Christmas Without My Son

I am having fun relaxing here at the in laws doing nothing but sleeping and napping. Have not done any shopping save for one day. I am still trying to get my energy back but it is just wanting to hide from me.
I just talked to Tony on the cell a few minutes ago. Now I am missing him so much then before I talked to him. I had a short cry and then wiped my tears and came into the other room. I know I have to share time with families but not being around my son kills me and breaks my heart. He texted me the other day and asked when I was going to be back and when and how we were going to do Christmas. I want to be with my sweet Angelbaby!
We are going to Christmas service tonight at 7. I am not sure how long it last and that will determine if I go. I have a hard time lasting over an hour of sitting proper. I have to move around to stay comfy. The preacher also has issues with any noise when he is preaching. Excuse me but Megan is not quiet! She likes to shriek and yell and such. I am kind of curious what he will do if she does that. He has asked parents of crying/ noisy babies if they would mind leaving the tent. Oh yea service is in a tent they are wanting to build a new church building and are now stuck in a tent as they wait for funds.
I am anxious to give hubby his GPS for Christmas. I hope he likes it! He has no idea what I have for him. The kids got clothing from us is all. I still have Tony to buy for but will most likely give him money. I was going to buy him a DVD but thought he would want it sooner so I said to buy it and I will pay him for it.
I am not sure what day we are headed home here. It will be nice to sleep in my own bed again and have my own bathroom that no little boys pee on the seat. I can also cook what I like to eat and watch the calories more then I have been able to here.
Well hope you all have a Mery Christmas and hope to see some comments here!
XOXOXO D

Energy Crisis, Doctors, Naps, Gifts..... Yawn

OK first of all I hate, hate, hate having no energy. This lack of energy to do a thing is driving me bonkers.
I had Megan home today being as she was to cute sleeping. I love to watch her at peace. She is truly angelic at sleep. I want to just kiss her lips and eyes and nose. OK yea so we get up and get ready to go to her doctor appointment. Robert has to drive us being as I am not able to drive yet. We waited and waited and waited. Our appointment was for 11:15 and we saw the doctor at 12 ish. Just a weight check in for Megan *she is up to 97 pounds! We also ran a CBC check to watch her iron levels and her sugar levels. She has had low blood sugar for a while. The way to take care of that is getting her to eat. Well she has been eating so should be good.
Took the kids to lunch before appointment and after appointment I stopped at Grocery Outlet. That is all I did today. I fed Megan lunch today when we got home and she fell asleep and so I went to take a nap. Megan and hubby came in and hubby tried to take a nap but after a few he got up and Megan and I slept. I woke up around 5:30 but could not get out of bed. Fell back to sleep woke up at 6:30 and got up at 7.
I am getting Megan's teacher, para and bus driver Christmas gifts together for tomorrow. I want to make sure they get them this year before school is out for the year. Someone is always sick or on an early vacation here so we will get them all out ON TIME!
OK not sure what else to say YAWN,

Avon, Christmas, Resolutions, Prayers, and Life!

I went through some of my Avon today of my last shipment and love it. There is a huge clearance sale going on and I got some great jewelry. It is amazing that Avon really does carry great looks.
Oh yea what about Miley hitting the bong? I am not surprised but how sad. She has this great career and takes a chance on losing it? I mean she will always have a career but why take a chance on losing so much of your population? I think she will be another Lindsey Lohan and Brittney Spears. Her career has what maybe 5 more years before she is washed out and going rehab to rehab?
Christmas time has always been my time of the year. I love the meaning of Christmas to begin with don't get me wrong... but......... I love the smells, the sights, the taste, the sounds, the shopping, the craziness of Christmas! I love the giving and receiving of presents. I love the whole shebang! I have always had lights on the outside of the house and a few lawn items. My tree has always been loaded with decorations and lights. The living room, kitchen, my bathroom all get decorated! This year not much has been done. It just has not seemed like Christmas this year. I am thinking with the 2 surgeries and financial woes and family stress it was just not a huge year here. Next year watch out I will have Christmas MY way. :)
New Years goals anyone? I know what mine are and they are not weight related. My first goal is to spend 2 weeks on each room in my house and get them organized! I am talking cleared up, cleaned out and organized! Getting rid of clutter and what I can not sell I will donate. I am going to give each item 2 weeks to sell and then of it goes.
My second goal will be to get back to my blogging daily. I love when I blog it is a part of me, a way to release my creative juices. I will also be blogging my opinions on products again and I will be caught up with all of them by the end of this year. I mean on vacation I will have lots of time to do that!  I love to tell you all what I think of stuff!
My third goal will be to keep my house clean and guest ready at all times. I know having the 2 surgeries done with to where my health will come back will give me the energy to get up and clean. My last blood levels show me super anemic and I have not been unanemic in over 2 years.
Working on my marriage is a huge priority for me. It has been a rough year here on both of us. With news that I will tell soon to you all, things will get better here. A long awaited prayer has been answered. I would love to share the news but have to wait for private reasons.
Hugs and kisses and purple pony wishes!

Bye Bye Aunt Flo

OK I am thinking now that having 2 surgeries within 2 months of each other was a bit much on the body. I am not complaining mind you just stating a fact. So for the details of the big hysterectomy....
I was crying 2 nights before surgery realizing that this meant no more babies ever in my tummy. I know I did not expect to ever get pregnant again but now not having a choice was hard on me. My husband does not even know how hurt I was for a bit. It was a deep agonizing pain down to my soul. It was the same pain and loss I felt when I had a miscarriage.
I know I know I am a bit weird. So OK I pull up my big girl panties and pray for an answer. I prayed for peace in my soul that this was the right decision to make. Somehow I fell asleep and woke up refreshed and knowing this was the right choice to make.
Surgery day arrives and my nerves are shot. I mean total freak outs like only I can do. Having to hold my tongue to not start fights with even the dog lol. Off to St. Josephs we go.
I get admitted into the hospital and everyone is so nice! They are cheery and joking and full of smiles and God Bless Yous! It was very nice. I got put into my little pre surgery room and dressed up in an adorable gown that takes hot air. OK I am hot most the time as is so I liked the cool part of the air for the most part. My legs are being warmed up with the air as well. I was like Violet from Willy Wonka when she at the gum and blew up! It did give me the giggles at least.
Soon I wake up, confused and sore. Lord thank you for that pain button! Ice, ice, ice, ice! I think most people say hi to family and friends first not me! I begged for ice! I think so at least.
Dr. Greene said my surgery was a difficult one. He was glad for the case he did before mine being as it gave him that extra umphs he needed. The case before mine was a bit of added trouble and mine was like yea baby cause trouble!
My 3 hours surgery turned into 5 hours. The uterus was to large to take out vaginally in one piece so he did it into 3 sections. There were 3 fibroid inside the uterus from baseball sized on Both of my ovaries were attached to my uterus so he had to de attach them. The right ovary had a large cyst on it that he took care of and he thinks that it might have fibromyalgya as well. My tummy muscles were still messed up from the gall bladder surgery so that added to the stress as well.
I had the robotic vaginal surgery so very small incisions! The itches have taken ahold of me but Benedryl takes care of that for the most part.
I am glad it is all over with now. I have been extremely exhausted and have a hard time going anywhere for any amount of time. I had hubby take me to Rite Aid and to Target yesterday and after 10 minutes in Target I was dead. I was walking, I mean shuffeling through the isles. So no major shopping just yet for me.
I am going to give my body time to heal and lose a few more pounds in the process. I have lost around 18 pounds since September 8th. Who knew surgery was so great at helping you lose weight?

DVD Heaven

I am excvited for all of the new DVDs coming out this season. I am still wanting A Christmas Carole I missed out last week on it so hoping a deal is still around for it. I am going to buy Santa Paws this week and then next week is Fantasia. I love the flamingos in it!
We have snow and ice and ice and snow. I have not bought anything for Thanksgiving dinner yet. I was going to but with visiting Jo in the hospital and my Dr. visits and then the weather well I just have not had time. I am thinking after reading a friends blog that Chinese might be the way to go!
I did the mamogram last Saturday and have been waiting for a call for the all clear. I got the call today but found out I have to go back to get one more *mushagram* sideways view. If that is not clear then they will do an ultrasound. Pray for clear results.
I am still waiting for my Hyserectomy on December 3rd. I just had a cycle from November 3rd to still spotting as of today. This is just insane with how long I go and I will not miss this part of being a woman. Hey who wants to go panty shopping with me? :) I just realized that tomorrow was originally my surgery day. Dr. Greene was not able to find an assistant so I got bumped to December 3rd.

Cleaning

I have been cleaning and cleaning yet I seem to be getting no where. I am not sure what is going on. I get rid of 2 boxes of junk and another box appears all over the house. I have to get my house in order this weekend so my tree can go up next week.

I am going to get a mani/pedi when I have the house done just before I have surgery. If I am going to be down for a few weeks I want to have nice hands and feet. I am also going to color my hair back to brown. The last hi-lights were way to much and I am kind of a crack head looking washed out blond. :) See I posted a picture so you can all see.

I am excited for some of the products I have been getting to or will be getting to review. I am working hard to make sure I get to try all that I can and give my opinions about. Who would of thought that the shy Daphne I was in high school would be as outspoken as I am now?

Oh here is a great Disney deal for you all. On Tuesday Disney is releasing A Christmas Carol. The 4 pack DVD/BluRay will be $29.99 at Target. Go on over to Disney Movie Rewards and you can download a coupon for $10 off the 4 pack! There are also a couple of rebates that will be out there as well.

I Love to Shop Cheap!

I love to shop for bargains. I get so excited when a really great deal comes my way and no one has got the deal before me. Today at Safeway I saw the Grands Biscuits on sale for $2.00 each. With the Safeway card they were on sale 2/ $3.00 or $1.50 each.  Then they were marked down an additional 50% off being as they are close dated. That brought them down to 2/$1.50 or .75 each. I then found coupons in the monthly Safeway coupon deals book for $1.00 off 2. Final cost for the Grands Biscuits? 2/.50 or .25 each.
As I was writting this I noticed the cashier messed up on the price so I will bring my receipt and biscuits back to the store and have them rering the biscuits or they can give me a refund for all of them.

Featuring Norah Jones CD Review

 I love Norah Jones and her sultry voice. When I got the CD today in the mail I tore open the package and started to play it right away.
I was so excited to get this CD being as it is a complition of songs recorded over Norah's entire career from 2001 to 2010. With this CD Norah Jones sings everyting from jazz to country to hip-hop to rock. It will have something for everyone who listens to music.
The CD has such great artist as Willie Nelson, The Foo Fighters, OutKast, Q-Tip, Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, and Herbie Hancock. How many artist today can make a great CD with that much versitality?
I will be honest and say there are a couple of songs that I do not care for but the majority of songs show Norah Jones at her best with her amazing vocal range. Her duet with Ray Charles is my favorite! *Baby It's Cold Outside* has never been sung with such a great combination of soul and country. Wait *Here We Go Again* with Ray Charles might be my favorite song. I mean who does not love Ray? Then again Creepin' In sung with Dolly parton is totally amazing.
Featuring comes out Tuesday November 16th.


1. Love Me – The Little Willies


2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones

3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones

4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones

5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson

6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones

7. The Best Part – El Madmo

8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast

9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones

10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones

11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones

12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones

13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones

15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton

16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones

17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones

18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward
 
PRE-ORDER HERE! *I am a member of the One2One Network. **Disclaimer: I was given the opportunity to do a review of this CD. I was not paid, but I do receive products from some companies for my time. The thoughts shared are my own & in no way are they influenced by the companies.

Surgery again yeahhhh me!

I am back from the gyno. today with answers. I now am on the list for a hysterectomy. My uterus's is filled with fibroids and there are a few that are very large. There are so many fibroids that my uterus has become bigger then normal. The Doctor was pressing on my tummy and said that my uterus is just below my belly button. For some reason this made me laugh, I guess being as I have a weird sense of humor to begin with. He also said my tummy there is so hard because of the size of the uterus and fibroids.
He is hoping to do a robotic surgery and I will be cut above the belly button, justabove my hernia incision and up about 5 inch's or so. Giggles set in again thinking of the road map of incisions I will have. The recovery time is quicker and has an over night stay as compared to staying for two nights.
I still need to get the MRI done being as there are two growths that were not able to be shown as to what they are. I am now in the process of trying to find out what was done during a former surgery that was implanted.
Prayers for me as I deal with a new stress and a relief as well. XOXOXO Daphne

More Doctor appointments

I have another Doctor appointment tomorrow with the OBGYN. I hope to find out what is going on with my insides and what can be done about it. I am tired if the female issues and how wore out I end up being. I want to feel like a human again one that loves to go outside and go shopping one that loves to go walking again.
I did not decorate for Halloween this year. I know it is not supposed to be a Christian holiday but I still love it. It is fun to decorate with spiders and pumpkins and all that fun stuff. Oh and getting the candy sales after Halloween is really fun. I like to watch the scary movies on tv and I have a blast seeing how all the kids are dressed up.
I am reading a new book called Perfection written by Julie Metz. I will review it in a different blog but I am having mixed feelings over it. For the most part it iswell written and I want to keep reading to see what happens next.  I am not thrilled with how much sex is in the book. I understand how that is basically part of the theme but at times it is like non stop sex. The cheating in the book also was not a happy theme. I got angry at the husband and almost did not read futher. I do love to read and it has peaked my interest and I am going to finish it.
I am really ready for Christmas. I plan on making most of my gifts. Not sure what all I will make but hey it will be a home spun Christmas. We might be going to hubbies parents for Christmas this year if he is not working a second job yet and if we can afford the gas. I am still going to decorate the house here. I have a new tree to put up with lots of pretty colored lights. I also have the big lights to put up outside in different colors. I am excited to decorate this year. If we go to the in laws I will miss our Christmas pagent at church but the church in Bakesfield is always nice. Oh and the weather in Cali. is warmer then ours.

Geesh

OK it seems as if each time a door opens another one closes. I know the saying is the other way but here it is reversed. I have an income now and insurance and now hubby has his hours cut down to 24 hours a week from 40 and he will end up losing his insurance. He has diabetes and he honestly needs insurance.
I am thankful that I have insurance and had my hernia surgery. I have Doctor appointments set up and MRI as well. I love that I can get sick and be covered now. I just worry about hubby.
Megan is having a rough time right now. She is making life hard on all of us but especially me. She has taken to hitting me and scratching me as well as cussing at me. She now screams F U all the time. It is getting hard to go to the store with her and not have people stare. She was even yelling this at church. *sigh*
I did have a dream last night. Megan was verbal and could hold conversations like you and me. She started with her FUs and then went to 2 word sentences and then more and more. I was talking to her having a regular conversation and it was so fun.
Oh thought I would post a new picture of Mali in her cute new dress. I love to dress her up and she will so far let me!

Please read my friends blog for a great giveaway

http://confessions-of-a-psychotic-housewife.blogspot.com/2010/10/giveaway-betty-crocker-potato-buds.html

This lady has a great recipe and an even better give away.

READ MY BLOG FOR INFO AND A LINK TO A GREAT GIVEAWAY!

http://confessions-of-a-psychotic-housewife.blogspot.com/2010/10/review-giveaway-lawrys-marinades.html

This is a very funny and smart lady. She lives near me and always has the drop on great deals and the latest products. I want to get to blog like her!

read my friends site great giveaway

http://confessions-of-a-psychotic-housewife.blogspot.com/2010/10/cd-review-giveaway-kt-tunstall-tiger.html

here is another great blog to read and a great chance to win a freebie!

Prayer Chain

I was at ladies Bible study today and was ready to leave with Jo when I walked back in to see if Jo was ready. She was talking to Pastor and a couple of others from Church and I found out the needed a new leader for the prayer chain. Jo wanted to do it but she just has a cell phone and it is long distance for most people here. I said that I would love to run the prayer chain that it would bless me. I talked to Pastor about what is involved and he made sure I knew that there might be numerous phone calls in a day and that I was the lead to get the prayer chain started. I said yes I want to! I am now the lead of the prayer chain.
I will keep all the prayers in a note book and keep tract of all that is asked of for prayers. This is something I will love to do. I had talked a while back to friends about how I wanted to pray for people and really pray for them not just a quick *blessing* on people but a real meaningful prayer. I think and I hope and yes I pray that I will meet and exceed all that will be asked of me.

I am so funny!

I made up a fake story and posted it to facebook. I am so mean it is funny though!

A great blog idea from my friend

http://confessions-of-a-psychotic-housewife.blogspot.com/2010/10/recipe-giveaway-johnsonville-pigtails.html

Healing is Boring

OK I am bored out of my mind now. I can not drive until the weekend and then only if I am off the pain pills. I took two last night at 11ish and then did not have any until 3:30 today. I should of taken them sooner I was a bit to sore.
I go Friday and get the drain tube taken out. I will be much happier when it is out. Having that tube hanging down is not comfortable and it pulls on the skin when it drops. It is also gross seeing stuff draining out of your side.
Now that the hernia is repaired I am looking at having a hysterectomy. I have an appointment for an ultra sound and an appointment with the OB-GYN in a couple of weeks. I still need to make the appointment for the mammogram.
I am going to make another general appointment to get some skin tags removed and to look into a diet plan. I know the insurance pays part of some programs and they let you work with a dietitian as well. I am going to use the benefits to the best of my advantage.
Just think how much healthier I will be next summer if all goes as planned? No hernia, no female issues causing me to be anemic, weight loss going full force...... I will be kicking it high time!

Surgery is set with the time

I called today to check on the time and was able to get it! I have to be there at 6:30AM with the surgery starting at 8AM. They plan to make a 5 inch incesion through my belly button and stuff the gunk back through the hole. Dr. Gauger with then place a piece of teflon coated mesh inside the hole and stitch me up. It is supposed to be an out patient surgery with an average of two weeks to recover.

My pap came back clear and all my blood work came back good. Well except for the anemia and the bladder infection. I am on antibiotics for the infection and the anemia well I have been anemic for so long it is crazy. At least I know why I am always so tired now.

I have an ultra sound and a gyno appointment in October to address the female issues and the fibroids. I most likely will get a total hyst. being as I have a tilted and large uterous with the lovely fibroids. Along with the pain and heavy days and nonstop anemia, I say do it, do it, do it!
Hugs and kisses and yes I am less sad today. :)

I hate depression

I have no idea why some days it affects me more then other days. I am guessing right now it is due to the up coming surgery and the lack of energy due to being anemic. I keep crying for things that I have no control over.
To my friends back in Longview. Why do all of you act as if we are no longer alive? No calls, no emails, nothing, zip, nada! When we moved how many of you said you would call, and email and come visit? We have made calls that go unanswered or never returned. I have sent cards and emails to never get a reply. You have been within 10 miles of my house yet never stopped by to say hi?
When we lived there how often did you call to need a favor? Jason would lend a hand as soon as he got home from being gone all week working. He spent hours helping you do this or that. He spent hours doing stuff for you when he should of been home with me and the kids! I never complained because you were my friends and needed help.
Oh but what help did you ever give us? What help did you even offer us? I know of very few times help was ever offered. There was usually an excuse as to why you could not help. You back hurts, your kids are going to be there, you have the sniffles. the grandkids will be there, you forgot, you ment to but fell asleep..... Excuses after excuses after excuses!
Let me see...... I thought of you as a sister to me. Then one day for some reason you and your husband decided I was not worthy? I still remember the day our friendship ended. It was so stupid of you to of let it go. You were/ are the assistant pastors wife! You were supposed to be so *Godly* You were supposed to lead me in the right direction! I asked you a simple honest question and the look on your face said it all. How dare I question you and your decision!
I asked *why is it OK to wear your hair in a long braid with a pretty ribbon now showing off your glory when the verse we just read said hair was not to be braided and done up in ribbons* I can not remember the exact verse but I was not critisizing you I was asking being as I did not understand.
I asked if the Bible is telling us how to dress then how come we dress how we do now days and not how it was back then? Yes times change and the acceptable form of dress changes all the time. Does that mean if in 2 years the socially acceptable way to dress miniskirts that wearing a mini skirt to church is acceptable? Your answer had been that basically fashion changes and the bible has us dress appropriatley. Well in the 1900s what we are wearing now would give them all a hissy fit! Society also has loser acceptance of what is fine to wear as to what even I am comfortable wearing.
OK internet friends I am tired of how I am your bestie when you are in a crisis. When things are rough you call me 100 times a day. When you are having the grande ole life I never hear from you. My calls go unanswered. I am sick of it. If I am having a bad day want to vent I get a *hold on... let me call you back* and never hear back. I am sick of it.
Oh and miss thang.... you do not want to piss me off. My husband does not want to have sex with you he can not stand you, you turn his stomach. He tells me what you say and he shows me the text, I also hear from others what you try to allude to. I am not like you at all miss thang. I do not call my *baby daddy* all kinds of horrible names, trash talk about him, refuse to marry him, sleep with *customers* at work and with some co workers, sleep with my *baby daddy* best friend and get an STD and not tell baby daddy about it. So miss thang back off before I let you know a thang or two. You want to talk trash about my man? You want to try and *use* my friendship again? Miss thang step back another step remember how you used to think I was mean and were a bit afraid of me? Sweetie you have not seen the mean that I will slam you with. Remember all the *secrets* you told me? Gee bet baby daddy might like to know about some of the *lovings* you and his best female pal shared!
OK done with my anger for now. I am going to go and vacuum the house.

Excited!

I am going to meet a long time chat buddy in just a bit. Her and her hubby are coming for lunch and to visit me! I have known Cynthia for over five years not sure how long to be honest. The day will be filled with lots of giggles and grins. Get to women chatting and the poor men will have to zone out lol. I hope they get here soon I am so excited! Prayers that they make it and didn't get lost. I will post pictures here later!

Tonight & Ready for Bed

Just wanted to pop in and say goodnight. I have a lot to do and I can not seem to remember what I have to do when I have the time to do what needs to be done.
Hubby has lost hours at work like mad. He is making about half the amount he was 6 months ago now and it is not enough to cover the mortgage now. I have been paying bills as they come in but a little bit of money can just go so far.
I have to look into unemployment for hubby being as he is down to around 40 hours for the last two weeks compared to the 100 hours we were used to. He is also having to drive from Orting clear up to Kirkland for a two hour job. He does not get mileage or nothing for his time. He makes maybe $10 an hour on those days.
I was going to get my nails done but now that he told me how few hours he is getting I have changed my mind. I can do my own manicure. I really want to get a pedicure but guess that is a no go now as well.
Tomorrow I will be making a list and marking off stuff as I get it done. I am going to try one more time to sell on Craigslist and then it is off to see if anyone at church can use the items and then I will freecycle the stuff. I have a bookshelf of stuff I need to sell or give away.
We have a friend that is going through a nasty divorce. This guy was making over 1.9 million 3 years ago. This year he is going to make around $90,000 I think I was told. OK that is a lot more then we are making this year! Yet he is broke with this amount? OK he has bigger bills but come on! Jason went and painted a bedroom for him that he is moving into and did some other work. Jason was gone all dang day. OK what did Jason charge him? Gas money is all. Yes my husband is nice but come on to me that is BS! Jason could of been here working on his resume and doing a job search and stuff. Grrrrr I am irritated.
OK as for the picture it is a tractor pulling a tray thingy that burns the fields! It was way to cool to not stop and take a picture. I was surprised it was allowed being as there is a no burn ban going on here. I made Robert pull over so we could watch it.
I guess I am to easily amused. :)

Hoping Life is Back to NormalHi

Hello to all of my long lost friends! I am still alive and thinking now that my life is going to get back to normal for me. So much has been going on here that any computer time I got I wanted to chill and play Farmville to escape.
Lets see where to start? I had to give Zekiah back to the state due to behaviors with him escalating, his mother being a total psycho bitch, the state not holding up on their side of the bargain, etc., etc., etc.
He was moved to foster care last Wednesday and it about killed me to let him go. If I could of had all the say in his up bringing and been able to discipline as I wanted to then he would of been fine. When you add in his crazy, unfit, abusive, bi polar mother then it will not work out. Zekiah got to the point where he was calling me mom even. Now that he is out of the house there is a huge calm that has settled over the house. I was shocked at how much stress he had me under.
I am selling Avon now as well. I wanted a way to earn a little bit of money for me and I had a ton of friends that were wanting me to sell so they could order Avon from me online. Now that I have made an investment in Avon all of those friends have not bothered to order a thing from me. It has just been me and my friend Jo doing all the ordering. I am hoping to attend the Avon sales meetings once school starts. Right now they are on a Monday at noon or six and neither time works for me here.
I colored my hair with what was supposed to be a dark brown and on me it turned black! OK guess it is fun for now but I really wanted to be back to my normal color. I want to see about adding in some color strips of like blonde's and reds, blues and purples! I want to be a rainbow brite! lol Joking!
The kids start school here on September 1st. Wow three more weeks until I am free to do what I want. I can not believe how fast summer has gone by. I have to change my mind thinking or that will really depress me knowing fall is coming on.
I am going to start really trying to lose weight once school starts. I am back up to my highest weight ever and I hate it. I will be happy being 160 pounds again and for most people that would be fat! Hey I want healthier not perfection! I want to be able to enjoy food and enjoy cooking all my new and different recipes.
OK I have to explain the pictures above. I love to dress Megan up and this is a cute costume I bought for her at a garage sale last weekend. I am going to find some black shoes or maybe pink shoes to go with the out fit. I am thinking of having her wear it to school even. OK not the hat and kerchief but the dress. She is just to darn adorable in it!

Purple Cows and Orange Moons

Things are better here between hubby and me. We needed that date we took last Friday night. I am making that a set date that every other Friday night we have a date alone with no cell phones and NO KIDS.
I have been using Listia again and have bids on all of my stuff. I have been working on getting coupons organized as well. I have a lot of freebies that I have got with coupons and great freebies from my sites such as Kraft. I will be posting my reviews tomorrow on what I have.
Megan's care provider Rena her son passed away yesterday at around 3PM from complications to a massive stroke. Rena is working today here and I feel like she needs to be home to grieve but she said she wanted to work to have something to do. She is a tough cookie and I am worried for when she does break down.
Still having a lot of issues with both boys stealing junk food here. Zekiah has been sneaking into my room to steal from my candy stash that I kept for hubby. He also stole juice boxes from my closet that were off limits. I have found 10 packages of oatmeal that he ate raw as well throughout the house.
I have to go start dinner but wanted to post a note to say hi and to keep Rena and her family in your prayers.

Graduation, Seizures, Lies, Stealing, Stress.....LIFE

The title about sums up my life these last couple of weeks. What more can I say? Oh yea you want more details I bet.
Megan graduated from Orting High School class of 2010 Thursday night June 10th at 6:30. My baby girl is now legally out of school and an adult. OK well we all know the difference with Megan but she did graduate!
She has had a few seizures here and there and spent most of her last week or two of school sleeping in and a couple of times slept until 2PM with going to sleep around 7PM the night before. We do have an appointment with her neurologist on Tuesday I believe. She is 91.6 pounds so she is maintaining her weight and not losing.
OK my house has been filled with so many lies that I am shocked it has not been struck by a thunderbolt from God. I am having the most issues with Z who seems to believe that not matter what he wants to lie. I can not trust him with anything at this point in time and I will be locking down even tighter the reins on him. The final straw was just a bit ago when I went to open his window and found it unlocked and the screen knocked out, R had eluded the other day that he was sneaking out and I did not pay attention at that time. Well he has my full attention now! I will ask him what happened to the screen when he gets home and deal with him depending on his answer.
Z has been able to go to the store with R and into town until the other day. I found out he has been stealing from Safeway, and I have a feeling he has stolen from Target as well when he was with me. So now he has to hold onto the cart if he is in a store with me. If he is innocent then this will just keep him honest.
Stress is what all of this ads up to, I am not used to having someone with me non stop like I have been having. For the last year I have had very few days alone and I miss being alone. I like to read, nap, shower, chat, whatever and not be bugged. I am 45 and deserve my quiet time not just more and more stress.
Love ya all and hope that we all have a very blessed week. XOXOXO Daphne

Icky Muggy Weather

I do not like this muggy weather we are having. Add in my hot flashes and I could melt an iceberg. I think I am the cause of global warming.
It will be nice having the kids back in school tomorrow. They just had a four day weekend and this coming weekend is a three day weekend. I guess the kids are just in school for three days this week, It is insane how little they seem to go.
I will be posting the freebies I have gotten lately tomorrow. I love my freebies, my coupons, my great finds and all of that stuff.

Friend + Enemy + Frenemy?

I am not sure if some people are friends or enemies. I guess that being I am not sure of their loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness, etc. that they might be in the frenemy group. I seem to have acquired a few of these. To be honest I have done nothing to these people but be honest, trustworthy, loyal, etc. If I am your friend I am your friend. I will do anything that you need of me that I am able to do. Even when you show your *evil* side I still will be your friend. I will be your friend until you mess with my family. Push me to far and I will be your worst nightmare. I have a memory that remember weird things that I am told. Things some may not ant repeated. Not a threat just a thought I needed to think out loud. :)
Megan is doing better right now. I am thankful she is doing better. I was worn out from the one bad night of seizures. It is still taking its toll on me. I want to sleep and sleep and sleep. I have been worried about Megan and found out yesterday around noon that a friend passed away. Tom is Jo's husband, she is the lady that comes to dinner at my house on Thursdays. I adore this lady she is like my sister now. I was heart broken when I got the call. I could feel her pain and wanted to hug her and make it all better for her. I know Tom is in heaven and is whole, is not in pain, is dancing with joy. Yet there is part of me that misses him and his life with Jo.
I had my first home visit with the CPS caseworker today. It went just fine just like I knew it would. I have been through this with Robert with his behaviors so I don't freak out like I used to. Paxil is a blessing that I love. :) Both of the boys know that when they push me to far they do get a lot of chores. Boys bathroom was cleaned by Zekiah as well as the kitchen floor being swept. Robert has the dishwasher unloading this week as well as getting to vacuum the house. They both know if they whine they get added chores. Oh and Robert gets to load up the inside garbage and Zekiah was in charge of picking up the trash from outside that the dog got into.
I was able to get in on the free Tropicana coupon today through face book and Tropicana points. I got a few other free face book offers as well. I love how companies are now offering freebies to join their site. Oh yea some popchips yesterday or the day before as well.
Oh I will blog later off to check out the www.yankeecandle.com site for the clearance sale!
XOXOXO Daphne

Ready for Bed

Well I am about ready to go to bed and read for a bit. It was a long night but thankfully Megan is sleeping and is still seizure free since 1 PM today.
Zekiah left for his visitation with is mom today. I attacked his room. There is this horrible smell radiating from his room. It smells like rotten shoes to be honest. I am not sure if it is the new shoes he just got and trashed or the dirty clothing he hid under the bed. I boxed up all his toys and was able to go from about 6 boxes down to one large box. The clothing is all hanging up or in the laundry basket. Candy wrappers, Popsicle wrappers, soda cans, moldy oranges, etc. are all trashed now. The bed is made with fresh and new bedding. I will vacuum it tomorrow and if the shoes are what made the room stink they are going into the trash this weekend and he can wear flip flogs or his mom can buy new ones for him or CPS can. I will not gag at the rancid order from the room now. He has his books to read and that is bout all I left him. The CD player is up and away and the copied CDs that were tossed all over the room shoved in spots were tossed. I do not like or approve of the lyrics and was tired of the one CD being blasted. He can recopy them when he is back with his mom. Oh I spent over 3 hours on that room. I really am not happy it was trashed to that degree.
I am having fun blogging again and doing my product trials and getting my freebies going again. I got a pair of AE shoes off Listia today and a Wii game of the Simpsons. I love using Listia for bidding on new items and sharing stuff that I no longer want and earning my bidding points for them.
XOXOXO Daphne

Seizure Alert

Megan is home today after having a rough weekend seizure wise. Sunday at 5 AM, 1PM, 4PM, 9 PM, Monday 2 AM, 4 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM and now one at 9:35 AM. She is wore out and so am I now with the ones last night and me keeping an eye on her. Some may not know but Megan now shares my room with me so I can watch for seizures being as she is having silent ones that were missed before. Hubby is in the spare room now being as the dog and cat kill his allergies and he needs to sleep and Megan is way to wild to get the sleep that he needs to get.
On the bright side I have gotten some offers from different companies to try their products and blog them or face book them. I love getting to offer my opinion on stuff. Who knew that the quiet shy girl I was in high school would turn out to be so vocal as an adult?
I am very vocal when it comes to Megan. At times I need to reel it in a bit. I think back to school and how quiet, shy and insecure I was. Boys scared the bejebeezs out of me and if they said hi I would turn beet red and about cry. Wow did that ever change for me as I grew up. I talk to every one now days. I like the adult me better then the girl I was in school.
I have been up a short time but I am going to go sneak in a nap for a bit and try to catch up on some Zs.
XOXOXO Daphne

Visitation

There was visitation today for the boys and their mom. It is just so weird to me to have had Zekiah now for what a month? I would have a hard time knowing my child was so close to me and yet I was not allowed to see him unless it was with supervision and at certain times. I hope the family is reunited soon and life here gets back to semi normal.
I am going to have Mathias and his mom bake brownies tomorrow. He loves to bake and it gives them something fun to do together. I know it is not my job to figure out stuff to make a visit go smoothly but I want the best time for the boys. Zekiah was teasing today and asking him Mom if we could all run away to Oregon and change our names. He then was asking her if she would spend the night with him. How sweet is that? I was told by CPS and CASA that he was getting sick and throwing up and having major headaches after the visits with his mom. I suggested that maybe it was that he was leaving his mom and going back to the grandparents house. They did not seem to want to believe me that 2 months ago he was fine at the visits here when he stayed the night. Guess what he has been fine after all the visits with her here this last month and he ask when he gets to see her and he wants to go to her house and see her. That is such a good sign! AMEN!
Hey guess what? Christmas is in just over 7 months! I love the CHristmas season and how happy people are. I love the reason for the season and the music and oh yea just all of it! Merry CHristmas 7 months early!
Love ya all, XOXOXO Daphne

I am whooped :)

This is from the nursery at church when I caught two of my little cuties sneaking peaks through the window! I thought it was just to funny.


I am whooped today and ready to go read in bed. I woke up an hour early being as my clock was moved forward an hour some how. I meant to get up at 7:30 but was up at 6:30 and was 7:15 before I realised the time mess up.
I had a DDD parent provider class today in Tacoma at 9AM that lasted until 4:30. The class was very informative and I learnt a lot. It was not about caring for your child as much as being a provider and learning more how to access the services available to you and your kid to the fullest extint. There was a lot covered and a lot I plan to start working on come Monday.
OK this is Friday night when class is out. I hit the Freeway I-5 at 4:45 on a dang Friday! Need I say much more? I am just thankful it was not a class in Seattle today after the first bit of traffic I was able to get off at the Puyallup exit and cruise on home.
Oh yea wait I was also getting calls and text about the FAST intake counselors coming tonight at 5. OK I finally got a call at 4:45 on my way home saying they can come out and meet with Zekiah and me and his mom. Hmmm yea OK but hmmm I am still in traffic, need to relax a few moments and have to start dinner!
I rush home, yell at the kids to pick up their dang messes, yell at the kids about a sink full of dishes, *the dishes were all Megan's the whole sink full of dirty dishes* lol yea right sure. Loaded up the dishwasher and started my quick dinner of fries and hamburgers.
At 6:00 Zekiahs mom shows up with her hubby Jason and the first FAST counselor shows up at same time, 5 minutes later Dave the other FAST counselor is here. House full of hungry kids, teenagers, monsters! Get them all eating while talking to all 4 adults, finding chairs, etc. Yippie meeting is over at 7:30! Now do I get to eat dinner?
Oh forgot to add that while I was gone that Dan called to see if Mathias can camp out at my house tomorrow night being as he has plans. OK I am giving up every other weekend for visitations because I am nice and feel the boys and the mom need a safe place to visit where they are comfy and not have a stranger breathing down their necks. 6 hours Saturday and Sunday every other week. Now the dad of the youngest boy wants to go party and have me watch his kid all dang weekend basically? I am not paid for any of this I do it because I feel God wants me to. I do it because I love the boys to pieces and feel I can be good in their lives. I do not like being taken advantage of and I would love a weekend with no kids and get to go *party* all weekend yet I am watching the oldest boy as if he is mine and the dad wants to dump the youngest on me to? It is just for the night and not really a big deal and I feel the boys need the time together with no dad, step dad, mom, papa, nana, case worker, etc. I most likely will do it for the boys not for the dad, not for the mom but being as I feel the boys need time together. I guess I am not sure what I am saying. Most likely I will have both boys at church on Sunday!
OK xoxoxo off to bed!

Migraine and Dental Cleaning

I had a dental cleaning this morning at Brite Now Dental, They are really nice here and very friendly. I went to the Puyallup office being as the dental insurance changed recently. I was waiting to be checked out when an older lady asked me if I was new there and what I thought. I told her that they were great and that Brite Now was actually cheaper then what the other dentist offices were that the charges were less then what we had paid with the other office and insurance. I told her she would like them I hoped and wished her a good day and visit! I felt like I was doing a blog review for her! :)
I went to Goodwill and bought a flip flop charm for 99 cents and almost bought a patio set for $79 but the seats were not that comfy so I passed. I would rather pay more for a set that I will like to sit at.
I had printed off my coupon for my free Cherry Limeade drink at Tacobell and was happy with how yummy it was! I recommend this drink to all of you! Go to www.tacobell.com and in the lower left hand corner there is a link to get the coupon. I was able to print off two free drink coupons!
Dollar Tree was my last stop. I bought a lot of stuff for Megan's graduation party next month. I am going to do a tropical theme for her with lots of flamingo stuff. *Heh heh heh* I also bought me a new book that I will start to read in the next day or two.
Oh yes the migraine part of my title. I got home and was not feeling that great. Around 2:30 ish when Rena got here for Megan I saw Megan and then went to take a nap. My head was pounding by this time and making a coherent sentence was impossible. I was supposed to take Zekiah to get his stitches out but there was no way I could drive and now way I could of even talked to the Dr. to say what I needed. We will do that tomorrow when he gets home.
Love to all of you! Daphne

I Am Alone!!!!!!!

Woohoo I am finally alone at the house! No husband off work on an LNI claim, no kids home sick or in trouble or well you get the picture. It is quiet, I am alone, I am happy. It is weird as much as I love to be around people I love to be alone. I like the quietness, the stillness, the privacy, the aloneness.

I am going to make a list of stuff to do today and mark them off as I get them done. That is the only way I seem to be able to finish anyting is if it is on my list. I will be bloging each day at least once. Blogging for me is fun and a release of pent up emotions the good and the bad.                                                                                                       

These are the last 2 dresses I bought for Megan. I love how girly they are. Yes I know the socks do not match the dresses but her feet were cold and I just wanted to make sure the dresses fit. I was a bit irriated at her PCA who thinks she knows everything and needs to comment on it. She said the dresses were cute but were a but high wasited. OK I do not care if that is true or not the dresses are adoreable on Megan and were affordable. Why bring a negative coment ito the conversation when I am so happy to have something for Megan that is this cute and adoreable?

I am also working on my freebies again and filling out the forms for my freebies. I have re started again on my coupons and have to cut and files this weeks coupons and file the last 2 weeks of coupons. I have been slacking. I am also getting back into my sample sites where I get products to try for free and blog about them or talk about them or however the company sees fit. Oh and back to filling out applications for House Party!

I am still using Lista for my free shopping! I love Lista and have gotten some really nice things so far. I have also spent a bit on shopping but it sill comes out cheaper in the end and it is fun. I have never seen the flamingo charm that I won so stuff like that is fun. I also won 2 games for the new Wii so that was a great deal, and I won a pair of American Eagle sandles last night.

OK going to go make a list and get my morning moving! XOXOXO

Mail Call!

OK what was in your mailbox today? I know other then junk mail and bills? I am talking freebies here people!
Today my mailbox brought me my professional sample of NeilMed Sinus Rinse. I sure needed this last week but hey it will be handy again soon with all the cottonwood flying around outside.
I also got my coupon from Kraft First Taste for my free package of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon up to $4.00 and an additional coupon to save $1.50 off a package of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon. I am hoping that this turkey bacon will taste better then the last turkey bacon I bought.

I just finished up another book that I bought at Dollar Tree. It was about so many different things! It was a romance book with a mystery in it, before cars were really the norm, horse drawn carriages were the norm and the telephone was a bit of a pain. OK now the phone is still a pain lol some things never change! Part of the book takes place in Egypt at a dig to discover a tomb. It was so interesting to hear the outfits described and hearing people addressed as Lord and Lady. People did not marry *below* their class, etc. The book is called Reckless and it is by Shannon Drake. I will say it once again.... I love Dollar Tree for the books I get there!

Anoter chance to win from my friend Stormy!

http://confessions-of-a-psychotic-housewife.blogspot.com/2010/05/review-giveaway-aunt-nellies.html


ok NOW i WANT BEETS!!!

Sinus Infection

I am suffering with a sinus infection now. I will go to the Doctor's tomorrow if it is not any better by then. My whole face is in pain even my gums are hurting today. I do not like being sick!
I am working on getting Kia into school. It is going to be a huge fight and I am not able to make all sides happy so I am doing what I need to do for me. I need my alone time and Kia needs to be in school.
I need to get back onto a regular schedule. I need to finish up a few things that have gone to the wayside here. I need my life back in order and my family happy and healthy. I need to get Megans seizures back under control.
I received my final payment from my grammas estate. What a blessing it was to receive but I would rather have my gramma back with me. I no longer have my dad, any grammas or any grandpas with me. They are in heaven and happy I know that but I sure do miss them.
It is so weird how as the world goes on it seems families move apart more and more. I have not seen my cousins in years and then it has just been for funerals and the like. I miss having family reunions and playing with everyone. If we have a reunion now I will be one of the old farts that sits and talks with the other old farts I will no longer be a kid that is carefree running all over the park, poking at ant hills, jumping in the river, tossing water balloons, etc.
When I was a kid I got to see my cousins at least once a year for a few days at a time. Now days I could live next door to one and not even know we were related. How is it that when I was a kid we all knew each other and now that we are adults when we could go see each other we have drifted so far apart? It is so sad and lately has been haunting me. My son Tony does not know the family on my side for the most part and my husband and his kids have no idea who anyone on my side is. My Gray family never got to meet most of my relatives before they passed on.
I guess I am just a bit melencoly today. :(

It has been crazy here these last few weeks like the last two months worth of weeks. I have not been blogging, reading blogs much, chatting in the chat room nor on facebok much. I have not even been doing much shopping or couponing. I am not sure what I have done other then read a ton of books and try to stay out of my husbands way. We are fighting over who knows what and the stress is affecting me finally.
I have also become a temporaty gaurdian of Zekiah. Jason is also a part of this however now he acts as if Z is *my kid*. He says now and then to me *your kid needs to do this* or *your kid is going to be a trouble maker if you do not make him behave*. Z has been here since Friday night is all! Why not talk about *his boy* does a lot of damage and does horrible things? I feel torn in multiple pieces and no matter what I do I am wrong. *SIGH*
I have closed myself off into my books. I am reading a book every other day now through the week. I find books are a safe haven for me to hide into and disappear. I know Jason is worried about money and his job but do not take it out on me.
I moved Megan ito my room and gave Z Megas room for now. Megan sleeps with me anyhow an likes to nap inmy bed so itmade sice to me. Jason is still in the guest room and I like it that way being as we are not happy with each other right now. He also has allergies to my pets and I will not give away my cat that I have had since 99 nor my dog that I have had forthe last 3 years.
Jason is supposed to be back at work this week so life will be back to normal as soon as Z is in school.I prayI can last that long!

There is a new store opening!

http://confessions-of-a-psychotic-housewife.blogspot.com/2010/03/grand-opening-giveaway-my-lil-monkey.html

OK you have to check out this new store and enter my friends contest!

Read this blog please and enter!

This lovely ladyt has great ideas on her blog andhas tons of give aways!

Toys R Us Deal Friday and Saturday BOGO Deal

I saw the ad on TV so not sure the exact details but it says ALL dvds are BOGO!
I will be picking up my TS and TS2 tomorrow so it will be interesting to see how this works. I am going to replace at least 2 of the old VHS Disney movies with new Disney DVDs. I am looking for 102 Dalmations and will see what else!

Love A Bargain!

I bought Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in the DVD/ BLU RAY combo pack for Tony at Target today. I was worried they would sell out if I waited. I got both of them for $15.98  with the discounts and coupons. Each movie also has a ticket to go see Toy Story 3 for free!!!
I bought 2 boxes of Always, one was $6.06 and the other was $6.99 making them 2/$13.05. I had coupons to save $3.00 off bringing the cost to 2/$10.05. On top of that deal Target gave me a $5.00 gift card for buying 2 packages of the Always.
I bought 10 bottles of SOBE water 10/$10.00 and got another gift card for $5.00.
I needed to buy bandaids for a rebate and bought a box of Toy Story ones for $1.82 and had a coupon to get $1.00 off.
I was able to get a free Air Wick Motion Sensor Ultra on sale for $6.00 minus my $5.00 manufactor coupon minus the Target $1.00 coupon. My cost was FREE!
I admit I did splurge and bought a Caboodle make up box so I can organize my make up better. That dang thing was $12.99. Geesh what a rip off. I thought it was $9.99 so I might save my receipt and argue the price.
It still amazes me when people say coupons do not pay!

Toys R Us Deal

I went to TRS to pre order Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in the DVD/Blu Ray combo pack. When I put down my $5.00 for each combo pack I was able to buy another Disney DVD for $15.00 off. I bought 101 Dalmations @ $19.99 minus my $15.00 from TRU and a bonus $5 for a Disney promo bringing the cost down to FREE!
To make this deal even sweeter there is a ticket for up to $8.50 off the purchase of a movie ticket to see Toy Story 3!
When the combo packs are in on Tuesday the sale price is going to be $16.99 each for 2 combo packs or $33.98 for two combo packs, I also have 2 coupons from Disney for an additional $10.00 off each combo pack bringing the cost down to $6.99 for each combo pack or $13.98 for both combo packs.
In the end I will be getting 101 Dalmations, Toy Story and Toy Story 2 for $13.98 and two tickets for up to $8.50 off the purchase of a movie ticket to see Toy Story 3!

another great contest

I drink a lot. No, not alcohol, very funny! lol But I almost always have a drink in my hand or within a few inches. So when I was invited to try out Starbucks Coffee 100 calorie Frappuccino Light Vanilla and Mocha flavors, I happily jumped on the chance. You see, even though I am always drinking something, I watch the calorie content. I am hesitant to drink full calorie drinks. It's not the sugar, sugar's my DH's problem, not mine, lol - but with all I drink each day, if I drank full calorie drink after drink, I'd be in serious trouble weight wise.




[Photo][Photo]

Both the Mocha Lite and the Vanilla are 100 calories per bottle, so I don't worry about indulging in one. (You know what I also appreciate? It's 100 calories per bottle, not per serving. I hate when a product says 100 calories, but there's 2.5 servings or whatever in the bottle. Who just drinks a small part of the supposed single serving bottle and puts it back in the fridge??) On top of the lower calories, it also has 60% sugar, and is sweetened with Splenda. You can score them by singles in the convenience section at gas stations, etc, or you can pick up a 4 pack at your local grocery stores for around $4.99-ish.



Taste wise, both flavors were pretty good. A single bottle is just right for cravings with just enough sweetness (they're 9.5 oz each) I think I prefer the Mocha the most, but the Vanilla was just as good (I've always had a thing for Mocha!) Do make sure these are ice cold though if you can, they taste soooo much better! (If you are home, try serving them with crushed ice! Yummy!)



If you'd like to try Starbucks Coffee new 100 calorie Frappuccino Light for yourself, they've got a $1.00 off coupon you can print up for your purchase!

















Win it! Would you like to receive a 4 pack of Starbucks Coffee 100 calorie Frappuccino Light Vanilla and Mocha like I did? One lucky reader will get some landing on their doorstep! To enter, tell me which flavor you'd love the most (they also have Coffee, and regular calorie Vanilla and Mocha)



-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog

-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back

-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or include @psychotichouse)



That's up to four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends March 27th, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.



I received a sample of the product above to write a review about it. One reader will win a prize as stated above.

posted by Storm, The Psychotic Housewife at 6:40 PM on Mar 17, 2010

Another great contest from my friend!!

I recently had the chance to listen to the newest Putumayo World Music release, Rhythm and Blues.




[Photo]

Rhythm and Blues features not only generation legends such as Lavelle White but also new stars of today's retro R&B movement such as Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. (For you who might not know her she was called the "Queen of Funk" by British enthusiasts during a tour in 1999) Now when you hear R & B, you might be thinking of recent years, but rewind the clock back to the the 50's and 60s for this one. It's the real deal, not the newfangled cr stuff. ;) This is a good CD to hang out and listen to in the evening after dinner and relax.



Here's the track listing:





Lavelle White "I've Never Found a Man to Love"

James Hunter "Til Your Fool Comes Home"

Cracked Ice "Sweet Feeling"

The Quantic Soul Orchestra featuring Kabir Who Knows

The Emotions "My Honey and Me"

Sam Moore, Keb' Mo' and Angie Stone "Wang Dang Doodle"

Catherine Russell "Put Me Down Easy"

Ruthie Foster "'Cuz I'm Here"

Snooks Eaglin "A Mother's Love"

Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings "100 Days, 100 Nights"

Rockie Charles "Before I Find the Right Girl for Me"

Irma Thomas with Henry Butler "River Is Waiting"



The suggested retail price is $14.98, but Amazon has it for $13.99 as of this posting.



Win it! One lucky reader will win a copy of Rhythm and Blues. To enter, visit Putumayo's site and tell us another CD you'd be interested in. (If you're like me and love Celtic music, I recommend Celtic Tides - it features Clannad, my absolute favorite in Celtic music)



As always, if you have completed the first entry above, you can also receive extra entries for:



-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog

-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back

-Tweeting about this giveaway (leave the link or include @psychotichouse)



That's up to four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends April 3rd, 2010 at 11:59 PST. US Only, sorry. :( Please leave your email address in your comment, or have it available in your profile so I can contact you if you've won. Winners drawn via Random.org.



I received a copy of this CD to listen to, and one reader will win a copy as well. Link(s) are for your convenience, they are not referral links.

posted by Storm, The Psychotic Housewife at 7:03 PM on Mar 19, 2010

Busy Life Happy Wife??

Yea as if I want to keep with the busyness. What has been going on in my life to keep me from posting?
I have gone to court to vouch for V and I offered to be a temporary foster parent for Kia. It will be temporary and will allow Kia to stay safe and not be placed into the foster care system.
I also said I would do supervised visitations for V and Mathias every other weekend for five hours Saturday and five hours on Sunday. It is hard to remember that I have to keep that time zone opened and make no plans.
This past Saturday I had CASA and the Social worker here to do a walk through of the house. I have to say the CASA worker did not impress me at all. I have yet to be impressed by CASA.
Kia has to have his own bedroom *why do they have to have their own bedroom* which is fine we have a spare room. I will be putting Robert in the spare room and Kia in Roberts room. Casa saw the gun cabinet in the spare room and freaked out! Oh that isbad, bad , bad, OhhhhHHHHHhh baddddd. LOL yea we have guns for hunting and oh my pistols to boot.
I really had to bite my lip to not pop off with the answers I wanted to give to the stupid questions I was asked. { What will you do when Kia ask for a cell phone?} { What will you use as discipline} I said tell him when he works and can afford his own cell phone he can have one. I also said it depends on what the infraction was being as different acts will have different disciplines. I gave a few examples and she just grinned at me and said he wont care. I said OK what do YOU suggest. She shut up and had no idea what to say then. Yea I can play the smart alec game to Casa do not tick me off. I am doing a favor I am not going to be treated like an idiot.
OK anyhow we are working on having Kia here within the next two weeks. Transistioning him here over Spring break. At times I wonder why I am doing this but I know deep in my heart God was telling me I needed to. Just the thought of this child going into foster care breaks my heart, and knowing he is feeling so unloved and unwanted really hurts.
I have been having a lot of issues with my hernia. I have to baby it so much right now but I am trying to hold out for my insurance to kick in. I know it needs to be taken care of ASAP but I just have to wait it out a bit nore. I can feel it tear a bit now and then and it really does scare me. No lectures on getting in to have it done I simply do not have the money for it. If it breaks and I go to ER at least they have to take care of me with no money up front!Insurance should be in affect in 6 weeks! I have to make a call and find out more about it. Oh I am also looking for a beltg thing that will hold it all in for the time being. It is amazing how much slimmer I am when the dang thing is not popping out.
OK now that I wrote a novel I will close!
XOXOXO

Thursday Thoughts

There are lots of ways to save money and have fun at the same time. One thing I have found is buying books at the Dollar Tree. I just finished reading Moon Pies and Movie Stars by Amy Wallen. It was a wonderful read! I was laughing in so many parts of the book, would read until 1 AM a couple of nights, and had a blast remembering the 70s! Miss Amy Wallen is superb at painting a picture in you mind with her words, I know just what the bowling alley looks like and smells like through her words.
I know save more money by getting a book at the library but there is just something in me that loves to own books. A Kindle is not for me I love the feel of there pages as I turn them and the smell of the ink, I love knowing that this book is MINE! Mine, mine, mine, MINE!
I adore going to the Dollar Tree. There is always something new and exciting to find. It is like a treasure hunt on a budget. Go ahead and take $10.00 or even $5.00 and see what jewels you can find.
Look in the frozen food section while you are there. I am addicted to the Garlic Texas Toast. The local grocery stores are selling it for over $3.00 here, yet I can buy a box for just $1.00 at Dollar Tree.
Some of my families favorite snacks are from the Dollar Tree. I bought fruit and granola bars a few years ago there and found out how much we all love them. Oh and when they have buddy bars in stock! Oh yea baby I love them.
Now and then Dollar Tree will get items in that are discontinued every where else. SCORE when you find that elusive item that is a must have. I was given a small bottle of perfume from my Aunt Shelia a few years ago. I forget the name now but I loved it. I had no idea it was from the Dollar Tree until she told me and I saw it there myself. When they get expensive name brand items in it is so fun to buy them for so much cheaper then they were.
OK I know I got off track. I love Dollar Tree and have fun when I go!

Last Bargain of the Day From Target

This week Target has a great deal on Kashi. Pairing it up with my coupons and I made out like a bandit!
The Heart to Heart crackers cookies granola bars are on sale for $2.59. If you buy four snack items you get a fifth one free.
I had to buy 4 of the crackers @ $2.59 each and was able to get the cookies for free. I also had 3 coupons for $1.50 off three of the boxes of crackers I bought and a fourth coupon to get one box totally free! In the end I paid $3.27 for four boxes of crackers and a box of cookies!