I believe we have an identity crisis on our hands

My office space has recently moved.

We are located in an older shopping center area and our company owns half of the center, where our offices are located. Recently, we have expanded our office and added a small office space adjacent to the building we own.

This space has been many different businesses over the past five years including a used bookstore and most recently a Mexican Restaurant. When the restaurant closed our company recognized the need to expand our office and began to rent this location. I was honored enough to get to move my office to the new location.

There is only one problem (or maybe 2)...the Mexican Restaurant sign is still above our doors. This leads to numerous people stopping in each week looking for some yummy chips and salsa. I am definitely a fan of such appetizers, but sorry, we don't specialize in such at our business.

I wish that this was our only problem, but apparently our company's name is similar to a local bar in town and we are listed as this bar in the yellow pages.

I received a call a couple weeks ago and the person inquired on when the male revue would be. I have to say this was the first call I have ever received asking for such and I have to say I was rather amused. I wish I could say this was the last call we have received asking for this service, but apparently, the bar with the similar name is in high demand.

Thus, our company (which has nothing to do with either male shows or food service) has an identity crisis.

I wonder what we will be tomorrow.

I'm ranting...beware!

Ok, I have become so incredibly frustrated with this subject, I decided the only way to get it off my mind is to blog about it. So, that's why I'm here tonight...ready to blog about my HORRIBLE cell phone service!

I was formerly a Cingular customer. I have been for five years and I had excellent service. I could probably count the number of dropped calls I had on one hand. It was incredible! Their commercials on TV were accurate, they really did have outstanding service.

A few months ago AT&T took over Cingular and since then my service has been much less than spectacular. I have had numerous dropped calls, more than I can count on all my fingers and toes!

What I hate, is that AT&T is using Cingular's advertisements and slogans to promote themselves, but IT'S NOT TRUE! False advertising if you ask me.

I attempted to contact AT&T through email last week and all I got was an automated response. I tried to respond to that email and I got another response telling me that I can't contact them using email, yada, yada.

Yes, I can change companies, but I currently have a contact and to get out of that I may have to give a kidney or my left lung, but honestly, I'd rather just suffer with bad cell phone service until my contract is up and I can switch.

I would give my tonsils AND adenoids or my appendix though...I wonder if that would work...hmmm....

When in doubt, posting about your kid works!

My brain is still spinning with work crud. I am so completely overwhelmed I'm not sure I'm gonna make it. Ok, I'll make it, I always do, but it still is not fun!

Since I am not able to think of anything else, here's a quick adorable story about my adorable little red headed toddler! I love him! Enjoy...and feel free to comment on just how adorable he is, I don't mind!

Last night, we had a Back to School meal at church, complete with a Mexican food menu, yum! After the meal the adults held a prayer circle around the kids to pray for the school year. In order to do this, all the kids had to stand in the middle of the circle while the adults stood around them forming a circle.

I let Jake stand at my feet, hoping he would stand still for the few minutes it took for the prayer circle. I'm not sure I know what I was thinking...there is not many a toddler who will stand still for even 10 seconds, let alone 4 minutes.

Practically immediately after the prayer circle began, Jake decided to take a walk outside the circle. I was fine with that and I watched him out of the corner of my semi-closed eyes. My nephew (who is 10 months older than Jake) decided he did not like this and left the prayer circle, yelling, "STOP JAKE!"

This is when I left the prayer circle to separate the two and direct them back into the circle. Jake was fine with this and decided to walk around the inside of the circle. I was fine with this, after all, I was able to better keep an eye on him this way.

Near the end of the prayer time Jake rounds the circle, spots me and yells, "HI MOMMY!"

Aw, I couldn't have been prouder!

My week in review...oh so interesting!

So, I'm exhausted and glad it's Friday night.

This week I have taken on a new work assignment that has caused me to become insanely stressed out, already, and it's only the first week...there are several more to come.

The work assignment would be fine, but I have a problem...I'm a control freak. I'd say I'm a perfectionist, but really I'm not, I would just like if everyone did things the exact same way I do them, because then I'd know everything was done right and efficiently.

But, life isn't perfect, and neither am I...so instead I just become insanely stressed out and freak out about how I can get ALL THIS WORK DONE!

I can't leave work behind too much this weekend because I am working two extra shifts this weekend so I can ensure we are financially able to pay someone to watch Jake for a few weeks while my mother-in-law recovers from surgery.

It won't be rough work, but it's work. However, these shifts are overnights, so Jake should not know that I am not home and I won't miss out on any cuteness...or, as the way things were tonight, the whining and crankiness. Darn colds, they make those kiddos so grumpy!

So there's my update for the week. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch up and get my brain organized so I can post something worthwhile soon!

Have a great weekend everyone!

It's all in the description...

You never know what you are going to find on ebay. I love to find those fun things, like the grilled cheese sandwich with Jesus' face or the potato chip with the impression of Elvis, you know, all those important things! Today, I found this for sale. It's not the item I love, it's the descripton. So go check it out...all you moms, you will enjoy it!

And if you are crafty, which I am not, here is another item from the same seller, which is just as original!

If you want to find out more about the seller, go here and visit her, cause you had to know she has a blog!

Funny, Funny

Go visit Becca here and watch the video. It's hysterical, I love it!

Ah Ha! I have succeeded!

I love HGTV, TLC, A&E, and any show which is reality based and focuses on home remodeling or decorating.

If I had a choice I would watch House Hunters all day long, with a little house flipping in between.

I confess, I am an addict.

It's a problem, but the first step is admitting, and here I am to admit my addiction.

Lately I have turned hubby into a fan.

Okay, he's not as much of a fan as I am, but I have sparked his interested in at least one show in particular, If Walls Could Talk.

I think the history buff in him leads his interested in this show, which focuses on items found in historic homes when they were remodeled.

I just love the fact that he wants to watch HGTV with me. At least at 7 p.m. on week nights!

Now, if only I can convince him that Top Chef is just as interesting!

Still no sleeping! *Updated!*

Well, last night I heard mister Jake awake in his room talking and the music on his aquarium attached to the crib playing at 2:30 a.m., 4 a.m. and hubby said he heard him around 5:15 a.m. I finally rolled out of bed myself around 6:30 a.m. and he was very chipper!

I guess I can't complain that I have a child who can entertain himself for hours on end alone, in his crib, without crying.

But I think I do have the right to complain that he is STILL NOT NAPPING! My husband called his mom while on his lunch break today and Jake was wide awake and playing, in the crib. She had put him down about 30 minutes prior to Donnie calling to check on him.

But when she did check on him he needed a diaper change so to speak, so maybe he will go to sleep once he gets that taken care of.

*sigh* It's going to be a long weekend!

WE HAVE SLEEP! HE TOOK A 2 HOUR NAP TODAY AND JUST WENT TO BED AT 9 TONIGHT!

HELP!!!

We have a problem and I need help!

The youngest member of this family, you know the red headed 22 month old, he won't take a nap! Ever!

He used to be such a great napper and sleeper, until 2 weeks ago. When I took a week of work to stay at home and hang out with said red headed toddler, I greatly enjoyed the 2-3 hour naps each afternoon. However, when Jake returned to his regular routine the following week, he refused to nap.

Now Jake loves his time alone. He will sit in the crib and play for hours, but no sleep.

Let me tell you, this has resulted in the most cranky child come 6 p.m. Which, in turn, makes mommy cranky, which can make daddy cranky, and then just makes the child more cranky.

So right now, we are a bunch of cranky people.

Last night Jake went to bed at 7:15. And slept until 6:30 this morning. Today, he went to bed at 6:15, just minutes after he fell asleep in his high chair while eating dinner. I only hope he's not awake before 5 a.m. because I am pretty sure cranky mommy will be returning at that time of the morning!

So what can we do to fix this? I wish I knew.

One thing I do know, nap time better return soon!

Works for Me Wednesday -- Children's Books

If you are a regular reader of my blog you know that my son loves to read. Recently we discovered one of the cutest children's books, Llama Llama Red Pajama.

The concept of this book is about a "baby llama" who is frightened that his "mama llama" is gone after he goes to bed. He yells for his mama and she does not immediately come to his bedroom to check on him and this causes him to panic.

The book is extremely cute and has fun rhymes such as "llama drama."

The author has recently released a second book about baby llama, Llama Llama Mad at Mama, which is a lesson in behaving while shopping with your mama.

We plan on getting that book soon.

Thanks for visiting the Reading Rainbow corner and feel free to visit Shannon for more Works for Me Wednesday tips!

Not exactly the thought I had....

Last night as I was sorting Jacob's clothes before I washed them, I found an Ernie doll, a plastic wrestler, and a ladder from a toy fire truck in the laundry basket. Obviously, a rambunctious toddler had put these items in the basket.

As I pulled them all out I showed Donnie the findings. He immediately said, "I guess Ernie and the wrestler were having a ladder match."

*Sigh* Wrestling does take over way too much of our lives.

Hey Southpaws, it's OUR day!

Yep, that's right, today is the day that honors all of us in our right mind! The lefthanders!

It's International Lefthander's Day! (I'm not joking!)

I am proud to be a lefty! So proud I married a lefty. I watch Jake every day and hope he is a lefty!

I love it!

Why yes, we are a minority. We have to adapt to the ways of the righthanded world from computer mice to scissors to can opener to pencil sharpeners. It can be rough! We are permanently called "lefty" and often are clumsy when we have to do thing righthanded.

I actual completed a report in high school about lefthandedness. It was very interesting. That is when I learned about today's holiday.

I held a party once to celebrate. I invited all my friends and everyone had to sign in with their left hand (and if they were left handed with their right). I'm not sure what happened to that sign in sheet...I need to look for it.

I'm not throwing a party today, but I'll celebrate in my heart anyway!

Happy Lefthander's Day everyone!

I could be wealthy!

Apparently my blog is worth a lot more than I knew!

My blog is worth $101,617.20.
How much is your blog worth?

If anyone is interested in purchasing this blog for the amount above please send me a certified check for the full amount and it's all yours!

He just wants to watch a movie!

I was just rather humored by hubby's side of the conversation I heard just a few minutes ago as he spoke to his dad on the phone.

"No! Change the channel on the TV."

"Ok, now push the down button on the remote."

"What does the screen have on it now?"

"Put down the cable box remote and get the tv remote!"

"Now push the down button on it, keep pushing it, go down one more channel, there..."

Aw, isn't technology great!

It's a TV! For Free!

Ok...my greediness got the best of me!

5 Minutes for Moms is having a contest and is giving away a 37in LCD PLASMA TV!!!

Yes, you read that right! A TV!!! And a new one and a nice one...and I think it even has COLOR!

So go here for you chance to win, but know I'm feeling lucky!

And you can also visit Best Buy, cause they are the great sponsor of this freebie. So if you are enamoured with the beautiful TV and have a few extra hundred dollars (ha! ha!) then go get ya one! But wait until after the contest is over on August 17, 2007!

Works for me Wednesday -- Shout it out!

My son is a messy eater. He is constantly getting food on his clothing, even when he is wearing a bib. I believe that is his goal during most meals! And if you know me in the world outside of blogging, I don't want any comments on how this could be genetic or anything!

Since he is such a messy eater we had several shirts and even pants which were stained beyond repair. Or so I thought!

I have used Dreft spray on his clothes in the past, but this was not getting out the spaghetti stains or any stains really. So a few weeks ago I decided to purchase Shout!

I used it that day to wash Jake's clothes. I sprayed all the clothes which were stained, which I believe were ALL of them and then I allowed them to sit and soak in the Shout for about 30-45 minutes.

Then I washed them and voila! they were clean. He had a couple of shirts which had dried in stains...ones which did not come out the first time around and had been thrown in the dryer. Those stains were even removed.

Trust me, I will now be using Shout on all of his clothes.

Shout! works for me! For more Works for Me Wednesday tips visit Shannon!

Thanks for visiting...hope you stick around!

Lately I have been very amused with the google searches which have landed people on my blog. I've been contemplating a blog on this for quite a while, but when I saw, this one, "arbys where's the beef" I decided it was time to finish that blog! Then I saw this one, "arbys roast beef pregnant," which I believe landed on my blog due to a comment from the original arbys post. Thanks for the inadvertent blog traffic qtpies7! :)

Of course my blog gets several hits looking for things such as "Target and any form of Target and coupon, Kandoo coupons, Pampers Coupons," "printable $5 target pampers," and "CVS ECB." If you are here looking for those things, click on the links or check out my button on the side for Vickys Deals and go get you some deals! :)

I have also become an expert in oil changes. HA! HA! I have received plenty of hits on the blog for "how to change oil." Sorry folks, you're at the wrong place if you are looking for that. But if you are looking for "chevron oil change coupon," or "valvoline oil change" I might know a little bit of something about that!

And to the person who asked "what rodents like chocolate?" I have an answer, the one that was in my kitchen! Apparently the person who was looking for "sonic rodent" was either looking for one of these or this little guy.

If you want a "clock that shows the innerworkings" here's one for you, but beware, toddlers are not fans of said clock!

If you want to calm down the toddler, especially during nap time, then a "crib aquarium" is for you.

Or if you need a break from the toddler and you live in Lexington, KY and are looking for "dinner and movie in Lexington, KY" you have most definitely visited my blog. I think I might contact them to get a portion of their proceeds since I have apparently recommended them to nearly every person in Lexington!

If you ever want to know the mystery of "Supposedly or Supposebly" your guess is as good as mine! I'm not much help, but thanks for visiting!

But if you want to hear a funny song or two, perhaps a "funny iowa song" or "funny nascar songs" you have found the right place!

This post, caught some rather random searches, "pedicure song," "classic country blog," and "pedicure ticklish."

If you are still with me after all this linkage, here are a few more fun ones!

baby shower envelope games

west virginia pepperoni roll recipe, well, it's mine anyway!

I need to brush my teeth

1 year birthday cupcake


Jake and Gigi (which in actuality is a jewelry website).

It's my blog and I can brag if I want to!

As I have said before Jake is an avid reader!

His favorite toy is a book, or lots of them.

Tonight before he went to bed I stacked up all of the books he had pulled out in the last hour. There were about 24 out.

(he is approaching the stack fast, it toppled over about 10 seconds after this picture was snapped)

An hour later there were at least 30 or more books out. We keep a large supply of books in our living room so Jake can read anytime he wants. Plus he has just as many in his bedroom, which I believe are all on the floor right now. He has something against anything staying on a shelf.

And he will read, all by himself. He will sit down with a book, open all the pages and tell the story, aloud, to himself. I love watching him.

He will leave several books on the coffee table, couch, fireplace, floor, open to a page. He will never close the books and often will leave 4-5 books out on the coffee table open to a specific page.

If you look closely on this book you can see 3 books on the table behind him open.

For some reason, Jake thinks that I am the only person in the house who knows how to ACTUALLY read a book. He will not ever take a book to Donnie to read, but will always bring me books, upon books to read.

He will grab my hand, open it, and then shove the book in my hand.

I'm glad he's a reader and loves books. I think it makes him "smart." I love watching him build his imagination!

I hope this phase never ends.

Aquarium Fun!

I love this picture! If you look close you can see a shark coming right up to the window to see Jake and Donnie.

One of Jake's favorite activities was playing the drums at one of the exhibits. I think we may have a future percussionist!

Oh Rhonda...you've got mail!

Rhonda must have moved with us.

At our last home, we received mail for Rhonda, who also had our last name. I would continuously indicate on the mail that Rhonda did not live at our address; however, we continued to get her mail.

I even called the post office three times and we still got Rhonda's mail. Usually it was just her junk mail.

Thursday we got another piece of junk mail for Rhonda. AT OUR NEW ADDRESS!!

I can't believe that Rhonda moved with us!

This time it was a Lillian Vernon catalog.

And today we got another similar catalog, for Rhonda!

I guess when I completed our change of address for Jessica and Donnie, somehow Rhonda's name jumped on there too.

Although I don't believe I put it there.

Rhonda, whoever you are, if you want your Lillian Vernon magazine you probably need to check with the post office.

My lessons of the week

My brain is not allowing me to coordinate a nice planned out post today, so here is a list of things I have learned this week (while I am on vacation being a SAHM and teaching VBS).

1. My life is dictated by Jake's nap time. We have to be home by 1 p.m. or else trouble starts brewing. Plus, I can sit down, watch TLC and blog. Or I can nap myself.

2. Getting up at 8 a.m., even when I don't have to, keeps me motivated and moving for the rest of the day.

3. After standing in line at Macys for 10 minutes with a cranky toddler who is ready for nap time can lead to discovering new games that make said toddler laugh (like reclining the seat of the stroller so he "falls").

4. Having two carseats in the back of my car makes me nervous (I am taking my nephew to VBS this week).

5. I absolutely love the feeling of having little stress since I'm not at work, where it appears the majority of my stress comes.

6. When my little man wakes up at 11:20 p.m. experiencing a night terror, which lasts for over 30 minutes of pure screaming, the only thing that will calm him down is to turn on "Family Guy." It works like a charm (we have used it more than once to calm him down during night terrors).

7. When the little man experiences a night terror and ends up sleeping in bed with me, the next morning feels like I never went to sleep...I'm exhausted!

8. And my favorite, VBS and PMS do not mix!

Works for Me Wednesday -- Trusting your instinct with medical issues

Today's Works for Me Wednesday Theme is Parenting Advice. I was not planning on posting as I have only been at this motherhood thing for barely 22 months, but as I was reading some of the other posts of great advice I thought of something, so here goes!

One thing that I have found helpful is to always trust my instinct, that motherly instinct is often right. This has been especially important for us when dealing with doctors.

Jacob's peditrician is fabulous and listens to all of my concerns with great care; however, when he wanted to wait and see how Jake's torticollis worked itself out or to wait and see how his head shaped, I felt that waiting was not the best answer.

So, being the cowardly self I am, I left the appointments waiting, thought to myself about what the doctor said, researched on the internet about specific things and then called when I had a concern that waiting was not the best answer. The doctor was always responsive to my concerns and referred us to the next step along the path of treatment.

I may or may not have been right. We could have waited to start physical therapy or waited and avoided unnecessary other appointments, but it comforted me to know that something was happening and at least we had other opinions and solutions.

This also proved true when Jake needed glasses. I recognized that he would not make eye contact when he was up close and low and behold he needed glasses.

So, don't be afraid to speak up. Trust your instincts. You are your childrens' number one advocate, they rely on you.

For more Parenting Advice visit Rocks in My Dryer.