Ramblings of a Crazy Momma

Wednesday Weigh In #2- a week of new...

2012-01-18T18:37:00.001-05:00

It amazes me how quickly a week can come and go!

This week has more good news. I am down 3 lbs.

I was really excited to see that number on my scale! I really have worked hard on meeting my calorie burn and not over doing my calorie intake.

I did buy a few new things this week to help my progress. The first was a new scale. I had a really old crappy dial one that never could tell you exactly what you weighed. I think it is very important to know that when working on weight loss!

The second big purchase was to renew my subscription for the Bodybugg that I bought from my cousin back over the summer. I should have been using it since then, but I hadn't hit my "Ah-ha" moment then. Now I am set for 6 months and 6 months from now, I am hoping to see a big change.

The last major change this week was groceries. It is amazing how much junk you throw in the buggy without thinking about it. This week was a huge difference. I had a list and on that list was a menu and every item I needed to buy to make that menu possible. There were one or two lunch box stuffers for the hubs and not so healthy breakfast cereals for the kids, but all in all, my list had tons of fruits and veggies! I have been thrilled with the 3 new recipes I made over the weekend and the first part of this week.

Now, just to keep on keepin on!

Wednesday Weigh-In

2012-01-11T15:28:00.003-05:00

So yesterday I made a bold statement. The weight has got to go.

Since the First of the month, I haven't stepped on the scale. Trust me, after seeing the shock of what was there, I needed to reconsider my lifestyle priorities and make some changes.

Two weeks later, I wasn't really concerned with a huge difference in my weight. I have really been more conscious of my food choices as well as my activity levels.

I was pleased to see a 4 lb difference. Granted that is just 2 lbs per week, but I'll take it. I do expect to see a bigger difference next week as I have really stepped up my walking and cardio this week.

Slow and steady wins the race!

The point that enough is enough...

2012-01-10T16:20:00.001-05:00

I've done it.

I have hit my limit.

My weight limit.

I have never weighed as much as I do now.

I will admit, I'm disappointed.

I was doing so damn well. I had lost weight. When I got sick and nearly died two years ago, I got down to 170. I swore to myself that I was not going to go back to being bigger. That flew out the window as soon as the doctor took me off the medicines that I was on. Then last year, I decided I was going to "try" harder to eat better and be more active.

That worked..... until I went on a different medicine for my stomach.

Now, I am sitting at my fattest and I am flipping miserable. No more. I refuse to be at this weight. I REFUSE!!! So, I'm off the medicine. I don't care if I crap myself to death every time I eat. I will not take something that causes weight gain. Crap, chances are, if I lose the weight the stomach issues could resolve itself. To hell with it. I am going to get this fat off come hell or ~~high water~~ extreme stomach distress.

The last two weeks have been amazing. I told my husband on the first. Fu** resolutions. That is just a trend. I am setting goals. I am going to get this damn weight off if it kills me. The passive fat ass Megan that sat around wishing I would lose weight, or dreaming of some magic pill that would make it fall off is done. She is gone. This pissed of version is the 2.0 of Megan. She is better, she is stronger, and she doesn't just believe, she KNOWS this fat is coming off. I am going to be skinny by my 10 year anniversary. I am going to be within grasp of 125 by March 2013. I will not spend the rest of my life dreaming about being smaller when the only person that can lose it is me.

Say goodbye to this.....

Cause soon, it will be on it's way!

Make Something Monday/Made by You Monday!

2011-11-14T10:54:00.001-05:00

I'm alive.... ALIVE!

Tis the season to be crafty and thanks to Pinterest, my crafting is outta control! I'm not even kidding people. I am addicted and I am not one of those people to pin a bunch of crap and never do it! I am one of those that pins a bunch of awesomeness and then tries to do it all!!!!

So anywho, I finally surfaced out of my craft area long enough to remove the sewing needles from my fingers and the yarn out of my hair and thought I would share what I worked on this weekend! I am hammering the heck out of my Christmas list!!!

Make something awesome, Link up to either one of these awesomesauce sites! I love with a big shiny heart! (click the buttons to head over)

This Hat and scarf set are for my niece who wanted a hat in this color. I decided that she really needed a scarf to match, so TA-DA! The hat is from this pattern on Ravelry and then the scarf is a pattern I just made up. Its super easy and makes a really simple but pretty design.

Next up: The Lizzy Cloche from Little Birdie Secrets. I need to add the flower, but I ran out of the chunky yarn I was using. I am thinking I may put a different color on it though. This is made with the Lion Brand Thick yarn and it is so amazingly soft! LOVE IT!

This is a bag that I made for a friend. I cannot for the life of me find the pattern for it to remember where I got it! I hate that. I want to give the designer credit, but I am blonde so they will just have to forgive me. I am hitting up the local yarn shoppe for the handles for this little beauty!

Last but not least are these little guys!

You just cannot go wrong with warmers in the Winter. I saw someone post a link to one on Pinterest but then I remembered I already had a pattern that I did with these a long time ago! I just had to dig out my stuff and by my filler! The large flowered one and the small black and white ones both have removeable/ washable covers. The medium size one doesn't as I forgot to do it! Whoops! I may just have to keep that one for myself..... such a sacrifice I tell ya!

So that was my weekend in a craft-shell. I think I got a good bit done from Friday evening until last night. I keep that up this week and my whole list will be done by next week!!

Happy Monday and Happy Crafting!

Only me....

2011-11-07T07:54:00.001-05:00

Below is a post that I did way back in 2009 right after Halloween. I am recycling it for a reason. I may or may not have done the same thing this weekend. I'm so pathetic sometimes! Enjoy!

****

So, I am a blonde. Natural of course. With this hair color comes certain unexplainable and unquestionable truths.
Truth Number One: I cannot walk without walking into a stationary object, or just falling down.
Truth Number Two: I sometimes say things that don't make sense to anyone else, but I know exactly what I am talking about.
Truth Number four…Three: Every so often, I do something so random and stupid, that all others can do is shake their head and laugh at me.
Truth Number Four: If you look at the previous number, you will see that I obviously cannot count to three.
Truth Number Five: Instead of keeping my dumbass idiotic actions to myself, I take extreme delight in telling others just so that they can laugh at me…….you obviously are point and case.
***************************

So, now I guess you are wondering what stupid moronic thing I did to inspire the post right?
Yeah. Every now and then, I have a moment that I even amaze myself. At least once a day, I find myself pondering how I manage to survive, let alone raise two human beings.

So, on to my story. It all started last Wednesday I was attempting to print off a picture of my babies in their Halloween Costumes. It was going well until a little blinkie in the corner of my screen informed me that I was out of black ink. Oh joy. My printer is a complete and total pain in the ass to change the ink on. Not that it is actually difficult, it just has its moment where it will refuse to reset until you run every test on it. I dug through drawers and cabinets and found my little cartridge of black ink and then opened the top of the printer. I removed the old cartridge and put in the new one. I turned back to the computer and hit the print button. Of course it gave me some blah blah blah message about new cartridge installed. I really didn't read it, just hit the ok button…. As usual!
So, I printed my pictures and went on about my way. I did notice that my pictures were not as clear as I thought they should be, but didn't really stop to think about it.
Friday I was in the process of taking a test online on one of my college classes. I passed and went to print my results. I click the print button and the printer jumps to life. I sat there with my normal stupid smile waiting. The printer finishes and I reach over to grab the paper. One huge problem was immediately obvious. The page was blank. Not a lick of ink was on this plain white sheet of paper. I thought maybe it was just an error so I tried again…..and again... and one more time. Nothing. I was so mad. I tried a couple more times and finally just decided that I was too annoyed to deal with it. How many times could I take it apart and find nothing. I had run every test 3 times and nothing. I gave up.
So, I really didn't think anything else about it until I went to print my grocery list and a few coupons last night. The only thing that showed up when I hit print was the highlighted square for the items I had coupons for. I got really mad really quickly. I am just glad the kids were already in bed or I would have taught them a few new words!!!
I flipped the lid open on the printer, grumbling all the while, ripped out the ink cartridge and threw it on the desk. I looked that printer over and under and through a loop! I thought maybe something had gotten wedge in there. You just never know at my house!! I didn't see a thing. I then got to thinking that I had gotten a bad ink cartridge. That would be my luck. So I reached over to test the cartridge. All of the sudden a little light bulb started flashing above my head.
If you have ever replace an ink cartridge you know that not only do they come in a little protective container…… they also have a piece of protective tape on the actual cartridge to protect it. Wanna care to guess what I had done?

Stupid me had forgotten to remove that little piece of tape. I had looked at that damn cartridge 3 million times on Friday when trying to print something and I never noticed it. I sometimes wonder what exactly goes on in my brain……. Seriously.

WW2KW- Halloween Wrap-up!

2011-11-02T08:06:00.000-04:00

I'm playing with Mamarazzi, Queso, and Crazymama this week for the We Want 2 Know Wednesday! Head over to her place to play along!

Check out a few pictures of our Halloween!

{1} How did you celebrate Halloween? Trick or treating? Adult party? Trunk or treat?

We Trunk or Treated Sunday Night and then Trick or Treated Monday night! I am now the proud owner of 5 freaking pounds of candy..... We were invited to an adult Halloween party on Saturday, but honestly, I think these type of parties just give people an excuse to dress like ho's and drink like fish! Not my cuppa tea, so we hung out at home!

{2} What candy is your favorite/the first thing you steal from the kids?

I usually hit up the chocolate... not that I am addicted to chocolate or anything. This year, surprisingly enough, I have had 1 piece of candy out of the bag. I just have no desire to eat it.

{3} What kind of candy do you give out, is it your favorite? or something you know you won't be tempted to eat?

We don't give out candy! We are country folks. People don't walk down our driveway as it is dark and the barn makes it freaking spooky back here at night. Not to mention we have 2 barn owls in said barn that will randomly hoot causing you to crap your pants. I do give the neighbor kids a goodie bag, but it just has the random assortment of whatever candy was on sale!

{4} How soon after Halloween do you take down decorations and put away costumes?

I will take my decor down this week. The costumes get stuck in the attic or toy box before christmas, but I don't rush it since the boys like to play with them.

{5} When do you decorate for the next holiday?

I will start decorating for Christmas next. I normally start the week before Thanksgiving. I like to have time for us to enjoy looking at all of it and on as an extra bonus, I don't have to try to find time to do it between Thanksgiving and Christmas!

My Swapoween Partner is Awesome!!

2011-10-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

So a couple of weeks ago, I signed up for this amazing swap from Angie and Beth at Living a Goddess Life and My So Called Chaos. I got an amazing swap partner in Amber from Muddy Boots and Pearls.

Can I just say, if you ever get Amber for a swap partner, you are so in luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love her!

So on to what I got!

This is a picture of everything. It was wrapped really pretty, but I didn't get a picture of it all. I blame my children. I walked away for 1 minute to get my camera and came back to see it was all over with!

I freaking LOVE this candle holder! It is so me and unbelievably cute when glowing in the dark!

Just now noticed the pic is sideways, I would go change it, but you get the point. Ghost notepads. Too cute!

Candy!!! My boys had this and were trying to sneak away BEFORE i got back with the camera.

Smelly Goods!

Cookies for both the boys! They ooohhh'd and ahhhh'd all over these. I had to hear about how they were the BEST COOKIE EVER!!!

A really super cute frame to stick my halloween pic in!

Socks!! I have an obsession with socks.

Thank you so much Amber! I loved each and every thing! I hope you loved what I sent you!

I really AM nice, until you piss me off....

2011-10-17T22:22:00.001-04:00

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a conference for a thing I do.

Thursday as I was leaving for the airport, the chick that was supposed to room with me called to tell me she was going to go. I was kinda bummed, but then looked at the positive, I was going to get the room all to myself.

So I get to the hotel and scatter my crap all over EVERYWHERE! All my bathroom stuff was all over the counter, my clothes were thrown all over both beds. I was happy!! Hell, I even jumped one bed and then jumped back and forth on the beds because I hadn't done it since I was a kid and it was fun as hell!

After the cocktail party Thursday night, I hit the bed. I had the room all to myself, so I watched what i wanted to and walked around in my undies. It was just a little lonely and when talking to the hubs on the phone before bed, I may have commented that I wished that I had someone to talk to. (should have kept my damn mouth shut!!!)

The next morning I had one of the HQ ladies as me if I would mind getting a roomie. The roomie the lady had snored and this chick couldn't stand another night in the same room with her.

Don't you love when someone asks you a question and you feel obligated to say yes? Yeah, i got duped.

My new roommate was a roomie from HELL. Complete, total, and without a doubt one of the biggest bitches I have ever had the displeasure of meeting.

I had gone to the trouble of cleaning up the room and putting all my stuff in my bag on my bed (next to the window). This "Lady" comes in and starts bitching about needing the bed next to the window b/c she couldn't sleep next to the door. I simply headed that one off with a "well I've already slept in this one and they didn't change the sheets so I'll just stay here". Bitch wasn't getting my bed.

Then the questions started. I shit you not this is one of the conversations we had.

Her: "So where are you from?"

Me: "I'm from TN"

Her: "Oh that's great. I'm from New York City"

Me: "Oh thats cool"

Awkward silence since I don't know shit about this lady other than she wanted my bed and is now pissed b/c I wouldn't give it up.

Her: "So are you one of those crazy ass Southern people that makes their kids say yes ma'am and no sir and ask for permission to get up from the table?"

Me: Wondering if she has just insulted me by asking this question. "Yes, I DO make my children use manners. Why does that make me a crazy ass?"

Her: "Oh that just takes the freedom and independence away from kids. They should be allowed to come and go from the table as they please. You really shouldn't make them do that. It's just stupid."

Me: "Oh." (I should mention here that I have that southern girl charm. You piss me off enough and I don't get hateful, I get sweet. I'm talking sweet enough to kill you with the syrup dripping from my voice.) "Well, where I am from, we teach our children manners. I also don't happen to think that having my children sit and eat their dinner without them running around and not eating it a bad thing. But to each their own."

She proceeded to spew word vomit insulting me from what I fed my children (which was evidently too much meat) to my weight and even how I dressed (jeans and a t-shirt were not staples in her wardrobe).

I finally just avoided the hell out of her. I didn't say one nasty thing to her.......until 1:30 am Sunday morning.

I had been down to the bar with a group and sat around talking. I was ready for bed as I was flying out early. I decided to head up to my room about 12:30a. I get in and she is frantically trying to cram all her shit into her small suitcase...... on my bed. She had all her crap all over everywhere and had to use my bed to have room to pack. I simply asked how long it was going to take her, and you would have thought I had just insulted her! She informed me that she would be done when she was done and I just needed to find something to do until she was done.

Now. Lets just recap. Her crap is on MY BED. I had LET HER swap rooms and stay in MY ROOM that was booked with MY CREDIT CARD. She has just told me that I needed to FIND SOMETHING TO DO AT FREAKING 12:30 IN THE MORNING!!!!

I decide that it wasn't worth an argument. I texted a friend and went up to her room and helped her pack. I stayed for about an hour but was really ready for bed. I figured there had been enough time for bitch to finish so I went back to my room.

I open the door and she is sitting on her bed talking on the phone and all her crap is ..... STILL ON MY BED!! I mouthed at her and asked her if she was almost done and the bitch turned her back on me!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

I bit my tongue, got my pj's out of my bag, went into the bathroom and got ready for bed. I went back into the room and she is still sitting there on the phone. It looks like she hasn't backed a freaking thing since i left. I started to just move her stuff over on the bed and then decide that that was just too damn nice. I picked up her crap, shoved it in her bag, picked her bag up and proceeded to drop it all in the floor at the foot of the bed. I then ever so politely informed her that I was going to bed and if she wanted to talk on the phone, she needed to go elsewhere. She hung up the phone, picked up her stuff and finished packing without saying a word. I had climbed in bed and turned my light off. She puttered around for a few more minutes and then got in bed. Not a word was said between the two of us. She got up before me and I didn't even hear her until the door shut behind her as she left.

I think she may have gotten the point that I was pissed.

2011-10-07T14:30:00.001-04:00

I'm linking up with Mama M. again today! Clicky the button below to play along!

1. What is your go to comfort food or sweet?
Chocolate. Duh! I love food and when I am stressed/sad/irritated/happy/excited, i eat. Could be why my butt is HUGE!!!!

2. What is the most romantic place you've ever been to?
A cabin in the Smoky Mtns! It was our Honeymoon and it was beautiful! We had the mountains and a creek and a cabin! There was a porch swing that I could have sat in and held hands with the hubby all day... *sigh* anyone wanna watch the kids so I can kidnap my husband from his job and go to the mountains?

3. What is your favorite thing about fall/Halloween?
Everything....... HA!

I love it all. The colors, the smells, the flavors, the weather. All of it!

If I had to pick a favorite thing about fall it would be the weather. It gets hotter than hello here in GA during the summer, so it's a nice change of pace to have cool nights and mornings and warm days. I love it!

4. How would you spend 24 hours alone?
I have no idea! I would most likely do the same thing I do now during the day. Housework. Work on the computer. Read. Crochet. Repeat.... the only difference being I wouldn't have a 3 children (and yes, I totally counted my husband as a child) calling for me or asking me a million bajillion questions or harassing me about dinner or needing this that and the other!

5. Does you husband bring you flowers? Are you the bring-me-flowers type of girl?
Every so often the hubs does something special like that. He will not do it for special occasions though. Just random. He tells me he hates being predictable.

I am not really a flower girl. I love them, but I would much rather have other stuff. Best thing he ever gave me was a gift card to the book store! He had gone out to the mall for a part for his lawnmower and brought me a gift card. He told me it made him happy for me to be happy! Books make me really happy!

WW2KW & a WTH Moment

2011-09-28T08:02:00.000-04:00

It's humpday peeps. I don't know about you, but this week needs to be over for me. I am not happy with this week. At. All.

So to ease the pain of the day to day crap, i am playing along with Mamarazzi and Queso

And the questions are:

1. What is the one thing (food or drink) that you MUST have everyday?
2. What is your "go to" food when you don't feel well/need comfort?
3. Is there a dish that you make that people request when they visit your home/a family favorite?
4. What are 3 foods that you have TRIED and do not like and will NEVER eat again?
5. What is one thing that you love to eat that people would think is weird and/or gross?

1. What is the one thing (food or drink) that you MUST have everyday?

hmm. I think coke would be my weakness. I love sweet tea and I love my lemonade, but I require at least one coke a day to keep me sane! It doesn't even have to be coke, just a carbonated beverage!

2. What is your "go to" food when you don't feel well/need comfort?
Chocolate. If you know me at all, you know I have an unhealthy relationship with the yummy deliciousness that is chocolate. I will say, since I have been trying to make healthier food decisions, I have limited myself to an pre-specified amount each day. It's hard, but worth not having to walk on the treadmill more!

3. Is there a dish that you make that people request when they visit your home/a family favorite?
Spinach Casserole. My Nana taught me to make it when I was about 12 and I have been making it ever since! It is a huge hit with the family, even the ones that don't like spinach!

4. What are 3 foods that you have TRIED and do not like and will NEVER eat again?
Octopus- I did try it. Ick! Not my favorite. Entirely too chewy!
Gator- It does not taste like chicken no matter how many people say it does
Frog legs- I think this one was more of a "mind" screw than an actual dislike. I kept picturing a pet frog i had as a kid as I was chewing. Not cool.

5. What is one thing that you love to eat that people would think is weird and/or gross?

I don't think I have one of these. I am pretty normal when it comes to food. I don't do weird combinations!

__________________________________________________________

And now for my WTH moment of the week!

Last night I was getting the kids settled in bed. Quack was just not having it. At. All. He wanted to read his book by himself. And tuck himself in the bed. I finally gave up the fight and told him I would check on him in a few minutes. Not 10 minutes goes by and I go back to his room to tuck him in.

This is what I find:

I think my favorite part is his hand. What is it with boys of all ages that they cannot keep their hands out of their pants?

5QF- The one I am laughing over!

2011-09-23T12:11:00.000-04:00

I'm playing along with Mama M again this week! Be sure to check out her blog to play along!

1. Dream job...realistic and completely unrealistic.

My dream job would be the one I do now! I am dreaming that my Macaroni Kid Publication will keep growing and i can keep making good enough money to be a stay at home mom until my baby boy is in school. It would totally not hurt my feelings if it took off and I made enough money to never have to go back to work, but that might be a stretch!

2. Do you fart in front of your significant other?

This is the question that has me laughing! In my house, it is either fart back or be crapped on constantly. So, I do fart ~~on him~~ in front of him, but usually in retaliation for being farted on.

3. What's the furthest you've ever traveled from home? How far and where was it?

I think the farthest I have ever been from home was TX. It was way the heck out there!

4. How do you celebrate birthday for your kids? Family only or friends?

We really don't do huge b-day parties for the kids. When we do have a small celebration, it is usually just family. I think it is much more special that way. I do imagine that we will have some bigger parties in the future though.

5. Fave thing about fall?

What is there not to love about fall?!?!?!?!? I love everything about it. The colors, the smell, the taste, and just the feel of fall. I love digging out my jeans and boots and flannel and snuggling in front of a bonfire while watching my boys roast hot dogs and then marshmallows. I love how the stars are so much clearer in the fall thanks to the summer haze going away. I love watching the colors shift and change and it just seems like life slows down so that you can enjoy it!

Swapoween

2011-09-22T15:22:00.003-04:00

If you've been around my blog for a while you know how much I love, love, love Halloween! It is the best holiday set perfectly into my favorite season!

If you have not been around for a while, just know that I love Halloween.

That's why I am so freaking excited to be participating in the Swapoween!

If you are a lover of all things Halloween, be sure to check out Living a Goddess Life and My So Called Chaos to find out how to play along!

WWTKW

2011-09-21T08:04:00.001-04:00

Playing along this week! Clicky the button to play along too!

{1} What is your MUST SEE show?
{2} What shows are you most excited to watch this season?
{3} How many hours a week do you actually watch TV?
{4} Do you think TV has gotten too "racy" (vulgar, pushing the limit, etc) ?
{5} How many TVs do you have in your house?

{1} What is your MUST SEE show?
I have tons of shows I feel like I MUST see!!! Right now my favs are Greys, NCIS & NCIS:LA and Against the wall on Lifetime. Against the Wall is my newest favorite and I Love it! I think part of it's appeal is it is a decent show that is on Sunday!

{2} What shows are you most excited to watch this season?
See all of the above!

{3} How many hours a week do you actually watch TV?
Probably more than I should. The big tv in the living room is usually on with cartoons and more often than not, my ADD kicks in and I get distracted watching something stupid when I am supposed to be doing something more important like cleaning or working on the computer.

{4} Do you think TV has gotten too "racy" (vulgar, pushing the limit, etc) ?
Yes. It's funny. When I was a kid you NEVER heard cussing on the tv. If you did, we would all gasp and giggle. Now, every freaking show you watch people are cussing or talking about sex or just getting naked. It's very frustrating as a parent of young children. I don't want to have to have the sex talk with my 8 year old b/c the show I am watching has people doinking as much as they breathe.

I don't mind the racy, I just wish that the racy was more after a certain time of day so that I could watch shows I like without worrying about my kids walking into the room and being polluted.

{5} How many TVs do you have in your house?
We have 4. One in my office/workout room that I watch while on the treadmill, one in the living room that is the most watched in the house. One in Quack's room that doesn't have cable, just a dvd player. And then Luke has one in his room that he plays his video games on.

Memories

2011-09-11T07:20:00.002-04:00

It's funny. All our lives, we go through daily motions. As children we go to school, hang out with friends, and watch cartoons. As adults, we work, pay bills, and turn into our parents even though we told ourselves we wouldn't.

Most days are just a blur, but some days, some days you remember every little details.

When I was 9 or 10 years old, I remember laying across the foot of my mom's bed while she folded clothes and watch the news. They were reporting of the people gathered at Graceland in memory of Elvis (must have been his birthday or anniversary of his death, I can't remember). I laid there watching the faces of those people standing there crying and hugging each other and I just couldn't understand why they were so upset. I asked my mom, "Why are they so upset, he was just a singer". Her answer has stuck with me to this day. "They are not just crying because he was a singer, he was a legend. So many people grew up with him in our lives, and his music touched a lot of people. He was such an major thing for so many people. When he died, most people can tell you exactly what they were doing when he died. It is just one of those things that you never forget."

Honestly, I thought that was the stupidest thing. Why would people remember that event? What was the point? People die everyday.

The world kept turning.....

And then I was a senior in high school. I got up, running late as usual because those last few minutes of laying in bed were just so important. I rushed through getting ready to go, cursing at those few minutes when I remember that I have a lunch date with a guy that I had been crushing on for a while, and flying out the door with no time to spare. I make it to first period Senior English in the library where we are working on our Senior paper that is going to make or break this class for us. I am just sitting down after searching for books on the history of mummification when I realize that I don't have my folder with all my notes and other papers. In usual ditzy teenager fashion, I laugh with my friends, explain to my teacher and head to my car to get my junk, only to realize that I have locked my keys in my car.

I stomp back into the school, irritated at the fact that I now have to call and get my spares from my mom that will also include a lecture on being more responsible. I head to the office, say hello to the ladies that see me far more often than they should, lean over the desk, grab the phone, and brace myself for the lecture to come.

It never came.

"Hello?"

"Hey I locked my keys in my car and I need some papers out of them this period, can you bring me my spare?"

"Oh God Meg, oh God." By this point, she is sobbing into the phone and I am starting to panic.

"Momma, what's wrong"

"Turn on the t.v. baby, just turn on the t.v."

I reach to the t.v. behind me, ignoring the office ladies asking me what's wrong. I couldn't make any sense of what I was seeing. There is smoke and screaming and people running. There is absolute terror and nobody knows what is going on.

My mom is sobbing over the phone. I tell her to bring them when she can, not to worry about it.

"I love you mom" "I love you to Meg, so much, I love you too"

I stand there in horror watching all those images flit across the screen. The office lady ask me to go to the library and tell my teacher to turn on the big screen t.v. I remember every step I took down that hallway. I remember trying to wipe away the tears that would not stop streaming down my face. I remember not being able to speak without sobbing. I walked to the t.v and turned it on. I looked around at the people that I grew up with. Most of them I have known from the first day we started our school journey together. Together, we grew up as we watched the horror that unfolded with the second plane.

Time stops. And yet it doesn't.

The bell rings and we all walk to our next class. There is no laughter. No talking. Tears, so many tears. Boy, girl, student, teacher. So many tears. No talking. Just taking deep breaths and praying to God that you will make it to your next class and it will all be okay. The next class is so much worse. We watch as people jump, fall, run, scream, and pray. We watch as the towers fall. We cry out in pain and in horror. We hold hands and hold each other and simply watch.

Time stops. And yet it doesn't.

The bell rings for lunch and we all make our way to the commons. Nobody is eating. We sit in clusters and watch the big screen on the wall waiting for something to change. .

Those moments at lunch are the ones that I will never forget. The words terrorist started to break into the broadcast. Hijacking. The number of people on each plane. In those moments, so many of us lost what little innocence we had left. The world wasn't about us anymore. Things that seemed so important before then just didn't matter anymore.

Time stops, and yet it doesn't.

The bell rings. I meet the welding teacher in the parking lot. Mom still hasn't brought my keys and I have to leave campus to go to work. He jimmy's my door and off I go. I hurry home, scanning the radio for more information or any change on my way. Mom is sitting on the couch with a box of Kleenex. I will never forget the hug. We held each other and simply prayed through the tears. That hug held more words than I can begin to say.

I change into my scrubs and head to the nursing home. There is no laughter there. No smiles. Even my sweet little Alzheimer patients are quiet and subdued. It's on the t.v. in the dining hall. Every room with a t.v. has it to the news.

By late evening, details were coming out. Horror turned to anger. People turned from the t.v. to each other. Hands were extended and hearts were opened. Flags were raised, friends were made, and Faith was found.

Over the past 10 years, I have watched people I have known all my life go to war. I have cried when several of them didn't get to come home. I have watched several members of my family be deployed. I have gone to bed praying for their safety. I have watched both of my baby brothers become firefighters. Both went extra steps to become certified in disasters like what I witnessed on Sept. 11th.

I grew up that day. Our whole country did.

10 years later, Time still stops when I think about that day, but just like then, time keeps moving

Never Forget.

Eden Fantasys- Keeping the Romance Alive

2011-09-10T06:56:00.001-04:00

The Hubs and I have been together for 9 years. 9 LONG years I might add. I love him, but lets face it, if you don't put work into the relationship, it will get in a rut!

When the hubs and I do get a little bit of alone time (even if we have to schedule it) I want it to be special. Sometimes, it's nice to have a little help with that kind of thing! (get your mind out of the gutters, I am keeping it clean-ish this post!)

Eden Fantasys is an Adult website that has all your needs for toys, but they also carry a wonderful variety of romantic items and gifts!

Sometimes you just need a little romance. Nice dinner, walk in the park, holding hands, you know, that kind of thing that rarely happens! Why not finish the evening with candles and lingerie? It adds to the atmosphere and can really make the evening!

Got a bachelor/bachelorette party? Check out the novelty items. I giggle every time I look at those and cannot wait for the next gag gift I need! (look out people at Christmas!!!)(hahahahahahahaha- I am already thinking of all the possibilities!)

If you're looking to are looking to add any spice or romance to your life, but don't do local "shops", I strongly recommend Edenfantasys.com!

**All opinions in the above post are my own. I AM being compensated via giftcard for the post but have received no other comepensation***

5QF

2011-09-09T18:55:00.000-04:00

Playing along with Mama M. from My Little Life. Clicky the button below to play along!

1. What ringtone do you have on your cell phone?

2. What is your favorite memory from this summer?

3. Paper books or ebooks?

4. If you could have one home upgrade what would it be and why?

5. When was your first serious boyfriend/girlfriend?

_________________________________________________________

1. What ringtone do you have on your cell phone?

I have several different ones, just depends whose calling me! My main ringtone is Breaking Ben, Firefly. I love that song. ( I had the Bloodhound Gang- bad touch{don't click that if you are easily offended} all last week thanks to a bet I lost with my hubs. Can we just say awkward as hell-o when you are sitting with the parental units and your phone rings cause you forgot to put it on vibrate!)

2. What is your favorite memory from this summer?

Vacation. We had the best time on vacation, considering that we haven't had one in about 5 years, it was the best vacation ever! Seeing my boys see the beach for the first time was one of those priceless parenting moments.

3. Paper books or ebooks?

Paper. I love the feel of opening a book. I love the smell of new books too. I LOVE books!

4. If you could have one home upgrade what would it be and why?

Hard wood floors. I love hardwood. I hate carpet. I would rip up all the tile and carpet in the entire house and have hardwood done!

5. When was your first serious boyfriend/girlfriend?

Believe it or not, my hubs was the first serious guy I was ever with. Oh, i dated. But I wasn't looking for anything serious. I knew Aaron in high school in passing and met him once or twice right after we graduated high school in may, but we didn't actually connect and start dating until sept. of 2002. It's hard to believe it's been 9 years.

Happy Friday everyone!

WWTKW

2011-09-07T13:42:00.002-04:00

Oh look at me. I've managed to blog on a somewhat normal basis. I know its just meme's but that still qualifies so shut it....

1. What is your favorite holiday?
2. Do you have any fun holiday traditions? What are they?
3. When do you start Christmas shopping?
4. What is your favorite holiday food?
5. Share a favorite childhood holiday memory
6. Have you ever actually tried fruitcake??

1. What is your favorite holiday?
Tie between Halloween and Christmas. I love love LOVE Fall so Halloween is an extension of my love. Plus, my dad's side of the family gets together at my grandmothers house and has a party. Not the type that you are obligated to go to, but the kind that you go to on purpose and then sit and wish that the same people who are drunkenly bobbing for apples or attempting to push each other into the bonfire wouldn't turn into major douchebags at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Plus this year, since my grandmothers house was destroyed by a Tornado, we are totally decorating the empty lot like the wizard of oz, complete with wooden tornado!

Christmas is awesome. I love it. Do i really need to explain it?

2. Do you have any fun holiday traditions? What are they?
lots. we spend Halloween trying to see who can scare more people. This is great because my uncles always hide behind bushes and scare the crap out of the clusters of parents at the end of the driveway.

Christmas has lots of traditions. where we eat what, b/c God forbid someone need to change up the schedule. WW3 breaks loose and my Nana starts cussing.....

The rest of the holidays are pretty laid back.

3. When do you start Christmas shopping?
I either start really early (like sept) or I wait until last freaking minute. Last year I was done by the first week in Dec. That is my goal for this year too.

4. What is your favorite holiday food?
Casseroles.... Squash, broccoli, hash brown, and green bean are just a few of the favorites. I like the turkey though and we only eat it at the holidays. Or i could say the dessert table. Not the actual table, but everything on it! I love sweets.

5. Share a favorite childhood holiday memory.
The kids table! I am one of 12 grandkids on one side of my family. We always had to sit at the kids table for the holidays. Christmas was the worst. We would poke and shake the presents under the tree and then rush to eat. Then we would spend the next hour harassing, begging and whining to open presents. TORTURE!! As I have gotten older, I have begun the torture. I picked a good man, because his family enjoys it just as much as I do!!!!!

6. Have you ever actually tried fruitcake??
Yes.. I have.

I don't like it. AT. ALL.....

Happy Humpday!

I'm a two timer.......

2011-09-02T07:46:00.000-04:00

I 'm hitting up two meme's today. Bet you thought my title indicated something scandalous and had you all intrigued. Are you bummed it's nothing great? Too bad sucka!

First on the awesomeness that is Friday:

Go HERE to play along!

1. Shoes in the house - yay or nay?

What ever floats your boat. I imagine that if I had nice white carpets, or even carpet that was decent I would care, but since my carpet already looks like crap thanks to the kids and dog, you are welcome to do what you want.

2. What do you call them- flip flops, slippers, thongs, etc?

Flip-Flops. Seriously. I hate when people call them thongs. Thongs are butt floss people, not shoes. If you go around wearing a thong on your foot, you are just asking for attention!

3. What song are you almost embarrassed to admit you know all the lyrics to?

Ok. Well I gotta a few of those. If you happen to go through my CD's currently, the most current played are Big Time Rush, the Victorious soundtrack, and Selena Gomez. Yeah, I can sing them all and actually enjoy the songs. Stupid catchy-ass songs.....

4. What is the best quality to have in a friend?

I think there are a lot of qualities that I look for in a friend. Great listener, someone that relates to me, someone who is willing to get in trouble with me or at least laugh with me when I'm in trouble (and bail me out of course). All that said, I don't have a super close girlfriend anymore. My BF from high school and I have really grown apart and I miss that. I miss being able to call her at anytime and spilling my guts whether they were happy or said. I miss being able to share life with her and I really miss that connection we've always had.

I think one of the best qualities a friend can have is just being there. Through thick and thin.

5. Do you know what you want for Christmas?

The hubs and I were discussing Christmas the other day and honestly, I don't have a clue what I would want if I got anything at all. I think I would love a day and a budget of $100 to go to our local used book store. I LOVE this place. I could spend days and days in that store and still be able to find stuff to read! Not to mention, with $100, I could have 40 or 50 new books! I mentioned this to A, so we will see if he will go for it!

Next on the agenda:

Clicky the button to go play along!

I confess...... We are into day two of the school year and I already need the long weekend. Early Mornings suck.

I confess..... I am pretty sure that my ADD and Luke's ADHD makes for a very very very tension filled, overly dramatic, exhausting morning. It doesn't matter if we have a schedule or everything is laid out step by step, there is going to be headache.
I confess... When he started crying this morning because I asked him to change his shirt, I told him just to wear the stupid shirt that didn't match since I didn't care if he wanted to look like an idiot. It made him cry harder. I didn't care.
I confess... I am not one for dramatics.

I confess..... I was really really REALLY glad to let him out of the car at school!

I confess.... I have been good with my diet this week.
I confess.... I have also been good with exercising. Even if the treadmill did try to kill me.
I confess... I fall down a lot. I have started telling people when I fall that I was doing one of two things. Checking to make sure the invisible line is where it's supposed to be or that I was just testing gravity.
I confess.... I check that line and gravity entirely too much.

I confess... I had a few more confessions, but the dog just farted beside my chair and now I need to go find a gas mask so I am saving my confessions.

Happy Friday!

WWTKW

2011-08-31T14:12:00.001-04:00

Clicky the button to play along!

{1}Do you prefer to text or call?
{2}What is the last text message in your phone and who is it from?
{3}What are your favorite phone apps?
{4}At what age do you think kids are ready for a cell phone?
{5}Share a current pic or video taken with your phone.

{1}Do you prefer to text or call?
I'm a texter! I love to text. I don't mind a good phone call if I have a lot to say or the convo requires more emotion than a text, but I would much rather send or get a text that relays the info with minimum fuss! The hubs and I are those two idiots that will text each other all day and never really say anything important. I do enjoy a good text-a-thon when we are in the same room!

{2}What is the last text message in your phone and who is it from?
The Hubs- "Don't take a nap you pansy. We went to bed at the same time and got up at the same time, you will make it until i get home......then we can nap together"

My response- "but 11 is way to late and 4:45 is way to freaking early. I can't stop yawning. My jaw popped and I think I broke something."

His response- "Damn pansy"

I do love that boy!

{3}What are your favorite phone apps?
Angry Birds, My Fitness Pal, FB (of course), and Google reader

{4}At what age do you think kids are ready for a cell phone?
The hubs and I agree, When the boys are old enough to start going out with friends and hitting that general teenagish age, then we will get them one. We're thinking 13-14.

{5}Share a current pic or video taken with your phone.

This is Myrtle Beach,SC as Hurricane Irene when by us on Thursday.

This was Friday. Love this picture!

And that would be me and the hubs.

5QF

2011-08-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

Playing along! Click the button to play along!

1. Do you close the bathroom door when you are home alone?

Depends on what I'm doing. Shower- yes. Potty- eh, maybe. Hair or make-up- nah.

2. You have to walk around with a word on your forehead. That word describes you. One word. What is it?

Random. Cause you just never know with me.

3. What store do you refuse to shop at and why?

There is Dillard's at our local mall that i would rather have my nails pulled off then shop at. I can't figure it out. Their stuff isn't any better than any of the other stores but their employees have their noses so high in the air its a wonder they see where they are walking!

4. If you participated in arranged marriages for your child(ren), who would you choose for your child(ren)?

No clue. Hopefully someone kind and smart and giving. I want someone who will love them as much as i love their daddy.

5. If you could pick how and when you would die, would you?

I hope that i die peacefully in my sleep when I am old and grey and had a chance to see my children start families.

WWTKW

2011-08-17T12:50:00.001-04:00

{1} Did you live in the same town or move around a lot as a child?
{2} What were your parents like?
{3} Do you have any siblings? What were they like growing up?
{4} Share a short story from your childhood.
{5} What did you look like? (share a childhood pic for a chance to win a prize)

{1} Did you live in the same town or move around a lot as a child?

We never moved! In fact up until 2 years ago my mom and dad lived in the same house I grew up in.

{2} What were your parents like?
Strict but reasonable (most of the time). Now my teenage years, eh, I may or may not have been a little bit of a hellion, but that is for another story.... ;)

{3} Do you have any siblings? What were they like growing up?

I have 2 brothers that are both younger than me. Now. I was on the freaking pedestal for 4 years of my life.... then brother #1 came along. Not cool....at all. I was not a happy camper. Then, just as I got used to having a little pain in my butt, another one came along. That being said, I was older and wiser at 7 years than I was at 4 so this brother was awesome and I got to play older sister to the tee!

{4} Share a short story from your childhood.

Out here in the country we play outside after dark. I was about 11 and the neighborhood kids had cut across the fields and we were playing hide and seek in our field. I was seeking and my mom yelled for us to come in. I may or may not have forgot to tell the other kids that I was going in.........

{5} What did you look like? (share a childhood pic for a chance to win a prize)
I don't have many pictures from my childhood as my momma has them all! This is what I came up with.... no laughing....

8th grade circa 1997

me in Washington D.C in 1999

You can stop laughing now.... One day I will get my pics from my mom and show you a picture that will have you laughing for days!

i'm craftsy..... in my mind......

2011-08-15T20:12:00.000-04:00

Pinterest.

For those of you who use it, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, it totally explains why my house is a disaster(hehe, it's always a disaster), I haven't folded laundry in over 2 weeks(laundry sucks) , and none of my around the house projects are getting done(that could also be because I am broke!).

I'm not sure what creative genius came up with the idea of pinterest, but I love them long time! Best invention ever!

I don't have time to be sitting around looking and oooo'ing and ah'ing over things that I don't have time to make (but it hasn't stopped me from pinning them and telling myself that i will do them one day.) and the lord knows I don't have the money to buy. (but a girl can dream)

I don't have time to sit and pin all these amazing things to a wish list of things I will never do and places that I will never go. (still I sit and do it!)

I sit and look and look and then go and look some more. I get all dumbstruck at how creative people are! Why can't I be creative like that? (seriously, not fair!)

I need the creators of Pinterest to do me a favor. They need to write to my husband and just let him that I really am being productive. You know, productive in my mind, just not around the house.

Judging by the many mumbles he utters every time he asks me what i am doing and i reply with "pinning" I am pretty sure he is thinking of smacking me upside the head with my computer (not that he would really do it, but a boy can dream!)

If you're on Pinterest and want to follow me, clicky here.

If you're not on and think you might like to be, let me know and i can invite you to join. Best use of time ever!

5?F

2011-08-05T00:05:00.000-04:00

This week's ?'s! Clicky the button above to link up and play along

1. Do you have siblings and are you close with them?

I have 2 younger brothers and I am close to both of them!

2. Would you rather be slightly UNDER weight or slightly OVER weight?

Heh. I could honestly answer this, but honestly if I could get close to my goal weight then i really wouldn't give a flying fart if I was slightly over or slightly under.

3. What's your favorite State Fair food to splurge on?

FUNNEL CAKE!!! Every fair, every time. This could be why my ass is huge....

4. What are your thoughts on your kid(s) going to school in a few weeks?

I love my kids..... However, through an ADHD kid and an ADHD mom in the same room with no routine for a summer and you have one helluva problem. Add to that already tense situation with a 3 year old who has hit that selfish whiney phase and it just makes life that much more interesting. So, to answer the question, if you live in the area and you hear the Hallelujah chorus being sang as I drop my kid off on sept 1st, please pay it no mind!

5. Pool or Ocean?

Both. Why is it that you go on vacation to the beach and then end up swimming at the hotel pool? Anyways.... I love the ocean. But I love the pool too!!!

WWTKW

2011-07-27T18:50:00.004-04:00

Better late than never!

{1} Who would you call if you had to get bailed out of jail?
{2} If you were a superhero what would your hero name be?
{3} What do you think is one of your best qualities?
{4} What song would you pick to be your own personal theme song?
{5} What celebrity do you think is most over rated?

{1} Who would you call if you had to get bailed out of jail?
Depends on what I've done. Most likely my hubs, unless he's sitting beside me. Then I suppose I will call my Daddy. He can be the poor sucker to tell my Momma that I'm in jail!

{2} If you were a superhero what would your hero name be?
I don't freaking know! Um, i guess it would depend on my powers. this ones too hard to answer. Pass!

{3} What do you think is one of your best qualities?
hmmm, I think one of my best qualities has to be my inner strength. I am always the strong one in the time of crisis. I can barrel through with a clear head and get what has to be done, done.

{4} What song would you pick to be your own personal theme song?
I swear Queso is out to give me a brain hemorrhage with these questions! I seriously don't have a clue!

{5} What celebrity do you think is most over rated?
The Kardashiens. I ~~HATE~~ LOATHE them. The are just like ~~Paris~~ Plastic Hilton. Celebrities for being garbage. Grrr.

WWTKW

2011-07-20T14:35:00.008-04:00

I feel random today so these questions fit me!

{1} What would you do with an extra $1000 a month?

Hmmm. This one's tricky. I would save it until we could buy a new car. After that, I would hope that I would have the foresight to save it for a rainy day, but knowing me and my crew, it would get blown on fast food and random crap we don't need.

Edited to add. I would totally have to spend some of said monies on having my freaking bladder tacked. Seriously, I laugh, sneeze, cough, or think about doing and of those things and I pee. <--not cool. at all.

{2} What category of blogger do you think you best fall under?

Mom blogger. I am a mom and I blog. Often about my children. Also about me being ungraceful, but I don't think saying ungraceful blogger has that same ring as mom blogger.

{3} What is your go to solution when you are having a bad hair day?

I never have bad hair days (<-total lie) but IF I did, you would find me in a ponytail or even a hat if it were truly horrible.

{4} If you were a Crayon, what color would you be?

Cerulean. Its that really pretty blue crayon you always reach for!

{5} They say love is in the little things. What is a little thing someone does to show you love?

My hubby does lots of little things a lot. If you ask him why, he will tell you it's b/c he usually screws up when he tries to do big things. Lately, it's been compliments. I have been working really hard at my weight loss and he has noticed. He keeps dropping all sorts of sweet comments about how good I look or how proud he is of me for working hard. I seriously think he just wants me to burn extra calories as I keep jumping his bones! ;)

Happy Humpday!