It's a mad mad world

a parenting dilemma

2007-06-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, so here's the scoop. We now have all 5 kids with us during the day full time. I have taken a no tolerance policy with all of them, because they all know our house rules, and I'm tired of giving warnings when they misbehave. They don't listen when I give warnings, so I just straight give them their "punishment" with no warnings now when they misbehave. So we come to Felicity, Kelly's daughter. Up until Kelly and I moved in together and my sister and I started watching her, she was treated like a freaking princess. I don't do spoiled, I don't do princess attitude (or prince, seeing as how the rest of our kids are male) and I don't do the one kid is better than the rest crap. They're all equal, they're all the same. They all get the same punishments equal to age and what they did wrong. Yesterday, Felicity got into some stuff in the garage that she knew was not hers, did not ask and was playing with it. When I saw her with said items, I asked her where she got it and if she'd asked for it. She straight up lied to me about where she got it, and started back talking to me when I called her out on it. So she (and Alex because he was playing with said items as well) got the punishment for lying and taking something that wasn't theirs without asking. After that I told her that if she didn't behave for the rest of the day, then she wouldn't be going to the Aquarium with the rest of us the next day, that I would find a sitter for her and the rest of us would go (the last time I'd planned on us going to the Aquarium we didn't get to go because she was a terrible brat the day before and I'd told her the same thing but we couldn't find a sitter, so everyone got punished for her bad behavior and I don't feel that's fair to the other children). So I get home from work last night and ask her how she was today while I was at work and if she thought she should get to go to the Aquarium and she said she was bad and that she didn't think she should get to go. Okay, there's some honesty, a bonus point for that at least. But now I've been fighting with Kelly over this. He's home from work today because they're upgrading the servers. So I figured he can watch his daughter for the day, as that would work perfectly with the punishment from the day before, and my sister and I would keep consistent with what was said the day before and follow through and just take the boys, as planned. He didn't think it was fair that she should have to stay behind and that I should just pretend like he's not here, because he's not going to watch her. I said fine then, I will call my friend and see if she will watch her or we will all just stay home, because that's what we would do if he wasn't home. He got pissed, yelled at me and stormed off. He cooled off some and told me to just do what I felt I needed to do. So I left her behind with her father and took the boys to the Aquarium. So, am I mean and awful for following through with the punishment that she herself had agreed to the day before? Or am I right in following through, and teaching her that when you misbehave, you don't still get to do all the fun stuff? Oh and I guess he must have told Amanda, Felicity's mom, what was going on when she came to drop her off for the day. Because Amanda took a half day off from work and came and got her early. Which in the end defeats my intentions and purpose of leaving her behind to teach her the lesson of bad behavior is not rewarded (and to her it's a serious reward for mommy to take a day or even off early and spend time with her). Grrrr.

Curious...

2007-06-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

So, my ex called my house while he was up asking for my address for the umteenth time. I was at work when he called, so my sister just gave it to him, not asking why or anything. He told me later that he'd "lost his drivers license, so was having his new one sent to my house". I didn't think anything of it at the time, but then yesterday a bank card shows up at my house addressed to him. Interesting, first a drivers license addressed at my house and now a bank account? Does this seem fishy to anyone else? Why would he do that when he doesn't even live in the same state? I'm tempted to send it back saying person does not reside here rather than mailing it to him. Seems kinda strange to me.

Ian's Cake!

2007-06-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

Current mood: relieved
Category: Life

So I finished Ian's cake this morning. Rather than trying to deal with royal icing that would probably just melt into the cake, I used marzipan to make some of the decoration "stickers" on the skateboard. Then I spray painted the numbers on the one end with edible "paint". I'm pleased with how it turned out, considering by the time I was done with icing it last night the smell of the sugar was making me ill. So anyhow, here's a pic of the final cake... not exactly professional quality, but better than I thought it would turn out honestly!

wow...

2007-06-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

Current mood: irate

I always thought my ex was a little on the crazy side, but now I know he really is fully nuts! I just got off the phone with him, and he was accusing me of messing with his bank account and taking money out! First off, everyone knows that if you're not on the account, you're not getting jack out of it. I have one joint account still with him, at an unrelated bank (or I'm assuming) that's been sitting at $0 for months now. I'm thinking he still doesn't know how to keep track of his funds and over drew himself again and wants someone other than himself to blame. And I'm an easy target. Any money problems we had when we were together, were the result of his "miscalculations". (i.e. he won't and doesn't know how to balance a checkbook to save his life). And then he was insisting that he had an account at washington mutual that he added me onto after we got married that I overdrew and he still owes money to. (he's got that one backwards, he had an account at wells fargo that they wouldn't add me to, so I added him to my wamu account. Which he overdrew later with a payday loan and I paid it off last year in order to open a new account there for myself and ONLY myself! screw joint accounts--they're not worth it!) Anyhow, to make a long story shortened, I'm unsure if he's made the van payment for this month, don't think he's going to make it for next month, and am going to have to hide my van again because he's an idiot and can't keep track of his spending. Argh!!!! Oh, and apparently all my military wife friends are feeding me information to mess with him. WTF?! I swear to god he's a paranoid schitzophrenic and I'm like my dad, married a crazy!

I hate lawn mowers...

2007-06-19T09:22:00.000-07:00

Current mood: irate

They are my nemesis! So we're supposed to take care of the grounds to get a reduction on our rent. Which would be fine and dandy if we could get the f-ing lawn mower to work! I've tried new gas, checked the oil, spark plug, and just about everything else I can f-ing think of. I can't get more than a puff of fucking smoke and a sore arm from trying to start the friggin thing. I'm so frustrated, because the grass just keeps getting longer and longer and I can't get the damned thing to work. Time to call my dad and see if he can get the damned thing to work since he's a groundskeeper for the county-- he should know how to fix the damned thing!

Work Ethic...

2007-06-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

Current mood: annoyed

I really don't understand the work ethic of some people. Primarily those who like their job while it's easy, but as soon as the work load increases, they want to quit their job or do quit their job. Though I also don't understand those who work their ass off for little pay when they know they're getting completely screwed and have management experience they could easily take somewhere else for more pay and better hours. I find myself somewhere in the middle of that... I've got okay experience, hate my hours (and lack there of) and could stand to make a higher wage. I like what I do for the most part, and I like the people I work with. Which makes it hard for me to go out and find something better, because I really do honestly like the people I work with and may not find that to be true at the next job I take on. I would really like to work a regular schedule however, monday thru friday with set hours again. Because that would create a better level of stability for not just me, but my kids. It's hard. I guess I need to figure out what's most important (stability and money vs. my comfort level) to me... for a while now it's been my comfort level, as I'm confident in my work and know that I know what I'm doing. Guess it's time to take some advice that was given to me though--Take risks, you can't fall off the bottom! And that's where I've been for a while now!!

Silly Everything Test

2007-06-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

Current mood: tired

So I copied my friend Bri and did the everything test... here's my results:

The Everything Test

There are many different types of tests on the internet today. Personality tests, purity tests, stereotype tests, political tests. But now, there is one test to rule them all.

Traditionally, online tests would ask certain questions about your musical tastes or clothing for a stereotype, your experiences for a purity test, or deep questions for a personality test.We're turning that upside down - all the questions affect all the results, and we've got some innovative results too! Enjoy :-)

Personality

You are more emotional than logical, more concerned about others than concerned about self, more atheist than religious, more loner than dependent, more lazy than workaholic, more rebel than traditional, more engineering mind than artistic mind, more cynical than idealist, more leader than follower, and more introverted than extroverted.

As for specific personality traits, you are romantic (71%), greedy (57%), adventurous (56%).

Stereotypes
Punk Rock	87%
Old Geezer	83%
Emo Kid	67%

Life Experience
Sex	33%
Substances	41%
Travel	15%

Politics
Your political views would best be described as Socialist, whom you agree with around 94% of the time.

Socioeconomic
Your attitude toward life best associates you with Working Class. You make more than 56% of those who have taken this test, and 61% less than the U.S. average.

If your life was a movie, it would be rated PG-13.
By the way, your hottness rank is 48%, hotter than 13% of other test takers.

TAKE THE TEST
brought to you by thatsurveysite

Update on my health status

2007-06-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

I've made my appointment for my totaly invasive "girl parts" exam. They may or may not take a biopsy, so I have to take 800 mg of ibuprophen before my appt. Fun. It's on July 9th, so if I'm a crabby bitch that day, you know why, lol! That was the soonest they could get me in for this type of exam. I'm so not looking foward to it! On another note, I'm going to be getting back on my synthroid soon, so now maybe I'll be able to get myself back on track with loosing the weight that came back since being off the meds and get myself out of the mental funk I've been in for as long as I've been off my medication. Maybe I'll be back to being my normal smart-ass, happy go lucky self in about a month, or maybe I'll just keep the crabby mopey emo bitch attitude ;)

Incidental finding my ass...

2007-06-12T00:28:00.000-07:00

Current mood: enraged
Category: Life

Now I truly know the frustration of the phrase "incidental finding". This is a phrase that everyone on the yahoo group for AC's feels is like fingernails on a chalkboard. If you all could read what these poor people go through every day of their lives, you'd want to choke the shit out of anyone who said that about this as well.

I tried to make an appointment with neurosurgery for Skye, as I was told that the referral for the neurologist just stated it was for the headaches, not the cyst and that I would need to make an appointment with neurosurgery to address the cyst itself. Well, because the neurologist that he saw, whom happens to specialize in epilepsy (which of course, has nothing to do with his condition) put in his notes that the AC was an "incidental finding", we've hit a brick wall. Neurosurgery won't see him until "there's something wrong." WTF is all I can say. GRRRRRRRR. "Something wrong." Apparently there's not something wrong with an 8 year old having migraines and pressure in his head constantly, running into walls and such from random blurred vision when his eyesight is at 20/15 per a recent exam... Yeah, there's something wrong. Something really fucking wrong when dr's won't address the issue and brush shit off as incidental findings when there is NO other reason for the symptoms.

The topamax they put him on for the migraines has taken the edge off, but he's still got pressure all the time and still wakes with headaches. I need to get together with his ped and talk with him about all this. I know it's going to piss him off, because I know, and he knows, that 8 year olds should not have migraines and that the cause is obviously the cyst. The reason we went for the ct and mri in the first place was to FIND the problem, and we did... It is the cyst! So therefore, NOT an incidental finding! Am I right or am I wrong here??

I've already vented to the AC group, I'm sure they'll be just as pissed as I am about this. Many of them are working hard to change the medical community's view on AC's and what symptoms they cause. Just because it's not a tumor, they label it as "incidental" like it can't possibly be the root of any dysfunction or pain. I've got myself something to work towards. Helping the AC sufferers to push the medical community into changing their perspective on this illness and not treating it as nothing, but an actual ailment. I'm going to go off an a whole huge tangent if I don't stop myself here. I'll get off my small soap box now before I take the step up behind the podium and start really preaching.

Since I can't post what I'm listening to right now through the little thingy.... I'm listening to Butt Trumpet's "I've been so mad lately". Very appropriate song per my mood right now. If you don't like swearing, don't listen to that song, lol...

Near Death by Artichokes!

2007-06-07T18:01:00.000-07:00

Current mood: groggy

Okay, so we all know I'm a bit of a freak. I have strange allergies. I'm allergic to artichokes, of all things. I found this out many years ago while working @ Providence Hospital in the medical records dept. I decided to buy lunch in the cafeteria one day, a pasta, artichoke and pesto dish. It was great, and I loved the artichokes, as I'd never had them before. But within a few minutes, I started feeling not so good. Chest tightening, mouth and throat start swelling.... I was having an allergic reaction! Luckily a little benedryl kicked it in the rear and I was okay. Fast forward to today. My friend Conner was over doing some laundry and picked up an artichoke for his lunch while we were at the grocery store. He brought it back here and cooked it up. Somehow, during the process of cooking it, he managed to contaminate my soup (at least that's what I think happened). Within a few minutes of eating said soup, my mouth starts swelling, my chest feels like I have a pile of bricks is on it and of course my inhaler doesn't help. Luckily my next door neighbor had some prescription strength benedryl, so that took care of it once again. I need to just buy some and keep it on me for moments like this, sheesh! All it took was a couple drops of water the stupid things were boiled in to throw me into an allergic fit. argh... I hate artichokes!

Wish me luck!!!

2007-06-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

Current mood: crazy

So I asked Ian this morning what type of theme he wanted for his birthday. He's decided on a skateboarding theme. His heroes being Tony Hawk and Bam Margera, I have been trying to come up with some ideas for his party. At first he wanted a cake with a heartagram on it, which was proving to be a difficult thing for me, as I was unsure how to go about making a huge ass heartagram for the top of his cake. Since he's at school right now, he has no idea what I have schemed up now! I found the pattern/directions to make a cool skateboard cake, that's very simple. Now for the difficult part. I came up with the bright idea to make "bumper stickers" out of royal icing to attach to said skateboard cake. I figured this would make it look that much more like a skateboard, since most skaters slap stickers on their boards. So now I have 3 royal icing "stickers" to make.I've already got the plans rough sketched out on a piece of paper. Now it's the actually doing it part that I'm worried about! So wish me luck that I can pull this off, because if I can do this, then I'm sure I'll be able to pull off Leeanna & Shane's wedding cake next year! lol... Royal icing is a pain to work with, and when doing more than one color, you need to do it in stages. So since I'll be working with a few colors, this should be interesting. Put my cake decorating skills to the test here! I'm going to start on it next week, since they'll need a while to dry in between colors and dry really well before I can attach it to the cake. Ack! What am I thinking?! lol!!!

Pray for my health....

2007-06-03T22:58:00.000-07:00

Pray for my health....
Current mood: worried

I went and had my yearly done recently and got the results back on Friday. Not good news. It looks as if I have pre-cancerous cells and get to go in for this fun little test called a colposcopy. Wish me luck.

When I told Kelly, he was obviously upset and was trying to reassure me that everything would turn out fine. Told me that there's no way I'm getting off this rock before him, lol... It was actually a really sweet moment, considering the circumstances. One of my biggest fears is to die before I get to see my children grow up. And this makes my fear less vauge of a possibility.

Paranoia...

2007-06-03T22:53:00.000-07:00

Paranoia...
Current mood: frustrated

Ever since my van was repoed a few months ago, I'm paranoid as hell. Especially since my ex husband has decided he's going to be the one to make the payments. Since he took over the payments, he's bounced one check to the bank the loan is through and I am so scared he's going to decide to wait 10 days one of these times to make the payment cuz he never pays anything on time, and it's going to get repoed again. This time I know it will be gone forever, because I just don't have that kind of money hanging out. Only reason I did before was it was my friggin rent money, which put us in the other bind we were in with rent. It all drives me friggin nuts. As if I don't have enough on my plate already, ya know? Sheesh!!! okay, going to go now.....

Damn blog gremlins!

2007-05-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

Damn blog gremlins!
Current mood: chipper

So I just went to look at my blog, and apparently the blog gremlins ate at least one post... I'd posted about how my Tastefully Simple meeting went and it's not there. Grrr... Anyhow, it was a truly inspiring and uplifting experience and one I'll never forget. I learned a lot from Jill, and came away with a couple pages of notes. Things I'll be using (and am using) in both my business life and home life. I'm so glad that I went!!!

WHEW!

2007-05-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

WHEW!
Current mood: calm

Thanks to all who came to the "surprise" bring Kelly beer BBQ he decided to throw. It was a bit strange being only one of 3 females (4 if you count the cat) at the thing. So seriously outnumbered were we! lol... But it was great and it was wonderful to get to see those of you that I'd not seen for a while, (and those that I see all the time as well, ;) ) We actually had just a little bit of leftovers, not much at all though. Which is what I was hoping for! I hope everyone had a good time and that you all left stuffed like a thanksgiving turkey!!! Now it's my turn to throw a bbq and invite a bunch of women I think, ha ha ha!!! Now, where can I meet some women to invite?? lmao! I came to the realization that I have far more male friends that I actually hang out with than I do female. Strange. Anyhow, I had a blast and we'll have to do it again!

Should be fun!!!

2007-05-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

Should be fun!!!
Current mood: excited
Today should be a fun and hopefully inspiring and uplifting experience. I get to go to Tumwater (for those who don't know where that is, it's a couple hours drive south of where I live on the I-5 corridor) to go to a open team meeting for Tastefully Simple. Why, pray tell am I going all the way down there for a stupid meeting? Because the President and CEO of the company, one of the 2 founding partners, will be at this team meeting. I figure it's probably going to be my only chance to meet her, or at least only chance in the next few years, as I just don't have the funding to be able to go to a national convention all the way in Minnesota. And this is the first time she's visited WA in the past 5 years. So I figure if she's going to make the effort to come out here to see/meet us, then I should make the effort as well. She's supposed to be speaking at the meeting I guess and I've heard that she's a very inspirational speaker. So hopefully I'll get the motivation and knowledge I need to help build a better business and build my client base and get my crap together and make some money. Wish me luck ;) And the bonus is I don't have to drive. My team leader is picking me up on the way down, (she's coming from Coupeville, which is another hour or so northwest of me even) so that's way cool. I don't have to spend $40 in gas to go, lol!!

YEA!!!

2007-05-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

YEA!!!
Current mood: calm

We finally have fixed our rent situation. DSHS has pledged 1340 to cover May's rent and we just paid off the rest of what we owed for April. We're now back on our feet again. And according to dumbass, he paid the van payment and the insurance on the van yesterday. So that should be good as well. Much less stress now. MUCH MUCH less stress now. Now I just need to come up with money for at least 2 new tires for the van, because my front 2 are bald as all get out.

Stupid People

2007-05-12T08:19:00.000-07:00

Stupidity. That's one of the many reasons I left Steve. Example: He calls me up last night to inform me that the check he wrote to pay the van payment bounced, so he won't be paying the payment until the 15th (next week-next payday) because he apparently does not know how to keep a check register or bank balance accurate. He never has really. When you write a check, you write it down in your register, and then keep track of the balance when you spend more money either via pulling $ from the atm/bank or using your card by also subtracting those amounts and then you follow what is in your register as available balance, not by what the bank online statement says is your available balance, unless the checks you've written and the debits you've made have all cleared. (Of which you check against your register and mark as cleared as they clear.) Am I right? Or am I wrong? It's not the banks fault you don't keep track of your balance properly. 1) they are waiting for you to screw up so they can charge you fees 2) they also feel it is your responsibility, not theirs, to keep track of how much money you have available and only spend that amount.

Now that I've lectured all the people in my life that actually KNOW what you're supposed to do with a checking account, I'm going to conclude by saying I'm really fucking pissed that I now have to hide my van for the next several days until he makes the payment. Fucking jackass retard! Grrrrrrr

Me + School = ACK!!!!

2007-05-08T09:05:00.000-07:00

So I've decided I want to go back to school. My only problem is that I have no idea what path I want to go down. I'm interested in so many things, that I can't decide! Most of which would create a good paying job for me upon completion (in theory). And none of which are related to each other! Among the many things I want to pursue are culinary arts, massage therapy, medical coding and billing, geology, and also throw in some language studies as well. I'd like to become fluent in a few different languages. I'd like to learn to speak spanish again, mostly because I've already learned a lot, but I can't remember a lot of it. Also Japaneese, and Italian... I know, very unrelated! I'll have to take a lot of refresher courses too, in math and english I'm sure, for just about anything I pursue... See my hesitation in pursuing anything at all! I'm too confused about what to take! I can't make a decision to save my life! It's driving me MAD! lol...

my landlady

2007-05-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

Rocks. So you've all read my bitching about this place that said they would help us then has us jumping through hoops and then decides they don't really want to help us. If they didn't want to help us in the first place, they should have said so instead of stringing me along. Well, I was talking to my landlady about this yesterday on the phone. Last night I got this email from said place:

I just received a lovely e-mail from your landlord. Can you give me a "We'll
pay this much on this date, this much on this date,.... until _______ when we
should be caught up."? Then I can do something.

Now, mind you, I already sent her this information yesterday morning. I sent her our 2 different plans on how to fix our rent situation based on the different factors that could play either in our total favor or still in our favor but not as much of a quick and easy fix. So since I also sent this information to my landlady so she could take it to the property owner, I copied/pasted the info back into an email to her and asked her if it was sufficient to her as it was to my landlord. I know I shouldn't be snotty in any way shape or form towards someone who is prospectively helping me save my place of residence, but let me tell ya, I don't think I'd recommend turning to these people in a time of crisis or need to anyone. They've had me on such a roller coaster over the past month it's ridiculous, going back and forth about whether or not they will help us. You just cannot do that to someone who is desperate and in this sort of situation. You can't give them false hope, turn around and tear them down, to turn around and give them false hope again, and continue that cycle. So I'm glad my landlady emailed them and told them how hard we've been struggling and trying to make ends meet. We've been doing the best we can with what we had and sometimes that's not enough... Anyhow, thanks to all our friends who've been a HUGE help and support through all of this!!!!!! We love you guys!!!!

Glimmer of hope...

2007-05-02T00:02:00.000-07:00

So, though I'm not out of my pj's yet and it's noon, I still have had a fairly successful day. I've been on the phone and internet all morning, trying to figure things out for our housing situation. I think I *might* finally have it fixed. Depends on how nice our landlord decides to be, is what it comes down to. We have applied a second time for the Diversion Assistance program to pay towards our rent. Hopefully we will get that. If we do, then things will turn out great! If not, we have a backup plan that won't be great, but will hopefully still be doable. Like I said, depends on the landlord and how nice he wants to be.

Now, the rest of what I've been doing today, argh! I have to say, I hate insurance companies. I really really do! It's really messed up how much they dictate our care as patients. I have to now go get a second referral for Skye, as he now needs to be seen by a neurosurgeon, which is a different department than neurology, so therefore, requiring a whole new referral. What a bunch of crap. It's all for the same condition for christs sake! Anyhow, after that goes through, which if I do today, I can in theory be able to call next week to get him an appointment. At some point today I may get a shower and out of the house to go to the dr's office. In fact, I should shower now, as I need to go pick up a friend in about an hour. She's going to be garage sale-ing and craigslist-ing a bunch of our stuff so that we can put more money towards our rent. I always work weekends, so it's been near impossible for me to try to hold a garage sale like I've been wanting and needing to. Anyhow, I need to get off here and get my other things done. Still need to figure out dinner!

Frustrated...

2007-04-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

I am so frustrated right now. For many reasons... I will list my reasons of frustration for the day:

1) Laziness
2) Playing dumb
3) Wasting of food
4) Whining and temper tantrums, child and adult alike.
5) Money and rent and stupid places that promise help then turn around and don't give it

Okay, let me elaborate a bit... Laziness... how hard is it to put something away in it's proper spot, or look in the refrigerator and assess what is in it by opening containers. Playing dumb... something my children do constantly that makes me want to smack them senseless so that when they act that way it's for a reason. Wasting of food... Something that is done in this house constantly that pisses me off. Why can't people just eat the friggin leftovers? I do all the time. I take them with me to work for my lunch and dinner. Why can't anyone else institute a "clean out the fridge night" ?? I just threw away so much food, it could have fed a homeless person for a month. Fuck. That really makes me mad. I can only eat so much leftovers myself, I'm only one person! Whining and temper tantrums... that one is self explanitory. Money and rent and stupid people who claim they will help only to back out when you're so close to saving your home you can almost get there, but can't with out just a little more help. I'm very frustrated right now, as this place said they would help us with the rest if we were able to borrow $ from my dad. I did that, now they're trying to get out of helping us like they said the would. Fuckers. I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't even know if it's too late at this point to be able to stay here. I'm afraid of going to work and getting a frantic call from my sister because the cops are here physically removing us from our home. No one else around here seems nearly as stressed out about this as I am.

Skye's Brain...

2007-04-26T16:50:00.000-07:00

Skye's Brain...

I just thought I'd share a couple of pics of the inside of my boy's head so you can guess see the growth on his poor brain. So here ya go!!! The cyst is in the posterior fossa region of the brain (rear) and is the large dark spot on the top photo(on the bottom) and you can see it in the back on the bottom photo...

About freaking time...

2007-04-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

About freaking time...

Nik, you'll be proud of me! I FINALLY seasoned my wok you got me for my birthday/xmas! ha ha ha... damn I'm a slacker! I'm making teriyaki chicken, stir fry veggies, rice and egg drop soup for dinner tonight.... MMMMMM So anyhow, I thought I'd just share with everyone that I finally did that so now I can finally use it, lol!

Happy Thoughts for my Daddy!

2007-04-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Thoughts for my Daddy!
Current mood: worried

As some of you may know, my dad has been dealing with recurring tumors on his bladder for a few years now. He's been through 3 surgeries and two rounds of Chemo now to battle this. He just went in for a check up (he has them every 6 months to a year) and he has two that have come back again. He will go in for surgery on the 27th to remove them (again!) and then another round of chemo. So everyone, please think happy thoughts, pray or do a special dance, whatever it is you believe in, just wish him wellness and a speedy recovery from this!!! He may be staying with us so we can keep an eye on him.

Silver Lining

2007-04-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

Silver Lining

Well, our clouds are starting to part, the silver lining is showing and things are starting to work out. Kelly has finally landed a job, not the best, but better than nothing, with a promotion in the works as he was hired even. We will have to borrow money from family to pay off our rent for this month, but we've also worked out a way to bring some of the cost of our rent down a bit, by doing the landscaping here. We'll be taking over for the people who live downstairs, as they are moving out soon. We will still need some help most likely to make May's rent, however, at this point we *should* be able to get help from DSHS to cover that and that will put us in the green again. It's been a very rough road, but once I know for sure our housing is secure again, I'll be able to focus on things that are far more important to me (Skye's health and my own for that matter!) and climb back out of the depression hole I've been in. So just thought I'd update you all a little, I will update again soon when things have all finalized and we are for sure on the green path again!

Freaking out!

2007-04-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

Freaking out!

Well, I talked to my landlord today. She said that we're going to be served with a 3 day pay or vacate notice tomorrow. First time I've ever faced an eviction, EVER. I have no idea what we're going to do now. we're so totally fucked.

The curse of the internet and sharing of information

2007-04-10T20:40:00.000-07:00

The curse of the internet and sharing of information
Current mood: depressed

So I decided to start doing research and reading up on Arachnoid Cysts. What I've found is absolutely devastating for me. The pain, the suffering, the surgeries, and the symptoms people with AC have to deal with on a daily basis. I've found that the symptoms seem to vary only slightly from person to person, and often times depending on where the cyst is located. Skye has a posterior fossa cyst. Meaning his is in the rear. Probably one of the "best" spots to have it if you have one from the sounds of it. I want to get a hold of his CT scans from when he gave himself that concussion when he was 4. I honestly wonder if he's one of the few that got this condition due to head injury, rather than being born with it. Really, it's honestly tearing me up inside so much I'm an emotional basket case, knowing the hell my baby is going to most likely have to face in the future with this thing. It's not as easy as "well, just remove it and it's gone, no issue". so far, I've not read a single story where that's the case. Maybe there are some out there, and because they've had success, they don't write about it, or aren't part of a support group because they're doing okay. I've constantly read that dr's are so in the dark and clueless about this condition, that most just don't want to deal with it or treat it. Now I'm starting to wonder if the dr that I took Skye to is one of those. I've been warned of the words "incidental finding" in regards to it. Because how can it really be incidental if it's causing pain? If he weren't having migraines, we wouldn't have found it, probably for a very long time or maybe not even at all. But I just can't see how these dr's out there can say it's not what's causing the migraines and the other symptoms, when 9 times out of 10, these poor people wouldn't have these problems, aka symptoms, if they didn't have the cyst to begin with! Argh, I'm rambling... Expect that alot from me on this subject as time goes on. I'm sure we'll become jaded towards the medical community at some point because of this. Like so many others have. argh....

f-ing damn it!

2007-04-09T16:22:00.000-07:00

f-ing damn it!
Current mood: distressed

and here we thought that things had finally turned around for us. Kelly is once again jobless. apparently something came up on his background check that they didn't like, so changed their minds about hiring him. So here we go again. Totally fucked. Anyone have any bright ideas? We're so going to wind up homeless and I totally don't know what to do or where to turn at this point. Fucking damn it all to hell I say! I give up. I throw in the towel. I can't even think straight any longer.

Insanity of staying home!

2007-04-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

Insanity of staying home!
Current mood: bored

How was I ever a SAHM for so long? Seriously, I'm going INSANE from not going to work today, and it's only been one day off. I mean, of course I like my weekends, but facing having almost a week off of work is making me near insane. How am I going to amuse myself? Fuck! You can only watch so much tv and do so much indoor stuff. With it raining, I can't really take the kids out to do anything outside. Which is honestly where I'd prefer to be right now. I have this gardening bug all of a sudden, and nothing to plant! And no gardening tools either. argh! Maybe I'll post a wanted on freecycle for such things! Hey, that's a good idea! I'll go do that now. That'll hold my attention for about 30 seconds!

Wish me luck!

2007-04-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

Wish me luck!

I'm selling, or rather attempting to, sell a bunch of stuff on Craigslist to try and help make ends meet. We're still behind on rent, also the cable/internet and phone bill. If we can just get caught up, we should be okay. It's the getting caught up part that sucks. So if anyone local is interested in finding out what all I have for sale, let me know! Wish me luck that our stuff sells, so I can 1) pay the bills and 2) reclaim lost space in the house!! ;)

Update on Skye, Post appt.

2007-04-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

Update on Skye, Post appt.

Okay, here's the scoop. Skye is being put on Topamax for his migraines (yes, it's an anti-seizure med, but also used to treat migraines). He's to go back in to the Neurologist at Childrens for a checkup at the end of July, and have another MRI in a year to check on the cyst to make sure it hasn't grown. Apparently this type of cyst is quite common, though occurring in males more often than females. His is still considered small enough to not worry about yet as it is not constricting the passage of fluid between the brain and the spine. Click Here to read up on the specifics of the condition from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The neurologist said that all the neurological tests were fine (he did a whole bunch of them on him today) and paired with the MRI thinks that once we get the migraines under control he'll be okay for a good while. Part of the migraines is that he's straining his neck and causing himself a tension headache to deal with the pain in the front from the migraine... vicious little circle. We're to keep him on a strict sleep schedule and up his intake of foods rich in magnesium and riboflavin (as well as a multivitamin containing these) and cut out caffeine completely if possible. Which is pretty much nothing anyhow because I don't let the kids drink much soda, any coffee, though I do let them drink tea, so I'll cut that to decaf for them. Drink lots of water all that stuff.. The kid already eats and drinks healthier than most kids his age, so that's good. Won't really have to change his diet much at all. So that's where we sit now.... Still in limbo so to speak, but treating the side effect of the headaches...

I hate parking lots...

2007-04-02T17:14:00.000-07:00

I hate parking lots...

The one at Albertsons, in specific. I swear that place is a death trap! Several years ago in the early morning hours, I went to the store to pick up a newspaper and some donuts and juice for a breakfast treat for the kids. I was attempting to leave, was half way out of my parking spot and this car full of old people back out and rear end my rear end. Of course, it's all my fault because they were there first because they were older than I. How the fuck does that work? I didn't have insurance at the time, and my car was repoed shortly thereafter... Anyhow, flash forward to yesterday, about 7 years later. Same parking lot. Near the same parking spot even! My sister and I had just finished a shopping trip (something not done often at this particular store because of said parking lot) and we're trying to leave. We wind up sitting in our parking spot for about 3 minutes in reverse, moved about 3 feet from where we started, because 2 different people want our spot and are coming from opposite directions and both refuse to move so we can back out. In the meantime, 2 other people, in the spots opposite us (behind us) also would like to leave. So finally both people in the lane move a little bit so I can start backing my van out. (If I'd had a compact car, it wouldn't have been an issue so much.) So here I am, 3/4 out of my parking spot once again, and the person opposite me decides they're going to leave as well, start backing out and almost hit me! I was honking my horn trying to get their attention and they must have been backing w/o looking at all because they were inches from my ass end by the time they stopped. So we finally get out of the space and are trying to head out and the lady who'd pulled in from the direction we were trying to head was in the middle of the lane, and I couldn't pass on either side because of the width of my van. So she had to pull back even further to be able to let me through. When I finally got out of there, I was sooooo friggin happy and vowed never to go there again. I'll drive the couple miles to the other Albertsons should I decide I need to go to that store in the future! It's absolute insanity!!!!!

Closer...

2007-03-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

Closer...

Well, I'm a little closer to meeting my minimum for the quarter for Tastefully Simple. I'm down to needing 147.41 now, as someone made an order last night. So, any little bit helps! Now I just need to come up with $1750 for rent now! (that'd be the rest of this months rent and next months rent, all due on the first!) ACK!

Back from Vacation

2007-03-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Back from Vacation

And I want to go baaaaaack!!!! LOL! We had a blast. It was great not having to deal with any of the stresses of daily life. Big huge thanks to my dad and his girlfriend for taking us with them. The boys thanked my dad on the way home when we stopped at a rest stop and asked him to please take them on a vacation again, lol. I'm thinking that we're going to try to go camping at the ocean or something of the sorts this summer, but we'll stick a little closer to home and stick to WA beaches. It was a great time even though it rained or was gloomy most of the weekend. Check out my photo's section for some pics of the trip. Or you can check out my photobucket page for even more pics! http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a285/winterwhispers/Seaside%20Oregon/

Off on a Vacation! Yea!

2007-03-16T10:06:00.000-07:00

Off on a Vacation! Yea!

So last week my dad and his girlfriend invited us along on a little mini vacation to Seaside OR for a 4 day weekend. We're leaving today in a couple hours and will be back on Monday. The kids have never been to the ocean, and the place we're staying is literally on the beach. It's awesome :D I looked it up on google earth this morning. This should be really fun, as I've not had any sort of vacation for almost 12 years now! Sheesh! Wish me luck with the kids, as Kelly and Jason are staying home. So it'll be me, the boys, Vicki and my dad and Beverly. I'll take lots of pics (I have my camera, an extra mem. card and will also have my dad's camera as well, he he he!) And I'll make sure to get pics of me in there as well. Because damn it, I hardly have any pics of me!

Update on Skye

2007-03-14T10:08:00.000-07:00

Update on Skye
Current mood: numb

Well, got the MRI results back. Skye has a small cyst. According to his Dr. it looks harmless, but he's sending him to a neurologist at Childrens to have it further checked out. We're waiting on the referrals, yet again, to go through. I'm freaking out, even though I expected it to be something along these lines, because you don't do MRI's for allergies, like I said before. So now it's hurry up and wait, yet again. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Stressed and Depressed...

2007-03-14T09:07:00.000-07:00

Stressed and Depressed...
Current mood: depressed

I'm so stressed right now! I'm $270 short of my quarterly minimum for Tastefully Simple, basically, one party away from deactivating. The one party I had scheduled, rescheduled and can't do it until April, which is too late for me. I don't know what to do, because I love doing it and I've sunk a lot of money into it over the years. Plus I love the discount. I just can't for some reason (maybe cuz I'm a shitty sales person, I don't know) get bookings or get my business off to a real start. I just don't understand what the hell my problem is. Maybe it's that most the people I know are broke as I am, I dunno... It's killing me though. If I had the $ I'd just buy the product myself, but I don't since I had the whole van repo issue last month. It totally killed me. That money was supposed to go to rent and to the kids and my business, and it's gone. I'm so sunk right now. I'm depressed as hell over everything. And I've still not heard back from the dr's about Skye's results from his MRI and that's killing me too. I'm supposed to go on a vacation to Seaside OR with my dad and his girlfriend this weekend (with the kids and my sis) but I'm starting to think I should skip it and try to have an open house or something to drum up some orders. I'm just flipping out here. I'm close to snapping under all the pressure I'm feeling and it sucks ass. I just want to crawl into a hole and hide :(

IKEA wants you to break a bag habit

2007-03-05T11:47:00.000-08:00

IKEA wants you to break a bag habit

Just had to post this news story. My favorite part is highlighted, because I think this is just awesome! I'm all for it!

IKEA wants you to break a bag habit
05:18 PM PST on Tuesday, February 27, 2007
By GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 News

RENTON, Wash. - Enjoy that free plastic bag while you can because pretty soon IKEA will charge you for it.

"We are going to charge five cents for our disposable bags," said Becky Jorgensen of IKEA Seattle.

KING
IKEA hopes to reduce the plastic-bag problem by charging customers for them.

How can they charge five cents for a bag you can for free anywhere? Well that's the point. IKEA and local government agencies say free plastic bags are an expensive problem.

"Seattle generates about 3,000 tons of plastic bags every year and only about 20 percent of them get recycled," said Brett Stav of Seattle Public Utilities.

Most of the rest of them end up in the trash, then the landfill, or even worst, as litter, and that's a problem.

"Well, plastic bags don't biodegrade, they don't break down over time," said Stav.

IKEA wants to reduce that problem by penalizing you for using these and reward you for buying and reusing recycled blue bags.

"And if you purchase the blue bag for 59 cents, then every time you use that we'll give you 25 cents off your order," said Jorgensen.

So what happens to the nickel they're going to charge you? Every cent goes to the American Forests organization for planting new trees.

IKEA wants you to help them reduce the number of bags they produce by half. Doing that would be substantial when you consider IKEA sent 70 million bags out their doors nationwide last year. It would make a big difference to the environment if they could replace half of those with the new bags.

And if you're still skeptical, here's a deal for you: bring your own bags from home, and IKEA will take a nickel off your bill for each one needed to bag you purchases.

IKEA says it used the same program in the United Kingdom and has reduced bag consumption by 95 percent.

Environmental groups say plastic bags waste valuable oil resources, release toxins when burned, and contribute to global warming because of the energy required to produce them. They also say bags littering the oceans annually kill sea turtles and other marine animals that mistake them for food.

Americans discarded more than 4.4 million tons of low- and high-density polyethylene bags, sacks, and wraps in 2005, according to a report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Only 5.2 percent of those were recovered for recycling, the EPA said.

In Seattle, plastic grocery bags, newspaper bags, and dry cleaning bags can be recycled (remove any receipts and bundle them together into one bag).

All other plastic bags, including those that have contained fruit, vegetables, bread, snack foods, and pet food are NOT recyclable. Food residue and moisture contaminates the plastic, making it unusable.

Plastic food storage and freezer bags such as Ziplock are NOT recyclable. Plastic frozen food bags are NOT recyclable (paper frozen food boxes ARE recyclable). Large plastic bags for yard mulch are NOT recyclable.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Skye's MRI...

2007-03-05T08:40:00.000-08:00

Skye's MRI...
Current mood: cold

He'll be having his MRI on Wed. provided the insurance approves the authorization. Looks like they freaked me out because they don't know how to word things at his dr's office. Here I've been a basket case... I've gotten it together though, so I'm calm and even keeled again for the most part. I'm guessing the CT just wasn't clear enough to see what the real problem is, so that's why they're doing the MRI. So evereyone keep your fingers crossed that the results are as good as they can be!

Positive thoughts please (freaking out!)

2007-03-03T00:40:00.000-08:00

Positive thoughts please (freaking out!)
Current mood: distressed

So, Skye has been having these headaches off and on for a while now and lately they've been an all the time thing. I was finally able to get his dr figured out (as in who it was and where to take him etc since stupid Tricare is retarded) and took him in. First thought is that it's probably allergies, but the dr sends us off to go get a head ct, just to try and see what's going on. We did that on Wednesday and so they called me back today with the "results" saying that "there's a lot going on with the soft tissue, and the dr. wants him to go in for an MRI." Okay, usually if they order an MRI of the head, it's a lot more serious than allergies. I'm freaking out. Of course, who wouldn't, plus I'm an expect the worst, hope for the best kind of person. If you expect the worst, you can't be hit with a brick upside the head suddenly and unexpectedly. We'll be going in next week for the MRI. So everyone think positive for my Bear-Bear, because we need it! Meanwhile, I'm going to be a bit of a basket case...

Valentines...

2007-02-14T19:50:00.000-08:00

Valentines...
Current mood: mellow

Hope everyone who cares about VD had a great day/night!

The flu strikes again...

2007-02-13T11:21:00.000-08:00

The flu strikes again...
Current mood: tired

So far, Felicity brought it over, Skye had it, Ian and Alex have it and I'm starting to feel achy and tired. Though I'm always achy and tired, so hmph. Hoping I don't catch it, cuz I really don't want it. Body aches, fever, headache, chills, deep cough, sore throat, ear ache... yeah, no thanks. Really don't want it! Here's to hoping that us adults avoid it and the kids get over it soon... Oh, if you don't want it, don't come over, lol

Whew!

2007-02-13T11:04:00.000-08:00

Whew!

I got my van back! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just had to share, lol! Being vehicle-less sucks much ass. Boy did I ever miss that thing! Especially since it takes me a half hour to walk to the closest bus stop that will take me to work. I might have to buy a second vehicle, a little commuter car, just to have in case (and to teach my sister to drive on!). At least I know where/how to get one of those!

Wash. initiative would require married couples to have kids

2007-02-09T13:35:00.000-08:00

Wash. initiative would require married couples to have kids
Current mood: amused

Wash. initiative would require married couples to have kids
12:59 PM PST on Tuesday, February 6, 2007
KING5.com Staff and Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. - An initiative filed by proponents of same-sex marriage would require heterosexual couples to have kids within three years or else have their marriage annulled.

Initiative 957 was filed by the Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance. That group was formed last summer after the state Supreme Court upheld Washington's ban on same-sex marriage.

Under the initiative, marriage would be limited to men and women who are able to have children. Couples would be required to prove they can have children in order to get a marriage license, and if they did not have children within three years, their marriage would be subject to annulment. All other marriages would be defined as "unrecognized" and people in those marriages would be ineligible to receive any marriage benefits.

"For many years, social conservatives have claimed that marriage exists solely for the purpose of procreation ... The time has come for these conservatives to be dosed with their own medicine," said WA-DOMA organizer Gregory Gadow in a printed statement. "If same-sex couples should be barred from marriage because they can not have children together, it follows that all couples who cannot or will not have children together should equally be barred from marriage."

Supporters must gather more than 224,000 valid signatures by July 6 to put the initiative on the November ballot.

Opponents say the measure is another attack on traditional marriage, but supporters say the move is needed to have a discussion on the high court ruling.

So what do you all think of this? Makes perfect sense to me, heh heh

YEA!!! Potty Training!

2007-01-19T07:21:00.000-08:00

YEA!!! Potty Training!
Current mood: calm
Category: Life

So, we're potty training Alex. He's actually kind of potty training himself. I took him to the store last night (after we window shopped online) to pick out his big boy potty. He picked a Sesame Street squishy seat that fits on the regular toilet. He was so excited about it he spent most of the rest of the evening last night sitting on it. He peed once using it and tried like 50 other times. He seems very excited about it, and his reward when fully trained will be to go get some spiderman underwear. This he's very excited about as well. He loves spiderman! lol....

Grrrr Taxes...

2007-01-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

Grrrr Taxes...
Category: Life

I just gotta say grrrr. I'm trying to figure out taxes and I hate it. Steve and I were supposed to file joint this one last time (we'd each get more filing joint since we'd get EIC) and he's being a poop about it. So neither of us get the EIC this year. Which sucks, because I really need the extra $ to pay off bills and get the kids new clothes (again!). if it didn't cost so blasted much, I'd go to a tax prep place this year because of the itemizing. What I need to do is just get the software that TS offers and use that or get something along those lines to keep track all year long since I suck at it. That'll make itemizing much much easier! lol... okay, enough bitching and whining on this subject ;)

Snowing again...

2007-01-10T16:08:00.000-08:00

Snowing again...

So it's snowing again here. Weeee. I took Alex and Felicity for a walk and to play in it today. It was nice to get out of the house. I'll be off to work soon. Should leave a bit early because of the weather. Luckily I made a crap load of white chili for dinner last night, so dinner for tonight is done. Just heat and serve tonight. I've got some fresh corn bread muffins in the oven now to go with. Luckily I have a quick and easy recipe for those, so I can just throw them together in no time (and it's cheaper than jiffy mix even! though not quite as fast). Anyhow, rambling rambling. Not much to say really. Work should be easy tonight with the weather being how it is. People don't like to go out in this kind of weather if they can help it. Plus xmas is over, and there's no coupon this week, so really, it should be pretty dead tonight. Which is fine with me! Anyhow, should probably go change and get ready. Hope everyone is having a good day!

Happy New Years All!

2007-01-01T10:48:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years All!

Last night was interesting. The fireworks at the space needle sucked this year, more than last. Of course, I was safe and sound at home watching them on tv. But the fireworks in my own neighborhood were more fun! Except for the fact that they woke up Alex and he was convinced someone was trying to kill him and there was a bad guy outside. Yea for older brothers playing war games around him, lol! Poor kid was awake in his bed shaking when I went to go past his room to get Skye and take him to bed (he'd passed out on the couch around 10:30) he'd saw me and called out to me. So he got to stay up and watch the fireworks from my bedroom window. I don't think we ever convinced him that they weren't really scary and no one was trying to kill him, but he did go back to bed after midnight and the final explosions of the evening from our fun loving neighbors had gone off. Kelly and I did get to go out to dinner earlier in the evening to this really yummy italian restaurant down in Lake City. And the kids and Vicki got their Spicy Orange Chicken. It was really spicy this time, but they gobbled it right up as per usual! lol... So all in all it was a good new years celebration here for us. :)

Flowers

2006-12-17T19:13:00.000-08:00

Flowers

So today I was having a crappy day and Kelly brought me some flowers they're really pretty so I had to share (thanks honey!)....

High School Friends

2006-12-17T11:37:00.000-08:00

High School Friends

In the last year since moving back down here from Oak Harbor, I've run into so many of my old high school friends. It's nice to see that everyone seems to be doing well. Me, I've been better, and I've been a lot worse. This is shaping up to be a good end to an interesting year. I've been thinking about trying to arrange a reunion for all the high school friends I've managed to run into. I think it'd be fun, even if some have had falling outs or what have you in our adult lives. Just to see everyone for one night. Some wine, some good food and catching up on what we've been doing and where we are and where we want to go from here. I just think that would be really cool and really fun. If anyone is interested in doing this let me know, then maybe I can start working on arranging something.

Student of the Month, MY KID??!!

2006-12-13T07:48:00.000-08:00

Student of the Month, MY KID??!!

So on Monday, Skye brought home a sealed envelope and gave it to me telling me that it was VERY IMPORTANT. I opened it to find that he's getting an award this morning at an assembly for Student of the Month. Of course, the day I'm scheduled to be at work early. I took the note in and happened to catch my boss right before he left yesterday and he asked me what time I was supposed to be at work. Told him what time (10 am) and he said okay, get here as soon as you can, you can't miss this. It's nice to have an understanding boss like that. So the assembly is at 9:30 and Skye still has no idea that he's getting an award. They said the student didn't know and that it was to be a surprise. I'm definetly going to be there though, with camera in hand! I'll share pics later : )

My birthday...

2006-12-11T08:02:00.000-08:00

My birthday...

Thanks to everyone for wishing me a happy birthday. It was quite uneventful, which on one hand, I'm very thankful for. On the other, a little more excitement would have been nice ;) lol. I passed out early even, I was just exhausted from being up early to be in at 7 am. I got one present (well, 2 since I haven't gotten the other yet), which is more than I usually get for my birthday. So 30 will be again, one of my least memorable birthdays I'm sure. So far my most memorable birthday is the one where we had a gas leak in our apt building, and we had to evac, it was pouring down rain, I had my older two boys to try and keep warm and dry (Alex came a few years later). I couldn't drive anywhere, because my car was right near where the leak was so I couldn't start it and go to the mall or something. We were stuck in pouring down rain until a neighbor from another building saw us huddled up trying to keep warm and brought us inside until we could go back to our own apt. Then everyone forgot it was my birthday that day until that evening I broke down in tears cuz I was having such a crappy day and my sis and her friend were like oh shit! and ran off to the mall and store to get me a present and a cake, lol. So yeah, that kind of excitement I can do without on a birthday, lol!!!

Yea for empty stores!

2006-12-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

Yea for empty stores!
Current mood: tired

I didn't get to do any of my grocery shopping yesterday, so I went this morning since the boys were out of juice to take in their lunches. The store was so quiet and empty, didn't have to wait in line or anything. I like being able to just grab my stuff and get out as fast as possible. Especially when I'm feeling like ass. At least I got a lot of the stuff off my list by memory. Now just to get the rest of it later. The kids can have chicken nuggets and tots for dinner tonight, they'll be happy with that. Especially Alex, he loves that meal, because he can dip his food :) okay, off I go to tend to children.

Depressed

2006-12-07T20:39:00.000-08:00

Depressed
Current mood: depressed

that's how I'm feeling lately. I just realized it. I've been ignoring everyone while at the same time not. I'm here, but only physically. I have come to loathe this time of year when I used to love it. As I've gotten older, the magic of christmas has faded and I've become bitter and hollow feeling every fall. I try to put on a happy face for everyone, but really, I'm pretty numb inside. It always starts around thanksgiving, and then lasts through the rest of the winter. I've tried retail therapy, but that of course only makes it worse, because then I wind up spending too much. Did that today, though on purpose with the intention of returning some items. not sure what I was thinking really. Anyhow, I'm rambling about that. right now, I just want to bury myself, so I think I'll do the next closest thing and find my bed.

:)

2006-11-21T22:06:00.000-08:00

So, I closed out the party that I did on Saturday. I walked away with a little over $100 for about 4 hrs of work again. So yea! $25/hr :) Makes me happy when I can do that. I've got one party booked for next year already, in March. The host decided to re-book for then. I think I'm okay with not having any booked for December at this point in time. Well, for the work of it. The money part would be nice. Maybe I'll try to get someone to do a catalog party for me. That might work... Get 2 catalog parties going if I can. Think I'll start working on that idea tomorrow! Now I need to go make my dips for the pot luck at work this coming weekend. That way they'll be nice and flavorful, and I don't have to think about it later!

Whatta week

2006-11-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

Whatta week

Whew! Some time home for a little while. I work a long week next week, with a lot of hours (comparitively). Which is good, we need the $ for rent right now. I did a party today, and so far it's at $305 but should be more by mid week. I'm so loving this direct shipping thing! So I made $75 today off the party, so not too bad for 4 hrs. Could have been better, but there were only 4 guests, so not too shabby. The host still has her order, which right now before credits is $145. So if I added that in, it's really at $450. So I guess that right there just made me feel better, lol!
I so cheated on dinner tonight. I told the kids I'd take them all to the store and let them pick out their own tv dinner. Of course, I stick to the $1 ones, cuz I'm cheap, lol. They were very excited to go to the store with me and pick out their own dinners, and behaved quite well considering. So tonight has been an easy night so far. They've all eaten their food (except Alex, who seems to boycot food every other day). And so far very little bickering or fighting and no one in trouble. I'm okay with evenings like this!

Some days...

2006-11-10T22:50:00.000-08:00

Some days...
Current mood: satisfied

I wish I had this as a t-shirt for work:" If I gave you this big box of nothing, would you go away?". I swear there needs to be an IQ test added on to the application and interview process when hiring new employees, be it for seasonal work or otherwise. My tolerance for ignorance and stupidity has gone way down in about the last month. However, my night has gotten far better since I've come home. Sat down with a good movie (Borne Supremacy) and the knitter and I started on a scarf for a christmas present. Then I had a nice big bowl... of caramel pecan ice cream that is :D

Trick or Treating

2006-11-01T08:55:00.000-08:00

Trick or Treating

So the boys had fun but were little popscicles by the time we were done. They all got more than enough candy, even though we cut our trick or treating short because we didn't want frostbite. Alex was a cat again (different costume though), Skye was Captain Jack Sparrow, and Ian was a ninja again. I think I spent about $20 total on all 3 of their costumes because Ian re-used his, Skye got a jack sparrow hat w/hair and Alex got a mask. Not too bad. They like reusing their costumes anyhow! We went around Kelly's parents neighborhood, and some of the houses were giving out handfulls and full size candy bars. So the kids scored good on their sugary treats for the year

Brrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!

2006-10-31T08:30:00.000-08:00

Brrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!

It's so blasted cold out!!! It's UP to 30.9 degrees outside. When I first looked at the thermometer, it said it was 22 out. That was about an hour ago or so... Time to break out the heavy coats, hats and gloves!!!! The kids get to trick or treat in freezing temps tonight, fun fun!!! I think I'd almost rather it be 20 degrees warmer and raining! Ha ha ha!

Yum!

2006-10-30T20:41:00.000-08:00

Yum!

So I made a new recipe tonight. Usually I'm leery to, because the kids suck and whine most the time about it because it's not something they're used to. But tonight, I got compliment after compliment from all the kids on what I made. I couldn't believe it. Even Felicity, who's one of the pickiest eaters I've ever met told me I was a really good cook and that she liked it a lot. I made pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon with Pomegranate Chipotle Sauce (tastefully simple) glazed over the top with chicken and mushroom rice a roni, and "your choice" of broccoli or peas. Everyone had more than one helping, some had 3 or 4!! I'm very pleased and will be making that again for sure! Mark that one down as a hit I guess :D So now I'll need to stock up on the sauce over the next few months so that when the selling season ends, I have some! It only took me about 1/3 of the bottle (if that) to do 2 tenderloins, so it didn't really take much at all! anyhow... I'm rambiling on and on about food, lol... :D

Okay...

2006-10-21T22:50:00.000-07:00

Okay...
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

So I know I've posted about "promotion" before, but this time I think it's for real. I don't really think of it as a promotion, but it's a raise. And I won't be in this job forever. Think I'll try to stick out this season and then find a regular day job where I can get my 40 hrs a week and probably better pay and less stress. I just needed recent work experience under my belt with being out of work for so long being a sahm.I might stay on part time evenings and weekends or something for extra cash so we can buy our own place at some point. And now Kelly already has a job interview set up, so here's to hoping he gets the job. That would be most helpful right about now!

mornings like this

2006-10-18T05:21:00.000-07:00

mornings like this

it's mornings like this that I sit here and wonder, WTF was I thinking?! Then it's back to, oh yeah, money, we need it. So, here I sit at 5:20 in the morning, eating breakfast before I have to run out the door. Closed last night, back again at 6 am. I so need to get a regular day job again, holy fuck. For a million reasons....

Just for Lacy, you damn liberal! ;)

2006-10-12T23:09:00.000-07:00

Just for Lacy, you damn liberal! ;)
Current mood: amused

Okay, a little background here... I often times get things off of freecycle and also give things away on there. I decided to get some random plans on how to build a gazebo (it's actually multiple plans, complete with supply lists) from some guy who decided he'd just photo copy them for whomever wanted them. I guess he added my email address to his address book, because he randomly sent me this email today. I just sat here going WTF is this shit!? So, here it is, just for you Lacy!

October 11, 2006
Please help us get this information into the hands of as many people as possible by forwarding it to your entire email list of family and friends.
What if the Liberals Win in November?

Dear {name witheld},
How important are the upcoming elections? Extremely important! Below is a list of what we can expect if the liberals win. These elections are crucial. It is vitally important that you vote. Please vote and encourage others to do the same. As bad as things are, they will be infinitely worse if the liberals win.

The strategy of the liberals is to get Values Voters so disgusted and discouraged that they will not vote. If that happens, the liberals will have achieved their goal and they will be running our country.

Here is what we can expect if the liberals win:

Amnesty for 12,000,000 illegal immigrants.

A push to make homosexual marriage and polygamy legal in all 50 states.

Only liberal judges will be appointed. They will create laws to implement the social agenda liberals cannot get passed through the legislative process.

Liberals will make the killing of the unborn more difficult to stop.

Liberals will continue to try to rid our society of Christian influence, including any reference to God in our Pledge and on our currency.

A return to the "Fairness Doctrine" in broadcasting where opposing views must be given equal time. Every conservative talk show host will be forced to give a liberal equal time on every issue. The purpose of this rule will be to shut down conservative talk shows.

An increase in taxes to push new social programs.

Passing a new "hate crimes" law making it illegal to refer to homosexuality in a negative manner.

Liberals will give terrorists from other countries who try to kill Americans the same rights American citizens enjoy under our constitution.

We will withdraw from Iraq, sending the message to the terrorists that if they will just be patient they can win and bring their terrorist acts to the U.S.
Go Vote! Encourage Others To Do The Same.
Sign up to stayed informed! Visit the American Family Association at www.AFA.net today!
Sincerely,

Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association
P.S. Please forward this e-mail message to your family and friends!

ValuesVoters.com - Be an active citizen and vote your values!
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I like...

2006-09-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

I like...
Current mood: calm
Category: Life

slow days... I've gotten a lot done but not at the same time today. Still have to go to work yet. Not looking forward to that. I'm closing all week, which sucks much ass. However, got dinner on (we're having corned beef and fried cabbage for dinner, though I won't be here to eat it ). It's smelling really good in here now, lol. Makes ya hungry just walking through the front door! Got my cakes baked for Kelly's birthday cake (spice cake with cream cheese frosting) and those turned out near perfect. And I used the cheap disposable aluminum pans for those, funny thing. Screw those expensive cake pans! Screw them all! lol... So yeah, as long as my cake decorating goes well, it'll be a good day. Been a while, I'm a bit rusty at it already I'm sure....

I'd like to see this more often (deportation that is...)

2006-09-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

I'd like to see this more often (deportation that is...)
Current mood: calm
Category: News and Politics

I worked on this case a bit, photocopying and providing the grim medical records of poor Linda to the courts. I'd like to see this type of thing more often, serve your jail time then get the fuck out of our country. Anyone else agree?

Convicted domestic abuser Victor David deported

10:34 AM PDT on Wednesday, September 27, 2006

KING5.com

SEATTLE - Victor David, a man jailed for the long-term abuse of his disabled wife on their houseboat was returned to his native Canada earlier this month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Wednesday.

David, 66, was convicted in 2001 of beating and imprisoning his disabled wife Linda for years on a filthy sailboat near Everett, leaving her scarred and brain damaged.

Following his conviction, David served five years in state prison. He was released in August and turned over to immigration authorities. He did not fight the deportation and arrived in Canada Sept. 15, authorities said.

Communication

2006-09-26T07:44:00.000-07:00

Communication
Current mood: happy

It's always said that good communication is a key to a lasting relationship. If you and your other half can't communicate your thoughts and feelings, it tends to put a damper on the relationship. I find it to be very true. Steve and I could never communicate, or when I'd try, I would be told my thoughts and feelings were wrong, or they were just plain ignored like I'd never said anything so I stopped trying at some point. I clammed up and that was that. Then along came Kelly again, a person I've never had a hard time saying anything to really. Lately we've been fighting or just plain ignoring each other, which is so not like us. Unfortunately for us, both of us are people who feed off of other peoples emotions, and we've both been really stressed out, which in turn has snowballed. I finally decided to put an end to that almost week long brick wall we were both feeling yesterday afternoon. Boy am I glad I did, because we were both feeling the same way, and clammed up and that really didn't help anything. We had a much happier, relaxing evening after that. For that I'm truly happy. It was really nice. We made dinner together (well, sort of) and we curled up and watched the rest of a movie I hadn't gotten a chance to finish yet, and went to bed early. So anyhow, I guess the point to this post is keep the communication open and life is a happier place.

Finally!

2006-09-19T07:03:00.000-07:00

Finally!
Current mood: blah

After many phone calls, many phone messages and just straight up giving up for a little while, I finally have anger information class set up. aka anger management. The bad part: Coming up with the $70 for the 4 hr class, and it's only one day a month, so I have to wait until mid oct to do it. The good part, it's still cheaper than I thought it was, and I'll get it done within the time limit the judge gave me! I was soooo stressed about going to court. Everyone told me I was stressing for nothing. I guess I was. But it's in my nature now I guess to be a super worry wart about everything. I was molded into that over the past few years, if I didn't worry about everything, then nothing would get done, or paid or taken care of. I'm still in that extreme stress puking mode unfortunately, but maybe I'll be over that some day. Now I just need to be able to get to a dr so I can get back on my thyroid meds before my body goes completely bonkers. I'm already sleepy all the time, and have a few other side effects of not being on my meds. Anyhow, I'm really tired, don't know why I'm up even. Should go back to bed now.

Oh good grief!

2006-09-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

Oh good grief!

Just got a call from the school nurse. Skye walked into a brick wall and got a bump on the head. What a goober. I just laughed when she told me, since he's okay. I then told her expect to see more of him because it's something he does all the time, walking into things because he's not paying attention that is. She laughed and said thanks for the heads up. He'll be going back to class in a couple minutes. They had him sit in the nurses office with an ice pack and observation. Yup, he's definitely my child, no doubt about that! lol...

Grrrr

2006-09-14T06:53:00.000-07:00

Grrrr

Not much is more frustrating than when somehow magically 2 people who never go anywhere get head lice. My sister and Alex got it, we don't know where, we don't know how, but they got it. I wound up having to just shave Alex's head, it was the easiest way. Of course, I didn't do that until after I'd spent 45 minutes picking through his hair with my sister shining a flashlight on his head and him sitting in the bath tub playing in the water to keep him preoccupied while we did that. Luckily, no one else in the house has gotten it. Which is amazing in and of itself since we have so many. What a huge pita! hopefully it will all be over soon!

School

2006-09-06T18:14:00.000-07:00

School
Current mood: content

Well, another new year has started for the boys. I can't belive they're so big! Ian's now in the 5th grade and Skye is in 2nd. Where did the time go and how'd this happen?! lol! Had a meet n' greet open house at their school last night. Their teachers seem nice enough. I hope they settle in quickly and like their new school. They think it looks cool enough from the tour we took, lol. Skye gets a locker this year and Ian doesn't, I think that's strange. But whatever works! I still need to get Skye some school clothes. Ian has some from last year that were given to us that were too big for him, so we just saved them for this year and they should work fine. I didn't get to see them off on their first day because I was at work. So I gave them a call before they headed off to the bus stop. They were happy I did. Vicki got pics of them for me so I'll have something to scrapbook at least!

Beautiful!

2006-08-27T22:24:00.000-07:00

Beautiful!
Current mood: tired

We went on a hike today to Wallace Falls. It was so beautiful! Even Alex did most of the hike all by himself! I'm so proud of my little guy!!!! That's a huge feat for a 2.5 year old. Even I was huffing and puffing. Yea for not being in as good a shape as I thought I was getting, lol! It was a beautiful day, there were a bunch of us that went. I did get some great pics of some of the falls. There was one major hiccup in the whole trip. Vanessa got stung by a bee and we all wound up getting the express trip down the mountain in the back of the rangers truck. She's allergic and didn't have an epi pen with her. I had to drag her about 1/4 of the way down to where I could call the rangers, and then they high tailed it up as far as they could drive and hiked in. Toby carried her to the truck (he'd gone way ahead of us, so he had to catch up on the way down). She spent a few hrs in the hospital, had a delayed reaction luckily so she was already at the hospital when the worst of the symptoms hit. She's fine now, and will be better over the next few days probably. I told her I'd just kick her ass next time, lol. Going to have to do that hike again I think though, since we didn't quite make it all the way to the top. All the kids had a blast though! I'm so proud of all of us slackers who made it as far as we did! I need to do some more hiking. Found a new pastime I think :D

ARGH!

2006-08-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

ARGH!

I'm so flippin stressed out right now. It sucks. I hate it. I'm so done with it! Grrr.

Another one bites the dust....

2006-08-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

Another one bites the dust....
Category: Life

So while I'm at work, Ian cuts open his thumb, sees his own blood and passes out cold (drooling even) on the floor. So my sister winds up calling 911 because he was bleeding and passed out, better safe than sorry. He's fine. An ambulance came out and 3 paramedics had a look at him, took his blood pressure and slapped a bandaid (one of ours even) on him.I'm just glad he's okay. I'm thinking he may have pulled a muscle when he passed out though, because he's complaining of neck/back/shoulder pain now. Poor thing! Yup, that's a Phillips for ya! lol.....

stressed...

2006-07-31T17:19:00.000-07:00

stressed...
Current mood: crazy
Category: Life

I'm so freaking stressed right now. So much going on so constantly. I'm headed for a major crash again I think. I need a vacation. Even just a little weekend camping get away at the lake property would be nice. No computers, phones (okay, so my cell works there, lol) no real modern conveniences. Even better would be Monte Cristo. It's so beautiful up there. I just need some time away though, so I think I'm going to plan a camping/hiking trip. Never gone on an overnight hike either. Might have to just plan that. Yeah, I think I will! okay, enough rambling...

moving...

2006-06-20T06:57:00.000-07:00

So we officially take control of the new rental as of the 1st, but we've been given the green light to move stuff in as soon as the 28th. So I'm going to move as much as I can and get it set up starting then. First will be my kitchen... Since I have all my new dishes etc easily available, I'll just take it all over there and set up my new kitchen. Then when we do the official bust ass to move stuff in move, we can eat etc easier... I'm so excited for this!!! now I just hope I can keep my elephants from running up and down the stairs, lol!

On the search...

2006-06-19T06:42:00.000-07:00

On the search...
Current mood: hopeful

So, I'm now on the search for a bicycle for Alex. Every time he sees a kids bike now, he says "Bubba's bike! Bubba's bike!". He wants one so badly. I feel bad for him, he really wants to go out riding bikes with his big brothers, just breaks my heart. So now I'm on the search for a toddler size bike for him. It's crazy how much they charge for them brand new... Shit, I think I paid less for Ian's bike at the NEX than what most places are charging for toddler size bikes! It's ridiculous! I'm thinking about checking out some thrift stores today looking for one.... Maybe a consignment shop...

WOW!

2006-06-16T07:57:00.000-07:00

WOW!
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

So I had my weigh and measure for this month (curves) and am soooooo happy with my results for the past month. I knew my size 16's were fitting awfully loosly, even right from the dryer. I lost a total of 6 1/4 inches and 2 lbs and 1/3 lb of body fat!!! In ONE MONTH!!! HELL YEAH! I'm going to go try on a pair of 14's soon to see how they fit I'm so much closer to my goal of a size 12 by my birthday, and that makes me very happy! I'll probably be asking for gift certificates for clothes for my birthday and christmas, because nothing I have will fit me

So fried

2006-06-16T05:22:00.000-07:00

So fried
Current mood: infuriated

I'm so fried right now... Just freaking pissed as hell. Steve emails me about nothing important on payday, then doesn't transfer me the child support money. Seeing as how I rely on that for food, diapers and gas, it's kind of important. I'm so pissed because Alex is on the last pack of diapers, I need to put gas in the van, and use the money for moving. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-06-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Current mood: ecstatic

We got a place to live! Yea!!! We sign the lease on Monday night... I'm so happy, I'll have my own dwelling again! So, it's a 3bdrm, 1.5 bath, with garage, it's a triplex on the end of a dead end street.

Happy D Day!

2006-06-06T07:22:00.000-07:00

Happy D Day!

In all the "excitement" over the coming of the anti-christ today, everyone forgot that it's also D day. So here's a shout out to the few veterans that are still alive that survived and are still kicking around... and a moment of silence for those who lost their young lives in one of the bloodiest battles of all time. It was 62 years ago today. Got to hear some stories this morning on the radio from an 81 year old vet who was one of only eleven survivors from his company of 200. Now that's something to teach you some humility right there...

I hate house hunting

2006-06-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

I hate house hunting
Current mood: tired

I've called on SO many freaking houses. No luck yet finding one in our price range that will both accept cats and be big enough to fit us all. What a huge pain in the ass. I've got one lead I need to follow up on. And found a couple more in the little nickel yesterday to call on today. going to go look at 2 places today to see what I think of them. One is all the way out in woodinville. Not an area I'm familiar with at all. Oh well, I'll learn it fast should we move out there... Well, considering I'm driving all over the place today, I should probably go get my workout done now so I can come home and shower and be ready to leave when I need to be....

Scary baby-proofing...

2006-05-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

Scary baby-proofing...
Current mood: bitchy

So I was laying on the couch this morning, Alex wandering around by the coffee table and he trips. He's fine, just goes down on one knee. But he gets his blanket caught on this:

Now to me, while I'm sure is a great tool for keeping children out of cupboards, fireplaces, etc. that you don't want them in, it also isn't exactly babyproof itself. Look at the sharp pointy edges on that thing! If he'd fallen the wrong way or popped his head up from the floor at the wrong angle, he could have poked an eye out! There used to be one of these on the fireplace upstairs as well until Matthew broke it one day. Now it's tied shut with a shoelace I think... I'm all for baby proofing the areas that are dangerous or have breakables, but using contraptions like that? Forget it! Scary babyproofing!

On to a new week

2006-05-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

Well, it's Sunday and the start of a new week. So far, no sickness. That's a good start I'd say, lol. Though I have to say I'm entirely too stressed out right now. There's some bitchy vibe going on around here and I'm sick of it. I want out of her asap but we're still a few hundred short to get into any place. All my bills are coming up at once again. And there's not that many places out there this time of year. Hopefully, by the grace of the universe, we'll have one fall into our laps. One can hope. I just need out of here before I implode. I need to get a different job. I know I've been saying that, but I really do need to. And Vicki needs to actually get one. Now she has no excuse, we have her social security card, her birth certificate and her shot records even! That'll help a lot.

What a week!!!

2006-05-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

So, I mentioned before that Alex was sick again. Well, he really got sick this time. Saturday, puking. Sunday, not so bad, a few icky diapers... Monday, severe runs all day, same tuesday and wednesday, not so bad thursday and today isn't shaping up all that bad so far. He got so bad though, that I took him into the ER at Stevens and they ran some bloodwork on him and gave him an IV for fluids because he was pretty badly dehydrated. Some of his levels weren't where they wanted them so they transferred him to Children's Hospital in Seattle. They looked at him, said that Steven's was over reacting and that we just need to make sure to keep him hydrated and to give him some stuff to help the good bacterias in his stomach come back to the levels that they needed to be at to help fight this bug. It's a viral thing they said. And apparently everyone is getting it. Both hospitals said they've had a ton of people in for dehydration in the past 2 months because of this crud. So then in the middle of all this with Alex, Matthew came down sick as well. Not as severe as Alex, but miserable none the less. He's got the puking part of it and a couple icky diapers and decreased appetite.And a grump from hell, lol. So anyhow, Alex is feeling MUCH better now, and almost back to his normal goofy self. Much better than lethargic hold me constantly barely alive Alex that he was before. Oh, the fun story from all of it... As I'm talking to Cristi on the phone, Alex rips out his IV and says "it's a mess!" yeah, it's a mess, blood everywhere, the little turd, lol... So I grab the nurse and he holds his arm out to her and asks her to take off the bandage that they'd put over the IV to keep him from pulling it out. She just laughed and did it... what else can ya do? He obviously felt better and was ready to go home now... lol...

lame..

2006-05-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

That's my weekend. Worked Saturday, had made plans to call home and find out Alex had been puking all day. So we stayed home and did nothing. I wound up holding Alex for hours because he just wanted to cuddle. He started to feel better towards the end of the day, and woke today his normal self. He's got the runs today though, so he's flushing whatever it was out of his system today. So no going anywhere today either. I have to work tonight, from 4 to close. Fun fun. Next weekend is memorial day weekend, and while I get paid on thursday, I'll probably not have a single day off all weekend and not get to do anything. That's pretty much how my life goes lately. Oh well, that's life. I'm done bitching. If I got a regular 9-5 job I'd not have to worry about that. Guess I should really start looking huh?

The not so lame is my results thus far from Curves. I've lost 6" total and somewhere around 3 lbs of body fat total. This is awesome :D I'm so happy and glad I decided to do it!

:(

2006-05-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

I'm so unhappy right now. I have so much stress it's not even funny. Trying to deal with all my court crap and get it all done and over with. Money. Alex. Moving. Finding another job. Even finding quiet time to make phone calls is becoming a huge pain in the ass. I'm almost in melt down mode this morning. All I want to do is just crawl back into bed and cry until I can't cry any longer. Or die. I had thoughts yet again that maybe if I died, it'd make everyone else's life easier. But it wouldn't. In fact, it'd make it harder, so then I'd suck all over again. I'm in a can't shut my head off mode again too. I've got so many emotions going on right now it's driving me mad. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

the light at the end?

2006-05-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

the light at the end?
Current mood: tired

Whew! What a long weekend full of sick children. So far so good for Ian, but I'm betting he'll be next to get sick. We've tried our hardest to keep things as clean and germ free for everyone else in the house, but well, kids touch everything. Skye is doing much better, keeping food down and doesn't look like he's close to death any longer. And Alex didn't play exorcist in his bed last night, so that's a bonus as well. I didn't want to have to wash his stuffed animals again, it was hard on them the first time, lol... I know doggy wouldn't make it through a second bath, as is, he barely made it through the first. He's no where near as soft as he used to be, and we couldn't get the smell out of him either :( Might just have to go buy him a new one if they still have them (got it at toys r us). Anyhow, I'm seeing the light now at the end of the tunnel of sickness... hopefully it doesn't get snuffed out!

Yea for sick kids! :(

2006-04-29T08:29:00.000-07:00

Yea for sick kids! :(
Current mood: discontent

So at some point in the middle of the night, I think around 1:30ish, Skye comes in and wakes me up to inform me that he's puked in his bed 3 times, twice while he was asleep. And that he still felt sick. So I set him up on the love seat in the family room hoping it was just because he had too much sugar earlier. Nope, he's got a stomach flu and is begging me to take him to the dr's so they can make him feel better. He spent the rest of the night crying, puking and attempting to sleep in between. My sister was super cool as always when it comes to puking kids and took the night duty and watched over him for me. Both are half passed out on the couch about now. I've got one load of laundry in, which will be the first of probably about 6 with all the vomit. argh. This is going to be fun I hope he's feeling better soon. I hate seeing any of my kids like this when I know there's not really anything I can do for them...

Weeee Party today

2006-04-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have a party today and I'm not super amped about it, but I do have everything ready to go. I'm hoping I can get some bookings today, because I really could use them. More bookings means more money and more people that will reorder and in turn, more money again. I'm hoping that this will finally spiral into a profitable business for me. Granted any business takes at least 3 years before it sees any real profit. I'm in year two, AND starting almost completely over. So anyhow, wish me luck for today and that I get good orders and a few good bookings!

beautiful day...

2006-04-22T21:29:00.000-07:00

So we took the kids to the Japaneese Gardens and then to the Ballard Locks today. It was great fun. The weather was beautiful, the temp mild with a breeze and they all behaved quite well. I took some killer photo's, of which I'll post some of. The day was near perfect (with a minor rocky start because I was woken up way too early). Or at least until I got home. That's another story, saved for another time... anyhow, then we went to the park and let the kids play some more, then went to Kelly's for dinner and to visit. My stupid dog decided to roll in the grass and rolled in poo, so when I pet her unknowingly, I got it all over me. P-U! So we're home now and all the kids are crashed hard already...

highly annoyed

2006-04-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

yes, I get highly annoyed about the dumbest things I know. But I'm highly annoyed right now over the dishwasher not being started. Granted, it's partially my fault, but come on. Someone couldn't put soap in it and turn it on because they felt like being a petty child over it. I didn't run it when I was done loading it last night because I was waiting on dishes from the last two people eating dinner, one of which was not my child, and so I didn't start the dishwasher. I ran around doing all sorts of stuff last night, and spaced it by the time I came home completely tired. In fact, I came home and went straight to bed. It wasn't even 9:30 I don't think. I opened yesterday and was on my feet all day working. sheesh... So then I leave for work this morning by 8:20, and of course, with people showering and me in a hurry didn't even go upstairs except to snag my half sandwich outta the fridge on my way out the door. So the dishes sat all night, all day and up until 5 minutes ago when I put soap in it and started it. Gee that was real fucking hard. And that couldn't be done by someone else? wtf. I wasn't even home all day, came home, sat down for a few minutes, vacuumed downstairs, sorted my TS order that came in, put the stuff away, ran to Costco and Fred Meyers, came home and ordered pizza for dinner, went and got the pizza, fed everyone, left for Safeway to get dinner for tomorrow, came home to relax some and all this time no one else left the house and couldn't be bothered to put soap in and start the fucking thing. I know it's stupid to get worked up over something so trivial, but at the same time... Grrr.

2 week weigh in

2006-04-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

I opted to do a weigh in this morning even though it's only been 2 weeks since my last one. I wanted to see how things differ between a non pms week and pms week, which is when I usually would have weigh in's. According to this morning, I've lost a half pound and another 1.5 inches and .17 lbs of body fat. I somehow managed to gain a quarter inch in the abdomen though, which is totally lame. Oh well, I'll just work on that more I guess... I need to go for a bit longer once or twice a week I think, rather than just twice around all the time. maybe I'll do that on wednesday next week, since I have the day off of work. We shall see... Anyhow, just thought I'd share.... I have to work day shift today cashiering, so weeeeee, lol. ;)

hmmmmm...

2006-04-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

I decided to make my stuffed shells a bit differently today. Going to make them with italian sausage and spinach with the cheese this time instead of ground beef and no spinach. Wanted to change things up a bit and see how it goes.

I went and worked out this morning and decided to schedule a mid month weigh in for Friday morning. I work at 8 am that day, so I'll drop Kelly at the bus and then go do my weigh in and work out then zip home for a quick shower and off to work. Luckily I cashier that day, so I don't have to be worried about being tired after working out and having to run around all day. I get to stand in one spot and be a bump on a log.... :D Now that I'm all tired and light headed, I should probably eat something since I just realized I've not eaten anything all day long and it's after 11...

Argh.

2006-04-11T17:35:00.000-07:00

well, there goes my good day. not only did I get essentially ditched again by Conner, but I just got into it with Kelly over discipline and the children. Apparently I don't discipline my children. And here I thought that I was all this time by grounding them, standing them in corners, throwing away their things, and spanking them when all else fails.

Yea for free stuff!

2006-04-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

So I went and picked up the office chair and file cabinet and got a bonus metal storage shelf in the process. Yea for free stuff! Both the chair and file cabinet are larger than I thought, so bonus there. I'll have plenty of room now for all my paper stuff that I need to file away and save for both home and work. Yea :D And the chair is a really nice one too. Only "problems" it has is some paint splatters on it (oh, no, can't handle it!) and one itsy bitsy little tear in the back that can easily be patched with electrical tape. neither of which compromise the functionality of the chair. So I scored big time today. Well worth the savings to haul my butt over there to pick up the stuff ;)

oh happy day...

2006-04-11T11:31:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling great today. It's nice out, I don't have anything that I HAVE to do today. Well, I need to pick up some free office stuff from a friends mobile they're selling, and go visit my friend Conner even though he's a rat bastard, but other than that, nothing that I absolutely have to do. I've showered, eaten, and figured out a shopping list for dinner for tomorrow night since we have no left overs for leftover night (we have a meal list to simplify life) so I'm making stuffed shells for dinner tomorrow night. mmmmm yummy. Anyhow, I love days like today. I can relax and chill out. Yea! And of course a great nights sleep helped too heh heh...

eh...

2006-04-07T22:27:00.000-07:00

I really like having days off to veg and not have to be running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I did that today. I had stuff I'm sure I should have been doing, but I didn't. I only left the house to go work out this morning (which I had to push myself through) and then to go to work tonight. I did nothing all day in between really except sit on my ass in front of the computer. I need some serious down time. I'm suffering emotionally from being on the go constantly and from all the stress I'm under. I've found myself in tears twice in the past few days. Once for no apparent reason and the other because I was so stressed I had to let it out somehow. Working out does help relieve some of my stress. But I'm finding that I'm really tired all the time again, and that sucks. I honestly think I might need a med adjustment. I should call monday and make an appointment for the dr. Need to go anyhow for other stuff. Just been putting it off. I know what would fix everything for the moment... A nice full body massage. Yeah, that would be cool... that would kill some of that stress right quick... Well, anyhow, I'm rambling now. Really freaking tired and should go to bed.

mmmm salad

2006-03-29T12:09:00.000-08:00

not exacly super low cal or anything, because of the dressing, but I just had a super yummy salad. I picked up this new salad topper thing that is honey roasted almonds and orange cranberries and put that on basic salad mix, with somediced up left over italian chicken from the other night and a drizzling of vidalia onion dressing and omg was it ever yummy! just thought I'd share, lol

My Results...

2006-03-29T10:04:00.000-08:00

Okay, had my weigh in/measure... I'm both happy and sad about the results. I gained a half pound, BUT I lost 2.36 lbs of body fat. So the gain is muscle weight (plus I'm pmsing and bloated). I lost 3.75 inches off my waist, but gained 1.25 around my abdomen (again bloating I think) Those are my only losses, the body fat and the 3 3/4 inches aroun my waist. So the way they figured it though, was that I lost a total of 2.5 inches, gained 1/2 lb, but lost 2.36 lbs body fat. I had absolutely no changes in measurements in my other areas they measure, but that's okay, because I can feel the fat/muscle difference in those areas a little bit. Now, this loss, no matter how minor, is strictly from exercise and increasing my water intake. I've not changed anything else. So that was sort of an experiment for me. I still eat like a pig and lost some, lol. So, now I'm going to try and watch my calorie intake during the next month and see how much the difference is. Instead of snacking, I'm going to drink water or pick up some low cal snacks like fresh veggies to snack on and see what changes for my next month. I'm also going to try and consume my 24 oz of dairy per day (which is supposed to aid weight loss) since I need the calcium anyhow... So there's my update for now!