Tribute to MJ. It was his Birthday....

If you are one of those people that are saying JUST LET MICHAEL JACKSON REST IN PEACE, and you are SO TIRED of hearing about him, this post is NOT for you! Come back tomorrow!





Last night, the kids and I watched "Man in the Mirror. The Michael Jackson Story". I know this movie came out back in 2004, but this was my first time seeing it.




My kids are all things MJ! Anything that has to do with MJ and any song that comes on, they are there, singing right along.



These are kids that had NO IDEA who Michael Jackson was before the day he died. The only song they knew was BEAT IT because it is on Guitar Hero.



On the day of his death, while I was glued to the TV, watching the coverage in awe, Sir-Talks-A-Lot walks in and says, "Ma, who's that funny lookin' white woman they keep showing on TV?"



When I'd composed myself from the laughter and explained to him that the funny-lookin' white woman was Michael Jackson, he responded with, "So what's so big about him? So he died. And?"



Two months later, all of my kids know MJ's work WORD FOR WORD!



Every time we are watching coverage on MJ, Miss Missy always sadly says, "Mama, I wish I would have met Michael Jackson. I wish we had a picture of him."



Their iPods are filled with and CONSTANTLY playing everything from the Jackson 5's oldies, to Heal the World to Billie Jean. Miss Missy says that she doesn't want to listen to any other music unless it's MJ. Personally, it doesn't bother me. My iPod had a huge collection of MJ on it way before his death and I could listen to him over and over because it brings back memories of my childhood.



I am personally thrilled that they are finally getting that man's body in the ground. I'm happy that the investigation into his death is coming along and that they will soon have someone behind bars. Not that I think it excuses MJ for being addicted in anyway, but as doctors, I just feel that someone should have known better.



Yesterday would have been his 51st birthday. I always remembered his birthday because my mom's birthday was on the 22nd and she use to always say something about MJ's birthday being in the same month as hers. I wish I could have been in NY to celebrate with Spike Lee in Prospect Park. I woulda had me a sequin glove and pretended I knew how to moon walk!





You know what? I think I just found my Halloween Costume! Stay tuned!

So, who's the geek?

At the end of a email forward today, I put my blog address and sent it out. An hour later I get a text from my best friend. Apparently, she's finally read my blog. Yeah, she's my best friend, but I don't think the whole blog thing interests her because she's ONE OF THOSE working moms who thinks that NON-WORKING moms are a waste of space.

Okay, she didn't actually say that, but I could tell she was thinking it.

Anywho, the text goes something like this (paraphrasing because I deleted it):

Read your funky blog. So you get tired of your FRIENDS checking on you?

I responded with TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT!

Okay, so yeah I did say something along the lines of not liking people to be all pitiful with me about Chris being gone. I'm pitiful enough on my own!

She says: I'm not gonna call you no more! She called me a computer geek and told me to talk to my computer geek friends!

WAY HARSH, I know! LOL!

That's my girl, though! So, because I know that she will surely be back to read again, I HAVE to leave something especially for her!

Me and my Best Friend!

~NERD DAY 1992~

Yeah I went there.... and it's going on FACEBOOK too!

LOVE YOU!

Mama's on the phone! PAR-TAY!

Y'all, let me tell you! It was one of THOSE nights. With school back in, those kids are suppose to be in the be by nine. Well, I decided to make them fold their clothes before they went to bed because Mama ain't about to be doing all this housework by herself. I didn't wear those clothes!

Anywho, apparently the boys had swallowed a box of giggles at the dinner table because something was really dang-on funny about those clothes.

The problem was, my mom decided to call right before 9, which just so happens to be the worse time for me to be on the phone, when it is time for them to go down.

When I get on the phone, they automatically think it's playtime because Mama ain't gonna do nothin' to us with a witness on the other line!

So while they are suppose to me folding the basket of laundry that was poured on the bed, all I could hear was

HEE HEE HEE KEEE KEEE KEE HEE KEEE HEE HE KEEEEEE!

I went in there and laid out the threats.

Do you think that worked?

No! Because I was still on the phone.

HEE HEE KEEE KEE HEEE KEEE KEEE KEEEEEE!

I took out the belt.

So you think that worked?

No. Because I was still holding the phone.

HEEEE HEE KEEE KEE KEEE KEE HEEE HE KEEE KEE!

I pop their butt! (obviously it didn't hurt) Do you know they laughed at me?!?!?

KEEE KEEE KEEE HEE HEEE HEEE HE KEEE KEEE KEEEEEE!

I hung up the phone.

silence....................

The clothes got folded and the light went off.

Those little twerps know when to play with me!

He called... and I can breathe again.

The last few days have been something. The hardest part is the wait. Waiting for that first call from your soldier, knowing that they are okay but just wanting to hear his voice to verify that 'knowing'.

I spent the weekend inside. Not really expecting to hear from him right away, but still hoping.

I got a lot of calls from friends and family who really just wanted to find out if I was "okay". I know that they all meant well, but I wasn't ready to take any calls. I didn't want to hear the pity in their voices that they felt for poor Kay. I didn't want to hear "So how are you doing?" as if it is expected that because my husband has deployed I am going to fall apart at my seams.

As much as I do appreciate the fact that my people do care about me, it was hard for me to hear their voices showing sympathy for me and my family right now. When I did talk, I immediately took the conversation off of me, as I don't like being in the spot light. The kids are fine, the dog is barking the sky is blue. Anything other than talking about how I am feeling. I know how I'm feeling... it's none of your business... well just don't ask because I don't want to talk about it. I don't want to cry.

Am I okay?

My husband just left for Iraq. I'm lonely. I'm sad. But I'm going to be fine. I just wanted to take the time to myself... until I heard from him.


HE CALLED!


I was so relieved to finally hear from him. I know it hasn't been but a few days, but it felt like so much longer. It's like the world stopped spinning as I waited. And when he called, I felt like I could continue living.

AND it seems to be back to business as usual. The boys have their evaluations for the coming football season, PTO still has a hold on me, and OMG, HOW DID I BECOME AN FRG LEADER????

Hubs called and told me that apparently there was an immediate need for an FRG leader and the commander asked if I'd be interested. Did they realize that I have NO IDEA what an FRG leader does?? I haven't completely agreed, because I'm scared to say yes. For those of you that don't know what FRG is, it's the Family Readiness Group, usually dealing with deployed soldiers and their families. It's the barrier, to contact, the go-to point for spouses who are left behind. It's the group that plans all the functions, the people they call for answers, the shoulders to cry on.

It's the PTO of the Army!

I wanted something that was going to keep me busy and I guess it found me. We'll see how it goes. At this rate, I'm sure to get a volunteer of the year award from some doggone body!

*************************************************************

As for the school business, I have been so out of the loop with me being sick and preparing for this deployment. I've been missing out on the GOOD gossip!

Apparently my son's teacher is a lesbian and apparently she let transvestites in her class on open house.

I'm cracking up laughing here because I know her quite well and can almost guarantee that she is no lesbo. I mean, shucks! She's never once hit on me, so there is no WAY she's a lezbo! I mean, I'm pretty damn HOT! HAHAHAHAHHA!! Yes, I am just all that!! She's never once even brushed up against my boob.

(You know, if I did find out that she was in fact a lezbo, I'd be pretty offended........... I mean, I am hot...... right?)

So, anywho, what trips me out is that if in fact a parade of transvestites did come to open house, would a teacher really stop them from coming into their child's classroom? Some people are so dumb!

My response to the whole thing? "Now, Mrs B., why did you have those transvestites at Open House? You should have waited to invited them for Career Day!"

Part of being an Army Family.........

Coping with deployment is nothing like the other separations. It's a whole different ballgame.

I'm on an emotional high right now and the smallest things can make me tear up. The night he left, I was really quiet.

I was sick, and I'm sure he thought that was why I didn't talk much, but I figured that if I stayed quiet then I wouldn't cry. I knew I had to be strong for the kids' sake.

He'd already mentioned that maybe we shouldn't go to the departure ceremony and started giving reasons as to why we didn't need to be there. It was hot in the gym. The whole ceremony was only gonna last a few minutes.

I immediately cut him off.

There was NO WAY I was gonna miss seeing him off.

NOTHING was going to keep me from being there.

The Soldiers kissed these bears and gave them to their children. The bears are wearing handkerchiefs with the brigade patch.

He didn't want a bear (because he's too old) until I told him what it meant.

Last Hugs

WInner Winner Chicken Dinner

I have a "flu-like virus" according to my doctor.

I went in because I was feeling really close to how I felt back in March (or May?) when I had the FLU.

This isn't a good time as I'm soon to be a single mom.

So, I'm gonna make this short and sweet because I'm about to take some perscription cold medicine with CODINE (ummm, the good stuff!) and be OUT like a light.

So.... drumroll please.................................................

CLUELESS_MAMA @ Guessing all the way!

Congrats to the winner! And thank you all for participating! Special thanks to our sponsors at MomSelect and Suave!

BAMBOOZLED!!!

Don't forget to sign up for my SUAVE SHOWER YOURSELF BEAUTIFUL GIVEAWAY! ENDS WEDNESDAY @ 11:59PM


BACON or TURKEY BACON?

Years ago I was sucked in. "Turkey Bacon is healthier for you," I was told.

Bacon should only come from a PIG! was my response.

One day I reluctantly tried it, and it wasn't half bad! AND it costs LESS than my regular bacon.

Hey! This is perfect for the kids. They barely know the difference anyway. And it's better for them. I was IN! (mostly because it is CHEAPER!)

WELL........................

Oprah's show today revealed that my trusty turkey bacon, that I THOUGHT was a better choice for my kids, is actually the SAME amount of calories and the SAME amount of fat and 25% MORE sodium than the more deliciously wonderful bacon from my beloved PIG! So WHY give up my PORK BACON????

I may have to go out and get me one of those "Eat This, Not That" books. Seems there is something I'm missing!

I'm going back to my regular bacon. They said so on OPRAH!

************************************************************

Yesterday's post was about the kids' post. Today, I'm the one with the cold. Sneezing and runny nose. I've gotta do something about my immune system!

Back to School Colds

I had the flu back in March. The kids didn't get a single sniffle. We went swimming and to Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor waterpark. Not a single sore throat.

So why is it that after the first week of school I have not one, but TWO kiddos with cold symptoms?

Funny thing is, it isn't the one that I would have expected. Sir-Talks-A-Lot is my child that catches everything and seems to have the weakest immune system of the three, but Runnin' Man and Miss Missy are the two coming down with colds.

For Miss Missy, this is something that I was afraid of. This is her first time being in a childcare setting. She was never in daycare because mommy reluctantly opted to be a stay at home mom, at least until the kids were all in school so that we could bypass the whole paying for daycare thing.

Miss Missy doesn't get many colds. When she does, they are usually pretty bad, which is why I was reluctant to put her in a daycare facility, rather then a school for her Pre-K year. Unfortunately, we weren't chosen for the local school Pre-K program. So it was either keep Miss Missy home another year, so find a daycare with the Pre-K program. She's in a daycare.


She developed the sniffles after the first week. In a time where the world is fighting the swine flu, it makes me nervous when the kids are coughing and sneezing with watery eyes. Should I be concerned? In my opinion, daycares are germ infested. More so than the average school. In most centers, I see have children walking around sharing snot and boogers all day long. I'm not there all day, so I'm unsure if they are using proper handwashing or cleaning the toys regularly.

What's my best defense? I would be the one to walk right in that school with my hand dandy bottle of Lysol and have everyone sneezing from the fumes. But I found that my best defense against school colds starts at home. Teaching the kids how to fight off germs.

The most important defense is handwashing. My kids wash their hands after going to the bathroom, before eating and after sneezing or coughing into them. What I'll have to work on is reminding them to wash their hands after playing at friends' homes and after coming home from school. Can you imagine the germs they pick up from that big yellow bus? How many times have you gotten on a school bus and it smelled of bleach or Pinesol? Zero, maybe?

Runnin' Man is already a germ-a-phobe and probably washes his hands more often than I do. Not complaining.

Healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables are also a good way to help fight off colds. Last school year, I made sure that the boys had plenty of oranges in their lunchboxes as they are an excellent source of Vitamin C. I think I over did it on the oranges because eventually the slices started coming back home!

Sleeping is a problem in this house. I know that it is important for kids to get X amount of sleep a night. I have a bedtime set. 9pm. A little late for their age, but WORK WITH ME! I struggle to get them down before 10. Okay the first day of school, they were asleep by 9:01! They were just that ready! Now that the thrill and the new clothes are gone, getting them to bed isn't as easy.

Kids need an adequate amount sleep so that their bodies can fight off germs more efficiently. Having the right balance of rest and activity can belp kids stay healthy.

These are common sense ways of fighting off colds. So why is it so hard to take advantage of something so simple? I must say, I can't STAND to see my kids sick. It simply breaks my heart when they are feeling bad and I can't do a thing about it. I don't know about you, but I plan on doing a better job of keeping my kids healthy this school year. THE SWINE FLU is out there!

I hate dreams like these....

I don't fear too many things. I'm not squeamish. I'm not afraid of bugs. I don't run from lizards or frog. (Snakes. I don't like snakes.)

But I do have fears.

Like all moms, I fear the loss of a child. I've had scenarios going on in my head of how terrible it would be. Crazy thoughts, I know. But the same thoughts go through my head sometimes for all of the people I love. What I would feel if I lost them.

I had a dream last night that I lost one of my children. I dreamed that Runnin' Man came and told me that Sir-Talks-A-Lot was in his bed dead. He was supposed to be asleep. It didn't seem like I was in a rush to get to him or even surprised by the news, which I find strange. I reached up to him as he lay still in his top bunk and he didn't move. I put my arms around him and put my hand on his heart and calmly said, "His heart's not beating."

I started to cry as I hugged him and I woke up. It was 6:20 in the morning. I couldn't go back to sleep. Felt like I wanted to cry, even though I knew I was dreaming.

Then later in the morning, I watched Premonitions, the movie starring Sandra Bullock where she dreamed of her husband's death. This was my first time watching this movie and I couldn't help thinking how coincidental that was.

****************************************************

Okay, so sorry about the grim post. On a good note, Hubs and I took the kids to see G.I. Joe. They loved it. I thought it was a great film as well. I started to just let Hubs take the boys, but decided to go ahead and tag along.

Miss Missy is the girliest-girl ever! When I asked my four year old if she liked the movie, which was totally filled with action and bombs and shooting, she said, "I knew they were gonna kiss at the end!"

Leave it to her to find the one "GIRLIE" thing in the entire film!

A little "Me" time and a GIVEAWAY! - CLOSED

Since school has started and ALL THREE kids are back in school, I haven't been quite so sure what to do with myself.

I mean, I never really had any real time on my hands. Yeah, Miss Missy is one of those "perfect" kids that takes care of herself and pretty much let her TV and her doll house keep her occupied, but there's nothing like being totally alone during the day.

So, now after goodness knows how many years of only knowing how to cater to my kids, I'm home alone.

If you know me, then you know that I spend A LOT of time at my kids' school. I mean, a whole lot! You'd think I was getting a paycheck!

But that's what I love, so that's what I do with my time.

Well this week, I got a lot of advice on what I SHOULD be doing with my new found freedom, none of which included volunteering at the school, mind you.

Take A Nap

Go Shopping

Read a Book

Spend More Time With Facebook

Have a Drink (not sure that this one was good for morning freetime!!)

All were EXCELLENT ADVICE!!

My best friend has called me every day this week and asked if I'd done anything for myself (and to tell me to keep myself out of that school!)


If no one else, she knows that I rarely take time to take care of myself, to nurture myself, to pamper myself. I opt not to get my hair and nails done, as there are more important things to take care of with that cash... football registrations, birthday parties, school clothes. You know, those pesky little everyday life expenses.


Well, I DID take a little time and have a little ME time. Something that is a luxury to me is a bath. I get a good shower in everyday, but to sit in the tub with bubbles, music, a book and maybe a candle lit, is a luxury that this mom only sees every blue moon.

But when Amy at MomSelect offered me a little box of goodies from Suave, the first think I thought about was trying it out in a bath!



Here's what was in my wonderful little box:
· NEW Suave® Naturals Wild Cherry Blossom Indulgent Body Wash
· Suave® Naturals Body Washes for luxurious lather and perfect nose bliss: Apricot Exfoliating and Ocean Breeze
· Suave® Body Lotions for clinically-proven moisturization: Advanced Therapy and Cocoa Butter with Shea


Suave is striving to create relationships with the African American mom community, though their products are obviously suitable for use by anyone.

Now, I'm one of those folks that doesn't really buy the cheaper body products because in my experience, the scents dont last as long, the lotions don't get rid of the ash, or they give me hives! (that's a whole nother story!)

Well I decided to give these a try, to see if, as the commercials claim, Suave really could stand up to the other more expensive products I like to use.

So into the tub I went, the first chance I got. It was not only nice to be able to take a bath without kids knocking on the door to tell me that there were no more paper plates, or that one of the others wouldn't stop passing gas, but the scent of the Apricot Exfoliating Body Wash was AMAZING! My favorite out of the 2 lotions was the Cocoa Butter with Shea. As you can tell, I'm all about good smells! LOL! The Advance Therapy did surprise me, as I expected to feel dry by the middle of the day, but found it to work as well as my current lotion. GOLD STAR!

Holly Robinson Pete, actress and celebrity Mom, has also offered her personal tops for feeling beautiful every day.

So, if you're like me and never take that time to pamper yourself, try some of Suave's products and “Showering Themselves Beautiful” this summer.

For a chance to do just that, I have a GIVEAWAY!!!!!







All the products I got to try, you can try too, and all you have to do for a chance it to win is leave a comment and telling how you pamper yourself.



After that, you can earn more chances to win:



Follow My Blog - Leave a message to let me know you did.

Twitter about this giveaway - Leave a link to your twitter.

Blog about the giveaway - Leave your link in the comments.



Be sure to leave your email so that you can be contacted if you are the winner!

ENDS: Wednesday, August 19, 2007

And the Winner is.......

Silver Hart!

I'm proud to announce the winner of my very first giveaway today.

I used a highly techical form to pick the winner. I each comment a number, wrote the on torn up pieces of paper, and pick one out of a box!

I know, real creative, right?

Now go over and check out this mom and her beautiful kids!

Congrats!

The First Day of School

The first day of school arrived for us on Monday.

This was much anticipated by the kids. They couldn't wait to get dressed in their new school clothes (which I was finally able to buy) and be off to school. They dressed alike, as the usually do on the first day.

It was Miss Missy's very first day of school. Because I've been home, unlike the boys, this was her first school experience. She did, spend about 2 months in a home daycare environment while I struggle to try to become a loan officer about 2 years ago, but that was pretty much it.

She'd been so excited.

I don't know if you all are familiar with the Pre-K lottery we have. There are 20 positions in the boys' school. There were 80+ students trying to get these slots. We weren't one of the chosen.

That left the other 60 kids' parents to go out and search for a Pre-K slot at a daycare facility that offers Pre-K. I have to say that I was smart. Back in May when I realized we weren't gonna have a position at the school, the one where I put it 30 VOLUNTEER hours a week, I signed her up at 3 different schools.

So about a week before the first day, I call my first choice, who'd said they were opening up a 3rd class and she was SURE to have a slot. Guess what. They didn't open the class. Nice of someone to call me.

My other choice, I wasn't really sure about.

So I called around, found a center that still had spots signed her up and on Monday morning, got Miss Missy all dressed and ready for her big debut. I get there and this center was unsanitary unorganized AND there was no teacher! Apparently, she was on the list for the 3rd class that wasn't opened yet. The teacher was "ON THE WAY". I waited a few minutes and left. Never EVER to return again. Remind me to write a letter to the Pre-K Association about that place!

So it was back to the one I'd written off. And after a second look around, with precaution after what I'd seen at "ANGEL WINGS", I decided to give it a try. After all, Miss Missy hadn't stopped talking about going to school all summer. I just couldn't take that away from her.

She cried, Guys! She she a little tear when she knew that I was leaving. Miss Missy has NEVER cried when I left her ANYWHERE! NONE of my kids have cried when I left them anywhere! They all can't wait to be left somewhere and dart away from me when they've gone to school or a babysitter.

It was hard to see her get nervous and stick out her bottom lip.

She didn't cry out or anything. Just got glassy-eyed.

Her teacher took her to look around and I left as they went outside to look at the playground.

My very last little one is in school. I know I should have cried. I know that's what parents usually do when their babies reach such milestones. Instead, when I got home. I did a happy dance! Couldn't keep me from doing the ELECTRIC SLIDE as I cleaned my house IN PEACE!

She came home happy. Couldn't stop the girl from talking and dancing. Apparently, her day was as good as MOM'S! LOL!

They were all thrilled.

FRG and PTO? Am I crazy?

Am I the only one who has kids that start back to school on Monday?

I haven't bought the kids so much as a SHIRT for school yet and I'm not sure when I will find the time. Not only do I have to help out at OPEN HOUSE, my husband's company FRG (Family Readiness Group) has a family day planned. I've also agreed to take a position on the FRG. I want to stay as busy as possible this year to kind of help ease the time as much as possible.

Tuesday was back to "work" for me, as PTO had to be present for the Teacher Breakfast that we host annually.

I was up...... uhh, well I had my alarm clock set for 7am. Do you know the last time I saw the 7am sunlight????

I pushed snooze a few times before getting up. Why would I do that knowing that the kids had to get ready, too? I don't know. Because I'm lazy like that. See, where Karen, out PTO Prez, messed up was telling me the right time that the dang on thing was suppose to start.

RULE #1: Give me an extra 30 minutes! Never give then the right time to arrive. I WON'T MAKE IT! I get that from my mom!

So, the tee shirts came in and they are ADORABLE!!!!

I was so worried about coming up with a school shirt that everyone would like and that would SELL! I think I did it! The teachers were PLEASED with my selection. Everyone was, maybe except for Karen, who was upset that I didn't run it all by her before presenting it to the principal. But, you know me! The HELL with her! She'd been out of town, I did the work, it turned out great. Didn't need her. I think Karen can be a bit a of control freak, and after a year of people whispering in my ear about that, I'm finally picking up on it.

It's funny, because, I'd heard about all the controversy that could be involved in PTO. But I was suckered into the position by my FAVE teacher and went in all jolly and cheerful. Just wanted to help, do my job and make a few people happy. For me, it was never about politics. I would have been fine without the VP title and done the same amount of volunteering. Most people choose not to join because you have these few cliquish folk who are "in power" and think they are OBAMA! Well, with us it really isn't like that. We all seem to get along great with PTO and with the staff and I enjoyed my first year.

This year, I'm hoping will come out the same. If I can get Karen to calm down, reliquish some of her power, allow others to take control of projects, things will be fine. If not, I may just be a PTO member next year (smile).

I'm not sure what I'm thinking taking on all these volunteer positions, but I have a feeling that there are many more out there that will be calling my name this year. Perhaps I need to trade them all in on a JOB! But I think this helps me WORK on that because I guarantee it will look good on a resume'!

When it rains, it poors!

Our trip outside of civilization was an interesting one. I think that because we've been having such a wonderful, busy summer, it was time for God to put the breaks on us and bring us back to the reality of the everyday life of bills, finances and problems.

So, of course the most unexpected thing was Mrs. Ottley's death. Although it wasn't really that unexpected. After all, she was 95. I just didn't know she was that sick, I suppose.

The funeral was a wet one. It was dry during the memorial, but as soon as we were leaving the church to go to the cemetery, the rain started to come down like the dickens!

I mean it PORED! There were flowers turned over all over the cemetery, and Hubs insisted that I wait in the car, as many others seems to do, as the very final goodbyes were said.

The night didn't get any better as we had tons of scatter thunderstorms on into the night.

HENCE, the limb falling on my car. YEAH! The brand new one! Yeah, my 2009 Mazda CX-9 that I didn't want to get but now wouldn't give up. Dented the hood and on the side.

All I kept hearing was, "Well, it coulda been worse.", "At least it didn't hit the window.", "At least now one was in it.", "At least everyone is safe."

Yeah, I'm happy about all that, but it's STILL my brand new whip, maaaaaaannnnn! Do you know how that feels???

Okay, so the tree, thank goodness was on city property and we are currently in the process of getting some estimates and seeing if they are going to pay. THEY BETTER! For one, I can't afford the $1000 deductible it's gonna cost me if they don't. Two, IT'S A NEW CAR, MAAAAAAN!

So, now we have the "home going" and a dented up car. Next? Why is it that his mom failed to mention that there was no HOT WATER in their house?? Hmmm???? So here we are 5 bodies and no hot water. Apparently the heater has been out since our last visit. (sigh) Don't even want to go there..........

There were issues with my step daughter that I won't even go into either. All I will say is that this little 14 year old HOT and SASSY chick done tore her drawers with me and her daddy! And lets just say that she ended up with an ultimatum that she didn't like. Either she gets herself together within the next 12 months or she will pack up and come and live with us.

Hopefully, she gets her stuff straight cause it would be hell trying to tame and retrain an unruly 15 year old to live by my standards without having to beat the black off of her. But, (smile), I would do my best.....

After 6 days in the HOOD, out of my comfort zone, in an area of town where you don't want to be, don't feel safe and aren't use to, we came home. Yesterday afternoon, we come home to a leak from the ceiling in our kitchen! My house is 4 years old! Can someone tell me why I have a leak in my ceiling? Why has my AC unit in the attic overflown water that has caused damage to my kitchen? Why is that another $1000 deductible that I may be paying?

Now while we got the leak to stop before the ceiling caved in, (thank goodness I changed my mind about heading out to look for school clothes!) the ceiling is now ugly!

All these crazy things right before Hubs' "desert vacation"!

I hate to ask, but what else can............????

My Very First Giveaway! School Supplies, Anyone?

We're right on the doorstep of the first day of school. I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad about this.

Any other time, I'm usually thrilled that the summer with arguing, whining kids is over. This year, I think we had such a great time I hardly want it to end.

Or it could be that this year, I pretty much start back with them as I live in the PTO life. (HA!)

Perhaps it could be that this year may be a little bittersweet as my youngest is starting Pre-K.

(I say this as I do the happy dance, chanting I'm free! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! I'm free!)

Still, I think that I'm just not ready because I have NOT finished school shopping.

Is anyone else out there as overwhelmed as I am about the seemingly growing school supply lists? Is it me or are the schools starting to ask for everything except for the kitchen sink nowadays?

So while the economy gets worse, times get harder, pocket get thinner and tighter, kids still have to go to school and still have to have those supplies.

Does anyone remember the days when all you had to do was show up at school?

Anyone? Am I showing my age here? The teacher gave you a piece of paper and a pencil and you did your work. Those were the good ol' days. I guess I need to stop complaining. I hear some lists have started including toilet paper!

Pencils, pens, notebooks, crayons, and is Sir-Talks-A-Lot really going to need 16 glue sticks?

That's why I was so glad that My Blog Spark hooked up with Box Tops for Education and sent me a "TOP THIS" prize pack filled with school supplies, just in the nick of time!

Avery has some great sturdy products that can even hold up to my kids. The 1" binder is great for my 7 year old, whose binder came home in 2 pieces last year. I was so glad to see the JUMBO sized glue sticks because, as I said, they must go through a lot of those! The big ones last maybe 3 times as long! And the highlighters, well, those will come in handy for me as I am trying to keep all of my MOM stuff in order, color-coding PTO from FRG from family life.

Covered in that box also for the first few days of school, if they last until then, is breakfast and after school snack. Now, I have some picky eaters around here and finding something that suits them all is nearly impossible, but when I pulled a box of Pillsbury Toaster Strudel out of the freezer in the frozen food isle, I got YAY's!! all around. I think that the best part for the kids is being able to squirt the frosting on the strudel.

In the frozen snacks isle, I was able to pick up a 40 count bag of Totinos Pizza Rolls, compliments of my little box as well. I only got 2 YAY's that time as Runnin' Man doesn't care for the tasty little snack as the other two do. That's okay, I'll be more than happy to take over his share!

Now, if you collect Box Tops for Education for your school, you'll be happy to know that all the products in my little box, except for the highlighters, participate in the Box Tops program. It's a great program, really. All you have to do is clip the little thingy off of products you are already buy them anyway, send them into the school and you are helping with fundraising!

Each top is worth 10 cents. Okay, that may not seem like much, but not only did I get a box full of great school supplies for the kids, but I also got $2.10 worth of Box Tops to go towards the school! Every little bit counts when your school is in need of recess equipment and a basketball court!

So, if you are still with me as I have babbled about my wonderful little box of goodies, then you will be happy to know that I am priviledged to to be able to give away the same little box to one lucky reader!

WHOO HOO! My First Giveaway!

WIN IT: I'm not going to make it too hard for you to win. All you have to do is tell me in a comment leave a comment telling me what your favorite thing was about the first day of school when you were a kid.

MORE CHANCES?

Follow my blog!

Join MyBlogSpark

Then leave a comment and let me know you have!

Easy enough? Cool! The contest will close on Wednesday, August 13 at 11:59 pm.

Giveaway open to US residents and ends August 12, 2009 at 12 noon EST. Winner will receive coupons in place of actual products for the Pillsbury Toaster Strudel and Totino's Pizza Rolls. All prizes will come directly from MyBlogSpark. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.

All Info, Prizes and Product are offered my MyBlogSpark.

Final Goodbyes

First of all, please be so patient with me as I have not been able to post as much as I would have liked this summer.

It's been a busy one.

But I can guarantee that very soon, I may have more time on my hands than I want and you may get tired of all that I have to say!

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I was out of touch for a while. I mean, I was DISCONNECTED from the world of the Internet and it was killing me!

We spent about 6 days visiting Hub's family, and let me tell you, it ain't easy not having the Internet for that long.

I think I'd started going through withdrawals! Shaking and sweating and stuff... 4 real, ya'll!

Okay, so we had a death in the family unit.

Well actually, she wasn't blood family, but, even to me, she was like a family member.

Mrs. Ottley was 95 years young and, oh what a feisty something she was! She was a neighbor to Hubs' mom, and someone I met right after we were married and took fondly to right away.

Mrs. Ottley called her self our auntie and treated our kids like her own grand kids, I guess since she had none herself.

Growing up, Hubs use to go down to her house, help her out with anything she needed done. Bringing in the mail, taking out the trash, raking leaves, whatever. And she paid him for it, probably what she thought was a lot, but many times was probably enough for a value meal.

But he didn't do it for the money. Hubs has a good heart. He saw someone with a need and he was there to help.

At the funeral, he spoke with tears in his eyes about how she helped to mold him into the person he has become. Her giving him little odd jobs to do kept him out of trouble and gave him a sense of responsibility and respect and pride. She help to raise him, so to say, like in the old days when every older person on your street was able to set you straight. He loved her and in the short time that she was apart of my life, so did I.

Have you every sat and listened to your elders tell stories for their young days? Boy, that was my favorite part of out talks. She told me the story of her life and those are the times that I will cherish the most.

So this I have to say, as I'm sure you all have heard so many times before:

You never know when some one's last days might be. You may never be able to say goodbye. Call and talk to those that you love now. Cherish them when they are here. Send my flowers while I'm living! I'd rather be able to know how you feel while I'm living rather than hear in in my final goodbyes.