I took Olivia to Jeff's last night since it's his weekend with her. As I was driving, the Sun was killing me and I had forgotten my sunglasses! Livi just got a new pair for our Disney trip so she put them on. We were even warm because of the time of day and the sun beating down - it was a nice change from the frigid weather we had been having!

I stop at Dunkin' Donuts because I am addicted to coffee and all was well in my little world. Warm Sun, XL raspberry coffee and a sweet kid who was falling asleep - and then it happened. I have no freaking clue where 'it' came from but holy shit, I drove right into it - a damn blizzard!


I am not kidding, within a matter of seconds there was no sun, the wind was fierce and not only was it snowing but snow was blowing all over the place - it was like a snowy hurricane! Since I drove into it, I knew it was only going to get worse. Jeff called me because he knows how I feel about driving in bad weather - so he wanted to know how close I was.

I made it there but it got worse the closer I got. I said my goodbyes to Livi and I started to head home. I was hoping I'd drive out of the damn thing. At one point I had to stop (on a back road, near Jeff's house) because snow was blowing around so badly I couldn't see well. While stopped, I took this photo:

The picture really doesn't show the craziness that this weather was though! By the time I got about 10 minutes from home, I drove out of the storm and it was calm and completely dry out!

That was just nuts I tell ya!

This lovely group is always so over the top! "Veggie Love" PETA's Banned Commercial for Super Bowl XLIII is a bit ummmm, wow, I don't know, just what is their point?

I suppose based on their target audience, they hope guys go Veg so they can have better sex - or are they hoping guys look for girls who are vegetarian so they can have better sex?

We have carpet throughout most of this house. The bathroom, kitchen, foyer, and back entrance all have a nice vinyl. While I don't mind the look of carpeting, I can't stop thinking about the yuck that carpet holds in it after years of use.

Zyon and I are weighing the pros and cons of wood flooring for a few rooms in the house, mainly the living room and dining room.

I think I'd like to keep all the bedrooms carpeted but I'm still not 100% sure. I'd love to hear from those who have wood floors. Do you love it? Oh, and do you have pets? How hard is it to keep looking nice?

Have you gotten a chance to see this gem of a toy? Playmobil Security Check Point



I am freaking speechless....seriously. Yes, our children need to be aware of the world around them BUT this, in my opinion, is going much too far. I know when I was a kid, there was bad shit going down all over the world, hell The Cold War was looming over our heads and 1983 - 1985 was pretty sticky and while I knew some of what was going on (I was 10 around that time) and I didn't have Berlin Wall or Fallout Shelter playsets! DAMN!

Here are some reviews, I see I am not the only one who feels this way!

"I was a little disappointed when I first bought this item, because the functionality is limited. My 5 year old son pointed out that the passenger's shoes cannot be removed. Then, we placed a deadly fingernail file underneath the passenger's scarf, and neither the detector doorway nor the security wand picked it up. My son said "that's the worst security ever!". But it turned out to be okay, because when the passenger got on the Playmobil B757 and tried to hijack it, she was mobbed by a couple of other heroic passengers, who only sustained minor injuries in the scuffle, which were treated at the Playmobil Hospital.
The best thing about this product is that it teaches kids about the realities of living in a high-surveillence society. My son said he wants the Playmobil Neighborhood Surveillence System set for Christmas. I've heard that the CC TV cameras on that thing are pretty worthless in terms of quality and motion detection, so I think I'll get him the Playmobil Abu-Gharib Interogation Set instead (it comes with a cute little memo from George Bush)."

Oh, there are more, click the link below to read more fun reviews!

More About This...

"Thank you Playmobil for allowing me to teach my 5-year old the importance of recognizing what a failing bureaucracy in a ever growing fascist state looks like. Sometimes it's a hard lesson for kids to learn because not all pigs carry billy clubs and wear body armor. I applaud the people who created this toy for finally being hip to our changing times. Little children need to be aware that not all smiling faces and uniforms are friendly. I noticed that my child is now more interested in current events. Just the other day he asked me why we had to forfeit so much of our liberties and personal freedoms and I had to answer "well, it's because the terrorists have already won". Yes, they have won.

I also highly recommend the Playmobil "farm fencing" so you can take your escorted airline passenger away and fence him behind bars as if he were in Guantanamo Bay."

LINK to more reviews! Get a cup of coffee and read a while!



Wow, lemme just say, 'unfuckingbelieveable!'

I thought the handle 'Unbalanced' Libra was clever because well, Libras are supposed to be balanced and I am far from it. I do strive for balance and I do try my best to find a rhythm/routine to keep things on track.

However, this month has thrown me for a loop. I've thrown my old routine out the window and have tried to find some sort of semblance in a new routine. I'm still trying and it's freaking hard. My days used to be filled with lots and lots of coffee and work, work, work. I'd spend from 6:30 am until 8-9 pm working. Now, I don't mean straight through because well, I do have other things that need to be tended to, like kids, laundry, housework, etc. This new year brought on a new realization - I don't ever have any time set aside for ME. I don't mean relaxing though, I mean, to keep myself healthy - I had forgotten all about exercise.

So now, instead of getting up and working non stop, I get up, do my housework while the kids are just waking up, get them fed, get Olivia off to school and then I take time to exercise. Sure, some mornings, like this morning, I'll sit down and blog a bit but I won't stay here at this desk long. In fact, those little shits are up right now - it's too early! I still need that 30 - 40 minutes of morning quiet time and well, obviously today I didn't get it.

I take Dante to pre-school 2 days a week and on those 2 days I just stay at his school (the YMCA) and use the gym - yes, for 2 hours I exercise, with my friends Shannon and Mike. The rest of the week I use my treadmill here at home. I have been averaging 4-6 miles a day on the treadmill, burning anywhere from 600 - 900 calories and I am eating healthier but still, after 22 days, I see no change in my body and I've only lost between 5 - 7 pounds.

It's very frustrating and the idea of taking something like Lipovox is becoming more and more appealing. My husband has lost about 10 pounds already. We both have a goal of a 40 pound weight loss by the time we go to Walt Disney World at the end of April.
I MUST BEAT HIM!

Not starting work until close to 11 am is weird for me but I need to get used to this new routine because I know I need to put myself first.

Let me brag for a moment, Zyon has never had a problem finding a great gift for me no matter what the occasion except when it comes to jewelry. Now, make no mistake, I LOVE the mother's ring he got for me a few years ago - he did great on that but aside from that, well, he's needed some guidance.

I have always tried to give him hints and most times he catches on but now I won't have to do that anymore! Dudes, if you're reading, pay attention to this;

I found an excellent website - it's called Bella True - it's an online jewelry store, but they have a wonderful section called "Tips for Guys"
This section is had me cracking up and it's full of great tips. It is written in "guy-speak" and it gives guys simple directions such as:

What To Give, When

Mention buying jewelry to a lot of guys, and their mind goes to “engagement ring.” But relax. You can start out slow. Women enjoy jewelry for a lot of reasons – not all of them deeply symbolic. Yes, the permanence of fine jewelry makes it ideal for a grand occasion. But you can choose from a wide range of designs and prices. So you can surprise her with jewelry just about any time.

Now, this is a great guide to help guys decide when it is the right time to give a ring and when it is the right time to give a beautiful necklace like this one:



This is simply gorgeous and something I would LOVE to have!

Now, with Valentine's Day coming up, not only is the Bella True site an excellent place to get something beautiful for you sweetie but the section 'Tips For Guys' is definitely a useful section for guys to look over before buying a gift - and a great place for girls to get some laughs!

So, would you like to a win a $25 iTunes gift card? Of course you would! As you may know, songs purchased from the iTunes store may be used on any computer or digital music player! And new pricing implemented by Apple ensures that older songs are even more reasonably priced than before.

ENTER HERE TO WIN! Blogaways.com

Things have been pretty 'normal' here lately. Not much going on. I need to break that up actually.

I get up, have coffee, feed kids, get kids to school, exercise (some days) work, work, work from home. Get kids from school, start dinner, exercise while dinner is cooking (every day). Eat dinner, hang with kids, give kids a bath, play with kids, read to kids, tuck kids into bed. Work, work, work, go to bed.

We're waiting on news regarding my mother in law's health. That is not the kind of excitement I want. I'm trying to get motivated and plan the itinerary for our next Disney vacation, which will be here before I know it! Even Zyon is bitching that I haven't planned anything yet!

Zyon is the best. I mean, he truly is my best friend. We're like 2 peas in a pod. I've been so swamped this month with work and he's just picked up the slack around here without even saying a word.
He works full time outside the home and then he works part time for the same company I work full time for, from home.

Working from home has it's benefits but a huge drawback is lack of concentration. I am constantly distracted by the kids of course and well, the laundry, the dishes, the dog, you get my point. Sometimes what should take me 2 hours to do takes me 5 hours just because I never seem to be able to actually sit and work for an extended period of time. Like right now, I am typing this and trying to referee a fight between Dante and Wyatt. Aaaarrggggghhhh Seriously they are fighting over what DVD to watch:

I am so glad I have someone in my life who can just pick up the pieces when I start to fall apart!

Well, this year has started out okay so far. On the agenda is diet and exercise, of course, which Zyon and I are doing great with so far! I am in the middle of planning our next Disney vacation - we will be there from the end of April until the first week in May!

As for family, Zy's mom is having some health issues and we are hoping after all the tests and bullshit she will need to go through, things will of course, be just fine. They have to be, she's going to Disney with us! Hahaha!

As far as my online time and blogging agenda, I have decided to leave Pay Per Post and Social Spark. This decision was not made lightly, I mean, I have been making a good amount of money every month from Pay Per Post and Social Spark but in the end, I have decided that is not the direction I want this blog, or any of my blogs to go in. Honestly, it's getting tougher and tougher to find opportunities that are a good fit for my blog and I don't ever wanna blab on and on about something I truly don't know much about, I see so many blogs authors do this.

I have been lucky enough to have found a wonderful online job and it's opened more doors for me than I could have ever expected, that is where my focus will be.

So, what are your plans for your blog(s)?

I believe the movie Zyon is currently watching has got to be the most vile and disturbing movie I have ever seen.

Have you seen Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead and if you have, WHY did you ever watch it? If not, check out the trailer after the cut.

More About This...
This trailer is NOT kid or work safe!




Yea, ummm, I don't even know what to say except, Stephen King thought this movie was hilarious. Watching this movie made me feel like I was watching a Gwar concert - seriously!

My family had the traditional 'pork and sauerkraut' New Year's Day dinner yesterday, since that was when everyone was available. Now, I told my mom and grandma that Zyon and I are getting back to diet and exercise and to please be supportive. It seems they get offended if we don't eat a ton of food when we're invited for dinner. So, what happened last night?

Well, both of us had smaller portions and we got, "Is that all you're going to eat?" "Don't you want any bread?" "Have more corn and mashed potatoes" "are you done eating already?" Oh and let's not forget the fact that my grandmother felt the need to announce to everyone at the table that Z and I are on a diet. I mean, that led to the condescending comments such as, "oh well, good for you" and "I hope you can do it, this time."

So, dinner revolved around talk of our 'diet' and back and forth discussions about the Denver Broncos firing their coach, Mike Shanahan (thank the GODS that happened) and how expensive New York Yankees tickets are now. My Uncle said some tickets go for $2,500! Who the hell is going to pay that?!

I have a feeling that this lifestyle change Zyon and I are trying to achieve is going to be a difficult road because I just don't feel the support around us.

I received this award from Hamida the Herbalist - thank you Hamida!
This award is given to those who show great Attitude and/or Gratitude =)

Now, it is time for me to pass on the award!



Here are the rules:

• Put the logo on your blog or post.
• Nominate 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
• Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
• Let them know that they have received this award.
• Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

My 10 Picks:

• Kiki's Corner
• Everyday Living
• Lovely Purses
• What's On My Mind Today
• Lofty Matters
• Life With Kim
• 30something and Searching
• The Sewing Mom
• Mom's Check nyo...
• Grandmother Wren
  

You all deserve to be recognized!

Funny term but that is how my boss refers to me, a 'Mac-er' because I LOVE Mac computers! Every time she sends me an excel or word document she asks if I can open them. Well, of course I can, I have the programs on my lovely iMac - so to all you people who think 'Mac isn't compatible' or you can't use that on a Mac - WRONG!

I have 2 Macs currently, an iMac and a MacBook. I would NEVER go back to using a PC - EVER!
Apple has come such a long way and I've used Macs since the late 1990's. There are more and more places to purchase Apple accessories and computer components, such as Apple memory and the like. So, who else is an Apple lover?

John Travolta's son Jett, who was only 16, died this morning in what is said to be a seizure related incident. Apparently he died after hitting his head on a bathtub from a seizure during a family holiday in the Bahamas.

Jett was hospitalized when he was 15 months old with Kawasaki disease, a rare illness that mainly affects young children. It's treatable but can have unforeseen complications, including lasting damage to the heart. Seizures have also been linked to Kawasaki, according to Aetna's InteliHealth site, so it's possible this event was linked to his illness.