May - Birthdays, Mother's Day

I can't believe how fast this month has been...the whole year has flown by so fast.  I say the same thing every year, but it really does seem to just zoom by.  Is it that we are just so much busier as a society or has time just sped up?  Everything is so fast paced.  May has been a pretty good month so far - my baby turned 8! We had his birthday party on Friday - 4 boys came over to the house, and 1 spent the night.  My daughter, not wanting to be the only girl at the party was allowed to invite one friend as well.  It turned out great - the boys were a little wild.  We didn't have any planned games, so we pulled out twister and just let them be boys - they played with boy toys (swords, lightsabers and plastic guns...I know guns seem to be taboo, but hey...they are boys!)  After pizza, cupcakes and ice cream most of them went home - the remaining kids were manageable, but they still didn't go to sleep until after 1:00 a.m. - meaning my hubby left them to me, and grandma retired early...so I was left to monitor them!  They stayed amused, though - my son had 2 Lego sets, and he dove right into one of them. My MIL had given my daughter a decorate your own hairband set, so she and her friend were occupied with that - completed them all!  They did a great job!  Saturday after donuts the kids went home, we brought the kids to have haircuts - both of my children have curly hair (especially my son) and they were both starting to look a bit unkempt.  My son got upset at school the other day when another kid toldhim that his hair was so thick you could hide a house in there...he didn't like that!  LOL!  You can now see his face again, and no houses were found in the process.  :)  My daughter wanted to grow her hair out, but it's soooooo tangly when she tries - so we cut it up to her chin, and it is so absolutely precious...it truly is adorable and suits her so well!  After haircuts we went back to the house and my parents came down for the day - it's a nice combination of being able to celebrate my son's birthday, and have both mom's there to celebrate Mother's Day as well!  We all went to a local Chinese Buffet and stuffed ourselves silly, only to go home and eat cake!  Buddy got to open more presents, and his sister even got a couple things from the grandparents as well!  It was a pretty good day!  Mother's Day was quiet, but it was nice - I got a sweet ceramic flower bowl that my daughter made for me in art class - it's rather pretty, if I say so myself!  My son made a paperclip butterfly, and his picture is where the butterfly body should be - it's so cute!  :)  I also got some sweet homemade and store bought cards from the hubby and kids.  I love my kiddos and am so proud to be their mama!  I have nothing else exciting going on in my life - my work travel has stopped (thank goodness) and I'm trying to lose a few pounds before we go on vacation in July - back to the mountains again for hiking, swimming and just enjoying some downtime with the family (no cell phones or tvs!!!  Woohoo!)  :)  I can't wait.....I need some good R&R that only the mountains can provide! 2 months to go...that's not very long...can I lose 15 lbs. in that amount of time?  Sigh! Probably not, but I can hope! 
Been trying to up my reading a bit lately now that I have my kindle, so if anyone has any good suggestions, please let me know.  I'm currently reading The Hangman's Daughter, which is the first in a set of 3.  So far it's good, but I'm only on chapter 2...not too far into it yet.  I recently finished Divergent (book 1) and Insurgent (Book 2) of the Divergent Series - Book 3 doesn't come out until October, and it's driving me up a wall to finish it!  Winter Garden is another book that I thoroughly enjoyed.  After I finish the current series, I plan on reading The Dinner - I've heard lots about it, and it's got me intrigued. 
Anyway - until later!

Finally Friday

What a week it has been!  The week began on Sunday with boss and I travelling out of town for business.  It was a good day - we got in a little shopping and a nice dinner (with free dessert because whoever sat us down forgot to tell the waitress...so we waited, and waited and waited some more).  Lately wherever I go somewhere with others for dinner, I seem to bring bad luck to the service, the food or something...it's become a joke with my co-workers.  Although the past few times they have been calling me a free dessert good luck charm.  Haha!  Anyway - things were going very smoothly, then on Monday tragedy happened in Boston.  My heart was heavy as I thought of my friends and family who live in that area, so many states away from my own.  Luckily everyone was okay, and my marathoner friend just happened to not run this year.  I, along with so many others, was glued to the tv.  When I got back to the motel I immediately flipped on the news.  Devestating!  Then I get home and Wednesday the explosion in West Texas occurs.  Just a bad week - my heart fell again.  Then...my own home had sadness.  My 12 year old cat, Burt, had not been doing well for the past 2 weeks...out of the blue just got worse day by day.  3 days ago he wouldn't leave the bathroom, and if he tried to walk he fell after 2 feet.  It was heartbreaking to watch!  My first thought was stroke.  Brought him to the vet first thing yesterday morning.  Normally he weight 15-17 lbs. but the vet weighed him and he was 11 lbs!!!  He said Burt was dehydrated and he wanted to run tests to see if there was something major or something easily fixable going on.  A few hours later he called with bad news - Burt had diabetes - numbers literally off the chart!  I never in a million years would have figured he could have diabetes - we fed him right, no table scraps...how??  Anyway, the vet said we could go the treatment route, consisting of 2 insulin shots per day, plus a weekly visit to the vet for fluids - and very costly.  Or...you know the alternative.  It was a hard decision to make, but after asking the vet what he would do if it was his cat, we decided to put him down.  He was old, and the vet said there was already so much liver and kidney damage, there was no guarantee of him ever having a normal live.  I didn't make it to work yesterday - I cried and cried and dreaded telling the kids.  They took it well, but everyone is heartbroken!  Our other kitty keeps looking for Burt - they were buddies, and it breaks my heart to see him so confused.  :(  So sad!  So, it's just been a crappy week all the way around.  My heart is breaking for all of the families in Boston and West who have been effected by the tragedies of the past week.  Tomorrow my son has a performance at school - hopefully the day will lift everyone's spirits, and spring will continue on with no more incidents.  Happy Friday to everyone - and be kind to those around you - you never know what they may be going through!!

Whiny Wednesday

Okay - I'm tired ya'll - really tired!  This past month has just worn me out!  Started off fun with all my college buddies getting together for a long overdue reunion - we had a blast!  It was great to see everyone and share stories, memories and laughs.  The weekend was beautiful, so we got to hang out in downtown Charleston for the day - and it couldn't have been more perfect!  :)  The following Wednesday I had to travel for work which kept me away from home and family for 2 nights - not bad.  I had a king sized bed to myself, which was nice.  But...we had to get up extra early for the days we were there and got back to the motel after 8:00 p.m. so it made for super long days. Then the following week I got strep - yep...the sickies hit yet again!!!  So, I was out for 3 days, and then had a planned vacation day for friday - so I missed all but 1 day of work that week.  Friday we had plans to go to my parents, as we had tickets to see Les Miserables that evening live.  As of Thursday night I still wasn't sure if I would feel up to it, but decided that I shouldn't be contagaious at that point due to the antibiotics, so what the heck...we went.  My parents, hubby, MIL and I all went.  Kids had a sitter, so we left for dinner and the theater and had a great time.  But, I was worn out from being sick and we didn't get in til after 11:00.  We stayed the weekend, and it was fun - but again...travelling just wears you out, even just a couple of hours.  The next week was pretty normal, but due to all of the above events, my house had been pretty neglected - so on Good Friday (a holiday for me) I got up early, attended my son's Terrific Kids Award Ceremony then went home to CLEAN!!! Then came Easter - my daughter, who never wakes up early, comes in at 7:30 to inform me that the Easter Bunny had arrived, and that her brother had vomited in his room!!!  Yay - so off to clean sheets I go! Then later that day I had to meet my boss so we could travel out of town again for business.  Had to be here bright and early Monday morning.  We were supposed to leave to go home yesterday, but we got delayed and are still here!  Hubby told me my daughter was not feeling well Monday, and still wasn't herself yesterday - not eating.  :(  Poor girl!  So, I'm ready to go home and see my kiddos, hubby and sleep in my own bed!  It's been a productive trip, but Monday we had to be here at 7:00 and didn't leave til 6:00 at night - by the time we grabbed dinner and got back it was almost 9:00.  Yesterday we had to be here at 6:30 - but same scenario at night.  Today was a 7:30 day - and we leave to go home around 4:00.  So...that puts me home around 7:00ish.  Sigh!  Tired, tired, tired!  But...one good thing is we've had awesome dinners every night this week - I think I've gained 10 lbs.  That's one of the perks about travelling.  If anyone is ever in the Charlotte, NC area go to Belmont and try the Old Stone Steakhouse - it's FABULOUS!  Anyway - I'm hoping that April is a little slower than March with less sickness and more rest.  :)  Although - I have one more trip for work planned mid-month...and that SHOULD be the end of my travelling for the time being!  Hope everyone out there had a wonderful Easter, and the sickies stay away from your home! 

Sickies...I said go away - I meant it!!!

Wow!  Seriously, just as I thought all of the sickness was finally starting to subside, my son gets hit with a nasty vomiting bug Saturday night - he literally was sick for over 10 hours, and neither of us slept a wink all night long.  Poor guy - he was pitiful, and I felt so bad for him!  Yesterday was a day of just TRYING to catch up on some sleep...trying being the key word.  It didn't work!  I'm soooo tired today, but at least this time hubby was able to stay home with the sick one...I just don't have the days to do it!  Ack! 

Last week, to add to the family fun, I got an email from my daughter's teacher - she said that my daughter didn't seem to be listening to instructions, and had heard the same complaint from the gym teacher.  So, she asked if I could send her to the school nurse to have her hearing tested - of course I said yes!  Turns  out my poor girl has virtually no hearing in her right ear...she's 9!  How in the world could we have missed this?  Talk about feeling like an awful parent...wow!  So, after I heard the results from the testing, I contacted our ENT - we have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow.  I'm hoping and praying that it is something that is easily fixed, and not permanent damage.  It does make me wonder, thought...she has had so many ear infections (two ruptured eardrums), her adenoids and tonsils removed due to pressur on the eardrum when she was 4, along with tubes - does this go back to all of that?  Again...she listens (for the most part...much of the time it's selected) at home, so I never seemed to give it a thought that there might be an issue.  Anyway - there are times you feel okay as a mother, and other times you just feel crappy - this is one of those moments.  :(  Anyway - she seems completely unphased by it - hubby and I (and even the grandparents) seem much more concerned.  The other day when I picked her up from school the only thing she seemed upset about was the fact that they found a bad work etched into a desk at the Y -when I asked about her testing she was ho-hum.   But she kept bringing up that really bad word...and yes, it was bad - she was so insistent on me knowing what it was, her brother was begging to hear it too...I told her she had BETTER NOT tell him, and that she had better not repeat it again!!! 

Anyway - gotta get back to work.  I'm going to make an honest effort to at least try to get on here and update once a week...we'll see how it goes!  Hope you all have a wonderful Monday, and hope the sickies stay away for all! 

The sickies can go away now...please!

I don't know what it is about this time of the year, but it always hits our family hard in the area of sickness.  I was soooooo excited in the fall because my children barely missed a day of school - wishful thinking for me to expect it to continue...hahahaha!  Right!?  So,  January hits - my daughter gets strep - I take off 2 days.  My son gets some unknown virus (I still think he had bronchitis or walking pneumonia, but what do I know?) - they give him a prescription of cough medicine.  I take off a day with him.  Our washing machine broke - I had to take off a day for that (of course they were supposed to be there in the early a.m. but came closer to 5:00 p.m.).  Then I got something...I seriously think it was a very mild flu case (fevers, chills, sore all over, headache) but the test said no...but hubby agreed with me - we still think the doc. was wrong.  I was out yet another day.  Then son got sick AGAIN with ear pain.  I was afraid it was a repeat of the night before Thanksgiving when his eardrum ruptured.  Thank goodness it was only swimmers ear (bathtub is the only place he could have got that - there hasn't been any swimming here in a while).  He also had that horrendous cough, STILL, and they treated him for bronchitis - he still had crackling in his right chest.  So...out another day with him.  Sigh!  I have vacation scheduled for July already, and one day in March - we are going for my mom's birthday to see the travelling Broadway Show Les Miserables.  So...out of 3 weeks of vacation, I'm down to 4 remaining for the year!!!  Out of 1 week of PTO I have 19 hours left...seriously!!!  Sigh!  Maybe we'll be lucky and no one will get sick again this year.  Hey - I can hope! 

Besides everyone being sick, it's been pretty uneventful our way.  A couple birthday parties and weekend events for the kids, but that's about it.  My daughter and hubby did recently go to a Father/Daughter dance at the local Y - I thought that was so precious!  They had a ball!  :)  (This was the weekend I was sick, so I didn't get any pictures).  I am looking forward to March in a big way!  Next weekend I am meeting up with all of my old college friends - it's been (ahem) 20 years since we met, and we haven't seen each other in over 7 years!  I'm sooooo exited!  There are going to be 8 of us getting together, and I expect it will be a weekend full of memories, laughter and I'm sure a few drinks.  :)  As I stated above, the Les Miserables trip is in March also!  My mom and MIL both have March b-days, so the whole family (minus the kids) are going to the show - so excited!  I've seen it before, but it's one of those shows I could see over and over again without getting tired of it.  If you haven't seen it, I HIGHLY recommend it!  Yet...I still haven't seen the movie...sigh! 

It's so funny - I seem to think of a million things to write about when I'm away from the computer, but as soon as I start typing my mind goes blank.  Why is that?  I guess that's why I'm not a writer - I'd have one very dull book. 

Just curious, for anyone out there with kids.  My son will be turning 8 in May, and I still don't have any ideas (reasonably priced) for his birthday.  Anyone with sons please send me some fun ideas - everything here is a bit on the high side, and he has never had a "real" friends birthday party.  His sister has, and he is way overdue one!  So...help!  :) 

Gotta run for now - hope everyone out there has a wonderful Wednesday with no worries and lots of sunshine.  :) 

Just a little line - I'm bored

Hi all - Just dropping by my poor neglected blog to say hi!  Nothing really going on in my world, but thought I'd come by anyway.  Work, home, work, home, gym on occasion, work, home - that's my life lastely.  Fun!  Truly - it's not that bad.  My kiddos definitely keep things lively - it's never boring with a 7 and 9 year old!  Haha!  My husband (if you remember he's a personal trainer) has somehow convinced me to come to the gym twice a week - I guess since he's a personal trainer, he expects me to look like a PT wife????  Sigh - I have a loooooooong way to go!  But - I'm working out with one of his co-workers, and I'm getting PT for free...so I can't complain.  We end up laughing through the sessions more than work out - so I don't know how much good it's truly doing.  Maybe by 2014 I can wear a bikini...hahahahaha!  Or not!  I'll be 40 at the end of this year, so I don't see any bikinis in my future - especially at the rate we're working out.  It is fun, though! On a whiny note, my washing machine broke - I was doing laundry over the weekend, and when I went to unload the machine there was this horrible electrical burning smell - I quickly unloaded the machine and unplugged it from the wall - I called to see if a repairman can come by, and the earliest they can get here is next Tuesday!!!!  I am going to be up to my ears (literally) in laundry by then!  Ugh!  I guess I better start gathering the change.  Of course the machine had to break right before I washed all of my work clothes for the week - I spent over an hour washing them by hand in the bathtub...it made me truly appreciate the fact that we are in an age that no longer requires washboards!  Thank goodness our dryer still worked!  Wow...I am boring!  LOL!  I will try to have a more interesting post next time - til then!  :)

The End of The World - And I feel fine (mostly)

Hi all - Well, according to the Mayan's we shouldn't be here today...and here we are.  Although, it's only 10:01 a.m. and the day isn't over yet - I'm pretty sure the Oreo won!  Haha!  Anywho - this has been an insane month, and I'm tired y'all!  But overall it's been good.  Of course, my heart has been heavy for the Sandy Hook tragedy - having kids of my own in 2nd and 3rd grade - it's just too close to home.  One thing that has helped me has been keeping busy.  At work I haven't had the media overload that a lot of others have had - oh sure, I went online and looked up stories and cried...but I haven't seen a news report on tv yet.  Not that I haven't wanted to, but we've been keeping the tv from the kids seeing it all - they are at an age they don't need to see so much tragedy, and I don't want to have to answer all the questions that come in the wake of that - call me selfish, but I don't know how I would answer those questions coming from a 7 year old!  What can you say?  You can't explain such a horrific event to a child because how would they understand when you can't even understand why?  Last Friday when I first saw it at work on Yahoo, it made me cry - I went in the bathroom and bawled for those children, their familes and the teachers - and this was before any names or count had come out - it just saddened me to no ends.  That evening my friend and I had plans to go see the Hobbit - I'll be honest, it was a blessed relief to be able to get my mind off of the tragedy, if only for a little while.  Saturday we were just as busy - Breakfast with Santa, haircut, Holiday Festival at the school, and our neighborhood Christmas Party - it was such a full day that, again, I was able to focus on good things and not the tragedy - except at the school when the prinipal got up to speak and we had a moment of silence for the lives lost at Sandy Hook.  It hit us all hard - there wasn't a dry eye in the cafeteria that day.  The principal never mentioned WHAT happened (there were hundreds of kids there, and she was very couth about how she addressed it).  We also received a memo from the school addressing the emergency safety plans following the recent events.  It's a sobering thought - this happened in a little small CT school, but it could happen anywhere.  Sunday was my birthday - it was hard to be a celebratory mood, but we tried and still managed to have fun - hubby and I went to see Skyfall, which was great!  Tragedy happens, but the world still turns.  We move on - a little more jaded and world weary, but we still find joy in the everyday things.  Hug your children, say I love you and make the most of every day.  Happiness is a choice - we can either drown in sorrow, or we can look at life and realize how blessed we are to have what we have, not get caught up in what we don't.  No one is immune to grief - death, heartache, loss - it affects us all at some point in our life.  I lost a brother when I was a teenager - it was hard.  My word of advice for those who have lost a loved one, whether in this tragedy or in another way - grieve, but don't let grief change who you are.  Live, laugh, love, cry...Feel!  Cherish the memories and hold on to the thought that the loved one you had was a blessing, and be assured that one day you will see them again!  One day...

Tis the Season to be Crazy....er Jolly

I have a love hate relationship with the holiday season!  From Thanksgiving to Christmas it's hectic and rushed.  Don't get me wrong - I truly do love Thanksgiving and Christmas, but when you throw in two birthdays in the mix, it gets a little hectic.  Thanksgiving was nice, but a little rushed.  We went to my folks, a couple hours away, and had to drive two cars because hubby had to work the next day, while I and the kiddos planned on staying the night.  We got some shopping done on Black Friday, which was fun, but then had to head home.  Due to the upcoming crazy weekends Thanksgiving weekend is the ONLY time I had free to decorate the house - so Saturday was spent cleaning and getting out my snowman collection, hanging the stockings and getting the Christmas plates and knick-knacks out in the house.  Sunday was saved for completing the tree - it all got done, but by Monday come time for work...I was bushed!  Plus...I decided that Monday was a good time to start going to the gym...I am so darn sore it's not even funny!!!  I had to have a co-worker help me get my jacket off today, and I couldn't lift my arms to brush my hair...I fluffed as best as I could, sprayed in place and headed to work... I look a little off, but hey...it's all good!  :) 

Friday my mother-in-law is coming Friday and spending the month with us - which I am really looking forward to!  She is a sweet woman, and it is nice to have her around during the Christmas holidays.  But...in preparation I have to strip down the guest bed, declutter and vacuum/dust the room (it becomes the boys man cave most weekends, so in other words saying it's messy is an understatement).  My daughter turns 9 next week...my parents can only come down this weekend for her birthday - her party is the following weekend.  So, two weekends are tied up for her birthday, and I'm still not sure what we are doing for her kids party...sigh!  At least her gifts are bought.  :)  Yay!  Then the weekend after her kids party is my birthday.  I already have plans on Friday night with a friend who is bringing me to see the Hobbit!  Yay!  Can't wait!  So far I have nothing planned other than that, but I'm sure my hubby and MIL will come up with something - I'd be happy with just a dinner out!  Then the following weekend will be last minute shopping, getting prepared for Christmas Day, in which my parents will be coming to stay overnight, along with MIL.  It's crazy, but fun!  In the oh so much spare time I have, I still need to write Christmas cards and mail them (I always forget step two...lol), wrap the presents we currently have, buy all the stocking stuffers, figure out what we are going to eat on Christmas Day...ham probably, but I have no other ideas on what else. 

Oh...of course I forgot the best part!  The night before Thanksgiving, as I'm running around trying to get packed for our trip to my folks my son falls asleep around 6:30 - kind of odd, but didn't think much about it.  Figured he was tired from being at the Y all day (school's were closed).  As I walked into his room around 7:15 to get some clothes, he starts crying in his sleep, then bolts upright holding his right ear.  Uh-oh...that's never a good sign. So...off we go to the Urgent Care Center...ruptured ear drum!!!  Sigh!  The same thing happened to my daughter over the summer THE DAY we were leaving to go on vacation.  What is it about my kids and getting sick at vacation and holidays???  So, anyway - he was treated and given lortab - night night???  Nope!  Wide open for the rest of the night!  Sigh!  So, nothing can be easy around our house - but one thing for sure is it is never boring!  :) 

Hope everyone has a wonderul holiday season - be safe, have fun, and hug all those loved ones around you!  :)  Most of all remember we are blessed!  :)

Football Weather is Here - Yay!!!

I get a little giddy when it starts to cool off - I don't know why, but I do!  I absolutely HATE the cold, but I love, love, love snuggling in a sweatshirt on a crisp fall day.  LOVE it!  We finally have started dropping down to the low 70's during the day and down into the 50's at night.  Just in time for Halloween...happy dance!  :) 

This weekend was perfect as far as weather goes.  The Susan G Koman had the race for the cure in our area, so my coworkers and I got a team together to walk in memory of our friend, Kelly, and honestly the weather couldn't have been more beautiful.  Sunny, bright yet just a slight crisp in the morning air - made it a wonderful morning for a walk.  It started at 7:00 a.m. to catch the shuttles to the walk location...they also had a concert in town at the same location, so driving was not an option I was willing to partake in.  The shuttles would suit me just fine, thank you!  Actually, most of us met up at the shuttle location and had a blast riding together.  The shuttles ended up being regular yellow school busses.  We rode in the back like the bad kids...it was fun!  Haha!  For those of you who have not participated in the Race for the Cure before, I highly encourage it - not only is it for a wonderful cause, but it's also a lot of fun.  Lots of vendors handing out freebies, which is nice, but the atmosphere...oh the atmosphere is what is so great!  So many people, both survivors, friends and family, joining together to fight breast cancer - it's just amazing to see!  We plan on getting a team together every year - and I will be there! 

After the Race for the Cure went home to get ready for a visit from my parents.  It was a low key day, with the hilight going to Carrabas for lunch - yum!  And my Georgia Bulldogs won!!!  Yay!  :) 

The weekend was great...until last night.  My husband had just finished grilling our dinner and he asked to call in the kids.  They had been indoors most of the day (why I don't know - it was gorgeous out) so I told him that we could go ahead and eat - let them play about 15 more minutes.  So...I'm just about done eating when my daughter runs in the door informing me that her brother is hurt and crying.  I ask her to go bring him home (I was already in my pj's and not really wanting to go outside if I could help it).  Well...I was waiting at the door when I saw my daughter with her arm around her brother, and he was loudly sobbing holding his wrist...uhoh...not good!  We have managed to make it to ages 7 and 8 with nothing more than a nosebleed!  Well - he gets home and his wrist is swollen.  So, after a quick look and assessment my husband and I look at each other, nod in agreement - Medcare Express!  Since my husband had indulged in a few libations while grilling, I got the honors of bringing my son to the Dr.  Poor fella cried all the way there, but was so brave when he went to get the x-rays.  Turns out to be a buckle fracture - not a total break, but bad enough.  So, they put him in a temporary cast/splint and referred him to an ortho - we go tomorrow to find out if the splint will suffice, or if he needs a different cast.  Hopefully this will suffice.  Anyway - he was rewarded with not one, not two, but three lollipops and a certificate of bravery with a free ice cream coupon.  He even gave his sister one of his lollipops!  My sweet boy!  Anyway - the whole thing happened because my son was wanting to see what his sister and friend were doing and proceeded to climb up a fence to peek over - his friend pulled his legs to yank him down, causing him to fall and land on his arm.  Anyway - wish us luck at the ortho tomorrow! 

Next weekend should be more fun (hopefully) - there is a fall fest at the local YMCA, and it sounds like it will be a blast!  $5.00 per family - I think it's worth it to check it out at that price, anyway!  If it doesn't work out, they have a really cool sounding haunted walk which sounds fun!  We may do that anyway!  :)  I'm getting excited about Halloween - we have a very active neighborhood with lots and lots of kids, so it's always a fun night for everyone!  My daughter is dressing up as Draculara - for those of you who don't know, it's a Monster High Character - again if you don't know...no worries!  Haha!  My son is dressing as Darth Vader - I told him if he gets a cast, he can just hold it out and pretend it's a light saber - haha!  He thinks I'm nuts. 

Happy Fall to all!  :)

Goodbye my friend

I just found out, minutes ago, that a dear friend and coworker just passed away.  I'm still in shock, and so angry that such a sweet, young life has been taken from us!  Only 43 years old - beautful, sweet, funny - everyone loved her!  Liver failure...due to breast cancer, chemo, injections and a genetic gene that affects the liver.  My boss and I went to see her in the hospital just last week...I'm so glad we did.  She was up and walking, and in good spirits, and we just knew she was going to beat this thing.  She was released to go home on Friday...then today...I just don't know what to say.  Kelly, my friend...I love you, miss you and will always remember you! 

Why post when I can read great blogs!

So...what have I been doing lately?  Obviously not posting here.  Between work, and kids, and hubby, and cats, and life...well I read other people's blogs!  Seriously - I am in awe of some of the daily haunts I visit...not a single one of them have I ever met in person...but I feel like I know them.  I read their posts with their witty stories and anticdotes and laugh with them.  I read their tragedies and sob at my desk...trying to keep it stifled so as not to alert my co-workers to my frowned upon extracurricular activities while at work.  Why then do I not write more?  Because I'm intimidated and completely suck at writing compared to these women who I feel I can call friends (although they probably don't even know who I am).  Even so...the blogging world is funny - it takes you to places you would love to be, to places you hope to NEVER be, and all the while you are soooo glad you are living your own journey.  I just don't have a clue how to make my life, which I love dearly and wouldn't trade for anyone else in the world...how can I get that on the screen the way others can?  It's a daunting task.  So...that's why I'm gone for long bits of time.  But...I am alive, and happy, and soooooo glad football season is here!!!!  :)

Has everyone else's kids gone back to school yet?  Mine have been back for 2 weeks and are absolutely loving it.  Me too - but it's not the school so much as just a regular routine.  Our summer was chaotic - our house became the hangout house for the neighborhood - which at the start of summer was GREAT - I knew where my kids were at all time.  By the end of summer I didn't even want to open the door to another kid and threatened to lock mine out...whew - it was exhausting.  So, woohoo for school!  :)  Although - the first week wasn't even complete when we got the first fundraiser packet sent home...seriously???  And school pictures...they usually aren't until October - just in time to send the family at Christmas time! 

Anywho - hope everyone had a great summer - we went to the mountains for a week - rented a cabin and it was heaven.  Although, we could have done with less rain - it literally stormed every day we were there.  So, it cut out on some of the swimming and hiking time...but it was fun none-the-less.  Hoping to go back next year, and I can't wait!!!  Had one week sans kids, and it was great too - although all of my best laid plans for getting things done while they are gone never get completed!  Sigh...but the quiet is nice. 

Gotta tell a "fun" story about today - we had the blood mobile at work today.  I was the first one in - the lady gets me in the seat, preps my arm, sticks in the needle... as she's pulling her hand back to grab the tape, she accidentally jerks the needle out of my arm...I kid you not it looked like someone had slashed my arm.  I have blood running down my fingertips and pooling on the floor!!!  It was awful, but we all laughed...what else can you do?  So they tell me...we're going to have to use your other arm.  Which went smoothly - but it's a little freaky to have all of your co-workers come in to donate while there is a man with a biohazard bag cleaning up you spilt blood - if I were them I don't know that I would continue on...lol!  So...now instead of one arm bandaged up, I have both.  Anyone who donated gets their name in a pot for a day off with pay...I think it needs to be me!  Haha!  :)  Hey...at least they gave me a drink AND not one, but two snacks, when I left.  I can deal with that! 
Hope everyone has a wonderful day! 

Spring Fever - anyone else have it yet?

So Spring is in the air - although we had such a mild winter it has felt on the verge of spring for months.  Anywho - is anyone else out there feeling the fever?  I am having such a hard time concentrating on work, or getting anything done...although, things have been sooooo crazy lately I feel like I'm constantly chasing my tail.  It started with last week.  Friday our company went Bronze...that's a huge deal within the corporation, so we had a big celebration on-site - games, food, dj, door prizes...the whole nine yards.  It was hot and sunny, and I got sunburnt bad...still peeling - ouch!  Then I had to leave there by 5:00 (although the celebration continued) because I had tickets to bring my son to Phineas and Ferb Live -which was a blast btw!  :)  We had to be there by 7:00 - needless to say I was a bit rushed.  Got home, put on deoderant and body splash (hey...I didn't have time for a shower, and I didn't want the people next to me wondering what was wrong with me...I had just spent the WHOLE day outside in the hot, blaring sun).  We didn't get home until well after 9:00 p.m.  My daughter had a sleepover at the school, and we were instructed that pickup time was 8:00 a.m. - seriously???  That's my one day to sleep in.  So I crawled out of bed at quarter til and threw on jeans, ponytailed the hair and was off.  The plan was to come home and get ready, because...we had to travel to a birthday party two hours away, and had to be there by noon.  It didn't happen - we went, but didn't arrive until after 1:00 p.m. - traffic was horrid, and weather was starting to get iffy.  Anywho - spent 4 hours in the car, and only 2 at the party.  Sigh!  It was for my best friends son, so it was worth the drive...but I was sooooo tired!  Sunday was a day of nothing but cleaning - house was a disaster (two kids...toys everywhere...out all day Saturday - yeah it was needed).  Then the work week began...and I'm stressing because this Saturday is a local festival, and my best friend is coming down to go to it - that will be fun, and that's not what is stressing me.  The following day my MIL and her sister are coming to spend the week with us.  My MIL's brother and wife come in the following day.  Spring Break begins monday for the kids, so I need to make sure my house is company ready by Friday - because Saturday is already shot!  I can't wait to have the company, but at the same time I'm a bit overwhelmed...you know how it is when you feel like you're entertaining, even when it's just family?  Well...that's how it will be and I'm alreay tired thinking about it.  I want some downtime...serious downtime.  Sigh!  The next month will be just as crazy - my daughter is in a school play coming up (on a Saturday???) and my son's birthday is just a few weeks away.  And my best friend is getting married the same day of his birthday party!!!  How I'm going to juggle that I'm not quite sure yet...but we'll get it done.  I won't miss either of them, as they are too important!  So...anyway - things are going good...just busy, busy, busy and I need a long, long nap!  Just think - Easter is almost here.  Oh yeah...I got out my Easter Tree and decorations last night...they look so cute!  :)  Anyway - hope everyone has a wonderful Spring, and catches the fever like I did...just hope you get a nap! 

Date Night - Dinner and Smooches

I am so excited!  The kids school is offering parents night out tonight, so hubby and I get to go out to dinner.  As in, nice, candlelit, adults only conversation dinner.  This NEVER happens!  I'm sooo excited!  We have had reservations for two weeks to this quaint little Italian Bistro downtown, and I'm already starting to drool thinking of all the yummy things this place has to offer.  Did I mention I'm excited!  :) 

My daughter cracked me up when I told her that daddy and I were going on a date.  She wrinkles her nose and goes "Ewwwwwwww!  All you're going to do it sit and smooch and give googly eyes, cuz that's what people do on dates"!  Haha!  The thoughts of an 8 year old girl...priceless!  I hated to burst her bubble and tell her that after 10 (almost 11) years of marriage, date nights aren't quite that sappy anymore. 

Hubby got the new job and starts next week!  He's thrilled, and can't wait to get back to the world of the working.  After a year of staying at home, being Mr. Mom and cook (I would say housekeeper, but I'd be lying!) he can't wait...and neither can I.  Now, I may actually be able to keep the house in some sort of decent order.  Maybe...give me two months and I'll let ya know! 

We are all going down to the Y tomorrow - one perk of hubby's job is we get $15/month family membership...not too shabby!  Looking forward to joining a Zumba class, or something along those lines. I've been keeping up with the Sweat It Out on Just Dance 3...that is so much fun!!!  I probably look like a fool trying to dance, but hey...I got 5 stars on Party Rockin In The House!!!!  Not too bad if I say so myself!  :) 

Anyway - I'm rambling while I should be working...but as I've posted before, it's really, really hard to work on Friday's.  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! 

Finally Friday!

Hi all - I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for today?  Why...no reason, I just love Fridays!  Nothing planned, nothing to have to prepare for but the end of the work day.  Fridays are jean days...so it's comfortable, and relaxed, and who really works on Fridays?  No set plans for the weekend, and I'm VERY happy about that - I love weekends with no expectations.  Just the family and me hanging out, doing some light cleaning, and having fun.  We just recently got the game Just Dance 3 for our Wii...what a blast!  My daughter was rewarded by having a good report card, and I've all but taken it over...haha!  Hey...it's a good workout.  Maybe I'll attain that goal of 20 lbs. after all.  :) 

I have nothing of importance to talk about, but my son completely made us laught last night.  We found him on the kitchen counter, and my husband asks him "What are you up to?"  to which my son immediately replied "No good"!  Hahaha!  Totally cracked us up...he's 6!  Nothing like honesty.  Hoot!

Anyway - as always when I come on here I don't have anything to say...my mind is blank, but I just felt the need to come type.  I'm happy it's the weekend, and hoping the weather is nice enough to get out and enjoy some sunshine and get the kids out of the house for a bit.  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend as well.  :)  Happy Friday!

My first post of 2012

Hello 2012 - this is the first post of the year, although it's almost February.  Almost February...how can that be?  The year just started, and the month is almost over.  Wow!  Well, anywho 2012 is already starting out so much better than 2011 was.  Last year there were way too many deaths not only within our family, but among family friends as well.  It was a year of sadness and loss on many levels, that is for sure.  It was also a year of financial strife - my husband got to play Mr. Mom for the summer, since the job market was bad.  It was a struggle, but we made it.  Hubby went back to get his personal training certification, and just as the class ended in October he injured his shoulder - as in torn rotater cuff injury!  Yikes!  So, off to the Dr, and meds, and PT...so internship to complete certification, and job were placed on hold.  Then...I injured my back.  Went to the Dr. thinking I had a kidney infection, only to find out I had compressed disks!  Yikes!  So...more meds, and rest, and medical expenses.  Haha!  So...as you can see 2011 will not be missed!

So far in 2012 - My hubby got his internship, and clearance from the Dr. on his shoulder.  Woohoo!  Looks as if there may be a job opening for him once the internship is complete.  Double Woohoo!  Kids are doing AWESOME in school!   My back is better.  Everyone in the family is healthy and well.  My dad went on a mission trip overseas, and got home safely.  We have already booked and scheduled our summer vacation - sooooo excited!  Last year was the beach...this year the mountains!  :)  Come on July...

So, now that 2012 is here, there are some things I wish to accomplish.  With my hubby becoming a personal trainer, I definitely need to get in shape myself...I need to lose about 20 lbs.  They are starting a Zumba class in my neighborhood...sounds fun, and it's only $5/session.  I think I can swing that!  So...wish me luck.

More time with the kiddos - I definitely need to do more with the kids...I need to be more creative with our time, and make it very special.  Being a busy working mom, sometimes I just want to go home and veg... but I have two very needy children wanting my attention.  I need to give them my all - they are growing up before my eyes, way too fast!  Stop, play, read...whatever - just do it!  One day they won't want me around so much, so I need to enjoy it while I can!

More time with hubby - sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I forget to give my hubby the attention he deserves.  I mean, I know the kids keep us busy, and life in general is non-stop...but we need to stop, and remember why we are here in the first place.  We married for love, have two beautiful children as a result, and we need to keep that in mind and don't take it all for granted. 

More time for friends - I have been lacking in this area lately, and it makes me feel horrible. For example, I have a dear friend that I could have sworn I saw two months ago...counting back it was before my FIL passed away, and that was in June!  7 months...how did that happen?  I'm a horrible friend!  I seriously need to carve out a little more time to devote to doing more with my friends - even if it's just a night doing nothing but sitting on the porch and chatting (those are actually some of the best nights)!  I have about 5 local friends I need to contact ASAP and make dates with.  And many more that are long distance I just need to call! 

Finances - Oh...the endless cycle of paying bills.  I know this will never end, but hopefully this will be the year that hubby gets a good job, our debt goes a little lower, and we can (maybe) splurge on a few items we've been talking about but never have quite enough in the piggy bank to get to...ie, new car since mine is old, fence in the yard, new carpet - again icky old,  new flat screen tv since ours died (sob). 

Well...I know there are many more things I could add to my 2012 list - some will happen (kids, hubby, friends), some we will see (20 lbs, Zumba...), and some I'm probably just dreaming about (car, fence, tv, carpet...).  Anyway - I hope you all have a wonderful, wonderful 2012!  I'm going to try!  :)

Thanksgiving - What are you thankful for?

I know I don't write here often enough, but things are always so crazy! I think about writing, then something comes up. I have thoughts running through my head at all times of the day, but when I go to write, I'm all of a sudden blank. Why is that?

Anywho - with Thanksgiving coming up I thought I would post about all the things I'm thankful for this year. The list is long, but it's a good reminder for those days when I'm not feeling so thankful - this will be here to let me know I am truly blessed in many ways:

1. I'm thankful for my wonderful family. My husband, my two beautiful children, my always supportive and helpful parents and mother-in-law.
2. My sweet furry kitties who always know when mama needs some snuggle time.
3. A house we can call our own - although a lower mortgage would be nice. :) At least we have a home, and have been lucky enough to keep it during the hard times.
4. My job - although I sometimes complain (okay a lot complain) about my work, I actually do enjoy my co-workers, and I like what I do. And, again, during this economic downturn I am thankful that I have a job to go to.
5. My car - although it may be old, and it grumbles at me on cold mornings, it gets me where I need to go, and has never let me down. (Although I would rather have my hubby's mustang...it's perty). ;)
6. My church - although we don't go as often as we should, I love to go to church. I always feel refreshed and better after attending. Why don't I go more often? I'm lazy and like to sleep in on Sunday's...that's the honest truth. But I do like that connection to God whenever I do go.
7. Food - I love food...any type of food. And I am blessed to have an abundance in our pantry at any given time.
8. My health - I just had all my biometrics done recently and on a scale of 1-100 (with 100 being excellent health) I got a 91. Not too shabby...I could lose a few pounds, but overall I can't complain.
9. My friends - whether far away, or near and dear I am blessed to have many friends. Many I get to see often. Many I haven't seen in years, but I know I could count on them in a pinch if I called. And I hope they think the same way about me!
10. The gift of reading! I LOVE to read a good book - and there are so many good ones out there I have yet to read. I love that I have that passion for reading. My husband can't stand to read, and that is a foreign concept to me - I find it sad. Thank goodness my children are starting to pick up on my love of books. It's encouraging!

Okay - I'll stop at 10 for now...I know there are so many other things to be thankful for, but I won't bore you anymore. I just hope that everyone has a safe, and very Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble!

Blue October...isn't that a band? Or just my mood...

I am soooo over October. First, this begins the crazy season at work - benefit enrollment begins...in other words lots of unhappy employees coming to me to ask questions, ask more questions and blow off steam about how unhappy they are. Trust me, I don't like the changes either, so don't yell at me!! I just work here. Second, this is the time of year that school pictures are taken (meaning buy a package, or two), school fundraisers are in abundance (meaning spend more money on stuff you don't need) and school activities are overflowing (meaning I will somehow fit this into my schedule if it kills me). Add to that I have to find two Halloween costumes in the next week - they are SOOOO expensive, and I have tried to think of things to make at home, and we just don't have the stuff to do it! Ugh! I just went to 3 Dr. appts. in the past month, had two teacher conferences, and now hubby has a hurt shoulder and an MRI scheduled tomorrow. So...I am really, really ready for October to be done! But then comes the stress of car taxes due next month, Thanksgiving, daughter's birthday, and party in early December, followed by my birthday and then Christmas. So...I guess I'm already in panic mode. No money, no time, and no patience. Plus I found out I may be flying out of state for work soon...like early November soon. Yikes! It's still up in the air, but I need to know SOON if I'm going or not. Man...I guess I need to come on here and vent more often. I bottle it up for a month or two, then come on and vent. The funny thing is noone I know reads this - there may be someone out there who checks it out, but this is just my place to vent about everyday life, crazy events and work!
Anywho - that's really all I have to say. Oh...and I really do love the band Blue October! :) A thank you to them for giving me a label for my blog today.

Goodbye Summer, Hello School

Well, it is that time of the year again where parents breath a big sigh of relief, and kids just plain sigh. School time is just around the corner for many - for us it starts on Monday, August 15th. It seems to be earlier and earlier every year. Anywho - I honestly can't say I'm not ready for school to start - our summer has been a bit unusual...not bad, but not good by any stretch of the imagination. From my last post I mentioned my Father-in-law was in bad health. After over 40 days in the hospital fighting pancreatitis, his body finally shut down and he passed away on June 3rd. My husband was already up giving his mom moral support, and my parents had my kids at their house. I had to tell them over the phone that their Paw Paw didn't make it. Not the best conversation to have with a 7 1/2 and 6 year old. It was HARD. Then while my parents had the children at their home I drove up for the funeral. It was a nice service, and it was good to see everyone. Afterward I stayed a few days to help my Mother-In-Law with household chores and yard work. Then it was off to get the kiddos. In July we all went to the beach house again this year at Edisto - it was nice, but with my FIL's recent passing there was a bit of a damper on the beach mood. We had a good time, but I could tell my husband was edgier, the kids more restless, and my MIL kept to herself a lot....understandable, but still not the ideal vacation. We still had a nice time and tried to make the best of it. The kids and hubby went to visit his mom mid-summer, and I had the house to myself. That was a nice week for everyone. The kids, hubby and MIL stayed busy and did lots of fun activities, and I...oh, I got to enjoy a week to myself...well, mostly. My mom came down for a couple days and painted my sons room, and we got to go shopping and hang out...which was great. But those days to myself...oh they were heavenly! I got to watch what I wanted to on the tv, I got to eat what and when I wanted, sleep without the tv on!!! My hubby has to have the tv, and I like a dark room...it was great! Although, I was very happy when they returned home. All in all, the summer hasn't been great for the kids - they were home with daddy most of the time, and most of their friends were either out of town or at camp. We did go to the pool a few times on the weekends, but most of the time was just spent at home. I am taking off Friday so that we can do something fun as a family before they have to go back to school on Monday. I feel it's only fair to do something, considering the summer they have had. So...I feel a visit to the water park in order. Woohoo! Nothing better to beat the dog days of summer. And then ice cream...

Spring Time Blues

I thought the blues were supposed to hit in the fall and winter...I seem to have a case of the spring time blues. I think I know the root cause - 1. It's beautiful outside, and I'm stuck at work indoors all day long. 2. My house has not had a bout of spring cleaning since last spring - it's beyond awful and I don't know where to start. To make it worse, my husband (a realtor) has taken a sabatical due to the economy and is playing Mr. Mom...well, housekeeper he is not! I soooooo badly want him to go back to work...yes, we are broke, but I don't care about that. We've been broke since the economy fell in 2008 and we've held up fine. My house on the other hand is falling apart with him home, and it's driving me up a wall. I seriously can't wait to get MY schedule back in place. Ack! 3. Summertime is almost here, and we are broke...that makes it hard to keep the kids entertained. We had promised them come summer they could go to their old summer camp, but it just ain't gonna happen...and I'm sad for them. :(
On a happy note, we get a beach house for free for the week of July 4th...we got to go last year, and it's a beautiful 4 bedroom house 1 block off the beach, and I'm soooooooo totally thankful for hubby's sweet friend who is letting us have it again this year. My folks will be going with us too - unfortunately in-laws won't make it due to my FIL having health problems. :( But I'm just glad we do have something to look forward to.
Anywho...life is still crazy. Kids last day is next Friday. They will be attending a new school next year - we haven't moved, but a new school has popped up closer to us, and we are in the new attendance area. Not sure if I'm happy or not - a lot of their friends will be staying behind...but they will still know several kids moving as well. They're young - they'll be fine. Kids adjust well!
I don't know exactly why I'm so bluesy all of a sudden. It could be 1. 2. 3. listed above, along with the fact that I read a blog earlier that got me weepy...it talked about when you need a good down and dirty cry, things that will always work...just reading the list made me want to crawl under my desk in the fetal position and let loose! I don't know that my co-workers would appreciate it, though. They may be on the phone with the EAP and setting me up for the next available counseling session. Ha!
Well, I always have so many random thoughts to type about, but I always have a brain freeze as soon as my fingers start typing. Why is that? I guess it's a good thing I'm not a writer - it doesn't come naturally to me. I just like to type - even senseless words and typing allow me to vent. In college my roommates used to get me to type their papers for them...not write them, just do the typing part. In a weird way it was therapeutic. I didn't have to think too hard - just tap away with my fingers and away goes the stress...I know, I'm weird...what can I say?! :)

Smile - Sob

My 7 year old daughter did the sweetest thing last night, out of the blue. She was busy working at the kitchen table, over what I though was drawings or such. She was there for a very long time, and when I walked into the kitchen, was told by my husband I was not allowed over there. Turns out that she was writing me a letter - the sweetest, dearest thing I've ever seen - I need to post it verbatum later, but in a nutshell she went on to tell me what a wonderful mother I was, and how much she loved me! It was a whole piece of paper full of her 7 year old thoughts...if you think I didn't get teary eyed over that...wow! Then the poor darling wanted to decorate it to make it pretty - she colored on the back with a marker, and the page tore! You would have thought her little world ended - it was heartbreaking because she had worked so hard. :( I don't care if is torn or not...it's a keeper in my book! Sooooooo sweet!

Life continues to be crazy. I have been fighting this upper respiratory crud for almost a month now - I finally caved and went to the Dr. last friday - yep upper respiratory infection and sinusitis. I am taking antibiotics (that sulfur junk) and some codeine based cough syrup...it's getting better, but everyone at work was ready to take me out to the field and shoot me earlier - i still have these horrific coughing fits! Sooooo ready for it to be gone! Yuck!

Did anyone out there know that today is Dr. Seuss's b-day? I was told by my kids - they are celebrating his bday at school today! LOL! Just a tidbit of trivia for you! :)

Gotta run