It's Alright Baby, Change Is A Good Thing (So He Says)

I haven't written in awhile, I've been distracted AGAIN. We're moving AGAIN. The fourth time in 2 years. To me, its traumatic, to him its “all good”. I want to move, our apartment has fallen under new management and has gone all ghetto, section 8 even, we need to get out. But the actual moving part is overwhelming to this OCD chick to say the least!

You see, I moved around a LOT when I was younger.  It was a "game" with me and my sisters.  Who could recite it the quickest and in the correct order?  "California, Ohio, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Here" (Here meaning Georgia since that was the last place we all moved together as a family).  We didn't lead a rough life, in fact, we were quite silver-spooned, but the upheaval was more than I could handle.  It was hard to make and keep friends.  Every time you felt like you were "fitting in", you moved away.  Of all of those places, I always considered New York (upstate of course) home since I was there for the longest stretch, through high school and college.  In a lot of ways, it still is my home and I still cling to my closest friendships there. 

That being said in my ever so long winded manner, you might understand why change is NOT always a good thing for me.  I swore then, even as a child, that I would NOT move my children around as I had been moved.  To some extent, I think that is why I am so OCD today.  Everything needs to be in place, to stay in place, it's the right thing to do!

For many years, I stuck to my word.  I had my two oldest girls and we lived happily ever after (of course we did) in the same community in Heard County Georgia (aka po-dunk hell with one stop light) in the same house for many years.  The oldest started middle school there and the youngest started in the 1st grade and will graduate there with all of her life-long friends next year.  But although Georgia was my home for 21 years, the majority of my adult life and the longest I'd ever lived anywhere, I was never "at home" there.  I have some really good friends there, and of course my kids that are still there, but it was never the place for me.  

Two years ago, when the economy took a huge downfall, my husband and I with our 2 youngest moved to TX, move 1.  Traumatic?  Bet your sweet ass it was!  I was leaving my home and more importantly, I was leaving my 2 daughters and my 2 step children behind.  But it was ok, they would be well cared for and would be able to finish up school with their friends.  I was doing the right thing.  

We found our new apartment on the internet.  What a lovely place it was (on the internet). It was a dump!  The apartment itself was nice, but don't go outside!  After Ike, it fell apart and they "forgot" to update for those of us unsuspecting souls.  No pools, stairwells outside falling down.  Railing falling apart.  Grounds flooded.  Ah yes, paradise found?  NOT.  We moved to another apartment in the area, move 2.  We stayed there for a year, it was nice but we wanted to be by the beach (well I did, and since he loves me, of course he did too).  So we found what was then a very nice complex on the island and we moved again, move 3.  

If you follow me at all, you know this place went downhill with a quickness back in October when the property went into foreclosure (Ike insurance dollars misspent) and new property management took over.  Since then, the place has been slated for section 8 and it's getting bad around here.  So bad in fact that I don't like for Bug to play outside anymore.  So bad in fact that when the people upstairs take a shower, there's no need to turn the water on in our own shower as long as you don't mind "used" water to wash with.  Yes, time to move AGAIN.  Give me some credit here, it was nice when we moved in, the change of management has changed everything, time to move. 

So again, I did my research and we have found a nice little community on the "quiet" side of the island and we are about to move AGAIN, move 4.  All of this since June of 2009.  So much for not moving my babies around like my parents moved me huh?

So what's my point?  Heck, I always forget since I tend to ramble so much.  My point is, we are moving again!  It's traumatic.  Nothing is in order.  The kids don't get it.  Hell, I don't get it!  A place for everything and everything in its place!  So why in the hell does everything keep moving?  

I hate moving!  I abhor the whole process.  Not the physical move per se.  That part isn't that bad!  Its the packing, the disorder, the unpacking, more disorder.  It sucks!  

My husband wants to know why I'm stressed.  I tell him, "I hate change, I hate moving".  He says "Its alright baby.  Change is a good thing."  Its not always good, not for me.  

Truth be known, if I'd had my way, I would still be in upstate New York and I'd never known that summers lasted more than a month and that snow for 9 months was abnormal.  OK wait, maybe I'm starting to get it now.  Summers here in Texas last for like 6 months, there is no snow, it's only cold for about one month a year.  That's a positive!  

Maybe he's on to something here.  I'm not digging it, but I'll accept it.  Time for a change.  Now shut up Christy, and start packing, we've got work to do!

 

Wave Runners

Even a cloudy day at the beach is better than a sunny day on the mainland!

My babies love running from the waves, I love watching them!

Just Because You Can....Week 3....Don't Hate!

So some of you might think I've gone too far with this one, that I'm picking just a little too hard on the big gurl, but I'm not.  And those of you that know me (and I hope you are all getting to know me a little better) know that I am only picking on those that are deserving.  

You see, I have nothing against heavy people at all, I have very close friends and family members that are on the heavier side, there's nothing wrong with that.  It only becomes wrong when you step over the line.  If you are a LARGE, you should never wear a SMALL, vice versa.  Sizes and/or styles were made for certain body types and ages for a reason and when you step over that line, you ask for this. 

I too could get "snapped" at any time for my often too young attire, and if I did, I would laugh because of course I asked for it!  That's how this goes!  So without further ado, here is this week's addition of Just Because You Can...Doesn't Mean You Should!

She SHOULDN'T be wearing a bikini.  She SHOULDN'T be wearing a size small!  She SHOULDN'T be bending over and jiggling her fanny like she was, BUT she DID!  It just wasn't right!  And the hat?  I'm not digging the hat either (just as a side note of course).

I know, I know, you're starting to think "this is one ruthless bitch" (me not the chick with way too many rolls in the way too small bikini) but I'm not.  I'm a skinny bitch myself, BUT I've had lots of kids and there was a time when my body wasn't quite so slim, and in those times, I covered up a little more.  One piece bathing suits can be flattering.  Seriously...wear them if you SHOULD!

 And for those of you that think I'm being cruel, vicious, an asshole, not so nice, here's a closer look.  Seriously people, she should NOT be wearing this!  And by the way, did I mention that hat is just NOT flattering?  

Stay tuned for next week's addition of Just Because You Can, Doesn't Mean You Should.  Summer is approaching and it just keeps getting so much freakin worse better!

Bugisms...Her View On My Birthday

My Bug is a mess!  And my Bug on my birthday is an hysterical mess!  Tuesday was my 40 eh-hem, something birthday and Bug had her own idea of how it should go.  As usual her Bugisms cracked me up and I thought I'd share them with you.  

#1 - When discussing dinner plans, I told Bug that Daddy was taking us out for a surprise dinner.  She was excited and since she is like me, she doesn't like surprises and wanted to know where we were going.  I told her I didn't have a clue and that we were going to let Daddy surprise us...just this one time.  She guessed and she guessed, then she demanded.  We were going to China.  I said, "Bug you don't even like Chinese food".  She said, "No I don't but I want to go to China where the dragons are".  Oh yes, my Bug, we should drive to the actual continent of China for my birthday, that's do-able!

#2 - On Monday, we weren't having a particularly wonderful day (surprise) so I say "Hey Baby, tomorrow is Mommy's birthday, how bout you be good for me?".  She says "Where is your party and when?".  I say "I'm grown baby, I'm not having a party, it's just my birthday and the only present I want is for my babies to be good".  Quickly she says "Well, if you aren't having a party, I'm not gonna be good".  Nuff said!  Note to self, next year, plan the party!

#3 - Getting ready to go on my surprise dinner.  This was fabulous. I was told to wear a dress, I was told it was a surprise, I was told I would like it.  I was getting excited.  I showered, I put on my makeup, I was straightening my hair, and I was sifting through those dresses I had forgotten about and picking shoes to match.  Apparently Bug was watching all the while.  When her Daddy got home, he said "Where is Mommy?  Is she ready yet?".  Bug said "No, but Mommy has a lot of pretty dresses and she has so many sparkly dancing shoes in her closet, did you know that?".  OK, this might not sound funny to all of you, but to us, it was hysterical and eye-opening.  You see at that moment, I realized that she didn't realize that Mommy had a very different life before.  I had a "job" since she was born but she doesn't remember.  All she remembers of Mommy is tank tops and flip flops (and booty shorts according to her Daddy).  She didn't realize that Mommy used to wear real shoes (dancing shoes at that) and that Mommy had real dresses and that Mommy wasn't always....well...a Mommy!  Funny how they see us.  Funny that we don't even notice.  

Wish I had taken a picture of myself "all dressed up like a grown up", but I didn't.  Oh well, take my word...I was wearing a little black dress with sparkly pink and black dancing shoes!  Probably won't happen for another year, or if I go to China, or if I get to have a party, but it happened, and it was a good day! 

61st Street Pier

 

We love walking on the beach and last week we ventured down to the new 61st Street Pier here on the island.  I love this new little building and pier. Oh heck who am I kidding, I just really love everything about this place! 

Week 2: Just Because You CAN....Doesn't Mean You SHOULD!

I know I'm late with this post, but Bubby's been a bit under the weather (just a cold but we didn't get out much this weekend) and then today was HECTIC trying to establish my Texas residency (a whole nother long story).  I know, excuses...excuses.  I'm sure you were all waiting with baited breath for this post and had I not been able to accommodate, I know you would have trouble making it through the week! So without further ado, here is my second post in the series, Just Because You Can, Doesn't Mean You Should!  

Certainly not the high caliber of my first post, but as I said, we didn't get out to the beach this weekend and that's where all the really crazy shit interesting stuff happens!  So who knew a simple grocery shopping trip to Kroger would be the setting for this week's addition (oh me, I knew, I see them ALL of the time)?!  

Mind you, I'm not particularly opposed to the short skirt, I'm not particularly opposed to the high boots, I'm OK with (and have my own) tattoos BUT if you are grocery shopping, is this all necessary?  If it is 80 degrees out, why are you wearing knee-ish high boots?  Is this really grocery shopping attire?  Really, is it?  I was a little tired this weekend from the lack of sleep, but I swear to you,there were no less than 5 of these women at this particular store! 

One was in her very early 20's and she was wearing nothing but her boots and a hoodie (that's right, just the sweatshirt and boots, nothing else?).  I tried to snap a picture of the little bitch princess too but her damned mother kept getting in the way!

If there was a memo that went out to every female on the island telling us to wear our knee-high boots while grocery shopping, I didn't get mine.  Maybe I was the one that looked like the fool!  Who knows?  You be the judge!

Stop back by next Monday for another post, summer's quickly approaching and they'll only get better from here!  My feeling is, by the end of the summer, you'll either love me or hate me, but either way, I think you'll laugh a bit and we all need some laughter in our lives!

Friday Was A Really Bad Day

This is not going to be a "witty" post and I apologize for that.  I hate those days that I can't find anything "witty" to share with you, but I'm a mother, the mother of 6 at that, and with that, obviously I have some bad days.  Friday was one of those days and I guess I just need to talk about it.  Yes, I know we all have bad mommy days, and this was by no means the worst, but its in these moments that we question our parenting abilities and wonder what we are doing wrong. 

I love my Bug, she is beautiful, oddly comical, mischievous, she is very loving when she wants to be, and she has the most infectious smile and laughter.  But she is indeed my challenge in life.  She doesn't mind me or anyone else for that matter, she doesn't "want" to learn (understand she can learn, she just doesn't want to), she's head-strong to a fault, she's destructive, she can be down right mean at times, and she talks incessantly (to the point that complete strangers comment, not the average talks-too-much 4-year-old).  I know, I know, I've told y'all this many times, so get on with the story of the bad day already lady (hmmmm wonder where she gets that incessant talking from right?).  

So Friday started like any other day around here.  Bubby and I woke up at about 7:00 a.m., he had his bottle, I had my coffee and we sat rocking together for awhile watching PBS.  Bug got up at around 8:30 a.m., drank her juice, and waited for breakfast.  Chocolate donuts, a special treat, they were happy.  I was on my third cup of coffee and ready to start cleaning up.  Emptied the dishwasher, washed bottles, swept the kitchen floor, vacuumed, cleaned toilets. It was an especially uneventful morning and I was pleased, proud even, and feeling somewhat accomplished.

But it was lunch time by now and I hadn't even taken a shower...YUCK!  I fixed them some sandwiches, chips, and fruit snacks, poured some Powerade and told them Momma had to take a quick shower while they ate and then we'd go play outside.  By quick I meant 10 minutes tops, I was in there less than 7 because I timed it.  I left the door open so I could hear them and they could come get me if they needed me.  They were eating, everything should have been fine.  Disney Channel on, no problems in the average household.  But this is NOT the average household.      

I rushed through my shower, and as I'm drying off and stepping out, I hear *BOOM...CRASH*.  My heart stopped, I couldn't breath, I throw my towel around me and as I'm running out of the bedroom, Bug approaches me.  She says, "I did a bad thing Mommy and you're going to be mad...I hanged on the pantry and I broke the stuff".  I'm listening to her and trying to get by her to see the damage since she looks fine and I hear Bubby say "No Ky-ee, trouble Ky-ee, Clean up...Clean up Ky-ee" and this was the point that I knew it was horrible.  You see Bubby is the most gentle, kind-hearted human being ever born.  He protects his sister, he is a good boy, he wanted to cover for her, he did NOT want her to get in trouble.  I could tell from his tone.  

So as I'm making my way around the corner to the dining room, I see such a mess. I'm mortified.  I can hardly believe this.  Seven minutes?  All this in less than 7 minutes!  I already know Bug is fine, but where's Bubby?  Then he walks around the corner from the kitchen and he has his little fist balled up but he seems fine, other than the turmoil and the noise, he hates the turmoil and the noise.  No tears though, that might mean Bug will get in trouble! 

I repeatedly ask "Are y'all OK?" to which Bug constantly replies "I'm sorry I did bad Mommy", and Bubby says, "I OK Maw".  I tell them both to leave the area, I go to my room, throw on some shorts and a tank top and come out to clean up the mess. Oh what a mess!  It looked worse every time I surveyed and I hardly knew where to begin.  Glass, pick up the glass!  Again, "Are y'all OK?", "Yea, I OK Maw", "I'm sorry Mommy".  And the clean up begins. 

Wow, this is really a LOT of glass.  How did no one get hurt?  I know they weren't out here for more than like 30 seconds after the crash, but seriously, a LOT of glass.  As I take the first bag of glass out and the rug from under the table, I still feel so blessed that no one was hurt.  Then it hits me, why was Bubby's first balled up like that?  Why had I heard him tell Bug not to tell so she wouldn't get in trouble?  OMG, he had said "clean up, clean up" and I saw him coming in from the kitchen with his fist balled up.  How could I be so stupid?  I run to him, he's sitting in his Daddy's chair, fist still balled with the saddest look on his face and now his hand is inside his shirt.  I see blood!  I cry (not a good mommy move)

This is what he cut himself on, I actually saw the blood on it.  The missing piece was the piece I found in the trash can later.  Bubby had attempted to clean up this mess to cover for his big sister.  This is a heavy crystal candle holder I received from my sister as a gift years ago.

 

 

And this is his "pinger".  No the cut is not that bad, but it was unnecessary, and he hurts.  And that is bad!

The mess has all been cleaned up, Bubby hasn't given a single thought more to his "pinger", and Bug really was sorry, she really was.  She babied her brother for the rest of the day and continued to apologize.  But this was a bad day.  There have been many bad days with my Bug.  This could have been a REALLY bad day but we were lucky!  My point here is, I have 6 kids so I have a good baseline.  I know kids with issues and I know the difference between issues and ISSUES, and I'm afraid my Bug is really starting to fall into the latter category and it scares me.  It scares me for both of them!  

 

Bug is destructive and always sorry for her actions, but the sincere remorse always comes too late.  This is NOT the first time her brother has gotten hurt by her actions.  And I'm scared for him because he will protect her no matter what.  He will clean up after her.  He will defend her.  He will follow her.  He will get hurt.  

 

I feel helpless and I wish I could "fix" this!  I wish I could "fix" my beautiful Bug, and I wish I could make Bubby see that he does NOT have to defend and protect her always.  He's in for a long road if he does!  I mean to some extent he should, he's her brother after all, but she needs to learn!  I'm hoping this was an eye-opener for her.  I'm feeling down.  I'm feeling worthless.  I'm feeling helpless.  My bull in the china shop broke the china yesterday, how do I fix her?  It was indeed a bad day!

The Versatile Blogger Award....And The Winner Is.....ME!

That's right, I was graciously awarded this undeserved honor by my friend at http://momsinvent.blogspot.com.  She has a fantastic blog, you should stop over there often like I do!  You are not only allowed to vent over there, it is encouraged!  With that, I would like to thank Glynis and pass along the love  and sparkles!  There are certain "rules" I have to follow to accept this award, and one of those is to tell you 7 things about myself, so here goes!

1)  I love my kids....all 6 of them!  They range in age from 21 all the way down to 2 years old!  Life is never dull for sure!

2)  My husband rocks!  We've had our not-so-fantastic moments in life, but we always pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start all over again.  And we do everything together...good or bad...thick or thin...better or worse!  We took the vows and we take them seriously!

3)  I'm a smart ass!  Deal with it!

4)  I worked outside of the home for 20 years, then 2 years ago, I left my job, we moved to Texas and I am now a stay-at-home mom to my youngest 2 children.  Being a woman in management at a concrete plant is tough work....this is tougher!

5)  I'm a Facebook junkie!  Seriously...I need help!

6)  My mom is my hero!

7)  I have the bestest friends in the whole wide world!  I don't get to see them since they live so far away, but friendship lives in your heart, not necessary in the same state!

All of that babbling about myself said, here are the rules for accepting this award:

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their site in your original post.

Tell us seven things about yourself.

Pass along the award to fifteen newly discovered bloggers.

Contact these bloggers and let them know they got this award.

IT IS MY HONOR TO PASS THIS AWARD ON TO THE FOLLOWING BLOGS:

 http://nickandcarina.blogspot.com
http://www.homemademom.com

http://liveandloveoutloud.com

http://mammatown.blogspot.com

http://thistalkaintcheap.blogspot.com

http://crunchyishmama.blogspot.com

http://jollyjansen.blogspot.com

http://kellityusphotography.blogspot.com
 http://llmcalling.blogspot.com
http://momcaboodle.com

http://momweighsin.blogspot.com

http://pro-tography101.blogspot.com

http://spaghettiwesterner.blogspot.com

http://talbertzoo.blogspot.com

http://wmljshewbridge.blogspot.com

Y'all Rock!  Sparkle on and keep up the good work!

The Commencement: Just Because You Can....Doesn't Mean You Should!

As I've stated a zillion over kill times often, I live on an island.  It's a tourist town, we draw in a lot of idiots tourists that throw caution to the wind, no holds bar.  This means that people watching and picture snapping is at it's best here!  It's an art and I've grown to love it!  It might be tacky but I've chosen to share my sick addiction art with all of you because you are my friends and you will laugh appreciate it along with me.  Understand I am not picking here, I am merely pointing out the obvious, just because you can doesn't mean you should.  If you weigh 400 pounds, just because you can fit into a size small bikini, it doesn't mean you should do it.  Just because you can dress like you're 20 when you're 40-something of course I'm not guilty of this...shut up, doesn't mean you can!  Just because you can fit 15 people into a surrey, doesn't mean you can.  Just because you can buy a surf board, doesn't mean you can ride a wave.  Just because you can wear a tuxedo and top hat while riding a bike down the seawall (yes we saw this today, where oh where was my camera?) does not mean you should.  You get the picture.  Now every Monday, you will see my pictures of such idiotic, stupid, what-where-they-thinking? true acts!  I hope you laugh your ass off giggle at these like we do.  Please don't take offense.  I only snap the pictures, I don't commit the crimes!

So for my first ever post of "Just Because You Can, Doesn't Mean You Should"...ta dah...as Bubby would say....here it is:

Seriously dude?  No one, and I mean NO ONE, looks good in a Speedo!  NO ONE!  And on top of that, you are like 90, you have a beer gut and your flip flops are the wrong color!  I only wish I had taken this shot from the other side, this dude had his wallet tucked in the buttocks region on the other side.  WTF?  WOW.....JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN....DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD!  See what I mean?  I got a million of these!  Check back every Monday, they only get scarier better from here!  I will be adding a linky to this segment in the future so that you can add your own "just because you can, doesn't mean you should" photos here every Monday. That way, we can all laugh enjoy them with you!  Start snapping pictures at your local Wal Mart, Kroger, restaurants, anywhere people...this could get sick fun!

Top 10 Reasons I Wish Life Was Like Facebook

It's no secret, I'm a Facebook junkie!  I love that stuff!  The more I think of it, the more I wish life itself was like Facebook.  So tonight, I bring you the top 10 reasons why I wish life was more like Facebook.  

Number 10:  I would look pretty ALL.THE.TIME!  I mean seriously, how many of us post "ugly" pictures of ourselves from first thing in the morning?  Not so many!  We can control wrinkles, lighting, even suck in our tummies.  (Don't lie, you know you take 10 pictures before you get the right one before posting it...we all do!)

Number 9:  The *LIKE* button.  I post things and people *LIKE* me.  Who doesn't like to be liked?

Number 8:  Gum Drops and Lollipops!  That's what life is like on Facebook if you so chose.  Everybody reads only the good things in your life (and they *LIKE* them).  No need in posting anything negative (unless of course you are one of those negative posters and by the way if you are, we don't *LIKE* you). 

Number 7:  My kids are awesome!  Well, they are on Facebook!

Number 6:  I can express my 1st Amendment Rights without prosecution.  Oh there are those that will blast me, but it is only on Facebook after all.  They might defriend me, they might say mean things, but I am allowed to express myself, my opinions, my beliefs (and some people *LIKE* them). 

Number 5:  Defriending.  This is an awesome tool!  Don't we wish it was this easy in "real" life?

Number 4:  Blocking.  Even better.  If the defriending doesn't work, block the bastards!  If only it was this easy in real life.  You can even do this to family members.....awesome.....just awesome!

Number 3:  Arguing with perfect strangers.  How fun is that?  Someone posts something, you comment, they blast you, you blast back....fabulous!  Now you can take out your frustrations on some one you don't know (and will probably never meet) so you can be nicer to your own family in real life.  Great way to alleviate tension!

Number 2:  Long distance relationships.  These are fabulous!  I have friends all over the US but in particular, I have a LOT of friends in upstate NY.  It's where I grew up.  I don't get to see them and it saddens me, but I get to share in their lives through Facebook.  When they go out, I see pictures.  When their kids do something awesome, I hear about it.  I get to "see" their lives even though I don't live in that world anymore.  Yes, social networking rocks!

Number 1:  Super Secret Societies.  Yes they exist on Facebook!  You can set up a page for you and your closest friends and post on it all day every day blasting whomever you want, whenever you want!  You can drop F-bombs, right there on Facebook, and it's OK because no one else can see it!  This is one of those hidden treasures that Facebook offers that not many know about.  Explore and conquer people, this is the beauty of Facebook and too many of you are missing out.  (Of course I've only heard of such super secret societies and personally know nothing of this pleasure, but I've heard it's awesome....hmmmm.....maybe I should start one of these).

So the long and short of it people is that Facebook IS better than real life for so many reasons!  It's a simpler world and I *LIKE* it!  

I'm A Bargain Shopper....Therefore I Am

I'm frugal, a bargain shopper, I am the mother of 6 after all, you have to be.  This is an inbred trait though seriously.  I've always said my mother would spend $10 to save $1 even if she didn't need the shit stuff (no wait, that was my dad that said that).  Anyway, I come by it naturally.  I love flea markets.  I love discount stores.  I love sales.  I really don't like to shop in general but if it's a bargain, I am so there dude!  With that said, boy oh boy did I find a bargain this weekend!

The hubby took the babies to Wal Mart pretty early in the morning since we needed some wood chips for the grill.  Of course I sent a little list with him (nothing significant because if I asked him to buy all of the stuff I really needed, we'd be broke for sure).  He came back with what we needed and proceeded to tell me that they had a bunch of video Rock Band items on the sidewalk but he didn't look at them.  What?  Items on the sidewalk?  And he didn't look?  Seriously?  I mean I know we want Rock Band for the Wii, but he was missing the big picture here....Wal Mart was having a sidewalk sale!  Oh goodie!  I had to go tanning, that was my excuse, then to Wal Mart to get the rest of the stuff on my list!

And so I embarked on my solo journey!  I went to the tanning salon and then headed to Wal Mart, list in hand.  But alas (insert angels singing here) the sidewalk sale was calling my name.  I approached...anxious...excited!  I looked at the Rock Band stuff first (fabulous deal by the way, $50 instead of the regular $150) but unfortunately, no Wii, only PS3 but while I was there, of course I should look at the other bargains!  

So I began buggy digging.  That's what one does at a sidewalk sale you know...buggy digging is an art!  I picked up a few items...some plastic yellow bowls perfect for cereal and other snacks.  Four of them for only 50 cents.  Oh this was so exciting.  Some soup (not expired mind you) and hot sauce, all for a quarter.  My adrenaline was rushing.  It was an exciting moment for sure!  Then I spotted it...the make up buggy (those angels were singing so loudly I couldn't ignore).  It was then that I knew that I had hit the mother load.  

I found L'Oreal Mascara ($9 value) for 50 cents.  Maybelline mascara ($7 value) for 50 cents.  Maybelline eyeshadow ($6 value) for 50 cents.  Jergens Natural Glow Lotion ($8 value) for $1.  And the bargains just kept popping out at me.  If I'd have had bigger arms, I could have broke our bank, but I only chose what I could carry.  All in all, I got $33 worth of cosmetics for a cool $3.  Yes, that's right....THREE DOLLARS!  Jealous?  You should be!  It was awesome...I had accomplished something....I was proud!  

I came home with my bargains and my high lasted all day (oh hell who am I kidding, I'm still on that high and it's Wednesday).  Yes, I am a bargain shopper, therefore I am a happy shopper!  Seriously people...getting a bargain is the best high ever!  Check out your local Wal Mart, they do this stuff all of the time!  A lot of stores do.  It's rough out there, the economy sucks, people are unemployed, gas prices out the roof!  Find a bargain, make your day!  

I would love to hear what bargains you've found this week!  Point me in the right direction and I am so there dude!  Life is only what you make of it, enjoy the little things in life!  My mom taught me well!  

Bug Step Away From The Camera

Our kids get to enjoy things we were never able to as children thanks to technology.  For instance, my parents would have NEVER allowed me to use their camera and of course they wouldn't!  Cameras were huge, film was expensive, and processing was costly and took forever.  Now thanks to tiny digital cameras, I am able to allow my 4-year-old to snap at will and I can download them in moments for her viewing pleasure and just "delete" them from my camera.  She loves this, what 4-year-old wouldn't?  Below is some of her handy work over the past few months.  I think we still have a little work to do, but her photography (just like her) is a work in progress!  I just love what she thinks is picture-worthy!  These were her selected "favorites".  She wanted y'all to see them.  You see, she is a "reader" of my blog so she actually demanded requested that I put these on here today!

 The Self-Portrait (not extremely flattering, but quite comical)

The Picture of The Pictures (of course, why didn't I think of that?)

The Picture of The Cluttered Counter Top (my punishment I'm sure)

Mom and Dad On The Way Home From Georgia (at least it's centered-ish)

  My Bug Rocks!