Okay, how about a little light hearted fun, what I call Saturday Silliness.  This first thing I got the link to by going to google.com, typing in the word silly and then clicking the "I feel lucky" button.

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/sillymolecules/sillymols.htm

The next thing I tried was my name.  I typed in Jill Marie, hit the "feeling lucky" button and...well, I will not put that link up here.  She looked like a cute all-american little brunette, but I have a pretty strong feeling that was a p-o-r-n link.  I guarantee you that is NOT me!  LOL

Being a mother of a 21 month old, the next word I did was "tantrums".  The web site I got sent to was this one...

http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/tantrums.html

Okay, one more.  Let me think...I want a good one, something fun.  Okay...so I typed in "fun" and got this...

http://www.funbrain.com/

And when I typed in "something fun", I got this one...

http://www.bored.com/

Yeah, kind of a cheap entry today, huh?  Sorry people, I can't be on the top of my game all the time.  Ya know, redneck Martha/Heloise is suffering from a bit of the flu (thanks Tom & Jenny, lol). 

Don't tell me to go try some of my own home remedies!  Not funny in the least bit kids.  Actually, this is probably the only time I will get a bit of help around here with the baby and all.  So I thinkI will just wallow in my pain and suffering for a bit.  Even if myhead does feel like mucus is about to start oozing from my eyes, ears, nose and mouth...ewwww!  I think even my hair hurts.

Well, ya'll stay healthy, and be careful tonight! 

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Oh!  And be sure to wash and iron all the paper money you have tomorrow.  It is suppose to be good luck in finances for the New Year.  Your also suppose to eat pork roast and sauerkraut, well, we always did growing up.  I don't know what good luck that is suppose to bring...but if your in a new relationship...be careful, the kraut makes some folks a bit gassy {{{sheepish smile on my face}}}.

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Anyway, have a good one.  Later.

Jill Marie

PS~Can anyone advise me as how to put a background color on my entries?  Everytime I try, it's ends up looking all weird, or just showing the html, or whatever.  I must be doing something wrong.  Any help is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks!

*Oops!  My mistake...hey, ya can't be too careful when traveling the web.  My apologies to Miss Jill Marie, as Celeste pointed out to me("The website www.JillMarie.com is for a singer not a porn site."), she is a singer, not an "actress".  Sorry!

Friday Funny~My reminder~I'm a b*tch~Sleep

I remember one day in the car with David and Samantha, I was driving and both the kids were in the backseat.  David has been in kindergarten for a few months and Sammi was probably about 3 years old.   

At the time I was using body parts appropriate language, it was what all the professionals recommended.  For example, we called David's privates a penis.  Samantha had somehow picked up on the word and was always telling me that she had a penis too.  I would always tell her "no honey, you are a girl, you don't have a penis." 

 But she continued to insist that she did. Well, this one day in the car the subject somehow came up.  How did the kids end up talking about penis'?  Even after having 4 children, I still don't quite understand how their little minds work.

Anyway, once again Samantha proceeded to tell us that she too had a penis.  Suddenly David turned to her and said "Samantha, you do NOT have a penis.  You have a "china", your a girl and girls have "chinas". 

I look in the rear view mirror...I was a bit confused.  Whaaat did he say? 

"David, honey, did you say that girls have chinas?" 

Determined look on his face, he looks at me in the rear view mirror and says "yep". 

Hmmm, this is interesting.  "Honey, do you mean vagina?"

"Yeah."

Now where in the world...."That's right sweetie, your so smart. Where did you learn that honey?"

Big smile on his face, he replies "At school, the kids were talking about it."

"Ohhh, I see."  Quick smile back at him. 

Oh mah gosh!  If this is what he is learning in kindergarten I had better stay on my toes for the next 12 years.

And that is how Samantha learned she had a "china" and not a penis.  Now instead of walking up to people and telling them that she had a penis, she told them she had a "china".

Kids, ya gotta love them.  People look at ya funny when ya smack them, lol, just kidding!         

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Gotta put my email reminder up here, just in case the old man forgot AGAIN this year.  But heck, should I break his streak of 7 out of 8 years...forgetting, not remembering!  So I guess that makes me 7 years younger, right?  Hey, can't blame a girl for trying, lol.

  Manage My Reminders    Register a Wireless Device   Reminder

Don't Forget Birthday: My Birthday
Thursday, January 05, 2006   08:28 AM

Notes:

   

Disclaimer
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Important Information about Commercial E-mail from AOL 

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I found this and have been wondering when I could use it.  Today just feels right.  If I had a tee-shirt with this on it, I would definitely wear it today. 

Maybe it's not that I'm so b*tchy.  Perhaps I just feel that way since I have to be the only one in the house who can deal with things that a MAN should be dealing with.  For example, it seems that I am the only one who can deal with Fat Freddy without squealing and jumping like a little girl.  I'm not so scared that I insist we bring poison into a house that has a toddler in it.  What the heck is gonna happen when the demn thing dies between the walls?  Yes, "Rachel" that can happen!

Yes, I am totally serious.  This man wants to bring poison into the house to kill the mouse.  He "just can't handle the thought of that mouse being in the house".  I am sitting here in my bare feet.  He had to put his steel toed boots on this morning before he would leave the bedroom. 

I agree, we have to do something about the situation.  But I would rather not kill my daughter in the process.  DUH!  There are still other things we can try before we resort to using poison.  There are other baits and traps.  

Um, and it might be a good idea if "someone" were to inspect the house and make sure there are no other possible points of entry.  It makes no sense to get rid of this one, if another one can get in the very next day.

I am also the only one who doesn't cry like a little girl and go running into the other room when the baby has a dirty diaper.  Amazing isn't it?  These males can have you thinking that they are big, bad azzez that no one should mess with, when in actuality they are nothing more than pansy's!  In almost 2 years, I can literally count the number of dirty diapers that the old man has changed on my two hands (if I even need that many).

I am really beginning to wonder why we women even think we need men?  Jars with tight lids?  Hit it on the counter and it should open right up.  Taking out the trash?  How many of us have to beg the men to do it, and then usually end up doing it ourselves?  I rake the leaves and mow the yard.  Changing the oil?  I don't think I have ever seen him do that.  Besides they only charge like 15-20 dollars to do that.  Odd jobs around the house?  How many times have you asked a man to do something and it still isn't done?  Sex?  lol, yeah that's good.  But is what we get  worth all the extra laundry and cleaning we have to do?  B.O.B (battery operated boyfriends) seem like less work, and they don't talk back or try to make you do things you don't want to do, lol.

Yep, today I am a real...So, what?  Wanna fight?  I think I am in the mood for it.  Don't think that the fact that I haven't slept longer than 4 hours since mid-November will hinder me either.  Actually I think it makes me a little more feisty, or perhaps I am just a bit more whack, lol.

At this point I am just jumping from one subject to another and not seeming to make any real sense.  Perhaps this would be a good point at which to end this.

LMAO!  I was just thinking about sleep.  On average let's say most people get about 6.5 hours of sleep at night.  Over thirty days that comes to 195 hours of sleep.  I have been getting between 2-4.5 hours of sleep at night (avg. 3.25 per night).  Over thirty days that comes to about 97.5 hours of sleep.  That is almost the same amount of sleep most people get in 2 weeks.  Hehehe,no wonder I am feeling a bit frustrated and loopy.

Have a good weekend!

Jill Marie

 

Thursday Health Remedies~Time flies~ and Yikes!

     

 These are home health remedies that have been emailed to me or that I found on the internet.  I have not tried them all and do NOT guarantee the effectiveness of them.  If you try one and it works, or if you have one that works for you, please email me.  Thanks.  

Coughs and Asthma relief

• Soak almonds overnight. Remove their skin. Make a paste of these almonds with little butter and sugar. Very useful for a dry cough.
• Hot tea with lemon and raspberry jam, drink as much as possible
  Drink hot milk with honey at bedtime for cough relief.
• Express the juice from garlic. Mix 10 – 15 drops in warm water and take internally for asthma relief.

Ohh mah gosh...is it Thursday already?  How can that be?! It seems like it was just the day before the night before Christmas, when I was taking things out of the freezer to thaw, making a few pies, and still had one or two gifts to wrap.      

Now it is almost January 2thousand6...Where did the year go?  Wasn't I just pregnant not long ago?  Who is that short person walking around, pointing her finger at me and seems to speak Dutch?  Wow!  Time really does fly.      

This time 2 years ago I was pregnant and about to learn I could lose the baby without surgery.  My oldest child had just turned 18.  Mom was finishingher first round of treatment and about to begin chemo.  Dad was still alive and excited about the new baby.    Ray was still confused as to how he had just turned 40 and was about to be a daddy again.        

I just can't believe how quickly these past two years seem to have gone by.  A little of that might have to do with the fact that I have this small person who seems to be able to turn my world upside down in the wink of an eye.  Heck, I can barely remember my name from day to day, much less what year it is, lol.  

Oh Holy floating fish!  It's Thursday!  It's the 29th!  #$%^ it!  That means yesterday was the 28th...David's 20th birthday!  

  images  That would be that old age thing kicking in.  Well, at least I know what he wants for his birthday...cash, mullah, greenbacks.  Remember when you could give your kids a one dollar bill and they thought they were rich?  {{{sigh}}}  Those were the good ol' days, lol.        David...images No matter how big you get, you'll always be my first baby. 

 

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David is thinking right, okay, "enough with the cute-sie stuff mom".  And he's right, of course.  I mean he is 20 years old now.  He doesn't want to see little hearts and teddy bears, lol.  No...what he wants to see is some scantily clad hottie dancing.  Right?  Okay...here we go...some of ya'll might want to cover yer eyes.  Ready?

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.

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3

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2

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1

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Well, what were you expecting?  I'm a cool mom,but I ain't that cool, lol! 

 

Happy 20th David!  I love you!

 

Ya'll have a great day!

 

Jill Marie

Angels, Fairies & things~Fat Freddy

                    

Once again I can't remember if I have written about this or not, but I found this great web site.  It is called Shadowscapes.  It is filled with the artwork (mostly watercolors, I believe) of a woman named Stephanie Pui-Mun Law.  She does these wonderful paintings of Angels, Fairies and other things. 

All of her work is copy written, but she allows people to use it as long as they put the copywrite and her name on the work.  For instance, I wrote to her and told her I really liked the detail of one of her paintings and asked if I could use it for an email signature (it is the piece that the site opens to) with my name in the center of the artwork.  She said that would be fine as long as I followed her copywrite instructions on her FAQ page.  Here is the piece with my name added to it for my email signature.

It is hard to get it to a good size for a signature and still be able to see how pretty it is.  The other thing is that she doesn't want you to distort the picture when you are resizing it.  Anyway, if you like pictures of Angels or Fairies, this is a real good site to go to.

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So this morning I awoke to "Jill, Jill...he's back."  I think to myself "oh chit", because that can only mean one thing.  Fat Freddy. 

For the new folks to my journal, the story of Fat Freddy begins on November 29th.  There are several entries about Fat Freddy, I believe the last one is one December 6th.  It is an amusing little story you may want to read.

So back to this morning.  The ol' man was getting ready for work and he went out to the kitchen to grab his cup (this "cup" holds a whole pot) of coffee to take to work.  Apparently at some point Fat Freddy got tired of hiding under the toe kick of the kitchen cabinets.  That's when he made his run for it.

He took off for the living room and the ol' man spotted him.  I wish I could have seen his face (especially after the bathroon sink incident, lol).  How many of ya wanna bet he jumped a few inched and made a little squeal?  The ol' man, not the mouse!  LOL

Well, I kind of figured that after getting caught all those times in the sticky traps by the freeze that Fat Freddy had either found a new hiding place or left our little hotel for a friendlier one.  Unfortunately, he chose to just look for a new hiding spot.  This time it is behind my antique buffet, which probably weighs at least 150 pounds.

Well, we were not going to move that old thing at 6:30 in the morning.  So we went and grabbed the big, mean, snapping RAT traps.  There is one blocking the front door (right side) and one blocking the back door (left side) of the buffet.

I don't know where the ol' man wanted to put the third one he had out, but he dropped it and he had to reset it.  Well, the old fella didn't have his glasses on, so I had to help him.  $@^ %& @ $!#%& let go of the thing and it snapped on my fingers.  That really freaking hurt!  It was almost an hour ago and my thumb, where it got me good, is still sore. 

All I know is we had better catch more than just my poor little fingers in those traps.  The ol' man said that Freddy is getting real big.  I think we need to get him and put an end to his weight gain.  The poor little fella will end up obese and all the other lil' mouses will make fun of him. 

I keep looking over at my buffet and listening, trying to see if I can hear the lil' booger.  What am I going to do if I hear the trap snap?  I am NOT picking that thing up!  With my luck, that fat lil' so-and-so would march our and hand me the trap with a disgusted look on his face. 

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Yeah, well I can guarantee it isn't apple seeds he is leaving behind my buffet!  Ewwwww! 

Well, ya'll have a wonderful Wednesday.  I will be busy cleaning and listening for the "SNAP" of a mouse trap, lol.

Jill Marie

PS~Is this font looking real teeny tiny to everyone else?  I keep trying to make sure it is on size 12, but it just looks itsy bitsy to me.  No smartazz remarks about age!

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Quick Addition:   I have to add this on here, I was going through my comments and checking out other journals when I came across this in Lahomas Laments.  She had an address where you could send Christmas cards to soldiers recovering from injuries.  What a wonderful idea!  But why not send one or two cards every week, just to let them know we care about them and appreciate their service?  Anyone with me?  Here is the address:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/O Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001

House cleaning tip-carpet

   

A cleaning tip, or two, that you may find useful.  As I say on my Web page, these are tips that have been emailed to me, or that I have found on the Internet.  I have not tried all of them and cannot guarantee their effectiveness.  If you do try one and it works, or if you have another one that works for you, let me know.

I know I did the carpet stain removal with the baby wipes not long ago, but I found a few more tips on keeping your carpet clean and thought I would post them today. I figured these might come in handy for some of you who had people over during the holidays and might have a few new stains.

Carpet Stain Removal: 

Carpet Stain Removal - Method 1

• Mix some neutral pH detergent with a cup of warm water. Blot, don't rub onto the carpet.
• Prepare a slightly acidic solution of one third of a cup of white vinegar and two thirds of a cup of warm water. Again blot, and don't rub onto the carpet.
• Apply cold water and blot
• Absorb all of the liquid with clean, white towels.
• Allow the area to dry thoroughly and then go over it with a vacuum cleaner.

Carpet Stain Removal - Method 2

• Soak up as much of the spill as possible.
• Mix a few drops of dish soap into about a cup or two of hydrogen peroxide.
• Use a sponge and carefully blot on the carpet.

Treat carpet stains as quickly as you can. Only use white towels or cloths to prevent bleeding from the material into the stain. When blotting, work from the outer edges of the stain in towards the center. This will prevent unsightly rings from remaining on the carpet. Pretest all mixtures in an inconspicuous area of the carpet before using on the actual stain.

If the stain persists contact a carpet and rug cleaning professional. With the use of heavy duty equipment, industrial cleaners and steam extraction, they may be able to remove stains that have left you frustrated.

Carpet Cleaning tips

To keep your carpet clean, it is important to clean up spills as they happen. Blot up the spill immediately using clean, white paper towels or a regular towel. Do not rub as this will force the spill deeper into the carpet.

There are several ways to clean spills that have turned into stains. Club soda makes a great emergency spotter. Pour it on the spot, let it sit for a few seconds and pat it dry with a clean white towel

Older stains do well with an acidic formulation as follows: combine 2 tablespoons detergent, 3 tablespoons vinegar, and one quart warm water. Work into stain and blot dry. Cover the spot with a clean towel or paper towels and place a heavy item such as a book on top of it to help draw out excess moisture. When the towel becomes damp, replace it with a dry one.

Quick carpet clean up tip:

Baby wipes are miracle-workers on carpet stains, from motor oil to blood, they remove almost anything!  I have used this one, and it did work for me, on fresh stains.

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Well, I hope everyone had a splendid Christmas!  Things got off to a rough start here at our house, but the day went well after that.  All of my kids were here for Christmas Eve and we all woke up in the morning, it was great. 

My ex celebrates Christmas on the Eve so I usually don't get the kids (the older 3) till around noon on Christmas day.  But now that the older two are both driving they came up that night after the festivities at their fathers.

Christopher (my 13 yr old) was a great help in the kitchen that morning.  He told me that he is taking Home Ec this year and he could help me out.  I was nearly floored by his offer.  So I showed him how to peel potatoes and he did that for me and then asked what else he could do to help. 

What a great kid!  As a matter of fact, every time I went to do something in the kitchen he followed and asked what he could do.  He was a tremendous help to me on a day when I really needed it.  

He is at that age where you just don't expect that kind of thing from them.  You know what I mean, most kids that age are just too wrapped up in their own selves to even care about anyone else.  It's the terrible two's all over again, but worse because they are young teens.  LOL

As usual Samantha was a great help with Rylie.  Keeping an eye on her and trying to keep her out from under my feet.  She kept her busy while I cooked and we waited for Rays girls to get here.  Eventually she let Rylie open the gifts that Sam had gotten for her.  Rylie was just about ready to dive under the tree and tear everything open.

When Aimee got here we went ahead and started opening presents.  I think everyone was pretty happy with what they got.  I was worried about Chris, he is at that age where he is too old for toys anymore, so I ended up getting him a lot of clothes.  Lucky for me was pleased with getting the clothing and really liked them.

The kids wanted to do the stockings next.  I really , I mean, Santa really fills those things up with a lot of little goodies.  But I made them wait till after we ate and Steph had gotten here and opened her gifts.  Then I handed the stockings to Rylie and told her who to give them to.  She got a little side tracked, wanting to get into everyone else's stocking, but I gave handed her own to her and everyone got to open them.

That was about it.  Some of the kids sat down and played cards and ate dessert while I started in on the clean up.  Yeah, I don't know where Chris was then, lol.  But it was a good day.

Rylie got spoiled, we did well by all the kids, and we got a lot of good gifts too. 

I hope ya'll had a safe and happy holiday! 

Jill Marie

Christmas "Eve" last night at Mom's

Because everyone has so many things going on and getting together on Christmas Eve is getting harder and harder every year, Mom had Christmas Eve last night (23rd).  Ray, Rylie and I, his daughter, Aimee, and my kids, David, Samantha (and her ''friend" Ryne) and Christopher all went.

It is a shame, but it is about the only time my brothers families and our family see each other.  So every time Christmas comes around, I think we all spend about the first 15 or 20 minutes wondering over how much the kids have grown.

We opened our first present before dinner.  This is kind of keeping the tradition of our Christmas Eve as children.  Every year we would beg our parents to open at least one, just one, little gift.  So began the tradition. 

I don't know if anyone remembers how old we were when we finally realized what was going on.  But each year the gift we opened was the same thing...a new pair of pajama's!  So last night the one gift we all opened before dinner was our Christmas pj's. 

Of course, after dinner was when it all got good for the little ones.  I don't know how Mom does it, but those little people always go home with a big ol' pile of stuff.  And us big people do pretty well too. 

Here are some pictures of the night...

This is Rylie bear hugging her cousin Jacob.  Everyone says how much the two of them look alike, so I wanted to get a picture of them side by side.  Jacob is 4 and a real sweetie pie.

Rylie and her big brother Christopher (13).  Ya don't think her big brothers and sisters spoil her do ya?  Ahhh YEP!

YEA!  Sammi (17) finally got off work and is there too!

Jacob and Grandma...isn't he a cutie pa-tootie?

A bit of the chaos...Does Tammy have a headache?  Cindy with the glass of wine shortly before Rylie knocked it over.

Handing out the presents, Noah and Zach helping Grandma.

Jacob walked up and told me to "take my picture"...what a doll!

She got the hang of ripping open those presents real quick this year!

Rylie in the little chair she got, with the new doll baby (Santa is bringing one too) that she got.  When she first opened up the baby she hugged it close to her and held it there on her shoulder. 

What a great night.  Merry Christmas Dad...give Jesus a hug for us!

Well, everyone...I really think that this will probably be the last entry until after Christmas.  I want to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas.  May God keep everyone safe who has to travel any distance.  Peace and Joy and many Blessings to You All! 

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From our family to yours...

Best Christmas Cookies Ever Recipe

Well, sheesh I certainly would have put this on here earlier, but I just got the recipe.  Hopefully some of you will have a bit of extra time to try it.  Enjoy!

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Christmas Cookie Recipe
 
1 cup of water
 1 tsp. baking soda
 1 cup of sugar
 1 tsp. salt
 1 cup of brown sugar
 Lemon juice
 4 large eggs
 1 cup nuts
 2 cups of dried fruit
 1 bottle Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila
 
Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large
 bowl, check the Cuervo  again, to be sure it is of the highest quality. Pour  one level cup and  drink. Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of  butter in a large  fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again.
  At this point it's  best to make sure the Cuervo is still OK. Try
 another cup...just in  case.
 
Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add
 to the bowl and chuck  in the cup of dried fruit. Pick the frigging fruit  off floor. Mix on the  turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the
 beaterers just pry it loose  with a drewscriver. Sample the Cuervo to check for  tonsisticity.    Next,  sift two cups of salt, or something. Who giveshz a  sheet. Check the Jose  Cuervo. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your  nuts. Add one table.  Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can  find. Greash the  oven.
 
Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall
 over. Don't forget to  beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through  the window, finish  the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in  the dishwasher.
CHERRY MISTMAS

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Quick addition here...my answers to the Friday 5 over at the COURAGE journal. 

 

1) What word irks you every time you hear someone say it?

Axe...but not in the sense of "He used his axe to chop down the tree".  No, I hate when I hear people who are too lazy to speak proper English and say things like "He axe me out".  It is just like freaking fingers on a chalk board. 

I may not speak like an English professor, and I sometimes write in a "redneck" fashion, but when I hear people slaughter the English language it just drives me nuts.

2) What is your favorite word?

Sensual...it sounds just like it means.  Senssssuaaal...it's almost like a sigh towards the end. 

3) What does it mean?

Main Entry: sen·su·al

Pronunciation: 'sen(t)-sh(&-)w&l, -sh&l

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin sensualis, from Latin sensus sense

1 : relating to or consisting in the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite : FLESHLY
2 : SENSORY
3 a : devoted to or preoccupied with the senses or appetites b : VOLUPTUOUS c : deficient in moral, spiritual, or intellectual interests : WORLDLY; especially : IRRELIGIOUS
synonym see CARNAL, SENSUOUS
- sen·su·al·i·ty /"sen(t)-sh&-'wa-l&-te/ noun
- sen·su·al·ly /'sen(t)-sh(&-)w&-le, 'sen-sh&-le/ adverb

4) What word do you say far too often?

No... I have a toddler in the house and it is the one word that seems to fly out of my mouth every few minutes.

5) Name three words you think other people overuse:

1. Hey   

2. Cool   

3. Git-er-done...does that count?  I live with a Nascar fan and I think in "Nascar speak" it is considered one word.

Check list

Check list for Christmas:

If you haven't wrapped gifts yet...do you have enough tape, ribbons, gift tags?

Do you have an assortment of batteries on hand?  (Ladies...you know you don't want to have to get into your secret stash, lol)

Film?  Do you have enough?  Do you need camera batteries and don't forget your flash.  Do you need a new memory card?  I do!  Grrrr, oh $#!* I forgot about that.

Are you going to get dressed up for church, or your family get together?  Make sure you have an extra pair of hose on hand, because it is inevitable that one of the kids or the dog will snag them the minute you put them on.

Put a little bag with fabric softener sheets ( wink, wink Amanda) in your purse to control static cling by rubbing it over your hair, skirt, etc.

Put a little bag with a few baby wipes in it in your purse also.  This is for that child, or husband, that can't stay clean longer than 5 minutes.  Or when that child, or husband, spills something on you.

Ya'll are carrying a big purse right?  LOL, well I know the mommies are!

What am I forgetting people?  Any other ideas? 

I leave for my mom's in about 2 hours or so.  Anyone know where is a good place to upload my pictures for developing...inexpensive, but still good quality?  Contact me asap...I have over a hundred pics on my card and I need to clear it for use.  Thanks!

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Its the day before the night before Christmas, and I'm being really, really good!  Hmmm, mmmmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, mmmmm.....

Does anyone remember that song?  I remember hearing it when I was a kid and sitting there singing it.  Now, the tune is in my head...unfortunately I can't remember the words and it is just that one line going over and over and over.  Aggggghhhhh! 

Well, don't come here looking for any tips about something to do today.  Hey, if ya ain't got it done...it probably ain't getting done!  LOL  No, I'm just kidding.  But ya better get busy, don't ya think? 

Me?  I finished my yearly ornaments yesterday.  I got the glass balls for half off because I waited so long to buy them.  High fives for my procrastination!  Woo-hooo! 

Last year I bought these beautiful red glass balls and used a green paint pen. I wrote the kids names on one side, and because it was the year my dad died, on the other side I wrote "The Greatest Gift, John 3:16".  Then, well I kinda made it into 3 sections because on the third side (area) I wrote my dads full name and below that 1935-2004.

So this year the I bought these deep violet colored balls and used a gold paint pen.  With all the craziness this year (the hurricanes and other things going on) I chose to write "Faith, Hope & Charity" on the one side, and of course the kids names and the year on the other side.  Then I did little gold stars all over.

They really came out looking quite beautiful.  I had a box of nine balls.  I did one for each of the kids, and then one with Ray & Jill on it, and had 2 left over.  So I did one for each of my brothers. 

Don't any of ya'll go getting yer panties in a bunch.  We had a big ol' huge party for Ray's brothers and we even had the game with prizes (presents) to open.  So no one can say I did for mine and not for his.  So, there, bllpphhttt!

Oh, I was thinking I was almost near the end of this entry for today, but no...I have to go upload pictures from last night real quick.  Be right back.

Nah...If I know whats good for me I will save this entry before I go do that.  It would be just my luck that I would get booted or something like that.  Be back...

Okay, I'm back.  I bet that doesn't seem long to you, but I was actually gone for about 15-20 minutes.  Oh the wonders and magic, lol.

Alrighty then.  Last night Ray, Aimee (his 18 yr. old) and I took Rylie to the Winter Wonderland that is at the Rec Center every year.  Rylie was a real trip.  She did NOT want to be kept confined in her stroller, so we let her out to walk.  She would just start walking and never give a second thought to us.  We really had to keep a close eye on her. 

She was pretty overwhelmed by all the sights and all the other people.  By people, I mean kids...she could have cared less by the tall people, she likes the little peoples!

So here are a few pictures I took last night.

 This little mechanical clown did flips and had Rylie laughing her tiny little bum off.  As you can see in the next picture she got really excited over this one.

Ray was a bit agitate by the "happy holidays" at the end.  He is adamant about the fact that we are celebrating Christmas and he insists on telling everyone "Merry Christmas" and pointing out that he is saying Merry Christmas rather than happy holidays to everyone, lol.

We had a really good time.  I missed you though Samantha!  Well, I suppose I should get my bum in gear here.  We are going to Mom's tonight for our family get together.  I am taking the meat balls & cocktail wieners and a chocolate chip cheesecake.

Be safe everyone!  And if I don't see you before then, have a blessed Christmas day.

  Jill Marie

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Thursday Home Remedy

These are home health remedies that have been emailed to me or that I found on the internet.  I have not tried them all and do NOT guarantee the effectiveness of them.  If you try one and it works, or if you have one that works for you, please email me.  Thanks.

Constipation (In adults)

• Eat a few black licorice sticks.
• Take apple pectin.
• Make sure you're getting enough Folic Acid in your diet.
• Drinking ginger tea will help start a bowel movement.
• One tablespoonful of corn syrup added to 8oz of water

Constipation (In Small Children)

• Soak 6-8 raisins in hot water. When cool, crush well and strain. When given routinely even to little infants, it helps to regulate bowel movement.

I am cheating today...

Get your minds out of the gutter!  I am NOT cheating like that, lol.  I am cheating by sending you to Tilly's journal Adventures of a Desperately Fat Housewife entry on December 18th for a recipe today.  Towards the end of her entry she has a recipe for clementine cake. 

If you have never been to Tilly's it is well worth the visit.  She lives in England and her stories are hilarious.  While your there, you should really go to her December 2 entry and read about the banana bandit...makes me giggle to think of it.

Me?  I seem to be unable to wrap my mind around being creative in any way at all today.  I had a very restless night.  On top of already dealing with sleeplessness, I am now having terrible pains in my left knee.

I don't know if it is arthritis or what.  But the pain was so bad it woke me up this morning at about 2:30am, and dang near had me in tears.  It's been coming and going for the past few days, but last night was the worse yet. 

I took some of Ray's fish oil pills this morning.  I read that might help if it is arthritis and I'm also going to try eating a few walnuts.  Now that I am in so much pain those dang home remedies sound absolutely ridiculous, lol. 

Well, Ray insisted this morning that I call and get in to see the doctor.  The office won't open for another hour, so I guess I will try to get some stuff done around the house before then.

Have a wonderful day!

~Jill Marie~

Tuesday Cleaning Tip

  

A cleaning tip, or two, that you may find useful.  As I say on my Web page, these are tips that have been emailed to me, or that I have found on the Internet.  I have not tried all of them and cannot guarantee their effectiveness.  If you do try one and it works, or if you have another one that works for you, let me know.

Odor-free Car: Place a few briquettes of charcoal under the seat of your car to absorb odors and keep it smelling fresh.  Make sure to use the type without the starting fluid on them or your car will smell of fuel.

I think I am almost done with all the Christmas shopping.  I need to finish for my oldest son, something nice for mom...yep, then I will be all done. 

I finished up my shopping for Ray yesterday.  Rylie and I went to the mall and saw Santa Claus.  She wasn't too sure what to make of him.  She wasn't really scared, just a bit cautious. 

She did sit on his lap with no problems.  We got a good picture too.  I just can't scan it because my scanner is not compatible with the Windows version on this computer.  And my computer is so old that it doesn't even have USB ports, lol.

Ray said I should use my camera to take a picture of the picture...lol.  Okay, if I get real desperate I might just try that.  Or not.

Yuck!  I just got an e-mail from the local television station.  A weather update.  It says that with the low temperature and the winds, that the wind chill this morning has been between -10 to -20.  Sounds like a stay inside, wrapped in blankets kind of day.

Well, ya'll stay warm!

Jill Marie

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Christmas traditon {{{giggle}}}

Ray's mother sent me this and I thought it was cute and thought I would share it with ya'll.  Although, knowing how forwards go around, I bet alot of you have already seen this one.

Christmas Story for people having a bad day....  

When four of Santa's elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce  the toys as fast as the regular ones, Santa was beginning to feel the  pressure of being behind schedule.  

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mom was coming to visit.  

This stressed  Santa even more.  

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were  about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven  knows where.  

More stress.    

Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked, and the  toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys.  

So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of apple cider and a  shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves  had hidden the liquor, and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration,  he accidentally dropped the cider pot, and it broke into hundreds of  little pieces all over the kitchen floor.    

He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw end off  the broom.  

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritable Santa trudged to the door.  

He opened the door, and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.  

The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't it a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to  stick it?"  

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.  

Have a wonderful evening!

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Christmas is almost here!  YEA!!!  I can't wait to see Rylie tear into all her presents this year.  Last year, she just didn't quite get it, ya know?  I am hoping this year it will be a little bit more fun for her.

I HAVE to get her to the mall to see Santa Claus soon.  Last year she was such a good girl, she didn't whine, whimper or cry in the least little bit.  Here is a picture from last year with Santa...

And this is a picture of Rylie on Christmas morning.  Yes, she was teething at the time.  I love how this picture captures her big blue eyes.

So hopefully I will soon have some new pictures with Santa Claus to show ya'll.  Along with having more teeth than she did a year ago, she also has a wee bit more hair.  LOL, actually the way it grows on her head, it almost looks like one of those old man comb overs.

Okay, okay...on with the recipes.  I got this first recipe from Kraft foods this year.  I made them for our Christmas party this past Saturday.  If you like meringue, you'll probably like them.  Ray said they are pure sugar, lol, must be why kids like them so much.

Merry Meringues

4 egg whites

1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

3/4 cup sugar

1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Brand Lime Flavor Gelatin

1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Brand Strawberry Flavor Gelatin

PREHEAT oven to 225°F. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in small bowl with electric mixer on high speed 5 minutes or until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 Tbsp. at a time, beating on high speed until stiff peaks form.

DROP tablespoonfuls of the egg white mixture onto baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Sprinkle each meringue lightly with dry gelatin powders.

BAKE 50 minutes. Turn oven off. Prop oven door open slightly; let meringues stand in oven for 1 hour or until completely cooled.

*Our oven is fairly small and I learned not to put them on the top shelf.  That tray was too close to the heating element and the meringue got a tad brown, they tasted the same, but were not quite as pretty as the tray on the bottom shelf.

Italian style cheese bread

Pizza or bread dough
1 Tbs Olive Oil
Italian seasoning
1/2 Cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/2 Cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 Lg Tomato chopped up

Prepare a box of pizza dough (something like Jiffy) OR prepare white bread or pizza dough in bread maker (just mix, dont let it rise).  Press into a well oiled large cookie sheet, brush with olive oil, let rise a short time (about 20 minutes) in a warm room. 

Sprinkle with Italian seasonings, cover with the 2 cheeses.  (You don't have to be real specific with the cheese, I'll use whatever kind of cheese I have in the house)  Then top with the tomatoes. 

Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 20 minutes or until cheese melts and it becomes light golden brown.

*Great to make for a party as an appetizer too.  Use sliced cherry tomatoes instead.  When cool cut into small bite size pieces.

If you weren't here for my Thanksgiving plans I want to give you a great idea for a flower arrangement. 

Use a simple clear vase.  Fill it with cranberries and add water.  Now if you can afford to get a dozen white roses and half a dozen red roses to put in the vase.

I on the other hand am going to buy a bunch of white carnations and if I can a few red roses, or some other pretty red flower.  A few stems off a poinsettia would be pretty  However, they are poisonous and I have a small child in the house, so I won't be using them.

I did this for the centerpiece on our Thanksgiving table with a cheap bunch of grocery store flowers, and it was real pretty.  If you have access to a live growing pine tree, you might even want to go cut a few bits off that and randomly place them in the arrangement.  That will add more color and the smell of a real Christmas tree for those of you who don't have one.

Well, that's it for this morning.  I want to thank Niki again for her complimentary description of my journal.  What a wonderful thing to say! 

Have a super day everyone!  And go be a wee bit naughty today, right Niki?  LOL

Substitution

We are sorry to inform you that Jill is not feeling well today {{cough}}Christmas-party-last-night{{cough}} and will not be able to be with us today. 

However we have scheduled another event for you.  Please visit with Martha for your daily dose of whatever, lol. 

Seriously, I am NOT hung over.  I am just very, very tired.  Woke up at 4AM yesterday, went to bed at 2AM this morning and got up at about 8:30AM. 

This housewife has not participated in those WOO-HOO-PARTY-HOURS in a long time. 

Have a good day ya'll!

More homemade gifts~My freaky lil' streaker~Friday 5'er

Well geez, I should have kept a list of all the gift and recipe idea's I have posted on here.  Now I can't remember what I put here and what I didn't, and I certainly don't want to sit here this morning and read through my archives.  Booooring!

So I am just gonna put these 2 up and hope that I don't already have them on here.  If I am repeating myself by posting them, I apologize.  If so, then I guess you could just consider this a re-run, lol.

Scent Jars

8 oz. clear, unscented glycerin soap

1 teaspoon Fragrance or Essential oil

10 drops food coloring

3 4-oz. jelly jars

Melt soap in top half of double-boiler. As soon as it is melted, add fragrance and color and pour into jars. Let set for six to eight hours. Place lids on jars. Open jars will lightly scent rooms for several weeks.

And...

Fizzing Bath Bombs

1 cup citric acid

3 cups baking soda

Fragrance or Essential oil

Water and a spray bottle

Mix citric acid and baking soda, add scent until it reaches the strength you desire. Using a spray bottle, add a fine mist of water to the dry ingredients. Mix in well. Continue adding small amounts of water until the mixture begins to clump.

Press mixture into candy or soap molds--plastic molds work best.  Continue packing mixture until no more can be packed into the mold.  If you don't have any molds, you can just roll them into small balls.

Let mixture dry. This may take anywhere from a couple hours to several days, depending on humidity. When shaped bath bombs pop out of the containers easily, they are done. Seal individually in plastic wrap.

To use: Drop one or two into running bath water

My freaky lil' streaker:  So yesterday morning my lil' streaker (Rylie, not Ray) gets up and is watching her Disney cartoons in the living room.  I was in the kitchen getting ready for our Christmas party tonight, I am such a baking fool, lol.

I walked over to the living room to see what kind of trouble lil' Miss was getting into, you can never be too sure of what she is doing when she gets quiet.  I look in and there she is, standing in the middle of the room looking "oh so cute". 

She had removed her footy pj's and was wearing nothing but her diaper, her new snow boots and a little white ball cap that say's "princess" in pink stitching.  She was just standing there watching the Doodle-bops with her hand down the back of her diaper scratching her lil' bum.  LOL

I went to get the camera, but the card was reading "full".  I have to get that thing in and get those pictures developed, or get a new card.  (Yeah, if any of the kids are reading this...I need another SD digital memory card)

Of course, when she finally noticed me standing there, useless camera in hand, she got all excited and started showing off her new "style" by dancing around the room. 

She does this funny little dance where she always leads with the right leg and does this little push up on her toes.  The left leg just kind of gets pulled along as that right leg leads the way.  Oh, and of course, that little hand was down the back of her diaper almost the entire time she was dancing, lol. 

Okay, I've been tagged by Hadonfield...

Friday 5'er

1.  Do you ever go to someone's journal and just think to yourself, "Oh brother...here they go again...get over it already!"  And do you think your answer is naughty or nice? 

Everytime I go to my own private journal, lol.  Oh, maybe in my public one too.  I do tend to ramble on a bit.

2.  I kinda think naughty can be fun and nice can get boring. Tell us something you have done lately that was naughty. 

I sat on Ray's lap and asked him to play "Santa" with me {{wink}}.  He fell asleep that night, but the next morning Santa was here bright and early!!!!  Woooohooooo!

3.  Have you ever used the "If you are naughty Santa won't bring you any presents" line on your kids?  And if they remained naughty did you ever withold their presents? 

Yes, but unfortunately it never works.  I already use it on Rylie and she has no idea who the big guy is yet, lol. 

Withold presents???  Are we allowed to do that?  Hey!  Is someone trying to tell me that Santa isn't real?! 

4.  If you were at the work Christmas party and your "naughty" boss gave you a squeeze on your back side would you tell anyone? 

Hmmm, well I am a SAHM...so does that make Ray my boss?  If so I think ya'll know my answer would be that I would toss him on the kitchen table, take advantage of him and probably tell EVERYONE, lol!

Umm, if that makes Rylie my boss...and she does walk up behind me and smack my bum by the way, a little something she learned from daddy.  Well, with her I would just laugh, smack her on the bum, and we would probably end up in a giggle fest.

5.  Tell us about an unexpected nice thing someone has done for you this December...or something nice you have done for something else that wasn't expecting it.

I went shopping for someone who really didn't deserve my time.  I am planning on taking baked goods to the little old lady across the street and our neighbor who just lost his wife in September. 

Wow, now I feel bad...I've been so busy and all, I feel like I kind of got lost in the hustle and bustle of the season and lost sight of what it is really all about. 

Okay, well I am off to tag some of ya'll!  With my luck I will tag people that already got tagged.  Have a glorious day!

~Jill Marie

 

Sledding pictures

I got the pictures of Ray and Rylie's sledding fun uploaded.  She was only 8 months old this time last year and seemed to be battling some sort of virus, so we didn't take her out then.  This is her first time playing in the snow. 

We wanted to make sure she stayed warm so I put her footy pj's on, then a sweat suit, her warm mittens AND the nylon one's that came with the snow suit and are more water proof, her new boots, her snow pants, a warm hat that ties on, and her coat with the hood.  Was she warm?  LOL  I think maybe a bit too warm, the little palms of her hands were slightly sweaty when I took off her mittens.  Oops!

We thought she would be ready to come in and have sort hot chocolate after 15 or 20 minutes, but she would NOT come in.  She stomped and kicked and made a real fuss.  So Ray kept her out playing in the snow and pulling her on the sled for about 20 minutes longer.

Even then I had beg her to come in with promises of hot chocolate and a special treat.  LOL  She loves playing with that big ol' goofy guy.

"Do you think this snowsuit makes me look fat?"

"Hey this little porkchop won't bend at the waist!"

"Hold on tight."  "Faster daddy, faster!  Weeeeeee!"

  "Where are the dang controls for this thing?  I don't think that ol' man knows what he's doing."

 "Are you having a problem there porkchop?"  "No, I like flopping around in this cold, slushy stuff.  Put that cigarette down and help me ol' man!"

After we came in and Rylie had drank her hot chocolate, she went into the back hall and found the sled.  She dragged it into the living room and sat down in it.  She layed there for awhile watching her Disney show.  She was too funny!