I USED TO:

• sit at the computer and read different entertainment websites;
• chat on the phone with girlfriends during the day;
• love laying on my bed for 1/2 hour - 1 hour per day to relax and watch a show on HGTV or TLC;
• plan my day around "Days of Our Lives";
• go to the grocery store everyday;
• get Starbucks every morning and usually one other time throughout the day;
• think about the projects I wanted to do around the house, but never seemed to complete;
• try to organize my kids in such a way that pleased me; etc, etc, etc..........

The list goes on and on.  We always seem to evolve and change no matter how old we get.  I'm not saying any of those things are wrong - I took care of the kids, made meals, carpooled, did laundry and dishes.  I loved doing all of that and still do.  If the kids are happy and healthy, it's a no-brainer. 

Now, I look forward to my little job and love coming home to my family.  Hopefully everyone's becoming more independent.  I know I'm more organzized now.  And I feel like I've taken a baby step toward a life when my kids are grown. 

It's a whole new world with lots of "work" drama.  I'm the older, wiser one - which is quite a joke.  The young ones that I work with ask my advice and share way to many things with me.  I smile, dish out very neutral advice and remember a time when I was just like them. 

Glad I am where I am now,
NeuroticMom

Blocked the Kids

It came time in our household to block certain things on the TV.  I have to say, "Love it".

The kids are complaining here and there but I can live with that.  If we think the older boys can watch something that's blocked, we easily unblock it.  Voila.  Easy and simple.

Proud of ourselves,
NeuroticMom

Friends are everything.

Good Stuff

I thought I'd never live to see the day that one of my teenage sons told me, "I love going to school.  It's awesome!"  I nearly fell over...and he was serious (in case you're wondering!).

Makes me so happy that we are sending them to the high school that they wanted and now it's up to them to make great memories, have fun and do well.

I need to sit down and enjoy this moment.

Life is good,

NeuroticMom

The Express

I just finished watching "The Express".  What a great movie.  I love movies about true stories and this one is inspiring.  Ernie Davis was an African-American football player for Syracuse in the late fifties, early sixties.  He lead the team to the National Title in 1959 and he was the first black man to win the Heisman Trophy (1961).  I didn't know the history behind the story before I sat down.  My fourteen year came in 3/4 of the way through the movie and Ernie had started to experience nose bleeds and wasn't feeling well.  I didn't need to say anything, my son sat down and watched the rest of the movie with me.  Ernie Davis died of leukemia at the age of 23.  He was a player for the Cleveland Browns, who never played in a game because of his illness. 

After the movie, my son got up, gave me a kiss good night and said, "I was lucky."  You see, my son had leukemia - he is a ten year survivor.  With tears in my eyes, I told him he was lucky but I also believe with all of me heart that he is here for a reason - whether he does a million ordinary, simple things with his life or something extraordinary.  Maybe his children will do something extraordinary, who knows.  But, he is here for a reason....and he was very lucky:)

Counting my blessings,
NeuroticMom

Where can I find a huge bag of blue raspberry jolly ranchers?  Someone please tell me!!!!

We're all addicted,
NeuroticMom

Unfreakin' Believable

Sorry, but I have to vent.

Since when can't someone on "The View" state their view without the hosts, who make millions of dollars stating their views every freakin' day, walking off on their guests?  Someone please tell me.  Every day, these women let the world know how they feel about everything.  They preach tolerance and diplomacy and BAM - show their true colors.  I'm tired of some of the hosts, and you know who, setting the bar for all of us to try to live up to.  Please!  You get paid the big bucks to debate.  You don't agree with Bill O'Reilly's views, you knew it before you sat down with him, you knew he would instigate something and yet you let it get out of control.  Congratulations, you made yourselves look like spoiled little girls, which makes us all look bad.

Girls, here's a suggestion (and I'm not pushing my view on anyone): ask a few families who lost their loved ones on 9/11 what they think about a mosque being built a few blocks from Ground Zero.  Maybe that will give you the accurate information you should be striving to seek?  Maybe you should get a hold of some polls that you say you haven't seen?  We don't have time to hear your emotional, preachy views when we're all trying to live our own lives.

Tuned in today to see if there was an apolgy.  Now I'm hoping it happens Monday.  Ladies, are you embarrassed today or are you still angry?  Doesn't matter to me.  I won't be tuning in anymore.  I don't care what your views are!

Thanks for letting me vent,
NeuroticMom

Have an awesome weekend.  The weather has cleared up and we can finally enjoy some nice "Fall" weather.  Soccer games, walks outside and family time.  So excited. Enjoy it!

Help...

Son number 1 (Sophmore) is constantly asking me if a Junior on his soccer team can drive him home after soccer practice.  Son number 2 (Freshman) asked once, I said "no" and he hasn't asked again.  Calm, easy child (for now).  What the hell do I do about the other one?  He is a negotiator and pulls every card out of his hat - "you know him" (the driver), "he's responsible", "his parents are okay with it", "we're coming right home", "don't you trust me?"......

A friend of mine gave me a contract that her parents gave to her brother when he started driving (probably 30 years ago), but it's still good for today, even though so many things in the world have changed.  I'm seriously thinking of coming up with something similar for the boys about getting in a car with a friend.  If they break either contract the punishment will be simple to enforce  because they knew the consequences, right?

Scary times ahead - it's not getting easier as they get older.  Now I worry that one little mistake can hurt or kill them.  It doesn't even have to be their mistake, but they're in the car or driving the car.  Any thoughts as to what I should put in our contract?  I'll ask my friend if I can share some of the "driver's license contract" with everyone.  It will come in handy someday for you too.

Have a good one,
NeuroticMom

I've survived the first two weeks.  The amount of things to learn is crazy, but I'm enjoying it.  The time flies by.  I just need to get over the guilt - that I won't be there for everything the kids are doing.  I told a mom that I just went back to work after sixteen years and feel guilty that I'm happy to have a job.  Her response with pure shock in her eyes, "Honey, sixteen years, don't feel guilty."  Made me laugh.

And the drama - love it.  Many women working in a busy environment is hysterical.  I sit back and observe.  Quite entertaining.

I'm more organized with meals and spending less money on things I don't need.  Although, the refrigerator water line is broken and the floor underneath is now rotted:( 

I'm going to enjoy the things that I had my kids DVR for me (Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice) and maybe watch "Wall Street" before seeing the sequel.

Have an awesome weekend,
NeuroticMom

Excited!

I'm starting a new chapter in my life tomorrow.  I am going back to work (P/T) after being home with my children for the last sixteen years.  Excited and I have to say - not nervous.  I'll be working for a busy dermatologist's office that my family has been going to for the last eight years.  I feel at home and am ready for the challenge to learn "the ropes".  I don't need a fancy job title.  My goal is to be busy.  This will definitely take care of that.  My husband has a job that can work around my hours (most of the time), my oldest will be driving soon and my youngest is in sixth grade.  It's time.  I used to be a nervous person - motherhood has prepared me for this new adventure.  Nothing's harder or more rewarding than being home with the children.  I'm hoping for a positive experience that will make everyone more independent.

I'm organized, don't want any office drama.  I want to work and come home to my family, and of course make a little bit of money.

I'll keep you posted,
NeuroticMom

Any free time?

The kids are now back into the school routine - doing well and off and running with another school year.  The problem - I learned about a new computer game that I have been playing in my free time - which is a little more nowadays.  It's called BookWorm.  Fantastic!  It's basically scrabble. 

Relatives introduced it to us over the Labor Day weekend.  And when I tell you that we were all sitting around the computer playing it, I kid not.  It was frustrating - with many thoughts and ideas flying at once.  However, playing by yourself or with one of your kids is great.  Check it out at PopCap Games.  You can download a free sample and buy the game to have handy at anytime:) for $19.95.  Young and old and for all of us between - loads of fun.

My high score - 325,840.  Father-in-law and help:) - 664,440.  Game on!

Have fun,

NeuroticMom

Perfect End to the Summer

My middle son starts high school this morning.  I'm so excited for him.  Our advice to him - make it a great four years - get involved, do well and have fun.

To end the summer, we went tubing with friends yesterday.  It was a perfect day for it.  We've lived in Bucks County for 14 years, always wanted to go and regretted not going every September.  Not this year.  We floated down the Delaware on a perfect day.  Kids (seven boys) had a football, spun around on their tubes(until I would personally throw up), relaxed, caught up with friends and had an awesome lunch on the way home.  If you ever have the chance to go - do it!!!!.  Trying to come up with something that every one wants to do on a lazy Sunday - is priceless.  Go with another family and chill, whether you're moving quickly or not, rapids or not - relax and enjoy.  Perfect, perfect, perfect:)

It's a good Monday morning,
NeuroticMom

I just put a new bottle of soap out in the kitchen and thought I'd blog about it.  I always use  Bath & Body Works soap - in the kitchen and all of the bathrooms.  They are so inexpensive, there are a variety of scents and the products are not tested on animals - what's not to like.  The special now is 4 soaps for $10.

Shop away,

NeuroticMom

A Great Idea. Why didn't I think of that?

Sometimes you hear something, and it's so simplistic and so basic, and you think "How did I not think of that???"
This is one of those things.  While trolling through some craft blogs I stumbled upon a post titled 'easy mopping.'  And that, right there, grabbed my attention.  I have a lot of tiled floor throughout my house.  With 3 boys and 1 yellow lab I am constantly cleaning up some kind of tracked in mess.  So anything that might make that job 'easy'?  Yeah, you have my attention.


This comes from Rachel over at Holy Craft.  Rachel, you are a genius.  Thank you for sharing your genius with the world:

I just take this old Swiffer that I picked up in the free box at a garage sale
grab one of my old washcloths, and poke all four corners into the little swiffer holes
and have at it! I usually use a wet rag for mopping and sometimes throw some vinegar into some warm water. When you are done mopping, just throw the dirty rag in the washing machine and that's it!


Easy peasy!  I already own a swiffer mop.  And I hate buying refills.  (which is why I n-e-v-e-r use it ;)  Can't wait to try this out.  Be sure to visit Rachel over at Holy Craft and check out her talented craft ideas too.  Thanks Rachel!


Waiting for a mess,
TechnoMom

Great Gap Coupon at Groupon Today!

Great deal at Groupon today: $50 Gap coupon for $25

Groupon is free to join, once you sign up you will receive a daily Groupon coupon invite via email.  I've seen mostly restaurant coupons for my area of the country but I know it varies by where you live.  This was my first time ordering a Groupon coupon and it was painless! You might as well.  You know you're going to end up at the Gap ( or babyGap or Gapbody) sometime soon anyway! Do you Groupon? TechnoMom

$25 for $50 Worth of Apparel at Gap
$25 worth: discount: savings: $50 50% $25 Company Information: Gap website Locations: Valid at all Gap stores.

Snack Time!

I like a little snack.  Especially when I'm sitting on my deck drinking this:

 I'm not a huge fan of fatty snacks because I like to do this alot.

I am also a huge fan of the Hungry Girl, (a eat-well, but do it with low-cal, low-fat, guru).

So channeling my inner Hungry Girl, this is what I came up with:

Get a round of this:

                                           

Only 35 calories per wedge! ( And one wedge goes a LONG way ;)

Next get a box of these:

You can eat FIFTEEN crackers for 120 calories (with 4g of fat and 5 grams of Fiber!)

I can't even eat a full serving--it's so yummy & filling!  One wedge of cheese and 10-12 crackers is a perfect snack with  a bottle of wine.

Now you know how I'm spending the rest of my summer nights :)

TechnoMom

Pet Insurance

It's been a crazy couple of weeks.  We were away for five days last week and got a phone call from the neighbor taking care of our dog.  Casey (the dog) is rarely sick - a little thing here or there and allergies, that's pretty much the extent of it.  She was fine when we left Wednesday afternoon.  By Thursday night she was sick.  My husband and I were playing pool with a bunch of other baseball parents stuck in a hotel while our children played for the State Championship.  Relaxing, drinking and I might add winning every pool game that we played.  Life was good.  Until....the phone call.

Casey is six years old and couldn't urinate.  Five days, two emergency trips to the animal hospital by friends and family, surgery and $3,000 later, our dog is back home with us.  She had 20 stones removed from her bladder.  Apparently this breed is prone to stones but it's unusual for girls.  Of course.  We are seriously thinking of pet insurance.  I have to make some phone calls today:(  Twenty stone doesn't sound like a one time thing as she grows older and her life expectancy is 16-18 years.

You never know,
NeuroticMom

Favorite Sunscreen

I use sunscreen on my face every single day of the year, without fail.  I've recently switched to a new sunscreen and I. am. in. love!

My new fave:

Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer liquid (spf 55).
It is truly sheer.  It doesn't leave my face oily.  It's like wearing your favorite moisturizer.  Once it is absorbed you don't even know it is there!  You can apply makeup on top without it getting cakey.

I have tried sooo many sunblocks over the years.  I personally use spf 30 as a minimum.  I have found that most sunscreens over 30 leave my face feeling greasy or worse, white.  Like I could star in the next Twilight film white.  Not a good look for me ( or really, anyone).

So glad I found a sunblock that works really well and doesn't feel like sunblock :)

Keeping wrinkles at bay,
TechnoMom

Took the kids to see "The Last Airbender" this weekend.  We really enjoyed it.  The ages of the kids spanned from 5-14 years old.  Adults liked it too!  Check it out if you get a chance.  Fun entertainment.

NeuroticMom