Rosie the Wonder Disco Dog

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Surprise Surprise

HELLO EVERYONE!!!!!

As you may have surmised, everything is going swimmingly well here at Rosie the Wonder Dog's House.

I'm sorry I haven't written in ... oh, say.... 3 months! I think I have the CTD... That's Chronic Tired Disease. Not to be confused with sleeping disease... because I'm not doing much of that! HA HA HA HA HA

The kids are taking swim lessons at the YMCA this year, that's actually great... but a little stressful when it's time ot sign up... I had to go there yesterday and 1/2 hour early to get a number, because the lessons fill up really quick... last sesson I heard that the lessons filled up online in 6 minutes!

Two things were in my favor yesterday.... #1) I was there early and I got number 8
#2) Comcast announced a statewide outage! So, atleast the comcast users weren't clogging up the sign up works! Good 'ole technology

Slag 1 continues to remind me why we got divorced... not in words, but in the things he does!

I love winter! I hope we get a nice be pile of big fluffy white snow!

My middle daughter is doing well in Kindergarten, she has some great friends, including one a couple of houses down the street... My youngest asks me every morning how old she is... because she really really wants to go to kindergarten and hopes that she will turn 5 in her sleep! HA HA HA HA My oldest is doing much better in school and hasn't had an asthma attack in almost 30 days! I don't know if that's due to the new medication or the humidifier I finally put in their bedroom.

Well.... that's about it.

Jealousy is a terrible terrible thing... and I am fighting the green monster! I'm not jealous of money, clothes, or looks...... I am jealous of .... BLACKBERRIES... I promise, if you get me a balckberry, and pay the $150.00 a month fee for unlimited phone and data access... I will update my blog daily... ha ha ha ha ha ha ah ah aha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

I'm really pissed at the blackberry industry. You would have thought by now the whole cost of the thing would have come down... but instead, they keep making the little handheld beauties cooler and cooler.... thus justifying the continued expense... OH WOE IS ME...

Well I guess it could be worse.... they could have increased the cost of coffee and priced me right out of my 2 pots a day! That my friends would hurt.

OK Have a great day!

Ahhhhh it's Good to be Back.

Well.... long time no write. A couple of things have happened since the last time I wrote... hmmm let's see.... We elected a new president, The American People found that that the 700 billion bail-out is not actually going to bail out anyone... and NASA shares the first pictures of a couple of planets that exist outside our solar system.

OH yeah, life is good.

I'm not going to whine about the economy... atleast I'm working... right? I'm not going to whine about my lack of sleep... which is probably related to my stress about the economy... because, atleast I'm working ... right?

I would like to take a moment and lament.....

The status of the laundry in my home. (hahahahahahaha)

I know, I know, my laundry doesn't bother you.... but I gotta tell you, it has absolutely over run my house. There are atleast 2 full laundry baskets of clean (and sometimes folded) laundry in every room... AND there is still a pile of laundry on my bed...

OH WOE IS ME.......

Tonight... tonight, I am going to rid my home of the "un-put away" laundry in the myriad of baskets. I am going to pack those dressers to the brim.... I am going to sort, I am going to fold, I am going to be the LAUNDRY CHAMPION! .... rrrrriiiggghhhhtttttt.... We all know what I'm really going to do... I'm going to get the kids to bed around 8:00pm... and I lock up all the doors, turn out all the lights... and hit the sack! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

This thanksgiving I will be having some family over for the holiday! I'm very excited, I will be cooking the bird... and opening up the can of cranberry's! HA HA HA HA HA OK, maybe some vegetables and what not... It will be great! AND maybe.... Just maybe.... a fire in the fire place.

OK, that's it, I have a headache...

The kids are finally healthy, my oldest had a terrible asthma attack this week, she is ok now. But boy, is that scary. The other two have coughs, which the Dr. has chalked up to allergies too. I don't know where all these allergies have come from...

I have a cavity... I really have to find a dentist... it doesn't hurt ... when I don't eat! HA HA HA HA HA Can cavities cause brain tumors... because, honestly, a "yes" answer is pretty much what it is going to take for me to get to a dentist.

I'm going to be left with the front 4 teeth and nothing else. Imagine the dismay of my potential suitors to learn.... that my full set of choppers is just a clever facade. At least I'll lose weight! HA HA HA HA HA HA Nothing but dinner through a straw for me! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

OK... you can all remind me about this toothless entry... in about 5 years when it actually comes true!

Have a great day!
I'll try to write more... I have to go take some Advil for my toothache

Police were at my door at 6:00am

Well, as you know, I was visited once before by the police seeking answers as to the whereabouts of my neighbor....a 23 year old, we have since dubbed... The felon.

I know another young man who grew up in the area and he said that my neighbor spent much of his high school years (and there may have been more than 4) selling drugs. This I believe.

So, this morning... early... sometime after 4:00 am (which is when I was up and at my computer) the police rang my door bell. It was probably like 6:00, because I was just waking up my little princesses to start a new day.

I go to answer the door, but my front porch was dark when I moved the curtain aside to peer through... So I opened the door a fraction and said, "Hello"

They promptly identified themselves and I went to turn on the front porch light, but the bigger of the two burly badge toting dudes said, "No lights mame. We are trying to keep a low profile"

So, Logn and short of it is.... "Len the felon" is on the run. I told the police that I had seen him several times over the last few weeks, I said that the two cars in the driveway probably meant that he was home and so was his mom... and that I hadn't seen him driving in months... and that mostly his girlfriend did the driving.

The girlfriend statement got them all hyper... and atleast 2 of them whipped out their notebooks... but they were quickly crestfallen when I answered their questions and it was clear that I didnt' know her name, her license plate or anything... and that in fact, I was pretty useless as an informant ...

AND frankly... at that hour in the morning, not too attractive either.

So, they bid me adieu and I did too.

That got me to day dreaming about big burly cops and I remembered recieving an email with pictures of some really nice looking men who were supposedly cops in Bergen County NJ... sigh... yup.... pretty sad. I wonder if I can find that email... it might be worth posting the pictures! HA HA HA HA HA AH AH AHA

Hello My Minions.....

Ahhhhhhhh I'm back. I'm back with a chip on my shoulder the size.... well, the size of texas (or the floating island of garbage between california and hawaii which is reportedly twice the size of texax -don't believe me click here) --- which for us northerners.... would make it like the size of 16 New Jersey's! HA HA HA HA (The link to the article by the way is from the LATimes... and it's mostly about the birds that are dying from eating the plastic and the island of garbage is referred to as "Eastern Garbage Patch". So if you want to find your own references you can google that.)

OK... I'm on the soap box about the latest Obama email .... I gotta tell you... some pretty smart people are spreading the most ridiculous emails about this man. AGAIN, I say... I'm a registered republican (yes, I know B. blah blah blah .... ) but I gotta tell you... the latest email is just so ridiculous that I can't imagine anyone passing it around with out doing some research.

AND SO, without further adeiu.... Here it is... SANS the pictures... which was how it came to me:

"Subject: FW: FW: FW: GET THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE

I cannot believe this man admits going to flag burning ceremonies and he is trying to become our president!!!!??? He is going to LAY ASIDE HIS HATRED if he is president and DISARM our country…OH COME ON!!!!

Read this and pass this along.

There is more than taxes at stake in the election!!!Wow, if you want to read something that will scare your socks off, read this in its entirety! Perhaps there are SOME out there who are beginning to get 'the picture'.

The following is a narrative taken from Sunday Morning's televised 'Meet The Press'. and the author is employed by none other than the Washington Post!! Yeah......the Washington Post of New York and Los Angeles Times fame!! Must say that I'm dually impressed.................. From Sunday's Televised 'Meet the Press' Senator Obama was asked about his stance on the American Flag.

Obama Explains National Anthem Stance Sun, 07 Sept. 2008 11:48:04 EST, General Bill Ginn' USAF (ret.) asked Obama to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played. The General also stated to the Senator that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171... During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. At the very least, 'Stand and Face It' Senator Obama Live on Sunday states, 'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides, Obama said. 'There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.'We should consider to reinvent our National Anthem as well as to redesign our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It's my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren. If we as a Nation of warring people, should conduct ourselves as the nations of Islam, whereas peace prevails. Perhaps a state or period of mutual concord between our governments. When I become President, I will seek a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts. We as a Nation have placed upon the nations of Islam an unfair injustice. My wife disrespects the Flag for many personal reasons. Together she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past, many years ago. She has her views and I have mine'.
Of course now, I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put aside my hatred. I will use my power to bring CHANGE to this Nation, and offer the people a new path of hope. My wife and I look forward to becoming our Country's First Family. Indeed, CHANGE is about to overwhelm the United States of America .

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard it right. This could possibly be our next President. I, for one, am speechless."

Now. Plllleeeeeaaaaassssseeeeeeeee............... never mind that this email was already on snopes and there was video tape of him not saluting the flag, but there were other pictures when he did... also, none of the other candidates were facing the flag which was also stated as a rule.

OK... I'm better now... really I don't know how people can continue to pass this stuff on... AND I almost hesitate to put it on the web, but it's just soooooooooo over the top... but

Sooooooooo I have a couple of projects in the works. Nothing I can disclose... bwaaa haaaa haaaa All I can say is... if it doesn't work out, I know what I will be giving you all for the holidays! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ... cough cough... oh I crack myself up! HA HA HA HA HA HA AH AH

So... let's see.... I have some things to enter in the top secret blog... but I am .... yawn.... tired. Perhaps I will enter them..... perhaps not. You will have to check.

For those of you that aren't aware.... I also have an industrious blog called...........

http://mombloggerworks.blogspot.com it's a mishmosh of work ideas and some blatant attempts to earn advertising money. (a girl has got to work doesn't she?) I'm thinking about putting a shingle out infront of my house.

Just a shingle. ha ha ha ha ha ha

Actually, i just can't decide what to put on the shingle. Like..... I think I'd like to be a consultant.

I don't think I want to give advice. I don't think I want to councel. I think I'd like to be .... a REFERENCE CONSULTANT

So, if you have somethign that you want to do.... I can come up with some information and references for you.

Would you pay for that? Would you pay for me to research something and print you out the results of the research? eh?

OK... gotta go tuck some kids into bed.... Have a nice night....

How about this... i'll let you have one Reference Consultation Free! Send me one question.

Have a great day!

Surprise..... And Update

Good Morning.
It's 5:18am and it's still dark out! As my kids would say, "is it wake up time yet?"

Everyone is happy and healthy.

Halloween is around the corner. I will have 2 black Bats and 1 butterfly bat fluttering around my house on Halloween. That is if I can get around to sewing the wings onto the shirts I bought.

My parents are here and have been here since last wednesday, as a result I have been able to sleep in my bed.... because it's not covered in laundry. The living room, however, looks like the stone hendge of of laundry.... pillars of neatly folded clothes all waiting to be put away. HA HA HA HA HAHA HA H

Mom and Dad will be staying until sometime on Wednesday. It's been nice and relaxing.

Rosie the wonder dog it well, she is very happy because my parents brought their dogs and she LOVE to play with other dogs.

September was a particularly harrowing and trying month. I will have to remember that for next year, I think it has a lot to do with returning to school... and getting the kids back on schedule.

IT IS NOT THAT I AM GETTING OLD!

and.... I am not set in my ways! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

I had a funny conversation with Slagboy. As you know he filed bankruptcy last year in April (that is his second bankruptcy) ... and... he is now pondering whether he should stay living up north or move back into his house, or whether he should buy another house.

I looked at him blankly trying to imagine the world he lives in.

if you haven't already taken my poll..... (thanks to those that did...) Please take it. I only got 16 responses.... that's 986 shy of how many I was looking for! (smile) ----- speaking of unrealistic expectations! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Congradulations to M Colkins! Who has repositioned herself a mid a booming metropolis and is living la vita loco! You Rock G-Friend.

Also, Hugs to B the K, who I have sorrowfully neglected!.... I am remembering even more neglect as I recall that I didn't even think to call and wish happy holidays over the recent big holidays... yikes.

Friends in Idaho? You still there? Getting ready to batten down the hatches for the winter and start up your roof shoveling business?

To All.... have a great day!

It's is a balmy 28 degrees out right now.
I just noticed a funny quirk about Weather.com. There is a weather alert and it makes the sound of thunder... even though the alert is for frost.

What does frost sound like?

Update on my Update

Ahhhhhh today ... today is shaping up like a great start to a new week.

I actually got some down time this morning before everyone woke up... that's great!

I'm on my 2nd large mug of coffee...

My kids are awake and not arguing....

Life is good.

Yes I know... it's amazing what a little down time can do.

Yesterday I spent... 8 hours.

8 straight hours

8 virtually uninterrupted hours

Reading.

I didn't do laundry

I didn't dust

I didn't answer the phone

I relaxed on the couch and read: Robert Ludlum's "The Ambler Warning"

It was a good book. I figured out the ending before the main character figured it out, but it was well written and a nice fast read.

I needed that little 8 hour vacation!

Have a great day!

BOUNDARIES BOUNDARIES BOUNDAIRES

This week was harrowing.

As you know, my children have started waking up at 5:00am.

I'm awake... it's just that it is my quiet time. You may have noticed that I haven't had any blog entries recently... that's because the kids have been getting up so early, there isn't any time before the ... constant... persistent... unending... verbal barrage "mommy... mommy... mommy... punctuated by (insert name) hit me or called me names or won't share or won't play..." .. sigh..

It is now 7:00am.
Here's today's timeline
5:00 - they woke up, I spoke to them about getting along and let them know that they could stay in the livingroom and watch TV as long as they were quiet, because it was really too early for them to be awake.
5:15 - they started to argue
5:20 - reminded them about getting sent to their room
5:30 - got sent back to their bedroom
5:40 - told them next step is TV get turned off
5:58 - bedroom TV got turned off - explained next step is no swim lessons
6:15 - No swim lessons
6:15 - 6:35 - blessed quiet
6:35 - 6:50 one at a time they came out for pens or crayons to color, Middle child isn't allowed to color in the bedroom now because she drew on the walls. Middle child is heartbroken and has been crying.
6:52 - Child 1 spider in the room (get back in your room)
6:57 - Child 1 and 3 we wrote a song for you (get back in your room you can sing it to me later)
6:58 - Child 1 I'm hot (get back in your bedroom)
6:59 - Child 1, "why is child 3 in the livingroom?" - ME: (insert name) get back in your bedroom
7:00 - Now the day can begin... right.

This has been my morning.... ALL WEEK.

Each day has started with a full on 2 hours of torture.

This just started. I don't know what switch got flipped, but this has just started... and this is my Achilles heel. I can pretty much remain level and even keeled through-out the day ... provided I have that little bit of quiet time in the morning.


Today their father claims he will be picking them up at 8:00am and taking them to an Amusement Park. My guess is he will have them for about 5 hours.

Today I get the clock for their bedroom

Today I look into converting the "book room" into a bedroom

Today I finish cleaning the house

Today I speak to my brother about some extra furniture in the house that's taking up too much room

Today I will finish up the laundry and shopping for the week.

Hopefully when they return from their father's I will have the house in order, the clock installed, and everything else in place to start a new fresh week, complete with the "don't leave your room until 6:30 rule".

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

They have invaded my private time!

Good Morning, friends family and complete strangers... cough cough loyal readers

This morning I have come to apologize. You see, I know I haven't been updating my blog regularly ... well, since school started.

Today in a moment of clarity I realized... it's because for some reason the kids are getting up early! I'm up at 5:00am... AND SO ARE THEY!

I mean, what the heck is going on.

In the past.... I would rise, I would make my pot of coffee... I would have a luxurious hour to myself putting my thoughts together and .... now..... by 5:15 the whining and complaining has already commence... this... I can not take.

This.... is NOT going to work for me.


For those of you that know... You know I am not a night person... I'm usually asleep shortly after the kids go to bed at 8:30. This last week has been harrowing. I mean... harrowing in every sense of the word.... like hanging off a cliff waiting for superman to come save me... HARROWING!

.....sigh.....

I know what I'm going to have to do

You know what I am going to have to do

I am going to have to get up earlier.

YES, I said EARLIER!

4:00 - 4:30....

I have to!

I don't enjoy quiet time in the evening... because my brain is tired, my eyes are tired, my whole person is tired.... I enjoy a good healthy early morning cuppa coffee... with just me, the dog and my computer.

AND so.... That is settled. I will see you tomorrow at 4:00am!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kids appear to be healthy today, well atleast the two that have been up for an hour. The other one will wake up shortly as the scent of bacon fills the house. ... oh here she is... asking why it's dark and the middle of the night and everyone is awake... and she looks me dead in the eye and says, "Wheres the bacon?" OH here comes the whine... "I'm hungry"

Gotta go... and it's only 6:00am.... oh for pete's sake... this has got to stop!

700 Billion Dollar Bail-Out - I could use some of it.

Hmmmmmmmmmm

I'm no financial wizard... but wouldn't the 700 billion dollar bail out be better served.... back in the hands of the people that can't afford to pay their mortgage and therefore will be losing their houses.

Again, I say I'm no financial wizard... but let's take a look at this... my perspective.

Times are tough

No one can pay their bills

Credit cards, mortgages... everything is tough all over....

So.... You have say...... 700 billion dollar's you are going to hand someone without any expectation of being paid back... right? am I right? Are the companies that will be getting this money.... supposed to pay it back? no? yes? anyone?

So, let's assume they "say" they will pay it back, So the big companies are going to sue you and me to get the money that we owe them... I'm not disputing that we owe the money... but I gotta tell ya...

I'm no financial wizard, why oh why does all the bail out money always go to the top!?!

Why not send the money to us... the people who weren't able to pay the credit cards and mortgages... and let us pay off those credit cards and mortgages... and then... hhhmmmmmm.... instead of making us promise to pay it back (as if we could)... why not make me agree not to open a new credit card or buy a new house in the next 5 years... or wait... if you want to help the guys on top... why not make me promise... TO open a new credit card and TO DEFINITELY look for a new house.

right?

Can you see it?

That 700 Billion dollar bail out is in essense our money... I have paid the credit card companies... plenty.... bail our my debt. The credit card company wins because they aren't carrying the debt... and I win because I no longer have any debt.

BUT NO.... instead... the government is going to what? hand the credit companies money... so.... what? what? The CEO's, SEO's, CHIEF Something or others can continue to draw a nice salary until it is clear that we are definitely in a recession and then... what? file chapter 13?

Knock? Knock? I mean hello?

I'm sorry about Lehman brothers (I think they make nice suits right? ha ha ha) anyway, I'm sorry to hear about all of the newly unemployed people... I have no problem sharing some of the 700 Billion dollars with them... honestly, I only need about... I don't need much... only about 420K to settle everything up nice and tidy and have a nice house in a nice community... I'm working. I'll share some money with the people that lost their jobs. How many is it? 4000? tops?
let's say, they all have a mortgage of 450K... 450.00*4000 = 1,800,000 --- See... that's NOTHING like the bail out.

I'm telling you... Just freaking pay off the mortgages... and credit card debt... and let's all start over.

I think I smell a grass roots movement.

Funny thing happened on my way to waking up

Last night or early this morning, or if I am to believe anything I have read... possibly in the seconds before I woke up... I had a delightful dream.

I dreams that I entered a blogging contest and I won a trip to Niagra Falls, I was able to bring a couple of friends. I vaguely remember the friends, I think most of my friends from FOREVER were there including the cast of high school musical.

We got a tour guide that was incharge of our group and as he was gathering to bring us to a seminar in honor of the contest winner... me... I told him he looked familiar and he admitted that he was a famous child actor ... all grown up.

He looked at me... and said, you look like the girl that writes the "wenda blogs"

That my friends... is where it started getting Really really delightful! Turns out I was a famous blog writer and had hundreds of followers in Canada and Upstate NY. I was treated like Royalty!

The group gathered in teh seminar were all interested in asking me questions about the people I write about and the events! ahhhhhhhh it was like a dream... hey wait!

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha


Only thing a little strange about the whole dream was when I went souveniere shopping and all the stores were dark so I had to use a squeeze fish flash light.

Other than that... it was like an episode out of a hallmark movie!

Can't complain...
have a great day!

First Day of School

Today is the first day of school.

If last night commenced the opening ceremonies....with

1) An all out screaming juggernaut regarding "the first day of school outfit"
2) A preschooler scream fest over the requirement to get clean
3) The pencil Box Debacle (newly purchased pencil box was broken)

And that friends... that was last night. It's 5:45am.... I am going to get in the shower and make lunches because this morning... this morning... is going to be a llllllloooooonnnnnngggggggg morning!

Here's what I anticipate.

#1) Fight over clothes for my 2nd grader

#2) Fight with my preschooler to leave her at preschool

All in all, not too bad... except that it will all occur very early in the morning... and if I'm not careful could set the tone for the rest of the day.

...... sip...... sip .... elixir of the gods, do your work! Coffee power activate!

Tonight is the allergist. My oldest will be tested for some food allergies and celiacs.

[QUICK NOTE: An apparent comment misconception of Celiacs is that it is ALWAYS a failure to thrive, however there is an asymptomatic celiacs, which means that the lower intestines are able to absorb enough nutrients so that the person isn't malnourished. But that person is still at risk for the complications associated with celiacs... ]

However I still think it's unlikely that she has celiacs since it is hereditary... but who knows.

This week is shaping up to be a nice week full of activity and challenges...

Violin lessons on Thursday as well as Piano lessons....

Next week swim lessons start

Life is good.

School is Starting Soon Update

Many things have happened.

My bathroom is painted... a mint green... but painted.

I thought it was going to make me vomit, but .... I have lived in it a while and I think I can live with is a while longer... I will be changing the color next time I paint.

I was looking for something a little earthier... a little less.... like keylime pie... I got talked out of my colors... oh well

Tomorrow is the first day of school. The backpack I got my oldest has already broken, the zipper zipped right off the thing.

I'm a little miffed because her teacher didn't provide me with a list of things to purchase (i.e. pencil box, art smock, folders... ) and as a result, I'm afraid she won't be prepared for her first day of school. OH... this is going to be an exciting day!

I can't wait!

Also, the first day of Kindergarten for my middle child. She is VERY VERY excited!

But Alas.... my youngest will be attending pre-school by herself. Which she has reminded me time and time again she is going to be lonely... except, I believe that she has friends in school.

Gotta go, I have to get them ready.

They are staying with my brother in law and his kids today while i got to work.

The Rosie the Wonder Dog News Update

Breaking News: 7 year old visits E.R. can't breath - Doctors are baffled

Last night 7 year old and Rosie the Wonderdog confidante VO was shuttled to the local area hospital in an attempt to relieve her breathing problem.

In an attempt to avoid the ordeal, her mother, the incredibly effecient and attractive 43 year old WLM-O...M administered several breathing treatments both with an inhaler and a nebulizer to no avail.

Under the direction of a Dr. the two sought help at the local emergency room, where a EKG and X-Ray showed that everything was fine with young VO's heart and lungs. The Dr's had many theories.

The reported problem was specifically a feeling of a weight on her chest. In addition, it was determined that she was fairly tender to touch on the chest.

One theory to explain her malaise was that she had sprained or pulled something during her recent bowt with a stomache virus.

My Allergest (who I will not hesitate to say is the best Dr. on the planet) believes that my daughter suffers from silent acid reflux.

That's the news at 7:00am.

Have a great day!

Slippery Slag Slug Strikes Again

Well... I don't want to piss myself off... especially since it won't do any good... but I gotta tell you what the SSS did. (That's the Slippery Slag Slug)

As you probably know he has been promising the kids a birthday party since June. As you also know, it's a miracle that he actually followed through. or so we thought.

He acted like it was their party.
He claimed to have cooked a ton of food for their party
He said he picked up a cake for their party

AND, even though I know that the party was at his brother house... (not his current residence, but one of his other brother's house) I thought it was still about the kids, since I figured he went to that brother for the party place because they were used to having shindigs...

Turns out

He went to that brother for a party place, to piggy back his party on a birthday party that was already planned for his brothers daughter.

That happens all the time... so why... why didn't he just 'fess up... instead of promising them this big party for their birthday's...

Jerk

AND... he didn't tell me there was going to be a water slide of anything so the kids left my house without any additional clothes, or bathing suits.

AND... he's a big jerk

AND... the part that makes me want to cry... my kids left my house thinking that their father had planned a big party for them for their birthdays... and without saying as much... last night my oldest daughter described a party where they were more or less crashing the party, but with their own cake.

I really try not to say anything negative about SSS

I asked my daughter: How was the party

her: Lots of fun, we played the whole time. I had to borrow clothes from (insert name) because we didn't know there was going to be a water slide.

me: That's so great! I'm glad you had fun, did you see lots of cousins

her: No it was mostly (insert name)'s friend.

me: oh?

her: Yeah, it was her birthday party

me: and your's right?

her: Oh yeah, we had a cake and they even sang happy birthday for us too.

But you know... I could see it in her eyes. She knew. She wasn't complaining. She had a great time, but she knew that it wasn't really her party. She knew she was an add-on.

The Spider In My Garden

Sounds like a new James Patterson Book.

Spider in the Garden... BWAAAAA HAAAAA HAAAAAA

Anyway, this beauty is right outside my house hanging out in my garden. Enjoy! (P.S. i found out it's a common spider called (strangely enough) the Black and Yellow Garden Spider.

No More Diet Coke...

I hate the documentary channel...

It's getting late.. I have to get ready for work.

If you want to read about my pain... my aggravation...

Read my last two blog entries at MomBloggerworks.blogspot.com

Here are the links in the order of my aggravation...

http://mombloggerworks.blogspot.com/2008/08/aspartame-good-or-evil.html

http://mombloggerworks.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-rant-about-aspartame-continues.html

I suppose you can see by the link titles... that aspartame is the topic... and perhaps by the time you get around to reading the articles, the holes that it is boring into my brain will have stopped my madness...... or caused it... bwaaaaaa haaaaaa haaaaa

That's all for now.


P.S. I saw a speak by Barrack last night... he reminded me of my younger brother... scary scary stuff.

(Did I just ruin Barrack for anyone?)

IS IT JUST ME?

I am about to... go off... please sit back and enjoy!

My ex-husband has been, of late, very generous. He has contributed $400.00 to the "need to get the back to school clothes fund" which you and I will agree is very generous. I didn't ask for that, but I appreciate it.

I asked for help with the YMCA membership. I asked for help with the swim lessons. Didn't get it... but got the great and very generous contribution towards new clothes and backpacks and things.

I just got off the phone with him. I found and booked violin lessons and piano lessons for my 2 oldest.

I told him last week that I found lessons, and that they would be about $70 a week (for 2 kids) he said no problem.

I booked the lessons, I told him today that they start Thursday... he was less than enthusiastic... but get this. He has asked to take them to the lesson. RIGHT... he just wants to make sure I'm not pulling his leg and milking him for money! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

He says he gets off work at 3:30. I said, OK, You have to be here no later than 4:30 or you will have to meet us at the place, because I have to be there by 4:45 to fill out the paperwork and pay for the first month.

We shall see.... but here's the thing that's getting me... (Here's where I'm going to start to rant and rave)

What is up with the... Here's what I want to give you... which has absolutely nothing to do with what you asked me for.

What is wrong with actually listening to people?

When... when did people STOP listening and START thinking that just because they want to give something... or just because they want to do something... that the rest of the planet should be thankful that they got it... EVEN if it wasn't what we asked for.

Like I said. Thanks. Now can we talk about what I actually wanted!?!

If you want to take the kids someplace... why don't you EVER offer to take them to the Dr. when they are due for shots?

Or the allergist when they have to sit there with the pricks bubbling up on their ichy little backs?

or the dentist (I won't go into that)

I'm supposed to be thankful that you will leave work on time and take your kids to music lessons!?!

PLEAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

(deep breath)

I am soooooo tired of people just doing what they want to do and acting like I should be thankful.

HERE'S THE NEWS FLASH. If you want to help me. If you want me to appreciate your help... really appreciate it... Why don't you ask me if there is anything you can do? or better yet... when
you ask me if there is anything you can do for me... why don't you actually do what I want? Instead of what you want... when you want.

and if you can't.

Then don't ask.

I'll either do or I won't do it... but atleast I won't keep expecting it.

Ahhhh I feel much better now.

Thanks for listening

Have a great day!

Finally got around to opening mail and paying bills

I don't have that many bills... but the ones have have... are persistant! HA HA HA HA HA HA

I'm not sure what has happened, but suddenly my electric bill is $300.00/month. OK, maybe I just haven't opened that bill in a while. I'm working on the ... open them when I can pay them method. Which happens to occur about once a month. So, when I checked last months electric bill, it atleast was in the 2's.... this month was in the 3's!

Anyway, no biggy, fortunately, I had the funds.

Here's the BIG NEWS...

Among the things that I had to open and read.... was a letter from an attorney... it appears that Slagboy has filed bankruptcy. We all knew it was coming.

The bankruptcy was filed in April. I wonder how that works. I wonder how he is going to keep his house and continue to collect the mortgage AND file bankrupty... Well, I guess it doesn't matter.

AND

it certainly isn't a shock. For all of you who don't know... "domestic support" is not supposed to be affected AND FORTUNATELY, I had already gotten the support filed with the court in march... so the good news is ... it shouldn't really affect me... and the PLUS side is that he will be less stressed and may actually have some cash for the kids incidentals. He has already generously given me $400.00 for new school clothes... You know I was wondering, how he had the money. I just couldn't imagine... how he always had cash.

So... this may work out in our best interests!

That's all the news for now!
Have a great day!

This Wheat Free / Gluten Free Life is HARD!

Well.... As it turns out, I have new insurance... and with the new insurance comes... new doctors and other professionals that are covered... and guess what?

As it turns out, there are a number dietician/nutrionists that are covered in my insurance! YIPPPPEEEEEEEEE

next step....

Look for a dentist!

Bwaaaaa haaaaa haaaaaaaaaa

So, I have to say this. I'm not trying to get out of the "wheat free" way of life... I guess I'm just trying to see if the changes that I see in my daughter are imaginary... or if they are really due to an intolerance.

Because I gotta tell you... everything has wheat in it! Everything you can imagine! Here's the rule.... If it says "natural flavorings" that could be a euphamism for Wheat filler. Here's the list... and you will see what I mean... some of the stuff just doens't sound... Wheaty
Like these:

Foods/ingredients that often contain wheat

• Modified food starch
• Gelatinized starch
• Hydrolyzed vegetables protein
• Natural flavorings
• Soy sauce
• Vegetable gum, vegetable starch

So, you see.... All those things that say, Natural Flavorings.... may just include some form of wheat! it's terribly hard to put together a tasty meal. I mean, I gotta tell you... It's hard for me to put together something my kids will eat in the first place... but without buying normal noodles, breads, things that you think are ok, because they say natural flavorings...

Did you know that Malt has wheat? That's right. if MALT is in the ingredients... no can do.

Yeah, so I'm a little tired of trying this without any professional guidance or support from someone saying, "Hey, yeah they definitely have an intolerance or allergy, so you HAVE to do this"

I can't tell if the behavior changes I notice are imagined or just wishful thinking.

Well, Anyway, I'll keep you posted

Have a great day!

Office 2007 - has done me wrong - The Love Affair is OVER!

Nothing
Nothing
NOTHING will end a love affair with a software package quicker then that application "Doin you wrong." And Office 2007 - the whole kit and kaboodle- done done me wrong friends.

One day I'm loving life, foot loose and fancy free.... Training clients on the new Office 2007 features, my excitement barely concealed as I display Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint on the big screen... Mousing over the Fluent User Interface (the ribbon) activating the Contextual Tabs, warning against common pitfalls and chiding users for not taking advantage of some of the features from previous versions.

and then

and then

it happened

my .docx imploded

I'm not sure how, but I left for work with 5 perfectly good documents saved to my harddrive, and returned that evening to find 4 of 5 corrupt and unopenable.

OH yes friends, I used the "open and repair" function... which caused me pause as it is so conveniently located on the "open" drop down in the Open Dialog box. (almost as if they knew that you would be needing this feature... and needing it often)

OH yes friends, I attempted to convert the file from .docx to .doc using an online conversion provider... sob..... it didn't work, I got a blank page

OH OH OH Friends... it is sad sad sad.... especially since the documents that I can not open.................................. are ........................................ the training handouts I use for the office 2007 training sessions that I am currently running.

Oh woe is me.... to be lulled into a false sense of security by this vagabond software, this willy nilly corrupting set of productivity applications.... NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will NOT go quietly into the night!

...sigh....

So..... sniff sniff........ first I'm going to recreate the training material.... sob... hiccup ... then I will write Bill Gates. WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

New Look, New Picture, New Me

Ok, new look to the blog, new picture of rosie... not really a new me... but I did manage to sleep.... ARE YOU SITTING DOWN...

Because you are about to get really really jealous.

I slept from 8:15pm last night to 6:00 this morning... Hmmmmm let me count those hours up for you! That's almost 10 hours!

10 UNINTERRUPTED HOURS!

I feel great!

I think that is exactly what I needed. I think I was a little stressed out .. hhhmmm, maybe not stressed, I was a little intimidated by the company where I was performing training, it's always interesting to sit in a conference room with successful people, the really successful people usually treat you (the trainer) like the expert you are and they are respectful, and some underlings spend a lot of time trying to show you up. They ask you obscure questions that no one else in the room really cares about, but they want to show how much they know...

The four things that I know, and it has been proven to me again and again:
#1) I am the expert and although I don't know everything, I know a lot more than the end-user and even advanced end-users (since they are advanced with the things that they do every day, but don't generally know alot of about everything - like I do)
#2) You can't take it personally when people fall asleep during the training. (not everyone is a geek that gets excited about software and no matter how many jokes I crack, they would rather be sleeping)
#3) Every office is the same, some are just cleaner, quieter, more modern, and secure... but every office has the flirt, the jerk, the old lady and the guy with the pencil protector.
#4) The people in the training (unless it is ongoing for several weeks) have not seen my 3 really nice training outfits. So I wear them proudly and confidently and will worry about the 4th day of training when that time comes.

Today you will notice that the blog looks different. I thought it would be nice to change it around, since I was going to use a new picture of Rosie. Isn't she a cutie-pie. (you will notice the tazer on her collar. the battery is dead again, so I took it off... but I'll be putting it back on.. however she hasn't jumped the fence in weeks!)

My mom is in town helping out my sis and mikey 4 fingers, so the kids are excited about seeing her.
My brother is in town, I haven't seen him but there was a fresh pot of coffee and I think the front door was open, which I don't recall leaving open last night ... although as I stated before, I was in bed by 8:10pm. NNNIIIICCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

The Sun is Shining.... the temperature is almost perfect, it's 55 now... and I think it's only going up to 73 today... TODAY my friends... is going to be THE PERFECT DAY. An early morning sweater -> afternoon t-shirt -> evening sweater day. (for you more rugged types you can substitute sweatshirt with sweater..... or perhaps.... flannel)

And that is it.... I have slept the sleep of kings and I am ready for the rest of the week!

Have a great day!

Much Better Today

I'm not sure why, it has basically started out like all of the other days... but for some reason I'm not feeling ..... so angry.

I went to the YMCA yesterday and dropped off my financial aid form... that's right, I'm hoping they will give me a little help with the membership... then the skies the limit! I can get the kids into a chlorinated pool for swim lessons... as opposed to the apparently bacteria ridden lake.

OK OK I say bacteria ridden, however I have to tell ya... only one child has the rash.

Well, I'd love to blog more, but my 7 year old is hovering and making it very difficult to concentrate.

later!

TOP TEN THINGS I DISLIKE (HATE IS SUCH A STRONG WORD)

I just can't put my finger on why... but I'm in a foul mood.

Don't even talk to me.

I am a Ornery, Malcontent, Indignant, Derisive, Impatient, Sarcastic... and Humorless individual.

No, it's not that time of the month... No, I don't have a hang over... I'm not really sure why I'm in a bad mood... but I gotta tell you.... I am in a bad mood.

I am in a yell-irrationally-at-the-public-service-dude-that-walks-in-your-yard-to-check-the-meter mood. that sucks.

Since I'm in a bad mood...

I have put together the top ten things I dislike: (Hate is such a strong word)

1. Email messages that have been forwarded 500 times. I don't care what the content... whether it is political propaganda or a "good luck" wish. Hate em

2. Phone calls from computers that hang up as soon as I answer the phone

3. Rude people (funny, but yup. can't stand them... they ruin a full moment in my life)

4. Stupid people (I don't mean IQ stupid, I mean people that believe that target is a french owned company because they received an email saying so, or people that complain about the government but don't vote in any election)

5. People who get mad because I disagree

6. Companies that manufacture children's toys using lead based paint. duh

7. People asking me to contribute money to the election campaign for any candidate (please, I mean please, do I look like I have any spare cash? While we're at it, where'd McCain and Obama get the cash to remodel their air planes?)

8. umbrellas. You read right, I hate umbrellas. I have yet to purchase an umbrella that has lasted through more than 3 rain storms. From the Dora umbrella to the Full size BIG BLUE, either one of the spokes breaks, or tears through it's little holder, or the thing gets bent, or the mechanism doesn't open or close... pieces of crap that never work when you need them. AND even if the umbrella were miraculously working, it's only good for one person, then 4 people with their own umbrellas can't walk abreast... and you need one hand to hold the umbrella so you really can't carry anything else. Umbrellas are a terrible solution to keeping dry on a rainy day! We need some kind of big bubble we can step into and walk out to the car in then pop when we get in the car. (I think this is what they call a psychotic break)

9. Every single person parked or attempting to park in the Kohls parking lot ('nuf said)

10. People who have nothing better to do than complain. (current company excluded)

Well, I feel much better now.
Thanks

Have a great day!

Strike up the BAND

HOW COULD I NOT KNOW!

First of all... let me say, it's 2:22am... I'm working on the presentation for a training class tomorrow... and I just discovered .....

At Long Last


There is a keyboard short cut for...... Paste Special!

Can you believe it?

I can't believe that CNN didn't pick up this story, or APP

Are you ready?

It's

Ctrl + ALT + V
that's right folks... at long last! You can paste that stuff as unformatted text.... or what have you... without taking you hands off the keyboard!

O, I am loving Bill Gates right now!

Greetings!

In my effort to prepare for Office 2007 training I will be providing this morning (it is 1:10am) I am checking out some of the features of the various applications that I have, thus far, failed to check out.

One of which is… The Blog Feature, which is found in the Publish section under the office button.

This is my first entry… and if I continue to use Word as my Blogging editor… you may, just may find less typos!

Yeah for you!

Have a great day!

Sun Burn and Other Tales

Yesterday I returned from work to 3 little crisp children.

I can blame the sitter, but I really can't blame the sitter, since my sister-in-law did the same thing. I gave her the sun screen, I told her to make sure they put it on several times, but I guess people just don't believe me when I tell them that my kids burn very easily... because... let me tell you... they are crisp!

So, no lake today.

If they got anymore burned... they would have blisters.

That's ok, they can swim in the kiddie pool today. My brother mowed the lawn, unfortunately, it's not really low enough for my At-A-Glance, dog poop removal method. But he has promised me that he will mow it again on Wednesday... and as long as it gets mowed twice a week... the kids can play freely in the poop free backyard! I will be going out there in a few moments to remove any debris that may have "accumulated" yesterday while I was at work.

Thursday I am taking my oldest to a ENT (Ear Nose & Throat) guy. This is on the suggestion from the allergist after the last late night "croup" incident. She is specifically asking the ENT to look at her vocal cords to confirm there isn't any problem there.

All of the kids seemed healthy when they went to bed last night... except my middle daughter whose rash has resprouted... another reason for staying away from the lake. She doesn't seem to have the rash problem in the kiddie pool, or in clorinated pools... so no lake... 3 days!

Well that's about it. I'm preparing for an Office 2007 presentation tomorrow. 4 hours of training an IT department on the changes in Office 2007 as they rollout office 2007 upgrades for their end users. I'm pretty happy about the assignment, since I like that kind of stuff!

OK. gotta go
have a great day!

Enjoy the next 4 weeks... because summer is almost over!

End of week one... Gluten Free

Just in case you aren't following The Gluten Free Blog... I'll update you.

The short story. My ex-husband AKA Slag boy, is the Anti-Gluten Free Entity... I don't want to talk about it... I just want to tell you, that the kids walked in with Wendy's bags for dinner.

And, it could have been worse, because I packed them snacks and fed them breakfast, so it could have been much much worse... of course my 7 year old was starving by the time they got to Wendy's because he didn't feed them lunch.

He claims he couldn't get them out of the water.
He claims that my 7 year old told him that Wendy's was ok for them to eat
The he made some hush hush noises when she started to tell me about the other things that they ate at the pool (like the onion rings)

Well, thankfully... that was my life yesterday and not today. AND I don't have to worry about him and his bad influence until next week. My only concern is that he is kind of turning the "let's see what we can get away with behind mommy's back" thing into a game.

OH, he is such a jerk.

OK.... letting it go away..... I have no control over his actions.... and I don't have to think about them for another whole 6 days.... it's just very frustrating to work so hard and then have him come and spoil it... arrrgggghhhhhhhh

Well, my 7 year old had quite a tummy ache last night.

We'll see how she is feeling this morning.

In other News:
The weekend was spectacular... from the wild thunder storm to the sunny sunny Sunday. Saturday the girls and I went swimming in the lake early until the rain forced us out. Then we did some stuff inside, it was fun. Sunday, the kids went with their dad to the pool by his house and I got my hair cut, picked up a new pair of running shoes

RUNNING SHOES: That's right folks. I was NEVER a runner. I was NEVER a jogger.... until... until.... My kids started riding bikes. My oldest is off training wheels and is very good at riding. In fact, next year she will need a bigger bike. My 2 younger ones are on training wheels... but they are so good, that I can't keep up with them just by walking briskly.

So, the other day, I ended up having to the do the Jog, trot, speed walk, thing with some slip on shoes that my Mom had given me.

While in the Sports Authority looking for sneakers for my sister I chanced upon a pair of New Balance that were on sale... I tried them on... they were light... they were comfortable... I bought them.

I can't remember the last time I bought a pair of sneakers. Honestly. Probably about 20 years ago... I usually buy cute black shoes.

I looked at the calendar and I have to wonder... Where has the summer gone? It seems almost surreal that the summer will be over in 4 weeks. The kids will go back to school. My 5 year old will start kindergarten and my 4 year old will be in preschool... alone.

Pretty scary stuff.

All in All... it's been a great summer.

I hope you guys can all say the same.

Have a great day!

Happy Friday!

Well.
First, all the kids appear to be healthy, (with the slight exception of a residual cough), by healthy I say... no fevers. (I can't even say no contagious diseases until the test for Mono comes back!)

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Today is Friday.

Today. I'm taking the day off of work. I'm going to check in, make sure there isn't anything that really truly needs my assistance... then I'm going to take the kids... somwhere. I don't know where, but it will be somewhere.

Also, it's funny, but I recently wrote a post on my hubpages... about the negative power of complaining... and it's been pretty popular! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA I have gotten several comments and "fans"

It's located here: http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Power-of-Negative-Complaining

Ok... on to bigger and better fish to fry.

Day 5 of No Gluten.

Yesterday was meltdown city. However, we didn't get outside to do anything until pretty late in the day. Then we had to cut it short, due to a minor injury.

My oldest was standing at the corner waiting for us to all catch up (the kids were all on bikes, the younger ones have training wheels, so they can take their time, the oldest is a speed demon) So, she is waiting there for us to catch up. I'm looking at her... and she just appears to fall over.

Her explanation was she was day dreaming looking at a house, and she went to reposition one foot on the curb and another on her bike pedal and she missed the curb... and went down.

I gotta tell you. It was a sight to see.

That's not the first time I have seen her just sitting on her bike, ... then she just falls over. Like she forgot she needed to balance of something. It is quite a sight to see. Anyway, she put ice on her wrist and it feels better today.

Last night I took the kids to payless. The youngest had run out of shoes that fit. So, all three went... all three got new kicks. The oldest got a pair of Hannah Montana wedges (which she loves and is trying to convince me that they provide her with the extra support she has been looking for her whole life) The middle child picked out a pair of princess sandals that light up when you walk (I didn't know they made that that big) and the youngest.... picked out a pair of Vans. YUP. Black with colorful pink, red, blue, purple.... skulls. Oh yeah. I'm in for it.

They all love their shoes.

This will cut down on the 20 minute argument and shoe search and rescue efforts that occur whenever we have to go somewhere.... well atleast for the next several days.

That's it.

I'm going to fill up the pool this morning, so the kids can go in the pool this afternoon.

They are taking showers and baths today before we go anywhere

We are going to Morristown to the Healthfood store in search of gluten free pizza

AND

Maybe, just maybe something else will come up that will be fun...

Have a great day!

~Breaking News~ Doctor Wants to Test for Mono

Well... It can't possibly be a shock to anyone that my kids are sick AGAIN.

We all went to the Dr. yesterday and he checked out my oldest who by the time he saw her she was back up to 101.8 fever (after acting fine all day... hmmmmmm) my middle princess then started complaining about a soar throat and tummy ache and the nurse took her temp.... it was 99.8

At first the Dr. thought my darling oldest had the FLU. Then he said, she might have MONO and said I would need to bring her in the following day for a blood test. YUP. A shot.

This didn't go over well. Although I'm proud of my daughter for not breaking down right then and there and balling her eyes out... She talked about the shots she's had in the past and wanted me to rate a blood test on the scale of shot pain based on her experiences... (this is a kid that has had I.V's and other things) So... I think she will be ok... PLUS... I went to the grocery store yesterday and pick up some special nail polish just for her... she will love that. AND it's enough to get her over the 3 second stress of the shot!

Well... She just woke up. No fever. However she is complaining about swallowing - yesterday her glands were swollen (that's one of the reasons the Dr. thinks mono) so I got her some organic tea called "Throat Coat" it's for kids and she like it. It helps to temporarily make her throat feel better.

Anyway.

All that....and I got to tell you. Life is good. The sun is shining. The birds are singing. The neighbors dog is barking. Verizon hasn't shut off my internet... and I have you people.

Ever willing to read what I write!

Thank you :)

And because of your willingness to read... and believe.... I present you with someone elses article on Mono.... The kissing disease... The very last paragraph holds a scary and little known (well atleast I didn't know... and as a result, I consider it little known) fact about the transmission of this disease.

What is infectious mononucleosis ("mono")?
Infectious mononucleosis, "mono," "kissing disease," and glandular fever are all terms popularly used for the very common illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is a member of the herpesvirus family. Symptoms of infection with EBV include fever, malaise, and sore throat. The designation "mononucleosis" refers to an increase in a special type of white blood cells (lymphocytes) in the bloodstream relative to the other blood components as a result of the EBV infection.

What is the cause of mono?
The EBV that causes mono is found throughout the world. By the time most people reach adulthood, an antibody against EBV can be detected in their blood. In the U.S., up to 95% of adults 35-40 years of age have antibodies directed against EBV. This means that most people, sometime in their lives, have been infected with EBV. The body's immune system produces antibodies to attack and help destroy invading viruses and bacteria. These specific antibodies can be detected in the blood of people who have been infected.

While there are other illnesses falling under the broad classification of mononucleosis that cause similar symptoms and an increase in blood lymphocytes, the form caused by the EBV is by far the most common.

What are the risk factors for mono?
The EBV can infect any person. As previously discussed, the majority of people have become infected with the virus by the time that they reach adulthood. Mono is most often diagnosed in adolescents and young adults, with a peak incidence at ages 15-17. However, it is also seen in children. Generally, the illness is less severe in young children and may mimic the symptoms of other common childhood illnesses, which may explain why it is less commonly diagnosed or recognized in this younger age group.

How is mono spread?
Mono is usually spread by person-to-person contact. Saliva is the primary method of transmitting mono. Infectious mononucleosis developed its common name of "kissing disease" from this prevalent form of transmission among teenagers. A person with mono can also pass the disease by coughing or sneezing, causing small droplets of infected saliva and/or mucus to be suspended in the air which can be inhaled by others. Sharing food or beverages from the same container or utensil can also transfer the virus from one person to another since contact with infected saliva may result.

Most people have been exposed to the virus as children, and as a result of the exposure, they have developed immunity to the virus. It is of note that most people who are exposed to the EBV don't ever develop mononucleosis. The incubation period for mono, meaning the time from the initial viral infection until the appearance of symptoms, is between four and six weeks. During an infection, a person is likely able to transmit the virus to others for at least a few weeks.

Research has shown that, depending on the method used to detect the virus, anywhere from 20% to 80% of people who have had mononucleosis and have recovered, will continue to secrete the EBV in their saliva for years due to periodic "reactivations" of the viral infection. Since healthy people without symptoms also secrete the virus during reactivation episodes throughout their lifetime, isolation of people infected with EBV is not necessary. It is currently believed that these healthy people, who nevertheless secrete EBV particles, are the primary reservoir for transmission of EBV among humans

DID YOU READ THAT PART? yup. healthy people secrete EBV particles and are the primary reservoir for transmission...

You learn something new every day!

Have a great one!

Allergic to...gluten-free?

Just kidding.


Well, friends, family and people I've never met but care about none the less....


I returned home from work today to a nice quiet house. All the kids were sleeping.


Not so surprising about the 4 year old...
not too surprising for the 5 year old...
pretty amazing for the 7 year old... especially since they didn't go to swim lessons.



It was a mystery.... but not for long



She woke up.... She came and found me and explained that she took a nap because her wrist hurt... and when I touched her wrist it was BURNING UP. I touched her forehead, and the poor child was a furnace. So.... I got out my thermometer (which I had thankfully purchased to replace the one I can't for the life of me find) and sure enough, her ear registered 102.8 (which if I know my ear thermometers, it might actually be higher)


She opted for the tylenol liquid. I gave her 3 tsp (she is after all over 100 pounds)


And it's now 30 minutes later.


I only got her down to 102 so far.


I'm not going to panic, it's only 6:00 pm.


I called the Doctor.


She claims she is breathing ok... but is only registering 75 on her peak/flow meter. She said she is too tired to take a deep breath.



------------------------------------------------
... OK..... big break in writing this entry... so here's the update, It's now after 8:00pm


The Dr. returned my call, I gave her another 4 tsp of motrin. and now... 1 hour later I finally got her down to 99 degrees! YIPPPEEEEE



So.... now the next shocker........ I'm sitting down for a nice meal with my kids and over dinner
my 7 year old and 5 year old are giggling and telling me about the babysitters son and his friends. Who came over for a visit today.
... and they had a great time...
... and they all played outside...
...and they all went over to the playground a couple of blocks away...

and one of the 13 year old boys was asking...

are you sitting down

.... asking my 5 year old on a date and blowing her kisses....

OH yeah, so I'm trying not to freak out and pump them for information without letting them know that I was mad. Then I segued into a discussion about appropriate conversations, and language and touching. And as best as I can tell, (an my 7 year old is pretty reliable) the son of the sitter was fine, he was there with 2 of his friends and they were acting "silly"

let me tell you.

My kids act silly

They pretend to marry people

They pretend to be different people

They pretend all kinds of things

My babysitters boys are 13 years old -- Big difference

So, I called her.

First I called her to tell her I didn't think I would be going to work the following day because my daughter had 102.8 fever. AND, I said, "so and so mentioned that your son and his friends were over today" - she confirmed and asked if it was a problem - (she actually corrected me I said they were over, she said they stopped over)

I said, "That's not a problem except that (insert name) said that one of his friends was asking her out on a date and making a kissy face at her"

She said, "Yeah, they were just playing around"

So, without boring you with the whole conversation, I explained that I understand that it's playing around and if they were all even remotely around the same age maybe it wouldn't e a problem, I don't know... but it is a problem since only one of my kids is even in elementary school yet!

I said I don't think it's appropriate. She went on to tell me about some kindergarten kids that were hugging and "dating" blah balh balh...

I said look, the big problme is that your kids are 13 years old, and mine are all under 7. It's just not appropriate.

So, that's what I told her. She said she would "speak to him". Fine. I'm also going to speak to her. I don't mind if her son comes over, I do mind if he comes over with 2 of his friends... especially if one of them thinks it's funny to ask my 5 year old out on dates.

right? Am I wrong?

What do you think?

Slept until........ 7:20am

Yup that's right... Friends. I was wiped from yesterday and they all got into bed around 9:00 and so did I!

AND I didn't get up until the astounding lateness that is 7:20am

Honestly, I don't like it. The sun is already up, I feel like 1/2 the day is gone...

yawn

OK. Let's see..... 2 kids are up, my oldest is definitely fighting something, she has her cough, which has gotten worse. The youngest, is up and sounds better and the middle one... still sleeping... thank goodness. She didn't get enough sleep yesterday and I'm afraid we all paid for that!

Today we are goign to Party City to get the stuff for the goody bags for the party tomorrow... and then off to the dollar store for some actually goody bags.. Then... OH YEAH, balloons and Pinata's.

Then I still have to go grocery shopping.

Monday. I'm going to try gluten free for 3 weeks. I'm just going to replace the products with Gluten:
· Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
· Flour or cereal products
· Vegetable protein
· Malt and malt flavorings
· Starches (unless specified as corn starch, which does not contain gluten)
· Various flavorings, which can be derived from cereals containing gluten
· Vegetable gum
· Emulsifiers, stabilizers derived from cereals containing gluten

with gluten free substitutes. In my world that boils down to ... bread, bagels, cold cereal, pre-prepared side dishes, frozen meals (like chicken nuggets and pizza)

Yup, the next 3 weeks are going to be great!

"WHY and I going to try gluten free?" You ask.

I'm want to see if it makes a difference to my oldest daughter... Who, as a toddler was always very heavy. She didn't spit up her milk of anything but she could puke at the drop of a hat. AND as a 7 year old, She frequently feels sick after eating, and a couple of other things that you don't necessarily want to hear about... but I gotta tell you, she is the gassiest kid on the planet.

AND SO... it's called an elimination diet. You eliminate something for 3 weeks and see if that helps. I think she could be tested for Gluten allergies...

SO... YES, a nutrionist would be a big help. Guess what... they aren't covered under insurance.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted.

Find A Credit Card or should I say Crdeitcard

Hmmmm.... I happened across this website. http://www.crdeitcards.org/ Interestingly enought it is a .org and even more interesting it... the URL appears to be misspelled! This is a website after my own heart. http://www.crdeitcards.org/
I went to this website and although the page title was spelled correctly, the body text repeated the same misspelled word.

My guess is that this is a commonly misspelled word and as a result they will get a ton of hits because people will land on the site... but .org?

Anyway, like I said, I went to http://www.crdeitcards.org/ and found that they offer to "help" you find the best credit card offers. Currently there are two interesting offers... but I'm struggling with the typos! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Anyway, have a great dya

P.S.. I'm not even going to spell check this entry! (LAUGH!)

Big Day! FRIDAY 7/25/08 BOOK SALE DAY ~ yawn ~

Good Morning Everyone.

This will have to be quick, as it is already 7:04am.... Yes I have showered, but only just recently so, as I didn't wake up until 6:45!

I know, I know, sleeping in.

I didn't sleep well last night and I am incredibly tired this morning... NOT because I was so excited I couldn't sleep.

it's probably the quick trip to the emergency room the kids and I did at 1:00am. It was very quick, start to finish, 1 hour. We were on out way home by 2:12.

Here's what happened. My oldest woke up around 1:00am crying and coughing and having problems breathing. I got out the nebulizer and gave her a breathing treatment, (and here's where I need to just calm down) I woke up the kids while she was doing her treatment and got them dressed and found their shoes. By the time I had them ready, she was done with her treatment and her breathing was much better, but she said that it still wasn't good.

So, off we went

This time. It was a TOTAL false alarm. By the time I got there, she was fine, but she kept telling me she wasn't. I could tell she wasn't wheezing, she wasn't coughing, her air intake was good... Sooooooooooo we didn't have to stay long and based on my request, they didn't administer prednizone.

AND, guess what, my allergist (whom I called at 1:00am on the way to the hospital) actually called me back before I even got in the hospital. She said to try to avoid the prednizone and that it didn't sound like asthma, but rather a virus affecting her upper airway.

This morning. Like I said, I wasn't up early.... AND I gotta get the books out there. My oldest just work up and requested her breathing treatment, she has the cough, which apparently is phlemmy and doesn't seem to be affecting her breathing in, but rather her breathing out...

And so... the saga continues.

My youngest just woke up (You'd think this kids would sleep until noon... ) hungry, so I have to go make breakfast! I'm way way way behind, I had hoped to be done with most of my stuff by now. (My middle child ... like the little mini-colkins she is... is still sound asleep)

Gotta go!

Have a great day!

Happy Friday!

The Mayor Of Papscoe

Well, it's official.

My brother is the Mayor of Papscoe.

People walking by the house wave and say a cheery "hello!"... I wave back. If I happen to be close enough to the road and we actually strike up a conversation... 50 % of the people say they "spoke with my husband" (which always causes me pause for like a 1/2 second) then I correct them and inform them that he is my brother.
the other 50% have either already been informed by me that he is my brother or by him.

Last weekend my oldest had a lemonade stand.

The Mayor actually solicited customers by walking up to neighbors doing yard work... chatting and inviting them to spend a quarter on a glass of lemonade.

AND so.... without further adieu..... hence forth and hitherto... he will be referred to as.....THE MAYOR.

You know... it's not that I'm unfriendly... But I'm not the type to see a neighbor raking leaves and make a bee-line over to chat. I suppose that would be how the Mayor collected his wide variety of knowledge and know-how (sorry I had to say that ... ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha)

Anyway.... That's it for today.

Friday is the book sale

Sunday is the last in a series of children's birthday parties...

And the summer is almost over, I can't believe it!

OK... have a great day!

Another Day - Another 2 tablespoons of condensed fruit and vegetable juice

That's right.
Since I have given up on the war for vegetables -- I have entered into vegetable stealth mode. under cover vegetables... you might say.

I just recently purchased a big bottle of ultra condensed fruit and vegetable juice, two tables spoons is supposed to equal 5 servings of fruits and vegetables.. I have been putting this stuff in EVERYTHING! Their fruits/ yogurt smoothies... their orange juice... you name it.... I've tainted it.

So far so good. The only complaints have been the darker color of the juices! bwaaaaa haaaaa haaaaa I am a parental master mind!

Alzheimer’s memory walk – become a team captain

Hey everyone! There is a call for team captains for Alzheimer’s memory walks. You have probably all heard of alzheimer’s but may not know that it is specifically a progressive and fatal brain disease. According to their website www.alz.org, as many as 5 million American’s are living with Alzheimer’s disease. It destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Today it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

The Alzheimer’s memory walks are a way for raising money for research. You an visit a great website at http://www.alz.org/memorywalk/overview.asp and get more information about walks already organized in your area OR…. You can read about how you can organize your own walk!

Right now, there is a call for TEAM CAPTAINS!
Check out the site. All you need is three people to start a team. AND then those three people will tell three people and so on and so on… and you will have a HUGE team in no time!

Help raise awareness of Alheimer's... check out their website today!

Alzheimer's Memory Walk

Book Sale - July 25

Well, since slag boy won't pony up the cash he owes me... I'm going to do what any red blooded American would do... that's have a one day garage sale! HA HA HA HA HA

Actually, it's not just a garage sale... or I should say it's not even a garage sale, it's a ... You guessed it... a book sale.

Since I got MOST of the books from the library sale after the fact and they were Free... I'm selling the books incredibly low. 50 cents for hard cover and 25 cents for the paperbacks. (there are a few exceptions, but not many)

I just finished listed it on Craigs list.

I'll keep you posted.

OH, we went to a company party yesterday... and it was great. The kids had a great time, playing in the water and once again I was reminded how much of a FREAK I am. I just couldn't sit there comfortably and have a conversation... because I didn't want to take my eyes off the kids while they were in the water... and guess what, they were in the water the whole time! So, I'm standing next to people talking and not looking at them... it was too difficult for a conversation.

Am I the only one that is a freak about it? AND there was a life guard. They hired a life guard, but I still couldn't walk away. Maybe when they can swim better. The two youngest are really just starting to get it, and it's great! My oldest is doing very well, however she has NEVER swam where she can't touch the bottom. So... yup.... I'm a freak.

well, atleast they like the water, they will learn to swim and eventually I can walk away and just trust that they know what they are doing. or atleast trust the life guard... but right now... nope. just can't do it.

Oh, I hope you enjoy my little rosie montage.... AND for your information, either the batteries that came with the collar were cheap and have already gone dead... or ... when we were all sleeping she replaced the batteries in the collar with some that don't work. Because... those batteries are D E A D.

Doesn't matter, my little canine cutie.... I will be replacing thos batteries.... today.... bwaaaaa haaaaa haaaaa haaaaaaaaa

Have a good one!

You never asked for this one... but you got it!

Here's the thing. I have some lovely flowers around my house... but you really have to look hard because I'm not really much for weeding.

I have put together a little walk around picture compilation... that will display all of the loveliness with non of the seedy weeds.

You asked for it! You got it! It's a Rosie Video!

Biting the Moon by Martha Grimes - A Book Review

I wish I could tell you that I liked this book, but I found it very.... unsatisfying. So, I guess this is less of a review and more of a warning. If you want to read about the unbelievable travels of 2 under aged girls, one of which has amnesia and the other a pet coyote... then this may be the book for you.

The tale was initially revetting, and it held me until about 1/4 of the way through, then the characters started to become too fantastic, too dream like and unbelievable. Everything started working out perfectly, no glitches, no hesitation. Girls traveling with a gun saving abused animals along the cross country trip to find out where the amnesia ridden character came from...

The ending left me wondering if the author was saving something for a sequel, because I really didn't feel any closure.

There were many situations that I simply said, "OH yeah right"

I don't know if I didn't like that the main character never finished anything or that the author intended for me to feel uneasy throughout the whole book. It wasn't a suspenseful uneasy, it was a sad uneasy or impatient uneasy. By the end of the book, I was tired of being uneasy and waiting for some comfort or closure or final disaster.... instead it just kind of petered off.

Biting the Moon wasn't a terrible book, but I can't say that I enjoyed it. It took about 1 day to read, mostly because I seemed to be waiting for something to happen.... that never did.

Here's the excerpt from the back of the book: "She didn't know who she was -- or where she came from. But one morning she awoke in a strange bed-and-breakfast with a message that her "daddy" would soon return from Santa Fe. Fearing the worst, this nameless young woman disappeared into the wilderness. She christened herself Andi Oliver, from the initials on her backpack, and lived int he mountains -- utterly alone. Until she met mary Dark Hope, a girl who shared her loneliness and confusion. Together, they vowed to track down the one person who held the key to Andi's identity: The stranger who abducted her"

I got Slagged

I knew it was coming.

He called this morning.

The conversation went a little like this:

Him: Yeah, do you still have that spreadsheet of the payments?

Me: Yes

Him: You have to fax it over to me

Me: ok

Him: that c*** has served me with a court order

Me: Ok....

Him: It says I owe $5000.00 and that I am delinquent

Me: I told her you didn't owe that much

Him: Well, tell her I am paid up in full and I'll pay you directly

Me: OK, give me the $1000 you owe and I'll tell her you are paid in full

Him: You know I don't care, they will put me in jail and I'll get fired and everyone loses

Me: She said she sent you several letters asking you to provide her with the detail for the payments you sent and you have ignored them all.

Him: F*** her! She's a C***! I'm going to blow up and they will put me in jail. You know how I am, I'm going to lose it.

Me: I'll fax you my spreadsheet, call me when you are by a fax machine

Him: I don't F****'ing care if I get arrested, then I lose my job. If I lose my job then you don't get sh*t.

Me: Hey, thanks for calling .... click.....

sigh


State employees..... PLEASE GIVE ME STRENGTH

Oh wait... I forgot to put in the reference where he told me that "I should stop trying to communicate with the foreigners" That was when he was telling me to just tell them he is paid in full and he will "take care of it"

His last cursing spasm occurred when I finally said, "Fine, just give me the 1K and I'll tell them you're paid"

Listen Folks.

I've told him not once, not twice... but I've been telling every week since May, what he owes. He isn't ponying it up. THANK GOD, this is in probation... and GUESS WHAT... you know why he can't provide them with the details of his payments?

Does anyone remember?

Any one?


Because he throws everything out! He rips up his bank statements, he rips up his credit card statements, he rips up his insurance statements... he destroys everything including his cancelled checks. He rips EVERYTHING up into little tiny pieces and throws it all out.

Remember ... Remember when he had his own construction business... he did the same with EVERYTHING....

Anyway....

All this before I had finished my first pot of coffee (oh, did I say pot... I meant... cough cough... incredibly large cup)

So... last night M Colkins came over with her incredibly cute ward. They hung... we drank some wine... my head, oh my aching head..... Then..... Slag boy, so early in the morning using language that ... well frankly, can only be appropriate in the prison where he works.

Maybe he was practicing his inmate speak. You know, getting ready to get arrested.

Well... Today, we are going to costco. the kids LOVE the taste testers. it's a nice big place they can get some exercise and stay out of the sun. My daughter still has the rash... which after further research she may have for up to 3 weeks... and apparently the sun and lake water seem to irritate it. So, we will be spending another day in the shade...

Have a great day!

What... are the prerequisites for state employment?

I just can't take it....

And you know... I should have known....

For 2 YEARS you read about slag boy.... you marveled at his work ethic.... you wondered how New Jersey could survive if his mentality, work ethic and thought process were common among the state employed

Today.... I answer you

YES!

Just a quick little summary detail:

#1) got divorced
#2) moved out
#3) attempted to file to have money automatically taken from slaggy and send to me
#4) court wouldn't accept the request, needed consent order
#5) Took almost a year to get slaggy to sign consent order, in mean time I had to agree not to seek payment for the 2 weeks in june, I also had to over look that he wasn't going to contribute to child care
#6) order finally gets filed
#7) I get one payment
#8) he gets hurt on motorcycle and doesn't go to work for 3 weeks
#9) I get nothing for a month
#10) I call my "case worker" to find out #1) will I ever see that money, #2) how will I see it and when

(here's where it all goes down hill)

#11) Case worker can't handle the two questions and schedules a hearing
#12) I write her a letter, stating we don't need a hearing, I know what he owes, I need answers to the 2 questions on #10
#13) I get a letter, notifying me of a case hearing
#14) I write her another letter, thanking her for scheduling the hearing, notifying her that I can't attend and requesting that she cancel.
#15) She calls me today (I think it's because of the letter) .... NO..... it's because a Mr. Nelson called her and asked her to call me

This is the hysterical funny part... are you sitting down.

Mr. Nelson is ... Slag Boy (I don't need to change the name, because it's so far from being accurate no one would guess)

I say to her, Oh you mean. (blah blah)
she says, "Well it says here that a Mr. Nelson called, .... hhhmm... do you have a case number?"

I say: "sure . CS......."

She looks it up, "Oh, ok. we understand that he has made direct payments"

I say, "Yes, prior to the order being filed, he effectively brought himself up to date"

She says, "So, as of today he is up to date"

I say, "No, as of the date that the first remittance was deposited he is up to date, you have 2 letters from me, and 1 letter from my attorney"

She says, "I see a debit here for $3000.00, but that doesn't bring him up to date"

I said, "I don't know what to tell you, I can only tell you what was owed and what was paid"

She said, "I have sent him several letters and he isn't responding, this order goes back to June 2007.

I said, "Yes, but the original order was from June 2007, but wasn't filed until march 2008 and in between he made payments and eventually brought himself up to date by the time the order was filed in March 2008"

She said, "Well, I'll have to schedule a hearing"

I said, "What? you already scheduled a hearing that I can't make it to"

She said, "Oh yes, I see I have. Well someone will have to come. He'd better come since he's the one that owes the money"

She said, "if you talk to him let him know I need to speak to him."

Now.... friends.
Who is worse. Slagboy... or my caseworker.
I don't know where they got the $3000.00 debit. I have done EVERYTHING humanly possible besides actually going to her office and manually updating my account. I can't understand what else could POSSIBLY BE REQUIRED OF ME!

She doesn't give a crap about the three weeks payment that wasn't received from the employer, because she can't get past her own limitations.

WHAT THE F?

So, I have supplied this woman with a full accounting, dates, amounts and running balance of the amount owed... in writing 2 times... on the phone 2 times... and still she insists on a "hearing"

So... here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to get to the bottom of this.

THIS MY FRIENDS... is my tax dollars at work... supposedly helping me!

Oh, I'm mad....

I'm about ready to write to the governor... oh yeah, he doesn't give a crap.

This calls for ....

This means....

I might have to .....

START A NEW BLOG.................... bwaaaaa haaaaa haaaaaaaaaaaa

HTTP://SCARYSTATEEMPLOYEES.BLOGSPOT.COM

BWAAAAAAA HAAAAAAA HAAAAAAA

AN ANONOMYOUS BLOG NARCING OUT STATE EMPLOYEESS THAT AREN'T DOING THEIR JOB... NAMING NAMES AND DEALING OUT OUR OWN BRAND OF JUSTICE....

So.... Here's the latest Poll
Name the Scary State Employee Blog