Ever been to Boise, Idaho? Me either, but I sure would like to go. Why you say? Anywhere that they grow great baked potatoes is a good place to be. I am strange I know, but I love me some potatoes. Yum yum! Besides I like to travel. I would love to say that I had been to every state in the US someday. But I am still waiting to win the lottery so I can realize my dream.

It is supposed to be a really beautiful place with lots of opportuities. I have heard that it is very safe there. One of the safest places in the US actually. If you are mormon it is the best place to be. There aren't a lot of mormons here, but there are a few and they are really nice people.

If you would like more information about Idaho real estate, go to www.boisehomesguide.com and take a look. One of my favorite past times is looking at homes for sale and wondering what it would be like to live somewhere new. If I wasn't married with children and a good job I thinkg that I would live in a new state every couple of years. I hate staying in one place for too long.

Never hurts to dream does it? Window shopping for a new life anyone?

This post was sponsored by href="'>http://www.boisehomesguide.com/"> Idaho real estate

Are you looking for Mrs. Right? Have you been unlucky in love? Maybe you shouls consider a Russian bride? I have heard about this for a long time, but this is the first time that I have found a website that seems to be legit. www.loversplanet.com offers russian online dating services to anyone that is looking for love in an unconventional way.

Accoring to the website, there are million of men that make their way to Russia yearly and meet someone throught the web site that they are willing to spend the rest of their lives with. A large majority of these women are living in bad situations and would love to meet someone to make their dreams come true.

So, if you are a single man looking for someone to love and love you back. Take a chance and take a look. You might just find what you are looking for. I met my husband on the internet!

This post was sponsored by href="beautiful'>http://www.loversplanet.com/">beautiful Russian brides

I so need to get with the program. Alpha Male refuses to let me get a cable modem or DSL, but this dial up shut is about to get on my last nerve. I do most of my online stuff (including reading everyone's blogs) at work, but now that I am doing pay per post I am trying not to do that too much there since I am earning money. I certainly don't want to lose my job over a measly $10 a day. So I have been posting from home.

Now the lovely kids and hubby allow me maybe 15 minutes of online time at a time before it's "Mommy blah blah blah" or "What's this, Where's this, Get me this". Prime example, I have been online for a total of 10 minutes and I have already been interrupted 10 times.

Maybe I will look into paying for it with my ppp money. Heaven knows that he would enjoy it.

I can't believe that I have posted pver 100 posts so far. I am working on a 100 things about me list, but I haven't been able to come up with a full list yet.

Just to tide you over and since I know that you are dying to see it. I took a picture of my new tattoo. I actually have three tatts now. A smileyface on my left shoulder, a celtic cross on my right shoulder, and now a tribal butterfly on my left ankle. I think that I am addicted now :)

I know that I am going to get at least one more. I want to get something for my son, since the butterfly is for my daughter. I am thinking about getting a Japanese Koi with the number 14 incorporated since it is an important number for him. If I haven't told you the story, let me know and I will tell all.















Anyway, here's a looksie. What do you think? (And now you know my daughter's realy name;) )

Can you tell the debt is big time on my mind? Just when I think that I have gotten myself out of the financial hole, I find myself into it all over again. There are many loans and ways to help ease your money burdens. Two of the most common are personal loans and mortgages.

Unfortunately I have both but without them I would be in even bigger trouble. Whatever you do, please make sure that you make an informed decision. Money is serious business and we all need it to survive. Some of us are just luckier than others that we have more than some.

I know that I am going to crunch those numbers and see what I can do to help myself out of this debt hole I have dug during Christmas.

This post was sponsored by href="http://www.loanwize.co.uk/">loans

Fairly recently I consolidated all my credit cards to one loan payment so that I didn't have any credit card debt. But that was before Christmas came (and went). By the time I was finished Christmas shopping I was $600+ in the whole on more than two of my cards. I don't know why I do this every year. So now I am going to have to figure out what to do about all this debt.

Many people go the compare credit cards in order to make an informed decision. One bad financial decision can ruin you for a long time. So it is wise to make sure that you know what you are doing before you get into something that you can't get out of.

The most common credit card decision has been the 0% balance transfer. While this is a good option, you need to make sure that the transfer fee isn't too high. You also need to make sure that you understand when the interest will change and what it will be. You could easily get stuck paying higher interest than you would like.

I know what I am going to do. What are you going to do with your credit cards?

This post was sponsored by href="credit'>http://www.cardguide.co.uk/">credit cards

I can't believe that 2007 is only a few days away. Where has this year went? Hopefully 2007 will be better for the many people who have had a rough year and deserve a fresh start.

I know you are curious as to what happened at Christmas. At least some of you are anyway.

I guess it went off without too much of a bang. I did end up going to my aunt's house. We got there around 12 and ate at 1. It wasn't that bad, but it was still tenser than in the past. More than I would like it to be. The kids had a good time though and I got an awesome picture of my son and his great pa-paw. I will post it when I download it off my computer. The kids got toys and I got a picture of my cousins and some money. We hung out a little and my cousin spent the night with us (it is kind of a tradition at this point).

The next day we made the trip up to Cherokee again. We had a room for 3 days and were hoping to get a suite. No such luck though. But it was a good trip. The kids were really good and it wasn't all that stressful. But it is difficult to be pent up in that close of quarters with 2 toddlers for 3 days though. But all in all I think that we had a great time. I walked out of there with $400 extra in my pocket and a new tattoo. It's a tribal butterfly with my daughters name underneath. I'll post a pic once it heals a bit. Betcha didn't know I was a tatt'd woman huh?

Anyway, I gotta get. I'll let ya know the highlights of the goft getting soon. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and an awesome New Year!

As most of you know, I work for a local police department. Before starting in my current position, I worked in the Community Services Division where our main focus was children. Many times we were asked for information on how to protect children from online predators. And this was before the invention of sites such as www.myspace.com . Prior to having children, I felt that the internet was a dangerous thing, but now that I have my own it terrifies me.

We will not be allowing our children to be on the internet in their own rooms. We have a computer in the kitchen where we can see what they are doing. However, I am not naive and know that I can't see everything and everyone that they are talking to. That's why I think that the program that www.spectorsoft.com has developed is such a great tool to have as a parent. The software allows you to monitor everywhere on the internet that your child has gone. This includes IM's, myspace.com accounts and searches to Google too. Now parents have the ability to help protect thier children from those sick people who pray on innocent children.

This is does not mean that parents need to not educate their children of the dangers that lurk out there in the cyber world. It is our responsibility to monitor what they are doing and talk to them (as hard as it is) about what can and can't be discussed and revealed to "strangers" on the internet. However, the spectorsoft software is a great aid. At $100 it is a little pricey for me, but my childrens safety is worth much more than that.

This ad was sponsored by href="computer/'>http://www.spectorsoft.com">computer monitoring

I just went to see the Dermatologist about my dry skin. Turns out that I have eczema. He prescribed a prescrption ointment for those really bad spots and told me to mousturize like a mad woman. He also suggested that I run a humidifier to help alleviate my dry skin. I always run a humidifier in both of the kids rooms, but I am not great about doing it in my own.

Evidently, not all humidifiers are made the same. According to http://www.humidifierinformation.com/different-types-compared.php there is a big difference between warm and cool air ones. We use cool air ones here. We have one Holmes one, and two Honeywell ones. They have made a world of difference to the kids so say the least. Drama Queen used to get nose bleeds because the air was so dry. But now it never happens.

Do you have a humidifier in your home?

This post was sponsored by you'>http://www.humidifierinformation.com/furnace.php">you can even have a humidifier for your furnace to humidify the whole house

Well, my aunt finally called me. And she apologized (if you can call it that). I guess I accept her apology. It is hard though when it is followed by an onslaught of how my Mom and I dont' help her enough. It's the same ol' crap really.

I almost told her where she could stuff it bacause she wouldn't drop it. But I refuse to fight with her about it anymore. It is stupid and she needs to get over it. If she can't then it is her problem. I'm done with it all. I've got too much going on to have to mess with people like that. Life is too short.

Just in case I don't get a chance to get back on here before Christmas. I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. May it be filled with love and happiness.

Are you looking for an opportunity for some extra cash? I know that I am. I don't think that there are many people out there that can't say that they could use a little more of the green stuff in their bank accounts.

Recently I stumbled across a unique opportunity through Mommy the Maid's blog to participate in www.payperpost.com. I read blogs everyday and once I checked it out I thought it was a great way to do something I enjoy and get paid a little extra. It only takes a few minutes a day and the potential to make enough money to pay my car payment is enough incentive for me!

Once you register they have a great network of other bloggers that are more than willing to help and give advice. PayPerPost Blog has many great ideas, PPP news, updates and crazy videos. They even have their own reality TV show! Check it out now. What do you have to lose? And make sure and tell them I sent ya!

This post is sponsored by href="http://blog.payperpost.com/">blog

Baby fever is in the air. Everyone around me is having babies. There is the sweetest, cutest baby at daycare right now and if I knew Momma wouldn’t mind I would take her home in a heartbeat. While my baby making days are over, it is still fun to think of what I would name my children if I could have some more.

While the standard names are perfectly ok, I tend to lean more towards the exotic. If you too would like something different for that precious son or daughter, please visit a very interesting site. You will find many Baby Names that are exotic and sure to make a lasting impression on everyone they meet.

www.muslim-names.co.uk is your one stop shop for any and all Muslim names. I am not Muslim but I have always thought that they had some beautiful names. The site is simple, eye pleasing and includes many informative articles and links regarding the Muslim religion. You can also search for names based on meanings! If nothing else it is fun to pretend.

So if you or someone you know is looking for a unique and meaningful name for their precious baby-to-be this may just be the place to go.


This post was sponsored by href="http://www.muslim-names.co.uk">Baby Names

Alpha Male is such a push-over when it comes to his family. Either that or I am just a bitch. We agreed to keep my nephew tonight so that they can get the last of my sister-in-laws shopping done (wait till the last minute much?). Well an hour or so ago she calls AM and tells him he needs to go pick him up at the Y before 6 because they don't want to drive all the way out to our house?

Umm excuse me? You were the ones that asked us to keep him for you. Didn't you just last weekend make the statement "If I want someone to keep my kids for me I will make sure that I get them there. I don't make people come and get him when it was my idea"? Oh, I forgot that only applies to the other sister-in-law right?

It wouldn't matter all the much except that they live a good 45 minutes from us. Not to mention that we have picked him up the last 3 times that we have kept him. Your child-your turn sweetie. And then when we call you back to tell you we can't and we have made plans you hem and haw and say that you are getting off work early. I'm sorry but if it was up to me we wouldn't be keeping him at all now. You are taking advantage of our generosity sister.

Now it seems that we have reached a compromise. We are going to pick him up at her work and take him with us to the Mall. AM has decided that we are taking to kids to get their pictures taken with Santa. Oh boy...this will be fun. Expect lots of tears ladies and gentleman.

Maybe I'll get a good picture this year. But somehow I highly doubt it.

Have I mentioned that my in-laws are going to Hawaii right after Christmas? If I haven't ...they are. In fact I am almost sick to death hearing about it. But truth be told I guess I am jealous. I have always wanted to go to Hawaii. I have heard it is beautiful. Maybe someday.

I did know a girl in college that flew her entire wedding party and family there for an authentic Maui wedding. I have heard that the Hawaiian wedding packages that they offer are outstanding. Maybe in another life? One can dream right?



This post was sponsored by href="Maui'>http://www.hawaiianislandweddings.com/">Maui Wedings

Do you have some last minute shopping to do? If so, you might want to consider checking out NCNatural. They are a great source for all kinds of products. The are from North Carolina (go Heels!) and the website provides you with links to online coupons. Who doesn't like a great deal right?

They have coupons for stores/sites like Avon, Dell, and Old Navy, just to name a few.

I wish that I hadn't already done all my shopping because some of these deals are great! Maybe I will have to check use them for my daughter's birthday gift. It is just around the corner and I haven't bought her anything yet.

So what are you waiting for? Get to shopping!

This post is sponsored by href="Coupons'>http://ncnatural.com/Resources/Coupons/index.html">Coupons & Discounts

I have been IM'ing with my my cousin. She is basically begging me to come for Christmas. As much as my gut is telling me to run away in the opposite direction as fast as I can,I so want to be there. I miss them and I want us to be a family again. They are all the family I have. Why does this have to be so hard? Why can't she just love me for who I am? I mean damn, I have made a life for myself. I support myself and haven't had to ask for anything in years. I am proud of my accomplishments. Why can't she be?

This just sucks!

I don't know about you, but when I was a freshman in college I was bombarded with credit card offers. Everywhere I turned they were giving me credit cards. Me being the naive girl that I was I found myself with way too many for my own good. By the time I graduated I had wracked up a pretty hefty debt. I had at least three visa cards and two department store cards too. Being over $5000 in debt right out of college is a bad thing. I wish that there were informative resources such as Credit Card News and Credit Card Advice out there at the time. Boy, if I only knew then what I know now I would have a whole lot more money in the bank.

This post was sponsored by href="credit'>http://www.creditcards-gb.co.uk/">credit cards through payperpost.com

Let the drama continue.

For those that have been keeping up with the Christmas Aunt saga...it doesn't end at my last post. After the initial message on the machine I called her back and told her that it wasn't a big deal. That I thought that having Christmas at my house would be easier (especially for me with the kids) but that we could/would come to her house and to let me know when and what to bring. I totally expected her to call me back saying that "Dinner is at one..blah blah blah". Boy was I wrong.

The next morning she called and left another message on my answering machine stating again that she already had the food and people were planning on coming to her house like they had the last 15 years. She would send the kids' presents with my Mom. She wanted her Dad at her house for Christmas. Sounds like she really wants me there huh?

I guess I am a glutton for punishment. I called and cried to my Mom for awhile last night and asked her to find out what Aunt's problem is since I am a non-confrontational chicken. Mom thinks that I need to just show up if nothing else but spite. Part of me wants to. Who does she think she is to basically tell me that I can't spend Christmas with my family. But the other part of me (and my gut instinct too) tells me that I don't need to waste my time and be somewhere that I am obviously NOT wanted. Of course, Mom calls and leaves her a message telling her that she really hurt my feelings and that she needs to think about what she wants and if she can be nice about the situation she needs to call me, but if not then don't bother. I don't know about you, but I can pretty much guess where that will go.

I hate feeling like this. What the hell have I really done to her? All that she has a "problem" with was between my grandparents and me. It has absolutely nothing to do with her. I know I shouldn't give her the power, but she makes me feel like there is something wrong with me. My family here in the Carolinas is small and to not see them is breaking my heart. I can't remember a time that I didn't get to spend it with family. I know that I have a family of my own now, but they are my family too. Rock and a hard place much?

I still haven't decided what I am going to do. I probably won't until Christmas morning. I pretty much have decided that if she doesn't call me back (and play nice) then I WON'T be going over there. I also know that next year I will not be going over there. We started having Christmas at her house because she had small children. Her kids are now in high school. So, based upon that criteria, it's my turn now. If she doesn't want to come then fine.

I so sound like a spoiled brat huh? Am I being ridiculous? What would you do? (ok, ERin I already know what you would do ;) )

Well, I turned the big 3-2 yesterday. As much as I was dreading it, it really wasn't that bad. Saturday night we met at the In-laws for their Christmas since they are heading to NY next week. I got the Dawson's Creek Season 4 DVD set, a candle warmer, a Rachel Ray Cookbook, a beginner Guitar book, a jasmine candle, and a $25 gift certificate to Walmart. AlphaMale got me a PowerSpot carpet cleaner, a gift certificate to get my van cleaned and a watch.

Instead of going out to eat, we decided to take the kids to the Zoo. I know, to the zoo in December~ are we crazy? Well, it was only 75 degress here in South Carolina yesterday. The weather was perfect. It was really nice and we say 95% of the animals, albeit sleeping ones. The kids really enjoyed it. Wildman LOVED the aquarium. We was yelling at the fish and pressing his little face to the glass and saying "Look it!". It was priceless. Drama Queen still has an ear infection so she wasn't her normal perkey self, but she still enjoyed it and did her share of Mama look! She has a facination with birds. The swans were her favorite.

On our way home from the zoo, we stopped back at the In-laws to see a family friend that was there and eat. They gave me one of those apple peeler/corer thingy's that cuts the apples/potatoes into thin spiral pieces and a french fry cutter. I had bought a peeler thing from Pampered Chef, but it won't work on my counters. Oh well. I can't wait to use it now. I am a dork when it comes to kitchen gadgets. I have a whole cabinet full of crap like that.

But as always, there was drama. Dun dun dun. It wouldn't be the Lo2U2 if there wasn't would it? Friday night I called my Aunt to see if we could have Christmas at my house this year. With everything that has been going on I was hoping to not have to pack up the kids and drive over there. She had a lot of well and ums and I could tell that she wasn't keen in the idea but she said she would talk to her friend and see how if we could work it out. She tried the whole "Daddy might not want to come all the way over there", but I had already talked to Pa-Paw and he was fine with it. I thought it was over and done. Boy was I wrong.

~~Ok, I'll be honest. I didn't want to go over there. Ever since my grandmother died in April I think I have seen my aunt once. And all she has done is bad mouth me the entire time. Why would I want to go over there? I am so sick of all of it. But I want to be with family on Christmas. And I have a nice new house so I thought -hey why not have it here for a change?~~

Sunday night I had a message on my machine from my Aunt. Happy Birthday greetings right? Not likely. Right from the start you could tell that she had an "how dare you" attitude. Bascially she said that she had been having it at her house for the last 15 years and she didn't understand why I would want to change it. Besides, this was the first she was hearing of it and she had already bought all the food (yea right~ try again!) That it was the first Christmas without Nanny and she wanted her Daddy at her house. That if we wanted to work something out and Pa-Paw come over to my house Christmas Eve or something that would be fine. Not once did she say she wanted us there. I don't think that she wants us there and I don't really want to be there either. Last year it was her idea to "only get gifts for the kids". And we aren't talking a hand full of kids either. I have two and she has two teenagers. That's it. And they are far from poor. But I digress. As I have said before, Christmas isn't just about gift giving. But I find it really upsetting and a waste of my time to drive over an hour to a family members home to not receive any gifts. Last year the kids got hand my down toys because she "ran out of time to buy them something" and we didn't get anything from them . Not to mention it always ends in a "Lets bash my mother" session. Not that I get along all that well with my Mom, but she still is MY mom.

But I am going to swallow the bitterness that is brewing in the back of my throat and keep my mouth shut. AM and I have already decided that we will only stay as long as my mother does. Any takers on how long you think we will last before there's a fight or we leave?

WHOOO HOOO! REPEAT BABY!

I couldn't get online Friday night, but Appalachian State University (my alma mater) won their second consecutive Division II-A National Championship. Way to go guys! If they make it to Chattanooga next year for a three-peat I am so there!

GO APPS!

When I logged onto MSN this morning, I saw not one but TWO news stories about people abusing/killing children. What it going on? How could anyone treat children the way these people do. In one story, a man shot his girlfriend and her three kids before killing himself. A forth child is the the hospital. No matter what anyone has done, how could you shoot an innocent child? As crazy as my kids make me, I soul never EVER do anything to hurt them.

Another story was about a man putting two toddlers in a dryer and turning it on. Why torture chidren? Why why why? It makes me so sad and angry that we live in a society where this happens so frequently. No wonder so many of our youth are so messed up these days? It makes me what to run away to another country where corporal punishment is legal. Let's see how he likes being stuffed in a dryer?

It's all just absolutely crazy to me. I just can't understand it and never will.

Why it's Much More Than A Mom of course! Please make a warm welcome to my newest Tenant.

Mommy to Rylan (what a cool name!) , 1 kitty, and 2 doggies and wife to Big Guy. I'm not sure where she lives yet, but she is hella cool and makes me laugh. And we share a disgust for moths and a love of good books.

So go now. Check her out. And tell her I sent ya!

Wow! Look! A post from me! It has been way too long and I apologize to the few that have stuck around. I promise it will be at least 3 years before I do that again. Here's what's going on in Lo2U2 right now as we speak...

The On-Site went well. It isn't official until March when we go before the Commission for the hearing, but considering that where we were three years ago, we are definately improving. It wasn't as flawless as I would like, but since it was my first one I will take it as long as we don't get conditions. Conditions are bad people...bad! As I have said before, I won't bore you with the details of what exactly I do. However, if you are just dying to know you can go here. It explains the whole thing. I will say that the lead Assessor looked alot like a skinnier version of Bobby Flay (not bad on the eyes :)!)

Of course, while we were in the middle (the beginning actually) of the On-site this happens. Yes (hangs head in shame) this is where I work. I am so proud! At least in the eyes of most people, the person at fault was the mother. But it still caused us a heap of trouble, that I am STILL trying to fix a week later. BAG HUMBUG!

And to top it all off, both the kids are sick. Drama Queen was sick two weeks ago with a double ear infection. After 10 days on Omnicef I thought it was all cleared up. But a week later she was still complaining of an ear ache but I thought she was just saying it to get attention. What a horrible mother I am. Last night she hardly ate and kept holding her ear to her head and being super-clingy. I knew then that something was wrong. I got MIL to stay with WildMan and I took her back to Urgent Care. Sure enough...she still has a double ear infection. Combine that with a runny nose, cough, and a fever and you have one sick little girl. Oh, and Wildman is sick too. He was barking this morning, so I have a feeling I will be at the Dr. with him as well soon. When it rains it pours right? Will my daughter ever be well for Christmas?

This weekend is the In-laws Christmas with us since they can't seem to stay away from New York for more than a few months. We will have Christmas dinner and opening present on Saturday evening. It should be interesting. I know that Christmas isn't about getting, but I always seem to get the short end of the stick. It doesn't help that my birthday is Sunday (December 17th) but it still sucks. That sounds so horrible doesn't it? I am grateful for everything I do receive, and I love giving, but when everyone else has a big stack and I only have 3 things I feel left out. But that really isn't what it is about right? Anyway, while in NY they will be going to Hawaii for a week too. I don't really care except that they will be gone for Drama Queens birthday as well. Their loss I guess, but it still sucks for her that Maw-Maw and Pop Pop will miss both Christmas and her 3rd Birthday.

Other than that it is pretty quiet around here. Be on the lookout for a whole new look very soon. Susie at Blue Bird Blogs is working on my new home away from home as we speak.

I will leave you with a question...

What is one tradition that you do for the holidays?

Yes, you read right. I am back after a much too long hiatus. I won't bore you with the details right now. But I wanted to let the few of my loyal readers that stuck around, that I am still alive and kicking. You will be seeing me on your regular channel now.

I gotta go make the kids some dinner.

Laters~

PS- We passed the inspection.. YEAH ME!!!