Top 10 things that make me sad

Hmm a bit depressing of a title, eh?  Oh well, I feel like it.  It is my blog after all.

Tatie Tot, mad and sad...and petting mama's hair 'cause that makes her feel better.  Which makes me feel better.

1.  Anything being wrong with my babies.  I hate it.  Sometimes, I know that they will come out the other side, and will be all the stronger, or smarter...but sometimes it's just really, really tough.

2.  Thinking about my kids growing up.  Yes I know, I know...there is no avoiding it, "give them wings to fly" and all that crap.  But they're my babies.

3.  I don't watch or listen to any news...truthfully, I find everything out either on FB or Kevin telling me.  I just can't handle it.  Natural disasters, terrorists, abuse, murder...it does me in.  I don't live under a rock though, so when I do find out about something that someone else in this world has endured that is unjust or tragic, I feel sad for them.  And I thank God for my family's safety and comfort.

4.  On a completely separate note - and completely selfish and self-indulgent - I am sad that my favorite shows are over for the season.

5.  So this doesn't make me sad per se - but speaking of tv, I can't handle those Disney commercials!!  Oh my gosh - the music, the kids getting so excited, the parents' looks of joy - I want to be in Disney!!

August 2010, Chef Mickey.  Good times.  Make that awesome times.  

6.  Going to animal shelters.   I donate from time to time, and I just hope those babies get picked up by somebody awesome.  It's hard to hear the barking and meowing and not take a little one home!

7.  My waistline.  My thighs.  My backside.  My chins.  You get where I'm going with this.  It's not pretty.  But what's really sad is that when it was, I didn't know it.

8.  Commercial real estate where a farm once stood.

This picture has nothing to do with anything.  And Bailey was like, 3 years old here.  But it's one of my faves and I have no idea what she's asking for - maybe Disney?  I hear ya sister.  I think I am going to have to plant a big kiss on her sweet sleeping face in a few minutes...I mean really, how CUTE is she?!  God knew how much I love to gaze into brown eyes...so he gave me 3 pairs of the deepest brown eyes you could ever see.  They melt me.

9.  Being far away from someone when I want to hug them.  That's achy breaky stuff.  Thankfully, my kids are right down the hall and I can love them up almost as much as I want to.  The school receptionist would probably look at me funny if I stopped by to call the girls out just for a hug...so I refrain myself.  Barely at times.  And then, 10 minutes after they get off their buses and are fighting already about who gets to choose the show they watch...I think, wow, school is nice.
 
10.  Missing.  Just that word...it's sad.  When I miss someone, or something, wow that feels awful.


*Nothing depressing brought on the content of this post.  All of my loved ones are safe and sound, and we had a perfectly pleasant Sunday evening.

Coupon Crazy

So I have to be honest with you...couponing does take a bit of work.  I love it, and I get really excited about good deals I find for my family, or to give to others.  I take comfort in having a cushion of supplies - like detergent, cat food, toiletries.  I love knowing I have the makings for plenty of meals.  But shopping in this different way - of stocking up in addition to buying perishable items - takes time and effort.  I don't mind looking through the deals - I like it actually.  I don't mind the grocery shopping - I only go to 2 stores usually each week, and I have the luxury of either going while my girls are at school in the afternoon, or my local ShopRite has free childcare if they are with me.  I don't mind cutting coupons.

I DO mind organizing the coupons.  UGGHHHHHH.  Right now I am 2 weeks behind.  So I have a large baggie with lots of cut coupons, all mixed together.  It will take me at least a few hours to organize them into like piles (ie - cereal, yogurt, juices, etc) and then fill them in to my binder.  And because I have some sort of homemaker ADD thing going, I can't just sit and complete this task - I stand at the kitchen counter, coupons all spread out, and all day tomorrow I will take several minutes here and there and file some coupons.  It will annoy me, tire me, and bore me.

But I will do it, because I have figured that my couponing yields me some serious cash.  For a stay at home mom to earn anywhere from $20-$100/hr or more depending on the week, that is a good part time gig.  I don't actually "earn" it I guess, there's no money going into my pocket.  But there's a whole lot less money going OUT, so I count it as the same.

This week is a bit dry at the grocery stores, so I'll spend my couponing time organizing, and maybe an hour getting a bit of produce and spending some Rite Aids UP rewards that are about to expire.  And I'll hit up CVS to get their free stuff (soap and Bayer off the top of my head).  Good luck this week friends - and remember, a dollar not spent, or a dollar saved with a coupon, is a dollar in your pocket.

So what was this post really about anyway.  Well, I guess my point is - couponing is not all roses.  But it can be fun, it IS rewarding, and it's the easiest way I can think of to create more wiggle room in your budget.  Feel free to ask me a question that's been on your mind!

Dr Zoomerman

Taylor has said for a while now that she wants to be a doctor when she grows up.  She is FASCINATED with so many things - from the little hairs on caterpillars, to inspecting any of our boo boos with her magnifying glass - that I really believe she could be.  Plus, she is very bright, she likes working alone, she can sit for extending periods of time "working" (I know, right?!  I don't know why she can't focus when I give her directions, but give her "homework" and she sits tight) and for some reason, I can just really see her actually being a doctor.  This is going to sound awful - brace yourselves - but I do not believe my kids can just do anything.  I don't tell them that of course, but if they were to say they wanted to be President of the United States, in my head I'd be saying, "keep dreamin', kid."  Both my girls have different gifts and abilities, and as they grow I am starting to imagine who they might grow up to be.

I picture Bailey as a mom, first and foremost, and a doting wife.  Her husband will also have to dote though, because girlfriend is a tad spoiled.  But she is so loving, affectionate, and family matters so much to her that I can easily picture her with at least a few kids, either staying at home or in a profession like teaching.  She loves to play teacher and even has a little apron with letters and numbers she wears when she is "Miss Bailey."

As I said, I really believe Tatie could be a doctor someday, and this is what she recently said.   I asked her what kind of doctor she wanted to be, like did she want to help babies come out of mommies, did she want to look at peoples booboos in the hospital, did she want to look at x-rays (she's had a few, she knows what they are).   She said, "I want to be a Zoomerman doctor."  me - "Is that a dr that goes to the zoo?  Do you want to be a vet?"  Tate - "NO Mommy, a ZOOMERMAN doctor!" (She gets easily pissed off at me if I'm not on her wavelength).  me - "Taylor, I don't know what that is, I'm sorry.  What is it?"  Tate (looking at me like I'm dumb as dirt) - "It's the doctor that, you know, zooms in - gives shot, open wide, ok ok, and zooms out."  Kevin and I couldn't help but start laughing - which further exasperated her so we quickly composed ourselves, didn't want to dream-squash, but it was SO HER.   It was just so like Taylor to not want to spend too much time with the patients, she just wants to zoom in and out.

I miss the baby days (sometimes) but now that they are getting older, I love that the girls have these moments that are just "so them."  They are growing into themselves, and I love it.  It is so like Bailey to tear up upon seeing a baby carrier seat on a stretcher at CHOP yesterday - I did too, even though we both had no clue what was wrong with the baby - but that empathy she has is so acute, so strong.  I am careful to talk to her about such things, trying to have her not be a "burden bearer" - I love her compassion but do not want her to take on the weight of the world.  I didn't much talk to her about the natural disasters occurring, like recent Joplin, bc she would have been up at night with worry.

I love my sweet Bailey, and my Dr Zoomerman.  I look forward to seeing what they do when they grow up, but I certainly can wait to see - time is already going by fast enough.

Thankful Thursday

I am going to write 10 things I am thankful for, because I could easily write 20 things I am unhappy about. So in that spirit, here is a bit of what I am grateful for, because I do try to remind myself of all the good in my life, when the bad creeps in and discourages me.


*My family is healthy today.


*My couponing talk this morning went well, and I think I helped at least 2 women (my goal was one, so bonus!) start their journey to saving some money.  It was a pretty small group but I talked for a while, over an hour, and I realized that an hour just tips the iceberg.  I am all the more interested in doing series-workshops instead of one hour talks.


*Kevin had a great day at work.  Love ya boyfriend, thank you so much for working hard for us!


*I laid down with 2 out of my 3 cats for 1/2 an hour this afternoon.  It was soft and cozy and too short.  I was very jealous of them when I had to get up.


*Our yard is torn up!!  We are on our way to actually HAVING a yard!!


*Found out today a friend of mine is having a girl after having 2 boys.  If she had 3 boys she would cherish them all and she loves being a boy-mom, but I think she's gonna have fun with a girl.  Selfishly I wanted a boy bc I am really craving a little boy in my life, but SOMEONE close to me will have a boy, SOMETIME.  Just not me....


*What number am I on?


*I turned in about a billion BoxTops today to Taylor's class.  Have I ever written here about my obsession with BoxTops?  I want my kids class to win the contest the school has every few months - Bailey's class already won this year so this time I turned them in to Tatie's.  Anyone want to give me some BoxTops?


*We took a really nice family walk tonight and made it back just before another downpour.  No matter that by the end of it the girls weren't allowed to touch or talk to each other, we were still outside and a passerby would've thought it was a nice family walk.


*Season finale Greys tonight.  Bath with my People magazine first.  New book from Jennifer Weiner last.  It's a yummy perfect-night-in kind of sandwich.


*Taylor just had her hand slapped for repeat defiance by Kevin...not thankful that had to happen, I never like that...but thankful Kevin was the one to deliver it, not me.  It's so hard looking into those huge brown eyes.  Oh, so how do I yell at her then?  I don't see them, I see red.


So in summary, the kids are driving us kind of nutty, but there is much to be thankful for.

What are YOU thankful for?

Whatever Wednesday

Yo.  It is 3:04 pm, about 1/2 hr until my chickies come home.  Bailey went back to school today which was l.o.v.e.l.y.  I had cried my eyes out for about 2 weeks when she started 1st grade this year, not knowing how I'd make it through every day with her gone, my angel baby, for 7 hours.  Well I've gotten quite used to angel baby being gone each day and when she is home during the week missing school and all her friends (read: whining, following me around, closing her door to her sister which makes sister furious...) I realize how nicely I've adjusted to full day school.  I see her for about 2 hrs in the morning unless my hubby's home and let's me sleep in (xoxo to you Kev) and from 3:45 on in the afternoon...and weekends...and snow days, sick days, MLK and every other kind of day...and summers.  I feel really blessed to have the best of both worlds - time when my children are in school to allow me to do other things, and time with them when they're home.

Taylor at this point spends 3 hrs/day except every other Friday in school, but next year she'll be full day like Bailey.  It's 1/2 day kindergarten in our district but they are putting her in 1/2 day "normal" kindergarten and 1/2 day special ed.  She'll leave on the morning bus wiht Bailey to go to her special kindergarten, eat lunch with them and then leave to go to normal.  A few of her friends from this year's class have the same arrangement, which is a huge relief.  She has had the same room, teacher, aides and therapists for 2 years and it's all changing - a big check-minus in Taylor's book.  So the fact that she will at least be at the same school, with a few friends, is awesome.

I'm not sure yet if I will cry as I did with Bailey, but I am sure now I will get over it.

Today I was talking with a few friends about what my plans will be for next year when both girls are gone all day.  So...I really think I want to somehow market myself as a "coupon consultant."  Several times a week I am talking coupons with people, and I love it.  I love saving money and I love talking about how.  There are so many "secrets" that people don't know about and I want to share what I know so other people can free up more money for things they want and need.  I am not sure what this will look like yet, but for starters I am going to make myself available to talk to MOPS and other mothers groups in the area.  Maybe do a workshop out of churches, libraries, etc.  Tomorrow I am speaking to a MOPS group in Cherry Hill - no charge, but great practice.  I spoke at my own MOPS group also, earlier this year.  Truly, to really delve into it, I need much more time than an hour to show people how to coupon effectively and efficiently.

So that's what I'm thinking about today.  I wish sometimes God could just call me up and tell me what He wants me to do, and what I'll be good at.  I never thought I'd want to venture into something like this, but I kind of fell into couponing, grew to really appreciate it and love it, and now I think perhaps I might even be able to make a small income helping other people learn the system while still being "at home" with my kids.  I feel excited!

Tummy Tuesday and a Top 10

I've probably gained it back since then but on Saturday's weigh in at WW, I lost 2 lbs.  Happy about that!  But since then, ugh eating too much, esp as I've been trapped in the house with the rain and a sick kid.  Emotionally eating, bored eating, baking-with-Bailey eating...

I'll reign it in and hoping this Saturday shows a bit more of a loss!

Top 10 Favorite Foods (I don't know why, bc I'm bored and don't want to do any chores)

1.  Mom's cooking.  Her meatballs, apple pie, potato skins (only for the Super Bowl and it's been maybe 15 yrs since I've had one!), meatloaf, Ranch dressing, rice...it's better if Mom makes it.

2.  Ham roll-ups made by Kevin's aunt Sarah.  She makes them for New Years and Kevin's parents always bring me back a plate.  That's what you do for fat people fyi - when you go to parties, you bring them home the leftovers :)  Well this year our family went to their party too and she made me a HUGE batch, I still have some in the freezer!  They are these very thin crepe like appetizers - I know they don't sound good and I only eat ham a few times a year but these are soo good.

3.  Cheesecake with my work girlfriends.  We always choose a dessert to share, and when it's cheesecake I think, it doesn't get better than that.  Fun with friends AND creamy sweetness.  Better with fruit sauce.

4.  Homemade pizza.  Mom makes the best crust (of course) but I've been experimenting.  I also love the fun of it, everyone piling on their toppings.

5.  Holiday food.  Christmas cookies with the kids and giving them to people, seeing their smiles.  Turkey and mashed potatoes with the family.  Seeing my brother make a well in his mashed potatoes brings me more happiness when I eat mine, I remember that he's done that his whole life.  My MIL's mac and cheese, my SIL's crumb apple pie.  Love it all, with a side of green beans because I'm healthy like that.  No really, I love green beans.

6.  Anything Italian.  Lasagna, stuffed shells, spaghetti and meatballs...all of it.  With salad and bread thank you very much.  Love the smells.  Love that it freezes well.  Love that my husband loves it too and whispers sweet nothings in my ear when I make him pasta.

7.  Stir frys.  Crunchy veggies, flavorful meat.  Tortillas that I've gotten for free with coupons make it even better.

8.  Fruit.  I love smoothies, fruit salads, berries in pancakes or on cereal, and just a plain old good apple or banana to tide me over until dinner.  So thankful for fruit.  I love fresh tasting, Farmers Market kind of food.

9. Kevin's summer burgers.  My man don't cook.  But in the summer, he grills probably once a week and his burgers are delish.  My dad bless him always used to burn them to a crisp.  Kevin has that fine line down where they're not pink at all (love it in a steak, hate it in a burger) but don't dried and burnt.  Plus, I love eating outside with my family and that makes everything taste better too!!

10.  Finally, I love a good hoagie.  Jersey Mike's in Toms River is pretty good, Primos is pretty good.  I can't make one as good as a deli, just can't even with a great roll that we are lucky to have in Jersey.  If I really have my way I'd have it with 1/2 a cup of milk and a good deli pickle too, fresh sliced.

If you're still reading - anyone? - what's YOUR fave?

Mommy Monday

So today Bailey was home sick again, strep throat for the FIFTH time.  We have an ENT appt in 2 weeks, she'll probably have to get her tonsils out.  Anyway, my scheduled day ended up not turning out anything like what I had planned...but such is life!  I was stressed by the end of the day for sure, but my time just with Bailey while Taylor was in school was dear to me.  She was appreciative and loving - we told each other what we love about each other.  It's such a Bailey kind of conversation.  Taylor, probably irked that Bailey got to stay home and she had to go to school, and thrown off with the change in routine, was a handful for much of the day...but redeemed herself during tuck in time by being funny and sweet.

Anyway, tonight I started a fruit and veggie chart for the girls.  I did this once before with them, with mediocre success.  Basically, it is a bribing/reward system to get them to try different healthy foods.  Their choices have to be something they've already tried and hated, or have never tried at all.  At first I said they have to eat a whole piece of it (like a whole strawberry) or if it's small like peas, they have to eat their age.  Bailey was about to flip her lid bc she's 2 years older and thought that was very unfair and I kind of agreed, so I said they had to have 6, a compromise number.  Once they get to 10 servings - and they have to be different, so even if they eat more of something it won't count - they are getting a Nerf gun.  It shoots these soft things out and sticks to windows, the doors, etc.  They're psyched.  My hope is that they add just one or two more fruits or veggies to their small list of preferred choices, and that will make this so worth it.  Oh and if they complain more than once it doesn't count.  Tonight's choice was watermelon, we started out easy.  Taylor actually eats watermelon sometimes as a snack at school, but Bailey really doesn't like it.  After praying to God to help her (goodness, the drama that goes on in this house)  she ate a slice.  Tomorrow is corn on the cob, 1/2 of one but I can cut it off for them I said and add butter and salt.

Wouldn't you want a chart with a fun toy as a reward and all you have to do is eat delicious food?!  These girls have the life I tell you.  I hope I'm not creating major future damage.