Pity Party.

"I'm havin' a (pity) party and the theme is this dog mama!" (Name that movie...)

It's official. I'm sick. No longer "coming down with" something. It's here, and it's made itself at home. I feel like I haven't been sick in so long and I am being a TOTAL baby about it. So, bear with me whilst I whine...

My throat hurts.

My nose is drippy.

My left cheekbone is under pressure.

My shoulders ache.

And I can't stop sneezing.

You know it's really bad when a blogger can hardly throw a post together and snaps three lousy photos on one of the funnest (I know, I know..."not a word"...whatev...) holidays of the year. Yes, I said "three photos". Not three poses, not 3 photos of each child...THREE PHOTOS.

So, here's to feeling better tomorrow. If not, I feel bad for you, 'cuz this pity party might just turn into a blog version of WoodStock...3 long days of partying. Only "pity" style.

It's Late.

I'm tarred. (Say that with a MinneSOOOOOta accent and try to pretend you're from the South...)

I'm coming down with something. My throat hurts, my nose is all snuffly...and I don't wanna be sick! (Say that with your best MinneSOOOOOta whine...)

I have some fun posts in my brain, but let's hope this head cold/whatever it is doesn't clog up my synapses and make me forget them!

Please remember to vote for my nomination for my sister-in-law for the "Heroic Mom" contest...it's going to be a very close race, as there is a new "contender" who is quickly taking on massive amounts of votes! Voting goes until November 4th and you can vote every 24 hours!

Thank you!

Five Question Friday!! 10/28/11

Day 2 of 4 straight shifts at work...which prolly doesn't seem like a whole lot to you, but for this "5 shifts a pay period" girl, it's a lot. A LOT a lot.

So, while my family does fun things to get ready for Halloween, I will be at work...welcoming in a new batch of future Halloween Birthday Partiers.

You know...I really do have a great job, don't I? I mean, not everyone gets the pleasure of experiencing the miracle of birth EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. (That I'm at work, anyway...) Love it. I am one lucky woman.

Okay, let's get this 5QF going!

Welcome to Five Question Friday! THE blog hop to do when your muses have taken an extended vacation to the Caribbean and decide they don't want to return. Plus, you get to answer fun questions about yourself...what's not to love?!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear on Friday morning and LINK UP! Feel free to play along via Twitter if you'd like!

Questions for Friday, October 28th: (Special thanks to @trooppetrie, @emilywickham,@emenchho1, @bloggerlinds, lil ol' me for their question suggestions! If YOU would like to be linked in a future 5QF, watch for my Thursday shout out for questions on Twitter or c'mon over tomy community RIGHT NOW [or at any time!] to offer up your best question suggestions! If you go the Twitter route, remember to @5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF [that's so I can see it and go back to it on Twitter]!)

1. Do you prefer cotton, silk, or flannel sheets?

2. What time zone are you in?

3. What is your favorite part of the holiday season?

4. What is your favorite "wintry" drink? (It doesn't have to be an "alcoholic" drink!)

5. In your opinion, what is the worst job in the world?

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1. Do you prefer cotton, silk, or flannel sheets?

Actually, I prefer felt. As in "I felt my sheets when I took a long, relaxing, uninterrupted nap."

Yes, felt it is.

;)

So, actually, it's cotton...the higher the thread count (within my budget) the better. Although, I've recently learned that it's not only the thread count, but the quality too. We were in dire need of sheets...a gigantic hole had appeared in our sheets (hey, what can I say? We wore 'em out...KIDDING!) and got bigger and bigger every time I crawled into bed and got my foot caught in the hole.

In a bind for some sheets, I ran to WalMart and grabbed their "most expensive" sheets for 50 bucks.

That was the biggest waste of 50 bucks ever. I can't bring myself to buy new ones yet, 'cuz HELLO! 50 DOLLARS!! Instead, I just itch and scratch and try to put as many layers between my skin and the sheets as possible.

Lesson learned.

2. What time zone are you in?

The best one. ;)

That would be Central Time, in case you actually had any question as to which time zone really was the best. We are currently about to see Daylight Savings Time end (does your region participate in DST?) and with it, any and all light. Seriously, we're like Alaska...kind of. The sun peeks over the horizon, then dips back down.

It's no wonder I have 5 kids, what with it feeling like it's always nighttime. I mean, what else are you supposed to do at night when you don't have cable?! (See sheets, above.)

3. What is your favorite part of the holiday season?

Okay, first...WHY are we talking about the holiday season?

Oh, that's right BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY EVERYWHERE. Seriously, Macy's has had their Christmas display up for a few weeks now, and I noticed last week that they actually had Christmas bulbs hanging from their ceiling.

And it's not even Halloween!!

Anyway...sorry about that digression...my favorite holiday thing WHEN IT'S AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO DECLARE A FAVORITE HOLIDAY THING? The scents.

The cinnamon, evergreen, scotch tape (thanks for that one, G.! You are so right!!), nutmeg, clove-y smell that permeates the air? Yeah, that.

I love it. And, for that reason, I love Bath and Body Works. Their 3 wick candles (Fireside, anyone?) are amazing. My mom and I go shopping at the MOA every year to kick start our Christmas shopping and since there are a bazillion and one BBW's in the mall, I find myself saying, "Do you smell that? It smells like CHRISTMAS!" over and over until I realize that there is a BBW a floor above or below or just around the corner at that very second.

LOVE.

Oh, and Christmas music. Lot's and lot's and lot's of Christmas music...I can't get enough of it!

4. What is your favorite "wintry" drink? (It doesn't have to be an "alcoholic" drink!)

Mmmmmm...a "Fancy Hot Chocolate"! I had my first when we went on our Haunted Hayride last week and YUM was it good!

My favorite way to make a Hot Chocolate Fancy? A bit of Bailey's, a smidge of Kahlua, and alcohol infused Whipped Cream. Holy stick a fork in me I'm done, Batman.

Yum. Now I want one. Or two.

5. In your opinion, what is the worst job in the world?

Strippers.

You know, you just keep ripping and ripping and ripping it off and then some get's stuck and you get frustrated and sweaty and...WAIT.

WHAT? You didn't think I meant...like, STRIPPERS, did you?!

Oh, GOSH! I mean wall paper! Seriously...is there a worse job in the world? I think not. I KNOW not.

My bestie and I were talking about hell and how a book she read said that hell isn't just physical pain it is all of your worst thoughts and feeling and insecurities constantly...and as she's telling me this, I blurt out:

"All while you're stripping wall paper!!"

And then we started laughing.

But for real. Stripping wall paper IS my hell. Heaven help me...if ever there was a reason not to sin, it's so I don't end up stripping wallpaper for all of eternity. *crosses self*

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Wasn't that fun?! Hope you enjoyed yourself! Have a wonderful weekend!

(PS...have you vote for my SIL in the "Heroic Mom" contest today? Will you please vote for her? You can vote once every 24 hours until November 4th. The winner will be announced "on or about" November 11th. Thank you!! I can not tell you enough how grateful I am to have your support in this!)

Thursday Night 5QF Sneak Peek!!

Holy moly...did it ever get late! I worked, I picked up kids, we picked up something new for the Belle (do you follow me on Twitter? If you do, then you know what it is!), we ate supper, I went to a 31 party, I picked up milk, I came home, we finished homework, we prayed, tucked in, proffered several drinks of water, encouraged multiple bathroom trips, re-tucked in, and PHEW! Here I am...

FINALLY ready to do the Five Question Friday Sneak Peek!

Enough with the small talk, though, let's get down to business!

Welcome to Five Question Friday! THE blog hop to do when your muses have taken an extended vacation to the Caribbean and decide they don't want to return. Plus, you get to answer fun questions about yourself...what's not to love?!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear on Friday morning and LINK UP! Feel free to play along via Twitter if you'd like!

Questions for Friday, October 28th: (Special thanks to @trooppetrie, @emilywickham, @emenchho1, @bloggerlinds, lil ol' me for their question suggestions! If YOU would like to be linked in a future 5QF, watch for my Thursday shout out for questions on Twitter or c'mon over to my community RIGHT NOW [or at any time!] to offer up your best question suggestions! If you go the Twitter route, remember to @5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF [that's so I can see it and go back to it on Twitter]!)

1. Do you prefer cotton, silk, or flannel sheets?

2. What time zone are you in?

3. What is your favorite part of the holiday season?

4. What is your favorite "wintry" drink? (It doesn't have to be an "alcoholic" drink!)

5. In your opinion, what is the worst job in the world?

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Okay, I hope I got this up early enough so that at least some of you could see it! See you in the morning!

Please Help!

Hi friends! I am reaching out for your help, once again, in voting for my sister-in-law for the "Heroic Mom" contest. Our lead is not anywhere near as large as it once was, and i am afraid that we will soon be surpassed!

If you've read here for any amount of time, you'll remember that my incredible brother-in-law was killed in a tragic accident in January. I have nominated his wife for this award, which includes a $2500 cash prize.

I can not tell you how much I would love to hand her that check right before the holidays...their first without Verd.

Please consider voting...it's incredibly easy, just a simple click on "vote"-no registering, no liking, no signing up for anything.

Thank you so much for your support in this!

And remember, you can vote once every 24 hours!

Here is the link to vote: http://theblogfrog.com/p/allstate/default.aspx?replyid=1125465#Vote

If you feel compelled, I would love for you to share this with as many people as you can! Thank you!!!

Here's the Dealio...

In the past week I've worked out twice.

Two times.

One.

Two.

And, you know what? I don't look like Giselle Bundchen yet.

I mean, WTH?! The universe must be playing games with me because I totally FEEL like I should look like Giselle, yet, when I look in the mirror all I see is a 30 something mother of five (with the battle wounds to show for it) with a strong penchant for Doritos and Sour Patch Kids staring back at me.

Here's the other thing. I hurt.

And, I'm not so sure it's in a good way...but it could be. All I know is those damn "front plank holds" totally kicked my ass when all I thought I was doing was kicking their ass. Sure, my legs, arms, back, belly, and butt were quivering with fatigue and waving their white flags but I'D BE DAMNED if I was going to let that front plank win!!

So, I held it. I quivered. I swore. I tried not to hold my breath. And when it was over, I collapsed (all 4 inches) to the ground and tried to talk myself into how great that felt. And wasn't I proud of myself?! And "just think mama!! You'll look in the mirror and see the body of a 25 year old supermodel!!"

Yeah. No.

Someone, quick. Get me some Bengay. Or some IcyHot. And a good masseuse. A bottle of ibuprofen. A hot pack. Oh, and chiropractor.

Please.

All my love,

Your Loveable Achy Old Friend,

Photography-mania!

I feel like I've been a photographin' fool lately! Several photoshoots over the last couple of weeks...guess it's time for those family photos, huh?

Unbeknownst to me, there is a little hidden photography gem not terribly far from my house. I met a co-worker (it was her discovery) and her family there for a quick late morning photoshoot!

I find that time of the day (11 am) is challenging because of the lighting...it's getting better here, because the sun isn't quite as high in the sky as it is in mid summer, but it's still awfully bright and shadowy out there!

This "park" where we went was an old farm site, with adorable old tin and granite and steel and wooden out buildings PERFECT for taking pictures! It was a great setting and fabulous looking subjects...although the baby in the group really wanted NOTHING to do with getting her picture taken!

Here is my favorite from the day:

(Just another reminder to please, please, please take a second [literally all it takes! No registering, no "liking", just a simple click on "vote"!] to vote for my SIL for the "Heroic Mom" contest! Thank you so much!)

4S vs. 4G...My Decision

Remember when I was floundering about, asking for advice on which phone I should upgrade to? I just know that you've been dying to know what I choose. Pacing the floor, biting your nails, wondering WHAT ON EARTH is taking me so long to tell you?

Right?

Oh...you weren't? You were just going about life normally, without a second thought to which phone I chose? Well, hrmph. Fine then. But I'm gonna tell you anyway.

I debated, I fretted, I weighed this option and that option and this feature and that feature and I asked Twitter, Google, Facebook and my gynecologist for their opinions. (Okay, fine. I'm kidding about the last one. Maybe.)

My baby bro nailed it: "4S. Go big or go home." My next baby bro (iPhone hater that he is) taunted me: "Droid." (He doesn't know what he's missing.) My big bro let me down and didn't help out his baby sister a bit. Not a peep from him. See if I ever ask for his advice again.

In the end...it was Siri that won me over. Siri, the voice command assistant that lives inside my iPhone 4S. She's a doll. Quite hilarious, actually. She'll offer up the meaning of life:

She's witty with a response when I tell her I love her:

Sometimes, she gets confused about what I'm asking her...must be my MinneSOOOOOta accent:

But in the end, she's a nice little helper to have in my pocket.

The camera? LIGHTYEARS better than my old 3G camera. And...AND?! I can finally take video with my new phone! Oh, the memories I'm capturing (please hold...video uploading to YouTube of Baby Girl singing...).

I am entirely pleased with my 4S...in my opinion, VERY worth the extra cashola (50 bucks, I think is what the difference ended up being!)

So there, now you can rest easy, stop pacing, and quit biting your nails. Oh, that's right. YOU WEREN'T.

(Just a quick reminder...will you vote for my SIL in the "Heroic Mom" contest? She deserves this for so many reasons and I would LOVE to hand that check over to her! Our lead isn't anywhere near as large as it was, so I really, really appreciate you taking the time to vote! Thank you!)

Five Question Friday!! 10/21/11

Happy Friday! Loving this fall break we're getting...so nice having all my kiddos home (and getting to sleep in!)!

Last nights hayride? FABULOUS! So much fun, that I want to bring the Mr. and video him the entire time because he startles like a little school girl and I think it would be hilarious to see!

Okay, let's get down to business!

Welcome to Five Question Friday...THE blog hop to participate in if you like to talk about yourself (what blogger doesn't) and if your muses have run off into the sunset and eloped. Oh, yeah...and it's TONS of fun, too!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP! Then visit some fellow linker uppers and see what THEY have to say!

Remember, feel free to participate via Twitter if you'd like!

Questions for Friday, October 21st: (Special thanks to @eah1234, @katieb38, @nicgep1114, Sandy, and Lora [no blog link!] for their question suggestions! I would LOVE to link YOU in a future 5QF, but I need your questions to do it! C'mon over to my community and offer up your best question suggestions, or watch for my Thursday shout out on Twitter and offer them up that way! Just remember to @5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF so I see it!)

1. Where do you escape to when you've had enough?

2. What shows are you watching this fall?

3. What was the longest roadtrip you've ever taken and where did you go?

4. Do you plan on taking your kids to Disney World?

5. What is something people would surprised to know about you?

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1. Where do you escape to when you've had enough?

You know...I don't know! There really isn't anywhere for me to escape. Sometimes, I guess I'll go to WalMart for something "essential" but I usually end up taking the Pal with.

If I'm really stressed, I just like to sleep. Basically, I'm like a newborn...if you stress me out or over stimulate me, I zonk. Pure, utter, impossible to keep my eyes open exhaustion.

So, I guess that means that sleep is my escape.

2. What shows are you watching this fall?

Nada. Wait. I take that back.

Here's what we're watching (over and over and over):

"Rio" ("Imma pop this cage open like a soda can!")

"Soul Surfer" ("I don't need easy, I just need possible.")

"Despicable Me" (Too many quotes to list..."You haf got to be pullink on my leg.")

And, that's pretty much it. So, yeah...nothing on TV, since we've got zilch for cable/satellite/channels/antenna.

3. What was the longest roadtrip you've ever taken and where did you go?

Last summer (summer of '10) we went to South Dakota...and had a BLAST. Shoulda taken us somewhere around 10ish hours to get there took us about 15.

Have you ever driven in a mini van packed to the hilt with people and all their gear hauling a pop-up camper? Fun times.

Actually, it was a great time. The ride there was totally manageable...and memorable. Like when we pulled over to let a little one pee and we got honked and waved to by another minivan passing on the overpass.

Makes me smile just thinking about it!

4. Do you plan on taking your kids to Disney World?

Yes. Well, yeah, sorta.

See, when a person has a big family, there are sacrifices one has to make...one of those is that we'll never be able to fly with ALL of our brood to FL to go to Disney. My parents started a tradition of taking our kids to Disney (and I tag along) when they are 11...that means Belle gets to go in a year!

I have a brilliant idea (I haven't told the Mr. yet.) to drive to FL next summer and camp at Fort Wilderness.

We'll see if that ever happens, but then I'll be able to answer #3 differently!

5. What is something people would surprised to know about you?

Well, most people are surprised that I have 5 kids.

I think a lot of people would be surprised to know I have a bit of a fear of the dentist. Sure, I'll give birth over and over again without a lick of meds, but when it comes to a simple cleaning and exam? I pretty much check out of life.

And, subsequently, I delay my cleanings way too long. I've got one coming up on November 1st...will you hold my hand? And whisper soothing, comforting words of encouragement to me? Then come tuck me into bed afterward, 'cuz we all know how I handle stress? (See #1, above.)

Awww, you will? You're the best!

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I hope you all have a fabulous weekend...remember, if you can I'd LOVE for you to vote (daily, the glitch is fixed) for my SIL to win the "Heroic Mom" contest! We're in the lead, but I know how quickly that can change, so I appreciate everyone's votes!

Thursday Night 5QF Sneak Peek!!

BOO!!! :D

We (The Pal, Belle, myself, my mom, dad, and two of my bros) are headed to a Haunted Hayride! It's a local hot spot that I've never been to before...please pray that I survive (oh, yeah, and my kids and family too). I hear they chase you with chainsaws.

Should be a blast...or horrifically frightening.

Anyway...sneak peek time!

Welcome to Five Question Friday...THE blog hop to participate in if you like to talk about yourself (what blogger doesn't) and if your muses have run off into the sunset and eloped. Oh, yeah...and it's TONS of fun, too!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP! Then visit some fellow linker uppers and see what THEY have to say!

Questions for Friday, October 21st: (Special thanks to @eah1234, @katieb38, @nicgep1114, Sandy, and Lora [no blog link!] for their question suggestions! I would LOVE to link YOU in a future 5QF, but I need your questions to do it! C'mon over to my community and offer up your best question suggestions, or watch for my Thursday shout out on Twitter and offer them up that way! Just remember to @5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF so I see it!)

1. Where do you escape to when you've had enough?

2. What shows are you watching this fall?

3. What was the longest roadtrip you've ever taken and where did you go?

4. Do you plan on taking your kids to Disney World?

5. What is something people would surprised to know about you?

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See you in the morning!