Father Of The Year Award Goes To My Husband

Hey, he never reads this so, this is entirely for documentation reasons.

We had an amazing weekend. We took the kids to their first carnival and they had a blast. 3 Days in a row of rides could drive anyone crazy but he was awesome. Tirelessly taking them on and off all the rides they wanted to go on and taking pictures of them.

He also offered to meet up with one of my friends and her family so we could all hang out together.

On Friday, my awwww moment came when he went outside, picked a big pink flower off our front yard bush and brought it to Goddess. He put it in a glass of water for her and put it in her room! Stinkin' cute!!

On another note: He came home with books for me! Woot, who doesn't love a man who knows what she would like to read?

Monday Morning Memes

A Little Sunday Thievery

Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Monkey's Meme
1. Name one person who made you smile today: My Daughter, she makes me smile every single day. My son has been too busy for me today.

2. What were you doing at 8am this morning? Laying on the couch with my eyes closed trying to get the kids to keep their voices lower.

3. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Reading a book I have to finish for review

4. What is your favorite candy bar? Health and Skor totally rock.

5. Have you ever been to a strip club? Yes, I used to bartend at one, many, may years ago!

6. What was the last thing you had to drink? Coffee

7. What was the last thing you ate? A piece of some awesome Bear Hug from Lori's Place on Etsy

8. The last sporting event you watched? Hockey with the man last night. Just background noise for me though, I was reading.

9. Do you go to church every Sunday?Ummm...I wish I could say yes here.

10. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza? Sometimes. I love both.

11. What are you doing tomorrow? Taking my son to school, getting some reading, cleaning done while trying to be an active mom.

12. What do you think of when you hear Australia? Lyn, Bruce, Daniel and Kasey

13. Biggest annoyance right now? The damn knats!

14. Last song listened to? I Saw God Today

15. Do you have a maid service clean your house? Yes, her name is Maria

16. Are you jealous of anyone? Nah! What's to be jealous of? That is a wasted emotion!

17. Is anyone jealous of you? I would hope not!

18. What do you usually do during the day? Clean, read for myself, read to the kids, chauffeur the kids, cook, blog, take photos, run errands, talk to friends, think, go to the bathroom, eat, and exist. What do you friggin do????

19. Do you hate anyone that you know right now? No, hate is a wasted emotion too!

20. Are you thinking about someone right now? I am writing the answer to this question at the moment. Yup, now I'm thinking of someone or something.

Saturday 9: Uninvited & Some Small Talk

6 things that make you sick, but you eat them anyways

1-Burger King (once every other month)
2-Carnival Food (I only found this out this weekend)
3-Honey, BBQ Potato Chips (I should never eat the whole bag)
4-Cold Cuts make me swell the next day
5-Hot Dogs make me swell the next day (is this an age thing?)
6-That's about all I can think of.



Saturday 9: Uninvited

1. Do you mind people to show up uninvited? I love when people feel comfortable enough to just show up. It hasn't happened for a while and it makes me happy to have a friend come a knockin'

2. Last person you talked to on the phone? That was my Dad. I called him for his 69th birthday yesterday but he was heading out for dinner. My son sang into the phone and we said good-bye.



3. Last person on your missed call list? My dear, sweet friend Dahlia

4. Who calls you the most? My sister from another mother, Clarissa

5. What is your favorite song about breaking up? Black by Pearl Jam

6. If someone sent you an unexpected gift, what would you like it to be? Anything! It was unexpected so something from the heart would be the best!

7. Your classic rock station plays the top songs of all time. What is number one? I no longer have a top radio station. It used to be 92.3 K-Rock in New York but they don't play rock anymore. I listen to Sirius Satellite Radio now, but there is no favorite. I just bounce around.

8. Do you live for today or tomorrow? I live for right now!

9. What movie villain scared you as a kid? The witch from the Wizard of Oz

Self Portrait Sunday #3 Join My Meme

Come on, admit it, you look through your photo albums or computer folders and see very few photos of yourself. Maybe it is because, like me, you are usually behind the camera. Or maybe, it's because you never feel you look good in photos so you tell everyone, "don't take any of me."

Sadly enough, this means that your children will have very little photos to remember you by when you are long gone. No kids, well how many times have you looked at photos of yourself from 5, 10, 15 years ago and said, "and I thought I was fat?"

We aren't getting any younger and we will one day, want to look back at a time when our face was less lined, or more recognizable than the one staring back at us in the mirror.

Join me every Sunday post, and post a photo of yourself on your blog and link back to me so I can come visit you. The photo can be anything you want as long as YOU are in it.

I hope to see you next Sunday.

This week's self portrait was taken on Tuesday when I sat down to write in a journal. Before blogging, I did quite a lot of writing. I am trying to get back to it, because I think there is no writing more personal than something that is hand written.


I really like using Ortonish on Picnik; on this one everything disappears except for my face, hand and the book I was writing in. Such a great effect.

Help! I've Gone Friday Meme Crazy

Sky Watch Friday - Nothing was done to these pictures. I just used some of the special features on a camera I am reviewing. The review will be up next month.

1. What is the longest you’ve gone between haircuts? Oh probably about 15 months.
2. What is the shortest hour of the day? The one where I need to get out the door to school.
   
3. What is the longest line you’ve ever stood in? A roller coaster that I didn't even want to be on.
   
4. Who’s your shortest adult friend? Me! No, Sheress
   
5. Who among your current friends have you known the longest? Teresa
   

1. It's cold and I love it!

2. Cherry tomatoes.

3. My favorite health and beauty product is Water

4. I love a nice long ride, with the windows down and the radio blasting.

5. Well, first of all I could use some sleep.

6. A Daydream about Me and Edward of Twilight; those were the cast of characters in a recent dream and it was Hot Baby!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to heading to the carnival tomorrow my plans include Work and Sunday, I want to sleep past 6:30 a.m.

TV Sucked Up My Reading Time!

I had no idea how many books I was missing out on by committing to shows like American Idol and The Bachelor. This season, I stopped watching almost everything except for Lost, Desperate Housewives, Ghost Hunters and Ghost Whisper. It was the best thing for me because I was able to read about 15 books last month.

In the past week and a half I finished the following:
Tori Spelling's Mommywood - I read her first one Stori Telling and loved it so decided to pick up this one too. Where Stori Telling was candid, funny, interesting, informative and honest this one wasn't honest. Some of the humor was missing and that was what I really liked in the first one. I felt the first one was like reading a letter from a dear friend and this one was just another book with words. However, it did make me want to run out and pick up her mother's book. There are some beautiful pictures of her and her family, and some crazy moments like when she decides it would be a good idea to have a life size monkey cake at her son's first birthday.



Cloris Leachman's - Cloris, My Autobiography is a fantastic book about an amazing actress. If you only know Cloris from Dancing with the Stars, you are missing out on some phenomenal acting chops. I remember Cloris from The Fact's of Life but to me Cloris will always be Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein and Nurse Diesel in High Anxiety! But after reading this I am dying to rent some of her other movies. I had no idea that Cloris had such a history. She was a friend of Marlon Brando, she hung with the Kennedy's, had a sexual wager with Ed Asner, sex with Gene Hackman and Bobby Darin and her marriage broke up because of Joan Collins. She's appeared in 11 Broadway plays, 57 films, and 137 television shows and has earned 16 awards and 23 nominations. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her time on the set with Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder and highly recommend this book. Get to know the real Cloris Leachman.


Charlaine Harris' Dead Until Dark - This book was loaned to me by my dear friend who loaned my Twilight. She said, "it's a light read". It was and thoroughly enjoyable. The HBO series, True Blood is based on this book series. Sookie Stackhouse lives in a town where vampires are coming out of the closet (so to speak). When she helps save Bill the "hot" vampire" from a couple trying to drain him of his blood they become involved. He is dead, she reads minds and together they are a force to be reckoned with. The book is entertaining and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.



Lilly Feisty's Bound to Please - Wow, now THIS, was a hot book. I was done with Chapters 1 and 2 and had to shut the book, turn to my husband and say, "wow, that was hot I need a drink of water." This book is about Ruby, a successful party planner who is strong and respected. She meets Mark St. Crow a band member who she meets thankfully quickly in the book. He unleashes a part of her that she didn't even know existed. The book is a quick read, with loads of sexy (erotica) intimate scenes. The love scenes are graphic but romantic. I highly recommend this book and plan I telling everyone reader I know about it. I read it in 2.5 hours and would totally read it again.

A Thousand Words Thursday - Friends

My two and their friend had just had some ice cream when I forced them to stand together. Can you tell that they were in a hurry to get this photo over with?

Thursday Thunks

21. How many states have you been in? 10 (all along the east coast and one on the west.

22. If a sexist Man is called a pig, what is a sexist Woman called? Sow

23. You see the one person who you absolutely despise. If you were guaranteed that he/she couldn't say or do anything back to you.... What would you do?? Nothing, keep right on walking.

24. How many states are to the right of you? And don’t give us a map to look at. None

25. You can go anywhere in the world for free. Where are you? Right here! I have no desire to go anywhere at the moment.

26. HOW MANY FINGERS AM I HOLDING UP? Right back at ya babe

27. Are you a boxing fan? Do you think there will be a rematch of the Hatton-Pacquiao fight? I used to be, I really enjoyed watching Tyson fight.

28. What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten? I tend to not eat anything disgusting but I am positive I have accidentally ingested a bug or two without knowing it.

29. Is it cloudy right now? It's took dark to see but probably

30. What is your dream job? Photographer at Playgirl or Rob Pattinson's personal massage therapist.

31. Someone gives you a $500 gift card to WalMart or Target. What are you going to buy? Loads of toys or a whole lot of Wii Games, Movies and books.

32. When you were little, what did you want to be "when you grow up"? And, how much different is your occupation now from where you thought it would be when you were younger? Well actually it is not that much different. I wanted to be a jockey first and occasionally I do get to ride a particular stud. I also wanted to be a nurse and my kids are pretty active so....I get to live that dream more often than I would want to.

33. what was your favorite toy as a child? I loved my Noah's Ark

34. How do you think these things up?? Oh, you know...I'm good like that.

35. Why do you think so many "fake" veterans get away with pretending? Why don't people question them more (especially the media who eats up their stories?) Umm....I don't really have a friggin answer for this.

36. What is the last place you had a good cry and why? Probably the bathroom but I don't remember when. I usually go there to shed a momentary tear.

37. What do you mean? Oh come on baby, you know what I mean!

38. Which Sesame Street Character do you relate with the most and why? Bert! Poor guy just wants peace and quiet at night and that damn Ernie is constantly keeping him up.

39. What song one would you listen to over and over if you absolutely had to? Black by Pearl Jam

40. Did you ever make what you believed at the time to be a horrible mistake - that in hindsight turned out to lead you on the best path in your life? I don't believe in mistakes. They are all lessons. Everything happens for a reason.

41. If you could change one thing on your person, what would it be? I wouldn't change anything, well maybe I would be a little taller, and have a smaller waist, bigger boobs and a nicer nose.

42. What’s your favorite show to watch on television nowadays? Ghost Whisperer but I feel that it jumped the shark this season. So basically I am just waiting for Lost and Desperate Housewives to start back up.

43. Do you believe there is life after death? I can only hope that there is more.

ABC Wednesday - S

This weeks ABC Wednesday is for the letter "S". Who knew I had so many ideas for S?

Statue

Sliding

Stuffed Animals

Sipping
I love this picture of my son!

Sitting and Sunglasses

Smiling

Wordless Wednesday - The artist

Semi Wordless!

She has been asking to paint for the past two months. This weekend while her brother was playing with Daddy, I asked her if she wanted to paint. She put so much effort into it that I plan on buying her a paint set as soon as possible. She is truly creative and I can't wait to see what she does with this as she gets older.

Wednesday Weirdness

1.How easily are you insulted? Not usually. To hell with the outside world. I have no problem letting things roll down my back but if my husband says on offhanded comment, I am insulted!

2.) How often do you perform oral sex on your SO? Well, no....you need to buy me a drink first to get that answer. Let's just say, my husband is a happy man.

3.) What brand of shoes do you find to be most comfortable? I don't have a particular brand. Whatever fit on my feet

4.) What are 3 to 5 items you NEVER leave the house without? My kids, key, MP3 player, cell phone, and camera

5.) Who did you look up to as you were growing up? Who do you look up to now? I looked up to my mom's friend Mary she was nurse and I always wanted to be one. Now, I look up to my husband. He really is an amazingly, smart, funny, pain in the ass who can do anything he puts his mind to.

6.) If you've ever been a strip club of any type, what was one of your most memorable moments? I used to be a bartender at a strip club 3 nights a week many, many years ago. My most memorable, wow there are so many probably the times I had to almost bust down my managers door so that I could get paid and go home to sleep so I could be ready for my 9-5 job. He used to spend a whole lotta of time saying good-bye to the dancers.

7.) Should prostitution be legal? Why or why not? Sure! No matter how long it has been illegal there are still people paying for sex. It isn't called the oldest profession for nothing.

Amateur Book Review - Along Came You

I truly love reviewing books. I love the opportunity to crack open a book before it hits the masses. Reviewing a children's book is one of my favorite types of book reviews, because I can get my kids involved.

Along Came You by Karona Drummond is a beautiful book, about a mom talking to her daughter. Mom tells her daughter how different life was before her and how blessed she is to be a mom.

If you are a reader of my blog you know that my children are everything. I live and breathe them. We waited a long time to have children. I was 35 when I was pregnant with my first. My son! Having a girl after losing my mom at 12 was one of my biggest dreams. This book says everything I would want to say to both of my beautiful children. My daughter loved the book and has asked me to read it to her at least 15 times this week already.

Along Came You talks about how life was different before you came along but oh, how wonderful you have made it. It is the joy a parent feels when she looks at the world through their children's eyes. Our children can teach us so much about life and about ourselves if we open ourselves up to their world. Karona Drummond does just that. She takes all her life experiences and enriches them as a mother.

In A Nutshell: This is a truly beautiful book and I couldn't wait to read it to my children. The reason I didn't record myself reading the book is because the first time I read it, I cried. I didn't want to get all mushy on my video. Along Came You is a wonderful book for parents to read to their children. Whether you are a mother or a father with a son or a daughter.

You cannot go wrong with this book!

Blue Monday, Mellow Yellow and Mono Monday Photos

Heard From The Goddess Front This Week

I am not going to call it a hippopotamus anymore, I am going to call it a rainbow-monomous because I am coloring it in rainbow.

I look awfully beautiful today!

If we run over that squirrel, we will crush his animal skeleton body.

Ohhh, that gave me quite a fright!

Do animals have hearts and lungs? I know they have skeleton bodies but how about the rest?

Twilight Inspired Ring From Blue's Creative Outlet

If you know me personally, you know that I am Twilight addicted. I love everything even remotely related to Twilight.

Blue's Creative Outlet was a natural stop considering my unnatural, Twilight addiction. There wasn't a single item that I wouldn't wear myself and I was dying to share this wonderful artist with you guys.
Let me introduce you to Mary of Blue's Creative Outlet. I had a chance to ask Mary about herself and her tremendous talent.



In A Nutshell: Blue's Creative Outlet has some beautiful pieces of jewelry for very reasonable prices. The pictures above show the stunning necklace she sent to me. I absolutely love it. "When you can live forever, what do you live for?" The piece is very thick and the pictures do it no justice because when I took it out of the box I actually gasped. I swear I did! I truly do not see me wearing anything else for quite a long time.

Ok, I know...there are people out there who don't get the whole Twilight thing and for you 2 she makes these amazing customizable photo necklaces. Any picture you want can be made into a beautiful pendent. Such a great gift idea among many other very unique pieces.

Sunday Stealing A-Z

A
• Are you available? Depends on what you need me for.
• What is your age? 42 and counting
• What annoys you? Close minded people

B
• Do you know anyone named Billy? Yes but not in contact with them any more.
• When is your birthday? in August
• Who is your best friend? I have many bests
C
• What's your favorite candy? Reeses
• Crush? Are you asking if I want to be crushed? You're not that strong. Are you asking if I have a crush? Ummm...yes, doesn't everyone?
• When was the last time you cried? I don't remember which is saying a lot.

D
• Do you daydream?: Too much
• What's your favorite kind of dog? I have many favorites.
• What day of the week is it? Sunday

E
• How do you like your eggs? Over easy
• Have you ever been in the emergency room? Yes.
• Ever pet an elephant? Yes

F
• Do you use fly swatters? Nope, just my shoe
• Have you ever used a foghorn? Yes. When we were kids our parents used one to call us home. We loved playing with it.
• Is there a fan in your room? Yes, I couldn't not have a fan above my bed. I am always hot.

G
• Do you chew gum? I love gum
• Do you like gummy candies? Yes. I love chewy things.
• Do you like gory movies? They are ok.

H
• How are you? Oh, I'm fine. Thanks for asking.
• What's your height?. 4' 11"
• What color is your hair? Brown with grey roots

I
• What's your favorite ice cream? Coffee
• Have you ever ice skated? Yes
• Ever been in an igloo? Yes and occasionally a cold house

J
• What's your favorite Jelly Bean? I don't have a favorite
• Have you ever heard a really hilarious joke? Yes
• Do you wear jewelry? I love jewelry but I am picky with what I like.

K
• Who do you want to kill? The damn bug buzzing around my head. What is up with these bugs? Bug spray doesn't work.
• Have you ever flown a kite? I have and I tell my kids to do it practically every day.
• Do you think kangaroos are cute? They're ok.

L
• Are you laidback? To a fault
• Lions or Tigers? Whatever
• Do you like black licorice? Nope

M
• Favorite movie as a kid? Did I have one? Maybe Mary Poppins.
• Ever shopped at Moosejaw? a what?
• Favorite store at the mall? I hate shopping but I love looking through Hot Topic.


N
• Do you have a nickname? Many, Chickleta, Ria, Ree-Ree, Ree, Grandma, and Hun
• Whats your favorite number? 5
• Do you prefer night or day? Both.

O
• What's your one wish? That I would get to the end of this meme.
• Are you an only child? No, there are two other only's
• Do you like the color orange? I have nothing against it.

P
• What are you most paranoid about? Something happening to my children.
• Piercings? Yes.
• Do you know anyone named Penelope? Nope.

Q
• Are you quick to judge people? No
• Do you like Quaker Oats? Yes
• Know anyone that makes quilts? Yes, she lives in Australia
• Do you think you're always right? Of course
• Do you watch reality TV? Not anymore
• Reason to cry? Want me to give you one????

S
• Do you prefer sun or rain? Whichever
• Do you like snow? It's fine.
• What's your favorite season? Autumn

T
• time is it?4:29 p.m. (I started this at 10:00 a.m.)
• What time did you wake up? 5:30 a.m.

U
• Can you ride a unicycle? I have never tried.
• Do you know anyone with a unibrow? Yes
• Uncles do you have? Uncles, do I have? Ummm...two if you are asking how many

V
• What’s the worst vegetable? There isn't one.
• Did you ever watch Veggie Tales? I have watched it once
• Ever considered being vegan? Never!

W
• What's your worst habit? Being brought down by the silly things people who supposedly love me do or say.
• Do you like water rides? Sure
• Ever been inside a windmill? Nope

X
• Have you ever had an x-ray? Yes
• Ever used a Xerox machine? Yes

Y
• Do you like the color yellow? It's ok
• What year were you born in?: 1966
• Do you yell when you're angry? Yes, who doesn't

Z
• Do you believe in the zodiac? No, I used to but not anymore.
• What's your zodiac sign? Leo
• When was the last time you went to the zoo? Last year

Weekend Snapshot - Scene from my drive

Like our retaining wall? Not!!!!

Goddess Quotes Heard This Week

"I guess I got carried away."

"You hurt me with your ring when you hugged me and said, awwww"

"I wish I had a little duck that said, Mommy."

"I am so happy that I read that book all by myself." (it was the Pledge of Allegiance book and since she knows the Pledge she assumes she read the book).

"Can I wear those long earrings when I get bigger mommy? And when you want them back, you just say, "I want them back. OK"

"My eyes hurt, I guess they are mad at me."

"Jehovah, Jehovah, Je-hooooooo-vah!"

"Are you mad at me?"

"Want to sing a beautiful song with me?"

Self Portrait Sunday - #2

Come on, admit it, you look through your photo albums or computer folders and see very few photos of yourself. Maybe it is because, like me, you are usually behind the camera. Or maybe, it's because you never feel you look good in photos so you tell everyone, "don't take any of me."

Sadly enough, this means that your children will have very little photos to remember you by when you are long gone. No kids, well how many times have you looked at photos of yourself from 5, 10, 15 years ago and said, "and I thought I was fat?"

We aren't getting any younger and we will one day, want to look back at a time when our face was less lined, or more recognizable than the one staring back at us in the mirror.

Join me every Sunday post, and post a photo of yourself on your blog and link back to me so I can come visit you. The photo can be anything you want as long as YOU are in it.

I hope to see you next Sunday.



I always wondered what I would look like with blue hair. Now, I know it wouldn't be such a good thing.

Oscar Mayer Review and...

another embarrassing moment in the world of Maria's Space.

Standing in front of the camera has never been comfortable for me. I am the one usually behind the camera for a reason.

I was one of the fortunate 100 to be selected to review Oscar Mayer. We were each sent a $15.00 gift card and asked to buy our favorite dog and condiments. You can check out my oh so humiliating video below.

We reviewed the Bun Length version and Oscar Mayer and my son has asked for one for dinner for two night straight now. He had one for lunch and one for dinner this evening.

They are as large as the bun and extremely juicy. I love mine with mustard and ketchup and my son likes his minus the bun and condiments.


Here I am in the 90 degree weather grilling up my dogs


Ahhh....yet more embarrassment. I really need an editing program. I could have stitched these together.

Friday Fill Ins

1. Moving forward, never looking back.

2. Love is free.

3. My best quality is a balanced personality.

4. It's all in the details.

5. In nearly 10 years, I will be in my 50's. Yikes!

6. A faster computer is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing nothing, tomorrow my plans include being outdoors and Sunday, I want to move it move it.

Busy Week

Today was so busy but very rewarding.

It started out with me taking my daughter to preschool. My son and daughter go to the same preschool and she has never been there without him. I thought for sure it would be a difficult morning and that she would be unwilling to stay alone.

Nope, Man was I wrong. We walked in and they had one of those bounce rooms in the middle of the classroom.

She didn't even say good-bye to me. She was taking her shoes off just as I was explaining to the teacher how worried I was.

My next concern was how do I get my bounce house loving son to leave "his" preschool to go to Kindergarten orientation? Well, basically I learned, you just tell him it's time to go. It was crazy. In the past I would have had to carry, drag him out kicking and screaming. This just shows me how far he has come. Like this tantrum that took down the Christmas tree one year. Or this one that I was sure was going to me the death of either him or me. Or this one where he was hitting me. The list goes on and on.

You can't imagine how many times I have left a group of other moms and toddlers, red faced and sweaty because I had to handle him and carry a baby in a car seat. The screaming, yelling, sweating, falling down and feet kicking and that was just from me. Meh!

So, I digress as usual. We left and I told him how proud of him I was. He said, "I want to jump mommy" as we were leaving and I assured him that his teachers would be doing that with his class too.

Then he and I went to our first breakfast alone at a local coffee shop. It was awesome. He asked, "is this orientation?" I said, "nope, it's breakfast with mommy. Just me and you."

We ordered than sat down at a table of his choice. He put a napkin down in front of himself, then said, "and one for you mom" as he placed mine down in front of me.

I thanked him for being a gentlemen and we ate and talked about orientation.

We got to the school and his classmates were all running around. He joined in as I hoped and
played until we were called into the school.

There are already 70 kids registered for kindergarten this year and the place was a mad house. Kids, parents, grandparents, plus the regular school kids. He wouldn't go up with all the kids when they were called to the floor but he wasn't the only one. There were a few who hung on their mom's legs.

We went on a tour of the classrooms and since I know who his teacher will be already I was able to tell him when he didn't want to leave a particular class that this would be his classroom in Kindergarten.

We didn't do the school bus tour because my kids won't be taking the bus and we did it at last years orientation.

We left there and headed to preschool to pick up Goddess who was having the time of her life with a dog that visits the school yard with its owner once in a while. There were only 3 kids in her class that day and only she and a little boy used the bounce room. Cute!

We headed from school to the doctors office for the yearly well visits.

The were awesome. The doctor did a hearing test on both. Handsome didn't understand that whenever he heard the beep he had to say, "heard it!" He would say it one time and when the doctor would say did you hear it? He would say yes but after the one time would stop. Goddess on the other hand was told to do a high five to me whenever she heard the beep and was amazing according to the doctor.

She didn't fare so well on her eye test. She did well when he showed her the chart to make sure she knew what each symbol was but the moment he moved her back and had her cover an eye she couldn't do it. Obviously she needs her eyes checked. I wouldn't be surprised if she needs glasses because I am as blind as a bat.

The doctor also heard a heart murmur which he wants to recheck next month. This was the first time he noticed it.

They are both growing well. Handsome is 6 years old and only 1 foot shorter than me. Yikes! He will tower over me by the time he is 9 for sure but he is long and lean. Goddess is 4 and has always been tiny. She is only 29 pounds and 39 inches, my pip squeak.

It was a great day and to top it all off, my husband put up the deck gazebo which means more time outside without fighting the biting mayflies. See the damage they inflict on us here.

A Thousand Words Thursday - Actress

Thursday Thunks - Participants Ask!

These questions were submitted by last week's Thursday Thunk's participants! (so don't blame Kimber & Berleen for the quality of the questions.....)

1. Have you seen the new Star Trek movie, and if so what did you think? I didn't know it was out yet. I won't be running to the theater anytime soon.

2. Which popular sitcom character (past or present) are you most like? I am Betty Rubble. I laugh easily and love my friends.

3. What kind of dreams do you have? I never remember my dreams. This makes me think they aren't good or they are so boring I don't bother remembering them.

4. Bugger it. Go get a tattoo and come back. Right, now answer me this, what ees eet? It istoo angel wings on my back.

5. Do you think you could be on American Idol with the singing voice you have now without any voice training? Bwhahahaha...I can carry a tune but that is about it. I would be shot down before I even made it to the panel.

6. How much wood, would a woodchuck chuck? If a woodchuck could chuck wood? I think that "W" word was used more than enough in this sentence so I am refusing to use it.

7. If you were a tree in a Dr. Seuss book, what would you look like? I would be blue flowers and hearts sprouting from all my limbs but at the very bottom there would be a little trap door with a troll inside.

8. Twilight? I'm addicted/Who cares/What the hell is Twilight? I am totally addicted!!!! And this is my question woot! Wait, should I be admitting to this lame ass question???

9. Do you think Kimber and Berleen do a dube while writing these questions? I haven't a clue. I am so damn stupid I don't even know what a dube is. Yo, pass it down!

10. What the worst injury you've ever had? I dove into a pool when I was 14 and cracked some bones in my neck and back and for the past 28 years, have suffered from a permanently stiff neck and muscle spasms.

11. What is your favorite dessert? Anything chocolate.

12. What do you prefer...beach or mountains? I live in the mountains and haven't been to a beach in over 10 years. So, take me to the beach.

13. What movie have you seen that still make you cry? The Notebook, Stepmom, Pay It Forward, Terms of Endearment are just a few I can remember at the moment. I am a crying fool and cry almost every Ghost Whisperer episode.

14. Why are you making me submit a question? Are you too lazy to think of one yourself? Come to think of it, yeah...what the hell man??

15. how often do you do laundry? Too often! Like 6 loads a week.

16. What is your favorite movie of all time, and why? Do I have a favorite? Currently I have seen Twilight a total of ................... (I am actually to embarrassed to write it). Why??? Well, unless you read the book you won't understand how beautiful the story is. I love it because it is a beautiful love story with beautiful quotes. As for the why, undying, endless love and a hot vampire who rescues and lives for you, what more could you ask for?

17. If you won a million dollars in the lottery, would you keep working? I don't work right now. A million dollars unless invested wisely isn't really a lot in the long run, but I would be living differently that's for sure.

18. If there was a war of the gummies, would you be on the gummi bear side or the gummi worm side? The bears would never win. I can bite right through them, the gummy worms, now...those you really have to work at. I would be on the winning team of the worms.
19. What's your favorite comic strip? The Far Side by Gary Larson

20. Close your eyes… imagine you are in the perfect room/place… describe it. I am lying in Robert Pattinson's bed after a long night of.........................whaaaa....I told you have have a Twilight problem! Gosh!

The First Official New Moon Poster

I love the poster and can't wait until November 20, 2009. Anyone want to go see the movie with a Twilight Mom?

ABC Wednesday - R

This week on ABC Wednesday we are posting "R" themes.

For me, "R" is for running. My kids are never NOT running. I wish I had half their energy.

Wednesday Weirdness

1. If your boss says, "I would like to talk to you about your internet usage" what would your first reaction be? Oh Shit!

2. If you SO asks you "Does this make me look fat?" how do you answer? You? No not fat but you could use a little less fabric right around here.

3. What is one thing that you pay for, but resent having to do so? Garbage Removal. Come on! What does the state want you to do, just leave your trash around? They should just pick it up and be done with it. I pay way too much for removal of my garbage. That and cable! What is up with the price of cable? Isn't it enough that they have a monopoly on it? Why do I have the pay half the equivalent of my mortgage.

4. A day is being created in honor of you. How should we celebrate it? Honor your girlfriends, for my 40th I threw a birthday party to honor my friends. They are very important to me and I wanted them all to know why.

5. What CD or Album in your music collection do you secretly enjoy, but would be embarrassed if others heard you grooving to it? There is nothing that would embarrass me. Some people may find it embarrassing to know I love the Carpenters, and a whole bunch of musicals but I don't give a frig!

6. How long do you think you would last if you were a contestant on Survivor? Ummm, I might make it two weeks in and only because I would fly under the radar, because I wouldn't be the quietest or the loudest.

Self Portrait Sunday

Come on, admit it, you look through your photo albums or computer folders and see very few photos of yourself. Maybe it is because, like me, you are usually behind the camera. Or maybe, it's because you never feel you look good in photos so you tell everyone, "don't take any of me."

Sadly enough, this means that your children will have very little photos to remember you by when you are long gone. No kids, well how many times have you looked at photos of yourself from 5, 10, 15 years ago and said, "and I thought I was fat?"

We aren't getting any younger and we will one day, want to look back at a time when our face was less lined, or more recognizable than the one staring back at us in the mirror.

Join me every Sunday post, and post a photo of yourself on your blog and link back to me so I can come visit you. The photo can be anything you want as long as YOU are in it.

I hope to see you next Sunday.
Here I am today. I snapped it in my bathroom where I could smile alone without an audience

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about early reading…

Do you remember how you developed a love for reading? Was it from a particular person, or person(s)? Do you remember any books that you read, or were read to you, as a young child? (question courtesy of Diane)

I was an early reader and loved books from early on. My mom always had her nose in a book. She had one on the toilet, one on her night table, one on the living room, one on the kitchen counter, basically she always had one. I used to walk to and from school with my nose in a book.

My favorites as a child were James and the Giant Peach, Harriet the Spy, Flat Stanley, all of Judy Blume books and the Laura Ingles Winder Series.

There is no early memory of anyone reading to me.

Blogging Questions for a Research Project

The writer over at State of Denmark, is working on a Literature and Composition project. Here is what she says;

My AP Literature and Composition students are working on their senior presentations. I have promised them that I too will complete a research project. This blog has been a huge part of my project, as I am researching why people blog. I have read several articles pertaining to my topic, but I would love to gather as much information from “real live bloggers”, if at all possible. So, if you are willing to participate, I have a few questions I would love to ask you. Perhaps we could make this a meme and you could post in on your on blog and just leave a link under my comments…..

1. How long have you been blogging? I started in 2005.
2. Why did you start blogging? The first entry was to respond to a friends blog. I thought I had to have a blog in order to leave a comment. It was a great way to keep my sanity after having a second baby 23 months after my first.
3. What have you found to be the benefits of blogging? I love looking back and reading all the forgotten little details of my children. Eventually I want to create bound books for both of my children on all the posts about them. It also keeps me connected to the world. As a stay at home mom I feel like my computer skills haven't suffered in the 6 years I have been out of work.
4. How many times a week do you post an entry? I post more than once a day.
5. How many different blogs do you read on a regular basis? I try to get to everyone who comments on me.
6. Do you comment on other people’s blogs? I do comment on many blogs. Leaving comments are great for the writer of the blog and it is hopefully reciprocated. It is a way to feel validated even if by a stranger. I try not to live for comments but love when I get them.
7. Do you keep track of how many visitors you have? Is so, are you satisfied with your numbers? I check the numbers weekly, I am more than satisfied with the number of visitors and wish the comments balanced with the number.
8. Do you ever regret a post that you wrote? No! I have no regrets about anything in my life, on the blog or outside of it.
9. Do you think your audience has a true sense of who you are based on your blog? I doubt it. As honest as I feel I am, I am also guarded. The one thing I think they would say or hope they would say is, "she loves her children. She's a good Mommy. She takes good pictures." Anything else would be icing.
10. Do you blog under your real name? Yup. I see no reason not to. I used to think (and I have one in mind) I would have a writer name if I ever wrote a book. Now, I don't see a reason for that.
11. Are there topics that you would never blog about? No! My blog is called Maria's Space for a reason. I don't want to edit, censor or silence myself.
12. What is the theme/topic of your blog? I write about everything and anything from toys, to parenting, to product reviews.
13. Do you have more than one blog? If so, why? I do have another one. I used to have 5. One for each of my children, one for photos, Maria's Space and another called Chotskies. Now it is just Maria's Space and Chotskies. I started Chotskies because I felt like I needed to separate things. Maria's Space was my mommy blog and Chotskies was everything else. Eventually Chotskies, will dissolve too.

Sunday Stealing: The 29'er Meme

1. What bill do you hate paying the most? The mortgage. I would be able to do so much with that money.

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner? Ummm...sadly...I don't believe I have had a romantic dinner since 1993 or so.

3. How many colleges did you attend? Two

4. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now? It was a gift for my husband three Christmas' ago. He didn't want it so I took it. I love Ghost Hunters and this shirt says, TAPS

5. First thought when the alarm went off this morning? The alarm we use happen to be the voices of our children. We haven't used an alarm in years. Who needs an alarm when the kids get up way before any time I would set on the damn thing.

6. Last thought before going to sleep last night? Damn those kids are going to be up on less than 5 hours.

7. What do you miss being a child? Having hours a day to myself and the endless possibilities of my future.

8. What errand/chore do you despise? I hate cleaning the bathroom.

9. Have you found real love yet? Yes and fake love, and fantasy love, and love the one your with, and so on and so on.

10. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart? I don't go often but I am usually there for something from the toy department.

11. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual? No! It is an institution which can also be considered outdated in some circles.

12. What famous person would you like to have dinner with? Robert Pattinson! I doubt I would be eating dinner though.

13. Ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose? No I haven't and worry about the day I need to.

14. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go? I have never been to LA.

15. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship? A would love a new career. One that challenges me, tests me, allows me to be creative, and works with my schedule.

16. Do you have a “go to” person? Yes I actually have 2.

17. Are you where you want to be in life? Yes and no. Are we ever where we want to be? I wish I could continue being a full time mom while making a good living.

18. Over the years, what about you do you think has changed the most? My weight, my skin and my way of thinking.

19. Looking back at high school were they the best years of your life? Nah! H.S just was.

20. Are there times you still feel like a kid? I hope to never lose that feeling.

21. Where was the hang out spot when you were a teenager? I hung at home. I was a good girl.

22. Who do you think impacted your life the most? Teresa! I think If I hadn't met her I would have been married before I was 23 and divorced before I was 30.

23. Was there a teacher or authority figure that stood out for you? Yes! Dr. Bello.

24. Do you tell stories that start with “when I was your age”? Not yet. No wait, I have told my kids, "I liked that when I was your age too!"

25. What is the scariest thing that has happened to you as an adult? Ummm...I don't know I have had so many self inflicted scary moments. Most of them stem from losing my mom so young and Dad taking off not much after. Abandonment scares me. I am always worried that my husband got hurt, or had an accident when he works late.

26. What advice would you give to someone about to get married? Always respect each other. Understand and appreciate that you are different and never lose sight of what brought you together in the first place.

27. What advice would you give someone starting their first job? Go in to impress but be sure to get respect for what you do. People will and do take advantage. Don't be a sucker be a team player.

28. If you could go back and change one thing you did, what would it be? I would have had my children 5 years earlier. I waited because I wasn't sure my husband was ready. What was I waiting for? No one is ever really ready.

29. If you could go back and change one thing someone else did, what would it be? I would have my father stick around longer and my grandfather would keep his hands to himself.

Small Talk Six

Join the MomDot.Com meme called Small Talk Six and give 6 pieces of advice that you think are obvious, but some people just need to hear:

1. Always say thank you when someone gives you something even if they are just handing you a napkin.

2. Say excuse me when you burp! Everyone understands that sometimes those pockets of gas creep up on us, but have some respect.

3. Say please when asking for something. If you are not going to say, Can you get me a napkin" then say, "Get me a napkin "please."

4. Say hello to people you pass along the way. The person walking toward you at the post office or someone getting a cart at the same time you are. It is ok to be friendly.

5. Hold a door for someone you don't know. It is nice to respect and be helpful to others.

6. Do not throw your trash on the ground for any reason. If you brought it in, bring it out. It is disgusting to bring your kids to a park and see someone's litter all over the place.

It costs you nothing to use your manners and to respect others.

Saturday 9 - Do You Think I'm Sexy?

1. Who do you think is sexy? Rob Pattinson, Jason Stratham, Josh Holloway, Hugh Jackman & Criss Angel are just a few of the hotties on my radar.

2. When does it become love? When you find yourself wanting to be with them rather than needing to be with them.

3. Are you a good dancer? I do love to dance but don't really have any real moves.

4. What magazines do you read? I read Family Fun, Parents and the occasional rag mag.

5. If you could have any name, what would you call yourself? Call me whatever you want but I prefer my name.

6. Have you ever ridden in a limo? If yes, when? I have for various weddings or prom thingy's

7. What is something you really like to do? I like to kiss!

8. Last chance: Who wins Idol, Kris Allen or Adam Lambert? This is the 1st season that I didn't watch.

9. If you had to, what animal would you choose to be? I would like to be a cat who just lies around, sleeps often and licks myself.

Let The Friday Memes Fly!!!

1. If we had no winter, my kids would be very sad. They adore the snow.

2. My children are for me a perpetual astonishment.

3. If I had my life to live over I would be a better student.

4. I sleep somewhere inside of four and twenty hours.

5. If you've never been thrilled you are missing out on life

6. To be interested in the changing seasons is normal in my neck of the woods.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to some alone time with the man, tomorrow my plans include attending a birthday party and Sunday, I want to sleep past 6:30 a.m.

1. Which of your friends is the most frugal? We are all frugal these days.
   
2. Which of your friends is the biggest spendthrift? That would be Teresa
   
3. Which of your friends is the most daring? That would be Diane
   
4. Which of your friends is the most cautious? That would be Sheress
   
5. Which of your friends has the hottest temper? My Sister
   

Thanks for participating, and have a wonderful weekend!

Family Foto Fun Friday - My Little Bello Baby

Children's Rooms Need To Be Safe First!!

When we first had our children we designed a room around a theme. Way before my son was even a thought, I wanted to do Noah's Ark because as a child it had been my favorite toy. My husband found a Sun, Moon and Stars that he brought home one day and we designed the room around that. When my daughter came we moved her into his nursery and moved him into a big boy room.

My idea for this room was based on a comforter I found online. My husband designed the walls and created the most amazing closet based on the movie Stargate (see pictures of his room here and here).

Now that they are getting specific ideas about what they like, we are slowly changing their rooms to represent their growing personality, wants, dreams, and likes but also making an effort to keep things safe.

Designing a Safe & Fun Kids Bedroom
Safety, fun and style - these are three things that every parent needs to consider when designing their child's bedroom. While saving money is very important, especially in this economy, your child's safety should always come first. From your kids bed and other furniture to toys and games - its safety first!

"Smell My Pee-Pee"

This morning I walked into my son's school to pick him and his sister up only to have the teacher ask to speak to me inside.

If you have ever had the question asked of you, you know that your stomach drops and in your head you are thinking, "oh shit!"

We walk into the kitchen and I get an ear full of a conversation she had to have with Handsome today.

Today, in class, Handsome asked a little girl to "smell his pee-pee." Before everyone gasps let me explain just as I did to the teacher.

We were on a playdate last month with one of the boys in his class. I love when we play date with him because I adore his mom. We moms, were sitting in the kitchen talking when I overhead and watched this little boy, lie back on the couch with his legs up in the air. Upon doing this he looked down, noticed he had a hole in his pants and asked Handsome to "smell his pee-pee."

Handsome turned around and said laughing, "what? smell your pee-pee? That's funny!"

I called Handsome, when he said "what" I asked him to come to me. When he got there I told him "That is not OK! You do not let someone say that to you! If someone ever says that again you are to come and tell Mommy or Daddy! It is not funny and it is not ok!!"

When he walked away I turned to the mom and said, "sorry, I know it's your son right now but it could be a teacher or a neighbor one day! As a child of molestation I need him to know that it is not ok!"

She understood and we had to tell them a few times that this was not ok!

I knew this was going to be a problem because I had made a big deal out of it but felt I had to have the conversation. My son thinks everything is a joke if it gets a rise out of me/and or my husband.

He and his sister joke about this all the time and we constantly tell them it is not ok and they are to not say this again. They do!

I didn't think that he would say it to a girl at school and I had to explain to his teacher that he thinks it is a joke and that we would speak to him about this at home.

Yikes! My girlfriend said thank God it was a girl and not a boy but does that really make it better!?

It's always something.

Scooby Is Missing Wahhhhhh

Yes, there is crazy talent in this family!

Last week, we spent four days looking for the beloved "Scooby" dog belonging to Goddess.

Scooby is really a Gund, stuffed, chocolate lab that her Godmother gave her two Valentines Days ago. Goddess is such a big Scooby fan (about 10 months now) that she named this cute guy Scooby. She never really attached to another toy before this one, other than a small TY pig that came with a Charlottes Web DVD I got her for her second birthday.

Scooby went everywhere with us but we never really took him out of the car. Somehow last week he was gone.

I overheard her talking to a stuffed pink frog from her Aunt Marta on Wednesday or Thursday of last week.

Frog: "Where's Scooby?"
Goddess: "I don't know. Mommy, Daddy, Handsome and I don't know where he is."
Frog: I'm worried about him!"
Goddess: It's ok, I'm here!"

My heart broke, obviously she was missing him more than she was letting on.

When I asked her where she thinks he is she said, "maybe a witch came and cast a spell on him to make him disappear."

Wherever Scooby is, I hope he is well with his broken leg and hole between his eyes with the stuffing coming out. Scooby, You were loved and will be missed!

Happy 23rd Birthday Rob!!!

Thursday Thunks

1. You are at the store when suddenly 2 men walk in with guns and rob the place. Are you the hero, quiet & follow the rules type, or try to make a run for it? I am following the rules especially if I have my kids with me, if I can get out and make a run for it (if I were alone), I would!

2. Do you like Twizzlers? They're ok!

3. Are you a YouTube watcher? Not an avid, freaky one but I dabble.

4. When a auto glass store calls you and asks if you have a chip or crack in your windshield, what do you tell them? Is this sort of thing happen often? Most likely I am not answering the phone.

5. What is the age difference between you and your father? 28 years

6. Have you ever tried to find the end of a rainbow? Nope

7. Camping - recreational vehicle or tent? Oh, let's see...I have done the tent thing, but never the recreational vehicle. It would depend on who I was camping with.

8. Have you ever had to call 9-1-1? Thank God N* but I am superstitious and don't want to even type the word for fear I will jinx myself.

9. Who is your favorite blog in the Thursday Thunk bloggers to visit? My own! I suck, and never get to visit enough thunkees

10. How long do you think you could live locked in your house on the food that you have on hand right now? Two months, but I wouldn't be happy.

11. Pepper - shaker or grinder? As long as I get that black stuff when I need it, it really doesn't matter.

12. What state (or country if you are not in the US) is 2 states west of you? Does it matter?

13. What color do you believe you look best in? I have heard from my girlfriends I look best in purple, one of my bosses told me red was my color, but I really prefer myself in cream, white or brown.

and once again... next week is Thursday Thunkers Questions... so....

14. What is your question submission for next week? Twilight? I'm addicted/Who cares/What the hell is Twilight?

Wordless Wednesday