You know… lately my faith in mankind has dwindled a bit. Maybe I listen to too much NPR or tune myself into too many negative news stories, but it seems like people have lost their minds. For example, I just read a blog post about a man wanting his kidney back. He gave it to his wife and sometime later she cheated on him. Now they are divorcing and he wants it back. I’m not sure how that is supposed to work so good luck to all involved I guess.

But this morning, something happened to restore my faith in human beings! After dropping my son off at preschool, the other two and I decided to go to Sams Club (well more like I decided… they just came along for the ride). We arrived at 9:15. It is winter so getting kids in and out of the vehicle can be quite a feat. I strapped Brody into my Bjorn and had Sophie latch on to my hand. We made our way slowly to the entrance of Sams Club. Once there, I expected the doors to open (cuz they usually just do)… though much to my chagrin they remained closed. Then I saw the “Open Hours” sign and saw that for regular folk (such as myself) the doors don’t open until 10:00. However, premium business gold members get to go in at 7. Makes sense right? You pay $60 more a year then you should be able to shop for three hours in peace before the “every man” enters the doors.

Still, I was a little frustrated from the standpoint of actually having to trudge back to the car and get the kids buckled in and all the while plotting our next destination. Every parent knows what a job it is to get the kids in and out of the car *anytime* but it can be especially frustrating during the winter when it is cold outside and the weather is less than kind.

Then, I heard my name being called. Well not exactly my name per say…. but “ma’am” counts since I was basically the only one standing out front. There was a Sams club employee shoveling the walk and got my attention because of a lady who saw us from inside of the store and came out to help.

She motioned for me to follow her inside. I got the kids in the cart and when it came time to show off my card to the Sams Club door police, the SC door-police woman asked if I was a gold member. Before I could say anything the lady said…. “she is with me.” and just like that I was in like flynn.

Wow. She was like a guardian angel. After I thanked her, I didn’t see her again in the store. I wanted to buy flowers for her. Or something.

I can be a bit obtuse sometimes (for real, I think I live in my own little lalala land at times) so I didn’t exactly “comprehend” what the plan was while outside (as no words passed between the kind stranger and I) but once inside got it instantly and thanked her profusely for her kindness.

This simple act of kindness completely made my day. I immediately wanted to go out and pay it forward somehow.

What simple acts of kindness have you granted to people or what has been done for you?

I watched an interesting show on the History channel last night. It is currently countdown to Armageddon week so all of the shows shown at night will reflect that topic.

Last night they had a special on the predictions of Nostradamus and impending global change that will happen on winter solstice (December 21) of the year 2012. It was interesting to hear about the different Quatrains (I believe that is what he calls his prophecies) and get perspectives from different experts on the interpretation of his drawings and predictions.

I also did not realize the different secret societies that existed back then (and still exist today). The two that come to mind are the freemasons and the alchemists.

So much information about the effect mankind has on planet earth and how the alignment of the stars and the wear and tear on earth will encompass some pretty cataclysmic events. From what I understand, one of the predictions is that the poles (north and south pole) will flip and that will in turn cause environmental upheaval (deadly storms, floods, fires, earthquakes, volcanic activity and things of that nature).

The Mayan calendar also runs its course in the year 2012. Experts however, are not sure if that means that a new cycle will begin on earth or 2012 is THE end.

Interesting stuff I tell ya! Of course these theories contain a lot of complex figures and notions. At one point, I think my head was spinning.

With all of that said… what do YOU think of the 2012 predictions?

Husb and I like to chat occasionally during his workday. Usually, I will try and hop on the computer during the kids naps and conquer my computer stuff and that includes chatting with husb. Today, he sends me a chat message with a link to a 52″ high definition television. This one happened to be plasma though I know that he is deciding whether he wants plasma or LCD. Apparently, in a plasma television the black is more of a “true black”. Who knew?

So the t.v. was listed for $1400. Wow. We don’t have that kind of cash laying around though I suppose he’ll want to dip into our tax refund money to pay for it. I’m okay with that as long as the important stuff gets taken care of first. Truth be told, i’ll be glad when we finally buy an HD tv. Then I wont have to hear about it anymore or receive endless hints in chats, e-mails, dinner conversation, or pauses between commericals. LOL

He has however, decided that he wants to buy a new tv stand to go with it. One that mounts it to the wall without actually ruining the wall.

Do you have a high definition television? How does it look when gaming? I hear the visual experience is much better, especially for current and next gen consoles.

I am tackling everything and anything but the kitchen sinks, lately. Or so it seems. My list of articles to read have been tethered somewhere between keeping up with the latest web design trends to server management software and reliable dedicated servers and VPS.  Not to mention, my class on Environmental Science begins on Thursday of this week (more fun stuff to read)!

I am currently finishing up on a couple of web-related projects which I fully intend to post here once I am done!  All that and haircuts for husb and the kids tomorrow.  Like I said… all but the kitchen sinks.

Of course, i’m not called “mom” for nothing.  I’m starting to think “mom” is truly the equivalent of being a superhero.  It should be like a chant or something.  Don’t you think?  We moms handle everything from child rearing, home organization, chores, and meal planning.  We play at-home doctor as well as family chauffer for various reasons.  When we’re not working on home stuff, we tend to have to answer to bosses or professors or family and friends and God only knows who else.

I tend to think that we have a rewarding spot in life… we moms.  We’re a priceless lot, we are.

Anyway, so this week shall be a busy one.  Oh and Owiebear officially starts preschool on Monday.  I am so excited for him but I have to admit that it’s kind of bittersweet.  It is such a gift that I get to see him grow into such a good boy with a charming personality and a big heart but sometimes I miss the baby he used to be.  He’ll definitely always be my baby no matter how old he gets.

*yawn*  Well, y’all, i’m off to read an exciting article on CMS reviews.

Have a great night everyone!

Every parent’s worst nightmare of something horrible happening to their child has become a reality for actors John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston.  Their son, Jett (16) died from a bad fall in the bathroom in their Bahama home on January 2nd, 2009.  The maid found him unconscious and called for help.  He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the local hospital.

Jett suffered from seizures and was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at a young age.  This is a disease which is categorized by an inflamation of the blood vessels.

My heart and prayers go out to John and Kelly and daughter Ella.  They are going to need strength now more than ever.

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Reference - article from MSN.com:  http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=345935&ocid=cds_rec

Today is my first official blog post of the new year!  Happy New Year’s everyone!  I am going to make 3 resolutions for my blog for this year:

1.  Design a cute new layout

2.  Rediscover the art of blogging by writing at least once a day.

3.  Find interesting new topics of discussions and discuss!

As for my personal life (aside from blogging), I am not going to make any resolutions.  For some reason, I never follow through with them.  It is as if New Years resolutions are made to be broken.

So… what about you guys?  Did you resolute and if so what are your resolutions for this year?

Have you ever read through your previous posts on your blog (or journal) and revel in how much things have changed from then till now?  I can’t believe that I started this blog in 2006.  Now almost three years later, I am still here, still experiencing and still writing about it.

Some posts made me laugh.  While others made me reflect.  Still others made me wonder…”why the heck did I say that outloud?”

In almost three years I have faithfully followed these blogs:

Adventures in Stepford

Self-Proclaimed Supermom

Girls Gone Child

Mom-101

The Grim Reality

Her Bad Mother

These ladies inspired me to continue to write.  I remember that Rhonda’s blog (Self-Proclaimed Supermom) was the first blog I had ever encountered.  I went through her posts one by one and soon found myself caught up in her story.

These blogs made me laugh, cry, sympathize, and think.  I just wanted to give a quick shout out to them.  The ladies who inspired me to blog.  It’s a precious thing this notion of writing your thoughts out and having other people read them.  It was intimidating at first as I journeyed to find my writing voice.  Now though… there is more of a thirst to say what is on my mind and to read what others have to say.

The world is a big place indeed but I found that in the end we all have something to say.  In that way, it makes us kindred spirits.

So here I am sitting on my couch, sick as a dog and blogging my heart out.  Why is it sickness or boredom seems to bring out the talky in us all?

I have been rather introspective lately.  I haven’t felt much like hanging with people or talking to anyone… it’s my MO sometimes.  I withdraw inside when I need to.  At first I thought it was weird.  So many people around me seem to be social butterflies and thrive on interaction.  Me… eh… not so much.  I like people… don’t get me wrong.  But sometimes… people wear me out.  I have a tendency to take too much into myself.

Now though, I recognize that this is part of who I am and there’s comfort in my ways.  Temporary alone-ness  is where I find my peace of mind and of course, where I mull over life’s little idiosyncrasies.  I have yet to come up with a solution for world peace or to end hunger (still working on that)… but in regards to my own life… i’ve come up with a lot.

I have spent this past year doing a few things for the last time (or for what I hope will be the last time).  I had my last pregnancy and my last job as a secretary.

Then there were some firsts…  I started a web hosting / web design company, became a stay-at-home mom, and sent my oldest off to preschool.

The path that I am on now is not the path I started down originally oh-so-long ago.  So many things changed along the way.  I changed.  Evolving is usually a good thing… but sometimes it is a sad thing too.  You begin to recognize what works, what makes you happy and feel fulfilled and what doesn’t work and doesn’t make you feel happy.  The things that don’t make you feel fulfilled get left behind and there’s a certain air of sadness in that because there was a need at the time and there’s comfort in that need.  Now that the need has changed, the comfort is gone.

There was a post I made recently about being productive in life.  That’s what happened to me this year.  I decided I wanted to be productive, happy and motivated to change my life and help change the lives of others.

The whole idea of changing your life and becoming someone you want to be or meant to be is so empowering.  Why just exist?  A good friend taught me that to just “exist” is a waste of time and energy that could be used for good things.  So that’s where I am at.

In the end, my goal is to be able to successfully take care of my family and to be the best person I can be.  Life is way too short not to take a chance on yourself and make stuff happen, you know?  Plus, why battle with your conscience when you don’t have to?  I think it takes more effort to be a crappy person than to be a good one.  But maybe that’s just me… *shrugs*

So what was your year like?

Ahhh sleep… where did you go?  It seems like only two months ago now that you were coming in 8 hour shifts like clockwork every night.  Now however… you seemed to have floated off on a cloud.  Maybe you left with the sandman.  Whatever.  The point is… you are not here and I am not as functional as I used to be.

It was about a month ago that husb and I decided it was time to put mr. brodykins into his own crib.  Right now, all three kids share a large room.  The oldest two sleep in bunkbeds and mr. baby is in his crib.  This arrangement worked out well for about a week.

Now however, Brodykins wakes up in the middle of the night. This, usually because he has lost his pacifier.  His crying in turn wakes up the other kids and so we get many visits to our bed during the wee hours of the night. The kids and Elmo.

But I tell y’all now…. I am absolutely over it.  It is hard to maintain a cheery disposition and a feeling of being on top of things when you get 2 hours of sleep per night.  I never realized how much sleep meant until I was no longer getting it. (I think we parents block out the “We have a newborn and are not getting enough sleep” phase… so obviously this whole sleep deprivation thing is not *new* to me. BUT STILL.

Somewhere in the back of my mind is the knowledge that this is a phase and it shall pass.  Still… tell it to my eyes that need to be pried open or my mind that seems to have developed selective amnesia.  You know… the kind where you forget simple things like … the keys to the car… the purse…. diapers… tampons… etc.

I am certainly ready to have an 8 hour siesta and i’m sure that by posting this I have jinxed my chances for tonight.  Ah well….perhaps when we get a sleep number bed better rest and a full night will come with it?

Who knows… but for now… i’m going to pry my eyelids open with a toothpick. I totally say this tongue-in-cheek.

It is 11:39. Husb and I just got done wrapping all of the presents and stuffing the stockings! Boy what a job but I am soooo very excited for Christmas morning! I can’t wait to see the kids’ reactions to all of the presents under the tree!

I started baking cookies yesterday. Owie is no longer asking when Santa will be here but instead counting down the days. So that means I can bake cookies now because in a couple more nights we will be able to put them out for Santa!

I’ve got a great big dinner planned for Christmas day! So much food that I am for sure going to have to get some diet pills to help shed a few unwanted LBs from the holidays!

Too much fun to be had I tell ya! Christmas is absolutely my favorite holiday of all!

Happy Holidays to all!