Wordless Wednesday

Don't leave the baby powder where they can reach it!

Confession

So, some of my online friends that have not "met" me have asked to get to know me a little better. They are passing around a "confessions" post of sorts and I thought I would hop aboard. It will finally be a little light reading compared to my last...oh...20 posts. ;) So, here goes nothing!

You have things you tell others, like how much weight you would like to loose, but never how much you actually weigh. This is not the time to tell your weight! It is the time to tell your other fun secrets about your guilty pleasures. I'm sure there is one movie, one song or one book that you have not told others you are into. Spill it!

A list of my "guilty pleasures" and/or weird stuff about me. :)

OK - let's just get the biggee out of the way. I'm a Vampire Diaries junkie. I read the books back in 7th grade (totally gave my age away with that one) and was hooked. No, the tv series is nothing like the book, but I like it for what it is. And just in case you were wondering - I'm pro-Damon. :)

my favorite lunch to eat by myself - white bread with an American cheese slice on it...topped with bbq potato chips and sweet pickles. And yes, I only eat those when I'm NOT pregnant. ;) Hey - don't knock it til you tried it!

I read smutty romance novels when I'm stressed...which is a lot! I don't want to think through a book when life has filled by brain to capacity. My favorite writer is Kathleen Woodiwiss. She's not trashy, but still thorough. ;)

While the boys are napping, I watch baby birth stories. And sometimes I even cry at the actual birth. I don't know those people, but I know what they are feeling and it brings me back to the births of mine.

How I read the newspaper - grocery store ads, coupons, comics, sports and then the actual news stories. I feel I have to prepare myself for the doom and gloom of the world before reading about it.

I don't like cake. Never have, never will. I'll eat some to be nice, but I really can't stand it. I would prefer donuts for my birthday. Or a pile of reese peanut butter cups - yeah!

No one can talk to me if I am watching my football on tv. My daddy raised me right! At the age of 5, I was sitting at the games cheering my heart out for a 2 - 9 team. Now they are MUCH better...and I still cheer like that. Go Jackets!

I have been bitten by the texting bug and I hate myself for it. It is so impersonal and utter crap, yet I can't stop. It's fine at the hospital while Matthew is sleeping or to get a big message shared with several people. But to ask how your day is...just talk in the phone - not type in the phone.

I still have shirts from high school that I wear. I just refuse to pay $35 dollars for a piece of cotton with sleeves attached to it. I get clothes for my birthday and Christmas. Those are my new outfits for the year. Every once in while I shop the clearance rack. I'm a fan of shop-looking, not shop-buying. Don't get me on shoes - I loathe shopping for those!

Ok, so that's me. The real me. What about you?

Yeah - this is from our first summer in NC. NO string bikini's nowadays! ;)

small diversion

I know - I know - photo story of Matthew. I'm on "couch rest" however. Not even at dialysis with Matthew today. I'm home with strep throat! I know! Who gets that when they are older than 10? ME! Put until I'm 48 hrs on antibiotics, that are doing a number on my stomach mine you, I'm laying low. Photo story to come. :) Until then I'm doing a Five for Friday from Mama M. :) (and I don't know how to link to her site, but visit this: http://fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com/) She's quite funny. :)

1. What was your favorite wedding gift? Or, if you aren't married, what was your "favorite" gift you gave?
My living room set. Yes, the entire thing - couch, love seat, coffee table, end tables and a lamp! VERY helpful for two broke "kids" furnishing their own place for the first time. BUT, I did get our queen headboard and rails at a community yard sale for only $4! I'm just that good. ;)

2. Speaking of weddings, where did you honeymoon, or where would you like to honeymoon?
We went to Disney World and Sea World! And had a BLAST! Actually, my favorite wedding gift is involved here, but I had already read the questions and knew I would put this story here. My husband's parents paid for us to have backstage tours. It made our honeymoon unique and special. Learning, seeing and doing things we had never done before. Quite cool!

3. If you had to choose (you know, if anyone would actually be that cruel)...shoes or chocolate?
I would never give up chocolate! I might could for three weeks, but when that 4th week rolls around - my hormones take over. I MUST have chocolate. As for shoes - I despise shoe shopping. I have one foot that is shorter than the other. One is a size 7 (my left) and the other is a 6. VERY annoying! I usually just get a size 6.5 and call it even. But when sandal season rolls around, I often end up being two pairs...so I can get an exact fit and no blisters. I live for BOGO free sales on shoes!

4. Besides your kiddos and husband (if you have those), what are you most proud about in your life?
I didn't give up on Matthew. After being told THREE times to abort - there is NO way he'll make it. Well he did. And he is about to have his kidney transplant in the next few months. What do you think now docs??

5. And, (since it's raining here...I'm just glad it's not snowing) what is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
Man, that's a movie day! If it is a warm rain, I let my three year old put on his Lightening McQueen rain boots and go splash. Gotta have some fun right!

Feel free to play along if you want too. Have a great weekend. Wash your hands!!

Uncluttering my mind

Sorry...nothing "inspirational" here today...just clean the closets of my brain. Everyone once in awhile I need to spring clean in here before it gets so bad I can't remember which house is my house on my street.
No, no news on the transplant front. I was told by my transplant mentor that it took two weeks to get back to her about matches...the more people...the longer it takes. We had three, bunch of crap!
This weekend is yet another "Ian" weekend. Ian, my hubby is turning a year older on Saturday. He's draining our checking account. Two weekends ago, both my husband and Matthew were baptized together...and got presents. Last weekend was father's day, so naturally Ian got presents. And now his birthday... WE are getting presents! In the way of a date of dinner and a movie as my parents watch the kids for us. :) It's your birthday...happy birthday...we're having dinner...where we get to actually taste our food...and not have to pick up hotwheels from under the table...woo hoo!
Speaking of birthdays...I'm getting THAT feeling. When William turned one - I was ready for another baby. Didn't start trying until about 10 months later...but I knew I wanted one. I'm getting that itch again. I knew I wanted three kids. Ian and I had talked about it. Even though I still want one...I really don't think I'm going to "plan" on one. Now if God sees fit to give me another child, we will happily take one, but we won't be trying!
Why not? Am I scared of another high risk pregnancy filled with needles and procedures...absolutely not. I actually had a very unnatural calm through it all. I have a high pain threshold and new things were not in my hands...so what was to be all upset about. I would do it again in heartbeat!! Labs, needles, surgery...HA - I laugh at you! The real reason is that I don't think it would be fair to another little one. I have to spend so much time on Matthew and keeping him healthy. I know many moms have had special needs children and then followed with siblings, but I just don't know if I could do that. I think mommy guilt would get the best of me being pulled in so many directions. Sigh...guess we'll eventually get another dog huh.
My life is full and I am happy with my two awesome boys. Besides...I don't want to push my luck on getting a girl. God has been so accomodating with giving my boys. I'm not a girly girl - never was. I love football games, beating my best time on the road and rude crude body function jokes. I can't do pink and princesses and DATING and WEDDINGS!! And in the words of Jerry Seinfielf...not that there is anything wrong with that...that's just not me. ;)
I know this post is kind of all over, so I am going to wrap up with a picture of Ian and kids since I haven't posted pics in awhile.
Happy weekend and happy birthday to my love! Date night- woo hoo!!

would you rather (pt 2) read the first one first!

ANSWERS:

Cell phone or internet?
As much as I hate to admit it...I guess cell phone. Even though I value real conversations over email any day...I know more people's email/facebook/myspace than phone numbers. We can share pictures along with news and video things to show each other by way of youtube. Yep, internet all the way.

Kids or parents?
Well, already done the kids one. Just last week...mommy and daddy were "wrestling" - helps he is a wrestling coach! I think parents are more embarrassed when they see the kids and parents are more embarrassed when they are seen by the kids. So either way, being a parent you get screwed...maybe literally HA! Anywhoo...

With or without your favorite food?
I would eat the same exact thing everyday for a month. Yes it's boring and I would be begging for something different in about 5 days, but at least I wouldn't be denied the foods I love. I eat salad everyday already. I pretty much have the same snacks, one mid morning and one after dinner. So even though it would be boring, at least I wouldn't be miserable and longing for just one bite!!

Cartoons, news or soaps?
Ha...like I actually have a choice! I don't trust the tv as a babysitter when I'm cooking or in the shower if something other than cartoons are on. My son is a sponge and I would fear the words that would come out of his mouth in front of his grandmother! I honestly tune most of it out anyway. When he is down for a nap and I can actually turn it to something more stimulating than Blue's Clues or Handy Manny...I zone out on the computer, take time to eat a meal or am busy with the other one.

Speak or hear?
I can't imagine going through life without hearing William say I love you sooo much mommy, or hearing Matthew's gruff belly laugh (I swear his voice will be deeper than James Earl Jones - he'll be Darth Vader if the saga continues into his adolescence) I love dancing to the beat of music and hearing fire crackle. I love the purr of a cat and rain on the roof. Communication comes in many forms than just words...I'd get by.

Would you rather...

Just sitting here in a (for once) quiet house. Sometimes that's good...sometimes that's bad...sometimes this happens - I think of really weird things. Feel free to answer in your mind or on your blog. I'll answer mine in a separate blog so you can think of yours without my answer to persuade you or turn your thoughts.

Would you rather:

Go a year without your cell phone or without internet?

Your kids walk in on you having sex or your parents?

Eat the same thing every day for a month or go a month without your favorite snack?

Your tv be stuck on cartoons, news or soaps for the day?

Lose your ability to speak or to hear?

Happy Wednesday

A "sense"ible post

It's easy, just list five likes and and five dislikes for each of the five senses.

Smell-
likes: cookies baking, baby breath, gardenias, my hubby's aftershave, and right before the rain comes.
dislikes: poop (and the older you get the stinkier it becomes i.e. baby Matthew to daddy Ian), the outside garbage can on a hot day, a load in the wash if it was left too long (Thank the Lord for vinegar!), eggs cooking, and wet dog.

Taste-
likes: caramel (preferably when mixed with chocolate), cheese (feta is my indulgence cheese), soup when I'm cold or sick, garlic (it's my all purpose spice) and bell pepper (I use it a LOT when I'm cooking and experiementing)
dislikes: Dr Pepper (I know...how weird am I - just wait...I get weirder), OJ (not a big fruit fan to begin with), eggs of all varieties (goes along with the fact I get nauseous just smelling them), mushrooms (you go to the doctor to get RID of fungus...you don't put it in your body willingly) and tea (yes, tea...all types from green to southern, which is better known as syrup for how sweet it is). Told ya I'm weird!

Sight-
likes: my boys! (all three), a new mother's face as she looks at her child, the night sky, the wag of a dog's tail, our Christmas tree.
dislikes: my children in tears, a cockroach (ewww!), dirty dishes in the sink, bumper to bumper traffic and dead, brown-gray grass.

Sound-
likes: giggles, fire crackling, ocean waves, drums and a new baby's cry.
dislikes: someone being sick to their stomach (I'm sure they dislike it more), the beeping of the alarm clock, "license and registration ma'am" (oh crap!), Dora's voice (she is banned from our house!), and strange night noises when I'm by myself.

Touch-
likes: silk, someone brushing my hair, baby parts (all of them), my hubby's lips (but I won't go into detail) ;), a dog curled up in your lap or on your feet.
dislikes: to be tickled!, shots/injections/infusions (take a guess why), wet socks, hot sand, papercuts

Where are your manners?

Yes, we are all aware that we should chew with our mouths closed, don't pick our teeth at the dinner table and please find somewhere a little more discreet to pull out the underwear that has ridden up to an unmentionable area. ;) But...were you aware that the roll of toliet paper (to be etiquettely correct - I make up words as they come to me) has a proper position on the roll. I personally thought it was awesome if my husband mangaged to just put it in the roll instead of sitting it on top of it, but actually the "miss manners" way of positioning it the toliet paper comes over the roll not under. I heard this yesterday on my way back from my son's lab draws on the radio, and it really got me thinking.
What are some other bathroom rules so we avoid other bathroom blunders...besides the ever popular "courtesy flush"? Well...I'll tell you!

At work - Do Not conduct business in the bathroom (people have enough "shit" on their minds in there...hee hee...I kill me). Do wash your hands! If you notice someone is taking a while, come back...it's embarrassing to have your bowel movements timed. And remember, everyone is an equal in the eyes of the toliet! Boss or janitor, eventually you'll have to knock on the next stall and ask them to "spare a square".

At someone else's home - Use the fan if there is one...if not use spray or matches. If you clog it...you fix it! If the hostess hasn't provided towels for hand-drying, then ask for some. Clean up after yourself: loose hair, snotty tissue paper and tooth paste blobs.

And in general - AIM! Close the door behind you. Pee in the toliet, not the shower (gentlemen!!), put the seat back down (gentlemen!!) and most importantly: If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and wipe the seatie. :)

What I want...supposedly

Liz got me off her blog. So here I am googling my wants in life. Feel free to join in by typing in your own name/nickname into google (or any other search engine you prefer) and write down your top ten wants:

1. Karen wants to be a dog (actually, that would be the life wouldn't it?!?)
2. Karen wants to be a dinosaur (uh...not so much)
3. Karen wants to smell delicious (actually, I think that is one of my hubby's wants)
4. Karen wants to go home (already here)
5. Karen wants to know what you think (well, tell me about it)
6. Karen wants to try pizza at Olympic (I want to try pizza anywhere)
7. Karen wants to be a loyal fan (already am...GO JACKETS!)
8. Karen wants to pump milk for our baby (been there...DONE with that)
9. Karen wants to help you create the perfect body (gotta work on mine before I can help you with yours)
10. Karen wants you to look at her myspace photos (only if you have free time)

So, what do you want? ;) Actually...I DO want pizza now!

Random musings

Atlanta Braves fans are rallying behind their favorite pitcher John Smoltz...how is he not retired yet?? Anyway, he's having his third shoulder surgery in 8 years. He is planning on making a comeback for next year though.
Hot-lanta is living up to her name! It's going to be in the mid-90's all week. Kind of makes me glad to be on bedrest! William has been forced to play outside in the mornings only because daddy can't take the heat of the afternoon. :) This is the same guy that endured boarding team school in Charleston SC in July for 10 days wearing full body armor.
I'm trying to prepare William that he will not be "the baby" for much longer...but it's hard. I do refer to him as a good boy and a big boy, but sometimes the "baby" term of endearment just slips. Then he refers to himself as the baby after that. "Where's baby's cup?" I need to get better about this!
Downey girl is sulking beside me on the floor. Ian vacuumed the couches today as he does once a week. (another benefit of bedrest for me) ;) This means Downey is not allowed on the furniture...at least until tonight when we go to bed and she jumps up on it anyway. But we like at least one day of no hair!
I just found a new favorite donut. Publix bakery! I do love their cakes and cookies, but have never in all my years of being near one tried their donuts. Man was I missing a good thing! Another note on Publix, I just joined the Publix Baby Club. I didn't get to join when I had William because we weren't anywhere near one in Wilmington. They sent an entire booklet of coupons (all buy one, get one free) and a 500 page book from the American Academy of Pediatrics...going from pregnancy through 5 years of age. It talks about milestones, common concerns (illness, development and answering "tricky" questions) along with first aid and nutrious recipes. Wow...and all of that for free!
I love the smell of Vick's Vapor rub...I don't know why...I just do! I don't know why I wrote that either...I just did!
I read for fun and to learn every night before bed. My fun books exercise my imagination and my informative books exercise my intelligence.
I am downing in between 80 - 100 ounces of fluid every day. (that's in between 10 and 12 glasses of water each day). So I have fluid going in me from every direction pretty much!
I'm getting a case of the munchies...gotta go! Happy day to you!

Happy Songs

Do you have a song that every time you hear it you just smile...or even get up and start shaking your "bon-bon"? On rainy mornings like this morning...I need a little pick me up usually. Do you know my surprising choice of song? Johnny Nash's "Bright, Sunshiny Day"! Oh, you know the one..."I can see clearly now the rain has gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It's going to be a bright, bright sunshiny day" I can still see his music video and that cheerful...albeit tacky yellow outfit he wore strolling down the road. Yes, I was born in the 70's and I'm showing my age!

A few other go to songs are "Walking on Sunshine" - "I'm walking on sunshine, woooah and don't it feel good!!" and U2's "Beautiful Day" - "It's a beautiful day. Don't let it get away. It's a beautiful day." This song came out the year Ian and I got married and we had our wedding montage set up to it on video. So naturally, it brings back warm fuzzies from our wedding. Another song I can't help but smile over is a song from church that came back to me suddenly when Matthew was given a poor diagnosis. It's called "Eagle's Wings" - "And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand." I sang this song with tears streaming down my face in the shower the night before learning from our specialists if they were going to say the only thing to do was terminate or if they would be willing to help my strong little fighter. Happy to say, they have been able to help...though Matthew doesn't like to cooperate! Typical of a man I guess! ;)

As I was thinking these songs over in my mind, it occured to me (I take awhile sometimes) that they all have to do with beautiful days and sunshine in particular. I feed off the sun; I was nicknamed sunbunny by my parents when I was little. I guess that's why during stormy, gloomy weather (both literally and emotionally) I turn to the sun in song if I can't do so any other way.

Here's hoping you and your's have a bright, sunshiny day...even if it is raining now!