a matter of principle

My mind can come up with several things relative to the title but this is actually about something happening to us right now.

My husband performed a service on good faith and still hasn't been paid for it.

Before your mind wanders...

He is a mechanic and he fixed someone's vehicle.

This couple has actually given him grief in the past, there was a miscommunication about what he was supposed to fix.

The wife chewed him out and he took the high road and fixed the other concern at no charge. It wasn't his fault or his problem but he took care of it because that is the kind of guy he is.

So 3 weeks ago they call with another issue. He was pretty sure what the problem was by the description and they had the vehicle towed to our house.

Jason got the part and fixed it the next day. They didn't pick it up until the following week and they asked if he would take a post dated check.

He said it was fine, we know what it's like to be in a bind, people have helped us out in the past.

It was dated for a week later, on that day he called and asked him to hold it a few more days.

That was 10 days ago.

No communication, Jason has called and left messages with no response.

Now we are in a position where we need this money, we have a check that is probably worthless.

The thing is we expect honesty and communication. We can work it out if we know what we are working with.

This is irresponsible and just plain rude.

It bothers me when people don't take responsibility for their actions.

One action affects another and a whole turn of events can take place from one decision or action and it impacts many people.

Responsibility is an important principle that seems to get tossed aside for someone else to take care of.

Grow up people!!!!

home

I believe that home is where I live.

It's not a place I used to be in or a place I long to go back to.

I suppose home is where I make it.

I don't have a *hometown* like so many people do.

I don't equate any place in my childhood as *home*

I lived in 4 states before I was 18.

I was born in Lewiston, NY but I didn't live there.

Jason and I have lived in 4 states since we've been together.

I guess we haven't stayed anywhere long enough to build roots.

I do have many fond memories of CA and I lived there as a teen and then Jason and I lived there for 9 years and our two oldest children were born there. That was the longest I've lived anywhere.

I know some people that long to go back home and I just have never had a place call me like that.

We are coming up on 3 years here and I have no ties or roots.
I could move again, although Jason doesn't want to.
Last night I told him that AZ is warm and the homeschool laws don't suck :)

We aren't going anywhere right now but I guess I have a sort of detachment to places. It could be because I've moved so much and my parents are divorced and I never had a *real home* as a child.

I want to create that kind of home for my kids, the one they don't want to leave and the one they will always come back to when their grown.

I suppose it might be time to plant some roots and stick around for awhile.

Jason and I like it here and so do the kids.

It's not like PA where I wanted to leave as soon as I got there, that was a long, hard 7 years of my life.

I grew a lot and changed a lot and I know it was part of my journey but boy I don't want to do that again.

So I guess this is home and we'll be sticking around here.

finding like minded people

It's time to make some new friends.

I want to find some unschoolers but relaxed homeschoolers would be great too.

It would even be better to find someone who keeps similar hours as we do so we could hang out when it's natural and not have to make ourselves get up and go before we are ready.

It seems that some things come in seasons, people in our lives are there for a bit but don't always last.

We were very close to a family a few years ago but we have drifted apart.

We are on different paths and have different interests. Our kids do different things now and quite frankly we haven't gotten together in a long time.

We don't fit into their crowd... christian homeschoolers.

I guess I want it to be easy to meet others with similar interests.

I don't want to travel far, it's not my thing.

We do have a group that we get together with once in awhile but they all have girls. That works great for only one of my kids, my boys need friends too.

I'm the only unschooler I know in person.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Take :: The government just wants to take, take, take


2. 350 :: big block engine


3. Stand :: up for your rights


4. Raspberry :: beret


5. Turnstile :: that thing that makes me dizzy


6. Infomercial :: boring


7. Dejected :: depressed


8. What’s the word? :: word up


9. Awestruck :: dumbfounded


10. Smashed :: really drunk

Want to play?

Luna Nina

Libertarian

What is a Libertarian?

Let's start with Webster's definition:

libertarian: A person who upholds the principles of individual liberty especially of thought and action.

Libertarian: a member of a political party advocating libertarian principles.

Libertarians believe in, and pursue, personal freedom while maintaining personal responsibility. The Libertarian Party itself serves a much larger pro-liberty community with the specific mission of electing Libertarians to public office.

Libertarians strongly oppose any government interfering in their personal, family and business decisions.

Essentially, we believe all Americans should be free to live their lives and pursue their interests as they see fit as long as they do no harm to another.

In a nutshell, we are advocates for a smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.

I've been saying that I lean libertarian well I have officially declared myself to be a Libertarian.

It's fitting that they were founded the year I was born.

I'm so flabbergasted by what is going on in the government right now that I'll refrain from commenting at this time.

Unschooling analogy

I have always loved the analogy of the vegetarian in regards to unschooling.

You have read about being a vegetarian and decided that you agree with the principles and you want to find others to talk with.

You join a group of vegetarians and you say that you have read about it and believe that it's a good thing. You want to eat healthy and change your lifestyle but you really can't give up that weekly cheeseburger or chicken a few times a week.

So you ask other vegetarians how they came to completely give up meat. You are really interested, you believe in the principles and want to implement this lifestyle.

Some people tell you that they aren't completely vegetarian and they think it's ok if you eat a little meat a few times a week. Do what is right for you don't worry if other people think you are a vegetarian or not...

So basically do what you want, eat meat and call yourself a vegetarian.

Bring this to unschooling...

Someone has read about unschooling and believe that it makes sense and want to meet others that unschool.

So they join a group to meet unschoolers and ask a question, something like this.

I really want to unschool, it seems right for my family, it makes sense but I just can't give up math. I used math because it seems to be one of the big hang ups.

So people say well it's ok, I'm not really an unschooler, you don't have to give up formal math lessons or anything. It's ok to limit and control your child's life and to implement lessons. Do what is right for you, who cares if others say you aren't really unschooling.

Why is it that people seem so willing to give advice on something that they aren't even doing?

If someone wants to be a vegetarian than help them, but if they decide they just can't give up meat then that is their decision but they are not a vegetarian.
They can eat more vegetables and choose their foods wisely.

If someone wants to unschool but just can't get out of the box and just can't shift their paradigm, fine.

Don't call yourself an unschooler, if you can't let go of traditional school plans then relax a bit and be a homeschooler.

Why do some want to carry a label when they aren't actually living it? I just don't get it.

So if you really want to get unschooling, read, research, ask, shift, get out of the box and find others who are really unschooling and pick their brains.

Same if you want to be a vegetarian, which I'm not so I can't give you advice on that.

I like meat :)

I am a full fledged unschooler though :)

My kids are wonderful

My hormones have thrown me this week and today was really bad.

My blood pressure keeps surging, I'm crying, I was dizzy and anxious...

Kieran brought me food and stayed and watched me for a bit.

He also loaded the dishwasher and ran it.

Cassie and Jared joined me in bed while I was trying to relax and was crying.

They tended to me with hugs.

They have also been playing great together today.

Brennan fed the animals and all of the kids have been checking on me often.

They even fed themselves too and had very few conflicts today.

It has made dealing with this a little easier.

The last time this happened was November. I did not have any symptoms in December.

I hope these herbs kick in soon, it's been 4 weeks now and UPS better show up tomorrow because I don't have any for Thursday.

Respect

My friend over at Heart Rockin Family has started something awesome.

There is a picture on my sidebar you can click on to check it out.

Here is a link to her blog post.

Internet

My internet went down at 2am and I wasn't happy about it. I didn't get online until 5pm.

Tragic isn't it?

I can admit it, I need the internet.

I love the internet!

So many of my friends live in my computer.

I missed it, I missed you.

Pitiful, I know...

I'm just rocking out right now, listening to the Scorpions and chillin.

My blood pressure has been surging the past several days so I'm just trying to deal.

Waiting for the herbs to kick in.

The weather sucks.

I'm so exciting right now...

Christian or not? or what?

Some of you will know exactly what I'm talking about and some of you won't.



I'm not judging anyone for their choices or beliefs, I did enough if that when I was holier than thou.



Over the past few days I've been talking with others who are on this same path.



For the past few years I have been undoing what 10 years in the church did to me.



It wasn't all bad and I'm not badmouthing anyone in particular.



I have come full circle I guess, I have gone back to the beliefs of my youth.



I believe in God, I believe in creation, I believe in prayer and I believe that God hears me.



I don't need to go to church to believe.



Sometimes he answers too.



I always prayed when I was younger, I wasn't living in a manner that some would call a believer.



No matter where I was or what was going on I knew that God loved me and he was watching out for me.



In 1994 I was baptized and attended the Church of Christ for 10 years. I went through many changes, I also had 4 kids during that time. I learned alot about the Bible and heard many a man preach the gospel.



I became the *perfect Christian* remember when I do something I do it *right*



I also lost a little bit of myself by trying to be something I wasn't. I also looked down on the weak, judged people, I even went up against my grandpa about baptism being essential for salvation. He was the most *christian* person I have ever known and I was telling him like it was.



Anyway I have come to the conclusion that I'm really not a christian anymore. Not in some manmade idea of christianity. I don't prescribe to any religion or teachings or thou shalt nots.



I believe in relationship with God, he created me, he knows me, he loves me.



If a christian just was someone who believes in Christ that would be fine but it's turned into this whole religion and churchianity. Christians are not all nice and fuzzy, some are downright judgmental.



So I am continuing on this journey called life trusting in my creator and praying a lot.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Unwanted :: get rid of unwanted pests


2. You’d better :: you better, you better, you bet, when I say I love you, you say you'd better... (The Who)


3. Woman :: You can change my world (Scorpions)


4. Weighed :: I weighed myself yesterday...


5. Upright :: piano


6. I feel :: fine


7. Ill :: be back


8. It’s like :: this


9. Poor man :: Rich man, Poor man


10. Great :: White (band, I love Great White)

Want to play?

Luna Nina

Family sticker

Well it cuts off my family I guess it's too big...

Get your own Family Sticker Maker & MySpace Layouts.

This is cute, I got it from Sandra's blog.

We also have two guinea pigs but the only pets they had were cats and dogs.

Special friends

Jared taught his buddies how to play Texas Holdem.

All or nothing

This tends to be me, I do have some perfectionist tendencies. I say if I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it right.

I have a very hard time with moderation, balance is a difficult place for me to find. Yet is seems I'm always striving for that balance between all or nothing.

I can eat too much, drink too much, bitch too much, care too much etc.

Or not at all...

Several years ago when I found out that Christmas wasn't really Christ's birthday I sold all of my decorations and didn't do Christmas. I can be irrational that way, I regret that because I sold some things I can't replace.

Over the years I really have tried to find that balance but it is a difficult task for me.

It could also be why I am a radical unschooler, if I wasn't I'd be a drill sargeant.

It could also explain why my house is either clean or it looks like people live here all day.

It was easier to keep up on housework when the kids were little, now it's too much.

I am a loyal person though, if we become true friends then I am your friend for life. It doesn't matter if miles and years separate us, you call on me I'm there.

If I find a product or service that I like, I'm a repeat customer and I tell others about it.

I can also get on any one of my soapboxes at any given time and once I get going just sit down and hang on until I'm finished.

As much as moderation is the key, it isn't me.

Life with me is anything but boring.

20 years!!!!

Jason and I have officially been together for 20 years today.

Wow, that is just not possible because I'm too young :)

Yep, just like this year is my 20 year high school reunion, no way!

The truth is that we are totally in love just like we were at 17 and 19.

We have grown together, not grown up, Jason won't ever grow up :)

We live and learn and love, we are totally in sync and completely in love.

Thanks for all you do and who you are and for dealing with me all of these years.

Here's to the next 20!!!!!

This is the link to last year's post.

Denial

In honor of this historic event I am inviting a few of you to join me in denial.

You know who you are!

I won't force you, last I checked this was still a free country, we shall see.

For the next four years you can find me here on a river in Africa...

BWHAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

I know it's so profound but I've said enough, you know how I feel.

I could really rip right now cause the hormones are ripe but instead I'm going to watch the House of Payne with my kids and laugh :)

HA HA HA

The jokes on us!

Texas Holdem

The kids and I just learned how to play Texas holdem.

At first it seemed confusing because of all of the terms and rules and rounds of betting. We modified it a bit for our purpose and it is pretty fun.

Last night all six of us were playing and it was a really great time together.

Many nights we are all doing various things so it was nice for all of us to play together.

Usually it's me and a couple kids playing games because everyone doesn't always want to do the same thing.

We are pretty good at it now and it gives us a different card game to play.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Arrival :: flight


2. Vomit :: No vomiting allowed!!!!


3. Fit :: I'm working on getting fit


4. Stutter :: badeep badeep that's all folks


5. Lifestream :: I think that's a website


6. Tread :: Don't you dare , don't you tread on me, don't you tread on me. (Damn Yankees)


7. Desire :: I desire to remain free


8. Freezing :: It is freezing here in the south, take that Al Gore!


9. Permit :: permit me to speak freely


10. Crinkle :: crinkle cut fries

Want to play?

Luna Nina

A new (to me)wine I tried

It's called Malbec, this is the brand I tried.

I copied the text and put it in quotes.

"Originally grown in the Southeast of France, this grape has turned into the premier wine from Argentina, where it has found the most propitious ecological features for its development. Argentinian malbec has become worldwide known and has been awarded well-deserved medals in enological contests.

It acquires different features according to the weather and soil conditions where it is grown. In the area of Maipú, Mendoza, it reaches its highest development, surpassing other regions in the country.

It produces wines of pleasant taste, medium body with certain earthy notes and an intense purple color. Of vigorous texture and taste, it has a touch of rusticity in the palate.

Cluster: mid-sized and quite loose.

Grapes: Spherical, small or medium-sized, bluish black in color, thin skin and soft pulp.

Ripeness: first late season."

Wine Spectator "Best Buy" (from wine.com)

"Black cherry aromas followed by light floral notes and some toast. A soft mouthfeel with sweet black raspberry and cassis fruit flavors layered with hints of coffee, chocolate and spice. Concludes with a long lingering finish with ripe velvety tannins."

I really liked it, I drink Merlot and Cabernet, if you like red wine give this a try.

Jason also bought a Cabernet from Argentina, I haven't tried it yet, probably will tonight.

I love trying new wines but never know what to try, the store owners are very knowledgable about wines.

Ohh it's so good :)

Cheers!

new website

My friend Joanne has her website up and running, it's called An Unschooling Life

She will also be started up Unschooling Voices blog carnival again soon.

Go check out her new site, she is also running a contest

Good Bye Zula

Zula was one of the long time residents at the Elephant Sanctuary.

Homemade game

This is what Cassie and Jared were doing while I was taking a bath last night.
All of the smudging is fog.


They used a Star Wars toy for the controller.

I think we'll wait a while longer before painting her room.

They are so creative, I love all of the stuff they come up with.

Kaplan Video

Dark or Milk?

One of the yahoo groups I'm on has been talking about chocolate.

I am curious as to what chocolate people prefer, this is a little informal poll.

I absolutely love dark chocolate. I mean if I need some and only milk is available then I will eat it, but that is the only exception.

My favorite brands are Godiva and Green's and Black organic.

Godiva is expensive and I only get that once or twice a year, hmmm it's a new year...

I can get Green's and Black in the grocery store, I usually get the 70% cocoa but once in awhile I'll have the 85%.

Don't put any fruit or nuts or coconut in my chocolate either!

If I have anything in the chocolate it's more chocolate. Godiva makes a dark chocolate with chocolate mousse in the center. Now that is heavenly, melt in your mouth good.


So what do you prefer?

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Resolution :: the computer screen size


2. Break :: Break the chains that bind


3. Tied :: tongue tied and twisted


4. Suffering :: pain and suffering


5. Instead :: Instead of Education


6. Slash :: Guns and Roses


7. Divorce :: disillusion


8. Cough :: I cough a lot


9. Happy :: Happy and free


10. Sniffle :: cold? allergy? sniff sniff

Want to play?

Luna Nina

My vacuum sucks!

I mean that literally!

I love this thing, I bought it a week ago and I can't stop using it.

The day after we got it Cassie was vacuuming her room and she sucked up a belt. It literally wrapped around the brush tightly. Jason had to take it apart to get it out and it broke the vacuum cleaner belt.

I had to go down to the store and buy a belt the next day. I was so bummed because I wanted to vacuum that night.

Then I was vacuuming near the computer and it sucked in the cord to Kieran's new gaming headset. It chewed up the cord and he was upset because he just got them two days before.

I called Jay and he brought a new headset home and all was well.

Later I was vacuuming in my room and I sucked up a USB cord, chewed the hell out of it.

My husband said he is going to make the house cordless. HA!

Today I started vacuuming again, my room is so clean, I was sucking up cobwebs this time.

It's a joke now, there goes mom sucking again.

I love to vacuum, it's great therapy...

Tonight I was working on Cassie's room. I packed up several boxes to put in the attic and picked up all of the stuff on the floor, you have no idea how dirty her room gets.

Every little thing that can get on the floor is on the floor, it happens every couple of weeks.

I clean it when I'm pre-menstrual, gotta use those hormones for good. My house is clean one week out of the month, the rest of the time I seem to let it go.

I moved everything out of the closet, we have mice terds around the perimeter of her whole room so we were busy cleaning that up.

We have now trapped 9 mice, I really hope that's it.

We got two for one last night and Jason said that disproves the saying that the second mouse gets the cheese.

I felt bad looking at the little buggers but I can't have them in my house leaving evidence everywhere, I mean everywhere and running around scaring me.

Awesome commercial

I saw an awesome commercial tonight about how the system fails students, it is geared toward higher education but it speaks volumes about school for all.

Kaplan University is the one putting on the ad campaign.

I searched high and low for the commercial but I can't find it online, all I'm finding is the articles.

The link will give you a glimpse of it and I hope the video will be available online soon.

I loved it!

After Midnight

This piggyback's off of my last post.

Thanks for the comments from my fellow night owl cyber friend's :)

It is the dawn of a new day, this is my new day, I am awake, I feel good after midnight.

Of course the hot bath helps a ton I have been going all day, work, work, work...

I used to believe that the time of day we were born coinincides with our sleep/awake patterns.

I have met many people over the years that do make that ring true, but some who didn't.

I guess that is true with anything, we can find enough evidence to make or break anything.

Nothing is absolute because people are people, we are unique even when we have many similarities.

I love being up at night, I shop at night, I clean at night, I ummm do things at night.

I am in such a fog most of the day, so I was born at 11:48 pm and I have always been a night person.

It is hard for me to fall asleep, it's been that way since day 1.

My husband has the ability to go to bed late and get up early for work, he also can take 20 minute naps and be refreshed.

If I try to take a nap it takes me a looooong time to get comfortable, I have to be in my bed for starters.

He naps on his lunch break if he is tired, I have read that people who power nap are able to recharge and be alert.

Well I can't do that, but I am alert now :)

Hey it's almost time for House of Payne...

The kids have summoned me :)

The other side of the clock

I have always been a night owl, it was torture to get up and go to school for all of those years.

No matter what, I was up late and got very little sleep.

In highschool I used two alarm clocks, one by my bed and one on the other side of my room, so I had to get up to shut it off.

That was actually my boss' idea, I worked as a hotel maid and had to be there by 8am on weekends.

It didn't work though, I would just get up and go back and forth for at least 30 minutes most days.

When I did work, I worked the swing shift, I was in college and had morning classes, go figure.

My children have inherited my night owl tendencies.

You could say some is because of environment but if that were true I would have adapted to the dayshift.

Lately though we have gotten even later.

We have started a 2am ritual of watching House of Payne. We absolutely love it, it is hilarious, the kids get all excited when I stay up and watch it with them.

It seems that they have headed into going to bed at 4am, sometimes later.

I don't get as much sleep as the kids but I guess they need more.

I love the freedom we have to sleep when we want, it's important to find your natural rhythm.

I think it's detrimental to try and force sleep, just like it's detrimental to force anything on another person.

disqualified?

My internet was down and I didn't post yesterday.

Sheesh!

I had some thoughts that I wanted to get down and now I have to find them again.

I realize how much I have invested in my internet service working.

It is really difficult to be without internet when you expect it to be there whenever you want it.

bigger kids = bigger stuff

Remember how easy it was to take care of babies and toddlers?

I'm not saying it wasn't a lot of work. I know, I have 4 kids.

What I mean is it's different now that they are older and bigger.

When they are small it's easier to keep up with housework. It's easier to breastfeed and change diapers and carry your baby around.

Sure you are sleep deprived, I still don't get as much sleep as I would like.

I guess I am just seeing how much stuff we have and how big the kids are.

There is more dishes and more laundry and more toys and projects and clutter then ever before.

I can't seem to keep up with everything.

I do ask for help, but this goes beyond dishes and laundry and sweeping the floor or feeding the dogs.

We have too much stuff and not enough space.

I have to figure out how to organize and declutter.

We just moved Jared out of our bed and into the boys room, so now there are 3 beds and 3 boys sharing that room.

It is piled with stuff.

Jared's clothes and lots of his toys are in Cassie's room.

I would like to find an easy system of storing stuff so it's easy to take out and put back.

It's just so funny because people used to tell me that it gets easier as they get older.

I guess we trade off the constant physical care of a newborn to the mental energy it takes to parent older children.

My kids are so wonderful, I'm not complaining at all.

I love this life, I'm just overwhelmed with the stuff and need to find a way to fix it.

If anyone has decluttering or storage advice, let me in on it.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Confirmation :: reservation


2. Verse :: phillipians 4:13


3. Authorize :: authorize that
   
4. Blog :: I dig blogs


5. Thirty :: something


6. Heir :: I'm not an heir to anything although I swear I was born for royalty. That is another topic :)


7. What are you doing? :: duh! Just took a bath, had some wine and I am muttering...


8. Complaint :: file a complaint


9. Leave :: me alone


10. Tune :: 1.fm high voltage kick ass rock.

Want to play?

Luna Nuna

V

Some of my peeps recommended that I watch V for Vendetta.

I love that, I have peeps :)

They just got an inkling of my view on government and thought I would appreciate the movie.

Have you seen the movie?

Oh my gosh!

This is not my usual movie, I mean I like comedy/drama type stuff I'm not usually into this,but I totally loved it.

People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

My political views have been expressed briefly and are in my politics folder.

I admit to being tame, I didn't want to offend anyone.

Guess what?

I'm so sick of political correctness, I'm sick of people being offended by every turn, I'm sick of walking on eggshells. I may not ever write publically how I really feel about the Obamanation. I will continue to write about living and learning and my view of it all.

Trust me, I have kept many of my real opinions quiet...

If anyone is offended by anything I say then they don't know me, they aren't ready to know me.


If I offend you then go shift your paradigm and come back and see me.

To mommy

Cassie made this for me last night, she usually draws elephants for me. I guess she felt like a little addition instead.



My other kids don't do stuff like this but she loves numbers, last week she was working on multiplication.

Never been schooled...

parents who instill fear instead of trust

I am always amazed by the poor parenting that I see.

I know some people are just clueless, or some are repeating bad habits from their own parents.

There are many of us who had terrible childhood's, yet we choose to break away and do it differently. We choose trust and respect instead of fear and punishment.

I think it falls right into choosing to homeschool instead of sending our kids away to an institution.

The things I hear from the kids who play here always make me go WTF?

Tonight the girl tells me that her mom is going to take away her tv. I asked her why, she said because she had it up too loud, I have to keep the volume below 20 or she'll take it away.

This is a small example of how they are in constant fear of what will be taken away, being grounded, getting spanked, yelled at or just plain not allowed to do anything.

Tonight I said your mother needs to get over it, then I realized I said it out loud.

I just don't get it.

The boy has gotten in trouble for asking to eat over before, he got summoned home and had the third degree about whether we invited him or he invited himself.

They never want to leave, they are here as long as they are *allowed* to be.

Sometimes I'm not in the mood to be their parent also, but I realize what they are living with and I feel for them.

I just don't get why some people treat their children so badly and their kids live in fear.

It's asinine!

I just wish I could slap people upside the head and give them a clue about the lasting effects of their stupidity.

First post of the New Year

I wasn't sure what to write about.

I decided to tell you about the dream I had last night.

It seems like I have had this dream twice now.

I remember getting a baby, not having one but someone giving us one. I don't recall the details. In the dream it seems like maybe he was abandoned and someone found him and knew that I love babies and I would take care of him.

He is a black baby and his name is Jakeel.

In the second dream there is some reference to legalities and we start searching missing persons and wonder if I'm going to get arrested for not contacting the police right away.

It's bizarre really, I can still picture the baby in my mind.

The truth is I do love babies and I would raise another as long as I don't have to give birth.

I'm at a point right now of actually enjoying being out of the baby stage.

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.

NaBloPoMo

I've decided to participate in the December blogroll to post everyday of the month.

The theme for December is THANKS!
Blogging on the theme is not required for inclusion on the blogroll.

Here's the link

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Sleepy :: me


2. Thanksgiving :: apple pie


3. Fifteen :: 3x5


4. Authority :: question authority


5. Bangs :: hair
   
6. Curled :: up in a ball


7. Young man :: my son


8. Surprised :: wow


9. Mistake :: we all make mistakes


10. Handle it :: just deal

Boring! Well I have a cold, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Luna Nina

It's all good

I have been so absorbed lately with my hormonal issues that I haven't been doing much blogging. Hell after my political rantings I'm trying to figure out how to get back to unschooling.

I mean our lives haven't changed, we live and learn everyday. We follow our interests, we read, play, watch tv, play games, create, explore, imagine, draw, build, cook, clean, live, laugh and love.

We work through our differences and work on respecting each other. I admit this isn't always easy especially when one child is just being tough and not wanting to see the other side. With everything in life we work through it.

Kids are so funny, Jared still sleeps with us and we asked him yesterday when we get him a bed does he want to share a room with his brothers or his sister. He looked at us and as serious as he could said, "We'll discuss this later."

Jason and I just laughed, it was so funny.

Hmmmm do you think he has heard that before?

I am so thankful to have such an awesome husband and kids.

I am so blessed!

They put up with my stuff.

Although I can't quite control my stuff lately, you know crying for no reason is really a pain...

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Spit it out :: SAY IT!



2. Shadow :: of the day



3. Database :: computer



4. Expression :: WTF?



5. Boss :: Who's the boss?



6. Baby :: doll



7. Mystic :: pizza



8. Kate :: and Leopold



9. Boobies :: man's favorite toy



10. Raid :: ant and roach spray

Luna Nina

You know you are a hormonal freak when...

You burst out crying for no apparant reason.

Anyone seen The Holiday with Cameron Diaz?

That's me, I don't cry easy, I would go through the motions and try so hard but nothing would come out.

Well for the past few days I just start crying, ugh this is so out of character for me.

You can go from laughing to crying to snapping at your husband to being impatient with your kids at the drop of a hat.

Oh you are hungry again!

You're kidding right?

Feed yourself!

You crave salt.

You have anxiety.

You feel like you are freaking out.

You have blood pressure surges.

The clutter is getting to you.

You have cleaning spurts.

You have bitching spurts.

You wonder what the hell is wrong with you.

You drop things.

You run into things.

You can't remember shit.

You are an emotional roller coaster.

You get hot flashes. But never when you are cold and really want one.

Peri-menopause anyone?

I welcome been there done that advice or I'm with you support.

Pass the chocolate and don't forget the wine.

My dear husband told me to get a glass of wine, go take a hot bath and don't tell the kids. This was after I started bawling for no apparant reason a couple hours ago. He told me I was at my peak. Hallelujah get me off this damn mountain I need sanity, not some freakin roller coaster ride.

I should just embrace this right, enjoy the ride, life is a journey.

Welcome to my journey friends I bet you wish I was back on politics, HA HA probably not those of you on the opposite side!

I am TOO YOUNG FOR THIS!

As I look back I have been slowly progressing since I was 34, the last month has been the worst, I'm only 37.

I'm sure I have many more wonderful symptoms to share with you but right now I just want to get my damn period and move on!

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Please stop :: so I can get off



2. Move over :: get out of my way



3. Sweet as :: molasses
   
   
4. Bet :: gamble



5. Mad about :: you



6. It’s over :: "It's Already over now" Song by Red



7. Intend to :: I intend to be free



8. Blame :: don't blame me



9. Jefferson :: Starship, Airplane, Thomas, George



10. Heartless :: vindictive

Luna Nina

An evening with moms

The homeschool group that I have been going to has decided to do a moms night once a month.

Tonight we met at a coffee shop that had live music.

I hardly ever leave the house without Jared, he brings new meaning to attachment parenting, but he is almost 6 1/2 and he has let me leave him twice this month.

I told him that just the moms would be there, no kids, he asked me about the dads. I told him the dads were staying home with the kids so the moms could meet.

He was ok with it :)

We had a great time, good conversation, we are still getting to know each other.

It's so funny because all I have ever done is try to make social networks for my kids but in the process I have met some great ladies.

We all get along and we are learning more about each other and accepting where we are at in life.

It was fun, I had a cafe mocha for my inquiring friends, if you can mix coffee and chocolate you are on to something wonderful.

Jared called me because I told him I would be an hour and it turned into two, we were just conversing freely.

He was so cute and told me he missed me and informed me that I missed Numb3rs, one of my favorite shows.

I told him it was ok, I would watch it online and I would be home soon.

It's nice to make friends, I am so alone in my beliefs sometimes that I can forget there are others out there who may just understand where I'm coming from.

Cassie is so excited because she is making new friends with all of the girls, she has been surrounded by boys all of her life.

Life is good, chocolate, coffee, friends, wine, I'm a happy camper :)

Now if my hormones would cooperate... LOL!

I won't bore you, I'm working on it, my hormones cause my blood pressure surges.

Oh joy!

two pictures

We went to the zoo today, I love the zoo, I get to see all the cool animals and the best part is the elephants of course.


Here we are, all six of us. Jason is usually taking the picture so this time we got him in the picture. If you look above his head you see the giraffe, that guy was a ham, we were talking to him and he came right up to us and was posing. It's funny that he is in this picture.

This is me and my mom.

Yes she is young and beautiful :)

It's great to have her here visiting.

Fun workshop

We went to Build-a-Bear workshop for the first time. Cassie wanted one for her birthday so we were going there to get her present. I had no idea what it was going to be like, it is awesome. You pick your animal, stuff it, they sew it up, fluff it and accessorize. You also name it and get an official birth certificate.
I recommend it to anyone who hasn't been there.



This is Jared's bear his name is Stuffy. The machine stopped working and Jared's was hand stuffed, he helped stuff it. He built the lego background as soon as we got home.

This is Cassie with her bear Haley.

Here I am, my mom insisted on buying me an elephant, I couldn't resist.

His name is Rebel and his shirt has a guitar on it and says rock-n-roll.

He is so soft and fluffy and cute and cuddly, I think he is my cutest elephant yet and I have alot.

Fun, fun, fun :)

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Coverage :: liberal media


2. Cynical :: I can be at times


3. Gust :: of wind


4. Improvised :: when you have to work with something and don't have all of the right ingredients


5. V :: Vendetta


6. Guests :: I have several coming tomorrow


7. Brutal :: honesty


8. Grant :: God grant me serenity...


9. Pull :: my leg, it's all a nightmare, I will wake up


10. Streaming :: video

Luna Nina

A very scary incident

My day has been rocked for sure.

I was taking a vitamin that I always take and it got stuck at the back of my throat.

I started choking, I couldn't breathe. My older boys came in and slapped my back and Kieran put his arms around me trying to get me to cough it up.

I threw up but the vitamin was never found, it obviously found the right pipe.

I have never choked before, I thought I was going to die, I couldn't swallow or breathe.

I finally was able to breathe, I was shaking, I went into a panic.

My throat is sore and my chest hurts and I have been having a hard time breathing all day. It's the sensation of feeling like I'm not breathing even though I really am.

A few hours later I was afraid to eat and I got really hungry so I ate soup, I figured that was safe.

I still feel messed up but talk about being THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE!!!!!!

I have never experienced anything like that and I pray I never will again.

Thankful Wednesday

I have seen a few bloggers do this and it's a good idea.

1. I'm thankful for the sunshine and beautiful weather we are having.

2. I'm thankful for my husband and kids.

3. I'm thankful that today we have food, clothing and shelter.

4. I'm thankful my husband has a job.

5. I'm thankful for my friends.

Printable electoral map

You can go to C-span and click on electoral map and it will bring up a pdf file.

During the last election they gave away huge posters and we had a blast with it. This election you have to go and print it out.

Anyway it's neat to see the population and the electoral votes per state.

We will keep track at what color each state votes and how many electoral votes each candidate gets.

Happy Election Day

A few thoughts

Today was an interesting day, I didn't sleep well and woke up a few times before I actually got up. I woke up anxious, my heart was beating too fast and it felt like my blood pressure was elevated. I got up feeling like crap because I was tired and started my day that way.

Today I had to go to the lab to get my blood drawn for a retest because there was a screw up with a test they ran. I wasn't consciously nervous but my subconscious has a mind of it's own. This happens all the time, if I have to go to the doctor or make a phone call or go somewhere that I've never been. My heart rate was really high this afternoon but my BP was normal. I felt like crap though.

I don't know how to control my subconscious, I don't know how to control anxiety and how my body responds to stress. I can't afford $150/hr for a therapy session with my doctor, I had to cancel my check up this week because I need to get my bill paid down before I add more to it.

So much of my responsiveness is engrained and reactionary and out of my control. Trust me when my heart is beating fast and I try to *relax* it actually gets higher.

When I wake up feeling this way then I was obviously thinking about stuff while I was sleeping.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I need help!!! I need to figure out how to deal with this stuff on a conscious level so my subconscious cooperates.

I'm sure I'm anxious about the election too, gee ya think?!

I am holding out HOPE that the majority of the American people do NOT want socialism. I am putting faith in them to vote for freedom and against big government.

I don't get why people are all gaga over Obama, he creeps me out. He stands for bigger government and higher taxes and redistribution of wealth instead of creating wealth. Not to mention he is a liar.

I don't know when the belief that the government will take care of you and owes you a living came from. I don't understand why some people want to sit on their ass while others work hard. I just don't understand why some people aren't proud to be an American. If you are voting Obama because of abortion or gay rights you are really missing the BIG picture.

I do understand why some people are fed up with the 2 party system, so am I. I don't believe that this is the election to vote third party in. It is too critical, yes we need to stand up for what we believe in and protest the audacity of the government.

I am pretty much Libertarian, I want a small government that protects our borders and keeps us safe from terrorists.

I believe that the federal government is way TOO big and needs to be scaled way back. We have lost so many freedoms and we have gained so many social programs.

More control needs to be handed back to the states and that includes issues like abortion. I'm not even going there right now.

If you are not proud to be an American, if you are not patriotic, if you do not believe in the constitution and do not believe that you live in the greatest country on earth than I say leave.

I'm not kidding, get the fuck out.

Michelle Obama was never proud to be an American, if you aren't happy leave.

Freedom isn't free.

Socialism and oppression don't work.

The democrats need poor people to keep them poor, if you want more from life, if you desire to work hard and spread your wealth as you see fit then please do the right thing when you go to the polls.

Obama can't make up his mind

PA GOP AD

*'Twas the night before elections*

I didn't write this, if you know who did I'll give proper credit.

*'Twas the night before elections*
*And all through the town*
*Tempers were flaring*
*Emotions all up and down!*

**
*I, in my bathrobe*
*With a dog in my lap*
*Had cut off the TV*
*Tired of political crap.*

**
*When all of a sudden*
*There arose such a noise*
*I peered out of my window*
*And saw Obama and his boys*

**
*They had come for my wallet*
*They wanted my pay*
*To give it to the others*
*Who had not worked a day!*
**
*He snatched up my money*
*And quick as a flash*
*Jumped back on his bandwagon*
*With all of my stash*
**
*He then rallied his henchmen*
*Who were pulling his cart*
*I could tell they were out*
*To tear my country apart!*
**
*'On Fannie, on Freddie, *
*On Biden and Ayers!*
*On Acorn, On Pelosi'*
*He screamed at the pairs!*
**
*They took off for his cause*
*And as he flew out of sight*
*I heard him laugh at the nation*
*That wouldn't stand up and fight!*
**
*So I leave you to think*
*On this one final note-*
*IF YOU DON'T WANT SOCIALISM*
*GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!*

McCain and *Palin* on SNL

These are funny :)

Opening Skit

Weekend Update

Jefferson quote

A good government is one "which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread that it has earned.

- Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) (inaugural address)

Unconscious Mutterings

1. In love :: I'm in love with my best friend


2. Be my guest :: go ahead make my day


3. Number one :: we had a beagle named number one, also Star Trek the next generation comes to mind


4. Swallowed whole :: pills are hard for me to swallow whole


5. 50 percent :: more than 50% of America better vote for freedom


6. Made in :: the good ole USA


7. Supplement :: my income


8. Right for :: Jason is right for me


9. Endless :: time is endless


10. Ceramic :: tile

Luna Nina

kid's say

The kids have been eating candy since we got home last night.

They had dumped it all out on the table to sort and trade, the older kids picked theirs up and took it to their rooms. Jared left his out on the table and kept coming back and grabbing something and going off to play.

Late last night he said, "Will someone pick that candy up because everytime I see it, it makes me want to eat it."

Today was Cassie's last soccer game and it's also her 9th birthday. They had donuts and cupcakes after the game.

We came home and the kids still went to their candy stash and nibbled throughout the day.

A little while ago Cassie asked me if I dared her to not eat candy for two days. I paused a moment and then said sure I dare you. She said, "Then please take it and hide it so I don't know where it is."

I just thought these were funny things they said, I think they are realizing their personal limits.

We are having her birthday party next weekend when grandma is here from Texas.