Quitting Smoking

We bought our last pack of cigarettes today... tomorrow we stop smoking! This will also mean no drinking (for me) because I can't drink and not smoke. And it will also mean no more hanging out outside around the grill when we braai because, well, it just sucks! It will get easier, i am sure. But for now... BACK OFF... I MIGHT BITE!

Interesting Facts:

Fact #793:
More than 40,000 parasites and 250 types of bacteria are exchanged during a typical French kiss!

Fact #831:
When a person dies, hearing is usually the last sense to go.

Fact #846:
The lungfish can live out of water for three years in a state of suspended animation.


Fact #857:
In Singapore, it is illegal to sell or own chewing gum.

Fact #884:
The Bible is the most-shoplifted book in the world.

Coupon Chaos

There must be an art to coupon clipping... and I don't have the talent. In an effort to save money on groceries, I decided to start cutting coupons... but I don't get it. All the coupons are name brand and most of the time I can get the item cheaper if I buy store brand even with the coupon (or break even at best). I have found that coupons are great when combined with in-store specials. For example, last week Publix was running BOGO-free on toaster strudels and I had a .55 off coupon on them... so I got 2 boxes of toaster strudels for $2.00... saved $2.55! Now that I get... but other than combining in-store sales with the coupons... is it really worth it to coupon-clip? Like I said, maybe there is an art to this that I just don't possess... I will keep at it though, maybe it just takes practice :)

Home Remedies

SO E has had a cold... cough & runny nose for a week now. I read that putting vicks vaporub on his feet and covering with a sock will help his coughing. Dr. Oz even said he has recommended this 'treatment' before... so... I am going to try it. I tried some on the most sensitive spot on my body to make sure it wouldn't burn... because baby skin is so sensitive... I think he will be ok. Will just watch him to make sure he doesn't seem agitated or uncomfortable... I guess we will see... Interesting... if it works I will be kind of amazed.




{Note: It really does work.}

life...

life is about trusting our feelings and taking chances
losing and finding happiness, and appreciating the memories

I am tired of...

being critisized.getting stepped on.feeling sad.caring what other people think.feeling lonely.wondering who cares.wondering why I care.trying to please people.being nice.unsolicited advice.suggestions.false promises.fake people.opinions.negativity.

Crawling & other stuff...

I am so excited that little E is crawling around... although he is now a hand full! I can't wait until Papa gets home and I can show him the video I took. He is going to freak out!!

Been busy... lots going on, decisions being made, plans being executed, life carrying on... Kids schooling... Just as it should be I guess. Ah,life!

decisions

made some life-altering decisions this weekend. let the transition begin.

sick baby blues

feeling so sorry for E. he is sick. has a cold. congested. runny nose. cough. fever. o and i were talking tonight about, even being sick, he plays and smiles and laughs all day. what a sweet baby we have. too bad he doesn't like to cuddle... because thats what i want to do 24/7!

Sippy Cup Score...

I read an article about sippy cup vs. bottle and when to introduce your baby to the sippy cup. It recommended the following:



Introduce Sippy Cup Early



Parents can introduce a baby to a sippy cup as early as six months. The longer a parent waits to introduce a baby to a sippy cup the more resistant the child will be to try and take his or her fluids from it. Introduction to the cup does not have to mean the child has to drink from it right away. Letting the baby play with sippy cup filled with water gets them used to the sight, sound and feel of it and peaks his or her curiosity. Eventually the cup will end up in the mouth and the baby will figure it out from there.


So, O and I, while picking upsome things at Target today, ran across a sippy cup designed for 6 months and older. We got it and tried it out on him with some juice when we got home. We were pretty impressed at how fast he took to it. He knew exactly what to do and drank almost all of his juice! I thought h'd gag on it or drink to fast, but nothing. Yey!

So exactly when can I get rid of these darn bottles???? hahaha

song lyrics for the soul

Most kind of stories


Save the best part for last

And most stories have a hero who finds

You make your past your past

Yeah you make your past your past



It’s a brand new day

The sun is shining

It’s a brand new day

For the first time in such a long long time

I know I’ll be ok



This cycle never ends

You gotta fall in order to mend
 
 
[Joshua Radin]

some good news...

O just called... he got a 25% pay increase. Less than he was promised when he took the job but we didn't think he was getting a raise at all last week. So that is some really good news, at least. Thank you God!

Friday's Ramblings

It's Friday! No matter how crappy life gets and how little we may have-or be able to do- I still very much look forward to the weekend and spending two full days with my husband. We always find a way to enjoy each other and talk and just unwind. Monday will always come too soon!


Unfortunately, I Slept like crap last night. E is getting sick I think... coughing and conjested. No fever though. Next week we have to take him to get his shots. Poor baby :( I hate that... I know it is good for him but I always wonder what he is thinking.. like is he thinking "what did I do? Why are you letting them hurt me Mama"? Thats what I feel like he is thinking! And it makes me cry everytime!

This weekend is T's birthday weekend (her actual b-day is Monday). We are letting her pick her birthday feast (dinner) and getting her a strawberry cake (her cake of choice). And we told her to let us know if she wants to do something... like a park or the beach or whatever... I can't beleive she will be 17! Holy cow.

I have been trying to find social clubs for the kids since they are both homschooling right now and in a new place with no friends. Not alot of teen groups down here like there was in Jax. Shocking... but I will keep looking. I wonder if the library down here holds teen clubs like the library in Jax did...will have to call today and find out. I keep telling Ollie we need to join a church... what better social environment... that is unless my kids get kicked out for their 'shock value' comments! That'd be great! LOL Can kids get kicked out of church?

E is so adorable. What a sweet baby! He is so curious... but why does he insist on grabbing and focusing intently on the few items that is off limits (remotes, computer and anything paper)! :)

Well I am sure there are crap loads of spelling issues on his post (keys still skipping an sticking) but I don't feel like editing!
-----------------------------------------

Joel Osteen: A good thing to remember is somebody's got it a lot worse than we do.

All dressed up and no place to go

So I thought it would be nice to dress up, put on make-up, let my hair down... all for my hubby (as I am sure he gets tired of seeing me looking homely all the time)! So I got all dolled up around 5ish... and waited... and waited.... and fed E... and bathed E... and put E to bed... and waited... it is now 7:46pm and no hubby. He ended up having to work late! Good for the budget ... bad for the hair & make up! Oh well... hopefully he will notice what is left and be surprised! LOL

OK..... WHAT THE F*** IS GOING ON WITH MY KEYBOARD! I AM TYPING AND IT DOESN'T TYPE CERTAIN LETTERS OR SPACE THE FIRST TIME! I HAVE HAD TO EDIT THIS ONE SMALL POST ABOUT 50 FREAKING TIMES!!!!!!!!!!! UGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Oh and I tried on some old clothing (pre-prego clothes) and guess what! Some fit! I was so excited! They are still pretty snug but the fact that they went up over my thighs and ass is a BIG deal! :)Yey!!! Maybe this will be the motivation I need to drop the little extra that I need to 'fit' into all my old clothes...

melt down

Things are getting so hard... and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I feel like a failure as a wife and a mother, not being able to find a job to help support my family. We are concidering our very last option... to move to SA. It is scary that it is coming to this. It is going to take a miracle to turn things around. I keep asking God for guidance and help, but things just keep getting worse. There is no answer.

Loving my Husband

My husband never ceases to amaze me. His love for me is always apparent, and I just hope I provide him with the same sense of love and appreciation that he does me.

new discovery

E discovers the Avocado tree in the back yard. He is so courious.

Starting a self-esteem file...

[09/04/2009]
So I was reading on one of those self-help websites and ran across an article titled "How to start a self-esteem file"... couriosity got the best of me and now here I am to start my file. Here goes...

Step one: Identify 10 strengths in yourself....

1. can be fun/funny when I choose to be
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Wow... ?!?! I may need this "file" more than I think.


Step two: (if you drew a blank) Come up with four people to list your strenghts for you...

Ok, so here are the THREE people I will send this request to (I don't know 4 people that would respond):

1. Michelle
2. Luzaan
3. Carolyn


So now I wait....

[09/04/2009]
From Luzaan:

1. You are a wonderful mother.

2. You are a great wife.
3. You are an awesome friend.
4. You are hard working.
5. You are creative.
6. You are a beautiful person inside and out.
7. You are funny.
8. Bet you are GREAT in bed..........
9. You are a good drinker......
10. You ARE MY BFF.

[09/08/2009]
From Michelle:

1.You listen when I talk

2.You care about me and my family
3.You make me smile with emails and photos
4.You are loving and lovable
5.You laugh easily
6.We have things in common
7.You are a great mom
8.At your funeral I might say that I wish we had spent more time talking – but then I would remember all the special emails.
9.I might say that I wish you were able to acknowledge more of the positive qualities about yourself – but then I would remember that that is part of what makes you you.
10.I return your calls and emails because if I don’t you just keep calling and calling!

From Carolyn:


1.You are friendly
2.You are loving and caring
3.You are a good friend
4.You are thoughtful - always sending little notes or cards just because



Step three: If you couldn't come up with 4 friends to help you with your list... MAKE FOUR FRIENDS


12 way to make new friends:

1. Join a book club
2. Volunteer
3. Go Online
4. Seek out a support group
5. Take a night class
6. Get a dog
7. Steal friends from other friends
8. Knock on doors
9. Carpool to work
10. Attend a conference
11. Talk to strangers
12. Connect with your alumni associations


My  input: I have ALWAYS found it difficult to make friends. I am not outgoing in the friendship/meeting people department. If I do manage to ask someone over for a beer or to meet at the beach and they decline... I feel like they don't want to hang out with me in general and I never ask again. My main source of finding friendship would probably be #7... Steal friends from other friends. All my current friendships (except 2, Michelle and Carolyn) were formed by them being friends of friends... or friends of my husband. Michelle I met at work several years ago and Carolyn I have known since high-school. They are my oldest friends... since them I have been 'stealing' !

My goal: I will try to make new friends using one or some of the suggestions above... I just don't know which one(s) yet... will post that detail as soon as I figure it out...

 

happy birthday?

Happy Birthday to my husband.... Yes, it was two days ago but I felt compelled to acknowledge it at least.

My husbands profession....

Boats like this are what O spends his days working on....

Sleeping baby

So I put E down for nap time without rocking him. Right down in his crib. He moaned (never really crying) for about 30 minutes. I went in and patted his butt and walked back out... and he fell asleep. I wonder if it is a fluke or if I do this during afternoon nap if he will fall asleep on his own. The goal is to be able to put him in bed and he know it is sleepy time and fall asleep on his own (self-sooth as they call it). We will see.

Sleepless

It's 11:16pm and I can't seem to fall asleep. Going to be a rough day tomorrow if I don't get some zzz's soon. I hate when I can't sleep. Would take a benedryl, they work great for helping me sleep, but we are out thanks to a certain 16 year old in the house. Maybe she should have to stay up tomorrow and watch her little brother while I catch up with a nap... hmmmmmm.

Here's some wacky fact that I just learned from two sources... If you spray Listerine mouthwash on the area surrounding you (grass, chair, etc.) it keeps the mosquito's away! We are going to try this this weekend. I hope it really works because we have a serious biting-bug issue here! Poor E had over 10 bug bites on his legs just from 20 minutes of being outside... poor baby. We didn't even see anything around him, we kept looking to make sure. Sneaky little bastards those bugs are!

{Retraction: (09.04.09) Tried the Listerine- Doesn't work}

Train just went by blaring it's damn horn. Hate that train.

Wow, this is what I am sitting up talking about...

...I am going to make another attempt at sleep.

Good Night.

To do

1. Pay credit card payment

2. Call lady about T's babysitting job

3. Feed E breakfast lunch and dinner (yes, I need to add this to the list)

4. Straighten house

5. Sweep & mop

6. E's laundry

7. Wash bottles

8. What's for dinner?

9. Print flyers

10. Create mailing list

11. Gather info for C's evaluation

12. Play time with E

Saint Augustine bound

I am hoping that things will work out so we can head to Saint Augustine Labor day weekend. If O can get the job in Jacksonville... they wanted him to drive the work van which isn't possible with 2 adults and 4 children :( So I don't know what the outcome will be. I am a little sad because I miss my friends and could use the break. I will just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.

Living in Fort Lauderdale

I have to say that even though it has been a hard move, financially and emotionally, I think that Fort Lauderdale is growing on me.... just wish I knew some people!

rainy day

It's raining outside... the grass & plants need it that's forsure! What's on the agenda for today? Haven't yet decided. Wanted to do yard work but unless the rain stops and it dries up we will have to scratch that plan. I would love to take a nap... but I don't think that will happen with Little E in the house. I feel like I can never get enough sleep... how I miss the days when I could sleep in! I have a furious headache this morning... sure it was due to the drinking last night! Uggghhhh.... you'd think I would learn. Whatever. Maybe we should watch movies today? Maybe. I hope tomorrow we get to hit the beach. Haven't been in so many weeks it's sad. Here we are surrounded by these beautiful South Florida beaches and we go so little. That needs to change. New goal: get to the beach more!

Local news: (1) pissed off boyfriend gets mad at girlfriend at bar and jumps in a car and runs over 7 people standing on sidewalk outside the bar. (2) miami swat team arrest 150 people in a crime sting. (3) 42 year old woman set herself on fire at mall of america in store where daughter worked, she is in crital care.

Time to pop in some Cd's... pick up the house... play with E... do laundry... and whatever else I can come up with to feel accomplished today!

When did the weekends get so boring?

money woes...

Hopefully things will start turning around soon and these hard times will just be another bump in the road that we call life...

Here's to sucking it up until the storm clouds pass...

wish i were here...

Good Morning

8:05am and i don't think the strongest coffee in the world could wake me up this morning. I slept horribly and had the worst nightmare! More cleaning today... need to get in our bedroom and do what I did throughout the rest of the house (top to bottom). I don't get how someone could be so nasty! This house was so discustingly dirty when we moved in! How could someone live and sleep and eat in such a dirty house? Uggghhhh.

This housework seems to be my life lately, I hope that once complete, I will then be able to refocus on having some fun with the kids during the day and hitting the beach and parks on the weekends... and enjoying some yard work. O and I said we would like to take Saturday mornings and maybe make that yard work day... raking, weed pulling, tending to flowers and trees... just enjoying the backyard... letting E sit in his exersaucer and enjoy being outside with everyone. We should build some bird feeders... we have such beautiful birds here...red birds and bluejays... it would be great to put out a feeder and see them everyday.

We also really need to get back to Sundays beach and brunch. I really do miss doing that...

E is up...

just a couple of some of the beautiful plants in our backyard...

Sunday...

It's 3:30pm and I am opening a beer and sitting down for the first time since I woke up... I am exhausted! Woke up this morning and starting scrubbing the house... baseboards, floors, laundry, dishes... T has really helped with E today... great babysitter! C raked leaves in the back yard... and then that was it for him. Back in his room playing Xbox and watcing movies. O is on the phone with his parents in SA. T is still in with E... is it bad I haven't relieved her of her babysitting? Just five more minutes....

Introducing The Olivier Family

Momma: D (me)
Pappa: O
Big Sister: T (age 17)
Brother: C (age 14)
The Baby: E (age 6 months)

We recently relocated to South Florida, where we currently reside. I am a born and raised Floridian, as are all of our children. My husband is from South Africa and came to live here about 7 years ago. I have two older children from a previous relationship (T and C) and O and I have one son together (E).

We like to spend our time at the beach and around the grill, especially on the weekends. O works in the Marine industry and I am currently unemployed and staying home with the kids.

This blog is a peek into our lives... through my eyes.