The Wonders of Apple Cider Vinegar

My friend Danielle has become the Apple Cider Vinegar Queen and swears by it, so I took her advice and used some for various ailments. It works! Here is a list of things that Apple Cider Vinegar is good for, from http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_448797/Apple_Cider_Vinegar_-_The_Wonder_%27Drug%27_of_Yesterday_and_Today

I personally recommend seeing a doctor if you are having or suffering from any of the serious problems in this article. I don't recommend self diagnosing diabetes and other major medical issues

What is Apple Cider Vinegar? Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is an effective natural bacteria-fighting agent that contains many vital minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine that are vital for a healthy body.

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is made by crushing fresh, organically grown apples and allowing them to mature in wooden barrels. This boosts the natural fermentation qualities of the crushed apples, which differs from the refined and distilled vinegars found in supermarkets. When the vinegar is mature, it contains a dark, cloudy, web-like bacterial foam called mother, which becomes visible when the rich brownish liquid is held to the light. The mother can be used to add to other vinegar to hasten maturity for making more Apple Cider Vinegar. Natural vinegars that contain the mother have enzymes and minerals that other vinegars in grocery stores may not have due to over-processing, over-heating, and filtration. For this reason, it is recommended that you purchase only unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar, with an ideal acidity (pH) level of 5 to 7, this health drink is a natural probiotic.

What are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is a wonderful natural cure for a number of ailments which usually require antibiotics and other medications that have a number of side effects. In particular, Apple Cider Vinegar has been known to:

• Reduce sinus infections and sore throats
• Balance high cholesterol
• Cure skin conditions such as acne
• Protect against food poisoning
• Fight allergies in both humans and animals
• Prevent muscle fatigue after exercise
• Strengthen the immune system
• Increase stamina
• Increase metabolism which promotes weight loss
• Improve digestion and cure constipation
• Alleviate symptoms of arthritis and gout
• Prevents bladder stones and urinary tract infections

Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar:

General Health Problems:

Weight Loss

The use of apple cider vinegar as a home remedy for weight loss is centuries old. D.C. Jarvis, M.D maintained that an overweight person could lose weight gradually by taking 2 teaspoons of ACV in a glass of water before meals.

Bad Breath

Due to its anticeptic properties, Apple Cider Vinegar makes a wonderful remedy for bad breath or halitosis. Simply add 2 teaspoons of ACV into a cup of water and gargle the mixture in your mouth for 10 seconds at a time and spit the solution out. Repeat until the cup is empty.

Body Odor

Apple Cider Vinegar is an effective body odor remedy, since it can help adjust the skin's pH level which helps to eliminate odor-causing bacteria. For armpit odor, simply wipe them once each morning with undiluted apple cider vinegar (using a cotton ball). For foot odor, fill a pan with warm water and add 1/3 cup of ACV, then let your feet soak in this mixture for 15 minutes once per week.

Skin Problems and Infections:

Acne

Apple Cider Vinegar is a natural cure for acne. Apply a solution of apple cider vinegar and water (2 tablespoons to 1 eight ounce glass of water) with a cotton ball several times a day. This will help reduce infection and dry out inflammation.

Age Spots

Apple Cider Vinegar contains sulfur that fights the effects of aging, which makes it suitable for treating age spots. Apply daily, to these darkened areas of the skin, a solution containing 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of onion juice. According to this home remedy, the spots should begin to fade within 2 weeks.

Cellulite

Many women have found that Apple Cider Vinegar can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Yeast Infection

Apple Cider Vinegar has been found to be an effective treatment for yeast infections.

Stomach Problems:

Heartburn

This usually occurs after eating, sometimes up to two hours later. This very unpleasant feeling can be alleviated by taking 2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar in 8 OZ of water, taken three times a day before meals.

Constipation

Apple Cider Vinegar is frequently used as a natural cure for constipation.

Diarrhea

There are various causes for diarrhea, and although it should not be left untreated, it is often a natural way for the body to rid itself of harmful compounds and ingested materials. Apple Cider Vinegar is a fantastic natural remedy for diarrhea since the high pectin concentration acts as a protective coating which soothes the irritated lining of the colon. A suggestion is to add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a large glass of water, and drink this 3 times daily while the symptoms persist.

Major Illnesses:

Diabetes

Apple Cider Vinegar may help to control high blood sugar levels, which is why it is often used as a natural treatment for Diabetes.

How to take it?

For daily maintenance, weight loss and pH balancing:

• 2 teaspoons in 8 oz of water 3x a day (taken before your meals)

For treating an acute condition like acid reflux, cough, bronchitis, or sore throat:

• 2 Tablespoons in 8 OZ of water 3x a day (taken before your meals) .
  

To help with the taste you can always add a tablespoon of raw honey.

Source: www.homeremediesweb.com/apple_cider_vinegar...

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Other uses:

calm an upset stomach
make hiccups disappear
aid digestion
lower blood pressure and cholesterol
chase away a cold
soothe sore feet
improve memory
treat blemishes and age spots
cure acne
eliminate bladder infections
calm sore throats
treat acid reflux
remove corns and calluses
relieve itchy skin
cool a sunburn
banish nausea
relieve arthritis pain
ease leg cramps
relieve coughs
soothe sprained muscles
and help with heart pain.
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As with anything. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing though. Too much can kill the good bacteria in your body. I honestly have only used Apple Cider Vinegar topically, but from my experience with that, it has been all everyone claims it to be.

My Big Boy

There is a small part of me that has been in denial that Joey is growing up. I still see him as a little guy. Partly due to his size, partly because he is my only boy.

Today Joey had a dentist appointment to have sealants put on and to have a small cavity filled. He was so incredibly brave. He went into the room all by himself without a single look back. There were no tears.

After he was done I took him to school and the office worker gave him a tardy slip to bring to his teacher. I stood there, holding Peyton's tiny hand, and watched Joey walk down the hallway all by himself and in that one moment I realized that while he is little and still a boy, he is no longer a little boy.

I Confess......

That I haven't brushed my hair since Sunday because I can't find a hairbrush. We own 3, but I can't even find 1.

I tend to hide myself away from everything. I am not the most social person and it has gotten a lot worse since staying at home. I get upset when people just drop by and want to talk. Not everybody, just certain people.

If I didn't have to watch the same episode constantly, I might actually enjoy watching Strawberry Shortcake with Peyton.

I miss my husband. A lot. His work schedule is crazy and it seems there is just no "us time" out there. When he is off from his third shift job, he is dozing on the couch. We haven't had a real conversation in weeks.

I am lonely.

Bah Humbug

Christmas Spirit is fading fast. It was in full swing a month ago. At this point I realize that when we get and put up our tree there will be less than 2 weeks until Christmas. Why bother?

I'm considering buying the cheapest table top tree ever instead.

Then I realize that my Scrooge mentality is going to ruin the kids Christmas. I just can't see spending money on a fake tree to have it up for less than 2 weeks. I can't see spending less money on a cheap tree when I won't want to use it next year. Neither one of us wants to deal with the hassle of a live tree and all its needles in our carpet. There doesn't seem to be much compromise in this issue and it is really bumming me out.

I think we are just going to end up spending a fortune on a tree to just have up for 2 weeks. There really isn't any other way around it. Christmas isn't really Christmas without a tree.

My Christmas Spirit was at the highest it has been in a long time just a month ago. The closer we get to Christmas and the more I realize nothing is going the way I was hoping, the more Scrooge-like I get.

I need to snap out of it. Christmas is not about me and my plans. The kids don't care how long the tree is up for, just that it is up. They don't care that not everything can go as planned, just that it goes at all.

Part of this funk is this lingering low grade fever/sinus issues I have been dealing with. They are wiping me out. I don't feel like me right now. I feel like a whiny, sick, exhausted version of me. One with high expectations and zero motivation. Things that don't work together at all.

My Weekend In Review

New York was great, crazy fun.

After I got completely lost, called a "rich white bitch" from a homeless lady who was angered that I didn't put money in her cup and couldn't find my group. After all that I had the time of my life. I found my friends and even though I hadn't met most of them in person, it felt like I had known them forever. We shopped, we talked, we laughed, we walked and walked.

We went to the Met and saw amazing art. It was exquisite.

We went to the Russian Vodka Room. After that, the night turned into a funny blur full of laughs, hugs and lots of drinks. Martinis, shots and then we went to a Mexican restaurant and made nice with beer and Patron. We got home late (early?) and crashed around 2. We got up at 6 and I took the 8:07 train back to New Haven and I got off the train, walked into the station and saw most of my family (Krystal was at my Mom's) I hugged all of them happily and crashed in bed the minute we got home.

It was a long, much needed trip for myself, by myself. I feel different now. I spent time with AMAZING friends. Funny, strong, intelligent, beautiful friends. I've never felt like I belonged with friends before. Not the way these women have made me feel like I belong.

Today, my legs ache, I miss them all a little, but I still feel amazing from the time I had. I hope we can do it again sometime.

Mom Time Tomorrow!

I am happy. I am sad. I am going to New York overnight tomorrow!

How can one be sad while in New York? Child free? Drinking alcoholic beverages while among good friends? Easy enough when you have never been away from your baby overnight. I have never been away from Peyton for more than 8 hours and even those 8 hours were torture. She will be home with her Daddy though, and I know he will do a good job with all the kids.

The excitement is starting to ease out the sadness of leaving the kids though. Now the anxiety is kicking in a little. I am a wee bit nervous about getting from Grand Central Station to the hotel 2 miles away by myself. Am I ready for New York? Is New York ready for me? Can I find my way there without having a nervous breakdown?

Remembering Why I Stay At Home

Today I worked, in preparation for my working the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving. Just to brush up on my register skills and fill out my re-hire paperwork.

I remember why I don't work. I am a spaz. I am completely incapable of getting 2 kids ready for school, 1 ready to go to my friend's house and myself as well. I left the house with my hair wet, and my black work pants shrunk since February when I wore them last (darn random shrinking) I had to dig fat people stretch pants out of my dresser.

I missed my baby. I went on and on to my co-workers and random customers about how much I love being home with Peyton and how amazing she is and how I wish I had had this opportunity with Krystal and Joey and how much I enjoy being the one to get them off the bus everyday and see their smiling faces when they step off the bus and see me.

Peyton missed me. She loves her Auntie Michelle, but she is very stuck to Mommy and Daddy (especially Daddy)

It will all be worth it when Todd gets his new CD player and antenna for his car so that he can listen to the radio and not worry about his CDs getting eaten. Work is just not for me right now, it is more important for me to be here.

Date Night!!

For the first time in longer than I can remember, Todd and I will be going out to dinner tomorrow night, and I am thrilled. It feels like things have been getting away from us lately since he works/commutes about 20 hours a day most days.

Our relationship has not been easy, especially this past year. Financial struggles have caused stress, which has put a crack between us. Financially we had been unable to go anywhere together. Then once we got back on our feet some, it was a huge scheduling conflict.

I am determined to make our 14 year relationship not only stay together, but thrive.

"What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility."
-Leo Tolstoy

Childhood Dreams

What did you want to be when you grew up? Or more likely how many dreams did you have. I wanted to be a veterinarian, a teacher, a ballerina, a ballet teacher, a singer, an actress and a Mom.

Only one of those dreams came true, but in my opinion it was the best of the bunch. Any of those dreams would have brought me joy, money and personal pride and satisfaction in a job well done. I believe that none of those would bring me the same joy that being a Mom has brought me. None of the day to day struggles and none of the immense pride I feel when I look at my kids and realize that I am doing a good job. A great job even.

It isn't easy, it never will be easy and my payoff won't come until my children are grown up and on their own and at that time I can look at my children and see what amazing children I raised and then see my dream has been fulfilled.

Can't Handle Power Loss

I managed to make it through the 24 hours of no power during Hurricane Irene okay. My Dad and Stepmom still had power, so I went there. This freak snow storm rendered more people without power than the hurricane. Our power went out around 2 pm Saturday and returned around midnight Monday going into Tuesday. It was a cold, rough few days.

First, Todd was gone for most of it. Second, it was cold. Bitterly cold. Third, we were not prepared for this storm like we were for Irene so we were not stocked up on tons of non-perishable food and it was actually a hungry few days. We had some Pop Tarts and snacks, so it was okay, but not anywhere near what I wanted to have on hand.

Second, Halloween came without power. Where we take the kids every year still had power, so we went to there. Trying to get the kids ready without power was a challenge and somewhere in the middle of Trick or Treating I realized that I had no way to remove the pounds of Vampire makeup slathered on Krystal's face. We stopped at Denny's for some hot dinner after trick or treating and then Walmart to purchase more candles, hand warmers and another warm blanket. I really didn't want to go home. The anxiety was overwhelming. Home was dirty (thanks to Peyton crushing a whole box of goldfish into the carpet and dishes I couldn't wash coming out of the sink) and freezing and dark.

Also, Peyton was sick. She was coughing so badly she couldn't sleep and kept waking herself up crying. I had her in a onesie, leg warmers and 2 pairs of footie pajamas. Still I felt it wasn't enough. She was also in bed with Todd and me Halloween night. Just before the power came back on, Krystal burst in our bedroom to tell us she had thrown up all through the hallway. After cleaning up the best he could by flashlight Todd came back to bed. Shortly later the power returned and Todd turned the bedroom heat on (it was glorious once it kicked in) then Krystal wakes us up AGAIN.......now her ceiling is flooding. Water is pouring out everywhere. Todd throws some bins under the leaks and finishes cleaning up Krystal's throw up while Peyton and I go back to sleep.

Once everything was better under control and I could clean up the mess that was making my skin crawl, I felt better. Of course there was no school for the rest of the week. Cable/internet wasn't restored until the end of the week and the kids were tired of all of it.

That was one week I was glad to see end.

Wait Loss

No that is no misspelling in the title. I have been doing some deep thinking lately. For a long time now I have said I was the Happy Fat Housewife. I say this with a smile on my face, mostly because I have avoided looking at myself as much as possible. There is not a single full length mirror in my apartment. Honestly I am just a fat housewife who has avoided seeing what she really looked like and in her head is skinnier than she really is.

I need to do something. Winter is coming (quicker than I would like since it is supposed to snow 3-5 inches overnight tomorrow night) and with winter usually comes the winter blues. I get sad in the winter because I feel so stuck. I have done so many diets and simply not been able to follow through. That is my real problem, following through. I start out great and then have a day of binge eating and simply give up instead of working through my step back and taking the next day for what it is, a new day.

So starting next week Wednesday will be "Weight Loss Wednesday." A place where I hold myself accountable for the times I slip, and the place where I give myself credit for what I did. No matter how small. It isn't going to be an easy journey, and there will be times I slip up (date night and my trip to NYC for one) but I will not let a few slip ups cause me to spend the whole winter avoiding the mirrors and hiding in sweatpants.

Spring is a time for new beginnings, I hope that I can reveal a smaller me as well.

Ear Infection Nightmare

Peyton has an ear infection. The third she has suffered in her short life. It explains her lack of sleep though. Nothing makes me sadder than when my kids are sick and there has been a crazy amount of sickness in our home lately. First Krystal is diagnosed October 17th with an ear infection, then Sunday Joey was brought to the emergency room with swollen lips and hives and now Peyton has an ear infection. I am pretty sure we have met our sickness quota for the year and I think we should be spared for the rest of the winter, although I know that won't happen!

Toddler Sleep- A Big step Back

Peyton has never been one who has excelled in the toddler sleep department. There have been many tear filled nights from the both of us and coffee filled mornings for me. Days I wish I could take a nap and some where I simply drift off on the couch every few seconds and have to smack myself awake. These are moments that I am simply not prepared for. I expect that a nineteen month old will sleep all night. I am simply an anxious Mommy because of the lack of toddler sleep.

The lack of toddler sleep affects my ability to be a good Mommy. My temper is shorter when I am tired and my older two kids grate on my nerves so much more on the days that my sleep is almost non-existent. I feel like in order to be a good Mommy you have to take care of yourself and that is hard to do when there is a serious lack of toddler sleep in your house.

I try not to let it affect me. It isn't Krystal and Joey's fault that I am in "yawn mode" and need to pinch myself awake. Yet every little thing annoys me so much more when I am running on no sleep. I am a scary. yelling Mommy Monster and I don't like that person at all.

Clingy Toddler- I Really Don't Mind

I complain often about my clingy toddler. She seems to not be happy unless she is sitting directly on me at all times, and being right next to me just doesn't cut it. There is pulling, tugging, and if I don't reach down quick enough, epic tantrum and floor rolling involved. Her moods change more quickly than the weather.

Deep down inside me though, I am a content Mom when I have a clingy toddler on me. I feel loved and needed ans most of all, special. I am needed by Peyton. She needs me to provide her with snuggles and love and I need her too. I need to feel, like this time around, I don't miss anything.

Clingy Toddler, Sick Toddler, Angry Toddler and Loving Toddler are all frequent visitors in our house. Clingy Toddler is the newest and strongest addition. For example, I had to leave this morning to bring Krystal to cheer competition so I left Peyton and Joey with Todd. She sat on the stair the whole time I was gone. The minute I got home and sat on the couch she came over and sat with me.

Sometimes it bothers me. When I am trying to eat for example. It is very hard to juggle food and a clingy toddler. That is rare though, most of the time I run my hands through her soft curls, give her a high five and realize how lucky I am, not just to have her but to be home with her and watch her grow up.

So a clingy toddler may not always be my favorite, but the whole package makes me a content Mom, so I will keep snuggling away.

Freaking Out Friday

Have you ever had a job, where you gave it your all every day? Put your heart and soul into something? Worked very hard at a job you were promised payment for? And you never got paid.... You wrote multiple e-mails, you anxiously checked the mailbox every day and still it never came.... When you finally heard back after multiple e-mails and the news wasn't good. They weren't sure when they would be able to pay you, for the money they owed you for services provided in July. Yes, I said it....July. I am thankful at this point that there are others I can talk to. Others who are fighting the system to get the money owed to them.

But for now I am freaking out, because I could really use the money.

Three For Thursday: The Woman Behind The Blog

Three of the Happiest Moments of My Life (besides your kids)

1) The first day I kissed Todd. It felt like everything fell into place.
2) The first time I ever rode a horse.
3) Every summer week we spent at my Grandma's beach cottage in Old Saybrook.

Three of My Favorite Foods:

1) Fettuccine Alfredo
2) Grilled Asparagus
3) Steak with a balsamic reduction

Three names I would name future baby boys if I had any (which I won't)

1) Jude
2) Caleb
3) Elliott

Three names I would name future baby girls if I had any (which I won't)

1) Audra
2) Genevieve
3) Scarlett

Three Things I couldn't make it through the day without:

1) Febreze Air Effects. I am a self-proclaimed addict.
2) Strawberry Shortcake Bitty Berry Adventures. Calming even the worst temper tantrums and the shortest attention spans since August.
3) I know it sounds corny, but my many high- fives and "good girl"'s from Peyton. It is nice hearing you are a good girl, even if it is from a 19 month old.

Wordless Wednesday

I am a big copycat. I love this idea. From Motherhood Looms- Where's My Yarn?

Halloween Costumes Down

Yesterday was a day where both Todd and the kids were home. This meant a perfect day for Halloween costume shopping. When we got back to the costumes, Todd spied a Strawberry Shortcake costume that Peyton was craning her neck to see as we pushed the cart away.

As we scanned the costumes for Joey, Todd went back and got the Strawberry Shortcake costume for Peyton and put it in the cart. Peyton pointed at it and yelled for her "Cake Cake" She was completely happy.

Joey originally picked out a Toad costume, but it was nothing but a vest and a hat. So he went with Wario instead.

Krystal was much more difficult and after the promise of cool makeup and teeth decided on a vampire costume.

We will be headed down to the Westbrook Outlets like we do every year. it is safe and the kids always get a huge haul.

Life Is Beautiful

Sleep deprived, mentally exhausted and worn out from battling with my tween daughter. Yet all I have to do is look at these faces and it doesn't seem to matter. I would be nothing without them.

Sleep- Or Lack Of- Is Clouding My Brain

Peyton still does not sleep through the night. Not even close. At 18 months she is still getting up at least two times a night. Last night was TEN, ten, I am so tired right now that there are tears running out of my eyes and I keep yawning.

With Todd working more than 80 hours a week, I can't talk to him about how tired I am when I know he is at least twice as tired, and I am sure more.

I feel like a first time Mom. I am not used to this. I had children who were sleeping all night, every night after a few months of life (unless they were sick) I had been getting better at keeping up with the cleaning. I tried today, really I did, but the mess grew faster than I could keep up with it. I can either leave it for tomorrow or wait until Peyton goes to bed at 9:30 and Todd leaves for work. I'd like to wait, but I don't think my brain will let me rest until most is clean. Darn brain.

Here's to a night where I am hoping to get some sleep and Peyton gets some too. After all, this face is far too cute to cause this much trouble.

My TV lineup

I admit that I am a television addict. Cutting the cable was never one of the things I could consider when trying to evaluate my financial situation.

Things I am currently loving or missing:

Pan Am- Great show. Can't wait to watch more.
The Playboy Club- Great Show that got canceled after 3 episodes.
Once Upon A Time- Can't wait to watch the first episode.
Degrassi- Because the teenager in me needs her fix when it comes back in a few weeks.
One Tree Hill- Last Season, can't wait.
Dirty Soap- Mixing my 2 loves, soap operas and trashy reality.
All My Children- Missing so much :( DVRing episodes from 2006 at 3am on Soapnet
The Next Iron Chef- Complete Celebrity cast competing for the title of Iron Chef? Count me in.
Sister Wives- Curiosity and love of trashy tv go hand in hand,
The Secret Life of The American Teenager AND
Switched at Birth- Once again the teenager trapped inside of me needs a fix. She is hard to keep quiet when it comes to TV shows.
One Life To Live- Have to support my soap until January when it wraps up on ABC

You know you are a stay at home Mom when...

- You are fascinated by infomercials and may even contemplate purchasing something from one (Someday I will own a Shark Vac Then Steam)

- You make a game out of cleaning the kitchen (the same game that I try to use with the kids)

- The thought of going grocery shopping makes you giddy.

-Your routines have routines.

- Your children are so used to your day to day goings on that any small change makes them uneasy.

- Changes to your tv schedule make you angry.

- Finding new recipes online is the highlight of your day and you are anxious to work them into your meal plan.

-Making a meal plan is like Christmas Day.

Bucket List

So my friend Alana made a bucket list today and did a wonderful job of explaining why she chose what she put on it. It wasn't your average bucket list with kooky things like bungee jumping, or kiss a celebrity. Instead, it was full of touching things she wanted to accomplish for herself and her family and why. So I decided to try my hand out at mine. Many of mine are the same as hers, and many are different.


. Buy a home of our own. 75% of my happy childhood memories involve the home I grew up in. I can still hear the frogs in the pond croaking. I remember climbing the "mountain" in the backyard, and helping my Dad wash the cars in the driveway. The smell of my Dad's special car wax (coconut scented) wafting on the breeze as I rode my bike in the driveway.

. Go back to school and get a job....once Peyton starts kindergarten or first grade (if kindergarten is only half day)

. Renew my vows and have a real reception and a real honeymoon.

. Take a cruise to somewhere exotic, no children.

. Take a family vacation. Rent a cottage on the beach for a week and relax.

. Do something amazing and special for Todd to thank him for all that he does for us.

. Lose some weight. I can't help Krystal stay healthy if I am not healthy myself. And it is about time that I stopped rocking pajamas and bedhead constantly and actually cared about myself.

. Feed my family healthier, homemade meals. This needs no explanation. I need to do some cooking. Not only to ease the burden on Todd, but to be proud of myself too.

Fall, Glorious Fall

Pumpkins, apples, fairs, cool breezes. The best time of the year to have candles burning. Oh, and glorious, tasty, pumpkin flavored beer. I live in my pajama pants as much as possible. How can anything be bad about Fall?

Even the smell is amazing. The smell of crisp, decaying leaves on the ground.

And pumpkin cheesecake. Amazing.

Fall is amazing enough to leave me blogging in jumbled, mixed up, broken sentences.

Thinking Positive and Letting Go

I have a problem with holding a grudge. Usually against Todd and some heinous crime he committed that he didn't really commit, or that he committed but I blew out or proportion because I am really good at that.

Last night he fell asleep on the couch at 9:00. I had been looking forward to spending time with him all day. Since he started working his second job third shift, the time we spend together is minimal. At first I was angry and I yelled at him to just go to bed and yelled more for his feeble protests. After he went to bed, I let go of the anger. He has been working 85 hour weeks, 6 days a week. He gets one full day off a week. That is it. I have been really trying to see things from his perspective instead of my own.

I am really working on being a more understanding wife, a less selfish one. It is really time to stop thinking about myself and to start being a good wife. Our marriage is solid already, good, even great at times. Everything can use some improvement though. Nothing is perfect.

I am letting go of the frustration. I am going to learn how to channel my loneliness into something so that I don't feel so sad. It's time to stop getting upset over things I can't change and focus on the things I can change.

Keys Have Been Found

I found my keys. After cleaning the living room, digging deep in the couch, moving furniture, emptying toy boxes. They were in the diaper bag, which I had cleaned out twice already. Somebody had to have found them and put them in there. I was ecstatic.

On a second happy note (I am on a roll today) Todd went upstairs in the building to wash Peyton's clothes since she didn't have a single clean set of pajamas and came down because there wasn't a single washer available. So I grabbed the laundry and my newly found keys and drove off to the laundromat....without any kids. It was the first time I left the house with no kids in months and months. I can't even remember leaving the house without kids. I got clean clothes for Peyton and I got to read a little. It was a win all the way around.

Today, sadly, is just a regular old Monday. I didn't want to get up this morning. The cat pooped on the floor in FRONT of the newly cleaned litter. I have some DVR'd movies and shows to watch today since it looks like it is going to rain. I love these kinds of fall days. Crisp, cool air, gray skies. Plenty of cleaning to do, as well as plenty of toddler snuggles to give out.

Cake Cake Is Once Again A Favorite

And what exactly is a "Cake Cake" you might ask? Cake Cake is the name my toddler daughter (now 9.5) Krystal named Strawberry Shortcake many years ago. Or maybe it was her friend Carly who did. My memory is a little sketchy at times about certain details, but they both called her Cake Cake and they both had all the heavily scented DVD's, clothes, sheet sets.....anything we could find that had her face on it.

Now Peyton is fascinated with Cake Cake. She has dolls, and Happy Meal Toys. Several episodes saved to the DVR for emergency meltdown situations. She knows when she wants it on too. She hands me the tv remote and in a tiny little voice says "Cake Cake" and really, how can I turn that down? Today she handed me a Strawberry Shortcake sweater that she dragged out her dresser "Cake Cake" she yells, pushing the sweater into my hands. She won't stop until I put it on over her pajamas.

Todd bought her Cake Cake bandages last night and she was mad that I wouldn't plaster her body with them right then and there. I had to hide them on top of the fridge. Krystal gave her a heart shaped pillow with Cake Cake's face on it. I only wish that we still had the giant stuffed one we got Krystal many years ago. That would have been great.

It's The Weekend

Gray Saturday. Cheerleading canceled due to almost half the squad being sick and muddy fields. Husband sleeping peacefully in bedroom after an 85 hour work week. Kids cleaning some. Watching Beverly Hills 90210 on Soapnet. In my pajamas with a messy braid in my hair at 1:41 pm. I would honestly say, if Todd was sitting on the couch with me, this might be a really good day.

I even managed to do some cleaning.

To My Keys

I really, really need to know where you are hiding. Krystal has missed two cheer practices, Joey has a dentist appointment next week. I need to do laundry. Keys are very important. I also can't leave the house for any reason because I couldn't get back in.

Please, give me a sign, let me know where you are. I feel lost without you.

You have been missing since Sunday night. I am going to have to report you missing soon.

Cramming everyone in Todd's focus hatchback is not the fun adventure I try to make it seem. Really it feels a lot like a clown car. Now everyone thinks it is hysterical to see those little cars with all the clowns pouring out. It isn't funny. It couldn't be more impractical. The worst part, I can't even use it to take Krystal to cheer practice and pick her up while he sleeps because it is a manual transmission.

Insert a sigh here.

I went a long time without a car. Years where we only had one and it was at work with Todd. Finally Todd bought me my minivan and life was good (of course after that Todd's car died and I was carless once again until he bought the car he has now).

I never wanted to be there again. Having a vehicle parked outside that I can't use until I find these keys is a cruel joke. Part of me thinks Peyton took my keys and wandered off somewhere with them, and if that's the case I may never find them.

Send me some positive thoughts and channel your energy into my keys please!

Fabulous Friday

Life is good. It really is. Our financial situation grows better every day, and once we move it will be even better. My husband is an AMAZING man. I don't know of any better. He works harder than any person works. He lives off of no sleep. He comes home, tired, with hugs and kisses for the kids and for me. He never leaves without kissing me goodbye.
This morning he brought me home a surprise, Snoopy pajamas. He is always thinking about me.

I am still really looking forward to moving, although I am nervous. There is so much to do before we move and I will have to handle it alone. Packing, cleaning, switching schools, starting the move. Setting everything up once we move. Excited yes, nervous yes, but once we get settled I know we will all be happy there.

Good Things Come To Those Who (Don't) Wait, Right?

We found a great place to rent, in the town I want to spend forever in. The price is beyond right and the school system is where I want my kids to be. The bad news is, I have to break my lease to do it. From what I heard, where we currently live will not renew our lease next year and I am afraid we will not find a place we can afford where we want to live when we need to.

I'm afraid that they will give us a hard time about breaking our lease. I am a big person on keeping to the straight path and doing things the right way. If I were looking for a new place because I wanted to, I would never consider breaking my lease. This place is nicer, safer and cheaper than where we live now. I would, for the first time in my life, have my own laundry room and be able to wash clothes when they need it.

I said we are taking it. I, in good conscience, can not pass an opportunity to better all of our lives as well as our financial situation. Now, how to inform our landlord we are breaking our lease? Hoping they will let us out without problems.

Twosday

Today I am going to share 2 things that I can't do alone that I wish I could (Although I would rather have my kids than be able to do these things)

1. Pee. I have not been able to use the bathroom without someone barging in, picking the lock, sticking fingers under the door or tattling through the door. This drives me nuts sometimes. Nothing like trying to pee while you hear "Mommy, can I have an ice pop?" Really? You couldn't wait the minute it takes me to pee and wash my hands? You also really think I am going to give you an ice pop if you won't allow me to pee alone?

2. Have a phone conversation. Children seem to have some built in sensor that activates "annoying mode" once the phone starts to ring. Suddenly they need to fight each other, beg for snacks, try to sneak outside, fall and hurt themselves, etc. It's almost comedic. Part of me is plotting until Krystal starts needing to talk on the phone to her friends and I will do to her as she has done to me. I am looking forward to this almost TOO much.

Those are my Twosday ramblings. Brought to you by:

Sick Baby and lack of sleep