Post from The Past - June 22, 2005

A Mother's Love

• Seeing my two children together makes my heart smile. It is crazy how much love you can feel for someone. I thought I knew love until I had my babies. I love them from the top of their head to their sweet, smelly toes. They are my heart on legs. I would die for them but oh my God, why didn't anyone tell me how much work it would be to have two so close together. They are 23 months apart (2 years old and 2 months old). My mom did it with two who were 11 months apart. She died at 34 years old! I am sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that at her 4 week check up after having me she was pregnant but it makes you think. Crazy women!
  
  I love my kids despite the following:
  - my toddler fights me on everything and anything(hello who with a toddler will deny this?)
  - my daughter cries constantly (if she was first she would be an only child)
  - my son wants me to sing, no wait he wants me to sing, no don't sing (make up your mind kid)
  - my daughter constantly leaks through her very expensive diapers onto her beautiful clothes right after I have changed her.
  - my son wants to color, no color, yes, no, yes...you get the picture
  - etc, etc, etc.

In spite of the exhaustion and frustration that I feel on a daily basis, I would not trade being a mom for anything in the world.

For the first time in my life I feel like I have a purpose. I was put here to be a mommy to Handsome and Goddess. I hope they are patient with me as I try to find the new normal that will work for our family.

God, I remember these times as so crazy but beautiful. No one knows how alone I truly felt during this time. I was trapped in the house with two babies all day long. My husband worked all day and came in complaining that I was always on the phone but I was just hard up for adult conversation. I felt like I was slowly losing my mind. The days and nights just blended into one another. I was living on about 5 hours of broken sleep and no companionship. There was no one to help me and I felt very tired and alone all the time. My how things have changed.

May 2, 2009

The Simple Women's - My 20 Favorites

20 Of My Favorite Things - Today May 4, 2009

1. Color-blue
2. Dessert-Dreyer's Mini drumsticks
3. Smell- Fresh Linen, Lilac, my children after a bath
4. Flower- Lilac
5. Animal-Horse
6. Month-October
7. Beverage-Water
8. Pair of shoes-sneakers
9. Snack-currently...Magic Pop
10. Song-currently...Thinking of You by Katy Perry
11. Book-currently...Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
12. Fruit-Any berries
13. Hairstyle-Long and natural
14. Piece of clothing-Jeans
15. Store to clothes shop-Kohls
16. Season-Autumn
17. Hobby-Photography
18. Thing to collect-Twilight Stuff
19. Movie-Twilight
20. Restaurant-Mount Fiji

Ruby Tuesday - Weeping Hearts

Are these considered Ruby? I don't really know. I think the branch the hearts are hanging on is ruby. Well, here is my Ruby Tuesday submission. I love these flowers. They look like hearts with tears.

Check Out My One Time Wood Protector Challenge!!!

Thanks to the Family Review Network, I was introduced to One Time Wood Protection


They wanted to show me how their One Time Wood Protector compares to other brands of wood protector on the market.

It was exciting to get their wood protector challenge in the mail. I must have been denying my inner Scientist because I was in my glory as I set up my work station, put on my rubber gloves and got started. Unfortunately, the challenge only took about 2 minutes. Wahhhh..but the proof is in the pictures so let's get started shall we.

Here is my well, work station....I was set up and ready to go.

I drew a line as they suggested and put one sample on each side. Right away you notice the consistency and the color.

I apologize for the quality of the above picture. My camera's screen is broken so it is hard to get a clear pictures since I burnt out my LCD screen.

One Time asked for a 48 hour comparison. Here it is....

What we can see from this picture:

• The One Time sample has a gloss that the other doesn't have.
• The same color, looks quite different.
• The wood grain loses something with the competitions sample.

The key benefits of One Time are:

• It protects wood for at least seven years from sun, water, and other elements. Eliminating the need to reapply sealer every one to two years.
• The product is 100% solids with no solvents, silicone's, oils, water, waxes or VOC's.
• Penetrates into wood to become part of the wood's cellular structure. One Time does not evaporate or wash away.
• Covers up to 2 times the square footage per gallon.

The folks over at One Time are offering Maria's Space readers a 10% discount on their first purchase of One Time. Simply use the promotional code "One TIME" when you order.

Stranded Treasures - Give Your Ears Flowers, They Will Thank You Giveaway

I used to say I wasn't a jewelry person. I meant I am not a fan of conventional gold jewelry. Yes, my girlfriends wore stuff that I said was pretty but just walking into a jewelry store and picking something that I might see on someone else never really excited me.

The reason Etsy has become a huge part of my blog, is because of the excitement I get when I see something that I knew was handmade by an artist who is making the piece because they have a passion. It is amazing that how talented the people on Etsy are. The artists I have met so far, are so unique and inspiring.

My newest Etsy find is Sharlene from Stranded Treasures. Her pieces are so feminine, romantic and delicate. I love the whole Victorian feel of her designs.

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In A Nutshell: Sharlene's shop, Stranded Treasures has pieces that will turn heads. Guaranteed, everyone will ask where you got your jewelry from. Her prices are affordable for every one's budget. The next time you are looking for a gift for yourself or someone else, remember Stranded Treasures.

Sharlene, has offered to gift one of my readers with a pair of her stunning earrings. These are burgundy rose earrings made out of clay. Stunning!

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Post From The Past - June 22, 2005

My babies, make getting by on 2-5 hours sleep possible.

Are You Tuga Ready for Summer? Tuga Giveaway!

Tuga Sun Wear is a company who specialize in sun protection clothing with UV protection built right into the fabric.

As someone who worked for a Dermatologist for many years, I know just how important it is to protect your children's skin from the damaging rays of the sun. The best time to start is now. While they are young. My kids are so used to be lathered up with sunscreen protection that even going out to the deck on cloudy days they tell me I forgot to put their sunscreen on.

What I love about Tuga clothing beside the protection quality is that they have great styles for boys, girls, adults and pets.

My son, cannot wait until the summer when he gets to wear his newest summer, beach wear. I take great lengths to put them in protective clothing, hats, sun glasses, and cover ups. He is going to be the most stylish kid on the beach this summer. Next on my list, is the matching baseball cap, something for my daughter and umm...hello something for me. Perhaps this cute hat!
Here is a sample of the 3 piece sets. Cute right??!!!

Yeah, there are really cute girl sets but as the mom of a son and a daughter, I know you can find cute girl things but you never find cute boy things. The sets for boys are awesome. I love that there were so many choices for boys.

In A Nutshell: How stinkin' cute will your kid look in these? 50+ UPF protection clothing that keeps out 97.5% of UV rays! Adorable designs and safety! It's a total win/win situation. Also, the prices are affordable enough for you to get a complete outfit. Two piece boy set and water shoes for under $70.00

Sunday Stealing: The Twenty Firsts Meme

First Job: I worked at Kmart in Staten Island. I started in the infant section, moved to men's and finally women's wear. I hated announcing the "blue light" specials. Attention, Kmart hoppes, we will be having a blue light special in our women's wear department. For the next 15 mutes, get 25% off everything on clearance." Then you would stand near a cart on wheels that had a blue light on a pole on it. Flip the switch and wait for the masses to swarm you. We each had a hand held sticker gun and we would just have hands holding out clothing and we would put a sticker for the correct price ovr it. Fun times. Not!
First Real Job: It was working for my Uncle Joe. He was my mother's first employer too. There were a ton of cute guys who worked next door so needless to say, I didn't do much work. One of the guys even baked me a pecan pie once. Good times!
First Favorite Politician: I really liked George Bush. Oh sue me.

First Car: It was a 78 black camera with Lethal Weapon on the side.

First Record/CD: The first records I ever purchased was a Shawn Cassidy, Do Run Run album.

First Sport Played: I was really good at manhunt
First Concert: Bruce Springsteen
First Foreign Country Visited: I have never been to a foreign country

First Favorite TV Show: Little House On The Prairie.

First Favorite Actor: Michael Landon

First Favorite Actress: Melissa Gilbert

First Girlfriend/Boyfriend: There was this guy named Peter but I never even held his hand so I think my first boyfriend was this guy named Robert "Woody". He had a very big nose.

First Encounter with a Famous Person: Ummm.... I don't think I have ever encounted a famous person. I saw Barbara Streisand while she was filming Nuts.

First Brush With Death: I really hate this question and I am choosing not to answer it.

First House/Condo Owned: The one I am in right now.
First Film Seen: Oddly enough, the only memory I have of a movie in the theater is Animal House. There were tons before this at the drive in but I think this was the first one I saw in a theater.
First Favorite Recording Artist: Dolly Parton

First Favorite Radio Station: 92.3 K-Rock

First Book I Remember Reading: James and the Giant Peach

First Meme You Answered on Your Blog: Photo Thursday, here is the post.

1st Emergency Room Experience #ERvisit

I knew eventually that I would end up with one of my children in the Emergency room. I just figured it would be because of a silly fall when they are pretending to be one of the characters in Star Wars or from jumping off a bed. I didn't think it would be because I feared my son was having trouble breathing.

Handsome has had severe allergies from the beginning. It started with major eczema. He had it all over his eyebrow and scalp as an infant. Then it became something that came out all over legs and his arms. We finally had him checked out by an allergist and we found out he is allergic to trees, grass and nuts. Yeah!

So, obviously in the Spring we have some major allergy issues. You know in April and May when the weather is beautiful, we are stuck indoors waiting for the pollen count to dip below an 8.

Thursday when we got out of school I took him home and we headed into the shower. Whenever we come indoors I take him to the shower to get the pollen off. In the shower he coughed and said his chest hurt. He put both hands across his chest each time he coughed and said, "ouch". The cough had only be here for about 2 hours. I know that pain you get after spending days coughing but this was a new cough.

When he got out of the shower, I set him up on the couch with a pillow, blanket and brought over some Dimetapp for him to take for his cough.

Not 15 minutes later, he complained about his chest again but this time there was wheezing. I asked if it hurt when he coughed or when he took a breath. He said, when he coughed. When I looked at his throat, you know right between the collarbone where there is that little circle indentation, I saw it going in very deeply every time he took a breath in. Was he laboring? It seemed like he was working too hard to breath. I am not a crazy, neurotic mom and don't rush the kids to the doctor for everything. I can count on my fingers how many times I have called to ask a question since they were born. This was a first and I was nervous.

I called his pediatrician and explained how bad his allergies have been, about the chest pain and how it seemed he had to work hard to breath. He told me to bring him to the emergency room if I wasn't comfortable. I hung up and watched him. I asked him again if he was having trouble breathing and he said, "I'm going to be ok mom." I said, "I think we should go to the doctor." He said, "No, I'm ok. We can go tomorrow."

When his dad got home I headed out to the hospital. We walked in and waited for only about an hour to be seen. Not bad considering. I knew the triage nurse which made things much better. He was cooperative and answered all her questions.

She told me that he was getting enough air and that his pulse was elevated slightly. We checked his temperature and there was nothing. This was concerning to me. Why the elevated heart rate? Why the wheezing and breathing issue?

I kept him out of school on Friday. Sad, because it was his class picture day but I felt it was better to let him rest. I made a follow up with the doctor and had him checked. All seems well.

When we get home, he says, he is cold. I give him a shower and afterwards put him on the couch under a comforter and the TV on. He asks if he can watch something else and I say of course. Two seconds later he is snoring loudly.

He slept for about 2 hours and when he woke there was a fever. It was 101.4. I call my triage friend and we celebrate the fever. Odd? Maybe but at least we now know where his pulse was elevated.

His fever shot up to 102.3 and he is fighting something.

Today at the doctor, he is cooperative. The doctor tells me how good my children are and praises my parenting ability. Hooray for me. He says they are well mannered and smart. Still a fever but he is no longer complaining of a pain in his chest.

Thank goodness all seems well but we have another follow up with the doctor to make sure.

Memories Through Photography - It's The Climb

I can almost see it
That dream I’m dreaming but
There’s a voice inside my head sayin,
You’ll never reach it,
Every step I’m taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

The struggles I’m facing,
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes they knock me down but
No I’m not breaking
The pain I’m knowing
But these are the moments that
I’m going to remember most yeah
Just got to keep going
And I,
I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on,

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It’s all about
It’s all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith

Saturday 9

1. Do you feel that you have “a score to settle” with anyone? No! Why you have something to say? You want to fight?

2. Do you own anything that you think is unbreakable? No. Everything I own is totally breakable.

3. Tell us about a crazy thing you did in high school. I was such a good girl in high school I got wild way after.

4. Name the one talent of yours that you think is the best. My ability to like everyone. I really do like everyone.

5. Who wins American Idol? (if you don’t watch, tell us about a reality show that you do follow.) I used to watch. No reality shows these days for me. I have enough reality in my life.

6. What is your favorite movie in black & white? Young Frankenstein and Portrait of Jenny

7. What is one thing advertised too much on TV? Shamwow, "you following me camera guy?"

8. What is your current favorite TV drama? Lost

9. What is your current favorite TV comedy? I don't watch much TV. Lost, Ghost Hunters and Ghost Whisper are the shows I make time for.

Camera Critters - Incoming

We had a little time on Wednesday before Goddess and I had to pick Handsome up from school. We headed down to the lake to with some toast to feed the geese. We threw bread and called geese or ducks but nothing. Finally we got company. From across the lake came this huge goose. He had his fill, we tossed everything we had and it still wasn't enough. We left and he was still looking for more where we had been standing.

Friday Fill Ins & Food 4 Thought Friday

1. The first rule of working in an office and getting along is keep your mouth shut!

2. I love raw clams, hot sauce and fresh lemon.

3. When I think of carnivals I think of crowds

4. Lilacs are my favorite spring flower.

5. Things on my desk include anything that goes on a dining room table.

6. Robert Pattinson makes me wanna get on my knees

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Ghost Whisper tomorrow my plans include going to my nieces communion and Sunday, I want to relax!

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Breakfast
If you owned a CB radio what would your "handle" be? Angel's Momma

Lunch
What are you looking forward to this weekend? Seeing my family


Dinner
If you could snap your fingers and appear somewhere else, where would you be? In Rob Pattinson's bedroom. What? Don't ask if you don't like the answer.


Midnight Snack
What magazine(s) do you subscribe to? Parents and Family Fun

Recipe of the Week (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?) It is amazing how much you can get done if you put your head to it.