It's Halloween!!

Can I just say how excited I am that today is finally here! It's 1202AM and I am so excited for this evening to come, I just can't stand it. We're not doing anything special, just trick or treating, but both of my kids are excited this year!! My little girl is going as Alice in Wonderland and my son aka Buzz Lightyear, is going, after a change of heart, as Mr. Incredible.

When the princess wakes up today, we're going to wash her hair and roll in sponge curlers. Then we are going to have a tea party. We've already planned it all. Oh, and we mustn't forget the manicures. Girls are so much fun, aren't they?

We carved our pumpkins this evening (or last night, rather) and they look fantastic. Every year I promise myself that the next Halloween I'm going to throw a fabulous party, and never do. So, I'm going to say it again. Next year, I'm throwing a party. A FABULOUS party.

On another note, I read a blog the other day that was really good; although now I can't remember the name, of course. Anyways, this woman was talking about how much time blogging sucks out of our lives. So true! I'll be telling stories and say "I should blog about that!" or, instead of telling someone a story, say "read my blog, it's there"....what is that all about?

For me, this blogging deal is simply cathartic. I find it relaxing. I find it rejuvenating. It's cheap therapy. I used to do retail therapy, but can't afford it anymore, so this is what I do now. I absolutely LOVE getting comments, especially from random strangers, but I feel like in the process of it all, there is a sense of "frienship" or at least "community" that we don't get in "real" life. Too many ""? Have you seen that blog? It is hillarious - all about the inappropriate times when people/businesses use "quotation marks".

Well, off to fold some more laundry before I head to dream land, will write again soon. Peace.

do i have to get up??

I have been sleeping so much the past two days, it is absolutely crazy! I came home from church yesterday afternoon and took a two hour nap ALONE. Went outside with the kids for a short while, came inside and fell asleep with them for another two hours! Then, my husband let me and the kids sleep until we woke up this morning. That hour?? 10:30!!! I am feeling good now, although, honestly, I could go lay down right now for another hour or so! Mmmmmmmm. Love sleeping. Love my bed. Love snuggling under the blankets with the kids. THAT is a perfect day. Give me some rain on top of it, and I've died and gone to heaven.

Because we decided to sleep all day today, I let my son stay home from preschool. I know, BAD MOMMY. Oh well. He and his sister have been playing beautifully all day today. They've been helping put the toys away. So, um, really not feeling so bad about keeping him home. Plus, when she's entertained, I can get other cleaning and work done.

So, enough of that, or I will fall asleep right here and now. Took clients out on Saturday - I think they may have found a house they like, so we'll see what happens. Other deal? Still pending. Ugh. That one is a big paycheck, so of course, it will take longer, but it's still frustrating. It's been in pending status for over two months now!!

We have a busy week of doctor's appointments, birthday parties and Halloween events. Glad I got rested up over the weekend. Tell me how you're doing!!

Kiss Your Babies

Today was a most wonderful, fabulous day! It was not hot. It was in the low 80s with low humidity. In fact, I kept my son home from preschool and we all went to play at the playground. TWO playgrounds, to be precise and we had a wonderful time!

On the way to the playground, I got a call from a new client who I'm taking out to look at property on Saturday morning. He and his wife are already approved for the loan, so now I have to get to work! Then, I made a couple calls about lowering my homeowners insurance. The first person I talked to was able to lower my premium by over $1700!!! Wow. It's been a rather good week. I'm still broke, but am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, you know?

I'm working in the office tomorrow for a few hours (which I never do), so that will give me time to schedule my day with the buyers on Saturday. Is it wrong that I am really looking forward to being away from my house and my kids for four hours straight??!!?? I know that as soon as I walk in the door in the afternoon, I will have started missing them tremendously, BUT, the thought of being able to surf the net, get some work done AND have some adult conversations that don't involve the words "pee pee, poopie, NO, don't, please pick up" is just overwhelming.

I'll let you know how Saturday goes. In the meantime, savor the small moments with your families (and your friends). Don't let an opportunity to tell someone you love them pass.

True Friends

A friend of mine sent this to me today and I thought it was too good not to share, so here is what True Friendship is all about:

Are you tired of those sissy "friendship" poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship. You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card -
Just the stone cold truth of our great friendships.

1. When you are sad -- I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.
2. When you are blue - - I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.
4. When you are scared -- I will rag on you about it every chance I get.
5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be, until you quit whining.
6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.
7. When you are sick -- I will tell you to stay the hell away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.
8. When you fall -- I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.

This is my oath.... I pledge it to the end.
"Why?" you may ask. "Because you're my friend!"

Friendship is like peeing your pants: Everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.

Al Roker says....

Hallelujah! Can you hear the Hallelujah Chorus? I'm singing it at the top of my lungs! Not that I think I'm Al Roker, but tonight the temperature is supposed to drop to a brisk (hehehe) 69 degrees!! I'm thinking about sleeping outside. Although, I don't think I'd like waking up covered in bug bites, which would definitely happen.

My brother, who lives in Ohio, has decided that next year, he wants to come down to Florida for Halloween. He thinks it'd be fun for the kids to go trick or treating together. I don't think he quite understands exactly how hot it truly is. Although, I think he's just afraid of taking two kids out in freezing temps, and rightfully so! I, on the other hand, am thinking that taking the kids to the air conditioned mall (although not as festive) is a grand idea!

Just kidding. Could never do it. We must be outside. Even if it is in the sweltering heat. I shouldn't be complaining though. Our church actually does a really cool thing called Trunk or Treat. Last year there were about a thousand kids that showed up for candy. People decorate the trunks of their cars and park so that the kids just go from car to car. None of the cars are allowed to be decorated scary or "evil" so it's great for the wee little ones. Any of you in South Florida, check it out at www.cbglades.com

On the home front, hubby is complaining that I never spend time with him. Mostly because after the kids go to bed, I am either on the computer, reading or doing a Sudoku....he got kind-of offended when I told him that I just need thirty minutes to myself...BY MYSELF. I need time to decompress. By the time that has happened, though, he's long asleep. So, I guess I can understand the frustration.

Do any of you have any ideas?? Well, I guess for starters, get off the computer and go spend some time, right? OK, I'm on my way! Good night.

and the heat Jerry, the heat!

I can't handle the heat anymore.

It was 89 degrees today. Where else in the country can you go to a pumpkin patch and water park at the same time??? It's just not natural. This is the hardest time of year for me. I so miss autumn leaves falling, the smell of wood burning fireplaces, the electricity that you feel in the air on Friday nights before high school football games. Where it's just starting to be cool and crisp. The air feels so clean.

Not here. Weather report is the same for the next seven days. 89 and chance of thunder storms. I know, I know, at least I won't have snow in the middle of February - and that's reassuring, BUT, also know that because it stays so warm here that in about a month, we enter "season".

Eighty-five percent of the population of Canada's elderly people migrate down to South Florida from the end of November till the middle of April. There's more traffic. Waits are longer at restaurants. And forget about driving on I-95. Traffic jams are the norm.

So, today I'm missing FALL and wanting and wishing and hoping to move to a milder climate. Even if it's just to Georgia or South Carolina. I want my kids to not sweat to death or die of heat stroke next year when we go trick-or-treating. And quite honestly, I could do without a lit palm tree for awhile. Going to the beach on Christmas Day just seems sort of sacreligious to me.

By the way, I hope you got the title of this post and know what it's from!

Have a great day - and hoping your fall is all you could want it to be!

Happy Monday!

Well, where to begin? I had a very uneventful weekend, albeit painful.

At our house, the weekend really starts on Friday morning. My husband has the day off, so at least for now, we keep our four year old home for "Family Day". This particular day we actually DID something as a family! No phone calls were made (by either of us!) and we took the kids to the South Florida version of a pumpkin patch. For those of you fortunate enough to live where they haven't built over every piece of land, here in Oz, we have parking lots full of pumpkins with a few bales of hay scattered around to give you that warm, autumnal feeling. Actually, the two we go to, are held at local churches and they do a good job, considering.

So, we bought some pumpkins, some funky looking gourds and proceeded to ACE Educational Stores to buy PAINT! As my hubcaps fell asleep on the couch, the kids and I proceeded to paint the ugliest pumpkins you've ever seen. I'd post pictures, but quite honestly, not worth the space!

Did I mention that I had a migraine that lasted for THREE days? It finally went away on Sunday morning, but I lived with it from Friday morning until then. Terrible.

The BEST part of my weekend?? Yesterday afternoon from about 4-6pm. I went to a brand new Target that just opened - ALONE. I wandered each and every aisle, looking at things I don't need, can't afford, and don't have room for. It was pure heaven. Moms everywhere know what I'm talking about. I could spend two hours in a CVS - just roaming around - looking at lipstick, nail polish, butt cream, toothbrushes, magazines, vitamins, diet pills, etc. To me, there is no greater stress reliever than just wandering around with no shopping list or to do list. I love drug stores, especially because I always walk away with something really cool, whether I needed it or not. Last time it was a Burt's Beeswax lip gloss.

Anyways, it's now Monday morning. My son was late for school. My husband was late for a doctor's appointment and work. My daughter and I have already painted her toes and fingernails!! The laundry is caught up. What am I to do with myself?? Hmmmmm.... Just kidding, there's tons to do, but I think I might take it easy today.

Have a wonderful Monday.

To Infinity and Beyond......

So, last night I have two girlfriends over to watch Grey's, eat brownies and DISH. Our kids are having a fabulous time, playing video games and Hullabaloo. Then they decide, let's get dressed in our Halloween costumes. We've got Alice in Wonderland, various Power Rangers and my son, Buzz Lightyear.

Let me begin by saying curses to the Disney Company for the way in which they made this year's BL costume. It is made out of 100% vinyl. Living in the South Florida heat with a little boy who "sweats like a fat kid" - not a good combo. He has the outfit on for maybe, five minutes, and his underwear are DRENCHED WITH SWEAT!! Tell me, how on God's green earth he is going to be able to go trick or treating in 90 degree weather in this thing? But I digress.

So, Mick (BL) and Isaiah decide it's a great idea to FLY. You know, to infinity and beyond!! My little astronaut proceeds to climb up on to his dresser. Yes, mom was standing there. Told him he could do it ONE time and ONE TIME ONLY. He spreads his arms out, launches himself off the dresser - and lands on the planet (his bed).

I then say, "okay, guys, that's enough, out of the costumes."

Well, their intergalactic hearing as it is, does not hear "that's enough". I think they heard "let's do it again". This time for our guests to watch.

So, again, he climbs up onto his dresser. Same pose. Same launch.

But this time, something goes terribly wrong. "Houston, we have a problem."

He lands face down on his carpet. By way of hitting his forehead on the edge of his bed (the wooden slat) AND, gets rug burn on his chin.

TEARS. From mommy and Buzz. And mommy's friends.

Call my firefighter/EMT friend. "Do I need to take him to the ER?"

Within five minutes, he was playing VeggieTales video games. He's FINE. Amazing the resilience of little kids. But from now on, our feet will be planted FIRMLY on the ground.

who faaahted??

Okay, so this is totally not anything important or profound, as I don't really have profound moments...BUT, I was chatting with some girlfriends a few days ago and came to a realization....when your parents told you when you were younger that no one would remember something embarrassing you did - they lied!!

Out of nowhere, the memory of a girl (RS from hence forward) who passed gas during a church youth service came flooding to my mind and I DIED laughing!!!!!!!!! In fact, as I sit here and type I am laughing...I know, so mature!

See, this girl, RS, on multiple levels - funny. She had bright orange, troll-like hair. She had been trying to use the old self-tanners from the 80's. You know, the ones that turned your skin a nasty orangish-brown color. She had not washed it off of her hands, so her hands looked disgusting. She had super pale skin, except between her fingers, where she was dayglo orange!

So she was sitting directly in front of me during church and passing notes to her boyfriend. When he passed the note back to her, it fell on the floor. She leaned over to pick it up (sitting on a blue hard plastic chair) and just at that moment some air passed and REVERBERATED on the chair, creating the longest, loudest fart ever heard by human ears. Instead of just pretending like it didn't happen, RS yells out (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SERMON) "WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FAAAAHTED?"

Two rows of teenagers bust out laughing and then she stands up and runs out of the room. Well, I guess that question was answered!!

The thing is, you know her parents told her when she went home that night that "oh don't worry, they'll forget all about it" ---- No, they LIED. It has been maybe 18 years - yes, I'm getting THAT old and I have not forgotten about it, and it is AS funny, if not more so than it was back then!! Is that awful??? Does that make me a "Mean Girl"?? I don't think so. I hope not. Maybe I am mean, but come on, this is stinkin' funny!

So, now as a parent...what on earth am I going to tell my kids to make them feel better when they do something mortifying?? 'Cause I now know that kids don't forget....or maybe it's just us mean ones that don't forget??

Brown and Fuzzy.....

Okay, so this may seem like a silly post, BUT, it's just too cute not to share!

My son was telling one of my best friends about a kid in his class who won't stop sucking his thumb. He's going on and on and on about it and how it really bothers him that this boy won't stop sucking his thumb. So Devin asks him which kid it is and his response is, "it's Bory, you know, he's brown (long pause, thinking really hard about how to describe his little friend), he has hair like I do but its fuzzy"!! So, that is how my son describes those of African descent!! But even better is my friend Joycy (who happens to be black) - well, her son who is in first grade describes his girlfriend as "peach with green eyes"!!

Aaaah. How refreshing. How truly inspired are these two precious little boys? Even though they notice that there is a difference in the color of their skin they also notice that there is no difference between them - that they are both God's children and equal.

Just wanted to share. I thought it was cool. You??

My new habit (and not the black and white kind)

Okay, so Labor Day was officially THIRTY-SIX days ago. I am proud to announce that I have yet to lose control of the clutter, the messiness, the laundry, the dishes, the grocery shopping! Right now, there are toys on the floor and my kids are having a fabulous time playing with my daughter's rubberbands and using them as car launchers in the kitchen, so if you walked in right now, you might think it's messy - but I would beg to differ. It's an "organized chaos". When they are finished playing, it will take all of twenty seconds to clean it up.
My laundry is caught up (still), my floors are mopped, my shower doors are SPOTLESS, the toilets are cleaned.....such an amazing feeling!!! I'm starting to wonder though, why am I putting so much energy into this endeavor?
I'll tell you why.
Because I truly feel more at peace and more in control of my house than I have in ten years! I know where everything is. I know how long it takes to clean the house from top to bottom! It really is an amazing thing. So, for all of you folks who have known me since adolescence, you can teach an old dog new tricks!
Happy Cleaning!

To Ebay or not to ebay? THAT is the Question!!

So, I've spent the past three hours taking inventory of my kid's clothes that no longer fit, taking the pictures, writing down the details, etcetera, etcetera only to sit on ebay for another hour to begin loading it all so that I can try to sell these darn clothes!
See, I used to give them all away. GIVE, as in for FREE - but I don't exactly have cheap taste. Yes, I get good deals on everything I buy, but I don't get deals like FREE - so tell me, WHY should I be responsible for clothing all the children of the world? You know, red and yellow, black and white. And in expensive clothes, no less!
Now, before anyone complains to me that I should donate these clothes to a charity, I have a separate box of those clothes. The ones I'm selling are ones that I think could actually garner some moolah, which I am in need of!! Kapish?
So anyways, back to ebay. I've now loaded 17 items and I'm only halfway finished and the stinkin' site won't let me continue - apparently they are doing maintenance for the next few hours. This, after I typed in all the information about the size 8 red tennis shoes for girls, which by the way, too cute.
Well, that's my rant for now. I've got tons more but it's two o'clock in the morning and quite frankly, I am exhausted. We'll talk again soon.