Yet Another Tag!

It's time for me once again to share way more information about myself than you ever cared to know! I have been at a loss as to what to blog about lately, so a tag is just what I needed actually. This one is courtesy of my sweet pal Carolyn.

This is simply a copy, paste and update with your own answers tag. So if I've tagged you -- I hope you'll play along!

A: Attached or single: Attached
B: Best friend: Angela
C: Cake or pie: Pie
D: Day of choice: Friday (and actually I really like Mondays! I know, I'm weird!)
E: Essential item: Camera & computer (sorry, had to pick both!)
F: Favorite type of music: Rock
G: Gummy Bears or Worms: Gummy bears
H: Hometown: Rockford, IL
I: Indulgences: Scrapbook supplies
J: January or July: January -- I like the feel of a fresh start and a new year!
K: Kids: Two sons, one daughter
L: Last movie: The Spiderwick Chronicles
M: Marriage date: August 31
N: Number of Siblings: None unfortunately!
O: Oranges or apples: apples
P: Phobias or fears: spiders, bees/wasps and heights -- on a much larger scale it would be something bad happening to my kids
Q: Quote(s): "It's never too late to be what you might have been." ~ George Eliot -- and -- "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." ~ Winston Churchill
R: Reason to smile: My three lovable children
S: Season: Fall
T: Tag four : Alice (hee hee -- she hates me now!), Suzanna, Jeanne, Jen
U: Unknown Fact about me: I lived in Massachusetts for a whopping four months when I was in my early 20s
(I have no idea what the question is for "V" -- it wasn't attached!)
W: Worst Habit: Running late (I drive myself crazy with that one!)
X: X-rays or Ultrasounds: Strangest question ever, isn't it?? I choose ultrasounds I guess
Y: Your favorite food: Mexican or Chinese (I can't choose -- don't make me!)
Z: Zodiac: Libra

If I haven't tagged you -- you can still play along. Come back and let me know if you do!

I will try to be a better blogger this week. I've taken a KAZILLION pictures this month, so maybe I'll share some photos.

Happy Monday -- enjoy this final day of March!!!

Thanks Alice!

Well, I was planning to post something else, but I have a booming headache this evening, so I opted for something quick and took this fun little test posted by my friend Alice.

72 words

Speed test

Try it for a little fun!!!

This, That and The Other...

I am just full of things to ramble about today. My mind has been racing since about 11pm last night and I can't shut it off. I got an idea that I got excited about and instead of getting up and writing all my thoughts down, I laid in bed, knowing I needed to sleep because morning would come entirely too soon. But I didn't sleep much. Aside from my mind racing, the dog needed to go out at about 2:30am and then my daughter woke me up at 3:30 am. The alarm went off before I was ready, that's for sure! My mind is still racing with a whole lot of everything.

Here's the excitement at our home today --

* My kids went back to school today after a nice Spring break. We had lots of fun last week -- the park, the zoo, bowling with friends, a nice Easter. Now we are back to the reality of our routine.

* My windshield needs to be replaced -- entirely. Yesterday I was driving with the kids and we heard a loud "POP" -- a nickel-sized blemish appeared right in my line of vision on the windshield. Since it is in my line of vision, by law it has to be replaced as opposed to repaired. Unexpected, but what can you do? The beauty of this type of repair (if there is an upside) -- it will be done today and they will come to my home to do it. Pretty handy.

* My three-year old decided it would be funny to stab me under the eye with his toothbrush last night. Like my windshield -- I have a round blemish. It is just under my eye and it is a lovely reddish purple color. Thank you son, for amusing yourself by injuring me.

And now, I just have to share with you something that is completely baffling me these days.

My eight-year old son has discovered he has a love for animal hunting games (meaning video games). Besides the fact that I personally do not get the whole concept of hunting as a sport (no offense to those of you that do enjoy it!) -- my son is the last person I would think of as a fan of hunting -- real or in game form. He is a complete animal lover.

This same boy was quite distressed last year when they were chopping down trees behind his school to put up some new homes or businesses. I heard him "rant" several times about animals losing their homes because the trees/woods were being destroyed. He also admonished me quite severely when I let my daughter wear pajamas with cheetah print pants because "a cheetah died to make those pants" (yes, he truly believed this) -- I had to explain quite a while before he believed that I did NOT buy, nor would I ever be buying anything made with REAL cheetah fur/skin! And just last week, the kids were watching "Bee Movie" and there is a scene where a Winnie the Pooh look-alike is shot with a sleep dart. He hated that scene -- it made him sad. And yet he decided to buy a Playstation game just yesterday where he must hunt and shoot deer, moose, foxes, coyotes, polar bears, etc. How in the world, does this make sense?? He doesn't approve of sleep darts for Pooh or cheetah prints for his sister, but let's play a hunting game.

I don't get it.

I am sure I could share a million more completely unrelated thoughts with you today, but I'm quite sure you've had enough for one day.

I hope you all enjoyed your Easter weekend with family and friends. Have a great week!

Just a very quick...

Happy and blessed Easter to each of you!

I doubt I'll be blogging until next week sometime, so I wish each of you a wonderful Easter weekend.

Grocery Bagging 101 & a Beatles Hoedown (What???)

Are you ready for the most completely random, disjointed post ever? Because I'm ready to ramble, so fasten your seatbelts.

I've decided I'm going to teach a course to all grocery baggers across the globe. Because it's obvious that in most cases they do not get any training.

Are you with me on this one?

Once in awhile I will have a conscientious bagger, who realizes that canned goods do not belong on top of my bread and/or eggs. But usually, I get home and wonder -- what was he/she thinking? I assume he or she was probably thinking about how much longer they have to stand there and bag someone else's food on that particular day. I assume they are counting the minutes until break time or the end of their shift. They are obviously not thinking about how to bag things efficiently and sensibly.

I try to help them by grouping like groceries together on the conveyor when I check out. (Am I the only one who does this??) And it's not that I have anything against the baggers -- they are usually very nice. But they sure don't seem to have much training in what goes together and what does not.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

Speaking of things that do not go together.... Beatles music and hoedowns. If you are an American Idol fan, I bet you know exactly what I'm talking about. Contestant Kristy Lee Cook decided to sing the Beatles "Eight Days A Week" with a country twist this past week. I get the heebie jeebies just thinking about it.

Let me tell you right now -- I do not wish for anyone EVER in the history of the universe to have to be subjected to listening to the Beatles-Country Style ever, ever again. It's just plain wrong. It's torture. I would link the You Tube video I found right here so you could see what I'm talking about, but I'm telling you -- that would be just plain cruel. It was awful. I'm sorry Kristy Lee -- don't take it personally -- but I implore you -- please do not ever sing that song in that way again!

(If you feel the need to punish yourself, simply go to YouTube and type in her name -- you'll find it somewhere, but be prepared -- it ain't pretty!)

And that is the end of my random thoughts for today.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. The plague is still hovering at our house for the two youngest -- we've graduated from strep throat to awful hacking cough and runny nose. But I *THINK* I'm seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. And I did get out of the house with my oldest son for about five hours yesterday which was much needed and lots of fun. My two little ones will be SO glad when I can get them out and about. They have been couped up for days.

Chat with you soon!

It's Friday...

but it sure doesn't feel like it. I don't know what day it feels like. I have been at home with two kids with strep throat since Tuesday evening. Our only outing has been to the doctor and pharmacy, which in my book is not like an outing at all. Today, the kids seem to be in better spirits, but the youngest has had a virus on top of the strep, so I am hesitant to take him out today. Our cupboards are terribly bare though, so I may be forced to chance a trip to the grocery store. At least they are no longer contagious.

Being inside for three days is making me a bit stir crazy. And I feel very, very behind on things. I am very much of a homebody, but not getting out at ALL does make me a little wacky -- know what I mean?? The kids seem to be craving fresh air as well. Good thing we have Spring Break coming up.

I have not been able to shower until noon for the past three days. That right there puts a damper on my day. I keep thinking, "Oh great -- today will be the day that I find out my neighbor turned me in to the show What Not to Wear or to Oprah for a makeover." Because my whole closet is basically an advertisement for "What Not to Wear". I have visions of someone with a big ol' camera at my door as I open it with PJs and bed head. Wouldn't that be nice??

Also -- last night my oldest son had a music concert at school. I feel like I'm always the one that has to miss things for one child or the other when their siblings are sick, so I told my hubby I really wanted to go and asked him to stay with the other kids. He agreed, but then I realized I should probably ask my son how he felt. Seeing as only one parent could attend, I asked him who he wanted to take with him. And guess what? He chose his dad -- and as selfish as it sounds, it broke my heart. But I couldn't let my son see it because he was terribly conflicted about choosing. He didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but he seemed to want time for just him and Daddy, so I can't fault him for that. But there was still that inner voice screaming, "What?! I'm the mom!! You're supposed to pick me!!!" It put me in a funk all night. I was just plain sad to miss him singing. I am quite sure it bothered me more than him. And I am also sure I was being overly sensitive due to lack of sleep and cabin fever.

Aside from feeling a little couped up, I am thankful my kids do not have something worse and they seem to be on the mend.

Alright, I've bored you enough for one day. I'm off for my noon shower (geesh!).

Have a fantastic weekend -- hope everyone at your house is feeling well!

Well Darn It, I Jinxed Myself!!!

Hello blog buddies -- I am so sorry I have been neglecting my blog. Not much to chat about these past few days -- even though I have been quite busy!

So darn it -- today, I was reading an email from a friend about her daughter having the flu -- and I've had so many friends who have been sick or had sick kids. I know there has been SO much illness going around -- seems like it is everywhere, no matter what state you live in or how healthy you usually are.

I was just thinking to myself this morning, how thankful I am and how lucky my family has been to have avoided the flu and walking pneumonia, which is going around here. And that's when it happened -- I jinxed myself!

My poor little Nick, who seemed perfectly fine this morning, starting getting very lethargic after lunch and could not stop yawning. He started saying "Go to sleep Mama" over and over -- and if you know this child, sleeping is not on his list of top 100 things to do in a day. So I picked him up and he was burning up. Temp is about 101 degrees and the poor thing has been sleeping for the past four hours -- with a few interruptions where he wakes up, moans, cries and can't get comfortable. He says his head hurts and I feel so helpless.

His symptoms are just what everyone whose child has had the flu has described to me, so I guess we are headed to see the doctor in the morning. Wish me luck on keeping the rest of the house well. And say a little prayer for my little guy -- he is so miserable.

Hope you and your families are well! I'll try to post again soon.

I.NEED.COFFEE!!!!!

I am Catholic -- it is Lent -- and I decided to give up something that would be really difficult. And I chose coffee. And guess what? It is in fact -- REALLY difficult some days!

I know that sounds absolutely ridiculous, but this morning I am sooooo tired and you have no idea how badly I am craving a cup (or three!) of coffee.

I had a total moment this morning where it was like I had a little angel on one shoulder and a little devil on the other, just like in the movies. The "devil" saying, "C'mon -- you can give in just one day...39 days of no coffee is almost as good as 40 days." The angel then reminding me that I've made it four weeks without caving in -- why ruin it now? Only about two and a half weeks to go -- that's not too bad, right?

I did not cave in (yet) -- and I don't plan to -- but you have no idea how tempting it is. And I have a brand spanking new coffee pot just sitting on my counter looking pretty and begging to be used. It's calling my name. Somebody make it stop!

I know you are now thinking my lack of caffeine is affecting my mental health -- it is quite possible, that this is the case. And any illusions I had that maybe these 40 days of no coffee would make me give it up for good -- ha! I don't think so!

So as I leave you, I implore you -- if you are a coffee drinker -- enjoy a cup for me today. Just don't come back and tell me how good it was!