Messages from a Mega Mom

The World would be a Happier Place

2009-02-05T15:13:00.000-08:00

Singing makes me happy. I started thinking the other day that the world would be a must happier place if everyone in it would let loose once in a while and sing or “rock out” to their favorite song. So I challenge everyone, the next time you are driving along and a song that you love is playing “let loose”. Just belt it out loud and proud. Don’t worry who might see you. I guarantee you will make at least one person smile if they do see you, so now you will make two people happy. If you’re sitting at your computer and you’ve had a bad day, or you just got in a fight with a loved one or the kids are stressing you out, throw on that favorite CD and sing until the neighbors can hear you. I bet your family will join you, or at least laugh. Just try it. Dance around even. I promise you will feel better. Then come and let me know how it worked.

Thank you for playing.

Update

2008-09-16T15:27:00.000-07:00

Well I have to go back for more scans (torture) and an ultrasound. There was some shadowing on my first scans, but they have nothing to compare it to since it was my first time. My appointment is this Monday and the doctor is supposed to look at the scans and tell me during the appt what the results are.

I'll post again soon.

Not Intended for Male Readers

2008-08-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

Warning – The following blog does contain some graphic detail.

Ladies I've got 2 words for you..."Mammograms suck!" Yesterday I got to experience my very first mammogram. It was not very pleasant to say the least. First they took me in this special waiting room that had changing rooms and lockers so I could change into this special gown with two buttons in the front. Then they offer you herbal tea and have you sit and wait for the technician. I thought the herbal tea was a nice touch to try to relax us woman as we wait to be tortured. Next the female technician (because I would've walked out had it been a man) comes to take you to “the room”. The room is dark (probably a good thing) and in the middle is the machine. She tells me she is going to do one side at a time and walks me through the positioning step by step. She takes the first 2 shots (up and down), and I think to myself “that wasn’t so bad. I can handle this”. Then she says “now were going to turn the machine sideways to get a different angle”. Nobody warned me about sideways. Now she’s moving me all around like a game of Twister. Put your right arm her, hold your left arm there, put your legs there, tilt your head back, shoulders down, turn to the side, lean back and hold your breath and don’t move. She yanked on my breast, while the corner of the metal plate was shoved in my armpit, and then she smashed it between the two plates so tight. I’m standing there “ouch, ouch, make it stop” and holding my breath until it beeps and releases me from its clutches. She had to do that for each side! I am still pretty sore today.

So it is finally over, but the torture does not end. Now they tell me it takes 5-10 working days for the results. Are you freaking kidding me? Do they not realize how mental a women can go if you let her ponder something in her head for 5-10 days. I already went into this appointment really nervous considering that my Dr. ordered the mammogram after my annual examination. Then add the recent news of Christina Applegate having breast cancer, and that she ended up having a double mastectomy and she is the same age as me. I am a worrier in general, so this is not good folks. Now I am just doing a lot of praying and trying to have a lot of faith that everything will be ok. Hopefully I will get results on Monday at my follow-up appointment. I will keep you posted.

If you are a man reading this do me and yourself a favor. Next time you see your mom, wife, sister or other female friend, remember that if she isn't already she will eventually be enduring this same "procedure" ONCE A YEAR.

I'm Making a Comeback

2008-08-07T16:40:00.000-07:00

Tonight I am going to see the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2” with my mom and my sister and it got me thinking about sequels. Mainly about movie sequels that should have never been made. Here is a list I have come up with in no particular order.

1. Dumb & Dumberer: When Harry met Lloyd
2. Grease 2
3. Airplane 2
4. Porky’s 2
5. Legally Blonde 2 (and I love Reese)
6. Speed 2
7. Hot Shots Part Duex (although I didn’t care for the 1st one either)
8. Rocky 4, 5, & 6
9. Weekend at Bernie’s 2
10. Mannequin 2
11. The Karate Kid 2 & 3
12. Predator vs. Alien
13. Miss Congeniality 2
14. Teen Wolf Too
15. Revenge of the Nerds 2
16. Dirty Dancing – Havana nights
17. Jaws 3
18. The Fly 2
19. Child’s Play 2 & 3
20. Batman 2

Now it’s your turn. Let me know if there are any that I missed. I’m sure there are plenty more.

I'm off to Hawaii (I wish!!)

2008-06-20T15:35:00.000-07:00

What Your Pizza Reveals

People may tell you that you have a small appetite... but you aren't under eating. You just aren't a pig.

You are a very picky pizza eater. Not any pizza will do. You fit in best in the Northeast part of the US.

You like food that's traditional and well crafted. You aren't impressed with "gourmet" foods.

You are dependable, loyal, and conservative with your choices.

You are carefree and friendly. You should consider traveling to Hawaii.

The stereotype that best fits you is geek. You're the type most likely to order pizza to avoid leaving your computer.

What Does Your Pizza Say About You?

Yes!! This was always my favorite Muppet.

2008-04-15T16:24:00.000-07:00

You Are Animal

A complete lunatic, you're operating on 100% animal instincts.

You thrive on uncontrolled energy, and you're downright scary.

But you sure can beat a good drum.

"Kill! Kill!"

The Muppet Personality Test

I think "kill kill" might be going a littler overboard to describe me. I do like to beat a good drum though. :)

Victory in Jesus, My Savior Forever

2008-03-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

Last night's "Evening of Worship" was amazing. The raw emotion that everyone was feeling, the uplifting and inspirational music from the worship team and then the spark of hope, renewal, mercy, faith and VICTORY that our Lead Team ignited in us. We are a family Revolution Church, and we stand united with God to fight the enemy.

Before Christina got up to speak about mercy I grabbed the bible from the pew. You know how they say you can't just open up a bible and point to any verse and find what you are looking for? Well I am one to always test that theory. I opened up the bible where the marker had been left, looked down at the pages and these 2 verses caught my eye.

Philippians 2

1Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any (A)fellowship of the Spirit, if any (B)affection and compassion,
2(C)make my joy complete by (D)being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

I don't know how better to sum up the message that God was speaking to us last night. I know that we will be triumphant. My brothers and sisters, I love you all.

What really matters

2008-03-09T23:03:00.000-07:00

It's funny how what really matters can change so drastically. One day I am focused on this person "Anonymous" and what would possess them to go around attacking a person for no reason, and the next day those thoughts are replaced with complete sadness for 2 families in my church. My heart is aching for them and the pain I can only imagine they are feeling. Then I just feel stupid for letting some dumb person get to me when in reality I should be focused on satan's mission to destroy God's followers. (Hey Rick, I did his name in lower case just for you.)

I always thought a pastor had protective armor that satan couldn't break through. I thought that since God was using them in such amazing ways that they were untouchable, immune, shielded from any attacks the enemy would attempt. I was wrong and I don't understand why. Part of me can see the logic and knows the truth, but then the naive side takes over and wants to only see the good in everything and pretend there is no bad in the world. That the strong leaders who have taught me so much will remain strong and unchanging. That families of God stay together and love each other as much as they love the Lord.

At this point I am emotionally drained. If I'm not crying or just completely numb on the outside, I am kicking and screaming, sobbing, mourning, gut-wrenching, broken and despaired on the inside. All that is left is hope and faith that things will end up as they should. I pray that God will watch over us all in this time, and that he will help us to lift each other up and stand unified in this war we are fighting.

A picture is worth a 1000 words.

2008-02-12T15:05:00.000-08:00

I am usually the last person to get involved in a Political discussion, but this picture compelled me a little.

Senator Barack Obama, Governor Bill Richardson, Senator Hillary Clinton and Ruth Harkin stand during the national anthem. Barack Hussein Obama's photo (that's his real name)......the article said he REFUSED TO NOT ONLY PUT HIS HAND ON HIS HEART DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, BUT REFUSED TO SAY THE PLEDGE.....how in the world can a man like this expect to be our next Commander-in-Chief ????

Why would someone running for President of the United States refuse to put his hand over his heart and say the Pledge of Allegiance? Are we to expect the Pledge to be banned if he is elected?

An Original Psalm by Tommy

2008-01-28T15:44:00.000-08:00

For those of you who were not at Revolution Downey on Sunday (and for those that were), we were learning how to write our own Psalm. Here is what my 11-year-old Tommy wrote and then read out loud in church.

"Jesus, You are the wonderful creator, teacher, father. In my life, You have provided me with a loving family, given me talents and intelligence. When I'm connecting with You, I feel safe and peaceful. In my life, I will choose You over anything in the world. I love You because You are the one who made me and have given me a wonderful family."

I sat in the back with pride and amazement as the tears were welling up in my eyes. I couldn't believe these beautiful, thoughtful words came out of my son. After the service Christopher and I both looked at each other and said "you have to post this on your blog". "But of course."

YOU ROCK TOMMY!!

Happy Birthday Martin

2008-01-16T16:15:00.000-08:00

Everyday after work I go to pick up Jimmy from Preschool. We walk to his classroom to sign him “out” and pick up his lunch and papers from his box. Well yesterday after I pulled out the papers from his box he grabs what’s called a “Weekly Reader”, opens it up and says “we get a stay at home day because it’s this guy’s birthday” and he points to this picture if Martin Luther King Jr.

I start cracking up, and he says “why are you laughing”. As you may know a 4-year old is very sensitive about laughing after they’ve said something. I say “Jimmy that was really cool what you just said”. He smiles the “yeah, I know I’m cute” smile. I continue to laugh and he kind of looks at me like “I don’t know why you think that is so funny”. Of course, as a parent, when your child says something funny it’s usually 4 times funnier to you then to somebody else. As we are walking out I am still pretty hysterical laughing. He says “you can stop laughing now Mom”, with that look of my mom has just lost it. I just love that kids are so matter of fact like that. It doesn’t matter to him who MLKJ is, just that he gets to miss school because of his birthday.

(sigh) Kids have it so good.

Yellow, Red, Green, Green, Green

2008-01-10T14:41:00.000-08:00

My apologies for not blogging in a while. Well I survived the Holidays. We started with Thanksgiving at Tim's sister house and 35 of his immediate family. (and that was only about 1/2 of them) Good times. Then onto the "big" Rubber Industry Christmas party the following week. The whole evening felt pretty surreal. Everything was flying by and the whole year was coming to an end fast.

Next was Tim's Christmas party for work. Definitely a different atmosphere from mine. Hardly anyone from the Education Dept came. We had some laughs, but ended up leaving early. Then my work decided that the week before Christmas would be a good time to have an Open House, so we were so busy preparing for that and our Christmas luncheon. There were a lot of late nights spent shopping, wrapping and decorating. And blah blah blah, now onto the good stuff.

My church put together a very dramatic Christmas Service. We really have many talented people. I also helped pass out Free Toys for kids in Norwalk with church. It was so good to see all of their little smiling faces. God Bless the company that donated a truckload of toys. I just pray that my children will remember the true meaning of Christmas and not just the toys and games they received. Thank you Lord for sending your only Son, and for the many blessings you have given us. I mean that sincerely regardless of the paragraph I am about to write.

One thing that happened over the holidays is that I discovered a "new" talent that I have. It turns out that I can totally shred on Guitar Hero. I knew I had coordination, but who knew that I could "rock" with the best of them. It is my new guilty pleasure I must admit and feel no shame for. My thanks to the maker of Guitar Hero I, II & III!!!

And the Fun Begins

2007-11-16T17:42:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year. Next week is Thanksgiving. Time spent with family and lots of food, and a 4-day weekend off work. Much needed. We were going to go to Napa over the holiday, but its just not going to work out. Then the following week brings the beginning of December! (didn't we just have Halloween?) Wow, November went fast. The first week in December I have the "big party" with the LA Rubber Group. I have to find a nice cocktail dress that I don't have the body for to get all spruced up for a fun evening at the Waterfront Hilton at $120 a plate. Thankfully my work pays. The next weekend will be Tim's work party followed by my other work party the 3rd weekend. All the while in between will be work, the kids, church and above all Christmas Shopping. If you know me, you know that I don't like to shop and I have a huge list of people to buy for. This will take me the whole month of December till right before Christmas Eve. Then of course will come the wrapping of all the gifts I've spent weeks purchasing. No I am not the type of person to wrap as I go. I can't stand those people that have all their gifts bought and wrapped by December. I mean what possesses a person to do that. Do they not have anything else to do? Needless to say it is the beginning of "stress" for me. Stress of what to buy, how much money I'm spending, how much money I don't have and getting it done in time. To top it off I will be getting my Annual Review at work in the middle of it all. This should be fun. (not!)

Quote for the Day

2007-11-02T09:02:00.001-07:00

"Be who you are and say what you feel
because those who mind, don't matter and
those who matter, don't mind."
---Dr. Seuss

How smart is Your Right Foot??

2007-10-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

Just try this, it is from an orthopedic surgeon... It will boggle your mind and you will keep trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but you can't! It's preprogrammed in your brain!
1. WITHOUT anyone watching you (they WILL think you are GOOFY...) and while sitting where you are at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction. I told you so!!! And there's nothing you can do about it!
You and I both know how stupid it is, but before the day is done you ARE going to try it again, if you've not already done so. I did several times.

Best Food Ever

2007-10-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

Dinner time in the Linehan house can usually be pretty crazy. In order for Tim and I to keep the control we have come up with various games and discussions to play during dinner. Last night's discussion topic was "what is the best food you've ever had". Here are some of my answers.

1. The Lobster while on vacation in Maine.
2. The Salmon at the B&B in Solvang.
3. Coldstone's Ice Cream (any flavor)
4. The French Toast at Denny's on Katella near the Hub (don't laugh).
5. The Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding at Spark Woodfire Grill in H.B.
6. The Woodfire Grilled Steak at Spark.
7. The Potato Soup in Ireland.

Is your mouth watering at all? Now it's your turn to tell me some of yours.

I needed that.

2007-10-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

So I am reading through my daily blogs when I get to Jamie's. She has one of those UTube commercials from Mastercard. Very cute. Kids with backpacks dancing to funk. Well after it is finished playing there is a list of other mastercard commercial. One catches my eye, so I view. I'm still laughing just thinking about it, so I thought I would share. Thank you Jamie!

Mom's Rule

2007-08-27T23:29:00.000-07:00

This is totally something I would do.

New Scam going around

2007-08-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

There is nothing I can't stand more then dishonest people trying to take advantage of me. There is a new "scam" that I have encountered, and their name is "Lil Angels". (the name just makes their scam that much worse) Lil Angels is a photography company that goes around to the preschools, dress your kids up and take their picture. They have all kinds of costumes and props, and they spend lots of time to make sure to get the perfect shot with multiple costume changes. Then the school sends home a notice that your child has had their picture taken, and the pictures will be available for purchase on said date. The day rolls around and you are at your child's school and here is this photographer with packages full of pictures of your child for you to look at. Of course, the picture is absolutely adorable and your child looks like a "lil angel" and you just have to have these pictures because you are sure they will never look this cute in a picture again. So now this photographer has you sucked in by your own child's cuteness and they go for the kill. "That will be $30 per sheet." PER SHEET! Are you kidding me? You think to yourself no way can I pay that much for one 5x7 and four wallets, but then you look down at the picture and you can't help it. You have just been scammed! Here is an example of my own weakness.Don't let yourself be the next victim! Beware of "Lil Angels"!!!

How well do you know me?

2007-07-31T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone. Click on the link below and test how well you know me or find out some things you didn't know. Short Quiz just for fun!

http://www.quizyourfriends.com/quizpage.php?quizname=070730192252-145390&

Oh the Angst!

2007-07-25T12:30:00.000-07:00

My baby got braces yesterday! Poor Tommy. For the next 24 months no more soda, popcorn, candy, caramel apples, gum, sunflower seeds, nuts and all the other "no-no's". For a person needing to lose a few lbs, this sounds like the perfect diet, but for my son "Mr. Skin n Bones, I don't think so. I am going to have to come up with lots of things for him to eat so that he doesn't wither away to nothing. Oh the flashbacks of wearing braces. It seemed never ending for me. He is actually pretty lucky. He is only 10 and will probably have them off by the time he is 13. I got them on at 14 and didn't get them off until 17. Pretty much all of High School. Not a good time for a teenage girl to have a mouth full of metal.

Does anyone else have some horrible flashbacks or words of encouragement for Tommy (and me)?

Transforming the Wicked

2007-07-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

I have a few reviews for you.

First, last night I went to see "Wicked" the musical at Pantages Theatre. For those of you who have no clue this is a musical that tells the story of the witches from "the wizard of oz" pre-Dorthy. The story is brilliantly written, very funny, the singing is phenomenal and the ending gave me goose bumps. I can't express enough how much I think everyone should take the time to see "wicked" while it is still here in LA. Sorry, but I don't like to give too much away. You will just have to trust me and go see it.

Next, this morning Tim and I took the boys to see "Transformers". Thumbs up again! This was a very cool movie, lots of action and another great performance from one of my faves Shia Labeouf. I become more and more impressed with him every time I see him. I first started watching him on "project greenlight" a few years ago (can't say I have ever seen Even Stevens). He is a very talented young actor. Of course lets not forget my favorite heartthrob Josh Duhamel. He plays a soldier fighting to save the earth. He was a little sweatier and dirty throughout the movie then I would have preferred, but that didn't stop me from being clued to every scene he was in. All in all I would again recommend this movie.

Black Wednesday

2007-06-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

Today has been a terrible day. I started out still feeling bad about the fight I had with my sister yesterday, then at work I found out I had made the "biggest" mistake I have ever made in the 6 years I have worked here. Work was really busy today, and then on top of everything else I realized that Tommy's orthodontist appt next week was going to conflict with his daycamp trip to Knott's Berry Farm. Now what kind of mom would I be if I made my son miss out on Knott's to go get braces put on? That's a double blow don't you think, so we rescheduled the appt. I hate to ask if anything else could go wrong today, because you know as soon as I do something will. Only 7 1/2 more hours left before this day is over.

4 Movies I could see over and over

2007-05-30T17:44:00.000-07:00

Well I am a big movie buff. A perfect night for me is dinner and a movie. I like to rate all new previews by "see it in theater, rent it, wait for it on HBO or no interest at all". There are a LOT of movies that I will watch over and over, but my top 4 are as followed in no particular order.

"The Parent Trap" - original starring Hayley Mills. One of my favorite Disney movies of all time.

"Ever After"- Drew Barrymore as Cinderella. This is my romantic fairy tale fave. Sappy I know.

"Sweet Home Alabama"- Reese Witherspoon is one of my fave actresses. She is so cute and perky, I can't help but adore her.

"Star Wars" (any episode)- George Lucas is the man!! I would watch every episode of Star Wars over and over. Some day I would like to do a Star Wars Marathon and watch all 6 back to back. Favorite character: Chewbacca (of course)

Ok, now it's you're turn. Let me know your 4.

Count Down!!

2007-05-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

Only 12 more hours to go to the "Lost" finale!!!

Can I have a quarter?

2007-05-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

Someone told me that I haven't blogged lately. Well I have a good one for you. Saturday we had a pizza party for Joey's t-ball team. We are at the pizza place and the kids keep asking for quarters for the games and stuff. They were spending $.50 to buy tatoos out of a vending machine, then they were going in the bathroom and putting them on. Soon they are all coming up to us parents saying "look at the tatoo I got" showing us their arm. Then soon back showing us their other arm.

Well then my Joey comes up to me and says "look Mom" lifting up his shirt. And this is what I saw....

My hands rushed to my face as I loudly gasped. Oh my gosh! The other parents broke out in laughter. They said my reaction was the best part. All I can say is "at least they wash off".

Parental Advisory

2007-05-06T21:51:00.000-07:00

My sister bought Andrew (my 7-yr old) the new Beastie Boys (BB) "Solid Gold Hits". He is my hip-hop, rocker rapper type, and he loves music like that. Tim and I really like the BB, and everyone must admit that there is at least one BB song that they like. Well on the front cover, big as life, there is a "parental advisory". There are definitely a few songs that need to be skipped. So what does my son do, he takes the CD to school for sharing. Just lovely. lol Luckily his teacher knows us, otherwise who knows what she would think. Am I wrong to let my children listen to music we all enjoy (minus bad language of course)?

Lost Double Feature

2007-05-03T15:10:00.000-07:00

Last night "Lost" was on back to back. At 9:00 they replayed last week's episode, which I missed due to launch team meeting and worship team practice. Then at 10:00 the new episode. I was clued to it all 2 hours. So the first hour, what was Sun thinking going with Julianne. There is no way that I trust her. And now what's this about another plane being found with all the bodies on it? Whoa! Then onto the next hour, and first up Sawyer. So he has figured out that Locke is up to something, so please tell me why he would enter through the door first? It's only common sense that he plans to lock you in there, so make him walk in first. Duh! Then what is Jack up to now? What's this little secret he won't tell Kate? And when will Jack find out about his little sister that's living right under his nose? I must say that I would love to sit down in the room with the writers when they are writing just one episode. Just to watch how their minds work. They are a really creative (rather twisted) bunch.

Don't miss the 2-hour Grey's Anatomy tonight!!

Dad's Birthday

2007-04-23T22:34:00.000-07:00

Sunday was my dad's birthday. He would have been 59 this year. He died 10 years ago from Leukemia. I miss him all the time. My dad was the type of person that got along with everyone. People loved him. He was funny, smart, caring, compassionate, fun-loving, very hug-gable, life-of-the-party, every body's friend and confidante (especially mine). He was my best friend. I could talk to him about pretty much everything.

I don't have that person anymore. I am trying to let God be the one that I tell everything to, and go to with all my problems or exciting news. It's just not always the same. Even though I know God loves me just as much as my dad, and that he can reach down and rap his arms around me, I can't actually feel his arms. I can't just fall into his arms and let him hold me tight. And even though God can give me advice for my troubles, I can't always hear him or I don't always listen. At least not like when your dad sits you down and you are forced to listen. Don't get me wrong, God can get his message across one way or another. I am sure that any of you that has lost a parent can relate to what I am trying to say.

My comfort is knowing my dad is in heaven watching over us, and that we will be together again one day. I bet he is getting a kick out of his grandchildren. Those boys would have brought him such joy. Sorry to be such a downer.

I love you dad, and miss you always.

First Timer

2007-04-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

So I am new to the blogger world, and not sure what I am doing. I don't know that my blogs will be as witty or eloquent as Jamie or Topher, but I will give my best. I welcome any helpful hints.