Friday *Flowers* Fragments

--Two weeks into school and both kids are doing great! Our 6th grader is adapting well to her Magnet School Jr. High classes and has already been moved to a 7th grade math book. She is very proud of herself, as are we. My Boy was just given his diploma for completing 3 successful years in Speech! His current teacher was surprised to learn that he'd been getting help!

--Back to School night next week. Both schools, same night, same time. Figures.

--A silly but cool thing. DQ's academy gets out the same time everyday, and no Thursday minimum day like the elem. schools. Bonus for me, the jr. high car-pickup-line....NON-existant! There are like 4 cars max. Oh yeah, makes my Thursday!

--Monday i'm heading in for an upper Endoscopy. GI doctor is saying that my symptoms point more to an ulcer rather than reflux disease. Also mentioned that many of his patients tell him, "we're coming back tomorrow just for a shot of that great drug (in the Valium family) you give prior to the procedure."

--Learned this week that my son's teacher from last year (that had been pink slipped) did get another job in the district. Different school, 5th grade, but is working! Teachers, especially stellar ones, hold a special place in my heart and I was SO rooting for him!

--Hubby owes me flowers. Preferrably red roses...just waiting for them to come to the door....Waiting....waiting....probably will be waiting for a long time. He has some strange dislike for cut flowers, says it kills them. He'd rather send me a tree. Um, I'll take flowers. (Hi honey). Thought i'd include *flowers* in the title for some extra subliminal prompting.

--The last few weeks of TV has sucked. There is NOTHING on. Ice Road Truckers finale and Wipeout, that's it! Please don't make me watch Whale Wars, we had such a fun time at the Shamu show! Thank goodness for Fringe starting up Sept. 17. Is it really 5 months until LOST again?! :(

--The power went out last night for about 3 hours. 90 degrees and no lights made for some fun candle-lighting, lantern book reading, ice cream (before it melts of course), and plenty of "i'm scared!" screams. At least the lights came back on at 9:30pm and not 2am and scare us all even further.

--Hope you all have a great weekend! For more Fragments, check out my friend Barb's site, Half-Past Kissin' Time!

Life is a Frag-ment, I'm Gonna Blog it All Day Long!

*So I'm working on editing all gajillion photos from our camping and San Diego trip...bear with me.

*I'll also let you all know when I have my Legoland giveaway at my review site, don't want to miss the chance to enter!

*Finally have an appt. with a GI for a consult and endoscopy. Hoping for some reflux relief soon!

*School starts Monday! DQ will be at a new school for 6th grade junior high. *BLINK* yep, that's how fast it all went. My Boy has a male teacher for the second year in a row, and he's fabulous! Little K will start preschool next month!

*I have a "job!" Will be picking up my nephews from school twice a week and tutoring them in Spanish...ole! Don't laugh, I have some skillz. 8 years of Spanish courses...years ago, but once I get into it, i'll be good. My 8 year old nephew, T is already pretty fluent, so he may actually be teaching me, but little Kindergartener B, putty in my hands. Stay tuned, my posts will soon be all in Spanish. (no they won't)

*Ants have consumed our home and they LOVE laundry! Just swimming in it, the clean stuff. I'm ready to go apeshit! Hubby has his magic ant potion sprayed around the perimeter of the house. Problem is, it's about 100 degrees the past few days and all the doors are open and the smell has given me a raging headache. I hate having a super sense of smell.

*I miss vacation. I miss summer vacation. Don't get me wrong, the kids back in school is fabulosity, but the ability to go anywhere, and not have a schedule has been a gift too. You should see my calendar. It's filled with dance, soccer practice, and work. I'm sorta having a mini-panic attack about it all. I'd even go sit in the Splash Zone with Shamu again to get away from it all.

*Note to self, go buy lotto tickets.

For more Fragments, visit my friend Barb at Half-Past Kissin' Time!

Friday Fragments

*Dun nuh nuh na nun nuh, they say it's your birthday, Dun nuh nuh na nun nuh IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TOO YAH!*

Today is my birthday, YAY.

I'm officially on the road closest to 50 than I was leaving 20.

36, for all of you who don't understand my math logic. (I was a K/1 teacher remember, I only had to take addition in college!)

I feel the same. A little crampy, but good.

Heading to my favorite city, for my favorite food, with my favorite man.

Life is good!

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My blog friend Jay at Halftime Lessons is doing a fab thing! He's shaving his head, through the national organization St. Baldrick's, in support ofchildhood cancer research!

From Jay: Some of you may know that this subject is near and dear to my heart as I lost my cousin last year to Cancer, and my mom goes in this week for a single mastectomy to ensure a long life with many grandchildren.

Last year Jay raised $1600 on his own, if you feel you can help him out in honor of someone you know and love, go to his donation page .

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Also Tony from That One Particular Harbor is helping out the Children's Cancer Association in promoting a Radiothon happening in Portland, OR. You need not live there to donate or participate! Check out his blog link to find out more. Tony is a survivor of cancer himself, he's a great guy doing another great thing!

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Can we just have our two President's Day Monday's off like in the good old days? Really, the kids need another week off of school in mid-February?!

Hello, remember Christmas break was just like 4 days ago?

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Don't forget I have another blog just for product reviews and giveaways, lots of good stuff over at Therapeutic. Follow me over there too to keep up with the amazing products I'll be giving away!

Also, while i'm tooting my own horn--IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, I'm entitled!--you can find my Bachelor posts at Blissful Buzz, a entertainment channel of Blissfully Domestic online magazine!

Toot!

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Finally, my friend Marla at Pak Adventures is pimping out her brother's brain child. http://pakletadventures.blogspot.com/2009/02/video-games-for-brain.html

sharendipity is more for social gaming but he's been trying to find a way to use it to make homework and learning more fun for his kids.

Help them out and check it out at the above link!

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For more Fragments visit Mrs.4444!

I Do Really Know Her!

My cell phone rang Friday and DQ brought it to me.

"It's Mrs4444. Who is that?"

Oh i'm so excited, it's Barb, my blog-friend!!

We've chatted before on the phone and she is just as lovely as she is on her blog, Half-Past Kissin' Time. We discussed the blogging world, meeting at BlogHer '09, and about life in general.

DQ--So, you don't really know her right?
Me--Well, I know her through her blog, and we've talked a couple times on the phone. We exchanged Xmas cards. I feel I know her.
DQ--But, you don't know her, know her?! Not in person.
Me--I feel like i'm on trial here, yes. You are correct.
DQ--So you might go to a place you've never been (Chicago) and hang out with people you've never met?
Me--Yeah.
DQ--Sounds weird.

So my daughter is concerned about me. She is worried that I'm talking to an imaginary friend on the phone. One that only exists on my computer screen. I can see her concern, I'd be worried about her if she got a call from a Penguin on Club Penguin. That would be freaky. But, I digress.

I know a lot about Barb. She's a teacher, and I love those! She has an amazing family cookbook that she has shared with me and is a fabulous cook. Her new site, Mrs4444 Cooks is the next Pioneer Woman Cooks site, mark my words! Her kids have great names, her hubby dresses like Buddy the Elf, and that's my favorite movie! We would SO be friends in real life.

If you haven't met Mrs4444 yet, visit her sites. She is the founder of Friday Fragments too and what a perfect concept that's been for so many bloggers!


A Jay and Deb Production.

Monday's Mouth-full

Fragments on Monday....it's been a long Turkey Day holiday!

Last plea for your vote! http://www.5minutesformom.com/4857/prego-photo-contest-finalists/ we're entrant #6, the CUTEST one that fits the theme! ;) Voting ends tomorrow, tell a friend or 25!

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Thanks for enduring all the Vegas posts. It was a fab time.

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Winners of the Baby Blues anthologies are:

Amanda
Mama2hre
Jennifer
Merrie
Rachel
Average Girl in an Average World
Rachel
Amy
Liz
Jo-Jo

Email me at themomjen[at]gmail[dot]com and I'll get your shipping info to the PR people. Look forward to the interview answers soon!

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Bills.

They just ruin a good holiday season don't they?

December is a month where you wish Christmas was in August. Nothing really happens in that month, why not re-schedule?

Coming home from Christmas shopping, arms loaded with bags of joy.

Then the mailman drives up.

Bill. Bill. Bill.

If the mailman's name was also Bill, I would know for sure the world is out to get me.

Health insurance. Property Taxes. Mortgage.

I think they need to change the saying to the only sure things in life are death and a damned ridiculous insurance premium, AND taxes.

Kinda takes the wind out of your sails.

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Having a Tastefully Simple party tonight with my friend Jamey. The parties are so fun and are all about eating DELICIOUS food!! Simple and easy stuff too!!

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Hugh Jackman, the sexiest man alive?! Really?!

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The kids had their first real Wii encounter on Thanksgiving.

They're hooked.

So is Hubby.

I've never seen a grown man get so competitive over a video game.

Nor have I wanted to see one!

My Boy--DAAAAAD! Please go easy on me, i'm only 7!!
Hubby--STRIIIIIIIIIKE 3, sit down you're out!
Me--Wow.

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Check out a cute pic of my K and cousin B.

Fragments Aplenty, Fragments Oh My

Happy Halloween! Weather today is WINDY, cold, and chance of showers all day. Fabulous.

It should be illegal to purchase "just-for-Halloween-candy" prior to October 31st. Good thing our neighborhood gets like 6 trick-or-treaters, I think I only have 6 pieces left from my eight two bags of candy we had.

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Remember Janet Sirett, the musician/songwriter of Creepy, Crawly, Slimy Things?

I did a review/giveaway for her children's CD and she was kind enough to send me my own signed copy! ALL 3 of my kids were rocking out to her tunes, even my 10 year old! If you didn't get a chance before, check out her site by clicking on the icon above! Thanks Janet!

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Driving a carload of fifth-graders to the Aquarium today. The kids are excited to be going on a field trip instead of parading around the school in their costumes. Too baby-ish. But, they're still excited to get to wear their costumes on the trip. Again, the disparity between elementary school kids and 'almost' jr. high-ers.

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Planning has begun for my daughter's double-digits birthday party. So far i've made the invites in a "Girl's Rock" hot pink/black/guitar theme, and it will be a sleepover. 10 girls have been invited, DQ will be turning TEN. Where has the time gone?

Really, where?!

Hubby was just talking about what we were doing 10 years ago, it's just an amazing thought. 10 years, 3 children! Life is good!

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10 years, 1 paycheck. These days, economic times are tough. Luckily gas prices are lowering daily, finally in the $3.20's in some local stations.

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I ROCKED Bunco this week, I think it was my combination Hubby/My Boy costume-help. I was the baseball player I wanted to be. I wore Hubby's h.s. jersey, his hat, his baseball pants, and My Boy's stirrup socks. Eye black was courtesy of my black eyeshadow....okay it's dark brown but whatever. I won most Wins, tied for most Buncos, and even won the travelling prize. Oh yeah!

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Fragmented

Lord help us all, I'm on Twitter!
https://twitter.com/themomjen

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Almost 2 months until Xmas, no pressure!
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Who knew...preperation H for puffy eyes and dark circles!

I can hear it now, "PRICE CHECK ON ASS CREAM!"

I'm trying it!
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Things found in my dryer this week....

-acorns
-pods/shells from juniper trees-(now the laundry smells of icky-medicinal-yuck)
-70 cents
-small square of fabric
-red square Lego
-2 hair bands
-tanbark (collected from My Boy...always brings it home from school in his pockets and shoes!)

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Rachel at Following in My Shoes blessed me with this sweet award, inspiration through photos. Aw...*blush* thanks Rachel!




Created By Alisha
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My 'Nguyener' of a friend, Amy Bo Bamey gave me this award for rocking some cool headers lately. *p'shaw!* ;) JoJo also gave me this award for my Thousand Words Thurday Meme! Thanks for the love! She's given me like half my awards ;)!

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I'm STILL costumeless for tomorrow's Halloween Party. With Prep H on my face I'll just be a big hemmorhoid!

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Need more Fragments, check out Mrs.4444.

Friday Full of Fragments

A friend of mine has launched her new online children's boutique, read the press release...

Supporting South African women towards economic independence while providing quality boutique children’s clothing are the premises of Hippos Toes online children’s boutique, which announced its Grand Opening this month-(http://www.hippostoes.com).

Hippos Toes owner, Carole Lindstrom wanted to combine her plans for a children’s boutique with her desire to help South African women gain a footing towards financial independence. Having toured South Africa several times-and feeling a connection to the women there- Lindstrom saw first hand how difficult it was for women to rise above impoverishment. “I really felt for the locally disadvantaged mothers trying to raise families with limited income opportunities.” Lindstrom stated.

With it’s Grand Opening this month, Hippos Toes showcases the latest children’s boutique fashions, which are sewn by South African mother artisans. Original styles, whimsical colors and nature themes set a trendy fashion-forward tone which Lindstrom feels sets Hippos Toes children’s fashions apart. “The clothing is really unique,” Lindstrom stated. “The designerschange lines every season yet everything stays mix-and-match. It makes for easy, complete wardrobes.”

Lindstrom learned of Fair Trade clothing manufacturing in South Africa while researching clothing resources for Hippos Toes. With high quality control, impeccable workmanship and attention to artistic details, Lindstrom found the resulting clothing met, and exceeded, her apparel requirements. “The women who create our clothing are being paid fair wages and have goodworking conditions,” Lindstrom shared. “This fulfills my goal of being able to sell clothing with a purpose.”

Visit Carole's site, you'll be happy you did!
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State of CA rocks, I know they read my blog because the check we were waiting for was delivered on Monday!! LOL, thanks Ahnold! Thanks DCA!
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We're headed to our other home this weekend. Hubby and I met at UC Davis as Freshmen, and spent our four years there dating. It is definately our special place and we head there a few times a year.

My favorite restaurant in the world is there, if I could replicate the salsa they make I would drink it like my morning coffee each morning.

We have some relatives attending the campus we might visit. My girlfriend who's baby will be one later this month also lives nearby, so it's going to be a great getaway!
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My MIL was bugging me the other day about how I over-exaggerate K's behavior on my blog, and the two times she's seen her in the last few months she's been such a peach.

LOL. Okay, a few hours compared to 24/7 is so different, and kids always act differently with others than they do with their parents.

I'll be sure to call her at 3am every morning when K comes into our room screaming for baba and then tosses and turns for hours allowing us the same amount of sleep as parents of an infant.

Then I'll send her the video of K's tantrum that just begs for earplugs...take that DAILY. I'm sure you just are forgetting those years you had your 4 at home. I know that's it. ;)
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For More Friday Fragments, check out Mrs.4444.

Flippin' Friday

Oh I feel so domestic.

We have this iced tea spoon that I stole accidentally found in my purse after a restaurant visit. You know the ones with the long handles.

Other than have it be just a 'fun' spoon for the kids to use, I found a better use for it.

When jelly, jam, peanut butter, or any other jarred item gets low and you're tired of your fingers/hand/wrist getting all goopy, use the iced tea spoons!!

You're welcome!
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Visit MOMDOT today and see my Ask The Mom column! See if your question was answered this week. Also continue sending your questions to me at themomjen@gmail.com thanks!
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Is it me or does every single item at the grocery store cost $5 and up? You can't even pinch pennies anymore! DANG!
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We're going to Costco this weekend, we get coupons in the mail...score!

Fine print....sucks, coupons start October 9th. GRR
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Check back tomorrow for a giveaway! This one is for kids...my next one (next week) will be for moms!
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For more Fragmented posts, check out Mrs.4444's place!

Fraggin' Friday

Read matt, liz, and madeline, this blog will hook you in. It's a bittersweet journal written by Matt, a now single-father of Madeline. Matt's wife Liz died from a pulmonary embolism just hours after Maddy's birth. Matt tells of his life now 5 months later with powerful words, amazing photography, and strong emotions.

If you're like me, you can't stop thinking, what if this was me, or my husband...and it just makes you look at life just a bit differently.

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Got our invites back for our Halloween party, on to the planning! I'm so excited, i've never co-thrown a costume party before.

Oh and yep, I made the invites, I like using Winkflash to print, they're so reasonable and speedy!

Now, how do I trick my hubby into wearing a costume. NO, a pocket protector is not a costume, it's part of your UNIFORM!

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Well just like a switch, Summer has shut off in my area of California. Heatwave last week in the 103's and the past few days have barely made it over 70.

Fall is definately in the air, the shortening hours of daylight approaching.

I'm still wearing shorts and flipflops, but man it feels nice to wear a cozy sweatshirt once in a while.

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6 days until my long weekend away with my best gangsta girls girlfriends! We're heading to Reno, Nevada. Not the most glorious locale, but Miss Bloom is our resident college instructor and lives nearby and needs to work. In order to maximize our time, we decided on close to home for her so she can just drive over after work and not waste a whole day of girl time!

Our trips have been Thursday-Monday for the past 5 years and inevitably someone has to cut the trip one day short, but we still have a blast.

There will be plenty of drinking done, lots of great catching up conversations, a spa-treatment or two, most-likely a tattoo inked, a wine walk, a trip to the CHOCOLATE BAR (which I may never leave)...and even some craft therapy...

Working on the 'schedule' for hubby for the weekend. He may be chaperoning 5th graders, gets to endure Picture Day (send help for DQ's hair), and some wonderful alone time with Tantrumia K. Good times for all.

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At DQ's last orthodontist appointment I was handing the office manager my monthly payment when she just made my day. She told me that DQ's account was paid in full! Really? "Well, did you get a bill this month?" I hadn't, but I was so used to going in each month for the past 22 paying my $163.39, I hadn't noticed.

I was so excited until I told hubby on the phone....

Hubby--Paid forever, or just Phase I?

Me--(the wind out of my sails)Oh yeah, this is only Phase I.

I don't know when Phase II starts, she's still losing teeth monthly, and only has 8 brackets. Luckily the palate expander is gone....the price for a gorgeous smile. She WILL appreciate it one day.

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See More Friday Fragments at Half-Past Kissin' Time!

Frick and Frack, This and That

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SIL and I are planning a Kid's (family) Halloween Party. If you were a parent of a child invited, what date would you prefer? Please answer the poll in my right sidebar, thanks! ;)

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I helped out in DQ's classroom yesterday.

I also got to grade 5th grade math homework (AT HOME) and that was an eye-opener. I'm so glad Hubs and I are good about checking homework and school work with DQ and My Boy. I forget how much is expected and how papers can get F's just for not reading the problems closely.

We have a rule with DQ's dance obsession schedule...the classes will be dropped if the grades drop below a B-. School will always be the priority over the fun stuff. School is only going to get tougher.

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Met with the speech teacher for My Boy's evaluation and IEP for the year. I have to say i'm not excited that he hasn't lost his two top teeth yet and we've worked 2 years already with his lisp. 1 step forward, two back.

Luckily though, she is a fantastic person with tons of love and support for her students. My Boy is very lucky to see her twice a week.

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Here are some possible Halloween Costumes for the kids....

DQ mentioned she wanted to be a witch...of course the boots/leg warmers(?)/broom are all sold separately...


Indy Jones....everyone and their brother is going to be him this year. My 2 nephews included. AND, whip, sword and fanny pouch sold separately. UG.


K would be so cute as her favorite "June" from Little Einsteins but the costume is $45 for the silly hair-helmet-like-Dora thing, a not so cute dress, and silly RED shoes. Bleh, this is a much cuter ballerina. Heck she could just wear DQ's old recital costume!


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Thanks for all the comments on my hair...HUMPY and I appreciate it! Oh and for the record, I may never smile again, otherwise my big 'ol chubby cheeks make me look like a tomato head. Then the cut looks wrong.

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I was tagged a few dozen times for this meme, so I better play!

I thought that I had done some form of it before and I found THIS post and realize it was for 10 Random Facts about me.

Totally different.

Apparently quirky and random are two different things. Sorry.

Okay, so here are FOUR, I just couldn't narrow down the million others to two random QUIRKY things about me...

1. I (we) don't freeze meat, then defrost eat prior to eating. Oddly enough my brother and I remember some sort of food-poisoning incident subconsciously because he doesn't either. Meat has to be fresh in our refrig. for one or two days prior to cooking. We don't stockpile meat from Costco or the store EVER. Probably why we go to the store 3 times a week.

2. I'm not the only one that does it either, but when I look through a magazine at the store, I always put it back and take another one to buy from the back of the rack. I can't take the one that was already touched, even if only by me.

3. I tip the girls at the Java Hut 50% sometimes. I don't know why, but my caffeine frenzy sweeps all sense out of my brain and I leave $1 bills in their cup almost every time.

4. I hate showering when Hubby isn't home. If it's just K and I is the worst. She loves to pull the curtains open to see me and then water gets everywhere, or she'll sit in the bathroom screaming "cookie" "play people with you" or "udder womb[other room]" while i'm gritting my teeth. If the older kids are home, inevitably DQ makes herself "conditionally in charge" and arguing and bickering ensue. Lovely, relaxing. NOT.

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OOH, I have a number 5 for the Quirks. I constantly change my blog design. I wasn't digging the brown from before, so I lightened up a bit and brought back and oldie but goodie header I made.

I HAD to clean up my sidebars, I was annoyed by them. I made a hand-full of buttons that all link to the good stuff I had before. Blog buttons, memes, networking sites, I love them all and won't part with them. They're only a click away.

Friday..er... Saturday Fragments

Mrs.4444's is hosting a Friday event each week where we can throw all our tidbits into one big mish-mosh blabber-jabber.

Finally she's put a name to what I refer to as My Ever Other Day Post. Thanks Mrs. 4's!

And, yes i'm aware it's Saturday!! It was Friday when I started this post!

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My baby K wakes after the kids are gone to school (thanks Hubby for taking DQ and MB each morning). She walks around with her 'backpack' full of baby books, her bottle, a baggie of goldfish, and her Groovy Girl doll and says "me skoo too?"

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So the news from the not-so-fun ultrasound is... a few babies...fibroids. Just millimeters in size...probably not causing my issues, but definately in there.

More waiting to do...next step would be to do a laparoscopy to see if endometriosis could be the culprit, which is what is doc is leaning toward.

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A woman I met years ago passed away this week. She was 44, had been in a nursing home for close to 15+ years, and had spina bifida.

I would visit with her when I'd visit my grandpa there, and she was sweet as can be.

I went to school with her sister and I was always curious about the situation of her family and why she was there. I guess things get tough and you don't have any other options, but a nursing home? Anyway. I hope she is no longer suffering.

*L.J.*

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We are now proud renters of a shiny-ish CLARINET! DQ is excited as can be!

D and K...if you're reading, watch out Cal Aggie Band-UH! ;)

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And for good measure, in the comments, what 1 or 2 words come to mind when you hear the words.....

1. Pain Relief

2. Music

3. Reed

4. Envelope

5. Halo

6. Magic

7. September

8. Shadow

9. Vice

10. Haunting