Monday Morning Quarter Back

So Thanksgiving has come and gone. It was a great time. My parents came from Massachusettes (yeah, i prolly spelled that wrong but don't really care to double check). They brought my sister and nephew with them. My sister and nephew went to my mother's for the holiday so I didn't really get to see them much :(

Donovan is growing so much and I wish I could see him on a more regular basis. While he was here the boys and him ran around the house making all sorts of noise. Do you know how much noise 3 EXCITED boys can make? Let me tell you, it was LOUD! But it's all good. Funny thing happened: My sister was changing Donovan's diaper and when he was done and got up Annabelle laid right down for Aunt Kimmy to change her diaper too. LOL

On Black Friday, Kristen and I participated in Purple Thursday (?). Toys R Us was open at 10pm. When we got there at 8pm the line was already to the back of the store. But we decided to wait in the car anyway thinking the line would move quickly at 10pm. Well, at 10 we walk up to the door in the FREEZING RAIN. Only to find out they were only letting 50 people in at a time and waiting 20 minutes inbetween bunches. Ahhh, no. It would take hours at that point to get in there. So we went to Walmart and got all our stuff. Got in line by 11. We were, like, number 4 in line at the check out. We werre outta there by 12:30am. Swing back by Toys R Us, umm, yeah, the line was still like an hour long. So we came back home and went to sleep until 5. After that we headed back out. It was a good time. Got most of my Christmas shopping done. And I had a great time hanging out with Kris. Just me and her, no kids, and no husbands. :)

Saturday morning we all headed to Chuck E Cheese. The boys LOVE that place. It was a great time. Saturday afternoon my mother brought my sister back here. The kids played together for a little while and then Dad, Kris, Kim and Donovan piled back into the car to go home. :(

They weren't here very long but long enough to get Jerry sick. And my mother, my aunt, and grandmother. hahahaha Donovan did not get his Aunt Becca sick cause he loves me :)

Now it's Monday morning and I am still trying to get my house back in order after being so lazy yesterday. And doing some internet shopping. But as of yet I am not very impressed with the Cyber Monday deals.

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. Now on to Christmas!

Now That We Are All in Agreement

I actually stole this from The Stiletto Mom; but I found it utterly hilarious. And now I'm giving her credit so it's not really stealing. Happy Friday! And don't forget Christmas is only 37 days away!!

1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. MapQuest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.
13. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
17. I wish Google Maps had an “Avoid Ghetto” routing option.
18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
19. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?
20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
22. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey – but I’d bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!
24. The first testicular guard, the “Cup,” was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

Convo of the Day

Jerry & I were talking to the boys about what they wanted for Christmas. What we should get them and what they were going to ask Santa for.....

Andrew: Daddy, I want a DSi.

Jerry: You want a deep sac itch?

Andrew: Huh????

Mommy: ahahahhahahahahahaha

Utterly hysterical. Jerry came up with that off the cuff of his sleeve. And for those of you living in the stone age and don't know what a DSi is. It is not a deep sac itch. It's a Nintendo handheld game ala GameBoy.

What's For Dinner

Last night I made something new for dinner. I served it to mixed reviews. Andrew and Annabelle did not care for it. Nathan and I loved it. Jerry worked late so he didn't eat with us and just munched on crap when he got home.

Baked Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Cheese

1lb uncooked ziti
1 pound hot turkey Italian sausage links
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1TBS tomato paste
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 (14.5oz) cans petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
cooking spray
1 cup (4oz) shredded fresh mozzarella cheese
1 cup (4oz) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

*Preheat oven to 350F.
*Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain pasta; set aside.
*Remove casings from sausage. Cook sausage, onion, and garlic in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until sausage is browned, stirring to crumble. Add tomato paste, salt, pepper, and diced tomatoes to pan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
*Combine cooked pasta, sausage mixture, and basil. Place half of the pasta mizture in a 4 quart casserole coated with cooking spray. Top with half of mozzarella and half of Parmesan. Repeat layers. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Yield 8 servings (serving size 1 1/2 cups)

Hope you enjoy! What are you eating?

Citizens Hold My $$ Hostage

As I informed everyone we bought a new car on October 22. We signed up for new insurance through Citizens Insurance a subsidiary of Hanover Insurance. Cancelled my policy with Allstate and got my refund from them on Tuesday the 26.

I was to have Allstate fax to Citizens "dec" page of my policy. The "dec" page shows the limits of my coverage. I did not have the exceptional amount of coverage so I was no longer able to take advantage of the discount through Citizens.

I called around and decided to go through another company, Bristol West. On October 26 I cancelled my policy with Citizens. I was told I should receive my refund "within a couple a days".

So I called last Wednesday as I think 2 weeks is sufficient time to issue my refund. RIGHT? My agent told me she received the notice that my policy was cancelled effective 10-26, my refund would be blah blah blah, and it will be direct deposited into my account. Fabulous. When will that be? "Oh, you should see it in the next couple a days". So I have been checking my account like a freak. Hey, guess what, it's not there!

So I called my agent again today. She's in class all day and can call me tomorrow. Umm, no. So the lovely secretary helped me. "Yes, the refund has been processed and is scheduled to release 11-16". OMFG WHAT ANOTHER WEEK! I don't think so. Why is it taking so long? "Umm, not sure I can get back to you". Nope, just give me the 800 number to Citizens I will call them myself.

"Citizens Insurance may I help you". I need to talk to someone about my refund from cancelling my policy. "Just a moment"

"Hi this is Diane C. what can I do for you" So I gave her my information. "Yep, your policy is cancelled and we will issue your refund the 16". Umm, no. I want my money today. You cannot hold my money hostage for 4 weeks. "Well our system is manual and we are a little slow". NOT MY PROBLEM "Well, I can put in a request to rush the money" What will that get me? The money on the 15? No thanks, how about today. "Well the payment will issue 10 days after the cancellation". Umm this is way past 10 days. "10 days after the cancellation is processed which was Nov 1". RIGHT tomorrow is Nov 10 so I should have it tomorrow right? "Umm, no". But that's 10 days. "it might take your bank 3-5 days to accept it" So you got nothing for me. "I understand your frustration but we are working as hard as we can" Obviously not or I would already have my money.

Needless to say I hung up on her. I AM FURIOUS!! I have called the Better Business Bureau and filed a complaint. Cause I tried to call back and speak to a Manager/Team Leader/Supervisor/SOMEONE IN CHARGE/NOT DIANE C. - yeah - that lady is gone all week.

I am waiting for a call back from my agent. Something needs to be done. And I know that I am usually quick to anger but I don't think 2 weeks is unreasonable for a refund. Or lets say even tomorrow which will be 3 weeks, that's pushing it but fine. I can handle that *grumble grumble*. 4 WEEKS IS RIDICULOUS!! UNACCEPTABLE! AINT GONNA FLY HERE!

And why if you have my cancellation processed why is the payment not scheduled to release until 11-16? Seems to me that's why you are so "slow" why didn't you release my payment the day you processed my cancellation. This is BS.

I am NOT a Lame Parent

Okay, since everyone is talking about the Toyota Highlander commercial I thought I would jump on the band wagon and weigh in too, although I appear to be in the minority and an _________ (insert insult here) person.

This commercial CRACKS ME UP!!! I find it utterly hilarious. And for various reasons. I laugh at the dad washing the wood-grain panel van in cut off shorts and knee high socks (before I was born my dad dressed like that). I laugh that the kid is dressed like an 80's punk rocker. I laugh that his parents apparently use the kid as a mop because why else would his hair be that long? I laugh that he says something along the lines of "nice ride Mrs. whatever" a. like he's trying to hit on her; and b. like she actually cares what he thinks. I also laugh at the one where the kid is stuck in the back while his parents sing some 80's hit on repeat. For the life of me I cannot remember what song it is and it is killing me.

I guess I don't see it as they are saying the parent is lame for what kind of car they drive but for what they are doing/wearing. Even though I know that's what the point is. Because you don't see the parent with the van or station wagon dressed like they belong in this decade like you do the lady driving the Highlander.

When I was growing up my mother had a wood-grain panel van. SUPER LAME. But did I think it was still super lame when I got my license and was allowed to take it wherever I wanted. Nope. It was awesome. I could cart a zillion friends in that thing. And it was durable. I even put it in the ditch one snowy night, a guy with a tractor pulled it out. NOT A SCRATCH ON IT!! WOOT WOOT! Now I didn't have to tell my mom; and I didn't until years later. To which I got a "Becca Kaye!" and an eye roll.

When I was, like, 14 my dad had a Mustang. It was awesome. My dad, Kris, Rufus, Kim, and I were out shopping and my dad had parked on a side street. I got to the car before everyone else. There were some boys hanging out on a bench. I thought I would be cool and lean up against the hood like it was my car (even though it was abundantly obvious that I was nowhere near driving age). My dad saw what I was doing and set off the car alarm. LAMEO McLAMERSON My face was sooo red. I coulda killed him. And my dad wore MC Hammer pants like it was a fashion statement. Ummm, no Dad.

People are saying a lot of negative stuff about these ads. But try to think back when you were that age or 13. Did you really think your parents were "cool"? Ummm, no. It doesn't matter what parents have or don't have.... your kids are going to think you are lame regardless.

My boys currently think I am lame for: not buying new halloween costumes when we got ones from the cousins that were perfectly fine; going to the bus stop with them every morning; not letting them stay up as late as they want on a school night; still making them go to bed at a decent time on weekends; making them clean their room, brush their teeth, and take showers; making Andrew bring home his math book; making them do homework; caring about their school grades..... Oh, the list goes on and on.....

And just for the record, I think the Highlander is LAME, cause it's not American. As my father-in-law is retired from GM American cars are all we buy. The GM Family discount helps out too.

Staples & Halloween

What an eventful weekend.....

Saturday Andrew had a friend ("C") over for a few hours. At one point Annabelle, Andrew, C, Nathan and I were all outside. My heavy front door was open and the screen was closed. Nathan somehow locked the screen door and shut it. Leaving us all outside. We were all on the front porch.... "Andrew watch your sister make sure she doesn't fall". Sure enough while I'm trying to jimmy the door back open she falls down the porch stairs. There are only 3 so it wasn't too bad. But she cried and now has a scraped up eye. My princess is damaged :( Jerry got home shortly after. Jerry went outside to play football with Andrew, C, and Nathan. "Honey - no tackle someone will get hurt and I would prefer it not to be C". "Oh, their just fine!" says Jerry. I go to the neighbor's house so Annabelle can climb on their playset and play with the two girls. Jerry screams "BECCA NOW" and I look over to see him carrying Nathan and Nathan is screaming. "Whatever Jerry" because I just assume Nathan is throwing a temper tantrum (this happens often lol) "HE'S BLEEDING EVERYWHERE!" Jerry yells back. Ummm, yeah - so I snatch up Annabelle and run back home. Poor baby girl her little head was bouncing everywhere but she was laughing. I get on the porch Nathan & Jerry both are covered in blood and it is spewing from everywhere off Nathan's head. I run inside grab a towel and have Jerry apply pressure. Andrew & C get in the car to go back to C's house (they were going to a Halloween party); Jerry changes clothes; we get clean clothes on Nathan; everyone get in the car. 3 staples to the melon for Nate :( but he's okay

Sunday at 6pm I took the kids trick-or-treating. Daddy was at home passing out the candy. Annabelle only went one street and we brought her back home. Andrew, Nathan and I walked 3 streets. Then we broke down and came home to get the car. Good thing trick-or-treating lasts for 2 hours here! The kids ended up with some good loot but are not really all about sharing.

J: "Does this make us bad parents?" As he's digging through Andrew's candy bag

B: "Ummm, no. It makes us like every other parent out there." As I'm digging through Nate's bag. *giggle giggle*

J: "You think our parents did this when we were growing up?"

B: "I don't know about your parents but I know mine did!"

Good thing they got so much to share with us! lol