I'm Too Old For This

You have heard me complain about my skin unceasingly on this blog. I know, it's old...but honestly, I'm too old to still be having the kind of problems I have. Freckles, zits, blackheads...I'm nearly 38 years old...what is up with that? I recently purchased a couple of skin care products with the hope that it would help clear my skin up. But I had the opposite reaction. My skin broke out, and that break out not only lasted a week and a half...it hurt! And it was due to a "higher" priced moisturizer. I was under the impression that because it cost more, it had to be better, right? Wrong! It was horrible! And just to finish the little tub that I purchased, I use it on the chapped skin on my elbows and ankles. Yes...$30 for ankle cream! I think I'm heading in for a microdermabrasion next! Maybe if they just totally resurface my skin, I might just find some relief. I hope so...it's been 22 years!!

St. Patty's Day!

Next Tuesday is St. Patrick's Day. It's a really big deal here in Chicago. Dyeing the Chicago River Green and all!! I think I will try to plan an outing for the two older boys and I. Before we leave the area-I would really love to see the green river. Wasn't it in Ferris Buellers Day Off? Yes--one of the main problems with the movie. They are at a St. Patrick's Day parade--remember the float--Wayne Newton--Twist and Shout--yeah--you remember!! Anyway--later that same day (or was it earlier???) they go to a Major League Baseball game--problem--Both the White Sox and the Cubs are at Spring Training in Arizona--ain't no MLB game for Ferris to go to around St. Patties Day!!

Anyway--I digress!! It wasn't that long ago we were thinking we would be leaving this area--so it might be nice to witness something that Chicago is famous for before we really do leave! I'll have to take some pictures and get them up here!!

Big & Little Girls Night Out

What a fun night! We did in fact go to Benihana's, but what made this girls night out even more fun...we brought our girls!! We both have been blessed with 3 boys and 1 girl. Blake (named after me) turned 4 on December 7, and Kate turned 4 on January 12. We weren't originally going to take them, but Blake had a field trip earlier in the day--and when she got home she got a bath and her hair washed and conditioned--and then Rob felt "adventurous" and blew her hair dry with a little mousse in it. It's getting so long--and with it off of her face her amazing blue eyes just jump out at you. So then she painted her fingernails and toe nails--and just got her all girly. Not for any particular reason--she was just having fun. But when they got here--she asked if it was alright if we made it a real "girls night out" and took the little ladies with us! I thought it was a great idea. Robyn worked with the girls on some poise and table manners--both girls loved having their napkins draped across their laps like grown ups. They loved every minute of it. They chattered away with each other and us--and still gave us "grown up" girls time to chat too!

I hope we do it again really soon!

Friday Night Movie Night

Tonight is Friday Night Movie Night! It's an idea that we adopted from my sister Robyn. My kids don't have school the next day--so we check out the Pay Per View films on Directv, and have pizza. They get to stay up late, watching a movie they want to see--and I get a few minutes of time to myself (in the next room over). So we are looking up movies to watch, the pizza is in the oven--and the kids are in their jammies!

I have to make popcorn the old fashioned way--we are out of microwave popcorn--and I'm really not up to using the machine--Yes, it's less work--but popcorn off of the stove, just tastes better!! So that will be our "treat" for the movie!

Girls Night Out!!

I'm trying to make arrangements tonight for my sister and I to go to dinner together. Our problem--between us we have 8 kids--and husbands that work way to much!! I think she is going to drop her kids off at my house--and I will have two teenaged girls from the neighborhood come in and watch them all! It doesn't save any money-because I'll pay one girl, and Robyn will pay the other-so we didn't save anything on child care. But honestly--would you leave one 16 year old girl in charge of 8 kids?? 2 of those kids are toddler boys--and they would need a sitter just for them!

I'm not sure where we'll eat--neither one of us are really picky. I just have to get my kids home from school and get their homework and chores done--and then the party can begin!

Ok--now I'm thinking...Benihana!!

Looking For Laptops

As anyone who has read this blog for a while knows, this family has been slow in moving into the "computer age". Yeah, I've had this blog for nearly 2 years...but we just recently purchased our own computer. So seeing how it took almost a decade of marriage to get the first one...is it too early to be looking at laptop deals?

I just keep thinking how efficient I could be on a laptop. I could take it to the park with me, while my kids play...I can get some of my "online" work accomplished. Sitting at the McDonald's play place...same thing! I don't make a whole lot of money with my online stores and whatnot to truly validate the expense, but honestly...I'm starting to obsess! We'll see how long I can hold out!!

Autographs

Last week my sister took my kids with her family as they went to get a Bulls players autograph. My oldest was so excited to show me his picture of Ben Gordon. He took it to school the next day to show all of his friends. Let's just say--he was King Cool for the day!

Tonight she took the boys with her again. This time they got Chris Duhon (I think that's right). He looks a lot sweeter in his photo than the last guy--but he will also be making his appearance at the elementary school tomorrow!

I don't know if anyone else is coming. It seems to be a spur of the moment decision. We get a phone call a few minutes before my sister is leaving for the autographs--so I may not find out about the next one for several days! I will have to keep you posted.

My Treadmill

A few weeks back we moved the treadmill into my bedroom. I've been putting it off for quite awhile, but if I was really going to start working out regularly, I needed it up there (by my Tivo).

When we first started looking at exercise equipment I wanted an elliptical, but they cost a bit more at the time, so I got the "space saving" treadmill that folds up. Now that it is in the master bedroom, all I can think is that I was so smart. It's a big room, but not big enough for such a large, bulky piece of equipment...so I'm glad it shrinks!

So far I've added 5 miles to my results...just from the move. That spells success to me!

Helmets

My boys have taken up skateboarding. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. We sat down with them after getting their boards and all of their gear and had the "YOU MUST ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET" chat. It was readily received (mainly because they wanted us to shut up and let them get to it), but my husband took it one step further. He actually looked up some video on YouTube to show how many kids have been really hurt by not wearing their protective gear. This is the same chat we had when they got their bikes.

When I lived in Japan, we had a rule about wearing our bike helmets. I did and didn't, I don't know why, but one day one of our Elders was hit by a car. A really FAST car. His helmet (luckily he was wearing one) was blown to bits on impact. This young man did survive this terrible incident, but just barely...and with years of painful recovery.

I've also seen motorcycle accident attorneys discussing how valuable helmets have been in accidents, and how catastrophic it is when there isn't a helmet used.

I am a HUGE fan of helmets now. In fact, I wanted a helmet for each of my kids as they learned to walk! How is it all of us made it past this stage in our lives without much more damage? My kids always seemed to get up to speed with their steps, only to smash head first into a wall or down on to the floor! I did tell the boys that, "No, a helmet isn't always going to save your life, but you stand a much better chance of surviving if there is one on your head!" This is a family rule that isn't going anywhere!

The Last Big Game!!

Today is my oldest son's last basketball game! I'm glad it is coming to an end-I'm not a big fan of the way the program is run. That said--I should mention that Yes, we will sign up again next year. What I don't like--oh so many things. No one has ever gone over the fundamentals of the game--just threw all of the kids together and have them play a game. Another point--every team has at least one girl on the team. Some teams have two--but our team is the ONLY team with 3--and they aren't the tall girls that other teams got--they are the little tiny short ones. In fact, our entire team is head and shoulders shorter than any other team on the roster!! They rarely get a chance to shoot the ball, and when they do--the other team just tips their bodies in with their arms up, and our kids are totally "caved" in! It will be the same next year--different team shifts--but hopefully my little guy will get a couple of inches between now and then!!

My Kind Of Party!

I am so excited! I was just invited to a "home party" by a friend. It's next Saturday afternoon, and aside from a few hours with good friends, this party is all about getting healthy. I am excited because it's for products set up to help promote energy. I'm hoping they sell something like Solo Slim or one of those "If your wagon is a draggin'" kind of energy drinks. I don't mind healthy weight loss products and high-protein drinks are right up my ally too. I'll have to let you know what I find.

Sick Boy--Maybe

I just got a call from the school! Apparently Daniel is complaining of stomach problems. I'm not sure what the problem is--but he wants to try to make it through lunch to see if it gets any better. Lunch is his favorite part of the day-and if he's not in enough pain to come home immediately but can sit through lunch--I can't imagine why he couldn't make it the rest of the day!

Me thinks it has something to do with Friday being test day! He may be just be a little nervous about his spelling test--although we studied all of the words last night--so he really should feel comfortable with it. He may just be prone to appendicitis like his momma! That is a miserable fate if that's the case. Of course, if he were having that kind of pain--there would be no staying for lunch!!

Spring Break

I think I'm going to plan a trip to Canada for Spring Break. We are pretty close! I think we'll drive to Detroit the first day--spend the night and then cross the bridge into Canada. My kids have never been out of the country--well, I guess the youngest two have--they've been to the border towns of Mexico. But I think Canada sounds like fun!

It will require a little study by me to determine exactly what we are close to, and the fun things to see--if we go! I will let you know tomorrow what I find, and where we are headed! If you've ever been to Canada by way of Detroit--what should I look for??? Let me know!

Boo Boo's!

My little Brett just cut his finger on a razor blade! I am no new comer to kids and blood--but my question is this...WHERE DID HE FIND A RAZOR BLADE??? I cleaned the bathroom this afternoon and searched the house for one. With little ones learning to brush their teeth-I have toothpaste glopped on the sink at all times. It's just easier to razor the globs off--but I could not find one.

Give up on the search, find something else to do--turn my back on him for 2 minutes and he finds the one thing I searched 1/2 of an hour for!! mmmmm hmmmm, that's just scary!!

He's wasn't unhappy or crying at all--but he's not thrilled with the big paper towel taped to his finger with strapping tape! Again, with little ones in the house--band aids are a rare commodity!!

Poor thing!!

Baseball

Tonight is the first practice for my older boys baseball teams. They are really excited! We did all the shopping and got them all set up with their own bats and batting helmets. I'm a weird mom, and don't like the idea of every boy on the team using the same batting helmet! You know, lice!!

Jacob is on the Yankee's and Daniel is on the White Sox. It costs a fortune to keep them in baseball, but they love it--and it's about all they do extra-curricular-ly-so I don't mind. I wish they loved basketball as much as Robyn's boys--there are at least bleachers to sit on and air conditioning or heating to enjoy! Baseball is on lawn chairs in the sun!!

But their smiles of accomplishment is all we do it for! Go Yanks!! Go Sox!!

Back To School

Today was my boys first day back at school. It was a long weekend-and it was nice to have them in school again. They will come home with a ton of homework--but that doesn't really bother me. I'm a homework fan--I believe it is important for them to have their attention spans stretched now so that Jr. High and High School is an easier transition.

I'm going to take my younger two to my sisters house to have a play date with her kids. Her daughter has school--but that's ok--my kids fit nicely around her two littlests ages--so they both don't mind playing with him.

Then I will get to sit and chat with my sister! That's always the best part of the day!

Change of Plans!!

Well, my sister just called and invited my boys to go with her and her family to see a Bulls player. My boys are excited and want to go--but it will kind of sink our plans for the day. Not really--I guess we'll send the boys with her and take the two younger ones out. We won't be seeing a movie--but if we aren't paying for a movie--we could swing a Chuck E Cheese's night for the younger two. They would love that--and call me crazy-but I LOVE their pizza!!

Plus, they have ride on rides that my little ones enjoy--especially the Barney, Teletubbies and Bob The Builder rides. Now my husband will still want to play the video games--but without the older boys here-even that cost will be cut in half! So I think we have a winner! Now I just have to dig out their Bulls jerseys to get signed-and find them a camera! I think they will have a lot of fun!

Casmir Pulaski Day!

Darn! Earlier I posted that I wanted to take my kids to the movies tomorrow with my sister and her kids. Sounds fun--but I totally forgot--her son and my son both have basketball games. Her son is done at 1:30 but mine isn't done until a quarter to 4! That makes any plans for an afternoon movie impossible!

So now we are thinking we will plan the outing for Monday! We have this weird holiday here in Chicago called Casmir Pulaski Day. He is apparently some Polish Freedom Fighter--I'm all for it--but it would be nice to know a little more about what the holiday is for! Are we supposed to do anything in particular? I think there is a parade in Polish town--but I don't know if it will even be on tv. That might be kind of fun-but it is too snowy here to go sit downtown and watch a parade!!

Oh well, a movie it shall be!

A Day Off!!

My neighbor called earlier today to see if we would like to go roller skating with her and her family. Of course, with the day off of school, I thought it sounded like fun! She was going to run to the Credit Union and then give us a call to let us know when to leave to meet them! Well, she never called. I think that is kind of strange--but oh well! I think if we can get up in the morning tomorrow and get our chores done--I may try to take the kids to the movies. I'll have to check and see what kid movies are out there. They've been really good kids these past couple of days--so that would be a nice treat for them!

I may have to call Robyn and see if they want to come with us.

Mmmmmmm, Donuts!!

Have you ever made homemade donuts? I know, it's probably a really strange question. But today after picking the kids up from school all I could smell was fresh fried donuts. It really made me want to come home and make some!

Now--I'm not nearly as talented at making donuts as Dunkin' Donuts or anything--but they are so easy to make--and eating them warm with powdered sugar is AMAZING!!

My kids are out of school for a 4 day weekend--and I think I see some baking coming on!
I've been wanting to make Snikerdoodles too! I guess I really shouldn't make all of these sweets--or me and my kids will weigh a ton!!

Home Sick!!

My husband came home early from work today. He hasn't been feeling well the last couple of days, but I have to tell you--if he's home from work at all--it's got to be pretty bad. He would go to work on his deathbed if he had to. He has called out sick ONCE in our entire marriage--and he only did it because I threatened that I would call him in sick if he didn't!

He's the boss--so he takes his position very seriously. If he is at work when he doesn't feel his best--it let's his employee's see that they are expected there unless they are on their way to the Emergency Room!! Over the years--he's had tons of employees that call out for any reason and blame it on being sick. We even ran into a couple at the movies or out to dinner on a day when they called out--to sick to move! Oh, the look in their eyes was priceless!!

He's currently tucked in his bed sleeping! I sent the kids next door to play at the neighbors house until dinner. That way they get to have fun, and dad gets to sleep and rest--cause I guarantee--he'll be up and out the door to work tomorrow!!

Wednesday!!

My sister called and invited us to the Blue and Gold Banquet for her son tonight. He will be getting his Wolf award and doing something with whipped cream. I really should go--but Wednesdays are not the quietest of days for us! Daniel has basketball tonight, and Kate has Ballet!

But--it is a free dinner--Hawaiian Luau, so I really should go. Plus-they are supposed to be having a Pinewood Derby track there and I know my son would love to take on his two cousins! He built his very own car-- and what it lacks in "speed" it more than makes up for in style!! I really do need to catch a picture of it, before it's been played with beyond recognition!

How Fun Is This!!

As I've been stating for months--I've hated my Blogger template. It was fine-but it was just too boring. So I chose an all new template--and totally shook it up. I bet you can't even tell what template it was to begin with--that's just how good I've gotten! Just kidding!

I chose a template with the sidebar on the right--but I really wanted my sidebar on the left--and I hated the colors they give you to choose from--so I found an awesome site that gives html color codes, and then hit the html section of my template!

I was brave enough to mess around with it until I figured out how to move the sidebar, change the background, and add items that I wanted! I LOVE it! It no longer feels like the "Ugly Neglected Step Sister" to my sisters "Burberry" themed blog!!

Ain't technology Grand!!

I Think It Found Me

It has been a crazy day and it's not even 12:00 noon yet! My husband couldn't find his keys this morning when he was leaving for work. So I got up to help him, found them in the microwave--yes, that would be the work of my 2 year old! But by the time we found them, and he was out the door, it was only 15 minutes until it was time to get the kids up for school.

So I came over to have a seat and type away my thoughts. But then I'm realizing--I don't feel good. My stomach is tight, and I am really going to throw up. I hate this--my sisters entire family has had this stomach gunk--so I'm going to put the blame squarely on her shoulders! So without to much information for you all--I got up and took care of business. Yes, it always makes you feel better when you do it--but it's still just horrid to do it. I would almost rather curl up in a ball and fight it for hours on end, than get up and take the three minutes to feel better! Yes, I would make a TERRIBLE bulimic!

What's That I See??

I walked out the door of my house today--and what is that I see ebbing out of the melting snow?? Can you say TULIPS!! Ohhhh, it's too early for this--I don't want them to freeze, but at the same time-it's always so fun to finally see them popping up again. Who cares about the Groundhog--when my tulips start to bloom--I know Spring is coming!!

Tonight my sisters husband is taking their daughter (named after me) on a daddy daughter date! I think that is such a cute idea--and so sweet of dad to think of it! My big sister has all of the great ideas, I'm always copying them!! I'm going to have to go over tomorrow morning and see how Blakey liked her date with her dad!! You can check out all of the fun over at her blog: Genki Desu Yo

6 Months Comes Fast

February 21st brings the renewal of our car insurance. We've been with the same company for over 5 years, yet every 6 months the husband decides it's time take a look at our car insurance coverage and see if there are savings to be had. Then inevitably, we renew with the same old company! It's like a little control dance we play every 6 months. I control the finances in the house, I pay the bills. But every so often he feels like he needs to dip his toe in and test the waters. Once he realizes that we are running like a well oiled machine, he takes his leave and the universe returns to it's normal, functioning self!

I Need A Gym!!

I want to join a gym! I know I say that alot--but I really do. I need to find one with a section for kids. Since I have 2 little ones that aren't in school-they would need to have a toy section.

My sister in law swaps that out. She gets a free membership at the gym, and then on her times not in the gym--she covers the kids section. I would LOVE this! Do they have them here in Illinois?? Anyone?? I will have to take a minute and see what I can find!

I will let you know!

Sick Babies

I just got off the phone with my sister. Bad news! We were going to get together today and let the kids play in the snow. They actually have toboggan runs here--where were they when we were little! But it turns out all three of her boys are sick. She didn't sound too great either--but the boys have the stomach flu--and I really don't want that invading my house. My kids have already missed so much school for being sick!

So now I have a long three day weekend to plan something fun! I wonder what movies are out there for the kids. We still have free movie tickets left from Christmas--and it's warm in the theaters!! hmmmm, I'll have to give this a little more thought!

House-Sitting

The kids and I spent the last couple of days housesitting for my sister. She and her family headed to Phoenix for the week. I don't like to fly-so I'm not jealous of that--but OH HOW I LOVE THE SUN! I'm sure she's basking in the view of the palm trees and swimming outdoors and getting a sunburn! Lucky lady!

It's cold here! Not just chilly--but truly negative 16 COLD! My brother in law got home from Phoenix last night and it was -16, he was in shock because he left Phoenix and it was 86 degrees. What a sad, SAD shock for his system!

It is supposed to warm up to 26 degrees this week, but they say the snow will be back early next week! Just in time for Valentine's Day! That's the night my sister is flying home! I hope they make it home safe and sound!

My Uncle Mike

We are in a position where we are looking at putting my uncle into a "partial" care facility. Holy cow is this hard! The poor man has Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington Chorea. Two HUGE disabilities for one single, aged man to deal with.

He doesn't think he needs any help--but just last week he was pulled over (AGAIN) by a police officer who was tipped of that he was driving drunk. Someone had watched him stumble to his truck (the Huntingtons) and had mistakenly thought he was inebriated. Each time my mother is called, where she vows that he doesn't drink but has a hard time walking normally. He walks with a bit of a jittery shuffle. He really shouldn't be driving--but he is in no way impaired chemically.

The main reason's we think he needs to go into a facility is because his kids have all gotten married and moved out of state. His sisters are getting older and finding their own health problems and my mom snowbirds 4 months during the winter in Arizona. He is all alone in the world and isn't very good at remembering to take his medication or even eat for that matter. He's been hospitalized for dehydration three times in the past year, he just forgot to eat or drink anything. He does have one of those talking watches that reminds him to take his medication--but if he isn't home or if he doesn't get to it right away he misses the dose. It's just not working!

So we are spending a lot of time this week trying to find him something that we'll both be happy with. I'll have to let you know what we find!

Finding A Deal

You know what I missed the most being gone? Hounding! Did you know that I was a MAJOR couponer? If you can save money...I'm all over it! Matching a manufacturer's coupon with a store coupon ontop of sale price-how cool is that!

I do know people who stockpile a TON of stuff that they will never use, but their thought is--it was so cheap, what if I find I need it later? My thought--you spent money on something you may never use? That is in no way shape or form SAVING! I do only shop for the items that I need or will definitely use! That said, if anyone out there wants my coupons for Pampers or cat food...comment here--and they are yours!

Disneyland

My sister called me today. It's always so good to catch up, especially if I've been away for awhile. Her 20 year high school reunion is this summer back in Utah, and she's thinking it would be fun to take her kids to Disneyland from Utah rather than making a separate trip from Chicago. She'll definitely save on airfare that way. What was funny is that she was looking at an Anaheim California hotel and found a really good rate (at a motel) before she remembered that we are in the hotel business! I called my husband and found a really good rate right next to Disney.

Her kids have never been to Disneyland, and although we've been to Disney World, my kids have never been to Disneyland either. I'm wondering if it would be possible to meet up over the summer and enjoy the park together!

My Poor Body

Do you want to know the one thing I wish I had done before we left for this amazing trip? Get myself in shape to hang out in a swimming suit! I mean, we knew this trip was coming for nearly a year--where were my diet pills? Where was my daily work out routine?

All of my friends from the hotel were dying to just layout in the sun, and although that isn't something I enjoy doing too much of, it would have been fun to be a little social! But no--my body in a bathing suit would truly have scared the natives (and everyone else for that matter)! Besides being a little "big"...I'm white as a ghost! This skin has not seen the sun in over a decade! I would blind pilots flying over head if I bared my legs in direct sunlight!!

Next year we aren't going to the Carribean...but you can bet I'm going to work to get this body in swimsuit shape no matter where we end up!

My New Grasshopper Suitcase

Before we left for the Carribean my husband surprised me with a "going away" gift. It was so sweet. Imagine my surprise to find it was luggage. I'm sorry...you may not know us, but we have a TON of luggage! I think it was the number one gift idea handed out the year we got married...because we got it from just about everyone!

I looked at him kind of confused when I opened my lime green Zero Halliburton Zeroller, and he laughed. He reminded me how every trip we sit at the luggage carousel looking at the tags on each and every black roller suitcase that goes by us. We honestly joke about it because by the time they've made their way around the circle and get back to us, we don't recognize one from the other--and we end up looking at the tags of every suitcase like 5 times! So he got me this green one--so that we can literally see it coming from miles away!

How thoughtful is that?

The BEST Shopping

I spent much of my time over this past week away shopping! I mean, who doesn't want to buy designer wholesale clothing and handbags?

My mom always comes home from her trips with fun new purses, and I got my first pair of Guess Jeans from Hong Kong. Mind you that was back in 1986 when Guess Jeans were all the rage and cost a fortune!

I didn't come home with too much, but I did find the cutest sun dress for next to nothing! I can't wait for the weather to warm up so that I can start wearing it here. Now that I am home, my poor budget is back on tap--so there won't be much more shopping to be done until pay day!!

I hope I can wait!

Charlie!!

Well, it has been too long my friends! I have been out of town for this conference or that, but I am back! Life is good when you are away, but it is always nice to come home. Have you ever been to the Caribbean? It is beautiful, and so warm this time of year, compared to Chicago. What made this particular conference so nice was that it was for my husband's work. So other than the "supporting" duties that I had, I was completely on my own. Since my husband is an executive with the corporation, we were put up in a little bungalow on the hotel grounds. Everything was beautiful--smelled HEAVENLY! The one problem, Charlie! Charlie is a huge spider (from the West Indies) and honestly, we saw him perched in the bathroom window as soon as we got there.

Creepy as he was, I didn't mind using the facilities if Charlie was visible in his web. Ok, to be totally honest, I would have loved to find a brown recluse spider trap only bigger to get him the heck out of there...but if you thought I was going to use my shoe on him, you would be sadly mistaken! The fun part came about 2:30 a.m. about three nights into our stay. We always slept with the bathroom door closed and a towel at the bottom to keep Charlie from roaming. So my husband gets up in the middle of the night to take care of some personal business and the first thing he notices is that Charlie isn't in his "normal" spot. But not being able to wait around to look for him, he just sat down and took car of himself. When he was finished he pulled the sheet down on the toilet paper roll---and yep...Charlie came around with the roll. Even though we were in our own bungalow...I'm sure EVERY guest of the hotel heard him scream his head off!

I'm not sure we got much sleep that night wondering what creatures were wandering around our room, but it is definitely a great story to share with anyone who cares to listen!!

What I Would Really Like

This Christmas we got our boys a Game Cube. Of course if you ask me, we got them an xbox 360. My husband always laughs and corrects me, but honestly--what does it matter? They are both Nintendo gaming systems--they boys know what I'm talking about, even when I get it wrong. But it's funny.

You know what I really want? I want Super Mario Brothers--that first Nintendo game. I remember loving it, but since it wasn't mine I didn't get to play it nearly enough. I don't think they make it for the Game Cube, but I would totally love to get a chance to play it. I was looking on Ebay for it, and they are still selling for nearly $30. It's like 20 years old--and yet it's still one of the best sellers. Too cool!

The Week

The holidays have come and gone! Can you believe it! We finally had our last "Christmas" related activity, my sons cello concert. His concert was originally scheduled for a couple of weeks before Christmas, but due to inclement weather it was postponed until after the Christmas holiday. It was kind of nice getting to hear Christmas carols after Christmas!

Other than that, we've kicked right in with our New Years traditions. Leptovox, treadmill, weight training...you name it--it's all going on here. This year is my high school reunion, and I would really like to look decent. So hard as it may be, I have to keep it up.

We are currently set to fly into Utah in mid-August, and then home just in time to start school. To be completely honest...I CAN'T WAIT!!

My 2009 Plans

Do you make New Year Resolutions? I am BIG at this! I have a resolution for everything, but this year, I'm bound and determined to see some of them come to fruition. My biggest...getting healthy! Notice I didn't say "losing weight"--I find that to be way to vague, and I really want to make it work this time. I've got my weight loss products lined up and I've even moved the treadmill from the boring, cold basement...to my warm, comfortable bedroom with the Tivo. Yeah, you can just hear my seriousness now, huh!

One pound at a time, but I'm hoping by my 20th reunion this summer, I can have lost at least 50 lbs!! Wish me luck!

We Rent...a LOT

Over the holiday break we rented a LOT of movies. Do you and your family do that? With the Red Box dollar rentals out there, why not?? Sadly, because we rented so many they had run out of my favorite chick flick genre and my last rental turned out to be the Sex in the City movie. Honestly, I think you had to watch the series on TV to get what was going on---but I do have to say, during the final scene when she goes back to her 'former' luxury penthouse for her never worn Manolo Blahnik shoes and meets "Big"...I thought that was the best. Especially after he'd left her at the alter. It was a light movie--truly--no plot to stew over. But it was a nice change, Daniel had forced me to rent "The Christmas Shoes". Great movie! Great, 3 HANKY movie!! So something light after that, was a welcome escape!

Sad News

I just got off the phone with my mother, it appears that my uncle has had an accident. He was snow blowing his driveway this morning when the wet snow bogged down the blades. You know what's coming next, but you know--he thought he was being smart. He turned off the snowblower before attempting to clear the snow. The problem was the blades had been working so hard to do their job, that they actually had wound quite tight before he turned off the machine. He reached in to clear the snow and by freeing up the blades it allowed them to unwind--and no safety equipment around could have protected him from what came next.

He is currently in surgery. He's lost 2 fingers on his right hand, and although they are hoping to be able to reconnect them some how, they really aren't sure if they'll be able to, and if they can--just how much motion he'll recover is really unknown.

It's such a sad way to start the year, but if any of you out there have room for some extras...My Uncle Dave could really use some prayers!

Some Time Away

We are planning a fun get away for just my husband and I. I can't decide if I would rather book a cruise, or find a really nice hotel in downtown Chicago for a really good price. Ha...did you notice that? I threw in the cruise idea, as though there is any space in the budget for that (you did read below about the braces, right??)

Time away is really easy when you live near a really fun city. The hotels in the Chicago area are beautiful and have every amenity possible. From the pop up tv (I will have one of these before I die) to the mini bar to ROOM SERVICE!! I don't care if they charge me an additional 18% to bring it to me...someone else cooks it---and brings it to me----in bed!

I think I'm going to check out one of those "name your own price" websites to see what I can get. We do have a few friends left from our days in the hotel business that maybe we can swing a trade out or something. All in all...I can't wait!

Happy New Year!

I have been gone for the past 2 weeks. Nothing fun I assure you! Aside from the holidays, I have been struck by my yearly bronchitis and it was/is a doozy! I'm finally feeling a little better today and my to do list is a mile and a half long! My oldest in is need of braces--I need to find an orthodontist. Our insurance policy is up for renewal, and because there are now braces on the table--I need to find some cheap auto insurance! I have a menu to plan out for the month of January that fits our budget...and I have to come up with some blog posts for the company blog. Can I go back to bed yet??

I'm sorry for the long absence, and I hope that you all enjoyed a wonderful and safe holiday season!

Digital Dreams

I have been checking out all of the "sales" for my Christmas shopping, and you know, I'm ALWAYS drawn to the cameras. You know, big-beautiful-professional looking cameras like the Canon Powershot. But what is so sad, even if I got this amazing piece of equipment, I wouldn't know the first thing about using it.

My little brother is a professional photographer, and after seeing all of his amazing pictures of his kids (yeah, his wife is a pro too) the green eyed monster starts welling up in my gut! I do cute things with my kids, and my pictures are garbage. How I would love to not only own a professional camera, but also to have the know how to actually use it!

A Moment On The Future

Schaweet!! That is all I can say! You may remember a few days back I was talking about finding a new insurance company to get an umbrella policy under. I found one that was such a great price, and even better after we added life insurance quotes!

I've thought a lot about life insurance but because we are pretty young, and relatively healthy, but you know...if something were to happen to one of us, the other would be TOAST! Me for income, the hubby for child care and the running of the house. So it was nice to be forced to sit down and think about the future, and plan for those moments that no one really wants to think about!

Happy Turkey Day!!

&

Setting Some Goals

I mentioned watching the Biggest Loser two weeks ago, and how I despise the "troll" Vicky!! I was amazed watching it last night, that the people going home have lost like 75 pounds in 3 months, and that's not with the help of Tonalin or anything like it. Just good old fashioned exercise--I would LOVE to exercise more...but I don't! How bad is that?

I have a treadmill that I was pumped up and excited to use, until we moved, and it ended up in the basement! It weighs a ton, but I'm going to see if I can't get it up to the master bedroom this week so I can walk while I watch "my shows". I know, that's bad...but honestly, it's not getting any use hangin' in the empty, cold basement!!

That is my goal for the week!

What A Week!

I wrote last week about Butch coming to live with us. I have to say, after a few days with him...I'm exhausted! There is no need for a fat-burner like Fenphedra in this house, this puppy has us all wiped out!

Have you seen the dogs that run the agility courses? THIS is the kind of thing Butch would be amazing at. Sadly, I don't know where one is around here...and I don't know how much they cost.

My husband is 6'2" and if he holds a dog treat in his fingers with his arm straight out to the side, this dog can totally jump and get it. From the ground. Without a running start! It's absolutely amazing. Tiring...and amazing!

Budget Friendly

I have been online checking out auto insurance quotes this week. The minor (not my fault) fender bender a few years back, has just dropped off. So it's the perfect time to find something more affordable.

I've narrowed it down to two companies. One will be cheaper if we can get our home owners insurance covered with them as well (I'll have to let you know) and the other won't do our home owners policy, but will be cheaper if the first company can't either!

Honestly, how do people work 40 hour work weeks, and take care of the house as well? I have endless days ahead of me, and I'm still drowning in errands!

Shopping!

We only have 2 days off this week for Thanksgiving. I was unhappy at first because my sisters kids have the whole week off, which would mean some "sleep in" time for me, but as it works out I need to find a new desk for my computer, and shopping for office furniture with my 4 year old is never fun. So I can drop him off at Pre-K, and head out. Currently the computer I use lives in my kitchen. It resides on a bakers rack that is not only falling apart, but is also too high to comfortably type on.

But because it takes up the corner of the kitchen, I would like something much smaller, to keep the room from closing in around us.

Butch's New Home!

We have a new puppy, Butch. Sadly we are not prepared for this! We have hedges that surround our property and in the summer it works as a great barrier between our yard and the neighbors, but with fall in full swing and winter coming on, the hedges are barren and the puppy has no problem finding his way out of the yard. I've looked into pvc fence installation, and it looks like the perfect solution for us. It's cheap, and easy, and the whole thing can be installed the same day. I was originally looking into one of those underground fences, but I wasn't thrilled with the idea of shocking the poor little thing if he crossed the line, so we had to look into something else.

I'll have to let you know how it works out for us!!

Fixing A Broken Drain??

How do fix a bathtub drain? The faucet works great, but when you lift the little drain plug switch, nothing happens. Our upstairs bathroom has 3 inches of water from yesterday's baths that I can't get to drain. I've looked it up online on a few sites, but I haven't been able to find anything that helps. I SOOOOOOO don't want to call a plumber, I can't afford that this week! I may have to just bite the bullet and unscrew the face plate to see if there is something I can figure out by looking at it. If not, it isn't a problem that can wait, so I will have to call someone.

Any ideas??

Christmas Parties & Gifts

I got a phone call today inviting us to another Christmas party. Now I'm one that normally minds a ton of holiday plans, seeing that they are my most favorite part of the year. But with 15 parties on tap from the hotel's employee party on down to our New Years Eve party...I think I'll be swilling dietpills and eggnog just to get my waistline through it all.

The one thing I do have to do in the coming weeks is figure out what homemade gift I'm giving this year. Last year was cookie mix in a jar. The year before that it was homemade caramel sauce and sinful hot fudge. If I had been smart earlier in the year, I would have stocked up on my homemade raspberry jam, it is AMAZING!

The Little Princess!

I have a little princess here! It's hard not to be when you are the only girl in a family with three brothers. What is so cute, and uniquely her-she is a tomboy princess! It would not ever be a surprise to find her playing in the mud wearing a tiara. That is just how she is. There is some really cute "blingy" items of wholesale fashion jewelry that I'm looking at for a stocking stuffer or two for her.

There is a cute bracelet with a heart lock and a little key. That is just her. Cute, sweet and all around precious! I'll have to show it to my husband to see what he thinks. It's a go for me!

Hubby Thoughts

What do you give the man that has everything he wants? It's not necessarily EVERYTHING, but there isn't anything that the man wants! I would love to find something for just him,whether it was clothing or one of those Victorinox swiss army watches. Do you wanna know my brilliant idea? A new PS2, a game or two and a locking toolbox to keep his stash away from the kids! We have had so many PS2's in our house, but each one has met it's demise at the hands of the little ones. So something that he can keep all his own, in perfect condition, that would be perfect!

Snow Already?

I drove home today in the snow! How cool is that? I told my husband yesterday that he may just come home to find that his house was all decked out for Christmas, but it just didn't feel like it was time. Now with the snow, I'm thinking the tree may just go up tomorrow! Sadly, I think I will have to spend that time cleaning out the garage so that we can get both of our cars into it. Otherwise, I'll need to invest in some car covers so that we don't have freeze our rear ends off cleaning off the snow every morning.

The one problem I have is that there is a love seat and two recliners waiting to go to the dump, sadly we've never gotten them there and two cars won't fit in as long as they are there. I'll have to see if a sticker will do for the trash man, otherwise we'll have to rent a truck to get them outta here!

Twilight Is Coming

Have you ever heard of downloadable audio books? I have actually never even listened to an audio book. But I've always been pretty intrigued by them. I just found out that the "Twilight" saga is being banned from being downloaded. Again, something just a little intriguing!

I LOVE the Twilight series, and even have a group of friends lined up to make it to the movie opening night. I just wish there were more books coming in the near future.

Hmmmmm, Maybe!!

Have you seen the billboards around talking about franchise opportunity? There is one I see everyday on my way home from the kids school. I've never been one to really think of myself as a business owner, but I have to say it's sounds so exciting. My brother in law runs a major restaurant here in the Chicago area, and honestly there is a ton of work that goes into it. I'm not sure I could handle one on my own, but how fun does a little family business sound??

Happy Halloween!

How was your Halloween? Ours here was pretty hectic! Four kids, four different costumes, four different ages. One group wanting to run ahead, while a 3 year old assumes he's finally old enough to cross the street on his own (without looking both ways!!) But along with four kids comes four kids worth of candy! There will be alli diet pills in the not too distant future...for all of us!

Although it was a hectic day...is there any other time when running around willy nilly in funny costumes ringing doorbells and collecting gobs of candy? What isn't awesome about this holiday? Especially with two little ones that can hardly wait to get to the next door. Too fun!

Halloween Thougths

Have you started thinking about Halloween yet? I would find that a foolish question, but it's only 2 weeks away, so I guess if you haven't...you better start! I'm still working on ideas for the kids. The youngest will probably be Handy Manny. My daughter would like to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. My 8 year old would like to be something gruesome--not my style, and my 11 year old is trying to decided if it's something he'd like to do or not. He has until Wednesday to make his final decision.

Do you, as the parent, dress up for Halloween to? Or leave it to your kids? I never really have. I've had much more fun dressing them up and parading them around than I would ever have putting my own large body in something. I'm not sure this holiday will be any different!

D'oh!!

A few days ago I wanted to take a picture of some of the upgrades we've done to our house. As I went to snap the photo the screen had a message that the internal memory was full. That could only mean that I was missing a compact flash card. I sooooooooooo didn't want to go all the way in the house for a card, and they aren't kept anywhere that my kids can find them easily. So I did the easiest thing I could think of, I cleared the memory and took my photo's.

It wasn't until much later that I realized I wasn't smart enough to get the dumb photo's out of the internal memory. We don't have the cords needed to hook the camera up to the computer, and I was feeling rather foolish for my laziness.

I had to call my husband and go through the owner's manual TWICE before finding one little sentence on page 18 that tells you that all you have to do is insert a flash card---and hit back up on the menu! Yes, it only takes about 10 seconds...and it took me about 2 hours to figure it out!

Growing Up Fast

The name of this blog is Wild & Crazy Ride. I named it because it deals so much with the ups and downs of family life in my house. It seems like just yesterday my oldest son was asking for Yugi-oh cards and Game Boy games, and now he's asking for MP3 players and Cell Phones.

It's not that he's too young for this kind of stuff to be intriguing, he'll be 11. I'm just wondering where the past 5 years went! They seemed to have whipped by in no time at all. Soon he'll have no interest in the new things, and be more worried about borrowing the car keys and borrowing money for dates.

It's nothing new that our kids grow up so fast, but it is new to me. I'm just not quite ready to see him heading off to college just yet!

Auto Immune Problems

The doctors are thinking that some of my head problems are being caused by an underlying Auto Immune Disease. One possible option is something called Ankylosing Spondylitis which has to do with the lower vertebrae in the spine fusing together. The reason this makes sense to me is because I have terrible pain in my lower back. Even when I'm just standing at the sink, slightly bending over, the pain is so great that I have to stop and rest on the counter top. Walking even shorter distances is uncomfortable and running is out of the question.

I keep wondering if a good pair of sturdy walking shoes would make a difference, but I wasn't so sure until I saw the new MBT shoes. They are called the Anti-Shoe, and they actually work to promote better poster and even help with some of the jarring that the joints go through in daily activity. No, I don't know that this particular auto immune problem is the one that I have, but if something could help that lower back pain when I'm standing at the sink or even pushing a stroller, it would be amazing to find!

Green Beans

Have you had green bean casserole? You know the one with mushroom soup and crispy fried onions. I LOVE that! But I've never really known the recipe to make it. I mean, I know the ingredients but not the amounts. I love that you can find easy green bean recipes online. Especially since I have so many cans of green beans--case lot sales and all!! But I need more than one recipe to try them out with! Who knows, I may just be back sharing another favorite really soon!

Protection!!

My husband and I have been arguing recently about the need the get a home warranty. They are something that we've had in the past and have been saved so many times from the expenses in replacing a garage door, an air conditioning compressor, even the washer and dryer were covered. But since we moved into this house, we haven't had one. Everything seems to be working really good for now, but you just know that the first time money gets tight everything is going to start breaking down! Who wouldn't want to be prepared for that?

Such A Strange Dilema!!

A friend of mine put out a survey to see what kind baby bedding she should use for her new baby. What struck me odd was that she has a four year old daughter who just can't seem to share her crib with the soon to be baby, so they are buying a second crib. Are you kidding me? Who does that? Step in and be the parent...at four she's hopefully not sleeping in the crib, so just let her know how the game is going to be played! I had four kids move through my one crib and it was still seemingly wasteful to throw it out before we moved out. It was in great condition and yet, out it went! Step up...no MOM up!!

Not On His Arm

Have you seen the beautiful Nautica watches? I would love to get my husband a beautiful watch that he would be proud to wear, but he's put his foot down since the day we got married. According to him...he will only wear a watch when he has purchased himself a Rolex! Four kids, a mortgage and weddings and colleges to pay for? I just don't think he'll ever wear a watch!

Bribery??

Yesterday was "Back To School" night for my kids. We headed over to the school a little late, and since everyone was calm I took the opportunity to bring up a bargain for them for their grades. I said, "If you guys get straight "A"s, I will give you..." and both boys piped in with an answer. Grayson threw out a PSP and Jacob threw out a PS3! I'm sorry...I was just going to offer full rights to a video game they hadn't quite earned yet, and they jumped straight to the big kahuna! It's not likely going to happen their way, I'm just hoping for good grades!

We Found Them All

Last weekend we went to Schaumburg to celebrate Septemberfest. They had an amazing firework display, but while we were waiting for it I had to think of a way to keep my kids occupied. We were sitting in the parking lot of a strip mall across the street and as I looked at the storefront signs in the front windows it dawned on me. We started looking for each letter of the alphabet in all of the different shops. I KNEW we weren't going to find all of the letters...what were the chances? But with shops with such neon names as "Boutique" and "Pizza" we were well on our way to finishing up the task. Until we hit "X"! Where in the world would an X be? Well, after a second or two my middle son saw an exit sign through the window of a Chinese buffet...what are the odds of that?

Vintage Fun

My in laws cleaned out the attic of my husband's grandmothers house. They found two antique espresso machines, or at least espresso makers. They are so cute, and she has them both sitting above her stove. They look like little tiny teapots on top of a metal cup. I don't know quite how they work, but they are from Italy and very important to my mother in law.

One looks a little like this one, and the other is shaped the same but looks more porcelain and it's painted with delicate flowers. Something nice for Ebay in my opinion!!

Sun Scars & Skin Problems!!

When I was really little I refused to let my mother put sunscreen on my face. Because of it I have a sun damaged line across my nose. Normally it's not a big deal because I can wear make up to cover it up, but the problem comes into being because I get a ton of nose blackheads right across the line. I have tried everything from cleansers to moisturizers and everything in between. I was thinking it was finally time to resort to the good old Elmer's glue to pull them all up! I'm getting desperate!

Philly

Philadelphia has been my favorite city since the first time I saw it when I was 12! I always wanted to visit, and I always wanted to live there. There are so many Philadelphia jobs available, that it wouldn't be too hard to find something, but making the move would be hard. This is the third state we've lived in in 11 years, and the kids are finally starting to put down roots. As much as I would love to have the opportunity to live in that beautiful area, if we are making any moves...I'm heading West!

Feelin' Sexy!

When you wear plus size lingerie, it's hard to get in that frisky mood with your husband! The poor thing! I would love to wear a little baby doll and look cute, but after four kids...it's not the best thing in the world! I would like to get healthy, and maybe if I start now, I'll be in the right shape to wear the sexy lingerie for Valentine's Day!

ID's

My father in law is getting one of those medical id bracelets. I've seen them all my life, I know what they are for. But I have to admit, they have never been all that cool looking. That is until now! My father in law showed me this online catalog that he got to chose from. These little bracelets were works of art. Gold and gemstones?? I want me one of them! He chose something a little more befitting a man nearing 65, but it was still so much cooler than the olden days!

My Baby!

Have you ever done a market research survey? I've done a couple over the phone, but we have them here in town and we actually go in and look at products and then fill out a survey. Those are the most fun...and they pay a lot better. This week my son gets to go in and take a survey. This one tests whether or not he is able to turn on a lighter. He's supposed to fail...and I can tell you, he's not going to take that lightly! He is a perfectionist, failure is NOT an option!

Memories

I think it's strange how doing something random one day can trigger a memory from something that happened a long time ago. Today I was watching my little girl playing dress up, and it threw me back to my fifth or sixth birthday. We had a dress up party and then had a parade around the neighborhood. Even my little brother dressed up in one of my mom's dresses and floppy hats of the era. I don't remember much else about the party---but it would have been 31 years ago...what a memory!

I'm Sick, AGAIN!!

I'm sick again! It doesn't seem like it's all that often that I can write that I'm not sick! This is the third illness in as many weeks! Today, I have my "sexy" voice. That just means that the congestion has moved to my lungs, and my voice is finally beginning to be affected. I haven't been to the doctor but I'm wondering if I should be looking into a Blueair purifier. Could something in this air be making me sick constantly?? I'm the only one in the family affected with constant sickness, it just makes it hard with four kids being left to tend to themselves while mom is incapacitated!!

Messy-Man!!

Does anyone know how to get a soon to be three year old to leave the bathroom faucets alone? I swear, once he learned how to wash his hands and brush his teeth I've walked into a flooded bathroom daily. I've even decided to put chain locks at the top of the door. Low enough that the older kids can get themselves in, but too high for his little hands to reach! Sadly, I'm sure if I do that, he'll use his "Spidey-senses" and find a way to climb the wall to unlock the door! Any ideas??

Family Ties

Speaking of my brother and sister in law...they've always been people we love to hang out with. We always tried to schedule our Orlando vacations together. Two years ago we hit Jackson Hole together. They are just fun people that we enjoy immensely. Sadly, they live across the country from us, so unless we are planning an exotic get-a-way, we don't really get the chance to spend as much time with them as we'd like. When we lived in Arizona, they were the ones who came down every year to see us. Since we've moved here to Chicago, they haven't come once. Not that we can complain, we are the ones that moved!

House Shopping!!

My brother and his wife are looking at new homes. They are relatively well off, and if they can sell their current home, they are in the market for something amazing. They found a million dollar house that they want and can get for 1/2 price due to the housing market. This house is huge and has a ton of sinks throughout. There is even one in the formal dining room--I've never heard of that! Each bathroom has two and in two of the bathrooms they each have their own vanity. I hope they love it--it just seems like more to clean in my mind. But their kids are older than mine, so I'm hoping they'll be able to help out!

Still Working At It

The weight loss pills I've been taking haven't been as bad as I've been worried about. Usually I get a fuzzy head, but I have worked to keep the dosage low enough that I don't get the side effects, but high enough to actually help. The normal dosage is 8 a day and I take 5, so it's not that much lower but I feel great! My big 2 week weigh in is Sunday--so I'm hoping it will show something amazing!

Boarding Woes

We are heading north in two weeks to the Land of the Waterslide! Kind of funny how the Dells are considered the capitol of waterslides. I have made an appointment with the kennel for the dogs and am trying to figure out what dog supplies I need to take for them. The people that run the place say that we can bring whatever we want. The last time we took their favorite toys we got them back in less than usable condition. I would take their puppy beds, but they will probably be doused in disinfectant and most likely garbage by the time I get them home. So I'm thinking a favorite toy is all they are going to get--I'm a bad mom!

The Dangerous World Outside

My parents were on a cruise recently in South America. As they were walking back to the ship my mother had an uneasy feeling about two men following them. Unlike me, who would have walked faster or ran back to the boat, my mother made it look like she had wanted to look in a store they had just passed and turned to face the men head on. Brave lady! She could see in their face they were taken a back, and she and my dad waited at the window of the store until she saw them men ahead crossing the street. As they sat at dinner that night they found out that several people had been mugged on their way back to the ship. No, there is no proof that these men would have mugged my parents, but my mom has a very good "gut feeling" and I'm sure they were up to no good! My dad always uses a Pacsafe waist wallet, but I'm not sure they wouldn't have known where to look. Many tourists use many different items to hide their valuables, and I wonder if the muggers know just where to look. I'm just glad my parents made it home safe and sound, and with all of their belongings!

Yearly Birthday Gifts

Last year for my father in laws birthday we gave him a California wine club membership. I knew he enjoyed it, but you know men, they never gush about things. So I didn't know how much he liked it. With his birthday coming up soon, I was talking to my mother in law about possible gift ideas. I didn't realize he was listening to our conversation (most men don't) but he leaned over and asked for the same gift as last year. I guess he's really enjoying it, and that was all the "gush" I needed!

A Big Box Of Nothing

Are you anything like me? As I clean the house I put things that don't go in a room in a box and then move that box into another room and keep adding to it. Then we sit and take the items in the box and put them away. I'm usually left with a ton of items in the box that I don't know what to do with. CAT5e cables, different craft items, kids things...but I don't have a specific place for them. So they sit, until the next time I clean and the box gets added to. By the time we moved to this house the box was full of stuff. Some items I had been looking for, others just junk. I'm wondering if something doesn't have a space...should I just throw it out?

Paperwork Needs??

I'm trying to find somewhere fun to take my husband for a romantic weekend away! Ok, so the Hockey Hall of Fame may not be that romantic...but he'll be really excited! My question is this, for travel between the U.S. and Canada do we need a passport? Or is it still just a drivers license? In Mexico you used to just have to say your country of origin, but now they require much more paperwork. I just don't know if Canada is the same way. If a passport is required, then I think it will be the Baseball Hall of Fame this year!!

Money Making Money

My Aunt Peggy has been working off and on as a day trader for many years. She does pretty good for herself and if I was a bit more adventurous with our money, I would join her! I'm not sure what the difference is between a day trader and a futures broker, but this is an area I want to learn more about. We don't have any investments other than our house and honestly, I don't think it's making us that much money! I don't even know where to start. Maybe I should go back to school and get a degree in Finance.

More Memory Needed

We are leaving on our trip north in less than two weeks. The kids are excited and I actually have everything I need for a great week away. I do want to find another micro sd for my camera. Since I won't have my computer in Wisconsin, I won't be able to download my photo's and clear my card to take more. So it's just easier to take a couple and bring them both home full. That way I don't miss a minute of the fun!

Who Knew!!

Are you as clueless as me? My husband's birthday is coming up on the 25th of the month and to surprise him I found an amazing deal on a flat screen TV. These are something that he's always shown interest in, so I know he'll love it! I called my brother in law to have him help me get it home and set up. Everything was going really well until he asked me for a mount. Eh hem!! What?? Apparently you need to have one of those cool mounts from Peerless to attach the thing to the wall! Well, I didn't have one and I didn't want my husband to see his gift if it wasn't in it's place showing off it's perfectness! So I sent the thing home with my brother in law who will pick up whatever I need and come back tomorrow when my husband is at work to finish the installation! Yep...I'm a ditz!

Health Food Stores

My son has a little digestion problem. Little isn't really what the problem is...but he requires the use of enzymes to help his body digest all of the foods he takes in. When these enzymes are lacking he will literally clog the toilet every time he uses it! I have been out of his pills for a week or so, and had forgotten all about them, until I walked upstairs to see that not one, but two of the toilets are clogged! So today, with my GNC coupons in hand, I'm heading off to the health food store to purchase his enzymes. I'm hoping this is a problem he grows out of, but I'm thinking it may be something he'll be dealing with for the rest of his life. Poor thing!

Housing Woes

My sister and her husband have been talking to tons of mortgage lenders over the past several months. They just bought a house last September and their mortgage was written so oddly that they've been working to refinance it ever since. Sadly, with the housing market the way it is, no one is getting loans. They have $50,000 down and still can't get a loan for $200,000! What in the world? Even if they didn't have perfect credit, the down payment alone should give any lender some confidence!

Baby Horses

Some family friends own a horse farm nearby and just welcomed a baby horse. My kids were so excited to be able to get up close and personal with this new little guy. He's a bit skittish, but when his mom is around, he's fine. What darling animals these babies are. It made me want to take one home! Mind you, I don't live in an area zoned for horses. I don't have property big enough for horses. I don't own any saddles or other tack items necessary to care for a horse. And the biggest lack...time and energy to care for such a beautiful animal! So I will just have to spend time up at the horse farm to get my fill!

Summer Plans

I have been online looking up travel guides for different destinations nearby. That is what's nice about living in the Chicago area. We are only an hour away from Wisconsin and Indiana, and only 2-3 hours outside of Michigan. Throw Illinois into that and we can have a summer full of fun destinations while not going crazy with the gas budget! We are going to be spending a week in Wisconsin, just North of the Dells. There is a campground/water park that we visit every year. The kids can't wait!

Be Prepared

My goal for this month is to find affordable term life insurance for myself and my husband. There isn't much left in the budget monthly but this is an expense that I think is necessary. We have four kids and with either one of us missing from the picture, the other will be left with nothing. We'll need enough to pay off the home as well as provide for some educational expenses for the kids. I don't need millions of dollars, but enough to keep us afloat while we get our bearings back. My husband would be the worst off, he would need to find child care so that he could work, and that alone can break any budget!

Getting Healthy

I have been on a quest to get healthy! With that will come weight-loss and other fun things, but health is the main thing I'm going for! I need to incorporate a little exercise and better meal plans---and maybe even some Anoretix to help kick the weight-loss into gear! We have a dog that needs to be walked and if I can get that scheduled into the evening hours after it cools down, I should be able to get some good walking time in. I do have a treadmill---it's just hard to get motivated to get downstairs to use it. I'll need to change that too!

Medical Needs

I need to get my oldest into the doctor to have a look at his spine. Before we lost our medicare insurance he was diagnosed with Scoliosis. We took him to a chiropractor to try to get him straight...long story short (and expensive) we got nuthin'!! So now that he is fully insured again, we need to start looking at just what the problem might be and how to correct it for him. I keep hoping to get it started before his growth spurt begins...so I better act soon!

Vay-Cay Or Stay??

Have you started making your summer plans? I know, it's nearing the end of June...but we are still trying to work ours out. Do we take a vacation with the family to somewhere fun for the kids? Or do we drop them off and head to a Hilton Head rental for some "Marriage Therapy" time? I'm happy either way! I don't know why. A vacation of any sort means more of my time will be required. Laundry to go--house to clean before we leave---laundry to do when we get home...it's a never ending cycle! How about we just stay home, and spend the money we would have spent on a maid service once a week??? Sounds positively heavenly to me!!

My Scrapbook Goal In Life

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you are probably well aware of what I would love to have for my living room. I have four kids and my goal is to have a digital frame for each of them. Each one going in chronological order showing my kids growing up before my eyes (kinda sad to think about it that way). But since I don't keep up very well with my scrapbooking, this would be a great way for them to get to see their lives in pictures! As of yesterday...I'm halfway there! My husband surprised me with frame number 2 yesterday evening. No reason. No special event. Nothing! He was just out at the office supply store for work and saw one on the shelf and thought of me. What a sweetheart!!

Foodie Fest '08

My husband's hotel is playing home base to a big convention coming to town for the food industry. My brother in law will be coming, in a work related capacity. But my sister is just coming to collect the goodies. You know promotional pens, t shirts, food samples! She's talked me into going with her, but since there are no strollers allowed, I will have to sit this one out. I hope she brings me a present from one of the booths---and enters me into the drawing for the wheat grinder...that's what I'm hoping for!

Livin' Large In Reno

My brother in law has been living in Reno for the past 18 months. He's had a lot of trouble in his life with drug abuse and addiction as well as being bipolar and manic depressive--the poor thing. Well this week he finally is moving back into an apartment of his own. He's been living in a variety of reno hotels after losing his last apartment due to not paying his rent. He still hasn't found the help he needs to conquer his demons, so I'm not to hopeful about this newest part of his life---but I really do wish him all the best!