Category: It’s not the years, HONEY – it’s the mileage!

You Know You’re a Parent When:
All You Want for Christmas
Is a Puke-free New Year

Beeeeecause, all the baking, cleaning, cooking, planning and preparing in the world will NOT stop the creeping crud from putting a damper on your holiday.

Unless, you live at our house…

"Sweetie, you awake?"

…you're turning 15, this week…

"Any special requests?"

…but, have lost ALL concept of time…

"Can I please have some water, now, pretty please?"

…because, the kid's been puking since Christmas Day.

"Um, not yet, Sweetie, maybe tomorrow."

At our house, birthdays and holidays sometimes arrive late and can last an entire week, even.

"What day is it, again, today?"

[one beat, two beats]

"Uh, well, um, Christmas, yeah, that's right, it's Christmas!"

On OPPOSITE day, so what?

"Oh, look…AAAAAND it's snowing!"

Besides, this way, it looks like we'll be having a White Christmas, after all!

"Oh good, just in time for my sleepover!!!"

Um, yeah…about that…considering Snowmageddon has indeed arrived, uh, no.

"Right, Momma?"

Shhhh, but don't remind Heather, that Glen has a wrestling tournament (on Heather's birthday) but, he's also coughing up a lung, like Holly and Hope's been hitting the bathroom (on and off) since early, this morning.

"Riiiiiight, I hope it snows until New Years."

What? Okay, I don't know about your house.

"YAY…let's have pajama day, everyday!"

I would MUCH rather admit defeat once, than have to succumb to the creeping crud, one celebration at a time, you know?

Happy, um, Everything!!!

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / This FULL House (Re)Views

December 26, 2010
Random Acts of Zhu for the Holidays: New Jersey & Zhu, Happy Together!

It's been a crazy, busy year — even Santa doubts my being able to finish EVERYTHING on MY to do list in time for eggnog o'clock — then, my youngest daughter (she's 9) asked if she could practice her writing skills and wrote a wonderful post about Christmas.

It made me realize just how GROWN UP she's getting and, sadly, Kris Kringle won't be needing my services, for much longer, after all.

[pout]

Good thing Hope and I got the chance to play Santa, this week!

I am very proud to be one of bloggers chosen to participate in Cepia LLC's Random Acts of Zhu holiday giving program.

Each of us were given 104 Zhu Zhu Pets to donate to the charity of our choice, with no compensation OR strings attached.

Why?

Hope and I were THRILLED with the prospect of being able to help families in need and perhaps make another child's holiday a little brighter, too!

Our first stop was the Herb Young Annual Toy Drive held at Hope's elementary school where we donated 7 boxes (56 Zhu Zhu pets) to the children at Spring House in Eatontown, NJ:

"We provide services to break the barriers of homelessness and reinforce self-dignity, independence and self-awareness for women with children."

The toys will be distributed to the families staying at Spring House, tomorrow, Christmas Eve!

Next stop, Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, NJ — they took GREAT care of my middle girl two Christmases ago (okay, me, too!) — we made an appointment to deliver the remaining 6 boxes of Zhu Zhu pets, after school on Tuesday.

We were greeted by Jara Ferrante, a Child Life Specialist and her Assistant, Elizabeth (nice name, btw, heh!) two SUPER friendly ladies with an AWESOME sense of humor (see picture above) who make it their business to help even their littlest visitors at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital feel warm and welcome.

Hope was THRILLED to learn that the Zhu Zhu pets will be put into the "magic closet," so, whenever there's a birthday, or a child is having a particularly difficult time adjusting to their journey, they will be gift wrapped and, hopefully, help the children left in their care feel right at home.

I know, Hope did!

Thank you SO MUCH, Jara, for allowing us to bring some of that warm and fuzzy feeling home with us, along with Hope's new bff, Hopscotch (she's Dr. Bernard's bouncy buddy) too!!!

Special thanks to Cepia LLC for allowing my family to help spread a little holiday cheer, this year!

Why?

Because, nice matters and being able to give a little back to our community, via This Full House of sticky floors and crunchy socks, feels REAL GOSH-DARNED GOOD, too!

LINKY LOVE BYTES:

Jersey Shore University Medical Center's Website

K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital Social Media Center

K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital on Facebook

K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital on Twitter

Happy Holidays, everyone!!!

(Cross-posted to my review blog)

© 2003 – 2010 This FULL House (Re)Views / This FULL House Blahg'd

Disclosure: No payment, or product was received for this post or for my participation in this program.

December 23, 2010
Congratulations It’s ….

Just the BESTEST, AWESOMEST, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT BUTTER, not to mention, ABSOLUTELY FRIGALICIOUS camera…EVUH!!!…looky what WE can do:

Is that thing even loaded?

Yep, Mama's packing and ready to zoom!

Christmas has arrived early at This Full House of sticky floors and crunchy socks…

…bearing 10.3 megapixels and 26x zoom!!!

Thank you, Garth (not his real name) for suggesting that we wait, continue couch diving for loose change and then gift each other with the most BESTEST, AWESOMEST, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT BUTTER not to mention, ABSOLUTELY FRIGALICIOUS camera…EVUH!!!

[takes deep breath]

Although, you'll have to pry it from my stupid manfingers with a 33 1/2 inch crowbar, first.

[hides arms, ever so gently, behind back and puckers up BIG]

Merry Christmas, baby!!!

© 2003 – 2010 This FULL House (Re)Views / This FULL House Blahg'd

December 21, 2010
#Reverb10: Lesson Learned

Reverb 10 is an online initiative created by Gwen Bell to reflect on 2010, consider, you know, what's next and, through daily writing prompts, help folks (like me) share their story.

Since I am ALL about sharing (shuddup Garth, not your real name!) my friend Shannon is doing it and now Diana's joining in (although, the non-conformist in me can't promise to, you know, write daily) I've decided to give it a whirl.

Todays' Prompt: Lesson Learned — What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

My first thought? Which one? Seeing as I've made it my business to share stuff I've learned about myself, either through raising my kids, reading your blogs (yes, I REALLY DO READ BLOGS!) or through the bazillion mistakes I've made, over the years.

Too many to recount, really (you're welcome!)

There is, however, one lesson that I find myself revisting on a daily basis (almost) but, I've resisted blogging about, lest I offend anyone, or risk opening an old wound that, for some reason, just refuses to, you know, scab over.

Until now.

Entering into my 8th year of blogging and helping our community of moms (and dads) grow exponentially, I made the mistake of allowing myself to believe my integrity was unquestionable!

Well, it wasn't…isn't…ugh…what I mean to say is this…having lived through that experience (a.k.a. I Survived Twittergate) and then, rethinking my entire blogging platform (for the better, I hope) I've learned that my integrity can indeed remain, intact.

And, so, I continue to share my words (here) find ways to engage and give back to my community (here) read your stories (here) and, hopefully, one of us will feel better, knowing that, even though comments aren't what they used to be (stupid facebook, dumbass twitter) doesn't necessarily mean no one is, you know, listening.

PHEW! I feel better now, thanks!!

Aaand, if you're STILL reading along, know that there is a special place in heaven (or, a facsimile thereof) reserved for prettiful people, like you.

Even if it means humoring a professional dork, like me.

/story

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My OTHER Reverb 10 stories.

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / TFH Gone Shopping

December 17, 2010
#Rever10: Friendship

Reverb 10 is an online initiative created by Gwen Bell to reflect on 2010, consider, you know, what's next and, through daily writing prompts, help folks (like me) share their story.

Since I am ALL about sharing (shuddup Garth, not your real name!) my friend Shannon is doing it and now Diana's joining in (although, the non-conformist in me can't promise to, you know, write daily) I've decided to give it a whirl.

Today's prompt: Friendship – How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

I'm NOT very good at asking for stuff.

Oh, I ask the kids to feed the dog, change the cat litter, pick up the wet towels or take out the garbage, which, admittedly, becomes more of a DEMAND, after asking for the 3rd or 4th time, DAMMIT!

Asking someone, — specifically, another mom — to please do me a favor, not so much.

One of my mom friends, which is code for:

One (or more) of our kids go to school together, we've spent at least one hour (or more) complaining about our kids comparing notes and alcoholic beverages may (or may not) have been involved.

Without getting too personal (about her life, NOT mine!) she's had a REALLY sucky year.

The kind of suckage that leeches its way under your skin, squeezes your heart, melts all the soft squishy parts, rips through your soul and leaves an unidentifiable pile of sludge, in its wake, before the day even begins.

Comparatively speaking, my life is gooder than good.

We don't see each other much, anymore — which is the sad truth with most of my mom friends, once my daughters quit girl scouts, or our kids hit middle school — but, her youngest carpools with my youngest and, well, raising kids is real hard.

Having to raise 4 kids, on her own, sucks hairy donkey balls!

I got a text from her, this morning, asking me if I could drop her kid off at her mother's house, "If it's not too much trouble."

My heart squeezed and…YEP…making sure her kid gets home (or wherever he needs to be on any particular day) is the LEAST I could do AND truth be told, sort of a selfish act on my part, as well.

It. Makes. Me. Feel. Good.

[sound of angels singing]

Then it hit me, right there, in the middle of the elementary school's parking lot, somewhere in between the soft squishy parts, that maybe, juuuuuust maybe, I can learn to ask a friend for a favor AND perhaps make someone ELSE feel good, at the same time, too, right?

Riiiiight.

[sound of incoming text]

"You are the best!! Can't thank you enough….we are very lucky to have you for a friend!!"

Stupid soft squishy parts.

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My OTHER Reverb 10 stories.

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / TFH Gone Shopping

December 16, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: Super Holidazed
Alternate Title – Desperately Seeking My Holiday Mojo While Under the Influence of Jen Singer

Because, I am a lemming and absolutely adore Jen Singer (seriously, this latest MommaSaid Video is hysterical!) I created a little holiday animation of mine own, This Full House style, enjoy!!!

Check out the Official Wordless Wednesday HQ
Tag, you’re it: Wordless Wednesday

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / This Full House Gone Shopping

December 15, 2010
#Reverb10: Appreciate

Reverb 10 is an online initiative created by Gwen Bell to reflect on 2010, consider, you know, what's next and, through daily writing prompts, help folks (like me) share their story.

Since I am ALL about sharing (shuddup Garth, not your real name!) my friend Shannon is doing it and now Diana's joining in (although, the non-conformist in me can't promise to, you know, write daily) I've decided to give it a whirl.

Today's prompt: Appreciate — what’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?

This year? Yeah, it was a tough one. What…for you, too? I know. Right?

I got a job (for real) then, I lost it (stupid economy!) I know it was only 7 months (seems longer, working nights, while your SigOth works days, really) still, I had a REAL hard time adjusting to civilian life!

Know anyone who's hiring?

[sound of many, many crickets, chirping]

Then again, there is some good to be found in ALL the suckage.

My twin brother DID give cancer another asswhoopin' (it really SHOULD learn to just stay down, stupid cancer!) and my dad added another notch on his belt in the battle against heart disease, the bastard (heart disease, NOT my dad!)

Aaaaand, I have SO MUCH more to be grateful for, I know!

However, losing someone very dear to me recently has made me take inventory of my own life and, most especially, appreciate those who are closest to my heart.

Like, how I could have NEVER gotten through ANY of this, or the previous 20 years, for that matter, if it weren't for my husband, Garth (not his real name) and his way of making even the smallest gesture (like, making the first pot of coffee, or warming up the car and packing the kids lunches, every blessed morning) an act of absolute serenity.

How do I express gratitude for it?

I let the dog out, put up a pot of coffee, fed the cat, woke the kids, let in the dog and fed him, unloaded the dishwasher, fed the kids, drove Heather to the bus stop, packed the lunches and then drove Holly to the high school.

All before 7:30 a.m. this morning.

[one beat, two beats]

Okay, okay, so I gave the kids money to buy their lunches and they can pretty much fend for themselves, at breakfast, too.

Still.

I am ABSOLUTELY sure that Garth (not his real name) appreciated the break.

How do I know?

[grin]

By appreciating the fact that my time management skills are, you know, FAR superior to his!

You're welcome.

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My OTHER Reverb 10 stories.

© 2003 – 2010 This Full House Blog / TFH Gone Shopping

December 14, 2010
#Reverb10: Action

Reverb 10 is an online initiative created by Gwen Bell to reflect on 2010, consider, you know, what’s next and, through daily writing prompts, help folks (like me) share their story.

Since I am ALL about sharing (shuddup Garth, not your real name!) my friend Shannon is doing it and now Diana’s joining in (although, the non-conformist in me can’t promise to, you know, write daily) I’ve decided to give it a whirl.

Today’s prompt: Action — when it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?

Oh wow, great, well this one’s easy (NOT!!!!) because, I’ve got SO MANY ideas rolling around in my head, right now.

Home projects I’ve made happen and have YET to, you know, finish.

Working (REAL HARD) and ridding myself of ALL that unproductive self-doubt I believe keeps writers (like me) from succeeding even further.

Although, taking care of 6 people, living in a 7 room house, will do that to a person (Ty Pennington, WHERE ARE YOU?!?)

No, it’s NOT about the ideas, or necessarily about making them happen, either (been there, done that) for me, the next step(s) in 2011 would be to:

Continue writing (i.e. blogging) the only way I know how, long before professing honesty and integrity was, you know, cool.

Maybe, even finish that book I started a couple of years ago (even though it feels like everybody’s writing a book these days, really AWESOME stuff, too, right?) but, this one’s a little different, as well!

Rinse ALL doubt from my mind (mostly)

Instead, focus on the ideas that inspire me and, hopefully, help me see those reluctant little aspirations of mine a little clearer — not to mention, through, to the end.