from Fabulous Mom who got her inspiration from Dear Chrissy.

It's like that old commercial from the 70's "And they told two people! And they told two people!"

So I figured what the hey, let's get on that train & follow the lead.

Here ya go.

1.  I love changing the calendar to a new month & looking at blank sheets.  It's like a renewal of sorts.

2.  I was 36 years old and 1 month exactly when I had my Cheekers.  He was 10 days early and is born on one of my best friends birthday.

3.  Not a fan of change.  I like routine.  I thrive on it really.  Bobster doesn't, so we often have a tendency to spat a bit when he wants to change something.  I've gotten a bit better but something that monkey wrench in my routine can not be un-wrenched!

4.  My fav song ever is "Rock the Boat".


It's a toe tapper, no?
Love it.

5.  I absolutely adore the finale scene in White Christmas when the sisters come out in the red gowns.  They are, to this day, the most beautiful dresses I have ever seen.  I even had a doll when I was little that had almost the exact same dress.

6.  My first car was a '79 Chrysler Cordoba.  Oh yea, I was styling.  It didn't even have heat.  A/C yes, heat, not so much.

7.  I didn't get my license until I was 21.  Don't ask.

8.  I am licensed in the state of NJ to do nails.  I went to school for 300 hrs to learn how to do manicures, Pedi's, fake nails, etc.  I worked at it for one summer & threw in the towel.  Not me at all.

9.  I graduated Rutgers University in May 2005 with a degree in English & Elementary Education.  I work in customer service and I love it. 

10.  This is my second tour of duty at the company I work for.  I left in 2003 to go back to school. 

11.  I have been fired twice in my life. 

12.  I was asked to sign a waiver when a company I worked for closed my branch.  Their reason? I was considered a minority...I was over 35 and a woman.  If I signed I got 2 additional weeks of severance.  Worked in my favor because I had already gotten my old job back.

13.  I use exclamation points like no tomorrow!!!  Seriously, it's an addiction.

14.  I've eaten goat and ostrich.  Interesting.  Not bad although the goat did give me a little intestinal issues.  Of course it was curried goat so I guess that's what I get.

15.  I pretended to be a lesbian once to get a guy to leave my best friend alone.  It worked!

16.  I have a really good memory for names. 

17.  My birth mark is on my pinky toe.  My mom thought I stepped in poop when I was a baby.

18.  I appeared on a show called Dancin On Air a few times & one of the premiere episodes of Dance Party USA.  Yep.  That's right.  I shook my money maker at 16 on tv. 

19.  I flew to Florida to meet a guy I met on the internet.

20.  I had trouble coming up with 20 things because I think I am pretty open on my blog and facebook.

That's it.

So now tell me something I don't know about you.

The Phrase That Pays...

Phrases.
They are around us all the time.
TV.
Radio.
Internet.

We all have key phrases that we say all the time.
We might not even realize.

I know my phrase.
In case anyone in my family is reading this, it will be my favorite CLEAN phrase.

I say it & my sister cringes.
She has actually said to me "Never say that again"

Muhahahaha...I have put it in writing now.

I will shout from the roof tops.
My favorite phrase is:


Okie Dokie Artichokie

Oh, that's right.
You can get it printed on a t-shirt.  A cap.  A sweatshirt.

The possibilities are endless really.

Now I want to know what's your fav phrase.
The phrase that pays for you.

Leave me a comment.
Okie dokie artichokies?

Time Goes By

Geesh, the summer is almost over & nary a post to be found on ye olde blog really.

I'm not sure why.
I just think I didn't have anything spectacular to write about it.
Dull life.

Lots of pool time, lots of running around, lots of driving the Neon because my Kia minivan was broken down.
Not anymore though.
My father in law surprised me by coming to fix it on Friday while I was down the shore with the birthday boy!

Birthday boy you say?
Yes, we had a birthday.

This baby here:

Went ahead & turned 7 years old!

Where did my chubby baby go?
This lanky, lean, front two teething missing, wise mouth child has replaced that chubby baby!!!

He is on the go.
24/7.

He emulates his older brothers.
He loves The Hulk and IronMan.
Loves the Wii.
Pretty much lives on spaghetti and chicken mcnuggets.

It is what it is.

I love this kid so much.

There will be no turning 8 though.
I forbid it!

The tail end of the summer is going to be endless trips to the pool and back to school shopping.

How about you?
How are you handling the end of the summer?

Better Late than....

Pregnant.

I know what you were all thinking.

Hmm, Meghan hasn't really been blogging.
She hasn't been feeling well.
Oh a post from Meghan beginning with Better Late than...

Get it far from your minds people.

There is no womb in the inn.
Know what I mean.

I mean it's nothing like this post being late.
Most schools are starting in the next week or so.
We start two days after Labor Day.  So I have time.

I never ever showed you what I made Cheeks' first grade teacher & his guidance counselor as an end of the year gift.

I got the idea from Lil Luna 
She's LDS & you know those LDS girls are some crafty biatches.
Altho, I think I was passed over for the creative gene although I am LDS.

Anyway I wanted to do something fun that didn't cost much but got the point of thank you across.

So I made the "Now that the strain of school is over gift"

I bought two strainers at the Dollar Spot at Target.
Bought a big ole honkin bag of Mars candy.
Then I bought two $10 gift cards to Target (because who doesn't love Target).
I found tissue paper & name tags on clearance.
Holla!

First I filled the strainer:

I wrote on the outside of the gift card "Now that the strain of the school year is over, relax & enjoy your summer".

I then wrapped it:

I had Cheeks take them to school & give them out.

His teacher loved hers.
I haven't heard from the counselor but she may have been on maternity leave at that point.

Anyway, I think it turned out super cute and I have Lil Luna to thank for you.

Do you do anything special for the teachers, etc at the end of school year? Or even at the beginning?

Am I Parenting Right or Wrong? You be the Judge!

My son Cheeks is a skinny mini.
He's tall but thin.  So thin that when he sucks in his stomach to show us his ribs, Bobster tells me "Those aren't your ribs, those are your organs".

Well he also has the trait of being a picky eater.
Super picky.

Last night I made chicken with pasta.
In the crockpot...the temp in Jersey is in the high Hell zone.

Anyway he decided he wouldn't eat it after a nibble (and that is being generous).

He was told he would get nothing else.

 He came to me a few hours later.

"Mom, can I have a banana?"
"I suppose"

"Well I was thinking of something smaller, like a yodel."
"No, banana or chicken"

This went on for some time.
About 90 mins truthfully.

I finally had enough and told him.

"Tell your troubles to someone else"

His response:

"Yea, I'm gonna tell it to the judge!"

He then went on to tell me that I treat him like dirt (after spending 3 hours in Chuck E. Cheese yesterday) and I talk to him nasty.  He also is telling anyone that listens that we don't feed him.

So look for me & Cheeks on the next Judge Judy.

I wonder how she will rule.

How I know I am getting older...

July is my birthday month.
The big 43 is coming in just a few days.

I've noticed lately that I must be approaching middle age.

Here's a few reasons.

Yes, this just a gratuitous shot of Luke Bryan but he represents County Music that I have taken a huge liking to.

Why?
1.  It's catchy.
2.  I can understand the lyrics.

Sad, right?

Another reason is NJ is going through a God awful heat wave right now.
Both of our vehicles are lacking a/c because it broke.
I will run only necessary errands, bitch the entire time that's its ungodly hot, come home and not leave again unless it's absolutely necessary.

I've noticed the veins.
The varicose veins are appearing on my legs.
Like left & right.

I figured I'd get Secretary Spread before I got those since I sit on my tushie all day
BUT
I guess working on my feet all those years didn't help.

Finally, I am going to bed at like 10pm exhausted but the six year old is just getting started.
He is out lasting me at the end of the day.

I'm sure there are many more reasons but my middle aged brain isn't working properly.

Tell me, how do you know you are getting older?

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

I realize this morning, July 1st, 2013 that I have a few days left.
In just a little over two weeks, mere days, I will be leaving something behind and entering into something new.
Something unknown.
Something I am not looking forward to.

It only happens once in life.
It took me awhile to get to this stage in my life.

I've been through ups and downs.
Life hasn't been easy but it hasn't been horribly hard.

Others will celebrate and want me to partake.
I'm not sure I will.
While it's new, do I really want to celebrate?
Do I want to put it out there?
Really?

Hmph.

I guess I will.

In just 15 days from today I will be


43!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you freakin stand it?

How did I get to this age?
Seems like yesterday I was still in high school...wait, wait, nope I just act like I am sometimes.
You know, try to get my parents to pay my bills & give me money.
It doesn't work like it used to.

That's the new stage in my life.

Am I mid 40's or still early 40's?

I'm confused.

Help!

Obsessed Much

Hold onto your hat, Dorothy, you're going for a ride.

This post really isn't about the Wizard of Oz
BUT
About my 6yo's obsession with the Weather Channel.

He will watch this channel morning, noon and night.

Today, as a matter of fact, he went into my room to watch "Up" on family.  When I walked by my room I asked what he was watching.

His reply "Hurricane Hunters"

He always talks weather and is obsessed with tornados.  Friday when I picked him up from camp I told him the Delaware Valley was under a tornado watch.  He kept looking in the sky going "It's going to start any minute.  I can see it.  Look mom, the tornado is coming"

I'm glad his interest is in weather vs. power rangers but does anyone else have a kid who is obsessed with the weather like mine.

Whole Lot of Pomp & Circumstance

 

I'm not sure how we got to 8th grade graduation.

When I met Bobster,  the 14yo was only in first grade.  The same grade Cheeks is just finishing.

I can't stand it.

He will be a freshman next year.
A freshman.

Am I allowed to cry?

He graduated from Rohrer Middle School which is the "new" middle school attached to my old high school. 

I am pretty proud of him.
He is growing into a nice young man...who does well with the ladies.  Tee hee.

Congratulations Christopher!!!!

We love you!

That's My Kid!

 

I got a note from the teacher yesterday.

The first grade teacher.

 

 

Apparently Cheeks likes to be the kid to take charge of the events of the day.

I assume they were getting ready to go out to play.

 

So my little cherubic angel proudly shouted to the class:

 

"If you have balls you can play, if you don't have balls you can't play"

 

I think the teacher recovered in the nurses office.

Circus Freak

I had root canal done.
It was like my 7th or maybe 8th. 
I've lost count.

I've only had 10 more teeth than you are supposed to.
I had 8 pulled, not including the wisdom teeth.
Oh, I had those pulled...one at a time.
Good times right there.

Did I mention braces?
Had them.
Not once.
Not twice.
Three times.
Yep.
Three times a charm is what they say.

I'd believe it had my teeth not slightly shifted and are a bit crooked.
Gives me character.

So imagine my surprise when the dentist says to me today...(while my rubber dental dam is in my mouth rendering it almost impossible to speak or swallow)

"That tooth there normally has three canals in it, occasionally four.  You, my young lady, are one of the lucky ones.  You have four canals"

Oh, yea me!

I'm thinking of joining Denny's Demented Dental Dames Circus.

Whaddya think?

OOH! Lookie What I Got

Look at all that sunblock.

Just what this pasty Irish girl & her pasty Irish family need.

Thanks to Coppertone I am all set.

They know I tend to spontaneously combust when I spend long hours in the sun but with their sunblock, I am good to go.

Seriously though, I am Coppertone Water Mom.

It totally rocks.

If you have any questions let me know!  I'll see what I can answer for you.

Are you an ambassador for anything?
Leave me a comment.

Why?
'Cause I'm nosey like that.

Wann Know What I Did Saturday Night?

I got wild.
I got crazy.

I got rid of the mom jeans

That's right.
I broke out the capris & went out.

Wait!  That's not the best news...I was sans kids and husband.

I know, you are thinking "Say it isn't so Meghan?"
It is.

I went out.
ALONE.
It was glorious.

Wondering how I partied?  I know you are so I won't keep you in suspense.

See, after spending the entire day by myself...I know, now you know why NJ is getting slammed with storms this week, my sister asked me to go to dinner and a movie.

Dinner!
Where I didn't order for anyone but me.
Where I didn't have to refer between kids or listen to my husband ref.
Where I almost ordered alcohol...almost...I didn't.

Then we hit up the movies.

Saw...

Very, very funny!
Then again I love me some Vince Vaughn.

Know what else?
I didn't have leave the theater once to take someone to pee.

Honestly I didn't know myself.
It was fantabulous.

Most of all, while I appreciated the time to myself, I realized that I miss my family when they aren't around.

There wasn't any chaos, no one asking me as soon as I sit to get them a drink, tie a shoe, look at this.  No one randomly giving me hugs and kisses.

I almost didn't know what to do with myself.

Almost.

It Hurts

I'm Meghan.
I take prescriptions.
Two.
One for the tummy.
One for the mental health...Celexa if you will.

I am not ashamed to take the latter.
I need a little mood boost.

Last Tuesday I called my dr's office to get a refill on both meds.
Without going into a long drawn out post, it only took them until Friday to call it in.
I was out of both Tuesday morning.

It's Sunday.
I only have my tummy med.
My dr's office never called the Celexa in.

I am not happy.
Either is my family.

I woke up this morning.
Came downstairs and my stomach immediately was in knots.
I am having a hard time dealing with the mess...which I did manage to clean but it's a wreck again.

Bobster is putting up with me BUT I get extremely sensitive and it causes me to get nasty.
Yes.
I can be a b*tch.
Tis true.

I am trying not to take it out on the kids.  I am succeeding so far.
Bobster, not so much.
I snapped at him...a few times.

I feel like my stomach has a knot big enough in it to pull the remains of the Titanic up from the bellows of the deep.
I want to cry if you look at me wrong or say something I deem the wrong thing.

I'm smart enough to know it's the lack of medicine BUT I can't help it.

First thing in the am, I will call my doctor's office & after my appointment at the end of the month, I will look for a new doctor.  This isn't the first time something a long these lines have happened.
It is the first time I've been without my meds for an extended period of time.

Tell me, do you take anything?
Just to help.

Is it in their genes?

I am a mom to 3 boys.

 

Handsome devils, no?

 

I also wife to one Bobster:

 

 

Lucky woman, no?

 

I know, I know, what more could I ask for.

 

Here's the thing.

 

I have never heard or seen a group of people talk to the television like they do.

 

From the oldest to the youngest.

 

Especially the youngest.  He talks to the Wii Mario Video Game like a boss.

 

The older ones will do it too but mostly with sports.

 

Then there's Bobster.  He pretty much talks to the wall.  Nah, he will talk to the tv as well.

 

To be honest it annoys the heck out of me.

I can't take it.

I feel like I live in an insane asylum when they do it.

 

Wait, wait,...maybe I do live in an asylum.

That's not the point.

 

Am I the only female subjected to this?

Do others do this?

Do females do this?

 

Tell me I am not alone!!!!!

 

 

 



 



Dams & Their Makers

Last night Cheeks was reading a book about The Transformers. 
One of the sentences ended in "Hoover Dam".

He thought it was a bad word.

I explained to him what a dam was & who built them.

Me: "Some are man made, which means men make them but others are built by beavers"

Cheeks: "Justin Bieber builds dams...YAY"

Sigh.

Let's Thanks James Joyce

For this stream of consciousness post.
Whose James Joyce you say?
You are killing this English major.  Killing me.
Look him up.  He is the father of stream of consciousness.

What's been going on lately?
Hmm.
Feeling blessed.
I am finding out that if you just wait long enough Heavenly Father provides.
Not that this means you don't participate or find means and just sit back.  This means that you might not see how He is providing but once He does you look back & says to yourself "Oh yea!"

See this kid with The Grandpop?
Oh, he's going to make me bald.
What a love BUT boy, do we have our hands full.

He was diagnosed with ADHD last year.
Thank goodness.
Now if we could just get his behavior under wraps all would be good.

The other day he told his entire class to put their finger up their butts.
This did not go over well.
Sigh.

We have put in for help.  He had behavior therapy last year and it seemed to help big time.  Sadly it came to end.  Lets keep our fingers crossed that we get approved again.  Bobster & I have tried everything.

The other boys are doing great.  Tim works non stop at The Grand Luxe Café.  If you have one in your area, go...do not stop to collect $500, just go.  The food is to. die. for.

Chris is getting ready to graduate 8th grade.  Where did the time go? When I met their dad, Christopher was in 1st grade.  The same grade Cheeks is in.  I feel so old.

That's about all going on in my world...well I need my 7th root canal...that's new.  It's really just par for the course.

Tell me, what is going on in your neck of the woods?

FlipFlops & Other Quirks

It's here.
Spring.
Summer is just around the corner.

Toes will be making an appearance.
Time for me to get my 1st pedi of the season, break out the sandels & slides.

Notice I didn't say flip flops or thongs.

Yes...these...

Are my mortal enemy.

Have been since I was a little girl.

I can not stand flip flops.  Or thongs.
Anything that goes in between my toes.

Gives my the chills.

I'm sort of sad about it really.

There are some too cute for words thongs & flip flops out there.
My tootsies balk though.

I take 2 steps and I'm dying...dying to put them in the trash & run free.

Not barefoot though because that's another no no.
I despise shoes but I love my socks.

It can be 90 degrees outside & I will put shoes on just to walk out back.
CAN.
NOT.
STAND.
BAREFEET.
OUTSIDE.

Come to think about it, I also wear socks around the house.
Not slippers...my feet get hot...just socks.
Sometimes to bed too.
Although most times, the cool sheets on my warm tootsies is just too good of a feeling.

Ah...coolness.

Tell me are you a flipflop/thong type of person?

Here's the deal

Listen up.

I am a woman.
I am over 30.
I am heterosexual.
I am LDS.
I am somewhat of a conservative.
I am a daughter.
I am a sister.
I am a mother.
I am a friend.
I support Gay rights.
I have Gay friends.

I don't care if they are gay, straight, a-sexual or into animals.
Why?
It's none of my business.

The only thing they do any different than me is done behind closed doors.

Read that again...the only thing different they do differently than me is done behind closed doors.

They pay their bills...so do I.
They grocery shop...so do I.
They go to work or goof off...so do I.

It is none of my business what anyone does behind closed doors.

In this day & age, I just feel that a lot of people have to come out in their jobs.
Did I come out as a heterosexual woman?
Not that I can remember.

It all boils down to we should just accept people for who they are.
I am not in someone's home watching what goes on behind the closed door.
If I was, hopefully I was invited and was enjoying myself...just sayin!

No one should be made to feel ashamed or judged because of their sexual preference.

It's that person's life to lead. 
You lead yours, I lead mine.

End of story.

The only that can judge is Heavenly Father.
Let's leave it to him.

I Thought I Lost You!

I have been having major issues with my computer lately.

The tip off that I needed to get help was when I went to sign in to do a blog post & I couldn't.
EEK!

I thought I lost you all & my blogs.
I was panic strickened.
Anxiety ridden.

Actually felt just like a normal day really.
Hmm..there could be something to that.

Well, the computer seems fixed...thanks to a lot of $$ later & the husbands ingeniuty.

So I have found you all & hopefully you have found me...well you never lost me...let us hope.

Tell me what have you all been up to???
Hmm???
Do tell.

I Have a Dream...Oh It's a Dream Alright!

Apparently, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr has a little known speech.
A speech that no one video'd and put on YouTube.

At least according to my 6 yo.

See, Cheeks decided to give me a mini history lesson today.

Cheeks: Mom, you know that guy...Luther King, King Luther?

Me: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Cheeks: Yes...well he gave a speech.

Me: Yes I know.

Cheeks: And in his speech he said that the whole world, parents...parents shouldn't smack their kids butts because that means they don't love them.  And, that parents should let kids do whatever they ask because that shows that they love them.

Me: Really??!!!

Cheeks: Yea, and so, can I play on your phone?

Me: No, it's charging.

Cheeks: See, Mom, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said that parents should let their kids play on their phones whenever they want.

Me: Well phones didn't have games on them when Dr. King was alive.

Cheeks: Oh yes they did...you just didn't know about it.  So how about that phone now mom?

I was peeing myself in the car and couldn't wait to tell Bobster.
When I told him he asked Cheeks how he knew this and Cheeks response was:

"I just know, I'm like Santa Clause"

And that folks is logic you just can't argue with!

Yo McLovin, I am BlogLovin

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Did you hear?

Word on the blogging street is google reader is shutting down this summer.

So I don't want to lose you, you don't want to lose me, so head over to Bloglovin & follow me, I'll follow you!!!

Come.
Take the leap with me my friends.

Happy Easter

Spring has Sprung

How do I know?
Easy.

The first day of flag football was today.

Check out our future NFLer

 

 

The picture quality isn't the best but I took them with my phone.

He had a blast.
Haddon Twp starts each season with skills day.
The coaches bring in the high school football players & put them through a series of exercises.

Can I just say what a difference a year makes?
And new medicine?
He paid attention, he didn't figit, the coach didn't have to talk to him one time and he had a blast.

Very proud of him!

What sports do your kids play?

Guilty Pleasure...

I have a few guilty pleasures.
Somehow they all revolve around reality tv.
I totally love it.
From America's Next Top Model to America's Worse Cook...I can't look away.

My #1 top reality guilty pleasure show.

The Rachel Zoe Project.

I am just unexplicably drawn to her.
Love her.
And Rodger her husband.
And the baby, Skylar, OMG...What a cutie.

She's a great stylist & designer.  I love watching for the accessories & clothing not to mention poor Rachel when she gets upset.

I can't help it.
When I heard it was coming back on I was like a little girl, all happy & joyful!

Now tell me, what is your guilty pleasure tv show?
Come on...be honest.

What I've Been Reading

Where have I been?
On the blog?
Apparently not since my posts are sparse.

I’ve just been.
Haven’t really thought anything was exciting enough to blog about.
You know besides the menopause moans.

I have been reading though.
Recently I just finished “Night Road” by Kristin Hannah.

I think she is my new favorite author.

I’ve read a few of her books and she always draws you in as if you are the main character.
This book had me on the verge of tears quite often.

Family loss and family renewal.
Some of us go through that often.
Kristin Hannah has managed to eloquently spin a story that you can not help but get caught up in.

Breathtaking at times, joyful at others.

Best book I’ve read in such a long time…so good I finished it in under 3 days

What have you read lately?
I am open to suggestions.

Meghan's Menopause Moans

Seriously I should rename the blog.
Something catchy.

Like Meghan's Menopause Moans.

Not that I am in menopause.
Although I'm not using it, so really they can take it.

I think I am perimenopausal.
Yes, I am only 29, 32, 39 Ok FINE! Over 40 & that's all your getting.

Let me tell you about the hot flashes I've been having the past year...Holy Mother of God, it's ridiculous.  I can go out in 20 degree weather with a light hoodie.  Don't even get me started about the temp at work.  Ugh.

Of course, this is where the men readers of my blog may not want to continue...or in other words "Dad...stop. reading. now!"

Aunt Flo visits with a vengence anymore.
Not to mention I get cramps...haven't had those since my teens
AND
Now my lower back aches.

Really?
It's just unnecessary.

There should be a pill.
Just dry it up when it's no longer needed.
A girl can dream, no?

Let us not mention the mood swings.
I've always been a moody bi-atch but holy cannoli, now...watch out.
The fangs come out & no one is safe.
Well really just Bobster.
In reality, he was never safe.

Sigh.

It will have to come to end quickly, right?
I mean how long will I have to suffer with this unnecessary process of Mother Nature?


Tell me, are you experiencing any fun perks from getting older?