Taking Care Of The Yard!!

We have spent the week hard at work on our yard! It is amazing what happens to the poor thing during the winter. The kids are back at school and the weather has been cool but not cold, so that is perfect for me to work outside in. We planted two bushes, lots of flowers and we are looking to transplant a tree here in the coming weeks. The grass needed a good raking to get the dead thatch out. That was probably the most time consuming of the week. But it is in order, and it got a good mow. It's supposed to warm up a bit before another rain storm. I'm glad we got it done now-because now with the rain, I won't need to water the new plants.

The Baby Daddy

Well--it looks like Larry is the daddy! Not that any of us had any doubt anyway! Howard was nothing more than the drug dealer. I really haven't kept up on any of the goings on--but I did just hear that it is official--and then they moved on to how custody isn't final--the grandmother wants custody--the baby daddy might give up custody--who knows--I'm sure Larry really only wants the cash anyway--not that the grandma did a better job with her own daughter--maybe she's learned and can do a better job for her granddaughter!! We'll see!!

O(sama) My Heavens!!

I am sooooooo sick of Barrack Hussein Osama! Now you have to understand--I live in Chicago-so it is Osama Overdrive!! Everyday all you hear is either crap or glory for our Jr. Senator from Illinois! Before I share my two experiences with both sides of the fence--let me first make it VERY VERY CLEAR!!! I will not EVER vote for Barrack Osama. Have you ever seen Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone? Do you remember at the end when the Professor unwraps his head to expose a parasite living off of him? Well, that is Mr. Osama! Not necessarily that he has a parasite--but that he will say and do everything PERSONALLY to keep himself looking respectable and perfect--yet is working his puppets to do what he really wants done--while keeping his hands clean! hmmmmm, who does this remind me of...Ah, yes!! Our beloved First Black President! Billy did that with everything!

Ok--so you now know that I'm not a fan---but the following experiences are both true--and so funny how they are polar opposites!!

First--late last year when Osama was considering his run for the Presidency--I caught a talk radio show from downtown Chicago--and every caller--and I KID YOU NOT--every caller called in to call Osama the "Anti-Christ". Some even had scriptural backup! One wacko woman called in quoting quatrains from Nostradamus! The entire 4 hour talk show revolved around the obscenely silly notion that Osama was the Anti-Christ!

Fast forward to this week--and the Art Institute of Chicago has a statue of Osama himself in robes of glory--completely opposite of the Anti-Christ!
OH MY HEAVENS!! People get a grip!! He is neither the Anti-Christ or the Black Savior--he is a man. Questionable character, Interesting Politician--whatever--he's just a freak guy--who wants to be the President---I think it's time we drop all Deity when it comes to this one--you just come out looking like Morons!!
***And just in case you aren't sure I really know how to spell the man's name--I do--It's just very interesting to find his middle name and last name are so close to Evil Dictators...coincidence??? Of course, but it's still good fun!! But then there's always the folks calling him the "Chocolate Jesus"--now I'm sorry--that's just WRONG on soooooooo many levels---racism being one!!

Updates!!

It looks like Google is heading into another update! I for one, wasn't expecting it until late April--but Googlebots have been sited!! I only have this blog--but my sister has hers at Genki Desu Yo, Genki Desu Yo and Cheffin' It. So you would all want to check those sites out as well! Might as well give them a boost!!

I've never figured out how she has so much time for Genki Desu Yo, Genki Desu Yo and Cheffin' It, but she seems to do pretty good with it!! I'll have to find out her secret!

Cindy Sheehan Is Coo-Coo!

Yesterday was the four year anniversary of the start of the War in Iraq. I support the war--maybe not how we got there--but we are there, and we can do nothing other than win--so suck it up folks!! Cindy Sheehan lost her son in the early stages of the war, and what does she do--she lashes out at how this war is corrupt, and brought on with lies, and illegal. So hmmmmmm, lets see! I guess that means that I find her son far more heroic than she does. He was doing a great thing--he was involved in a wonderful undertaking that brought freedom to millions upon millions of people. Isn't it everyone's goal--to leave the world a little better than it was when we got here? He did that, for millions of Iraqi people, for Iraqi women, for Iraqi children. He was an honorable young man working to help people--and he died a hero. She'll claim his hero status alright--but then slam the very efforts that he died working for. Sounds like "Mom of the Year" to me!!! NOT!

Hockey Night

We are staying up late watching hockey! It's really kind of cute! My husband and two sons are sitting on the couch, and one son is sitting on a recliner. They've been cheering the entire game, but they are currently in a shoot out. The three oldest will cheer immediately when something happens--and then2 year old Brett realizes that he was supposed to cheer--so he cheers just a bit late! By the end of the shoot out, and to the cheering of all four boys (husband included), the Blackhawks had won. It was actually the game from the night before--my husband had recorded it. So as soon as they turned this game off--the one for tonight against the Ducks, started--and we are in for 3 more hours of hockey!

I'm not sure the 3 younger boys will make it through--in fact, I'll be stealing Brett here in a minute to get him to bed! Guaranteed the hubby will make it through!!

Merlot!!

I read today on MSN that a man in Utah with a vanity plate is reading Merlot is going to have to change it. Utah doesn't allow words of "intoxicants" to be added to vanity plates. I have no problem with that--I'm amazed at what sneaks through here in Chicago--much worse--and more adult than a wine vanity plate. The problem is--Merlot is a wine, yes--but it is also a type of Grape--pre alcohol form--Merlot isn't an intoxicant. Furthermore--it's also a color--and it just so happens to be the color of this mans car.

I should point out-that I have no problem with Utah liquor rules--I think many more states should try it--maybe there would be less DUI's and alcoholics in the world. And Utah is nowhere near being a "Dry" state. You just can't buy alcohol after midnight--I have no problem with that! You can't buy alcohol on Sunday--don't know why on that one--but again, I have no problem with it! If you want to go into a bar--you have to pay a "private club" membership--either for the night--or for a year--NOPE--no problem with that either! If you don't like the liquor laws--Move to Wendover! It's a 90 minute drive to work in Salt Lake--but hey--you can drink, and party, and gamble all you want! Plus you get to pass the big cement tree twice a day! Win/Win situation for you!!

FMN!

Friday Night Movie night is upon us again. I've talked about them enough--I won't go over the details again. Tonight we are going to watch the Disney version of Peter Pan. I've never seen it. That shocks a lot of people. I'm 35 years old and have never seen the animated Peter Pan -- or any other Peter Pan for that matter. I've seen "Hook" and it's one of my classic favorites--and I've seen the Ballet Peter Pan, and a high school play of it--but never a movie!

Jake spent the day up in Lincolnshire at the play--he hasn't come home from his friends house yet--so I don't know how it was. I've never seen The Wizard of Oz all the way through either! I've tried--but it loses my interest and I'll change the channel. I do know the basics--it was a dream at the end, and everything's back to normal--but the middle part, I don't know. Oh, well, I hope he enjoyed his field trip--maybe he can fill me in on what happens!

Blogging Again!!

I love to read other peoples blogs--I don't get nearly enough time for it in a given day--but at night when everything is quiet--I would rather do the "reading" blogging than the "writing" blogging! I do this during the day, unless something big comes up! In my recent wanderings I found a "MUST READ" blog. It's called Where's Mommy's Prozac and let me tell you -- this is one cool lady!!

What really captured my attention--her post--How Hairy Is Your Hoo-Ha? I swear--my jaw dropped and I honestly thought that Hoo-Ha must have a new and updated meaning--surely, no one would ask that question!! But nope--She Did!! And what was more astonishing--people actually commented about their little "labies", I was shocked!! Laughing hysterically--tears running down my face--sides hurting---SHOCKED!!

Now, just because I am a "lady" and raised with some sense of Decorum (stop snickering Rob), I will abstain from answering said question--I will, however, state--that my answer EXACTLY was given in the comments--not too far down the list!!

To be completely honest, Jennifer really does seem like an awesome lady! She sings the songs that her kids like--just to annoy them--heck, she even knew the Pussy Cat Doll song--and I barely heard that last night! And--she drives a really SHWEET car--I am hoping for some pictures of it in the future though! Check her out--and enjoy the drama of life with teenagers!! I can't wait!

Meet The Robinsons

We decided to take the kids to the movie today since they have the day off of school. We are going to see "Meet The Robinson's". It looks like a cute movie that the kids will really enjoy. There's a science fair theme-and both of my boys LOVE science. After that we will probably go to dinner-I hope it's somewhere good! I'm hoping the Outback!! mmmmmm, bloomin' onion!!!

I am a bad mom! I really hate school holidays. My kids enjoy school so much that they are just stir crazy all day on their day off! So it will be nice to get them out of the house for the day--and then to send them back to school until tomorrow!

Oh, what will I do next month when Spring Break rolls around--for a WHOLE WEEK!!!

Mexico!!

This is a picture my sister is using on her "Travel" blog. It's a photo taken in Cancun at sunset, and I LOVE it! The pinks, purples and grays are just so beautiful. I think it's a great photo for a travel blog--because it certainly makes me want to head to Mexico just for the sunsets!! And with all of the snow outside my house--I'm game for the heat too!!

Gucci! Guess! Prada!

My mom is a "Designer Handbag" queen! She hasn't always been-but when she was watching the movie 'Serendipity' she thought it was so strange that these people would go to New York just to buy knock-off Prada Handbags. My mom had never heard of Prada before this movie--and now--she's hooked! Not just to Prada-she has a handbag collection that contains Gucci, Guess, Burberry, Dooney & Bourke and, yes, Prada.

Well, now---I found an amazing deal on Prada sunglasses. Now-my dad will kill me if I get her addicted to designer sunglasses as well! But these really are great sunglasses! Prada Sunglasses at BestBuyEyeglasses come with an easy return policy--but what is even better than the lowest prices anywhere??? They can customize your lenses if you happen to need them to be prescription! That is amazing! And they are classy looking sunglasses too!

These happen to be my favorites-but there are so many styles to choose from! I will definitely have to pass this info on to my mom--plus--they even give you a discount code to get 5% off!

It's Cold!!

It's Presidents Day! I'm not real sure what we are supposed to do on Presidents Day-but in this house it meant -- sleep and clean! Not much else occured-sadly.

My house is cold--the water heater is out of "juice" and my radiators are not working because of it! Some man is supposed to be coming early tomorrow to swap out the old one for the new one! And with him--comes the $450 bill plus removal of the old water heater.

So tonight we will all be sleeping under our electric blankets with our clothes for tomorrow at the foot of the bed-under the blankets too! I guess it isn't as bad as the olden days when they had to heat bricks and then sleep with them in your bed!!

A Gift For The Chef!!

We spend alot of time over at my sisters house. Our kids are the same age--she and I are pretty darn close--and she married a Chef! Who wouldn't go over there! It is kind of intimidating ever having to cook anything to bring to her house. You just know that even if he doesn't say anything--he's judging everything he puts in his mouth!

He's also pretty hard to shop for. You know--one of those--guys with everything. I love to find interesting, one of a kind gifts for him--but that is pretty rough!! But HELLO!! I found a great one! It's from Brookstone-yep, the interesting, one of a kind gift heaven!! My find this time? A wireless meat thermometer. It comes with a Wireless belt monitor that announces out loud when dinner is done. How fun is that! Plus it has a range of 300 feet!

He's really good with his internal timer at knowing when food is ready--but what a fun and clever gift idea!! I can't wait!

The Big Sleep Over!!

My kids had a wonderful time spending the night at their grandparents house. They always do! Uncle Bob gets up to cook them a big pancake breakfast, and then tickles them all awake when it's ready! They love their uncle Bob which makes me VERY happy! We don't get to see much of my family--so I'm glad that they have strong relationships with the family that is here. It also helps that Uncle Bob is still a kid too!

They played games and watched videos until we came to pick them up! I'm not sure they really wanted to come home--but didn't want mommy to leave them again, so they mumbled-but they came!

We don't have school on Monday for Presidents Day--I was going to look at taking them out to the movies or something--but I'm feeling too tired for that! We'll have to see what they deserve!!

Valentine's Day--Late!!

My husband was out of town this week, so we didn't have a chance to have a "Valentine's Day" with the rest of the world. It's not really a big deal--we have Christmas on a different day too--you just get used to enjoying the holiday itself-not just the day.

This afternoon we dropped the kids off at his parents, and headed to dinner. We went to Giordano's Pizza. YUMMM!! It is my favorite spot in the world. Such good pizza--and just down the street from the theater. Yep, he took me to see Wicked. It's kind of a funny choice for me because I've never even seen the Wizard of Oz. My poor husband--I'm very technical--I do it with commercials and I do it with movies and TV shows. If there is something 'wrong'--I have to let it be known! So we are sitting in the theater and I turned to him and said--I thought at the end of the Wizard of Oz-Dorothy woke up and it was all a bad dream. Why is there a story about the Witches of Oz if they never even existed? He closed his eyes and shook his head! I'm sorry--but that totally screws with the show for me--it doesn't exist--so why are we here???

It was a nice evening out with my husband--and for that alone--I'm grateful! The yummy food and fun evening at the theater was just an added bonus!! We have never done Valentine gifts. We've never really felt the need. We "show" the love in many other ways--many other times of the year, which I prefer anyway.

I was reading an article by BELISI on Valentine's Gift ideas--you know, the over $5 million for this gift kind of list. I was amazed by it. One--I can't imagine ever having that kind of money--and Two-even if I did-I can't imagine spending it on gifts. Mr. Belisi asks the question--what was your most "fab" gift--or your biggest flop gift? Now that isn't too hard--we got engaged on Valentine's Day--so I would have to say--a beautiful 1 ct. Diamond Engagement Ring would have to take the cake on that one!!

The Rush Before The Date!!

I just got off of the phone with my husband. He is still at the office, and is running late! I need to get the kids together and get them to their grandparents house for the afternoon and evening. We are going out! It's our Valentine's Day--he was out of town for the actual day--but tonight is the night!

He won't tell me what we are doing--I'm expecting dinner--but what comes after is a surprise. I know there is a movie that came out last night that he wants to see--but I can't imagine that he will take me to it. Some guy on fire riding a motorcycle! But for him--I will sit through it and eat my popcorn!! I will do it for him!!

The kids are going to spend the night with their grandparents--so you know what I'm expecting later!! Yep--a full night of S-L-E-E-P!!! No kids waking me up early to refill a bottle, no older kids up at the crack of dawn to watch cartoons---NOPE--I'm sleeping!! I know what the hubby has planned--I give him 15 minutes--and then I'm out!!!

Are You Secure??

Living in the suburbs you tend to think you are far enough away from the "Evil" city that nothing can go wrong. That is such a bad state of mind to get in to. And a dangerous one at that. I for one am always worrying. Fires, safety, kids, insurance needs, and yes, security.

I think it's so cool that my husband will get phone calls at all hours of the night from the security company hired by his work. Usually it has to do with power outages and such--but it's nice to know that there are extra eyes watching your important assets at all hours of the day and night.

I would love to have just this type of service. My problem--I really don't want to spend a fortune. I know--you get what you pay for. That is true in so many respects--but I think I've found a exception to that rule!! The Laser Shield Home Security System is easy to install, you can use it in your home-apartment or small office, it is a wireless unit that uses infrared detection, and you get monitoring 24/7!! And it's cheaper than other security systems and packages out there. In fact, you can even purchase Laser Shield at you local outlets like Comp USA, Home Depot, Costco, Kmart, and Sears.

Service!!

We are house-sitting again this weekend. Last week for my sister-this week for my neighbor. We aren't actually staying at her house though. We are just going to pick up the mail, feed the animals and let them out-and water plants (if they need it).

She just found out a couple of days ago that her grandmother in Florida passed away. So is having a hard time with this, but she and her kids had made a trip to Florida last year to spend time with her--so she really feels lucky to have had that opportunity.

She took her son with her, and her daughter is going to stay with her mom. So we get to spend a bit of our weekend in the service of our fellowman! I love moments like these!!

Snow Day!!

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!