Just Me Living

If I Knew Then What I Know Now

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:27:00 +0000

I should stop saying that because we can only do what we think is best at the time. There should be no regrets because how can we regret something we did long ago if we didn't know any better at the time?

I am going through something right now that it would be easier to blog about but I guess I shouldn't get to personal on here:) You know when you have to leave something even though you have stayed so long because of habit, obligation and other things. But when you do get it together to leave it you are happier but still feel a little guilty for being happier? Ever felt that?

I Saw The President Today

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:12:00 +0000

My boss' brother was killed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11 and she invited me and a few co-workers to the invitation only memorial service today. It was raining like crazy and I wasn't going to go but I wanted to support her. I didn't even know the President was going to be there.

As I said, it was raining like crazy, even though we all prayed for it to stop. It was such a treat to see Obama and Michele. Since there were no chairs at the ceremony, I assume because of the rain, it was a sea of umbrellas and wetness. Did I mention I was soaked? *lol*

After he laid the wreath, he and Michele shook hands. My friend took this picture of him with her phone. It was hard to get a good picture. I didn't get to shake his hand because the Secret Service was right next to me and I decided to let them go and protect my President. Have I ever mentioned that I think the Secret Service agents are cool?! Anyway, a few people I was with were able to shake their hands.

One guy said that they were trying to put an umbrella over Michele and she said she didn't need it because 'she was a trooper'.

It was amazing to see the both of them. I have never seen a president in person and I am glad Obama was the one I saw.

The Pentagon Memorial is a beautiful display. I can only imagine what the people went through that day at the Pentagon and in New York and Pennsylvania. I hear the stories, from my coworkers, that were in the Pentagon and am thankful that they made it out and all I can or any of us can do is pray for the families that lost their loved ones.

Christmas Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:20:00 +0000

Has anyone started?:) I tell myself, every year, that I am going to start real early. This year, I am going to try again. I ordered my first Christmas present for the kids and I am going to try and get 1 or 2 things every pay day.

What about you?

Georgia Child Slapped by Stranger

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:32:00 +0000

What Would You Do?

From CNN.com:
A 61 year old man slapped a woman's 2 year old child because she was crying. He had told the mother that if she didn't shut her up that he would. He later slapped the little girl several times. he was arrested and charged with first degree cruelty to children. Read the story here.

She Wants A Cell Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:57:00 +0000

My daughter, who is 9 and in the 4th grade, has decided that she needs a cell phone. I told her that I am not buying her a cell phone because she is 9 and is never away from me or a supervising adult long enough to need to call me. Anyway, on Sunday, we were at my mom's house and Hadiya shows me the Best Buy circular and says that I can get her the slider phone for free. Yes, she know what kind of phone she want. *lol* I told her again, "You do not need a phone." She, of course, says that she needs one and then my mother says, "Well, she does." I must have given my mother an evil look because she just busted out laughing and said "Ooops":) That is all my daughter needed to hear, the first thing out her mouth was "See, even Grandma says I need one."

Hadiya doesn't even pay attention to the fact that her Grandma hardly ever says "No" to her. *lol* She still is not getting a phone until she is at least in the 7th grade. I used to be totally against it but I have to change. But when she does get one, I will tell the story that my first cell phone was a bag phone that I kept in the trunk of my car:)

The Last Few Weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:03:00 +0000

The last two weeks have been interesting. I have been through some things that I never thought I would have to deal with. I have made it through and it has taught me some lessons. Especially that my family and I need to be more proactive instead of reactive.

Here is a picture of my silly babies at their summer camp program.

What has everyone been up to?

Two Things That Have Annoyed Me

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:52:00 +0000

Why did I go to the KFC Sunday and the lady said that it would be 25 minutes before any chicken was ready? I go to the KFC that is a little further down and they said they don't have any chicken at all! I asked why not and she said that the truck doesn't come on the weekend. So, you would think that maybe they need to order more chicken from the truck that comes before the weekend, right? How do you have no chicken ready or just have no chicken at a chicken place?

I send an email to someone and her out of office reply emails me back with someone to contact in her absence. I forward the email to that person and then get a out of office reply from her too! Don't you think that they should check who they leave as their contact person?!

I Almost Forgot...

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:12:00 +0000

How fun it could be and how much money I can save at CVS. I haven't been doing the coupon thing too much lately but this week was a good week. I had ordered some Electrosal coupons, off of Ebay, because a sale was coming up. So, I got 5 boxes of Electrosol and paid $10 and got $10 ECBs so they were free. Today, I got a bottle of Irish Spring body wash, 2 4 packs of CVS AA batteries (I had a free CVS coupon and they were buy 1 get one free), and 2 packs of Stayfree Maxi pads (I had a B1G1 free coupon). After coupons and the ECB from earlier this week, I only paid 42 cents. Not only that, I got $7 back in ECBs for later use. CVS paid me to shop this week.

Do You Think You Are A Good Mother?

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Even though I always love my kids, some days, I REALLY love my kids. Even though they never want to pick up after themselves, they whine when I tell them to take a bath or shower or ask me 12,000 questions, I cannot see my life without them. They are happy and healthy. I am a good mother to them. Do you ever just tell yourself that you are a good mother? How do you react when people tell you that you are a good mother? My mother tells me that I am and it feels weird to me because I start thinking of the things that I could do better with the kids. But lately, I stop myself and just take the compliment. They only know me as their mother. It is not like I bought them or got them from someone else and now I have to live up to that other person. I think one of the best pieces of advice that anyone can give a new parent, when they are nervous about being a good parent to their child, is to tell them that the child ONLY knows them as their parent and do not try to live up to anyone else's standards or what other people are doing with their child.

My children want for nothing, well nothing that they really need anyway. My son wants a DS game every other week but it is not happening:) They are happy, loved and have a good future ahead of them. That is what being a good parent is about.

Peep Toe Boot?

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:08:00 +0000

What is the point of a peep toe boot? If you are wearing a boot, why would you want your toe out? Maybe it is me?

Show I Am Not Feeling: More To Love

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:27:00 +0000

I had been waiting for More To Love to debut. I don't like the regular Bachelor but I was going to watch this because they had plus size people and I thought that the world was progressing and I was going to support:) It came on last night and I did not know it was starting but my best friend sent me a text stating that they give the women's name, occupation, etc and her height and weight. My bff, who is in no way a plus size woman, said she thought that was foul and so do I. What is the point of showing the weight? We know they are plus size and weigh more than the women on the other Bachelor, do we really need to see the weight of the ladies? This is worse than Dance Your A** off, at least, on that show, they brand it as dancing and losing weight.

I was going to watch it and I set it up for the DVR for next week but I don't know any more. I also don't know why this is making me mad. *lol* To me, it seems to cheapen (is that a real word) the whole concept of these people hooking up. I know it is TV and they have to get people to watch the show but are they showing the weight for the big people or the smaller people to watch? Do plus size or bigger people really care about the women's weight? I know I don't. I
What do you think? It makes it seem like they are exploiting these ladies. But just like the video girls, they are putting themselves out there and I cannot only blame the network.

I will try and watch the show on line, because I really shouldn't judge without seeing it, but it will probably be a "No DVR" show.

Anniversary Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:47:00 +0000

My husband and I had a great anniversary weekend. My parents kept the kids Friday and Saturday night so we got to pretend we were childless for a little bit but not really. Even though I enjoy the time I have away from my kids I still miss them.

T-man and I were going to go out of town but we decided to stay around the area and save a little money. I worked Friday morning and got off around noon. We went out to lunch and then went to the mall and bought our 10 year anniversary presents for each other. Do you want to know what they were? Cell phone pouches *lol* We both needed one. We got away with spending $25 for our gifts. *lol*

Friday night we went out to a W.OW W.ings Café because they have a live band on Fridays. Being the frugal person that I try to be. I purchased a $25 gift certificate from restaurant.com, with the 80% off code, I paid $2. We ordered some wings which was covered by the gift certificate and my husband had several drinks and we still ended up paying $50. I tried to have one drink but I only drank about half of it. *lol*

Early Saturday morning, I was able to catch up on all my DVR shows, a few episodes of General Hospital, Dark Blue, The Closer, and the end of Mamma Mia (that movie deserves another post) and Obsessed.

Saturday afternoon, my husband and I went to DC and hung out there for a few hours. All and all, we had a good anniversary weekend.

Sunday, I went out with some of my old high school friends that I reconnected with on Facebo.ok. We have been going out once a month for the last few months and always have a good time.

Oh, my beloved blackberry is sick. I lost the cover for the trackball, so the trackball can fall out. I can still use it but I have to be careful because it is not attached. I have to either get a new phone or get a new trackball cover. I was going to get an iPhon.e but then I thought about the cost of the plan and how I would like to come down on my cell phone bill a little but still have all the features that I want. I may get another phone w/keyboard but get one that I can get a cheaper plan. The blackberry plan is $60 for the text and web. I may be able to save $30. I will look further into it. I do love this blackberry though.

How was everyone's weekend?

10 Years Of Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:35:00 +0000

Today marks 10 years of marriage for my husband and me! I actually remembered this year. I usually forget and get the dates mixed up between the 24th and 26th. I usually have to go back to 1999 and look and see which date is Saturday. *lol*

I LOVED my wedding. It was such a wonderful day. I want to do it all over again.

Show I Like But Probably Shouldn't: iCarly

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Since I don't have much going on this summer, I am able to watch my old and new shows. I don't have much going on in my life right now, which is a good thing. *lol* So I am writing about some of the shows that I do and don't like. On to iCarly.

iCarly is a kid show that comes on Nickelodeon. It is not a cartoon so does that make it OK for me to like it? *lol* The show is about a girl and her friends that have a popular web show. She lives with her big brother. I am not exactly sure where their parent's are. Hadiya told me one day but I don't remember. I was thinking to much into it until I remembered it is a kids show. The girl lives with the brother that does not work but builds these crazy sculptures. Either way, the show cracks me up. It is silly but not too silly that I can't take it.

I watch this show without the kids. I don't DVR it because it is on ALL the time. I can even watch repeats:) My husband things I am crazy for liking it. Adults can like kids shows, right?:) Does anyone out there watch this show? What kids show do you watch and like?

Shows I Kind Of Watch: Dance Your A** Off

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:05:00 +0000

This show is on Mondays at 10pm on Oxygen and is, I am assuming, supposed to raise big people's confidence. It combines 'Dancing With the Stars' and the 'Biggest Loser' on a smaller type scale. Now, before you say as my husband would say, that I am hatin', I am not a little person and I think that the show is OK. I just think that if they have a big people dance show to empower others than it should just be a big people dance show. Why does it have to involve weight loss? Why can't it just be big people having fun and dancing?

The show is not the worse ever but it is not the best either. It's no 'So You Think You Can Dance' which I love. The pole dancing show was something else. I have to give it to the people on the show. There was one lady that was high up on the pole, I think she should have gotten a higher score. I said 'Go 'head big girl':) My husband liked her. *lol* The professional dancers were using the pole more than the contestants, it was awkward :) I think one of the judges doesn't like big people.*lol* At least the networks are portraying big people in a positive light, I guess. The whole concept is still a little weird to me and couldn't they come up with a better name? I am sure I will catch the show from yesterday since my husband will watch it a few times:)

It is on the DVR schedule only because my husband likes to watch it, otherwise, it would not be on the list. I am interested to see the Bachelor type show with bigger women and the big man. I am not a Bachelor fan but I will see how it is.

Photos are obviously from oxygen.com :)

Dating In The Dark

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:09:00 +0000

Dating In The Dark is a new show on ABC. I was curious about this show so I stayed up and watched. The premise is just as the title says, Dating In The Dark. Three men and three women have dates in the dark. They cannot see each other but the audience can see via night vision cameras. The first date is a group date with everyone. For the second date, the contestants can choose who they would like to have a solo date with, based on the group date. It can be anyone. Last night, one guy had two dates. The third date is organized by a professional and who they feel each person is more compatible with. They do a few things in between the dates, exchange shirts, have a sketch artist draw pictures of what they thing there compatible person looks like. At the end of the show, they contestants pick who they would like to see. The two people go into the dark room and are not allowed to say anything. The light comes on one person at a time. The opposite person is still dark so they cannot see the reaction. The dramatic finale is that the person is supposed to go onto the balcony, if they want to continue on with the person they chose. If they do, they come to the balcony, if not, they take their bags and leave out the front door.

On the first show, they had 2 guys that were average looking and actually, probably would not be approached or have a chance with the two of the girls and then they had one cute guy that had other issues in his life. The three women consisted of two women that had no problem getting men and one girl that was the shy type.

All the couples had a connection, in the dark. The shy girl ended up going on dates with the tortured cute guy, of course everyone could see that coming. *lol* In the end, the shy girl and good looking guy both went to the balcony and one other couple was together. The last guy went to the balcony hoping to meet his date but she decided to leave. She could not get past his looks. She was the one kissing the guy in the dark but she said she needed to have some kind of attraction. The guy could see her leaving from the balcony.

What I like about this show is that it touches on how important attraction is in the dating world. I actually agree that there has to be some sort of attraction when you are dating someone. I don't think it has to be a big overall attraction but I think something has to be there. I met my husband via the computer, before chat rooms. We were in college and it was a telnet group that different college kids talked on. We talked for a few months before we actually met. We had a good outcome and will be married for 10 years on Thursday!:) Let me know if you want to send us a present. *lol*

I can't fault the one lady that left. I do think she should have given the guy a chance, though, because at the beginning of the show, she said she wanted to connect with guys on a different level. I was happy that the cute guy and shy girl got together. They will probably have this type of pairing on all the shows.

I always wonder what happens with the couples afterwards. It would be nice if they have an update on what happened with the previous weeks couples.

All in all, this was a good show. I think it is DVR worthy.

Did you watch it? You can watch a free episode on ABC.com.

Life Of A Pastor

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:17:00 +0000

My Pastor's 36 year old nephew, who is also a member of my church, had a massive heart attack and died on Friday. He was in Jamaica, for his sister's wedding. He died the morning of her wedding. He was alone in his hotel room and they found him there. The man was a good guy, always smiling. He was close to his uncle, my Pastor.
The Pastor got the call of Saturday and still came to church and preached his sermon today. The members death hit everyone hard but can you imagine not being able to grieve in private as others do? We would all get some time off from work but he had to "come in". He walked down the aisle, this morning, and when his two daughters saw him, they started to cry and then he got on the pulpit to start service and announce to the church that his nephew had just died and then he started crying and had a hard time talking. He said 'I was OK until I saw my children'. I think everyone teared up at that point. He delivered a wonderful sermon this morning in spite of his sadness.
I wonder if people realize how hard it is to be a leader of a church? How many times they have to stop or miss some family business because a church member needs them? Dealing with the church folk that smile in their face and talk about them behind their backs or even to their face? Dealing with people that don't remember that he is a man, husband and father or a woman, wife and mother? Dealing with all that strife that they must endure. It is a hard life. I guess that is why God calls certain people.

Side Of The Road

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:48:00 +0000

What do you think about when you see people on the side of the road with a broken down car? Do you hope someone comes and helps? Do you make a joke?

When I was a kid, I used to think it was funny but now I hope someone comes and helps because I wouldn't want someone laughing at me if I was stuck on the road.

Son's Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:23:00 +0000

Today is Savalas' 7th birthday. We went to Chucky Cheese and he and Hadiya had a ball. He got two new DS games and has been like the picture for the last few hours. He is truly concentrating *lol*

Busy, Busy

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:26:00 +0000

I have been busy at work and busy at home playing High School Musical Dance on the Wii. Man, that is a fun game. You have to use the numchuck and remote to follow the cues that are giving for the song. It may be for kids but I am loving the game. When I do get games I like, I play them to death and then I will probably be bored with it. *lol*

Other than that, I have been, kind of, wishing that I could make a career change. I really would like to work with children but we can't take a pay cut in our household. But if it is meant to be, God will put the proper things in my path. More on this later.

Savalas will be 7 on Thursday so we were going to go to Kings Dominion and stay the night so the kids would think they were going somewhere, even though it is just 2 hours down the highway but we may have some money issues. *lol* So we might have to stay closer to home and take him around here. He would really be happy at Chucky Cheese. I am the one that always tries and goes overboard. That is my problem now. I need to work on it.

I hope everyone is doing well with everything. Are you? *lol*

Tuesday Randomness

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:59:00 +0000

Can I report the people that live above me for excessive walking? Why do they have to walk so much at 11 o'clock at night?!

My mother keeps bothering me about signing the kids up for the library summer program. It is not for a library card but if they read a certain amount of books they can get prizes as they go. I have nothing against the program but it would be easier for me to get them some little gifts that they may actually do something with instead of sunglasses, a finger trap or a Frisbee. They will lose that stuff in one day. Either way, my mother is asking me, EVERY DAY, if I have done it. She will not stop asking me either. Do you know why I know? Because she told me she would. *lol* I love her.

I decided to cut back on partially hydrogenated fats this week. I went to the grocery store and stayed on, mostly, the outside lanes. So many food products have this stuff in it. I found some sugar free bread though. As I have said before, health food prices are part of a conspiracy.

I think the reality show genre has reached a new low or should I say that this is what reality TV has come to. Jon and Kate Plus 8 announced their separation on TV. So the show comes on yesterday and they say they are separating and then it goes to a caption screen saying that papers were filed to dissolve their marriage. Not only that, the show must go on. I just don't know about all that. They are going to play all this out on TV? I tried not to watch but I am a reality show junky.*lol* I felt kind of bad because this is their life but how much do we know what is really going on? I feel for the kids. I know they will make it through their parents getting divorced but the hard thing is that they will see it on TV or hear about it from kids and adults around them and it will make it harder on them.

Speaking of reality shows, Russell Simmons needs a reality show. He always cracks me up when he is on Run's House. Even though he cusses, he is really funny to me. *lol*

I bought a cheese grater a few weeks ago and bought a block of cheese last weekend. My bff said it was cheaper than buying shredded cheese. It turns out that it is also FUN! *lol* The kids and I were cheese grating fools this weekend. I even grating some potatoes for hash browns, since I am cutting back on the processed foods. I bought a potato masher last weekend too since I didn't buy any boxed mashed potatoes.

I was going to get my daughter a kiddie perm/ texturizer because her hair is thick and coarse and she is very tender headed. Poor thing. But we have decided against it because we don't want to start with the chemicals right now, and I don't want to start having to pay $65 every time she has to get one. I will just flat iron and twist it for free. :)

My daughter is 9 and has started wearing a sports bra. Ugh! She is continuing to grow up. Sometimes I look at her and I remember when she was just a little thing and I almost tear up:) She is a good kid though. She is still very sweet and I love her to death :)

The Nissan Cube Car

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:27:00 +0000

I saw this car yesterday and it must be one of the ugliest little cars that I have ever seen. It is worse than the PT Cruiser.

Ugh, The Playground!

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:13:00 +0000

I tell you, this playground situation is going to bother me all summer. Yesterday, Savalas was in a fight. I was so upset, I called my husband cussing and I don't cuss. I know he is a boy and he will get into fights but this better not be a habit. He was fighting with some kid that I have never seen outside before. I knew and all the other kids out there know me. Now, Savalas cannot go outside until Saturday or Sunday. He was upset too. When he came in, he was just crying and crying. I didn't try to calm him down or anything because he needed to know that fighting is not the right thing to do. He said the other boy started it, which may be true and he was defending himself but when I saw him, the boy was on the ground and Savalas was the one doing the fighting. Oh well, I can't stop all the 'battles' they will get into.

Playground Patrol

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:50:00 +0000

I think it is my new job. Our apartment is right in front of the playground so I can open my blinds and see the kids playing. I come outside, every once and a while to show my face and let the kids know I am watching and I also come out if it looks like someone is bothering my kids or any of the other ones. I think the kids know that I do this because they will stop and look at me. I have to glare at them sometimes:) My husband says I am intimidating the kids but really I am just making sure no one bothers my babies outside of the normal schoolyard playing.

Tuesday, Savalas comes in and says this little girl is bothering him and Hadiya. She was hitting him with the stick and calling Hadiya names. This is a little girl, she is probably about 7 or so but she is bad and is always bothering all the kids. She even does the neck roll so I know she is up to no good. So I go outside, I wasn't going to say anything but I was just going to sit on the bench. Hadiya needs to start standing up for herself. Anyway, she comes and sits next to me and I start asking her if someone is bothering her and she points to the girl. I didn't need her to point but as she was, the little girl starts coming over and walking on the railing. I tell Hadiya that some kids do not say nice things, blah, blah, blah and the little girls hears me (maybe because I started talking a little louder *lol*) and says she is sorry. I couldn't help it and I told her that it was not nice to talk about other people. Anyway, she ends up asking if Hadiya can play with her, my adult mind said 'Heck NO' but Hadiya asked if she could and I said OK but as long as there is no name calling. The girl has been nice every since then.

Yesterday, there were some older girls, probably 11 or so, out with the younger girls, including the one that was bothering Hadiya. They looked like they were making the little girls fight each other. I couldn't believe it, it was like a fight club or something. So again, I went outside and told them to stop. They said the girls were playing. About 10 minutes later, they were doing it again. I asked the girls if they were making them fight and they said no, ALL LIES :) I told them that they need to stop and they should know better than that. One of the little girl even got cut in the face and I had to get her a band-aid.

What is wrong with these children?! Where are their parents?

Note: I am nice sometimes. I do pass out band-aids and popsicles too. *lol*

Jon and Kate Plus 8

noreply@blogger.com (Just Me) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:48:00 +0000

I wonder if their contract is up soon? Hopefully they can work things out but it is hard to do that in front of the cameras. The big question is, is their marriage more important to them than the money from the show?