5 Years Ago Yesterday - 2008

PRECOCIOUS SON/HANDSOME

5 Years Ago Yesterday

Posted on May 12, 2008

I really wanted to write this yesterday but with it being my son’s 5th birthday, Mother’s Day and the fact that my husband wouldn’t be home after 4:30 p.m. I really wanted to spend the day just enjoying time with my family.

5 Years ago on Mother’s Day was one of the happiest days of my life.

I have written about this in the past but to sum it up, my son was breech and was scheduled to be born on May 13th by Cesarean. 

However, on the morning of May 11th at 3:30 a.m. my water broke, we rushed to the hospital and I became a mom for the first time.

5 years ago, where did the time go?

5 years ago, I held you and wished the 

moment would never end. 

5 years ago, I was handed a beautiful baby, wrapped in a blue blanket. 

5 years ago, I kissed your forehead and said, “Hi, I’m, your mommy.”

5 years ago we, your father and I, became a family. We were married 8 years before you came, but you made US a FAMILY.

5 years ago, you gave me the name “Mommy,” a name I longed to hear myself referred to after not being able to use the word for more than 25 years.

5 years ago, you I loved your father with every cell in my body. Giving birth to you and seeing him in a totally different way, sealed my love for him forever. I was IN LOVE and knew he was the best thing that had ever happened to me.

5 years ago, I never loved anyone so hard in all my life.

5 years ago, you saved me.

Baby boy, (I will call you this until the day I die) I love you so much. Our relationship is one of the most beautiful things in the world. You are loving and sweet. You tell me you love me at least 25 times a day (No doubt where you learned that from – I have done it to you since you were born).

You kiss me and hug me at least 30 times a day. Again, I am not surprised, I told everyone that you would end up with a permanent kiss mark on your forehead because I could not stop kissing you.

You are challenging and assuring, strong and sensitive, caring and nurturing and shy and boisterous, loving and kind.

You love me to hold your hand or touch your head when you sleep, something I have done since your first days.

You love me to sing to you and still enjoy hearing the songs I put you to sleep to.

You are beginning to read and love hearing how things are spelled.

You know right from left and use directions every moment you can.

You like taking care of your sister but like most siblings, fight like the cats and dogs.

You enjoy watching movies, being read to, playing games on XBox or the computer, coloring, playing games like Bingo, going to the park and going on play dates.

5 Things I love About You:

1. You love hugs and kisses.

2. You are extremely sensitive and like being held and rocked still.

3. You take care of your sister. When she calls you, you run to see if she is ok. You help her turn on lights she can’t reach, open doors she can’t open, take her shoes off or get her something she can’t get.

4. You enjoy laughing and have the best laugh.

5. You tell me you love me every single day. You thank me for taking you places and apologize

when you do something you shouldn’t.

I love you with all my heart baby boy. You are my heart on legs and I pray that you always want to spend time with me.

Love, Mommy.

Away by Gints Zilbalodis

Away An Animated feature film by Gints Zilbalodis

The 411:

I LOVED this part fantasy, part mystery, part fantasy, part science fiction movie. There is no dialogue necessary.

Memorizing scenery as a boy wakes dangling from his parachute way above the ground. A large, dark being walks toward him but he gets away. We follow his journey as he and his rescued bird friend try to find a way home with the threat of this dark presence throughout the movie.

Such a smart well done movie that had me glued. The 3D animation is OMG and the soundtrack beautiful. It is a perfect movie. No dialogue means it can be viewed by anyone and be understood.

My daughter came in while I was reviewing and watched with me. She kept mentioning the animation and how awesome the animation is. My husband came in from work and asked from downstairs if I were playing Myst a game from the 90s. He said the music reminded him of it.

Truly a masterpiece created by ONE person. 25 year old Gints Zilbalois wrote, directed, produced and composed all of it. He is a true genius

This is a must see!

My Life In 2008 - Way Different Now

SOMETIMES IT'S ABOUT ME

Weekly Update

Posted on July 14, 2008

Monday – Laundry, Cleaning then the beach for 3 hours. It was awesome, second time this season. We have a private beach about 5 minutes from us but my girlfriend who lives on the other side of the lake about 10 minutes away has a more kid friendly beach, so we headed there. My daughter who wasn’t into the water last year, could not get enough of it. She had a life vest on but managed to lose her footing 2 times.

The first time I scooped her up and she coughed and said put me down. The second time, I thought for sure she would want to get out but she again said, “put me down” when I scooped her out. Ummm…sometimes a little fear goes a long way. She is making me nervous.

Tuesday – Laundry, Special Instruction (SEIT) for my son started up again for summer, followed by Speech for 1/2. He didn’t get his speech instruction because Beth (speech) arrived right after a full out street fight in my hall way with Handsome. He has been talking back and hitting me when I tell him not too. Good Lord!

Wednesday – SEIT and Speech again. Grocery shopping and play date with my friend and her daughter. They only stayed for about an hour and a half but it was enough time for my daughter to have 10 books read to her and my son to play a Wii game with the daughter. Started some freelance work for my old job. Moving quickly. My sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Gabby, happy birthday to you. Read and posted a review on a Seven Easy Tips: Encouraging Your Daughter to Say “No” by Alyssa Avant. Worked with the husband on some invoicing. Yikes, always makes me nervous.

Thursday – Laundry, cleaned bathroom, kitchen and vacuumed. Beach again for 5 hours. It was great! My kids had a blast and I finally brought down my googles. Not a fashion statement but I have contacts and like to swim. I am sure I am a sight but my kids enjoy me being in there with them so that is all that matters to me. Pulled over by a PITA police officer who just wanted to ruin my day. He was overly obnxious, I didn’t appreciate in front of my children. It was the most annoying pullover ever. It took him 9 years to get out of his car and then he yelled at me for 2 minutes before telling me “this one is on me, the next one is on you!” Yeee God!

Friday – Cleaned bedroom, living room, hallway, dining room. Dropped books off at the library. Got pizza for dinner. Did freelance work and got the kids down early to watch Jumper with the hubby. More on that later.

Saturday – Freelance work. Beach for 3 1/2 hours with some friends. Kids to be early so that the Hub and I could watch Meet the Spartans. Also, wrote draft for second review (look for it this week).

Sunday – Grocery shopping, laundry, Freelance done! Early night for me hopefully since I am not feeling so well. Kids need a bath but I am thinking of doing a bird bath for each in the sink. Got to run, 7:19 p.m. and I want to get the changed and ready so there are no excuses for them to be up past 8:00. Night.

My Life In Pics Nov 1 - Nov 5

November 1 - My husband and I went to dinner for our Anniversary. We got pizza for the kids and stayed fairly local. I was so excited that he suggested it just be the two of us. We usually take the kids. Our outings aren't usually successful. Either he hates the place, hates the food or we argue over something small and stupid. This was success and my drink and food was amazing. No appetizer necessary. Look at the Bloody Mary.

November 2 - I made this page for my daughter of a bunch of Halloween photos of her and her friends.

November 3 - My girl found this dragon at Walmart. She really wanted it and hated leaving it there but we just couldn't imagine where she would put it once we got it home.

November 4 - My girl's drawer has been a cat bed for a long time. My son broke it when it was his room and we have never been able to fix it so now it has a blanket over her clothes and all three cats take turns making it their bed.

November 5 - We found this so weird. It looks like the chimney is going through the window but more like the window was boarded up and it just appears that way. Still had to grab a picture of it.

Manscaped The Perfect Package For Your Man! #Holidaygiftidea #manscaped

OK Ladies and Gents pull up a seat and let's discuss Manscapping. You all know what that is...it means cleaning up the nether region on a man and if you are not doing this you should be and Manscaped is making this easier for you with some products that you should definitely think about getting.

Ladies if your man doesn't have this on his Christmas list I suggest you do the honors of adding it for him. 

Manscaped has everything you need for cleaning up below the waist. I received the "Perfect Package to review which came with the following:

The Lawn Mower 2.0 which includes 2 attachments - It's waterproof and easy to handle. It is quiet too if you plan on surprising someone with your newly cleaned area.

The Crop Preserver which is a 3 oz bottle of anti chafing deodorant for "your boys".

The Crop Reviver a 2 oz spritz bottle of toner. After you mow you want to soothe the area. This will take down any inflammation and keep everything neat and tidy. It is designed for your sensitive area. 

It also comes with boxers and The Shed which basically is a case that carries all of your JUNK! LOL see what I did there?!

While not included I believe everyone should grab The Crop Cleaner which is a body wash great for post trimming or every day showering. 

I love this product and think you will too. 

Check out my video for more information 

My Life In Pics - October 27 - October 31

October 27 - I made my husband Empanadas for dinner. He asked for them since so I guess I did okay for my first attempt.  Since then I have gotten better and seal the whole thing with a fork like you are suppose to.

October 28 - Sage had her yearly appointment at the vet. She was so scared but did fantastic. Picture of health. Goddess always comes with me because she hates knowing they are getting a shot and she isn't there. She hates shots!

October 29 - I cut my Eucalyptus and made a swag. Not the biggest swag and totally need a new bow but I love it.

October 30 - One of my co-workers is so talented. Look at our soon to be painted hall.

October 31 - My teens for Halloween. My son is some dude named Treavor from Grand Theft Auto and my daughter was a Creepy Pasta character called Laughing Jack that she feminized.

My Life In Pictures - October 18 - October 26

October 18 -  I  got to review a fun Halloween Costume to wear to my school Halloween Parade. Goddess was nice enough to model it for me. I couldn't get over how funny she looked.

October 19 - My girl and her friends at my town's Halloween Bash. Every year the town does a whole thing with Merchant Trick Or Treating, a parade, a photo game and then a Haunted Terror Trail. We went to the trail and waited on the long line and when we got up Skye's friends tried to get her to go in but she refused instead hanging with me. I really wanted to go but she has been traumatized since the first time she went maybe about 8 years ago. It was fun anyway and these kids are pretty great.  This photo was after the hayride which was basically a few loops around a baseball field but it was fun anyway.

October 20 - I organized a farm outing for Goddess and some of her friends. It was so hard to choose one photo from this day. Even though it was raining we had a great time. I couldn't get a photo with everyone who went because they all kept breaking off into smaller groups depending on what everyone wanted to do. I find these kids all so funny. They are great friends who think about each other and make me laugh so hard.

October 21 - LOL the only picture I took for the 21st was this photo of a little boy named Sam in my class. He was trying to draw letters in the dirt at recess.

October 22 - Ahhhhh yeah so this pic is it. The only one of the day and it was while waiting for my kids outside their school. I noticed all the screen savers through the window and had to get a photo. Yeah I know I am friggin lame.

October 23 - Soooo I am kinda proud of this...I saved a Praying Mantis from getting toddler trampled at the playground. I picked it up and walked over to a tree right outside the play area. It was very pinchy if that is a word. I never walked so fast in my life.  I have been looking for it's egg case for weeks but never found it. Found a few last year. I guess they come back to the same place to lay but I don't know really. Maybe it is a coincidence or something. Trying to act way smarter than I really am. 

October 24 - A selfie is important. I need to take them or there are no photos of you. Your kids will only have the photos one day so take pictures whenever you can. I was waiting for the kids to come out of school so grabbed a pic of me!

October 25 - Not a great pic but my girl and I did a Mommy and Me Baby Sitting gig. The baby was so sweet and we missed him the next day. The couple had animals too which was really nice for us as well. We loved spending time with them.

October 26 - Cat Sitting for Phoebe and her other cat friends. She is a model fluff. I mean look at that face.

MY Boos Help With A Review

Posted on July 16, 2008

Hey, welcome to my Product Review Corner.Today I am reviewing Princess Linens.

I was delighted when Princess Linens offered to send me one of their products so that I could review it.

Imagine my surprise when I got home today and found a box waiting for me on my porch. Inside we found the most awesome idea I have come across in a long time.

The Doodlebugz Crayola Crayon Keeper!

We unrolled it and I asked my kids what they thought it was; their answer, “sleeping bags for crayons”. Well, basically, what the Doodlebugz Crayola Crayon Keeper does is; hold an entire box of 24 Washable Crayola Crayons and then some. Each crayon goes into it’s own little, well, it’s own sleeping bag. The you roll it up and secure it with an attached Velcro strap. It also has a convenient carrying strap. My kids spent the afternoon taking the crayons out of their “sleeping bags” and putting them back in.

I don’t know about anyone else, but when we are out to dinner, doctor office, waiting in the car for someone (this happens more times than I would like), or just out and about, my kids are constantly asking for something to draw with. I search the bottom of my bag for crayons, which I carry for this very reason.

Now, I will never have to search. The pouch is small enough to fit in my bag and it’s adorable too. No more crayon marks in my bag, no more crushed or broken crayons for us.

Beside the adorable Doodlebugz Crayola Crayon Keepers which can be personalized with a name and 5 patterns to chose from, Princess Linens is chock full of extremely, adorable kid things.

You will not be disappointed. I will be ordering my 3 nieces personalized Chef apron and hats for the holidays.

Enjoy and happy shopping.

All the Impossible Things By Lindsay Lackey Is The Perfect Debut Novel. #WOW #amazingread

The 411:

What an amazing debut novel. Saturday I woke at 6 AM before the house woke. I grabbed this book, headed to a chair with my coffee and didn't move until 8:15 AM. The book was amazing. I loved everything about it.

Ruby or Red as she likes to go by has been shuffled from Foster care to Foster care and she is counting down the days until her mom is out of prison and she can be with her. Life hasn't been easy for her. Her loving grandma died of cancer and her mom is in prison. She doesn't want to let anyone in because it is all temporary. She longs for the day her mom is home and they once again live together until she meets her new foster family Celine and Jackson Grooves. They own a petting zoo and want Red to be part of their family on her own time.

She becomes friends with Tuck a tortoise who lives with the Grooves and reluctantly friends with Marvin a little boy her age who lives close by and is in her class.  Living at the zoo is nothing like Red has ever experienced. She has a beautiful room all to herself, a family who gives her space when she needs it and makes sure she is happy and feels loved all things Red needs but only wants from her mother.

Ruby's prize possession is a notebook her grandmother gave her. It is filled with a list of impossible things that her grandmother and she came up with. She adds to it often. Her grandmother's lesson is that nothing is impossible and only feels that way until it is done.

Ruby's finding herself feeling settled but now the letter's she writes to her mother are coming back unopened. She is devastated and when she finds out her mother was released she is confused.

This book is full of heart and hope. I couldn't put it down. The characters are wonderful and I was in love with Celine and Jackson. They are exactly the type of foster parents I would wish for any child in the system.

The story felt so real. The perfect balance between happy and sad, heart wrenching and heart warming.

Written for middle schoolers, but you won't be able to put it down.

I hope for many more books by Lindsay Lackey!

Steven Universe The Movie Is A MUST SEE

The 411:

OMG this is so good! As a Steven Universe fan I loved this movie. If you have never seen Steven Universe here is what you need to know. This is a show about love, self acceptance, friendship and Steven is an empathic. With all the garbage on TV you and your children should be watching this.

We are two years in the future from our beloved Steven. He is older, is back Beach City and his gems are all still there. Everyone is happy and Steven has come to terms with who he is.

The Gems and Steven are laying around enjoying the day. All seems well until we meet Spinel a new gem who has a bone to pick and is out to destroy Steven. It's okay though...Steven can reach everyone.

This is Steven to the 3rd power. The songs are great, the graphics are great and as usual there is so much heart. After we finished the movie my daughter and I said we can't wait to see it again and I am already researching a Spinel costume for next Halloween. I am in love with her. Whoever created her Rebecca Sugar was it you? She is awesome. I love her Bendy look. She is spooky and sweet.

I cannot even decide which song is my favorite but I implore you if you are looking for something to watch and love animation. This is the show for you. I mean I don't even remember crying over a cartoon before. It is so good!

My favorite moment is when Steven fuses with his dad Greg! OMG....too much. It was the best!

Never Stop Dancing: A Memoir by John Robinette and Robert Jacoby REVIEW

A story of grief, male friendship, and healing conversations.


The 411:

As the daughter of a grieving father I was interested in reading this book. I was 12 when my mom died and dad grieve hard and sometimes appears to still be grieving. It was scary and so difficult to think about what he was going through after my mom passed away. This book gives me a glimpse into all that was going on in his head during those first few years. 

This book is sad yet hopeful. I physically hurt as John was so candid in his recount of his first days and months without Amy. All the firsts that he and his boys had to experience without her literally brought me to tears a few times.

While reading I would take a few breaks to just sit back and think how amazing it was that Robert's idea to record sessions with John allowed him a to really sit in the moment. To really feel how this devastating loss was affecting him and his boys. Their friendship was so important to the story. Would John have been able to be so candid if he didn't know Robert. I don't know but I believe the trust allowed him to heal. Loss is never easy. Talking about someone we love and lost hurts. Robert gave John the ability to be his own therapist. Hearing yourself say things is sometimes the best medicine. 

Talking to a friend and hearing myself say things to someone else that is bothering me or hurting me is when I can really work through something.  I believe everyone's grief is personal and private. No one but you can actually know how you handle it. It is your path and your path alone but having someone to talk to and in this case John having Robert and this book is the perfect dedication to his marriage, his wife and the perfect legacy for his boys. My father had started writing something when my mom passed. I was so excited to read it. Losing my mom was the hardest thing I ever had to go through. I really wanted to know about her, them, and how he felt about losing her. He never finished and doesn't know where the pages he did write are. I so wish he had. John's sons are so lucky to have this and I wish him all the best. 

There’s No Place Like Home

I MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT, SOMETIMES IT'S ABOUT ME, THE HOFF/TEACH

There’s No Place Like Home

Posted on December 29, 2007

We have lived in this house for about 9 years now and it is still very basic. The curtains that we bought for the house are still gracing our windows, the dining room table used to be a Staples banquet table and now it is a beautiful hand-me-down from our friends the Oz’s. The living room furniture used to be two chairs from our deck and now we have a couch but really not much else has been added in the way of furniture until now….

Rewind…………….

My husband asked me to sell something for him on EBay last week. I sold it for $350.00 and he was nice enough to tell me I could use the money for anything I want. Originally I was going to apply it to my credit card. Whose doesn’t go up around the holidays? Then I decided that perhaps I should get a new comforter for our bed. It has been 10 years since we had a new one but what could I do with the reminder?

But then…. I spotted this on JC Penny’s site and fell in love with the beachy look of it. The best part was that I had money, it is on sale and they are offering free shipping over $99.00. Could the moons be any more aligned? It is meant to be I just knew it.

I told myself that I would sleep on it and if I still wanted it in the morning I would order it. The next morning I measured again to make sure it was possible for my no wall living space. Where would I put it?

My sister-in-law was over with my nieces and I showed her. She loved it and told me I should order it. I told her that I was thinking about it but where would I put it and her brother/my Teach would probably have a fit because I was bringing more stuff into our house. He has a thing about too much stuff. Not much here but he hates stuff. Mostly he hates my stuff but that is for another post. Because this is supposed to be a nice post.

Today I emailed a picture to Bek  who also liked it.  The Teach came home early and I really wanted to know what he thought. I needed his opinion. He lives here too and he should have some say into what I bring in right? (To T, D, SR, I already know what you would say here).

I showed him a picture and he said without looking; “go ahead it’s your money get whatever you want”.

Ok, typical but I need to know if he likes it. So I leave the screen of my computer up and walk away thinking and also knowing him I know that he will eventually want to look at it but not show me that he cares. I see him look, he walks over to the wall in the kitchen, looks at it, looks at the dining room wall, then says, “go ahead order it and we’ll figure it out when it gets here. Wooot! I am psyched and can’t wait for it to get here. I am so excited to have something beside a couch, rocking chair, TV and dining room table and chairs in these rooms. It will finally look like a grown up home and not like a dorm room.

Thanks for the money honey and for the go ahead! You rock! 

Calling all Outlander Fans:THE MAKING OF OUTLANDER: The Official Guide to Seasons Three and Four

=

The 411:

OK let's start with I have not even cracked up this book and the reason is I am only on Season 2 Episode 7 and do not want to see anything yet!

I am completely obsessed with the story of Jamie and Claire and it only took me 4 years to get invested. My Australian friend told me for years to check it out telling me that I would love it. I remember the first time thinking you must really not know me, what makes you think I would be interested? She was right and I was most definitely wrong.

Outlander is one of those shows that calls me when I am not watching it. I honestly wish I could binge watch for days but then I would be caught up and I love not knowing where the story takes them.

My daughter took some photos of the pages for me because like I said I didn't want to see what is happening after Season 2 Episode 7 but she told me these pages are fine for me to see.

So as you can see the photos are colorful and Jamie and Claire are still very much in love. I cannot wait to see what these seasons have in store for my current favorite characters.

My Life In Pics - Oct 11 - Oct 17

October 11 - My class waving goodbye to the Firefighters who stopped in to pass out fire hats, give a tour of the truck and allow the kids to spray the hose.

October 12 - My girl took a felting class. We have taken a class in the past so she went in with a little knowledge. I think her pumpkin came out wonderful.

October 13 - Goddess and I after volunteer work is all done at the shelter love spending time with all the cats and kittens. We love them all and want them all to go to homes while also loving our time with them. This cutie was adopted the next week. I was shocked she was still there. Look at that face.

October 14 - This is my favorite time of year so when Goddess was done with her dental appointment we walked around taking photos like tourists. She is a character.

October 15 - My class was checking out a slug! They think bugs are fascinating.

October 16 - NADA

October 17 - This little guy was trapped inside Shoprite. I say trapped because if I could fly the last thing I would want to be would be inside.

My Life In Pics - Oct 1 - Oct 10

October 1 - Smore's! That is all.

October 2 - We received a box from Klutz! We haven't been this excited in a while! Look at all this fun ready to be had.

October 3 - I cannot believe I didn't have even one photo stored for this day. Just checked Amazon photos, Google Photos, Dropbox, my iPhone, Camera and iPad. UGH. NADA.

October 4 - This is some art work from Goddess' sketch book for art class. They had to draw textures from things around them. Pretty cool to me. I could never do this.

October 5 - We couldn't resist this shirt from Petsmart. Jinxy looks so cute in red!

October 6 - I fleshed out some skulls and think they came out pretty well. It was fairly easy. Shrink wrap and paint.

October 7 - My class learned how to put out a fire using a spray bottle, paint and shaving cream for Fire Prevention Week.

October 8 - NOTHING! WAH!

October 9 - How cute is this toddler hand.? The water had sparkles on it!

October 10 - Goddess and I made some lip gloss with the Klutz  Roll On Lip Gloss Studio

My Life In Photos 8-22 - 8-31

August 22 - Spent the day with the kids at Mineral Springs and then off to cat sit. My son doesn't often come to cat sit with us but this time he had no choice since we were all together. He hates his photo taken these days but I caught him in a good mood.

August 23 - So someone got teeth pulled. When she got her braces the orthodontist said that her when her fangs started coming into alignment that there would be little room so they pulled two adult teeth. It was kinda traumatizing for me watching the surgeon hank and hank on her adult teeth. She was making noises and although she said she didn't feel anything it was hard to watch. One of the teeth actually shot across the room and almost hit me. If I didn't jump aside I probably could have caught it. The surgeon and I had to search for it on the floor.

August 24 -  My daughter and I do a Mommy and Me baby and pet sitting. We love doing it especially when the families are sweet enough to leave us love notes and veggies from their garden.

August 25 - Goddess' art work amazes me.

August 26 - When Goddess makes us lava cake we often make sundaes.

Aug 27 - My husband's garden is my favorite place to be!

Aug 28 - Jinxy's spot in my bedroom.

Aug 29 - Watching my daughter and her friends walk into their soon to be new high school for a few hours was difficult. I need a bus. I picked up as many kids as I could and dropped them. After they were done I took them to Burger King and then home. I wish I could fit more than 6 in the car because I love listening to them all together.

Aug 30 - At least once I drop by Dairy Queen on our way home from Mineral Springs. My son was in a great mood so I took another photo. I guess it is a teen thing. If I hold my phone up and gets pissed and tells me he doesn't want any photos of him taken. UGH...what's a mom to do?

Aug 31 - Goddess and I did another Mommy and Me Babysitting for one of my students. It was nice watching my girl handle a toddler. She never gets time with young kids. When I was a kid I was always around them. Our family doesn't have any little ones currently. These days are good for her confidence. I tell her that they don't see her as a kid to them she is an adult.