The 4th.

Happy 4th of July!!!! 

What can you do?

What can you do when one of your kids is dating a complete douche bag?  Apparently, if you don't want to lock her in her room, absolutely nothing.  When a teen girl is convinced that she's in love, there's no talking any sense in to her.  Believe me, I've tried.  What I've learned is, that I don't know shit about being a teenager in love.  I mean, I was never a teenager and I never thought I was in love right?  PFFFTTTTTT!

I talked and talked until I was out of breath.  I told her (true) stories about my first love and how I had our entire future all planned out.  How the man I'm married to is not my first love (thank God) and how I understand exactly how she's feeling right now.  I should have just saved my breath.  I'm an idiot because how can I not see that this relationship is different and special?  Of course it is.  DUH.  Silly me!

What I do find incredibly sad is that this young, beautiful girl lacks the self esteem to realize that this guy she thinks she's in love with is a complete tool.  He lies, cheats, is a poor student and overall has nothing going for him.  I also find it sad that she has become an unbearable bitch and has alienated herself from most of her friends and family.  I know this relationship is completely unhealthy and maybe even emotionally abusive (both ways).  Their relationship is making me physically ill...  so I've decided I need to step back and let it play out.  I was trying to save her from some heartache, but in the process, I fear that I've driven a bigger wedge between us and I'm tired of feeling the need to throw up all the time.

Before you (you being nobody, since nobody is reading this) attack me and my parenting, let me be clear that this is my niece.  I love her as if she were one of my biological daughters, but it's not enough.  That's becoming more apparent by the behavior she displays.  I thought we took custody of her at a young enough age to save her from major issues...  but I'm really starting to believe the nature versus nurture theories.

New post coming soon...

I have had a lot going on in the last week or so and there's an important post that I want to write.  It's percolating in my brain right now. 

It's about a girl (one of mine), her boyfriend (who we disliked) and hopefully a real break-up.  It's all fairly new, but I'm hoping it sticks.  More details coming soon.

I still feel a bit like a crazy person, walking down the street and talking to myself...  so if someone is out there reading this, please leave a comment saying hello.  It may even motivate me to write more often (I'm sure that's what the world needs). 

Thank you and talk to you in a bit!

Another post by Michael S. - crazy dogs!!

Yeah, I’ve thought about taping Annabelle; a.k.a. Bellie; when she’s in, what we call, “a retard run”. It really is  pretty amusing. That’s not politically correct but it does give one a mental picture. To be sure, she is a character with a very funny personality. For example, whenever someone visits the house, whether she knows them or not she goes a little crazy. Running, jumping yapping, “singing” etc. We give her a rawhide “chewy” to keep her occupied. After a short while, she’s back to normal; or as close to it as she can be. Last evening, a lady from the charity D is involved with came over so D could sign some papers. As usual the craziness began the moment the lady walked in and a chewy was presented to Bellie. She ran to the patio door wanting outside where she stayed for about 2 hours working over the rawhide. When it was time to come back inside she left the chewy on the lawn. Then the thunderstorm arrived. Bellie was pacing back in forth in front of the patio door wanting out. This was unusual because she’s afraid of thunder and lightning.  I kept telling her no since, by this time it was pouring, but she wouldn’t let up. I thought if I opened the door so she could see and feel the rain  her begging wouldn’t stop. As soon as the door was opened far enough she bolted out into the rain. She was frantically searching, for something. Then it dawned on me what the object of her attention was.. the chewy! Finally, she ran back to the door - sans her beloved rawhide. I opened the door and she made a beeline, first to  the couch in family room for a quick retard run, and then to the loveseat for a 2^nd run. Keep in mind she was dripping wet and muddy. D ran for a towel while I cornered Bellie as she tried to make a break for the living room and it’s white sofas. There’s nothing like the stink of wet dog on one’s furniture. This morning I let Bellie out and she resumed her chewy search. It was laying on the grass next to the pool. As soon as she spotted it Bellie took it in her mouth and ran to the back of the yard where she settled down for a good chew session. She wouldn’t come in until the chewy was consumed.

One of the side effects of rawhides is they make Annabelle very gaseous. Believe me she needs no assistance in the emission area. As a rule when she “cuts one” it will clear a room … fast. In fact they’re so bad, she even leaves the room, so that has to tell you something.

Posts not written by me, posted with permission (credit to Michael S).

We were installing a paver patio under the gazebo we’ve had for a few years this past weekend.  After the back-breaking work of digging out the sod then digging down an additional  10 inches before pouring in 125 bags of crushed stone, then laying down landscaping fabric before pouring 75 bags of “filler sand”, scraping that layer smooth and finally placing the pavers in place, I fully understand why paver patio’s cost so much to install. I’m aching in places I’ didn’t even know I  had. If that wasn’t bad enough, we ran out of the small size pavers and had to order more so the project isn’t finished yet. Presently, I have a huge tarp covering the almost completed patio so the rain doesn’t wash away the unpacked sand.

For added “fun” our Boston Terror; (no I’ve purposely spelled that as TERROR): kept running up on the pile of dug out sod, grabbing a chunk in her mouth and running off with it all the while shaking it and growling like a goofball. I had bits of shredded sod & dirt all over the yard. Not to mention a filthy, muddy dog on my hands that needed a bath. Naturally, when Annabelle goes crazy that tends to send K and M’s 3 beasties into a frenzy as well. That meant that we had 4 screwy, yapping, running, jumping, and crapping dogs underfoot all day while were working. Diablo is so old  he couldn’t join in the “fun”; not that I think he wanted to.  He just wobbled up under the apple tree and watched the circus.

Have you ever gotten drunk and shaved off your eyebrow?

Have you ever gotten drunk and shaved off your eyebrow?  No?  Me either...  ok, yes I did, twice.  I don't know why my eyebrows suddenly fascinate me after I've been drinking.  I start plucking my eyebrows, then I notice that they seem a little long, so I'll trim them, then I notice the miniature scissors don't seem to be working well so I get out the little electric trimmer...  then I wind up missing all or part of my eyebrow/eyebrows. 

What the hell is wrong with me?  I always tell myself that I SHOULDN'T MESS WITH MY EYEBROWS if I've had a drink (or more).  I forget my own rules and wind up without an eyebrow.  AGAIN.  Thank God for eyeliner/eyebrow pencils...  but really, what in the hell is wrong with me?  If I get up the courage maybe I'll post a picture later.  Maybe now that I've put this in writing it will help to remind me to leave my damn eyebrows alone!!!

Short and sweet.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!  Love you.  XOXO

Is this the blog equivalent of Seinfeld?

This post is about nothing.  I was just thinking that so far my blog can't really be defined as being about anything...  which makes it a blog about nothing. 

Or maybe this blog is about everything?  My random thoughts at any given moment...  things I like, things I don't like, etc.  I think I'm holding back a bit.  I know I have a lot on my mind, but I think I may be afraid to publish them.  Thoughts about raising three teen girls, the daily challenges, the highs, the lows and the seemingly impossible situations that I manage to navigate through.

I'd also like to write about the amazing friends that I have and the crazy antics that take place just about every weekend.  The amazing neighborhood that I live in, the pool parties, bonfires and shenanigans. 

I don't know where to start or what I "should" or "shouldn't" write about.  Can someone tell me what the rules are?  Are there any rules?  I tend to be a rule follower. 

I wish I was as courageous as Dooce.  Her blog is the first blog I ever started reading and she's still my favorite.  She's so brave and honest.  I heart you Dooce (if by any chance you ever happen upon my little blog)!!!  www.dooce.com

I suppose I'll figure this out as time goes by.  I don't think anyone is reading any of this (if you are, please leave me a comment saying hello)...  so I feel a little like I'm one of those crazy people, who wander the street talking to themselves.  I guess that's not a bad thing and I am enjoying staking a claim to my own little corner of the Internet. 

Top three celebrities that I find annoying and/or creepy.

I count Kat Von D and Jesse James as one celebrity because neither one are famous enough on their own.

I just love Jennifer Aniston too much to even like Angelina a little bit.

I wanted to marry him after seeing Top Gun, now he makes my skin crawl.

Sweet sixteen x3

Tomorrow I will officially be living with three 16 year old girls.  I can't even believe I've made it this far (or how old I am)!  I'm so proud of all three of my girls and I really like the people that they are.  I tell this story quite often, but it's true and I guess it's kind of funny...  When the twins were born, they were preemies (31 weeks).  They were in the hospital for a little over a month after they were born.  I couldn't drive for the first two weeks because of my c-section, so I was relying on other people for rides to and from the hospital.  One day, nobody could drive me and my husband (Russ) was working a 14 hour shift.  When Russ got off of work and we were finally on our way to the NICU to see the girls, I was sobbing.  Russ looks at me and says "Honey, why are you crying?  We're on our way to see the girls right now".  I looked at him and said "I'm not crying about that, I'm crying because they're going to be going away to college so soon"!  He just laughed and said "you've got to be kidding me - they're not even home from the hospital yet"!  I completely meant it and don't you dare tell me it was just my hormones.
The reason I've just told you that story is because that same panic feeling has taken over.  They really are going away to college so soon!  Time has flown by and that day that I was balling my eyes out doesn't seem all that long ago.  A lot of parents have told me over the years to not worry, that I'll be ready when the time comes, that there's a reason that teenagers are, ummmm, challenging?  It's nature's way of making you begin counting down the days until their departure.  Well guess what nature?  I got stuck with three awesome kids, who don't suck, who only make me a little crazy and who I really like being around.  So nature, I'm not ready for them to go away to college...  please stop making them grow up so damn fast.
Thank you.
I love you girls!

More things that make me happy or make me laugh.



My stinky chihuahua (Rosie).




My lab, Buddy (that's me with him).




This picture of me and my dad.



The fact that my husband and I have been together since prom (and that I dyed my hair blonde).

This blog

In my dutch oven recipe post I stated that this wasn't a blog about cooking.  I don't really know what this blog is about or where I'm going with it.  Right now, it's just what happens to be on my mind at any given moment.  I think my intention was to write about my life living with three teenage girls, and I'll probably still do that, but I'm just testing the blogging waters right now.  So, to be clear, this blog is not about anything in particular and about everything.  Please join me on this adventure, or don't, or do whatever! 
XOXO

Things that make me happy.

New backyard furniture.



Vacationing in this exact spot.





Smelling like sunshine.



Insert random dutch oven chicken recipe here...

This isn't a cooking blog, but this recipe is so yummy and so easy, I just felt like sharing it.  Oh and if you don't have a dutch oven, I highly recommend running out (this very instant) and getting one!

You'll need the following items (no exact measurements, you decide)...

1 Dutch Oven

1 Whole chicken (I buy a 4 pound bird and it feeds my family of 5)

Fingerling potatoes (or any kind of small potato that you prefer)

1 Onion (cut in to pieces)

Some fresh garlic

Salt

Pepper

Fresh poulry herb blend (sold in the produce section - looks like the picture to the right).
Some vegetable or olive oil.

A bottle of white wine.

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.

Heat the vegetable/olive oil on the stove top, in the dutch oven.  Add the onion and garlic and cook until golden brown.  In the meantime, prepare your chicken - take the inside bag of stuff out, rinse the chicken, shove the entire packet of fresh herbs up the chicken's butt (minus the plastic packaging), salt and pepper the outside of the bird.  When the garlic and onions are a golden brown, throw in some wine.  I ususally use a half a bottle - don't judge, just enjoy!  Throw in the potatoes and put the chicken in on top of the potatoes.  At this point, decide whether or not you need more wine...  I'm not even kidding, I've used an entire bottle in this recipe before.  Put the lid on the dutch oven and put it in the oven.  I've found that for a 4 - 4 1/2 pound chicken, the cooking time is around 1 1/2 hours. 

That's all there is to it!  Super easy and my entire (picky) family loves it. 

Facebook

Why do people feel the need to overshare on Facebook?  I've seen posts bashing ex-spouses, announcing a divorce, announcing an unplanned pregnancy, gossiping about teachers, coaches and each other.  Really?  I'm not just talking about teenagers on Facebook...  I'm talking about grown ass men and women!  What the hell is wrong with you people?  Do you think that everyone on your friends list wants or needs to know that your wife/husband cheated on you?  That they're a dirty whore or rotten bastard?  All you're accomplishing is making everyone uncomfortable and making yourself look like an ass.  Facebook is not the place to talk about cheating partners, a teen pregnancy, your vagina/penis issues, the coach you can't stand, the "friends" you can't stand or any other deep issue.  Really, nobody wants to know about it in a public forum.  Pick up the phone and call your close friend to vent...  don't vent to the world.  This really is Facebook etiquette 101 isn't it? 

Genetics

You always hear about how it's a good idea to know someone's financial history before getting married.  I guess that's a good idea (not something that I did though and I guess I lucked out).  What I've never heard discussed is, checking in to someone's mental and physical health history.  I mean, I think this should even be part of someone's dating profile.  You may want to reproduce with this person eventually and it's something that's super important...  yet, I've never heard anybody talk about it. 
It's like playing Russian Roulette...  my family, both sides, has no history of mental health issues, heart disease, cancer, strokes, etc...  My grandparents all died of old age and my parents are alive and well.  My husband's family is a health disaster.  So, now I worry about my kids.  Did they get lucky and inherit my families good health or will they have to deal with some major health issues?
I'm not saying that I wouldn't have married my husband, but I am saying that maybe full disclosure is a good idea if you're planning on having children.  Maybe it's a good thing to know up front, before you fall in love and your judgement gets clouded.  I mean, these are MAJOR issues.  If someone's finances are considered important, I would definitely say that the strength of their medical history should count for something as well.
Deep thoughts by Spumoni...  LOL

Mental health

This post has been deleted.  Call me crazy.  XOXO

Introduction

I'm not a writer and I'm really not trying to pretend that I am.  I simply need an outlet...  a place to express myself, a place that's all about me!  Part of me is that I'm a mom...  I have 16 year old twins and custody of my niece who'll be 16 in two weeks.  To say things are crazy, challenging, insane or dramatic would be understatements.  I don't really even know what it is that I want to write about, what I can write about or what I should write about.  I'd like to be able to express my honest thoughts and maybe receive some feedback from other parents, but I don't even know if I'm going to write about my adventures as a parent.  If I write about my kids are they going to wind up in therapy forever as adults, blaming me for everything that's wrong in their lives?  I think that happens regardless...  I've heard people complain about growing up in what seemed to be the "perfect" home and now no relationship can live up to the perceived perfection.  I've also heard about people growing up with drug addicted parents, who never knew where their next meal was coming from and now they're successful and happy - claiming the rough life made them stronger.  So who really knows what's right and what's wrong?  I suppose we're all doing the best that we can and hope we aren't raising serial killers (sorry to those of you who did).  Yikes. 
Anyway, I think I've completely veered off course and have started rambling.  All I really wanted to say in this first post is hello world.  I hope we can help each other out.