"Thrill of the Hunt"

Yesterday after work I finally decided to get an oil change, or quick lube (which my sister and I have decided sounds so dirty even if you don't say it in a provocative way). If you read my last post procrastination is one of my best qualities and it has been 4 months and 4,000 mile since my last quick lube. So we went to the dealership in town because they sent me a coupon in the mail oil change with tire rotation and 24 point safety check $24.95! Nothing like a great deal at the quick lube. Except when you walk up town to grab a bite to eat and notice this!!!!!

Could it really be a DOLLAR TREE!! Yes it is and the grand opening is this coming Monday! So Morgan and I ran up to the window to take a peek inside and left our finger prints all over the glass as if we were marking our territory(lick,lick). Oh the bright and shiny new plates and glasses the full isle of wrapping paper, bags and ribbon! The cleaning supplies and wall of kitchen utensils! My excitement is not over exaggerated in the least. This place is serious about deals!

Where everything's $1.
Walk into one of our stores and it hits you immediately: this is a place where shopping is fun. We call it "Thrill of the Hunt". We have worked hard to create an environment where our customers can discover new treasures every week. Where entire families can enjoy looking for that special something.My money tree is in FULL Bloom......Let's GO SHOPPING!!!

100 Irrestiable things about ME....

In case you are an attractive mid 30, early 40 something looking for these 100 qualities you came to the right place. Let me know if you happened to Google one of the 100 qualities and you may earn extra bonus points to win a date with me! HAHAHA Lucky sap.
No really I was catching up on my reading of daily blogs and came across 311Boys blog and thought WOW I wonder if I could make a list of my own. A list I would encourage all of you who happen to read my blog or 311Boys to make your own. I would love to know your top 100 qualities about YOU! If you are not all that comfortable writing them on your blog perhaps you can share an e-mail with me. So here you go THE List of 100 things about me you may or may not want to know....jump ship if your not ready to laugh, cry, or be totally mistified(hey don't say I didn't warn you).

1. I am a mother of one beautiful, charming, intelligent, delightful, raspberry blowing 9 month old baby girl!
2. I am a loyal friend who calls to remind you "I am still here if you need me".
3. I sleep on the left side of the bed (if you are standing at the foot of the bed)
4. My favorite ice cream treat is twist with sprinkles.
5. As I get older I drink adult beverages more for social reasons other than to find out how much my body can take before giving up and sleeping on the bathroom floor just in case of emergency.
6. I enjoy trying new beers and/or wine, for the taste and not the alcohol content.
7. Being bundled up in a soft blanket reading a book in the middle of summer, in the air conditioned house is ubsurd but feels so good!
8. I would rather be sweating my ass off than freeze to death.
9. I love to look at men in uniform(yes even the UPS man looks good, well some do)
10. I procrastinate(tell ya more later)
11. When I am not listening to todays hit music without all the rap, I enjoy singing along to Laurie Berkner(childrens singer song writer)
12. Men with grey hair in their 30's & 40's are HOT, twice as hot if in uniform see #9.
13. When watching a movie I get annoyed if you ask me to explain what is going on, just watch the damn movie.
14. Popcorn without alot of butter and a cold coke with ice are great with a movie.
15. I am a closet Age of Love reality show TV watcher.
16. I am the oldest of 5 siblings.
17. There is only a year and a half between my younger brother and me and almost 14 years between my youngest sister.
18. I don't like to gamble, it makes me nauseous.
19. I like to watch other people gamble.
20. I have swam in the Carribean Ocean.
21. I would love to take another trip to an all inclusive resort with a special person or group of friends.
22. My last trip to Jamaica was for my sister in laws wedding, she was a beautiful bride.
23. I grew up on the west side of the D, but have lived longer on the east.
24. I can count on one hand the number of friends I have had since H.S.
25. One of those friends since my second from the youngest sister was born 22 years ago.
26. I enjoy having more friends now that I am older, some I don't need to even hang out with that much.
27. I am three degrees of seperation from Kevin Bacon(this I just found out this spring)
28. I SUCK at text messaging, and was reminded by a teenager this past week.
29. My mother lost touch with the family 11 years ago, and has since returned but only to let us know she is alive.
30. I am ok with this or in denial, only time will tell.
31. I have not spoke with my mother in over 11 years.
32. I was engaged for 5 years to my first true love.
33. But was never engaged to my soul mate who I told to go away.
34. I miss my soul mate and thought of hiring a private investigator, but thought that might sound to stalker-ish and he may not like me anymore or is married.
35. I kill house plants by simply not watering them, if they whined or pooped their pants they may get more attention.
36. I started a journal, to remind myself of what I did yesterday(not that I am forgetful)
37. I want to get rid of my credit card debt and never ask for credit again, except for maybe a house or a new car.
38. I have big boobs, great eyes and an even better smile.(just trying to increase the Google hits)
39. I have a charming work voice, I thinkI may have drawn in more work by working my come grind with us voice when answering the phone.
40. I work for a company that does machining and grinding.
41. I am not a short skirt, heavy make-up wearing kind of girl, nor do I play one on TV, or movies.
42. I am the girl next door, but not the one who lives in Hugh Hefner's place.
43. I hope to sell my house soon.
44. I hate the whole process of moving, but love the idea of being some place new.
45. I cried when I went to Disney World, I was 28.
46. I cried tears of joy because it made me feel small and innocent.
47. I have an imaginary celebrity boyfriend his name is Eric Dane, he never calls.
48. I don't wear lipstick, because I find myself licking my lips to much.
49. I love to wear high heels but don't because I don't go anywhere anymore.
50. I own a pair of 6 inch black patent leather stilletos, I fell ONCE.
51. I am almost single, and was married for 4 years.
52. I don't feel any different now that I am almost single than when I was married.
53. My dog is the one suffering the most from my divorce.
54. Her name is Cujo and she doesn't get to sleep in the bed anymore.
55. When I was little my mother put me in girl scouts, it was fun until we went camping.
56. I hate camping the whole out-house and public showers just makes me feel more dirty.
57. I do like to have camp fires and make s'mores.
58. The best part of girl scouts was the cookies.
59. My mom's side of the family made up for most of the parenting time missed by my own parents.
60. My aunts are my backbone they are never judgemental and have been more than supportive of everything I have done in my life.
61. My uncles are the disciplinaries they were not afraid to beat the hell out of me if did anything wrong, which was never.
62. I am proud that I will have all of them helping me raise my little girl.
63. I never find time to exercise the way I used to.
64. Nor do I eat as healthy.
65. Water is my drink of choice.
66. Coffee is my drink of necessity.
67. I love to cook.
68. Comfort food is my specialty, pot roast, mashed potatoes, lasanga, anything with meat, cheese and/or butter.
69. Racheal Ray is my idol, I want to be just like her....I think I was in my past life.
70. I should get royalties for creating her.
71. It took me three years to create my miracle, infertility SUCKS.
72. My baby is the best gift God has ever given me.
73. I hope and pray He gave me the strength and wisdom to raise her right with the package, instructions were NOT included.
74. It still amazes me that I gave birth.....without passing out.
75. I wish I was a stay at home mom.
76. I drive entirely way to much, it doesn't bother me unless I get stuck in traffic.
77. I prefer to drive than having someone else, maybe it is a control thing but mostly it is because I get car sick if I try to read, sleep or watch a movie.
78. Material things don't make me as happy as much as someone wanting to be with me.
79. My strength comes from life experiences, not from something I read in a book.
80. It makes me happy to hear a child laugh from just a simple smile.
81. My daugthers laughter is intoxicating.
82. I love to read before bed or write in my journal.
83. I have to sleep with a fan on, just for the sound.
84. Taking this one from Jen, now that I am older I want to do some soul searching.
85. I worry to much on what others think of me.
86. I wondered what I might be doing now if I would have stayed in college.
87. College away from home for a year was all about survival, when I realized how much tuition was and I was paying for it I moved back home.
88. I continued in college for another year and a half but never got a degree.
89. Working two jobs and going to school burned me out, so I quit.
90. I have a terrible sense of fashion, it gets worse as I get older.
91. I wish my friends would seceretly video tape me and send it to Stacy and Clinton of What Not to Wear.
92. A $5,000 shopping spree is very overwhelming to me, I wouldn't know where to start.
93. I have spent an entire sunday afternoon watching endless shows on TLC.
94. I am a people watcher, I tend to observe more than participate.
95. I enjoy getting personal mail, it assures me that person took extra time out of their day.
96. I enjoy sending personal mail because people like to feel appreciated, and I appreciate them.
97. I could spend an hour or more in a Hallmark, beautiful things make me happy.
98. Dark chocolate could possibly save my life.
99. It has taken me endless hours to put this list together.
100. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do, if not Bite ME!

Hi...I'm Monica

I have a confession to make, I am a clean freak to the point where others see my glare and know their clean is not to MY specifications. It is so bad that this morning I was cleaning the oven, YeHa 6am cleaning the freakin oven! Yesterday I re-folded towels in the linen closet at 5:30am! I don't know where I got this dis-order, it could be old age because I can remember when it didn't bother me all that much, when I was 10 or 11.
We have visitors from another planet (my aunt and cousin age 11) that have been at my house since sunday night. It has been a very hectic week to say the least, not alot of sleep and mass chaois. The house looks like it just threw up stuff everywhere, and there is no way of containing it. I have tried to reason with myself that it is just temporary. The visitors are doing me a huge favor by taking care of my little peanut since I had no daycare this week. The older visitor has been doing laundry, making dinner(that is a NICE surprise to come home to), vaccuming, dishes, and cleaning the toilets. When my sister came to visit she told her "I don't know why your doing that she is just gonna do it over", and sadly my sister is right. I have planned in my head already Saturday is re-organize/clean day. I am more than greatful for all the help, truly I am there are just some things that are MY way, or I go batty. I know Morgan is having a great time.
After this week I have found that living as a single mom is not that bad when you only have to pick up after one little person who doesn't make all that much of a mess(at least not yet). The first day (gave manic monday a new meaning) was the worst struggle, in fact it threw me into a mode of silence with wide eyes just trying to grasp the world spinning around me, not to mention Morgan yelling "I'm OVER STIMULATED" in the loudest baby cry she could find. When they talk it is loud which my aunt was re-assuring me is the way it is at her house because there is always to much going on. The television volume was on higher than HIGH and blaring Hannah Montana(who I find annoying to some degree, could be something to do with her father being Billy Ray Cyrus). As I tried to get a hold of the situation I realized...get the baby Abort! Abort! I quickly grab her and a bottle run to the babies room and shut the door....AAAaaaaahhhh let's re-group in the rocking chair and put baby to sleep. As I held Morgan and we snuggled for a couple minutes she fell asleep I re-assured her and myself 4 more days.
So as the week went on the volume of talking lowered and the routine settled it has been a bit more bearable. Just a few things bother me everyday when I walk in to find bags of stuff still laying under a table, but it is stuff that will go when the visitors leave. The babies room is still in dis-array of clothes clean but not folded the way I fold and need to be put away. For the past two nights the baby has not made bed-time at 7pm and has fallen asleep with a bottle in her mouth around 8-9pm(something that will NOT happen come tomorrow). Plates and cups are now resting in different cupboards but are clean. It is still a cluster of people and dog at the back door greeting me home one of which is my baby reaching out her arms "mommy quick hold me"! which makes me smile and her and I have a moment and are quickly reminded that we are NOT alone. Not until tomorrow when we can nap, clean, and nap!

My Sabatical

Yesterday morning my dear aunt came by to pick-up Morgan and take her to a baby shower. When she first asked me if she could take her I was not so hip on the idea. I mean my weekends with my baby are precious and after running with her all week it is nice to have our time on the weekends. But my aunt so wanted to have a little time with Morgan too. So I caved and thought what the heck am I going to do ALL day without a baby?
You guessed it I did what I used to do when I didn't have a baby......I spent 9 hours pulling weeds and cleaned up the yard, swept the garage, vaccumed and cleaned windows in my car, did 2 loads of laundry, loaded the dishwasher, shaved my legs(with the good razor), and sat on the swing with a bottle of beer! I know you are all thinking I have the most glamourous life and your jealous. There is a price to pay when you lead such a life. The muscles you don't use remind you that you should use them more often, such as the smallest muscle in your pinkie finger, and the large one between the back of your knee and your buttocks! I woke this morning feeling as if a trip to the spa would be more benefictial than to go to work and benefit my pocket book.
With all the aches and pains still fresh 24 hours since the beginning of my 9 hours of anal retentivness. It is given me a new outlook to the working out idea I had back in January. I really need to start using the treadmill that still has a note "use me 1-12-07 m.g." written upon the dust that had settled on it last year. So tonight before I go to bed I will force myself to venture to the basement and walk (after I wipe down the treadmill and inspect for spiders and/or any other blood sucking insect) for at least 20 minutes! Wish me luck.......

Daycare - Day One

Officially the day is not over but update from when I last seen my little peanut until now,
call to day-care;
Hello
me - How is it going is Morgan adjusting?
care taker - She is doing great, just one thing.
me - uh-oh (hold breathe should she have called me)
care taker - Well she was sitting in her saucer and she likes to yell when she is playing, the 4 month old in the saucer next to her started to cry and the other just hold their ears, and compliment how loud she is.
me - Yeha that is my girl(should have had talk with her to remember her manners)

Yes I am finding it hard to leave my daugther in the care of someone other than a friend or family member. Yes I cried on the way to work because my daughter did not cry when I left her. Yes I think it is best for her and I to find a place where she is comfortable so she doesn't cry when I leave her at daycare. Yes I am fighting every urge to run to the daycare and just strap her to my back while I am at work!

Something New

Just how does a single woman approach a man who she is interested in without being let down? Being single in my mid 30's, you would think one would have enough confidence in saying to an attractive man hey I noticed your not wearing a ring (my ex didn't wear his ring for the last year of our marriage) could I get your number? Then this overwhelming feeling of rejection swooshes in and blocks my larnex box and I just say "Have a nice day"........
At work we have been wanting to destroy important documents that have all but taken over the up-stairs storage area for quite sometime. So we have summer help in the shop so I was taking advantage of the opportunity to remove the clutter up-stairs to make room for the clutter that has taken over the front office.
When I started this job I can remember having to re-arrange my office to what I have grown accustomed to for 12 years in the administrative business. It took me 62 days (cause that sounds much longer than 2 months) to get everything organized from the 20 some years the woman before me left behind. Endless hours of filing and tossing papers that were useless pieces of information that only a woman who grew up in the depression would hold onto. It was very overwhelming yet refreshing at the same time to start something new.
Just when I thought it couldn't get worse they sent me up-stairs to organize the ba-zillion boxes that have been piling up since the early 1900's. After convincing the higher ups that it was not necessary to keep all the boxes of important documents, I broke down what we had to keep and what we could toss, and there it sat for oh 814 days.
Until the extra shop help arrived, and it is now or never time to unload the up-stairs!! WHOA! 100 plus boxes later and we were ready to call in the shredder troops, Shred-Corp. A company that specializes in coming to your business and loads your un-wanted "important" documents onto a hopper and tosses it into their truck and shreds it right on-site. How cool is that? Super cool when it takes under an hour to shred what took 45 years to create!!
The one thing they failed to mention when I called to get a quote was how hot their service man is, or maybe I didn't ask. When the hot Shred-Corp guy arrived I was like a giddy school girl and stuff, like I was 12 and my buck teeth were sticking out and I was all self concious about my skinny legs and knobby knees giddy. What the heck get a hold of yourself he shreds paper for God's sakes it is not like your going out on a date. Your just going to the back yard to stand in the hot sun and help load boxes onto a truck. So maybe it was just me but I was checking out the monitor attached to the truck to make sure it was for real shredding everything, and he leaned over and was all sweating and sweet smelling and showing me how everything works. It was totally show me how he grinds paper HOT!! But in less than an hour it was over, and I really wanted to ask him for his number but all I could say was "Have a nice day"!
Is there some sort of class or video that I can get in on, because DAMN IT I am not good at being single!!!

Independence Day

Yesterday we all celebrated our Independence and I hope everyone said an extra prayer for a safe return to all of our troops still fighting for our freedom. God Bless and thank you for protecting us in a time of need.
Morgan grew a new independence of her own yesterday, the girl can now sit upright in a shopping cart and enjoys it!! I had the day off so I decided to do a little grocery shopping. I took along the buggy bag to try it out, it was a HIT!! Not only does it protect her from sliding side ways when I take the corners of the aisles quickly but she doesn't chew on the metal bar in front of her. The inside of the bag has clips for the toys too, to prevent her from throwing them out. Now that she is sitting up and getting looks from all that pass her by she is happy, and Mom is happy too!

Now if only I can teach her to drive without wrinkling her nose....................