Referral for tonight

My friend has a promotion on her site to change.org, it's about voting for mothers and children. Check it out if you like, it must be voted on tonight.

http://frecklesfilledwithlove.blogspot.com/2008/12/deadline-tonight.html

Happy New Year

I wish everyone a safe and fun New Year's Eve and a wonderful and prosperous New Year.

Help for PMS,Peri-Menopause and hormonal imbalance

Any of my 2 regular readers know that I suffer from hormonal issues.

My holistic doctor recommended an herbal formula called Estro-Logic and progesterone cream.

The key is to use them faithfully.

I have scheduling issues, so the first month I used them when I remembered and if I can refer you to this post you will see I didn't do it right.

Last month I had the best pre-menstrual experience, it was wonderful. I didn't cry once, I only had a few minor issues and I only felt impatient/cranky for a couple days. It came in spurts and it was mild, oh so mild compared to the previous month.

The most important thing was that I didn't cry! No really it was that my blood pressure stayed perfect. Remember I was crying uncontrollably for NO reason, not me, no way, no how.

My blood pressure and heart rate were really high the month before and I was so freakin anxious.

Now I am here to tell you that if you run out of said product your symptoms return with a vengeance.

I have not had my herbs in 8 damn days. I knew I was low, I had to wait until payday to order but because of Christmas my order got stuck on the back burner.

I order from Vitacost and it usually takes 3 days, well it was shipped on the 23rd and I haven't gotten it yet.

I'll get it tomorrow, I checked the tracking.

I was almost going postal today.

I am cranky and impatient, I'm in pain, I'm assuming it's ovulation starting.
I didn't go through this last month.

Note to self...

DON'T EVER RUN OUT OF YOUR HERBS!!!!!!!

Ok I'll be fine, really...

So far my blood pressure is fine.

It's all good, there is nothing wrong with me that a hot bath and wine can't cure :)

January NaBloPoMo

I'm going to try again, why not.

I only missed two days in December, that isn't bad.

Here is the link if you want to participate:

http://www.nablopomo.com/blogrolls/january-2009-blogroll

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Destined :: for greatness


2. FAIL :: Schools fail children


3. Camping :: My version of camping includes room service


4. Only you :: can make me crazy


5. Incessant :: whining


6. Tomorrow :: never dies


7. Impressive :: My kids


8. Riches :: we all have riches inside of us


9. Dislike :: I dislike too many things to list


10. Speaker :: I am not a public speaker

Want to play?

Luna Nina

Score!

I am loving JC Penney's right now!

They are having a major sale on most items in the store.

I got a new coffee maker and mixer for less than the original price on one of them.

They are pretty nice too. I have never had a mixer like this. Kieran was so excited he baked cookies last night.

The dough turned out so well, much better than hand mixing.

I even went back late last night and got undergarments for the whole family.

I love getting a good deal and it's much more quality stuff then what I've bought elsewhere in the past.

Yippee!

appliances

I am officially appliance challenged.

My toaster oven died about a year ago. I love my toaster oven but it's not a necessity.

My beater died awhile ago, it is possible to bake without one, making whip cream is tricky though.

My vacuum kicked the bucket last month, that is a necessity but I can't get a new one yet. Good thing half of the house has wood floors.

Last night my coffee maker died right in the middle of making a pot while we had company over.

So I did it the old fashioned way and boiled water and poured it through the filter, that was fun.

I can live without some things but I draw the line here.

So today I shall go shopping for a coffeemaker, nothing fancy just one that makes coffee.

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful day.

We are truly blessed.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

elves

I am FINALLY done shopping.

I haven't wrapped one present.

Yes, I know what time it is.

I could sure use some elves right now...

Coffee first...

drained

I am so drained from shopping.

I have gone out several nights and I'm exhausted.

I don't know how people shop for fun. My body hurts and I have no energy left.

I am fairly introverted so being out like that makes me need to come home and retreat.

I can't because my kids missed me and need me and I have stuff to do.

I do a lot on any given day, I'm up until 3am usually but I was falling asleep last night in the store.

I'm like I have to get out of here and get some fresh air it's only 10:30pm, I have so much to do.

It feels like I haven't accomplished much, it feels like I don't have everything.

Oh, I don't I just realized one of Brennan's presents never made it home. I have to go back to the store tomorrow with my receipt and hope they believe me and give me another one.

Cookies to bake, gifts to wrap, cleaning to be done and most of all I need to chill out.

I have some weird sinus/eye thing going on, not sure what it is but it is causing me strife.

For anyone who cares, those damn mice are having a buffet at our expense...

A cat is my LAST resort, I'm highly allergic plus we have dogs and guinea pigs.

I've got nothing profound to add to tired to think...

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Carpet :: is dirty


2. Bottoms :: Up


3. Music :: Rock and Roll forever


4. Nails :: mine are never painted


5. Watch it! :: Don't mess with me!


6. Your life :: is what you make it


7. Candies :: Andes


8. Chafing :: Ha Ha!


9. Svelte :: I wish I was


10. Ding :: Dong the witch is dead

Want to play?

Luna Nina

Divine

Over the years I have prayed a lot.

My relationship with God has never changed, my beliefs and practices have.

I no longer believe in any religious doctrine nor attend any institution..

I just believe.

I have faith but it's easy to lose sight of it when you are going through tough times or when all of your kids are barfing...

Last week our weather was forcasting rain and cold weather every day of the week.

Jason had a sidejob scheduled for Friday and Saturday and he needed dry weather because he does it in our driveway.

We really needed this job and I was praying about the rain ceasing for two days so he could get it done.

I have prayed about what seems like a simple thing in the past and I know God hears me. I believe that God does listen no matter how big or small our prayers may be.

So it rained all week and there was rain in the forecast for Friday and Saturday.

I kept praying and Friday came and it was 70 degrees, no rain...

Saturday came and it was dark and gloomy all day and colder and Jason got the job done late in the afternoon.

Within 2 minutes of him pulling out of the driveway to test drive it started pouring. I mean hard rain, my kids were outside and they got drenched instantly.

I paused and thanked God because he once again showed me that he hears me and he cares and He can do anything He wants to.

Something like this just renews my faith and makes me smile and feel so thankful.

Shopping

I started Christmas shopping tonight.

I usually buy most things online because I am not a crowd person and I'm definitely not a shopper.

I didn't have any money until yesterday so online shopping is out unless I want to spend buckoo bucks for shipping.

I live very close to a shopping center that has almost every store I need.

I am very sore and I only went a couple of hours. I do not know how people shop all day.

I admit that I had a pretty good experience, I got some great deals and ran into mostly friendly people.

I am a pretty nice person, no really, just don't cross me...

Ha!

I smile, I open doors or hold them, I say excuse me, thank you etc...

I was met with most people smiling back at me and holding doors, it was a nice surprise.

Maybe I just live in a friendly city.

Last night I went out to coffee and did a little shopping with the homeschool moms that I have been meeting up with.

It is so wonderful that Jared is letting me go out without him. He really is growing up. We just bought him a bed and he has been sleeping in it pretty well. When he wakes up he comes and climbs in bed with me but Jason is usually long gone by then so it's great.

Our bed was getting crowded, he isn't a little baby anymore.

I missed blogging yesterday, so there goes my blog everyday for December NaBloPoMo.

Dang!

I thought I had time but got to my computer at 12:02 am, I just missed it by 2 minutes so I didn't even bother to post last night.

Oh well it's not like I would win anyway...

Want to giggle?

At my expense...

Did you ever see the movie Mousehunt?

Ok, it's not that bad...

Yet...

We have a mouse, well I think it's more than one.

He has been getting bolder at making his appearances.

I admit that I am a wimp, I get all jumpy and afraid to go into my kitchen at night.

Last week he was in the garbage can, I had just changed the bag so there wasn't anything in there. We heard this sound coming from the cupboard and so I opened the door and he was jumping around trying to get out of the can.

I closed the door because I wasn't sure what to do at first.

I knew he couldn't get out and he would just keep jumping and attempting to escape.

I asked Kieran to take the can outside to the porch and tip it over so he can run out.

I admit he actually looked cute and I felt sorry for the bugger, I'm not heartless.

He keeps leaving evidence of his trails and it grosses me out. I keep cleaning it up but it is so unsanitary, this is my kitchen for crying out loud..

The other day I turned the dryer on and he ran out towards my feet, I yelled and scared him and he ran back behind there.

Two nights ago he ran across the countertop and went under a towel that was on the stove, then he went down the burner hole.

Last night the kids saw him in the kitchen twice.

I have had enough and bought some traps, yes the snap you and kill you traps.

Jason has set the trap the last two nights and that little shit has eaten the peanut butter and lived to tell his buddies about it.

Getting ready

I offered my house for our homeschool group Christmas party...

I have been so behind in housework since the kids were sick, it seems like I have cleaned non- stop for several days.

We are going to bake and decorate cookies and exchange homemade ornaments.

I still need to go make the dough so it can chill and here I am blogging about it.

Ha Ha!

It's funny because I look around and see stuff everywhere. There really is always stuff everywhere as the kids go about their day.

I guess I am more concerned about the living room, dining room and kitchen, those are the rooms we will be in.

I know the kids will end up playing in the bedrooms though, it's inevitable.

It's ok. I love seeing them all play together and just have fun. I don't mind a houseful of kids, actually I prefer it that way.

I still have to inform the dogs that they are not invited to the party and have to stay outside.

Cocoa is such a spoiled house dog, she only goes out to do her business and runs back to come in extremely quick. If you ask her if she wants to go outside, she runs off and lays down, it's quite comical.

Enough blabbing I'm off to make dough and finish cleaning...

Giving

It really does feel good to give.

We are rarely in a position to give money.

In the past I have given my time and help whenever I could.

With it being the holiday season it does bring out the good in most people. Jason and I would love to be able to give to those less fortunate.

It's hard when you are just living paycheck to paycheck with your own kids to feed and clothe.

I have started to go through some clothes the kids have outgrown. I always give them away, I used to sell them but now I don't.

I have several items that I am giving to someone who really needs them and can't afford to buy them.

In giving we are both blessed. I feel like I helped someone and her kids are getting something they really need.

I wish I could do more, help more people but I just have to do what I can when the opportunity arises.

I hope we all look for opportunities to give or help others as needed, no matter how small it may seem, it really does make a difference.

No Schedules

There really is simple beauty in not having to adhere to strict schedules.



We are so blessed to be able to run our day as it comes. Sure we have a routine, I think that most people do.



After the kids were sick last week I just realized how great it is that we didn't HAVE to go to school or anywhere. We could just do what we needed to do to take care of the situation.

We do what we want most days, when we do have an appointment or are meeting up at a certain time it does cause some stress.

I love how our days ebb and flow and I love the fact that we are free and have the choice in how to spend our day.

Last week is a blur.

Just tonight Jason was asking me about something that was supposed to be taken care of a week ago but he thought it was today.

I said no that was the 8th, he said what is today then, I said the 15th, he was just wondering how he missed a week. I reminded him that the kids were sick and it was a wash.

He does have an 8-5 job with slight flexibility. I mean he could go in late or leave early when needed. We really want to start our own business so he can be here and have more freedom but right now we are just so thankful that he has a job.

To bring this around to unschooling and living and learning and following our interests, you just can't schedule real learning. Learning happens, life happens it's what we do with it that matters.

I am thrilled to report that the sickness is past and the sounds in my house are back to normal.

Lots of playing going on, imagination abounds. A little arguing too :)

My kids follow their interests and do so many things throughout the day. Not one bit looks like school and all of it is learning.

I little while ago I walked in my room to see price tags on all of our stuff, I guess they were having a sale...

I can't possibly list everything they do and you probably aren't interested.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Travel :: I don't like to travel


2. Expensive :: feeding a family of six is expensive


3. Backspace :: I use that key often


4. Traffic noise :: freeway


5. Now see here :: this is the way it is


6. Vegetables :: I'm eating more vegetables


7. Chat :: chit


8. Your calling :: your calling me a what?


9. Weekly :: I mutter weekly


10. Oh! :: Oh Shit!

Luna Nina

I found her!!!!

I knew persistence pays off, I found my friend!

I love the internet!

I was searching and all that kept coming up were services that you have to pay for.

I finally remembered where she went to college and knew she had a published paper so I found her that way.

When we found each other in PA, it had been 10 years since we were in contact. I thought she fell off of the planet.

She visited us twice and it was so great to see her.

Things are so different than either of us planned.

My best friend who my dad thought was a bad influence on me is now a Ph.D.

T (I'll call her T) and I are the reason that Michelob Classic Dark stayed in business 20 years ago. They don't make it anymore...

We had so much fun together, we went through so many things, good and bad and plain heart wrenching.

She has come out on top and I am so proud of what she overcame.

I overcame a lot too, we just had different shitty circumstances.

I am just thankful to have found her and she has also left PA and is about 7 hours from me.

My friend Jewls knows the road trip, I don't want to give details of her life without her knowledge.

WooHoo!!!!

Snow in the south

I know my friends in Texas and Lousiana also had snow.



We left PA, I don't like winter. Since we have been here it usually snows once or twice in February. Just enough for the kids to play and then it melts the next day.



I can handle that, so it is a nice surprise when it happens.

New Rule

Don't worry I haven't crossed over to the dark side :)

Anyone who knows me in person or online knows my stance on arbitrary rules...

The stomach virus has hit 3 of my kids this week.

I am so thankful for my husband cleaning it up.

Why can't they make it in the toilet????

Jason and I are in complete agreement with this rule:

NO BARFING ALLOWED

It's been a hell of a week!

Good ole Fred

I love Fred, he was my #1 for President.

Reunion

Next year is my 20 year high school reunion.

This just isn't possible!

I'm still 17!

I have hooked up with some people on facebook and they have a website started for our class to join and post updates and pictures and reconnect with people.

I have my yearbooks out and have been looking people up.
You know when you recognize a name but aren't sure who they are.
There are also people I remember immediately and would love to catch up with.

I was never into school, I know it's no surprise.

I'm actually enjoying seeing where they are and what they have done with their lives.

My life is drastically different then what I planned. Plans are great but you have to account for reality and plain old changing your mind.

I didn't go to the 10 year reunion because I was extremely pregnant, even though we lived closer then.


I am trying to find one of my best friends from high school, we keep losing touch.

She is the one Jason was dating and she was my maid of honor.

I found her a few years ago while in PA and now her email doesn't work and I have no idea where she is.

I'll keep sleuthing around.

That sounds kind of naughty, LOL!

new game

Jared created this game for us to play. We rolled 3 dice and moved around and picked up money as we landed on it. It wasn't completely set up yet, he also used the houses as coins we collected.

At the end he made a row of sorry cards that we had to move on to get to the home base.

He named it *mousetrap money* and I don't know why, except maybe because we keep getting a mouse in the kitchen and I need to buy a trap.

Anyway it's just a cute thing he created, he is so imaginative. Everytime we play a game we ask him if we are playing the real way or Jared's version. His version is usually more fun.

A few simple things

To be thankful for :

I am mid- cycle and Jason is getting the zits, that is how in sync we are.

Brennan woke up at the crack of dawn throwing up, poor guy, he really doesn't feel well.

Jason cleaned it up, oh my gosh I just can't do it.

He also made homemade chicken noodle soup today.

My man rocks!

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Love affair :: The Notebook


2. Bubble :: wrap


3. Pimple :: I am so glad I rarely get one


4. Knocks :: up, hard knocks, knock on wood


5. Persistent :: be persistent, it pays off


6. Infected :: virus


7. Yay! :: Yay for freedom!


8. Repaint :: this house


9. Daily :: Bumble (Larry Boy)


10. Quickly! :: Get out of my way!

Luna Nina

$30 million

So...

Obama has $30 million in surplus from his campaign and isn't sure what to do with it.

Hello!

Mr. Spread the Wealth it's pretty obvious what to do with it.

Give it to all of those people who voted for you. Split it up and they'll each get a couple of bucks.

See when you spread the wealth and the rich become poor so that everyone is the same is like saying no one matters. It's mediocrity at it's finest, just like public school. Let's even the field, dumb everyone down so that nobody can succeed.

Everyone is the same, vanilla, yuck!

I don't want your money and guess what it isn't your money. I don't want the government's money, it isn't theirs either.

It's hard working, tax payers money, you can't just go doing what you want with it. Well apparantly you can, we have no say in where our tax dollars go.

I'm still in awe that Mr. 1/2 black, born in Kenya, privileged life, friend of terrorists and racists, socialist, elitest, got elected.

Whoa!

Ask me how I really feel!?

Gas prices

I am thrilled about the price of gas here. Jason and I were talking a bit about how some are saying it's not good for the prices to be so low.

We may just be simple minded when it comes to economics but if it costs less to fill my tank then I have more money to spend elsewhere.

During the hurricanes gas was up to 4.09 here, so it costs $77 to fill the van, as of today it will cost $27 to fill it. That is $50 we have to spend that we wouldn't have had a couple months ago.

Stimulating?

get together

Yesterday was our weekly get together with the homeschoolers we have been meeting.

We went to Pump it Up, it is a place that has those huge blow up bouncy things the kids can jump and slide and bounce away on.

Of course they had a blast.

I was able to talk with a few moms, it is so weird that I am not the one chasing toddlers, nursing babies or changing diapers anymore.

Wow!

It is a fact that my kids really are growing up, we have been out of the baby stage for awhile now and it is bittersweet.

I enjoy watching the others with their little ones but I don't have that longing anymore.

I am happy to watch my children grow and wait for grandbabies.

We met our group there but also some friends that we haven't seen in a long time were there too, they also homeschool.

She is always picking my brain and asking me questions, she is very intrigued by radical unschooling. She talks to all sorts of homeschoolers to get a feel of where they are and how they do things.

She uses me as a reference point, which is funny. She is very relaxed in their homeschooling but she gets nervous if a few days go by and she feels like they didn't *do* enough reading or math or whatever. She told me that is when she thinks of me and wonders what I would do and knows that I don't *do school* of any sort.

I told her I am far off the spectrum and that I don't know anyone in person who is where I am but I have a few online friends who are.

Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry is a talented playwrite, actor, director etc...

Two of my favorite movies from him are Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Why Did I Get Married.

He has a sitcom called House of Payne and my boys have been watching it for a few weeks now.

It usually comes on at 2:00am and Brennan has asked me to stay up and watch it with him. It really is funny, I have only seen a couple episodes.

Sometimes they do a marathon during primetime and tonight was one of those times.

Kieran and Brennan were watching in their room and I kept hearing rip roaring laughter come from their room.

They would come out during commercials and Brennan always gives me the scoop.

It brings me such joy to hear them laugh and see that they have found something so enjoyable together.

They have very different interests so just having a silly tv show bring them together is wonderful.

Relationships

Tonight the kids were asking us about when we met and how old we were.

It goes back 21 years since we met. We met briefly while dating other people, I was 16 then. We met again about 6-12 months later still dating other people.
I was always dating someone, I wasn't ever really single.

Actually this time I was attending senior skip day but I was a junior and I was riding with Jason's girlfriend. He was out of school already but his girlfriend was in my class.

Then a few months later we met again, this time dating each others' best friend.

Yes, really.

The four of us would hang out and they worked nights while Jason and I worked days so we would get together and do stuff. Actually I was still in high school but I worked afternoons and weekends during the day.

We would pick Tammy up after work and hook up with Randy on weekends but Jason and I spent a lot of time getting to know each other.

We became the best of friends, this went on for several weeks, I'm thinking Nov-Jan. Jason and I officially started dating January 21st, 1989.

I knew after a month of dating that he was the one for me, he was the man I was going to marry. I have witnesses to this, I told my friend Amy and I told my grandmother.

My grandma and I would meet at Friendly's restaurant once a month for lunch. She knew all to well my dating habits and was shocked to hear me speak like that.

Young couples ask us what makes a marriage work? How did you know she was the one? What is your secret?

It's hard to say how you know because honestly I just knew and so did Jason, it just took him a little longer :)

I have come to realize that what we have isn't that common. We are totally and completely in love with each other.

It's like we are still 17 and 19 just with some aches and pains plus the 4 little people we have created.

We have fun, he gets me, we respect and trust each other completely.

It is possible to find your mate at a young age and marriage really can be fun.

We have fun, we laugh so much.

We miss each other all day, we know when the other will call or if we missed a call.

I have actually heard his thoughts a few times. I am not kidding, one time we were in the van and I said, "what did you say?" He said, "I didn't say anything." I said, "Yes you did, you said something about _____."
He said, "How did you know that? I was thinking that but I didn't say it."

He has been scared ever since, we joke about it now, watch out I can hear your thoughts!!!

So I am just so thankful to be married to an awesome person who loves me for ME!

This is great!

Here is a link to a Page at Sandra Dodd's unschooling site written by Pam Sorooshian.

It's about how to be a good unschooler, it is awesome!

Christmas meme

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? red wine

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? we wrap presents

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? colored

4. Do you hang Mistletoe? I have in the past when I could get some fresh stuff

5. When do you put your decorations up? started today, the tree won't go up until 2 weeks before Christmas

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? anything with chocolate

7. Favorite memory as a child? I don't know?

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What truth? That he lives in the North Pole? I've been there, it's near the St. Lawrence Seaway.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lights, homemade ornaments, store bought ornaments.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Hate it! It is pretty when it falls but that's it.

12. Can you ice skate? Absolutely NOT!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Not as a child, I've gotten many nice gifts but the best for me is spending it with my kids.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with my husband and kids.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? chocolate

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? baking cookies

17. What tops your tree? star

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Little Drummer Boy

20. Candy canes, yuck or yum? yum

21.Favorite Holiday Movie? Christmas Vacation

Forts

Cassie and Jared have been playing together a lot lately which is good since I've been sick.


Cassie's fort with Boomer too.

Jared's fort.

They were having so much fun. They kept changing the styles and making different ones. These were the only pictures I took though.

Notice the strand of legos, those are the lights.