IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!

Every week, I make a trip to Hampton for work. I run my gas down to the last drop because I know I'll find the lowest gas prices around at Irving on Route 1. Lo and behold, I came up on legions of cars waiting to pump their gas. Look at the photo (not actually where I was today but it gives you the idea) and you will see why I waited in line for 15 minutes to get my tank filled. $2.09/gallon....REALLY!!! Iriving has 12 bays and all 12 were at least 6 cars deep.....just waiting.

I happily filled up my tank (when is the last time it only cost me $30?) and shook my head in disbelief when 4 miles down the road was another gas station with gas priced at $2.59. I don't get it.

BAKING FOR A CAUSE........

Last week, I emailed the volunteer coordinator at Crossroads House which is a homeless shelter in Portsmouth. I wanted to know how Joelle, Marina and I could volunteer our time or services. I realized it would be tricky due to J & M's ages. Today, I got a call from Diane, the kitchen director. She said that help is needed in the kitchen but laws would prohibit the girls from taking part. HOWEVER, she asked if I would consider making items at home and bringing them to the shelter. This way Joelle and Marina could help in the cooking AND delivery. I jumped at this opportunity. Diane told me that they get a lot of meat/potatoes donations but they lack in what she considers the "luxury" of sweet items. Sweet items at Crossroads are defined as breads, muffins, cookies, rolls, etc.. The fact that these are considered luxuries just isn't right. I eat banana bread almost daily, muffins most every morning and cookies pretty darn regularly. Oh, the things we take for granted. Thus, we 3 girls have committed to donating up to 7 loaves of bread and/or 7 dozen cookies and/or 7 dozen muffins. We will make our deliveries on the 2nd Friday and 4th Tuesday of every month. We don't have to make this much and depending on the week, we may not be able to. But, we will give it every effort even if it means we only end up with half our goal. Why wouldn't we? The pleasure we will get in knowing that someone down on their luck is enjoying a bit of life's luxuries....well, it doesn't get any better than that.

PROOF IS IN THE NUMBERS!

Okay.....just one more blog about the Shaws/Market Basket debate. I went to MB yesterday to do minor shopping. I have to admit that I was very surprised at how little the total was.

Today, I had to run into Shaws (they are the only store that carries Marina's muffins). I took an extra 10 minutes of my time to physically write down the prices of the EXACT items I bought at MB yesterday. This was actually a very speedy thing since I know Shaws like the back of my hand.

I have added up all the totals and deducted the 2 coupons I used and here it is folks: Shaws - $77.48 and MB - $60.76. BIG difference. I figure that would be tripled if I did major shopping.

Enough said.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad's birthday. The best dad I could ever hope for. My hero, friend.......my daddy. Mina's Poppi....Joelle's Papa. Their hero too. And why wouldn't he be? He would do anything for them. And I really do mean anything. Spend five minutes watching him interact with his two princesses and you will see nothing but pride, love and admiration in his eyes. Oh, but look very closely because you will witness the same in the eyes of Joelle and Marina. Who is the first person Joelle calls with test grades? You got it....Papa. He makes sure to convey just how proud he is of her. He listens.....the most important thing to a grandchild. He really listens. Who does Marina call when she just wants to talk? No question....her Poppi. He makes sure to tell her how wonderful she is and how proud he makes her. She'll tell stories that may not make sense sometimes but he listens.....the most important thing to a grandchild. He really listens.

As for me, my Dad makes sure I'm always okay. If I need anything, I know who I can call. And you know what? Dad never hesitates. He knows its not easy doing the manly things around the house when it's just me.

He worries about me.....oh boy, does he worry. But he shouldn't. I'll always be okay because I have him. He always makes sure to tell me how proud he is of me and continues to make me feel good about the job I'm doing as a single parent. I talk to my Dad pretty much daily. I love talking to him because he really listens....the most important thing to a daughter. He really listens. And for that I am grateful.

I love you Dad!

I

THE GREAT GROCERY DEBATE.....

Ok....I've ALWAYS sung the praises of Shaws. Double coupons, gas coupons, 2 for 1 offers, etc... NO MORE!!!!! The other day I was doing my normal shopping and was shocked at how expensive things had become. However, knowing that food prices in general have soared, I took the "oh well" approach....for only one minute. I headed over to Market Basket, the place where I swore I'd never shop for various reasons. I have to admit, I am now converted. Why? Let me spell it out: Land O' Lakes tub of butter - Shaws/$2.49, Market Basket/$1.79. A 70 cent difference! Ridiculous. Need more? Laundry detergent: Shaws/$5.49, Market Basket/$4.79 (same brand/size). Another 70 cent difference. And these weren't on sale. These are everyday prices. Item for item (I am a Shaw's pricing Bible), the prices were MUCH lower in Market Basket. Shame on you Shaws! I'll miss you but my wallet won't!

AHHH....THEY REALLY DO LOVE EACH OTHER!

I had the girls with me this weekend which I absolutely loved. Saturday night we went to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Typically, the thought alone makes me cringe. However, it was really fun. The kids had a great time spending zillions of dollars to earn tickets only to end up with bouncy balls. The adult conversation was priceless, although it pretty much revolved around the Red Sox/Tampa Bay game that night.

I taught the girls how to play Uno and as you can see, they took it upon themselves to start a game of their own (it seems Joelle was more into finding pictures of the Jonas Brothers). Anyway, they played Uno for a solid hour without any arguments. Amazing!


On Sunday, we went to a corn maze in York. All the way there, Joelle kept saying how much better it would be at night. Well, she was definitely right. The maze is NOT a maze during the day. In all fairness, however, the stalks have pretty much blown over leaving open spaces everywhere. Joelle cried when we left because she felt bad that I had "wasted" $24. Gotta love her. I assured her that the $24 was well spent as I got to spend time her and Marina. We stopped for Thai food on the way home and went to bed very early so I could watch TAMPA BAY BEAT THE RED SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whoo-hoo! (Credit where credit is due....the Sox gave a good series). Can't wait for another weekend with my two girls!

Puzzles Galore!

We have become obsessed with jigsaw puzzles in our house. Every night Joelle & Marina sit down with their TV tray and try to accomplish putting together 100 puzzle pieces. When they finish, they glue it together and keep it as a reminder of their accomplishment. I haven't done puzzles for ages but have found them to bring much tranquility to our home. Marina is so proud of her puzzle expertise that she is bringing one in for show and tell on Friday. Off to puzzleland........

Looking for sympathy.....

I don't like it at all. I was supposed to go to a chili party today (with my winning buffalo chicken chili) and a god-forsaken whopper of a cold crept up on me. Look, I'm a trooper and I can handle most anything.....but, I'm down and out and I want my Mommy!!!!

Bummer.....

A new diagnosis in the field of medicine.....

Joelle was having a crazy moment the other day....too much sugar perhaps? Anyway, after many warnings to get control of herself, Marina asked "Mom, do you think she has AC/DC"? Maybe one of those moments where you had to be there but hilarious nonetheless.

HALLELUJAH.......

Shopping at Shaw's and I ran smack into a display of these!! A very rare find these days. I need not say any more as Brenda is very, very happy!

Lazy days and Saturdays.....

I did nothing today. I stayed in my pj's all day, cleaned the house at my leisure and browsed the internet. I left only to get cat/dog food and a lovely sandwich from Beach Pea. This kind of day is absolutely unheard of for me. I take after my dad too much...I can never sit still. Not today. I finally took time for me and y'know what? I deserved it!

PS...I owe you lunch and a movie Mom!

MIKE.......

Mike came to take the girls to dinner last night. Can I say how admirable it is that he continues do this 2 years after our divorce. The first question he always asks when he comes in the door is "where do you want to eat"? The answer is always the sushi restaurant (I can't think of the name) so it was a nice surprise when Marina exclaimed "Jumpin' Jays"! Talk about expensive taste! Of course, that is where they ended up. They were gone quite a while and I figured that they had gone to the bookstore. Wrong! At 7:30, Joelle ran in the door screaming "Mike bought us a laptop at Best Buy"! Marina followed equally as thrilled. Then came Mike. I couldn't help but break down out of appreciation and my thank you's to him were beyond sincere and heartfelt. He realizes that Joelle is needing a computer more and more for school (and Rhapsody), Marina loves playing her games and I need it to keep track of my listings on Ebay. Therefore, there are numerous arguments about computer time. No longer.....all because of Saint Mike.
Mike is there for the girls no matter what. Here are a few things that amaze me. If the girls call him to ask when they will see him next, he makes time. I remember recently he went away to China for 10 days, was going to be home for maybe a day and then off to NY for several days. Guess what? He made sure he saw Joelle and Marina on that one day off. And it wasn't even a day off. He had been in the office catching up on 10 days of missed work but STILL managed to squeeze in time for the girls. The countless things he does for the girls indirectly helps me and he is very much aware of that. Prior to school starting, he came over and gave Joelle and Mina gift cards to Limited Too for school shopping. I didn't ask him to do this nor did I have to. When we went to LA, he immediately offered to buy the plane tickets. In addition, he gave them spending money. Birthdays? Never forgets. Christmas? Always plays Santa Mike.
I really could go on and on......and on and on and on.
The girls love Mike and they always, always will. As for me, I am honored to say that I was married to Mike O'Neil. I know he will always be a part of our lives and that makes us very happy!