tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64132016226224535852024-03-13T17:30:24.062-04:0029 and Holding...Or Thirty, Flirty, and Fabulous?RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.comBlogger237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-52047548587815566402011-02-16T19:54:00.001-05:002011-02-16T19:54:43.788-05:00Mirrors on the ceiling and KY, believe it or not this post has nothing to do with sex!<ul> <li>I got my car washed today, which reminded me of 2 weeks ago when I got it washed...Shawn was driving that day and as he drove in all catawampus, I kept yelling "Look at the mirror!  Are you looking at the mirror?"  To which he angrily replied "<em>WHAT </em>mirror?"  That's when I pointed to the mirror on the ceiling and proceeded to tell him that every car wash in the whole United States of America has one or those mirrors as you pull in.  He was literally stunned.  My Mom didn't know about the mirror either.  Where do you people come from? </li> <li>I don't post about my coupon steals and deals that often, but I think you should know that today when I got groceries, I scored 2 things of KY and 2 boxes of Gain dryer sheets for FREE!  You know you're addicted to couponing when you start bragging about your free lube. </li> <li>Every week on library day Alivia gets excited about the possibility of checking out the Guinness Book of World's Records.  I remember being excited about that in elementary school too, but now it just seems creepy.  What's so fascinating about a child who got dentures when he was 3? </li> <li>There is a lady at work and a Mom of a girl in Alivia's class who I want to punch in the face.  Both for equally good reasons.  Just another reason I wish my blog wasn't public. </li> <li>I was looking at my Google Analytics the other day and one of the keyword searches that someone clicked through to my blog from was "I think I'm going to poop my pants, what should I do?"  Shawn suggested maybe the person should have just headed straight to the shitter rather than Googling what to do. </li> <li>Google Analytics also told me that my post a few weeks ago titled "Pictures of Boobs" has had more hits than any other post.  I really wish I would have rethought that title.  I'm fairly certain that 100% of those people who clicked through were pervs.  Feel free to leave now creepers! </li> <li>If you don't know what Google Analytics is, let me put it to you like this...I know you're reading even if you're not commenting.  Yes, person-who-I–personally-would-consider-a-stalker, that means you. </li> <li>Less than 2 weeks until Lady Gaga!  Does anyone know where I can rent one of those egg things like she had the other night?  Or what about a meat dress?  I would settle for a meat dress. </li> </ul> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TVxx0QdBQxI/AAAAAAAACso/jpDcZPiUu-o/s1600-h/article-1284451620202-0B290BE4000005DC-394102_466x712%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="article-1284451620202-0B290BE4000005DC-394102_466x712" border="0" alt="article-1284451620202-0B290BE4000005DC-394102_466x712" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TVxx0qfz0PI/AAAAAAAACss/IQeIQ36VnKw/article-1284451620202-0B290BE4000005DC-394102_466x712_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="382" /></a></p> <p>That is all.  At least for now.</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-73472896991723527762011-02-14T12:01:00.000-05:002011-02-14T12:01:00.064-05:00The rest of the story.<p>Since you are all waiting with baited breath (NOT!), I thought I better give it up on the rest of the lies/truths from <a href="http://therothreport.blogspot.com/2011/02/liar-liar-pants-on-fire.html">this</a> post.  I think only 2 people picked out the one which was 100% true, can you believe it?  Ok, here we go:</p> <blockquote> <p>1.  When I was pregnant with Alivia I went to the hospital the day before my due date, because I deemed my uterus expired.  I wasn’t even having contractions!</p> <p><strong>Not true!</strong>  I believe it was the day before that I deemed my uterus expired, and then proceeded to drink castor oil and walk on the treadmill.  Then, 6-8 hours later when I wasn’t in labor, I went to the hospital anyway.  I was not having even one single contraction, but my blood pressure was 195/110 and I had 4+ protein in my urine, so I lucked out…preeclampsia got me a bed!</p> <p>2.  The rodeo clown thing…I already answered that one.</p> <p>3.  Last summer when I competed in my first Duathlon, the reason I ran and biked so fast was because I was surrounded by lesbians.  </p> <p><strong>Not true!</strong>  Well, I was surrounded by lesbians, but that’s not the reason I finished so well.  However, my boss likes to say it was because I was chased by lesbians.  Don’t get me wrong I’m so not a homophobe…but it was honestly not the best day to have a short haircut!</p> <p>4.  My freshman year of college I put a bomb in my ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend’s mailbox. </p> <p><strong>Not true!</strong>  I was present while the bomb was made, and I was present while the bomb was put in the mailbox, but I did not personally do any of it!  This is actually a funny story because the girl’s Mom called my Mom and accused me of blowing up her “brand new Rubbermaid mailbox!”  She said she even saw my red car.  Lucky for me, my car was parked in my parent’s driveway all night, and my Mom could confirm that.  And P.S. According to what my ex-bf told me, the mailbox wasn’t even damaged!</p> <p>5.  I haven’t worked out in a month and a half.</p> <p><strong>And the truth shall set you free!</strong>  I hate to say this, but it’s true.  Sad, but true.  Next week, I have an appointment with (another) specialist, so I’m hoping to have some answers soon.  I really wanted to do the Iron Goddess Duathlon again this summer, and it’s devastating that I don’t see that happening.  </p> </blockquote> <img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/26708_10150198275520048_814145047_12988163_2005923_n.jpg" width="375" height="250" /> <p>I hope everyone is having a lovely Valentine’s Day today!  Valentine’s Day is probably my least favorite holiday.  Yes, I’m a scrooge!  </p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-17065213268760633962011-02-13T17:53:00.001-05:002011-02-13T17:53:00.835-05:002 winners!<p>I’m so sorry it took me awhile to announce the winner of the giveaway!  No worries though, I knew who the winner was on Friday, so the cookies have been ordered!  After I thought about it, I actually decided there would be 2 winners…you’ll see why in a minute.</p> <p>The first winner is <a href="http://dizzypru.blogspot.com/">Dizzypru</a> who blogs at <a href="http://dizzypru.blogspot.com/">Prufrock’s Fog</a>.  She is a new Mom to an (almost) 4 month old who she gave birth to at 25 weeks.  Her miracle baby, Isla Marie, is adorable!  Other than that, I actually don’t know her very well, but her comments absolutely cracked me up:  </p> <p> </p> <p align="center">“I love your blog - almost as much as I love the fact that my 2 year old niece was playing with a measuring tape this afternoon and proudly announced to the family that my ass is $25!”</p> <p align="center">And her story about her most embarrassing date:</p> <p align="center">“Okay, in 7th grade there was a boy, Dan, who had a huge crush on me. I was horrible. Even though I knew he didn't have a lot of money I would ask him for his lunch money so I could buy a drumstick. I was 11 and apparently soulless! Anyfart, he wrote me a poem that read:</p> <p align="center"> <br />Roses are red, <br />violets are blue, <br />you are as sweet, <br />as chocolate chip cookies. </p> <p align="center"> <br />Yikes. Later on in high school there was a rumor going around that his family was big into in-breeding. Never confirmed it, but come on....clearly "sweet" does NOT rhyme with "cookies."</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p>And now, the second winner!  There was only one person who sent me a picture of themselves as a Girl Scout, so I decided she was very deserving of the cookies too!  Either no one else could find a picture of themselves as Girl Scout, or maybe they just didn’t want me posting it?  Regardless, here <a href="http://adventuresofayankeegirl.blogspot.com/">she</a> is:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TVhgyiYxTCI/AAAAAAAACsg/OfMOICepgeo/s1600-h/Girl%20Scout%20Al%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Girl Scout Al" border="0" alt="Girl Scout Al" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TVhgzPwjldI/AAAAAAAACsk/JHNJro3f4sw/Girl%20Scout%20Al_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="150" height="545" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://adventuresofayankeegirl.blogspot.com/">Yankee Girl</a>!  She says she thinks she was around 15 at the time, and this was when she was receiving her Girl Scout Silver Award.  I have no idea what that means, but I really hope my daughters aren’t still Girl Scouts when they’re 15.  No offense, but I think that would cause me to drink, a lot <strike>more</strike>.</p> <p>Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone for entering!</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-59174812506606799972011-02-07T20:56:00.003-05:002011-02-07T20:58:43.641-05:00An Impromptu Giveaway, and one lie revealed!<p>Ok, I’m going to start with the lie.  Just because I can.  I think a few of you might have confused my last post with the “4 lies and 1 truth” thing that frequently makes rounds on the blogosphere.  In the post I did, 4 of the things were somewhat true, and 1 was 100% true.  I blame myself for confusing you since I titled the post “Liar, Liar…”</p> <p>Anyway.  In this post I’ll address the rodeo clown since many of you found that quite interesting.  This one is <em><strong>not</strong> </em>100% true.  I did date a rodeo clown, but it was not by any means a serious relationship.  In fact, now that I think about it, I wouldn’t even call it “dating”…if I remember correctly, he never did actually take me on a date.</p> <p>So, how in fact did I end up dating (or not dating) someone who looked like this?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TVCizt0BztI/AAAAAAAACsQ/5G6LbufbGTY/s1600-h/20060822190727_clown%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="20060822190727_clown" border="0" alt="20060822190727_clown" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TVCi0QEznUI/AAAAAAAACsU/LcMpaJs89P4/20060822190727_clown_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="285" /></a></p> <p>Well.  Blame it on spring break.  And alcohol.  And the fact that when I met him (in a bar) he told me he was a “barrel man / bull fighter.”  It wasn’t until he showed me a video of him in clown get-up shooting his Jack Russell Terrier out of a cannon, that I realized what I’d gotten myself into.</p> <p>Let’s never talk about this whole clown thing again?  MmmKay?  Onto the Giveaway!!</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TVCi0xdaFKI/AAAAAAAACsY/1pt_5O702T8/s1600-h/cookie_boxes%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="cookie_boxes" border="0" alt="cookie_boxes" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TVCi1Yl0x5I/AAAAAAAACsc/vKPZZZnVclE/cookie_boxes_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="241" /></a></p> <p>I realized that last year at this time I did a Girl Scout Cookie giveaway, and I totally forgot to do one this year!  Don’t worry, it’s not too late!  Alivia has to turn her order sheet in on Friday, so the giveway will run from now until this Thursday night at 8 pm.  The winner will win <strong>3 boxes</strong> of their choice of Girl Scout Cookies!!  Please click <a href="http://www.gsmists.org/Product-Sales/cookies_meet_us">here</a> to see your choices, not all Girl Scouts sell the same cookies!</p> <p>The rules are simple:</p> <ul> <li> <div align="center">Mandatory entry:  You <strong>have </strong>to be a follower and you <strong>have</strong> to leave me a comment saying which 3 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies you would like if you win (leave 1 comment for this 1 entry).</div> </li> <li> <div align="center">Optional entry:  Leave a comment telling me about the worst or most embarrassing person you dated (leave 1 comment for this 1 entry).</div> </li> <li> <div align="center">Bonus entry:  If you were a Girl Scout send me a picture of you as a Girl Scout which I can post the day I announce the winner of this giveaway!  You will get 5 entries for this, but just leave one comment saying you’re sending me a picture and I will add the other 4 entries.</div> </li> </ul> <p align="left">Good Luck everyone!</p> <p align="left">P.S.  This giveaway is in no way sponsored by the Girl Scouts.  It is completely funded by me, out of the goodness of my heart, and for the love of cookies!</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-69369878499811577572011-02-06T22:24:00.001-05:002011-02-06T22:24:41.364-05:00Liar Liar pants on fire!<p>I used to be really good at accepting and reposting when someone gave me an award…but somewhere along the way I lost track, and then I just gave up.  So, when <a href="http://charbelle.blogspot.com/">Charbelle</a> gave me an award tonight, I thought “Sweet!  I can redeem myself!”  And it’s a fun one too!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TU9l9PCR2FI/AAAAAAAACsI/GR9X7W51QOc/s1600-h/MEMETASTICAWARDsidebar%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="MEMETASTICAWARDsidebar" border="0" alt="MEMETASTICAWARDsidebar" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TU9l90caAiI/AAAAAAAACsM/48RaXtimTqI/MEMETASTICAWARDsidebar_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="159" height="160" /></a></p> <p>As a condition of my acceptance of this award I have to write five facts about myself. Four of these “facts” have to be fictitious deceptions, enhanced realities. They’re kind of true, but not.  But somewhere amongst the “lies” will be one solid truth.  Ok, here we go:</p> <ol> <li>When I was pregnant with Alivia I went to the hospital the day before my due date, because I deemed my uterus expired.  I wasn’t even having contractions! </li> <li>When I was 20 I had a serious relationship with a rodeo clown. </li> <li>Last summer when I competed in my first Duathlon, the reason I ran and biked so fast was because I was surrounded by lesbians.  Why didn’t it occur to me that there would be so many? </li> <li>My freshman year of college I put a bomb in my ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend’s mailbox. </li> <li>I haven’t worked out in a month and a half. </li> </ol> <p>So, any guesses?  No worries, sometime this week I’ll let you in on the real truth!</p> <p>Oh, and I pass this award on to:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://nameswontbechanged.blogspot.com/">Angie @ Names Will Not Be Changed To Protect The Innocent</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://blahblahblond.blogspot.com/">Jessica @ Blah Blah Blond</a> (one my newest followers!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://daiseeangel.blogspot.com/">Tyly @ One Mile At A Time</a> (tread lightly if you click over to visit Tyly, she’s grieving the loss of her Steelers)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://thetalesfromthefairydust.blogspot.com/">The Tales From The Fairy Dust</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://mommyonthespot.blogspot.com/">Mommy on the Spot</a></p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-55426063399933640082011-02-01T17:27:00.001-05:002011-02-01T17:28:02.827-05:00Did somebody say snow day?<div align="center">Allegedly the blizzard of the century is heading our way any minute now.  I’ll believe it when I see it.</div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center">This was too good not to share:</div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:eb2679cb-cded-4c1e-8b6f-d08f4861d559" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="5244def0-518e-428d-a347-aaf42688baa0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThnXrmzerys" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TUiIw45XteI/AAAAAAAACq8/O6JQiCtBSKY/video7baed57f8faa%5B14%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('5244def0-518e-428d-a347-aaf42688baa0'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"494\" height=\"276\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ThnXrmzerys?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ThnXrmzerys?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"494\" height=\"276\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> </div> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-15443431325660735362011-01-30T20:19:00.001-05:002011-01-30T20:22:41.044-05:00Pictures of boobs.<p>Last Fall an acquaintance of mine emailed me saying that she had a few questions about breast implants.  I told her who my doctor was, and gave her as much information as I could, and that was about it.  Then last week she emailed me again with more questions, and said she was quite sure she was going to have the surgery.  I answered her questions again, and then asked her if she and her husband would like to see my before & after pictures.  She said she would.</p> <p>With my first surgery Shawn took “before” pictures and then took “after” pictures for the first couple weeks.  But, when I went to send the pictures to my friend, I found that I really didn’t have any pictures of the finished product.  So, I asked Shawn to take some.  He took a few, but then became annoyed when I asked him to take some with a bathing suit top on and with a bra on.  He also might have been annoyed when I voiced concerns over his photography skills.  What.Ever.</p> <p>When the photo shoot was finally over, he was walking out of the room and I  said “Thank you so much for taking the pictures.  I must say though that I think you’re the only man in the world who would complain about taking pictures of his wife’s boobs.”  And then this happened:</p> <p align="center">Shawn:  “Well, it’s not like the pictures were for me or anything!  Nobody <em><strong>ever </strong></em>sends me pictures of boobs!”</p> <p align="center">Me:  “Awk.Ward.”</p> <p align="center">Shawn:  “Um, well…I meant<em> you</em> never send me pictures of boobs.”</p> <p align="center">Me:  “Yeah, and I probably won’t.  But it’s good to know nobody else is sending you pictures either!”</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">P.S.  Did anyone read this post because you thought there was going to be actual pictures of boobs?</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-50753955130716983492011-01-28T02:00:00.004-05:002011-01-28T09:20:24.612-05:00Feel Good Friday brought to you by ME!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thegirlnextdoorgrowsup.com/"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BAWZ_svOyAtWlu3-5mePAeLnsnkDAhnzMmKUoB7NqinA0X69e-GsGrmlBSlX8SB2yDK0X_lvYyPjahtMeP5AZT5mjN8PvzwdZQUYPD_D37mFaiKVSnSm2iZ9mt2xQAGEnnmas3LdKck/s200/FGFlogo.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Last week Erika asked me to host <a href="http://www.thegirlnextdoorgrowsup.com/?page_id=281">Feel Good Friday</a> for her today, and of course I had to say yes! I'm a little disappointed in myself for not letting you know ahead of time, but hopefully some of you will still link up. If you're not familiar with FGF, click <a href="http://www.thegirlnextdoorgrowsup.com/?page_id=281">here</a> to get the low down, then write your post and link of bitches!<br />
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Today my "feel good" is about something that someone else did for me a few weeks ago.<br />
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Periodically if I write a blog post which I think is amazeballs, I will link to it on my Facebook page. I don't do that a lot because I honestly try to keep the number of family and friends who read my blog to a minimum. As far as I know my own Mom still can't find my <em>(as she calls it</em>) "blah-g." This is a good thing, because I'm not sure she would find humor in some of the things I've written. For example, the time I posted about her getting a fart trapped in her pantyhose.<br />
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Anyfart. My point is I have gained a few readers by posting on Facebook, and two of those people are Eric and Sarah. Eric is a guy I graduated from high school with, who incidentally used to make fun of my friends and I. Sarah is Eric's neighbor who friended me on Facebook after she saw me commenting on Eric's status. Even though Sarah and Eric live in the same town as me, they are what my husband would call my "imaginary (internet) friends." Until now.<br />
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When I posted on here about being in hospital, Sarah and Eric both immediately emailed me on Facebook to check on me. Sarah even asked if there was anything she could do to help me. That alone made me feel good. But, then a week later Sarah emailed me saying she and Eric had bought me something, sort of a Get Well present. She said she would drop it off later in the week. That week on Thursday, I was having another bad day and ended up staying home from work. When I finally stumbled out of bed that afternoon I found a surprise waiting for me on my porch.<br />
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What was it? 3 boxes of Keurig coffee! My imaginary friends brought me 3 boxes of Keurig coffee! If that doesn't make you feel good, I don't know what does! So, thank you Eric and Sarah for the coffee and for being faithful readers (<em>even if you never comment</em>). <br />
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<br />RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-45992950383491990512011-01-23T18:06:00.001-05:002011-01-23T18:06:42.186-05:00While you were out.<p>It’s been almost 2 weeks since my last post, yikes!  Since people are starting to email me to make sure I’m alive, I figured I better drop by and say Hi!  I’m not intentionally taking a break from blogging, but since I’m still not feeling well, I really don’t have a lot to say.  I know, can you believe that?</p> <p>But, to amuse you (and myself), here are some randoms from the last 2 weeks:</p> <ul> <li>Last Saturday Alivia made her <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacrament_of_Penance_(Catholic_Church)">First Reconciliation</a>.  After she did her confession she told my Mom “Grandma, I feel like a million bucks!” </li> </ul> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TTy0dbFr3II/AAAAAAAACqk/Uw0P8SHVwxM/s1600-h/DSC_0722%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0722" border="0" alt="DSC_0722" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TTy0elyRbuI/AAAAAAAACqo/vHBb_IU3rFU/DSC_0722_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="412" /></a></p> <p align="center">(Alivia with her teacher.  The kids from her class study the sacraments during religion at school and then make the sacraments together with the rest of the kids from church.)</p> <ul> <li> <div align="left">While the kids went to confession, the parents were encouraged to go as well.  So, I went.  At the beginning of your confession you’re supposed to tell the priest how long it’s been since your last confession.  So, I’m all “Forgive me Father for I have sinned, it’s been 100 years since my last confession.”  And the priest is all “What did you say!?”  So, I repeated “100 years.”  And then he got mad and asked me “WHY?!”  Ok, so I didn’t actually say “100 years,” but I may as well have because that’s how mad he was.  Does anyone else see the irony in the fact that I was judged at confession?</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">When I told Shawn about the above scenario, he said “Well, that was dumb.  Why did you tell him that?  If it’s been a couple years, you’re just supposed to say it’s been over a year.”  Well, shit.  Nobody told me that.  Lesson learned.</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">A couple weeks ago I became an official “lunch Mom” at the girls school.  I do lunch 2 days a week and I make $8/day, so I’m thinking I might as well quit my nursing job.</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">Alivia started selling Girl Scout Cookies on Saturday.  Shawn took her around the neighborhood and a couple people turned her down flat stating “We’re on a diet.”  Haters.  Shawn thinks the Girl Scouts are stupid for having their cookie sale right after New Years when everyone is on their annual one month diet.  I’d have to agree, but I’m thinking we should hit these people again at the end of the cookie sale just in case they’ve fallen off the wagon.</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">On Friday night Alivia and I went to a Girl Scout Pajamboree:</div> </li> </ul> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TTy0ftUB_LI/AAAAAAAACqs/EYeGg973YQ8/s1600-h/DSC_0727%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0727" border="0" alt="DSC_0727" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TTy0gczByVI/AAAAAAAACqw/8c-v89MnqY8/DSC_0727_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="412" /></a></p> <p align="center">(Lainey didn’t actually go, but she wanted to be in the picture.)</p> <ul> <li> <div align="left">At the Pajamboree I served punch for 2 hours.  It was awesome.  At one point a lady came up to me and asked for a “refill.”  When she handed me her cup, I saw that she had a piece of chewed gum stuck to the top of it!  Kill me now.  When I handed the cup back to her I noticed she was missing at least half her teeth, so I’m not even sure why she had that gum in the first place!</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">That is all.</div> </li> </ul> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-2608221180314839182011-01-10T06:00:00.000-05:002011-01-10T06:00:08.600-05:00Old man or pimp? You decide.<p>What makes a person “old?”  Is it just me, or is it that the older you get, the more this answer changes?  I’ve been plucking out gray hairs (in between colors) for at least 2 years, but last year I decided that didn’t make me “old.”  In fact, I told my hair stylist “You’re not old until your pubes are gray.”</p> <p>Except, now my husband has gray ear hair, so where does that leave him?  That’s (literally) a gray area…it’s not head hair, but not pubes.  I didn’t have to ponder this for long though because something else led me to the determination that my husband is officially old.  No, he didn’t get his AARP card, but just listen.</p> <p>Remember last summer when I got my UGG slippers?  These slippers have become my best friend, if I’m home, they’re with me. <strike>A few</strike> One time I even wore them to take my kids to school.  Don’t judge.</p> <p>AnyMILF.  Because I love my slippers so much, I wanted my husband to feel that same love.  So, I got him a pair of slippers for Christmas.  They’re similar to this, but darker brown:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSphgXlxFOI/AAAAAAAACqc/Q8I5Mkf-Hyw/s1600-h/slippers%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="slippers" border="0" alt="slippers" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSphgjLBJeI/AAAAAAAACqg/nFFgLxj3M9I/slippers_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="225" /></a></p> <p>I chose those specific ones because I remember when I was growing up my Grandpa always had a pair of slippers like that.  I think Grandpa’s are probably a good judge of slippers.  After I bought the slippers, I then decided to buy him a pair of flannel pajama pants.  I was actually skeptical about this whole gift, because when I suggested buying Shawn slippers before, he scoffed at it.  Hater.</p> <p>So, Christmas morning came, the slippers got opened, and Shawn was in love.  So much so, that he brought them to my parent’s house to wear on Christmas Day.  And then he brought them to Ohio with us.  And long story short, Shawn + slippers = True Love Always.</p> <p>The story is not over though people.  I would never end a post with “True Love Always,” you know me better than that.</p> <p>I wanted Shawn to like this gift, but I didn’t want him to like it so much that he became an old man creeper.  That’s right, with one gift (well, technically 2), I turned my husband into an old man.  (I just added the creeper part for good measure.)</p> <p>One morning over a week ago, I was in our bedroom when Shawn came in and declared “Boy, with weather like this, it sure doesn’t feel like the end of December!”  And then I looked over and saw what he was wearing.</p> <p>Had he been wearing the slippers and pajama bottoms, and been smoking a cigar, he could have looked like a pimp.  But, when you’re wearing pajama pants, slippers, a stained white t-shirt, and then you start talking about the weather?  All you look is old.</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-50560231541507809902011-01-07T17:56:00.001-05:002011-01-07T17:56:41.913-05:00Feel Good Friday brought to you by YOU!<p align="center"><a href="http://www.thegirlnextdoorgrowsup.com/"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="logo3-larger-1" border="0" alt="logo3-larger-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSeaKH9woyI/AAAAAAAACqY/pj7ilwUVN5s/logo3-larger-1%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240" /></a></p> <p>It wasn’t difficult for me to find something to write about for Feel Good Friday today.    The thing that made me feel good every single day this week was YOU…your comments, your emails, your Facebook messages.  I love writing a post that makes you laugh, but what I love even more is when <em>your </em>comments make <em>me </em>laugh!  You all are so funny and caring!  Take a look:</p> <p align="center"><strong>From Monday’s <a href="http://therothreport.blogspot.com/2011/01/im-every-woman.html">post</a> (My 2010 review):</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://thingsiliketoeatandothernonsense.blogspot.com/">You’re Lucky I Don’t Have a Gun</a> said “I met my first blog friend this year, and my ex was worried I was going to get turned into a skin suit.  And by worried, I mean I’m sure he was hoping for it.”</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.anutinanutshell.com/">Blueviolet</a> said “On the injury…didn’t you fall off your bike in your own living room?”</p> <p align="center"><em>(Um, yes I did, and thanks for the reminder!)</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lifegoeson-mylife.blogspot.com/">Sara</a> said “I’m very sorry to hear you were in the hospital.  That sucks big time.  BUT this will make you laugh.  Maybe.  When I read your post and you said it (being in the hospital) was “lamesauce,” I thought that was the name of a disease.  Yes, I’m serious!”</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://daiseeangel.blogspot.com/">Tyly</a> said “You made that duathlon your bitch!”</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong>From Tuesday’s <a href="http://therothreport.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-top-10-favorite-things-that-happened.html">post</a> (My Top 10 List):</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://embracingthecrazy.blogspot.com/">Danielle</a> said “This one made me LOL so loud I then found myself rereading it to my husband...who LOLed too:) I truly hope you are feeling better and that this whole thing blows over...not blows out like poop in your pants or anything though.”</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://melner.blogspot.com/">Melissa</a> said “So what was wrong with you?! Are you okay?  And you pooped your pants? That's nice.”</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.snugglewasteland.com/">Snuggle Wasteland</a> said “The next time I'm in the hospital I'm telling them I'm a nurse. (Speech therapist is close enough, right?)”</p> <p align="center"><em>(I told her she should really go all out, and say she’s a doctor!)</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong>Wednesday’s <a href="http://therothreport.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-pooped-my-pants-true-or-false.html">post</a> (The Poop Reveal):</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://semislackermom.blogspot.com/">Semi-Slacker Mom</a> said “I'm so glad you didn't poop your pants. I didn't say I wouldn't laugh if you did, I'm just glad you didn't...”</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://sazzlestyle.blogspot.com/">Sazzle</a> said “I was kinda hoping you had actually pooped your pants.”</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.the-doll-house.com/">MrsDixon</a> said “I hope you are feeling better soon and won't have to struggle with this too often. On a lighter note, Xanax is the bomb and so is your blanky!”</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">I’m sorry I couldn’t give a shout out to everybody, but I seriously do appreciate every single comment you leave!  I may have told you this before, but my husband refers to my blog friends as my “imaginary friends”… imaginary or not, I felt completely loved by all of you this week!  Happy <a href="http://www.thegirlnextdoorgrowsup.com/">Feel Good Friday</a> imaginary friends!</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-76416400692629309122011-01-05T20:07:00.001-05:002011-01-05T20:07:14.142-05:00I pooped my pants: True or False.<p>I could have told you all yesterday what was wrong with me, but really what is the fun in that?  Yesterday’s post was a lot more fun than this one, trust me!</p> <p>Wait a minute.  Before I go any further, I have to tell you one thing.  <strong>I didn’t poop my pants!!</strong></p> <p>First, here’s what happened at work…  I went to work and felt relatively ok.  I got a patient ready for surgery, and then I was recovering another patient when I started feeling strange.  The entire left side of my face was numb, I was dizzy, and I had a bad headache.  When I started going over the patient’s discharge instructions, I couldn’t do it.  I know these instructions by  heart because they’re the same for every patient, and I’ve been doing it for 6 years.  But, like I said, I couldn’t do it.  I could read the paper, and I wasn’t confused, but I couldn’t say the words.</p> <p>I went and found my boss, and that’s when nurse are-you-losing-a-lot-of-fluids also assessed me.  After her assessment, said nurse diagnosed me with Bell’s Palsy.  To which my boss said, “I know Bell’s Palsy, and she doesn’t have Bell’s Palsy!”</p> <p>So, I sat down in a chair for awhile, drank some water, ate some crackers…and felt worse.  I finally agreed to have someone call Shawn to pick me up, but I protested going to the ER the whole time.  At some point one of the anesthesiologists came out and talked to me and then called the ER to tell them I was coming.  <em>(Did I miss something?  I thought I said I wasn’t going?)</em></p> <p>Longish story short, Shawn finally showed up, he took me to the hospital where there was a flurry of activity because they wanted to make sure I wasn’t having a stroke.  I had a CT scan, talked to an annoying neurologist, took a Xanax, and was then transferred to another hospital.  </p> <p>The second hospital looked something like this:  admitted to super awesome private room with a flat screen TV and a huge bathroom, went for an echocardiogram, ate crappy dinner quickly because nurse OMG-I-Can’t-Believe-You’re-A-Nurse was pushing Ativan as fast as she could in my IV so I could go for the MRI/MRA, came back from MRI to find someone had left me delicious cookies, my fabulous husband and kids brought me Qdoba to eat, I attempted to sleep but was awakened all night for God knows what, woke up and took a shower, argued with a new neurologist about what my Lyrica dosage was, and then went home.</p> <p>Phew!  Does that answer all your questions?  Good.</p> <p>Oh wait.  What was wrong with me?  </p> <p>Again, long story short, the headache and speech thing-a-ma-jig were diagnosed as a <a href="http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/question-answer-27079-63.html">Complex Migraine</a>.  The numbness on the side of my face (which is STILL there!) is thought to be from my <a href="http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/postherpetic-neuralgia">Postherpetic Neuralgia</a> (PHN) from having shingles.  In addition to the numbness I’m also having the stabbing pain normally associated with PHN, so that’s why they think it’s all related.  The sad thing is, there is no cure for PHN, and it will probably come and go my whole life.  Luckily the symptoms can be treated with medications, which I’m taking…for now.</p> <p>And just to prove this whole story is true:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSUVui2KR1I/AAAAAAAACqQ/lfvUpMQWjDk/s1600-h/hospitalpicture%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="hospitalpicture" border="0" alt="hospitalpicture" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSUVwAUxsOI/AAAAAAAACqU/SV1pXsHpWbE/hospitalpicture_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="317" /></a></p> <p align="center">(Me looking stoned, but totally poop free!)</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-45872781653987035772011-01-04T20:05:00.002-05:002011-01-04T20:07:17.326-05:00My Top 10 Favorite Things That Happened During My Hospital Stay:<p align="center"><em>(a little long, but possibly worth it!)</em></p> <p><strong>10.</strong> When I started feeling weird at work, one of my co-workers took my vitals, and then proceeded to ask me if I was “losing a lot of fluids?”  I stared at her blankly and she said “You know, like blood or diarrhea?”  Um, no.  And P.S. What the Hell?</p> <p><strong>9.</strong>  When I saw the (first) neurologist in the ER, he told me I was going to have to spend the night, and I told him no way.  Then, he asked me if I wanted my husband to leave the room, so we could speak freely.  Apparently, my not wanting to stay at the hospital indicated that my husband was abusive.  Shawn found this hilarious, as did I, which did not bode well with the doctor.  Not that abuse is at all funny, but given the reason I was there, it was an awkward question.</p> <p><strong>8.</strong>  After I adamantly told the neurologist I wasn’t spending the night, he left and said we would talk about it later.  No more than a minute later, a nurse came in and gave me a Xanax.  It wasn’t until the next day, that I realized I was tricked.  He clearly had given me the Xanax so I would stop protesting.</p> <p><strong>7.</strong>  I got to ride an ambulance.  Not to the hospital initially, but from one hospital to another hospital.  They told me I wouldn’t be charged for the ambulance ride because the ride was due to the fact that there were no rooms at the first hospital.  Before they wheeled me out of the ambulance and into the second hospital, the EMT handed me a paper to sign, so they could “bill my insurance.”  What the?</p> <p><strong>6.</strong>  At the second hospital, the nurse admitted me into my room and did a ridiculously long assessment questionnaire.  When she got to “Occupation,” I said “Nurse.”  To which she said “WHAT?”  Again, I said “Nurse.”  And then she said, “Nobody told me that!”  So I said “Were they supposed to?”  And then, are you ready for this?  She said “Yes, I would have treated you differently.”  Then she looked at me like she couldn’t believe she just said that out loud.  Awk.Ward.</p> <p><strong>5.</strong>  At 3pm I told nurse OMG-I-can’t-believe-you’re-a-nurse that I hadn’t eaten since 5 am, and I was getting really hungry.  She told me she’d order me a tray, and then an hour later she came back and told me the person bringing me my tray had went home sick.  WTF?  Like he couldn’t finish making that one tray?  Asshole. </p> <p><strong>4.</strong>  Speaking of eating…  Like I said, this all started at work and apparently at some point in the day somebody accused me of being anorexic…like maybe that’s where all my problems stemmed from.  At first I was mad, but then I was happy, because if someone accuses you of being anorexic then you must be skinny!</p> <p><strong>3.</strong>  When I went to have my echocardiogram, a really hot medical student was my patient transport.  Some white nerdy kid brought me back, but then Future McDreamy came back again to take me to my MRI!</p> <p><strong>2.</strong>  While I was at my MRI a secret Santa dropped off a box of cookies from Cookies By Design!  They didn’t leave a note or anything, just dropped them off!  Two days later we finally found out it was a guy Shawn works with!  Best. Co-worker. Ever.</p> <p>Are you ready for the #1 thing?  The other things weren’t actually in order, but this is definitely my number one favorite thing that happened!</p> <p><strong>1.  My boss came to see me the first afternoon I was in the hospital and I told her I was so mad at her for making me come to the ER and embarrassed about the whole thing…and that I was never coming back to work again!  Apparently, she then called work and told my co-worker Becky who told my (real) boss to which he said:</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>“You tell Tami, that if she doesn’t come back to work, I’m going to tell everyone here that she pooped her pants when she left!”</strong></p> <p align="left">Ugh.  I couldn’t make that up if I wanted to.</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-56346193425886915252011-01-03T13:37:00.001-05:002011-01-03T13:37:35.301-05:00I’m every woman.<p>I’ve seen several bloggers doing re-caps of the last year, and I thought about doing that, but instead I’m going to do the year end wrap up questionnaire I did <a href="http://therothreport.blogspot.com/2010/01/ive-seen-million-faces-and-ive-rocked.html">last year</a>.  I got this survey from <a href="http://taleoftwocoins.blogspot.com/">Jen</a> last year, so feel free to copy and paste and play along!</p> <p><strong>1.  What did you do in 2010 that you had never done before?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Two things that immediately come to mind are that I did a Duathlon and I visited NYC with my mom!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXSwrhK4I/AAAAAAAACpE/OmvqSnU7ArY/s1600-h/DSC_0457%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0457" border="0" alt="DSC_0457" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXTHz2d8I/AAAAAAAACpI/oAZGXdA5JLw/DSC_0457_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="375" /></a></p> </blockquote> <p><strong>2.  Did you keep your New Year’s Resolution, and will you make more next year? </strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Last year when I answered this question, I didn’t say what my resolution was, but I will now. It was actually more of a goal, than a resolution.  My goal was to make a decision (and be at peace with that decision) on whether or not to have a third child.  And, I’m sad to say that hasn’t happened.  A week ago I probably would have told you we had reached a decision, but recent circumstances have changed that.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>3.  Did anyone close to you give birth?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Yes, in November my cousin <a href="http://runningwithsanders.blogspot.com/">Hillary</a> and her husband adopted sweet baby Colbie!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXToELoZI/AAAAAAAACpM/_-rSKMA_iSM/s1600-h/DSC_0645%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0645" border="0" alt="DSC_0645" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXUM3skII/AAAAAAAACpQ/aGjAIsOF5hU/DSC_0645_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="233" /></a></p> </blockquote> <p><strong>4.  Did anyone close to you die?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>I don’t think so, not that I can remember.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>5.  What countries did you visit?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Boohoo!  Still none, the same as last year.  I really need to get a passport, maybe that will inspire me!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>6.  What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Wow, I really can’t think of anything.  That’s good though, right?</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>7.  What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>The only day I can think of is St. Patrick’s Day, the day my Dad was in a car accident.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>8.  What was your biggest achievement of the year?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Hands down, training for and finishing the Duathlon!  All I wanted was to finish, so getting 1st place in my age group and 4th overall, was just a bonus!!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>9.  What was your biggest failure?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Twice in the last year I started to train for a half marathon, but never finished training or ran the race.  This is something I really want to do, so I count this as a gigantic failure!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>10.  Did you suffer illness or injury?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Pfft.  Up until last week, I could have answered this “no.”  Longish story short…last week I was in the hospital.  It was lamesauce.  I’m still not 100%, and it sounds like I never will be.  I’ve been hosting a pity party for the last week, wanna come?</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>11.  What was the best thing you bought?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Hello!  Keurig, need I say more?</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>12.  Whose behavior merited celebration?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Or course, Alivia and Lainey’s!  They never cease to amaze me at what smart, caring, and beautiful little girls they are growing up to be!  My husband’s behavior has also merited celebration.  I couldn’t ask for a better husband or father for my daughters, we are truly blessed!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXUbHtgVI/AAAAAAAACpU/isSB0k_ZS_A/s1600-h/DSC_6865%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6865" border="0" alt="DSC_6865" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXU0DOcgI/AAAAAAAACpY/If0wPyH5lWc/DSC_6865_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="233" /></a></p> </blockquote> <p><strong>13.  Whose behavior made you appalled or depressed?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>I plead the fifth on this one!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>14.  Where did most of your money go this year?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Other than my kids and bills…I’d have to say a lot money was spent on traveling, and having fun as a family!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>15.  What did you get really, really, really excited about?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>I’m always excited about vacations!  This year we went to Atlanta for spring break, stayed in a condo at Silver Lake for a week in July, went to Mackinac Island (with my whole family!) in August, and also in August my Mom and I went to NYC.  I wonder what adventures 2011 will hold?</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>16.  What song will always remind you of 2010?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>I hate answering this question!  My car radio is tuned to Radio Disney 95% of the time, so songs that remind of the last year are always teeny-bopper songs!  If I have to answer, I’m going to (sadly) say “One Less Lonely Girl” by Justin Bieber.  I’ll never forget the day I drove the girls to school and I told them if I heard “One Less Lonely Girl” one more time, then there was going to be one less lonely boy!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>17.  Compared to this time last year are you a) happier or sadder?  b) thinner or fatter?  c) richer or poorer?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>I think I am probably happier than I was last year, which is a wonderful thing!  As far as thinner or fatter, I can’t remember my exact weight from this time last year, but I’m guessing I’m probably within 2 lbs. of last years weight at this time.  As far as I know, we are no richer or poorer than we were last year. </p> </blockquote> <p><strong>18.  What do you wish you had done more of?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Last year I answered this question with “cooking,” and I’m going to do the same this year.  I would still really like to learn to cook better, maybe now that we have a new stove that will inspire me?  Don’t hold your breath on that one.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>19.  What do you wish you’d done less of?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Worrying about situations that are completely out of my control.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>20.  How did you spend Christmas?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>On Christmas Eve my parents went to church with us, and the girls sang in the Children’s Choir.  After church we came home and had a yummy dinner here.  On Christmas Day we opened presents at home, and then went to my parent’s house to spend the day with my whole family.  The day after Christmas we drove to Ohio to celebrate Christmas with Shawn’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  It was a very busy few days!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXVnFqrfI/AAAAAAAACpc/JCVDBBsQ1k4/s1600-h/DSC_0650%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0650" border="0" alt="DSC_0650" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXWKn_H6I/AAAAAAAACpg/z22bql03Lnk/DSC_0650_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="233" /></a></p> </blockquote> <p><strong>21.  Did you fall in love in 2010?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Fall in love, no.  Stay in love, yes.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>22.  What was your favorite TV program?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Modern Family!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>23.  Do you hate someone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Nope, I still dislike the same people!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>24.  What was the best book you read?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>The Help.  If you haven’t read this book yet, what are you waiting for?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXWaBbX3I/AAAAAAAACpk/YhUzvdOKXfw/s1600-h/help-book%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="help-book" border="0" alt="help-book" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXWsNa7bI/AAAAAAAACpo/fsiMdRa6ngY/help-book_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="159" height="240" /></a></p> </blockquote> <p><strong>25.  What was your greatest musical discovery?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Ugh.  Can we skip this question?  Ok, ok.  One new artist I’ve enjoyed is Kesha.  Some of her songs are definitely questionable, but they are good workout songs!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>26.  What did you want and get?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>At the risk of sounding spoiled:  a laptop, a Keurig, a sectional for the living room, a new road bike, a new oven (stainless steel baby!), Lady GaGa tickets, and a trip to NYC.  My husband did get a new car though, so I’m not the only spoiled one!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>27.  What did you want and not get?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Wow, probably nothing!  Wait a minute.  I am still waiting for that Toyota Solara convertible!  Hint, hint…</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>28.  What was your favorite film of the year?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Shawn and I really don’t go to the movies that often, so I am trying to think and I don’t know that we saw one single movie in the theatre this year.  I take that back, we did see a couple kids movies, but that doesn’t count.  </p> </blockquote> <p><strong>29.  What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>On my birthday I turned 31.  My birthday was on a Sunday, so we went to church and that afternoon we went out to eat with my parents and my Grandma.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXXMIYd6I/AAAAAAAACps/f3E6WYT1Isw/s1600-h/DSC_0540%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0540" border="0" alt="DSC_0540" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXXdhq6_I/AAAAAAAACpw/K6yE1zkAVlw/DSC_0540_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="233" /></a></p> </blockquote> <p><strong>30.  What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Wow, it’s hard to think of one thing.  If I have to choose something, I would say to be completely out of debt…like with school, car, and home loans.  </p> </blockquote> <p><strong>31.  How would you describe you personal fashion concept in 2010?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=milf">MILF</a>, duh.  Ok, after I typed that I looked it up in <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=milf">Urban Dictionary</a>, and it’s way funny!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>32.  What kept you sane?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Working out, and my husband.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>33.  What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Well, from the beginning of the year and into the spring I was watching this show called “Mercy,” which has apparently been cancelled.  Boohoo.  Anyway, at that time I was fancying Dawson, who was on that show.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXXphFF3I/AAAAAAAACp0/T_BlrgwGk0A/s1600-h/jamesvdb%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="jamesvdb" border="0" alt="jamesvdb" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXYN3eIVI/AAAAAAAACp4/nCNpliT5_rI/jamesvdb_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="228" /></a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong></strong></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>P.S.  Yes, I know his real name isn’t Dawson.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>34.  What political issue stirred you the most?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>To be honest with you, I’m not into politics.  At all.  But, as far as politics go, when we were on Mackinac Island my daughters (and niece & nephew’s head) got their picture taken with the governor of Michigan:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXZdOiw2I/AAAAAAAACp8/aI7u1EH6LTg/s1600-h/granholm%5B3%5D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="granholm" border="0" alt="granholm" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXahiHfBI/AAAAAAAACqE/qp9kXw9BreI/granholm_thumb%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="262" /></a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong></strong></p> </blockquote> <p>She was not a very popular governor by any means, but my daughters still thought it was neat to get their picture taken with someone (somewhat) famous.  I just realized that as of January 1, she’s not the governor anymore, but whatever.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>35.  Who did you miss?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>I miss seeing some of my friends from high school, and a few of the women I used to work with.  I also will always miss my Grandparents.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>36.  Who was the best new person you met?</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Last year, I answered this question with <a href="http://taleoftwocoins.blogspot.com/">“Jen”</a> another blogger who had become a friend through Facebook and email, but I had never actually met.  Well, in June I finally got the chance to meet Jen!  We had a great time going out to lunch and shopping, and she didn’t even kidnap me!  My Mom and Dad were seriously afraid of that, which is weird since I met my husband online.  Anyway, here are Jen and I:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXbE8mjnI/AAAAAAAACqI/NigYIol8WDQ/s1600-h/DSC_0433%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0433" border="0" alt="DSC_0433" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TSIXbba-cRI/AAAAAAAACqM/OPPBK2J4VpU/DSC_0433_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="233" /></a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>There are also many more women in the blogosphere that I have grown closer to over the last year, and am so thankful for all of you!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>37.  Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2010.</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Accepting that where you are is exactly where you are meant to be, is a very empowering thing!</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>38.  Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>“I’m every woman, it’s all in me…”   You can’t go wrong with old school Whitney Houston!</p></blockquote> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-9716688485060529732010-12-24T22:59:00.001-05:002010-12-24T22:59:37.714-05:00So this is Christmas…<p>I am sitting here drinking a glass of wine (even though I shouldn’t be), watching A Christmas Story, and having the least stressful Christmas Eve ever.  The presents are wrapped, the stockings are hung, and two little girls are snuggled in bed wearing their new Christmas PJs from <a href="http://therothreport.blogspot.com/2010/12/return-of-feel-good-friday.html">Buddy the elf</a>.  </p> <p>This was just going to be a brief post wishing you a Merry Christmas, but then I realized I never showed you our Christmas card!  I mentioned previously that Shawn didn’t like the idea of “Fall” pictures on a Christmas card, but after 3 tries, I finally found a card he approved of:  </p> <p align="center">(Front)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TRVsH15SBkI/AAAAAAAACo0/wGEDucYmiUA/s1600-h/Christmas%20Card%202010%20Front%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Christmas Card 2010 Front" border="0" alt="Christmas Card 2010 Front" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TRVsIXpYv7I/AAAAAAAACo4/LH_76C6Ia4A/Christmas%20Card%202010%20Front_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="318" /></a></p> <p align="center">(Inside)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TRVsJKZCVoI/AAAAAAAACo8/kCSeSNWvEUQ/s1600-h/edited%20Christmas%20Card%202010%20Inside%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="edited Christmas Card 2010 Inside" border="0" alt="edited Christmas Card 2010 Inside" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TRVsJpIvvRI/AAAAAAAACpA/jID53TPoY60/edited%20Christmas%20Card%202010%20Inside_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="651" /></a></p> <p>What do you think?  When I posted our pictures from the photo shoot, I asked which ones you thought I should use, and I honestly think I ended up using almost all the ones you chose!</p> <p>I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, and that Santa brings you everything you deserve!  Next week, I’m hoping to be back with a post on why I will never call this blog boring again or wish for something exciting to happen!</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-15406765688267002762010-12-13T19:16:00.001-05:002010-12-13T19:16:46.006-05:00That’s What She Said.<p align="center">If you don’t watch The Office, or know the whole “That’s what she said” joke, you might want to just leave now.  This probably won’t make any sense.  Or, you could check this video out:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 506px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:ba09e1a2-88e1-4987-b642-417bc1816093" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="96969d9e-ce8b-48c8-8ce6-406ce7eaa3cc" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1G6q3BeD60" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQa3bX-XbnI/AAAAAAAACog/-mW1iAWx85A/videoa53eefbfcc6e%5B36%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('96969d9e-ce8b-48c8-8ce6-406ce7eaa3cc'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"506\" height=\"282\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/T1G6q3BeD60?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/T1G6q3BeD60?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"506\" height=\"282\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="center">I seriously can’t watch that without peeing my pants a little bit.  “That’s what she said” jokes are one of my favorite parts of the show.  The problem with “that’s what she said” is that you have to use it in the appropriate company.  For instance, when I say it at work, nobody gets it.  It’s very sad.  And it makes me look like a perv.  Luckily, at home I can use it, and I do.  Enter Saturday night:</p> <p align="center"><strong>Me</strong> (to Shawn):  “So, where is all this snow you said we were going to get?”</p> <p align="center"><strong>Shawn:</strong>  “I’m just telling you what I heard.  There’s going to be 4-6 inches tonight and 6-8 inches tomorrow.”</p> <p align="center"><strong>Me:</strong>  “That’s what she said.”</p> <p align="center">Side note:  Yesterday he told me again we were going to get 6-8 inches, to which I told him I was still waiting for the 4-6 inches from last night.</p> <p align="center">And on Sunday afternoon:</p> <p align="center"><strong>Shawn:</strong>  “The timer went off for your <a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/chocolate-chip-cheese-ball/Detail.aspx">cheese ball</a>.”</p> <p align="center"><strong>Me:</strong>  “Ok, but it’s not quite stiff enough yet.”</p> <p align="center"><strong>Me </strong>(beating Shawn to it):  “That’s what she said.”</p> <p> </p> <p align="center">What in the world is going to happen to The Office this spring when Michael leaves?  I may have to stop watching.  He makes the whole show!</p> <p>P.S.  Click the link to the cheese ball, it’s crazy delicious!</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-46682944350687345742010-12-12T20:30:00.001-05:002010-12-12T20:30:43.866-05:00This. Is. Boring.<p>A couple people asked me what Shawn and I did for our anniversary, and I can’t believe I forgot to tell you!  Last weekend the girls stayed at my parent’s house, and Shawn and I went to a Michael Buble concert.  We’ve actually seen him in concert before, but this performance was even better!  He has such a beautiful voice and he’s so entertaining that even if you didn’t know how he was, you could go to his concert and still have an amazing time.  So, if you ever get the chance to see him, GO!  </p> <p align="center">A group called <a href="http://www.naturallyseven.com/">Naturally 7</a> opened for him, and they were awesome!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3Jtj22NI/AAAAAAAACno/G25HAr2mSOM/s1600-h/DSC_0570%5B14%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0570" border="0" alt="DSC_0570" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3KG3-mNI/AAAAAAAACns/TVvg8vmBCOY/DSC_0570_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="317" /></a></p> <p align="center">They sing everything a cappella and also use vocal play and beat-boxing to make it sound like they have instruments.  I’m telling you, it was seriously amazeballs!</p> <p align="center">Here are a few pictures of Michael (who was my free pass that night, just in case!) :</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3KkIHpxI/AAAAAAAACnw/I5bodfR4U-w/s1600-h/DSC_0572%5B14%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0572" border="0" alt="DSC_0572" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3LP_TS3I/AAAAAAAACn0/Zm4mw2sGy8g/DSC_0572_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="450" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3L1Ey-EI/AAAAAAAACn4/YAZS3HTpCEw/s1600-h/DSC_0579%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0579" border="0" alt="DSC_0579" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3MJN9zYI/AAAAAAAACn8/AMuQzYxjAWU/DSC_0579_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="317" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3Mi6-GdI/AAAAAAAACoA/dImjIQ8Vtu0/s1600-h/DSC_0585%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0585" border="0" alt="DSC_0585" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3NOLQGnI/AAAAAAAACoE/WU6BVzzSa84/DSC_0585_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="450" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Onto this weekend!  As I mentioned on Friday, Saturday night we went to see The Nutcracker with my Mom and my sister and her daughters.  I had never been to The Nutcracker before, so I really had no idea what to expect.  I think the girls really enjoyed it, especially since it was put on by a youth ballet, they loved seeing all the little girls (and boys) in costumes.  I liked it, but I thought it was a little long, and I was starting to get bored at the end.  The best part of the final act was when my niece who was sitting next to me blew out a HUGE fart!  I may have laughed, and it may have been inappropriate.</p> <p align="center">Here are the girls and I at home before the show:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3NpJirkI/AAAAAAAACoI/n0W7Ida7jNc/s1600-h/DSC_0600%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0600" border="0" alt="DSC_0600" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3OD8nZnI/AAAAAAAACoM/v2g2A9Sg-Zc/DSC_0600_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="450" /></a></p> <p align="center">They’re actually wearing their Christmas dresses from last year!  </p> <p align="center">I didn’t take any pictures during the ballet, but I did take a few of the girls waiting for it to start.  As usual, my nieces refused to smile!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3OlJ9TAI/AAAAAAAACoQ/KdBZIJ9T5Jw/s1600-h/DSC_0604%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0604" border="0" alt="DSC_0604" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3PGd4fdI/AAAAAAAACoU/ljOqDjptCMg/DSC_0604_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="450" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3P-Zow2I/AAAAAAAACoY/P-xC79Z74RI/s1600-h/DSC_0605%5B12%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0605" border="0" alt="DSC_0605" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQV3QOUbMRI/AAAAAAAACoc/3nNapAajYGg/DSC_0605_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="317" /></a></p> <p align="center">Alivia’s toothless grin cracks me up!</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">Well, I’m off to wrap some more presents and watch <a href="http://www.eonline.com/on/shows/bridalplasty/index.html">Bridalplasty</a>.  Is anyone else watching that?  It’s a total train wreck, but I’m addicted.  Last week Shawn watched it with me, and he actually started praying for the rapture during it, that’s how bad it is!</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">P.S.  Yes, my life and my blog posts are boring lately.  I’m praying for some crazy funny shit to happen so I don’t have to keep blogging about lost lunchboxes and farts.</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-58033195513709454592010-12-09T21:27:00.001-05:002010-12-09T21:27:02.918-05:00The return of Feel Good Friday?<p align="center"><a href="http://www.thegirlnextdoorgrowsup.com/"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="logo3-larger-1" border="0" alt="logo3-larger-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQGP55Rj0NI/AAAAAAAACnM/tr3JoHylYGc/logo3-larger-1%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240" /></a></p> <p align="center">Wow, when was the last time I did a <a href="http://www.thegirlnextdoorgrowsup.com/">Feel Good Friday</a>?  I could go back and look, but let’s face it, I’m too lazy.  I’m actually forcing myself to do a FGF this week, because I’ve had a really shitty week.  Can we say smoke and oil spewing out of the hood of my beautiful Acadia this morning?  Can we say dead battery the night before?  Can we say 5 inches of snow on it’s way tonight?  Oh wait, that could be a good thing…please baby Jesus let there be a snow day!</p> <p align="center">Moving right along.  The positive, we’re focusing on the positive, right?  Here we ago…in no particular order, here are a 5 things that made me feel good this week:</p> <p align="center"><strong>1.</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQGP68nFzEI/AAAAAAAACnQ/AebdIIkxuCE/s1600-h/teeth%5B2%5D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="teeth" border="0" alt="teeth" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQGP74j5atI/AAAAAAAACnU/0wv9NNB8dyo/teeth_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="400" height="298" /></a></p> <p align="center">On Sunday morning Alivia’s second top tooth fell out!  Ok, I admit, I pulled it out.  But, she told me to!  I have witnesses.  Right after it happened I played the “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth” song, and she was so excited about it!  On another note, playing the tooth fairy is creepy.  Just sayin.</p> <p align="center"><strong>2.</strong></p> <p align="center">Speaking of Christmas songs, my children are currently obsessed with the song “I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus.”  They heard it in my car last week, and they were confused and laughing hysterically all at the same time.  They’re still trying to figure out why in the whole wide world Mommy would kiss Santa Claus!</p> <p align="center"><strong>3.</strong></p> <p align="center">Meet the newest member of our family:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQGP8GdYJEI/AAAAAAAACnY/ZGdJY_VN_xQ/s1600-h/the%2Belf%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="the elf" border="0" alt="the elf" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQGP8olnUrI/AAAAAAAACnc/7psw2Pmglvk/the%2Belf_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="400" /></a></p> <p align="center">I heard about the Elf on the Shelf tradition last year from <a href="http://semislackermom.blogspot.com/">Semi-Slacker Mom</a>, and now we have started it this year.  The girls named our elf “Buddy” after the elf in the movie “Elf.”  The best thing about Buddy is that he totally creeps Shawn out!  I have to admit, Buddy’s eyes do seem to mysteriously follow you, maybe he’s possessed?</p> <p align="center"><strong>4.</strong></p> <p align="center">Today after I picked Alivia up from school, she told me “Mom, just so you know, Lainey lost her gloves on the bus this morning.  She already got them back, because she realized right away that she lost them.  But, I thought you should know she lost them.”</p> <p align="center">  Oh silly Alivia!  Are you trying to take the attention off the fact that you have lost your lunch box, your boots, and broken your shoe all in the same week?  Nice try sister!</p> <p align="center"><strong>5.</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQGP9HSFYaI/AAAAAAAACng/JWD1EJaCz6M/s1600-h/nycb_nutcracker1%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="nycb_nutcracker1" border="0" alt="nycb_nutcracker1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TQGP9djUU7I/AAAAAAAACnk/aHyD058Z0VU/nycb_nutcracker1_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="312" /></a></p> <p align="center">This weekend my Mom is taking my girls and I, and my sister and her daughters to see The Nutcracker.  It’s put on by a children’s ballet, so I know the girls will all love it!  I’m so excited!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">P.S.  I’ve been a totally bad blogger and commenter lately, I promise to try harder!  Ok, maybe not.  But, please forgive me!</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-82134424101755310512010-12-07T00:01:00.000-05:002010-12-07T00:01:00.634-05:00A season of change.<p>Today is my 8th wedding anniversary!  There are so many cliché things I could say about how wonderful my husband is, and how just being with him makes me a better person.  But, I’m not going to say that.  Anyone who has been married (or in a committed relationship) can tell you there are many different “seasons” to a marriage.  If I were to label this last year of our marriage, I would call it a season of “change.”</p> <p>A year ago something happened in our lives, and in our marriage, and it forced us to make a difficult decision.  We all know the Bible verse that states “wives be submissive to your husbands,” right?  Well, if you know me, then you know I am not submissive…to anyone.  But, a year ago, I gave in.  For the first time in 7 years, I put my trust in God and in my husband that he would make the right decision for our family.  His choice was not the easy choice, or the popular choice…but a year later, I can see it was the best choice.  It was the best choice for us, and for our marriage.</p> <p>That may sound strange, saying it was “the best choice for our marriage.”  What about our kids?  Well, I’ve come to realize over the last year that by putting our marriage first, we <em>are</em> putting our children first.          </p> <p align="center"><strong>Happy Anniversary Shawn!</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TP2I79ECj6I/AAAAAAAACnE/Hzu7aDJrD-c/s1600-h/DSC_6970%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6970" border="0" alt="DSC_6970" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TP2I8jepjoI/AAAAAAAACnI/RCvQNbmBFDo/DSC_6970_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="262" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>“All that I’m after is a life full of laughter</em></p> <p align="center"><em>As long as I’m laughin’ with you</em></p> <p align="center"><em>I’m thinkin’ that all that still matters is love ever after</em></p> <p align="center"><em>After the life we’ve been through</em></p> <p align="center"><em>‘Cause I know there’s no life after you.”</em></p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-17442432389339982982010-11-28T22:41:00.001-05:002010-11-28T22:41:28.681-05:00Confessions of a first time Black Friday shopper.<p>My Mom and I have gone shopping on Black Friday for the last 5 years or so, but we usually never leave the house until at least 8 am.  Hey, I never said we were hardcore.  So, there we were on Thanksgiving night (around 11 pm) when my Mom says “Let’s go right now.”  Wha wha what?  I had been awake since 8 that morning, and my Mom had been up since 6, and no one had taken a nap during the day.  This sounded like a bad idea.  And then my Mom said “Decide right now.  Either we leave now, or I’m going to bed.”  What the?  I didn’t want to be the weakest link, so of course I said yes.  </p> <p align="center">My Mom made a pot of coffee, I gathered up my coupons, my Dad told us not to go because he thought we had been drinking, and Shawn laughed at us.  But, we were off:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TPMg5DQnidI/AAAAAAAACm8/qxXbHCqn-oo/s1600-h/DSC_0560%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0560" border="0" alt="DSC_0560" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TPMg5YxqfzI/AAAAAAAACnA/kB7cP5gcbDE/DSC_0560_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p align="center">Did we have a plan?  No, but we had coffee and coupons, what more do you need?  So, here is what I learned (in no particular order):</p> <ul> <li>Just because Toys R Us opens at 10pm, doesn’t mean you will be able to get in at 12:30 am when you get there.  Everybody and their brother will also be at Toys R Us since it’s one of the only things open! </li> <li>People who wait outside of Target and Best Buy for days before Black Friday totally look homeless. </li> <li>Meijer will never look so good at 1 am when there is nowhere else to go.  </li> <li>Just because Meijer starts putting their Black Friday signs out at 2 am doesn’t mean they will give you that price.  Apparently their sale started at 5 am, however there was nothing on their Black Friday signs in the store stating “5 am.”  Meijer, I’m totally calling SHENANIGANS on that one! </li> <li>Bring warm clothes, because even though you may not plan on standing in a line outside the store, you may do it anyway for the love of being one of the first people in Kohl’s on Black Friday. </li> <li>Drinking coffee + standing outside in very cold air = the need to pee a lot. </li> <li>All 250 people who race into Kohl’s at 3 am will be ready to check out at the Exact. Same. Time. </li> <li>Kohl’s is very good at product placement.  When I got in line I had no gifts for Shawn, but when I finally got to the cash register two hours later I had 4!  Fry Daddy’s and Quesadilla makers never looked so good! </li> <li>Sometimes it doesn’t matter that the mall is open at 5 am.  When the delirium sets in, it’s best to stop buying. </li> <li>Don’t bother ordering a big breakfast when you finally make it to Bob Evans.  You will be too tired to eat it, and you won’t even have the energy to complain about wasting $17 on burned toast, fatty bacon, and cold potatoes. </li> <li>Don’t go to Kmart after breakfast just because it’s across the street and because sitting at breakfast has given you a small amount of energy.  Kmart is almost always a bad idea, and Kmart in the ghetto is a very bad idea! </li> <li>After being up for over 24 hours straight, seeing someone fall in the Kmart parking lot will seem like the funniest thing in the whole wide world. </li> <li>If and when you make it home, do not look in the mirror.  I promise you, you have never looked uglier.  Or maybe that was just me? </li> </ul> <p>So, there you have it.  I came, I saw, I busted doors.  And two days later, I’m still recovering.</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-59284138447098262592010-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:002010-11-22T08:00:04.642-05:00Don’t mess with women and shoes.<p>One weekend in March, just before spring break, we took the girls shoe shopping because they just <em>had</em> to have a pair of Sketchers Twinkle Toes.  While we were shopping Shawn said to me “I could use a new pair of black shoes.”  So, he goes to the men’s shoe department, tries several pairs on, and finally decides on something like this:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOnKmkzU4_I/AAAAAAAACmw/reZwKI8W3vE/s1600-h/shoe2.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="shoe" border="0" alt="shoe" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOnKnLurakI/AAAAAAAACm4/Jv8nUhxaBx4/shoe_thumb2.png?imgmax=800" width="300" height="240" /></a></p> <p>That may not be the exact shoe, but you get the idea.  A plain black leather shoe, <em><strong>with</strong></em> laces.  When he decided on that shoe, I asked him several times “Are you sure?  You’re sure you want a shoe <em>with</em> laces?”  Yes, he said he was sure.  Again I said “You realize those have laces?  I’m afraid you won’t wear them since they have laces.”  And then he got all huffy, insisting that yes, he would wear the shoes!</p> <p>It’s not that my husband doesn’t know how to tie shoes, I assure you he does<em> (I think).</em>  But the fact is, men are lazy.  If they are standing at the door in the morning, and there are two pair of shoes staring at them, one with laces and one without, they would choose the pair without.  There could be a 20 dollar bill in the pair with laces, and my husband would probably still choose the other pair.  Hell, he might even choose a pair of Velcro shoes over the ones with laces!</p> <p>What is my point?  My point is this, my husband doesn’t wear the shoes.  Not only does he not wear the shoes, but the slip-on ones that he has continued to wear are now totally disgusting.  I’ve asked him several times to wear the other shoes, I’ve even said “Can’t you at least wear the new pair to church?”  And he says he will, but he doesn’t.</p> <p>So, on Saturday afternoon we went to church to get pictures taken for the new directory, and what do you think Shawn was wearing on his feet?  Do I need to answer that question.  I thought about saying something, but then I changed my mind.  I was formulating a plan.  I decided that on Sunday morning, if Shawn didn’t wear the new black shoes to church, that I was going to take the old pair.</p> <p>Sunday morning came, and I heard he and the girls at the door getting their shoes on.  I was upstairs, and the whole time I was saying to myself “Make the right choice Shawn.  Wear the new shoes!  Don’t make me be a bitch.”  After they got in the car, I hurried downstairs.  The old shoes weren’t by the door, but I was still hopeful so I quick looked in the closet.  And there they were.  Not only were the new shoes still in the closet, but the laces were even tied.  Tied laces?  Yes, because even if he does wear shoes with laces, he still does his best to slip them on and off without untying them.  <em>Sigh.</em></p> <p>This could mean war, but I’m ready.  Besides, since the old pair of shoes is gone, he really can’t put up much of a fight.  Moral of the story:  Don’t mess with women and shoes.</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-82679044465887672442010-11-19T07:10:00.001-05:002010-11-19T07:10:27.826-05:00For the love of chocolate.<p>Earlier this month when I got my Keurig coffee maker <em>and then</em> a laptop for my birthday, I thought my life was complete.  Seriously.  I said to myself “Self, this is as good as it’s going to get!”  But, I was wrong.</p> <p>If you know me, then you know I have a love of all things chocolate.  I can’t help it, it’s actually in my blood.  My Dad seriously eats Mounds candy bars for breakfast, pinky swear! I digress.  The saddest thing about my chocolate addiction is not the fact that it requires me to workout out like a maniac, but that my favorite candy is only available for 2 (maybe 3) months out of the year.  These limitations cause me to hoard candy, and slap the hands of anyone who dares to touch the bag.  Yes, that includes small children.  What could be so delicious?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOZpIDB39XI/AAAAAAAACmc/5lPCrZys1kc/s1600-h/cadbury-mini-eggs5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="cadbury-mini-eggs" border="0" alt="cadbury-mini-eggs" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOZpJ1AsWZI/AAAAAAAACmg/aXyCaElgZOE/cadbury-mini-eggs_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="300" /></a>  </p> <p>Since it’s only November, we have at least 3 more months until we see these on the shelves <em>(and I secretly eat them in my bathroom to avoid sharing)</em>, right?  Wrong!  Wrong?  Yes, I said wrong!  Yesterday, <a href="http://nameswontbechanged.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-listen-sometimes-but-this-is-one-of.html">Ange</a> made the greatest discovery of all time, behold:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOZpK5tRDxI/AAAAAAAACmk/xvmAHBlx2HU/s1600-h/photo134.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="photo(13)" border="0" alt="photo(13)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOZpMNLofHI/AAAAAAAACmo/5VQSe7GLlX4/photo13_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="300" /></a></p> <p>No, people you are not seeing things!  Those are Christmas Cadbury Mini Eggs!!  Amazeballs.  Seriously Amazeballs.  My life is now complete.  But, it gets even better!  When <a href="http://nameswontbechanged.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-listen-sometimes-but-this-is-one-of.html">Ange</a> realized the love for Cadbury Mini Eggs stretched the blogosphere far and wide, she decided to spread the Hanukkah cheer, and give some away!  No, I’m not Jewish, but <a href="http://nameswontbechanged.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-listen-sometimes-but-this-is-one-of.html">Ange</a> is, and those are just details anyway.  Anyjew.  She is giving away 5 bags!!  So, click on her fabulous button to find out how you could possibly win these 5 bags of chocolatey goodness.</p> <p><a href="http://nameswontbechanged.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-listen-sometimes-but-this-is-one-of.html"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Angebutton" border="0" alt="Angebutton" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOZpMg3xmpI/AAAAAAAACms/3M4aqFi_vs4/Angebutton4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="135" height="160" /></a></p> <p>P.S.  If you enter because I sent you there, and you win, can I have a bag?  Just one?  Pretty please with Cadbury Mini Eggs on top?</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-57175822744289422762010-11-16T17:53:00.001-05:002010-11-16T17:53:33.560-05:00Pictures and a message from my soap box.<p>I’m finally ready to show you the rest of our family photos which were taken in October!  Are you excited?  You know you are.  Before I go any further though, I would like to ask one thing of you.  If you would like to leave comments saying that my outfit is ugly or my makeup is bad or my husband is old and bald, feel free!  However, please don’t leave comments attacking my children.  I realize that my blog is public, but everyone who reads my blog is an adult, and I don’t think as an adult you ever have the right to make fun of children.  Especially children as beautiful as mine!  Now, let me jump down off my soap box, so we can get to the pictures: <br /></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLI8eKBxI/AAAAAAAACkg/TXvYmccsRBI/s1600-h/DSC_6757%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6757" border="0" alt="DSC_6757" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLJ519yoI/AAAAAAAACko/0M6UEMLHeQY/DSC_6757_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLK13ND8I/AAAAAAAACks/UR0IMpRSXlc/s1600-h/DSC_6760%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6760" border="0" alt="DSC_6760" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLLX0l4UI/AAAAAAAACkw/ebMATU3mbn8/DSC_6760_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="265" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLMicKxMI/AAAAAAAACk0/MGfaBQarHZM/s1600-h/DSC_6789%5B12%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6789" border="0" alt="DSC_6789" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLMyIuArI/AAAAAAAACk4/RnEuwFGYxBY/DSC_6789_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLNqG8qkI/AAAAAAAACk8/Yu1R6HaiBzk/s1600-h/DSC_6783%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6783" border="0" alt="DSC_6783" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLN7AaCJI/AAAAAAAAClA/BJxZGi6HHjg/DSC_6783_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLOQRhpuI/AAAAAAAAClE/q7R_cz51tG4/s1600-h/DSC_6800%5B12%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6800" border="0" alt="DSC_6800" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLO-55DwI/AAAAAAAAClI/BNzuGHMCxOY/DSC_6800_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="450" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLP95qg2I/AAAAAAAAClM/C9OJwQSYjNQ/s1600-h/DSC_6821%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6821" border="0" alt="DSC_6821" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLQQeZcFI/AAAAAAAAClQ/fh4JFxjFd20/DSC_6821_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLQngAk6I/AAAAAAAAClU/ItHDW2ei0wQ/s1600-h/DSC_6839%5B12%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6839" border="0" alt="DSC_6839" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLRfzI3AI/AAAAAAAAClY/eNlv6t2J6Xk/DSC_6839_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLR6DxxvI/AAAAAAAAClc/TyYThnse0qE/s1600-h/DSC_6843%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6843" border="0" alt="DSC_6843" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLSgCVpgI/AAAAAAAAClg/qAi3Z169efE/DSC_6843_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLTGs7xMI/AAAAAAAAClk/6r_6qWvTXxI/s1600-h/DSC_6865%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6865" border="0" alt="DSC_6865" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLTlxzmWI/AAAAAAAAClo/3fhb2hbwIZE/DSC_6865_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLUaa5P8I/AAAAAAAACls/nA0KETWYFh4/s1600-h/DSC_6875%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6875" border="0" alt="DSC_6875" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLUgSGwZI/AAAAAAAAClw/M1Ivd2iAwaI/DSC_6875_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLVnfikVI/AAAAAAAACl0/CXED44tecZk/s1600-h/DSC_6929%5B15%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6929" border="0" alt="DSC_6929" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLWB4AaoI/AAAAAAAACl4/nxMYFdCA0oI/DSC_6929_thumb%5B12%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLW4zcguI/AAAAAAAACl8/cYUiw9vm1g4/s1600-h/DSC_6961%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6961" border="0" alt="DSC_6961" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLXX9rk6I/AAAAAAAACmA/9oysiG9w_sE/DSC_6961_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLYZ08EzI/AAAAAAAACmE/HWjUFZaloVM/s1600-h/DSC_6970%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6970" border="0" alt="DSC_6970" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLY-GS3iI/AAAAAAAACmI/Fv6ZUxR2GPo/DSC_6970_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="262" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLZ3_s-MI/AAAAAAAACmM/Xf7fhkd6eV0/s1600-h/DSC_6980%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6980" border="0" alt="DSC_6980" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLaTKEO0I/AAAAAAAACmQ/8_Fxl1vNq6M/DSC_6980_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="450" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLa8OTUwI/AAAAAAAACmU/bdlo4xFEPTc/s1600-h/DSC_6982%5B12%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_6982" border="0" alt="DSC_6982" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOMLbAGFSlI/AAAAAAAACmY/LNIZL1-yXfw/DSC_6982_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="267" /></a></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">These are just a handful of my favorite pictures, but there are many more!  If you’d like to see them all, you can check them out on Facebook.  The photos were taken by a friend of mine, she does a fabulous job and is very reasonably priced.  If you live in my area, be sure to check her out at <a href="http://tracyboriginals.com/">Tracy B. Originals</a>.</p> <p align="left">P.S.  Which is your favorite family photo?  I had our Christmas card all designed and ready to order when Shawn said “I don’t like the idea of a Fall picture on a card that says Merry Christmas.”  What the?  Who said he even got a vote?</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-16131942631515918522010-11-14T20:40:00.001-05:002010-11-14T20:40:12.936-05:00Weekend Update and Monday Minute with Powdered Toast?<p align="center">This weekend we went to Ohio for Shawn’s family Thanksgiving celebration.  The girls love going to Ohio, and we always have a great time, but I really don’t have a lot to report on.  The highlights of the trip were:  Alivia puked on the way down, Lainey and I got to hold new baby twins, and Alivia injured her face <em>(again).</em>  Fortunately for all of us, I don’t have photographic evidence of the vomit incident, but here are the other two pictures:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOCPaa2jGtI/AAAAAAAACkQ/6Pl2671zdmM/s1600-h/DSC_0542%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0542" border="0" alt="DSC_0542" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOCPb1HqEiI/AAAAAAAACkU/lq91MHgU3Z0/DSC_0542_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="300" /></a></p> <p align="center">I’m holding Hope and Lainey has JoHanna.  Lainey loved holding the babies, she would have held them all night if she could have!</p> <p align="center">And here’s Alivia:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOCPdXZnjWI/AAAAAAAACkY/y6AL1LQYtmA/s1600-h/DSC_0546%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0546" border="0" alt="DSC_0546" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TOCPee4aFyI/AAAAAAAACkc/iX2iKrIGD2E/DSC_0546_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="300" /></a></p> <p align="center">Sigh.  It actually looks worse than that in person.  I told Shawn I was afraid someone would call CPS on us!  We didn’t see it happen, but according to Alivia she was getting a piggy-back-ride from her cousin and she went head first over his shoulders and landed face first into the carpet.  Did I mention we have to get pictures taken for the church directory next Saturday?  Do you think it’ll be gone?</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">And now onto <a href="http://reviewsyoucantuse.blogspot.com/2010/11/monday-minute-my-turn.html">Monday Minute</a>, which apparently is hosted by <a href="http://reviewsyoucantuse.blogspot.com/">Powdered Toast Man</a> this week.</p> <p align="center"><strong>1) Would you rather be stuck on a bumpy roller coaster while having to pee extremely bad OR be stuck on a crowded elevator with really bad gas with co-workers?</strong></p> <p align="center">Most definitely the bumpy roller coaster.  The farts would just be embarrassing, and I know quite a few of my co-workers would call me out on it!</p> <p align="center"><strong>2) What is the one thing you miss most from your childhood?</strong></p> <p align="center">Probably just not having any responsibility.  Isn’t it nice when someone else pays all the bills, puts the food on the table, and buys you toys?</p> <p align="center"><strong>3) If aliens exist, what do you think they look like? (describe)</strong></p> <p align="center">For lack of a better answer, I’m going to say they would look like the <a href="http://reviewsyoucantuse.blogspot.com/">Powdered Toast Man</a>.</p> <p align="center"><strong>4) Would you rather discuss your body weight or your salary with people that you know?</strong></p> <p align="center">Honestly, I don’t care.  I would discuss either.  However, according to my boss discussing your salary is grounds for dismissal, and I wouldn’t want that.  So, I weigh 116 pounds.  Gasp, I can’t believe I just told you that.  Now that I think about it, did I even have to answer that question?</p> <p align="center"><strong>5) If you were stuck in a predicament like in the movie Alive, could you revert to cannibalism? If so, how would you feel about eating your deceased friends and family?</strong></p> <p align="center">No way, not ever.  I couldn’t do it.  Just thinking about it makes me gag.</p> <p align="center"><strong>6) People that are born blind, what do they dream about? Sounds?</strong></p> <p align="center">I have no idea, and now this question is really bothering me.  It’s a mystery.  Maybe they dream about eating chocolate or smelling babies?</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6413201622622453585.post-42372364913847947792010-11-12T19:15:00.001-05:002010-11-12T19:15:55.817-05:00Did somebody say FREE?<p align="center">You know I love a great deal, so when I heard that <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/">Shutterfly</a> was giving away 50 free Holiday cards to bloggers, I was more than excited!!  Have you used <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/">Shutterfly</a> before?  They don’t just develop and store photos for you, they also have photo books, cards & stationary, calendars, and oodles of photo gifts to choose from!</p> <p align="center">I already know our Holiday card will use photos from our Fall family photo shoot, but deciding what card to order will be difficult!  </p> <p align="center">I could choose <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/with-love-chartreuse-christmas-5x7-folded-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93495">this one</a> which allows for multiple photos:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TN3Ynl8_MEI/AAAAAAAACj4/5W69UhSZsmM/s1600-h/shutterfly1%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="shutterfly1" border="0" alt="shutterfly1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TN3YoxPD00I/AAAAAAAACj8/kyA92VD3tp8/shutterfly1_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="288" /></a></p> <p align="center">My favorite part of this card is the initial of your family’s last name!  Who doesn’t love a monogram?</p> <p align="center">I might also choose <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/initially-yours-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93479">one</a> using pictures of just the girls:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TN3YpvOxouI/AAAAAAAACkA/_KcOybfhZbU/s1600-h/shutterfly3%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="shutterfly3" border="0" alt="shutterfly3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TN3Yq0v_KHI/AAAAAAAACkE/7ab1Y5SWCAA/shutterfly3_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="347" /></a></p> <p align="center">I know, I know, another one with the initial.  What can I say, I just love that idea!</p> <p align="center">Of course, I could also do a simple <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/merry-merry-swirl-christmas-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93479">one</a> with just a family photo:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TN3YsPPQ4uI/AAAAAAAACkI/F0xwMf-W9tU/s1600-h/shutterfly4%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="shutterfly4" border="0" alt="shutterfly4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oyXg9jv3IVM/TN3YuCS_4DI/AAAAAAAACkM/xSj_5DEUHYc/shutterfly4_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="350" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">You’ll have to wait to find out which card I chose, but if you’d like to get 50 free cards of your own, click <a href="http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/">here</a> to find out how!</p> <p align="center">Have a great weekend everyone, see you on Monday!</p> RN Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843277989677810339noreply@blogger.com7