Snowbaby: Daddy, I eat that apple?
Geo: That is for the horse. Don’t you want to feed it to the horse?
Snowbaby: No, I want to feed it to ME.
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Me: Why don’t you go make breakfast?
Bug: Because! You are the mom! And I have cramps!
Me: Well, I can’t get up because I have cramps too.
Bug: No you don’t! You don’t have a vagina anymore!
I’m decluttering and looking to raise a little Christmas cash.
I’ve got for sale:
1) A $50 Marshalls gift card. For sale for $30.
2) A Wicked Onesie. This is the cutest thing ever. Says “Green Babies Rule” on the front and has the Wicked logo on the butt. Size 12-18 months. I paid $30. Yours for $15 which includes shipping.
Pay through paypal. Email me at baggageandbug@yahoo.com if you are interested.
I’m trying to get the house/laundry/loose ends tied up before starting the job on Monday. I know it is going to be an adjustment.
Part of those loose ends is the huge, never-ending list of things in my Inbox that I am supposed to talk about on this blog.
Oh, and while I am at it. If you’ve emailed, I am not ignoring you. I am just slow at responding. If I am supposed to mail you something, it is ready to go. I just need to get to the post office and pay them money. And money is in short supply right now (for a few more weeks). But don’t worry, I will be mailing it. I promise.
Meanwhile, here is a big run-down of all the awesome things I’ve got to review or learned about that I was supposed to tell you about a long time ago that I didn’t.
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First off, Virgin is going to donate $1 to “Give a Drop” for each person who visits the Virgin site and simply posts a picture and caption of someone or something they are thankful for. Donations will go to fund Project Clean Water’s work creating sustainable solutions for villages around the world to access fresh, healthy water.
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I love this too.
Writing letters to Santa Claus is an age-old Christmas tradition for children all over the world. Macy’s is collecting these letters in a special Santa letterbox at all Macy’s stores. For each letter received, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Believe Meter will measure America’s belief, based on our collective spirit – including the amount of letters received and other current events that reflect the season’s generosity.
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I had a chance to sample some Sensible Sippers. They are little juice boxes that have 50% organic juice and 50% water. I thought they tasted like watered down juice (which is what it is.) The kids really liked them. Easy solution if you are giving your kids watered down juice in the first place.
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Bug had a chance to try WoogiWorld which is an online social networking site for kids. I think she was slightly too old for it, as she got a little bored, but she liked a lot of things that it offered. Here’s some info:
Bottom line: http://www.woogiworld.com/ is the ONLY children’s virtual world that is benefiting society!
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Marshalls has recently opened the Marshalls Shoe Megashop. In response to women’s love affair with shoes, Marshalls, the iconic “off-price” retail store is opening Shoe MegaShops - 5,000 square feet, newly redesigned, fully stocked shoe departments-across the east and west coasts.
And you can play this nifty little game here and you might win a $250 gift card.
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Candlewick Press sent some awesome kid’s books. Bug will be getting “Three Swishy Mermaid Tales” which is about a 12 year old Mermaid. Snowbaby will be getting “Santasaurus.” Christmas is coming to Dinosaur Town, and Ollie, Molly, and Milo are writing their letters to Santasaurus. Ollie wishes for a dinobot. Molly asks for a dinocycle. All Milo wants is to meet Santasaurus and fly in his sleigh. Later there’s Christmas shopping with Momosaurus — “What hustle and bustle and squoosh!” — and plenty of wrapping and decorating on Christmas Eve. But when nighttime comes, will Santasaurus make Ollie’s, Molly’s, and Milo’s wishes come true? Bubba will be getting “Ships.” Ships is a great Pop-Up book loaded with information. Although I think it will be a little advanced for Bubba (the recommended age is six), I know he will love seeing the ships pop off the page like that. Thanks Candlewick for the three awesome Christmas presents. Oh! And I’ve got a present for one of you! A GORGEOUS copy of “The Snow Queen.” Got a 6 to 10 year old? This is a beautifully illustrated book. Just leave a comment and I’ll pick a winner.
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Looking for a unique iPod accessory for the person who has all the gizmos? Try the iCage from MasterLock. Pretty cool little thing that locks up your Ipod.
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And finally, I was sent a sample of Secret Obsession by Calvin Klein to try. I am IN LOVE with this scent. Love it. I wear it all the time and now that my sample bottle is about done, I am going to buy a bottle for myself. It is sexy, sweet and it doesn’t smell overpowering. I’ve never liked a perfume in my life, but I like this a lot.
I’ve been asked in comments and through email to put up a Christmas list for my kids. First off, le me say that I think that is incredibly sweet. With the surgery and the van, I’m really worried about Christmas. Only problem with a wish list is that it will show where I’m living and I need to keep that private. And while in the past I had some things shipped to my mom, I don’t want to burden her with having to ship things to me.
So..if you absolutely feel compelled to buy something for the kids, you can send an amazon gift card. You just need my email address. (baggageandbug@yahoo.com). Or if you are someone who I would recognize and would prefer to send something specific, email me. I don’t have a problem giving out info to those I “know”.
Or.
I am a HUGE fan of the program Little Wishes. Little Wishes grants wishes of foster kids in the St. Louis area. Some of these kids are living in group homes, or residential treatment facilities. Some of them are living in foster homes where there is a lot of love but not a lot of cash to buy gifts. There are over SEVEN THOUSAND wishes that need to be fulfilled this Christmas. These gifts range from $20 to $200. You can also puchase a Christmas ornament, of which the proceeds go to help find forever families for kids in foster care.
Do you have a daughter named Emily? Why not buy a gift for a child in foster care named Emily? What about 18 year old Jasmine who wants dance lessons? Sixteen year old Allison who wants to go to Cardinals game? (Hopefully when the Cubs are playing.) Or 11 year old Zariah who wants an Old Navy hoodie? Or 17 year old James who wants a class ring?
There are so many ways to help foster kids this holiday season. And while I appreciate the offers of help for my kids, just remember that there are a lot of Snowbabies and Bubbas and Bugs out there who are just as amazing as the little guys who live in my house.
The tree is up, the kids are parked in front of the Macy’s parade and despite the ups and mostly downs of my life so far this year, I’m so thankful for my family, my friends, all of you, and the sound of their excitement coming up the stairs.
I am truly blessed.
I just got called in for the job.
THE job.
The one I wanted.
AND I GOT IT!!!!
It is an actual real job! Like a career type job! My backup job (which I am sure I am going to be offered was a secretary job that paid $8 an hour. And was only part time!) I was ready to take that one. But this one pays a lot more and is a real job! And I get to wear jeans! And I get a Blackberry! I’ll have a blackberry and an iPhone and then I’ll be awesome. I can call myself!
And I’m about to go out to lunch with a guy who is neither married nor has cheated on me nor cancelled our wedding. Yay!
And I got my van back!
Hell yeah! Go me! WOOHOO!
I just stepped on a large truck that was hidden in the laundry pile and man, now my foot hurts.
I’ve reached a burnout stage. I’m not depressed but I’m tired. Tired of the crap.
Did I tell you that my car blew up? Yeah, so my head gaskets blew up or broke or whatever it is that head gaskets do. And I got them fixed and it was $1600. And then I drove it for a few days and one of the parts that they had fixed failed. And it fell into my engine and blew it up. Smashed it. Or something. All I know is that it sucked.
So I’ve been without a vehicle and I think it is almost fixed but you know, they want money for fixing it. Which sucks. Because I have no money. Thanks surgery!
I think my surgery was one of the best things I’ve done because damn, I’m loving my body now (that’s for a different post) but it has kicked my ass financially.
And so I’ve got no car, I had no blog, I have a stack of bills, I’ve got three kids who need Christmas presents, and I hurt my damn foot. And what takes people so long to call people back to tell them whether they got a job or not? I mean, decide already! And then tell me! And also, I don’t like it when people lie. Just to throw that out there.
Oh, and I’m reading about Jesus. I’m on a quest to try to reconcile my feelings about God/Jesus.
I’m not depressed. I’m just so damn tired of the damn bullshit. I can’t even talk about foster care and the kid’s case without wanting to bash my head into a wall. Oh, and we are out of pullups and both kids peed the bed.
Hmm..anything else to bitch about? Besides the aforementioned sex with other people thing? Listen. I think sex is fabulous, especially since they made it so I can have sex without being in horrible pain. Because really, that is nice. Thanks Dr. Gel!! And I’m all for people having sex and I don’t think you have to be in a committed relationship or anything like that. I mean, do what you want to do. But if there is an understanding that two people are not going to have sex with other people, then don’t do it. I mean, have the damn balls to either NOT do it, or come tell me that you want to fuck someone else. I mean, shit. I want to fuck other people, Patrick Dempsey for example. Or Lee Pace. And if they showed up at my door, I might have to say to the person I was dating, “You know what? I need to go fuck someone else now.” Which might be blunt, but at least I’d have the common courtesy to say it. And if I had messed up and done Lee without letting the person I was dating know, then I’d certainly have the balls to fess up about it.
Whoops. Sorry mom. I didn’t mean to use all the nasty language. I’ll go wash my own mouth out with soap now.
This is a very whiny post and for that I apologize. But I feel much better now. Except for my foot. That still hurts.
Five things I learned this weekend:
1. If you do not pay your fees, your domain name will go away and your site will turn into a luggage site. And then you will be sad.
2. Some of the best people in the world read this site. Your emails and support mean a lot to me.
3. I’m kind of addicted to the song “White Horse” by Taylor Swift.
4. If you are dating me, sleeping with someone else (especially twice) is not a good thing.
5. Homemade white gravy is wayyy good.
Second interview went really well. I’m hopeful. Or trying to be. I hate getting my hopes up because I always seem to get disappointed. I should know early next week.
Thanks for the good wishes. More tomorrow. Just got out of a hot bath and am ready to sleep.
What is new in your life?
So, our favorite little chica is a bit run down, so I will take the reins, so we don’t miss out like we did yesterday, oops.
Tonight was an interesting night. A loud night, that’s for sure.
Tonight, her kids met my kids for the first time. Planning ahead, we started dinner at about 11am. A big roast and a bunch of vegetables thrown in a pot, and we just let it simmer all day long. Bug and Snowbaby got here. Bug promptly disappeared to the internet, while asking who these strange kids were in her house, all the while thinking that mom went out and grabbed two more foster kids. Snowbaby… well, it was quite a shock to her system. She wasn’t exactly sure what to do with all these little young men around. She kinda developed quite a little crush on my little Eggman.
My two boys, Eggman, age 4, is a extremely gifted songwriter. Writer of the hits, “Creators of the Soul” …which takes place in Minnesota, somewhere he’s never been, and the newest smash hit, “Fortune Lion” which he will bang away on a guitar and shout out Dylan-esque lyrics like he was born to do it. His older brother, Catman, age 8, is a very strong reader and brought along his straight A’s report card to show off.
Once Bubba got home, we were all raring to go. The household, which has been a primarily feminine home, suddenly was filled with all sorts of testosterone. The boys ran and jumped and screamed, as little Snowbaby followed them around, excited, yet very confused.
Turns out little Eggman is quite the chef. He made us some corn muffins to go along with our roast and veggies. He cracked the eggs and poured the milk. Dinner was served at 6 pm. Suddenly, it was like the Brady Bunch. The table was filled, and poor Snowbaby got bumped to her own private table. Dinner went off relatively quietly, which was surprising. Very few tears. But, there were a lot of “I’m not gonna eat that!”
After dinner it was back to being boys again. There was jumping, leaping and falling off from all sorts of furniture. There were cars and trucks and giant bouncy balls flung about the place, while Lil Baggage slaved away cleaning up the kitchen. As 8 o’clock rolled around, it was definitely bed time. The boys were all sorts of strung out. Catman, his legs had given out on him. Catman has a genetic bone/cartilage disease known as Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia (the joints don’t develop properly), and although it doesn’t really restrict him from anything, it does start to wear on him as the days go on. His legs and joints get sore. And after a long day of rough housing, it’s pretty easy to see when he’s ready for bed. His waddle becomes very apparent. As he climbed the stairs, it became very apparent. He was ready for bed.
So now we sit, with four kids down, and one still online talking to her anime friends, in relative peace and quiet. The hum of the washer and dryer in the next room scratches away, and we are both completely exhausted.
(Baggage here..HE’S completely exhausted. Five kids to me? A cakewalk. Hehe)
