My Oh My!

I can't believe I haven't blogged since before Christmas! I've been so busy with work this year and now that I'm on Facebook, I spend most of my online time on that. Honestly, I have forgotten about my blog until this evening.

Hmm - let's see.....I'm getting ready to join the Y with my friend Jeannie so that we can get ourselves in shape for summer! I tried on 2 swimsuits today and didn't like what I saw. GRRRRR. I don't think I'll ever be happy with my body. I've lost over 130 lbs. and still don't like what I see. I just need to be proud, happy and deal with it I guess.

I've sure been enjoying Facebook. I've hooked up with a ton of old friends who I haven't seen in many years. It's fun but addicting. Luckily, my job involves being on the computer for many hours a day so I have one Facebook window open while I work. I don't know what I'd do if I had a job away from the computer all day - I've been working at a computer since I was 21 years old! Hence the reason why I am able to type so lightening fast!!!

Boy, we have been SO busy ever since Madison's 4th bday, which was back in March. We've been busy every single weekend since and it sucks! We've got 2 birthday parties this coming weekend, and then next weekend I'm busy again...so truly we have no free weekend until after Mother's Day. I'm then just gonna start telling people no. NO NO NO. It's great to be loved but we need some time to do our own things. I have 2 rooms half painted and I need to finish them both....Madison's new swingset is sitting in the basement, completely unassembled. Brian needs a full weekend or two to build that.

I did finally get some stuff done though...3 closings in the past few weeks, finally got my hair cut, got Madison to a new pediatrician, got Brian to the doctor, got Madison's cash put in her bank account, went to the dentist to get my new invisalign, and getting my legs waxed tomorrow!!! Many things to scratch off the list!

Ok - no photos tonight.....I'm done....hopefully my next post will be before Halloween! :D

The most precious child in the world

Madison asked Santa for Hungry Hungry Hippos, Gator Golf, Flipping Frogs, Magic light up paintbrush, a Glowstation, a barbie car, swim to me puppy, Little Mommy gotta go doll, a 180.00 interactive dog named Biscuit (which she will not be getting), and a 150.00 dinosaur named Spike (also she will not be getting), and are you ready for it.....my 3 year old has been begging for her own fishtank with goldfish all named Goldie...Goldie 1, Goldie 2, etc.

Remember me?

I thought maybe you forgot because it's been 2 weeks since my last blog! SHEESH!! I've been a mighty busy girl. Between work and keeping the house clean...oh yeah, and taking care of my above-average-energetic child...

Anyway, let me think about what we've all done. We went to a family Christmas party, for Brian's side, which was a lot of fun. It was a really warm day too so the kids got to go outside. I got to go off my diet for a day too, and lucky me, because Bethany made the famous pineapple gooey butter cake. OH MY GOD - must be the most delicious thing I've ever tasted. I've gotta get my hands on that recipe. So much delicious food and such wonderful company. We had a really good time, as usual.

Madison had her Xmas party at her dance class, which was adorable. It took me forever to find her teacher a suitable present. We settled on an adorable, plush, musical reindeer and a porcelain pair of ballerina slippers ornament. Also made goodie bags for the little ones. They had a blast! I love taking her there as she is in heaven for that hour.

Then, of course, the major time consuming part of my month - shopping, wrapping, shopping, shopping and more wrapping. Wrapping paper is starting to make me sick. :D I must say though, this year, I went all out w/ the wrapping and bought that wide ribbon with the wire. My packages look beautiful this year, compared to last year's - boring, simple wrapping, no ribbon, no bows. Tried a few unique ideas for a couple people this year. We shall see if they like them - I'll let you know.

Took Madison to see Santa. She took a really good photo this year. Little doll. After Santa, (at the Chesterfield mall), my mom and I treated her to a big sugar cookie and 3 rides on the indoor merry-go-round. My mom then treated us to lunch at Mimi's - my first time going there. I must say - WOW- that place is absolutely awesome. I will be returning many times. The atmosphere was beautiful, ritzy and relaxing and the food was incredible. I opted for a plate of mixed greens with some chicken breast, cranberries, grapes, strawberries, melon and just a tiny amount of feta cheese (the healthiest thing i could find on the menu). I was kind of mortified when they also brought me the biggest blueberry muffin I've ever seen, followed by a plate of bread, pumpkin cake/bread and carrot raisin cake/bread. I decided, right away, not to eat any of it.

I ended up eating the whole damn muffin, along with half a piece of pumpkin bread and a few bites of the other stuff too. :(

Diet, by the way, is going ok. I've obviously hit a plateau though. I'm watching my calories/food intake closer than I ever have in my life, and walking/jogging 4 miles a day, 60 mins a day, 5-6 days a week, and still, no weight loss in weeks. Oh well, during this month, I'm just happy if I don't gain.

Sunday, Madison and I baked ALL DAY LONG. I went to 7:00 mass and then started cooking at 8 am....didn't finish until probably about 6 or 7 that evening. We baked everything except the kitchen sink.



I tried a new idea I got off of my friend Tricia's webpage - a peanut butter cookie with a mini snickers baked inside! YUM.

We also made rice krispy treats drizzled w/ chocolate


chocolate covered pretzels drizzled with white chocolate,candied pecans
chocolate covered peanut butter krispy balls
sugar cookies shaped/decorated like teddy bears, snowmen Xmas trees and little sandwich cookies,
fudge
chocolate chip cookies, white chocolate macadamia cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, and brownie cookies
MMMMMMMMMMMMM. I made a huge tray for Brian to take to work today and when I looked at the tray and saw the variety, I could not believe that Madison and I made all of that in just a day and a half.

I'll be bringing a big tray for Xmas too - so everyone in my family - bring a sweet tooth!

Merry Xmas everyone!

UH OH!

Dirty puppy dog's ear is about ready to fall off!!! Maybe I should prepare clean puppy dog by stomping on him and rolling him in the dirt?

UH MAH GAWD!!!!

I love hearing other people's stories about how their little ones say bad words or phrases or funny things. I've heard some hilarious ones from the kids in my family. My own daughter has said some doozies - enough to make me almost pee my pants. Well, last night, she outdid herself.

I was in my bedroom last night, working on my laptop, and I guess I was so involved that I didn't notice Brian come in and go into the bathroom to get a Q-tip or whatever he got. All I know is that he never turned the light on. When he came out, he jumped and said "boo" or "rah" or something and scared the crap outta me. My immediate reaction was to kick him in the butt and say, "asshole". Well, I didn't realize Madison was standing right behind me.

**Now, before I finish my story, I must tell you that Madison is a total Momma's girl. You don't mess with her momma. If she thinks I'm mad at somebody, then she's mad at them. If she thinks they hurt me, then she'll yell at them.**

Immediately, she yells at Brian and says, "Asshole!" Then she points her finger at him and says, "Daddy, you're an asshole! You should not scare Mommy"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I could not look at her or remove my hands from my face for at least 3 minutes. I laughed, to myself, so hard. It wasn't just the fact that she said that word, but she pointed at him and used him name. Well, we couldn't be mad or punish her. We simply said, behind a smirk, that she can't say that as it's a bad word. She agreed and said she was sorry.

2 minutes later, she called him an idiot. She ended up in the corner.

Lord help me.

'Tis the Season

What a holiday filled week/weekend! After a week of me and Madison being under the weather, we finally both were feeling better this weekend.

Holiday-ness started off Wednesday when Madison and I decorated the house and put up the tree. Friday, after Brian got home. I had to make a last minute run to the store for candy/toys/trinkets from "St. Nick". Madison was so excited to put out her shoes Friday night. She's so smart, she decided to put out not only her largest pair of boots, but a 2nd pair of shoes as well so St. Nick would have 4 shoes to fill - haha....and that he did - full of games, tiny toys and some candy. She woke up Saturday morning and had a blast! Grandma Raymond came over shortly after to bring the stocking full of goodies that St. Nick left at her house for Madison...again, she had a blast! Needless to say, I could not get her to eat breakfast. Instead she begged for gummie bears and a chocolate Santa, etc. I had to bag the candy and hide it!

I took a few hours for myself and went shopping. I got a few Xmas gifts, and some shoes and an awesome new purse for ME (with my Kohls cash). I hurried home, changed clothes and then rushed to church. When I got home, I piled the family in the car and we went to the beautiful Christmas lights in Eureka. Madison loves them more and more every year!

While we were waiting in the long, long line, in the dark, with Xmas music on the radio, the view of lights up ahead, my little girl patiently waiting in the backseat, my husband's hand in my left hand and a fresh cup of hot cocoa in my other hand, I just took a minute to thank God for everything I have. I just lived for the moment! I was in a place that I couldn't believe I was in. I was in a place that I never ever thought I would be in 10 years ago- a place of total peace and happiness. My life is SO good and I can't ask for anything more! :)

Today, the family piled in the car again and we visited one of my listings cuz work NEVER ends in real estate! A little more shopping and then home sweet home. I decided it was warm enough to go outside and hang my lighted garland on my porch. I WAS SO WRONG!!!!! I was fine the first 5 minutes, but then I went a little numb. I had to finish as I was not about to leave it partially done. Well, about an hour later, no feeling in either hand, and snot running out of my nose, I finished my masterpiece. I must say, it looks great! It's been about 3 hours since and my hands are still freezing, but I'll be ok.

These photos are of my sweetie, posing in her new outfit (well, the pants are new - she had the rest). She is such a little ham. She asked her dad if she looks like a model.

The sweet innocence of childhood

We have all of our Xmas lights/decorations up and Madison and I put up our tree yesterday. After it was finished, she just sat on the couch, almost in awe, just staring at it. After a few minutes, with Christmas music in the background, she quietly asked me...."Mommy, do you REALLY think Santa Claus is going to bring me presents?" Like she just can't believe it. As though it's been fun to talk about it, and circle toys in magazines, and write/mail a letter to Santa, but now that the tree is up, and it's for real, now she almost can't believe somebody she doesn't know may really bring her all the goodies her precious little heart longs for.

That comment has made me smile for the last 24 hours. It makes me want to buy just a few more little trinkets to make it more special. She is going to have a very nice Christmas. She's a very lucky little girl to have so many wonderful people in her life who care so deeply for her and always strive to make her life A+++.

**Ok, after that sappy, serious blog, I'll add a funny quote my daughter told my mom the other day. My mom stepped on the scale (I will not disclose although my mom is fabulous). My scale has something on it that tells you what your body fat percentage is. Well, Madison decided she wanted to step on the scale and when she was done, she looked at my mom and said, (in a real na-nee-na-nee-boo-boo type of tone), "My fat is more than yours Grandma". My mom and I just laughed and my mom said that we definitely have to remember to tell her this when she gets older. :D**