WOW, IS MY BRAIN FRIED!

I would love to blame my age, or so much going on in my life right now, or hormones or stress, but the reality is, it’s really just good  old fashioned airheadedness. (Is that even a word?  Well, in my airheaded world , it is!)

Every so often we are asked to contribute to a gift bag, which happened again this past week for a Baby Expo in Chicago coming up in August.  So I designed these cute little coupons for a free eBook of The Caregiver Organizer for MY Child (shameless plug with a link) and made 100 copies.  Melissa and I spent about an hour cutting them out and taping a sucker onto them (you know, so they stand out amidst all the other goodies in the gift bag).  Then, when I checked the coupon in the shopping cart to make sure I set it up correctly, I realized that I set the expiration date at August 31, 2001 instead of 2010.  No biggie, I changed it, saved it, and all is well.

That is, until Melissa checked the coupons that had the suckers taped to them.  Yep, they also said 2001.  OOPS!  And the funny thing is, it wasn’t like I just transposed the numbers…twice.  No, I saw it, knew it looked a little funny, but shrugged it off because I was sure it was right.  OMG, WHAT WAS I THINKING???  So while I’m beating myself up, my sweet business partner is telling me that it’s no big deal.  (I’m pretty sure she wanted to beat me up also, but she’s too nice to do that, and she really wanted to go out to the pool!)

Did we re-print all the coupons and re-tape all the suckers?  Naw!  We just took a Sharpie and blacked out the year.  We figured people will just have to figure it out themselves! 

Then we went out to the pool!

Karen

Tuesday Tidbit- How much more of Summer Can I Take?

OH. MY. WORD.

How much longer until vacation?

Oh wait. I forget. Vacation is generally not vacation for the mom, who has to wash and pack and still think about meals and schedules. It's really just living in another place for a week. True, there is the break from the cell phone and the emails, but I will have all that catching up to do upon my return.

But man, the beach sure sounds good right now.

Here in the B House, we have hit the summer wall. You know exactly what I'm talking about. It's the end of June and I am looking at school supply lists and counting the days until I regain my own freedom. Let me be clear, I LOVE my children. But after the throwdown Z2 had this morning, I am counting the days until school begins.

August 17th.

I think that's about six weeks.

If you have any ideas beyond heavy drinking or fasting and prayer that will help me get through this six weeks, let me have 'em, 'cause I am all ears! Anyone else having this in their house?

Yours, reconsidering buying that pool pass,

Melissa

QUALITY FAMILY TIME…REVISED!

Saturday night, my family and I went out to dinner, like we always do,  and after dinner stopped for ice-cream, like we usually do (I get to have one bite from everyone’s!) then went back home to sit around the pool and eat our ice-cream.  It was a lovely evening, just sitting together, enjoying each other’s company and spending quality time with one another.

That is, until I took a look around at each of us and realized… HEY!!!   WE’RE NOT TOGETHER AT ALL!!!  Each of us was sitting with our own hand-held electronic, totally absorbed in whatever little screen we were staring at.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  And I was JUST AS GUILTY!!!  (I HATE when that happens, and I can’t just blame it on DH!)

My husband was playing with his new phone, doing who-knows-what, Eric was playing a game on the PSP, Adam was playing something on my IPod, and I was checking email and Facebook on my phone.  WHAT in the world happened to our family evening?  How did it turn into THAT?  Heck, even watching TV together beats that!  At least we’re staring at the SAME screen when we watch TV or a movie!

Yeah, you can bet I’ll be making up for that one for a while!

Karen

Friday Funny- Flying Chipmunks and Red Tulips

This Spring has brought new meaning to the Chipmunk Varmint Wars. In honor of what may be their final days, I am reprinting an entry from 2006. Chipmunks, squirrels, baby bunnies, and all other varmints, BE.WARNED.

Last Fall I planted 80 (yes, eighty) red tulip bulbs. We have a large flower bed in front of our house and I love the first blooms of Spring. Along with those 80 red tulips I planted 80 yellow daffodils. (I bought them in bulk). It took me HOURS to plan it and then get them all planted. I am not one who enjoys sweating, so this was a true labor of love. All winter long I would smile when I thought of how beautiful my flower bed would be when the snow finally melted and they popped their little green heads out of the earth and opened up to welcome Spring. Finally, it began to happen. As I eagerly awaited the promised blooms, I began to notice something. All of the daffodils were coming up with great ease. But the tulips? They seemed to be growing smaller by the morning. Perplexed, I wondered what was going on. Morning by morning I would check their little sprouts only to find that something was gnawing them. Then one morning I found some of the bulbs dug up and carelessly thrown aside. I was p%$#@. . . well, you get the picture. How dare something steal my tulip joy!

As Spring wore on, I discovered a chipmunk living under our front stoop. Aha, I thought. This Tulip Taster must be run off. I would not let my joy be thwarted another season. I relaxed about it a bit until he started eating my petunias, and then digging up my baby hostas. Nobody messes with my petunias and walks away whole.

I was now angry enough to consider, just consider, putting out baby aspirin for him to munch on. I was told that one taste of those and he would crawl off some place to go to the great wood chip pile in the sky. But I just couldn't do it. Number 1, I couldn't bear the thought of knowing that I was poisoning a little creature my kids loved to watch. Secondly, I did not even want to imagine the stench his little rotting carcass would bring as he burrowed himself under my stoop to kick off. Then I would have to dig him out and that would only make me more aggravated.

So what to do? I began spraying Deer Off. Whew! Ever smelled the stuff? NASTY. It is loaded with coyote urine. (Rabbit Trail: So how does one collect coyote urine anyway? Do the coyotes walk around with catheters all day? What a sad way to live your short coyote life!) It worked until the next rain. Not that much of a problem as dry as it has been lately, but still, a bit of a pain. I was talking to my neighbor and he immediately went inside and got me his chipmunk trap. My husband laughed at me when I brought it home last Sunday. Ribbed me for a good 15 minutes.

He laughs no more.

After setting the thing only TWICE, I caught myself a chipmunk. HA! Take that ya varmint!

Now that I have caught him, what the heck am I going to do with him?

Oy. I hadn't thought this through completely, now had I?

So off to the park I drive, praying the entire way that he would not stink up my car or get out of the trap and attack me. I make it to the park and take the trap out of the car and set it on an incline to get him in one area. I find myself a big stick because I am NOT about to touch it. Take a deep breath. Exhale and breath again just one more time for good measure. Go over again in my mind what I will do if the thing should come out, attack and bite me (Which would include A LOT of running around, screaming and batting the poor thing before I punt him into the woods). At this point I tell myself to just hurry up and let him go before I pass out. One more big breath and I push the lever.

That thing ran so fast into the bushes I don't think his paws touched the ground but once. I knew squirrels could fly, but I didn't think chipmunks could.

At that moment, I felt even more empowered than the first time I fixed the vacuum cleaner. Tonight I stand before you:

Shaduka, Empress of the Chipmunk Hunters!

Yours, giddy over the slightest accomplishment, (especially as my husband is eating crow tonight),

Melissa

Thursday Thoughts- You've GOT to ask!

Today I definitely have something for you to think about. It concerns medical costs.

I know there has been a lot of debate and conversation about health care insurance and coverage and rising medical expenses, etc. ad naseum. I cannot stress enough how much you need to take care of things and be proactive in your care, but also in managing your expenses. Here is what really blew my top this past two weeks. . .

Remember last summer when I had that scare with my chest and it turned out to be fibroid cysts? Well, after a visit to my doctor a few weeks ago, he told me now he wants not only a mammogram, but an ultrasound of my chest, just to be sure. Okay. I'll schedule it. I decided to call my insurance first to see how much of it would be covered.

ZILCH.

Nothing is covered until I meet my deductible.

And I'm paying HOW MUCH every month for WHAT?!?!?

I thought, being a Dr. ordered mammogram, there would be no question of having it covered. BZZZT! Whammie!

So I start pricing it out, knowing that I would have to pay for it out of pocket. I spent a full DAY on the phone (in the end, I spent THREE days on the phone getting it all sorted out). Here's what I found out:

For a full mammogram at the hospital breast care center it is $450. The ultrasound will cost $1,000.

So who happens to have $1,450 just laying around for medical expenses? Not me, for sure! But what to do, because I have to put this to rest. It's pretty painful every month, so I want to make sure everything is okay in that area. So I called everywhere, even the county health clinic. By this time I was desperate. Long story short, the worker said even if I could qualify (which I can't) she would have to send me to an x-ray place.

Which got me to thinking. . .

So I called the X-ray place directly and here's the quote I got:

If I pay cash, not going through the insurance, my costs for a full mammogram and ultrasound will be:

$184.

Yes, your eyes are working just fine. That's a total difference of over $1,200.

Yes, I am absolutely relieved that I will be able to afford it. And completely steamed at the price difference.

When I called the hospital to cancel my appointment, they asked why? When I told the man my story, even HE could not believe it.

Moral: don't blindly accept what they hand you. ASK. QUESTIONS. GET PRICES. Go in with your eyes open. Knowledge is sometimes the most powerful tool and bargaining chip you have.

Yours, now waiting for my appointment in another week,

Melissa

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: NEIGHBORHOOD BALLOON LANDING

Okay, so maybe next time my kids tell me that a hot air balloon is landing in our neighborhood, I’ll believe them!

Karen

Tuesday Tidbit- Or is that TUESDAY RANT?

Warning- the following blog post will have nothing to do with anything about caregiving or kids or parenthood or anything useful. There's just something I have to get off my chest. So you, my friends, are today's lucky audience!

I'm a runner. (Wow, that could go so many different directions. . . .) Three mornings a week, I get up at the crack of dawn and do some roadwork- anywhere between 2 to 4 miles. (Yes, mostly 2 mile stretches as of late, but at least I'm still getting out there). Running is my time to have some quiet and not think about anything except breathing in, breathing out and putting one foot in front of the other. I get up early for two reasons: 1.) The rest of the fam is still asleep. 2.) Not much traffic on the roads at 6 AM. It's serene, most days.

Notice I said "most days". Here-in lies my points of ranting:

1.) Yes, I know there is a sidewalk. I don't need you, a passing car, to roll down your window and inform me of that fact. The asphalt has a softer impact on my joints and there is less danger of tripping over uneven areas and falling flat on my face.

2.) I stay well over on the shoulder of the road. If there are five other lanes available, it doesn't hurt to give me a little extra room. Most people do this quite nicely. Including the county policeman who do not try to run me off the road. Or give me a ticket. They seem to understand that they are a vehicle and I am a pedestrian and heck, it's six o'clock in the morning, so why not just be pleasant and get along? But really, when there ARE five other lanes available, there is no need to run me off the road for your amusement.

3.) I realize that six o'clock in the morning is not the most pleasant hour to hold a conversation. A simple Good Morning or nod will do. 99% of the people out at this time of day are pretty polite. Then there are the cyclists. Not only do they run you off the road, a lot of them simply turn their nose up at you. Fine. Don't expect me to be pleasant the next time I pass you in my car. Remember, at some point, I'll be driving and you'll be riding.

4.) And for the cyclist who has run me off the road THREE times, I just want you to know, I'm no longer going to be nice about it. I'm bringing my football arm. Snobby Cyclist, meet Mr. Clothesline. And right behind him, Mr. Stink Egg all over your Tour de France helmet.

I know. The odds are I won't because I'm just too nice.

But a runner can dream.

Yours, looking forward to my next run,

Melissa

MAKING TIME FOR “US”

Every so often, I’m asked to write a guest post for somebody else’s blog. One of my favorite topics to write about, because of course I always tie it back to my book, is how parents need to take care of themselves and their relationship with each other, and how The Caregiver Organizer can help relieve “babysitter” stress when going out for a romantic evening together. And I firmly believe that we need time with our spouses, without kids, to keep that relationship strong.

So, do I practice what I preach? Of course not! Lucky for me, I have a pretty solid relationship with my hubby, but we definitely don’t spend enough time together, alone. Saturday night, we actually had a date night. Nothing special, just a nice dinner out (yes, I totally blew my Weight Watchers points and yes, it was totally worth it!). But you know what? It was special! We haven’t been out without the kids since December. Terrible, I know!

Even worse, the boys are 9, and we’ve never, and I mean NEVER, been on vacation without them since they’ve been born. So this November we’ll be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary in Grand Cayman, which is where we got married. NO KIDS! I’ve been warning my sister for a year already that she has to take care of them while we’re gone, and she’s up for the challenge! (She may never speak to me again after we return, but I’ll cross that bridge later!)

So my advice to you, and to myself, is to please, please, please take more time for yourself (hard to do during the summer months, I know) and make more time for your relationship with your spouse. Even after just one night out, I feel a bit more connected again, and I didn’t even know that was missing. So I can only imagine what once or (dare I dream?) twice a month could do for us! Something to think about!

Karen

Friday Funny- That Boy of Mine!

Monday evening, the B family went for a stroll after dinner. We do this a few times a week, just a walk around the neighborhood to keep ourselves from getting completely sucked into the multiple electronic devices around the house and not engaging with each other. My son brought his scooter and my daughter, her bike. At one point, The Hub took over the scooter and began racing with Z2. Off they went. My son, seizing the opportunity, locked his arm in mine, looked at me, wiggled his eyebrows and said,"Well Mom, now it's just you and THE MAN."

Yup, all nine years of him!

He proceeded to tell me this joke:

Z1: Hey Mom, why did the booger cross the road?

Me: I don't know, Love. Why?

Z1: Because he was getting picked on! AAHHAHAHAHAHAAA!

His lady killing skills are exceptional, don't you think?

As we rounded the corner, the scooter had come back and Z1 suggested I give it a try. Now, what you should realize is that when it comes to athletic grace, well, there's a reason why I am a musician and not a gymnast. I. Have. NONE. I've never been a particularly physically graceful person. It's okay. I've come to terms with it.

So when Z1 offered me the scooter, it just looked like fun, and I thought,"It's a kid's scooter. How can this be bad?"

I was cruising along (well, maybe not cruising. . . how about SLOWLY gliding) when he came up behind me and said,"Mom, I think you've mastered Level 1. It's time to move on to Level 2." And with that, he put both hands on my behind and gave me the strongest push ever.

I made it all the way home- DOWN THE HILL- in record time. The sound effect reel (i.e.- my loud, vocal abilities including screaming) was quite entertaining to the neighbors which happened to be outside.

Gotta love family time!

Yours, wishing you much fun in your family time this weekend,

Melissa

Thursday Thoughts- Random Summer Wonderings

It's Thursday. By the time I get here, I feel pretty random and loose ended. I try to keep it together, but well, at this point in the week, my skin is about the only things holding me together!

-It's been an eventful week. I was supposed to be in Nashville and it got rescheduled. :-(

-We've been reading a lot in my house. The kids have been working toward the second prize in the reading club at the library, which is a beach ball bigger than they are. It came into the house today. I wonder how long it will last. :-)

- Yesterday I went to the pool and forgot to use sunscreen on my back. Not good when you are as white as porcelain. It did, however, seem to have cleared up the sun rash on my back, while the front of me, where I used the sunscreen- still full of rash. What's the deal???

-My kids are awfully quiet at the moment. That's usually not a good sign. (So full of positive thinking, right?)

Yeah, can't focus on a darn thing today, and I have WAY too much to get done. Yikes! ANy suggestions?

Yours, awaiting your brilliant insight beyond, "Have a cup of coffee!"

Melissa

2010 XTREME EATING AWARDS BY THE CSPI

Okay, I know I’ve become more aware of what I’m eating since I started my healthy living last year, and I certainly don’t want to preach to anyone (well, except those closest to me who don’t have any choice but to listen), but when I saw the 2010 Xtreme Eating Awards by the Center for the Science in the Public Interest, I just about fell out of my chair (my dining room chair!). I mean, really, you would think that the trend among restaurants would be to find healthier options for their customers, but these 9 examples by well known chain restaurants prove otherwise.

You really need to read the entire article to totally get it, but here are a few of my favorites:

1. The CSPI couldn’t even agree to pick out one particular dish at Five Guys and Fries. Ignoring the fact that all they serve are burgers, dogs, fries, grilled cheese and beverages, this is not the place for the light eater! Here’s a couple of examples: a Bacon Cheeseburger is 920 calories and 30 grams of saturated fat, while a large order of fries has a whopping 1460 calories. Holy Cow!
2. We expect chocolate cake to be fattening, but the Chocolate Tower Truffle Cake at The Cheesecake Factory has 1670 calories and 48 grams of saturated fat. I bet it’s yummy, but how will that look on your hips?
3. I hate to admit it, but I’ve gotten the Double Pan-Fried Noodles Combo at PF Changs in my past (non-healthy) life, and they were gooooood! Of course they were, weighing in at 1820 calories, not to mention the 7690 milligrams of sodium. (Well, at least I split it with a friend!)
4. Crab and Shrimp Quesadillas at Chevy’s sound fairly harmless, right? Look again! There may be some seafood among all the cheese and cream sauce loaded in those tortillas, but not enough to make this a healthy choice. This tops their menu at 1790 calories, 63 grams of saturated fat and 3440 mg of sodium.

DANG!!! So be careful out there! Even when you think you’re making good, healthy choices, the restaurants are out there, biting you in the butt (no pun intended!). My strategy? I research as best as I can before I go. If it’s a chain restaurant, I look up their nutritional information online and decide what I’m going to order ahead of time, so I’m not even tempted once I get there. Even if I’m going to a locally owned place, they usually still have their menu online, so at least I can take my time figuring out my best options while I’m still at home.

Ooooh, but wouldn’t you just LOVE a bite of that Chocolate Tower Truffle Cake?

Karen

Tuesday Tidbit- I did it. . .

I did it. . .

I started the dreaded conversation.

My mother came to the house this past Friday to take the kids to a movie. We all went to see Marmaduke, which, by the way, is a fun, fun movie. Owen Wilson as the voice of Marmaduke was a brilliant choice. Some things were a little predictable, but still a lot of fun anyway.

But about that conversation. . . A few weeks ago, my Daddy had a fall and hit his head. About a week after that, he started having blackouts. So off to the hospital he went. while it was diagnosed as Delayed Concussive Reaction, it opened the door to start that dreaded conversation about my parents aging.

I mean, how do you bring it up without saying,"You're getting older and I'm getting worried?" Turns out, my sisters had begun the same conversation with them as well. Whew! I wasn't the only one. My parents are beginning to look for a different home- one that is closer to their children- somewhere in between all of us. And my mother has begun listing all of their doctors, what they see them for and their medications they are currently taking. We even talked about the difference between a DNR and a Living Will. If you don't know the difference, you need to, because they are two entirely separate documents. I have to say, my mother was pretty receptive to the entire thing, and took it as a sign of concern, rather than age.

So let me say it one more time... if you still have parents...and even if your relationship is somewhat strained... or if you have the best relationship in the world...have the conversation now. Much better to do it now than before something happens and they can't tell you anything about what they would want.

Yours, beginning to breathe a sigh of relief,

Melissa

I WISH I WAS A DOG!

Sometimes I wish I was a dog. No really, hear me out on this one! In fact, I’ll list my reasons:

1. It takes VERY little to make a dog happy. I mean VERY, VERY little!
2. Their memory last about 3 seconds, so even if they are upset or embarrassed about something, **poof** it’s gone almost immediately.
3. Daily schedule: eat, sleep, play, sleep, repeat.
4. Out of water? No problem, just drink from the toilet. (Although I will admit my dog won’t do this. My prissy cat, on the other hand, has no problem with it. Go figure!)
5. Sniffing somebody’s butt is totally acceptable.
6. Riding in the car is the Best. Time. Ever. And it doesn’t even matter if we’re going to the vet, as long as he gets to hang his head out the window with his ears and tongue flapping in the wind. (Yet, blow in his face and he gets crazy mad at you!)
7. They never have to worry about looking fat. In fact, they never worry about anything. Or get stressed about anything. Or feel guilty about anything. You get where I’m going with this!
8. No family issues to deal with. You never hear a dog whine about their mom abandoning them when they were a little pup, ‘cuz that happens to all of them!
9. When they lose their hair, it grows back.
10. It’s okay if you’re not the smartest or the best at something or in a great mood, they will love you unconditionally, and therefore get love back. So doesn’t that make them a bit smarter than all of us?

Karen

Friday Fun! It's Summer Time!

It's Friiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiidaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyy!

Could you hear me all the way from The Lou?

I know, Friday seems like any other day of the week sometimes, but some mornings, knowing it's Friday puts a completely different spin on things. Besides, I just like saying it's FRRRIIIIIIIIIIDDAAAAAAAAYY! Makes me feel like Al Roker on The Today Show. Except I don't have the cool echo. Or the big paycheck. And I'm pretty sure he's not ScotIrish like me (which is a very PC way of saying"I'm so white it hurts, and he, well, he's not"). Okay, maybe I'm not feeling so Al Roker. But it's still FRIIDAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

So get your Friday Summer Groove on!

I'm excited it's Friday because here at Karmel Publishing, we have just completed edits on our newest book, "Caring For My Aging Parent" (Go Karen!). Can't wait to finish the foreword and roll it out!

And it's summer.

And it smells like rain outside.

And the periwinkles are beginning to bloom.

Doesn't take much for me, does it? Yeah, I know. Walking party of one!

We're going to see Marmaduke The Movie today. And then I'm going to have that long overdue conversation with my mom. But still, it's FRIIIIIIDAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!

So turn up the radio and shake it 'til you get into a good groove and let the Friday Fun begin!

Yours, looking forward to the weekend,

Melissa

EASY PEASY PULLED PORK SANDWICHES!

Being summer, I hate to use the oven and heat the house up any more than I have to, so I use the slow cooker, just like Melissa does. This is BY FAR the easiest recipe you will ever see, so pay close attention.

Put a pork tenderloin in the slow cooker with about an inch of water at the bottom. Cook all day until it easily shreds with a fork. Shred tenderloin entirely. Mix with BBQ sauce of your choice, amount is up to you. Serve on buns or Arnold Select Sandwich Thins. DONE!

I usually cook 2 pork tenderloins at a time and freeze half of it for another day. The kids love it and I love it because it’s lean meat so it’s Weight Watchers friendly!

What could be easier? Give it a try and let me know how you like it!

Karen

It's Tuesday, and I'm Slightly Neurotic

It's Tuesday and I'm slightly neurotic. Slightly? I know. Stop your giggling. I mean it! What is it that I believe I'm neurotic about? Seriously, do you ned a list? Go read some of my posts.

It's storming here in the Midwest, which in and of itself is not a bad thing. I don't particularly care for tornado season. It tends to put me on the edge. I have one weatherman that I watch, because, well, I know it's time to worry when he tells me to. That's why I watch him. To keep me from being neurotic. (If you live in The Lou, you KNOW I'm talking about Kent Earnhart. LOVE that man! Can't spell his name right, but he gets me through tornado season one day at a time. But I digress. . . )

Like I said, storms don't bother me too much, EXCEPT WHEN MY KIDS ARE AWAY AT AN OUTDOOR DAY CAMP.

Breathe. . . . in. . . . out. . . . goooooooood. . . . .

I'm sure the staff has everything under control. I know they have planned for bad weather and are keeping the kids occupied and entertained and above all, SAFE. And two if my very dearest friends are there, so my kids know who to run to in the event of an emergency.

But right now, the only thing that is keeping me from getting in the car and picking them up is the fact that I'm blogging and would have to cancel my lessons to do so.

Does anyone else have the overwhelming desire to get all the baby chicks in the nest every time it storms? Let me know I'm not alone!

Yours, still fighting the urge,

Melissa

SUMMER ORGANIZING!!!

Yes, I typically like to be more original when writing a blog post, but this article, by HousekeepingChannel.com is so awesome, I had to share it with you. So click on the picture below and read these 10 great summer organizing tips!

So now, get organized!!!

Karen

Friday Funny-Talk About Spunk!

Good Morning, Mac-n-Chick Readers! Time for a little Friday Funny. In the spirit of Caring For My Aging Parents, I offer you the following joke:

Jacob, age 92, and Rebecca, age 89, living in Miami , are all excited about their decision to get married. They go for a stroll to discuss the wedding, and on the way they pass a drugstore. Jacob suggests they go in.

Jacob addresses the man behind the counter: "Are you the owner?"

The pharmacist answers, "Yes."

Jacob: "We're about to get married. Do you sell heart medication?"

Pharmacist: "Of course, we do."

Jacob: "How about medicine for circulation?"

Pharmacist: "All kinds."

Jacob: "Medicine for rheumatism?"

Pharmacist: "Definitely."

Jacob: "How about suppositories?"

Pharmacist: "You bet!"

Jacob: "Medicine for memory problems, arthritis and Alzheimer's?"

Pharmacist: "Yes, a large variety. The works."

Jacob: "What about vitamins, sleeping pills, Geritol, antidotes for Parkinson's disease?"

Pharmacist: "Absolutely."

Jacob: "Everything for heartburn and indigestion?"

Pharmacist: "We sure do."

Jacob: "You sell wheelchairs and walkers and canes?"

Pharmacist: "All speeds and sizes."

Jacob: "We'd like to use this store as our Bridal Registry."

All I can say is, I can only HOPE to have this much spunk when I reach 92!

Yours, wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Melissa

I'M HAVING A HUNGRY DAY!

Do you ever have those days when you’re just hungry all day? That’s today for me. Nothing is different today. I had the same Egg Beaters on Bagel Thin breakfast that I always have, and then I did a little office work, then walked on the treadmill for a few miles.

But 10:00 rolled around and BOOM, I was hungry and it hasn’t let up yet!

So why does this happen? There have been no changes to my routine. It’s not “my time of the month.” WHY SABATOGE MY DIET THE DAY BEFORE WEIGH-IN????

So quick update on my weight loss progress: I made my Weight Watchers goal (yay me!), but not my personal goal yet. I’ll explain. Once you make goal at WW, you have to maintain that weight for 6 weeks, at which time you become a “Lifetime” member. (HUGE status at WW!) As a Lifetime member, you don’t have to pay any fees, but you have to weigh-in once a month and maintain your weight within 2 pounds of your goal weight.

Yes, you heard me right… 2 POUNDS!!! Okay, I don’t know about you, but 2 pounds could be water retention. It could be having not pooped for a few days. It could be a really big meal the night before. 2 pounds, are they kidding me? So while I set my WW goal at X (no, you don’t need to know that number!), my own personal goal is actual X minus 3. So since I just hit WW goal last week, I really have 3 more pounds to go to hit MY REAL goal. That way, if I ever go above my goal by 5 pounds, well then I should be held accountable and have to start going every week and paying again because I’ll need to. Get it?

So there’s my update! Really, I just wanted to share that I’M HUNGRY TODAY!!!!

Karen

ARE THESE PEOPLE FOR REAL?

I love my children, really I do. But when I see people posting things on Facebook about how excited they are that it’s summer and they get to spend the next 3 months with their kids, I really have to wonder if I’m the worst mom in the world. Am I the only one who thinks summer break is WAY too long? A week, maybe two, would be great. But THREE MONTHS? With 2 nine year old BOYS? Who have to be MOVING AT ALL TIMES? I’m exhausted just thinking about it!

So do you think they really mean it? Maybe they have girls. Or maybe their kids are old enough that they don’t need constant supervision. (Not that I have to watch my boys at all times, but it’s not like I can go run errands and leave them at home by themselves obviously.) Personally, I think these moms just say these things on Facebook and to other moms to make themselves look better. Really, everybody has to feel SOME anxiety over having their schedules and lives uprooted for 3 months. It can’t be all wonderful. Can it? Maybe I’m missing something. Hmmmm.

Okay, I just looked downstairs. The housekeepers left only 15 minutes ago, and the house is already a wreck. Nope, I’m not missing anything!

Karen

Tuesday Tidbit- My "Monica" Closet

It's the first day of summer. It's 1:25 in the afternoon and they have already told me they are bored. Currently, Z2 is having a meltdown because of something her brother did. And I'm already having to remind of discipline measures which include "taking away every happy moment of summer if I have to!" (Not that I would, but it sounds pretty threatening, doesn't it?)

This morning we hit the library- which was a complete madhouse!- and then a few more errands. Home for lunch, after which they read for a bit and Z2, wanting to color, opened up the art cabinet. When half of its contents spilled onto the floor, we decided it might be time for a cleansing. A half hour later, we've paired it down and neatly stowed everything away. And then I took Z1's pencil box downstairs to the storage closet.

That's when it hit me. I write books on organization, and yet I have a "Monica Closet". Today, I could not even get the door open. Mind you, the rest of my house is in order, mostly. But that closet is supposed to become a guest room this summer.

How am I going to do that if I can't even open the door?

And no, I'm not ready to post pics yet.

Yours, contemplating the closet,

Melissa