I was invited!

Ashley decided to have a blog party. What is that? I don't know really, but I wanted to play. She came up with a question for each day of the week to blog about. Good, because that way I don't have to try to think about what to blog. She's done it for me. I was an occasional closet lurker on her site. She probably thinks I'm crazy for wanting to be invited to her blog party. But, who wouldn't jump at the chance for a week of topic given to you! So, if you want to play, go on over to her page and give her your email address.

"Where did you get your name? Write the story of how your first, middle, or last name became yours."

Well, my momma gave me my name. I think she got it out of a Baby name book. I do know that because my two older siblings names' began with a 'J', she decided, what the heck, I'll name baby #3 with a 'J' too. Growing up, I was never fond of my name. Nothing ever had my name on it. There was always things with my sister's name on them (her name is Julie, my brothers' names are Jason and Justin). Yea, it seems they all had normal, common names. Meeting someone with my name, Jana, is always exciting, not only for me, but for the other "Jana" as well. I've grown to accept it now. Just don't call me Gina, Dana, Janice, Janet, Janie...That drives me insane!!
My middle name is Michelle. Nothing fancy. But, I kinda like it. I, like Ashley, gave Baby S my middle name. I really like sharing my middle name with my baby girl.

Oh My Goodness!!

She did it! Lovey rolled over this morning while she was playing!! She got her arm stuck under her at first, but she finally got it out from under her. She turned three months old yesterday (Sunday). AHHH!!!

The Interview

I don't really know for certain where this orginated, but I know several people participated. I asked Rachel to interview me. Mainly because, though she lives in the same city basically, and we have mutual friends, we don't "know" each other.

So, here are her five questions for me.


1. When are you having another baby?
I'm really not too sure I want another baby. Don't get me wrong, I love Lovey with all I have and she is awesome and sweet and a GOOD SLEEPER! First, I felt absolutely horrible most of my pregnancy, though she is definitly worth it. Second, I don't know if I can handle more than one, but IF I (we) decided to have another one, it would have to be several, several years from now (like 5). Right now, I'm just enjoying being able to focus on Lovey.

2. How much has married life changed since Baby S arrived?
Well, the focus certainly changed. It's "look at what Lovey is doing", feeding Lovey, worrying about Lovey, etc. Sometimes I do feel bad for giving her so much attention. We do still make sure we kiss each other hello and goodbye.

3. What are some of the craziest people you've had come into where you work?
Hmmm....gosh, I could normally talk your ears off about this topic. Let me think....
Really, most people assume all we do is count pills and throw them in a bottle. Man, if you only knew. We've have insurance to deal with, doctor's offices calling, patients calling. And, yes, it may only take a few minutes to fill one prescription, but it takes a long time to fill 400! And listen, if you want your prescription filled accurately and in a timely fashion, then stop bitching about it to us. In the amount of time you just spent fussing at me, I could have had it half-way done. So there.
Okay, often times people use the pharmacy as a "free clinic" on the weekends. Example, "Hi, I cut my arm with a chainsaw. What can I put on it?" Seriously, not joking. It happened. I was there. We've had women on two seperate occasions whip out their boobies to show us something. This one customer asked "My tongue hurts. What do you think is wrong?" Another, "My stomach hurts. I went to the emergency room, but they couldn't find anything wrong. What can I take?" Umm, yeah.

Shall I go on?

4. If you could live any where in the world, where would it be and why?
Gosh, good question. I really have NO IDEA where I would live. I'm not really big on change. I'm comfortable here. As long as I am near my family, I would be happy. But I guess if we could all move, maybe somewhere in the Northeastern part of the country.

5. What hobbies do you have or what do you do in spare (ha) time?
Duh, shoppping, but that's not really a hobby, is it? Well, I do like to read and take hot baths. Now, I like hanging out with my sister and her baby or taking a walk with Lovey. I also like to watch TV, does that count? I sound pretty boring. Is talking a hobby?


1. If you want to do this meme, although I think most already have, leave me a comment saying, "Interview me." (If I don't have your email address already, either leave it in the comment or email me at youremail@.com)

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Smile!

Our first real family photo. I don't really like how I look, but Mr. S and Lovey look sweet.


Lovey hates being on her belly.

Time for a change?

I've decided to try this 'paying your bills online' business. I'm not sure how comfortable I am with it. I've got everything set up on my online banking website. Lord knows it took forever for me to be comfortable to even sign up for online banking in the first place.

Why the hesitation? Well, that's a big ol' story. Anybody watch Dr. Phil yesterday? It was about this man who would use his brothers' identities for various things. Nothing like opening a credit card account or getting a loan or anything like that. Spoken like someone who has experienced that? Yep, I have. And it's a bitch. No, it was any of my siblings, but it was someone I know, knew, whatever. Technically, she was no longer part of the family.

Several years ago, I think back in 2003 or something, Mr. S and I decided to take advantage of the rock bottom mortgage interest rates. We decided to refinance the house. We go through the application process, we knew our credit was spotless. Well, we thought my credit was spotless. The guy processing the information from the bank proceeded to tell me about this American Express card with several thousand dollars on it, and it was nearly in collections. Then he started naming a couple of other credit cards in which I had NO IDEA existed in my name. Yes, my identity had been stolen. I guess, but not really. A few days later, I find out about a $10,000 loan taken out in my name. How the hell? I was furious!!

But wait, it gets better. This person, this person who decided to screw me over was someone I knew. It was my ex-stepmom. She had even moved to Wisconsin and still managed to f*ck with me down in Tennessee. Apparently, either she had my SS# written down somewhere or old mail of mine was somehow forwarded to her in Wisconsin. How did I know it was her? The dumb bitch put her name on the credit applications as a user of the account. WTF? My dad, he was furious, too, as he was sending lots and lots of child support money to her for my little brothers. And she wasn't working, lazy ____!

Everything added up to about $30,000. And it made it to where I couldn't be on the mortgage. It took a good part of six months to clear everything and get it removed from my credit reports.

That's not what makes me the maddest. Each credit card company asked if I wanted to press charges. Hell, yes, I want to press charges. I filed a police report with the department in Wisconsin. I called the F.B.I. I filed a report with the FTC. I faxed emails from this woman to me (after she found out I knew, she started emailing me for forgiveness and explained why she did what she did...whatever) to the police department. Did anything ever happen to her. NO!!! She even confessed to the police investigator AND the credit card companies. Wanna know why nothing happened to her? She told the creditors to put everything in her name and she would pay them back. WHAT?! Who believes a criminal will pay them? They are idiots. She's probably never sent them a penny.
Why do interest rates on credit cards keep going up? Because credit card companies won't prosecute! Even if you want them to. I guess I could have gone after her personally, but it would not have done any good. What did she have to offer me as repentance?

So, now I own a shredder and shred most everything! I highly recommend getting one if you don't already. I know shredding my things would not have stopped her, but I am more aware of how easy it is for someone to steal from you.

That, my friends, is the root of my insecurity with banking and bill paying online. Anybody else pay online?

Oh, here's my PSA....check your credit often. You are allowed one free credit report from each of the major companies every year. Go here for more information and the link to get your free credit reports.

Learning to ramble like Kellie, I guess.

Again, I got nothin' today. No news, nothing exciting, unless you count buying Baby S the cutest, itty, bitty pair of denim shorts today at Target. Oh my goodness! So cute. My sister asked me last week how many times a week I go to Target....see Kellie, you are not the only one who has a slight obsession with Target. I go a minimum of twice a week, and that's a slow week. That's what happens when you have five days a week to find something to do. And Baby S is so good, why not?! Today, I went to the SuperTarget to do some grocery shopping as well as pick up some other non-food (translation=non-needed) items. I have some gifts to buy in the next few weeks for someone who's having a baby and for someone who is getting married. I purposefully did not buy anything today so I would have something to do later this week. Ya know, a good reason to go back to Target. I'll actually probably even split that shopping up into two trips.

I think I need help.

Target's just the easiest place to go with a baby. I've had two gift cards to Macy's burning a hole in my pocket for over two months, but I just can't seem to want to go by myself with Baby S. Something about going to the mall. That's one place I don't like to go by myself. I don't know why. It's safe, it's nice and it's got my second favorite store which has these. You are missing out if you don't have any. The best smell is this one. I would have never picked it myself, but I was given it and I love it! So, go. Go buy some. Well, wait. Soon they'll probably have them on sale for $5 or $6 dollars. I always load up when they do that.

Also, go here. I've put some new pictures in the photo gallery.

There's really no point to this entry

Part of an email from my mom:

Last night as I was tucking J.J. in he said that he couldn’t wait to play his first baseball game of the year Saturday. I asked him if that was his favorite sport. He said,” I wuv baseball and basketball and soccer and football (even though you won’t let me play it until I eat more and get more bigger muscles) but my favorite best sport is playing golf with Uncle S.”

I know I've mentioned it before, but my mom and stepdad have custody of my niece and nephew who are 8 and 7. Unfortunately, they don't have much interaction with their parents and for most of their lives, haven't. My nephew, J.J., has really taken to Mr. S. One time, J.J. was getting a haircut and the lady asked how he wanted it cut. His response was "Like Uncle S's".





Now, who wants to see a picture?





No one?





Too bad.

Already learning to pose

Why to we have Inlaws?

A friend of Mr. S's mom order a porcelain shoe for Lovey. First, I was a little bothered by it because, to me, the whole porcelain shoe is too meaningful for some stranger to do for me. Second, I was worried about what it was going to look like. Third, I was right to worry. It's not very pretty. Fourth, it's got the wrong weight on there. Fifth, I ordered the one that I want yesterday.
Am I bad? I know, it's the thought that counts, but I don't have to like it, do I?

And, if you are going to tell me that the outfits you put in Lovey's Easter basket only cost $2.50, why did you bother marking out the price on the package of socks?

My niece Eva. Is this not the cutest picture ever?!

Not an actual Onstar conversation, but a conversation, nonetheless.

Mrs. S: Thank you for holding. This is Mrs. S. Can I help you?

Mr. S: Hey, baby!

Mrs. S: Hey, how are things going?

Mr. S: We just woke up from a nap. Man, she sleeps good in the bed.

Mrs. S: Yea, she sleeps good in her crib.

Mr. S: No, I mean OUR bed.

Mrs. S: WHAT?!

Mr. S: Well, I was tired, and she was tired, so I figured we could both take a nap in the bed. She slept for two hours.

Mrs. S: No you didn't. She has NEVER slept in our bed. You are so dead.


Poor thing. He was so excited about them sleeping for two hours. (I didn't fuss at him, Julie) I laughed about it really, though I couldn't believe he did it. He was even so proud that he thought to put a pillow on one side of her. They had a good day while I was at work. Of course, as soon as I got home, he wanted to take a shower and brush his teeth. He hasn't quite figured out how to do that while having her. Don't worry. I shared the secret.

Happy Easter

Mommy and Lovey

Daddy and Lovey

So Sweet!

The Girls

Grasshopper, you have so much to learn.

Assignment Internet

ya know, like when America's Funniets Home Videos used to do "Assignment America" to get people to send in particular kinds of funny videos. Well, this is my "Assignment Internet". Internet folks, I need your help. I need ideas for dinners. Now that I am at home every night, I usually cook something for dinner. I'm out of ideas! While I am racking up on the "boxtops for education", I am getting tired of spaghetti, hamburger helper, grilled chicken, etc. I need easy recipes! Right now, I do have roast simmering in the crock pot....mmmmm.




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Remember this post? Well, I will say this:

• I am glad my relationship with my sister is what it is. It is awesome! I'm glad I have her. If you're reading this Julie, thank you for the peace of mind last night, even at 10:45 pm. I knew I could call you.


• I am blessed with my sweet baby girl and wonderful hubby.


• I am worried about my stubborn brothers, one who is way old enough to know better (he's 31) and one who is having a hard time learning the real world (he's about to be 21). God help me. I worry so much.


• I am pissed that I have to keep Lovey's door shut when the dog is in house because if I don't, he pees in there.

Now, there are more things that I won't go into detail about, but I wanted to share these.

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Does anybody watch House Hunters on HGTV? Why do I love it so much?

And why do I always thing of things to blog about when I'm feeding Lovey and can't get to the computer?

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On the way home from work Sunday, I got caught at a redlight. I notice a motorcycle in the intersection. The motorcycle was on the ground. So was the driver. Not a good place for me to stop. It looked like the motorcycle driver just laid the bike over. I did see the man get up. Apparently, it had just happened because it looked like he was just gathering his thoughts before he decided to get up. Luckily, a good samaritan was directing traffic around him.

And Mr. S is talking about getting a new motorcyle. It's a catch 22. I told him if he were to get a new bike (he wants a Harley this time) that I would want him to get more use out of it. He barely rides the one he has now. BUT, I worry to death when he rides.

Thing is, he has been wanting a Harley for several years. To put off that conversation, I told him I wanted to buy a bigger house and have a baby. Well, guess what? Yep. That's right. I got my bigger house and a baby. Now what?

Now, who wants to see a cute, little baby fresh out of the tub?

You do?

Well, if you insist.

Happy Anniversary?

I am laughing in my head today. I hadn't forgotten. Blue Angel sent me an email this morning. Apparently, we will never forget. We revert back to middle school kids when we think about it. It's so funny. It's even funnier that we remember every.single.detail down to the flavor gum we were chewing. Crazy. Wanna know.

Fifteen, count 'em, FIFTEEN years ago today, Blue Angel and I got our first kisses. No, not from the same person. They were friends at the time. How convenient.
I shall not name names because you locals would totally know who they are. Plus, I still am friends with the person and the other was in Blue Angel's wedding.

Corny. I know.

Note: Lovey slept nearly NINE hours straight last night. Now if only I would go to bed when she does getting up at 6:00 am would be much easier.

Grant me the Serenity

I have so much on my mind.

Some I can blog about.

Some probably wouldn't be a good idea.

Some things have me worried.

Some things have me pissed off.

Some things make me feel blessed.

Some things I have to learn to accept.

Some things I wish I could control.

Some things I wish I could change.

Some things I want to scream about.

Some things I wish were different.

Some things I'm glad are different.

Where do you want me to start?