Wordless Wednesday

11 Things About Me

Thanks for tagging me on this one Cassie from Chasing the Wolf Pack

RULES

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Tag 11 people and tell them you've tagged them.

11 Random Facts About Me

1. My favorite snack is Colby (or Colby-Jack) cheese sliced in thick slices sprinkled with sugar.
2. I grew up with my great-grandparents.
3. I am the oldest child of 5.
4. I believe in the Second Amendment and our right to bear arms...I also practice it.
5. Think that Jack Russell Terriers are MUCH less hyper than Labradors. Seriously.
6. Cried the first time I saw "Up".
7. Cry every time I watch "Marley and Me", twice. Once at the miscarriage and then again at the end.
8. My siblings go as follows: Boy, girl, boy, girl.
9. I tend to come off as snobby and snarky to people who don't know how to take me. I do tend to be a little snarky and sarcastic, but those that take the time to get to know the person behind that are the ones I treasure.
10. I was 100 pounds when I graduated high school. I am now 126 and I am very happy with that!
11. My family is more important than anything else in the world. I would give up all my possessions as long as I still had my family alongside me (and a few good friends too!), I know I'd do just fine.

 



1. What is your favorite movie?  The Princess Bride. Without a doubt! Hubby quizzes me all the time. We watch it whenever it's on and no matter where we start it, hubby asks, "It's this far in. Where are they now?" 99% of the time I get it right. I even have hubby knowing the lines at this point! Quite possibly the best movie (book?) EVER written!




2. If you could visit anywhere, where would you go?   Alaska. My goal is to visit every state before I'm too old to enjoy it. I figure Alaska is going to be the hardest for us to get to.


3. After a long day, what drink or snack do you go for?  M&Ms and Pepsi. I'm definitely a Pepsi girl, but try to stay away from it to keep the calories and sugar down.


4. What was your favorite date you were ever on?  My first official date with my hubby. We went to Eat 'N' Park for dessert since we both had dinner plans with our families. We went around 9 and sat and talked for HOURS! Oddly, we were actually kicked out of a 24-hour restaurant! They asked us to leave so they could prep the Sunday morning breakfast bar. We sat in my car and talked for 2 more hours. So fun!


5. What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?  Zip lining. We went with my in-laws while my BIL was visiting with his then-girlfriend from California. We drove to New River Gorge and spent the day at ACE Adventures. The bus/van to take us to the top was probably 30 years old. The hike back up to the van wasn't easy either, but it was worth it! Nothing like feeling like you're flying!!


6.  What was your favorite childhood toy?  A stuffed dog I got while in the hospital for suspected meningitis. I named him "Russell." I was 4 and I still have Russell in a place of honor. To this day, I will cuddle him when I'm extremely upset. I don't sleep with him anymore, though.


7. What is a special talent that you have? Picking up things with my toes. I can even pick up pins and coins!


8. What is the number one thing on your bucket list? Visiting all 50 states. I'm up to, I think, 14 right now.


9. Dogs or cats? Dogs. I'm allergic to most cats.


10. If you could have one thing for dinner every night, what would it be? Pizza.


11. What is your favorite day of the year? Not really a "day" exactly, but the first day I see the robins in the yard. I love seeing them come back from their winter migration because it means spring is here!

#MMM Transcriptions and Birthdays

I'm joining in on a blog hop with The Gnome's Mom to share a little bit about the life I lead here. The Gnome's Mom is one of my favorite blogs to read and follow on a regular basis as well. If you're a blogger and would like to link up, feel free! And add us on Twitter with the hashtag #MMM

Here we are again. Manic Monday. Today seems slightly less manic than my last few weeks. I am nearing the end of my medical transcription course. I'm now at about 92% total completion, so the end is VERY near! I am hoping to finish up before Fuss turns 2. If I can do that, I will have finished it in about 18 months. The course is supposed to take 9-12. Of course, the people who decided that didn't have a toddler/high-need child in their home. And Fuss has certainly ALWAYS claimed a lot of attention! Two extensions later, and I'm almost done! I'm 67% though the final module of the course. As long as I get in 2 hours of transcriptions a day, I will at least finish before the end of this last extension.

The other thing is that we're planning Fuss's 2nd birthday party. She picked out Dora as her theme and I'm taking it from there. I have already decided to do a cupcake party. 1. Because cupcakes are small and easier for little kids to manage, but 2. Because it's cheaper than buying a cake! I can make my own cupcakes. I have a pan already and have bought a few boxes of cake mix. I have been spacing the purchases of party supplies out over the last few weeks so it's not crazy expensive. The star sprinkles will be the, um, star attraction. However, Fuss picked up a container of "Princess" sprinkles at the store and her Grandmommy bought them for her. They will make a nice addition, though, as they are pearls and pink, etc. Fuss is so excited! We can't say the word "party" around here without her starting to talk about her "party cakes" and her "Dora party." Sadly, we're still about a month away! Oh well, I can't help but let her be excited. So, that's where we stand right now. Invitations will be sent out soon for our family and close friends. Unfortunately, we won't get to have a large party because we're having it at my in-law's house, but I know Fuss will have a blast anyway.

Happy 5th Birthday!

Happy 5th birthday to my Beast! You will always be our first baby.

Booty Buns Cloth Diaper GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to the Go Green ♥ Give Charity Cloth Diaper Giveaway Event sponsored by Booty Buns Cloth Diapers! Over 175 blogs have teamed up to present this amazing cloth diaper giveaway hosted by Daily Mothering.

Here's your chance to win an entire stash of one-size cloth diapers!

 

This amazing cloth diaper prize pack includes:

20 Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers

(these true one-size cloth diapers fit 3-45 lbs!)

20 matching flannel/terry cloth wipes

40 microfiber inserts

20 cotton flannel liners

(picture does not show inserts or liners also included)

First, a little about Booty Buns...

In case you haven't heard about them, Booty Buns Cloth Diapers are incredible one-size cloth diapers that truly fit from birth to potty training! They feature a snap-down rise with 5 different snap settings (most one-size diapers only have 3!) and a waist with 10 regular snap settings plus 2 crossover snap settings. The diapers have hip snaps to prevent wing droop on smaller sizes. The incredible size range of this diaper fits from 3-45 lbs!

Booty Buns Cloth Diapers are pocket diapers and each diaper includes 2 snap-on microfiber inserts that can be stuffed into the diaper or laid on top with the included cotton flannel liner against your child's skin. The diapers have a waterproof PUL outer and a soft suedecloth inner with dual gussets on the inner lining to ensure everything stays IN the diaper! Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers come in an assortment of bright colors and each diaper includes a matching handmade flannel/terry wipe. You can find out more about the diapers at Booty Buns, or check out the detailed Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diaper Review at Daily Mothering!

Booty Buns is dedicated to encouraging others to "go green" and "give charity." Shannon, the owner of Booty Buns Cloth Diapers, leads by example. For every diaper that Booty Buns sells, she donates one Booty Buns Cloth Diaper to a child in need in the US and third-world countries. Booty Buns is the exclusive cloth diapers donator for Operation Showers Of Appreciation, and they are also donating diapers to babies that have severe medical issues here in the US. Shannon hopes to donate a lifetime supply of cloth diapers {20 diapers} to every baby in need around the globe. You can join in this effort by purchasing your own set of Booty Buns Cloth Diapers and telling your friends about Booty Buns!

Make sure to stop by and follow Booty Buns via Facebook, Twitter and Blog for news and giveaways!

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This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada.

Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

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Click "Do It" for instructions on how to complete each entry.

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Booty Buns Cloth Diaper Giveaway *SNEAK PEEK*

Would you like to win a LIFETIME SUPPLY of cloth diapers?!

The Go Green ♥ Give Charity Cloth Diaper Giveaway Event sponsored by Booty Buns Cloth Diapers starts this Saturday, March 24th! Over 175 blogs are coming together to present this fantastic fluffy giveaway hosted by Daily Mothering. Mark your calendar because you don't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win an entire stash of one-size cloth diapers!

ONE WINNER will receive a gigantic cloth diaper prize pack valued at $546! And, the winner will get to select their choice of diaper colors!

This amazing prize pack will include:

20 Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers (these true one-size cloth diapers fit 3-45 lbs!) 20 matching flannel/terry cloth wipes 40 microfiber inserts 20 cotton flannel liners

(picture does not show inserts or liners also included)

This giveaway will be open to U.S. and Canada.

Come back March 24-31 for your chance to win it all!

Manic Mommy Monday!

I'm joining in on a blog hop with The Gnome's Mom to share a little bit about the life I lead here. The Gnome's Mom is one of my favorite blogs to read and follow on a regular basis as well. If you're a blogger and would like to link up, feel free! And add us on Twitter with the hashtag #MMM

As usual, I plan on writing a post and scheduling it ahead of time so I'm not sitting up at 1 a.m. after doing school work and house work typing even more. Of course, that didn't happen. Here I sit, typing away. Why? Because I'm enjoying the quiet. Fuss was up at 7:30 Sunday morning and was running around full-bore all day! She only managed an hour nap after much coaxing (and Mommy lying down in bed with her). She terrorized the grocery store as well and I made it home a very tired and cranky mommy. Of course, this isn't her fault. She's 2. She is just enjoying being 2 and exploring her world, but sometimes it drives me batty!

Her new thing is to tell me "Potty" in order to simply walk to the bathroom, sit on the toilet, say "done!", and leave...only to do it again 2 minutes later. I took her twice at the grocery store today back-to-back because she'd already had one accident (first EVER in public and, boy, was she embarrassed!), and I didn't want her to have another. Both times she danced in the stall. I realize this is part of the process. The bathroom is new to her and she loves it. I realize this. But I am still driven crazy by it! I also know that I can't tell her no. EVER. Well, not right now anyway. She's too early in potty training to tell her no and not have her regress. I don't want that when she's done so well! So, I dutifully drag the portable potty seat wherever we go and follow her joyful, bouncing steps to the toilet wherever we may be.

Now, I just have to figure out how to get her to actually poop in the potty reliably and we'll be good to go! She's had about 1 accident a day since last Sunday, and yesterday (Sunday) had her first ever public accident. Even then, she clamped her legs shut, put her hand down, and began to cry! We are well on our way...assuming Mommy doesn't go crazy from all the other stuff life is throwing at her (i.e. computer that won't go past a "starting" screen, cars making weird noises, a house that I can never seem to get clean, the list goes on). Let's just hope the weather decides to quit flipping back and forth so I might be able to stabilize my mood again!

It's Official

Fuss is potty trained! This is day 7 and all week she's only had about 1 accident a day. Yesterday, she had a poop accident because she's not quite gotten the concept of pooping in the potty. However, she had already had one accident-free day and is doing great! Even when we go out, she's trying to go in the public restrooms. I am so proud of my baby girl!

I have to laugh, though, because she doesn't want to wear a diaper to bed. My way around that is to tell her she's wearing a "cover in case of accidents" (and sticking inserts in the cover) instead of a "diaper". This is one of those pick your battles moments. Is it worth the huge kicking and screaming battle where she often kicks me in the nose or is it better to let her believe she's in undies only and get her peacefully to bed? Honestly, I'd pick peacefully to bed since we're still having issues with her wanting me to lay with her. Gotta do what you've gotta do.

I already put all of her pocket diapers away for next time; and I hope to be able to put everything except undies away in the near future. It is still a little sad. I finally found a nighttime diaper that she won't leak out of and then she potty trains! LOL. (I am still going to post a review of this diaper as well.)

I want to send out a special thanks to Kay @My Precious Kid for posting this article on her site. It came at just the right time for us and has worked wonderfully!

Wordless Wednesday

Accident-free Day!

Day 3 of potty training went beyond expectations! Fuss had NO ACCIDENTS ALL DAY!!!! She's currently in bed, with her undies on and a cover with a flat on over that. I had to tell her she's wearing a "cover" in case of accidents instead of a "diaper" because she won't let me put one on her if I call it a diaper. Crazy kid. I am so very proud of her! She's even asked to go potty unprompted several times today. The hardest one was getting her away from playing with her friends or the dog to go potty. THIS is why I am glad I watched my daughter's cues and let her lead the way. THIS is why, when she refused to sit on the potty and cried for a diaper, I backed off and let her wear diapers for a few days. We have been allowing her to get used to the idea since she started showing interest at 15 months. It looks like we'll be officially daytime trained by her birthday! Now, I'm not saying she won't have an accident tomorrow. I actually expect it. This is her first official week of PT'ing. But I'm certain that she's "got it" and will continue to do well. Will we have set-backs? Of course! I'm not worried. I'm not going to stress her out over it either. I refuse to make this a battle of wills between us, however, I am sticking to the "no diapers" rule we have in place now. She now knows that we're "done with diapers" and she loves her Dora and Tinkerbell underwear! Onward and upward, as they say!

Manic Mommy Monday!

I'm joining in on a blog hop with The Gnome's Mom to share a little bit about the life I lead here. The Gnome's Mom is one of my favorite blogs to read and follow on a regular basis as well. If you're a blogger and would like to link up, feel free! And add us on Twitter with the hashtag #MMM


Today is definitely going to be a manic one for me. As you already know, we started Potty Training yesterday. It went EXTREMELY well! We had 2 accidents ALL DAY! Fuss also asked me several times while at home and 2 times while at the funeral home for my friend's grandmother to go potty - all on her own! :-D I am so very proud of her. Granted, this took several times of me sitting on the floor of our bathroom waiting her out as she wanted to play with the toilet paper or kick her feet, but I took her to the bathroom every half hour. By the end of the day, she would hop off the toilet clapping and yelling, "Yay, M!" (M is her first initial but she would say her name.) She got to tell Daddy on the phone that she went potty all day. She even refused to be put in a diaper for bed! Thankfully, I have some waterproof covers that I threw on over her undies for safety's sake. I don't expect it to hold in all the pee if she goes, but at least she won't gush everywhere. All this happened while having to do grocery shopping as well as a trip to the funeral home, so she's done quite well.

Today, we're probably going to "Grandma's" (friend's) funeral, then a viewing for a very old friend of both my family and hubby's family, and finally *hopefully* dinner with my Mom and Sister. I will also be needing to attend the funeral of the family friend - who, literally, watched both myself and my husband grow up - on Tuesday. This is going to be one chaotic week! Manic Monday certainly gets it started out right. Now, let's hope I can manage to keep Fuss on track with her PL'ing through all this tomorrow PLUS continue getting her adjusted to the DST.

Potty Training is Beginning

As of today, I am officially potty-training Fuss. I really want her to be fully PL'd by her 2nd birthday in April. And really, I think she'll get it quickly. The biggest problem we have at the moment is laziness - on her part and on mine. Mine because I get sick of running to the bathroom constantly (I know, I know) and also sick of fighting her when she decides she just doesn't WANT to go, but on hers because she decides she wants to pee/poop in her diaper and goes then tells me "potty." This is going to be a long week for me! I know I will make it through though. I still have to find those dumb Gerber trainers for when we're out running around, though.

Diaper-free here we come!

Wordless Wednesday

She fed the dog but it is in his water bowl...poor Beast

Slowly...

I am getting closer to the end of my medical transcription course. It's about time to start looking at writing my resume and finding a *gasp* job! I'll still be working from home, though, hopefully. Fuss is still way too clingy and it's entirely too expensive to pay for daycare anyway. I'm just very excited about this and had to share! I'm at a total completion of 81.9% HALLELUIAH! It has been nearly 18 months since I started the course and I am determined to finish!

Now, the question is, what should hubby and I do to celebrate WHEN I get finished? Hmmm. Decisions, decisions.

Levels of Mess

I'm joining in on a blog hop with The Gnome's Mom to share a little bit about the life I lead here. I know I do that quite a bit anyway, as I'm not really doing many giveaways, but I thought it would be a fun thing to do! The Gnome's Mom is one of my favorite blogs to read and follow on a regular basis as well. If you're a blogger and would like to link up, feel free! And add us on Twitter with the hashtag #MMM


One of my best friends and I were talking on the phone a few weeks back (yes, some of us still use telephones occasionally), and started on the conversation of housekeeping. "Blondie" (as I will refer to her) has an extremely OCD-clean mother. To the point that if she's babysitting and Blondie has ANY dishes in her sink, Grandma will complain that Blondie "Never washes dishes." No lie. Blondie tells me one day that her mother was complaining that her house was "filthy." I had been there earlier that day and, to me, it was "a little messy" but to be expected when you have a 4- and nearly-2-year-old running around everywhere. So, this led to our discussion of levels of mess.

Blondie, although she'd never actually tell me this, thinks my house is generally a mess. I almost always have piles of papers or craft projects lying around. Sometimes I just have general "stuff" around that I can't find a place to store immediately and it gets pushed into a corner or hidden in a closet. She laughs at me when I "clean" for her family to come hang out with us because I will have seating and a clean kitchen and bathroom, but I will still maintain my piles of books on top of the bookshelves with last week's mail on top of those! LOL. She says that my level of mess acceptance is much higher than hers! And her level is much higher than her mother's!

How do we get this way? Are we just innately born with a "mess level" that is acceptable to each of us? Or are we trained by our parents/caregivers to accept their level of mess and adopt it as our own?

I will be the first to admit that I am a terrible housekeeper! Part of that is due to lack of space in my 2-bedroom home for our growing family and our ever-increasing amount of stuff. Another part is that I was never asked to clean (or cook, or do laundry) while growing up. I grew up with my great-grandmother and always knew that if I waited long enough, she'd end up doing it. If I wait long enough now, hubby MAY do it just because he can't stand it anymore, but most likely I'll have to do it anyway and end up stressing myself out endlessly because I waited too damn long in the first place! As I get older, I'm trying to be better. I try to do my dishes as I get enough for a load in the dishwasher. I try to put my clothes (and hubby's) in the hampers - sorted by warm/cold/delicate - as they get dirty and do loads during hubby's off days so he can help watch Fuss. The folding usually doesn't get accomplished for all the clothes because I run out of storage space and get angry. I'm working with Fuss right now to get her to put away her toys each night before bed. She can play with anything and everything as long as it goes back in the box at the end of the day. Some days this works, some days it doesn't. Vacuuming doesn't happen as frequently as I'd like. I'm working on that too.

Old habits certainly die hard. Feeling crappy for ANY reason definitely doesn't help. I'm still behind on my cleaning and laundry from being sick 2 weeks ago! It seems that the second you stop, it builds so fast that it's nearly impossible to catch up! Here's to hoping we can all stay illness free for a few months and get everything spick-and-span for the spring/summer! I want to have the type of house that Blondie lives in. :) I wish I had that level of mess in my home!

Migraines

I seriously think the only thing worse than being sick is having a migraine. The worst part about migraines is that you never know when they are going to end. This week, I had one last for 4 days! The pain level would ebb and flow, but it was always there. It went away for a day and came back again. I'm thinking it's hormone related and will be testing that theory soon.

Anyone else have migraines? What's your best way to "cure" it quickly? I have done all that I know: Caffeine, Excedrine, heat/cold packs, sleep, water, and nothing seems to be working. My poor husband is about to go crazy! LOL