Men do it on purpose.

Men fall asleep.
In front of the tv.
With the remote in their hand.

Leaving, you, the woman, with an extremely loud tv show on the Speed channel or the 89th rerun of Super Bowl 20 on ESPN.

Try to remove that remote, gingerly from the man's hand, & his eyes spring open, he death grips & says "Im watching that!"

Yes, dear, of course, you must have just blinked a really long time.

This is my life.

I'm waiting for the 4yo to try that.
Luckily we don't let him control the tv.
Otherwise we'd be watching "The Avengers" 24/7.

Who controls the remote in your home?

Summer is here!

As we celebrate the "unofficial start" of summer this weekend, let's not forget the real reason for the long weekend, pool openings & great sales.


Memorial Day.


A day to remember all of those who fought & died for us.
For this country.


Let us say Thank you to our military men & women.
The ones who are current enlisted & those that are no longer listed.

One of those we'd like to thank is the Grandpop.
Tht's him on the left.
Handsome devil, no?
Cheeks looks just like him.

And of course we need to thank my Poppy who served in the Navy & was on the USS Missouri when the Japanese surrender.  Poppy passed away years ago but thanks to him, the Grandpop & all the others we get the blessing of living how we live.

Thank you to all for all that you do!

Creepy Confessions

I, Meghan, of Meghan's Mindless Mutterings, am of sound mind & body would like to confess my creepy confession.


I adore puppets.
Love them.


I think it all began with a Madam.
Not that type of Madam.
Get your mind out of the gutter...feel like I am dealing with Bobster.


I'm talking Madam of Waylan Flowers & Madam.
Viola:

Please do not tell me you have no idea who I am talking about.
They used to be on Hollywood Squares.
In the 70's.
Although not center square.
That was reserved for Paul Lynd.
Of Bewitched fame.
Uncle Arthur.
Whose Uncle Arthur?
You're all killing me.


Anywho.
I simply get the biggest kick out of puppets.
Like stop in my tracks & watch til I pee my pants kick.


Especially Jeff Dunham.
You know, Achmed....

Cheeks recently saw his special on tv & now walks around going:
"Silence...I kill you!"

It was funny the first time.
Not so much the 999th time in five minutes.

I love the Muppets & miss "The Muppet Show"
Good times!
Remember when John Denver guest starred?
I seem to recall he was on there a lot.
Maybe he was porking the pig?

Tell me, what's your creepy confession?

Do you??

Coupon that is.
Do you?
Clip away & save the moola on your grocery bill?


I do.
I love it!
Love to go food shopping & get the bargains.
Of course, I love to go by myself because it's solitude & I can take my time & match up coupons etc.


Have you seen the new TLC show "Extreme Couponing"?
I am addicted to it.
Watch it every week & watch the reruns.
Am I sad & pathetic?
If that's wrong, then I don't wanna be right!


Where do you find your coupons?
I am mainly getting mine from the paper.


I can't print at home...don't ask.
Work frowns upon you doing personal stuff online.
Cest le vie.
I did find one site that I can print out (at work..shh!)


It is Kelloggs:



So hit the pic, sign up (it's free) & print yourself out some badboy coupons.
Mostly tho., leave me a comment telling me where you get your coupons.

This is my life.

Stress.
We all have it right?
It sucks.


My stress is so high that in the morning I get to have a CT of my stomach to see if my ulcer is going strong or what the heck is happening in my belly.


To add more stress to my life, I worry.
Worry about finances, my kids, my parents, my sister, my job, my house.
Same things we all worry about, right?


You know Saturday. This coming Saturday.
May 21st.
It's all they can talk about it.
I'll refrain from saying what it is...as most know.


Here's the thing. It bothers me.
I feel that all of the churches would be saying something about it.
Not just that one.


It's just a bit iffy.
You know, earthquake in Japan, floods in Iowa, Tornados, just natural disasters.


It gets me to thinking.
Nothing we can do about it tho., right?
I just joke about.
That's what I do when something secretly bothers me.


Like my weight.
O.M.G.
My weight.
It's not pretty.
Like not pretty in a "OMG! Omar the tent maker is here for Meg's fitting"


I definitely need to do something about it.
Or next Thanksgiving, the handlers will be stringing me up so I do not float away in the parade.
I'll give you a second to catch on to what I am saying.


As for saying, (do like that segway..NICE), my 4yo has picked up a new saying.
He debuted it at preschool today.


Apparently, he didn't like something that was going on or he was befuddled by something because he just let out with:


"WTF!"


And I don't mean he shouted the abbreviation.
Full on sentence.


Tells me it's by accident.
He knows he's not allowed to say things like that.
I don't say things like that.
Ok, fine, it slips every so often.


Told me he head it in Transformers.
Told him he will not be watching that movie any more.


Please no flames on the fact that I let him watch PG & PG13 movies.
Hence the PG...Parent's Guidance.
He doesn't get to watch them all unless I've seen them first.


He was punished.
Cries, tells me "I won't say it again. It was an accident"
Yes, yes, that word is just accidentally said.
MMhmm.


Has your little one ever said anything out of line or embarrassing?
Are you fretting over this weekend?


Caio!

Quirks

First, I'd like to take this moment to say, it's officially 2 months til my birthday.
Get to shopping now peeps.
In a mere 2 months, I will be, ahem, 29, 35 ok, fine! 41.
I think to celebrate you should all get me 41 gifts.
Deal?
Deal?
Hello, anyone out there.

I digress.

I'd like to discuss quirks.
You know like this:

source

I want to know one of your quirks.

Like do you wear funny jewelry? Do you like certains foods that traditionally do not go together? Do you have to avoid stepping on cracks to avoid breaking your mother's back?

One of my quirks is food related.

Then again, look at my shape, how is it NOT food related.

I have to say I love the skin of pudding or the skin that forms when Jello sets, at the bottom.

Oh my!

Yummy.

I just bought premade pudding tonight.

Sad to say, no skin on it.

Not that it wasn't deliciouso, it was mucho deliciouso but with out the skin, it was missing that certain something.

So leave me a comment & tell me one of your quirks!

Health Screening aka Scared Me To Death

Yesterday our health insurance came to our work place to give a free 15 min health screening.
No need to fast.
No need to do anything but walk to the training room.

So I did.
The nurse pricked my finger.
Took some blood.
While the blood went into some machine, she took my blood pressure.
Are you ready for this?
Wait for it.


Wait for it.


144 over 108.

Do you know that is high?
Yea, blew me out of my seat as well.

She waited about 5 minutes & took it again.
The same.

Apparently I am in Hypertension Stage 1.
Good times.

As for my glucose reading, that put me in the pre-diabetic stage.

They couldn't get a cholestoral reading on me becaus their machine doesn't read under 15 on the HDCL. 
My overall number is ok.

BMI index?
Well let's just say "Oh. My. God!"

My dad had a heart attack at 38.
Quadruple bypass at 50 something.

I do not want to experience either.

Both of my parents are diabetic.
I had an 11 pound, 1 ounce baby.
Passed the diabetic testing they give you but the hosp ped. said they had to have misread it.

Am I scared?
Yes!
Am I upset?
Yes, but I did it to myself.
No one else was shoving Twix bars down my throat.

So wish me luck in my endeavor to get my health back on track!

Tidbits in my life

See the shortest one in the group?
Can't show his face.
Witness protection & all.

The other day I stopped at a store to pick up some shorts for the angelic child.
Checking out, I asked him to come over to me.

He, nonchalantly, walked on over, propped one elbow up on the counter, looked at me & said:
"You are getting on my last nerve"
Well after the cashier regain her composure I said:
"Oh Im getting on your last nerve?"
His reply:
"Yes & if you don't stop I am going to smack your hiney"

Had this been me with the Nana, I'd have absolutely no teeth left in my mouth.
The Nana took no crap.
Broke a few spoons over my tushie growing up.

I corrected Cheeks w/o a smack on the hiney.
Thankfully I am no longer on his nerves.
I was worried, don't want to be on the bad side of the 4yo.

Tata!

Almost 6 years, our story

That's us.
Stunning aren't we?
I think that is the only recent pic of us together & it was taken in 2008.
Gonna have to work on getting a new one.


I thought I'd tell the story of us.
How we met.


Once upon a time a lovely red headed girl was going through a surprise separation from her first husband (i.e. never saw it coming that he wanted out..oh well, c'est la vie).


It was the end of the summer & she was out to dinner with her best friend from high school.  Some how it came up that she was indeed going to be single & that did her best friend know anyone b/c she was getting over being depressed.

Lo & behold, she did.
She knew someone.
That someone was Bobster.

The friend arranged a picnic at her house so the red headed girl could meet Bobster.

That was at 3pm on a Sunday, Aug 28th.  At 12am they said goodnight after leaving the picnic & going to a local diner to get to know each other.

Bobster was divorced, with 2 children, who just figured he'd meet a nice girl.
Little did he know the girl he was going to meet would have a hickey on her neck (not my proudest moment, I prefer not to discuss but wanted to be honest).  Bobster overlooked it and they went again that Thursday.

They continued to see each other.  Bobster ended up movin into the red headed girls apartment.
On Dec 21st, her divorce was final.
On Dec 24, she took a test that she passed with a big ole + sign.

The rest is history.  He gave her a total of 3 children (which after having an 11 pound chid, she is glad she didn't have to carry the other 2).  She gave him more hair loss, weight gain & indigestion.  What can I say, I am a giver.

So there you have it folks.
Our story.
I love him.
He loves me.
A fairy tale come true.

Tell me, how did you meet your other half?

My First Vlog~Take Two

Think the kinks are worked out.
Let me know if I talk funny!

New Guilty Pleasure

Who has seen the new VH1 reality show "Mob Wives?"

The one in red is Sammy "The Bull" daughter, Karen.
The other's are involved with the mob but I couldn't tell you how.

This show is great.
I mean it's like an accident, you don't want to watch but you do & you can't look away.


My fav is Renee Graziano. Her dad was the highest ranking member of La Cosa Nostra (crime family).
This woman is a trip.
She is someone who thinks she should not be messed with.

Tonight she said her age.
I'll give you a minute to study her.

Keep in mind the photo is most likely airbrushed.
So, what do you think?
50?
55?

That's what I thought.
Then, POW, reality hit me.

This chicky baby is 41.
41!
Darn!
Someone has led a rough life.
Of course, she smokes & we all know that will age you.

Hello, I will be 41 in 2 months.
I don't think I really look 40/41.

Maybe I do.
Don't know.

Seriously though, Renee, looks old.
She has a hard edge to her.
Definitely not Mom's Apple Pie look, know what I mean?

What do you think?
Do you watch this show?

What is your guilty pleasure tv show?

Have you met Eddie Haskill 2011?

Oh this one?
He's a charmer for sure.


Take for instance:


One night, last week, as we ate dinner I was talking to him & explaining to him that what he did was wrong (I forget what he did), when I was done he looked at me & said:
"Mommy! I love your sweater...it's beautiful"
Then gave me a cheesy grin.


Yesterday, as I put him in the car, I was explaining to him that I will always know when he lies.
Before I was finished he took his hand, tickled my cheeks & said
"Oh! Such a pretty girl! So pretty"


Sigh.


Eddie Haskill for sure.


P.S. If you don't know who Eddie Haskill is, please google & don't let me know b/c I will officially feel old.

Is it me or

Or does anyone else find "Mayhem" attractive?

I've liked him since his days on HBO's "Oz"
Remember that show?
I loved it.
Used to watch it every week.
Miss it.


Here's a question.
Should New Kids on the Block & Backstreet Boys perhaps change their names to reflect their maturity & the fact that most are married & parents?
Maybe Old Men from Around the Block & Backpain Bums?


Just throwin it out there.
They are definitely no Duran Duran.

Now those boys grew into some fine men.
My fav was always Roger.
Then I realized he was like 5'8.
Why, why, why do they all have to be short?

Did I ever tell you I almost got into a brawl in 2005 at a DD concert in Atlantic City?
That's right.
I did.

Some d-bag in the crowd was pushing his girl & he inadvertently pushed my sister.
Well big no no.
I was like "Yo, don't push my sister"
&
He got nasty but then his girlfriend pulled him away.
Thanks God.
I would have beat him to a pulp.
Ok, I would have called security but whatev!

Tell me, what concerts have you seen as adults of artists who you liked as kids?
Do tell!

Whew! Stop the world, I need to blog

It has just been a whirlwind of fun & chaos these past few days.
First up & most important today is the Nana's birthday:

That's right.
It's her birthday.
Go Nana!
Go Nana!
She told me she was 39.
Funny because I turned 40 last July & now I am a year older than my mom.
How does that work?


Isn't that a cute pic?
Nana invited Cheeks over to dye some Easter Eggs at her place.
Sucker!
That boy is messy.
I stood by, camera in hand to capture the moments.
Of course, I now have a dozen hard boiled eggs & no one, including the egg dyer, eat hard boiled eggs.


Yesterday was Easter.
Bobster surprised us with a trip to the Cape May Zoo.
Ever been?
It's fabulous!
No fee to enter...you strictly donate.
Beautiful zoo.


The nice thing was an Easter miracle happened.
I got a photo of all 3 boys.
Say it isn't so you say!?!
Check it out!

Good looking bunch, no?
17,12 & 4.
Where does the time go?
Seriously.


They are good boys.
Mouthy but so are their parents.
Of course, the little one up there, with the angelic face.
Yea.
He mooned his entire class today on the playground.
Good times.
Good times.
I was given a talking to by the preschool teacher.
Well at least he doesn't have hair on his butt is all I'm sayin.


So how was your holiday weekend?

Peep! Peep! Peep!

It's that time of year.
Time to break out the Peeps!

I love peeps.
Always have.
The Easter bunny always left them in my basket.


My favorite way to eat them is to let them get stale. So they are hard. Then I bite their head off. Sugary sweetness & decapitation...a two for one really.


I have to say I have a great memory of Peeps.
The first time I put a peep chicken in the microwave.
I was all by myself & wanted some warm marshmallow.
Grabbed that chick, plopped it on a plate, set if for 20 seconds & hit "Start"


My eyes got huge.
As did the chick.
It blew up.
Like 500x's it's size. (It was a really big microwave).
I just kept thinking, if this bad boy bursts, the Nana is going to have a fit. 
Plus I wouldn't want to clean that.
Marshmallow is not cleaner friendly.

Anywho the best was as soon as the microwave was done, the Peep deflated in size and while it was deformed slightly, it was the best warm sugary mashmallow concoction a 17 year old could want.

I must have done it five times in a row.

This year I showed my four year old this trick.
That's all it took.
He's hooked.
Loves it & asks constantly to watch.

Thankfully the Easter Bunny will be bringing some more this weekend for a little Easter Micro Fun!

I also like to add some Peeps to my hot chocolate. 
Cheeks loved this!
He said "They are swimming mommy!"

So thanks to my mom the Easter Bunny I am passing the Peeps tradition to my kids.
I was brought up on stale peeps and while they are tasty treats fresh, they are best stale.

I remember my mom, once the Easter Bunny, made his delivery, would open up the cellphane & store them in the cabinet to "age", then the best day was the day she announced they're ready.  Ah, sweetness.
Plus you can also suck on them and get the sugar in your mouth...ah, I am salivating like Pavlov's dogs about now.  Thinking the Easter Bunny is going to have make a midnight run to the store.  One fresh, let the rest "age".

Are you a fan of peeps?
How do you like to eat them?
Any fond memories of peeps?
Do you prefer a certain color? I like PINK! It's my signature color (bonus points for you knows that what movie that line is from).

Don't hold back readers.
Give it to me straight.
Yea or Nay for Peeps?

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and PEEPS blogging contest, for a chance to get a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Can Not Wait!

Show of hands...who has read The Help by Kathryn Stockett.


I have & I loved.
Probably the best book I've read in a long time.


This is Kathryn's first novel & Hollywood is making it into a movie.
HOLLA!


For those that aren't familiar with this novel take a peek at the synopsis for the movie:


Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon, “The Help” stars Emma Stone (“Easy A”) as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis (“Doubt”) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed—even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.


Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, “The Help” is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change.


Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon, “The Help” is a provocative and inspiring look at what happens when a southern town’s unspoken code of rules and behavior is shattered by three courageous women who strike up an unlikely friendship.

The movie is due out August 12th.
You can bet your sweet bippy that I'll be there.

Who could miss it with costumes & actors like this:

The cast includes: Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone


Top notch actors who are at the top of their craft.

So tell me, are you looking forward to seeing the movie?
Have you read the book?

Let me know.

Sigh

When did the 17yo boy become muscular?
And that handsome?

Really.
Yesterday he was 12 years & meeting his new little brother for the first time.
He's like 6ft tall now.
We see eye to eye.
He's taking his driving test next week.

Lord help us all.
Nah, he's a really good driver.
He has to be with Bobster as a father.
The man obeys every traffic law.
Even 25 in a 25 when there is no one around.
Sometimes I'm like "You know Bobster, there's a pedal in the mini van, we don't Flinstone it"

Of course, I have a heavy foot.
I mean, sometimes it just feels like you aren't going that fast.
Plus one has to keep up with traffic.

Anywho, TimBob up there has gone to the jr prom, the freshman-sopmore shindig & was recently invited to the senior prom. 
Turned down the invitation tho.
Isn't he just a little Rico Suave?

Remember Rico Suave?
If you do, great.
If you don't have any idea who I am talking about then you are very, very young.
Go You Tube it.
You won't be disappointed.

And on that note...Caio!

Epic Fail!

This morning I decided to use my crock pot for good, not evil (I.e. allowing the mouse we have to poop in the lid since I keep it in the pantry...keeping it real folks, keeping it real).

I decided I'd make Hawaiian Chicken.
Sounded yummy.
Got the recipe from a very popular blog that has published two cookbooks.
It was sure to be tasty.

Turned on the crock pot when I left...7am. 
Turned it off when I got home...6pm.

This may have been a bit long.

The only ingredients besides the chicken was cinnamon, pineapples & red paper flakes.
How bad could it have turned out?

Well when I removed the lid, I swear I heard the chicken gasp "Water...need water!"

Dry is an understatement.
I served it on some rice with a side of broccoli.

Cheeks tried it & his face was priceless.
He received a grilled cheese.

I tried it & choked.
Think I get the piece with all the red pepper flakes.
I had a Dr. Oetker's frozen pizza.
Good move on my part as it was tasty.

Bobster was a trooper & took one for the team.
He ate it
&
Is taking the rest for lunch tomorrow.
He thinks I am trying to kill him with my concotions
BUT
Come on, living with me would bring him a slow, painful death.
I am the master of torture so live on Bobster, live on.

Would I make this chicken again?
Probably not.
At least not this recipe.

What I want to know is what epic fail did you have with a recipe disaster?

Ciao!

Wanna some free pizza?

Then come check out my free giveaway over here:


Meghan's Mindless Mutterings: Reviews & Giveaways

Mommy's Weekend Out!

Know what I did this weekend?
Stuff for me.


Oh that's right.
Me.
The mommy.


I went out.
With my friends.
Yes.
Mine.


What did we do you ask?
Chinese auction baby!!!!
600 women let loose in a high school gymnasium to throw their tickets in boxes for a chance to win a gift basket.
The baskets ranged from baby stuff to gift cards for the movies or out for dinner.


Holla!


They also had door prizes.
I won one.
A lovely window box with fresh parsley, basil & chives in it.
I'm giving it to the Nana because let's face it, I'm lucky I keep my family alive, I shouldn't be trusted with herbs.


Now we have all seen this photo:

Apparently, people have complained.
Says it's not up to date.

Pashaw.

I mean is the big bow & big hair only from the 80's?
Whatever.

Anyway, feast your eyes on this baby....

23 years later peeps.
We still look 17.

Right?
Right?

*chirp**chirp**chirp*

That was taken Saturday night at the shindig.
It was nice.
She is also the woman who introduced me to Bobster.
I love her, known her since we were 14.
Will always be one of my bff's.

Ok, enough sappy sap.

Sunday, the family went to a Philadelphia Wings game.
You know, lacrosse.

Loved it.
Best part was when they beat each other up.
Bring on the violence!  

It really is a fun game.
I wanted to play in high school but we didn't have a lacrosse team.
There are adult leagues now but they do not have emergency services at the games nor do they supply with you oxygen.
Something about the leagues wanting you to be in shape to play.

Yea, whatev!

So tell me how was your weekend?
What did you do?

Better yet, are you still friends with someone with high school?

Do tell.