My Happy List

My last post was kind of a bummer. Sorry about that. I decided to "turn things around" and get back to the good stuff.

So on My Happy List this week...

These G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S and D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S chocolate covered strawberries. Big Daddy knew I could use a little lift and these babies most def did the trick. Holy diabetic coma I love that man! Truth is there was more berry than chocolate, so I figure it was a healthy treat.

I didn't share any of them. I think that made them even more delicious.


Check out my new friend. Isn't he adorable? I have been looking for a rooster to hang out on my kitchen table for a while. I found him in all his brightly colored, metal glory tucked in a corner of a TjMaxx...it was love at first sight!!! I knew he had to be mine but I thought he would be more than I wanted to spend. For $11 it was pretty much a match made in heaven.

I love how he looks with my new yellow walls and wainscoting. OH and my super awesome window...he makes me happy.

These two and their Rock Band marathons have been cracking me up. I am trying to upload a little video of the cuteness. J takes it VERY seriously and is determined to beat her daddy. She has a little notebook that she has been keeping with their scores and percentages, it's pretty funny. She even invited her dad to come in and play with her and her BFF the other night...even though "he is kind of embarrassing, when he dances and stuff". Hey, that's what dads do.
I especially love how animated he is even when it's Taylor Swift (who I love BTW).

And finally these little guys came to live at my house too...they can't wait for a Summer BBQ and pool party so they can come out and play. They just make me laugh...and with a coupon for Joanns they became mine all mine!! Hilarious right? Can't you just imagine them on a red and white check table cloth next to a basket of chicken? Mmmm bring on Summer!


So what's on your Happy List this week?

Spoke. Too. Soon

It seems I spoke too soon about feeling so well. I decided to go pain med free and within a week the pain is back and is super intense. I HATE the meds I am on, HATE them. I don't like the way I feel. I can't stand without feeling like a juniper in a windstorm, my dexterity is compromised, I cannot complete a full sentence without stuttering and my body jerks and ticks like I am on crack or something.

It's annoying, humiliating and seeeeriously hurts my self esteem.

Not being able to articulate a thought is the worst part. I sound like an idiot. It's terrible.

Trying to stay positive is hard sometimes. Even for me.

I know this blog is typically sunshine and rainbows but right now I am just gonna beg for your good thoughts and prayers.

Please.

My Doctor is has prescribed a new med for me. This med is typically used for depression but is also often used for nerve pain. I am hoping it will not only help the pain but will make me feel better about life in general.

Have you talked to your Doctor about the shingles vaccine? DO IT!! Typically shingles happens after the body goes through stress (like mine, almost dying) or a long hospital stay (like me 7 days ICU) but it can be picked up ANYTIME the immune system is compromised.

The pain is HORRIBLE...do yourself a favor and do whatever you can to avoid it!

March is filled with things to look forward to:

(no particular order)

1. weekend in Monterey for a wedding/getaway with the hubz.
2. SPRING!!!
3. weekend in Hollister to see my adorable niece perform in Annie (my sis is the musical director too) and spend time with my family, who we haven't seen since November
4. Big Daddy has 2 weeks vacation
5. Stay-cation goodness
6. I WILL be better, the new meds will work and prayers WILL be answered
7. My folks come home from their 2 year mission in Colorado
8. I get to send my Favorite Things to a bloggy friend
9. I get to open a bloggy friend's Favorite Things that she send to me

OK I ended it all on a high note. Blogging IS healing, thanks for listening!!

I already feel better

Randoms 'round Here

I have been getting a lot of comments and email asking how I am feeling Health Wise these days. I appreciate the love and concern, really I do. I can honestly say I am feeling really pretty good. I haven't needed the full dose of neurotin (nerve pain meds) for a few days now and I am thinking of stopping taking them all together. I don't care for the way they make me feel and the nerve pain is pretty much gone. I am also falling over a lot less which has made me feel a little more brave and on sunny days I even went for a few walks. I can't wait to be able to drive again! I still have the stutter. I am trying to determine if that is from almost dying or from all the meds, I suppose time will tell...but it hurts my self esteem a little. Silly, but true.

Again, ask your doctor about the shingles vaccine...trust me WORST. PAIN. EVER.

The weather was BEAUTIFUL here for a few days. Yesterday was the beginning of the gloom that will be hanging out for a while. I don't totally mind rainy days, as long as I can stay home in my slippers.

Jordan has been playing a little church basketball lately. The other night she came home from practice and when I asked her how it was she said, "I think I get more awesome everyday!" Nothing wrong with this kid's self efficacy...that's for sure!

I am trying to get more active over at CafeMom they have a new group for ParentingPositiveKids...great discussions going on over there. My user name is MamarazziCFG if you are a member (or join for free) add me as a friend...I would love that.

I have also been busy with Fishful Thinking...want a quick smile? Check out this little video, works for me every time.

Open Letters

Dear Jordan,

You are always so willing to help out, I love that about you. So when I asked you to please get the clothes from the dryer...I meant ALL of the clothes, not just yours. BUT thank you for folding the clothes you DID take out AND putting them away. I love you for that.

Sincerely,
a really happy mama to have such a great kiddo

Dear Big Daddy,

I know your clothes are usually clean and in your drawers or closet, but as you know we got a little behind on laundry last week. So when you went looking for that tee shirt you wanted to wear and found it in the dryer, it would have been SUPER helpful for you to take out the rest of the clothes in there.

THIS:


Is not your dresser OR your closet.

BUT I do appreciate the meals you have been making around here since I got sick. You are a really good cook. I might retire.

Sincerely,
your devoted and patient wife

Dear Craig's List Guy,

When you show up on my doorstep and say, "I'm here for the dryer" and I say, "There is nothing wrong with our dryer" THAT was your first clue that you were at the wrong house so saying, "I know that's why I am here to buy it" was weird. Then when I say, "Our dryer is not for sale" THAT was your second clue that you were at the wrong house so responding by saying, "yes it is, it's on Craig's list" was even weirder. Then when I say, "nope wrong house" THAT was more than just a clue so saying, "yes I am I must have talked to your husband" just made me want to call the cops...especially when I saw you go across the street to the neighbors house after you left my house.

So I did.

Got a clue yet?

Sincerely,
Mamarazzi...don't mess with me

for more Open Letters go to shortmama's.

Mamarazzi's Swaparazzi...yes it's happening again!

No longer taking RSVPs...

Guess what y'all? It's time for another

Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap!

Yep, you read that right, who is excited?!? ME TOO!!

My last FOUR swaps were such a HUGE success that I decided that it was time for another!

PLEASE READ ALL RULES BEFORE AGREEING TO PARTICIPATE…it is NEVER a good idea to sign up for ANYTHING without knowing what you are getting in to…AND I am also trying a few new rules for THIS swap (you know me, I learn something new each time I do these).

This Swap is only open to:

1. People who have been ACTIVELY blogging (more than 5 posts a month) for over a year or have participated in one of my swaps before (if you are a long time follower of my blog and have over 100 posts but have not been blogging for a year, talk to me).
2. People residing in the United States
3. Be home (not vacationing) between March 1-9
4. Private bloggers are welcome but you will have to open your blog to Mamarazzi and your partner who will also be a private blogger (if I can find one).
5. People who have read and agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. By signing up you are committing to do the following:
a. Be able to be in constant communication with Mamarazzi via email (if I send the group an email I need a response within a few days please, it is too stressful wondering if things got lost in cyber space, the key to a successful swap is communication with ME! To me communication IS what makes my swaps a success, so be advised: you WILL be getting email from me, it might be redundant (but never meant to be rude or condescending) and people who do not respond in a timely manner MAY be subject to being dropped and having their partners reassigned from people on my waiting list. This is the only way I know how to host a swap, so it is not going to change...ever.)
b. Follow my Blog (don’t forget to grab my cute button for your sidebar…the code is over there under my list of followers…oh speaking of following did you know I have a drawing monthly for fun prizes EXCLUSIVELY from my list of followers? Yep just for following, cool right?)
c. Put together an amazing package filled with YOUR Favorite Things, get creative. This should be a package that you yourself would LOVE to receive.
d. The contents of package should cost no more than $30 but be at least $20 total (not counting shipping).
e. Send package ON Saturday March 6. (IF you need to send sooner please let me know, the purpose for everyone sending at the same time means everyone is receiving around the same time. This makes the most sense for posting and linking up as people receive their packages).

2. IMPORTANT SIGN UP info RSVP by grabbing the super cute button and posting about the swap on your blog (sidebars do not count, this needs to be an actual post about the swap...links that do not contain the proper info and Favorite Things button will be removed) and THEN come back and link THAT post here in Mr. Linky (you can grab the actual URL by posting then clicking on the title of that post and grabbing the actual new URL from the address bar and pasting that URL in Mr. Linky, if you mess up I will fix it, please do not post more than once). This is the ONLY way I am going to accept an RSVP...I need to make sure that everyone is fully committed.

3. Get your RSVP in FAST and LEAVE a COMMENT, letting me know you linked up and are RSVPing.. I will only be accepting 50 people this time...maybe less...

4. Once you have posted on your blog about Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap please send me an email @ never2pink at yahoo dot com with the following information:
a. Real Name, Mailing Address and Mr. Linky # (this # may change but it will help me get organized)
b. Blog Address (private bloggers will only be matched with other private bloggers)
c. Email Address
d. Food or Product Allergies
e. SAHM? WAHM? Single? Student? Single Mom? Grandma? Kids? Kid's ages? Home School? (just a little info to help me match you, this part of your info is for me and will not be shared with your partner...they can read all about you on your blog! *wink*)

f. IF you have participated in a swap with me before please list past partners so I don't match you up with the same person AGAIN!

5. I will reply to your email. Once you have replied to that *RSVP* email then you are officially part of the swap ( I need to know we are communicating and that my email is getting to you and visa versa). *once all RSVPs are received I WILL MATCH YOU UP AND SEND YOU YOUR PARTNERS INFORMATION* the SAME person you SEND to is the SAME person your RECEIVE from...no secrets here, just new bloggy friends! So YES go say hello and start following each other’s blogs.

6. Once you receive your package in the mail create a post using pictures on your blog. Be sure to link your partner and Dandelion Wishes (you can just use the button again; I will create a new code to grab for your convenience). I will have a Mr. Linky for everyone to use so we can all hop around the blogosphere checking out every one's loot!

<a href="http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/2010/02/mamarazzis-swaparazziyes-its-happening.html"> <center><img src="http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq48/aprildurham23/Swap4copy.jpg" /></center> </a>

NO LONGER TAKING RSVPs

MR. LINKY IS FOR SWAP ONLY...Seriously linking up just to get traffic to your blog is rude...and um, I am totally gonna call you out on it. (: yep. really!

PHEW...get all that? Well Roxane shares her FANTASTIC swap story HERE. Seriously folks this is why i do this and the reason for all the rules...true love and new bloggy-to-real-life-friends.

L-O-V-E The BIG Red Puffy Heart Kind of Love!

Oh love..love love L-O-V-E loooooooooove!!

I had the most wonderful date with my Valentine last night. We started out with a movie "Valentine's Day" it was cute, we laughed and cried...it was everything I hoped it would be and everything Big Daddy expected. He enjoyed it, but was happy I loved it. He is awesome like that, not afraid of a 'chick flick'.

We went to our favorite local Sushi place where we enjoyed a deeeeeelicious meal and spent the next 2 plus hours taking up a table in the corner talking and laughing and just enjoying each other's company.

It was great. It was what we needed. It needs to happen more often.

Our life together completely revolves around J and her needs and sometimes we forget to take time for just us.

I think most parents do that, right?

I wonder why? I mean i KNOW why...we all want what is best for our kids. We want to make sure WE are the ones making things happen for our kids. Simple day to day like meals, education, spiritual and emotional needs.

But what about happy, connected parents..a TRUE example of what "Happily Ever After" looks like...what about that?!

When I was a kid my parents were VERY affectionate and loving. I never once questioned if they loved each other and as I got older were "hot" for each other. My siblings and I would say "get a room" and they would reply, "we did, we chose this one". Its was sometimes embarrassing, after all my friends parents NEVER made out in the kitchen, at least not when their kids had friends over.

Now I get it...totally. They may not have been doing it intentionally but MY parents were just being GOOD parents. I am thankful for that.

Anyway I want J to see what "Happily Ever After" looks like, I am going to continue to make out in the kitchen, smile when Big Daddy smacks me on the bottom when I walk past him. I am going to continue to say "I love you" as many times as I can fit it into the day.

And continue to pray that her FOREVER, ETERNAL Valentine is just as amazing as her daddy.

That would be awesome.



I love you Boo Boo...Happy Valentine's Day!!!

PS. you are HOT!

For Real Y'all?? PSF 22

Ah, the garbage can...

We all have them. Usually one or two people are assigned the chore of taking out the bag when it gets full and dropping the trash in an outside receptacle for the magical man in the big truck to take off to the dump.

In our home there is no one person assigned to such chore. Maybe I just assume it's Big Daddy's job, ya know, cuz he's the man. It's really never been discussed.

Sometimes Big Daddy will delegate to J when she sweetly comes to him and with sugar dripping off her lips asks, "anything you need me to do daddy?" (oh how i looooove those moments, so few, so fleeting, so wonderful and so reserved for Big Daddy.)

I DO know that I personally have not taken the garbage out in at least 3 months since, as you know from previous posts, I have been sick and unable to help in many household chores.

So recently, when I was having a "good day" and actually had the energy to do a little picking up around the house and found the can full I decided to take out the garbage.

When I returned with a new bag for the can I found this...

Really people?

When you opened the can and realized there wasn't a bag in their you STILL dropped in your trash?

AND

When you went to put the new bag in and SAW the trash you just put the bag in ON TOP of the trash?

yea, me too.

What? Y'all thought I was a perfect housekeeper or something?

Hosted by Cecily and Mamarazzi

I am thrilled to be co hosting Photo Story Friday with my dear friend Cecily. She is an amazing photographer and writer and a super cool mom. Her facebook updates and blog posts about the creativity of her children and the humor she sees in it all, remind me that time passes quickly so soak up the moments...including the sharpie on the toddler and the cinnamon in the sofa!

To play Photo Story Friday, check this. Copy this code into your post and sign the link list:
<center><a href="http://mychaosmybliss.blogspot.com/2007/06/photo-story-friday-and-rules.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/4235120634_71d9399b5f_o.jpg" border="0" alt="PhotoStory Friday" /></a><br/>Hosted by <a href="http://mychaosmybliss.com/" target="_blank">Cecily</a> and <a href="http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/" target="_blank">Mamarazzi</a><p/></center>

J's NEW Bedroom!!!

Like I said in the last post we have been playing musical rooms around here. It all started before I got sick and is finally getting finished over 2 months (something I could do in a weekend when I am well). Jordan has moved from THIS room to the old Game Room and here it is now...we painted it a darling shade of green, like a cabbage before it's cooked green, infact it is called cabbage green. We painted all of her white furniture black and I think it all looks adorable with the pink and zebra stuff. What do you think?

you can clickety to biggefy any of these pics...


My next post will hopefully be pics of a completed new game room. It is also going to be the room Jordan uses for her new babysitting business...she is STOKED!