Thats What its All About.

From Our house to Yours,
Have a very Merry Christmas.

Day 1

I started the book. Remember the other day when I mentioned that I have a book that I'm going to read, do and give away on my blog. Well, I started it.  I got the email last week, the book arrived two days ago and in complete financial desperation and panic yesterday, I opened it and decided to see what happens. I am still a skeptic, but thus far, no one has asked for my soul, my eternal devotion to a pyramid scheme or even a dime. It is, however, requiring me to think and be motivated which may just kill me. But... I called and cancelled 3 credit cards (or was it 4?) this morning and I have decided to screw New Years. We're doing end of 2010 resolutions. New Years resolutions have a way of coming back to bite you in the ass anyway, so today is DAY 1.



TODAY I AM STARTING THE $$ REVOLUTION FOR THE DEVITO HOUSE. That's right baby, its financial Armageddon over here. Stay back!

So, my first task is to make a bucket list. I'm supposed to list 5 things that I would do RIGHT NOW if I knew I only had 72 hours to live, and all I could come up with was cry my eyes out. I'm going to suck hard core at this book I have a feeling because ... I can't even get this first thing going other than squeeze my kids until their heads pop off, climb into bed and cry??? NO! I need five things, so its time for me to dig a little deeper and see what I can come up with. So, here goes. *Deep breath*

1. I would take the kiddos and go south, hit the beach. Build castles, watch the sun set, and swim in the ocean.
2. I would build a Natatorium with an indoor and outdoor facility to make sure that those little boogers who I love at home and at practice could keep on swimming with more practice time.
3. I would tell my family and friends how much they mean to me. And not just my family and friends in CC, but my online friends too. People like @MaryannClayton and @MabesWife, @TheBadHousewife, and @LisaWhitesides. Yep... every single one of them.
4. ...... 5...... I don't know. I mean, I'm sure I would pray a lot and eat a lot and probably drink a lot too, but really... 72 hours is not very long at all.

What would you do?

Excuse Me for a Minute.... &^%$%&&%$

That's pretty much me today. It seems that I need a job. So...
1. You should hire me to write for you. Sure I can freelance.
2. My kids should run and hide and quit asking for juice and chocolate milk. Water is free.
3. I am writing this from my bathroom because it is.
     a. The only place that is currently quiet.
     b. The only place I can have a nervous breakdown on my own.
     c. I had to pee.
4. I must go and sift through Monster.com and the classifieds, etc. until I find something that covers child care expenses with flexible hours allowing me to transport Mr. 4 to and from preschool and still be home from school when Mr. 10 and Miss 8 get off the bus and to have time with Miss 2.


  

O Christmas Trees

Alright, so I've kind of lost my greenie thing in the midst of one holiday after another (Halloween through New Years) but today I pulled up CNN.com and my little tree hugging heart giggled at the idea posted. Its what I've always figured, and wondered why no one was jumping up and down to do. Think about this... its something we covered in some random elective class at Purdue but its an idea that has always stuck in my brain.

*ahem*

Once upon a time, like back when the Mayflower landed on Plymouth Rock, or back during the days of Pocahontas or Sakajawea or whenever, the United States had a lot of trees. I mean... a TON of trees from sea to shining sea. And it wasn't just the United States, it was Europe, Canada, Russia, Rain forests, all those kinds of places. Everywhere you turned, there was another tree.

The more people came to America or settled elsewhere, the more they needed those trees to build houses, boats, stores, etc. They needed to grow food, so they cut them down and made fields. They needed paper, they needed roads, and factories, and furniture, and more, and more, and more, and more stuff. And soon, the number or trees and forests remaining because what it is today. 

Now here's the cool part...

If .. IF we let land (farm land, our yards, parks, even roads) just sit and didn't touch it, in 100 years, the forests that our ancestors cleared would be well on their way to being restored. My parents decided to quit mowing a strip along the tree line at their house three years ago and I can't believe the number of saplings that are there just in that amount of time. Its amazing!

So, on this first day of winter which is really the downhill slide into summertime, take a mental walk through your yard or your neighbor's yard, or the woods down the road. What trees are in there? Do you have any in your yard? What would it be like to have trees for shade instead of a sky-high energy bill? What about a natural wind barrier? How amazing does a pine tree look when its covered in snow, or a maple tree when its at its brightest. (Yes, I really miss leaves and sunshine and summer.)

Maybe this year we should all give each other a tree for Christmas. I hope your holiday is full of happiness and green and all things new and bright.

We Interrupt this Blog

I've been hem hawing around about what to write about today. The new is fairly boring other than the Lunar Eclipse coinciding with the Winter Solstice which is, in my opinion, pretty cold cool.  In honor of this, you should all turn on Dark Side of the Moon and watch Eclipse to the music. Who knows what that is like, but I bet that today it would be killer. 

    +        =    

Mr. 10 went to get the mail. *You're bored already, right. Just wait.* He needed a new copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets since every single page fell out of the old copy. Its here and he's happy, and so am I because from the mailbox came my blog topic for today. I was asked last week to review a book and let you all know what I think. I'll be honest, right now, I'm thinking its probably going to be like all those other get rich books. I read a couple while I was an Arbonne chick. It seems that you have to have a lot more focus that I actually have, but I'm going to give it a shot. After all, we could all use a little extra cash - especially at Christmas.

Here's the deal. As soon as I finish The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, which has FINALLY caught my interest half way through the book, I'm going to read Why Marry a Millionaire? Just Be One! I'm going to give you the ins and outs of the book. I'm going to do the exercises which hopefully do NOT require a lot of sweat and I'm going to see what happens. Then, I'm going to become a millionaire, and give away the copy that was given to me to review so hang tight for an upcoming give away because obviously if I'm a millionaire, this copy I'm holding right now is super lucky.

In my pre-reading flip through, which was very brief, the book looks fun! I like the retro ladies and the layout. It looks like a quick and informative read with lots of websites, links, ideas and suggestions. I can use all the help I can get since I love my non-millionaire husband, and would be happy just not gasping at each bill in the mail. I'm in. I'm going to see what happens, and I hope you all will follow along and love on my blog while I lead you through the book and my thoughts. I promise to keep it light and fun and fill your ear when the give away begins. *Wonders if anyone will enter a giveaway to win a used book.*  Are you with me?

Santa has Left the Building

Before I go ANYWHERE ELSE, I have to give a ginormous THANK YOU to Lynette over at Crazed Mind for the new award. Check it out!!  It seems that I might make a great dance partner. I hope you agree and follow me all over the interwebs. Tell your friends and family, your enemies and even people you've never met!!  Dance with me people!

So, now its time to share the love and lead you to a few other blogs that make me want to get up and twirl. And so, I'm telling you to check out...

Mrs. Hyde at A Bitch Called Mom. She's funny and I get her. I really, really do. ♥

Mrs. Erin Slay at The Silver Lining. If you ever need some good, positive vibes, she's got them. ♥

Rita at Fighting off Frumpy. She makes me laugh until I cry, and I think she may actually live my life in a different state. 

Thank you ladies for keeping me dancing!

And now for today's kick in the pants....

I finished my Christmas shopping today. Yes, I know I said I liked to be done WAY before this time, but shit happens *repeatedly* and I had ONE MORE THING that I had to have. After all, Mr. 4 only asked for machetes, chain saws, and axes so when he requested the Build-A-Bear Rudolph from Santa, who was I to say no? I stood in like, jumped, kissed, wished, and rolled my eyes at the overly energetic five year old girls trapped in middle aged women's bodies. Yes, I'm talking about the store's employees. Sorry if you are on. Anyway, Rudolph is MINE. 

And then Miss 8 decided she had better write a list.  ::headdesk:: After gently reminding her that mommy is  done shopping, she replied,

   "Don't worry, I'm asking Santa."

 ::headdesk again and again and again::