Memorial Day

I would like to take time out of my long holiday weekend to say Thank You to all of the brave men and women who protect my freedom each and every day.

Thank you to the families who bravely wait at home for the safe return of their soldiers.

World War I Memorial

World War II Memorial

Thank you to the generations before us,

you are truely one of a kind.

Korean War Memorial

Thank you to the men and women who will never return home.

Somehow, I know you are still watching over us.

Arlington Cemetary

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Thank you to all of those who are yet to be.  I know you will do great things.

All of these pictures were taken on a family vacation to Washington D.C.

Friday Fragments

Welcome back to Friday Fragments where we purge our thoughts that have been accumlating for the week.  Head on over to Mrs. 4444 to see some more or join in the fun!

*  Now that all of my favorite shows are airing their finale's I don't know what I'll be tuning into every night.  Maybe I'll have to find a series I never had time to watch because it competed with my favorites.  Their reruns will still be new to me.

*  Although I thought this season's American Idol was not as good as year's past, I really liked both of the final contestants.  I was routing for Chrystal but predicted that Lee would win.  I'm not sad about that though because I really like Lee and hope he has a great career.

*  After last season's Batchelor, I swore off watching it again.  I was so over Allie and her drama.  But guess what?  I fried a few more brain cells and found myself watching the last hour of the Batchelorette on Monday night.   I didn't know if I should feel bad for her or laugh, she really doesn't have much to pick from!

*  On Tuesday I went for my allergy shot again.  I seem to have given the doctor a permanent twitch and he is going to start requesting to be in their other office when I come in.  I can't just do things the simple way, I keep having reactions.  Though not as severe as my first one, they are still reactions. 

*  We are making plans for our weekend ahead.   We will spend part of it with my parents and Monday is my brother's birthday.  He is turning the big 4-0 and so we are planning a little shindig for him.  Do any of you have any big holiday weekend plans?

*  I'm still trying to come up with a summer plan for the kids.  I seek the right balance between scheduled and unscheduled.  I've yet to find the perfect balance.  I still have a few weeks to work it out since with all the snow we had this year, we won't be out until the end of June.  Maybe we'll just go to the beach every day.

He Can't Be Mine

It is a well known fact that I love to read.  I wish I can say that I read anything and everything but I stick to fiction.  I could probably open up a small library or book store with the books I have in the house because my motto has aways been "you can't ever have too many books".  The children's section would be quite varied on topic and age level.  The adult section, well that would be pretty limited to romances (the more mindless the better) and mysteries or suspense.  Now that the kids were kind enough to give me a Kindle for Christmas, I have even more room for books!

My third grade son, Bud, wrote a book for me for Mother's Day in class.  The teacher had them answer questions and draw a picture that went with their responses.  It made me cry.  The pages that I loved the most were the ones that asked "Mommy's hobby is..."  and he replied "reading" and drew a picture of books and my Kindle.  The other one I love so much is "If your mom could have one thing what would it be?  Why?"  and his response was "all the books in the world so she can read alone and with us".  He illustrated that page with many books.  Bud himself enjoys reading and has found various topics he likes to explore.

Baby Girl loves to read as well.  She brings me armfuls of books to read to and with her each day.  She is beginning to recognize words and is in the beginning stages of learning to read.  I'm proud of her and more importantly, she is proud of herself. 

The Middle Child?  Well, he is the one that can't possibly be mine.  He won't read if you glue a book to his nose.  He can read and does so quite well.  But he only reads what he has to that is related to his school work.

As you can imagine, since I ove to read so much I frequently encourage reading over other activities such as watching TV.  Even my husband who is not such an avid reader tries to have "reading hour" after dinner where he reads with the kids or sends them off to read somewhere.  That Middle Child never picks out a new book and goes off to read....he brings an easy reader book to his dad to read. 

Seriously?  How can this be so?  I've read 5 books in the last month.  He can't possibly be my offspring.  He must take after his father.

I'm not ready

If you've been here on my blog for any length of time you have heard me complain about the winter weather and the feet upon feet of snow we had. I even wrote a letter to  Mother Nature and you can see my attempt at surviving.

After all of my whining this winter I was glad to finally see the weather warm up a bit.  (Although Mother Nature still seems to be having mood swings with 90 degree days in April and  a need for a winter coat in May).  But you know what I learned on these warm days?  I'm really not ready. 

Not ready for what?  The maintenance.  You see, the winter season comes with a bit of security.  Security in knowing that nobody can see things, such as if you've skipped shaving.  In fact not shaving your legs gives you an added layer of warmth on the coldest days.  Winter allows you to put on an extra bulky sweater to help hide the pudge you may have put on.  No need for pedicures because nobody can see those cracked heels in your snow boots anyway.  Winter lets you hide a bit and let your hair down.

Summer, well that comes with more maintenance and work.  You need to keep your legs shaved if you plan on wearing shorts and other areas, ahem, groomed if you plan on donning a bathing suit.  That bathing suit doesn't allow you to hide the extra pudge you may have put on during the winter.  It ENHANCES it, draws your eye to it and makes you feel a bit shy and self conscious about your body image.  Those toes need to be painted and the heels filed down.  (please for all that is holy ladies, if your heels are 3 inches thick please keep them hidden under socks and shoes this summer!  I don't want to see them being sported in sandals).  It requires time and energy that quite frankly, I just don't have! 

So, if you see me on the beach wearing jeans and socks, don't think I've lost it.  Know that I have not submitted to the maintenance needed and am trying to shield you all from it!

Friday Fragments

* Remember when I was up for Mommy of the Year award when the Tooth Fairy forgot to come?  Well, guess what.  I've really cinched that title because I did it again.  With the same kid.  He is really getting a complex.

* It has taken me most of the week to catch up on sleep and recuperate from my camping trip last weekend.  It has also taken me most of the week to get all our stuff put away.  Thank goodness I don't have to think about doing that again for a while! 

* While recuperating I spent some time catching up with my DVR.  I'm still behind but feel much better. 

*  I went for my second allergy shot and avoided having an anaphylactic reaction.  Thank heavens for that!  Hopefully I'm on track and all will be as it should be from here on out.
*  Thursday was the rare perfect day weather wise.  It was warm, but not hot, and no humidity.  The day a Jersey Girl can be outside with no humidity is a really good day.  I spent the entire day outside weeding and planting.  When Baby Girl got home from school she joined me.  She no longer needs help and instructed me "You have your own shovel and rake and if you use it instead of helping me we could get done quicker"  Sigh. We now have flowers, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, string beans and cucumbers growing happily.  Lets hope my brown thumb stays at bay.

*  I had posts ready that I wrote while conducting the giveaway party and saved in draft for a "rainy day".  It dawned on me today that I haven't posted since Monday and I could have used one of these!  Oh well. 

*  Hope everyone has a good weekend!  As usual, I can be found on the baseball and soccer fields!  Oh, and I have a few birthday parties thrown in as well.

A Weekend in the Woods

I am home from my weekend in the woods!  I am a little worse for the wear but I survived and am happy to be home.

My boys are both in Cub Scouts and this weekend was our first Weblos Camporee for my older one.  At camporees the boys really come together and show scout spirit as well as the skills they have learned.  It is a great team building experience and they truly have a lot of fun.

I put up with sleeping in this

because the boys enjoy doing things like this...

Knot tying

Archery

BB Range

Fire building

And SO MUCH MORE!

Now for what I find the not-so-fun side of the trip. 

This is only a tiny fraction of what was packed.

It takes days to prepare for a camping trip.  I am positive that I packed more for 2 days in the woods for 2 of us than what I pack for all 5 of us to go on vacation for a week.  Then when you get home, you need to set the tent back up to air out and dry, lay out the sleeping bags to air out, blah blah blah.  It truly takes a lot of work and time. 

What you also don't see in these pictures is the nasty thunder storms we were out in and the puddles of water in the tent as well as the mud.  You don't see the ticks I've pulled out of me or the circles under my eyes from lack of sleep. 

And what you really don't see?  Me driving a puking kid home at 4 am.  Yup.  My son seems to love to puke in tents.  Let's just say this is not the first time he has pulled this on me but I can almost assure you it will be the last because I don't think I'll be giving him another chance for a repeat performance. 

Today, my friends, is all about recovery. 

Friday Fragments

It has been a long and eventful week....and since I haven't participated in Friday Fragments in a while I thought I'd unload!

* By the time many of you are reading this I will be deep in the woods in a tent.  I know, please try and contain your jealous feelings.   I don't really like to camp but sometimes you just have to suck things up in order to be a good mom and scout leader.  The sky is getting cloudier and cloudier and thunder storms are predicted for today.  I hope I can get the site set up without getting poured on!  Tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day though.

*  I have a huge pile of stuff to still pack in the car and that doesn't include what is already in the car such as the tent, sleeping bags, wagon, blah blah blah.  I am pretty sure I take more on a weekend camping trip for 2 of us than going away for a week with all 5 of us. 

*  I have bad allergies.  Luckily they are mostly environmental, I don't have issues with foods or medicines (knock on wood!).  Over the years they have gotten worse and finding medicines to treat them has been more of a challenge.  This week I started allergy shots.  Well, my body decided to rebel against those shots and I had an anaphylactic reaction.  You can read more about it here.

*  Last night I had a rare night where none of my children had to be anywhere.  There were no practices, games or classes.  I couldn't believe the calendar!  So, we packed everyone in the car and went out to dinner and on the way home stopped by the school field and played a little baseball with the kids.  We were home in time for showers and bed and for me to plop down on the couch in front of my favorite TV lineup of the week.

*  I have been having computer issues all week.  I hope this isn't the beginning of the end.  I don't want my laptop to die!  Then yesterday I was having connection issues....lovely internet provider that I have!  What this has really led me to wonder though, why are computers so "disposable"?  They are expensive, complex pieces of equipment, yet by the time you purchase them and get them home they are already outdated and then they only last a few short years.   It doesn't seem right. 

*  I somehow found myself nominated to be on the PTO board.  Not sure how I let that happen.  I'm the one who keeps swearing I'm not getting involved anymore.  I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment.

*  My kids seem to have been invited to an awful lot of parties over the next week.  I don't mind my kids going to birthday parties and having fun with their friends but when I went shopping for the presents the other day, boy does it add up!!! 

*  I am very behind in my reader...if you haven't seen me around your blog in a while, don't worry...I still love ya!  I'll be over to visit soon, I promise!

Alrighty, have to get running to finish packing for my weekend!  Think of me.  If you don't hear back from me by Monday send out the search party. 

If you'd like to join in on Friday Fragments join the Blog Hop!

New winner announced

I had to choose a new winner for the Oven Mitt giveaway.  The new winner is.....Julie!  Check your email Julie!  You will have 48 hours to reply back. 

Congratulations!

Allergic Reactions

Today's post is not the one I had intended to do but seeing I've had an exciting morning I decided to write about this instead.

I, like most people living in this state, have allergies.  Over the years I seem to have become more sensitive to many more things so I finally decided to see an allergist.  (after taking my son in as a guinea pig...such a good mom, I know).  They did some testing and my symptoms became so exacerbated that I felt as if I had the flu for over a week.  (my husband, who I swear is the only one living in this state that DOESN'T have allergies, did not seem to understand how truly awful I felt)  They put me on a cocktail of medications and I slowly but surely began to feel better.  I returned for more testing and I can say that I reacted to 98% of the things they tested me for. 

After going through what medications I've taken and what has worked, not worked, or I can't take, my doctor called me a pain in the a$$.  Well, to his credit, he first called me a delicate flower.  I told him it was okay to say it how it really was and call me a pain in the a$$.  He then laughed and told me I took the words right out of his mouth but he was trying to be polite.

So, fast forward to today which was my appointment for my first allergy shots which I will go for weekly for the next year.  After reading the consent I've got to tell you that I almost backed out!  But desperate for relief I decided to give it a try.  Now, because I am me and can't do anything simple, I fully expected a reaction of some sort.  I thought the reaction would be localized and I'd have very swollen, itchy spots around the injection site.  Nope, not me.  Like I said I can't do anything the easy way.  They gave me 2 shots, one in each arm then sent me out to sit for 30 minutes and then they would check me and send me on my way.  Within 10 my eyes were itchy, followed by my ears and throat.  They gave me a dose of benadryl and sent me back out to wait.  Instead of getting better the itching got worse and I began to break out in a small rash.  So they pulled out the big guns... the epinephrine.

I've never had epinephrine and I really hope never to need it again.  First, it burns when they give it to you.  Then within seconds you feel as if you want to jump out of your skin.  Your heart races and I shook like a leaf.  It was almost as if I could feel it coursing through my veins, I had such a weird feeling all over.  Luckily it doesn't last long.  They loaded me up with some prednisone, made me stick around the office for a while longer and made me watch a video on administering epipens.  It seems that I "broke the rules" by having a reaction to my shot and now have to carry an epi pen around!  The nurse joked and told me I'm "a big girl now" with my epipen and I joked back that the only people I know with them are the 10 and under set. 

What should have been a 30 minute visit turned into a 2 hour adventure.  The doctor has re-declared me a pain in the a$$ and told everyone in the office I was going to make them all work for their money.  I am now home, feeling much better except very tired.  Between the dose of Benadryl and the post-adrenaline-rush-let-down, I feel as if I could curl up and sleep for a week.  (if I wasn't waiting for the bus I would!). 

The craziest part?  I go back next week for another shot.  I will pre-dose myself with antihistamines and my epipen will be on hand. 

Yup, just another ordinary morning!

Happy Mother's Day and Giveaway Party Winners

Before I Was Myself, You Made Me, Me

Before I was myself you made me, me

With love and patience, discipline and tears,

Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Allowing me to sail upon my sea,

Though well within the headlands of your fears.

Before I was myself you made me, me

With dreams enough of what I was to be

And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,

Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Relinquishing your powers gradually

To let me shape myself among my peers.

Before I was myself you made me, me,

And being good and wise, you gracefully

As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears

Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.

For love inspires learning naturally:

The mind assents to what the heart reveres.

And so it was through love you made me, me

By slowly stepping back to set me free

Poem from Poems for Free

Mother's Day comes but once a year.  When I tucked my children into bed last night I told them my one wish for Mother's Day was to not be woken up by screams, fighting and whining.  This is my normal wake up call.  I told them I do not want to have to referee all day long.  I explained this would make me happier than anything else on Mother's Day.

I was allowed to sleep in a little.  Then my 3 boisterous children could not contain themselves any longer.  They came barreling into my room with a donut, coffee and showered me with homemade cards.  One began to rub my feel while the other rubbed my head.  The 3rd rubbed my back when the other 2 were done.  So far I've had to do little refereeing. 

My husband is working but my parents and brother will be coming for lunch and then later you will find me routing on my eldest and his soccer team.  I have to say, it is shaping up to be a nice day.

I hope that you are all being treated like the queens that you are. 

For 7 of you, I hope to help brighten your day.  I'd like to announce the winners of the May is for Mom Giveaway Party.  Drum roll please....

The beautiful apron goes to....Amy!

The hand stamped family necklace goes to .... Yanick!

The lovely checkbook cover goes to .... Jackie!

The oven mitt goes to... The Taylor Household!

The Key Wristlet goes to.... Julie!

The Photo Pendant Necklace goes to... Donna!

The organizer goes to.... Kelly!

I'd like to thank everyone who entered.  A special thank you to anyone who became a follower of my blog and I hope you will visit frequently.  Congratulations to the winners!  I will be contacting everyone by email and you will have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. 

Last Chance to Enter the Giveaway Party!

Today is the last chance to enter our May is for Mom Giveaway Party!   There have been some pretty terrific items to win so take a few minutes to take a peak and enter.  Thank you to all of the etsy shops who were so generous to participate this week. 

7. There is a beautiful organizer from Crab Apple Designs to help keep your life on track.

6.  Who wouldn't want to show off the love of their life wearing this beautiful Photo Pendant Necklace by Golden Impressions?

5.  Keep track of your keys with this Key Wristlet by TJB Inspired.

4.  Love to cook?  Then this handy Oven Mitt by Pritchke Shop is just of you.

3.  If you hate paying bills as much as I do, we can at least have something pretty to look at while doing it with this gorgeous Checkbook Cover by O.C. Styles. 

2.  This Hand Stamped Family Necklace is a favorite of my personal collection by Addie Rose Jewelry. 

1.  Cook something up in style with this fun and flirty Apron by Quilt a Treasure. 

So what are you waiting for?  Run (okay, click) and go enter!  All entries end tonight and winners will be announced tomorrow....Mother's Day!

May is for Mom Giveaway Party...Organizer

Has it really been a whole week already?  Today is our last day of our Giveaway Party!  Don't forget to browse all the other items from the week and enter for your chance to win.  While you are at it, pop over to Chrissy at Life as a CEO for 7 additional chances to win!

To wrap up our party Crab Apple Designs is offering one of you this great organizer.

Win it!

Visit Crab Apple Designs and browse around.  Come back and tell me what else you love!

Please be sure to leave an email address for easy contact.

For additional entries:

Leave a separate comment for each entry and an email address

*Visit Chrissy at Life as a CEO and enter today's giveaway!  Come back and tell me.
* Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link.
*Follow Life in the BAT Cave
* Become a facebook fan
* Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway.  Leave me a link.

This giveaway is open to US residents until May 8.  One winner will be chosen and announced on Sunday, May 9.

May is for Mom Giveaway Party... Photo Pendant Necklace

Golden Impressions is offering a beautiful custom photo pendant necklace for one lucky mama! This lovely little pendant is made from a real Scrabble© Tile (.75" x .83") or a Crystal Clear Glass Tile (7/8" x 7/8") and sealed with a hard coat resin. For an uniquely personal touch, you simply email a photo to the Etsy Shop owner and she transfers the photo to the pendant so you can wear the ones you love around your neck. The pendant arrives in an decorative silver tin complete with a free 18" silver ball chain which can be shortened to your liking. And, right now, if you purchase 2 square photo tiles you will recieve a 3rd for free, which is a $6 value.

Win it!

One of you can win your own personalized pendant.

To enter visit Golden Impressions and tell me what else you like!
Please be sure to leave an email address for easy contact.

For additional entries:
Be sure to leave an email address
*Visit Chrissy at Life as a CEO and enter her giveaway for today.
*Blog about this giveaway and come back to leave me a link.
* Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway then leave me a link.
* Follow Life in the BAT Cave through google friend connect


This giveaway is open to US residents until May 8. One winner will be randomly chosen and posted on Sunday, May 9.

Don't forget to visit yesterday's key wristlet giveaway!

May is for Mom Giveaway Party....Key Wristlet

We are on day 6 of our giveaway party!  Today I have a great giveaway for anyone who strugles to keep track of their keys.  TJB Inspired sent me a Wristlet Fabric Key Fob to try out and another one to give to one of my readers.  This key wristlet is great for those of you with large purses or diaper bags and for those of you who hate carrying a purse.  Just attach this key fob to your key wring and keep track of your keys.

Enter to Win!
Please be sure to leave an email for easy contact

Visit TJB Inspired and have a look around at the fabulous items in her shop. Come back and tell me what else you'd love to have.

For additional entries:
please leave a separate comment for each entry and an email

*Visit Chrissy and enter today's giveaway.  Come back and let me know.
*Blog about this giveaway.  Come back and leave me a link.
*Follow Life in the BAT Cave
*Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway
*Become a Facebook Fan

This giveaway is open to US residents until Saturday, May 8.  One winner will be announced Sunday, May 9. 

Don't forget to enter yesterday's oven mitt giveaway.

May is for Mom Giveaway Party....Oven Mitt

Today's giveaway is from Pritchke Shop.  They feature beautiful crochet items such as scarves, hats, coffee cozies and more.  They sent me a coffee cozy to try out.

The coffee cozies are great to leave in your car.  When you are going through the drive through at your favorite coffee joint for your "fix" you have something to wrap around your hot cup.

For one of you I have an Oven Mitt.

Enter to Win!

Please be sure to leave an email for easy contact

Visit Pritchke and take a look around.  Tell me what else you like.

For additional entries:

Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each and an email

*Visit Chrissy and enter today's giveaway.  Come back and tell me.

*Blog about this giveaway. Come back and leave me a link.

*Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.  Leave me a link.

*Follow Life in the BAT Cave.

This contest is open to US residents until Saturday, May 8.  One winner will be announced on Sunday,May 9.

Don't forget to enter yesterday's checkbook cover giveaway! 

May is for Mom Giveaway Party...Checkbook Cover

Are we up to day 3 in our giveaway party already?  Be sure to check out the last 2 fabulous prizes and check back every day for more great items!  Have you been over to Chrissy's site yet?  She has 7 additional prizes for you to win!

Today I'd like to introduce you to O.C. Styles featuring handcrafted gifts and accessories.  They were nice enough to send me a checkbook cover for myself.  It is beuatiful, well crafted, and I love the bright, fun pattern of the fabric.  I have one to share with one of my lucky readers!

Enter to Win!

Be sure to leave an email address for easy contact

Tell me what the first check you will be writing out is for!

For additional entries:

Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and an email address

*Visit Chrissy at Life as a CEO and enter today's giveaway.  Come back and let me know.

*Blog about this giveaway.  Come back and leave me a link.

*Grab my button for your site!  Come back and leave me a link.

This giveaway is open to US residents until Saturday, May 8.  One winner will be announced on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9. 

Don't forget to enter yesterday's necklace giveaway.

May is for Mom Giveaway Party...Family Necklace

For my second giveaway in this great giveaway party I'd like to introduce you to etsy shop Addie Rose Jewelry.  This shop carries beautiful personalized handstamped sterling silver jewelry. 

They were nice enough to send me my very own necklace which I absolutely adore.  I squealed with delight when I first opened it and have worn it almost every single day since.  It goes with almost everything!  I get complements on it every time I wear it and everyone wants to know where I've gotten it from.  I'm thrilled to be able to offer one of my readers the same necklace, only personalized for you. 

Isn't it beautiful? 

To enter this giveaway:

Please be sure to leave me an email for easy contact

Visit Addie Rose Jewelry and have a look around.  Come back and tell me what else you love!

For additional entries:

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and an email address for easy contact

*Visit Life as a CEO and enter Chrissy's giveaway for today.  Be sure to come back and let me know.

*Blog about this giveaway.  Come back and leave me a link.

*Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway.

*Follow my blog

This contest is open to US residents until Saturday, May 8.  One winner will be announced on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9.

Don't forget to visit yesterday's Apron giveaway.

May is for Mom Giveaway Party... Apron

Welcome to the kickoff of our May is for Mom Giveaway Party!  For our first item I'd like to introduce you to etsy shop Quilt A Treasure where you will find adorable aprons, baby quilts, quilts and skirts.  Quilt a Treasure was kind enough to participate in our party this week and offer one of you this cute apron!

To Enter:

Be sure to leave an email address for easy contact

Tell me what you'd like to cook up in your new apron!

For extra entries:
Be sure to leave a separate comment and an email address for each entry.

*Visit Chrissy over at Life as a CEO and enter her giveaway.  Come back and leave me a message.

*Blog about this giveaway.  Come back and leave a link.
*Visit Quilt a Treasure and tell me what else you like!

*Grab my button for your site.  Come back and leave me a link.

*Follow my blog.

*Become a Facebook Fan of Life in the BAT Cave

This contest is open to US residents until May 8.  One winner will be announced on Sunday, May 9...Mother's Day!