Mayday! Mayday!

I know, I know I'm a day late. But I still want to take part in Beth F.'s super duper MayDay Weight Loss Challenge. If you want to find out how it works, just visit Tales From the Scales and join in!

Here's my story:

Girl is stunning (work with me).
Girl goes to college.
Girl meets Boy.
Girl starts cooking and eating more, exercising less.
Girl starts working and makes no time for exercise.
Girl does Weight Watchers for her wedding as successfully loses 8lbs.
Girl and Boy get married.
Girl has Baby #1 and puts on 30lbs.
Girl is still about 15lbs overweight and is markedly less stunning.
Girl has Baby #2 and gains another 30lbs.
Girl is now about 25lbs overweight and not-so-stunning.
Girl decides, in January of this year, that she is "Bringing Sexy Back"
Girl starts on Weight Watchers and lunchtime aerobics classes.
Girl loses 10.7lbs!
Girl gets lazy. Aerobics instructor quits.
Girl falls off the Weight Watchers wagon.
Girl gains 4lbs.

And here we are! Basically, I would still like to lose 15 - 20lbs. I'm going to start back on my WW diet and exercising at least 2 times a week. My weakness? Heavy dinners and not exercising.

Wish me luck!

Fergie Family Fruit Snack Detox: Day One

So yesterday Oldest ate the last pack of fruit snacks that were in our house during church. [Oh come on! How else do you expect me to keep her sitting quietly for two hours?] The funny part was when she had to go to the front of the church to accept an award from the Children's Ministry. Of course she was clutching an opened pack of her beloved snacks and unknowingly trailing them behind her as she walked up the aisle. I was following behind her hurriedly picking them up one by one as she walked up there. Like a flower girl of sorts. Except without the cute headband or rose petals. It was pitiful.

Yesterday was also grocery shopping day. And you will be so proud to know that I didn't buy any fruit snacks! I have to be totally honest and tell you that I REALLY thought about it. I mean REALLY. I stood in the aisle staring at them for a good three minutes. I was like "well, they really aren't all that bad" and "what if i got another kind of fruit snack instead?" and "maybe I should just get one box in case of emergency." And then I realized I was being ridiculous and rolled on out of that aisle. Luckily Oldest wasn't with me or it would have been on.

When I got home she was delighted to see the grocery bags I had with me. She said: "Mommy! Grocery! Fruit Snacks! Oranges! Popsicles!" And I had to say [with a little bit of apprehension] "Mommy didn't get any fruit snacks, honey. They didn't have any. They were all gone. Lord, forgive me. But Mommy did get oranges! And grapes! And popsicles! High Five!" And she looked crushed for a milisecond but quickly recovered at the mention of popsicles. So folks, I have sucessfully substituted one sugar-filled snack for another. Great parenting!

I think I'll try and make her homemade popsicles with 100% fruit juice and chucks of real fruit. Yes, it'll still be sugar, but at least I'll feel better. And isn't that what this is really all about?

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Don't worry -- "Thirty's the new twenty" ;)

Getting Over

Justice Ny loves my "stories" so maybe she can find some humor in my week from hell. Here's what happened.

Sunday evening, I notice these strange little bumps on Little Brother ("B"). Is it a heat rash from the fever he had been fighting the past few nights? Who knows. But I could not explain it. Well, Monday morning, B wakes up and he is covered in red dots all over his body. I'm a bit scared because it looks scary. Hubby says to take him to the Emergency room, but he's acting normal so I say wait. I call the pediatrician instead. Hubby leaves for work and take Oldest to school. I start rushing to try to get Daughter to day care so that I can take B to the doc's office and be there as soon as their doors open at 9 am.

B goes down for his usual nap, around 8:30, and I quickly get dressed, get Daughter dressed, hair decent, etc., and run outside and load Daughter in the car. Let me just say that I never advocate leaving kids in a car, running or not, and I never do it. But typically my car is in my garage and I load my kids one by one in our safe, secure and cool garage. But this time it was in the driveway and it was already warm outside. So I did it even though as I did it I knew it was wrong. I turn the car on so that she can stay nice and cool. Well the car is a loaner car that I have been driving for over a week while the dealership worked on trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with my car (some sort of electrical problem). I run back in the house, get "B" from his crib, run back out and the car DOORS ARE LOCKED. YIKES.

Now, remember, it's a loaner car. So there's no calling Hubby for a spare key. Thank God because I could hear it now. I panic even more because although I turned the car on, I remembered I never actually checked to see if the air was on. NOT GOOD. Thankfully, the air was on, but it was on low. I call the dealership, I tell them to get someone there in 10 minutes otherwise I was going to break the window.

Daughter remains calm, and we start to play peek-a-boo while I tried to act like she wasn't locked in the car that was sitting in the sun. Thankfully, she looked comfortable. But my heart was racing. B is looking worse by the minute and was not at all happy about having his nap cut short. Someone arrives 12 minutes later. (We live close, THANK GOD). And I stay far back because I do not want him to see B and run for cover because it really did look bad.

When I finally make it to day care, I have the Director come to the car and grab Daughter for fear of reactions and spreading whatever has taken over his body to others. Director claims it's the measles and states she's only seen it one time in the last 5 years, after of course she makes a face and says "Wow." Nice. So I call Hubby, give him the report and he panics, and says he'll meet me at the doc's office.

Finally, we get to the doc's office. The nurse who checks us in yelps when she sees B. Nice. After waiting almost an hour, we learn B has the measles vaccine rash. And that it would get worse before it got better and that only 5% of kids actually even get the rash from the vaccine. And, we also learn that B had strep throat. My poor baby!!! I was heartbroken for him and also thinking about all the papers I had to grade starting that day. Then I'm mad at myself for thinking about the papers.

Anyhow, I didn't think it was possible for it to get worse but it did. It was worse by the time we got to the doctor and worse by noon. And worse yet the next day. Hubby took the kids to his parent's house to quarantine them from the rash and strep.


So that was Monday through Wednesday. No papers were graded, nothing was done. B was not in a terrible mood but he wasn't happy. I showered him with love.


Thursday, B is well enough to go to school. Rash has faded significantly, strep was being treated, he was not contagious and doc says it's okay for him to return to day care. Now, I'm still in the loaner car, even though I have been getting a call every day for the past 7 days from the dealer telling me that they were still working on finding what was causing the problems in my car and that they were sure it would be resolved "the next day."

This is where J. Ny will start laughing. On day 6, the gas light came on so I put $6.00 of gas in a car that takes about $70 to fill up. Because I was in the loaner car, my cheap butt did not want to put any gas in their car. STUPID. The $6.00 dollars did not actually do much and the light didn't even turn off. DUMB. Nevermind the fact that when I got the car, it was completely full. I thought I would get over. IDIOT. I stay home on day 7 so no gas needed. On day 8, yesterday, I got the call to come pick up my car. The light was still on and I knew I had to put some gas in it but I was rushing from place to place, (as always). Finally, by the afternoon, I pick up Oldest from school and tell him the first thing we're doing is getting gas. I missed my darn turn to get gas and I start to panic because the next gas station was across this big bridge.









It's pretty darn big isn't? (Note: the bridge is under going major construction. It was 4 pm, and traffic was getting heavy.) I am forced to enter the highway that leads to the bridge and I just know, I'm done. Well, right at the right edge of the picture is where my car dies. I am totally blocking one of the two lanes with my big a@@ SUV. One jack a@@ with his shirt off and a pick up has the nerve to stop right next to me and laugh and shake his fingers at me. By now Oldest is crying because he thinks the police, that's parked all over the bridge, are going to take us to jail. I'm screwed. Finally, a police officer pulls up behind me and is very angry that I'm blocking traffic. When I tell him what happened, he is outraged. JERK!
Another cop pulls up and asks me if I can call someone to bring me gas. Hubby of course. But I am always getting on Hubby for driving around with low gas. So I call him with a sick feeling and of course, he doesn't pick up. Call him three more times, still no pick up. It's his gym time, he always has his phone in his locker and I always am on him about that. I'm outraged.

Then I see a HELICOPTER. The news station, because yesterday was the first day that the bridge was back open in a few days. Nice. I'm trying to hide.

The Jerk came back, and pushed my truck with his car into the construction lane. Scratches and dents the back of the loaner in the process. Fifteen minutes later, the tow truck comes and towes me over the bridge, to the gas station I was hoping to make it to, and charges me $65.00- for less than a mile. I make it to the dealer by 5:15, make to day care by 5:45. Home by 6pm.

So let's do the math:
Gas: $6
Tow truck: $65.00
Migraines: at least 3
Sleepless nights: 5-7
Fight with Hubby for not answering his phone when I was stuck on the Bridge: 1
Dented truck that's not even mine: 1
Papers graded: 0

A week with B all by ourselves, priceless.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Bag Lady

Have y'all seen the little hangbag meme that's been going around? The curious cat in me has been enjoying checking out everyone's purses. Now it's your turn! Lucky You. My good ol' bloggy buddy Beth F. tagged me to share the contents of mine, so here goes...

This is the purse I'm currently carrying around. I really consider it a fall/winter purse but since the weather's been so yucky and it's taken spring a ridiculously long time to get here, I haven't bothered switching it yet. Hubby gave me this purse for Mother's Day 2005. Ain't he sweet?

Here's what it looks like from the top.

Here's my wallet. A Christmas gift from my Mama. Notice how it doesn't snap shut because it's overflowing with old receipts and used up gift cards.

This is my makeup case. A souvenir that my Croatian stepmother who used to live in Indonesia brought back from her trip to Italy with my Dad. Got that?

[Ok, i promise I never noticed that I haven't actually purchased any of these things myself until now!]

My lip stuff. I love lip stuff. I'm forever in search of the perfect lip balm. Neutrogena's has come close, but I'm still searching. [My MAC lip pencil looks like it has seen better days, yes?] Oh and the Cocoa Butter Swivel Stick? I carry that for imminent dry lip emergencies. What do you want, I was a Girl Scout.

My hand stuff. I am also in search of the perfect hand lotion. I've actually found it: It's Crabtree & Evelyn Gardener's Hand Therapy. It's liquid gold. And it's in my car.

Three emery boards?

My checkbook, trusty pen and postcard from my new dentist. You can't really see it too well from the picture, but the postcard says "Total Relaxation Dentistry." An oxymoron if I ever heard one. Did I tell you he's suggesting I get BRACES (to "make my already beautiful smile completely perfect" mmmhmm)? I'm going to be 30 for Pete's sake.

Ah yes, my phone equipment. No, I'm not a special agent. I'm just lazy busy. See the sleek and swanky red phone on the left? That's my new Fire RAZR that I got (for free!), oh 4 weeks ago, and have yet to transfer the numbers from my old phone to my new one. And so I carry around the old phone for "when I have some spare time." And the earpiece is for the car. And for my old phone since I can only use fancy-dancy Bluetooth with my new one. Sheesh.

And last, but not least the snacks. I'm actually a tad surprised because I usually have more. A Dole fruit cup. A beat-up packet of Stride gum. [And I agree with BooMama that the name is a tad icky]. And of course the fruit snacks. And yes, the packet is empty.

So that's it! Well, I cheated you out of seeing the photos of my Tylenol stash and my work id badge. I couldn't very well have you showing up at my job with hate fan mail, could I?

My turn! I hereby tag J. Jones, J. Ny (wishful thinking), Tanyetta, Tracey R., Mommy Dearest, and Mrs. Schmitty, and anyone else who wants to participate. Spill it, sisters!

She Likes Us...She Really Likes Us!

Mommy Dearest has tagged us for the Thinking Blogger Award!

Scary, ain't it?

I'm Your Pusher-Mom

Ok y'all. I've joked about it before, but now it's getting serious [sorta]. I really think that Oldest is addicted to fruit snacks. Besides the fact that when she's at home she must have a packet of fruit snacks IN!HER!VIEW!AT!ALL!TIMES! and when I open a packet for her she starts jumping up and down with big eyes and squeals of joy -- Let's take a look at some common signs and symptoms of addiction, shall we:

• Inability to relax or have fun without having fruit snacks. Yup.
  



• Sudden changes in work or school attendance and quality of work or grades. Yup. Craft time just cannot be enjoyed without having immediately ingested or anticipating the ingestion of fruit snacks.
  



• Angry outbursts, mood swings, irritability, manic behavior, or overall attitude change. Yup. [Oh wait, she's 2]
  



• Talking incoherently or making inappropriate remarks. Yup. [Oh wait, she's 2]
  



• Deterioration of physical appearance and grooming. By the end of the day? Certainly. [Oh wait, she's 2]
  
  


• Wearing sunglasses and/or long sleeve shirts Zoe winter vests frequently or at inappropriate times. Yup. [Oh wait, she's 2]
  



• No longer spending time with friends who don't eat fruit snacks and/or associating with known fruit snack abusers. Hmm, I have noticed that she doesn't really pay her little sis much mind. [Oh wait, she's 2]
  



• Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors, such as making frequent trips to the restroom, basement, or other isolated areas where fruit snack consumption would be undisturbed. Yup. Hubby and I have come across her trying to hide in her room or under the dining room table with the box of contraband snacks.
  



• Eating fruit snacks first thing in the morning. Yup.
  



• Talking about fruit snacks all the time and pressuring others to indulge. Yup. Heaven help me.
  

So, you see it's not entirely a figment of my imagination. And I realize I am to blame since I'm the one who keeps buying them, but I refuse to continue to be her enabler. Starting tomorrow the Fergie household is going on a Fruit Snack Detox! Ok, maybe not tomorrow, but definitely on Monday. I'm just a teensy bit afraid to feel her toddler wrath.

Are You Ready?

By now you've surely heard of the incredible love offering that our corner of Bloggityville gave to Heather. If you haven't heard, Heather was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few weeks ago and is undergoing surgery tomorrow at the Mayo Clinic. As of last Friday, "we" raised almost $18,000 to help Heather and her family in this particular time of need! Amazing. Heather is just so thankful and continues to be so faithful and so strong for her husband and her kids even during this uncertain time. But let me get to the point. The monetary donations are surely a blessing, but there is only so much that money can do. It's very simple, really. SHE.NEEDS.YOUR.PRAYERS. So please pray for and think of Heather tomorrow. Pretty please.

Oh, one more thing. Kelli at Living In Grace has set up a prayer chain so that Heather and her family will be covered with prayer every hour for a whole week. How awesome is that?

This bloggity thing never ceases to amaze.

A sweet thank you - to be in love!!!!

The attached is a thank you note from one of my male friends to his friends for attending his birthday party - look at his emphasis on his thanks to his girlfriend -- how sweet is this.....

"And last and definitely not least I want to thank the most beautiful woman in the world. Not simply because she is gorgeous, but also because the spirit and soul that emanates from her is so warm and caring…and she can cook! Adrienne, you are truly a gift from God and the best partner a man could ever have. Thank you for loving me and I love you. As I walked into Eyebar and saw the smile on your face, it reinforced to me how happy you are when I am happy. I cherish you and thank you for caring so much for me that my happiness brings you joy. I love you all and thank you."

Works for Me Wednesday: Birthday Edition

The theme for this week's WFMW is Birthdays!

I have a love affair with special occasions. I love birthdays. I love parties. I love planning them. I love making people enjoy themselves. And I love that now with two little ones I have years of party planning ahead of me! I collect all sorts of ideas and themes in anticipation of their special days. Here is one that worked splendidly for Oldest's 1st birthday party:

Cereal "Necklaces"

All I did was take a spool of twine, cut the twine into pieces long enough to make a very very loose "necklace" and thread them (ok, I had my sister thread them) with Fruit Loops. Each child was given one of these "necklaces" during the party and they were a hit. They had just as much fun wearing them as munching on them. And they kept the kids occupied for a mighty long time. I even made the Birthday Girl's "necklace" all pink by using only the pink Fruit Loops. They're easy, affordable and fun. Give it a try...It worked for me!

Visit Rocks In My Dryer for tons more tips on how to make birthdays even more special.

Cole Haazard

I knew breaking in new shoes could sometimes be a pain but who knew it could be hazardous! This morning I was backing out of my driveway on my way to work and I went to step on the brake but because my shoes were brand new, I had no traction and my foot slipped right off! Luckily I wasn't on a busy street -- it could have been ugly. Well, my feet wouldn't have been ugly because, trust me, the shoes are cute. But still, it could have been worse. Could you just imagine the news headline?

Don't get excited. I got them on clearance.

And please don't get scared away by my superficial shallow rants. I am, how do you say, a "multi-dimensional woman." Therefore, a thought-provoking, deep-discussion-worthy post is on its way soon. Maybe.

I should get paid for this

This is not a plug or anything, but I went onto http://www.babycenter.com for some assistance with my toddler's recent change in behavior and I found it extremely helpful. I used to check that site weekly when I was pregnant - but for heaven's sake, who's got time after baby arrives. Anyway, I visited it again today and thought I would share it with the blog world (although most of you probably already visit it regularly). If you haven't....check it out!