Yes We Did :)

God Bless America :)

-Amanda

Single Mom

Jon left for a week today in the first time in 5 years. Yes I have issues with it. Yes I am a big baby. Yes I don't like it. Yes all I think about is that I am here with two kids. Yes it sucks. Yes I will get over it.

Ok that made me feel better :) 4 days to go!!

-Amanda

Day 4

This year is the year that I have decided that I am not going to be fat anymore. I have had this epiphany in the past, but with my dad and uncle dying of heart attacks I knew it was time I really do something about it. So last week I visited a nutritionist and she came up with a diet (which I really not allowed to say) that would help me change my eating habits. I already exercise 4-5 times a week so that is not an issue, but I in the past year have not paid any attention to what I was eating. The thing about me is that I don't have low self esteem about what I look like, but rather I accept my weight and choose not to do anything about it. Well that needs to change. So I have a food journal, I am counting every single calorie that goes in my mouth, and I am exercising like a crazy person. In the past 4 days my anxiety about this has gone from pretty high to a low manageable outlook. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit and I am 17 days till there. So wish me luck because I am going to need it :)

-Amanda

The Gift Card

So I think I have mentioned this several times before in the 5 years of this blog, but I have a teeny tiny addiction to clothes. Not expensive ones, just clothes. I have a small affection for t-shirts, blouses, sweaters, and jeans. I have been so many different sizes during the last 7 years that I bet I have clothed some of the people in the town I live in with all my Goodwill donations. I still have my very first suit that I paid like $300 when I had a job. Anyway, Jon and I have been on a budget due to the messed up economy, so my clothes addiction was put on hold for several months. So I decided that I would collect all the gift cards I had in my wallet or dresser and see if there was money left on them. Sure enough, I had about $150 at various places, and even $20 at Starbucks. So the other day I went shopping for the first time just for me and I used those gift cards and some of the ones I got for Christmas, and didn't spend a thing. Now this may not be so exciting to you or seem silly, but for me not to spend money was not easy to get used to so I think it's amazing! So I suppose the whole point to this story is find those gift cards because you may be surprised :)

Twas the Night Before Christmas!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and hope that 2009 brings much love and cheer :)

Thank you and much love,
Amanda

Thank You

Thank you to the mom this morning who sped into the preschool parking lot at 65 miles an hour, in her new BWM, while talking on the phone (which is illegal in CA), parking in the only handicapped spot, wearing 5 inch heels, and having her kid dressed in shorts and t-shirt (56 degrees outside). You made me feel like all my bitching to my kids about wearing jackets, having to buy a bluetooth, the fact that I drive a mini van, and that I rock my Ugg boots are all worth it. You made my day :)


-Amanda

Need a Little Peace

So the last couple of weeks have been crazy in the Mommy Files household. It makes me wonder if my sanity is being tested for something bigger or my drama quota is filled for a very long time. First things, my Uncle died suddenly last week. It just happen to be the same day as my Dad passed away 2 years ago. They were also the same age, and died of the same causes. Strange yes, but this was my Mom's twin brother so they were not related. Yesterday was his funeral and it was a awesome send off. He was not one for crying or dwelling so we had a party instead. His viewing was filled with surf music and Led Zeppelin. I even think at one point "Get Down Tonight" by KC and the Sunshine band was played. It was just so appropriate for him. It was hard for me because I had just done this 2 years ago and I feel for my cousins. Just seems wrong being 32 and not having a parent. It also made me think back to the people I have lost in my life. I have had 8 significant people die since I was 18. I am pretty much hoping that I am done in the death department for a while.

Also, I was having so female issues and that was driving me crazy because they could not figure out what was wrong. I will not go into details, but the Doctor said that it may have something to do with my body adjusting to not having a period due to my IUD. I told Jon he has a year to think about what he plans on doing because I am done with all this birth control crap.

So in respect of my Uncle's passing I just want everyone to make sure they reach out to their friends and family and tell them how much they mean to you. I am lucky that I have a wonderful husband and two great kids that remind me everyday how lucky I am. All I ask for is a little peace and a nice Hoilday season :)



Thank you for reading :)

-Amanda

There is a Line that Needs to be Drawn

Ok so I haven't posted in a while. Not sure if I will continue to post in the future just for lack of content and I will let you other much better bloggers update me on your world, but when I saw this I had to say something. I am all for breast feeding. I think it's a wonderful thing that our bodies can do. I think what ever choice you make regarding it is yours and if you feel good about it then I am all for it. Yet this was a little disturbing to me. One because of the age of the children and two because of the way these children talk about it. Kinda creepy. If you agree or disagree I would love to hear either one :) Watch and you will see!

-Amanda

You Know When...

You married to a total guy when you asked him to help you with dinner since I am carting the kids around town to various activities and he calls to ask how to make a baked potato. Little did he know there is a button on the microwave that says "Potato". I wonder what he thought that button was meant to do? Next time I will have to leave Post-its all over explaining things.

-Amanda

Maybe I will Just Get One of These

Seems like people have been asking me when I was going to have another baby lately. Sorry to burst the bubble, but I am done. No one seems to get that I don't want to have another child or that I don't want to have a boy. I have enough drama in my life as it is and having two girls I am screwed when it comes to money as this get older. I have friends who have little babies so I can just touch and smell them or get one of these :)



What do you think?

-Amanda

Weekend Round Up

Number of times Sam threw a a huge fit: 2
Number of people that saw one: 500 (was at the mall)
Number of kittens lost: 1
Number of 8 ft. stone walls that were scaled to get him: 1
Number of times Julia cries "He is gone forever": 57
Number of old beanie babies found in the garage: 15
How much they are worth on Ebay: $1.00
Number of redheads in the house: 1
Number of times my mom said "Oh My God" when she saw my hair: 4
Number of times Sammie drew all over herself with permanent marker: 1
Number of colors she used: 3 (red, pink, and yellow)
Number of times I have tried to get it off: 7
Number of "Punky Brewster" episodes watched: 8

Exciting huh? Man sometimes the weekends go by WAY too fast! How was your weekend?

-Amanda

Chocolate and Salt

That is all I want :) Maybe I will just mix two together? French fries with chocolate sauce or chocolate ice cream with pretzels on it. That and crush up my Pamprin on top of it all. Sometimes it sucks being a girl, but my bitch card is useful for the next couple of days. It is nice when you are allowed to use it :)

-Amanda

Boot Camp

My gym has introduced a "Boot Camp" style class that I have started taking. I don't think I was was fully aware of the actual meaning of "Boot Camp" till the instructor yelled out "Alright time for our 100 lundges" My friend Robin and I looked at each other in horror. On top of that it was 100 dead lifts (bending over with 10 lbs weights in each had), 50 thighs lifts on each legs, and 400 crunches. I walked out of that class thinking I was going to die. The worst was waking up the next morning and not being able to squat down to go potty. In all honesty I am a believer in "No pain, No gain" so I am going back for my ass beating today and I can't wait! If I can't get a tummy tuck like I want then I might as well try and make it go away on my own :)

Was thinking about starting a diet blog with a bunch of people. Anyone interested?

-Amanda

PS Only a mom would use the word potty...

Crack for Kids

The other day I purchased "Punky Brewster" on DVD for the girls to watch. It was something I didn't miss as a child and it was so sweet and innocent I though they would enjoy it. Well Sammie told me yesterday when she woke up "I want Punky Brewster right now!" and Julia is rewarded with watching a couple of episodes after her homework is done. It's like crack for kids- who would have thought! Oh and the best part is they have bonus features that have the cartoon they did about the show. I watched that too- she had an magical friend named "Gloamer" I just love the fact that they are enjoying a show that was one of my favs. Wonder if they will ever come out with "Silver Spoons" on DVD? Now I can't wait till I can bust out the "Beverly Hills 90210" DVDs out and they can love Dylan Mckay as much as I did :)




-Amanda

The Signs Around Town

Today I noticed all these new stickers for Propstion 8 floating around town on random cars. I wanted to get more informed on what was going on here so I did a little research. As my favorite online resource Wikipedia states:

"Proposition 8 is titled Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Act.[1][2] It is an initiative measure on the 2008 California General Election ballot. If passed, the proposition would amend the California Constitution to remove the legal ability of same-sex couples to marry. A new section would be added stating "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." The measure was submitted for the ballot by petitioners with the title "California Marriage Protection Act."[3][4] The title and summary were revised by Attorney General Jerry Brown to more "accurately reflect the measure."[5] The Superior Court of California ruled in favor of these revisions, stating, "The title and summary is not false or misleading because it states that Proposition 8 would 'eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry' in California. The California Supreme Court unequivocally held that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry under the California Constitution"

Now as a big liberal I must say that no matter how marriage is defined it will always been about love. Why should we be the ones telling people who they should love? Gay people have every right to have their unions of love recognized legally so that they can have the rights that every American citizen is entitled to. I am just not one to tell those what to do with their lives. They have the same problems as we all do in their marriages, they all face the same hard times when it comes to raising children, why not let them be happy in their pursuit for a normal life? And for those of us that live in California and get to actually vote on this, I think it will be good for the economy because who wouldn't want to spend their money to get married by some of the prettiest beaches in the world?

With the election so very near- no matter what your opinions are, just make sure that you research what and who you are voting for. Just be informed and go out and vote to make a difference for you and the people around you. That is what American is all about :) And in the words of Lenny Kravitz- Let Love Rule!

-Amanda

For the Love of the 80's

Click here, but I warn you- you might be racing to Itunes to purchase the catchy tune because secretly deep inside you know you love it and know every single word :)

Thanks Jenny!

-Amanda

Yummy!

Nothing is better than homemade chocolate cake, the hubby, and some David Duchovny :)

-Amanda
AKA Crazy Maker :)

Best Friends

Summer posted these awesome pics on her facebook yesterday. It reminded me how long her and I have been best friends (17 years). And to tell you the truth I think the last 8 have been the best. We tell each other everything like we did when we were 15. I can't go more than 2-3 days without talking to her and even though we may have talked yesterday we still spend an hour on the phone. I miss her since she moved and I can't wait to see her in a month. So thank you BFF- I love you and hope that we are still on for our trip to Greece when we are 50 :)

-Amanda


PS This was taken on our "date" to exchange Christmas presents in 1994

Dumbass

When it is "Kids Eat Free" night at your local restaurant don't come in as a couple and complain to your waiter about the noise. Sorry but in this economy I am taking the kids to where they can not eat what I order (both girls have a habit of not eating a lot) and I am not going to pay for it. Maybe next time read the sign that is on the front of the restaurant :)

-Amanda

PS Sorry my vent for the day.

My Newest Obsession

Lately with both girls in school and me trying to stay out of the kitchen in case I eat everything in site, I have been able to sit down and read a good book. I went through a Polygamy phase- read everything I could on women who escaped that life. Why? I have no clue. I guess the unknown fascinates me. So about two weeks ago I was at Barnes and Noble and I bought "Twilight" by Stephanie Meyer. Now I am sure you have heard of this series of books. They were meant for teenagers (so very easy to read) and they are about vampires. I read the 500 something page book in 2 days. I couldn't put it down! I thought about it when I wasn't reading it. I am now on to the second book in the series which I just bought on Friday and I almost done with that. I have not been so excited to read anything since "Harry Potter". On top of it there is a movie coming out in November so I am excited to see it. So if you are looking for something that is easy to read, exciting, romantic (yes vampires are all about romance), and fun check these books out!

-Amanda