Friday, June 18, 2010

Saturday Stumbles

I came across some great blogs this week. Here are some of my favorites:

Makeover Momma : I've actually been a follower for awhile but just got into the blog. Maybe it's because I was recently a winner of two full size bottles of Skin Authority products. Who doesn't love winning awesome new stuff? She has a weekly video chat where she goes over a them for each week. Love it! She also hosts Makeover Madness Parties
. You purchase one item off a list and you get tons of products back. You can be a hostess and have your friends join you or you can join someone else's party. Each person has to just purchase one product. I'm actually hoping to join in one for June.

My other favorite of the week is Harpers Happenings. Mandy writes about her daughter and everyday family life. Her latest post, an open letter to target is great. It has to describe everyone's relationship to Target. I was laughing out loud as I was reading.

Check out more Saturday Stumbles at It's Come 2 This

A Friday Flip Off!


This is my first time joining Flip Off Friday. But, after the events that have happened this week, I need to vent in a major way. So, I apologize if I start to ramble here. I’m so frustrated.
Here is a little background information. I work in a busy sales office. I am one of three secretaries who answer phones and other tasks. I think I’m seriously about to flip on one of the girls. For weeks now, she has had collection agencies calling here or she has been calling different people. It’s the same story, every call. She will sit at her desk and yell at these people. Every call I hear, “I TOLD YOU NOT TO CHARGE ME!” Or, I hear, “Please do not charge me this week, I don’t have the money”. Ok, before you start to judge me and think I’m being heartless. I’ve been there don’t that. But, I also didn’t do it at my desk for the whole department to hear. I also didn’t not let it affect my ability to do my job. She will be on sooooo many different calls a day and will not put them on hold to answer our business lines. That’s irriation number one for me. Why should I have to stop working to answer the phone when apparently you don’t have anything to do. If it’s not money related, she is on the phone with her mother. We are talking 30+ minutes a call, on the company’s bill. Iritation number 2.
Here is where it gets good. Her husband had a heart attack on the 9th or something like that. That isn’t the good part, that must have been awful for him and her family. I would not wish that on anyone. So, she missed a week and a half of work, one week being unpaid. She is back to work now and the calls have gotten worse. I can’t believe how she can sit at her desk knowing that if I can hear her, the VP of sales who sits behind her can hear. She has started to tell me what is going on. I don’t know why. She has to know that I don’t like her or her lack of work ethic for the past two years. She told me that she signed up for some things online not knowing they would charge their account. So, they keep charging her account, things she signed up for mind you. I guess in all, they have taken over $800 which include overdraft fees from the bank. Again, that sucks, but you kind of did it to yourself. No sympathy. I’ve answered calls for months about cell phones and car insurance being past due.
Here’s what has put me over the edge. This week, she had the nerve to contact our local United Way for money. She gave them the story about how her husband had a heart attack and they both missed a week of work. She did not give one ounce of information that they have been having issues looong before his heart attack. I guess they denied her. Then, she had her oldest son co-sign a personal loan so they can get their checking account out of the hole. She pulled his credit report without asking and is going to pay him back. She has 4 months to pay it back. Hello?! If you haven’t been able to pay your bills for months, how are you going to pay a loan that your 22yr old son got for you? I would never do that to my child. I don ‘t get it.
The kicker is that since the United Way denied her any help, she went to our HR department to see if they could do a jeans day for her. We do them every Friday for local charities and the occasional employee. They agreed!!! Once again, I’m sure that she did not tell them the whole story. This really ticks me off because I know of a few coworkers who have asked for a jeans day and they were denied. They actually had valid situations. Such has a relative who also worked at our company who died in a car accident and left behind 5 kids. Or the guy who’s toddler was run over and was in a children’s hospital for a couple of months because she had major brain injuries. I would gladly give them my $3 to wear jeans. I won’t give my $3 because you have bad money management skills and everyone is coming after you!
She just got off the phone with some other agency asking for help for the next couple of weeks. UGH. It’s people like her that really make it difficult for people who really need the help and can’t get it. I know of a single Mom who is behind on all her major bills because she gets no child support. She has tried to ask for assistance and was told she makes too much money. Really? But this lady who has two incomes coming in can get two weeks worth of cash even though she will get a paycheck in a week.
Like I said, I’ve been there. I’ve had collections calling me. I’ve been broke. Heck, just last week after our bills were paid, I had $70 to buy groceries, diapers, and gas for the week. She has also told someone she has money in her checking, like $50. Yeah, that isn’t a lot, but it’s more then a lot of families have. PLUS, she has her two older kids who work full-time living with her, rent free. You are telling me that can’t cover some groceries for a week?
So please, don’t juge me. Do you think I’m being to harsh? I just don’t understand why she expects everyone to cover her mistakes.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

The Gruffalo: A book review

Smart and Trendy Moms


My son and I partcipate in a reading program called Imagination Library. Every so many weeks, we get a free book in the mail that is appropriate for his age.
I'll be honest, there are times when I struggle to read the books. Not because I can't read..lol...but because I don't like them. But, we have also gotten some great books. Books that I wouldn't even know existed. For example, today we received The Gruffalo. We read it while he was using the potty but didn't get it finished (he is getting that good at the potty). I actually was excited to read it to him at bedtime.
The book is about a smart little mouse who outwits the animals that invite him to dinner. The animals that invite him probaly would rather eat him then anything else. It has what I think is a great rhyming scheme. I found myself really getting into it and bobbing my head a bit as I read it. That is good because I have a feeling that I will be reading it for the next few days.

You can check it on Amazon


Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Another twist on a recipe


I had been craving enchiladas for a couple of weeks. J is not a fan, but after two weeks, I didn't care. I wanted them. As it came time to start them, I kindof loss my steam and didn't feel like rolling 12 enchiladas. So, I made an enchilada casserole. The concept itself isn't new, but I had never made one. Here's what I did:
I boiled 5 chicken breast halves and cut them into pieces.
I sprayed an 8x10 with Pam and covered the bottom of the pan with some canned enchilada sauce
I tore enough up enough flour toritllas to cover the sauce
Then I poured a can of cream of chicken soup and the rest of the enchilada sauce onto the chicken in a medium mixing bowl
After I mixed it, I poured the mixture ontop of the torn tortillas
I added some shredded cheese on top of that mixture
Then I added more flour tortillas
I also added another can of enchilada sauce to top it off
I baked at 350 for 40 minutes
Once it was done, I added some cheese on top.

Here is what I got:



Now, I thought I added alot of sauce. But, I've been told I'm a little saucy...Ha!  I thought it was really good. When I asked J what he thought, he gave me a "Eh". Ok. Thanks for the input. He did tell me that is just not a fan of enchilada sauce. On a brighter note, he did have 1 1/2 bowls. If he only has one helping, I know he doesn't like it. So, it must not have been to horrible for him.

Check out more Things I Love Thursdays at Diaper Diaries

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

works for me wednesday at we are that family

We have been battling the potty training lately. When I ask him if he has to go, his response is, "No thanks, I'm busy". While it's kind of funny, it's a little frustrating.
Today, I decided to bribe him. I know it's probably not the best way to get him to go. But it worked tonight.

Source:Discovery Toys
On the way home from daycare, he kept telling me that he wanted to play his game. I told him that if he went potty, we could play his game.
I bought a learning game from Discovery Toys . It's called, Busy Farm . It teaches skills like colors, reading, and all kinds of stuff. We played it for the first time a couple of days ago. He loved it. It says ages 3+ but Jack was able to get many of the concepts. A mom in our playgroup is a consulant for the company so I've been to many parties and have quite a collection of their toys.
When we got home, he asked to play. Again, I reminded that if he went potty, we could play. So, we went into the bathroom. After 30 seconds, he wanted to get up. I reminded him again. I swear like a second later, he went! This is the 3rd time in I bet 3 months that he's used the potty. He was pretty excited and I made sure to give him lots of hugs, kisses, and high fives.

While we had a good potty time today. I also had a parenting fail. After he was done he pulled up his pants with no diaper. I thought we were cool because he had just pottied and I'd have him do it again in an hour. I was on the phone with a friend and I hear, "Mom!! Help! I got poop on me!" What!? I go to him and he had pooed on the floor! A total Mommy fail on my part.

What are your opinions of bribery for potty training? I'm really interested on everyone's thoughts.


Tuesday Tag Along & Follow Me Back Tuesday

Tuesday Tag-Along BWS tips    button

I love Tuesday because all the great blog rolls! I love these because I'm always looking for new followers. So, please take a look around. If you like what you see, please follow. I always follow back! Thanks for checking me out.



Monday, June 14, 2010

Top Ten {Tuesday}

I've decided that this week, my top ten will be my top 10 favorite things.

1. Most of all, my family is my favorite. I'm a daughter, a sister, a mom, a girlfriend, and an aunt. My family means so much to me and wouldn't be where I am without them.


2. My puppy. Okay, he's not a puppy, he just turned 5 over the weekend. I had to beg and plead with my boyfriend to let me get him. So, I waited until he was out with his friends to ask again. I knew he'd have a couple of drinks in him. That's when I went in for the kill. He finally agreed on the condition that he would get to name him. Done!

3. My computer/internet. I'm a computer geek. My first degree is in computer programming. Need I say more?



4. School. I have always loved school. Mostly, I liked the friendships. I also liked the learning part. I'm currently on my 3rd degree. I will say that I went away to college to the U of Iowa. I didn't do well, I concentrated more on the friendships and local bars then I did on school. I now have my priorities in order.

5. Work. I've posted a couple of times about a certain coworker. Overall, I love working and I love my job. It just really sucks when one person has to ruin that for me. I've had some sort of job since I was 12. I love earning money and spending it....LOL

6. Trashy celeb magazines. I don't buy them, but a girl at work does. Every week. I know that I will never look or live like them, but a girl can dream, right?

7. My cell phone. I don't make many calls. I have 450 minutes, I bet I use 100. I will text before I call. I mostly use my phone to surf the net, download apps and play games.

8. Glee. I can't say enough awesome things about this show. LOVE IT!

9. My bed. I could never sleep past 8am. Omg, what I would give to sleep past 7am. Jack is programmed to wake up by 7am. Every day. When do they start to sleep in? Someone please tell me.

10. Naps. What goes best with a bed? An afternoon nap. I could never take naps. My Mom would have to force me to lay down. I didn't enjoy naps until I went to college. The best is a Saturday afternoon nap. The only day I won't nap is on Sundays. I call it my, "No Naps on Sundays" rule. If I nap, I can't go to bed until late. That can be sucky when it's 6 am on Monday morning.

Check out more Top Ten Tuesdays @ Oh Amanda

Sunday, June 13, 2010

UGH......

It's official. I'm in a rut. I'm sitting here typing as my apartment is in complete disarray. I'm to the point that I don't even bother because I can't seem to keep it clean. Our son is 2 1/2 if that gives you any idea. I swear I don't even have one room clean before he is pulling out toys or whatever. Don't get me wrong, I do the needed cleaning daily, like the dishes, but I can't seem to keep up with the rest. I'm starting to wonder if I will ever have a clean room. Maybe in 18 years?

Not that I was the cleanest person before J2 came along. But, when I did my major weekly cleaning, things were at least clean for a few days compared to the minutes now.

Then I begin to wonder that maybe I'm not putting in the effort I should be. I could probably be trying harder. But, then maybe I don't care. Is that bad?

Until last week, I was a student with full-time work plus being a Mommy. I will have the next four weeks from school, so maybe that will help me get back on track. All I know is that something has to be done. I've been working with J2 on putting his toys away, but it seems to be hit and miss. Sometimes he's more then willing to do it on the first request. Other times, I find myself bribing with pudding cups or tootsie rolls. That is not something that I wanted to start, but sometimes, it's all I have.


Any ideas on how I can get out of my rut? I could really use some right about now. :)