Today is the last day for the launch contests

over on momdot.

Check this one out.

One contest, 4 prizes.

Little Lady Bug Designs have donated some mommy calling cards.

Baby boudoir threw in an awesome custom wipes container.
My embroidered gifts has put up this super soft looking Satineesnugs duck with personilization.
and last but not least:
One Posh Kid has donated a burp cloth set with princess design.


Even if you are not having a baby, these are great gifts for friends or family who are. Check out the sponsors of the prizes as well, they each have other wonderful products!

Have you voted yet?

For the Hot Blogger Calender? If not VOTE HERE

But before you vote, I'd like to give you some info, the nurses at Children's already think I'm nuts, along with half of the other mothers there, because I kept telling them things about momdot while waiting for Caity's tests to be finished.


Trisha at MOMDOT posted This awesome video to garner votes.

SO watch the video, go to the site and VOTE VOTE VOTE.


For Trish and momdot of course!


This post endorsed by my still loopy 4.5 year old daughter.

Wordless WEdnesday -- Just us Girls

Just a mama and her girlies going crazy! Can you tell, Caity dressed herself?

Long Week

It's going to be a long week around here, so if I'm not around much, that should explain it.

#1 My washer and dryer are both working, and working correctly! YAY! but this means I have to catch up on the 5 hampers full of dirty laundry. And I have to do it before Thursday or my mom will do it for me. (That's scary)

#2 Izzie is ill or something. Maybe teeth. I don't know. But she's sleeping a lot. More than normal, so I know something is up with her there.

#3 We are night weaning. Yes. Finally. And she's not liking the plan too well.

#4 Thursday at Noon, we have Caity's MRI at Children's. We'll have to get there earlier though to meet with the financial folks, because Children's is out of network with our insurance provider and its the only place we can go for these tests at a pediatric level, therefore, we are probably stuck with at least 50% of the final bill(s). Isn't that exciting? (see me rolling my eyes here)

#5 My baby will be sedated for said MRI. That is terrifying to me. I'm more nervous about that than finding out something major is wrong.

#6 Miss Lexi Mae turns 1 in September! Her birthday party here is Saturday. And then we will probably keep her at our house for a little while while D&A pack up the rest of their stuff here at the house in AR to take back to their new house in AL.

Hope the week is awesome for everyone else. Results of the MRI will be posted when we have them. I'm not sure how long that takes.

BAH.

I'm starving.


It's way past lunch time and I won't be eating until I get home after work.

Why you ask?

Because my coworker, who I was nice enough to let go to lunch with a visiting friend. The one who was supposed to bring me something back, since I was here with no car, no way to leave (can't close), etc.

Yeah.

She "forgot to bring me something back"

UGH.

What do I even say to that?


Of course this occurs the one day I don't bring my own lunch.

*sigh*

Why is it that...

When you spend hours cleaning up in your house, so it looks presentable, and you know that any unexpected visitors dropping by won't think they should call DHS on you (okay, so maybe it wasn't THAT bad), that's when your children, the cats and the hubby all decide they are wild animals?


I spent two hours cleaning in my bedroom, folding laundry, putting it away, changing the sheets, sweeping, mopping, etc etc etc. And can you tell it now? Um........NOPE. there's crap all over again.

Same with the living room and kitchen.

Why do I bother??

I'm having a bad day

and I'm grumpy.

So I think I'm going to head to bed shortly.

Things will be better tomorrow, I'm sure.


We did get the call about Caity's MRI, its scheduled for next Thursday at 12.

Going on a "road" trip

I'm trying to keep myself busy with lots of fun stuff, so I don't get too caught up in the not so fun stuff (more on that later) and I came across the blog trip from mommy community.


If you'd like to join in, go here to get started.

I'm sure this will be loads of fun. Plus, hey giveaways! Maybe I'll actually get lucky and win one for a change.

6 things you didn't know about me (or maybe you did)

Sara over at My Sippy Cup Runneth Over tagged me. So here you go. 6 random things about me.

1. I am overrun with brothers (full, step, etc). I have 2 stepsisters, one of which I just gained in 2006 (after being good friends with her for years beforehand)
2. I am a big scrapbooker. I love it. But I prefer actually cutting the pictures, papers, etc, and can't really stand digi-scrapping. BUT I love making siggies and such using digital scrapbooking materials.
   
3. I give my kids random genetic problems, so they can visit the hospital or pedes clinic all the time. Okay, so I'm not feeling sorry for myself there. I just find it odd, that nobody in the family knew about these issues, until my kids get them.
   
4. I hate when people touch my feet or hands or neck/head. So yeah, I'm not the person to give that spa treatment or pedi/mani too!
5. I am addicted to Dr. Pepper.
   
6. My daughters are/were the first girls born in my family since me, and in DH's family in 5 generations.
   

I'm tagging:

Nina
Heather
Bridgette
Tracy
Cassie (I told M, I wouldn't link either of your blogs in public)
Melissa (See, I didn't list it for public eye!)



Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the person who tagged you know your entry is up.

........

The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time
I am here still waiting though i still have my doubts
I am damaged at best, like you've already figured out

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on
I'm barely holdin' on to you

The broken locks were a warning you got inside my head
I tried my best to be guarded, I'm an open book instead
I still see your reflection inside of my eyes
That are looking for a purpose, they're still looking for life

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
with a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain is there is healing
In your name I find meaning
So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on
I'm barely holdin' on to you

I'm hangin' on another day
Just to see what you will throw my way
And I'm hangin' on to the words you say
You said that I will be ok

The broken lights on the freeway left me here alone
I may have lost my way now, haven't forgotten my way home

Thursday Thirteen --- Work comments

Thursday 13

Thirteen of the stupid/crazy comments/questions I've heard from customer's. (my internal thoughts/comments are in red)

1. I'd like to know what it would cost to get a new screen for my plasma. My husband threw the wii remote through it.

I'm sorry. Buy a new tv. It'll be cheaper. And next time, don't play so hard on the wii.

2. My tv is under warranty. My son shot it out with his BB gun. What do I need to do to get that repaired under Warranty?

HAHAHAHAHAHA. Um no.

3. My tv is broke, how much will it cost to fix it?

Lemme pull out my crystal ball.

4. I have an RCA and its...

"Sorry we don't work on RCA anymore."

Well that's stupid.

Not one bit stupid. We can't get their parts, why would we take stuff in that will sit for months with you griping because we can't get parts. Take it up with RCA.

5. I'm sure its something small wrong. It's only 2 years old.

Age doesn't mean anything. and BTW this translates to "I'm cheap and won't pay over 50 to have it repaired."

6. How much do you charge to come to the house and fix my tv.

"We don't work on TVs in the home, we can't bring all of our equipment to your home, therefore there is nothing we can do in the home."

It's just a little one. How much does it cost?

LISTEN TO ME.

7. "Hi Mr. ?, we checked out your set and found teh following wrong with it. It would run $1500 to repair."

It's lightning. I need a form for my insurance.

"There are no signs of lightning on the set. We can't write it off as lightning damage"

Well then you're stupid. Because I know darn well it was lightning. Now give me something for my insurance.

And you're stupid if you think that we are going to lie on a form for your insurance company. Hope you like the affidavit we filled out that says "NO SIGN OF LIGHTNING."

8. My friend who works on these things says it just needs a capacitor.

So why doesn't your friend replace that capacitor?

9. I know that our part is on backorder until September 7th, but nobody's called us to give us an update on our tv.

Um. Yeah. We're not gonna call you daily to say 'Hey your part is still on backorder until next month.' We'll call you tomorrow and say the same thing.

10. What time do you close?

"5:00"

So if I come at 5:30, will someone be there.

Not Likely.

11. I looked your ad up in the phone book. It says there you work on Sony. Does that mean you work on all Sony tv's?

Nope. We randomly pick model numbers on a daily basis. Try us, you might get lucky.

12. I bought my son's tv in October, but we didn't give it to him until Christmas, why is it out of warranty now?

Um....Warranty Starts the day you buy it. Duh.


And my abosloute favorite:

13. Do you fix tvs?

No, we just like having TV REPAIR, INC. in our name. It looks cool! What'd you look our number up under in the phone book?

Alrighty ladies......

The crazy mommy bloggers over at MomDot blog, is hosting a contest to make the world a better place and to fight muffintop. Please come over and enter to win an amazing giveaway from Blush, where you can keep or pass along an awesome topless undershirt. They need 200 entries to get more shirts to give away, so come enter this worthwhile fashion cause. And while you are there, don't forget about the other awesome giveaways and new chat room. Oh, and Toni is crazy. Really, really crazy.

Banging my head on the wall

So, it turns out that Caity has a few problems, Grade 5 VUR, nuerogenic bladder, smaller kidney on the VUR side, etc.

And the VUR is hereditary, so Izzie might possibly have it too (on top of her other issues)


I know that by the end of the year, I will be so sick and tired of Children's Hospital.

So that's a brief update for now.

Wordless Wednesday -- Yummy Cake

It Can't be good

that the doctor is requesting us in for a visit instead of giving the results over the phone.


Sigh. Now I have an hour and a half to wait while I torture myself

Silly Monkey Story #2

Caity was talking to grandpa and he asked her how many kitties she had. She held up three fingers.

Grandpa says "You have three? Why do you have three cats?"

Caity quickly responds "Because I didn't want four"


For more silly monkey stories visit Karen's blog

I'm sick

I've got some sinus crap going on. My head feels like its going to explode and my nose is dripping like a sieve.

Hopefully this passes soon.

I won I won I won

Nope, not any of the awesome blog contests I've joined in on. I'm not that lucky.


But Izzie did not wake up to nurse at all the past two nights! Which means I've gotten uninterrupted sleep two nights in a row! YAY

Winner -- $5 Starbucks card

We have some errands to run this afternoon, so we went ahead and pulled a winner.

Random.org says:






So there you go. Let's see Lucky #8 Was Trisha who posted:

Haasiegirl said...

I want to win becuase
1) I loan my space on the web for all the crazy women to come chat all day. LOL
2) I am cool
3) i cant win my own prizes and you know....i even DID win one and I gave it back. Thats a true winner.

pick me!
trisha

So Trisha, it's your turn to contact someone about collecting your prize. I will mail this off on Monday (if I have your info by then)

The Dreaded Day

Well. We are traumatized, bruised, and black-eyed. But we made it through the day, pretty unscathed, except maybe for the lovely nurse who will be sporting a knot on her head for a little while, due to Caity's Kicking non-cooperation.

Three total tests: Kidney u/s, VCUG , and plain ol xray's.


The VCUG was conclusive, definite VUR in her left kidney, which also appears to be smaller than the right. Course of treatment, to be determined. Dr. M will followup with us tomorrow with all of the results which Children's faxed over to her today.

Izzie, was of course, VERY glad to see us after 8 hours with Nana

No TT today, but I would appreciate any and all positive thoughts, prayers, well wishes for Caity today.


We will be at Children's for her VCUG.


Updates to come when we know something.

Wordless Wednesday -- Blankie Addict

Dear Jess,

This blog post is long overdue. I should have posted it on June 6th, but alas I did not. You wouldn't believe it but it has actually taken this long for me to figure out what I want to say.

When we got the first call that Thursday morning, I'll admit, I was scared, but it was early and you were at the hospital and I thought with a lot of positive thoughts, prayers and the doctors help, things would be okay.

By noon, with the updates, I knew there was trouble, and I knew deep in my heart that the day would not end well, but I didn't tell anyone. Oh Jess, I couldn't say anything negative to anyone, so instead of lying, I simply said "Labor isn't officially started until the water breaks" Which of course since your water had not broken, everyone thought it meant things could still turn around.

But of course, I knew it wasn't meant to be. And when we got the final call that afternoon, the call that Caleb had arrived, it broke my heart. It broke my heart because I know how you loved that little boy. I know how you wanted him and made plans for him (even if you thought he was a girl for your entire 17 weeks!)

I struggled for hours about coming to see you. Of course, I had no babysitter or options because the only people who were available to babysit that day were already at the hospital with you or elsewhere. So it was either not visit OR take the girls with me. I wasn't sure how you would feel about me bringing the girls to the hospital right after you had just lost your baby and I felt like a heel doing so.

Then Jay got to work to pick me up. And he didn't know. We had all thought the other had told him, and he declared immediately "We have to go. We have to get to the hospital"

And so we came. Both girls along for the ride. And you know, I think it shows just what type of person you are that you relished seeing my daughters, even in the hours of losing your son. You smiled at them and hugged them and laughed with them.

And you were so proud, showing off your pictures of Caleb. I have to admit, I was a little afraid to look. I wasn't sure what I would see, and I know that probably sounds heartless, but I've never been there before(delivering @ only 17.5 weeks). But you wanted to show him to me, so I wanted to look. Simple as that. It was such a minimal thing for you to want at this astronomical time in your life.

I have to tell you, that I don't know what I was afraid of, He was perfect. A perfect sweet little angel. He was only on this earth for a few moments, but he was truly something special, Jess. A real miracle. A real blessing. And I am glad to have known him through you.


May he dance with the angels always. May he look down at you and know how loved he was. And may we all never forget that sweet little boy.


I love you both. All three of you.


Caleb Alexander J. 06/05/2008-06/05/2008

An angel in the book of life wrote down this baby's birth, then whispered as she closed the book, too beautiful for earth.

Goodies for Mom (and baby too!): Blogging for Blood Cancer Event

Goodies for Mom (and baby too!): Blogging for Blood Cancer Event

A worthy cause

Friends of Heroes and Goodies for mom have teamed up with each other to host a Blogging for blood cancer week.

This is such a wonderful thing to blog about so the knowledge is out there and support and maybe one day we will find a cure.

My stepmom died in Nov. 2006 due to complications from leukemia, which she had battled for over 2 years. She was in remission for a matter of months before being struck so ill again. Her last months were spent in the hospital. My dad and stepmom of course lived in Virginia, so too far away for us to visit.

I was very shocked when my dad called to tell me that she had died. It was hard on him and my step-siblings the most. I was pregnant with Izzie at the time and it makes me so sad to know that she never got to meet my daughter.

So please. Check out these posts. Learn about blood cancers. Perhaps you feel compelled to donate to research.

Homemade Donuts (no hole)

In chatting with osmeone on momdot, I talkd about making my homemade donuts. She asked how to do it, so here you go.

What you will need:

5 c. flour
2 pkg. yeast
2 c. warm water
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
4 tbsp. oil
1 egg
Vegetable oil for frying (about 2 to 3 inch frying pan or deep fryer)
Small paper bag with approximately 2 c. sugar

Instructions:

Dissolve yeast in water with 2 tablespoons sugar. Add part of the flour with the salt and mix well. Beat in egg and add oil. Add remaining flour. Let rise for 1 hour. Drop into hot oil with a large spoon, or use your fingers. Donuts will be about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Fry on both sides, drain on paper towels and then dip into sugar filled bag to coat.

It's Raining, It's pouring

And has been since Saturday evening.

It is constant rain, but it changes from being very fast and hard, to a light drizzle and somewhere in the middle.

2 more days of this!!!!!


BAH.

Makes me want to crawl back into bed not work

Izzie Says:

So Momdot is having another awesome contest. This time for a header from Leelou headers

Contest ends today.

Here is my picture entry for this contest! Go join in now!












Yes, I know that only one picture counts. But come on, I had to do that last one.


P.S. Sadie-Kitty was not hurt in the making of this photo.

It's my turn! --- Contest Now Closed.

Yes, everyone, I'm finally going to host my first contest (with more to come in the following weeks)


For my first contest the prize will be a $5 Starbucks card.

Why $5? Because it was given to me as a prize at a work party and I don't do Starbucks.

Surely $5 to Starbucks would do someone some good though.


SO here's the rules.

#1 You must comment here and it must be a real comment, No I want to win. Tell me why you want to win. Tell me something you love about my blog. Whatever as long as there is real content to the comment.

#2 Extra Credit -- 1 extra entry for each option. But you must comment in separate comments for the extra credit entry.

* You can subscribe via email to my blog through feedburner for Extra credit.
* You can blog about my contest on your blog.
* Add me to your blogroll or put my button (its on my sidebar) on your blog

My daughter has an appt. on Thursday so this contest will run through Saturday Aug 16th. I'll pull a winner randomly.

Hey Ladies........

So you want MY vote to win the diaper bag from Momdot?


Comment here! Anything. But it must be a real comment, not "Vote for me"

Tell me WHY I should vote for you.

5 minute break

I've go so much stuff to do today around the house that I'm not on the computer much.

So I just took a 5 minute break to chat just a bit.

First off -- Have you been to Momdot (http://www.momdot.com) yet? If not, why not. Head on over and check out all they have to offer.

Be sure to join all the contests too.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen of Kris' Favorite Authors 1. Stephanie Meyer 2. Laurell K Hamilton 3. Christina Feehan 4. Sherrilyn Kenyon 5. Jaci Burton 6. Janet Evanovich 7. Lora Leigh 8. Tara Janzen 9. JR Ward 10. kelley Armstrong 11. MaryJanice Davidson 12. JD Robb 13. Katie McCallister

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday --- Welcome to the World

Silly Monkey Story #1

Karen started this cool new Tuesday meme for all to celebrate the kids in our lives.

So here's my first Silly Monkey Story.


We'll go back to 2006/2007 to set the scene. I was pregnant with Izzie and Caity was excited about being a big sister, but for some reason, she thought (and no one we know of told her this) that there was a baby elephant in my tummy, not a baby sister.

So March 5, 2007 arrives and I deliver Izzie. Caity is standing outside the nursery windows with grandpa and she's got this odd look on her face.

Her first reaction to seeing her sister:


"That is NOT a baby ellphant mama, I want my ellphant."



For more Silly Monkey Stories, check out 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires.

Wordle!

Isn't this cool!