No Apologies

I'm going to apologize one time for those that I may offend or upset with the things I say, and that's all.** I've done that enough, apologized or kept quiet. I've put my thoughts and feelings behind everyone else, I've attempted to keep from rocking the boat, upsetting the masses... and you know what? It makes me miserable. Because while I'm biting my tongue, you see it as acceptance. You see it as me being ok with however people speak to me, treat me, talk about me. You see it as ok that I'm there emotionally for whoever needs me when they need me, and when it's my turn, I'm handling it on my own.

I don't ask for help. But I learned a long time ago that the people who expect me to drop everything for them are usually not willing to do the same for me. So I bite my tongue, handle my own, and am just a little less inclined to be there the next time.

I think I must seem very unassuming. I seem accepting, almost a doormat, in the way I have lived my life. The last couple of months have shown me a lot about people, and most of it isn't surprising, but it's still hurtful just the same. I seem to be one of the few who just have to “suck it up”, “get over it”, and continue to put myself after everyone else, whatever situation arises. And there's something you seem to forget- I really don't have to. That's the beauty of it- you don't have to, and nine times out of ten, I wouldn't ask you to. I would never ask anyone to put themselves in the midst of something where they would be uncomfortable, or be treated badly and pretend that's it's ok and time to forget it. It doesn't work that way for you, so why does it work that way for me?

My life, needs, wants and feelings are no less than anyone else's. To behave as if they are is pretty selfish, I think.. and it's just not the way I'm doing things anymore. I don't want my kids growing up thinking it's ok for people to treat them like they are less than, that they are unimportant, or have to put up with being jerked around at someone's whim. Doesn't work that way. And when I see my daughter upset, or confused as to why she's been treated a certain way, it reminds me she is a lot more like me than it seems sometimes. And I want her to view it differently than I did. I don't want her to be the kid who gets called or hung out with when there's nothing else to do- that starts the ball rolling that gives people the permission to use you, put you on a shelf and take you down again when you have something to offer, or something they can use you for. She is second to no one, she has no reason to feel as if she needs to strive for acceptance... and therein lies the straw that didn't just break the camel's back, it put him in a coma.

I think I'm tired of waiting. There's always another shoe, another jerk, another hurt. That's life, even on the best days. But when you get so accustomed to the other shoe that you spend at least half your time waiting for it, then going quietly with whatever comes from it, it begins to build. Then it just keeps building, festering, until you explode. Until you are so consumed with everything and everyone else that all you feel is exhausted. You have your emotions invested in everyone's hurts, issues and angers... and your own are sitting there, waiting, just like you do.

I'm tired of being that person. I'm tired of feeling like I am here to appease everyone, to be spoken to and treated however people choose, and have no opinion. I'm tired of my children seeing the fallout, or paying for other people's mistakes and that being ok too. It's not, it never was, and it will never be ok for them to pay for anything. When that starts, everything else comes to a screeching halt.

It's time to push the envelope. I'm not waiting anymore. I'm not appeasing anymore. I'm not spending my time, emotion or energy on anyone who doesn't do the same for me. I'm not sucking it up, I'm not being treated badly and pretending I don't think you're an asshole, just to make it easy on everyone else. While I'm busy doing that, who is making it easy on me?

My children are my life, and they come first. They won't ever be set aside to appease. I won't apologize for this life, and I won't be made to feel as if I should. I won't apologize for my thoughts, or feelings. I'm going to challenge myself, every day, to stop talking and start walking. Actions speak a thousand times louder than words, and God knows when I speak, it goes unheard. It's ok for you to talk, to say whatever you want so it's ok for me too. I'm just as free as everyone else, and it's time I realize that, and time you realize that as well. I'm done telling you what you want to hear, putting on my game face and wondering the entire time why the hell I'm wasting my time. I owe it to my kids, to myself, to put my money where my mouth is, and teach them that they don't ever have to accept or settle for being anyone's settled for, in any situation. They never have been, why start now?

Today I will practice what I preach, I will let my actions speak louder, and I think it's going to be a challenge- but I have never walked away from one yet, have I? I've fought through more than one “impossible” situation, and I always come out swinging. I do a lot of it internally, but it gets done. I don't need a standing ovation for doing what I need to do- though an occasional acknowledgment would be nice.

One thing I have learned in life, for certain, is that you have to stand up. Anyone can sit by, and let it all pass along... but what for? Stand up and never back down from what you know to be true, what you know is right. Sure, you'll piss some people off, maybe lose a few “friends”... but if they were really your friends, you wouldn't have to worry about it in the first place, would you?

So, I'm going to stand. My legs may be a little wobbly, my back

bone a little out of practice. But it's time to stop waiting, and start doing. Stop holding out for when it gets easier, and start pushing the obstacles out of the way. The way I'm feeling right now is pretty cut and dry, and pretty simple- When it comes to my life, you are either in it, or in my way.

**This is what comes of bottling it up. There have been several situations lately that have popped up and several times I've bitten my tongue or sat on my hands so as not to say or type things I actually do mean, but would have said in ways I didn't mean them. So.. no more. And that's all I have to say on it at this point- No. More.

Caffeine Fueled

Whew. It's nice to sit down with a cup of coffee (I'm way past one too many cups at this stage) and be able to chat with you for a minute here. This time of year is insane, which I'm sure all of you know already. There are too many things to do, on top of every day stuff to do... and the hours in the days just seem to speed past. I'm up to my ears in school plays, cookies, and wrapping paper right now. Every year it gets busier, as the kids get older. They have parties at school, gift exchanges, Secret Santa. Basically, from the end of November until Christmas break, they have free access to not only all the money we may have, or want to have, but also all the rest of our (tiny reserve) of sanity. I want everything to be perfect, and I'm learning to pace myself with it, rather than think about it until I'm down to the last day or two, running around like crazy cleaning and doing last minute things. that causes a lot of unnecessary frustrations. Procrastination, though a talent of mine, is not helpful.

I've been power cleaning, so all I'll need to do is a few last minute swipes with a dust rag and a quick run of the vacuum. I've also been writing- sort of. I've got a skeleton of a story roaming around in my head and making its way into my Word program. Bare bones right now, with a few names and ideas. For the strangest reason, names are the hardest thing for me. Once they're done, I can pretty much go with the flow, and let the story find its way. Because it usually does- it never ends up how I'd planned. The characters seem to take over and drive themselves along... and that's when i know I'm doing it right. :)

So, busy doesn't cover it. I'm so full of caffeine it's ridiculous... but I'm moving like a tornado through here, getting everything out of the way before the kids get off for break. The less I need to get done with everyone underfoot, the better. So, keep your fingers crossed that I can keep running. LOL I figure as long as the music keeps playing, and the coffee pot doesn't break down, I'm good.

Tonight it's Lyss' Christmas play. She is a rock star doll. Fitting. She gets to play air guitar. they've been practicing like crazy for weeks now, and she comes home exhausted, wondering aloud if she REALLY wants to be in musicals when she grows up. Ahhh, I love it! They are performing at the high school, which to her seems equivalent to "on Broadway", so she's been pretty nervous about it. I think it's cute, watching her walk around with her script, mumbling to herself. Complaining to me about some of the other kids not paying attention during rehearsals. "So unprofessional", she says. Complete with sigh, and hair toss. Cracks me up.

So, that's what's going on at Casa Diva right now. What's happening in your neck of the woods?

Conversations With My Daughter

Sometimes, my daughter amazes me. Really. Alyssa has been into the Presidential race from the beginning- mainly because of my influence. I'm open with my kids about everything, including politics. And this has been a history making race. Not something I thought I would ever see and now something that I want them to remember as the very first time there was a whisper of change.

She watched with me to see whether Senator Clinton or Senator Obama would win the nomination. She listened to the coverage, asked questions. I answered as best I could, keeping in mind that she would absorb this and take it with her later on. I encouraged her curiosity, talking with her about making intelligent choices, paying attention to what all the candidates, party aside, had to say. Because, for me, it isn't about the party. It's about the best person for the job. It isn't about your race, your gender, your religion. It's how you, in my eyes, will best serve our country and the people that live in it... how will your term help us to flourish?

Last month, she came home from school telling me about the mock election they would be holding. she wanted to know why she couldn't just vote, for real. She wants to vote. She's upset that she can't. I'm proud of that. And then, the hard hitting questions.

She wanted to know why people would or wouldn't vote for someone based on their color, their gender or their religion. I explained that some people see things differently, and that there are some who can't look past certain things to see a bigger picture. Here are Alyssa's opinions on that:

Voting for someone just because they're a woman is stupid. Same for NOT voting for the same reason. "I know we're smarter, Mom .. (oops...).. but still!"

Voting for / against someone because they are a different color is dumb. "It's what's inside that makes people good or bad, not what's outside." Very true, my smart girl. But not all people are open minded enough to see that.

Voting because of religion is dumb, too. "Isn't America here because we wanted to be free to believe what we want to?" Thank you, public education, for giving her that so early. That isn't sarcasm on my part, either. I appreciate her knowing these things when she's not so jaded against this or that.

Alyssa has an advantage when it comes to "different". She doesn't see it. Having Jake has given her that, and having me be open has given her more. She's never made fun of someone for being different, she's never understood why people are picked on for it. She seems to grasp the idea that some people don't see it that way, but she hasn't matured enough to realize that regardless, it will always be that way. Sadly. People will always be labeled, judged, etc. Unfortunately, it's the way the world seems to work. She understands, because of Jake, that people are cruel sometimes, and sometimes they just don't understand. We fear what we don't understand, a lot of the time. And we react to that.

She voted, proudly, in her election yesterday. She has watched coverage of Kids Pick the President. She's now fascinated with former Presidents, Abraham Lincoln in particular. To her, he made this election possible. She is enthralled with the idea of this first. Because either way, it will be a first. She is excited to be a part of it, even without being able to really vote. She actually seems to grasp some of the bigger issues and has very definite opinions about them. Some issues, of course, are too complicated, or mature, to explain to her. I'm open, but not when it involves explaining things she really doesn't need to know about. For now.

She blows me away sometimes. She really does. She is still so innocent in the ways of the world, but more informed than a lot of the adults I know who ARE allowed to vote. Scary. All I know is that this has affected her. She wants to know more about those who have changed the country, and she wants to know how she can too. And who knows, maybe one day she really will. At eight, she already seems more qualified than some. **cough**

So, go out and vote. Let's all hope that positive changes come from this election, and hope that we call all be united in our support of one another's choices. No more attacking or judging, or even condemning because of who we believe is the best choice. After all, isn't this about being free to make that choice? Just ask my daughter.

Happy Halloween!

From the Steelers cheerleader, the ghost and the vampire, Trick or Treat!!!!!

Pic-a-palooza!!!

It's been awhile since I plastered the kiddos' mugs on here, and I figured it was past time. blogger is being uncooperative (has been a lot for me lately?) about posting a lot of pics in one post, so this will have to do. For now! Tomorrow there will be more, and there will be blood, gore... and Steelers cheerleaders! Wanna know? You'll have to come and see...

But for now, I give you the monsters, LOL

Taylor, enjoying her bath. she's developed the need for splash time lately, drenching everything in reach- usually me! :)

Jake, faking a smile for the ever hated camera. LOL I force him, because someday I'll want more than a random shot to look back on!

Alyssa with the ever present Barbie (they vary, but there is usually one or more in hand, or within reach.. and the drama these women live through! Good Lord!) Also present, the resident lion-cat, Dizz. LOL

Miss T, sporting her Dad's Steelers hat. This is before she took it off and tried to eat it!

One of my favorites.

Miss Lyss and the ever present Dizzle. she claimed at the time she couldn't feel her chest anymore- I don't think it looks like he cares much, huh?

This is the first of many, I'm sure. Lot of holidays and birthdays in the next few months- brace yourself for the cuteness!

School, Thirty, and The Block

That title sums up life right now, in a nutshell. I turned thirty yesterday. I'm not upset about it, yet. :) I gotta tell you, though, as it inches closer, it does some wacked out things to your mind. I think a new decade makes you sit back, take stock and think about life. You aren't the same person at thirty as you are at twenty. Time changes a lot of things; your priorities change, your responsibilities change.. everything sort of shifts from a twenty year old kid into this adult you never saw coming. So you do a lot of stressing, thinking, more thinking and figure out whether the places and things you wanted are still on track with you today. It messes with your head.

But, thirty itself isn't bad, I guess. I don't really feel different. I don't feel suddenly older, or wiser. :) I feel like I'm getting there, but I don't feel like panicking and rushing out for the wrinkle cream. At least, not yet....

School is chugging along. Alyssa's having no problems, as usual. The girl sails through school; I never get that. LOL She's good at pretty much anything she tries... totally not like her mom there. :) She adores her teacher, likes being with her friends, and is making some noises about cheerleading. I try not to gag or roll my eyes when she does. Much.

Jake is having an ok time of it, now. Things seem to have settled for the moment. I think being persistent (aka, you aren't messing with my kid, I'm not going away) has helped. He's printing and doing school work (new), coloring carefully, and got to have lunch and recess time with the regular kindergarten class. He did well with it, and hopefully it will happen more and more. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will transition him into the kindergarten class before a lot of time passes; he mimics behaviors and reacts to negativity. the more acting out he sees, the more he will try to get away with. If he sees rules and schedules being followed, he'll fall into line. Of course, saying it and being heard are two very different things. But, I tend to repeat myself if need be. And I can talk anyone under the table. So....

And, to feed my thirty going on thirteen self, my CD, The Block, came out today. I nabbed the Deluxe from Walmart this morning (preordered the regular 3 months ago, LOL). I'm surprised by it, and any former Blockheads expecting the same bubblegum stuff, be warned- this is not bubblegum. And you may want to grab some headphones for some of the songs. There's no swearing or anything, but it isn't your teenybop feel good New Kids CD. Oh, they wanna... feel good... don't get me wrong. They wanna feel real good, all night long. *cough* But it's good, and there are a few throwback songs for the feel good vibe. and the ballads? Ohhhh, the ballads are worth it all on their own. If you can get your hands on this CD, I'd recommend it. It's great to clean house to, seriously. LOL Or just relax to.

And speaking of, with my newfound evening freedom here at the Casa, I'm off for a bubble bath, some pepermint tea 9and maybe a cookie or six) and my new guilty pleasure, 90210. not the old one (which I absolutely adore), but a new generation... with some familiar faces! So, go relax, veg out and we'll meet here again. Same Diva time, same Diva channel. ;)

Silence

Today is the first semi "normal" day I've had this week. Monday was prepping for the school week. Tuesday was the first day of school, which involved all the hassle of getting Jake settled. Yesterday, i got my wisdom teeth out and we had another issue with the school. I think that's finally settled though. God knows it better be.

So far, the kids are loving the back to school deal. Alyssa is happy with who her teacher is (and I was relieved.) Jake seems to be adjusting and doing well.. he even had and did homework yesterday! It's going to be ok. I keep tellig myself that- it's going to be ok.

As for me, I spoke too soon about feeling well yesterday. I've been out of it, basically, since around six last night. I have no idea how I got the kids out the door this morning, I really don't. I'm not in a lot of pain, but I'm sick to my stomach and dizzy. And exhausted. I think the last weeks have caught up with me, and adding dental crap to it has just wiped me out completely. I started throwing up around 4 this morning (no blood, the extraction sites are perfectly fine) and thought I was going to pass out this morning when I was helping Lyss with her hair.

The good thing is she's becoming so responsible about school, etc. I don't have to be after her to hurry, to get dressed, to find this or that. Everything's done when they get home. Papers signed, homework done and put back in their folders, then returned to their backpacks. Lunches (if needed, usually just for Miss Picky) prepped the night before, clothes, etc., all ready. and we get up early enough to take our time. I hate rushing around, half awake, and I think they do better through the day if they can be comfortable in the mornings getting ready. This year has been a major improvement, already, when it comes to being organized. With the shift change coming up, I am worried, though, that it will somehow get messed up.

Yeah, I said shift change. Jim's moving to 2nd shift, so we're on our own in the evenings soon. I think that will be good for all of us, for various reasons. It will be sort of weird, I guess, at first, but it'll get me into a different routine a lot faster. And if anyone needs an entire evening routine makeover, it's this house!

I'm out, for now. My plans for the day? Not much! LOL Relaxing and playing with Taylor just about covers it. That's more than enough for me today!

The Next Couple Weeks

This might be my last full (or coherent) post for a couple of weeks. Tomorrow is the first day of school, and though we have been practicing our early bedtime routine, it always takes time to adjust to the real deal. I predict tiredness, some whining and perhaps scattered meltdowns... and the kids may feel wacked out, too. :)

Wednesday I get my wisdom teeth out, and while I'll do my best not to subject everyone to pain-killer induced posting, I can't make any promises. September is going to be a haze for me, I think. Fall is always really busy around here, winter even more so, but this year is busier than usual, and it may very well kick my ass before it's done. I'll do my best, but I'm only one woman, folks. One tiny woman with a lot going on right now, especially concerning the kids. I've planned and organized as much as one can where kids are concerned, but the thing about kids? They take the best laid plans and somehow make them cease to exist. Or at least alter them until your original plan is unrecognizable.

As for everything else... I'm trying to organize this outing I have for seeing my boys in October, and driving myself nuts with it. Planning it means thinking about it, thinking about it means getting more and more excited. I plan better when I'm not wriggling like a small puppy with weak bladder control. But, we take what we can right? Ha. I've waited for something like this for too long (a night away from children? come on, those are RARE!) not to be excited. Reliving this is something I'm not going to pass up, and I'm going to enjoy every step of it. It's the one thing I've carried with me for over half my life, and those things are priceless. OK, the feelings are priceless. The other stuff? Those are pricEY. But so worth it, to be able to let your teeny bopper self go ape shit one more time. (Or more, if they add another Ohio show... hmmm....)

Either way, the next few weeks are going to be insane, at best. Posting will be scattered, possibly hysterical, and somewhat drug induced (prescription drugs only, no illegals promise!!) So, bear with me on those fronts.

what I **do** promise is a lot of fun stuff. We are going to have some kick ass, no holds barred fun over here in the coming months. More picture posts, holiday stuff, and plenty of tales from the various happenings of the seasons to come. So, keep coming back, keep hangin in with me.

Welcome to the all new Confessions, folks. Let's party~

Pic-a-palooza!!! Kids, "Kids", and Pets!

**If you're looking for the sound check vids, scroll down.**

First up, the Jake man in a RARE picture... he's decided he isn't fond of the camera. So, rather than fight him, I sneak and get an occasional pic.



My favorite of Taylor so far, i think. she's so delighted it kills me!



More melt your heart from the ruler of our house. Cheeto face and all! :)



Dizzle. I always wonder why our cats run away......



My girls, chilling in a pile of toys. LOL Note the cheeto, still, on Taylor's face. She is an addict. I am an enabler... LOL.


Miss Lyss and her cat, Patrick. We **think** it's a Patrick anyway....


Lyss in her hat... we're on a hat kick around these parts lately....


Yeah, he looks thrilled about it... I made him wear the hat. Love it.


More cowboy hat!!!


Introducing Oliver! He is brand new, a little terrier mix who will not grow large, will not howl like a jackass all hours of the night, and more than likely will not cause me to sever tendons in my foot, unlike the previous dog, who did just that. By running into a darkened room- a being renovated room, filled with junk... and with my JMM CD's... one of which entered my foot. There is so a joke there, but I will let that go......

What i got today... and yes, that IS my screensaver. Ahhhh, life is good.......

Pic-a-palooza (How We Have Grown)

I've posted a lot of pics of Taylor since starting this blog. she's a baby, babies are cute, and they change so much, so fast. Like today, she started drinking from a sippy cup, which I am trying NOT to call her "cuppy." That's a hard one to break.
But, anyway. It made me think, and that led me to post some pics of all 3 of my rugrats when the older two still WERE rugrats. So, here we go. In no particular order, Zee Growth of Zee Small Ones. :)






This is Alyssa at one month, celebrating her first Easter. you can't tell, but the pants she's weating have little carrots and bunnies all over them. Yes, she was only one month old. And not impressed. :)





This is my guy Jake @ 2 months. He sported a preppy look as a baby- the shorts were khakis and that shirt buttoned over the other one. Too cute.



Miss Lyss @ 7 months. Her first christmas was coming up, and she loved the camera.



Jakers @ 1 month. He was peaceful his whole first year... then he walked... LOL.








Alyssa's first birthday. Anyone remember Bear in the Big Blue House?? He's on her head. And looking at this pic, I see just how much my girls look alike.



Jaker's first birthday party. He loved tearing into all those gifts!



My oh so serious guy @8 months, chillin in his Exersaucer. This was pre-walker, and pre busted up toes for me!


My babies, he @ 1 month, she @ 23 months. Yup, they are THAT close together. And I so loved that hat.



Miss Lyss turning three. Shortly after this picture, she yanked the barrettes out of her hair and cried about it. She wanted those presents, NOW.



Mr. Basketball @18 months. Look at that gorgeous head of hair! Yes, we are a binky bunch.



Me with Lyss @ age 3, on NYE in our new house. Yes, again the binky.



My first born @3 months, with her Pooh. I have one similar to this, somewhere, of her with the Stay The Same cassette. Mr. McIntyre, even then... LOL.



Miss Taylor Madison @ not even a whole day old yet. My last born, always baby, baby.




Jake at four, in preschool. Curls no more....



Miss Lyss on her first day of kindergarten. she thought she was uber cool that day, I'll tell ya!

Jake, thuggin @5.



The toothless wonder @ 5 almost 6.



Taylor today with her brand new friend, Sippy Cup. Sippy Cup was an immediate hit, especially filled with juice. also a hit, vanilla pudding, broccoli carrot and cheese baby food, and cheese puffs. She did not notice my not so subtle crying as she chugged out of the cup while grasping a Mum Mum rice cracker. too fast, too fast, too fast they grow up.




Miss Lyss and the Jake man, today. It flies, doesn't it? You blink, and it's gone. Amazing.Absolutely amazing.

But Mom, You're Famous!!!

It's funny what kids can come up with sometimes. Alyssa seems to have gotten into her head, and shared with the neighborhood kids, that I'm famous. I tried to correct her on this, and her answer was "Well, you do write on the Internet, and people read it. Maybe even the Jonas Brothers, or New Kids! that would make you famous!"

OK, I seriously don't think her beloved Jo Bros. check out my blog. And I highly doubt that my beloved NKOTB are anxiously awaiting my newest post on teething, pictures of my kids or cats, or even the posts where I ramble on about my guys incessantly. Or about my pretty 4th row ticket to see them in Cleveland. (Did she just say 4th row? Yes! Yes she did!!! She did!!!)

That leads me to wonder about "fame" on the internet. There are some bloggers who are really, really well known, and can make a living from what they write daily. We all know who they are, I have some over there in my Blogroll. I don't think of myself in those terms, probably wouldn't even if I was lucky enough to find myself in the company of those talented men and women. I'm just a mom who writes, talks about her life and occasionally cleans her house. LOL I don't think I'm changing the world with what I say, and I'm not really trying to. I may try to make you think occasionally; I enjoy making people think, question, wonder and dream. Because i like to think, wonder, question and dream.

I don't think that I'm famous. I doubt I'll ever be. But my daughter does, and that makes me feel pretty good. That, alone, had me feeling like a rock star.

Kid Speak: Alyssa on Music (and Me on Why the "Jo Bros" Are Slowly Killing Me)

Kids are funny (and intuitive!). Alyssa, especially, is showing a lot of interest in music these days, and has some pretty definite opinions on things. Here are some critiques from my 8 year old music expert:

On "Summertime" and NKOTB:

"Jon's like oh can we just get this over with!" -while watching Summertime on TV.

"Danny says bring on the ladies! Bring it on!"

"Why don't they show more Danny?" (the kid loves Danny)

"Is that Joe's wife?" When I said she was an actress "wow, she's good at it." (snicker)

"Jordan looks bored. That must be his wife." (laughed my ass off on that one...)

"My Joe is way cuter." - comparing Joe Jonas to Joe McIntyre (sigh)

"Those girls need some clothes. Yuck!" The girls are all in bathing suits and short clothing... gotta say i liked her attitude on that.

"Mom why are you looking at him like that?" Um......


On other music: (Notice the Jonas Brothers issue... again and again and again....)

"Did she really??" On Katie Perry's "I Kissed A Girl". "Mom, you have cherry chapstick!" (Yeah, ok, but i never kissed Katie Perry... lol)

"Why don't they show Jonas Brothers on VH1? they should be number one. Every week. Forever." (again, sigh.)

"You probably like this song, huh Mom?" (Charlotte Sometimes "I Could Just Kill a Man." ahaha)

"They need a Jonas Brothers channel. Or just a Joe Jonas one."

"If anyone wants Joe, he's taken!" (meaning Joe Jonas. )

"Camp Rock has the best music. Better than this other stuff." Yes, of course it does.

"New Kids on the Block and Jonas Brothers should sing together. They're about the same." Um.... no.


This is my life right now. I watch her, listen to her music (over and over and OVER) and I'm honestly beginning to wonder why my parents didn't purposely deafen themselves when i was growing up. Hearing the same few song repeatedly, by the same trio of young men, is horrific. LOL Especially when she screams along to it, jumping around like a maniac. Yeah, she's her mother's daughter, all right. I think now that my parents must have been saints, because honestly? I'd like to send the "Jo Bros" on a trip to a deserted island... and all their music with them.......

Pic-a-palooza!!!

The Intro -aka Reasons To Read, Or Avoid This Blog (Re-Post)

I thought, since I have some new readers, that I would re-post the intro from waaay back in January, when I started blogging. I will edit the parts that have changed, lol.

Hello all of you in Blog World. Since this is my first post, I thought I’d do a brief intro as well as a warning of sorts to those of you who enjoy reading people’s blogs. And there’s nothing wrong with that- it’s interesting to get a glimpse into someone else’s world, and I do it as much as I can get away with. : )

First off, like my profile says, I’m 29, have 3 kids and am a full time mom. I have two daughters, oldest 7 years, youngest 7 weeks, and one son, who turns six today.(now 8 years, 7 months sunday, and six for more than a day, lol.) I also have a husband and a small menagerie of cats. I’m an animal person, to a fault, and the menagerie is ever growing, to my husband’s (at first) chagrin, (followed by) abject horror, & (replaced finally with) threats upon my well being should I attempt to add another furry creature to this household. Ever. At any time. In the future. Did I mention EVER? (we have four more cats. haha)

I can be pretty long winded, so when I blog, don’t expect short and sweet. Well, ok, don’t ever pop in expecting sweet. I’m not a shiny happy person, even on a good day, and some days I’m really a bitch. But I’m honest and opinionated, and unapologetic for my views on the world, including my household and the way it’s run. Sometimes it runs smoothly, and other days I’m left wondering why it is like wrestling with wild animals to get anything done. (this is all still true.)

I’m starting out with comments open and I do welcome any opinion, feedback, etc. But, if you send me hate mail, I’m going to post it. In it’s entirety. No matter who you are. And expect incessant mocking, ridicule, and perhaps a profanity laced response. On a good day. And right now, there are few of those- right now is a haze of sleep deprivation, adjustment, and wondering when the hell these so called “baby blues” will go away. Because just when you think they have…. (they did)

Anyway, that’s my first blog. It’s not always gonna be savvy or sassy in here, humor filled or even entertaining. But it will always be real, always be honest and always be where I’m at when I’m writing. Like my life, this blog promises to be a friggin roller coaster… so strap in. (did you?)

Pic-a-palooza

It's time for another picture post. Been awhile since I showed off the monsters : ) so here goes!







This is par for the course- one antagonizing the other for no real reason. :) She did hit him with the ball, a few times. And then he tried to pummel her. Good times. : )




The babe. Need I say more??? She loved it out there, chillin' in her walker, watching us blow bubbles at her, occasionally abusing her toys. She has a real hatred for the Big Bird toy on that walker.




The Jake man, standing still for a brief.. very brief... moment.


Taylor, grinning away. The most grins and giggles I've seen in my life come from this one.


Miss Lyss, the already angst filled drama queen taking a moment from her Jonas Brothers obsession.

That was yesterday, enjoying the first truly nice day in weeks! More to come!