tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53149177619908659382026-10-15T14:33:52.109-04:00Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.comBlogger296125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-91070930471840838432014-10-29T23:04:00.000-04:002014-10-29T23:04:03.712-04:00

Elle, my five year-old is messy. I know most kids are but she takes it to a new level. It is not uncommon to walk into my family room and see paper, books, pens and markers all over it. She is always playing some sort of school or library and has to put them all over any open space. And if you touch the books or try to clean it up, she is very protective. So, our family room always looks like

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-82099068893618968722014-03-26T16:45:00.002-04:002014-10-29T23:06:05.487-04:00

Dogs. I am surrounded by dogs. And pets. We have a serious pet problem here. Too many to even tell you. My grandma loved animals and I must have been influenced by her at a young age. Because I am doing the same thing she used to do. She was extremely poor and could barely feed her family. As a housewife, she stretched their money and I remember eating macaroni and cheese (Kraft-like not

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-48585176989693728112014-03-14T14:35:00.000-04:002014-03-14T14:35:17.948-04:00

I would run through the alley behind our house and barely make it on time. I'd be relieved to be there only to sit and wait. And wait. And wait. What could the mom be doing? The dad seems ready. She knew I was coming. She knew all week. She is a stay-at-home mom. What does she do all day? And why is her hair wet? She didn't have time to get ready? The kids are fed. And I can tell she cleaned up.

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-18663538318837156882014-03-04T17:19:00.004-05:002014-03-04T17:19:56.460-05:00

I like to workout. Wait! Stop! Keep reading. I hate people that say that too. I only like to workout to stay sane. I must work out so that I don't scream at my kids constantly and eat everything in sight. So, I find motivation in my sanity. And to really move, I must have music. Really, really, good cheesy fast music. I'm talking night club, dance music. I used to make my own playlists or listen

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-50477740372370585062014-03-02T11:00:00.002-05:002014-03-04T17:20:13.515-05:00

I've missed writing. There is a constant small voice whispering to me to get back to it.  Do I write privately? Back to the blog?  The voices. I should meditate instead with my time. Or add more cardio. Read more. Clean more. Organize! Maybe just stick to Candy Crush. Two things happened this week that turned up that little voice. The first is that I met a writer that I enjoy. I

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-59060987374120052002012-09-18T22:49:00.000-04:002012-09-18T22:49:00.127-04:00

There is another mother that I must lie to now and then. I feel so guilty. She once told me she has never been away from her kids. I made the mistake of telling her last year that I was off to Mexico with my husband. She has four kids! Once she said she had never been away, I made sure to keep my mouth shut. I am spoiled rotten and I know it. My in-laws started it. I am so grateful that they did

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-21721827033219135852012-08-31T22:29:00.001-04:002012-08-31T22:30:03.909-04:00

One of the coolest things about writing your own blog is that you get to see which posts are most popular and what people are searching for online. Many people stumble upon this blog when they are searching for something else.  You will never guess in one hundred years what is most popular here at Not Talking. Big Time Rush? Nope. Real Housewives of Orange County. A local restaurant review

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-39366897375619492682012-08-28T17:20:00.001-04:002012-08-29T19:29:37.971-04:00

Our conversation went like this the other day. Imagine if the Boy Scouts decided one day that they wouldn't let boys be a Boy Scout if they had blue eyes. Ryan yelled at me first "No way. They would never do that. I have blue eyes." Imagine if they said only brown eyed boys could join. "They couldn't." I then asked, "What about if African-American boys couldn't join?" "They couldn't do that,"

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-36056706922101072172012-08-13T09:46:00.001-04:002012-08-13T09:46:23.144-04:00

When you have a family birthday party, what do you serve? Is it pizza every time? Do you shake it up and make lasagna sometimes? Order subs? I am honestly making myself crazy about it. I know I should do better than pizza but I just can't. I am still a cook in training. I love trying new recipes and cooking when I have the energy but the thought of cleaning the whole house and cooking is making

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-77778543165813810052012-08-09T15:11:00.000-04:002012-08-09T15:12:28.095-04:00

If you were coming here to have a little break, I apologize. I had to get this out. I promise to not be "that" friend who goes on and on about everything she has to do. This is a one time deal. I promise.  I love Facebook (FB) but sometimes, I want to reach into the screen and strangle some people. I am a peaceful person but a wild response comes out of me when I hear a FB friend brag that

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-24313247072480950942012-08-03T15:05:00.000-04:002012-08-03T15:05:46.253-04:00

I have never been a big delegator. When I worked, I had a tough time passing off assignments to others and felt more comfortable doing it myself. I find myself doing the same thing at home. Yes, you can say it. I am a control freak. I didn't realize it was so bad until one of my close relatives who shall not be named, started to tease me a little. I brought McDonalds home and my kids sat and

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-73344084202250937052012-03-20T15:11:00.001-04:002012-08-31T23:00:31.530-04:00

I had to say goodbye again to my mom today. I asked my dad to pack up her wigs to donate to the Gathering Place's new wig salon. I love the idea that women going through cancer can pick out any wig that they want at no cost in a comfortable, cozy salon. When my mom passed, she left about six or so wigs and we had no idea what to do with them. When I read about it in the Cleveland Plain Dealer in

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-83276005307364476882012-03-06T22:09:00.001-05:002012-03-06T22:09:32.076-05:00

This post is going to be TMI. Totally. So if you are a dude, stop reading now. Please. I beg you. OK Ladies. This is a public service announcement. As many of you know, I celebrated my 40th this past November. With it came a very strong visits from Aunt Flo. I have a hypothyroidism so I just assumed that I have been feeling crummy (like when you are pregnant and so tired you feel like you

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-2959494039180339122012-02-28T17:25:00.000-05:002012-02-28T17:25:01.753-05:00

On Monday February 27, a 17 year old boy walked into Chardon High School's cafeteria and fired shots at his fellow students. We live about a half an hour from Chardon. It is a great community, ideal for raising a family. We have relatives that attend the school district. Our prayers are with the community of Chardon. This first section was written BEFORE I had the talk. "What should I tell my

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-91233007987398905452012-02-26T14:26:00.001-05:002012-02-26T14:26:27.277-05:00

There are fashion bloggers. The are nail polish bloggers (I even met one before in real life). There are women that have gorgeous nails all of the time (Many of my friends visit the nail salon weekly). I am none of these. But I am wild about a new nail polish I stumbled upon. When Shellac came out a couple of years ago, it was big news. But, it's pricey and not good for your nails to wear it

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-55707270849083678662012-01-27T14:44:00.001-05:002012-01-27T14:44:16.918-05:00

I remember seeing the actor that played Archie Bunker say once that whatever you do, get in between your kids and drugs. He had lost his son to addiction. I was a young adult then and it really hit me hard. He was crying and saying that when you are a parent, be nosy. Get into your kids business. Keep them safe. I have kept this with me trying to walk the fine line as I parent between

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-57526362135969514792012-01-21T22:06:00.001-05:002012-01-21T22:19:53.622-05:00

In my mom's generation, they opened Women's Day and saw the perfect house or recipe that would make it all better. Tonight, I logged onto the website that I think is supposed to do the same. Maybe its the wine or maybe I am just tired. I could be new. I don't get Pinterest. With Jersey Shore humming in the background and my husbands' friends playing poker in the basement, I logged into

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-42957938335916191042012-01-18T14:46:00.003-05:002012-01-18T14:50:49.683-05:00

Pearl Jam. U2. Twilight. iPhone. Uncool clothes. "You dress like you are from a strict religious up-bringing." I will never forget the guy that said this to me once. It hurt. But, when something hurts, you know part of it is true. I was never one to follow fads. My parents never let me follow them. I was wearing penny loafers and oxfords when the whole world was wearing neon with cute flats

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-76819159593575426422012-01-05T15:55:00.001-05:002012-01-05T16:03:01.656-05:00

Yesterday was a rough day for me. Here are some of the reasons why I was in such a bad mood. Other than the usual fighting between Kyle and Ryan before the bus came and Elle wanting me to hold her while I was making the kids' lunches, I turned Good Morning America on. Bethany Frankel was on there bragging about how easy it is to run her "brand" from her home. She said she does it all as a

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-71108401773852448572011-12-30T00:00:00.000-05:002011-12-30T00:00:01.742-05:00

I have sent them to their rooms. I have taken away electronics. I have sat down with them and talked with them. I have screamed. I have made them "rest." I have had them work it out on their own. Nothing is working. Fighting is a sport for my boys and they love to fight about everything. We're talking real punches and arguing. Not just bear cubbing which they do sandwiched between the real

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-35243283295304741172011-12-28T19:05:00.017-05:002011-12-28T19:45:18.191-05:00

Top 10 Reasons I have been away from my blog.10. I might be losing my mind. Or at least it feels that way. Three kids are making me a bit nuts. A toddler might be the main reason. Either way. I just can't focus and write anything without her pulling on my leg. I can't get anything done. My house is in shambles. Honest.9. Some private stuff happened to some friends in the fall. It was constantly

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-40768731799675641902011-09-14T16:28:00.006-04:002011-09-14T16:42:40.033-04:00

I never got around to sending an acquaintance a sympathy card when her sister passed away. We don't really know each other well. We're more Facebook friends. But every time she posts on FB, I feel bad. At the time, I knew she'd get a million cards. I didn't think it mattered. But, I have been on the other side of this. It matters. It all matters.At my mom's funeral, a friend came. She also came

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-83837332790680939432011-09-08T15:43:00.015-04:002011-09-08T16:06:16.708-04:00

Road trips do not come easy to us. Elle might be the world's worst traveler. For those of you who have kids that travel easy, you might consider yourselves an expert. You might think you have exposed your child to more experiences and so you've won this contest. I am here to tell you, she just isn't a good traveler. Baby has been to Mexico and Canada but she can't stand to drive to Solon.We set

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-73032735306443200402011-08-30T22:41:00.016-04:002011-08-31T21:26:33.681-04:00

I am going to give you three clues to where our family is going this weekend. I could give you one sweet clue but you'd guess it too easily. Here is the first: "I Want to be Famous." The second: It will be my children's first concert. And third: Oh yeah. We are driving to Allentown, PA to see my son Kyle's favorite band. Big Time Rush! We bought him tickets for his birthday back in March.

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5314917761990865938.post-30332629222894293122011-08-23T10:52:00.010-04:002011-08-25T15:44:26.613-04:00

We looked from cage to cage searching for the perfect cat. I kept track of our top five. The room was hot and crowded. I needed some water and I was ready to go home. My kids on the other hand were on the search. I wasn't so sure I was ready to replace my dear Indy. But the search continued until a fight erupted over the perfect cat choice. After a few threats of "We are going home without a

Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544675666827041726noreply@blogger.com1