Random Thoughts

I have some posts planned, but I just need to find time to sit down and write them.  More importantly, I need to clear my mind of some random thoughts so I can just focus.  Seriously....sometimes I feel like I have adult ADD.

Oh look!  A squirrel!

Ok, ok....focus.....

I seriously have an issue with people who don't use turn signals or worse yet....drive around with them on FOR-EVER.  Yes people....I am Carnac the Magnificent and I can truly anticipate when you're going to make that last minute veer across two lanes of traffic to make that right turn into the Burger King drive-through.  It's called a turn signal -- use it you moron!

Anyone watching the Bachelor?  Does anyone think that Courtney looks a little like Fran from Dodgeball?

I'm in funk.  It's just that post-Christmas blah.  I really dislike January.  It's such a downer month.  I wish we would get some snow days.  I love, love, love the snow.  I love watching it come down.  I love snuggling with my family.  We've had some snow....but I want more.  Which brings me to....

People who complain about the weather.  No matter what season, they are never happy.  It's snowing and cold and they whine.  It's spring and it's raining and they whine.  It's summer and it's hot and they whine.  For goodness sake, pack yourself up to that temperature-controlled bubble and shut up already.

The joys of having a dog.....dog hair on EVERYTHING I own.  And occasionally randomly showing up in my coffee cup or my dinner.

I am finding that the older I get, the less patience I have for the population in general.  Now I know why my dad is so crotchety all the time...

And back to the Bachelor.  Dear Ben -- can you please pick a hometown and stick with it?  First his hometown was Sonoma.  Ok...cute quaint...I loved the town.  But then next episode, his hometown was San Francisco.  My Marine and I just looked at each other like, huh?  (And yes, My Marine watches with me too.....what of it.....)  And I'm sure those San Franciscan residents appreciated you shutting down the street and snarling traffic for hours so that you and your bunny boilers could bikini ski down the street.

But I suppose, falling here is much better than falling from here!

Cool date - wrong girl.  Granted, she did complete the climb.....but you know if they end up together this is going to come up again and again and again......

And yet I keep watching....

Aaahhh....now my brain has a little more room. 

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Random Monday Thoughts and Blog Giveaway #3

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Mayhem in the Ukranian Parliament....

Apparently the folks in the Ukrainian Parliament didn't agree with some of the topics of discussion and started throwing tomatoes and smoke bombs at the leadership. Isn't it funny how in the 21st Century, that there when you get so angry that all you can think of to do is throw smoke bombs and tomatoes? I suppose, compared to the alternative, it's not a bad choice.

Gee - think we can get Congress to try something like that?

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In local news....Remember Deputy Cletus from the infamous high school tasering incident that I wrote about earlier has now resigned. First smart move you've made Cletus!

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Last Monday I hosted a playdate for my fellow MOPS table leaders and their kids. Everyone, except one mom, showed up. I had a total of 8 moms and 15 kids under the age of 5 in my home. Amazingly, all the kids got along great and played very well together! My house looked like all the toyboxes threw up, but I loved every minute of it!! Great way to start the week!

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There is nothing like a lecture from your mechanic to make you feel total shame. It pales in comparison to being lectured by your parents.

I got an engine light on my Jeep the other morning. I panicked, like I always do, and thought the worst -- a HUGE repair bill. Turns out that my Jeep was severely overdue for an oil change. Now, before I get a lecture from all of you too, I - normally - am on top of this stuff like white on rice. But for some reason, this time around, I just kept pushing it off and pushing it off until the Jeep could take no more. So I took it to our garage and hoped for the best.

One oil change and one lecture later, the engine light no longer taunts me.

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And here is Blog Birthday Giveaway #3!

These three decorative plates with inspirational quotes.

Live, Love, Laugh

Faith, Family, Friends

Dream, Believe, Hope

I just love inspirational quotes, don't you??

One of my readers will be the lucky winner of these three plates.

So, how to win:

1) Share with me your favorite inspirational quote and if there's a reason why it's your favorite (1 entry)

2) Follow me through Google Friend Connect or let me know you're already a follower (1 entry)

3) Follow me through Networked Blogs or let me know you're already a follower (1 entry)

4) Blog about this giveaway (2 entries)

Giveaway ends on 5/10!

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Random Thoughts - Monday Edition

On Thursday, I picked up Nani from school. She stayed the extra hour for lunch bunch. Her teacher told me that she was giggly all morning long -- in a good way. So, we're walking to the car and I asked her about her day. Just as casual as can be, she says....

"Mommy -- I laughed so hard at Nathaniel that I peed in my guchies a little ("guchies" is Croatian for underwear).

I stopped walking and bust out laughing. She started giggling again. I asked her if she told her teacher and she said no....it wasn't a lot and it dried real fast. But that Nathaniel is so funny! I told him not to make me pee again!

THIS is why I blog, people!!

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There is a reason I don't let my 5-yr. old cut my hair -- 'Nuff said.

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You gotta love Colorado weather. Wednesday we had thunderstorms and tornadoe.  Thursday, we had thunderstorms, hail and snow.  Friday, we had rain and snow.  Saturday, we had rain and sunshine.  Sunday, we had sunshine, rain, and late last night turned into snow.  This morning, I woke up to snow on the ground. 

It's supposed to be 70 on Wednesday!

Gotta love it!
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I don't want to be accused of being a Blog Snob....but you know what really bugs me? When I get a comment from someone -- usually one of those Friday Follow blog hops -- and it's such a nice comment, but then I see the SAME EXACT COMMENT on just about every other blog I visit. Gee -- way to make me feel special!

I'm sorry, but when I visit blogs, I usually READ the post first and try to find something specific to comment about -- so at least you'll know I took the time to read and comment. The only thing you'll find the same in my comments is if I'll write "Visiting you from......" or "Have a nice day/weekend"

So, if that makes me a Blog Snob -- then so be it! Just know you'll NEVER get a canned/copy and paste response from me!


Have a great week everyone!!

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Random Thoughts - Monday Edition (4/12)

Today is a special day for me and My Marine.  Today is our 23rd annivesary.  I know what you're thinking - huh??  Aren't they only married 15 years?  Why yes, yes we are.  But today - on this day in 1987 we met for the first time and my life has not been the same since.  We met when we were 17 years old and I knew, even then, that he was the one.  Went to college together and eventually got married in 1995.  You literally could call us an old married couple!  YIKES!

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Oh, was I one pissed off and sad mama Saturday night.  I went to upload the photos from the past few days and my camera card decided to take a vacation.  I wasn't able to retrieve ANY of the photos at all -- and then the damn thing reformatted the camera card so now I have NO chance at all of retrieving those photos.  I lost photos of Nani's WOW Day at school, My Marine's 40th birthday, and crafts that Nani and I did.  After much cursing, crying, and throwing the camera across the room, I calmed down enough to read a message on FB from my friend Dan who reminded me that I have the memories in my heart.  Thanks Dan!

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Gotta love the military.  My Marine was in the field this weekend.  He sends me this picture:

Yep -- gotta love the military!

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The sacrifices we make for our husbands. For My Marine's recent birthday, I bought him the DVD of "Army of Darkness" with Bruce Campbell (you may know him as Sam from "Burn Notice"). I have to say that this movie was one of the stupidest movies ever made and I can't believe that I spent hard-earned eBay money on it. But it's a movie that he likes and (ahem) enjoys. So I took the plunge and went into the store to buy it.........only to have the teenage cashier with multiple nose and tongue piercings say to me..."Duuuuddeeee!!! Like this is the BEST - MOVIE - EVER. I so wanted to say "Honey, I saw this movie in the theater when it first came out - and HATED it!" -- but that would give away my age (although I don't think math was high on this kid's priority list.) The things I do for My Marine.

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Nani had two special days at school this past week -- her Easter party on Tuesday and her WOW Day on Thursday (WOW Day is a special day where she gets to invite her family, bring a special snack and gets to do all the classroom jobs.)  Thursday night, as I'm tucking her into bed she says, "Mommy, I was so happy that you came to my school this week." Sniff! Sniff! That statement alone is worth all the sacrifices we make so that I can stay home with my babies.

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I'm a winner!!  Over at Family Sanity Reviews, they were giving away this Mountain Rose Relaxation Kit

And I WON!!!  I'm very excited!!  My friend, Dina, who writes for that blog, dropped it off for me the other night and I couldn't wait to use the herbal bath blend.  If you get the chance, head on over and visit Dina's blog.  She's an awesome woman who was one of the first moms I met when I moved to Colorado.  She's very into homeopathic remedies, aromatherapy, mandalas, and is a belly-dancing knitter.  How much more eclectic can you get?  (Stay tuned too -- I may just talk her into providing a giveaway some time soon!)

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Random Thoughts - Monday Edition

I've had a lot on my mind this past weekend. A friend and fellow MOPS momma lost her baby girl at 35 weeks over the weekend. We are all praying for her and the family -- and rallying around her as best as we can.  I just can't get her out of my mind.

I had a scare with Nudgie when I was about 6 months along. Usually when I would get up to go to the bathroom, she'd be very active afterwards. But I didn't feel anything, and then realized that I hadn't felt any movement for awhile. I started poking my belly hoping to get her to move -- and nothing. I woke up My Marine and told him that I felt that something was wrong. My dad was visiting at the time and he stayed home with Nani while we went to the hospital. I was amazed at how quickly they took me -- no questions, no paperwork, just whisking me away. I remember laying in that hospital bed crying and thinking the worst -- and how was I going to tell people if something did happen. The nurse came in and started to get me set up with the monitor, talking to me in calming, soothing tones while asking me questions -- last time I felt her move, etc. She got the monitor set up and I grabbed My Marine's hand and started to pray -- hard. The room was silent as she searched for the heartbeat. Seconds ticked on and they felt like an eternity -- until I heard that beautiful sound....that soft thump, thump, thump. I started to cry and asked the nurse to turn the monitor up so I could hear it louder. She smiled and patted my hand. I stayed on that monitor for about an hour before they discharged me.

But not all stories end that way as I sadly found out this weekend.  A close friend of hers sent out an email to say that she had delivered the baby around noon on Saturday and that the doctors think the baby had died a few days prior to that.  The family was able to hold her, spend time with her and memorialize the moments with photos and footprints.

Before I wrote this, I checked my Facebook page -- just because -- and saw that she had changed her profile photo to a photo of her baby's tiny, perfect feet.  I lost it.

If you have a moment, please say a prayer for my friend, her family, and her beautiful angel in heaven - Lylac Butterfly.

I just wish I could understand why these things happen.

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Random Thoughts - Monday Edition

Our dog chewed a hole right in the ass of my favorite jeans. (And this was Zoja - our 2-yr. old Shepherd...and not Mitzi).  I was so pissed off I seriously contemplated doing an online search for "dog farms" - aka no kill shelters. And it's not a hole that can be repaired -- oh no -- she had to chew the whole rear end out. Makes me think though -- what does that say about me that she's eating the ass of my jeans and not, say, the pant legs?


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It never fails. As soon as I have a nice, clean, fresh-smelling kitchen floor, one of the dogs will either poop on it, or throw up on it.


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I really miss my computer and all my blogging friends when I'm away.


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I was watching the news the other morning and they did a report about huffing. They also listed some of the warning signs to watch out for -- two of them being watery eyes and slurred speech. If those are the symptoms, then I'm guilty of huffing too. Apparently, these experts have never been in a confined space changing the diaper from my 19-month old's worst.blowout.EVER or slept in the bedroom with a flatulent dog.


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In order to give everyone a fair shot during blog hops, I visit every fifth blog and start from the end. Gives me some random blog reading and the opportunity to meet some new blogging buddies!


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I'm hoping that this will be a good week minus dog poop, vomit or runny noses. I need a break!

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Random Thoughts - Monday Edition

I took a blogging break over the weekend.  Hubby got home on Friday, so we spent the weekend together as a family.  I have to admit that I did feel the itch to check my email or read a blog or two, but spending time with hubby FINALLY watching the Women Tell All on The Bachelor was a bit up higher on the priority list!


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The best kind of coffee is the one that a friend brings you when you having a rough go of it!


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I've discovered that after watching endless episodes of Nanny 911 and Supernanny, that I'm really not all that bad of a mom after all.


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My Marine goes to Jordan visits beautiful biblical sites. And brings me back a jar of olives. Enough said.


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Conversation with Nani:

Nani: Mommy, you're the queen, Daddy's the king, and I'm the princess.

Me: What's Nudgie?

Nani: The court jester

Gotta love it!


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Wednesday night, the toilet in my master bathroom decided to get all tempermental on me. Not quite a full-blown overflow, but enough to tease me into thinking, "Hey - I might have to make you get the plunger at 2am" - which happened anyway. So, there I am, in a tshirt and My Marine's boxer/briefs (which, incidentally, are THE MOST comfortable things to sleep in....try it sometime!) plunging the toilet at 2am. Hearing that suck-thump-suck-thump sound over and over. After about 20 min. whatever was stuck (don't be gross!) was unstuck and I had a blister the size of quarter on my thumb from rubbing against the wooden handle. Not happy!


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Thursday afternoon, I picked up Nani from school. She saw me carrying Nudgie to the car and started the following conversation:

Nani: "You hold Nudgie because she's little" (To her, hold = carry)

Me: "Yes, she is little and sometimes it's a little hard for her to walk so far."

Nani: "Well, you don't need to hold me anymore -- I'm a big girl"

Me: "Sometimes I still carry you. Just because you're a big girl, that doesn't mean I don't like to carry you anymore."

Nani: "But you can't. Daddy can hold me because he's big and strong. You can hold Nudgie"

Inside, I KNOW what she's getting across, but her word choices just stab me in the heart. "You don't need to hold me anymore" Well, I've got news for you baby girl - yes, you may be too big for me to carry....but you will NEVER - EVER - be too big for me to hold.

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Random Thoughts - Monday Edition

Nudgie has learned the word "No", but it comes out more like "Nyo". It's very cute and makes me smile. She also says "Bess u" when someone sneezes. But she still refuses to call me Mama.

Me: Can you say Mama?

Nudgie: Nyo

Sigh.......


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Things you don't want to hear from your husband before he boards a 14-hour international flight to Jordan. (Keep in mind that my husband is also traveling with 4 other soldiers....)

"We saw this supermodel in the boarding area. She's just kinda been hanging around with us. Turns out she's gonna be on the same flight as us."

Ummm....yeah.....did he NOT read the section of the husband's manual where it the word "supermodel" is listed in the section of words you must never mention to your wife. Especially one who is wearing Old Navy pajama pants with a tshirt covered in oatmeal, hair that hasn't been washed for about 2 days, and hasn't seen a flat stomach since she was 6.


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Conversation after I called him in the morning to find out what time his flight was and to express my concern over Mitzi's swelling in her face. (It was 10am where he was and 8am where I was)

Me: Did I wake you?

Him: No, I was just laying here in bed watching some TV

In the background, I've got one 5-yr. old throwing a fit because I made her make her bed, the 19-month old is screaming because she dropped her bottle, the 2-yr. old Shepherd is hazing the 15-yr. old Shepherd who still has open wounds in her head....and did I mention that it was snowing and that I had 10 minutes to get out the door to my MOPS meeting? I sure wish I could just lay in bed and watch TV.


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Extra cheddar gold fish crackers, Dove caramel chocolates and a large Pepsi do not make a balanced meal.

However, the kids really can survive on peanut butter & jelly every day for dinner.


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There is a reason that I'm not allowed to use the staple gun unsupervised.


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Why is it that when My Marine is home and we watch a movie the girls are good as gold - fall right asleep with no problems?

But why is it that when I'm home alone and want to watch a movie - the movie that runs 2 hours takes me 3.5 hours to watch thanks to water shortages, diaper malfuctions, crayon disasters, monster appearances, and the ever-popular "I Love You" round robins (I didn't mind that one so much...)


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My Marine IM'd me from Jordan to share that they were going on a tour of the Dead Sea - but he was soooo tired. Not feeling very sorry for him at the moment. The only Dead Sea I've ever seen is the dirty bathwater after Nudgie decided to poop in the tub during bathtime.


 

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