It's Halloween

It's Halloween 2009.....well almost....but we had a Halloween party tonight....so I got my Halloween pics today. Madison decided to go with a 80's girl. And luckily we found everything we needed!!

So here she is:


But where is that Madison attitude???


Can we get a normal photo????? Apparently not...someone is over the photos and wants to leave (Oh and ignore the mess we are moving....yes still)

Come on Madison....80's girls didn't look all irritated at their moms (okay maybe they did but shhhhh)

Little better! How about a closeup....Smile for me....

That was SCARY....a real smile please???

Much better....now how about that costume contest??

I know you didn't win....but do you really have to leave now???


It was a fun evening in the middle of all this craziness. Remind me and I'll share about the guy who stole her phone! UGH

Happy Halloween everyone!

I'm alive!

Though its been barely the past 2 weeks. I have been SO VERY SICK. I have accomplished NOTHING. I am not moved yet. Life is spiraling.

So I am just now rejoining the world of the living. And I have a ton to catch up/do.

But I did make a very quick trip to walgreens:

1 box zantac (30 ct)
2 Starbucks Mocha Frappacinos
2 Glade Candle tins
2 packs glade candle refills
8 Halloween pencils

Total out of pocket: 2.28
Got back $10 in register rewards.

Tomorrow I go for toothbrushes and shampoo?? I don't know. Haven't fully decided yet. But I plan this week to stock up on the glade refills.

On a side note...the frappacino bottles are for a project. Actually the glade tins and refills I got today are also for that project. Stay tuned for more.

My frugal week wrap-up!

Well it's the end of the week. So that means today was my Walgreens wrap up. I was disappointed today. They were out of most things at all 4 Walgreens I visited. So I didn't get much. But that's okay. I think I have enough for now. Looking back on the week I wish I'd gotten more shampoo/conditioner and toothbrushes and I wish I'd had more razor coupons. But overall I think for my first week at trying this I did very well.

Before I tell you what I ended up with and how much it cost me....here's some pics of my loot!








Now for the boring details!

~11 Glade Candle Tins
~2 Herbal Essence Shampoos
~ 2 Herbal Essence Conditioners
~ 5 Pkgs Dental Floss
~ 4 pkgs Halls Refresh
~ 3 Vaseline Infusion Lotions
~ 9 Oral B Toothbrushes
~ 2 Chapstick Fresh Effects
~ 2 Venus Embrace Razors
~ 2 Gillette Fusion Razors
~ 24 Theraflu Cold Meds
~ 14 Bottles Dawn Dish Soap
~ 8 Candy Bars
~ 2 20oz Drinks
~ 32 Halloween Pencils

Now had I bought all of these items this week at their SALE price (not their true price) I would have spent $ 260.26

What I spent: $35. 18

And I have $6.00 left in register rewards
And I will be getting a rebate for the Glade candles for $15

Not a bad week!!

So what did you end up with??

And an even BETTER deal!!

So Monday I went to Target and got the glade candle tins for $.16 each. They were $1.66 and they have $1.50 off coupons. I was soooo excited with this deal as I hadn't bought anything "new" for my new home. This was my first. And I saved the receipt because at the end of the week I intend to compare what I got this week, how much it is worth and how much it cost me out of pocket.

Well last night I stumbled across a new offer. SC Johnson is offering a rebate. Purchase any 3 SC Johnson products (GLADE COUNTS) and get back $5 rebate. You can do it up to 3 times!!!

So I bought 11 tins for $2.86

I will submit my 3 rebates

I will get back $15

MY KINDA SHOPPING!!

Walgreens made simple...

I've had family and friends asking me how I am doing my walgreens shopping. Today was a small day and I got $37.00 worth of stuff for 4.00. Not bad, but not as good as the other day. Anyways I am going to *try* to explain it in simple terms.

Register Rewards-- You can get these from Walgreens on certain items each week. They are coupon that prints out that is like cash. You can use it on your next trip to Walgreens ....or in my case, your next transaction at the same trip. LOL.

Some items this week with register rewards:

Herbal Essence Shampoo and Conditioner-- Cost 2.99 but you get back 2.00 in register rewards
Chapstick Fresh Effects-- Cost $2.99 but you get back $2.99 in register rewards
Oral B Toothbrushes-- Cost $3 but you get back $3 in Register Rewards
Vaseline Infusion Lotion-- Cost $6.99 but you get back $6.99 in register rewards
Theraflu Cold Meds-- Cost $4 each and if you buy 2 you get back $4 in Register Rewards, if you
buy 3 you get back $8.
Gillette Fusion Razor-- Cost $8.99 but you get back $6 in register rewards
Venus Embrace Razor-- Cost $7.99 but you get back $4 in register rewards
Dentek Dental Floss-- Cost $2 and you get back $2 in register rewards
Halls Refresh-- Cost $1 and you get back $1 in register rewards

There are more but those are the main ones I've bought. I also had coupons I used.

For the toothbrushes I got a coupon out of the paper (i bought 2 papers) for $1 off one. So that made them $2 and I got $3 in register rewards back.
For the lotion I had printable coupons for $1.50 off making them $5.49 and I got back $6.99
The Healthy Savers book at Walgreens has a coupon for $2 off Theraflu, it WILL multiply the number of bottles you bought.
The Gillette I had a coupon for $4 off one. The Venus I had $2 off one.
The dental floss I had $1 off one and the refresh I had $.75 off one.

Soooo....to sum it up as simply as I can.....In a pretend scenario you could possibly use...

Purchase the Gillette Razor for 8.99, a shampoo for 2.99, and a toothbrush for 3.00.
Use the $4 off coupon, the $1 off coupon
Total cost for you is $9.99 + tax
You will get back $11 in register rewards

Then you purchase 3 Theraflu cold meds at $4.00 each
A chapstick at 2.99 and a Halls at $1.00 You need some more items because you must have equal number of items/coupons so grab some Halloween pencils at 4/$1 .
Throw in a dawn dish soap while they are $.99
Use the Healthy Savers coupon for $6 off
Use the Halls $.75 off coupon
Then use the $11 register rewards
Total cost for you is $.23 + tax
You will get back $12 in register rewards

Then you purchase a Venus razor for 7.99
A toothbrush for 3.00
a conditioner for 2.99
A dental floss for $2.00
Throw in some more pencils at 4/$1
Use the Venus coupon for $2.00
Use the toothbrush coupon for $1
Use the floss coupon for $1
Then use the $12 in register rewards
Your total cost is $.98 + tax
You get $9 in register rewards back

And you just keep going back and forth with items. You can't use a register reward to purchase something from the same company, so you have to alternate. Especially this week when so much is proctor and gamble.

Coupons make this an even better deal because you actually profit.

I ended up with a lot of "space" i needed to fill because your total has to be over the amount of the register reward you are using. So I have a lot of dawn dish soap!! And I have almost enough Halloween pencils for Madison's entire grade LOL

It is very complicated to begin with, but it is super easy once you get going. And I have plenty of cold meds and dish soap. Tomorrow the goal is to increase my stock of shampoo/conditioner and toothbrushes!!

It may be too late to start this week, unless you spend Saturday at Walgreens. But you can start next week. Some deals like the lotion and the gillette are MONTH LONG!!!

If I can do it, anyone can do it. And its WORTH IT.

Thanks to Loryne, Jenna, Fancy and the rest of SHFB for teaching me how to do this!!

It is REAL

It's hard to believe that the day has come....that all this waiting and worrying is real. But it is. I am officially a homeowner. Do you know how strange that feels??

We did a walkthrough without all of the previous owners stuff in there. And without a doubt it needs some TLC. And I will be learning in a big way how to do things I never thought I'd attempt. Like repairing floors, fixing a board on the deck, replacing a toilet.

But its MINE!! Which means at no time can anyone take it. Or tell me I have to move from it. I am there until the day I choose to leave it. So all the repairs, will be to upgrade MY HOME.

It has tons of potential. Now I just have to find the time/money to do it all.

So mark October 1, 2009 as a magical day in history. The day when I was handed the keys to my very own, paid for, I own it home.

Who needs drugs....

When you can get high off of shopping??? LOL. Seriously!

I took advantage of the target glade candle tins for 16 cents a piece.

Then I decided to try my hand at the walgreens register rewards deals. All I can say is W.O.W.
I'm addicted.

I've actually done really well. But for the rest of the week I must step back a bit and not do quite so much.

But so far

Todays walgreens-- $137.75 worth of stuff...cost $10.82....total so far between walgreens and target-- $187.26 worth of stuff...cost $24.40

And on top of that....I wont have to buy dish soap for a long while. And if we get sick....we are set on medicine. Which is GOOD for me. I stay sick in the winter.

Tomorrow I will just hit one walgreens. They seem to be the only ones restocking. Plus I have to take it easier the next few days. Money is TIGHT. So I will the Register Rewards to get more toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, dish soap and probably cold meds. I'm out of razor coupons :(

At the end of the week I will post my grand total of items, out of pocket expenses and a pic of all my loot.

Now to learn how to do this aat the grocery store.

Say What???

We've always had what amounted to a phrase of the moment or word of the moment. With Madison, it is to be expected. She picks up a phrase and that is ALL she says.

We've been through:

Whatever!!
Oh No You Didn't!
Oh Snap!
That's right, I went there!
I know, right?
(insert name) say what?
Sweet Niblets

and the list goes on. And yes I realize the child watches too much Disney.

I never know what might pop out of her mouth and become the new thing to say. So I just go with the flow, giggle a lot and wait until it changes again.

But one day that all changed. It was a day not too long ago. One of the very few days of summer we actually had this year. We were enjoying a nice afternoon at the beach. Playing in the water. When out of the blue popped the question i'd been avoiding.....

Mom what is sex?

So as I stand there waist deep in Lake Michigan contemplating what I was going to say....and deciding if I wanted to postpone it for another time or answer....she got impatient.

Mom you promised you would tell me.

SNAP. That's right, she went there.

So I decide honesty is the best policy.

Sex is when a man inserts his penis into a woman's vagina.

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW gross.

(whew!)

So we carry on with our day after a brief conversation on how she may just adopt babies, which I fully supported LOL.

But that was not the end, my friends.

It seems that Madison has adopted a new word.

Penis.

I swear she can work penis or sex into ANY conversation. Mostly penis though. Sex still grosses her out.

We are talking about a game for her birthday party.

Oh that reminds me of people using their penis.

We are talking about pulling her pants up

You know what else would be bad? A boy showing me his penis

I mean I don't want the child to believe it's a bad word. But do we really have to talk about it two or three times a day?? At what point does it become too much?? And what happens when we are at walmart and I say Do you want to get bananas? and my cell phone wielding 11 year old drama queen announces to the whole store that bananas look a lot like a penis.

Sadly we've talked so much about penises that tonight she asked me to clarify what a vagina was. Hello. It's the part you actually have. Focus on that for a while.

Come on Hannah Montana, come out with a new saying! We need a new phrase around here.

On a side, silly and pathetic note....I have recently adopted "check it out". Anyone who has seen Sonny With A Chance will get that reference.

Well I am off. Hopefully I won't soon be doing installments of "Conversations from the produce aisle"

It's been a while....

Well if you are a reader, thank you for your patience. It's been a long time since I've written. Not for lack of wanting to write. Simply because sometimes, life gets in the way. So here I am. And wow I have a lot to update you on.

To pick up where I left off, I did make my trip to see my friend. I finally got the privilege of meeting April. We had a nice day out and about in Madison including the mall, State Street, a tour of McFarland and of course Cherry Limeades from Sonic. I had a blast and it was GREAT to finally meet her. She is as wonderful in person as she is online!!

Then to move forward a bit, I started my gig at the Mission. I absolutely love working there. The people I work with are great. And the job is rewarding. For a temporary time, I am the person who gives out stuff to people in need like furniture, diapers, etc. I'm loving that, but it's only while Ms. Phyllis is out on leave.

ChaCha-- Well ChaCha is going to kill me. Nuff said.

A sad update. In June, my wonderful dear grandmother passed away. It was an extremely sad time for all of us. I am still having a hard time with it. I miss her soooo much. Needless to say as much as I loved seeing my family, my summer trip to NC was not under good circumstances.

Summer sucked in Michigan. Most days it was too cold to do anything fun.

Madison is back at school and responsibility is the motto of the year.

Speaking of Madison, she is now 11. Her birthday has come and gone....and For her birthday I got a $50 a month bill!! And in exchange, my little girl is now carrying a cell phone.

And the positive.....we are moving. I am getting my very own I own it home. I am soooo excited yet stressed beyond belief. But stay tuned for all my cool decorating projects as I make this place a real live home.

If I disappear, packing the basement swallowed me!!

Now a couple of notes.

Since January, it has been a struggle. Financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I have hit my lowest, pulled up a bit, fell back down and repeat. So many people have been there for me. In many different ways.

To my special family....you have helped me with bills, listen to me complain and just been there. I can't possibly list all you have done. But I wanted to say thank you!!

To SHFB-- for being my sounding board-- Thank you soooo much. For all the prayers-- Thank you even more. And for the laughs-- thank you the most. Trust me that more than a keyboard is between us!!

To my dear special friend...you know who you are. You have given so much of yourself. You have helped me with things as trivial as advice and as serious as affording to get to NC for the funeral. I know you have been struggling the past little bit. And I am praying for you. But please know how very special you are and what a tremendous blessing you have been in my life. Even if I argue with you.....I appreciate every single thing you have done!

To the two ladies who helped out with back to school-- one sent a straightening iron for Madison and one sent a huge box of back to school supplies. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To my friend who probably won't read this because she don't do the online thing much. Thanks for it all. Hanging out, talking, texting, cigs, nails...all of it. I enjoy it more than you know. And someday we will go free bowling followed by smores and rum and pepsi!! LOL

And finally to my everyday chat with me friends --- okay that means you Lynn-- thanks for being my friend for like ever.....and not getting sick of my griping about my life and laughing with me over ChaCha questions.... and just being the bestest of best friends.....The cabana boys are waiting!!

It's been a struggle....but my motto now is If I survive September I will be good. It's almost over, so I am almost there!!!

Love you all!!

I didn't die LOL

I've just been super busy lately. Doing what? Well....taking care of life. Isn't that what we all are always doing?

My mom left for NC a while ago. She is there indefinitely. And we've been making some changes around here. We had become quite dependent on my mom to do some things around here. The dishes. The laundry. Picking up the living room.

So I've been on a mission to get the house in order. And let me tell ya....its been a LOT of work. We are STILL working on it. But its become habit now to clean and keep the laundry up. We're almost done with the upstairs and then we tackle the unknown...the scary....the basement. Goal is to have it all done and rooms moved by May.

On top of that....I have a new gig. I am a ChaCha guide. What is that? Well you can text any question you might have to 242242...ChaCha.....and it will get answered. Don't believe me? Try it. I have. Anyways I am the person who looks up the answer and sends it to you. One of the people. The many many people. So I've been working hard to earn some money on that.

Ebay is...well...on hold at the moment. Long story and I don't care to share. But I am working towards getting that resolved ASAP.

And the state. The lovely state. I say with sarcasm. They have decided that job hunting wasn't enough for me. I already had to turn in 40 applications a week. Which I did. But if you live in Michigan you know that jobs are VERY hard to come by. And I am having no luck. So the state decides that I need actual work experience. This can come in the form of a) working for free at a place like Goodwill or b) volunteering at some place. Now thats cool. I will not work at Goodwill and if you ever want to know why feel free to ask. But I don't mind volunteering. So I ask the lady how many hours I need....2...3....maybe 4 a week. Nope 14. FOURTEEN hours a week I have to go volunteer.

Yep I am superwoman LOL. I really don't mind it though. I am going to be working with the Rescue Mission. And I believe God is doing this to lead me down the path I've known for a while I was headed towards. I was letting life get in the way and God stopped that.

But here's the sad part. On top of this....I have to try and get registered in school for a minimum of 8 hours a week.

Soooooo in a nutshell....I need to attend 8 hours a week of classes, 14 hours of community service, 40+ hours with ChaCha, however many hours Ebay takes, clean my house, help run a girl scout troop, raise a daughter and still find time for game night, movie night and our sunday day of doing something active.

I can soooo do this. NOT.

Or the alternative is to get to the point where I can purchase medical insurance and don't need it from the state. Which is my goal for the year. Get self reliant. But right now I can't do without the medical. So I must jump through hoops.

I have a meeting tomorrow to plan what I'll be doing as a volunteer. And when. Then I have to go take a 3 hours reading, writing, math test to prove i'm smart enough to work.

Sometimes I hate Michigan.

But I wouldn't leave.

Irony.

Anyways back to life.....

I didn't get a chance to post that Caleb and Christopher are home. They are both doing awesome!!

And I haven't shared photos in a while. I promise to find time to blog here in the near future. I just wanted to let you know I am alive and kicking. And screaming and crying LOL

Oh and a juicy tidbit to make you curious.....

I am planning....God willing.....and short adventure to meet and see a very very special friend of mine. And so far everything is working out. So keep your fingers crossed for me. I will update as soon as I know it won't jinx it. And I'll of course have photos!

For now, its time to shower and go to bed. Gotta start my busy day early tomorrow.

Toodles for now

It's been a while

since I've blogged. To be honest its been a while since I've really accomplished anything. You see, my grandma was taken to the hospital Monday. It turns out she has congestive heart failure.

She is now in a different place for a couple of weeks. But the prognosis isn't great.

My mom will be leaving here next week to go be with her and to help my aunt.

I am here, just hoping I get a chance to spend more time with her.

I'd blog more about it, but honestly its just too hard to talk about. But if you read this...Keep us all in your prayers. My mom and aunt, my grandma, my cousins-brother and me. And of course the little ones.

Here's a picture of her I took while we were there over Christmas...It's a really good shot of her.

The first father/daughter dance

Every year Madison goes to the Girl Scout Father/Daughter dance. Well this year WMAAA had their own father/daughter dance on Valentine's Day. So Madison was excited to go. It didn't turn out as well as she had hoped :( But I heard the dance was really nice and the music was great. Anyways here she is all ready to go. And a pic of dad/daughter. Brian could smile once in a while LOL

I'm suffering creators block LOL

I've been working on the design for a friends blog. And I get it done and it doesn't look right. So I've been stumped. So what do I do when I get a brain freeze? I join in some challenges from the groups I am in.

Well this challenge I took part in, the rules were to create a page layout that showcased your valentine. Any way you want.

I think I did pretty good. And now I am ready to get working on designs again :)

Here's what I created: (betcha can't guess my valentine?? LOL)

I made this....

On OneTrueMedia. I love it. I can add pictures, songs,....whatever. And it makes a little film. LOVE IT.

Anyways heres the one I made. Shows how crazy it is around here :)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Conversations from the car....

Yep it's time for your next installment of conversations from the car...


(man in car on side road pulls almost into the road in front of us)

Nana: STOP the car FOOL!
Madison: Nana, it's impolite to call people a fool
Nana: Sorry
Madison: Well, at least you didn't call him a jackass or something

I'm a winner!!

So you know I was obsessively entering all the blog giveaways last week.

Well I won. Two things actually.

First I won some chocolate. Now who can beat that??? I mean seriously.....chocolate has got to be the world's perfect gift. And it wasn't even what I was entering for! LOL. I got chocolate for making the blog owner laugh :) How cool is that?? And the funny part.....she lives right near me. She could have just driven the chocolate to my house LOL. It arrived today and could NOT have been better timing. I was in need of a chocolate fix and viola...it came in the mail!

Here is the link to the giveaway that I won chocolate from!


And second...I won this totally awesome pair of shoes for Madison!! I am so excited. I can't wait to give them to her and see her face. And all I did was tell just how awesome Madison is! That was easy.

Here are the shoes I won:

Now go check out their awesome blogs! And be sure to show em some love.

Update!

I updated my blog links (to the right-->>)

I added a BUNCH of new links. Some are blogs I ran across during the blog carnival. Others are scrapbooking blogs. Some are Paint Shop Tutorial Blogs.

I now need to organize them by category.

Mom survey

This is all about your first born.

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?

not exactly lol

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?

engaged but not married...was suppose to be married 9/12/98

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?

O-M-G I am pregnant

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?

no way

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?

22

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?

I took a test....it was positive....then Brian made me take another more expensive one...it was positive and we started driving and on the way I took a third and it was positive lol

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?

aside from Brian, my aunt

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
absolutely...im too poor for surprises

9. DUE DATE?

9/15/98

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?

very little.

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?

taco bell and long john silvers lol

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?

the heat KILLED me. It was the hottest year I can remember in SC

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?

she's ALL girl

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?

no way

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?

i'll keep that a secret

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?

yep sure did

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?

I knew about it

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?

at the end I did

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?

Greenville Memorial

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?

omg...they induced me at 6am and it started right away....she was born at 7:03

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?

Brian

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Brian

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?

c-section

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?

heck yes! lol

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
7lbs 4 oz

28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ?

9/12/98 (see question 2 for the irony of that)

30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?

Madison Ashleigh

31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
10 going on 23 LOL

Time for a Recipe...

So today I was cooking.

Yes that is right. I was cooking. I know I know....it's hard to believe. But every now and then I venture to the kitchen for more than a diet pepsi.

So today is my mom's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA. And since we are homebound because of the car, I decided to make my homemade manicotti bake. It's not the average manicotti. But it is VERY popular here in our house.

So I thought well why not share. Maybe some of you will get as much enjoyment from it as my family does. It's actually pretty easy to make. So here is the recipe for Jenni's Famous Manicotti Bake.

Well maybe not famous...but I am all about embellishment.

Ingredients:
1 Box of Manicotti Noodles
1 Small can of spinach (you can use fresh but I am cheap)
2 8 oz bags of cheese- now you don't HAVE to use this much. But we LIKE ours extra cheesy. And I typically use the 6 cheese italian blend. It has parmesan in it and saves an added expense.
1 15 oz container of Ricotta cheese
1 Egg
Your Choice of Spaghetti Sauce

Now on to the instructions:

Put noodles into a pot of water to cook. *TIP* Use a little oil to prevent sticking *ADDITIONAL TIP* if you use oil do not spill the boiling water on your foot or it WILL cause 3rd degree burns

While noodles are boiling, mix 1 bag of cheese, ricotta cheese, egg and spinach in a bowl. mix well.

Open spaghetti sauce.

Once noodles are cooked, cool them. Now I am impatient. So I replace the hot water in the pot with ice cold water so I can move along.

Take each noodle and stuff it with cheese mixture. Now this can be difficult. And the noodles make break. Thats OKAY. You can just fill it and stick it back together. It doesn't matter because this isn't traditional manicotti.

Once noodles are stuffed place them in a baking pan. You want one with some depth because you will topping the noodles.

You will probably have some cheese mixture left over. Now you can trash it, save it or use it. I usually use it. I top the noodles first with the mixture that is left. Then I pour spaghetti sauce over the top LIGHTLY. You don't want it too saucy. After that top with remaining bag of cheese. Again you don't have to have that much cheese. This is FAR from a healthy recipe. But oh so good.

Once you have topped the noodles, stick in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes or less depending on your oven. Be sure to watch it.

And another tip: Don't forget you are cooking and burn the top layer LOL

Let cool. Eat and enjoy!

Organization...

So it is my mission in life to organize. My life. My schedule. My finances. And most importantly my home. That is my current BIG goal.

So when I saw that Confessions of a Yummy Mummy was giving away a bunch of organizational stuff....I JUMPED. But I also wanted to share it here. There is not only a planner, some post it's and cute cute cute storage boxes. But she is also including a Target gift card AND a Container Store gift card.

You can't beat it!! I am soooo hoping to win this one! It would be the perfect start to my new organization plan!

And the bad news...

They took my taxes.

As in the WHOLE check.

Stupid student loans.

Here I think my answer is coming and now I am at ROCK BOTTOM. I do not know how we will take care of the things hanging over our head. Top of the list is of course the brakes. Since we can't drive anywhere and can't get Madison to school. UGH.

But strangely enough, I feel an inner peace. I KNOW there is a purpose to this. That God is working through me right now. He is leading me where I need to be.

Now if He would just give me a clue.

The good news...

Madison made the talent show. Well sort of. She had to change the song she was singing. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. But two girls chose the same song. And Madison messed up some words. So she was the one to change.

But she will be singing in it.

Provided I can get her there :(

The good news and the bad news..

Please tell me its not just me. That this happens to others too. You see I have never just been able to say "I've got good news". It seems bad news is synonymous with the good news. So the phrase most often used around here is "I've got good news and I've got bad news"

Is it just me? Do others simply have good things happen without the bad?

Stay tuned for my good news/bad news posts.

You can make this....

Have you ever visited their site?? I had the privilege of "meeting" one of the founders through HCTS. She is VERY talented in what she does. I often browse through their site and dream about what I plan to attempt to make. So many cute things to choose from.

So when I realized that Blogging Momma was doing a giveaway with a $50 bundle from You Can Make This, I just had to sign up. And since I "know" the people and the quality of what they teach, I had to recommend it here.

So head on over to Blogging Momma's site and sign up for your chance to win!!

There is a curse on me...

or else God has a sense of humor.

I have been waiting on taxes. Expecting them the 30th. Good news right? Can pay some much needed bills? Get back on track?

So today the brakes went out.

I dont mean they acted up a tad.

We are talking smoke billowing out from the tires, can't stop, serious going out.

So tomorrow I will find out how much of the tax money will go to brakes.

Then I get to decide who we put off.

I say food. Who really decided we needed that stuff anyways?? LOL

But my positive chatter for the day: Madison auditioned today. She said she did well. We find out Friday if she made it.

Wish us luck.

So I've come to a conclusion...

Either I am very versatile....as in I like a variety of different things

Or

I am obsessed with winning free sh!t.

I'd be willing to bet its the latter.

I've signed up for so many giveaways today. And I'm not even halfway thru the list. I am passing on things I know I wont use. But who can pass up gift cards? or books? or purses? or chocolate?

OMG

This is better than sex.

Seriously.

Well...a close second.

Now you can't beat this!

This crazy mama doesn't have the time to post about every single blog giveaway I find. And I've found some good ones through that bloggy carnival link I shared. But this one HAD to be mentioned.

It's for $100 Visa Gift Card.

Mama sees a new purse in her future!

Check out Unexpected Bliss for your chance to win!

Wow

I have 80 Posts on here.

That amazes me.

Although like 20 of them are from the last two days LOL

I'll have to think of something special for my 100th.

Any ideas?

One more for tonight

Would you like a NEW Kodak camera??

This is an awesome giveaway from 5 minutes for mom. Head over there and enter to win!

Tomorrow in a today kind of way

Is the big day.

It's the talent show auditions for Madison.

She is singing See You Again by Miley Cyrus.

She says if she doesn't make it she will either throw away her cd or never sing again.

A bit extreme I think LOL

Cross your appendages for her. We should find out I think next week.

Taking a break from the free stuff...

I'll probably have more of that for you tomorrow.

But if you want to see what all is out there (because I probably will only show some of it or else i'd be blogging all day) go HERE. Apparently there is a giveaway carnival going on. Maybe I can participate next time :)

Amazon here I come...

I hope.

Want to win a $100 amazon gift card?

Tough its mine.

Just kidding.

Scoot over to Miss Musing and enter for your chance to win!

I can't possibly leave this one out....

I LOVE this shop. It is Babycakes Art. An etsy shop with beautiful personalized items. And she is giving away a $50 gift certificate on her blog. How awesome is that??? HERE is the link for her blog!

Now I know how much my britches love etsy. You guys HAVE to check this store out. LOVE it.

Now off to figure out what I'd buy if I won...

Yep you guessed it...another giveaway...

This is a BEAUTIFUL hand made dragonfly bracelet. What a lucky winner that will be. Visit The Classic Housewife for your chance to win.

Who doesn't love Air Hockey???

This almost beats the chocolate giveaway. I love me some air hockey!!

Here's your chance to win a Face Off Frenzy air hockey game. Chic Shopper Chick is giving you a chance to win! Go HERE to enter. Good luck but I am hoping I win! LOL

We may as well call this freebie Tuesday....

I am finding some AWESOME giveaways.

So far THIS one is my favorite.

Why?

Well its CHOCOLATE

Nuff said!

More free stuff??

Like I said....I am all about F-R-E-E.

And who wouldn't want these?? They are awesome cupcake soaps from Serah's. And Mudpies and Mary Janes is giving you a chance to win one!! Go get your entry in! And check out Serah's site. There are some adorable soaps there.

Ahhh if only I had money!

Ok now this is just CUTE

I would never have been creative enough to think of this. But someone else was. You know those annoying drink pouches that your 10 year old leaves all around the house?? Capri Sun, Kool-Aid, store brand? Ok maybe your child doesn't leave them everywhere from the bathroom to the basement. But MINE does.

But anyways....back to the topic. Someone uses them to design bags. There are tote bags, wallets, shoulder bags. The are called Juicy Bags and they are super cute.

But that's not all.

Another blogger is giving you a chance to win one. And that means FREE. I am ALL about the free. So I thought I'd share the link so that you had a chance to win your own Juicy Bag also. And no, I didn't JUST post so that I could get another entry LOL. Although I admit I'd like to win. I never win anything. Anyways to enter go here.

Musings from the bathroom....

I was actually in the bathroom for a reason. And NOT that one :)

I went to take a picture of my medicine cabinet. Yep...medicine cabinets and bratz in the tub...im on a roll today....maybe that padded room isn't so far in the future. For my new readers...I consider the padded room to be my long overdue vacation....so I am patiently waiting.

Ok back to the medicine cabinet....this morning I had a mad blog reading fest...translation...I went through and read all my favorite blogs.....and while going through my blogs I went to Three Boys One Mommy and I found this post. Now, not being one to back down from a challenge....I decided to pursue it. But first I had a few moments of contemplation.

First I thought long and hard. Do I snoop in other people's medicine cabinets? It's been a while since I was at anyone's house not related to me....but I think I can remember that far back....and no I honestly don't. Not because I am not nosey. I am super nosey. But basically I have bathroom-o-phobia. Or whatever they call it when you are worried people will hear you in the bathroom. Like people are all sitting around going "shhhhhhhhh lets see what Jenni is up to". But still...its a phobia of mine. So for starters I avoid bathrooms at other people's houses. Which works. But when ya gotta go....ya gotta go. So I hurry. And I make sure I am super silent. Except for washing my hands. And for some reason I REALLY want people to know I wash my hands LOL. So no...I don't snoop. But now I may start just because of this post.

So that led me to my next thought.....have patience...I am getting to the challenge....but first I am showing you the workings of my crazy mind. So anyways my next thought was when was the last time I looked in MY medicine cabinet. And honestly folks, I don't remember. I don't use it. It's like storage for the small and mundane things. I have a nifty shelf that runs along the wall where I keep all of my essentials. So I truthfully didn't know what was in there.

Which brought me to think about strange things I've seen in bathrooms. And to be honest...it was at my moms. Early in my marriage...M was a baby....we were between places...story of my life.....and we were staying at my moms. So was my brother in law and his best friend. Strange I know. We are like flypapers for the homeless lol. Anyways....I went to the bathroom and for some reason I was in the diaper pail....maybe I was emptying it. And what was there? Under the dirty diapers?? Someone's 'adult' magazine. Now to this day I don't know whose it was. There were three men in the house. I use the term men loosely LOL. But whoever it was HAD to have been pretty darn determined to keep that sucker away from others to hide it in the diaper pail under stinky diapers.

But thats another topic for another day. Back to the medicine cabinet....what would be in there?? That's a loaded question around here. I found a pencil in the bathroom this morning. Courtesy of Madison. I know this because it was a HSM pencil.

But at least it wasn't going to be as bad as my last house. See M was younger then. And I had some....uh....novelties. And since she couldn't reach the medicine cabinet...I hid them there. Now that would have been creepy for the person visiting who did snoop through other people's medicine cabinets. Imagine their surprise! But I honestly forgot I had put them there. And when I moved, my mom packed the bathroom.

To say she wasn't thrilled is an understatement.

But that's another story for another day.

Back to the medicine cabinet. My next thought was....do I go clean and then snap a pic? or do I snap a pic and enjoy the humor?

Well....I'm a slacker.

So I snapped a pic and said screw it. LOL. So here's my pic of my medicine cabinet....

So part of the challenge was to talk about what is in there....so here goes...

bottom shelf: two half tubes of toothpaste and a toothbrush from when we first moved in-- 2 1/2 years ago. Yep that ought to be good to go! And the container on the left is the first aid kit Madison made in Girl Scouts. Now THAT we have used!!

Middle shelf: Ear disinfectant stuff from claire's from when we pierced Madison's ears-- 2 1/2 years ago LOL. 2 things of cold medicine. Some peroxide and Love's Baby Soft Spray. Yes I wear baby soft. I have allergies to most scents and that one I can stand!

Top shelf: A broke electric battery operated thingy toothbrush. Missing the most important part-- the bristles LOL. And various tubes of different types of ointments.

So our medicine cabinet is storage for dead toothbrushes and storage for....medicine! I'm shocked. I expected to find all sorts of goodies.

Now at least I know that if we move my mom can pack the bathroom :)

It's a good thing no one uses my bathroom...

I had such high hopes with Madison's 'fads'. When she got into Bratz big time....I was selling Bratz big time on Ebay. So when I purchased her tons and tons of bratz, bratz clothes and bratz feet....I thought hey....its a wise investment....I'll get it back when she's over them and I can sell them in one HUGE lot on Ebay. Especially with clothes and feet. Those go pretty well.

Fast forward a few years. Bratz don't sell as well. But that's okay. Because I am not sure these would sell well

The clothes? I have no idea. The feet? Unless I step on one in the middle of the night on my way to pee....I don't see them. This is what is left of her Bratz (and I think there are some Barbie's mixed in) collection. Well part of it. Obviously the tub is too small for all of them. This is how I found the poor things this morning.





There are more in there but I didn't want to seem like a Bratzophile. This is what hundreds of dollars gives you-- glorified naked bath toys! I swear they all had clothes at one point. Oh I have proof.....she just got a new Barbie for Christmas....and I took a pic to prove they came to the house clothed....

and here she is today:


And what does that have to do with anyone using my bathroom? Simple. I am a slacker. Those poor dolls are from last night. And they are still in my tub. And I took pictures and then what?? I left them there.

Yup....I'm a slacker.

Electronics wise...I am having a bad day...

EDIT: YAY my graphics are back up!! Now if my camera would work I'd be a happy camper!!

First off if you are reading this, chances are you see black background and then my funky banner up top. You don't see the crazy cool background or the little link buttons.

Why you ask? Well see I host my graphics on my webspace. Now I LOVE this webhost. Seriously. I pay them every 3 months so I can host my graphics there. And don't get me wrong. They are quick to fix things. I'm sure the problem will be resolved by the end of the day.

But right now, the site is down.

Which means I have no graphics.

Now for my blog this sucks. Because I worked so hard to decorate it. BUT...its something I can live with.

However, my blog graphics aren't the only thing I host there. I also host my ebay graphics and photos. So now my listings are blank. Just words. No cute template. No snazzy pictures.

UGH.

Soooo not something I can live with!

So then I go to take a picture of my medicine cabinet. Why? Well you will find out in an upcoming post.

But here's the issue. I plug my camera in to the USB cord and NADA. Nothing. Can't upload pics.

WTH

Now why do things always happen in multiples??

I can NOT be without a camera. And I do NOT want to spend part of my tax refund that is needed for bills on a new one. So everyone hope with me that its some minor thing that will fix itself.

Camera works perfect.

Maybe its the USB cord??

But...so this doesn't turn into just a rant

I had some very very special angels do some very nice things for me over the past few days. I can't begin to express how I feel right now. Maybe in the near future I can share more. But right now I still feel kinda private about some things. But they know who they are and what they've done.

No matter what else goes wrong today I will have a happy heart thanks to my britches. I love you guys!!

Well we know I am addicted to survey-ish type things...

Especially if you are on my MySpace. LOL

So a blog I follow had this posted for Friday. Four Things Friday or something like that. Anyways thats over at Postcards From Insanity.

Well I didn't see it Friday because I was swamped in listing my clients stuff.

So I decided to do it for Monday.

Hey at least I am doing it right?? (Like you care LOL)

4 jobs I've had:

1- McDonalds
2- Telemarketer ...yep I was that annoying chic that called during dinner
3- Customer Service
4- Waitress

4 movies I watch over and over:

1- Dirty Dancing
2- Grease
3- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
4- anything High School Musical or Cheetah Girls (not by choice LOL)

4 places I have been:

1- North Carolina
2- Chicago
3- Myrtle Beach
4- Atlanta

4 Shows I never miss:

1- Greys Anatomy
2- Army Wives
3- American Idol
4- The soaps on ABC


4 favorite things to eat:

1- Tacos
2- Cheese and Crackers
3- Anything chocolate
4- various forms of ice cream

Yep Im a health freak LOL

4 things I look forward to this year:

1- Getting on my feet
2- organizing my house
3- seeing my friends/family again
4- losing weight

So what's the deal....

with the name change??

Well for those who don't know....this blog was previously titled Me, Myself and I- A crazy combination. But when I went to redecorate....I realized that well....I never talk about me....so why should the title be about me?

But I didn't want to title it about Madison because I do talk about other things. Plus she has her own blog.

So what could I title it??

Then a song came on the radio. It's an old song. But one I always liked. And yes its country...deal with it :)

The song is called Mi Vida Loca by Pam Tillis. Now for those who have never heard it, by now you are hearing it via my blog LOL. It's really a pointless song. But I identify with it. And the title seemed PERFECT for my blog. I mean who has a crazier life than me? Seriously!

So thats what I chose

Now my question is...Do I leave the music?? Or do I take it down?? I'm letting you decide. Tell me in comments whether to keep or toss the playlist. I know I sometimes get annoyed when I go to a site and music comes on. But then sometimes I enjoy it.

So since I don't often read my own blog. I'm letting the readers have the say. If you don't vote...don't complain :)

And with that I will leave you with the lyrics. Sooo me


If you're coming with me you need nerves of steel
Cause I take corners on two wheels
It's a never-ending circus ride
The faint of heart need not apply

Mi Vida Loca over and over
Destiny turns on a dime
I go where the wind blows
You can't tame a wild rose
Welcome to my crazy life

Sweetheart before this night is through
I could fall in love with you
Come dancing on the edge with me
Let my passion set you free

Mi Vida Loca over and over
Destiny turns on a dime
I go where the wind blows
You can't tame a wild rose
Welcome to my crazy life

Here in the firelight I see your tattoo
Mi vido loco, so you're crazy too

Mi Vida Loca over and over
Destiny turns on a dime
I go where the wind blows
You can't tame a wild rose
Welcome to my crazy life

We'll go where the wind blows
And I'll be your wild rose
Welcome to my crazy life

Woohooo The website is up!!

Madison's school has been redoing their website for. like. ever! LOL. I missed being able to check the website for school closings and such.

Anyways they got their new site up. It's AWESOME! Not sure who did it, but they did an amazing job.

Check it out: http://westmichiganacademy.org/

See if you recognize anyone among the web gallery...

http://www.westmichiganacademy.org/advantage/studentlife/januarywebgallery/

It's official!

When I got so sick a couple weeks ago....I slept a LOT. Well..fast forward to now and I can NOT sleep at night. I try to stay up straight through but of course I crash.

My sleeping schedule is soooo screwed up.

So what can I do?? I've tried drugging myself at night. It didn't work. I've tried staying up all day so I am tired at night. I can never make it.

Now what?? Any suggestions??

Sometimes I think....

I want a lil baby again. They are so cute. And so tiny. And I'd get to start all over.

Then Madison has a meltdown and I change my mind :)

But I swear this picture of Lil Christopher and Caleb just brings all those yearnings out. Aren't they the C-U-T-E-S-T lil boys???

I can't wait to hold them!!

The Man Rules

Women think men are so hard to understand. But really they are simple. And to prove that, someone wrote these man rules. I got them from Mrs Cook from WMAAA. And they were so funny I shared them with the Britches. Then I thought...well doy...I can post them.

Now I haven't run them by any men...Sebastian doesn't talk and no one else qualifies around here (unless you count Brian HA HA)....but I'd be willing to bet that most men would agree. So here they are. Ladies...men are SIMPLE. Once you realize that, you will be MUCH happier!

"The Man Rules"
At last, a guy has taken the time to write this all down
Please note.. these are all numbered "1 " ON PURPOSE!


1.Men are NOT mind readers.



1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it
down.

We need it up, you need it down.

You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.



1. Sunday sports It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides.

Let it be.



1. Crying is blackmail.



1. Ask for what you want.

Let us be clear on this one:

Subtle hints do not work!

Strong hints do not work!

Obvious hints do not work!

Just say it!



1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.



1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's
what we do.

Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.



1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.

In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.



1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.

Don't ask us.



1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways
makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one



1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it
done.

Not both.

If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.



1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during
commercials..



1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.



1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.

Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We
have no idea what mauve is.



1. If it itches, it will be scratched.

We do that.



1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like
nothing's
wrong.

We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.



1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer
you don't want to hear.



1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is
fine...Really



1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to
discuss such topics as football or cheryl cole



1. You have enough clothes.



1. You have too many shoes.



1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!
__________________

Blogs I follow and recommend...

I am borrowing an idea from a friend....and instead of adding all these to my sidebar...because well...there are a lot of them....I am creating a post with all of the blogs I read and recommend and putting a button on the side --->>

Now you can check it out. I will *try* to keep it updated...but no guarantees. I tend to get slack LOL.

Many of these are my friends....and I love reading about their lives. But some are just blogs I've run across either through friends or through my own searching. A few are not suitable for young viewers due to content/language. Those are marked with **. So don't blame me if you don't pay attention :)

911 What is your emergency
A Boy A Girl and a Pug
A Devonshire Design
A Journey with Christian and Faith
All Because Two People Fell in Love
Angie's Scraps
Annie's Designs
Ashley's Closet
A Simple Walk
At Home With Books
A Working Blogging Mommy
Babe's Tutorials
Bakerella
Bargains and Blessings
Be As You Are
Because I Said So
Bel Vidotti Scraps
Bits and Bobs
Bittersweet Designs
Blissfully Beth
Blogging Momma
Boobs, Injuries and Dr Pepper**
Boomie's Scraps and Dreams
Cake Wrecks
Candy's Treats Scraps
Cha Designz
Chaotic House Designz
Chica's Tutorials
Christine Romano Photography
Confessions of a Scattered Mind
Confessions of a Yummy Mummy
Cooking During Stolen Moments
Craftastrophe
DesignHER Momma
Designs by IrishLass
Diapers and Stilettos
Diary of a Mad Mad Housewife
Digi Diva
Digital Wizardry Photography
Does This Blog Make Me Look Fat
Dooce
Extremely Real Extremely Blessed
Flash Graphics Creations
Frugal Mommies Unite
Goody Two Shoes Photography
Greetings From The Lee's
Grunge and Glitter Scraps
Happy Meals and Happy Hour
Heather
Honey I Shrank Myself
House of Eastman
Hutch's Babys Faith in Christ Scraps
I Don't Wanna Blog
Irresistible Scraps
Issa
It's All About me
It's All About the Journey
JBS2Designs
Jr Babe's Mess
Julie Loves Photography
Kay's Tutorials
KC's Scrappin Sanctuary
Keeper of the Cheerios
Kristen Brooks Photography
Kristin Rachelle Photography
Le Blog de Calimero
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit
Life With my Boys
Life with Three
Linda's Dream Designs
Lisa's Creative Clutter....Too
Literal Dan
Lyn Designz Tutorials
Mad Brat
Margie's Digital Shop
Measure in Love
Mental Poo**
Michelle's Family Journal
Miss Musing
Momarazzi Life
Mommy Momo
Mom of 2 Dancers Reviews
Monica's Sweet Addiction
Moonbeam's Kits and Kaboodles
Mudpies and Mary Janes
Multi-Slacking Mamalicious
Musings of a Future Pastors Wife
My Charming Kids
My Life As I Know It
My Life in a Nutshell
My Looneyverse
My Therapy
Nielsons*Love*Family
Not Just Any Blog
Our Crazy Family
Parish Party of 5
Party of 6
Passive Aggressive Notes
Pinkebody
Plus Size Mommy
Postcards From Insanity**
Post Secret
PSP Addict and Digital Scraps
Rachel'z Expressionz
Rowan and Lucky Photography
Saving Money For A Wedding
Scraps by Joes Wife
Scraps With Attitude by Missy
Seachell's Scraps
Sex Diaries of a Mom
Simply Fit
Simply Stacie
Stayyseeee Productionzz
Stephanie's Mommy Brain
Stranger in a Stranger Land
Suburb Sanity
Sugarplum Paperie
Sweet Savings
Sweet Wrapz Scrap Art
Targetmommy Diaries
Tempus Fugit
The Beauty Counter
The Cullimore Girls
The Huntley Home
The Kankelfam
The Life and Times of a Domestic Goddess
The Life in a Day of the Cooks
The Miss Elaine-ous Life
The Story of 5
Three Boys One Mommy
Tree Root and Twig

TT's Creations
Twin Mom Scraps
We Are That Family
Wee Scots Lass Creations
Wench Designs
What About Mom
Wicked Scrapz
Wild Creationz
Witch's Cauldron Designs
Write From Karen

It's the Crazy Family...da da da da..snap snap...

That's my pathetic attempt at the written version of the Addam's Family theme song. Sad huh?
Well you've learned all you can about me.....or at least all you can without getting to know me personally.....so now you want to meet the rest? You really ARE crazy aren't you??

Now as I tell you all about the crazy family....you will begin to understand why I am One Crazy Mama! Ours is no typical household!

Let's start with Madison. She is my only child...though many days it feels like I have a houseful! She is 10 years old....in 4th grade....and a true DIVA at heart. She tends to be a bit of a drama queen. Hard to believe having me for a mom*!! Her favorite things to do are play board games, dress up in various "cool" outfits, listen to music, watch Disney and Nick, play with her friends, sing and dance. She vows she WILL be a superstar when she grows up. Her dream is to be the NEXT American Idol. Believe me...this girl WILL be on a stage somewhere. Though as much as she takes her clothes off and on....it might not be the kind of stage I am hoping for**. Madison attends an AWESOME school you will see me mention often. It is a charter school for the arts and academics here in Michigan. I can't say enough good things about them. I LOVE that school!! You will hear about Madison VERY often. Partly because she is the most important thing in the world to me. And partly because...well...with Madison around life is NEVER boring.

Now that we've covered the Princess. Let's cover the queen. No...not me. I wish I was that important. I am talking about Sophie. Sophie is our newest family member. She is a half terrier/half chihuahua puppy. She is almost a year old. She is tiny. And she is so ugly she is cute. LOL. Seriously. She loves to have her belly rubbed....get doggie treats (her favorite is bacon)....and bark at strangers. To Sophie anyone who doesn't live here (no matter how many times they've been over) is a stranger. I swore I'd never have a yip yip dog. And here she is. Madison's first puppy.

Now that sounds like enough in the house right? Wrong! On to the rest....

Nana....You will often hear mention of Nana. Nana is my mom. And another drama queen :) I often share conversations between Nana and Madison because...well....they are just plain funny. It's like two kids. But anyways...Nana lives here with us. Though I'd bet most days she wishes she didn't. She was the original crazy mama. But since she doesn't blog, I took the title.

Brian....I may refer to Brian from time to time...though not often by name....I may call him the ex...madison's dad....or any other term of endearment I might come up with (the idiot....stupid...you get the idea lol...kidding Brian). Brian is Madison's dad...aka my ex-husband. Remember how we weren't technically together but weren't technically divorced?? Yea it gets stranger. LOL. Though we haven't been together in 7 years (there I go feeling old again)....Brian currently resides here with us. It's a strange situation....but its convenient for us both at this time for many reasons and they don't include me needing someone to send to the store for ice cream at 2am LOL.

Bear....Bear is the oldest of our family. She is a mutt. She was brought home to my brother about 16-17 years ago....I lost count.....and since then has become my moms dog. She has moved around the country with Nana.....and now she resides here in Michigan with us. Poor Bear is about on her last leg. She can't move around good and needs assistance at getting up and down. You may see me moan and complain about Bear from time to time. Or you may see me feel bad for her. Depends on what mood strikes me. Bear's favorite things are people food, barking for attention and sleeping. Now there is the life!

And finally we have Sebastian. Ahhh Sebastian is our only male (well unless you count Brian). He is a cat. And honestly I am not sure how old he is. But he's the quiet one in the house. His favorite things are curling up on grocery bags, eating dog food and getting his cat treats when Sophie goes potty.

You will also see mention of the following (they are spread out from Chicago and Wisconsin to North Carolina and Virginia):

Uncle Moose: My brother
Aunt Sissy: My aunt
Pepaw: My grandma
Uncle Scott and Aunt Brandy: Technically my cousins but Madison calls them uncle/aunt
Caleb and Christopher: Scott and Brandy's newborn twin boys
Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Amber: Again my cousins but Uncle/Aunt to Madison
Sydney, Jayden and Isiah: Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Amber's kids
Grandma and Grandpa: Brian's parents
The Britches: Though they aren't technically family...this group of wonderful ladies is like a second family to me. You will see them mentioned a lot. Because they mean a LOT.

So there you have my family. See why my life is crazy?? Now you may ask...why don't I have the rest of the pictures up top on my header? Well because I consider my immediate family to be me, Madison and Sophie. Because if my mom moves, Sebastian and Bear go with her. And who knows how long the arrangement with Brian living here will last. So...thats why. Besides...there's not enough room for all of those pictures!

*Sarcasm often used in this blog
** Oh come on...it was FUNNY

Crazy Mama 101....

Ahhh the dreaded about me page. Where I must actually talk about....ME. I hate talking about me. But you are either here by mistake....or you came to learn about me. Either way...I guess I am stuck talking about me.

Though One Crazy Mama suits me most days....it isn't really my name. Imagine that? My name is actually Jenni....thats my story and I'm sticking to it!! I am 33 years old...which feels awfully young and then I look back on how long its been since this or that happened and realize...I'm getting old. I live in the North Pole....well not really....it's really Michigan....but 10 months* out of the year it FEELS like the North Pole.

Seriously, though...I love Michigan. We actually have four seasons. Summer (which is about 1 month), Winter, Rain and Snow. LOL. Nahhh I'm fibbing again (or am I?). Michigan has been home to us for about 6 years now. It's hard to imagine living anywhere else. Though I do miss my family and old friends a LOT.

I am technically not married....but I am also technically not divorced. Confuse ya yet?? We got separated about 7 years ago (told ya I am getting old).....but we've never gotten the official divorce. Guess its just never been a big priority in the grand scheme of all that costs money.

So what do I do?? Well I am a full time ebayer. I am a trading assistant (which means I sell other people's stuff for them) as well as selling my own items. It keeps me very busy because despite what you may think...its a LOT of work. But I absolutely LOVE it. What other job could I shop, buy things, then turn around and sell them and make money? It feeds that shopping addiction while not taking my income.

I am also a Girl Scout Leader. I co-lead a troop with my friend (and Madison's BFF's mom) Kris. We have a crazy group of 4th and 5th grade girls that keep us on our toes. So far they haven't tried to sneak out and see boys on our camping trips....but I just KNOW its coming soon.

And of course I am the crazy mama to Madison!

For my free time (isn't that an oxymoron to a mom??) I like to hang with the Britches.....read....design graphics....and sleep. Yes I am at the age where sleep is considered a hobby! My favorite books are the Twilight series (of course!!), legal thrillers and basically any drama type book. I don't do much tv but I MUST catch American Idol, Greys Anatomy and Army Wives. I also like to play board games...with trivial pursuit and scene it being my faves. Oh and I enjoy playing the wii with Madison.

During the warm month*....I like to go to the beach (don't even go there....it IS a beach...Lake Michigan looks like an ocean dangit)....go camping....ride bikes....shoot basketball with Madison (I can play a mean game of horse)....grill out...and make smores over the fire!

I LOVE to travel. I dream of visiting New York City. So far my favorite place to go by far is Chicago. I love seeing new places. I hope to someday travel abroad. And if I have my way, retirement will be spent in a motor home touring the U.S.

Did I mention I like to shop??

Oh and I have a secret new obsession. It's called Mobsters. It's an application on Myspace. It's a twisted hobby. But hey...I'm a twisted kinda gal.

I've never been known as a "religious" person. But I am very very much a Christian. I put that out there because the faith I have is so strong. I've witnessed the power of that faith in my own life as well as that of others. So from time to time...you may see mention of that.

And my family is just as crazy as me. Don't let them convince you otherwise!!

Oh and I swear I am only slightly medicated :)

Mi Vida Loca. My Crazy Life.

So grab a cup of coffee....or glass of wine....or hey go all out and grab the liquor....and sit back as you journey into the day to day mishaps that make up my crazy life!

*some facts may have been exaggerated to make the story more interesting

mixing things up a bit...

I am about to have a few posts that seem way out of order. But I have a method to my madness. So bear with me. I am still getting things all organized around here.

Oh yeah, I went there!

As you may or may not know....Madison has been very sick. Actually we all have. But the first few days of it consisted of vomiting and diarrhea. Not a fun combination. And all I can say about that is thank heavens for depends. But that is another story for another day.

This story consists of how Madison couldn't take her meds for several days.

This is never a pretty site. These are strong medications and not taking them is dangerous. Especially to third parties like myself. But when you can't even keep down water...what are you to do??

So fast forward a few days to when she is feeling well enough to yell and scream. In our house you know you are getting better when you feel well enough to yell or scream LOL.

So Madison is out of it. By it, I mean control. Angry, screaming, hitting, throwing things. You know...a typical bad day around here. (Don't you feel bad for thinking its a bad day when your kids don't nap or something?? LOL)

So she is in mid meltdown. Demanding I give her the computer. And she is quite the stubborn child. But not nearly as stubborn as her mama. So I am standing my ground. And she is fighting. Yelling. Trying to hit though not being very successful as I hold her arms. It's a very serious moment. One that would shock most american households and weaken most typical moms. But not me. Nope I will stand strong. I will stay firm.

And in the middle of said tantrum....I kid you not.....she says in an extremely serious tone

"I hate you. OH YEAH I Went There"

and she proceeds to snap her fingers. Remember that old 3 snaps in a z formation? What was that from, In Living Color? Anyways....she does this. The worst part is she does it sooooo seriously.

And I am stunned.

And here is my precious daughter yelling at me and demanding I give her what she wants.

And I am trying not to laugh.

Because I tell you.....no matter what else she has said and done in this argument. No matter how wrong it may be.

THAT was funny.

But if I laugh it only makes things worse.

So I sit and continue to try and reason with her. While inside I am laughing my butt off at what pops out of her mouth at the oddest times.

The funniest thing is that Madison can sit for 3 straight hours trying to tell knock knock jokes (trust me, this is based on experience) and they are NOT funny. I mean comedian she is NOT.

But when she is not trying....when being funny is the last thing on her mind....out pops something like this and she is hilarious.

Oh yeah...I went there.

Ignore the mismatch...

I am currently learning how to do my own templates. Yes I am that OCD. So I made my own header. Taken right up the road from me might I add :)

So until I learn the rest, my decor won't match.

Sorry about that

Carry on now.

Redecorating...

Well as much as I LOVE Twilight and Edward....I got tired of looking at the same old blog. So I have redecorated. How do you like it?

Eventually I'd like to have a custom template. But first I either need to make some $$ or learn how to do them :)

Welcome to the world!

Today Christopher and Caleb joined our world. They are twin boys of my cousins Scott and Brandy. Unfortunately Brandy was only 32 weeks along. So the boys have some hurdles to overcome. I am asking for all of you who read this to say a prayer for all of them today. So far the boys are doing well considering.

I am very sad that I can't be there to be with my family at this time.

But let's focus on the positive....

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY CHRISTOPHER AND CALEB!!! I can't wait to meet you :)