The Other Theory

Zeitgeist: The Movie

Ever feel like nothing makes any sense when it should be common sense?

Ever feel like you're being lied to by the media? Getting screwed by the country? Do you believe WAR is not the answer? well it's big business for the Federal Reserve Banks and big names behind it.

Conspiracy theories could be Fact? Check out this film, and learn about everything the government doesn't want you to know. Ideas and Big business that could really be behind 9-11. Who's the real terrorists??? You decide- watch this 3 part film on Religion, Government and Financial Institutions.

This film will have your head spinning. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! Educate yourself!

Modern Day RockaBilly PinUp

How cute is she? This is my inner chick, screaming to get out and express herself. She's a classic timeless beauty in modern times. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Rockabilly/ Retro Pinup looks. I was so excited when this style became BIG again over this past Spring/Summer. But sad at the same time because I'm also at my largest weight size ever. Even when I put these clothes on in my size 14, I don't feel good. I feel unattractive, and this has been my struggle for the past few years. And with each failed attempt to diet an exercise I feel even worse.  
It doesn't help matters when you have iddy biddy friends tearing themselves apart over how fat they are. SERIOUSLY? if your fat, I must be a cow. All I know is, I went shopping with a friend tonight in search of pinup clothes for the photo shoot I will be taking, and It was pure torture seeing all the CUTE dresses and things that I could never fit into being the size that I am now. I'm not even a curvacious 14. I'm more like a chunk! I've tried to just come to grips with my body, accepting that this is part of aging and my gene pool. But just when I think im ok with it, something happens and my inner rockabilly chick starts screaming to get out again. I probably just need to shut the bitch up with chocolate. LOL Anywho.... it's the same old story. I try again tomorrow.

It's Not PMS- It's YOU!

I'm not feeling organized in my own home as of late. Things keep getting messy when you share a home with two kids, a husband, and three mischievious kitties. I know I'm not alone in the endless vicious cycle of mess, but I can only bite my tongue for so long before my whistle blows. Alot of it has to do with my sons endless amount of toys. He doesn't just collect toys, he collects various items from around my home too that in his mind can be used as weapons for playing soldier, or camping gear. The boy brought a bag full of sticks and leaves into my home to play with. I REFUSE to, but I certainly could vaccum everyday not just from the leaves coming in from the rainy fall season, but from eating that goes on in the living room in front of the tv. Why even have a dining room table and chairs if you wont sit and eat there? And for the record, the dining room table is not for accumilating mounds of shit! Keys have a place, newspapers get recycled after reading, and shopping bags should be emptied and put away. Please hang the school bags in the coat closet. It's very simple, and it keeps mom happy.

Mom also hates waking up to a dirty kitchen, especially when she wiped everything down the night before. IT GETS OLD really quick. It's bad enough that I have to keep up with the natural occurance of dust and cat hair. Please take a minute and wipe the counter after you make a sandwich or chow down some cookies. I know the coffee pot is fickle and tends to drip when pouring, but we've had the same coffee pot for the past 5yrs, take 4 steps to the left and POUR YOUR COFFEE OVER THE SINK if you know it drips or feel free to wipe down the counter, and front of the cabinet and floor, when your done making that mess. And for the record this also applies to the sugar bowl.

The list goes on and on. Little things here and there, but they add up! And it knocks the ZEN right out of me. All the sage in the world can't help me now. Just cooperative roomates can. I just got rid of ALOT of stuff last week by giving it to the salvation army and I still feel overwhelmed by stuff. I'm starting to see the logic in Fueng Shui. Less is more. Simple. I moved all my sons toys & toy box to his bedroom so I wouldn't have to see it overflowing all over our house. So instead of playing with his toys in his room now, he plays with my decorations. So I'm still cleaning crap up at the end of the night. I now wonder why we have tv sets in each of the kids bedrooms, because they only seem to watch tv in the living room. Why do I bother making dinner when the whole family doesn't sit down and eat together? My son eats only hotdogs and chicken nuggets, my daughter pretty much only eats chicken. I want my kids to be healthy~how can I get them to eat dinner?

I haven't felt this annoyed with petty stuff in years. I learned to let the little things slide, but now It's a matter of laziness. Our kids learn from example, so let's teach them not to leave the cleanup for the next schmuk. Teach them responsibility without resenting it, show them how to live greener, and cleaner. Teach them that love comes from within and not from 1000 toys. Uh there's many lessons that we could highlight here, but I'm sure to some I sound like the teacher on the Peanuts cartoon. wah wah wah wahhhh wahhhh.

And Men.... for the record... NO IT"S NOT PMS! Do you think I live to clean shitty toilets after each time you take a massive explosive shit? When you pee, AIM for the pot! When you chew your food, do it with your mouth closed!  When you undress, put the dirty clothes in the laundry basket not at the foot of the bed. Shoes...OUT OF THE WALKWAY PLEASE preferably on the stairs or in the shoe tray. Not using the phone? hang it up! Not in a room? shut off the light. It's not hard to do people. I can't begin to count how many times I find the basement light left on with nobody down there. NO it's not ghosts.

Lately, all I've been wanting to do is sleep. If I sleep- I dont have to think or deal with conflict an these things that are bugging me. I'm alone, and it's peaceful. I'm actually thinking about setting up my bedroom with my own personal tv (for my shows only), a laptop and my own personal reading library and most importantly a DEAD BOLT LOCK for the bedroom door! Because everyone needs a place of tranquility, decluttered from bullshit and TOYS! or a spa package! lol

Lord, give me strength. Give me patience and the energy to keep up. Most importantly, give me back my desire to keep going.

Happiness is Golden.

With all that's going wrong in the world, it's important to find what makes you happy from day to day. I find my happiness by spending time with my family, making them happy. Their laughter is priceless! Far too often we adults take life too seriously. Maybe it's because of work, lack of energy, or an overwhelming schedule, that we forget how to let go and enjoy life as it's happening. Once you do, the door is open for an abundance of happiness to pour in.

Tired of watching my teen and her friends just hanging around outside bored, I suggested they come in and play a board game. THERE'S AN ANCIENT IDEA! Hahaha Eventually they did come inside to play Life and Monopoly and guess what? They had a great time! My home was filled with 5 teens laughing and enjoying themselves- they way kids should. I spent the evening in the kitchen making candy most the night. I find enjoyment in feeding them :) I have to say as much as I like my quiet time, I like having people over all the same. My daughter must have thanked me a dozen times for the suggestion. It's a pity that there's nothing in the neighborhood for good kids to do anymore. It's upsetting. Oh well, guess that means open house at my place more often :)

I'm an Artist

What am I meant to do in this lifetime?

What is my purpose?

 My husband knows me all to well when it comes to career choices. The sky is the limit, so why settle on just one career? Fact of the matter is, I don't have a career because I just can't limit myself to one! I get bored easily whenever work starts feeling like a job. I'm a free spirit who wants to dabble in everything! My ideas and interests are always changing~I'm an artist! If I stay in one place for too long, I start to feel stuck. So it is my conclusion, I am a full time Wife and Mom with many different hobbies. I like it this way. I am free to test my artistic nature, experiment with new mediums, and ideas, and mainly challenge my limit. If you say it's impossible to do- I want to prove you wrong! That's just the way I've always been.

 I see so much beauty everywhere, and I'd love to capture all of it on film. Yes photography is my newest and latest hobby. There is so much that can be felt with a photo. It can be interpreted differently each time you look at it. I love how a person interacts with a photo, it's poetry in constant motion with emotion. Photography like any one of my other 100 hobbies drives me to produce my best. I have a vision, and the creative spark to produce it. I'll get there with practice and as I build up my collection of snazzy equipment. Like with everything else that I do, I'm self taught. I'm a hands on kind of gal :) And trust me I am my own worst critic.


In the upcoming months, it's my desire to do some dark/ artsy/ & burlesque photography. I'm looking for models! So if you'd be interested in modeling for me as I build my portfolio, give a shout out. :) Experimental makeup, costumes and just pure creative fun!

Happy Mabon!

Mabon, the Autumn Equinox, is the counterbalance to Ostara. Once again, night and day are equal. Yet, after tonight, the seesaw tips toward night more than day.

The time of the second harvest, Mabon's another time to gather the fruits of one's labor and to cut away what is no longer necessary. It's a time to reflect on what fell out of balance, and how to right that balance to move into the dark portion of the year. The Autumn Equinox is also known as the Witches' Thanksgiving. Today, spend time with the family you've created out of friends, colleagues, neighbors, and loved ones. Throw a large potluck feast. Celebrate outside if weather permits. Take a moment to remember those who were lost through the year, those who were harvested. Give thanks for all that is good in your life, and take a few minutes to share your graditude with those gathered- Cerridwen Iris Shea

Japanese Koi

I wonder how these computer graphic designers make such cool applications such as the Koi fish pond I have added to the top of my blog.

I like to pretend they are real. Every time I visit I feel the need to feed them :) They scurry around chasing my curser as I drop fish food around for them. I can always tell when they havent been fed in a while too because they tend to be more in a frenzie! haha I'm nuts I know.

I want a real koi pond someday!

In Your Arms

In your arms, I find happiness. When you sleep, there is peace. I love when you sleep nestled in my lap. It makes the end of my day complete!

I know our days can be stressful. Tempers flare and we fight. But if you made parenting easy, I'd know something wasn't right.

You are a stubborn child, very set in your ways. You enjoy a good challenge, and that's all I will say.  I know one day you're destined for greatness, and this is a quality you'll need. So until then I'll hold you close, and love you as you sleep.  ~Love Mommy

Take me out to the ball game!

Tonight we had tickets for the Camden River Sharks game at Campbell's field. It's a great night out with the family for sure. I tend to enjoy the smaller venues. And everyone seems to know each other, I spotted some estranged family sitting just two rows in front of us tonight. I really wish we could've made conversation at some point. But such is such. We enjoyed our hot dogs & fries while dodging foul balls all night :) The lady right behind us caught one! Guess my hubby needs to work on his catching skills. GOOD GOING BABE! haha  Tickets were only $9 each and we sat 5 rows from the field! Better yet the tickets were given to me- Thanks MOM! It was cute, they had all sorts of things going on like a potato sack race competition for a huge box of chips, a dance routine, little kids singing the anthem, and a marching band. I like singing the baseball song.... take me out to the ball game. But I was missing the peanuts and cracker jacks because the 3 cups of icecream I bought, broke me. hahaha Anywho, another good night out with my family :) I'm so blessed.

Highlight of the night...Jake had "cramps" he said! Poor kid had a belly ache and passed major gas- enough so the whole 3 rows smelt it! LOL He feels better now. hehehehe

Autumn Splender

I'm so happy it's Autumn! Yay it's finally here! And I'm putting my new Nikon D3000 to the test with all the beautiful colors Fall has to offer. Yesterday, we took the kids and my parents to Shady Brook Farm for a hayride and to pick apples :) It was such a beautiful day for it too. I snapped over 130 pictures easy! Everything I saw was eye candy with my handy dandy new camera. I love it because the colors are so brilliant, I hardly need any editing if any which makes photography as a hobby much more enjoyable.

So the kids had a ball, walking through the apple orchard picking the best apples "according to them." lol we bought 13lbs of apples that day. AND I AM ALLERGIC! hahaha but they had fun :) Tomorrow I'm baking home made apple pies, apple turn overs, and candy carmal apples :) I'll let ya know how that turns out. I never attempted to bake my own pie before. But some of my fondest memories are in the kitchen with my grams while she made all her desserts from scratch. :) I'm hoping her essence will be with me tomorrow during the process. Ya hear me Grams? I'm baking apple pie!

Everyone is welcome to come by for Pie :)

I can't believe so many people are already decorating for Halloween! I have some pumpkin clings in the front window, damn. Guess I need to dig deeper into the Fall decorations. There will be absolutely no Halloween stuff up in this house until Oct 1st. hahaha who am I kidding? It's my favorite Holiday. Every year my Orange lights burn out because they are up for so damn long! Sept-November.

Check out my picture album of the kiddies picking apples on my FB page.
xoxox

No Romeo.. that's for sure.

I dated a boy for approx 30 days back in 1994. This boy walked away the day I told him I was pregnant. I was 18yrs old working as a cashier with thankfully my family to help me. 14yrs go by, with no word, no contact from the guy, just a measley $120 a month child support check in the mail (which did stop by the 9th year.) Since the day that boy walked away from me and the pregnancy, my now husband has been there by our side lovingly taking care of us. We've grown, we've wed in 1999, bought our home, and we have a beautiful loving close-knit family with an addition of Jakers & 3 funny cats. Our daughter knew only my husband as her Daddy...that is until the day "that boy from long ago" came back into the picture wanting to be some kind of father after all these years. With no thought or consideration for others feelings, but his own he stalked our daughter through out the neighborhood. Until the one day he decided to approach her and give her the cold harsh news of being her dad.  What kind of human being would be so self centered and uncaring as to lay that kind of information on a 14 yr old girl? It just boggles my mind how anyone could be THAT COLD to a child. My Child! My information has always remained upated and current with the courts. He should've contacted me first to ease the blow. STRIKE ONE!

After the blow began to settle, he having her curiousity, began to talk. This stranger comes into our home spilling promises left and right. He promised he wouldn't step on any ones toes, he only wanted to know our daughter, be a friend to her. He charmed us every step of the way, until he got his foot in the door. He even offered work to my husband (knowing he was just laid off from his job) from his contracting business he runs. (which happens to be fraudulent. They should arrest him for not paying taxes). He quickly started showering all of us with gifts, buying his way, and our daughters affections. Before long we got smart to his game. And he started with his attempt to drive a wedge between Dana & her family. STRIKE TWO!

Failing miserably, he tried everything from badmouthing we the parents, to manipulation, playing on Dana's emotions, vying for her attention. And when she didn't make time for him anymore he got pissed off and filed for partial custody, and visitation. STRIKE THREE

Can someone PLEASE tell me, what sized balls it takes to do something like this after 14yrs of NOT BEING THERE? The guy obviously has huge nuts or is seriously STUPID. I'm so glad the court sees what a derranged and dellusional psycho he is. Sad thing is, he hasn't recieved the final ruling in the mail yet- so he still thinks he has some kind of chance with pretending to play dad. Sept 30th can't come fast enough! He is such a joke. A pathetic waste of space, about to ruin another child's life as he's expected a baby boy in October. I give it a month! before he walks out on that too. Funny thing is; he doesn't realize how good he had it, with us allowing ana to see him- until greed set in and he filed for MORE. it's just like the old saying; you give an inch, they take a mile! Now he won't have anything. Good going F-tard.

I could probably go on forever listing all the low scumbag things he's done especially since coming back into our lives last year, but I wont. He's not even worth the breath. He's NOT a nice person, period.
I'm calming down now from our Support order meeting/followup on Monday. Again an utter waste of time. He swore on a bible in front of a Master 3 weeks ago that he in deed had a full time job. Yesterday he claimed he was conveniently out of work because he owes 6 grand in back support payments. HOW do these losers keep getting away with this shit? HOW? I just dont get it and maybe I shouldn't even try or waste my time. But a part of me wants to sock it to him... why should he not step up and take responsibilty? Especially after destroying our daughters emotional stability with his untimely announcement. YOU want to be a FATHER? take responsibility for your actions. He cares about no one but himself period. I curse him with a thousand painful deaths! He's about as sincere as a counterfiet $5 bill.

I filed for Contempt of a court order in which I get to see his miserable face in late October. JOY! I wonder if he'll have his little lawyer there again to help speak on behalf of his dumbass. In a way I hope he does waste thousands, when all I need and have are the facts. And that's why I feel pissed that I even need to go through this with him. It's sadly obvious! I despise no one as much as I do him. But as long as I breathe, I'll battle him tooth and nail until he get's the message. I wish the court would allow him to hear Dana's testimony given on Aug 27th. Then we could be all done and over with this.

I'll surrender this now up to God. In my eyes, we've already won.

Letters to Juliet

"When you're speaking about love, it's never too late." - From the feature film Letters to Juliet.

Tonight I finally got to watch Letters to Juliet, with my daughter. She's my partner in films :) And yes, we cry ALOT watching them. Haha. But this one is just another one filmed in Italy that I'll be adding to my list of favorites.

By responding to a letter addressed to Shakespeare's tragic heroine Juliet Capulet a young American woman (Amanda Seyfried) vacationing in Verona, Italy, sets in motion a series of events that leads her--and the missive's lovelorn author (Vanessa Redgrave)-- in search of romance. Directed by Gary Winick, this deeply tender and uplifting drama also features Gael Garcia Bernal and Franco Nero.
Rated PG     1 hr 45 min.    2010

I just knew it would be a goodie with actress Amanda Seyfried starring in it. I'm becoming a loyal fan of her work. Just last week we watched the film Dear John which was also a favorite! I'm soon going to need to compile a new list of favorite films for referance :) Mama Mia yet another one with Amanda Seyfried.

I'm rating this film a 4 stars out of 5. If you LOVE love, you must rent this film :) And I suggest you watch it earlier in the evening because if you share my affinity for Italy's culture and beauty, you'll be left eating bruschetta with bagel chips and sipping a glass of merlot at 12am. Hahaha... "Life, is the messy bits."

One day, I will travel the world and visit those beautiful places I see only in movies. I will taste like no tomorrow, and sting all the senses with all it's glory.  One day, I will live!

That's not my name!

K so the last time Dana and I had to go to court for a custody hearing, we sat in the waiting room laughing and having a good time together. No matter were I am with my daughter, she automatically brings a lighter energy to an unpleasant situation. We giggled to ourselves as she made up new lyrics to a song by the Ting Tings, called That's Not My Name! It's dedicated to a Bonehead named George Carroll. And it goes like this.

That's not my name
That's not my name
Don't call me Shaw-ty
Don't call me Hun
Cause when I'm angry
I'm just not fun!
That's not my name
That's not my name!

That's not myyy name!

My name is Dana Smiles
And I can go for miles
All over the place
Without seeing your face!
That's not my name
That's not my name!

No it's not fine
When you call me Sunshine!
That's not my name
That's not my name!

That's not myyy name!

You give me money
And no it's not funny
You try to buy your way
And NO it's NOT OK
That's not my game
That's not my game!

You're so LAME!

Written by Dana B. August 27th 2010.
Soon to be recorded and video taped for YouTube! LOL

Grasshoppa...

This afternoon my 6yr old comes in to wake me (as he does every weekend and days off from school). I want to sleep in another hour, but I know his persistance won't allow it. He's getting better with each attempt, resorting to his creativity. I personally love when he climbs in bed and cuddles with me :) but he prefers flicking the lights on, and blasting my ear with a screaming lazor gun! or squirt bottle to the face is good too! The one day I hid under my pillow to block the lights only to have a handfull of hair yanked from my head lol (not intentionally.) Ahhh children. Aren't they lovely? I'm giggling.

MOM WAKE UP! MISS RUBIE IS COMING OVER! as he jumps on the bed dangerously close to my ankles. The thought of him breaking them get's me up! OK OK I'm up! a minute later, mom can we play? I haven't even peed yet kid! LOL let me have my coffee I tell him. Oh yeah, it's the same story same routine every afternoon. It's feeling like groundhog day :) Not complaining.

Later, I ask him to come outside with me and explore the garden creatures. Excited he gets his little sandals on, and I grab the camera (just in case). I had just moved my bird feeder the day before (stupid squirrels) and so I had lots of poop to clean up today. When I finished, I noticed something on the chair. Had to put my glasses on to see what the heck it was. It was Mr.Grasshoppa!!! You stopped by for a visit "I said." Jake comes running over full of excitement to see. How cool! Grasshoppers are pretty neat to observe. They are pretty calm and sit still long enough for you to snap 50 pictures in all directions! lol This is only the 2nd grasshopper I've had the pleasure of filming. I swear he was posing! And at one point it looked like he was bobbing his head to the sound of music from the block party around the corner. I'll surely add his picture to this blog once I upload them. Jake wanted to keep him, but I told him that he has a job to do in our garden and he has to get back to work! Lunch break is over......as he hopped away.

We also saw alot of ants carrying seeds that had fallen from the bird feeder back to there homes. Amazing when you think about how much they can carry- what is it? something like 100x their weight? Now having read this I'm reminded of the Disney movie BUG'S LIFE, where the grasshoppers were the bad guys! Haha Oh Wow! I'll have to sit the boy down and watch that tomorrow :)

The troops started to arrive about this point and we spent a very nice night with great friends, kids included. I'm really loving the conversation these days. Good POSITIVE stuff! POSITIVE company! My Zen is back for those who were concerned (you know who you are ;) I Love ya!

Sweet Dreams xox

You hate me? so what, I'm still living rent-free in your mind loser!!

And now, a few words for my HATERS! Hi Haters!

• If you didn't see it with your eyes Or hear it with your ears Don't invent it with your small mind and share it with your big mouth, your ugly true colors will shine through :)
• Realized today how important I am because some people can not keep my name out of their mouth!!
• You're so miserable in your life that you can't make friends unless there is some level of drama on your part! People don't like you, they just tolerate you!
• Some people need a good slap but I'm not sure which face to aim for.
• Hey, you know, if you listen really hard, you can just about make out the sound of nobody giving a crap. ;)
• I just don't have the energy to hate you today, please grow up!
• It is funny how people air their frustrations on Facebook but say they hate drama.
• You should be VERY careful throwing stones from YOUR glass house as you WILL cause it to shatter upon yourself!
• Just keep in mind; what comes around goes around! but don't worry it'll be worse; i just hope I'm there to sit, watch, and laugh!!
• It is rude to make up stuff about people when you really know the truth. The more you spread lies, the more you look stupid in the end.
• DRAMA: You say you hate it, so why do you create it? You say you don't need it, yet you continue to feed it!I don't get it whats wrong with u???
• The day you can judge me is the day you can prove that you have never made any mistakes yourself... can you prove that?
• Just remember, when you point your finger at someone... you got 4 more of your own fingers pointing right back atcha!!
• How you treat me is your karma, how I react is mine.
• You're smirking because you think you won and I am laughing because I know you haven't.
• You shouldn't be so fast to point out the flaws of others since you definitely got some of our own!
• People who piss me off should go cry themself a river, build a bridge, then throw themself off it.
• You talk because that's all you have; a jealous little mind and a big ol' mouth. Tsk. It sucks to be you.
• I'm not sorry for being me, take me as I am, if you don't like what you see, then piss off.
• Today's definition of a Douche bag: Rick, Patsy, Tara, Brian, & Erin! Topped with a Mary & Fred! (enjoy your lives together- you sure deserve each other :)

And Finally: Your logic is flawed. Therefore, your argument is invalid. Please go bash your head against the wall until you get some logic. Thank you.

Back to School :)

Yippy YaHOOOO! It's back to school time! I was wide awake at 6:30am excited to get Jake all decked out in his new school gear an brand spanking new kicks! He on the other hand...not so thrilled. Actually he was quite a bit nervous about meeting his new teacher. Little does he know, that his kinergarten teacher from last year was actually considered one of the MEAN ONES ~ and he adored her. So yeah, I think he'll be just fine.

Something new this year, we get to walk to school every morning. Something I haven't done since Dana was in 1st grade (which was about 9 yrs ago.) I really enjoyed the walk Jake however, not as much. But he'll get used to it in time. It's only about 8 blocks. So as we walked what is to be our daily route, we saw the pretty morning glory's awake and open. At least I think they were morning glory's- not sure. I snapped a pic anyway. hehe. We got to T**** Ave and met the friendly crossing guard. I let Jake know that she is a good stranger, and that she is there to cross him safely to the corner. He smiled an nodded. Then we came upon a corner home with a huge barking dog that could've easily been mistaken for a lion! I mean this thing was huge- but I think it's bark woke Jake up as he nearly jumped into my arms. So we decided to walk down B****** Street which is filled with adorable well kept cottages, the only block in our area that stands out. The twin homes have brick walkways with kept garden beds, stripe canvas covered patios etc. They are quite charming. We pass along our way a home giving away free tomatoes picked ripe from the owners garden. How sweet the gesture, something I'd probably do if I had an abundance of home grown vegies. Sadly you just can't trust people these days. So Jake says to me- Mom I really love these homes! I wish we lived here which was then followed by 15 minutes of how Dad is going to build him a tree house with a 30ft slide when we build our new house someday. All I could do was hope that happens for us while he's still little enough to enjoy it.

Finally we get to the corner of school and there's no crossing guard! Odd, it's the first day! Standing in line Jake is really nervous now. The girls are calling his name to gain his attention, but he's playing shy. I whisper in his ear- "you're a stud muffin!" and we giggle. Stephen invites Jake to stand in front of the line with him, but Jake is too nervous to even move. Then, the tears come!!! Oh NO!!! But we were doing so good! I told my little guy, "you got this!" I'll make a cheesey cheese cake for you for when you come home an suddenly, everything was good again. Hehe can't go wrong with food!

The walk home "alone" was even more enjoyable. The breeze was refreshing, the sound of birds chirping, and crickets still cricketing. I tried to stay in the moment- take it all in. I"M FREE!!! Hahaahaha I"M FREE!!! My excitement in knowing I'd have an entire day back to myself was like winning the LOTTERY! I'm even looking forward to making dinner! The idea of having a schedule back in place just tickles me pink! Now maybe I can tend to my own spiritual garden...in peace!

HERE'S SOMETHING I FOUND FUNNY

I read this on FaceBook today.

Misconception Number 1: Moms miss their kids when they go back to school

Seriously. I’ve had enough of you by now. Every morning with the “what are we going to do today, Mom?” is finally over. I’ve had looked at your face twenty-four seven for the last 77 days. It’s time to go learn something. No more asking me about the pool, when is the next snack or if you can stay up late and watch a movie. It’s over….You’re going back to Hogwarts and I get to have a life again. There is a Christmas morning for parents and it’s called “back to school”.
Misconception Number 2: Moms like to go school shopping.
Are you freaking kidding me? Why do I pay taxes?…so I can rack up a 200 dollar bill at Staples for crap that we have laying around my house in junk drawers. Why does it have to be new pencils? What’s wrong with the chewed up, broken strawberry shortcake pencils sitting in the bottom of the toy box for the last 6 months? And how many subject books can you possibly need? What happened to reading, writing and arithmetic. If they added a couple of things for parents to that list I wouldn’t mind so much….why not pencils, erasers and vodka …..or some Nyquil.
Misconception Number 3: Moms like back to school night.
Why must we do this every year? I got it already. You’re the teacher…I’m the parent. My kid is either going to be smart or dumb. If he gets a certain number or colored dot on his discipline chart, he can’t get a prize from the prize box. Pretty simple stuff. Listen, I’m pretty old school. If he doesn’t listen to you…you can throw something at him. I don’t care. But I got a lot of work to do at home and I’m paying a babysitter right now. Plus, I’m pretty sure you are going to assign some project on wigwams made by some Indian tribe I’ve never heard of, so I need to get home and start my research. So, I got it. We’re all here for the betterment of the kids. Blah Blah Blah. Can I leave now?
Misconception Number 4: Moms like school paperwork.
How many trees are you planning on killing to tell me the same stuff I had to pay a babysitter to listen to the other night? You know our name, where we live and our emergency phone numbers. He doesn’t have a nickname….call him “stinkbutt” for all I care. We don’t have any “special circumstances” that you need to know about. He lives in a home with two parents who may or may not like each other at any given time and they will fight. If that qualifies as a reason he can’t get his homework done on time then he won’t be able to function as an adult and have a real job so you may want to “educate” him on that life lesson.
Misconception Number 5: Moms like covering books in that annoying sticky paper.
What exactly will you be doing with these books that I have to cover them in a plastic laminate? Do you often teach in the rain? Or while the children are drinking soda and eating soup? Do you know how long that takes? Has any parent in the history of education been able to do it without any air bubbles in it? From now on I’m covering it the old way…brown paper bags. That way I can cover the books and pack their lunches at that same time. Who says moms can’t multitask?
PS. Please tell my son if he can’t find his lunch to look in his science book.

Misconception Number 6: Moms like helping you with your homework.
What? I am scared out of my mind. I’m pretty sure that I forgot everything I learned in fifth grade by the time I was in sixth grade. I have no idea what you are talking about most days. I don’t really know my 12 times tables, I read the cliff notes to all your summer reading and I don’t know how to conjugate anything but I do know that song “conjuction junction what’s your function” if that helps at all. And please don’t even say the words “new math” to me. What the heck was wrong the old one?
Misconception Number 7: Moms can’t wait to pack your lunch every day until we die.
I hate doing laundry. Making dinner every night is the bane of my existence, so making your lunch every day for an entire year, in terms of “mom fun”, lies somewhere between brushing plaque off the dogs teeth and scheduling my annual pap smear. Listen, as a child I hated what my mom packed me for lunch. But, like every kid before me, and every generation to come you will find a kid to trade with…I’m sure someone likes sardines.
Misconception Number 8: Moms love after school activities.
I don’t know who made up this idea of organized clubs and sports but they should be the ones in charge of carting your ass around. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against all after school programs. I just wish they would offer it during hours that would work best for me so that dinner wasn’t at 8:30 at night followed by 4 hours of homework. Why not do it on the weekends and call it “after-hours activities” so mommy and daddy could actually go out one night and pretend that we have a life of our own. Don’t worry about us though I’m sure that me and “what’s his name” will be married a very long time.

Misconception Number 9: Moms don’t mind taking you to school if you miss the bus.
Your bus comes at 7:10 am….which means that you should be standing by the door at 7:05 am. Not eating breakfast , chasing the dog around the house or in the bathroom, asking me to check your homework while I’m taking a shower. Get it together! I don’t like running down the street in my jammies at 7:12 screaming “Please wait” or “If you stop I’ll show you my boobies.”
Misconception Number 10: Moms cry on your first day of school.
We do cry but they are tears of joy. I have done my job. I have successfully kept a human child alive for at least 5 years without doing any major damage. Motherhood is the hardest job in the world!! Sure, doctors save lives and CEO’s run million dollar businesses but…you teach a kid not to poop their pants and then you can say you’ve made the world a better place.”

Loyalty, does it exist?

Maybe I'm old skool, or maybe the rest of the world forgot what it means to be loyal in their relationships. With the exception to a few, too many people would rather remain "neutral" whenever a separation or breakup/ friendship ending occurs. That's one way to go about keeping the peace, but have you thought about those who might be hurt by the lack of loyalty?

I think remaining "neutral" in any case is a cop out. It's a way of saying "I don't value you enough to take a look at what's really going on. You're feelings don't matter enough to me to back you." Because then it would actually take some work and time devoted in the relationship/ friendship whatever. But isn't that whole point? What is a relationship if there's no quality or body behind it? Maybe, it's something learned over time, maybe it's how some are raised. All I know today, is that there is a whole lot of LACKING going on in the world today when it comes to LOYALTY.

Loyalty is learned, in close families...

 Loyalty is learned in friendships...

Loyalty is given to a home town, or sports team...

So why then is it too much to ask from my friendships?

I'm LOYAL. But I'm closing my door now. For now on, I'm only LOYAL to those who are LOYAL to me. It used to mean something. It still is a powerful quality to have. Perhaps loyalty is waisted on the wrong people.

Warm and Fuzzy

Alright I've got that warm & fuzzy feeling going on. Call me happy :) Happy happy happy! I am finding my happy place again that has been missing from my life for too long. I'm focusing on my kids and hubby, spending more time with my parents, and pets. YES I talk to my cats, and I swear I know what they're thinking. LOL My hubby looks at me like I'm insane for carrying a conversation with my cat. What can I say it's part of my charm. hahaha I'm the cat whisperer. haha
We have about 20 VHS tapes to convert into DVDS (all home videos from over the years). So watching all our old memories, seeing people who arent with us anymore, pets that passed on etc.. has really added an extra closeness to all of us. We laughed and we cried! Man, we used to have FUN! we are a little nutty, but it was all fun!! I cant believe how much Dana looks like I did when I was 18. She even did her hair up like mine and dressed as I did tonight after her shower. I'm flattered :)
Watching these videos really reminded me of whats really important in my life. It reminded me of who I am, and how much I've changed. But not in a bad way- it's just so interesting to see myself born, to childhood, to teen to mommy to wife to now! I'm totally following in my moms foots-steps :) And I'm so curious to see how Dana's future plays out. And that got me thinking about Jake and what he's going to do with his future. One minute he's a soldier, the next minute he's a cowboy. LOL but he's still too tiny to predict.

So school officially starts on Tuesday. YAY YAY YAY!!!! Chris and I really need the mental break from Jake. I love the boy to death but he is soooooo draining!!! Right now we have him 24/7. When school starts- we'll have a total of 7hrs together doing homework, dinner, bath time the bed! Hopefully, the spare time he finds for himself to play he'll want to do it alone! Boy do I sound awful saying that? It's for the sake of Sanity!!! I'm so looking forward to having a set schedule again :) and a little boy too tired to argue with me for the next 9 months. ;)

Greetings September! Welcome back! Love this time of year. School supplies! Apples & Cinnamon scented candles, changing of the foliage to bright reds, oranges, and yellow! (good for picture taking.) I cant wait to pull out the fall decor. It's the most wonderful time of the year :) I get to cook all my cooler weather recipes too :) Baking pumpkin bread, and apple pie! Ugh .... just thinking about it gets me excited.

xoxox Love Life! Life is Good!