If you have bad news, you'd better tell me today!

So, I have been working out every single day. I do weight training twice a week, and cardio every day. If I can't get to the gym for cardio, I make sure and get outside and walk. I wear my heart monitor so I can set my pace right.

Well, Tuesday, I had a dentist appointment for a check-up and cleaning. I mentioned how my crown has been bothering me. It has been giving me an earache and sore throat type of feeling. Well they scheduled me for a root canal immediately. So I found myself at the endodontist yesterday morning getting a root canal instead of the gym. Unfortunately that was the only time I had to work-out. The twins had their 1 yr check-up with 3 shots each after that. They have been cranky, fussy and running fevers ever since. They just want me to hold them. I know that is normal and to be expected, but man I really missed my workout. I am on edge. I think I have gotten addicted to it. With them running fevers, I can't take them to the gym's child watch. So I have to wait until Olivia gets home from school, so she can watch the kids for me. I am just clock watching until it's time to pick her up. I guess this must be how a junkie feels when they need a fix. If it wasn't so freaking cold outside, I put the kids in the wagon and go. (Can't really use the stroller for all three, and Cole just doesn't like the speed walking thing.)

The good news is even though my jaw is sore from the root canal, it stills so much better than the earache that I have had for the last 8 months. I had been to about 5 different doctors trying to figure out that damn pain. Not one suggested I go see a dentist, that maybe it was being caused by a tooth. Oh well. At least between working out regularly and the pain gone, I feel about 10 years younger! I actually feel so damn good, I can't even be mad.

Oh. I have also hit a plateau. Betsy told me it would happen, but it also still sucks. I still feel so good, I can't be mad about it. TMI ALERT: As if the root canal and the twins shots weren't enough on the same day, I also started my period. What do I do? Instead of being upset, pissed or hormonal, I am tickled because I actually had a normal 28 day cycle. I don't think I have ever done that in my life. It has got to be the regular exercise and diet.

So I guess if you want to piss me off, today would be the day. I'd probably just laugh it off anyway.

Am I a Masochist?

Working out with Betsy is a little like Sadism and Masochism. You know, S and M, but without all the leather and bondage gear. I think she may get a little too much enjoyment out of my pain. Oddly enough, I keep going back for more. I noticed she watches my face intensely for a reaction when she shows me a new exercise to do. I must be very expressive, I know she is secretly trying to kill me and it must show. She has me doing exercises that I didn't know was possible for my body to do. I have got to say though, she really, really knows what she is doing. I have been giving it my all and I have lost 5 lbs already. (Yeah me!)

With the kids being sick this week, I wasn't able to get to the gym for cardio and have been doing it at home in the evenings. I still made my sessions with her and obviously it has been effective, but I missed going to the Y everyday. It makes me feel special and worthy when I go (queue Dana Carvey.) The time, it's all about me. Plus, I'm guaranteed to get a shower, which in a normal day is no small feat!

Back to Betsy, I know how tough and intimidating she looks. She could kick my butt in a heartbeat. (Wait, she already does. Twice a week, at that!) But underneath the toughness, she is a very genuine person. What you see is what you get. I absolutely adore her.

What is that smell?!

I have come to a conclusion. I am responsible for too many booties. Six to be exact, two of them I don't wipe but I do still have to pick up the poo: Cole, Sean, Katie, Bandit, Princess and my own. 6! I realized this because it is on my daily checklist of things to do. Making sure everyone has pooed for the day, and if not breaking out the apple juice or fiber bars.

"Mom! Come wipe my booty!"

"Cole, you need to learn to wipe it yourself."

"I can't do it!"

"You can, see you take the tissue like this and wipe from front to back. See, it's that easy."

"Mom. There is still poo on my butt."

"No there is not. Pull your pants up, flush the potty and wash your hands."

"Mom. There is poo on my butt."

"Cole, bend over and touch your toes. See, there is no poo on your butt and if you are going to be that critical of my butt wiping skills, then you really need to be wiping your own booty!"

Honest Scrap

So I have been tagged for a meme! I must say I am truly sorry to the others who have tagged me before, that I am responding this time and not when you tagged me. I wasn't trying to dis you. (Do people still say dis?) I just never knew what meme's were before and didn't know how to respond/participate. So I am with it now, I think? (dis, with it... I'm trying to hard, aren't I)

Helene at I'm Living Proof that God has a Sense of Humor tagged me! This is what it is:

a) first list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep!

b) pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

Let me dust off my brain and find something interesting about me.... Umm. Nope nothing....Okay some random facts will have to do....

1) I hate writing! Yep. Crazy enough, even though I blog for therapy and am now blogging on 2 sites, I hate writing. I have always thought of myself as a math person, and fear someone is going to call me out for the phony that I am with "this blogging thing."

2) I learned how to Rock Climb to get over my fear of heights. That is when I learned, I'm not afraid of heights. I am afraid of falling. BIG difference, especially when you realize it 200 ft above on a ledge that is about 2 inches deep, just big enough for your big toes.

3) I love the way Alex smells. I love it in the morning when he first gets out of the shower. It a mix of soap, toothpaste, shaving cream and his cologne. I love the way he smells after he has been outside working up a sweat and it's just his scent coming through, even without deodorant. I just breathe him in whenever I hug him.

4) I have a crazy ant phobia. I can handles spiders, snakes, whatever. Ants put me over the edge. I try to hide it in front of the kids, since it appeared I was passing on my crazy to them. There are pictures of me at 3 years old stomping on ants. I have always had nightmares about being smothered by ants and eaten alive.

5) I don't chew gum anymore. If I do chew a piece, I have nightmares about it that night. I think it goes back to when I had braces and it would get stuck in my braces. My nightmares are usually the same. The gum is stuck in my mouth and I can't get it out. I'm trying to talk and no one can understand me. As I pull the gum out, it gets stuck in my teeth and as I pull it out, it grows bigger and bigger.

6) I love chaos. I always thought I was a 'neat and orderly' type person. I'm not, I just didn't know myself very well. I have 3 young kids, my teenage niece, 2 dogs and my husband. I love when we have friends and family over and it really gets so chaotic then. You can put me in the kitchen cooking for everyone with the kids running around and underfoot, and I am happy as a clam. (hmm, are clams really happy?) I've have been trying unsuccessfully for fish or a bird. It is just too much for Alex. I think I have him at his breaking point already.

7) I feel guilty when I have any 'me' time. I have started working out and I have my blogs. I feel selfish by having these. I know they are a necessity to keep me sane so I have something to give, but I feel guilty none-the-less.

8) I like things even. Almost a little OC about it. If Alex gives me a kiss, I need a second one to make it even. Or if Cole kisses me on the cheek, he has to kiss me on the other cheek too, to be even. Even numbers and even sides. I want another baby so the family will be even, (Alex thinks I am totally nuts for that one!).

9) Confessions: I, sometimes, take the batteries out of toys that are really loud and obnoxious and tell Cole the batteries are dead or the toy is broke. (I like chaos? Didn't I just write that?) I sometimes move the clock up 10 minutes, so I can get Cole to bed if it's been a rough day.

10) I talk alot. I love to listen to others and about their lives, but I am afraid if I ask too many questions, I am prying. I don't know how to get people to tell me more about them, without seeming like I am playing 20 questions. So I sometimes start off a conversation about myself hoping they will turn around and talk about themselves. This doesn't always work, and I feel let down. I think that is why I love reading other people's blogs. They are sharing their lives with me. I love it!

I'm tagging:

Sara My Sippy Cup Runneth Over

Supermom The Adventures of Supermom

TwinMama Bringing Up Twins

Staci Momma's Gone Over The Wall

Denise The Not-So-Secret Life of Reagan's Mom

Maryanne ~When no one is around to tell~

Andrea Monkey Monkey Underpants

Here are the rules for the recipients:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Mean People Suck!!!

Why do some people just feel the need to tear others down. Is that really how they makes themselves feel good? I know I always feel terrible when I may have said something to hurt some one's feelings.

Today was the big day! My picture of my FAT self was posted in the paper. Now before you go saying, "Ugh, there is another person putting herself down." That was the point of the article. It was a 'before' shot. I am working very hard on the 'after' shot. But being that this is the technical age, of course the pictures are online too, where dumb jerks have got to make their comments and make you feel bad. I'm not going to let it get to me.

I know the reason I am fat, fertility drugs, twin pregnancy, not eating properly and not exercising. This is not an excuse, it is a statement. The first year with twins, you put yourself on the back-burner. Right or wrong, it happens. The important part is realizing you are not taking care of yourself and doing something about it. So for all you "Anonymous" people out there making degrading remarks.....Put up or Shut Up!

Motivated!!!

I am waiting for the twins to wake up from their nap and just feel so motivated! I have so much on my to-do list and I am ready to tackle it. I had my first session with my trainer today. I was so nervous last night worrying about this morning. I could barely make myself eat, but knew I must. Will. Need. Energy. Crazy. Trainer! So got the kids dressed, fed, Olivia to school, myself showered (yes before I worked out! can't go in there and sweat when you already stinky!) and was there by 8:15 this morning for an 8:30 session. Wow I did it! Now just to work out!

Whoops, should've brought my cell phone with me. Trainer Betsy called twice this morning to let me know the renovation isn't complete and there won't be any equipment to work out on. Hmm. Slight problem. Well the staff called her since I was there, and Betsy, so sweet, came in and we did a health/medication assessment and talked about my food journal. So I didn't actually work out, per se. But she told me not to worry, we will still fit all of our sessions in this week. (GREAT! Can you hear the sarcasm dripping in my voice? No, well it's there. Trust me.)

Well at least I am motivated to take down the Christmas decorations (seriously!), clean out the van (annual chore. how old is that fry?), and go grocery shopping. That is grocery shopping at 3 different stores, thank you trainer Betsy! I guess that is her plan for making sure I get all my cardio in. Send a lady with 3 small children to 3 different stores, PLUS the regular errands....

New Year's Revolution

Happy New Year! Oh wait, that was yesterday's news. Along with a New Year, comes the "New Year's Revolution." Yep, you heard me right. Revolution! For me, this year, I can't just resolve to lose weight and get healthy. I need a Revolution; blood, tears and sweat will abound. The battleground will be the YMCA and I will follow my fearless leader, Betsy. She has fought this battle before, she has won the war herself and many have followed in her path. I am just the latest to fight the Revolution. I am grateful to have a skilled leader to follow. I, like so many others, have fought the battle and lost. I realize I will still be the one fighting the battle, but I hope having Betsy there to show me the way and give me the encouragement I need, I will win not just the battle of losing weight, but win the war to being healthy again. It is the biggest gift I can give my family.

I start training on Monday officially. I think I have my mindset ready. I look at everything I put into my mouth as energy. I need to make sure I take in enough energy, but take in too much and I'll be on the treadmill forever! So Alex, do me a favor please? Would you finish all the Christmas chocolates around the house so I don't have to look at them anymore?

Can we say, "Precocious?"

Precocious? Yes, that is exactly how I would describe Cole. He was full of himself today. He knows he is only allowed to paint when the twins are down for a nap, otherwise they get all in it and white carpets... need I say more? (White carpets were installed years before the kids were a thought! I know white, UGH! It's all Alex's fault.) Anyway. I was in the kitchen at 8 am getting a Pot Roast ready to go into the crock pot. I had fed the kids breakfast and the twins were taking their morning nap by 9. So I was trying to clean up and not paying full attention, when Cole walks into the kitchen.

"Mommy, do you want to see what I painted?" My heart starts throbbing, OMG! Did he just paint the walls or something?

"Yes, sweetheart. I would love to see what you painted!"

"Good, may I please have some water to paint with?" He got me! How do you say no to that?


Later he comes in the kitchen and shows me the map he has drawn to get to his school. Yes, I am still doing dishes after cleaning out the fridge and only half-listening. I should have learned after the painting. He realized I wasn't paying attention and in the most dramatic voice you've ever heard, he said, "MOM-MY!" claps his hands at me twice! "WHAT. IS. WRONG. WITH. YOU! I am talking! You need to listen with your ears!"

That evening after dinner, he comes to sit on my lap. He looks UP my nose and announces to Alex that I have a "burger" in my nose. So I start laughing and tell him to let me up so I can go blow my nose. He tells me to Wait, he opens my mouth and looks inside. "Good Job Mommy! We don't put picks in our mouths, they stay in our noses!" Picks is his other word, since I tell him not to pick his nose. Obviously, what comes out is a "Pick."

Luckily I haven't had to tell him this in months. But I will remember that day forever. I was driving the van and saw him pick his nose and, yep, you guessed it! UGH! So I may have over-reacted a little.

"Cole that is SO yucky! We don't blah, blah, blah..." You get the point. So what does the child do? He reaches back into his mouth, pulls it out and puts it back in his nose! "Mommy, the pick is back home now, it's okay!" As he is tapping his nostril.

Goodbye Spare Tire, Goodbye - you are outta here!

I am so happy I didn't win that blogging spot a few months ago! If I had, I wouldn't have this new, great opportunity! MomsCharlotte, The Charlotte Observer, and the YMCA are coming together to sponsor 3 Moms to lose weight and 1 to blog about it - ME!!! I will be blogging on the MomsCharlotte and the YMCA site. I will be featured with the other 2 Moms in the paper and the best part of it all....I will have a personal trainer 2x a week for 6 weeks, plus a nutrionist!!!!

I have met this trainer to do an assessment and to be frank, I'm scared! I could tell as soon as I saw her, I should be scared. So I am so grateful that I will have someone so dedicated to help me get healthy and in shape, so I will try not to cry, bitch and moan too much! This will start the week of Jan 4th, so I have a little bit of time to get my head in check!

I will finally get a better picture for my profile! Alex will be so happy!!!

I've been sucked in...

I have been sucked in. Sucked into the black hole that is called Facebook. I have had a couple of friends telling me I need to get a page. (Is that the correct terminology? page?) So I finally took the plunge and my fears were founded. I have been sucked into the abyss.

On the upside, I have found friends I haven't seen or spoken to in about 20 years. I am amazed they remember me. Don't know why, I remember them..why shouldn't they remember me? Just my craziness I guess. What is it about reaching into your past and bringing it forward to the present? I am almost giddy, as if my teenage self is meeting my current self. All of these people were a lifetime ago, it almost seems surreal. I don't even think I know who that teenage girl was. Was she a nice person or was she a little snot. I know who she has become and am proud to be her. Do I want these two worlds to collide? Is it safe?

Back to this world...I have so much shopping left to do and wrapping. UGH! I have a beans and ham hock recipe to put in the crock pot in preparation for the BIG game this weekend. Panthers @ Giants! Go Panthers!

Maybe I haven't changed that much after all. I was a cheerleader as a teen - Go Hurricanes! Now I'm still a cheerleader. A cheerleader for my husband, my family, and of course, my Cats!

We'll fix it Daddy!

This blog will be short and sweet. The other week Alex and Cole were snuggled up on the couch and I was on the the other couch. Alex was doing some research on the laptop for work and Cole was right there, glued to his side, watching TV. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cole stand up and start rubbing the top of Alex's head. "Don't worry Daddy, we'll fix it!"

What in the world was that about? I pick up the remote (Thank God for TiVo) and rewound to the commercial that had just played. It was Rogaine with a new mousse product that is easier to rub in. Cole had just called Alex out for his thinning hair!

Alex was enjoying the head scratching he was getting and had no idea what was going on. I was laughing so hard, I threw a pillow over my face to hide the snorting. Alex asked what was going on, so I rewound the commercial so he could see it for himself. Got to love the honesty of a three year old. (He is so going to kill me for posting this!)

Life - Moving at the Speed of Light

OK. So, "In the blink of an eye" was the name of my last blog and this is the first chance I have had to even get on the computer in almost a month. Just a little ironic. I'm behind on emails (not good when you are selling things on Craig's List), luckily our bills are on automatic draft, Whew! I don't think I knew what busy was 2 months ago compared to now. I can't even imagine 2 months from now when they are walking. Yes, they. My two beautiful little monsters. They are into everything!!!! And always in opposite directions. Then add in two dogs...I must be losing weight, I just don't even have time to weigh myself to see. I am in a smaller size pant... I think.

They are pulling up and cruising just a little. Crawling is no problem, they want to be running so they are frustrated and yelling because they are too slow. Ok. So let's see, we had Thanksgiving dinner for (official count) 29 plus the baby shower. It all went extremely well. Unbelievably well. I think it may have been the best family get together ever for us. Alex's Dad is doing great, Amy is doing great, we had plenty of food to serve in at Thanksgiving in a recession. So we have our family has our health, we had food, and a new baby Gabriel came the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Life is good. It's these moments when you try to slow life down as much as you can and just breathe your life in. I am grateful for these moments. I want to record all these memories in slow motion in my mind. Sean, with his long reach, grabbing Cole's glass of water off the table and dumping it in Alex's napping face. Priceless. Ahhhh! Exhale

Blink of an eye

Wow! Where is the time going? I can't believe it is Mid-November. I'm afraid if I blink, it will be February and I will have missed all the festivities and birthdays to come. This year is what we call our "Big Thanksgiving." We have all of my family and Alex's family coming to our house. So it will be about 30-35 people. We will be having Turkey, Ham, Leg of Lamb and all the sides. I need to make a list to get organized of what to do so I don't get overwhelmed. Cleaning, shopping, early cooking, cleaning, finishing up some projects, cleaning. Oh maybe I should get organized first.

And as if Big Thanksgiving isn't enough, we are doubling it up with a baby-shower as well. Alex's niece, Alex, is due a few days after Thanksgiving so we are throwing the baby-shower while the family is all together. Hopefully she doesn't go into labor early, well she may be grateful to go early...

On a fun note, Katie and Sean are both in full crawling mode. Sean is actually pulling himself up to standing, but he's not cruising just yet. Soon. They are the happiest little babies you have ever seen. They are always smiling. Always. They are eating table food instead of baby food and just love it. This is such a fun age with twins. They have their own little version of Marco Polo. One will yell, "Aaaah!" and of course the other one answers "AH!" Sean is so incredibly strong, it is hard to take something away from him. He is growing so fast he will probably be Cole size by the time he is 18 months. He is in 2T clothing and Cole is in 3T. Cole can fit into 2T, they are just too short.

Cole adores being the big brother. He is always keeping on eye on the babies and afraid they will get hurt. I have to remind him sometimes that not everything they touch will hurt or choke them, mainly the toys. He must think his toys are all evil and want to hurt the babies.

Oh, and Miss Katie-Belle, is the biggest flirt with her long eyelashes and pouty lips! I can't imagine where she gets it from.Twins really are truly amazing. I love how the can be eating or playing and they just stop, look at each other, reach out and hold hands and smile at each other, then go back to what they were doing. It just melts my heart every time.

I know I need to post more pictures soon, and I will. I promise. As soon as I can catch all three kids and get them to sit still for 1 second.

One more shout out, congratulations to Eva and Thom! They welcomed their third son into the world on the 9th, Brice. He is a handsome little fellow. Hopefully one day I'll be able to meet all of her boys in person someday!

A Christmas Gift

This year I got the Christmas Spirit,
But I didn't really know why,
Cause some years' it just comes and goes -
And it seems to pass me by.

I've thought about this a lot,
Because it's really puzzled me.
Why do some years' I get it,
What can the difference be?

I'd watch some Christmas movies,
And buy some presents too,
But no matter how much I spent,
The feeling didn't come thru.

Then I thought about that old saying,
That 'It's better to give than receive'
And I thought
 - that's it,
That's the answer, I believe.

Cause  here lately I've been so busy,
Just helping a friend or two,
But I've also felt real happy,
So that old saying must be true.

I found I couldn't buy it,
I had to give it of myself,
And in doing things for others,
Happiness is what it left.

And if I told others,
About the good deeds I'd done,
I found I got recognition,
But the Christmas spirit wasn't won.

Like happiness it comes from within,
And I wanted to share it with you,
Cause it's such a good feeling,
I want you to have it too.

Author - Joan Tall

New baby or a farm...hmmm....

Cindy had a baby boy! He weighed in at 7lbs and 11 oz. Momma and William are doing great. We went to the hospital to visit yesterday, oh he had the new baby smell. Alex said I was like a crazed maniac. So I just calmly reminded him to never get in the way of me seeing a newborn. Unless he wanted his own new, tiny, little wiggly bundle of baby goodness, he had better let me get my baby fix! Which at this he realized I wasn't kidding and gave me the look. You know the look:

"Woman, you are pushing 2 babies in a stroller at the moment and you are even contemplating another? Have you lost your ever-loving mind? Well I haven't lost my mind, so you can just put that thought out of your head!" (Do you like how I read so much into his looks? He was probably really thinking, "I married a crazy woman" but we all know that, so....)

I was amazed at how well Cindy looked! I had to have a c-section each time and seeing her up and about, smiling and walking, makes me realize there is a reason babies come out the way they do.

You know they say everything happens for a reason, and I have just figured out something big. I needed fertility treatments to get the babies in there and needed to have major surgery to get them out; maybe that is a form of birth control for me, in an odd sort of way. Otherwise I would probably end up like that lady with the 17 kids and Alex would be committing me to an asylum. Bless his heart, he has a big job keeping me in check. If it were up to me, we would have a zoo. I would love a small farm with a goat or two, some chickens and a pig. You know, I might have better luck trying to talk him into a small farm outside the city somewhere....food for thought. Oh my gosh, I might actually be able to get a monkey then!!!!

Tilt-A-Whirl

It's on odd sort of feeling when your life is a Tilt-A-Whirl and when the ride comes to a stop and you realize you were the only one on it. Everyone else has been going on about their business, buying cotton candy, looking for the porta-johns, and on their own rides that they didn't notice the crazy ride you were just on. At one point, you want to wave your arms around like a maniac, "Did you just see that craziness?" but then at the same time, you waiting for the world to stop spinning and not sure you want to answer questions, so you think you'll just sit on the bench for a minute to catch your breath.

Ok. So I think I have caught my breath. Amy and Kris have found a place to live and it's not under a bridge! Actually they found a cute little place in a safer neighborhood for less then they were spending. They are moved in and now just have to unpack. They may need to sleep for week first, but at least there is no hurry to get settled. Amy is now on medication for seizures so hopefully she'll get her health on track now. Her license has been revoked by the state due to the seizure, but luckily she has found a job right across the street from her new apartment and starts tomorrow. I think her luck is finally starting to turn around. *knock on wood*

Paul has opened up his new business! Halloween was the first day open that Cigars Central was open! It is on Independence Blvd just a couple doors down from Earth Angel.

Katie and Sean are on the move! I am only able to write right now because they are napping. Katie is crawling/log-rolling/arming crawling where-ever she wants to go. She is quick and very determined. She doesn't forget anything either. Distraction does not work on this child, it just ticks her off. Sean doesn't quite have the crawling down yet but he is on the move as well. They just love going in opposite directions. I think they have already figured out I can only chase one of them at a time. They will just look at each other and laugh. Oh such a fun game! Well I wanted to loose weight, I'm sure I will now! Oh did I forget to mention Sean is off the chart? He is in 2T clothing and weighs 24 lbs! Cole weighs in at 32 pounds and Katie is at 18. You should see the game we play sometimes. Katie and Sean each on a hip and Cole getting a piggy back ride. I'll see if I can get someone to take a picture to post. 74 pounds of children + me= too much to put in writing (damn Wii fit, I am not obese!!)

Oh! I almost forgot to tell you. No I didn't win the blogging contest. I came in second to last, but I find it kind of humorous. I actually put in an earlier post not to sign up just to vote for me! Ha Ha! What I didn't realize was the hosts were using the contest as a membership drive! You've got to admit, it is pretty funny! Here I am thinking I have all this integrity and I completely missed the point of the contest. Oops, my bad!

Oh, one more thing. Cindy has not had the baby yet. She is due Nov 9th and feeling every bit of it, bless her heart. We saw them on Halloween. They were on their way home and I really wanted a minute to talk to them, but a three year old football player was have a candy meltdown and I had to keeping moving. Alex talked to them for a minute. Soon, anyday now, anyday.

Whoops the babes are awake. I guess that's it for today. I bet you thought it was my life that has been a Tilt-A-Whirl these past couple of weeks. You didn't realize it was my writing style today that is just here and there and now YOU are dizzy. What just happened? Here is a bench my friend...

New week, wait I guess it's this week already

Ok, this is a new week and I am going to start off fresh! I am going to keep a positive attitude, that things will turn around and I will be able to dig out of this mess I call a home, get back on a diet and exercise, and "climb on board, get ready to explore, there's so much to find, Little Einsteins..." oh and I am going to work on restoring my sanity. I must be feeling ambitious, or maybe just a little crazy.

I have a friend who has her second baby due on Nov. 9th. I know when I was pregnant, I hated those calls, "Haye , sooo, uh, how are you feeling?"

"I am feeling just swell, peachy keen! Very Pregnant and ready for this to be over! No I have not had the baby and you are my 10th phone call today checking!" I realized they were just checking up on me, but man!

So I realized it was the 18th and thought Cindy was nine days over due. Maybe I had been such a terrible friend, I was so wrapped up on my life I missed the birth of her baby!! No!! So I called her mother-in-law to find out how it went. She said Cindy's not due until the 9th, I could tell she was a little confused. I told her I know! It's the 18th and I can't believe I missed it. Then she very kindly laughed and reminded me, October is not over yet. Oh yeah, I forgot we haven't done the whole Halloween thing yet. I blame it on the stores. Most stores have Christmas decorations out already, can't imagine why I would be confused. Guess I need to go make those Halloween cookies and get those pumpkin carved.

CANDY! Oh No! I gotta go buy candy. I can't deprive Alex of sampling all the candy before we give it out. We grew up in the days of needles in the candy and Tylenol being tampered with. So, Alex feels it is his civic duty to sample, I mean check all the candy before it leaves the house. A Dad's job is never done.

Boy, this entry is just all over the place, maybe I need to add organize my thoughts to the list of things to do....

And the hits just keep on coming

Today is one of those days, I am just trying to hold it all together. I know it's been a few days since I blogged last, I've needed to, but just haven't had the time or spirit to do it. Amy had a medical emergency while driving on Tuesday, that's what the medics called it. We believe it was a seizure but won't know for sure until she has an EEG and an MRI next week. She ran over the median and crashed through a wooden fence and hit a brick wall. For those of you who live in Charlotte, it was on Sharon Rd a block from Southpark Mall. That is such a heavily traveled road, it is amazing she didn't hit another car. It is a miracle that she only scraped up her chin and broke her ankle. One of the EMTs that showed up on the scene is a co-worker of Amy's at the pharmacy where she works. Amy didn't even she was an EMT. It took 5 medics to get her out of the car and into the ambulance. The kept trying to restrain her, and she didn't know what was going on, so she fought it.

I spent all day on Tuesday with her at the Hospital while they did all the tests to make sure nothing else was broken or internal bleeding or anything. Wednesday was a full solid day. We took her to her PCP, picked up prescriptions, had to go to the tow yard and look at her car and clean it out. It is completely totaled. She was able to sign over the title to the salvage company and they paid her tow bill and storage fees.

Yesterday, I was at Olivia's school getting set up as Olivia primary guardian so I can talk to her teachers or guidance counselor if necessary. I have been trying to get that since the start of the school year and have had to jump through hoops to get it. It took 3 trips to student placement before I could it worked out. All the while dragging Cole, Katie and Sean with me everywhere. They have been little troopers, but I know they are as exhausted as I am.

Amy is doing as well as can be expected. She was back at work yesterday and is still focusing on trying to find a new place to live. She is having a time of it. Her landlord is making her move to sell the place, she's totaled her car, broke her ankle and now has a full week of medical appointments next week while trying to look at apartments and pack. She is keeping her poor scraped chin up, though. I'm proud of her. I think we are keeping each other strong through all this.

As far as the blogging contest, I am tied for last place. I am the only one not asking all my friends and family to sign up and vote for me. It just feels wrong to me. So I haven't been campaigning like the rest and it shows. Maybe I should be campaigning, and come down off my moral high horse. But how would I know if people really liked my writing if I did that? If it was all about winning, I could just create a bunch of new email accounts with google and yahoo and such and vote for myself all day long. I only want to win if people actually like me and will continue to read it every week. They hire the three with the highest votes, but it doesn't mean they'll be read. Just like the current bloggers that aren't being read. Oh well, I have so much more going on in my life, I will just continue blogging here for myself. I do find it interesting, the person who is tied for last with me wants to win fair and square as well or not win at all. Maybe she and I will get together and write a book instead! She is just as crazy and goofy as I am, so that will be REAL interesting!

The Really Truly Important Election

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my Gosh! I heard back from one of the WebMomster's that run the board. I am one of 10 finalists. They will be posting the blogs for a week and letting people vote. I had to submit 3 blogs to post for this contest. I am so very excited, but you know what tickles me the most? They edited my blogs for length to '3 grafs' (gotta love the jargon). Ha! Me! I have been professionally edited! I know I am long winded so I don't take any offense, I think of it as more of an honor. I have been professionally edited. That's pretty cool. It makes me feel like a 'real' writer. I didn't get the standard reject letter, I got edited and will have the chance to get voted for.

Forget the Presidential election, or the Governor's race. I'm tired of all the negative ads, the rhetoric, and the 'he said/she said' anyway. If you haven't decided who to vote for yet, then don't vote. If you haven't been keeping up with it, I really don't want your opinion to count. These two are polar opposites and if you can't make a decision, then leave to the grown-ups who have been paying attention the last 6 months to a year. (Cat-scratch fever! Meow! rrr!)

The Really Truly Important Election will start tomorrow and run for a week - Blogger for MomsCharlotte. Not exactly public office, but it's a start.

Now I do not want anyone to go sign up on the site just to vote for me, (AMY!). If I win, I want it to be fair and square and know that I earned it because people like my writing and not because I had a bunch of friends joining just to vote for me. (I'm serious about this too! Amy, yes I am calling you out!) If you are already a member of the board, please be fair. Only vote for me if you truly think I deserve it and the cakes I'll make when I'm elected....

A couple of quick updates

I feel like I am behind on what is really going on in my life. This has been a crazy week and a half, with the Wachovia/Citigroup/Wells Fargo menage a trios! Whew!

So you can follow the news for that information. Highlights of the week; Katie is just so close to crawling. She is up on all fours, rocking, pushing herself backwards and actually lunged forward today. So close! Sean has been saying "Mama" for the past few day! Oh so sweet! Cole has just been his regular sweet little self. Lots of hugs and kisses and I just eat him all up! The AC man came yesterday and I am so happy to say we have air, glorious air again. It's amazing how much we are all getting along better suddenly!

Amy is still looking for a new place...Keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Paul and Kris have been working really hard trying to get the Cigar store opened. Soon! Soon!

Miss Olivia! I am so thrilled with her. She is fantastic. She stayed late after school today for Chemistry tutoring for a big test tomorrow. She helps me with the kids and I just really enjoy her. Not only do I love her, but I like her. I don't think you can say that about teenage girls often.

The other big thing going on for me, personally, is that I have submitted my blog into a contest with MomsCharlotte.com. They are looking for three bloggers to contribute regularly. They will take all the entries and narrow them down and post the finalists. Then all the people who are on the forum will get to vote. I submitted these last week and thought they may have the finalist up by now. The suspense is killing me! Maybe I'm not cut out for this. It would really be nice to have a little income coming in for something I already enjoy doing.

OH! I went to the ENT doctor today. The ear pain I've had for the past 6 months is TMJ. Alex calls it: Too Much Jawing. He said I have talked myself into arthritis of the mouth! I still maintain this is his fault. His hearing is not as good as it used to be. I call it selective hearing, but who knows. I told him if he'd start listening to me and stop making me repeat myself 2 and 3 times I would be in this boat! You know, we've only been married for 5 years, so he doesn't realize how everything can and will be turned around to be his fault. He's still 'Hubby-in-training.' Luckily that will be a lifetime job, so I do have some job security even if it's not with a bank!