Real World Mom

I’m feeling loved this week! I’ve been tagged again–and again! First by Colin at Life for the “Knowing Me, Knowing You” meme–go say hi to this great guy! And then by Ash at Paisley Goddess for the “Refrigerator” dare meme–take a minute to visit her and let her know I sent ya!

KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU

Copy this entire list of questions and change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then tag and pass it along to other blogging friends. Let’s see how well we can get to know one another!

1. What is your occupation? At the moment, I refer to myself as a “Domestic Goddess”.

2. What color are your socks right now? White (and I’m only wearing them because it’s Winter and I’m freezing!).

3. What are you listening to right now? My computer (it’s loud) and the washing machine (refer to #1).

4. What was the last thing that you ate? If I could remember, I’d tell ya.

5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes. (You didn’t ask if I can do it well though.)

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? That’s easy, purple.

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My friend/sister, Vicki.

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? He’s freaking AWESOME!

9. Favorite drink? #1: Coffee; #2: Diet Pepsi.

10. What is your favorite sport to watch? Naked male mud wrestling (this should produce some interesting Google searches, eh?). That is a sport, right?

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? A time or two…

12. Pets? Yes. Oh, did you want to know what? Well, I think you all know Madison!

13. Favorite food? Pasta, I could eat it every damn day.

14. Last movie you watched? “Maid in Manhattan”.

15. Favorite Day of the year? Any day that doesn’t involve a crapload of stress or bull$hit!

16. What do you do to vent anger? Write. Cry. Or both.

17. What was your favorite toy as a child? See #4.

18. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Spring. New life, Spring Cleaning… @@

19. Hugs or kisses? Depends who they’re from!

20. What kind of pie? Don’t really like pie. But I can make ‘em pretty good!

21. Do you want your friends to email you back? No. I so thoroughly enjoy writing emails so they can be ignored. Don’t you?

22. Who is most likely to respond? Me, myself or I.

23. Who is least likely to respond? Jimmy Hoffa.

24. Living arrangements? My guess is that my living was arranged by my parents? Am I close?

25. When was the last time you cried? Last night when T told me I had to finish my dinner in order to get dessert. I’ll have the same tantrum again tonight.

26. What is on the floor of your closet? How long have you got?

27. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Haven’t decided who I’m going to torture tag just yet.

28. The friend you have known the shortest amount of time that you are sending this to? That’s easy–Paisley Goddess!

29. Favorite smell? My man, fresh from the shower! Mmm!

30. What inspires you? My insatiable desire to be Root, biotch! (Just for you, T!)

31. What are you afraid of? Bugs. But T found a cool way to help with that, a Bug Sucker! (It’s on my birthday wish list!)

32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? I love to be cheesy!

33. Favorite car? My Oldsmobile Intrigue. It was black, cool looking and fast!

34. Favorite cat breed? The kind that says, “Meow.”

35. Number of keys on your key ring? 3? 4? 5?

36. How many years at your current job? I’ve been a “Domestic Goddess” since I was 18. Before that, I was in training.

37. Favorite day of the week? Friday. Goes back to the days of school and waiting for the weekend.

38. How many provinces have you lived in? Who me?

39. How many countries have you been to? Does the one I live in count?

I am going to tag:
Judy, Ash, Kelly and Jill.

As always, you do not have to participate, the choice is yours.

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And now Ash’s Fridge Meme. The deal is you must post a photo of the front of your refrigerator without cleaning it off first! (Oh, joy!)

Send me a cup of java!

My friend Donna from Cold Coffee…and reruns posted the other day about a site that has become my absolute favorite hang out these days –cre8Buzz– and I thought it was a great idea! Please visit Donna and read her post on cre8Buzz, “Be seen… be heard… be found.”

cre8Buzz is a social networking site that allows you to “be seen… be heard… be found” while having a helluva lot of fun! Like Donna, I have met some of the absolutely coolest people there–and discovered a plethora of excellent blogs!

Are you a member of cre8Buzz? If so, please visit my page and Donna’s and say hello! If you’re not, go check it out and see what you’ve been missing! Hope to see you soon!

Send me a cup of java!

Jill over at Caffeine Court (one of my favorite Jersey Girl Bloggers) tagged me with the book meme.

I’m currently reading a book of short stories written by Joseph Conrad  (”Youth“, “Heart of Darkness” and “Typhoon“).  Amazingly, he was born in Poland, yet wrote in exquisite English.
The rules :
1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people & post a comment here once you post it to your blog, so I can come see.

Page 123 is from the story “Heart of Darkness.”

“…Yes; I looked at them as you would on any human being, with a curiosity of their impulses, motives, capabilities, weaknesses, when brought to the test of an inexorable physical necessity.  Restraint!  What possible restraint?…”

Once again, I’m breaking the rules as far as the tagging goes.  If you haven’t already done this meme and would like to, please help yourself!

Send me a cup of java!

In honor of my 100th post (Yay for Real World Mom!), I’ve decided to stick with tradition and write the “100 Things About Me” list.

100 Things I’ve Learned As A Mother

1. Love knows no boundaries
2. When you think you can’t possibly give any more, you do
3. You’ve got to choose your battles
4. I’m not much for defending myself, but don’t mess with my kids!
5. I know what unconditional love is
6. You learn to deal with boo-boos
7. I have three boys
8. How to deal with broken bones
9. And stitches
10. As well as bad dreams
11. Bad report cards
12. How not to puke when changing really gross diapers
13. Morning sickness is temporary
14. As is babyhood
15. There’s nothing like the feeling you get when looking into your baby’s eyes and they’re looking back at you
16. I’ve learned to trust my instincts
17. Though I don’t always listen to them
18. And I usually regret it
19. You really can feel your heart swell with pride
20. Seeing those first steps
21. When they take off on that bike alone for the first time
22. And your heart is in your throat
23. But they fly!
24. Good report cards
25. Seeing them in a production at school (no matter how minor the part, they’re stars!)
26. Coffee really is fuel
27. I didn’t start drinking it until I was 21
28. After child #2
29. I needed serious fuel with him
30. And even more with #3
31. I believe in something I call “Second Child Syndrome”
32. It seems one of the second child’s obligations to his or her parents is to drive them crazy
33. And supply your gray hair
34. And be really sweet and lovable–at just the right moments
35. I remember a comedian once said, “God makes babies cute so you don’t kill ‘em”
36. I think it was Gallagher (the comedian)
37. I think he was right
38. Sleep becomes a rare and much sought-after commodity
39. Don’t plan on getting any until they’re teenagers
40. And like to sleep late themselves
41. But then you lie awake worrying about them anyway
42. Who they’re friends are
43. What they’re really doing when they’re not home
44. Will they do the right things?
45. Make the right choices?
46. Will they be successful?
47. Will my car come home in the same shape it left in?
48. Is their new job interfering too much with school?
49. Isn’t it time for them to be home by now?
50. Labor is only the beginning of the pain you’ll go through as a Mom
51. You’ll hurt every time one of your kids does
52. It will devastate you to see them disappointed
53. Or, worse yet, injured
54. I am able to handle more than I think I can
55. Son #2 had an accident in which he fractured his skull
56. He was only 7
57. I’ve never been so scared
58. He was at a children’s hospital for three days
59. The worst three days of my life
60. I still thank God it wasn’t nearly as serious as it could have been
61. I needed my Mom during that time too
62. You don’t outgrow needing your Mom
63. There is just never going to be enough time
64. To do all that you want to do
65. To see all that you want to see
66. Or to say all that you want to say
67. I have to do the best that I can
68. You can never say “I love you” too much
69. I don’t remember my parents saying it to me
70. I make sure I say it to my children (and loved ones) at every opportunity
71. My kids say “I love you”
72. Even after four pregnancies and four kids, I still can’t handle puke
73. Doing it
74. Seeing someone do it
75. Hearing anyone do it
76. I did, however, get used to the sight of blood
77. Son #2 got stitches twice
78. Once in his head
79. And once in his lip
80. I told him the scar would look sexy one day
81. He’s 18 now
82. And it does!
83. No, I don’t think my son is sexy
84. But he is very handsome!
85. Son #3 cut his hand pretty badly when he was two
86. We got to skip the stitches on that one though
87. Because we sat in the emergency room so long, it stopped bleeding
88. We called his pediatrician from the ER, and he advised us how to care for it
89. My daughter has broken both of her wrists
90. Once when she fell off of a bike
91. The other when she fell off of a skateboard
92. Wheels can be dangerous
93. Son #1 is now 20
94. A year older than I was when I had him
95. Son #2 is 18
96. Son #3 is 16
97. Daughter #1 (and only) will be 13 in just under a month
98. I have been blessed with four beautiful children
99. They are beautiful inside and out
100. Nothing else I do in this lifetime will ever be as important as being their mother

Send me a cup of java!

I just love this meme by Becca at BeccA’s Buzz! (It’s fun and I don’t have to think too hard on a Monday!)

The ‘Give Me Five’ Monday meme is designed to share fun information with each other in a simple, short list! Here’s how it works: Each week, I will put out a random topic from my list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back here! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn’t have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified.

Sign up for weekly reminder emails at beccagirl@charter.net.

This week’s list: Give me 5 things to do during your favorite season of the year.

Summer is my absolute favorite season, and these are just some of the things I like to do:

1.) Go to the beach. I actually don’t spend a lot of time in the water. I prefer to lay/sit on the beach, with my eyes closed and just listen to the ocean. Actually, I like going anytime of the year since I only live about 10 minutes away! It’s great in the winter because there aren’t many people there. The photo below was taken about a year ago.

2.) Barbecue! Nothing like the taste of grilled…anything (well, almost)!

3.) Play in my gardens. Wow, that sounds pretty romantic, doesn’t it? Like I have a huge garden on the grounds? In reality, I have several small gardens/beds where I love to plant flowers. And watch the butterflies.

4.) Get outside and take photos! When the weather is non-frigid, it’s fun to go places and see things and then try to capture those memories. (It’s probably nice at other times of the year too, but I’m a wimp and just don’t like the cold!)

5.) Sit out on my back patio, usually with Madison, and just chill or read. I find that extremely relaxing. (And Maddie sure does love to chill–even with a lobster on her head!)



And please don’t forget to tune in tomorrow for my 100th post!

 

Send me a cup of java!

Wow! How did that happen so quickly?!

It seems there’s a tradition where you write “100 Things About Me” for your 100th post. Help me out here, experienced blogging buddies, is this true? ‘Cuz, if so, I need to get working on that list–quickly!!

Send me a cup of java!

First, I have been honored by Kim from Jogging in Circles, with the You Make My Day Award! Kim is a first-class blogger (go see for yourself!), so to receive an award from her really makes my day! Thank you, so much, Kim!

There are a few rules to this award which are a nice way to Share The Love:
1. Write a post with links to five blogs that make my day.
2. Acknowledge the post of the award giver.
3. Display the “You Make My Day Award” logo.
4. Tell the award winners that they have won by commenting on their blogs or emailing them the news.

It’s difficult to choose from all the great blogs I enjoy, but here you go:

1. Latte Mommy- Her sense of humor and love for coffee keep me coming back for more!
2. Attack of the Redneck Mommy- This blogger writes about everyday life in a way that always has me laughing my ass off!
3. Lyrics of My Life- She blogs from the heart and keeps it real!
4. Where One Day Runs Into Another- A tell it like it is view from a mom and teacher, and all-around sweet person!
5. Worn Out Woman- This down to earth blogging mom gives us insight into the life of a busy mom–with great style!

Congratulations, Ladies!

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Since I actually have some archives now, I’ve decided to start participating in Scrolling Saturday. This great idea for giving a second chance to older posts that didn’t receive much attention the first time around was created by Melissa at Such Simple Pleasures and Coleen from Manners and Moxie.

My choice for this week is “My Dog Madison”, originally posted on 12/9/07. The reason I’m choosing this particular post is a hint at the exciting new project I’m working on–plus the fact that she’s so damn cute! Hope you enjoy!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

My Dog Madison

Madison, aka “Maddie”, is 5 1/2 years old, and the sweetest, most gentle creature I’ve ever known. I once saw a sign that read, “Dogs are people with fur.” That describes Maddie as though the phrase were inspired by her!

Our love seat has become her “Princess Couch,” and she enjoys lounging and napping there quite frequently! (Although, as I write this, she is sound asleep and snoring on the bed right behind me!)

Madison is not into playing ball or chewing on squeaky toys. What Maddie enjoys most is being near her family– showing us how much she loves us with the “whomp, whomp, whomp” of her ‘tail of destruction’ (you’d appreciate this affectionate nickname if you ever witnessed it clear a table or felt it make contact with your leg!) , or gracing us with her sweet puppy smile.

Stay tuned for more tails of “Maddie the Mooch”!

 

Send me a cup of java!

Maria at Immoral Matriarch: Catechizer left this meme open for anyone, so I tagged myself!

Here are the instructions and my answers:

A) Each player answers the questions about themselves.

B) At the end of the post, the player then tags 2 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog. (But, like Maria, I’m not going to tag anyone, I’ll just leave it open to do if you want to.)

Ten years ago:
- it was February 1998
- I was selling PartyLite
- I was living on Walnut Street in Pennsylvania
- I was 10 years younger than I am now
- I had no idea what I was in for

Five things that were on my to-do list for today:
- laundry
- dishes
- try to keep up with my ever-expanding Google reader!
- change the sheets
- work on my new site

I enjoy:
- taking photos
- reading
- learning
- gardening
- blogging

What would I do if I suddenly became a millionaire:
- buy a car (don’t have a particular model in mind, just something that runs would work)
- put money away for the kids
- get T some really cool tech-type toys
- pay off the home of a family that’s like my own (I’d have to be real sneaky to get away with it)
- hire the meanest divorce lawyer I could find to kick the stbx’s ass!

Five jobs that I have had:
- jewelry sales
- auto parts delivery driver (high school)
- receptionist at a veterinary hospital
- Yankee Candle store manager
- front desk supervisor at a Gold’s Gym

Five things that people don’t know about me:
- I’m shy
- my favorite color is purple
- I love chocolate
- I am generally an optimistic person
- I believe that coffee is it’s own food group

Send me a cup of java!

Tim, the mucho-talented author of The Inflatable Soapbox™ (and my ‘other half’) honored me with the Excellent Blog Award! He said some cool things about me, you can read it all here, “First Blog Award!”

Thank you, Tim, for introducing me to the world of blogging, and for your continued encouragement in my efforts to grow and learn. I love you!The rules state that after receiving the Excellent Blog Award, you must pass it on to 10 more excellent bloggers.

Here are the 10 newest recipients of the Excellent Blog Award:

1. Melinda at Musings by Melinda
2. Maria at Immoral Matriarch: Catechizer
3. Misty at My Dogs Keep Me Sane
4. Misty at Misty’s Words (Because both of her blogs ROCK!)
5. Candi at Bittersweet
6. Caroline at The Bingham Diaries
7. Jill at Caffeine Court
8. Zoeyjane at Mommy is Moody
9. Becca at BeccA’s Buzz
10. Colin at Life

Keep up the great work!! I love you guys!!

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I also wanted to take this opportunity to offer the Real World Mom “You Light Up My Life” award to another blogger buddy who has made a difference to me.

As my humble way of thanking you for your friendship, your support and the way you always make time to keep in touch–as well as the enjoyment I get from reading your blog everyday–today’s “You Light Up My Life” award goes to Kim at Jogging in Circles. If she’s not already on your daily reading list, please go visit her blog and see why she should be!

 

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Misty Dawn at My Dogs Keep Me Sane tagged me with the Message in a Bottle Meme, started by the talented Mimi from Mimi Writes.

Here are the rules:
You are about to send a virtual Message In a Bottle across the Blog Ocean. Leave a message in the sand or on the bottle. Write anything you wish. Be a pirate or a poet. Serious or silly. Anonymous or not. What message would you like to send out to the universe?

Message In A Bottle Meme
1. Compose a message to place in your virtual bottle.
2. Right click and SAVE the blank graphic below.

3. Use a graphics program of your choice to place the message on the picture.
4. Post the Message In a Bottle meme and your creation on your blog along with these rules.
5. Tag a minimum of 5 bloggers - or your entire blogroll - to do the same. Notify them of the tag. Your virtual bottle will remain afloat in the blogosphere ocean for all blogernity (That’s a Mimism for blog + eternity.)

So, if you are tagged by me, go over to Mimi’s and ADD your site to her Mr. Linky list and place your blog’s name and url in a comment HERE to let Mimi know you’ve completed the meme. Mimi will add it to the master list of message bottles. Email mimiwrites2005 at yahoo.com if you have questions. Participation is optional. Just remember she has a dungeon….and some of you are STILL there from the Band Meme. Have fun!

This phrase has been repeating itself in my mind over the last several days, so maybe if I share it here, there will be an exorcism-like effect:

I tag anyone on my blogroll who would like to participate!

 

Send me a cup of java!