There is nothing like Girlfriends!!! oh and a good husband

Wow, what a life! Thursday I hung out with my buddy Bekkah at my home. Fun visit, catching up, and female discussions. My son, Bek's Godson was extremely entertaining and very affectionate. He kept plopping down next to her and putting his head on her arm (her shoulder if he could reach). He came by for tons of hugs and danced around for her. Too funny! My little man! No pics, not sure why! I always have the camera out.

Today I got together with three friends at Houlihans for some lunch, drinks, convo, and laughs. Lunch was awesome (lettuce wraps: sesame chicken wrapped in lettuce leafs, Ahi Tuna Salad: seared rare tuna over nappa cabbage with cilantro, bananas and cashews tossed in banana ginger vinaigrette, big yum, much kudos to Houlis for this one. Wow...I could eat this every day. One tall glass of water, one mojito, one cappachino and a triple berry cobbler).

We were probably loud and obnoxious to our table neighbors but we had the best time. We took pictures. laughed, and ate. Man did I eat. I am not used to getting to eat without little ones around. I don't know if I came up for air until I was done with my berry cobbler.

The biggest problem was that I had not nursed my daughter for 6 hours and I couldn't wait to get home. I was sure that her daddy had feed her but I was so uncomfortable.

About the man..he was loving, talkative and sexy for the past three days. There is nothing like a man who tells you here's some money, go out with your friends, the kids and I will have fun. Yesterday he took the boy out in the snow for almost 2 hours. He also called a friend to congratulate them on some good news and offer his services for anything they need, he did a friend a favor and when they paid him for it he decided to put the money back into their medical fund. What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man. a friend joked that he must have been visited by the ghosts of Christmas past.

Here are some pics from today












Here are pics from yesterday in the snow

The tree is up..Christmas has arrived

Yesterday my husband put the tree up (after the game of course). It seems like every year since my son was born I put out less Christmas decorations which doesn't seem right. I thought I would put out more because I want him to experience the Christmas magic that I had as a child. There really is no place to put the things I would like to put out which is probably why. We have a bi-level or a raised ranch which haves a half wall in the living room. I used to use that wall to put all the bric-a-brac. Now with the 2 year old who would love to hear the crashing noise as he sent my collectibles over the edge that seems impossible.

Well..here is the tree



















Here is my son running around very excited about the tree
















Here is the little girl, playing on the floor - finally...she sits up! Hooray!

Amateur Movie Review - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Yesterday when my husband was working, and the little man took a nice long nap I decided to rent a chick flick. I had wanted to see the Sisterhood when it was in the movies because I adore Amber Tamblyn since her General Hospital days and Joan of Arcadia she is also a very talented writer; and who doesn't love Alexis Bledel from The Gilmore Girls but since I have 2 little ones, and it is a CHICK FLICK it was pretty much out of the question.

What a great friendship movie. I love movies that remind me that one of the best things in life is to have great girlfriends. I now need to read the book by Anne Brashares. The story is of 4 friends who spend their first summer apart. They meet as babies, their moms were all in the same prenatal exercise class. Got to love that! They find a special pair jeans that fits all of them perfectly (only in the movies). Everyone wears the jeans for a week and then passes it on to the next with a note about what special thing happened to them while wearing the special pants.

The storyline rocked, the actors shined and the tears did flow. I love a movie that makes me cry if only for a moment.

7 Things

I got this from YukonMom way back in September.

7 things that scare me:

1. The thing in the shower
2. The thing under the bed
3. The thing in the closet
4. Being a passenger instead of the driver. I am a horrible passenger
5. Flying
6. The thought of something happening to one of my babies
7. Fire

7 things I like the most:
1. Spending time with my little family
2. My girlfriends
3. My kids smile/laughter
4. Music
5. Autumn weather
6. The smell of toast and coffee in the morning
7. A really great book and time to read it

7 random facts about me:
1. I am extremely sensitive and cry easily
2. My dad is gay
3. I wanted kids for many years before I actually had them
4. I love being a Mommy
5. I met my husband after following him through 2 cities by car
6. I love to sing
7. I ain't so good at singing

7 things I plan to do before I die:
1. See the Northern lights
2. Learn to quilt
3. See a space shuttle launch
4. Take my kids to Disney
5. Write a book
6. Go on vacation with my husband
7. See my grandchildren

7 things I say the most:
1. "No!"
2. "F*ck"
3. "Wait a minute"
4. "Jesse!"
5. "Hello?"
6. "You want Wiggles?"
7. "Hi Baby"


7 celeb crushes:
1. George Clooney
2. Johnny Depp
3. Leonard DiCaprio
4. Tim McGraw
5. Nick Lachey
6. Bruce Willis
7. Maurice Benard

7 favorite drinks:
1. Water
2. Tea
3. Coffee
4. Dr. Pepper
5. Milk
6. Seltzer
7. Champagne

7 memorable kiddie shows I used to watch:
1. Sigmen the Sea Monster
2. Sesame Street
3. Puff N Stuff
4. The Magic Garden
5. The Buggaloos

5 Things I am grateful for today

1. My husband bringing home a piece of chocolate cake after hearing how stressed I was.
2. Bek calling in from the road to talk about her day.
3. A new local drive through breakfast place. It is so hard to take two babies out of the car just to get a cup of coffee or a breakfast roll.
4. Another beautiful day; crisp and bright.
5. My son's little kisses on my head while I try to get in a few minutes of stomach exercises.

Amatuer Movie Review - War of the Worlds

Last night I watched War of the Worlds starring Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning with my husband. The movie had me on the edge of my seat after the first 10 minutes and I thought that H.G. Wells would have been really proud until the last 10 minutes. It was like being on a rollercoaster; you are heading into the last, biggest loop, your breath is caught in your throat as you anticipate the stomach churning finale that got you on the ride in the first place but then the lights go dark and you come to a slow rolling stop! That's it?! Because the movie was so good up until that point I can almost forgive the ending.

Tom Cruise is getting long in the tooth and looks like Mr. Big from Sex and the City. Dakota Fanning who is a wonderful little actress in the making (I am Sam and Man on Fire), is reduced to screaming every other second and Tim Robbins is the creepy fellow who invites them into his basement to hide. The intense moments and frantic escapes left me holding my breath. The special effects and the scary alien machines were frightening but I wish the ending had more punch!

All in all I would watch it again

Please Vote for My Daughter

I just received an email from BabyZone.com telling me that my daughter has been selected to participate in their baby photo contest. If you have the chance please vote for Goddess. She is in the babies 0-12 section.

People can vote once daily from the same computer but hey if you have access to another computer....

I am so thrilled that she was selected and although I don't think she will win the month of November that would be fun too.

Thank you for your support

What I am Thankful For

As Thanksgiving approaches I find myself thinking about the many things I am thankful for.

A few years ago I had a gratitude journal (Oprah idea) and would write 5 things a day I am grateful for. Sometimes it would be as simple as being grateful for a really great cup of coffee and other times it was being thankful for being above ground. Whatever it was, I love reading where I was then. I need to get back to basics; for my sanity! I think the gratitude journal would be a wonderful way of dealing some of the stress I feel on a daily basis as of late. So here it goes...today I am grateful for:

• My son giving me a million unsolicited, very loud kisses today
• My daughter finding my stupid, weird, spastic dance entertaining as I struggled to keep her happy while I made dinner.
• My husband coming home safely; the weather was hideous tonight.
• The pumpkin pie bars I made tonight for the first time coming out beautiful for my Mom and Tot brunch tomorrow.
• My dear friend Teresa for all she has done for me lately. You are a true friend with a big heart and I love you!

Maria Needs

I got this idea from Belinda's blog. You type your name into Google followed by the word "needs." See what comes up. Mine is so true!!!

Maria Needs
Needs help
Constant care
To learn to let go
Engaged during non-sleep hours
To find something to sell, give away, throw out or burn
Your help
Go careful
An eating plan
Prayer
To walk, just walk

End of my Rope

I am a women at the end! I am hanging on by a knot I tied into my thread and the threads are fraying. I think sometimes I am being selfish and although I try daily to be grateful for everything I have, there are times when I think I am losing my mind.

The 2 year old and the 7 month old banshee girl are challenging. The "girl" has a scream in a category all its own. She can shatter glass and if she is not being held she lets it all out. How can I hold her 24 hours a day when I also have a 2 year old that needs attention too? He is basically a really good kid but has 2 year old tantrums a few times a day and comes with all the average 2 year old challenges. You know what I mean, like touching things when he shouldn't, climbing things that can kill him, not listening, selective hearing, making messes, wanting things he can't have, hitting things, crying at impromptu times, the regular kid thing.

I think it is just too many days of the same thing (juggling two babies under 2 1/2), no time to recharge my batteries, waking 3 times a night to feed the baby, waking before the birds, and feeling trapped and alone most of the time.

Yesterday the husband watched football all day which I don't begrudge him, but hello a little help when I am losing it would be helpful. I never get to CHECK OUT yet he can lie on the couch and watch the games without a bit of guilt. I need to learn how to do that. Yesterday I took the kids out for a bit and then was pretty much trapped with the two of them in the bedroom while he lied on the couch.

I think it is time for some ME time! I need to check out for a while every day. He wanted to know what was wrong with me yesterday but I didn't think it would come out right so I told him we would talk later. Mostly because my son was there but also because I didn't want him to feel attacked. I wish he would once in a while think about editing himself before talking to me. After 14 years he still has no idea how to talk to me. He doesn't take my sensitivity into consideration so I usually end up crying (I am a big crier).

Ummm...ok that felt like a weight off my chest. Sometimes just getting it out is all you need but I do think we need to talk about this in detail. I feel unsupported and sometimes like a single parent. Ok it looks like a good cry is in order. Later!

Amateur Movie Review - House of Wax

Last night my husband and I watched the 2005 remake of House of Wax. I don't know what makes a movie good to professional critics but for me; I just want something that keeps me interested and makes me feel like I am not wasting precious hours of my life.

House of Wax although not well acted, nor did it have a profound, smart storyline. It is still worth a gander.There's the sexy brooding brother, the cute sensitive boyfriend, the one black guy (like most horror movies), the dopey friend who has a crush on the main chick who is the innocent ingénue type and Paris Hilton.

Basically I'll sum it up for you: Sibling rivalry, car trouble, make-outs, road kill, creepy dude, Siamese twins, blood, wax, and fire. What more can you ask for in a horror movie?

Have you???

Copied from Bekkah's Blog and I am tagging Aussie to show her what a tag is. Mama I'm tagging you too honey.

You're supposed to BOLD the ones you've done:

smoked a cigarette - NEVER

crashed a friend's car

stolen a car

been in love - Thankfully yes and still am

been dumped - Yeah by some prick named Dave and then some shmuck named Mike who I was dumb enough to go back to (insert me hitting myself upside the head)

shoplifted - Yes I was 9 and it was an Archie comic book. I actually ran it back the same night an apologized because I was so sure that they knew and would tell my parents.

been fired - Two times and proud of it

been in a fist fights

snuck out of your parent's house - No but does sneaking out of an apartment I shared with a boyfriend count?

had feelings for someone who didn't have them back - God yes..his name: George Clooney. No really of course!

gone on a blind date - Yes and it was a mistake

lied to a friend - I am sure that somewhere along the line when I was younger this must have happened, but I honestly can't recall.

skipped school - Yeah a lot more than once

seen someone die

had a crush on one of your internet friends

been to Canada

been to Mexico

been on a plane - Yes two times to Florida, once to California and then to St. Lucia for my honeymoon which was 8 years ago this month (my last vacation!!!).

purposely set a part of yourself on fire - God no! Why????!!!!

eaten sushi - Love sushi. It's been so long. Since I am nursing I am afraid to but when I am done that is the first meal I want. Hopefully Bek and Ohio will show me how to make it

been jet-skiing

met someone in person from the internet- No unfortunately not but I would love to meet my Aussie chick, we have been speaking for 4 or 5 years now.

been moshing at a concert

taken pain killers - Yes after my babies were delivered and I wish I still had some of those beautiful little pills ahhhhh

loved and missed someone - come on now, of course

made a snow angel - Yes...and a naked one too brrr

had a tea party - Love my tea, can't wait to buy my daughter her first little china tea set

flown a kite

built a sand castle - It had been years before this summer but we got my son a sand table for his birthday, so this year I made tons for him to demolish much to my dismay

gone puddle jumping - Yeah I am a big dopey kid. Can't wait to take my son on his first outing.

jumped in a pile of leaves - Yes. My dad loved taking pictures of my sister's and I in the leaves and this year I did it with my son. So much fun.

gone sledding - Oh my God...I love sledding but it has been years. Maybe next year with my son

cheated while playing a game - Ummm...I don't think so.

been lonely - Yes. One of my least favorite Christmas memories.

Like fallen asleep at work or school - Not actually at work but at lunch in my car

used a fake id - Once and I was nervous the whole night

watched a sunset - Every God damn morning man, my kids suck!!

felt an earthquake - Thank God no!

touched a snake - Yes I used to have two

slept beneath the stars - Yes, in Brownies or Girl Scouts

been robbed

been misunderstood - Who hasn't?

petted a reindeer/goat - Yes to both

won a contest - I won a Pound Puppy back in the 80's and then a Halloween costume contest at work

run a red light/stop sign - Yes, my husband (friend at the time) asked me to come pick him up at this locale that I had never been to. I just wanted to get him and get home (it was like 2:00 am.) and I was rushing. Not knowing the area and rushing around I ran a stop sign and just missed hitting a car. I saw them in my rear view mirror, well their red break lights anyway. They sat for a long time probably getting over their shock or thanking the Lord.

been suspended from school

been in a car accident - Thankfully just two small little fender bender


eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night

had deja vu - All the time

danced in the moonlight - Yes, I do not care to elaborate

liked the way you looked at least at one point in time - Yes but not at the time, only when I look back at pictures. Hopefully in the future I'll like what I see now

witnessed a crime

been obsessed with post-it notes

squished barefoot through the mud

been lost - Yeah but there was this cute Dr. named Jack and this sexy bad boy named Sawyer..oh damn never mind!

been on the opposite side of the country

swam in the ocean

cried yourself to sleep

played cops and robbers

recently colored with crayons

sung karaoke - **cough** cough** ahhhh Yup good times! Me and my bud T used to start karaoke Friday after work because everyone else was too pussy to go up until they had a few..

paid for a meal with only coins

done something you told yourself you wouldn't

made prank phone calls

laughed until some kinda beverage came out of your nose

caught a snow flake on your tongue

written a letter to Santa Claus

been kissed under the mistletoe by your boy/girlfriend

blown bubbles

made a bonfire on the beach

laughed so hard you pee your pants - Laughed to almost pee'ing but not quite. Thank God for strong kegals.

cheated on a test

been kissed by someone you didn't like - too many times

gone skinny dipping in a pool

Through a Child's Eyes

Through a Child's Eyes

A Mother's Day Special Poem

"When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on. When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back. When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own. When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing. When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy." When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross and worms to play with. I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. I wish you BIG MUD PUDDLES and SUNNY YELLOW DANDELIONS."(author unknown)