Thursday, February 28, 2008

Infomercial Extravaganza Week 5, plus some exciting news

You all don't know how lucky you are. Not only is it infomercial day over here at "Don't Give Him Crackers," but I also have some exciting links!

Let's start with the links.

I am now blogging twice a week (typically Mondays and Wednesdays) here. Today is the first day this site is up and running. Go check it out, especially all you local moms! (Edit again: The link is working now.)

And don't think that's all, I found my new favorite website. If you are a CVS fan, go here, NOW! Stop everything you are doing, it's important!


Finally, today's infomercial fun. This is a commercial which is shown during actual waking hours, so I'm sure many of you have seen it. I also blogged about it last year, here!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Spring Fever


I was suckered into purchasing some tulips at the grocery store a few days ago (they were on sale post Valentine's day). I'm a definite sucker for tulips. They are my absolute favorite flower. I love their beautiful colors and simplicity.

I have stared at these flowers as they sit on the top of my entertainment center for the past 2 days. I am so in love with them. I can't explain it...I just can't take my eyes off of the 5 pink flowers. I am certain that they will soon begin to brown and wilt; however, I am encouraged to know that soon tulips will blossom throughout the area as Spring comes rolling into town.

I can't wait to take my annual drive through the local cemetery and look at the thousands of tulips and beautiful flowers.

I need warm weather and fast!

Monday, February 25, 2008

Down she goes

The weather has been icy around us recently. My clumsy nature and icy weather do not go hand in hand. Naturally, I experienced my annual ice related fall a few weeks ago.

I work near a convenience store, which my co-workers and I frequent often. We often will walk to the store to grab a Diet Coke or other goodies. So often, we have put in specific requests for certain baked chips and are on first name basis with the staff at "the store," as we affectionately call it.

No matter what the weather holds, we are "regulars" at The Store. (I'm certain you know where this is going...but hang with me here.) Thus, one recent snowy, icy day a co-worker and I trekked up the small hill (ok, really a low grade incline) to The Store. We purchased our daily Diet Cokes and baked chips and were on the way back to our office when the inevitable happened.

I fell.

However, it was not just any fall, it was a classic Jessica fall. We had to walk down the incline back to the office and before I knew it my feet slid on ice and I was on the ground.

I fell so quickly I barely had time to realize what happened. I fell on my rear end and was free of injury (except for a nagging pain I had for the following 2 days); however, the fall did not fair as well to my Diet Coke and chips.





Yes, I did take pictures of my cup. What can I say? I'm a dedicated blogger! There was no other way to explain how the cup cracked without showing you.

Not only did the cup break in half, without the lid falling off, but my chip bag popped. You know the sound, the loud POP which happens when a bag full of air is smashed together.

My co-worker and I laughed for nearly 10 minutes after the fall...especially when we remembered the sound effects the chip bag provided for the impact fall. I don't just fall, but I provide my own sound effects. Now that is talent!

I will definitely be investing in a snowmobile or a good pair of snow boots before next winter!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

It's almost Monday

Today has been an interesting day. It did not flow like a typical Sunday at our home. I worked an overnight shift at work so I returned home at 8:15 a.m. and Donnie reported that Hoss woke up at 5:30 and had been awake since.

Poor Donnie!

While I was showering for church Hoss fell asleep. We decided we would drive seperately and I would go on to church alone so I could teach my Sunday School class. Donnie and Hoss arrived in time for church; however, Hoss was not in a good mood. Donnie had to wake him up after a 2 hour nap to get to church and Hoss was not so happy about that. Thus, he hung out wiht me instead of going to his class.

Due to the early morning nap, Hoss was not interested in an afternoon nap. So I fought through my desire (and need) for one and we played, played and played some more. Ok, really what happened was Hoss threw puzzles on the floor and refused to put them back together so I spent a good part of the afternoon attempting to get him to focus on putting the puzzles back together. Then we watched kiddie videos and try to pass the time.

It was obvious that Hoss was bored so I asked him if he wanted to go out and run a few errands with me. These words actually left his lips, "Yes, I go please."

Folks, I began praising God right there for the miracles of ear tubes! Never in his life has this child actually completed such a sentence. So I bundled him up and Hoss and I ran out to a couple stores. He was remarkably well behaved.

The rest of the evening began to function as normal except the early morning nap started to cause some struggles and dinner was not very peaceful. Let's just say there were some tears, a time out session, and very little eating.

Hoss' ears are doing well, I guess. He seems to be fine. One thing that I did not anticipate after Hoss' ear tubes surgery was the instilling of ear drops. Hoss is not a good patient with anything so when something already hurts a little and then you have to put medicine on it, it's quite a battle.

I was complaining about the trouble we've had with his ear drops to my mom yesterday and she suggested role playing with a toy. It was a perfect idea! She's so smart!

I grabbed a monkey of Hoss' because, well, it was downstairs and close by...it's all about convenience. After a few tries, Hoss is now able to give the monkey ear drops and we count 4 drops, just like Hoss' ear drops. If he sees the monkey sitting somewhere he will grab it and take something and begin to put it in the monkey's ears. However, if I suggest we give the monkey his ear drops Hoss begins to whimper. I guess he is afraid I will put some in his ears next.


(Please ignore the sliding glasses...we are having some issues!)
We still have some struggles when it's time for Hoss to get his ear drops and it takes two of us, but we are making progress. It's a small price to pay for healthy ears!

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Friday, February 22, 2008

All Done!

I tell ya...I worry for nothing!

We headed out the door at 6:20 this morning and we were home at 9:20. No joke. Surgery went great. No complications. Hoss was a bit upset about the entire thing and was rather loud after surgery and on the trip home, but the medicine they gave him kicked in about half way home.

When we got home he ate some Cheerios and is now playing with his new Hot Wheels track Pap just brought over to help speed up the healing process.

Can you believe this is a child who had surgery 2 hours earlier? Hoss still has a nice cough and runny nose, but we are hoping (and praying) that will go away quickly.

Thank you all for praying and being supportive during my week of worry!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Pressing on

Well, the sickness continues with the kiddo. I called the on-call doctor tonight to discuss his tubes surgery tomorrow. He reassured me that unless Hoss has any lung issues (illness) then the surgery can probably go as scheduled.

So we will be braving the slick roads and heading to the hospital at 6:30 tomorrow morning.

Thank you all again for your prayers for us. Please keep them up. Hopefully tomorrow I can post about a successful surgery!

Infomerical Extravaganza, Week 4

Thank you all for your kind words on my last post. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Right now we are playing it by ear and hopefully the weather will hold out as well. It just gets better and better! Worry is my middle name.

In an attempt to get my mind off of the stress here's the weekly Infomercial fun!

I have no words for this one. None at all.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The Fears of a Mommy

My dear internet friends I have a request. My adorable child is sheduled for surgery Friday for tubes in his ears. Today he began to experience a runny nose. I have been looking forward to this surgery because I know that this is something he needs in so many ways. The very thought that he is getting sick and we may have to postpone the surgery is causing me great distress.

Tonight as I sat with Hoss while he was refusing to go to bed I began to pray. I begged and pleaded with God to completely heal Hoss so we can proceed with his surgery Friday. As I began to pray tears began to stream down my face. I want Hoss to be "normal." I want him to be free from illness, free from delays, and a typical two year old.

I've refrained from discussing some of the kiddo's recent trouble, but we have very recently pursued therapies and are currently receiving weekly visits from an occupational therapist and a developmental interventionist. We initial began this process due to a speech delay; however, we postponed any speech therapy due to his upcoming surgery.

I have eased my mind that his surgery will fix many concerns I have. Not everything, we have many steps to make, but I have convinced myself that the tubes will be the beginning of several huge steps.

Thus, today, when the snotty nose started I felt crushed...as if yet another setback is looming over us. I only want Hoss to be healthy. Free from pain, infection, and "normal." I want him to be able to communicate his wants, needs, and feelings with me.

So my request from each of you is to please pray for my baby. Pray that he will miraculously be healed by Friday from any cold, runny nose, or illness. Pray that his surgery will be simple, with no complications, and as scheduled. And if these things are not possible (although I know God can do it!), please pray for me. That I can have an open mind and be able to be flexible with this surgery.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Finally an update!

My lands, where has the day gone. I feel like my days are flying by lately. I can't believe it's already 11p.m. and I haven't posted anything in days. Sorry about that friends!

I guess I caused a little confusion in my last post. I have not completed my editing, but I am going to be changing the kiddo's name to a nickname to prevent any crazies from harming my adorable kiddo. No, I have not had anything which has caused me to make these changes. It's just something I feel like I need to do. For my own personal sanity and for the kid's safety. From this point on the kiddo will be known by "Hoss Cat" or "Hoss." I always called him this when I was pregnant with him and he owned the name when he was born weighing 10lb 5oz. I am still editing and I have several more posts to go, so please hang tight while I finish those.

Ok, I began this post to show you how our Valentine's celebration went. Unfortunately my hasty picture taking caused some blurry pictures, but we had fun anyway.

I pulled out a table cloth and used Fiestaware dishes and candle holders (which I had never used) for the celebration. Donnie and I also drank our diet drinks from goblets, these are not pictured.

The pizza was delish! I will definitely return to Papa Murphy's and get some more pizza! Here's the heart shape pepperoni pizza we had.

And here's the not-so-heart-shaped chocolate chip cookie, which was heavenly!

I returned to my office at work on Thursday and found these on my desk.

It was quite a pleasant surprise. Donnie dropped them off while I was out of the office. I wish I had been there, but I was still surprised nonetheless!

I hope you each had a great V-day. Our's was fabulous!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

I am going to be doing some editing, changing some names and other info to make my life a little more confidential. This may cause old posts to show up on blog readers, so don't be alarmed at the number of posts from me.

Hopefully I will have a new post up and ready Monday evening.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Infomerical Extravaganza, Week 3

Welcome to Week 3 of this yet to be named weekly infomercial post here at "Don't Give Him Crackers." The creative juices have not started flowing yet, so I am not sure of a title of these weekly posts. If your creative juices are flowing feel free to post your ideas in the comments.

So, without further ado, here is this week's infomercial humor. I don't think it needs an introduction.

Rejuvenique Electric Facial

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Just a quick update...

In case you forgot, and if you did then my silence worked, I am attempting to live a healthier lifestyle, or LOSE SOME OF THIS CRAZY WEIGHT!

Well, I have now been without a Pepsi for nearly 5 weeks and am attempting to work out 3 days a week after work as well as eat healthier. All of this has helped lead up to a weight loss total so far of...

12 POUNDS!

At least that is the total based on my little cheap scale I have at home. Maybe I am actually making a difference...we shall see.

My next adventure is applying for Biggest Loser. A co-worker and I are seriously planning on making a video tape to audition. Wish us luck!!!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Our frugal Valentine's Day celebrations!

Well, the stomach crud has left us. Around noon yesterday my stomach said, "I've had enough!" and it kicked the crud's rear end and I have felt wonderful since.

Since I am so much better I am back in the blogging business! While catching up on some blogs I saw a wonderful carnival at Money Saving Mom so I decided to participate!

Crystal is hosting a Frugal Valentine's Day carnival and since I'm learning to be frugal I have planned a nice, cheap V-day celebration at our house.

We are trying a new "to go" restaurant (if you can call it that) here in town, Papa Murphy's Pizza. This is a chain that prepares pizzas to your liking and lets you take them home and cook them. And guess what they have on Valentine's Day...heart shaped pizzas! I'm all about that. These are only $6.99 and if you go to their website and sign up for their e-club you get a $2 off coupon emailed to you. That would make it, $4.99! So I plan to go grab this pizza on my way home Thursday.

But that's not all. I am also going to attempt to make a heart shaped cookie. A big one. I purchased some cookie dough on sale(I'm not quite the great cook, so I am not ambitious enough to make this from scratch).

That will be our Valentine's Day family celebration, all for the price of $6.50! I may pull out some candles and fancy up the table if I feel like getting all crazy like that.

One thing that I don't plan to do this year, but I have done in the past is to create a scavenger hunt. On our first Valentine's day together I made a scavenger hunt which Donnie had to follow around my small one bedroom apartment to find the next clue. Each clue had a small gift (a piece of candy, a homemade card, etc) at that place. It was fun and cute...and so romantical (yes, it's a word!). I guess I'm not romantical anymore, since I have no desire to go through the trouble to do that this year! Oh well!

Don't forget to go check out the other frugal V-day posts...click here!

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Who was I kidding?

How could I possibly not catch the stomach virus after spending Thursday night constantly cleaning up a child's projectile bodily fluids.

Oh, it's awful.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Better, but bored with Mommy's movie choices

The sickness is mostly over for Hoss. He still has not quite gained his appetite back, but the gross bodily functions have ceased. At this moment, neither Donnie nor I have acquired the illness and we are praying that we won't.

Hoss has been adjusting to his bed quite nicely lately. The illness seems to have helped. Thursday night he fell asleep on the couch curled up beside me. He was exhausted from the Hurling Olympics he had participated in and collapsed. A little over an hour later he woke up, stumbled around like a zombie and walked upstairs to his bedroom where he laid down on his bed and slept. He ended up in bed with me, but it was so precious to see him go to bed on his own. Let's hope he hasn't inherited the sleep walking gene, though.

Friday he did the same with nap time. About an hour before his regular naptime I guess he had enough. He walked right up the steps and laid down on his bed and fell asleep.

Last night and today's naptime did not go quite as smoothly. A definite sign that he is feeling better!

Since the illness was improved today I decided to look through and organize our videos. I found a few home videos that I have not watched before. One of those was our wedding video. Yes, it's true, this was the first time I have ever watched the video. I don't think I got the video for several months after we were married and by that point I was 7 or 8 months pregnant. After all, 10 months and one day after our wedding, Hoss was born (the same day my wedding photographer called to let me know my pictures were in, how ironic). We all know how busy a new mom is...watching the wedding video was the last thing on my mind.

So today Hoss and I watched it while Donnie was at work. Hoss was rather bored and kept trying to push all the buttons on any remote he could find to change the channel. It didn't work and I watched the entire video, my favorite part was after we walked down the aisle as husband and wife and I begged Donnie at the back of the church to take my shoes off. Oh, those darn shoes were so uncomfortable!

This evening all three of us watched home video of 2 baby showers and Hoss in the hospital up to a few weeks old. It was hard to believe that he was so little...yet not so little. I loved listening to the commentary from my family members as they watched the nurses weigh, measure and clean Hoss up in the nursery after his birth. Statements like, "22 inches! AND 10 pounds! He's definitely going to be a football player" were made constantly.

Hoss found this video to be much more interesting. He recognized lots of voices and kept staring closely to the TV. I found this video to be much more emotional. I believe it made my biological clock tick a little louder. Hoss definitely needs a little brother or sister. God is in control of that one!

Friday, February 8, 2008

Sickness is Among Us

Although we have avoided it as best as possible, illness has invaded our home.

A couple of our family members had the stomach virus last week. Last night, the poor 2 year old "caught" the bug too.

Since 5 p.m. last night we have each been through 4 pairs of clothes/pajamas. That's 4 pairs for Hoss AND 4 pairs for ME!

Donnie is not a fan of "gross" bodily fluids, remember this? Although, I think I can say I am not a fan, but I can handle it much better. That being the case, I have been the one who has scrubbed carpet twice and chased a 2 year old with a bowl in my hands while he spewed from the mouth.

Poor baby. Right now he is sleeping, something that was sporadic throughout the night.

Let's hope this doesn't spread to Donnie and me; however, I'm not holding my breath...but I am holding a bowl very close.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

I'm thinking that I may have to check into this entreprenial thing!

I have become addicted to finding funny infomercials. My husband has a difficult time sleeping so he will often stay up and watch crazy infomercials at 2a.m. He is my source for lots of humorous You Tube finds.

Since I posted about this infomercial last week, I thought I should start a regular Thursday event here at "Don't Give Him Crackers!" Each Thursday I will share another infomercial, which makes us say, "Who thinks up this stuff and how do I get a patent?" (That's about the best I can do for a catchy slogan).

Today I have another clip from the Ellen Degeneres show. When I was on maternity leave with my son I fell in love with this show. Unfortunately my current work scheduled does not allow me to watch the show now and I miss it! (Side note, if anyone from the Ellen Show reads this and would like, please feel free to send free tickets (plane and show tickets) to me! Trust me I'm gonna enter this contest!)

Alright, enough rambling. Here is today's infomercial hysteria.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

3 pine trees and a strong storm equals...



My parents experienced some damage to their home last night during the storms which went through the area. Luckily no one was hurt; however, three pine trees did fall on their back porch, fence and roof of their family room. There was some water damage to the family room due to a hole in the roof caused by one of the trees.

The trees were uprooted and possibly a result of a confirmed F2 tornado which touched down a mile from their home.

I live an hour east of my parents and we did not experience such damage at my home and I, of course, slept through the entire storm. All of it, the screeching winds, thunder, lightning, all of it! Donnie did not and I'm sure would have woke me if needed, that is if he could wake me!

Tonight we are praising God for the safety of our family and insurance!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

It was a success!

We pulled it off. This past weekend my sister and I threw a surprise 50th birthday celebration for my parents, who both turn 50 this year.

Well, my dad knew about it, but he was under the impression that it was for my mom only. Although, he assumed we could not just do that, so we added him to the celebration as well.

My mom was surprised.

We held the party at my parents' house with the help of our aunts. We took Mom and Dad to lunch for their birthdays and when we returned to their home 50+ people were there to celebrate.

I nearly blew the surprise. Not because I said anything about the party or spilled the suitcase of decorations, but because I made the bed. Yes, that's right, I made a bed. Before lunch I decided to clean up the room where I slept the night before since guests would be in and out of the house and the room would probably be used for coats, etc. The problem, my mom say me do it.

I am not one who typically will make a bed, I mean, why should I? I'm just going to sleep in it again the next night. Thus, when I began to make the bed Saturday morning, my mom was in shock! I told her I was turning over a new leaf. She said it made her wonder, but she didn't think much else about it.

Needless to say, Mom was shocked about the party. Dad wasn't as shocked, but was pleasantly surprised to be included, maybe, he did threaten us not to celebrate his birthday, but as you can tell, we don't listen very well.

It was a fun event, memories made, and great visiting with friends and family we don't see often!

Monday, February 4, 2008

Help from above

I have always joked about how "dead" I sleep. I talk in my sleep, hence the name of this blog, and have even talked to people on the phone in my sleep. Apparently I can also get up, walk around my home and be very angry in my sleep.

A few nights ago Hoss woke up in the middle of the night. Donnie said I started yelling, "Shut Up!" to Hoss, who was in his bedroom. Donnie got up and took care of Jake, but that did not satisfy me. I was rude to Donnie telling him I could handle the situation because, "I'M HIS MOTHER!"

Only I couldn't handle it...I was asleep. Even though my eyes were open, I made eye contact with Donnie and spoke to him, I was asleep. He said he even asked me if I was awake, as this has become a more regular occurence in recent months, and I said, "OF COURSE I'M AWAKE."

What's worse...is that I remembered none of this. I hate that I yelled at my family, but I was not in control. I have not encountered this problem since this occurence; however, I think I scared my poor baby to death. The next morning at 6 a.m. I heard Hoss awake in his room talking so I went to check on him and he was laying on the floor with his pillow and blanket beside the baby gate. How sad, he didn't cry or ask for Mommy because I scared him the night before.

Now, I add an extra request in my nightly prayers, if Hoss needs me in the middle of the night that I will totally wake up and handle the situation calmly.

Asking God for help with my parenting is something new for me. I know it seems like a "duh!", but it's not something I've done much.

The day after the night time trauma I was getting frustrated with Hoss because he would not go to sleep and I could feel my frustration coming on. I nearly lost my temper. I caught myself and prayed. Wouldn't you know that as soon as I ended my prayer I began to sing "Jesus Love Me" to Hoss. A song I always sang to him when he was an infant as I rocked him to sleep. He was asleep within 2 minutes.

God answered my prayer and He continues to. I just hope he doesn't want me to have a sleep study done because that I'm not so sure about that!

Friday, February 1, 2008

And the winner is...

I have stopped comments on my giveaway a few minutes early. I have a busy weekend so I wanted to go ahead and get it done today.

Thanks to everyone who participated! I had fun, hope you enjoyed it too!

Now, for the winner (chose by random.org)....Drum Roll Please!

#31 -- Michelle at Life's Accidental Journey

Congrats Michelle!