If it Wasn't for Bad Luck, I Wouldn't Have Any at All.

I'm very stressed out today.  Why, you might ask?  Because I can be stressed out, that's why.  

Actually, I think everyone is stressed out around the Holiday season -- which is funny because isn't it the season to sit back and relax?  Unfortunately, when you're a single mom working full-time with a 6 year old's birthday coming up right before Christmas and two family get together's that you're hosting...things get even more stressful.

My youngest was due on Christmas Day but because my OB/GYN was due on the exact same day that I was, she chose to induce me on December 21. 2007.  Since my daughter was born so close to Christmas I need to throw Olivia a party for her friends (usually a few weeks before her birthday), a birthday party for mine & her father's side of the family and I also host Christmas at my house as well.  That's a hell of a lot of money and way too many parties in such a close span of time, but I wouldn't change it for the world no matter how stressful it is.  

As I sit here, I'm thinking about everything I need to do for this weekend, which is her friend's party at Chuck-E-Cheese.  Since I live paycheck to paycheck until my second job starts up in January, everything is done very last minute.  So yes, I have to run out tonight and get a cake, order balloons, grab some decorations and get goody bag items as well.  All 48 hours before the party, which is absolutely lovely.  Not only am I thinking about what I have to do for this weekend but I am also planning the menu for her family party (On Dec 21st) and trying to figure out what activities I am going to have for the 6 kids that will be there. 

I also have to plan when we are going to get Santa pictures done for the girls, when we are going to get Christmas card pictures done and that damn elf...I have to keep thinking up creative ideas of where to put the damn thing.  That's pretty stressful in itself; especially when I'm going to bed at midnight!  I'm usually dragging myself back out of bed, unwillingly, to go put the elves out.  

Want to hear the best part? The icing on the freaking cake? My daughter, who's Birthday party is on Saturday, got sent home from school today with a 102 fever.  Of course, never fails.  Why would things actually go smoothly?  Ironically, she's taking after me.  As a child I always got sick, without fail, right before my birthday and right before a major holiday that we were hosting.  That was the two times out of the year that I actually would get sick.  I had pretty shitty timing and it seems like my daughter is following right in my footsteps.  Of all the traits she could have gotten from me, THAT'S the one she chooses to get!  I'm just kidding -- mostly -- but when it rains, it pours in my family.  If it wasn't for bad luck, we wouldn't have any at all.

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Ten Reasons I Love the Holiday Season (2013)

1. Thanksgiving and my Grandma's Stuffing

Thanksgiving, for us, is a time when we get our family together to celebrate the Holiday Season.  This year is even more exciting since we get to host Thankgiving at our new home.  We are able to decorate more, relax more and invite more family since we have more room and I can't wait!  I'm also excited for my Grandma's fresh homemade stuffing.  Even though my Grandma is no longer with us, her stuffing recipe lives on!

2. Black Friday Shopping

I started my tradition of Black Friday shopping when my daughter was just a year old. As I was trying to figure out how to save money as a single mom, I realized that shopping on Black Friday was worth the waiting, lines and frustration.  The first Black Friday that I took part in, I remember saving about $300 at Toys R Us alone!  Now I have my own tradition of going to Toys R Us, Walmart, Target and some other various stores on Black Friday to get most of my Christmas shopping done in one day.  I always leave at 10PM and get home at 6AM from my adventures.  I've also found it to be a lot of fun for me.  

3. Letters to Santa

Every year I pick those dollar templates up from Michaels or the grocery store for my girls to write letters to Santa.  One night, before Thanksgiving, we sit down with the Christmas toy books and write our letters to Santa.  We have a tradition of making hot cocoa and some sugar cookies to munch on while we write the letters.  We then wait for our town Christmas tree and decorations to be up and then go and mail them in Santa's mailbox!  

4. Christmas Decorations

 I love Christmas decorations.  It really makes it feel warm, comforting, homey and gets you in the mood for the Holiday.  I love decorating my home for Christmas and especially can't wait to decorate my new home this year.  It's going to be so exciting to put up garland, the lights and all of the Christmas decorations.  I was actually thinking of putting them up early this year!  Maybe soon!  I'm planning on going all out this year, since our new home is amazing and has so much decorating potential!

5. Putting Up the Tree

After my Black Friday shopping, the day after Christmas is reserved for us to put up the Christmas tree.  To us, that's when the Holiday season officially starts.  My mom and I always put up the tree and the girls help us decorate while listening to Christmas music.  We still don't exactly know where the tree is going to go in our new house, but we'll figure it out soon enough! Thanksgiving is coming up quickly and our Christmas Tree decorating day will be here before we know it!

6. Our Elf on the Shelf Antics

This is a new tradition for us, but we are starting the tradition of the Elf on the Shelf.  Elfie and Sofia, our two elves, are going to be coming on the day after Thanksgiving to start their adventure in our new home.  My girls have already met their elves and know that Elfie and Sofia are already reporting to Santa on their behavior.  We have everything ready for them to start to make their appearances and start their antics in our home! Alayna and Olivia can't wait until the two trouble making elves appear to start their game of Hide and Seek and to see what the two elves are doing on any given day!

7. Baking Christmas Treats

I L-O-V-E- the smell of freshly baked Holiday treats!  My girls and I make cookies every single year and this year we are planning on doing more baking than usual!  Our new kitchen is roomy, homey and just perfect for baking all kinds of Holiday treats!  The fact that we are having more people than usual over for the Holidays (and for Olivia's Birthday) means that we have even more baking to do!

8. Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha

I used to be obsessed with the Gingerbread Latte from Starbucks but last year I was introduced to the Salted Caramel Mocha by a coworker and I couldn't be more thrilled with it.  This is my favorite Holiday drink, it tastes a bit like hot chocolate with a caramel and salt kick to it.  It's an acquired taste, a lot of people I know don't like it, but it's one of my favorites.  I indulge once or twice a week.  Yummmm.

9. Christmas Scents

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a candle hoarder candle-a-holic.  I stock up on them when Bath and Body Works has their semi-annual sale, 2 for $24 sale or when Yankee Candle has their awesome high-value coupons.  I especially love when November hits and I can burn my favorite Holiday candles.  My favorites is, Fresh Balsam (or any Christmas Tree scent), Apple Cinnamon, Cinnamon, Home for the Holidays, Peppermint, Yankee Candle's Butter cream and a bunch of others.  Of course, my favorite one for this season is the Fresh Balsam from Bath and Body Works.

10. Christmas Eve & Morning

I've always loved Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning but since having kids, it means even more to me than normal.  We have our Christmas Eve tradition of having Wigilia (pronounced Vi-gill-ia) which is a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner that we have when the first star appears in the sky.  We then go to Church for the Christmas Eve service in our Christmas best and come home to bake cookies for Santa.  I always buy the girls the same Christmas nightgowns from the Disney Store (every year) and we get ready to hang our stockings and put cookies out for Santa! (Although, he prefers some coffee half of a splenda and a splash of cream!)  

Christmas Morning we race downstairs to see what Santa has left for us and rip open all of our presents.  Then the girls play with a few of their toys while my mom and I cook for our company.  It's always a magical day on Christmas and I love to see my kids happy about their presents. :)  

What are your favorite things about the Holiday Season?

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Thankful Tuesday: My Two Lovely Little Ladies

 

Ok, so Thankful Tuesday isn't really a thing...whatever! I just couldn't think of a good title, so that's what my brain thought of first.  Maybe it could become a thing, we'll see!  I'm sure there is already a Thankful Tuesday thing somewhere -- but I digress...

Before I had kids I was a very selfish teenager who wasted money on shit I didn't need. (Hey, I'm being very frank...)  I would literally get everything I wanted without even thinking twice about it, wasting a hard earned paycheck before I even saw the money.  In fact, when I was 18 I made the mistake of getting a credit card and blowing the $5,000 credit limit rather quickly.  I still regret that decision, realizing it was the beginning of my debt snowball. 

I remember going to college in Philadelphia and shopping with my friends on South Street & at King of Prussia mall almost everyday.  We bought clothes, purses, DVDs, CDs, concert tickets, makeup and everything else we didn't need because we were independent and had no parents to tell us "no".  I never felt any guilt because I was replacing something that was missing in my life with these material things.  I never set a limit for myself, but what teenager does.

At age 19 I got pregnant with my oldest daughter and everything changed.  The second I found out I was pregnant, after freaking out, I decided that I had to grow up and not spend so much money on myself.  I realized that I would have to care for another human life aside from my own and spend my money on raising this child.  I always say it was an overnight transformation, and it really was.  Once the realization hit that I was having a child, I changed my ways and grew up.  I opened a savings account and started to save money for when she came, I applied for a credit card and used that towards furniture and necessities for her, I got a job and did everything I could to divvy up my money properly and felt amazing for doing that.

Once she was born I devoted myself to Alayna and made sure she had everything that she needed.  When I would go shopping I would look at things I loved and wanted, but then I would put them back. Knowing that I had other responsibilities made me feel great that I was able to do that.  

Now that I am 28 years old and a mother of 2 beautiful little girls, I splurge occasionally on myself  but buy my kids everything they need first and foremost.  I am a little more lenient with myself and spending however if my girls need something I will put my own wants aside and spend the extra money on them.  My girls are my life and I am extremely thankful to them and for them.  If I didn't have my babies I probably would be in much more debt than I am in now due to irresponsibility.  Because of them I know how to sacrifice in order to make them happy and have them well cared for.

I love you, girls!

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Christmas Came Slightly Early!

I am the first to admit that I am extremely lazy and hate standing on lines or waiting for anything.  I am definitely an instant gratification kind of girl, so when I saw Santa was coming this past weekend to the mall I jumped on it. I figured that if we went to the mall early in November to see Santa, I wouldn't have to stand on a three hour line later in the season.  I was so right.  We got to the mall, went right in by Santa and got to see Santa after just a five minute wait.  

Santa was great this year.  Since there weren't any other kids on line he talked to my girls for a good 5 minutes before sitting them down to take a photo.  He joked about getting their names mixed up, asked what they wanted for Christmas, told them some Christmas jokes and then sat them down to take a picture. (Which came out great might I add!)  Olivia, my youngest, was so excited that she got to talk to Santa that's all she could talk about for hours after.  

After seeing Santa we saw that Red Robin had just opened in the mall, so we decided to take a walk over to have some burgers.  It was pretty good and Alayna was excited that they had chips and French Onion dip on the appetizer menu, that's her most favorite snack.  We had a great lunch and decided to walk around the mall for a few minutes.  

We saw that the mall had up their huge Christmas tree and Christmas scenery, so we decided to take pictures by that as well.  (Trying to get a good Christmas Card photo this year!)  As we were standing by the tree ready to take a photo these three children in back of us started to literally fight each other.  One child had the other child in a headlock on the floor, this boy pushed the little girl down and was punching her in the stomach then they were running around and fighting some more.  Meanwhile, the two parents were standing there oblivious to any of this talking to each other.  I was in absolute disbelief.  I tried to ignore it but this one kid got pushed into me and I almost dropped my camera while the other child decided to put his ass in my picture purposely.  That's when I turned around to the two moms talking and asked them to please tame their children because I was trying to take a picture.  She looked at me like she didn't understand me and continued speaking in whatever language she was speaking -- excuse me?  I know you speak English, you were just talking in English earlier.  So I said it louder and they finally walked away.  If you can't control your kids, don't take them to a mall or any public place for that matter!  Have some respect.

As I was taking the photo this woman said to me, "What kind of mother are you? You have your kids in tank tops while you have a sweater on."  So of course, I defend myself and start an argument with her.  Her closing argument was, "You young mothers have no idea how to take care of your children."  I followed that up with a few not so nice names for her and she walked away.  Firstly, I had them in their Christmas dresses which were sleeveless but I had sweaters for them in my rather large purse.  Secondly, don't judge me and stereotype all young mothers because you're closed minded and judgmental.  The end.  I hate people who are like that.  

After all was said and done, we had a great day together.  They were super happy to meet Santa and I was happy I got some great pictures of them together.  That rarely happens!

When are you guys going to see Santa this year?

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Meet Elfie: Our Elf on the Shelf

This is Elfie, she is our new Elf on the Shelf for this Holiday Season.  Prior to this I never really got into the whole Elf on the Shelf trend and tradition with my kids mostly because my cheap ass thought that it was too expensive. ($29.99 for a small un-poseable elf...WHAAAAAT?)  My mom and I were browsing at Target the other day and she brought up the fact that she thought it would be a good idea to use this tradition to keep my (occasionally) unruly kids in check during the Holiday.  After a lot a bit of complaining about how expensive it was, she agreed to go halfsies with me on the elf -- I agreed.  

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Monday Miscellany - A bunch of random musings for this week.

ONE}

I can't believe my luck.  My 4 year old is obsessed with that stupid Christmas movie ELF.  Buddy is one of her imaginary friends now and she constantly watches it.  Yes, even in the dead of summer.  I was reading different articles online today and what do I see?  That on Nov. 2nd ELF is going to become a BROADWAY MUSICAL...  We're 20 minutes from Manhattan so there's really no excuse I can give not to take her...  Maybe she'll be over the phase within 7 months... Yeah right.  Wishful thinking, right? Ha!

TWO}

Domestic isn't even the word for me lately!!  I made low fat/low cal orange buns this morning.  They were so delicious I could barely stand it.  Everyone else thought so too.  Between yesterday and today I think I cooked enough for an entire small country. ha!  I'm in a huge cooking phase and I'm not complaining.  I actually am enjoying it too and of course, I have tons of recipes to post here!

THREE}

Tomorrow I go to look at my car.  Of course, it's not my car yet.  I'm still driving my Subaru, but not for long.  My car is honestly too dangerous to drive.  Brakes are shot, shocks and struts are shot, fan belt is shot, something with the wheels.  My car has lasted me a long time and I tried to make it last longer, but unfortunately it just can't make it anymore.  *pats car*  I'm gonna miss it, but I'm looking at this awesome Chevy Equinox that is very decently priced and just sitting there waiting for me.  The guy said he'll work on a good price with me.  Let's hope.  We only will have the money after we cash in my car and my mom's. Wish me luck!!

FOUR}

I made the decision ... I'm going  back to the gym.  I'm going to Bally's on a month free trial.  I'm excited that I can attend the classes and work out as much as I want.  I feel like it's going to help me along a lot on my goals.  I just wasn't liking my local gym. (Planet Fitness)  I've been to Bally's before, when I was going to college, and I liked everyone there.  I actually can't wait to go work out.

FIVE}

This year I didn't get to see fireworks.  I had been doing a quick job when they were in our town and besides, Alayna had strep.  Our town is directly across the skyline from Manhattan, so we CAN see the Macy's fireworks.  I took a quick drive myself to our waterside last night to see them.  Unfortunately, so many people were there it wasn't even worth staying... but I did see a good portion of the Macy's fireworks. :)  I decided just to go to Wendys, get Frostys and go home. 

SIX}

It's been so fucking hot here.  100 degrees has been the highest, and that's been the majority of the day.  Right now, it's almost 7pm and it's 91 degrees.  How can ANYONE handle the heat?  We've had scattered "brown outs" around here and actually our living room power doesn't work as well as my daughter's room power.  I guess we're sleeping in my room tonight until the power starts to work in those two rooms.  How weird that only those rooms don't work!

SEVEN}

I'm so incredibly restless.  I'm tired, I'm bored, I don't want to sleep, I don't know if I want to go out anywhere. Haha! I don't even know what I want to eat!!  So I'm just a big useless blob of crank today.  (Although, so is everyone else.  It's the damn weather.)  I'll write a full entry later... right now I just have to go to the store to find food.  Someone get me up and push me out the frikkin door!!

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No one ever old me egg coloring wasn't washable...

off hands... I tried to tell the girls to use the holder/spoon it comes with to dip the eggs into and out of the coloring...but Olivia must have had a "selectively deaf" moment.  It must have seemed better (and more fun) for her to just stick her entire hand into the Easter egg coloring pots...

Alayna did listen, thank God...because I couldn't handle two green kids and going to church tomorrow morning.  At least Olivia is also going to have a green dress...(pastel green gingham, very pretty!)  Maybe they'll think we just dyed her to match... Or maybe they'll wonder why we didn't name our daughter Shrek...

I tried washing her hands with soap and water, a scrub brush, toothpaste and a Mr. Clean magic eraser... Does anyone know anything else that can get Easter Egg coloring off a kid's hand?  I really don't want my 2 year old looking like an Ogre this Easter...

 At least they had fun... (That was Olivia pre-Ogre hands...)

If you want to see more egg coloring pictures, click HERE.  They also painted eggs with a different egg coloring kit we had bought.  (I wouldn't purchase it again, BTW. It's called candy apple egg painting.)

We had a special "Easter" themed dinner tonight.  We had bunny and egg shaped grilled cheese! (I love my cheap $1 cookie cutters from Target!!)

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