50 Questions

Ages ago, Kim at The Bitter Ball tagged me for this meme. Honestly, Kim. I had it finished but never got it posted and then lost it in cyberspace somewhere. So I’ve completed it…..for the 2nd time!!! So my 2 readers had better read it!!! ((smootches))

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yes
2. Have you ever smoked? nope
3. Do you own a gun ? yes, well hubby does.
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Never been to Sonic.
5. Do you get nervous before dr. appts ? yes
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Gotta be in the mood for them but good with chili, onions and mustard
7. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee or a Vitamin Water
9. Can you do push ups? I suppose but why would I?
10. What do you order at Starbucks? Caramel machiata
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Braided sterling silver ring…. from Silpada of course.
12. Favorite hobby? Photography but I rarely have time for it.
13. How do you eat your eggs? If I make them, scrambled with cheese or in an omelete. If Mom makes them, over easy so I can dip my toast in the yoke.
14. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? I’m a procrastinator.
15. Middle name ? Jen J
16. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. I don’t want to work. I’m tired. I don’t want to work. 17. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Lunch, 2 little plastic dogs and a bouncy ball from the “kiddie slots” at the ice rink. Well, the kids played the slots. I just supplied the quarters.
18. Three drinks you regularly drink? Sweet iced tea (it’s a southern thang), water, coffee
19. Current worry right now ? kids
20. Current hate right now? work
21. Favorite place to be? The mountains
22. How did you bring in the New Years? No clue, probably snoring.
23. Where would you like to go? Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Maine, Australia
24. Name three people who will complete this. I’m not even sure 3 people read this blog!!
25. Do you own slippers? Somewhere.
26. What shirt are you wearing? A frilly little peasant blousey looking thing.
27. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never have, prefer flannel even in the summer
28. Can you whistle? nope
29. Favorite color? Burgundy
30. Would you be a pirate? Nope, can’t swim and get seasick.
31. What songs do you sing in the shower? Anything and everything
32. Favorite girl's name? Of course my little girl’s name but if Scott had been a girl, he would have been Alyssa Nicole
33. Favorite boy's name? Of course my little boy’s name. I don’t know. Boy names were Hubby’s responsibility so I’m not sure.
34. What's in your pocket right now? nothing
35. Last thing that made you laugh? Scott jumping into the pool on top of his swim teacher.
36. Best bed sheets as a child? We always had plain white cotton sheets.
37. Worst injury you've ever had? I’m with Kim on this one. A 3rd degree tear you know where definitely tops my list.
38. Do you love where you live? It’s good. It’s rural but close to stuff. But I miss the mountains.
39. How many TV's do you have?
40. Who is your loudest friend? John
41. How many dogs do you have? One wild and crazy border collie
42. What are you thrilled about right now? How well Sara is doing in swim lessons and Scott’s efforts in swim lessons. They have both come a long way.
43. Do you have a crush on someone? There is a guy at work……. Also I’m in love with George Clooney, Johnny Depp and John Cusak
44. What is your favorite book? no favorite, i have too many interests
45. What is your favorite candy? Milky Way Dark or 3 Musketeers
46. Favorite Sports Team? NHL Carolina Hurricanes
47. What song do you want played at your funeral? I know it is cliché but I like The Dance. There was another but I can’t remember it now.
48. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Trying to help Sara stop coughing so we could all get some sleep.
49. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Holy Cow!! I’m gonna be late for work!

Get Ready for Blog Nosh Magazine!!

Hey, check it out!!! It's a brand new emag with a twist! It's hook it that it showcases those excellent blog posts that have fallen off the "front page" of your blogs. There are lots of topics called "Channels" to chose from. The posts will be chosen by Channel Editors, or nominated by the readers or even submitted by us! It is the reincarnation of TopBlogMag (which I wrote for in the past) and I think it's brilliant!!!

Blog Nosh Magazine launches tomorrow so check it out! Also, you can follow it on Twitter to get updates on happenings and find out when they need posts for specific topics. You are gonna love it!!!

I won!! I won!!!

Sheila at Designs by Shelia was giving away a free blog design. I've been wanting a new design but I know nothing about that kind of stuff so I entered not expected anything to come of it because I NEVER win!! But I DID WIN!!!

Go on over to her site and check out her work. It's AWESOME!!! Thanks so much, Sheila! I can't wait to work with you!!

Marriage Monday--Our Wedding Day

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Today I am participating in Marriage Mondays at Chrysalis. This month's topic is Our Wedding Day. Enjoy!!


It was January 15, 1994, in the foothills of the Tennessee Appalachians…..the coldest day on record, with temps not expected to make it into the teens. It had snowed the day before and half of our guests were coming from an hour away. Thankfully, all of the wedding party made it in.

The service was beautiful. The music included “Cross My Heart”, “Longer” and “The Wedding Song (There is Love)”. Hubby looked so nervous standing there but I was very calm. I repeated my vows with ease, but Hubby stumbled…..well, actually FELL through his! He was so nervous that in the end the Pastor had to feed him the vows…..word……by……word! LOL!!!

We lit the unity candle and knelt on the prayer bench for the wedding prayer. I noticed a strong smell of baby powder as did Hubby who thought I’d just over did the powder thing. But when he stood up!!!!!!! Oh my gosh!!!!! His BLACK pants were COVERED in WHITE baby powder!!! The Pastor said, “it’s ok, no one will notice”. Yeah right!! The church rippled in giggles. Then the Pastor presented us and told Hubby to kiss his bride. Well, he was in such nervous shock that he just stood there!! The Pastor then said, “He’s not going to kiss her” but my reply was “Oh yes he IS!!!” as I grabbed him and planted one right on the lips and the church erupted in laughter!

Hubby said he was never so glad to have anything over with! So we get to the reception in the church fellowship hall and see everyone huddled together in their coats. They had forgotten to turn the heat on!!! Did I tell you it was the coldest day on record? Single digits, even?? But everyone had a good time anyway. The bouquet was caught by my 18 month old niece and the garter was caught, well, actually, none of the men would catch it so it was given to my 10 year old cousin.

Ah yes, a day to remember! Oh, by the way, Brother In Law was caught in the act of “powdering” by the videographer so I made him sweat it out for a while thinking I was upset…..like a couple of years! LOL!! Actually, I had a blast and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!!!

Check back for pics on Wordless Wednesday!!

Wordless Wednesday

Star Wars, which?

Scott is TOTALLY into Star Wars! He loves it. He incessantly asks to watch the movies.......much to Sara's dismay. Now here is the conundrum. Sara asks, Mommy is this the second movie? No, honey it's the 5th. Huh? I thought it was Episode II. It is. But you just said it was the 5th. That's right. ARRGGHHH!!!!

I feel like I'm stuck in a Laurel and Hardy routine!! Darn that George Lucas for creating the "prequel"!!!

That Can't Be My Child!!

My kids tried swim lessons last year. We’d only been to the pool once or twice before that so they didn’t have much experience with the water. Scott started out gung-ho but stopped dead in his tracks when he realized the water was over his head (bad experience getting in over his head at a pool party). Sara didn’t want anything to do with it but she grudgingly submitted, frowning and scowling the entire time. She’s a really strong swimmer but she refused to put her head in the water so they wouldn’t pass her. Of course the very next week, she put her head in!!

Now it’s almost a year later. With hockey all winter, we didn’t have time to get to the pool so we are basically starting all over. I took them to the indoor pool last weekend to try to re-acclimate them. Sara got in but really didn’t want to put her face in the water. Scott wouldn’t get off of the steps. Looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us again this year.

This holiday weekend, of course the pools all opened so we braved the crowds and went to the outdoor pool on Sunday. It turned out to be not so crowded but the daytime temps haven’t been that high so the pool was very…….VERY COLD!!! Scott again would get off the steps but Sara was amazing!!

We had gotten some diving sticks to help them get their heads in the water. Sara brought them all into the pool and Hubby worked with her. At first she just kept saying she couldn’t do it, but a friend from school came over who could swim and that seemed to help. She started putting her face in and coming right back up. Then she worked up to really going under and trying to reach the sticks. She just couldn’t seem to get to the bottom of the pool. She really wanted to do this and was frustrated that she couldn’t, so Hubby held her hand and pulled her down low enough to reach and she got one!!!!!! She was so proud of herself!!! She kept working on it and soon she was just holding onto him so she could pull herself down and she was picking up 2 or 3 sticks. By the time we left (and we were only there 2 hrs), she was going under and STAYING under long enough to pick up all EIGHT diving sticks!!!!!!

We were so amazed!! Hubby said when she started staying under for so long, he wasn’t even sure it was her!! She’s come soooo far from last year! We may be looking at the swim team soon!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have died in our nation's service. It was first called Decoration Day. After the Civil war in May 1866, many people in the North and South decorated graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. Decoration Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan and was first observed officially on May 30, 1868. In 1882, the name was changed to Memorial Day, and soldiers who had died in other wars were also honored.
In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be held on the last Monday in May.

America remains The Land of the Free and The Home of the Brave because of the ultimate sacrifices our men and women in the armed forces make every single day. So while enjoying our long weekend, having BBQs with friends and hanging out at the pool, let's take the time to remember and honor those who gave their lives to keep us free.

What? or better yet....... WHO?

I am in a state of confusion. My brain is muddled. What do I want to be when I grow up? Maybe the better question is WHO do I want to be? When I was young, that question seemed simple—a singer or a lady truck driver (thank you ”BJ and the Bear”). Where did those dreams go? Well, I sang in church all through high school then I slowly faded out of it. I recently have sung Christmas concerts with the local Chorale but twenty years of neglect has really done a number on my voice. Where I once was a top 1st soprano, I now struggle to sing second and secretly consider converting to alto. As for the lady truck driver, I can’t even back up my minivan so I think an eighteen wheeler is totally out of the question.

Once out of college, I poured myself into the corporate world. My goal then was to be the VP of quality for a medical device or pharmaceutical company. I was young…..ambitious……stupid. A few years later, I got married and the long hours and travel I was doing wasn’t much fun anymore.

Then I had children and my whole world changed. At first, I just wanted to keep working to have that “grownup” contact and I still enjoyed what I did. Now, I just want to be home. I can’t keep up with the house and the Hubby and the children and the Piper dog. I sit at work thinking of all the things I could be doing if I was anywhere but there. Don’t get me wrong. I have a good job. I make a difference for people with what I do. I have a great boss…..which is VERY difficult to come by. I make good money. But still……..I’m not happy.

I’m working on a home business that could really explode for me and eventually be my own boss…..but even with the prospect of leaving my daily 9-5 behind and working for, well, ME, I still lack motivation to achieve this.

Maybe it’s a midlife crisis hitting just a tad early. Maybe it’s a dash of depression sneaking in here. Maybe I’ve just not found my sweet spot in life.

So WHO do I want to be?

--a really good Mama who has the time and energy to spend with her children, and has the patience to help them work through their developmental phases which are wreaking havoc in our home.

--a really good Wife who has the time to keep the house kept up, who doesn’t harbor bitter resentment against her Hubby for what he does………or doesn’t do, who can forgive and forget.

--a really good Woman who takes the time to indulge in the things she enjoys like writing and photography and growing her business.

Now, how do I do this?

Wordless Wednesday

Marriage Monday--The Crazy Way We Met

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Today I am participating in Marriage Mondays at Chrysalis. Thanks to Kim at The Bitter Ball for cluing me into this one.

The topic for this month is The Crazy Way We Met. To tell the story, I have to go back in time to even before Hubby and I met. I grew up in the mountains of Tennessee and then moved to the northern suburbs of Chicago with I got out of college. My brother knew Hubby from church. They were both interested in the same woman (another church member) and were at that time mortal enemies. It turned out, she wasn’t interested in either of them but that’s another story. So then they became friends. He started hanging out at my parents’ house and I think they “adopted” him.

The summer of 1992, I went home to visit for July 4th. Mom said that Hubby might come over because she had been talking about me and he wanted to meet me. MOM!!!!!! Ok, whatever. On Saturday, he came and helped my Dad mow the lawn and Mom invited him to have dinner with us. No biggie.

On Sunday, we sat together at church and then went hiking with a friend of mine. We had a lot of fun together. My friend said, “I think he likes you”. On the way home, he asked me to go to see a movie with him, Patriot Games. “Sure” I said. I think he almost fainted. So it went through out the week. I think we saw each other at least every other day.

Saturday came and was July 4th. Mom was having a cookout for the youth group so we all helped with that and then we went to see the fireworks. Something about those fireworks. I think they were magical. After the fireworks, we sat and talked for a long time. He leaned over and gently kissed me. I said, “you know, long distance relationships don’t work out”. And I kissed him back.

Spring 1993 came and we were engaged. Winter of 1994 came and we were married. So 16 years later, I must admit I was wrong. J

Jose is no longer my friend

I didn’t tell you about my weekend, did I? It was something else! We had Scott’s b-day party Sat at The Little Gym. Awesome place! They are so good with the children and they get to run around like crazy!!! He had a Transformer cake and got tons of Transformer toys, surprisingly, none of which he already had. He was in Transformer Heaven!!

Then some of our close friends came back to our house for the “afterparty”. We had pizza and beer. THEN we ladies asked “Jim” to mix us some margaritas. Now, we knew better but no one else would do it so it was up to him. And apparently, we told him they weren’t very strong so he apparently bumped it up a notch………..or ten!!!!!!!!!!!! I was very happy and really silly. It was fun. Until………………

About 10:30 everyone left except for one of the girls who was sleeping over with Sara. About 10:35, I sat in the recliner to watch the girls play checkers. About 10:40, I felt the need……….urgent, desperate need……….to run to the bathroom. That pretty much ends the night. I got soooo sick!! Then I collapsed on the bed and didn’t get up until morning. Oh and my friend barely made it home before worshiping the porcelain god!

Don’t worry, hubby was taking care of the children. I think I remember him coming in about midnight and laughing at me. Then I woke several times with a jack hammer working in my head but the room was spinning so fast I couldn’t find the floor to get some Excedrin. And when do you think the kids got up? 6:45am!! Uggghhh!! I’ll save you the rest of the gory details but let’s just say I didn’t fully recover until late Sunday night. Yes, I learned my lesson…………….never let “Jim” mix the drinks!!!! LOL!!! So I think it will be quite some time before I dance with Jose again!

Interview with a 6 year old

April 24, 2008. 7:30am

Mom: So how old are you now?
Scott: {{holds up five fingers on one hand and a thumb on the other}}
Mom: So how old is that?
Scott: {{draws a “6” in the air}}
Mom: So how old is THAT???
Scott: Six!!!!
Mom: Wow!! Six years old? How does that feel?
Scott: BBWWAHHHHH!!!!! {{does a crazy dance}}
Mom: So what does THAT mean?
Scott: Good!!!
Mom: Tell me what you can do now at 6 that you couldn’t do at 5.
Scott: Go to the Sunshines. (that’s the next afterschool class up at our daycare)
Mom: Well, tell me how you are going to celebrate being 6.
Scott: TRANSFORMERS PARTY!!!!!!!!
Mom: You know what?
Scott: What?
Mom: I love you!!
Scott: I knew that!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Scott!! We love you lots!!

Friday Fill In!!

1. The last time I lost my temper I beat my bed with my pillow!
2. Criticism is what I'm fed up with!
3. The next book I'd like to read is something from the Mitford Series. I need some uplifting.
4. Scott's b-day party is what I'm looking forward to.
5. If you can't get rid of the skeleton[s] in your closet, use them as hangers!
6. The best thing I got in the mail recently was JEWELRY.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to folding clothes, tomorrow my plans include hockey and cleaning and Sunday, I want to clean but will do more hockey and Scott's friend's b-day party!

Here's my sign.....

I'm going to get a T-shirt that says this!!! I have had not one but TWO people assume I was pregnant in the last month!!!! So not funny!!! Yes, I have gained weight......yes, a lot of weight. Yes, now that I am older, I carry it in my midsection and yes, I do can look pregnant depending on how I stand. But, NO!!! I am NOT pregnant!! So don't assume I am!!!!!

Nor do I want to be. I'm crashing headfirst into 40 this year. My last "baby" just started school. I have the patience of a ..................... well, I don't have any patience!!! I am done having babies so I can enjoy the next stages in my children's lives.

I should also add that both people (who were people I work with--not strangers) were mortally embarrassed. And to that I say..........GOOD!!! Next time, wait until I'm carrying around a 3yo on my hip to congratulate me!!!

But, honestly folks, I really need to get off my big fat pregnant looking butt and take care of myself. I guess I wasn't listening the first time some one assumed I was pregnant. This time I get the message! GEEZ!!! I'm working on a plan that I'll share later so ya'll can help me along.

But here's the kicker. Have you seen the new fashions for this summer????? They ALL look like maternity shirts!!!!! I'm doomed!!!!!

Calapitters 2008

Yes, we have "calapitters" again! I’m still amazed that Sara will pick them up and play with them and Scott won’t touch ‘em!! They each have two that they have collected. Every day they ask to keep more but I think four caterpillars is a gracious plenty to keep on my kitchen counter top!

Let me tell ya, those little things are eating and pooping machines!!! They are eating a heavy diet of maple leaves and making complete pigs of themselves. One of Scott’s has already make a webby cocoon. One of Sara’s made what looked more like a chrysalis. I wanted to keep it but she said it was gross and threw it away. LOL!!! I will try to get some pictures of the little guys before they all get to the cocoon stage. Hopefully, they will emerge this year. The one we had last year didn’t do anything. Look for pics!!!

Friday Fill In #67

1. I love springtime in _____!
2. _____ are foods I love to eat for breakfast.
3. It seems I'm always searching for _____
4. _____ is a great way to end the day.
5. I think I _____!
6. _____ is what I've been craving lately.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!



1. I love springtime in the arctic. They don't have pollen!!!!
2. Grits, scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon are foods I love to eat for breakfast.
3. It seems I'm always searching for my mind!!!
4. A hug from my children is a great way to end the day.
5. I think I can!
6. Townhouse Flips is what I've been craving lately.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching a movie with my family, tomorrow my plans include hockey practice for Scott, therapy session for Scott and an evening with friends and Sunday, I want to REST!!!

A good night

Sara has definitely been a challenge in recent months. Her attitude leaves much to be desired. She is defiant, impatient, whiney and most times downright ugly. I was dreading dealing with this when she hit 10 or 11 yrs. I didn’t expect to have to address it at 7 ½. She didn’t used to be like this but this school year has really brought about some changes in her. I don’t know if it is her friends that are influencing her or even sadly, us being poor role models, but I really hope we can turn her around.

Last night started out poorly with lots of attitude and picking on Scott. I tried to prepare for the worst. But after homework and dinner and showers, she came to me while Scott and Hubby played video games. “I want to read a book”. Unfortunately it was very late. “As much as I hate to say it, honey, it’s just too late.” She then climbed into my lap and snuggled. Now, Scott is the world champion snuggler, but Sara has never been much a snuggler. So I relished in the rare opportunity to be close to her and love on her. “Can we go to my room and talk?” Wow!!! What an opportunity! Again, a rare occasion to spend wanted one-on-one time with my daughter. “Yes! Yes, we can”.

In her room, I brushed her hair and we talked. We talked about school and how she thinks it’s boring. We talked about her favorite subjects and those that were hard for her. We talked about her friends—who she likes, who she doesn’t like and why, how some of her friends don’t play with her any more and how that makes her feel. It was a perfect opportunity to discuss her attitude and how she relates to others. She was very open to my advice and shared honestly with me—something that hasn’t happened in a long while.

But all good things must come to an end. It was, after all, a school night and we all needed our rest. I hugged her tight, gave her a huge kiss, told her how much I loved her and said “Good Night”. Yes, it was definitely a “good night”.

That's my boy!

Overheard in a bathroom while traveling to TN for Easter:

Me: SHOOT!!
Scott: What, Mommy?
Me: I forgot my makeup.
Scott: Why do you need it, Mommy?
Me: To make me look pretty.
Scott: That's ok, Mommy, you're pretty anyway.

:)

Friday Fill In!!

1. Some relationships are meant to _____.

2. _____ is the last concert I saw; it was _____.

3. Spring should be _____.

4. Oh no! I forgot _____!

5. I've recently started _____.

6. _____ never fails to make me smile.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!

1. Some relationships are meant to saved.

2. James Taylor is the last concert I saw; it was AWESOME!!!.

3. Spring should be BANNED!!! I have horrible seasonal allergies and I HATE SPRING!!

4. Oh no! I forgot to send my Pampered Chef party invitations!!!!

5. I've recently started selling the most awesome sterling silver jewelry!!!!

6. My son's hug never fails to make me smile.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Atlanta Thrashers, tomorrow my plans include 2 counseling sessions for Scott and a ton of cleaning and Sunday, I want to sleep in and watch movies all day BUT I'll be doing MORE house cleaning and getting the kiddos ready to go back to school on Monday!