Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Here's how the past week went here....

I did not lose my "blog virginity" by starting my first ever blog this past week. I did not stay up all hours of the night adding buttons, links, pictures, and widgets. I did not continually look at my blog over and over to see how many hits I got.

I did not totally overspend when it came to buying matching outfits for the girls for our trip back East at the end of the month. They really do not need to look adorably cute in matching blue & white checkered tops with matching capris. They really did not need the matching blue plaid dresses or the matching Old Navy 2-pc. capri sets. I really do not love having girls and all of the adorable outfits that are out there to choose from. I will never shop for them again.

I did not give my husband a hard time all weekend about buying meat out of the back of truck on Friday night. (See "The Meat Man Cometh" post from Saturday). I did not agree to grill said meat for Sunday's dinner.

I did not plan out a detailed to-do list for the week. I did not color-code everything by family member. I am not obessesive-compulsive about keeping my to-do list and Daytimer with me at all times.

I did not make yet another trip to the bookstore to buy yet another spiritual/religion book. I did not spend over an hour looking at all the book piles throughout my house and mutter that I still have nothing to read.

Who promised her husband that now that she started blogging she would never post such honest things about their family life for all to see -- NOT ME!

By the way, make sure you head on to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ and check out MckMama's site!! I certainly DID NOT immediately fall in love with this awesome momma and her family!

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The Meat Man Cometh.....

As of last night, I really had no inspiration to write this morning. I had full intentions of just riding out the weekend to see what would come about.....what blogging fodder my Toy Box Creators would provide me. Turns out that I didn't have to wait long -- and that the blogging inspiration would come from my Marine and NOT my Toy Box Creators! But what I am about to share with you is a totally true story....and the names have NOT been changed to protect the innocent. Oh no....my Marine is going into the blogging hall of fame for this one!

Last night, after the girls are in bed, I was comfortably sitting on my couch, watching a DVR'd episode of CSI, and happily creating my little blog world. Hubby was outside with our two dogs, smoking one of his birthday cigars, when I heard chaos break loose with the dogs just barking and barking -- their subtle announcement of "Hey, someone's here! Someone's here!"

About 5 minutes later, I hear my husband running down the stairs to ask me - "Honey, do you have any money? The Meat Man is here!" Ummmm......ok........

(The Meat Man you may be wondering is a guy and a friend who drive around a refridgerated truck full of meat. Not the most ideal shopping experience for my meat needs, of course. Think - dark alley, guy in trenchcoat with a gravelly voice - "Hey, you wanna buy a box of meat?")

My overly excited husband proceeds to tell me that he can get us a whole box of steaks for $25! And did you know that The Meat Man gave us a 50% discount because we're military?! (In the meantime, I'm thinking - did you think that he's giving us the discount because these steaks came from the cows in the pasture next to the pigs that generated the Swine Flu?!?)

He just seemed so genuinely happy with this deal, I thought - oh what the heck -- play along and let him buy his meat off the back of a truck. Mentally, I told myself when he wants to cook these steaks, I'll be having salad that day. So I gave him what cash I had and he happily runs up the stairs and out the door like a little kid chasing down the ice cream truck. Except - instead of the red, white & blue ice pop, he gets a dozen frozen, vacuum-sealed ribeye steaks.

(I'm actually chuckling to myself as I write this.....)

Ten minutes go by and I hear running footsteps down the stairs once again. He comes around the corner and proudly presents me with a box of frozen meat - opening it reverently, like he was presenting me with a jewelry box containing a diamond necklace. (And believe me - I was hoping for the diamond necklace!)

He also had a -- hold your breath people! -- an actual advertising brochure. Now granted, it looked like a copy of a copy of a copy that had been run over a couple times -- but lo, and behold -- The Meat Man not only provides steaks -- The Meat Man provides for your seafood needs as well! (That is if you have a taste for lobster fished out of the Colorado River......)

(I'm thinking - I just lost $25!)

But for all my doubts (and research on the Internet), this company is quite legitimate and has many customers all over that have posted raving comments about the customer service. They are also listed with the Better Business Bureau and have no complaints (or calls to Poison Control).

I think I've learned a lesson here --

1. I really judged The Meat Man too harshly before truly getting to know him; and
2. I will never let my husband go grocery shopping alone ever again!

PS - We're having a BBQ next weekend! On the menu - a box of frozen steaks from the back of a truck!

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What are the Toy Box Years?

Someone once asked me how to describe being a mom. Other than the usual chaos of raising children, two dogs, and maintaining a home, I once commented that my house looked like a giant toy box. Every floor was covered with toys - from one end to the other.

Shortly after I had my first daughter, my mother in law told me that if she ever visited and saw that my house was completely spotless (meaning all toys put away, etc.) then we would have issues. She said that a home without toys scattered all over, really isn't a home with children. That caused me to pause, and think about it. Then it hit me. I'm literally living in a toy box.

But when do the Toy Box Years begin? I truly believe that time period begins from the moment you find out you're pregnant. You begin to plan a nursery and a play area. And what does every play area need -- yep -- a toy box. You begin filling that toy box - baby's first teddy bear, rattles, age-appropriate toys. As your baby grows, the toys change over the years -- blocks, trucks, trains, Barbies, ponies, and more.

As some moms know, the toys almost never stay in the toy box....slowly creeping out and invading your home. You sit on the couch and find a fire truck ladder invading a space that only a medical professional should see. You vacuum the carpet and hear that all too familiar grind as yet another Lego or doll shoe has gone to the dusty vacuum cemetary. As you're in the kitchen you see the dog chewing on something that isn't a rawhide but vaguely resembles a dismembered Barbie leg. And it goes on and on. The Toy Box has now slowly taken over your home -- kind of like the Blob from those old 1960's sci-fi movies. In a short moment, you silently tell yourself - "Oh, I can't wait for these toys to go away!" (Come on -- as moms, we've ALL said it from time to time!)

The Toy Box Blob

When you think about it, do we REALLY want those Toy Box Years to end? And do they ever really end?

Personally, I think that just depends on you. The Toy Box evolves over time. As your child grows and toys become discarded, the Toy Box often becomes an unwanted piece of furniture, often stored or forgotten in the attic.

Some Toy Boxes become yet another storage spot - seasonal clothes, blankets, and other things.

Some Toy Boxes are sold at garage sales, given away, or sadly, thrown away.

Some Toy Boxes become time capsules -- a place where you can go when your children are grown and gone. A place that you can sit and open it and hold that teddy bear again...rock that baby doll once again....or turn the pages of a favorite book, it's pages now yellow, possibly stained with peanut butter & jelly or chocolate, and the edges worn with endless page-turnings (read it again Mommy!)

Personally, I don't believe the Toy Box Years ever end. I'm proud to say that we have two Toy Boxes in our home. One used to be mine and now sits in our youngest daughter's bedroom.

My old toybox, now in my youngest daughter's room

The second belongs to our oldest daughter and sits in our living room. Each one is different, but they both will always contain memories of each child and their special moments throughout their lives.

Our second toy box

I don't know about you - but in spite of the toys everywhere - I still don't want these Toy Box Years to ever end!

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