Making Some Progress

I seemed to have gotten over my bitterness when it comes to weddings and planning. I've bee trying to be more helpful with this wedding planning thing. I think I've convinced the bride to be to talk her man into taking a look at benchmark rings, I really think they're gorgeous!

I think we're also a bit closer to figuring out the meal plan for the reception. I had no idea how many different appetizers there are to chose from! I want to get the bulk of this planning over with before we leave for vacation!

Yay for Vacation!

Are we officially a month away from leaving for vacation? I guess not, considering there are 31 days this month. Just so I don't hurt my brain, I will say we are a month away! On April 28th, as soon as Livi gets home from school, we leave for the happiest place on Earth!

I don't think I've been this excited for a vacation since 2001 - my ex husband and I went to California with some friends. We stayed in a beautiful San Diego California hotel for a few nights and then headed to La Jolla, Ca - which was sooo awesome!

Those were the days of 'adult' vacations. Now I'm in the stage of y life where I take 'family' vacations. I really can't wait to get back to the Polynesian Resort!

Something for Myself

All the shopping I have done over the last few weeks for Olivia's birthday got me thinking, I never buy for myself! I mean, I am still wearing clothing from 2-3 years ago! When it comes to accessories, like jewelry, I have very little to choose from.

With our Disney vacation coming so quickly, I thought maybe something for myself would be nice - perhaps a new necklace or maybe one of these white gold anklets - hint hint! yea right, I don't even think CJ reads this blog.

I have a ton of pictures from the boys' room remodel and from dinner last night - for Olivia's birthday. I need to get all of them on the computer and then I will post them!

Weddings...

After the disappointment I have been dealt regarding my own situation and getting married, I still have to continue to help plan a wedding. Now, last I remember, the bride to be decided to do a search for wedding planners southern California because she felt people in Cali know how to plan these things better. Well, we did get some cool ideas and tips but seriously we're in PA and some things are not feasible or available in our area.

I have my own things to plan - like our upcoming Disney trip. I mean, I'm good at planning things but if you want me to help then let me help the way I can!

Uhh, I'm Pagan

I got my first soliciting Christian at my door today. I've seen them slinking around the neighborhood over the last month or so. My mom made the mistake of talking with two of them a few weeks ago and now they regularly show up on her doorstep.

The doorbell rang and normally, I never answer the door unless I know the person but I knew it was one of those people, I saw several of them circle together on the corner and then set out in their own direction. I know this because when I sit at the computer, I am staring out the window to the main street - provides lots of entertainment!

So, I answered the door and this woman invited me to Jesus' death or resurrection or whatever. I told her, "I'm not Christian" and she looked at me as if I was to become her next victim. "Ohh, what are you?" she asked, almost excitedly. I replied, "I'm Pagan" - her eyes got wide and her jaw dropped. She looked behind me at the boys and said, "all of you?" I laughed - "yes, we are all Pagan in this house."

Interestingly enough she didn't leave, nor did she try to pull me away from my heathen ways. Instead, she asked about the fish tank - was it salt water or fresh water because the water is so clear! She is about to start her own salt water tank and is very excited about it. We chatted momentarily about the tank and then I wished her well and she left. That was certainly an odd way to turn the conversation around.

So, either I am officially off their 'list' or they're planing to come back and bring out the big guns. I am completely amused either way.

Almost Done With the Boys' Room

We hired our neighbor, Dave, who is a contractor, to remodel the boys' room - we want it bigger for them. It should be finished this weekend. I am really excited to see it when it's done and even more excited to see them so happy to have a bigger room to play in!

When we get back from Disney, I wold love to plan a remodel for another room but of course, money is an issue. I'd at least like to update some things in the kitchen, like maybe get a new undermount sink and possibly replace counter tops.

One thing at a time, right?

Just a Tad Miffed

I lost my health insurance. I knew I would eventually. I really don't make enough money every month to pay for something like COBRA - although I have been looking into other possibilities. Many of you who know me know that CJ and I aren't married so I am not on his health insurance plan. I was hoping to tie the knot - I was even looking at these really nice artcarved tungsten rings for him.

When I told him about losing my insurance, I guess i thought I would hear something about us getting married. Now look, both of us have been married before and we both actually agreed, a long time ago, that we didn't want to get married. I suppose as I get older, these legal things just freak me out a bit and it seems safer to be married when you're living together and have children together.

Well, whatever, we filled out paperwork to be domestic partners. I suppose there will be no marriage for me.

Work at Home Mom

I am definitely a WAHM (work at home mom) but the idea of doing more than just working from home has always interested me. I started going over all the possible women owned business ideas I could think of and wow, my head started spinning!

After thinking of all of the details involved in owning and running a business, I have come to the conclusion that it is probably not for me. I really think it takes a certain kind of person to run a business or even manage a franchise and that person is not me. Kudos to those who do run a business!

Update on Dante

The bed wetting is getting better. I have been trying to make sure he doesn't drink anything after about 7 pm. I know that sounds late but we don't usually eat dinner until around 6:30 pm. So far, so good - and I am so happy! Not just for him but for the fact that I was running out of baby crib bedding (his toddler bed uses a crib mattress)

I was hoping to get this completely taken care of before our Disney vacation but really, I don't want to rush him. Besides, when we're in Disney we'll be eating/drinking later than normal I'm sure, so that will just screw him up.

Family Disney Vacations

I have been posting all about our Disney vacations, past and those to come, on this blog for a while now. I have decided it's time to have my very own Disney vacation blog!

Family Disney Vacations.com

This blog will be for all things Disney! Our 2008 trip report is there and all future trip reports will be there too. All Disney planning will be discussed on that blog as well.

Also, I will be sending real time updates, complete with photos, to that blog from my Blackberry while we are in Disney! Visit the blog, bookmark it, subscribe to it!

Family Disney Vacations.com

Time to Get Focused

The most exciting part of a vacation, in my opinion, is the planning. Talking about where we will eat, what we will do and see and making a list of extra stuff we'd like to do is such an exciting time!

I have decided that the first week in April I will go shopping for whatever CJ and need, clothing wise and for kids clothing, including shoes, so I have everything here, washed and ready to be packed. I want them all to be able to wear their new shoes (sneakers) for a few weeks before we go so they can break them in and get comfortable in them.

I have been bugging my mother in law to look over all the parks and pick out the rides and attractions she'd like to see, just so we all have an idea of what NOT to miss while we're there. She better get on it!

So, I have a feeling the next few weeks will go super fast. Right now we're having the boys' room re-done (made bigger), Ostara is coming up, Olivia's birthday is this month (on the 27th with the bowling party on the 28th), shopping and organizing needs be done in the beginning of April, then there's Easter (even though we don't celebrate that, my mom does so we have to do the obligatory dinner) ad then it's VACATION TIME!!!!!

Oh, The Things You Find

The things you find when cleaning out closets! I found some of my really cute maternity clothes packed away in the corner of one of the closets. I have no idea how I missed this storage bin the last time I cleaned out closets!

The idea of another baby is still a possibility - I even started a blog, Just One More Makes 4 - to follow the journey. It actually turned into a weight loss blog - but once I meet that goal, I hope to get back on track with the whole one more baby thing. We'll see - some days I think I have my hands full enough with the 3 kids I have, how would I manage a 4th AND keep some sanity?

Think She's Ready to Go?

Olivia was helping me go through some of Wyatt's baby clothing - I need to know what has to be packed away so I know what to buy for our Disney vacation. She disappeared for a bit and when she came back, she was dressed like this:

I'd have to say this little girl is ready for Disney! The leis are from the Polynesian Resort - they give them to you when you arrive. She hopes to get different colors this time!

Oh No, BUG!

My kids are afraid of bugs and gee, I have no idea why? Maybe it's because I seem to hyperventilate when one flies bye? Hahaaha - seriously, I do NOT like flying insects *shudder* and I do try my best not to show my paranoia around my kids but apparently I suck at that.

These suckers are around our house a lot and the damn tings do fly! Ewwwwww

This was on the window sill the other day. I was home with the boys and when I saw it, instead of completely freaking, I tried to calmly explain to them that bugs are just a - okay. Yea, they didn't buy it.

Listen:


BUG! from Unbalanced Libra on Vimeo.

I Hate Weekends

Well, only the weekends that Jeff has Olivia. I miss her when she's not here. Jeff usually has some kind of work to do on the weekends but he just takes her with him. He's the IT guy at his work so the last time he had to go in unscheduled was to set up the 2 factor log in stuff. Livi just goes along and watches her daddy work.

Awe, I know she loves being with her daddy. Here's my favorite picture of the two of them, this was when she was 3:

Wow - 3 Houses?

My cousin and her husband own 3 houses - one in Melbourne, FL - one in the Florida Keys and one in Tennessee. She cries poor. Seriously. I haven't been to visit in Florida or Tennessee but I thought about going to her college graduation in TN. I wasn't planning on staying at her house though, I would have stayed at any of the Pigeon Forge Tennessee hotels instead.

I wound up not going. I'm sure I'll be at some other graduation - I think my cousin is going to be a full time student.

Planning a Birthday Party

Olivia will be 6 this month! We're having a 'bowling' party for her. Ever since she went to Zachary's party she has wanted the same type of birthday party.

So now I need to start thinking about not only what we should get her but what to tell other people to get her. She loves to do arts and crafts so it's easy to get that kind of stuff. She also mentioned wanting those Magformers - which look really cool, I think even I would have fun with those!

Of course she's also still into barbie stuff and Princess stuff.

Dante's Night Time Antics

Dante is only three - he sure looks bigger than three though!

He's finally 'day time' potty trained but we've yet to master the idea of getting up and going to the bathroom IN the toilet in the middle of the night. I have gone through so many sets of baby bedding in the last 6 months because he's ruined sheets wetting the bed.
He wears a pull up at night but that doesn't help.

Once in a while he wakes me up to go to the bathroom but for the most part, I'm changing sheets at least 4 nights a week.

I am trying everything I can think of to remedy this. No drinks an hour before bed or in bed, potty time right before bed. Any suggestions?

Livi at the Dentist

Unfortunately, the last time Livi was at the dentist, 4 cavities were found. FOUR! They were found between her teeth and she does floss.

All of my kids started going to the dentist before the age of 2. They all brush their teeth in the morning and before bed. They all let me brush their teeth now and then - just to make sure it's being done properly. How she has 4 cavities is beyond me!

Her dentist is wonderful. All the girls in the office are. They all wear these cute women's lab coats - a different color for each day. Then, they have playful looking scrubs on under the lab coats. It's so much nicer than seeing plain white!

So, here is Olivia waiting for the dentist. They gave her sunglasses to wear - since they have such bright lights shining down.

Considering Online Courses?

It's so awesome that there is such a diverse selection of courses that can be taken online these days. My Mother in law is taking courses on alternative medicine and health care and she loves it! I thought I'd poke around and see what was available online, just in case I decide maybe taking some courses.

I really didn't see much that struck my fancy but I did find something for people who are interested in teaching. The MS Curriculum at Saint Xavier University is really intriguing. I looked further into this and it seems that Saint Xavier University recruits candidates from diverse backgrounds and prepares them as scholars, lifelong learners, leaders and reflective professionals. This is extremely important in today's society now more than ever. There are so many students with very different backgrounds in school together, Saint Xavier University's way of thinking makes complete sense.

Their online program provides:

"experienced practitioners with a broad understanding of curriculum development and an in-depth examination of new instructional techniques through the exploration of topics in literacy, diversity, integration of technology, and an interdisciplinary perspective in education."

If this sounds like something you're interested in, definitely check out what Saint Xavier University has to offer online!

Win a Copy of ‘Internet Dating is Not Like Ordering a Pizza’

There’s a review up over at Caffeine Mom of the book ‘Internet Dating Is Not Like Ordering a Pizza’ - This is a great internet dating advice book and I am giving my copy away!

To enter, all you need to do is promote my review found here http://www.caffeinemom.com/2009/02/giveaway-internet-dating-is-not-like.html via Twitter or Facebook or create a blog post about it.

Then go to Caffeine Mom and leave a comment on my review - Giveaway! Internet Dating Is Not Like Ordering a Pizza entry and post the link of your promotion with your comment.

This giveaway ends Friday, March 6, 2009 at 5 pm EST