So Very Thankful....

For so many, many, many things in my life....and I feel that I do try to think about and celebrate these people, places and things that encourage, enhance, and make me so grateful....and humble...

I am an extremely fortunate and blessed person....I've kicked Cancer in the backside, lost a loser of a husband...and gained what I consider my favorite wet dream....(Sorry Hugh Jackman...you've been replaced)....have a beautiful, healthy baby boy...when I wondered if the radiation would make conceiveing super duper difficult....

An absolutely amazing family...that even though we live thousands of miles apart...our closeness has never changed...


And I have 2 very special things to be extra thankful for this Season....

First....I have the Most absolutely amazing In Laws anyone could EVER have....and no I haven't been drinking....they amazed me by relieveing a major stress inducer that was me trying to figure out what to do with my 3 furry, sometimes annoying puppies for two weeks...since Pooh and I are actually leaving the wilds of NJ for a well needed vacation....they actually drove in yesterday (a 10 hour drive from Detroit)....and left today....another 10 hours....so I wouldn't have to spend the $800 it would cost to put them up in a doggie embassy suites....heck probably wasn't even that nice...more like a doggie budget motel....I can never thank them enough for that....there will be an extra special prayer said over the Turkey and green bean casserole on Thursday for them....

And Second....I am blessed to have a absolutely amazing neighbor....and no...I still am not drinking....and no...not neighbor Dan (bless his heart)....Ruth across the street is a hardworking, single mother of two....who is an inspiration...when I start feeling a little overwhelmed by my current (temporary) situation....I just think that she has to do this with two kids...everyday....and I promptly quit my bitching....yesterday she called to say she wanted to know if I wanted a few of her chitlin's old baby toys....I said absolutely....I am not above my lil ham-hock playing with hand-me-downs....toys are toys...well little did I know...that Toys R Us would explode all over my driveway...I couldn't even begin to speculate how much these toys would add up too....(enough to put up 3 dogs in a budget motel).....I'll be saying an extra prayer for her as well...over the cranberry sauce and mashed taters....

I wish them all...and all of you...my amazing...fabulous...F-I-E-R-C-E....bloggy buddies....a Blessed, and satisfying Thanksgiving....whoever you spend it with....



I also want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to Trying To Stay Calm....who has blessed me...with not one....not two....but I can choose as many as I want....she is the kid who shares her halloween candy with the other kids......Her blog...is full of happiness...sunshine...and inspiration....(she's like that lil cuppycake boy...all full of yummy sweetness....)....Well I'm not one to take everything...so I"ve picked two....and I'm spreading the love to some super deserving extra special bloggers...who all inspire me....give me a good laugh.....and make doing my chores extremely difficult....so here's to you....

First The Bloggy Goodness Award goes to....

Dorsey at Searching For My inner Skinny
Ellebee at Enthusiastically Ellebee
Carolyn at The Risktakers guide to Endorphins
Turtle Mommy over at Turtlemommy
Wendy at Inspiration of the Moment


The I Love Your Blog Award goes to...

Cindy over at The Grass is Greener
April over at 4 Kennedy's and a Dog
Dorkys over at Dry As Toast
Jaden over at The Life and Times of Bendy Ruggles
Everyday Mom over at Mom of One

And on a Final little sticky note...stuck to the end of this post...I will be away from my blog...which is unheard of since I gave birth to it....for two whole weeks...I know I'll go through withdrawls...but the good news...I'll have enough juicy tidbits...to keep me busy up through the new Year...so again...Have an amazing Holiday...and I'll see you soon....

Martha....eat your heart out....

or your scrumptious apple pies...that always turn out better than mine do....I swear you don't really bake anything at all...I truly believe I have cracked the conspiracy...which is you have a gaggle (yes gaggle) of oompa loompas...or rejects from Top chef....hiding in your home in Connecticut or Maine...(I don't keep up)...I'm too busy trying to be the next Rachel Ray of Baby food......or you martha...there...I said it....I'm trying to be you....


and I think....maybe I succeeded......to the level...that I maybe even bested you....ha....burn......how bout them apples...(since you do have an entire orchard tucked away in your backyard)....I don't even believe it's yours....I bet you really just lease it....seriously...who has an entire orchard...I bet the birds sing like they do in Snow White too.......in your little la la land ...that really doesn't exist.....


My Fab Find for this Friday....is.....Drum Roll PLease......A fabulous...well constructed Birds nest...that was unfortunately abandoned sometime between...oh spring and now....I think they must have defaulted on their loan to the bank...and with the last of the leaves finally having dropped....I noticed out my window today while trying to be good and actually clean my house...instead of sitting here with you...all my friends......sorry...it won't happen again...

and....for some reason...the 4 year old that still resides in my head...decided that she had to covet this mass of twigs and mudd...and bird spit.....so in it came...and sat on my counter....Pooh wanting to eat it....the dogs wanting to eat it....I was the only creature in the house who DIDN'T want to ingest the thing....(too much fiber).....and I'm allergic to bird spit....


Then....around the time Take Home Chef comes on...cause you know I'll drop anything to watch a good looking man...actually stir a spoon in a pot.....the energy efficient light in my head turned on...(just doing my part),,,,and I said...I'll make a beautiful centerpiece out of it....


So....as I'm scrounging around my garage...for design elements...otherwise known as useless crap....I found a flower pot...I didn't use this spring....some potpourri that someone I know regifted...which I was going to regift this season...someone is going to be SO bummed they didn't get that....


And VOILA....my masterpiece...which I am completely surprised to say...looks pretty darn good....I was so proud...I actually decided to write a post about it....and share it with you all...and Martha of course....

So Martha....at this rate...I just may get my own show...my own magazine...my own orchard...and some oompa loompas to bake my pasteries.....ain't that sweet.....

Oh...and before I forget....and so much more importantly....

Pooh celebrated his 8 month Birthday on the 19th....Yeah...another milestone....doesn't it remind you of when you were in highschool and you had to celebrate every months anniversary with you boyfriend/girlfriend.....some like me...never get over that...(repressed feelings)....

and every month...I have to take a picture...to immortalize....that special...unbirthday..birthday....and...I always need another good reason to film my little ham-hock....

so I present...Pooh at 8 months......sorry there was no cake....just more homemade baby food....

And a little side note....he did just do that pose on his own....he knows how to work the camera....my little ham-hock....

Brownies, Baths and Baby Butts...

What do these three things have in Common????

Absolutely Nothing.....except that they have become three of my all time favorite things... and they all start with the letter B....(ha...I'm definitely transitioned to SAHM status...I'm talking Sesame Street Lingo)

And the stars must have been aligned...because lucky me was able to savor all three in one day....or perhaps it was that I got a huge craving for something chocolatey sweet.....or that my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer was singing me a Sirens song....

And I must be having a MOMENT...because these amazingly enough didn't come from a box....I ain't no Rachel Ray or Sandra Lee...and I sure as hell ain't no Martha Stewart....I suck at the stock market...and in the kitchen....but I guess I must have been channeling Julia Childs...to end up making these little morsels from heaven...

Yummy Butterscotch Brownies

Ingredients:
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
2/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:
In a mixing bowl combine first six ingredients. In another bowl combine oil, eggs and vanilla; add to dry ingredients. Do not overmix. Spread in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Yield: about 24 brownies.

On the Other hand...

Pooh's little Baby Butt was definitely NOT singing a Sirens Song...but was in need of a good ole fashion scrub a dub dub....and come on...here I see a Cute boy...in the water???? I had to jump in....and of course everyone takes the camera in the tub with them....its right up there with Soap on a rope....and an I-pod...all necessities...

So after having a splashing good time with Pooh...and eating all but 2 of the brownies...I think it ended up being as close to perfect as I could imagine....now if you could only add Juice walking in the front door...holding a Jimmy Choo Marla Handbag.......that is to me...is what botox is to Joan Rivers....

Perfection.....or a warped sense it...

Maybe I'll just skip the handbag....don't want my face to crack....

I think I may just have to email these pictures to Juice....I wonder which one he'll be more jealous of.....the brownies....or me in a tub with another Man....even if he is of the pee-wee kind...

I'd Like to Thank The Academy...

Or Jamie over at StampinMom....

It is such an honor that someone thinks enough of my writing skills to give me an award....(take that Ms. Marti my 9th grade English teacher).....who cares about the correct use of conjunctions and prepositions....

So With this award...comes my speech....ahem...ahem... (okay I'm supposed to say this with this award...but it's better than anything I'd EVER come up with)

"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

With That...I'd love to Give the Award to Other fabulous Bloggers....

who probably deserve this award more than I do....

(See mom...I can share)

Ritch In Love

Ashley, Unscripted

StepFord Wife Chronicles

The Phrase Working Mother is Redundant

Evolving Mommy

Confessions of a Giggling Drama Queen

One Crazy Chick

Life On The GooGooGaGa

They are some Amazing Reading....I highly reccomend....

The Bark Heard Round the World....The Stuffed Kind That Is...

My cute, affectionate, smelly, lovable Juice is an amazing man....who has an amazing love for his dog Skarlet....affectionately known as Punky...or Punk Punk...or Punk-i-licious....depending on the day....ohhhh punk punk.....as I take another big sigh....if you've read the earlier post about her participation in operation I dream of Diaper Genie....you'd understand exactly what that sigh means.....


Punky came to us....when my Juice and I weren't quite engaged...but not quite just dating...that point in the relationship...where YOU know you want the next step....but HE wants to take it a day at a time....what I call...the annoying part....I had my house....with my two dogs...from a previous relationship....(who luckily their father is completely out of the picture...though he did want visitation rights for ohhhh...the first 5 minutes after the divorce)....and Juice lived in his uber clean apt by himself....

but he had a small hole in his heart that only a wet tongue and a cold nose could fill.....a German Shepard to be exact....so after what I thought would be a un-fullfilling trip to the pet store one day....he/we walked out with a super cute....4 month old German Shepard puppy....who he affectionately named Skarlett....

Ha....little did he know...the terror that would ensue....and that his uber-clean apartment would turn into something only a HASMAT crew would enter...

Eventually after 2 years...the blending of furry children...and a huge move from AZ to NJ later....she really has turned into a wonderful addition to the family...minus the eating of poo...who LOVES pooh to distraction...okay so she loves Pooh and Poo.......

Right Before Pooh was Born....Juice said he wanted to get Pooh a Punky to have with him at the hospital...so he wouldn't be lonely in his little hospital bed.....(awwwwww how sweet....).....I think maybe that was when the kismit connetion between the two (Pooh and Punk) was born....

So Punky Junior...stayed with Pooh throughout his stay in the hospital...his ride home...every night in his bassinet....every car ride...trip to the doctor...trip to the store....If Pooh went...Punk Junior went....(I think Punk Senior was a little miffed at being excluded) they were attached at the tail...



Long story short....

Two Weeks ago Pooh and I put together a care package to send to Juice....to let him know how much we love him....(and to send all the leftover Halloween Candy)....flying and sugar highs...Al Quida should really beware now...and once he mentioned the snorting of Pixie-sticks...(I had to remind him again that it's candy...not NOSE candy) but oh well...better him snorting his sugar than me stuffing my face and watching my butt get larger...

Pooh and I conferred and decided that Daddy must be a little lonely over there...so Pooh being the Big boy that he is.. put Punky Junior in the box with the candy....to be his companion....I guess he felt daddy really needed PJ more than he did....heck he has the larger than life...smelly, slobbery Punky at home....

So off to the Wild Blue Yonder did PJ go....all the way around the world....

Yesterday I open my email....and get a picture...that tells me that PJ is having an Amazing Time hanging out with Juice....(Good Call Pooh)

I just hope they don't let her fly the plane....they probably have her snorting Pixie Stix....

Say it like it is....R-Rated Style....

Okay...so another post about how much I love Etsy....I love Etsy....I always find fab-u-licious things that I won't find anywhere else...and usually at amazing prices.....(Sounds like a commercial for Wal-Mart or something).....


Last week I ordered something I thought would be a PERFECT Christmas present for my future sister in law.....She lives in Detroit...and is getting married next summer to my Brother in Law...and is needing things to set up her new home.....and well to put it delicately....she tells it like it is.....all the time.....If you don't want to know the answer....you shouldn't ask the question.....sometimes she scares me a little...it's like when Dr Bruce Banner turns into The Incredible Hulk.....Yikes....no good....everyone kind of scatters ....

Don't get me wrong....I like her....it's just....I have parents who grew up in the south...where you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar....or I was told constantly that if you can't say anything nice...then don't say anything at all.....just a cultural difference of opinion.....

What I do tell my lovely husband though...."aren't you glad you married ME?".....

When the Box arrived from Vintage Lucys.....I was so excited.....I ripped open the package like a 3 year old at Christmas....and proudly took out the saying I know I've heard my new SIL say many a time....and a saying sometimes I WISH I could say....I am in no way consider my self a cusser....profanity usually only escapes my mouth if I stub my pinky toe really bad....or someone is a jerk while cutting me off on the freeway....But I just adore...

The Amazingly Enough I Don't Give A Shit kitchen towel........It is awesome.....It is so fitting.... she'll love...it absolutely love it.....which sometimes is a little hard......she is a self proclaimed High-Maintence chick....(her words...not mine)....anyone who actually self admits to their own bitchiness....definitely deserves to dry their dishes with this towel....

and after looking at it sitting on my very g-rated.....foul mouth free countertop all day....I have decided...

That I must have it...and that I'm going to keep this one....and just order her another one....luckily it's still 6 weeks till Christmas....

Now If I am a little peeved at Juice......I don't have to say anything....I can just whip out the towel...."what? What's that?...Well you know what? Bam....there ya go"...It's great...I can be a bitch....well without being a bitch....who wouldn't want that?????....Just my luck though...he'd end up towel snapping me with it later.....darn it....

But otherwise

Life is good....oh yes]......Life is so good......Look...I'm already telling it more like it is.....I think the towel really works......or maybe my new SIL is rubbing off on me.....

Kiddie Mind Control....

I should have known that yesterday would be one of those days....the air was feeling a little funny....they always come when the air is funny....who you ask??....Who appears at your door at the most inopportune times???? Who stands and delivers a message that many find too hard to say NO too???....You guessed it....solicitors of the pee-wee kind......

They must have known that Juice is gone for an extended amount of time....I truly believe that after being rejected time and time again by him....and he's great at letting them down....some of my favorites are.....when the child selling the Christmas wrapping paper came by....he was Jewish....When the girl scouts came by with cookies....he's allergic to cookies ..(I was mad at that one)....When the kids came by with magazines to sell....he couldn't read.....I tell him God doesn't look fondly on lying...especially to kids.....then I realize....if he didn't tell the lies....he couldn't say No either....sucker....

I swear...they now scope out the house....and come only when they realize he isn't home....damn, damn....double damn.....

At least when I had a career outside of the home...most weekdays were freebies for me and Juice...and the only thing greeting those little imps would be Three wet noses and 12 paws....ha...I bet even they wouldn't say no...especially if treats or pets were involved.....suckers..

So yesterday....they must have known I'd be at my most vulnerable....I was babysitting one of Pooh's little friends for a few hours....his daddy is also deployed right now....and his mom really needed a few hours just to get some work done....heck...I know how hard it is...and us military mommies have to stick together.....

So...after a very eventful...very messy lunch....there was the knock on the door....silly me...I thought perhaps Kekito's mom had decided to come back early...so I didn't check first....not that it would have helped...we have a huge window in the front door....doesn't really allow for covert spying....and really, I'm not the type to go turn out all the lights...and hide in the closet around the corner....heck they could probably hear the babies anyway and know I was in there....

So I answer it....

And who was at the door....but them.....two cutie patooties....all bundled up....looking up with their big eyes...."excuse me ma'am, but we are trying to raise money for our local...blah blah blah....I tune out at this point...because I am trying to grasp at any excuse to say no....but for some reason...that is far beyond me....I couldn't find anything.....

I swear they have some sort of mind control powers....because before I knew it....I had the checkbook in hand....and was writing one out for a full years subscription to Women's Health magazine....I don't even remember turning around and grabbing it....see...they really do have super powers....

Damn....why couldn't it be the girl scouts....at least those cookies are something I do look forward too....

"Thanks".....as they pocket my check.....you have no idea how I wish I could have said...oh wait....no....give me that back....but too late...they were headed off to the next house....to use their super powers on some other unsuspecting fool....

So now, I'll wait patiently for my magazine....which luckily is something I really should read....hopefully it will help me get these last 15 lbs of baby weight off...so it's not a complete waste...like the big tubs of popcorn.....or the twelve rolls of Christmas wrap....that you don't need....but somehow end up with....damn mind control.....wish I could learn it when I want daddy to buy me something I want....oh wait....I do have mind control powers...wink wink......

Sigh......maybe next time I'll be able to say NO.....such a small word....and so easy....

Or maybe I'll just say..."I can't read"....I think daddy may be on to something.....

Will People Never Get It?????

If you've ever read or watched a story....about people you've never met....and it just touched you in a deep and personal way...you will understand why I am writing this post.

Yesterday...I was getting my daily dose of CafeMom....It really does give me a chance to chit chat with new friends and old friends....read funny stories...and get good advice...but if you are a Cafemommer... I don't have to tell you do I?!?.....

What I didn't expect was to read a post that would truly devestate me...as much as if I had known the people involved personally....

A fellow Cafemommer.....was tragically killed along with her 3 year old son and 11 month old daughter...when they were broadsided by a drunk driver last week.....I forced myself to click on the link to the article...which proved to be my undoing....how ABSOLUTELY SENSELESS and GUTWRENCHINGLY SAD....(I am including the link so everyone can see the devestation that someones thoughtless and cruel act has caused)....Story Here

Since my initial reading of this story yesterday, I've had a lot of thoughts run through my head...I've thought about what daddy would do if anything would happen to me and Pooh. I thought about what I would do, if something happend to Pooh and daddy....I thought about the dad/husband in this story...who now has to try and pick up the pieces of his broken life...I thought about how he'll spend Thanksgiving and Christmas this year...without his wife and children...who from what I've seen...were the most important things in his life...next to his faith in God...and I can see that that faith is what is helping him hold on....which is so completely admirable...for I know that it would be a huge struggle for me to believe God had a bigger plan with all of it.....heck, I have thought that question anyway....but in the end we just have to believe....and pray....

Pray for the survivors of this tragedy....pray for the three angels who are no longer with us....pray for the thousands of other families whose lives have been irrecovably changed forever due to the callus and careless acts of another.....and I really do mean callus and careless....

I was reading other comments about this story yesterday...and found them both interesting and telling...many of them stated "that well, alcohol impairs judgement...so therefore they don't KNOW that what they are doing can harm others....or will harm others"...um excuse me....but we all know...what happens when we get drunk....long before we take that first drink....we conciously decide even before getting smashed...that we'll either take the chance to drive...or not.....I feel like I know this to be true from watching friends beginning in college and up until now....

I've had friends who treat drinking as a nothing more than a way to keep themselves entertained....they have absolutely no desire to find responsibility with their drinking. One friend in particular got drunk almost every weekend in college....and on one particular occasion...got into an accident....and luckily didn't hurt anyone else.....In one aspect it was a wake-up call.....she didn't decide to curb her relationship with her drinking....she still got drunk every weekend.....and every Sunday morning paid homage to the porcelin god.....however she made the concious and responsible decision NEVER to drive again after she had a drink...even one....granted almost 2 years of that was forced due to the fact that she didn't have a license....(lots of people don't let that stop them)...but even to this day....she realizes even before she drinks, what can and most likely will happen....

So, I'm sorry if I don't buy the "it's the alchohol" defense...we ALL understand actions and consequences...We've ALL seen the commercials sponsored by MADD, the rallies in highschool before Prom...the speakers in the gym....the stories on the 6 o'clock news.....We ARE ALL aware....and we still chose to say "nope not me"....

And you know what stinks the most.....We give these jack-asses who do get arrested multiple chances to ....do it again.....like my friend....I love her....and I'm proud of her for making the decision she has about not being a repeat offender....but personally...I don't think we should have given her the chance....Driving is a privilage...not a right.....and it only takes one mistake to kill someone....why give them 2, 3 or 4 chances....

This woman who destroyed this poor family...had been arrested for multiple DUI's.....okay....there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with our judicial system...if we enable these people to have access to automobiles....it's like giving the crack addict...access to the crack...it's ridiculus...if these people want to be drunks....go for it....have fun....but don't put me, my family, my neighbors, or anyone else in their paths.....

I think I just get so upset....because there is nothing positive about this...there is no silver lining...there is no happy ending....and tomorrow...somewhere out there....it will happen again....

so please....if you read this...and I hope you do....please share this with your family or friends...maybe if we share this with enough people....someone out there will decide to make the right decision and not get behind the wheel....

The problem is we don't pay attention...we turn the channel, cover our ears....the old hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil adage...but really we have to feel it....to change it....it has to hit us...down in our gut...and make that lump rise in our throat...for us to stand up and say enough....

Well I feel it.....I really do.....

My Favorite Post of the Day...

I just HAVE to share this link with Everyone....

It was posted by kjamama at The Phrase Working Mother is Redundant....

and it is sooooooo stinking cool....EVERYONE...should really click on the link and watch this video.....


it really is probably the most profound video I've seen in awhile....and it just makes you smile....

It's called Where The Hell is Matt ....Go....Go Now.....!!!...I know you LOVE it....

Do you Have a Plan D??? I don't....and I should....

I love writing my posts where I inject a little bit of my strange, not quite dry...but not quite wet type of humour....(notice I say humour in that oh so Chic European way....kind of like Eddie Izzard who so elequently put....it's pronounced herbs (like her-bs) because there's a F@#king h in it...)

But this.....Is not one of those posts.....(I may try at the end)

So I figured this weekend would be just like any other weekend that Daddy (Juice) is gone....cleaning the house here....going and seeing Santa there....pureeing some fabulous Gourmet Baby food on Sunday....maybe a nap....a walk to the park...yada yada yada....what I didn't expect....a first class ride on the ambulance to my local hospital.....let me double check my to do list...nope ambulance ride...definitely not there....



Being a mommy....I figured I was ahead of the game by making my contigency plan of who would take care of Noah if something should happen to me and Juice or me or Juice...especially being so far from family...we really needed those few important people that would be there in case of an emergency....So plan A)....Daddy or I would be the responsible party for pooh....Plan B) our Friends R and B would be our backup....Plan C) our Fabulous Neighbor R squared would take over....covered right???....probably should have come up with plan D.....


So...the whole reason for this???...Sunday after a leisurely morning of playtime..and naps....I fed Pooh lunch and started cleaning up...I began to get this horrible headache...the kind where you feel your heart beating behind your eyeballs....so I took some advil...and figured it would go away...well not ten minutes later...I became super nauseated...and my hands and feet began to tingle...(like when they are falling asleep)...not good....so I decided I'd pack Pooh up and head over to the hospital...just to be safe...because I was just feeling worse and worse...and it was coming on fast....


Well, before I could even say hand me the Vicodin....I felt like I was going to pass out...so I put Pooh down...and my hands began to freeze up...the muscles in my arms and hands and feet contracted...and my throat began to feel tight...so I decided I had to call 911....which freaked me out...this is only the second time in my whole life I've had to call 911 and the first time was for a drunk driver I saw swearving in front of me on the highway....


So I'm trying to explain to the operator my condition....while my heart is pounding out of my chest (picture looney toons)....and my arms are cramped up like someone with horrible arthritis...and I can't pick up pooh...and I can't walk...and I'm stuck in my basement...


What seemed like forever...the paramedics finally come...(in reality only 4 minutes)....after they tried unsuccessfuly to get in my upstairs door....(the one time I lock it during the day)....so I roll out my sliding glass door to the back and yell for them...and they come around the back...and strap me in....my neighbor Dan....who bless his heart was mowing his yard when he sees me rolling myself out my door....(later he tells me he was really wondering if I had resorted to getting drunk during the day...ha I only wish).....


So...as they are wheeling me up my back yard....they ask me the inevitable question...(one of the paramedics is holding pooh)...who can take your son???>....Well..Plan A)...daddy....nope Plan B) R and B....well would be great...but I'm puppy sitting their dog elle until that afternoon as they fly back from Pittsburg...so nope...Plan C) neighbor R squared across the street...well she went out of town for the weekend with her kids...so uh oh....who does that leave???


It left Bless his heart Neighbor Dan who has never...and I repeat NEVER been around a child who couldn't wipe their own tushies....so you can imagine.....I'm more nervous about how he is...rather than the state that I am in.... I'm thinking...he doesn't know where the bottles are,....does his diaper need changing....can he figure out how to get the food cubes defrosted without getting them too hot....(heck I'm the type that asks for multiple refrences before I leave Pooh with anyone for even 10 minutes)....so this was beyond my scope of reasoning....wayyy beyond....



So after tests and cat scans...it is determined that my little lone Parathyroid (a glad on the side of your thyroid that turns the calcium you ingest into blood calcium...and super important for your body...) had decided to just stop working.....which I'm not surprised....you have 4 in total...but having had Thyroid Cancer...they removed the Thyroid and three of my Parathyroids...that left one very lonely...very bruised and battered Parathyroid....(it was like that old Pontiac in the driveway that you don't know why it still runs..but you are really glad it does)....





So I became HypoCalcemic...and was going into shock...which is super bad juju..


Luckily during this time...I had left a message for R and B...who sped all the way from the airport to my house to take over the caring of Pooh....

they said that when the walked in the door...Dan was holding Pooh in that way that people who have never held babies before do...and he had tried to successfuly change a wet diaper...(he gets an A for effort).....Bless his heart....and I was told that Pooh was just having grand ole time...and was happy to being hanging out with Dan....so obviously though inexperienced...he did a great job....

SO after a long 7 hours in the ER...I finally was able to go back home and snuggle with my Pooh....and I thanked God that everything did fall into place so that I could get better and have Pooh taken care of....and Poor Daddy.....he is so upset that he wasn't here to take care of his family....


but it made me decide while baking Neighbor Dan a Butt-load of homemade cookies...not only have a Plan D...but a Plan E, F and G...and maybe an H just for good measure....

How many plans do you have????? I would suggest have a lot...or get a Dan....(Bless His Heart)

I Heart Dirt....

My Fabulous Find For This Friday

The Cure for the Common ailment known as BOSA...or Being Outside Allergy

This ailment can and does affect both adults and children,.

You or someone you know may be suffering from BOSA if you are experiencing any or all of the following sypmtoms.

• a numbness in the posterior region from sitting in front of the televison
• Gamers thumb
• A paler complexion from lack of Sunglight exposure
• Glassy eyed expressions across the dinner table
• conversations usually focus around The shows Lost, Greys Anatomy for adults and Hanah Montana, Witches of Waverly Place or Yugioh for kids

Results from this product can be seen almost immediately...

Side effects are Common and encouraged...

• Spontaneous Laughter
• Renewed Energy
• A Sense of Oneness with Nature ...(Insert Tarzan Yell Here)
• A Dose of Education without realizing it....
• Better Sleep Patterns
• Saying the Word "Wow" and "Look"....frequently

Do not consult your physician if you experience any of these side effects...they are completely normal....

He's Just Too Pretty...and Then There Are Jughandles

Because I'm one of those that can talk about two completely non related subjects during a conversation.....this post is quite in keeping with that idea....

So getting my daily dose of Perez last night...and ran across a blurb about this German band called Tokio Hotel...

Ah hell...I had really nothing better to do....Wednesday night T.V...wasn't looking too promising...so I decided to google them....they're not bad if you are a 17 year old into the whole Rock thing.....they are the 2008 version of the SilverChair of my misguided teen years....

I know you know what I'm talking about...Daniel Johns was on my wall for a good few years....

But Back to Tokio Hotel... can I just say...the lead singer Bill Kaulitz...

Is really pretty...like...REALLY pretty.......almost too pretty to be a boy....

The funny thing....I was thinking how that when daddy gets back...and we go out for our Anniversary...I should take my make-up tips from these pics....You know it's not your parents generation when you take make up tips from a 17 year old boy....

You know...he kind of reminds me of Pete Burns from the 80's Band Dead or Alive...

But when you got it....I guess you've got it....

Oh and Jughandles......The Joy...or Despair.....

I think they created these things just to annoy anyone who is a transplant or a tourist....

Here's the definition from Wikipedia: A jughandle is a type of ramp or slip road that changes the way traffic turns left (when driving on the right). Instead of a standard left turn being made from the left lane, left-turning traffic uses a ramp on the right side of the road. In a standard forward jughandle or near-side jughandle, the ramp leaves before the intersection, and left-turning traffic turns left off it rather than the through road. Right turns are also made using the jughandle. In a reverse jughandle or far-side jughandle, the ramp leaves after the intersection, and left-turning traffic loops around to the right and merges with the crossroad before the intersection.

In simpler terms....a pain in my ass.....

why?? You ask???.....Well....some come before the intersection....some come after the intersection.....some have signs letting you know this....some you have to pass by the first 30 or so times before it's ingrained in your memory....some where you think there would be a jughandle...OMG...they put a left turn light there....so you are all the way over in the right lane....because you are just waiting to have to make that sudden turn onto a jughandle that you really had no idea where it would be.....and crap....just missed the left turn.....

My favorite was always on my way to the OB......to get to her office....I'd see it on the road...."Hi Dr. Seigel"....then I'd have to drive an extra 3 miles down the road....before I was able to hit a jughandle...to turn around....so I could drive all the way back....See why I think they do it just to drive us crazy.....

Ahhhh....I feel so much better now......pretty boys and jughandles.....totally see the connection there.....

I Love Tag....

Don't you????

The Super Sassy Catherine over at Evolving Mommy....came up and tagged me....I'm so excited....last time I was tagged was in 6th grade....this is WAY much more fun....so Now I've got to share 7 little tidbits about myself....so here goes...


1. I have Champagne taste on a Kool-Aid budget....I admit it...I like my 2 pair of designer jeans...even though I'll never probably get another pair again....

2. I would love to be a wedding coordinator in my next life

3. My goal is to eventually open up my own Unique Boutique for Babies and Tots...since clothing and babies are my two big passions.

4. I am a Thyroid Cancer Survivor....going on almost 2 years now...and am so grateful for my family and friends and their support

5. I named Pooh after my favorite movie The Notebook....and to think daddy was okay with it...

6. I love laughing....and try to find humour in most any circumstance...including smeared poo on carpet

7. Even after a year and a half of living in New Jersey...I still can't get the hang of Jug Handles...couldn't they at least stay consistent on where they are...some are before the light...some are after.....they'll have a jughandle at one light...then the next one will have a left hand turn...come on people...help a west coast girl out here....

Okay...I hate talking about myself...(no really I do)..... so now I'm going to tag some of my favorite blogs out there in the blogosphere....

1. CC at If Only I Had Super Powers...
2. Dorkys at Dry As Toast
4. Everyday Mom at Mom of One
5. Jody at Happy Thanksgiving
6. Aubrey at The Fam Five
7. Rachel at Sippy Cup Chardonnay
8. Connie at Our Little Teapot

Club Foot....at it's finest.....

To the Lady at Kohl's today....this is for you....


Yes my son has a brace on his foot....why you ask???...Oh, wait I'm sorry...you really didn't ask...just stated to your 3 whiny, obnoxious kids..."look, what's on his feet"....Maybe if you had asked...politely...or maybe even not so politely...I would have given a short but thourogh explaination of why he has it on....


Pooh...was born with a Club Foot....a somewhat common occurance...or so I've found within my Club Foot Mommies group on Cafe Mom. Lot's of celebrities were born with a club foot or two. Troy Aikmen (obviously didn't hinder his sports career), Kristi Yamaguchi (was able to dance and skate just fine) Damon Wayans (didn't make him lose his sense of humor) and Mia Hamm...(Took gold in Soccer) ....combine that with the fact that my sister and I both had a mild form of talipes equinovarus (Club Foot)....and I think it was probably bound to happen....

Now...he's never been ashamed, or possibly even aware of his little foot that was turned in sideways....the castings didn't bother him.....and who knows...the power lifting of his leg might make him a pro kicker for the Eagles one day.....

His surgery to lengthen his tendon in his heel....he was more concerned about pulling off his booties...and chewing on the strings of his gown...oh and pedialyte...so yummy....

He really doesn't care about wearing a brace...that made him have to learn how to move both legs at the same time....and he never complained once about having to wear it 23 hours a day....gave him a great toy to make lots of loud bangings with ...some of the furniture bear the scars of his music making....

In August Pooh graduated to only having to wear the brace at night or during nap times....which can I say makes getting ready for the day so much easier..(the brace does make the art of changing a diaper a piece of cake though...just lift the bar and voila..) It doesn't interfere with tummy time...or playtime...or going out....(not that it really interefered in the first place....just those annoying people who want cookie cutter children...in their cookie cutter world).....

But...Pooh has been having a hard time with the teething bit lately...hey anyone who cuts 3 teeth in one week...is bound to have some not so happy days....so I've let him take a couple naps sans brace....I felt he just needed a little break...call it a MOTY moment if you will...

So to make up for it...(okay our check up is next week and I really want a good report)....I decided I'd put it on this morning while we were out on an errand to Kohl's....and it had been awhile since I've experienced those who's tact level was almost null and void....

So lady behind me in line at Kohl's....yeah my kid wears a brace...but I bet soon enough he'll be running circles around your kid.....so how bout them apples....(sometimes it just feels good to stoop down to their level)...

I personally think it makes him even more than perfect....if that's possible....and next time lady....ask.....you might just walk away learning something....

What I learned Yesterday...

Daytime T.V., a concept I knew very little about while working a full time job....usually any weekday/daytime television watching consisted of bits and pieces of the Today show and Food Network as I would be doing my weekly cleaning of the house....or right before I would be off to run my laundry list of errands...

Having a commute to work that only Captain Kirk and the Starship Enterprise would envy...didn't leave much time to do anything else...so my days off would be packed full from morning to evening...and I would often wonder what it would be like to sit in front of the couch and Veg out...


So now that my life has gone down Alice's Rabbit hole....and I am in the new and in my opinion much more rewarding field of mommyhood....my days are a little bit more open and my lists get done at a much more leisurely pace......but still I have refrained for the most part watching the stereo-typical day time television programs...you know the ones...

Montel, Judge Judy, All My Children, The View....I limited my t.v. to TLC, Style, Bravo and Food Network...with the occasional Oprah here and there....oh and of course throw in Sesame Street and Wonderpets....for Pooh=Pants...

But yesterday I really felt like doing a good dose of N-O-T-H-I-N-G....except turning the t.v. on and playing with Pooh on the Floor...we didn't even change out of our pajamas....and I decided I'd see what Wisdom, knowledge and entertainment value I could glean from Daytime T.V....and this is what I learned....

1. If you are going to be a prostitute...it might be a good idea to tell your family and preferrably NOT on the Maury show...Bad JuJu....

2. If you try to sue someone for throwing a dirty diaper on you...you most likely will lose. And do we really need 20 court shows on T.V??? Really???

3. If the Banker offers you a deal of $21,000 and your odds are 1 in 5 of better than that...take the deal....

4. Some Brides need an Excorcism not a wedding or an Excorcism before the wedding....and that my husband is super lucky he married me....

5. I need to go to whatever grocery store, The Take Home Chef picks up his women at...(I mean for his show...)

6. One week in Genoa City is like a year to the real world...miss that week...I might as well forget it....

7. More about the Vajay-jay than I ever thought I'd learn from T.V......and that you can say some words on T.V....without getting bleeped....

The Most Important thing I learned yesterday....that I'd much rather entertain myself with my 7 month old...and I really am not missing much by not having my t.v. on.......But I do like My Take Home Chef.....so I'll make a small exception there....but otherwise....the chatter at the park is far more interesting than most talk shows....and I think I have enough drama in my life ...so don't need the soap operas...plus..really...how many characters can die and come back to life before the show gets a little strange....(ie. remember Passions????)....

So today...I watched a little bit of the Today show ((as usual))...went and did my civic duty and voted...and I think Pooh and I are going to go explore today....(in between naps of course)....cause the real world is so much better than fiction anyway.....

My Favorite Host/Hostess Gifts for The Season

Are you going to be one of the many who are lucky enough NOT to have to cook the Thanksgiving feast this year??....I Am, I Am...Even though I really do enjoy showing off my budding culinary skills though every chance I get. Next stop...Top Chef.....Tom Collecchio...eat your heart out



The Biggest dilema I've ever faced with regards to going to someone elses home for the Holidays is "What do I bring?"...I'll spend weeks on google, or asking friends, or multiple trips to pier-one....searching for the perfect Host/Hostess Gift....



Then, to complicate matters even more....Are they friends??? Are they strangers??? Are they sudo-friends that you just see when you're hanging out with your real friends?....Are they the type that would give you a host/hostess gift???....Do you know anything about them????.....The questions are endless....are they wine drinkers??? Do they drink at all???....Are they Meat eaters or Vegetarian???....Young/old, East Coast/West Coast, Sense of Humor or not so much....I think I need an advil....


So This year...I've selected my TOP picks that I think are The perfect choices for Anyone who is brave enough to tackle feeding a bunch of hungry guests...be it 3 or 30....


1. Wine Party....This gift is perfect for anyone who likes to throw a party...and for those who have outgrown such games as beer pong....It contains Everything you'd need to have a fun night with friends...or even a serious wine tasting.....Fun and educational....$24.95 at Barnes and Noble

2. Recchiuti Confections Fall Motif Box... Michael Recchiuti is to chocolate what Andy Warhol was to Art...in one word ingenius...and so yummy...I was blessed to have tried some of his yummy goodness and it was truly an experience....so when I saw his Fall Motif Box...it is definitely a great gift idea....Each piece of delectable Burnt Caramel Chocolate is hand painted which makes them extra special...and so much cooler than the Russel Stovers Box....19.00 At Recchiuti.com

3. Philosophy Classic Cookbook....Sephora is already one of my favorite places...and if your Hostess with the mostest loves smelling sweet...she'll love Philosphy's Classic Cookbook which is a collection of 10 of their most popular recipes....Some of my faves include Pumpkin Pie, Double Rich Hot Cocoa, Vanilla Birthday Cake and Cinnamon Bun.....yummy...$40.00 at Sephora
4. Personalized Recipe Cards...If everyone doesn't know already...they soon will that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Etsy...and I think anything hand made is so much more meaningful.....and these recipe cards from LittleBeaneBoutique are perfect....especially if your host/hostess loves to cook....They are beautiful and packaged ready to give....and the price is amazing a set of 12 for only $12.00 at littlebeaneboutique.etsy.com




5. Bella Vintage Inspired Full Apron...Aprons and Vintage Styled aprons in particular are all the rage right now...if your hostess is up on the trends...or even if she isn't...this very chic retro inspired apron from Boojiboo will help keep her holiday finery clean while in the kitchen...my fave is this brown apple and pear apron...I love the contrast of the red and white polkadot pattern on the straps and pocket...it is so stinking cute...I can't stand it....$28.75 at boojiboo.etsy.com

6. Personalized Leatherette Picture Frame...This is a great gift to give to a couple...or a whole family....This sophisticated black leatherette frame is personalized with white top stitching and holds standard 4 x 6 in pictures....$22.95 at personalizationmall.com

The Possibilities are endless...and this is only 6....but even the websites I've stolen them from have a plethora of other fabulous gift ideas....so you don't have to bring the token wine or fruit cake this year....

Thought for the Day

Babies Don't understand the concept of Daylight Savings Time Ending....

The Wonderful Thing about Tiggers

Are Tiggers are Wonderful Things