Live Contest at MomDot

Over at Momdot right now, the mommy bloggers there are going insane by running a LIVE $500 Toro Stroller Contest right now. So head on over to enter quickly. And if you happen to miss it, just hang out, list your blog for free, read a feature, leave a comment, or join the mommy bloggers forum! MomDot Rocks!

Grocery (or Gross-ery) Shopping

There's nothing like going to the grocery store and getting cornered by some crazy lady between the chips and pregnancy tests. Not kidding, I had GM and hubby with me, and they had just headed off to the bathroom. This lady comes up, seemingly nice enough, and asks me how old GM is? She says she just wanted to stop and tell me she was surprised at how I parented. (Because he had been pitching a fit about wanting some stupid toy, and rather than just saying no, I explained why he couldn't have it. Point blank, I told him it would break in under 2 minutes).

Anyways, she didn't just stop to tell me that. She starts rambling about how she had just visited a friend with kids, telling me their names and ages, and all sorts of things. Well, than she starts telling me how one of the kids walked in on her in the bathroom (and she had her period) and the kid asked something about it. Sorry for lack of details, I was planning my escape. But, who discusses this with a complete stranger? Yuck! I don't need to know about someone walking in on you, and I really don't need any information on your time of the month, thank you very much!

This is what I get for being nice to everyone. I should just start walking away. I tried my best to look engrossed in the Dorito bag I had just picked up, but no luck. She just kept talking. Luckily when the boys returned, she headed the other direction.

I've been tagged!

Cena tagged me for this meme...

1. Where were you 10 years ago?
- I was 13, yikes! So in high school, living with my parents, on a Tuesday night, probably out with my boyfriend at the time. I think that was about all I did that year.


2. What is on today's To Do List?
-Fix the washer
-Laundry
-Make dinner
-Put clothes away that have sat in baskets for a month


3. Name 5 places you have lived:
- My parents
- My boyfriends
- My boyfriend's sisters
- My apartment on B St
- My little house on the hill (All in the same little podunk town)


4. Name 3 of your bad habits:
-Worrying about everything in general
-Getting annoyed with the little one over trivial stuff
-Saying I'm sorry to everyone, for anything


5. What are your favorite snacks?
-Chips and cheese, or salsa
-Simply Granola Chocolate Chunk Bars
-Strawberries with sugar


6. Who will you tag for this meme?
Stacy at And so we laugh...

The Pumpkin Patch

Last week, on our way home from our safari trip gone awry. We came across this roadside stand with thousands of pumpkins. It was by far the highlight of our day. GM had a blast weaving through rows and rows of pumpkins, checking out gourds, and picking out the perfect pumpkins for our front porch.

He also thought their donkey, made out of corn husks, was the coolest thing ever. The owners told us that they were getting in an 800 lb pumpkin carving this week. How amazing would that be to see? We may have to make the drive back up there just to check it out.

Diner Drama

Today seemed like the longest day ever at work. It was just never ending. And I had to deal with people like this:

Guy walks in in his Sunday best, carrying his Starbucks coffee, and gets sat in my section. We have a big ol' sign on the door: "No outside food or drinks." So instead of being completely cruel and asking him to throw away such a yummy cup of coffee, I carry over one of our cups...

Me: I hate to bother you, but would you please pour your coffee into one of our cups? We don't allow outside food or drinks. (You should've read the sign, moron.)

Him, with a ton of attitude: Do you just want me to leave?

Me: No, I just want you to pour your coffee over.

Him: I'll just leave then.

Me, completely annoyed by now: Well, the door's right there, feel free.

Dude, it was a freaking cup of coffee. I didn't ask you to throw it away. I was completely nice at first. But you must have forgot to remove that stick from your butt before you sat down. And really, the big sign on the door didn't clue you in? And yeah, thanks for causing such a scene. At least all my other customers felt bad that I had to deal with such a jerk, and left me great tips. So, really, keep your dollar, you may have left, and go to McD's where they don't care how rude and stuck up you are. And to your wife, who sat there mouth gaping open in horror, get yourself some guts and remind him that in public, we act civilized.

Who needs to relax?

Me, me, me! I can't remember the last time I was able to have twenty minutes to myself to take a nice bath. I barely get a shower in without an interruption for some important question. What time is Blue over? Where's my Spiderman car? When's lunch? Is it okay if I jump on the bed?

I guess this is what happens to us as moms. We forget how important it is to take a few minutes to ourselves. The last time I tried to take a bath ended in disaster. First, the shower rod fell on my head as I leaned down to turn on the faucet. Within two minutes of crawling into the bubbles, I could hear little footsteps outside the door. GM comes in and plops himself on the tub ledge, to "tell me some stories." Then he proceeds to drop bath toy after bath toy into my water. All the while, leaving the door hang open, allowing the air conditioner to blow in full force.

Needless to say, I could use some time to relax and rejuvenate. MomDot has got the perfect thing. They have two giveaways going at the moment, all about pampering mom.

You can find the first here. It includes a set of moisture gloves and moisture slippers from The Happy Company and a set of shampoo and conditioner from David Babaii. There's two sets being given away to two lucky winners. Ends 10/01/08.

The second giveaway can be found here. The winner will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to Beyond the Bomb, who offers an amazing line of bath bombs, including some super cute ones for kids. I need to order the sidewalk chalk bombs for little GM, they look so fun. Ends 10/01/08.

So if you need pampering as much as I do, head on over to MomDot.

Photo Hunt: View

Getting a good view (of the wedding party):

Changing his view of things:

The Kid's Gone Over the Wall

GM is all about poetry and songs lately. I'm not sure how many more Kid's Song videos I can watch though. Today, he started creating his own:

My babies are diving me up the wall,
there is no pillow when I fall.
La dee la dee doo...
Than they drive me back down the wall to here,
cause I had to climb down from there.
La dee la dee doo...

This is no joke what I overheard him singing today. I guess I tell him he drives me crazy a little too often. Oops!

Contests of the Week

Over at MomDot, they have a bunch of great contests going on.

They have a shirt up for grabs from Nanniboos from Tongue-in-Cheek, LLC. These shirts are adorable and so unique. They feature little monsters with big messages. You can check out their profiles over at Nanniboos. Jan, owner of the site, explains a bit about her monster creations, "They stick their tongues out and say Nanni Nanni Boo Boo to kids’ fears. Each character has a special power that helps kids get over their common fears."

You can go here to enter. Go quick, it ends 9/25.

MomDot also has a eco-friendly starter kit from Idbids. Waverly the Water Drop is my favorite, but they all have definite personality, as well as a message of conservation to pass on to little ones. What better way to instill eco-friendly ideas in your kids than with a fun little friend.

Enter the giveaway here by 9/26!

This one has me so excited. Teddy Ruxpin has returned and MomDot is giving one away along with a year subscription to Teddy's internet portal for kids, The Airship. There's puzzles, games, and stories, along with a ton of other things to keep the rugrat entertained, and safe! I love Teddy Ruxpin, and actually bought the DVDs just last week. Can't wait to watch those with GM, and it would be fun for him to watch them alongside his very own Teddy Ruxpin. Want to try your luck too?

Enter the giveaway at MomDot, by 10/1.

Wordless Wednesday

GM loves to play dandelion tag. You have to collect as many dandelions as you can and blow the seeds at everyone else. I have to remember to watch out, I always get covered in them!

Why I should always just stay home

Today was supposed to be a fun family day at the safari park. But, of course, things didn't go as planned. I should have just stayed at home, or stayed in bed. Why?

1. Road work. Our 45 minute drive turned into 2 hours when traffic came to a stand still on the interstate-for 8 miles. Only to find road crews work on a 10 feet section of road.

2. Closed: Yep, that's the sign we found when we arrived at the park. Cue GM's tears here. Somehow I mis-read the website. I wish I could blame it on the hubby, but this time, it was all my planning.

3. Cattle Shoots. Do ya'll know what I'm talking about? Maybe not, since it seems like such a redneck term. But it's those concrete barriers alongside the highways. I hate them with a passion. And after driving through them, and nearly having an anxiety attack, I was sick the rest of the afternoon.

Not a good day...

Monday Randomness

It's been one of those days. I feel like I've run here, there, and everywhere, but never left the house. It seems like I've started to do so many things, but haven't accomplished anything. So for today, just complete randomness here too.

Let's see, I made a completely yummy and simple corn casserole for dinner. I'm a veggie nut! I'm far from vegetarian, but I could easily make a meal out of side dishes. Here's how simple it was:
Mix together 1 can of corn, 1 can cream corn, 1 cup milk, 1 egg, and 1 pouch of corn muffin mix. Bake at 375 for 35 minutes. I ate so much of it, I only had room for two bites of chicken. Hubby was annoyed he spent so much time grilling. Oops!

I got the cubby under the tv organized today. We store all of GM's coloring books, crayons, etc down there. He's excited to be able to find things easily. When daddy came home, he proudly announced, "Mommy and me organized today. You gotta see it!" Next job is the toy bins, it looks like someone threw up toys all over our living room, nothing stays in them anymore. Every time I go to put away another Matchbox away, they all come tumbling down, and I bite my tongue to keep from swearing at them.

Tomorrow, we are finally going out to the safari park. GM is so excited. He made me tell him every animal we might see about 50 times today. "Lemurs, (what else?) deer, (what else?) buffalo, (what else?) capybara, (what else?) peacock..." Ahh! I'm looking forward to it though too. It's been far too long since we've had a family day.

Gorillas and Go Fish

We were in the car this morning, just me and GM on the way to drop him at my parents before work. This is the conversation that progressed:

GM: I had the worst day the other day.
Me: Oh no, why's that?
GM: I lost my gorilla... in a game of go fish. (All the while talking with this southern, wannabe cowboy drawl).

He couldn't understand when I burst out laughing so hard I almost swerved off the road. I don't know where he gets stuff like this.

Photo Hunt: Road

The road well-traveled:

And the road less-traveled:

Fall Fest

I had such great expectations for our trip to the festival today. I must have been dreaming, or just truly crazy. Four adults should easily be able to handle three little ones, right? Hmm...not so much it seems.

We all drove up together, and somehow I drew the short straw (or was blessed with the smallest behind), so I was squeezed between two boosters in the last row of the van. Whoever designs minivans, must assume that only people under 100 lbs and 5 ft must sit in the back, because I knocked my head 3 times crawling in and my butt was numb within twenty minutes.

Then it started, "Are we there yet?" You've got to be kidding me, we pulled out of the driveway not even 5 minutes before. And I have it coming from both sides. That was the mild part of it, it continued on, I'm hungry, I'm thirsty, I can't see the movie, blah, blah, blah. Ending with the dreaded, I've got to pee now! Followed by Little M "GM's going to spray on us, lookout!" and her very own rendition of the pee song. Of course, I'm the only one who could hear all the banter, since everyone else was talking and enjoying their comfy bucket seats (all while I jealously stared).
Once we finally got there, things went much better. The kids played ring toss and did spin-art, we all ate too much, and I came home with my prized fruit salsa (apple this year).

The biggest issue came out of the bathroom situation. There was access to one "real" bathroom and Port-a-Potties scattered throughout the rest of the areas. We are in the furthest section from the bathroom, when GM announces he's got to go again. So I head for a Port-a-Potty, dreading the smell we're going to be faced with after seeing the lines. GM flips, yelling he won't go in them, he doesn't want to go in a hole, and won't go in that "box."

I pick him up, all 45 lbs, and head across the grounds, whispering that he needs to hold it (do not pee on me). What we're met with is hundreds of people standing in our way. I mean, say the word free food, and people are ready to fight if they think you're trying to cut in line. You do not want to get between grandma and her hot dog. Thankfully we made it just in time, and were not left mangled by the crazies who felt we were threatening their access to free food.

Note to self: Next year just let the kid pee on a tree!

Ready for Fall

I've mentioned it before, but I absolutely love fall. It is, by far, my favorite time of the year. It's not just the cooler temperatures, the falling leaves, and the lack of bugs, it everything. It's drinking warm apple cider bought from a little roadside stand. It's wearing sweaters, and carving pumpkins, and fresh fall skies.

Tomorrow marks the official start of fall for us. Every year we head out to this huge festival, and for me, that's a sign autumn is here. The festival is amazing, it's a members only (me feeling superior for exactly one second) event that thousands of people attend. The food and activities are all free, they sell homemade goods, and have games for the little ones.

Needless to say, I am so excited! I can't wait to spend the day making spin art with the little ones (it'll be GM, Little M, and Little C-my 1 year old nephew). I can't wait to stuff myself with fries, chicken corn soup, and cotton candy. And I can't wait to buy some yummy homemade fruit salsa and pick up some gourds to adorn our front porch.

Here's a bit of last year's excitement:

Sleep...what sleep?

Hubby and I are lazy. Neither one of enjoys getting up early, and each morning it creates such drama. He thinks I should feel sorry for him because he has to go to work. Sorry for him? Are you kidding me? He's the one who averages 6 hours more sleep a week than me. Yep, I sat down and figured it out. That's just how I am.

On a typical day, I go to bed later and get up earlier. I'm the only one who gets up with GM in the middle of the night, every night. In four years, I've slept through the night twice. I can even tell you exactly when, once right after his 4 month check up when he was too exhausted to wake me up, and once when I had pneumonia, and spent the night on the couch.

Morning comes much to early this morning, so I let GM play and watch cartoons while I tried my best to catch 20 extra minutes of sleep. Somehow in that time, he stepped on the hubby's head. No idea how or why, but he did, and hubby started yelling. Of course, the inevitably leads to me getting up. I make GM apologize and ask the hubby if he has anything to say. The only response, "umm, no."

Are you kidding me, yet again? A grown man can't apoligize to a 4-year-old? I just wanted to kick him right out of the bed and scream obscenities at him. Then he finally makes his way downstairs right before 10, because god-forbid he gets up before 9:30, and gives me the stink eye! No need to think about why GM stepped on his head, because at that point, I completely understood, I wanted to step on his head too.

New Blog Design

As you can see, my look here has changed. Maybe I'm biased, but I absolutely love it, and it's all thanks to Susan over at What happened to my house?? I'm beyond clueless when it comes to designing and installing templates, I even had to look up how to put some one's button on my page the first time. So, I'm incredibly grateful for all she has done to my little corner of bloggy land!

Wordless Wednesday

This is Spot, Spot likes to lick...Yuck!

Wiggle Giggle Learn Giveaway at Sweet 'n' Sassy Girls

Sweet 'n' Sassy Girls, a new mommy blog that reviews products and offers blog contests, is currently having a giveaway for an Ultimate CD Package from Wiggle Giggle Learn worth $215.95! This CD has everything you need to help your child develop a love for learning. They have weekly learning activity plans that were developed using the latest brain-research. It includes learning plans for each child in the family under the age of five! So go enter to win here, and while you're there, don't forget to vote for Trisha in the Dottie Awards!

The Results Are In...

A big fat negative. It's what I expected, but not what I was hoping for. I really was thinking that this may finally be the month. So not only am I upset about the results, I'm also annoyed with hubby.

The store is five minutes away. Yet, the trip took him an hour and a half. He couldn't find tests at the first store, so he ran elsewhere, ran into people he knew, yada yada yada, and he forgot his cell at home. He pulled in the drive right as I had started putting GM in the car to go look for him. I honestly was freaking out thinking something had happened. All the while, GM's telling me not to worry, "think about other things, like balloons, mommy."

On a positive note, we took the little one for a hike today and had a blast. We walked the trails, played at the playgrounds, and got to see crayfish, squirrels, and frogs.

I'm Late, I'm Late, for a very important date?

This post may be way too much info for some of you out there in bloggy-land, but hubby and I have been hoping for baby number 2 for over two years now. Every month has come and gone with no luck in the baby department.

Today being the 16th, leaves me 6 days late, and filled with hope that this could be it. Problem is anytime I'm the slightest bit late, I get so excited. Then, it all turns out to be false hope, and I'm crushed again.

Could this finally be it? Hubby just ran to the store for a stick to pee on, so I guess we shall see. I've got my fingers and toes, and everything else crossed. Please, oh please, let this turn out good. I'll be here waiting on two pink lines...

Rock Out!

Over at MomDot, they are giving away any item between $25 and $50 of the winner's choice from Crib Rock Couture. To enter to win one of these adorable shirts, you just need to show your kids rocking out.

Here's Little GM showing his inner punk rocker (and being very happy about it):

Rock on!

Photo Hunt: Wild

Mushrooms growing wild:

Wild Hair:

Today's Disasterous Doctor's Visit

I avoid doctors like the plague. Ok, maybe if I had the plague, I'd go see one. But any aches, pains, sniffles, whatever, I self medicate. Doctors make me nervous, always have. I've done my best to keep a postive light on visits to the pediactrics for the little one's sake. I don't want him to grow up like his momma.

So, today was the rugrat's 4 year well-child visit. I explained it all to him yesterday, they'd check his height and weight, check him out, and ask him questions. I avoided mentioning the shots, knowing he would fight getting out of the car, scream and kick, if he only knew what awaited him.

Upon checking in, they took us right back. We never even sat down in the waiting room, which never happens, but than again they scheduled our appointment for before the crack of dawn. Maybe at that point they were still on schedule.

Little man managed to embarass me and the hubby as the doctor asked if he was potty trained. He proudly stated yes, but continued on saying "I wear pull-ups at night. I used to wear diapers, buy my mommy refused to spend money on them anymore. So now I wear pull-up." Ugh..bowing my head in shame.

GM was a crack up the whole time, telling all sorts of stories. The doctor was impressed with his verbal skills and said he had made her morning with his tales. Did ya'll know he was a spider trainer? He trains them not to bite people.

As she leaves, she says the nurse will be right in for the shots. Yes, she used the word shot, not vaccine, not s-h-o-t, she used the forbidden word. GM looks up quietly from my lap, and gasps, "Shots, mommy?"

So the nurse is not right in, 40 minutes later she strolls in and announces to my 4-year-old that he'll only be getting 3 shots, and mommy will have to hold him down. Come on lady, be a little more obvious that the next five minutes will suck, thanks. They certainly did, he screamed and bawled, and broke my heart, as I tried to keep him still. After shot number one, my fingers gripping his arm, he starts yelling "EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME," to the nurse. Mr. Polite even through the pain. When she finally responsed, he says "No more shots, please. Please, no more." At that point, I had tears in my eyes too. The poor kid was trying so hard to get us to stop, and all I could do was tell him it'd be over soon.

The stickers at the front dresk soothed away a few of the tears, and within the the hour I though all was forgotten. Until he quietly asked, "why did that lady give me shots? I didn't like that at all." My poor baby!

Harry Potter

I'm going to be completely honest with ya'll. I am a Harry Potter novice, co-existing among some fanatics. Hubby loves the movies, he's seen them all more than I can remember. If any are being played on tv, I'll be sure to know about it. My brother is a book fiend. He flew through each of the books after waiting outside the bookstores at midnight on the night of their release.

Me? I've seen the movies a few times myself. I still can't keep the names straight, but I can't keep any names straight to save myself. I've yet to read the books, but I have little time for reading anymore. I'm lucky if I can read throuh the directions of GM's new toys before getting pulled in 15 different directions.

When GM gets old enough, I'm sure he'll want to read all the books. By than they may even be considered classics. Even at four, the kid is such a book worm.

Over at MomDot, they are giving away the collectible edition produced to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The grand prize includes the Complete Box Set Books #1 - #7, a copy of the 10th Anniversary Edition of ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’, and a collectible Harry Potter Gold Pin (worth $195!).

Four runners up will win a copy of the 10th Anniversary Edition of ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’ and a collectible Harry Potter Gold Pin (worth $30 each).

To enter, go check out all the details here at MomDot, then go check out Scholastic's website. They have all sorts of Harry Potter details to check out. There's games, downloads, and info on the Knight Bus, which could be coming to your hometown (but unfortunately, not my little podunk town). Don't forget to check out the details on the latest book coming out 12/04/08!

Giveaways at MomDot

Over at MomDot, they have more giveaways going on! They have a Vixen style apron up for grabs from Carolyns Kitchen. Now, I can't cook, but I don't think it would matter with this cute apron. I could just pretend I was apro in the kitchen as I pulled a pizza out of the oven. But, I'd at least be doing it in style. Go here to enter.

They are also giving away a 10K Gold, Diamond Cupcake necklace, in conjunction with the Cupcake Club. All you need to do to enter is join the Cupcake Club. And who wouldn't want to? They have character blogs, games, contests, and advice in their members only section, all based on the Cupcake Club book series.

Wordless Wednesday

I miss my baby being a baby!

Giveaways at MomDot

Over at MomDot they are holding some more great giveaways. They have two pairs of stylish kid shoes (the Jet for boys and the Lovely for girls) from UMI Shoes. Not only are they both super cute, they are also designed to promote flexibility and traction, so your little one’s feet will be comfy and supported properly. You have only until the 15th of September to enter, so head over and check them out today!

They are also giving away yet another amazing stroller, a Combi Limited Edition Cosmo DX Stroller in Blush. While I’m not positive little GM would be stoked about riding around in a pink stroller, I’m sure his cousin would. What can I say? The girl adores anything pink and girly.

Little M and her family would be ecstatic to have this stroller. They recently had baby number two, and shortly there after, Little M came down with pneumonia and was in the hospital for weeks. Her blood count continued to fluctuate, and every time they thought she was well enough to go home, something went wrong and her stay was extended.

We are all excited that she is home and healthy now, but the long hospital stay equaled more bills than most people could afford. So, needless to say, things were tight. New baby, medical bills, and every day bills left little money for anything else. In an effort to save money, they moved in with our grandparents. So now the four of them are living in two bedrooms, indefinitely. They work hard, but there’s just not enough to go around.

Something new would really bring them a smile. It would be amazing to win this for them, and I’m sure it would get a lot of use taking Little M to the park and pushing around her doll babies of course.

If you're looking for a new stroller, go here to enter and good luck!

Home Preschool

I forgot to mention, starting Thursday, I'll be doing a modified homeschool/preschool with GM. He is so excited! He wants to go to school so badly, but has another year yet, and we don't want to pay to send him when I'm staying home. I figure this is the next best thing.

I've been coming up with themes and activities, and getting our "schedule" together. I'm probably as excited as he is. I always knew that college degree would come in handy.

If anyone's done this before, and has any advice at all, feel free to leave me a comment!

Welcome to the Zoo

I am not a pet person. I know that's probably a terrible thing to say, but I hate cleaning up after them and they always seem to want to be around me more than I want to be around them. Maybe I've just had far too many experiences with clingy, messy critters.

Since GM adores animals, we do have a few pets in the house. We have Zoey, a Himalayan whose a year older than GM. We got her as a kitten when I was pregnant, I think I needed something to snuggle with and take care of then. She was a cute little thing, and since we weren't supposed to have pets in the apartment, she was confined to our bedroom. We were almost caught with her when the neighbors heard her meowing, but luckily since I had GM just a few days before, they assumed it was him crying. They even commented how our baby sounded just like a feline.

A few weeks ago my SIL asked if we would foster Little M's turtle, Jeter, for awhile. They had just moved and had no where to keep him, so we inherited him. We added him to our aquarium with out huge sunny. GM, of course, got very attached. Since we know Jeter will be heading back home any day, we decided to get a second one, newly named Diver, so GM won't be heart broken when his little shelled buddy leaves.
Now, for someone whose not so fond of pets, I really like these turtles. They are so much fun to watch, and they get so excited when they see us. Of course, they're just waiting for food. They even have their own distinct personalities. Jeter is a hog, very up front, and excitable. Diver on the other hand is jittery and more laid back. I think I'm turning into the Turtle Lady. It could be worse, I could be the cat lady with a billion of them running a muck.

Photo Hunt: Strings

This week's theme is "strings." Here's a shot of the lanterns from our last camping trip:

Finding Me (3)

Finally to the end of my little saga, after staying with the friend and her brother, who had just returned from Iraq, he and I hit it off. We started dating rather quickly. He was my protector. He was always willing to stand up for me and stand beside me. He was so amazing through all the drama that ensued.

Within two months, we were engaged. By four months, we had little GM on the way. And, at six months, we were married. It truly was a whirlwind. This year, we will be celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary. So to all who warned me it wouldn't last, that we were moving to fast, your warnings went unheeded and the last five years have been magical. More than I could ask for.

People Watching

I love to people watch. It has amused me ever since I can remember. Sometimes though, I just have to wonder what are they thinking??

We live next door to a daycare, and there are always people coming and going. I happened to be outside today when this lady pulled in to drop off her kid. The little one gets out of the car, and is maybe 2. Mind you, it's about 80 out today, so that makes the parking lot at least 20 degrees hotter. And, the mom lets the kid out to walk in, sans shoes, onto the hot pavement.

I get it, some kids hate shoes. But, if you aren't going to make her wear them, then you need to carry her across the parking lot. Do you not realize that the pavement will scorch her little feet???

Thursday Thirteen

I'm jumping on the bandwagon with my first ever Thrsday Thirteen post!

Thirteen things I accomplished today:
1. Did two loads of dishes. Seemed like we shouldn't have a clean bowl in the house. This is what happens when I go to work.
2. Got all the laundry put away finally, 4 baskets worth.
3. Taught the little one to count to 15 in Spanish.
4. Cleaned the guest bedroom, which had become a dumping grounds for homeless stuff since we moved in 3 months ago.
5. Got some bills written out. I hate paydays.
6. Cooked the hubby dinner. Mmm...chicken fajitas. And yes, this is an accomplishment, I hate to cook.
7. Reorganized my closet. I found the floor, yay!
8. Washed the downstairs windows.
9. Cleaned out the pantry. Some reason we feel the need to keep food for far too long past the expiration.
10. Went on a zoo tour. I guess I should mention it was an imaginary trip, with GM the little zoologist.
11. Found some great ideas for Chirstmas gifts on-line. Now I just need to teach myself to sew.
12. Scrubbed the kitchen floor.
13. Finished my first Thursday 13. Wahoo!

Strollers for September

The mommy bloggers at MomDot are really hooking everyone up in the month of September! Right now, you can win this brand new on the market, Trevi Twin stroller by Chicco ($219) or this Toro stroller by Micralite ($524), both to be pulled on Sept 30th. Head on over and check out the site, get your blog listed, and enter to win one of the 40 contests they are hosting this month!

Here's the Trevi Twin Stroller. Doesn't it look like a lifesaver?

Finding the Way to Me (2)

When I ended the saga last, I was walking out on the ex, who I tend to refer to as "the psycho" in conversations. As much as I wanted it to be over, and expected it to be when I walked out, he had a different idea.

I had no where to go, so I managed to sneak back in to the house later when I saw him leaving. I grabbed my keys, my phone, and as many clothes as I possibly could. I knew it was my only chance to get what I could. I threw everything into my car, and just drove. Luckily, I found a friend, who coincidently lived just down the street from the ex and she offered to let me stay with her and her brother. I could've gone back home, but I was scared and ashamed to admit what had happened to my parents.

For a day or so, I managed to stay out of sight. But, like in my worst nightmares, he found me. He started out just following me. I'd be driving down the road, and see him in my rear view mirror, I'd go to pick up dinner and he would walk in a few minutes later, or I'd go to the store and see him across the aisle. Everywhere I turned, there he was, lurking.

A few times, he tried to drive me off the road, I'd be forced into opposing traffic or onto the shoulder, but thankfully, I never hit anyone. He followed the friends I was staying with. He'd be waiting across the street when they got off work and follow them home.

He tried calling me a few times, once to tell me he was going to kill himself, to which I responded "the world will be better off." He showed up at my work, the managers were forced to call the police, another day he screamed obscenities at customers, and kicked down a wall. One night, he showed up telling me if I would come with him just for awhile, he would let go forever. Why I believed him, I'll never know. But I went. He drove me up into the mountains, in the dark, although I pleaded with him not to. He parked in a secluded spot and told me we were going to sit and talk on his tailgate. At that point, I had no choice. As we sat there, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a gun, which he proceeded to lay between us. Although he never threatened me, he just left it lay there, the moonlight glimmering off the silver of the trigger said more than he ever could.

He took me back to my car that night, I'll never know why he let me go, but he did. A few nights later, he found me again and I heard the faint click of the gun booming in the darkness. He didn't pull the trigger back, someone called the police in time. Yet, the police did nothing. I asked them if I was lying dead in the street, would they arrest him then? Did I need to be dead to get anything settled?

After that night, I filed a PFA, all I could think was, I'm not a victim, I'm not being abused. I couldn't see what was right in front of my face. Detailing all the incidents for them was the hardest thing I've ever done. I had to admit on paper all the terrible things he had done. For months, he refused to sign it, court dates came and went, and his lawyer continually had the hearing pushed back. Finally, a day before the final date, he signed the papers.

He broke the PFA once, and I wasn't about to give up everything I had worked for. I called the police, and finally, they arrested him. He was put into solitary for three days. At the courthouse, he was brought in wearing a bright orange jumpsuit, but just as cocky as ever. They told me not to look at him, not to give him any satisfaction. But, I had to look, I had to face my own demons. What I saw was a boy, who would never grow up, never know the pain he caused others, never know how to take responsibility, sitting there, hands cuffed, yet put behind his head so I could see them, trying to make me feel guilty for putting him there. Fortunately, he was the one found guilty.

Wordless Wednesday

At the beaver pond:

Little GM proudly annouced that beavers live "in a darn."

September Contest at MomDot

The ladies over at MomDot have kicked the month off with an amazing stroller giveaway. They have a Mircalite Toro Stroller (worth $524!!!) up for grabs for one very lucky mom. While I would really love to win, my stroller is down to having only 3 wheels that stay on consistently, I know there are other mommas out there who would be just as happy as me to win. So, go throw your name into the contest for your chance.

Finding the Way to Me (1)

Some tv shows just get to me. I love crime drama shows, I'm completely addicted to them. Tonight, watching The Closer, it just got to me and I felt the need to either cry or throw up. Luckily, I did neither, since my hubby would think I was insane.

There are a lot of things I like to keep to myself. The past is in the past, and while I know if effects how I work and think today, I just find some things are easier not to talk about, and do my best just to forget about them.

Back to The Closer, tonights episode was about two victims of domestic abuse, one of which was killed. This is something that hits home with me, and just makes my heart ache all over again. Right after high school, I moved in with my boyfriend of a year. Looking back, I know it was a stupid move, but I was young and thought I could get my freedom by moving out of my parent's house.

Freedom is far from what I got. He was controlling and manipulative, I was stuck at home all the time, except for work. He got upset when anyone called my phone and I was too scared of what my parents would say to me for leaving, so I didn't even try to call them. That was the easiest part. As time when on, things got worse and worse. He started going out by himself, coming home drunk. When he was drunk, he was out of control, yet thought he controlled everything. He would throw things at me, grab ahold of me, and call me every derogatory name that has every been uttered.

It was never ending, I was shoved down stairs. It was an accident he said, he told people I slipped. He smashed a mirror above my head, letting glass fall around me like rain, but it was an accident, he had tripped. He left finger sized bruises that seemed to dance around my arm, but it was my fault, I shouldn't have tried to walk away from him. There were many other "incidents" worse than the last, yet he always had an excuse and an apology.

I finally had enough and walked out on him, literally. I walked out his front door in my barefeet and just walked until I found somewhere to go. I had had enough, and saw my escape. While each and every day I am thankful I did, the story doesn't end there. There was much more to come.

Love it, Need it, Want to Have it Purse

I love bags, I can happily carry any cute bag, no matter how big or small. I'm always on the look out for a good deal on a new bag. The last one I got is adorable, and I found it on clearance for $4. Before having a baby, I had no problem spending money on bags, but now I know the money is much better spent on food, and bills, and toys, of course.

Lucky for us, MomDot is giving away an amazing bag from Elliott Lucca. The Tropez Demi in Raspberry Patent is a bag lovers dream come true. The only unfortunate part is, if I don't win, my budget may suffer, I'm already falling for this bag!