LP Mommy!

CIDER!

2013-08-05T20:35:00.002-04:00

I am loving the smell of cider right now. I cannot wait for fall. I love to open the windows and snuggle up in a sweater, and smell the cider, pumpkins, leaves, etc. Fall is an awesome time of year and just beautiful!

Mommy, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Friend.....ME!!

2013-07-15T22:19:00.000-04:00

I feel like I wear so many hats. During the day I am mommy, during the night I am a wife, some days I am a daughter or a sister or a friend. I sometimes forget that I am ME. I forget who Leighann is.
I am trying to be a better person. I am trying to be a Christian, as I teach my children about God and how he wants us to live. Its hard trying to be everything at once. And at the end of the day, I don't get to clock out, I don't get a paycheck, I don't get days off. I don't know what its like to have a lunch break or go to the bathroom in peace. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change it for the world, but I just need to remember who I am. Cause if we lose Leighann, we lose all the above. :-)

Po Po

2013-05-28T21:00:00.002-04:00

Da Po Po was at my house tonight. Lord be....I swear I am more involved with the law now than when I was a teenager. People just piss me off, and harass me, and threaten me, and I don't know why? I think I am a sweet girl. All I do is put in 110% of myself everyday in doing for others, and I get this BS in return.
WHY? I hope there comes a point in my life where things settle down, and the drama goes the eff away!

Oy Vey....

2013-05-22T21:37:00.001-04:00

Our AC is broke upstairs...and HOT AIR RISES, making it like a damn sauna up there. Tom had to go out and buy a bunch of fans. Cannot wait to get out of this house!!

April Showers

2013-04-18T16:52:00.003-04:00

I hate this time of year...Seriously...from, January to May....I HATE! I hate the cold, I hate the rain, blah blah! And it puts me in such a bad mood. I loved living in NC, I swear I have southern in my blood. I love:

Wearing FlipFlops or Barefoot
Summer or just warm weather
Southern Accents..love em!
Sweet Tea
Barbecue
Front Porches
Palm Trees

But now Im back up in the good 'ol Northeast....with clouds, rain, cold weather, and dead trees. HAHA!
On a good note, 12 more days till MAY....maybe things will finally start to look up.
BTW: Here is our wonderful forecast:

Bucket List

2013-04-04T20:05:00.000-04:00

So ever since the movie Bucket List came out in 2007 (which I have yet to see), everyone seems to have one.
I never really gave mine much thought, I have done sooo many things already. So here is my Reverse Bucket list (my list of things I have done) and my Bucket List:

***Click on the ones Highlighted for Pics (all my own pics)***

REVERSE BUCKET LIST (Things I have already done):

Been to Hawaii (Maui & Oahu)
Swam with Dolphins
Got Married
Had Kids
Lived in another state
Bought a brand new car
Kissed in the rain & snow :-)
Climbed Chimney Rock
Saw a shooting star & meteor
Learned another language (I know alot of Spanish, some Korean and some Polish)
Been snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean
Snorkeled in the Gulf of Mexico
Been to Mexico
Been to Jamaica
Climbed a waterfall (http://www.dunnsriverfallsja.com/the-falls)
Been Camping (even though I ended up in the back of my dad's truck)..haha
Saw a movie alone
Ate dinner alone in a restaurant (not something fun, just relaxing)
Had a massage in Jamaica
Got a Black Belt in Karate
Went Surfing in Hawaii (long board)
Watched a Surgery (sorry, I love medical stuff)
Met someone famous
Held a real heart in my hands (again with the medical stuff)
Learned to play the Piano
Went to a Nude Beach (hey...I went ok, didn't say I was nude)
Went Kayaking
Adopted a Pet
Rode an Elephant
Been to the Calhoun Mansion (where the Notebook was filmed Parts)
Been to the Plantation where The Notebook was filmed. (Magnolia Plantation in SC)
Rode a Horse through the mountains in Jamaica
Been in a cave
Been in a coal mine
Skinny Dipped
Stayed in a Cabin in the Appalachian Mtns.
Been to a Drag Race (just watched)....followed in my dad's footsteps, cept he raced.
Visited the Mayan Ruins
Got a car for my 16th Birthday
(And I am sure I have more, just can't think right now)

Now on to my Bucket List. I feel like everyone should have one. Its what keeps us looking forward to tomorrow, and makes us work harder to get things we want.

BUCKET LIST:

Leave a Lock on the Love Lock Bridge in Paris
Ride a Gondola in Venice Italy
Grow my hair long, it was a few years ago, and I chopped it. So going to do this again, and keep it.
Watch the ball drop in NYC on New Year's Eve
Learn to be happy and laugh everyday.
Shoot a Gun
Pet a Koala in Australia
Spend the night in a Castle
Eat in Italy (LOVE Italian Food)
Vaca in Seychelles
See the Eiffle Tower
Walk where Jesus Carried the cross
Go Skydiving (once I face that fear) with the one I love.
Walk on the Great Wall of China
Sex on the Beach
Kiss the Blarney Stone
Buy my own Beach House
Become a Registered Nurse, and someday manage a floor (hospital) or become a Nurse Practitioner.
Pet a Tiger
Run in a Race
Save Someone's Life
Go to a Meditation Retreat
Go Skiing
Always wanted a White Mercedes Convertble like this (CLICK HERE) or a Lime Green Saab (CLICK HERE), I know...they are old, and people think they are ugly, but I always wanted one. And I like having a car that stands out on the rode, hence my BRIGHT Yellow Mustang back in the day.

Share with me...your bucket list!

Where is Spring?

2013-03-24T19:20:00.001-04:00

WHERE IS SPRING??

I thought Phil (the groundhog) predicted an early spring. And my calendar said IT IS Officially Spring. So...where is it? Ok...so maybe we didn't get feet and feet of snow, but we have had these annoying rain/mix messes, along with gloomy days, cold winds, and just CRAP! I am so ready for warm weather.

I even have started on a summer wardrobe for the kids, packed away last years old summer stuff and restocked it with new clothes for this summer. Of course, winter clothes are still our main wardrobe, but I wanted to get ready for summer.

And to add to the depression (AKA: Winter Blues) my in-laws are in Cozumel, Mexico right now, and my parents leave for Punta Cana tomorrow. WTH? Really.....meanwhile back in JERSEY....its gonna be snowing. Anywho...that is my rant, it needed to be said! :-)

I Love my Husband and Our Boys!

2013-03-14T13:04:00.000-04:00

My husband is such an awesome person. He truly is, He is exceptionally smart and amazing at his job (chemical engineer) which amazes me all the time. And while holding a Full Time job, he is still always here for his family. For example, I have been sick for the past few days. And yesterday and today he came home on his lunch break to bring me lunch. How sweet is that? He does homework with my oldest son everynight, and puts my youngest to bed everynight.
And speaking of my boys, they are just my world! They make me smile and melt my heart everyday. And each night when I check on them before I go to bed, I thank God for giving them to me.
All I ask is that I am just as special in their lives as they are in mine. I hope I am the best wife and mother that they could ever as for.
XOXO

Scentsy SUMMER

2013-03-07T14:55:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to share with everyone the new SCENTSY Spring/Summer Catalog.
I think you all should host a party, you get 10% of your total party sales. So if you have a party and your total is $200, you get $20 in FREE Products. Plus you get half off items. Its a great deal, and everyone I know who has purchased Scentsy has LOVED it. You really need to jump on this bandwagon!
So CLICK HERE to set up your party today! Remember, I come to you.

SCENTSY What??

2012-10-04T17:21:00.000-04:00

YAY!! I am now a Scentsy Consultant. I LOOOOVE Scentsy. The warmers DO NOT involve a candle. Perfect for Kids, Elderly, Pets, and just peace of mind. It has a lightbulb inside, that heats up the wax and somehow emits a decedent aroma all throughout your home. The Scents are out of this world. I am telling you, one try and you will be hooked. Thats what happened to me. :-)
But Scentsy not only sells Warmers and wax bars, it also sells LAYERS a new line of dryer sheets, washer wiffs, Body Wash, Shower Gel, Hand Lotion, etc etc....And I can't forget the infamous Scentsy Buddy. A Plush Animal with a pouch in the back for a scent pak to make him scented. Its an amazing company, and I am so proud to be a part of it. So why not join me....Come see what all the hype is about:

CLICK HERE TO SEE

LEIGHANN
https://leighplatt.scentsy.us

9/11

2012-09-13T13:39:00.000-04:00

I know I am a few days late blogging about this. But its been taken me a few days to process all of it, again.
As I watch the TV specials on the incidents of 9/11/01, I cringe. I can't comprehend that something so horrific, something of that magnitude, was real. I can't imagine sitting in an office at work and looking at the window and seeing a plane right in front of me. I can't imagine hanging out of a window 100 stories high and having to jump. I can't imagine being on a plane, knowing I am going to die. I can't imagine any of this being someone's reality.
I ponder the question...WHY? HOW? We think by living in the US, that we are safe, and bad things don't happen here, but they do. I think more than we even know. But the attack on the WTCs made us all stop...stop and reflect on what is going on in this world. It makes us stop and appreciate life, in knowing that thousands of lives could be lost in a matter of minutes. Some people hate reliving the events, or seeing the images every year, but I feel like every year, 9/11 is a good day for us to just stop and remember how lucky we are to be alive and how lucky we are to have our loved ones still with us.

"Each tragedy in life is a lesson learned."

Erik is 1

2012-05-14T22:24:00.001-04:00

Where did the time go? Seriously!!!
Erik turned one on May 8th. I still remember the day like it was yesterday. Each and every moment. Its crazy!

My oldest son, Ryan, will start all day M-F Kindergarten in July. And that will leave me and Erik by ourselves during the day. I am actually looking forward to that. I got to spend 4.5 wonderful years with just Ryan, and now I owe that to Erik. And the older he gets the more we can do. I love my boys, and there is nobody in this world that they love more, then their mother :-)

6 more days...

2012-04-22T20:33:00.004-04:00

TILL DISNEY WORLD!!

I cannot wait. So here are a list of things I am excited to do/see:

1. - My kids faces throughout the trip

2. - Palm Trees

3. - Walk through Cinderella's Castle

4. - Try all the good food at Epcot

5. - See all the Animals at Animal Kingdom

6. - Eat with the Characters (I wanted to do this back when I went last in 1991, and didn't get to)

7. - See a night parade or fireworks

8. - Do something romantic with my husband (haven't figured out what yet)

9. - See a good show

10. - RELAX!!!

30 is when life really begins!

2012-03-31T01:48:00.000-04:00

Back on June 15th 2011, I turned 30. My life in a weird way changed. I can't explain how it happened or why, but it did. I started to analyze everything in life. I started to think deeper and work on what REALLY needed changing....ME! I have depression and very low self esteem. It can be difficult to go through life and socialize with others. I always was looking for other's approval. If I made someone happy, I was happy (for that moment). I wanted to be happy all the time. I wanted to teach my kids to be happy, successful, and hold their head high. But how could I when I at 30 years old couldn't even do that. So I started, what I call...soul searching. I started to look for things that made me happy all the time vs. things that gave me a short happiness.
I had to let go, was the first part. BTW: Still working on this part. I have to let go of all the things in the past that hurt me. And also the things that currently brought me down. I deleted photos, phone numbers, people, things from my life that kept holding me back. If someone on Facebook trash talked me, I unfriended them. Some would say that's childish, but to me, I had no time for people like that or a place in my life for them.
Secondly I had to say No! That is really hard, especially when you knowing it's going to piss off someone else. But ya know what? If saying no, meant I would be happier, it had to be done. So many years I have been trying to make others happy, that now I needed to make myself happy.
And lastly, I had to find all the positives in my life. This can be tricky for those with depression. It's like wearing a blindfold. But they are there, you just gotta keep searching.

I found my health is a huge blessing, and the health of my family. Ever see someone die? I have! That will make you appreciate your health and your ability to live real quick.
My "take for granted" blessings: hot water, any food I want, anytime, money in the bank, a car, a house, etc. Seen someone homeless? Been to a 3rd world country? We live in paradise compared to them, and we don't even know it.
I have a husband who I can tell anything to and he still stands behind me and loves me and helps me out every single day. I couldn't ask for anyone better.
My children. After losing a baby at 6 weeks pregnant, I now know how precious their lives are to me.

So yeah I may have "bad" days or just a rough moment, a bump in the road, but when you stand back and look at it. It's not really that "bad" after all.
I'm still working on making ME happy. As a mother and a wife it's hard, I still want everyone else around me happy, but there's only one ME, and I have to take care of her 1st.

Leighann

5...4...3...2...1...

2011-12-31T18:12:00.001-05:00

So today is New Years Eve, and um...yeah, nothing special going on here. I do start school soon, so I might just get a head start on that. 2011 did bring me Erik, which was an amazing blessing in itself. He has been such a joy in my life. And to have him come on Mother's Day, even more special. Oh and I turned 30..whoopty do But, thats all I can say. I looked back at my calendar for 2011, and it was just day to day stuff. Taking Ryan to soccer, or art camp, or school, doctors or dentist appts, playdates, family visits, etc. Other than Erik coming and me turning 30, nothing stands out in my mind that made 2011 any different. And in all honesty (you have to agree), 2012 is probably gonna be the same way. After New Years everyone will go back to work or school, and continue our daily lives.
I do have one project that I we are working on, that may impact my 2012 year. So stay tuned for that.

And for 2012 I predict a celebrity death, a natural catastrophe somewhere in the world, and a REALLY hot summer. You can quote me on that too. :-P

Have a Safe and Fun night where ever you are and or whatever you are doing. I really hope I am sleeping through it all. Who wants to lay in bed watching NYC have all the fun and you see your husband laying next to you sound asleep. Um depressing much? Yeah, I'd rather be asleep. I have come to the conclusion that when depressed, sleep the time away. :-)

2011.....

2011-12-27T23:18:00.000-05:00

Is coming to an end. And my seasonal depression has set in. I was so busy in May with having a new baby, and then June was my birthday and July/August I will still adjusting to a newborn and taking Ryan to camps.
September started school for Ryan, and I have been involved alot with that. October was Halloween, November was Thanksgiving and Ryan's birthday, December was Christmas. Now...January through pretty much Apr/May...just flat out SUCKS! No holidays, no trips, no parties, nothing. So...I am in depression mode. I guess its just go through the mundane life as a Stay at Home Mom for the next few months, till something exciting happens.

Blessed Reflections

2011-12-07T23:40:00.000-05:00

A good friend of mine took our pics when Erik was born. They were BEAUTIFUL. So I had the pleasure of having her do our photos again for Christmas.
LIKE her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/blessedreflections

And here is some of her work:

9 more days....

2011-12-07T22:49:00.000-05:00

While most people are counting down the days till Christmas. I am counting down the days till my surgery.
I am having a hernia repair, and am so nervous. I am not nervous about the surgery, I am not nervous about the pain or recovery, what scares me the MOST is being put to sleep. Apparently I won't be fully asleep, just the "twilight" sleep. But I hate that feeling right before your put out, you get really tired and can't fight it. And then its all out of my control. Having anxiety and panic disorder, being out of control in any situation (ie: flying) makes me so scared. I know that I have to just trust God. I have to know his way is the best way, and no matter what happens, I am in good hands, the Lord's hands. :-)
So only 9, well almost 8 more days left till my surgery. Prayers Needed, if you can spare a few. :-)

And then once that is done, I will be getting excited for Christmas. It is Erik's 1st Christmas, so I am very excited to see both my boys open presents and sit under the tree Christmas morning. Going to Church Christmas Eve, and then having family come in the next day. What more could I ask for? My family is what makes Christmas so special. And I need to find my nativity set, Ryan loves baby Jesus! :-)

So I will keep you all posted! enjoy the Holiday Season!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-30T13:26:00.002-04:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The Weekend is FINALLY Here!

2011-10-08T10:27:00.000-04:00

I LOVE Weekends!!!
This weekend I am going to a fall festival event. It's mostly people's own businesses selling stuff, like Tupperwear, and Pampered Chef, etc. Love that kind of stuff. Then we are staining our fence, painting my wicker furniture, cleaning my house, and of course the usual: Church, Food Shopping & Laundry. I feel like that should be a Jersey Shore term (CFL) haha!
Oh I forgot, I have this picture frame that is a window shutter, super cute. And I am painting that this weekend too. Sooooo....LOTS to do. And what the heck??? I'm still in my pajamas.
Fact #1 about me (most importantly).....I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON!

YUP..thats me. HAHA! I cherish my sleep and sometimes think that is the best thing in life (SLEEP)!
Have a fabulous weekend!!

ADDICTED

2011-10-05T13:55:00.002-04:00

to these little dark chocolate mints. SOOO GOOD! I may eat the whole $4.00 container.

Here we go again!

2011-10-05T13:54:00.001-04:00

So back in June, I had the sides of my toenails cut out and medicine put in so that it would not grow back. It doesn't look bad, just was painful and I had to soak them everyday. When it healed it looked normal, just my toenails wouldn't grow in the side of my toe, or wasn't suppose to.
So on Sunday I got a bad ingrown toenail again. I went to my foot doctor today, who told me, it grew back....very RARE...but it happened to me. So...I had it done again, this time with two kids with me. Getting a shot in the toe is by far THE WORST pain EVER!!!!!! Oh my word did it hurt. But we're hoping it will not grow back or I will have to have a more invasive surgery. Always something. Anyway, here is my toe after getting like 5 injections and you can see how infected and red and swollen my big toe was on that side.

FOR SALE

2011-10-05T13:17:00.002-04:00

ConocoPhillips [NYSE:COP] announced today that it is seeking a buyer for its 185,000 barrel-per-day refinery in Trainer, Pa., and associated pipelines and terminals. ConocoPhillips will immediately begin the process of idling the facility and will permanently close the plant.

Some of you may or may not know, that this hits close to home for me, for many reasons.

1) My dad works there. Not easy to find a job at the age of 52, and after you have stuck by a company after its been bought out and sold twice. My dad has been at the same refinery for 24 years. It was first BP, then Tosco, now ConocoPhillips.

2) I grew up in that area. This refinery and another next door are both going to be shutting down, causing all of that area to just go under. Very sad.

3) I think people don't realize that getting our oil and having refined out of this country effects us more than we know. Let's say we're getting our gasoline from the Gulf (down there in Texas) and a massive Hurricane hits (Katrina ring a bell). Do you know what it would do to our gasoline supply? Well I do, because North Carolina gets our gasoline from there, and when Katrina hit, we drove for miles because every gas station was shut down. I had NEVER seen anything like it in my life. I remember one gas station has gas for $5.00 a gallon. He was the only one with a supply, so he price gauged. I took a pic (see below).

So how can we help? Well the refinery needs a buyer. I am sure you don't have billions of dollars laying around or if you did, wouldn't be interested in investing in a refinery. But there are those out there than can and do. So we need to get help. First lets get the government involved. Lets email the State Representatives. They wouldn't want to see Trainer, Marcus Hook, Linwood, Boothwyn, etc go down hill because a closing of a refinery. So we can email them, asking to please help support ConocoPhillips in hope they can get government assistance and stay open a bit longer. And prayers. Every little bit helps. Not just for me or my dad, but for others that work there. My dad knows a guy that works with him, him and his wife have 8 children. YES! 8 children. The newest addition, a 3 month old baby with a heart defect and has yet been released from the hospital. If daddy loses his job, he loses medical insurance. I can't imagine the stress he is dealing with.

People may think I come across as selfish, heartless or even ignorant. But I have a heart, a huge one. And Tom just gave me permission to give my dad his work email, and any engineers looking for jobs can email their resume to Tom here in NC and he can see if Merck would be interested in hiring them here. We really do care about people, after all this is America. We need to have each other's back.

EMAIL CONTACTS

Rep. Kirkland - http://www.pahouse.com/contact/viaLDPC.asp?district=159

Rep. Pileggi - dpileggi@pasen.gov

Rep. Meehan - http://meehan.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=58&sectiontree=3,58

Hopefully those work.
Thanks so much! Have a great rest of the week!

~LEIGHANN~

Fall is here!

2011-09-25T18:17:00.001-04:00

Well Fall is amongst us. Cooler air will soon be here ~~hopefully~~, leaves will start changing colors, pumpkins and mums will be out for sale, starbucks will sell its Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Hot Chocolate. Soon Halloween Hayrides will be announced. School has already started, and Ryan is LOOOOVVVIIINNNGGG his new school. Here is a pic of his classroom:

He has been doing very well.

Now on to bigger better stuff. Some of you know me well enough to know that I am always changing. Ever since I met Tom in 2002, we have done something big every year.
2002 - We met
2003 - Got Engaged and moved into out apartment
2004 - Got Married
2005 - Bought a house (Reading, PA)
2006 - Had a baby (Ryan)
2007 - Ok..this is a freebie, we took a year off
2008 - Moved to NC
2009 - Bought & Built a house (Wake Forest, NC)
2010 - Got pregnant (3rd time- lost the 2nd baby)
2011 - Had a baby (Erik)
So what does 2012 hold for us....well I have some stuff up my sleeve, I guess you will all have to wait and see. :-P

P.S - NO! I'm not pregnant (no more babies for me).

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

Goodbye Summer 2011

2011-08-27T22:36:00.001-04:00

Can you believe that summer is almost over and autumn will be here in 26 days???
This summer has flown by. Ryan started school and Erik is almost 4 months old. I have been so busy this summer, yet vacation was not on my list of things I did. I was well for one, healing from my 2nd c-section and getting adjusted to a new baby again. Life is wonderful. :-)
This summer kinda went out with a bang. This past week alone, we had an earthquake and a hurricane. Insane!!!
So here is what the next few months look like:

Tom (taking online class, two more till he has his Masters)
Me, taking Chemistry this semester
Ryan started a new preschool and boy do these teachers have a bunch of field trips and parties planned.
Erik has his 4 mo appt soon :-( a shot appt.
A mountain trip is planned next month. I am so excited to finally be getting away.

It's kinda bittersweet saying goodbye to summer. It means my baby is getting older, my son is back in school, and life is going forward in fast mode. I will miss my husband having summer hours at work (half day fridays). Going for family walks after dinner, and it still being light out. Just so many memories this summer.

As Fall approaches, there will be many new memories. I am so excited for Ryan's birthday he turns 5, can't I freeze him at this age? And Erik starting solid foods, and learning to crawl and walk. And of course Christmas is gonna be a blast. I truly love my family. And even though I have my bad (depression) days, that never changes.
So (raising my glass) here's to saving summer's memories, and looking forward to many more in the seasons to come. :-)

~LEIGHANN~