My little word for 2009

So it's only the third month of 2009 and I've had this sitting as a draft since Christmas.......I thought I'd just get it out of the way!

I chose my word and you I'm sure you've been on pins and needles waiting for me to announce it:

So, without further ado:


COMPLETE

com-plete 
–adjective
1.
having all parts or elements; lacking nothing; whole; entire; full: a complete set of Mark Twain's writings.
2.
finished; ended; concluded: a complete orbit.
3.
having all the required or customary characteristics, skills, or the like; consummate; perfect in kind or quality: a complete scholar.
4.
thorough; entire; total; undivided, uncompromised, or unmodified: a complete victory; a complete mess.
5.
Grammar. having all modifying or complementary elements included: The complete subject of “The dappled pony gazed over the fence” is “The dappled pony.” Compare simple (def. 20).
6.
Also, completed. Football. (of a forward pass) caught by a receiver.
7.
Logic. (of a set of axioms) such that every true proposition able to be formulated in terms of the basic ideas of a given system is deducible from the set. Compare incomplete (def. 4b).
8.
Engineering. noting a determinate truss having the least number of members required to connect the panel points so as to form a system of triangles. Compare incomplete (def. 3), redundant (def. 5c).
9.
(of persons) accomplished; skilled; expert.
10.
Mathematics.
a.
of or pertaining to an algebraic system, as a field with an order relation defined on it, in which every set of elements of the system has a least upper bound.
b.
of or pertaining to a set in which every fundamental sequence converges to an element of the set. Compare fundamental sequence.
c.
(of a lattice) having the property that every subset has a least upper bound and a greatest lower bound.–verb (used with object)
11.
to make whole or entire: I need three more words to complete the puzzle.
12.
to make perfect: His parting look of impotent rage completed my revenge.
13.
to bring to an end; finish: Has he completed his new novel yet?
14.
to consummate.
15.
Football. to execute (a forward pass) successfully: He completed 17 passes in 33 attempts.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.



~I'm sure it's pretty self explanatory why I NEED this to be my word.

Leave a comment and hold me accountable, please...........

2 question quiz??

Awhile back, my friend Tami took this quiz and posted the results on her blog. I decided to do it as well, seeing how I was wasting time at the computer instead of cleaning or caring for my children or other equally pressing concerns.

However, I'm a bit confused.

There are only 2 questions to this quiz.

Seriously.

I'm gonna answer these 2 questions and you will tell me about my personality?

Not just that......but what I was like as a child, what kind of parent I am, what's hard about me, what I should like about myself, my relationship style and what others can do to get along with me????

To say that I was skeptical is mild.

I took the test and.........

WTF???

Here are my results:

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Doris!

You are a Doris -- "I must help others."

Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
• * Share fun times with me.
• * Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
• * Let me know that I am important and special to you.
• * Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

In Intimate Relationships

• * Reassure me that I am interesting to you.
• * Reassure me often that you love me.
• * Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.

What I Like About Being a Doris

• * being able to relate easily to people and to make friends
• * knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better
• * being generous, caring, and warm
• * being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings
• * being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor

What's Hard About Being a Doris

• * not being able to say no
• * having low self-esteem
• * feeling drained from overdoing for others
• * not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish
• * criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should
• * being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tune in to them
• * working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings

Dorises as Children Often

• * are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism
• * try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding
• * are outwardly compliant
• * are popular or try to be popular with other children
• * act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention
• * are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)

Dorises as Parents

• * are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)
• * are often playful with their children
• * wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"
• * can become fiercely protective

Those who know me ~ please reread the HOW TO GET ALONG WITH ME SECTION (focusing on the last one) and tell me how accurate they got it.

Then go take the test and come back and tell me who you are:

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz

I'm getting smarter in my old age.......

or so my 87 year old grandmother tells me.

She called today to wish me a *happy last day of being in your thirties* day.

She asked what I had planned for my 40th birthday tomorrow.

Before I could answer her, she asked if I wanted to hear what she did for her 80th.

Then she said she can't remember and cracked herself up!

Once she got the giggles under control, she said she seriously wanted to know what I was gonna do.

I told her I decided to stop waiting for the "perfect" birthday to happen and plan it myself.

I put together a whole weekend of activities scheduled for next weekend. I sent out a evite to a little over 20 "girls".

Here's the body of the evite:

With basketball season determining life....I've planned a faux birthday getaway. We have friends who have a beach house on *** Beach that we are borrowing for the weekend. I'm putting together a "Mama's Ideal Birthday Weekend" and inviting all my favorite local girls! If you can't "get away", let me know if you can make any of the activities.

Tentative Agenda:
Fri 4-6ish: beach and watch sunset
6-?: pizza, dessert, drinks,
?-? : laughing, crafts?, movie?, music?
SLEEPOVER
Sat: Beach with a book or antique hunting/junking
4pm: basketball game
7ish: repeat friday nite activities :)
SLEEPOVER
Sunday: beach with a book or Flea Market/thrift stores
3pm: pack up and return to reality

A few issues:
1. I don't have the actual address of the house. It's about a mile south of ***. Clear as mud, right? I do have my cell phone number listed above for directions.
2.Parking is tight. We may have to set up a park and ride.
3. The weather is predicted to be sunny but cold. At least cold for us FL girls. This will determine how long I am able to sit on the beach.

I know this is kinda last minute and we all have busy lives so please RSVP and let me know which activities you are able to attend for my acknowledged *OCD* planning issues.



~~Who wouldn't want to get such a demanding, all about the birthday girl kinda invitation???

My GiGi said I was smarter than her and at more than half her age. I stopped waiting for someone to give me what I wanted and just went after it.

My Man said he doesn't think it's being smart, just bossy!
*notice he didn't get invited* sour grapes anyone????

100 Things About The Mama

1. I hate surprises.

2. I love to read.

3. I hate roses and carnations.

4. I am a Martha Stewart wannabe.

5. I am lazy. But a bit hyper. Go figure.

6. I hate the size my clothes tag say.

7. I am opinionated, however I have a hard time committing to favorites.

8. I am horrible about sending out thank you cards.........but I always think I will. I buy the cards, even write them, but don't take the time to mail them. I want to change that.

9. I love chocolate, but usually not fine chocolate. Give me an good old candy bar anyday over a truffle.

10. I am a chameleon. I usually fit in to any group of people I am around. I think it comes from moving so much when I was a child.

11. I make friends easily and I am proud of that.

12. I love to help others. Sometimes to my detriment.

13. I am a people pleaser.

14. I hate conflict and confrontation.

15. I'm not a very sentimental person.

16. I have lived in MD, FL, NH and CO.

17. I went to 16 schools but my parents were NOT in the military.

18. I love a clean house or car.

19. I hate to clean my house or car. Actually, I just hate to take the time to do it. I'd rather be doing something else. But once I get started, I don't mind it.

20. I become both motivated AND unmotivated easily.

21. I am hyper critical of those I don't know. Especially someone on TV.

22. I love Reality TV. Most of the shows I DVR fall into this category.

23. I was never a big TV watcher. Until DVR came into my life.

24. I speak of Chelsea Handler as if she was a personal friend. She cracks me up!

25. I hate going to concerts. It seems to be a waste of money to me.

26. I have season tickets to the Broadway series at the Theater. It's a bit extravagant on our budget, but I love it.

27. I am proud that my children seem to not be affected by what the Jones' have. We don't try to keep up and I've never heard them say they wish they had X like the Jones kids do.

28. I have relaxed my standards on how my kids dress in public. I used to iron everything and control what went with what. Chickiepoo had to let me do her hair before we went anywhere. I now choose my battles and wait for a "special to me" occasion when I pull the Mom card and pick out everyone's clothes and iron them and do hair. Any other time: it's fair game (as long as it matches).

29. Until this past year I was a registered Republican but usually ended up voting Democrat. I consider myself moderate and wish there was no party system.


30. I am a organizer. Want to start a club? Want to throw a party? I'm your gal.


31. I currently run a book club and a bunko group.

32. I am serving my 4th year on PTA board this year.

33. I've always wanted a large family and would have more babies if my husband would agree. And my pregnancies were healthier. And I was younger. And.......


34. I love the scent of clean. Clean laundry, Palmolive dish soap, my kids after a bath........

35. I have two signature scents I wear. One is for everyday Mom ~ vanilla and for the Sexy Mama ~Juba.

36. I don't remember much about a book after I've read it except it's title. If you can give me details or I read the summary it usually comes right back.

37. I don't read books twice.

38. I love to watch basketball, football or baseball. Live or on TV.

39. I am a pusher. Mostly a food pusher.....


40. I don't cry often or easily.

41. Sometimes I really hate my husband. Like now, when he's laughing at me doing this! Actually, I just tell him I hate him. Then he just smirks and says "no you don't". And damn it, he's right. This happens a lot.

42. I was a Pampered Chef Director. I loved the products, loved making food for people, loved the "show" I got to put on ( I went the humor route), loved helping others with their business but HATED the sales part: the follow up phone calls, etc.

43. I am an all or nothing person.

44. I'm a flylady baby who gets on and off the wagon regularly! I just call it my version of flylady.

45. We are trying to do Dave Ramsey's baby steps.

46. I can talk for hours!

47. I have super sonic ears. I can carry on a conversation with you and still get most of what is being said at the next table.

48. I read for at least 30 minutes before bed EVERY night.

49. I don't like a lot of breakfast foods.

50. I have two tunnels to my stomach. Doesn't matter how full I am after a meal ~ the dessert tunnel is always open!

51. I don't know how to take a compliment.

52. I am very critical of myself. My self esteem has never been high, but I'd like to change this.

53. I don't have many regrets. My past made me who I am.......why regret that?

54. I have a terrible potty mouth. Even in front of my children. They never repeat those words in front of us, but have told on each other a few times.

55. I will stay in my pj's in the morning until I find a reason to get dressed.

56. I only shower for a reason. I have to be going somewhere or seeing someone. Just because doesn't hit it. It's been three days and I'm gross usually does, though.

57. My dad's family was from North Carolina and I've always dreamed of living there.


58. I thought I'd end up marrying a good ole boy from the south. Instead I found a native Floridian whose family hails from Brooklyn! I never even seriously dated a good ole boy.

59. The only accent I can pull off is a southern one.

60. I am a bit hyper. I do everything super speed: talk, type, cook, think......

61. I totally take my frustrations out on my family but will mid-rant, answer the phone with a sweet hello.

62. I am doing my dream job. Growing up I only wanted to be a mom and wife, and that's what I am. I allow myself to become sidetracked at times and lose focus that I am living my dream.

63. I know most everyone feels they grew up in a dysfunctional family.........but I REALLY did! I usually bond with others when telling "my family is stranger than yours " war stories. (Most times I win)

64. I love real fires. I live in Florida, but put my fireplace on regardless of outside temperature. I refuse to decorate for the holidays without the fireplace roaring, even if I have to crank the air conditioner down to 60 degrees!

65. I have one of THOSE memories........ I remember most phone numbers, names, etc.

66. But add conflict? I can't remember who said what! My mind goes blank.

67. My mommy mind (forgetfulness) attacks when trying to remember which kid I was talking about, calling, or yelling at. I have to go through all of the names usually. Other than that ~ I'm good!

68. My desk is the epitome of organized chaos. I have stuff everywhere, but I know where it all is. I try to organize it once a week, but by the next day, it looks just like it did the day before.

69. I've taught myself to sew and love to make cute things, however I don't have confidence in my skills.

70. I want to make money but don't want to work. Anyone know of a job that fits that description? Call me.

71. I am neither a morning person or a night owl. However, when my mind is on overload I have trouble sleeping. I can't fall asleep and I get up early.

72. I can't nap during the day unless I'm pregnant.

73. I discovered the beauty of Advil PM a few months ago. I can only take it if I need to catch up on sleep or my mind is clicking away, it's before a certain time at night, and My Man is on board to get up with the baby in the morning. Ahhhh, it's some of the best sleep I've ever had.

74. I started another diet and this time I've gone farther than I've ever gone. I'm close to my goal and should meet it by my birthday.

75. My 40th birthday is in a few weeks. I can't believe it. Actually, I have a harder time that my kids are getting older. And the fact that two of my children are taller, or almost as tall as I am.........whatev!

76. I haven't been able to narrow down what I want to do to celebrate my birthday yet. A trip, a party, a nice dinner out, a girls trip???? I want it all!!!!

77. I'm like a kid in a candy store in any bookstore, fabric store, craft store, antique store, monogram boutique, tjmaxx -ish store, AND thrift store...........go figure.

78. I have a bad habit of telling people what something costs, even when they didn't ask. If they compliment me on my pants, I may say I got them at the thrift store for $2. I told you I can't take a compliment. Another thing to add to my list of what to work on.

79. I get defensive about things I can't describe well. Mostly my hobbies that My Man questions why I need to do this, or buy that, or stay up late doing it.

80. I feel like I could have several different houses and decorate each one differently. Does everyone feel like this?

81. I am a dish whore. I love dishes. I want to have Martha Stewart's pantry where she has different sets of dishes for EVERY occasion. If I had more storage, money, and a husband who wouldn't shake his head at my insanity, I'd have more than Martha. I'm just saying.

82. I don't think of myself as competitive, however my actions may say something different.

83. I only like to play if I believe I can win.

84. I never play the lotto, however I sold lotto tickets as a teenager.

85. I needed a foreign language credit to graduate from high school and I chose American Sign Language. I only took it for the one year, however I've retained so much I astound myself. Sometimes I find myself finger spelling words, thinking in signs or counting on one hand, ASL style.

86. I've had two speeding tickets in my life. The second I got just a few weeks ago. As I sit here making this part of the list, I am also taking the online driving course to reduce my fine and negate any points.

87. The test gives you 20 -55 minutes per chapter to read and answer 3-5 questions. I finish each chapter in less than 5 minutes, but have to wait for the time to expire before moving on to the next chapter. Therefore, I am multitasking ~ blogging, reading and taking a class!

88. I don't like my hair short, however with each pregnancy I've cut my hair. What is that all about? With this fourth baby I was determined not to cut it. I waited until after her first birthday, and then......yup. But, it's growing out now.

89. I have neither straight nor curly hair. It is never straight, unless I flatiron it but it isn't really curly. It's wavy, but humidity can make it curl. But not in a good way, imo. Living in Florida doesn't help that.

90. I know this is soooo 80's, but I feel like I look better with a tan. I feel skinnier, healthier and more attractive. By the way, I've been REALLY pale (for me) since before I got pregnant with Bunnyboo.

91. I have a bad habit of NOT washing makeup off my face before going to bed. I only really have it on if we've gone out and if that happens, I'm too tired to take the two minutes I know it would take to do it.

92. This list would make a good jumping off point for my New Year's Resolutions. I'd just need to take all the things I don't do well, don't like that I do or SHOULD change and......bang! There's my list!

93. I don't do well without enough sleep.

94. I'm now a caffeine free diet coke *drink straight from the can* kinda girl. Do I have to change my about me section on my blog?

95. I am very goal oriented. I wanted to finish this list so that my 100th post would naturally fall on January 1, 2009. I was gonna be short so I pushed out the remaining posts today so I'd complete this goal. Sorry if you have me on your google reader and just got slammed!

96. The only foreign countries I've traveled to are Canada and Mexico. Wow, what a typical American!

97. I have specific types of music that I like to listen to while I'm doing specific tasks. Country music is for the kitchen ~ cookin' and bakin'. Hip Hop is for dancing, exercising. Jazz is for relaxing. Classic rock is for small parties when we're walking down memory lane.

98. I don't do no fat/reduced fat anything. Except the newly addictive diet soda that fits in my diet. I either go without or cheat on everything else.

99. I love the feeling of a fresh start. New year, newly organized desk, redecorated room, or a new location........LOVE IT!

100. This was much harder than I thought. I did it in spurts and it still took longer than I thought. Glad it's over! Are you tired of me talking about me yet? Me too!

Bahama Shores Mama Year 2008 in Review

2008 will forever be remembered (by me) as the year that I started a blog.

I started off being brief.

I wasn't really sure what I was doing but I was super excited. I just wasn't sure how to tell My Man. I surprised myself by doing some soul searching while trying to explain myself to anonymous readers.

I "encouraged" a few friends to start their own blogs.

I overcame my critical nature long enough to post a picture of myself.

I jumped on a few bandwagons and joined some fun carnivals. And even tried to challenge myself in order to take more pictures. I learned a new word ~ meme~ and did a few of those too!

I started winning things for the first time in my life. Not once, or twice, but three times!

I dug threw some of my most requested recipes and posted those. I laughed at myself. I gave my kids nicknames and posted a bit about them. In short, I was trying to capture this moment in my life. And get positive feedback from it.

Suddenly, everything in my life was a potential post. My mind was constantly drafting posts. I tried to balance blogging and life. It was a constant struggle to prioritize my time between composing posts, reading and commenting on other blogs and checking for updated comments. Oh yeah, and the other things called life I was responsible for. Adding to that was the fact that My Man wasn't thrilled with the amount of time my new hobby was taking AND he doubts my security measures I've tried to take.

As life began to interfere with my blogging , the posts came further apart. I stopped taking the time to comment on the blogs I read. I was still reading them, just not leaving bloggy love. And then life stopped me.

I hardly posted at all over the summer. I did do some soul searching and tried to find a direction to guide me in regular posting. I found I was most often drawn to blogs of creative people that also showed their life. So I recommitted with a direction and decided to try again focusing on craftiness and my life. And let the posts come as they would.

However, I had lost most of my regular readers and really only had a handful of real life friends reading what I wrote with the occasional blog visitor stopping by.

I used this blog to vent. And even though I only had one comment, I felt better just getting it off my chest.

I blogged about one of my kid's birthday party. And when the holidays started coming around, Chickie Poo forced my hand by taking pictures and telling me to blog about it.

As I was trying to select which picture I would choose for our Holiday Card 2008, a post began to write itself in my head.

And then it happened. I had posted two days in a row.

And I realized I was reaching my 100th post mark.

So I turned the heat up.

Wouldn't it be cool to have my 100th post hit on New Year's Day to start 2009?

I thought so, too.

However, I failed to remember how much time is involved in blogging.

I had plenty of crafty projects going in the month of December, however, it was harder than I imagined to REMEMBER to take pictures along the way.

And a few days before Christmas I gave up.

I had planned to write a little tribute to my dad who died on Dec. 23rd 9 years ago and I just couldn't do it. I had already written about one of my best holiday memories but I just couldn't do my worst.

So I did a generic Christmas post and figured I'd do the rest whenever I got my mojo back. I had enough topics to draft posts for the remaining number needed, but not enough time to write them before the year ended.

And then it was January 1, 2009.

And I decided to get them all out.

Today.

So I will reach my 100th post today even if I have to blog all day long!

Sorry, honey!

Tell Santa what you want........

I love the Christmas season.

My Man and my first fight was about Christmas.

He didn't see any need to decorate a tree when we would be traveling to his family's for the actual day.

I think of Christmas as a season, not a day and it was the first SEASON I'd be away from my family.

He FINALLY got how important it was to me.

So by the time the next Christmas season rolled around we decorated even though we were flying to see my family right before and then driving down to see his family for the actual day.

However, another fight was brewing.

I was ready to commit and we were living together at this point. He doesn't like anyone telling him what to do. So whenever he asked what I wanted for Christmas I told him I wanted Santa to bring me a engagement ring.

As the time drew closer to fly back to visit my family, I was getting extremely stressed. Just about every day the phone would ring with one family member of mine or another asking if we were engaged yet.

In a hysterical fit, I finally told him that if we weren't engaged by the new year, I was going to move out.

I just couldn't imagine another year passing while we were living as man and wife, but not moving towards living as man and wife.

The night before we were to fly, my man stayed out until 4 am. He came home drunk and proceeded to slur questions about marriage, whether I'd really move out, blah, blah, blah.

Needless to say, I didn't find this amusing AT ALL!

I went to work a few hours later and he called me there asking me how early I could leave the office. I ranted about all I had to do before I could leave and then told him he needed to pack for himself as I refused to do it based on his behavior last night. Then I heard all this background noise and asked him where he was. (Obviously, pre-caller id). He told me a bar with the same friend he was with the night before. I hung up.

I seethed for about 15 minutes before giving up and going home.

I get home and see he hasn't packed a thing but all the pillows are missing from the bed. WTF??

The phone rang and my man's panicked voice is asking me where am I? Uh, you just called me at home, dude! He thought I'd be at work for awhile, however I informed him I was too mad to stay at work and I was packing MY things and catching a plane. With or without him. His choice.

He told me to give him 15 minutes and then look out the door.

15 minutes later..........there was Santa.

Santa comes into the house and wants me to sit on his lap.

"Tell Santa what you want for Christmas little girl".............

I couldn't say it.

Even more amusing is the fact that My Man couldn't get to his knee as he imagined with me sitting on his lap. He went to stand up to kneel down and I fell off his lap.

His friend snapped blurry pictures and drove us to the airport with Champagne and bridal magazines. I got off the airplane in a daze and walked right past my brother. My dad said I led with my ring adorned hand.

That holiday season was such a whirlwind of seeing family, friends and loved ones and planning our wedding. I barely had time to breathe, and only after my best friend asked if I had cried did I realize I never cried like I had always imagined I would.

Nothing went quite as he imagined. He planned to go to my work and have others tell Santa what they wanted. Then, he was sure when it was my turn I'd tell this Santa I just wanted my boyfriend to give me an engagement ring. Somehow he thought I wouldn't recognize him. Not only was I not at work when he arrived all decked out in a heavy Santa costume stuffed with our bedroom pillows.......this is Florida and it was a HOT December that year! Then when he finally tracks me down, I refuse to play along and say the words he envisioned me saying. And the whole kneeling thing was just icing on the cake.

He later told me he wanted to atone for our first holiday fight by recognizing how important the Christmas season was to me. He had the ring made in June. And waited until December to give it to me. I'm still not over that.


Wanna know when I did cry?


After returning from visiting both sides of our family, we went to visit My Man's boss and his wife. They are like family to us. She is a artist and works with many different mediums.

She gave me the talk.............You know the, do you know what you are getting into being a coach's wife? talk. I didn't cry then either although looking back I probably should have.

When she handed me a small wrapped box...........I opened it to find a hand carved Santa down on his knees offering a diamond ring.






I bawled.



I never tell Santa what I want.............I trust he knows.

How hard can it be?

Seriously, how hard can it be to take a picture to send holiday cards???

My family is obviously photographically challenged. Can we get disability for that?

I realize that I have made it exponentially harder each time I add another baby.....but I'm done now, I swear! I accept that I am not photogenic and therefore will hate any picture including me. But I failed to realize I could pass this gene on.

I shopped for coordinating outfits for all 6 of us, avoiding anything too matchy-matchy. Then I find a day when our schedule is fairly open. This is MUCH harder than it seems, as it is basketball season. A few things I didn't count on when trying to organize: the windy, overcast weather, My Man losing a game the night before, and as previously mentioned, the un-photogenic gene.

Throw those three challenges together with a willful toddler, two kids in braces who don't like to smile, and a hyperactive child who either smirks or has the widest fake smile, and can't seem to look at the camera unless he's blinking. Oh what a very, merry Christmas time, this year!

We haven't taken a family picture in about 4 years and Bunny boo has since joined our family so we thought we'd try to get one of these.

Here's a few examples of how it worked for us:

This was our first shot and bunny boo was still cooperative. The wind, however was not.

We switch sides of the gazebo trying to avoid the ONLY ray of sunlight, but the wind is still crazy.
Bunnyboo is getting fussy. Let's go to the boardwalk and see if the wind is blocked a bit. Nope.
Let's go back to our friend's house (she is the photographer for the day). But all Bunny boo wants to do is swim!
Bunny boo is done at this point. My Man is over it. Let's just go with what we got and try to make something work.



I played with photoshop for a few days but just couldn't get anything I was happy enough with to make 100 cards out of. I'm new to photoshop and it shows! I told My Man we would choose one of the family ones and just make a few 5X7's to give to grandparents, but I thought our best shot was a card with picture of the kids.


So yesterday, I decided to take the kids out back individually and shoot a few pics. The weather wasn't a problem, it was a bright, sunny day with just a bit of wind. My Man wasn't AS stressed. And I didn't have to be in the pic. What else could go wrong? Genetics, baby!




I know you have braces, but could you please smile????

I guess not.

I sound like a broken record, but: I know you have braces, but could you please smile??

OOOHHH, maybe not.

Hey, I'm over here!

Have you been into the benedryl again???

All that's left is the baby. Should be a piece of cake! I mean babies look cute all the time, right? Ummm, not so much.

Nice drool!

Don't tell Mommy no! I promise not to take anymore pictures.

No need to hit the camera. I swear that was the last one.

By some miraculous feat, I managed to get at least one decent shot of the three older kids and the baby's just shows her personality. It's just this year's card. I can do better next year. Maybe I should start working on this in May..............

Please tell me I'm not the only one who has this affliction. PLEASE!

Why, Mom, Why????

It's time for We are THAT Family's weekly Sincerely Fro Me To You. Please go have a look see at what others came up with this week.

This week I offer you a picture that no child should have to find of them self.




Why, Mom, Why???

Was there really nothing more to do while we were camping? When your 5 year old daughter did the potty dance and might have said she really needed to go, did you really think photo op? Did you position her just so on the picnic table, surrounded by people (I see someone leaning on the tree, Gah, I hope looking the other way!) then run to get your camera? Or did you make me hold it until you got the camera? I hope it was handy.Did you confirm it was just #1? Or were you willing to take the chance all in the name of creativity? From the surprised look on my face I had NOT signed any waivers for this photo shoot. Did we later eat at that picnic table or were we just defiling someone else's campsite?

Mom, you need to answer for yourself and we are all waiting..................


Why, Mom, Why???

Meet the Mama: I hate having my picture taken.

I hate having my picture taken. I am hypercritical of myself. I always hide when someone brings out a camera.

If I am forced to pose, I feel all awkward. How many chins are showing? Are the black circles under my eyes especially heinous today? Am I smiling too hard? If I sit/stand/lean/kneel like this is it better or worse?

And heaven help me if it's a group shot. If you think those are always better because you can hide in the back......you must not be only 5 feet tall. See, when you are vertically challenged everyone seems to grab you and shove you front and center.

Even half of my children are taller than I (well one has an inch or two to go, but she still has great posture and isn't trying to hide extremely large breasts, yet). So you can only hope to be in front of women who are larger than you. Men don't count. I don't compare myself with them. (Though I reserved the right to mock any man whose girth is smaller than mine.) The repetitive chant looping through my head at this point is.... "Do these people I surround myself with make me look fat?" If so, it may be time to find a new group. 'Cause it must be their fault, right???!!!?? (It's Mother's Day, say "Right!" ~ at least throw me that bone).

And then my friend wanted me to post a picture of myself. I hemmed and hawed and said I didn't have any pictures of me. She said what about that one I saw the other day? Oh, well that was from a long time ago. That got me thinking I could use ANY picture. A baby picture, a picture of me from college, whatever, the sky was the limit. So I told her when she started her own blog, I'd post a picture. I figured I had at least the summer to get it together as my friend wasn't allowing me to *push* her as others claimed I did. Matter of fact, if a blog didn't come in ebook form, I figured I was safe with this friend. Guess what she did? Yup, that same day!!! And to top it off, she's a skinny biatch!!!!! Actually, they both are. (Maybe that explains why they want to be friends with me ~ but how does this benefit me??)

Please go visit The Keeper of All Things and leave her a comment and show her some love.

Then tell her I DID post a picture of myself. It was taken last year, when I was 8 months pregnant, at my baby shower for my youngest. Everyone gives the pregnant woman some slack, it's only right!! So, I'm not fat in that picture, I'm "heavy with child" :).

*I'm off to break up with all my skinny friends and make new friends that are pleasantly more plump than I*

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is fast approaching. Have you dropped your subtle and not so subtle hints? I went to the store the other day and picked up a skirt and a pair of jeans and told my husband it was some of my early Mother's day presents. He asked if Mother's Day was soon?

I'm not a great gift receiver. Or giver for that matter. My husband and I forgo gifts often for each other and blame it on our financial situation. My husband loves surprises and I hate them. My preferred present is cash with the freedom to shop without children or guilt over my purchases. I really think this is a win/win sitch. My husband chooses the amount to give and I get whatever I want. Who wouldn't want that?

Apparently anyone with an ounce of romance, which excludes me. Are you one of those girls who want to be surprised? Why, I ask? Does he know you so well he always gets it right? Cause I gotta tell you, I don't know myself that well.

I used to just ask for gift certificates so I could pick out what I wanted. But that just put pressure on me to buy something at that particular store. I'd go to the store and end up looking at things for the house, but then I'd think, wait a minute..........am I the house? Of course I'd find tons of things for the kids, but hey this wasn't about them either! So I'd steer myself back to the department just for me, but I just couldn't make a decision. My AWESOME talent of being able to justify almost anything was working against me! Maybe its a fear of commitment? Nah, I have four kids and have been married for over 12 years so that can't be it.

My phone just rang and my husband called from work saying not to open any emails from any shopping online he may have done. Hunh? He said maybe he may have done some shopping on ebay and may have asked a question and he doesn't know which email account the response will be sent to so maybe it would be sent to me and I was not to open it just forward it to him at work.

So after this I told him I wanted to talk to him about something. Doesn't everyone just love to hear those words? I also asked if I was on speakerphone (nope ~ but I always have to check cause he loves to mulitask while on the phone and he shares his office with his assistant). I took a deep breath and blurted out that I didn't understand why I was doing this so I didn't expect him to understand but I wanted to start a blog 'cause I've been reading some for a few months and it's free and I'm not sure why I want to or what I will get out of it but I promise to keep his name out of it (for now) and I'm not asking for permission, just informing him of my personal decision. WHEW! Silence on the other end, then of course he had to say, "Why?" Uh, I don't know, didn't you hear my rambling statement??


Moral to this post: I should have told him about this last night when I wanted to (but chickened out and thought if I slept on it the perfect rationale would come to me in my dreams) and he could have read this post and saved all the effort he is going to for Mother's Day to prove he knows me :)