Baffeled #2

More things that baffle me...

Why is the word "Internet" need to be capitalized when I spell check?

Why doesn't bloggers blog roll stay current? It seems to be getting stuck alot lately.

I am guessing that since I "joined" a church to have the kids Baptised we should probably attend mass, at least until the baptism is over? Or not.

Why do I get a plague of bugs every year? First, the spiders (shudder) then the rollie pollies (pill bugs) then the million legger wormy things (gah, shudder!!) now it's black crickets. Not even just a few. Each year it's something different, and its like a HUGE nest is born in the front of my house each fall... bizarre...

Why are they closing my Starbucks? Why? Why does Joliet get 2 and the one in the bookstore too?

Why don't political candidate take there 4 million dollars raised in Chicago alone for there campaign and do something good with it. Like build houses in Texas, New Orleans, clean up some of this mess. Keep our parks open? No. Instead lets have some bullshit commercials they paid out the ass for... I.don't.want.to.see.your.comercials. I know who I am voting for. It should be easy for everyone. O.bam.a. Either way you chose to vote, I don't see the point in them wasting money on commercials. Spend it on the country your promising to take care of. Tards.

Why I am SO mentally tired of having this ring of fat around my waist but I JUST can not, for the life of me attempt to try, even try, would be a good start. I have to say, I did attempt to get up early to work out, I set my alarm and all. But I just laughed and went back to bed... its a start right?

Motivated = progress

On all different sorts of levels, I am motivated, and so it is in result, I have made progress. No matter how small, or insignificant the progress is. The big thing for me is the motivation is there.

Diane and Joe watched the kids yesterday = I was able to prep for Stamp Camp, clean the art room, and hang out with Ed. We had a huge beer can chicken on the grill with stuffing and grilled veggies.

Diane and Joe still have the kids today = We woke up, went to breakfast, the bank, dropped off Stampin' Up! catalogs to Tammy and Annette, got gas for the truck ($59 GAH!!)

Dropped off and I, let me repeat, Ed sat in the truck while I got to go in and answer ALL the questions about the kids, us, our Religious upbringings, the "godparents" oh they look of sheer terror when I told her about the "Jewish" godparents... after enjoying the look and confused head turn, I quickly told her that my "Catholic" sister was going to be a third godparent over both children. (because Alex's godparents, Nikki and Loren aren't Catholic or Christian either)
That was fun, happy I did it. Clear your calendars the Baptism will be either the Sunday before or after Turkey Day.

Dropped Ed off at home, so he could devote his love and attention to all the dog shit out back. I ran to the grocery store, getting lost in the Halloween isle (LOVE IT!) Didn't get much, just some of those cool window clings that look like blood streaming down.

Came home, mowed the front lawn, Ed finished while I edged, trimmed and blew away all the grass. Ed went in to lay down (before going to work, then to work, then to work...) I hosed down all the webs and mess from the front of the house and garage. Looks pretty! Moved the bird feeder, filled it. Dumped the water garden, moved what was left inside for the winter. So now the front of the house is prepped for decorating. (I SO badly wanted to do it today, but I still have to shower, iron Ed's clothes, and go get the monkey children from the IL's)

I will save that for another day. After Ed goes to work, and I bring home the tots, I will bathe, feed and off to bed with them. Then I will go back down to the art room to clean and finish prepping for class.

Possibly some dishes to be done, but don't hold your breath, and don't even ask about the laundry. It's a small joke, I should probably eat... maybe Taco Bell on the way there. Speaking of, I got a cool email from Spark People website, about working out in the morning. Sounds insane but I think I can do it. I am fat, tired, SO out of shape, and 25 lbs is needed to be gone from my body! Could you imagine if I actually did it? Well at least there's motivation there, right?

Well I must take my sweaty ass to the shower, and go get my tator tot children. Oh and the main reason I got so much done? My Comcast connection was down last night and this morning. So I decided to stay away from here. Hmmm, amazing the things I could get done if I would just walk away...

Closing Friday September 26th

I am very sad to say that the Channahon/Minooka Starbucks is closing on Friday September 26th. This is devastating news to me. I am sad that the closest Starbucks are both in Joliet, yes it's the next town over. But a 5 minute coffee run, is now a 20 minute commute one way. So "Hey honey, I'm gunna go get coffee, see you in an hour" just doesn't sound as fun, as a quickie at the local Starbucks.

And yes I know the local Bean Encounters is right down the road. But they suck at making a "Venti Raspberry Mocha Extra Hot" in the winter and a "Venti Raspberry Mocha Frappachino" in the summer. I can't even say my fun "Venti" any more. But maybe I will just to fuck with them... on there behalf though, I am happy that they survived with Starbucks, and I am happy to have somewhere to go. Plus it is the CUTEST place, with fireplace and all. I will just have to love it again, like I did before my Starbucks...

They do have good Carmel apple cider, but I need to find a good espresso based drink there. Bah, what a shame. Maybe the Cappachino maker I am getting in 4-6 weeks will make up for it? (Long story short my MIL earned it at work, some 20 year service thingy, thanks Diane!)

Don't think I won't find a Starbucks wherever I go, I still have my mugs, pens, planner (this years is SO cute!) Sigh... I need a new obsession...

Pay it forward with a weiner.

Today was Cameron's birthday party. My friend Shavonne's Man Pants turned 5 yesterday. I left the house early, so we could get something to eat. I was thinking KFC, or Tac*o B3ll, but then I remembered I would be just a few blocks from the hot dog stand I loved growing up in Joliet.

Pulling up to this sign always means, GREAT hot dogs, AMAZING sloppy joe's, and THE BEST Root beer in a big glass mug are waiting for me inside!

So I tote Alex in his car seat, the diaper bag, and Mia too. All of us go into the cute bright orange little place. I was all excited since this was the first time I had my kids somewhere I grew up. I sit Mia at the counter, on the big orange bar stool. The girls comes up and I say I need a regular hot dog for Mia, a cheese dog with Ketchup, mustard and onions, a sloppy joe, and a large root beer too!

Mia proudly hands her my debit card, and the girl tells me that they only take cash... aarrgghh... the only downfall to cute, little stands like this one... she tells me there is an ATM at the shell behind them... ok, everyone... lets go, mommy only has $4 and that won't buy all that... the girl then says..."today it will"... I gave her a baffled look. I wasn't sure if she was serious, since a hot dog is $2.25 itself... I tried to tell her to just give me close to $4 worth, but she insisted that we get it all.

I couldn't thank her enough. She said, it looked like alot of work to unload the kids, and to make me repack them in the truck, drive around the corner to the ATM, pay the ATM fee, come back, unload them, so she said "it's no big deal"

Yes it is. Now a days ain't a damn thing free, or close too it. I know if I went to a chain restaurant they would have just said no, and I would have had to pack up the kids and go. I really appreciate it... I want to pay it forward. And since I have a business of my own. I will... stay tuned to see what it is...

Oh and if you happened to be in Joliet, Illinois. Be sure to visit "Hey Hot Dog" it's on Ruby Street(Black Road), about a block east of 6 corners, sit relax and enjoy some damn good food.

A meme for me!

I was reading over at Putting the Fun in DysFUNctional, and saw that she didn't tag anyone for this meme, it was kinda one of those tag yourself kinda games! Wee, tag, I'm it! Enjoy!

1. Where were you 10 years ago?
Lets see its September 2008... so September 1998... that is a fun year! I was just 5 months into my new job as a Cage Cashier at Empress Casino, I was on grave yard, and I enjoyed working with this red head named Jen! (October of 1998 was when Ed started grave yard shift with us!!)

2. What is on today's To Do List?
Well since today is just about over. The list is short, finish blogging, lock up the house, OCD style, and off to bed. More exciting for ya, tomorrow, is a day of cleaning, and tending to the little monkey spawn, oh I mean my loving and adorable children!

3. What would you do if you were a billionaire?
Buy a house. Not ginormous, just big and comfy and FUN! On a HUGE lot, so my parents will have a house, Susie will have a little house by my parents, and Diane and Joe will have a house there too!
Cars! Oh a nice pimped out van! A Plymouth Prowler is my dream car, a pimped out pink PT cruiser for my mom, with pink interior, and crowns embroidered on the seats with "The Queen" on them. A pimped out old school VW Bug for Diane, not sure on the color yet. And whatever my Ed, my dad and Joe want. Oh and a kick ass purple golf cart for Susie to drive from her house to mom and dads, and to me and Eds!
Also I would have vacation homes, one for sure in Arizona, to visit my scuzonian family, one in Hawaii for my mom! One in Oregon, it's amazing there! (And we can say hi to Tony, Carrie and Colin whenever!) and money saved to travel, relax, and for the kids to be educated with!
Then off to Kanab, Utah for my big fat donation to Best Friends Animal Society!
And don't forget the dream of me and my mom owning our own house, so we can sell art supplies, craft supplies, candles, and home decor, with a big wrap around porch to sit and visit on. A big garden to walk through and enjoy. A big garage redone so I can hold card making, scrapbooking classes there. Oh and Jen could have her "Jeni" line of clothes there too!
I think for now that is how I would spend my Billions...
4. Name 5 places you have lived
Marble Street (parents), Richmond Street (parents), Buell Avenue (Ed and me, first condo!), Tallgrass Trail (Ed and me first house!). Sorry that is not 5, just 4!
5. Name 3 of your bad habits
I swear all the time. I jump into EVERYONES conversation, I have no mouth filter. (that may or may not be a bad habit. Some people just need to hear the truth, not my fault they cant handle it)
6. What are your favorite snacks?
Nacho cheese, and tortilla chips, squeeze cheese and crackers, Cheetos, I guess I like cheese...
7. Who will you tag for this meme?
Eh, tag yourself. If you wanna play along, just let me know you did!

McDonald's

McDonald's is more then just burritos, hash browns, and a coke. It's me and the kids. Mia, Alex and me just enjoying the beginning of the day. Whether it's a busy day or just going back to chill at home. It's no t.v., no barking dogs, no interruptions. Taking time, to just enjoy each others company over a yummy breakfast. Just me and my blue eyed angels.

Baffled.

It doesn't take much to baffle me. Not calling my self dumb, but some of the things in our everyday life, tend to confuse me. I have two examples...

1. Macaroni and cheese. Why as a kid did you HAVE to wait forever for the water to boil, add the noodles, then after what seems like forever (or at least a whole magazine later) you add the powder, butter and milk. AND god forbid you don't have the milk! Gasp! NOOOO! Until I figured out you just add more butter. Now the confusing part of the 25 minute Mac and Cheese meal, is that now you can nuke the noodles and water in 3 minutes and add powdered cheese, and wala! You have 22 more minutes then the original meal process. Um just curious why this didn't happen 20 years ago, when a 10 year old girl was starving to death and just wanted to go back and play, but was starting to shrivel up because Mac and cheese took FOREVER.
2. Moving on. Chicken Pot Pie. Jen and me have discussed this many times, WHY does one kind take 35 (more like 45 minutes in the oven. But now you can conveniently nuke up one in 2 minutes? I know it's not quite as yummy as the oven cooked one. But realistically I have a hungry toddler who wants dinner now. Not in 45 minutes (4 hours in toddler time) and a mommy with no patience for whiny toddlers!

That is all for now. I am sure I will come up with things that baffle me.

Want to know how I got an idea for this genius post? Go here to find out... at Assignments of InSaNiTy

A few good reasons for my "life change"

See muffin top? See butt stretching pant to there limit and then some? Oh wait I should turn around and you can see the saggy wrinkly tummy that once housed small people. Or the lovely stretch marks (I mean mommy stripes I earned) either way. That is just a few good reasons I need to diet. (And don't get on my ass if your bigger then me, this is me not you.) 4 Days left of eating crap... then 107 here we come!

The Biggest Loser.

That will be me! Ed and two of his co-workers are going in together to play the Biggest Loser together. $25 a person, makes for $75 for the winner. I am just going to play along, since we don't have $50 to blow on this game. Either way I will win... right after I have 14 Pizza Puffs, and a Snickers Ice Cream bar... NO! I mean I will eat eggs, chicken, pork, veggies... chocolate, sugar, carbs, oh sweet carbs!... I mean fruits, water only, healthy...

Well good luck to me anyway. Jen we need an official Pizza Puff date. Stat. And the Weenie stand down the street re-opened. Must bid farewell to my beloved Pizza Puff, Biggest Loser starts Tuesday... maybe I will be lucky and get a stomach virus again and lose 12 lbs in a week...

Oh so the stats so far on me is 133 lbs and going for 107 lbs that is 26 lbs in 3 months. I know I can, I started doing so well a few weeks ago... well then I was whisked away on my amazing birthday weekend and well you know how that goes! And for the record Ed is 206 and aiming for 175 and for all the math genius' that is 31 lbs.

As said in almost all the Adam Sandler movies "You Can Do It!"