tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42947898404797537592024-03-13T16:03:01.715-05:00Mosk Momma<p align="center">A little of this; a little of that.</p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-82250279664744296322012-08-18T20:11:00.000-05:002012-08-18T20:11:13.099-05:00Barefoot Kind of MommaI've started a new blog. :-)<br />
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<a href="http://barefootkindofmomma.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Barefoot Kind of Momma</a><br />
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I have high hopes of being able to transfer my posts from here to there. ;-) Thank you for all of your support and I hope you continue to follow me on my journey through parenting.<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-45011742150509025712012-04-02T20:08:00.003-05:002012-04-02T20:38:15.383-05:00True love is magic."Love; true love is magic. Not just any magic, the most powerful magic of all. It creates happiness."<br />
~Regina, The Evil Queen, Once Upon A Time<br />
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These words have stuck with me from the moment I heard them. They are so true. (I know because I have that magic with my awesome husband.) :-)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rlp8AgQ4Aao/T3pUSpZNseI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/_GiK0it84Oc/s1600/A&J+TrueLove1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="244" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rlp8AgQ4Aao/T3pUSpZNseI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/_GiK0it84Oc/s320/A&J+TrueLove1.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">**This photo is my property. Thank you for respecting that. You may Pin It but please do not reproduce it to sell.</span></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-48791621823927742932012-03-18T22:35:00.000-05:002012-03-18T22:35:02.671-05:00Tea TimeI love tea. I love hot tea. I love iced tea. I love tea.<br />
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We have a tea shop nearby called <a href="http://www.fezziwigsmarket.com/" target="_blank">Fezziwig's Marketplace</a>. HEAVEN!! Ok, it's tea & wine so it is AWESOME!!! I recommend it to everyone! I love to stop by and get a couple ounces of tea every once in awhile. :-)<br />
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So...anyways... I love loose leaf tea and am always on the lookout for a new tea infuser. No, I don't collect them. I have only 1, my sister's, and I loaned it to a friend when I shared a pot of tea with her. Plus, I didn't want to buy my own til I found the absolute cutest one possible. :-) Well, I did! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLlgA_foaC0/T2ag3QnTirI/AAAAAAAAAJM/hjByzKk5x2A/s1600/TeaDuckie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLlgA_foaC0/T2ag3QnTirI/AAAAAAAAAJM/hjByzKk5x2A/s1600/TeaDuckie1.jpg" /></a></div>FREAKIN' ADORABLE, RIGHT!!!!!!<br />
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It's called the "tea duckie tea infuser" and it is by Decor Craft Inc. I found it at <a href="http://shop.crackerbarrel.com/Duckie-Tea-Infuser/dp/B006L5NJ7O?ie=UTF8&id=Duckie%20Tea%20Infuser&field_product_site_launch_date_utc=-1y&field_availability=-1&field_browse=3518524011&searchSize=12&searchNodeID=3518524011&searchPage=1&refinementHistory=brandtextbin%2Csubjectbin%2Ccolor_map%2Cprice%2Csize_name&searchRank=salesrank" target="_blank">Cracker Barrel</a> after having breakfast with my awesome Mom. :-) She got it for me. *happydance* I decided to have a cup of tea today and used it. LOVE IT! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-ew_9gnQzY/T2ajV4fHZnI/AAAAAAAAAJU/HJudPQXWQNk/s1600/Jennifer+Camera+511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="296" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-ew_9gnQzY/T2ajV4fHZnI/AAAAAAAAAJU/HJudPQXWQNk/s320/Jennifer+Camera+511.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><em></em><div style="text-align: center;">Love it!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uuUrF5F40U0/T2ajZZVbg6I/AAAAAAAAAJc/SWS5RIzhtco/s1600/Jennifer+Camera+513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="294" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uuUrF5F40U0/T2ajZZVbg6I/AAAAAAAAAJc/SWS5RIzhtco/s320/Jennifer+Camera+513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was singing to myself:</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Rubber duckie, your the one.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You make tea time so much fun..."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hh3taUp_Zd4/T2ajhIcE_kI/AAAAAAAAAJk/5qfJTrEdjf8/s1600/Jennifer+Camera+515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hh3taUp_Zd4/T2ajhIcE_kI/AAAAAAAAAJk/5qfJTrEdjf8/s320/Jennifer+Camera+515.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div align="center">Perfect cup of tea. :-)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">**NOTE OF WARNING: Toddlers will also like your duckie and will be tempted to try your tea. They will not be so thrilled about it and may dump it all over the floor. This may or may not have happened to me.**</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-32565415051860652902012-01-28T14:04:00.001-06:002012-01-28T14:05:47.098-06:00One of those DATESWe all have those odd dates that stick out for some reason or another. The day we met so and so, did such and such or discovered whatever. For me, January 28, is the 17th anniversary of the day I started dating my ex-husband. Random, huh? But it is a date that is permanently etched in my brain. Half my lifetime ago I started dating the guy who I thought was my Prince Charming. It took me 4.5 years and a failed 11 month marriage to figure out that he was just another frog in the pond. The damage he did along the way is still with me in a lot of ways.<br />
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When you're 17 going on 18 the world has so much potential. You are so sure of yourself that you can't imagine that someone who loves you would want to change you...control you. He was a close friend, a year older and the guy that my Mom kept saying "why don't you date??" (She regrets that to this day, I'm sad to say.) I wasn't interested until he wasn't around for a bit. After not seeing each other for a couple months he showed up at a basketball game to watch his brother play and the next thing you know we were inseparable. He'd leave me love notes on my car windshield or have his brother pass them to me in school and I'd send my responses back the same way. We spent every spare moment we had together and I was sure it would be forever. <br />
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After high school I got a job at the same place as him. Not the same hours all the time but we got to check in with each other and sometimes go on break together. We went to the same junior college together in the fall and managed to take a couple classes together. I performed in the traveling theater show that first year. Only that once though because it cut into the amount of time we could spend together. I am sure he would tell you, even now, that he never told me to not do it again but his...disappointment...in us not being able to spend time together was evident. If only I had seen it then... We chose a University to go to...well, I chose it and, this one time, gave him the choice to either be there with me or not. I wish I could say that that was my idea but my parents decided that for me (not the actual school but that I had to move on from a 2 year college after 2 years.)<br />
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It was a spring day when he proposed, I can't even give you a date because it didn't stick in my head. I can say that I knew what my ring looked like because we picked it out together. I had had a fight with my sister about who knows what and was upset. We went for a walk and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes. Then he took the ring back, saying it had to be sized and that he would give it back to me when the time was right...when I deserved it. (I know, RED FLAG!!) I wasn't happy about that but I accepted it. It was several months before I ever wore that ring...<br />
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I spent breaks from school planning our wedding for the following summer. We went to school 9 hours away from home so everything had to be condensed into the short time we were home for breaks. That first semester I was part of 2 theater shows, had a part time job and went to school full time. I didn't do another show until after my divorce. I was made aware of the fact that it cut into our time together. Not said outright or anything...more like "you seem so stressed out and we never get to just hang out together anymore" or "you aren't' going to stay late after rehearsal tonight are you; you know I get worried about you being out late."<br />
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I wasn't allowed to drive his car. Not because it was anything special. Heck, it was a Tempo for crying out loud. But I was not allowed to drive it. Ever. Oh & I wasn't allowed to drive in traffic of any kind because traffic made me nervous. Not that I ever recalled being nervous in traffic but when someone tells you that often enough, guess what, traffic will make you nervous.<br />
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There were so many red flags that I am amazed that I ever went through with the wedding. To be truthful, every once in a while I would have a nagging doubt but I though that his insecurity would vanish when we got married. Only it didn't. What did happen was that I was get ting more involved in my theater and speech classes which required me to have rehearsal time and he started hanging out with a friend of his. A female friend of his. Even this didn't faze me as his best friend from school was female and it just never occurred to me to be worried. We were living off student loans so we didn't have a lot of money and I can remember going out with my sister for her birthday meal in early May. We went to her favorite Mexican joint. I left for rehearsal for a class project and he left to take his "friend" miniature golfing. We didn't have money for us to go but he had money to take her... Yes, I was clueless.<br />
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He left me not long after. I was lost without him and desperate to get him back. I, pathetically, tried to get him back by turning myself into a Stepford wife. I begged him to give me another chance, go to counseling, honor our vows... He felt it was too little, too late. I had given up having a life outside of him for 4 years but it was still too little, too late. It got ugly fast and I count myself lucky to have people in my life who held me up when I would have curled up in a ball and given up. <br />
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I am not proud of how that summer started but I will hold my head high on how it ended. Everything clicked in the middle of July as I was getting ready to visit a dear friend. I realized, quite simply, that I liked who I was without him more than I ever liked who I was with him.<br />
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Yet, every January when the 28th rolls around I can't help but remember the girl I was who was so excited to have found her Prince Charming. The things I wish I could tell her. Most importantly, the stuff I would remind her not to lose. Like herself.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-92079983478677916902012-01-26T21:59:00.000-06:002012-01-26T21:59:04.679-06:00The Salad ChallengeI have been trying to lose my baby weight from the twins. It has not been easy but I have lost almost half of it. Now I am impatient to lose the other half.<br />
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I have several friends who are vegan and are participating in "The great salad challenge" by <a href="http://engine2diet.com/" target="_blank">Engine 2 Diet</a> and I was inspired by them to start my own salad challenge. (If you are interested in a vegan lifestyle check them out, lots of information.) I know that a vegan lifestyle is not what I want right now but I also like to try and fit more veggies in my diet whenever possible. So, I decided to challenge myself to eat a salad a day. From now until whenever (why limit myself) I will either eat a salad for lunch or a salad for dinner.<br />
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Oh, and I have managed to con...uummm....I mean, convince Mae over at <a href="http://maesgotthis.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Mae's Got This</a> to join me. (Haha! Now she can't back out!!!)<br />
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What do I hope to gain? With any luck I'll lose a couple pounds and discover a few delicious salad recipes. So... Who's in? Who wants to join me & Mae in The Salad Challenge??? Oh & feel free to share some recipes. I'll start, seriously, how yummy does this salad look? I can't wait to try it!:<br />
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<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/jamies-cranberry-spinach-salad/" target="_blank">Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQ4qh6zWo8w/TyIgGgXevuI/AAAAAAAAAI8/k6jfDO1HiiM/s1600/JCSS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQ4qh6zWo8w/TyIgGgXevuI/AAAAAAAAAI8/k6jfDO1HiiM/s320/JCSS.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad*</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-size: x-small;">*I got the photo from allrecipes.com</span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-4208146546376496142012-01-11T20:46:00.000-06:002012-01-11T20:46:03.687-06:00Turning off the noiseOne day a few weeks back I forgot to turn cartoons on for Mini in the morning. It was a school morning and we were busy and instead of clicking the TV on as we usually do we got busy doing other things. When we got home from school it was nap time and after nap time we played for a bit and then had dinner. After dinner we played for a bit more and before we knew it it was time to get ready for bed! I suppose at some point I realized that we hadn't turned the TV on but I never consciously made the decision to not turn it on.<br />
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The next day I didn't turn it on and nothing was said. Again it wasn't that I made the decision to not let the kids watch TV and, had Madi asked, I would have tuned it on for her. She just never asked. I began to enjoy the quietness and so began to make the choice not to have the TV on. This is not to say that we don't watch TV any more. Some mornings I turn it on; when we aren't going anywhere or Madi specifically asks for a cartoon. And every night I watch my show so I don't see us getting rid of our TVs just yet. :-) But I like the lack of noise and I'm going to to my best to have the TV off more than it is on. :-DJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-66096062478166317422012-01-01T22:47:00.000-06:002012-01-01T22:47:23.550-06:00Keeping Baby WARM!There are a lot of products out there that I LOVE! Many of which I will soon blog about. But first there is one I want to get out there ASAP!! Why? Because it will help your babies stay WARM this winter. How do I know? Because we have been using it for our daughter, Mini, and are now using it for our boys, Big, Little Man & Little, Little Man.<br />
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What is this oh so important product you ask. The <a href="http://www.perfectlysafe.com/81202-bedwarm.html" target="_blank">bed warmer</a> from <a href="http://perfectlysafe.com/">PerfectlySafe.com</a>. Go ahead click on it!! I'll wait for you...<br />
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(Insert the music from Jeopardy here.)<br />
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I know, say what?!? But it is only $8 (for a crib/toddler bed size!) This cannot be true. TRUST ME!!! It is simply amazing! We bought one for each of the kiddos (and 2 extra for Squidgy, her cousin, & Mini's beds at my sister's house- yes, Mini has her own bed there...lol...) The house we were renting at the time was quite drafty (we were spending a small fortune every month to get the house to 68 degrees!) and we needed <em>something</em> on Mini's bed to help her stay warm when she lost her covers. We figured that they were worth the cost even if they only made her a couple of degrees warmer. We could tell the difference right away. When we would check on Mini at night her hands and feet were no longer ice cold. YAY!!!<br />
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Since the twins were either sleeping with us, in their swings or next to each other in their crib we didn't worry about them too much. Plus, we moved to an energy efficient house & winter ended. Well winter took me by surprise and when the first big heating bill hit I realized that something had to change. Then I checked on Little, Little Man and realized that he was sleeping ON his blanket instead of UNDER his blanket because his crib mattress was ice cold. Got to change that ASAP! Luckily, I knew right where I had tucked my <a href="http://perfectlysafe.com/">PerfectlySafe.com</a> <a href="http://www.perfectlysafe.com/81202-bedwarm.html" target="_blank">bed warmers</a> (yes, I put the links in there AGAIN, just in case you didn't look the first time!) I put them on today and I can already see the difference. I just checked on all 3 of my beautiful sleeping babies and every single one of them has warm fingers and toes and Little, Little Man is still under his blanket. :-D<br />
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So PLEASE check them out!!! I cannot express enough how something that doesn't cost a whole lot will make a difference in your child's life (hey, I'm passionate!) Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-56433473043091202832011-12-21T08:12:00.000-06:002011-12-21T08:12:31.594-06:00Too Smart For Me!So my Mini is an early riser. She gets up between 6:30a-7:00a. Shut up, it is early to me!! I am more of a night owl than a morning bird. I was talking about this with a friend of mine, Mae over at <a href="http://maesgotthis.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Mae's Got This</a>, and she told me about this awesome thing she came up with for her Munchkin, she talks about it <a href="http://maesgotthis.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/just-a-reminder-its-time-to-change-your-clocks-on-sunday/" target="_blank">here</a>. I had heard from other parents that they used the same trick so I thought 'why not!' Then I got lazy and so I never posted a picture of 7:00, I just talked to Mini about how she needs to stay in her room until her clock starts with a 7. I didn't really expect much, fully taking the blame on myself cause I hadn't posted anything. Well, she figured it out herself! And will tell you all about how she doesn't come out of her room until there's a 7. :-) Go me, right!!! Um, no. Well... partially no anyways. Every morning around 6:45a I hear thumping in her room (which is right above mine, YAY!) Then at no later than 7:02a she is "sneaking" into my room. Seriously?! So I asked her this morning "do you wait for the clock to turn 7:00a?" Her answer, with the cutest little grin "yep!" So much for sleeping in. :-)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-5931036560219524352011-12-17T09:45:00.004-06:002011-12-21T23:07:08.514-06:00Lumps of CoalI'll start by saying thank goodness this is a holiday cookie. By holiday cookie I mean there is really no reason to make it any other time of year (unless, of course, it is to hide in your closet and inhale the entire batch!) This cookie gets it's name solely from the fact that it looks like a lump of coal, though I have heard it called a cookies & cream bar but what fun is that??? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bX3bXjNroh0/Tuy27Jdl8tI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/l6iWwgxzbOI/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bX3bXjNroh0/Tuy27Jdl8tI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/l6iWwgxzbOI/s320/015.JPG" width="314px" /></a></div><br />
The recipe is pretty simple:<br />
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<div>1 - 16 oz. package of Oreo Cookies (30 cookies)</div><div><br />
</div><div>4 Cups of Large Marshmallows well packed</div><div>(about 38 to 40 marshmallows)</div><div><br />
</div><div>1/4 Cup of Butter</div><div><br />
</div><div>Prepare a buttered cookie sheet.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Grind up the Oreo cookies in a blender or place the cookies in a plastic freezer bag and beat them to bits with a rolling pin. You want a crumb like consistency.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Melt the butter in a large bowl in the microwave, when butter is melted add the marshmallows and microwave for another minute to minute and a half (just until the marshmallows are melted.) Stir the butter and marshmallows together until full incorporated working quickly so it doesn't cool.</div><div></div><div><br />
Quickly add in the cookie crumbs and stir til they are completely coated. Using a greased cookie scoop or a tablespoon drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the cookie sheet to set into lumps of coal; place the sheet into the refrigerator to make them a bit more firm. These cookies are soft and yummy!</div><div></div><div>For larger lumps of coal you can press the mixture into a buttered 8x8 pan, allow it to set for 20 minutes and then soften the edges to make it look more coal like.</div><div></div><div>Store in an airtight container. For giving away put several lumps in a bag and tie closed tightly with a ribbon.<br />
</div><div></div><div>Here's a tag you can use to label them:</div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="198px" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jyWtfbPOlRQ/Tuy2smWWq0I/AAAAAAAAAII/Z2MHMlnUuTY/s320/Coal.jpg" width="320px" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There really isn't much else to say about these except that if you eat an entire batch it is soooo not my fault. :-) ENJOY!!!!</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-9190724464181740092011-11-07T21:04:00.004-06:002011-11-28T21:34:31.794-06:00Garlicious Roast w/Potatoes & Carrots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-55tbPe-RdCs/TriPbDohGeI/AAAAAAAAAF0/T9kfYy3LhO8/s1600/323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-55tbPe-RdCs/TriPbDohGeI/AAAAAAAAAF0/T9kfYy3LhO8/s320/323.JPG" width="250px" /></a></div><br />
After buying this for hubby the other day I figured I'd better find uses for all of it before it goes bad. So I grabbed the round roast I had purchased and came up with a game plan. I usually just throw the roast in the crockpot with a packet of onion soup mix and some water. This time I resolved to work a little harder. I had heard of cutting slits in meat and stuffing garlic into it to season so I just went for it. <em><strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">Amazing!</span></strong></em> Here is how I did it:<br />
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First, I turned my oven on to preheat it to 525 degrees. I then cut my garlic cloves into big slivers. After that I cut pockets into my meat and shoved the garlic slivers in. I suggest doing this to your own taste. We are huge garlic fans so I used 5 cloves all over the roast. Honestly, I think I could have used even more. It came out looking like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2Zkd3ohB7g/TriPLsh8YyI/AAAAAAAAAFM/SdYlEYRfStI/s1600/318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2Zkd3ohB7g/TriPLsh8YyI/AAAAAAAAAFM/SdYlEYRfStI/s320/318.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I then mixed up a little rub to put on it. I used approximately 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon white pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 tablespoon dried onion. I sprinkled the rub allover the roast:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3tHhWLGmRNw/TriPO_wLvNI/AAAAAAAAAFU/ir8_O7IfZZE/s1600/319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3tHhWLGmRNw/TriPO_wLvNI/AAAAAAAAAFU/ir8_O7IfZZE/s320/319.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I then flipped the roast over so that the fat side was facing up onto a roasting pan that had been coated in nonstick cooking spray. I halved my new potatoes and circled the roast with them and some baby carrots. I then halved more garlic cloves and sprinkled them around with the veggies. I could have put more potatoes, carrots and garlic. I sprinkled some salt, black pepper and white pepper over the veggies:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KHAIycQYHp8/TriPSPgrTpI/AAAAAAAAAFc/A3CHPysoEcM/s1600/320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259px" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KHAIycQYHp8/TriPSPgrTpI/AAAAAAAAAFc/A3CHPysoEcM/s320/320.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I put the whole thing in the oven for 6 minutes per pound for a medium rare roast (5 minutes per pound for rare and 7 minutes per pound for well.) So for my roast, which was a little over 4 pounds, I cooked it for 24 minutes at 525 degrees. Now comes the most important part! Once the cook time is over TURN THE OVEN OFF & DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR!!!! Leave it alone for 2 hours. After the 2 hours are up you have 2 choices. You can either take it out and eat it as is, it will be lukewarm or you can turn the oven on to 325 degrees and let it cook for 10 minutes. This will warm it up without overcooking it, which is what I did:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUyMIgEgbe0/TriPVK4ipLI/AAAAAAAAAFk/wYbZPpHFbes/s1600/321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268px" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUyMIgEgbe0/TriPVK4ipLI/AAAAAAAAAFk/wYbZPpHFbes/s320/321.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>I sliced it up and it was a perfect medium rare.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fO0ZGyPbYUk/TriPYD6zBkI/AAAAAAAAAFs/v6V3j9LxzW4/s1600/322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242px" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fO0ZGyPbYUk/TriPYD6zBkI/AAAAAAAAAFs/v6V3j9LxzW4/s320/322.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>PERFECTION!!!!!!!!</strong></span></em></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will definitely use this method again, only next time I will be using even more garlic. :-D</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Garlicious Roast w/Potatoes & Carrots</strong></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 round roast approx 4 pounds</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">15 cloves of garlic (5 in slivers & 10 halved)</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6 new potatoes halved</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">20-ish baby carrots</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Salt, black pepper & white pepper to season vegetables</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rub Mix:</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 teaspoon salt</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 teaspoon black pepper</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 teaspoon white pepper</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 teaspoon garlic powder</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tablespoon dried onion</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Preheat oven to 525 degrees. Cut slits in the roast and stuff with slivers of garlic. Sprinkle rub mix over the entire roast. Place roast fatty side up on roasting pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Surround evenly with new potatoes, baby carrots and garlic halves. Bake in oven for 24 minutes. Then turn oven off and allow to continue cooking with the oven door closed for 2 more hours. It is <em>imperative</em> that you do not open the oven door during these 2 hours. Once the 2 hours is over either serve as is (it will be lukewarm) or turn oven on to 325 degrees and allow to reheat for 10 minutes. Enjoy.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-50002343949573516702011-11-07T11:09:00.000-06:002011-11-07T11:09:37.732-06:00OCCUPYing My MindI try not to get into political arguments and whatnot. I listen, absorb, research and make up my own mind about things. I realize that the idea of journalistic freedom is a vague concept a lot of the times and I am a believer that in war times there are things that don't need to be shown out of respect and safety. I also believe that much of the news that is reported is skewed this way & that so that the full story is not really represented. I allow others to believe what they will and go my own way. BUT this picture is making the rounds and I am having a hard time with it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WRnK7jMkH_4/TrgBVz6jEZI/AAAAAAAAAEs/T27mG5aLJvc/s1600/Entitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148px" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WRnK7jMkH_4/TrgBVz6jEZI/AAAAAAAAAEs/T27mG5aLJvc/s320/Entitled.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>My grandfather, a rancher who worked the land that has been a part of our family for 125+ years until he was physically unable to at 88 due to cancer, would say that he fought so that his children were able to live in a country where they were free to not live hand to mouth & so that others had those same opportunities.<br />
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My father believes he served so that his children could continue to prosper and have opportunities that were unheard of previously. He continues to work after 22 years of service in the ARMY so that he can help take care of his grandchildren NOT because their parents can't but because his children are part of the working poor- those people who work full time, live modestly & still are unable to 'get ahead.' My father does not want his children & grandchildren to go without.<br />
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I believe that the full picture of the protesters is not being shown. The protests are full of servicemen who have returned from war to a country unprepared and financially unable to support their needs; there are vets from previous wars who believed what they were told, long ago, and are finding that there is nothing left to support their care. There are parents who have to send their children to schools that are questionable, at best, because the education budget has been deeply cut. There are young people who were told to get an education and they would be able to get a job to pay for it and have found that there are no jobs. There are professionals who have been out of work for several years who have applied for 100's of jobs and have not been able to get one yet.<br />
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Take a good look at this picture (found <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2046586/Occupy-Wall-Street-Shocking-photos-protester-defecating-POLICE-CAR.html" target="_blank">here</a>)and tell me how many 20 year olds you see:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wdBZHtI2LM/TrgIUWjCH6I/AAAAAAAAAE0/iMo3DO9VfrQ/s1600/Occupy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238px" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wdBZHtI2LM/TrgIUWjCH6I/AAAAAAAAAE0/iMo3DO9VfrQ/s320/Occupy1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More of today's vets are a part of the Occupy Movement (as discussed <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/02/veterans-join-occupy-wall-street_n_1071751.html" target="_blank">here</a>):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlEH_1QoOHg/TrgLd7icYLI/AAAAAAAAAE8/iZ9PHgvTQtw/s1600/Occupy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlEH_1QoOHg/TrgLd7icYLI/AAAAAAAAAE8/iZ9PHgvTQtw/s320/Occupy2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">WWII Veterans (like the soldiers in the first pic) are a part of the Occupy movement (as pictured on the Facebook page for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Military-Veterans-Who-Support-Occupy-Wall-Street-Protest/128962423873313" target="_blank">Military Veterans Who Support Occupy Wall Street Protest</a>):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D18PrFLbk24/TrgN0hKDaUI/AAAAAAAAAFE/pWItn1t4BAs/s1600/WWIIOccupy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D18PrFLbk24/TrgN0hKDaUI/AAAAAAAAAFE/pWItn1t4BAs/s320/WWIIOccupy.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>This is not about ENTITLEMENT. It is about being ENTITLED to a decent work week that allows you to support your family without going into debt. It is about NOT having to work 2 or 3 jobs, have your spouse working and having to pay someone to raise your kids. It's about being able to sleep at night knowing that there will be food to feed your family the next day. To know that you can keep your house warm in the winter & cool in the summer. It's about knowing that if you are laid off you will be able to find a job to support yourself and your family, if you have one. It is about being able to HAVE a family. It is about having the confidence to work a job for 25-35+ years and know that you'll be able to retire and live comfortably.<br />
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It is about everyone paying their fair share. It is about helping our country as a whole and not allowing the rich to get richer while the people who line their pockets suffer unduly.<br />
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This is what each generation that has gone before has worked towards. What they have believed in. What must be. Is this the best way to make it happen, I don't know. But I do hope that this does bring change for I am very worried about the quality of life for my children if things remain the same.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-13048516432277062342011-11-03T08:15:00.000-05:002011-11-03T08:15:11.829-05:00Do You Hear The Words That Are Coming Out Of My Mouth?!?If you are my 3 year old, Mini, you do not. I swear she blocks me out better than anyone I have ever met. I will ask her to do something when she is stand just a foot or so away and all I will get is a blank stare (if I get that!) I repeat myself over and over and over again and it gets me absolutely nowhere. I cannot begin to tell you how absolutely frustrating it can be. Not to mention when I tell her to do something and she actually responds to me and then she STILL doesn't do it!<br />
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I know I am not the only mom in my crowd who is having this issue. We have pretty much decided that the 3's are way worse then the 2's (and rumor has it that the 4's aren't any better!)<br />
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This <a href="http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3756358" target="_blank">article</a>, from Scholastic's Parent & Child magazine, helped me to understand what was going through her head. I know that I am guilty of not following through. As in- "It's time to go...after Mommy pins this one last thing on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>." (Beware of clicking that link! It will suck you in!) Or- "I am counting to 5...and going to catch your little brother before he destroys something." I know that Mini believes that we know what she is thinking or what she has done every minute of every day. When asked what she did today or what she is drawing she constantly responds with "you know, you tell me." Now I feels safe in the knowledge that this is normal. How do I deal with this? I plan to make sure she knows that I am talking to her; I have a feeling that a big part of our communication issues come from the fact she doesn't realize that we are talking to her. I also hope to remember to break down tasks into small, short instructions so that she can remember and follow them easily. I want to have her understand that I am in charge but that I respect her as a little one. Plus, I will make sure that I am better at following through so that "give me just one sec..." doesn't end up meaning "it'll be awhile." <br />
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I vow, as a parent, to do my part to make sure my child grows up to be someone who knows how to listen. If only I could guarantee that she'll WANT to listen. ;-)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-47669569682215649292011-10-28T22:59:00.000-05:002011-10-28T22:59:42.547-05:00Do Blondes Really Have More Fun?Well... Do they?<br />
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The infamous Marilyn Monroe believed they do; hence her evolution from Norma Jean to Marilyn.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96GuJkCKbfQ/Tqt47AW2voI/AAAAAAAAAEc/09QNCSTUsLc/s1600/NormaJean1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96GuJkCKbfQ/Tqt47AW2voI/AAAAAAAAAEc/09QNCSTUsLc/s1600/NormaJean1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eITTLRvW4bI/Tqt49gvHjNI/AAAAAAAAAEk/NdCkJ4V6GEE/s1600/Marilyn1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eITTLRvW4bI/Tqt49gvHjNI/AAAAAAAAAEk/NdCkJ4V6GEE/s1600/Marilyn1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> (Isn't she beautiful?!?)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have no clue and I have been blonde for 10 weeks. I have not noticed a difference. What I have noticed is that I still blink when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My hair has been many different colors over the years but this is the first time it has ever been truly blonde since I was 12 years old. While I like it I am not sure that it is my favorite look. Recently my 3 year old daughter asked me why I had black underneath my blonde hair...lol... So now I am at the fork in the road. Do I stay blonde, go back to brunette or go DARK, as in black (which I have done before and is very striking)?????</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-73981669935832495942011-10-27T20:47:00.001-05:002011-10-27T21:16:22.452-05:00Nap TimeNap time. Ugh. You never know how good you got it til the game gets changed. In many ways I was spoiled when I had my daughter. Because my husband worked long hours away from home 6 days a week it was mainly just her and I. This meant that, as a stay at home mom, my world revolved around her & her needs. I was able to get us into a routine that worked for us and by the time we moved across the country to be closer to my family & keep hubby from working himself to death, she was locked into a set nap routine. One that meant I got 2 hours free in the morning and 2 hours free in the afternoon. We moved in with my parents & I kept that routine and pretty much 'convinced' my niece (my sister & her daughter lived with my parents, too- they have a HUGE house) to be on the same routine. Yay! After I got pregnant with our twins we moved out, our nap routine stayed the same (I know, a 2 year old who takes 2 naps a day?!?) and I was able to get the rest I desperately needed. <br />
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The twins have not been as cooperative as my daughter. :-( I know that part of the problem is our daily routine is not as calm. Mini has dropped her morning nap and it is not like we can just hang around the house while the boys take a nap. She has school 3 days a week which means we have to be out of the house early and since the school isn't near home and it is near the gym that means we go there next, then it is lunch time and before I know it time to pick Mini up from school. I took the easy road for the first year and just held both boys to get them to go to sleep for nap time. Now that they have a set bedtime routine I am trying to get a set nap time routine for at least one nap, the afternoon one since, theoretically Mini takes one, too.<br />
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Getting their bedtime routine set was not fun. It required the use of the Cry It Out method. Now, before you get your panties in a twist, the twins are 1 year old and old enough to get the concept. It only took a couple days but they figured it out and now they sleep from about 7:30p-7:00a. :-) Nap time has not been so easy. I put them in their cribs at 3:30p every day and leave them there until 5:00p; 90% of the time Little, Little Man will sleep while Big, Little Man will scream & cry like he is being tortured. It makes me sick to my stomach to listen to him cry and I hate it. I KNOW he needs sleep and I can't think of another way to make it happen besides holding him BUT I need to get things done without interruptions and, yes, sometimes I need some sleep. I don't know what else to try and so tomorrow I will do it all over again...Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-30622914117935008742011-10-13T23:02:00.002-05:002011-11-28T21:49:50.331-06:00Legwarmers!<div style="text-align: left;">Mini loves to wear dresses to school, the gym, the store, everywhere. Mini lives where it is getting cold fast. Mini is a 3 year old who is likes to go to the potty by herself. Tights are no longer an option (pants are complicated enough!) Sooo.... LEGWARMERS!!!! We have a couple pairs from when Mini & her cousin were babies and she wears them all the time but more are needed. They are soo expensive! So I looked up how to make them from ladies' knee high socks. I made hubby buy some today (I let him pick the patterns- talk about trust!) And I made a pair for each kiddo! (They work great for the boys when we are at home cause it means I don't have to take pants off to change diapers.) Here's how I did it:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Women's knee high socks:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wf3MLegPlUQ/TpewFo-zk4I/AAAAAAAAABs/A7jR3TCBAiA/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wf3MLegPlUQ/TpewFo-zk4I/AAAAAAAAABs/A7jR3TCBAiA/s320/011.JPG" width="265px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cut the socks as shown:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1u3b857dTk/TpewKKDk5eI/AAAAAAAAAB0/wGZkmnVgK6E/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209px" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1u3b857dTk/TpewKKDk5eI/AAAAAAAAAB0/wGZkmnVgK6E/s320/013.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Discard toe and heel sections. Trim the last piece as shown:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(This will be the second cuff so how much you trim is up to you-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">it all depends on how tight you want the cuff to be.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XggTVcxSCIA/TpewMBvW3ZI/AAAAAAAAAB8/4R_zXMzGW9E/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286px" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XggTVcxSCIA/TpewMBvW3ZI/AAAAAAAAAB8/4R_zXMzGW9E/s320/015.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BheUz9kD-Co/TpewO6WzwjI/AAAAAAAAACE/NCJp-kreExA/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227px" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BheUz9kD-Co/TpewO6WzwjI/AAAAAAAAACE/NCJp-kreExA/s320/016.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sew the soon-to-be cuff WRONG SIDE OUT back together:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuramZVilPQ/TpewRKGqvHI/AAAAAAAAACM/91ksNr627bo/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuramZVilPQ/TpewRKGqvHI/AAAAAAAAACM/91ksNr627bo/s320/017.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Fold the cuff in half so the RIGHT SIDE shows (I missed this pic. OOPS!)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Turn the sock WRONG SIDE OUT and pin the folded cuff to the inside:</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sew close to the unfinished edge, I recommend sewing it twice.</div><div style="text-align: left;">(You don't HAVE to pin it; feel free to free hand sew it.) :-)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZq-HP80hak/TpewTegn83I/AAAAAAAAACU/Jrn3dYTXSCw/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZq-HP80hak/TpewTegn83I/AAAAAAAAACU/Jrn3dYTXSCw/s320/021.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Voila!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jD4hq9HSqX8/TpewVR_knuI/AAAAAAAAACc/kq4xMMuoygU/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169px" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jD4hq9HSqX8/TpewVR_knuI/AAAAAAAAACc/kq4xMMuoygU/s320/022.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Not bad for my first go around. Plus, each pair only cost $2.50 and it only took me about and hour and a half to make all 3 pairs (this was in between taking care of a 3 year old & 2 1 year olds soo....) Oh & I have some ideas about how to turn them into arm warmers. :-D<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJiYTpzGYUU/TtRVx4k58XI/AAAAAAAAAH0/8tDNCvVqaqI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="217px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJiYTpzGYUU/TtRVx4k58XI/AAAAAAAAAH0/8tDNCvVqaqI/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Big, Little Man Mini Little, Little Man</div><div style="text-align: center;">in their legwarmers/baby legs</div><br />
**UPDATE** Mini has mastered tight and as it gets colder we have found that legwarmers over tights or leggings is perfect for her.</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-90879325175978285952011-10-02T10:21:00.001-05:002011-10-27T21:14:08.040-05:00One year ago today... Today...One year ago today I was ready to be done being pregnant.<br />
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One year ago today I made Hubby stop and get me breakfast on the way to the hospital cause I didn't want to starve all day.<br />
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One year ago today I was laughing at my husband & B as they sang/danced Thriller to keep my mind off the pain.<br />
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One year ago today I begged them not to send me home.<br />
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One year ago today I thought the hours couldn't pass fast enough.<br />
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One year ago today I had a room full of professionals at the ready (and hallway full of of gawkers.)<br />
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One year ago today I couldn't feel a thing from my waist down. :-O<br />
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One year ago today I was told "It's time."<br />
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One year ago today I heard my sons cry for the very first time.<br />
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One year ago today I asked Hubby who was who. ;-)<br />
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One year ago today I held my sons for the first time.<br />
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One year ago today I devoured some Taco Bell.<br />
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One year ago today I took pictures of 2 of the most beautiful babies ever and sent them to everyone I could think of to.<br />
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One year ago today I relaxed in a hospital bed and drank in the knowledge that I had 2 healthy baby boys snuggled together in an isolette.<br />
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One year ago today I thought 'this isn't so bad.'<br />
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One year ago today I had no clue just how hard yet rewarding it would be.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ0YRir_fB8/Toh_MY0WcnI/AAAAAAAAABk/XwGoHIqveVg/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ0YRir_fB8/Toh_MY0WcnI/AAAAAAAAABk/XwGoHIqveVg/s320/003.JPG" width="284px" /></a></div><br />
Today I know that I have survived. :-D<br />
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Today I am wondering where the time has gone.<br />
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Today I chased 2 adorable little boys to give them hugs.<br />
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Today I smiled while watching Mini try and get the twins to quite whining.<br />
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Today I got hugs and drool kisses from 2 big boys who are about to start walking.<br />
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Today I listened to Little, Little Man screaming "mama" and Big, Little Man screaming "dada" and got the warm fuzzies. :-)<br />
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Today I discovered that Big, Little Man could reached the blinds when they are partly opened.<br />
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Today I realized that Little, Little Man could climb the stairs.<br />
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Today I could use a couple of more hours sleep.<br />
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Today I can't imagine my life without them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KaizuECbv3o/Toh_ZqPyWpI/AAAAAAAAABo/Y7kexMY0v3k/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283px" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KaizuECbv3o/Toh_ZqPyWpI/AAAAAAAAABo/Y7kexMY0v3k/s320/015.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">H</span><span style="color: lime;">A</span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">P</span><span style="color: lime;">P</span><span style="color: blue;">Y</span> <span style="color: lime;">B</span><span style="color: blue;">I</span><span style="color: lime;">R</span><span style="color: blue;">T</span><span style="color: lime;">H</span><span style="color: blue;">D</span><span style="color: lime;">A</span><span style="color: blue;">Y</span></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">LITTLE, LITTLE MAN </span>& <span style="color: lime;">BIG, LITTLE MAN</span>!!!!!!</span></strong></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-47551852644307049152011-09-28T21:05:00.001-05:002011-10-27T21:11:28.276-05:00TeethingHave I ever mentioned how much fun dealing with a teething baby is?? How about 2 of them? It is great! (If you're buying that I have a bridge...)<br />
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The boys are teething hardcore again. The worst of it comes & goes and right now it is really sucky. The boys have been waking up of and on all night long and, usually, one will wake the other. :-( Last night Big, Little Man was up for 2 hours. Ugh! We try not to medicate the boys too much- they both get Benydril to help with sinus drainage and Big, Little Man gets Claratin for his allergies. Tonight they are getting baby Advil in the hopes that their teeth don't bother them & I (we, really because Hubby gets up,too) can get a solid night's sleep.<br />
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It wasn't an easy decision but sleep is a precious commodity that neither of us can afford to do without.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-14443037589908060452011-08-23T08:23:00.001-05:002011-10-27T21:09:44.902-05:00Mean MommyI have never hidden the fact that I am NOT a morning person. I have an extremely hard time functioning before 8:00a (and that is pushing it!) I once had a boss who wouldn't call the office before 9:00a because he didn't want to talk to Mean Jennifer. This was not really an issue when I only had myself to worry about; actually, it wasn't really an issue when I just had Mini because she would sleep in with me. Now that Mini is older she is up earlier and I have not been able to convince her that 6:00a is NOT acceptable. Plus the twins wake up early so that by the time I get them settled again Mini is up. This has turned me into a very bitter mommy. <br />
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In fact one could call me Mean Mommy. I try very hard not to get angry with the kids but I am having a hard time with it simply because I feel so out of it that I can't function. Sleep is not necessarily the answer because, while it does help, I still have a hard time functioning that early. Coffee really isn't an option as I can't stand the taste and caffeine only helps minimally. There is no way I can get up before the kids because that would mean getting up at 4:30a and I don't even want to THINK about that! I haven't found a solution yet but I'll keep looking because I don't want my kids to suffer.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-61192514046169657132011-08-01T21:03:00.000-05:002011-08-01T21:03:43.435-05:00My husbandMy husband is an amazing man. He works his but off and feels guilty when he can't make it home in the middle of the day to spend time with us. He cooks dinner just as often as me and does his own laundry. When I have completely had it after a long day with the kids he jumps in to help out. He brings me chocolate when he knows I'm down. He keeps me sane.<br />
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That is not to say that he doesn't drive me absolutely INSANE! Guess that's why I love him so much.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-26646978030965076712011-07-27T08:45:00.000-05:002011-07-27T08:45:41.415-05:00PlaydatesSometimes I think we forget that playdates aren't only for the kids. <br />
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Yesterday I had a swim playdate at my parents' house (they have a huge saltwater pool, I do not so we go there.) :-D There were 5 moms and 13 kids in the pool (it is a really big pool, I swear.) The kids were ages 9 months to 13 years old & we moms are all similar in age. ;-)<br />
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It was nice to be around other mothers and to be able to talk about decisions we were making, things that had happened and even simply laughing when one apologized for her kid being 'sassy' because a nap was not had. (I thought said kid, a 2 year old, was doing great for not having had a nap!) I also really liked that it exposed the children to other children of similar AND different ages. The bigger ones had to adjust because there were little ones in the pool and the little ones had to learn that they couldn't go everywhere the big ones did.<br />
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I'm thinking that I am going to have to plan more playdates. It will go a long way to keeping me sane. :-DJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-74763684624798844472011-07-27T08:28:00.000-05:002011-07-27T08:28:57.591-05:00I'm ADD; give me a break!!!I swear I did not forget that I am supposed to be blogging. Life just got away from me. Summer is a busy time to be outside, away from the computer (that is my excuse and I am stickin' to it!) I will try and be better about it. :-)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-24385737659022404622011-05-04T14:19:00.001-05:002011-10-27T21:07:26.968-05:00I can't give you that right now.I think I am good in a crisis situation. Pressure brings out the best in me. My first night as a restaurant manager a customer got her purse stolen and a server mixed up the credit cards on 2 table and 1 of the tables had already left (always check your credit card!) Easy...didn't hardly blink. I quickly became the one people looked to to handle things.<br />
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My life right now is pretty stressful. Mini is testing my limits practically hourly, the boys are teething, I am trying to get my business up & going to help out our financial situation and we are getting ready to move. The house we rent is too small for us. It is a 2.5 bedroom with 1.5 bathrooms. The .5 bedroom is because the master bedroom was added onto a small bedroom, so we used it as the boys room knowing that we'd move before they got so big that we'd need to worry. It was a bit crowded but doable. Overall the space issue wasn't too bad when we were able to use half the basement as a playroom but that ended when the rain began. Now it floods when it rains, the carpet has been pulled up and you take your life in your own hands when doing laundry. Now the upstairs is the playroom. <br />
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We have been anticipating moving this weekend to a bigger place where we have room to breathe, a big playroom, & a bedroom for the boys where we could fit 2 cribs and their clothes. The house is a wreck. There are boxes piled up in the dining room and only 3 chairs are available to sit at the table. Half the pantry space has been emptied into boxes and there is no space to walk much less put the boys down for tummy time. To say that it is extra stressful is an understatement. But I could handle it. I have been hanging on by the tips of my fingertips (and my sanity) because there were only days left. Oh and, on top of all this, my in-laws come into town 2 weeks from Friday (moving day.)<br />
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Well, today we found out that there is no electricity to the house and there won't be until at least June 1st. We are not the only family affected by this, 5 other families and several college students are, too. Our current landlady has no problem with us staying longer as, once we move out, she will be having the foundation torn up to fix the leak issue. I realize that I should look at the positive and be happy that we have someplace to live and that it is just one more month. Right now I can't. <br />
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Right now I am overwhelmed by everything going on and this is the straw that is breaking this camel's back. So if you are looking for the silver lining, positivity, or decisions beyond 'is it nap time or not' I can't give you that right now. I'm not sure when I'll be able to. Probably tomorrow because that's what's expected...Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-20130279919744094642011-04-25T17:16:00.001-05:002011-10-27T21:06:26.862-05:00How I spent the last hourGet ready to put the Whole Wheat Vegetable Lasagna into the oven and realize that it is made w/portobello mushrooms. **shudder** Little, Little Man needs his diaper changed, no diapers handy, leave him laying on the changing pad (on the floor) to go get some, walk past the kitchen & realize the ice tea is not brewing into the pitcher but all over the counter/floor. Forget about Little, Little Man in the scramble to clean it up. Hear a baby screaming & rush back to the living room to find that Little, Little Man rolled over & bumped his head on the coffee table. Change his diaper, make a comment about his stinky poopy to which Mini responds "me, too!" Follow Mini into the bathroom to find she pooped in her underwear, get her cleaned up & hubby walks in the door... I'm beat!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-76239836251577564432011-03-28T20:05:00.002-05:002011-10-27T21:03:09.993-05:002nd Time AroundWhen we had Mini we were just learning how to be parents. We did our best to make the right choices; sometimes we probably goofed but overall we did pretty good, I think. Be that as it may there are always choices you wish you could have a "do over" on. That is what second children are for. ;-)<br />
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We get the chance to things differently the second time around. For better or for worse.<br />
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Some of them are purely for survival and others because we figured out that they ended up being an issue as Mini got older: <br />
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Pacifier- I didn't push it with Mini because I pretty much was always able to pick her up and comfort her, with the twins there is just no way. I need Little, Little Man to be able to gain some comfort on his own while I deal with Mini or Big, Little Man and visa versa.<br />
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Breast feeding/Co-sleeping/2am feeding- We co-slept with Mini until she was 10+ months old and she was breastfed on demand. It was not possible to co-sleep with both boys and they both had latch issues so I pumped and bottle fed them before starting formula at 6 weeks. Once they were old enough we weaned them off the 2am feeding because the lack of sleep was becoming detrimental.<br />
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Pass the Baby- I'll admit it with Mini I had a hard time letting others hold her (& this included her Daddy!) With the twins I am quite willing to hand them off to whoever wants to hold them. :-)<br />
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I am sure there are more changes to come as we learn what has worked and what hasn't with Mini. Of course, there is no guarantee that it will help with the boys. ;-)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294789840479753759.post-1342582802678824102011-03-14T21:03:00.000-05:002011-03-14T21:03:16.468-05:00A Whole New WorldI recently decided that I was suffering from postpartum depression. I was overwhelmed by the kids and a lot of days it was all I could do to get up and follow our routine. With a toddler and 2 babies depending on me there was no way I could just stay in bed each morning. I would force myself to feed everyone, change diapers, get them dressed, get me dressed, plaster a smile on my face & head to the gym. All I wanted to do was disappear into a dark room to hide. The longer I tried to deal the more my OCD tendencies tried to assert itself. I attacked my husband for giving the babies the wrong color toys or bottles and for countless other things. He was an easy target really, who else could I attack? I noticed that my 2 year old was starting to pick up on things and act on them. My heart would break when she would say "Too loud, Mommy, too loud" but I felt out of touch.<br />
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On top of all this my body does not seem like it is mine. Instead of losing weight since having the twins I have gained more even though I go to the gym and workout and eat healthy. In order to have my Essure procedure I had to have a Depo shot at the end of December so my hormones are out of whack. I figured part of my depression stemmed from all of this so I talked to my nurse practitioner, who is also a family friend, and she made me an appointment with her for the next day. She ran a full screening (kidneys/liver function, hormone levels, thyroid...) In addition she prescribed me Zoloft and Ritalin. She has had good results treating postpartum depression using Zoloft plus it also is used to treat OCD and, because I had been on Ritalin in the past, she went ahead and gave me a prescription to treat my ADD.<br />
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I have been on the medications for almost a week now and the difference is amazing. The chaos has calmed. I realized it the other day when I managed to clean 3 bathrooms from top to bottom, do 4 loads of laundry and take care of the kids w/o feeling overwhelmed. Doesn't seem like much but to me it is a whole new world. Do I think it is all just gonna go away now that I am on meds? No. But it helps and those around me have noticed and that is what matters right now. The rest I am working on. :-DJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316226260594142066noreply@blogger.com1