Meghan's Mindless Muttering

Advertising really hits home

2012-01-29T10:57:00.002-05:00

Dear Advertising Companies

Your campaigns have done the trick.
All these years, you have marketed this ad or that towards all of us.
You have your fancy shmancy statistics to show these "commercials" really work.

I am here to tell you that they do.
See that unsuspecting five year old child up there.
Your direct marketing has worked.
He knows it all (well he really does know it all, just ask him, he'll tell you yes...just like his father)

See the other day I spilled something on my shirt.
As I was going "Are you kidding me? Oh man, this is my fav shirt"
My son gently put his hand on my arm & said
"Mom, do you know what you need?"
Me: "No, bud, what?'
Cheeks: "Mom, you need OxiClean, it'll get that tough stain out!"

So thank you marketers, you have done your job!
My son now knows OxiClean will get the job done.

Now, can you teach him to actually do the laundry?

Snoozy McSnoozerton

2012-01-24T20:06:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone.
My name is Meghan, this is my blog and I am a Snoozer.
A. Big. Time. Snoozer.

I love my snooze button.

It's just not any ole snooze button on any ole alarm clock.

It's the snooze button my cell phone.
That's right...I am a new school.

None of the old school for me.

During the week that incessent phone goes off at 5:30.
The sun isn't even up.
Right there that should be against the law...getting up before the sun.

Albeit it is what it is.

So I do what every good exhausted mommy does.
I hit that snooze button every 5 mins for 30 mins.

Hence my tush doesn't get out of bed til 6.

Wait! Let's be realistic.
After the snooze button no longer works for the day, I just lay there & take my chances.
I'm usually up by 6:15.
Thus resulting in me running like a mad woman to get myself & the Cheeks out of the house.

This morning I decided to be a rebel & screw the snooze.
I got in the shower by 5:50 (I hit the snooze like 4 times...whatever).

Know what?
I was still running around like a mad woman.

I don't get it.

So, my real question is...are you a snoozer?

Flash Giveaway ~ $10 Build A Bear Gift Card

2012-01-21T16:53:00.000-05:00

You must be quick because this is my first flash giveaway of 2012.
Holla!

I have one $10 gift card to Build A Bear Workshop.

You can have it in your hot little hands just by entering below.

Remember, time is of the essence.

Giveaway ends on Monday, the 23rd, at 8pm est.

Ok, go for it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway *The giveaway is not sponsered by anyone except little ole me!*

Mom Bloggers for Social Good ~ Mom on a Mission

2012-01-16T21:06:00.001-05:00

Did you know I am a member of:

I am a founding member. Very exciting...I know!!!!

Anyway the reason I am bringing it up is because of something very important.

Nominations are now open at http://www.healthychild.org/mission to find

eight extraordinary parents—one of whom will become our 2012 “Mom on a

Mission.” From January through August, Healthy Child will select and honor

one finalist each month; in September and October, the general public will

vote to choose the winner, who will honored with a grand prize at a gala

event in New York City in November.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary year, Healthy Child Healthy World began in

1992 after five-year-old Colette Chuda died of a rare form of

non-hereditary cancer linked to environmental factors. Playing a leadership

role in one of the most important public health and environmental movements

of the 21st century, today Healthy Child Healthy World ignites the movement

that empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals. More

information can be found at www.healthychild.org.

So I am asking you to nominate someone you know or even yourself.

Just follow along, check out the organization, let me know your thoughts.

Thanks for reading today.

The Case of the Mysterious Smear

2012-01-12T18:30:00.002-05:00

So this evening, after work, I needed to use our one & only bathroom.

I was doing my thing when I looked over at the tile wall and noticed a dark reddish brown smear on the wall.
"Slobs!" I thought.

So I saunter downstairs where my family is & say "Ok, who left the bloody booger smeared on the wall".

Immediate "Wasn't me!" "I didn't do it"

Then from right in front of me the 5 yo says:

"Oh that's not a boogie"

"It's not?" I replied.

So my overly honest little bundle of angelic joy said:

"No, see I was going poop AND it was a lot AND it got on my finger, so I wiped it on the wall!"

And that my friends explains why the HazMat team is outside my front door.

A Grandpop & His Boy

2012-01-11T18:50:00.000-05:00

Tangled Clip~Check it Out

2012-01-10T21:35:00.003-05:00

Tangled was one of the cutest movies of the summer.

Even Cheeks liked it.

Check out the a clip from the new short that is being shown with the new Beauty & Beast 3D:

Come On Get Happy

2012-01-08T11:48:00.002-05:00

Happiness.
Something to achieve in 2012.
For everyone.

How am I going to achieve it?
I'm going to tell you.

I'm going to let things go.

Like for instance, after I clean the kitchen to a spotless, pristene room, I am going to soak in the view and revel in that moment.
I will not get upset when 2.5 seconds later I have a child or a man-child who absolutely "needs" to eat & will mess it up.

I will let it go when a customer gives me a hard time because that's the job I choose. I will let it go.

2012 is about letting it go.
About having pajama days with the family.
About letting blankets & pillows be in the living room all day.
About relaxing.
About not letting things bother me.

It will be an uphill climb but I am up for the challenge (and I'm thinking of upping the meds).

Tell me how are you going to achieve happiness in the new year.

Leave me a comment...I'd love to know.

Also, check out Blogher's Happiness Post here. Dr. Aymee will give you some ways to help get there.

While you are there, enter to win a Kindle Fire here.

Thank you Trix Rabbit, Thank you

2012-01-04T20:42:00.000-05:00

Finally!

Finally manufacturers are hearing the cries of parents.

Mostly, in my opinion, parents of children who follow a diet of no artificial coloring.

Why would you want to cut out the artificial coloring?

It makes some children act like the Tazmanian Devil.

Hence, The Aunt Erin.

Sure, as a mature woman, she can handle red dye #40

BUT

As a child, give her a little dye & suddenly she's building a house of bricks in the backyard in 10 seconds.

Why am I happy that General Mills has changed it's additives, colors etc in their Trix yogurt?

Cheekers loves this yogurt

This might come as a shocker for a kid that pretty much goes to the principal everyday for being disruptive

BUT

We think he's ADHD or Hyper & diet change is one way of helping the symptoms.

I was literally beaming in the food store.

I know.

Dork!

It's the little things that make me happy.

Now I can get him this yogurt (which was a big, big place that he got his artificial dye from) & feel good about giving it to him.

So General Mills, you have heard my personal pleas & on behalf of many parents, I'd like to say thank you!

Tsk, Tsk, What a Let Down

2012-01-03T20:19:00.002-05:00

Tonight was Bobster's turn to cook.
So you know what that means...ordering out.
You know, cause that's how we roll...like Rockefellars with the money.

I digress.
So we agreed on pizza but wanted something that would feed the 4 of us.
One hubs, 2 boys, & me.

We decided on this:

Oh Pizza Hut
Much like my ex-husband, you showed such great promised but the disappointment was all mine

When I say this wouldn't feed 2 birds eating on a budget, I am not kidding.

It's 2 medium pizzas
OR
The equivilant to one box of Ellios.

It included 5 breadsticks...that was the highlight of the box.

It also included 6 bonless wings.
6.

One pizza we asked for pepperoni on it.
The other...half pineapple.
It was covered which allowed me to remove the pineapple so the 5yo would eat the pizza.
God forbid he eat pineapple.

Overall, this deal is worth maybe $12.
Not $20.
Photos are very deceiving...again reminds me of my ex-husband...I saw a photo first...should have run.

So Pizza Hut thanks for building up the anticipation and failing to deliver.
Again, ex husband.

Anyone noticing a theme?

So, tell me, what do you think of Pizza Hut?

12 for 12 looking at 11

2012-01-02T13:38:00.000-05:00

2012.
Holla!
Woo.

In honor of 2012, I thought I would list some of my "fav" posts from each month of the year 2011.

First up:
January:

Guilty Pleasure

A year later & that show is still my guilty pleasure. It starts again soon. Woo!

February:

My popular post of this month...

Gallbladder Free

Who knew?

March:

Watch While I Bend this Lollipop with my Mind

My own Yuri Gellar

April brings:

Have you met Eddie Haskill 2011?

May:

My First Vlog...Take 2

Yep, You get to see me...& hear me!

June:

Advice

Really? I have good advice...swear.

July:

He's a Baller, He's a Playa

August:

That Doesn't Happen Here til Today

September:

Catchin Up

October:

The Horror! The Horror!

November:

Customer Service: Good vs. Evil

December:

How to Embarras Your Mom #512

That's what I got.
How about you?

How it Went Down

2012-01-01T16:06:00.003-05:00

Holidays 2011 are a mere memory.

Here's how it went down in our casa.

First up, the debut of Cheeks in concert for his school.

We didn't realize it was a rap concert. Ha!

Christmas Eve arrived & apparently Santa exploded at our house.

The the morning arrived where the 13yo had to wake the 5yo. I think our 13yo was more excited than anyone this year.

Of course we got the obligatory shot of all 3:

We ended the day with a free for all at my sister in laws house.

And for the Grandpop, there is a pic of you & Cheeks that I will post later.

How were you holidays?

#1 for 2011

2011-12-31T16:45:00.001-05:00

The #1 post on my blog for 2011 was this one:

Leaving It In the Hands of My Readers

You know, where I asked for your opinions on whether I should go with a nose ring or not.

Overwhelmingly, the vote was for "go for it".

As you can plainly see from this photo:

I so didn't get one.

Not that I don't want one, I do.

I just got a ton of flack from my family about it.

Although I think the Aunt Erin was pro nose ring but then again, she has one.

At my age, ~~25, 30, 38,~~ ok fine at my age of, ahem, 41, I feel I might be a bit over the age of appropriate nose ring peeps.

I could always get it & take it out, the hole closes, right?

Then again, at 41 & overweight, will people just think "Look there goes another fat, middle aged woman trying to recapture her young adulthood?"

Well perhaps 2012 will bring that nose ring.

It's his mission

2011-12-30T15:12:00.000-05:00

Cheeks is on a mission.

His mission, which he obviously chose to except is to embarrass me at every turn.

This mission includes his father but not as often as me.

Most recent embarrassment happened Christmas Eve.

Yes folks, he doesn't even take the holidays off.

We were at Bobster's Aunt's house for a little soiree.

Bob's grandfather is still living.

Mine, unfortunately, is not.

Cheeks has meet Bob's grandfather but it's been about 2 years since he last saw him.

So in his 5 yo mind, "Pop" doesn't exist.

Well Bobster & I were making nice with "Pop" when our angelic boy walked up.

Bobster says "Cheeks this is your great grandpop"

Our sweet, innocent child takes a step back, looks up, cocks his head to one said & proclaims

"I thought you were dead~!"

Well after we picked ourselves up off the floor, both of us diffused the situation with Bobster's Pop. Thankfully he is deaf as a doornail so he had no idea what Cheeks had said.

We explained to Cheeks that was not a really nice thing to say & that it was my grandfather who was in Heaven.

My grandfather would have gotten a kick out that had Cheeks said it to him:

(that's my Aunt Darlene & my Grandpop)

Anyway that is the story of our holiday embarrassment.

How did you holidays ring in?

And it's over...

2011-12-27T21:55:00.001-05:00

Christmas 2011 has come & gone.
Sigh.
I love to see it come...the anticipation, the preparation, the wrapping, card writing & sending.
All fun.
Then Christmas morning comes.

In over an hour the gifts are unwrapped & the house looks like war torn Beirut.
It's fun tho.

Cheeks couldn't contain himself.
He was so excited that he was getting up extra early in the days leading up to, asking me "Is it Christmas?' at like 5am.
Good times.

Christmas morning, he would open a gift, go "Awesome!" & run to me or Bobster to open it.
We would tell him in a bit, keep opening.

Finally his turn was over & he had to hand the gifts to his brothers.
He wasn't thrilled with that because that took away from playing.

He didn't eat all day except for 2 crackers & a cupcake.
Mother of the Year I am, no?
He's fine.
Trust me!

All in all it was a great Christmas.
I am blessed to have a close knit family and blessed that we are all healthy (for the most part) & all have jobs.

How was your Christmas?

How to embarrass your Mom #512

2011-12-23T12:23:00.000-05:00

So this past weekend, I took the Cheekers to see a movie (The new Chipmunks...cute but not going to win an award...know what I mean?).

The ticket taker was a young African American boy with Vitaligo.
For those who are not aware of what Vitaligo is, it looks like this:

Now everyone is thinking Michael Jackson.
Right?
Right.
Come on...you know you were.

Anywho, my son was handing the boy the tickets when he says:

"Hey you are two different colors! I've never seen anyone with 2 different colors, do you know you are 2 colors?"

At this point I was hoping the floor would open up & swallow me. That obviously didn't happen.

So I sort of laughed and said "Hey, everyone's different. I look different, you do, those people do..."
Luckily the boy had a great attitude and he responded to my little guy "Yep, I think it's awesome"
To which Cheeks said "Yep! It is"

He proceeded to talk, loudly, all the way down the hall to the theater about the 2 different colored boy.
I proceeded to tell him it's not polite to comment on other people and it's really cool how that boy looks.

I've never pointed out differences among people to my son.
He is just now starting to notice.
I just never thought he would comment on it.

Thankfully everyone he's ever said anything to, has laughed it off & explained things to him.
People are good!

How has your kiddo embarrassed you lately?

Mittens & Gloves with a Wish for a Merry Christmas

2011-12-19T18:18:00.001-05:00

I'm thinking future rockstar!

Are you smarter than a Kindergartener?

2011-12-18T11:48:00.000-05:00

Apparently, I gave birth (or they ripped him from my stomach…whatever…he was 11 pounds is the claim to fame) to a genius!

Tis true.

A few weeks back the Aunt Erin & Cheeks were having a discussion in the back seat of the mini van. Well it must have gotten heated because next thing all of us knew we heard Aunt Erin (who is 28) say “Oh yea, well spell “THE””.

Cheeks responded: T…H…E.

The next sound was Aunt Erin’s jaw hitting the bottom of the mini van.

While out shopping I let Cheeks throw a quarter in the fountain & make a wish. Aunt Erin asked him what his wish was. He said he wanted to save the world from peril.

Here is where Aunt Erin went wrong, she said that perhaps the world was not in peril & that Cheeks didn’t even know what the word peril meant.

At that point he piped up & said “Yes I do. It means someone or something is in trouble and or hurt.”

Again, a speechless Aunt Erin.

What has your little guy/gal said lately that shut you up?

Picking off Pixars!

2011-12-12T21:33:00.000-05:00

Poor Cheeks.
The kid doesn’t know what to do.

Every year, we get the kids their own ornaments.
Cheeks picked out a Lighting McQueen ornie from Target.
Before it even got on the tree, the spoiler on the back was mysteriously broken.
We charged on & decided to hang it on the tree.
Within minutes, Lightening hit the floor & shattered.

Sigh.

Problem solved we will go get another ornie.
Saturday stopped at Target, Cheeks decides to get Buzz Lightyear.
This morning I asked him if he wanted to hang it on the tree before we left.
He hesitated & said he was afraid it would break.
Being the encouraging mom that I am I said “It won’t break, come on, put it on the tree! Anywhere you want.” So he did.
Very close to the end of the branch.
I encouraged him to move it higher up the branch.
As he went to move it
...
BAM!

Buzz hit the floor & was decapitated from the waist down.
The carnage was awful.
Cheeks immediately sprang tears.
I calmed him down by telling him we would get a 3rd one.

I’m not going to lie, I was sort of chuckling to myself as I went to get the broom because I thought: Poor kid, he can’t catch a break.

Of course, this could be my fault for allowing him to hang a delicate ornament that should have been hung much higher on the tree.
Shh! We won’t tell anyone.

So, tell me have you had any casualties this season?

I’m off to Target for another ornie!

Out for a Spin

2011-12-07T22:01:00.001-05:00

Whose that?
Isn't that Chippy The Elf & Macho Man?
Looks like that Elf is four wheeling with the Macho Man.

Chippy gets all the fun!

I am hoping the Elf being here worked.
No principal for Cheeks today.
That's actually a plus.
He was so excited when I got home.
He came downstairs & said "I have something to show you" & he pulled out the yellow slip that means he got on the yellow traffic light, not red which means principal office.
I made a fuss.
We are just trying to get him to not go to the Principal.
Once that happens, we will work on not getting the traffic light.

Any ideas on what to have Chippy do while he visits?
Do tell!

The Elf, Chippy The Elf

2011-12-06T22:15:00.001-05:00

He's arrived.
Chippy.
He's hear til Christmas Eve.

Made his grand arrival this morning by landing in our Christmas tree.
He even left his "story book" on Cheeks bed.
I was very surprised that he got it.
As was Cheeks because he knows I like this joint up like Fort Knox at night.
Cheeks told me it was magic that he got in the house.

I refreshed my son's memory on how the Elf, excuse me, Chippy works.
You know be good, Chipster reports back to the big man in red, yadda yadda.
You would think that would be motivation enough, no?
Yea, no, he went to the principal again.
Everyday since the start of school except for 5.
That's my boy!

What's that keyhole cut out in his costume you say?
Chippy had a very unfortunate "burning" incident last year when he decide to try to get tan by clutching one of those light bulbs.
It is what it is.
I say the keyhole makes him unique, no?

Tell me, do you have a Chippy?
Is he mischevious? Or does he just hang out?

Buyer Beware, especially in this area....

2011-12-02T20:23:00.001-05:00

So remember my customer service saga with Amazon and the seller, TechBargnz…yes, that was the third party sellers name. The seller made good, charged a 15% restock fee + applicable freight out & back. Meh, on the restock but anything to get some moola back. Still I would avoid Techbargnz in the future. Especially since he was a little cocky in his reply email.

I digress.

Well I have another customer service doozy. It’s especially imperative if you live in my area (South Jersey/Philly) that you heed the following warning.

Stay far, far away from Mini Trail Bikes in Lindenwold NJ. Shyster is the only “clean” word I could come up with when describing this guy.

He states that he will service you even after the sale.

BAAHAAHAA (read that as a maniacal laugh)

Anywho, last week I had to purchase an item for a moped (don’t ask…long story & no, it does not involve me pedding around on a moped because that would just be God awful). The gentleman assured me the part he was selling me would work for the moped. I had the make, model & serial number for the moped to ensure I got the right piece. The associate kept saying no, no, that won’t help me, I’m telling you this is the right part. So upon looking at said part I asked “Um, is this used?” “Yes, but I only need it to repair a bike in the back…it’s good, I promise you” Ok, give me the part…I was ready to get out of there.

Long story short, wrong part. I took it back & asked to exchange it for 2 items (correct item & chrome cover) that came in at a higher price. I did this 24 hours later. The guy (same guy) was like “nope we don’t do returns” Right, I don’t want to return it, I want to exchange it…exchaaaaaange it…say it with me peeps! This goes on for like 10 minutes with him using every excuse in the book, policy, shady individuals, raccoons eating product…you name the excuse, he used it.

I left, with the wrong, used part in hand. The kicker…I had to special order a part for the moped that he charged me for already plus he charged me freight to have shipped to the store…to the store! Not my home, the store. Ugh. I asked him to please ship it to my home since I was paying the freight. The associate responded with…NO!

Ok, now it’s time to email the owner.

I did.

No response.

Emailed the owner again.

Again, no response.

Two more emails, two more no repsonsed.

I’m surprised I was this patient.

Third email to him, he responded “I’ll call you tomorrow”

I called him. He didn’t call back.

Called again, got him, he’s too busy he’ll call me back in 24 hrs.

Today I got the call….5 days after he told me 24 hours.

He told me he thought about the issue of doing an exchange and he still says no.

No exchanges. I’m stuck with it.

Well, Ken of Mini Trail Bikes in Lindenwold NJ, your promise of “Parts, not promises. Service, not excuses!” really doesn’t resonate now does it?

So if I were you & you are in need of mopeds, go carts, parts etc, go the store in Forked River, NJ… Cyclehouse…you’ll get way better customer service and won’t have to deal with shysters who have been in business as long as I’ve been alive.

Tell me do you have any customer service horror stories, I’d love to know!!!!

It's a Parade!

2011-11-27T10:16:00.001-05:00

Warning, heavy photo post.

Warning #2, photos taken with crappy cell phone.

Now on with the show.

Saturday was the next town over Christmas parade.

Since we live about 2 mins from the town we took in the show.

What a show it was.

Check out the horse drawn carriage.

For those who have been with my blog for away & have heard me talk about "The Mummers" here they are.

Well one band anyway.

Grown men, dressing up and "strutting" down the street.

It's a big to-do in the Philadelphia area.

Trust me.

Who is this?

Wait a minute!

This is the adorable, yet overly hyperactive, son of mine.

This is really the only time he stood still.

Well that & when he dumped chocolate milk all over my tushie.

Don't ask!

OOOH! A float!

Or two!

More Mummers!

Just so you know, women were only recently let in the Mummers.

It was exclusively men for years.

It was prob. in the last 20 yrs that women could join.

Cheeks was confused why the men were wearing skirts.

This is the "Emerald Society."

Irish Bagpippers, not Scottish.

I have no idea how Frosty didn't melt.

It was about 62 degrees outside.

Completely foreign for this time of year!

The Collingswood High School Marching Band.

Bringing in you know who!

There he is!

The big man himself.

So that's what we did this weekend, what did you do?

Customer Service: Good vs. Evil

2011-11-21T20:37:00.001-05:00

For those of you who have read my blog know I work in customer service, so I expect a bit more than average when I call places.

I didn’t expect this though.

Today I had to do a return for The Grandpop.

He bought me a Nook Color for Xmas. The next day the Nook Color Tablet came out, so he got me that & decided to return the Nook Color.

The Grandpop purchased it from a third party seller on Amazon.

This is where the issue comes into play.

Being the dutiful daughter that I am, I went under his account & filled out the required request form to return.

Reason for return: “Do not want”

I was then to wait for a response from the third party seller.

About an hour goes by when I get an irate Grandpop on the phone.

The seller responded alright.

In his email to The Grandpop he stated “Buyer's remorse is not a legitimant reason for returning something. You bought it, you own it. If you don't want it, sell it.”

Well isn’t that a fine how’do you do?

The Grandpop requested I handle this with Amazon.

I gladly excepted because I had visions of the Grandpop doing the Army crawl into the sellers place of business and going all postal on his tushie.

Not a pretty picture!

I called Amazon, got the sweetest guy on the phone who was flabbergasted that this seller responded in such a way.

The Amazon rep told me “We are going to lay the hammer of justice down on him!

He filed a claim with their A –Z department who will contact the seller, inform him that he is to comply with Amazon’s return policy and see how it goes. If the seller doesn’t comply, he will be kicked off Amazon.

Now the waiting starts.

It can take up to 2 weeks.

The Amazon rep can’t guarantee we will get all our money back but we well take what we can get even with a restock fee.

It’s only right.

On the good side (besides the awesome Judson at Amazon) was my experience with the Mattel Corp. today.

They were having a great sale on something that Santa wanted to pick up.

Well one of the items was the Buzz Lightyear Space Command Center.

It did not come with action figures but I needed to find out if the ones that were available would fit in this toy.

So I called their customer service dept.

The gentlemen spent about 10 minutes with me going over the sizes of the action figures to make sure they’d fit.

He even offered to connect me to a dept that just measures what toys go with what.

After some researching we came to an agreement that yes, the toy action figures would fit.

So I ordered but not after asking him if he knew of a free shipping code.

He didn’t but I ordered anyway.

Later in the day, while blog reading, I see there is a code for free shipping with a purchase of $25 or more.

I spent way more than $25 so I thought, I cancel & reorder.

Well I couldn’t find my order to cancel so I called Mattel.

I got Kirk on the phone.

Kirk, if you are reading this, you totally rock!

Kirk took the code, tried to apply but couldn’t.

He put in a request for me to get my shipping refunded after the order invoices.

Between the first gentleman & Kirk at Mattel I will highly recommend doing business with just them.

Talk about awesome customer service.

The third party seller at Amazon could learn a thing or two from Mattel.

That’s all I got.

My day of good vs evil.

How about you?

What do you have to share today?

Babble, babble, babble....

2011-11-20T09:50:00.001-05:00

Not much to report on the home front. Things are still the same.
Well not really the same but nothing exciting.

Cheeks behavior is still the same.
Principal every day.
Every day.
Sigh.
We started the process in September of getting him help.
It has yet to officially start.
We had a therapist come out twice.
She let me know the other day that she got a full time job & a new therapist would be coming out. Fabulous, maybe this one will actually start "talking" with Cheeks. Since the first two times the first one came out it was all paperwork.

The behavioralist was scheduled to come out last week.
She canceled about an hour before because she has not received paperwork yet.

Nothing like working with the state, eh?

Besides that Bobster is working like a dog. Last weekend we were fortunate to go up to The Poconos to see him over night. His hotel has an indoor pool, a highlight for the 5yo. He's down the street from some outlets, a highlight for me! It was some nice family time for us without all the distractions of "home."

Who can believe Thanksgiving is Thursday?
Holy cannoli, how did it get to be that time of year?
Aunt Erin is cooking this year.
Whew!
Thank goodness.
I'd rather just bake my way through dinner.
Perhaps next year I will make a cake resembling a turkey & call it a day.

That was enough babble for now, I am outty!

Please no photos!

2011-11-15T22:29:00.001-05:00

Yours truly, little ole me, is featured in this months All You magazine!

Hello!
Tis true.

I am famous now.

Tell me, have you ever been featured in a magazine?

I'm very excited!!!

Introducing the Autobot Family

2011-11-08T23:58:00.002-05:00

Dear Joan

2011-11-05T10:38:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to let you know that you have nothing on me in the child rearing department.

Apparently, while trying to discipline my son by telling him he had to hold my hand I angered him.

I would not let go of his hand all the while he pulled & yanked himself silly.

I never raised my voice.

I never put my hand on my child.

I just kept calmly telling him that he needed to stand still & listen.

My neighbor, witnessing it all, asked my son "Why are you giving your mom a hard time?"

My son's response "I hate her"

Yes, Joan, I have risen in the ranks like yourself.

Merely by trying to calmly discipline him.

I handed him over to my neighbor (who coincindently walks him to school), fled to my mini van & proceeded to cry.

Some tell me if my son tells me he hates me then I am doing a good job as a parent.

Doesn't matter.

It still hurt.

You however Joan, as much as I jest in this letter to you, well you really are a bad parent no matter how you look at it.

Sincerly,

Meghan

Confession to make

2011-11-03T21:42:00.001-04:00

Not sure if you all want to hear this or not.

It's nothing like, I killed 35 people & buried them in my grandparents old house's basement (the stench is from the dog they used to have...yea that's it...the dog!) or I used to dance on a pole for money & I went by the name of "Tuesday Tata's"...I was young, I need the money.

It's more along the lines of something I am ashamed of, as if the above things wouldn't be enough, again didn't do either of them.

I am ashamed of being divorced.
Whew I said it.
I feel like this, a lot:

If only I was that skinny.

Anywho, don't think that I wish I was still married to that person.
I don't.

For those that have known me "on line" for years or for those that know me in real life, know I was blindsided by the whole "I want a divorce" that he said.

Believe you me, he did me a huge favor b/c now I have a great guy & fabulous children!!!

It's just that I feel, even after all these years, that I failed.
Like if I had done this or that it wouldn't have happened.

I can't really explain it.
I don't like to say I'm divorced.

I know people are.
I know it's not considered a rare thing anymore.

I just can't explain it & I finally admitted yesterday to my coworker, who herself has been divorced.

Perhaps I'm just feeling sorry for myself...it is pms week or maybe I just need therapy...either way I wanted to confess.

So there ya have it!

Let the sugar coma commence

2011-10-31T20:51:00.001-04:00

I had one very excited 5yo today.
He got to experience Halloween in Kindergarten style.
Meaning he was allowed to wear his costume to school (side note: I came home early & he was still in it).

Can you tell he was ready?

Of course, he had to try out a few moves

Of coures, these moves result in this:

I let him have 4 pieces, 2 before dinner, 2 after.
Now he's going to have to earn the treats by behaving himself.
Wish him luck.

He's upstairs in his stuper sleeping off his sugar high.

Happy Halloween!!!

Haunted Houses

2011-10-30T19:20:00.001-04:00

A little pre-Halloween festivities with the Cheekers.
Brownie Haunted Houses.

Which is his?
Which is mine?

Also please imagine they are right side up.

They say it's your birthday!

2011-10-29T14:55:00.000-04:00

When did this happen?
When did this kid:

Grow up into this kid:

Or should I say man because today is his 18th birthday!

Happy Birthday Tim!

*do not forget to enter my giveaway for 25 free Shutterfly Holiday Cards: Giveaway"

Answer & a Giveaway...oh that's right...Giveaway!

2011-10-25T19:38:00.000-04:00

So for those of you who read my last entry & tried to guess what machine was causing the students to sniff their papers it was:

That's right...it was the Ditto machine.
I remember being in second grade & being alloweed to use the Ditto machine.
Ah I thought I was hot stuff.
Good times!
Good times!

No on another good time note.

Over at my other blog: Meghan's Mindless Muttering: Reviews & Giveaways I am hosting a giveaway via Rafflecopter for 3 of my readers to win 25 free Christmas Cards from Snapfish.

So get on over there & enter!!!

Can you tell me...

2011-10-20T21:56:00.002-04:00

What machine causes the great smell that these students are sniffing from the paper?

I'll give you a hint...if you are a child of the 70's or at least a student in the 70's you may have been asked by your teacher to take the paper to the office & use the....

What?
Do you know?

Come on...don't leave me hanging...give it your best shot.

The Horror! The Horror!

2011-10-16T19:04:00.002-04:00

I've done the unthinkable.
I've done the inexcusable.
I've done the #1 thing Mommies shouldn't do.

I threw a piece of Cheeks art away.
&
I got caught!

I know!
I KNOW!

Unexcusable.

It had to be done though.
The art work is taking over the wall in the kitchen.

I figured he wouldn't notice.

Was I wrong!!!

All of a sudden from the kitchen I hear "MOOOOOOOOOOOOM!"

Then he comes in the living room, holding the ~~paper plate~~ art work, & says "Hey, you threw my Earth away! You can't throw it away."
His lip was 2 inches from the floor.

Apparently, I didn't push it down far enough in the trash can.

I apologized profusely & hung it up on the wall.

Well til he wasn't looking then I buried it in the bottom of the trash can.

Have you ever got caught doing something with one of your kids prized possessions?

How to get a kid to eat

2011-10-09T16:20:00.000-04:00

Have him make the meal himself.

He told me dinner was pretty good.

We had meatloaf.

Do you let your kids in the kitchen to help?

Tuesday Tidbits

2011-10-04T20:35:00.001-04:00

How in the world is it Oct 4 already?
Wasn't it just yesterday I was posting pictures from the pool?

The Nana used to tell me that time just went quicker the older you got.
Then it got worse when you had children.
She was right.
I don't know where the last 5 years have gone in Cheeks life.
How is he 5 already?

He had his well child check up.
45 1/2" 50lbs.
The child's ribs show, he's so skinny.
He's also in the 90th percentile.
Go figure.
You start out at 11lbs, guess you're gonna be a big one your whole life.

The great thing was his pediatrician finally listened to me.
He has agreed to take a look at Cheeks evaluation with the Child Study team & take it from there.
So that is good news. Guess when I let the dr know Cheeks is at the principal everyday & he's only at school for 2.5hrs, it raised a red flag.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Now to get the older one straightened out.
Oy ve', I am going to be totally gray by summer 2012.

On a lighter note, wanna see how we keep ourselves entertained during our lunch hour.

Viola!

Colored that myself.
Quite the artist aren't I?
I know, I know, I am a Picasso in the making.

What do you all do to de-stress at work?

I'm Falling for Fall

2011-10-01T09:06:00.000-04:00

It's October 1st.
Fall has finally appeared in Jersey.

The weather is cool.
The sun is shining.
Mother Nature has given me the ok to officially break out the fall/Halloween decor.
Love it!

What signifies fall for you?
I love this little diddy up there, by Moose A. Moose.
I'm a big fan of his.

Mu-ah! Thank you

2011-09-27T22:04:00.002-04:00

I want to say thank you to my readers who have commented or emailed me personally with tips, advice or a great email about my little guy & his hyperactivity.

I love the power of the internet that has allowed me to make great friends...yes friends...that know what he & I are going through. That these friends can share with me, in just a few clicks of some keys, their experiences & what they found helpful.

Thank you all.

I have taken it all in & am putting many of the useful things you have given me to work!

Mu-ah!!!

Block Par-tay

2011-09-25T15:00:00.002-04:00

I do have to say my town puts on quite the block party.
What's even nicer?
I don't have to drive any where because I open up my door & kablam! There it is!

Like the ferris wheel, about 100 feet from my front door. It was the first thing we did:

The the boys waited in line for laser tag. The older one "slaughtered" the little one.

Next up, let's slide down the Cars slide

or do a little rock climbing

Of course we need to go on the merry go round then hit up the moon bounce

Finally a little face painting & the day is done

So what did you do this weekend?

I obviously missed this chapter

2011-09-21T23:07:00.001-04:00

Let's put things into perspective.

When you purchase a new car, you get a manual.

When you purchase a new appliance you get a manual.

Bringing home some Ikea furniture...you get directions. Yes they are in Swedish but the point is instructions!

The day I left the hospital with my 11 pounder a mere 5 years ago, I asked the nurse when I would get my instruction booklet.

Don't laugh.

You all thought about it.

She smiled & just said "Good luck"

B*tch!

Let me tell you, raising children is hard.

The youngest one has behavior issues.

I have been trying for months to get them straightened out.

Roadblocks are an understatement for what I am running into.

Pediatricians are not quick to want to evaluate for ADHD, Hyperactivity etc.

I perservere & keep truckin tho.

In my great state of Jersey, I am finding no peds that take his insurance who are willing to consult.

Sure.

The one ped in this field, who is known for his expertise, will see him.

For a consult visit of $1300.00

Notice where the decimal point is.

I offered a $1 a week til it's paid but they didn't seem impressed with that offer.

I am now trying some natural remedies to help Cheeks.

It's been 2 days so no effect yet but maybe tomorrow or in a few weeks.

He's so impulsive.

Can't keep still.

Is extremely mouthy.

Always wants his way.

Keeps going & going like the energizer bunny.

I am overwhelmed & exhausted with it all.

As his mom, I am his advocate.

I will do what I have to do.

Don't even ask about the babysitting situation.

Still at a standstill.

I even joined SitterCity.

Now, the 17yo, that's another story.

That shady mcshaderston decided to play his dad against me & vice versa.

Huge mistake.

Huge.

He is now grounded with no use of the vehicle, permission to see his friends or even his girlfriend.

So I'd just like to say that no one ever told me raising children was so challenging.

Holy Moley.

I think I'm gonna start to drink...no more Diet Pepsi's for me...I'm going hardcore...bring on the Reg Pepsi.

Tell me, are you having child rearing issues as well?

There's a party....

2011-09-19T20:39:00.001-04:00

Like any good parents Bobster & I try to teach the energetic youngest one of our clan the proper terminology for his genetials.

Ok, I try to teach him the proper terminology.

Bobster & the older boys have him calling them everything from "ning a ning balls" to "meat & potatoes".

Sigh.

Well since he's getting older I have been trying to explain how people need private time to get dressed, go to the bathroom etc. Especially the mommy because she as a girl has different parts.

I have taught him the his genetials are his "private parts" & that only he should really see them and no one else should see them.

The other night he came in the bathroom, naked as a jaybird, & announced he had to "go potty". I was getting his bath ready & told him "g'head".

His reply:

"Mommy, you have to leave or you will see my private party"

Yes, there is a party in my son's pants.

I coudn't be more proud.

Catchin Up

2011-09-13T20:41:00.000-04:00

See this child.
He has been keepin me busy.

Wait, lets rephrase that...he's been keeping the principal at his new school busy.
Everyday since the first day he's had to go to the principal's office due to being defiant, not listening, disruptive.

The state worker who evaluated him suggested help.
The state said he didn't meet the criteria.

I beg to differ.

He pretty much vibrates just standing still.

My pediatrician diagnosed him with one question: "Can he sit & watch a movie he likes?"
We replied: "Yes"
His response "Well he's not hyperactive"

Thanks for that diagnosis Doc.
I think my doctor is old school.
For cryin out loud, he was my pediatrican & I am no spring chicky.

I am still trying to find a pediatrican who will see him to give him a more in depth evaluation.
We have already been the Child Study Team route & he was fine academically...that is all they check for.

He's a smart cookie just hard to corral.

Any tips would help.
I was thinking duck taping him to the wall but then that would leave that black goo on the wall & I'd have to clean it off.
So that's out.

Perhaps I will just quit my job, work as a hooker at night so I can homeschool him during the day.
Then again I think that won't work because let's face it...I skeeve people that I really don't know & finding a good corner is so hard these days.

Any suggestions?
Anything?
Bueller?
Bueller?

Someone's turning....

2011-09-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

That's right.

The big 4-0 has hit someone in this house.

Not me, I hit that 14 months ago.

Instead Bobster has turned the big 40!!!

Have a blast on your day honey as only you can:

Then take a nappers:

Enjoy!

We love you!!!!

I have an announcement, burp, what? Seal it!

2011-09-07T20:42:00.000-04:00

I'd like to take this moment to let you all know I have become a
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
wait for it
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
a Man!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Just wanted to see if you were paying attention.
Seriously I have come a:

Tupperware Woman!

I am so excited about this new venture.
I think this is a good fit for me & I love me some Tupperware.

So please, please, please, take a look at my site and let me know what you think & of course, if there is anything you are interested in *cough**cough**hint**hint*

My Tupperware site: Click me!

Thanks everyone!!!
.

He grew up on me!

2011-09-06T10:13:00.000-04:00

Who gave him permission to do that?

Grow up?

I sure didn't.

Sigh.

My big kindergartener.

Come check this out

2011-09-04T16:17:00.000-04:00

Psst, head over here: Meghan's Mindless Mutterings: Reviews & Giveaways

I am having a giveaway.
Holla!

Faith, it's what helps

2011-09-01T22:26:00.000-04:00

I know, I know, I am not a religious blog.
If you know me or have read my blog you know that I am LDS.

Why is all this relevant today?

I just have to say that I have recently seen blessings in my life that came to me when I needed them most.

A few weeks back, short on cash & facing a huge, huge, huge dilemma, I received payment for a blog post on my other blog. It came in the nick of time. I knew I was receiving it I just didn't know when. It arrived, helped me pay what I had to & then I was able to rest easy.

Today I had another dilemma. I didn't know what I was going to do & it was going to effect my employment. Somehow, my neighbor, unknowing that I was having this problem, offered to help me out. I had asked her earlier but she had a prior committment. By her offering this, I will sleep well tonight.

These two events in my life are blessings and have shown me that Heavenly Father knows when I am having problems and has shown me his love by helping me. I can't explain it, I just know I was blessed and Heavenly Father is always there for me.

I may not go to church as often as I should but I know that my church is true and that Heavenly Father and Jesus are always there for me. Always. They will never let me down, I just have to have faith. . . .

WW ~ Modern Day Tom Sawyer

2011-08-31T07:06:00.003-04:00

Irene's Aftermath

2011-08-28T21:07:00.000-04:00

Cheeks & I went for a walk today. It was windy but the temperature was divine. I only had my cell phone & thankfully in our little area we fared pretty well in the wake of Hurricane Irene. This is the back of the pump house at our pool:

Here's the splash pool that I have shown pics of before.

Finally the tree across the street from our house, closer to the lake.

Things could have been so much worse. I am thankful they were not. How did your area fare?

Enough is Enough

2011-08-28T11:30:00.000-04:00

Do not be fooled, this is NOT a picture of Bobster in all his glory.
Looks just like him I know!

I digress.
Enough is enough with the weather here in NJ.

First an earthquake, then a hurricane with tornado watches.
Someone obviously pissed off Zeus or Mother Nature.

I'm not sure which.

We've had enough.
Bring back the hot, humid, dog days of summer & let's call it even...m'kay?

How is the weather in your neck of the woods been?

That Doesn't Happen Here...til Today.

2011-08-23T21:01:00.000-04:00

That's New Jersey.
My state.
See the words that say Camden (right by the Delaware River & across from Philly), I pretty much live right there.
In Camden County.
See where it says Mt Holly.
I work there.

Here in NJ we don't get a lot of weather related stuff.
Sure, Nor'Easters, Torrential Rains, effects from hurricanes. But Earthquakes?
Nope.
Not in all my life do I remember one.
Til today.

There I was.
Sitting at my desk, tooling around the internet, not that I do that at work, I am just embellishing part of the story for artistic sake.

So there I am.
All of a sudden, my office chair starts to rock back & forth.
The lights above me starts to swing
&
You can hear the tin tiles on the roof shaking.
We are having an addition put on so at first we thought it was the crane hitting the building.
My poor supervisor didn't know what to think.
Then we realized...EARTHQUAKE.

In Jersey.
Home of the attitude & big hair.
Home of Theresa from the Housewives.

We are not made for this.
While it lasted 10 seconds and was really the aftershocks of what hit Virginia, it is something that I don't care to experience again.

I'm good.
Really.
Bring on the snow.
Bring on the rain.
Bring on the humidity.

Leave the earth shaking to the states that are used to it...thank you very much.

Tell me did you feel the effects today?

Relatives are all relative

2011-08-18T20:34:00.000-04:00

I totally stole this picture from my sister in law, Rita...Hi Rita! That's her hubs in the pic but really the pic is all about the kid on the back.

That's my Dan.
My nephew.
Man, I love that kid.

Really how could you not?

Happy 5th Birthday

2011-08-16T21:11:00.001-04:00

I'm not really sure where the last 5 years have gone.

How can he be going into Kindergarten in 3 weeks?

It can't be. It is. He's 5 now. A big boy.

Happy Birthday Buddy! We love you!!!!

I read, do you?

2011-08-14T11:54:00.003-04:00

I love to read. I must...I was an English major in college. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is the latest book I devoured!

What an absolutely mind absorbing book.
It's non fiction and grabs you from the first line.

Henrietta Lacks is aka HeLa cells. The cells that helped developed the Polio vaccine and many other medical advancements.

This is the story of her family and how they found out.

Some of the chapters are developed to biology and I felt like I was in high school again, trying to just pass with a C. Science is not my strong point.

The majority of the book is dedicated to the story of Henrietta's family. The history and present day. Henrietta's family didn't question doctors about anything. The consequences are told through out the book.

While reading I was actually appalled at how the medical community treated the Lacks. Treated "blacks" as a whole back in the 40's. Growing up in the 70's & 80's, even today, I am amazed that humans were treated like this. I can't fathom it. My jaw slacked open quite a few times while reading, especially the end.

So if you need a good read, not a light read, a good interesting read then check this book out.

It doesn't disappoint!

Tell me, what are you reading now?

Yo, Hey, Lawrys Giveaway!

2011-08-13T11:04:00.003-04:00

Psst!
Check it out:

That could be yours.

Come see how over here: Click me! Click me!

Boo...what?

2011-08-08T22:15:00.001-04:00

Boobies.
Tatas.
Breasts.
The twins.
The girls.
Taters.
Kasaba melons.

Call em what you want but all females have them.
Some smaller, some larger, some average.

Wanna take a guess where I fall?
That's right.
On the larger scale.

All. My. Life.

Really, I am grateful I have them.
I just have to say that man, they can get in the way sometimes.
They are just always there.
Sometimes, when wearing a bra & laying down, they are by my chin.
Don't laugh.
That's a heck of a lot better than when I lay down & am not wearing a bra.
Hello...water balloons overboard.
Not pretty.

And if I am trying to pass someone in a crowd, it it inevitable that they brush up against someone.
It's usually a man.
So I am embarrassed, apologize profusely and try to skidaddle asap.

It's just that sometimes I feel like I can't get out of my own way.
I'd love to get a reduction but then I would look like even more like a beached manatee.

At least you can find me if I ever go under water.
Just look for the floating boobies.

Tell me, do you ever wish yours were smaller, bigger or do you love em just the way they are?

This is how we roll...

2011-08-06T19:54:00.000-04:00

Start your day with a little face painting at the farmers market.

End it with a dip in the pool!

How do you roll on the weekends?

PSA for August 2011

2011-08-05T19:52:00.003-04:00

I'd like to use this PSA to talk to all the brides out there.
The ones who are planning their weddings.
Dreaming about their dresses.

I, being an avid watcher of "Four Weddings", "Say Yes to the Dress", "Say Yes to the Dress~Atlanta" & "Bridezilla's" not to mention other wedding shows, knows a thing or to about the do's & don'ts on your big day.

Let me show you the #1 don't on your list:

SHAZAM!

Fingerless, elbow length gloves.

Sure Madonna rocked this look in the 80's.
I may have coveted a pair when I was in my early high school career.

Today, in 2011, no, no, no.
This does not lend an air of class to your day.
In my tv watching experience, it lends an air of "retired or future pole dancer" to your day.

It really takes away from the beauty that is your gown & you.

People are focusing on your gloves, thinking, "Do I give them the gravy boat or will she shake her money maker at the reception for dollar bills?"

Shhh...I know what you are thinking, it's not true.
It is.
True.

So please before you try those babies on, think of your photos when you've been married for 50 years.
Do you really want to look at them & wonder what happen to those & your platform lucite heels?

Just sayin!

A boy scorned...

2011-07-31T15:31:00.003-04:00

It all begin with an after dinner swim at the pool.
Cheeks met a girl. I chronicled the budding romance here.

Last night we went to the pool for our extremely early evening swim.
She was there.
I saw her first and pointed her to Cheeks.

He quickly got out of the pool.
Put his hands on his hips and walked like John Wayne in a last showdown over to her.
She was in the water.
He strutted back and forth.
Finally saying "Hi Alexis"
She smiled.
Waved.
That was it.

Cheeks was not understanding that she was playing with her girlfriends.
2 other 8ish year old little girls.
He just kept trying to get her attention.
Yelling at her, waving, saying "Look at me!"
Alexis was having her girls night out & wanted no parts of a "boy".
Guess playing Cougar for the evening wasn't on the agenda.

I comforted him by letting him play in the splash pool.
He found solace with all the trucks, cars & beach balls in the pool.

We left with the final words from Cheeks being "I guess Alexis left."

I had to pull his lip up off the ground.

Have no fear, he spotted the very tan, brunette 15 year old life guard on our way out. His eyebrows wiggled and he asked if we could go back and play with her!

Sigh.
This. Is. My. Life.

I. Can. Read.

2011-07-26T21:57:00.003-04:00

So I do.
Here is what I just finished reading:

Can I just say...what a great book.
Yes.
Losing It by Valerie Bertinelli is really good.

By the title one would think it would be about losing all the weight she did.
Nope.
It's an autobiography.

She talks about life growing up, life in Hollywood, life with Eddie Van Halen & life as a mom.
I never lost interest.

I was astonished at some of the things she admits.
Her image doesn't really fit with what her life was really like.
Her writing is like listening to her speak on a talk show.
You can hear the sweetness in her voice as a writer.
Which is one thing I definitely admire.

Very easy read as well.
One that I didn't want to put down.
Sad say but her life is a page turner!

If you are looking for a light read to keep you going this summer, then get this book!

Tell me what have you read lately?

Ciao!

He's a baller, He's a playa...

2011-07-23T16:45:00.001-04:00

The East Coast is in the middle of a gosh awful heat wave.

Disgusting really.

So we've been hitting up the pool.

We live right across the street from it.

I think it takes 20 seconds to get there.

Mr. Suave & Debonair up there loves it.

Last time we were there the girl behind him, approximately 8ish, took a liking to him and he lead her around like a horse chasing a carrot.

That's "Mr. Playa" to you.

Earlier there was another little girl who wouldn't leave him alone. He played with her but didn't show much interest.

You see Cheeks likes girl with dark hair, dark eyes, dark skin. That little one was blonde & blue eyed.

Notice the little chica up there...dark hair, dark skin, dark eyes.

He was in love!

Guess he likes the total opposite of his mother, since I am about as glaring pale as you get with red hair & green eyes.

I fear for the teen years.

Earlier, the 17yo has a "friend" come over.

She was pale like me, blonde & blue eyed.

Nice girl.

Cheeks was like "Yea, she's ok"

Sorry she didn't meet your criteria.

I do not encourage this with Cheeks. I think he has plenty of time to like girls, he's a little boy.

It's just hard not to laugh when I see him gravitating towards certain kids or should I say girls.

I will continue to not encourage him but I can't promise to not laugh when I hear him say "So yea, I live around here, how 'bout you?"

Caio!

Snippets of Life in the Casa

2011-07-19T20:54:00.004-04:00

It's hot.
White hot.
Africa hot.
The heat index is over 100 & the humidity...forget about it.
Ugh.
As soon as I open my door to go outside my hair poofs to 3x's it's size.
Then sticks to my neck.
Hate it.
That's life in Jersey.

On a lighter note, Cheeks asked me if he could flick my freckle the other day.
I have a mole on the base of my neck & it's risen, not just flat on my skin.
Of course I told him no & then showed him his own flat freckle on his arm that he could flick.
His response:
No, Mommy, my freckle is flat, I wanna flick your freckle because its a mountain, no flat.
Um, thanks.

I am in the process of getting him evaluated for ADHD or Hyperactivity or both or none.
This has been going on for a long time.
Roadblock after roadblock is what I seem to hit.
This evening I made a little progress, so keep your fingers crossed that something will give and we will be able to get the help we all need.

What I haven't said is that Cheeks has been kicked out of 3 preschool in a little over a year.
Currently, he's attending a new one.
3rd week and everyday but the first two I have received phone calls in regards to his behavior.

Very frustrating.

If you have experience like the one I am currently having I'd appreciate any advice you are willing to give.

I've put my appointments to get my own health checked out (i.e. severe stomach pains, non stop intestinal issues) on the back burner.
It sucks but I really don't have the time to take off from work nor do I have the copayment moola.

I digress.

Let's end on a happy note.

It was my birthday this past Saturday & Bobster made me breakfast in bed.
OOOOOH! LALA!
I loved it.
Wish is was my b-day every day.

Caio peeps!

41 Things for a 41st Birthday

2011-07-16T16:29:00.000-04:00

They say it's your birthday.
Danananananana
It's my birthday too!

Seriously, it's my birthday today.
41.
Sigh.
Where did the years go?
One month from today Cheeks will be 5.
5!!!

I digress.
Today I am going to be totally shameless and post a post entirely about moi.

41 things about moi.

Can you stand it?

Let's start:
1. My middle name is Kathleen.

2. I am the 13 years & 6 days older than my sister.

3. I have a birth mark on my pinky toe, which The Nana thought was poo & tried, relentlessy to remove.

4. My fav movie is a tie between "The Matchmaker" w/ Janeen Garafelo & Dennis Leary and "Steel Magnolias"

5. I was on Dancin On Air in high school. Local dance show that branched to Dance Party USA which I was on that show. The show that launched Kelly Ripa's career.

6. I'm LDS.

7. My favorite dinner is chicken cutlets, green beans & mashed potatoes.

8. I split my upper lip when I was little & had a huge bump on it for years, it's since gone away.

9. I failed gym in high school, not once but twice.

10. I am math challenged. It's so sad.

11. I secretly love iCarly. She is just so cute.

12. I was 36 when I gave birth to Cheeks.

13. Flew to Fl to meet a guy I knew just from the internet.

14. I married someone (not Bobster) that I met on the internet.

15. Met Bobster on a blind date.

16. I lived at home til I was 31.

17. I didn't drive until I was 21.

18. Still have my tonsils.

19. Finding 41 things is hard.

20. I type with my fingers on the correct keys & do not have to look at the board thanks to taking typing in high school....that's right...typing, not keyboarding.

21. I was playing with Barbie when I was 12.

22. Favorite # is 15.

23. I despise water ice.

24. If I could cook in my crockpot every day I would.

25. Chore I hate the most...cleaning the bathroom.

26. Chore I love the most...food shopping. Could do it every day.

27. I love to use coupons. Love it! Love it! Love it!

28. Favorite color is pink.

29. Fav ice cream: Turkey Hill Chocolate Marshmallow.

30. Fav candle scent: Yankee Candle Cherry Lemonade.

31. I took Spanish 1 two years in a row. I am a scholar no?

32. My degree is in English w/ an Elementary K-5 certificate. Yes, the state of NJ has deemed me educated enough to teach your children.

33. I work in customer service.

34. All time fav song: Rock the Boat by some group from the 70's.

35. Secretly wish I grew up in the 40's.

36. Glad I was born when I was because if I didn't have a/c, microwaves & cable I'd go stir crazy.

37. Addicted to blogs!

38. Lived in NJ all my life.

39. I was in Dublin, Ireland on vacation and ran into someone I knew.

40. Love to thrift store shop.

41. Glad this list is over.

Now tell me something about yourself.

Caio!

Production Duction, What's Your Function?

2011-07-11T20:28:00.002-04:00

Alright, who remembers the original School House Rock?
I loved those little education diddies.

Ahem, "I'm just a bill, sitting on Capitol Hill".

Anyway, when I say I've been productive, I have been productive.

First, I cooked dinner 2 nights in a row.
Yea, go me.
Seriously, this is productive. I usually cook a night, make pasta, then order out, then make a sandwich, then go with cereal, then say screw it & feed the children bagels & yogurt.
I am stellar, no?

Anyway I made Tuscan Pork Chops night before last.
OMG! Delish.
If you want, I will post the recipe. Let me know.

Tonight, caesar salad & tacos.

Then I cleaned up & made a meat loaf for dinner tomorrow.
Although it is quite small, so it may just be for Bobster but cest le vie.

Then I started the laundry.
Put some laundry away.
Gave Cheeks a bath (well ok he played, I poured soap over him, bath over).

Now I just have to make the King's lunch.

How have you been productive lately? Let me know.

What I've Read Lately

2011-07-09T12:55:00.000-04:00

The Borgia Betrayel by Sara Poole
At first many characters are introduced so it was a bit much but all the characters are a vital part of the story. Set in 1493, Rome Italy, the tale follows that of the Pope's Poisoner, Donna Francesca and her plight to stop the murder of the Pope.

Many twists, turns and attention to detail of that century pepper this novel. Donna Francesca is a character you can relate too but one that makes you stop & think, hmmm. was a woman really this "powerful" in this century? Perhaps she was, we will never know.

What I really liked about this book is that it makes you want to turn the page, find out what comes next.

What I didn't like, was the ending. Sara Poole leaves the ending open for sequels. Smart for her, sucky for me as the reader. I like a good clean ending. Tie up all the loose ends. Happy endings are my type!

Tell me, what are you reading this summer?
Give me a suggestion for my next book.

What's the number again?

2011-07-07T22:28:00.004-04:00

Tonight, Cheeks & I got caught in a really bad storm.

Luckily for us, we were inside the store picking up my medication.

Cheeks is not a fan of thunder...at all. So when the thunder clapped really loud he asked me, in all seriousness, to make it stop.
I told him I couldn't only Heavenly Father or Jesus could.

So with his big blues eyes he looked at me & quietly asked "Would you call Jesus & ask him to make it stop?"
I laughed & said "I can't. You have to pray to Jesus or Heavenly Father & ask them"

Thinking I had averted this situation we sauntered to the front of the store.

Only to have my son ask the crowd, gathered at the door, for someone, anyone, to please call Jesus & make him stop.

He then asked the woman behind the counter at the pizza place.

While sitting in the pizza shop, waiting the storm out, it thundered again.

He put his hands on his ears, looked up at the ceiling & asked "Please Jesus, please make it stop!"

I love him!

Conversations with a preschooler

2011-07-06T19:24:00.000-04:00

Yesterday
Me: How is your new teacher? Do you like her?
Cheeks: Yes, she's cute.
Me: Cute?
Cheeks: Yes, she looks like a kitty cat. She's cuuuuuuuuuu-uuuuuute!

Today
Me: Do you know what tomorrow is?
Cheeks: No
Me: It's Mister Softee day. Do you know Mr. Softee?
Cheeks: Yep, he's the giant ice cream head. Is the ice cream head coming to our school.

I love this kid!

*Disclaimer: Yes that is the most recent pic of me. I have since "enhanced" my hair & gone a rapid weight loss regime b/c O.M.G!

Latest News in Casa de Meghan

2011-07-04T07:41:00.000-04:00

Life.
It keeps us on our toes, no?
It has been keeping me busy, that's for sure.

For instance, we have a graduate among out mists:

That is Miss Vanessa...we love her!
He graduated on a Thursday.
That's my little kindergardener up there.

Can you believe it?
He's going to be 5 this August.
I can't stand it.

Of course, one week to the day of his preschool graduation, the director asked to speak to me.
I knew it was coming.
He was kicked out.

What I don't mention on here is that angelic face up there...he has extreme behavioral issues.
He was evaluated with my district's child study team over the course of the winter.
Passed everything with flying colors. Academically...smart as a whip!
The team told me to have my pediatrician to evaluate him for ADHD, ADD or Hyperactivity.
My ped, who was my ped when I was a wee lass...that should give you insight on how old he is, says Cheeks is too young to be evaluated for any of that.

So I have been trying on my own to find a behavioral specialist.
I wanted to take him to another pediatrician who is known to at the top of his field in this area...he doesn't take insurance & it's $1300 for the consult.
Well sign me up!

I've contacted my insurance company to give me names.
They did.
So far I am running into roadblock after roadblock.
Either they no longer participate in his insurance or they do not see children as young as he is.

I'm ready to pull my hair out.

On a brighter note, he starts his 4th preschool since March 2010 this Tuesday.
You read right.
His 4th.

Like I said I've been keeping this to myself for the most part.
The first school he was at, was the longest & they suggested the child study team.
He was asked to leave.

The second school said "We can handle him & he will never be asked to leave."
Imagine my surprise, after being told by the "owner" that my child needed Ritalin, when I got a letter in his cubby saying I had 2 weeks to find a new daycare.

This school was the best out of them all.
Very down to earth.
Miss Vanessa...she's the best!
Very diverse school too but the director, as kind as she could be, told me they couldn't met his needs. He needs more one on one.

Now he is onto his 4th daycare.
Please pray this one works out.
Keep your fingers & piggies crossed that I can find a behavorial specialist that takes his insurance too.

That's some of the latest news, what's going on in your neck of the woods?

Sprouts...they just aren't food.

2011-06-27T22:30:00.000-04:00

I am at Jersey Mom's today.

Discussing Sprouts & not the kind you eat.

Click me! Sprouts.

Walk down memory lane

2011-06-25T22:06:00.000-04:00

Remember being a preteen/teen reading magazines for anything fashion/life related.

I read them all.
For example:

Honestly I thought Teen folded years ago. Like over 20 years ago. Who knew? I used to read this & Young Miss. Loved them both. Sadly I couldn't find any Young Miss covers from when I read it. It was either covers from the 70's & Highlights was more my thing in that decade or YM, which would have been more my sister's era.
I was an 80's Young Miss reader.
Sad that publication folded.

Of course then we have:

I adored this magazine.
It was different than the other mags.
Great fashion but stories that were about issues in the world. Not what eye shadow to wear to the prom.
I remember this issue particularly.
Think it was when I realized these two were not good for each other.

After Sassy folded, the owner developed:

Another hard hitting yet with fashion magazine.
I remember this is where I first read about female circumicision.
Um, Ouch & OMG! Those poor women.

Now in my adulthood, I look forward to reader Food Network Mag, Rachael Ray & Family Circle.

How far I've come.

What brings back your teen memories?

Advice

2011-06-22T22:39:00.000-04:00

This advice goes out to all the singers/groups that are turning out songs left & right.

My advice is...there is no need to say/sing your name in the sone.
Anywhere.

A great example of this is:
Jason Derulo
I really believe that every single he has out he sings his name.

Today I heard a song on a local top 40's station & it was by Nikki Minaj.
I knew it was by her because after a minute, she rapped her name.

Britney Spears did it on her one song where in the beginning she goes "It's Britney b*tch"

Obviously these singers think this is what one should do.

I have decided to start referring to myself in the 3rd person.
Like when I enter a room I will sing "It's Meghan".
When I great my mom I will say "It's Meghan b*tch" I expect to not have any teeth left after that greeting.

So singers/groups, do us a favor, just leave your name out of the songs. The dj/vj will tell us who the song is by. Trust us. That's how it's been since, well, since the age of radio/MTV.

Oh & as for getting your name tattooed onto your body...really?
Is this in case you forget who you are?

Caio!

Psst, over here

2011-06-19T16:40:00.000-04:00

To come see what I thought of Cars 2, click this word: Cars 2

It's the Can Can!

2011-06-18T14:37:00.000-04:00

Did you ever notice soda tastes different from a can then a bottle?

I can’t pinpoint it other than to say perhaps the metal of the can alters the soda.

Whenever I get my drink of choice, Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi, it’s in a 16 oz or is it 20 oz plastic bottle. I get on in the morning & it taste divine. The right amount of sweetness, the right amount of artificial cherry flavoring. Of course, the exact right amount of caffeine to get me going in my morning work routine.

During the day if I get parched I will buy a bottle or can from the vending machine. Occasionally I get the can. I have to tell you, it’s a bit on the fizzy side, tart and not as flavorful. I drink it, it still tastes ok. My mind just wonders if it’s the metal of the can changing the taste. Not concerned about any long effects on my health as I have been drinking diet Pepsi pretty much since I was a teen & that was a looooong time ago.

It just happened to cross my mind.

So tell me, do you think soda tastes different from a can vs. a bottle?

Better yet, do you call it soda or pop?

Babblin Fool

2011-06-13T20:24:00.004-04:00

Children.
Aren't they great when they cooperate for a great photo?
Nothing like getting Bobster's arm in the photo as well.
Thank God they are all varying ages.
I could imagine if they were all 4 & under.
Good Lord!

OOH! OOH!
I won a prize in Target's Bless Your Nest Sweepstakes.
2nd prize, matter of fact.
Are you ready?

Wait for it!

Wait for it!

I won a recycling bin.
Yep.
It's black & says Dasani on it.
We will be using it for toys since we have a big ole recycling bin out back for the complex.
It was a nice surprise tho.
I love to win.

A few weeks back I got a coupon for a totally free bag of Ore Ida Sweet Potato Fries.
Cheeks called them "Tiger Fries" because they were orange & black from were they got a little too done.
Sadly, no matter how done they were, they sucked.
Bobster ate all his only because he was hungry.
I wasn't that hungry & mine hit the trash.
I really just don't get the whole sweet potato phenomenon.
Like the Grandpop says "Good is what you like!"
Have you tried them?
Did you like them?

Now that summer is here, I'd like to address a little wardrobe issue.
I understand it's hot.
I understand plenty of people don't give a hoot about what others think
BUT
Just because of these two reasons, does not give one the right to let it all hang out.
You know what I am talking about.
Bra straps showing.
Muffin tops spilling over.
Cellulite jiggly on the thighs in the Daisy Dukes.
And most of all, unsightly feet in flip flops, sandels, slides, whatever.
It takes minutes to make your feet pretty.
Please.
Do it for the public.

I tend not to wear shorts.
I'm more a capri girl.
Why?
Well Casper is tan compared to me & my thighs are not for the eye of the public.
Trust me.
I am keeping them to myself.

So just a note.
From me.
To you, if you fall in that category.

So tell me, what do you like to wear for the summer.

Caio!

What I'm Reading Now: Here, Home, Hope by Karia Rouda

2011-06-12T15:51:00.000-04:00

Let me tell you about this book...love it!
It is such a fun read.

Here's a little background about it:

Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her ordinary middle-American existence and her neighbors’ seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding but exhausting.

This book is a fun, easy, relatable read.

For the first time in a long time, I relate to the main character. She wants something to call her own, do what she wants to do, loves her dh, her kids & takes in a daughter of her friends. Hello...that's me. I've taken in peeps before. That is just what I do.

Kaira Rouda writes with such ease that I feel like I am in the book. You know it's great when you get that involved. Not to mention I am sneaking, reading it at work. Tsk tsk...that's a no no but my boss is great & she is also an avid reader.

Kelly seems a lot like me. She wants to help others, wants to help herself, please her husband, raise good kids, & decorate all at the same time. Anyone whose followed my blog for awhile knows I am trying to redecorate on a budget...ha...that's means I am not doing anything because we have no budget for decorating but I digress.

Anywho, if you'd like something that is an easy read & will keep your interest make sure to check this book out. You will not be sorry.

Leave me a comment & tell me what you are reading now.
Give me ideas for my next book!

*I received a copy of the book for review from One to One Network. All opinions are 100% mine.

Signature Scent

2011-06-11T20:22:00.000-04:00

Do you have one?
A signature scent that triggers what time of year it is.

I do.
This time of year I love:

I love Yankee Candles Cherry Lemonade.
Screams summer.

I also love their Harvest & Mistletoe.
I'll let you figure out what time of year I burn those.
Don't hurt yourself.

Cherry Lemonade is not part of their regular collection.
I think it's part of their Treasures Collection...don't quote me on that.

Other scents trigger smells associated with certain times of the year or certain memories.

There is a cologne, I have no idea what it is, but when I smell it, I remember being a kid, running around in my Uncle Bob's house. Guess he wore this scent. I think it's Stetson but I don't know...I was like 8.

What scent is your signature scent for certain times of the year?
I'm dying to know.

O is for OMG Olives!

2011-06-06T23:02:00.000-04:00

I’ve had food on the brain lately. Must be because I have really been unable to eat anything except bread products. I’ve been living on bagels & soft pretzels, albeit last night I had mashed potatoes. Having some stomach issues. Hopefully getting them sorted out with all these visits to the docs & specialist.

What this post is really about is: OLIVES.
I do not know whose bright idea it was to eat these but they should be shot.
Don’t get me wrong, I love me some EVOO but an actual olive. Ew, patooey.
I wouldn’t force feed those to my enemy.

They are just so bitter. Then you have that little pimento doohickey if you are eating the green ones. Ick! As for the black olives that are loved by our local diners you can keep those too.

I have never tasted anything worse than an olive. That includes watermelon & if you read my last entry you will know I am not found of watermelon.

For some unknown reason these olives love to show up in pasta salads for the summer. Almost every single recipe I find has those in it. Yes I know I can leave them out but come on! Can’t we find something else to put in ‘cept the olive? Does it even have nutritional value?

I think I am just exasperated with the whole food thing lately.

Tell me what food to you despise?