Beer vs. Diapers

After returning home from shopping, I came to realize that we had bought everything we set out to buy, except for one very important item - DIAPERS, for our youngest daughter!

My husband told me not to worry! After the girls would have gone to bed, he'd step out and go get them at Walmart. Seeing that it was Friday, we knew stores would be open until 9pm.
Time was on our side!

Around 8pm, our girls said their Good Nights and were sent off to La la land!

Right at that moment, my husband's cellular phone rings. It was his buddy calling from a local pub, inviting him out for a beer! He said he would pop in quickly, before heading to Walmart. I flipped! From previous events, I knew that one beer would always end up being 10-12!

My husband assured me and swore that it wouldn't be the case this time around! He would simply pop into the bar, quickly, have his beer and then proceed to go buy the diapers we needed.

I simply replied: "Yeah whatever! See you in the morning!"

Around 8:30pm, the phone rings. It was my husband. He called to let me know that there was no way that he could leave the bar, as his buddy kept buying beer!

I simply hung up the phone and my blood began to boil!

My husband tried calling back, but I simply wouldn't pick up the phone! He must have called a good 3-4 times. Then my mother's number appeared on the display, as my husband no doubt called her, trying to get a hold of me! I still didn't answer the phone! I may be blond, but I am not stupid!

I was pissed! I was fuming! I was mad, as the clock was ticking and I knew Walmart would be closing soon and still no diapers had been purchased! It basically upset me to know where my husband's priorities were!

I paced up and down my hallway, trying to think of a good way to make my husband realize he screwed up BIG TIME! I thought of locking the 2nd lock on our front door, to which no one had the key! I wanted him to pay dearly for his actions and truly didn't mind if he spent the night sleeping in our van!

Around 9pm, I hear someone coming in. It was my husband. I remained calm and waited for him to show his face before me. Sure enough he walks in, with diapers in hand, baring the biggest smile on his face!

"Sweetie, it was a joke! I called you from Walmart to see if we needed anything else while I was there! But I also wanted to see how you would react and how much faith you had in me, when I swore I would be home shortly!"

Sure, we laughed it off, but my husband realized that had it NOT been a joke, things wouldn't have been very funny to say the least!

I think that from now on, my husband will make sure that there is a pillow and blanket in the back of the van at all times!

Pro-Active Approach!

In my last post, I expressed how exasperated I was with this entire issue involving my neighbour's from below and how I no longer wanted my son associating with their son!

This morning, after breakfast, I asked my son to join me in my room and I sat him down for a talk. I basically recapped the last 3-4 years of our lives - how things progressed since then, - the birth of his two sisters and how I could understand how he felt somewhat unwanted or pushed away by me. Now that I am pregnant with another son, he must somehow feel as if his baby brother, due in just 8 weeks, will end up taking whatever place he felt he had left within our family!

Needless to say, I came to realize that his bad attitude was the only way he knew to rebel against me. He has every right to be angry with me! For a child his age, he shouldn't have spent his entire summer looking after his two little sisters. While other kids went to Disney World or spent their days having fun at Day Camp, my poor son had no other option than to remain home, where he was desperately needed!

For his hard work, which he wasn't paid for, I am going to reward him! But it will come at a price! Nothing in life ever comes for FREE...

If he promises me to be good, to do well in school, to listen to his teacher and avoid befriending the "WRONG" type of friends, I will enroll him in Tae Kwon Do classes!

Not only will this be good for him physically, he will also learn self-discipline and it will truly be a great moral booster for him to know he will be doing something "KEWL"...just like "Jackie Chan"! He will also be able to unleash a great deal of frustration before he hits puberty! That in itself is really good!

Classes are Mon-Fri from 5:30pm to 6:30pm and Saturdays from 11am to 12pm.

6 days, an hour each class! This should keep him looking forward to the next day, every day, with a smile! Sure he'll bitch and complain about how hard it is, but Rome wasn't built in one day! He will learn about PERSISTENCE, ENDURANCE and what it means to NEVER give up! It will also toughen him out a bit and allow him to build the confidence he needs to get through in this hard world of today!

He'll also have a chance to make new friends with the same interests and besides, the way I see it, this class is so bloody expensive, I am sure my son will not have any trouble making new pals that come from "GOOD" homes!

There is no price for peace! NO PRICE!

Problem solved!

A parent's right for concern!

Since April 1st this year, we moved into an upper duplex in Montreal, leaving behind everything we've known, for the last 3 years, in Lachute.

This move was truly a last minute decision, as we were planning an even bigger move out west. Luckily for us, those plans did not turn out in our favour! Montreal is my home and I simply could not picture myself living anywhere else!

After a few weeks, once the dust has settled in our new home, better weather permitted us all to step outside more often and get to know our neighbours. We befriended the neighbours next door rather quickly, as they are very open and truly wonderful, generous people!

My son, aged 10, took no time to befriended the little boy, aged 7, who lived directly below us! At first, we were truly happy that he had found himself a friend so quickly and that this friend lived so close to him! They played together and seemed to be getting along rather well.

But then, all of a sudden, my son started to develop an attitude towards me, which I simply could not understand its source! He began mouthing off, questioning my authority and basically, his overall behaviour was truly affecting the vibe in our home!

It then dawned on me, all of this came to be since he started hanging out with that little boy below us!

I took it upon myself to befriend the parents, so that I may get a better feel for what this family was all about!

Married couple, well in their 50's, parents of only ONE child. Needless to say, this 7 year old is spoiled rotten and his parents have absolutely NO control over him! Being of Moroccan decent, this boy is being raise to rule the household and to walk over anyone who happens to come in his way!

I didn't think anything of this at first, but when I saw for my own eyes, how 10 years of my hard work, raising a young boy to be respectful and proper, was going down the toilet and fast...I had to put an end to it, before I would lose all control over my own flesh and blood!

It didn't happen overnight! Many events have happened before I made my final decision. The straw that broke the camel's back was the continuous attacks we were getting, for sheer stupidities, by the parents themselves.

It then dawned on me, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

This child's behaviour and the way he was acting, was merely a reflection of his parents' own neglect and lack of respect for others!

Now try explaining this to your own child!

I have had several HUGE arguments with my son about this issue, but he still doesn't get it! He truly feels as if I am dead set on ruining his life and in his own words, he told me: "You just don't want me to have any friends!"

How do you think I felt?!

One time, my son returned home all upset, from below. He was called down for a swim in the neighbour's pool and I was somewhat confused as to why he was back so soon?!

My son told me that he went down, swam and was having a great time. Then suddenly, his pal gets out of the water and disappears inside his home. My son waited and waited patiently, thinking his friend went in to use the washroom. After a good while, my son called out for him. The mother came out on the back balcony and said that her son was inside watching TV!!!

Now you tell me, what does that say about this child? Not only this, what does that say about the mother - The one person on this planet who should be teaching her child RIGHT from WRONG!?

Who the hell invites someone over to their place, only to leave them hanging alone???

Would you take this kind of behaviour from any of your present day friends?

"Sure, come over for a drink!" Then leave you sitting there, in their living-room while they go and play games on their computer!!!

SORRY! But after my son told me this, I had absolutely no interest in him being friends with this little sh*t below!

You do not treat your friends like this! No one should ever be treated this way!

But my son, being the lovable child that he is, made excuses to protect this little boy and his new friendship!

There are no valid excuses in this case! It is obvious that this child is growing up in a home with absolutely not a single ounce of respect! Had I been the mother, I would have grabbed my son by the ear and dragged him back outside to finish what he started! But as was, the mother didn't give a rat's ass that her son just abandoned his friend and left him outside hanging alone!

No good will come from these people! I want nothing to do with them and I do not want my son anywhere near their son!

This post came to be, as just yesterday my son confessed to playing at school with this kid! It brought on yet another argument, which I truly could have lived without!

My son still doesn't get it! He doesn't understand my right for concern in this matter!

What am I, as a parent, to do in this case? I am totally exasperated with this entire affair!

It almost makes me want to pack up and move!

I do not know what will happen next, but yesterday evening I truly showed signs that I was literally going to lose it!

When and if I do snap, the one and only advice I can give, is to run for cover!

As it's not going to be pretty, to say the least!

Nesting Syndrome

I am a self-professed clean and order freak! My home has to ALWAYS be clean and in order, even with 3 kids running around! My 4th is on his way in less than 8 weeks!

Here are a few examples of what I manage daily:

-Wake up around 3-4am each day, if 5am, this just means I've managed to sleep in;
-Have one or two cups of coffee while I check my emails;
-Have coffee ready for hubby when he wakes up;
-Make and pack hubby's breakfast/lunch;
-Make breakfast for 3 kids;
-Make and pack a lunch for my oldest for school;
-Toys have to be in their place;
-Dirty clothes have to be in the dirty laundry basket;
-Laundry must be washed and hung outside to dry (every 2nd day);
-Stains must be treated and washed right away off clothing;
-Put youngest down for her mid-morning nap;
-If time permits, take a shower and get myself dressed, or at least looking presentable;
-Shoes cannot be scattered or laying around;
-Kitchen counter tops have to be clean at all times, no exceptions;
-Think of what to make for lunch and prepare it;
-Floors must be swept daily;
-Vacuum must be passed once a day;
-Bathroom has to be clean;
-Put both girls down for their afternoon nap;
-If I can, I try to go down for a nap as well;
-Windows must be clear without smudges or finger prints;
-Highchair must be cleaned and clear of food once no longer in use;
-Cushions on sofas must be in their place;
-Beds must be made;
-Take a stroll to the supermarket to pick up whatever we are missing;
-Entrance staircase must be swept and washed by hand;
-Outdoor balcony (front, back and entrance) must be swept;
-Clothes must be put back and hung in their rightful place;
-Think of what to make for dinner and prepare it;
-Dishes must not lay in the sink;
-Dishwasher needs to be loaded and turned on every night before bed;
-Nothing should be laying around out of place;
-Furniture must be dusted at least once a week;
-Cups and bottles must be brought to the kitchen once empty;
-Kitchen floor must be swept and washed daily or every 2nd day;
-Stove top must be cleaned after cooking, especially after BACON;
-Mirrors must be clear;
-Cordless phones must return onto their bases;

Needless to say, I can go on and on about what I do daily to maintain my home in order!

As if this weren't enough, add to this the fact that I am in my last trimester and I am suffering a severe case of "Nesting Syndrome"!

Everything I have listed above gets done daily, but now I am cleaning places that no one sees and no one will ever see! I am literally climbing walls and washing corners on hands and knees!

When was the last time you climbed a chair to get to that far corner inside your cabinets? When was the last time you cleaned underneath your kitchen or bathroom sink? When was the last time you swept or vacuumed underneath your bed? Have you moved around any furniture since the movers put them down?

I have been going nuts cleaning all of these areas! It's not for nothing that once my husband gets home from work, I am dead tired and I have no more breath or energy to express how my day went!

On top of all that I do daily, I also have to keep an eye on 2 little girls who get into everything imaginable and make sure my toddlers potty training continues successfully, without too many accidents!

Conclusion, when my husband and son return home, everything looks as if nothing ever went on that day!

Sometimes I wonder, if I left everything the way it fell and didn't bother cleaning anything, would my family realize all that I do within the 8-10 hours that they are away?

Because as is, with everything in order and with everything in its place, they must truly think I have both my arms firmly shoved up my bottom and watch soap operas all day long!

Thought this was enough???

Nightly routine:

-Put girls to bed by 7pm;
-Make sure son has finished his homework;
-Make sure son has brushed his teeth;
-Send son to bed by 8:30pm;
-Make sure all toys are picked up and placed back in their original place;
-Make sure the highchair is clean and ready for the morning;
-Make sure front and back doors are locked;
-Make sure unnecessary lights are switched off;
-Make sure all scattered dishes are returned to the kitchen;
-Make sure the dishwasher is loaded and turn on;
-Make sure nothing that is not a toy is laying around exposed to little hands;
-Make sure I have enough milk for the morning;
-Get to bed around 10-11pm or 9:30pm if I am truly dead tired!

After all of this, I must admit, I LOVE what I do! But what drives me insane is when I have to endure listening to many people comment:

"You are so lucky to be able to stay home with your kids! You have it easy and get to relax anytime you want!"

I would love nothing more than to sit my fat bottom behind a desk and MSN my friends all day long and see if anyone gives a crap about me on Facebook!

Sure! Let's trade places for a day! I dare you!

"Things could be a lot worse!" I've always said!

This morning I got news that Primo was rushed to the hospital last evening!
No news yet as to what happened, but from what we could gather, Primo suffered a stroke!

As if it wasn't enough for the family to find out their mother was terminally ill with cancer...now this!

My heart goes out to this family and I hope everything will be ok!

I will try my best to help out whichever way I can, but bottom line is...

My hands are pretty full already with 2 wee-ones and being pregnant at almost 32 weeks...there is only so much I can do!

Makes me truly realize that I should count my blessing for everything I have!

"Things could be a lot worse!"

Seasons come and go

Is it just me, or did our summer simply slip by, unnoticed, under the radar?
We are already in the month of September and I can't really say I recall a single day of real heat! This can only make me wonder what kind of a winter we'll have???

I can remember summer days in my youth, how hot they were! The kind of heat and humidity that turned your most conservative neighbours into nudists! To feel the need to want to peel your own skin off - that's the kind of heat we missed this year!

I am sure that for the elderly folks, this summer has been quite a blessing! Hospitals got a break from cases of heat and sun stroke, as their waiting rooms remained empty!

The fall months are right on our heals. With them will come rain, dampness and chills that will cripple anyone with or without joint pains!

To think, Christmas is coming too! Just 2 weeks ago, we received our Sears Christmas Catalogue on our front doorstep!!! Lucky for us, our daughters played with it and several pages went missing, torn out, from the toy section in the back of it!

Who knows what weather will await us all in just a few months! With it will come the sniffles, chest colds and Kleenex's sales will go up!

I guess the only thing we can do is look forward to next spring and hope that the summer will be a lot better than the one we just had! If we can even say we had one!

Less than 9 weeks to go!

I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared!

With less than 9 weeks to go, this being my 4th pregnancy, my mind is continuously bombarded with undesirable thoughts!

Images of giving birth prematurely, due to all the stress I am able to soak up, simply clouds my mind on a daily basis!

If this were to happen - would my baby survive? Would I survive?

I know I shouldn't even have thoughts like this, as prior to this pregnancy, I have had 3 successful full-term pregnancies and delivered all 3 children without any major complications.

But with life, you never really know what could happen and I suppose this is just one of those things you simply cannot control!

In just a matter of a week, I am scheduled for my 2nd ultrasound. Hopefully this appointment will put my mind at ease!

I can't really say that I am looking forward to giving birth. I can only hope and pray that things will go very fast and that the pain involved will not last longer than a couple of hours! Wishful thinking I suppose!

My biggest fear is that of an emergency C-Section...

The mere thought of being cut open, brings chills down my spine!

I am tired, achy and feel 350 pounds heavy with every move I make! Rolling around in bed has become such an enormous task! Bending down to pick something off the floor, takes 3 times the effort to get back up! I am out of breath and sleep with a fan blowing directly into my face!

I wish this pregnancy was over already, but I realize that NOW is not a good time!

I must remain patient and wait it out another 8-9 weeks -
Only 2 months to go!

This is my 3rd pregnancy in 3 1/2 years...

Needless to say, I am extremely fatigued and can only look forward to regaining all of my bodily functions, to getting back in shape and enjoying my newest addition in our family's life!

I never claimed to be a baker!

On a funnier note, I thought I would share my first bread baking experience!

Recently, I had the opportunity to taste quite an amazing thing! Real authentic, homemade Italian focaccia bread! I loved it so much, but I didn't dare to ask for more. So I decided to go on the internet and find a recipe, to make my own!

I found one, a good one!

I proceeded to find all the ingredients I needed and started my work!

What work it was! The time involved could truly make anyone grow into the kitchen floor, with 2 separate rising steps, 1-2 hours each...I never thought I would ever finish!

Finally...it was time for baking!

I set the oven at the required temperature (220'C) and place the pan in. I set the timer for 15-20 minutes and waited patiently!

10 minutes had gone by. I look to see what was happening and nothing seemed to be progressing!

What's going on? Why is this bread NOT baking?

I went over my list of ingredients, checked off everything...
Nothing was missing!

My husband walks into the kitchen, sees me in discontent and asks me what was wrong?!

I told him I never claimed to be a baker and I doubt I ever will!

He looked at the oven's digital display and asked me if I had the temperature at the right heat?!

I told him: "OF COURSE! The recipe said to preheat the oven at 220'C!!!"

He then pulled out a calculator and did a little math and said...

"220'C = 425'F...all ovens are in 'F...not 'C..."

Needless to say...

I had a real blond moment!

Our World has flipped upside down!

I felt the need to share an hour of my day yesterday.

I headed out with my son to go shopping for a few things we needed, e.g. diapers, milk, ...

We get to the Jean-Coutu pharmacy, got what we needed and proceeded to the cash. There was only ONE cash open and the people before us stood there getting over 50 Loto Quebec tickets validated. This couple, they are special to say the least...a real couple of sideshow freaks! Tattoos all over their bodies, both ears pierced from one end of the ear, to the bottom of their lobes, not to mention the multiple piercings they had everywhere else on their bodies...thank God they were covered!

I stood there, with my son not too far from me, holding a bunch of things in my arms. I swear I thought I was going to deliver right there and then. I am 31 weeks along in my pregnancy and my belly has dropped a great deal. Standing in one place for long periods of time is very uncomfortable for any pregnant woman out there!

I let out a HUGE SIGH and uttered words, loud enough for everyone to hear...
"WTF! Why is there only ONE cash open?"

The girl behind the counter overheard my comment and finally realized there was a line up forming behind these clowns.
Backup was called.

After having stood there like an idiot, for what seemed like an eternity, when a 2nd cash finally opened up, we were run over by everyone who stood behind us and never once heard anyone say...

"Go ahead Madame! Cash 2 is now open! You were here first!"

Before I could even blink my eyes, this 2nd checkout was backed up as well!!!

We had no other choice than to remain where we were, behind these yahoos who think Loto Quebec will actually make them Millionaires, for another 5-10 minutes - as if 15 minutes of my time previously wasted, wasn't enough!

THEN, as if that weren't enough for one day...

We then proceeded to go to the Metro supermarket, to pick up a few items there as well.

Again, we were faced with only 2 checkouts open! Both had lineups again!

A couple of men stood behind us and we waited and waited...

Finally, a 3rd cash opened up! Once again, we got run over by the two men who were behind us, as they both dashed for that cash and not once did I hear...

"Go ahead Madame...you were here first!"

I simply said out loud...

"WHAT CLASS...!"

I told my son right there and then...

"Don't YOU ever think of doing this to anyone when you are older!"

He immediately became defensive and replied:

"Those men simply never had a good mother! This will never happen with me!"

How sweet and well said for a 10 year old! But it didn't do much to calm me down at the time!

What kind of a world do we live in, when a pregnant woman - who looks as if she will give birth at any moment, gets ignored!!!?

I was red, pissed off and in total disbelief!

Anyhow, that was my evening!

How was yours?

Religion - A freedom of choice! For whom?

For the longest time, I have been hounded and pressured by family members, to finally get both my daughters baptised!

I was born in a Roman Catholic home and as such, I was baptised a few months after birth, had my communion at age 7 and my confirmation at age 10. You can say that all of the above was merely a part of tradition, as none of my family members went to church and no one was ever found praying, on their knees before bed, at night!

I remember as a child, my mother taught my sister and I a single prayer. Surprisingly, I still remember each word and can say it without missing a single syllable. This prayer was in Polish and went something like this:

"Aniele Boże Stróżu mój, Ty zawsze przy mnie stój. Rano, wieczór, we dnie, w nocy; bądź mi zawsze ku pomocy".

There was more to it, but I suppose my mother wanted to simplify things for our little minds at the time!

As I grew older, I truly started to question my beliefs and could not understand how so much harm could come my way, when I prayed and prayed for someone to watch over me and to keep me away from all the hurt I was suffering at the time!

It was after the death of my father that I basically realized...
What a crock of sh*t!

I started to read up on various religions, their "beginnings", and came to realize their "real" significance. It was clear to me, it was all just a huge scam!

To think, many wars are fought because of religion! So many millions of people have died or committed suicide for their beliefs! How odd and how strange! Are people really that stupid? I can only assume so!

Today, I do not believe in any religion! Born and raised Roman Catholic, yet I believe that the entire purpose of religion is to simply "guide" people (like cattle) in order for them to remain good people and fear a higher power, keeping them tamed and away from trouble! I already do this on my own, on a daily basis. No help needed - Thanks!

If you read about religion in the medieval times, you will come to realize that back then, our world was ruled by churches and what they said or decided was LAW, punishable by death, should someone not comply! Makes you truly wonder where our society would be today, if this was the case now?!

I normally do not like to discuss such a controversial subject, such as this, but recent events have sparked a great deal of anger within me and I simply had to let it out!

After many months of pressure tactics from various family members, I finally decided to get my daughters baptised and even found suitable God-Parents. Everything was ready to go...so I thought!

Upon arriving at the church, I was handed a couple of forms (one for each daughter) and was asked to fill them out. The date was chosen and I looked forward to finally getting this out of our way! I was handed an envelope which contained a bunch of papers with a booklet and was told to read it before I was to come to two (2) separate meetings, on two (2) separate dates, before the baptisms were to take place!

Confused, hot and tired, I simply took this envelope and headed home. It was upon opening this envelope and reading its content that I simply turned ill!

During the course of that day, I simply couldn't believe what I had read. It was eating me from the inside out and I couldn't wait until my husband got home to discuss this matter at hand.

Baptism - Its purpose: To rid every born child of the original sin, in order to be accepted into the Kingdom of God!

What kind of bull sh*t is that?

Children, babies, the most innocent of creatures on this planet...already tagged and plagued sinners? "They need to be cleansed of their sins"? WHAT SINS??? For passing through a woman's virgina and taking a first breath?

I was beyond myself! I could not believe this crap! To add to this, we were told that we must attend two (2) meetings, in order to discuss our choice and our views on this joyous upcoming event in our children's lives!

Our choice! Our views! What about our daughters? Do they not have a right to decide? Do they not have a choice or their own views?

Later on that evening, after the children have gone to bed, my husband and I we came to a decision...

We will not force anything upon our children! Religion and one's beliefs should be a personal choice, not one to be made by others.

One day, should our children feel the need to find themselves through religion, we will be behind them 210%...but it will be done by their own freedom of choice!

This was not the case for my son! I had him baptised when he was barely a year old. Back then, my family made me believe that my son would go to "HELL" if I did not comply! He was conceived out of wedlock and from the get go, was flagged the "bastard child"! By getting him baptised, my family claimed that this would be the only way that I could redeem myself and my son, by seeking forgiveness from God for all of my sins!

Looking back at it now...BOY WAS I STUPID for believing them!

I should have sent my entire family packing to this so called "HELL", equiped with a pic-nic basket!

The Enabler!

Anyone who knows me knows that my childhood has plagued me with a constant need to be accepted, acknowledged and appreciated.

While growing up, it never failed, no matter how much good I could do for my family, nothing would ever change their views of me. I was pinned the "Devil's Child", the "Black Sheep" and just basically grew up knowing I would never have a place within my family, no matter how hard I tried!

I can honestly remember going places with my mother and running into some of her acquaintances, only to be left for dead on the sidelines, without any introductions. Everyone knew of my older sister and my younger brother...but who the heck was I?

"And who's this?" the woman would ask.

"Oh HER! She's my other daughter!" my mother would respond.

What came next, were words that simply proved it all...

"Oh really?! I didn't know you had another daughter!" the woman expressed with great surprise and confusion.

How do you think I felt, the young child that I was, to hear such a response?

Is there any wonder how I could have possibly have wanted for my life to end, back in those days?!

Why was I even there? Why was I even born?

Many years have gone by since that time in my life and I have since carved my own road in life, through high mountains and across the deepest oceans. I have surmounted a great deal of obstacles, both emotional and physical, to get where I am today. I can only pat myself on the back for having been so strong, as many would have ended their days, long before I could!

I will be the first to admit that my childhood plays a great role in my life today. No matter what I do, no matter what I take on, I am always seeking approval, acknowledgement and appreciation! This is something I never could get from my own family and I must admit...I am starving for it now!

Today, the tables have turned. My dear mother, now aged 76, finds a constant need to be close to me and to depend on me, as none of my other siblings care enough to help her out or to be there for her when she needs it most.

This is the situation I find myself in today:

My younger brother, now aged 30, has never left home! He still lives with my mother, in a modest upper duplex, just 5 minutes away from me.

My aging mother has been sheltering him, feeding him and basically supporting him all of these years.

My brother works full-time, yet he doesn't contribute to anything in that home!

My mother is alone to pay the rent, the utilities, the food and everything else, while only receiving a seniors' pension from the government and her retirement income.

Quite often, I have to put up with my mother's cries, how she has no food and not a dime to spare for anything!

At 76 years of age, my mother has burned all of her bridges, has found herself owing more money to people than she can possibly afford to repay and has been caught stealing from various local shops in our neighbourhood - finding herself banned for life from any store within walking distance from her home!

I am a stay-at-home mother of 3 and pregnant with my 4th child. My husband is our family's only bread winner!

It is hard enough making it by with only one income, to now add to this, having to help my mother out financially or buy her groceries on a weekly basis!

My brother has money! But what does with his money is buy fancy designer clothes, watches, jewellery and he even manages to take vacations down south all the time!

He recently returned home from yet another trip to Mexico - His 3rd trip in a matter of just 9 months this year!

The last time he left town, I had to care for my mother for 2 weeks! I had to buy her food and make sure she had enough money to cover her medications! My brother took off, once again, to roast his nuts on some beaches in Mexico and left my mother to die without a care in this world!

I have spoken to my mother several times about my sheer disgust with him, yet she defends him and says: "He does help out!"

"Yeah right!" said the little man IN MY EYE!!!

My mother simply doesn't want to be alone and I guess this is the price she is willing to pay! But what irks me the most is the fact that MY FAMILY has to suffer and fall victim to my brother's sheer indifference!

I am at my wits end. I can only count down the days until my brother leaves, yet again, for Mexico! This time he claims he will be gone for a period of 6 months!

Thanks to the many times I have come to my mother's aid, I have basically created my own nightmare! What I have noticed, sad but true, is that my mother has a certain way of placing a huge cloud of guilt over my head, whenever I tell her that I cannot help anymore!

In the past, this has worked like a charm and my mother always got what she needed (wanted) out of me, as she knew...no one else would!

Well, no more!

Am I being a bad daughter, by finally putting my foot down? Am I truly as evil as my entire family has painted me out to be throughout my childhood?

I WAS the enabler! Because of my continuous help and support, I enabled my brother to do all that he does, as he knew I would always be there for my mother, no matter what! He went about his ways, without a care in this world, knowing all along that I would pick up the pieces and mend my mother back together!

I can't anymore and I won't anymore!

It is my turn to take a vacation, away from this situation, as I have done more than enough harm to everyone with my goodness!

Sadly enough, no matter how much good I have done in the past, up until now, it will all be erased and forgotten, as I said: "No more!"

"The Devil's Child" has returned!

Life! What a sad place indeed!

Primo's wife got news on Monday, that no chemo therapy could ever save her at this stage of what's left of her life!

How sad this must be indeed, to know that your days are numbered and at any moment, at any time...you'll be leaving this world and all of those you care for the most behind, in sheer sadness!

It's true what they say: "Only the good die young!"

Why is that? Why is it that someone so evil, could live to be a hundred...yet a good person leaves us all, prematurely and with such deep sorrow?

I know why! It has something to do with the heart and how one chooses to use it!

Evil people have this "I don't give a shit about anything or anyone" approach to life, therefor their hearts never skip a beat! Their hearts never stress and never suffer any damage!

Good people, on the other hand, care too much! They care so much about everything and everyone, that this weight simply falls upon their hearts and they take on more than they can handle without flinching once!

You cannot die of cancer! You die of complications associated with it!

It's only a matter of months or even weeks, that this good woman will leave us all!

It is very sad indeed and I truly do not look forward to this day!

How would your life change if you knew you had but a few weeks to live?

Would it matter what your past holds? Would it matter if some didn't like you or appreciate you? Would anything else matter?

Nothing matters anymore!

We should all take example of this and try to make the best of every waking hour we are blessed with! We should thank our luckiest of stars for the life we were given and make the best of each day...no matter how hard it may seem at the moment!

Dominica is prime example of this! Thanks to her soul, I cannot allow the little petty stuff to bother me, as in the end...it truly doesn't matter!

What goes around comes around...

It's almost 10:30pm and I just managed to sit down and relax!

Today was one very busy day for me, as I cooked, cleaned and even squeezed in some time to prepare yet another wonderful dinner for my neighbours and for my own little army. Bath time came and went. Girls said their good nights and headed off to La La Land. With nothing more to do, I decided to go back over to the neighbour's place to see how everyone was doing.

Emilia is leaving tomorrow for Chile, after having spent close to 2 1/2 months away from her own family, looking after her ill mother. She is such a wonderful woman. I will truly miss her!

I wanted to do something special, just for her, so I brought down my "French Manicure" kit and gave her a salon treatment! She hasn't seen her husband in a very long time, so she wanted to make sure she arrived home looking mighty fine for her hubby!

I left my son to watch the fort, as both girls were safe and long gone in a deep sleep. During this time, my son had a little fiesta of his own! He raided the cupboards and fridge, leaving but crumbs behind!

One thing I noticed right away, was the empty milk jug on the counter! He polished off every single drop of milk we had at home! What will we do tomorrow morning, as not an ounce was spared for coffee?!! We do have "Coffeemate"...but...PIUK!

My husband wouldn't return home until way past 12:30am and the last thing I wanted was for him to have to run to the local Couch Tard (7/11) to pick up some milk, as I am sure all he would be thinking of is sleep!

I called the neighbours and simply asked if they could spare a cup of milk to tie us over until the morning...

No more than 10 minutes later, I had 6 liters of milk delivered to me at our front door!

It's true what they say...

"What goes around, comes around!"

It truly does pay to be good towards others!

Happiness is the best revenge!

In my previous post, I wrote about an episode I recently had with my beloved neighbour from below! I also wrote that this wasn't the first time I have had to deal with this crazy woman, as since we've moved in, she has found many reasons to argue with us!

To put it quite simply, we feel as if we have moved on top of the Gestapo Headquarters!

Trying our best to live our own lives, it never fails...our neighbours below simply have far too much time on their hands and choose to disturb us with stupidities!

They complain about the way we place our garbage can! If it is not placed in a straight line, directly behind theirs...they suffer a conniption!

On Mondays, when the city picks up every one's recycling...we are NOT allowed to place ANYTHING in their bins, not even a piece of paper, as according to them...we should go to the city and get our own bin!

We are NOT allowed to sit outside our front doorstep, as according to them, this is their balcony (which they are paying rent for) and we simply have a "voie de passage" into our own upper part of the duplex!

We are also NEVER allowed to step foot in the backyard, as this is their space (which they are paying rent for) and if I happen to drop something off my balcony while hanging up laundry, or one of my little girls happens to throw something over it, I have to call them and ASK them for PERMISSION to go down and retrieve the items!

I can go on and on here...but what's the point?!

My husband and I, we have discussed a possible move out of here, but what would that accomplish? NOTHING! It would simply give those idiots below us great satisfaction in knowing they have uprooted an entire family!

They are quite simply a miserable bunch and the best revenge we could possibly get is to simply go about our lives, live and let live, laugh out loud, have fun, have parties and show those yahoos that they will never get the better of us!

So who wants to come over and party? Let's all dance together until the plaster falls off their ceiling below!

Hahahahahahahahahahhaha!!!!

City Water vs. Acid Rain

Just the other day, after I returned home from a joyful time spent at the park with my 3 kids, I decided it was far time that I watered my exterior flowers, as they looked on the verge of dying!

Satisfied that this chore of love was finally accomplished, I returned inside to join my little family, who were all very anxious for supper to be ready!

5-10 minutes later, my doorbell rang and I went to see who it was...

My beloved neighbour from below, once again! She felt the need to educate me, that late afternoon, on the adverse effects of city water!

She was somewhat ticked off that I had wet her car, which was packed in the driveway!

The neighbour went on to say that city water contains far too much chlorine and every time I would water my flowers and this water would happen to fall on her car, little white spots would immediately appear, causing great damage to her car's paint and freshly applied wax job!

Note: Her car is no Rolce Royce and it looks as if it has seen better days - passenger mirror taped up in place so it wouldn't fall off, scratches all over, etc...

I asked her...and rain? What do you do when it rains? Do you cover your car with a huge plastic tarp?

She saw I wasn't amused with her accusations and proceeded to tell me not to take any of what she is saying in a bad way! She simply would like for me to ring her door each time I would water my flowers, so that she could be there to make sure I would NOT wet her car!

Needless to say, that evening - once my girls have gone to bed, my son and I we ventured outside and uprooted all of our flowers! Two bags later...PROBLEM WAS SOLVED! With everything else going on in my life, I truly did not need this shit!

It's truly unbelievable! Can someone be THAT miserable in their life, to go as far as starting an argument with their peaceful neighbour over a few drops of water on their car???

This is not the first time I've had to deal with this crazy woman! I find it absolutely ironic that she should choose to ring my door each time my husband wasn't home! Lord knows if he were, he would have ripped her open a new asshole in a second!

After this incident, it dawned on me...what water does she use to wash her car? Holy water? Evian?

*SIGH OF SHEER FRUSTRATION*

I guess there simply is no cure for STUPID!

A Special Post for Ghost!

I knew this song since I was about 5-6 years old and never quite forgot it! I just don't know why?!! I guess it had to do with the way my music teacher taught the kids in her class - with a meter long ruler *SMACK* onto our desks, when we weren't being serious!!! LOL

I sang it to my family just the other day, while we were in the car and they just all stared at me with this look...

"Mom's gone looney!"

Hahahahahaha!!!!

Off Air

28 weeks have gone by!

I can't believe how fast time has flown!

It seems like just yesterday that we found out I was pregnant once more!

At a time when our world was falling apart, news of this newest pregnancy could not have come at a worse time for us!

Filing for bankruptcy and knowing fully that the bank would repossess our home...needless to say, we weren't too certain as to what our future held for us as a family!

28 weeks later, with only 10-12 weeks to go before our 4th baby will arrive, I am happy to say that our lives have settled quite well!

We aren't out of the woods yet, as my husband still has not found a job we could call "secure", but never-the-less...we are all well, healthy and happy! This is all that matters in the end!

Money comes and goes! The bank may have taken away our home, our vehicle and everything else we owned...but one thing they could never take possession of is our family!

Come hell or high water, we will survive, as we have eachother!

A Helping Hand - In times when we need it most!

A while back, I wrote about "Givers vs. Takers". It comes to no surprise that I would have something more to share about this subject, as our world has not changed since I wrote it and I doubt it ever will!

I wanted to take this time to share a little story about giving, in hopes that it would inspire someone else out there (even if just one person) to start giving - creating a new circle of goodness which will hopefully travel throughout this world we live in today.

April 1st, we moved from our house in Lachute, Quebec, back to Montreal after having been away from my family for almost 3 years! We found ourselves a quaint little upper duplex and we truly lucked out on its price and the fact that the landlord was a very trusting man and did not want to bother with a bunch of paperwork and credit checks! This was awesome for us, as just a few weeks prior, my husband had filed for bankruptcy and both our credit scores were somewhat left to be desired! We basically lost everything we had to our names!

I was extremely happy to be back on home turf again and as much as I missed our old house and our comfort, nothing gave me more joy than to know that I was only 5 minutes away from my aging mother (as opposed to being an hour away by car in Lachute).

We didn’t know our neighbours, but as the weather got better, we began to venture out a little more and we got to meet our neighbours next door. A retired Italian couple with 3 grown up children, well in their 40s now.

Such a small world we live in, I found out that their youngest daughter “Sandra” went to high school with my sister and actually works with my sister today as a Lancome cosmetics representative. My sister works in sales at the Bay, on the South Shore and she sells Lancome products.

We had finally found the perfect neighbours! Ever so generous, they always had a bottle of homemade wine to give to us, just because...we were nice to them and their family. The father “Primo”, a retired construction worker, would tend to his garden on a daily basis and every time I would go out on my back balcony to hang out laundry to dry, he’d always look up and say: "Hi, How are you?" and invite me to come down to visit his garden filled with tomatoes, green beans, fresh basil, etc...You could honestly see the pride and care he put into that space.

One day, I find out that Primo’s wife is not well and that she was rushed to the hospital! Such a sad day that was. Primo was devastated and his eyes would tear up at the mere thought that this was the first time in over 50 years that he was alone without his wife “Dominica” by his side. He was truly lost without her.

As you know with older European generations, the mother of the house always took care of everything. With her being gone, life, as Primo knew it, remained at a stand still!

I am a stay-at-home mommy of three (3). My time is divided between my home and my children and making sure everything is under control under my roof. I love to cook and I'll be the first to admit, I never was a real baker. But after hearing what had happened next door, I felt absolutely compelled to help out in any way I could. When I cook, I always make too much (it never fails, as I always cook for an army), so I would set a special plate aside for Primo and would bring it over right before sitting down for my own meal.

One day, as I went over to drop off a plate of food, Primo greeted me at his door and simply burst into tears. His wife, Dominica, was still in the hospital, but doctors found that she had terminal cancer and had but 6 months to live!!! I couldn’t help myself, I started to cry too!

Primo went on to say how life was just so unfair...that finally after over 50 years, they have everything they needed and wanted and life was just beginning for them as a couple and family...and now this! I could see the pain and the sadness in his eyes and the only thing I could say or do, was to try to comfort him. I told him not to worry, as everything would be ok. One day at a time.

Dominica stayed in the hospital a good 2 weeks. She underwent several tests and the results weren’t in her favour. During this time, I would continue my rounds and brought lunch, dinner or something I had baked in the morning over for Primo. He loved my cakes and told me it was the best part of his mornings, as he would enjoy a piece with his usual morning cup of freshly brewed espresso.

As if the sun came out on the cloudiest of days, one day Dominica was released from the hospital and returned home, pending more tests. She was well enough to leave and she was very happy to be back in her own element. When I saw her, I gave her a huge hug and tried so hard not to notice the many bruises she had on both her arms, from all the needles she had stuck in her over the course of 2 weeks, while in the hospital!

Everything seemed to return to normal, but Dominica was still in a fragile state and suffered excruciating pain which not even morphine could dull.

With Dominica back home, I still continued my rounds, but this time I would truly think for 2, as Primo was no longer alone. His wife was back, but she could barely function on her own.

Their daughter “Emilia” flew in from Chile to help look after her mother, as there was only so much Primo could do alone for his wife. This didn’t stop me, nor did it deter me, as I continued to help out whichever way I could.

Each time I would go over, they would continuously tell me: “You do not have to do all that you do for us”, to which I would simply respond: “I know! I do what I do because I want to, as it makes ME feel good deep inside!”

Back and forth, the giving never stopped. One day, the doorbell rings. It was Primo. He came to my door and surprised me with a 10 kilo bag of sugar. He said it was a thank you gift for all the baking I had done for him and his family. We both laughed to tears, as I asked him where were the eggs to add to this, as I could only go so far on sugar alone! LOL

Anyhow, yesterday morning, I heard the motor of a diesel engine running outside my living-room window. I knew this sound a little too well and went to look. Sure enough, there was an ambulance parked outside Primo’s home. I went out and stood on my front balcony. I could not control the tears which came pouring out of my eyes! As I held my youngest daughter in my arms, all I could do was pray that Dominica was ok!

Emilia came out, her eyes filled with tears. I thought to myself "Oh No!", then she looked up my way and said that her mom was ok. She simply was in way too much pain to endure it anymore.

As the EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) wheeled her out, my eyes began to tear even more, as Dominica looked up at me and with what little energy she had left in her, she blew a kiss as to say, everything would be alright.

That morning, I was lost. I could not find my place. I was so sad deep within!

The only thing I could think of was Primo and how he was alone at home once again without his dear wife by his side. Emilia took off with the ambulance and stayed by her mother’s side.

So, not knowing what to do with myself, I baked yet another one of my upside down apple cakes and brought it over to Primo, along with lunch, as I knew the poor man was alone and wouldn’t eat anything unless his family was back home with him.

That afternoon, the clock was ticking. Still no news from the hospital on Dominica’s condition and Emilia still had not returned. Dinner time was fast approaching and I knew Primo would need to eat and so would Emilia once she returned home from the hospital.

So I took matters into my own hands and decided to cook a complete separate dinner for their family. I roasted a full chicken and stuffed it with garlic and plenty of spices. I then pan roasted some potatoes in olive oil and steamed up some fresh corn on the cob.

I placed everything so neatly in a huge black pan and closed it with a lid. With a huge smile of satisfaction on my face, I made my way next door once more.

Primo answered the door and he looked as if he had been crying all this time since I last saw him at noon.

What a surprise it was for him, as he opened the lid and stood there in shock. He immediately closed it and simply said: “You are the best woman, aside from my wife, in this entire world!” He gave me 2 kisses, one on each cheek, thanked me ever so much and I went home.

I felt like a million dollars. To know deep down and now to have heard it, the appreciation I got from Primo was priceless!

A little later that evening, his daughter Sandra popped into my place. She came over to give us news of her mother, as she too was at the hospital all this time and she wanted to thank me personally for having made such a wonderful dinner for her family. She went as far as saying: “If I smell like garlic, it’s all your fault!” LOL

With her, she brought along a little tote bag filled with all kinds of different cosmetics. A thank you gift for all I had done that day.

Once again, I felt on top of this world.

Someone once asked me: “Why do you do all that you do?”

My answer to this could not be more simple...

“Because someday, it will all come back to me, one way or another!”

Metrosexuals or Sexually confused?

Metrosexual is a term used to describe a male who carries himself in a feminine way. This also occurs with females, when the term commonly used is that of being a tomboy!

The typical metrosexual is a young man with money to spend, living in or within easy reach of a metropolis – because that's where all the best shops, clubs, gyms and hairdressers are.
He might be officially gay, straight or bisexual, but this is utterly immaterial because he has clearly taken himself as his own love object and pleasure as his sexual preference.
Particular professions, such as modeling, waiting tables, media, pop music and, nowadays, sport, seem to attract them but, truth be told, like male vanity products and herpes, they're pretty much everywhere.

For some time now, old-fashioned (re)productive, repressed, unmoisturized heterosexuality has been given the pink slip by consumer capitalism. The stoic, self-denying, modest straight male didn't shop enough (his role was to earn money for his wife to spend), and so he had to be replaced by a new kind of man, one less certain of his identity and much more interested in his image – that's to say, one who was much more interested in being looked at (because that's the only way you can be certain you actually exist). A man, in other words, who is an advertiser's walking wet dream!

Common ways to spot a Metrosexual (see picture below)



I have but one question...

Where is our world heading?

Potty Training

With the summer months upon us, I took a pro-active approach in potty training my 28 month old! Not quite 2 1/2, I decided it was far time that she learned to do her little business like a big girl! Something has to be said about the cost of buying diapers for 2...soon 3! It was definitely crunch time!

I allowed her to run around our home, wearing just little panties. After a few accidents, wipe outs and permanent spotting of carpets, she soon realized that she didn't need to feel so wet if she simply sat her little bum on the little white potty.

At first, she would do so but would forget to remove her undies!
It was priceless!
Success was hers at that moment, as she would look for her "High-Five"...wet panties and all! She must have gone through 6-8 pairs of undies that day!

We would send her to bed wearing simply a pull-up and come morning, the pull-up would be dry and she would immediately proceed to relieve herself!

She would spend her entire days in clean underwear, as the accidents were no more!

How proud she was each time, as she knew to remove the little bucket and the flush the waste down into the toilet! High-fives all around!

I am happy to say that by the time her baby brother arrives...overnight pull-ups will be a thing of the past!

I am so proud of my little girl!

Here's hoping I can get her little sister to follow as soon as she starts walking!

Wouldn't that be something!

They do say: "Monkey see, monkey do!"

Keeping fingers crossed!

Interesting Article - Had to share it!

Soy is making kids 'gay'

There's a slow poison out there that's severely damaging our children and threatening to tear apart our culture. The ironic part is, it's a "health food," one of our most popular.

Now, I'm a health-food guy, a fanatic who seldom allows anything into his kitchen unless it's organic. I state my bias here just so you'll know I'm not anti-health food.

The dangerous food I'm speaking of is soy. Soybean products are feminizing, and they're all over the place. You can hardly escape them anymore.

I have nothing against an occasional soy snack. Soy is nutritious and contains lots of good things. Unfortunately, when you eat or drink a lot of soy stuff, you're also getting substantial quantities of estrogens.

Estrogens are female hormones. If you're a woman, you're flooding your system with a substance it can't handle in surplus. If you're a man, you're suppressing your masculinity and stimulating your "female side," physically and mentally.

In fetal development, the default is being female. All humans (even in old age) tend toward femininity. The main thing that keeps men from diverging into the female pattern is testosterone, and testosterone is suppressed by an excess of estrogen.

If you're a grownup, you're already developed, and you're able to fight off some of the damaging effects of soy. Babies aren't so fortunate. Research is now showing that when you feed your baby soy formula, you're giving him or her the equivalent of five birth control pills a day. A baby's endocrine system just can't cope with that kind of massive assault, so some damage is inevitable. At the extreme, the damage can be fatal.

Soy is feminizing, and commonly leads to a decrease in the size of the penis, sexual confusion and homosexuality. That's why most of the medical (not socio-spiritual) blame for today's rise in homosexuality must fall upon the rise in soy formula and other soy products. (Most babies are bottle-fed during some part of their infancy, and one-fourth of them are getting soy milk!) Homosexuals often argue that their homosexuality is inborn because "I can't remember a time when I wasn't homosexual." No, homosexuality is always deviant. But now many of them can truthfully say that they can't remember a time when excess estrogen wasn't influencing them.

Doctors used to hope soy would reduce hot flashes, prevent cancer and heart disease, and save millions in the Third World from starvation. That was before they knew much about long-term soy use. Now we know it's a classic example of a cure that's worse than the disease. For example, if your baby gets colic from cow's milk, do you switch him to soy milk? Don't even think about it. His phytoestrogen level will jump to 20 times normal. If he is a she, brace yourself for watching her reach menarche as young as seven, robbing her of years of childhood. If he is a boy, it's far worse: He may not reach puberty till much later than normal.

Research in 2000 showed that a soy-based diet at any age can lead to a weak thyroid, which commonly produces heart problems and excess fat. Could this explain the dramatic increase in obesity today?

Recent research on rats shows testicular atrophy, infertility and uterus hypertrophy (enlargement). This helps explain the infertility epidemic and the sudden growth in fertility clinics. But alas, by the time a soy-damaged infant has grown to adulthood and wants to marry, it's too late to get fixed by a fertility clinic.

Worse, there's now scientific evidence that estrogen ingredients in soy products may be boosting the rapidly rising incidence of leukemia in children. In the latest year we have numbers for, new cases in the U.S. jumped 27 percent. In one year!

There's also a serious connection between soy and cancer in adults – especially breast cancer. That's why the governments of Israel, the UK, France and New Zealand are already cracking down hard on soy.

In sad contrast, 60 percent of the refined foods in U.S. supermarkets now contain soy. Worse, soy use may double in the next few years because (last I heard) the out-of-touch medicrats in the FDA hierarchy are considering allowing manufacturers of cereal, energy bars, fake milk, fake yogurt, etc., to claim that "soy prevents cancer." It doesn't.

P.S.: Soy sauce is fine. Unlike soy milk, it's perfectly safe because it's fermented, which changes its molecular structure. Miso, natto and tempeh are also OK, but avoid tofu.

Article written by: Jim Rutz
Copied from: WorldNetDaily.com

Rude Awakening!

After a few hours of sulking, crying and sheer frustration...
I had a revelation!

Who am I kidding? Why do I persist to bring close those who simply couldn't give a rat's ass about me or my family?!

This has been a lifelong struggle for me, as I went through life always doing things for others, when those people whom I have helped...were no where to be found when I needed aid in return!

I never wanted anything more than to be appreciated, to be adored, to be praised for the good woman that I am.

Unfortunately, in this pretty selfish world we live in, I have lost myself somewhere along the way, as I continuously gave to those who knew nothing more than to take take take!

I must think of ME and my family, as no one else is doing it!

I have grown tired of my generosity being taken for granted. I am fed up of my kindness falling into unworthy hands!

Many who have grown use to me being around - at the drop of the hat, will soon realize...
I am no longer available!

I will be called every name in the book. Many will find ample reasons to hate me...

But the way I see it, being the good person that I was to them all...

NEVER GOT ME ANYWHERE to begin with!

I know my self-worth and I definitely do not deserve the likes of them in my life!

To put it quite plainly...

Screw 'Em All!

What is a baby shower?

I am presently pregnant with my 4th child. In all the years that I have spent waddling back and forth, carrying a baby between my legs, not once have I known the answer to the question above! Sad to say it, but I will not hold my breath to ever know the answer to that question!

My first pregnancy, the one MOST would consider to be important, came and went with little to no excitement! It was an unwanted baby by everyone else around (including its biological father). I was unmarried and there was no hope of ever tying the knot.

Having left a rather abusive relationship, I spent the next 7 years alone, raising this child all by myself, with little to no help in this world.

Miracles do happen! After so many years alone, I finally met a wonderful man, fell in love, got married 6 months later and our family began to bloom!

Pregnancy #2, came just before we were wed and caused quite the negative reaction from many around...especially from my husband's side of the family! We were unwed and according to them...barely knew one another enough to take on such a massive commitment!

Pregnancy #3, now married...once again, my husband's side of the family were in shock, as all they could do is count the days before our relationship/marriage would fall apart!

Now with baby #4 on its way...still married and very happily at that...still no real positive reaction from my husband's side of the family!

What is wrong with this picture?

Why can't people simply be happy for others?

Family, above all, should be the first to join in and celebrate a new life!

A new addition to the family should be a wonderful gift to all who are concerned!

Not in this case...

I will simply say that Baby Showers are a way for family to celebrate the new arrival of a baby...a WANTED baby...

I guess all 4 children of mine, born and unborn, were clearly unwanted...3 of which happen to be disregarded by my husband's side of the family!

How sad is that?

Rainy Day Fun - At least for me!

What else can one do on a rainy day?

You get tired of watching the same TV shows, day in and day out!

You are bored of all the games stored in the closet! Yawwwwn!

There was nothing more amusing to me, than to make use of the 800 tiny clear elastics, which I purchased at the Dollarama just the other day!

Here's the result!

It's Blue!

Everything is beautiful and on schedule!

Should timing be accurate, we should see our new bundle of joy at the end of October!

Let the shopping spree begin!

U-Day

Today is the day, my little precious one!
I will finally be able to have a look at you and to find out a bit more about you!
Are you growing alright? Is everything ok? Are you to be my 2nd son or my 3rd daughter?
All of these questions will be revealed in just a few hours!
I am anxious, to say the least, as I tossed and turned in bed last night thinking of you!
I cannot wait to be able to put a name to your tiny soul and to finally count down the weeks before I can hold you in my arms!
I do not care if you are pink or blue...just be healthy!
I will love you, as I do already, with all of my heart!

Ex-Lax Relief for Children!

Life Of Misery

Can you imagine going through life never truly being happy?
Every morning that you get up, to be royally pissed off that you could still be breathing?
I know of a couple of people, very close to me, who go on living this way, day by day!
Nothing can ever make them happy!
No money, no gifts, no parties or events...everything just seems like such a huge task, that they simply do not wish to be a part of!
This is what you call being in a severe depressive state of mind!
Every wrong that comes their way, is immediately blamed upon someone else!
Never taking responsibility for their own actions or inaction.
The entire world is against them! They always fear the worst will come their way!
To go on with such misery all around, can only make one wonder...why do they keep living?
It's sad to think it, it is sad to mention it...
But the only time these people will truly be happy and at peace...
Is the day they take their final breath!

A child's laughter

The world all around me may crumble and fall.
All could go to hell, as isn't this where we are all headed anyways?
The news speaks of catastrophes, deaths and murders...
How can anyone possibly have a positive outlook on life, when everything seems to be surrounded or involved in some kind of disaster, natural or manmade?!
Each day we get out of bed, trying desperately to focus on tasks at hand, never truly knowing if today might be the day we never come back!
We try our best to not let certain things bother us or affect us, as we try to meditate and think that things could be a lot worse...and believe me they can get a lot worse!
Then, all of a sudden...a child's laughter could be heard!
It's like music, a melody, so innocent, so tender, so priceless!
A child knows not of all the presures we face each day.
This child's only concerns are if she will be fed when she is hungry and given a drink when she is thirsty and if mommy and daddy will always love her!
Wouldn't it be nice if we could all go back to our youth, when simple times and moments were taken for granted?! How foolish we were...how innocent...all we had to do is laugh and all would be forgiven and forgotten!
I would give anything to be able to laugh like that once more...
Luckily, I may do so, at least for a moment...

Thanks to my precious little ones' souls!

Pink or Blue?

Just a week ago, you started to give me signs of life, as you gave me a sudden jolt!

It brought an instant smile to my face, as my hand reached to caress you.

In just a couple of weeks, I'll be able to see you and to finally know a bit more about you.

Pink or blue? This is a question I wish to know the answer to before you arrive.

If you are to be pink, all I can say is that you'll have plenty of fun growing up with two little sisters and hand-me-downs...get use to them now, as we've got plenty!

Now if you were to turn out to be blue...Oh Boy!

Mommy will have her work cut out for her, as I will have to go on a major shopping spree, as we have absolutely nothing blue!

Either way, just be healthy and just be you!

This is all I can ask of you!

Until we see one another my dear little one,

I love you, as I do all of my children!

A year old already!

Seems like just yesterday that I gave birth to my second daughter!

This coming Saturday, she'll be celebrating her first birthday!

I find myself running around, like a chicken with no head, trying to prepare everything for her first party! I have invited more people than I think I have room for...but, never the less...

We'll have a blast!

The food is all prepared and we have plenty of ice on stand-by for our drinkers!

1 year old already...I simply cannot believe it!

The truth cuts deeper than a razor blade!

Dear Mother-in-law,

Over the last 3 years, many events have come to pass which made my integration into the family less than favourable! For this reason, I have been pressing my husband against the wall to ensure that he kept a tight lip about something presently going on in our lives.

I am pregnant with our 4th child! I am 5 ½ months along. The baby is due sometime at the end of October, beginning of November! On July 15th, we will know if it’s to be a girl or a boy this time around!

Because of many events, I was ready and willing to go through my entire pregnancy without anyone from my husband’s side knowing! But, I am getting rather tired of having to try to find excuses on how to remove myself from upcoming family events, as my belly is growing bigger each day!

In normal circumstances, you would have been one of the first to know, but after 2 consecutive pregnancy put downs, I have to admit, I was truly not looking forward to a third!

We are a family and as such, our family will grow whether others like it or not! The fact that most think of our union as a mockery, doomed to fail at any given moment (causing my husband to royally screw up his life for good) I find this to be rather disgusting and deplorable!

We will outlast all couples we know, as we came together with nothing and we survived struggles most couples would have run away from, many moons ago. We managed to build something absolutely wonderful together…A FAMILY! Against all odds…we did it and we are extremely happy!

I am sorry if this letter upsets you, but I needed to let you know the reason behind us not telling you sooner.

We would have told you in person, but I am not too good at being able to swallow reactions less than positive and it would no doubt have truly sealed my husband’s family’s fate with me for good!

I truly hope you will be happy, not only for us (because it’s our lives), but deep within to know that your family is growing and you are a very lucky grand-mother!

Hope this letter finds you well.

Sincerely I remain,

Your daughter-in-law

Respect

I got inspired to write this morning, after having read a story on a blog some time ago.

A little girl got inspired one day and decided to take a rock and scratch a mural on the neighbour's car!

Her punishment was, 5 days/nights of not being able to play with her friends. I suppose this meant, the child was to remain at home and not be able to have any friends over and no sleepovers either!

I was flabbergasted! To me, such a punishment was a simple tap on the wrist for such an enormous lack of respect towards another person's possession!

I approached my son (aged 10) this morning and flat out asked him:

"Would you take a rock and proceed to draw pictures on someone else's car?"

To which he immediately got on the defensive and said: "Mom, I swear I never did such a thing!"

I asked him to cool down and to simply answer the question.

Of course his answer was: "NO! Never!"

I then asked him: "WHY?"

"Because it is not right to touch another person's things, especially a car, as cars are very expensive to own and fix!" he said.

When I told him what this little girl had done, his mouth dropped to the floor! I then told him what her punishment was...

This is the funny part...

He responded:

"Geeze, if I would have done such a thing, I would have been punished severely!"

I asked him: "How's that? What do you think your punishment would have been?"

He then proceeded to respond:

1- I would have gotten the beating of a lifetime;

2- I would have been locked in my room for 2 weeks;

3- I would have only white bread and water to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner...

Needless to say, none of my children would have done such a thing as the punishment they would have gotten would not have been worth the 5 minutes of fun they think they would have had doing such a destructive thing!

RESPECT! Do not touch what is NOT yours!

It's a plain and simple rule every child, teenager and adult should know!