I'm Back...sorta...

I don't have any pictures for this post, but I will...I promise. Things have been super hectic around here and I'm finding it hard to catch up. I will say that we had a very nice trip back to Pittsburgh and I have lots of pictures to share!

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Hopefully I'll have the posts up before Thanksgiving...but if I don't, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone this year! I have so much to be thankful for...my perfect little family (although they stress me out sometimes! LOL), the great friends I have that have really been there for me, and our health.

S is for Snake

This weekend was the annual seafood festival in Ruskin, FL. We had never been in the past three years we've been here, but decided to give it a go since it's our last year here in Tampa. Nothing totally exciting, as far as festivals go. They had lots of business booths, a couple bounce houses and then the row of fried seafood...

We stopped in the Home Depot booth to make the free trivet with the kids. Hammers + Riley/Ronan = Nervous Momma, but the trivets turned out cute and the kids both got the signature orange aprons to keep. Did I mention that it was all free?

I don't want to brag, but I basically put Ronan's entire trivet together. I just let him think he hammered in the nails. LOL.

And then, Ronan showed us...

They had a rescued animal area where they had a black jaguar and huge tiger in these metal cages. As we were looking at them, I spotted a snake in the tree. Me, not being a huge lover of all things snake, mentally freaked out, but Ronan showed a huge interest in looking closer at it. The man brought the snake down and let Ronan pet it. Riley, well, she'd have NONE of it. She backed away about as far as I did...

And then the unthinkable happened. The man asked if Ronan wanted to hold the snake and while the rest of his family (and a growing crowd behind us watching in awe) thought he would say no...there he was, arms extended, ready to give his new friend a hug.

Ryan said that Ronan taught us all a lesson: Fear is all in the mind. Which, I guess makes sense (when Ryan has deep thoughts to share :)) Ronan had ZERO fear. He grabbed that snake like it was going to be his new pet and after the man asked if he wanted to wear it as a necklace -- which I was completely opposed to -- Ronan reluctantly gave the snake back...

If only you could have seen the crowd that gathered to see my little man hold this snake and their gasping of when he grabbed onto it. It was crazy.

So even though the festival itself wasn't anything to write home about, Ronan's adventure with the snake truly was...and thankfully, I have the pictures to prove it.

Riley Says The Darndest Things!

While showering the other night, I told Riley to really lather up the shampoo and get all of her hair...to which she responded:

"I'm gonna get my scallop really good."

I then said to her, "You mean your scalp?"

She quickly said, "Yes, mom, that's what I said, scallop."

Gotta love her.

The Purrell Conspiracy

I should own stock in it. Plain and simple. I carry it in my purse, I have some at my kitchen sink and I make sure Riley's classroom has it so she can use it there.

And that's what got me thinking...about the flu, germs, H1N1 -- and when I mentioned to Ryan how Purrell must be making a killing (as far as profits go, not death itself), he injected into my mind that it was probably Purrell who started the H1N1 virus in Mexico last year! Of course, I immediately dismissed the idea, but I can't say that when I hear a cough or the suction of boogies in the background, that it doesn't swirl around in my mind...
I haven't gotten the flu shot. Riley had the mist. Ronan...nothing. He's got allergies and although his first flu shot provided no negative reaction (to the egg protein), I am slightly scared to put him through that and then have to deal with what MIGHT happen. And now that the H1N1 vaccine is out (although scarce), I am torn as to what I need to do to keep my kids safe.

Talking to some friends recently pursuaded me to NOT get the vaccine. I mean, it's new. What if in 4 years they find out that the H1N1 vaccine contributes to some other heinous disease...I have no idea. BUT, the media is scaring me into thinking that if I don't get my kids vaccinnated, they are going to get it and be really sick...and that freaks me out. What's worse is that the one child who gets sick touching EVERYTHING, is the one that can't really even have the vaccine...so what am I to do?

I'm getting on an airplane with both my kids soon. In my mind, I have planned out exactly what I'm going to do when I get on that airplane -- which includes anti-bacterial wiping down all three seats, seatbelts, trays, light buttons and anything else the kids might touch...but then what do I do about all those people breathing on us? Can I had out masks? This is the nervous freak-out mom in me...I can't afford for them to get sick, especially being away from home...

Anyone have healthy travel tips to share?

Steak and Shake

Kids eat free ALL weekend. Need I say more?

I probably don't need to say anything, but I will comment that after spending about an hour at Steak and Shake nearby, it's like a small microcosm of Wal-Mart. You see the strangest mix of people there. Understand that we were there on Halloween, so the staff was dressed up...but the customers weren't. Or maybe they were. We have no idea.

We literally stopped in our tracks when a lady walked into the restaurant in a white crocheted triangle top bikini and white pants. Her belly was billowing out over the pants, to the point where I could no longer refer to it as a muffin-top of any sort. It was like a volcano had erupted. Ick. Now, I could accept the attire if we were a mile away from the beach...maybe even on a strip near a beach. We are nowhere near any beach. In fact, we have to drive quite a distance to get to one, so just the fact she wore this outfit into a restaurant far far far from the beach shocked me.

...although not much SHOULD shock me...I shop at Wal-Mart. Haha. What? They have some great deals.

Happy Halloween 2009

This year, we did a couple Halloween events with the kids...so here are just a few pictures from those events. We trick-or-treated on Halloween with a group of friends and although I took a whole bunch that night...there isn't one where one of my kids isn't blinking. Boo hoo.

Here is Ronan with a friend at a Halloween party... it was 90 degrees that day. I had to strip him down, just to keep him cool. He's a shirtless pirate. Arrr mateys.
This is also about the only time Ronan would wear his hat with his costume. In. the. car. I had to get the PPW (price per wear) down on this bad boy, as it cost us double of what his actual costume cost.

And for the first time in almost 5 years, Riley was NOT a princess or any form of one, other than in spirit! She originally wanted to be a witch, to 'witch' I purchased a hat, but after some shopping around at all the Halloween stores, she opted for the cowgirl look -- which we all loved. We had to buy her new boots for the outfit that *gasp* cost just as much as the costume itself -- but I reassured Ryan that the PPW for it would strongly decrease as we are headed to Pittsburgh soon and she can wear them there. Gotta justify everything!

Halloween was so much more fun for us this year. Perhaps it is because Ronan finally understood it and walked the entire time without being help. Maybe it was trick-or-treating in a group and having more adults keep track of all the kids. Or maybe it was because the kids got a ton of candy and we only had to walk around for an hour. Needless to say, I'm getting my Snickers fix and am paying for it with my peanut and chocolately love handles.

Prayers, please...

Religious or not...please pray for our fellow Coastie and Marine families involved in this tragic accident...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091030/ap_on_re_us/us_midair_collision

FOR SALE: 2007 Harley Sportster 1200 L 1K Miles

$7,900.00 -- It's not mine...it's a friend's and she's trying to sell it...if you know anyone that might be interested, please forward it along!

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/mcy/1417213782.html

Almost Fainted

Generally, I would preface this type of post with a "Caution: Not for the faint of heart..." BUT, apparently, I AM the one with the faint of heart -- when it comes to medical procedures.

Okay, so quickie background info: I had to have sinus surgery on Friday. Complete blockage of the left sinus, as indicated by a CT Scan and something the ENT wanted to take care of as soon as possible...and most definitely before me getting on an airplane anytime soon.

Surgery was successful, meds were prescribed (which I had a reaction to, but whatever...) and the "packing" inside was supposed to be dissolvable. Went in yesterday for a post-op follow-up and apparently...... he was planning to remove the packing.

OMG and I mean OMG. While it's hard to equate the entire procedure to giving birth...there are a couple places I feel like nothing should ever be inserted and one of them is the nose. Sure, I had a tissue propped up in my nose for almost 10 weeks...but no metal tweezer-looking object should ever go in there and never should it pull anything gauze-like out either.

I survived, but couldn't handle anymore...so I have to go back next week. While on my way to the counter to make my next week appointment, I felt light-headed, my lips became hot and tingly and I was on the verge of fainting. Immediately, I was rushed back to the exam room, legs were propped up and a juice was in my hand while the nurse patted a washcloth on my forehead. I was seeing stars.

Truly, this was one of the most uncomfortable things I have been through. And the worst part is that I HAVE TO GO BACK. I'm doing everything in my power to speed the dissolving process along, but I am scared to death. Dare I say it, I would almost rather go through child birth. Well, not really, but I would consider it. I wonder if I can take some sort of sedative before the next appointment...what do you think?

Wedgie Prevention Program

When Riley doesn't want to wear certain shorts, she will claim they give her wedgies. This morning, her shorts were giving her wedgies...even though they clearly were nowhere near the possibility of doing so.

And then, I heard Ryan giving her instructions on the Wedgie Prevention Program, which basically meant that instead of pulling her shorts on without unbuttoning them...she needs to unzip, unbutton, pull-up, zip and then button. Ta-Da...Wedgie Prevention...and of course, it also required some squats and lunges for stretch-out.

Amazing what you can hear when daddy is home getting the nugg ready for school...love it.

Steeler Sunday (Week 5)

Yet another Sunday in our year when we all dressed in Black and Gold...Uncle Mike came to visit us and we watched the game at Beef 'O' Brady's (wingies are yummy).
Ronan found his sunglasses and wanted to sport them with his Steeler's shirt (which our friend, Joni, gave him last year!)

My Riley and I...

Riley and her Uncle Mike. She adores him...and it didn't hurt that he provided all the quarters that kept them entertained in the little arcade room. Thanks, Uncle Mike!

This is how lovey Ronan can be when you bribe him to smile for a picture with a quarter. He calls it "monies." "Gimme more monies, momma." Eventually, he resorted to calling them quarters...but didn't just ask for one, he wanted two.

The hubby, brother and daughter...

And what happens when you surrender your camera to your two-year-old? You get lots of pictures with a blurry corner (due to tiny finger) of the most random things.

Below, what you see is what one gets with the many quarters in the arcade at Beefs. We ended up with a ton of monkeys...these were just a few of them.

Haven't made plans with Uncle Mike for this upcoming weekend game...but hopes he can come visit us again!!!! Can't eat wings without him.

"Not so fall" pumpkin patch fun...

Let's face it, Florida has no great fall weather. It's summer or not summer. So, you can imagine my distress when October arrived and all I wanted to do was take the kids to a pumpkin patch. I saw pictures of friends with their kids at pumpkin patches, with hay and wearing long sleeves...and there I was, upset because we are all still wearing shorts and tanktops -- in the middle of October.

Then, it came. A cold front! Only 80 degrees that day, we scurried to the local pumpkin patch - which equates to a church parking lot on the side of a highway. Didn't let it bring me down though, because the kids were stoked to be picking out pumpkins. And not just any pumpkin. A BABY pumpkin. You'd think with the enormous ones available to us, they'd go directly for those, but they didn't. They went for the 50 cent baby ones. Whatever. It was a cheap trip, filled with the most precious memories.

I was drawn to the weird looking ones. Scattered throughout, they were covered in bumps. Not sure why they captured my attention so much (perhaps it's because they remind me of the freakin' polyp I have inside of my sinus cavity!) Couldn't resist taking some pictures of them, though...

Reminds me of fall.....

The kids immediately ran to the area with the tiny pumpkins and picked one they wanted. And now Ronan has this new infatuation with everything having a "friend" so he made sure his baby pumpkin had his very own "friend."

Riley has always loved the tiny ones, so it came as no surprise that's all she wanted...

Ronan followed suit, of course...

You would never know from my amazing photography skills that this very area was right next to a highway...it's not a Trax Farms or Bates Nut Farm but it did the job.

They had a little wagon set up for photos...

Ronan was wiped out after a tough morning of picking baby pumpkins...

I'm hoping that next year, wherever we are, we're in a state that has leaves changing color and a for real pumpkin patch with hayrides, corn mazes and pumpkin pie for sale. Yum. Until then, I guess I'll just go to Costco for the pie.

Really?

My original intent of this blog was to keep our friends and family (those that cared) up-to-date with some of the crazy things that were happening in our life. I love sharing pictures of the kids and in a way, it's been my own digital scrapbook of their lives because not only do I post my favorite pictures, but I recount the best stories of what is happening in their lives.

It's also been therapy for me. I've gone through trials and tribulations with Ronan's eating habits and Riley's life of a 15-year-old stuck in a 7-year-old body...in many ways, it's my diary. I haven't shared the most awful events of my life -- not because I didn't want to share, but because it would have been dedicating more time to a subject not worth discussing. Until today.

In previous posts, I've said 'family is a loose term.' And I mean that. Just because you're connected through marriage or by birth, doesn't make you automatically entitled to having an enriching and lasting relationship. Things happen, emails are written, mean voicemails are left, mail is sent back and well...relationships end. Without going into major detail and copying/pasting emails...this is our life with my in-laws.

Today, an email was sent to me by an in-law sibling requesting that I "password protect" my site to avoid hurting the feelings of her parents. This is the same sibling who in her last email demanded that we not contact or respond to her again. Originally, outrage ran through my veins until I came to the realization that I no longer owe them anything. When the hurtful emails were written to us, inappropriate voicemails were left and it was clear that the 4 of us were no longer a part of that family -- we moved on. Does it suck that it's like that? Sure. Who wants to have dysfunction in a family? But have the 4 of us become stronger because of it? Yes. We have learned to depend on the family we do have. We have family that has stuck by us and are fortunate to have them -- and we love them for that. But, I also know what our lives have been like for the past 5+ years and ultimately, it's a case of "nothing is better than something."

Enough is enough already. I am not going to password protect my blog to protect people who haven't been a part of our lives for years. And, I was reassured by this sibling in her last email that she has no desire to read my blog again so I have nothing to worry about.

Thanks to all my readers who have visited my blog and continue to do so. I enjoy keeping up with it and plan to change nothing...except now y'all know a little more about me and where I'm coming from.

Need A Laugh?

Have you ever read something and literally just laughed out loud? A friend just started this blog and it cracks me up. I just have to share. http://batpoocrazy.wordpress.com/ Enjoy it.

Wings + Beer + Big Screen TVs + All the Black & Gold You Can Find = A Happy Steeler Sunday!

Everywhere you go, you will find a Steeler's fan. I'm not kidding...I mean EVERYWHERE. When we moved to San Diego, you would have thought we brought Steeler fans with us...and now, here in Tampa, it's not that much different. We headed to Orlando to meet up with my brother, "Uncle Mike" and sported our Black and Gold for all to see...and yes, we looked gooood.
Riley took this picture of Ryan and I. (Karly, like my new traditional Steeler's shirt? Get on at www.shopona.com and tell Karly I sent you.)

Ronan was soooo good there. This isn't to say that I didn't come fully prepared with a bag of mini Oreos, coloring books, crayons, a Nintendo DS and an iTouch...but to have 3 hours of no freaks out is nice. Real nice.

Riley entertained her little brother by letting him watch her play the Nintendo DS. Didn't last long, as little brother has now become quite strong with a loud voice and pretty much gets whatever he wants so as to not upset the parental units he is raised by. God Bless Riley for being so patient...well, at least some of the time.

I took this picture of Riley and Uncle Mike crooked on purpose. Mike was confused, but had I not, there would have been this bright white spot shining into the camera and you wouldn't have seen their faces. Thank me for that.

And here are Riley and I before the game. We don't get many pictures together. Why? I'm generally holding Ronan OR, I'm the one behind the camera. BUT, it was nice to get a picture with my girl...my first born...the daughter who is going to turn my shiny, dark brown hair ... well, gray.

Anyway, the Steelers beat the Lions. Surprise, surprise. Go Stillers.

Riley-ism: #567

I told Riley tonight that I really wanted her to do her homework. This is how she responded:

"Okay, mom. Don't get your hankies in a twist."

I think if I translate it in non-Riley terms, she's trying to tell me to not get my panties in a bunch? Right?

Can we just move already?!

Thanks to the Coast Guard, we are approaching that time again, where we get to look at a list and decide where we might like to go. No, it's not 100% we'll get the first choice or any choice, but from what the hubby says, the detailers do their best to give you something on your list, even if it's the last choice.

There are lots of states. LOL. But for us, our options are limited to about 30-40 cities and from there, the process can be so stressful. Eliminating the "heck no, I'm not going there" choices were pretty easy. I won't say where those places are because I know how possessive and loving people can be about those particular places...but I will say that a lot of thought went into those "definitely no" places.

Then there are the "definitely, maybe." The angst is in the unknown aspect of it. Have we heard of the town? Sure. Do we know anything about it? Not really. Am I researching? Yes. Do I actually look at the statistic of Asian %? You bet I do.

There are a couple things we have to look at before it can be on our YES list.

1. Job. Is it going to benefit Ryan's career? Will he enjoy the job?

2. Housing. Are we going to be on the economy or is there military housing?

3. Schools. Now that we have a kid in school, we can't just pick a pretty place because it's pretty. It needs to be a good school too...and let me just say, finding out the truth about these schools isn't easy. Everyone wants to say their school is A-rated or the best.

4. Shopping. How close it is to a Target?! Is there a commissary or exchange?

5. How close is it to friends/family?

I'm struggling with all of it because I am so ready to move, but moving itself can be so overwhelming. We've done it a few times, so we know what to expect, but we are at a point now, where we are just ready to go.

#5 on my list is something that is weighing so heavily on where I want to go. No billets are open in Pittsburgh (not that I know of), but I miss my parents, I miss my friends there and even though my *blah* in-laws are there, I would go back...just to have a few years with my friends again. This isn't to say I would have a tiny bit of reservation. My 'Burgh friends know how awful the last few months of our time in Pittsburgh was before we moved to San Diego. BUT, I miss them dearly and seeing them this year has made me miss them even more. I'm just wanting to be around people that love us all the time...

I also know that going 'home' isn't an option right now, so what to do...what to do... Well, it's mainly resting on the job for Ryan. That will eliminate a lot of questions and once we get that narrowed down, it'll just be a matter of numbering 1-10. We'll see, I guess!

I'll post more as we get closer to narrowing our choices down and once we get a top 10, I'll be asking for info about those places!

Picture Day 2009: Second Grade

I couldn't decide which of the two pictures I liked better, so I opted to post both. Here is La Diva on the morning of her 2nd grade picture day...and let me just say, if the eve of picture day is going to be any indication of what future picture days are going to be...well....we are in big trouble.

It started off about 2 weeks ago when Riley informed me that her pictures were coming and the would like to wear something "pretty." What it was, I had no idea, but she had it in her head it that it was going to be something worthy of having her photo taken.

It brought us to two nights ago when she asked me what she was going to wear. I told her to go to her closet and pick something out. She did, alright...nothing appropriate, that's for sure. She did a fashion show for Ryan and I, which comprised of her coming out in booty shorts and a size 4T top (way too small), sweatpants and a camo pink t-shirt with glittery writing and some sort of dress which wasn't going to be allowed to walk out of my house on picture day morning.

Then came the dreaded phrase: "I have nothing to wear."

Being the suckas that we are, Ryan and I packed both kids into the car and off to Target we went. Under strict instructions to only choose a top that could be worn with both shorts and jeans, Riley didn't let me off easy when we approached the girls' clothing section by saying, "don't you think I'll need bottoms to go with the top?" Uhhh, no. Noone is going to see you bottoms, sister. Nice try.

So circles and circles around racks and racks of clothing we did. Eventually, I came across the black top you see her wearing and asked what she thought. She said it was cute, but too long. (Not sure why she would think that, but whatever.) So a few more circles later with her whiny momma and we ended up deciding, mutually, on the black top. She tried it on, loved it and there it brought us to picture day morning.

Not only did I have to wake up early to make sure she didn't have sleepy eyes for the long-awaited photo shoot, but I was told that she wanted her hair curly. Yes, ma'am. I spent 40 minutes spiral curling her fine, brown hair with a 1/2 inch barrel curling iron, clipping it to the side like how she wore it in our friends' (Rochelle and Steve) wedding and off she was for the exciting Picture Day.

I don't have pictures yet...they come in like 4-6 weeks. I hope she smiled --because she still has all.her.baby teeth!

Emma Crew

I don't know this little girl, but I do know some of her family friends and after reading this post by their friend Kristina, I decided I just had to share this story:

Kristina posted this on her Facebook:

A dear friend of mine, Sophie Crew has a one year old daughter named Emma. On Friday, September18th, Emma was critically injured at her daycare. She suffered severe damage to her head and has been in a coma ever since. She has had two brain surgeries to remove parts of her skull to reduce the pressure inher head but she continues to still have high ICP which is her Intra Cranial Pressure. They had reduced the medications hoping she would begin to wake up but since then, they have had to increase those same medicines because of some of the risk with her ICP.

I have had the chance to visit little Emma in the hospitaland hold her little hand. The sight just makes your heart go into your throat and obviously think about her poor parents Sophie and Tyler who have not left her bed side since that horrific Friday. I never thought I would ever know anyone who has had to endure so much pain and heartache for a child so young. I think about my own babies, especially having a son so close to Emma’s age and can’t even begin to image what they are going through.So I can’t fix Emma, but the best I can do is try andsupport their family the best way I know how and that is why I am reaching out to all of you.

With the help of San Diego County Credit Union and my amazing friend Wendy Snyder, we have been able to open up a Fund for little Emma to help their family with their medical expenses they have/will take on through this time. Right now all they can think about is getting their baby back but we all know all of the other realities that will face them at some point.

If you are able to help this family they would so greatly appreciate it. We have set up an account through Paypal which will go directly into the “Emma Crew Fund” and can be accessed below or you can also write checks to: SDCCU marked “Emma Crew Fund – Account #000368773100” mailed to San Diego County Credit Union 6545 Sequence Dr. San Diego, CA 92121.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and hopefully you can contribute to this cause. If you are unable to at this time, please just pray for this little girl and her family and pass this message on if you can!!

http://hopeandloveforthecrewfamily.blogspot.com/

Thanks for reading....

"Not Me" Monday: My first attempt!

I often visit mycharmingkids.net and read the funny things she posts about what she doesn't do...and made sure to think about what I don't do this past week just so I could share.

I don't mix whites, darks and towels in the same load of laundry, just so I can be done with it. That's just wrong.

I don't tell Ronan that if he sits in his dirty, poopy diaper that monsters and bugs will eat his bum. I mean, only a really evil mother would say something like that.

I don't leave my empty contact cases out on the bathroom sink so they collect and then Ryan has to throw them all away before garbage day.

I didn't tell Riley that I would take her back to school on Friday after I got her out early and she threw a fit. I would never threaten to leave her there until school closes. Never.

I don't use the TV as a babysitter when I want to shower or blog.

I definitely do not suck my tummy in and perk my chest out when I walk into a Hooters or hope that the manager will approach me and ask me to work there. I mean, I'm practically old enough to be some of those girls' mother.

I didn't laugh inside or out when Ronan accidentally shot Riley with the Nerf gun in the eye. It wasn't nice and Ronan was reprimanded for it, even though it was an accident. And no I didn't look at Ryan and contemplate shooting him with the Nerf gun so he could feel it.

And I definitely never have out of body experiences where I step out and wish for 30 seconds that I was 5-years-old again with no responsibility or care in the world.

What did you NOT do this past week?