Bloggers I Love, Discovered & want To Get Some Exposure.

I have been blogging for at least the last three years. Maybe even more than that. But I'm not one for keeping count.

Over these last few years, I have discovered some really neat blogs, and wonderfully crafted Bloggers. Some armature. Some went "pro". And some fall right in between the middle.

I've followed or read ALL kinds of topics from bloggers. From being a stay-home-parent, all the way to giveaways, and in between, some things like topics of the Paranormal, poetry, and fan fiction.

Today, I wish to bring to you (yes including a couple of my other blog pages, too) some Bloggers who spin their crafty words on to their pages from ALL types of blogging topics. Please indeed do take some time and check them out.


A Tall Drink of Sweet Tea (A little bit of everything)

Holly's House...not a perfect mom's blog... (That name should say it all! lol... And I thought my kids were nutso. WARNED! Explicit language)

Narragansett No. 7 (A pro writer, giving a funny look in to the everyday life of being a parent... WARNED! Explicit language)

Another Cookie, Please (What started as a chronicle of her mother's battle with illness turned in to a page filled with all kinds of tidbits and her no-nonsense take of the world around her.)

Living for the Dream~Teri Drost PhotoArt (A BRAND NEW blog page! Features wonderfully captivating and beautiful photography art. From nature to reptiles, Terii snaps them all!)

The Blindo Diaries (Advice for those fighting and/or living with blindness. From someone who's there.)

Parga's Junkyard (Giveaways, coupons, shopping tips, reviews, recipes)

Now, being the gracious Hostess that I am, and because my Mama taught me better, I have saved MY links for last. I urge you to check these out, also. I have so many pages to write in because I wanted to keep my topics (for the most part) organized and more readily available to my readers and my potential readers.

Poetic Thoughts (Blog of poems that either are originals by me, or credited to famous authors.)

Through A Looking Glass (Educational. My life as a person that had a Corneal Transplant)

ParanorMel (All about the subject of the Paranormal. Primarily ghosts, hauntings, and my own experiences, and those of my family.)

The "Mental"-ist Mom (Talking about my life as a parent of a child deemed disabled by his many mental disorders. I also talk about the Disability Community in general, as well.)

As you can see from this list, there is indeed SOMETHING for not just one or two types of interest groups. But there is something for EVERYONE to (hopefully) enjoy. And I hope that you have found something that you may have been looking for.

Depending on the popularity of this post, comments/reactions to it and if there are any requests, I may do another one of these in the future. And hopefully, with a MUCH longer list of blog links.

I Love My So-Called "Job"!

I get no (monetary) pay. I get no medical benefits. I get no "vacation pay" or "Holiday pay". I have been "promoted", though since the beginning of the year.

I'm a Volunteer! And I am also the Assistant Volunteer Coordinator for my children's Elementary School.

And I love EVERY single moment of it. Even though it can be tiring, and at times, overwhelming.

Take this past week. We have held a "Holiday Boutique" for the kids. From Pre-K, all the way up through the Fifth Grade classes. We sold things from just twenty-five cent items, up to no more than ONE dollar.

Many of our kids have family (including us, somewhat again) that are struggling just to buy their children presents for Christmas and Hanukkah. And knowing kids, they want to buy for Grandma, Mom, siblings and even their friends. But can't due to the financial strains.

So, thanks to the PTO Board, and one really awesome mom I know of, and that I worked closely with to pull it all together, we opened the "Holiday Boutique" for two days. And the kids went NUTS (in a good way) about buying for their loved ones.

And because of the two-day event being such a success, and pulling in OVER $500 in EIGHT HOURS time (between the two days), we have decided (after I said I'd be willing to do so, and got the approval from the boss lady... AKA the Principal) that we will be open for ONE more day to purchase donated goods (via the teachers, other staff and some of the parents, including yours truly).

To see these kids come in, smiling from ear-to-ear, knowing that they CAN buy things for those that they love and care about, and being SO excited to hand over the money for their purchase, it IS MY version of "being paid".

As well as the "thanks for helping me", "thanks for letting me get this for my mom/dad/whomever", the hugs and just seeing their day being a little brighter. That is all worth so much more than the almighty dollar being given to me for all that I have done, do, and will do for that school and those kids.

Thanks to all of the parents that have donated or even have helped me with the actual sale days. Thanks to all of the teachers and other faculty of the school for helping with giving donations.

And a huge thanks to "my" kids who have made every bit of stress, every ache and pain and every trip to the school's office to hand over money (LOTS of times lol) worth it. Your excitement and smiles made every second worth it all.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas! (PIC Heavy!)

Well, it is officially CHRISTMAS in my house. Just take a look through these pictures, and you will see just what I mean.

UPDATE on Good Reads group..

First off, I'd like to congratulate my oldest daughter for making it in to her school's Book Club. They already have their first book to read and will be meeting after school once a week to discuss the stories and whatnot. She had to get at least 25 AR (Accelerated Reading) points. She made it just past the minimum amount.

Now, onward to the Good Reads group. I had initially made a "book club" for those moms that stay at home with their kids, being that I am one myself. But I noticed that even with the "re-vamp" of certain things to make it more active and organized, still, I had no real activity in there.

Now, I have opened the book club group to ALL mothers and grandmothers (and that includes Foster Mothers!). It is aptly now called Mom's Book Club.

Here is the description of the group, taken from the area of the site it's self..

"If you are a Mother (or Grandmother, a Foster Mother, or an aunt with minor children living with you that you are guardianship over) and love to read, then come on inside and join us!

We talk about books and everyday life, have an entertainment/Hollywood Buzz section and other areas to talk and maybe make a new friend or two.

Lots to see. Lots to talk about. Especially BOOKS! "

If this sounds like a group for you, then PLEASE click on the group's link, and click JOIN under the group's Profile Avatar.

I've lost a couple of moms that are SAH ladies. But that's okay. I see it as being "their loss" to making potential friends and finding some great new reads.

And I am currently working on a Stephen King/Peter Straub collaboration, "Black House". I also had bought a John Grisham book, as well as a couple of others today over at the Good Will.

Have a great day, and I hope to see you join me over at Good Reads, and in the Mom's Book Club group.

Memories Of The Past, Memories In The Making

I'm eight years old, and it is officially the first day of school. I'm off to First Grade in Mrs. Bartley's class. I'm all ready to go in my white, ruffle-neck dress shirt, my purple overalls with the yellow tulip on the front, and my pigtails upon my head.

Being it's no more than a seven-minute walk to school, and back then, my area was pretty darn safe, my parents started out on the journey to my new school along side me, with Sarah, our Corgi. They stopped at the corner of the next street over from us and let me finish the walk on my own. As a big girl.

I remember vaguely, as I turned my head to see my parents still standing there at the corner, after I crossed the street, then crossed to the opposite corner at the end of the block. They waved to me, my dog looking sad and in wonderment of where her "sister" is going off to without her. My mom, I saw wiping tears from her eyes, trying not to fall apart, as most of us mothers do when their babies start trying out their wings.

After waving good-bye and walking out of their sight, I can only imagine how Mom fell apart, and how Dad had to console her on that "lonely" walk back to the house after I made the rest of my way off to school that beautifully warm and sunny morning.

But that would also be the last time she would ever see me take that "big leap" in growing up. Ever. Because the year before I was to start Junior High/Middle School, my mother had passed away after having suffered from a massive stroke and pneumonia.

Yesterday (Thursday, August 18th) my oldest had her Middle School orientation to take a dry run at finding her classes, knowing how to get in to her locker, meet her teachers and to learn the rules.

She has to get on the bus now, about an hour earlier than before, when she attended Elementary School. And she is fine with that. Because she also now gets out about an hour earlier than her siblings.

As my daughter waited outside at the bus stop (which for her, is now across the street) I had the flashbacks. I saw her as a tiny girl again, just starting Preschool. She and I waited for the bus at the top of the hill near our former home. She was SO excited. And I watched as she clomped up each step with her short, stubby little legs, and her huge backpack on her back, as she boarded the bus. It took all that I had to not just lose it right then and there.

Yesterday, it hit me. Not only am I seeing my little girl, my first born, grow up before my very eyes into what will be a stunningly beautiful young woman, but I am witnessing something my mother never was able to have the chance to, and never will. Not with myself, and not with her grandchildren.

I was VERY close to my oldest daughter's age when I lost my mother. And I am only about eight and a half years younger than my mother's age when she died. It pains me to know that my mother has had to miss out on SO much. My marriage. My kids. How I have grown and matured. My overcoming of many medical obstacles.

While I feel blessed and fortunate to be here to see and experience the wonders of my children as they each make their own headway in the world and leave their own marks on the world, it still saddens me that I didn't get the chance to have my mom see all that I can.

So, I guess in a way, I am living life and experiencing these things for the both of us. And I often times wonder what Mom would say, think or do. What would she say about how my life has turned out? What would she say about the man that I married or how I am raising and rearing my children?

Sadly, those are questions that will forever haunt me and be left unanswered. And to this day, it is still hard for me to come to terms with that fact.

It's Almost Time...And I Had To Spend WAY Too Much!

We finally got all of the school supply shopping done. Between three kids, it cost almost ninety dollars. That included a pair of shoes for the boy (girls already got new shoes). Back in MY day (God, I just made myself sound older than dirt) my parents didn't have to buy all these things. Especially the extras. Like antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer and facial tissue.

Also, I don't ever recall needing more than TWO glue sticks. These days, kids need three LARGE or a dozen (or six, depending on grade and teacher preference) small sticks of glue.

The only things I had to take were my Trapper Keeper binder that had a few folders and the dividers, pencils, crayons and scissors in a pencil pouch and my lunch. Of course all in my awesome looking backpack.

I didn't get to take in the Tax-Free Weekend, sadly. But I was still able to find some pretty good deals, anyways. With three kids to shop for, I look for all the savings cuts I can when it comes to shopping for school that are listed.

I understand, that like us parents are, teachers are hurting economically, as are the schools themselves where funding is concerned. But to see some of the amounts PER item that they wish for us parents to buy really IS kind of obscene.

And no, I am NOT saying that the teachers and the schools should have to buy EVERYTHING...But why not pick up a little of the slack and provide the tissues, hand sanitizer and then antibacterial wipes? That would help US out.

The schools MUST also understand, that there are households (such as mine, included) that can only get so much PER child. With three children, all in school and all needing their supplies, it can be EXTREMELY difficult, financially.

Heck, even buying for one child can run you in to the ground, financially. Add in clothes, extra expenses (School Agendas, PE Uniforms, extra supplies for certain classes), it REALLY adds up.

I know that I may get a few teachers on here ready to jump me. But as a parent, I see that honestly, it is unfair to the parents to have to pretty much supply everything in the means of school supplies in the name of "free public education". It's NOT free when you are shelling out money you don't really have on things that should not be the parent's complete responsibility to supply.

Pens and pencils. Binders and backpacks. Uniforms (if required). Folders and dividers. Notebooks and composition books. That should be the END of the supply list.

Not that and a laundry list of other stuff.

I've got a friend who is financially hurting REALLY bad right now. Her daughter is going in to first grade, mom can't work, lives in low-income housing, and her nineteen-year-old son is helping with what little he has left over to get his baby sister at least SOME of her supplies.

Mom had to give up GROCERY money to buy those wipes, sanitizers and tissues. And to get a few pieces for the girl's uniforms.

I told her not to worry about the piddly crap, because the teacher WILL just have to understand and she will have MORE than plenty between the ones that will bring it all in.

She told me, with a shaky voice that she did it as to not be viewed as THAT mom. The one that is too damn dirt poor to get ANYTHING for her kid. To save her little girl from the good possibility of being made fun of for not having money.

The parents at our schools, and ALL the other schools in the country have parents with ALL variants of income status. Some dirt-ass poor. Some more than well-off. And some of us in the middle or are just keeping our heads above the water.

NO parent should feel in ANY way forced or coerced in to buying items that they CANNOT afford and have to make the choices (as a single parent) as she has had to do. All in the name of keeping her dignity in tact and making sure that her daughter isn't bullied because Mommy can't just go out and buy this, that and everything else on a whim.

If we are in a Public School setting where it is a "FREE public education", then by God, make it so! By not asking for the parents to do ALL the financial supplementation for YOUR classroom.

Picture Perfect w/For The Love of Blogs

(Taken last month (July,2011) at a theme park. Times like this, we cherish when all three can be TRUE brother and sisters, being that due to my son's mental issues, they don't always have the best relationship among themselves.)

It's the Final Countdown!!

As of today, only three weeks left. Then it's BACK TO SCHOOL!!!! And this being August first, the song (and aptly the title of this post) came rushing to mind. And it's been in my head since then.



We (as in Dad and I) are in the homestretch. Been a long, hot, but fun summer overall. But I will indeed be happy that they are going to be in school soon. The kids miss their friends. They miss the teachers (two do, as the oldest is in Middle School this year).

We had our annual family vacation trek (which may change next year) to Kings Dominion theme park. Here's a few pictures...

We had a blast! But it was pretty hot and muggy. Still, the kids wore us out. Between the rides (including the Shockwave where my oldest caught me and Dad going through the loop, picture above) and the water park the next day, I think the kids nearly killed us this year.

As for Gobi, our Bearded Dragon, he is still growing like a weed.

So, with all that said, the next three weeks will be pretty busy. I still have another child going in for an annual exam, and having to get the Physical forms to let the oldest play sports this year, need to school shop for supplies. Thankfully, my husband's mom has helped me get clothes for ALL THREE kids throughout the summer at the thrift store she volunteers at. Including uniform items for the two younger ones. All I need to buy are some new shoes, clothing-wise. And of course, the oldest and I need to go to Middle School Orientation.

After the school year starts, I'm going to be blogging much more often. But it felt good to take a break from it for the summer (for the most part). Have a great week, and I'll be back soon!

Thought I'd Update

Hello, Readers! Thought I'd pop in for a few moments and let you all know that I am always thinking of you guys and I hope that the Summertime is treating you and your family all well.

Any plans this year? Or have you already taken trips that you decided on?

Well, so far, so good here in my world. Summer days are bit muggy lately, so it makes for awful hot days. My son is enjoying his Day Treatment Camp time (goes Monday through Thursday, during the day, only).

My oldest who is going in to Middle School this Fall has made ALL Advanced courses, and was accepted/invited to attend a "gifted program" school for her grade range, where they have science labs such as a Lazerarium, Terrariums with different exotic pets (including an iguana and a couple of bearded dragons) and a "hands on" petting fish tank.

My youngest is starting first grade and is pretty apprehensive. But I know she will adjust quickly once she really gets to know her teacher (who is a LOVELY lady who LOVES her job and her students).

Here's a few pictures of some recent past adventures of Summer... And of how big our Bearded Dragon, Gobi is getting since I last posted about him.

Well, soon, we will have LOTS more pictures coming, thanks to our annual trek to King's Dominion coming up. Talk to you all again soon. I can't wait to be back on here more regularly. I'm still on my "hiatus", but wanted to let you all know that I'm still alive and am enjoying myself. Have a great rest of the Summer and I'll "read" you all again very soon.

I'm On Hiatus, But... (WARNING! Language laced PYHO post!!)

It looks like I just HAVE TO join in on today's PYHO with Shell. All thanks to my Bloggy-Buddy, Holly, over at Holly's House (Not A Perfect Mom's Blog), where she talked about how people spout off with Diarrhea of the Mouth disease regarding her having four kids that are so close in age, with one being a child that has Downs Syndrome, and that she is also a STAY-AT-HOME Mom. I'm in the same boat, but with a different situation. We both have it involving kids. HER'S being a kid number thing. MINE is a kid vs. mom's age thing.

So, here is my Pour Your Heart Out (PYHO) post. If you wish to join in, just click on the button below and follow the directions..Oh! And please remember that this meme and those of us that participate do not wish to have negativity brought to our posts. For many of us, this may be our ONLY means of venting. So be nice, or shut your fingers off from commenting.



I am 34 years old. I am married. I have three children. Or at least that's what I have thought. I thought that I am to be considered an adult.

True, I have an eleven year old who is my weight and dang near my height. She is only off by about two inches to my five foot frame, which is pretty petite. I also still look fairly young to many of my peers.

My daughter has a brother who is only seventeen months her junior. Having them so close together in age, at times it honestly felt like I was raising twins. They have a little sister who is now six. My oldest was five years and ten days older than the littlest one.My son is about three and a half years older.

Over the years, I have had (officially) five pregnancies. In the end, I have three kids. You do the mathematical science.

Also, over the years, since having the kids, I have had (literally) countless occasions where I am out and about with all three kids where someone will stop me and ask "Are THOSE all YOUR kids?!". Of course, the two older ones turn around and start to snicker under their breath as I proceed to answer the dreaded comment. "Yes, they ARE ALL THREE indeed MY kids".

Which then (normally in the SAME conversation and in the same tone) comes the "How old ARE you??". I of course answer with "thirty-four" (or whatever age it's been in the past).

After that, it's like the idiot wishes to have a throw down match of wit and words, as if I am lying. "You CAN'T be thirty-four! You only look about seventeen!!", which is the better end of it. I once in a while get fourteen. Worst one of memory was when the oldest was eight months old, I was twenty-three and the dumb bitch ARGUED with me, saying there was NO way, and that I HAD TO BE twelve and BABYSITTING the kid.

I am SO sick of people ARGUING my age versus kid count ratio. Then look appalled when I tell them they are ALL THREE mine. Should I take my state-issued ID card, punch a hole in the corner and place a chain through it, then wear it like Military Dog Tags, with my information showing at all times?

People are SO damn rude. I get SO sick of hearing the above statements made TO MY FACE after answering their asinine questions. Especially when in reality, it's NONE of their business.

When someone is NICE enough to answer a question that in truth is just you being NOSY, here is some advice...

Take the answer to your STUPID question, shove it in your pocket, say something NICE back and then walk away and continue on with your day.

If you can't be cordial after asking such a personal thing to a STRANGER, then I suggest you say NOTHING at all, or shove it up your ass. Believe me, I am at the point in my life to say it too, if someone argues with me about my age and MY kids again in the future.

I CANNOT help it that I still look damn good (as in young-faced) for my age group. I don't smoke anymore. I rarely drink, and when I do, not excessively. I rarely, if ever wear makeup. And I eat fairly healthy.

And I also can't help it that my children (at least two of them, anyways) will be TALLER than I am. And I can't help it that one of them is basically already there. Blame her wonderful and attentive stupid piece of shit father sperm donor. He is six foot. I am five foot. Use your smarts and take it from there.

So take it from me, it's not fun to have to be FORCED to play "Twenty Questions" with people you don't even know, as you mind your own business, be it walking down the street, or walking around the store, and when you get TOO nosy, be ready to have it taken clean off.

KFC, I Give You Props!

Yep. I'm singing praises to world-famous chicken extraordinaire, Kentucky Fried Chicken. At least for the one that is right up the street from us. And believe me, I don't do this with ANY business that often. Even the grocery chain my husband works for. That should say something.

Earlier in the day, I decided to get myself and the kiddies out of the house. It was not too hot at that point. And I needed to go to Kmart to shop for a birthday and then to our family-owned (no, not MY family, silly!), local-based pet shop. Seeing as I don't drive, Kmart and that pet store, which I DO favor over PetSmart, are the closest for me to walk to. And actually, I favor walking over driving, in all honesty.

We were all hungry (okay, three of the four, seeing as my son whined per usual about where we are going) and so I suggested going to KFC first and chow down. Which is exactly what we did.

I placed my order with a new lackey trainee (unbeknown to me until AFTER the fact, mind you). Simply it was TWO number sevens, a KIDS popcorn chicken meal and an order of mac and cheese with a small drink on the side.

Well, I don't know if their day before we planted our butts in the seats was just short of shitty in having customer relations. But when the (REALLY) nice lady said it will be a few minutes to FRESHLY cook our number seven meat and the popcorn chicken, for our trouble, she *THREW IN FOR FREE* an order of chicken strips, a large order of potato wedges (three small orders in one) and a couple of FREE single serve mashed taters.

To say I was beside myself I think was an understatement. In fact, it's a wonder I didn't hear "ka-ching!" as my mouth dropped to the floor like a fast-opening cash drawer.

Maybe it's because I didn't go all postal over the fact that we had to do this thing in life called "wait" for our food as it was being *freshly* prepared. Or was it because I didn't go off like a half-cocked bitch because the "newbie" messed up and instead placed the order as a *FAMILY SIZE* popcorn chicken, and NOT a "Kids Meal" (in which the lady gave me back the *DIFFERENCE* of price for on her own!)? Either way, I was (more than) pleasantly surprised.

I have had some pretty low-down and crappy service in my time at different venues. And I have had five-star service inside of two-star places. But today, Kentucky Fried Chicken here up the street from me *REALLY* pulled out all the stops and totally won me over.

Especially the one lady. She never got huffy, rolled her eyes, or even "debated" with me over ANYTHING. She quickly and proficiently corrected my order, gave me back money I was due, apologized and ensured that my family's dining experience was well worth the visit.

And it was.

Wordless Wednesday...Just Like Her Mama!