My Entry For the Kia Sorento Ultimate Road Trip Sweepstakes

OK, If you could take your family on a road trip anywhere, where would you go and why?

This is such an easy question to answer because it is something I've always dreamed of doing. In a heartbeat (if the opportunity arose) we would all take 3 months off from everyday life, load up the car and head out on the best road trip EVER. In the front seat would be an atlas to set us in the right direction and a good book on "the must see places in the USA". Each day would start with a final destination in mind (let's say Yellowstone National Park) and then while driving there we would stop anywhere along the way that seemed interesting. No definite plans, just seeing the USA in all its glory. So many people seem to vacation abroad or head to one of the Disney Theme Parks, but me, I'd rather see how our neighbors live and the wonders of our country, how cool would that be!

Life Again Changes

Well, my last post mentioned about the new life changes I'd be going through having my mother-in-law move in with us. Sadly, she passed away two days after I wrote that.
I don't think it has truly set in yet. We have had so many relatives die over the last 11 years that I honestly think I've become use to death. Is that a horrible thing to say? It sounds a bit uncaring but it's not meant to. After thinking it over and tossing it around I feel it must be a coping mechanism my brain and heart use so I don't break down totally. We've lost 15 family members in 11 years. That's insane.
I know a lot of them were older and no one lives forever but my brother-in-law was only 60, our cousins were 53 and 57. It's got to stop soon or there will be none of us left (Just a thought).

I'm done discussing it. It's time to decorate for Christmas. I'm going to put little sparkling white lights all throughout the house. It's going to turn our world into a winter wonderland. All bright and new. Yep, it's time to brighten things up.
Ready, set, glow!

Just When You thought It Was Safe...

Here I was just getting use to my son being away at college. I've gotten into a routine of walking the dog, going out regularly for breakfast or lunch with friends, and shopping to my hearts content. This weekend has put an abrupt stop to that. A new chapter in my life has just begun. My mother-in-law has moved in with us. We honestly don't know for how long or how it is going to work out but we're going to give it our best. The biggest problem is that she can't walk by herself. The other main problem, she is on oxygen when her levels get low. So, it's basically like having a large infant with health issue. Today is the first full day she and I will be alone. Please say a prayer for us.

So when does life get easy? Does anybody know?

Just the Start of baking for our Military

Yesterday was the first of many days that I will be baking cookies for our military. It took me awhile to decide exactly what to bake. They can't go stale in a day or two nor can they be too fragile due to they're traveling through the Post Office. So the two I decided on are Oatmeal Raisin Walnut and Star-shaped Butter Cookies with white icing and red and blue sprinkles. I still have to do the icing part but the baking is done.

Who would think that baking cookies could make one feel so good without even eating them.

Cookies for our Military

Hey, if you like to bake cookies I've got the perfect group for you to join, Operation Baking GALS. You just have to send out a box of homemade cookies once a month to one of our brave soldiers. Couldn't be easier, couldn't be for a better cause. Check them out at www.bakinggals.com.

Are Hollywood Moms Losing It

I just saw a of picture Suri Cruise (Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes daughter) wearing high heels. I'm talking 2-inch, sparkling silver high heels. Did I mention she is only 3 years old. Has Katie lost her mind? I don't get it. Usually they are carrying her around like a new born and when they finally let her walk they put her in high heels. I know I'm not the best parent in the world, and heaven knows I've made mistakes, but this is crazy. I pretty sure we won't be seeing them on the cover of Parenting Magazine anytime soon.

Here's the link if you're interested in seeing a picture. Crazy world.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/21/suri-cruise-wears-high-he_n_294241.htmlw a picture of Tom and Katie Cruise's 3 year-old daughter wearing silver high heels.

The Smell Of Christmas Is In The Air

OK, is it just me or is anyone else annoyed that the stores are putting Christmas stuff out and it's only the middle of September? I was in Kohl's today (a dept. store for those of you that don't shop) and they have their entire Christmas department set up, decorated trees and all. This is crazy. I haven't even gotten my Halloween things out yet ( I did see a few of my neighborhoods had their ghosts and such out already, personally, I think it's even a bit early for that, but at least it is the next holiday on the calendar).
Back to Kohl's. As you walk down one isle your eyes take in pumpkins, black cats, turkeys, a pilgrim or two, Santa, assorted nutcrackers, Nativities and reindeer. Does no one else find this an odd combination for the mind to digest? It's no wonder I'm always feeling stressed out. I can't deal with three major holidays at once. I can't handle them one at a time. A law should be passed. No holiday before its time law. When one holiday passes then and only then can you set up for the next one. I don't know about you but I don't want to see any kids pictures taken at the mall where they're sitting between the Easter Bunny and Santa on the same big chair.

Autumn Is On Its Way

I love when the seasons just begin to change, and Autumn is one of my favorites. The day time sky turns a deeper blue filled with big, white, billowy clouds. The mornings start with a chill in the air that burn off by early afternoon and then return again as the sun sets. Sweater weather at its finest. The trees are just beginning to change into their kaleidoscope of colors and the stores are stocking their shelves with pumpkins and Halloween candy. Ah, Autumn. I my favorite apple and pumpkin recipes to the front of my recipe box. All the pink and yellow summer flowers will be replaced with red and orange mums. My shorts will be packed away, being replaced with jeans and khaki's. But sadly it isn't all good. Soon it will be dark by dinner time and the days will be too cold to go outside. Snow shovels will replace the garden trowels. And as the rotted pumpkins are discarded the trees will take on their lifeless forms. The gray skies of Winter will cast their shadows over the land and we'll have to wait until Spring for the world to take on the feeling that all is bright and new again. But I do so enjoy Autumn while it's here; caramel apples, pumpkin pie,Halloween, sweaters, colorful trees, mums, cool days, flannel pajamas.....

I'm Back

Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the web....Yep. it's me and I'm back to writing on my blog again. About what I don't really know but I'll figure something will come to me. So, what's your favorite part of summer? Me, I love the long days of sunshine, watermelon (I feel like a kid again when the juice starts running down my chin and drips all over my shirt) and spending the night on the boardwalk. Nothing beats the smell of greasy food in the air, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore and the screams of people being thrown around on the various rides, Kohr's ice cream and Three Brothers pizza. Ah, summer in New Jersey. Ninety degree days and the humidity to match. Nothing says summer like sweaty clothes sticky to your body and sunscreen stinging your eyes. Ah, your jealous I know. I see it in your eyes. If you've never been to Jersey than you are really missing one great place. Me, I live in upper Southern Jersey. Just 15 minutes from Philadelphia, two hours from New York City and an hour and a half from the beach. Everything is a stones throw away. I've lived here all my life and can't image living anywhere else. Don't get me wrong though I would love to travel. If it was up to me I'd be traveling the world to see new things and meet new people. Some day (after I win the lottery-positive thinking here) I will be using New Jersey as a pit stop. A place to do my laundry, say hello to my family, then off again to my next destination. But for now my destination is bed. It's after 12 (midnight) and I'm getting up early and heading North (Jersey that is). Have fun and stay cool!

Another One of THOSE Days

Juts when you think your day is going well the bottom can fall right out of it. Monday was one of those fun filled days. It started at the vets office getting the stitches out of Daisy's neck. She somehow punctured her neck and had to have a drainage tube put in and then removed. This was followed by the funeral of a friend of mine whose mother passed away. Now these were actually the good part of my day (definitely not Daisy's or my friend's mom, but mine at this point was OK). I decided after the funeral to get my food shopping done since I knew Daisy was in good hands at home with my hubby. This too went well even though I spent the entire time drenched from head to toe from the monsoon that hit our area. Arriving home, with my arms loaded with bags, I made a quick dash from the car to my front door. As I reached the doors threshold my wet shoes hit the entry way floor and went into a skid. Luckily my head banging into the glass on our front door stopped my progress. As I worked my way into the kitchen I could feel the blood trickling down my face. I dropped the bags onto the kitchen table and made my way to the sink. Now you would think this would be an easy task, and for most it would be, but for me, no. My second step took on a very mushy feel. I was now standing in the dogs food dish that was filled with Fresh Fit cubes of chicken, rice and carrots. At this point I could do one of two things, cry (which is seldom one of my choices) or laugh. Being one of those demented people that can find humor at funerals, laughing was my only real option. MY head hurt like hell but really needed a laugh and I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Now you can only image my husbands reaction to this whole scene, and knowing me as well as he does, he found it as funny as I did. Yea, I know we are weird, but hey who cares.
So, you think this is the end of my fun day? If you said yes you would be so wrong. While putting the food away I headed down our basement stairs to store the bargains I just got and guess what I found, water flowing across the floor. Like the laundry room flood on Saturday wasn't enough, here I go again. Wet vac in hand I set off to suck it dry. It was a good thing I hadn't changed my wet garb yet, at least I won't destroy two sets of clothes that day.
So the day ended with a 3/4 inch gash under my eyebrow surrounded by a black and blue circle. Quite a good look I must say. A sneaker with dog food stuck in its treads. And one very wet and dirty pair of dress slacks. Not bad for one day, huh?

One of THOSE Days

Yesterday was one of those days that I should have stayed in bed. It started out just fine. It was finally warm enough to be called Spring. It wasn't raining. Which isn't something I've been able to say too often lately. It was really quite lovely. That is until I started doing my laundry. I threw a load into the washer and then headed upstairs to do my hair and makeup. I should have taken the clues from my dog at the top of the stairs. She kept listening as if there was a strange noise in the house. Well, between my noisy hair dryer (you'd think they could make these things quieter) and my singing (I only do this when I'm home alone) I didn't hear a thing.
With my hair and makeup looking great (yea right) I headed downstairs to throw my first load of laundry into the dryer. I knew as soon as I stepped on the carpet outside the laundry room door (which is actually my family room) that the washer tub had overflowed. It's happen before so I knew what to expect, or did I? This time it was different. Two full tubs of water had flowed over the tub and onto the floor and the tub was still full to the top. I was standing in an inch of water and was not a happy camper.
Now, we've lived in our house for over twenty years and have collected more stuff than we will ever need. Our laundry room is home to a lot of it. This room is the usual laundry room shape, long and narrow. Along with the washer and dryer there is also the tub (where the water is suppose to go), a cabinet to store detergent and such, another larger cabinet with toys my son out grew fifteen years ago, a treadmill (that I really need to get my butt on before it gets any bigger and I don't fit in this room any more), a bookcase with extra copier paper and other stuff , another bookcase with cleaning supplies on it and two DVD shelving units. You are probably asking yourself "How can she get in the room and move", trust me it is a challenge but I can be a very determined woman when need be, plus I have unnaturally long arms (it's a family thing).
It took me two and a half hours to pull out each piece to dry underneath of them. Yes, the room did need cleaning but that is not the way I like to do it. But to be totally honest, this is usually the only way this room ever gets clean. At least I can check this room off my list until a clogged drain forces me to clean it again. Now I'm off to clean the family room rug. Its got a huge water stain on it.

Momlogic

Great place to win contests. Give them a go!

Guilt

Guilt. Not an unpleasant sounding word. It's sounds almost musical as it slides across the tongue. Guilt. Sort of Scottish sounding don't you think? So why than does it control so many of our lives. Why do we feel guilty in almost everything we do, say, feel? We feel guilty if our child falls and skins their knee. If our bathrooms are dirty. If we go out with our friends for a night of fun. Every aspect of our lives seems to be controlled by some form of guilt. A day does not go by that this guilty feeling doesn't creep into our minds and keep us from doing what we really want to do.

I use to think it was just me but my friends say they feel it too. Why? Who instilled this into us? I know my mother experienced it. She use to say she felt guilty if she bought a magazine when she went out food shopping. A magazine? I'm not quite that bad. And I know she got it from her mother. But where did it all start? Why did it start? Was it during the Great Depression that made one think that having fun and frivolous spending was evil and that time and money should be used wisely? Are we passing this on to our children. Gad, I hope not. Could I unknowingly be passing this on to my son? How do I stop it when I'm not even sure how I'm doing it or why I feel it all the time.

It's really kind of scary. It's really kind of sad. I wish I had knew the answer to the quilt that we all have. Sorry, Ive got to go. My husband will be home from work soon and I need to have his dinner ready before he walks in the door. Help, I can't stop.

I'm Having a Heatwave

How come friends and relatives will tell you everything you need to know when they find out you're having a baby but when menopause kicks in everyone remains silent? Is it because we are the first generous to really make it public? I know my mom went through it and her mom before her, but I never heard them talk about it. I do remember hearing someone once mention "the change." What they're changing into I haven't a clue. Are "the change" and menopause the same thing? If so, I really don't think I've changed all that much since it started. I can honestly say I don't miss my monthly friend (always liked that name for it. lol It was no friend of mine). I do know that I am feeling a lot more mellow than I use to. Which is a good thing in my book. This may be due more to my age and where I am in my life than menopause. I do have one complaint though and that is the hot flashes. I use to always be cold. It could be ninety degrees outside and I would feel chilly. Now, I have my own little tropical heatwaves. I've actually gone out in the middle of a snow storm and melted the snow around me. And when they strike my face turns bright red; which is not a good look for a blue-eyed blond. This is really my only complaint with the whole menopause thing. Oh, wait there is one more thing that I noticed I have a problem with since entering "the change", mentalpause (the other name I call menopause). I can't remember anything anymore. I write things down and still forget them. It's kind of scary. I know it's just a matter of time until I forget something important. But you know what, I'm not complaining about this symptom because I am a lot more mellow and it doesn't bother me in the least that my mind is blank half the time. In fact, I am enjoying my more relaxed lifestyle now that all the worrying is gone. Yep, I can honestly say that entering into menopause has been great. I wish it had started years ago.

New Coffee Maker Is Trouble

Coffee. What a wonderful discovery. I cannot image a morning without it. Eighteen years ago coffee ice cream was the only way you could get me to indulge in anything coffee flavored. But after giving birth to a child that would only sleep in 20 minute increments for the first 2 1/2 years of his life, coffee became a necessity for survival. I'm sure fruit or something super healthy would have been a better choice but coffee was convenient. It took very little preparation and it was always available wherever I went; malls, in-laws, mothers groups. Usually one cup at breakfast was all I needed, but that has all changed this week. On Tuesday to be exact. I just won a Keurig coffeemaker in a contest and Fed Ex dropped it off at my door Tuesday morning. Just in case you aren't familiar with Keurig, they make single serve coffeemakers that take those little pods you see at Bed Bath and Beyond and various other stores. I have to say that this invention is wonderful for lazy people like me. You fill the maker with water, place a pod in the machine, push a button and a single cup of coffee is made in about 30 seconds. You throw the pod out put a new one in and you're good to go for the next cup. It can't get much easier than that, unless you're at a coffee shop. And to make it even better there are 100's of options available, and coffee isn't your only choice, they also have hot chocolate and teas in almost as many flavors as the coffee. But there is a done side to all this ease. This frigin' machine is so easy that I am up to 3-4 cups a day since Tuesday. I've almost emptied the 18-pack sampler that came with the machine. I am like a junkie on the Keurig site trying to decide what to try next. I know I have to stop this but I can't . I'm hoping that the newness of it is causing my lack of control and that I can start cutting back before my online order gets delivered. If not, next time you hear a Fed Ex truck going down the street take a look out your window, you just might see me with coffee foaming out of my mouth chasing it.

Spring Is On Its Way. Life is good!

It's funny, when I was young I loved Winter. I would lay in bed at night and wish with all my might for a snow storm. I'm talking the big ones, 36-inches or more. The kind where everybody would stay home from school and work and then spend the entire day outside until their feet went numb. Now, forget it. If it drops below 40-degrees I'm bundled up in three layers of clothing and cursing the weather. I feel like I'm always cold. But Spring is here. You can feel it in the air and see it everywhere. The mornings are still cold but not mitten cold. The birds fill the days with their welcome Spring songs. Every Spring the whole world seems to come come to life again. Daffodils and forsythias are throwing their petals open to catch the warm rays of the sun. The lawns are turning green and the trees are filled with little buds that seem to grow by the minute. I feel rejuvenated. A surge of energy seems to pulse through my veins. It almost makes me want to clean something. Whoa, where'd that come from. I'm outta here before I go and do something crazy.

New week, new life???

Well, here is is Monday again. Is this the week that I will start something new in my life. Nothing too drastic of course but I am ready for something new. Something fun and exciting. What though? Perhaps I will start to exercise again. God knows I need to. But that isn't really anyhting new nor exciting. Maybe I'll start to get my house in order. I've been threatening to do this for the past 20 years, is this the week I start? No, not that one. If we ever decide to move I'll grab all the good stuff and just bomb the place. It will be a lot easier to clean then. My best friend upped and moved and is starting a whole new life. In some ways it sounds wonderful. New home, new love. I honestly don't think I want that big of a change. I love my husband and I like my home, except for the clutter. My husband won't throw anything out. He feels we may need all this stuff someday. You never know when that empty deodorant can lid will come in handy. That's a whole new story I'll touch on some other time. I would love to figure out what I would like to be when I grow up. Being I'm over 50 I really don't have much more time to figure this out. With the rate I'm going I'll be retiring the week after I start. I've always thought it would be really cool to own my own business. The problem is I don't know what kind of business and with the economy the way it is it is not exactly the ideal time to guess. With owning a one year old Old English Sheepdog I though an indoor dog park would be neat. I would make it look like the Central Park but inside so it could be open year round. There would be huge trees, astro turf (so we could just hose off the doggie diamonds (my dad's name for dog poo) into a special filtration system, big fluffy clouds hanging from the ceiling. There would be benches for the people and a big "grassy area" for ball or friebee playing with your dog. Perhaps would open it up in a shopping mall so people could shop and take their dogs along too. Just an idea. Anybody out there have any ideas???

Another Blond Moment

I really am blond and have have to admit I seem to have my share of blond moments, but I truly believe everyone has blond moments. As I always say, "Blond is just a hair color." Last night was a real BLOND moment for me. I bent down to get my toothbrush out from under the cabinet and sneezed just as I started to bend over. I never realized how strong a sneeze could be. My head must have jerked down from the force and my nose bounced off the counter (I can't believe I am putting this out there for all to see). Geez, did that hurt. As the stars cleared from my vision I cautiously looked in the mirror to make sure my nose was still attached to my face and hoping, no praying, that it hadn't taken on some weird shape. Luckily, it still looked the same. I not really sure if I'd classify that as luck. I won't have minded if it was reshaped into a cute little pixie nose or perhaps one like Christine Brinkley's, but I guess my own familiar nose is better than some of the other options, like Jimmy Durante (I'm showing my age here. For those of you who don't know who he is just google him if you're interested). My nose still hurts today. I'm hoping in a day or two it will be painfree so I don't have to go to the doctor to find out if I broke it. That could be one embarrassing office visit. lol So, who else is going to stick themselves out there and share one of their blond moments? Come on you know you all have some. If you do, I'll tell my story about the time the vacuum cleaner bounced off my head. Now that was a blond moment.

Life After Fiftyish

Life sure is funny. By the time you reach your fifties you think things will start to settle down. In some ways they do. I no longer leave the house at 10pm to go clubbing (remember those days). Now, I'm usually getting ready for bed at that time. I don't really care what others think about me or if my bathrooms are spotless. This is one good thing that comes with age, you finally have the confidence to be yourself and not worry about all of the little stuff. Another good thing is that the kids have been raised for the most part and they are off being responsible adults at college (we know this is because of the terrific parenting job we've all done. lol) But with getting older there are also a lot of terrible things that take place that are totally out of our control. Funerals for one. I've attended over 15 in the last 11 years. My parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, a brother-in-law, my best friends parents, and the list goes on. My sister and I often ask, when does the easy life come? When does life start to become fun and carefree? When do we get to travel around the world or have enough money to buy that dream home overlooking the ocean? I guess I really shouldn't complain. I have a great husband, a terrific kid, an adorable puppy, terrific great friends and a beautiful house and food on the table (which I should go eat before it gets any colder). Well, thanks for visiting and please let me know what you'd like to see on this post. I'm new at this and would love your suggestions.