Christmas Magic

So among wandering around different giveaway sites (loving the ease & efficiency of Rafflecopter btw!) and getting things done for the Christmas season, I've noticed that while it's true that Christmas has become more and more commercialized, there is still something magical about this time of year. I know it sounds trite, but there are still so many people who celebrate Christmas by remembering the spirit of the season. Not great prices and door-busters, or making sure you have a gift for everyone you've ever met and their next door neighbor, but giving service, making sure someone else has something you can selflessly give to them to make their holiday. Doing unto others and so forth. I love when I notice my kids taking it upon themselves to put the neighbors trash can back beside their garage - just because they were putting ours away. My daughter will never sit beside her friends at any kind of gathering, if she can help it, she'll go out of her way to spot that person sitting off by themselves and will go and plop herself down and talk their ear off, making them feel included, welcome - and wanted. So this season, when you have a million things to do, you're tired of singing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" 20 consecutive times and you can't believe what stores are asking for a no frills, basic barbie doll - remember what this is all about. Even if you're not inclined to be actively religious the rest of the year - it's universal (at least, in most places I've ever been) that Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ, to go out of your way to do as much as you can for others, and to give until you have nothing left - and then go give some more.

"Be It Unto Me" by liz lemon swindle

There is nothing that will make you feel better about everything in your life, than by doing a selfless act, showing kindness to someone who needs it (and those that don't) and making this that magical time of year for your kids so when they're all grown-up , have kids of their own, and are blogging away in the 5 minutes they have between rushing to pick kids up, clean, grocery shop and prepare; they can look back and remember how wonderfully fulfilling and magical Christmas time is supposed to be. Cliche - but, "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Man".

Oh, and as a "p.s" I was sent a fantastic link to a great site that will personalize a video of Santa for your child for free. It takes about 10 minutes to enter in the needed information and upload a couple of pics - and you're ready to make your little girls day! I can't WAIT to see A's face - Merry Christmas! http://magicsanta.ca/homepage.html

It's Been a While ...

Due to the demanding emails I received from several of you (you know who you are lol) I cleared some time to keep my blogging contributions to the net going. I'm not quite ready to jump back into giveaways just yet - but I will definitely be posting about awesome freebies and other sites with amazing giveaways going!

So as a quick recap, to those who are interested & unaware of what's been going on in the house of Degen, I'll give the cliff notes version for you. Due to my illness (we think) I developed complications in the form of seizures. My worst experience so far has been me talking on the phone, having a seizure strike, falling backwards (absolutely straight & stiff, like a board) & cracking my head on the tile - 75% of our house is tile - and all this in front of all 5 of my kids.

All I remember from it, was responding to paramedics asking me if I knew who the president was. (To which I promptly replied, "No ... but I know I don't like him ..." *blush*)

So after numerous tests, trips to the doctors & the emptying of our wallets, we're still no closer to understanding what causes the seizures or how to stop them etc. etc. Although I'm allowed to drive again (I was in the no-drive zone for 8 months or so), which has made a huge difference to my husbands schedule, since he was coming home from work, dropping the kids of at George Washington Academy before rushing to Dixie College for his own classes, coming home - changing - back to work, then home, grabbing kids, back to school for another class, then home for 4 to 5 hours of homework!

 He's been an absolute CHAMP!

So, needless to say, I was offline for a while, am now back, although I do need to limit my time in front of the screen (another little 'perk' of having seizures).

SO! On with the show, I'll post a few of the goodies I know of to do with freebies ... but until I get my bearings online again, please forgive my rushed sounding posts, and possible format changes. Eventually I'll get back to my usual, efficiently awesome self.

Jaime at Coupons and Freebies Mom has some giveaways perfect for the holiday season, and her "bonus" entries (the usual FB, Twitter followers etc.) are easy & simple to enter (basically it's clicking a box, hitting submit & you're taken right back to the beginning with minimal upload time!) Nothing is more frustrating than trying to enter a giveaway multiple times & having it be a complicated process. Giveaway fiends, such as myself, will understand exactly where I'm coming from!

So go check out what she has going on.

Here's a list of a few freebies you might be interested in:

• Personalized Disney Princess phonecall
• $2.00 worth of MP3 credit at Amazon - enter the code "STUDYBRK"
• 2oz Benjamin Moore paint sample
• PDF copy of a Free Christmas Planner (from Life as a Mom)
• Woolite Oxy-Deep carpet stain & odor remover (mail in rebate)
• 8x10 Photo Canvas Print(Free, but shipping is $14.95)

As the days go on & Christmas draws near, I'll post any other interesting finds. I want to add a 'shout-out' to this great non-profit organization I heard about, via email, from Jenny who was anxious to get the word out. Canines for Disabled Kids basically supply assistance dogs for disabled kids who strive to gain more independence for themselves. They work with a variety of different disabilities, but have a look at their website, they do such fantastic work and there are many ways you can help. One of these is what I heard about from Jenny at My Own Pet Balloons.
This is a fantastic website that makes these amazing balloon animals, visionary artist, Treb Heining, is the pioneer behind the company. They have the coolest selection of pets to choose from - frogs, ponies, cows, cats ... the list goes on!

So what My Own Pet Balloons wants to do to help is, for every balloon pet you buy, they will donate $5.00 to Canine for Disabled Kids!

"Canines for Disabled Kids, a non-profit organization, is helping children with disabilities gain independence and participate more fully in society. This helped inspire the MyOwnPet balloon line, allowing children to simulate that experience with any animal. I thought you would be interested in sharing the news with the readers of 20 to Life that right now, for every MyOwnPet balloon purchased, $5 will go directly to help Canines for Disabled Kids"

So not only are you getting a great gift for someone, you're helping a worthy, non-profit organization help kids nationwide! What more could you want for Christmas? Fabulous idea, thanks Jenny for letting me know, and here's more information from My Own Balloon Pets &  Canine for Disabled Kids.

That's me, wrapping it up for today, please stop the onslaught of emails, lol! I'm here. I'm back. And I love you too! Also, please pray for those less fortunate this season, and try and do all you can to lend support, in any way you can, to those having a hard time this year. We've all been there, we all deserve to know someone out there cares & is willing to help. And if there's any way I can help, let me know, I'm more than willing to do my part, however small, to brighten someones day. Speaking of! Our family is doing a "12 Days of Christmas" for someone in our neighborhood which I'll document here, because it's always fun to doorbell ditch someone and leave them a surprise. (A good surprise. Burning dog-poop bags don't count. Ew.) So I can't wait for that. Til we meet again ...

If all else fails - blog it

To those of you reading this, I'm posting tonight because I need a new computer. My son had a school project in which he had to create a video biography on anyone of his choice. He chose Jamal Lewis. (I didn't know who he was either. Apparently an awesome running back in the NFL. Retired.)

Anyway, after spending hours making his masterpiece, we couldn't publish the dang file! I tried converting it, tricking my computer & sending it, copying it, anything & everything - I gave it a shot, all to no avail. Our last resort was to video tape his file as it was  playing on the computer, & try to load that .avi file onto the flash drive. And guess what? It still didn't work! So now we're down to the bare bones, & I'm pasting a copy of the video of the file he made with windows movie maker.

Bloody.Hell.

Now, if anyone reading this is thinking to themselves - 'all they had to do was this very simple process & it would've been fine' .... well, save it. I'm so beyond done with this project it isn't funny, so I'm posting it here in the hopes that at the very least, he can show his teacher that he really did do the required work (& as a straight 'A' student, it's definitely imperative) & hopefully the trauma of this whole situation will influence the powers that be into providing me with a new computer.

On with the show ....

Jamal Lewis

Guilty Pleasure TV

So, I'm not sure if anyone else ever does this, but do you ever find yourself watching some random channel & becoming completely immersed in whatever show happens to be on? It's something you don't admit to anyone that you've seen, let alone waited for the commercials to be over to see if he leaves her for that skankish girl who's no good for him, or if those teenage mothers actually make it to the end of the show still with the stellar guy who knocked her up.

Me? Well I'm guilty of doing this. Sadly, more than once, with multiple low-brow shows.
Even worse is the fact that the producers of said shows have a target audience & more than likely, they aim for people far younger than myself ...who still attend high school ...and who don't really get the mockery & subtle jokes that leave me rolling around in stitches (case in point : Family Guy)

Of course if I was ever asked what TV I do waste my time watching, I wouldn't be able to help having the titles, "Teen Mom", or "Mob Wives" jump into my mind. (And I just noticed, both these shows air on MTV. I am so pathetic....)

And then, there are the shows that will guarantee I end up crying. Any ICU or emergency hospital show involving kids or a hard luck case - I'm bawling.
A baby show, watching the poor mother go through all those hours of labor, (secretly thanking your lucky stars that  you're not splayed all over the TV & hoping that you never looked like that - cussing & grunting - to get your 'oh-so-precious-just-get-the-damn-thing-OUT-of-me' bundle of joy here.)

You can lay money down that I will be sniffling as soon as that first high pitched squawk is heard. This has also, on occasion, embarrassed my children when friends happen to be hanging out & they have the unfortunate timing to need me for something during Mom's "TV slash alone time"

(And no, they STILL haven't figured out the 'alone' part of this. It's also happened whenever I'm on the phone, trying to make an important point or just any general, another-time-would-be-better moment)

Well, that's my (I guess 'vent'??) post for the day. I figured I should get in another one because every time I entered a giveaway I would see my old post attached to the end of my entry & it was a great way to make me feel like the 'Blogger who Lacked'. So voila! Here I am, amending that sitch. Also, there are some fabulous giveaways rocking the blog world. Check out my buttons, to the right, pick any of those & you'll come across some excellent sites with fantastic pointers, tips, freebies, codes or giveaways.

Until next time!

P.S I do have to add really quickly that despite my horrendous taste in TV, I have NEVER lowered myself to Maury or Jerry Springer. Or MSNBC for that matter ;)

Giveaways & Freebies, Oh My!

So today, I have Mom Bloggers that are having fantastic giveaways, so I'm bringing you word, and also some great free stuff.
But first things first! Has anyone else felt like this year seems to be flying by? I mean, not just "Wow, it's already such and such month?" but absolute warp speed? I can't get over that we're already toward the end of April! Soon it will be summer (swimming, ice-creams and tubing on the lake. Heaven!) then before I know it, my 15 year old has turned 16, won his freedom in the form of 4 wheels, soon leaves on his mission ... then he's married and I'm suddenly a Grandmother! I'll have to endure losing 4 other kids after that! I have to say, the thought both terrifies & excites me. I can't wait to meet more of my posterity! But I can't imagine not having my children at home, not helping with homework, making sure teeth are brushed and listening to endless tattles. I'm by no means ready.
But then - are we ever really ready for all the big stuff? *sigh* Well, on to the giveaways etc ....

Giveaways:

First off, head over to Jennifers blog at Mom Spotted. She always has fabulous giveaways, but this time shes hosting one from Step 2. (Which for those of you who don't know is an amazing toy company with outdoor playgrounds and inside artists easels and so much more! Well, Jen's giveaway is a

$400.00 Gather & Grille Playhouse!

Amazing! She also has a Pro Flowers giveaway, Toddler bed (from Stork Craft), a Car seat from Brittax & a Jeep Cherokee Stroller! You can't beat that, and I've definitely submitted my entries.

Free Stuff:

I'm not sure how many of you rent movies from Blockbuster, but here's a great freebie:

* On April 22 or 23 you can get a free Blockbuster Express DVD rental when you use coupon code THANKYOU.

Here's another, enter to win a months worth of FREE Electricity from SaveOnEnergy.com (up to $250).
* All you need to do is head over and “Like” SaveOnEnergy.com on Facebook and then register. You can also refer your friends to earn extra entries. Through April 30, 2011 they will be selecting one winner each Monday.

I got these thanks to Free Snatcher, a fantastic site.

* And here's one more, from Lifescript Advantage. Head over, sign up then recieve free spring samples!

http://bit.ly/hf7Swb

Thanks to FreeFlys.

Well, that's about it from me for another day. If you hear of any freebies, I'm always up to hearing about them ;)

My 8 Month Break

For those of you who have ever heard of the saying "When you fall off a bike...", for me, the comparison to writing on your blog is similar. For those of you who noticed, I was M.I.A for quite a few months. Among straightening up demanding giveaway companies (some miscommunication on my part, and some loony tune views on theirs), trying to get sponsors to actually send their promised product (yanno. So I don't look like an ass) & dealing with an internet you-know-waaay-too-much-about-me "admirerer" - it's been a while.

Luckily for me, my daily blog reads are still here, some upgraded, some no longer doing giveaways - but the wonderful women behind the public blog face are still doing what we bloggers love best. Throwing our opinion out there with a dash of salt, or helping someone else to not make our mistakes. Or just socializing. For me it's definitely an escape. For those who remember, I have Systemic Lupus, a not nice illness that has progressively gotten worse BUT! Blogging is always something I can do to give myself a deep breath & a pause in my day.

                                                20 to Life

Everything here still goes around as normal, except for a few changes. My husband lost his job (as is the norm these days huh?) so he's been hitting the application trail, but is also considering making a leap to finish getting his degree (I'm his biggest cheerleader. No pun intended, I'm actually quite big ....)
Our kids are doing fine, could be doing better, in school and our baby doll has developed quite a personality! She's gotten it down to a fine art, when to flutter her eyelashes, exactly how far is too far for a lip pout, and when to run because her appeal has dried up, which isn't often lol.

So life goes on. I'm going to be revamping my blog, I know that much, I'm just not sure in what direction...? There have been some amazing Twitter parties, giveaways & sweepstakes going on of late, so of course I'll still bring word of these awesome wins & freebies. My buttons on the side need an overhaul, so some changes will occur around here when I can get to it, but rest assured, nothing major.

In the meantime, I'll continue making my random comments, mostly for my benefit, but feel free to snag some good times should it suit. Also - I'm always on the lookout for fresh, new, something different blogs, so if you know of any - leave me the link so I can mosey on by & have a look see.

When I get back on my feet (ie: a nice way of saying, When I can be bothered...) I'll be adding some more giveaways, but I'll be thoroughly checking the creds. of said companies & checking references as not all companies held up their end of the deal. And speaking of - I think I got everyone who won a giveaway, but if I missed you - please please contact me so I can make it right.

Well ladies (& gents) that's about it for me. My first post in about 8 months, how monumental! It's lovely to be back, still smells the same, if a little musty, but I'll air that out. Until next time, Ka Kite Ano!

i'm not dead.

miss me much? I've neglected my blog for almost a month now, & am yearning for the days where I had to get on to post about this or that, now it seems there's too much 'real life' events shaping my life right now, that's it's been almost impossible. I barely even check my emails anymore!

Let alone all the (seriously wonderful) companies whom I've been ignoring (unintentionally!!) with products they want me to show to you with giveaway potential. Although recently I saw an article based on the legalities of "Giveaway Blogs" & there was varied opinions on either side of that debate - I'm fairly certain I'm well entrenched somewhere in the middle - (ugh. I'm such a passive aggressive!)But it was definitely something to think about.

So, if you want an update of where I've been I can give you the cliff notes version.

• I recently started working out - as in, more than a quick walk to my mail box - & am starting to view that with something other than disdain. yay!
• We've decided to start some heavy legal (and very private - sorry) processess, I'll keep you updated using only code words and signals of course.
• I've made a huge push to make our family closer to one another. (Some of my younger minions were starting to have problems at school which made me consider that maybe we weren't as close as I envisioned us to be when I'm lost with my "online face"). You 'll know this one, you stare at the screen, occasionally laughing, while clicking away furiously on your keyboard & moving your mouse when you see fit. Something topples over in the next room creating an earth shattering sonic boom & you'll call out "What was that?!!" without moving your eyes from the screen. It may be a talent (at least - I consider it one) but it's not exactly healthy. Not in the doses I was feeding to my family anyways.
• I've decided to domesticate myself, as much as is safe for mankind at least. Cooking, baking, dressing in something other than sweats & last nights p.j t.shirt - well, by one in the afternoon at the latest!

Seeing it all there, written down - it doesn't look like much (and I'm fairly certain I've left out 5 or 6 major events which I'll recall as soon as I hit Publish Post) but it has wiped me out. I would love to take some time out at this place I saw on the travel channel, somewhere in the Carribbean with nothing but white, sandy beaches, pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain. Paradise.

So the plan of attack from here on out? Try and even things out. So my presence here is felt, (including those giveaways. If the companies haven't written me off in a huff and gone elsewhere. I have some brown nosing to do .....) yet keeping my family life well balanced and nutritious. Fingers crossed & wish me luck.

So I'll see you soon. And just really fast - Tammy did you see? THERE'S ANOTHER BOOK!! (BDB)!!

I don't expect anyone else to get that, but it's very exciting in the world of supernatural romance novels. :D

The song should speak for itself. if you paid attention ....

How do you spell crisis in the plural?

So, I'm having some real life crisises, crisis', crisis's .... how is that spelt? I haven't ended my giveaways (although, fyi - they ARE ended.) I haven't even had time to get on and close them! I'm hoping tomorrow night wil yield some free time so I can take care of that. I've been completely neglecting my poor blog, *pats* & as soon as things offline sort themselves out into some semblence of sanity, then I shall, but my most humbest of apologies.

It's been one of those weeks where everything is up in the air, twisted & malicious at times, God putting me in my place, so to speak. (With aLOT of help from my kids) and that light at the end of the tunnel? It's a train. And the silver lining? A Boeing 747. So once this train wreck of a week has passed, then I'll be super - back to normal, I don't even feel the urge to add sarcasm. SARCASM! So something is definitely off, but yanno - this too shall pass. So instead of my usual, pithy self - despite what Heff says (my blog does too rock) here's some inspirational & political motivators.

and last - but definitely not least ....

Peace out, y'all. (BBS)

Blog prejustices?

I've noticed that there are several types of bloggers and wondered which catergory I fall into. I've actually been told that these are the "unspoken prejustices" of blogging - a sort of online do's and don't, which if you don't know about, could cause you to commit a social faux pas. So I thought I'd post these (Malik - unfortunately you fall into the 2nd one :P)

1: Blog Snob: This type of Blogger will ignore comments from anyone with less than 2-300 followers, despite how nicely you might compliment their new layout, or how adorable the picture of some meal they cooked for dinner (yawn) looks. Approach at your own risk.

2: Blog Flirter: This type of Blogger will seek out "cute" profile pics, strike up conversations, that eventually lead to comments of how cute you are and how much they'd love to meet you. This type of blogger should be avoided at all costs - not only are they superfical, they most likely have several STD's unknown to the medical profession. BEWARE.

3: Blog Avenger: This type of Blogger will utalize their blog to make derogatory posts about other bloggers they feel have 'wronged' them in some way. They make posts directed at the object of their displeasure, causing your IQ to drop, merely by reading it. This blogger is sometimes worth a laugh - but at their expense.

4: Super Blogger: This blogger will post about everything and anything, they are constantly on top of returing their comments, doing their giveaways, and checking out any new blog that catches their eye. This type of blogger can make you feel inadaquate, unintentionally. Great for a read - don't try and keep up.

5: The Rest Of Us: This type of Blogger will make mistakes, not always get their giveaways ended on time, forget to return comments, although they have the best of intentions.
They also get on sparingly, yell at their kids & are often times late & forgetful. These blogs are worth following as they exhibit some human like traits.



I (obviously) fall into the last catergory, I forget, I digress, and I ramble. I'm a mess, I can't always finish what I set out to do - usually due to real life, I love my kids madly and am in dire need of a holiday :D

Mike - thanks to you for pointing these out to me - even though you fall into number 2 as well. HA!

everybody was kung fu fighting

Fair warning - this post will be a long one, although I'll try and tone it down to the bare minimum. On with the show!

First up - the awards. I was truely flattered to receive these awards from some lovely ladies, & they all have fantastic blogs. I'm listing these in no particular order, & I recommend scooping them out and leaving some comment love for each, a lot of work goes into their blogs, & they absolutely deserved the awards they were given.

Chacoy (my Utahn friend who is coming to see me & drop her darling boy off) from Ma 2 1 Cute Boy honored me by dropping 2 awards on me. The "One Lovely Blog" award, and a new one I haven't seen making the rounds - but I'm glad to accept it - the "Happy 101" award. Chacoy - you're awesome, I love you - and get better SOON!

Tree from Mother of Pearl It Is gave me the "One Lovely Blog" award AND the "Beautiful Blogger" award - thank you so much love, I appreciate it greatly.

Kati, from Lady Bug Mama of 2 graced me with "Happy 101" award, which I'm accepting gracefully & greedily. Not an easy feat.

 Christi from Living Green in a Colorful World gave me by far the coolest award I've seen yet - the "Master of -" award. (This one you have to list 6 things you're Master of, and pass it on to 6 other bloggers. And aww yeah I'm digging the picture, no matter how gay they may look. It's completely awesome - thank you!)

 Tracyo (a lovely Canook ... is that even politically correct? I just wanted to post that word. Canook) from The Daily Mom Diaries threw me the "One Lovely Blog" award AND "Beautiful Blogger" (which is one of my favorites :D

I'm humbled. Coming from such amazing bloggers themselves, I'm flattered & instead of nominating 40 or so blogs - I decided to nominate 5 blogs & they can take their pick as to which award they want. I'm going to go with the "Master" award and list 6 things that I consider myself a Master of, cos I haven't done that one before and all I can think of (Tracy - Stir Fry Awesomeness) is "...everybody was kung fu fighting. na na na na na na na na na - those cats were fast as lightning..." I'll have that song in my head ALL NIGHT now.

              The nominated blogs (all are fantastic) are as follows, in no particular order:

• 
  
  Secretia from Secret Story Time
• 
  
  Suzanne from Midwestern gone Idahoan
• 
  
  Travis from BamaTrav
• 
  
  Amanda from Blogger Towne
• 
  
  April from Concrete and Nail Polish

So take your pick, post your award with pride, and nominate someone/s worthy. As for me - here are the 6 things I consider myself a Master of ...

1: I'm Master of my Domain (Seinfeld anyone?)

2: I'm a Master at multi-tasking. I can do hair, while changing a diaper, yelling out examples for homework, giving the evil-eye to encourage someone to "finish all their breakfast" while side-stepping all the little Zhu Zhu pieces that weren't picked up from the night before.

3: I'm a Master at perfecting the "Mom" tone. I only need to utter a one syllable word & it strikes fear into the hearts of any child doing exactly what they're not supposed to be doing.

4: I'm a Master at guessing what lines come from what movie. I can hear half a quote and nail it within seconds.

5: I'm a Master at spotting dirt on a kids face from 45 feet away

6: I'm a Master at finding any and every excuse to not do any housework. I can milk any kind of pathetic reasoning for weeks at a time.

And there you have it. My Master Mind abilities. Over the years I've honed these skills to be finely tuned, and I don't recommend trying them at home without adult supervision.

Now for my "Wordless Wednesday".

I don't even think I need to say anything. One of the late greats, & a fine figure of a man at that (that was for you C ;)

So in summation, Thank you to the wonderful bloggers who honored me with awards, you like me. You really, really like me. *kisses* to you all, I have more giveaways I've been remiss in posting, so my bad, I'll get on that ASAP. In the meantime - (as I'm posting this, I'm tapping my foot and humming along to "Kung Fu Fighting" I knew it would invade my every thought!) some words of wisdom to live by ...

"If you've got them by the balls - their hearts & minds will follow"

 John Wayne                              

That would make a fabulous tattoo, doncha think?

A different sort of moon.

I know I keep saying I'll (eventually) get around to posting about my awards, which I've dubbed 'my pretties' - and I will. Tomorrow. Or any other day that isn't right this second (although I am sending love thoughts to the ladies who deemed me worthy).

So tonight, I was driving home from a friends house, it wasn't really that late - around 10:30ish & I stop at a red light. (You should know before I proceed, I have terrible road rage. I mean - I will literally sit there yelling & screaming at some poor, unsuspecting stranger, looking like a crazy lady - for something as unforgiveable as forgetting to indicate - americans call it a "blinker", I call it your "indicator".)

So anyway - I'm stopped a red light, paitently waiting for it to change, and a car full of testostrone & hormones (16 year olds) pull up beside me. They start gunning their engine and grinning at me, possibly expecting me to swoon or be so impressed I'd flash them a "I'm so very impressed" smile.
Instead - it pissed me off. I gave my best scathing "really?" look (keep in mind, this is to a car full of teenagers. Yes - I know I look pathetic, but as I said before, my road rage knows no bounds, nor age limitations) Which only encouraged them. So eventually the light turns green, and I pull out slowly, warily eyeing them up and wondering what they're going to do next. Well - they gun it - too hard, stall their car, and being the adult that I am - I couldn't resist laughing and actually giving them the 'thumbs up'. Much to their chagrin, I'm sure. So I'm driving along, blissfully unaware that the next 5 seconds are going to scar me for life, when this car full of punks (and I'm refraining right now from calling them far worse) cuts me off. NO indication, NO curtesy, nothing. So I'm (naturally) furious, and decide I am going to ride their bumper as a little petty "get back". So while I'm trying not to actually hit them, I'm  making damn sure I drive obsenely close to their rear, when I notice the driver waving his arm out the window, so I take a closer look, expecting to see something but I'm not sure what.
Three of these little bastards brats have their backsides pressed up against the back window, and ARE MOONING ME! Mooning me! I backed off hard and fast, bewildered, violated & feeling like a complete and utter pervert. They all then stick their heads out the windows and give me the same "Haha thumbs up" sign I had graced them with.

Kudos to them, they got the better of me. All the way home, all I could do was turn my music up to drown out the picture of three young kids showing me their butts. Needless to say, my road rage was banked and on hiatus for the duration of my trip home. The worst part is, I feel like some sort of molestor, as I'm sure their mothers would be less than impressed that I copped an eyeful of their buttocks. Despite the fact, I hadn't done anything other than stoop to their level. I'm well & truely warned for the next time though.

new moon. of course.

So I caved. In fact - I didn't really cave at all, the whole thing was planned, but since I don't want to come across as excited as a 15 year old girl, "I caved".

I went and bought New Moon - for my kids, or so I tell people who ask, when secretly since devouring the entire series in a few weeks, I've been waiting on pins and needles for the movies to come out.
We had a midnight showing at a friends house with our kids - of course they loved it, and this elicited whispered conversations of "I'm on Edwards side" "Edward?? Jacobs so much cooler" "But Edward lives longer. Jacob will get old, like Mom" <--- this was actually a conversation which - up to that point, I had been quietly enjoying. That was where I cut in with an equally whispered "Shhh. You're missing the movie .... & making me feel old" was left unsaid.
All in all, it was a good time & even as I write this, my girls are huddled around the t.v , watching the movie again, giggling & making comments about who they would marry.

And today is a good friend of mine's birthday - which she shares with her son. So "K & D"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

See you late on tonight xx

"mommy!"

Morning all. I've been working far too much - in the last few weeks, my teeny baby daughter has become a virtual stranger. When she's in distress - she's taken to calling out for 'Daddy!', something none of the last 4 kids have ever done. This is new to me, and I almost die a little each time I hear it. Because in the last few weeks, she's replaced me - her rock & never-going-anywhere Mommy, with Daddy, whose been around more. It absolutely bites.

I was with her in the shower the other day - something she loathes, (she can't stand the water getting in her eye and is constantly wiping her face) well she had also just woken up, & I asked my husband to grab her so I could bathe her while I was in the shower. As soon as her feet hit the tile her wails were bouncing off the walls, her cries of "DADDY!!" reached a serious fever pitch that caused my husband to walk back with a sad "awww baby. I'm sorry". And I was right there, trying to calm her - but to no avail. She wanted, needed and had to have Daddy. Mommy has been gone too much, and hasn't been there for almost every second of her days - which I'm about to change. No more working, no more anything, and when things are back to normal, I'll be sure and let you know. :)

Checking in.

Have you ever had one of those days when you get some really bad news and time slows to a crawl as you try to figure out where to go from here? I had one of these days yesterday, and am still at a loss as to how to overcome it. The thing is - I can't talk to anyone about it - lest I burden them with it, so it's pretty much a 'lone wolf' thing, which makes it worse. On top of that - my kids - ever perseptive - can sense theres something amiss, and the more I shine my fake smiles and words to make them feel encouraged, the more their brows furrow and they whisper among themselves. At least eventually I'll figure it out, but until I do - I might be even more absent from blogging as I have been. I've neglected my blog, for which I feel awful, but when I list my priorities, it just doesn't seem to rate that high - although I love doing it!

Also - a friend of mine was diagnosed with anorexia, so if anyone has any suggestions on how to help her - I would be grateful. She doesn't have an "image" problem, she just doesn't want to eat and when she does, feels sick and most times throws up. So if anyone knows how to combat this, please let me know so I can map what to do for her. And since so many of you favor emailing me personally instead of leaving comments - that's fine too. And thank you,. In advance.

On a brighter note - I was working with a friend of mine yesterday and we were using her mothers car (which she is very protective of) well my friend rolls down the window and we hear this awful screech sound, and she rolls her eyes and says "I hope nothing happens while I'm using this car. Cos that would be my luck for something to break - even though it's falling apart as it is - but I'll end up paying for it"
Literally 2 seconds later we hear a huge crunch! She had backed into a one of those huge trash cans, and all I could do was laugh at the irony of it. She throws me  a furious  look  and says "Don't.EVEN.say.another.word" It was great - luckily there was absolutely no damage, but damn if it wasn't funny!

So I will get to listing more giveaways sometime in the very near future - and I was given more awards (thank you ladies!) and will be accepting them as well. Bear with me, I have too much going on. ugh.

Seen as I always feel the urge to leave something at the end of my posts - I found this hilarious picture - although, it's somewhat "raunchy" so be warned. But funny as all heck. I laughed for a good ten minutes. So enjoy - I'll be back tonight, tomorrow or when I can with all those promises I made. xx

vegas baby!

ok, so I had these posts set up in advance while I was doing the Sin city thing, but I COULD NOT resist posting this. This just reminds me of clubbing. While we're on the subject - the chick in this video has the EXACT shoes I have. As well as swim suit. funny eh? And to the NZers. Yes - it IS as sweet as they say. Toni - you, me, Vegas & watch the sun come up. I love you chica. :)
p.s I'm listing a killer giveaway tomorrow. tres chic.

my post yourself replies & happy FF!

Happy FF, if I don't get back to you anytime soon, forgive me - I will eventually, I just have alot of 'real life' things going on, but I'll get there.

Does anyone else hate Blogger as much as me? It took me FOUR attempts to post ONE giveaway - I was cussing up a storm, & eventually had to calm myself down, cajole the bloody thing with sweet talk & baby the hell out of it. I was less than impressed.
I also had to visit the doctor today - only to find out my doctor was out of town, & I was given his subsitute. Happy camper I was not, I then had to recount my entire medical history, (with dates. DATES!! Who remembers dates of when they last had a pap smear check!) Only to have him eventually tell me to come back on Monday when my doctor was back in town. Good freaking grief.

I also promised another fellow blogger - who weirdly asked to remain anonymous (??) that I would finish up with my end of the "Post Yourself" bargain in which you post 5 things about yourself, but the questions are given to you by someone else. I would have thought that this kind of thing was meant to be a 'link back to the blogger who gave me my questions' but he has asked to remain within his anonimity. So be it.
Here were my questions - keep in mind. I DID NOT CHOOSE THESE.

1: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go - and with whom?
2: You're on a desert island with Bill Gates, Edward Norton & Ellen Degeneras. Who do you kill, who do you send for help and who do you shack up with. (ick.)
3: If you could have one super power - what would it be?
4: Favorite item of clothing
5: If you could chose an alternate life - what would it be.

*deep breath*

Here goes ...

1: New Zealand, no question. With no arrest warrent out for me (long story) & with Katie. ;)

2: ummm. I'd send Ellen Degeneras for help - she's not much good with anything else - but I guess I wouldn't want to kill her. I'd kill Bill Gates (I spend waaay too much time on the computer, and that's partly your fault Bill. Sorry.) And of course shack up with Edward Norton.

3: I'd probably want to fly. That or be invisible ... no. I'd rather fly.

4: Distressed Sliver jeans with the holes in them. No contest.

5: I'd want to backpack and stay in hostels around the world.

And there you have it. I'm a murderer who can fly to New Zealand, wearing my silvers, while shacking up with Norton. What a life. I'm not sure if I nominate someone else now - I'll have to check, but if so - *looks at Half Crazy Mommie* you're it.

I also have to mention an award I got, but have yet to claim, from Lady Bug Mama, but I'll do that when it isn't almost 12, & I didn't have a trillion things to get done tomorrow - including working. again. BUT! I'll also be going to Vegas - so that just makes my whole week. Wait - year. Makes my whole year.

I wasn't going to but I was asked to please leave one more video before going to Vegas - so k. It's weird, in fact I wouldn't even watch it - just listen to it, it's much safer. But it's beautiful, haunting, all that Tori Amos is anyway & has Adrien Brody in it. Not too shabby. I used to listen to this at least 40 times a day. Enjoy. xx

Wordless Wednesday + words ...?

I might as well post my Wordless Wednesday now, while I have time - then I'm going to post about my super terrific day, sort of a two-for-one thing. First the pics - all I'm going to say is "I FIT IT!.. and it's kinda big" then start a round of applause.

the pictures are horrid, but the point was for the dress. which i fit. My mother is going to bitch & moan say something about being able to see (a bloody sliver) of my tattoo - so let me add, for her benefit,  I had no idea you could see it. No, it isn't becoming. And of course I don't want about 5 more in various spots. ;)

- also the first one was my son making me laugh (& I was trying not to wake everyone up with my hyiena-like laugh) :D

Ok, so onto my random post - Tammy. (As in Tammy from Tammy Two Cents) You completely made my night - keep reading, and do let me know.

It rained here and flooded our new grass, so my poor boys were out most the day digging a trench to deter the water, although as bad as I felt - I sure wasn't going out in that. The 2 year old is slowly becoming human again - her fever has passed, she's on the high side - but loves to all of you who sent me something like 53 emails wishing her well. Thank you.

Also - am I the only one who's dying to see Alice in Wonderland? Everyone I mention this to gives me a "look" while nodding "Oh, yes. I'd like to see it too" in that tone reserved for old people and children. Helena Bonham Carter - how could you not love her?

Ok, I'm done filling you in on random nothingness. Have a great day, let me know if you have a WW up so I can come by & snoop, & other than the grass being flooded - good thoughts that it keeps raining. I love rain. :)

playing catch-up

I'm forever behind whenever I post. Hopelessly. Endlessly. Including with my children. The following was taken from a conversation between me and my 8 year old, this morning. Around 0900 hours.

Me: Whose mess is on the bench?
8Yrold: Not mine. Hers *points*
Me: Well "hers" is sick. So can you clean it up for me?
8Yrold: *dramatic sigh* Sure Mom.
Me: Thank you baby *kiss*
8Yrold thinking 'Me' is out of earshot: ('Me' will be played in high pitched falsetto voice too) Can you clean it up for me? "sure mom, I always have to clean everyone elses crap up. Want me to do your housework too? Cos you aren't doing it."

Just.Great.
My 8 year old knows I'm behind in the housework too? 8 year olds are all about mess n disater, so if she's noticing. Then this place must look like a tsunami hit. So my day will consist of dealing with a sick girl thinking she's super DUPER well and running around and trying to convince her she's not, and to take it easy, having all the kids home for Spring Break (oh.JOY) C-L_E-A-N-I-N-G, and helping a friend out with paperwork (dramatic sigh myself).
back to the grind, will post a fabulous something later on when I force my kids into the exile that is their bedrooms so I don't lose my mind entirely.
ALSO!! A great tip for fevering babies that I completely forgot about - Vinegar! Preferably Apple Vinegar, from what I've heard, but this in a bowl of luke warm water, then take a facecloth and wipe your small heater down. It works marvellously, & is an easy way to break a fever or being it down. Trust me on this, I've used this for every kid, (when I remember too) & it works everytime. It's also supposed to feed the skin so they don't dehydrate - BUT that's if they have water intake as well. So I'm not sure how much that part is true, but the rest. Voodoo Magic Baby. ;)

instead of youtube today, here's my beautiful, if precocious 8 year old. :)

looking way older than she should. ugh.

award accolades, sickness & some beautiful tunage.

You'll forgive me if I sound grouchy, ticked, tired and 'Mom-like'. I've been up for a few nights with my 2 year old who has developed a case of "death-bed sick" during the night, "runs around normal" during the day. Typical kid sickness stuff, but man - it sure is beating the crap outta me. And coupled with my mother's sticking her damn nose in "advice", it's just been one hell of a week.

I have numerous people to thank - and really am grateful for every single person who thinks to bestow any kind of award on me. I have four people who need accolades from me, links posted & general kudos-ness.

The first - in no particular order - is from "The Practical Mom Guide" who graced me with the SUNSHINE AWARD. Thank you - & a great blog site, should you feel the need to check out how to save money, live frugally - all that jazz. Then a muchos gracias goes out to Valerie, who gave me the "BOGART AWARD" - my first. :D

Jana from (love her name!!) Boobies, Babies & a Blog gave me my very own, much coveted "ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD" (yussssss... much love Jana) & finally the very suave site of Adoption Of Jane gave me something. But has hidden it - as I can't find it, lol. No surprise there, I'm always losing things.

In order for me to accept these awards I have to do a bunch of stuff - and nominate a bunch of people, and only due to time & a coughing baby is why I'm skipping this step (I will get back to it. Just not today.)

But a big thank you, lots of hugs and a smattering of kisses to the ladies who run these blogs & considered me worthy - I'm humbled :D

Um, I have some really cool giveaways coming up, which I have to start Monday as I've gotten those angry "Where the heck ARE you" emails (mike) so I'll do my thing, impress the hell out of you all and get back on here, of course I'm going to leave you with a youtube cos that's how I roll :D

Today felt very '9 Crimes', (and if anyone knows what tv show this featured when a main character was shot - she was deaf and Stanleys sister which just gave it away, I swear. I'll worship you just for being sunglasses cool.) and I recently sent this to a friend, & it's finally managed to calm me down, so enjoy. I'll see you tomorrow - I'm out.

this is my favorite version of this song, for the first time ever. Damien Rice - 9 Crimes, LIVE from ABBEY ROAD! I seriously have a thing for guys with accents .... english/irish HAS to be the very best. kills me.

You have my word - I'll.Be.Back.

I had a really long, thank you post here, til the IE browser (I mostly use Firefox, should've known better) flaked out on me & screwed up EVERYTHING! I had Thanks galour for some fabulous awards I had been given, from 3 very lovely, very different blog hosts, & then went on to list 15 other blogs and all this frilly stuff.
Then.
Nothing.
My browser wouldn't respond.
So now I have to re-do everything, but not today. I'll do it tonight.
Have you ever had one of those days where everything is a touchy subject, you feel raw all over and then your "last straw" makes an appearance and all hell breaks loose? My last straw arrived in the form of my mother. Who has "Problems". As calmly as I tried to project back to her, I eventually failed, & we ended up screaming at each other. But sometimes, I swear she still sees me as that 16 year old hard-ass, giving her grief and attitude, staying out late, and Friday nights in some parking lot drinking being my main source of entertainment. What's a girl to do? Prove I'm not by having a bunch of great, well adjusted kids, buying a home to raise them in, and join the PTA ? *sigh* I'll always be that 16 year old, until the day she dies.

The worst part is whenever we have these "spats", they seem to get worse each time, and she's 8,000 miles away. There is no 'awkward' run-in which ends in a hug & laughing it off. It festers. I hold grudges. I'm stubborn. And so is she. I have no idea what to do about this.

I couldn't find the shot of me, my brother and her, so I'm leaving this. Me rocking the 'tails, with my brother to the left of me, my 2 baby cousins on the right. We were visiting the North Island before I knew about boys, but after finding BFF's.

Tonight when I've calmed down and forgiven IE, I'll post my reviews, thank you's and other various tid-bits. Be back soon. And Katie? I'll be over in 30. see you soooon ....