My Christmas Eve Tradition That Is A Must Every Year....

First off I would like you to leave a comment about your Christmas tradition or favorite memory of the Holiday Season.....

A family tradition that was started in my family long before I was on this Earth was going to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve....

I remember Christmas Eve.....I use to spend most of the day listening to Christmas music and keeping an eye on the gifts being put under the tree..... spying for the packages with my name on them...waiting for a time when no one was in room with me....when the opportunity arose I would shake the gifts to see if I could figure out what was in them....and of course looking at the size of the gift...typical kid.....

I was put to bed early evening and was awaken around 11 pm or so....I got ready along with the rest of the family and we would walk to our church which was up the block from us....It usually was a beautiful night.....with a blanket of snow on the ground and new snow falling....the air would be cold and crisp...nothing said Christmas more then that...

The first thing we would see when we arrived at church was the beautiful life size (or so it seemed) Manger scene...We would enter church, the choir would be singing songs and church would be packed....after Mass we would start our journey back to the house...singing Christmas carols at times...

When we got home my dad, mom and who ever else would make a big breakfast with eggs, bratwurst, cinnamon rolls, bacon, toast and sweets...after our bellies were full it would be off to bed so Santa could come...I would still got up at the crack of dawn to open gifts...

To me Christmas is not Christmas without going to Midnight Mass....my kids go with me at times...but we never have breakfast like I did...but maybe someday...between the Mass, the Carols, and the generosity of the season that is what Christmas is all about...

One step closer to being deliriously happy....

Snowball Fights...

Nothing more invigorating then the thrill of a snowball fight. As we all know to have one we need some good packing snow and peeps or kids that have a good sense of humor.

Snowball fights are one of my favorite all time memories of the snow or I should say memories with the kids in the snow. My kids are usually my best and only targets for my snowballs...they are not safe in the car, house, or a parking lot of a business. I never miss an opportunity to touch them with some cold snow nor do they miss an opportunity to get me back....

The minute I walk outside and see the fresh falling packing snow the fight is on...the opportunity to conquer the quest of getting them with the cold snow is underway...we give chase around the car and yard...nothing or no one is safe from snowballs flying in the air....Yes, I have been known to toss a snowball in the car and on occasion in the house when they are running for cover...

As my one daughter says it is a weird freezing cold experience with unending amount of laughing and people are looking at us strangely...thinking we have lost your mind....wondering what we think is so fun...throwing cold snow at each other...

I cannot wait to have a snowball fight this year since we live in NC now the fights are not as frequent but the memories are just as great!!!

One step to being deliriously happy...

Memories of Snow...Brrrrrrrr

I was thinking of how happy I was not to deal with snow anymore now that we live in a warmer climate. My thoughts soon went back to when I was a kid and how I loved to play in the snow all day long. I remember putting layer upon layers on to keep me warm. When I came in from playing in the snow my hands, legs and feet would be red and cold and my clothes would be hard and stiff from the snow. Funny how as kids the cold never seems to bother you or I guess I should say some kids.

After a snowfall the plow trucks would push the snow into huge piles on the corners of the block were I lived. We seen this as great opportunities to build forts, caves and have some fun. We were pretty good little engineers and we didn't have many cave ins. Lucky for us no one was ever hurt. Course we never gave thought that someone could get hurt. We were just kids having some fun.

The relentless task of using our feet and hands to build our caves and forts gave way to the hours of fun, laughs and excitement for the day. We enjoyed climbing in and out the caves and on top of the caves. Building caves with partners to have snowball fights with the other group and take ownership over their caves was so much fun and still brings a smile to my face. Great memories that have lasted my life time.

Great snow memories that have help create..... one more step to being deliriously happy..

Thanksgiving Memories....The Smell of the Holiday...

As a child I had two found memories of Thanksgiving, the first was the fact I had a couple of days off of school which was always a plus and the best thing about the Thanksgiving Holiday in my book. The second was being woken up by the aroma of my fathers cooking.

I can remember laying in my bed smelling the wonderful aroma of good food cooking. My father must have gotten up at the crack of dawn to start cooking. I would drag my lazy butt out of the bed and out to the living room where my parents would have the TV so we would not miss the parade. Our big dinner would be early afternoon. After dinner the football game would be watched. Football was a staple at my house and one that I have not ever gotten into. Our Thanksgivings always consisted of my siblings and their families. We never had any other family members over.

My family stopped celebrating Thanksgiving as a family when my farther passed away. Now its time for our own traditions to start. Hmmm what can we do.....

I haven't thought of any real cool ideas as of yet, but I'm sure I can and it will be better then the hotdogs we had for the big day one year. I have never been a big fan of the parades, football or turkey. Yes, I'm American just not much into the day. I like to focus on the day as the day of giving thanks for everyone and all the great blessing that have been bestowed upon me.

Now Anessa does the cooking and we help her. Hopefully someday it will become a great fun family tradition of having huge gathering of families and friends. The day will be filled with love, laughter, smiles, hugs and being thankful for the great life we all have. My thought to being one step closer to being deliriously happy.

Our Disney Journey....

Traveling with the babies to Disney. The dreaded car ride.

Hands down driving at night with the babies sleeping was heaven. The kids slept off and on. They were tired and quiet. No fussing was heard except from the middle child. Props to the babies but not to the middle child. I could listen to some good music and enjoy the drive. Not to mention the traffic was great. Wide open roadway, who could ask for anything more.

The the middle child who is home from Korea drove me insane on the trip down. She complained about everything. First she was to hot then she was to cold. She complained about the music. She did not like it or it was to low, to high. It was constant non stop. Next time I am taking Benadryl with me. Yes, she will get a dose or two plus some duct tape to boot. (Not really but the thought will be there LOL)

We all enjoyed playing I am going on a trip game. To my surprise the kids did an awesome job with this game. We had some great belly laughs with licking lollipop lion, wait I am wrong again. Darn it!! It is a lion licking a lollipop. For the life of me I could never get that one right, but hey in my defense I was driving in all that night traffic. Good excuse to me. This was a good way to kill some time and keep us all awake.

The ride on the way home. Never again will I travel during the day with the babies. All I heard was...you guessed it...How much longer before we are home? Yep, the first time I heard this I knew we were in for a long trip. This question replaced the middle child issues on the way down. The DVD system did not help. Of course the rain all the way home did not help either because traffic was jammed from accidents.

I wish hotels would do half rates for people who travel at night. I would definitely sign up for that.

We stopped once on the way down and a zillion times on the way home. Another reason traveling at night is better in my world anyway.

Lets not forget we not only had the luggage to contend with on the way home. We now had added suvioners and a stroller to the mix. Thought we were squished on the way down, on the way home we were beyond squished and no one except me had foot room. I think I could use a smaller vehicle. LOL

We finally played the I am going on a trip game five minutes before we were home. Oops, next time that will be the first thing we will do half way into the trip.

Two Single Mommies Preparing For Vacation

Getting ready for our first family vacation as single moms. Anessa's may be their big sister and my daughter but she is just like a mom to her younger brother and sisters so I will put her in the mom category. Thank God she is the planner or we would be in trouble. LOL She loves to be in charge so half at it, sister as I say. Just let me know what I do NOT need to do I tell her with a smile on my face. I do voice my opinion when needed, course I have to be listening to her to do that. I have so enjoyed having her take over some of the responsibilities with the little ones. Yes, I'm so lucky.

My major concern was making sure we have some type of navigational system to use. We have no sense of direction. As I tell everyone I got lost trying to find the line for understanding directions when I was being made. Maps are useless to me. Seriously since there are no left or right directions on a map I can not read them. Heck I have no idea which way leads to Florida from my house; North, South, East or West. In one word, I'm clueless. So I did my job and we will have one. Oh, wait I forgot I have to figure out how to use the GPS.....we are so doomed.

The fun and glorious packing. The kids have out grown their sneakers, pants and shorts....all their clothes so new wardrobe for all. Lets not forget all the personal necessities such as sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, curling iron etc. Please you have to pack so much to take with a family of six that it comes down to it you either take the family or the luggage but both will not fit in the vehicle. LOL! The winner is........The Luggage! We will work it out. The kids might be completely covered by luggage.....it will interesting.

We need to find some type of entertainment for the ride down. Music is a must the CD player will be loaded with our favorite music and we do have Sierras radio so music COVERED. We will bring movies for the DVD system. I wonder if I will have to listen to movies all the way there or will they be sweet babies and put on the head phones? We also have to find room for snacks and drinks. I'm so happy I will be doing the driving. I will not have to squished by luggage and snacks.The kids will have a fight or two because one of them will have an inch more of room than the other. I can see the pit stop breaks open up the car door and everything falls out. Lets not forget the dreaded HOW LONG BEFORE WE ARE THERE. LOL

My Haunted TV and Microwave.....

A story to tell for Halloween/All Hollows Eve. This story is not scary but strange and perfect for the season.

Let me set the stage.

We moved into our house 5 years ago this month. When we moved in our house our belongings were still in MI so the people we brought the house from left all the things they did not want behind. One of the things they left us was a console TV. How cool or so we thought. The TV had a mind of its own or was controlled by something other then us. For the 3 yrs and 2 months (yes, I remember how long) the TV would come on and shut off as it pleased. You would turn it on and it would shut off at some point. It could be minute from the time you turned it on or an hour. Whenever you would turned it back on and it would shut off again. This could happen many times, just once or not at all while you were watching TV it all depended on what 'mood' the TV was in. Yet other times the TV would just come on all by itself. We joshed around about our TV saying it was possessed. We got rid of the TV 2 years ago this Christmas. The new TV has not had these issues, BUT..........

Our Microwave took over. Yes, indeed it did! Our microwave is possessed. Right when we got rid of the TV the microwave started. It comes on as it pleases. You shut kitchen cabinet door or the microwave door and the microwave comes on. ( so you know there is no time on the microwave and its off) My favorite is when you hit the "0" button and the number "6" comes up. The buttons on the microwave will work when they want to. We laugh and joke about it. At times we say we need to have a priest come and bless our house.

Yes, there has been people who have been here when these odd things happen. Needless to say they are just amazed and entertained by our strange happenings. We are not scared, I'm sure there is some logical explanation or NOT. For now we will continue to be amused by our strange Microwave.

One step closer to being deliriously happy.

Kids and Grades....

I recently had an opportunity to share some thoughts about homeschooling and grades. Wow! I have not given thought to grades since I was in college and took an American Culture class where the Professor stated we would all get A's in his class as long as we participated. When he stated that we all could not believe what we were hearing. Remarks were made and he defended his belief, what do grades mean. When you graduate do they look at your grades and say WOW! you got a 4.0, do you get a pay increase for graduating with a 4.0 and so on. Another professor stated he would rather have a C student taking care of him in the hospital then an A student. His rational was that rarely do you have a book smart person with common sense which is needed in life. I understood both of them and respected their beliefs. I worked my booty off to graduate with honors at the top of my class which I have to say has not given me any extra privileges though I'm sure it would have helped if I continued on but that topic is for a different time.

My thoughts on grades.

I had a daughter who would get upset and depressed if she did not get 100% on all of her school work. We took family skip days when she started getting stressed out. Her teacher and the school counselor were in agreement about the skip days. My son on the other hand was bored with school and most of his teachers thought he was lazy and that he need remedial classes, when in reality he was bored. How do I know that you ask, he aced his MEAP test and classes he liked.

My wee ones are homeschooled. Their homework is sent in and graded and emailed to me. They have no idea what their grades are nor do they ask. They get all A's but don't even know it. They simply get to enjoy their studies. They do not stress or worry about their grades. We concentrate on making sure they understand what is being taught. It makes our job of teaching easier and it is less stressful for them. It is a win-win situation for us.

In my opinion grades do not make a person and grades do not have to control a person’s outcome. There have been many people who graduated at the top of their class and they never amounted to a pile of beans and others who barely passed who have become very successful. They had ambition and the will power to succeed. Some extremely smart people I have known committed suicide because they could not handle failure and the need they had to be on top. One cannot help but to think this may have been focused on at an early age because of the stress to be at the top of the class. Many kids are bored in school for one reason or another which diminishes their ambition to learn. Everyone has their own way of learning that works best for them and schools are set up for kids who can sit at a desk quietly and work. For everyone else, it makes it a bit harder to learn. The main thing is not everyone who gets 'good' grades comes out on top and not everyone who barely passes is stuck at the bottom of dead beat job.

One step closer to becoming deliriously happy.

The Sweet Songs of Babies....

The joy of fussy kids! Are they really fussy or are they just singing songs out of tune? I have 9 babies and have not figured out the answer to this question.

Are their fits to get their point across or to drive you utterly insane. I know, they are learning at a young age which buttons to push to drive you nuts and which buttons push to get what they want. The have a photographic memory which holds the answers to these questions and they are able to retrieve the data at a moments notice to use it to get anything they want from you. They are cunning but oh, so lovable and fun.

The cute beautiful sneaky creatures that they are, so brilliant and deceiving a great combination! They fool you with those cute little checks that are so irresistibly pinchable and top it with sweet innocent smiles. The icing on the cake is all the kisses and hugs their unconditional love. One of their greatest gifts that they bestow on you.

With all that being said, I have figured out away to get them back a tad all in fun of course. I love to irritate them, bug them with hugs and kisses. Chase them and pick on them. Do all sorts of silly things which have the wee ones fussing and the big ones yelling "MOM". I'm the cunning devious mother who has way to much fun irritating them. A goal which I accomplish everyday according to them. LOL

We have lots of FUN everyday. There is not a day that goes by that kisses, hugs and I love yous are not passed out to everyone along with me bugging them. I would never trade the babies in for anything in this world. No matter how fussy they are, for if they were not here to drive me insane and irritate me who would do that and what would my life be like. mmmm wait minute, what am I saying. I would love to have a quiet life with no fussing fit throwing kids. If only I would of thought about that before I had kids. Just kidding; maybe!

To me having kids is one step closer to being deliriously happy!

Kids and Social Media...A Great Combination.....

There is a new social site created by three kids who wanted to make a change in their life. They wanted to start a business so they could move to the beach, start a charity, and create the life that they have been dreaming of.

Jem started twitting with me when she was 8 years old. She instantly fell in love with it and wanted to learn more about social media, blogging, and about our business. She wanted to blog so away she went and the domino effect happened with the other two kids who were 6 and 10 at that time. As a blogger myself, I find it hard enough to get people to read your blog; can you imagine how hard it is to get people to read blogs from kids. I came up with an idea while I was blogging for Saronti, a children's website, I thought how great would it be if this site had an area for my kids to blog. The owner of the site thought it was a great idea, so we did a feed and she published their blogs. I will never forget that day, the kids excitement and sense of accomplishment to see their blogs published on Saronti. It was very exciting to me as a parent because who would have read or even published a kids blog. It is no longer a pain staking task to get them to write. They write about all sorts of things from dinosaurs to whats going on with them. It is a way for them to express themselves as individuals.

Jem still was not satisfied and eager to learn more; wanted to help with business. One week she made enough money to pay for the majority of the babysitting fee for there special babysitting day. From that point on, there was no stopping her. We had a family meeting and she announced that she wanted changes in her life and she was ready to do what she had to move to the beach. Jem asked if she could start a business to help make money to move. The other two kids again jumped on the bandwagon which bought about the birth of their business.

They love connecting with kids from around the globe. A social site was created with their help so they could meet more kids and make a difference in the world. Connecting with kids from other parts of the world/country is a great learning experience for kids. They can learn how other kids live, what they think about, and what they have in common. They can also play games with educational value, practice their writing skills with blogging, learn to put what they think and change it into thoughts, create groups to voice their opinions and make a change/difference in the world. Kids connecting with kids to make the world a better place. Who says social media has to be just for adults.

There are so many teens and adults who are on social media sites these days but what about the kids? I know there are virtual worlds for the kids but there isn't nothing quite like this. The kids who created this site made it so you can blog, create groups, chat, upload videos and pictures, get free things, forums, educational games and create your own profile. The security is very high and everything is very well monitored so the kids can have a safe and wonderful experience.

Social media has made the world a smaller place and has forged relationships that we normally would of not had the opportunity to have. It plays a role in every aspect of life today from the mommy blogger, to the actor, to news media, corporations, churches, and even some schools. Social media has made it easier for people to connect, whether it be for business or for friendship. Technology has come such a long way over the years.

Hang Out Corner

My Happy Place.....

I wanted to share my happy place with you. It is a place that I visit with family and friends. Even a picture of my happy place can calm me and bring peace to my soul. My happy place is the beach, the ocean and the waves. The ocean is so tranquil, calming and magnificent but at times can be the scariest most intimidating place on earth.

I love to watch the waves hit the sand and deposit gifts from the ocean. Gifts of shells fish and yes, let’s not forget debris. The ocean sings joyous stimulating songs to the souls who love her. She invites everyone that visits her to take in her unending beauty, play in her yard but she commands respect from everyone. She has will always continue to teach us about life and at times she gives up her secretes but she still stays mysterious, dark and cold. She is strong, powerful and fearless. She can rage her anger and turbulence like no other but the same time calm and relax the turbulence within a person. Astronomically amazing she is.

I just recently realized how much I love the ocean at night. The water is so black and the waves are white the combo make an extraordinary chillaxin dual. The smell of the water and wind blowing while you are sitting on the beach in the dark is a great place to release your inner struggles and rejuvenate your soul. I long for a house on the shore of the ocean with deck overlooking the ocean so I can sleep hearing and smelling the ocean. One step to becoming deliriously happy.

Chore Chart

Chore Chart~ some people were asking what we do as far as chores go.

Base Pay $1.00~We give this no matter what they do during the week.

Chores do not include your bedrooms. You must keep them clean daily.
$0.25 load dish washer unload washer take out garbage garbage to the road folding laundry & putting away sweep back deck washing cabinets washing bar stools wiping furniture off leaves hanging up clothes cleaning glass

$0.10 picking up the living room taking out recycle dusting vacuuming wipe down walls wipe down doors putting away shoes taking laundry to the laundry room getting the mail

Schedules Love Those Beautiful Schedules

Have you ever stopped and thought that this world runs on schedules. You have to schedule appointments for everything and anything; you have work schedules, sleep schedules, workout schedules, and school schedules, church schedules the list goes on and on and on. You get the drift.

Schedules love those schedules. They work fantabulous for the most part. Allowing you to accomplish more in your day then you ever thought you could. I have found that I have more time for work, kids, pleasure and play if I stick to my schedule. Who would not love that? This week we stated a new schedule worked great the first day. I have more time than I thought I would have. Kids loved it too and responded well to it. I'm so deliriously happy that the schedule is working.

I allowed for hills, humps, and bumps to interfere with our schedule. For the most part we are flexible; we can bend twist and re-do our day for the interferences that feel the need to knock me or the kids off schedule. Though, when I have to schedule an appointment and we get stuck sitting waiting two hours past our appointment time, the other me wants to come out and visit. Even I'm scared of her.LOL Anyways, Thinking to myself, I'm not getting what I need to get done and Anessa isn't either because she is at the appointment. We are so far behind that we will never be able to finish what we wanted to accomplish today, all because someone was behind on their schedule. Then, I wonder how they are ever going to catch up. The nerve of these people. Who does there scheduling anyway. They obviously have no idea how to schedule or did they quadruple book for the day. The waiting room was packed with kids and grumpy parents because everyone was waiting for so long. A few smart people came in and walked right back out. I bet they got charged for the missed appointment.

How would they like it if I showed up two hours late for my appointment time because I was running behind schedule? They would look at me and laugh and tell me I owe them for a missed appointment. HMMM fair I think not. I wanted to give them a bill for mine, Anessa and the kids’ time and the money it cost to sit in office.

We all have schedules that we follow to some degree and things happen that are not in our control that changes our schedule. I understand that, I just would like to be treated like my time is important too. That I might have a schedule and things that I need to do too. Yes, we have to allow for people to get behind because of emergent things are happening but when there is nothing emergent and you have so much staff that they are falling over each other. One has to wonder what’s going on. I take issue especially when it happens at the same places all the time. I think next time, no I will next time hand them a bill demanding to be compensated for lost time and money because they are unable to stick to a schedule. I will also be nice and offer my services on how to be more efficient with time and scheduling. Obviously they need some help.

Jump On The Bandwagon And Choose Earthdays Over Birthdays

WOW!!! Have you noticed that is what most parents say when they realize their wee ones are having a birthday? We are faced with not only with our children having a birthday but that means we have another year to add to us. Of course us as parents have long since stopped having birthdays and don't like to be reminded of such nonsense. OK well, at least I have. Yes, my babies keep increasing their age by numbers but the older kids have jumped on my "ban-wagon" and stopped keeping track of how many years have flipped by. Let’s correct that I have just gotten some of wee ones to jump on now. Love my parental influence.

I have 5 babies that will be having birthdays this next month. I'm happy they are here to enjoy them but I think we should throw the age and birthday thing out the door. I have called my birthday my "Earthday" for years. I never have to think about my age until someone asks me and it always happens. How old are you? How old are your kids? You don't look old enough to have that many kids and you surely are not old enough to be a grandma, another word that I don't use. LOL I get asked this because I was blessed with looking young and acting even younger. Mostly because I refuse to grow up or grow; won’t use the other word.

I guess if society as a whole was not so stuck on the age thing and everything was not centered on having fewer wrinkles and being young I could handle it. I have had this age issue since I was 13. Yeap, when I turned 13 I decided to stop having the birthday thing and stopped telling people how old I was. Seriously at times I have forgotten. Of course until I have to flip out my drivers license or at my doctors office. Yes, here I'm sitting in the office and they announced my birthday to everyone and continued to do the same to everyone. I happened to be the youngest there and the most applaud or the one that has a big enough mouth to say something. Well, did they get a huge ear full from me. I even told them that I would refuse to go back if they kept this up. They have since stopped doing this. I thought it was just wrong. If I wanted everyone to know my freakin age I would plaster it to my shirt. NOT.

Even though I gotten many compliments it doesn't matter because at some point people start saying you’re too old for this and that. They attach age to everything even if age has nothing to do with what is going on with you or the situation.
When I first started having kids I got harassed because I was a baby having a baby by most standards. Then I got told I was too old to have a baby and how did I expect to carry my child's luggage to their dorm room, nothing like a slap in the face. I had years to go before I would even turn 4....well you know what I'm trying to say. On the other hand, many use age as an excuse not to do something. I can't go back to school, change jobs, have kids, move, etc. because I'm too old. Everyone is an age critic.


Don't get me wrong I'm thankful to be here because I'm not ready to be pushing up the daisies yet. But for us chronologically challenged people and for society as a whole I think the world would be a better place if we got rid of the age stigma. If people just looked at people for who they are and for the knowledge that they posses, instead of attaching an age to it. My personal step to becoming deliriously happy creating happy thoughts and free from age restrictions.

Calamity As An Inspiration...

What inspires you? There are many things that inspire me such as people, things, quotes, stories and calamities. Yep, calamities the situations that bring you down, slap you in the face and turn your life upside down. No, they haven't always inspired me and sometimes it is very hard to find the light in the calamity to inspire you. If you look hard enough you will find the light. It might be very small and not easily identifiable but it is there. What you do with this little light of inspiration will have in impact on the rest of your life.

The impact can be positive or negative, but as we all know negative only brings more negativity to your life. One of the hardest lessons that I have learned is to find the light in the calamity that has hit you in the face, but when you can turn it into a positive situation you will enrich your life with growth and strength. Doing this is no easy task and simply very painful at times, but it is your choice whether you want to live in the pain and let the pain suck the life out of you or do you want live and grow from the pain. You have only one life and spending in the dark levels of pain will only bring you down further and more negativity. Now that does not mean you can not have time every day to cry and feel down about the calamity that is slapping you in the face but only allow so much time every day to do this. Again, I know this is not easy but to survive in life this is one thing that everyone needs to learn how to do.

So the next time you have a calamity use it to inspire you. Find the light, and if you need help to find the inspiration find someone who is a good listener, nonjudgmental and who will not interfere. Remember to grow from this calamity and don't let it eat you. One more step to being deliriously happy.

Determination And Will Power Of A Baby

Everyday I watch this little girl go after everything she wants with unending determination and unyielding will power. It would drive most people nuts, insane, crying out for Calgon to take them away. This determination and will power is 24/7 for her. She never gives up....

First thing in the morning when she hits the floor, she is running around yelling babies, babies; that is what she calls the kittens. She runs as fast as her little feet can take her from one end of the couch to the other end. Give up, no way. She tries to cut them off at the end table and gets mad and cries for them because her plan to catch the kittens has failed and they escaped her trap. She gets stuck under the end table and cries help. She will do this non stop all day until we bring the dog in. Then the kittens get a break and then she cries baby again but this time it is for the dog. The dog seems to handle the baby torture. She is constantly hugged, kissed, poked, sat on and snuggled by the baby. Poor doggie. LOL!!
You ask is this the only time she acts like this, nope. When she wants something she will cry for hours until she gets it. No lie. When you wash her blankets and she sees, she will stand by the washer and dryer until the blanket is done and run back and forth to us crying for her blanket and wanting us to help her. She has this same behavior with everything she wants. You just have to laugh at her and try to redirect her which usually never works.

Silly child has this same determination about not wanting a diaper on. She wears one at night and for nap. She will take her diaper off so she does not pee in it. She will then pee in her bed. So every morning her bed is wet and her diaper is dry. She cries because she is wet. LOL!!

I applaud her determination and will power it makes me laugh. She is strong willed and never gives up. She has more determination then most people will ever have. Yes, I love it when it is her nap time and bed time. For that is the time I can have peace and quiet. She is a great baby. She does listen except when is has a baby brain freeze and is stuck on one subject then her will power and determination will kick in.

I'm working on having the same determination and will power she has. She is my baby "idol" lol.!! She is my inspiration with helping me accomplish my goals. One step closer to being deliriously happy which I'm.

A Mouse In The House

The last Friday night my daughter and I were working on our computers watching TV, when we both caught something from the corner of our eyes. It was a small gray varmint running in our family room. Immediately, we both stood on our couch and screamed with all our might. What do we do we asked each other. How do we get the mouse out of the house? My daughter thought of the hornet spay we just purchased. She asked if that would kill the mouse. I said I'm not sure but we can try. So armed with hornet spay in one hand and a broom in the other hand we began to hunt the mouse down from on top of the tables, stools, and couches.
First stop was the breakfast room where our screams scared the mouse and it ran under the hutch. We hosed everything down with hornet spay. I was on the table and somehow my daughter was brave and stood on the floor. The mouse ran by her into the dining room. She screamed and started to cry then froze in the door way unable to move. I was encouraging her with a yelling voice and a firm pat on the back that we needed to get in the dining room to get the mouse. We both hopped on top of the dining room table with one leap. Amazing we did not break any dishes. We amid our hornet spay and spayed every nook and corner in the room. The mouse was running from behind the high chair to under the hutch not knowing what to do and I'm sure was thinking what are those two weird chicks spraying at me. We were screaming like our screams would scare the mouse to death. The mouse managed to escape us, yet again. We are now back in the family room. I was on the stool and my daughter was on the love seat. We were moving our couch from the top of our perches the best we could. Screaming and now laughing and scared to death of a little mouse that we could stomp to death with our foot. I told my daughter good thing there are no elephants around. Oh wait, we are the elephants! LOL!! The mouse disappeared from behind the couch well, what do we do now? We both stated we could not sleep in a house that has a mouse. So we came off our perches and started our search for our uninvited guest. We were banging on the walls trying to scare the mouse so it would come out. We were hoping it didn't run downstairs or into the bedrooms. The little varmint was hiding behind large basket on the floor. It ran out desperately trying to get away from us into the laundry room. We both screamed and ran to the laundry room. Now we are both on stepping stools. I went and got a shovel to hit the mouse if it got close enough and I didn't freak out. Before I swung the shovel the first time, I had a brief moment of sanity. If I hit the mouse with the shovel I have a chance of breaking my ceramic tile. Not good so back to the brooms. The mouse ran from the one dryer to the washer back to another dryer. In the mouse’s attempts to find safety, Hornet spray was flying all over the laundry room. We were now getting braver ready to get the mouse with the brooms. We would have gotten it but when it came towards me I yelled or maybe both of us yelled and then it disappeared. We desperately looked for it but it was not to be seen again.
My daughter who is not a huge pet lover said, "That is it, we are getting cats." She went on Craigslist and found us two female kitties. By Sunday we had two new pets. The kids are thrilled. They are doing a good job with taking care of them. They will be house kitties providing my sons' allergies don't kick in.
Monday morning I started to clean the garage, the only place around the house that the varmint could hide and have fun in. I took back my garage from the way the X had it and made it mine. I found where the mouse had been living and the evidence of a snake who had visited. Snake skin was left behind. Yes, I did scream again. I had a fleeting thought that it would be nice to have a man to do all this nasty work but the more I did the stronger I felt. I was taking back my garage. From there lead to the sanding of the half bath walls that the boy toy said I needed just to take the dry wall down. I did it my way. I sanded the walls and it worked. Now I will have them ready to paint soon. Mind you these walls have been needed to be sanded for 2 years. I moved to my yard next. I cleaned the leaves and things behind the heat pumps where there was a snake earlier this year that I had to kill. I then continued with the rest of the yard. Using an axe (which I have never used before) and a hammer, I began chopping up and moving 8 big stomps full of gross nasty bugs, beetles, and slugs. I was taking my yard back to help get keep the pest away.
The mouse gave me strength and motivation to do things that I have never done before. I have gotten so much done because of this mouse visiting my house. I guess I should have thanked him instead of chasing him around with hornet spray and a broom. So little mouse where ever you may be here or in the other world thank you for the strength and motivation that you gave me so I could take more of my life back and for making me stronger. I will still chase you and you will lose. Don't take personally but I will never like mice or rodents of any kind so please don't visit again. One more step to becoming deliriously happy is being strong and taking back your life.

Embracing The Differences In People

We all have noticed people that are different from the norm of what society thinks is normal. Are they trying to make a statement or are they free and comfortable with being themselves? Some people are quick to judge and immediately think that they are not worthy of being friends with them or acquaintances of them. They ridicule and criticize the person who dares to be themselves which is different from the norm. They just shut the door to acceptance and growth. How sad is that.When personally I think they should be embracing the friendship, acquaintance, and growth of your life from the person who dares to be different. You could have a great friend.

When I'm talking different, I'm talking about people who might have tattoo's, piercing, multicolored hair, chains, dress differently, have different views, different ways of life. Kinda like the hippies from the 60's.

Most people I find that dare to be themselves no matter what society thinks are usually very intelligent people who have great views and love for life. They have a sense of freedom that most people don't have. They do not try to keep up the "Jones" instead they usually are great lovers of life, knowledge and the environment. They think out of the box and have different ways of looking at things. Now this doesn't mean that all different people think that way but most that I have came across are like this. They are usually warm and generous people and are very accepting.

You ask how I know about being different from the norm. Well, I have tatoos and 14 holes in my ears. When my hair is down and my tatoos are covered I'm treated one way but when people see the tatoos and ear piercing they immediately treat me different. I'm not talking about the people who know I have them. I''m talking about strangers. They don't try to get to know me. The door is shut. How sad because they would find out that I'm a loving mom, with a positive attitude, have an online business, have a dual degree one in Nursing and another one in Child Development and I go to church. No different from the person that follows the norm. I just love myself and embrace my differences. I strive to be myself and love who I am. To me being your true self and following your path and not someone else's path is one the greatest steps you can take to becoming deliriously happy and bursting with joy.

So the next time you come accross a person who dares to be themselves don't critize instead leave the door open and find out who they are, you might find a good friend who enriches your life. ~Ann Marie anessa.me

A question for you, do you believe that you are entitled to be called mom, dad, grandma, grandpa or do you think its a title that you earn. I have strong feelings on this subject since I can remember, I have always been irritated by people who think they should be called grandparent, mom, or dad and are not even close to being one. I stand firm on the fact that you earn that title by the way you act, love, and take on the responsibilities of that title. Just because you donated your sperm or egg does not entitle you to be called a parent, mom, or dad. Time and time again we see kids tossed away by the parents. This could be in the form of abuse, neglect, the parent's need to always come first etc. You are not a parent if you just toss your kid money for what ever they need but you are not there for them. Nor are you a parent if you do not discipline your child. Did the child ask to be born? Nope! You choose to have the child, so why would you want to treat the child like they are a piece of garbage that is easily tossed away. Carrying a baby for nine months and giving birth is no easy feat but in doing this does not entitle you to be called a parent. Nothing more irritating then you here about abuse on the TV or newspaper and they said the abuse was done by the parent/mom/dad. I just want to say excuse me don't put them in parent/mom/dad category with me. They are not a parent they are a donor of some sort because parents would not do that to their children.

I feel the same way about grandparents. I have seen grandparents who could not even pick their grandchild out of a group of kids and not because the kids were kept from them because the didn't have time nor the inkling to spend with them. Or you have the parent/grandparent who has something else better to do then attend a special activity of the child. Now I'm not talking about the parents/grandparents who have to work (unless work is more important then the child, you know the workaholic), have an illness that is understandable or some other type of emergency.

Parents and grandparents earn their special titles by being loving, caring, nourishing role models to their children/grandchildren, when this happens you are very deserving of being called that special title a parent/grandparent. One does not have to have any biologic ties to a child to be a parent/grandparent. A who person who gives up a child is a parent, mom, dad because they are putting the child first. You will have great success in creating the loving adults of the future, when you earn your title. Spreading the love to future generations, making deliriously happy adults.

When You choose To Do Something For Someone, What Do You Expect?

Ask yourself this question. When you do something out of the kindness out of your heart what do you expect in return? If you gave money or paid a bill for someone do expect the money back? Of course you expect to be paid back if it was a loan, but we are talking about doing something that someone did not ask you to do.

I love doing things for people. I don't expect them to pay me for what I have done. I do it because I get satisfaction out of helping someone in their time of need. I have always have taken the stance of it's better to give then receive. One thing that I learned growing up and live by today. I see people who have done nice things for people then shout it out from the roof tops. Look what I did. I'm great for it. Or I paid this bill for you and even though you did not ask for it, I want the money back. Or I did this and this for you could you do this for me. People who are like this had alternative motives for being kind. They want to make themselves look good and black mail per say for when they need or want something.

One of the books I read was called a Christmas Jar. Every year a family would save money in a jar and give it to someone in need at Christmas. They would do it anonymously so the person could not find out who they were. They did it out of the kindness of their heart and not for the recognition. That is how I choose to be. To me the giver who shouts from roof top is miserable and feels the only way to feel good is by shouting his good deeds. I choose to be the silent giver-the anonymous giver. Only me and the big guy upstairs needs to know what I did. I feel so deliriously happy and gratified with just me knowing. When you can truly feel this way, you are one step closer to being deliriously happy and loving yourself and your life.

The Sun Peaking out of the Dark Cloud

Have you ever had great days when everything was going good and bam, slap in the face you run into a negative person who is evil and mean...They get their joys out of making people miserable...You wonder why are they so mean...They can't stand to see anyone happy...and if you look at them funny they are accusing you of not being nice...and all you want to do is hold up a mirror and tell them what do you see in the mirror? A happy nice person or a person who is miserably mean and evil...They are the first ones to throw stones and point out everyone's faults... I use to let these people bother me...and I would let them ruin my whole day or two...and for what so they accomplished what they set out to do...make me miserable...

Well, I love to be happy...so what should I do...I give myself time to vent and be irritated by them for about 20 min...then I let it go....I tell myself that some people no matter what happens in life can only survive making people miserable...I gain strength by thinking this way....and when I see them I tell myself don't let them bring you down... You are stronger then their negativity...and boom a smile comes on my face...I find my happy thoughts...and the negative atmosphere turns positive...One step closer to being deliriously happy......Take every bump, lump and unhappy person and find the sun light in the gray cloud...no damper on my day.......

Post By Ann Marie a.k.a. AAWorkingmoms anessa.me

True Love

When you truly love someone you accept all the little and big annoyances...when you see them you get excited and happy....and you are good to them....they enrich your life.....and bring you happiness.... Too many times we forget about why we love them and don't accept the annoyances and throw it away....sometimes we are happier yet other times we follow the same path...so maybe it's us.....we need to learn how to accept people for who they are and learn to accept their annoyances for us to be truly happy....everyone has annoyances and you will never be truly happy until you learn to accept them....and when you do..... you will be one step closer to being deliriously happy....

Have I Always Been Happy....

I was twittered this question...Have you always been this happy.....I answered the question honestly....No I haven't...I want to share little by little of pain I have endured from the time I was a wee one to last year or so...I have endured abuse verbally, physically, and mentally....most people would've crumbled from so many years of abuse but I have used all the negativity for the positive and became stronger person for it.... A counselor once asked if I have ever been to counseling....my answer was no....She stated that I seem adjusted and coping with the abuse.....when you have to survive abuse for so many years it will either make you or break you....I'm one of the lucky ones...God gave me the coping skills to survive...and I have....and now I choose to be deliriously happy.....I share this with you not for your sympathy or your pity but show you not matter what you go through you can be happy.....be deliriously happy....it is your choice...it's not an easy journey by far....but journey you will be happy that you took......I will share more with you over the next days/weeks to come...to inspire you.........

Laugh Like a Six Year Old

A friend stated to me earlier today ......wouldn't it be fun to have "fun time" everyday...I was taken back by this...and replied, I have a "fun time" everyday...there is not a day that goes by that I don't have fun. When did adults stop thinking about having fun...Six year old laugh the most with 300 + laughs a day and adults are lucky to laugh 10-12 times a day.... I told her and other friends to create day of fun...that's what I believe...when you start finding the little happy joys in life that make you laugh or smile...great things happen.......Have a ridiculously fun day...which will lead to a deliriously happy day....and you will want to burst...and great things will happen.......To me these are not just words they are the truth..

Go From Being Irritated To Being Happy

Everyday we have things that happen that we get irritated by ....rarely do we stop and find some happiness or joy from the irritation and put a bigger grin on our face and give thanks for the irritation that has now become a joy...Just recently my little girl took her diaper off and played in her poo.....I laughed...yes, it was a BIG mess to clean and I could of easily gotten upset but life is too short and the look on her face...to me it was her way of putting a bigger grin on my face for the rest of my life because I get to have the sweet pleasure of telling the story forever...which will add smiles and laughs for a lifetime.......Find happiness and joy in the things that usually make you upset or irritated...this is a hard lesson to learn but once you have learned how to look at little irritating things differently your life will begin to change.... life will be a whole lot happier and take you one step closer to being deliriously happy......Ann Marie(workingmoms) anessa.me

Pick Your Mood It's Your Choice

There are many things in this world that upsets us...personal things, work, cable guy, I could go on forever...but you get the drift...what does that accomplish when you get upset...It hurts you the worst....takes away from your happiness...shortens your life span and for what....just a bunch of negativity...I'm not saying not to get mad.....get mad and then be done with it....tell yourself to be happy put a smile on your face and be happy....this takes work....lots of work but it helps decrease your bad moods which makes you and everyone around you happier......Remember your mood/attitude is your choice...You can't get time back so why spend it being upset? Did it accomplish anything by being upset? Remember people don't like being around negative people....you attract more people being positive and happy...which takes you one step closer to being deliriously happy...

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind."

~ William James