SERIOUSLY

TTUT ~ I'm sorry...you just what?

2012-02-13T23:13:00.001-05:00

It's Talk To Us Tuesday which just so happens to be my favorite day to blog! It's also the only day I've been blogging lately since my schedule has been so insane, I know I suck but something has to take the back seat when I'm running in a million different directions.

I really hope this story reads as good as it tells, not that I've told it to anyone of course. If you don't find this ridiculously funny let me know and I'll call you to tell it to you live or send someone to check for a pulse.

Last Wednesday I volunteered at Peanuts school. I worked the "Hawk Store" with 4 other Moms, three of these woman I had never met before. One Mom, the one that was running the show, was a bit eager for me, a bit too "PTA/Soccer Mom" for my taste {no disrespect to my PTA/soccer mom friends! }. She just fit so nicely into that, unfair stereotypical box I couldn't help but set her in it. Sorry.

She left briefly to go "do her time in the band room" but promised to come back to check on us before she left for the day. I was super relieved as I wasn't sure I could continue counting those Hawk Bucks and giving the kids their appropriate item without her assistance.

Shorty after her return and my repeated reassurance that there was no need for her to give me her cell number just in case I found myself "in a pickle" she set off to leave. Before she could make it all the way around she stopped short, took in a sharp breath and placed her hand on her stomach. I let that go unnoticed because ~~I really didn't care~~ I didn't want to draw attention to her and risk embarrassing her. Within seconds she did the same thing but a little more exaggeration so I took the bait, as did the other Mom, and asked if she was ok. She looked at me with panic in her eyes, like a deer looking head-on into the headlights of an 18 wheeler, shook her head yes and continued her good-bye for another 3-4 seconds until she drew in a sharp breath, let out a mild moan, bent over at the waist and gripped the table. The other Mom and I looked at each other and asked her again if she was ok, she was so dramatic I thought her appendix had just burst.

Are you ready for it?

Oh please tell me you're ready!

Nothing's in your mouth, you're not eating are you?

OK

She turned her head to us, all while holding her stomach and leaning over the table and said, and I quote, "I took a laxative and just lost my bowels".

What?

Oh the hell you say!

Did this woman just tell two strangers that she had just shit herself while on the stage of the middle school cafeteria?

I thought perhaps I had heard her wrong but upon watching her run her hand down the cheek of her ass and into her crack and then back in front of her to see if there was anything on her hand I stood reassured that I did in fact just hear a grown woman, one that I had just met, say "I took a laxative and just lost my bowels"!

I instantly switched to a mouth breather, if I had smelled anything I would have lost it, then proceeded to stand there with the most ridiculous look on my face, totally motionless and speechless. For once I had nothing. Really, what's the proper response to that? Yes, yes you did just loose your bowels and as a matter of fact I think I found them running down the leg of your high waisted, stone-washed jeans.

She checked for evidence once again with her hand, which sent a wave of nausea through my body, before doing her best to lower the straps of her backpack purse to help shield the prying eyes of the 150 13 year olds that were in the same room as her and made a bee-line for her car.

Maybe it' just me but I would have never....

* Taken a laxative anytime before having to be at my kids school.
* Hung around any longer than a nano second after the first feeling of movement had I gone against my better judgement and taken a laxative.
* Admitted to 2 strangers that I had just shit in my big girl panties!

Ladies heres just a little piece of friendship advice for ya...

Pooping your pants is no way to make new friends!

What piece of advice do you have for us today? Link up with me and IA and let us know.

Weekend recap...I define busy

2012-02-13T00:36:00.000-05:00

Please don't misunderstand this post, it is not a post to encourage y'all to tell me how busy and wonderful I am, I already know that! It's more for me to document my complete insanity and inability to say no.

Friday night- Babe took Peanut to see her beloved University of Florida play softball at her number two college of choice USF. The two of them were in heaven! Honey and I were in our own little piece of heaven watching Channing Tatum in The Vow. It was a good movie and that's all I'll say since I hate movie spoilers!

Saturday- Winter finally hit for us, we had 2 of our coldest days this weekend, a weekend full of softball. We played 3 games near the water where the temperatures were at least 15 degrees lower there than they were at our house and the winds were close to hurricane winds. We all left frozen through and through with ~~sunburned~~ windburned faces after a long 10 hour day. We stopped for dinner {and a few drinks, literally at the corner} on the way home and I ended up bringing home 2 extra girls. A Xannax on top of my 2 Captain and diets assured I did not hear a peep out of them!

Sunday- I woke up to make begs and toast for all the girls and did everyones hair {one even got a haircut} flat irons and french braids times 4. Why, because there was more softball of course and they had to look their best. Thankfully this tournament was just around the corner. What was not good was waking to the thermometer that read 35! Another long day in the freezing cold but it was a better day on the field so that was good. Peanut and that number 30 that I've spoke about in the past exchanged more words after that little B kicked off our team name that Peanut wrote on the pitchers mound after we won...THREE times. Peanut told her "you're a good player, too bad you're such a horrible person with absolutely no sportsmanship." There are a few of us placing beats as to when the two of them will take it to a physical level. I'll be honest, that makes my tummy hurt!

Over the course of the past three days I have hand dipped a 142 pretzel rods in white chocolate, sprinkled them with colored sugar, bagged them and tied them with ribbon for the teachers at Honeys school...I still need to dip 152 more. Babe made homemade red sauce after today's game so I can make 5 huge trays of baked ziti to go with the 80 chicken breasts I'm grilling and cutting up tomorrow. Why? I signed up in the beginning of the year to organize the teachers luncheon for Valentine's Day before I knew how hectic our schedule was going to be.

Monday- I'm dipping more pretzels before my 10 am doctors appointment, coming home to fire up the grill, going to decorate the cafeteria then coming home to finish whatever is not done. It see a bowl of cereal for dinner in my families future.

Tuesday- I'll be at the school by 8:30 to set out all the food so we're ready to serve lunch from 10:30-1:30. Not if that doesn't say That's Amore like the 150 invitations I hand made for then than I don't know what does!

Wednesday- CANNOT come fast enough. I am doing nothing but staying in my jammies all day long! I'm going to need all the rest I can get to fuel up for the 11 hour field trip with Peanut on Friday and the 2 day tournament almost 2 hours away Saturday and Sunday!

It can never be said that I'm letting life pass me by...I'm chasing it down as fast as I can!

On a less stressful note IA and I have gone over each and every one of the applications for our Seriously Impulsive swap and unless one more person says "I'm in" I think we have a pretty good handle on who's swappin' with who. Do you want to be that one person? If so let one of us know ASAP!

My favorite picture from this weekend....

If you read all of that you're a good friend and have more times on your hands than I do. Wanna share a few hours with me?

I just can't make this stuff up!

2012-02-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Ladies and gentleman let me just tell you that I had the most unbelievable, unthinkable, and unspeakable {unless you're me than I'm telling everyone} thing happen to me in today. Well, not actually to me, I can honestly say THAT has NEVER happened to me! But it did happen to someone standing next to me and I may need to seek counseling as a result! I will share it with you for next weeks TTUT. Trust me when I say you will not want to miss this one!

I will tell you this, what happened left me breathing through my mouth, near speechless, pondering "how does one reply to that?" and doing the awkward turtle!

For those of you that do not know what the awkward turtle is...

Have a fantabulous Thursday my friends!

TTUT ~ Cinnamon Challenge

2012-02-06T23:40:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Talk To Us Tuesday, TTUT, the coolest place to be on Tuesdays! Here you can talk to me and my incredible friend IA about anything your heart desires. The only rule is, have fun!

Last week a friend sent me a YouTube video, you all know how that works, one video leads to another and so on and so on and so on! While on You Tube you know you're inevitably going to come across a Glozell video. I had heard some buzz about the cinnamon challenge but really had no clue what it was all about so when I saw that she had taken the challenge I had to see it. Honestly, it was way over the top, even for Glozell, but it sucked me in along with the other dozen videos I watched of people trying to successfully swallow a teaspoon of cinnamon. Seems easy right?

I'm not all that sure how it came to play but the girls, and one unsuspecting friend, ended up taking the cinnamon challenge last night. That turned into me calling them epic failures, them challenging me to do better, and ending with Honey convincing Babe that she was doing a science experiement about the human tongue and needed his help. Ahhh the things we woman are capable of making men believe...it's pure talent and my girls are prodigies!

If you can spare 5 minutes and need a laugh then watch the video...I will warn you that the video contains a lot of heaving, laughing, dog barking, and maybe even a little vomit.

So what are you talking about today? IA and I can't wait to read all about your business so link up, we're waiting for you!

Don't forget that IA and I are hosting a Seriously Impulsive swap. We have had an overwhelming response so far and will be closing it soon. If you need more information go here and if you want in on the fun be sure to let one of us know today!

We're swapping not to be confused with swinging!

2012-02-06T00:00:00.010-05:00

Yep, that's right just in case you missed the announcement last Tuesday my Impulsive friend IA and I are hosting a swap! See the cute button over there----> Feel free to post about our swap and include the button if you'd like.

We have already received an "I'm in" email from many of you but we'd love to have more join in on the ~~swingin'~~ swapping' fun. If you would like to participate please send one of us an email or leave a comment and we will get a sign up form to you right away. We will be closing it on the 13th so partners can be announced on the 14th, so don't waste time trying to decide. And don't worry if you've never swapped before we'll walk you through it every step of the way because we're seasoned ~~swingers~~ swappers and super cool like that!

Unlike our NO RULES TTUT there are a few "guidelines" we need you to follow, so before sending us the "I'm in" email make sure you're ok with the following.

1. You need to be an active blogger. We want your partner to be able to get to know you and if you don't blog that may prove to be a little difficult.
2. You need to be willing to spend $25-$30 before shipping.
3. You need to be able to mail your package, preferably with a tracking number, no later than February 21st.
4. You need to blog about your experience and link up with us for February 28th's edition of TTUT.

No jumping through hoops here, it's really just that simple!

What should you send your partner? Well, get to know them a little and send them something that one, you would like to receive yourself and two, something that you believe they would enjoy. For example, if your partner talks about her love for all things Captain she will more than likely not want to receive a bottle of Patron. However if you have those items on hand IA and I will be more than happy to send you our addresses!

What should you be prepared for? A possible new friendship. Did y'all know that IA and I met through a swap? Well, we did and look at us now, we're very good IRL friends!

What should you NOT do? Flake out on us and your partner. If you say you're going to do this than do it. Please do not leave your partner waiting for a gift that's not going to show up. That's rude not to mention wrong. If that happens I may or may not call you out!

Any questions?

Good!

Now go sign up!

Daddy, daughter camping

2012-02-04T13:37:00.001-05:00

Last week a few families from Peanuts team came over for dinner. Discussion turned to camping so I left the room and while I was gone an overnight stay at a local campground was planned for four Daddies and their daughters.

One of the Daddies is a seasoned camper, like a male version of Viv, and camps ofter with his sons Boy Scout troop {his son just earned his Eagle Scout badge}, so he was in charge of the logistics. The men met Friday afternoon before the girls were out of school and set up camp.

Quite an elaborate campsite for a one night stay huh?

There was a cooking station complete with stackable, stocked cabinets. A dish washing area, which shockingly enough Babe was in charge of. The fire pit area with a chair for everyone and enough s'more ingredients to send a diabetic into a diabetic coma! One tent for every Dad and one tent for all 5 girls {a little sister joined in on the fun} that was big enough to park an SUV in and still leave room for the girls.

They lived it up! Dinner was homemade pot roast with carrots and potatoes, fresh cornbread and an apple crumb dessert all made over an open fire. They also had hot dogs to cook over the fire, cupcakes and soda, I cannot believe the girls slept at all! Breakfast was pancakes, bacon, sausage and eggs. I'm telling you that I might consider camping if Mike was going with us and took control. I used to love camping back in the day...believe it or not I have not always been a five-star hotel snob!

The girls played a little catch and apparently set up a shooting range. I about came unglued when I saw this picture as I have a strict no gun policy, for my girls anyway! I was told they were only BB guns, I had a nice comparison for my hubby but I will not share it here, it's wasn't very nice! They guns were put away and a mean, literally, game of man-hunt commenced.

I think she may shoot better with both eyes open!

They came home this afternoon smiley and smelly, a true sign of a great time!

I'll bet you didn't know....

2012-02-04T13:12:00.000-05:00

Do you gamble? Play the slots in Vegas? Play in a local a poker tournament? Go the horse track? What about the upcoming Super Bowl, do you have any money on the line for who the new champion will be?

I think we all bet in some fashion or another, legal or illegal, at the track or via an online sports betting sight. But what most of us may not know is that there's help out there to increase your odds of winning. Who Knew?

For me, I just choose a slot machine that looks pretty, a dealer at the table that looks friendly, a horse who's Jockey is wearing my favorite color or I say to my hubby "I'll bet you **fill in the blank** that you can't change the empty toilet paper every time you use the last square for a full month." For the record, I always win big on that bet!

Click it, I dare you

2012-02-04T12:37:00.002-05:00

There are so many ways to make money while blogging. Some of us are much better at it than other, I have so much to learn it's not even funny!

I was contacted by a company called Bizzclick and asked to sign up. I snooped around their site a little and decided that it sounded good so I signed up. I figured what do I have to loose.

There are several different ways to sign up. You can sign up as an advertiser or a publisher, it all depends on what it is you're looking for, in my opinion it's a win-win no matter which side of the coin you're standing on.

They are a pay by click company who offers advertising on your site and help monetizing your site traffic. With 24/7 customer service and a loyalty program you can't go wrong.

Go check it out and snoop around a bit you may just find that Bizzclick is a perfect match for you and has just what you're looking for for your blog or business website!

Friday Daydreamin'~ Place I love

2012-02-03T12:51:00.000-05:00

I'm linking up with Becca over at R We There Yet Mom today and she wants to see a picture, as in singular, of a place I love.

Well, you know me, I'm not very good at following the rules, especially when it comes to using just one picture.

We've had a very mild winter so far and as much as I don't like the cold I would like a few days of beautiful snow and maybe even a little skiing. It's been 6 yeas since we took the girls skiing in Utah and I would love to be back there right now. I also wouldn't mind Montana, it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been!

Where is a place I love? Anyplace we can all be together!

Babe skied a lot when he was younger, he was off like he hand't had a 15+ year break!

Honey clicked into her boots and was off.

Peanut picked up skiing as easy as she did walking at 8 months!

This is my favorite picture from the entire vacation!

Me, well I had never been on skis before so I opted to take the walk of shame and sign up for ski instructions.

Yes, I had to stand in front of this sign while the little kids skied around me taunting me and my lameness!

After a couple of hours I chose to grab the camera and a drink and sit in the warm lodge taking pictures!

I may or may not yelled like a Sailor, popped out of my skis in the middle of the hill and stomped down the hill leaving Babe standing there laughing at me and Mothers scurrying to their children in an attempt to cover their ears.

Where's a place you love? Go link up with Becca and tell her I sent ya!

52 things in 52 weeks

2012-02-02T00:00:00.013-05:00

We're a month into 2012 and I wanted to revisit my 52 things in 52 week challenge.

So far I'm kinda rockin' it! Whoop Whoop!

Here's what the list looks like after 5 weeks.

1. Send at least 1 card with a hand written message to a friend or family member every month, birthday cards don't count. January....check!

2. Get back into some short of workout routine.
Yeah, not so much
3. Have a mandatory family night {absolutely no exceptions} every Tuesday night.
5 out of 6 weeks...check! The exception was made to study for finals.
4. Keep my new office clean and organized.
Kinda, it's only messy because I've been scrapbooking, # 14.
5. Keep my nails looking good, fresh polish and nice cuticles at all times.
Check!
6. Do not be late sending a gift or card for one single birthday- this means that Tuesday morning I will be sending an overnight package to a certain friend...dang I'm off to a great start!
I have really, really tried! I think they've all been late but by no more than 1-2 days. That is such and improvement for me!
7. Take the dogs on a walk or play with them at least 3 times a week, preferably every day.
It's been 3 times this month, I need to put this into my calendar!
8. Go away with my hubby for our 20th anniversary!
I hope he's planning something nice!
9. Give the extra cash I have in my wallet to someone in need.
Check! A bag of dog treats and a WalMart gift card to the homeless man and his 2 dogs at the corner, felt so good!
10. Attend church every weekend that there's no softball tournament.
Services are moving from Saturday night to Sunday night, there should be no excuses now!
11. Make Wednesday nights, while Babe and Peanut are at practice, Honey & Mom nights.
We've done this all but 2 weeks, 1 week she was studying and last night she baby-sat.
12. Start eating at the kitchen table, as a family, on the nights we are all together.
Check!
13. Take a photography class.
Still need to look into this.
14. Complete my 2011 scrapbook and stay up to date with 2012.
I'm current so far this year and am working on 2011 right now!
15. Purge and organize the guest bedroom closet.
I'm pretending I didn't see this!
16. Remember that my tongue is a dangerous weapon, do better at taming my tongue!
I'm trying and I think I'm doing much, much better...I think.
17. Enjoy a girls weekend with my Bloggy Besties!
It's on the calendar and paid for!!!!!
18. Enjoy a girls weekend with the Triangle, Danielle & Rebecca.
Hello ladies, I know you read this....?????
19. Enjoy a girls weekend with Pam & Alisa.
Hello ladies, I know you read this....?????

20. Have our Christmas card pictures taken in November.
I'm already thinking of ideas.
21. Pay for a portion of the bill for the car behind me at a drive-through window.
Ohh, I forgot about this one.
22. Drink more water...NO MORE SODA!
I've only had 1 Rt. 44 Diet Dr. Pepper from Sonic and handful of Captain and diets, this is a work in progress, a girl can't go cold turkey.
23. Plan something special with Peanut once a month, nothing softball related!
January...fail!
24. Read one book recommended by each of my girls, yep, that's two books that I don't get to choose.
No recommendations yet.
25. Have lunch with my Hubby at least twice a month.
January...once
26. Spend less time on the computer during "family hours".
Check!
27. Have my Christmas cards in the mail the first week of December!

Don't have to worry about this one yet.

28. Go to bed with my husband, no more staying up to 2 and 3 in the morning, and don't fall asleep right away ;)
Dang, I'm tired all of the time, I need to nap more.
29. Loose and not find the 20 pounds that keep haunting me {eating Hershey Kisses as I type}!
3.4 pounds down!
30. Do something special for follower number 400, presuming I get 96 new followers this year!
I need 103 more followers
31. Host another swap.
Check!
32. Purge and organize the garage...AGAIN!
Check!!!!
33. Work outside in the flower beds...I don't care for outside work...once a month.
Blah, blah, blah!
33. Purge and organize my storage room - looks like there's going to be a lot of purging and organizing going on around here!
CHECK!
35. Go see a movie in the middle of the afternoon all by myself.
I'm skeered!
36. Collect old towels and deliver them to the animal shelter.
I forgot about this one too.
37. Keep McDonalds money in the card to hand out to the homeless instead of cash.
I'm afraid to go there, I love those hot salty fries and I have zero self control. ZERO!
38. Stop swearing, especially in front of or at my girls!
I'm getting better....I think
39. Start a gift closet.
Check!
40. Find a yoga class and give it a try.
Not yet.
41. Finish an unfinished project.
Waiting on Babe for the one thing I cannot do in order to be "finished".
42. Get over my fear of the dentist. Schedule my cleanings in advance and don't cancel the appointments!
I went for a check up but still need to schedule the cleaning.
43. Open Peanut's savings account, replacing the money that I've "borrowed".
Oh, yeah about that...
44. Do something for someone in need anonymously.
Check!
45. Learn to type without looking at the keyboard.

well lets see joe O do wthut looking now,,,, I think I'm in need of major help!

46. Redecorate the new guest bedroom...on a budget!
Not yet.
47. Paint the walls going up the stairs.
Not yet.

48. Attend at least 2 new Woman's Bible studies and DO THE HOMEWORK!
I just finished week one and I did all of this weeks homework!
49. Read at least two books.
Working on #1 with Connie and Mimi

50. Fill my gas tank before it flashes at me "3 driving miles left".
Check!
51. Update the girls pictures frames.
Honey, waiting on her. Peanut, check!
52. Enforce and stick to a no phone during dinner and no texting while driving rule!

I'm trying...we're all trying.

Did you set any goals or make any resolutions? If so how are you doing?

Did you see the announcement that IA and I are doing a swap? Well, we are. A Seriously Impulsive swap to be exact and we want you! I'll be posting all about it tomorrow but if you want in send me an email or leave me a comment and I'll pencil your name in, spaces are limited!

Picking My Bum...I mean Picking My Plum

2012-02-01T17:12:00.000-05:00

One of my sweet bloggy friends Janette from The Johanson Journey sent me a super sassy scarf that she purchased from Pick Your Plum {PYP} and asked me to blog about it. Easy enough right? I would do way more for free clothes!

Janette and her friend Ashley have teamed up with PYP and together they are hosting a month long link party, Show Us Your Plum.

I had no clue what PYP was so I decided to do a little snooping around. It's a pretty cool thing people! If I have it right they offer a deal every day Monday-Friday, you can sign up to receive the daily deal emails here, and when they're gone they're gone. I suggest checking your inbox early since they offer limited quantities so you'll need to jump on it if you want it! Today's special are adorable baking cups, too bad they sold out by 10. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll offer Louis Vuitton purses for $5 soon!

Since I failed taking a picture of me wearing the scarf I thought that perhaps Rogue could be my model. Trust me after fighting a sinus infection for almost 2 seeks you don't want to see a picture of me!

He wants me to tell you not to hate him because he's beautiful!

This is his aloof look!

I did take one picture of me wearing the scarf with my phone to send to Janette. I'm not a big fan of bathroom mirror pictures but other than the ones of Sir Rogue that's all I've got. I had every intention of having Honey take a good picture but you know what they say about the road to hell and good intentions.

Anyway, please go visit the ladies hosting this party, their buttons are below, and then take a minute or two to hop around and see what the bloggers that are participating in their PYP craft challenge came up with!

Thanks again for the great scarf Janette, I love it!

TTUT~ 10 things to smile about

2012-01-30T23:12:00.002-05:00

I'm linking up my TTUT this week with Emmy Mom for her 10 Things To Smile About because there are no rules with our linky so I can do that! Yet another reason to love my partner in crime IA and I! Go ahead, tell me we're fabulous...
1. This awesome upcoming swap makes me smile! IA and I have been planning this for several weeks and now that the amazing Aly finished our button we can officially announce it! All of the details are coming later this week but if you want to join in on the fun right away than shoot me an email and I'll save you a seat...spots are limited...we're not trying to exclude anyone, that would be rude, we're just trying to keep it manageable.

2. Looking at pictures that I didn't know were on the camera makes me smile. Honey took this awkward turtle picture on New Years Eve. That kid cracks me up!

3. Watching Peanut play softball always makes me smile, especially against this player, #30. She is a smack talking, rude little girl {from my perspective that is} that always has plenty to say while Peanut is on first and while she's on third {Peanuts position}. I may or may not be looking forward to the day that she doesn't get out of the base line and Peanut plows her over. I'm not trying to be that crazy Mom but she laughs at and taunts our girls and made a snarky comment when Peanut had a great play, it's just not ok and someone needs to teach her some manners!

3. I'm thrilled to say that I've been working on my 52 things in 52 weeks list. My storage space now looks like this and that's really something to smile about.

4. Celebrating Babes birthday with our girls makes me smile, spending time together as a family is priceless!

5. Thinking about my trip to California in May makes me smile! I've paid my portion and booked my plane ticket. I'm meeting up with IA and JK for my second flight, that most definitely makes me smile!

6. Still working on my 52 things in 52 weeks list. Tuesday night family night, a ride to the movies with the top down...in January...certainly makes me smile!

7. Finding gloves that I can use my iPhone and iPad with makes me smile! I just started keeping score at the softball games using the iPad, those early morning games are chilly!

8. Getting things in the mail makes me smile. I love this scarf that Janette sent me, I'll be telling you all about it and her PYP promotion tomorrow.

9. Peanut butter and honey sandwiches make me smile. There's just one major problem, my dimples have left my cheeks and are now in my ass

10. Being done with this list makes me smile, this post is getting too long!

Link up here and with Emmy, two birds, one stone...another thing to smile about!

Always be prepared

2012-01-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

Who's motto is "always be prepared"? Boy Scouts maybe?

Whoever coined it I think Peanut has taken it to an entire new level. When I checked on her before going to bed this is what I found.

I guess if she wakes up in the middle of the night thirsty, very, very thirsty, she's afraid she won't be able to fall back to sleep so she'll need to read and of course she'll need choices!

DUH!

Not all teens are created equal!

2012-01-27T01:02:00.000-05:00

I have to say that lately it seems as if teenagers are getting blamed for far too much. It's almost as lame as the way over used "I had a bad childhood" excuse.

Lots of people had a bad childhood and guess what, they have chosen to take responsibilities for their adult actions. They have pulled up their big girl {or boy} panties and moved on. Is it hard? I'm sure. Do they feel like throwing in the towel some days? I bet they do. But for the most part they're taking ownership for their actions and trying to make a change for the sake of their children. They're trying to break a very ugly cycle.

Sadly, some of these adults the "I blame my Mother" adults are turning their focus onto our teens. Talk about deflecting! I have a teenager, one who will be voting in our next Presidential election by the way, so I think I have the right and the knowledge to say a few things on their behalf.

Do they make boneheaded decisions? Yes! Do they listen to their music too loud, drive a little faster than they should, roll their eyes so far back in their heads you're fearful they may get stuck? Sure. Are they rude and disrespectful, say the wrong thing at the wrong time and have no filter in front of innocent, little sister ears? Absolutely. But in my opinion they do not deserve the bad wrap they are getting! Obviously I am referring to an "average" teen not the 17 year old who thinks nothing of stealing, vandalizing and drug dealing and who has a wrap sheet longer than my inseam.

I hate to break it to the teenage poo-pooers out there but todays teens are not doing all that much more than my friends and I did at their age. Does that make it right? No, but dang Gina give these kids a break! I for one wouldn't want to be a teen in todays society! The pressure for academic achievement, popularity, being thin enough, pretty enough, strong enough, nice enough, enough, enough, enough....it's insane!

I have actually read chatter on a private FB group in my community about "banning together to instill a curfew for all kids under 18". My feelings on that is that someone has seen Footloose one too many times and has fallen asleep before the ending each time. Let me fill you in sweetie, they get their dance!

My doctor, Dr. Quaksalot, actually told me at my last visit that I needed Sudafed for my "cold" {I have a sins infection and he has a degree in Assholeology} but that I was going to have to get it from the Pharmacist after I showed him my drivers license because the "teenagers have learned how to turn it into meth". Seriously? When was the last time you saw a strung out meth addict with rotting teeth at your local high school. I think he was referring to the 20-30 year old saying "holy shit life is harder than I thought" or Lindsay Lohan, one or the other.

For what it's worth here's a little parenting advice. Set boundaries. Lay out your expectations. Make your punishments known for breaking the rules before the rules have been broken and make the punishment fit the crime. Keep an open dialog so your kids know it's ok to talk to you when they're in need. Be consistent. Have fun. Love too much. Laugh too often. Forgive. And most importantly bend don't break!

End of rant!

Talk To Us Tuesday ~ Should smuggling grapes be illegal?

2012-01-23T23:40:00.014-05:00

If you are here for another week of TTUT with my wonderful friend and co host IA thanks for coming by. I failed miserably last week making the rounds, I only visited a handful of you and I'm sorry. I do however have an excuse, the girls were off of school and it was my hubbies birthday. As far as having an excuse for not making it by the rest of the week I have nothing other than I suck, please forgive me!

I am sick with what I feel to be another sinus infection but Dr. Quaksalot says it's just a virus. Whatever! I filed a complaint with the office manager about him and asked the girls Pediatrician, who I adore, for a recommendation for a new primary care provider for Babe and I. Anyway, I just drank half a bottle of NyQuil in hopes of getting some sleep tonight and then ~~ran~~ crawled upstairs to put together something entertaining for y'all. Please for give me if this is only funny because I just downed more than the recommended dose of cherry flavored moonshine!

While I was staring at my computer in a total NyQuil stupor I watched as my screen filled with random pictures over the past 6+ years. Then I saw it. This picture is the freaking golden ticket. Who needs Willy Freaking Wonka when you have a picture like this?

You.Are.Welcome!

Speedos. Banana Hammocks. Grape Smugglers. Whatever you choose call them I call them wrong!

It was 2005 and the triangle had a trip planned to Key West. The big joke leading up to our vacation was that Babe was going to bring his Speedo. He did not have a Speedo but what he did have was a wife with a twisted mind and his very own sick sense of humor. Which for the record makes us the perfect couple!

I purchased a Speedo, two size too small for my then big boy, and packed it for what would become one of the most memorable moments of our trip. While our friends changed into their suits and jumped into our private lagoon pool Babe slipped into his electric blue show-stopper.

They were relaxing in the pool when we came out, me camera in hand, Babe Speedo tucked beneath his board shorts. While I distracted them he dropped his drawers and did his best Captain Morgan impersonation.

I do believe this picture is proof that a picture can be worth a thousand words.

Any guesses as to the words spinning through our friends heads?

Sadly, he was not the only man on Key West who packed a Speedo. I'm just glad he had the good taste to leave it hanging on the hook back at the house.

This Speedo made another appearance 2 years ago when a friend of Honey's asked to borrow a suit from Babe, as a joke Babe presented him with the Speedo. This kid was so excited to wear that stupid thing that he asked if he could keep it. The Speedo Surprise has graced another generation and I couldn't be more proud!

You are linking up with us today right? You know we'll love you long time if you do!

Winter in Florida

2012-01-23T00:00:00.002-05:00

Yes, Winter in Florida but I'm referring to the dolphin not the season. The star of A Dolphin Tale lives not that far from me so last week when the girls had no school {and it was a beautiful, sunny 75 degrees outside} we set out to meet this famous dolphin.

She doesn't live in a Sea World type facility, she is one of 4 dolphins currently living at a rescue/rehabilitation center with otters, sting ray, sea turtles and more. She will sadly never be released back to the ocean where she belongs. If you haven't seen the movie you need to!

It was a wonderful afternoon and has possibly inspired Peanut to someday become a marine biologist. Isn't working with animals every little girls dream at some point in her life? Living so close to the ocean makes working with animals of the sea even more enticing. Who knows maybe one she'll be a female Jacques Cousteau!

~~Nathan,~~ sorry I've been corrected...Nicholas following his Mother, beached himself. While laying next to his her {she didn't survive} he was severely sunburned. He has burn scaring and loss of pigmentation all down his back. I'm unsure if he will one day be released.

Petting the sting ray is always a big hit.

My bestie and her girls joined us.

Winter...she was only a few months old when she lost her tails so she knows no different.

Panama is Winters best friend, she too beached herself. She was severely underweight because her teeth had been worn down leaving her unable to hunt. She will share a tank with Winter for the rest of her life.

Baby Hope is 3 months old and was such fun to watch. Like a puppy she was full of energy and would play and jump then rest on her "bed". I do not know why she is there or if she'll be released but I think they are HOPEfull that she will one day return to the wild.

If you're ever in central Florida and want to see what a working rescue/rehabilitation hospital for sea animal looks like I highly recommend visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium!

I've been featured...

2012-01-19T23:09:00.001-05:00

I was contacted by Pocketchange, a blog full of useful information and links that take you just about anywhere you want to go, and asked if I'd like to be featured on their Best of the Web segment. Ummm, yeah! This was a question that I didn't have to use my Rocket Sciene skills to answer, which was a very good thing because they were piled beneath 15 loads of laundry and enough dog hair to fill a king size down comforter at the time! Go check out the site, and my little blurb of internet fame here , and look around a bit I think you'll find it worth your time!

Like one of my fellow bloggers and loyal TTUT participant Stacie, Pocketchange has an area dedicated to tips. It's laid out neatly so you can search for help in whatever area you're in need of. Since the chocolate cupcakes I made today fell like a bad soufflé I'm off to nose around the baking section.

This is not a paid post, it's just my way of saying thanks to Pocketchange for featuring little ol' me!

Color me confruzzled!

2012-01-19T00:00:00.001-05:00

Maybe you can help me out. Can you tell me...

How does she think this is a good look?

How I did this to my ankle and have no clue how!

Why this lady felt the need to get in not one but two of my pictures while visiting Winter the dolphin. Maybe her boots really were made for walking!

How these people were allowed to reproduce. This poor child cried almost the entire flight while his parents slept on either side of him. I was never so grateful for a good pair of headphones!

If you have answers please let me know because my brain is starting to hurt.

I had know idea

2012-01-18T16:17:00.000-05:00

I am very good about cleaning the lint trap inside my dryer after every load. I also will occasionally go outside and clean out the dryer vent as far as my hand can reach. But did you know that the entire dryer ventilation system should be cleaned by someone who knows what they're doing at least twice a year?

I found this out this weekend when a house in the neighborhood across the street from me started on fire.

Cause of fire: dryer lint.

Devastation left behind: Laundry room burnt. Damage in room {attic} above laundry room. Soot and smoke damage to majority of house.

Incomprehensible loss: Heartbreak! The family dog, a beautiful German Shepherd dog, perished in the fire and the family cat is still fighting for her life. This family has two children Honey's age. This is such a horrible tragedy.

I for one will be scheduling a thorough cleaning of the dryer and venting system and will never leave the dryer running when no one is home again.

This is the second house fire in that neighborhood since December, the other was caused by an electrical spark outside I believe. Needless to say fire safety has been discussed here. Do you have a plan?

I know this post is a bummer but if it will help save your house, your pets and your family than it was worth it.

Selling your business?

2012-01-18T00:00:00.003-05:00

I've posted a lot lately about what I would do if the decision was made to move. How I would go about looking for the right house, school district and shopping mall, priorities people a girls gotta know where the closest Nordstroms is! But one of the things I never thought about was what we would do if we had a business that we would have to relocate.

I have a friend that's a dentist, what would he do if he and his family wanted to move? There are a lot of companies out there that are designed to help people just like our friendly, neighborhood dentist. By searching Practices for sale or Dental Practices for Sale he could be in contact with a company that has a knowledgeable brokerage staff ready to assist him in not only buying a new practice but selling his current one. Same is true for so many other professional business, Pharmacies, Veterinary office, Massage practices and Accounting Practice for Sale. Practice Sales Group is a great tool to have for retiring and moving to the beach too, no need to close shop when you could sell to someone moving to your who needs a well established business with a happy client base, just change the name on the door and you're good to go, it could be just that easy.

I took a much needed arrow to the ass!

2012-01-17T00:07:00.002-05:00

One of my bloggy besties IA and I are talking again this week. She's talking about trying to find friends that don't use meth or want to change things up a little by taking her husband home for the night and I'm talking about defunking myself and showing you a little craftiness while trying to spread some love in the Seriously house. Two totally different topics but because we have no rules for Talk To Us Tuesday it doesn't matter. I love that! What do you want to talk about today? Maybe you and your girlfriends got together to make Valentine's Day crafts, hit the crack pipe and when hubby came home for lunch....Oh, I cannot wait to read all about it!

It seems that the blahs have been going around lately. I know I have had more than my share of bitchiness this past week and I am tired of it! I have blamed it on my ongoing, month long, marathon headache, Aunt Flo, the weather, my girls and my husband {blaming him is ok today; it's a good thing I love him and have a bad memory!} but it's time to take ownership of my bitchiness!

In my attempt to find and spread the love I dug deep and found my inner Cupid to replace my inner Bitch. The fact that I can turn my bad mood off to answer the phone or tell the person that just ran into my cart at the grocery store "oh, that's ok, no problem" but I nearly foam at the mouth for the littlest thing at those I love the most is ridiculous!

So, Cupid made a visit and he shot me square in the ass. I didn't turn eager to punch him in the throat like I thought I would but instead I gave him a big ol' hug and said thank you! His arrow was what I needed to do my best to make this house full of love {here's hoping it will last longer than a day or two!}. I think I need to search Pinterest for a quote that I can write on my mirror, or have tattooed on my hand or across my forehead, that will remind me to just be nice! Who ever coined the phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" clearly had not receive an unwarranted tongue lashing from me. Shame on me!

Cupids arrow also inspired me to put my Valentine's Day decorations out. If having them out helps make me a better, nicer Mom and Wife I may leave them up until I feel completely cured of my severe case of Bitch-idous.

When I pulled out my decorations I learned that epson salt turns to talcum powder when stored in a hot Florida attic. So the candles I made last year were redone by sprinkling coarse glitter over a thin coat of Mod-Podge and set on the mantle.

Visitors are now welcomed with a little love.

Of course I have to have my seasonal plates and napkins on display.

This year I added a candy bar and I love it! I didn't feel like running to the fabric store for my frame turned tray so I cut a large gift bag to fit, I think I like this better than fabric!

A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do to cure herself of Bitch-idous, hopefully this will work! Here's hoping all of my bloggy friends that had a craptastic week last week get shot in the ass like I did!

I won't be visiting everyone today but I will make it by sometime this week. I'm taking the girls to see Winter, the dolphin with no tail and star of the movie Dolphin Tale, and then celebrating Babes 43rd birthday! Happy birthing Babe, I love you!

Walgreens vs. Insurance...it's a no brainer this time

2012-01-15T18:04:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love my local Walgreens. Not only do they have a very friendly staff but they are literally 3 minutes from the house and have the convenience of a drive up pharmacy window.

I have been receiving letters from both Walgreens and my insurance company telling me that effective January 1, 2012 Walgreens would no longer be working with my insurance. When I picked up Decembers prescriptions the Pharmacists gave me the good news that the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, a program I have been a member of for 2 years, was offering a special for the month of January; the annual fee was only $5 for me or $10 for the entire family. I have a blood disorder and take a blood thinner every day through their program I can get a 90 day supply of my medicine for less than it would cost me for 1 month using my insurance company and Express Scripts. Walgreens and Express Script both want my business but by utilizing the savings though the Walgreens Prescription Saving Club my decision wasn't hard to make. Obviously, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out.

Walgreens on Facebook because all of the cool kids are doing it. Like them to receive coupons and random yet important information.

Walgreens on Twitter- Yep they're cool like that. Find out all types of information and never miss a coupon by following them.

Friday Daydreamin' ~ Anyplace but here

2012-01-13T10:02:00.000-05:00

I'm linking up with my IRL friend Becca over at Are We There Yet Mom , remember the one that's giving away $25 gift cards? If you have already forgotten go here for more information.

Today I am day dreamin' about being anywhere but here. I've been in a funk the entire week and have had a headache on and off for more than a month. Dr. Quaksalot originally said it was allergies then he changed his mind and said it was my neck and back and referred me to Pain Management...see Dr. Quaksalot is the perfect name for him! Pain Management, seriously! When the headaches persisted I went to the dentist, he thought that perhaps my bite has shifted so he filed a few teeth and sent me home to see if they went away...they have not. So I went to the Chiropractor for an adjustment and massage and I hurt even worse now. I think Diana, the massage therapist, was an iron working in her previous life. My muscles are now sore to the touch and I have bruises on my arms and shoulders. Super!

Oh poor me right? I know so many have it worse and I'm trying to be a big girl and not be so whining and bitchy but so far it's really not working. What I really need to do is grab my cup of coffee with my new Almond Joy creamer and sit back and pretend that I'm in one of the following places.

With my sisters celebrating Sheilas birthday. It's been a year since we spent a wonderful sister weekend together and I miss them!

At the beach with my besties, AKA the Triangle, doing absolutely nothing and loving it!

Or, somewhere with these two, my other besties and the better halves of Babes Triangle.

Yeah, yeah blah, blah blah, right. I'm going to pull up my very big girl panties and forget about the week, I'm starting over as of right now!

What are you daydreaming' about? Head on over and link up with Becca it will take your mind off of your real life crap I promise!

My kids go home after school

2012-01-13T00:00:00.001-05:00

This guest post from Werner Rogers

There is nothing scarier in your life than when your kids start to become a little bit independent from you. For their whole lives it has been your responsibility to know where they are and if they are safe at all times. Once they go off to school you can trust that they are well taken care of and safe but you can never really be sure. After they leave school they will ride the bus to a babysitter or daycare for a while and you know they are looked after there and they are having fun with their friends. Then there comes a time when they will want to go home alone instead of to a babysitter. Your heart will scream, "No! it is too soon. You are still a tiny baby, how are you old enough to be at home alone?" but in your head you know that it is time and you have to let go just a little bit more. If you are anything like me you are paranoid. I decided once my oldest child wanted to go home alone that it was time for an alarm system so I went to www.home-alarm-systems.com and found a great package.

I may be just a little proud

2012-01-11T00:02:00.000-05:00

If you've been around here for any length of time you know that we are very involved with softball, travel softball for Peanut to be exact. It takes up every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday night for practice and 2 weekends a month we travel for 2 day tournaments. It a huge family commitment especially since Babe is the head coach. Honey is so very busy living the life of a typical 17 year old but she makes the time to come and watch, support and cheer on her baby sister.

This past weekend we all stayed together in one hotel room {early games with an hour plus drive are not fun}which was a ton of fun considering we are all accustomed to our own big beds, well ventilated rooms and more than 1 bathroom. Waking up to the sound and smell of dinner escaping from my husbands ass and waiting for him to get out of the bathroom so we could do our hair and makeup all while standing in his stench was not the best part of the weekend I assure you! Note to self...do not allow that man to eat Mexican and drink more than 2 beers the night before being trapped with him in a 20x20 room with no functioning windows!

This was the first tournament of the new year and hopefully it was just a taste of what's to come. The girls played very well, winning 3 of their 6 games and taking home the Runner Up trophy! Peanut also took home a MVP t-shirt, she played amazing all weekend but had a standout game 5, she totally earned that $3 t-shirt!

In my attempt to be more like Becca I upgraded my iMovie yesterday and have been playing around with the video I took over the weekend. It has taken me ~~hours~~ days but it's been fun and has earned me a much needed trip to the chiropractor for an adjustment and massage tomorrow!

Here's a video I put together just for Peanut, I know it's a team sport but this is MY blog and My video of My daughter making the game winning play so I will not apologize! The one I made for the team is super cool. It's on YouTube and is of all of the girls, I showed no favoritism on that one. I do however need to apologize in advance for my obnoxious voice, the way I draw out the word nniiiiiiiccce and the shrill that comes from deep inside when she makes the catch. You.Have.Been.Warned.