I'm a victim.....

OK.....so maybe I'm being a little bit dramatic with the title. But I have to say I really felt bullied at the grocery store yesterday.

I have made the New Year's resolution to REALLY limit, if not cut out, my plastic bag use. I purchased some really groovy canvas bags at my local grocery store. Much to my surprise I really LOVE these bags. I think I have like 5 of them. They hold alot and have long handles so I can hoist them onto my shoulders like you would a purse. Really cool & super handy.
It's also really nice to not having to tote in 3,000 plastic bags with only like 3 things in each one. I know the stores here are not the only ones guilty of doing this. It really gets on my nerves!

So anywho, yesterday I went to the grocery story to get what I needed to make supper. Only a handful of things and also a few staple items like milk and eggs. I took with me 3 canvas bags thinking that should be plenty.

I get everything I needed.....and a few things I didn't (hehe) like a small cake and some cookies from the bakery, etc.

I'm in the check out lane and I take my bags out first and place them on the belt. Then I start placing my items on the belt in my usual anal way (heavy things first and light and/or smooshable things last). I try to make it as easy as I can for the cashier since 9 times out of 10 she is the one bagging the groceries as well. But today she had help. So the other lady starts bagging my purchases. I'm watching her and in my usual anal way I am thinking I could SO pack those bags better, so they would hold more things. This is probably why I use the self check out regularly at Walmart......annnnywho......she has my cake and cookies to the side along with a nice fresh french baguette I got for our meal. The woman uses 2 of the bags and is opening the 3rd one. She fumbles with it in attempting to put the cake on the bottom......she takes it out and puts in some other things......attempts to put it back in and then turns to me to say, "Do you want me to just put this cake in a plastic bag so it doesn't get smooshed?"....I tell her no that's OK. So she goes back to fumbling and putting things in and out of the bags. Geez lady, it's not rocket science! She turns to me again, "I can just put the cake in this bag," gesturing to the plastic bags AGAIN. "No ma'am that's OK, I don't want to use a plastic bag." She is back to fumbling. At this point I want to shove my basket out of my way and just pack up my own damn groceries.......she once again looks at me and says, "Well I can't put this cake in without smooshing it, let me put it in a bag for you." I then hold out my hands and tell her that I'll just carry the damn thing. I'm NOT using a blasted plastic bag! I then proceed to set the cake nicely on top of my eggs in one of the bags....there was PLENTY of room and I'm not sure why she thought a small cinnamon coffee cake was going to damage anything underneath it.....good grief!

I never in a million years thought I would have to have this much gumption to stick with a New Year's resolution as simple as this. I mean c'mon?! Who has to argue with a grocery bagger over use of plastic bags. I really felt like I was fighting for my right to refuse using those bags LOL

Now I'm not totally anti-plastic bags ladies and gentlemen. I do use them on occasion and when I have more than I can store I take them to my local grocery store to be recycled. At this point in time I have my quota of plastic bags tucked in my lovely plastic bag holder hanging in my laundry room. But it was getting to the point where I felt like I was being over run with plastic bags. I could have SWORN they were breeding at night in there........And I started feeling guilty that I had so many! Then to top it off I saw that show about the giant garbage island floating in the ocean......good grief. If you missed that post here is the link. Talk about crazy.......

The Environmental Protection Agency calculated more than 4.45 million tons of plastic bags were generated in the U.S. in 2005.

Wow. That's alot of plastic bags! LOL

So I may not be a die hard environmentalist.......I feel like I'm doing a little bit by bringing my own bags to the store. Not only is it better for the environment, maybe I'm saving the store a few bucks by not using their plastic bags? See, now I can say I'm doing my small part to help during this recession too....heh.

First Blog Post of 2009.....

Pretty sad, huh? It's almost January 30th and this is the first blog post for me in 2009. Oy, the humanity!

So needless to say I have totally neglected my blog duties. I have tried to keep up with the several blogs I follow and while reading them I tell myself I should put up a new post. And then something or someone distracts my....oh something shiny!

Things have been pretty steady in this household. Not really busy per say, just a steady stream of things going on.

We got off to a rocky start after Christmas with every adult in this house getting a 24-hour stomach virus. During this 24-hour virus where myself, my husband and my poor visiting mother suffered.....both my boys had fevers (thank goodness THEY didn't get the bug). I was at the pediatricians office the day after Christmas (the day before we were stricken ill) with Rocco. He was full of congestion and had a fever. Poor thing was stuck in the bed with me the next day.....let me tell you it really sucks to nurse when you have a fever and chills *shudder*, but I digress. By Monday, Rocco's fever was spiking to 103 and got up to 104.....and then Roman complained about his ear hurting. So off we went again to the pediatrician. Both boys had double ear infections and poor Rocco's congestion had turned into mild pneumonia. But after 2 weeks of antibiotics for them both, everything is back to normal! Whew! And by some miracle, Kailey came out of the plague unscathed......go figure.

Around mid-December, Kailey started up her basketball season that runs until the end of February. This totally screws up our days and weekends. Not that I don't totally enjoy watching her play and nurturing her athletic abilities......just the scheduling sucks and I feel we plan our life around that schedule. Since the practices started, we have been reduced to eating dinner around the time most 70-80 year olds eat. Dinner at 3:00pm......um OK. See, she gets off the bus here at the house at 3:00. Her practice starts at 4:00.....the gym is about 10 minutes away. Practice is over at 5:30.....putting her (us) home around 6ish. The little boys usually eat lunch around noon.....Kailey eats lunch at like 11:30am. None of these kids can wait until 6:00pm to eat supper. Roman is usually rolling on the floor grasping his belly screaming that he is starving around 2 or 3. He is a bottomless pit, I am sure.

I don't like making supper while she is gone and eating without her. See we are those freak families who actually love eating all together at the dinner table....LOL So hence we have been eating at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Well......we are attempting to change this now. Why? Seeing as we eat dinner SO early.....we are all getting hungry again around bedtime! We are attempting a "moderate" snack around 3 and then eat supper when Kailey gets home around 6. Good grief......only 3 weeks left! Well ,unless they make the payoffs...........

Roman is still taking swim lessons once a week and really enjoys it. He is improving so much and I really hope that if we keep it up he will be able to swim sans floaties this summer! I am just happy that he will not be as "helpless" as Rocco is going to be this year. All my kids love the water, so just having ONE of them hanging on my neck in the pool is going to be great!

Roman is also doing well as a big brother. At times he wants Rocco to play like a boy of 3 instead of 8.5 months.....so I have to remind him that Rocco isn't ready for pillows and blankets to be stacked upon him at this age, he physically cannot get out. Roman also gets pretty agitated when Rocco decides to "help" him build train track or as Roman puts it "HE'S DESTROYING EVERYSING MOM!"......ahhhh the joys of a younger sibling.

And Rocco, my sweet sweet baby boy tumor. He growing leaps and bounds. I keep telling him that he isn't allowed to get any bigger, to which Roman informs me that "He has to grow big mom so he can play with me." He is totally mobile now and just into everything. Of course his most favorite thing is any kind of string, cord or plug. If I am on my laptop while he is around I find that I must wrestle my power cord from him at least a dozen times. He is now also pulling himself up on any and everything. Amazing how you can "forget" the things they can get into at this age. He's kept me on my toes that's for sure!

Pretty exciting, eh? Well I'm not done! LOL

Another pretty exciting thing that happened was my sweet 12 year old attended her first formal dance *sniff* One of the other parochial schools hosts a winter formal for 6th, 7th & 8th grade students who attend Catholic schools here in town. It's kind of a big deal for these girls seeing as it's a chance to get all pretty in a semi-formal dress, hair done up and even allowed to wear some makeup! She looked beautiful and I had a really REALLY hard time letting her go out the door. She had a blast and is looking forward to the next formal.....oy they grow up too fast!

Well I think that pretty much catches everyone up to speed on what is going on here. I'm sure you don't want to hear about my brother in law moving out of our old house on Friday and shutting off the utilities so all the pipes froze in the house so we will have to replace all the radiators......that's no fun to talk about *wink* So I won't get started on that nugget.........heh

Hope everyone is have a wonderful 2009 thus far. I promise I will try to be a better blogger!!

Those Hard to Buy For People On Your List.....

Everyone knows someone who is IMPOSSIBLE to buy for.....birthdays, Christmas or any other gift giving occasion. Well I hope I can help you out here......OK so maybe not, but I'm sure these are going to make you laugh. They had me in stitches!

Gift #1:
Pregnant Woman Key chain
http://www.stupid.com/fun/AK-PREG.html

Gift #2:
The Toad Purse
http://www.stupid.com/fun/TOAD.html

Gift #3:
Chewed Gum Magnets
http://www.stupid.com/fun/STUP.html

Gift #4:
Freudian Slippers
http://www.stupid.com/fun/FSLP.html

And last but not least, for the baker on your list:
Gift #5:
The Fetus Cookie Cutter
http://www.stupid.com/fun/FETS.html

Hope I didn't offend anyone LOL.....

Voluntary Tagging......

So it was bound to happen sometime.....the inevitable blog tagging! I was reading my friend Amy's blog and she tagged me! Which is pretty cool.....she is the first to do so.

I like her explanation of the voluntary tagging. "It's like a chain letter, without the letter." heh It's a sneaky way to see who is reading your blog and if they will take on the responsibility of posting the tagged questions on their blog.....easy enough, right?!

Here are my answers to the tag:

8 Favorite TV Shows (not necessarily in this order):
- The Office
- ER
- Real Housewives
- John & Kate plus 8
- My Name is Earl
- 30 Rock
- Diners, Drive Ins & Dives ( I heart Guy Fietti!!)
- 17 Kids & Counting

8 Things I look Forward to:
- Christmas
- My mom coming up here on the 18th
- Roman starting school in the fall LOL
- Getting a deck in the spring
- The time of day when all the kids are in bed
- Times alone with my husband
- Reaching my goal weight
- Watching my kids grow

8 Things on my Wish List:
- New cell phone (Blackberry wouldn't be bad heh)
- Breast reduction
- Tummy tuck LOL
- My mom to move up here
- Swimming pool
- Another child
- A Lincoln Navigator
- Our businesses to do better

8 Favorite Restaurants (in no particular order):
- Texas Roadhouse
- De'Nunzzio's
- Patti's in Windber
- Rey Azteca
- Taco Express in Brownfield (I miss this place DAILY)
- Taco Villa
- The White House in Atlantic City
- SONIC!

8 Things I Did Today:
- Made my bad
- Showered
- Grocery shopping
- Fed Rocco
- Went to the Dollar Store
- Started laundry
- Got the boys dressed
- Made hamburgers & french fries (ok I didn't do it yet, but that is what I'm going to do after this!)

Thanks for reading and I can't forget to tag....hmmmm.......ummmmm.....Annie!

Just One of Those Days.....

Have you ever just had one of those days? Of course! We all have! And if you haven't, then please don't talk to me because I'm libel to claw your eyes out LOL

Today was one of those days for me. My patience level was...well is.....running low. I was on the verge of an emotional breakdown all day. I think the fact that I spend most of my days constantly picking up. Picking up clothes upstairs and throwing them downstairs so then I can pick them up from there and take them to the laundry room. Pick up toys......I just know that when I am older and need back surgery because I am no longer able to move I can place the blame squarely on my son. One thing I can NOT stand is a cluttered living room. He insists on bringing his toys into the living room where I spend the majority of my time. So that means by lunch there are 275 cars, trains and train track pieces as well as guns, a baseball bat and golf clubs. IN ADDITION TO the pile of baby toys I have in here for Rocco. I know I should just relax and not be so anal about the mess in my house, but I just can't do it. I am totally unable to relax in clutter. Many of you are laughing at me right now.......I know you are! Yes I knew that this toy business came with the territory of having children. Wait a minute....haven't I ranted about this toy thing before?....LOL

I was also frustrated with the pressure of getting my house ready for holiday guests. Not that my husbands family really *cares* if my house is disheveled, they know I have small children. But it would be nice if they could at least walk in and the house is all picked up. Oh and how lucky they would be to not need to play an impromptu game of hopscotch around cars & trains to make their way to my sofa!

Add to that stuff the fact my husband had the GALL to scoff at the turkey I bought tonight *raises eyebrow* Just because it is the store brand does not mean it will be bad. Heaven forbid you don't get a Butterball.....this is a nice FRESH store brand turkey! As in it hasn't been frozen......good grief. I guess the Butterball turkey people have some magic feed that they give their turkey's so that is why it tastes better? Yeah ok, whatever. I was quick to snap, "You will eat it and you WILL love it." LOL

Just one of those days my friends.......just one of those days :D

Must. Get. Into. It.

OK.....so there is no more putting it off. I must get into the holiday spirit.


There are exactly 42 shopping days until Christmas. Whoa. Just shy of a month and a half.


Are you ready? Have you started shopping? Ugh are you one of those who are already done?! Please don't tell me that! LOL


At this point in time I have NO clue what I'm getting my kids for Christmas. NONE! Ok, so maybe that is a tiny white lie....I do know that Roman wants a diner. Here is the link for the more "boyish" looking kitchen that it is. But yanno, he could very well change his mind in 42 days.....ok he could change his mind by tomorrow, he's 3!


So far on Kailey's list is a book and new bras. She would DIE if she knew I just posted that she wanted bras LOL.....she is 12. That is all she is giving me.....nothing else. No games....no toys...nothing. A book & bras for pete's sake!


And Rocco.....he is happy with anything that will fit into his mouth at this point. He is all over the place putting anything in his mouth and LOVES magazines. He will surely be in his glory with all the wrapping paper at Christmas!


I guess I could be thankful that my kids aren't into toys so much. Roman plays with his toys alot. Most times he plays with them in ways they aren't intended. He uses his imagination, which is so wonderful. One thing my husband and I agree on is the whole "less is more" approach with toys. I wish I could tell you we feel this way for some smart reason, like kids have been bombarded with toys and most wouldn't know what to do if they weren't doing something with a toy, video game or video. But the main reason we don't buy alot of toys for our kids is because we HATE cleaning them up. Yup....that pretty much sums it up.

So sometimes when I hear other moms go on about the toys their kids have and what they are buying next I feel a twinge of guilt.....but then I come home to our office and see what Roman does with the limited amount of toys he DOES have:


Yeah that twinge of guilt goes RIGHT out the window LOL
*sigh*


I know once Bob and I go on our yearly Christmas shopping day without the kids we will buy more than we intend and spend more than we wanted. That's what we do for our kids.


Tis the season......but I think I wait to start stressing AFTER Thanksgiving! LOL

Holy Evil Trainer Batman!

So I've complained for years since moving here that there wasn't a decent gym in town. Where I lived before there was a great 24/7 gym and it had childcare and nightly classes, etc. I used to go with a co-worker on nearly a daily basis and I got into really good shape! I haven't felt that good in forever. And I miss it!

Before having my 2nd child, I joined Curves. It was OK. I really felt out of place. And that was strange considering it is totally geared to women. I think the main problem is that I felt like the youngest member and the workout was monotonous to say the least. For any of you who have never been, you basically workout in a circle on different machines....go around the circle 3 times and your done. It's cool for awhile....but gets old! At least for me it did.....

Last week I saw some pamphlets that were left in our pizza shop up here where we live. Turns out a new gym was opening up in the shopping plaza near by. Cool! So I decided to go check it out the following weekend.

It's a cool gym. Not real big, but it has all the equipment I am familiar with. The membership price wasn't bad and so what the hey, I joined. Turns out they don't have room now for classes, but they are looking to rent the space next door with plans to do something like have classes in the future. Sounds great!

I went in the next day for my consultation with a trainer. This was just a basic get your weight, BMI, blood pressure, etc. Then he walked me through the gym showing me how all the stuff worked. I also decided to get a few sessions with him in hopes he could help whip my rear into a shape other than ROUND! LOL

Yesterday was session one. I arrived and he greeted me holding a clipboard and two sheets of yellow legal paper where he had mapped out our hour together......an hour.....what did I just get myself into LOL. I started with 10 minutes on the elliptical machine AKA Satan incarnate. I guess it's not quite as bad as the dreaded StairMaster, but it's darn close!

I did my 10 minutes, as soon as I stepped off this machine my legs were JELLY. Holy crap! Then I follow my trainer to the back of the gym.....he proceeds to make me do squats, lunges, modified push ups on the shoulder press bar, modified pull ups on that bar (me sitting looking like an arse not being able to pull myself up from the floor...talk about shameful LOL)....I am really dying at this point. And we are BARELY at the 1/2 way point!! Then he whisks me to the free weight section and has me doing some other upper body exercise with *blush* 2lb weights. Next we went to the other side of the gym and he has me do those reverse sit ups....you know where you face downward, wedging your legs on some pads and bend down then come back up? Oy.

At this point my face is bright red LOL I then remind him that I have children at home to care for, including a 20+ pound infant I will need to carry the next day! He has no mercy.....next stop the mats. He has me working my core. Sitting with my knees up, arms out in front of me holding what might as well be a 100 pound medicine ball. Side, middle, side.....over and over. I really just want to die. After that, I'm on the floor laying on my side struggling to lift my fat arse and hip off the floor only using my side muscles.....side muscles, obliques? WTH are you KIDDING me? This my friends was a sad SAD sight.

Oh but it gets better!

3 minutes of "general fitness".....this was the most embarrassing display of physical activity in my ENTIRE life folks. If I wasn't in so much pain at this point I would have probably crawled under a treadmill. I had to do 15 jumping jacks....my legs felt like they were going to buckle at any moment. Not to mention my failure to wear.....or even OWN for that matter.....a sports bra. OH MY GOODNESS. Talk about a sight.....after the jumping jacks I had to SKIP across the gym. You see what I said? SKIP! You HAVE to be joking. Again, a VERY sad sight. Then I had to do these things that I have seen football players do during warm ups at high school games on occasion. You get down like you are going to do push ups, then you jump your feet up under yourself, then jump them back into the push up position. This was ridiculous. There are NO words I can use to accurately describe the way I might have looked at this point. After this there was another series of jogging and more lunges....then I got to "cool down" on the treadmill for 10 minutes. Let me tell you, I was NEVER so happy to see a treadmill in my LIFE.

When I got home and walked in the door, my husbands face was priceless. That is how BAD I looked. All I could do was tell him this trainer was worth every penny and then head up to my beloved jacuzzi tub for a soak. I did nothing the rest of the day or night LOL

Today I am one sore cookie. I barely trust myself to carry my baby up or down the stairs my legs hurt so bad. My arms are pretty sore too. Lord help me because I have 7 more sessions with this guy LOL

So I'm going to stick it out. As bad as I hurt today, I know that it will pay off in the long run. I really need to get fit. Not just for me and my own well being, but for my kids sake.

Now I'm off for another dose of Advil so I can make lunch for my 3 year old LOL