Christmas Meme

This is a Christmas meme from domestic chicky. I don't usually do memes but I really like this one and it is better then writing about how my husband fell through the attic into the garage yesterday. My blood pressure will be back to normal one day, right? Right?!


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper
2. Real tree or artificial? real, I love the smell of a real tree
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually two weeks before Christmas
4. When do you take the tree down? after New Year’s
5. Do you like eggnog? It is O.K.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A Mandy Doll
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? no
8. Hardest person to buy for? My in laws
9. Easiest person to buy for? My daughter
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I never got a gift I didn't like somewhat
11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail usually, this year, email
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? usually right after thanksgiving
4. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? nope
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's roast beef
16 Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
18 Travel at Christmas or stay home? We usually stay home and for once [people come to us
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A angel, we always had an angel growing up so that is what I bought for my house
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Mean people ruining the reason of Christmas
23. Favorite Christmas tradition? Playing Christmas music and dancing as we set up and decorate our tree and house.
24. Up early or sleeping in? My kids are EARLY risers. Really Early!
25. Who hands out the gifts? E
26. Does Santa wrap your gifts? All of the gifts are wrapped.
27. Do you tell the Christmas story? No
28. Do you leave cookies for Santa? Yes, cookies and milk. He usually leave a note to the kids thanking them.

Just Another Day

I loved reading about your favorite names and name suggestions in the last post. Many of your favorites I like as well.
Being I have such a large family many of them are taken already! Really picking a name for someone to have for the rest of their life is hard for me. I wouldn't want to name our child something that E hates, but I know I have the final decision. I told him when he produces something from his body, he can name that whatever his heart desires!

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We let the kids help us decorate the house for Christmas and I know E is regretting it and I am getting there. The constant touching of the musical Christmas items in our house is enough to drive anyone batty and when they touch them all at once, I want to run from the house screaming! E hates Christmas music so it is even worse for him. Most of the things we took out needed new batteries and I replaced SOME of them, but the others will have to go without until maybe next year.
There is only so much a person can take.

The Name Game

My children have decided we need their help on deciding a name for this baby. Of course I am willing to listen since I am the worst with names and so is E. We are so picky and if we make a list of baby names we like, in the end we figure out that we hate them all.
The one name we both really like for a girl is classic but has turned popular in the last few years. That turns me off to a name. I never wanted my kid to be like the 15 Jennifers in my classes, known as Jen lastinitial. That is why I am so glad I didn't name R, Emma, which is SO popular right now. She came very close to being Emma and although I like R's name I wish I went a little more traditional with her name. I love L's name though and would never change it. I couldn't it was the only boy's name we could agree on.

This time if it is a boy he will be named after my father, so that decision is made. We are still on the hunt for a girl's name and the one I really like Charlotte, E hates. He is a pest.

Here are some of my children's suggestions:
R: For a girl we could name the baby Pink or Aria (wft?)
Me: Those are nice names.
L: If it is a boy we could name him Frankie
Me: Frankie? Where did you hear that name?
L: After Frankenstein!
Me: umm, I don't think so.

So do you have any suggestions for girl's names for me, or do you have a name that you heard and was so terrible it made you laugh? I mean like naming your baby after a monster?

Cry Me a River

When you are going through a crisis (i.e. losing your job, the only income coming into a home with 2 kids and one on the way) it would be best to go through it when you are not gestating. Not that E is gestating, I am.
Of course bad things happen all the time even if they are at inopportune times, but really when my hormones are going crazy, and I cry over the fact that I hate what my husband made for dinner, it is not the best time to be supportive.

I am trying to be supportive, I really am, but I break down and cry at least once a day. I am starting to get uncomfortable in bed these days but that is not the reason I am up tossing and turning in the middle of the night. My mind wanders and I worry about something happening to the baby before the supplemental insurance kicks in, I worry we have enough money to pay our bills, I worry about buying gifts for my kids never mind my family, I worry E will never snap out of this depression. I worry about it all.

Now I wish I cried over fun things like Hallmark commercials and Bush's inappropriate facial expressions.
So, what made you laugh today? Cheer me the f&ck up!

Stupid Mistake

I am financially challenged for obvious reasons, so I decided to go and get a few things for the kids on Friday.
Yes, black Friday.
Yes, I am stupid.
E set the alarm for 5:30 and I woke up, dressed, put on some minimal makeup and drive to my local Target.
Worst. Mistake. Of. My. Life.

Those people were animals. I was not going near the electronic department but everyone else was and nearly shoved me down to get there faster then well, maybe me. Being visibly pregnant did not deter people from pushing their carts into my stomach, stepping over me and pushing. I was just there for a few toys, and these people acted like there was a pot of gold hidden somewhere in the store!
I will not do that again, those people made me sick.

Did you go out on black Friday? Is there a special something you do to not get trampled?

Thankful

I am thankful for my kids even though they woke me up very early with their fighting over something stupid.
I am thankful for my home, the one my husband and I made together.
I am thankful that my beautiful kids are sweet, caring, loving and so smart, E and I raised them. Nobody can take credit for that but us.
I am thankful we have food today and even in rough times like the one we are going through now we know we have family that would help us out so we always would have food.
I am thankful that my kids are quietly enjoying the Thanksgiving day parade.
I am thankful my entire family is healthy.
I am thankful to have a husband that worries about us so much and all he wants to do is be a great provider, I am thankful he didn't kill his boss last week because he would be in jail right now.
I am thankful for my flabby, stretch marked belly because it is currently housing a healthy fetus and provided a warm safe place for two other beautiful big babies!
I am thankful for my life no matter how many ups and downs I have. It is my life and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Turkey Day

I am glad Thanksgiving is upon us because Thanksgiving dinner is my pregnancy craving. Funny enough it was when I was pregnant with my twins also. It was much more pronounced then because I would call my mother every day confirming what we were going to have for dinner and making sure she bought enough because I wanted A LOT of leftovers and asking her opinion on dessert a million times.
I don't know how I only gained 19.5 lbs that time around!

I am a huge fan of white trash green bean casserole and sweet potatoes. Or yams, what is the difference anyway?
I also HAVE to have cranberry sauce out of a can. I will make homemade but the jellied kind out of the can with the lines on it? Well, that is just old school and that is how we kick it.
Tell me, what do you look forward to most on Thanksgiving?

Just Another Monday

My in-laws were here for a long weekend so we had some added stress with that visit. It wasn't this bad this time around because they stayed with my sister in law and her family instead of with us. Some people asked what did I end up giving my mother in law for her birthday after I put out a plea for help. I ended up giving her a gift certificate for a local knitting/fabric store. She loved it.
Thank you, peeps.

We are having Thanksgiving here at home with just the four of us this year. I didn't want to travel the 2+ hours to my family's house for dinner so I will just cook for us. E and I are looking forward to it.
We are also trying to keep our spirits up because we know this is going to be a slow week for resumes, interviews and phone screens. E is much better then he was, I did allow him a two day mope/feeling sorry for himself/woe is me/let me drink to numb the pain fest and then I cut him off. It won't do any of us any good, we are going forward now. Everyone says bigger and better will come of this and we just hope so.
He really deserves it.


Go enter my contest.

Another Day...............

Thank you guys, really. Thank you for your comments, emails and internet love. It still amazes me strangers care about my life and feel for me, but it shouldn't surprise me because I get involved in your lives too. I feel for you too.

E will get a job, hopefully soon. He is a great worker, his home office even told him he was the best in his district in a ton of areas.
The best.
But their hands were tied, she got him on something she knew he couldn't defend, something that everyone does, something that she told his district to do if they needed to, but used it against him when she had nothing else.

This is a terrible time of year for anyone to be out of work. The fact that he cannot just take any job, he needs one with a car like he had or with a huge pay increase to buy another car is tough. He is the best and he and I have been working on all the leads we can. I can't imagine the stress he is under being the sole supporter of our family. I know my stress levels are crazy.

In the meantime, we are trying to be thankful for our health, the health of our children and our little one growing in my body. We are thankful for what we have but we still just want a break in life. One year without something life altering happening. Just one.

People have asked me how they can help, just being here and lending support helps so much. Keep writing on your blogs because I need all the laughter I can get. Visit my other sites as much as you can because I get paid on visitors, maybe you can even link me up, let me know if you do and I will reciprocate.

From Bad to Worse

So after a year long witch hunt by my husband's boss she finally got him a technicality and fired him yesterday. Fired him because of something stupid, something he told HR was going to happen because he knew for months she was out to fire him. HR didn't protect him and I had to pick him up like a dog on the side of the road yesterday after she ambushed him and confiscated his computer and car.
Right before Thanksgiving, knowing I am pregnant and we have 4 year old twins.

Nice.

I have not one nice thing to say about this lady after I have been hearing for months what she says to him, how she talks to him and what goes on. She wanted the top salesman in her area fired because she didn't like that he knew what he was doing and didn't need her help every little step of the way.
he is a hard worker, never calls out sick and does his job very well, has even received awards, but I guess that doesn't matter. How did we know this was coming, well she has done it to his coworkers before.
It is taking everything I have not to go to her house and beat the crap out of her. Really.

Since neither of us have ever lost a job we had to figure out how to collect unemployment while I watch my husband push back tears wondering how he will buy Christmas gifts for his kids or how he can pay for my doctors visits.

I wonder how those things will happen too, but I have to be strong for him.


Does anyone want to hire a pregnant lady?

The No Good Very Bad Day

I am having a very stressful, worry filled day. Perfect for any pregnant woman! I can't discuss it partly because of I am not sure what I think is going to happen will happen and partly because I think if I speak of it or write it down it will come true.

Sometimes I just wish my family and I could catch a break. I really, really do. When does continuous bad luck turn into just having a crappy life?
I may very well be at that point.

Happy Monday

No real post today because my friends are coming over for a visit. One of them has never visited me in the almost 5 years I have lived here. The other two only have been here twice.
I have been up since 6am baked orange muffins, baked cheesecake brownies and finished cleaning the house.

I am already tired and it is 9:15am.

Go check out my other site and enter to win a cd!

Stinkin' Strike

Wow, you ladies go to long lengths to get groomed during your pregnancy. I am impressed. You know I think we groom more for our doctor's then our husbands, but whatever the motivation, our men have it made.

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Let's talk about the writers strike, shall we? It is all over the news and as disturbing as it is for me not to have my new shows on, what is more disturbing to me is the footage of these striking writers. No, I am not talking about Jay Leno bringing them bagels. (bagels? Jay, you are worth billions of dollars, hows about a full catered breakfast?)
Have you heard them chanting on the picket line?

"Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Management can’t write the show!"

"Webisodes and DVD, we won’t write ‘em, not for free!"
and my personal fav:

"We write the storyas for Eva Longoria"

Storyas??? These are writers? They can't come up with anything better?
This cannot bode well for them. No wonder Grey's Anatomy sucks this year.

Also? If Lost doesn't come back with all new episodes in February after me waiting forever, the writers are going to have more to worry about then getting paid for webisodes.

I'm just sayin'.

That is What They Mean by "Bad Times"

I know I shouldn't be so hard on myself.
I knew it was just a matter of time.
It can't be helped, it happens to the best of us.
I just didn't know it could happen to me........so soon.

It is OK to admit it, I know I am not alone. I know you, the blogging community, will support me.
People, my belly is now so big that I cannot :ahem: groom properly.
Ladies you know what I am talking about. I am not the agile woman of yesteryear and combine that with me being bigger this second pregnancy and you have yourself a potent cocktail.
Indeed.

My usual grooming habits have fallen wayside and I have now resorted to doing a blind shave in the shower. Yes, it is risky and I know it is not long before I have to give this up too. This time around I am going to have to ask for help sooner. I am going to have to send in reinforcements.
I have to get E to help me.

I felt bad about this last time around, I felt like I was making him do this heinous act. This time around, I feel like it is his duty.
It is the least he could do.
If I have to squeeze a large object out of a small hole then he can at least make it look pretty.

Can I get an amen?

Crafty Lady, I Am Not

I have told you all about my fascination with recipe books and blogs, that I like to call suburban mom porn, but I have another fetish.
Crafting blogs.

Oh, how I yearn to sew and crochet and knit like these bloggers. I want to make my kids clothes, costumes and curtains like my mom did with us. I want to make them hats, mittens and sweaters like my mother in law does for my kids. The little bit of knitting I know how to do is because my mother in law taught me, and although I will deny every saying this and erase it immediately if you try and use it against me, sometimes I wish my mother in law lived closer so she can really teach me these things.

My mother doesn't sew anymore, she is too busy. I haven't sewn anything but a missing button on pants in years. In fact I would love a sewing machine, but I never find the money to buy one, what with kids needing clothes and shoes and FOOD all of the time!

I wish one of you crafty ladies lived near me to teach me these cool things. I would love to have someone take a knitting or crocheting class with me.
Instead I wonder if I will be stuck always knitting pot holders.

My Life on the Skidz

I have said it before and I will say it again, daylight savings time is for the young and childless. For the mothers, the elderly, for the people who have to work early in the morning, and for some fathers, DST is torture.

We are going to change the subject to poop now. Don't say you haven't been warned.
Why am I having to clean poop stains from not only my son's underwear but also from my husband's? Now my son is too busy to wipe well. He has been instructed to call for an adult to wipe his hiney when a poop is involved. He does this, sometimes. Although I am with him 24 hours a day sometimes I am not aware he is pooping. Thus sometimes there is a skid mark of sorts in his underwear.
Now my husband on the other hand, is a grown man. This morning a saw a stain on his linen pants* he put on when he woke up. I guess procuring a pair of underwear before putting these pants was too much work. Thus a stain was born.
Was he embarrassed? Yes, but not enough to never let a wet fart out again, I am sure.

Please let me know that I am not the only wife and mother that has to throw away stained underwear and scrub the ones that are not that bad off.
Please tell me that skid marks are a part of your life too.


* I don't know why either.

Two Words: Jersey Hair

I just wish I could find pictures of my biggest beauty blunder. Of course growing up in the 80s there were so many to chose from. The crimped hair, the stretch pants with shirts short in the front and long in the back, keds with wigwam socks, the colored mascara (why??) the big clips we wore on the side of our heads, and the big ass Jersey hair.

Although my hair was not the biggest in New Jersey or even in my school for that matter, it still was big. I am not sure how the trend of "ratting" your hair out as far as it could go then spraying it with half a can of aqua net came from, but Jersey girls had it perfected. It required many cans of hairspray, various combs, combined with extra long bangs and a steady hand. This hairstyle was no joke. We are solely responsible for the holes in the ozone. Jersey hair was a phenomenon. It was everywhere, on MTV, in magazine heck even Madonna had Jersey hair at one point, and she was Madonna, she could do no wrong.

I look back at those pictures of myself and cringe.
Why didn't someone intervene?
Why couldn't we just say no to the hairspray?
Why couldn't we let our bangs fall as they may?

I wonder what the craze will be when my daughter becomes a teenager. I know one thing though, I will never laugh at her, because I know deep in my closet hidden below many piles of junk is proof that I was a teenager once too.
And I did not know better either.



This post was for the new book Beauty Confidential (which I will add to my Christmas list) and Parent Bloggers Network. Go check out other people's worst beauty moments. Lets hope some are worse then mine!

Halloween Fun

Candy coma. Too much fun. Send veggies to try and counteract the sugar.

Too much candy leftover. May throw it all out.