tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18895950126973033042024-02-21T08:11:38.844-05:00Random Ramblings of a SAHMI'm a stay at home mom of 2, sometimes 4. I'm always looking for quick and easy recipes. De-cluttering and organizing is a never ending process here.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-37421646132793426092010-02-28T10:05:00.001-05:002010-02-28T10:05:26.868-05:00My Review of Reebok New Orleans Saints Super Bowl XLIV Champions Women's Locker Room Hooded Fleece<div class="hreview"><div class="item"><p><a href="http://www.nflshop.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4008363">Originally submitted at NFL</a></p><div><img src="http://images.powerreviews.com/images_products/06/01/7512469_100.jpg" class="photo" align="left" style="margin: 0 0.5em 0 0"><p style="margin-top:0">The cozy Reebok® New Orleans Saints Super Bowl® XLIV Champions women's Locker Room hooded fleece is a great way to show off your team's big win. It displays a Super Bowl® Champions graphic and team logo on the chest, while a front pouch pocket is right underneath to keep your... </p></div><a href="http://www.nflshop.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4008363" style="display: none;" class="url fn"><span class="fn">Reebok New Orleans Saints Super Bowl XLIV Champions Women's Locker Room Hooded Fleece</span></a></div><br clear="left"><p><strong class="summary">Comfy and warm, yet lightweight</strong></p><div>By <strong>Amanda the Saints Fanatic</strong> from <strong>Bangor, PA</strong> on <strong><abbr title="2010228T1200-0800" class="dtreviewed" style="border: none; text-decoration: none;">2/28/2010</abbr></strong></div><p><div style="margin: 0.5em 0; height: 15px; width: 83px; background-image: url(http://images.powerreviews.com/images_merchants/stars/10232_stars_small.gif); background-position: 0px -144px;" class="prStars prStarsSmall"> </div></p><div style="display: none"><span class="rating">4</span>out of 5</div><p><strong>Sizing: </strong>Feels too small</p><p><strong>Pros: </strong>Authentic Look, Shows Off Team Pride, Stylish, Quality Construction, Warm</p><p><strong>Cons: </strong>Just a smidge on the smal</p><p><strong>Best Uses: </strong>Watching The Game on TV, At The Game, Anytime, Around Town</p><p><strong>Describe Yourself: </strong>Die Hard Sports Fan, Stylish</p><p style="margin-top:1em" class="description">I love that this hoodie has some stretch to it, but it seems to run a bit small. It's very warm for a lightweight sweatshirt.</p><p style="margin-top:0.5em">(<a href="http://www.powerreviews.com/legal/terms_of_use.html" rel="license">legalese</a>)</p></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-26740574878261748812010-02-03T10:13:00.003-05:002010-02-03T10:29:36.144-05:0028 day organizing challenge<a href="http://orgjunkie.com/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434037772711063218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6H7CG2kB_t9Sl5pB9940eZKjwlEkYuzgpD3z9juvepp9yAPCcgtVN3YE7YeAOjxd-fQ-xTRDxa4K0GsBeD-aPxaYrp9EsvFWq7_8Jah2FkqZpn8I2B9XyJHtebci2zJXL2Jz3y5wOFc/s320/ethan_room_before+005.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99lGmwfM6t_RcwVY4suEGqSJZpMsbLHbe2etR1gEAtoBs473muKUZ2ZfCTv-OqcMYDnhBqQ7Dpbw-Cvua3yI5_W9R7rM2uzD2YZAy9fiWddKUvcWtAHuEJ0Xv_l7Sl_v_0I8RjBjwbgY/s1600-h/ethan_room_before+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434037767618748562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99lGmwfM6t_RcwVY4suEGqSJZpMsbLHbe2etR1gEAtoBs473muKUZ2ZfCTv-OqcMYDnhBqQ7Dpbw-Cvua3yI5_W9R7rM2uzD2YZAy9fiWddKUvcWtAHuEJ0Xv_l7Sl_v_0I8RjBjwbgY/s320/ethan_room_before+004.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgoN1b4I2knWUOXC1avEpF0VlA8L7JoRUeu4acLCuR0fyHz_8-gEaK21k5dHcsXVczWkbDFZYYOhO3xKkofM5YC-WU39Ty1LgPAbmc5jFJyLEJwIjptRxz9-CYxk6iF9ftaa1aJrlfn8/s1600-h/ethan_room_before+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434037762274800290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgoN1b4I2knWUOXC1avEpF0VlA8L7JoRUeu4acLCuR0fyHz_8-gEaK21k5dHcsXVczWkbDFZYYOhO3xKkofM5YC-WU39Ty1LgPAbmc5jFJyLEJwIjptRxz9-CYxk6iF9ftaa1aJrlfn8/s320/ethan_room_before+003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U2Vg5StCXWNTR7Va8tsNac0C6GyDDQe3tIrS98WDAaJtrDrxkSVRMKaOVmZFzQAOuAWK3FIonG6eB5iBtcYjpwxJC1KtWwlJMCv-jgT-5JSciFVl4V1cTjJMVxfbWrBe3dcF0ZgDfkw/s1600-h/ethan_room_before+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434037750333276962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U2Vg5StCXWNTR7Va8tsNac0C6GyDDQe3tIrS98WDAaJtrDrxkSVRMKaOVmZFzQAOuAWK3FIonG6eB5iBtcYjpwxJC1KtWwlJMCv-jgT-5JSciFVl4V1cTjJMVxfbWrBe3dcF0ZgDfkw/s320/ethan_room_before+002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ69ZwSp253napK0P68lf5jDTD7PVQ1JHTv2likMldI0INmSDfzaQkVOPYAT8xWx32hX1bcpRo3yzX2D0RK_TRxl5WU1GJzw61qDRNwPbFBZn-yxdczhTTDpjAqzNSCHYX_BTNr4ebz-I/s1600-h/ethan_room_before+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434037745467317922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ69ZwSp253napK0P68lf5jDTD7PVQ1JHTv2likMldI0INmSDfzaQkVOPYAT8xWx32hX1bcpRo3yzX2D0RK_TRxl5WU1GJzw61qDRNwPbFBZn-yxdczhTTDpjAqzNSCHYX_BTNr4ebz-I/s320/ethan_room_before+001.JPG" /></a><br />Yeah, I know, scary pics, but here's why I shared them:<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">OrgJunkie</a> is my favorite blog. Laura shares my passion for containers and organizing. She's kind of my hero, lol. Anyway, she's hosting a <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/challenge">28 day organizing challenge </a>and I think this is the perfect motivation to clean up Ethan's pigsty, I mean bedroom. I'm mortified to show the before pics. It's bad. It's really bad. I feel like a terrible mom for letting his room get this nasty, but we're going to fix that this month.<br /><br />I know there's a ton of stuff that he doesn't need anymore in that disaster. He's 11, so a lot of toys can go. And don't even get me started on the garbage, or the drinks that he's not supposed to have in there. I've been a slacker mom, but that's about to change. Sorry Ethan!<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-14342011867190846212010-01-08T10:29:00.002-05:002010-01-08T10:32:51.450-05:00home sweet homeWe are staying in our house!! It's been a hellish few months with everything up in the air. I really tried to ignore it through the holidays, but wasn't very successful. I'm so glad that it's over. I can't believe that they waited until exactly 24 hours from our court date to make a deal. Thy didn't give us exactly what we asked for, but it should be enough. They lowered our monthly payment by over $200 and added everything onto the end of the loan. So, now I have to Fed-Ex them our first payment by Jan 22nd, then we don't have another payment due until April. I think I can do that. We'll have Joel's next 2 paychecks to get the money together and sent out. Then I have 2 months to get everything caught up and start figuring out our new budget.<br /><br />In other news, I'm fat. Stress has not been good to me. I'm way heavier than I've ever been and my skin is a mess. I signed up for WW online Monday. I'm having a bit of a hard time getting it down. I suck at figuring out points. I had some fish the other night that I bought at the store thinking they were healthy, but they were 8 points. That seems like a lot to me. I'm also not a huge fan of veggies, but I'm trying to eat them anyway. I need to find some easy, low point snacks and meals. I guess I need to take the time to surf the WW site.<br /><br />Joey's been constipated for days. I tried changing his diet a bit, cut out the dairy mostly, lots of juice and water. Started Pedia-lax yesterday, still nothing. I'm not sure what to do.<br /><br />Ethan is doing great in school, as usual. His teachers love him, but he's not a suck-up, so he still has a ton of friends. I wish he wasn't so snotty at home sometimes, but he's 11. He's helpful 75% of the time, so I let most of it slide.<br /><br />Other than that, I celebrated my 1 year smoke-free anniversary on Tuesday, as you know, and am now counting down to my birthday. It's 4 weeks from today, in case you were wondering. I think we're going to dinner at Emeril's and gambling at the Sand's.<br /><br />I hope the new year is going well for you!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-72138382305862634912010-01-03T19:46:00.002-05:002010-01-03T19:58:20.507-05:002010 sounds make believeHappy New Year! I'm having a hard time with the year 2010. It sounds too futuristic and made up. I can't believe how much life speeds up as you get older. It really make me appreciate the little things that I would never have bothered to notice when I was younger.<br /><br />January 5th is just 2 days away. That will be my one year quitaversary! Yeah, I made that word up, sue me. I'm so freakin' excited that it's been almost a year since I quit smoking. I'm going to buy myself an anniversary present. I think maybe a new Coach wallet or wristlet is necessary.<br /><br />Since January 5th is such a good day for me, it's also the day I'll start this year's goal. I want to lose about 40 lbs. I put 25 on last year after the whole no smoking thing began, but I was still carrying 15 lbs of baby weight. Well, the baby is over 2 years old, so let's get rid of this weight. I miss being thin.<br /><br />I'm not good at following orders or rules, so I'm not on a specific diet. I'm going to eat healthier and exercise more. That's it. That's my master plan. No Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, etc, just do better than I am. Maybe I'll set up mini goals and challenges each month to keep it interesting. Eating healthy is a big challenge for me because I've always avoided most fruits and veggies. Seriously, I suck at nutrition. So, that's my first project, to incorporate more veggies and fruits into my meals and snacks.<br /><br />Stick around. This could get interesting!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-75988260375980054302009-12-11T08:52:00.002-05:002009-12-11T08:56:09.151-05:00my badIt seems, once <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">again</span>, that I've been neglecting this poor lonely blog. I'm overextended, as always. I can't say that I'll be back much before the holidays are over. I hope that you're all well and have a wonderful Christmas!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-14377457356591615982009-10-16T21:56:00.003-04:002009-10-16T22:12:39.020-04:00I've been a bad, bad girl...<div>First off, my gram is home and doing just fine. They increased her blood thinner a smidge and put a screen in so the clot can't go anywhere.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now, back to the bad girl stuff. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Money is tight. Housing sitch is up in the air. But I had a 20% off coupon for the Coach outlet!!! What the hell was I supposed to do?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Of course I went shopping. Like you didn't see that coming. I had every intention of just buying a wallet or wristlet, maybe even a card case. But then I saw it, or maybe it saw me first, because this baby </div><div></div><div></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 348px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393383549030946402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3z8K5Cu3m1LGqnxkL6AbN7WR_actukyWdCMTo1oWB0y3PGNhd_x-exvdFzAzNtYK9nkUSsE8KdAlbf8KLjy6y0hyphenhyphenampUPmJO0mTpKthA5q7Pkh8LFXBBgiYj1F4R9Uo_bpronLHBjuc8/s320/IMG_3550.JPG" /><br /><p>was calling my name. Isn't she lovely? I walked all the way around, looked at everything, but I could not resist this bag. Then I did the math. The original retail price was $298. It was marked down to $210. It was then on sale for 50% off, bringing it down to $105. I had a 20% off coupon on top of that. The grand total came to $89 and change. It was meant to be.</p><p> </p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-18537266107703474652009-10-13T20:12:00.002-04:002009-10-13T20:34:33.436-04:00excuses, excusesHi, remember me? Should I even bother to apologize for being a sucky blogger? Nah, let's just move on.<br /><br />September was chaotic here in the Shoup-Thornell household. A few days after my last post, I tripped over one of Joey's toys and end up in the ER with a torn ligament in my right foot. That was fun. I was in a splint and on crutches for a few weeks. I hobbled my way through planning and throwing Joey's 2nd birthday party. That's right, my baby is 2!!!<br /><br />October is shaping up to be super busy. I don't have a free day in the next 2 weeks! Ok, some of those are planned shopping excursions, but still. I'm a busy girl. I like it though. It keeps my mind occupied and gives me less time to stress.<br /><br />Saturday, I'm doing the Light the Night walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Here's the link to donate a few dollars if you're so inclined.<br /><br /><a href="http://pages.lightthenight.org/epa/LehighVy09/AShoup">http://pages.lightthenight.org/epa/LehighVy09/AShoup</a><br /><br />Any help is appreciated.<br /><br />Hell. Just got a phone call that my grandmother's in the hospital with a blood clot in her leg. She's really in poor health to begin with. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-46236276839190289842009-09-05T13:48:00.004-04:002009-09-05T14:13:20.731-04:00sucky bloggerI'm not the best at blogging. Ok, I mostly flat out suck at it. I like reading other blogs, mostly about coupons and saving money, but I never have anything to see in my own. I have a "journal" on a message board that I've pretty much abandoned as well. I've been sucked into the quicksand that is Facebook, and I rarely come up for air. Want an update? Here it is in a list!! Like you're surprised.<br /><br /><ul><li>Put our house up for sale a few weeks ago. This involves much less computer time as I clean, organize and pack stuff away.</li><li>Looked at a few houses for rent. Loved one, but didn't get there quick enough. Was swarmed by fleas in another. Didn't love that so much.</li><li>Looking at a house across the street from our house today. That'd be really convenient!</li><li>Planning Joey's 2nd birthday party. I can't believe he's almost 2! Well, actually I can, because the terrible twos are in full effect!</li><li>We're having a Sesame Street party for him at my parents' house on the 20th. I'm gathering up ideas right now and will do most of the shopping in the next week.</li><li>I'm annoyed at people who don't RSVP. I need to have some numbers to work with in the planning process!</li><li>Speaking of RSVPing, I'm super-bummed that I can't make it to my BFF's wedding in San Antonio next month. With our living situation up in the air, I just can't justify the airfare, hotel and car rental. Joel'd kill me. Sorry Suze! I love you!</li><li>My Avon biz is like a freakin' roller coaster. I had next to no orders last campaign, but the one before that was HUGE! I hate the lack of consistency, but it's my own fault for not putting the necessary effort into it.</li><li>Another roller coaster of note is my emotional state. Yes, we all know this is nothing new, but the house stress is driving me insane, and not slowly! </li><li>Today marks 8 months since I quit smoking. 8 months, people!! that's 2/3 of a year! I'm impressed. It hasn't been easy.</li><li>Kids are back in school, and I love it. I like the easiness of just me and Joey at home. Also, it makes running errands less chaotic.</li><li>I need to do some fall clothes shopping, but I also need to spend as little money as possible. Sounds like a fun challenge to me!</li><li>Joey and I are doing a 5K walk for Via next Sunday with some friends from my MOMS Club. Feel free to donate <a href="http://via.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=301003&lis=0&kntae301003=15139771634048D0A41A7F22B5779691">here</a>.</li><li>I've gotten a bit of Christmas shopping done already. I ordered some awesome stuffed animals from my good friend Alison. She does amazing work! </li><li>My front teeth hurt. Not cool.</li></ul><p>That's all I got, friends. Things are crazy here, but I don't know any other way, so it works. Have a great Labor day weekend!</p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-71637943512942015552009-07-02T19:24:00.002-04:002009-07-02T19:28:01.382-04:00Kohl's savings<span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>Friday, Saturday and Sunday</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>Spend less than $75 and save 15% using coupon code: GIVEME15</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>Spend $75 or more and save 20% using coupon code: TAKE20JULY plus free shipping</strong></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-7560606818335878802009-06-30T13:28:00.002-04:002009-06-30T13:29:08.843-04:00Daily Candy 100 Day GiveawayGreat contest! Enter daily!<br /><br /><a href="http://rtm.cc/T8NY6">Daily Candy 100 Day Giveaway</a><br /><br />Shared via <a href="http://addthis.com/">AddThis</a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-1605758464582706192009-06-29T13:05:00.002-04:002009-06-29T13:08:42.896-04:00CVS.com special offerFree shipping on orders of $25 or more <strong>June 29th and 30th</strong> only!<br /><br />Use coupon code: SHIP4FREE at checkout.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-2926767129832479122009-06-29T10:16:00.003-04:002009-06-29T10:27:44.989-04:00Menu Plan Monday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs7pfjDEPfX5KfvbYnwW6wCheYCfMQLqNX4x_1CmQMo8gNBBDoktFu0DBxVSdZSHlrJFKSilwksjJyf7tCgnXafwbkavuGLRx0PazR9m2ZD_sVMcfyVxZZZH4xbPq5CcJqmQToI0thFc/s1600-h/mpm3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 161px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352755636685094386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs7pfjDEPfX5KfvbYnwW6wCheYCfMQLqNX4x_1CmQMo8gNBBDoktFu0DBxVSdZSHlrJFKSilwksjJyf7tCgnXafwbkavuGLRx0PazR9m2ZD_sVMcfyVxZZZH4xbPq5CcJqmQToI0thFc/s320/mpm3.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Ok, this is my very first attempt at <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/menu-plan-monday">Menu Plan Monday</a>. Here goes!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Monday - Jambalaya</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tuesday - burgers and brats on the grill with friends! pasta salad too.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Wednesday - <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/impossibly-easy-cheeseburger-pie">Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thursday - pork tenderloin</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Friday - BBQ chicken, on the grill if I can talk Joel into it!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Saturday and Sunday we will be at parties and picnics. Yay!</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-14023367357758076662009-06-02T20:38:00.003-04:002009-06-02T20:49:13.785-04:00Stuff I like<ul><li>Chex Mix Chocolate Chunk bar</li><li>Mossimo boyfriend t-shirt</li><li>my dog</li><li>Yoplait Light yogurt (the dessert flavored ones)</li><li>Nora Roberts</li><li>summer</li><li>House, MD</li><li>saving money</li><li>spending money</li><li>flip flops</li><li>pogo.com</li><li>that cute puppy at the pet store yesterday</li><li>Old Navy</li><li>Target</li><li>The Hills</li><li>capri pants</li><li>anything with the word chipotle in it</li><li>Frank & Nic's</li><li>Vicodin</li><li>a good Pinot Noir</li><li>making lists</li><li>eating</li><li>my Wii</li><li>that Heather is planning to visit</li><li>babies</li><li>that my BFF makes me feel good about myself</li><li>cooking</li><li>having a full schedule, no matter how much I bitch about being busy</li><li>Diet Coke</li><li>my blog friends</li><li>my LJT friends</li><li>my real friends</li><li>my family, even when they drive me insane!</li></ul>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-53635136194693538572009-05-28T15:23:00.002-04:002009-05-28T15:29:48.527-04:00the bad placeThere's a bad place in my head. I think everyone has one, but for some of us, it's easier to find. I feel like it's sucking me in today. While in the bad place, I don't get enough sleep but spend too much time in bed. In the bad place, I cry alot and have an extremely short temper with the kids and Joel. In the bad place, I eat too much junk but throw most of it up. In the bad place, I hate my life and forget how lucky I am.<br /><br />Our money situation is bad. I don't have a freakin' clue how to fix it. It's really, really bad. I'm not sure how we can keep our house.<br /><br />I have nothing else to say today.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-91444835873829120402009-05-27T10:57:00.001-04:002009-05-27T11:00:02.006-04:00freebie<a href="http://www.dunkinathome.com/?src=blogtag" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Dunkin' Donuts. Dunkin' keeps me blogging. Try Dunkin' Donuts Coffee For Free. Get a Sample" src="http://www.dunkinathome.com/images/blog/blog_tag.jpg" width="252" height="190" /></a><br /><a href="http://frosty.com/posse/landingB.jsp"></a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-71547244453606769072009-05-21T10:17:00.004-04:002009-05-21T10:26:28.227-04:00packingSo, I've started packing for our weekend getaway. And, yes, I have lists of what to pack. Duh. I've realized that my OCD issues stretch farther than just list making. I seriously over pack. Not so much for me, but for the kids. There are too many what ifs. What if it's colder than the forecast. What if it rains. What if one of them has an accident? What if the get overly messy and need to change? What if their clothing gets ripped? Gah, I sound like a crazy person, even in my own head!<br /><br />But, seriously, packing for a 20 month old is hard. He needs a lot of stuff on a daily basis! I'm trying to downsize as much as possible, but I have a feeling I'm still taking way more stuff than a sane person would. Good think I'm ok with being a little bit crazy.<br /><br />Not too sure what we're up to here today. Right now we're watching Sesame Street while I make up our to do list. I need to grab a few things from the grocery store for sure. I really don't feel like doing much. I want to be on vacay already!<br /><br /><ul><li>grocery store</li><li>post office</li><li>plan dinner</li><li>1 load of laundry</li><li>death by Jillian (also known as 30 day shred)</li><li>more packing and list making</li></ul><p></p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-6286508742118571272009-05-19T09:38:00.002-04:002009-05-19T09:49:40.019-04:00lostMy favorite message board has been down for days, and I'm feeling a bit lost. I post my boring daily to do lists there. It keeps me on track. Hopefully it'll be back up today, but in the meantime I need to get it all down. Pen and paper are not nearly as much fun.<br /><ul><li>vote</li><li>laundry</li><li>dishes</li><li>auto parts store</li><li>bank</li><li>get suitcase down from attic</li><li>make a shopping list of anything else we may need for the weekend</li><li>cash in change jar</li><li>try on bathing suits</li><li>call and order harbor pass & orioles tickets</li><li>barnes & noble</li></ul><p>I'm sure there's plenty more, but that's what comes to mind right now.</p><p> </p><p>I'm so excited for this weekend! Ethan, Joey and I are going to Baltimore with my parents for my mom's birthday. We're leaving Saturday morning and coming home Monday evening. Ethan's more excited about our hotel's indoor pool than anything else. I'm looking forward to taking Joey to the aquarium and seeing a game at Camden Yard. Let's see how much we can jam into 3 days.</p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-23948986494327038262009-05-14T20:34:00.005-04:002009-05-14T21:00:12.529-04:00Jillian tried to kill meJillian <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Michaels</span> is evil. She's hurt me in places I didn't know existed. There's an armpit muscle. It hurts. Is it a good kind of pain? Maybe, if I wake up skinny again.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I caved and bought the 30 Day Shred DVD. My wonderful UPS man brought it yesterday and I popped it right in. It's hard, and it hurts, but I kinda like it. I'm sick like that. I probably didn't need to go to the gym today. Ouch!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So, I'm walking out of the gym and get a text message from Joel, telling me how awesome I am (see below) and asking me to run next store for beer. I hate doing that for many reasons. I shall list them below.<br /><br /><br /><ul><br /><li>I'm sweaty and gross when I leave the gym.</li><br /><li>I feel like people are going to look at my chub and think it's a beer gut.</li><br /><li>My arms were <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">sooo</span> sore today that I wasn't sure I could lift a case of beer. Thanks Jillian.</li><br /><li>This particular beer distributor has some very, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ummm</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hygienically</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">challenged</span> customers, and not because they were working out. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Icky</span>.</li></ul><br /><br /><p>Whatever. I sucked it up and bought the beer. I did refuse to buy Pabst or Busch or anything else cheap and yucky. If I was buying, and lifting with my very angry arms, I was buying something good. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335846602036360226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MwiPw_HqDBk47YSXF1x8WNzYyWRlMP-ZlCHKaZR70U1OkTy6uW5T-cVwFFeUZK9pQ06ERnMPGy69qGOWa7UL9GgN30v01t0Gye14xYaOAZIZqAaKNaMpuFhAe2s0hxAitiqm4FyLmTI/s320/sam_beersofsummer.jpg" /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p>Samuel Adams Summer Styles:</p><ul><li>Boston Lager</li><li>Samuel Adams Light </li><li>Summer Ale</li><li>Blackberry Wit</li><li><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hefeweizen</span> </li><li>Pale Ale</li></ul><p><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Freakin</span>' awesome!</p><p>In other news, I loved being a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">SAHM</span> today. I made muffins (awesomeness #1) first thing this morning. Kim came over to chat for a bit with Darin & Christian. It was nice to sit and have some girl talk, also known as venting about these men. After she left I had an online focus group chat. I earned $10 @ Amazon for that. When that was done, I threw a roast in the crock pot with some quartered red potatoes and baked a loaf of beer bread. (awesomeness #2 & 3)</p><p>All of the kids liked dinner tonight! I almost fainted. Now, I'm not a short order cook, so they eat what I make, like it or not. But tonight? The all ate every last bite and 2 of them asked for seconds. Mama did good! </p><p>I'm always surprised that I'm a good cook. I didn't really start cooking until I was 25. I never thought it could be fun. Now I know better!</p><p><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span>, time to go watch the season finale of Grey's Anatomy. Later!<br /></p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-44480821048706427682009-05-13T10:28:00.002-04:002009-05-13T11:02:54.663-04:00feeling listy, and random<ul><li>today's entire post will be in list form. i need it to keep any semblance of sanity. list making soothes me. i also don't feel like capitalizing.</li><li>today would have been day4 of drinking nothing but water, but i caved. i have coffee in front of me. it's for the good of all those who cross my path, trust me.</li><li><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">i'll</span> be doing my first book review here on the blog soon. i was so excited to be asked to read and review this book! more on this soon.</li><li>joey is cutting <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">molars</span>. it's been, um, not fun.</li><li>joey also decided we needed to be up early. i disagreed. he won. hence the coffee drinking.</li><li><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ethan</span> has straight A's on his midterm report. did i mention that last week? i don't think so. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">i'm</span> too lazy to check.</li><li><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ethan</span> also has a problem with talking back lately. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">i'm</span> not amused.</li><li><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">i've</span> had the chance to spend some really good one-on-one time with both josh and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">darin</span> in the last week. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">i'm</span> really glad, because that rarely happens.</li><li><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">i'm</span> so bummed that 3 of my friends are having serious relationship trouble right now. it's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">sucky</span>, i know, as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">i've</span> been there. we all have. </li><li><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">ethan</span> and josh have less than a month of school left! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">i'm</span> so glad that summer is almost here. remind me of this when they're driving me insane, please.</li><li>i really need to put more effort into my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">avon</span> biz. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">i've</span> been lazy.</li><li>i really need to put more effort into cleaning. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">i've</span> been lazy.</li><li>i really need to stop spending so much <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">money on</span> little things. they add up quick!</li><li>i really need to stop eating so much at night. my belly is expanding like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">i'm</span> pregnant. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">i'm</span> not. </li><li>since joey just went down for his nap, i need to get off my butt and do something around here.</li></ul>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-39868979177674411112009-05-09T09:55:00.002-04:002009-05-09T10:04:50.275-04:00Elmo Does DiscoYesterday was awesome. I took Joey and Darin to see <a href="http://www.sesamestreetlive.com/?storyline=13_-1__0_~0_-1_12_2008_0_0&content=storylines">Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music</a>. It was soooo much fun. The kids had a blast, and I found myself dancing around in my seat as well. They did the Hustle! It was great fun, even if that blonde chick, Jenny, was a bit annoying. I'm so glad we went.<br /><br />Semi-busy week ahead of us, so I'm glad that today is kinda low key. We'll get Josh and Darin after Joel gets home from work. I'm making tacos for dinner. That's about all that's happening here. I'm ok with that.<br /><br />The list of the day is...<br /><br />My boring old to do list:<br /><ul><li>vacuum living room</li><li>dishes</li><li>wash white clothes</li><li>get mother's day cards</li><li>clean off table</li><li>start working on grocery list</li><li>go over calendar for next week</li><li>try to not spend all day on facebook.</li></ul>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-31048495443387439682009-05-07T10:09:00.002-04:002009-05-07T10:32:58.145-04:00whiney pantsComplaining ahead, just a warning.<br /><br />Joel's job is really pissing me off. First his hours were cut. Now he has to work 6 days a week to make what he used to bring home in five. Then the decided to give us TWO <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">FREAKIN</span> DAYS NOTICE that they were changing payday from Friday to Monday. Now, today, they gave his load away to another driver. He was supposed to leave at 6am, but he's still here. This messes up my whole day, and I'll explain how, in list form!!<br /><ul><li>He's playing the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wii</span>. This interrupts our Sesame Street/Rachael Ray schedule.</li><li>He finished the coffee. I had to make more.</li><li>He will now be home hours later that he was supposed to be, so I have no one to watch the kids while I go to the gym.</li><li>We probably won't be able to get Josh & Darin at all tonight.</li><li>It'll probably just be me, Ethan & Joey for dinner now, so I have to re plan.</li><li>I just hate last minute changes!!!!</li></ul><p> </p><p><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span>, glad to have that off my chest. Nothing really on the agenda here today. Depending on what time Ethan gets off the bus, we may try to hit a Mom's Club event at Rita's. I could use some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gelato</span>. </p><p>Complaining addition:</p><ul><li>Now he's just left, and Joey is pissed. Really pissed. This should make my day fun.</li></ul><p>O, where was I? Oh, yeah, really not much to do. If we meet Summer at Rita's, we might as well run down to my grandmother's to pick up my mom's Mother's Day/ Birthday present. </p><p>I wonder <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">what</span> I'm getting for Mother's Day? I'll take peace ad <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">quiet</span>, please.</p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-10817667389360853602009-05-05T22:26:00.002-04:002009-05-05T22:30:02.446-04:00caleb<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxHYeOG4YbAkAtUV2gm-dwvX2VOuYLjTCR8sPSHl0_RiddV-4wJk6gcboI2kZQyNRXwmIVxOkj3G-synM3GywK1N7iwSnb-57L9UpPFPS06MgrJta05yH4pd0l9C9dCpeXROJ8Jp5i1w/s1600-h/caleb.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332532453657793906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxHYeOG4YbAkAtUV2gm-dwvX2VOuYLjTCR8sPSHl0_RiddV-4wJk6gcboI2kZQyNRXwmIVxOkj3G-synM3GywK1N7iwSnb-57L9UpPFPS06MgrJta05yH4pd0l9C9dCpeXROJ8Jp5i1w/s320/caleb.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Cinco de Mayo is more than just an excuse to drink margaritas and eat Mexican food for me. It's a day that's full of sadness and memories. Four years ago today, an amazing little boy was taken way too soon. I still miss you Caleb.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I love you, Nat. Your strength amazes me. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-9723524727969347972009-05-04T12:54:00.001-04:002009-05-04T12:56:04.316-04:00too touchin not to share"death is nothing at all...i have only slipped away into the next room....i am i and you are you...whatever we were to each other, that we are still. call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way you always used. put no difference into your tone; wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. play, smile, think of me, pray for me. let my name be ever the household word that it always was. let it be spoken without effect, without the ghost of a shadow on it. life means all that it ever meant. it is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. what is this death but a negligible accident? why should i be out of mind because i am out of sight? i am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner....all is well."<br /><br />---canon henry scott holland "1847 - 1918)<br /><br />I read this on my favorite message board today. I felt it was such a beautiful quote, and needed to share it.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-19073643941145679402009-05-04T07:48:00.002-04:002009-05-04T08:48:30.494-04:00commitment issuesLook, I already missed day 3! Not a shocker, as I have memory issues lately. Oh well, I'll have to double up today.<br /><br />There's really not a whole lot going on here. Jill and I spent most of yesterday in the kitchen, making buffalo chicken dip and then chili. We also watched Bride Wars, which I really liked.<br /><br />Today, I was supposed to host a Moms Club event at the park, but it's raining, again. I have plans to do the grocery shopping and go to Curves. That's it. Nothing exciting.<br /><br />Today's list is...my shopping list!<br /><br /><ul><li>kielbasa (sale)</li><li>burgers (sale)</li><li>grapes (sale)</li><li>carpet cleaner (sale & coupon)</li><li>chicken</li><li>ground beef</li><li>ice cream (sale)</li><li>creamer (coupon)</li><li>pierogies (coupon)</li><li>juice (coupon)</li><li>mini tacos (coupon)</li><li>taquitos (coupon)</li><li>rice (coupon)</li><li>taco seasoning (coupon)</li><li>chili</li><li>shredded cheese</li><li>cheese wiz</li><li>tortillas</li><li>sliced cheese</li><li>milk</li><li>lettuce</li></ul><p>Now I have to try to find coupons for all of that.</p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1889595012697303304.post-6627758967216925622009-05-02T10:29:00.004-04:002009-05-02T10:33:49.405-04:00sadMy dear friend Cathy lost her husband last night. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. My heart just aches for her.<br /><br />I'm not feeling very posty today, so my list is simple.<br /><br />Things I'm thankful for:<br /><br /><ul><li>my kids</li><li>my parents</li><li>my Joel</li><li>my Sheena dog</li><li>the rest of my fmaily</li><li>the truly amazing friends I've gained over the years</li><li>Facebook, for giving me back friends I thought were lost forever</li><li>being a SAHM</li><li>cheesecake.</li></ul><p>Hug your kids, kiss your husbands and thank your friends for being around.</p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022877289089852177noreply@blogger.com1