Going completely.....

....Cellular!!



So, look for our land line (home phone)

to be disconnected sometime this weekend.


If you don't have my cell number....
then email me at
stampinrox@gmail.com

and I'll email it to you!

Keep in Touch!!!

(oh, and if you have Verizon....
let me know and I'll update you to the list of
"In Network" friends,
AND call me from your cell phone,
because we can talk "in network" for free!)

List of "In Network" Friends:
Tammy
Mandy (do you still have Verizon?)

The "Mom" Song

This is truly hilarious!! This woman is a genius...I can't believe she can do this!

(and I think she must actually talk more than ME!!!)

You MUST watch this if you're a MOM!!!

sorry, my friend, but I just had to blog it.....

....someone I know is considering getting a breast enlargement. (no smartie pants readers, it's not me... I have to lose a 100lbs first! And then, seriously, I don't need an enlargement. I just need a lift so I can have some good lookin' melons, like I used to have,

instead of these darn fruit rollups
8 pregnancies and breastfeeding 4 kids
has left me with!!!!!)


Anyway, since she's been thinking about it, she actually took the next step and went to see a doctor about it.


They explained to her about the sizing (which surprisingly is not in cups...such as adding a tiny cup worth or my cup runneth over...just kidding....A, B, C or D size...) They measure them in cc's. Which, if you think about it makes sense...you know a medical procedure and all. But, seriously, what does a cc correlate to? I have no idea... Does anybody that's not in the medical field know?

What she learned is the smallest size implant they even make is well, pretty sizable! :-P


Well, already this causes alarm in her because she has a smaller frame and only wants to add a little, not a lot. Ok, she wants to actually feel like she has "something."


So, they give her this "special bra" with the smallest sized boobies to try on.

***now, this is where I'd love to post her pics that they took, to ask for your honest opinions....but she would KILL ME!! So, I will refrain, unless she gives her blessing***
::hint, hint!! wink, wink!!:: ;-)

From the front, it looks nice. Different, but nice. But, she is seriously scared when she turns to the side. I mean, how does a woman of our age who has never had any sizeable boobies react to going thru puberty now. Well, just like any 14 year old...it is a shocking sight to see. And she is quickly overwhelmed by what she sees.
Oh. My. Gosh.
But, can you really blame her??


Maybe, she should consider re-reading this....
It might make her feel better....


You know, I have often joked about this as a "goal" for me when I lose my weight. And yes, I would love my boobies to come back up where they belong. (again, if you have to roll those babies up to get them in your bra....that's not really a good thing....) But, honestly, I don't know if I would ever actually do it. I mean, seriously, I even hate IV's and wouldn't I have to do that? Ummm...yep, I would.
So, I just don't know I'd go thru with it.


And, anytime you have surgery, there are risks.
Here are a list of 48 reasons not to get a boob job
that I found. (It does contain lightly censored nudity. After all, we are talking about boobs, here...)
**and I swear, they are looking at me!!!***
Do not read this, my thinking about surgery friend,
unless you are willing to be freaked out.


But, most surgeries come with benefits, as well. Or they wouldn't bother to do them. Some surgeries give you life. Some surgeries give you a second chance at life. Some surgeries give you the chance to have a different life. And breast augmentation surgery is one of those. It gives you the opportunity to live your life and feel different. Feel better about yourself. Gain some confidence. Feel womanly.
(no...I'm not saying that your boobs determine how much of a woman you are....I'm just saying that society causes us to judge ourselves so harshly. Trying always to fit in. To meet the insane standards put out there in the media.)


But the question is, do the benefits outweigh the risks?
I don't know.....


So, in the interest of being a good friend....
I'm doing research. Starting with you, my internet buddies...

Have you ever had a breast enhancing procedure done?
Were you happy with the results? Did you regret it?
Really....how painful was it?
How long did it take you to recover?
If you had it all to do over again, would you?
Do you know someone who has done this?
What was their experience?


Seriously, everyone tell me what you think.....

Anyone who wishes to respond privately, then I email it to me at stampinrox@gmail.com and I will repost it for you anonymously.......

(stacy....maybe with your job you could give us all some interesting and informative insight....)




On with the research.........


Next, I hit the internet.
I found this article on CNN.com and I thought it was
well-rounded and reliable (from Mayo Clinic.)


Obviously there is a lot of info, of every opinion on this subject. I guess the important thing is....to consider the source and only choose reliable sources of information.
Everything else...should be taken with "a grain of salt."

Oh, and beware, there are some frightening pics and info out there.....just remember to weigh both sides and
decide what is right for you......
...nobody can tell you what's right for YOU.
Only YOU can make that choice.....




After hearing those cons, it makes me want to check out
other options rather than surgery.....



Now, if you want to consider less "invasive" methods of
ENHANCEMENT....here are some recommendations of what you might want to try:


First, our "pre-teen" 1980's boobie exercises:

**endorsed in the movie Grease by Marty...

**also by Margaret (see book above)...

...so this must help, right?!

(Well, if not.....doing a billion breast exercises in front of the mirror while flapping your arms and flexing your chest walls has got to be considered as an exercise that raises your heart rate and does something for your body, right?!)

Ok, fine....naysayers.....try these:


The "super-duper push-up bra"
officially known at JCP as
Flirtitude Racerback Push-UP BraObviously, this bra has some major "push-up" power to it.
First, racer back, automatically "lifts the girls up" because of the angles that it is cut in. And it's only $15!

Then, this bra has "push up padding" to take what
you've got and "bring it to the forefront!!"

Can you say CLEAVAGE, BABY?!?!

I have some similar bras and they work wonders!




The other options I found....I am in love with this companies' cute and clever marketing ideas!
(and apparently Oprah likes their undies!)


The company makes 2 different breast enhancing products with super cute names....

The first is "Takeouts," (get it?) which are silicone bra inserts that will add a full cup size with out permanent commitment. (this is exactly what I was talking to you about, MY FRIEND, that you should get and wear them around all the time for at least a month...to see how you like the "look" of bigger boobs.) But, you'd have to be committed to the project, wearing them all the time. You won't be able to remove your inplants...ya know! (even sleep in them....it's different to sleep w/ boobs, especially if you are a stomach sleeper.)


The second is "Cleavage Cupcakes."
This is the description from their website:

What is the difference between takeouts and cleavage cupcakes?

Takeouts, our first product, are a bit softer and allow for a variety of useful placements within the bra/bathing suit (below for push up, on the sides for cleavage or just over for volume). Cupcakes are all about PUSH UP POWER, and generally are put below the breasts for oomph! Both are made of medical grade silicone and are great at what they do, with cupcakes feeling noticeably firmer and takeouts a bit closer to real breast cushiness.

Either way, I think either of those products could help you decide if you like the "look" before you take the "next big step!"

And, if she wouldn't kill me.....

I'd buy her this, just because I think it's funny!

Finally.....

~~sorry it took me so long to get it together.......
Stacy's prize includes:

*Provo Craft wood "S" (for "Stacy" of course!)

* Fancy Pants 8x8 chipboard shapes

*Making Memories Beach Velvet Sayings

*KI Memories Icicles Flower Bubble Frames

* 2 Making Memories Beads: white and sea

*4 bead board flowers

*ribbon menagerie


Some closeups:

I hope you enjoy it, Stacy!

checkin' in....

Ok....I owe Stacy a picture of her prize and I promise to do that later.....
I have to go to the doctor first....time for a checkup! Blah!

Thanks everybody for your sweet messages.


I hope everybody has a good day!! :-)



rw

Visitor's Time		Oct 2 2007 9:19:37 pm
Visit Number		5,001

After all the waiting....

After all the teasing....

After all the anticipation.....


WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO STACY!


I'll be taking a pic of your prize....and posting it tomorrow.
In the meantime....email me your mailing address....

#5000 was

my sucky husband, who was trying to be funny....getting spot #5000

(the thing is.....he didn't read the rules and leave a comment....)

And he made me mad to boot for doing that.....
(and he even had his own ideas on what his prize should be.....NOT!)

#4999 checked in at 7:38:05 Central time

Visitor's Time		Oct 2 2007 8:38:05 pm
Visit Number		4,999

I've realized 3 diet related things today...

....sometimes the scale is your friend (or else it's gone nuts and isn't working...) I'm finally seeing a little bit of progress again even though I was stress eating like a crazy person. I ate, but only WW foods and tried to stay within my points while doing it. But, it wasn't like it was well-planned or anything.

....my windsuit shorts that used to be TIGHT are quite comfy and loose.

....I'm sitting outside on the sidewalk watching my kids and my butt hurts.... (less padding? -- although I still have a long way to go!)

Have you ever felt like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders?

....when something is troubling you, but you can't talk about it?
Because it's just too personal.
Because it's just too scary.
Just because...


Well, that's where I am.


I'm in hell.


Don't worry, I'll be fine. I just have to get thru this.
And within a few months, things should be better.

Don't ask me to tell you what it is, because I can't.

Just pray for me.
Send me your good thoughts.
Just think about me and be around for me when you can.

I'll probably never tell anyone what it is.
Because later, it will be irrelevant.

But for now,
it's weighing me down.

Poor Logan....

I'll have to add the picture later
(after he gets home from school and I take it...shut up...
I can't be perfect all the time....after all I drug Logan a 2 yr. old and a 4 yr. old with me to the ortho doctor yesterday. Talk about fun!!!
I forgot the camera.....but at least I didn't forget a kid!)


Anyway, the deal is.....Logan got his cast.
He has what is called a "greenstick" fracture.
It's not a clean break, more like a bone boo-boo.

It's got a 6% curve on it and the casting will help straighten that up.
They had to really work on getting the cast the "direction" they wanted it, which was quite painful for Logan. (read: mash on the cast and Logan's arm under it to get the cast to mold in the direction to straighten the bone up.)

I felt really bad for him....
....but wait until he finds out they are gonna saw that sucker off
and he's really gonna freak!

Anyway, his cast is "North Carolina" Tar Heel blue.(what the heck is a tar heel, anyway.....)
(I didn't even know what he was talking about, but obviously a sports injury
specialist....and everything in the office is about sports... But we got
along just great....his son just graduated from University of Georgia!)

Anyway, it's a pretty nice shade of blue....
And it better be cause it cost enough....
And we have to look at it for a whole month!


So, we'll had back to the doctor in 4 weeks, when they will remove the cast and x-ray
it again to determine if he gets re-casted or if he's good as new!

contest

Ok....just to clarify.....

The sitemeter does not track comments....it tracks "VISITS" to my blog.

In other words, if you visit my blog...
it assigns you a number.
The next person gets the next number, etc.


So, the contest winner will be VISITOR number 5000.

I'll go to my sitemeter and it will show me who this person is.....
or rather it will tell me where this person lives...
and I'll go back and match the time codes with the comments.
(because remember this person must leave a comment to win!)


I can tell you were are less that 100 visitors away from a winner.
(meaning we could be at 4901 or 4999....I can't tell you!)

I can predict that I assume this 5000th visitor should happen this week.
(remember, I originally predicted it could be by the end of Sept. and today is Oct. 1st - so I was a little off....but not by much.........)

So, remember when you visit...comment!


(geez.......I really tried to make this contest non-complicated......but it doesn't seem it!)



Now, I'm off to feed the kids lunch and pick up Logan to take him to the orthopedic doctor to see about his broken arm...... Check with you all later!!

Blog Contest Update....

I previously announced a contest on my blog.
The info on the CONTEST is here!!
(you know...the rules and stuff...)


So, I can't tell you what number we are on....but I can tell you that I am fairly certain it should happen this week!!!!!

Someone will win some cool stuff....
BEST OF LUCK!!

As I expected...

I gained 1.6lbs this week. I paid for what I ate. It sucked.

Now....I start over again.

Another Bad Day.....

The boys started the day by missing the bus. Since Logan has a broken arm, he's moving slow. He was almost to the bus when the driver shut the door and went on anyway. JERK!!!! Now Jensen, he honestly missed the bus. When the bus driver left Logan.....Jensen was still looking for his shoes. And because the kids came in thru the garage last night with their dad, Jensen left his shoes in the garage. He couldn't find them when it was time to go. He was so frantic, he started crying and ran into the wall while running and busted his lip open. By mid-morning, it was clear I was gonna have to call my in-laws to see if they could babysit. Ike has a work function we need to go to. Our normal babysitter and our backup (my neighbor) are both busy. So, we are out of luck......so I called and asked them to come up. And after some thinking....they decided to.


Well, great....now I have to clean my house!


So, I've been frantically working on that today.....


And while I was doing laundry, Marinne and Griff had followed me downstairs. Marinne went into her older brothers room and fed the turtle....
THE ENTIRE CAN OF TURTLE FOOD!!!!!!!


Well, #@&#*PICKLES@&#&*!!!!!!


Then, when the big boys finally got home from school.....they went downstairs. Then Jensen came upstairs and burst into tears. One of his mice was dead.

Now, if you know me....I was against this mouse thing from the beginning. Big Daddy allowed this "mouse" thing happen while I was out of town last month.
Yep, he bought Jensen 3 pet mice. I was not happy.


This is Wheels. (cause he's fast) So, because these damn mice are all males....they are constantly trying to "out pee" each other to prove they are the "Alpha Male" mouse.

Translation.....my house smells like mice pee and I'm done with it. So, just this week....I had said the mice have to go...... Sorry, but
I.
am.
DONE.


As I have previously said, I hate mice.


Well, Wheels is dead and my poor 8 year old is devastated.


So, I have to comfort him but I am secretly glad one is dead...so there are only 2 left to worry about. I know. But, I can't help it. I hate them.


But, I do hate that my child is so upset. He cried and cried and cried.


So, we had to dig a mouse grave. We had a mouse funeral. I made a cross out of sticks and a piece of string I found on the grass. It was so sad.


I felt bad. But, not for the mouse. Only my little boy.


In Memory of "Wheels" who passed to mouse heaven on Sept. 28th, 2007.


Like I said, another bad day..........

Can you say bad day?!?!

You know that a post that starts with an x-ray....can't be good.


Yep, Logan broke his arm tonight. He wiped out on his scooter right in front of our house. It was a pretty bad wreck. I was right there. I was giving "J" a haircut. There was nothing I could do. He wiped out, face first and landed on his arm and his stomach flat on the sidewalk. It was awful!


So, since I was watching my neighbor's daughter, I went rushing to the ER with 5 kids in tow! Talk about crazy! Then, the neighbor came to the ER and met me and took home her child and 3 of mine, so Ike could meet her at the house! Thanks, Kelly! That made things so much easier on me.


That's the thing about being somewhere new....it's hard when you don't have family to fall back on and call for reinforcement when something like this happens.
But, Kelly is fantastic. She steps right in and asks what we need. And does it.



Now, why was I doing a haircut? Well, over the Summer, I had shaved the boys hair. So, when they got home from school, I said, "Lets go get your hair cut." (afterall, tomorrow is school picture day...) But both boys insisted that I do it again. (why oh why...I don't know. I have no training and each haircut is really just a crap-shoot how it will turn out!) So, that's why I was cutting their hair.


Right before that....I had seen the men trimming the trees out of the power lines in my back yard had been butchering my trees. My trees used to look lush like this: Now....they look so bad. Butchered. (I'll try to take pics tomorrow.) So, that makes me in a bad mood. They even ask my permission to bring some "bucket truck" tomorrow...to make sure they can "really cut them back." GREAT....just cut down the only thing that makes my backyard look so forest-like. Darn it.


Just before that....I have to take a key downtown to Ike...because he accidently locks his keys in his car (Ike's bad day) at the police station downtown, where he is at a meeting. (you'd think he could get some "professional" help....guess not) Anyway, I have to rush a key downtown (where I've never been) to him....and they have the streets blocked off with a wreck the way he tells me to go. And long story short....


I am 15 minutes late picking up G from Pre-K. (a big no-no!) CRAP!!


Directly before this happened, I had decided to go shopping, instead of rush home and put M down for a nap. While I am shopping, I begin to feel the stomach churning of a girl who is about to pay for her bad food choices over the past few days. Oh crap! (literally...sorry...couldn't resist that one....) So, I rush to the bathroom at Big Lots....only to find it locked. By this time, I am sweating and I have goose bumps up my arms. I wait and wait and wait. I am sick. I am getting desperate. I look at the men's room....could I? No...disgusting. I wait a little longer. I pace. I try to concentrate on something else. I can think of nothing else. Is the person in the ladies alive. (I hear no movement or signs of life.) I wait another few minutes. I quietly knock...no answer.....I knock a little louder. Check the door again...definitely locked. I am really, really hurting now. I glance around and decide there is no other choice. I grab M from the buggy and rush into the men's room. (OMGosh, I can't believe I am telling you this. But it is making me smile just remembering...and after my day, I need to smile!!) I'm immediately met with the stench. (confirmed....men are pigs) I put M against the wall and STERNLY tell her "DO NOT MOVE"!!!! She sees I am serious and does not move. I quickly cover every inch of that seat w/ toilet paper...........and I barely make it in time. I flush and turn on the hottest water I can bare and scour my hands with soap. Then I wash M's hands. Then, I quickly rush from the men's room w/ M and I am met by the smirk of some gruff, woodsy bearded guy....with a strange look on his face. All I can do is avert my eyes and "act natural." And I fight the urge to say "Do not go in there...." ....if you know what I mean. (in the ladies room, there is probably some fruity spray....but, not in there....TRUST ME! The men's room....it is no frills....and a special kind of nasty. (plus seriously, we are in Big Lots...it's not like Dillard's or Macy's bathroom. It was a serious kind of nasty. Seriously!)

Ok...enough about that.....


Prior to this, I realize it's G's turn to bring snack.

Crap...now I've got to fit in running to the store. And if I have to go to the store...we may as well eat Subway for lunch.


So, I run to the bank and call Big Daddy to treat him to Subway w/ some cash I earned scrapbooking...... M hears me and gets excited.


We get to Subway....and I call Ike to tell him to meet us (it across the street from his work.....and I don't have time to pick him up because we must go buy snack, too.) He says he can't come. I tell G and M that daddy isn't coming. And M bursts into tears...chanting...."daddy, daddy, daddy." Well, great......this is great! I call him back and just said, "come on...you have to come....M is crying." So, he comes. But, of course, because he has things to do and work on his mind...he's kinda there in body, but that's about it. Normally, our lunches are not like that.....but today, just kinda blah.....



Then, I rush to the grocery store with the two kids. We grab two huge bags of pretzels, which are on the "approved" snacks list for the Preschool. We pay...and go. But, of course, doing anything w/ 2 kids in tow takes time.


Griff is late for school. By 10 minutes. (another no-no) Great.


Before all that....I get up, feeling like crap because both G and M were up last night. G with allergy issues keeping him awake. And M who was awake and asked for a fresh diaper at 2:45am. Then, she insisted on climbing in bed with me and daddy. He had no idea. She was sprawled out on my head. I couldn't sleep. So, finally I convinced her to go back to her bed. But, all total I was up for 2 1/2 hours.
I was exhausted when I got up and my throat hurt like hell.


So that was my day....all and all....it sucked.


I hope yours was better.

I wanna make it clear...

I never intended to, nor do I plan to stop Weight Watchers.


I was only trying to say.....

....I am freaked out about the next goal.



I only had 1.4lbs to make my 10% goal.....
....but I'd be willing to bet that it's not going to happen this week.


Thanks for the encouraging words.

Sabotage.....

Have you ever committed sabotage against yourself?

You knew you were doing it, but you just couldn't help yourself?

You tried to stop, but it seems the more you try the more you do it?


For me, self-sabotage is a long running problem.

I begin to believe I will fail.

I lose faith in myself.

I get scared.



It's so sad really.


My latest self-sabatoge: Weight Watchers


(I know. I know. I know what you're thinking. You've been doing great.
And I have. And I've been thinking it to.)


But, from the moment I realized I am 1.4 lbs. away from meeting my 1st major goal....
....I have been bad. Not horribly bad. It could be worse.......
....but so far the bad has included ice cream (albeit sugar-free,) brownies and I followed that up with a healthy dose of chinese food, with the leftovers even eaten as breakfast this morning......


ACK!


It's just with the impending "meeting" of this goal......

.....there is the pressure of the next goal.


~what should the next goal be?
~what's a realistic next goal?
~what if it stops working and I start failing?
~will I dissapoint those cheering me on?
~will I dissapoint myself?


All I know is......I'm mad at myself and it's driving my crazy.

Have you heard?!?!

They are now filming the Sex in the City movie!!!


And I can't wait!!!


I was a huge Sex in the City fan. I think the writing was spectacular and there are so, so many episodes that I have seen over and and over! I just love the re-runs that play on TBS. They are edited to exclude the very raw sexual content and language that was included in the HBO original versions. For me, but I never thought the overt sex scenes were necessary, so I don't miss them in the edited versions.

Anyway, that is beside the point.....I was so sad when they cancelled it.

I bawled like a baby when the series ended.....
~Carrie and Big (John) ended up together.
~Samantha was recovering from chemo/breast cancer.
(this whole story line was almost too close to home....)
~Miranda embraced being the wife/mother she was capable of being.
~And Charlotte continued her long-running quest to start a family with the possibility of an international adoption.

Although, many things in the series didn't apply to me at all (being that I am not single and the majority of the story lines revolve around dating - at least until closer to the end of the series) I still enjoyed this series so much. But, so many times I could relate to the relationships, both between female and males. But, most of all....the relationship of getting to know and yourself. Flaws and all......

If you haven't seen Sex in the City....get thy butt to Blockbuster today and rent the Seasons and watch them. They are great!! (right, Tammy?!)

And by the time you finish....you'll be anxiously awaiting the movie, like me!

In the Sex in the City spirit.....check this out:

You Are Most Like Charlotte!

You are the ultimate romantic idealist You've been hurt before, but that hasn't caused you to give up on love. If anything, your resolve to fall in love is stronger than ever. And it's this feminine optimism that men find most appealing about you. Romantic prediction: That guy you are seeing (or crushing on)? Could be very serious - if you play your cards right!

Which Sex and the City Vixen Are You?

Biz's Beat of the Day

What could be better on a Wednesday morning than.....


BIZ'S BEAT OF THE DAY!?!?!?

Interview Me.....Tammy's questions!

Interview Questions for Rox

What do you think the wildest thing you ever did was?

You know my family reads this blog, right?!?! What are you trying to do to me here.....

Well, in the interest of being "real," here ya go: Well, there are really so many to choose from.....the funny thing is my "wildest" is probably considered to be quite "mild" compared to some......

But, I'd have to say that probably Big Daddy and I having $#x in the airplane bathroom on our flight to Charleston for our honeymoon! That's right we are members of the " Mile High Club" and we think it's awesome!!!

And following that one up with having $#x in a lifeguard stand at the beach at night. Don't worry...we were very discrete....no one knew what we were doing except for us...... I mean really....can't you get arrested for that?!? Public indecency or something...... But we were young, in love......what else can I say?!?!
(sorry Janet...just pretend you didn't read that......)

How do you want to spend the rest of your life?

Dude.....it's too early for such difficult questions......

Well, if I can get these children raised and help them become productive members of society and help them reach their full potential.....I would have everything I need in life. (do you realize by the time Marinne is old enough to leave home - meaning college graduate - I will be almost 60!!! OMGosh....I really didn't need to consciously know that!!!!!!)

So, after that.....I just hope to have a calm life with Big Daddy enjoying our Grandchildren!!!

Do you regret anything at all and would love to change it?

Seriously, you are killing me with these "deep" questions!

Well, one think I regret for sure is not having MLP as my Maid of Honor in my Wedding. That was so dumb. I didn't use good judgement in that decision.....and I will forever feel regret for that decision. Although, she knows how I feel and has accepted my apology for this more than once...... I will probably always wish I had made different decisions. Thank God this girl loves me and I love her. As far as friends go, she is my soulmate.

I believe I will always regret not being there for my mom, due to my fear during her bone marrow transplant. You can read about this in detail here.

What time period do you think would have been great to live in?

The only time period I want to live in....is the here and now, baby!!!!!

1. For 12 weeks 3 meals a day you can only have either PBJ or Tuna Fish...what would it be?

This is a no-brainer. PB&J..... I like Tuna fish, but only when I am in the mood for it.......

2. Junk Mail or NO Junk Mail? Do you love it or hate it?

No junk mail.....hate it......waste of my time going thru it.......but I can't just throw it away (the anal part of me speaking there.....)

3. You get an UPS Package that does not belong to you and it has something great in it..something you wanted DO YOU keep it or give it to your Neighbor...Why am I asking this? I have a friend who recently got rugs delivered to her that belonged to someone else and she keep them..for real. The UPS Drive even came back to say he left them there at the door and they denied it...Ok this was a long question.

Oh my gosh....I can't believe you know someone that would do that......that is so dishonest!!! I know there are laws that say (or did I dream this....) that if you are delivered something that you didn't order you can keep it. For instance, you are sent a book along with a bill that says "if you choose to keep the book then remit payment of whatever $$ ......but if you didn't request it in the first place, you can keep it and not return the book and not pay for it..... But seriously, to keep someone else's rugs and completely LIE about it......... what is this person teaching her children?!?!!?!? (you know I am asking you who it was when I talk to you, right?!?!)

NO....I WOULD NEVER DO THAT....IT'S JUST WRONG!!!!

Latest scrapbooking......

Ok....I am in love with this one........I have always wanted to do a "All About Me" type layout, but I just never had quite the perfect picture. Until now!

This was me at the tattoo parlor in Savannah when Sherry and I
got our tattoos. Isn't it a cool picture?! So, based on that, I fell in love with these pink/black Rusty Pickle Pirate Princess papers! They are fun! But, I thought they fit the "bad girl" feel quite well!


And this, is yet another example of working with things that have been in your stash to scrapbook. I've had this base page w/ the flap for probably about 6 years. At first I was saving it for "just the perfect" layout. And 6 years later it was in the bottom of a paper holder....just gathering dust. So, I took it out and laid it where I could see it....looking for pics that would match and work with it. I decided to use it with the "outside" pics, because it reminds me of the color of the sky on a perfect day....even if it is actually a striped pattern. Anyway, I was at the crop and I couldn't decide what to use with it. So, I found the rub-ons that matched other scraps I had previously used and some solid scraps....and viola' .... I made it work...... It's not perfect, but I still really like it. My white doodling pen was being a pain in the booty and that was making me nuts!

As it looks in the book.....

And open......

So....tell me what you think!!!!

Interview Me....Stacy's Questions.....

Okay........let see?? This is just a start. I'm going to think of some really good ones this weekend, but for now........
he he he

1. Who do you identify with the most out of the Snow White's seven dwarfs.

Is there one named PMS-y? (seriously, I would fail a question on naming them......) Let's see there are 7: happy, sleepy, dopey, doc, sneezy, wheezy??? cheesy?? I GIVE UP!!!!

I guess out of those....I'll go with HAPPY!!!!

2. If you had to change Christmas to a different date that's not in December, what day would you pick?

This one is easy....I'd go for late-March. By then, I could have my taxes filed, have received my refund and had enough time for shopping.

For us, this is the most expensive time of the year.....one kid with a birthday each month: October, Novemeber and December. Then: Halloween (costumes and candy to buy,) Thanksgiving (have you seen the prices in the grocery store?) and finally Christmas!!!!!

Late March would help us spread it out a little!!!

3. Are you a Ginger or Marianne kind of girl?

I'm a cross between them....

Well, I am like Ginger. A diva. A princess. A little spoiled. High Maintenance. (but not rich and famous)

And I am definately like Mary Ann in these ways. Naive. Sweet. Kind. Helpful. (but NOT a country girl, AT ALL)


4. If scrapbooking supplies were to stop being manufactured and you only had 100.00 to spend on supplies for the rest of your lifetime, what would you buy?


Well, since I have enough paper to last a lifetime and I have a backlog of Creative Memories albums to fill. I'd have to say....a ton of adhesive and LOTS of rub-ons (letters and icons - my current obsession!)


5. If you could design and buy a car what is the top 3 or 4 features you want?

Well, I'm a pretty simple girl. But, I'd want an SUV that can fit all my kids and gets low gas mileage. (you said I could design it)

And, it would definitely have to have a DVD system in it.

And cruise control.

6. If you could meet anyone in the world that has made history, dead or alive, that lived in the past 150 years who would it be. why?

I would have said Jesus, but since you said they lived in the past 150 years........

hmmm....I would say my mother's father. He was a real piece of work and I'd love to nail him to the wall on how he could be such a jerk and make such bad decisions.

7. What 3 pieces of advise would you give Britney Spears?

My 3 pieces of advice to Brit-Brit would be...

#1 - Get thyself to rehab and stay there so you clean up your act and PROPERLY MOTHER those children. Go take some parenting classes. Stop partying and get involved and invested in the care of them. You are wasting valuable time that you can NEVER get back, no matter how much money you have.

#2 - GET RID OF THAT WEAVE!! I know you shaved your head, but I also know your hair is long enough to "make your own style!" That weave looks like crap. And it's time for it to GO! People would respect you more if you "owned" your choices, rather than attempt to "cover it up."

#3 - Quit trying to be a sex goddess, it's not working for you! You are not that girl you were before children. It's one thing for you to be a sexy mother, but you can't do it like you did before you had children. No one will take you seriously. (and you'd think she'd know that.) Quit letting your post-preggers butt hang out of your clothes and go shopping for some dignity.

(and for all those that said she was "fat" at her comeback performance for MTV....whatever, she WAS NOT FAT! Again, she is just not going to have the same body she did before 2 kids in 2 years....and certainly not in the clothing she chooses. I seriously feel sorry for this girl...if you think her life isn't hard....look at this.....

Britney

Can you imagine your every breath, every word, every move being watched and over-analyzed?! I could not live like that. I'd be in the looney bin for sure!!!!

However, she does bring a lot of it on herself by the choices she makes....but I seriously think she doesn't know any better. Getting all the attention is all she knows. This all comes with being a "child" star. She literally doesn't know how to escape it.

But, with the collapse of her career, may come the forced reality that she must re-invent her life.

Let's hope so. It's her only hope to survive and become the person/mother she could be.

8. What is your favorite dessert to make?

Crap! I have to make it?!

Well....ok then, probably Sex in a Pan! (you asked!)

MMMMMMMMMM....good!

Interview Me.....Beth's Questions!

Questions for you -

What do you like best about being a Mom? like the least?

Well, thanks for giving me an easy one. Ha ha! I seriously had to mull this one over for a few days.

Obviously, I love being a mother. As a young child I would dream of the family I always hoped to have. Although, I never thought I'd have 4 kids. In my mind, it was always 2 children. And based on how horrid my pregnancies are, no one thought we'd have another one after our first.

So, the thing I like best about being a mother is the incredible amount of love that it produces. Love from within my heart towards my 4 babies and the love I receive in return from them. Even when I am frustrated or angry with them, the love is always unconditional and constant. It's the one thing in life that we can all count on.


The thing I like the least about being a mother is a particularly bad day when it seems none of the 4 are behaving and I feel overwhelmed. I also hate having to be "hard" on them, but it's a necessary evil.

What was your favorite childhood vacation?

I am a very lucky girl....I have been on so many childhood vacations it would be extremely difficult to choose just one.

My dad worked for American Airlines for 35 years and that gave us many opportunities to travel many places. I have been really cool places: Hawaii (2x) - St. Martin/St. Marteen in the Caribbean - Mexico City (2x.) But surprisingly, not all our vacations were by airplane.

Many of our vacations were by car. (which was insane because both my brother and I get carsick!) But, we had a travel trailer and some of my most wonderful memories involve that tiny travel trailer!

I can remember my dad parking it on the beach at the Gulf of Mexico and listening to the waves roll in as I lay in the top bunk. The smell of salt in the air. And the sound of the sea birds. It was fantastic.....


I also remember our "cross country" trip from Oklahoma to Florida to go to Disney World. I can remember going thru Georgia and stopping on the side of the road because my mom saw cotton fields and wanted to show us how cotton grows. I can remember going thru the town where Jimmy Carter was from. I remember bringing my roller skates and skating in the lot at my Great Aunt and Uncles house in Florida.


Like I said, I was very lucky.


For posterity, even though it's slightly off topic, I want to make a list of all the states I've been to. Here it is...

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington
Wyoming

Wow! I've never done that before.

Thanks for the questions....Beth!!

Hi Everyone!

Well....here's the deal!

#1 - I lost 2.4 lbs this week.....making the GRAND TOTAL

(drumroll, please......)

25.6 pounds!!!


#2 - I have received interview questions from a few people....and I promise to try to etch out time to answer them and post them tomorrow! And if you have been thinking about it.....it's time to send me your questions!!!! (well, really, whenever you want to!) So, keep 'em comin'!



#3 - I was gonna scrap tonight....but, the big boys want to play a game. So, Monopoly or Life....here I come. (this will get me good mommy points, right?!)


Happy weekend!



XoXoXo

Roxann

The LAST MINUTE project.....

So....I've had this "paid" work I've been very busy with lately. I knew I still had one more project scheduled for a "Fall" basket for a school auction.

Well, I was told there was no rush on it.


Turns out there was a deadline and I found out at 7:30pm tonight that they need it tomorrow morning, so it can be taken to Kansas City so they have it on Monday.


Ask me if I had started it? Ask me if I had done any shopping for this? Ask me if I had any specific ideas?

Nope.

Nope.

And NOPE.


So, now I had tonight to get it done to deliver in the morning. Good thing I work well under pressure!!


7:58pm - finish dinner and run out door w/out makeup or hair done to go to Michaels (my only option at this late time) to buy supplies. (specifically: paper and ribbon)

8:01pm - silently pray on the way to Michaels that I don't run into any of the handful of people that I know in this town and especially none of Big Daddy's employees.

8:06pm - Have made it to the scrapbook paper aisle and realize that I am screwed. Only 2 "Fall" print papers. One is butt ugly. One is ok, but the worst kind of scrapbook paper...blank in the middle w/ decoration around the edge. Hate it! But, because I am "creative" think of a way "it could work. But, must find other papers to match.

8:17pm - Find fantastic paisley print in Fall colors perfect for this project. Try to think what may be in stash/scrap pile at home that may coordinate with said paper.

8:23pm - Continue to stress over lack of choice. Wonder if idea in head will actually work when scrappin'. Sweat. Swear to self. Sweat some more. Stress for way too long.

8:32pm - decide there is nothing else to do but run with it. Try to pick out a dark burnt orange for pumpkin, realize all orange and brown paper is picked over because of upcoming Fall holidays. Arrgh!

Head to ribbon aisle and start looking for coordinating ribbons. Do happy dance that some of the ribbons are on sale.

8:43pm - checkout at Michaels and have to run out to the car because the bill is $4.61 and I have $4 cash and no change in my wallet. Great! Like I have time to do that..... Now really sweating.... (doesn't the weather know that Fall officially starts this weekend?! It was 90 degrees today...and still warm outside now....)

8:45pm - Finish paying. Rush to car & drive home.

8:49pm - Pull in driveway. (silently thank the Lord that house is close to everything I need)

8:51pm - Hug & kiss little ones who were put in bed while I was gone. Stop off in restroom. Grab Diet Coke (definately needing caffeine now) and hop down stairs with Michaels bag in hand.

8:58pm - clean off desk from earlier scrappin' today.
(hey...i also did some laundry, did the dishes, cooked a meal, put hung some clothes and took care of all children who call me mommy.....)

8:59pm - sit down and just get comfy and realize I need paint that is upstairs in storage. Beg L to run up and get 20lb. tote full of paint for momma.

9:01pm - Try to relax for a second. Take giant swig of Diet Coke. (must get inspiration somewhere...)

9:05pm - Begin searching frantically thru paint praying for a brown that will work. Find one that is acceptable.

9:08pm - Start painting clipboard.

9:12pm - Beg 2 older boys to hush. I have a headache from the pressure and their noise. (why are they up anyway? oh yeah, the weekend. darn weekends.... I mean, yay, weekends!)

9:13pm - beg L to run upstairs to medicine cabinet to bring me 2 Excedrine Migraine tablets. Throw them in mouth. Swallow with Diet Coke chaser.

9:14pm - Start playing with papers and decide I hate papers.
Search stash at home.
Find another paper that help it work better.
Realize I am still going to have to use paper I bought.

Start coming up w/ design in head. Start cutting and manipulating papers. Ink everything. Make handmade pumpkin. Decide one of the purchased papers is just "too much" but not until after I have cut it up and are no longer able to return it. (of course) Choose ribbons and fibers ans start tying them around top of clip. Start putting everything together.

Admire how it's coming together, despite really bad odds.



10:44pm - Finally, sit back and admire work.

Then, go upstairs and take pics.

Then, post to blog.


Sorry pics suck...the colors look washed out.

And the pine branches I stamped on in Versamark...they are watermarked and not all glowy how they look in the pictures....it's the flash reflecting.


I liked this saying, so I decided to add it....

And my favorite part...my handmade pumpkin....

Interview Me.....

Ok....I'm having so much fun coming up with "interviews" for everyone....I want to do some more.


So, SEND ME YOUR QUESTIONS!

Ask me whatever you really want to know.....

Here's your chance....

Post your questions in the comments section of this post....
and I will answer them!!!!!!!



Bring it on!!!!

Explore your world, my darling.....

...and I hope you find all your looking for!

A CONTEST!!!!!!

The Real Roxann Site Summary
VISITS
	Total	4,477

***edited to add new comments***

CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!!


I am about to get my 5000th visitor to my site
very soon!

**edited to add.....I believe it will occur sometime before
the end of the month of September **

SO I'VE DECIDED TO HAVE A CONTEST!!!!


Do you know that over the weekend I had 331 visits to my blog on Saturday and Sunday alone?!! (mostly thanks to J posting my nightmare in my scraproom story on 2Peas!) And out of those 331 visits to that one blog post......only 9 comments were posted.
ONLY 9 COMMENTS......
...can you believe that?!



So, my point is every single day I see people who are visiting my blog, but never, ever commenting! (thanks to my faithful friends who comment all the time!)
Anyway, I wish people would comment and let me know your reading, just say hi, throw in your opinion, anything!!!!!


SO.....THE CONTEST....

I'm gonna give a prize to VISITOR 5000 to my Blog.
But, here's the catch. You must be visitor 5000 and you must leave me a comment. In other words, if you visit the blog and you're number 5000, but you don't post a comment.....then, it doesn't count. In that case, the next person after 5000 that leaves a comment will WIN!!!!!
Does that make sense?

(yes, I am bribing you guys to leave comments....what can I say?!?! A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!!!!)


Now....I have no idea what the prize will be yet, but it will
probably be something fun and it will probably also be something
that isn't very expensive. (after all.....I have 4 kids who all need Winter clothes! It got down to the 40's here last weekend!!)

Most likely, it will be scrapbooking related!

Honestly....I just don't know yet! I need to go shopping!!!


So.....

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!!!


Remember to post a comment or you can't win!!!!!!!

**edited to add**
The 5000 comment does not have to be made on THIS post. The 5000th visit & comment can be made on ANY post!!

(my site meter will tell me in most cases...who the person is that was visitor #5000 and then I will go see if this person has indeed left a comment that makes them the CONTEST WINNER. If not, I will defer to the next visitor after #5000 that leaves a comment.)

Clear as mud, right?!?!

I guess my point is.....if you never comment, you definitely
will not win this contest!