The Delima Dilemma

2012-02-11T07:21:00.003-05:00

Flo Rida

"Club Can't Handle Me"
(feat. David Guetta)

***And yes, this uncoordinated, non rhythmic, terrible wanna be dancer totally seat dances when this song comes on in the car!! There, I said it! Lol***

You know I know how
To make em stop and stare as I zone out
The club can't even handle me right now
Watchin' you watchin' me I go all out
The club can't even handle me right now (yeah)
The club can't even handle me right now (yeah)

Hey
I own the light and I don't need no help
Gotta be the feeling that scarface player
Stuntin go wild can't handle this plan
Life of the club arrogant like yeah!
Top like money all the girls just melt
Want to many all know me like Twelve
Look like cash and they all just stare
Bottles, Models, standing on chairs
Fall out cause that's the business
All out it's so ridiculous
Zone out so much attention
Scream out I'm in the building (hey!)
They watchin I know this
I'm rocking I'm rolling
I'm holding, I know it
You know it

You know I know how
To make em stop and stare as I zone out
The club can't even handle me right now
Watchin' you watchin' me I go all out
The club can't even handle me right now (yeah)
The club can't even handle me right now (yeah)

Hey
Still feeling myself I'm like outta control
Can't stop now more shots let's go
Ten more rounds can I get a Kato
Paparazzi trying to make me pose
Came to party to I came no more
Celebrate cause that's all I know
Tip the groupies taking off their clothes
Grand finale' like superbowl
Go hard run the show
That's right wild out got money to blow
More light more ice when I walk in the door
No hype I do it big all over the globe
Yeah!
I said it
Go tell it
Confetti
Who ready?
I'm ready!
You ready!
Let's get it!

You know I know how
To make em stop and stare as I zone out
The club can't even handle me right now
Watchin' you watchin' me I go all out
The club can't even handle me right now (yeah)
(Put your hands up!)
(Put your hands up!)
(Put your hands up!)
The club can't even handle me right now (yeah)
(Put your hands up!)
(Put your hands up!)
(Put your hands up!)

You got me watchin now (hey)
Got my attention now (hey)
Got everybody in the club wanting to know now
I am a ladies man
Come and be my lady and...
We can ball, so, ah
Bring ya body here let me switch up the atmosphere
Take you up out of this club and in my new limo
Fly you all around the world
What you want baby girl
Are you ready to go now!

You know I know how
To make em stop and stare as I zone out
The club can't even handle me right now
Watchin' you watchin' me I go all out
The club can't even handle me right now (yeah)
(Put your hands up!)
(Put your hands up!)
(Put your hands up!)
The club can't even handle me right now (yeah)
(Put your hands up!)
Let's celebrate now
(Put your hands up!)
You know who shut it down!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday...

2012-02-08T19:09:00.001-05:00

If you wait to do everything until you’re sure it’s right, you’ll probably never do much of anything.
- Win Borden

Words of Wisdom Wednesday...

2012-02-08T05:06:00.002-05:00

While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till it be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains of it.
- Samuel Johnson

As sugar plums pound in my head...

2012-02-06T22:32:00.001-05:00

I can not sleep, there for I blog.

My head is pounding and I can't seem to fall asleep. I've taken Excedrin for the last two weeks, regularly I might ad and it seems to do nothing. I've tried taking my Zyrtec in case its allergies due to the crazy Virginia weather we have been having and still nothing. I don't have any sinus pressure, just head aches. It seems to be a little better when I wear my glasses instead of my contacts, but still, I can't stand it anymore. My husband thinks its my eyes. I stare at two computer monitors all day and the headaches started after I started my new job a few months ago. I really need to make an eye Dr. apt. asap. If it is my eyes, than I can kiss the minivan I was going to get good-bye. The hubs gave me the option to either use our tax money for a down payment on a mini-van or for lasik eye surgery. Looks like momma will be choosing the lasik surgery instead. As much as I have been wanting a mini-van for years (I know, as crazy as that sounds), my eyes are more important. It makes sense since I spend so much for contacts and glasses as it is.

Int the meantime, my head hurts and I want it to go away.now....right now!

Monday, the not so fun day

2012-02-06T19:25:00.004-05:00

I've got the Monday, the not so fun day blues

I really did not want to get out of bed this morning. (And no its not bc I stayed up too late watching the Superbowl. Although I'm not a fan, to each his own.) We had a busy weekend. The contractor finished the repairs to our bathroom on Saturday. Yay! Although, our bathroom was not terribly damaged in the flood, we opted to finally have it redone. (Well to the best of that our budget can afford ;-) lol ) If we had it our way, plumbing and all the fixtures would have been moved, but they weren't. We tried, but our budget would not have allowed it. Instead we just upgraded the fixtures. We got what the hubs calls "a man toilet". It sits taller and is a little wider (after two kids, I can appreciate that, Hmmhmm.) We opted to replace the modest size vanity for a skinny vessel (our bathroom is not very large and was poorly designed by the original owners). I'm still on the fence about the bowl we chose. Although I love it by itself, I personally think its too large for the vessel. The hubs disagrees...so its staying. Other than the shower, there is not one thing in our bathroom that is original (thank God bc our bathroom was so bad, I didn't even want to be in it). Now we have what the hubs calls "Our own little spa retreat, without the spa of course, lol" (again, bathroom size is a bit modest). Its still not finished. We need to put up the new mirror and towel bars. I've been on a hunt for an espresso colored cabinet/shelf and a new laundry basket. The hunt has obviously been unsuccessful as you can see in the empty space in the pics below.

(Why does it feel like this blog is more about my house and not about my moody Monday feelings?)

Anywho, needless to say, we had a busy weekend of work around the house, birthday parties, laundry, cooking, cleaning and I am tired. All day I wanted to just pack up my stuff and head home to my bed. I miss my little bubba RJ. We didn't get to visit him over the weekend bc the hubs woke up with pink eye yesterday :-( Good thing mama keeps drops around the house.

I almost forgot....piano lessons!! I am so excited! Alexi had her second piano lesson Saturday morning. The scheduling worked out with the instructor so we go on Saturdays at 11:00. The instructor is awesome. She not only teaches Alexi how to play the piano, but she's teaching her to read and write the notes and singing lessons. Its the whole kit and caboodle. (I just hope its not too much at once for Alexi, but only time will tell.) She so far is doing alright with it and can already play Two black cats (granite it only involves 3 keys, but its a great start)! She gets homework. Each week she is required to practice writing her notes on a daily basis and at the end of the week the instructor checks it. I like this bc its helping me to learn the piano and reading notes as well. And just in case you are all wondering.....Momma can now play a mean Two black cats also! lol

Although today is almost over, I wished it was a three day weekend so that I could have relaxed a bit. I feel like this week is going to be just as busy and I'm going to end up cranky if I don't get some extra down time.

Sing-A-Long Saturdays

2012-02-04T07:49:00.002-05:00

This Saturdays Sing-a-long is honor of this little man:

My nephew Joey just turned 5 on Thursday and this seems to be his latest pick to sing a long to in the car. Today is his birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. Maybe I'll decorate a red solo cup with his name and put some juice in it for him today :)

Toby Keith
Red Solo Cup

Now red solo cup is the best receptacle
From barbecues, tailgates, fairs and festivals
And you sir do not have a pair of testicles
If you prefer drinkin' from glass

Hey red solo cup is cheap and disposable
In fourteen years they are decomposable
And unlike my home they are not foreclosable
Freddie Mac can kiss my ass, woo!

Red solo cup, I fill you up
Let's have a party, let's have a party
I love you red solo cup, I lift you up,
Proceed to party, proceed to party

Now I really love how you're easy to stack
But I really hate how you're easy to crack
Cause when beer runs down, in front of my back
Well, that, my friends, is quite yucky

But I have to admit that the ladies get smitten
Admirin' at how sharply my first name is written
On you with a Sharpie when I get to hittin'
On them, to help me get lucky

Red solo cup, I fill you up
Let's have a party, let's have a party
I love you red solo cup, I lift you up,
Proceed to party, proceed to party

Now I've seen you in blue and I've seen you in yellow
But only you red will do for this fellow
Cause you are the Abbott into my Costello
And you are the Fruit to my Loom

Red solo cup, you're more than just plastic
More than amazing, you're more than fantastic
And believe me that I'm not the least bit sarcastic
When I look at you and say:
"Red solo cup, you're not just a cup (No, no, God no)
You're my friend, yea (Lifelong)
Thank you for being my friend"

Red solo cup, I fill you up
Let's have a party, let's have a party
I love you red solo cup, I lift you up,
Proceed to party, proceed to party

What do you mean when you say you blog?

2012-02-03T21:24:00.017-05:00

I was asked the other day (while sitting in the hospital with my sister) what does it mean when i say I blog? (I was currently suggesting that my sister guest blog on my page to kill some time since she was bedridden. She declined. She was afraid she would offend some with the topics she would have opted to discuss. I told her my blog was free game, nonetheless she opted out.) I explained that my blog was about me. my thoughts. my opinions. my passions. what makes me smile. Its real. its fun. its serious. It may or may not entertain some. Its a place where I can express myself. Where I can be honest. Where at times some would say I put my foot in my mouth via the internet. Where I can be ME.

No one else, just ME.

I have not regretted not one of my blogs. I love blogging. I don't always find time to do so, but when I do, I enjoy it. Its something I choose to do. (Speaking of choosing, a blog about choices will be coming soon.) I hope its something I get to continue, no matter how busy my life gets.

What does it mean when you say you blog?

*If you take the time to share "what it means when you say you blog" on your blog and let me know about it, I will share it here on my little piece of the internet as well :)

Love at first site

2012-02-03T05:51:00.000-05:00

I'm and Aunt!! Again!!

On my husbands side I am an aunt of 3.5 girls (my sister in law is due this month). On my side of the family I am an aunt of 3, no make that 4 boys. My sister just had her second son on Sunday. My sister had complications and Baby RJ was born 2 months early. My sister is doing much better. She's been released from the hospital. Baby RJ has not. He's getting stronger every day though...really. The hospital thinks he will be there for a month. Each day we seem to get good news on his progress.

And without further ado......

Baby RJ

Since this picture he has been taken off of the respirator and is now breathing on his own.

Happy Birthday JoJo!!

2012-02-02T06:53:00.001-05:00

Happy 5th birthday to my nephew Joey. I love you!!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday...

2012-02-01T19:31:00.000-05:00

In the end these things matter most: How well did you love? How fully did you love? How deeply did you learn to let go?
- Buddha

Words of Wisdom Wednesday...

2012-02-01T06:50:00.000-05:00

Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.
- Cherokee Indian Proverb

Sing-A-Long Saturdays

2012-01-28T08:08:00.008-05:00

Zach Brown Band
(feat. Jimmy Buffett)
Knee Deep

Gonna put the world away for a minute

Pretend I don't live in it

Sunshine gonna wash my blues away

Had sweet love but I lost it

She Got too close so I fought it

Now I'm lost in the world tryin to find me a better way

Wishin' I was

Knee deep in the water somewhere

got the blue sky, breeze and it don't seem fair

the only worry in the world

is the tide gonna reach my chair

Sunrise, there's a fire in the sky

never been so happy

never felt so high

and I think I might've found me my own kind of paradise

Wrote a note, said "Be back in a minute"

Bought a boat and I sailed off in it

Don't think anybody's gonna miss me anyway

Mind on a permenant vacation

The ocean is my only medication

Wishin' my condition ain't ever gonna go away

Now I'm knee deep in the water somewhere

Got the blue sky breeze blowin' wind thru my hair

Only worry in the world

is the tide gonna reach my chair

Sunrise, there's a fire in the sky

never been so happy

never felt so high

and I think I might've found me my own kind of paradise

This champagne shore watchin' over me

It's a sweet sweet life livin' by the salty sea

One day you can be as lost as me

Change your geography and maybe you might be

Knee deep in the water somewhere

got the blue sky breeze blowin' wind thru my hair

only worry in the world

is the tide gonna reach my chair

Sunrise, there's a fire in the sky

never been so happy

never felt so high

and I think I might've found me my own kind of paradise

Come on in

the waters nice

find yourself a little slice

grab a bag

pack it ligth you'll never know until you try

when you lose yourself

you find a key to paradise

Fact or crap

2012-01-26T18:17:00.001-05:00

I just took down my Christmas tree on Sunday Night
FACT: The ornaments have been off of it for weeks. We hadn't taken the tree down yet bc we have a pre-lit tree and one of strands of lights was out on it. We had to check each bulb to find the culprit and that was a chore neither the hubs nor I wanted to make a priority. Well, needless to say, we now have a fully working tree that's now packed away.....finally.

I assisted in an arrest at work today
FACT: I can't go into details too much (I really shouldn't), but I got to help the po po arrest a man this morning who was wanted for multiple crimes. I jumped at the chance to assist. I actually had fun doing it....hmmmmm, do I see a career change in my future? Naw, I'm too much of a wimp. lol

I'm signing A up for Harp lessons
CRAP: But it could be a possibility. The lady I am trying to set up to teach A the piano also does harp lessons. Although its tempting, I think we are going to stick to piano or guitar. Both pieces of instruments were given to her for Christmas and she has expressed wanting lessons in both.

I ordered the sewing machine I blogged about here
FACT: I did and its due to be delivered on Monday. That makes me smile. I'm about to get my sew on!!

I'm switching my blog to WordPress
CRAP...I think: I have looked into it and was turned off to the whole ordeal. Now Michelle over at Stutteringshell is in the process to changing to wordpress and highly recommends it, so now I'm torn. Maybe I need to find someone else to assist me and guide me in the right direction.

I want an app for my blog
FACT: Since my BB's screen cracked and I got my IPhone, I have fallen deep into the app world. I have an app for everything. (And for those that didn't know it, the Q has an app, yay) I also have been looking into getting an app for my blog. It can be done. There are a few sites out there that do it for free, with some stipulations of course and there are other sites that charge, but you get a better deal. Ultimately regardless of where you go, there is a waiting period. Not to create it, but to get it approved to put in the app search engines. The problem is EVERYONE is making an app these days. Bands, artists, small businesses and now bloggers. Its crazy, but the waiting period can take up to a few weeks. Hmmmm I'm determined though.

E started potty training
CRAP: Um should there be a literally there? Hmmm?? E likes to sit on the potty solely to "wipe". She has not nor does she have any interest in "going". She is amused by getting the tp paper, wiping and putting it in the potty. I guess we are some what in the right direction. She's still one and won't be turning two for two more months.

Think I might be doing a Liztech Giveaway in the near future
FACT: Its no secret I love Liztechs pieces and since I just blogged about them recently here, I think it would be fun to do a giveaway. The details to come soon ;-)

The repairs on my house are officially complete
CRAP: Yes I am serious, we are not fully up and running But that will change as of next week. We met with the contractor Monday night and they will be starting next week to finish things up. Thank you Jesus!! When all is complete, I will blog about the details and pics.

I just bought a minivan
CRAP: But there might be one in my near future ;-)

I am throwing my sis a baby shower next month
FACT: Were having it at a place of her choice and I'm super excited about it. Pics and details to follow later

I might start tweeting to expose my blog more
UMMM still not sure. Again, the bug was put in my head, but I'm not sure if I want to take the leap. I created a tweet account years ago, but never did anything with it. Oh wait, I did sign on a few years ago to ~~spy~~ get the scoop on some of my reality TV ?stars? and what they were up to. I am hooked on the Real Housewives Series. Seriously I know, lame. But.I.am.hooked!!!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday...

2012-01-25T17:49:00.001-05:00

Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.
- Lance Armstrong

Words of Wisdom Wednesday...

2012-01-25T05:47:00.001-05:00

To love and win is the best thing; to love and lose the next best.
- William M. Thackeray

What makes me smile at the moment...

2012-01-24T19:37:00.004-05:00

***Change: Ok, so after I originally posted this I went ahead and ordered myself the Happy Hour Martini Glass pendant. Lol***

This is the Frog pin from Liztech Jewelry that I just might have to add to my collection ;-)

I am a huge fan of Liztech's Jewelry. I have been for years. I'm thinking its been close to 13yrs now. Liztech is located in East Stroudsburg, PA. I used to live right around the corner from their store while attending East Stroudsburg University and would walk there often. Since moving to VA, I have not given up my love for them. I have a few pieces and have given many as gifts. Each piece has meaning. Its own story. That's one of the many things I like about their pieces. I'm on their email list and their friend list on FB so I'm always up to date on whats new there. If its something I like, I order it myself. If its close to a holiday, I put it on the wish list for the hubs. Today I got a FB post of this new piece and I felt the need to share it.

This is called the Healing Heart. The last year has been a rough year for many that I know and I know that this is something that would touch all. The meaning: The life energy is known as CHI or PRANA - we do not have a full understanding of the true healing power of human or animal touch. We do know how much better we feel when a beloved pet chooses to sit with us or when a dear friend places a strengthening hand on our shoulder in silent communication when no words could do the same. Unconsciously we place a hand on an aching part of our body for comfort. This deep and mysterious LIFE SOURCE sustains and heals us.

Some of the pieces I own:

(My first piece)

(I have the earrings and pendant, but I didn't see them on the website)

(I have and have given as gifts.)

Picture is similar to a cuff I had, but somehow lost in our move to VA *sigh

I have given as gifts:

(A cuff similar to this one)

(Come to think of it, I'm not sure why I don't have one for myself. Hmmm, my birthday is in May. Lol)

I'm sure there are more pieces I am forgetting about, but you get my drift. Liztech is an awesome site to check out. And if your ever in the area, check out their store. They have tons of eclectic items.

*Disclaimer. I was not in anyway compensated for this post. I was not sought out by Liztech Jewelry. These are my opinions and my opinions alone. All pictures and Healing Heart verbiage was taken from Liztech's website. I chose to do this post bc this is truly a gem of a company that I think is truly worth sharing with all of you.*

A Pastor's Wife I Am Not...Not Yet

2012-01-23T18:04:00.005-05:00

This weekend I was talking with one of my girlfriends and I was telling her how the hubs assisted his father (whom for those that don't know is a Pastor in Philadelphia) during my Aunt's wedding ceremony. My Aunt had asked Fred if he could marry her and her fiance, thinking he was already ordained. He was not, but was honored at the request. Her next choice in line was my FIL. I'll spare the details, but in the end, Fred and my FIL performed the service together. It was perfect!!

My FIL on the left and Fred on the Right

Doesn't Fred look so handsome?

Since then, Fred has had another request from a family member to marry her and her fiance this August. Again, honored at the request, he said yes. Only this time he will be performing the service by himself. The hubs has decided to officially become ordained. Now I don't mean one of those online fly by night services. He is actually looking into taking the proper courses to obtain his certification. This isn't something my husband takes lightly. This is something very serious to him. He's always had a way with talking and communicating to others that invites you in. He's sincere. He's honest. He's funny. He's perfect for this task.

So when I finished my story to my friend, she said "It looks like you will be becoming a pastor's wife!". I sat there for a minute and said "No, I don't think so. Not a Preacher Man....A Good Man!"

**In all honesty, I don't know how I would feel if Fred came to me one day and said he wanted to change his career to Pastoring. Ultimately it would be his decision, but I'm just not sure how I would feel about it.**

Mine verses theirs

2012-01-22T23:52:00.003-05:00

On New Years Day we had a wedding. Well, my Aunt had a wedding. I was honored to be apart of the planning. I love planning parties. I loved helping out with this one especially. It helps when its for someone you love.admire.look up to. Well I was set out to make cupcakes for her wedding. My sister was to make the couples cake, but I wanted to make the cupcakes. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. All I knew was that I wanted it to look elegant and cool at the same time. I of course googled cupcakes and cupcake displays. I came across a lot of things I liked. Liked...not loved.

I dabble on Etsy pretty often. I find all kinds of neat ideas on that website. Some I've made and some I aspire to make. I figured it would be a great place to further my cupcake search. I came across this site with this beautiful display that I immediately fell in love with.

I thought it was beautiful and I had to have it! Too bad after emailing back and forth to Chanell at the Posh Box, whom was super nice by.the.way, I learned that I would have to do a little more searching and be a little more creative if I wanted these cupcakes and this stand, as she strictly sold the clear cases. She did send me in the direction of the Etsy site that made her labels...whom had recently put her site on hiatus just weeks prior to my search. The cake stand was provided by her photographer, so again, I was stuck starting from the top. Well almost, I did order the cases from Chanell ;-)

After much research, I decided to make my own from scratch. STEP.BY.STEP And here is what I came up with...

My labels which supplies were purchased at OfficeMax and Michael's.

My workshop the night before the wedding.

The final result up close and personal

The boxes are cake boxes with empty coffee cans inside for support and wrapped with white wrapping paper. I then glued red ribbon around it.

And so here you have it...my cupcake stand...verses there's.

I was so pleased with it. I hope you are too :)

Sing-A-long Saturdays

2012-01-21T00:01:00.002-05:00

Jack Johnson
Up Side Down

(This is in honor of A who loves this song. She dances to every time she watches a Curious George cartoon <3 )

Who's to say
What's impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There's no stopping curiosity

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
I don't want this feeling to go away

Who's to say
I can't do everything
Well I can try
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren't always just what they seem

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
This world keeps spinning and there's no time to waste
Well it all keeps spinning spinning round and round and

Upside down
Who's to say what's impossible and can't be found
I don't want this feeling to go away

Please don't go away
Please don't go away
Please don't go away
Is this how it's supposed to be
Is this how it's supposed to be

Mommy needs a new toy!!

2012-01-20T06:20:00.007-05:00

It's no secret that I like to do crafts and sew. I don't always post pictures of my creations on here, but I craft often. When I was in PA in October, I made a puppet stand slipcover for my FIL's church (designed to look like a house. Come to think about it, I never did take pictures. I'll have to call my sister in law to have her send me some so I can share with y'all.) I also made a bench cushion and cover for the church as well. My in-laws have 2 singer machines from the 1890's at their house that I had the privilege of using. Let me tell ya, it sure was an adjustment sewing on them. Those machines are nothing like the new machines I learned on in home-economics when I was in school or on my moms table machine, but they still worked like gems. I had to change the belt on one of the machines and when I called the manufacturer I was told that the old Singers are made to last over 100 years. I was impressed.

I want a sewing machine. A nice one. I know that I should be looking at Singers. Their reputation alone is a good reason. But I can't help but be intrigued by this lovely piece of fabulous!!

Its a Brother PC-420 Limited Edition Sewing Machine. You can check out the specs here. It does everything and more that I could ever ask for in a machine. I love it!! I want it!! I think I might treat myself to it. Amazon seems to be the cheapest I can get it, so I will probably order it this weekend. Besides, mommy needs a new toy!!

*If there is anyone out there that has this or a sewing machine they think is better, please hook a sister up with the info. I'm looking to make a purchase this weekend. Please and thank you. :)

Words of Wisdom....Thursday?

2012-01-19T17:52:00.001-05:00

***I know Wednesday is over, but a good friend of mine posted this on her Facebook page this morning and I really feel the need to share this now, rather than waiting until next Wednesday.***

Heavy hearts, like heavy clouds in the sky, are best relieved by the letting of a little water.

-Antoine Rivarol

Words of Wisdom Wednesday...

2012-01-18T18:46:00.001-05:00

Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.
- Lucille Ball.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday...

2012-01-18T06:45:00.001-05:00

Don’t go through life, grow through life.
- Eric Butterworth

Spreading the news

2012-01-17T06:38:00.002-05:00

You all will start to see a new pattern here on The Delima Dilemma. I have decided to look for a blog designer to have a custom blog made for me. Made for the new changes I want to make to my blog. I am also going to have a couple buttons made. I need a button made for my new Words of Wisdom Wednesdays. On Wednesdays I will be having a few words of wisdom posted for fun.inspiration.encouragement...you get my drift. I will be posting more than one during the day. I hope that they somehow touch you during your life's travels. I also will be having a button made for my new Sing-A-Long Saturdays. I think its a fun idea to start off the weekend with some good ole music. Each Saturday I will be sharing with you one of my favorite songs.classics.old school.new school.any genre. Why not start each weekend off dancing, right?

If you know anyone who is good at redesigning blogs leave a post here or shoot me an email at ckliesh@gmail.com.

Have a great day all!!

Some southern home cooking.....or NOT!!

2012-01-16T21:48:00.000-05:00

So tonight when I was at the supermarket the cashier said to me as I was checking out:

Cashier- "Oh you must must be making some good southern cookin', huh?".

I stood there for what felt like a full minute before I could even answer him. I thought to myself-southern cooking?...what is he talking about? I have fruit and bread on the belt. I then actually said

Me-"huh?" (I'm sure with the stupid surprised look I tend to have when I'm confused.)

Cashier-"you makin some southern greens I see".

I looked down and still confused. (I can be real slow sometimes after a long day at work, lol) I then realized what he was talking about.

Me-"oh, the collard greens! (as he was shaking his head) Oh no, they are for my green monster shake".

Suddenly he had the stupid surprised look on his face, lol.

I had purchased more collard greens to mix with these other ingredients for my shakes that I have been drinking for breakfast:

Just add some milk and ice and you have a surprisingly good shake. I actually used to drink them a lot a few years ago and started making them again when one of my customers started bringing me in collards from his home grown farm. I am not a fan of how collards are made/served in the south. To be honest I'm not a fan of them at all....unless they are in a shake. Really. Promise. Just google the Green Monster Movement and you will see all kinds of recipes for the shakes. I make mine with collards, milk, ice, flax seed, banana's and blueberries. If I'm really hungry I sometimes add a tbsp of peanut butter, but I prefer them more without the peanut butter in them. (I'm notorious for just eating the peanut butter from the spoon while I make the shake. That's even better ;-) )

2012-01-16T05:44:00.000-05:00

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.
- Elisabeth Foley

5 year old fun

2012-01-11T22:01:00.004-05:00

Its no secret that once a child starts talking they tend to become what we call a "chatterbox". Talking is how our little ones learn, expresses new ideas and develop the ability to form social relationships. A turned 5 on Dec. 28th and she is no where near new to becoming one with the nickname chatterbox. Lol. Unlike E who was and still is a late bloomer with her talking, A has always voiced herself. We've become used to her whimsical and playful comments and questions and enjoy them.

Over the last few months we have really noticed a change in her personality. When she speaks she is sincere about it. She is more understanding when we speak to her. She listens....and I'm not talking about when we tell her to do something like picking up her room. I mean like when we explain how something works; she really listens and takes it in. She understands. She's funny. Really funny. She's unedited. She speaks whats on her mind and its completely unfiltered. Not in a bad way, but in an honest way. She likes to talk. She likes mommy and daddy one-on-one time to talk about things. We like it too. Its nice to know what she's actually thinking about. How she perceives things. What's important to her. Her priorities. Her understanding of life. It's like having an open window into her brain and she's invited us in.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday...

2012-01-11T18:56:00.000-05:00

Let no one who loves be unhappy. Even love unreturned has its rainbow.
- James Matthew Barrie

S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D

2011-12-15T18:49:00.002-05:00

Sick of worring about things I can't control.

Trying to remember I am not the one in control...GOD is.

Reached the point where I haven't been sleeping well :(

Everyone goes through rough times too; not just me and I know this.

Sometimes I guess I need to experience times like this to keep me humbled.

Stinks that life isn't as perfect as the storybooks that I read to my daughters each night.

Each day I know I should count the many blessings I do have.

Done with this post.....

One for you..two for me ;)

2011-12-14T22:40:00.000-05:00

That's what you'll be saying when you make these. A friend of mine showed me this nestle recipe using mint chocolate chips to make homemade chocolate bark. Over the weekend I figured I'd test it out. Trust me, if you like the Andes tasting candies that Olive Garden hands out, you will def. like these.

It was so good that I figured I'd try making it with Peanut butter chips. Mmmmmm

I now have two bags of chocolaty goodness in my fridge.

YOU JUST CALLED HER WHAT?!?!?!

2011-12-13T22:55:00.001-05:00

So the other day I was picking up A at preschool. (For those that don't know it, little A's name is Alexi.) I walked into her classroom and as I was getting ready to call out her name, another little girl beat me to the punch.kinda. I was stunned to hear a 5 year old yell out to my daughter "sexy Lexi, your moms here!" Seriously!! I was speechless. I thought to myself did I hear that right? Well as the teacher walked over to the little girl I for sure knew that was exactly what she said. I didn't stick around to hear what was said to the little girl, but I'm pretty sure the teacher knew just by the look on my face that I was NOT happy.

Things that make me smile

2011-12-10T08:44:00.000-05:00

*First and formost, my girls. Although at times they make me want to pull my hair out. They pretty much can always make me smile. For example. This week A has been practicing her line for her school play. She may not nail it everytime, but her response is "Mommy, it's ok if I don't get it right. Everyone will understand". How can that not make you smile? Also this week E has started singing happy birthday to her baby....well more like habpty buray ddee. We're thinking she picked it up at the sitters bc although A's "buray" is this month, we have not been singing around here just yet. (I'm hoping to get a video of her on here singing it soon)

*The hubs. And even at times I think we all at one point would like to strangle our husbands, I thank God everyday that I have my husband in my life. He keeps me grounded. He tells me I'm beautiful everyday. He tells me he loves me more times than I can count in one day. (Considering most relationships fall apart after just a couple of years, I'd say after 14yrs I'm really lucky bc he's just as loving now as the day I met him)

*My cat. Itsey Bitsey is doing much better since her surgery. She's back to being her playful self. (I am extremely greatful she has no interest in the Christmas tree. Last year we couldn't keep her out of it. I have to say I was a little worried when putting it up, but so far she's left it alone.)

*The rest of my family. Well some of them atleast. Seriously!! My sister nailed it on the head when she said that most of our family sucks at being family. So true!!! But, for the few that are awesome at it, they make me smile.

*Vacations. I don't have one really planned (except going to PA for the week of Christmas and New Years), but I am sooooo longing to go on another cruise. Out of all the vacations I've taken, my favorite has got to be the crusises I've taken. I am so dreaming right now.

*Christmas. There is just something about all the lights and decorations. Just typing this makes me grinn from ear to ear.

*Hot chocolate. It got cold here that last two days and some hot cocoa hits the spot. Mmmmmm

*The Christmas Story..."Your gonna shoot your eye out!!" LOVE IT!! I could watch it a million times.

I could go on and on.

Why don't you take a moment to think about all the things that make you smile.

"Mommy...I Just Don't Know"

2011-12-06T18:35:00.008-05:00

**A little background knowledge needed for this post**

Every month at A's School, they have certain letters that they work on throughout the month. Once a week they do a game that's called "Whats in the box?". They even have a little song that they sing with it when they are playing it. Ultimately, the name of the game is this-There is an item in the box that starts with one of the letters that they are working on that month. Whom ever guesses the item wins the item. Ya follow?

Well the throughout the school year A has been coming home with the winning prize. Her teacher and I have had a few talks about how well she does with it and that she really has caught on quick with it. Shes come home with little plastic animals, gummy orange slices (you know, for the letter O. And let me tell you, I think mommy enjoyed them more that A did, lol.), etc. I think you understand.

Last week when I picked her up from school she had a little duck.

A: Mommy I won whats in the box again!! I got a duck this time!

Me: I see. Good job. What were the clues?

A: Well Ms.W said it can float in the tub.

Me: And you guessed it from that clue? That's awesome!!

A: Yeah mommy, I really pay attention and listen in school.

Me: A, let me ask you something. Why don't you listen and pay attention just as much at home when mommy and daddy ask you to do something?

A: Mommy...(pause) I just don't know!

Mmmmhmmmm That's my almost 5 yr old for you.

Decorations, pictures, laundry and tuna fish..Oh my

2011-12-04T17:12:00.001-05:00

This weekend has been full of ~~work~~ fun!! Friday night we came home and finally decorated our tree. We put it up during the week, but we get home just way too late in the evening to do anything other than dinner, baths, story time and then bed.

Yesterday morning the hubs and I got the girls all dressed up and did our usual Christmas photo shoot for our Christmas cards. Here are some of the of the many taken:

(As a friend pointed out, you can get a good look at our new tile floors in these pics, yup, I said tile. Not Hardwood)

I was able to tackle all of our laundry finally!! Yup, company can officially come over and sit on our couch's. Seriously!! It seems like no matter how much time I spend on our laundry, there is always a pile lying around ~~on our couch~~ somewhere. Its all washed, folded and put away. Until tomorrow, at least ;) I'm no fool, I know better.

B-R-O-K-E normally equals tuna fish or hot dogs in our house. This weekend it was tuna fish. Enough said...

Our Social Little Butterfly

2011-11-27T15:07:00.002-05:00

I can't believe in just one month A is going to be 5 years old. Really, five already. We have been talking about what we are going to do for her 5th birthday. Its hard bc her birthday falls 3 days after Christmas. Every year its been hard to separate the two. This year its going to be even harder bc we will be in PA for the week of Christmas and New Years. Normally, we would have a family party but this year we will be celebrating something else that is extra special to us and a special family member ;) Dum Dum DeDum, Dum Dum DeDum.......Dum Dum DeDum, Dum DeDum........ok, ok I think you get the point. So anywho, we will probably keep things low key in PA for her birthday.

Now when we come home, we will have a party for her. We have been discussing what we will do and if we want to have it somewhere other than our home (bc I have a feeling the repairs still won't be complete by then). After multiple choices, A chose to have her birthday here. We stopped in yesterday to do the usual scoping around and to talk to somebody to get some details. A absolutely loved it. Its a pottery place where you can pick your own piece and paint away. They do it all there! The decorating, the cake, pizza can be delivered, invitations....everything! Once I was told that, I began to love it too. All I have to do is show up with the birthday girl. PERFECT!!! Now don't get me wrong, I'm not depriving my kid of a fancy dancy birthday. We've been there, done that. Her 1st birthday was like a wedding, seriously, no joke! All the way down to the centerpieces, cake table and back drops. We did the same for E. I don't think that every birthday needs to be a great big to do, as long as the birthday girl is happy and doing something she enjoys and picked. A is soooo happy.

Anywho, so today she asked to go play next door with her little K-bug (and we love her to pieces!!). Its hard to imagine that my little princess is at the age to go outside and play with her friends. (disclaimer: it really still doesn't sit well with me that she's reaching that age. It takes every ounce of me NOT to be out there following her every step making sure she is ok. Eh hem...so instead I just sit and stair out the window..eh hem).

So while I was watching ~~her~~ TV, eh hem, I notice she had a full group of friends with her in front of our house playing.

She really is growing up fast and becoming quite the little social butterfly.

Jack the Germ

2011-11-27T09:25:00.002-05:00

Where do I even begin? Two weeks ago I had come down with a head and chest cold. I felt miserable, but trucked on. We are sanitizer addicts so I was hoping that I could keep the germs contained. Well all hope went out the window last Saturday. E woke up throwing up and feeling not herself.  The hubs took her to the Dr. and we were told she had the stomach bug and to do the the usual. Now keep in mind, the week prior she had the same virus....it came back.

So come Monday Emma was feeling fine and we kept on our usual routines (the hubby and I still congested, but when you have kids you really don't count at the as much as you used to pre-kid days). So here comes Tuesday. We wake up to A crying in the bathroom.  She woke up with diarhea and vomitting. *Sigh* At that very moment I questioned why we were still living in Virginia and not in PA closer to family. I say this not bc I don't want to care for my sick child. I say this bc nothing is harder than having to take time off from a new job. I HAD to go in bc I do multiple banking transactions every morning anywhere from transfers to wires and I couldn't not take care of that . I had not planned for this, so I had no choice but to go in for a couple of hours and bring A with me. Well, although I had a trash bag with us for the ride just incase, A still managed to toss her cookies down the front of her. Oh, and she IS her mothers daughter. The first thing she said after she stated that she wanted to go home was "Awww mom, I even got it on my seat and in my hair! I need to go home and shower now!" Poor thing. So this meant a quick trip to Walmart for a change of clothes (and a shout out to the nice Walmart employee who was super nice to us while A was throwing up in the trash can at the entrance of the store. I have a feeling she must have been a mother). I won't go on and on about this, but this continued for most of the morning. We went to see the pediatrician later that morning and we were told the same thing...its the viral bug going around. Bc A wasn't keeping liquids down neither, the Dr. prescribed her some Zofran for anti-nausea. She's doing much better now.

So then came Wednesday night.....E started with the fever and heavy cough. She already had the never ending runny nose. Thursday morning she woke up with her ears filled with junky fluid. I immediately started her on her ear drops (she had tubes put in her ears a week after she turned 1 last March).  The fever had been off and on all the way thru Saturday morning so I figured it would be best to have her seen again. So we did...and so she has been diagnosed with a double ear infection AND a sinus infection. My poor peanut :(

Jack the Germ needs to find another home bc I am over all of this. My wish this year for Christmas is that we can be germ and sickness free for the rest of the winter. I'll keep my fingers crossed : /

It's beginning to look a lot like christmas!!

2011-11-26T19:23:00.001-05:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from our home to yours!!

Better late than never.....Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2011-11-25T16:07:00.000-05:00

Happy belated Thanksgiving!!! Can you really say that? Oh well, I just did :)

I hope you all enjoyed your time off on Thanksgiving (well those that did not have to work, at least). I did. The kids, hubs and I spent it at home...just us. And it was great. Fred was inspired by the neighbors (since it looked like we were the only ones not utilizing the warm weather) to do some yard work. I opted to unpack more boxes and cook. I attempted to tackle the never ending pile of laundry on my couch...yeah, um..its still there.

So moving on....

How bout that Black Friday Shopping!! Yeah, um...I was pretty lame this year when it came to the shopping. I went out with my sister and most of my $$ went to.....wait for it....wait.....here it comes.....you know it....PAJAMAS!! Whooohoooo....ok, ok I know LAME!! In my defense, I tried. Really! I looked through he ads and nothing jumped out at me that I HAD to have. Well except the pajamas from walmart. I cash in on that sale every year. Its totally worth it. I was able to get the usually 2 piece fleece jammies for the girls for this year and next fall until next years black Friday. I got a couple stocking stuffers too, but that's pretty much it. Notta, nuncha, nothing!!! My sister was able to cash in on some great deals so it was def. worth it for her. And I got to keep her company in the meantime, so that was nice. The good thing about not having a huge list to fill was that I was in home and in bed by 2:00am. I had to be home at a decent time. Fred had to work today and I needed to be home with the girls. We made it a lazy day at home bc Emma still wasn't feeling well and tonight we will be tackling our outdoor Christmas lights. YAY!!

I hope you all enjoyed your day celebrating it however you saw fit :)

Fact or Crap!!!

2011-11-20T22:43:00.002-05:00

I have all the time in the world to invest into my blog.
-CRAP!! If I did, I wouldn't be coming up with creative ways to list whats going on in this brain of mine rather than doing individual blogs. My intention is always to spend more time here, but there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day.

I started a new job that consumes 47 1/2hrs of my time a week.
-FACT!! And that does not even count my drive time. Yup, I work 9 1/2 hr days. My drive into work isn't so bad bc the hubs takes E to daycare and A to preschool. But come 5 o'clock, I race from Suffolk over the highrise bridge (which is a nightmare at rush hour might I add for those that aren't familiar to the Hampton Roads area) to first pick up A who is supposed to be picked up by 5:30 and then E who has to be picked up by 6:00. IF I get them by 6:00 we are normally home by 6:30. I said IF....*Sigh*

I am completely ready for the holidays this year.
-CRAP!!! I don't have not one Christmas present purchased and sitting in my house right now. And let me state, normally I'm just about finished with my shopping come this time November. (except for my black Friday shopping)

Itsey Bitsey had emergency surgery this week.
-FACT!! Our poor little cat had emergency surgery 11:30pm Wednesday night. The vet thinks she got snagged on a fence. I will spare the graphic details, but 2 holes the sizes of a quarter and half dollar, a number of stitches, 1 drainage tube and an E collar later, she is on the road to recovery. And I warn those that have a week stomach or get emotional to injured animals, don't go to an ER Vet at late hours in the night. Chances are you will see or hear something that will turn your stomach. In my case, I cried just about the whole time I was there. I ended up sitting in my car bc the things I heard and saw were just so sad :(

I ordered our Christmas cards this weekend.
-CRAP!! Are you kidding?!?! I wish!! I haven't even figured out what I'm doing for our cards this year yet, let along placing an order. *sigh* I have so many ideas in mind, I just haven't narrowed it down yet. I'm sure I'll figure it out last minute just like last year. If I remember correctly my cards were mailed out just days before Old Saint Nick was due to arrive.

I'm a QVC junkie.
-FACT!! Well let me specify. I'm not a junkie when it comes to ordering things (you need $$$ to do that and we all know that things have been tight in the Delima household lately). I just love to sit and watch it. No phone or CC involved. I know I know, LAME!!! But even the hubs has gotten addicted to watching it. I'm not sure what the fascination is, but let me tell you I will sit and fold laundry while watching Cooking with David on Sunday's afternoon anytime!!! LOVE him!!!

I have some long lost parent wondering out there somewhere.
-CRAP!! As of last month, that rumor has been squashed!! And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

I have been sick all week.
-FACT!! It started last Saturday night as a head cold and through out the week turned into a chest cold. Two boxes of tissues, a bottle of Musinex and a pack of Ibuprofen Cold and Sinus later; I am still feeling like crap. It really stinks when your at a new job and your hacking up a lung, sneezing your brains out and blowing god only knows what out your nose every 5mins. Ugh!!

My house is finished with all the repairs from the flood.
-CRAP!! Close, yet no cigar. The walls and new floors are in. We are waiting on the contractor to finish a few things and the insurance company to send some $$$. We have up fronted everything we possibly can at this point. We are on a freeze from the rest of the repairs until then (3 months later and my house still is a mess). You think if I call the insurance company and cry, beg and plead they will move a little faster? That too is CRAP, bc I tried. Yup, no dice!!

I'm tired and running out of brain power for this blog.
-FACT!! It's past my bedtime and since I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow, I am going to say GOODNIGHT!!

Why don't you share some of your FACTS or CRAPS.

Home Sweet Home.....or is it??

2011-10-27T14:06:00.005-04:00

We're HOME!! We made it back yesterday around 5ish. We did pretty well on time. The girls slept for half the trip which I'm still not sure if it was a blessing or a bad thing.

We ended up only having to stop once and it was when they first woke up. When we officially ~~we left but forgot somethings and had to go back~~ got on the road it was 10:45. The girls were asleep by 11:30 and we were on our merry way. I was free to have a quiet ride....right?!? Wrong!! It was quiet in the car....but in my head? Not.so.much. It gave me a lot of time to think. Think about all the things that are going on in my life right now. I laughed, I cried and I reminisce. I was taken back to one of the greatest days of my life..my wedding. When the radio station played our wedding song I was taken back to when things were so much simpler. When although I was under wedding stress, I wasn't under life stress. Having that time in the car was very challenging for me. I went through every emotion possible. I had moments when I thought I was ready to forgive and I had moments when I wanted to pick up the phone and call some people out. What finally turned things around for me was when I looked in the mirror and saw my two angels sleeping. They had not a care in the world. They were sound asleep and peaceful. At that moment I realized that I want to be that peaceful. I NEED to be that peaceful. My sanity can't take it anymore. Theres just one problem, I struggle with giving all my problems to GOD and accepting that peace. I am a Christian. I raise my children as Christians, but deep down, I struggle with giving ALL of me to Him. Just as I was saying a prayer for myself, A woke up and said she had to go potty. As soon as I pulled into Wawa E was awake and any thoughts that were going through my head were gone. It was potty time, lunch time and time to figure out how I was going to keep an almost 5 yr old and a 19 mth old happy in the car for the next 3 hours. Needless to say, we made it.

So today comes along. The hubs is at work. A is back to school. And E, well she's in her crib fighting her naptime. I am yet again left here to think. Think about how upset, hurt and angry I am about a multitude of things. I'm bitter.I'm sad.I'm frustrated.I'm questioning. I talked to my aunt today and although she is fabulous and knows all the right things to say, I can't help but cry when she tells me how strong she thinks I am. I don't feel strong. I feel weak. I feel beaten down. I feel tired.

I'm sorry that this isn't an uplifting and cheerful post. Its honest. Its real. Its who I am.

Happy Tuesday!!

2011-10-18T09:30:00.001-04:00

Happy Tuesday all! I am excited bc today I get to go wedding dress shopping with my sis Liz. I even think I woke up with a smile on my face from ear to ear :)

She is getting married on August 4th and she is sooooo happy. Its been a rough ride for her the last 10 years and she deserves this new chapter in her life.

Congratulations to Mike and Liz!!

Ho Hum Ditty Dum

2011-10-17T14:09:00.000-04:00

Like my title? I just made it up. Kinda like this post. I have nothing in mind to right about right now, but I need to focus my mind on something other than my house right now, so I figured why not get on the computer and start typing and see what I come up with. Seriously....I just sat down and started typing.

I currently am on a hiatus from my house and my husband and my mind is all over the place. The girls and I have been staying at my in-laws for a bit. Our ~~money pit~~ house....UGh.....is yet under more construction. The contractors (whom as of tomorrow, will be considered the old contractors bc a new one will be starting) kept promising me that my new floors were going to be done 2 weeks ago.....welll, as of today they have not even been started!! I'm going out of my mind!!!!!

Maybe I will start off by bringing you all up to speed. In August, Hurricane Irene flooded my home 2 1/2 inches. Yup, 2 1/2 inches. My house has been torn apart once again. Go figure the only areas that were fine were the ones that got flooded the last time and repairs were made. Walls and insulation have been cut out, my hardwood floors have been ripped out and my house is covered in dust and anything else the sanders can blow around. The girls got really sick. I mean REALLY sick. I took them to the doctors and 2 sets of antibiotics and inhalers later we were told to get out of the house asap. Thus, our trip to PA. A is much better, but E is not. I think I need to get her back to the doctors. I HATE this!! I Hate when she is sick!!! Anyway, now you all know why I am not home with the girls.

At first A was so happy to be here but now she is def. home sick. She misses daddy and her school. I've had to temporarily pull her out of pre-school while this goes on. I am NOT happy about this.at.all!!

Oh-well, I didn't intend on making this a post about my house. Its just hard not to talk about it considering it basically is controlling everything in my life. I hate not being in control. I hate that I can't AHHHHHHHHHH!!! I need to move on from this conversation.

I will say that I am happy to be blogging bc it is a form of venting for me. I enjoy it. Its one thing I DO have control of in my life right now.

Well I will have to talk more later. E is about to wake up from her nap and I need to catch up on my cleaning before she does.

Until next time......

Yes....I Exploit!!!

2011-10-11T22:17:00.002-04:00

And so the exploiting of my little girls begins!!! I <3 them sooo much!!

Can't ya tell???

I'm Back!!

2011-10-11T13:50:00.000-04:00

I'm not new to blogging by no means. Until today, my blog has been private for the last year due to my career. I'm pretty open in my blog. Wellll, open is not the word I'm really looking for.

Let's try this again. I love to blog. It didn't bother me to show off my family or talk about my personal life. I loved sharing my life and my experiences with everyone. Well until some of my readers decided they would use it more to "spy" on me for their gossiping pleasures rather than just enjoying it for what it was. At first I didn't let it bother me...dare I say at first?!?! After a while I just started to get tired of hearing the he said/she said crap (I'll get to the details on that later). What drew the line was my career. I was a General Manager for a pretty well known business and now-a-days everyone researches one another. I didn't like to have to edit myself here for anyone!!.....anyone unless they have to do with my work. That was my income were talking about and at the time, that was the only income coming into my house (I'll get to that later too). Anywho, since I had made my blog private, I kinda got out of blogging for awhile (more like a year). :(

Sooooo, why is my public again? Well, I'm sure I will get to that when I am ready, but for now I am going to get back to what I used to enjoy doing.....exploiting the crap out of my little princesses and putting my foot in my mouth via the Internet.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

2010-12-25T15:38:00.001-05:00

Ending the year off with a bang!!

2010-12-23T09:26:00.001-05:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again, finding time to blog is getting harder and harder these days. I'm hoping when my girls become a little more self sufficient, my time will be freed up just a tad ;-)

I'm going to take a moment and share some thoughts that are going on in this crazy brain of mine.

*Alexi is going to be 4yrs old on Tuesday. She is growing up so fast and loves being a big sister!! We are in the process of planning a birthday party for her and my In-laws are coming next week to surprise her with her cousins. She will be so excited!!

*Emma will be 9 months on the 29th. She just started to crawl a couple steps the other night. Before we know it she will be walking.

*Fred is doing well. He still has a job and that we are truly grateful for. He has been Mr. Fix-it lately around the house. Thanks to him, my in-laws and some friends, we now have a new roof on our house, new carpet in our master bedroom and new porcelain tile in the kitchen and dining room. Next week, maybe.just maybe, he will build my new bench and start on the bathrooms. We will see......

*I have been busy holding down the fort and working full time. I took a trip already for work and am planning another. I'm really enjoying what I do. I have a vacation booked to Disney the middle of January. Its my aunts 50th birthday and my grandmother, mom, cousins and myself are going for 5 days. I'm sad that the hubby and kids are staying behind, but I'm excited to be hanging with girls.

*I've become a QVC junkie this holiday season. Its was so bad, I got the same sales associate in the same day and she told me I needed to walk away and do some laundry. Lol We got a new laptop, a Keurig machine, the girls teachers gifts, Fred's employees gifts, gifts for my co-workers, a steam mop, a purse organizer, and some gifts for Fred ;-). I'm sure I am forgetting something. What makes it worse??? I just found out that one of my clients used to work for QVC and gets a major discount on all items for life. She just told me I can cash in on her discount. We plugged in the laptop that I purchased to see how much her savings would be....it was $100.00!! Seriously!!! I am in big trouble!!!!!!

*Although I've been on point with the presents this year, my cards have been the opposite. I just sent them out and tomorrow is Christmas eve. Oh-well, can't do it all....
*We had friends over last night for gift exchange and we had a special visit from Santa. All the kids had a ball. One problem though....we ordered pizza, we all ate pizza, we are all sick from the pizza. I am currently home with a child that has diarrhea and is vomiting. Fun, fun, for all.... Rest assure I will be calling the pizza place later today and demanding my $$$ back!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!!!

Costume Pic

2010-11-04T21:04:00.000-04:00

JoJo Emma Alexi

Happy Halloween!!!

2010-10-31T11:05:00.002-04:00

Blue Eyed Beauty

2010-10-30T22:21:00.000-04:00

Work, Work, Work

2010-10-23T13:32:00.000-04:00

I know my time on here has been very limited. I have been working a 16 day event at "Home-a-rama". I have been working everyday any where from 8 and 12 hours. I am tired and its only day 8. I will post and include pics later.

If you live in the Virginia Southside area, come out and say hello :)

Wondering....

2010-10-07T12:36:00.002-04:00

...if my house is ever going to be back to what I call normal anytime soon.

...if our insurance company will ever get a clue.

...if my ******* (whomever they are) are going to step up to the plate bc its coming close to a year now.

...if my bank account is ever going to change.

...if its going to hurt as bad as everyone is telling me when I have my tonsils removed.

...when Emma's back is going to get stronger so she can start sitting up.

...if its really time to have my tubes tide.

...if hes really gonna get the pay back he deserves.

...if any of our family is going to come down for the holidays bc its not our year to travel (we go to PA every other year). I'm guessing probably not.

...** ** **** **** **** *** * ****.

...** ** ******* ** ***** ** **** ** ******* ****.

...if I'm going to be back to what I call normal anytime soon.

{sorry about the *** , I don't want to hurt anyones feelings}

random thoughts and feelings.....

2010-09-20T20:39:00.026-04:00

Its no secret I have been really busy. My mind has been everywhere and I don't seem to know if I am coming or going anymore. Everything just seems to just blend in. I feel like I am walking in a plastic hallway, in my own world while I am watching the rest of the world going on on the outside. Its weird, I know I am apart of everything that is going on, but just at a distance. I see it but I don't really experience it. I can't really explain it.

I have been really busy at work. I've been sponsoring a lot of golf tournaments. Here is a pic of my husband and our crew chief at a tournament we did benefiting the Susan G. Komen foundation. It was great, we raised a lot of $$$!

(Gotta love the pink!! They really wanted to show their support. Lol)

Last Friday I did a double. First shot gun was as 7:30am and the other was at 1:00pm. Boy were there a lot of drunk people. Lol I had orange crushes, dirty palmers, bloody mary's and jello shooters at my tent. What a great day!! It was a great time had by all.

(My tent)

(My ride. Lol)

Oh bye the way, that elephant...it's still there. Sometimes I wish the truth would just come out so that I could stop with the crazy dreams I've been having. I know I could easily be the one to open up the can of worms, but I really feel like its not my RESPONSIBILITY to. I didn't cause it....I am only the cause of it (does that even make sense? Idk).

Until next time.......

110%

2010-09-15T18:30:00.002-04:00

On many levels...

I've grown up in the last few years. I am responsible and take pride in almost everything I do. When I take on a task, I make sure to not only do it to the best of my ability, but I try to go above and beyond. Now don't get me wrong, I KNOW I am no where near perfect (ironic...I recently came across an old letter from an old friend that claimed I thought I was...hahaha. Seriously?!?!?), but I try to make sure things are not done half a$$ed. I take on many hats. I make my time count. I think about things. I plan. I think about how things will effect others. I take on the worry and concern.

I wish others would respect that and do the same...

Feeling a little mediocre these days...

2010-08-22T22:05:00.000-04:00

The last few months I really feel like my postings haven't been as creative and interesting as they used to. I've been in a funk and although I have still been blogging, I'll be honest, I haven't been putting much effort into them. Part of it is lack of time, the other part is lack of creativity. I just haven't had the desire to spend a lot of time into my posts.

I hate being in this funk bc I now I am more creative than this. And for those that know me personally, I usually have more things to say. Lately, I have just been taking things all in and minding my own business....within reason of course ;-O

We've been turning new leafs in the Delima residence. We've all set new goals and we are working really hard to achieve them. I'm going to be honest, its not easy with some of them, but we are committed and all working together. I've still been decluterring my house due to some of the changes. Between yard sales and putting things on craigslist, I've really gotten rid of a ton of stuff. (Don't get me wrong, I still have a lot more to off load, one pile at a time.)

I've been excited about some things I have been working on at work. Hmmmm.....maybe that's where I have been focusing all my creativity at??!?!? I am currently working on some huge marketing events which absorb all of my time there. One event is a golf tournament at the Broad Bay Golf Course. We are teamed up with the great folks at the Susan G. Komen Foundation and all proceeds go to the cause. Its huge!! We have had so much support from the community. All of our sponsorships filled faster than we anticipated. Its on Sept. 2nd, so for those of you that are local, look for us on the news that day. Another event I am working on is a movie themed event I entered us in. It's at a large marketing function and we had to pick a movie that coinsides with our type of business and decorate our booth. We chose Ghostbusters. I'll tell you all about another time and maybe I'll even post up some picks. I will say this....it will def. be a show for all! Lol.

Well, its time for me to head to bed. It's been a long day and I am tuckered out. Sweet dreams all.

Yummy Sweet Potatoes

2010-08-21T12:23:00.001-04:00

Over the weekend I finally started Emma on baby food. We did the rice cereal introduction and Emma gave me the official surprised what.is.that? kinda look. She's been doing well with eating. Its no different than when we started Alexi on baby food; about 25% of it would end up in her mouth and the rest of it would be on me or her. Lol

Well 3 days ago we started her on sweet potatoes. Boy does she love them!!! And so does her face apparently:

And just for the record, this is from when Fred was feeding her ;-)

I want some!!!

2010-08-17T12:54:00.001-04:00

I don't know about you all, but I could really go for one or two or ~~five~~ three of these right now!!

Thanks to Rachel at Cupcakes Take The Cake, I will dreaming of these while I eat my ham sandwich for lunch. Mmmmmmm

Now she is not responsible for this chocolate and cherry cordial bliss. She is simply passing on the yummy goodness for this savvy cupcake company. WHOM.BY.THE.WAY ships by the dozen.....in Australia :-( I wonder if they would make an exception for me? HHHMMMMM??? {The wheels are turning}

Monday Funday

2010-08-16T06:22:00.000-04:00

Between yard-saling and being sick over the weekend, there wasn't a lot of time to have much fun. We did have a good friend over for dinner Sat. night. Its been a while since we've seen him and it was nice just sitting back and chilling out.

I had a yard sale on Sat. for a few hours. I can't complain; I made just over $70. Not too bad, right? Well its gone already. Yup, I ended up using it all when I went food shopping. I didn't need it for food shopping, it was just nice not to have to spend $$$ out of the bank acct. for once.

I was supposed to yard sale on Sunday too, but late Sat. night I started to no feel so well. I ended up sleeping until 11:30am on Sunday. That afternoon I also took a 3 hour nap. I'm feeling a little better today, but still not 100%. :(

I need to get moving and start getting ready for work. Hope everyone has a Monday Funday!!

Clowning Around

2010-08-14T06:55:00.000-04:00

Yesterday Alexi and JoJo dressed up like clowns for school. It was circus week.

Itsy's been doing her own clowning around. She loves to play in the dryer when I'm doing laundry.

Short on time, but not on pictures

2010-08-10T12:46:00.000-04:00

I don't have a ton of time to bloggity blog, but I do have some new pics to post.

Alexi started tumbling class and loves it!

Alexi and her cousin JoJo started school this week.

New beginnings for all!!

Double The Crack

2010-08-08T22:09:00.000-04:00

Do you see doubles? I do......everyday. I have had a personal ~~crackberry~~ blackberry for well over a year (on the right). I now have one for work (on the left). What in the world am I going to do with all this crack I am carrying!?!?! Lol

I know what that is....do you?

2010-08-08T09:00:00.001-04:00

Does anyone else see that?

All my life I thought I was the only one. At times I seriously thought I was crazy and literally questioned my thoughts, my feelings and my memories.

Although I've kinda been preparing myself for its arrival, part of me really thought it would never come.  Don't get me wrong, there is a part of me that hoped I imagined all of this and it was a great big wacky, strange and demented dream.

I was wrong!!

At a time when people should be laughing, celebrating, giving and receiving......I had an unexpected guest.  Others may call it a Pil, Slon or Olifant......I call it an Elephant and its been standing in the corner of the room quietly awaiting its announcement for the last few months.

At least it was.....

Last weekend I worked up the nerve to do what seems like what nobody else was going to do.....I pointed out the elephant. I also made it clear that it was not going anywhere until it was addressed.

It was a shock.           I knew it would be.
It was uncomfortable. I knew it would be.
It was calm.                 I was surprised.

What happens now? I'm not sure. I do know that the elephant is still in the room and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. At least not until everyone who's supposed to see him sees him. When do I think that will happen? I'm scared to find out.....

Decluttering

2010-08-07T21:17:00.000-04:00

The last couple of weeks I have been trying to declutter my house. Seriously.....I have a ton of things that I am going to be selling in a yardsale next weekend. I can't believe that I have all of this stuff. That's right......all it is is STUFF. Meaningless, money-wasting, space-taking STUFF and I don't want it anymore!!! I think that this is going to be my biggest yardsale ever. I'm debating on whether or not I'm to put an ad in the paper. I usually do better when I do, which makes it worth paying the $20 for it.

Hmmmmm?!?!?! We will see.

The reason for the decluttering other than the pure fact that I just need to?

Them:

I've decided to share some of my space with my sissy and nephew. My little sissy decided to make a fresh start for herself and her son and I am happy to help her out.

I am so proud of her!!

God in the Thunderstorm

2010-07-29T23:24:00.000-04:00

Tonight we had a really bad thunder and lightening storm. Here is the result of it:

(This is my house and our tree was hit by lightening)

Somehow there is structural damage to our home. The wood beams and cedar paneling in my upstairs has shifted. We get to look forward to some new home repairs....

THE IRONY....

Every night before putting Alexi to bed, we read a passage from Psalms. We don't choose one randomly...we started from Psalm 1 and have continued on; one a night. Well tonight this one was next:

Psalm 29 God in the Thunderstorm

Praise the Lord, you Angels;

praise the Lord's glory and power.

Praise the Lord for the glory of his name;

worship the Lord because he is holy.

The lord's voice is heard over the sea.

The glorious God thunders;

the Lord thunders over the ocean.

The Lord's voice is powerful;

the Lord's voice is majestic.

The Lord's voice breaks the trees;

The Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes the land of Lebanon dance like a calf

and Mount Hermon jump like a baby bull.

The Lord's voice makes the lightning flash.

The Lord's voice shakes the desert;

the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

The Lord's voice shakes the oaks

and strips the leaves off the trees.

In his Temple everyone says, "Glory to God!"

The Lord controls the flood.

The Lord will be King forever.

The Lord gives strength to his people;

The Lord blesses his people with peace.

I have a lot to pray about. I want to figure out what all this means bc I truly believe God is telling us something.....

Say Cheese!!

2010-07-27T21:05:00.000-04:00

Guess who just lost her first tooth and couldn't be happier?!?!?!

Alexi did and she is so happy! She says she is officially a Big Girl!!

Change, Change, Change

2010-07-21T21:24:00.015-04:00

And I don't mean the kind in my pocket....

As I stated a few blogs ago, I know I can't always control the changes that go on around me, but I can make some changes that are better for me. I wanted to update ya'll on some changes that are currently going on in my world.

I was contemplating changing the layout of my blog. Well if you haven't noticed already, at the top left corner of my blog from TheCutestBlogsOnTheBlock states that my layout will be deleted on July 23rd. Sooooooooo I have no choice to go ahead and get a move on that change. (Thanks TCBOTB for giving me a kick in the ol'you know what to get started on this)
I am changing positions within the company I work for. I am currently the Office Manager, but the last couple of months I have been dabbling in the Marketing aspect and falling in love with it. Our current Marketer is stepping down at the end of the month due to school overload, so I am moving on over. Now don't get me wrong, I am not giving up the office work completely...I will be overseeing a new assistant that I am bringing in. I get the best of both worlds and love it.
I am getting a couple more roommates. I am not going to discuss details at this time, but I am helping someone that I love and know would help me if the circumstances were reversed. I'm happy about these roommates and when I tell Alexi, she is going to be even happier ;-)
I am changing my hair. Not drastically, but I have been growing it out longer and its starting to grow on me.....no pun intended! Lol
I am changing my attitude. I am being firmer with things that don't matter so much and more compassionate about the things that do matter.

I intend on making more changes and will keep ya'll up to speed.

People Should Stop...

2010-07-19T22:18:00.001-04:00

Last Thursday driving home from work I was listening to this radio station. (Yes, depending on the kind of mood I am in, I listen to all kinds of music; from Rock to Hip-Hop to Christian to Jazz to alternative; I listen to it all.) Well DJ Anna comes up with a different topic of discussion every night and last Thursday's topic was "People Should Stop-_______" and you fill in the blank. Here are some of the callers answers:

People Should Stop-giving their 2cents when clearly is was not asked for
People Should Stop-the government from making stupid decisions
People Should Stop-driving like idiots

I got to thinking about this over the weekend and I have come up with some of my own answers:

People Should Stop-slamming on their brakes when no one is in front of them
People Should Stop-living beyond their means then crying poor me
People Should Stop-calling my house and asking me if I want to do a survey
People Should Stop-acting like they are better than everyone else
People Should Stop-thinking the world revolves around them
People Should Stop-wearing flip-flops with socks (It's summertime people!!...the whole reason for wearing flip-flops is to cool off the piggies. If your gonna wear socks, you might as well put on a pair of sneaks)
People Should Stop-thinking I care when I really don't
People Should Stop-thinking life is a one way street
People Should Stop-being so lazy
People Should Stop-thinking my friendship is like a revolving door where you can easily come in and out of
People Should Stop-letting their kids run around the neighborhood streets in high traffic areas un-supervised
People Should Stop-fake tanning to the point their skin looks like rubber
People Should Stop-letting everyone else raise their kids while they still act like kids themselves
People Should Stop-wearing their pants so tight that I can see the flowers on their underwear
People Should Stop-wearing opened toed shoes without a pedi. (I am tired of seeing un-painted toenails that are longer than the edge of the shoe)
People Should Stop-making babies they can't afford
People Should Stop-pretending
People Should Stop-thinking that all my blogs are about them

Meet Itsy

2010-07-18T22:23:00.000-04:00

Itsy is our newest addition.

Alexi has been asking for a dog for quite some time. We've decided we are just not ready for a dog yet....we barely have enough time to take care of ourselves, let-a-long a dog.

We decided to adopt a kitten instead.

She puts up with Alexi chasing after her and picking her up.

Alexi wanted to name her Itsy Bitsy Spider...we settled for Itsy.

She fits in just purfect!!

Seeing Double

2010-07-15T22:57:00.000-04:00

I love it when I find deals on matching outfits for the girls. I found these at 50% off!

These I picked up for a friends baby shower I went to last Sunday. She has a little boy and another on the

way.

Love It!!!!

Pink Lemonade Fun

2010-07-11T22:17:00.000-04:00

Got Pink Lemonade cupcakes? I do....and so will Fred's employees, my co-workers and Alexi's little friends. I came across a yummy recipe from this bloggy friend and I thought it would be fun to make them (there are cute 4th of July cupcakes too, but scroll to the bottom for the pink lemonade recipe).

Now keeping in mind I am a mom of two with little time, I opted for the box mix and added the lemon zest and lemonade concentrate. Still YUMMY!! I also made minni cupcakes instead of regular size (its better for my waistline ;-) ).

They are just tooo cute for words....you add a little fruit candy and a straw and Walla, you have a pink lemonade!!!

Thoughts for the day...

2010-07-11T07:30:00.001-04:00

I might not be the most beautiful person or have the perfect body... I

might not be the 1st choice but I am a GREAT choice... I don't pretend

to be someone else because I am too good at being ME... I might not be

proud of some of the things I've done but I am proud of who I am

...today...Take me as I am, or watch me as I go!"....

{I can't take credit for this, I stole it from my friends Facebook comment and it totally goes with what I am feeling right now!! Thanks Melissa!! See you in two weeks ;-)}

Speechless.....Or Not!!

2010-07-11T00:09:00.003-04:00

Tonight I have been sitting here ~~catching up~~ reading some blogs and offering up my 2 cents and I can honestly say I am having a writers block. Seriously, I really don't have anything to talk/complain/dish/gossip/gloat about right now.

*ahem*

I should say there are a couple things I'd like to lay-out, but unfortunately I can't. One of them I kinda discussed in a previous blog. Well the time is coming....as.a.matter.of.fact....it will be Tuesday! I will update you all when I'm allowed to officially "say things out loud". As far as emotions, no matter what the outcome, I'm not sure if I'm going to be happy or cry.

*sigh*

As far as another issue I have been ~~putting off~~ dealing with, well I think things are about to hit the fan and to be honest, again I am not sure if I'm going to be happy or cry.

I just want a normal life. Whatever that is, I just want stability/happiness/love/security/honesty/loyalty to exist in my little world. Yes, I said it....my.little.world. I don't put myself on a pedestal and I don't expect things to revolve around me and what I do, but I do have a little world that my family and I live in and need to survive in. Is that too much to ask for? Sometimes I think it is.....and it stinks!

*sigh* again

I think its time to make some changes. I figure if changes occur in my life bc of the action of others, than you know what?!?!, changes are going to start happening bc of actions I make!!

Here's to some new changes!!!

Wow! Two giveaways in a row!

2010-07-10T08:12:00.003-04:00

You heard it right , Jaimie over at Fried Pink Tomatoes is doing it again. As if one bloggy giveaway wasn't enough, she has a second one going on and it.is.right.up.my.alley!! How awesome is that!!!!!

She has teamed up with this lovely gal over at MyWoobyandMe. She makes all kinds of baby lovelies like blankies, woobies, bibs, etc. Love it!

Well of course I had to enter and if I win I will be choosing one of these (I can't seem to make up my mind bc I love them both):

One of the questions I had to answer to win was...."who would you give this to?" Umm, I totally said ME. :0) These would so be perfect for my little Emma, don't ya think?

Wish me luck!!

Some giveaway fun!!

2010-07-05T21:16:00.003-04:00

So this pretty cool gal here is having her first BLOG GIVEAWAY!! I am excited bc its been awhile since I have participated in a giveaway.

Now what is she giving away? We get an opportunity to choose an item from HipHopHippos. How sweet is that!!

If I win, I think I will be choosing this lovely item:

I think I would have both of the girls names put on it. How cute!! If any of you fellow bloggers are interested in an opportunity in winning this or any of the other cute pieces that are made by Sara at HipHopHippos, then head on over to and visit Jaime at the Fried Pink Tomato!

Love it!!

My latest addictions

2010-07-05T14:25:00.001-04:00

I don't know about any of you fellow facebookers, but I have never been one to get caught up in any of those FB farms or any other games they offer. I don't know, I barely have enough time to live my real life, let alone a fake one. I'm just sayin. Now I have in fact become addicted to playing Family Feud on FB. Every chance I get to help someone win fast money...umm yeah, I am all over it!! Now I don't go as far as buying extra games, that's just crazy! But I do play my 2 free games each day. LOVE IT!!!

Granny Smith apples and peanut butter. Mmmmm that has been my favorite snack lately. I'm averaging at least one apple a day. I have one of these that helps me cut up my apple and then I dip them in this. Yuuuummy (I actually just finished one). LOVE IT!!!

Now I have tons of lotions, creams, body washes, lip balms and even candles from Bath & Body Work. I'm sure you all do too! But let me ask you, do you have these? I was given these as a gift after having Emma from my sis from another mis Liz (my brothers ex-wife, LOVE THAT GIRL!). Anywho, I just started using them about a month ago when I ran out of my Eucerin lotion. Hellllloooo, where have these been all my life!!! I'll be honest, my fave is the lay it on thick intense moisture body cream with Shea butter. I can put this cream on in the morning and my legs are still soft and smooth when I go to bed. The best feeling is putting some on after an evening bath and waking up the next morning with soft skin. LOVE IT!!!

What are some of your latest addictions?

More 4th of July pics of the girls

2010-07-05T10:21:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday America

2010-07-04T07:00:00.004-04:00

Happy Birthday America

(Photos compliment of my neighbors firework display we got to view last night without having to leave our house)

Who's That Girl!!

2010-07-03T21:28:00.003-04:00

The more and more we look at Emma, we ask ourselves "Who's that little girl?". She has a special look all of her own.

When Alexi was born, she had a head full of jet black curly hair and hazel eyes. If you had put a goatee on her, she would have been a spitting image of Fred....no lye!

Now Emma on the other hand is quite the opposite. When she was born, she was practically bald with blue eyes. We even joked if we had brought the wrong baby home. Lol! As her hair is filling in, its becoming more strawberry and those baby blues?.....the pediatrician said most likely they are not going anywhere. She looks nothing like Fred or myself. We both have brown hair and hazel eyes. If you put her next to Alexi, she resembles Alexi's current look, just minus the hazel eyes.

So..........who is that girl????

Well she is our litle princess with a look all her own, That's who she is and we love her!!!

Princss II Fun!!

2010-07-02T19:43:00.000-04:00

Emma the princess.....

Just tooooooo cute!!!

Princess I Fun!!

2010-07-02T18:53:00.000-04:00

Alexi the princess....
She loves to be playful!!

Happy 4th of July!!!

2010-07-01T22:36:00.004-04:00

Tonight Alexi and I made a 4th of July funfetti cake for her and her little friends tomorrow. She loves to bake!!

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

Birthday weekend packed full of fun-Part IV

2010-07-01T19:31:00.000-04:00

We had gotten to Owen's b-day party around 1:00 and left around 5:00. We drove 2 1/2 hrs south to Levittown to my Aunt Robins house. We had dinner, let Alexi swim in the pool and played some scrabble. Well we tried to play scrabble. We were all so exhausted. Not to mention it was going to be an early morning for us the next day.

You see, we had decided that since we wanted to get home early that Sunday morning and my grandmother had to catch her plane at 5:30am, we would just pack up early and take her to the airport. This saved my Aunt the 1hr drive there and 1hr drive back; as we had to pass the airport anyway.

We were up bright and early at 3:00am and left the house by 4:00. We dropped Grandmom off at 4:50 and headed southbound to Virginia. We did pretty good on timing. I slept the first half while Fred drove and then we swapped. We made it over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel at 10:30am.

(Home Sweet Home!!)

I decided since I had to go food shopping that day and everyone else was asleep in the car still, I headed straight for the food store instead of heading home. I did the food shopping in record time and we were home before noon.

Now I thought for sure I was going to relax the rest of the day, but instead I cleaned, did laundry and pre-cooked some meals for the week. By the afternoon I was exhausted so I decided to go lay in the pool (the girls were napping at this point and Fred was watching the Brazil soccer game). It was very relaxing; so relaxing I fell asleep.....for 2hrs!!! Yup, burnt to a crisp! I can now say this white girl has a tan! Lol!!

Birthday weekend packed full of fun-Part III

2010-06-30T18:58:00.000-04:00

We only stayed in AC for one night and one night was good enough for us. It was a night of a lot of firsts:

It was the first time I had ever been to Atlantic City.
It was the first time I had ever been to a casino.
It was the first time Fred and I got to sleep straight through without getting up for a bottle feeding since Emma had been born (we left Emma with Alexi and the in-laws for the night).
It was the first time I had been pooped on by a sea gull. Grrrrr

The next morning we all got up early and had breakfast before we got on the road......again.

Fred and I left AC at 8:45am, drove 1 1/2hrs to Northeast Philly to pick up the girls. We then left to drive 45min to pick up my nephew in Plymouth Meeting, then continued on for another 1hr 45mins to the Poconos for my other nephews b-day party. Whew! It was a long morning, but the driving was not over.

Regardless of the drive, we had a lot of fun at the party and got to see more family.

(The birthday boy: My nephew Owen turned 3yrs old)

(My Aunt Robin, Cousin Chrissy and Grandmother)

(My Poppop and Emma)

{More of my weekend to come}

Birthday weekend packed full of fun-Part II

2010-06-29T18:45:00.000-04:00

AC-Continued....
There was 7 of us in AC celebrating my cousin Chrissy's 21st birthday. My grandmother even flew in from Myrtle Beach for it (well for that and my nephew's b-day, but I will talk about that in a later blog).

It was so funny bc she bought the first round of drinks. She said this would be the first and last time she would ever buy and have a drink with us, lol!!! She is so cute :)

We were able to get a waitress take a group picture of us with said Grandmom purchased drinks in hand ;).Thanks Grandmom!! We had a blast (except the bartender, but that was his problem.....money is money Lol)

{More on the weekend to come in another blog}

Birthday weekend packed full of fun-Part I

2010-06-28T18:12:00.000-04:00

As you know from my last blog that Alexi was staying at my in-laws for a week. We had left her on a Thursday afternoon and returned the evening of the following Thursday (the 17th to be exact). Anywho, we got there pretty late that night (we drove up right after I got off of work which is 5:00.). We did it with pretty good timing bc Emma did great and fussed very little (she loves driving in the car). Alexi was so excited to see us so she waited up for us. It was great for her to spend time with my in-laws, but we missed her sooooo much! We ended up not going to bed until midnight. Ugh!! We were so tired the next morning when we got up at 7:00am to leave the house by 8:00 to pick up my grandmother at the Philadelphia Airport by 9:00am.

That's right....that next morning (Friday morning) we picked my grandmother (my mom's mom) at the airport and headed right to Atlantic City. We were meeting some of my family there for the night to celebrate my cousins 21st birthday. (It was like celebrating my 21st birthday all over again bc I had never been to a casino (cruise ships don't count)). Even though I was stingy and cheap with my money, we had a blast!

I found it hard to part with even $20.00. And I know, I know.....you have to play to win and spending $$ is part of the point, but money does not grow on trees and is limited in my household right now. So I was content with just depositing $20.00 at Bally's and the Taj Mahal for someone else to win later on.

Regardless if spent $20.00 or $200.00; we all had fun and I would def. go again!!

Here is where we stayed......and this was our view from our room on the 32nd floor:

{I will share more in my next blog about our visit to AC}

I don't wanna go!

2010-06-27T15:31:00.005-04:00

That's what Alexi said when we were packing up to come home from PA after paying our respects to my late Great Grandfather. We had stayed at Fred's parents house for those couple of days and Alexi was having so much fun playing with her cousins. She made it clear she was not ready to go home. Fred and I agreed t letting her stay since we were going back to PA the following weekend for a weekend full of birthday fun. They were like three peas in a pod all week. And Alexi had a blast!!

{I will break the "birthday weekend packed full of fun" in a couple of blogs bc it entails a lot of pics}

RIP GGPop!

2010-06-06T14:37:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we lost an amazing person. My Great Grandfather passed away at the age of 95. He lived an amazing life filled with laughter, fun and most of all.........love!

Rest in Peace GGpop. We love you!!

Random Nothingness

2010-05-18T06:17:00.003-04:00

That's right. I have so much going through my head that I want to blog about, yet not a ton of time. I figured this blog will be a hodgepodge of whats going on in this brain or mine right now (good luck deciphering it all):

The girls are doing great. Alexi found a turtle in the back yard and thought it would be nice to bring it in my bedroom to share with me on Sunday morning. (Animals are coming out of the woodwork everywhere at my house. First the ducks in my pool (which is becoming a daily routine for them), this turtle Sunday and then yesterday morning a frog hopped past me in my bedroom as I was getting dressed. Don't ask, bc I don't know! I think it starts with an A and is 5 letters long. Lol)

(Yes that is Fred in the back helping to hold said turtle)

Emma is getting so big. She is officially out of all preemie clothes and into newborn. She's becoming quite the chunky monkey :)

Still no word on the changes that may take place in the Delima Household that I discussed previously.

I will be turning 30 tomorrow. I really thought it was going to be some grand affair and I was going to feel great, but its quite the opposite. We have canceled any and all plans and I feel like sleeping right through it. The hubby suggested inviting friends over for a (last minute, I feel bad, I know I should do something) BBQ tomorrow, but I said no. Seriously?!?!?...on a week night, where I am going to have to cook and make sure the house is clean? No thanks. I'd rather just have the luxury of going to bed early so that when Emma and I have our ran devour in the middle of the night, I'm not so tired.

It's been a rainy/gloomy week. Kinda like how I'm feeling lately.

Fred took Alexi to Busch Gardens on Sunday for daddy/daughter time. That was great.....for me! I got to stay home with Emma and do some spring cleaning. (I know, sounds boring, but I really wanted to stay home and get it done. All of Alexi's winter clothes are packed away and her closet is cleaned and organized. I even re-organized all Emma's clothes and packed away the preemies. I also prepped all the meals for the week. I felt really accomplished.)

I had a breakdown yesterday at work after receiving an email that made me angry. (Thanks! As if I really needed to hear and deal with that during the day!!) I really wish some people would think before they speak/email!

No matter how much I try to analyze things, I believe we would have ended up this way regardless. We are two strong personalities, yet with so many insecurities and none of it makes any sense!

It's really time to decide what I want to be when I grow up bc what I am doing in life right now obviously is not working. (For further input click here.) I take some of that back, I do know what I want to be, I just don't think it will bring in the $$$ we need. At least not in the beginning, so I need to come up with an alternative solution.

I still have not decided what birth control I am going to go with. Why all of a sudden does making decisions seem so difficult?

I told you all that I had a lot going on in this brain of mine and wanted to blog about, I just don't have all the time necessary to put into each one, thus why I did a hodgepodge.

Planet What?

2010-05-12T18:56:00.000-04:00

Ok, so humor me here. Picture this. Your watching TV about space aliens. The alien comes down and says to the human "I am BC and I am from planet Implanon". Can you picture it? (Alright, I realize this may be a joke for one, but seriously....this is what comes to mind when I say the word Implanon.)

Anyway, when I went to my 6 week follow-up visit after having Emma, my Dr and I had to discuss all my birth control options. (Yes, for those of you that are wondering, I am going to hold off having my tubes tide. I will leave that for another blog.) We discussed the pill, but I would rather not having to worry about taking something everyday. I never remember to take my vitamins and diabetic med. everyday, let alone having to worry about bc. We also discussed my old friend Mirena. Ohhhh Mirena, we had grown pretty close before I got pregnant, too bad the hubby didn't care for you :(

SOOO my Dr recommended the Impanon. Its a bc that last 3yrs. It is a little rod you actually insert into your arm. For further details click here. I have decided to try it. I had to order it, so I will let you all know how it goes.

(source)

6 week update

2010-05-11T19:22:00.003-04:00

Can you believe that yesterday marked 6 weeks that Emma was born.

Do you know what else that means?

Its been 6 weeks since I've had a decent nights sleep

The positives?

I weigh 28pnds less than I did when I found out I was pregnant
I get to enjoy a calm baby that never fusses
I've found love that I never knew I had
I'm no longer feeling sick and can enjoy food again

The negatives?

I had to go to the Dr's for a follow up. Lets just say things were not as cut and dry as it should have been. (I'm not going to elaborate too much, but I will say that there was some local anesthetics and scissors involved and I feel like I gave birth all over. Boy do I feel like I've lived in a box all my life.....I've learned so much more about my body since giving birth.)
It' going to take 2 additional weeks for my "body" to heal now

Quack Quack Quack

2010-05-11T19:11:00.004-04:00

I almost forgot to tell you all; I had some unexpected guests on Mother's Day.......In my pool no less :)I know the pic is not very clear (it was taken by my crackberry in the evening), but that is def. a duck chillin in my pool.

Happy Mother's Day!!

2010-05-09T21:08:00.007-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the special momma's out there!! I hope you all are doing exactly what you have envisioned!! I started my weekend sleeping in until 1:00pm on Saturday while daddy took the girls out to breakfast and shopping . (That was much needed rest.) Once I got up and ready, we went to Whites Nursery, where I purchased this: (Sorry, it got kinda dark when I took this pic with my crackberry)
I finally got my Palm Tree!! Its still a baby, but I'm sure it will be big and tall in no time!

On Mother's Day Morning I was woken up and given this as a gift. My husband thinks of everything! I love him soooo much.

We then went to Harris Teeter and purchased this for dinner:

I opted to pick up a fillet, lobster tails and baked potatoes for dinner to cook myself instead of fighting the crowds at the local restaurants.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend and I hope you all did too!!

What is that!?!?!

2010-05-07T19:46:00.000-04:00

So yesterday morning the hubby and I were getting ready for work. Same routine, he's preparing to get in the shower as I am getting out. (And don't go acting surprised that I am sharing this as you continue to read! After being together for almost 13yrs and married for 6 of those yrs, couples tend to be pretty comfortable with each other and not much stays a secret.)

Me: What is that! (As I point toward one of his many fine assets ;-) )

Hubby: Ummmm, I think you know what that is! Yes its been some time bc of Emma, but come on! I think I look pretty damn sexy!! (While carrying a half grin/half smile)

Me: NOT THAT!!

Hubby: Than what?

Me: That black thing! Above ***********(I'm going to keep the nicknames private. No pun intended. Some of my husbands friends read my blog and for his sake, I will not humiliate him.....at this time. Lol)

Hubby: I don't know!! Get if off of me!!

Any guesses?

It was a tick! Yup, a gross little black tick. His head was embedded in the hubby's skin so we had to burn it with a match to get it to back out. It was nasty! I guess its that time of the season to start checking every ones hair/body on the regular now.

Lilly's at it again!

2010-05-05T21:05:00.000-04:00

So we were food shopping this weekend and Alexi had asked the hubby if she could get a box of animal crackers. I really wasn't paying any attention; I was focused on my shopping list. The hubby agreed.

Well we were in the check out line and I asked Alexi to put her box of animal crackers on the belt. I never took notice until that moment that Lilly Pulitzer had created a design for animal crackers!! I totally loved it and had to share with you all!!! (Sorry about the not so clear crackberry photo)

Just an FYI....the crackers are gone, but the box is still sitting on my counter. And yes...I do plan on throwing it away, just not yet ;-)

I want to be here this weekend....

2010-05-05T05:45:00.001-04:00

Last year on Mothers Day weekend we were here.

Enjoying these festivities

For those who may be new to my blog, I blogged about my trip last year and what went on here.

I then did a blog here about the goodies I got.

I soooooooo want to go there this weekend with the hubby and kidlets for Mothers Day. Hmmmmm?!?!?!?!??! Maybe we can take a day trip on Sunday......

The kidlets

2010-05-04T12:28:00.003-04:00

MY SWEETS......

Emma on her way to her first BBQ

Emma at the office with me. Obviously she got tired of creating labels!

And here she was over signing paperwork. Lol

Alexi and Emma snoozing in my bed.

I LOVE IT!!!

I LOVE THEM!!!!

B-R-O-K-E

2010-04-30T20:28:00.003-04:00

The title pretty much sums up my current financial state. Don't worry, I'm not shy about being honest when it comes to money. Finances in our household have been tough the last few months. I left my job in October bc it was either I leave or continue to get blamed for things that I could not control. Things that were morally wrong and possibly illegal. (Here's a slap in the face...even though I left I still get blamed!) My former employer fought my unemployment (Even after all I had done for him. J@ck@$$!!! Thats right, I said it. I have been nice until now. Just remember one thing, KARMA IS A B!TCH!!) I did not find another job until the middle of January, so I was out of work for 3 1/2 months. Before I left my job, I had already booked a family trip to Disney that I could not cancel. That was hard on our bank account. The IRS seemed to not like us this year and we had to pay over $900.00. OUCH!! As you all know, we had a new baby in March and having babies is not cheap! HECK...you need to take out a second mortgage on your house for diapers and formula alone. LOL! On top of that we made an unplanned trip to PA last week to visit a sick family member. And although spending time with family is priceless (especially when they are ill), my bank account was screaming all the way.

I need to figure something out and fast. We can't keep climbing up and then down the money mountain....something has to give!! Anyone got any ideas or some extra zeros lying around they don't need? (Just kidding. I don't ever expect money to just be handed over to me. That's one thing I have learned...you really do need to earn your own money to appreciate it.)

In the mean time, we will be sitting back and taking it easy for the next couple of months to let our funds build back up.....hopefully :-)

Happy Birthday

2010-04-30T19:00:00.000-04:00

I know, I know!! I am a dollar short and a week late. Exactly one week ago today was my hubby's birthday. That's right, Fred turned 37 last Friday. I originally had a surprise date night planned with a sitter for the girls and dinner at a Brazilian restaurant, but had to cancel when we took a trip to PA to visit my GGPop whom is ill. It all worked out in the end bc not only did Fred get to spend his birthday with me and the girls, he got to spend it with his parents and sisters too eating homemade Brazilian food. (For those that don't know, my husband and his family are from Brazil)

Sooooooooo without further ado........

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MY LOVE!!

The Pros and the Cons

2010-04-30T05:07:00.001-04:00

Lately I have been weighing the PROS and the CONS for a very important and life altering decision. I can't get into details about it right now. I will say this... if all goes through, the hubby and I will have a lot of work ahead of us! Work I don't really have the energy for.

This decision is going to be hard on our children and our marriage. I had not started losing sleep due to this change until just recently. I already feel it starting to take a tole on my emotions. I don't like that!

Hopefully soon I can discuss it here. Keeping this blog helps me to vent and let out my feelings and right now I feel I have not been able to do that lately.

I don't like secrets....I never did. I feel that in the end they always end up hurting someone. I have been keeping too many of them lately and it really puts a lot of stress on me. A lot of unnecessary stress. (This really should be for another blog post, so I will let it go.)

So stay tuned and hopefully I will be able to let this particular cat "out of the bag"!!

Got Sleep?????

2010-04-29T06:21:00.001-04:00

I DONT!!! Its one thing that I am truly lacking and need much more of. I give parents of multiples a lot of credit right now.

So today in honor of all parents of multiples, I lift my glass up to you!!Source: Etsy

Daddy's Love

2010-04-28T22:30:00.000-04:00

Its a given that a mother (well most mothers at least) and their children have a natural bond. Its a connection that starts way before a baby is born. With me its an amazing and unexplainable kind of love. I just not only love my daughters, but I adore them. I truly believe that God planned for them to be in my life before I had even starting thinking about having children.

Now I know that some women say that the connection between a father and child is different, and in some cases that may be true, but not with Fred. Fred is so wonderful with our daughters. He created a whole new meaning to daddy's girls and was meant to be a daddy. (Anyone that knows us personally can vouch for that.) He has become so close to Alexi and Emma that its amazing to see them interact...the way he has bonded and the love he has form them is so strong.

I am so lucky to have them all in my life.....my life feels perfect and I know this is exactly how things were meant to be <3