The bidding is now closed! Thanks!! I will email the winners in the morning!

Me: Bubba, honey, it’s time to get up. Happy Halloween!

Bubba: Today is it! Today Halloween!

Bubba: Dad! Dad!

Geo: What buddy?

Bubba: Today Halloween! I dress like a driver and sit on Santa lap and sing happy birthday!!!! Today Daddy!!!!!

29 things about me as a 29 year old…

29. 29 feels old to me. Much older than 28 or 27. And worlds away from 24 or 23.

28. I have five children.

27. They are 17, 16, 11, 3 and 2.

26. I live in the middle of nowhere.

25. I live in the BDH (the Barbie Dream House) although because of the kid situation, it isn’t my ideal house anymore. It still is nice, though.

24. I drive a van. It is 14 years old. It still runs good.

23. I can’t wait for Grey’s Anatomy to start. I don’t watch much TV anymore, but there are certain shows, like Grey’s, that are appointment TV.

22. I have a bachelor’s degree.

21. Not finishing my degree was a major source of shame for me for a long time, and I’m really happy when I get to check the “bachelor’s degree” button when I’m asked my highest level of education completed.

20. I would like to get a Master’s in Historical Preservation or go to culinary school.

19. Realistically, I don’t see either of those happening anytime soon.

18. Although I might see if the community college offers a cooking or baking class.

17. I have been working hard on improving my life in a few key areas.

16. The first is in my personal relationship. I am trying to be a better partner. I tend to be too critical, too quick to get upset, too insecure.

15. I am working hard to improve my finances. I have taken a strong interest in improving my credit score.

14. I am also working hard at maintaining the house and car in an orderly fashion.

13. I still look like a teenager, although when I am naked I can find flaws in my body which show that I am definitely not a teenager.

12. I would love to go on the show “What not to Wear” because I know my wardrobe is more “Junior” than “Woman” and I would really like to change that.

11. I am very proud of my blog and some of the things I have accomplished with it.

10. But I would still like my traffic to be much higher, I’d like to get more comments, and I’d like to start making more money from it.

8. My blog is a source of stress for me sometimes though. I wonder why I’m not on certain blog rolls. I wonder why people who used to comment don’t comment anymore. I get hurt when people say mean things.

7. I don’t eat healthy enough, get enough sleep, or drink enough water. On the flip side, I don’t smoke, don’t do drugs, am not overweight, and have very toned arms from lugging the baby around.

6. In the next year, I’d like to finish my book proposal. I have been putting it off too long, and really need to crack down and finish it.

5. I have very vivid dreams almost every night. Recently, I’ve had a lot of dreams about people I used to have friendships/relationships with and it makes me sad when I wake up.

4. I don’t like to sleep alone. I sleep much better when I’m curled up behind Geo. I wish I could sleep past 6:30.  

3. I have come a really, really long way over the past ten years. I don’t really recognize that girl I was at 19. She was kind of an idiot.

2. I still have a long way to go.

1. I’m not as pretty, smart, rich, put-together, or mentally stable as I would like to be, but I’m doing pretty good. I might not love who I am today, but I like myself and that is a start.

Yesterday was Callie’s birthday.

With the missing $382, things were a little more tight than I wanted. But I promised her a haircut (she hadn’t gotten one in 7 years because no one would take her), eyebrow waxing and a manicure plus an outifit to wear to the theater.

On Friday we went to the store. And then another store and then back to the same store. Callie couldn’t figure out what she wanted and she didn’t like the way things looked on her. Meanwhile, Bug was grabbing things off the shelf and having a fit because she couldn’t get a new outfit. Izzy was in the dressing room trying on things and when I said, “Well, it looks nice but I’m not buying everyone new outfits” she said, “Ok, you can just buy me the shirt then.”

After that, I took the kids to the goodwill. That is one of their favorite places to go because they are good at finding the good stuff and I’m much more likely to buy jeans for 3 or 4 dollars than fifty or sixty. I know some people are anti-thrift shop, but my kids love it. And if you look hard enough, you can find some really nice stuff.

That trip went ok, but then the next day, I decided we would go do haircuts, Callie’s manicure, and then go to the pool. I dressed the little kids in swim diapers and put clothes on over their swimsuits.

Getting the haircuts was a disaster. Snowbaby and Bubba would not calm down, Bug got chastized for hair cleanliness (again), Izzy threw a fit, and Callie sat and complained that other people got haircuts and that only she should get them.

$80 later, I sent Callie to get her nails done while we went into the store. I noticed that Snowbaby and Bubba had gotten themselves soaked through the swim diapers. Of course, I had no change of clothes. When I told Bubba he should have gone to the potty, he pulled the slip I was buying over to him and SAT ON IT. So now my new slip was covered in pee. Bug wanted nail polish and Snowbaby was screeching and neither Bubba nor Snowbaby would walk. I had to carry their pee covered bodies back to the nail place. Where Callie hadn’t even got started yet. Frustrated, I went to wait in the van with the little kids and then Callie got in the car and immediately started complaining about the nail place.

Finally I said, “Listen. I don’t mind buying you guys things or taking you places. I like doing it. But there are five kids in this family. And I don’t have a money tree. Not everyone is going to get everything they want. That is why you have an allowance. I am spending a ton of money this weekend to make sure you all look nice and have nice outfits to wear to the theatre. The tickets to the theatre were very expensive. It will cost another $100 bucks for us to drive up there and park.

I can not put up with constant whining, complaining and no manners. I don’t care if you are grateful or not, but you will at least say thank you. And you will stop whining. Is that understood?”

Nobody said anything.

“Is that understood?”

“Me mom?” said Bubba.

“All of you. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Ma’am” said Bug.

“Ok” said Snowbaby and Bubba.

The older girls didn’t say anything.

I was pissed.

I had calmed down by yesterday morning. I think I got so frustrated because I don’t have a ton of extra money and I was trying to do something really nice and nobody seemed to give a damn. But by Sunday, they were all very excited to go to the show. (I don’t think my dad was excited though, because he had an all day stretch with Bubba and Snowbaby. And Snowbaby is going through a “I need to be physically attached to Momma at all time, or I scream” phase.)

The girls looked pretty in their dresses and actually, I looked pretty damn good myself. Geo was in a surprisingly good mood and we made good time to the theatre. Callie had a sobbing fit once we got there, but that was almost textbook. She was celebrating an important birthday without her family. She was sad. But once she got calmed down and the show started, everyone was very happy. The show was really good. I’ve seen it before and I liked the previous cast better, but the girls were enthralled.

In the opening scene, Callie leaned over and whispered, “Is that lady REALLY singing?” and when I told her she was, she just grinned.

Bug said, “Well, I’ve seen a lot of theatre so I know what is good.” (She’s seen four shows.) “I liked it better than Cats, but I don’t know which was better. Wicked or this. I don’t know. I’ll get back to you.”

All in all, it turned out to be a really good trip. And when I returned home, Callie handed me a note which read:

Momma Baggage (Tell Geo thanx too for me!),

I just wanted to properly thank you! Thank you so much for doing what you have for me! I am extremely grateful even if sometimes it doesn’t seem that way but I truly am! I thought it would be easier for me to write down what I wanted to say. Thank you soooooo much for the greatest 16th birthday a girl could ask for. Sorry if I complain too much, but I AM grateful.

Love always,

Callie

Me: No, we can’t do anymore tonight. But tomorrow we will do all of the fireworks. The whole bag!

Bubba: Whole bag?

Snowbaby: No.

Me: Oh, it’s ok honey. You don’t like the pop pop ones?

Snowbaby: No pop pops.

Me: The noise scares you?

Snowbaby: YEAH! It eat you Mama!!!

Happy New Year! Yesterday Bug and Geo and I went to see CATS. Despite my love of musical theatre, I had never seen it. They had free face painting, and Bug got her face done up like a glittery blue cat. Do any of you love this show? I didn’t love it. Geo leaned over as the second act started and whispered, “I don’t understand the plot.” I whispered back, “There isn’t really one.” The dancing is amazing, I liked the idea of it being based on TS Eliot’s poems. But it didn’t do it for me like some of the other shows have.

I liked it though, and now I can finally say I’ve seen it. (I still haven’t seen POTO yet though. Sheesh.)

I found this meme over at Random Again, and so here is my review of 2006.

1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?

Um..I saw CATS!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn’t make any last year. I made some for this year. Make 100 extra dollars a day, do the Flylady program, try to do more Love and Logic parenting, get more kids.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

A friend of my mom’s and her stepdad.

5. What countries did you visit?

Just the US. No international travel.

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?

Patience and a cool head.

7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory and why?

The only thing that stands out is our one year adoption anniversary.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I finally graduated from college.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I lost my temper too many times.

10. Did you suffer from illness or injury?

Some illness, a surgery, no major injuries.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I rented the BDH.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Bug’s behavior improved greatly, and Geo’s behavior in the past two months has been wonderful.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

The President’s, people who are hateful, Geo’s for a little bit.

14. Where did most your money go?

Moving expenses!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The BDH.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?

The Grey’s Anatomy soundtrack.

17. Compared to this time last year are you:

a. happier or sadder? Happier!

b. thinner or fatter? About the same.

c. richer or poorer? About the same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Sleep.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worrying about what other people think.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With my created family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2006?

I find that falling in love is something that you will do over and over again with the same people.

22. How many one-night stands?

None.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Duh.

24. Did you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Yes, dialup.

25. What was the best book you read?

I don’t think I had a favorite, although I really enjoyed the book Fantasyland.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

That when you listen to music on a quality speaker system, it truly makes a difference.

27. What did you want and get?

Stuff for my kitchen. A chance to see some musicals. A nicer home. My own blog domain. An answer about my reproductive system.

28. What did you want and not get?

Some more local real life friends.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?

Although it came out in theaters last year, I love my DVD of Rent. It’s nice to be able to pop it in anytime, and although it has flaws, I love it.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I didn’t do much on my actual birthday, but on my birthday weekend I went to Chicago, watched a Cubs game, and saw The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee. I turned 28.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Patrick Dempsey.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?

I learned that I do not like wearing pantyhose, heels and business suits every day, and much prefer my pajamas.

33. What kept you sane?

This blog, the people who read it and are kind enough to comment, and Wellbutrin.

34. What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Patrick Dempsey.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

I was disgusted by the way stem cell research was portrayed in the campaign ads around here.

36. Who did you miss?

I miss seeing my Mom every day.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

Dr. Gel, who did my surgery.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.

Too late for second guessing, too late to go back to sleep, it’s time to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and leap.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I’m through accepting limits, cause someone says they’re so. Some things I can not change, but til I try I’ll never know.

Technorati Tags: new year, 2006, 2007, meme

Oh boy. Bug seems to go through phases. She’ll be really good for awhile, then rotten for awhile. She’s in a rotten phase now. I’m not sure if it is Christmas-related, because she didn’t have the same problem last year. But she’s just running around like a crazy person. Being rude, throwing tantrums, saying she hates me over a game, asking for food and when I say no, taking it anyway. Last night, Geo got fed up with her for pretty much the first time ever. I mean, he was FED UP. It was kind of nice, because for once I was the good guy instead of always being evil Mommy who makes her do what she is supposed to.

About Geo’s Christmas gifts..he got me several things, including some bedroom furniture. He got Bug and I authentic licensed Cubs jerseys. On the back, it says our respective nicknames, and then 11 on mine and 8 on hers, for 11/8..our adoption day. Isn’t that sweet? He was really proud of himself.

Now I’m just trying to get back in the swing of things. This is the first time in a long time that I haven’t held a full time job, or been going to college full time. I’ll be working at home, and I’m nervous about it. I’ve been working at home for awhile, but just as a way to bring in extra cash. Luckily, I have my disability compensation and Bug’s adoption subsidy (which is only $275) so I’ve got a good head start.

I’m hoping 2007 is a kick ass year.

Oh, speaking of 2007, do you know Walmart has already replaced all the Christmas stuff with Valentine’s day stuff? Isn’t that slightly ridiculous?

Also, I’m going to be blogging about my attempt to do the Flylady program over on my other blog. I’m looking for people to join me. Come join me!

P.S. If I owe you a Christmas card because we participated in an exchange or because you sent me one, I KNOW. I SUCK. Between graduation and the move and all, I did not get them sent out. But they are going tomorrow. I know. It’s dumb. But better late than never right?? Also, I’m having difficulty with my Outlook Express, so if you email me through the site and I don’t write back right away, I’m working on it.

Technorati Tags: adoption, Cubs, Valentine’s Day, Walmart, Christmas, Flylady

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Hope all who celebrated had a great Christmas today, and those who didn’t..hope you had uh..a good day off work!

Our Christmas was a whirlwind of excitement which included botched hand signals during Operation “Santa,” a bunch of really thoughtful sweet presents from Geo which I’ll talk about tomorrow, a stuffed monkey named Larry who Geo carries around like a baby, a nice collection of presents for all of us, Chinese food, and an incident in which Bug said, “I hate Mommy!” during a game of Deal or No Deal. Loads of fun, that was.

But my fortune cookie said:

Your troubles will cease and fortune will smile upon you

And that, my friends, is some really good news.

Merry Christmas!  

Are you tracking Santa?? We are.

Bug: Oh my God! He’s in South Africa! That means he’s almost here.

Geo: Actually, no. That is not almost here.

Bug is being a pain in the butt, but I’m finally done with the shopping. On a sad note, my video camera died a premature death and the store is all out of anything under $1000 bucks so I am video camera-less for Christmas. Darn you Walmart!

Geo: You’re doing such a good job! What are these cookies called again?

Me: Uhh…sugar cookies.

(Duh!)

Have a great Christmas Eve if you are celebrating! Bug says to tell you that Santa is running an hour ahead, so make sure you are in bed by EIGHT.

Technorati Tags: Santa tracker, Norad, Christmas

No time to write a real post today. Just got back from four stores (all the stores in town) and about broke my back trying to load a bike in the back of my van. And of course, people stopped to make comments, “Looks like someone is getting a bike for Christmas!!” but didn’t offer to stop my cart from rolling across town.

At our house Santa wraps presents in special Santa wrapping paper. I think that while unpacking, Bug saw the Santa paper. Geo said it was OK, but I got nervous and I unwrapped all the Santa presents I had wrapped and am rewrapping them. Ugh. I’m an idiot.

Technorati Tags: Christmas, Santa, presents