I KNEW it!!!!

Ok, ok, I thought I would NEVER write again about the neighbor that I so fondly remember telling off a few weeks ago, but I have to, just one more time. Life has been peaceful and lacking drama, which I find I AM ok with. It has also been without gossip...which I am learning to live without. And my saying, what I live by...."what comes around goes around", REALLY DOES HAPPEN!!!! Today I was talking to another friend of mine, from the old neighborhood, and she decides to tell me a BIG secret about Kristen and her husband. Well, not so much Kristen, but her husband. You see, this old neighbor of mine has been seperated from her husband since I met her over a year ago, and she has not been totally faithful. Neither has Kristen's husband! Wink wink, nod nod! You got it!!!!! They didn't have sex, but he kissed her on MORE than one occasion...at least once while Kristen was pregnant last year RIGHT AFTER THEY GOT MARRIED and once after we moved out the 'hood (which was almost a year ago now). He wanted more to happen but our old neighbor cut him off saying that it was wrong (so was the kissing, but it made for good gossip and it wasn't my husband so I'm not going to berate her). Apparently, Kristen's husband feels trapped, has felt trapped since before he married her and talked at length to our old neighbor online and in person at night after Kristen had gone to bed--to get his feelings out. Is this hard to follow? I don't care...it's gossip! LOL! So, I no longer feel like I am going to burst...the grass isn't always greener on the other side and Kristen gets what Kristen deserves. Now I just hope that this doesn't come around to haunt me one day.

Ahhh, Cymbalta!

Can I tell you, I love the new drug, Cymbalta! I'm not even using it, and I love it! Terry went on it last week and it has made a big difference in our household already. For example, whenever we have a party, Terry does NOTHING unless asked. He doesn't plan, doesn't clean the house, doesn't get up off the couch unless I specifically ASK! Well, we had a party yesterday and do you know the man not only cooked for the party, but when I went out to do errands, he actually did some laundry and cleaned up after him and the kids AND....drumroll....was vacuuming when I got home!!!! I didn't even ASK for any of that to be done, but he was actually excited about hosting a party and helping out. Ahhh, Cymbalta!

Terry was a butterfly at the party too...usually he's talking to one person and kinda doing his own thing, but he was a gracious host yesterday and I was super proud. Now, if we could just get him to stop smoking....I know I know...one milestone at a time!

And a life lesson....

There's this girl around the corner that just moved in and she has "party plates" on her car...they are yellow license plates with red writing...showing people that you are a drunk driver (or have had so many DUIs)--anyway, I find out she's a preachers' daughter and had these horrible images in my mind. So, today, her 5 year old comes over (wanders over is more like it) and starts playing with Zac and Lil and their friends. Terry goes out and tells him to go home and ask him Mommy if it's alright for him to play in our yard, and he went home crying! So I went over, introduced myself and had a great convo with this woman. She's younger than me (I'm sure) and her son will be going to Kindy this year like Zac. He loves Hotwheels and Playstation....I told her he's Zac's clone! LOL! Very sensitive too! I'm so glad that I have this party girl image out of my head....and that Zac could have another 5 year old to play with. We can see each other's backyards too...very close and convenient! They even invited us to a movie in two weeks...the new Hotwheels movie. FUN! Ok, that's my lesson for today....first impressions aren't always great.

Memorial Day

This may be rather sad to think about, but it will make me feel better about the upcoming holiday. You see, rather than visiting gravesites, I will be hosting a cookout and playing cornhole. So, I'm using today to remember. Here's a list of those who have gone before me that I will always remember, and what comes to mind as I think of them:

Chad--my first ever boyfriend. He was such a "sweet" guy...the kid next door...nothing super extraordinary about him, but someone everyone should have had the chance to befriend. The funniest thing I remember is that he was spelling "Happy Holidays" in lights on his rooftop, and misspelled HOLIDAYS! LOL! He will be gone 10 years this Christmas season, and it seems unreal that I have lived a third of my life now without him. Can't wait to see him again.

Great Grandma Kaper- the woman always had a dollar for me in her "pocketbook"--it was the heaviest black purse I have ever seen with more compartments than a jewelry box. She was full of life and always liked to be right in the middle of things. Oh, and she LOVED Frischs and Friendlys!

Great-Grandpa Kaper--his mole....and I'll leave it at that!

Grandma Rose--I remember going to the hospital a lot to see her at the end, but we weren't allowed up to see her until she was about to die. I remember being scared to touch her, and regret not having more years with her. She also always bought us underwear for Christmas!

Grandpa Harry--the ice cream man! He always had ice cream....and Whoppers for us! And our dogs loved him! He always said he wouldn't quit smoking because if he was gonna die, he was gonna die doing what he wanted and eating what he wanted. Cancer took his wife, heart disease took him.

Great Grandma Finke--I remember how petite she was, and how her house smelled. I never wanted to go see her, but now that I've learned more about her life and how she lived and grew up, I wish I had gone and seen her and talked to her more.

Bob--my friend Marie lost her husband 10 years ago this Fall...what a sad passing and horrible time...right before their first child was born. He was a fabulous man that every woman would be so lucky to have--caring and dedicated.

To all those who have gone before me, I salute you and think of you fondly on this day, and everyday. I will see you again....for sure! Save me a good seat!

Cooking with Luis!

I just find it funny that I didn't need to refer to a cookbook for last night's dinner. I had to watch Noggin (it's like preschool, on TV!). I got last night's dinner idea and recipe from a 5 year old....I was totally inspired! We made (ahem, I made) empanadas, and they were damn skippy GOOD! Lillie and Zac were so excited to be eating something that came from Noggin....I was excited that I could almost perfectly duplicate what a 5 year old had shown me...sad but true! Terry was even happy to see that I had gone outside my shell and made something I had never made before...and that they were good! LOL! Too bad Luis only has a few recipes....I could use some ideas for tonite!

A lot about NOTHING!

Wow, it has been almost a week since I was on here....so much to tell (uh, not really!), so little time! I walked a 3 mile MS Walk this morning in an hour! My legs will be screaming at me tomorrow, although I used to be able to do that 4-5 times a week no sweat! I had to rush out of there as Zac's FIRST ever baseball game was at 10am and the walk-a-thon didn't start until 9am, so I was a little late, but got to see some of the game...what a cute way to spend Saturday mornings. Zac had fun until it was over, and then he didn't want to "slap hands" with the other team and tell them good game. At this point there is no score keeping and everyone gets a chance at bat each inning....so there's only 3-4 innings per game. We are getting basics down for now...the rest will come in the later years. Last night we picked up Zac's uniform from his Coach and he's #4. Zac tells Lillie on the way home that #4 is usually the best on the team.....LOL! Where oh where does my child come up with these things?

Tonite on the entire way home from church (the only quiet moment was when they were slurping down ice cream from the train!) I heard the song, "Who is the King of the Jungle?"---Zac's favorite part is "J-E-S-U-S, YES!" so we sang that part about 100 times...now the kid can spell his name and Jesus! I love when they get in the car now and tell me something "new" about God or Jesus. Lillie made a giving box this week so she is saving some money to give back to church....she's very excited about her purple "chinese take out" box! Zac keeps telling me that God loves him all the time, no matter what he does...as if to say I don't love him when I'm mad at him or he's being bad? Funny how God doesn't have to send him to time out or take away his XBox....I'm always the bad guy! LOL! Totally kidding, of course!

What else happened this week? Well today I took the kids to the Beach waterpark after Zac's game...what was I thinking? I got a pass for Zac, but they didn't allow me to buy one for Lillie...they still state that 4 and under is free, so I will go with that until they make me buy her a pass! She was bummed, as she really wanted a pass with her picture on it too....oh well, I'm not paying $27 to get her pic taken, that's for sure!

As I was plugging in my cell phone to charge last night, I had to unplug Terry's, and as I did, I noticed this picture on his phone. The same pic he has had on there for almost 2 years now...it's a close up of the kids. They used to ask him to take their pic EVERYDAY with his camera phone....they thought that was the coolest thing ever. Anyway, he has had the same pic on there and it's absolutely precious (yes I'm their Mom and I'm biased, but it's absolutely precious, I swear!)--Lillie is in front with a startled yet happy look on her face and Zac is behind her growling. Not much has changed in the way they pose for pics, but they sure have grown...how sad that I haven't been pregnant in almost 4 years....haven't nursed in almost 2 years. WOW! Time is flying...and at this rate I will be hosting sweet 16 parties (NOT like the ones those brats have on MTV...Terry and I can afford at best a "cool" party at home for gracious children!!) and attending high school graduations before I know it.

Well, that's about all that I can remember from this past week...for now. I'm off to clean up from a day where I wasn't home at all...how ever does that happen?!?!?!?

Mother's Day! NOT a Rant!

Real quick....MD has turned out to be rather good to me. I worked at church this morning, saw lots of friends, came home and was surprised by fresh (LIVE) lobster in my fridge....being cooked as I type. Terry is making me a gourmet meal and the kids got me flowers and a Dora card with a "sticker" badge inside that I proudly wore all day. Went to my cousin's Eagle Scout ceremony with all of my family and then went back to my Aunt and Uncle's house for an impromptu dinner (couldn't really eat since I was having lobster for dinner!) and now the kids are listening and are taking a bath, getting ready for bed so Mommy can enjoy her meal with her FAVE TV shows....in peace! What a fabulous day!

WHY????? A Rant!

I feel I have so many WHY questions all the time, and I take them "above" a lot, but I don't seem to hear Him answering them all, so I am bringing them to the blog. Why are some people able to have child after child and not deserve them at all? This is my big question of the day. Why are these the people that have no problem conceiving, that are SHOCKED when they get pregnant again (after just having a baby in Sept 05--and no, I'm not talking about Britney) and are upset about what they are going to do. WHY? And why are there good people, that try everything to conceive and just have no possible way other than a miracle to have a child. These people desperately WANT a child, have the means to be parents, would make wonderful Moms and Dads and can't have their wish? WHY? And why would the "baby factory" decide to rub it in the face of one that cannot conceive on her birthday? WHY? And why do I know this....because these people are in my life. Now I realize, this isn't major crime, death, murder or molestation I'm talking about, but it really hurts people and should be recognized. If anyone knows me at all and the people that have pushed their way into my lives, you know who I'm speaking of. Yes, Kristen is pregnant AGAIN! Her baby is 8 mos old, the twins that her husband created with a lesbian are 5 years old now, and they are having another baby. They don't have a full time job between the two of them, live on assistance and as one friend puts it, "goes in smelling like shit and comes out smelling like roses"--this is their existence. They always come out of everything like God is personally protecting every aspect of their lives. The one thing is though, that they don't live like God would want them to. They are spiteful, they are liars, they are who they are, and it's not pretty. As I type this I realize God wouldn't want me typing this either, but I am who I am as well....not perfect.

So, yesterday was Bobbie's birthday and Bobbie and her husband cannot conceive a child. They really want a child, are wonderful around children, and Kristen call her CRYING on her birthday to tell her she's pregnant and doesn't know what to do. WHAT???? She's 27 and married...not 15 and in high school. I know what she's going to do. Milk this pregnancy for all she can, collect even more assistance and sit on her lazy ass and "mother"--as horribly as she knows how! Does she NOT know how this happens? They don't use birth control and don't realize that this is the outcome for two fertile people? DUH!!!!!!! And why must she find out she's pregnant and call Bobbie, of all people, on her birthday, to tell her. Bobbie who would give anything to be that pregnant woman. And then turn May 12 (Bobbie's Day) into Kristen's day of crisis--which happens way too often to count. WHY? If anyone has the answer and would like to tell me, go for it....I'm too tired of the drama to figure it out. And while I like drama(I thrive on it!), I don't like drama that creates hurt for my friends.

No Sugar Bugs!

The dentist trip was a huge success!!!! The kids did beautifully (Zac had to go it alone while I sat and made sure Lillie was ok) , no cavities, and then got goodies bags from the Dentist. Exciting stuff! We celebrated by going and eating SUGAR! LOL! We went for ice cream at this little dairy whip place in Loveland...the kids LOVE it. My wallet does not. This place is pretty expensive in my book, so we will not be frequent buyers, but nonetheless is was fun!

Nothing else is going on this week. It has been quiet and nice. Except for work. I had a single Mother of 3 cuss me out the other night for not refunding her fees when she's spending money she doesn't have. After the second F U I told her I was hanging up...and I did! That was the highlight of my week I think....the hang up, not the cussing!

In other news around Goshen, Zac's future Mother in Law was in a car accident at the main intersection around the corner from our house. The guy that hit her (at 630pm on Friday) blew a 2.6--drunk as a skunk. The cop that came and arrested him told Connie (Zac's girlfriends' Mom) that this was the 4th person he has arrested for DUI since he came on duty at 4pm that afternoon. GOSHEN IS SCARY!!!!! What in the world...can't these people drink at home in their trailers and stay there? I mean seriously....we are endangering our lives coming home from baseball practice at 7pm and that's not cool. 1am I can understand, but dinnertime is just plain outrageous.

We are off to the bus stop in the rain to ignore the neighbor and get Zac home safely....home the drunkards aren't out at lunch today!

What are the odds?

What are the odds that while standing next to the kitchen table, peeling bananas for the kids, Lillie would drop a small piece of bologna while chewing and it would go straight in between my big toe and second toe? Not big....but it happened. It was too big to get ejected without help, too small to fall straight through to the ground. Why am I even remembering it? Who knows. Maybe it's my lucky day and I should be off buying lottery tickets! I hope it's a lucky day for Zac and Lillie....they are off to the dentist soon and need some NO SUGAR BUGS vibes for them.

And now some good news!

I had to make this it's own post....Lillie news doesn't deserve to be grouped in with loser news. LILLIE WAS ACCEPTED TO PRESCHOOL!!!!! She will go on an IEP for speech articulation and peer socialization intervention (or some fancy words like that). She starts September 5th....my baby will be in school 4-5 days a week....half days, but gone, leaving me at home to do absolutely whatever....laundry(no!), cleaning (no!), catching up on TIVO (maybe!), going out to breakfast or lunch with Tara and Ryan (YES INDEED!)--I'm excited that we will all be starting a new chapter in our lives....school for them, home alone for me! LOL! Way to go Lillie!!!!! She's VERY excited by the way....now we just hurry up and wait for September to get here!!!!!!!!

Ah, a proud moment!

I did it!!!! I stood up to the "neighbor"--the one that I was stuck with at the Zoo last week....the one that seems to stalk my every move. We met them when they moved in next to us at our old house. I got her a job at the bank....she left quickly for another job (yet still to this day I hear about how horrible she was treated at the bank, etc etc...while I still work there!) We contracted on our house and they magically contracted on one across the street and down a few lots. Granted, they didn't have the credit for it, but managed to find a buyer so they could rent it, so they live across the street. Told her about my job at church and VIOLA! She's working at church. Is there any part of my life that I can have all to myself? Guess not.

Anywho...this whole court case thing is about over now (I hope!) with our old landlord and there's still one thing not resolved. Kristen and her husband (Mark) "took" the lawnmower from the old houses...we shared it. It stopped working, we gave it to them to fix/use/whatever and we bought our own, all with the knowledge of the landlord. We got sued in November and one thing in the lawsuit was this lawnmower. When K and M moved out here, they "accidentally" moved it with their belongings. Then the story changed to say that the landlord told them to keep it. Whatever, we are being sued for it, so return the damn thing. The time has come to pay the $200 fine and return the mower and is it too much to ask that THEY return the mower? I mean really...Terry and I didn't "take it" for them...why should WE have to return it? I told her today that we are too busy, quite honestly, to be in charge of returning it, when they have it. Terry works 75 hours a week and I work 30. She took offense....mind you, she doesn't work at all in the week (barely does laundry, let alone housework, but that's none of my beeswax) and M only works when it's nice outside...he's in construction. So what do they do all day? Well I can tell you what they AREN'T doing....returning that stupid mower. ARGH! People really just don't know how to be LAW ABIDING and DO THE RIGHT THING anymore....or maybe it's just these two. Whatever the case...I'm done with them. I don't need people like that in my life....and I don't want them. So there... (spoken like a true 5 year old would say it!)

New outlook!

I have started reading a book called "Captivating"--a christian based book that should lead me to unveil the woman within. I have read the first chapter and already have a different outlook on life. I just finished a group at church through our ID series where we uncovered some things from our past that shaped us into what we are today. Now we are working on tearing down those "fake ids" to become the person God created us to be. I got involved with a great group of 6 women who I didn't know before this series started, and now I have some great friends. We are studying "Captivating" together and I am so looking forward to a change from within.

I am trying to remember where all my negativity came from, but I cannot. I want to be the positive, fun loving, CARING person I was before, but I can't seem to find her. I'm hoping this new book series will help me unravel some of the bad to find the good.

And now onto the kids....they had a great weekend! They earned allowance for helping around the house and even for sharing WITHOUT being asked and within hours of earning this money, it was gone! The ice cream truck came around Saturday night and they were like sugar junkies....standing in the driveway drooling while the truck got closer and closer. That money could not have flown out of their pockets any faster....too cute! Zac is wanting to earn more money already...that kid has the right idea! I hope we don't go broke!