Nothing to say...

Well, it's been a couple weeks since I asked myself if I still want to blog. I actively thought about blogging during those weeks and honestly, I have nothing to say! It's not that my life is completely boring, it's just that I don't really have anything I feel like sharing these days.

So, I guess my decision at this time will be to not blog. Of course, if anything truly exciting happens I am totally going to share with you all. I started blogging as a way to make some new friends and I have absolutely done that! I will still check your blogs and if you are on Facebook we can be friends! Look me up...

Jennifer D.

With that said, I want to give a shout out (in no particular order) to my favorite bloggy friends. Blog or not, we are still friends!

Colleen @ Young Adventures
~~Colleen, I am so excited for you, Rob and Linlee on your journey to grow your family. I can't wait to hear all about your new addition! Your daily pictures of Linlee may be for the grandparents but they sure make me smile too! You are an amazing mother and I truly admire the dedication and love you have for your child!

Karen @ 33 for a Moment
~~Karen, I will never be able to eat Chick-fil-a without thinking of you! I am so happy to have "met" you and been able to see Kate grow up (way too fast!) I am also overjoyed for you and Tanna as you prepare to welcome Isaac to your family! I am looking forward to seeing the (many!) pictures of him in your arms!

Casey and Gen

~~These two California Girls are the most amazing Moms of Multiples! I love reading your blogs and hearing about all your Cali adventures! Especially when all 7 kiddos are together!

Kirsten~~One of the very first blogs I added to my reader! You and I share a heart string through our sweet Coleman! We also seem to share the same sense of humor! I'm glad you "suspended" you blog first, now I don't feel like such a loser!

Raine @ True Confessions of a Single Mother
~~Raine, I'm so happy to have met you too! I love hearing of your adventures with Ryder and the Ferris Wheel! You remind me of myself about 10 years ago...Yikes, am I really that old? Actually, you are much stronger than I am and I am so proud of you for the strength and stability you give to Ryder!

Mama Kat~~This cool gal's blog has recently "blown up!" But I was there in the early days when she only got a few comments and didn't get to travel and speak at all the fancy blog conferences! I'm so glad she went to rehab and dropped the crack addiction!

Shea~~My book buddy! I love getting book ideas from you. And books too! Don't forget to keep up with Shelfari so we can compare book lists!

Renee @ My Special Ks
~~Another strong gal I truly admire! I am honored to have been able share your entire journey to Kellsey! I smile at every pic of Kassidy and Kameron's adventures. I get teary at just how very far Kennedy has come in the past couple of years...she's been through so much and is an amazing little girl. With great hair! ;) Don't stop quoting Keeghan! That boy is something else! I love you all and pray for Frank's safe and quick return!

This isn't goodbye...it's just "Until next time!"

To blog or not to blog...

...that is the question!

I have been a terrible blogger this year. I can't decide if I should "log out" of the blog world permanently or start writing again.

Is anyone still out there?

What do you want to read about?

Are you more interested in pictures?

Do you have any ideas, comments, suggestions on how to get back on track?

Another 6 weeks...

Yep, it's been another 6 weeks since my last update. Colleen asked for an update so I thought if the fans are asking, I better give them what they want!

Honestly, not much has been going on around here. Hence the lack of updates. We have settled back into the day to day routine easily. It has been quite cold here. We've even got some snow. In fact, the kids had a snow day yesterday and again today. I am not a fan of the cold and snow. I have stayed inside, in front of my fireplace!

Yesterday, I got a touch of the cleaning bug and spent the whole day cleaning the house! It really needed to be done. I had started a chore chart for the kids and had been leaving a lot of the daily cleaning up to them. They do not know what they are doing. It is so much easier to do it myself!

I have not taken any pictures since Christmas and even then I only took a few. I just haven't had much camera time. It seems the camera is always just out of reach or not charged up!

While I'm posting, I have to give a shout out to Raine. She sent me this award...

way back on January 9! Thanks Raine! I'm so glad we've "met" and become friends!

I'm going to conclude this post with yet another promise to update more often. And another apology for not commenting on my friends' recent posts. I read them each time you post, thanks to Google Reader! I just don't always come and comment, but I always love you guys!

P.S. Happy Birthday Aidan!

Uninterested...

that's how I've felt about blogging lately. I thought the 100 days of lifestyle changes idea would give me something I felt like writing about, but it didn't work. I'm also no longer trying very hard to reform my unhealthy lifestyle.

It's not like there is nothing going on to write about. Michelle went back to work and I have sat with the babies several times in the last few weeks. Tyler and Rachel have been doing amazing in Cross Country. My twins had their birthday last week. Hmmm, maybe the problem is that I have too much going on!

The main reason I started my blog was to make some new friends and connect with other stay at home moms. I have definitely done that. I still read all of your posts and try to comment when I have a chance. I feel like as long as I'm still reading what you write, we are still connecting on some level.

When things settle down, maybe I will feel like writing more frequently. Just wanted to post something quick so you all knew I was still here!



P.S. Don't you just *LOVE* Fall!?!?

I'm still here!

I don't know what has gotten into me these past two weeks. I have not felt like posting or writing anything. Honestly, not much has happened so that might have something to do with it! It's also rained here for an entire week! I don't know how you "Seattlers" do it. I NEED the sun. It keeps me going. We finally saw the sun yesterday! We also go the first taste of the crisp Fall weather yesterday. It was glorious!

Mostly I think I stopped posting because I was looking for something new and exciting to post about. Well, I haven't thought of anything exciting, but I do have some new ideas. I am restarting my diet healthy lifestyle today. I really, really want to be successful this time! I have decided to use my blog (and all my supportive bloggy friends) to help!

I am using the book, 100 Days of Weight Loss by Linda Spangle as a daily motivator to make it happen this time.

With this book, you choose your own weight loss program and use the book as a daily guide to make it easier to stay committed. I am going to use this blog as well. Maybe having something published out here on the web will keep me on track.

I hope you all will stay with me through this journey (?) and I don't bore you too much. Of course, I will add my personal insights on the process and probably even throw in a few non-diet related stories along the way.

If there are any of you our there who would like to join me in my diet lifestyle change for the next 100 days, I would love it! You can take a look at the book at Amazon or go directly to the 100 Days Challenge web site and tag along with me!

One year old!

Guess what I forgot? It was my blogiversary on July 29. I've been at it for over a year! 243 posts. I've met a lot of great people. That is really the reason I started this whole blogging thing. So thanks to all you "long-time" readers who've been with almost the whole year. You always leave me lovely comments and make me feel great! And you know what else? I've been noticing some new readers lately and that makes me very happy! Even more comments!

We had a pretty low key weekend around here. I finished the school shopping on Friday. Saturday and Sunday were completely relaxed! I pretty much stayed in all weekend. I was wonderful! I did go for a run on Saturday. I only made it about 2.5 miles. It was so hot! I turned around and walked the 2.5 miles home. I'm not sure how I feel about continuing to run. I don't know if it was the heat on Saturday, but I'm going to think on that for a while.

Today was Open House for my middle schoolers. They went to school and picked up their schedules and locker combinations. I don't know how they deal with those combination lockers. I never had a combination locker in all my years of school! In high school, we all had individual locker with keys. How crazy is that? Anyway, they have no trouble with their lockers and seem pretty pleased with their schedules.

School starts on Wednesday. I'm happy. Honestly, I think the kids are happy too. A new school year is always exciting!

The A-B-C's of Me!

My bloggy friend (and Family Night Queen!) Billie posted this recently. I thought it seemed like fun and a great two-hundreth post!

That's right! This is my

So without further ado, here are the A-B-Cs of Me...

A - Age: 31
B - Bed size: Queen. With high hopes for a California King one day!
C - Chore you hate: Cleaning the litter boxes
D - Dog's name: No dog...3 kitties, Dexter, Jack and Annabelle
E - Essential start your day item: Caffine
F - Favorite color: Green
G - Gold or Silver: Silver or white gold
H - Height: 5' 6"
I - Instruments you play(ed): Well, we all had to play the recorder in 4th grade!
J - Job title: Desparate Sexy Housewife
K - Kid(s): Just look over there on the side bar --------->
Jimmy, Tyler, Rachel and Mallory
L - Living arrangements: Home Sweet Home
M - Mom's name: Barbara Jean
N - Nicknames: Jen, Honey
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: None!
P - Pet Peeve: MESSY kid's rooms!
Q - Quote from a movie: Considering Big Daddy spend most of our day conversing in movie quotes, I could do this for days! But I'll choose one from my all time favorite movie, Urban Cowboy!

"I gave her the finger, She gave me the finger. I don't know. I guess it's really over."

R - Right or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: 2 younger sisters, 1 baby brother
T - Time you wake up: On weekdays, about 7:30.
U- Underwear: What? Under Where?
V - Vegetable you dislike: I don't eat many vegetables, but I. HATE. PEAS!
W - Ways you run late: I seem to always underestimate the amount of time things are going to take.
X - X-rays you've had: A lot of teeth/mouth x-rays recently
Y - Yummy food you make: I'll ask Big Daddy....

He says, "Wow, there's so many"
Aww! I think this means it's time to cook that man a yummy home cooked supper (cause you say Supper, when you're cooking a good country meal!)

Z - Zoo favorite: Well, I'll let you know later. We're getting ready to go to the zoo right now!

Bye!

Post #101

So in honor of my 100 posts. I updated my blog for the holidays! Do you like it? I sure do! I even gave my family cute blog nicknames! See? ---------------->

Now as promised, here are 100 (and one) things you might not have known about me!

1. I will probably go back to all previous 100 posts and change all usage of my family's real names to their new blog nicknames

2. I color code my kids ( J=green, T=blue, R=red, M=yellow)

3. I am slightly OCD (ya think?)

4. I take medication for that!

5. I have 3 cats

6. I give them all first, middle and last names

7. I don't put my clothes in a dresser

8. I hang everything in the closet (yes, even T-shirts)

9. I didn't learn to ride a bike until I was 12

10. I still don't really like to ride a bike

11. I'm not a very good driver

12. I failed my driving test the first time

13. and the second, third and fourth!

14. I graduated sixth in my class in high school,

15. but I never got a college degree

16. I worked in Medical insurance and billing for 12 years before I became a SAHM

17. I love soap operas

18. I watch Days of Our Lives religiously

19. but I could drop in on just about any soap (and enjoy it)

20. Sometimes I do!

21. I have a pretty good memory

22. I remember everyone's birthdays

23. but I usually forget to send the card on time

24. I don't really like to work on puzzles

25. my Mom said when I was a baby I would get so frustrated with those simple board puzzles, I would throw the pieces across the room!

26. My favorite book as a young child was Go Dog Go! by Dr. Suess

27. My favorite part was (and still is) the part when the two dogs meet and she keeps asking "Do you like me hat?"

28. I was raised Catholic

29. but, I don't go to church at all any more.

30. I love to make lists!

31. I love crossword puzzles

32. I don't like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie,

34. I think they are very fake.

35. I love Britney Spears,

36. and I'm glad she's getting better!

37. I lost all my "baby" weight in a matter of months

38. but I've gained over 20 pounds since I've been married!

39. I've never broken a bone

40. I've never been in the hospital (except to have Mr. T)

41. I think CSI Miami is the best CSI series

42. I have very thin, fine hair.

43. I can use little baby ponytail holders!

44. I also have very light, fine arm hair.

45. People have asked me is I shave my arms! (I don't)

46. I grew up hating the Beatles

47. Now I love them!

48. I grew up hating Elvis

49. I still do!

50. If I could go back in time, I'd choose the 1970's

51. and the first place I'd go is Studio 54!

52. My dad says I'm the funniest person in the family

53. I didn't need glasses until I was almost 3.0.

54. Now I need them all the time

55. I don't know how to swim,

56. so I'm scared of water if I can't touch the bottom.

57. I still love the ocean

58. And I want to live on the beach

59. I hate cold weather

60. but Fall is my favorite season

61. I don't stay up to date on current events

62. I rely on my husband to tell me what I need to know

63. I don't really know my left from right

64. because when we did the Hokey Pokey in Kindergarten, they wrote an L and R on our hands

65. I don't know how to hook up the DVD player to the TV

66. If Big Daddy's not around, I'll just ask one of the boys to do it

67. I have the clock in my room set 15 minutes fast.

68. I still have to set the alarm almost an hour earlier than I need to get up.

69. I love Mexican food

70. I love Italian food

71. I wish I cooked from scratch more often

72. I cook frozen food

73. A lot

74. I can't play any musical instrument

75. If I learned one it would be the guitar or piano

76. I don't like to nag

78. But I like to plan things and be in charge

79. Which sometimes leads to nagging

80. I took French in high school

81. I took Spanish in college

82. I can count to ten in both languages

83. but that's about it!

84. I hate playing cards

85. but I like Solitaire on the computer

86. My favorite color is green

87. My second favorite colors are purple and pink.

88. I love to grocery shop

89. I have one small tattoo

90. I want another one

91. I played almost every sport available growing up

92. I wasn't very good at any of them

93. I was a cheerleader from 6th - 9th grade

94. I think most cheerleaders are snotty brats

95. I played field hockey from 10th - 12th grade

96. I had a hockey scholarship to college

97. I had a baby instead

98. I don't always feel like a grown-up

99. I'm very worried about what people think about me

100. so that made this very difficult for me

101. I hope everyone still likes me!

Update and 100 posts!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. The kids went to Florida with their Mommie Dearest, but they are home with us tonight. Mr. T, Big Daddy and I had dinner at my parents' house with my sisters and brother. T made a Build-a-Bear turkey for my nephew. We named him Mr. Gobbles!

No pics from Thanksgiving. I forgot my camera. :(

On Friday, T and I met my dad at the movies to see Four Christmases. (It was good, but not great. If you like VV you'll like it though!) We see a movie every Thanksgiving Friday.

I love shopping and I usually don't like to go to the movies, but this is one day when I'll skip the stores and chill out in the theater. We did hit Target on the home though to pick up new stockings and Christmas candy!

When we got home we brought out all the Christmas deco. Mr. T put the tree together himself . Bless his little heart...I hate building the tree up and I usually have to do it all by myself. It only took us a couple of hours to decorate and get everything back in order.

Saturday I stayed in my pajamas all day, but I got the house cleaned and all the laundry caught up!

That brings us to today. Like I said the kids are back home. I think I have used up most of the Thanksgiving leftovers and we are all happily watching some Christmas movies, coloring and wearing Santa hats (expect to see my kids in those for the next month!)

In the weeks ahead, I hope to bake a lot of cookies, try my hand at some homemade candy and work with the kids on some crafts. Oh and you know, do a little bit of shopping!

And finally, this is my 100th post!

I really can't believe it! I wasn't sure if I was really going to get into blogging or not. I really enjoy it! There are times when I might take a bit of break (this holiday season being one of those) but I always come back! Thanks to all both of you who read! Traditionally, on the 100th post blog you are supposed to make a list of 100 things about yourself. That is going to take a little longer than I have right now so that will just be something for you all both to look forward to!

Testing

So just testing my new signature. Pretty cool, huh? What about the new background? My signature came from MyLiveSignature and the background came from The Cutest Blog on the Block. Go check out these sites and waste spend a few hours minutes playing around!