Four For Friday

Another week gone by, and I have had a major lack of time. This lack of time, and need to prioritize got me thinking about the thing I most want to change, but have the BEST excuses. You see....I am on the upswing in the weight department. I am gaining.....eeeekkkk....yes I said it. I am gaining weight. I have tried to ignore it, and pretend like it isn't happening, but my inability to have my pants buttoned and breathe at the same time is making it incredibly hard to ignore these days. WHATEVER!

In 2002, I joined Weight Watchers, and in three months I lost the 30 lbs I needed to drop. I kept it off for 2.5 years, until I got pregnant. I proceeded to gain 40lbs with that pregnancy. I was so frustrated with this gain, because I was a very responsible eater while pregnant. Luckily it turned out that a good portion of that weight was water. By the time Sugar Bear was 5 months old, I was down 50 lbs. Yes, you read that right...I was 10 lbs less than my pre-pregnancy weight. It was easy. Well....if you count not eating tomatoes, chocolate, gassy vegetables, and ANY TRACE OF DAIRY, easy. Now when I say, "any trace of dairy", I mean it. I did not eat anything that had any form of dairy on the label. That includes most breads, crackers, and cookies. You see, my daughter had sensitivities to those foods in my breast milk, and I was set on exclusively breastfeeding. I was successful. I followed this diet until her 1st birthday, when I started introducing these foods again, and she tolerated it fine.
I continued to breastfeed her, and eat the previously forbidden foods. It took me nearly a year to gain up to my pre-pregnancy weight. Breastfeeding is a great calorie burner. Best diet I have ever done. However, as the breastfeeding slacked off in the last 7 months, so has the calorie burning, but so hasn't my caloric intake. Thus.....I am gaining. I am now 12 lbs OVER my pre-pregnancy weight, and I am NOT happy about it, but I just can't seem to give a rats a$$ to find the motivation. My life is sedentary, and I have formed some bad eating habits.
Lately as I lay on my bed, sucking my tummy in, hoping that the zipper will go up, I promise myself that I will make changes....starting tomorrow. The problem is...there is always tomorrow. ARGH! I just don't know what is wrong with me. Why can't I just jump back in to Weight Watchers and start exercising? I am just full of excuses.

For this week's edition of Four For Friday, I want to focus on my four most commonly used excuses for why I simply can exercise:

1. I am NOT a morning person. This is a FACT. I am not the type of person who can get up early to exercise. I simply do not have the will-power. I literally set my alarm for 6:45am. I push snooze twice. I drag my lazy hiney out of bed usually a few minutes after 7am. I take care of my "getting ready for work" business, and enter my daughter's room by 7:15am to wake her. I proceed to dress her, and get us out the door by 7:30am. Yes....you read it right. From bed to truck I allot less than 30 minutes. (I shower at night, in case you were worried about my hygiene.) Anyhow, the mere thought of having to get up at 6am to workout and shower makes me laugh. There is just NO way I'll do it. Not even one day.

2. I need to eat sometime. This time is usually lunch time. I can't possible take my 1/2 hour lunch break and go for a walk. I have to eat, right? Oh and if I was to really walk at a proper calorie burning rate, I would be all sweaty and stinky when I got back to work, and that is just a tad unprofessional, don't you think? It also isn't very inviting to go for a walk when about 80% of the time it is raining outside during my work year. ICK! This leaves no time to workout during my work day.

3. I spend too much time away from my daughter already. On work days, we are apart for eternity nearly 9 hours. There is just no way that I can take more time after work to walk with a co-worker, or join a gym. I need to pick up my girl, and get home. As it is, we get home between 5:30 and 6pm. Then I have to throw some sort of dinner together, and sit down to eat with my family. We have a short time between dinner and bath time to play. Often, we do go outside, but my heart rate rarely stays elevated for longer than a few minutes at a time when I am playing with her. It is important for me to let her climb and jump and play during this time, so that she is getting enough exercise, or else I would throw her in the stroller and take a walk. We have tried going for a walk together so we both get exercise, but walking her speed isn't too aerobic. So.....there is just not the time for a gym membership, walking with a co-worker after work, or sneaking in a workout before my daughters bedtime.

4. I'm sorry but I don't need an audience. Let's say, I choose to wait until after I put my daughter to bed to attempt some sort of exercise. Walking is out, as it is now dark and rainy out. This leaves doing some sort of indoor exercise. I do enjoy different types of exercise videos ranging from kickboxing to dance workouts, but the problem lies in the fact that I have a small house. The ONLY space I have available for this sort of exercise is the living room. I don't know about you, but I refuse to exercise in front of my husband, as he sits on the couch eating popcorn and oogling. What is it about a woman getting all hot and sweaty that turns a man on. I'm sorry, but I get enough action sitting around in my mis-matched Pj's eating ice cream. I don't need the extra advances I'd have to ward off if I were to exercise in front of the hubby every night. Nope....not worth it. He would have no choice but to watch, as we only have that one TV and it is located in the living room. There would be nothing else for him to do...and that right there is an unacceptable scenario. Am I wrong?

So, it should be pretty apparent that I am up against some pretty big hurdles, and I find I am too out of shape to make it over them. Instead, I just crash through them on the way to the freezer for another helping of ice cream. What the heck!

The Gold Medal

Remember a few weeks back when I posted about the Blog Olympics? This great event was hosted by Jordan over at Mamablogga.
I am pleased to announce that I was able to earn a......drumroll please.....GOLD MEDAL!!!



To earn this fabulous medal, I completed three tasks in the two weeks time. It really wasn't as hard as I originally thought it might be.

-I commented on over 16 NEW blogs. New blogs, meaning blogs new to me. :)
-I subscribed to over 3 new blogs. I think in the end I subscribed to 5 new ones.
-I participated in a Blog Carnival, as seen here.

I enjoyed Jordan's gentle push to reach out into the blogging community. Thank you!

The Carnival of Family Life

I am excited to announce that I entered my "mama's little helper" post in this week's Carnival of Family life. The Carnival is hosted this week by, Grace over at Sandier Pastures.

Go Check it out. I love am trying to find the time to read all the entries. :) So far I LOVE this post sooooooooooooooo very much!
This post is good fun for parents of two year olds.! :)
This post on learning to drive had me laughing for sure. :)

I'll be updating this thread with other posts I love after I read more. Darn work is cramping my blogging style! ARGH!

Thoughtful Blogger

It appears that an award has been bestowed upon me by the fabulous Jo Beaufoix. It is a tad embarrassing to admit exactly how thrilled I am to be honored in this way. It was a complete and utter surprise, which made it an even better moment in my blogging journey.

The rules for this award can be found HERE. Thank you Christy Zutautas for creating these awards. What a great idea, and I have seen these awards bless so many hearts. The rules state that I now get the honor of bestowing five awards, as I see fit. How fun!

1. A Thoughtful blogger award goes to my friend Megan over at Sortcrunchy

Megan is a very wonderful woman and mother. She is also a fabulous friend. It shows in her thoughtfulness in both her "real" and online life. She has posted many tips for being a good blogger and a caring community member in the blogosphere. I admire Megan greatly, and couldn't think of a person more deserving of this award. She probably already has one...but I don't care. Two is better. :)


2. A Courageous Blogger award goes to Donetta over at A Life Uncommon and A Life Restored.

Donetta is a very courageous woman. Her bloggings of her journey through life is heart touching. Her fierce love of her family is inspiring. She strives to live the life she so deserves. I admire her very much. I am sure she also has one of these awards, but when I think of courage...I think of Donetta.

3. A Creative Blogger award goes to my friend Heidi over at Everyday Cookies.

Heidi is soooooooooooo creative. Her blog itself isn't what I want to award, as the rules sort of lead a person. I want to award her for her personal creativity in life and her hobbies. You just have to check out her blog to see the many talents that are Heidi. She is a fun fun fun person. :)

4. Another Creative Blogger Award goes to Ingrid over at Boricua in Texas

Ingrid is always trying to mix things up on her blog, and she strive to let her creative side out. She has recently felt the need to participate more in the creative writing that she loves. Her blog has a nice variety of personal daily life, and creative writings. I always look forward to see what she is offer each day.


5. An Inspirational Blogger award goes to Stretch Mark Mama
She inspires me so much to live a little better, to try new things, and to find the joy in it. I love reading her ideas. She makes me think. I like that. :)

Thanks again, for the honor of this award. I cherish it! :)

Blackberry Pie Bars

OH.MY.GOODNESS! My life has been forever changed! :) I discovered the busy mom's dream recipe for blackberry pie. It is fast, easy, and YUMMO! Seriously, I love berry pie. I just have found that I rarely feel like taking the time to make one. The part that holds me back is the crust making. I am not a big fan of frozen crusts either. They never seem flaky enough. I love me a flaky, buttery crust baby.
This time of year, our property is overtaken by delicious, plump blackberries. In fact, last year they created quite the drama in my life. So far this year, the enamel on Miss Sugar's teeth must be sufficiently hardened, as we are not seeing any grey spots, despite the 50 or so blackberries she consumes nearly every day.
After picking a big batch the other evening, I knew I needed wanted my first pie of the season. Unfortunately, I had trouble getting up the energy to make the crust. I lazily flipped through some cookbooks, and did some Internet searching. I ran across this fabulous recipe. I did not have any nuts, so I omitted them. It was so quick and easy to whip up, and the taste.......oh the joy! The bars are like tiny little individual pies. LOVE IT! I took most of them to work, and it was a HIT! I am not sure I'll ever make a blackberry pie again. This is my new love. Sugar Bear gave it a big purple thumbs up! YOU HAVE TO TRY IT!



Nutty Blackberry Pie Bars

Crust:
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar

Filling:
1 1/2 cup sugar
4 cups blackberries
3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup flour
1/3 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

Melt butter in 9 x 13 pan at 350 degrees. Add flour and sugar and press into bottom of pan. Mix filling ingredients and pour over crust. Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over filling. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Cool and cut into squares.

Photo Hunters- Happy

I am going to attempt to participate each week in Photo Hunters. I will be making this logo clickable as soon as I remember how. tee hee

Here is this weeks entry. I believe her face says, "HAPPY!" What do you think?

Four For Friday!

As promised, this week's Four For Friday is featuring four books that are recent favorites of my darling Sugar Bear. We all know toddlers LOVE repetition....and I have to say that I have read each of these books more times than I thought humanly possible.

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle- This is a classic. I am not ashamed to admit that I had been doing a search for over two years for a gently used board book. I am just so cheap frugal, and paying over $8 for a book is hard for me. Well, to be honest, paying over $4 for a book is hard for me. I can not properly describe my joy when I happened upon this perfect condition little honey in a Goodwill about a month ago for....are you ready?????.....FIFTY CENTS! Seriously, you would have think I won that Million Dollars I spoke of earlier this week. I am certain fellow Goodwill shoppers thought I had all sorts of mental illness, but I don't care. Sugar Bear took to this book right away. Some books take a few readings for her to accept, but not this one. She immediately fell in love with the tiered pages describing what that little caterpillar had to eat. Taking into account our love/hate relationship with caterpillars, I am thrilled that this one right here never leaves us itching.




2. Mommy Loves Her Bunny by Josephine Page- I am not sure who loves this book more, her or I, but this little precious one is enough to make any mama and child feel all fuzzy and warm inside. Unlike the others in this list, it is quite short with only 10 pages including the cover. It was perhaps one of the first books that Sugar Bear let me actually read the words to her. She likes how predictable each page is, and we both enjoy the darling illustrations. The sweet little mama and baby animal drawings make me want to reach through the book and squeeze them.


This page makes my Sugar smile, as I always ask her which piggie is nursing. She loves to point to the nursing piggie and say, "awwwwwwwww...piggie having na nas!" She can relate to those feelings so very much, and I think it helps her then relate more to the whole book.


The conclusion of the story always makes us snuggle in tight for a great big hug. I LOVE IT! I am starting to wonder if this is really a favorite of mine instead of my daughter??? OOPS! OH and I also got this book for $1 at the Goodwill, six or so months ago.



3. Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman- OH.MY.GOODNESS....how she loves this book. This one was given to me at a baby shower. I am not certain I paid much attention to it until a few weeks ago, when Sugar Bear picked it for one of her nap time reads. I immediately came up with some fun voices for the baby bird, dog and cow. I believe this was the first book where she really got into me reading in character. If I pause and try to let her fill in the words she struggles to get the character voice right and giggles when she is done. We have so much fun with this book and have read it most every night since that first day. Sugar Bear has for some time been interested in the whole, "lost my mama" thing. I think it stems from the "Wonder Pets". They are often trying to help a baby animal find it's mother. This book plays right into the theme, and Sugar loves watching the baby bird on the hunt for his mother.




4. Egg In The Hole by Richard Scarry- This was another Goodwill find this summer for $1 or so. I had a few Richard Scarry books as a child, and I just loved them, especially the illustrations. This particular book appeals to Sugar Bear's love of all things FARM. As you may know, Sugar is quite the farm girl. She is a huge admirer of all the animals and is willing to jump right in and get dirty. This book takes us on the adventure of helping Henny find her lost egg. There are many characters for me to act out, and my girl delights in the barnyard fun. It is a fun little book that was well loved by it's previous owners, and we now know why.



Thank you for letting me share our recent favorites. I'd love any book recommendations. What do your kids love? What were your favorites as a child? Please share.

The Joy of Reading!

From the time my daughter was in my womb, I dreamt of time spent together reading books. I yearned for it. I just couldn't wait to snuggle together in bed, and read. I had it all planned out. I had started my collection of books long before I even got pregnant. I love love love children's books. I was thrilled to receive so many great books as baby shower gifts, and I continued to search down good deals. (By the way, Goodwill and stores like that ROCK for books!)A few nights a week, I'd lay in bed and read, "Guess How Much I Love You" to my big old belly. It made me smile.

When Sugar Bear was only a few months old I started reading to her. Sadly, she didn't take to it very quickly, as some babies do. She only wanted to turn the pages, and hardly even look at the pictures. Some infants love to lay there and listen to the rhythmic words. Not my Sugar. There was absolutely NO WAY she would allow me to read the words. When she finally started have more interest in the books near the age of one, she only enjoyed looking at the pictures, and identifying the objects. She loved real picture books. There was a big period in her little life that she devoured picture books. Every day, on the way to and from work, she would sit in her car seat and read. She obviously doesn't take after her carsick prone mama, because it would NOT be pretty if I tried to ride backwards and read. Just thinking about it makes me nauseous. At this time, she continued to not let me read the words. She had none of it. If I even started to read the words she would turn the page. Every night before bed we would together flip through 3-5 of her books. The only book she'd allow me to even come close to reading was, "Goodnight Moon."

Then at about 25 months, she took an unexpected turn. She stopped having any interest in books at all. She didn't care to even look at her books anymore. She did not want to read them in the car, and she certainly did not want me to look at them with her before bed. I really was NOT prepared for this. I have no idea what happened, but it was almost overnight. Being the totally cool mom that I am, I stifled my FREAK OUT fear and just let her take the lead. Every night after we got her jammies on I would say, "Honey, pick out your books for mama to read." and she would politely say, "No hanks, mama! Just Na Na's!" (Na Na's=nursing, in case you were wondering) So, I would simply say, "Okay Honey!", and we would skip the books. I have to admit it was hard to accept her craziness decision, as I sat there imagining her brain cells withering. I just hoped and trusted that if I kept offering she would someday come back to the stories we loved.

Sure enough about two months ago, she started pulling her books out during the day and looking at them again. She began to slowly ask me to sit with her and READ them. OH.MY.GOODNESS...she actually wanted me to READ them. Oh the JOY!!!! Seriously folks! I have been doing a little dance about this. It isn't a pretty dance, but it is the best I can do. I am loving it. Every night, after getting her jammies on I say, "Honey, please pick out 4 stories. Only 4 please!" and she proceeds to pick out at least 7, and I have to help her weed them down. It is a hard job, but somebody has to do it, if I ever want to see "So You Think You Can Dance" on time. tee hee....I'm only half kidding.

This is BLISS! She may have walked away from books for nearly 6 months, but when she came back to them, she had matured, and is hungry for the words now. I have found my stride. I have started using different voices for the characters. I love how it makes her giggle, and beg for me to read it "ONE MORE TIME!" We are just having too much fun. Just as I always knew we would. Life is GOOD!

Stayed tuned for the Week's Four For Friday. I will be featuring four of Sugar Bear's favorite books these days. You wouldn't want to miss out on that, now would you?

Time Travel Tuesday- When I was 21

This week, I decided to jump on the Time Travel Tuesday Bandwagon hosted by the lovely Annie over at My Life As Annie.
This week's Theme is: 21.

Wow....so hard to believe that I was 21, ummm....like 11 years ago. GULP.....How did that happen? Feels like yesterday. Okay, so not quite yesterday, but it surly doesn't feel like over a decade ago. That really makes me feel old.

I sit here busting my mommy brain trying to remember where I was....who I was....how I was....when I can't even remember where I was yesterday. Darn that mommy brain!

To the best of my recollection I turned 21 my senior year of College. I was living in a girls Co-Op on campus and I loved it! There were about 50 young women living in a big house, and sharing the responsibilities. I learned a lot, and made some good friends. It is a cherished time in my life for sure.

I have never in my entire life been interested in drinking, so my 21st birthday didn't mean what to so many it did. (did that sentence even make sense????) I have never to this day had a drink in a bar. Not interested. Instead I enjoyed listening to music and playing hours and hours of cards with my good friends who were much like me. I fit in....and was so very happy.

I finished school that June, getting all A's. I planned my wedding to the man who had been my honey for 5 years. We wed in July. We moved into our newly purchased home. Life changed. Suddenly, I was living in a city where I knew no one other than hubby and his sister. Hubby is a Commercial Fisherman, so I was was soon spending days on end by myself. He was often gone for a week at a time. This as a huge adjustment from living in a house full of girls. I learned to conquer my fear of being home alone at night. I got a little kitten to keep me company, and focused a ton of time being a mama to my kitty. We already had a wonderful black lab, who was my protector. I spent my time, cleaning, reading, and writing letters to friends and family. I also, at that time, began my quest to learn to cook. I was a hamburger helper junkie. I also became quite the soap opera junkie. tee hee...

I guess you can say that my 21st year was certainly one of the most changing years in my life. At least up to that point.

What On Earth Would I Do With A Million Dollars?

Believe it or not....I don't tend to sit around wondering such nonsense. Seriously, it would be an utter miracle if this happened. Purely based on the mire fact that I don't play the lottery, don't have rich relatives, nor have a rich, old sugar daddy I won't be rolling in the dough....EVER. However, since I am the type of person to succumb to fun and ridiculous meme's, especially if they make me think or help define a little of who I am, I am humoring Ingrid.


Anyway, the rules are simple:

1- Describe what would you do if you had a million dollars
2- Tag 5 people
3- Reproduce the list of bloggers who have already done this challenge and add your name at the end.

Okay, so I would like to assume that the million is AFTER taxes, because that right there makes it more fun! Even thinking about giving over a third of it to the government makes this particular exercise annoying.
To truly understand my choices you need to know that currently our household is Debt Free Yes, we have ZERO debt. We live in our fully paid off 1500 square foot house that sits on 5 acres. I love it here. I drive a fully paid 2006 vehicle, and hubby has a fully paid 1998 Jeep. We carry no credit card debt either.
So, with those facts, I proceed to spend my money in this manner:
-$50,000 invested for Sugar Bears's education. Hopefully invested well, so that in 16 years it will have accrued some nice interest. My parents did NOT pay for my college education, and I did not qualify for financial aid. I saved all of my money from working summers and I worked while in college. My dad did, however, invest $100 in Gerber stock when I was born and 18 years later I had $5000. I graduated debt free. I feel that I valued my college education much more than my friends who did not have to work for it. I would like for Sugar to shoulder some responsibility for her education.
-250,000ish to build our dream home on the land we already own. We love it here, but a larger newer house would make it perfect. :)
-$40,000 for a newer vehicle for my hubby. He is wanting a new Jeep Rubicon, and I don't remember off hand how much it costs.
-$300,000 invested for our retirement.
-$20,000 to local charities where I can see the difference it makes.
-$30,000 to do some traveling. Ireland, Europe, and somewhere tropical.
-$10,000 to spend on gifts for friends and family whenever I feel like it. I honestly sat here thinking....how much would I give to friends and family. I hate that. Money can really mess up relationships. How to keep it fair? How to decided who gets what? I think it is best to just keep the money out of our relationships. Sure there are some that would hate us for that, but they aren't good friends if that is how they look at it.
-300,000 short term invested so that we could get it out if needed. Yet it isn't meant to be spent carelessly.
-I would quit work, and invest in starting a photography business. I would take classes, and have a studio in my dream house, and practice practice practice. :) If after 2 years, I can not make money at it, I'd find a new job. This way I could be home with Sugar Bear until she starts school.

On a whole, I wouldn't want to blow through it. I would want it to change my life for the REST of my life, not just for a few years. This did surprise me, when I had to really think about how much I would share. I don't tend to feel that I am a greedy person, but I definitely have trouble spending money, and it would bother me to see others spend MY money poorly. I also know just too well, the damage money can do in relationships.

Now if They feel like playing....I tag.
Heidi
Lauren
Keara
Mama Zen
Donetta
What They Do With Their $1 Million.

1. SYH will spend for Family

2. Miche will give to the needy

3. Montessorimum will keepsake

4. Lovely Mummy will spend & save

5. MummyInVain will fully utilise

6. Babyfiona will buy house and open business

7. MonkeyWong will go for a long vacation

8. Emila Yusof will realise her dream

9. Mariuca will open a Perfume Gallery

10.Janice Ng will upgrade house and go for long vacation

11.Hin will blog to donate for charity

12.Bobo will invest in property and let her parents go on a holiday.

13. Adrian will spend it all!

14. Brad will spend all of his money on foolish gadgets

15.Danielle will buy a cottage in the woods and never look back

16. Brown Baron will hold a $17,500 blog contest.

17. Bobby will be on a World vacation forever.

18. Wolfgang will try to live, fix the things that can be fixed with what money can buy, and (hopefully) live happily ever after (feel free to shorten to include only the linked part when you repost please).

19. Ingrid would do the sensible thing financially, then take her family with her and become a globetrotter for six months.

Mama's Little Helper

Young children love to help. I am not entirely certain at what age this changes, but my new motto is, “Love it while it lasts!” Of course this is my new motto as of recent. I have had to struggle with several personal issues to get me to this understanding, but I am there, and it feels right. Seize the Day!

I know I am not the only mom who gets all caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. I know I am not the only mom who strives to get things done as quickly as possible so that she can move on to another task. I know I am not the only mom who thinks that her way is the right way, and that others just can’t seem to do it correctly. I do, however, hope that I am not the only mom who has come to learn that this way of thinking just might be depriving you and your child/children of some wonderful experiences.


I have often found that as I mope skitter around my house doing laundry, cleaning the bathtub, or cooking dinner, Sugar Bear follows me around saying, “come play with me mom!” I sadly inform her that mama can’t play because she is busy. I then hurriedly find something to occupy her, and go about my way, only to have her back on my heels within minutes. I battle the constant need to get things done, and yet still give my girl the attention she needs....the attention she craves....the attention she full well deserves.


Until recently, I had not ventured into the world of “Mama’s Little Helper!” I suppose I figured that if it took twice as long to do a simple task with Sugar Bear’s help, it was better to just get it done quickly by myself so I could play with her later. By sending her on her way, so that I could get as much done as possible, I would surely have more time by the end of the day to play. I WAS WRONG! I wasn't misguided in the notion that it would take twice as long. In deed, a chore when done with the hands of a little toddler helping can take two times as long if not more. However, no matter how quickly I worked, or how efficient I was, I always found something else that needed to be done, so I would just move from one thing to another, while my daughter entertained herself. I found that while yes, things were getting done, I wasn’t spending nearly the time I wanted with my daughter. This made neither of us very happy!


To remedy this sad situation, I slowly started enlisting her in my household chores. I quickly realized how much she loved to help. DUH…..a mama with a degree in Childhood development surely should have known this. Why yes I did, but the multi-tasking, do it my way, hurry to get it done mother in me had shoved that knowledge where the sun don’t shine. With a renewed sense of adventure I have learned to love having my little helper by my side. Granted, moving the clothes from the washer to the dryer used to only take about 1 minute, and now takes upwards of 5 minutes, but the conversation and the learning that takes place it so priceless. The only time this is a BAD idea is when one of her precious blankets has made it’s way secretly into the wash. Surely other irrational people toddlers have spent half a day cuddling a damp blankie because they couldn't bare to have it in the dryer, or is my daughter the only one who would sit at the dryer and cry until it came out?




Sugar Bear also excels at helping take the sheets off the bed, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, loading the dishwasher, watering the plants, dusting, washing windows, etc….the list goes on. Almost anything that I deem safe, she will try to help. I seriously drags out the process, but if I just live in the moment and cherish the time we are interacting it is totally worth it. By the end of the day, we may not have everything done, but I don’r lay awake at night wishing I had spent more time with her. She is learning some really great skills, and feels to proud of the job she is doing. I have yet to find a job she doesn’t love, as long as mama is at her side. Her chore of choice is no doubt helping me wash our truck. This is something she gets so giddy about. She loves to get all wet and soapy. I had to let go of the worry that she will scratch the paint, or something horrible. I just monitor her use of the sponge or “warsh cough”, and make sure she isn’t washing the gravel, then the truck. She is obsessed about getting those tires sparkling clean, so I have to make sure I rinse them well before we start. In the end, we have a clean truck, and happy hearts. Now that is a chore successfully done, if you ask me. I am just hoping I don't find myself in trouble for breaking any child labor laws!

Four For Friday!

This week's Four For Friday is an UP-DATE on this one. It is always humbling to look back at goals and realize that you fell short. In this particular case, I have a 50/50 success rate.

1. My first goal was to scrapbook THREE times. Well....ummm......yeah.....are you ready for this......I scrap booked a total of......drum roll please....... ZERO TIMES!!!!!! Isn't that fabulous? Ummmm yeah! Not so good! I'd like to blame this on my friends. I mean seriously...what fun is it to shoulder all the responsibility? Not one of my friends invited me to come scrap booking. I mean, I know that I have been a scrap booking slacker for a few years...but still....have some faith in me people! Anyhow, due to this lack of outside encouragement, I managed to go the whole summer break without touching my scrap booking stuff. NICE!

2. My second goal for the summer was to work on the mountains of clutter in my house, and discover a solution to my hobby organizational issues. I am proud to announce that this has been a success. woo hoo....give me a high five!!! I actually worked pretty hard at figuring out a way to KEEP all my hobbies and the supplies to go with them, yet not have them cluttering up my small house. I purchased and placed a large table into my bedroom. I moved all my sewing and bow making tools and supplies from the dining room into there. I have to admit that it did make my bedroom look a little less lovely, but seriously no one goes in there, so if one room has to look more cluttered then I feel best about it being my bedroom. The table is large enough for me to have great work space for sewing projects, and for scrap booking (if I ever get around to it). I am really excited about that. My dining room is now a proper place for meals. :) This has been a success for sure!

3. My third goal for the summer was to Blog regularly, which was defined as 3 or more times a week. As you can plainly see by looking over at my sidebar, I was certainly able to achieve this.
Here are a few of my favorite blog posts from the summer:

-Anxiety and Bliss

-Discovering JOY

-Spirit, Caution, and LOVE

-The Stutter

-Gone Fishin

-Cows, Creeks, and Sugar Bear

-The Crust Eater!

4. My last goal for the summer was to potty train the wee one. Welllllllllllllllll....that was a no go. Sugar is just not ready. It is as simple as that. Luckily, after a brief discussion with Lorrene, her new caregiver, I was able to put a hold on all efforts to entice Sugar Bear to use the potty. She has taken to telling me she is "TOO BIG" to use the potty lately. It was actually a huge relief to be able to relax and let her decided when she is ready. I had purchased the video, "Potty Power" after reading great reviews, but after previewing it I decided it wasn't for us. I felt that the first 5 minutes focused on shaming the children into being a big kid. It seemed that the focus was too negative towards babies, and what babies do. There are few things that were listed as "baby things" that Sugar Bear still does that I didn't want her to feel bad about. In fact, I don't think I'll ever parent with the goal of making her feel negative about who is is or what she used to do. So....I'll be selling that video on e-bay, and we will continue a slow potty training process when she is ready.

Next Friday, I may focus on 4 new goals for the fall. Even though I wasn't entirely successful this summer, I do feel that having a few things to focus on was helpful.

Change....is GOOD!

As some of you might recall, I had the dubious task of breaking up with my daughter's babysitter this summer. In fact, that post offered up my first blog drama. I mustered up my nerve, and made it happen. I do believe she was disappointed and more than a tad aware that I hadn't been ultra happy with everything, even though I didn't mention it. I gave her 6 weeks notice, since she hadn't expected Sugar back until late August. We have tentative plans to meet at the park so I can take some pictures of all the kids for Sugar Bear's scrapbook. I have no ill feelings toward Shannon. We just have extremely different parenting styles, and when it came down to it, I could no longer see my daughter in that situation.

This all brings us to this week. My first week back to work, and Sugar Bear's first full week at her new daycare/pre-school. I am thrilled to report that WE LOVE IT! Lorene is a wonderful, experienced, and thoughtful provider. Both Sugar Bear and I have warmed up to her right away. There is a fabulous comfort level, and instant trust. The children in her care are obviously bonded to her, as she is to them. My daughter isn't usually very quick to interact with an adult, but she is very fond of "Her Lorene!" This is making the transition back to work so much easier for us.

Of course not everything is easy peasy. Is it ever? There are a few things that Sugar Bear is having to adjust to, but all are working out nicely.

-Mastering a regular cup: ummm yeah...I was super lazy about offering her drinks in a regular cup. Sippy cups are just so convenient.

-Wearing pull-ups: she is totally NOT interested in potty training. Originally, Lorene had mentioned that Sugar Bear would need to be potty trained, but upon further discussion, and realizing that she is just not ready, we have settled on pull-ups for now.

-Napping on a little cot with other kids a few feet away: Sugar Bear has always slept in a crib or pack and play in a room all to herself. It is definitely different for her to have so much distraction in the room. She is doing great though. She has slept for 1-1.5 hours each day. At home she does 1.5-2 hours usually, so I'd say she is adjusting pretty well.

-Having to try new foods or go hungry until the next meal: I am actually a little glad that she will have to start eating a better variety of foods. I have fallen into the "feed her what she likes" trap this summer. BAD MAMA! I am hoping that this experience will encourage her to branch back out, and eat a wider variety of foods. Lorene serves wonderfully wholesome meals. Every meal has something that Sugar Bear likes, usually fruit, so she won't starve.

The actual pre-school part begins in September and I am sooooooooooooooooo excited. Sugar Bear is a bright little honey, and I know she is going to love the organized activities! :) I am literally jumping out of my skin waiting for her first art project to come home to me. I CAN'T WAIT!!!! You all better be ready to see the pictures. :) I also hope to have some pictures of her new home away from home, and her new friends, but I need to double check permision to share them.

All in all, I can not be more pleased with our new child care situation. It is never easy to leave her in the care of another, and no one will EVER be just like me, but I really do think we have found something VERY close. She is making new friends, learning wonderful social skills from a provider who understands child development, and will soon be a pre-schooler. Life is good.

Blog Olympics

I love Mamablogga! She is a wonderful blogger, and always has something fun and helpful.
I am going to attempt to participate in her BlogOlyimpics, but this is a horrible busy week for me, so we'll see. I do want to encourage you to take a look and play! :) It should be fun!

Who doesn't love a medal? :) Thanks Jordan! You are wonderful!

It Just Isn't Fair.....

Some of you may be wonder where I am? Just when I was really getting into the swing of this blogging thing.....my summer vacation ended, and I am back to work. boo hoo! If you haven't noticed....I am feeling sorry for myself.
So, this means that I have to reorganize my life AGAIN, and figure out when my blogging is going to happen. I will NOT be giving it up, as I have been LOVING it! I just wanted to take a few seconds here to let you know what is up. Hopefully, I'll have something readable soon! :)

Four For Friday

Keeping with the theme from last Friday, I decided that this week I will focus on four songs from the year 1992. These songs all have special meaning to me for four very different reasons. To come up with these songs, I went to this site, browsed around and these four songs were the ones that struck me.

1. It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday, Boyz II Men

"How do I say goodbye to what we had?
The good times that made us laugh
Outweigh the bad.

I thought we'd get to see forever
But forever's gone away
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.

I don't know where this road
Is going to lead
All I know is where we've been
And what we've been through.

If we get to see tomorrow
I hope it's worth all the wait
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.

And I'll take with me the memories
To be my sunshine after the rain
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.

And I'll take with me the memories
To be my sunshine after the rain
It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday."

As super cheesy as it sounds this song was our class graduation song. It seems so ridiculous to me now. I am certain this song is about something WAY more dramatic than a silly High School graduation, but at the time....it felt so HUGE to us. Isn't it all about perspective? At that time, most of us were feeling the biggest loss in our lives. Going separate ways. If only that were forever our deepest loss.

2. Stay, Shakespear's Sister
"If this world is wearing thin
And you're thinking of escape
I'll go anywhere with you
Just wrap me up in chains
But if you try to go alone
Don't think I'll understand

Stay with me
Stay with me

In the silence of your room
In the darkness of your dreams
You must only think of me
There can be no in between
When your pride is on the floor
I'll make you beg for more

Stay with me
Stay with me

You'd better hope and pray
That you make it safe
Back to your own world
You'd better hope and pray
That you'll wake one day
In your own world
Coz when you sleep at night
They don't hear your cries
In your own world
Only time will tell
If you can break the spell
Back in your own world

Stay with me
Stay with me
Stay, stay with me
Stay, stay, stay, stay, stay
Stay with me"

This here is my love angst song. We all had to have one right? We all had to have a song that made us feel dark and desparate.....or was it only me? This song spoke to my soul at one time. It made me feel deeply when I needed to feel so deep.


3. Tears In Heaven, Eric Clapton
"Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
cause I know I dont belong here in heaven...

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?
Ill find my way through night and day
cause I know I just cant stay here in heaven...

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please...begging please

Beyond the door theres peace Im sure
And I know therell be no more tears in heaven...

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
cause I know I dont belong here in heaven...

This was my song I'd listen to when I needed to feel a connection with death. As a young person, I hadn't really experienced death, and I needed to feel as if I understood the pain. It was a song that helped me feel not alone in my struggle to understand faith....and death. Now as a mother, and knowing why this song was written, I struggle to be able to get through it in one peice.


Last but definately not least....and could I a song more different than the last? tee hee
4.Baby Got Back, Sir Mix A-lot
[Intro]
Oh, my, god. Becky, look at her butt.
It is so big. *scoff* She looks like,
one of those rap guys' girlfriends.
But, y'know, who understands those rap guys? *scoff*
They only talk to her, because,
she looks like a total prostitute, 'kay?
I mean, her butt, is just so big. *scoff*
I can't believe it's just so round, it's like,
out there, I mean - gross. Look!
She's just so ... black!

[Sir Mix-a-Lot]
I like big butts and I can not lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist
And a round thing in your face
You get sprung, wanna pull out your tough
'Cause you notice that butt was stuffed
Deep in the jeans she's wearing
I'm hooked and I can't stop staring
Oh baby, I wanna get wit'cha
And take your picture
My homeboys tried to warn me
But with that butt you got makes me feel so horny
Ooh, Rump-o'-smooth-skin
You say you wanna get in my Benz?
Well, use me, use me
'Cause you ain't that average groupy
I've seen them dancin'
The hell with romancin'
She's sweat, wet,
Got it goin' like a turbo 'Vette
I'm tired of magazines
Sayin' flat butts are the thing
Take the average black man and ask him that
She gotta pack much back
So, fellas! (Yeah!) Fellas! (Yeah!)
Has your girlfriend got the butt? (Hell yeah!)
Tell 'em to shake it! (Shake it!) Shake it! (Shake it!)
Shake that healthy butt!
Baby got back!

(LA face with Oakland booty)
Baby got back!

[Sir Mix-a-Lot]
I like 'em round, and big
And when I'm throwin' a gig
I just can't help myself, I'm actin' like an animal
Now here's my scandal
I wanna get you home
And ugh, double-up, ugh, ugh
I ain't talkin' bout Playboy
'Cause silicone parts are made for toys
I want 'em real thick and juicy
So find that juicy double
Mix-a-Lot's in trouble
Beggin' for a piece of that bubble
So I'm lookin' at rock videos
Knock-kneeded bimbos walkin' like hoes
You can have them bimbos
I'll keep my women like Flo Jo
A word to the thick soul sistas, I wanna get with ya
I won't cuss or hit ya
But I gotta be straight when I say I wanna *fuck*
Til the break of dawn
Baby got it goin' on
A lot of simps won't like this song
'Cause them punks like to hit it and quit it
And I'd rather stay and play
'Cause I'm long, and I'm strong
And I'm down to get the friction on
So, ladies! {Yeah!} Ladies! {Yeah}
If you wanna role in my Mercedes {Yeah!}
Then turn around! Stick it out!
Even white boys got to shout
Baby got back!

Baby got back!
Yeah, baby ... when it comes to females, Cosmo ain't got nothin'
to do with my selection. 36-24-36? Ha ha, only if she's 5'3".

[Sir Mix-a-Lot]
So your girlfriend rolls a Honda, playin' workout tapes by Fonda
But Fonda ain't got a motor in the back of her Honda
My anaconda don't want none
Unless you've got buns, hun
You can do side bends or sit-ups,
But please don't lose that butt
Some brothers wanna play that "hard" role
And tell you that the butt ain't gold
So they toss it and leave it
And I pull up quick to retrieve it
So Cosmo says you're fat
Well I ain't down with that!
'Cause your waist is small and your curves are kickin'
And I'm thinkin' bout stickin'
To the beanpole dames in the magazines:
You ain't it, Miss Thing!
Give me a sista, I can't resist her
Red beans and rice didn't miss her
Some knucklehead tried to dis
'Cause his girls are on my list
He had game but he chose to hit 'em
And I pull up quick to get wit 'em
So ladies, if the butt is round,
And you want a triple X throw down,
Dial 1-900-MIXALOT
And kick them nasty thoughts
Baby got back!

(Little in the middle but she got much back) [4x]

I am not sure an explaination is neccesary. You just gotta love this song. You see the thing about this song is that it is "catchy". You just can't help but get into it. tee hee This song was a source of great fun and laughter for me and my new college friends, my freshman year. I smile when I think back to the moments when we sang and danced right along to this. One of my college friends has since passed away, and believe it or not....it is this song that reminds me of her the most. I love and miss you Dianne! The rest of us, still call eachother BECKY sometimes. :)

When Did I Become The Crust Eater?

Something strange struck me the other evening. As I proceeded to gobble up my daughters leftover dinner, I wondered...."when did I become the designated eater of things no one else wants?" It isn't uncommon to see me munching on remaining sandwich crusts....the chewed on, sucked dry, thin layer of pizza crust....the veggies gently removed from the casserole.....ETC. In Fact, it is very common. How did this happen to me, and am I the only one? Do other mamas find themselves munching on the rejects?

Here's a lovely example. This first picture is the yummy engish muffin pizza I presented to my toddler.

This Second picture represents what was left on her plate, and in turn it was part of my dinner.



I am certain plenty of you are turning up your nose...and reading this with an ever increasing belief in my freakism, but I can't help but wonder if some of you find yourself a little bit relieved YOU aren't the only one.

What possesses me to eat these things? I suppose it is fairly straight forward and simple. I CAN'T WASTE FOOD! I just can't. I shutter to see that perfectly good food going to waste. I refuse to feed it to the dog, because it only increases her annoying begging behavior that drives me nuts. I refuse to just dump it in the garbage disposal, as I hate to unneccessarily fill up my septic tank. I hate throwing it over our fence into the back wooded area of our property, however if I don't eat it, this is where it goes. I console myself by thinking of the raccoons, birds, and opposums that do a little happy dance when they find the half eaten muffin in the bushes. I am certain that they are appreciative, but usually, I just eat it myself. It makes me stop to think, "why is it better that I eat it, instead of an animal?" How does MY eating it, not waste it?

I have recently become aware of the fact that my own child's slobber must not bother me the even tiniest bit. Who knows how many things I have eaten that were once in her mouth. (Honestly, how many of you just gagged?) Seriously, she has a lovely habit of putting something in her mouth, decides it doesn't pass the inspection,and deposits it back on her plate. Why on earth would I consume that? Well....ummmm....I don't know. Maybe I figure that her spit is really just my spit, since she is technically part of me, right? Well....it makes sense to me at the time. Don't look at me like that!

There are plenty of reasons I wish I would just stop doing this, and just feed the darn backyard wildlife, however, the most convincing one is my weight. Honestly, I eat enough off my own plate. I don't need to finish off anyone else's. Get a grip woman. Be the racoon's best friend and start chucking it over the fence. Fling it into the bushes, and imagine it feeding some sweet little baby birds. Isn't that better than getting FAT off the soggy, licked, picked, and violated rejects?

I think I can...I think I can...I think I can!

Rockin Blogger Girl

Opinion mom awarded me with the much coveted "rockin girl blogger" award. :) I have to say that I am a little more touched by this gesture than I should be. :) I came upon her blog when she posted this entry in Mamablogga's July Group Writing Project. It is a lovely tribute to her mother.

According the the "rocking girl blogger" award rules I need to bestow this honor on those I deem worthy. tee hee....However, most of my blogging friends have already been honored, especially since my dear friend Laura was so lovely to pass her love on to us all. I do, infact, have a few women I started a buddy relationship with through blogging, that I'd like to acknowledge. I am trying to spread the love to those who haven't received it yet (or they don't have the award posted on their blog). It is hard. This award has really made it's rounds! :)

1. Heidi at Everyday cookies. Actually she is my neighbor, so she is the one exception to this list. I love love love heidi. She is a sweet, caring person, and is always so supportive of me. Her blog is full of wonderful craft ideas and pictures. Check it out! :)

2. Pam at KidsKitchen. I'm not certain how she found my blog, but she has been so kind to hang around a bit since. Now that I think back on it...it might have been the Carnival I participated in. I love checking out her blog also. She is a very positive, up-beat mama. Recently she has taken on the world of a "farmer's market"! Check it out!

3. Mommyknows is so rockin. She has been giving away FREE stuff for over two months now. I won an awesome Muddybuddy suit. I am so excited to have Makenna try it out, but I got it in a 4T so Kenna can use it when she grows into it. :) You just have to check out her blog and enter to win. :)

4. The Stretch Mark Mama I just recently "met" this wonderful blogger when I won a drawing during The Dog Days of Summer. I love visiting her blog. This post cracks me up! You really need to check her out!

5. Lulu over at Tulips Grow Everywhere. This young woman amazes me. She is an incredible photographer who inspires me to follow my heart and take pictures that mean something to me. I admire her photo style and her fun personality. You just HAVE to check her out! :)

Soul Searching At The Playground.

Our mission this summer has been to visit as many playground parks as possible. I wanted Sugar Bear to experience them all, so that we could find a favorite. It has been fun. Oddly enough, along the way, I have learned a great deal about myself. I certainly didn't expect to spend so much time analyzing my "mama bear instincts".


I have come to realize that I have many hang ups regarding taking my daughter out into the world, and letting her socialize with strangers. I have a few social issues myself, but I suppose I didn't think I would carry them over in this way. I worry that I will somehow impose my own fears onto her, so I find myself really having to stand back and observe.


Personally, I am not a "meeter". I don't like meeting new people all that much, and I certainly don't do it on my own accord. Once I get to know someone, I am considerably social, but if it were up to me, I am not sure I'd seek out new friends. I am not all that certain where this comes from, or exactly when it began. I don't recall being this way as a child, nor young adult. It is no secret that I am a homebody these days, but when exactly did I become so uneasy with putting myself out there?


By far, the most nerve racking part of accompanying my daughter to a playground is watching her put herself out there to other children. I am like a nervous mother hen. I hoover, and wring my hands, and worry that she will be rejected. Watching her ease up to another child and say, "HI! I'm Sugar Bear (okay...so she actually uses her real name)!" for the first time literally made me nauseous. My thoughts raced. Please let the child acknowledge her....please let the child be nice to her....please let her feel confident and happy with this meeting! The anxiety I felt was overwhelming. I had to resist the urge to run to her, hear every word, and assure her if she was not accepted. Indeed that first time she was ignored....she was not successful, and it broke my heart. She looked confused as the child just skipped away without saying a word. I bit my nails as she turned to me. Amazingly enough she said, "I talk to a friend mama!" and happily ran off to go slide. Could it be, that just simply having the courage to just introduce herself was victory enough?



As the summer progressed, she continued to try to interact with these strange children, and I have continued to stand in angst. Some children have smiled, some have spoke back kindly proceeding to play with her. Some however, have been mean. OH MY....how does a mother deal with this? The three year old girl, who won't let my daughter go up the ladder. The four year old boy that runs around calling her a "BABY". The Spanish speaking child who sticks her tongue out and yells, "bawlk, bawlk, bawlk!" at her (yes...I do believe she was pretending to be a chicken....but I am not certain, nor was Sugar Bear). What does a mother do? What lesson is to be learned? Sugar Bear usually looks at them with confusion, but doesn't slink away. She stands her ground and just watches them. I fight the urge...I stand there arguing with myself to go or not to go...to help or not to help.....it is so troubling. Unless things get physical, I try to very hard to let her deal with it at the time, then as we travel home, I ask her about her play. I mention the child that was unkind, and feel her out. Surprisingly, Sugar is rarely worried about these incidents. If only mommy could relax.....our time at the park would be more enjoyable.



It is a constant battle in my mind as we drive to a playground park. Half of me hopes no one will be there, so that we have it all to ourselves. I enjoy not having to stress over what the other children are doing and saying to my girl. The other half of me hopes other children will be there, so that my girl has someone to play with. It is undeniable that she enjoys herself so much more when there is another child to play with. At her age, this play consists of "follow me" or "I'll follow you", but none the less, she loves it. Isn't that the point...for Sugar Bear to have fun? Why do I set myself up for so much anxiety? Not one time, has she been upset by another child. Not once has she been emotionally damaged by another child. Why then, do I get so worked up? It is clearly my issue, but am I the only one? Am I the only mother who struggles to maintain her sanity as her child puts them self out there to be accepted? Will this get easier or harder as she grows?


Regardless of my inner turmoil, Sugar Bear has had a wonderful summer so far. I am not sure we have found a favorite playground, but we have ruled out several due to safety issues. These pictures are actually from mid-April, at a county park. This particular day was possibly the second time she introduced herself to another child. This little girl wanted none of her, but Sugar was persistent, and just followed her around. Her mother said her name was Abby, so Sugar Bear just trailed along saying, "Happy....what you doing happy?" I had to tell her 400 times that her name was Abby, but she kept right on saying "Happy". They may have not played together exactly, but there were a few moments of interaction, and it was those moments that meant the world to her. She spoke of her new friend for weeks. I suppose that is what it is all about, right?


Who knows what was said in the moment I snapped that picture...but I think it is priceless! :)

Four For Friday!

For this installment of Four For Friday, I decided to go in a different direction. Since I am starting to feel a TAD old these days, I decided that I wanted to do some reminiscing. This past June marked my 15th (gulp) year since graduating High School. OH MY....did I say 15? Yes, I am afraid I did. Seriously, it doesn't nearly feel half that long ago I was a carefree and fun loving high schooler. sigh....those were the days.
Anyhow, this week I'd like to focus on four movies that were released in 1992, the year I graduated. Being that I lived in a tiny little town with no movie theater, it wasn't too often that I went to see movies in the theater. Mostly I saw these on video with my hubby, well, boyfriend back then. tee hee

1. Drama-A Few Good Men, Starring, Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, and Jack Nicholson. Hubby and I saw this in the theater. I love, love, loved this movie. It really held my attention. It was back in the day when Tom Cruise was normal, and who doesn't love Mr. Nicholson. What an actor. It wouldn't be surprising to hear me say, "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!" at a totally random moment. Loved that line.

2. Romance-The Bodyguard, starring Whitney Houston, and Kevin Costner. I actually saw this the fall of my Freshman year in college. I went with my three new college friends, and we all bawled like freakin babies. I loved the soundtrack, and purchased it. I proceeded to learn the entire theme song, "I will always love you", in sign language so that I could help my hearing impaired roommate "hear" the song.

3. Comedy-My cousin Vinny, starring Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, and Marisa Tomei. Hubby and I saw this on video, and I have probably seen it like 10 times since. I really enjoy this film. Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei are priceless in this movie. PRICELESS! LOVE IT! Lots of laughs.

4. Horror-Candyman, starring Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Xander Berkeley, Kasi Lemmons, and Vanessa A. Williams. Okay seriously folks, this movie messed me up. My hubby sure liked to make me watch freaky movies. I would go home all wigged out, and lay in my bed frightened to death. EEEKKKK!!! This one is a doosie in my book. I was so freaked about mirrors for a long, long, long time.

Well, there you have it. Four random movies from 1992. Go ahead and give me a little thrill, and let me know what you think of these movies, if you have seen them. Oh, and let me know when and where you viewed them. Thanks!

Totally Random

Mama Zen tagged me with the "eight random things about me" MEME. Being the sort of person that hates to disappoint, I will happily oblige. :)

1. I started this list by typing the numbers 1-8 down the side first. Who knows why I needed to do it that way, but I felt so compelled. I suppose I need a guide to make sure I don't miss my mark or something. If you know much about me, you'll figure I'd easily list more than eight since I can't SHUT UP!

2. Two days ago, I told myself that I was DEFINITELY going to get serious about watching what I eat. Today....I watched ice cream go in my body....TWICE!

3. I love to sniff my daughters hair, blanket and clothes. I find myself habitually smelling these things all the time. When she is away at Grandpa and Grandma's house, I sleep with one of her blankets.

4. I only drink two sorts of beverages: water and milk. My main source of fluid is water. I don't always get the recommended amount each day, but I try. I drink at least 8 ozs of skim milk a day also.

5. I find myself turning the TV to Noggin, Disney or Nick JR. even when my daughter isn't home. I miss The Backyardagins if I don't see them at least once a week. tee hee

6. I used to think that I REQUIRED at least 10 hours of sleep to fully function. Who knew that I exist pretty well on 6? However.....I have mommy brain most of the....what?...what was I talking about?

7. I hate to admit it, but I have probably seen every episode of South Park ever made, including the movies. ugh....Hubby loves it, so I have suffered through.

8. I am starting to think that I shouldn't buy anything made in China. However, I am not sure it is possible. Have you noticed that EVERYTHING comes form China?

If you are reading this and want to play along....Go For It! :)