tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79741478217060702612012-01-29T08:30:34.756-05:00Yep...I have my hands full. Thanks for noticing.Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.comBlogger1231100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-81585768707948248272012-01-25T09:59:00.000-05:002012-01-25T09:59:02.757-05:00

Weird dreams are my thing.  I've had some real doozies over the years.  (Especially during my pregnancies.)  Some are forgotten about before my feet hit the floor in the morning.  Some stick with me for days.  In high school, I had a very racy dream about a less-than-sexy teacher.  I couldn't look him in the eye for weeks.  Recently, I had a sticks-with-me kind of dream.  It was waaaaaay bizarre.

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-69335024237328035732011-08-08T00:36:00.001-04:002011-08-08T00:39:24.354-04:00

Kids are kinda gross. Harsh and uncalled for, you say? Oh come ON.  Have you ever spent a day in the presence of a drooling, teething, boogie-nosed toddler?  How about the dirt-encrusted fingernails?  Or the hand that was just busy digging for gold?  Or the other hand that was OMG STOP TOUCHING THE DOG'S BUTT! Call me crazy, but boogies, drool, dirt, and what-are-you-digging-for-in-that-diaper

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-86115710723409567712011-08-05T22:47:00.000-04:002011-08-05T22:47:46.358-04:00

Reasons why I haven't blogged since February: 1 husband 4 kids 2 dogs 1 guinea pig 2 part-time jobs 1 business that I'm trying to get off the ground A third part-time job that I just heard about and am hoping I can get 1 house that is FOREVER messy Meals that won't cook themselves Laundry that won't wash, dry, or fold itself Whew. I sure do miss you all, though.  When I last checked in here,

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-74216672035022274062011-02-25T10:13:00.000-05:002011-02-25T10:13:39.660-05:00

Nick, the boys, and I were all sitting around watching tv a few weeks ago.  The show that we couldn't tear our eyes from?  "Billy the Exterminator" on A&E.  It's reality tv at its finest.  Billy has a haircut that can only be described as mullet-meets-woodchipper.  The show follows him and his vermin-killing family.  They all wear black and appear to be 100% dedicated to ridding the world of icky

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-76837897074147609642010-12-30T12:36:00.000-05:002010-12-30T12:36:51.291-05:00

I'd love to be all original and witty today, but it appears that my brain is on vacation.  You're likely to see it on an upcoming "Brains Gone Wild" video....topless, drunk, and holding a margarita.  I just hope it doesn't get arrested. I digress. Until my brain gets itself back to work, I'm linking you to another blog with a post that I'm begging you to read.  Really.  Especially if you're in

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-64495598152058817852010-12-18T23:42:00.000-05:002010-12-18T23:42:32.213-05:00

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year...the kids get so excited about every little thing and I love to see the neighborhood all lit up.  Even the cold weather doesn't kill my joy to the world.  There's really only one thing that gets my shorts in a wad every December.  No, it's not fruitcake and garishly decorated sweaters.  It's something far more ridiculous and sinister. Right

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-11339452554886166062010-11-14T09:27:00.000-05:002010-11-14T09:27:28.799-05:00

She's been his mother for just 14 years. Not so long ago, she probably rubbed her round belly and said, "I can't wait to meet you, my baby boy."  Maybe she dreamed of what he would look like, but I bet she never guessed he'd have such beautiful dimples. Not so long ago, she probably cried when the doctors placed him...wailing and wet...in her arms and said, "It's a boy!"  Maybe she counted his

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-42857912874660716732010-10-27T21:17:00.000-04:002010-10-27T21:17:34.399-04:00

Alright, y'all....I'm having a very large discussion in my head right now and I was hoping you might be able to help me clear it up.  Isn't this just your lucky day? PS...I've never used the term "y'all" in my life.  Yet it fits so nicely right up there.  Don'tcha think? Aaaaanyway.  My kids are ages 10, 8, 4, and 3.  They all still believe in Santa. Yes, I did say ALL of them.  As of yet, no

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-35384147383473888512010-10-26T10:30:00.000-04:002010-10-26T10:30:33.823-04:00

I know that, as a blogger, it's very "uncool" to care about things like blog stats and how many followers are listed over there on the right.  All the cool kids say, "Oh I don't care....I only write for ME and it doesn't matter if anyone reads it." Apparently I'm not one of the cool kids.  Never have been.  And that's okay with me. Yes....first and foremost, I write for myself.  This wee li'l

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-48765991020272228682010-10-26T00:41:00.000-04:002010-10-26T00:41:44.740-04:00

When I hit "publish" on these shortcut posts, I generally feel the tiniest bit douchy.  After all, you're probably a very intelligent adult who is perfectly capable of surviving this life without my uber-helpful, know-it-all 2 cents.  But, I see it like this.....why should any of us have to re-invent the wheel?  Know what I'm sayin'?  If I've banged my head into a wall long enough to come up with

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-27371525925109197122010-10-14T21:53:00.000-04:002010-10-14T21:53:54.306-04:00

On September 19th, after two dog-free years, we added a sweet little 8 pound puppy to our family.  He grabbed our hearts immediately with his floppy ears and howling bark and big brown eyes.  He was 4 1/2 months old at the time and his name was Elvis.  After countless discussions (he was briefly named Fredo), we changed the name to Charlie. I keep calling him Charlie Tuna. Rachel calls him

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-84785367552864469512010-09-17T23:35:00.000-04:002010-09-17T23:35:40.983-04:00

A friend of mine is nearing her 20th week of pregnancy.  She and her husband recently found out they're expecting a boy...so now begins the arduous process of wading through millions of useless baby items to find the select few that are useful, affordable, reliable, and durable.  Today, she enlisted the help of family and friends via Facebook and her private blog.  She posed this question: "What

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-49968781677411621332010-09-14T13:21:00.001-04:002010-09-14T13:22:44.400-04:00

The scene:  In my van on the way home from the girls' first day of preschool. The actors:  Rachel, Alexa, and me Aaaaaand.....ACTION. Rachel:  Mommy, can you turn on the music?  Can you turn on Barbie World?  (It's actually titled "Barbie Girl", but what do I know?) Me:  No.  Not Barbie World....I'll turn on something else.  Listen and see if you know what it is. My iPod:  "Hello hello baby.

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-77904245681003089672010-09-11T09:03:00.000-04:002010-09-11T09:03:57.757-04:00

Today is the 9th anniversary.  For a brief moment, I forgot.  Shame on me.  The block party we are attending today occupied my mind. I don't have anything new to say and my feelings are no different than they were last year.  So I'm just going to direct you to the post I wrote last September 11th. NOTE:  At this time last year, my blog was very new and I was still using fake names for my family

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-89123950362811042422010-09-02T13:25:00.000-04:002010-09-02T13:25:01.254-04:00

Hello, my lovelies....I'm sure you're still sitting on the edge of your seat and waiting for my long-ago-promised vacation post.  Right?  No? Hm. Okay. It turns out having 4 kids home for summer vacation = a very busy Momma.  Perhaps when school starts I can, once again, stun you with my knee-slapping sense of humor and award winning writing ability.  In the meantime, you'll have to be

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-90265106399638360932010-08-12T10:21:00.000-04:002010-08-12T10:21:36.400-04:00

I rolled up Rachel's blanket and said, "Rachie...take this up to your bed, please." "Okay!" She walked to the stairs, then came back. "It'th dark up there.  I'm not going to the dark thide." Best laugh I've had all week.

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-37622591689040854362010-08-03T17:00:00.000-04:002010-08-03T17:00:03.558-04:00

Hello, blogging friends and family!  We're home today after a restful, fun, family-filled, 10 day vacation in North Dakota.  My trusty camera was my constant companion...I logged in around 1800 pictures.  I endured plenty of good natured teasing about my incessant click-click-click. "Do you ever take just ONE picture?" "Nope!  My rule is.....NEVER take just one." And in the age of digital

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-13689109223540643452010-07-22T11:00:00.000-04:002010-07-22T11:00:09.696-04:00

I'm in a fantastic mood this morning because the weather has given us a tiny break.  The sweltering heat and suffocating humidity have temporarily lifted.  There is a cool breeze blowing through my open windows as we speak.  I know it's going to be hot again this afternoon so I'm enjoying these few a/c free hours. This is a quick note just to say that I won't be in the blog world for a little

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-69488817007410968792010-07-15T11:45:00.001-04:002010-07-15T11:49:13.998-04:00

Once again, I have to share the wealth.......I read this blog post yesterday by Any Mommy and laughed my anal retentive little butt off.  Turns out, I'm not the only one with some...uh...quirks. Her entire post is a list of her obsessive coping mechanisms and oddities.  You should know that she has 4 very young children...none of them are yet in kindergarten.  Yeah.  With kids as young as hers,

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-83347432929225336872010-07-13T23:28:00.001-04:002010-07-13T23:30:19.821-04:00

Normally, Rachel is the first one up.  Today, she slept in a bit.  She came down just in time to give Daddy his good-bye hugs and kisses.  I couldn't take my eyes off of her.  My head was swimming with one thought:  She's growing up.  She won't be 3 years and 3 months old forever.  After Daddy left for work, I grabbed my camera.  If I can't freeze time or keep her this way a bit longer, I can at

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-39477960827384413782010-07-08T11:25:00.000-04:002010-07-08T11:25:15.556-04:00

We're on Day 8 of the Great Sippee Cup Extermination.  I'm thoroughly sick of them.  Wash the cup...wash the lid...wash the valve (with a q-tip cuz, yes, I am THAT anal retentive about sippee cleanliness).  And don't even get me started on the cups that roll under the couch and aren't found until the contents resemble New England clam chowder. The girls don't miss them.  They would rather be "

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-13049449233014638972010-07-07T18:53:00.001-04:002010-07-07T18:57:03.544-04:00

I'm about to do something that I've never done before.  Something big.  HUGE, as a matter of fact! Something that has caused me many sleepless nights and much hand wringing and more than a little bit of gastro-intestinal discomfort. Something that will shake the very foundation of my marriage and my family.... I'm going to admit..... ......... ...that I was.....................wrong. YES. 

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-13025375468131590302010-07-06T15:22:00.000-04:002010-07-06T15:22:47.066-04:00

It was a busy 4th of July weekend....lots of time in the pool and lots of time ignoring sleep.  It caught up with Alexa today.  She's been a bear.  There's been plenty of whining and fighting and foot stomping. I reached my limit. She was sitting on her bed (for her 83rd time-out of the day) and repeatedly wailing, "I WANT DAAA-DYYYYYY." Deeeeep breath.  In with the good....out with the bad. 

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-50078484603154846942010-07-04T12:47:00.000-04:002010-07-04T12:47:15.451-04:00

Have a great weekend and stay safe!  Try to keep all of your limbs intact!

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-5177318088066130922010-07-03T23:52:00.000-04:002010-07-03T23:52:46.901-04:00

Rachel:  "Ben, do you wanna play hide-and-theek?" Ben:  "Sure." Rachel:  "Okay!  I'll go hide in the clothet (closet)." As she runs off, Ben looks up at me:  ??? I snickered. Ben:  "1...2...3...4...5...Ready or not...here I come.................to find you in the closet!" Me:  "Pretend, Ben." Ben:  "Here I come!  Hmmm...where are you???" Rachel, giggling, flings open the closet door:  "

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-28996357557019219992010-06-24T13:08:00.006-04:002010-06-24T15:44:45.921-04:00

I keep trying to forget this day.  After all, it is one tiny speck in the span of his life.  I keep trying to forget the 3 years prior to this day, too.  I don't want to remember the cancer that tortured him.  Anger rises when I realize that I'm dwelling on his pain and illness.  His life was so much more than that.  He had 76 years of joy, love, family, friends, and good memories.  Why does my

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-45587312636389650592010-06-20T22:10:00.000-04:002010-06-20T22:10:59.355-04:00

Benjamin:  "I didn't get you a gift, Daddy." Nick:  "That's okay." Ben:  "I just made you that picture at school." Nick:  "And that's exactly what I wanted, Buddy." Happy Father's Day....We all love you to the moon and back. *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * A crown made by Alexa to accompany a breakfast fit for a king.... A real man isn't afraid to walk around with an Abby Cadabby wand in his

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-39709308234430354402010-06-14T17:26:00.000-04:002010-06-14T17:26:11.104-04:00

Tonight I served watermelon for dessert....the seedless kind.  Except there's always seeds.....the white kind.  And sometimes you find other seeds....the black kind.  I've explained to my kids that the little white seeds are soft and okay to eat.  They should use a fork to pick out the black ones. So I was only listening with half an ear while my girls discussed their watermelon and the seeds. 

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-87106094931518308642010-06-02T06:00:00.004-04:002010-06-02T07:46:21.580-04:00

Depending on the time of day and how much salt I've recently consumed, my weight can fluctuate pretty wildly.  Lately, however, I've noticed it sloooowwwlllyyy creeping down!  When I weighed myself yesterday morning, I discovered that I'm in a "new decade".  Let me explain. You don't seriously think I'll be posting my weight on this here blog, do you?  No way, man.  Instead, I'll refer to my

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-11414212176147879152010-06-01T06:00:00.003-04:002010-06-01T06:00:04.387-04:00

 Now you will feel no rain, for each of youwill be shelter to the other.Now you will feel no cold, for each of youwill be warmth to the other.Now there is no loneliness for you.Now you are two persons,but there is only one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place,to enter into the days of your togetherness,And may your days be good and long together.--Apache Prayer *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-49994050627632617082010-05-31T21:07:00.002-04:002010-05-31T21:09:02.843-04:00

Today is Memorial Day. Thank you.... to those who have served to those who have paid the highest price for my freedom to the families who have been left behind. Thank you seems so inadequate, yet it's all I have to offer.

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-62477349527960307512010-05-30T10:47:00.000-04:002010-05-30T10:47:09.804-04:00

Thanks to a fantastic camera (the digital Canon Rebel XS....my new best friend) that I purchased last summer, I've amassed quite a collection of pictures.  Some of them are pretty good, if I do say so myself.  So I said to myself, "Why are you being so selfish?!  You should TOTALLY share these so others can bask in their gloryosity!  I have 2 words for you, Self.....Photo blog!" Yeah.  I talk

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-37750355301902606412010-05-28T21:57:00.000-04:002010-05-28T21:57:22.957-04:00

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-13724086928407416752010-05-27T07:58:00.004-04:002010-06-07T12:32:36.413-04:00

Now that the weather is warming up, the time seems right to share my latest tip with you. At your grocery store, pick up your favorite brand of yogurt cups.  My kids prefer Trix yogurt, which comes in little, plastic, 4 ounce cups.  Also, pick up a small package of plastic cutlery.  I use the Hefty Zoo Pals because they're cute, sturdy, and chunky enough to be easy to hold.  (The knife isn't

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-57417682552407833382010-05-26T12:19:00.000-04:002010-05-26T12:19:18.747-04:00

After I deposited every child at their respective schools this morning, I went food shopping at my local OMG HOW much did I spend? grocery store. Shop. Pay. Load the vehicle. Drive home. But on my drive home, I encountered a situation that had me scratching my head.   I was in the left-turn-only lane (facing east) and my arrow turned green....meaning the only people allowed to drive were

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-32582590918946360082010-05-20T12:54:00.004-04:002010-05-20T12:57:28.738-04:00

There was a time when I scoffed at the parents of screaming children.  I don't mean crying...I mean full tilt OMG! MY ARM IS BEING AMPUTATED WITHOUT MY CONSENT! kind of screaming. If, in the grocery store, I encountered a parent with an uber-screamy kid, I rolled my eyes and thought, "Pfft.  I will NEVER have a kid that does that."  I even joked with The Husband about it.  "If my kid ever

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-14545868627947286332010-05-09T09:00:00.000-04:002010-05-09T09:00:01.330-04:00

Psst...come over here. Come a little closer....I have a secret to share, but I don't want the whole world to know.  If word got out about my Secret, the population of the entire world could be in danger of extinction. A liiiittle closer.... Okay.  Perfect.  Now listen carefully so I can share my Secret with you. Ready?  Here it is: Parenting is really hard.  *GASP* Sometimes, I dare to say

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-70153551308904858812010-05-08T16:33:00.001-04:002010-05-08T16:39:18.773-04:00

Nurse's Day was earlier this week.  If you have a friend, relative, or distant acquaintance who happens to be a nurse, they deserve a giant Thank You.  Until I was in the hospital 4 different times to have my 4 different babies, I had no clue how vital and hard-working nurses are. Why yes, I really AM that clueless. I could ramble on and on about all of the wonderful ways my nurses helped me...

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-88327104156334603702010-04-29T17:11:00.001-04:002010-04-29T17:16:42.443-04:00

My girls attend nursery school at a local church.  It's a tiny church with white stucco and stained glass windows and some lovely, natural landscaping (no perfectly manicured hedges to be found).  Today, I arrived about 15 minutes early for pickup and happened to have my camera along.  Unfortunately, the spectacular dogwood tree that I was trying to capture didn't show up as nicely on the

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-49472929552854537942010-04-26T14:37:00.000-04:002010-04-26T14:37:58.319-04:00

She is the baby that almost wasn't. *  *  *  *  *  *  * When I was pregnant with Alexa, my body protested.  My back, legs, and hips suffered.  At least once a day, I muttered, "I will never do this again.  I'm DONE." And yet.... Driving home from the hospital, with a less than one week old Alexa in the backseat, I said to Nick, "I don't think we're done."  He wasn't so sure.  His first

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-27063592853995290642010-04-21T21:32:00.000-04:002010-04-21T21:32:38.652-04:00

I'd love to meet the people who design clothing for little girls.  Cuz they clearly have never MET a little girl.  They're just taking adult "Fredrick's of Hollywood" clothing and shrinking it to fit the 4T crowd.  Since when is it acceptable to have the words "Perfectly Juicy" written on the back of a little girl's sweatshirt?! Well, I have news for these designers...my daughter is not a

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-1250280535998097412010-04-15T12:37:00.002-04:002010-04-15T12:40:07.535-04:00

Schedules and routines are my friend.  My very close, personal friend.  It's helpful for the kids and me if we all know what to expect next. But sometimes.... It's even MORE helpful to enjoy the unexpected. So yesterday, in the middle of the after-school snacking, homeworking, kitchen cleaning, supper cooking, get everything done before you leave for hockey busyness, we took a timeout to

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-55567465658352799462010-04-13T13:52:00.001-04:002010-04-13T13:54:38.326-04:00

It's so hard, sometimes.....this business of missing someone I love.  Like a butterfly, it swoops in from nowhere and whispers in my ear...He's not here.  He never will be.  Then it flies away just as quickly and leaves me blinking back the tears...swallowing the painful lump in my throat. This man was sitting about 3 rows in front of me at Nicholas' spring concert.  He was clearly someone's

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-48261474372370174612010-04-11T09:47:00.001-04:002010-04-11T09:49:15.130-04:00

Wow.  You're actually still here?!  And you're still awake?! I'm stunned that I have any non-comatose readers left after the last 3 uber-wordy posts!  Lemme just say that you ROCK and I'm officially your Best Friend Forever.   As your reward, here's a pic from yesterday of the birthday boy in his Official Birthday Crown.  It might be goofy, but Mama Cas requires a Crown picture of every birthday

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-39185856471610808022010-04-10T19:00:00.001-04:002010-04-10T19:00:02.502-04:00

My sweet baby boy:First birthday:Second birthday:Third birthday:Fourth birthday: Fifth birthday: 6 1/2 Years Old:7 1/2 Years Old:8 1/2 Years Old:9 1/2 Years Old:Ten:  A decade passes....in the blink of an eye. *  *  *  *  *  *  * Happy Birthday, Nicholas.Every Momma deserves to have a son like you.We love you.

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-58584484863932119602010-04-10T09:08:00.000-04:002010-04-10T09:08:07.026-04:00

Due to a misunderstanding between the nurses and myself, I thought I had to be at the hospital at 6am for a 1pm surgery.  Not wanting to be even ONE second late, we arrived at 5:45, where we were greeted by the admission staff with an odd look.  I'm so sorry, but you didn't have to be here until 11:00.  Turns out, the pre-admission nurse I met with a few days prior had goofed.  This sucked for

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-12524656501561967602010-04-09T10:05:00.000-04:002010-04-09T10:05:31.348-04:00

April 9th, 2000 I remember the day so vividly.  It was our last day as a couple....the following day would make us a family. We woke up to a freakish snowstorm....the kind that looks really ominous for a couple hours but has completely melted by the end of the day.  And in my overly-hormonal state, I gazed over our backyard and cried.  "It's SNOWING and I don't have a SNOWSUIT for the baby and

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-40650593516642609472010-04-08T22:12:00.000-04:002010-04-08T22:12:36.558-04:00

As the winter fades and the sunnier weather warms me, I can't stop thinking back 10 years ago...to the time just before our first son was born.  I think back to who I was, what our marriage was like, where we lived, and the adventure we were about to begin. 10 years ago....we were married nearly 4 years.  I was just 26 and The Husband was 31.  We lived in a Barbie-sized, one bedroom apartment

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-77203730969260672512010-03-31T17:05:00.001-04:002010-03-31T17:10:05.671-04:00

Rachel:  Momma, what are you having? Me:  I'm having the last of my soda.  And then I'm not having any more soda ever again. Ben:  Why? Nicholas:  Because it's not healthy. Me:  Yep.  Because soda is unhealthy and gross and it's making me fat. Ben:  ???  You're not fat. Me:  Well I feel gross and fat. Ben:  ?!?!  But you're not gross and fat. And the look on his face was one I couldn't

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-33707501386690250162010-03-25T11:03:00.002-04:002010-03-25T11:08:05.850-04:00

My kids love their vitamins.  They loooooove them like they love Skittles or M&Ms.  This is a good thing....and a bad thing.  I found myself involved in too many conversations that sounded like this: Kid:  Can I take my vitamin now? Me:  You took it this morning. Kid:  No I didn't! Me:  Yes you did. Kid:  NO I DIDN'T!  Can I have my vitamin nooooooowwwwwwwww?????? *  *  *  *  *  *  * It's

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-56562695627762165252010-03-23T10:41:00.001-04:002010-03-23T10:42:25.626-04:00

Sorry for my silence this past week.  My mother is visiting us for 2 weeks and I haven't found much time to sit at my computer.  In the interest of buying some time, I'm posting pics of a quilt I refurbished and delivered back in December. This quilt was originally made in 1999 for a baby cousin's baptism gift.  It was only my 3rd attempt...and it showed.  My seams weren't

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-50187265486237027862010-03-13T13:56:00.001-05:002010-03-13T14:02:28.100-05:00

I've been sitting on my hands for a couple days....I wanted to post pictures of my last quilt project, but I hadn't delivered it yet (I'm not entirely sure if the Mom who bought the quilt reads the blog or not).  Well, I got up bright and early this morning to deliver it and now I can share it with you!  Yay! Mom C. has an adorable, happy, 1-year-old boy.  When he was born last March, she

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-41308375041397443952010-03-10T13:29:00.000-05:002010-03-10T13:29:35.811-05:00

It's a good thing we decided not to have any more kids. I don't know if our marriage could have survived another rousing "What Should We Name The Baby" debate. By the time we entered pregnancy #4, I had a list of Naming Rules as long as my arm.  With every child, I became pickier and more determined to not burden my kid with a bad name.  The Husband had some very clear ideas, too, but I was the

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-22418592470991194592010-03-09T23:57:00.001-05:002010-03-09T23:58:08.953-05:00

Today was....perfection.No hats.No gloves.No boots. No bulky winter coats.60 degrees.Warm sun.Windows open.Doors open.Garage open.A silent television. Bikes, helmets, scooters.Little buckets filled with dirt. "Can I go back outside after I eat?"Laughing. I think soon, it might be warm enough for a Mud Party...I sure hope so!

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-72826698008463334772010-03-06T09:21:00.000-05:002010-03-06T09:21:13.760-05:00

I know this is blurry and not my finest shot, but I had to share it. The chubby little hand? Gripping her big sister's slender fingers? I can hardly stand the sweetness of it.

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-4550790253866898612010-03-03T10:15:00.003-05:002010-03-03T10:19:06.571-05:00

He would have been 84 today.  But he's been gone for nearly 5 years.  I could write a bitter, rambling post about the cancer that took his life, but today was his birthday and he deserves better than that. I want to remember who he was.  He was a low-maintenance guy who needed very little to be happy.  He loved his wife, his kids, and his grandkids.  He wanted a cold beer when he came in from

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-9071292681597529182010-02-27T20:58:00.001-05:002010-02-27T20:59:17.614-05:00

It was recently brought to my attention that my blog might be hard to read due to the black background and itty, bitty, eeny, weeny print.  And since I aim to please, I just fussed with my settings for a bit and changed the font size.  I sincerely hope that helps cuz I'm so totally in love with the black background that it makes me a bit weepy to think of switching it to white.  Feedback, por

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-61917661031629309002010-02-27T13:39:00.003-05:002010-02-27T14:15:37.310-05:00

For what feels like forEVER, I've had 14 "followers" on my blog. I'm SO not one to be greedy...I was just thrilled that 14 people think my yammering is worth reading. Now and then, though, I looked at my list and thought, "Hm. I wonder if I'll ever get a 15th."Imagine my excitement when I opened my blog this week to find I had another minion....er. uh. I mean......I had another devoted fan!

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-10087188892649962942010-02-21T15:05:00.002-05:002010-02-21T15:41:02.369-05:00

Dear Head-Muckety-Muck at Target:I realize that the retail market is quite competitive and that it's imperative for you to be the "first on the scene" with next season's clothing. If, for instance, Wal-Mart puts out their summer swimsuits before you do, then Wal-Mart gets a jump on the money-making, right? I also understand that, during this boring, dreary, cold time of year, many people like

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-80638131045544431812010-02-18T16:34:00.003-05:002010-02-18T16:56:59.135-05:00

Because that's where I'll be taking up residence in the afterlife for posting this picture:My daughter's Plumber's Crack.Enjoy the view.

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-35313827446828481112010-02-14T09:57:00.005-05:002010-02-14T10:13:59.505-05:00

"I knew when we collidedYou're the one I have decidedWho's one of my kind""Hey Soul Sister"Train* * * * * *Happy Valentine's Day, to the 5 people I love the most!With all my love (miles and miles),Mama Cas

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-62368914638047024172010-02-13T08:55:00.006-05:002010-02-13T09:40:57.601-05:00

Over my shoulder, I felt a presence.It was Ben. He had his camera. And he was videotaping me."GAH! He's videotaping me and I'm still in my pajamas and I hate how my voice sounds and I haven't combed my hair and he's taping from the side and my nose is HUUUGE and what if I say something dumb or what if I look terrible and I haven't even brushed my teeth (cuz, you know, we bought him one of

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-46229783773259036812010-02-09T13:11:00.002-05:002010-02-09T13:24:39.963-05:00

An open letter to the lady in the parking lot of BJs:Dear Lady,I'm going to take a stab in the dark and guess that 3 events might have recently transpired in your life.1 - The electricity went out in your house this morning, causing you to dress in the dark.OR2 - You converted to a new religion that doesn't believe in owning mirrors.OR3 - Stevie Wonder became your Personal Fashion

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-79830887501253337762010-02-06T20:18:00.002-05:002010-02-06T21:45:04.673-05:00

As I was reading through some of my favorite blogs this evening, I came across this post over at Highly Irritable about her son's less-than-pleasant visit to the dentist. As I read about her little boy's experience, I was flooded with the memory of a day back in the fall.Benjamin came to me one day, finger in his mouth, and said, "Mom...what's this bump in my mouth? It hurts a little." As he

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-86367235680004294172010-02-04T09:40:00.002-05:002010-02-04T09:51:04.187-05:00

These two like to walk around, hands on hips, and sing,"Give it to me baby!Uh-huh, uh-huh!"I'm just thankful they're not singing,"And all the girlies say I'm pretty flyFOR A WHITE GUY."

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-1224815406620728242010-02-02T15:45:00.001-05:002010-02-02T15:55:48.604-05:00

Oh. Wow. Um, hello, Old Man Winter. Somehow, every year, I am shocked when you arrive.When I turned the calendar from November to December, I knew you were on your way, so I don't know why I was surprised when you dumped a snowstorm on our heads just before Christmas.And now that we're knee deep in the January/February blahs, I know that you'll probably be here for another 8 weeks or so. Feel

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-4158664355319288712010-01-31T12:09:00.005-05:002010-01-31T13:30:32.321-05:00

Rachel is potty trained.In case you don't understand the magnitude of such an event, let me explain....My oldest child is 9 years, 9 months, and 3 weeks old.I have been changing diapers for 9 years, 9 months, and 3 weeks.There was a brief (oh, so brief) hiatus after I trained Ben. Roughly 3 months after I finished with him, Alexa was born.But my tour of duty (doody?) doesn't end there. When the

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-25176449782010990602010-01-29T06:00:00.001-05:002010-01-29T06:00:00.070-05:00

The Husband was reading a book while I was sitting next to him watching Oprah interview The Devil (aka: Jay Leno).Thanks to some new surround sound-style speaker thingy that's hooked up to our tv, we now have to use TWO remotes to watch tv. One remote is used for nearly every function...except volume. Which means the second remote is used only. for. the. volume."You know, it really SUCKS that I

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-37421047603425401882010-01-28T10:38:00.000-05:002010-01-28T10:38:38.208-05:00

Three examples of why I don't spend thousands of dollars on priceless antiques:

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-12600100063917323542010-01-18T16:06:00.001-05:002010-01-18T16:41:01.411-05:00

Mmmm....celery and apples with peanut butter!* * * * * * * *I was griping last weekend about how, when the kids are on break from school, I end up playing waitress/short order cook. It was particularly bad over the Christmas/New Years break. All 4 of them have very different schedules and needs. On many days, I found myself making breakfast 4 different times, lunch 4 different times,

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-86918692741556618182010-01-07T12:07:00.004-05:002010-01-07T23:19:31.753-05:00

It's January....a new month. New year. New decade. Seems like a good time to figure out new (and more constructive) ways to deal with the general stress, anger, sadness, and frustration that pops up now and then.I did 3.17 miles on my treadmill this morning. I even managed to squeeze in 4 sprints at 6mph for 40 seconds and NOT drop dead. Whoopee!And I'd like to thank some people who kept me

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-75542131193709578532010-01-05T21:27:00.002-05:002010-01-05T23:07:24.213-05:00

Dear "TBL" producers,I fully understand that your top priority in life is to make a buck. You have children to feed, mansion mortgages to pay, and Hummers to gas up. I get it. But my patience is wearing thin. See, in your quest to make a buck, you're messing with people's emotions...toying with their lives....humiliating them for entertainment.It's Tuesday night. And here I am watching the

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-7377961193637982012010-01-03T20:42:00.001-05:002010-01-03T20:43:31.876-05:00

It's hard to pull off the gansta look when you've got big brown eyes, curly blonde hair, and your name written on your weapon.

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-75954077709177596322010-01-01T19:55:00.004-05:002010-01-01T20:44:10.327-05:00

I'm in a state of shock today.And it's not because we went out on the town last night and I downed too many screwdrivers and danced on the bar while doing my karaoke rendition of "Dude Looks Like a Lady".* * * * * * * *To be perfectly honest, clubbing and drinking have never been my idea of a great evening. Ever. I'm a bit of a dork that way. When The Husband and I were dating, our

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-41928593131553117392009-12-30T20:01:00.003-05:002009-12-30T21:35:01.771-05:00

Ben had a playdate today.When I went back, at 5:00, to pick him up, Mrs. N. met me at the door."Hi! Come on in. They had a great time! He is so sweet...so quiet and polite. He said 'please' and 'thank you' and they all played so nicely."It was just what I needed to hear.* * * * * * *This Christmas vacation is kicking my butt.The weather seems much colder and nastier than usual. If I

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-37102043881357174982009-12-24T09:01:00.005-05:002009-12-24T09:45:08.727-05:00

As I sit here on Christmas Eve morning, my mind races with visions of my to-do list. I wanted to stop for a moment, though, and say thank you.....to my family, my friends, and the handful of readers who don't know me, yet take the time to visit my blog. I am thankful for all of you.Have a wonderful Christmas. Be safe. Be kind. And let me leave you with a sweet, simple quote I found many

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-43049535155760750012009-12-21T22:17:00.006-05:002009-12-21T23:18:10.734-05:00

*gasp* She doesn't have any teeth!That was the first thought that raced through my mind when I met my baby girl. Ya know....cuz every infant is born with a full set of pearly whites, right?After that split second brain lapse, I came to my senses.Is it really a girl? We have a girl? I'm so glad the sonogram wasn't mistaken! Cuz I love her so much! Not that I wouldn't have loved another boy!

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-39211569703230145662009-12-20T23:00:00.000-05:002009-12-21T00:00:35.711-05:00

Hm. It occurred to me that, sometime ago, I promised you a proper Thanksgiving post. Here we are, 5 days from Christmas, and I still haven't delivered the goods. Shame, shame, shame on me. Will you forgive me if I bake you some sugar cookies?What's that you say? You can't be bought with tasty treats? Yeah, well...try the cookies first. They're pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. Plus

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-102676761742797112009-12-16T09:09:00.006-05:002009-12-26T20:02:45.665-05:00

A funny thing happened this past weekend.We went to a Breakfast With Santa, which was organized by some of the moms at our school. (THAT'S not the funny part. I'll get to it in a minute.) I love that they took time out of their busy lives to pull this together for our families. The kids had a wonderful time...and Rachel didn't fall on the floor crying when she looked at Santa (which is what

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-19334304741423706422009-12-13T12:59:00.001-05:002009-12-13T13:03:54.716-05:00

Me (after watching one of the girls trip over a plastic gun):"Whose gun is on the floor?"Nicholas:"I farted."Clearly, we have a breakdown in communication.

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-81865846321266169592009-12-11T20:19:00.004-05:002009-12-11T22:08:00.083-05:00

41? Is that even possible? When we met, you were barely 24. Remember how I threw that little surprise 25th birthday party for you in Cagney's on Steinway Street? That was 16 years ago!Well, in case you didn't hear me the other 83 times I said it today, Happy Birthday. I look forward to spending many more of these birthdays with you.* * * * * * * * *I don't think it's any secret that

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-61109448195070943052009-12-09T20:00:00.000-05:002009-12-09T20:49:06.932-05:00

There's an idea that's been rattling around my head for many months now. It's a concept that I forget about from time to time, but eventually I come back to it.It's like I have a blindfold on and I'm in a big empty room. Most of the time I wander around aimlessly in this room, alone, forgetting that the walls are there. But eventually, I bang into something and I'm reminded that, "DUH!

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-89182550315330691802009-12-03T22:01:00.002-05:002009-12-03T22:17:29.871-05:00

Today, among the millions of other blessings in my life, I count technology as one of the things I am most thankful for.How else would I be able to share this with you, less than 2 hours after the game ended:So call me superficial, if you'd like. But thanks to a digital camera, a memory card, a computer, and the internet, I'm able to share my son's 9-2 roller hockey victory (and to brag for a

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-73921182492660229572009-11-30T12:39:00.000-05:002009-11-30T12:39:11.600-05:00

I'm being tortured.By my own brain.For the last week (yes, the entire week), I've had a song stuck in my head. The same song, all. stinking. week. long.Can you just hand me that soup spoon over there? I'm gonna gouge out my ears. Oh...wait. That won't help cuz the song will still be rolling around inside my brain. Hm. If I stick my finger in a power outlet, do you think that would ZAP the

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-89184491828091463392009-11-29T14:03:00.001-05:002009-11-30T15:43:55.970-05:00

The Husband's 41st birthday is coming up soon. (Is that even possible?! I met him when he was a whopping 24 years old.)When I got my Shiny! New! Calendar! at the end of 2008, I immediately filled in the family birthdays. I wrote it on the correct day, in red marker, and colored over it with highlighter. These are very important days in our house and I wanted to make them really stand out.As

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-38787767558727569672009-11-28T07:38:00.003-05:002009-11-28T08:17:00.020-05:00

Hi, Family and Friends!I have every intention of putting together a belated Thanksgiving post....as soon as I'm feeling human again. The Husband and I have matching cases of strep throat this weekend and child #3 went to bed last night, at 7pm, with a slight fever. The good times never end 'round here. You're so jealous of our awesomeness, aren't you?In the meantime, I'm going to share a link

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-39773632895678491982009-11-24T14:05:00.008-05:002009-11-24T21:00:28.381-05:00

Okay. *deep breath* Here are the pictures taken at JCPenney 2 weeks ago (the woman who took the photos is the same woman we have every single time). Most likely, you'll look at them and think they're great pictures. You'll probably just see my incredibly adorable children (they are pretty cute, dontcha think?).But, I'm a perfectionist, in case you didn't get the memo. It's a little known

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-84995481437508923462009-11-19T19:58:00.002-05:002009-11-19T20:13:12.761-05:00

The kids had an early dinner of cheeseburgers...one of their favorite meals. Nick got home late from work, so I made us a separate dinner. It was a bit of a peace offering on my part....my meals recently have left much to be desired.Pizza and buffalo wings? That was last night. Is there any wonder why I'm toting around an extra 40ish pounds?!So tonight, I made a portobello mushroom salad. On

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-91931511750321380392009-11-17T12:54:00.004-05:002009-11-17T13:09:04.258-05:00

Today, I am thankful for Rachel's extensive vocabulary. Even when she asks me questions like, "Momma, do you have boobth?", I know that she is growing and developing normally. (That would be "boobs", for anyone needing a todler-to-English translation.)I am also thankful that she's coming out of her shell a little more every day. As a matter of fact, she invites her teacher over to our house

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-38558354078366539492009-11-16T11:09:00.007-05:002009-11-16T14:03:20.490-05:00

1:30 am.That's what time I went to sleep last night. (This morning?) I was working feverishly to finish a charity project. The actual deadline is November 20th. My mental deadline was today. I needed to finish the blankets last night so I could deliver them today to the woman who would be taking them to the dropoff. Are you dizzy yet? Me too. Not enough sleep.As I stitched away, I watched

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-16197623577840968672009-11-12T10:30:00.001-05:002009-11-12T10:30:00.183-05:00

I decided to do some front-yard cleanup yesterday. My formerly luscious marigolds had become crispy, brown, and sad thanks to a frost on Saturday morning. We woke up to 27 degree temps and I glanced at my yellow beauties....knowing what was in store for them. A tiny part of me breathed a sigh of relief that my dead-heading days were numbered.My mother, while staying with us in May, carefully

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-82777878089948087362009-11-11T12:50:00.001-05:002009-11-11T12:53:09.514-05:00

Apparently Little Miss Rachel has a tummy "issue" today. I've lost count of how many diapers I've changed this morning.I've also lost count of how many times I've gritted my teeth and said to myself, "I gotta potty train this kid."And as I changed the last diaper, about 15 minutes ago, I was prepared to have a mental pity party.Then I stopped.How many people in this world would love to have my

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-35535004091542531192009-11-07T15:01:00.002-05:002009-11-07T15:39:17.020-05:00

My friend from high school recently got married. (Recently, as in, within the last 2 years...which is very recent to someone who has been married for 13 years.) Through the miracle that is called Facebook, I've become friends with his wife, Jess. She is a designer and recently started a new blog, titled Design Nourishment, which you can find here.Aaaanyway. That was a long way around to tell

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-49001973926991550352009-10-30T14:35:00.002-04:002009-10-30T14:37:09.239-04:00

Family pictures taken at JCPenney. November 2008.* * * * * * * * *Last November, we all went to JCPenney for our family pictures, which were to be used for our Christmas cards. I couldn't have asked for a better picture-taking experience. We were in and out in about 1 hour.Let's compare, shall we, the adventures of the previous year. November of 2007.....I waited too long to book the

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-25411458878483796242009-10-28T21:59:00.001-04:002009-10-28T22:03:17.249-04:00

BEFORE........AFTER...........Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Every single day....usually twice a day.Maybe sometime when I'm feeling REALLY brave, I'll share pics of Laundry Mountain.I need some sleep.

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-84698804703800062042009-10-27T09:35:00.003-04:002010-01-18T08:54:38.931-05:00

Whoopie!! I'm not as tech-challenged as I thought I was! My niece, April, posted this photo on her Facebook profile yesterday (after I whined something about wanting to see her sweet little Kieran) and I managed to post it to my fb profile AND get it onto my blog. See, now and then I pull my head out of my behind long enough to actually figure something out for myself. Ordinarily, it goes

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-90966485019440088582009-10-23T21:02:00.004-04:002009-10-24T00:03:34.010-04:00

This might be the hardest post I've written so far. There's so much jumbled up inside my head and I'm sitting here trying to un-jumble it. Shouldn't it be easy to write about a topic that evokes such raw emotion and unfailing passion? Apparently not. I beg you to be patient with me and read all the way to the end. I'm trying my hardest to make some sense and change some minds....one at a

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-20547786895929961422009-10-21T08:14:00.002-04:002009-10-21T08:14:00.550-04:00

Four kids? Yeah, I know all about shortcuts. I'd like to share some of them with you. Maybe one of my helpful hints can save you some time or money or sheer aggravation. I'd love to hear your feedback...maybe you have an idea to make my shortcut even better! So, with much fanfare (or maybe just a big "WHOOPIE" from me), here's my first Parenting Shortcut.* * * * * * * *Benjamin was fully

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-89245197390074307542009-10-20T13:01:00.003-04:002009-10-20T14:02:11.373-04:00

Nicholas woke up yesterday and today complaining about a sore throat. My guess is that he just had a case of early-morning dry throat, so I told him to drink some water and put a couple of cough drops in his pocket to use during the school day, if he needed to. Still, I cringed a bit at the idea of another sick person in this house. A few weeks ago, I had a cold that left me wishing for the

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974147821706070261.post-50712647167877610112009-10-18T17:10:00.004-04:002009-10-18T17:38:15.166-04:00

My jeans, which I'd worn all day in a good faith effort to avoid looking like a complete slob, were beginning to annoy me. Eh...it's after 4pm. That's close enough to bedtime. Here I come, pajamas!"I'm gonna run upstairs and put on my jammie-pants.""Okay," Nick said from the kitchen.You are my jammies.My only jammies.You make me happyyyyyWhen jeans are tight.Yes, in case you're wondering, I do

Mama Cashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10057824231413093816noreply@blogger.com2