The Cosenzi's

Yes - He Can Do it All!

2007-04-06T14:26:00.000-05:00

I am so impressed with my kitchen so far, and the hard work that Jeff is putting in. Here are a few pictures of the tile work and granite work he has done. The cabinets are all up, but many of the doors are still not in. Also, he ran out of tile and grout, and I just got him some more, so please note that it is not all complete - but you'll get the general idea!

There are a ton of pictures here, so I have put them on a little slide show.

Headstrong!

2007-03-24T10:44:00.001-05:00

Headstrong Link!

2007-03-24T10:39:00.000-05:00

Caci & Mary performed in an American Idol (like) competition last night. Here is a link to a video of their performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl9A-PcR9bU

I am having trouble trying to get it to embed directly here, so keep checking back in case you have a problem viewing it on YouTube.

Ongoing Renovations.

2007-03-24T10:20:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe that we got a call this morning from Home Depot - our kitchen is in!

Can you believe it? More than one week ahead of schedule. How does that happen? Everything is in except for some of the cherry end panels, that wouldn't go on until the end anyway. And we are still not even ready with the plumbing in there anywhere.

This may mean that within two weeks my house could be back to normal! Is this true??? Am I dreaming???

Here are a few pictures of the (almost) completed family room. Thanks, Dad, for all of the hard work. He did the ceiling, built the bookcases, painted them (and the walls and trim) and scrubbed the floor over and over and over for us (hint: never put in a new floor before everything is finished!).

I am the Crafty One!

2007-02-02T21:21:00.000-05:00

Sometimes - I , well, I just amaze myself.

Doodles would say that I watch too many HGTV and TLC Home Decorating shows, but you know what? Sometimes, the great ideas just pay off.

I bought the following lamp base (2 of them) for $4.99 each, and then I found the lamp shades elsewhere for $7.99 each. I wasn't sure how they would look together, so I shopped for some trim to try and dress them up.

What do you think?

The final result:

I wonder what else needs some trimming. Just give me a hot glue gun and watch out!

I am thinking that I need a mirror above the fireplace - ooh, which we finished in black granite. Maybe I can trim that...LOL.

Oh - what about my new drapes? I made the tie backs with tassels myself!

The Choice.

2007-02-01T09:22:00.000-05:00

Cindi & Larry decided to go with this picture. I know it wasn't in the running, but Cindi took it and it is their decision.

E has a pretty smile in this picture, but it does not look like her.

Okay - stop throwing things at me. It is just my opinion!

Cutie!

2007-01-31T09:59:00.000-05:00

Which to Submit?

2007-01-31T09:31:00.000-05:00

Okay - We want to submit E's picture for a few baby contests. Not for the fame or recognition - but for the college scholarship money, of course. Please leave your choice number in the comments.

Though I really love #4, I don't think it shows enough of her for the contests.

#1

#2

#3

#4

Some Pic's.

2007-01-24T22:10:00.000-05:00

A few pics for your viewing pleasure.

My Basketball Beauty.

2007-01-13T15:42:00.000-05:00

Here she is!

Nominated at the Glam Network.

2007-01-12T12:50:00.000-05:00

Over at Beautiful Makeup Search, we have been nominated in the Glam Network Awards.

If you haven't been to Glam.com, do check it out. It is the number one destination on the web for fashion and beauty. And I am a proud member of the network.

So please, take a moment, register at Glam, and vote for Beautiful Makeup Search!

Thanks!!!

Updated Pictures.

2007-01-12T12:30:00.000-05:00

I got a new camera- yeah!

It is a Kodak Easy Share 7.1 Mp with 10X Zoom.

I have never used a Kodak, except for the throwaways, and the Easy Uploader Software has crashed on me numerous times since running it, but the camera is magnificent so far. You cannot find a digital camera with a high rate of optical zoom (digital zoom sucks, and is all grainy) even close to this price, so that is why I went for it.

And Best Buy was very nice about it. The camera was on sale, but I found it on another site for $25 less. I told them about it, they looked up my purchase history, looked up the site, and gave it to me for that discounted price. I was thrilled!

So here are a few pics of the kiddos I snapped in the last few days. I have Johnny, Joey, and Elizabeth. I will taking pics of Caci at b-ball this weekend, and Justin - when he is ever home and picture-worthy!

Can't Pass Up A Good Deal?

2007-01-11T18:00:00.000-05:00

So, we needed a heater of some sort for Caci's room, because when we did the addition, her return air vent was blocked up. So in these last few mornings, we have noticed how utterly cold it has been in her room.

Jeff remembered how Home Depot had these cute electric fire-places that were heaters, and that there was a small white one, and it was on sale for $348. So , we decided to get it. And guess what? It was on clearance for $198.

Got it!

Done!

Then he looked at a huge one that was cherry with black granite. Jeff asked the salesman how much that was. It was originally $798, marked down to $648, then $348. So he decided to take that one too for wither the dining room or the master bedroom. Now- here is the good part. The salesman said that the floor model was the last one. Jeff noticed some nicks and dings to it, so he asked if they would discount it at all. He was hoping for 10% off. He was stunned and couldn't pay for it fast enough when he told him that the store manager said to take $150 off. So it was the same price at Caci's! He definitely could not pass that deal up!!!

Wow!

Here they are in all their glory!

BTW - the top two pictures are of Caci's!

I Got a Raise!

2007-01-10T22:09:00.000-05:00

Whoo - hoo! I am so excited and proud.

I opened an very unexpected e-mail last night to find that my writing about makeup is so loved by one of the sites I contribute to, that they have decided to re-do my contract. And in the contract there are two noteworthy items. My commissions went from 2 % to 10%, and my pay was increased by 10 times. 10X!

I am so thrilled to be earning my own money - like money I would be paid for leaving the home and the kiddos and working 8 hours a day. Except, I do it from home, any time of day I want, even in my jammies if I so please. And I only put in 8 - 10 hours per week!!!

Why Must We Fight?

2007-01-06T22:51:00.000-05:00

I am so damn sick of constantly fighting with my kids. Why do I even fight with them???

It should be that why we (hubby & I ) says goes. Shouldn't it?

I am sick of being given 100 questions by my kids. Why do we have to go? Why do we have to eat now? Why do we have to take a shower? Why can't I stay out/up later? Why? Why? Why? And then when I tell them why, they get so argumentative - I CANNOT STAND IT!

So I have made a New Years Resolution. No fighting with the kids. I will tell them once (well maybe twice) and that is it. And if they ask why? I will simply say that I am the mother and that is how it is going to be. I figure if I do this long enough, they will eventually know what the answer is and stop asking (arguing) with me.

Now, if only I can stick to it - it should work.

Holiday Dining Room.

2007-01-05T23:29:00.000-05:00

A few of you have asked for some pictures of the quick dining room we threw together before the Holidays.

I like the neutral colors, and the light fixture.

I need to get window treatments (blinds & curtains) and a real dining room set. We are just using what we had and painted a hutch black for now. Ooh - and I would like some wide crown moldings installed by the ceiling. And I want to turn the closet into a vent-free fireplace - forgot about that too.

Who is this Kid?

2007-01-05T22:17:00.000-05:00

Does anyone who this kid is?

He came home late Wednesday afternoon, and he swears he is my child. All clean cut and stuff.

Could it be?

No, it can't be.

Really?

Is it you Justy?

Looking all grown up and possibly even older then 15?

MY B-A-B-Y!!!

I have always had a rule for my kids. If they are not drinking, doing drugs, or having sex, I won't care about their hair or the clothes they wear. (Though I do draw the line at piercings and tattoos.) So, what do you think he is doing?

How Have You Been?

2007-01-03T20:12:00.000-05:00

I have been not so dedicated to posting in the last few weeks, but now that the holidays are over and we are sort of back to a normal schedule, I should get back to posting more regularly.

So if you have missed us, sorry!

We missed you too!

So here is a quick family update:

Justy is back in a full arm cast. We thought it would be cut down today, but the one bone is not creating new bone as fast as the other, so it still need extra protection. Hopefully in two weeks he will get his wish and only be casted up to the elbow.

Doodles is the last of us to have had the stomach bug. She still has the lingering headache that accompanied it and didn't go to school today. She made basketball though, of course. And she is so totally looking forward to the High School Musical Concert tomorrow night.

Jon-Jon was to the doc today too. He has a bad ear infection in one ear. The good news is that he is very good taking his medicine and it has been almost a year since his last ear infection - when it was a double one, the day before we got on a plane to Florida. (Which I can't believe was a year ago already - it seems like yesterday!)

Joe-Joe has chapped lips right now - exciting, I know. So, he is currently obsessed with the petroleum jelly. He is finding new places to apply it and smear over. I keep finding greasy piles of it everywhere you would think he is two. Oh yeah, he did smear a whole jar of it on the bathroom cabinets when he was, yeah, just about two.

I am obsessed with baking lately after getting my new stand mixer from my parents for Christmas. I don't remember baking to be so fun! We have cookies galore in the house. Seriously, I think I have to send some in to the teachers at school or deliver plates to the neighbors. That is how much we have!!!

Okay - after that lengthy post about ...did you really miss us that much???

Happy New Year!

2006-12-30T20:41:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year one and all!

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone already and that tomorrow is New Years Eve already. A new year, again - already??? Where does the time go?

We have no big plans. Hubby and I were talking about it, and I think the last time we went out on New Years Even was when we were in Disney World for 96/97. Yes... ten years ago! I was pregnant with Johnny, and we were on vacation with my parents. I think we may have had a party once or twice for the celebration sometime in the last ten years, but none too eventful, as I cannot remember them. I think New Years Eve is basically over-rated on a whole.

Well, I hope everyone had a great holiday and here is to a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Stay safe!

The Countdown Begins!

2006-12-20T21:04:00.000-05:00

Ok -

3 Days until Justin's Birthday!

5 Days until Christmas!

Hours from going CRAZY. Making cookies. Wrapping presents. Getting the kids in bed. Wrapping presents. Cleaning up the kitchen. Figuring out what else I need to get before Christmas. Wrapping presents.

Try not to go too crazy!

Oh - I almost forgot, I have one less thing to go crazy about. Justin is in the clear. His bones are finally growing together and making new bones ! YAY! No more appointments for two weeks!

And maybe I should try and write out my Christmas cards that have been in a tote bag that I brought to Justin's last surgery. You know the ones I was thinking I would have a chance to do them then - which I have basically forgotten about until now. Will they even get there in time?

Should I just forget everything and just go CRAZY now???

No More Surgery - At Least For Now!

2006-12-13T21:23:00.000-05:00

So, when the Doctor comes in and expresses that she is afraid to look at your X-Rays, should you be worried?

And worry even more when she says she will be right back?

Well, Yes.

And.

Yes.

When she did come back, she gave us a big thumbs up. His bone has finally managed to stay in the same place for the last five days! Yippee! And if it continues to heal this way and looks the same on his X-Ray next Wednesday, then it is (or should be) smooth sailing from there.

Justin was so relieved, as was I.

I am finally feeling into the Holiday spirit.

And I am finally going on a marathon Christmas shopping spree tomorrow.

Thank you good Doctor!

Two Weeks Until Christmas???

2006-12-11T22:19:00.000-05:00

So, I have just realized that it is like...two weeks until Christmas. Actually - less than. Two weeks from right now, all the mayhem will be over.

And guess what? I have not even purchased one single solitary present yet. I have been a bit busy with Justin and his arm and multiple Doctor appointments and surgeries - and then Caci's (yes, Joey & Johnny too) basketball. And school. And work. And life.

Maybe we should just keep busy...
and maybe the kids will forget about Christmas...
yeah, there is an idea.

NOT!

I better get busy!!!

Justin

2006-12-01T20:25:00.001-05:00

It is no wonder that he hasn't broken anything in the past. After watching this, I guess we should feel pretty fortunate that he just broke his arm in two places and his wrist.

Thank God for that!

And I got an apology from Justin for his language in the first clip. So to you, I apologize too.

Happy Birthday & Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-23T23:27:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday my Jo-Jo.
Happy Birthday to you!

Joey is 7 years old today! He had a great day.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and please remember those who are less fortunate.

ALLURE Magazine!

2006-11-20T21:27:00.000-05:00

You have read Allure magazine, haven't you?

I am sure you must have seen it at least?

Well this glossy mag is basically called The Beauty Expert. And this mag's head writer called upon my expertise a few months ago for information on some cult beauty products.

You see, she saw one of my posts on that, you know, that other blog I write, and obsess about (gotta write some good stuff, gotta get some good ads, gotta review some great products, gotta get the readership up!). And she wanted to use some of the quotes I gave in my post for her article.

I agreed to let her use it. She asked me all crazy things about my other blog, and it's demographics, and traffic, etc. And she wanted to let her readers know that I was sort of an expert because I have some experience, with the blog, and why with all the beauty product testing and such - I am an expert. And the product she was quoting me about had become one of my favorite products of all time. I swear by it. I use it everyday before I put on my makeup. It is awesome, I tell you! So yeah, I am an expert on this beauty product.

Well, I was quoted in the magazine this month, the December 2006 Issue (on new stands today) in the cult beauty products article (on page 224). Goodie!

But.

What is quoted in the article is not even about the product that she asked me about. Not even the same damn product! And a fact checker even called me to confirm what I had said and verified my blog's address and name spelling and such. And then she e-mailed me what was to be included. And that was correct!

Hmmm.. in the actual magazine, they got my name, age(unfortunately) and where I am from correct, but there is no mention of my blog anywhere and I am totally misquoted.

WTF???

And I was asked by this same publication, for which I had to sign a confidentiality agreement for, about working on something for them, and getting paid. But if they are going to print what they want to print and cater to their advertisers, would I want to even be involved in the process? (Oh yeah, the $$$)

Anyway, Joey thinks I am a star because my name is in a magazine that we bought at the checkout counter in the Big Y. And if that's good enough for him, then that's good enough for me - in some strange sort-of way.

Well, I guess that was worth it alone!

And I should be happy to have at least been noticed by a major publication like Allure in the first place.

Mixed feelings, people - mixed feelings!

Remembering.

2006-11-18T22:16:00.000-05:00

Remembering Jeffrey & Joshua.

They would have been 17 years old today.

I can't believe that they would have been 17 already if they made it past their first and last few hours of life.

My twin baby boys.

I cannot believe that we have never been to their place of burial since we buried them. Oh - I think I may have tried to find them in the part of the cemetery that is reserved for the littlest of Angels - as they call it. I think I made an attempt at finding them when my Grandpa died in 1992.

It is quite sad that I never want to go there or to look back at what could have been.

Would they have been healthy if the Doctors could have been able to save them? What hardships and disabilities would they have had to endure? Were Jeff & I strong enough to handle it? Would I have still wanted to have Johnny & Joey - assuming that it was in God's hands that I were to raise 4 children and only had Justin and Caci? Was it a blessing in disguise? I could not imagine my life without the children that I have now. They are my world!

It is so very sad that we have moved on in life, and never even placed a marker at the twins grave. They are buried together and at the time they died, the size of the foot stone that was allowed would not fit both of their names and date of birth/death on it. I wonder if they have lifted the restrictions on that?

Maybe I should be strong enough and get a marker with at least their names on it to remember them by. Or would it bring back too many memories of the devastation of it all - all of the what ifs?

I think I have made my New Years resolution. I think that all of the kids are old enough to handle it and they should be a part of choosing it.

It is the least I can do for the twins that made room in our life for the children I have now.

I love you, Jeffrey and Joshua. Born and taken to heaven on November 18th, 1989.

The Tick that Doesn't Stop Ticking!

2006-11-17T16:50:00.000-05:00

That damn tick we woke up with on Thursday has done a number on us.

While waiting to go to the Doctor, I took a picture of the tick bite on Jeff. As I went to download it to my computer with a new card reader - my hard drive crashed. Crashed and burned. And it wasn't until now that I copied an additional operating system on my puter. I will have to have a hard drive recovery firm recover some of the important files from the damaged drive (or whatever) but at least I am back online and can get back to work - even though I missed a very important deadline for a magazine I had submitted something to that I had only saved to my c: drive. Note to self: create a back CD of EVERYTHING that is of any importance. SO I missed out on the $500 little paycheck too. THAT SUCKS - damn tick.

Then comes the medication incident. Jeff was prescribed a very potent antibiotic to take as a prophylactic measure until we find out if this damn tick was carrying Lyme Disease or any other things that can be toxic to humans. About an hour and a half after his first dose, Jeff started twitching. And sniffing. And feeling very congested. At this point we were giggling about it, and wondered what was going on. And then his eyes were watering and his face was puffy and very red. Then he started this weird foam/spit thing from his mouth. It wasn't very funny anymore. Poor Caci started to cry and I told her to go upstairs and to keep the boys there. I wanted to call 911, but Jeff was insistent that I wait a few minutes. I called the doctor, called a nurse friend, and had my parents come over in case I had to take him to the ER. The episode stopped as fast as it started. No one knows what it was from, and I was told to watch him. There was nothing they would do at the hospital except to run tests that he can do at the doctor.

So I stayed up ALL NIGHT listening to him breathe (and snore) until I fell asleep from about 3:00 - 4:30 A.M. I nudged him, and he said he was fine. I looked at his rash from the bite and it was almost gone. THANK GOD! I didn't go back to bed though. I was still a fret with worry about it. It really scared the living crap out of me - I have never seen Jeff lose control in a way that he had no control over whatsoever.

I am glad to report that he is fine, though and the Doctors think he shouldn't take anymore of the meds, and just come in for some testing after 14 days. So glad they are on top of things and not worried about it. I am still worried - even though the tick was in him for less than 24 hours, and you can only see the swollen blood vessel from where the tick had embedded itself.

Oh - I guess I can blame this damn tick for one more thing - I broke a tooth after sort of falling off my chair trying to fix this computer!

NICE!

A Scary Thing Happend This Morning!

2006-11-16T09:57:00.000-05:00

Hubby woke me up this morning and proceeded to tell me that he didn't sleep well last night, and how it felt like he was hit with a baseball bat on his side. I looked, and he had a welt there - with a large black spot in the middle, resembling a scab. He thought something may have bit him.

Upon a closer look, I realized it was a tick. A deer tick.

I immediately got out the tweezers and pulled it away from his skin. The sucker was so embedded in there, I couldn't believe it. It was like pulling off a large scab. Well, I only got about 3/4 of out intact.

I saved it, and called the doctor. While they seemed more concerned that we had a remaining $5 balance on his account from a few months ago, I wanted to get Jeff to them. They said the nurse will see him at 3:15, and if need be, he will be able to see a doctor then.

WTF???

The nurse?

Does she have Lyme disease-carrying deer tick removal skills???

Ooh, he will see the doctor, I will make sure of that.

I am also hoping that they start him on some medication right away.

I have removed a few ticks from him and one from Johnny before, and they left nothing behind. This is nasty, and it looks like the bulls eye thing already. Maybe I will take a picture, and chronicle it - for safety sake.

I will update after the doc, so don't worry, Ma - Jeff tells me you read this everyday!

I hope this teaches Jeff to stop looking around in the woods (in which he was wearing long sleeves, long pants, a fleece vest, and a hat - and it still managed to find it's way to him) - but I guess it can happen anywhere.

Can I Decorate Just One Room, Please?

2006-11-15T21:28:00.000-05:00

Just one room.

It is all I ask.

The dining room. I have never had a formal dining room. It was always part of the family room.

I had the idea, and we are moving on it fast.

I could rant and rave and go on and on. But I just want one room for myself. Seeing as most of my other ideas for the house got vetoed. Can't I just have this one???

No More Wishes!

2006-11-14T19:37:00.000-05:00

JoJo and I were talking today when the subject came up about making wishes.

You have heard the sayings -

When you see a shooting star - make a wish.

Blow your fallen eyelash off of your finger - make a wish.

Blow out your birthday candles - make a wish.

And we have concluded: No more wishes here, for they never come true.

Aren't You Supposed to be Doing Your Schoolwork?

2006-11-13T20:35:00.000-05:00

If you are in one said daughters class, and you are supposed to be doing your schoolwork, I suggest you get to it!

The teachers thank you!

Got a Job?

2006-11-13T08:54:00.000-05:00

Please.

I am begging you.

Someone.

Someone, please.

Give my husband a job.

This "let's pretend we are retired" thing just isn't working for me. It has been 123 days now (but who's counting) and hubby is starting to get on my nerves. He started playing Christmas music today , and wants to know where we are going to put the Christmas tree.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE???

Honey, we will have no business celebrating Christmas if you don't start adding some dough to the bank account. I can't support us for ever, lol.

And I swear to God, if he brings it up one more time that we have X amount of money to make X amount of mortgage payments and pay the bills - I will fu***** scream!

Get a J-O-B!!!

By the way... hubby doesn't know where to find this blog, so please don't tell him.

Not Another Project - TODAY!

2006-11-12T13:38:00.000-05:00

I woke up with an idea.

Let's get the dining room ready in time to have a house full over for Joey's Birthday Thanksgiving weekend.

Let's see - that will give us just under 2 weeks.

And all we really need to do is move all the furniture out, get the floor done, paint, put in a new light fixture, move the china cupboard out of the old dining room into this one, paint that, build a faux fireplace/mantle into the old closet, and buy a table and chairs. Oh, wait - I can probably use the table I have - just refinish it to match the corner cupboard I am going to move in there and throw some fancy holiday tablecloth on it for now.

Simple.

Not a problem.

To Jeff that means - we need to start today. Not today - please, not today. It is better to get it done when the kids are at school, and we have some other man figure to help move everything out and upstairs. Please - not, today.

Guess what?

We started it today.

Luckily for Jeff, he married a woman of substance. I just totally helped move a bedroom armoire out of the room and up the stairs.

I am STRONG - Like Bull!

Nice.

Even though I didn't want to do this today.

Getting to Know Me - Pass it On!

2006-11-11T23:26:00.000-05:00

A fun little "Get TO Know Yo" List.

The titles in bold are the things I have done.

What have you done??? Pass it on.

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris (the Hotel in Las Vegas)
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper (only a few hundred times)
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon (just a short one, for about 15 minutes, but I did!)
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne (on just one glass - I am so lame!!!)
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk.
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe.
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow (and a goat)
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured an ancient site
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played Dungeons & Dragons for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice (Does it count at the Venice hotel in Vegas?)
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert” (Does a magazine article count?)
83. Got flowers for no reason
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone (does my house count???)
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently well enough to have a decent conversation
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised (raising) children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (Poor Henrietta, the Pig.)
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life
151. Finished a marathon
152. Buried a Child
153. Graduated from College
154. Cooked an entire meal
155. Said a Prayer
156. Told a lie
157. Skipped School
158. Faked being sick
159. Egged someones house
160. Got an idea from this list of something that you would like to before you die

I Hate the Internet - No Make that Comcast!

2006-11-11T22:45:00.000-05:00

I just wrote 3 posts.

Heartfelt posts.

And I was saving them as I wrote.

And you know what???

The Fu***** Internet went out for over two hours.

Damn Comcast - we are experiencing a temporary interruption in service is all they could tell me.

So guess what?? When I was writing and saving the damn things they were lost in cyberspace somewhere.

I don't suppose you'll take a bit of $$$ off of my bill, now will ya, Comcast???

AND I have had to put up with a teenager and tween who had nothing else to do because WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO ON A SATURDAY NIGHT?

It is the Internet, people!!!

Phew!

2006-11-06T21:09:00.000-05:00

I felt so guilty yesterday with Justin.

Especially when he came home and told me that the little lump behind his ear had gotten larger, and that is was really hurting him.

So we went to the doc first thing this morning, and the doc said it is a swollen lymph node, but not of a serious kind. He had a cold just over a week ago, and thinks it could still be part of that, plus wearing a helmet all the time over it could be irritating it.

We will wait until Friday to see if it shrinks or goes away before he goes on antibiotics.

So phew - nothing serious.

Lumps scare me.

Why Do I Feel Guilty?

2006-11-05T11:38:00.000-05:00

We have asked Justy - repeatedly, I may add - to get out the leaf blower and blow all of the leafs onto the tree belt. We have asked him since last Thursday, and he has put it off over and over. Yet, we continued to give him money to go places with his friends.

It is now late Sunday morning, and he finally started them. But he wants to leave in an hour to go skateboarding with some other friends. I told him no way, no how. He gets no money until he is completely done. And he needs money to get into the Skate park.

So, he says I have ruined his weekend. And he claims that he is absolutely freezing.

I gave him a hat, and a pair of gloves.

He has on a winter coat, and I think it is in the upper 40's not too cold. I mean, he snowboards when it is below 20 degrees - what is the big deal.

He doesn't want to do it. Period. And I feel guilty to be asking him to do it.

We rarely ask him to pitch in around here. And he mostly comes and goes as he pleases.

Why do I feel so damn guilty?

Johnny's Room.

2006-11-03T15:22:00.000-05:00

Johnny's room deserves it's own post.

It started last year when we stayed at The Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World. We had a room overlooking the Savannah, where giraffes would actually come within reach of our balcony. The inside of the rooms were made to look as much as the outside. The beds were made out of logs, and everything was Africa themed, very Safari-like.

This is where Johnny came up with the idea.

So Jeff & I hunted for the perfect border, and Johnny (thankfully)loved our first choice. We painted the bottom of the wall to match the tan background in the border, and the chair rail to match the green grass in the border.

Johnny wanted a tree. So daddy painted him a tree.

He wanted his bed to be made out of logs. We couldn't find the right sized logs, but we found horse fence posts, so daddy & Mike constructed it out of that. And honestly, it turned out better then any of us had planned.

We just couldn't find the right objects for the large wall spaces by his t.v..

One afternoon, I came home and when I asked where daddy was, Johnny stated that he was up painting his giraffe. I thought to myself, what the hell did he buy now. Was I ever shocked to find him painting a giraffe (with my makeup brushes) by just looking at the giraffe in the border. WOW! He followed that with an elephant for the other side.

The rest of the room came together with different safari/animal/Africa themed objects that we pick up here and there. And the old luggage idea came from Johnny - he felt he could fill them up and take everything with him for his real Safari - in his mind, I guess.

Johnny loves his room, and we are very happy with the way it turned out too.

Now, if we can only get him to come down from there every now and then, that would be great. Oh, and teach him that it is okay to sleep in his own bed, and not have to use Joey's spare bed almost every night, you know, to keep Joey company. I so knew that was going to happen!

Leave Me Alone!

2006-11-02T16:49:00.000-05:00

The kids, the phone, the dog, the phone, the kids, the husband, the phone, the phone, the phone...

In the last hour-
I Gave Caci money to go with her friend to get Ice Cream.
Answered the phone.
Found a glue stick for Joey.
Answered the phone.
Answered the call waiting.
Helped Joey make a man out of leaves.
Installed a computer program for Johnny - while answering the phone 3 more times.
Helped Joey tie his shoes.
Answered the phone.
Let the dog out. Cleaned up his throw up while answering the phone.
Told Justin to turn the music down.
Called to check in on Caci.
Called for Joey to come in while answering the phone.
Told hubby which windows I wanted - as if he will listen.
Answered the phone.
I had to physically bring the phone up to Justin because the music was still so friggin' loud that he couldn't hear me yelling for him.
Emptied the boys laundry basket.
Answered the phone.
Got the dog some fresh water.
Tried to make a grocery list - but the phone rang again - and I had a beep coming in that I refused to answer this time.
Tried to complete grocery list.
Called to check on Caci again because she may have been the one beeping in.
Ignored the ringing phone while I helped Johnny find the computer games guide book.
Answered the door while the phone was ringing again.
Called Caci, as it was her that called when I was answering the door.
Grabbed a bag of fun size M & M's closed my office door, and sat down to check my e-mail and wound up writing this lame post.

You think I would be 100 pounds by the way I never stop.

Perhaps, I should give up the M & M's - and probably food in general. And stop answering the phone ;)

Halloween Candy.

2006-11-01T19:04:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is recovering well from Halloween.

Johnny & Joey lasted not even an hour. They hit maybe 25 - 30 houses all together. When we sorted out the candy and inspected it all, Joey had 5 pieces of candy that he liked, and Johnny had 7.

Justin (yes, he wound up knocking on some doors with friends) and Caci did much better. They got lot's of little Pretzel packs and Popcorn balls, which I think is great. And all the kids love them - so there was more treats for Johnny & Joey.

They picked up way too many Snicker bars - disgusting. At least hubby likes them, though they are not on his diet. But he figures one bite size bar a day won't hurt him.

I picked out two Peppermint Patties, and one box of Junior Mints. That's it. No Milk Duds - my favorites.

At least the night was beautiful. It was a balmy 62 degrees, so no one needed coats - not even sweatshirts. And we went out a little later then normal, so the sidewalks and door steps were not too crowded.

Fake.

2006-11-01T08:39:00.000-05:00

Oh - how I hate F-A-K-E people. You know the women who sit around and try to gossip, but basically compliment each other and their kids while bragging on and on about something - which is really about nothing.

I hear them in the grocery store, in the school yard, and even hear them on the Internet.

"Oh - You are so great."

"No, you are great."

"Well, you are pretty."

"Oh - you are pretty."

"My kids are great."

"Yes, your kids are great", while thinking to herself ...but mine are better.

"Did you see so and so and her new Prada bag?"

"Yes - I did."

"Can you believe..."

"That she is so pretty?"

"No you are pretty."

and

on

and

on

and

on.

I swear when I hear these gabbers gabbing away, I have to physically remove myself from the area before I throw up.

What is with these ladies (you know the ones) and the endless competitiveness between them? Keeping up with the Joneses has gone way too far. And I just can't stand to hear about it anymore.

Let's get real ladies. Be yourselves. Stop being such a faker, schmaker!

Happy Halloween!

2006-10-31T08:56:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween from Caci, Johnny, and Joey.

Caci is a bride - wearing my wedding gown (yeah - it was the '80's!).

Johnny is Sidious the Sith Lord from Star Wars.

Joey is the Gream Reaper.

They came up with these, I just did the makeup.

Tootin' My Own Horn!

2006-10-30T15:39:00.000-05:00

A little over a month ago, I was honored to be invited (and be paid) to join the GLAM network. GLAM reaches about 7 million readers a month - yowza. It is the number one site for fashion and beauty. It beat out the competion (style.com, elle. com, ivillage.com, instyle.com, vogue, w, etc.) by a landslide. So you can see why I was honored.

At GLAM, there is a GLAM Network of bloggers - 180 of them to be exact. There are 36 of them in the Beauty category. And I am ranked #2! I am so very excited!
And if you haven't been to Glam.com yet, do check it out, and if you are so inclined, subscribe to my posts over there!

Christmas Lists.

2006-10-29T20:22:00.000-05:00

Is it too early for the kids to make their Christmas lists? Is it too bold of me to post it here so everyone that buys for them has a clue into what their little hearts desire?

According to Toy's R Us, it is not. Why, you may ask?

Well, the ONE & ONLY BIG TOY BOOK full of battery operated plastic thing's that my kids are hoping will soon become theirs arrived in today's paper.

And Grandpa was extra nice to bring it on over!

Toys to me = one pain in the ass.

We all know that most of the toys will soon get shoved in the back of the closet - or possibly in the trash. And don't even get me started on how damn difficult it is to open a toy these days. With so many plastic coated metal ties wrapped around each toy in about 12 different places, opening the toy itself can sometimes spoil the fun.

Lest, we not get off subject here. Christmas Lists.

When first presented with the BIG BOOK ...Joey & johnny were non too impressed. But this evening, Joey decided to take a better look at it. He liked checking the check boxes next to the toys he desired. And he wrote his name next to them to, as if Santa might, perhaps, well - get confused as to whom they were meant for. Well, he initially came up with 6 toys - FOR HIS BIRTHDAY (11/23) - he said. Then he realized he would need to check off some more as those 6 toys could not possibly cover Christmas too.

Do we even have XBox 360? No - but he checked games off for that system. To which I asked him how would he play such games - to which he decided to not only put a check in the box next to the XBox 360 - but a huge circle all around that item. Oh yeah - that is what he wants. Sorry, Joey. That is not going be happening. Enough video game systems are taking up space in this house already. Let's stick to the GameBoy Advance, Nintendo DS, Gamecube, Playstaion 2, the PSP, and the original XBOX. Really, I think he has enough systems to contend with.

So back onto the lists. I lost count after 20 items he checked off from the BIG BOOK. And here is my quandary. Would it be correct to say - posting the kiddos Christmas lists here online, with links to what they want so they can get their each and every wish? Or should I let it be and have them just expect the gift cards to places they never go, and let them put on a smile and say "Thank You", just what I wanted. Or should I be so forward and suggest something they really want. Which - hey, they most always get anyway. I am just thinking of the rare scenario that inevitably happens every year.

Am I feeding too much into the commercial aspect of the Holiday? I mean, it is about giving, more than receiving. Right? But let's face it - kids (at least mine are, being the lucky ones that they really are) are on the receiving end of hoards of gifts during the holidays. Is it too much to ask to make it easier for them to get what they really want, while helping those buying the gifts have an easier time of it?

Things that make you go, hmmm. I am perplexed!

I don't want to offend anyone. I just thought it might make life easier for all involved.

Hmmm.

It Stopped Raining!

2006-10-28T15:05:00.000-05:00

Shit - It stopped raining already.

And it is only 4:00 P.M.

And - no, we are still not leaving the house.

Yes, I am one cruel motherf*****.

One Cruel Mother.

2006-10-28T12:15:00.000-05:00

My kids hate me today.

I am one cruel mother.

Why?

Because it is pouring outside. With high wind warnings. Just plain nasty weather.

So yesterday, hubby and I decided that we are all staying home today. We just didn't need to go anywhere. And it would force us to tie up some loose ends of things in the house. You know the things that get pushed aside when working on a huge project. So that is our plan.

And, kids - I am speaking to you - that means...
No skateboarding at the indoor skate park today Justin. No Friendly's, no movies. You are staying home. Really, Justin. I realize it is a new concept, staying home. But that is what you are doing.

No going to the Mall, Caci. That $15 in babysitting money and Limited Too 20% off coupon in your pocket will wait until another day. Just because you think you are a superstar and that I should cater to your every whim and need - I am not your assistant, my dear.

Johnny, he will not get to turn in his recycling cans to add to his change collection in which he wanted to cash in and buy some goldfish, or rather beta fish, today. Where he even came up with that idea is totally beyond me, we will be having no more pets!!! No, Johnny - nope. Staying home.

And Joey, my dear Joey. We know you love to run around in the in the leaves and ride your bike through your little piles you are building all over the yard. And really, I know that you don't care that you will be getting drenched in the rain. You are in the house - no fresh air for you!

Kiddos - hear me again - you are all in the for the day.

And I have heard it from each of them at least three times that they don't care, and I am just being mean, and I don't care about them, that it is the weekend... blah. blah. blah.

Spoiled Brats!

They have no clue what a cruel mother really is - so I will take my new little title with a grain of salt.

Black Friday.

2006-10-27T19:56:00.000-05:00

Well, there are only 4 weeks left until Black Friday.

You know, the day after Thanksgiving - like, the busiest shopping day of the year! The day with all of the blockbuster sales.

I have made my way out at 5:00 AM (back by 8:00) on Black Friday for the past few years. And I can't decide whether to do it again.

Was it worth it in the past?

I think last year was a good one. I got an HP desktop computer for Doodles for $399 and 2 plasma TVs for $999 each. But I missed out on the HP laptop - the thing I really wanted for Justy - and almost got trampled to death trying to get one. I ended up ordering him a Dell later that day, as they were having huge online special. But I don't remember any of the other years being that spectacular.

I may just have to wait until all of the lists come out. A quick search on Google early that week should expose at least some of the deals.

Geez - I haven't even thought of anything so special that the kiddos want this year anyway.

They all have computers, and no extraordinary game systems have come out.

Hmmm - I better think about this.

Will it be worth it to lose precious sleep to save a few bucks? I suppose if there are any big ticket items that I can save on.

Like, really save!

Cousins.

2006-10-26T18:34:00.000-05:00

Is this not the cutest picture of baby Elizabeth showing her curiosity and love of her cousin Jon-Jon?

Gotta Get it Done.

2006-10-26T14:30:00.000-05:00

While my husband is outside helping to get the siding on the house -FINALLY- I should be grateful that he wants to pitch in and get it done before the snow flies.

But of course, I had to piss him off and complain.

But...
IT. IS. NOT. THE. RIGHT. COLOR.

You see, I picked out the color a few months ago. And he decided the beginning of the week that it should be sided - by the weekend. And because my color is a "special order" he went with the next closest thing - and really, yes he really did think that I would not notice. Not notice that it is a much lighter shade than I selected. Or that the boxes somehow say Clay on them instead of Driftwood.

But my hubby - gotta love him and his forever attempt to get things done and NOW!

ARGHHH!

Homework.

2006-10-25T12:51:00.000-05:00

What is the deal with all of the homework?

Enrolling my kids in public school should have not made me basically enroll again. I mean I went through 1st grade, 3rd, 5th, and 9th grade many (many,many,many) years ago. So why is it that I spend 2 - 3 hours a night doing homework?

It used to be that I would help them study for a test, go over weekly spelling words, and assist on a large project. This school year is just so different. I am having to sit down with each of the four kids and take turns with them going over and explaining homework.

For God sakes, even my first grader needs a good half hour of help every night.

And my 9th grader needs me to help him with Latin. Latin! I never took Latin. Spanish came back to me as I took Spanish for 3 years in high school, but they now teach Spanish for 4 years in middle school. So Latin is - well, very foreign to me.

Doodles is learning Geometry - of course, the one subject I got a "C" in during high school. Mind you, she is in 5th grade, and it is full blown Geometry.

And Jon-Jon, my precious Jon-Jon. He has a form of dyslexia that really impedes his learning, but he is struggling through. He has been tested and falls into the extremely high IQ categories, but struggles with reading and writing everyday. His homework gets modified , but it is such a struggle for him. I don't mind helping him, because he becomes so very proud of his accomplishments. It breaks my heart that we can't get it out of him, and it is so mystifying to him that he can't either.

Well, school is never easy, is it?

I was always a very large supporter of public education, but with MCAS (the standardized tests in Massachusetts) and the entire curriculum being based upon that and trying to improve scoring - it isn't what learning should be.

And homework, in my opinion, is just out of control!

Sunday - Sunday - Sunday!

2006-10-22T13:56:00.000-05:00

Sunday.

What a wonderful day.

A day with the family.

A day to hang around. Go nowhere. Stay in jammies 'til noon.

Fun!

Ugh - the phone rings. The conversation between hubby and caller goes somewhat like this...

"Excellent!".
"When?".
"No problem. See you then.".

I asked him who it was, and he said friends were on their way over to see the house. Now.

I yelled up to the kids to get their rooms spotless and pronto!

Hubby took care of the downstairs, I went up to help make the beds, as Joe-Joe and Jon-Jon try, but they haven't perfected that just yet. But they picked up their rooms mighty fast.

I realized I was still in my pj's/sweats. Ran to get a bra on, it was the least I could do, and grabbed the vacuum on the way up. As I was finishing up, I noticed them at the bottom of the stairs.

Geez - could they have not heard the vacuum and admired my new laundry room / mud room / entrance way / office on their way in? And how 'bout the $2500 washer and dryer - now that takes some admiring. But seems they were none too impressed, and just wanted to see the upstairs.

So, hubby gave them the 10 cent tour, and they were here for a whole total of 20 minutes.

They liked it. They were especially impressed by hubby's freehand artwork on the kids walls. Which, hey, it is impressive. But what about my new washer and dryer? They noticed that on the way out - to which the wife wanted to go shop for a new pair as soon as they left.

Anyway - they were gone.

Phew - can I get back to my Sunday now?

Maybe it will teach us that we shouldn't answer the phone on Sunday! Now there is an idea!

Music.

2006-10-17T22:25:00.000-05:00

I like music.

I really do.

I just hate that Justy loves to blare his montage of music at night - with the bass so low, that the whole frickin' house vibrates.

Hubby calls me irrational. Swears he doesn't hear it. "Let him be who he is. It relaxes him".

For God sake - I (the mother of your most preeeeecious Justy, and your 3 other children) need to relax! LET ME RELAX!

And there is no relaxing going on when I want to jump out of my skin from hearing Knarles Barkley 's bass to Crazy over and over. And over. And over. AGAIN!

Just tonight, I ran and unplugged the woofer thing. I kept the cord that connects it to the computer. That's it. Done. Let the noise just come out of your built in Dell notebook speakers. Oh well. Maybe he will listen next time when I tell him to turn the bass down.

So relax, my dear Justy. And hubby too. Know that you son is relaxing to his music before bed. And know that I am finally relaxing to a more quiet - unvibrating house.

If only the music of Pow-Pow snoring would lull me to sleep now.

NOT RELAXING!

Where are my earplugs?

Girls - Will be Girls!

2006-10-15T13:22:00.000-05:00

Doodles has recently realized that she is beautiful.

She is a beautiful girl. She stands out from the rest.

She just turned 11 this past July, and she is 5'6" tall, with a size 11 women's shoe. WOW! Tall & skinny - with the longest of legs.

Dark hair. Dark eyes. A real beauty. Naturally beautiful. Thick eyebrows. Long eyelashes. Full lips. A beautiful nose. Everything about her is beautiful.

And she just realized it.

For some reason she wants to experiment with her beauty. A tween thing? A girl thing?

She asked me how to use a curling iron. Oh GOD! I have been waiting for this day - like it is a right of passage or some strange mom and daughter unite kind of thing. Well, you know... I began curling my hair at her age.

It wasn't easy teaching her. I rather just do it myself, because I am such a perfectionist when it comes to hair. But I struggled with patience. I told her how to hold the handle. Wrap a small section of hair under the barrel. Release. And curl in the direction she wanted. It didn't work. I told her she could do it. To try again. We (she) did. And again. And again.

I told her to let me try.

She told me to leave her alone.

She left the bathroom. Crying.

I almost yelled. But there I was, tyring to become patient again. This was her moment. Our weird right of passage thingy. Right?

I let her be. For only about 3 or 4 minutes. Then I told her to try again.

That is when she took the handle, grabbed the barrel, and flung it with so much might that I thought she might have just given herself a third degree burn.

She looked at me. I wanted to cry. Was she hurt?

She shouted , "Next time you might want to teach me how to turn it on!", and quickly left the room.

I burst into laughter, her into more tears. I somehow ruined this moment for her. The moment I made such a big damn deal about. And I was so proud and excited that I didn't even turn the f****** thing on!

She said she will never - ever - ever in one million years try to curl her hair again!

Like I was being some kind of cruel mother. Unfortunately I was just being me. As I am a pre-menopausal mom of 4 - who just had the kids home from school for 4 days (or was it 4 months?) straight. I forget things my dear, I tried to explain.

I left, wanted to crawl under a rock - because I somehow, unknowingly, I really hurt her feelings.

But you know what?

Girls will be girls.

About an hour or so later, she came down from her room with a beautifully styled, somewhat curled hairdo. She came over and gave me a great big hug. I cried. She smiled.

Too Scary!

2006-10-13T23:28:00.000-05:00

If you have a chance, please read this article: Longmeadow School Cancels Recess After Rifle Report.

I live in Longmeadow. Down the street from the school. And the woods are almost behind my house. Oh - and the woods are part of one of our beautiful Parks! And I believe that the woods in the 1/2 mile range from St. Mary's school are located in our public Parks. Hmmm... Do we allowing hunting or target practice at the Park now?

With all that has happened recently with school shootings - the police said what? That it is not unusual to see someone carrying a pellet or bb gun into the woods.

Aren't the police here to protect us?

Geez - they have no problem complaining that my son likes to skateboard in town - and they have no problem of taking that from him. But when someone is suspected of carrying what just may be a real gun into the woods in our town they do what? NOTHING!

I figured that at least word had gotten out to the other schools in town. I assumed - especially from the "How We Protect Our Schools" letter we received from the Superintendent last week - that the schools would have kept the children in for the rest of the day until this issue was fully investigated. But no. No one knew. Recess was held. And the doors were open to the school - just as they always are.

Do we really need our police department spending the amount of time that they do protecting us from the 12 - 16 year olds hanging outside of Friendly's and those skateboarding and scootering in town - then protecting us from what can really harm us - or even worse our children.

We need a change. We need to be proactive. We need to have those that are here to protect and serve - do just that! Protect us from suspects that may be carrying a gun. And alert us to be on the lookout. And then report on the findings.

Please protect and serve our precious town and those that live in it from the real dangers we live with.

Another Blog.

2006-10-10T12:24:00.000-05:00

No.

You don't know me.

Or my other blogs.

I write 3 of them for a living.

This one is for me.

I am a 39 year young mom of 4. I have 2 kids (6 & 9 - both boys), 1 tween (11 year old girl), 1 teen (14 year old boy). I have a husband (48), and a dog (4).

Oh yeah - and a house under re-construction (DON'T. EVER. DO IT.).

We live in a typical - if there is such a thing - suburban community in New England.

I call my kids by their nicknames. a lot. So for all intents and purposes, I will list them for you - so you just might be able to follow along and see who the hell I may be talking about!
hubby - my husband
justy - my oldest boy
doodles - my only girl
jon-jon - my 9 year old boy
joe-joe - my 6 year old boy
pow-pow - my 4 year old dog