I feel pretty!!

Heather from Swank Webstyle has given me my first blog makeover!! I feel like a beauty queen!! It's making me all giddy, and causing the overuse of exclaimation marks!! So... go ahead, tell me how gorgeous I am, you know you want to, dah-ling. While you're at it, please head on over to Swank, and let them treat you like the royalty you are!! Really, there are tons of design companies out there, but check out the designers' portfolios at Swank, they are sure to have something to fit your needs!

Bummer

In case you haven't already noticed, today is a multi-post kind of day. I'm thinking that as the weather gets colder, and the snow gets deeper, you'll see more of me around, because there is only so much one can do indoors. Besides, I need some excuse to not clean my house, it's haunting me, but I can't seem to muster up enough drive to get scrubbing.

Now for the regularly scheduled programming. I might have mentioned before how military healthcare sucks the big one. Still, every once in a while you find a "diamond in the rough", a doctor who takes excellent care to a new level. I had found that with a Colonel here, he's a nurse practitioner who actually took the time to listen, treat, and problem solve with me. I called to make a follow up for my Happy Pills (take that, Tom CrazyCruise!) and found out he has taken over the administration of Clinic 1 (he had mentioned that last time I saw him). This means he has very few actual appointments, but he had conveyed his ideas for bettering the health clinics for our families, and I think he's going to really make a difference as head of the clinic. So, I requested an appointment with another practitioner in Clinic 1, even though it is not my "assigned" clinic, because I think I'm better off sticking with someone who is operating under his instruction. It's all too rare to find quality healthcare in the US, and even more so in the military health system (they are exempt from malpractice suits, making it appealling for lower quality civilian docs to work for the military hospitals). So, here's hoping the practitioner I see is as wonderful as my (self-admitted) former hippie Colonel, and practices the same type of "Mind, body, spirit" medicine. I really hope we as Americans find a better system for taking care of our citizens, where quality care is affordable for all, and doctors don't have to go bankrupt treating everyone. Wouldn't that be nice?

All you can eat

If I hear the words "I'm hungry!!" one more time, I might snap. Believe me when I say my kids are well fed, they have healthy meals and snacks throughout the day, with water available at all times, and juice and milk with meals. So when, in the last few days, my son has acted like a bottomless pit, it's more than a bit irritating. I'm not talking normal growth spurt eating, I'm talking about finishing breakfast, putting his bowl in the sink, and immediately telling me he's starving. Repeat the same scenario at lunchtime, and and then dinner, but when I offer a healthy snack he refuses it. So... you're hungry, but only for junk food? Um, nice try. Any ideas to satiate the hungry, hungry hippo without buying the whole grocery store and needing a forklift to get him in his carseat? I'm at a loss here. On the flipside of that, my itty-bitty Princess still seems to be at a growth standstill. Perhaps Shane stole all of the growing genes in utero, leaving Mads to be a sprite. Maybe she'll grow up to be like me, and survive on Coke** alone. There are worse things, I suppose.

**No, we don't allow our 3 year olds to drink Coke. We're not that horrible at parenting!!

Randomness

A few random points for everyone today. First of all, I logged into Bloglines today to find Buzz has returned to us!! Go say "Hi!" and scold him for leaving us for so long!
Next is the age old question of comments. I've had this discussion before, but somehow never acted upon it, so this time I shall try harder. I enjoy emailing responses to comments, but too often Haloscan doesn't actually send all of the comments. So, from now on I'll be replying to your witty banter in the comments section. I know MDMHVONPA (btw, can we get a shorter nickname for you, dude? You're killing me here!) is among the many who reply in comments, and I often find myself checking back to see what he has to say. So? Check back for more witty banter!!
Also, go over to Cori's and check out her new pretty digs. She got herself a makeover, and I'm planning to get a bit of a lift here as well.
Lastly, who gave my son the drama pill this morning? Come on, step up, so I can kick your ass. Really, one more croc tear over the silliest slight might push me over the edge, into the Valium Housewife club. Y'all might think I'm kidding, but I'm really not.

Perfect Match

I watch my friend's daughter, Yalyssa, a few days a week. She's a year younger than my kids, almost to the day. Shane and Yalyssa are 2 peas in a pod. Two arguing peas to be exact. They argue over anything and everything, all day long. For example, their daddies work together, but they love to argue over who's daddy is at work. They also like to argue over what toys from TV commericals belong to whom, which movie is "theirs", who gets to do what, and anything else they can find. It was endearing at first, but it got old quick. I'm constantly telling them to stop arguing, stop tattling on each other, just be nice to each other!! Of course, it's not mean-spirited arguing, just the two of them vying for Alpha Kid status. I swear these two are gonna grow up and marry, only to fight over who gets te remote, and which family to spend Thanksgiving with.

Delicioso!

My friend Yeida is Puerto Rican, as in "actually from Puerto Rico". The girl can cook!! She made some empanadas on Thanksgiving, a regular batch with green olives, and a batch for Nate without the olives. YUMMY!!! I'm eating the last two non-olive ones (they aren't nearly as good as the others) and told N we totally need to buy a deep fryer, and have Yeida teach me to make them. I'm a little in love....

Blogging Business

Cori and I were discussing all things blogging, and the topic of blogging to make a buck came up. Now, I'm not talking about putting some ads, or a Paypal button on your site to try and bring in a little extra income. I understand, and even have ads of my own. What we were talking about was the overly aggressive ads, and constant blogging about your latest get-rich-quick blogging idea. People like Busy Mom make a penny or two off their ads without beating us over the head with them. That's awesome, and more power to them for having enough traffic to pull it off. Others spend 95% of their blog time alienating their readers with this idea to make a bundle, or the latest ad idea to get rich. That's obnoxious. Seriously. If this hits a bit too close to home, you should really think about it, and analyze your stats. You're annoying your readers.

Auntie Em!! **updated**

We've been having some severe storms today, and we actually had a tornado touchdown less than a mile from my house. Our housing area is fine, other than lost power for about an hour, but another housing area has been trashed. Roofs ripped off, windows blown out, bad, but so far we think everyone is ok. The tornado was relatively minor, thankfully. It's been an interesting day, to say the least. How are you doing today?

CNN covered the story here... scroll down to Tornado Damage, apparently 30 homes were hit on post, and 17 families are now homeless. The good news is there aren't majro housing shortages here, so these families should be easily relocated, but it's still scary!!

Tag!

Addict did the "back when" meme, and passed the baton to anyone who wanted it. I've done this meme before, but it's been while, so I thought I'd give it another go. I'm not tagging anyone, so if you''d like to do it just let me know in comments!!

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was 13, in 8th grade, and getting grounded a lot. I was rebellious, and my parents were strict.

What were you doing 5 years ago?
Shamefully, I must admit I was doing drugs 5 years ago. It'll be 5 years in February since I cleaned up.

What were you doing 1 year ago?
Sitting in the hospital with my baby girl, her little leg badly broken.

5 snacks you enjoy
chips and dip
Twizzlers
chocolate
sharp cheese and crackers
cinnamon toast

5 songs to which you know all the lyrics
Whats Your Fantasy remix (Ludacris f. Shawna, Foxy Brown, and someone else I can't think of right now)
Fast Cars and Freedom (Rascal Flatts)
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song (the show is on, and I do know the theme song!!)
Crazy (DMB)
Ants Marching (DMB)

5 things you'd do if you were a millionaire
Pay off debt
Buy a second vehicle
Invest
Invest
Invest

5 Bad Habits
Smoking
picking at my skin
staying up too late
bitching
cussing

Five things you like doing
surfing the net (DUH)
sleeping
shopping
baking
scrapbooking (I'm SUCH a mom!)

5 things you would never wear again
Never say never, lest it come back to bite me in the ass

5 favorite toys
Laptop
sewing machine
digital camera
um... that's it for me

So, who's playing along??

Signs

There are a few possibilities here, and they are all painful.
A. I'm getting old, and arthritis is setting in.
B. I'm too acclimated to warm weather, and the cold is causing the pain in my joints
C. I spend too much time on the computer (which only accounts for the pain in my hands)

**Sigh** Pass the Motrin...

The Deals!! The DEALS!!

Oh my... there are some GREAT deals going on today. Yeida and I were at the PX at 5am, and there were already people waiting to get in. We were in and out in 20 minutes, I bought the kids a 20" flat screen TV/DVD player for their room for $100 I am now hearing Wal*mart had theirs at $89, but that wasn't the case when we got to Wal*mart at 6:40am. We cleaned up at Wal*mart, because they were matching any advertised price, so we brought all of our ads and got discounts all around. Next to Target, who was the least impressive of all the stores, their deals suck, they didn't price match, they just bit the big one. We grabbed some breakfast and headed to Kmart, where I got in a verbal altercation. You see an old woman was walking down the middle of the drive, and I had to hit my brakes because I didn't see her. I beeped my horn to let her know I was behind her, and then noticed her middle-aged daughter about 20 feet behind me. I say "noticed" because she alerted me by calling me a bitch. Feeling pretty bad about not noticing the older woman, and having to stop short, I apologized as we were walking in.
(Me) I'm sorry!! I wasn't trying to be a bitch, I really didn't see her.
(Her... 5 seconds later as we're walking away) Yes, you were! (trying to be a bitch)
(Me) Excuse me?? I was trying to apologize for my mistake, and you want to look at me and assume I'm an asshole.
(Her, snickering) Right, sure you are. I said OK!!
(Me) No, what you SAID was "Yes you were!", when I'm trying to be nice and apologize.
(Her) Right, whatever you say...
(Me) Fine, FUCK YOU, LADY!!

That's what I get for trying to do the right thing, I am gonna stop being polite to people. Either way, for all of the people who acted like asses this morning, karma is a bitch, so I'm sure it will be promptly paid back. I tried to be very nice, even when people were acting like complete idiots. The best part of the day (besides saving a ton of money) was shopping with my friend, we had such a blast. I wish more people would enjoy the shopping fun, rather than get all twisted out of shape. We laughed so much, and felt so giddy, definitely a fun time bonding over sales!
So, in addition to the TV, I bought a portable DVD player, a toy chest, 2 dvds, slippers for Yeida's daughters, stocking stuffers, a blanket for the playroom, and gifts for Nate. (I'd totally tell you the AWESOME deals I got on his stuff, but he reads my blog and I don't want to ruin the surprise.) Among some of Yeida's awesome deals, the Dora Talking Kitchen for $69, Pegasus Barbie horse for $18, V-smile cartidges for $14, a breadmaker for $24, a Batman dress up set for $10, and a "The Longest Yard" for $7. So, did you find any deals today?? Hopefully, no one got in any fights!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

To all (3) of my American readers, have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble!! To everyone else, have a great day!

Here is the required "What I'm thankful for" post. Bear with me as I get sappy while reflecting on the blessings of my life. This year I am most grateful the progress my family has made. We've come so far in the past year, and overcome many struggles. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband and beautiful children, the home we share and the things we can provide each other. I'm thankful for all the struggles we've seen, as they've made us appreciate the good things all that much more. I'm grateful for my friends, both "in real life" and online, and for the opportunity to meet new people every day. I'm thankful for life, even when it kicks my ass. And of course, I'm thankful for Coke... how else would I get through the day!! :) I hope that all of you can find things in your life to be thankful for, and don't forget to tell those you love that you appreciate them. Enjoy your holiday!!!

More Black Friday Insanity!

Target is doing a tuck in and wake up call for Black Friday sales. N saw the commercial, and signed me up... I will be getting a nighty-night message from Brad Paisley (YUM!) and a wake up from Kermit the Frog. I don't know if I'll be getting any sleep (I'm so freakin' excited!!), but I think this is a cute little idea! Want a wake up call of your own? Go here, and choose your caller, or email me and I'll harass you at half past crack o'dawn!

Thinking...

I wonder if Santa and the Easter Bunny get holiday pay. They probably bank working their magic on the holidays!!

We have officially reach the start of the cooking marathon. Like any sport, endurance is found by starting out at a reasonable pace. Tonight I have started with the pies, my house is filling with the sweet, inviting scent of the classic apple pie.

I'm also chugging along on the kids' playroom... I've cut the fabric for the window dressings, and framed some pictures. I found 2 different calendars for $1 a piece, the photographs from the calendars make beautiful prints. Gotta love that budget decorating!

So, tell me about *your* Thanksgiving plans!

**On a more personal note, could y'all think a few good thoughts for my family? My mom called tonight to tell me my Grammy was taken to the hospital this weekend, and may not make it. I'm heartbroken, and feeling guilty that I live so far away from the rest of my family. Thanks.

WTF Kids' shows

I can stand most of the shows on Nick Jr and Noggin, but every once in a while a show just really drives me nuts. The one that irks me the most (besides Calliou on PBS, my kids are not allowed to watch that whiney little brat) is Max and Ruby. First, the theme song makes you want to kick someone, or at least yell a lot. Then there are the characters. A nearly non-verbal little bunny named Max (age 3), and his big sister named Ruby (age 7). Max is a little brat, never doing what he's told. Ruby is an insufferable, bossy know-it-all who is constantly talking down to Max. There is a Grandma that comes around once in a while, but for the most part there are never any adult bunnies around. WHERE ARE THE PARENTS? Why is Ruby parenting this toddler? Who is supposed to be parenting Ruby? Why does she have to be so annoying? What will she scold Max for next?! See?!?! This show makes me want to throw things at the TV and hit my satellite receiver with a hammer. Not fun!!

Santa is NOT a millionaire!!

Cori and I were discussing the Xbox 360 phenomenon, people camped out last night to buy it when it was released, planning on reselling them on Ebay. At first this seemed absurd, could one really make THAT much profit one these things? Well, apparently you can, they are selling on eBay for up to $2,000. Even if you bought it for $800, you'd make a pretty penny.
On the flip side of that, who spends that kind of money on a Christmas gift? You could wait 3 months and get it for retail price, but people are actually willing to spend thousands to get it now. There is something really wrong with that. I'm all for making your kids happy for Christmas, but even Santa has his limits. Can we say "spoiled"?? There are people starving in this world, and Americans throw away money like it's nothing just to satisfy their need for instant gratification.
For the record, I think Microsoft is a shitty company for doing this. They were supposed to release twice as many systems, and were conveniently short come today. Can we say "marketing ploy"?

Regularity

There is no one more "regular" in this world than my son. Ever morning N gets the kids up and feeds the breakfast. As soon as Daddy leaves Shane is standing by my bed telling me he has to poop. Well, go then, son... have a good time! There is nothing like waking up to wipe someone's butt before you even have your contacts in, or even have your first Coke of the day. (Duh... of course I drink Coke to wake-up instead of coffee. Are you new here?) The end result is I know I can stay in bed when N is telling me "Hon, I'm leaving!!" without worrying the kids will be unattended, because Shane will come get me before N turns the street corner. Ah, the joys of parenting.

Weighing my options

Everyone has to make difficult decisions from time to time. College or a job, marry this person or live the single life, breast or bottle... you get the idea. I'm facing a choice right now, and it's a tough one to say the least. You see, I'm a fairly small chick, and I try to keep my weight down. However, I've gained about 10 pounds in the last year, and while not overweight, I could stand to lose those extra pounds. Unfortunately, there is a problem. My tatas look better than they have in years, thanks to the extra weight. My jeans are too tight, but my cups runneth over. Do I give up a nice rack to get my smaller waistline back, or proudly flaunt a bit of spare tire that brought the titty fairy? Of course, the cat is out of the bag, we are trying to have a baby, so all of this may be for nothing, but in the meantime a decision must be made. Oh, the heartache...

Priceless

A little background, we're trying to have another baby. My grandmom called this morning to chat, and asked how things were coming on the baby front. I expressed my frustration at getting my hopes up, then seeing negative tests month after month. She suggested basal temp charting, and I told her we had already started that, but it was a royal pain in the ass. Her response? "You don't have to take it down *there*, do you? I thought you could take it orally!!" No Gram, not a LITERAL pain in the ass, it was a figure of speech! I about fell out of my chair laughing, explaining it was a pain because I don't wake at the same time each day, so N takes my ORAL temperature while I'm half asleep. Gotta love family, who else would be so concerned with the state of your butt?

Black Friday

I am SO excited for Black Friday this year. Our main gift to the kids is a playroom with a TV/DVD player, so I'll be hitting the deals at the PX and Walmart for the Black Friday/Saturday deals. YAY!! Do you brave the mobs on Black Friday, or wait for sales after the weekend? If you ARE a Black Friday shopper, go to GottaDeal for sneak peeks at sales at some of the major retailers. You can see what's going to be on sale before the ads are released, and plan out your morning. Enjoy!!