Day 13 - A place I'd like to see or visit

Ummmm.... well I guess there are a few places I'd like to visit. Israel, Australia, Rome and Greece. I don't know that I have any particular order or preference but they are all on my bucket list. I guess most people say Paris but I don't know that I have a burning desire for that. I have a French aversion. Maybe the most boring post ever? 

Day 12 - Bullet your whole day

Okay this is an average day here.

• 5am Rhett wakes up for a change and feeding

•  5:15 back to bed

• 7am Feed Rhett and tuck him into my bed, then get Guy out of his crib and start breakfast.

• 7:15 Coffee and kiss hubby goodbye before he leaves for work.

• 7:30 Play with both boys while trying to catch morning news and read e-mails.
• 9am Walk around the neighborhood with babies in stroller (Rhett falls asleep)
• 10am Guy eats brunch
• 11am Guy takes nap I clean up kitchen then shower
• Noon - Spinach smoothie for lunch and do a load of laundry.
• 2pm Guy wakes up and eats a snack and watches a cartoon
• 2:30 depending on the day we either go to a play date, play in the loft or Nanny Lisa comes over and I go to the gym and pick up dry cleaning.
• 5:30 Prepare dinner
• 6:00 Guy eats diner then takes a bath
• 7pm Guy goes to bed, Rhett takes a short nap, Argyle comes home from work and we eat dinner.
• 9pm Mop and vacuum floors then put Rhett to sleep and watch an hour of tv
• 10:30 Sleep

Day 11 - 10 song shuffle

Song 1 - Landslide - Fleetwood Mac. Great song, hits me deep every time.
Song 2 - Makes me wonder - Maroon 5.
Song 3 - Butterfly - Weezer
Song 4 - All along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
Song 5 - This Magic Moment - The Drifters
Song 6 - Hey Baby - No Doubt.     Holler!
Song 7 - Disenchanted  - My Chemical Romance
Song 8 - Will you still love me? - Chicago
Song 9 - Jane Fonda - Mickey Avalon
Song 10 - Opening title (Labyrinth) - David Bowie

So random, but I do have over 1,200 songs here.

Day 10 First love and first kiss

My first kiss... I am pretty sure I was 14 or 15. Not sure on my age but it was Valentines day in the rain with a mild crush but that is neither here nor there. My first and only love was my husband Argyle. Our first kiss was on my 18th birthday. That's it.

Day 9 - How I hope the future will be like

I'm not really sure where to go this one. But here it goes... In the Future-
I hope the economy is better, I hope the government has improved, I hope the IRS is eliminated and we just pay taxes quarterly rather than it getting taken out of my check and no more tax return crap.
I hope there will be peace in Israel, I hope my brothers will both be in college, I hope my sons will be healthy and happy.
I hope I will live in a "Smart House" that recognizes our family and allows us in without keys or codes. I hope our cars will have auto pilot, I hope house cleaning gadgets like the roomba will be super advanced and clean better. I hope rompers will be in style and that I will be skinny again. I hope we will own a beach house in Santa Barbra or Malibu, and a cabin in Tahoe or Mammoth for summers and holidays.

Day 8 - A moment I felt the most satisfied with my life.

Okay, not to be like one of those A-holes on Facebook that are constantly trying to prove to everyone how awesome their life is.... but it's gonna sound like it. Not that my life is perfect in anyway, But I am truly satisfied with it everyday. It really strikes me either mid-day or evening when I am snuggled with my two beautiful boys and my husband that I am truly crazy about. I have said it multiple times, I feel like the luckiest girl in Las Vegas. My husband provides in such a way that even though I don't work anymore, we live very comfortably. I am fortunate enough to be very much taken care of and my children don't go without a thing. I have an amazing  relationship with my husband and I couldn't be happier. My boys are healthy and happy everyday, who could ask for anything more.

Day 7 - My Zodiac sign and how it fits my personality

I guess if you go by this kind of stuff, I am very much a Gemini. I talk too much, I am very energetic but I have a mean streak. I tend to be a "know it all" and I often force my unsolicited advise on others. That's all I care to discuss on the matter because this is terribly boring and high school. I'm trying to use this challenge to get in the habit of blogging because I am terrible at it.

Day 6 30 interesting facts about me.

this was hard, I'm not all that interesting. 30 Random facts 1-mother of 2 boys 2- married for 6+ years 3-lived in 4 states in 5 years 4-very domestic sew cook & clean 5- oldest of 7 children  6- I collect different and vintage copies of the Wizard of OZ 7- I am a slow cooker (crock pit) enthusiast. 8 - I am a card carrying member of the NRA 9- I was pregnant for nearly 2 straight years 10- I am terrified of a Zombie Apocalypse 11- Avid reader of classic literature 12- I was raised Mormon 13- I have wanted to be Jewish since the 90s. 14- I love old films 15- both my babies came before their due date. 16- I don't eat pork 17- I was "homeschooled" for 2-3 years. 18- Married my high school boyfriend after 5 years of dating. 19- I worked with special needs kids for 3 years. 20- I am allergic to chocolate and dogs. 21- I love wine but hate Chardonnay and Merlot 22- secretly watch Teen Mom 2. 23- I'm a pop culture and movie buff 24- I'm dyslexic  25- haven't spoken to my mom in over four years. 26- I don't paint my finger nails because I chew on the polish 27- Never had braces. 28- I have 3 tattoos 29- poetry makes me uncomfortable 30- one day I'd like to have my own podcast.

Day 5

I'll plead the fifth on this one.

Day 4 - View on Religion

Religion is a tricky subject in any social situation and my view is no exception. I was raised LDS (Mormon), but I knew even at the tender age of 8 years old that it wasn't for me. I sat there in the bishop's office before my baptism knowing I wasn't in for the long haul. I knew it was what my parents and family expected of me. After I graduated high school and moved out I drifted away from the faith. It wasn't until I was offended on church leaders words and opinions during my parents divorce I had a meeting with the current bishop and formally cut ties with the faith. For a few years I floundered, I attended many churches and explored many faiths and philosophies. I never settled down with a new religion.
In the early 90's I became close with the family across the street. Eric & Andrea Nelson (no relation), they were a young family that had two little boys during their time in the neighborhood. It was a break from the noise and chaos in my own home and being an pre-teen I often helped and babysat their little ones. Andrea was Jewish and in those evenings spent in their home I was introduces to the Jewish faith and culture. I loved it right away, the Shabbat dinners, Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I was already very familiar with the Old Testament but I grew to love the stories as part of the Jewish Culture. The amazing food didn't hurt either. Around the time the Nelson's moved away my Jewish classmates that couldn't play after school somedays due to "Hebrew School" were now having parties called Mitzvahs. I wasn't allowed to go because they were on Sunday, but finally when my best friend Shanna had her Bat Mitzvah I was allowed to attend hers so long as I also attended the Temple ceremony prior to the party. I'm not sure what my mom's reason was behind that but I truly enjoyed it, the parts when the Rabbi spoke English at least. Ever since then I have had a secret passion for the Jewish religion but they weren't exactly recruiting new members and I was very young. I don't believe I am of enough Hebrew decent to be one of the "chosen". I always figured I'd one day settle down and marry a nice Jewish boy.
In the summer on 2000 I met and fell head over heels for a nice Catholic boy named Argyle Nelson (again no relation to the other Nelson family). I have attended his family church and read independently about the faith. Unfortunately it is not for me. I assumed that when we had children they would be baptized catholic but that never happened. It was much more complicated than we thought and it is really just a formality as far as we are concerned. I may sound like a lost soul when it comes to religion but I still feel I have a relationship with G-d. I don't feel that my children will go to hell for not being baptized and I feel that only they can determine what faith is best for them. I feel that it is such a personal decision and nobody can make it for you. Out of respect for my husband I attend mass with him when he goes on holidays and observe lent, but I still like to observe Passover too. I continue to attend Jewish Holiday dinners with friends every year and enjoy it very much. Even though I'm a religious bastard I have made my own half assed peace with my own faith and I'm content at this point in my life.

Day 3 - My views on drugs and alcohol

Oh boy. I want to start off by saying that my views on drugs and alcohol aren't traditional nor do I think my opinion on the is popular and I'd like to point out that I am a Libertarian.
I think that the drinking age in this country is too high. I think that we have made alcohol the forbidden fruit so that when teens or 21 year olds get their hands on it, they go crazy. The U.S. has a higher rate of alcohol abuse than any country in Europe and I'm not always a fan of how Europeans do things, I tend to agree with their casual attitude towards drinking. Beer and wine are more part of the culture and family gathering. I would lower the drinking age to 18. I think it is something we should be open about in discussing as a family. Of course no family should be forced and religious beliefs always apply. Same goes for a minor having that sip of wine at communion or even a glass on Rosh Hashanah, obviously in these instances it is part of worship and family. I think it is very important that moderation and responsibility is better taught sooner than later.
Now drugs. I want to start out by saying that I do not condone drug use for anyone. However I do feel that whatever someone does in the privacy of their own home and so long as they are not hurting others or neglecting children then it's their own business and not for the government to decide. I do feel that Marijuana should be legal. I feel that it is no worse than cigarettes or alcohol and it only benefits organized crime by keeping it illegal. As long as there is a demand, there will be a supplier to profit therefore making it legal will only make the quality better and the government can tax the hell out of it like they do with cigarettes. I feel that lifestyle choices like these are not the business of the government. Now if employers want to drug screen and choose not to hire people that use and test positive for drugs should have that right. When it comes to one's personal life I think that people should have the right to free agency and decide what they want to do for themselves. Now I also feel that people with more than one DUI should not be allowed to purchase alcohol or Marijuana and same rules apply as far as losing a drivers license. I'm not saying no rules, but I don't think that you should have restrictions as long as you aren't abusing it and it doesn't cause harm or danger to others. So there, that's my view. Judge away.

Day 2 - Where I'd like to be in ten years.

Ten years from now. Wow, 2022? I suppose I'd like to be riding in my cold fusion powered car that drives itself heading somewhere fabulous. Who knows where we will be living by then, could be California or the east coast? By then my boys will be ten and eleven and I plan to head the PTA of their school with an iron fist and maybe teach yoga to balance out my Chi. I am pretty sure I'll still be a full time mom with the boys still in primary school. I want Guy and Rhett to be my main focus at that age. I never thought I would be that traditional mom, I always planned to work. Now when I think about how much my time is worth... and how important of an investment time with my children is. The best way to spend my time is focusing on raising my family. Of course if we ever have any financial trouble I will be out there working and bringing home a paycheck. At this point I really don't plan on anymore children, but I haven't ruled out the option 100%. Argyle feels the same way. I like the idea of maybe adopting a little girl from a Thailand or South Africa. But I'm not ready to commit to anything for sure.
I guess it's hard to picture myself ten years from now. I know I will defiantly get some work done before then, cosmetically speaking. I will be back in shape by then and I'd like to think back to a size 2. Zuma the dog will be dead by then, just at the point in time where the boys will be truly be emotionally traumatized by it, but I'd like to have a cat again.
I know right?... Whoa! DREAM BIG!

Day 1 - Current Relationship

My "current" relationship.... at the moment I am having a serious relationship with the my white cranberry martini. Now in all honesty my husband Argyle and I have been together since the summer of 2000. Here we are now married for over six years and very happy. Three to four years ago I was hanging out in Texas, alone in my home starting this blog out of boredom. So much time on my hands and nobody to take care of, with Argyle deployed to Iraq and I wasn't even thinking about kids. Now I have two baby boys that I am madly in love and my husband that takes such great care of us. I truly could not be happier in my relationship with Argyle.

Challenge accepted!

Trying to get back on the blog but.... believe it or not... it's not easy with two little baby boys under 18 months!
I came across this on Pinterest aka my new favorite app. Hoping it gets me on here more often and talking about something other than the Real Housewives.

The Hunt Continues

Still looking for the right house here in Las Vegas. We kept going back & forth on the pool thing.

We have now decided on a 4 bedroom with no pool. We have a new agent and I'm hoping things will go faster now. So many foreclosures and short sales kinda make it difficult. I really wanted to be on the Lake but now it's looking like its not going to happen. Hope we find the right one soon!

Meet Rhett Hudson

Well, he came early and after 2 days of walking around in labor at 3 cm Rhett was born around 3pm on Nov 1, 2011 7lbs 1oz and 18inches.

Guy is adjusting to sharing his parents and home with his new baby brother. Having two so young is a challenge right now but once they are older it'll be great. I love my boys!

Final days of being an only child

We are doing our best to get out as much as my giant pregnant body can these days so that Guy can enjoy his final month as an only child. There has been plenty of spoiling. It's been nice actually but now I am very much ready for this new baby to come out. I can't handle being pregnant much longer. Guy still has no clue what is going on and I have a feeling he won't really be aware of the situation until he has to share his toys with a little brother.
As for new baby Rhett, we are getting everything ready. I pulled all of Guy's newborn clothes out of their space bags re-washed everything. Started to re-assemble the bassinet and went out to purchase a double stroller and new baby swing. Guy's baby swing didn't survive the move to Vegas. I even went out and got diapers and the random items the new baby will need so I'm not sending Argyle out last minute in a panic. Now we are just waiting for the week of Nov 7.They plan to induce me because Argyle's parents will come to town that week to take care of Guy. Even though we have 2 college students here in town that babysit him I am kinda freaking over going into labor early without having all my ducks in a row. I'm sure by the time I get back on here I will have had the baby. We will see. Happy Halloween everyone!

Happy Halloween

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Guy's first birthday

I didn't want to do anything crazy or over the top for Guy's first birthday, but had to celebrate my little man's first year. I decided on a play date/birthday luncheon. So no clowns, no bouncy castle or even balloons. Just Boars head Deli petite sandwiches, baby finger foods and cake.
It was small and intimate but really cute. Five of his baby friends and the mommies came and it was nice without being to overstimulating for my little Guy.
We went with The Very Hungry Caterpillar theme. It's his favorite book, and it's cute and simple.



I don't think I am going to be one of those parents that goes all out every birthday every year. In my head I see myself doing parties for the milestone birthdays. Those years for some reason in my head are 1,5,8,10,13,16, and 18. We will see how that goes. If I end up going with that or not. Of course every year we will do a family thing, dinner, amusement park or outing of some sort.

Baby presents. What not to buy - Worst baby gifts ever

I am not having a 2nd baby shower. Traditionally you really only are supposed to have one with the first baby. Especially since I am having another boy I felt it was bad etiquette, and I have most everything I need. This is not to say others can't throw a damn shower or even a parade with every child they have. This is just my personal feelings for myself, my personal rules do not apply to others.
Several of my friends and family are having babies right around the time I deliver. I do believe in giving a little something to someone that has just adopted or pushed a baby into this world. A baby is a truly happy occasion and I try to always get a "baby birth" gift, it can be something as simple as flowers sent to the home or hospital or a blanket and outfit for the baby.
In my child free days I liked to keep my baby shower gifts unique. With all the attention and gifts being mainly for baby... and sometimes more frilly than practical (again, to each their own) I liked to get the expectant mom a gift card for a massage or pedicure. I found the moms really liked that. I would also throw in a pack of diapers for the baby. God knows they are gonna get used, even if they aren't a cute gift for the guests to Oooh and Aaah over.
Today I was reading a weekly newsletter from The Bump. They featured an article titled "The Worst Baby Gifts Ever". Their list was pretty entertaining to read. I have included a few-

“I received six very nice, warm fleece blankets, but my baby was born in July.” -- SarahRae812

“Candle holders. My mother-in-law decided to buy us a ton of decorative stuff for the nursery, which included a set of matching votives holders for the baby’s room. I don’t think we’ll be lighting any candles in the nursery anytime soon.” -- jcapelluti

“My grandma gave us a piggy bank that said, ‘Celebrating Your Christening.’ Only we’re not religious, and our son won’t be getting christened.” -- angiekillaire

“Unwanted parenting advice -- that gift keeps on giving long after the shower ends!” -- tdeddington

“My aunt gave us an obviously used Mickey Mouse crib bumper that was very faded, slightly stained and smelled of must. Gross.” -- bookkitten

“Someone gave us a gift bag full of dollar-store items -- shirts, pants, bottles, bibs, etc. I know they thought the cheaper the item, the more they could get us, but the problem was the items were terrible quality.” -- toadstool

“Clothes for the first year are awesome. Clothes past that (especially if you live in a small apartment or may be moving) are a pain to store!” -- Shaynnon

“Stuffed animals annoy me. We already have about a billion. Really don’t need anymore, thanks.” -- ITeachK

“I registered for gender-neutral things. My friend gave us three outfits complete with socks and hair bows for a girl. Of course we had a boy, so now I have to go and return them.” -- EllenK11

“A coworker gave me a homemade blanket. She didn’t knot the layers together so I actually had to come home and finish making the blanket.” -- Mrsl

This was really funny to me. I had a girlfriend that was expecting her first baby the same time I was. Neither of us had yet learned the gender of our babies. Her mother in law showed up with gifts for her including boy bedding, cowboy themed curtains and nursery linens and onsies with the word "BOY" printed on them. Of course she delivered a healthy, beautiful .... girl.
If someone has invited you to their baby shower I do recommend sticking to a registry. They are there for a reason. If you want to buy a blanket why not buy one that will match the baby's nursery. I know i have different taste and something I think it cute the mother may find it really ugly. I know they say it's bad manners to turn your nose up and a gift or "look a gift horse in the mouth" but I think we are all happier when a gift is received with the same enthusiasm when it is given. I know my money is best spent on a gift that will be appreciated.As will yours and this made me think of other gifts my friends and I have discussed as "bad gifts".
Do Not Buy -
Anything overly themed or holiday themed.-
It is very limiting and especially that "Baby's first Easter bib". Yeah that is going to be used once (maybe). Sure, it can make a cute photo for a baby book but a cute non super festive bib will be way more useful.
Stuffed Animals (especially holiday themed).
A simple teddy bear or whatever animal is cute... but they really can acumulat4e fast and new babies really have no use or interest. At best it will be stuck on a shelf for 6-8 months before touched and then think of the dust it has gathered. I hate clutter personally and I am always washing my sons toys. Stuffed toys are no exception. If it can be cleaned easily (tossed in the washer machine) then he isn't going to play with it. Whats worse are the toys that are holiday themed. It just looks a little weird to me to have a stuffed bear with "My 1st Christmas" printed on it in your baby's room...in July. Yeah, those got donated to good will.
Sports Team Themed gifts.
Okay if you happen to know the parents well and this is where you can sometimes throw the neglected father a bone. If they or he are sports fans and you know the team they absolutely love. Sure, go for it. But DO NOT push your team on their new baby. The cute outfit that says UCLA Bruins because that's the college you attended or if you are a Colts fan and they don't watch football or even care for that team.... sorry, dumb gift. I got both. Baby stuff for "my team" and random teams for sports I really didn't even follow. So it can really be hit or miss here. You be the judge. Same rule applies for political baby gear. When in doubt. Don't!
Off the Registry. Yeah that pacifier is cute but maybe they aren't planning on giving those to their baby. Things like pacifiers and formula/breastfeeding stuff can be parenting taboo.
Formal Baby Clothes Unless that baby is going somewhere appropriate at the age they will actually fit that outfit... not going to get much use out of it. Better off with a simple pack of cotton onsies.
Halloween Costumes Unless you know they are taking the baby out on Halloween and that is the exact out fit they want to dress their baby in, just don't. Now they feel obligated to put their kid in a costume so feelings aren't hurt. A cute cap or beanie with a little something is better.
Clothing with stupid or sarcastic print You may think it's funny but not everyone will agree. The baby shirt that says "I see dumb people" or "My parents are weird" aren't as great as you may think. Just consider the parent's taste when in doubt keep it simple and cute.

I am totally missing things that I wanted to add to this list but as I attempt the task of typing this with my son hoping in and out of my lap they have escaped my brain. Please post any that you feel belong on this list. I would love to hear your stories.

Trying to end on a more positive note I will add a few tips on what I consider to be GOOD GIFT giving suggestions.
Never hurts to keep it a little gender neutral. They may have a second child and if it is the opposite sex it can be used again.
Diapers They always always get used. But don't be the asshole that gets reusable cloth diapers unless the mom plans to go that route or you plan to change those diapers yourself.
Gift Cards Yeah they may not have too much time to shop with their new little screaming bundle of joy, but these will get used. Often if they have registries will present the parents with a large discount coupon to purchase remaining items on their registry. A gift card will help with that. Not to mention they will still need items like diapers, lotions and ointments as they baby goes through what they already have. They don't have to even be gift cards for the baby stores. Yes that Babies R Us is great but so is that curbside take-out service at Cheesecake Factory or BJ's Restaurant. Hell, even a gift card for a pizza delivery or Chinese is awesome to have on those nights as a parent you are starving and have had no time to buy groceries let alone make a meal. One of my personal favorites in Amazon.com or Target. They carry everything and trust me... it's gonna get used.