I went to the funeral of a boy who attended the same school as Missy. A young man who was riding his bicycle late at night on a dark road, and for some reason, veered into traffic and was struck by a car. He was 17 years old. Missy has cried. I never met this boy, and I cried. The funeral was both beautiful and awful at the same time. So many people loved Steven. He was apparently a practical joker, and loved sleeping and eating, like most teenage boys. His father gave the eulogy. I sobbed. I sat there, wondering if I could give the eulogy for my children. The mom didn't. She sat in the front pew and cried quietly. I cried watching her. A life cut so short, so quickly, and in so much pain.
I came into the house, exhausted. My eyes hurt. I forgot my glasses for the funeral. I took two advil, put my glasses on. Missy went to bed, just drained from the pain of losing her friend. She ate lunch with him every day. She yelled at him for putting mustard on her shoe. She said, "Mommy, the last thing I ever did was yell at him." I told her that Steven was a joker, and it was all just a joke. She knew, but it still pained her.
Then I sat down and did some schoolwork, but I'm having a hard time thinking. Thinking about eulogies, about what music to pick. What outfit to choose. Steven had a can of Axe body spray in his hands, it was apparently his favorite. I smiled, thinking of how silly he must have been. MUST. HAVE. BEEN. Then I cry all over again. Bucket came up behind me and patted me on the head. Still not great with social cues, but he knew I was upset. He knew I had been at a funeral, but he's never been to one, so he's not sure what they're like. He said, "Mommy, you cried." I nodded, because my voice is stuck in my throat. Then I held him and cried again. Cried because I'm so blessed that I get to give my son another hug, and Steven's mom's arms are empty tonight.
Just hug people you love today. Do it, because it could be your last time hugging that person. None of us knows the day God will call us Home to him. Mine could be tomorrow. Heck, it could be in ten minutes. I don't know. Get right before it's over.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Stop and Think
Hey all! I've had a very busy week at work, and with Monday being a holiday, I've been trying to get an extra day of work done in no extra time. I've managed to do it, but I'm exhausted. Plus I finished driving school for a ticket I got two months ago, and I haven't even started on my classwork for school. Ai yi yi! I am really, REALLY looking forward to three days of not answering my phone. I'll still be doing some classwork, but other than that, my computer will be OFF.
My post today is again asking a question of my readers. I know many of us have been affected by the recent recession. I don't care who you want to blame it on...Bush, the banks, Rainbow Brite, enormous sea turtles, El Nino, it did suck. Recent news reports say that a recovery is right around the corner. So my question is, now that the light seems to be around the side of the mountain, what did you learn from it? Were you specifically hurt by the recession? Or did your finances thrive? Did you learn new things, like how to can, or start taking your bicycle? Are you dying to pull your credit cards out again, or did you cut them up and swore to be cash only from now on?
I admit, Mr. R and I have been very blessed in that our standard of living hardly moved. He worked fairly consistently throughout the recession, and in fact is so busy that he couldn't even come home for my birthday. And hospital stuff? Well, people get sick no matter how the economy fares, so I've been busy too. If anything, with so many prices dropping on items, we have been able to stock up on lots of stuff that we had wanted and couldn't afford in the past. We bought a new washer and driver, a new air conditioner for the entire house, two laptops, a bass guitar, a trumpet, drum kit stuff and everyone has decent clothes and shoes right now. I also got new tires and a tune up on my car, plus Mr. R got a tune up on his pickup truck, and is having a new stereo installed for Father's Day. He also bought a fuel regulator thingy for his semi truck to save fuel, and it has made a HUUUUUGE difference. Throughout all of this, we've been regularly tithing too.
I'm not saying any of this to brag, because let me tell you, we have NOTHING in savings.
If anyone has heard of Dave Ramsey, you'd know that his Baby Step 1 is to have $1000 in savings. That's an emergency cushion so you don't rely on credit cards when crap hits the fan. That will hopefully be our next step, is that cushion.
So to get back to my question? Now that we've lived through one of the worst recessions in history, did you learn anything special? Did you make changes to your lifestyle? Did you lose a job, or a home, or a vehicle?
I think what I learned is:
1) Put God first, even when it makes no sense. I've written that check on Sunday morning gritting my teeth, I admit it. I've thought, I could put that towards my credit card (my last one) or I need to buy groceries. But we've not starved, we've had gas in the cars, and I've not had any of my utilities shut off. He does provide.
2) Learn to use coupons! Good grief people. I'm not even that good at it yet, but I'm hooked. For the price of a $1.50 Sunday paper, I'm saving about $50 a week. That's an excellent return for your bucks. So don't say, "I can't afford the paper." You can't NOT afford the paper. Plus there are so many internet deals you can print. I don't even do those, but I may in the future. Go onto the websites for your local stores and find out their specials. I go to one particular store to buy meat only, and they give out a $10 of $50 coupon every time for the following week. Then I take that coupon and use it at another store that accepts competitor coupons, and bust it out when they're having Buy One Get One Free sales with coupons and peelies. I walked out of Winn Dixie two weeks ago and used $149 in coupons and store deals. That's a lot of groceries for free! Yes, I said $149!!!
3) Start a garden. Even if all you have is a little patio or a window. We have 1/4 acre, so that's quite a bit of land. Right now, all we're doing is tomatoes and herbs, because I have a terrible, terrible black thumb. The garden is Mr. R's domain, and since he's not here...it's not looking great. But the herbs look wonderful! We are growing parsley, oregano, mint, thyme and rosemary. I made potatoes tonight and ran outside to clip some parsley to put in them. It's fun, and tastes so fresh!
4) Be content with what you have. I am a internet shopper. I love a deal, I love free shipping, I love clothes and shoes and buying stuff for my kids. I'm not saying I stopped...but I've slowed down a lot. I was on a dress buying kick for a while. Why? I only wear them on Sundays. How many do I really need? What makes more sense to me is to fix the skirts I've had in my repair basket for THREE YEARS and buy some more tank tops and simple knit tops, because that's what I wear when I work from home. I'm all about looking nice while I work (I've stopped working in my pjs, I had a terrible attitude when I did so) but dresses that need to be ironed and worn with foundation garments don't belong in my wardrobe during the week. Roscoe the dog does not give a hoot how cute I am.
5) Get rid of junk you don't need, don't use, doesn't have a function, or isn't beautiful. I donated my kids books. I saved one from each child that personified them personally, and ditched the rest. It was hard. I cried. But I had no room for them. I threw out old make up. I routinely go through the medicine cabinets and pantry to throw out expired items. I got rid of a couch that couldn't be repaired, and got a used one. That being said, take good care of what you do have. I'm sitting at my dining room table right now, that is absolutely covered with junk. I couldn't eat here right now without getting a garbage bag and clearing everything off, and then washing the table down. It would take me 30 minutes. I'm not being a good steward of this lovely furniture. I need to change that.
My post today is again asking a question of my readers. I know many of us have been affected by the recent recession. I don't care who you want to blame it on...Bush, the banks, Rainbow Brite, enormous sea turtles, El Nino, it did suck. Recent news reports say that a recovery is right around the corner. So my question is, now that the light seems to be around the side of the mountain, what did you learn from it? Were you specifically hurt by the recession? Or did your finances thrive? Did you learn new things, like how to can, or start taking your bicycle? Are you dying to pull your credit cards out again, or did you cut them up and swore to be cash only from now on?
I admit, Mr. R and I have been very blessed in that our standard of living hardly moved. He worked fairly consistently throughout the recession, and in fact is so busy that he couldn't even come home for my birthday. And hospital stuff? Well, people get sick no matter how the economy fares, so I've been busy too. If anything, with so many prices dropping on items, we have been able to stock up on lots of stuff that we had wanted and couldn't afford in the past. We bought a new washer and driver, a new air conditioner for the entire house, two laptops, a bass guitar, a trumpet, drum kit stuff and everyone has decent clothes and shoes right now. I also got new tires and a tune up on my car, plus Mr. R got a tune up on his pickup truck, and is having a new stereo installed for Father's Day. He also bought a fuel regulator thingy for his semi truck to save fuel, and it has made a HUUUUUGE difference. Throughout all of this, we've been regularly tithing too.
I'm not saying any of this to brag, because let me tell you, we have NOTHING in savings.
If anyone has heard of Dave Ramsey, you'd know that his Baby Step 1 is to have $1000 in savings. That's an emergency cushion so you don't rely on credit cards when crap hits the fan. That will hopefully be our next step, is that cushion.
So to get back to my question? Now that we've lived through one of the worst recessions in history, did you learn anything special? Did you make changes to your lifestyle? Did you lose a job, or a home, or a vehicle?
I think what I learned is:
1) Put God first, even when it makes no sense. I've written that check on Sunday morning gritting my teeth, I admit it. I've thought, I could put that towards my credit card (my last one) or I need to buy groceries. But we've not starved, we've had gas in the cars, and I've not had any of my utilities shut off. He does provide.
2) Learn to use coupons! Good grief people. I'm not even that good at it yet, but I'm hooked. For the price of a $1.50 Sunday paper, I'm saving about $50 a week. That's an excellent return for your bucks. So don't say, "I can't afford the paper." You can't NOT afford the paper. Plus there are so many internet deals you can print. I don't even do those, but I may in the future. Go onto the websites for your local stores and find out their specials. I go to one particular store to buy meat only, and they give out a $10 of $50 coupon every time for the following week. Then I take that coupon and use it at another store that accepts competitor coupons, and bust it out when they're having Buy One Get One Free sales with coupons and peelies. I walked out of Winn Dixie two weeks ago and used $149 in coupons and store deals. That's a lot of groceries for free! Yes, I said $149!!!
3) Start a garden. Even if all you have is a little patio or a window. We have 1/4 acre, so that's quite a bit of land. Right now, all we're doing is tomatoes and herbs, because I have a terrible, terrible black thumb. The garden is Mr. R's domain, and since he's not here...it's not looking great. But the herbs look wonderful! We are growing parsley, oregano, mint, thyme and rosemary. I made potatoes tonight and ran outside to clip some parsley to put in them. It's fun, and tastes so fresh!
4) Be content with what you have. I am a internet shopper. I love a deal, I love free shipping, I love clothes and shoes and buying stuff for my kids. I'm not saying I stopped...but I've slowed down a lot. I was on a dress buying kick for a while. Why? I only wear them on Sundays. How many do I really need? What makes more sense to me is to fix the skirts I've had in my repair basket for THREE YEARS and buy some more tank tops and simple knit tops, because that's what I wear when I work from home. I'm all about looking nice while I work (I've stopped working in my pjs, I had a terrible attitude when I did so) but dresses that need to be ironed and worn with foundation garments don't belong in my wardrobe during the week. Roscoe the dog does not give a hoot how cute I am.
5) Get rid of junk you don't need, don't use, doesn't have a function, or isn't beautiful. I donated my kids books. I saved one from each child that personified them personally, and ditched the rest. It was hard. I cried. But I had no room for them. I threw out old make up. I routinely go through the medicine cabinets and pantry to throw out expired items. I got rid of a couch that couldn't be repaired, and got a used one. That being said, take good care of what you do have. I'm sitting at my dining room table right now, that is absolutely covered with junk. I couldn't eat here right now without getting a garbage bag and clearing everything off, and then washing the table down. It would take me 30 minutes. I'm not being a good steward of this lovely furniture. I need to change that.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things!
I am so blessed that I haven't had an bout of depression in quite a long time. But it is still very easy to complain and be annoyed by lots of things. So I decided to think of TWENTY things/people/ideas that give me joy, happiness and satisfaction. I'd like to share them with you. And it would be cool if you'd post back some of YOUR favorite things!
1. Jesus Christ
The reason I exist. To praise His Name, and no other.
2. My honey
I smile when I see his face. My heart flutters when the cell phone rings, and it's him. I anticipate his homecoming when a load brings him back to Florida. I share my life, my home, my children, my body, my mind with this guy.
Plus he cooks! COME ON. Win!!!
3. Missy
My clone. The one who drives me the most crazy lately. She was a demanding baby, a shy toddler, a preschooler who refused to wear shorts or pants, a lover of Bratz dolls and cooking from the very start.
4. Tiger
My camera shy musician with a heart of gold, and a big mouth. The only kid on stage for the Christmas play who didn't need a mic.
5. Bucket
My computer loving baby. The one who couldn't love me back at first. It didn't matter. I still loved him, and fought for him. The hard work paid off.
6. My church!
My awesome church family comes here to worship. I've made amazing friends and lifetime family members through the Body of Christ. I look forward to every Sunday!
7. Coffee
This makes me want to lick the screen.
8. The beach
I grew up in Rockaway Beach, New York. Living in Florida has actually been the furthest away I've ever lived from the beach. I also lived in St. Augustine for a year while in college, and I purposely chose St. Augustine because 1) it was a historic city, and I'm a sucker for stuff like that. 2) It was beachside. I am just a beach girl. I love seafood, salt in the air, sunbleached porches, sand in my car, and freckles on my nose. I love bare feet, watching surfers eat it, floaty gauzy skirts that don't stick to my thighs, and picnics with bonfires on the shore. I am definitely one of those people who would shell out (get it? SHELL. OUT.) 6 digits for a condo on the beach when I'm older. I love listening to waves, and watching seagulls fight over bread, and even seeing shark fins by the pier.
9. Flip-flops
Allie over at wardrobeoxygen.com says that women should throw half their flip flop collection away. That might work for her over in Maryland/DC area, but here in sub-tropical Florida, that is pedicular suicide. I cannot imagine wearing closed toe shoes in Florida in the summer. That being said, you should go visit her site anyway. She is a wealth of information, and I'm pretty sure we'd be friend IRL. Anyway, can you imagine the foot odor here in the deep south without open shoes? You know what, let's not. I'd like to pretend that doesn't happen to me, ever.
10. Chips and salsa
One of my favorite snacks! Salty, crunchy, vegetably goodness. NOM!
11. Food Network
I'm learning new stuff all the time!
12. Candles
Let me just say, I love candles. I love the way the light flickers, I love the smell, I love the mood. I have candles all over my bedroom. One time, one of Missy's friends walked into my room and said, "Your parents must have sex! There are candles everywhere!" Funny how people equate candles and sex. But yes...we are married, we do tend to do that. Sex is not just for teenagers you know!
13. My laptop
This isn't my laptop, but mine is a red Dell. Close enough.
14. Kissing/lovin stuff
I typed in the word "kiss" and got lots of porn. Mostly lesbian porn. I don't have a lot of kissing pictures of me and Mr. R because I think I make funny faces. Anyway, this was as tame as it got online. Sad.
15. Sleep
I love sleep and Garfield. Plus I like lasagna too.
16. NY Mets
My dad used to have a shirt that said, "Anyone can love the Yankees, but it takes someone special to love the Mets." Amen.
17. my grandparents
I'm the only little dark haired girl in the picture. My grandfather is still with us, will be 85 in June. My grandma passed away back in 1993, when I was a freshman in college. And my cousin Renee (the little girl sitting next to me) died in 1995 from cancer.
18. pregnancy
I still dream about this. I miss this sensation.
19. facebook
If anyone is interested in friending me in real life, you have to send me an email. You can at sarahrr123 at earthlink.net. I *might* consider it. lol
20. lobster
I should have added "with butter." Mmmm mmm mmm!
1. Jesus Christ
The reason I exist. To praise His Name, and no other.2. My honey
I smile when I see his face. My heart flutters when the cell phone rings, and it's him. I anticipate his homecoming when a load brings him back to Florida. I share my life, my home, my children, my body, my mind with this guy.
Plus he cooks! COME ON. Win!!!
3. Missy
My clone. The one who drives me the most crazy lately. She was a demanding baby, a shy toddler, a preschooler who refused to wear shorts or pants, a lover of Bratz dolls and cooking from the very start.
4. Tiger
My camera shy musician with a heart of gold, and a big mouth. The only kid on stage for the Christmas play who didn't need a mic.5. Bucket
My computer loving baby. The one who couldn't love me back at first. It didn't matter. I still loved him, and fought for him. The hard work paid off.
6. My church!
My awesome church family comes here to worship. I've made amazing friends and lifetime family members through the Body of Christ. I look forward to every Sunday!7. Coffee
This makes me want to lick the screen.
8. The beach
I grew up in Rockaway Beach, New York. Living in Florida has actually been the furthest away I've ever lived from the beach. I also lived in St. Augustine for a year while in college, and I purposely chose St. Augustine because 1) it was a historic city, and I'm a sucker for stuff like that. 2) It was beachside. I am just a beach girl. I love seafood, salt in the air, sunbleached porches, sand in my car, and freckles on my nose. I love bare feet, watching surfers eat it, floaty gauzy skirts that don't stick to my thighs, and picnics with bonfires on the shore. I am definitely one of those people who would shell out (get it? SHELL. OUT.) 6 digits for a condo on the beach when I'm older. I love listening to waves, and watching seagulls fight over bread, and even seeing shark fins by the pier.
9. Flip-flops
Allie over at wardrobeoxygen.com says that women should throw half their flip flop collection away. That might work for her over in Maryland/DC area, but here in sub-tropical Florida, that is pedicular suicide. I cannot imagine wearing closed toe shoes in Florida in the summer. That being said, you should go visit her site anyway. She is a wealth of information, and I'm pretty sure we'd be friend IRL. Anyway, can you imagine the foot odor here in the deep south without open shoes? You know what, let's not. I'd like to pretend that doesn't happen to me, ever.
10. Chips and salsa
One of my favorite snacks! Salty, crunchy, vegetably goodness. NOM!11. Food Network
I'm learning new stuff all the time!12. Candles
Let me just say, I love candles. I love the way the light flickers, I love the smell, I love the mood. I have candles all over my bedroom. One time, one of Missy's friends walked into my room and said, "Your parents must have sex! There are candles everywhere!" Funny how people equate candles and sex. But yes...we are married, we do tend to do that. Sex is not just for teenagers you know!
13. My laptop
This isn't my laptop, but mine is a red Dell. Close enough.
14. Kissing/lovin stuff
I typed in the word "kiss" and got lots of porn. Mostly lesbian porn. I don't have a lot of kissing pictures of me and Mr. R because I think I make funny faces. Anyway, this was as tame as it got online. Sad.15. Sleep
I love sleep and Garfield. Plus I like lasagna too.16. NY Mets
My dad used to have a shirt that said, "Anyone can love the Yankees, but it takes someone special to love the Mets." Amen.
17. my grandparents
I'm the only little dark haired girl in the picture. My grandfather is still with us, will be 85 in June. My grandma passed away back in 1993, when I was a freshman in college. And my cousin Renee (the little girl sitting next to me) died in 1995 from cancer.
18. pregnancy
I still dream about this. I miss this sensation.
19. facebook
If anyone is interested in friending me in real life, you have to send me an email. You can at sarahrr123 at earthlink.net. I *might* consider it. lol
20. lobster
I should have added "with butter." Mmmm mmm mmm!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The DMV is the Devil
As ya'll know, my birthday was last week. And I noticed two days before that my license was about to expire. Oh noooo. So off to the computer I went, to make an appointment to get my snazzy new picture. I show up on time, and graciously smile at the person behind the counter.
"Driver's license?" she snaps. I hand it over.
"Social security card?" I give it to her.
"Marriage license?" SAY WHAT?!?!
"I don't have it with me. But I've been married for almost sixteen years." I smile at her. It does no good. It's like a hair dryer against a glacier.
"You need it. Go to the courthouse and get your license. You were married in Florida, weren't you?" I nod meekly.
"Go the courthouse across the street. Get your license. Bye."
So I call Mr. R, vent about how ridiculous this is that they want a marriage license from me, when, HELLLOOOO, they are the ones who issued me the drivers license with my married name in the first place. I get in line at the courthouse. A much more pleasant woman this time.
"Hi. I need a copy of my marriage license. The DMV tells me I need it." She nods. Has clearly heard this story before.
"Were you married in Volusia county?"
"No, Orange county." I tell her.
"Sorry, you have to go to the Orlando courthouse to get your license. We won't have it here." At this point, I want to cry. I've just lost two hours in lines and didn't even get anywhere. I don't have time to drive to Orlando and back, and also pick up Bucket from school. I give up.
Yesterday, Mr. R was home, and offered to go to Orlando to get the license. My license is expired, so I'm not going anywhere if I can help it. He calls me from the courthouse.
"We have a problem."
"What's that?" I ask, not really even paying attention, because I'm working on an account that has me puzzled.
"They can't find it."
I stop.
"What?!?!" I shriek.
"Our license is not on record. When we got married, who was supposed to submit our license?"
"I think the pastor does it!" I exclaim.
"I don't think he did. We are looking through all of the August 1994 licenses and we're not in here."
Me. In the back of my head: "I'M SINGLE?!!?"
He is cracking up. I can hear a few women behind him laughing. I said, "We're not married?" and he replied, "Not according to Orange county." Which is when I heard a shriek of laughter from the records clerk trying to help him.
I said, "What are we going to do? Have we been living in sin for sixteen years?!?!" and I didn't realize he had put me on speaker phone. The poor records clerk in Orlando probably wet her pants. She was howling like a basset hound. He said, through his own laughter, "They're going to let me look through some files. Let me call you back." I was tempted to call our current pastor and ask him if he could marry us real quick so I could get my drivers license. Then I realized the craziness of the situation and just started laughing. I pondered if going on match.com would be an issue for Mr. R. Then my phone rang.
"They found it. They were spelling our last name wrong again."
"So we're married?" I asked.
"Yes. Don't sound so happy about it. I'll be home in an hour. You owe me big." Click.
So, thank you, Orange County. For telling me I'm married. And for many jokes for years to come.
By the way, I got my license today. After all that, they charged me a late fee, and took the most hideous picture ever. I look like Miss Piggy. I should not have worn pink.
"Driver's license?" she snaps. I hand it over.
"Social security card?" I give it to her.
"Marriage license?" SAY WHAT?!?!
"I don't have it with me. But I've been married for almost sixteen years." I smile at her. It does no good. It's like a hair dryer against a glacier.
"You need it. Go to the courthouse and get your license. You were married in Florida, weren't you?" I nod meekly.
"Go the courthouse across the street. Get your license. Bye."
So I call Mr. R, vent about how ridiculous this is that they want a marriage license from me, when, HELLLOOOO, they are the ones who issued me the drivers license with my married name in the first place. I get in line at the courthouse. A much more pleasant woman this time.
"Hi. I need a copy of my marriage license. The DMV tells me I need it." She nods. Has clearly heard this story before.
"Were you married in Volusia county?"
"No, Orange county." I tell her.
"Sorry, you have to go to the Orlando courthouse to get your license. We won't have it here." At this point, I want to cry. I've just lost two hours in lines and didn't even get anywhere. I don't have time to drive to Orlando and back, and also pick up Bucket from school. I give up.
Yesterday, Mr. R was home, and offered to go to Orlando to get the license. My license is expired, so I'm not going anywhere if I can help it. He calls me from the courthouse.
"We have a problem."
"What's that?" I ask, not really even paying attention, because I'm working on an account that has me puzzled.
"They can't find it."
I stop.
"What?!?!" I shriek.
"Our license is not on record. When we got married, who was supposed to submit our license?"
"I think the pastor does it!" I exclaim.
"I don't think he did. We are looking through all of the August 1994 licenses and we're not in here."
Me. In the back of my head: "I'M SINGLE?!!?"
He is cracking up. I can hear a few women behind him laughing. I said, "We're not married?" and he replied, "Not according to Orange county." Which is when I heard a shriek of laughter from the records clerk trying to help him.
I said, "What are we going to do? Have we been living in sin for sixteen years?!?!" and I didn't realize he had put me on speaker phone. The poor records clerk in Orlando probably wet her pants. She was howling like a basset hound. He said, through his own laughter, "They're going to let me look through some files. Let me call you back." I was tempted to call our current pastor and ask him if he could marry us real quick so I could get my drivers license. Then I realized the craziness of the situation and just started laughing. I pondered if going on match.com would be an issue for Mr. R. Then my phone rang.
"They found it. They were spelling our last name wrong again."
"So we're married?" I asked.
"Yes. Don't sound so happy about it. I'll be home in an hour. You owe me big." Click.
So, thank you, Orange County. For telling me I'm married. And for many jokes for years to come.
By the way, I got my license today. After all that, they charged me a late fee, and took the most hideous picture ever. I look like Miss Piggy. I should not have worn pink.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
35 is the New Sarah
This sailboat was very close to shore. What a beautiful day! It was about 85-90 degrees, which is pretty temperate for Florida in May. I've lived here long enough to be grateful it wasn't 103.
Here's a funny story. We went to visit my mom at her job, and a guest from the week before (she works at rental condos on the beach) left three boogie boards and didn't want them back. They're ours now! Mwahahaha!
I rarely take pictures of myself. It was so bright I could hardly see, plus I'm trying to take backwards pictures because all the kids were wet and I didn't want them touching my camera. So this is what you get.
Of course, THIS ONE came out crystal clear! And you know what I just noticed. I didn't take the little sticker off my sunglasses. I never even noticed it! My peripheral vision is going DOWNHILL my friends.
Hair in face. *thpootie!*
Trying to do an artsy fartsy shot.
Yes, I do actually smile sometimes. Amazing.
Yes, what an awesome day. I'm alive, I have three cool kids, I'm on the beach, life is GOOD!
Trying to hide the neck fat. Didn't work.
Someone didn't get a pedicure for her birthday. Maybe sometime this week. It is needed.
Who left a Bucket in a jacuzzi?
NOM!!! GRILLED MAHI MAHI WITH COCONUT SHRIMP AND LEMON! (I didn't even look at the onion rings. Who cares? I had coconut shrimp and mahi mahi, people!)
Tee hee. There's my food. Mood is about to get better in three...two...one...
Deliciously refreshing water with lemon. I can't stand much else when it's hot outside. I dehydrate so quickly. Did you notice how red I was in the shot prior to this?
COCONUT SHRIMP MY FRIENDS! OH YES! THE REASON I EXIST! THE MATE TO MY TASTE BUDS!
View from the restaurant where we were seated. Had a great breeze, too.
I'd live at the beach if I could. I'm a beach girl at heart, oh yes.
The drunk people at the restaurant. Oh, and I did get hit on a drunk guy at this restaurant. I show up with three kids and still get hit on! Unreal!
Bored, waiting on food.
Food. Give us food. Food is good.
And that was my 35th birthday! I wish you all could have been here with me!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
I Have a Blog?
I am always shocked when few days go by and I haven't blogged. But what a jam packed several days I've had!
On Friday: Bucket had a sleep study. It went shockingly well, except he punched the sleep tech in the face. In Bucket's defense, he was totally asleep when it happened. I'm very glad the sleep tech had a good sense of humor about the situation.
On Saturday, we had house guests arrive from Kansas. They just left today, Tuesday. I don't have a guest room. That means I've had a couple sleeping in my living room for four days. I also don't have a sleeper sofa. Angie slept on the couch, and James slept on a pallet on the floor. I feel terrible about that. However, I am glad they're gone. What a dysfunctional couple. James drinks 24/7 and Angie whines about him drinking 24/7. I have enough beer cans in my recycle bin to create sculpture. However, James did mow the lawn, paint most of the interior of the house, and was nice to the kids.
Sunday was Mother's Day. Mr. R played in the band at church on Mother's Day! He was really great and it was awesome to see him use his talents for the glory of God. Then I took a nap on Mother's Day afternoon and absolutely loved it.
On Monday, I had an IEP meeting for Bucket. I chose his classes for next year (he had input of course) and then came home and dealt with the air conditioning salesperson. We are getting a new air conditioner next Monday...to the tune of $7500. I am going to cry when I write that check. SOBBBBBB. But supposedly, it should cut our power bill by about 40%, and pay for itself within three years. Now with seven people in the house for the past few days, I've done dishes at least twice a day, been cooking within an inch of my life, cleaning, sweeping, and generally being on my best behavior. Peeps, I am TIRED. I've also worn a bra for five days straight because I didn't want to walk around without support in front of James. Decided I definitely need to invest in some of those tank tops with the built in bra, just so I can relax at night in case we have company. James and Angie finally left today, and while it was nice to have company, it will be nice for me to crash in my bed tonight with the door open in only my underwear. That is freedom, my friends. And I love freedom.
Intending to catch up on schoolwork tomorrow night. I'm going to bed at 8:30 tonight, so I can be somewhat human for the rest of the week.
Bucket, Missy and Tiger at church, watching Daddy jam.
On Friday: Bucket had a sleep study. It went shockingly well, except he punched the sleep tech in the face. In Bucket's defense, he was totally asleep when it happened. I'm very glad the sleep tech had a good sense of humor about the situation.
On Saturday, we had house guests arrive from Kansas. They just left today, Tuesday. I don't have a guest room. That means I've had a couple sleeping in my living room for four days. I also don't have a sleeper sofa. Angie slept on the couch, and James slept on a pallet on the floor. I feel terrible about that. However, I am glad they're gone. What a dysfunctional couple. James drinks 24/7 and Angie whines about him drinking 24/7. I have enough beer cans in my recycle bin to create sculpture. However, James did mow the lawn, paint most of the interior of the house, and was nice to the kids.
Sunday was Mother's Day. Mr. R played in the band at church on Mother's Day! He was really great and it was awesome to see him use his talents for the glory of God. Then I took a nap on Mother's Day afternoon and absolutely loved it.
On Monday, I had an IEP meeting for Bucket. I chose his classes for next year (he had input of course) and then came home and dealt with the air conditioning salesperson. We are getting a new air conditioner next Monday...to the tune of $7500. I am going to cry when I write that check. SOBBBBBB. But supposedly, it should cut our power bill by about 40%, and pay for itself within three years. Now with seven people in the house for the past few days, I've done dishes at least twice a day, been cooking within an inch of my life, cleaning, sweeping, and generally being on my best behavior. Peeps, I am TIRED. I've also worn a bra for five days straight because I didn't want to walk around without support in front of James. Decided I definitely need to invest in some of those tank tops with the built in bra, just so I can relax at night in case we have company. James and Angie finally left today, and while it was nice to have company, it will be nice for me to crash in my bed tonight with the door open in only my underwear. That is freedom, my friends. And I love freedom.
Intending to catch up on schoolwork tomorrow night. I'm going to bed at 8:30 tonight, so I can be somewhat human for the rest of the week.
Bucket, Missy and Tiger at church, watching Daddy jam.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
You Want Me to Wear Spandex in Public?!?
Relax, relax. I'll wear yoga pants or something!
My birthday is in less than two weeks. And I am going to be 35 this year. Wow. 35. Wow.
I have not been feeling well lately. My bp is under control, but now I have bursitis in my left knee, which my physician says could be related to my weight, or to my car accident from several years ago. I'm sure either is a possibility.
I sweat like a pig. I hate weather over 80 because I literally soak my bra from sweat. I am a miserable girl in the summer, and as ya'll might have noticed, I live in the swamp known as Florida. So that is a miserable girl for about six months out of the year.
On a completely unrelated yet so related note....I am about to come into a decent amount of money in two weeks. It is 5 digits. Not a fortune. I intend to pay off a good portion of my student loans with most of it. But I intend to take about $800, and purchase a year long contract to our local YMCA. I can't stand how I feel anymore. I'm all about curvy girl power, don't get me wrong, but I bypassed curvy a while ago, and parked my ship into ObesityLand. I cringe when I see photos of myself. No matter how nice my make-up is, no matter how lovely my clothes, expensive my bag and shoes, is a fat girl underneath. Today, all I did was walk across a parking lot, and I was out of breath. That is not good, my friends.
I'm not going to post my weight on here. Let me just say I'm under 300, and don't ever intend to hit that awful number. In fact, I'd like to be under 200 for the first time in more than ten years. I am hoping that water aerobics are in my future (fab for my knee, and helps beat the heat!) and maybe something like yoga and pilates, along with cardio and strength training. The year membership will include the kids and Mr. R as well.
I know it seems silly not to pay off ALL of my loans, but I'm no good to my family if I have a stroke or heart attack. I see this as money well spent for all of us. And with me working from home and having a flexible schedule, I intend to use the facility quite a bit this summer with the kiddos. My goal for right now? To be a size 14/16 by Christmas. I know most of my readers would be horrified to wear that size, but for me, it would be a great improvement over the 18/20 (and let's face it...the 22s which I wear when I'm bloated) I am sporting today. And by my 36th birthday next year, I'd love to be a size 10/12. I don't intend to be any smaller than that. So my dear readers, I hope you will support me in my goals to get healthy. I'm giving myself the gift of health this year!
My birthday is in less than two weeks. And I am going to be 35 this year. Wow. 35. Wow.
I have not been feeling well lately. My bp is under control, but now I have bursitis in my left knee, which my physician says could be related to my weight, or to my car accident from several years ago. I'm sure either is a possibility.
I sweat like a pig. I hate weather over 80 because I literally soak my bra from sweat. I am a miserable girl in the summer, and as ya'll might have noticed, I live in the swamp known as Florida. So that is a miserable girl for about six months out of the year.
On a completely unrelated yet so related note....I am about to come into a decent amount of money in two weeks. It is 5 digits. Not a fortune. I intend to pay off a good portion of my student loans with most of it. But I intend to take about $800, and purchase a year long contract to our local YMCA. I can't stand how I feel anymore. I'm all about curvy girl power, don't get me wrong, but I bypassed curvy a while ago, and parked my ship into ObesityLand. I cringe when I see photos of myself. No matter how nice my make-up is, no matter how lovely my clothes, expensive my bag and shoes, is a fat girl underneath. Today, all I did was walk across a parking lot, and I was out of breath. That is not good, my friends.
I'm not going to post my weight on here. Let me just say I'm under 300, and don't ever intend to hit that awful number. In fact, I'd like to be under 200 for the first time in more than ten years. I am hoping that water aerobics are in my future (fab for my knee, and helps beat the heat!) and maybe something like yoga and pilates, along with cardio and strength training. The year membership will include the kids and Mr. R as well.
I know it seems silly not to pay off ALL of my loans, but I'm no good to my family if I have a stroke or heart attack. I see this as money well spent for all of us. And with me working from home and having a flexible schedule, I intend to use the facility quite a bit this summer with the kiddos. My goal for right now? To be a size 14/16 by Christmas. I know most of my readers would be horrified to wear that size, but for me, it would be a great improvement over the 18/20 (and let's face it...the 22s which I wear when I'm bloated) I am sporting today. And by my 36th birthday next year, I'd love to be a size 10/12. I don't intend to be any smaller than that. So my dear readers, I hope you will support me in my goals to get healthy. I'm giving myself the gift of health this year!
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