Wordless Wednesday

Do You Know Where Your Peeps are at?

I know exactly where my Peeps are at!!!!

If you have any questions on how to locate your Peeps read the following and you should be able to find them too.....

I'll share with you some little known facts:



1 Peep contains 32 calories and 0 grams of fat
Yellow Peeps are the most popular (Must be so that we can convince ourselves that they are closely related to fruits and vegetable,-summer squash, corn, pineapples, bananas, apples{you get the idea- at least that's what I tell myself} unlike the pink, lavender, blue and white- the next most popular ones.)
Peeps went wing free in 1991 (that's so they couldn't fly away and had to dutifully wait in each Easter basket.)
Peeps eyes are actually made of wax and are sprayed on by a machine (is that why they have that glazed over look in their eyes as they stare at me from the kitchen counter?)
The first Peeps were created in 1953 and it took 27 hours to create just one Peep
Today peeps are create at 4.2 million per day (& I probably have half of that amount in my home right now!)
Peeps shelf life.....24 months (that's two years on my HIPS people... two whole years!!!!!!!)

Enjoy some Peep entertainment on me, or a Peep game, or just get a good chuckle... after all, we do need to find something to do with all those Peeps.

Her Future is so Bright She's Gotta' Wear Shades

Just want to give a little shout out to my girl Jamie!!

Many of you don't know Jamie, so let me give a little background:

Back in junior high we were a group of four bad asses (not really but everyone once in a while I like to have delusions of grandeur) Myself, Jenny, Julie and Scarleth... we were like the female version of the brat pack (not really, but once again another delusion) we were all pretty tight and actually remained very close until our twenties when we all, one by one, got married and had kids... (I was the first, Julie soon followed, Jenny and Scarleth took their time- but I digress) Just recently, we've all fallen into each other's laps again (with kids in tow this time- some of us with many, some of us with few - hint, hint Tommy, Jenny needs another baby!)

Now this is where Jamie's biography begins:

When I finally found Julie again after many years (7 or 8, I believe) we did some major catching up... over the past few months we've stayed in contact (albeit not the kinda' contact we once had, but the kind that let's you know this person is a true friend and when you're old and grey you can still call upon them and it always feels like you never missed a beat.)

So, during our rediscovery period we shared many photos back and forth, probably just for the shock factor of how everyone has so drastically changed.(And to catch up on once infants and now preteens and of course our hubby's.) As I looked at the pictures of her last baby shower I saw all of her sisters (they are 4 girls all together) except for the youngest one, 3 year old Jamie! Where had she gone? I wondered what had happened to her and this is what I found out... strange as it may sound... she had actually grown up. I was shocked!! What happened to that cute and innocent little girl? The one who was three years old? (another one of my delusions of still being a teenager), the one whom I thought was "getting old" when she started elementary school? The one who was the "entertainment" at all of our get togethers? Where did she go?????? She went to the arena... and then made way her way to the television set! To be everyone else's "entertainment". This sweet, innocent, "little girl" tried out for a new group in the making "Girlicious". She not only had the gumption to audition but made it all the way into the finals.

As Frank, Axel and I sat around every Monday night to cheer her on, I was shocked...when in the world did she learn how to sing? Last I saw her she was still using baby words (okay, not really but being 12 years her elder it sure seems like it.) She has not only grown up and "busted" out but she has become a quite talented young lady.

We dutifully watched her each week and towards the end of the show, when the eliminations would come around I held my breath and wished that all her dreams would come true and that she would go on for another week. And, week after week she did, until this past Monday. She had made it into the final 9 of Girlicious. With each passing episode I was floored that this little girl (obviously, only "little" in my mind- Frank and Axel have reminded me of that many times over) had such talent! Unfortunately, the judges didn't see it my way and she was cut this past Monday night. But, the fact still remains... She Hawt!! And, I see a very promising career ahead for her! So Julie and Jamie, when you read this just know that I won't think you're strange if the next time I get a bundle of pictures and Jamie is wearing sunglasses indoors... I know it's a necessity when your future is so bright that you gotta' wear shades. Good luck Jamie, you're going to go far!

Wordless Wesnesday

Even a princess can have a hard day....

Come Back, Don't Leave Me

So as some of you may have discovered by now, I have been cheating. Cheating on my Sleep Deprived Ramblings, cheating on YOU!!!
Ohhhh, how I grovel for your forgiveness.... how could I ever make it up to you? I'll do whatever it takes, to prove my continued devotion to you... anything, your wish is my command!

Wha'?!?

You wha'??

You wanna know wha'?

You wanna' know all about my other love?

Will that actually make you feel better? You want to know all of the torrid details???

Well, if you insist, and I remind you, that I am only doing this because you begged! I've.... ummmmmmmm, been cheating with........ ummmmmmmmmmm, another BLOG! There I said it.... ANOTHER BLOG!!!

Are you happy now?

Any more questions???

Wha'?!?

Now, you wanna' know wha'?!?

Now you want to know all about this other blog?

Are you sure this will help mend things between us?

Fine.... the blog is An Apple For Mom !

Are you proud of yourself now.... I hope this is enough to satisfy your curiosity!

Wha', you still aren't satisfied?

Now you want to know what it looks like?!?

You sure aren't easy to please...

Okay, if I introduce you will you forgive me and forget the whole cheating thing???

You will?!?!

GREAT... okay, stroll on over but don't leave me for it... as tempting as it may be. Please come back to me... I promise you can go back and visit often, just don't abandon me!!!!! Go ahead now, go.... as they say:

"I'll set you free, if you come back it was meant to be!"

My Ribs Hurt from Laughing Not from Fighting

21

Homeschooling Anonymous

Hi my name is Maddie, and I am a homeschooler.

Many people believe we homeschoolers should be in hiding or need social rehab. They believe they are freaks, social misfits, extremist, religious fundamentalist, hippies, granola crunchers, Birkenstock wearers, hallelujah-ist, ill informed, uneducated tramps, indoctrinating tyrants the list goes on and on....

And yes, the truth is there is every degree of belief, every degree of seriousness, every degree of everything. There are the ones who homeschool strictly for religious reasons and those who homeschool for simply being able to teach their own unpopular beliefs. There are those who homeschool because it's what they know and those who homeschool because of the novelty or even because they accidentally fell into it. There are those that homeschool because they refuse to adhere to governmental standards, and those who homeschool because they believe the government is failing our children.

The reality is that homeschoolers are not freaks. Simply parents that are exercising their personal right to educate their children in the way they see best. These are people who take personal interest in their children's everyday lives. Not to say that parents of mainstreamed children do not share the same interest in their children's lives, but homeschoolers feel personally responsible for their children's upbringing. They feel the buck stops with them. Homeschooling is a very personal choice and often time a difficult choice. Difficult because the buck does stop with them. There is no school system to blame for their children's shortcomings. There is no one to blame for their children's lack of knowledge. They are solely responsible for not only their children's education but for their "socialization", their willingness to adapt, their willingness to be assertive. Their willingness to be adventurous. These are just a few of the issues that homeschooling families deal with. They can always opt out and say, "This is too much work for me. This is too intense for me. I need a day off." But there is something about being able to have such a direct role in your child's upbringing... something that speaks to the core of you, something that makes it just as important as teaching them to walk for the first time. As you witness your child learn and take interest in the fundamentals of something, you then realize that, so many parents miss out on these special moments. The truth is, children in today's typical classroom environment may never really even have an opportunity to seriously delve into something, out of pure interest. They miss too many opportunities, all while waiting for Billy to return from the bathroom before continuing the lesson. Or, being pushed through a lesson simply because they need an extra moment or two to work out a problem but, of course the big test is on Friday and "we need to learn this one last thing, before the end of class." What happened to the joy of learning? I'll share with you the elusive answer... Standardized tests, overcrowded classrooms, budget cuts and no child left behind acts, in general: plain apathy for our children.

My answer to our country's choice to put our children last? To overlook the importance of knowing where Africa is on a map; instead of who a senator is sleeping with? MY ANSWER: HOMESCHOOL!!! So here I stand on my soapbox and proudly announce:

My Name is Maddie, and I am a Homeschooler.

Wordless Wednesday

Did you know???

Homeschooling in the Garden State just tagged me, and it being my first official tag. I am kinda':

Choose one:

A.) Nervous
B.) Excited
C.) Nausea
D.) Annoyed
E.) Confused
F.) None of the above

Okay for all of you that chose "F", let me know and I'll tag you next time. I actually think its kinda' cool and flattering that someone may want to know 5 facts about me, not saying that anyone else out there wants to know but since Kate decided for everyone (you can all drop by her blog and thank her later), you will all be subjected to it as well. It's all because {she} "likes me, {she} really, really likes me..." ***Quick name the source of the quote...***

Alright here goes:

Rules: Link to your tagger and post these rules. Share 5 facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them). Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

1. My hubby and I played doctor tonight, he was the doctor I was the patient and he gave me a rare diagnosis, he informed me that I suffer from a newly diagnosed chronic affliction: Laptoposis - the condition which afflicts those with laptops, these (us) poor souls feeling the need to constantly multitask by doing everything while lugging the laptop, as if it were an appendage, all around the house (e.g.the couch, the kitchen, the bed, the bathroom... yes everywhere- that we can carve out a spare moment or two.)

2. I suppose the diagnosis was long incoming, since finding a new homeschool group and Gabby finally being old enough to attend story time at the library, I have overcome my self imposed Agoraphobia. I now suffer from Oikophobia. Fortunately, he hasn't realized the latter and therefore I dodged a double diagnosis. (He'll surely figure it out by next week.)

3. I swear I have the body of Kate Moss (no I didn't eat her)... of course hiding under the 50+ pounds of post pregnancy baby weight (dating back to the child born in the nineties- but why be specific? She in there I swear!)

4. My head is just swimming with useless knowledge. I know a little about everything and very little about anything. I attribute this to my photographic memory. I can recall things 15-25 years later with scary accuracy. My poor Frank can't get away with anything, but then again I am his virtual date book planner/ address book/ and record keeper. He has to give a little to get so much. Right? (That's at least the Bill of Rights, I've sold him!)

5. I live with the regret that I haven't been able to give my son some of the same opportunities I had as a child. My parents were wise enough to make my brother and I "world travelers". It taught us how to be accepting over others in all their own different lights. How to respect people not in spite of their differences but because of their differences. People are different but deep inside all the same no matter where you are in the world. MY son, regrettably has not had these same opportunities (due to circumstance not desire) but I hope that he learns through my example to be just as accepting of others.

So now I must tag: Ummmmmmm, who do I want to know more about? It's hard I want to tag everyone (even the ones on the wait list- waiting to be added to my blogroll)

Life in Full Swing While Running Though Hoops (Newbie- that can use a litle push or really by this point a HUGE shove!)

Adventures of Plenty

School N Such

Gottfredsen Academy

Yasmina Green


Trivia Answer:
***"You like me, you really like me," a thrilled Sally Field in 1985, gushed while accepting her second Oscar in five years.***

Hollerin' at all my Sunshine Peeps

For those who live in Florida y'all know ya' special, me oyes? Y'all are special, and not just in the short bus way, but in the way that Florida is a small country in and of itself!

The Northern portion might as well be renamed from "The Panhandle" to "L.A." (lower Alabama).

The Central Statians/ Stators(This one will be up for debate and discussion in a later post) are all over the map; you have people coming off a family tree that looks like a telephone pole, "city slickers"- of course in the regimented flip flops, beach bums or babes (with corresponding body parts hanging out), and an open tailgate pick-up truck load of people that yell "Oye, ese!, Andale!"

And then last but not least, you have The Jewel of the state or the sh*thole of the state, depending what part of the state you are currently standing in. The Southern (which is south only by definition) ques es un arroz con mango of Hispanos, not Latinos but Hispanos (this too will be up for debate and discussion in a later post.)

Tha's right y'all son especial!!!Be proud of living in a state where the world depends on our ability to count hanging CHADS to determine who will be leader of the free world, be proud to be part of a state that that has mandatory legislation demanding that all official papers be distributed in English as well as Spanish (the state's official native tongue, apparently) be proud to be from a state where one can find a sign in a store front which ironically reads "Si, hablamos Ingles" and when a English mono linguist enters a store and addresses the clerk in English is ushered out for not speaking this state's native language- Sheeesh! Don't all youz know how lucky you are to be a Floridian!!! And if by chance you answered "no", then read below and realize that you have long been brain-washed into thinking that Florida Peeps are normal. Just know that you're not!


You know you're a Floridian if-

..Socks are only for bowling.

..You never use an umbrella because you know the rain will be over
in five minutes.

.A good parking place has nothing to do with distance from the
store, but everything to do with shade. Uh Hum, AMEN!!!Especially during the ***Summer***

..Your winter coat is made of denim.

..You can tell the difference between fire ant bites and mosquito
bites.

..You're younger than thirty but some of your friends are over 65.

..Anything under 70 is chilly.

..You pass on the right and honk at the elderly, but pull over for a
funeral.

..You've driven through Yeehaw Junction.

..You could swim before you could read.

..You have to drive north to get to The South.

..You know that no other grocery store can compare to Publix (*Sigh*... ahhhhhhhh,Publix!)

..Every other house in your neighborhood had blue roofs in 2004-
2005.

..You've gotten out of school early on Halloween to trick or treat
before it got dark

..You know that anything under a Category 3 just isn't worth waking
up for.

..You dread lovebug season (to the point that you don't even get the mail during those weeks.)

..You are on a first name basis with the Hurricane list. They aren't
Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances...but Charley, Frances, Ivan
Jeanne and ANDREW!!!

..You know what a snowbird is and you hate them.

..You think a six-foot alligator is actually pretty average.

..You were twelve before you ever saw snow, or you still haven't.

..'Down South' means "the Keys" (for those of you from the actual United States that's "Key West")

..'Panhandling' means going to Pensacola

..You think no-one over 70 should be allowed to drive "Hear Ye, Hear Ye!!!"

..Flip-flops are everyday wear.

..Shoes are for business meetings and church.

.No, wait, flip flops are good for church too, unless it's Easter or
Christmas.

..Sweet tea can be served at any meal.

..An alligator once walked through your neighborhood.

..You smirk when a game show's 'Grand Prize' is a trip or cruise to
Florida (We all feel sorry for you poor saps that actually get excited, and then even more so should it be during the ***summer***!!)

..You measure distance in minutes.

..You have a drawer full of bathing suits, and one sweatshirt.

..You get annoyed at the tourists who feed seagulls (but secretly laugh when they end up getting pooped on)

..All the local festivals are named after a fruit.

..A mountain is any hill 100 feet above sea level.

..You think everyone from a bigger city has a northern accent.

***..You know the four seasons really are: almost summer, summer, not
summer but really hot, and February.****

..It's not soda, cola, or pop. It's coke, regardless of brand or
flavor, 'What kinda coke you want?'

..Anything under 95 is just warm.

..You've hosted a hurricane party (and were past out during Frances- *wink, wink*, Frank)

..You go to a theme park for an afternoon, and know when to get on
the best rides. (Space Mountain during the Electric Light Parade!)

..You understand the futility of exterminating cockroaches and burning candles to get rid of mosquitoes.

..You can pronounce Okeechobee, Kissimmee, Ichnatucknee,
Withlacoochee, and Wauchula.

..You understand why it's better to have a friend with a boat, than
have a boat yourself. (especially at $3.30 gallon!)

..Bumper stickers on the pickup in front of you include: various
fish, NRA, Nascar, Go Gators, and a confederate flag (if anywhere North of Miami, if in Miami or down South, they must all be in Spanish and spew some condemnation of Communism!)

..You were 5 before you realized they made houses without pools.

..You were 25 when you first met someone who couldn't swim.

..You get angry when people say ' Florida isn't really part of the
SOUTH.'

..You've worn shorts and a tank top and ran the A/C all day on Christmas.

..You know what the 'stingray shuffle' is, and why it's important!

..You recognize Miami-Dade as ' Northern Cuba '.

..You've chuckled or peed after reading any one of these.

You are my -----

I really don't know what made me think of it, maybe the sadness of not living near my loved ones or the thought that life is so fragile and fleeting. I have yet to keep my own personal vow of sitting down write letters to my oldest, middle, or youngest child. Though I have written them many times over in my head. I haven't written a letter to my mother in many years and nor have I written my brother. My husband receives the obligatory holiday cards and the "just thinking of you" cards, but a love letter is long in coming. I always fear that I may die and my young children would never "know" their mother. They wouldn't know me as their friend nor as their esteemed advisor. At this point my oldest would know me as a nagger, a chore lister, a the person whose constant is "you'll understand my reasoning when you get older." While I know he has no doubt about my unwavering love, my unconditional devotion, and his greatest champion, he does not, however know me as a "person" and "chosen" friend, a role model. At this moment I am fulfilling my role as a MOTHER. My younger two solely know me as the nourisher, the "teacher", the silly song singer, and of course the kiss stealer. But, they have yet known me as a person and I fully know those days are far off in the distance. I do relish every role I play in their lives and only hope that I will be fortunate enough to play these roles until the day comes when they favor me as a friend. My mother hasn't heard my words of her importance in mine and my children's lives in quite a while and my brother has never known my admiration for accomplishments and his convictions of always being true to himself first, nor of my deep love for him for being the only other soul roaming this planet that can understand where I have been and why I am going. And my wonderful husband, hasn't been gifted in quite some time in knowing how truly special he is, what an admirable man, father and husband. He has heard plenty of complaints, but not nearly enough compliments. Plenty of "honey dos", but not enough accolades. Plenty of.... everything he shouldn't have to continuously hear and not enough of everything he should continually hear.

I only mentioned writing these particular letters to some of the most important people in my life and yes, there are many other people that are deserving of a letter from me- my other loved ones- friends as well as family, I don't quite think they each know what they mean to me individually and collectively. I would write my children many things in their letters; my hopes and dreams for them, advice I hope they would treasure, stories of my childhood told in my own voice, the things I found important in life and the dreams I have always had. My letter to family and friends would be filled with the gratitude of being a part of my life, filled with "our" stories, with the hopes and dreams I have for them. Every letter would be filled with love and all those other things I never find the time for. All those things I put on the back burner. All those things that are assumed the other person knows. Until the time my legacy letters are penned, I share my favorite poem of all time... and for all of you that read it please know that I am thankful you are not only in my dash, you all have made my dash worth writing about.


The Dash Poem



I read of a man who stood to speak, at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on this tombstone from beginning ….to the end.

He noted that first came his date of birth and spoke the following with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all, was the dash in between those years.

For the dash represents, all the time he spent alive on earth.
And how only those who loved him know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash, what matters most is how we live and love and how we spend our dash…
So think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough, to consider what is true and real.
And always try to understand, the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,
and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile…
Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.


So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash
would you be proud of the things they say and how your spent your dash?

by Linda Ellis

Wordless Wednesday

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This still classifies as wordless right? (afterall he isn't speaking right?) It was just too cute to pass up...

Happy Birthday, Birthday Girl

*** Disclaimer - Sappy post about to ensue- you have been warned***


Just recently my precious little princess turned a whooping 2!!! Frank and I spent the better part of the week looking at each other in awe, not being able to grasp that we now have a two year old, all we could do was repeat over and over "Can you believe she's 2 already, where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were rushing to the hospital and soon thereafter counting her fingers and toes for the first time." Now we are counting with her (or at least her form of counting) "Whan..., duuu...., feee...., foe...., fi....., sick, NINE!" I can't get enough of her annunciation of each word - or better yet what she believes is the proper pronunciation. She surprises us everyday with her newly mastered skills or puppy tricks. Yesterday's trick was her explaining what her baby brother is "EE, Puppy, No!" ~ "EE, baaaaaaby" ***kiss, kiss, EE on the forehead*** She was thrilled when we would repeat "That's right EE is not a puppy, he's a baby!" You would have thought she had just discovered and successfully taught the theory of relativity with all the cheering and clapping she had going on. Today, she proudly announced "Poo-poo" and grabbed her droopy diaper. Daddy took off her diaper and off she ran to the potty! She patiently sat reading a book and voila she pooped in the potty!!!! (Okay, now only a mother of a toddler or my mom would appreciate that story, but I had the uncontrollable need to share~ Yes, I am one of those moms! So sue me!)

We celebrated her birthday in a very low key manner... we had cupcakes and pizza for dinner.. we sang Happy Birthday and she blew out her candle (or at least attempted to)She cheered and clapped after each verse of the song and we smiled and cheered her on as well. Just because her birthday was low key didn't mean she was in any way cheated her on presents though (because heaven knows she and the playroom are deprived of toys.) She got a new play kitchen with more play food than she knows what to do with. But, her real big gift (as if a whole new kitchen and other miscellaneous toys are not enough) was going to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures alone with Mommy and Daddy. This was by far her favorite present (I am interpreting this from how she relished every second and the fits of laughter and giggles that I was so fortunate to bare witness to) She had our complete undivided attention all day long. She's never really had the chance to have Mommy and Daddy all to herself, because Daddy works so hard and the house is always full of siblings. She ate up every minute of it. She had Daddy wrapped around her little finger- and not to mention Mommy too (evidenced by Mommy having to go down EVERY slide in the toddler play areas not just once or twice but infinite times). The day was all about her, no big people rides, no baby swap waiting rooms, NOPE!!! All three of us rode every single baby ride together, played in all the toddler play areas together. We've never smiled so much nor enjoyed acting so silly all day long and it was all because of our little Gabby! In all honesty it was a more of a gift for us than for our little princess. Us being able to spend time with just her is what made the whole day so special.



Princess,

We are blessed to have you in our lives. You make us so proud. Your sweet smile and loving kisses is what makes our world go around. I always dreamt of having a little girl and when I had you, I got so much more than just a little girl, I had a perfect daughter. A young lady in the making, so dainty, so loving, so thoughtful, so helpful, with cute little pigtails to match. We are truly lucky to have you as our daughter... Thank you.

We love you,
Daddeeeeeee and Mama
(Axel and EE too!)

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