2010 - A Year for Change

Or so it seems already...

The boyfriend lost his job yesterday...I won't get into the details (just yet anyway) because there is an investigation pending, not against him but against the company.

I really do believe he did the right thing even though it cost him his job.

Initially I was shocked and worried...what will this mean for our family? But really I do make a decent wage and my job is not at risk (in fact one of my bosses took me to lunch yesterday and asked me question after question about whether I was unhappy with any aspect of my job because he doesn't want to lose me - guess that's what a few 'lifers' leaving the firm does...gets them all a little worried) so we'll make it work. We'll cut out the extras until he finds something...and we'll live on love.

Happy New Year to all my bloggy friends out there! Hope this year is the best one yet! Whatever you are doing tonight remember to stay safe...we'll all be home tucked away in our house waiting for the ball to drop...who knows...maybe I'll even let the boy stay up and join in the festivities...non-alcoholic wine for him though ;)

Friend Makin' Mondays - New Years Resolutions

Amber over at aefilkins is asking us what our new years resolutions are this year...so here are a few goals I have in mind...

1. First and foremost this year it is my goal to become a non-smoker. I no longer want to be a part of the smokers club...yes I enjoy it and it will be a tough habit to kick...but it's dirty and gross and hella expensive!!!

2. I would love to get into a regular exercise routine...I tend to be able to get into one and keep it up for a month or two...and then before I know it my routine (and exercise in general) falls to the wayside...I hope this year I can change that.

3. Live life to the fullest and without regrets...I know that seems like common sense...but sometimes I need to remind myself not to dwell on the negatives.

4. Last but not least...save save save. We have so much we want to accomplish...buying our first home...getting engaged...going on a vacation...all of which costs money. I am currently in debt and want to get out of it so I can move forward financially...just call me penny pincher from now on lol.

So what are your goals for 2010?

Friend Makin' Mondays - All I want for Christmas...

Link up with Amber over at aefilkins and tell us all what YOU want for Christmas this year...here's my list:

1. First and foremost I am so thankful for the beautiful little family I have. I'm so excited to spend Christmas with my two favourite boys!

- I really feel this year that the boy, the boyfriend and I are a family now. It took a few years to get over the "it's me and the boy against the world" mentality I had since I was single and raising the boy alone for so long. But we've jumped that hurdle and sometimes I look at the boyfriend with the boy and forget what life was like before he came into it. So all that to say...I hope on Christmas morning they both have big smiles on their faces (I know I will!)...and we create memories that will last a lifetime!

2. I picked out the bedding that I'm getting...but I really really wanted it...so that makes me happy! The boyfriend did pay for it...I just picked it out lol. It's torturing me not to be able to put it on my bed NOW...

3. I know how badly the boyfriend wanted to be able to put a pretty little diamond ring on my finger this Christmas...the boy would really like that too...and well of course I would love it...but alas money is tight these days and the boyfriend has a few loose ends to tie up where his previous relationship is concerned...but we've talked about it ALOT...and over the weekened we were browsing rings online...and I do believe I found the one I want...the boyfriend loves it too...so we both have faith that we'll be able to make it happen soon. So maybe I won't get it for Christmas...but I just know he won't disappoint me...and we'll be a forever family very soon.

So to sum it all up...I want us all to be happy and healthy and have lots fun!!!!

Have You Ever???

Have you ever gotten so drunk in front of your boss that you were scared to go into work the next day...lol. Well I shouldn't say scared...I was really just worried that I was a little too loose lipped in front of him...but as I've said in the past not much really embarasses me...so I knew after the initial good morning chat (we have daily) that he'd either pick on me or not make mention of it all...

He chose to pick on me...so he must have been amused instead of annoyed! Oh and for the record this was a party at work...though after hours...so I let my hair down a little (or rather alot!).

I haven't had too much time for blogging as you may have noticed...I'm sure many of you are just as busy as I am...though I bet some of you are far more organized and are actually done your shopping...whereas this girl here...is not! My bestie and I plan to hit the 24 hour stores tonight and get it all done...wish us luck!

A Year Already?

Almost...but not quite yet...a year...a whole year since I started this blog with this post here. Can you believe it??? I know I can hardly believe it myself...the year has just flown by.

Have you been here from the beginning or are you a new follower of mine??? Most of my posts seem like rambling nonsense to me...so I can just imagine what it's like on the other end, through your computer screen lol.

But I thank you all for following me...I like to use this blog to document the happenings in our lives but it's so much more fun when I have comments to look forward to. No I don't get 100 comments per post like some blogs I read...but the 5 comments I do get mean the world to me. I've grown very close to some (most) of you...funny how that happens through a silly thing like the internet that didn't even exist (at least on my radar) 10 years ago.

And for now...just to go with all the random that is me...here is a picture from Christmas morning last year...oh how my boy has grown...

15 More Days!!

But who is counting??? lol.

I'll tell ya who...my boy! He just wants Christmas to be here NOW! It doesn't matter in his little world that we still have plenty to do before Christmas...for example this weekend we have plans to go visit Santa at the mall (though the boy knows that's not the real Santa...they are all just Santa's helpers...afterall how could he possibly be at every mall in the world!), we must bake gingerbread cookies...and maybe even build a gingerbread house (if I decide I have the time and patience lol).

But I too want Christmas to come my boy...I can't wait to see the look on your face when you get not one but TWO of the things you want most in the world right now! One of those things cost me a pretty penny...but no matter...all the money in the world is worth that precious smile and twinkle you get in your eye this time of year...I think this may just be YOUR favourite time of year...despite the cold that you hate (just like your mama)...we love to look at Christmas lights together and enjoy the little dusting of snow we have now...but when we get more and the weather warms up...maybe about 10 degrees or so...we'll definitely head out sledding...one of our most favourite past times. So treasure these next 15 days buddy...I know I will!

Friend Makin' Mondays - Most Embarrassing Moments

Amber over at aefilkins is hosting Friend Makin' Mondays and this week she's asking us to describe some of our most embarrassing moments. As a rule I am not easily embarrassed...I am an open book and wear my heart on my sleeve...so it's not like some deep dark secret is going to come out at our family Christmas dinner and embarrass me.

BUT...my little toddler (back when he was a toddler) had the habit of embarrassing me out in public...here is a story of one such incident...told in my own words just after it happened lol. I was going through my inbox the other day and saw an email to my dad's girlfriend...so here it is...

Originally written February, 2005 - the boy was approximately 3.5 years of age.

Here's one that'll get you laughing......the other day we were at Blockbuster renting movies, and what does my kid decide to do??? He had been driving me crazy all day and he topped off the day by opening the emergency exit door and setting the alarm off and it didn't even shut off when we closed the door so we had to wait till the staff could come and get it shut off....talk about making me want to crawl under a rock.....I can laugh about it now, but at the time I was mortified.

The funniest part...apparently I was so mortified by this event that I blocked it out...I had no recollection of it until I read it just last week. lol.

So how about it...what's your most embarrassing moment? Does your child/pet/spouse/BFF have the tendancy to embarrass you??? Spill it...

It sure is a busy season...

The boy has been busy torturing...erm...I mean...playing with the cats...they really do enjoy having to sport these santa suits I picked up at the dollar store...lol.



Our tree is up...This is a horrible picture of it but I had to show off the boy's favourite new hat...he just had to have it and wants to wear it everywhere...sure is cute!



The boyfriend and I all 'cleaned up' for my holiday party last night...I'm a bit of a hurtin' unit today...but we still managed to get the boy off to a birthday party this afternoon and my house is semi clean!!!!

Friend Makin' Monday - Survey Says!

Amber over at aefilkins is hosting Friend Makin' Mondays and I love that this week she has a survey for us to do...apparently she did last week too but I never even got around to reading much last week nevermind posting! So here goes...

1. Favorite website
- Facebook and Blogger top my list of favourites!

2. Favorite color
- Blue

3. Facebook? {Post a link or share your name if you want some new Facebook friends!}
- Yeppers - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=542510235

4. Favorite Christmas song?
- Walking in a Winter Wonderland

5. Christmas tree: Real or fake?
- Fake

6. Hottest celebrity?
- Matthew McCaughne-hey hey lol

7. Favorite restaurant?
- Olive Garden...YUM

8. Favorite magazine?
- People...though I do love me some Cosmo too!

9. Favorite thing to drink around the holidays?
- Rum and egg nog is definitely a favourite...or coconut rum and hot chocolate! YUM.

10. Favorite Christmas movie.
- Hmmm, not sure I have one...I love them all! But especially the Christmas kiddie shows they air on tv right around Christmas...they remind me of my childhood.

That was fun! Hope you all enjoyed reading my answers!

Always a Whirlwind

My mom has been down to visit and stay with us 3 times in the past three months and i couldn't love it more...the only thing is it's always such a quick visit with so much packed into each and everyday that sometimes i feel like i can't even breath we move so fast lol. This time she was in from a Wednesday night to a Saturday morning...and yes I still worked this week...so crazy busy!

She's a shopaholic so most of our time is spent in malls and of course Walmart...but i can't complain cause most every time she buys me something nice! She spoils the boy rotten...but we've managed to set boundaries...he still managed to get a $50 DS game out of her...not that i mind too much but she was looking to more spend about $20 on him...so $50 was a bit of a shock...but even i can't resist those puppy dog eyes he gives me some days...so i can't imagine how hard it is for her not to give in...which is why she does!

Wow is this post ever turning into a rambling mess...i haven't had much sleep the last few days...the boyfriend and i of course took advantage of free babysitting and went to the movies last night...so much fun!!!

This afternoon the boy and i have plans to rearrange the living room (the boyfriend is out with a friend) and put up our tree...then later this evening we'll decorate...rum and egg nog for the adults and just egg nog for the boy...perhaps we'll even light a fire in the fireplace....ah i love the holidays!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

I feel like...

I feel like I haven't blogged in forever...

That could be because...well...I haven't! lol.

Not much on my mind...not much time to get out what's on my mind if I did have something on my mind. My mom is coming for her 3rd visit in 2 months tomorrow. She's having some health issues and because she lives up in the tiniest little town up north has to keep coming here for specialist appointments.

Other than that...not much to report. I am done shopping for the boy...but must start checking some others off my list very soon. I think I may even give in and let the boy set the tree up this weekend...he's only been asking the entire month of November!

It may not feel like the Christmas season here since we don't have snow yet...or I should say again...we did have some in early October...quite a bit actually...but that all melted a few days later and so far there has been no more to speak of. The boy is dying to get out on his sled...but I can wait a few more weeks before the white stuff comes!

Oh and last but not least, I have a question...for those of you that play along with Wordless Wednesday...I have a really cute shot I'd like to share with you tomorrow...but I don't know what the etiquette is...do I link up somewhere...give someone props in my post??? What's the deal???

Friend Makin' Mondays - Recipes

Amber is hosting Friend Makin' Mondays today over on her blog...check her out!

This week we've been asked to share a favourite recipe...so here goes...this recipe isn't exactly a favourite since the boyfriend just made it for me for the first time about 2 weeks ago...but it will be my new favourite this winter season...the boy loved it too!

Cheeseburger Stew

1 lb ground beef
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
½ cup chopped celery
¼ cup chopped onion
2 Tbsp chopped green pepper
1 Tbsp beef bouillon granules (or beef Oxo cube)
½ tsp salt
2½ cups milk
3 Tbsp flour
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Brown the ground beef in a large saucepan or Dutch oven, then drain off the excess fat. Stir in the potatoes, celery, onion, beef bouillon granules, salt, and 1½ cups of water. Cover and cook until the veggies are tender, about 20 minutes.

Blend ½ cup of the milk with the flour and add this to the saucepan along with the rest of the milk. Cook, stirring often, until the stew is well thickened. Stir in the cheese until it melts.

Sprinkle a little more shredded cheese on top, if you like. We had ours with nice crusty bread rolls.

My New Favourite Pastime

It all started last weekend when the boy was sick with a fever and we were trapped indoors for 4 full days! As you can imagine the 3 of us eventually started getting on one anothers nerves...

So I decided that each afternoon we'd all go our seperate ways and keep ourselves entertained ALONE (and hopefully quiet time) for 45 minutes to an hour...since I've been really wanting to get back into reading that's what I'd do with my time. The boy usually wanted to hang on the computer while the boyfriend played the Playstation.

But last Monday...when I was home from work with the boy and the boyfriend was at work...the boy came in and snuggled up to me...and we read...him with his "Captain Underpants" book and me with my current read "Good in Bed" by Jennifer Wiener (great book...not at all as the title suggests lol...I'm actually re-reading because I loved it so much the first time...many years ago...)...and we read for close to 2 hours!!!

Today we had a relaxing day at home (yesterday was very busy with the parade taking up most of the day...we went extra early to get good parking)...I decided to read a bit this afternoon and again the boy came to snuggle and read his book.

I love that he loves to read as much as I do!

He's Making his List and Checking it Twice

Have your kids written their letter to Santa yet? Or have you written yours? The boy is soooooooooooo excited about Christmas this year...I mean he gets excited every year...but this is definitely the first year he's asked (okay begged) that we put the tree up...I believe his asking began the day after Halloween!

I haven't done it yet...and we'll likely end up waiting until the first weekend in December as per usual...strictly because I've rearranged my living room since last Christmas and am still trying to figure out where a tree would look best.

This weekend we'll head off to the Santa Claus Parade (the weather forecast looks marvelous!) and the boy will get to give his letter to the mail carriers...that's his most favourite part of the whole parade!

I really do love Christmas...but I hate that it's in the dead of Winter...thankfully our weather has been great the past week or so...

It seems I haven't had much time to blog lately...or maybe just not much to say...life is keeping me busy. I hope you all are doing well and getting into the holiday spirit!

Not the Swine Flu but a Cold

So after all the paranoia of what in the world does my boy have (thanks to the dreaded swine flu)...he was seen by a doctor today and we were told he has a common cold. Here we sit home one more day because his cough sounds horrible...any other year when the kids get a cold and have a cough that comes and goes, off they go to school...because quite honestly if we all kept our kids home at the first sign of a cold they'd be out of school all winter!

But because he had a 3 day (though mostly low grade) fever and then developed a cough the school and daycare asked that I keep him out until I knew what it was for sure. Not to mention my paranoid mother who had me convinced he was on his death bed (insert eye roll here)...gotta love her but she always thinks the worst!

So, I'm thankful for the day off from work and the chance to spend some mommy and me time with my boy. This week is also a short week because us Canadians have Wednesday off for Remembrance Day. So we'll go back to school and work tomorrow and then have a holiday...what more could I ask for?!

Oh and thanks to all you wonderful bloggy friends...I realized that internet explorer was what was preventing me from visiting a good majority of your blogs...so this morning I downloaded Firefox and all is back to normal...and I am very happy about that!!!!

Hope you all had great weekends.

You know the boy is sick when...

He has no appetite...my child eats every minute of every day! He opened a bag of chips from his Halloween stash and took one...bit into it and said he wasn't hungry...what the???

He had a bit of a cough last night and this morning...but nothing that really concerned me...but when the boyfriend picked him up at daycare this afternoon he immediately started feeling sick and now the fever is here...ugh.

The boy hardly ever gets sick...so being the worrywart I am I foresee a pretty sleepless night ahead of us! I sure hope he gets better soon!

So Frustrated!

Blogger started acting up for me about a week ago now...at first I thought maybe it was my computer at work...then when it didn't work at home I nearly lost it...

I can get on to most of your blogs...but some of my very favourites...well I can't. It appears that your blogs will load but then immediately they freeze and I get a "this website is not responding error". It's making me so frustrated because I love to keep up with all of you.

So please don't think I'm ignoring you...the 4 that I can think of off the top of my head are:

Yaya (yaya stuff)
Ter (with an angel on my shoulder)
Melissa (outnumbered 3 to 1)
Jenn (another online mom)

If you're reading this update me!!!! Or become my friend on FB and update me there lol.

Friend Makin' Mondays - Halloween Candy

This week Amber is asking the question - What's your favourite Halloween candy?

The candy for me that takes the No. 1 spot is most definitely Reeses Peanut Butter cups...but sadly my boy didn't get a single one this year....boooooooooo!!! He did get some Reeses Pieces and I managed to sneak a bag or 2 of those out of his stash last night...lol.



Next up...I love me some Mars bars...thankfully there were a few of those given out this year...and my boy doesn't really like them so they are all MINE!


This year...I've developed a bit of a love for Sour Patch kids...I loved the Fuzzy Peaches as a teen but had kind of gotten away from the chewy candy in recent years...but sour = yummy this year.

And last but not least...we most certainly got more chips this year than in past years...and I'm lovin' it. I'm more of a salt lover than a sweet lover most days anyway lol. My favourite chips are all dressed...and the boy got lots and lots of those...

So yes...when all is said and done...I will be the size of a house...but I won't be the only one since the boyfriend has eaten his fair share of candy in the past 2 days...

Happy Halloween

Meet Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars the Clone Wars:

He's come to visit our house until after Halloween.

I hope everyone enjoys their time Trick or Treating...or whatever it is you are doing this weekend...I know we'll freeze our butts off here...snow is in the forecast today and tomorrow...

Oh and don't forget you get an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning (thank you daylight savings).

In other news...blogger has been acting up for me...it won't load most of your pages...very irritating. I hope to be back reading very soon.

Oh no he didn't...

But sadly...yes he did.

Those of you that are friends with me on FB know just what my little bugger of a child did to me last night.

Let me back up just slightly...the boy has been asking and asking me to have friends over from school. Sure, why not...sounds awesome! My only concern was that during the week there isn't alot of time...by the time we get dinner done with it's nearing 7:00 and the boy starts to get himself into the shower and doing his home reading by 8:00. So I had implemented the rule that if a kid from a few blocks away (ie. had to be walked or driven to our house as opposed to the neighbour kids down the street) that we'd plan those sort of playdates for on the weekend. WELL, my boy decided that regardless of this rule he was going to make plans for a Monday night play date...and not tell me his plans...Because (in his words) "he knew I'd say no".

So yesterday, I was having a really crummy day...no one thing happened that put me in a grumpy mood...but I was most definitely on edge and even told a senior partner here at work to "shut the hell up"...lol...whole other post which I promise to share with you later this week.

Clearly my child didn't realize that he was going to feel my wrath when he chose this particular day to decide that the consequences were worth his defiant behaviour. A trait I figured I'd have at least a few more years of living without...

In the end I let the kid stay and play...but the boy has earned himself early bed time for at least a week...possibly two...and if this behaviour keeps up...let me tell ya...Halloween will be cancelled this year...try me kid...just try me.

Oh the stress!

So where have I been this week??? Because I know you all were wondering! lol.

Well I was at the shopping mall every lunch hour this week (the time I usually spend reading blogs and posting on mine)....urgh. But I must say I finally found success today...

K, let me back up a bit...we are going to a "celebration of marriage" on Saturday (the boyfriend's bestie from way back got married a month ago and it was very small so they are having a reception of sorts for friends)...anyway...there will be few people there that I know...something that stresses me out beyond belief, first impressions mean alot and these ppl were all very close to the boyfriend at one time or another...he hopes to actually use this opportunity to rekindle some friendships that he lost during a few dramatic years (pre-me of course lol)...and really I'm a fashion girl at heart...and I want that to show...stupid I know!

Anyway, I got into my head that I'd love a 'sweater dress' (they are all the rage right now) to wear with tights...but those things do not suit every body type...this I learnt very quickly. So the hour and 15 minutes I get daily for lunch I spent trying on dress after dress after dress...and then I decided maybe I'd just go with black pants and a shirt...so then I started trying on different shirts...and then eventually skirts...let me tell you I did not have much success...in fact I've bought a total of 3 different shirts...2 of which I will return (one was final sale)...but finally today...I found a flattering sweater dress and I love the look I put together...

You see this event is casual but denim is not allowed as the first part of the festivities include drinks and dainties at a country club...but after that the real 'party' begins and we are heading back to the bride and grooms for some rock band and beer! So I wanted to be comfy and yet look cute...so I think I've finally got it. Yay me!

The boyfriend might hate it since it doesn't show off my curves and 'sweet ass' lmao...but it's what I like that counts.

I so hate shopping for clothes to fit a body I feel like I don't even know anymore...must get back into a regular exercise routine...must must must!

School Days

Oh how my boy has changed in the FOUR years he's been in school...time sure flies, doesn't it?

I thought it might be fun to share with you the pictures he's produced on picture day through the years...seeing as we just got back his 3rd grade pictures...which I agonized for about 2 days over whether we'd keep them or not...my boy just isn't a smiley kid when it comes to these professional portraits...drives me batty. He says he was nervous and I can tell he's getting shy as the years progress (well with strangers anyway).

Kindergarten - 2006

This is where I should have a 1st grade picture...but sadly they sit in a box in my basement...the boy wouldn't let me hand them out because he didn't like them. I think they looked good but agreed to allow him to get retakes since he hated them so much...in the end he was sick on retake day and so I kept them...they will surface someday and I promise to share it here when that happens.

So on to 2nd grade - 2008





And lastly - 3rd grade - taken just over a week ago.

Writers Workshop - What's in a name?

It's Thursday and I'm linking up with Mama kat's Writer's Workshop.

This week's prompts:

1.) Interview you mom...questions might include, How has motherhood changed you? What ages were your favorites? Do you miss having having kids in the house? What was the most difficult part of being a mom for you? What was the most rewarding part? etc... I think I'll ask my Mom if I'm her favorite child and when she dodges the question (again) I'll scream, "DAMMIT WOMAN! Answer the QUESTION!!" Feel free to steal my idea.

2.) Tell us the story of your birth.

3.) How did you parents choose your name? What does it mean? What would you change your name to if you could?

4.) Describe a moment when you realized your mom was more than just a mom.

5.) Write a poem for your Mama.

This week I've decided to go with #3. I've always thought my name was just 'okay'...until I hit middle school and it was like the most popular name...I swear there were 5 of us in my grade 6 class (at that point I hated it). Ridiculous! If you talk to my mom she'll tell you she chose my name because it was original...well I guess 1980 was the year that name made it big cause it sure ain't original...

Today it's a name I can live with...at least I don't work with 5 other Melissas...now Karens and Audreys we've got quite a few of those in my profession lol.

Anyhoo...my parents decided that my mother would have the final say on any girl names and my father on any boy names...and when my mom was pregnant she was certain I was a girl (how she knew she still can't really describe) and so they never even considered any boys names.

She says she loved the song "Don't Cry Out Loud" by Melissa Manchester while she was pregnant with me....and so one day singing along to it in her car she said out loud "Melissa Mae"...and so it was. Mae is a family tradition on my dad's side and one I hope to have a hand in carrying on someday...all first born girls dating back at least 3 generations prior to me have the middle name Mae.

And now for the meaning (thank you Wikipedia):

Melissa is a given name for a female child. The origin of Melissa comes from the ancient Hittite word Melita which means honey. The meaning of the word has shifted into honey bee in Greek. Moreover, the pronunciation has changed to Melissa (Ionic Greek: Mέλισσα).

So uh...yeah...Honey bee...not anything cool like brave or beautiful one...but again I guess I can live with it.

Growing up I was dying to be a Samantha...I loved Sami's character on Days of our Lives. Actually a friend from elementary school found me on Facebook a little while back and asked if I remembered her changing her name to "Sarah" briefly while I changed mine to "Samantha"....oh yeah I remember! lol.

So there you have it...what about you? Do you love your name or hate it?

A little of this and a little of that...

Yay life is finally getting back to normal and I don't feel like we are constantly on the go...and the best part...things have slowed down at work so now I can catch up with all of YOU.

First off, this past weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving...so to all my fellow Canadians:

H*A*P*P*Y T*H*A*N*K*S*G*I*V*I*N*G!!!!

We spent ours having a relatively quiet long weekend. Friday it was like a blizzard outside and we ended up with quite a bit of snow...thankfully since then it's mostly melted...the boy isn't all that impressed about that...he pretends he hates winter but this morning he was a little miffed that even more of the snow had melted.

So Saturday morning I forced the boyfriend out into the cold and we dug out our patio furniture and fire pit to put into the shed until Spring. It was my goal to get it all put away before the snow came...I guess next year I'll have to remember to get it away by the end of September lol.

Sunday we did some shopping...I was on the hunt for winter boots for the boy that he now won't need for likely a few more weeks...but I'm still glad we got them so that the next time he wants to play out in the snow he won't come home with frozen toesies!!!

Yesterday we celebrated thanksgiving with the boyfriend's side of the family (my family will celebrate next weekend). It was okay...but I gotta say coming from a family full of chefs (my side) it's hard to eat really bland food lol. Even the boyfriend was like...man she didn't season a single thing!!! Thankfully the boy was on his best behaviour and ate every last bite of his dinner. And I'm also thankful that the boyfriend doesn't take after his mother when it comes to cooking...he made one of the best pot roasts I've ever had Saturday night.

So that was our holiday weekend in a nutshell...

And now I leave you with something I've been meaning to blog about for ages and just haven't had the time...but I don't want to forget it so I must document it somewhere (and quick before I forget).

About 2 weeks ago I woke the boy up in the morning and we had the following exchange:

Me: Hey buddy time to get up and get dressed.
Boy: Is he still there?
Me: Is who still there?
Boy: Chewy.
Me: Chewy, who is Chewy?
Boy: *wipes his eyes and looks at me very confused* Oh...I must have been dreaming.
Me: So what was the dream about?
Boy: It was so awesome! There was this giant cheeseburger and his name was Chewy and you couldn't eat him or anything but he was like a real person that I was playing with and he lived at McDonalds.
Me: Wow that's quite the interesting dream...*giggling like crazy*
Boy: Yeah I wonder if I'll ever have that dream again cause it was awesome!

I laughed about it all that day...and even still recounting it for you makes me giggle a little. My boy sure does have an active imagination. I'm quite certain this dream had a little something to do with the fact that my mom (who was in town visiting at the time) took the boy and I to Burger King at about 8:00 the night before so he went to bed just after eating a double cheeseburger lol.

Awards

First, Anne @ Mommy has to work sent me these lovely awards!
Thanks so much Anne.


Then second Melissa @ Outnumbered 3 to 1 gave me this awesome award!!! Thanks Melissa!

And last but most definitely not least - Staci at Playing House gave me the Over the Top Award! Thanks Staci.

Here are the rules for the Over the Top Award:

USE ONLY ONE WORD! It’s not as easy as you might think. Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It’s quite tricky to use only one-word answers! Once you have filled it out, be sure to pass it on to 6 of your favorite bloggers and alert them that they have been awarded!

*****
1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your hair? Blah
3. Your mother? Far
4. Your father? Farther
5. Your favorite food? Pasta
6. Your dream last night? Nadda
7. Your favorite drink? Coke
8. Your dream/goal? live life to the fullest (yeah I cheated)

9. What room are you in? work
10. Your hobby? reading
11. Your fear? heights
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Married
13. Where were you last night? home
14. Something that you aren’t? catty
15. Muffins? YUM
16. Wish list item? blender :)
17. Where did you grow up? Ontario
18. Last thing you did? eat
19. What are you wearing? black
20. Your TV? off
21. Your pets? cats
22. Friends? laughter
23. Your life? CRAZY
24. Your mood? good

25. Missing someone? always
26. Vehicle? pontiac
27. Something you’re not wearing? socks
28. Your favorite store? Walmart
29. Your favorite color? Purple
30. When was the last time you laughed? earlier
31. Last time you cried? forget...
32. Your best friend? FUN
33. One place that I go to over and over? work
34. One person who emails me regularly? E
35. Favorite place to eat? Olive Garden (not fair their name is 2 words).

I pass these awards on to (well, if you haven't received it/them already):

Melissa @ Outnumbered 3 to 1

Anne @ Mommy Has to Work

Jenn @ Another Online Mom

Supah @ Adventures of a Wanna be Supahmommy

Yaya @ Yaya Stuff

Liz @ Sugarplum Creations

Post it Note Tuesdays - kthankssomuch edition

This weekly meme is hosted by the lovely Supah Mommy and this week I finally have a minute to participate! YAY! No more guilt trips...bwahahaha.

So here goes (oh and if you want to know how to play along head over to her blog):

Writers Workshop (a day late)

I was going to skip Mama Kat's writers workshop this week because I was too busy to blog all week long...but then I saw the prompts and in particular this photo:

And I laughed and laughed and laughed...

Because well...this is me and the boyfriend...absolutely...no doubt about it. In fact you may remember this post where I fell and hurt my behind last winter...it was then that the boyfriend realized just how obsessed he was with my @ss...I knew it all along but it was made even more apparent to me when everytime he touched it I winced in pain.

He's a very touchy feely kind of guy and even in Safeway will take a quick look around and if no one is watching will cop a feel of my behind.

I hear it's a guy thing...and that most men like @sses...but I can honestly say that no other guy I've been with has felt the constant need to touch it in every moment he can get away with it. I'm sooooooo NOT touchy feely...so I'm usually swatting him away...especially in public! How embarrassing if we were caught by another customer or employee of said Safeway...

I know I was supposed to make up a conversation with the parties in the picture...and it would really just go something like this:

The boyfriend copping a feel...

Me: What are you doing pervert...people can totally see us...stop it.

Him: Oh come on, I love you...and besides no one is really paying attention.

Me: I don't care, stop it now...*swatting his hands away and then running to the next aisle*.

He of course chases me and once again tries to cop a feel...I can say that he's gotten a little better in public places because he can't stand the dirty looks I give him...and then I may or may not refuse to speak to him until he apologizes and promises to never do it again (though I know in his head 'never' really means 'until next time we go for groceries'.

So Busy...

I'm drowning here at work...talk about going from one extreme to the other...

So I'm sorry I haven't had time to comment on alot of your blogs....or even to blog myself...

I hope by the end of the week things have slowed down both at work and at home.

I miss you all!

Writers Workshop - Travel: My List

It's Thursday and that means that Mamakat is hosting her weekly Writers Workshop.

The Prompts:

1) If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

2) Moxie is defined as the ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage; bold energy. Describe a time when you showed moxie.

3) Write a poem about a loved one who has shown you moxie. What have you learned from them?

4) If you were a super hero, what would your super power be and why?

5) A superhero can save you from what ails you....what is your request.

This week I'm going with Number 1. I always talk about 'my list' of places I want to travel. But really it's just a running list in my head...places get added to it and ocassionally removed from it depending on others experiences. Do you have a list?

The place that has always topped my list is Australia. My mom had a friend when I was growing up that was from Australia and her accent always fascinated me! Not to mention I have a friend there that I one day hope to meet in person (gotta love the internet for giving you friends all around the world).





The second place on my list is Italy. I've been told quite a few stories from the boyfriend and his dad since they are part Italian...and it seems it would be a really nice place to visit...there is alot of history there and the scenery is delightful.

Mexico - many of the girls that I work with go on annual vacations to various places in Mexico...and I always hear about the wedding ceremonies on the beaches...deep down I kind of want to get married there someday...but we'll see.

Portugal - I grew up in a small town that had alot of Portuguese people in it...so I grew to know and love the culture...again I hear the scenery is fabulous.

Trinidad - my mom has visited there and loved it. Really I'd be happy seeing any of the carribean islands.

Also on my list is New York - not only because I'd like to see 'ground zero' it was on my list even before that because they have some great tourist attractions, such as the Statue of Liberty.

And lastly pretty much anywhere south of me would be delightful...California, Florida - we'd love to see either Disneyland or Disney world...my parents took me to Disney World in Florida when I was 9 years old and it was the most fabulous vacation!

Random Ramblings

I finally gave in and joined Farmville on Facebook...and it is sucking up alot of my time...but I love every second of it.

We get free lunch tomorrow at work to celebrate the end of Summer and (really) the end of us being short staffed due to covering off others holidays...YAY!!!

The boy is really enjoying 3rd grade...and I'm so happy about that! On the down side, somehow his teacher managed to misplace all of his school supplies...we dropped them off 2 days before school started at the parent/teacher meeting and somehow in the first week of school they vanished. Here's to hoping she finds them...I spent hours labelling everything so it's not like they don't have his name on it.

The boy decided sometime last week that he wants to be a scientist when he grows up. Though he's not sure what kind of scientist and is on a mission to figure out what interests him most. It's pretty ironic since when the boyfriend and I first got together (2.5 years ago) the boy thought a scientist was an insult because they are nerdy and they used to make fun of each other by calling each other scientists...now he wants to be one when he grows up...oh how things change lol.

My mom is visiting and arrives tomorrow...it'll be a quick visit since she's only staying with me Thursday and Friday night.

I am addicted to America's Next Top Model and am sooooooooo excited it's on again tonight.

So that's what's going on in my world...what's new with you?

Boys and Their Toys

So after much convincing on his part...the boyfriend finally managed to talk me into letting him have his very own cell phone...okay I sound like the biggest control freak if you just read that sentence lol...

BUT there is a reason he was not allowed a phone...you see, when we first met he had a cell phone of his very own...he proceeded to rack up his bill by doing things outside of his plan...to the point that it became impossible to keep up with...he had issues with customer service and it was just a total nightmare...his phone broke and he sent it away to have it fixed...4 months later they sent it back (all while being charged for the service in the mean time) and they hadn't fixed the problem at all...so needless to say he cancelled service with them...so none of that his fault...and then...

We decided after we moved in together that we really only needed one phone between the two of us anyway...so he would carry mine during the day since I have a phone conveniently located on my desk at work...so in case of emergency I can be reached...he on the other hand is impossible to reach...so thus he got the privilige of carrying around my cell phone...UNTIL...

He lost it...actually he lost it several times...but always redeemed himself by finding it again...left at work, in his car...in a friend's car...but one day he really lost it...FOREVER...

And because of that he was not allowed to even get close to my Blackberry when I got it...and I think that made him a teensy bit jealous...

The past couple months he's been 'checking out' phones and plans...and working on me...

"I'll take good care of it...I promise"

"This way when you need to reach me you'll be able to"

"I promise to love it and feed it and take it on walks too"

So he got his beloved phone yesterday...nothing fancy because his budget doesn't really allow for anything fancy...and besides he's not nearly as technologically savvy as I am ;)

But let me tell you...he's had his phone for all of 16 hours and he is a texting maniac...

I am not a texter...so this is very new to me...he even texted me from the other room last night...which is the finest example of men and laziness!!!

What about you...do you text?

Why don't I text...am I *gasp* getting old??? No way...Can't be!!!

I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it!

Something tells me I've used that post title before...lol.

Anyway, now that I've got you all singing that annoying song...I'll tell you why I'm excited...

You see this mama over here NEVER and I mean NEVER gets alone time...I mean yes, I do go out with friends on occasion...but lately it's been just over to my bestie's new house to help her paint or install flooring...fun...but not exactly the fun *I* crave!

So when the boyfriend told me he was going to go fishing with his dad and take the boy with him...I was soooooooooo flippin' excited. This marvelous event will take place tomorrow afternoon...and although I've known about it for weeks I could not for the life of me decide what I wanted to do with my alone time.

A million thoughts ran through my head...but most of them involved physical labour...for example I could call up my bestie who is still in renovation hell and offer some assistance...but...I decided that wouldn't be enough fun for me...and I could do that any old time while the boyfriend was home to watch the boy...

So then, I started thinking about my 'to do list'...and realized that I needed to add "clean the fridge out" to it...and thought a Saturday afternoon home alone might be the perfect time to do it....crank the tunes, get all my cleaning done without having to clean around a child and a man...but where's the fun in that???

So today...this morning actually...I ran into another friend of mine and asked her what she was up to tomorrow afternoon...her resposne 'nothing exciting'...so I'm going for a visit at her house and we're having some blender drinks! YUM YUM YUM! I can't tell you how excited I am. I actually haven't had a chance to really chat with this particular friend since before she went away on vacation almost a month ago.

I guess I'll have to behave myself since the boyfriend plans to bring his dad back to our place for a BBQ after fishing...he's seen me after a drink or two...but never after say four or five...hey it's supposed to be hot hot hot...it's not my intention to get drunk...but stranger things have happened :)

Exteme Makeover - Me Edition

It's Wednesday...and that means Amber is hosting Extreme Makeover - Me Edition...BUT she just found out she's pregnant and won't be participating full force. Congrats again Amber!

In the meantime she's asked that we share with her the ways we stayed healthy and 'fit' during our pregnancy(ies)...I had to laugh (literally) out loud when I read this...because those that know me IRL know that I gained about 65 pounds during my pregnancy with the boy. Granted, I started out underweight...at about 103 pounds (when I went to the doctor to confirm the pregnancy with a blood test and he called me with my results he immediately ordered me to start drinking Ensure or Boost...yuck!)...but yep by the end of it all I was nearing 170.

Imagine how frightening it is to realize that after gaining that much weight you only have about 7.5 pounds that is the actual baby!!! I battled eating disorders as a teenager but thankfully after having the boy I lost the weight in a healthy manner and it slowly but surely came off...well most of it...I still blame him for the extra 15 pounds I carry around to this day...8 years later.

Funnily enough (and yes I do believe funnily is a word...in my world anyway) I didn't gain all over and really only carried out front...like a HUGE basketball was under my shirt. I so wish I had pictures of me pregnant...but it was a tough time in my life (that's for an entirely different post) and I was uprooted and moved around at least 4 different times while I carried the boy. In the end my mom lost her camera that had all my pregnancy shots on it...and we never found it...so sad!

So I'm sorry Amber I have no advice...but hopefully some of the other women do. I imagine keeping active (walking, stretching, etc.) is still a good idea...and obviously not letting yourself fall into the mentality that you are in fact eating for two and therefore can eat what you want when you want and all in double sized portions...might not work out to be the best plan...though I have to admit it was one I adopted lol.

I don't have much to report in the way of what I've been doing this past week. We are still working on getting into a routine for school....and there's been good tv on...I know I know...excuses excuses...

Friend Makin' Monday - Fall TV Shows

I love TV...so I'm excited that this week Amber who is hosting Friend Makin' Mondays asked us to share with you what shows we are excited about!

I realized something in compiling my list of shows for this post...most of my favourites are no longer on...and I've just been watching a whole lot of reality TV lately lol.

One show I love love love is Desperate Housewives...I missed the finale in May because I was on a road trip with my besties...and I totally forgot I hadn't seen it until they started airing previews for this season...must find last season's finale online...pronto!




Next...I hear Survivor starts next week...it was the very first reality TV show I was hooked on...and I still tune in here and there...it helps that we have a survivor pool at work...I won the first year I entered I might add...$100 is nothing to scoff at!!!



The next couple are some shows I'm excited to check out...they are brand new this year and I hope they will fill the void of some of the shows they've cancelled in the past couple of years...



Hehe...the boyfriend and I looooooooooooooooove Family Guy...so I'm totally stoked t0 check out the Cleveland show...it looks soooooo funny!

That's it for now...I'm sure there are a few more new ones that I wouldn't mind checking out...but those three are the only ones that the previews really stuck with me.

Happy Monday!

Writers Workshop - The first day of 3rd grade

It's Thursday...and that means Mama Kat hosts her weekly writers workshop. You can join in the fun by heading over to her blog and choosing your prompt.

The Prompts:

1.) What does marriage mean to you?(inspired by Jon Gosselin) :)

2.) Scaredy Cat!!!(inspired by Brandi from Not Your Average Soccer Mom)

3.) List the pieces of you that have come from those around you?(inspired via Tweet by Angela from My So-Called Chaos)

4.) The first day of...(inspired by me. again.)

5.) Transcribe a recent entertaining conversation you recently had with someone.(inspired by me...I'm so inspirational for myself.)

Tomorrow my 'baby' boy will start 3rd grade...and I have very mixed emotions...I guess that comes with the territory of being a mother...on one hand, you want your kids to stay little and dependent on you forever...but on the other it's exciting to see them grow and learn and achieve their goals in life.

Last night was meet the teacher...our division is the only one in the City that has these meetings before school starts and I think it's a fantastic idea. The kids know who their teacher is and know exactly where the classroom is...and best of all there is no lugging a bajillion school supplies to school on the first day...because we dropped them all off last night.

Back to the teacher...she seems great! Yes she's young and is about a year out of university...something that had me a little disappointed, at first...the boy had a 'newer' teacher for 1st grade and she really had no idea how to handle rambunctious 6 year olds. But this one seems like she knows what she's up against...bonus!

The boyfriend was teasing the boy before our meeting...saying his teacher was going to give him homework...the boy responded with "impossible we haven't even had our first day yet"...but guess what? The boyfriend was totally right! The teacher handed the boy a paper bag just before we left and told him it was an "all about me" bag that they would share on the first day of school with the rest of the class...he was to put 2 or 3 items in the bag that he could show to his class. So the boy chose 2 baby pictures and a baseball card...since baseball is his favourite sport! He was going to put in one of his pokemon cards because he is obsessed with all things pokemon...but then thought he'd just go with a second baby picture because he didn't want to lose one of his most prized possessions...lol.

So there you have it...there is no denying it...my baby is a big boy...a big 3rd grader...where does the time go???

Awards~I feel so loved!

So I'm sitting here at work twiddling my thumbs...when I remembered I had about 3 awards I need to get to posting...I believe one or two of them may be more than a week...maybe even close to a month old...oops.

I received the one lovely blog award from Natalee at Raising Normal Kids...love her blog...it's so fun to read about what her and her three boys are up to on a daily basis.

Second I recieved this award from Melissa at Outnumbered 3 to 1. Great blog there too...Melissa hosts a ton of awesome giveaways but I personally love to read about her and her family...we are very similar in alot of ways!

And last but not least...Jennifer over at The Causey Clan gave me this splash award! Jennifer has a quirky sense of humour and usually has me giggling....and she's got some super cute kiddos too!

Now I know you are supposed to pass the awards on and link up to who I pass them on to...blah blah blah...but quite frankly who has time for that??? Besides I absolutely hate playing favourites...I love all of you that come here to read...and I love reading all of your blogs. So if you haven't received these awards consider yourself awarded!

Why I Can't Blog

So we've known for quite some time now that there is something wrong with our computer mouse...it most likely as something to do with sticky little fingers touching it...and now there's been something spilt on the keyboard...the keys are sticking and some don't work unless you hit them hard about two or three times...urgh.

So we'll be on the hunt for a new keyboard and mouse in the next few days because this is extremely irritating...note to self...enforce rule of no food or drink in the computer room...it seems I've let that slide a bit over the Summer months...and boy do I regret that!!!!

I'm still reading and trying to comment on all your blogs...bear with me...I fear that I may get frustrated and give up...it might save my sanity to wait till tomorrow at work when it will be so much easier...lol.

I have awards to post...and I wanted to do that today..man oh man!!!

Hope you are all having a great long weekend! Ours has been nice and relaxing...we spent the day at the beach yesterday...my absolute favourite thing to do!!!

Extreme Makeover - Me Edition - Successes

Amber over at aefilkins hosts this weekly meme...I haven't participated all summer...that could explain the massive tire I have forming around my midsection...why is it that I have no problem working towards the body I want all year long and then when summer comes I sabotage it all by eating bad and not exercising near enough???

I haven't stepped on a scale in a very long time but I bet if I had weighed myself before summer and then again now...it would tell me I had gained at least 10 pounds...all my clothes are too tight and I just feel down right disgusting.

Hence the reason I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack. If you'd like to join this group of gals who are working hard at trying to live a healthier lifestyle than be sure to head over to Amber's blog and check it out.

This week Amber has asked us to focus on our successes. Seeing as I am just now getting back into a routine and haven't yet had the opportunity to add in exercise...my only success (albeit a big one) is my thought process...instead of feeling like I just can't do it...I *know* that I can because I've done it before. It doesn't take much to plan meals a little better so that I'm eating healthier...and it also doesn't take much effort to get myself back into exercising....I just have to do it! And do it I will...starting now.

My intent is to ease back into it slowly...knowing myself the way I do...if I try to change things too much I decide it's too hard and just give up yet again...so this week I'm really going to focus on eating better and uping my water intake...after school starts next week and our family is more into a homework/evening routine after dinner I will decide when it's best for me to exercise.

Two Years Ago - The Post Where I Get Kind of Deep

I interrupt my regular blogging randomness...to tell you a little story...something that still makes me very sad from time to time...

You see two years ago today (well okay Saturday but I didn't have time to write this post then)...I lost someone very special to me...not through death...though sometimes I think this way may be worse because there is just no closure.

Let me back up just a little...

When I moved to this city back in 2001 I knew very few people. My mom and extended family (that I didn't really know well) and that's it...that's all. So when I met this girl "D" about six months after the boy was born and we hit it off and were Besties right from the start...well I couldn't have been happier. We were joined at the hip...literally...wherever she went I went too...usually having the boy in tow...but she didn't seem to mind. In fact, she used to beg me to let her babysit while I worked...this was pre-kids for her.

Until September of 2002 when her and her (then) husband had their own bouncing baby boy. Sadly, her husband was laid off in early 2003 and they figured it wise to move out of province and go back to where "D" considered home so her parents could help them out financially until they were back on their feet again. We kept in touch via email, telephone and good old fashioned letter writing.

I was more than thrilled when she came back for a visit in the Summer of '04 and told me that she was coming back...with or without her husband...they were having marital problems and she was very unhappy living so close to her family who were the meddling type...but when she went back home after her visit she (unexpectedly) got pregnant and decided it was best to stay put, at least for the time being, as her husband had a decent job and now they had another little one on the way.

BUT in the summer of '05 after their second baby boy was born she knew she had to get out of the small town they were in and back here to the big city life which she enjoyed so much more. So they came back...and I was soooooooooo happy.

Little did I know that this was when all sorts of drama was going to come into my life. You see she was still unhappy with her husband...he refused to keep a job...played video games relentlessly...and just did not help with the boys. So I stepped in and would often spend the days with her...we'd take the 3 boys out to the park or to the mall or just let them run wild in McDonalds playland. I continuously told her that the constant fighting that went on in her household was not good for her children and that she really just needed to leave. But she was afraid of the unknown...having not worked in well over 3 to 4 years she was certain she could not get a decent paying job and would not be able to survive.

She started to become someone I didn't even know anymore...putting herself before her children...I remember her husband calling me on ocassion wondering if I knew where she was because she would up and leave for days on end. To this day I don't know where it was she was 'escaping' to...she always told me that she was out with some girls she had worked with years earlier...but who really knows.

In March of '07 (just a few months before I met the boyfriend)...I met a guy at the bar...he seemed like a nice enough guy...we 'saw each other' for just over a month when I realized he was not looking for anything serious...and in and around that time I had kind of decided I was ready to settle down...so we broke off ties.

Little did I know that "D" kept talking to him. In fact he started hanging out at her house and befriended her husband...I kind of started to get a bad feeling about him then...I mean you meet a girl...things don't really work out and what do you do? Go after her (married) friend...ummm ewwwww.

In July of '07...I was happily dating the boyfriend and "D" and I were growing apart...I just couldn't stand to see her flirting with this guy all while supposedly trying to make it work with her husband. So one day she calls me up and is crying hysterically...begs me to come down and spend the day with her because she really needs someone to talk to. I got there and her husband was gone...she said he had left her because she was pregnant with another man's baby...yep you guessed it...she had been fooling around with the guy I had met months earlier at the bar.

She decided she was going to keep the baby but cut off ties as much as she could with the 'affair guy'...she told me that he was abusive to her older two boys and that she didn't want him anywhere around them. I of course tried to explain to her that seeing that she was carrying his child it wasn't going to be easy to get rid of him. I urged her to come and stay with me where I could support her and help her stay strong.

But she refused and next thing I knew she was barely calling and when I called her she wouldn't answer the phone. Eventually her phone was disconnected and the only way I could contact her was to go down to her apartment...so I did...numerous times. Most times she wouldn't answer the door but I could hear the boys playing inside.

Finally one day she came to the door and told me that "affair guy" was in her room down the hall and that she really couldn't have me in...it just wasn't a good time. So I left it alone...I was pissed that she would put her own selfish needs over the wellbeing of her boys...but without knowing all the details didn't feel it was my place to step in.

Fast forward to August 29, 2007 - her 25th birthday...I receive a call at work from "D's" sister..."D" is in big trouble...and needs to leave the city. "Affair guy" has been keeping her and the boys locked up in their apartment and refusing to allow any of them to see the light of day...for almost 2 months now. She explained that he had been getting physical with "D" as well as the two boys.

So that day "D" came down to my work and we said our goodbyes...I told her to take care of her babies...her husband (now ex) drove them to the next province over where "D" has a sister that she was going to go and live with to get away from this crazy psycho.

We kept in touch through email and facebook and she even came to visit in November '07...she told me that "affair guy" knew where she was living and had even been out there begging her to marry him. She seemed to have cleared her head a bit out there and knew that being anywhere near him was a bad idea and even tried to convince him that the baby she was carrying was actually her (ex) husband's.

That was the last time I spoke to "D"...ever. I'm sure I could look her up and reconnect...but the thing is do I even want to at this point? I firmly believe that the reason she cut off contact is because she is back with the psycho...he had some kind of hold over her...one that I had never seen anyone have over her. Last I heard through the grapevine they were living as a family...she had a baby girl in Feb '08...I feel sad for all of her kids. I miss the boys terribly...I was "Auntie Mel"...and the boy misses her oldest ALOT....they were the best of pals.

So am I destined to remember this unfortunate series of events every single year on "D's" birthday...and will I get sad every year when I know the boys are celebrating another birthday without Auntie Mel???

Friend Makin' Monday - 20 Questions

Amber over at AEFilkins is hosting Friend Makin' Mondays. Head on over to her blog to join in the fun.

This week she's being nosy (a girl after my own heart lol) and asking 20 questions...here they are:

1. Do you cook every night?
- I try to...I also try and make balanced meals (ie. meat, veggie, starch)...let me tell you, do I ever look forward to easy dinner night (at least once a week)...which usually involves nachos or pizza...or mac and cheese (the boy's all time favorite).

2. What kind of laundry detergent do you use & why?
- Whatever is on sale. My mom was always loyal to Tide because she has very sensitive skin...for me it doesn't matter as long as it passes my smell test.

3. Do you do laundry every day or loads at a time?
- I do a load almost every day after dinner. Towards the end of the week I tend to slack off and then I have a few loads waiting for me to do on Sunday morning.

4. How often do you eat out per week?
- not much at all. Usually once a week for lunch and once every 2 weeks as a family - of course there is the ocassional date night and that would make it twice in 2 weeks.

5. Where do you usually eat out?
- McDonalds...sometimes Burger King...my preference is Subway.

6. What is your favorite retail store?
- Walmart!!! Or Ricki's for clothes for me (their sizes run big and I can currently squeeze myself into a 4...no way am I shopping anywhere else!)

7. What's your favorite thing to drink?
- Coke

8. Do you take vitamins? What kind?
- I don't...but I'm told I should. Last time I was at the doctor's office my Vitamin B levels were down and they suggested I take some...but I haven't.

9. What percentage of the household chores to you do?
- Oh boy...about 80%. I'm trying to get the boy more involved in chores and would also like the boyfriend to help out a little more so I've been giving him more jobs...granted he does do some cooking and since I HATE doing dishes he'll do them 90% of the time.

10. Do your children do chores? {Or will they, did they, etc}
- Yes - he does chores...but only when asked. I really need to get on the ball and make him up a chore chart with regular chores for him to do on a daily and weekly basis...that way we can institute allowance, which he has been begging for since June.

11. Do you go to church?
- No.

12. Do you have a housework schedule?
- No...I work from room to room when I have the motivation...if I have zero motivation I tidy what visitors see lol.

13. Do you keep a working budget?
- Not really - another thing we need to work on because there are alot of things we should and could be saving for.

14. What do you do at night as a family?
- during the Summer it's pretty relaxed...we'll go for a walk after dinner or sit outside...if the weather is crummy (has been almost all summer) we'll snuggle watching some tv or a movie.

15. How do you prepare yourself for a new week?
- I try to get organized on Sundays...sometimes the best laid don't get followed through on though lol. I do make sure we all have clean clothes and if that's the best I can do that day...then so be it.

16. What do your mornings look like?
- I get up and get the boy up, hop into the shower, get the boy breakfast, make coffee, get the boyfriend out of bed, hop on the computer for a quick check of email and facebook, make lunches, do my hair and little bit of makeup, have a quick cup of coffee I made 1/2 hour earlier...and then head on out the door. All of this in precisely ONE hour lol.


17. What time do you get up in the mornings?
- I am supposed to get up around 6:30...but this morning it was more like 6:47...ahhhh lol.

18. What time do you go to bed at night?
- Usually around 11:00...sometimes a little earlier sometimes a little later.

19. How do you manage all of the paperwork that floods into your household? {bills, school work, magazines, ads, etc}
- Right now I have piles all over my house...I have a shoe box in the computer room that is full...a junk drawer in our bedroom again FULL...all important papers get stuck to our fridge as a reminder to me (school stuff etc)...and currently we are in the midst of adding a bulletin board to the computer room for the stuff that is important but maybe not as important as the fridge stuff (actually I really hope the bulletin board will be big enough so I can stop using my fridge as one lol).

20. How do you keep your household organized? {calendars, charts, etc}
- the simple answer...I don't lol. I have my own little way of organizing...but really like Amber I have a huge accumulation of stuff that needs to be donated or sold in my basement...and it is driving me CRAZY.

Our New Additions - Writers Workshop

Mamakat's writers workshop includes the following prompts:

1.) My animals are making me nuts.(inspired by Jody from Take Me As I Am).

2.) List the 5 best things about the first day of school.(inspired by Lane from Sneaky Daddy).

3.) Tell us about your crush.(inspired by Lisa from Just Lisa, No Filler)

4.) How did you break it?(inspired by Brandy from Not Your Average Soccer Mom)

5.) Show us a favorite summer craft.(inspired by Kristin from The Way It Is)

Meet our kitties - Freddy and Homer

So, they aren't such new additions since we've had them since the day after the boy's birthday (so like May 12th)...apparently I forgot to mention them here...that's besides the point. Some of you may remember this post where we decided it would be in our dog Bailey's best interest to go live with my mom since we really didn't have time to give her the love and attention she needed.

Immediately the boy started working on me about cats (notice the plural there...I thought I could get away with one but the boy had other plans)...they are much more independent and don't require walking or picking up poop in the yard...the boyfriend decided it was a great idea too...so we were on the hunt for some cats. I was picky though in that I wanted full grown, fixed cats, preferably males (I find they are more affectionate).

So began our hunt for the perfect pets. We looked online in our area for giveaways...many of the ads turned us off right away...it's all in a name, right? I just couldn't handle having a cat named snookums or love muffin...lol. Eventually we stumbled across an ad for the two cats that we now call ours. Their owners had owned them since kittens but were now moving into an apartment that didn't allow pets so they needed to find Homer and Freddy a new place to live.

They brought them over and immediately Freddy hid in our basement and didn't come out for close to a week. Homer on the other hand was affectionate and friendly right from the get go. He also loved the boyfriend right away...he still follows the boyfriend around to every single room he goes into and tries to curl up in his lap or on his chest...which is driving both the boyfriend and I NUTS...You see my goal of having an affectionate cat was met...but maybe he's a little too affectionate. If we lock him out of our bedroom at night he claws at the door...eventually the boyfriend got smart and started spraying him with water when he did that...seems he's gotten the hint and has taken up residence with the boy at night.

Freddy is a take it or leave it cat...he of course loves to be patted but if you stop he won't claw at you to start again (like Homer does)...he'll just lay down and be content.

Lately they've both taken to bolting for the door as soon as it opens...Homer will then crawl into the tiny opening underneath our outside stairs and he is impossible to get out. So we leave him and he eventually comes out and wonders around and then comes home and meows on our doorstep to be let in. I wanted indoor cats...not outdoor!!! So we are trying and trying and trying to keep them inside...which is near impossible when you have an 8 year old that likes to stand at the door (with the door half open) talking to his friends...

Regardless...they are good cats...I choose to overlook that they won't stay off my tables (something I've never let any other cats i've owned do)...and the fact that they claw at some of our furniture...the boyfriend again tries to get on them with the spray bottle...because they love us and we love them.

Here's a couple of photos...Homer is all gray and Freddy is the striped one.