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Monthly Archives: November 2005

hi.

November 30, 2005 at 5:02pm

So I see when the 2peas message boards are down, people resort to checking out blogs. Hope you’re having fun! Nothing much to see here. :)

Just need to shout out to processed cheese again. Thoroughly enjoyed my cheez and crackers. Thank you processed-cheese-product for never going bad or getting moldy, even if you aren’t actual FOOD.

And a thank you to diaper manufacturers for making diapers so overly absorbent that it doesn’t matter how long you’ve forgotten to change that diaper. No leaks. Very cool.

And Tivo. Thank you tivo. Although I still haven’t figured out how to get two channels at once.

And drive-throughs. Yeah. Those are cool.

Slip-on shoes. Like those. No bending over  to put on shoes.

Fingernails for scratching. I’m so itchy and they come in handy, alway there when I need them.

Feel free to add to the list…

There are times when I feel insightful and interested about things going on around me. And there are times when all I can think of is cheez. Lately, my thoughts have been more of the cheez variety…

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

12 comments

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November 30, 2005 - 6:27 pm jen paddack-hyde - well...my next stop was going to be 2peas but guessing from your post that will get me nowhere:) Fun list!

November 30, 2005 - 8:05 pm doris - nothing insightful to add, but gosh darn it you're funny! :D

November 30, 2005 - 10:07 pm Annie - So I finally find your blog, and all you talk about is cheez??? Tough luck. I guess I have to check back some other day, when you're all deep and wise and have cool insights to share. Though I'm totally with you on TIVO. It is the best invention EVER. So, are you up for IKEA next week?? They've got cheap Christmas decorations, shrimp sandwiches, and $1.99 kid's meals. :) Can't turn that down, can you? How about Monday or Friday??

December 1, 2005 - 1:35 am Sharma - Cheese. Cheese? hahaha thanks for the entertainment!

December 1, 2005 - 10:58 am Hilary - I am in love with my dishwasher, don't tell Drew. :)

December 1, 2005 - 11:35 am april - I am currently crushing hard on my Method soap/lotion combo from Target. I'll have to take a picture of it, but you simply MUST get you some. It's VanillaPeppermint scented. My nose is ready for Christmas and my hands have never been softer during baking season! ;)

December 1, 2005 - 12:00 pm Jill P. - Well, from looking at the garden over at 2 peas it is hard to tell that you are thinking about cheese! Beautiful work Shannon, very inspiring, I am off to scrap now! (My fav was the one of Franklin escaping from his crib- what a cutie!)

December 1, 2005 - 12:35 pm Lisa Damrosch - Cheez? What can top cheez?

December 1, 2005 - 5:17 pm stacy benintendi - seriously.........hilarious!!!!! you crack me up so hard. so funny.

December 1, 2005 - 10:13 pm tifsmith - thats what i love about you. at times deeply insightful. othertimes "cheezy". its good to be well rounded. p.s. your layouts in the garden are beauty-ful.

December 6, 2005 - 1:18 pm joanna - I finally thought of one - self-trimming baby nails. oh wait - that's not one?? Come on, why can't someone invent that.... plus hair where the highlights never fade or grow out...but I guess that would be a wig, now wouldn't it.. Sigh... anyhoo, on with your day...

December 9, 2005 - 3:35 am kellicrowe - i am thankful for baby wipes too use them every where and can not imagine changing a diaper without them kellicrowe

Stupid turkey.

November 29, 2005 at 1:22pm

I didn’t get enough turkey on Thanksgiving. A meal to look forward to all year deserves more than one sitting, I think.

So yesterday I decided to cook us another thanksgiving dinner. It was a small turkey, just for my little family. I’d defrosted it in the fridge for two days, like it asked. Allowed myself two and a half to three hours like it instructed. So, 6 o’clock comes around. Turkey not done. That’s ok, it might take another half hour. Long story short, by nearly 8 o’clock, we ended up feeding the poor, starving, turkey-smell tortured kids mac ‘n cheese and sending them to bed. Dave and I finally ate at 8:45. A nice, quiet, delightful homemade dinner for two. Delicious. And only about 3 hours late.

Don’t know if that was a punishment or reward for getting all ambitious. :)

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

11 comments

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November 29, 2005 - 1:37 pm Hilary - Why did it take so long? Was it not defrosted all the way? I am salivating over your leftovers.

November 29, 2005 - 6:40 pm kent - Ever hear of turkey bags? Did you use one? I think you can cook a turkey in those in two hours. :-)

November 29, 2005 - 7:27 pm AmyG - hahaha-----sounds similar to my story. We always buy turleys when they'rs on sale for T-giving and then freeze and cook them in January or February since we're always to my Grandma's. I like the leftovers. :) Last year my oven broke......like half way through cooking the turkey! it was taking forever....finally figured out the problem. I had my parents and siblings all over....what a mess. Ended up borrowing a roaster. BUT, got a new oven out of it. lol

November 29, 2005 - 7:28 pm kathi - reward...what did you make for desert?

November 29, 2005 - 7:30 pm joanna - Hee hee hee!!

November 30, 2005 - 4:32 pm Julie - Maybe it was just destiny for you to have a quiet dinner together. =) Props to you for making a turkey...I've never even tried that!

November 30, 2005 - 4:40 pm Steph (karlslove) - thats the hardest part about going somewhere for thanksgiving...there's no leftovers at home! Sorry your turkey took a little longer than expected :) But you got a quiet adults only dinner out of the deal right?

November 30, 2005 - 4:55 pm Erica - REWARD! Without a doubt...

December 1, 2005 - 11:37 am april - that is SO something that would happen here. minus the kid part. maybe you and the hubster were just meant to have a quiet meal all to yourselves? or maybe you had a stubborn turkey!? :P

December 1, 2005 - 5:58 pm Kim - Thank god someone else besides me didn't have enuf leftovers so made another turkey! ha! Everyone here told me I was nuts, but days and days of turkey "sammiches" AND homemade turkey soup (I do mine with lentils) is what I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE 'bout T-giving, and I still had SO MUCH dressing and yams and cranberries!! ha!

December 9, 2005 - 3:34 am kellicrowe - yes turkeys are stupid i heard they could drown by lookin gup at the rain so, there you go i have never ever cooked a turkey - so hats off to you (not that i wear hats...but i would like to be the kind of person that does) kellicrowe

Thankful

November 25, 2005 at 12:24pm

I am thankful for turkey and mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.

And family to eat them with.

And someone else cooking it.

And someone else cleaning their house before and after such event.

And safety and health driving there and back.

And a nice warm house to come home to.

And a nice warm bed to sleep off the after-effects of too much turkey and pie.

And a husband doing yardwork today, a baby sleeping, and other kids otherwise busy.

A new ipod to entertain me.

A rainy day.

Fun hobbies to keep me busy. (as if being a mother of 4 isn’t keeping me busy enough)

Day in and day out, good stuff, little moments that make my heart swell to the point of bursting.

I have so so much to be thankful for. What are YOU thankful for?

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

7 comments

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November 25, 2005 - 12:47 pm Julie M. Hickey - Great list. I am also thankful for 3pm naptime :) It gives me a chance to relax, unwind and reflect on what I am thankful for. Have a great Thanksgiving, Shannnon.

November 25, 2005 - 4:10 pm Hilary - Hey... i was gonna say naps. :)

November 25, 2005 - 9:34 pm Jefra Linn - my camera and other people with cameras who see things beautifully and simply.

November 27, 2005 - 3:10 pm erin - i love your list! we have several of those items in common!

November 27, 2005 - 7:31 pm Christie - I am thankful for all the things that warm my heart and make me smile. Thank you for a list that did both of these things! Happy Thanksgiving!

November 28, 2005 - 8:51 am Erica - Happy Thanksgiving Shannon. I'm thankful for my friends :)

November 28, 2005 - 2:47 pm april - good list, shannon! :)

Conferences

November 21, 2005 at 8:41pm

This week is conference week at the kids’ school. Those things make me nervous. Not so much about how the kids are doing, but how I’m doing. I kind of fear that I’m all thinking they’re doing great, but I’m so clueless that they’re failing and I had no idea. I haven’t been totally on top of the homework… Luckily, we’re all doing fine. Very well, even. Shelby and Matthew are doing really well in school. (Whew!)

So today at Matthew’s conference, the teacher showed me an example of Matthew’s math knowledge. He made a comment that demonstrated a deep understanding of math and some pretty complex (at least for a first-grader) addition in his head. She was so proud of him and excited that he was able to teach the class something they hadn’t thought of before. And as she was telling me this, it made me so happy. Happy to the point that I had to concentrate on not looking like a fool. I tried to make my smile normal and not freakish, and to sit still in my seat rather than clapping and jumping up and down and squealing. I made a special effort not to let my chest just burst at the thought of my little dude schooling the rest of the class. My little dude that sometimes seems to be overshadowed by his reading, often over-achieving older sister as well as his outspoken and somewhat mischievious younger sister in addition to his adorable baby brother. It’s nice to know that the boy is holding his own. Excelling, even. In spite of my short-comings.

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

11 comments

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November 22, 2005 - 6:39 am Aunt Andrea - Yeah Matt!!! That's my boy!! He comes from such smart genes, you know. Can't help that.... : ) Andrea

November 22, 2005 - 8:08 am Shelby - that is so awesome!!

November 22, 2005 - 8:41 am kellicrowe - that is super good for you for not jumping up and yelling - Yeah, and I made that kid too! that is what i always think in a nice moment it never sounds as good said out loud as in my head never ever ever kellicrowe

November 22, 2005 - 8:52 am stacy benintendi - that is so exciting.

November 22, 2005 - 9:17 am Hilary - That's such a great feeling. Nice one Matt...

November 22, 2005 - 11:18 am joanna - Hip hip hooray for Matt!! and for his brilliant mother, too!

November 22, 2005 - 12:15 pm Jill P. - Yeah for Matt... and for you Shannon. If he didn't have a good stable home life he would be doing so good. Pat yourself on the back for being such a good mom, and remember that it is the most important job ever!

November 22, 2005 - 1:06 pm Shannon Brouwre - yeah for him!!! that discription so fits my second child - they seem to get looked over so way to go Matt

November 22, 2005 - 6:06 pm Melissa - Don't you love what a certain word from your kid's teacher can make you feel like?

November 22, 2005 - 7:53 pm Jami - Way to go Matt!! Yeah, I think it's in the genes. Do in-laws genes count? Aunt Jami

November 22, 2005 - 8:13 pm kent - "Happy to the point that I had to concentrate on not looking like a fool. I tried to make my smile normal and not freakish.." Love that line - totally understand what you mean. That's a lot better than trying not to have your lop quiver when you really want to burst into tears!

Virus Deluxe

November 20, 2005 at 11:18am

"I’m paying penance for my mistake"- Dave (after working probably 12 hours on fixing the computer, with still more work to do)

Yeah. So the dear husband downloaded what we lovingly refer to as "Virus Deluxe" from the internet. I believe this version of Virus Deluxe had like 14 different viruses attacking the computer all at once. Lovely. He had to reformat the hard drive. And I lost a lot of my stuff. Email stuff mostly, all my contacts and addresses, all my old emails. So if you don’t get a christmas card, that is why.

Counting my blessings, though. I think all the pictures were saved. Which is really the important part. I’ll miss a few of those emails, I’ll miss a lot of those contacts, and I’ll miss a few appointments because my calendar was wiped clean. I’d backed up MOST of my pictures, so I wasn’t extremely worried, but all my scrapbook pages weren’t backed up (though I have the originals) and the work I’d recently done for clients wasn’t saved. I had the originals, but not the finished versions. So, well, I’d been meaning to go through the email and get rid of a lot, but there were some that I wanted to keep. But they’re gone. Oh well.

So, anyway, learn from his mistakes. Don’t download viruses. :)

And if I need your email address, please send me an email. :) Thanks all. (The link to my address is up there on the right…)

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

7 comments

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November 20, 2005 - 11:36 am Moriah Bettencourt - YIKES! What a nightmare. That is my biggest computer fear. I think I'll do a back up today :) ps: see my email address below

November 20, 2005 - 3:00 pm stacy benintendi - i am soooooo sorry but you seem to be handeling it well. this happened to me once upon a time and i lost 300+ pictures and it took me a good three years to not cry every time i thought about the lost moments. i say lost moments cause i can't even remember what the pics are of. mushy mom brain. i have to have pics. to remember anything.

November 20, 2005 - 7:26 pm Hilary - so, did you lose any pictures? Dave seemed to make it sound like it was just contact info? How'd he fix it, and WHERE did he download it from? I'm afraid now.

November 21, 2005 - 5:43 am pegmanrique - oh that stinks!!! i've been there & it's not fun. thank goodness your photos were saved though.

November 21, 2005 - 7:06 am joanna - oh, that is scary!! I guess it's one form of housecleaning, huh? So glad you didn't lose your photos!

November 22, 2005 - 8:38 am kellicrowe - writing this down dont down load ciruses good one and i am going to go back up my pics on my computer now:0 kellicrowe

November 28, 2005 - 9:53 pm stephanie - Yikes! I sure wish the silly virus creating beasts would go away, permanently. We were hit a few months back and unfortunately it also got our banking involved. Nightmare does not even begin to describe it. Glad to read that most of your photos were saved. Yay for small miracles. :)

Tagging Myself

November 16, 2005 at 12:26pm

I’ve seen these going around the blog circuit. I’m filling in my answers. I guess you could say kellicrowe tagged me because she tagged everyone who read hers. :) Here goes, a little more random info about me.

2 names you go by:
1. Shaniqua
2. mooooooooooommmm

2 parts of your heritage:
1&2.Um…I’m some kind of European mutt, mostly English I think.

2 things that scare you:
1. my kids becoming wild teenagers
2. being widowed

2 of your everyday essentials:
1. email
2. snacks (and I’m wondering why the gym workouts aren’t showing improvement…)

2 things you are wearing right now:
1. Jeans
2. T-shirt (basically my uniform…)

2 of your favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment):
1. Maroon 5, a new discovery for me
2. David Gray, also pretty recent

2 favorite songs (at the moment):
1. Breathe, Maroon 5
2. dum diddly- Black Eyed Peas

2 things you want in a relationship (other than real love):
1. Laughter
2. Understanding

2 truths:
1. People really AREN’T thinking about you like you fear they are, usually you are judging yourself and telling yourself that is what other people are thinking.
2. Don’t compare your thorns to other peoples roses.

2 physical things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex):
1. smile
2. eyes

2 of your favorite hobbies (aside from scrapbooking):
1. photography
2. reading

2 things you want really badly:
1. to see my kids grow up to be good people
2. to live by my family

2 things you ate today:
1. Yogurt
2. Yogurt

2 places you want to go on vacation:
1. Europe
2. Some foreign, tropical island

2 things you want to do before you die:
1. take the above mentioned vacations
2. know my grandchildren

2 ways that you are stereotypically a dude/chick:
1. "If you don’t know why I’m mad, then I’m not telling you"
2. "This is NOT PMS!!! I’m really MAD!!!" Ok, sorry, it was…

2 things you are thinking about right now:
1. that last question
2. going to see Harry Potter on Friday

2 stores you shop at:
1. Albertsons
2. Target

2 personal attributes you LIKE about yourself:
1. Real
2. I really try to enjoy life.

2 personal attribute you DON"T LIKE about yourself:
1. I sometimes hold things in too much (and I’m not talking about farts)
2. Kind of lazy.

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

11 comments

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November 16, 2005 - 1:13 pm joanna - I like you, shannon montez (shaniqua!! LOL!) I ate yogurt, yogurt today, too. My new favorite is those strawberry smoothies...then there's the yogurt cheerios that I thought would be awful but are surprisingly yummy... I love that you are REAL! : )

November 16, 2005 - 4:42 pm Julie - Shaniqua...you are a goddess and I'm so glad you aren't full of gas! ;)

November 16, 2005 - 8:29 pm tifsmith - shannon i actually tagged you last friday, but i forgot to send you an email. so see you really got tagged twice-ish. :) and once again i think you are so funny. the pms thing. funny, funny. and im going to see harry potter friday morning too! let's hope its good.

November 16, 2005 - 8:50 pm Kathi - You crack me up Shannon!!

November 16, 2005 - 10:55 pm Moriah Bettencourt - OMG you are soooooo funny!! LOL at the PMS comment!

November 17, 2005 - 6:09 am Erica - I am SO calling you Shaniqua from now on...I don't even want to know where it came from because my imagination can fill in the blanks :)

November 17, 2005 - 6:43 am stacy benintendi - that is so funny. my dad calls tatum shaniqua. always has and unfortunitly always will.

November 17, 2005 - 8:41 am jen paddack-hyde - such funny answers:) Shaniqua...why haven't I ever had a cool nickname like that...

November 17, 2005 - 9:48 am Hilary - My friend used to call her car Shaniqua, because she felt athat all cars deserved black names. don't ask. Just amusing. Yogurt huh?

November 20, 2005 - 6:14 am Jodi Rivet - Loved this blog. You are such a joy to read! I have to tell you that you are one of my fav fav fav scrappers/people! I enjoy every inch of your work. I was tagged by Kelly too, Guess I should get too it huh? Jodi Rivet

November 22, 2005 - 8:36 am kellicrowe - the this isn't pms i m really mad oh sorry a little close to my home there sahniqua that and the droop lo are like my life right now lovely:) kellicrowe

Glad it wasn’t worse…

November 14, 2005 at 3:48pm

I must’ve offended the mythical doctor gods with that last post. Because today I was sent to doctor hell- The ER. Now, don’t get me wrong. Of all doctors, I think I like ER ones best (and not just because my brother is one). THOSE are the kind of doctors we really find ourselves in need of. And when you need them, they sure are good to have around. Still…the ER itself is a huge hassle and quite a pain.

Poor little Diggy. At the gym this morning, Sophia and one of her cronies were "helping" him get up on something by pulling his arms. Yeah, dislocated elbow. Poor boy wouldn’t move his arm for anything. I could tell it really hurt. But he was pretty brave and only cried when it was really bugging. There’s something about a little baby trying to be brave and not cry too much that really melted my heart. He’d cry, then stop and suck his binky and rub his hair and try not to cry more. Sweet baby.

Everything went fine. The xray showed he was fine, and I think the process of xraying snapped his arm back into place. He’s back to normal. I guess as far as injuries go, a dislocation is pretty nice in that it is almost instantly healed. And as far as ER visits go, this one wasn’t bad. But still, I found it ironic that I trashed doctors and suddenly actually found myself in need of one. So to the mythical doctor gods, I send my sincerest apologies. :)

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

16 comments

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November 14, 2005 - 5:35 pm Kate - Macaroonio! Phew - glad it wasn't worse- totally ironic eh? Kinda spooky when stuff like that happens!

November 14, 2005 - 6:34 pm Julie Hickey - LOL! Mythical doctor gods! Glad he's ok :)

November 14, 2005 - 7:43 pm stacy benintendi - i've had that same experience with tristan but i'm the one who did it. oops.

November 14, 2005 - 9:07 pm Erica - Oh no! Poor F- Dawg! Glad he's OK...I totally know what you mean about those sweet baby boys being brave. Keep S and her "cronies" (love that word :) away from him! lol

November 14, 2005 - 9:18 pm jamie - ugh- sorry, girl. lol at the doc gods.

November 14, 2005 - 10:19 pm kent - Poor little fdawg (well I guess his name now is Diggy). Hope he feels better!

November 15, 2005 - 5:17 am Maureen - John *just* did this a few weeks...or a month ago. We ended up not taking him to the ER but waited....and it got better on it's own but I still had it looked at and my ped (who I love) showed me how to put it back....ugh and AS IF I could really do it :P Anyway, it's called "Nursemaid's elbow"....which I only just found out this time. My dd (12) used to get it too....but never as bad as my boy! Anyway.......happy he is okay!

November 15, 2005 - 7:23 am Amy B--perumbula - poor baby. :( glad it's fixed now. My oldest got nursemaids elbow once because of a boneless fit. (you know, when they collapse unexpectedly because they don't want to go with you.) luckily we had a PA friend who showed us how to fix it. Dh did it. I don't think I could do that either. I hope your boy keeps feeling better. what a brave little guy.

November 15, 2005 - 9:16 am Janet O - oh no!!! poor guy. glad he is ok now.

November 15, 2005 - 9:51 am Denise - Glad he's okay!! Funny how things like that happen huh?

November 15, 2005 - 11:32 am joanna - Yikes! So glad he's okay!!!

November 15, 2005 - 11:38 am Hilary - Yup, and you'd better not get ME mad... nurses are everywhere. :)

November 15, 2005 - 2:56 pm doris - oh dear! so ironic . . . and poor little buddy . . . glad he's feeling better already! :D

November 15, 2005 - 3:30 pm christinew - and to be on the safe side, I should schedule my daughter for that 21 month appointment. Sorry you had to have a trip to the ER.

November 16, 2005 - 6:57 am pegmanrique - man, i guess those doc gods really are listening...creepy!! so glad he's okay, poor little thing. and that bravery thing, just gets to me too.

November 16, 2005 - 12:01 pm Julie - Ouch! So glad he's okay now!

Doctors

November 10, 2005 at 4:21pm

Took Franklin to the doctor yesterday. When I had one adorable baby, I loved visits to the doctor. During such visits, the doctor generally looked over the beautiful baby, pronounced her perfect, and gave me all sorts of delights to look forward to in the coming months as well as useful advice. But as time has passed, the doctor visits have become less and less fun. Could it be because my imperfection has become more and more pronounced with each visit? I dread the questions like, "how much TV does he/she watch?" "Are they eating plenty of fruits and vegetables?" "Did you bring their immunization card?" "Why didn’t you bring him to his fifteen-month checkup?"

First of all, I didn’t realize there was a fifteen-month checkup. I thought you brought them in at a year, then back for the final shots at 18 months. At this point, I really don’t see a reason to go to the doctor unless they’re sick or in need of their immunizations. But still, I feel like an inadequate mom, for some reason, for not knowing about this.

Then he said, see you at the 21 month. I didn’t know what to say, except that I didn’t want to. If he’s done with his shots, and not in need of medicine, I just don’t see the point of wasting my $10 and 10 hours at the doctor’s office. And he said, "well, insurance pays for visits every 3 months til they’re 2." Ok, NOW I get it. Because insurance will pay, I’d better scoot over there for some more mommy lessons because people nowdays are so stupid they can’t figure out what car seats are for and that vegetables are better than french fries. Sorry, but you’ve already made me feel inadequate enough. By the time I’m on #4, I’m not lapping up all your knowledge as if you’re some sort of god. In fact, I’m crazy enough to think that in some instances, doctor, I might even know better than you how to handle my child.

And then I get a mailer from the school saying that Matthew needs to have not only a kindergarten exam he got last year, but a totally redundant first-grade exam. I know he’s fine. Good health. We take him in if he’s sick, he’s had all his shots. But for some reason, I feel like a bad mom signing the waiver that I do not want my child to have the exam. And I have this fear that such waivers are passed around the school, convicting me of being a bad mom, forcing the school to take special notice in my poor, neglected child and stepping in should anything "suspicious" arise. But then again, the thought of wasting time (and money) at the doctors office so he can fill out this form for some stupid state law seems ridiculous. Maybe I’m just a rebel who resents the state having as much say in my family as they do. What would you do?

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

23 comments

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November 10, 2005 - 4:30 pm joanna - Does he really have to go for another exam or can you just have the office and doctor fill out the info again? I took Cole to the doctor today, too! Just his 3 year visit...

November 10, 2005 - 4:34 pm jen paddack-hyde - After 18 months I didn't take my daughter in unless she was sick...

November 10, 2005 - 4:35 pm jen paddack-hyde - wait...maybe at two years she had another one...but otherwise just when she was sick

November 10, 2005 - 5:02 pm stacy benintendi - i totally agree on all counts. doctors are over rated. i was just telling my sister today that doctors are good for confirming a mothers CORRECT diagnosis and then filling out the little pink (or whatever color your drs. perscription slips are) slip so you can go to the pharmisist (who by the way knows way more than any dr.) to get the required medicine that is needed for the illness that MOST mothers are capable of figuring out on their own. we (smart mothers) should get one of those pads just cause 9 times out of 10 we know more that they do and it would save us the time and money if we could just write our own perscriptions. so there is my opinion of drs. sorry for rambling on. sorry if it makes no sense.

November 10, 2005 - 5:44 pm Holli - Don't go. It's a waste of time and money. I don't take my kids unless they are sick...make that really sick. Because even most sicknesses can be taken care of at home without the time and money that it requires to go to the doctor and find out that what you are doing is what they need anyway. But I think you already know my opinions about going to doctors. :-) Holli

November 11, 2005 - 6:02 am Julie - I think that number of visits is excessive. Jenna didn't have to go that much. She didn't have a 15 month check up. Sounds like your doctor just wants to get paid.

November 11, 2005 - 6:42 am Erica - I would say "screw it" because I'm a bad mom and don't care if they DO pass my name around the school :p

November 11, 2005 - 6:47 am Janet O - We don't have a 21 month checkup either. Thats weird. Sounds like your dr is...uh...different. I so know what you mean about being on your 4th and still getting mommy lessons. MY OWN MOM, who had ONE child, thank you, still wants to tell me what to do with my kids. ARGH! As for the exam...hey, he's your kid, don't do it if you don't want to and to heck with the school. :)

November 11, 2005 - 7:14 am Amy B--perumbula - I totally agree with you. after two, the only reason to take them in is if they are sick. and then only if it's an infection. I don't need a dr. giving my kids antibiotics for colds because their ears look a bit red. well, yeah, their red, the've been crying in your waiting room for half an hour. stand your ground. we as a society have give Dr.s too much credence in our lives. you don't need a dr. for everything and you don't need a dr. to pronounce you well. Be well all by yourself.

November 11, 2005 - 7:15 am Amy B--perumbula - sorry, got a bit carried away. I feel stronly about this. ;)

November 11, 2005 - 8:06 am Peg Manrique - i couldn't agree more. bad mom, schmad mom...lol! i think i know what you're doing after 4 kids!

November 11, 2005 - 8:24 am kellicrowe - why don't they ever ask so, do you love your kid? i could answer that one or did you adaquatly agonize of the invitatins for the first birthday party? YEeeeeeeS. On baby #3, I am always at least one round of something behind kellicrowe ps - i went to sephora makeup center yest to look at the "nice" makeup i left with nothing because i felt so dumb like - hello - i should know how to buy makeup

November 11, 2005 - 8:25 am Candy - I am just a lurker on your blog but had to come out to say, my goodness, I am sooo glad other mom's feel this way! It never fails that I walk out feeling like I am awful! Isn't a child who is well loved and cared for, enough?! I think so! :o)

November 11, 2005 - 9:32 am Hilary - You should belong to Kaiser. We got a 15 month check up and a 2 year check up (no 1 year)... which, I think is too little. No one thinks you're a bad mom. Everyone's kids watch too much TV and the doctor's totally aware of that. Who's your doctor anyway?

November 11, 2005 - 3:35 pm Katy - You are not a bad mom, perhaps you have an overbearing doctor? I love our doctor. L O V E! (but we had to change when #1 was weeks old 'cause the old one... well, long story). Maybe, a new doctor, one that backs you up, validates you, and waits for you to ask for advice?

November 11, 2005 - 4:16 pm Maureen - we don't do shots so we almost never go. a few physicals....a few "issues" but that's it. I can count on 2 hands the # of times we have been to the doc since Kellyn was born almost 13 years ago.....this includes all 3 kids. I say, if you aren't *needing* to go for a specific reason.....skip it :) ......and insurance...ugh....don't get me started!

November 11, 2005 - 4:48 pm kent - I know I hate those Dr questions and Dentist questions. Like - are you using the floride drops, how many times do they brush their teeth?

November 11, 2005 - 6:53 pm marg - I could get going on a whole rant about the American Healtcare System, and what insurance has done to it, but that would take pages. I'm with you on the only going if they're sick thing. I love my Dr, and I still rarely go. I'm not sure my youngest is even up to date on all her shots (she's number 8- and I just remembered I took her this summer, so she must be good for awhile at least Ü). My Dr. at least freely admits that I probably know more about child rearing than he does. Then they get into High School, and they need medical forms to participate in anything, and that's a major pain, because their lives are so busy that it's hard to find time in their schedules to get them in. Good luck, and don't for a minute feel like you're going to make it onto the bad mom list for spending all your time hanging around in the Dr. office!

November 12, 2005 - 10:26 pm christinew - Never heard of a 21 month. That does just sound like a money making scheme!

November 13, 2005 - 3:24 pm doris - love my doctor . . . she never makes me feel inadequate . . . but totally relate to (and had a little chuckle over) all the questions . . . the nurse actually wants to argue with me about it, but i was firm, "no. he doesn't eat a vegetable every day. honestly." :P

November 13, 2005 - 9:02 pm Lara - Hmph. Sounds like your doctor just needs to pad his account...and why should it be any skin off your nose, since the insurance pays for it anyway? I cannot stand our current pediatrician...I NEVER go unless I think my child might die if I don't. You are not a bad mother...somewhere we have been taught to believe that doctors know everything, when in fact, they absolutely don't. I hate well child check ups and haven't taken my five year old to hers since she was two. I get notices and ignore them. She's fine. Perfectly healthy. Go you.

November 14, 2005 - 11:45 am Jessi - just use my theory...............are my kids alive? Good. :)

November 14, 2005 - 7:06 pm tara pollard pakosta - i didn't realize they go back in every 3 months. what state do you live in? my kids went in at one year and not again til 2....weird! my daughter was required to get the chicken pox vaccine and i signed a note saying i didn't want her to get it because my doctor said he didn't recommend it. he thought it would be better for her to have the actual chicken pox. so her school calls and tells me i have to lie and say its cause of religious beliefs. i say, "well if that was the reason that's what i would say, but it's not and i am not lying or i wouldn't be a very good christian"...she said then my dd had to have the shot. so i had to take her in. i was NOT going to lie about the dumb thing....all these laws seem more and more like we live in another type of country than free.....bummer.. tara

Crisis

November 8, 2005 at 8:16pm

I’ll be 30 in about 2 months. I think I had a little before-30 crisis today. It’s been brewing for a couple days. Bad skin. Breakouts, dryness, splotchy red spots. The halloween candy diet COULDN’T POSSIBLY be a factor, combined with the (ah-hem) problem mentioned yesterday… Anyway, the skin is looking bad. Looking old. And I decided to do something about it. It’s high time I wear some decent makeup. Use some decent moisturizer. Put on a good foundation to cover up all the redness (I’ve long ago given up trying to hide the freckles).

So I went to the mall with foundation in mind. And maybe a good moisturizer. I’d heard good things about MAC, so I went to Macy’s and told them I needed foundation. Before I knew it, I’d purchased (don’t look Mom, I know you can’t handle this…) $227 worth of stuff. That’s not even any "real" makeup like eyeshadow or lipstick. One thing I’m sure of, if I’m spending $227, I should have to put it in a box and strap it to the top of my car, not carry it out in a teeny-tiny bag that will get lost in my purse.

So I came home and freaked out. I can’t believe I did that. Dave’s going to kill me. I shouldn’t have done that. Turned around 3 hours later and took it all back. Coincidentally, to the same girl that sold it to me. Yeah, that was a bit humiliating. I’m pretty sure she could tell by my Old Navy/Target wardrobe and umbrella stroller full of dirty (but adorable) baby that I was doing a bad thing because she reminded me while she was ringing it up that it was all refundable. So I think I’ll be making a trip to Target tomorrow for a little less extreme solution to my old-lady (heehee) skin-care crisis. Whew.

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

18 comments

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November 8, 2005 - 8:52 pm elizabeth - it's all about the skin care products when you hit your 30s... try www.dhccare.com. DHC products are fantastic... I've used them for a few years now—expensive, but not expensive like MAC. It's the best stuff ever. : )

November 8, 2005 - 9:09 pm stephanie thiel - I have SO done exactly the same thing! With me it was a skin peel product sold by Lancome...a sweet $100plus product, along with eye make-up and foundation. I came home and thought "what the hell am I doing?!" turned around and took the stuff back (the peel treatment)...Ah well. You are not alone... Maybe consider going to a nice day spa for the big day...a full treatment along with a lunch. Money well spent. (Preston Wynne is wonderful!!)

November 8, 2005 - 10:53 pm melissa chapman - oooooh, I LOVE mac! And I do the very same thing everytime I hit that counter. I feel guilty, but it's soooo good! Not sure if you have Shopper's Drug marts down there, but they have a line called Quo, and it rocks. It's like Mac's baby sister.

November 9, 2005 - 12:21 am Hilary - Well, I get compliements on my beautiful skin all the time today. I use Mary Kay and I have friends that I get 30-50% off with. Have you tried them? My mom also uses Oil of Olay, but it makes me itch. I do this microderm abraision stuff. I shoudl bring it over to your house, serioussly, your skin will feel SO soft. And you can get it all under 100... What DID Dave say about your extravagant event?

November 9, 2005 - 6:43 am joanna - It's allllll so tempting, isn't it??? I bought some stuff from Clinique a little while ago - but it was during their giveaway days so I justified my purchases with that little bag of freebies. I do like their stuff, though, and it's not as expensive as MAC. but my real point is this - you look good, Shannon!!!!! : )

November 9, 2005 - 8:26 am AmyG - :) You look great Shannon!

November 9, 2005 - 9:08 am tifsmith - shannon you are just too cute. do not stress about 30. i couldn't wait to turn 30. i felt like maybe it would bring some respect along with it. and it did. (self-respect mostly) i honestly don't miss my 20's. ok well maybe i do miss my 20 year old butt. :) but i think that has more to do with 5 kids than age. and when you are at target pick up some exfoliating gloves in the dollar spot. they are awesome.

November 9, 2005 - 10:33 am Gretchen - I could have written that, lol! Hope you find something that works for you. I found a Dove Moisturizer that helped me a lot. :-)

November 9, 2005 - 11:30 am chris - yeah - i have done that! in my younger years I worked at dillard's - I merchandised the Denim and Tommy Hilfiger departments which happen to be just right by the MAC counter - well heck the whole cosmetics department - and since I got a 25% discount - you can see where I am going - especially when it was gift with purchase time - and what is worse is that I could just give them my employee card number (i knew it by heart) and be on my way - except I was not always good about taking stuff back - my DH has killed me many times over - funny thing is now years later I don't even really wear makeup at all and I am content to use Aveeno and Oil of Olay both of which can be thankfully found at Target

November 9, 2005 - 12:46 pm doris - oh goodness . . . hope you have a happy day at target ahead. :D

November 9, 2005 - 12:48 pm Moriah Bettencourt - OMG Shannon, I'm not laughing at you... WITH you I swear!! My skin was looking haggard last year, seriously bad and I even contemplated that Lancome route but like you there's just no way I can justify that amount of $ (okay I probably could if I didn't drop $120 this weekend at MDW but I have my priorities ;)). Sooo anyway I got the Oil of Olay Complete all day moisturizer & I think it's helped (please don't tell me if you thought I still looked haggard, okay?). Anyway it's like $10 for a bottle that lasts me 3-4 months so that's not too bad!

November 9, 2005 - 12:56 pm Erin - Here's another vote for Oil of Olay. That stuff is AWESOME and is cheap. Too funny. Well...look at it this way. You got the shopper's high and none of the guilt.:) Call it shopping bulimia....totally un-PC, but the best way to describe it.

November 9, 2005 - 2:24 pm Julie Hickey - LOL! I don't think you need any of that stuff! A simple cleanser and moisturizer should help with dryness though. I think you look fab!

November 9, 2005 - 8:48 pm stephanie - I love the Clinique 3-Step program. I've used it for 18 years, and I'm only 33. Was recommended by the dermatologist 18 years ago, and honestly have never used anything but. The best part it that you can get all three things for under 50 bucks and they make it for all skin types, freckles included. :)

November 10, 2005 - 8:48 am Julie - Shannon, I think you look beautiful. I can totally relate with your story. I have done the same thing before. I faithfully use Clinique makeup. It seems like everything else really breaks my skin out. I don't use their skin care line though. I use Dove mosturizer and Neutrogena cleanser and toner from good old Walmart. Good luck finding something you like!

November 11, 2005 - 4:46 pm kent - Hee hee - welcome to the 30s! I think that getting freaked out over your skin and starting to notice wrinkles is all a part of the 30s initiation. Here is my makeup hint. I love the stuff that does more than one thing and can fit in my purse (I put makeup on at stoplights and in parking lots). Anyway - Spehora is like makeup mecca and has everything. I like their brand of makeup though and they have a foundation/powder that comes in a compact (with a mirror even) for $13.00 bucks. It's great and it helps reduce the redness). I also vote for Oil of Olay. And for everyone - start using foundation or lotion with SPF!

November 13, 2005 - 7:05 pm Gillian - Two things. 1: You're gorgeous. You'll be ever more gorgeous at 30 than you were (are) at 29. Don't panic about the number. It means nothing. 2: I did a very similar thing the other day, only at the car wash of all places. Our truck has horrible water spots on one side due to being hit by the sprinkler since we've been parking it in the driveway. The car wash dude gave me a slick and hurried song and dance about how they were running a special just that day and how much I'd save if I got this detailed and that detailed and the other thing detailed. I was dazed. And I said yes. I felt sick about it immediately. It may have been a decent discount from their "regular" price, but $250 is still a heckuva lot of money for us. I got home and the nausea only increased. So I called and convinced the manager to give me a refund, even though they have an "all sales final" policy. (I hadn't had the work done yet...had just paid for it and made a future appointment to get the services.) Thankfully, he was a good doobie and agreed. Whew! Escaped that calamity! I drive a truck. A truck that is dirty more often than it's clean. That's typically full of dog hair and assorted baseball gear and drinking straw wrappers. What was I thinking spending that kind of money to get rid of a few stinkin' water spots? Answer. I wasn't. Sheesh. Wow. That ran long, didn't it? Sorry. How are you? Miss you! :) g

November 14, 2005 - 11:44 am Jessi - you crack me up!!!!!!

Neglected

November 7, 2005 at 11:22pm

The poor bloggy has been neglected. Nothing to say, really. Probably because I’ve been really really grumpy the last few days. I hate to blame it on hormones, but they were the culprit. I was never really a mood-swingy, emotional, PMS-prone girl, but I guess the nearly 6 years out of the last 10 that I spent pregnant or nursing and thus free of the torrent have somehow let down my defenses and made me now more suseptible. That’s my excuse. Too much information, I know, but honestly, I just didn’t even know what to do with myself. Luckily, the kids and the hubby learned pretty quickly to keep their distance… Funny thing is, when you’re caught in the middle of it, even when you KNOW you are being unreasonable and crazy, it’s still so hard to reason with yourself. Let alone let others reason with you. It’s really weird, being on this side of things. I’d HEARD about the phenomenon, but I had no idea…

I can’t believe I just turned this into a blog entry…

Posted in old blog

by Shannon Montez

11 comments

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November 8, 2005 - 4:31 am Sharyn (Torm) - I had a 5 year break between each kid (God's plan...not mine) and it wasn't until after this 3rd one that I REALLY started pms'ing. I scared even myself. So, it's my belief that it changes with each kid attack on your body...LOL Hang tough. Put the energy into another great page!!

November 8, 2005 - 5:45 am Maureen - been there......okay *AM* there right now (insert grumpy face)! Not sure why we women go through it??? Hugs Shannon!

November 8, 2005 - 6:39 am Sophia - Shannon, your honesty is one of the reasons that I love reading your blog! Hang in there! Sophia

November 8, 2005 - 7:16 am Janet_O - Seriously, Shannon. Quit living my life.

November 8, 2005 - 9:24 am Hilary - Seriously... a blog from this, and you made fun of me for putting a placenta on my page. :) Hope you perk up soon. Maybe some lunch tomorrow?

November 8, 2005 - 10:53 am Julia - I'm grumpy too, just ask my kids. Reasons are the same as yours... so not only do we get to experience this wonderfulness 12 times a year, we then get to feel guilty about our behavior 12 times a year too. Joy. I look forward to the day both of my girls can join me, then our house will really be rockin! Of course I'll probably be going through menapause by the time the reach that age. Oh crap...

November 8, 2005 - 10:55 am Julia - I'm grumpy too, just ask my kids. Reasons are the same as yours... so not only do we get to experience this wonderfulness 12 times a year, we then get to feel guilty about our behavior 12 times a year too. Joy. I look forward to the day both of my girls can join me, then our house will really be rockin! Of course I'll probably be going through menapause by the time the reach that age. Oh crap...

November 8, 2005 - 12:25 pm Molly - I so feel you on that one. SO FEEL YOU!

November 8, 2005 - 3:14 pm Julie - Hang in there Shannon! Curse you hormones!!! Why do we have to go through stuff like this? Why?

November 8, 2005 - 4:26 pm kellicrowe - dude me too and i can not take someone ok, lets say my husband, pointing out the reason i am grumpy like someone who is unreasonable can possibly hear that they are being unreasonable i mean...ya can't REASON with that or me kellicrowe

November 9, 2005 - 8:40 pm stephanie - That would be me right now. Today. I would turn it into a blog entry too. :)