NOTHING...

and that is all I have to say about EVERYTHING...

If I only knew better, I would be saying the same thing...
:) Monique

hormones have kicked in...

Okay.. twice in the last week or so.. I have just broken down and cried.. once from rambling on so fast that I made my own head spin and once from just feeling yucky..
I am tired of feeling yucky... I eat what I can, not getting sick as much as the first time, but still so queasy & tired.. I am whining now too..
UGH... why is having a baby so hard for me..
also, I didn't get much sleep, Fuzzy has a BIG snoring problem.. BIG.. I gave up and moved to the couch.. the tree looked really pretty at 2 am... also, I didn't leave enough time in between our showers, so I got colder water than I like. NOT FUN...

on a good note... I am trying to have some of these every day.. it's hard.. my negative nature really comes right back to me when I am not feeling good.
Christmas is coming and I am almost ready.. baby girl is all done, dh has a few things, I need something for my family exchange, but I am working on that tomorow..
Also, hoping for nice weather so we can enjoy the Polar Express Ride too..
cards go out today, including the ones for Australia (woo hoo) and the house is slowly shaping up.. he has promised to help me with the cleaning this weekend.. I just have to hit the grocery store for some stuff for christmas eve and general groceries..

I am off to finish cleaning my kitchen, having company today and it must be done..

if I knew better, I would take Fuzzy up on his offer to have someone come and clean the house every two weeks.. hmmm.. thinking about it more and more somedays..

let them eat...

Chicken soup..
AHHH.. the healing power of chicken soup.. my new best friend..I definitely prefer the type from a variety of chinese resturants.. might be the egg noodles or the rice noodles, either way.. LOVE IT...

Okay.. so the house is slowly catching up to the Christmas thing.. Fuzzy doesn't know it yet, but he will be hanging up some picture frames, photos, etc this week.. I told him to charge the drill.. :)
Since we got the basement finished I have wanted to clean up and do more, just been tough, but I am starting to have moments where I can get things accomplished.. YEAH... I am going to out curtain shopping either today or tomorrow.. (side note, this was HORRID last year.. spent a ton of money and returned most of what I bought)... but I need some green for the kitchen to bring out the new couches.. which I LOVE..

Christmas cards.. as much as I want to.. I don't have time, patience or energy to make them all.. I bought some really pretty cards and plan to write them out while I wait for my uncle to have eye surgery on Thursday.. photos will be ready for them by Friday.. :) it's great when things works out..

still itching too.. OUCH.. I can take some Benadryl which I plan to do later today.. Nap time is always good..

I am also starting to organize my scrapping stuff.. I still don't see me motivated to work with it, but organizing and cleaning it out a bit should help.. Maybe in the year..

okay.. I am off to clean the kitchen and maybe sprinkle up some holiday color and cheer..
Enjoy your day..
:) Monique

so, it's nothing...

So I went to the dermatologist today for a mysterious rash that has been showing up all over MOST of me.. if morning sickness doesn't get me, this rash will.. Well, good news is that it is NOTHING...just some type of flare up, winter eczema if you will. FUN - FUN-FUN. I have some stuff to use which should help, but it could take a week or so before I feel better.. could be sooner, could be later, to quote the dr.

I went to the OB last week.. that was way more fun.. I have offically lost 19 lbs.. which is great for me, eating has been a challenge. but the magic of this appt. was that we heard a very faint and very brief heartbeat.. Fuzzy was with me and beamed for the rest of the day... totally worth EVERYTHING for that 4 seconds of heaven. Next month the baby will be bigger and we will hear more.. yeah.. so in all of my complaining, it's worth it.. the little peanut growing inside me will make up for it.. just like my little girl has...

Christmas is coming.. slow buy sure.. I am just about done my shopping.. Little things left mostly.. which isn't too bad.. we need to get some games for Miranda's Leapster.. so, we might do that this weekend.. DH and I are going to a Baby Expo -- supposedly getting a great door prize and learning more about baby stuff.. I know, not a thilling date, but baby sitting is a premium since we have to go out during the day and not at night..
I do need some for Fuzzy, something good that will knock his socks off.. I tried to get him the surprise gift of surround sound, but he found out and says to wait.. no worries here since I don't really want it to begin with.
we'll see..

what else, I should be cleaning.. I really need to do so.. I want to make the bathroom all pretty and then the kitchen.. .. so, I am off...

more another time, less whining too.. I promise..
:) Monique

a good day

Okay, perhaps it is good karma floating my way.. I did a favor for a friend today and I actually felt good for most of the day.. I am really tired now,

Between the time I picked up peanut and we had dinner I managed to unload and load the diswasher, clean out the fridge & freezer, cleaned off the coutners, the stove & the table.. recycled the paper and plastics & got DH to take out the trash.. and Miranda & I snuggled up in the rocking chair to read some christmas books.. then I actually MADE dinner too.. which as been a big struggle.. after dinner, we watched tv and strung popcorn for the tree.. Miranda actually strung some up herself.. so cute.. we got some photos AND some video... exciting night her..

I am tired now.. very tired.. trying to get this quick load of laundry in the dryer and I am going to bed.. starting to feel the queesies coming on.. not a good sign..

but yes, it was a good day.. I had fun, caught up with a great friend and even did some overdue housework.. good day.. very good day..


if I only knew better, I would not have eaten the popcorn while I strung it.. might not be feeling so queesy... oh well...
:) Monique

been a long time

Okay.. so I am officially a bad blogger.. things have been rough around here.. we have discovered that there are more than a few foods that the baby does not approve of... Also, eating early is good thing.. Oh.. and take out is a great thing..

seriously, we have been taking out WAY too much this week.. but with all the work being done in the basement and me being sick.. just isn't happening.. trying to make sure what choices we make are still good and healthy ones.. I am looking into making dinner earlier in the day and then reheating stuff.. not a great way to do it, but by 4 pm I just can't handle it..

whoever said morning sickness is full of it.. it's more like all day sicknes..now I realize that this is the complaint of every pregnant woman, or if not, many.. but I am very queasy and very tired and heck, as my friends put it.. I am growing a baby, I am allowed to feel this way.

Popsicles and cold things are still this mommy's best friend.. THANK GOODNESS Dunkin' Donuts sells the Tropicana coolatta all year.. loving them lately. Also,those crazy little cheese and cracker things..or better yet, the pretzels kind... loving those right now.. strawberries are also high on the list.. pineapple too.. atleast this little one likes fruit & veggies..

Okay, so because I am only queasy this time and not sick-sick, we are really thinking that it might be a boy...okay, so we are really hoping for a boy. I promise you this, boy or girl, this is my last baby.. I never ever ever want to be pregnant again.. I love babies -- they are great, this part, sorta stinks.. How my mom did it 7 times is completely beyond my thought processing.. okay, so in our quest to know the sex, which is scientifically impossible at this point (only 10 or 11 weeks, the full verdict isn't in on that yet) we did the Chinese calendar thingie.. if my estimates are right, we are looking at a boy.. and guess what, statistically, we have a 50/50% chance of being right.. Whew, so glad I went and researched this.. hehehehe

okay.. I should be upstairs forcing my daughter to eat something NON-bread related for breakfast.. she finally settled on yogurt once the hunger pangs settled.. and I need to find something for me.. which I know won't be orange juice, since the baby added that earlier this week to the list growing list of things I am no longer allowed to have.

If I only knew better, I would still have gotten pregnant and wanted this beautiful baby growing inside me.. thanks for listening...

:) Monique

sunday...

As I prepare to embark on a new Monday (I love Monday's, have I mentioned that?) I realize that I have a lot to do.. Thankfully, I am not cooking Thanksgiving, because if I was, it would likely be a well cooked steak or even roast beef.. but that is me.. Seriously, lots and lots to get done.. cleaning my house has been tough lately, smells gets to me quick, and I did quite a bit on Friday, but still needs a good once over again..

Ginger ale IS my new best friend.. LOVE this stuff.. I can tolerate the diet stuff too, at least there is less sugar.. but I am drinking quite a bit of it.. popsicles and orange coollatta's from dunkin donuts are always good too.. still loving the frozen thing..

I have some cards to finish up for a swap, actually, 2 sets.. Christmas & Halloween.. (next time I sign up for a swap, somebody THUMP me.. none until the new year.. I mean it) I still have to work on my cards for THIS year.. I have the stamps out in desperate motivation.. we'll see where it gets me..

I have seriously STOPPED scrapbooking.. I might start making lists for the pages that should / need to get done from the photos that I have.. but it's now working for me to scrap right now.. just not into it and my mind it's working right.. seems pathetic to blame the baby, but I am going with it -- at least for now...

I do have a few gifts to make for christmas and need to think about them.. I also seriously need to work on cleaning my basement.. the guys are coming to put in carpet & laminate next week.. are we ready.. AHHASHAHAHAHAAHAH .. is all I can say..

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving.. good lunch and lots of games and good times with family.. if the weather holds I am looking for a nice family photo outside my mom's house.. would be perfect...but we'll see.. I should very seriously consider shooting at MY house.. but not sure if I can get my sister to do it.. I also want to bring Miranda's scooter for a nice walk after lunch.. she will love it..

what else.. stamps.. I really and getting annoyed by stamps. I have had a ton of mail returned for postage because I thought I was using the forever stamps and wasn't.. arg.. trashing these stamps and only using the new ones.. just NOT worth it anymore.. good thing the credit card companies were kind... hope my godparents are too with their newly late anniversary card..

okay.. it is 8:13 and I am actually feeling good.. maybe tonight I will fold up some laundry..
Good night and happy early turkey day..
:) Monique

just one...

Okay.. there is just one baby.... *SIGH OF RELIEF*
as fun as twins would be, I am so a one at a time mommy..

yup, I am starting the baby book, or atleast getting some ideas on paper.. might wait until we know the sex of the baby to go with colors, etc.. still not sure.. but at this point, everything scrapbook related that I touch crumbles and looks really nasty.. I am taking a break from it for a while and seeing what else comes of it.. 2 horrible layouts has confirmed this.. I will start christmas projects soon, so that will fill up some time.

Fatima commented that Miranda will be a great big sister.. she already is.. it's so cute.. she has not spilled the beans yet, which for her is huge.. she has known 3 weeks and hasn't told anyone without asking me first. so sweet.. she is jumping all over me less, which is killing her, but getting more rocking chair snuggle times, which she loves. she says good night to the baby every night and is even planning the list of presents the baby wants for christmas. I didn't know little tiny creatures need anything, other than to rid their mommy's stomach of most everything.

things are going good through.. and we are all greatful. The work on the basement will start soon, which rocks, alot of moving stuff around, but once the space is finished with new flooring & carpeting, it will look awesome.

also, did anyone else just realize this.. Thanksgiving is NEXT week.. HOLY COW, where did this come from.. I am offically freaked out.. and personaly, I would love to ditch the turkey for roast beef or a really nice steak.. mmmm. steak.

napping sounds like such a wonderful idea right now.. mmm..
if I only knew better, I would realize that napping now will make me late for the rest of my day.. oh well, when the nap calls, it's best to answer it.

:) Monique

baby art

okay, I am officially only a hiccup pregnant, but being older than I should be (Eeep, I turned 35 last week) my dr. wants to do an early ultrasound to confirm the due date, and growth of the baby.. We could not be happier.. we love getting to see the baby --especially for planned fun things --like this.. With Miranda we had an emergency ultrasound because I had been spotting so much..
*wheW* good to know this is going okay..

seeing the ultrasound are my best part.. really lets you know that there is a baby growing in there.. might also rest my mind about the deep seated feeling of twins I have been having..

I will try to post the photos on here tonight... might even start the baby book and get them in there too... such a long time to wait for something so exciting..

if I only knew better.. I would still be this excited..
:) Monique

uninspired...

Having been so busy these last few weeks with things I have to do.. I feel so uninspired.. I can't manage to get myself enough to work on a page.. I have tried cleaning my space, organizing, buying new stuff and even digging through photos.. NUTTIN'..
I have also been tired the last few weeks, and now I know why.. :)
but I really want to try and get back into creating some fun stuff.

I was going to do the advent boxes that Ali Edwards posted on her blog, check it out here,
http://aliedwards.typepad.com/
totally cool idea. For the locals, the boxes are sold at Michael's for a buck each, squares & other sizes, but a little big. A.C.Moore has a 6 pack of them for 2.50 or so.. smaller and cuter.. I had the boxes in my hand and realized that it's not my thing.. Awesome idea, really cute, but we have the reindeer bag that gets filled by the elves with chocolate gold coins when someone behaves herself. it's so cute, I don't want to change the tradition. Ali posted more cool holiday stuff today too. Love her site..

I have some ideas rolling for cards & such, don't need a million, but enough to keep me busy.
I have a great new ipod like tool that I need to get going on loading too.. maybe tonight I will rip some music ...

okay, I see some photos calling my name, or I could work on the baby album I bought the other day.. we'll see..

if I only knew better, I would go to bed and avoid getting sick again like I did last night (baby does not like mexican), but I am off to play..
:) Monique

ps.. I am not cold tonight, itchy.. hives all over and NOTHING I can take for them.. *sigh*

confirmation

I went to my homestudy class tonight at Right at Home scrapbook store. I am loving these classes, it's so nice to talk about a book I actually WANT to read and discuss with people who get this whole scrapbooking thing..
YEAH ! Tonight's class rocked, saw some great ideas. But I also found out tonight that there is someone who reads this thing.. so I will keep on blogging, my boring and pathetic life... It has helped me to start writing more, which is what it was supposed to do and I make a few people giggle along the way..

Also, another confirmed piece of information is that we are pregnant. I am so happy.. I am only a hiccup and a half pregnant, like 7 or 8 weeks, but we could not be happier. Having been trying for 3 1/2 years is tough and gets to be disappointing, but we took a test on Halloween and confirmed it with a real blood test on the 1 of November. We have spilled the beans to a few people and it's awesome.

This pregnancy is all together different than with Miranda, I was sick ALL the time. This time, just queasy, and that is okay with me. As time goes on, I will figure out what I can and can not eat and all will be better.

It's exciting new here, BUT I AM STILL COLD.

We get an ultrasound on Tuesday and I am thrilled.. new artwork for the baby's new album.

If I only knew better I would have waited to share the good news -- but I do know better, life is short, celebrate EVERY moment. Besides I stink at keeping secrets..

:) Monique

cold...

I know that living in New England, it's getting colder, but it is still int the 50's and I feel the cold deep in my bones somewhere and I hate it.. I really do..
I hate being this cold, maybe it isn't ALL me.. but I have been so cold lately that I almost want to do NOTHING.. that is bad.. worse than procrastination..

on a good note.. I did finish up the alpha swap today AND I mailed it.. Mindy will be so excited.. seriously, this is my last swap for a good long time.. as fun as getting mail is, doing the work stinks sometimes..

I do want to get DH on the ball and help me make my blog pretty.. I know it can be done..
I need to take some scans of some pages and such...

we went to bj's (sorta like a Sam's club) and stocked up.. cheese, chicken nuggets, bread, orange juice & water... and I got the most yummy deli ham for sandwiches.. YUMMY.. can't wait to make a sandwich tomorrow when I get home from the doctors... ;) more on that later...

I am going to use my little heater here in the cold basement (I could turn on the heat, but dh isn't even that cold) and clean my desk.. might motivate me more to do some scrapping.. I so need to find my mojo again..

if I only knew better.. I would be wiser, but still cold...

:) Monique

things I should be doing...

I am a procrastinator.. a big one.. not something I am proud of, just what is...
as of this moment, there are about 5 things that I should be doing..
but the only thing actually getting done is laundry.

(have I ever mentioned how much I love laundry? it's the one thing you are allowed to do with by doing NOTHING in between and you can still feel accomplished by saying, but I was doing the laundry... LOVE THAT...)

so anyways, I could and should be finishing up housework, I should be getting to the post office, i should be working on projects for my home study class about the new Ali book, and I should be working on cards for a swap, and finishing an alphabet swap, but I am sitting here, reading email, browsing the net, okay and waiting to enter Donna Downey's contest..

procrastination can be good for you sometimes.. sometimes it brings clarity, a brilliant idea or simplicity.. all good things.. right?

If I knew better, I wouldn't be sitting her convincing myself that being a procrastinator is a good thing & I would just be doing what needs doing...
*SIGH*
I am going to do some work.. honest, I am...
:) Monique

patience

Patience.. I really need some...
it's so hard.. very hard sometimes..

if I only knew better I would learn to enjoy the unknown and unexpected more...

keeping things quiet

Why are the things you have to keep quiet so hard...
I stink at this...
Oh well.. patience is a virtue and one I must truly work on...

Happy Halloween

Okay, so Monday left little to get done.. Tuesday was all about cleaning (did the WHOLE house., even the stairs) and at night a meatball making festival.. seriously 5 1/2 lbs of beef and well over a 100 meatballs.. Fuzzy (that is DH nickname) loves them and refuses to eat the already made kind.. so when I make them, I make TONS and freeze them.. I really hate the cold of the meat on my hands and then the whole rolling process.. but as full as he was, he still ate a few last night.. makes me smile to see him so happy.

so today, Miranda went to pre-k in her pj's.. anything new really scares her lately.. sorta funny, but she toughed it out.. made it easier when all the kids were in them. brought in the the veggie tray that she won't touch, but I contributed to the party..

okay, so here I sit, cleaned and showered, ready for tonight, in a clean house and I still can't scrap or even make cards.. just so uninspired..stinks.. I need to be inspired.. and soon.. I have a ton of stuff out there that just needs to be done.. here is a short list

1. alphabet tags - letter Y stamp (close to my heart swap)
2. 10, 3 X3 cards (close to my heart swap)
3. 15 Halloween cards (close to my heart swap--I am hosting)
4. 15 Christmas cards (dmarie.com swap - I am hosting)
5. start an album for the Right at Home - Home study class, NEXT FRIDAY...

there are so many things on my desk, it's a mess, maybe I should start there..
or a magazine, or the new Ali Edward's book.. Honestly, don't care where the inspiration comes from, it just needs to come soon..

on a good note, I am ready for tonight, Miranda is Snow White, Fuzzy is her prince, and I will likely be the witch, I just need another apple or two for my basket. Meatballs for sandwiches are in the crockpot (Cheryl & family are coming for dinner) and things are ready..

oh well, hopefully something fun gets done today...

:) Monique

productive sunday

WOO HOO.. I am getting such a jump start on my Monday housework, I will be able to zip through all of my errands and remaining house work AND make some time to scrapbook -- guilt free!
Oh, I love it when that happens..

long list of what needs to be done, bank, post office, tailor, grocery store, etc, but should be done by noon.. Ah the bliss..

Today was one of those boring days here, I slept in, Miranda had corn chips for breakfast (please don't get me started) and then we cleaned up the kitchen, and she made up her little treat bags for all her preschool buddies for Halloween. I stamped most of it with the Close to My Heart Stamps (which I sell) and she signed her name on each of them, and filled them, with m& m's, bubbles, a gum pop, and spider rings.. she took so much care in picking out each ring and getting the little bags filled up -- just right.. I am really proud of her.. she stuffed all 19 of them, I did one up for her, just so when her teachers pass them out, she won't feel left out.. Doing them this early really made it fun for her and for me. AND she was able to practice writing her name without it being a chore for her. She was doing it for something fun.. and didn't fight me at all.. 2 birds one stone.. and to quote Miranda from earlier today "Mommy, your a genius"

If I only knew better, I would have always done projects with her this far ahead of time. I have learned my lesson and next weekend, we are starting Christmas cards or projects. either way, I will have fun this holiday season and NOT be stressed by making her do everything last minute.. Heck, I might even start my cards early.. -- but I really need the stamp of the month .. loving those snowmen.

:) Monique

i need to create

in the words of Donna Downey, I just need to create.
My mind is working so fast lately and my body just needs a little rest since the accident (we were rear-ended last saturday) and I have been working on some cards and such, but nothing special or particular in the last 4 or so days..
I need it.. my mind needs it, my hands need it, to be geeky, I think my soul needs it.
I just feel better when I have done something creative.

if I only knew better, I would have figured out that I NEED to be creative a long time ago and I could have saved myself small fortunes in doctor bills for headaches and such... creating eases the soul and that is a great thing...

I am off to create my face to go out tonight, but tomorrow, I am scrapbooking.. NO MATTER WHAT!

:) Monique

pre-k open house

Okay, I know that every parents thinks that their kids preschool is the best, but seriously, mine rocks. I love the ladies there and they really make me feel comfortable and I am only there a short time, so they must really extend that to Miranda.. LOVING IT.
Tonight was open house, there were a few parents there and it was fun to hear them talk about the things that they are doing and the expectations for the upcoming year and such. I used to teach pre-school for special needs children, so I know ALL about what they are doing.. but she is going to have so much fun..

the thing I don't get is no holidays, the kids won't be doing Halloween, thanksgiving or Christmas or anything for that matter.. and I while I understand WHY, I don't get it.. kids love all this stuff.. miffed by it all definitely, but it makes me stand my original opinions.. you can only do so much in school, it is still the responsibility of parents to help education their children at home too..
(I am getting off my soap box now)

I love my little girl and I only want what is best of her, and it seems, her preschool is what is best... I feel lucky to have her going there..

if I knew better, I would be going to bed right now and not blogging or playing solitaire.. but I don't.. so I am off to lose another game..

growing up

Have I told EVERYONE this already, I am not sure.. so here it is.. Miranda is 5. I can't believe it.. she is supposed to be my baby and she is already a month into it. She wore a simple t-shirt and jeans todays and her hair pulled back (like she always does for school) and she looked so.. grown up. "Stop Growing" I told her, smiled and gave her a little bit of a hug. Fuzzy told me to stop saying that, because she is getting all freaky about growing.. So I reassured her that it was okay to keep growing and that even just as I was talking to her, somewhere in her body, she was growing.
She smiled and went to brush her teeth.

WHERE DID THE TIME GO?
she is 5, she is going to pre-k (September baby, can't start on time), taking ballet class, riding her scooter, playing with other kids on the playground and starting to read. Where is my little girl who walked around saying "all gone" and cracking me up with her frankenstein walking.. Oh it just goes too fast sometimes...

so, while I can't tell her anymore, I will tell the world.. I want my baby back, I want to scoop her up in my arms and protect her, I want her to need me for EVERYTHING and that's it.

If I only knew better, I would remember how hard it was to get anything done and how I often prayed for her to grow up enough to do something on her own... I don't know better and I want my baby back...

:) Monique

mondays

Honestly, I think Mondays are the greatest day in the week. There are lots of reasons, it's a new week, a chance to start over from scratch. Perhaps my favorite reason is that that my house usually gets really cleaned. I love that for at least one day, my floors are clean, the floors are vacc and as long as no one takes off their clothes, then the laundry is washed and put away. The dishes are all clean and the counters and the kitchen table are clear.
AHHH.. the bliss.. for a little while anyways.
Then I pick up Miranda from preschool, toys, everywhere (but she is trying to keep things neater)and then dinner, which always mean dishes and pans (which don't go in the dishwasher) and then everyone takes off their clothes and puts on pajamas.
Oh well, for at least a few hours, things were done. Monday gives me that glory, that freedom of knowing it is all done.
Today was one of those days. Got it all done and then some. I managed to clean out most of my car, get to the grocery store and scrapbook two pages for my mother in law.

Mondays are a great thing...especially when they end with Miranda volunteering to pick up and put away her toys and a game of Guess Who and Memory, where I won, (finally, seriously, Miranda kicks my butt all the time)

If I only knew better, I would have embraced the joys and pleasures of Mondays a long time ago and not spent so much time being negative and dreading them.

:) Monique

first thoughts

Okay, so I have joined the blogging revolution years ago when Fuzzy(that is my husband) wanted me to, but I didn't. He thinks it will help with keeping my writing samples more current so that I will finally finish Miranda's birthday book. (HEHAHAHAH)
anyways, I am here, I am blogging and should be pondering some great things of this wonderful planet, but ummm, not yet.. but I promise, I will get to it.

There will more to come...
:) Monique