Work, Work, All Day Long

That is what is on my agenda for today. My clothes are in the dryer and I have to leave in an hour. No breakfast for me... seems to make my tummy hurt the instant I get to work. I don't know what it is. I swear, I must be allergic to work. LoL

I work 10 -8 today and it is dress down for two bucks. I'm really looking forward to wearing my cute jeans to work (hope they are dry in time). Kinda wish the dress down was tomorrow so I could wear part of my costume so I will be mostly ready for the Halloween Party we are having after work.

My boss called me last night to let me know about dress down and to tell me that we are going to be swamped today. I already knew that because I checked the appt schedule yesterday and DAMN we are double booked like almost every half hour. I bet a lot of people are trying to get in Halloween pictures before Halloween.

I am working the sales table so I pray that it goes well. I know I will do better oohing and ahhing over pictures I didn't take or see until I brought them up on the computer at the sales station. I'm hoping to sell tons of collections, lots of in studio prints and not have people sitting at my table so indecisive as they have been lately.

Last Sunday, I didn't leave work until almost 8pm. We close at 6. I had a family come in at 530 to have portraits done and the little girl just didn't want to cooperate and then the family didn't like any of the pictures. I ended up talking them into a bronze collection instead of using their $9.99 coupon so it all worked out but John was waiting to pick me up since 545 when he came in with the kids because they had to pee. So this week he says I am driving myself because he is not waiting 2 hrs for me again and missing the Ohio State football game. I don't blame him really... but he could have waited until I was getting ready to leave work and thought "Crap, John dropped me off" HA!

Predicting the Future

I had a strange dream on Wednesday night that seemed all too familiar come Thursday night. I dreamt that two friends wanted nothing to do with me. They ignored me, they laughed at me, they hated me.

Thursday night that nightmare became a reality when our playgroup fell apart at the seams. Harsh words were exchanged, feelings were hurt, and tears were shed. I am in complete shock that this all happened. I guess all good things must come to an end.

For once I was relishing in the fact that I had real life friends that actually liked me. Friends that I hung out with on a regular basis and could talk to about anything. I do still have a couple left but it seems the rest have jumped ship... my friends always seem to do that. They always end up not liking me for one reason or another.

Oh well, I'll be moving soon anyways. I can make new friends that will only have to deal with me for 6 months. Short and sweet I guess is the way to go. No long term relationships for me. It's a wonder I'm still married.

Put A Smile On Your Face

After reading C. Beth's blog, and seeing all the wonderful comments she was giving to her fellow bloggers, I wanted to come here and do the same. Hopefully my words can be as touching as hers.

Starbucks Junkie - You crack me up. I love reading your little blogs and knowing you in real life. You have become a great friend and I am going to be sad when I move. I can always count on your to gossip and commiserate with me online and in real life. Thank you for allowing me to be apart of the group that I am going to miss tremendously!!!

J.L. - I wish I could be as crafty, earth friendly, and hands-on as you are. You are everything that I wish I could be but know that I do not have the patience or the discipline to be that way. I love seeing all the crafts you pull together for your son. You are a wonderful mother and great inspiration. So down to earth and such a people person. I would love to have a friend like you in real life.

C. Beth - Thank you for all your comments and compliments on my blog and in your own blog. I love your caption below your blog title, "Musings of a Happy Mommy" because I wish I could be like you. I wish I could see the little joys even through the hard times. You seem so content in your life, I am truly envious.

Sandi - So glad to have found your blog and see you on the Jan 06 BBC. I didn't know you years ago when we all started out on that birth board but I feel like I know you now. Your photography is amazing and you tell the funniest stories. I really enjoy reading your blog... the good, the bad and the ugly.

Lia - I love your photography! Even your everyday pictures are beautiful. You have an amazing talent and seem to keep your head up even in the hardest of times. Your blog is an escape for me. To see the smiles and natural beauty shining through in the photos you take. Your kids' smiles are contagious and could make even the worst day that much better. One of these days you will take pictures for me, even if I have to make a special trip to California just for that. It would be well worth it.

Caroline - Brettism Hump Day is a major favorite. Brett comes up with the funniest things and I swear sometimes you have to be making it up. I love being able to see your kids growing up and seeing what I have to look forward to. Whether your blogs are funny or serious, I can really relate and really look up to you as the a mother I hope to be when I have teenagers.

Mommy Vern - I am not even sure how we came to be blogging buddies but I am glad to have you as a follower and love being able to follow your blog. I love that you are a young first time mom with a good head on your shoulders. Environmentally conscious and holding it all together. You would make a great mom to a full house of kids!

Kama - A mom to two boys, an Avon lady, a wife and you still find time to blog on a pretty regular basis. You rock, mama! I would be stressed beyond belief trying to hold it all together but you do it so well. Keep up the good work! Your boys are lucky to have such a successful mommy.

Tiffany - I can always count on you to read my blog and to tell it like it is. I love the bits and pieces you post on your blog about your family, whether it is DaddyZilla, the dog or the little man running the show. Short and sweet, easy to read... thanks for being a friend online and in real life. You will be greatly missed too!

P.L.D. - Not sure how you found me but I am glad you did! I love reading your blog that is all about shopping! I read all the Shopaholic books by Sophie Kinsella (have you read those?) and you remind me of the main character. Your blog is my own little online chick lit. Thank you for being a follower and giving me an outlet from my life as a mother.

I have so many others that I would like to compliment but time is just not standing still like it should. I just want to say that if I could take bits and pieces from all my blogger buddies, I could be the perfect parent! HA! So thank you for being you and allowing me to see a little bit into your lives.

Another Giveway!

Another fellow mommy blogger is having a giveaway in honor of her 100th blog post! Everyone seems to be hitting blogging milestones and giving things away.

Go check out Mommy's Little Blog's 100th blog here and leave a comment to win a cute little gift set pictured with a cute little baby (the winner is not entitled to the baby or the couch, in case you were wondering).

VOTE!

PBS has an online poll posted asking if Sarah Palin is qualified. Apparently the left wing knew about this in advance and are flooding the voting with NO votes.

The poll will be reported on PBS and picked up by mainstream media. It can influence undecided voters in swing states.

Please do two things -- takes 20 seconds.
1) Click on link and vote!
Here's the link: http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html
2) Then send this to every McCain-Palin supporter you know, and urge them to vote and pass it on.

The last thing we need is PBS saying their viewers don't think Sarah Palin is qualified.


We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate. ~ Thomas Jefferson (this means you NEED to vote on Nov. 4th, do your part!)

Are You Preppy?

If so, go over and visit the Preppy Little Dress blog! She is giving away a surprise in her NEXT post (I'm pretty sure that is her 200th post!).

And speaking of 200th post, I have decided that if I haven't reached 200 posts by the 1st of November, I'm going to pick a person at random as the winner for my 200 comment challenge! So please, post away! Even if we don't reach 200, there will STILL be a winner!

6th Pic, Tag Your It

No one officially tagged me for this little game, but I wanted to participate and a fellow blogger did say, 'and anyone else that wants to do it.'

What you do is find the 6th picture in your 6th album, post it along with the story behind it and then tag 6 other people to do the same. Since I don't really have albums I went with the 6th photo in my photobucket account, which is this...

This picture was taken in July 2007 by my oldest daughter, Lexi. She was only 6 at the time and was on a picture taking frenzy. This is one of the many amazing pictures she took that day. One of the others was submitted to a photography society and was published in a book. We also framed it and gave it to her granddad for Christmas (since it was a picture of him). She has such an amazing eye for photography for being so young. These were the pictures that inspired Santa to bring her her very own digital camera the following Christmas.

I am going to tag Tiffany, Christina, Lauren, Angeltazcuddy, Preppy Little Dress and Mommy Vern. I'm pretty sure you all haven't done this yet and most of you are followers of my blog so you *should* see this post. Just play along! LoL

It's That Time Again

The time of year when I make the BEST pumpkin cookies in the world, that is! The recipe I use was my Aunt Sherry's. She was blessed with a loving family and she was strong enough to survive breast cancer by the time she was 40. She was taken by God the summer of 04 at the age of 43, leaving behind 2 small children and huge family. We were all devastated. She was the oldest of 6, a great mother and a wonderful aunt to her many nieces and nephews. Every year, in October, I make these cookies. And what better month than Breast Cancer Awareness Month! So take this time to remember those who have lost the fight with this terrible disease, hug the ones that fought back, and love all of those in between. Then try these AMAZING cookies. I wouldn't dare try another recipe.

You will likely have all the ingredients taking up space in your cupboard (with the exception of pumpkin) like I did and I NEVER have anything I need to make ANYTHING unless I specifically put those ingredients on my list.

Pumpkin Cookies

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup shortening

cream those three ingredients together

add 1 egg
2 cups pumpkin (I always put in a little extra to give it an extra kick of flavor)
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

mix well

add 3 1/2 cups flour (I put in a cup at a time and slowly mix to be sure I get all the flour mixed in well. It will be hard to mix, you want it to be thick).

add 12oz bag of mini chocolate chips

bake at 350 degrees for 12 min

let cool completely then top with homemade icing

Icing for Cookies

5tbsp butter
5tbsp brown sugar
5tbsp milk

boil, let cool, add powdered sugar (half of a bag usually) to desired consistency

This recipe makes a TON of cookies. Right now I am on batch number three with two different sized cookie sheets and making decent sized cookies. I have 21 cookies cooling, 12 in the oven, and 9 on a cookie sheet ready to go in the oven with at least half the batter left. The icing recipe can be cut however you like because that too makes a TON. Like I always have way too much leftover. Halfing it would probably cover the majority of the cookies.

Enjoy!!!

Due in TWO months!!!

Time sure does fly by. I cannot believe it is so close. The big belly, the cravings, the surprise!!! Every year I say I am done. I just can't help myself. It's addicting. I love my kids so darn much. John couldn't really tell me no, afterall, he didn't really know what was going on until I started to show him that I contradicted everything I vowed I wouldn't do... it's true though. I did it, once again. My closest is full of brand new things. Some of it is used, but kid's don't care about that stuff, they don't even know. I am a bit disappointed in myself but to hear their cries and see their smiles, it makes it all worth it. Maybe next year I can be like all those other mother's who limit themselves. They know when to say no, and when to stop, and when enough is enough. I mean, how am I really going to fit all of that stuff under the Christmas tree??? WAIT?! WHAT?! No, you didn't really think I was pregnant, did you?! It's just Santa Claus! He will be here in just over 2 months and wow, did I buy way more than I planned... as usual! Jeez people!

Oh and just a reminder to go check out my 200th comment challenge!

Don't Forget

Just making sure you don't forget... make sure to comment on my 200th blog post!!! Comment as much as you like. Hold a conversation with me, or someone else. Just don't post a bunch of times in a row for nothing. I'd like to think that the people reading my blog are doing so because they enjoy it... not just to get the prize that I haven't even disclosed yet.

:)

Living Will

I, Brianna (or fill in your own name), being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means. Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of pinhead politicians who couldn't pass ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it, or lawyers / doctors interested in simply running up the bills. If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to ask for at least one of the following:

Glass of wine

chocolate

Margarita

chocolate

Martini

Cold Beer

chocolate

Chicken fried steak

cream gravy

chocolate

Mexican food

chocolate

French fries

chocolate

Pizza

chocolate

ice cream

cup of tea (or in my case, Raspberry Iced Tea)

chocolate

Chocolate

Sex

Chocolate

It should be presumed that I won't ever get better. When such a determination is reached, I hereby instruct my appointed person and attending physicians to pull the plug, reel in the tubes, let the 'fat lady sing,' and call it a day!

200th POST!!! (and a challenge)

Wow! 200 posts! I cannot believe I have 200 posts. Actually, I should be surprised that I don't have more posts than that. I have had this blog for well over a year and am just NOW making it to 200 posts which is only half of what I should have.

Anyways, this was supposed to be a happy post! So in honor of reaching 200 posts, I challenge YOU, my readers, to post 200 comments on this blog. Send a link to all your friends, have them comment too.

Be the 200th comment and win a prize! (Prize TBD but you won't be disappointed) SO START COMMENTING!!!

Movie Review Monday

I haven't been watching many movies lately. Just haven't had the time. I've been working and just doing the mom thing. And now with the Fall TV Season in full swing, I just don't have the time anymore. But I did go see a movie on Friday night, and I am going again this Friday (watch for my review of HSM3 next Monday). This week's review is on a movie called "The Secret Life of Bees" with Dakota Fanning and Queen Latifah.

The Secret Life of Bees: Set in the 60's when the Civil Rights Act was being passed, a girl (Dakota Fanning) runs away from her abusive father in search of the truth about her mother. With only a picture and her black housemaid (not Queen Latifah), she makes her way to a town where she thought her mother may have been at one point. A very heartwrenching story. I have never read the book but I have been told the movie does the movie a good bit of justice. Very much worth the $9 it cost to get in but I could have done without the rude people sitting near us that took it upon themselves to talk whenever there was a lull in the movie or laugh hysterically when something wasn't even funny or talk to the screen saying things like "You go girl!" or "Oh no she dinit." or "Mmm hmmm." Yah, could have done without that. All in all, loved it, 5 netflix stars!

Fun Photo Friday - Halloween Style

I took the three youngest on Monday to get their pictures taken at my place of employment. I took these pictures and while I am showing them off because they are the cutest kids in the world, I want you to know that I am not proud of these photos. My kids would not listen to me at all. I was excited to be able to "show off" some of my "professional" work, I will not be making that same mistake again. Next time I will leave it to my coworkers.

Security? More Like Insecurity

This evening while I was making dinner there was a knock at the door. The kids ran to answer it (like the defiant children that they are) as I followed yelling at them for opening the door. It was a man with a security company, Security Solutions I believe it was, owned by General Electric.

The man said I was referred by the neighbor who was having this system installed at no cost and he would like to do the same for me. I would just be an advertising house. They would install the system and put a sign in my yard. I would just have to pay a low cost of $30 per month. I was prepared to turn him away until he said it would be of no upfront cost and I thought it would be a good idea to have a security system (one that would move with us) considering we have five kids that we would like to keep safe.

He said all I had to do was see if I qualified. He would have to call "whoever" and make sure we could get it set up. His phone wasn't working (or so he says) and he would need to use my phone. He called the number and asked for my information... name, phone number, address. Then he asked for my birthday. I gave it to him, knowing what the next question would be. He asked for my social security number.

Nope, sorry, no can do. He replies to the lady on the other end of the line, "She doesn't feel comfortable giving out that information for some reason. We will just have to find someone else." As if I had no valid reason for not giving a strange man my social security number and he thought he might be able to guilt-trip me into giving it to him. I drew the line there. I did not go out seeking him, he came to me. How easy would it be to slap together some information on a security system and tag it with a GE logo?! I probably said too much to him as it was... there was no way I was offering up the rest of the information to steal my identity.

Call me paranoid, but as I drove by the neighbors I did not see the sign he said they were installing (it was dark though, I will check again in the morning) and I saw a man sitting outside in his truck. I think it was the same guy (two hours later) but he was gone when I came back from circling the block. As I got back home I had paranoia sneak up on me... I thought I would come home to a murder scene. Obviously I didn't, but I sure am going to keep an eye out for anything suspicious and enroll my dog in attack dog classes.