The Beeyotch is Back - An Ipod Meme

Ipod Survey

1. Put your iPod on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY?" YOU SAY? "Think I'm in Love" by Eddie Money (I swear, I am not and never was THAT easy! lol)

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? "Wild Wild Life" by The Talking Heads (my hubby will crack up at this!)

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? "I Melt With You" by Modern English (This was mine and hubby's song... he did melt me!)

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? "Faith" by George Michael (gotta have it)

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? "What About Love" by Heart (it's all about the love, peoples)

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? "Talk Dirty to Me" by Poison (LOL)

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? "More Than A Feeling" by Boston (ok...)

8. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TOMORROW?"Ever the Same" by Rob Thomas (yeah, the usual with the kids!)

9. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath (lol)

10. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? "Something to Believe In" by Poison (200+ songs and it repeats Poison? Good song, but still!)

11. WHAT MAKES YOU SAD? "Whip It" by Devo (LOL)

12. WHAT SONG TELLS YOUR LIFE STORY? "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel (I swear I do have non 80's music, really! LOL)

13. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? "Mad World" Adam Lambert

14. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE YOUR LOVE? "Come Back to Me" by David Cook (see a 2009 song!)

15. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? "Living After Midnight" by Judas Priest (well, I am an insomniac...)

16. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW? "Run to the Hills" by Iron Maiden (well, a little vacation in Vermont again would be fab!)

17. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? "Wild Horses" by the Rolling Stones (I should just be happy that 'Sympathy for the Devil' didn't pop up! lol)

18. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? "Rock You Like a Hurricane" by the Scorpions (I like science about rocks and weather... works for me!)

19. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? "All Star" by SmashMouth (well, no I am not hiding any big sports secret in my closet! LOL)

20. HOW FAR WILL YOU GO IN LIFE? "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd (I am comfortable with where I am in life, but hardly numb... interesting!)

Well, this was a fun Meme! The Meme Queen is back, Lyn! LOL I needed something tonight to occupy my time while waiting for the boys, my two, my nephew and a spare friend, and my daughter get settled. They don't need to be asleep, just closer to it. I had to yell up to stop what sounded like some sort of wrestling match twice. ::sigh::

Hey, if I don't actually have to physically get in the middle of it to stop it or mop up blood, then it's all good! LOL Nah... just a little horseplay, no biggie!

I am off to play some online games, check the bookface out and hopefully fall asleep fairly easily tonight!!!!

Oh, and I hope everyone tries the meme!!!

be well...

Thankful Thursday

This is just such an adorable find... I couldn't resist.

Which leads me to Thankful things and the first one on my list this eveningtide.

1. My Hubby. Tonight Hubby took Fuzzy and Pumpkin Muffin to the bowling alley to have fittings done for their new balls. Nephew D went along and they all threw a quick game after they were done at the pro shop. Hubby knew I had a sore day and stopped at 7-11 to get my favorite potato chips, but they were out. So, he drove to the 7-11 not on the way home, the one past our house and out of the way, to get them for me. Very sweet. It's the 'little things' that mean a lot.

2. All of you. J-land Refugees. My Blogging Buddies. Thanks for welcoming me back with open arms! I know I would get back here eventually but wasn't sure anyone would care! I am so happy you still do!

3. Coffee. In the face of all this rain, medication issues etc, it has been my 'mommy's little helper'! LOL

4. My parents. Their patience and the safety net they provided in our moments of panic and need were well timed and freely offered as always. They are the rocks with which we build our family foundation on and they are so appreciated by both myself and my Hubby. Beyond words...

5. Lock n Roll. A mindless game I play on my iphone that helps me fall asleep at night!

6. Your kinds words, prayers and good thoughts for Uncle K. I am really hopeful that good things start to flow his way and soon.

7. My nephew D. He is such a goofball and a sweetie and I really have fun during the week he stays with us each summer. I hope he never grows 'too cool' to come hang at Aunt Dawn's.

8. My two K's, BFF Kathy and Cousin Karol. My gal pal support. Thank you both for always being there.

9. Illness. Yes, you rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and brain thingy. You are a pain, you bring pain, yet you bring clarity. You force me to see what is really important at a very basic level EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Not everyone has that. I am blessed.

Just a couple of quick notes and shout outs...

Joann and all, snag away, my pics are from http://www.icanhascheezburger.com/

All the facebook peeps; I can't friend you, too much kid stuff on there. But I promise to be more 'here' again! At least once a week! If not more.

be well...

ps... About the Kindle. I still buy my fave authors books that I collect or books we all share, but there are a lot I would buy and then give away or pass on to others and this saves me some money. Plus it is soooooo easy on my hands and wrists and with the RA that is awesome!

Meme... 25 Random Things

I nabbed this from Bill's facebook! Thanks Bill!

25 Random Things - Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. I prefer to do this kind of thing here on my blog!

2. I really love to write.

3. Even though I love NYC and have been there many many times, I have only ridden the subway a few times, maybe 3, and only with my Hubby!

4. I have never camped out in a tent, and probably never will.

5. My favorite perfumes are Shalimar and Chanel No. 5.

6. I rarely wear perfume due to Fuzzy's allergies/asthma but I do wear a daily coconut body spray from Bath and Body Works. The kids call it 'the mommy smell'. lol

7. I miss being able to work for the instant gratification of performing a job well and getting that recognition, but know that I can't do it anymore, at least not outside the house.

8. I love teddy bears.

9. I enjoy reading Boy's Life, the Scouting magazine, each month when it arrives.

10. I have an Amazon Kindle and it is AWESOME!!!

11. I am a daddy's girl (which is why I have a Kindle, lol)

12. I consider my mom one of my best friends!

13. I loved being pregnant, and if I hadn't ended up with RA/Lupus etc, I would have looked into being a surrogate to help infertile couples.

14. I enjoy playing video games, listening to music and having fun with my kids!

15. My pets are like little people to me!

16. I love action movies and movie adaptations of comics. I have a 'guys' taste when it comes to movies. lol

17. I love history and like movies that retell historical moments or are historical fiction. Same thing with books.

18. I am a bit of a science geek too.

19. I will turn on Nickelodeon or Boomerang to watch a favorite cartoon occasionally when home alone!

20. My dad has three tattoos from his time in the Navy, two are cartoon characters and one is the date he crossed the equator for the first time, a big deal for a sailor.

21. I don't have any tattoos, but if I did I would get 'Carpe Diem', on the side of my ankle, or inside my wrist.

22. I sometimes use daily wear contact lenses.

23. The kids and I all have blue eyes, each with a different shade. Hubby has beautiful hazel green with yellow and light brown flecks.

24. Pumpkins favorite color is PURPLE. Fuzzy's is BLUE. Hammer's is SILVER.

25. I don't really have one favorite color anymore! Really!

Okie dokie... now I TAG... all of you! Everyone should try to do this! In fact, Bill, you should post yours on here too for all to see!

be well...

Wishing and Hoping

I just loved the look of horror on this kitteh's face! LOL

So, anyhow it was a nice weekend. My nephew is here with us for his annual summer visit for a week. It should be fun and I am hopeful the weather will cooperate!

Helping someone who doesn't want help, someone who wants to wallow in their negativity, in their anger, is very hard.

Hubby's bf who is going through a really rough time right now is in a bad place. Since before the holidays we have been giving him as much support as we can. Emotionally, but also a place to crash when needed and lots of company etc. He has hit a really rough patch right now and it sucks. Hubby and I are angry on his behalf and frustrated also. It sucks.

If you could send prayers and positive thoughts, I would appreciate it. Uncle K as we will refer to him here, needs to come out on the other side of this determined to accept what he can't change and fight like hell for the things he can.

I woke up with a sinus/migraine/allergy headache thing and it just won't quit. ACK!!!

More thunderstorms will be moving thru our area soon... I am so sick of rain!!!

be well...

Since You've (actually, I've) Been Gone

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaacccccckkkk!

Did you miss me? I did miss you all! And, I lurked here and there just to make sure all was well, but probably not as often as I should have done.

It was a combination of things that made me take a break from blogging and I have to say there was not one thing to blame more than another.

Mostly, I was in a rut. And, our computer situation had been very kooky.

I will be back now, but I don't think I will blog as much as before and definitely not now with the kids home for summer.

A quick update is in order for sure!

The kids are all good. Fuzzy graduated from 8th grade and will begin high school in September. He was on honor roll for all 4 marking periods this year! He didn't make it into the charter high school that he wanted to attend and was quite disappointed. But, as they say, it was a character building experience. He has one merit badge to complete before beginning to work on his Eagle Scout project.

Which brings us to Hammer, who HAS completed his last merit badge and will shortly begin research to start his Eagle Scout project proposal. Hammer will be 17 in a month, however he is not ready to learn to drive and we are just okie dokie fine with that. In fact, I am very proud of him that he realized that he is just not ready. Next month, my dad, Hammer and I will be taking a train trip to Chicago to visit the Field Museum. This is something Hammer has wanted to do since kindergarten and I am very happy to be finally getting this done! lol

Pumpkin completed 6th Grade with flying colors! She was on the Distinguished Honor Roll for all 4 marking periods which was her goal at the beginning of the year! All of her final grades were 96 and above and we couldn't be more proud! Unfortunately, she is on a break from piano, but I am very hopeful that she will return to it soon.

Hubby has finally left his awful company and hooked up with a wonderful new firm, just this June. I am very relieved and this promises to help alleviate some of our financial woes as time passes. All good things.

Now, for me. I am still very happy and counting my blessings daily! Health wise has been a bit of a struggle. I began to become sensitive to the Enbrel and began to have an allergic reaction which came to a head in April. I saw my rheumatologist in May and she wants me to start taking Humira instead. All at the same time as the insurance was trying to get approval, Hubby's old company changed insurance and then he left them, putting us on cobra, and starting September 1, we will have a new insurance.

Long story short no Humira until then which has resulted in a few flares for me. So far I have had to do 2 tapers of prednisone, which sucks, but it had to be done.

Oh, and the brain thingy is still there, but still not growing. So far. Yay.

So there you have it. Some good, some bad. And, it could ALWAYS be worse!

Right now the kids are home and we are enjoying summer!!! No schedule, later bedtime, lots of reading. It has been really nice. The kids had Scout Camp last week and had a blast. Pumpkin even went along (registered through Campfire Girls) and stayed with them. She had a tough time with the bugs and came home midweek with me on visitation day. I couldn't blame her. All the rain we had in NJ has created quite the bug fest. Eww.

So, that is that! Tomorrow, I hope to pop on and catch up with some of your blogs.

Oh and I still love my coffee as always!!!

And, I love facebook. I am sorry if I have not friended you but I have a lot of family and kid connections on there and I am trying to keep it more private than here, just something I feel I need to do!

be well,
Dawn

From My House to Yours...

Merry Christmas!

I will be back in the New Year!

May all your holiday dreams come true

and may 2009 be filled with blessings!

Love,

Dawn and family!

The Gambler (Returns!)

I'm baaaack!!!

Omg, you have all been very busy! I cannot go back and read everything without a time-stopper, but I will try to catch the new ones!

Although this is a busy week, too!

First thing is first... Atlantic City was awesome! Truly an adult playland! Lots of fun had by all! Especially my mom, since she was winning! I was up, then down, then up, then down, and on the last night back up! Mom let me keep that last night's winnings.

I promised to spend it on myself, and I did. Books! Yay!

We also had lots of great food! 4 and 5 star restaurants... yum! Il Verdi, Cuba Libre, and The Palm. Also, lunch at the Irish pub, Ri Ra!

Kathy joined us Thursday and stayed overnight. It was so much fun to just play and eat and drink together! No kids! No Hubby's! Just us three girls!

The kids and all the pets were thrilled to see us when we got home! Only one traumatic event happened while I was gone. The kids went to Boy Scouts and all the boys were playing football. And, Pumpkin Muffin. She tackled Fuzzy and somehow hyperextended his elbow. Again. Same one he injured playing 'real' football 2 years ago. Hubby had to take him to the pediatric orthopedist. Fuzzy is fine, but needs to be in a sling for two weeks total. Never a dull moment!

My birthday was very nice! We had dinner at the Grand Lux Cafe. The kids gave me a Starbucks gift card, and Hubby had already given me the iphone. My parents had bought me some clothes, my mom took me away, and I got to keep some winnings. Kathy gave me and itunes gift card!

A great birthday booty! 43! I am clinging to saying 'early 40's' but I am pushing it! LOL

This week will be busy! Yesterday and today, I am mostly trying to rest. I rested in AC when I needed to do so, but I needed more once I got home. All in all, the rheumatoid arthritis behaved pretty well! Thank goodness for the vitamins, they are really helping. And, taking a pain killer helps when needed, too.

I have an appointment for bloodwork on Wednesday followed by an award ceremony at the school. Both kids made the honor roll, with Pumpkin on the 'distiguished'. All good! I am very proud of them!

Thanksgiving will be here, too! We go to Kathy's house and I am really looking forward to it! I will be making and bringing my maple glazed carrots!

Okay... gotta go!

be well...

Thankful Thursday

Ahh... Thankful Thursday... you do like to sneak up on me! Like now, very late on Thursday... actually Friday am! I am having trouble relaxing because I needed to drink an extra cup of coffee at about 4pm today, and now the caffeine has me up.

I drank it in order to have a little extra 'oomph' because tonight we had a high school 'open house' to attend with Fuzzy. It was good, but long. Whew.

Here are my thankfuls...

1. I am thankful for Hubby, and that the biggest complaint I have about him is that he is a big baby.

2. I am very thankful for coffee! Especially, GINGERBREAD! Yay! It is a seasonal k-cup that I can only get for my Keurig coffeemaker during November, December and January! My first cup of it yesterday was just heavenly! I made a big deal out of it and Hammer was laughing at my lunacy as I turned the first cup into a momentous occasion!

3. I am thankful that on Monday I will be heading to Atlantic City with mom! YAY!

4. I am thankful for my upgrade to the iphone so I can keep in touch with home easier while I am away! I will send them pictures and texts and emails.

5. I am thankful for my early birthday/Christmas clothes from my mom and dad since I needed some new winter things and I can wear them next week on my trip first! (ps... My birthday is coming up on 11/22, since a few of you asked)

6. I am thankful for my kids and my family and my wonderful busy life! And, although it has kept me away from the keyboard, I know you are here and will be here when I am able to get back and catch up properly!

7. I am thankful that I have good healthcare and access to medicines that are helping me to manage my chronic issues! Today, I would never have made it all day and through and 2 1/2 hour Open House without the aid of vicodin. I was really hurting, but after the vicodin I was able to focus on my son and all the info that I needed to absorb tonight.

I will be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers! This may be my last post until somewhere around 11/24! I will try to pop in and leave a quickie if I can, but if now, know that I am okay!

Maybe I will even win some money in AC! Wish me luck!

be well...

The Long Run

It was quite a weekend around here!

Friday, my cousin Karol and bf/sister Kathy came to visit with children in tow. We had a really nice get together! Lots of coffee, donuts, and chit chat! Then, the teenaged boys stayed in with McD's, and the rest went to dinner. It was very nice. Especially for my mom, whose birthday was the next day.

Saturday, for the first time in close to 20 odd years, my mom, dad, and I went out to dinner for my mom's birthday! Just the three of us! We went to a posh local Italian restaurant and ate like royalty! Yum!

Hubby was away with the kids on a scout camping trip. Pumpkin was able to go because it was camp tenting. It was her first time, and she had fun! In spite of the rainy weather, they were able to have 2 great campfire cooked meals and S'mores!

I got an upgrade on my cell phone to an iphone as an early birthday present today from Hubby and the kids and I am having fun playing with it!

Sunday was our anniversary. It wasn't Shakespeare and roses, but it was okay. Dinner was out at Houlihan's with the kids and my parents. A combo celebrating Grandma's birthday, which they missed, and our anniversary.

Hubby was the one who screwed up and actually scheduled the camping trip on our anniversary. I was not happy. I figured that knowing that, he would come home and take me to lunch or at least coffee together alone, trying to squeeze in some romance.

Oh no. Instead, he came home overtired, cranky, slept on the couch for most of the day, when not watching football, complained about how his hands hurt, and has been snippy with me on and off since then.

As you can imagine, this sunk the sails on the 'Love Boat' pretty fast. Happy freakin' 17th! Today, he is still the same bundle of overtired sludge and complaining about his poor arthritic hands.

Yeah. Complaining to me. Who lives with that all the time, 24/7. He promptly fell asleep at 9:30pm on the couch because being in pain makes you tired. Really? No foolin'? Imagine that. And, it makes it hard for you to sleep too? Wow. AMAZING. If you didn't tell me I wouldn't know. Okay, enough sarcasm for tonight! lol

So, as you can see, I am not particularly happy with him right now.

I can't wait to go to Atlantic City next week with my mom. It is the biggest treat to get away and have the special time together that we get then. It is a HUGE break for me which is really nice.

I just let the dog out and stood on my back stairs admiring the crisp air and gorgeous clear skies and big bright moon. Just magical.

My hubby may be wallowing in his mire and trying to sink me into it, but I refuse to go there!

I am still wayyyy behind reading journals! Ack! This time of year is so crazy for me, I will do my best! Hopefully, tomorrow will be quiet.

be well...