Tag Archives: lists

$1000….no strings attached….what to do….

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Northwest Mommy has given me $1000 dollars…No strings attached…What should I do….Hmmm…be practical or have fun?

So I have a grand….What to do???
10 ways to spend $1000 before I even have time to realize it’s gone

Practical me would buy a new washer & dryer and be done….not too exciting but with laundry times five it’d be nice to have one of those gianormous oversized sets that will do a million pairs of jeans at once…but who’s here to be practical?!

A Washer and Dryer all in one…I’ve dreamed of this for years!! No more mildewy clothes because I forgot to switch the load!

How about a mini family vacay….Beach here we come! Gas + munchies + a hotel = about $1000

Or we could take the kids to visit the inlaws…The boys haven’t seen everyone in ages and I’d love to take them..ROAD TRIP TIME!

East Coast here we come!

A SeaWorld weekend would be a blast – Between gas, park tickets, food, & a hotel we’ve definitely spent $1000….The boys would have a great time, they love fishes! …SideRant- Where do amusement parks get off charging so much?!

Now to make our money stretch a little further… Tickets for the family to the local aquarium, the science museum, the movies, Six Flags, and gas and munchies money for them all…call it a stay-cation

How about shopping!! New tops for me, new watch for the hubs, new shoes for everyone, and a trip to the book store and toy store for the kids….I’m pretty sure we could blow throw $1000 on an afternoon shopping spree

Maybe painting the whole house, new curtains, new doors…a mini home makeover would be fun…I think I’ll hire the painters too…

Speaking of mini home makeovers, I’d love a backyard makeover….I’m thinking one of those giant water slides for the kids, lots of new trees, a hammock, a grill pit, a mini fruit and veggie garden…

What about Pinterest…I’m pretty sure I could spend $1000 easily buying all sorts of craft supplies to try all these genius DIY ideas I’ve found online that look fun….the only problem…I’m not too crafty…I have a feeling spending the money this way might be a big waste…

Last up – An afternoon at IKEA….I’m pretty sure I could spend $1000 there in no time flat….it’s amazing how fast stuff adds up at IKEA!

So…What would you do with$1000 dollars? Link up, let us know, and enjoy everyone’s great posts!! :)

If You Give A Mom A……

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If you give a mom a ________

  • If you give a mom a crying baby she will hold and comfort it
  • If you give a mom a hungry baby she will feed it
  • If you give a mom a hug she will probably smack you….unless you’re her child, then she’ll smile and give you a giant bear hug back
  • If you give a mom a child with a booboo she will kiss it and make it all better
  • If you give a mom a giant pile of dirty clothes she will launder them
  • If you give a mom dirty dishes she will wash them
  • If you give a mom a simple Thank You you’d be amazed at far it will go
  • If you give a mom a few scraps you’d be amazed at the feast she can whip up
  • If you give a mom a list, at 11p.m.,  that says her child will bring  40 cupcakes for the party at school TOMORROW, she will bake them
  • If you give a mom 2 hours she very well may take a nap
  • If you give a mom a kid free vacation she will spend ¾ of it worrying about and missing their children
  • If you give a mom a skateboard she will hop on, pretend she knows what she’s doing, bust her ass, and do it all again, all to make the kiddos smile
  • If you give a mom a couple of blankets and a chair she’ll make a killer fort and spend the day hiding out in it….with the children of course….
  • If you give a mom bored whiney children you’d be amazed at the games she’ll come up with
  • If you give a mom a bottle of rum, you’ll have one happy momma

I have to admit I’ve never read the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie books, but my kiddos have and I liked the title so much I’m running with my own spin on a list of things that happen If You Give a Mom a _________…..Hope you enjoy

Mom Duties …Making a sick monster SMMIIILLLEEE

read to be read at yeahwrite.me

10 Things A Spouse Should…Or Shouldn’t…DO

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I’m rule bending again….Instead of 10 Things Husbands Should Do I want to tackle 10 Things Any Spouse Should…or Shouldn’t Do

1 – This is the golden rule – If you wouldn’t do it (or say it) in front of your spouse, don’t do it period

2- When arguing, because let’s face it, disagreements happen, disagree respectfully – this person is still your partner even if you don’t agree at the moment…And a little tip, if it won’t matter in 5 years it really isn’t that important now

3 – Surprise your honey every now and then…it can be anything from a gift to a mini massage…When buying a snack at the gas station pick up your partners favorite candy or soda…it doesn’t have to be a big over the top thing, it’s the little things, the day to day things that matter

4 – Don’t EVER gossip about each other…I know so many women who husband bash every chance they get, they love to throw their spouse under the bus just for the sake of conversation, they may see it as venting but let’s face it, a relationship is TWO people, any issues should be dealt with between those TWO people…no one else

5 – Tell your spouse you love them and thank them for all they do

6 – Find something to do together…whether it’s watching a weekly movie, working out together, playing a game, anything you both enjoy

7 – Talk to each other – shoot the breeze, vent about the days frustrations, just talk

8 – Laugh together

9 – 1 spouse is enough for anyone, unless you’re trying to get on the episode of Sister Wives, no work spouses / no flirting with anyone but your honey – it’s just a tacky slap in the face to your actual spouse

10 –Ladies –Put the boobies away…you’re married you don’t need to flaunt the merchandise to others, your body is for you and your spouse not the whole world

My LOVE!!! :) :):) 9 years together and I fall more in love every day <3

Want More??? How about a Flashback post sharing my Rules Of Love - Yes there really are rules, and yes a few rules made it onto this list too…I just feel they really are that important :)

 

 

 

Celeb Moms

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Celeb Moms Like Me?? Lots probably are….

They get up for 2 am feedings, diaper changes, to clean puke, they cook, they play with their kids, they do all the ‘typical’ MomDuties, they spend time with their cuties, they show them what family and parenting are…..

…Then their are these ladies….

-Kids are exhausting…we all can agree…but I will never forget sitting on my floor, hair going every which way, baby twin boys on my lap….this is when Oprah came on after General Hospital so I’d always catch the first few minutes of her show…anyways I digress… Julia Roberts was on her show that day and she had recently had her twins as well…She was sitting there saying how much of a blessing it is but how exhausting raising twins is…BULLSHIT….I’d be exhausted too if I had nannies, people to clean and cook for me, a guest spot I’m getting paid big-time to do as an escape from my mom duties….To this day I can’t see her on TV without wanting to gag….

-Famous Autism Moms – Yes autism, or any special need can be challenging but they have money for therapy…It would cost me $4,000/a month for ABA therapy for each of my children….that’s $48,000 a year per child  (that insurance doesn’t cover)….That’s chump change to most celebs….

-Then there’s the attention whore mom…not looking in the direction of the Lohans’ or anything….Be happy for your kid, and most of all be a parent to your kid….

-I have to confess I was an Osbourne addict when their show was on, and I’m still loving Sharon on The Talk, but man would it be so much easier to parent if you had nannies to do it….and it’s not just the Osbournes…think Kimora Life In The Fab Lane

 

-Angelina Jolie’s hubby ratted her out saying she won’t cook more than a bowl of cereal….Man those are some understanding kids….or wait…kids with a cook….I couldn’t even make grilled cheese pre-kids but I had to learn….and quick!

-Brittany Spears appears to at least semi have it together these days but….well I’m just going to stop on this one…no point in picking on an easy target….

-Celebs in general…where are their kids? I’ll admit you see a few shots here and there of some celebs spending time with their kids but it appears, at least in what we see, that their kids are rarely anywhere around them….

At the end of the day we are all still moms….we are all still the doing the best we can within our means  (well most moms…) ….I don’t expect these ladies to feel guilty about what they have, I’d do exactly the same thing in their situation, use every advantage I have available to make my children be the best they can be, and hell if I never had to change a diaper I probably wouldn’t complain,  but I wouldn’t go and tell others I’m just like them, I understand their struggles….

Funny thing is the celeb dads you see seem way more interested in their kids than celeb moms….Snoop coaches his kids football, Bruce Jenner does everything around their house….Mamma Jenner only seems interested in her kids that can bring in $$$….but then again we only see what the media says we see so who knows…..

Coaching the kids

You know that old saying ‘You think you know but you have no idea….’

Cate Blanchett, Son, & Nanny

What a nice mom to give the nanny a break from pushing the stroller....

30 Ways To Make A Mom Smile

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There’s a Trending Topic floating around in the online world 30 Ways To Make A Girl Smile, but I think 30 Ways To Make A Mom Smile would be way more amusing…so here we go, in no particular order:

  1. Your kids actually eating what you’ve made for dinner
  2. Your kids not complaining, while they are eating, about what you’ve made for dinner
  3. Everyone in the house remembering where the hamper is
  4. ….and how to use it
  5. Getting to sleep in, even just 15 minutes
  6. Your spouse making kiddo breakfast
  7. Your spouse making any kiddo meal
  8. ….and cleaning up the dishes after
  9. The kids throwing their trash in the trash can instead of hiding it under/in the couch
  10. Curling up on the couch watching Saturday morning cartoons or movies with the kiddos
  11. Little boys remembering to flush
  12. Little boys remembering to put the lid down BEFORE flushing
  13. Caffeine IV’s
  14. Mommy Juice – Yes it’s real…it’s that special juice mommies drink at the end of a long day to avoid ripping someone’s head off during evening shenanagins
  15. Someone inventing a washer/dryer combo, no more mildewey smelling stuff because I forget to switch the laundry for a days
  16. A laundry fairy *Calling the Laundry Fairy…can you hear me???*
  17. Good notes from the teacher saying how spectacularly awesome your kids are doing
  18. A full night’s sleep
  19. Homemade gifts from the children
  20. Family Vacations
  21. Free Family Vacations – Are you listening Disney & SeaWorld?? If you want to spend a special needs family of 5 to your park, all expenses paid, I’d be HAPPY to volunteer my family for the job ;p
  22. Grocery shopping when the store is nearly empty
  23. A kid free dinner out every now and then
  24. People learning not to stare….loud stimmy kids are NOT the same as loud unbehaved kids
  25. Diamonds, flowers, chocolates…really anything that sparkles, smells delish, or tastes sugary good
  26. Someone in the house taking a second to say ‘Hey we really do appreciate all you do’, you’d be amazed at how far a few simple words can go to make ones day
  27. The kids waking up the first time you wake them in the morning….or even the second….but by the fifth time it starts to get a little ridiculous lol
  28. A winning lottery ticket….okay this one isn’t just for moms but it’s be nice either way!
  29. Someone else taking the trash out…before the trash man runs
  30. Plastic Surgery – I know some of you may disagree but I say there’s nothing wrong with a little nip and tuck every now and then…kids can do a number on your body…oh can I add *FREE* to this one too? ;p

What’s on your list?

Wait…You mean you want more?? How about a few pics to make a mom smile :)

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Proper ways NOT to handle a baby

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And finally an old ad from a magazine to make us feel just that much about our parenting….

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Disclaimer****All of these pics were pics I ran across on various sites like FB and across the web. None were taken by me, but I’ve had them so long I can’t be positive where they all originally came from.*****

The ABC’s of ME

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I ran across this at great list at Chosen Chaos and thought I’d join in….I have filled this out on FaceBook before as a note, but this is an updated version of my ABC’s of Me

A – Age – 27

B – Bed Size – Hmmm…..I think it’s a queen? But truthfully by midnight many nights my bed has been taken over by children and dogs and I’ve migrated to the couch

C – Chore that you hate – Can I say all of them? No…Laundry then. I hate laundry….with 5 people I can never keep up!

D – Dogs – Rocco (a lab/chow mix) and Magnus (a pit mix)

E – Essential start to your day – Caffeine…and lots of it….just hook the IV up and I’ll be good to go

F – Favorite color – Blue

G – Gold or Silver – I don’t discriminate…..the more sparkle the better

H – Height – 5’1

I – Instruments you play – I’m musically challenged

J – Job Title – Hmmm…..SAHM / HBIC / Co-CEO Co-CFO / Chauffeur / Short Order Cook / Laundry Expert / Minor Injury Fixer / & the list goes on…you know all the typical SAHM duties ;)

K – Kids – 7 year old twins and a 6 year old, all boys…and yes the dogs are boys too…I’m pretty outnumbered

L – Live – Wouldn’t you like to know {j/k}….I’m in the US

M – Mother’s name – Mom

N – Nicknames – none since I was in school

O – Overnight hospital stays – 3 – When I was 11 I was in the hospital for a week after a back surgery, then for my twins birth and for their little brothers’

P – Pet Peeve’s – I did a blog post on this one 5 Pet Peeves…go check it out, I’ll be here when you get back ;P

Q – Quote from a movie – “Don’t take life to seriously, you’ll never get out alive” – Van Wilder

R – Right or left handed – Right, my left hand is practically useless

S – Siblings – Nope, an only child

T – Time you wake up – Too early! Usually 5:45

U – Underwear – Not even going there….

V – Vegetable you hate – carrots

W – What make you run late – My scatterbrainedness, playing on my phone, 3 kids, 2 dogs, locking myself in (yes in), misplaced keys, should I go on?

X – X-Rays you’ve had – too many to count

Y – Yummy food that you make – Sticky buns

Z – Zoo Animals – I don’t like zoo’s …between the fact that we’re caging animals for our amusement to the funktastic smell, it’s just not my kind of place..but if we can throw in Sea World animals to the mix I’m in, and my favorite would be the dolphins

So there you have it, The ABC’s of Me…..What are your ABC’s? Let’s link them up :)

For you list lovers out there check out these other posts:
Sayings, Quotes, and Good Advice
Sanity Savers
ABC’s of Life

What Our Kids May Never Know….

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I can’t imagine growing up the way kids today do. Technology has changed so much, and continues to change just as quickly. It amazes me the things computers / tablets / cell phones can do. Then there are the changes in trends in fashion, television, and music. The things we (as a society) see as acceptable, what’s considered safe, it’s all changed. Every move kids today make, the mistakes, all so easily shared with the world. It’s such a different world than the one I grew up in….that being said, I’m sure kids today can’t imagine some of the stuff we grew up with.

:::::Things Kids Today May Never Know:::::

  • Cassette tapes
  • Mix tapes made from songs on the radio
  • 8 tracks & Record Players
  • Laser Disk Players & VHS
  • Life without a computer
  • Floppy Disks
  • Life without the Internet (And I don’t just mean the pre Facebook days of the Internet, I mean having no Internet in the house at all)
  • Dial up Internet (Okay, some of you may still have this one)
  • Actually having to go to a library to do research
  • The bag cell phone (Or for that matter, any cell phone that only made calls)
  • The days before Call Waiting and Caller I.D.
  • Pagers
  • Pay Phones…and Pay Phones only costing a quarter
  • Cameras with film
  • The significance of sayings like ‘You’re killing me Smalls’ and ‘McFly McFly anybody in there?’
  • Passing notes in class (Maybe they still do this one, but I imagine it’s all done by text these days)
  • Playing outside unsupervised until the street lights came on
  • Rabbit Ears (In our first apartment our rabbit ears were covered with aluminum foil so we could get really good reception lol)
  • Saturday Morning Cartoons on Regular TV
  • TV Guide (When it was mailed out weekly and not a channel on cable)
  • MTV playing music
  • TGIF on ABC on Friday Nights (As a kid I loved Friday Night TV)
  • That every time I say ‘Whoa’ I’m channeling my inner Joey from Blossom
  • Speaking of Joey’s, they’ll never know about ‘How You Doin’ either
  • How much video game graphics have improved since the days of the Atari and the NES
  • The awful (but at the time awesomely amazing) special effects of 1980’s movies
  • That Dwayne Johnson was The Rock, Mark Wahlberg used to be Marky Mark, and Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton would never be known if not for their sex tapes
  • The WWE was known as WWF until the World Wildlife Foundation got mad and made them change their name
  • The only reality show on TV was The Real World
  • Napster and Free Music Downloading
  • Gas costing under $1.oo / gallon
  • How to write in cursive (unless we teach them, but the schools don’t anymore)
  • French Fries in their kids meals (Don’t worry, I don’t deprive my children from that daily vegetable serving of fried potatoey goodness, we just don’t buy kids meals…which by the way are always OVERPRICED)
  • Candy Cigarettes (I can still find them occasionally, but for the most part I think they are kind of frowned upon) As a kid we’d sit and ‘puff’ them so the powdered sugar coating would look like smoke

I have to say, while kids today may not be able to relate to some of my childhood memories, they definitely aren’t missing out. I watch my sons at 6 and 7 on their iPods and iPads, they have the world at their fingertips …It’s pretty awesome (As long as we teach them responsible Internet etiquette). When it comes to things like not being able to play outside unsupervised, maybe that’s not such a bad thing…We as parents just have to see it not as ‘my kids can’t play outside because it’s not safe’, but as ‘we get to play outside as family’. My list could go on and on…the differences in then and now, the good and the bad in both…but I think I’ve wasted taken up enough of your time. So what’s on your list of Things Kids Today May Never Know?