Living With Family

If you had asked me a year ago if I would ever live with my parents again I would have replied with a definite "NO". It just goes to show how much can change in one year. My little sister first moved in with me and my husband so that she could attend college here in Jersey. That left my mother and step-dad living in Arizona alone and over 2000 miles away from their children. My mom came to visit and somehow during her short time here she had the notion that she wanted to live here to be closer to us. Yes, I was happy to have her live closer since I have lived so far away for over 10 years. It just so happened that we just bought a new home with an enormous basement and her next idea was that they could totally remodel the basement and live here...in my house....with us! Ok, so I said yes. I mean how bad could it be? They would have their own space, room, bathroom, living room, and kitchen down there. Well, things never go quite as planned. Once they were here, and remember they gave up everything in Arizona including their own home, things did not end up as we had planned. The laws and the huge amount of money needed to remodel the basement are rediculous. So, they along with my sister took over the entire upstairs three bedrooms and bathroom. Their stuff is all over my basement and my life has drastically changed. Thank heavens that I have an understanding and patient husband. I am still trying to cope. Our life went from quiet and alone to noisy and constantly surrounded by people. Living with your parents and family is not easy. I feel as though at some point everyday I am extremely frustrated and annoyed. Everything upsets me from the way my refridgerator now looks to the constant input on my life they feel they have the right to add. Don't get me wrong, in many ways I am happy they are here. However, I am not sure how to get back the peace I once felt by being in my own little bubble world with my husband.

I would love to hear any suggestions or advice. How do you live with family?

Trivia Time Fun Giveaway

Ok. So I figured that since I love entering contests that I should definitely provide contests here on my blog. I also love trivia games.....anything that works my brain and keeps me occupied is fabulous!

So......first item offered up for your enjoyment is a trivia game by Brain Quest and because using brain power can make you really hungry I am also throwing in a $20 Subway gift card. What could be better than food & games?

Please be aware that just because this game says it is for ages 9 & up does not mean it is easy...I realized how much I do not know but I had fun learning new things. My mom bought me this exact game when she visited Philadelphia and I have enjoyed playing it during road trips, hospital visits, and even on New Year's Eve.

The game has 850 Questions & Answers. This is the "America: Updated Edition" and has questions Celebrating Our History, People & Culture!

Entries will be accepted until Saturday, February 20, 2010, Midnight EST. I will notify the winner the following day! You will have 48 hours to claim your prize or I will have to pick another winner.
Open to US Residents Only

To Enter:

• Leave a comment with an interesting trivia question
• Subscribe to my blog (leave comment letting me know you have subscribed)
• Blog about this giveaway, with a link to my blog and come back and leave the link to your blog post.

Each of the above is worth 1 entry!!!

Please be sure you provide your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you are chosen!

Good Luck....

Does Contentment Equal Happiness?

I recently had someone ask me how to know if one is truly happy or just content and then further asked if contentment is enough or is it just settling for mediocrity.

After really thinking this over and comparing my own life and relationship I have decided that at least for me contentment is enough and I am happy being content. From what I see in the world around me many people are not content in their lives so being content is a huge accomplishment. That does not mean that I do not desire or work towards reaching new goals in life, it just means that on a day to day basis I am content. I am happy with where I am at this point. However, I also believe that each person must answer this question for themselves. But, if the person is asking this type of question I have to wonder why, if they are content, they are asking the question at all.

Checking In

OK...I am about sick of the snow here in Jersey. Right now I actually looking outside and it is really coming down. News says we are getting about a foot of snow. Which means that my husband can't work outside and reminds me why I truly hate winter!

Things been crazy. Business has been a little busy with the process serving since everyone is tight on money and everyone wants to sue for every little thing....but it is good for us.

I started a diet called the "Bead Diet". I went with my friend Donna and let them put little beads behind my ears - supposed to stop the feelings of hunger. Diet sounds a bit nuts...but I'll post more about it later.....right now I want food!