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.

"The Walking Dead"... The Humanized Version. And The "Mother" of All Questions.

WARNING!!! The video below contains graphic scenes, primarily of violence and may be disturbing to some viewers. Discretion is advised!



Last night, I had my husband watch this very scene from the show. It was then, as I once again was crying that he had asked me a very point-blank question. One that hit to the very core of me.

"If it were one of our kids, could you pull the trigger?"...

WOW! Powerful, isn't it? He wasn't asking me if I had thought that HE could put a bullet through our zombie-child's brain, or let alone someone other than us as their parents to do so.

I was asked if I myself, as their MOTHER, could bring myself to end my child's suffering by pointing the barrel of a gun at my their head and fire the shot to (finally) kill my son or my daughter.

In all honesty, I do NOT think that I could bring myself to shoot any one of my kids. Zombie-fied, or not. Even though it is for the greater good. For my child that is suffering the effects of being one of the un-dead, and to ease my own conscience as to start MY grieving process of losing my child to some crazy viral mutation.

As mothers, at least the majority of us anyways, because we all know that in today's society, some mothers should have NEVER had kids, as you can tell from news articles and TV spots, we can never imagine hurting our children. Especially in that manner.

We carried them for around nine months within the confines of our body. They were (literally) attached to us from day one of conception. We love them like no one else honestly can. We do our very best to protect them and to be vigilant in fulfilling their needs.

So, to see Sophia walk out of that barn's doorway as a zombie, it actually did break my heart. That horrid lump in my throat came bubbling up and my heart sank deep within my chest. To see Carol run after her daughter, Sophia as she came out of the barn was just sickening to my heart, knowing that there is NOTHING to do for her, but to end her suffering via a bullet to the brain.

As for Rick, as a parent/father himself, to BE the one to step forward, gun in hand, as his son, Carl, who was close friends with Sophia watched in unimaginable horror as Lori (Carl's mother) told her son to not watch, was taking on that leadership roll in a bold, new, albeit a gut-wrenching way.

If you watched closely as Rick aims the gun at Sophia, tears are stinging his eyes, as he tried hard to hold back. Hearing Carol's screams and cries I'm sure didn't help him with knowing that what he was about to do, HAD to be done. His jaw clinches and flinched just slightly as he pulls back on the trigger.

In one deep breath, it is over. Sophia is officially gone.

For all of those involved, it was a nightmare come true. Especially for the parents of the group. Primarily for Carol. To see the agony in her eyes, and hear it in her voice and in her cries about killed me.

And that question that my husband asked me in regards to being able to pull the trigger on my own child? It stuck with me and ate at me most of the night.

As for how the Makeup Artists made Sophia in to a zombie, I COMMEND THEM! They had done an explicitly excellent job of putting her humanity first, and the monstrous side to her, as a secondary attribute. She was the epitome and the if you will, spokes-zombie of the Walking Dead community. We got to see, thanks to Sophia (again, thanks to the Makeup crews!) as the little girl that (some of us) had grown to know and like (if not love), even though she was no longer completely human.

So to see her story end in this way, which indeed was utterly shocking, it left me, as a mom, heartbroken, but glad all at once. A mother lost a child. But in the end, there was and will be closure for Carol. And for the others.

Or will there be?

Time Has Passed & It's Almost Time Again.. (Picture-filled post!)

Now you are probably sitting here, reading that title and wondering, "what in the world is this chick talking about with this wacky riddle?!".

On November 18th, my oldest of the three kids had turned twelve years old. Yes, she is one more year closer to the dreaded tag known as "teenager". All in all though, with her maturity level (both mentally, as well as physically) she is more like a fourteen year old.

I'm thirty-five. She is twelve. I am 100 pounds on the nose. She last weighed in at 98. I am five feet tall. She is too. I don't have a set of "boobage". She does.

Basically, if you were to ask her thoughts about all this "you're as tall as your Mama" talk, that may just be what she would do to me after snickering. Like she did in the doctor's office when he asked how old I was, when discussing reading glasses.

As for the second part of the answer to my awesome riddle-title...

The youngest of the three "angels" of mine will be turning seven years old on Monday. Hard to believe. Already, seven years have just up and flown past like a speeding NASCAR racer doing 250 on the inside stretch.

In many ways she is taking after her big sister. She looks up to her (especially being that Big Sissy is about a foot and a half or so taller than her lol) and severely misses her when my oldest has to go on bi-weekly visits with her biological father.

Both of my girls have shown me (albeit the hard way) just what all it had taken my parents to raise me. Raging hormones, attitudes, "Princess-tude".

And thank God, the oldest (who now wears makeup), puts it on and still looks natural, but accentuates her features. Especially those beautiful blue eyes of her's.

At the end of the day, no matter how old they get, and no matter how tall they grow, they will ALWAYS be the apple of their Daddy's eye. My husband may not be my oldest's biological father with not a shred of DNA shared between them, but she is HIS, and he will tell you that to your face.

The little one is so wrapped around her Dad's finger, it's not funny. Okay. It is. But geez! And I thought that I got away with "murder" as a kid. Wrong. I kind of wish I could do that "Freaky Friday" thing and trade places with her for about 24 hours and enjoy some of the (tons of) freedom that she gets.

This past Summer's trip to Richmond has been one of the best I think that we have enjoyed as a family. And now, with all three of my kids growing up, and inching ever so much closer to being teens and "big kids", I find myself reflecting more on the Summers past, when the kids were so innocent, that it never seemed like we as parents would have to deal with more than scraped knees and the occasional "she/he took my toy".

To those of you with "young" (as in under the age of eight years old), take my advice and heed it well. Cherish EVERY single moment with your child(ren). Relish in each hug and kiss (yes, even the open-mouthed baby ones!). Enjoy the fanciness of every tea party and doll playtime.

The young years fly by faster than a Santa Ana wind.

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.

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.

Wordless Wednesday...Just Like Her Mama!

PYHO... Mommy Wars

*Please remember, for some of us, this is the only place to be able to vent in a safe way, as to avoid the unneeded negativity that may already be occurring in our lives. In other words, if you have nothing constructive, and uninsulting to say, please refrain or move on. Or else, I let Angel come at you with one of her flaming vlogs.*

Yesterday morning, over on my FaceBook profile, I put a little lighthearted post up about this being the last two weeks of school. My exact words were...

"All the kids are off to school and here I sit, sipping my second cup of coffee. Best enjoy it while I can. In two weeks, the peace will NOT be with me. For 2 months."

In a nutshell, I meant no malice. I was not whining (as a friend had stated on behalf of her sister) and yes, indeed KNOW that I am VERY fortunate to be home with my kids.

But it wasn't always this way. I have also been a working mother as well in my time. And I missed some important areas of growth in two of my children because of it. When my third (and last) came along, I quit my job because honestly, there was no way, even with BOTH of our incomes, could afford full and part time child care for THREE kids. So I left and never went back in to the workforce.

ALL of us mothers (and fathers) work hard. Both inside and outside of the home. Only real difference is that some mothers get to earn monetary income, as well as have the house duties (and parental duties). And some of us don't earn more than kisses or hugs, which in my mind trumps all the monetary pay in the world.

"I would say you are pretty lucky!"...Yes, I am. But also, I didn't post what I did as to gain sympathy or bragging rights.

Is this what posting anything in the way of parenting has come to? Picking a war over a joke? Hell, I even made it in to a "Yoda-ism" near the end.

I'm NO better in the parenting department, being a mother who stays home, than the working girl next door with a kid or two. We both have the same job description where being a parent is concerned. Love, nurture and support our kids.

But believe me when I say, staying home 24/7 is no real picnic either. I would LOVE to be able to once again earn money from a day's work. I would love to have ADULT interactions outside of my home and the school setting (where I volunteer).

Then again, my line of work to go back to would NOT allow me the schedule I would need. Not in the retail life. It's not a "9 to 5" environment with every weekend off. And you can never really plan anything around your schedule, because that ALWAYS is changing.

Basically, there are pros and cons in BOTH areas of being a parent who works and who stays home. I may JOKE about the fact that Summertime will bring me little to no peace (which is VERY true), I will STILL enjoy the time I will have with my kids being home.

Like another mommy-friend said to me last night, "If your children don't annoy you at least once a week, you aren't around them enough". So true there! And believe me, I'm around mine enough, that the gray hairs just keep piling on my head. But I don't love, nor do I not want to be with them any less.

That FB post meant that I am being HUMAN, as well as realistic of what's to come with Summer break looming.

Just because I am a mother, it does NOT mean I have to "enjoy" having NO peacefulness or "me time" to take time for ME, and instead place myself last.

Which I do anyways.

Mama Claws Got Sharpened This Morning...

As many of you know, ABC's Executive, Brian (asshole) Frons not only is removing "All My Children" off of it's ABC Daytime lineup, but also (underhandedly) canceled "One Life To Live" as well. All with bogus "research" and "excuses" as to why. And worse yet, the piece of shit did it via a WEB CAM! He was too chickenshit to do it with the casts and crews of the shows face-to-face.

Now, I am as angry, upset, hurt and bewildered as the next fan of these two WONDERFUL and endearing shows. I'm all for not buying anymore Disney movies or other items of the company's. And for the time being, I refuse to watch anything but my local news or the Soap Operas on ABC.

But one thing that I flat out REFUSE to do is punish MY kids. I WILL let them keep watch their shows on the Disney Channel. Especially the 6 year old. She know NO better and has NO understanding of what is going on.

How dare a COMPLETE STRANGER tell me what I should or should NOT let MY kids watch in MY home where the bills are paid by ME and/or my husband.

While I can get that people are mad and are worried, that gives NO ONE the "right" to tell another person, let alone a complete STRANGER on the internet (be it Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, Blogger or whatever site) what another person should or should not let a kid (that is NOT theirs) to see, listen to or do.

Until you people pay MY bills, you have NO say in what happens in MY home. That is blatantly and utterly rude. I don't tell others what they SHOULD or should NOT do in the PRIVACY of their own home. And so I DEMAND the same respect/courtesy.

If this is the shit that I'm going to have to start dealing with, then you can count me OUT of this "movement". I will stand up and voice my concern, make emails or calls as needed, and refuse to watch or buy whatever items I MYSELF deem fit to do so.

BUT.. No one will be allowed to tell me what my children will "boycott", which is NOTHING. And furthermore it's of NO ONE's concern in regards to my kids as to what they are/aren't "allowed" to view/hear. Not on here, or FaceBook, and not on Twitter (which is where the incident happened).

You all say you want us to ban together and be as one. To save our Soaps. Fine by me. I'm in for that. But if people are going to go to THIS extreme and being THAT cut-throat about the shit, then I'll remove anything that has to do with the boycott/movement and call it a day and hope for the best.

NO ONE goes after my children in this kind of manner. Directly OR through me. At least ALL THREE of them watch channels like Diccovery, History and the like. They LOVE to learn. Not just watch "junk".

Can YOU say that about YOUR kids? Especially when they are only 11, 10 and 6 years old? Things like "Modern Marvels", "How It's Made", "Biography", "Wild America".

Yeah, I didn't think so. So, do us all a favor and shut your pie hole.

Parents...Learn From This Show!

No, I'm not joking. And the subject of bullying isn't a joke, either. It's real. It's raw. And today's form of bullying has taken on new ways of cause and effect.

When I was a small child, I was heckled, ridiculed, made the butt of jokes, and even "imitated" because of my trache. Don't forget the name calling and pushing.

But today, with technology advances such as the internet and YouTube, bullying has taken new and (literally) far-reaching forms.

Now kids attack one another on sites such as FaceBook and MySpace, or even Twitter.

Not just in the form of words. But via groups, "like pages", Tweets, videos and other internet means, including in the Blogging world. This is called Cyberbullying.

I am a longtime 'One Life To Live' (ABC) fan. One of the current storylines is centering around a Freshman boy in High School who has life-threatening Asthma. Shane Morasco is at the end of his rope with the bullying and the video of him naked in the school's gym being posted to the internet and "MyFace" (OLTL's version of FaceBook) and ready to end his life just to "make it all stop".

Sadly this is something in regards to bullying that we hear about almost daily in the news media outlet. Be it face-to-face bullying or being bullied on the internet.

Here is the preview of the storyline for this week (April 4th)...



Please, I beg EACH AND EVERY SINGLE PARENT that reads this, TEACH your children about bullying and it's many forms. Teach them what the (possible) repercussions are as the bully and what CAN (and often does) happen to bullying victims.

Both sides lose when it comes to bullying. Some lose their lives. Some have to live with lifelong guilt due to their actions. And families are torn because of the actions of the bully and their target.

No child should suffer abuse from a bully.

And bullies have it within them to change and become better people. But sometimes for that to happen, it comes at a hefty price.

It should NEVER have to be that way.

Double Dipping Again.. Pouring My Heart & Cleaning Out The Closet

I'm extremely choosy of what blog carnivals/Blog Hops/Memes I choose to participate in. And honestly, I only participate in a couple. Here they are...

For The Love Of Blogs'




and Shell's



**Before we proceed further... Let it be known upfront that with BOTH of these blog hop's rules, NO NEGATIVITY is allowed in the comments of the post. So go by the cardinal rule. "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all". Leave it at the door and post negativity on YOUR OWN posts/blogs.**

I love my family. I really do. I love being a wife and a mother. I love to volunteer at the school that my children attend. I love watching movies as a family. And doing things as a family.

But a fellow Blogger (Tough Cookie Mommy) and her post REALLY got me thinking.. When is it MY turn for ME? She is going through the same "crisis".

I'd grown up as an only child. After my medical catastrophe at birth, my mom didn't want to chance having another baby "like me". After my mom died my paternal grandmother moved herself in against my dad's wishes and "parented" me. That's where my life of "privacy" waned and went to the wind.

Ever since then, be it under my father's roof, living with roommates or with my former or current husbands and our children, I have never really gotten the chance to do for ME. All my decisions and what I do are intricately centered (rimarily) around the kids and my husband.

I can't shower (most of the time) without at least one person busting in to use the bathroom. Using the toilet even can be a non-singular chore.

Television? I have to try and watch my ABC Soaps in the afternoon (nothing is really appealing to me in the morning hours) before my kids are home. Then no more TV for me until 9:00 at night if I'm lucky and/or not too tired.

Naps...Can't take them in the middle of the day. It's "unnatural" to me. I take them in the evening, after dinner, if I feel that I need one. My husband sleeps for a while after coming home from work in the afternoon. When he sleeps (past when the kids get home from school) NO ONE disturbs him for anything. IF I take one, then all three kids (most times) come in one after another to ask me something...HELLO! You DO have a dad to ask to. Ya know?

There are days that I honestly ask myself the age-old question of many mothers/wives, especially of those of us (like myself) thanks to Reba McEntire, "Is There Life Out There"?

I KNOW I am *more* than JUST a "wife". I am *more* than just a "mother". I am STILL a person. A human being. One who STILL likes to have ME time to figure MYSELF out. Be it during a nap. Or during an uninterrupted shower. Or even having the ability to say MY turn for what I wish to watch on the Television or on DVD.

It's bad enough that my husband and I NEVER, EVER (or shall we say quite rarely do we) get an entire evening alone. Be it to go out or just hang out quietly at home. It's worse to know that you are ONLY being seen as a "wife" or as a "mom".

CPS

CPS, or other wise known as Child Protective Services.

Can't stand them myself, in all honesty. And with good reason.

In the last nine years, I have dealt with them now at least three or four times. And all involving the same child. And in the end, every time, the reports of "abuse" are unfounded.

Why? Because my kids are KIDS. They get bumps and bruises. My son has a bleeding problem with his nose. And oh my goodness! THEY FALL DOWN and they get HURT.

Kids are no longer allowed to be children. Not when it comes to playing. And also, it's apparent you are no longer allowed to raise your voice, because that is "verbal abuse". And you can no longer spank them (with your hand) because well that's "physical abuse".

People, you all need to learn the DIFFERENCE between punishing or getting hurt and REAL ABUSE.

I got hurt MANY times as a kid. I got yelled at for doing something wrong or dangerous (that I KNEW that I should NOT be doing) and yep, I got SPANKED.

The horror! I had parents that did this thing called PARENTING.

One ER doctor called CPS on me for a "suspicious bruise" from a fall my son had at 18 months old. Guess what? CPS saw EXACTLY where he fell and how and knew then that hey, he GOT HURT.

Another time was after his "big accident" with the bedpost. But it wasn't for that, but for teeth marks left by a cousin. That too was "unfounded" seeing as we as parents did nothing wrong, but it still had to be reported.

Then there were two other times as well where a "suspicion of physical abuse" came to light, one being after my kid had a bloody nose that morning and oh no!! I MISSED a spot of blood on his arm as I was cleaning him up. His bus was JUST pulling up as I got it stopped and got him cleaned up.

So in a nutshell, these days a school, a child-based agency, a hospital or anyone for that matter can call CPS on you. You can LOOK at your kid in the "wrong" way and get called on.

Now a good friend of mine is being investigated for something that was SUPPOSEDLY 'said' by someone else. And this apparently took place a good while back when it was reported. The child in question was already talked to by the Social Worker (at school). The child FLAT OUT denied ANYTHING such as what was stated EVER took place.

Now, the home study portion of the case, where it's basically the "last leg" of investigating to wrap it up and bring forth the agent's findings has been "canceled" THREE or even FOUR times now.

There are kids that are REALLY being hurt and neglected. But you and I are ones that get picked on while the TRULY abused are the ones being neglected by an agency that is to PROTECT THEM.

Those that REALLY need CPS's help get it too late because by then, the children ARE dead.

Where is THEIR justice? I know. It's with the worker who was to HELP them, but instead were investigating and trying to stake the WRONGLY accused.

This "protection system" is so screwed up and ass-backwards, it truly is tragic to watch.

One Hot Mama!...I'm Pretty Ticked & Heed My Warning.

If I could, I would have this shooting out of my head..

And have these shooting from my eyes...

Why?

Because, for the now third or fourth time, my local Walgreen's Pharmacist has messed up. It's one thing to miscount the number of pills. It's also one thing to not even fill one of them. Heck, it's even one thing to place your child's medications in the WRONG "filled and ready to go" bins.

But when your "mistake" at reading the prescription goes as far as one, filling it with the WRONG refill number, as well as with the WRONG DOSE, that is when I am DONE.

And that is also when I write to Corporate Office, and to the District Office, and to the Local Store. Yep. Every single level of Walgreen's got a copy of my letter of complaint about this "mix up".

The medications that my child is on are pretty "powerful" and can have some pretty bad side effects if given wrong. The one that was completely dispensed wrong can hurt his Blood Pressure or even his heart.

What SHOULD HAVE BEEN 2 mg. of a dose at 2 refills was ACTUALLY FILLED as 3 mg. dose with 3 refills.

How does someone read a "copy" wrong? When in doubt CALL THE DOCTOR that prescribed the medication, THEN proceed to fill it. It's not rocket science.

Please, my readers, for your safety and for the safety of your family, especially your children, READ LABELS on the medication bottles. Every time. No matter how many times you filled the same medication.

Here is a copy of my letter to all of the branches of Wallgreen's...

To Whom It May Concern,

I'm writing to complain about the (now) third or fourth "accident" in regards to my son's medications being improperly filled.

My nine-year-old is on medications that can have a great impact on his heart and his blood pressure.

His Intuniv was filled COMPLETELY wrong. I was supposed to have 2 mg dose with 2 refills. Instead I received 3 mg dose and 3 refills.

I cannot tell who had filled my son's medications last night, seeing as you do not have your Pharmacists place their names on the prescriptions that they are having to fill. That alone to me, is discouraging. Because I now cannot tell you in fact WHO ACTUALLY filled my child's medications.

At this time I am NOT "taking my business else where", but do know that I will NOT be talking very kindly about your store, and especially not in regards to this branch.

When filling medications, it means that your staff is literally holding their customer's/patient's lives in their hands. Including children.

Thank you,
Melissa C

I Stepped Into Another Demnsion When Stepping Into The Classroom!!

It was as if I was in another world completely. Kinda eerie, if you ask me.

When the now former teacher for my daughter's Kindergarten class left, she apparently took a lot with her. Including the alphabet, color pictures (of crayons with their name) and even the Calendar for them to do their days of the week and dates/weather report.

As I was helping the Substitute to help "corral" the kids, knowing what would work, I mentioned "Treasure Box" rewards for Friday Folder passing if they got all greens on their Behavior sheets for the week.

Well, forget that! The Treasure Box was taken, too.

Now, the teacher that's been hired has really NOTHING to speak of to start working in the classroom with. Including what was found to be a wonderful reward system tool.

Lucky for me, I know the incoming teacher, seeing as she has been working as a Teacher's Assistant since last school year, as she awaited a full-time position to open up. She really is a nice lady, works a lot with the Special Needs kids, and I think will do very well teaching the class for the remainder of the year.

I'm telling you though, the poor woman is walking in to a holy hell mess! The situation isn't pretty. And I saw the kids act like wild animals for a good part of the day while I was there volunteering on Friday.

And I saw one kid that we FINALLY got in a better place behaviorally and socially going back in to his old habits.

None of the kids (yes including my own little angel) really listened to the Sub, were talking when told NOT to be talking and some were intentionally getting out of their seats as to run around the room.

"Bathroom, hands and water" was never done. Nor was "bathroom and hands" for lunch.

Their entire routine is entirely shot. It was pretty sad to see their whole world being turned upside down like this, classroom-wise and acting out.

I'll be there on Friday next week, when the new teacher officially starts for her first day of being a Kindergarten teacher. She can't start before then due to red tape jargon.

And I've already said that I am more than willing to come in for extra hours/days in the following one, two or three weeks, as to help her get them used to her, help her by showing and guiding her through their behavior modifications and rewards that have proven to INDEED work with *THIS* class of kids.

Plus I can easily tell her which kids are sensory-sensitive, who's got behavior/social problems, who are "shadows" (those that try and mimic others to get out of doing stuff if one of the other kids is TRULY sick-feeling), and also I know who are the famous trouble-starters (who usually get the entire table group to join in the "fun").

So in a nutshell, it seems that both the new teacher and myself have a wild ride ahead of us. There's been so many changes within the last six months in this one classroom, it's really not shocking to see the extreme changes in these kids. Both at home and within the classroom.

First, their Student Teacher left right before Thanksgiving because she finished her internship and was graduating. Then, their regular teacher that they've had since day one had to leave for medical reasons at Christmas time. Now, the Sub will leave after two week, to be replaced by their new regular teacher.

How much are these five and six year olds supposed to take? This is probably the MOST crucial time of their educational career. And for the last six months, they have really been put through some crap. Sad..

(Not So) Hot For Teacher

As most of my readers know, I love volunteering at the school where my three children attend. I primarily work with the Kindergarten classroom that my daughter, Skyler resides at during the school day.

But right now, I'm not very happy with the school and how they are handling the transition of my daughter's class.

First, right before Thanksgiving, the Student Teacher had left after her fifteen weeks of "shadowing" and teaching the class was done as to be able to graduate and get her Teaching Certificate/License. The kids took her going away pretty hard, being that they had grown attached to her, and her to them. She was outstanding! And I loved working with her in the classroom.

Then, just as Winter Break loomed upon us, the second to the last day of school before break began, we got a letter from their teacher letting us know she was forced to resign due to health issues. So needless to say, the Christmas Party I put together for the class also became a Going Away/We'll Miss You party, as well.

Now, for almost an entire month, they've been doing the hiring process to replace the teacher in the Kindergarten classroom. And for at least another two weeks, starting YESTERDAY, there will be a substitute running the class.

There's a few problems with this though..

1) What's her name? None of the kids can tell us. Why? Because according to what many of us moms compared, she NEVER told them! Or said Miss B.

2) Where's the Daily Folder that they are to bring home everyday? Not in my hands! According to the kids, she will send them home today.

3) Subs...Is this one constant for the next two weeks, or are they rotating them?

4) Morning Routine (Calendar, weather, Wall Words, Days of the Week) were NOT done. In fact, according to the kids they did basically NOTHING of their routine or much of anything else the ENTIRE day. Just some coloring and Carpet Time...twice.

It would have been nice to have SOMETHING sent home on the first day as to who the person is and how long that they are staying with the kids (projected time) until they finalize the hiring process.

Us parents were forced to send our Kindergarten-age children to school to be taught by some "stranger" for the next two weeks. That alone was bad enough. But to STILL not know a thing about the person, quite possibly until the next day, to me is utterly absurd and disrespectful of the kids and of us as their parents.

In the event that nothing again is sent home as promised, according to the kids (getting their folders sent home), and especially if there is nothing pertaining to the teacher (introduction letter), then there's a number of us parents that are ready to go as a group on Thursday to the school and confront the matter. We don't like "smoke and mirrors" when it comes to entrusting our SMALL children to others that we know nothing about. We want answers and to know who this person is. Is that really too much to ask?

This is also making me decide firmly at this point, that on Friday I WILL indeed be at school for my Volunteer day as usual. This way, the kids will have SOMEONE that they know and are used to in their environment. Plus I know who tries to pull what, who is sensitive (sensory-wise), who has behavior problems that are out of their control and who are shadows (monkey-see-monkey-do) {mainly if seeing another kid is truly ill feeling}.

What a way to begin the last half of the school year, the beginning of 2011 and the start of a new school week.

Monkey In The Middle (A Divorce Post)

Monkey In The Middle is a game that my husband and I play with our youngest, Skyler, who is six years old. If he and I are sitting on the couch or the floor, or laying in the bed and she wants to "snuggle-buggle", then she always says she is the "monkey in the middle". Skyler sometimes is, and other times is not the proverbial monkey. Sometimes, just to get her goat Scott or myself would be the monkey.

Sadly, I have had my oldest playing this game as well. She is the monkey in the middle that must go between her two parent's homes. I have full physical cusody, and always have. Her father gets visitations every other weekend and we alternate (major) holidays. Plus I personally set out three week blocks where she stays with him in one-week increments during the summer while school is out.

Plus, I give extra time even on their "off" weekends where I can and feel it's appropriate (to go to the movies, park, etc.).

No matter how bad he has been known to talk about me, cuss me and even go as far as calling me a slave driver (because in MY home she has chores, rules and consequences, whereas in HIS home, they don't exist), I still bend over backwards to give him more time with our daughter. Even when it is NOT stipulated to do so in our still-standing court order.

How Hayley has grown in to the young lady she has thus far, without resentment towards either of us has just blown me away.

For one thing, I NEVER talk ill of her father in front of her or to her.

Two, I don't make her go on those "off" days unless SHE wants to (at 11, she can now make her own mind up about extended stays and other 'extra' days to spend time with him).

Thirdly, she knows clearly what her expectations are in MY home.

Fourth, I don't pick fights with her father (in person or over the phone) over trivial things (i.e. the having/not having a TV in the bedroom debacle over the phone..I do *not* allow one in my kids' rooms, he says she has one there and that I am a bitchy, mean mom {in so many words} for not letting the kids, including HIS "kid" to have one in their rooms in *MY* home).

Fifth, I do my very best (most of the time) to be civil towards her father. Especially when Hayley is present.

Children of divorce are fragile on some levels. But are much more thick-skinned than most people realize and give these kids credit for. Look at all that THEY must put up with. Especially if the parents, for whatever reason cannot seem to get along on ANY level.

She's been going between myself and my ex-husband like this (for the most part over the years) since she was about two years old (was one-day visits from infancy until two years due to some legal issues and other things I cannot get in to here; maybe a later post).

We split (as in I walked out with a few things we needed in hand and never looked back) when she was five months old. By then I had a "friend" in my life that treated me RIGHT, the way I should have been treated all along and this person cared enough about me and my daughter that the sister even helped me get out and let me and my then-five-month old daughter stay with her and her family.

Yes, there are times that Hayley does the "I want to live with my daddy!" routine. As soon as I say that I know it's because he is the "no-rules-do whatever you want-without consequences" parent, she hushes up and walks off.

I guess he has yet to learn, especially now that she is a preteen (or shall we say Tween, seeing that's the 'norm' these days), he cannot be her friend. Not now. She needs PARENTS that will lay down the law and set those morals and values to solidly cement within before it's too late.

Sure! She will at some point (more than likely) try to experiment with drugs and alcohol, or even cigarettes. And (God forbid) seriously think of having sex. But all I can do now is try my best up until those years NOW to lay the foundation to keep away from those types of things and avoid problems down the road with them.

But then again, when you are the "Monkey In The Middle" with two parenting styles within two different home environments, it can get confusing of which way to turn. So I am planning to just keep doing what I'm doing and hope for the best down the road.

No one said being the parent of a "divorce" child was easy!

Week One Down... 2 1/2 More To Go.

Technically, it's another two weeks. But us parents count in the weekends as well. Not just Monday through Friday.

It all started at about 1:00 on Wednesday, December 22nd. It will not end until January 18th of the new year.

What is that, you ask? Winter-freaking-Break! Three (by their counting standards) weeks of hellish holiday bliss.

The counties surrounding our city will all go back next week. I think on Wednesday. Or is it Tuesday? Oh who knows! All I know is that we WON'T be included.

Thanks to the lovely budget cuts, in part due to the fact that there was a severe deficit in the 2009-2010 school year (thanks to "accounting officials" that apparently cannot add or subtract) this school year had to take a budgeting hit. This meant going on to a "College Schedule" and having the same break times as the secondary level schools.

Also, city schools have an extra twenty minutes added to their school day. We still go five days a week though. And also, there are only two "teacher workdays" penciled in for the entire school year.

So, you can imagine how much fun this first week has gone. Especially with all of the holiday hullabaloo.

Sure! The kids were (for the most part) complete gems when Christmas came and gone. Plus I booted my oldest daughter over to her father's on Christmas day afternoon.

We had "split" the day this year, seeing as he was a no call/no show last year (though it was HIS Christmas to have her). I may be a bitch in his eyes, but he apparently is like a kid in that respect. All is good and well as long as HE gets what HE wants. And for the record, I OFFERED TO SPLIT with him.

We also are now almost completely done piecing the house back together post-Christmas. Yes, even BOTH trees are down. But the two younger kids are giving me more gray hairs. Like I need anymore, right?

There are times that I just want to bang those two's heads together and tell them to shut it up. All they do is fuss at one another, pick on one another, Bryce is constantly trying to "parent" Skyler (which I have been trying VERY hard for the last like year to break), and they are just generally grating one another's nerves.

All of that makes MY nerves quiver. Add in that the oldest will come back home (more than likely) with a shitty attitude and the need to be bitchy to her siblings, and it's going to once again be a five-ring circus.

In the end, I will be SOOOOOOO happy when school lets back in and I can once again see them get on the bus (or walk, as the older two do on the 'warmer' days).

Hell, on their first day back, the following is what I plan on posting on my FaceBook (via Status Shuffle)...

"It's the most wonderful time of the year ... ahhh ... The sound of the school bus pulling away with all the little inmates screaming!"

I love my kids. It doesn't mean that I always have to like living with them. So once school starts up again, I think that my stress level will finally go back to normal levels. But until then, it's going to take lots of coffee and wine to calm these nerves.