Happy 2009!!

I want to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!!

Momma's Boys

Does anyone besides me and my mother watch this show? It's like a train wreck that you just can't tear your eyes away from, even though you know what's about to happen. I am usually not into reality TV shows, but this one is great!! 32 women start off in one huge mansion. Each of them are trying to win the affections of not only 3 men, but their MOM'S!! The moms live in this house with them. It's only been on for 3 weeks now, but it has fast become a favorite of mine. The only problem is that it's on Monday nights, the same time as my beloved Prison Break. And now another favorite show of mine, House, is also moving to Mondays. Thank heaven for TiVo.

Next time, a little warning please!

So today I get up early (OK, 7am. It's early to me!) and go to the dermatologist's office to have some moles looked at. I try to go at least once every year, especially since I have had a lot of sun burns over the years. Living in Florida does that to you. Anyhow, it is decided that I need to have 3 removed. Mostly because they irritate me, not because they look dangerous. Well 2 of them are large and need to have a little numbing shot first. Normally the shots don't hurt at all (and I am a HUGE baby, so when I say it does not hurt, it really doesn't), but this time they burned. I'm told it happens when the moles are big. The shots work and I'm blissfully pain free while she removes them. Then comes the 3rd one. It's so tiny that she didn't think it needed to be numb. So when she steps away, the assistant comes up to me and burns it off! OMG!!! "Oops" she says. She thought the PA numbed me up first! I'm glad my kids weren't with me, because I said a few things that no minor child needs to hear their mother say. *sigh* At least I don't have to go back for another 6 months.

Aah, the sweet stuff!

Why, I'm talking about Blog Candy of course!! I thought I'd add a small list of those gals that are uber-creative, who are also giving away stuff on their blogs. One can never have too much candy!!


Melissa at Creating from the Heart has candy until 12/31.
Kara at Kara's Kitchen Creations has candy until 12/29.
Jude at Crafts Internation has birthday candy until 1/12.
Linanna at Linanna Designs has blog candy.
Karen at Crafty Goings Ons has candy until 1/1.
Maria at Imagine, Create, Inspire has candy until 12/29.
Sally at Bootiful Stamps has candy every week.

Can I have a Hamster?

Years ago I told my husband that I wanted to try and become a surrogate. Even though it's been a few years, it has always been in the back of my mind. It's something that I haven't taken lightly. Well, recently I have been in contact with a company in California, who has already accepted the first part of my application! Nothing has been decided and even if I pass all the tests, I might find that it's not for me. We'll see. Anyhow, tonight at dinner, I was telling Declan about what I wanted to do. He had all the expected questions and I told him what I thought a 6 year old needed to understand. Our conversation went something like:

Me: "I've been thinking of trying to be a surrogate."

Declan: "What's a surrogate?"

"Well, I would grow a baby in my tummy for someone else."

"Why can't they grow their own?"

"Well, sometimes a mommy's tummy doesn't work right. Mine does, so I can give them something that they really want. A baby."

"I think you should you give them Maeve."

"Um, no. I would grow their own baby for them. When the baby is born, they take it home with them and take care of him or her."

"Can I have a hamster?"

"I think you are missing the point here. And NO! You cannot have a hamster!"

It's Gonna be a New Year!

And now, we rest.

I'm sorry that it's been a very long time since I've posted anything. Everything has been so crazy this past week. My daughter had her girl scout ceremony/cookie swap last Monday. Oh My Goodness! We left with 6 dozen cookies that were out of this world. My new favorite is a red velvet cookie that is almost like a moon pie with cream cheese filling. So good!! My parents came into town Monday night to spend the holidays with us. I love when my parents come to visit. They live in another state and I miss seeing them every weekend, like I used to when Aislinn and Aidan were small. We went to Mass on Christmas Eve like we do every year. This year, we decided to try a new church. Still Catholic, just a different one. We got there an hour early, because in the past if we didn't, we ended up standing the entire time. Well, I guess not too many people go to this church, because it was not nearly as crowded as we expected. However, it is a small church, and really beautiful, and I think I will go back. Christmas morning was a lot of fun. I woke up at 5am and couldn't go back to sleep! I still get very excited even though I'm beyond my childhood years. I heard the boys talking about 6 and since they have been told NOT to come out of their room until 6:30, I wanted to check on them anyhow. As I get to their bedroom door, I notice that the bells I hang on their doorknob (so I can hear them if they get up) were gone!! Apparently my 6 year old very quietly took them off, hid them under his bed, and went out to investigate while we were sleeping! He even confessed to me that he does this every year. WHAT!!?! So much for trying to capture that "first look" when they come into the living room!! Oh well. This year, we didn't video record them. It gets too crazy. Well, within an hour, my kids tore through everything. (And I've got plenty of pictures to scrapbook.) My son Declan got a new bike, (which he thought was Aidan's - so much for peeking!) Aidan got a Ripstick, Aislinn got her Nintendo DS and Maeve got her tent and a new, pink calculator. Not sure what my 3 year old needs that for, but it's what she asked for and Santa did not disappoint. Me, I got something that *sparkles*!! MY OWN diamond earrings, courtesy of my mom and dad!! I love them! Now I don't have to borrow Aislinn's. I do have a few returns, but I didn't feel like going out and dealing with that. My parents left at noon today and Maeve cried. All she wanted was for her Nana and Papa to stay, it was so sad. So today was spent playing board games, putting together puzzles, playing new Wii games and watching movies. I hope you all had a very good Christmas! I'll add pictures later.

I may not be Martha Stewart

but I can make cookies. I spent most of yesterday baking eggnog cookies for my cookie swap tomorrow night. I can't wait. I made probably close to 10 dozen. I gave 2 dozen to my neighbor, who happens to be very nice to my 6 year old son. She gave him several snowmen decorations yesterday and tonight gave him a huge ceramic Santa cookie jar! She is very sweet and my son loves to visit her. I have saved 4 dozen for my swap and the rest, well, they are staying here at the house.




Last night Joe and I took the kids to see Santa at the Ludy house. Visit their website (http://www.ludychristmas.com/). Their house is amazing. Anyhow, Maeve took a little nap on the way over, but when I tapped her on the shoulder and said that Santa was here, my God that child couldn't get out of her carseat fast enough! Her eyes just flew open and she was ready to go see him. This girl was in no way afraid of him at all. She walked right over and gave him a hug and her list of toys! When it was time to give another child a turn, she was not happy. She was under the impression that she was getting her presents last night. Oops.




Then, I had to practically drag my oldest 2 up to see Santa and sit on his lap. I think Aislinn was afraid someone she knew was going to drive by and see her. The things we moms make our kids do just for a photo!! Of course, once up there, Aidan couldn't get a word in to let him know what HE wanted for Christmas!!





Tonight, I had Aislinn help me make rum balls. My God, they are sooo good and very easy to make! No cooking involved. We made chocolate and vanilla. Tomorrow I have to seperate some for the swap. The rest are MINE!!

Gotta run, Prison Break is on!!

On the 1st day of Christmas.....

my cat decided to knock our tree over.



Joe and I hadn't even fallen asleep yet, when just after midnight we heard a crash. Joe made the comment that he hoped the tree didn't catch on fire, since the fire in our fireplace hadn't gone out yet. My only thought was that the cat had better be dead. As it turns out, 2 sets of lights and several ornaments were broken beyond repair. Great. So, after we stood the tree back up, we took the rest of the ornaments off in case the tree fell again and the cat was tossed into the garage for the rest of the night. This morning I had to take the tree apart in order to put it back up the right way. Not how I wanted to start off my Saturday. In a minute, I'm off to start holiday baking. Cookies...mmmmmmm! Have a nice day!

catch a buzz

Well for the past 2 days it has rained. And rained. I am about 2 inches away from having my pool flood! When I left to take my kids to school this morning, there were wires across the road, leaves everywhere and tree limbs down. The power was out at my kids' school, so they told ghost stories! The kids love it.

After going home to shower, I decided that I really needed to get out and buy those last few things for the holiday parties, teacher gifts, etc. Well, when I walked outside, I was taken aback. I've seen buzzards before, but these were HUGE! After making sure that Maeve was secure in her carseat so as to not get carried away by one of these, I ran back inside to get my camera (naturally!).



While I was taking a picture of these guys, several more were flying in circles over my head. Yes, I know that I am big enough to feed them for quite a while, but geez, I'm not dead yet! I'm glad I didn't leave the dog outside.

Scrapbooker's Poem

Now I'm not going to name names, but I know of several gals that should read this!!

Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.

Could it be cardstock or chipboard or lace?
Or a Cricut, I said, with a smile on my face.

And that's when I heard him, "Hi Santa, " I said
"You know....good little girls should be in their beds."

"I know I should Santa, and now I've been caught.
But I was just so excited to see what you brought."

"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work.
He shook his head quickly, And left with a jerk.

I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear.
"You've got enough crap, I'll see you next year!"

Happy Wednesday!!

Happy hump day everyone! Today was a perfect day to take a nap. You know the kind, when it's raining and dreary outside. So, after Maeve and I took the rest of the tribe to school, we went back home and curled up on the sofa to spend the next 45 minutes drifting off. It was nice to just stay home and not leave the house until it was time to pick everyone up. I know Maeve loved it. We spent our time napping, playing games and doing puzzles. It was perfect. Of course, now it's 11 pm and I can't sleep.

Yikes!!

How many days are left until Christmas??? Only 17!! Boy it seems like December is just flying by. It was nice and cold last night, which I love. I took my kids out to look at Christmas lights. We drove around listening to Christmas music and looking at all the decorations. It always puts me in a good mood. As a result, I ended up going out to Target this morning and buying 5 more boxes of lights! I also found another 10 sets in a box in my garage. When it gets a little darker I'm going out to put them all up. Thankfully I'm all done my Christmas shopping and even have my cards sent out. Now I can sit back and just enjoy. At least until my family asks me to make some eggnog cookies.

I know I'm lucky

Lately it seems that I've been so frustrated with my kids. They are always arguing with each other, and me & Joe. However I was talking with a friend of mine today and she mentioned to me that I was lucky my kids are the way they are. And it's true. My oldest daughter, Aislinn, is very bright. I never have to ask her if her homework is done. She just does it right away. My son, Aidan, is the most thoughtful one. Every time he is invited to a birthday party, he always wants to bring a goody bag or something home for his brother and sisters. Declan has so much energy. He'll play anything you want, he only wants to spend time with you. Maeve is so sweet and lovable. She's an absolute joy and I love to listen to her giggle. Yes, my kids drive me crazy at least once every day, but sometimes I need to sit back and realize just how great they all are.

Sing it with me now!!!

Go ahead, I sing it every time I look at his mug. I just can't seem to help it.
My son "got tired of his 2 front teeth being loose", so he pulled them out!!

Busy, busy, busy!!

Has it really been 2 weeks since I posted last? Well, between my computer acting up, being sick (for days at a time), and then going out of town for Thanksgiving, it's no wonder. I'm back now and have been very busy, as I'm sure everyone has. Right before we left for Florida, to spend the holiday with my mother in law, I was trying to get the house in order so I wouldn't have to do it when I got back. While in the middle of drying my last load of laundry, my dryer broke. I hate that. I know it could've been worse and I could have been on my first load, but it still makes me mad. As I sit here typing, I am waiting for my new dryer to be delivered. I have sooo much laundry to do, I cannot even see my bedroom floor!

Also, I finally convinced my husband to move my oldest daughter's bed to my youngest daughter's room, which left my oldest daughter sleeping either with me, on the sofa, or the floor. The expense of the bed I knew we had coming, but NOT a new appliance. I'm also waiting for the bed to be delivered.

In addition to that, our two vans need new brakes. It seems that the Honda's (in my family anyway) always need brakes at the Christmas holiday!! Oh well. Enough complaining.

We had a nice trip to Florida. I spent most of my time in the car though, traveling back and forth between my in-laws and my parents house. Each year, me, my mom, my daughter and niece brave the crowds and cold and head out shopping. Early. This year, we started out at 4:30 and went to WM. The line was wrapped around the parking lot! There was even a woman selling Dunkin Donuts and coffee! Fortunately, we didn't have to wait long before they opened. I was able to buy what I was looking for, and hey, no one was trampled to death, so all in all, it was a success. Next, we went to Target and was there before it opened at 6am. Another line. It was crazy! There were people talking on the phone to people in other aisles telling each other what to buy! Again, I was able to get a bunch of stuff. Then it was off to the mall and then out for breakfast where we could sit and refuel. Some genious decided that there would be an annual "Turkey Run" at the Daytona Beach speedway. It's some old car show, and located directly across from the mall and a ton of other stores! We spent 30 minutes (I watched the clock) in the turn lane, just to get to Cracker Barrel!! We were starving and in no mood to wait the 30-45 minutes more just to be seated. So, I wandered around the store, where I spent more money on some really cute ornaments. We decided to brave Toys R Us before heading back home.

We drove home Saturday and spent Sunday putting away fall decorations and taking down the Christmas ones from the attic. Except for the lights, my kids decorated our tree last night. They did a pretty good job, too! Now if my cat would stay OUT of the tree, I'd be much happier!