Addictive Behavior

This weekend Colby informed someone in the grocery store that he loves Benedryl........his Mommy gives it to him all the time. As the woman walked away with a shaky smile and raised eyebrows I had to question my parenting skills. Was this the beginning of an addictive behavior? Is he addicted to the allergy medicine that so quickly allows him to breathe during the toughest pollen season of the year and easily controls the snot quantity in our home OR am I addicted to the sleepiness that follows a dose of the sweet pink liquid?

A good parent would go with the former (in all honesty he does have pretty nasty allergies), but I have to admit the exhausted portion of my body goes with the latter on occassion.

I guess I am in the clear as long as he isn't begging for Benedryl or going through withdrawals if he doesn't have it!

Anybody else bordering their child on an addiction?

My Thoughts For The Day

Yes, I Dumpster Dive

Confession time.......I have been known to dumpster dive. Not in the sense that I comletely submerge myself in the muck of the dumpster, but you had better believe that if I see something in the trash that I could use that it becomes mine!

Over the years I have scored a pet carrier, an antique drop leaf table, several books, baskets, a christmas tree......and my latest find.....a basketball post and stand!

Today I was driving down the road I saw a pole that was standing out for the wonderful trash company to sweep away. I knew the trash truck would not pick it up and felt very sure that it was destined for the dump so I took a chance and stopped and asked the man who lived there if I could have it. He laughed at me and asked if I take other people's trash often.

I guess I do! One man's trash is another man's treasure........right!

Over The Hump!

Yeah!! I finally got over the ten pound hump I had been battling for the last week and I have now lost 11 pounds! I am so excited! I am jealous because I can't afford a gym membership or "magic" pills like some of my family and friends, but I CAN DO THIS the old fashioned way (trust me, if that was in the budget I would be on board!) But the weight is starting to fall of and I am well on my way to my first goal of 50lbs! Yeah me!!

Are You Okay Miss?

On Wednesday Colby was jumping on the trampoline and he landed incorrectly and he sprained his knee. He was so upset and I ran toward the sounds of his screams as fast as my legs would carry me. I got to him and climbed on the trampoline to console my baby. When he finally decided he was ready to go inside and ice it and take some ibuprofen I made my way off of the trampoline. My foot missed the chair we climb in and out of and I fell. My arm now looks like this thanks to my wonderful gracefulness!



We were in Chuck E Cheese for a birthday party over the weekend and an older woman came over to me and asked me if I was okay. I said "yes" puzzled at her question. She then touched my arm and said, "Are you SURE you are okay honey." Whoops. I explained to her what had happened but I couldn't help but notice the way her eyes kept flickering from my arm to my husband standing beside me.

After we finally got away from this stranger Jeremy whispered in my ear, "Please were long sleeves in public until your arm heals.....I don't want people thinking I am beating you!" I laughed and told him he had better walk a line or else I'm turning him in!..............I think a small part of him actually believes that I am serious! ;)

Oh, and Colby's knee is fine now! He limped for a couple of days but all is well again!

Frugal Feels Fantastic!!!

It is no big secret that I am a fan of coupons. Jeremy and my Dad pick at me for it, but I save an average of 60% on our grocery bill each week with my cut-outs and print offs. We laugh at how we don't need to get too attached to a certain product because you may never see it again depending on what the best deal is!

Tonight at CVS I did the best I EVER have with my coupons and Extra Care Bucks!



Zyrtec - $12.74 minus $3 store coupon and $4 MFG coupon = $5.74

Colgate Toothpaste - $2.99 minus $1.50 MFG coupon = $1.49

Purex Detergent - Regular $6.99 on sale for $2.99 minus $1 MFG coupon = $1.99

Progresso Soup - $2.49/can minus 4/$5 store sale minus $3 MFG coupon =$2 for 4 cans

Revlon Foundation - $13.29 minus $2 MFG coupon = $11.29

Revlon Lipstick - $9.99 minus BOGO discount = free

Fusion Razor Cartridges - $14.99 minus $3 in store coupon minus $4 MFG coupon =$7.99

Fusion Shaving Gel - $4.99 minus BOGO discount from razors = free

Dry Idea Deoderant - $2.99 minus $1 store coupon minus $2 MFG coupon = overage of 1 cent


Original Total: $83.71

Total Less Coupons: $32.32

Total Less Extra Care Bucks total of $29.03

OUT OF POCKET COST: $3.29 !!!!!!!!!!!! That is 96% Savings!!!!

With costs of items we all need to survive raising to out of control prices, I feel like couponing is even more important. There are some other local blogs out there that have some focus on blogging. In addition I have posted links on the bottom right hand side of my page for some blogs that have really helped me out! Good luck and may you save money!

Sweeden's Satan

My mother in law has a very special talent. She is Satan. I don't mean she is mean and acts like Satan. I am actually quite convinced that she is the devil herself.

I think my first clue to this was when Jeremy and I got engaged many moons ago and she volunteered to buy him a truck if he wouldn't marry that "floozy." Or it could have been the Christmas when she passed out gifts to everyone but me and then said, "Money was tight this year so I just bought for people I liked."

Then again, maybe it was the time that she went into Higgs Diner and told all who would listen that I was cheating on Jeremy with a black man from WKU (this happily got her kicked out of the resturaunt!). Or maybe it was the time Jeremy and I had a big fight that she helped blow out of porportion and she came in my house while I was in church and moved all of his things out.

No, I've got it. It was the time that she came to the hospital when Colby was still in the NICU and opened his incubator even though we were NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH HIM and TOOK HIM OUT!!! (This got her barred from the hospital).

Regardless of which moment over the past 13 years was the one that really made her true identity sink in, atleast I have complete certainty that I know I want to avoid Hell and the damnation of being stuck with her for all eterenity!

So today when my dear hubby could be hanging with me and Colby is up there cleaning up her yard. Yes it is a good deed, but I am resentlful that I am not getting his time. The only time she needs Jeremy is when one of her parade of skanky men is not present (She has been married 3 times and had 4 other live ins in the 13 years Jeremy and I have been together!)

To top it all off, Jeremy gave me a little well rehearsed speech about how much it would "mean to Mom" if I would come up and help. Darn the luck......Colby is not feeling well today and I need to be at home. Drats. I sure wanted to go help.........okay. No I didn't. I will not tell a lie. Remember - I am avoiding all sin and eternal damnation with her!!!

God help me!

A Wonderful Day Indeed!

Ahhhhhhh! It is a wonderful day. It is finally spring. Colby slept in his bed all night (first time EVER)! And, my wonderful addiction to Netflix has paid off......Twilight is on it's way to me!! Life is GOOD!

The Witch Coming Out In Me

Today the witch that resides within my body made a grand appearance. The witch is always there - sometimes buried deep within my soul and other times it is found lurking under the surface. Then when things get really bad, the witch makes her escape and the day turns sour.

Now, if you are not in the mood to her me moan and groan, do not read on. I've got to get this out!

As some of you know, Jeremy and I have had some issues in the baby department. We were fortunate enough to get pregnant with Colby after about 6 months and then the pregnancy went well for the first five months. Colby was born at 7 months, but praise God, all went well for him in the long run. Since then we have gotten pregnant and miscarried 3 times - once at 13 weeks, once at 8 weeks, and once at 4 weeks. Some of you have had this experience and you know the physical and emotional toll it takes on the body. You mourn, you deny, you get depressed, you question why, and sometimes you get mad...............which leads to my neighbor.

In the early fall we got new neighbors. They moved into a home that is located just behind ours. We hoped they would have a little boy Colby's age so he would have a play mate. We got our wish! They have a son that is 5..........and one that is 3........and one that is 2..........and one that is 1. Wow! Jeremy and I were astonished at their good luck in family making (they are either the most fertile people I know or they REALLY like each other!) Then we got to watching the way they take care of their family. Great. No one works. They don't watch their kids. There is a constant flow of traffic in and out of the house they live in. Not the best situation according to my noisy neighbor stalking.

So I try to be nice. I am friendly and their oldest son spends HOURS at our home playing and having meals with us. I love him and he is welcome any time. Today when I walked over to get their son, Mom had big news. They are pregnant again. Bam. The dagger went in my heart. They don't want this baby and seriously considered giving it up for adoption. Rip. The dagger was twisted repeatedly in my heart. Then they decide they "guessed" they would just have to keep it. Wham. In and out the dagger goes.

As if I am not stunned enough, Mom boldly announces that this will however be their last. "Oh, are you getting a tubal?" I ask. No! They don't have any kind of health insurance that would cover anything like that. But.............lucky for Mom.........the tax dollars that you and I pay in each week is getting Dad neutered! Apparently 3 lucky men get to have the family gems transformed each year thanks to the health department and their 5 kids qualifies them! Pardon me while I cringe.

This is the exact kind of thing that pisses me off to no end!!!! I get so frustrated because I CAN take care of another child and here I am living month to month waiting for ovulation and periods. And here she is with babies coming out her ears! AHHHHHHHHHHH!

I know God has a plan for me and I know that He knows best. There is a reason that I am not adding to my family right now. I just get so down and frustrated when situations like this are thrust in my face.

So when I took the boys and left Mom I came in the kitchen.....banged around the dishes while making supper for one of her litter...........sang to the tops of my lungs to 107.1 WUHU............cried a little........and then had to vacuum out the stove again for my messed up meal.

The witch has let it out and is now ready to quietly slither back into her hiding place until she next appears. I hope she hibernates for a while.

Sweetie Pie!

My husband stopped on the side of the road and picked me this bouquet of flowers yesterday. I can't tell you the last time he did this and it melted my heart. If you see Mr. Vincent give him a pat on the back!

Fireproof

It has been a one of a kind weekend at the Vincent household. I have cooked 5 homemade meals and no one has turned their noses up or fallen dead. I know - you are stunned - so is my family. I am making a valiant effort to try and do a little more homemade cooking and this weekend was a success.

Now. You are scratching your heads because I have told you of my cooking success and the title of my blog entry is Fireproof. Well, believe it or not it has nothing to do with the kitchen this time!

Last night we rented the movie Fireproof starring Kirk Cameron. It is a movie about a couple who is having trouble in their marriage and the steps they took to fix their troubles based on faith in God. It was a great movie. It did not have the best acting in it, but the message was sound and important.

Jeremy and I have been married for nearly seven years now and like every couple we have had our share of ups and downs. Right now we get along better than we ever have. We play and give each other a hard time, but we love each other unconditionally. This movie was great for us just to remind us of the importance of being the partner we each need to be. This movie would also be great for those who are maybe in a rocky spot in their marriage and need to get back on the right track to make things work for their relationship. If you get the chance, I think you should watch Fireproof with your spouse. No matter what stage your marriage is in, you will benefit from watching the movie.

The movie also has an informative website found at www.fireproofmymarriage.com

Enjoy!

Commando

Apparently my son has an aversion to underwear. He has proudly been doing many things more independently lately. He dresses himself in the morning and for bed and he also undresses himself for bath time or clothing changes. It never occurred to me to make sure that the undergarments were all accounted for. As long as he had clothing on it was okay............never mind that many times he did not match......I couldn't bring myself to discourage his new skill for putting together an outfit (green pants, yellow and red shirt, and a cowboy hat was his outfit earlier this week!)

So tonight my sweet baby was exhausted and asked me to help him into his pajamas. So, as I helped strip him down I was surprised to find the absence of underwear. When I asked him where they were he said, "I don't like underwear so I don't wear them anymore."

Great........glad I am so on top of things!

Sometimes A Girl Has Just Got To Cry!

I don't know what is wrong with me.....apparently the hormones are raging! I cried last night during American Idol.....to Michael Jackson's "Black and White." I have no emotional ties to the song or anything...........just teared up!?! I cried when reading a book to Colby. I cried paying the bills (and it wasn't because I ran out of money this month either), I cried when WKU won a ballgame, and I cried when I finished Breaking Dawn. I honestly have no reason for the tears. They just flow. Anyone else have these chronic crying episodes???? Please make me feel normal!!

Anyone Know A Good Exorcist???

This morning I considered going to a different church. The kind of church where they perform exorcisms on those who are possessed with evil spirits. I am convinced that my son has been taken over by the devil himself today and Satan needs to back off!

Today alone Colby informed me that he would die if he had to get up, he was running away and I needed to pack him a bag, I am not the "super Mommy" that I claim to be, and that he is not our kid anymore. Clearly something is wrong here.

Anyone know a good exorcist?

A BEAUTIFUL Day!!!

Today was wonderful!! We went this morning and signed Colby up to play tee-ball and then we came home and worked outside all day. We repaired the dog pen and FINALLY got to clean up the storm damage. We still have a pretty large fire burning outside as I type this! It is such a good feeling to get things cleaned up for the spring! I LOVE being outside and the winter has gone on too long if you ask me!

He Got It!!

Colby got his gun!! He is so excited and nothing in my house is safe now!! The sweet little guy has spent everyday this week doing chores for us and his grandparents to earn money toward his goal. I am so proud of how hard he worked! I think I am going to have to save my spare change and get one for myself for defense!

The Value of Pocket Change

I can vividly remember my Dad popping me in the back of the head one time when I was a teenager. I had cleaned out my purse and in the process I had tossed about 35 cents worth of change in the trash can because it was "nasty" from being in the far corners of my purse. Had I known then the TRUE value of pocket change, I would have NEVER tossed away a penny..........not even to make a wish!

You see, Colby has decided that he will absolutely die if he does not get the Nerf Assault Riffle. It is amazing..........shoots approximately 20 darts in 10 seconds, all in automatic succession. GREAT! It's just what my ZOO of a home needs!

I told Colby that he could get it if he could save up the money. To earn money this week he has:

-stolen all of his Daddy's pocket change
-taken out the trash
-cleaned up his bedroom (this earned him a WHOLE DOLLAR because his room was knee deep in toys!
-ate the rest of his supper
-let me have five minutes alone in the bathroom
-went to sleep without a fit
-told his Pa that he would sit in his lap for a quarter
-picked up a dead mouse in the yard that I didn't want to touch (wearing plastic GLOVES!!)

He is starting to learn how to manipulate more money out of his family each day, but he is well on his way to purchase his gun. Colby has $17.57 so far ($12 of which he already had in his piggy bank).....can he earn the rest for the gun?

Pocket change can really make a difference for these little guys...........I wish I had more of it.......perhaps I would be able to type this blog with no interruptions!

Perfect

I have an aunt that is perfect. She dresses impeccably, she has the composure of a queen, and she possesses a heart of gold. She would do anything for her family and friends that needed to be done and she is always sure to have the best advice possible to pass on to anyone who seeks it.

In addition to her wonderful personality, she is fantastic domestically as well. Her house would pass any white glove test around, the laundry is always done, and she is a great cook. I have always wanted to be just like her, well at least as close as I could be because we all know "Brooke" and "perfection" do not belong in the same sentence.

A few days ago my aunt sent some lasagna home with me for supper....she had too much for her family and didn't want it to go to waste. I gladly took it home happy to not have to cook. It was by far the best lasagna I have ever eaten! I got up the nerve to ask her for her recipe in church on Sunday and she gave it to me willingly.

"It's a secret, so be sure not to tell your mom and dad. I don't tell anyone my lasagna secret, but I know you can pull it off." What??? Me, the "mom that smells yucky" Queen??

"You go to the store, the the freezer section. It's Stouffer's. Follow the instructions on the back." And with that she chuckled a little and winked.

Yeah, I guess I can pull that off......so much for perfection...........maybe a perfect facade??

I Hit My Husband and I Hope It Hurt!

On Saturday I hit my husband. It wasn't to be playful. I hit him like I meant it. I hit him with the hand attachments of the vacuum cleaner. I hope it hurt.

I was busy making lunch for the family, trying to get it ready before Jeremy had to leave for another day of overtime work. I had made tilapia, green beans, home-made hush puppies, and..............oops. I forgot to get the baked potatoes out of the oven. This completely slipped my mind until Colby passed through the kitchen with his typical, "Mommy, lunch smells yucky." Sure enough, I took a whiff and my nose immediately told me that this was not the scent of a preschoolers picky appetite. Something had once again gone wrong for me in the kitchen. I opened the oven door and my baked potatoes had EXPLODED! I didn't know they could do that!

So we had lunch minus baked potatoes and all was well, aside from a never-ending stream of jokes from my hubby. As I cleaned up the kitchen afterwards I opened the oven to evaluate my potato mess. There were potato pieces EVERYWHERE. So I did what I thought would work best. I got out the vacuum. I plugged it in, took the hand attachments and went to town cleaning the oven. That's when Jeremy came in and said to me, "Well Holly Homemaker, not only do you blow up baked potatoes but you vacuum the oven. Didn't your Mama teach you anything?"

That was it. I hit him with the vacuum. I hope it hurt! Everyone tells me that NO ONE cleans the oven with a vacuum. I KNOW I can't be the first to have done this! Come on readers, CONFESS!!

Suicide Mission Cancelled!

As some of you may know, my little sister Meagan is getting married in May. I have the wonderful privilege of being Matron of Honor to Bridezilla. The wedding planning process has been such a roller coaster with her that I was severely dreading the bridesmaids dress hunt. I had already decided that the first thing I found that covered my boobs and butt would be mine, but I knew she felt differently. Today was a planned trip to Nashville for shopping and I had already verbally told a few of my closest friends of my planned suicide.....if things got too dicey I was going to toss myself out of a car going 75 mph down the interstate - a task much safer than shopping for a dress with Bridezilla and my Mom!

Well on Friday I gently nudged Sis into going to David's Bridal in Bowling Green just for a sneak peek. I picked up two dresses and headed to the dressing room. Much to my pleasure and amazement dress number 2 was perfect! This was so much easier than I had ever dreamed! I got a beautiful dress (to wear for one day) and there was not a single family fight! I must have been living right!

Now I am on to a more personal battle. Finding the correct undergarment that will suck it all in and smooth it all out while still allowing me the correct oxygen supply! Any suggestions?


The bridesmaid dress.