Epiphany

Not only was I sick for a week, but I was a grouch.  I was so SO mad over losing a promotion I thought was rightfully mine.  I worked all week but let me tell you, I did not do it with a grateful or happy heart.  I just did it because that's my job.  I was not a pleasant person. 

Over the course of the past week, my heart started to soften.  I tried to see the blessing in this sadness, instead of the hurt.  No having to drive in for meetings in the rain, no long meetings, no wearing outfits that made me uncomfortable.  A chance to get back to exercising since the weather will hopefully start cooling down soon, a chance to read my Bible in the morning instead of trying to beat traffic.  Maybe a baby on the way, and I won't have to find daycare.  Maybe if a baby isn't coming, a puppy  (been dying for a puppy lately, I miss my dog Roscoe so much!) and starting a garden.  I decided to be happy where I am right now, even if I don't think I should be here. 

I went to church today.  It was a very long day.  Sometimes when I'm working on kids ministry, I don't feel effective.  Today was one of those days.  But I went to lunch with my bestie Ginger afterwards and that was so nice.  Then I helped Bucket with algebra homework, and the boys are doing their laundry and I'm going to start dinner soon.  Mr. R is in Oklahoma, not sure if he will be home for Labor Day.

Animal print dress found at Goodwill a few years ago, for $6.  My Trotters shoes and a JCP cami for $10.  I've worn this exact outfit before.  Not every outfit can be new!

I should have worn battle gear and armor today.  It was like that today. 

Time for hair color again!

I don't even bother anymore. Just throw it up in a clip and I'm done with it.

Well, That's More Like It

I woke up this morning shivering. Shivering?  I threw back my blanket, ran into the kitchen and checked out the thermostat. 31!!! At last, Christmas weather!  I finally did decorate my tree, and decided that this Saturday would be my cleaning day.  And that is what I did all morning.  I feel great, my house looks better, and it smells better too.  Here's what I did today:

1) Washed my quilt and all the potholders.
2) Made breakfast and had coffee.
3) Cleaned off the dining room table, just so I could use it as a folding table for all the laundry that was piled up.
4) Hung my clean quilt outside instead of using the dryer.
5) Cleaned and sanitized the counters, microwave, stovetop.
6) Ran a load of dishes.
7) Folded and put away last week's laundry which was clean but just waiting on me to finish up.
8) Talked to my husband who is still in NC...praying he makes it home for Christmas Eve, which is his birthday!
9) Convinced my mother-in-law not to buy me one of those nasty sugar free cakes for Christmas.  Don't feel sorry for me that I can't have dessert; I'm making my lower-sugar pumpkin pie and I'm perfectly happy with that!
10) Took a long hot shower, washed my hair, shaved my legs.

Things I still need to do:

1) Clean my bathroom before Mr. R gets home on his birthday.
2) Buy Missy's gift; no worries, she knows I don't have it yet.  I can't buy this without her; we're buying her a new mattress for Christmas.
3) Wrap a few gifts, but I'm practically done.
4) Go grocery shopping.
5) Sweep and mop, I love this Christmas tree but it's dropping needles like crazy.
6) Drive Tiger to his girlfriend's house for dinner.
7) Figure out what to make for dinner for me, Bucket and Missy tonight.
8) Clean my desk...goodness I just can't keep that thing clean!
9) Make the pumpkin pies for Mr. R's sister's house for Christmas Eve.
10) Take a nap!

Still no pictures of me, since I'm old and tired, but I do have other pictures to share today!

Look at my handsome son playing bass guitar at the Christmas concert at his high school!  He's knocking out a jazzy version of Jingle Bells here.

I made this ornament for my 5th Christmas.  I'm so glad my mom took the time to date stuff when I was younger.  Hard to believe 1980 was thirty-two years ago!

A boy and his cat are rarely separated.

Missy and Tiger, being goofy one night.

Kickin It Black and White

I told you I'd buy the black and white maxi dress!  And this time, I did it right.  I bought the size 1 in plus and it was even marked down again; this time to $17.48.  Oh Target.  I love thee!

It fits me much better in the shoulders, and while it's still about an inch too long, I can deal with it.

Weird hair day.  I did an olive oil treatment and my locks are limp and lifeless.  So instead of freaking out I pulled it back and hair sprayed it into oblivion.  I actually quite like it.  You can see my cute earrings (50 cents at a thrift store! they're tiny white roses) and my Hawaiian pookah shell necklace, gift from my friend Carmella.  Also wearing my JCP black tank underneath, and a Merona for Target cardigan in size 1x.  I didn't button it up because it is HOT outside but it has a sequin bow on the front!

Also wearing my Target flats.  I am like a walking advertisement for that place!

My kids go back to school tomorrow.  They are bummed, I am thrilled.  They are bored and taking it out on each other.  And for the first time ever, I will have all three kids in one school.  Yes, all three are in high school.  Missy is a senior, Tiger is a sophomore, and Bucket is a freshman (or fresh meat, as they're called.)  And I am on vacation this week!  Yes, I took vacation the week they go back to school.  One, I felt like I needed to be available in case the school needed me to handle Bucket.  This is going to be a rough transition week.  Two, I had requested this time off before Tiger went to the hospital.  I still have time I have to use, so I decided to keep my vacation.  I'm very much looking forward to it!

One thing I plan to do?  A fresh pedi.  I am in love with those nail stickers.  It's a sticker that covers your entire nail.  All you do is place the sticker over your nail, and with one of those wooden sticks, you trim it.  These butterfly stickers have been on for two weeks and they're still completely in place with no chipping.  And since I am not great at painting nails, this is a great alternative for me.

Me without the hot cardi.  I like the way it looks both ways!

Admittedly, not crazy about this view.  See my crazy hair and jiggly arms?

Pardon the junk on the floor.  Redoing our cabinet is another to-do for my vacation week.

Missy said, "Mama, vogue!"  And so I did.

Things I plan to do on my vacation: 1) scrapbook 2) go back to the trainer 3) labwork 4) go to the library 5) paint my front door 6) reorganize the white cabinet 7) clean the oven 8) watch old Disney movies 9) clean my desk 10)  relax!

Do You Bother With Resolutions?

Ahhh, the year 2012 is almost here!  My hubby asked me for my resolutions, and I was surprised.  It's not something I really do, and if he does it, I'm not aware.  But then I thought about it, and I decided to make two resolutions for next year!

1)  I'm going to go the beach once a month, whether the kids come with me or not.  I'm sure I've mentioned that I consider myself a real beach bum.  I only went twice last year...twice!  I live 20 minutes away!  There is something so wrong with that.  So I've decided that I'm going to commit to a monthly visit to the ocean.  And I'm going to look at the calendar and pick my days out very soon.

2)  I'm committing to becoming debt free, although that won't happen completely in 2012.  We don't have a ton of debt, praise the Lord.  We have a) $800 on our Firestone (car repair) card, thanks to needing two new tires in November.  We already had $400 still on it, and then we doubled it.  For January-June, I propose paying $150 per month, and it will be paid off in June.  I normally pay $50.  Then, we have my car, which is about $9000.  Once we pay off the Firestone card, I'm going to put the $150 toward my $250 payments, and make $400 payments until it's paid off...hopefully in July 2014.  Then all we have left are student loans and the house!  We have no other credit cards, and I am quite happy about that!

Other update:
We have the money ready for the reversal.  We are scheduled for the reversal in less than two weeks!  I think we're both starting to get nervous.  He for obvious reasons...and me because I feel bad of what my poor hubby is about to go through.  But the other night, we laid in bed, and talked about baby names.  My heart feels so full.  I sure hope the Lord chooses to bless us with at least one more little one to love!

Getting Through My List

In case any of you guys forgot my list (of course you wouldn't!) I am reposting it so I can see how much I've done so far:

• Bible reading every morning  Ok, I forgot this morning.
• Church on Sunday morning
• Clean that nasty oven!  Just sprayed it, letting it soak in.
• So I can bake cookies and make a waffle batter (I have canned pumpkin I'm dying to use)  I've got it all ready, just waiting on Bucket to unload dishwasher so I can set the kitchen up.
• Go to Sanford famer's market on Saturday morning to meet an old friend!  Done, had fun!  See pictures below!
• A full beauty night; do an oil treatment for my hair, facial, mani/pedi  Did this last night, feel great!
• Do a bit of scrapbooking, maybe on one of the rainy days predicted (please let there be some rain...we are under fire warnings for drought!)  We finally got rain last night, but I was out driving in it, of course.
• Clean and organize my office, including a ton of shredding
• Program the new office phone that Mr. R bought me two weeks ago.
• Mr. R bought me this device which holds music and is a little tv...I have no idea what it's called, but he bought it for me while I was taking the four classes at once, plus studying for the coding exam.  I haven't even looked at it!  Maybe I'll let Missy download some music on it for me.
• Create meal and exercise plan for the summer, to kickstart my metabolism and get me started back on some good habits
• Sweep and mop the entire house.  (Missy might be doing this to earn money to go to the movies.)  Missy did it.
• Mow front and back yards. (Tiger might be doing this to earn money, also.)  I'm still waiting on Tiger
• I need to find this organizer thing I've seen, but I don't know what it's called: it's a device you install on a wall and it holds brooms, dustpans, mops...does anyone know what I'm talking about?  I need to put one in my laundry room because I AM SICK TO DEATH of not knowing where the broom is!  I found one I like, but it was nearly $50.  Think I'll run to Ace and see if they have one there that I don't need to have shipped.

I don't think my china cabinet makes too many appearances.  It needs to be dusted.  And that is Mr. R's drum kit in the other half of my dining room.  And a piece of baseboard propped up on the cabinet.  We like to keep it classy around here.

My gray hair is back with a vengeance.  Not sure how I feel about the blonde anymore.  I'm just a brunette, my identity is wrapped up in it.  I think I want my chocolate brown hair back.

My double chin and I, going to the Farmer's Market!

Cute name for a bar.

Downtown Sanford is so pretty.  I love the brick streets.

I ain't no HOLLERBACH, girl.  (German restaurant!)

I love old quaint buildings like this!

It was so hot that I wanted to jump right into that fountain.

Town Square clock. 

This is my former boss, Mike, and PIGLETS!!!  They were sooooo cute.  And noisy, my goodness!

They were hungry and trying to suckle.

This little one ate like he'd been starved for a lifetime.

If I had a pet pig, I'd give it a weird name.  Like Ham.  Or Chop.  Oh, I do love being punny if I possible can.  What would you name a pet pig?

Back in the cooler you go, Bacon.

Live entertainment!  He was singing Jimmy Buffet...and the weather was perfect for it.  102 degrees, hot, humid, and nasty.  Yes, PLEASE take me away to Margaritaville.  Before 5 O'clock, if possible.  And I'll take that margarita with a cheeseburger in paradise, thanks.

Plans, Glorious Plans!

I love me some vacation time, but I don't have any of that coming until mid-July.  Instead, I am practically SALIVATING over the fact that I have a three day weekend coming up!  Unlike most people who probably live up north, I am not celebrating the return of summer.  It's been 100 degrees + for over a month and frankly, I'd like some autumn, which I won't get anyway.  I also won't be going to the beach, or the lake, or the springs this weekend.  Good luck finding any parking and everyone is drunk; NO THANK YOU.  While on hold yesterday, I made a list of what I'd like to do this weekend.  Good luck to me getting even half of it done!

• Bible reading every morning
• Church on Sunday morning
• Clean that nasty oven!
• So I can bake cookies and make a waffle batter (I have canned pumpkin I'm dying to use)
• Go to Sanford famer's market on Saturday morning to meet an old friend!
• A full beauty night; do an oil treatment for my hair, facial, mani/pedi
• Do a bit of scrapbooking, maybe on one of the rainy days predicted (please let there be some rain...we are under fire warnings for drought!)
• Clean and organize my office, including a ton of shredding
• Program the new office phone that Mr. R bought me two weeks ago.
• Mr. R bought me this device which holds music and is a little tv...I have no idea what it's called, but he bought it for me while I was taking the four classes at once, plus studying for the coding exam.  I haven't even looked at it!  Maybe I'll let Missy download some music on it for me.
• Create meal and exercise plan for the summer, to kickstart my metabolism and get me started back on some good habits
• Sweep and mop the entire house.  (Missy might be doing this to earn money to go to the movies.)
• Mow front and back yards. (Tiger might be doing this to earn money, also.)
• I need to find this organizer thing I've seen, but I don't know what it's called: it's a device you install on a wall and it holds brooms, dustpans, mops...does anyone know what I'm talking about?  I need to put one in my laundry room because I AM SICK TO DEATH of not knowing where the broom is!

So, what about you guys?  What are you doing this weekend?

Do You Have Any New Year's Resolutions?

This is the time of year when people make those demands upon themselves. "Go the gym everyday!" "Weigh less than I did in third grade!" "Keep my house Martha Stewart ready!" Usually, within days if not weeks, the resolutions are broken, and old habits remain. However, I do have a few new ones of my own that I am going to post here. You peeps can try to keep me honest, k?

1) Once my ankle is healed up a bit more, I'm going to continue my daily walks.

2) Start the Couch to 5K program by February (once my ankle is feeling stronger from the daily walks.)

3) Tell my kids I love them at least once a day, and touch them in an affirming way (hug, hold hands, high five, whatever) at least once a day. Missy held my hand at church yesterday, and it felt totally odd...then I realized I hadn't held her hand probably since she was about 8 years old and needed help crossing the street. How weird is that?

4) Keep better track of my monthly cycle. There is nothing worse than a public blow-out. *cough cough*

5) Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. It really is good for you and your skin. My skin looks awful. I'm obviously tired and dehydrated most of the time.

6) Give myself 15-20 minutes in the Word every day. If I have time to watch TV, make blog posts, and get my degree, I have enough time for Him.

Here are six resolutions I will not keep:

1) I will not try to become a skinny supermodel. Not only am I short, but I'm thick. God created me this way, and while I know I'm overweight, I can't change my overall shape, which is hourglass curvy yet short bombshell. :) Not gonna fight it, just gonna work it.

2) I will not harbor unrealistic expectations of my children. They are not me, they are not Mr. R. They are Missy, Tiger and Bucket.

3) I will not speak badly of my job. I am blessed to have it.

4) I will forgive those who hurt me, and love those who hate me. Well, I'm gonna try, anyway.

5) I will not let people treat me like a doormat. It's hard for me to speak up for myself, but I'm not going to let people take advantage of my good nature. That means no more free daycare for the neighborhood kids, no more loaning my car out to people who return it with an empty tank. Stuff of that variety.

6) I will not apologize for being Sarah. Sarah is good peeps. I'm not perfect by any means, but I'm not a schlep, either.

Ok, your turn! Any resolutions, or non-resolutions to share?