All About My Journey

YMCA

2006-03-23T08:17:00.000-08:00

Ready, everybody sing. "YMCA, it's fun to stay at the YMCA." O.k. let me explain. I joined the Y yesterday. I wanted to get my kids into something and I just couldn't resist joining myself. They have a pool, that's reason enough right there. Also, I have been doing this challenge from Self magazine and I thought I would do better if I had access to more equipment. The only thing is now I have to behave and get along with other people. I don't usually talk to people other than my kids. Just don't seem to relate to anyone. Guess I'm kind of a loner. Don't feel sorry for me though it's kind of my own choice. I find most people I can get along with better if they are kept at a distance. LOL! You guys must think I'm awful. Anyways, I have been MIA for awhile. Standing at the desk of the Y yesterday, I looked up and saw a poster for dodgeball tryouts. Well it got me to thinking of our Lord of Butter and all of you, so I thought I would just say "Hi." I haven't really been doing anything to talk of so I haven't been posting in here. I have, however, been lurking around your journals. I love checking in with all of you because I know I will learn something new or see something from a different point of view or at least get a good laugh. All of you are wonderful. Don't change a bit.

Kids for Sale!

2006-02-24T15:35:00.000-08:00

Cute ain't she? She is my youngest. She is my EVIL one. This is a child who plots against everyone and anyone who gets in her way. She is a pro at what she does. If there is a slight chance that she feels she will not get her way, she reminds you of her cuteness by saying "I love you, Momma." They (my kids) have been on vacation this week. It has been a rough one. This cute little blonde chic that you see before you has not shut up since I picked her up at school last Friday. If she is not talking then she is singing. Now mind you, I am a typical mother who has come equipped with patience. I also am a person who drinks very little. This being said, it has been a rough week. I only have two more days. I think I can make it. Anyways, we took the tribe to see Hoodwinked the other day. It was kind of cute, but I don't know. What happened to the good 'ol days of kids movies being consumed by cheese. I like cheese. Remember movies like The Cat From Outer Space? Now I watch movies with my kids and I do enjoy them but I feel like half of what is being said goes way over their heads. Don't take that wrong. All three of my children are very smart. It just seems as if movies are getting too adult. They grow up fast enough. Can't we save some cheesy stuff for our movies? Maybe I'm just getting old. No that can't be it! Oh well, all for now kids!!!

Life is Funny

2006-02-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

Life can really be funny when you stop and think about it. I don't mean funny HAHA just funny in how sometimes we find what we are looking for, even if we didn't realize we were searching for it in the first place. My life, for instance, would bore most people to tears. It is filled with monotonous routines that fill my days. There are times I lose track of the days because they all seem to meld together after awhile. Such is the life of an at home mom, I suppose. There are daily chores I dread like most people. One of them has always been cooking. The same boring meals week after week. I simply made them because I knew how. In the past year, however, I have been striving to take better care of myself. Yes, to exercise and stop eating soo much take out food. It was something I dreaded. Not to mention that I live within a mile of Wendy's, McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and Jim Dandy. In the beginning, I figured I would just cut down on it, maybe once a week. Then one day while web searching, I looked up a recipe. It triggered something in my brain. I began spending most of my computer time looking up recipes and getting details on preparing food. Out of nowhere, I started loving my time in the kitchen and actually looking forward to it all day. I have become obsessed with watching the Food Network. I have found something to be passionate about for the first time in....well way too many years. I realize how ludicrous this all sounds to others. I have been through a lot in the past few years and my life for that matter. For a long time, I walked in a daze and was exhausted. I'm not really talking sleepy, just tired of my life. It's hard being a mom. You know you really won't get the appreciation you deserve until your kids become parents themselves. We don't get thank you's or raises based on our hard work. Sometimes, we wish we knew exactly how we are doing. It's also hard for us to do something for ourselves. A mother holds more guilt than any other person. But when we do find something we enjoy, we give it our all. It could be because we are used to giving all of ourselves or just simply that it is something different. Here's hoping that everyone that reads this, mothers or not, can find a little something to be passionate about.

What are you?

2006-01-30T11:18:00.000-08:00

I have a friend I talk to over in China. This is their new years and it is the year of the dog. I thought it would be fun to see what chinese zodiac sign I was according to the year of my birth. Imagine my surprise when I found out I was a pig. How rude, right? Actually it is a pretty good thing and I found most of the description to be exactly my personality. So, I thought for haha's I would leave all of you the link to look up your sign. Let me know how accurate it is for you. Peace and Love Babies!!!
http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/zodiac/dog.html

Help!

2006-01-25T09:35:00.000-08:00

I keep trying to post photos and it isn't working. What do I do? I also keep trying to post up the links to everyones journals and that isn't working either. I could not be more lost. Well, that isn't true either. If anyone can help please email me or leave it in my comments. THANKS!

Now What

2006-01-24T07:18:00.000-08:00

So all three of my kids are in school now. I could actually give time to something, but what? I honestly do not remember what I use to do or was good at or anything. It's like all previous memories of a life get erased when you have children. I told my husband I wanted another baby. He said I need another husband. HAHA! Like if I really wanted to have another one, he would stop me. Thats how we ended up with the other three. LOL! He thinks we are too old now. I told him women close to fifty are popping them out now. Well, that didn't go over. Our original plan was to have our children young so that after they grew up we would still be young enough to do things, like travel. So, now what? I can't really take a job yet because how can I tell an employer that I need summers off. The old man works screwy hours and I can't really work around him unless I work for someone who is really understanding. I'm told bosses don't come that way. I try to make myself busy around the house, but you can only do so much. I don't watch t.v. at all during the day and rarely even at night. NOW WHAT?

Hello Again

2006-01-17T08:48:00.000-08:00

Howdy all! I hope everyone had a wonderful new years and is keeping with those resolutions (yeah I know). I have been lurking here and there in your journals so I figured it was time to get back to my own. My Mom is doing fine. She is an absolute rock. I call and bother her as much as I can on the computer, but I think I annoy her more than anything. My step grandfather (my family is disfunction at it's finest) lives with her so I'm glad she has someone there. Anyways, I have noticed something about our dear Omar. He seems to have a bit of a stalking problem with Beyonce. Hun, you are so cute with your obsession, but I just don't see it happening for you two. Please don't hate me for being the voice of reason. You live in Ny? Aren't there like a million single women there? I just think you are too good for Beyonce. O.K. I'm done stroking egos, I have to see about getting an extremely difficult (I'm sure) recipe from Chris.
BTW Ari, I was freaked out by how much your Chris looked like A.J. Lucky you!
Love you all
Karen

Time Off

2005-12-30T07:32:00.000-08:00

All my journal land friends, I am writing to say I will be taking some time off from my journal. My step-father has passed away and I really need to be with my Mom right now. I will check in on your journals when I have a chance. I hope all of you have a wonderful New Year's and I will be back soon.
Peace and Love
Karen

Over

2005-12-26T10:24:00.000-08:00

O.K. everyone deep breath in and release. It's over for all of us who celebrate Christmas. As I look around my house and wonder when exactly the train came through, I realize that I don't NEED a damn thing here. Don't get me wrong. It's really nice that people think of me and my children, but I am a very simple person. All of this clutter makes me nuts. I live in a very small ranch style house and now I think because of all the crap my kids have accuumulated we are going to have to move. There is no where to put it all. I must say that I received some really nice things and then I got some of THOSE gifts. You know the ones I mean? The ones that as you look at it you wonder if this person has actually ever met you. LOL! What are you going to do? Christmas Eve and Day was hectic just like always. I really wanted it to snow last night. There is something so calming and peaceful about a light snow on Christmas night. I know a lot of you that read my journal live in the South so you probably think I'm nuts for wanting snow. It just makes everything beautiful and new looking. Oh well, I didn't get it so I will stop talking about it. Now we can all prepare for the new year. Anyone making resolutions? I haven't decided. I kind of feel like resolutions are just excuses. Why do you have to wait for a new year to make improvements when you have the opportunity to make changes with every new day? Seems pointless. Still I like to test myself and see how dedicated I can be to a promise I make to me. It's hard to do that sometimes when you have a family. I'll think about it more and then write what I decide later. I guess that's enough BLAH BLAH BLAHING for today. Talk you all soon.

Busy Busy Me

2005-12-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know I have been neglecting my online family everywhere. Very Sorry! Tis' the season for losing your mind. I just wanted to pop in here for a few and wish all of you a very Happy Holiday season. It's starting to be that time of reflecting over the past year for me. I am so thankful for all of the friends I have made through journaling and moderating over at my site. You are all wonderful and I look forward to chatting and laughing with you throughout the next year. Take care. Whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope it is happy and safe for you and your loved ones.
Peace and Love
Karen

My Life Quiz Results

2005-12-08T14:13:00.000-08:00

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	6.8
Mind:	6.3
Body:	7.7
Spirit:	6.4
Friends/Family:	5.5
Love:	9.1
Finance:	5.4
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

Thought I would do this for haha's. I guess the joke is on me. Didn't know things were that good. I'll stop complaining now (not really, it's what I do).

Is it just me

2005-12-06T08:24:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else get weird this time of year? I mean kinda depressed or lost. I don't know what it is about December, but every year I feel like I am just going through the motions of my daily routine without any feelings or thoughts. It could be holiday stuff of maybe the end of the year coming to a close. The feeling of not accomplishing everything I wanted to do this year comes to mind, but I truly don't know. I know I get extremely irritated by the people running around and buying everything they can get their grubby little mits on. No matter what your religion of choice is, I'm pretty sure buying more crap doesn't have anything to do with the big picture. I guess maybe that is it. I get irritated and even saddened by other people who just don't get it. We are supposed to be kinder and more generous this time of year. Why? Shouldn't we be this way every single day of our lives? This may seem strange to bring up, but I remember an episode of Friends where Joey (I think) challenged Phoebe to do one act of selfless kindness for someone else. She couldn't do it because even if she did something for someone and didn't receive anything in return, she at least felt really good about helping. Feeling good about just helping. That doesn't seem so bad.
I remember when I was growing up and on Christmas morning I would open up my stocking and love everything inside. Obviously, not the biggest or most expensive of my gifts but always the most thoughtful. My mother every year would hang up a stocking for herself and every year it would be empty because my step father didn't view it as important. To this day she still hangs up one for herself. Last Christmas Eve, Santa paid her a visit and filled it with all the little treasures she used to discover for others. That is what all this should be about. Doing something for someone else who doesn't expect it and walking away with nothing more than a good feeling. Here's hoping we all remember to be a little kinder to one another not just this time of year, but always. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Little sick one

2005-12-02T16:55:00.000-08:00

When I went to pick up my kids today, my youngests(sp?) kindergarten teacher told me that she thought my little monkey was sick. This is a child that from the time I normally pick her up doesn't stop...anything. She is the one that at times, as much as I love her, I can't wait to put her to bed. She talks constantly about whatever. When she goes in the bathroom and has no one to talk to, she sings. After her bath, I will have the hair dryer on and she actually sings over that noise. She's loud and she is hyper. So, I picked her up and she told me she fell asleep in school. When we came home, she was laying down on the couch talking to me one minute and snoring the next. She has a cold with a little fever. No surprise for me because my other two have already had this one. I knew it was a matter of time. My oldest daughter when she gets sick, she is the type that you would never know she is sick. Business as usual for her. My little one though...well it's pretty obvious. My house is unusually quiet. Here's hoping for a little song coming from the bathroom tomorrow. Goodnight.

Hips from Hell

2005-12-01T08:41:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you do things and the result isn't what you were looking for at all. Some of you who have read my posts from Aol may remember that I am a moderator at a health and well being site called Finertia (nice plug for them). I keep a fitness journal over there because I made the decision a long time ago to seriously try to live a more healthful life. Now it doesn't always work for me, but I think for the most part I have made a lot of really great changes in my eating and workout habits. Unfortunately, I am one of those freaky people that has a hard time gaining and maintaining weight. I don't want to hear any "poor Baby" bits either. I've heard it all before and to be perfectly honest this has been a serious problem at times for me. Anyways, I have been trying to gain for a while. I'm very happy to say that I am finally at a healthy weight. I have maintained this for a little while also. I should be happy right? The problem is I am a little person who has always had hips from Hell and it seems the extra weight I gained went...guess where...my hips. Now I'm not going to post my measurements here because that isn't what this journal is about for me, but lets just say there is 10" inches between my hips and waist. This is sooooo wrong. I could never find jeans that fit to begin with and now ....GRRRRR! I'm sorry. I shouldn't bitch about this stuff to you guys. It's just frustrating when you do actually try hard to accomplish something and it doesn't turn out right for you. I'm afraid to gain any more weight now because I may have to turn sideways to fit through the doorway. Life can be very unfair. LOL!!! Yeah, I can laugh at this too.

DOH!

2005-11-29T13:18:00.000-08:00

What da $#@*? I lost my password and then it took two days to figure out how to change it. GRRRR! Why can't things be easier? I have about a million passwords to remember and then people wonder why I can't remember what I was just talking about.
Yes it is crappy weather lately!
Geez! Anyways, I have been a total bear lately. I'm usually a pretty laid back type of person, but then it happens. It hits the fan. I take more crap from people than should be legal. I don't even know if that made sense. Don't really care either. It's kinda funny how I can be like this and still have a sense of humor about things. As long as other people don't laugh at me, I'll be o.k.
On a slightly brighter note, I finally saw Napoleon Dynamite. I had it on Tivo for about 3 weeks and since there is total sludge on t.v. lately, I finally got to watch it. Kind of a strange little movie, but funny. I think I went to school with him. The whole bit with feeding the llama, Tina, was pretty funny to me. I think it's because thats my sisters name. Can anyone tell me why that thing was tied to the fence when there was a huge field behind it? Anyways, my bitch-fest has ended for the day. Hope you all are having a better day than I am. Oh and if you haven't done it yet, go visit Omar's journal and join the dark-side. I'd set up a link but I'm too dumb to figure out how to do that.

Gobble Gobble

2005-11-25T13:50:00.000-08:00

Started off turkey day by going to the hospital with Mom. Her husband has been there for about a week and I wanted to be there for her. Then I came home to mass destruction. This is what happens everytime I leave my house with the old man in charge. My living room turns into Madison Square Gardens and it's Royal Rumble time. Pillows, blankets and couch cushions all over the floor. Children are being tombstoned and body slammed everywhere (he is careful). I just walk out of the room shaking my head. I made dinner and it was good except for the potatoes. Yes Lord of Butter, I cleaned the turkey myself. There is something empowering about reaching in and pulling out the insides. Ahem, sorry. I'm not a violent person-REALLY. So I got up this morning and said I have screwed up this whole week, why workout now. I did behave on what I ate though. Like who wants to eat the day after Thanksgiving? So any ideas for tons of leftover turkey. I am planning on the soup. LOL!
Today my children and I decorated the windows for Christmas. No not with lights. With markers. I'm such a great Mother. They are these really neat Crayola markers you can use on glass. It's the only time I let them draw on anything other than paper. The old man hasn't seen it yet. I can't wait to see the expression.
TATA for now people

Back to Stuff!

2005-11-23T11:27:00.000-08:00

OOH RED PRETTIFUL! Yeah, I'm weird. Preparing to stuff myself until it oozes out my ears does that to me. Healthy eating? Bah, what's that? It's Thanksgiving. Eat, drink, eat dessert and drink until you pass out. There's the plan. Of course, I'm cooking so I can't really drink and I have an awful habit of eating while I cook. See? Nothing ever goes as planned. How about this one? Friday morning-get up and do an ab workout. That sounds more probable. Anyways, Happy Turkey Day to all and in the words of Adam Sandler "I love turkey on Thanksgiving."
Peace, Love, Joy and lots of good eats everyone!

Special Email

2005-11-21T08:23:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine sent this to me today and I thought I would share it with all of you. It's about being a mom, but I'm sure the emotions are the same for dads.

Before I was a Mom...
Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on.Pooped on.Chewed on.Peed on.I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.Or give shots.I never looked into teary eyes and cried.I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.I never knew that I could love someone so much.I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.I had never known the warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.
And before I was a Grandma, I didn't know that all those "Mom" feelings more than doubled when you see that little bundle being held by "your baby"...

HELP!!!!!

2005-11-19T11:13:00.000-08:00

I so don't know what I'm doing. That really isn't a surprise to anyone who knows me because I am the queen of winging it. Is there a way to post in your journal after checking comments or do you always have to go to your home page? I'm so lost! Anyways, I have been off and on researching my family tree. This is a hobby that requires way more patience than I really have. I have been trying to look up info on my mothers family and it's extremely frustrating. They come from Quebec and there are very few records that aren't in French. My eighth grade French is not helping me at all. My fathers family is a little bit easier, but not much. So one day I thought for haha's I would type in my married name. I received more information than I know what to even do with at this point. It's not fair. My husband isn't even interested in where his family comes from and yet I could write a book about them. Why can't anything I do ever be easy? Yesterday, I went to do some Christmas shopping. Just so you all know, I hate shopping. It isn't the shopping for others that I hate because I really hate shopping for myself even more. It's one of the reasons why my husband says he married me. I'm about half done with all my shopping. I'm not one of the people you will catch out next weekend. Out on Black Friday, Don't think so! For those of you that haven't seen this and are more brave than myself, check out this link. http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/

Howdy!

2005-11-17T06:33:00.000-08:00

So today I am shutting down my other journal. I am really sad by this situation. I was really enjoying being a part of a community of wonderful people. I really hope it works out here. Anyways, I started this whole journal thing to vent like most of you. I feel like we will not win with Aol. It is time to get back to our daily ramblings (thats someones journal isn't it). Hello to any new friends in here and please just bare with us while we work out our problems with AOL. I was reading some of the journal titles on the main page, there are some pretty interesting sounding ones. When I can get some more time, I will go through some and let you know what I think. O.K. so not like you care what I think, but I will tell you anyways. Bare with me. I'm sick and the med is making me a little loopy. Speaking of which, is there a med out there that actually works? I swear I've tried everything for my allergies and sinuses and nothing ever seems to work. After awhile of not being able to control those two things, I always end up with a full blown cold. It sucks. Boy this is a happy entry, huh? I'm sorry. So I was listening to the radio this morning and this woman was on talking about her new book. Don't know why, but she really pissed me off. I'm not even going to tell you the name of the book because I don't want to promote her crap. Apparently, she is a thirty something woman who is married with no children. So far fine. Well, she got tired of people asking her if she was going to have children so she wrote a book about it. When did this become an insulting question? Just because someone asks it doesn't mean that they think you should. It is just the norm. That's all. She said that one of the major reasons for her not to have kids was because of everything she would have to give up. She listed going out to dinner as one. Let me just say that if that is your reason for not having children then definitely DO NOT PROCREATE. I know the life I live is not for everyone. Some people have really good reasons for deciding not to have children. For example, tough financial status, maybe got married later in life or simply that you just aren't good with kids. I understand all that. I understand that some people have a career that is just too demanding on their time and they would not be a proper parent. Understandable. But for the rest of you that think you couldn't give up your little hobbies for your kids... well lets just say that I think YOU SUCK! Nothing in the world compares to the unconditional love of your children. Knowing that you could burn dinner or forget to wash their socks and they will still love you and you them. That is what it is all about. Other people come and go in your life, but a childs love is forever. That is what being a parent is all about. If that means that I can't go out all the time, then so be it. They grow up much too fast. I will have plenty of time for all that later. I actually feel sorry for this writer if that is how she really feels. She obviously has no idea.

I'm Here

2005-11-16T08:11:00.000-08:00

Wow! I was scared I was going to be left in the dust. All of you former Aolers are the first online family I've ever had. I'm taking your word on this place. As I said in a comment somewhere, I'm just riding out a contract with AOL. Don't have much else to say at this point. I just wanted to get started here so I can post my new link. Take Care