Scrapbooking Show-N-Tell

My Dealing Myself a Losing Hand
Challenge Cards


I have been working really hard to get caught up on these....

these are my latest creations!!

The 5th card prompt:
Create your card and show or tell what gift you will give yourself when you’ve reached your goal. And…..don’t just give yourself new clothes. You SHOULD get that regardless. Give yourself something REALLY special that will motivate you that much more!

The 6th card prompt:
Scrap one word to describe your journey and use a Monogram for it somewhere on your card. It doesn’t have to be a positive word….it can be HARD. Be honest….this is YOUR album. What you are doing isn’t easy but it’s worth it.

The 7th card prompt:
Use the theme of TIME somehow on your card. Anyway you want. For instance, Shanna used TIME to get Healthy. TIME to get into old clothes again. TIME to get my body back. TIME to improve my self-esteem. TIME for change.

(the clock is at 4:00 to symbolize my 4 children...
so I'll be alive to enjoy them!!)



The 8th card prompt:
Create a card about the scale! Do you use it? Is it your friend or do you hate it? How do you feel about weighing yourself? I personally deny I am gaining weight if I don’t weigh myself. So, to keep myself on track, I weigh myself every Tuesday morning. It is what works best for me and my continued success.


My take on this.....

(anyone who takes this info and uses it against me is in BIG TROUBLE!!)

The 9th card prompt:
Your favorite healthy snack! Some of you are doing Weight Watchers, some are watching calories, and some are following other plans. On this card, you want to highlight a favorite snack or two that you can turn to when you are hungry, low on points, or want to avoid making a bad choice. Thanks for the fun challenge, Roxann! (yep, this one was my idea....)

The 10th card prompt:
What's your favorite comment that you've received about your weight loss?

(And a great big thank you to my online pals, who don't "see" me, but who follow my story and encourage me right along!!! You guys rock!!!!)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last but not least.....

Here is the "new & improved"
(read: not ruined, completely re-done)
after the unfortunate incident....

Baby Meg's Baptism Frame....

Can you believe it took ELEVEN coats of acrylic paint to cover up the hunter green chalk ink fingerprints
on the back of it!!!! ELEVEN COATS OF PAINT!!!!

Interview Me.....

So, here are my "interview" questions from my friend,
Just a Flip Flop Mom....

Thanks for playing along.. here are your questions....

1) What is the one thing you've done as a mom that you said you would never do when you became a mom?

Miss my child's birthday!!!

Albeit, the first time it happened, it couldn't be helped. Ike and I had to fly out to the East Coast when he had a job interview. It was last minute. We canceled his 1st B-day party, dropped the kids w/ Gramma and Grampa and left town. Of course, they had a birthday celebration while we were gone for 3 days, but I felt soooo bad!!


And I'm getting ready to do it again. J's 9th b-day is next month while I am in Kansas City for the CK Convention working. Again, I can't help it. But, I could choose to not go. But, I have to go. For me, I have to go.
Believe me, I'll make it up to him!!!

2) Someone hands you a $1000.. You can ONLY spend it on YOU and no one else.. and NO bills.. what do you get yourself?

Well, anyone that knows me KNOWS that I would not spend this cash for at least 6 months. That's what I do. I get some money for Christmas...and I won't spend it until Summer. I get money for my B-Day in June.....and I won't spend it till Winter. It's just what I do. I get the money and then I think and think and think and think FOREVER what to spend it on.

One thing, for sure, I'd spend at least part if not all of it on scrapbook stuff. (it's just the question of deciding exactly what I would buy!!)

For me, sizeable amounts of money don't come along often. And $1000, wow! I've never had that to spend, ever. So, I don't know how that would change my strategy of deciding how to spend it.

So.....I guess check back with me in 6 months!! :-)

3) In the next 10 years, where do you hope to be?

This time last year....my answer would have been totally different. So, I guess that goes to show that this answer may be void in a year.

But, you said "hope" to be.

So....I'll have to say this.

~I hope to be in Topeka still.

~ I hope that I get brave enough to submit some of my scrapbooking work and maybe I'll be published and making a name for myself.

~ I hope that I am growing as a person a wife and a mother.

~ I hope to be thin and maintaining my weight loss. I hope I am more healthy than I am today.





4) Luke Skywalker or Han Solo??
Geez....you would give me a Star Wars question! My husband (and now all 3 of my boys) are totally and completely addicted to Star Wars and I sometimes just get sick to death of hearing about it!!!!! So ironic!

Anyway, to answer the question......I think I'm gonna have to go with Han Solo. Harrison Ford...mmmm....

5)What is your favorite Girl Scout Cookie? Were you ever a Girl Scout? If so do you have a picture to share on your blog? ( I stretched this question out.. huh?)

Unfortunately, I won't be stretching out the answer!!!!

Well, I am not a Girl Scout addict, but a few years ago I had a friend who's daughter sold them and I ended up with a pile of cookie boxes!!

(and I wonder how I got fat?!?!) Anyway, the cookie I was aDiCtEd to was the Samoas. Oh. My. Goodness.

Chewy, yummy, scruptious GOODNESS!!!! And I don't even like coconut!!! These are fantastic!!!

(dang....now I want one....or a box.........how many Weight Watchers points are these?!?!?! FYI.....I looked it up and it's points

Anyway....I was never a Girl Scout. And I was a Brownie at one time....but the leader was horrible and my mom didn't care for her....so I dropped out after only a few weeks....

And....to the best of my knowledge.....there are no pictures.

(I guess I did stretch it out, didn't I ?!?!)

Ok.. can't wait to hear back!!! Post away!!

Can I interview YOU?!

If so, leave me a comment and I'll send you your 5 questions.....answer them and post them to your blog and post a link here in the comments so I can read them!!!

Official interview me basics:

Leave me a comment saying “interview me.” I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions. If you don’t have a valid email address on your blog, please provide one. you will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Biz's Beat of the Day

Yo! Gabba Gabba Party In My Tummy

It's 4:08am....

.....and I have a stinkin' migraine.
(it's you and me, Kerry)

THIS SUX!!!


So, I've taken some Excedrine Migraine (because if I take my prescription migraine medicine at this hour....I'll be comatose until after noon.....and heaven knows, I need to be up and ALERT to watch the wild pink monkey ~aka Marinne~

and protect my home and my scrapbooking area at 7am, when she will be up!)

So, let's hope it kicks in VERY SOON!!!

In the meantime, some thoughts.....

Number 1 -
WOO HOO! I rocked it again at Weight Watchers!!!

I lost 3.0 pounds this week!
FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF 23.2 POUNDS!!!


Uh HUH! Oh Ya! Uh Huh! OH YA!
(that's a victory chant!)


Number 2 -

I've really been thinking of some things I miss about Savannah.....

~my girl friends!!! (need I say more?!)

~the outlet mall w/ Carters and the bookstore outlet 5 min. from my house

~Houlihan's (right, Tammy?! mmmmm.....creme brulee')

~my log cabin pines that surrounded my house

~the possibility to decide to go to the beach and pack the car, the kids and be on the beach in an hour (I've got all these beach toys I paid to move to Kansas....what the heck was I thinking on that one?!?! I paid to move them to a land-locked state! Idiot!)

~my pediatrician (have I mentioned recently, I luv Dr. Seibert?!)

~my job at Savannah Scrapbooking (could this be so I can replace my ruined cat's eye chalk inks at 25% off?!?!)

~scrappin' with the funnest people on earth

~the marsh (I know it can be stinky, but it is pretty....)

~high and low tide (that always amazed me)

~downtown Savannah

~River Street

~the mild winters (could this be that 12 days ago we were in our pool--which was freezing--and today it's 51 degrees?!?! seriously....can you believe that 51 DEGREES?!?!)


Number 2 ~

Have you seen Yo Gabba Gabba ?

I know a lot of mom's where bashing it when they first started playing the previews....but dang it, I love that show!! My favorite one so far is called Eat. (no, not because I want to....)
It's just so dang cute w/ these catchy little ditties, storytime, dancing (which M loves) and
even some "celeb" visitors.....and since I'm a "secret celeb obsessor" .....I love it!


Well....crap....can't figure out how to post my video.....see next post......


Anyway.....Yo Gabba Gabba is very cool, hip-hop and FUN!!!

Marinne and Griffin LOVE IT!!!! (momma, too!)

And it's got "Biz's Beat of the day..."
(Biz Markie....remember him?! ........ You, you've got what I ne-eeed.
You say he's just a friend, you say he's just a friend......)

**again, see next post for video**
(why can't I figure this out....possibly that it's 5am?!)

And the guy that does the "drawing segment" ....Mark Mothersbaugh....
he's from the 80's group, Devo!

(the 80's girl I am....I MUST SUPPORT YO GABBA GABBA!
I'm glad these people have work again! It sux to have no job!)

I love my daughter, you know I do...but she's gonna be the death of me......

....seriously!


Have you ever had a day like this one?


So, today is payday. I have to pay the bills. Especially the ones that are due Monday. With online bill-pay, there is a one-business day wait to get the bill paid, sometimes more.

So, I sit down w/ the pile of bills, my computer and the checkbook to get the job done. My princess is next to me and wants to draw. I give her some scratch paper and she draws contentedly on it. As time passes, I look at her and instead of drawing on her paper, she's drawn her version of "smiley face" on the middle of my bill book.........
Although, I'm happy she's a genius and can draw a smiley face at just over 2 1/2 years old. I'm still a little upset with her, but not mad. No biggie. I take her pen and tell her to go watch tv with brother while momma finishes the bills.....

(crucial mistake on mommy's part, assuming 2 1/2 year old will watch tv with brother and not get bored and not get into trouble........
I even checked on her and she was watching the show....but alas, she had already colored all over herself, I just couldn't see it because she had her back to me......)



The next thing I know, it's awfully quiet in my house........
this is NEVER A GOOD SIGN!!!!



I go to check on her and find her....covered from head to toe in a mess of hot pink, dark green, pink, red, purple and peanut butter.
Yes, I did say peanut butter.
And she had a poopy diaper to top it all off with.


I immediately put her in the bathtub. Honestly, at this point, I am so used to her doing this kind of thing I almost found it to be humorous and I am sure I would have, if she hadn't had the peanut butter. (this girl will color on the wall, her bed, the floor, the furniture, pretty much wherever she can....any time she gets a marker or pen or pencil or crayon she knows she's not supposed to have!!! The boys would do this, but after once doing it and being disciplined, they pretty much didn't do it. But Marinne, no Marinne just keeps on going.......)


When I found her with the peanut butter, I was very upset. Good luck getting that grease out of the carpet!
(and I'm sure you are asking how she got the peanut butter, well...her brothers had eaten it on toast for breakfast and left it out when they went to school. And somehow, I had not noticed it. Don't ask me how I didn't. And they left the lid off with a butter knife in it.)


Immediately after the bath, I fed M and G lunch. And Big Daddy came home to eat lunch. He say Marinne's stained belly and said, "Well, I see she's been busy today!"


Well, the more I thought about it....the only marker she had was red.....and now we have all these "unaccounted for" colors on her body.


And all of a sudden it hit me.......MY SCRAPBOOK DESK!!!!

OH, CRAP!!!!!


So, I ran downstairs and found the BIGGEST MESS!!


Big daddy came downstairs when I screamed. I was so furious and upset and furious and upset!!! I know she's only 2 and I know I wasn't watching her as closely as I should have....but she KNOWS she is not allowed to be in my scrapbook area. She knows she's not allowed!


I literally laid on the couch downstairs and sobbed.

Sobbed for the mistake I had made.

Sobbed for not watching better.

Thankful she didn't get hurt.

Sobbed for the products I love, now ruined.

Sobbed for the things I love, wasted.

Sobbed for all my hard work, destroyed.

Sobbed for the HUGE mess to clean up.

Sobbed for a reallllllly bad day.


Big Daddy really tried to comfort me. He was very sweet.
Then, he started cleaning up for me.
(therefore, I didn't get a good picture of some of the mess....)


******************

So, here's the best I can piece together what she did.....


#1- TRASHED this brand new Stampin' Up! stamp.

(so very.......devastating!!!)



#2 - RUINED my beloved Color Box cat's eye chalk ink.

Hunter green shown here.....this is the ink that was ALL OVER her body!!!!! Apparently, when she pulled it apart....she just got it EVERYWHERE!!!!!

.....I later found Warm Red and Pink, ruined as well!!


As bad as that is, that was not the worst part....

The worst part is #3- She RUINED the 3 1/2 hours of work, I had done on this custom altered frame for a client. I was only lacking a ribbon, a stamped word and gluing some pearls on it. It was seriously almost done, now completely ruined....

The entire thing would need to be completely re-done, including being repainted to cover the pink and green fingerprints all over it!!! Argh!!! (It took 5 coats to cover it!)


Along the way, she found this scrapbooking marker that belongs to Logan. (Thank goodness, because Logan's marker is water-based, if it had been mine, it would be archival.)


After finding it, she colored on the ceramic tile, the grout, the carpet and eventually, all over her self, including both hands!!!!!


How do I know this, you ask?!


Because I found THESEhot pink handprints all the way up the stairs!!!!


Each stair had at least one, sometimes 2 handprints on each stair. That's 12 stairs x 1 or 2 hand prints = 15 hand prints!!

(It took me an 1 1/2 hours on my hands and knees, scrubbing these little hand prints off each and every stair!)


Big Daddy pointed out to me that it looked kinda artsy, with all the pink handprints everywhere. Kinda like a hot pink Monkey went nuts in our house. (well, someone was going nuts...and I think it was ME!!!!)



Here are the pics from the Purple embossing powder mess........my scrapbook table w/ all the purple powder that was stuck into adhesive residue and wouldn't vacuum up.


My kick booty Dyson, which my darling hubby used to suck up my BRAND NEW jar of embossing powder that was everywhere!

----------->
Super THANKFUL to have this Dyson!!

Check out what it sucked up off the table, my chair and the carpet!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, she eventually made her way upstairs....leaving the HOT PINK MONKEY HAND PRINTS behind.......and went to the kitchen......

<--------and
found this!

<------See the green
ink on the counter!!!

She took this peanut butter and the knife and went to this Princess chair.....

(see the peanut butter and ink stains!)

....and she began to smear peanut butter down her legs and on her feet.


What in the world would possess a child to do this!?!?!?!


Here is where the peanut butter go into the carpet.....it still has a stained look to me......but we won't be replacing it.
This carpet is ONLY 7 MONTHS OLD!!!!!


And while I did clean up, I had put Marinne to bed for her nap. She knew she was in trouble....and she cried herself to sleep. That's why she's all sweaty!


Then, when I went back upstairs when I was finished I found these Diet Coke's from our lunch. One was mine, one was Big Daddy's. Both were full.

It probably sounds dumb, but these Diet Coke's reminded me....I am not alone. Although, I do spend a lot of time alone (meaning without adult interaction.) But, I am not alone. I need to always remember that I am lucky to have a partner by my side. Trying to comfort me. {hugs} Trying to cheer me up. {pink monkey} Helping me pick up the pieces. {read: vacuuming up a million tiny pieces of powder} But most of all, being sensitive to what happened and not lecturing me for not watching her more closely. I am lucky.

CAN YOU BELIEVE SHE DID ALL THIS IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES!?!?!?!?

3 cat's eye chalk inks $5.97

1 jar of Ranger eggplant embossing powder $4.99

1 frame, 3 papers, lots of ribbons, paint, adhesive $10.65

Stampin' Up! Stamp set $15.00

Cleaners for carpet, table $7.99

Entire box of Baby Wipes to get ink off stairs $4.97

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser $2.99

Previously purchased Dyson Vacuum $499.00

This entire experience........PRICELESS!

Momma! I miss a bus!!


Every single morning this little Angel "misses" the bus. It's so innocent and somewhat pitiful. I feel so bad for her. She wants to go to school so badly.


When her 2 big brothers go out to the bus stop in front of our house, she watches them from the door or window. And when they get on the bus and begin to drive away,
she turns and says, "Oh, NO! Momma! I miss a bus!!!!"

And, she's so serious. At first it was hard not to laugh, but now, well now it's just sad.

WARNING: If you are MALE, you should skip this post!!! You've been WARNED!!!!

Seriously, here is your TMI warning......








So, I debated on whether or not to blog this. It's not like it's that offensive or that bad. But, I was worried it might be over the top for my blog. So, when I called one friend, she just laughed with me (which I expected) and laughed when I said I was thinking of blogging it. And when I talked to another good friend, she laughed her butt off. I told her I was thinking of blogging it, but was worried it might be too "over the top" for my blog and she said, "Really? Haven't you already taken your blog over the top?!!!"


HA HA HA!!! Point Taken!!

(Thanks for the encouragement.......I don't even know why I was worried.)




I guess because the subject is so taboo. But, really, isn't poop a taboo subject? And we already covered that one...... And honestly, I think it's dumb that nobody talks about it. That's why I have to ask dumb questions at the age of 38. If we did talk about it, then I'd know already. I mean, really, don't all women under the age of 55-60 (with a few exceptions) have to deal with these things every single month?!


As far as my pre-pubescent information, I only really knew what I had to know. Although I don't remember the exact moment my mom told me about my upcoming period, I'm sure she did. (And in an interesting turn of fate, I got my first period just after I turned 12, in the summer, while visiting my grandparents for 2 weeks and yes, I was wearing WHITE SHORTS. Yes, seriously.And then, my Grandma took me to the store, gave me $5 and told me to buy what I needed. Umm.....talk about overwhelming.....)

**ok....stop laughing at me**


And there was "the movie" at school. (which my son just had in May for the end of the 5th grade year - and for the record, yesterday, the pediatrician tells me he's in the 2nd phase of puberty.....EEEEEK! He's only 11!!)


And lastly, some of my "pre-puberty" comfort/information came from The book by Judy Blume. Didn't we all just about stalk the elementary
school librarian, just waiting for someone to return this book, so we could check it out?!?! I know I did. Whose with me here?!?!?! Ha ha ha!


So, here we go.....


Many of my close friends already know that I don't do tampons.


I have never been properly taught about them. Meaning, my mom was always so afraid of getting the Toxic Shock Syndrome that she never used them, so therefore, I never used them. I never even really knew much about them.....because of "the fear" of the TSS. Now, I'm not trying to downplay the fact that there was a large number of women who got TSS and became very ill and died in the early 1980's. It happened and it was serious and it scared a lot of women. And this is what fueled my mother's very realistic fears.


From what I understand, this TSS that my mom worried about then, is very rare now. And you can reduce your chances of having a problem by following the safety rules of tampon usage. You can find those here..........


And did you know that only 50% of TSS cases are actually related to menstruating women? I found this very interesting. I thought it was 100% limited to menstruating women. But, that is not so. Read here.


So, even with all that information aside, I have been extremely reluctant over the years to embrace the tampon. Part of it was lack of the knowledge of "exactly" how to use it. Part of it was fear. Part of it was due to a bad first experience. More on that last one in a minute...


When I went to college, I lived in a dorm. And so many of my dorm mates were completely surprised that I had not ever used a tampon. And, of course, I was so naive, I even thought using a tampon had something to do with whether or not you have had sex. How dumb is that?! But, I never admitted that out loud, because I didn't want to embarrass myself or offend anyone. So, because I was a virgin, I had no interest in learning about tampons. I even believed I couldn't use them for that reason. Like I said, I was very naive.


Eventually, when I was a Sophomore in College, I was engaged to a very intelligent guy from a very open family. He couldn't believe that I had never used a tampon. And because I was still a virgin, I didn't feel it was a possibility. And when I confessed to him my belief that tampon usage was related to chastity, he couldn't believe it. So, one time when he went to the store, he picked up a box of the most expensive tampons for me. (I know, it seems weird, but we were very close and as much as my period was a pain in my rear, he was only trying to make things better for me.) Anyway, with my new tampons and some encouragement from him.....I decided to try them one night while he was at night class and I was studying at his apartment alone.

So, after I intensely studied the instructions from the box, I gathered every ounce of courage I had and I tried to "use" the tampon. Not having any experience or practical knowledge, I emerged from the bathroom and I was surprised how "uncomfortable" it was. But, I had just defiled myself (in my eyes) and had no idea what to expect. So, I figure I must be just freaking out and go downstairs to study. Within minutes, I was in pain. Not shooting pain, but the kind of pain that you just know something is not right. I decide I just need to calm down. I try to sit on the couch. It hurts. I try to sit on the bed. It hurts. I am panicking. I'm sweating. And I don't know what to do. I decide to try to ignore it. I must just be acting like a big baby about this whole thing. But, no matter where I try to sit, I hurt. Finally, desperate,
I call a close friend who lives 3 hours away, but a girl older than me and a girl I trust. I am bawling by now. Once she calms me down to stop crying,
I explain my dilemma. Missy explains to me that the tampon is not "in" all the way and that I need to push it up.

And I reply, "With what?!"

Missy says, "With your finger, of course." I FREAK OUT. Remember, I am extremely naive and I had no intention of doing that.

So, I tell her, "That's it, I'm taking it out."

To which, Missy replies, "How long has it been in?"

And I say, "About 30 minutes. Why?"

Missy says, "Well, you can try, but it's going to be hard to do it and
it's really going to hurt."

And I start to sob again. "But, how can it hurt more than it already does?"

Missy says, "Trust me, it can. Try to wait a while longer before you take it out. But, I'd try to push it in first so it will stop hurting until you can take it out."

So, with a quick thank you, I hang up the phone and head to the bathroom.

I decide that I am through with this tampon and that sucker is coming out.

So, gathering as much or more courage than it took to place it.....I grab the string and try to gently remove it. I'm so scared, I'm already bawling my eyeballs out. OH. MY. HELL. It felt like I was trying to rip the insides of me out!!! Missy was right, it was torture. But now, it REALLY hurt, because I had moved it and it had moved into an even worse position.

So, there was really no choice, I had to attempt to get it in it's correct position. So, I try to stop bawling long enough to "get the job done," but I can't seem to control my sobbing. So, shaking like a leaf, I tried to remedy the problem. But, I'm still a little too conservative with my attempt to fix the problem. And it's still clear to me that something is still not right.

So, I cry and cry and wait another 1 1/2 hours (the recommended time Missy said to wait before trying to remove it again) and head to the bathroom. To my surprise, this time the experience is without as much drama as before. But, the emotional damage was done.

When my fiance' made it home, he took one look at my red, puffy eyes and he knew things had not gone well. I immediately started bawling again and he comforted me. But I had no interest in touching that box of tampons again. And I didn't for many, many years.

(Yes, more proof I have always been a drama queen!!)


So, aside from a Memorial Day celebration, when I was at a cabin on the river with a boyfriend and his friends (that I didn't know) and I unexpectedly found myself in need of a feminine product before we floated the river. It was only our second date and sometimes you just have to do what you have to do! So, I found a girl who had a tampon and...well, really, what choice did I have?!


But, aside from that, I have not really used a tampon in many, many years.
I just had NO interest in them anymore.


Until.....we moved to Kansas and I have a nice pool in my backyard and 4 children who would like nothing more than to spend every single summer day in our swimming pool.


And when Logan's birthday swimming party landed during my "time," I had a choice to make. Skip swimming with my child at his party or suck it up and do the tampon thing.


So, the choice was actually easy.

I was going to use a tampon. Although the decision was not without the challenges of the neurotic issues I have regarding the use of tampons.


I didn't even have to go to the store to get them, yep, I already had this
box of tampons. I know this must surprise you. But, I keep this box for my friends. Ya know, if you come over to my house and need a tampon, I can give you one, rather than a gigantic pad. (Can you see how the box is crunched? Well, that is because this box has traveled from Oklahoma to Georgia to Kansas and I have had this box for over 5 years!!!
And it's only missing 10 tampons total!!!)And while we are taking a closer look at the box, here is that dreaded
Toxic Shock Syndrome warning we were talking about!!So, everything was successful for Logan's party, but after that, I just avoided the swimming pool during those times. Isn't that dumb?




Since having our children, I have found myself faced with cycles that are extremely difficult to deal with. And after dealing with this for several years and the problem seeming to be worse, I brought the subject up to my ObGyn. He actually suggested a minor surgical procedure that would eliminate the problem. But, quite frankly, that scares the crap out of me.


So, each month, I wear the ginormous pads and deal with it. I attempt to not make plans for the first day or two of my expected cycle, because I know those days will be horrid. I also know there is a better than 98% chance
that I will have an accident because of my awful cycles!


So, this morning, I am laying on the couch watching M and G playing with the pretend food and dishes. And by the time I can "feel" what's happening, there is already a spot the size of a baseball on my brand new couch. I WAS FURIOUS!!!! I am so stinkin' sick and tired of this, every single month.

So, I quickly ran to the bathroom to remedy the situation. I was so angry. I impulsively dug out the crushed box of tampons and grabbed one from the box. And before I knew it, I was wearing a tampon. And in my fury, I realized that if you get it in correctly (read: in far enough) than you really CAN NOT FEEL IT!!


And all of a sudden, after 2 decades, I understand how it works.


I feel like I have conquered something really big. And I accomplished wearing several more today and I feel like a free woman! It's my second day of my period and I can do whatever I want. I'm not afraid to go out of my house. It's a blissful feeling to not have to worry about anything. (especially the embarrassment of bleeding all over my clothing while out in public!)

(well, except I have to confess that now that I've had several tampons in my body in the past 24 hours, I am trying not to obsess about that darn TSS!!!! But, I am obsessing just a little bit........)


The one thing I can't quite grasp, is how in the world do you know when to change it? I mean, really?! How do you KNOW?! (which is why I called my friend this morning! Yes, the friend who laughed. It's ok, I expect her to laugh.....) A tampon is not like a turkey, when it's ready to come out, the little timer pops out! I mean, it's not like you can "check it" and put it back if it needs more time. Maybe I'll have to work on inventing the first tampon with a pop-out timer that smacks you in the leg when it needs to be changed and I'll become rich and famous. (shut up)


So, now I am interested in what I've been missing all these years.....

....the "retro" tampons I used are Playtex brand. I like them fine.


But, I recently received this sample of Tampax Pearls in the mail...So, I tried them out, too.


And since it's my "heavy" day, I decided that I'd try the Super one.

Holy Moly, I felt like a stuffed turkey!
I don't think I'll be doing that again any time soon!!!!

But, the regular size....well, I liked them a lot.
(gosh, why does that sounds so dirty?!?)


So, after all this new enlightenment to tampons, I want to use "the best." So, in my research I found some things I'd like to share with you. Now, mind you, this research is in the school of public opinion, so I spent some time on my favorite message board reading what the most opinionated group of women I know have to say on the subject of brands. After all my reading, I was no closer to figuring out which was the "best" tampon. Why? Because every person seems to have a different opinion. And it depends on who you choose to listen to. Feel free to comment which brand is your favorite and why!!!!


So, I have determined, the "best" one will be the one that works
BEST FOR ME. I'll let you know when I figure it out.


Have you ever seen the OB Tampons? It totally cracks me up how the OB Tampons look like little bullets. Well, ever since I received these samples and the cute little carrying case (they sent me the blue one).... ....I've been wanting to try them out. But, again, I couldn't bring myself to do it. I mean, really, NO APPLICATOR?!?! NONE!! But, maybe I'll get brave... tomorrow.


***edited to add*** Well, it's official, the OB's fate is a couple of ghosts or a bullet for the tampon shooter! I tried it. I hated it. Never got it to where it was going....if you know what I mean. As Jamie would say, "The Flamingo never made it to the hoo-ha!" Therefore, it basically fell out. And that, well that was not fun. I'm done with those! But, for those who love the OB brand, well, they love them. But, my opinion is NO. Mark my words, I will never do that again!** finished edit**

Now, the OB case got me started thinking that there must be other cases to keep my beloved new tampons from getting crushed in my purse. (and if you've seen the inside of my purse, you'd understand why I have this concern!! I keep everything in there.....)


And these are a few tampon cases I've found....


A case for the "classy" girl.....(looks like an eyeglasses case to me)



A case for the "crafty" girl.....(I really love the banana....isn't it cute?! But I'm not sure what the pink
one is....unless it's just a tampon "cozy"....)



A case for the "funny" girl........

(It comes with the handy/dandy cycle chart, too! Bonus!)



Which one is your favorite??




And, if this whole tampon thing doesn't work out.....
here are some ideas for what I can do with the leftovers.....


With Halloween just around the corner, this is PERFECT.......

....I can make a ton of these cute tampon ghosts and hang them from the tree in front of my house! Who could resist these cuties?!!


Or, I could paint them brown....and let Griffin haul "logs" with this truck....

(thank goodness he didn't see me taking this picture....)

And my husband and boys would love it if I gave them the
OB bullets and let them build this "tampon shooter!"

Nice ammo!!!



Another thing I found......

And, I found this bumper sticker hilarious!! I mean, really, don't we all feel this way during our "time of the month?!?" I know I do!!! PMS sucks!





And just for the record:

~No tampons were hurt in the preparation of this blog-post.

~NEVER, EVER Google tampon on Google Images.
Trust me on this one....someone pass the eye bleach!!

~My hoo haw is still wondering what's going on down there!
(sorry, TMI, but I mean really, does it matter at this point?!)

~Ha Ha! Big Daddy was actually impressed I used the tampons! Yea, me!
(yes, we tell each other everything!)



Last, but not least.....I have gathered links so you can get some free tampons!!! Here are links for you to get some free samples....Click on the cutey OB cases to get a free sample and cutey carry case!!

Click on the Playtex box for a free sample!!

Click on the Tampax Pearl box to get a free sample!!

WEIGHT WATCHERS UPDATE......

Well, I forgot to post it.....


...but this week I lost 2.8 lbs!!


This brings me up to a total weight loss

of 20.2 POUNDS!!!!


(and I am less than 7lbs. from my 10% goal!)

So, my Dad gave me my Mom's scrapbooks.....

...these tragic beauties are my mom's scrapbooks. They start when she is in Junior High and go until after High School Graduation and when she went into the Air Force. (basically, she had to...more on that later....)

See....she was scrappin' back in the mid to late 50's and early 60's......pretty cool!!


I totally cracked up when I saw this.....

I found this to be hilarious! I used to do stuff like this in Junior High!!! Jamie just had a post about her old scrapbook like a few weeks ago!! So, check this out Jamie!!!

I love it that it's all her friends!!!! Really, how cool is this?!

(and how sad is it that the tape is all messed up, yellowed and not holding half of this down.........COMPLETE AND TOTAL PROOF OF WHY I SCRAPBOOK USING 100% ARCHIVAL SAFE PRODUCTS!!!!!!!!)



So, this is how I found out that my mom had appendicitis and had her appendix removed while in high school. I had no idea.......

Don't ya just love all these "retro" cards?!?!


And check this out.....my mom used to read horoscopes! Hilarious!!! Anyone have Oct. 9 as their b-day? If so, this is for you.......

I just find this so hilarious, because when I was growing up, horoscopes were regarded as a waste of time to my mother...... Just a "they are a bunch of bull" feeling, not a I used to read my horoscope and they are never accurate.... Know what I mean?


And the big shocker found in the Senior Year Scrapbook..............

My mom's Senior report card.

Believe you me, I've NEVER seen this before!

And I was SHOCKED!!!! My mom is a very intelligent woman, who was very successful in EVERYTHING she ever did. She is really smart. And I was so surprised to see these kinds of grades from her. For goodness sake, she has an "F" and a bunch of "D's" on this thing!!

If my brother and I even attempted that, we'd be dead!

I can only assume that the reason for this is two-fold.

Number 1 - boys. I can tell by the scrapbook, that my mom had a bunch of boyfriends taking her out. (She saved about 20 Dairy Queen napkins from her dates....with the name of the boy she went out with in the scrapbook!)

And she had at least one serious boyfriend, named Denny. He's all over the scrapbook for many pages! And his is one of the very few pics in the book.
(and the reason for this is because I know there was NO WAY my mother owned a camera...there was no way they could have afforded it...)

Reason #2 - I can only assume these grades were due to how difficult things were for my mother. She really had a hard life. And I promise to blog about that soon.


I thought these things were cool......

(article from the local paper in Minnesota. And I believe Marsha was her best friend.) My mom's notes on the page......

(proof of why JOURNALING is SO IMPORTANT!!!!)



And, my mom's orders for the Air Force.......it's looks like jibberish to me, but going into the Air Force changed her life forever.

(the woman saved everything.....good grief, this is a sugar packet, a toothpick and her plane ticket for her ride from Minnesota to Texas for basic training.)


So, the reason my mom had to go into the Air Force....

Well, when my mom graduated from high school, she had dreams of going to college. The dream of college by a girl of her background was like the holy grail. (and back then, even with those grades....you could still easily get into college....)

So, my mom went to work the Summer after Graduation at a resort in Minnesota called Esslinger's Resort. (I tried to find some information about this...but, alas, I think it is either out of business now or at least going by another name.) She worked as a maid, cleaning rooms and doing the laundry. At the end of each week when she received her paycheck, she sent it home to her mother for saving.

Well, apparently, my grandma was an alcoholic and when my mother returned home at the end of the summer, there was no money left for my mother to go to college. Isn't that horrible? (obviously, I knew none of this until I was an adult. My grandma was actually killed in a hospital negligence accident in December of 1978......but until then, I had enjoyed a close relationship, albeit a long-distance relationship, with her and my mother spoke only of the positive things of my grandma.)

So, my mom had a choice to make. And I'm not exactly sure how or why, but the decision was made for her to join the Air Force. I think it may have had to do with the fact her friend Marsha was going, but I am not sure about this. Either way, it was obvious she needed to have something to do with her life after basically being betrayed by her mother. Although, I never really got that she felt that way, even though, that's basically what happened. It's really such a sad, sad story.


And that's just a small part of the entire story.....

Frustrated with Blogger.....

AAARRGGGHHHH!!!!!!


Recently, I've been having a lot of trouble w/ posting on blogger. In fact, it's really hacking me off and wasting a lot of my time.
(which I really don't appreciate!!!!)


So, tell me about your blog host.....

...are you using blogger and having trouble, too?

....who do you use and do you like them? why or why not?

....who is supposed to be the easiest host?


I am seriously so over blogger, but change scares the crap out of me.......but, I'll think about it!