Poop, Paxil, and Pageantry

I was over reading the very entertaining blog of A Texan Abroad . I noticed a link at her site, clicked on it, and ended up here. I have neither researched nor comfirmed this list to be sure it was complete. If you know of someone left off, Please tell us about them in the comments. I again want to thank those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and their countrymen! Let us not forget those still serving our country here and abroad along with the family members at home, also making sacrifices.

OH LORD...THE MOODS ARE SWINGING. I do not know what suddenly swayed my mood, but watch out world. Emily did not want juice and about had a heart attack because there was juice in her cup. I calmed her down and explained to her that she just needed to ask for water. I went and washed out the cup, filled it with water and brought it to the PRINCESS!!! Was this good enough? What a silly question. Of course not!!! In her two year old mind....it is the same cup so it must still have juice. I tried to explain until she threw her cup. BIG MISTAKE SWEETHEART!!!! Emily then got a spanking and sent to her room. Then, (oh yes there is more) Steven was playing with about a 100 little plastic balls. That was fine until I said please do not throw them over the baby gate into the kitchen. Within seconds, Steven began throwing the balls into the kitchen. Do the WANT to die? So, I spanked Steven's butt and put him in the corner. Is that all you ask? Of course not. There is still one more child wh

Christy had this on her blog and oh my god you are going to laugh. Please take the time to check it out. WELL WORTH IT. UPDATE: I am a dumbass. It is spelled Christie. Oops...sorry CHRISTIE!!!

I found this picture and (I know it is disgusting) I could not stop laughing. Could you imagine being this kids parents? Do you just frame that sports picture for the hallway or make copies for everyone you know?

I can't remember if I have mentioned this or not but my darling neighbor Amy is now a rep for the sex toy company FOR YOUR PLEASURE. Seeing as how I just love the little sweetie, I want to do all I can to support her business. This means I am having her first party. While perusing the catalog I received as the hostess, I saw (hee-hee) cockrings. I have seen them before on the SUNDAY NIGHT SEX SHOW on the Oxygen Network. I have always wondered and now, thanks to Fickle Whimsy I no longer wonder. I had to change my underwear her story was so funny. (Don't laugh, you have three kids and see how well your bladder holds up.)

My darling friend Tara has a father with a mullet. It is a highly entertaining fact. Last Christmas I got het a t-shirt that says "Fear The Mullet". Her Dad did not find it as amusing as we did. So, when I read this blog and found this website I knew that I was not alone in my love for mullets. Please.....ENJOY!

This guy is so damn funny to me. I think it is because he totally reminds me of Clint before our big, bad transition into adulthood three years ago. Thanks dude for the entertainment and the walk down "remember when we didn't have kids" lane.

Today has been relatively quiet and productive. I boxed up all my e-bay items for Clint to take to the post office, vacuumed the downstairs, put google ads on Clint's blog (so please be sure to click on them...all proceeds go toward student loans), washed and dried two loads of laundry and started a big ass pot of beans (poor man's dinner). I feel like I really am ahead of the game today. I have only beaten the children a hand full of times, that by itself is a huge accomplishment. Of course we still have the afternoon to go. Afternoon hours always seem to be the worst. I am on the downhill slope of the day and the kids are full of energy from the daily naps. I wouldn't trade that quiet time in for anything though. That hour and a half is just enough time to clear my head and to remind myself they are smaller than I am and not to kill them.

As I was feeding my addiction to surf the blogs, I came across many interesting reads. I have added them to my blog roll. I know a lot of them are associated to motherhood and that could be because I am a mother. Go Figure. I think there are a few more military blogs...Go figure. I think there are also a few hormonal, razy blogs...Go figure. Wait...Wait did I just admit to being crazy? No...NO it is a hormone imbalance. I am completely innocent of any and all charges. (hee-hee-hee)

As you have probably figured out both my husband and my brother serve in the United States Army. I know most people would assume certain things about me...some will be true and some will be so far from the truth you would be shocked. One truth is that I am in support of freeing those unable to free themselves. Take the time to read this . The United States is doing something good for these people and even the soldiers who put their lives in harms way (as much as we ALL hate it) know they are doing something very profound that will have a positive effect.

That's right...I said it! Blog Slut!!! OH, by the way, I am talking to myself. I get down right giddy when I know people have looked at my blog. I get orgasmic when I know someone has looked at it more than once. (not you marsha or lisa...you do not count...you have to look) Thanks to all you who feed the blog slut.

So, I am sure you have noticed by now (and you damn sure better click on them...I have three children to feed and my husband is in the army) my google ads. They are suppose to pick up key words and offer ads that correspond to your blog. I made a mention of post partum depression and got anti depressant ads for days. Well , now after the Emily / crap story There were Hershey ads. Just so you know (excuse the language), I am laughing my ass off so fucking hard right now, I may have to pick my crap up off the floor.

So, 27 month old Emily is now potty trained. She still wears diapers for nap and bed but she is now officially a panty girl. She is now emptying her own potty into the toilet when she finishes. Impressive you say? Well, it was until tonight. Emily has always had the really hard deer pellet crap...again, until tonight. (She is going to hate these poop talks when she is older.) She sat on her potty and did her usual business while Clint and I sat on our butts and ignored her doing her usual business. BAD MOVE. We didn't know anything was out of the ordinary until a little voice said " I got poop on my hands." OH SHIT!!!! Emily did not have the usual deer pellets tonight...she had the green apple splatters and when she tried to poor that into the toilet, she missed. Being the good little helper she is, she tried to pick it up. OH....MY....GOD!!!! Well, it is all cleaned up, but I am going to get a really BIG glass of wine.

Here are a few more things you should know that people do not always tell you. 1. The warmer the fart, the worse it smells. 2. When you are no longer having a heavy flow day, you should use slimmer tampons...OUCH. 3. It is okay to crap in a public restroom, but you should know that the people in the stall next to you ARE laughing at you. 4. Masturbation is not dirty unless you do not keep your toys clean. GROSS!! 5. Babies understand a lot more than we give them credit for...They will say every cuss word you do. BE CAREFUL SAILOR. 6. Everyone finds corn in their poop after the backyard bar-b-Q. It's not just you. IN CORN...OUT CORN! 7. The older you get the less you know. HONEST!!! 8. They sell EVERYTHING on e-bay. EVERYTHING! 9. The more children you have, the further away from stylish you get. TWO WORDS....MOM BUTT!! 10. We will ALL eventually here our class song on the oldies or classic rock station. EMBRACE IT!!

I think in this day and age of high tech we sometimes lose the faces of war. War is a very sad but necessary affair. For the anti-war people, please do not forget these guys are human . As humans, they make mistakes and sometimes they falter. They are you father, brother, mother, sister, uncle, aunt, best friend, husband and wife. The next time you speak in anger about the war...look long and hard at your loved ones and remember, that is who is sacrificing for our country. You do not have to believe in the war, but please believe in our soldiers and their integrity, bravery and honor.

OH WE WOULD JUST LOVE TO EAT YOU...OOPS I MEANT TO SAY PET YOU!!! 

Steven chokes (hee hee) I mean pets the chicken!!! 

Emily with baby goats 

Okay... final comments on Terri Schiavo. I had several posts and several comments about Terri. My brother of course (bastard) has made me rethink my stand. I was really only looking at the situation from my husband's point of view. However, not to long ago I saw things (somewhat) from Terri's families point of view. I really mean "somewhat" because there is only a small link. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and her live-in boyfriend (husband of less than a year when she died)encouraged a completely "natural" form of treatment instead of the more aggressive treatments her doctors suggested. About a year later it had spread and was incurable. She of course died when it may have been prevented. We do not know for sure and I guess like Terri's parents I would like to have done everything possible from beginning to end and I absolutely did not agree with her husband. It got ugly and I try not to think about it but Big Brother made a great point. W

When Clint and I met, I weighed a whopping 103 lbs (a little to small for my height). When I gave birth to the twins I weighed 170lbs (holy shit you say?). When the twins were four months old, my fertile husband impregnated me again. I had dropped to 130 lbs and by the time Ethan was born I was back up to 170 lbs. Now I'm down to about 115lbs. I am in fairly good shape, I watch what I eat and I have been working out. Why am I telling you this? I want to know when the wrinkly skin on my stomach will go away. When I stand up I have a nice firm, flat stomach. When I lay down all my skin slides to the side. Disgusting!!!!!! Is this going to go away or is this another thing that women have to forever deal with as a reminder of the fact that we have to be pregnant. Sometimes I wish the men had to go through hormone fluctuations, bleed from their privates, have engorged breasts, have babies suck on those sore breast, etc.... Maybe they would quit thinking we are crazy because out of the b

Okay...before everyone sends me hate comments about my Terri Schiavo post, let me just say this....My brother as already argued the other side...I am not a cruel person by any means and I do not like for people to suffer....My main argument is that whether we like it or not it is her husbands decision. I am very sensitive today so please if you have a different opinion that is great and feel free to express it but please try to do so as my brother did in a way that is not insulting or personal.

The twins are playing hide-n-seek. Steven just came downstairs and yelled "reedie r nit hur I com" or something like that. How cute...they are entertaining themselves and playing nicely. Thank god....that enables me to completely ignore them for awhile and play on the computer. Goodie goodie!!!!!

I am so full of opinions (or something) today. First, I am so tired of the Terri Schiavo drama . I hate that her husband made a medical decision for her and her parents (and what seems to be thousands of other people) are fighting him. I chose to marry my husband and HE is the person who will make my medical decisions. I feel for Terri's parents, but at some point (when your daughter or son gets married) you no longer get to make those decisions. You may not agree with the husbands choice but that was your daughter's choice. I get so pissed off that people think it is okay. If my family fought my husband over my medical decisions...I would come back to haunt their asses!!!! I found the interview of her siblings on Fox News last night equally upsetting. They are so desperate o "save" their sister, they are now implying that Michael may have done something to Terri that caused her to collapse. This poor man!!! ( refer to my brother's comments...maybe not the right c

Ethan, who is now 14 months old, suddenly thinks everything must go on his had. Every bag,plastic or otherwise, is now a hat or helmet. I am trying to decide how dangerous it really is for him to have a plastic bag on his head if I am sitting right there. One, because it is so damn amusing and two, when I take it away he screams like I have just pulled his bowels out his nose. He also gives a whole new meaning to tantrum. I have never seen anything like it. He screams and cries like he is in severe pain. Don't get me wrong, the twins had their fair share of tantrums (and still do), but nothing like this. I would say it is comical except that it really makes me nervous. Should I go ahead and put him in anger management classes now before he becomes one of those kids that blows up squirrels and ground hogs? Okay...maybe I am overstating just a tad. It is a little weird though. I hope to hell he grows out of this phase quick.

Come on in...it's nice and toasty. 

Hello...? I'm dry!!! 

Okay, this guy's take on parenting is so profound and hysterical .....Take the time to do some reading and then go buy his book when it comes out for all your friends who think it would be so much "fun" to have a couple of kids.

This is where the twins now perch during the preperation of every meal. I think we must watch to much Food Network. 

This post I wrote received a comment (anonymously of course)from someone who felt I was gearing my posts toward military wives and men being deployed and leaving out military husbands and women who are deployed. I of course do not intend to offend people by what I write but guess what people...I am a woman and my husband is a man. I write about my feelings and things I read and see. If you are a military woman or the husband of a military woman, why can you not just insert the proper pronouns to suit your situation. If I was Jewish and wrote all about my Jewish holidays would you Catholics all get your rosaries in a knot? No, I think not. Why does everything have to be geared to everyone. I feel for the men who stay at home as much as I do for the women...I am however a woman and I am writing things from MY perspective. If you are offended by that, maybe you need to look within yourself and see why you are so sensitive to a blog that is one of how many million. Please give a little tho

WAIT...WAIT...DON'T I LOOK LOVELY TOO? 

HI everyone. This is the lovely poncho that Grandma Claire (Tara's Mom) made for me. I am such a lucky little girl. 

Whether or not you agree with the war, the politices, or Bush I think we all agree that our troops need our support. Here and here are two places you can go to do just that. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT. These men and their families make more sacrifices than anyone could ever imagine.

Good morning to all in the land of the blog. I have already been up 2 friggin' hours. I can't wait until my children learn to sleep late!!! Ahhhhhhhh...That will be the day. So, I have a pretty good list of things to do. I have to vacuum the house (luckily we live on post so our house is really small), sweep and mop the 2x2 entryway (oooohhh really hard), sweep and mop the kitchen, clean the downstairs bathroom, workout (if I cannot wear a two piece by May I am just going to give up and never workout again HA HA HA), and start pricing and sorting for my BIG garage sale. I have to admit I am a garage sale addict. My favorite thing to do....buy good stuff cheap and sell it on e-bay. I know, I know what do I do with all that extra money (hee-hee)? Well, being the frugal (hubby is only a PFC ) girl (31 year old broad) that I am, I use the money on E-bay to buy the kids clothes. They grow so fast at this rate I figure I better buy Cheaply now. When they hit 10 yrs old, It will be na

As the weekend draws to a close, I must say that my mood has definenlty improved (all the women know this is because Aunt Flo finally got here). I did not find myself having the ever entertaining internal struggle over to beat or not to beat my children. I think they could sense the mood change. I do not know why, but it seems just when I need them to behave for my sanity and their safety, all three go plum, butt wild. I have no idea why this happens...but I swear sometimes I think they are doing it on purpose. That really makes the to beat or not to beat decision much more difficult. Emily and the potty training is going very well. We made two big family outings this weekend (anytime we leave the house with three toddlers, it is a big family outing). The first was Saturday and we went to the Easter Event here at Ft. Carson. There Emily took her first crap in a public restroom. I am so proud. I was unable to crap in a public restroom until I was pregnant with the twins and at that poin

I read this post aloud to my husband and had to fight back the lump in my throat. If you have ever doubted the sacrifices our country has made please read and reread this blog. If you know someone who doubts why we must make these sacrifices, please send it to them. We are doing something very profound for this country. We are doing something for people who could not do it for themselves. We are doing somehting for good people!!!

Man, I do not know what is wrong with me today but if it wasn't to late I would probably give my kids away. I know, I know, that sounds awful. I never have claimed to be perfect. I am in such a grumpy mood. Everything seems to be grating the one nerve I have left. My poor, poor husband. I am pretty sure it is the dreaded PMS. Yes, it really exists. Ever since the last baby, My PMS is out of this world. It seems like for about a week our house becomes both rollercoaster ride and UN-fun house. I have absolutely no control over the evil monster called irritability. Maybe a hefty dose of xanax would do me some good. I think I am way out of midol's (slight irritability) league. Some kind of mood altering drug would probably make everyone in the house much happier!!! Well I guess that is all the wonderful things I have to say for now...I must return to giving the evil eye to anyone who so much as tries to look my way.

No matter how BIG we get.... 

We will always stay grounded 

I feel it is now time, with my advancing age, to begin sharing my wisdom. I would like to start sharing things that I have learned the hard way....Experience. 1. Pubic hairs also turn grey. 2. When you are pregnant you will get unexplainable, shooting ass pains. 3. Even small boobs sag after breast feeding three babies. 4. Your parents had sex more than the number of children they have...yuck!!!! 5. You will at some point want to cause your child harm....the important thing is that you don't. 6. Some toddlers paint with poop. 7. When a recipe calls for fresh parsley DO NOT use the same amount of dried parsley. Gross !!! 8. When you become a parent sleep is a thing of the past. 9. People without children just do not understand. 10. Once you are in the "mommy club", you can talk about you vagina, boobs, bowel movements and sex drive as freely as you want.

I do not know why I am homesick today, but I sure miss Texas. We are in Colorado right now but Clint and I are both from Texas. It is so scenic here and the people have been really friendly, I just LOVE my family and almost all of them are in Texas. We just went home in Jan. after being gone for almost a year. I hope someone comes to visit soon!!! That always makes time go a little quicker. I miss the weather, my family, my friends, my dog, knowing where evertything is, and Taco Cabana!!! Oh well....

Okay, So I added that adsense to my blog....as per my big bro's suggestion. The adds are supposed to coordinate with your blog. I have made one little mention about post partum depression and this morning all my adds were geared toward depression. I swear I am really an upbeat person. I have to be with three small children or I might kill someone.... LOL just kidding of course.

Mowing with Grandad and I taught Tom the importance of teamwork. 

Tom was meant for Special Forces. He was always a master of disguise....or was he just a nerd? Hee Hee

As you can tell by baby Dave's expression, Tom has given him the order to change his own diaper.

This is the start to my big brother's military career . He was a leader from the get go. Here he is holding baby ME.

I come from a long line of military men. My Grandad served on a sub during WWII, My Dad was a Major in the United States Marine Corps , My big brother is a SFC in the United States Army and last but definently not least, my husband is a PFC in the United States Army. In this picture you can see my Dad in his dress blues. Of course taken many, many moons ago. What a handsome guy!!!!

I am so excited about the game because the kids really loved it. I just wanted to show the shapes. I know not too exciting .......

So the twins know most of their shapes and colors (in English and Spanish...I am so proud of them)and I was looking for a way to really reinforce their knowledge. I came up with a game that they really seem to love. I cut shapes of all different colors from construction paper. I wrote the color on each shape (hoping they will eventually recognize the word) and then taped them up (at a level they could not reach, but see easily) on the wall. I would then call out a shape and color and they had to find it. Steven and Emily did so well. I would recommend that the next time you put the shapes up, put them in different spots. The kids got to where they had memorized where the shapes were. I recommend this game for kids who are already learning their shapes and colors. It could be a little frustrating for the parent and the child to play before the child really has a grasp on the subject.

Still not smoking and guess what....I feel great....I can smell, breath, and my teeth are aleady looking whiter. Goodie Goodie

I have started babysitting Conrad (the two year old) He is really such a good little boy. He is a little bit aggressive, but I think it is because he is an only child and not used to sharing. The twins have built in playmates so they were sharing at the time of conception. Anyways, so far so good. I do not feel overwhelmed .......yet!!

Yesterday I had to retake the first two courses at AFTB. It had been so long since I logged in to the sight all my info was gone and I have absolutley no idea where my original certificates for the classes went. So, yesterday I retook the classes. I really would reccomend them to any army wife. Some of the information is common sense but some of it (especially the benefits and programs) are so helpful. I really feel like so many people are unaware of all the programs the army really has to help make military life easier on the family. We try to learn about all the benefits the army has to offer us and take advantage of as many as possible. For those of you with deployed husbands, most posts are offering free five hour daycare on saturdays to enable the spouses a break and a chance to get errands done. Everyone should go to their local army community center and see what programs are offered at your post. I would also like to suggest everyone contact Army Family Team Building. You will l

My heart goes out to the family . No one has ever claimed war was either easy or pretty. Unfortunately the ugliness follows most home. Some more extremely than others. I know it is little consolation to the over 1,500 soldiers who have died, but they are the true martyrs.

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Today is my darling friend Tara's (seen holding Ethan at his 1st birthday) 21st birthday. Happy Happy Birthday sweetie!!!! Don't drink to damn much.

My husband wrote this commentary for the Ft Carson Paper back in December. With all the soldiers leaving our mountain post I thought it appropriate to revisit. Commentary by Pfc. Clint Stein Mountaineer staff Many people have heard the old saying “there are only two things that are certain in life, death and taxes,” but for those in the military there is a third — sacrifices. During recent and past years we have heard so much about the sacrifices made by men and women serving in our military, but what we don’t seem to hear a lot about are the sacrifices made by their spouses. Behind every married servicemember there is a spouse who provides an equal or even greater service. They are the support system of the family. They are an intricate part of what holds their military family together. They are the backbone. More than half of military servicemembers are married and with that brings sacrifices, especially during deployments. No one ever wants to be separated from his loved ones, but f

Looking at Steven and his friend Kaden ( for some reason) gives me the urge to watch Braveheart.

I would just like to bask in the glory of all the milk it takes to sustain Ethan and the Twins!!! Holy Cow. Wait, maybe it is Thank You Cow.

Clint was able to get Dora The Explorer Live tickets from work. Ever since, Steven and Emily have an affection for pirates. Here they are doing their best pirate imitations. I think Steven's leg warmers really make the outfit. RRRRRRR MATEY!!!!!

The three kids were all upstairs playing with their duplos. Clint and I went up to put them down for nap and it seems Ethan had put himself down for nap. He was so tired he fell asleep still holding a block. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I was surfing the net and found this story. I thought other mothers who are in post partum depression denial like I was might want to read this story. Thank god I did not have delusions or anything quite that dramatic, I did have some pretty severe depression. I tried to keep it in my "complete denial" folder. I did not want to believe I was that weak. I will say....It does not make you weak. It is a condition completely out of our control and despite what I tried to tell myself, it really exists. I recommend to all woman to not suffer in the little denial folder, but to just accept we are all humans and see your doctor. If I had seen the doctor, I bet I could have felt a lot better, a lot sooner!!!

My husband and I have a pretty strict budget and some financial goals we would like to reach before he gets out of the army. One of those goals is to not have any credit card debt. We know that we will not be able to pay off his student loan before he gets out but other than that we would like to be debt free. We think that this will not only make military to civilian transition much easier but it will also make our future finacial goals much easier to attian. Anyways, my point is I am going to be watcjing a little boy (Conrad-2yrs old) for the next two months. According to the time and numbers, we will have all our credit card debt paid off at the end of two months. Goodie Goodie. We will then begin focusing on our savings and our car. It would be a real dream come true if we could apy that off early!!!! That would be another monthly payment gone. Talk about a low debt to income ratio. Anyone who is military knows how little a PFC makes, but he is gonna be a big boy spec soon( next mo

Today is my brother-in-law's birthday. He is 26 today. I remeber 26...no kids, lots of freedom, and most of all... lots of sleep!!!! May Wesley get lots of sleep today...ha ha ha. It is so funny the things that you hope for after you have three kids.

Happy Fifth Anniversary Tom and Karen. (I do realize this is a day late, the card will be late too!!!) I cannot wait to celebrate 25 years!!!

As I was surfing some of my favorite blogs I came across this site. You must see it. It made me laugh so hard I almost wet my pants.( A side affect from birthing children)

I read a blog today . After reading MY House (the name of her blog) I felt so inspired. Maybe inspired is not the right word, maybe I mean kinship. I think if you have sometime you (women, or sensitive men) should check it out. I would have made a link in my sideboard of blogs worth checking out but I have absolutely no idea how to do that.

Okay...Still not smoking! I did (I want to be honest) get really drunk (REALLY) This weekend and took a few drags off a few cigerettes. This however has not been my downfall. I have accepted the small back slide and am going to continue on my non-smoking path. I am actually very excited that I am still committed to quiting. Thanks to all those who have been supportive and thanks to all the people with nasty yellow teeth and raisin lips for being such strong motivators!!!! THANK YOU.

I really don't know why I am so surprised by people's stupidity but sometimes I just find it completely overwhelming. One of my neighbors decided to move home because her husband was deployed to Iraq and she is pregnant and also has a 5 month old son.(Not the stupid part yet) She saw her young husband off and then decided it would be a "good idea" to go ahead and leave, giving power of attorney to one of her friends. This POA is to enable this "friend" to clear housing for her. The part I find completely ridiculous is that she has only known this girl for a few months and it can be a pricey venture clearing military housing. Why in the hell would you leave someone you hardly know in charge of that. Here at Ft Carson you have to clean your quarters (pain in the ass to do yourself and almost $300 to pay to have it done), have your carpets professionally cleaned ($150), and then replace any thing that cannot be fixed (ie...stained carpet, bent blinds, etc...).

I just finished reading my brothers blog and he has a lot posted about the war, recruiting, and et al. I wanted to add a bit of a face to what he has been saying. My husband and I are stationed at Ft. Carson,CO. The 3rd ACR (a hell of a lot of guys) just left for Iraq. Some were our neighbors and friends. They all were apprehensive to leave their families and of course afraid of losing life or limb, but all were ready to serve their country and spread freedom throughout the world. I would not say my husband and I are necessarily pro-military (even being active duty), but we are pro freedom. All these opponents to the war, I pose this question... How long do you suppose we should have let Saddam systematically murder thousands of Iraqis and Kurds? I believe it is the job of the mighty to protect the weak. I do not like war or death, but I know that as such a great nation it is our responsibility to defend those who cannot defend themselves. People see these insurgents killing our soldie

I wanted to post this picture up by my name but I cannot figure out how so I guess It will just be a post. I wanted to have a picture of just me but considering I really do not like my picture taken anymore I really do not have an up to date picture of just me. 

So, I was surfing through some other blogs and I find everyone's thoughts so interesting. I really enjoy the fact that there are so many different opinions out there. Some people were just plain whacked while other were just slightly off. How great is it that we have the means, with this ever growing technology, to see the world from so many different perspectives. I really wish I could read all these other languages as well. I bet I would be even more enlightened. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to put their random and not so random thoughts and opinions out there. I have really been enjoying myself.

This all seems to ring true to me!! Why would seemingly intelligent people continue to smoke, knowing full well the dangers and potential implications of doing so? Well folks, I don't want to disillussion anybody, but it is because they are nicotine addicts. Cigarette smokers are just as much an addict as someone hooked on crack, cocaine, morphine or heroin. The folks that say they don't want to quit, because of the pleasure they derive from smoking, are not really speaking for themselves. It is their addiction speaking for them. It is that little addicted voice inside their minds rationalizing the addiction, because they know, it might hurt to quit. They know that there will be a sense of loss. They know that smoking is as much a part of their personality as being a happy person, or being a morning person, or liking to go to the movies. Smoking becomes a part of who and what you are. An ADDICT. It amazes me the number of people who smoke cigarettes who would never smoke a mari

I know it has not been very long but I just wanted to say I am still not smoking. The crazy thing is, my teeth aleady are a little whiter and I can actually breath while I am working out. WOW!!! Maybe Steven will quit picking cig butts up off the ground and prtend to smoke if he does not see clint and I smoking.(another big motivator)

Today my friend Stacy celebrates another birthday. I hope she is well today and has a great day. I am sure the sales of coors light will have a significant increase today.

I have been doing quite a bit of introspection lately. Maybe because I am getting older or maybe because I spend a lot of time with people who cannot carry on a deep and philosophical conversation (my very young children) so I must have them with myself. I have realized many things and would like to discuss them in no particular order. First is anyone who says " I would never do that with my children" will eat those words. I remember telling my friend Hope that I wouldn't let my children dictate the TV the way she let hers. HO HO HO!!! That was just one example of the funny things you say when you have not had children who want to watch something particular. It is not hard to be swayed by two screaming children. I have however overcome that. How you ask? Well, by doing something else I swore I would never do. I put a TV in their bedroom. Sometimes we all must compromise for the greater good or atleast for our own sanity. When I was younger and several of my friends starti

Since I seem to have a little more time today I want to remember all the Special days for the past couple of months. I figure after this I can remember them as they happen. My in-laws were married for 31 years on January the 6th. That is a big deal for sure. Especially in this day and age when one out of every two marriages ends in divorce. My son Ethan's birthday was on the 11th of January. What a big ,sweet boy. Grandmother turned 80 on the 1st of February. We had a birthday party for her. I was so glad to see so much of my family there. My little brother, Dave was there with his family. His wife Ashley,who is making us all proud starting law school this year and my niece Meredith, who is not only adorable, but just as smart as her parents. My older brother Tom also brought his much larger family. He has four girls; Sarah, Natalie, Missy, and the ever enchanting little Kelly. He and my sister-in-law Karen (I spoke about her before) were as usual highly entertaining. Tom's bir

 

MY Dad, my brother Tom and my brother Dave all have a tendency to give me way to much praise. I guess that happens when you are the only girl. They want to make sure I always feel good about myself. Here they are telling me "You are number one!!!" Hee Hee