Picture is worth a thousand words

As you can see she is soooooooo proud of her new hair cut.

Many who have seen this picture, have noticed the family hairline finally revealed

This is the child... who even on a good day looks like one of the waifs on the 2:00am infomercial to feed the children of appalacia. Now (as my friend Mar has pointed out) she looks like one of the off-spring of Billy Ray Cyrus.

Look at her trying not to smile.

Gotta love 'em. I know, I'm in trouble. I better start saving now for the 3 & 4th bathroom I'm going to have to install trying to raise 3 teenagers... Let's see... I have 11 years before the oldest starts driving... OH I AM SOOOOOOO IN TROUBLE!

Have a great day!

The Hair Trail

OMG (that's text talk for OH MY GOD!)

Today my youngest did... what every child at one time or another does... and that's take a pair of scissors to her hair.

When I confronted her now 1/2 bald little head, she matter of factly told me that, "My hair was too long and I had to get it out of my face"

How did I find her... my 6.5 year old came running in... yelling, Terri is cutting her hair, Mom Quick.

I skidding the turn in the hall... and noticed the 4 inche clump of hair on the ground... I followed it to the next one... and then called her name... I needed to stop the destruction, and she came out of her bedroom.

Her bangs were cut all the way to her head.

The sides of her hair, were sloping down in the fashion of a staircase.

She is very proud of her hair cut.

I don't think she will have any problem with her bangs getting in her eyes... in the next year or so! HA HA HA HA HA HA

We're Still Healthy

OK, well... the kids are and my terrible cough seems to be resolving itself slowly but surely!

I figure by spring I should be healthy! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

The X called the kids yesterday and explained to my oldest that he wasn't available over the weekend, because he had to work...

You may remember, he works in a prison in the maintenance department. I told her that someone with a truck drove into the gate and he spent all weekend fixing it... you know so the prisoners don't escape. So, my persistent little 6.5 year old said, "But Daddy, Mommy called you all weekend to find out when you were coming!" to which he replied, "Oh, well I left my phone at home"

One more comment, then I'm not going to waste anymore space on this jerk. But let's think about it for a minute.

I just can't wrap my brain around it. Based on what I know about him, somewhere, sometime this weekend he did a little extra work.. that way, he would be able to say he worked OT and feel like he wasn't lying. So, even if he didn't return my calls (which were basically... "Hey when are you coming") You would think that a) he would call his children who he hadn't seen in a week or b) actually come to see them on one of the weekend days or c) call and make arrangements to see them for a couple of hours during the week --since I only live 30 minutes from his work. OR d) none of the above, which is what he chose... proving once again... that he is a jerk.

ok, I don't really feel better, because I really wanted to add some more curse words to that little paragraph.. and I wanted to rant and rave... but... here's the thing. I DON'T HAVE TO LIVE WITH THAT EVERY DAY ANYMORE! Yipppeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday I am going to the eye Dr. where I will try to convince the physician that I am NOT getting older and therefore do not need to have bi-focals. NO ONE BELIEVES ME.

Let me lay out my case.... You tell me...

#1) I never had a problem reading small print like books or package labels until the last pair of glasses I got. The Eye Dr. told me that my last prescription was wrong and that I would get used to this one...
#2) Same Eye Dr. told me the reason that my contacts weren't working as well anymore was because I was getting older... then I pushed and pushed and he finally let me try the contact lenses made for astigmatism... and that fixed my contact lens issue. duh

That's all I got... but here's the thing. That Dr. was sooooooooo wrong about the contacts... and he admitted to giving me a different prescription for the my glasses... and once I got the new prescription all of a sudden I had to take my glasses off to read things close? Doesn't make sense. However, I had already paid for the glasses and since I'm the opposite of "made of money" I have been using them....

Enter Rosie the Wonder Dog. Yup. During my 10 days of sickness... I must have taken my glasses off while dozing on the couch and she... well she chewed them. I have been stabbing myself behind my ear ever since.. and have decided to go have another check up. This time, I live in my new house in my old neighborhood... and I am going tot he Eye Dr. that gave me the BEST PRESCRIPTION IN THE WORLD! in addition to the snappiest glasses on the planet. You won't recognize me. I am going to be so thoroughly hip and cool... I'm a SUPERSTAR!

Dexter is doing well. did I tell you that I think Rosie and Dexter had a little tete-a-tete.. Dexter has a litle wheel with some long paint brush looking things. These things spin and push things into the bigger brush that sucks them up. One day I noticed that one of dexter's brushes was snapped off. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

I emailed Irobot and they actually sent me a new brush kit, mostly because Dexter was only like 2 months old. Well, I use Dexter ALL THE TIME. He does a great job of vacuuming my house... the other day I got an email from iRobot about a Scooba. That's right folks! It's a floor mopper!

I was in heaven! until I saw the price. It's a $500.00 vacuum! I couldn't believe it... Could you imagine? COULD YOU!?!

I could start with Dexter and when he is done with a room, send out Wilma (the Scooba) and let her mop the ever-lovin life outta my hardwood floors!

I am waiting patiently. Wilma will be on sale eventually... and when she is... I am going to pick her up and add her to my family of robots! You laugh... but I gotta tell you, these little guys pick up the HUGE pieces of dolls and other things that Rosie chews... it's amazing. They are a little loud, but not as loud as a regular vacuum... they seem loud, because they take longer to vacuum everything... but I gotta tell you, Dexter goes right under the couches and the TV stand... and won't stop until the room is all done, or his little basket is full. I love him.

That's about it. Oh, did I tell you I am daring myself to lose weight this week. I lost 8 pounds since I started Weight Watchers and it came off so easily, that I really felt like I wasn't trying, so now I'm worried that I'm losing weight because I'm actually sick... (not so much anymore now that my chest is not so heavy with congestion) but anyway, I have been eating like it's no body's business... and if I lose weight this week... then frankly, I am making an appointment with the Dr. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA -- of course, I may wait another 20 lbs before doing anything about it! HA HA HA HA HA HA

Gotta Go!
Shout out to my friends in Idaho
B in M (not to be confused this B&M the baked beans! )
Traveling Sis
And all my friends, that are so happy they are not me!

Have a great day!
Spring is right around the corner

5th day with no sick children!

That's right... ah ha
My kids are healthy... and it's day 5 of 3 healthy kids.
(of course, I'm still coughing so much I can barely hold my bladder and have gazed longingly at the depends adult diapers as a relief of my constant leg twisting coughing spasms... too much information?)

Anyway, in the tradition of ... winter, we in New Jersey has some snow. We had about 4 - 6 inches, which was nice, and the kids have ventured each day into the yard looking for areas of snow that they have not yet trampled upon... ah to be young again.

I have also almost gone through a whole big container of Chocolate Quick... because, when there is snow... there must be hot chocolate...

Things are going well... my new ebay store is in full swing.... You can visit my store at

Visit My eBay Store: New Jersey Garage Sale

right now I've listed mostly books... I DREAD... absolutely DREAD... listing the clothing. It's time consuming with very little profit.. the books, although also low profit, are easier to list because they have a ISBN number which will fill in the detail about the book so I just need to write up the condition of the book.

let's see.... what else..... Rosie has a UT infection. or something. She had 2 accidents in the house, so I took her to the Vet... he gave me some anti-biotics and took a Pee sample to send out to check for an infection. I am hoping that it is... otherwise, the other explanation would be some kind of nervous behavior.. which I'm hoping she hasn't suddenly acquired, however I doubt that because she is such a mellow dog.. (after the initial exurberance of your appearance at the door...) The vet tried to tell me that the stress of loud children... blah blah blah, causes ... blah blah blah. I say... what? After 9 months? She never ever had accidents before.

So far I have gotten around Rosie jumping the fence by only letting her out long enough to perform #1 or #2. I stand on the deck and diligently watch. Having said that... she still goes out frequently, because she asks... so nicely. I thought this might be why she was having problems, but she really does go out A LOT... so I ruled that out.

Well well well... the vet just called, her sample came back from the lab. She has "some crystals" which could eventually turn into kidney stones, but there aren't a lot now and it's not what is causing her problem. He sd that her sample looks good, but he suggested we continue the anti-biotic and bring her back in when she is finished with another sample and they will see what's going on. Of course, if she isn't having the "accidents" anymore then whatever it was resolved itself... right?

let's see... let's see... what else.

Last night I babysat for my sister and her hubby so they could go out to dinner at a friends. SO... my house was FILLED with kids. My three, and their 2. I had a 6 mos. old, 3.5, 4, 4.5 and 6 year olds! AND... they were great! It probably helped that they weren't dropped off until a late-ish dinner time.. and everyone was tired and watched TV then went to Bed!

OH YEAH... remember my X? Slaggy. He's MIA He probably got served with the papers to go to court to get the child support and alimony deducted from his paycheck... He must think he is punishing me by not returning my calls (which I made to see if he was going to see his children this weekend) I personally don't care. When the kids ask where he is... if he is coming, I can honestly tell them... I don't know, he hasn't called ... Of course, they say, "Oh he must be sick or working" which... because I love my kids, I simply say... "you might be right".

AND because I love my kids, I called him 3 times yesterday to find out if he was coming this weekend.. I left cheerful messages on both his home phone and cell phone... asking when he would be coming. He has not returned my calls.

AND because I am human, I am not calling him again...

I think that's it for now.

I got a phone call from B, he had been checking the blog and because there were no updates, he wanted to make sure I wasn't in the hospital.. having succumbed to the pneuomia I am sure I led you all to believe I had... (smile) I informed him... I didn't write, because I was tired of complaining about how sick I was... how sick my kids were... how sick I still was... how sick my kids were... again....

TODAY... The kids are well. I haven't hocked up a luggy in about 3 minutes.... LIFE IS GOOD!

Have a great day!

Enjoy the snow, because Spring is right around the corner!

Don't forget to check out my ebay store!

Visit My eBay Store: New Jersey Garage Sale

We had a Snow Day

Although I think it was more of a "We think the roads are going to flood and become harzardous and since it's already february we probably won't get many more huge snow falls" day.

As you know, last week I missed a week of work because I had the flu and the kids were playing volley ball with a stomache virus / flu like cold. I even kept them home on Monday because after 2 days without fever or vomit, Sunday afternoon they all simultaneously took a nap and woke with with 102.5 fevers!

They were really fine on Monday, my brother stayed with them so I could go to work. Tuesday, everyone went to school. It was a hard morning, they had been home for a week and they really really really like being home.. Well, I got them into their schools... I pick them up and viola' everything was right with the world.

Today... the snow day. My 4.5 year old starts coughing. Not a little dainty cough, but a full on barking dog into an amp'd microphone cough. I myself have quite a cough. My 3.5 year old started with the snot bullets then followed that up with a wet cough. My 6.5 year old... is in a state of perpetual coughing-ness since October. Ssooooooooooo I took us all back to the Dr.
4.5, got antibiotic for bronchitis
3.5, got antibiotic for double ear infection
6.5, got prednizone to kick the cough
ME, I got antibiotic for bronchitis, some kind of capsules that will help with the cough and cough syrup with codeine (which I won't be using)

Tomorrow... I am confident, we will be feeling better... Tommorrow is a new day.

I gotta tell you, I disinfected the tar out of this house on Sunday, I aired it out, I washed all the linens, the clothes... I did it all... If this virus or what ever it is continues to linger I might start thinking about going West to visit my parents! HA HA HA HA HA HA AH AHA HA HA

OK... I have to go snuggle with my sickies, they have all been medicated! They are ready for bed... I hope I hope.. that tomorrow brings a new.. healthy day!

Have a great one!

P.S. My sister just called... wanted to know if a fever and achy was a virus or bactrial? I googled and it didn't look good. Only thing I noticed is that normally the virus only lasts 2-3 days... where I had it for a full 7 days of fever... I must have gotten the ... super duper virus. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

OK, I gots to go
have a good one.

I'll keep you posted.

By the way, B. Thanks for the advice about the chain. I thought about that, but I was talking to my brother and we may be able to modify the existing fence in the areas where Rosie seems to escape the easiest and see if that fixes the problem.

SIT DOWN.... This is a shocker!

OK.
Since I tell you guys everything... I'm gonna tell you this.

I may have to find Rosie The Wonder Dog a new home.

I know, I know.

We love that beast! All 83 pounds or fur and plush toy chewing teeth! Here's the problem. She is now regularly jumping over my fence. She mostly jumps over the fence at ... you guessed it... anyone walking by and they if they are walking a dog... then it's guaranteed!

Now, if Rosie were a nice little golden retriever or border collie or something, I think people would be so terrified when she comes flying at them... but she isn't.

I looked into a taller fence, but there is a zoning ordinance for the height of the fence on the street front of any property... and I would only be adding about 6 inches to the fence.

I could walk her. But I can't. The kids aren't old enough to be left home alone even if it's only for a 15 - 20 minute walk. There are a lot of reasons why we can't all walk her, mostly right now it's because it would dark that early in the morning and dangerous for all of us to be walking on the road with the bleary eyed office workers driving down the road with only the spy hole melted through their frosty windshield.

OH, I love this furry eating machine....sigh....

So, I have been letting her out and standing outside with her, ready to run after her if she leaps over the fence. This doesn't seem to fair to her because now she is only getting like 30 minutes outside a day.

Here's what I'm afraid of... I'm afraid she will get hit by a car. I'm afraid she will get out and run up the street and get hit by a car.

I thought about an invisible fence... I may try that. I know it takes some training on the dog and owners part... But it may be the ticket. I'm still looking at as many options as possible... I have started talking to the kids about it just in case.. You know, we are talking about her safety and how much she likes to run around...

If you have any ideas, I'd be happy to hear them!

He's Slagilicious

Two funny Slag events:
#1) He handed me the kids prescription cards and some insurance forms and said, "Fill these out, I'm changing their plan to a better one and you have to fill out these papers"

Nope. not kidding at all.
(calm down Mary, I didn't fill out the papers)

#2) He called me looking for me to "print out his Resume"! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
That on is Hysterical.

I said, "Why you getting another job"

Him: "No, a transfer"

Me: "Oh, where are you transferring to?"

Him: " Montclair State College or Felician College"

YES! I KNOW... HE IS SO RETARDED.

For those of you who don't know, both colleges are over an hour from his house.
---------------------------------------

That's it.
I'm too tired to continue, talk to you later
have a great day

You gotta find Joy where you can...

So... here are some things that have cracked us up over the last 5 days....

----------------------------
My 4 (almost 5) year old insists on referring to Gatorade as -- Goiter Aid.


----------------------------
Day 6 of my fever, 2 of my three kids had stomache virus, one had a confirmed ear infection and the third one... who up until now had dodged the bullet... vomitted all over my couch, this was the last straw... with my limited energy wrestled with the slip covers in the washer and I just got overwhelmed....I hid in the bathroom and had a nice little crying jag... then I hear a little knock on the door...

My youngest says, "Mommy?" and she opened the door a crack.
I said, "Yeah?"
She said, "is that you laughing in there?"

---------------------------

My 3 (almost 4) and 4 (almost 5) year old PROUDLY refer to themselves as The Puke Girls. This was probably why several people in the Dr's office moved their seats to another part of the waiting room.

They actually had a little princess fairy like dance where they traipsed around the waiting room flitting and flotting to and fro singing... We are the Puke Girls... la la la puke.

--------------------------
HAVE A GREAT DAY!

I should be the new poster for....

What happens if you DON't get a flu shot.

OK,

I'm 43 years old... never had the flu before... didn't believe any of the hype... NEVER in my wildest dreams of infirm-ness did I ever consider such a dibilitating stupid cold. AND I WAS LUCKY.... I.... (and I'm going to whisper here... then knock on wood as well) didn't get the pukes

For days I have walked around like the second guy in on Darwin's Theory of evolution depiction... well, except for most of the ones that I found when I tried to find you a picture to illustrate my posture... I'm not sure what diabolical mind was able to perpetrate this farse... but ALL of the graphics depicting Darwin's theory... now include President Goerge Bush.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Got my Grape Gatorade FROST.... ooooohhhhh chilly chilly...

It appears that even my brain cells are currently tied up with the fight raging on within my body, I can't seem to remember any of the pithy remarks I was thinking whilst laying in bed. The walk from my room to the computer... although short, requires SO MUCH EXERSION... I can't wait until this thing is all gone!

Weight watchers? F that.
Yesterday, on a whim I purchase a nice fresh long italian loaf of bread when the kids and I made a gatorade run, (after the Dr's visit... where he confirmed The Flu, but may want blood samples if the fever is still there by tomorrow....)

This morning, I made a BIG VAT of scambled eggs, and I toasted up AND BUTTERED a ton of little tiny yummy pieces of toasts! To make little tiny egg sandwiches! The kids and I LOVED THEM... Well, me and the kids that weren't currently experiencing stomache problems enjoyed them... THEN... for lunch I cut up the bread in nice little chunks and we dipped them into our Cup'o'noodles "Like Chicken" noodle soup!

tonight, I am pondering how to cut the HUGE slab of ground beef I was thawing. It was frozen yesterday, probably still frozen in the middle today, I may have until tomorrow.... but I will tell you this.... Can anyone say... SALISBURY STAKE! I'll George Forman those puppies, then slap'em in a vat of gravy, maybe make some egg noodles... and unless that's not enough starch... I might get some little red potatoes. whatta ya think about that.

You see my friends... My body is NOT craving a banana... It is now on the rebound and it would appreciate some comfort foods. Oatmeal, Eggs.... Salisbury Stake.

Hey I just realized....

I have had like 4 --20 oz gatorades today and only taken one potty break. Maybe I need to step up the liquids some more...

STILL NO COFFEE....

I'm afraid

I don't want to hinder all the good work that is going on in there... you know, getting me better... I'll just stick with the purple RipTide RushTM

Anyway, I am almost done washing all our blankets and pillows

YES... MARY I WASH THE PILLOWS... and that is why I won't spend $20.00 on a pillow. If I can't get it for atleast under 7.00.... it isn't coming home with me. Sometimes they lose a little shape after the wash... but they come back!

AND I know why my kids are always sick... because they play together and they cough right at each other... it's disgusting.

I've decided to get surgical masks.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Screw the Aviator Flu (I know I know... that's funny so I left it) I got a house full of kids and The Flu riding ontop of a Stomache Virus Wave!!!!

OK. Enough sickness. I really do feel much better. No one has puked since earlier this afternoon, and Mighty Man Mike went to the CVS (I love myself a CVS ) and got me some children's tylenol because for some reason my children all barfed up the children's motrin... So far so good...

Now if I can just keep everyone calm and healthy sounding I might be able to get to work.. because ... they do NOT pay be to sit home.

Have a great day!

Disco Fever

Nope. Just a persistent high fever. That's right. ME A 43 year old adult has had a fever for going on 6 days... with no other symptoms... strange right? Well, not really no other symptoms. There are the aches that go with the fever... and I... well.... made some bad liquid choices and got a tad bit dehydrated.... maybe more than a little bit. But I'm better now. I'm still sweating the fever, rotating tylenol and motrin... just to keep it down.

I haven't had a sip of coffee since Friday.

I KNOW! I KNOW! I couldn't believe it either.... AND I have 2 whole quarts of light cream in my fridge. It just does not appeal to be at the moment... however my Gatorade Lemonade Thirst Quencher... is very very appealing!

Have a great day

I love shopping at Shop Rite online

OK. It's 6:23 am.
Day Two: No light cream in my house. That translates to a rough rough start in the morning. As you know, I'm very picky about my coffee. very very picky.

Yesterday when I realized I didn't have light cream, I actually mustered the troups out the door early so taht I could stop at the Quick Check on my way to work for a nice big 60 oz cuppa joe.

Today... in order to ensure it does not happen again... I have just placed my grocery order online with Shoprite. I am scheduled to pick it up at 4:00 this afternoon... it's great! Me and the Kiddies pull up to the "shop at home" door, and they wheel out my groceries and stack them in my care. I then hand over my debit card or cash... and drive away!

I usually take this opportunity to stock up on the heavier items, like Diet Pepsi (my liquid of choice slightly further down the chain than coffee)

That's it.

I thought I was coming down with a cold... my whole body is very achy, the other night I had a stabbing pain in my chest when I took a breath or talked (you KNOW that must have been painful, because there ain't much that can stop me from jabbering away)

Today I am still achy.... and I am LONGING for a nice hot cuppa joe! Well, I suppose I could do a replay of yesterday... in fact. I'm gonna. I'll drop off my First grader, then my two preschoolers and I will make a coffee run! OH... I am soooo looking forward to that.

Yup.

Did I tell you Rosie chewed my glasses... She chewed the things that go behind your ear... one side looks like .... well, like I might have a habit of putting it in my mouth while I am pondering a particularly perplexing problem. The other side looks like..... I was arrested and needed a weapon for the Big House. You know, the plastic is all gone just the dagger sharp metal that was the form under the plastic ear thingy.... yeah... I need me some coffee.

OK...

I am now going to check my latest You Tube upload... courtesy of Idaho.

I will try not complain about our weather...

have a great day!