And speakin' of freakin'.....

.......did you know in 10 yr old girl language, that freakin' is the new "like"? You know how when we were in elementary trying to be cool, inserting like every 3rd word, regardless if it fit there or not? Well, Maddie had another girl over last night, and I swear I was drowning in freakin's to the point where I had to end it-I told them the way they were using it, sounded way to much like the "f"-word, so please refrain from using it. I'm such a drag I know!

Okay, and now for my post menstrual meltdown of the month-please tell me if I'm being irrational, because, well, irrationality and I are amigos more often than not. So, Maddie had a friend over, and I was quite the hostess if I do say so myself. I made a fantastic dinner, m&m brownies for dessert, I kept the boys out of their hair, even smiled as I watched them get ready to go to the ball park, remembering the days of getting ready to go somewhere with my friends in school. Trying on different outfits, fixing each others hair, trading clothes....good times, good times. My gripe is after Gavin's ballgame, when Maddie and her friend parted ways, and Maddie handed the girl her dufflebag-she looks at me and said, "I still have your shoes". WHOA, STOP THE TRAIN! WHAT?! MY SHOES?! But I smiled and calmly asked, "My shoes(okay, so maybe my voice cracked a little when I asked)?" Then I asked, "Which ones(knowing the answer already, because I couldn't find them earlier, hence the reason I was currently wearing a pair of black flip flops that rubbed my toe a bit)?" "Your brown flip flops", she answered sweetly." Right, my brown flip flops-am I irrational that this.....grosses me out? Not the girl, but the fact that her bare feet were where my bare feet had been. Plus they'd been(not on my feet) on the city park playground, you know in that black, shredded tire that makes everything uber dirty. So, I'm A. annoyed I wasn't asked first, and they were worn without my permission and B. The obvious fact that I don't like to share shoes unless I know you well. It's no different than sharing gum, in my head. So, I'd love your feed back, on a scale of 1-10 how crazy am I?

Stricklan, chicken, freakin'.......

.....these words sound EXACTLY the same when spoken by my toddler.

New Scam!!

So, guess what happened to me? I've been a victim of identity theft! Somewhere, somehow, my debit card number was used to set up multiple dating sights. Can you imagine my surprise, when I logged into my checking account, and see a debit for lava life.com (which I didn't know what it was at the time, but Google is great isn't it?)? My first instinct was, well I'm not sure what my FIRST instinct was, because a few different scenarios flashed thru my mind, I'm not exactly proud to say. I was furious, but had no where to channel my rage. I called the number listed beside lava life-telling them I did not sign up for this particular service, and could I have the name of the person who did. They were great to offer to cancel my account, but I had to first give them my debit card number-isn't that what got me in this pickle to begin with? I politely refused for the time being, but PROMISED to call them back. I then called my bank, informing them what had happened, then asking protocol on how to cancel my MEMBERSHIP to the sight. A few minutes later, I received a call from my friend and employee of the bank, saying she noticed TWO other debits from Singles sights. She told me to go ahead and give them my debit account number, since the card had been "hot-carded" and would no longer be allowed to make purchases. (Yes, I was kind enough to let my husband know, so that he wouldn't be embarrassed if he tried to purchase gas a little later that day).

So here's the skinny.....I called all three places cancelling-they were understanding (guess this happens more than people think) but they would not give me the name of the thief. Here they STEAL from me, but are still protected. All I know is that they did use the name Angela, but did not use my last name. In hindsight, I should have told them I forgot my user name and pin-just so that I could see what I looked like on the sight. The last CS rep told me that there is a new scam out there, in which the thief gets hold of the credit card/debit card number, sets the sights up, and that I "got off easy". They then take poor unsuspecting daters.....for tens of thousands of dollars. A new version of the Nigerian Scam.

While I have my suspicions, I am not sure how they got my number-and it scares me, that I am careful, and yet it still happened to me. So be careful-guys!

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather is one of those things that give value to survival."

I am VERY much looking forward to tomorrow night. What are my plans you ask? (or don't ask, but I'm going to tell you anyway...because it is the reason for my post) Dinner with two of my closest friends. We have great intentions, to meet more often than we do, it's just 99% of the time circumstance (also known as jobs, children, spoiled husbands) does not allow it. This is a very spur of the moment get together, I had no idea it would actually work out as well as it has, but am excited nonetheless.

So, dinner is at my house....I'm forgoing my original plan of ordering pizzas, and COOKING, actually COOKING....sort of. My menu does not consist of filet mignon...but I think it will suffice. I found a wonderful recipe in Southern Living for a Chicken Salad with grapes and pecans, spinach salad, and a wonderful array cheese, and fruit, and wine....lots and lots of wine. And what's a classy soiree like I'm throwing.....without...you guessed it.....Jell-o No-Bake Cheesecake....in Strawberry. I realize it's a lot, please don't bombard me with compliments, you'll only embarrass me.....trust me..these ladies are absolutely worth it.

These are the days...

I think my move to blogspot was a long time coming....and I'm excited about this change. Hopefully, it will motivate creative thinking and writing.....and I'll just be more....organized. (Okay, I couldn't type it with a straight face either, so go ahead and chuckle if you want...hopefully, I won't be any more dis-organized than usual.



I guess I need to introduce myself. I am mother of three incredible, incredible children, ages 10, 7, & 2. I am wife, for the past 11 years, to my childhood sweetheart. I am daughter to parents that have been best friends and partners for the last 33 years. I am sister to my two brothers, 1 brother-in-law, and two sisters-in-law. I am friend to many, enemy to none. I am a Christian, with unbreakable faith, because sometimes my faith is all I've had. I am caretaker of two dogs & one fish....has my life been a picnic?....absolutely not.....but it's been amazing, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I know at times I'm flustered, and frustrated....but one day I'll look back on this time of my life, smile, and think: Those were the days.