tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379001339268196852024-03-13T11:47:49.098-05:00Diary of a Mad White MommaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-52336909981036620702010-06-20T08:58:00.000-05:002010-06-20T08:59:56.359-05:00good vibrationsI truly believe that when a person puts out positive energy (or coupons) into the universe, they receive it back. My friend Julie calls me the coupon fairy b/c I often leave coupons that I don't need on the shelves at the store - and usually I am given a coupon during that same shopping trip by someone else. I know - totally weird. It happened again this past Thursday. I left a few coupons in the cereal isle, and at the end of my shopping trip, a total stranger came literally running after me to give me an EIGHT dollar off coupon!! The store was packed with people and he chose me to give it to - he even called out to me a few times - but I don't usually turn around when I hear someone call out "Miss!!" - finally I turn around and he's handing me this coupon!! He was out of breath from chasing me - he told me he was trying to get my attention! I was so excited that he gave it to me - I started telling him how I love coupons - but he just gave me the coupon and walked away. This is not the first time a total stranger has come over to me and given me a coupon. :)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-56514920840052283362010-05-30T18:09:00.002-05:002010-05-30T18:32:50.376-05:00RecoveringIt's been almost 5 weeks since my surgery. The recovery is coming along. It's been very difficult (I'm sure most of you know) to lay low and let others help. I've had such a great support system. My husband has been amazing and patient with me. My kids have been good and mostly patient. My friends have been here for me more than I can even say. When I found out right before the surgery that the recovery would be 4-6 weeks I was shocked. Now, I understand. I still need to take it easy....wow - is that ever difficult! Learning to listen to my body has been a new experience for me. I always would ignore my body. Ignore hunger, the need to sleep, pain etc.... Now, I have no choice. I must listen, and I am, even though it's difficult. There are some choices that I have to make now to make life more manageable - it won't be easy - but, once it's done, life will be a bit easier. Thanks for reading - hopefully I will be able to keep up my blog!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-69581293091204640162010-04-21T20:33:00.004-05:002010-04-21T20:45:03.809-05:003 Months Later.....It's been 3 months exactly since I have last posted. I just happened to open my page today, and thought it was a bit of an omen to see that it was 3 months to the day since I had last written.<br />I have written a hundred posts in my head in the last 3 months. Have I been too busy to write? I don't know if that's a good enough reason. I know plenty of other busy women who find the time to keep up their blogs. Whatever. I had big plans for my blog, probably like many other people, to have a ton of followers and even make some money off of it. Well, at least its cathartic for me.<br />Speaking of cathartic, I will have some more time soon to keep up my blog as I will be recovering from surgery. Scared as hell about the surgery, but looking forward to lots of resting at home. For a couple of weeks, I won't have to make dinner, work, do the laundry, or clean. And the best part....strong medication. Take me to my happy place!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-18670292633686898482010-01-21T18:39:00.003-06:002010-01-21T20:44:28.973-06:00I WishI wish a lot of things. <br />Wish I could write a post every day <br />Wish I could take my Mom's cancer away<br />Wish I could be a better wife, mother, daughter, friend<br />Wish I had more hours in the day<br />Wish I had more money so that life could be a bit easier<br />Wish I knew the right things to say<br />Wish I could make everyone happy all the time<br />Wish I had a much cleaner house<br />Wish I knew then what I know now<br />Wish I could take the pain away<br />Wish I knew how to do more on my own<br />Wish I had more inner strength<br />Wish I could help more people more often<br />Wish I knew how to take better care of myself<br />Wish I could say no more often and feel ok with it<br />Wish I had all the answers<br />Wish I could be happy with what I have and not feel the need to wish for moreLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-59899766362951042502009-12-15T14:48:00.003-06:002009-12-15T15:22:47.627-06:00Empty Cart Syndrome<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhG8jaoe6ML8Mo7oFRnS4jrNn3Y31_4SDMrt_0fATBxKMTU7lsCDsNfcEebSqhXd_ZFriWwRRZlKX7YppTxygen-9Fu0gKXqbsivI_CeW0C6V3kkflVl7xTNjUAJRu71y-1DYZn5xzFA/s1600-h/83559188_6f96a2d924.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhG8jaoe6ML8Mo7oFRnS4jrNn3Y31_4SDMrt_0fATBxKMTU7lsCDsNfcEebSqhXd_ZFriWwRRZlKX7YppTxygen-9Fu0gKXqbsivI_CeW0C6V3kkflVl7xTNjUAJRu71y-1DYZn5xzFA/s320/83559188_6f96a2d924.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415576260126936674" /></a><br />I have been wanting to post this particular post for a long time. I'm just now finally "stealing" a few minutes of my day to write it. Of course I have written this post a bunch of times in my head! I am constantly blogging in my head. It makes me crazy that I haven't made the time to sit and blog for almost 2 months, but really I have been blogging every day, just in my mind. Oh well, back to what I wanted to write about today.<br />Since this school year started and now that my kids are all in school all day (ALL DAY people!!) I now get the "luxury" to shop by myself. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE IT!! Especially when I'm using coupons, it's best that I'm alone. But, what I noticed when I first walk into the store, and grab a cart, I immediately put my purse inside the front section. Inside the first section is a flap that you put down to put a child in there or you push up to put items inside so that they don't fall out. Here's my point people....I put the flap up! That means that there isn't a child with me. It may sound corny or stupid, but every time I push that flap up I'm reminded that I'm in a different stage in my life. I don't know why, but for some reason, I get a little sad when it happens.<br />OK, I feel a little bit better now that I have blogged about it. But, I would really like to hear from anyone who also feels this way...or am I just crazy? Don't answer that. Feel free to comment.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-49927949228166492552009-10-26T20:45:00.002-05:002009-10-26T21:28:01.878-05:00Time....Friend or Foe??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWYC1uh-SerJNJ1lNedcfbN19n8M2rpogwYxSlAjv-ARyu3hq8L7-rRrvPmNsqvu_Z0yCuXuZ9zP5qFjBPIEe4In9JyLmQgFSsdA_OM3EUsacxVwPGicHqhD_KQZvxvL0WRhENM684w/s1600-h/1973496256_9ddbc72dc6.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWYC1uh-SerJNJ1lNedcfbN19n8M2rpogwYxSlAjv-ARyu3hq8L7-rRrvPmNsqvu_Z0yCuXuZ9zP5qFjBPIEe4In9JyLmQgFSsdA_OM3EUsacxVwPGicHqhD_KQZvxvL0WRhENM684w/s320/1973496256_9ddbc72dc6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397100856343879266" /></a><br />Time is NOT always on my side!! There are just not enough hours in the day!! Seriously, what is the deal?? I feel like I don't know if I'm coming or going. <br />My whole day is bound by time....<br />Time to get up<br />Time to get the girls to the bus<br />Time to rush to work<br />Time to run to appointments<br />Time to take my Mom someplace<br />Time to get everything done before the next day<br />Things snowball if I'm running late....I HATE being late! One thing runs into another and I'm racing to catch up! <br />I can't wake up late, then we'll miss the bus, can't miss the bus, then I'll have to drive 2 hours to get there and back and then be SERIOUSLY late for work. If I'm late to work then I'll have to make up the time...from where????<br />One day last week I didn't HAVE to be anywhere after work...it was a wonderful feeling. The only problem was that I felt lost...what should I do?? I had a few hours today and nothing pressing!! I spent a while trying to figure out if I was forgetting something. I decided to take a long hot shower right in the middle of the day!! Funny though, I couldn't stay too long, I was kinda bored, and the water ran out! All the other times I want to stay in longer I feel guilty that I'm using all the hot water, or someone else is waiting for the shower. <br />I tried to not feel guilty about giving the time to myself and I was starting to feel very proud of myself until I realized later in the day that there were a bunch of things I should have done around the house.... like make enough food for dinner!!<br />Oh well...... Time to start the day again!!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-55500080073664290862009-10-15T19:30:00.002-05:002009-10-15T20:53:23.714-05:00UpdateI've had so much to write, but not enough time to write it. I've started about 5 million blog post's in my head...really I have. So, I thought that I would first post an update of sorts.<br />The kids started off school very nicely and they are for the most part, enjoying school. I am thrilled to pieces that they are all settled nicely and enjoying my new schedule. I am so insanely busy all day!! I have always had a busy schedule, but the way my time is used now is so completely different than before. I am working in the morning and then my afternoons are crammed with a gazillion errands and appointments!! My mom had another surgery three weeks ago, and is recovering well...in her own apartment!!!! Although, I need to shop and visit her as often as I can.<br />I sometimes try to run (literally) to the store before work to get an errand accomplished. Many days, like today, I finally arrive home minutes before the kids come home. That means that all the laundry, dishes,etc are all waiting for me when I get home. By the time the kids (or at least some of them) are in bed, I am trying to catch up on the housework. Therefore, when will I ever have time to blog???? Right now I should be doing so many other things, but here I sit blogging with the chaos surrounding me!<br />That is the update in a nutshell....more later.....Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-6867078629636903482009-09-04T14:09:00.004-05:002009-09-04T14:50:13.924-05:00Welcome Back<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumSZfEM3xuSSpGfcw1ODDDZvHP7X8SYDjnre_qsdDFDmC3XB9wm9yZ3lcumVzyZu9YNiqxKITa4HrqKnX7P9ugqM9P3P2k4orIojx4l_n4kydBqHLH_gP-rpsqb4mN6NTkpVocDXS6Q/s1600-h/3874921256_3992b417b4_m.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumSZfEM3xuSSpGfcw1ODDDZvHP7X8SYDjnre_qsdDFDmC3XB9wm9yZ3lcumVzyZu9YNiqxKITa4HrqKnX7P9ugqM9P3P2k4orIojx4l_n4kydBqHLH_gP-rpsqb4mN6NTkpVocDXS6Q/s320/3874921256_3992b417b4_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377701833166654082" /></a><br />Every school year comes with it's own challenges, but this year seems a little bit harder than others. This year I have my oldest starting high school, which is a HUGE step (considering I feel like I'm still in high school)! My son is now in 7th grade, and younger daughter is in 4th. Then, my youngest is now starting kindergarten next week (why, oh why, do they have to wait until the 10th of September to start???)<br />The gap of the ages of my oldest and youngest really is quite glaring to me....high school and kindergarten!!! New beginnings but at totally different ends of the spectrum. High school is all about her friends and how her clothes look (love those uniforms)and trying really hard to find her classrooms. Kindergarten is all about playing and projects and recess. But, they both need reassurance, hugs, and a listening ear. Funny how even though they are nine years apart, they really need the same love, and reassurance. <br />The oldest was third in line to start school this year and I was gearing myself up for her homecoming (there was not enough chocolate in this house)but, she came and had a pretty good first day. The usual, some teachers she liked better than others, and which of her friends were with her, how short lunch was and how she almost got lost! I was waiting for more, for the usual emotional drama avalanche that accompanies my daughter. She has this great way about her that once she starts talking it becomes a monologue...and her voice becomes like all the adult characters in Charlie Brown...Wawa Waawa Waaa. I tune her out until I catch some word or phrase that peaks my interest and ask,"Wait, what did you say?", to which she get's very annoyed and asks me, "Weren't you listening?" Busted!<br />I will post later what happens on the first day for my kindergartner. I know I will need a lot of support for that one. I also start a new job that week too. <br />Welcome back to a new school year!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-83213544433829640432009-08-20T15:23:00.002-05:002009-08-20T16:05:58.542-05:00Mother of the Year Award<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyhqb7zx2UJtq1xK_yZN76tVxn5fo9qV5lOvJu4pn4QkK2eDrAhkassyALGjXWTigjT8aOw4_GvMpGlNpmyNuqwNSdvHeJTlhbf0B5t5X41kARU8SWuJuMTOhK8T0TaZwxzQj30_uVA/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 117px; height: 121px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyhqb7zx2UJtq1xK_yZN76tVxn5fo9qV5lOvJu4pn4QkK2eDrAhkassyALGjXWTigjT8aOw4_GvMpGlNpmyNuqwNSdvHeJTlhbf0B5t5X41kARU8SWuJuMTOhK8T0TaZwxzQj30_uVA/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372155107894032258" /></a><br />.....And the award goes to...... NOT ME!<br /><br />Reasons I will NOT get the Mother of the year award:<br /><br />1: The word "no" is said more than any other words I say.<br /><br />2: I threaten and don't follow through(most of the time).<br /><br />3: I am the most happy when they are sleeping.<br /><br />4: Bribery is my best weapon.<br /><br />5: Use my bathroom time as a way of an escape.<br /><br />6: My computer time is waaay longer than theirs.<br /><br />7: I count the days (and sometimes hours) until they start school.<br /><br />8: I do a dance on the first day of school (when they leave of course).<br /><br />9: I act in a most embarrassing way (according to my teenage daughter) though I'm not sure what I've done<br /><br />10: Kiss and hug my kids in public.(that might explain #9)<br /><br />11: I overuse the word "maybe" to get them off my back until I say no.<br /><br />12: I use food as an emotional band aid.<br /><br />13: Make my kids do chores even when they complain.<br /><br />14: Expect them to take responsibility for their behavior.<br /><br />15: THE WORST OF ALL --- Make them say "sorry" to the person they hurt.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-79783969348319945682009-08-10T21:25:00.004-05:002009-08-10T21:50:31.434-05:00Momma Got A Job!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq71eW4O_MSrhrFePLiJo-Qe6MQXKtJ6ONMmbmtREnUZ9R4QYRkyx3RVGPe7qCBEDILcJ0Av54jeCuHaSXEQSirA_jE4ZGvmrZoKZBUk6lX8dnBENYK90YwPn5TqFk3MW0O1r8E8_2tw/s1600-h/2351914203_1e84c140b0.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq71eW4O_MSrhrFePLiJo-Qe6MQXKtJ6ONMmbmtREnUZ9R4QYRkyx3RVGPe7qCBEDILcJ0Av54jeCuHaSXEQSirA_jE4ZGvmrZoKZBUk6lX8dnBENYK90YwPn5TqFk3MW0O1r8E8_2tw/s320/2351914203_1e84c140b0.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368532960292157474" /></a><br /><br /><br />Thank you to those who gave me advice on the job seeking issue! (all 3 of you ....ahhh...to one day have so many followers!) <br />I found a job!! It literally fell in my lap!! I know, crazy huh? Especially in this job market!! I found it on facebook!! I know, right??? Now my husband can't say anything bad about facebook...HA!! <br />I started talking to someone every day at camp drop-off who was an acquaintance. We soon became facebook friends as well. One day she commented about her job on facebook, and I asked her about it (I was curious because I assumed for some reason that she didn't work). Well, one question led to another and BOOM, that was it, she asked me to come in and have an interview (she let me know that she does the hiring too). <br />So, here I am --- a working girl!! I haven't officially started yet, I am training on Sundays and will start after the kids start school. It really is a great opportunity for me, the hours are flexible, and she is very understanding of my situation with my mom being sick too.<br />So, that is the big news for now!! I just need to get through the next few weeks with the kids (and my mom) until school starts! HELP!!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-89461829684634150272009-07-24T07:01:00.005-05:002009-07-27T22:52:55.201-05:00Hi Ho Hi Ho ....It's Off to Work I GO!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1d3C6FbBlSrlT8D0D4-a73_L1PbGD2Bl5vG8stnoq5CWFoF-TeFAb9dIMBFJRtCr2aVWo7oPQJE6FC-vZzEHWwWVGKHz5aEavPoNbIasSgHcwkevTWn7gh_LHVHGdLPXOYcOFFkQNg/s1600-h/2667188324_5a9a3c902a_m.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1d3C6FbBlSrlT8D0D4-a73_L1PbGD2Bl5vG8stnoq5CWFoF-TeFAb9dIMBFJRtCr2aVWo7oPQJE6FC-vZzEHWwWVGKHz5aEavPoNbIasSgHcwkevTWn7gh_LHVHGdLPXOYcOFFkQNg/s320/2667188324_5a9a3c902a_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363353667385287058" /></a><br />Coming this fall, all my kids will be in school all day. Yowsers!! I can't believe it!! I am so excited to have the whole day ahead of me.....except that now I need to look for a job to pay for all the tuition! A job? Like in an office? With other adults? I haven't had an office job since....oh....almost 14 years ago! I was expecting my oldest, and as soon as I gave birth, I stopped working. I have had some very interesting and very different jobs. <br />My very first job was babysitting, I was a teenager and it made pretty good money. My last year of high school I worked at a Hallmark card store. That had to be my most favorite place to work! I loved helping people, I was allowed to decorate the front window for all the holidays(which I absolutely loved)and I got an awesome discount to which I used to get gifts for people. During college I worked at an optical store, where I helped with bookkeeping. Then I had the office job before I had my daughter.<br />Once I had my daughter, I stayed home with her until she was about a year old. A friend of mine convinced me to work at a nursery school as an aide, they offered free babysitting, how could I say no? I was already pregnant with my son and so later that spring I left. When he was six months old, the same friend (she always has good ideas)told me about another aide job, also with free babysitting! That worked out well for that school year, then the school closed down. I didn't work outside the home again until my third child was a toddler. I worked evenings and Sundays at a hat store. It was a little hectic because I would literally fly out the door as soon as my husband came home from work. This saved us on paying for babysitting, but it was kinda insane! That worked for us for about a year and then I changed venues completely. I wanted to be able to work at home and make my own hours. I worked for a company that you had to have parties to sell your product. At first I thought I would be able to do this, not really! It takes a certain person to be able to sell themselves and their product...I'm not that certain person. I tried, I really, really tried. I kept at it for about 5 years, then the company, out of the blue, shut down! I was relieved, because I didn't want to quit, I just couldn't admit that I wasn't successful! <br />So, now here I am looking for a job. What kind of job do I even look for? What skills do I have? Can I handle the stress of it all? My college degree is basically useless. How am I going to get a job in this job market? <br />If you have any advice, send it over!!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-78814882024720853252009-07-09T12:19:00.005-05:002009-07-09T13:30:59.070-05:00Shop and Save<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8GLqYslKA5RbvDBk8KfLDvMkZXBwmkLssXdyVtLOeWsR2ILMO6uNhvoUYTCwpM8dfDTeIgtA2nz15LFC45ACuX6WUB88fKyooVRGsOQRyQOPIjDB5PuKf8fEwoRtDNwkaSM-abTshg/s1600-h/3167847260_6855c73256.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8GLqYslKA5RbvDBk8KfLDvMkZXBwmkLssXdyVtLOeWsR2ILMO6uNhvoUYTCwpM8dfDTeIgtA2nz15LFC45ACuX6WUB88fKyooVRGsOQRyQOPIjDB5PuKf8fEwoRtDNwkaSM-abTshg/s320/3167847260_6855c73256.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356529597415794594" /></a><br />I love shopping. But, I love getting a good deal EVEN more! I get so excited when I see a sale rack, or if I know that there is a sale going on before I get there. I seriously get a high from saving money! Better than drugs, much cheaper...well maybe. I also get a nervous stomach...I know isn't that crazy? My body reacts to the excitement in that way!<br />I go to all the clearance aisles first like a hound dog sniffing out their prey! I am like a rabid beast foaming at the mouth snarling at anyone who is near me(maybe that is why people back away)grabbing at whatever I can find. <br />I used to like grocery shopping because our store let their customers use expired coupons. Two months ago they put up a sign saying that they were NOT going to accept expired coupons. I was devastated. I'm not kidding, I was so upset. I had to throw out so many coupons! I was used to saving up to $20.00 with all my coupons. I have to start over and now watch all the expiration dates...that is a chore in itself. <br />They expire so soon...I have pressure now to spend more to use the coupon before it expires! I am spending more money using coupons! What a concept!<br />Now I am very into Freecycle (freecycle.org)! Everything is free! I love this site, I can get rid of stuff and buy MORE stuff!! Hubby can't complain...cuz it's FREE baby!!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-47680711042573267462009-07-06T09:37:00.003-05:002009-07-07T17:43:57.458-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxowYmdMqq1kSaDOO868hlSIFX_Uah8CwRjdpaXEYxevZ3KSX78kpxkzeF2welE2VrVd4CWzz0qeWgb87GmKvUZb_PtuyEGlcOhDMgit7n_tT6B_6pTvs1LpPsydNWt8nNfdOpcHbezA/s1600-h/3115590805_e751e16f41_m.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxowYmdMqq1kSaDOO868hlSIFX_Uah8CwRjdpaXEYxevZ3KSX78kpxkzeF2welE2VrVd4CWzz0qeWgb87GmKvUZb_PtuyEGlcOhDMgit7n_tT6B_6pTvs1LpPsydNWt8nNfdOpcHbezA/s320/3115590805_e751e16f41_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355363306922292018" /></a><br />Am I a bad mom if I don't really miss my son while he is away at summer camp? The truth is he is not that far away...only 15 minutes. It's a sleep away camp that happens to not be far from our house. He left last Tuesday (so in my defense he hasn't been away even a week yet)and my husband came on Friday to take his dirty laundry. He called on Friday afternoon, I was very excited to talk to him and he sounded so happy! That makes me happy that he is content. I guess that is what it is....he's happy so I am not worried about him and I know that if I need to see him I can. He will be away a total of 4 weeks...just long enough I think. His sisters won't admit it, but they miss him and they were mad that when he called on Friday he didn't ask about them! It is definitely a different dynamic without him...the girls can't blame him for all the stuff that they do!<br />The other thing is, a few weeks before he left, my mom moved in to our house, and into his room. It made the most sense because he has a bathroom in there (I know! Lucky right? It's too small for a master bedroom..we don't have our own bathroom!)and it's more private. So, he had to move into the basement for a few weeks before camp. He wasn't happy to leave his room but he was ok. The reason I am explaining all this is because I am not walking into his room thinking that it's empty and I miss him. I only see my mom's things everywhere and don't identify that room as my son's. <br />Last week I was in the basement,and passed his room down there with all his stuff strewn all over the place.... I got kinda sad (almost weepy). I can't go in there yet to clean it up. OK, I feel better now, I do kinda miss him...kinda.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-30691542280648742032009-07-02T15:04:00.003-05:002009-07-02T20:58:06.600-05:00Supermarket Smackdown<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8wx2ZvjgSHOnRVKgQ-0lXH8zGjI7I0u8gOssNzJH08KZG8ej5GSypDn6JpPSi43N3IdVLssjIKnFtHg-OtOC0MaiFVi2pzgnYk2rDIu5ZX-zBeHij0iG7YPQzOIVh3ZCnd6PPxmryA/s1600-h/2496929708_60150d6eee.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8wx2ZvjgSHOnRVKgQ-0lXH8zGjI7I0u8gOssNzJH08KZG8ej5GSypDn6JpPSi43N3IdVLssjIKnFtHg-OtOC0MaiFVi2pzgnYk2rDIu5ZX-zBeHij0iG7YPQzOIVh3ZCnd6PPxmryA/s320/2496929708_60150d6eee.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354047053037360530" /></a><br />Seriously, what is wrong with the baggers at my grocery store? Why, why, why must they pack my bags in that moronic way? Why must I have to re-pack my bags once I get to the car? I'll tell you why...it's because their sole purpose in life is to aggravate me!<br />I'm a little keyed up, I realize that. I'm a little controlling, I realize that as well. I also really enjoy grocery shopping until it's time to check out. As soon as I see THAT bagger, you know who you are, I cringe. Oh no...it's HER! The one who puts the freezer items next to a box of crackers so that the crackers become a wet mess...the one who puts the eggs on the BOTTOM of the bag...the one who makes me insane with anger!!<br />My problems with baggers all started years ago when we lived in an apartment on the second floor and I had three little ones with me. It was much easier for me when the bags where packed so that the cold items could be together and taken upstairs first with the screaming children and then later either I or my husband(preferably husband)could go and get the non-perishable items.<br />The grocery store supposedly teaches the baggers to separate the items as to perishable and non-perishable...ummmm...not really! I've had to call the manager more than once to complain because I thought I had brought in the bags that needed refrigeration only to find later that one item was left in the other bags. That item was spoiled. I got a replacement, but I had to go back to the store to get it. Not a happy camper. Each and every time I had this happen I went over the "rules" with the manager and I was told that yes, they are supposed to separate these items. <br />Then, the store came out with these new recyclable bags. I was thrilled, not because I was helping the environment, but because they had separate bags!! One that was for cold items and one for regular items! They even came in different colors to make it really clear! Clear for everyone except the baggers!!!! I have the same problem even with the new bags!! The baggers <strong></strong>still can't get it right!!<strong></strong> Morons!! Will they ever get it right? I am destined to a life of idiot baggers who live only to ruin my day! :(Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-39134693141003066232009-06-30T12:18:00.005-05:002009-06-30T13:23:47.011-05:00Mad Momma<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXPa7Wx45QbuqbsnP2xcyaDd6pQd9py_tL9CeZVnWU7YdP7r8JRiecGs7brOTV95tAQPwx4WCz_G6GMI2ds1rcQ-rzW-41rOjUI08JgIHAXroutfGtoLUUj61bfMsxBT9RjmnYo0VNg/s1600-h/2705949759_b65b74ddd0.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXPa7Wx45QbuqbsnP2xcyaDd6pQd9py_tL9CeZVnWU7YdP7r8JRiecGs7brOTV95tAQPwx4WCz_G6GMI2ds1rcQ-rzW-41rOjUI08JgIHAXroutfGtoLUUj61bfMsxBT9RjmnYo0VNg/s320/2705949759_b65b74ddd0.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353187676013865138" /></a><br />When I started this blog I picked the title after Tyler Perry's movie "Diary of a Mad Black Woman". I did not realise at the time that I would truly become a mad momma. Let me explain. Life has become even more stressful and complicated since starting my new blog. In my bio I wrote that I have a crazy insane life with 4 kids and a sick mom. Well, little did I know that my crazy insane life could get crazier. My mom has become more frail and sick and has now been living with me for the past 3 weeks. The kids are getting older and need attention too. Thus, I have become mad, mad as in crazy mad. Crazy insane. <br />Don't get in my way crazy insane! I am more focused than ever in what I need to do to get through the day. Some are hard and some are really hard. I have somewhat come to terms with how my life is right now...that this is where I need to be and what I need to be doing now. <br />Right now things are very unsettled in few areas and hopefully very soon things will be clearer. Life has it's ups and downs, I'm just keeping my seat belt on. I might me mad but I'm holding onto whatever little sanity I have left.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-79406298804661262952009-06-25T14:47:00.004-05:002009-06-30T12:17:56.607-05:00Next Please<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0kN5k_0n-0pOS9WYtP_PiiriJOkYvrup_px61AoQhLhHqCFWitqtxK5-yVm2m91yB_Ob5ThZ3-K0MqKy_7jEpValEjPOC8XbVxa45V6WidF2daS9Pd8Sj1KXhSHg8CqJt0CjNCf7iQ/s1600-h/82654352_4452ec7ef0.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0kN5k_0n-0pOS9WYtP_PiiriJOkYvrup_px61AoQhLhHqCFWitqtxK5-yVm2m91yB_Ob5ThZ3-K0MqKy_7jEpValEjPOC8XbVxa45V6WidF2daS9Pd8Sj1KXhSHg8CqJt0CjNCf7iQ/s320/82654352_4452ec7ef0.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353170907790264946" /></a><br />I am so overdone with all the appointments I have for my kids. This one needs new glasses, that one needs to go to O.T., not to mention the orthodontist, the dentist, the ear nose and throat, and the pediatrician!<br />One of my kids needs her tonsils and adenoids out this summer. Two of the four kids are in glasses. They all need to have dental and pediatrician check ups. That is only the tip of the iceberg! That is not including all the appointments for my mom. The oral surgeon, the primary, the podiatrist, the list goes on.....<br />I am running from one place to another constantly. <br />I know that I am not the only one who has this insane schedule. What do you do to manage all the people in your life? Comment here and tell me what works for you! I could definitely use some advice!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-38895091831739207312009-06-15T18:59:00.005-05:002009-06-19T17:54:36.840-05:00My Space<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFtdUGItu8KF5IT5fMhavYNTqKznEoxcYfRzst8xctaCNsG64ECWTxc-Ja6I-n_YW1mlcn4vlHWpPK5zzHxh8Zzf09upvD1-TU_0-HrPn9lbCa4CcnEJp6SHQ8aRrSYcbCWcjyr7kWQ/s1600-h/3342502417_146d723a96_m.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFtdUGItu8KF5IT5fMhavYNTqKznEoxcYfRzst8xctaCNsG64ECWTxc-Ja6I-n_YW1mlcn4vlHWpPK5zzHxh8Zzf09upvD1-TU_0-HrPn9lbCa4CcnEJp6SHQ8aRrSYcbCWcjyr7kWQ/s320/3342502417_146d723a96_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349175635457857362" /></a><br />My husband says I say too much information...my friend tells me I give too much eye contact to other people.<br />It's my blog, I'll do what I want.(sorry honey...be careful, I could put you in here) Especially now, with what is going on in my life, I need a place to vent. <br />My mom has been living with us and while it's been extremely stressful and sad at times I feel very good about it. I am proud of myself. There, I said it. I'm proud of myself for taking care of her. It gets very overwhelming at times. She needs help bathing and getting around. I am preparing all her meals and making sure she is taking the correct medication at the correct time (that in itself is a full time job..17 different medications a day!)<br />So... this blog is my only space that no one else occupies but me. IT'S MY SPACE!!! Ya think I need therapy?? Oh, it's a long story!! I haven't even had time to sit at the computer in days...I snuck off to write this while my daughter is in a class here at the library.<br />Sorry to those of you whom I regularly comment on your blogs...I am swamped right now. I am constantly running from mom's appointments (did I mention the infected tooth that needed to be pulled on Friday)to errands and the kids appointments etc..<br />My oldest daughter had to "babysit" my mom when I leave because mom can't be left alone. I know I will look back on this time wondering how I am managing right now, but I am in this weird "zone" I guess I would call it. Just doing what needs to get done. <br />This is MY SPACE...I'm just saying what I want.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-49096271111122736722009-06-10T15:03:00.003-05:002009-06-10T15:58:40.755-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnL1lZIaoc_Uv48jfT1Z-1GI3KSZtJRhg5OLSBDG-y2jjn3e15wUwokKYlx27WHhe3TmNLaNhUJO5nt3WtbtJCbWxzhNLVZAFYXBF5Ft4pT1XmtHwg7ZEmjwj23dg4wY0wDoViJP5ow/s1600-h/2726344474_21aa6ae377_m.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnL1lZIaoc_Uv48jfT1Z-1GI3KSZtJRhg5OLSBDG-y2jjn3e15wUwokKYlx27WHhe3TmNLaNhUJO5nt3WtbtJCbWxzhNLVZAFYXBF5Ft4pT1XmtHwg7ZEmjwj23dg4wY0wDoViJP5ow/s320/2726344474_21aa6ae377_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345806228798106450" /></a><br />As of Sunday Momma has moved in with us....this is just a continuation of the last post really. She went home (much to my pleading) Thursday night only to fall, yet again, in the middle if the night. At 2:30 Friday morning (it ain't my morning) my son ran into my room with the phone telling me she called. She hurt her foot...off to the emergency room! Oh, what fun it was! <br />At least the E.R. was empty, but it actually made it really creepy to be there. It was like a bad scary movie....it was eerily quiet at 3:00 am and my mom was either sleeping or talking incoherently to me (which of course no one noticed but me...even creepier). I literally thought that I was going batty! My mom had been acting this way since I had picked her up. Either she would start saying something and stop and then forget what she was saying or she would just say things and they wouldn't make sense. The worst was when she started telling me something but she was referring to me in the third person....SCARY!! None of the doctors or nurses noticed this bizarre behavior...JUST ME! She asked for pain medication and the nurse was going to give her but I stopped him and told him that she had taken pain medication only 2 hrs prior....OMG.. can you imagine if I wouldn't have been there??<br />A few hours later and 4 broken bones in her foot, they admitted her for the weekend. I was relieved, she really needed more care than I could have given her then. They tested her for seizures and epilepsy because of her falling and confusion. Those tests thankfully came out fine, but her falling is a side effect of the chemo making her so weak. Also, the pain meds make her loopy sometimes.<br />So, for now she is living here, we are not sure what will be...just taking it day by day.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-134991568054777402009-06-04T16:38:00.005-05:002009-06-09T14:00:38.797-05:00I will Survive<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUW1wGOcIvjFkthzbm5SugdmLdqr23pAlogxOr9ATRJDlooeO1ReKbSDVx9VBDnhu1F4OkhKwRh9puvGQKLOKgb6jJ9_7lzXXAaQ38IevaNbacqIPBSNHFYYU2MtTEd7Nk6nV7CWm3w/s1600-h/2477266021_17875c4ac3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUW1wGOcIvjFkthzbm5SugdmLdqr23pAlogxOr9ATRJDlooeO1ReKbSDVx9VBDnhu1F4OkhKwRh9puvGQKLOKgb6jJ9_7lzXXAaQ38IevaNbacqIPBSNHFYYU2MtTEd7Nk6nV7CWm3w/s320/2477266021_17875c4ac3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345399239072341938" /></a><br />Today has been A DAY. How do I explain? Where do I start? I'll start at my usual rude awakening of being asked at 6:00 am by my 4 year old to play on the computer. The next thing I know it's 7:15 and I need to leave at 7:30 to take my 9 year old daughter to the bus..AAAGGHHHH! I jump out of bed and panic because today I need to leave the house at 7:30 for the day....I don't have time to come back and finish getting ready. That means the 4 year old needs to be dressed and all her things ready for school and me dressed and ready in less than 15 minutes!!<br />We were at that bus at 7:30!! Then as soon as the 9 year old was off, the 4 year old and I went grocery shopping and then off to her first OT appointment by 9:00 am. On the way to the store my 12 year old son called from back at the house that he somehow missed the bus(not sure how because he left at 7:10)and wanted me to take him to school. I told him that I couldn't take him(school is very close)because I needed to go shopping then. He was not happy about that answer and said that he wasn't going to school...Oh I don't think so mister..get yourself to school by foot or bike! I won that argument!<br />After OT I dropped the little one off at school and went home to meet my friend whose kids I babysit 3 times a week. She needed to bring them earlier than usual today so I raced home. A half hour later with 2 toddlers (18 months and 3 years) playing in the backyard I was talking to my mom on the phone -- when mom fell. I heard her yell and I knew it wasn't good...she said she was ok, but couldn't get up.(cue the commercial..I've fallen and I can't get up..I used to laugh at that commercial-not any more) I grabbed the kids and ran to help mom. When I got there she was still on the floor waiting by the door. I got her up and settled and then called the doctor to find out what to do. I took her back to my house for the day. Getting her, the two kids and mom's dog all to the car was a scene! I was holding the dog's leash, the bags, and trying to hold the little one's hand while my mom was using her walker and walking with the other child. We got home and with 3 minutes to spare until my 4 year old was being dropped off from school. Whew!! I put the baby in for a nap and tried to help my mom get settled at my house.<br />It was a long afternoon....taking care of mom, the babysitting kids and my youngest daughter. Seriously, there are days that I don't know how I survive!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-1487876026229771082009-06-03T20:37:00.003-05:002009-06-03T21:15:04.648-05:00Dinner Dilema<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SfmLhWpV7Lk4ExbkU7Va5PmSq8DjDfxjtwjx-9Ynjlr0vdWBpRIhvvW6zsDSSTwmLC_iawq9mhrYB-1y0WiVFTuuLhFCJQAH6z7GyAEpNv60ewrLCmgkqEFhCfi4KjduqmSgf5cfng/s1600-h/170386884_584a73af61_m.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SfmLhWpV7Lk4ExbkU7Va5PmSq8DjDfxjtwjx-9Ynjlr0vdWBpRIhvvW6zsDSSTwmLC_iawq9mhrYB-1y0WiVFTuuLhFCJQAH6z7GyAEpNv60ewrLCmgkqEFhCfi4KjduqmSgf5cfng/s320/170386884_584a73af61_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343288811859108546" /></a><br />Dinner. It is the bane of my existence. I need to know what I am preparing for dinner early in the day...sometimes I even try to plan the night before! When I don't know what we are having for dinner, my day is not a happy one..neither is anyone else around me. <br />Oh, I have the regulars I prepare...ya know, macaroni, anything with pasta, and noodles with cheese of course. It's those days where my mind goes blank and my family is sick of pasta(I am sooo offended). I also get stuck up a creek when I have decided what we are having, and become filled with glee for having figured that out, when I realise that I am missing one or even some of the ingredients!!! Back to the drawing board...pasta anyone??<br />I know people who are so organized that they plan their meals in advance...I hate those people..and even shop and freeze meals weeks in advance...I <strong>really </strong>hate those people!<br />I wish I could be that organized, the best I can do is once a week I use the crock pot(frozen chicken = hello dinner).<br />Does anyone have any suggestions? Seriously....my family begs you from the bottom of their heart to help their mommy....for the love of all that is easy and yummy!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-10919826185051466242009-06-01T08:14:00.005-05:002009-06-01T11:43:26.766-05:00Gone...but not Forgotten?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg1PtntbgUCn7gvEqEby2IRolrIkH2XAmwYwW8zNIE1spdyVxrG_Xm4jfuhK8GxG87aDAITTnFhi_v1n93z5beR5to8aaqRyUQU6XPmgF2J-S6XpH3bLKofK1OlZ7dJJqxp31-FTMBw/s1600-h/3392023944_f375a5c74c_m.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg1PtntbgUCn7gvEqEby2IRolrIkH2XAmwYwW8zNIE1spdyVxrG_Xm4jfuhK8GxG87aDAITTnFhi_v1n93z5beR5to8aaqRyUQU6XPmgF2J-S6XpH3bLKofK1OlZ7dJJqxp31-FTMBw/s320/3392023944_f375a5c74c_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342400605582929090" /></a><br /><br />I was out the whole the entire day yesterday, yes it's true! From 10:30 - 7:30!! I knew I'd be gone a while but it ended up that by the time I came home, my youngest was sleeping. Wow, my husband had all four by himself all day and wasn't even grumpy when I came home!! He really gets extra points for taking my mom out with them too!<br />My friend who was with me took turns calling our husbands at home to check on them...it's called(sorry honey)the guiltometer call. It is where our guilt is rated according to our husband's patience level with the kids and us. It is a very tentative moment....what kind of voice will we hear? Will it be door number one...good vibrations, or door number two...all hell is breaking loose? We were so happy and relieved to hear only good vibrations coming from our homes!! There was something in the air yesterday...and whatever it was, it was good!!<br />We had a lot of fun, but we were still feeling guilty about not being at home.<br />After I got home and saw that everything was going well, I thought...did they miss me? I know that it sounds silly, of course they missed me, but because they were fine without me does that mean that they didn't need me? Again, I know that it sounds foolish to even think it....but I did. <br />I saw my lone plate left at the table sitting there mocking me...I should have been home for dinner... Should have? I get stuck in the "shoulda,woulda, coulda" evil thoughts that make my guilty conscience take over me. <br />How was their dinner without me? Does it matter? I do know one thing...I am going to try to stop feeling guilty about whatever I'm doing. To enjoy the moment..ahh who am I kidding? I feel guilty right now that I should be making phone calls instead of writing this post!!<br />Oh well,as my daughter says...WHATEVER!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-55883119108096513742009-05-26T12:39:00.004-05:002009-06-01T11:13:30.749-05:00Giving and Taking<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdau32SL8U6g8M7hMknpYLo2gJEOTPrjx5cTC2GpucYHZZ4mt8XdIEyiSbZdvRmepXQ3cWlrnow5O7WtXesYe1jbytjQwrmMoBG1OrucCOvsq_-QDyi9qt20xB26yKuUJdp-MmspxqNw/s1600-h/2416328542_2871fb43b6.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdau32SL8U6g8M7hMknpYLo2gJEOTPrjx5cTC2GpucYHZZ4mt8XdIEyiSbZdvRmepXQ3cWlrnow5O7WtXesYe1jbytjQwrmMoBG1OrucCOvsq_-QDyi9qt20xB26yKuUJdp-MmspxqNw/s320/2416328542_2871fb43b6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342392916715675986" /></a><br />I love manicures. I just don't like the fact that another person is doing the work. I know it sounds silly....that's the point right? Manicures are supposed to be special because it is done for you. It's a luxury....well, I just feel so uncomfortable about it. I know that this is their job...it just feels wrong to be sitting like a queen on her throne while someone else is cleaning the dirt from my nails!<br />I don't get them done very often at all...I can count on one hand the amount of times I have had a manicure or pedicure. Besides the cost, it just makes me so uncomfortable being the one getting polished...maybe I should be the one giving manicures instead of taking them.<br />There are two kinds of people in the world, givers and takers. I prefer to be a giver...It feels so wrong to me to be a taker. All day, every day I am a giver..so one would think that maybe once every 2 years I could indulge a little and be a taker and get my nails done. I mean, I am paying for it, it's not like I'm a moocher and getting it for free!! Although the one I just got was for free(for me at least it was)my friend had a gift certificate! I paid a nice tip too!<br />I am uncomfortable with cleaning help as well...especially when they're PREGNANT!! I kid you not...there she was on her hands and knees with her tummy hanging low washing my floor. I felt badly firing her because she needed the money..but I couldn't be a part of that anymore. I almost asked her if she needed me to come and clean <strong></strong>her house! I have more cleaning lady stories for another day.<br />I will end with this: I'd take a giver any day of the week!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-1857213402212554512009-05-24T09:29:00.002-05:002009-05-24T09:59:42.629-05:00The Waiting Game<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4y1ILHJohi49gqW4nRdoKmd0VT8RES3qjKktxG-FLbg5J586a7qhcVpiAdmMU7N-HkHz62tDdnhmyh5G-LmuH7fN_bpptkmLUT_T-4z04QdAR3TLeCraWGsEBijT0R1108inMM_YgQ/s1600-h/267587747_db58e80e31_m.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4y1ILHJohi49gqW4nRdoKmd0VT8RES3qjKktxG-FLbg5J586a7qhcVpiAdmMU7N-HkHz62tDdnhmyh5G-LmuH7fN_bpptkmLUT_T-4z04QdAR3TLeCraWGsEBijT0R1108inMM_YgQ/s320/267587747_db58e80e31_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339405239387055410" /></a><br />I hate waiting. I hate waiting for results of tests at the top of my "hating to wait" list. <br />My mom is going for further testing this week to see if the cancer has spread to the lungs too. We are scheduled to go to the oncologist the next day to find out the results....I HATE WAITING! <br />I try to stay upbeat for her. She knows that I'm trying...I know that she knows I'm trying...but its very difficult. I had a health crisis myself almost 3 years ago and I can sympathize with her...sort of. My health crisis was not as difficult as my mom's is....I had a much better prognosis and today I am (Thank G-d)cured. The prognosis for mom is not as good. She's stage four and older...but she's fighting it with everything she's got(the chemo has taken almost everything).<br />I'm watching her wasting away to practically nothing...<br />We sit at doctors offices and...wait. Take tests and ....wait. Call the doctor and .....wait. <br />She finally told me the other day that she is willing to go for a second opinion. I have been asking her for months! This will require more tests and more waiting...but if that is what we need to do...<br />I'll wait at any doctor....wait for any test results...wait as long as I need to...whatever it takes to beat the evil cancer.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-36151406369388614592009-05-21T11:25:00.005-05:002009-05-21T13:21:49.733-05:00Raising Linda<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLlhVWk25wXsKXR1NZIa-eayGNtCrRNCR0FaBcK9cDLezcIl-RDwaXVrVDC42CMzvbSwMIlE_u-ZsAYFfXXDRUFLF993MhbsNLptZfYPAyDixp2gnRXfU5dtCLrm4ApbWv5zJxAbMsw/s1600-h/3269013505_b21a4bb658.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLlhVWk25wXsKXR1NZIa-eayGNtCrRNCR0FaBcK9cDLezcIl-RDwaXVrVDC42CMzvbSwMIlE_u-ZsAYFfXXDRUFLF993MhbsNLptZfYPAyDixp2gnRXfU5dtCLrm4ApbWv5zJxAbMsw/s400/3269013505_b21a4bb658.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338344017828720418" /></a><br />My Mom was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. It has totally taken over my life...especially when she was in the hospital for over a month. Trying to juggle my totally hectic life before she got sick was hard enough..but after the diagnosis, I seriously wondered many days if I had the strength to make it through. <br />She is now undergoing chemo and we pray that she will be with us for a long time.<br />There are some days, however, I am taking care of my Mom in a way that feels so utterly frustrating and slightly disturbing. <br />Let me explain...my Mom has some great attributes like.. acting young for her age, and being stubborn(which has helped her fight the cancer). These attributes also have a downside. She acts like a rebellious teenager...taking her friends car and driving herself to chemo when she is so weak she can barely function....not telling me that when she saw the doctor he might want to hospitalize her because of her extremely high blood pressure. Yeah...and also staying with her friend in the emergency room so filled with people that there are no beds and they are all complaining of swine flu symptoms...I almost had a coronary when she called me from there...She has NO IMMUNITY!! Her oncologist had just told her that her white blood count is dangerously low...and she's in the emergency room!! I was a little angry...just a little.<br />What am I supposed to do with her? That is the question my sister and I ask each other very frequently. Yes, she is 61 yeas old...but her behavior proves otherwise. She wants her independence..and I want her to have it...but I always have to pick up the pieces of her life when she acts irresponsibly. <br />Truthfully, this has always been the way she has behaved(hence,two failed marriages) but now with her health in jeopardy it has become more of an issue. I have always been her caretaker in one way or another(you definitely don't want details)but now with the demands of my own kids and husband it is more stressful. I try to balance everyone and everything the best that I possibly can.<br />Every day is a challenge.....especially raising Linda.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37900133926819685.post-39442049446791744452009-05-20T10:35:00.005-05:002009-05-20T17:37:34.614-05:00The Grass is Greener<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENm8dm1cB67XswfvKERM6o6D3IjXTNCwgCBvQEaH8E-GoD7HbJSnSnoh2tnTz9XZGRfwfSBPn6_QcA5unD6Mo0qdOzF2c9X5yu1iNYTDjaBsR7KoHrPPx7T7iIm8weFWj-0Nx6-nQZA/s1600-h/515346391_687426c227_m.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENm8dm1cB67XswfvKERM6o6D3IjXTNCwgCBvQEaH8E-GoD7HbJSnSnoh2tnTz9XZGRfwfSBPn6_QcA5unD6Mo0qdOzF2c9X5yu1iNYTDjaBsR7KoHrPPx7T7iIm8weFWj-0Nx6-nQZA/s400/515346391_687426c227_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338038697590514722" /></a><br />I am sitting here at my older daughter's school trying to make sense of my emotions. I'm here with my youngest looking at the program for next year. This all came much faster than I expected...much too fast.<br />It all started this morning by letting her go on the bus with her big sister..she's been on a school bus before when she was at her former school, but this is different. I then hopped in my car and tried to follow the bus there so that I could be there when she got off. Of course,I lost the bus somewhere, and they got there before me. I found my girls in the playground...playing and happy. <br />It was okay that I wasn't there to get my youngest off the bus(not with me it wasn't). Then she took my hand to start walking in the building...but a few seconds later..she let go.. It was a foreshadow of what was about to happen...it was the start of a new era. <br />What is it about today that is making me a crazed lunatic? It is the start of a new era for me as well ...I will be without any children home with me. For the last 13 plus years, I have had someone home with me at least part time... I realize now that I won't have that identity of a mom of little ones. My babies are all growing up...<br />I try to say to myself...Snap out of it! This is what you have been waiting for, for years! You keep saying that you can't wait until the house is quiet and you have the whole day to yourself, to do with what you want. Ha! that's funny..I'll be taking my mom to more appointments and volunteering more at my kids schools!<br />The question is, what will I doing with this newfound time? I'll probably find something else to complain about. What does this new stage mean for me? I have always defined myself as a stay at home mom...but I don't have to stay at home now. I guess the grass is greener on the other side...I don't know. I'll let you know when I get on the other side.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17257515681770276785noreply@blogger.com2