Friday Fragments - Colds, Movies and Such

I have a sinus infection and I am miserable! But I got antibiotics and will feel better soon.

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Serena has her first birthday party to attend this weekend, her first invite from Kindergarten! The party is for her friend, Monty...well they have had 2 fights this week and she has informed me she doesn't want to go??? Now what???? and I found out (just by poking around at addresses on the class Friendship list to see if any of the kids in her class live close to us so we can have a play date) that he is living in a homeless shelter, along with one other student...and yet another kid lives at a hotel not far from my home...jeepers, say a prayer will you please?

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I watched the new Alice In Wonderland this week, with my boyfriend, Johnny Depp! :) Well, I really thought it was just "ok" but he did a wonderful job as he does in all the roles he plays, and I would say it is definitely NOT for children under age 13...

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I also watched Ninja Assassin. I really enjoyed watching this movie. It is not for anyone with a weak stomach that is for sure...LOL I liked it and I am not one for movies like this, but it really had an interesting story for the main character.

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My dad flew out of state to visit his mother. She is 93 and was in the hospital for pneumonia and has been released. My grandma lives in an assisted living home and she is really active, you know, plays Bingo and cards and goes down for dinner with her friends. I am happy she is no longer in the hospital and that my dad has gone to visit her.

Thanks for listening!

Brought ot you today by the wonderful MRS. 4444's!

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Friday Fragments ~ Movies, Thank You's and Pox

Friday Fragments! Brought to you by the wonderful Mrs. 4444~ I love this meme.

This is my daughter's wonderful imagination, she has dinosaurs on the cardboard part that was from Brandon's Jeep, from his birthday...and then that dirt water pile thing, that is their watering hole, LOL


















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Serena and Brandon went to Sunday School this past Sunday and I went to Bible Study...I was a little late 'cuz Brandon was not OK with me leaving...right away, but he was OK. Got a phone call on Monday, Brandon was exposed to Chicken Pox....nice, the first time they go and he gets exposed! None of my kids have EVER had the Chicken Pox...they all have had the shot for it. So far, so good, he is fine, knock on wood! LOL

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I got a wonderful thing in the mail this week: A Thank You card from my MOM and DAD! They are the most thoughtful people I know! and I am not just saying this because they are my parents, let me tell you why: they hosted an end of the year type pool party, thing at their home for the little kids at the pre-school at our church and they bought: pool toys (I am not talking like 1 raft, I am talking like up the ying- yang of stuff for them to play with!) and they bought tons of sun-block, 'cuz that is how my parents roll! We took them to dinner last Friday night just to say Thank-You for all their support thru the year and they send us a Thank You card! How cool is that???

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I have watched a few movies this week: Scream, Cat's Eye, Beetlejuice....all with my older kids, we had fun! I love Michael Keaton in that movie!

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I have an Avon Lady, my friend, Tiff. I have known her since we were about 5 or 6 yrs old...long time, huh? and we both live in the same town, small world, huh? I find that we both are raising our children, (she has 4 kids, too) somewhat different then the way our parents raised us...for example, she home schools her kids and I am a stay-at-home mom, neither of our parents did this with us. I am just saying times have changed, I think. and I am feeling old...ok older, LOL



Have a wonderful Weekend!

Friday Fragments ~ Colds, Jeeps and Silver Fish

Here is yet another addition of Friday Fragments! I love to do these, so thank you so much to Mrs. 4444's for hosting, yet again another dose of Frags!

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My mom and dad got a new Jeep Rubicon this week! Isn't it awesome??? Needless to say, my husband is now in love with it and wants one!! I had to remind him, he has only had his car just over a year and a half, so I think he needs to keep it a little longer...

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Ok can anyone please, please tell me: Who in their right mind sends a sick kid (and I mean snotty with a slight cough, but no fever) to school??? OK so I did.

Now tell me this: Who in their right mind sends the poor sick kid to school with Taco Bell napkins in her jacket pocket???? to wipe her poor runny nose????? Ok so I did that too...and when I washed her jacket, the Taco Bell napkins came out and made a mess, so that is what I get right? I won't be winning The Mother of The Year Award anytime soon.

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I washed my bedding this week and found....a silver fish..............yuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Need I say more????

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I love to sit and listen to my son play...he takes his trains or dinosaurs or cars or whatever, and plays and makes them talk, although I can't understand all the words, most of it is jibberish but it is sooooooooooooooo cute to listen to!

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I must say, Serena loves school! For the most part, she was sorta weepy today when I dropped her off. She has a new "friend" a boy! His name is Monty. She talks about him all the time. They held hands one day and they play with each other every day. I found a flower in her backpack this week...from Monty~ how cute is that?!? I spoke to Monty's mom this week and she told me she asked him " who is the most beautifulest girl you know?" and his reply? "Serena and she is my girlfriend" I was rollin'! :)

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OK so I have quit trying to potty-train Brandon...I did it for 2 weeks and he was doing well at first, he would pee in the potty every time I took him...but then he discovered if he peed in the pull-up that was ok....not....so he also kept pooping in them, which is just gross...so I have gone back to diapers and will try again in a month or so...I don't remember my oldest being this hard to potty-train...but then I have a horrible memory! LOL

Friday Fragments ~ Birthdays, Sugar and Health

I have not done a FF post in like 4 weeks or more...and frankly I miss them!


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ok, so let me see what I actually have to frag about...ummm coupons! I have decided to save as much money as possible, because this economy sucks. I have gone online to some places and you can download coupons to print...which would be nice if I actually owned a printer, right?!?!?! So, I have sent the link to my hubby and he is going to print them from work, or I will have to go to my wonderful parents house and print them from there...


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Birthdays...I did a post here on Sierra's 3rd birthday and here on Serena's 5th birthday. I never did a post on my birthday..it was July 24th. No biggie, it was just 2 days after Carlos' funeral and I knew my husband had forgotten and I am totally ok with that. We did celebrate low-pro, we went to eat brunch at I-Hop (one of my favorite fat places to eat and it usually makes my poor husband sick...) and I got new tennis shoes (which I soooo needed!) and my hubby downloaded some music for me in my Ipod thing...so it was a fun day.


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Have you ever realized how much sugar you consume? I was doing research, via Google, LOL, and I found out that there is 196 grams of sugar in 1 cup of sugar....for like making Kool-Aid...and the average person, NOT DIABETIC, should consume no more then 40 grams of sugar a day! So, I can see the huge disservice I am doing my children by giving them Koo-Aid!!! So, no more! I found a 7 gram sugar, per cup, apple juice type light drink for them...that I don't even have to cut with water! So far, so good.


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Health. I am happy and thankful to God I have my health, I am healthy. I have several friends who are my age or one year older and they are on all kinds of meds...for different things...I woke up this morning and while doing my morning prayers realized I need to thank God I have my health. I don't wake up and have to take any kind of pill or any pills through out the day. I pray for my friends and hope they get better soon...

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I already did a complete bitch post about Serena' s school, so I won't bore you any further...except I know she is excited to go and I am excited for her! :)

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Let's just say I am looking forward to the new year. I know it is only August and the New Year is still 4 + months away, but I am looking forward to it just the same. Not to party it up, so to speak, but for a NEW year because, really this year has sucked for me, personally, in more ways then one...so I am looking forward to a new leaf to turn over...

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I am proud to say my son, Hayden has a job! He has been working now for about 2 months, so I don't know why I didn't mention it sooner! He is a dishwasher, I know low man on the totem pole, but he has to start somewhere! He makes 8 bucks an hour, not bad for a first job! He works most weekends, so he has been here during the week to visit. I can't tell you how incredibly proud of him I am! YAY HAYDEN!

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My neighbors suck. Period. What else can I say? OH I have a lot to say about them and their barking dogs at all hours of the night, which is why I am probably so tired lately. When they first moved in, almost a year ago, they had 3 little French Bulldogs, I think that is what the sign on the fence says, you know Beware of the French Bulldogs...they barked all the time and when the people were gone until like 1 in the morning, they would bark all night until then....I noticed one day that the dogs were gone. I was happy! I think the guy who owned them moved out....then the other day, well like probably 4 weeks ago now, he is back but with only 2 of the 3 dogs...UURGH! total frustration! Now, I have a dog, a Pug, and she barks, but only if she hears people or cars she doesn't recognize, she does not bark at all at night, she is in the house in her kennel cutting ZZZ's! Plus, it takes me a good 30 minutes to fall back asleep once I have been woke up, so if I go to bed at 10 and those dogs bark at 10:30 or 11 it takes me another 30 minutes to get back to sleep...not to mention the other day they were up partying until after 2 in the morning and the dogs were barking, too!

Friday Fragments - Sandbox, Potty-training & other Randomness

The Fiesta is coming this weekend to our town. This means: carny rides and games for the kids (that are a huge waste of money, the games), lots of good stuff to look at (clothes, face painting, henna tattoo's, some junk) lots of fattening foods that are soooooooooooo yummy (these small donuts in powdered sugar, chili cook-off, beer barn, Mexican and American foods) and drinks (shaved ice, coffee stuff and beer and wine), and even entertainment (country bands, rock bands and even Mariachi! which are my favs). I will be sure to take some pics and hopefully get them on my blog before I forget or get unmotivated....which I have been a lot lately...

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Did you ever think it would rain in July???? in Sunny California!? I thought it was Summer already, guess I missed the memo on the rain...really didn't see it coming or else I would not have washed my van! So, I had to go out and squeegee it off, I want this wash to last as long as possible.

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Do you ever think back to when you were a kid? During summertime, when you could go out and play until the street lights came on? I think back to those days and wonder why my kids don't always want to be outside...all day long! They have a nice backyard with grass and concrete to ride their bikes and pushy toys on...they have a slide, they have tables and chairs and a sandbox (that they don't get to use that much because someone who will remain anonymous, can't seem to NOT THROW the sand, getting it into every one's hair and eyes)...so what gives? I go out and play soccer with them, I take them for rides in the wagon and play tag...

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I started jogging in the afternoons with my hubby. We have gone 2 times this week, so far and have jogged almost a mile, 3 times around this HUGE grass area that used to have those fences for playing baseball...and I am sore... my hips and butt....so I guess it is working and I hope and pray to keep it up, because we need to get in better shape.

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We have Netflix thru our Xbox 360 and our Wii...which is awesome because we are watching the first season of Lost (I know...where have we been...LOL we just never got into it until now) out in our family room and the kids can watch their Care Bear movies in their room, over and over and over again! (yes, we let them watch movies all the time, don't judge, LOL)

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HUGE props to my little niece, Sierra! She has been potty-trained completely and that includes nights, too, for almost a week and she turns 3 tomorrow! So Double Props! and Happy Early Birthday! Sierra! From Auntie Mel! (I think I need to be more persistent with Brandon getting potty-trained, since he will be 3 in 3 weeks and 4 days....hmmm but he is a boy, right? LOL)

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I was thinking back to when my older 2 kids were little...and when my step-daughter, McKayla started coming over and spending time here....that seems so long ago, since the kids are now 17, 16 and 15. Kylie and McKayla got along so much better then Serena and Ginger Girl (the one I babysit, remember?) Well, clearly I know it is usually Serena that is causing the friction, but man, I never had to bust Kylie and McKayla for fighting, arguing or whatever, they just didn't do it. Well, this one time they did and I nipped it real quick. Although they didn't fight with each other, they did with Hayden, so I guess that is the difference, they had someone older to bug, where Serena and Ginger Girl are the oldest, they don't have anyone to bug!

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Now head on over to Mrs. 4444's to read all the other randomness!!

Friday Fragments ~

As always, this has been brought to you by Mrs. 4444!

Friday Fragments are designed to get all that "stuff" outta our head, so we can enjoy our weekend, right?

So, this is my older kids last week of school...finals and getting out early and then summer! YAY! I know they are both happy to have some free time on their hands...now to figure out what I am going to do with them...hmmmm...maybe have them help me babysit??? j/k

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VBS is next week at our church, Vacation Bible School. They always have a cute theme and it is only 10 bucks! and this includes a cute T-shirt for the kids, that is so long, it could be a dress! This will be the first year Serena is going all by herself. In the past, Kylie and McKayla (my step-daughter) have helped out, for the past 2 years. This year, McKayla is not coming for the summer and Kylie doesn't want to help out, so Serena will be all on her own, something she is not used to at all. I know, I know, cut them apron strings already! She will be in for a rude awakening when she starts school in the Fall, so I have to prepare her now...

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Remember, last week I told you all about the killer movie deal place??? Well, I can beat that! Our local movie theater is having FREE movies all summer long! On Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting at 10 in the AM they have movies like Curious George, Charlotte's Web, Planet 51, Madagascar 2, Where The Wild Things Are, Surf's Up and Ice Age, just to name a few! Some are people movies that I know the boys won't be interested in seeing, but the cartoons, oh bring it on, I know what we will be doing a few days a week! Now I will just have to remember to bring some snackies in my purse, because I am not spending 20 bucks on pop-corn and drinks, no way!

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My son, my baby boy, is so strong he can open my van door...and shut it. That is just what he did and then couldn't open it...and was in the van crying and screaming for me...He was not in there long, since we were at my parents house, I cannot loose sight of him for they have a pool and that day it was not covered, yet, we had just gone swimming and didn't cover it..so the second I realized he was not with his sister in the room playing, I booked all over looking for him, calling his name and I heard this muffled scream, crying for MA MA MA MA MA MA...guess I won't win the Parent Award this week, will I?

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Had to take my parents to the airport. No biggie, I have driven there countless times and I know how to get there and home, no problem...except this time...My dad tells me at the last minute I should take this other way home, it will be quicker then the freeways...and I took his way and got lost, for 40 minutes, with both Serena and Brandon in the van...I got all red on my chest (for those of you who don't know, when I get really, really upset, I get all red and blotchy on my chest, it is not very attractive!) I got that knot in my throat and tears in my eyes, I had a pit in my stomach...but I held it together for the kids and to get the Hell outta Dodge! I had to stop for directions and I was able to get back on track and make my way home...it was a little discouraging when I asked for directions at a gas station and the cashier area was enclosed in bullet proof plexy-glass...and I have never looked at those signs, with the arrows that say which lane to be in, the way I did today, utter happiness!

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I am super bummed that the Lakers lost their game Thursday night...but they will have a chance to redeem themselves, right? GO KOBE!

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I have so much in my brain right now, I can't even sort thru it...guess I just need to do one day at a time and one issue at a time. I know God doesn't give us more then we can handle, but man sometimes I really have a hard time believing this.

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My son, Brandon, is deaf in his left ear, for those of you who don't know (he has what is called Auditory Neuropothy which means he hears noise out of that left ear, like trying to tune in a radio station that doesn't want to be tuned) and most days I don't even think about it. He has a specialist teacher and I have put posts on here and here in the past. He has developed quite normally, whatever that is, and he doesn't qualify for services once he turns 3. This should make me happy and it does, sort of...I am scared for the future...what if I miss something...I mean it is great he won't need services and I know if he does or I have questions I just have to make a phone call. But, I am so used to his Specialist teacher and his Speech Therapist coming to the house for the past ...almost 3 yrs. This week, we were on our walk and he covered his "good" ear when we went by 2 houses where there were gardeners, they had weed whackers and they were loud. I kinda got sad at that...then another time he told his dad..."this ear doesn't work" and pointed to his "bad" ear...he has to know, he must be educated that his hearing is not the same as everyone else...so I just pray that he will learn and hear what his teachers are trying to teach him.

Brought to you by Mrs. 4444!

Friday Fragments ~ Lakers, Water World and Temps

I love Friday Fragments! Get the brain clean for the weekend and for the new week, thanks to Mrs. 4444's for hosting!

My sister had the strangest thing happen to her...her temperature dropped to 93 degrees! I will keep you posted on that...

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We recently went to Universal Studios (again!) and this time we saw the Water World show. You sit in this stadium like thing and there is this huge pool as the stage, long with ladders and props. You get wet like a lot!The kids enjoyed it, so much so, that Serena told Ginger Girl today..."we will play Water World, you can be the girl and I will be the bad guy and I will shoot you"...I was rollin' when I heard her say that because that is what happened in this show. Good guys and bad guys and one good girl and they shoot at her. They have the most awesome special effects and they use lots of water crafts. Brandon didn't enjoy it so much. I think it was too loud for him, only hearing out of one ear. He wasn't crying, but just wanted out of there, so we left just before the end.

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Lakers won the 1st Play Off Game against Boston, 102 to 89! I am a huge Lakers fan! You can go here to read that story and about Fantasy Basketball. I won't bore you too much here, if your not into basketball or Kobe, but for the record, KOBE ROCKS!

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I am scrambling to read Eclipse, you know that book from the Twilight Saga! I have to finish it by the end of this month, so I can go see the midnight showing with my daughter! I can't wait.

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I have a friend who is a year older then me, late thirty's. She has been going thru some major medical stuff to find out what is going on with her. She shakes all the time and is super cold all the time. Her Dr first put her on Beta Blockers and that slows her heart and makes her more cold. The poor thing has to wear thermal shirts and like 3 jackets to work and have a heater on...Then her Dr ordered blood work, 16 viles! at one sitting! I hope he is checking a bazillions things...that is a crap-load of blood. Then, he ordered her to gather her pee for 24 hours. Then an MRI and then to a neurologist for some brain test. Like I said, major medical stuff. So, please, if you pray can you add her to your prayers. I will keep you posted on this when I know something. Thanks!

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I found this movie theater that is just up the freeway from here. Tickets are 3 bucks to get in to any show! On Wednesdays, you and a buddy ( that is what the website says, so it doesn't have to be a "date") can go to any movie after 6 PM for 10 bucks for both of you to not only get in, but you each get a pop-corn and a soda! Can we say deal?

Friday Fragments ~ Broken Glass and Bike Rides

These were some of the pics I forgot to add to my post on Kyle's piano recital.


I will also tell you it was smack-right-in-the-middle-of-the-day, 2:00 and Brandon napped a little bit in his stroller, these were both taken after his nap.

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News Flash!

Ginger Mom is meeting with a cousin to the Kardashians! She works at an assisted living care place for older folks and she told me yesterday morning that I forgot his first name Kardashian was going to be at her work....will keep you posted!

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Saw the new Shrek movie! It was awesome! I won't go into anymore details (for those of you who have not seen it yet) but I really enjoyed it and so did the kids. We did not see it in 3D. I think they will tell you that the 3D movies are screwing up people's eyes...sometime in the future. I did notice that more and more movies are coming out in 3D. It looks cool, don't get me wrong, but for little eyes and my older eyes, LOL I think it was best to just see it regular, not 3D.

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YAY! For Lee! Our New American Idol!

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I really hate it when my neighbor smokes his cigs...he is outside and it just blows into my home, YUCK! Doesn't he realize that I want to live to be 100??!?!?!?!? I don't want my children exposed to his second-hand smoke, because it can kill, too!

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I really get miffed when someone, who will remain anonymous but I am sure you can figure out who it is, complains about dishes in the sink...so I go to wash them and break a glass! My beer mug BTW!!! Glad I have another one!

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Brandon really wants to be potty-trained. I should take a hint when he keeps getting undressed and trying to pee by himself! Last night he peed all over the toilet, but he was trying so I didn't get upset...and he has woken up dry this week, guess Mom needs to get on the ball and potty-train already!

I almost forgot to mention that Serena learned to ride her Dora bike (finally!) with training wheels of course and here is a short video of Ginger Girl helping her out! I am so proud of her! Now she books up and down that small strip of cement, all day long :) Notice she is in her bathing suit with white dress shoes! LOL

Friday Fragments - Boo Boo's, Phone Calls & More

Mrs. 4444's does this wonderful thing on Fridays:






I just love it, so I do it every week, it is a kind of cleansing I think.

Be warned: This post contains some gnarly pics of Brandon. So, proceed with caution.

Of course, I downloaded them in the opposite order, but what else is new?! Brandon was at our kitchen table the other day, playing with one of those cardboard books you color with water...well, he was getting the water all over my table, and knowing he was going to be in trouble he tried to bolt before I busted him. He landed face down on our hardwood floors, thus resulting in a fat lip...I thought he might need stitches at first, there was so much blood. My poor Bubba!

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The start of the week was wet and rainy. I am a complete wimp, I despise the cold, and I am so spoiled by wonderful weather here in sunny Southern Cali! Not to mention, it makes for a sucky day when we have to stay indoors, no walk and no making them go outside to play! But, I do like to drink hot tea when it is yucky out! :)

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I totally dig it when my kids and my Gingers say, out of the blue: I love you! It is sooooo incredibly sweet. :)

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We have been listening to the Shrek Sound Track CD in the van lately. One CD is of all three Shrek's...it is fun to listen to Serena sing along, even if she is making up her own words!

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We have a home phone as well as cells. I think times are tough right now, this economy is horrendous, especially when I get calls on my home phone of ads, you know like Verizon, wanting even more money then what I already give....there was this one place that kept calling like every 3 days, I kid you not! and I kept hanging up on them...then I thought, hmmm I will listen the next time to the entire recording and sure enough all I had to do was press * and they would quit calling me!

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Happy Friday to you all! I feel better now! LOL

Friday Fragments ~ Gum, Ginger Boy and Plants

Here are my new lovely additions! The pink one in the orange pot I picked up at the 99 cent store! The other one is part of my plant that I grew.

This is some "junk" in my backyard, that actually belongs to my neighbor who lives behind me...she is a kind lady and told me she would talk to her gardener and see if he can haul it away for a reasonable fee

This is my lovely son who loves wearing anything that is not for him, but for girls! Enough said, but I am sure in about 10 yrs he will not be happy that I put this on my blog, LOL

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Did you know that peanut butter will really get gum out of your hair???? It's true! I had the pleasure of trying this when Serena got gum stuck in her beautiful head of hair...I was going to cut it out and big sister stepped in (thank GOD) and told me to use peanut butter...it happened to a friend of hers and she told me to just work the peanut butter into the gum and wala! the gum gets stuck to the peanut butter and then you just have to work it out of the hair...her head still smells like peanut butter but at least I didn't have to cut it!

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After 1 week, yes 1 week, my Ginger Boy's eye is almost completely healed! He got the stitches on Saturday and had them removed on Thursday and by the following Monday his eye looks awesome! His mom is convinced it has to do with the medication he takes 3 times a day, for his digestive problem. Poor little dude, but at least his eye is better! :)

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I had tried to participate in a great meme, Thank You Very Much...hosted by: The Daily Dribbles, but I couldn't get the button to my post...AARGH! It was so frustrating, I spent 30 minutes trying to get it, I even did it by each single letter or symbol and it would not work!

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I came up with a great idea for my grandmother...she is in her 90's and has grand kids and great grand kids. It would be great for her to see pics of her kids, grand kids and great grand kids with out all the pics all over the place or in a photo album....So, I think we should all pitch in and get her a 15 inch Digital Picture Frame! and a memory card to hold enough pics from each family, we mail it to everyone and then my parents are going to visit her this summer, they can take it and set it up for her! Then it can scroll through the pics and she can see everyone who loves her!

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Still no word on my van...I hate waiting...for those of you who don't know, the engine light came on and it is in the shop....so I am home with my kids and no van! No escaping this nut house! But we are walking to the bank this morning, we so need the fresh air!

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I was eating some yummy trail mix with the kids, you know the kind with M&M's, peanuts, almonds and raisins...putting it in my hand so they can grab some....well, Serena was grabbing each thing separately, and I told her that is not how you eat trail mix, you just throw it all in your mouth together, she opens her mouth to show me it is all together! LOL

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Brandon's Specialist Teacher is having knee surgery, so I had the kids make her get well cards and I am including pics of them when I send it to her. She is such a nice lady and always makes sure to bring toys that Serena will enjoy, it is my way to show her we care.

Ok I am d-o-n-e!

I can't wait to read more frags over at Mrs 4444's!

Friday Fragments ~ Stitches, Anniversary's and Chores

My poor Ginger Bread, Ginger Boy, fell off his chair at home and hit his eye! So, he needed stitches over the weekend before coming to my house...This poor little dude, has bad luck. He goes for a pre-op appt for tubes and then has the surgery on the 11th of this month, so, please, if you pray, say a prayer for him, will ya?

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We had our 7th wedding anniversary! Last year, I did a post on it. You can read it here.

I was going to do a post about it, but decided not to. May 3rd, 2003 we got married and it was a wonderful day, even though it rained for 13 hours before...To celebrate this year we went to Universal Studios (again!) just the two of us, me and my hubby. It was a great way to celebrate and spend some time with out children. Props to Kylie for babysitting Serena and Brandon that day, for about 7 hours...she is a great older sister. Thanks Kylie! :)

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We have implemented a "chore list" for Serena. She has to make her bed, clean her room, and get toys from the living room daily. I also added not crying at bedtime, which makes her angry, since that is not a chore, in her eyes. I told her she can get rewarded for going to bed in a good mood...so far, so good. Oh! She also has to help Kylie with trash. She must go to our bathroom, the first bathroom and Kylie's room and get the trash cans and take them to the kitchen, where Kylie can dump them into one bag, then she has to take them back. She does the chore and we give her a star and after so many stars she gets a small reward, candy, small toy...but she has to earn them. Which is hard for her dad...he loves to spoil all the kids...

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Yesterday, my van's engine light came on...you can read that drama here. So, the diagnosis: First, let me tell you my BIL is a mechanic, we took the van to him. They changed the oil, which was not the problem. The light was triggered by the transmission...I was so bummed when they told me this. They suggested taking it to the Dodge dealership if we have extended warranty, which expired last year in June...we will take it back to the shop Monday and pray it is nothing too major or expensive...This gives me a stomach ache....we cannot afford another car payment and it seems like we can never get ahead...

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You know when you have your walls painted just so and the kids push stuff up against them, causing the nice paint to chip, just a little??? Well, this happened in Serena and Brandon's room, the Dora kitchen is the culprit. We move it away from the wall and call it good. Well, someone got into trouble and was put in her room for time out...she sat and picked the wall and made a hole, while in time out! Can we say pissed beyond belief??????? What was going thru her mind? I would love to know...

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Friday Fragments ~ Ants, Lizards and Glasses

I have many different drinking glasses. I have wine glasses, flutes for champagne, ice tea glasses and about 2 dozen or so martini glasses. (I don't drink martinis, but I loved the cactus on the stem of one set and the other sets, well the stem is bent in a weird way and I love it). So, when I am drinking my water during the day or my juice, I will grab one of these glasses, otherwise they really don't get used. So, if you happen to drop by and I have a martini glass out, and it is the middle of the day, NO I am not drinking martini's, but I am probably drinking water!


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We have 3 baby Gecko's. One is darker then the rest, he is a pig. He eats the most crickets and the most worms, he probably craps the most, too. One is sort of pink and yellow, he is mine. He is sketchy and runs around the tank a lot and makes his body into an S, and tries climbing the walls. The last one, is the same color as mine, but has different markings, stripes rather then the squares mine has, and is quite calm and cool.


They are supposed to get along. They are not aggressive animals...or so I was told. Today, when it was time to feed the little dudes, I start dropping the worms in like bombs and the Pig starts eating right away. Out from the "house" mine peeks out and I drop a worm for him. He grubs on it. I drop another one for the other lizard...not sure if he got it or not. So, this goes on for a while, I drop it and the Pig eats it. The last one I drop, the Pig grabs it and mine grabs half his face, including his eye! and takes the worm right out of his mouth! The poor thing had no clue as to what happened, expect he was chomping his worm any longer. Maybe my lizard wants to be the Pig of the tank!


Then, when I was putting the top back on the tank, there was my lizard, making his body into an S stuck to the wall...I swear he is neurotic...


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I don't like it when my kids don't listen. I keep telling Serena if she would listen to me the first time I told her to do something, she wouldn't get into trouble.


I took the kids to the park (the one I used to go to when I was a kid) for an hour. We had a blast. We played on the jungle gym, we went on the swings and we even saw 4 young girls in beautiful dresses with their dates, (going to Prom)...


We walked around the park and found sticks and pine cones, to which I told Serena to not pick up, I could see it was full of sap. I told her to drop it and she kept picking at the sap. I told her it was sticky and it was called sap and to drop it, she didn't listen.


Finally, she dropped it. We get to the van and I take a dipe wipe of all things, and wipe her hands and the dipe wipe STUCK to her hands! in little white tufts all over her fingers. So, I grab the hand sanitizer and rub her hands with my hands. Big mistake. Now my hands were sticky! So, I rubbed mine more with the hand sani...got her in the car seat and drove home. (My van has built in child seats where she normally sits. I also have a car seat that I use for my Ginger Boy sometimes, this is the seat she chose to sit in on the way home, which is by a window that opens, a wing window.) I tell her on the way home, as I look in the rear view mirror at her, DO NOT STICK YOUR HANDS OUT THE WINDOW you will get my window sticky and I might shut the window and squish your hands...


You can guess what happened. I pulled into the drive-way and I am a creature of habit, so I start shutting the windows and she screams! I say what's wrong???? and she screams MY HAND!!!!! so I panic for a split second and then open the window and she pulls her hand out.


Man...that totally ruined our day. Her hand was fine, not even a mark on them, I think because I got the window open fairly quick...

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I don't like ants, can't stand them. We have had them on the honey, in our bathroom, in the kitchen, on the floor by the kitchen table, in our bedroom on the wall, you name it they have been there.

I woke up one morning with ants on my wall, near my bed....gross. So, I clean them up and notice more later in the day....they were crawling from the window down the wall to my shoes and I noticed one in my shoe...so I grab my shoe about to kill the ant and I tip it just the slightest and holy crap! Batman, we have mega ants in my shoe eating a single piece of cereal! I was grossed out and had to dump the ants outside...so much for letting the kids eat a snack in my room while watching a movie...but that is all it takes, one single piece of something dropped on the floor to get them ants comin'!

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Friday Fragments

Here is Brandon in sunglasses....thinking he is a movie star! Oh he is so cute! He is now starting to potty-train! I am so excited! He goes before bedtime and when he wakes up. I try to have him go before nap time and when he wakes up.....so soon he will be in underware!



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Couldn't resist putting in a pic of Serena! I can hardly believe she is going to be going to school in the Fall...

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My cousin's granddaughter is going to start a kick boxing class run by Chuck Liddell! I think that is awesome for her! She is going through some major changes in her life and might need an outlet, so this is perfect!

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I finally made my sign for the van: Get off your cell! I want to live! I cut out hearts earlier this week and I kept one for myself and put this on it! My 15 yr old daughter said she wouldn't ride in the van with me if I was really going to "flash it to drivers"...I am all for talking on the phone, but use a headset! already! I am really down on people talking on the phone while driving because I was almost hit while pulling my kids in the wagon one day, so I am bitter!

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I want to shout out to my Ginger Parents! Happy 8th Wedding Anniversary to them! I think wedding anniversary's are wonderful, just as great as weddings, so I am happy they went out to dinner to celebrate! :)

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The Lakers are playing in the playoffs as I type! I can hardly do my blog. I am a Kobe lover and I love the Lakers, too! They are still loosing :(

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We have a long driveway. It will hold about 4 cars in a row...so, if I am out and about and Daddy comes home, I park behind him and block his car...so some mornings I have to move my van so he can go to work...I don't like doing this when the little ones are sleeping because I am scared they might go out the front door looking for us and go to the drive way and I won't see them (You get the picture). I had to move my van this morning. Brandon was awake and didn't want to stay in the house, so I took him with me. Serena woke up just before I came in the house and was sitting on the couch with huge ploppin' tears in her beautiful big brown eyes...she thought I left her home alone! Poor kid! I told her the minute I saw her, I was moving the van and she should have looked out the window (I noticed the blinds then, and she had looked out them) and she said she did but didn't see me. I sat and hugged my little girl and rocked her back and forth telling her over and over again, I will never leave you! She told me she looked all over the house, in all the bedrooms and even the closets! How horrible to feel abandoned!

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My husband recently purchased an I touch...it is cool. You can download music and search the internet...he loves it. He wants me to love it. He wants to buy me one. I just don't think I would use it and appreciate it like he does. My daughter also has one...she is on that thing all the time. I would prefer a laptop....something I would definitely use and appreciate!

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Friday Fragments ~ Curly Hair and a Must See Video

I got these wrap, snap and go! curlers for your hair many moons ago. I pulled them out the other day and told Serena we would use them and curl her hair. It turned out awesome on the sides, not so much in the back. I think her hair is just too long and heavy...I dunno but we will do it again, she loves to have curls then she says she looks like Mom! :)

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Ginger's cousin, Ginger Boy, Serena and Brandon. Doncha love the pillow above his head? I have no clue why it is there, guess it needed to be out of the way...LOL

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Here is my puppers, Chloe. She is a Pug and old, like 10 yrs old! There is a short video at the end of this post and all you can hear (mostly) is Chloe breathing, yes she breaths loud, it is a crack up!

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Remember my science experiment? Well, I was really done with it a while ago, but kept forgetting to take a pic of the bottle with my marks. Yes, I marked each and every load and NO it didn't do 64 loads, but it did do 35. So, I guess this just proves I was right! Hahahah which doesn't happen often!

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This is Serena's drawing of Percy, the number 4 engine from Thomas and Friends. I think it is a great pic and it shows her artistic talent. I mean she is only 4.5 yrs old.

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Here is a short (14 second) video of Serena and a rolly-polly and Chloe (nickname Deeka...don't ask why or where we got that nickname because I have no clue!) Enjoy!

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Friday Fragments

Here is another post on FF (Friday Fragments). I love this kind of post, so random!

I love these kinds of decorations! Don't you?

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I love Reader's Digest! I love the jokes and the articles. I don't get a lot of time to read, but this is something I really enjoy!

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We have had rain, hot sun and Santa Ana winds all in ONE week! For those of you who don't know: Santa Ana winds are hot winds, not cold ones. SO, needless to say, all my kids and my Gingers (AKA Ginger Breads) are all snotty, sneezing and coughing...wonderful!

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Love Glee! Just started watching last season on the computer to get caught up since the new season starts on Tuesday! I can't wait!

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Conversation between me and Serena on our walk:

Serena: Mom, you know, Sophie is real cute. She is bigger then Brandon.

Mom: Yes, she is cute. She is older then Brandon, I think she is already 3.

Serena: Well, you can understand her better then Brandon. She talks more and she is animated.

Mom: (trying not to laugh) umm Serena did you say animated?

Serena: Yes, Mom.

Mom: Do you know what animated even means? (still trying not to laugh)

Serena: No Mom, but I will tell you what it means tomorrow.

I was rollin'! So I tried to explain it to her but by that time we were already at our destination! She has quite the vocab for a 4.5 yr old.

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You always need to be careful with what you say to your kids. For example, whenever Serena says she "hates" something I always correct her and say, you shouldn't hate that is a strong word, say you don't like. So, driving in the car in a town I cannot stand! I say, I hate driving here and she says, no you don't hate Mom, you should say you don't like to drive here! hahahahah see she is listening to me even though sometimes I think she is ignoring me.

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I love Spring! I have noticed some really pretty purple flowers in my flowerbeds outside. I will have to get off my butt and take some pics and post them. Some of them in the backyard, I have never seen before! I need to get some flowers this weekend to plant. Some friends of mine have their "gardens" already planted! Like, tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumber...we did strawberries and jalapenos last year and oh yes the Pineapple Sage (any ideas of what you do with this stuff??? Hubby grabbed it on accident..LOL) we got a few strawberries but not much and the jalapenos, well they weren't hot, so I dunno if I want to plant veggies, maybe I should do herbs...?

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My sister has 7 month old twin boys. She recently got their pics taken and they were wearing ....onsies that say, "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" I want to post the pics so bad on here! I will have to call her and ask her permission. When she told me she orderd them I was like oh how cool and so cute! I couldn't wait to see them, so cross your fingers that she will let me post them on here, you won't be disappointed!

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Ants have invaded my kitchen! I couldn't find the honey...until way late in the day and the kids wanted peanut butter and honey sammy's....so I am looking in the freezer to pick out something for dinner, and low and behold the honey was in there! and frozen ants in the ice cube tray! ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

guess they found the honey quick and my hubby wanted them dead, fast!

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