Here is what has happened since I talked to you last:
Thursday night, me, Brooklyn, my mom and my grandma all went and had a picture taken together. It turned out really cute. Then we went to a cool Asian diner and had a yummy dinner. Then it was back to the mall to pick up our pictures and Brooklyn and I shopped for about half an hour. Kendra, our babysitter and friend, works at A&F so we went by and said hi to her. I don't usually shop in there because it is too expensive, but she showed me where the clearance rack was, so of course, I had to see what bargains they had. Anyway, I found the CUTEST pair of jeans for $19.99 that were originally $69.50! So I bought them and we headed home.
***Now let me fill you in on a little something to prepare you for this next paragraph.***
About a week ago, Matt and I had a long discussion about our finances. We both agreed that we were going to "pull the reins in a little tighter" so-to-speak and not buy stuff just because we want it or because its a bargain. We realized that with our new house payments and a few other short-term payments that we have, we are stretched pretty tight financially right now. I admitted that it's hard for me to pass up a good deal, even when it something we don't really need---usually clothes for the kids, and I agreed to be much less frivolous with my spending. Now, having said that, I was pretty nervous about bringing a new pair of jeans home and showing them to him. I called him on the way home and could tell by just a minute or two of conversation, that this was not the night to bring it up. I decided to just go home, put them in the closet and then show them to him when the "time was right." Now, in my defense, I want to tell you that had I thought he would really mind if I bought them, I wouldn't have done it. I also could really use a pair of jeans. With this pair, that makes 4 pairs of jeans TOTAL that I own, so I didn't feel like buying them would constitute "unnecessary and wasting money."
So, Friday rolls around and we are scheduled to go to a Marriage Seminar that night and half a day on Saturday. We begin getting ready to go and I decide "we've had a pretty good day", I think I'll wear my new jeans. WELL, if you can't already guess what happened, let me tell you! A volcano erupted right there in my closet. Not only had I bought a pair of jeans "after we had JUST had that long discussion about money"..but on top of that, I was "hiding them from him." At that moment, there was nothing I could say in defense that was going to make any difference and a verbal war broke out. (in front of the kids too....to my dismay) I ended up taking the kids and going to the seminar all by myself. Once inside, I found a seat on the 2nd row and got ready to hear something that would solve all my marital problems. Instead I got a dose of truth that brought a steady current of tears to my eyes and down my face. My "answer" was this: It's time put higher priorty on my relationship with God and the other things in my life will become better too. I already knew this deep inside, but I wanted to hear something easy...something like "go home, walk around the recliner 3 times and chant 'we are in love. we are in love. we are in love.' and then wait for all your dreams to come true." As silly as that sounds, I think subconciously, that's what most of are doing. We don't want to put so much thought and effort into making our relationships what they should be. We want an easy fix. (kinda like the same way we want to lose weight!) But nothing worth anything comes free. It takes time and work to produce something of value...including a good marriage. And it all begins with time and work making yourself the kind of person someone would want to be married to. I've probably shared this with you guys before but one of my favorite quotes is "Marriage is not so much finding the right person as being the right person." It's SO true!
Anyway, enough 'marriage seminar' for you all, back to the story.
I went home after the seminar with black mascara streaks all down my face and apparently Matt had had a change of heart too while I was gone. We apologized to each other for letting such a silly thing escalate so big and went to bed.
Saturday we got up and went to the last 2 sessions in the seminar and leared some wonderful, practical things that we can't wait to apply to our lives! One of the biggest things we learned and are excited about is making some goals for our lives together.--Something we've never done.--figuring out where we see ourselves in 5 years from now and then making changes in our lives to reflect those desires.
This brings me to today. It's Sunday morning and I am up early before anyone else in the house. Mostly because I couldn't sleep but also because I thought this would be a good time to finish my work from Friday that I didn't get done. Of course, what am I doing? Talking to you all instead of working! Shame on me!
Anyway, today we are going to my niece's house about an hour and a half away to have dinner and visit with my brothers family. Getting together with them is always SO much FUN so I am really looking forward to this day. I guess, though, for now, I better go and get to work before someone wakes up and my opportunity is gone! Love you all!
Today, Matt is off work sick with an inner and outer ear infection. :o( He went to the doctor a little while ago and then to Wal-Mart to pick up his prescriptions and he brought me home a present!!: A Kenny Roger's #1 Hits CD. Okay, now, you may not know this...but that is like one of the best things he could have possibly bought me! (from Wal-Mart anyway! ha ha) You might be surprised to hear that (people always look at me weird when they find out)...but those who know me really well, know he is my "heart-throb". It's not a romantic attraction at all...but I guess the amazing similarity my dad has to him, makes him seem like the softest, gentlest, sweetest singer out there. Well, that and his awesome, raspy voice. It's one of those voices that is immediately recognizable, don't you think? Well, anyway, he's been my FAVORITE ever since I can remember and this is my first cd! (I have no idea why I haven't bought one before..since I drop everything and turn up the radio when one of his songs comes on! ha ha)
Ps. Grant points to Kenny Roger's picture and says, "PawPaw!!!")
Every so often, I will come across a title of a magazine article or comic strip that really strikes my fancy. Well, yesterday, while searching for some index cards, I found the box of stuff from the front of my fridge from when we moved. I thought I'd share a couple of my fridge funnies with you all as I put them back on.
*This is from a comic strip. A woman pointing to her husband and children, she says, "You've met my husband, the couch potato; now I'd like you to meet my children, the tater tots."
*This isn't funny...but SO true! "Every day you feed them, you're teaching them how to eat."
*"Do not put off till tomorrow what can be put off till day after tomorrow just as well." --mark twain
*"Someday I hope to be as cool as my dog thinks I am."
*And my favorite... "Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the lives of your young children." --lamentations 2:19
Guess what? My hubby is taking me on a 7 day cruise to the Carribean!!! WOW! We are leaving on March 19th and coming home on the 26th! We will be stopping in the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Cozumel!!! It is our 8 year anniversary this month (March) and this will be our first "real" vacation together! I am so excited and in a mad rush to lose weight and get tan! ha ha --(what's new!!)
Anyway, I'll write again soon and give you more details! Happy Tuesday! Don't forget to watch American Idol tonight!!
Ps. HOORAY for Travis, the Bachelor! He picked the RIGHT girl! I can't wait to hear what's new with him and Sarah! They seem so good for each other!
I was trying to get a picture of Brooklyn's haircut with her curly hair...and I got one...but what a goofy smile! One thing my kids don't lack is personality! 
We cut her hair off!!!!! Yes, I know there are going to be lots of comments on this one! ha ha. All 3 of us got cuts this morning. Brooklyn's hair is only straight because the hairdresser straightened it with a flat iron. I'll take another picture tomorrow when it is curly so you can see how it will really look.
You can't really tell...but it's quite a bit shorter and spikier in the back. This isn't a great picture...but whatever.
Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of Tampax and proceeded to the checkout counter. The man at the counter asked the older boy, "Son, how old are you?" "Eight," the boy replied. The man continued, "Do you know how these are used?" The boy replied, "Not exactly, but they aren't for me. They're for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on TV that if you use these you would be able to swim and ride a bike. He can't do either one."
To offset that terribly true but negative previous post, I am giving you all a list of completely useless information. It helped to lighten my mood...and if you read my last post, you are probably feeling stressed out and need to "chillax"! (as my babysitter, Kendra, would say)
A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.
A crocodile cannot stick out its tongue.
A dragonfly has a life span of 24 hours.
A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.
A "jiffy" is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.
A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.
A snail can sleep for three years.
All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill.
Almonds are a member of the peach family.
An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until the child reaches 2 to 6 years of age.
Butterflies taste with their feet.
Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds. Dogs only have about 10.
"Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt".
If the population of China walked past you, in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.
If you are an average American, in your whole life, you will spend an average of 6 months waiting at red lights.
It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable.
No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple.
Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.
"Stewardesses" is the longest word typed with only the left hand and "lollipop" with your right.
The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing.
The cruise liner, QE2, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns.
The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.
The sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses every letter of the alphabet.
The words 'racecar,' 'kayak' and 'level' are the same whether they are read left to right or right to left (palindromes).
There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.
There are only four words in the English language which end in "dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous
There's no Betty Rubble in the Flintstones Chewable Vitamins.
Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.
TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.
Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks; otherwise it will digest itself.
...Now you know everything
So, we meet again! Excuse me if I seem a tad bit preoccupied, but there is a mental hurricane occurring in my head at the moment. I hate to admit this but I think I may suffer from some form of ADD or ADHD. At any given moment of any day, I could easily list off 20 things I need to be doing. Ironically, I've always considered myself a very organized,detailed and reliable person...but I am beginning to think that is the "old" me. The new me is this scatter-brained, stressed-out grouch who is late for everything and who is irritated by anything. Numerous times a day, I find myself regretting something I've said or done (usually directed at my kids) and it makes me feel guilty and ashamed. Maybe I've never had it as "together" as I'd like to think...but now-a-days, I am doing a much worse job at disguising my inadequacies. I am confused about everything and making a simple decision is mind-boggling for me. I can actually spend 5 minutes in silence sitting at a drive-thru window trying to decide what to order. For me, it's not as simple as figuring out what everyone wants and ordering that. I have to figure out what is the best deal. Here is an example of what goes through my mind during a time like this. "Is it cheaper to buy 2 individual chicken strips for the kids and separate drinks, or should I just buy them kids meals? They don't really need the fries, but I know they'll want them. I know I should eat a grilled chicken salad, but I am craving the fried chicken sandwich and fries combo but that costs too much and has WAY too many calories so I'll just settle for something off the .99 cent menu even though that's not what I want. Now, should I let Brooklyn get a chocolate shake or is that too fattening? She did already have several Capri Sun's today...but then again, at least a milkshake is calcium, so maybe I should let her get it after all." Okay...so then I order. "Oh Shoot! I don't have any cash. I sure hope this place will take my debit card." "Oh good...they did...but now I am going to have to try to remember to write this debit down in my checkbook or else I am going to have hundreds of dollars worth of debits that weren't recorded when I balance my statement this month (AGAIN!)"
And that is what I experience pretty much everytime I have to make a decision. Just imagine the turmoil I go through when I go grocery shopping and I have to figure out whether the Downy-40 loads at $3.47, the Downy-60 loads at $4.87 or the Downy-80 loads at $6.36 is a better deal! No wonder I walk around with a headache all the time.
On top of all that, a good 85% of the time, I feel like I am failing at being a good mother. I either let my kids get away with too much (I know this from all the condemning stares I get from other people) or else I lash out at them for minor infractions. The majority of the attention Brooklyn gets is negative and I know she feels like Grant is our "favorite". Just thinking about that breaks my heart.
In addition to all those things, my relationship with God is simmering on the back burner rather than being red-hot and up front. My priorities are all mixed up and I am uncertain of how to put them back in order.
Plus, somewhere amongst all of that chaos, I need to find time to take care of myself, eat right, exercise, be a good wife, daughter and friend. I have at least a years worth of scrapbooking to catch up on and I haven't even finished unpacking from when we moved into our house nearly 2 months ago. My house has only been deep-cleaned twice since we moved in and already I need to shampoo the carpets and wash the walls(due to my lack of good parenting choices and letting the kids walk around with sippy cups and snacks).
I have stacks of papers and receipts and bills and school calendars everywhere and I don't even know where to start looking for the stuff I need to file my taxes.
I just don't understand how everyone else copes with all this stuff. I mean, am I just taking it extra hard, or do I have "too much on my plate" so to speak..? (although you could interpret that literally too...ugh!)
Well, if any of you have any advice for me..I would LOVE to hear it. At the moment, I have about 25 things I need to be doing and this isn't one of them. I better go for now! Thanks for listening!
Hi everyone. It's nap time around my house and there are about a hundred things I should be doing right now...and blogging is not one of them. But, for some unknown reason, I am sitting here typing away anyway. How many of you have come to the point in your life where you realize that cleaning your house is bitter sweet. It's a lot like cooking a nice dinner. You spend a great deal of time preparing, you get to enjoy the finshed product for a very minimal amount of time and then the whole process starts all over again. Around my house, I am lucky to get one whole room cleaned up before someone comes in behind me and starts undoing all my hard work. There is something about a toy that has just been placed into a toybox that makes it the most interesting and irresistable thing to play with in the house. Never mind the fact that there are 50 other toys spread all over the floor...No, the one that has just been put away is the one the kids want to play with. And even that would be okay if it lasted for any length of time...but each time I pick up another toy to put it away, that toy then becomes the "most interesting" thing to play with. Thus, the title of this post "Cooking and cleaning can wait for tomorrow." Except this time "tomorrow" refers to the day when my kids are grown and out of the house. ha ha
Anyway, I'm not sure where all that came from....maybe I am having second-thoughts since I am about to start cleaning the house?? who knows. At least for tonight, the house will be clean and a nice dinner will be cooked. For now, I'll try not to think about the fact that the very moment that is all finished, I will have to begin washing the dishes, bathing the kids, putting away laundry and so on and so on!
Such is life...........
Okay, if you read my last post, you are probably waiting to hear how my "steamy" night went. Well, here it is. After I finished typing that post, I went in the living room to find Matt snoring in the recliner. (8:45 pm) I told him I was going to put Brooklyn in bed and he hollered for me to wake him up when I was done. So, she picked out some books and I read to her until I was falling asleep myself. The last thing I vaguely remember is her getting out of bed and turning the light off. Next thing I knew, I was waking up at 11:15 pm still in her bed. Matt was still sawing logs in the recliner so I woke him up and we both sleep-walked into our bed and fell fast asleep. So, how's that for hot and heavy? Ha Ha Ha Ha!!! I think this qualifies us for getting old. I mean, here we have the makings for a very wonderful, exciting, romantic evening and neither of us could stay awake for it! I can't help but be disappointed that I wasted these new Adorable panties I have been saving for Valentines day. He didn't even see them until this morning when I stumbled out of bed. I am beginning to wonder if Valentines Day is just not meant to be as thrilling (for me) as I seem to want it to be. Anyway, it was still a good night and I still think I have the best husband out there. He may not be perfect...but if he was, I wouldn't have anything to "fix" and that would be boring! hee hee. Okay, now I have to quit telling you all the juicy details of my private life and do the work I didn't get done yesterday. Hope you all have a great day. I go at 10:00 this morning for my last eye exam to see if I am still seeing well after my laser surgery. It's hard to believe it's been a year already! It has been such a blessing not messing with contacts and glasses anymore. It's so easy to take being able to see for granted, but all I have to do is remember what it was like before to feel SO grateful again! Happy Wednesday Ya'll!!
Happy Valentines Day Ya'll!! Hope you are spending it with someone you love! I am taking a quick break from my romantic evening to fill you all in on my day so far. We decided to start alternating turns on who is in charge of Valentines Day beginning this year. You see every year I hope that Matt will plan some romantic evening for us...and then at the last minute, I either decide to just plan something myself or else get disappointed that he didn't do it. Well, this year, I told him we needed to start taking turns making the plans. This year was his year...so he took me out to a great dinner at a small steakhouse near our house and now we are trying to get the kids in bed so we can move on with our night(hee hee). Even though it's "his year", I have a little plan of my own. I have been practicing my Carmen Electra (lap dance) aerobics video a lot lately and tonight's THE NIGHT. We'll see how it goes. I am not sure I am confident enought to actually "perform" the dance but I am gonna give it a try. I tried to tell him this would probably be a good night for a bottle of wine...but we never did get around to getting one. Okay, as I type this, I am wondering if this is too much info to be sharing with the world (and especially our family). Well, I can't decide, so if you are in some way related to me and you find the idea of me doing a lap dance repulsive...forget you ever read that, okay?) Quite honestly, we should probably be recording it or something because it's likely to win big money on America's Funniest Home Videos! In any situation, I am proud of myself for being confident enough with my body and just having the confidence to even attempt something like this. The old me (before this past year and 50 pounds ago) would have shyed away from doing anything even remotely sexy like this. Okay, well, that's it for now...wish me luck! ha ha
Matt took me out on a date tonight for Valentines Day. We had a great steak dinner and a wonderful time enjoying quiet time with each other!
Me being silly with a carnation in my hair. (see the pretty heart necklace my hubby got me for Valentines Day?)
One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his Sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, "What setting do I use on the washing machine?"
"It depends," I replied. "What does it say on your shirt?"
He yelled back, "University of Oklahoma."
A man and his wife, now in their 60's, were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. On their special day a good fairy came to them and said that because they had been so good that each one of them could have one wish. The wife wished for a trip around the world with her husband.
Whoosh! Immediately she had airline/cruise tickets in her hands.
The man wished for a female companion 30 years younger... Whoosh...immediately he turned ninety!!! Gotta love that fairy!
Q: Why do little boys whine?
A: They are practicing to be men.
Q: What is the difference between men and women?
A: A woman wants one man to satisfy her every need. A man wants every woman to satisfy his one need.
WHY MEN PEE STANDING UP:
God was just about done creating man, but he had two things left over in his bag and He couldn't quite decide how to split them between Adam and Eve.
He thought He might just as well ask them. He told them one of the things He had left was a thing-a-mabob that would allow the owner to pee while standing up. "It's a very handy thing," God told them, "and I was wondering if either one of you had a preference for it."
Well, Adam jumped up and down and begged, "Oh, please give that to me! I'd love to be able to do that! It seems like just the sort of thing a man should have. Please! Pleeease! Give it to me!" On and on he went like an excited little boy.
Eve just smiled and told God that if Adam really wanted it so badly, he could have it.
So God gave Adam the thing that allowed him to pee standing up. Adam was so excited he just started whizzing all over the place -- first on the side of a rock, then he wrote his name in the sand, and then he tried to see if he could hit a stump ten feet away -- laughing with delight all the while.
God and Eve watched him with amusement and then God said to Eve, "Well, I guess you're kind of stuck with the last thing I have left"
"What's it called?" asked Eve.
"Brains," said God
We had a great weekend! Matt's mom and Grandma came to visit us on Saturday afternoon. After we had a nice lunch, we played Phase 10 (while Grant napped). Then we went to the mall to let the kids burn off some energy at the play area while we waited on an available table at the Olive Garden. (We had an hour and a half wait time!) Even though we ate really late and it was an hour past Grant's bedtime (8:30 pm) the kids were very well behaved at the restaurant and Grant actually stayed in his high chair the entire time without any crying. (For those who are or have been parents of a one or two year old...you know what an achievement that is!) Anyhow, after that, we came home and went to bed. This morning I had nursery duty at church, so we had to leave a little early but we were all ready on time (another achievement around our house! ha ha) After church, we stopped by Sonic and picked up burgers and then came home and I made french fries. After we ate, it was time for Nana and Mamaw to go back home. We said our goodbyes (we HATED to let them leave) and then we all settled in for a nice Sunday afternoon nap. I got up before everyone else and did my work from Friday that I had never gotten around to yet and then Mom and Dad brought over pizza for dinner. My sister and two nephew's came to visit this weekend also, so they came over and we ate and played Taboo and watched Extreme Makeover Home Edition. My nephew, Cody, seems to be the "life of the party" around my house...both the kids adore him. Grant has nick-named him "Coco" and it's so cute...that we all tend to call him that now! (sorry Cody!) Brooklyn went home with them to spend the night and we just got Grant down for the night. Matt's in the other room watching T.V. while I write this...but I should probably be going now so we can enjoy some quiet time all alone.
Hope you all had a great weekend too and have made your Valentine plans! It's only 2 days away!!! Don't let the day go by without letting your family know how much you love them! Cars, houses, money, clothes...those are just things...but family and friends...now that's something to LOVE!!!
Here are a couple of cute quotes I heard recently...
"I refuse to think of them as chin hairs. I think of them as stray eyebrows."
"My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first one being -- hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint."
"A man's got to do what a man's got to do. A woman must do what he can't."
"The phrase "working mother" is redundant."
"Whatever women must do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult."
It's Thursday morning at 7:02 am and I have no excuse to be sitting here typing when I have to leave the house in 28 minutes and I haven't even gotten out of my pj's. However, I sat down to eat a bowl of cereal and noticed it's been a while since I've updated my site so I thought I'd do a very quick little post. Matt's mom and grandma are coming to visit us this weekend. We are very exicted and I just hope I can get the house cleaned up before they get here. Brooklyn's room is a disaster because I am in the process of painting it...but I haven't had much motivation to get it finished. Hopefully today will be the day! I am painting lime-ish green HUGE diamonds on the wall that her headboard is against. Then on the "side" walls, I am painting the wall a very, very pale pink with very large cream-colored polka dots. The wall opposite the diamonds, I am going to just leave cream-colored for now. Sound cute? I will take pictures when it is finished. So far, so good. Well, that's all for now. I hear Grant starting to wake up and I need to get myself ready before I get him out of bed! Hope you all have a great day!
Okay, now I've lost my voice. I'm sure Matt doesn't mind (ha ha) but it's frustrating trying to communicate through whispers. I can't even tell you how many times I've had to repeat myself already today. Anyway, I know this is short..but my lasagna is ready and my mom and dad just got here so I better go for now! later gators!
Well, Matt's dad was supposed to come and visit tonight...but at the last minute, things didn't work out and he wasn't able to come. So, Matt and I went out on a "date" instead. We went to eat at Olive Garden and then went to see The Chronicals of Narnia. I didn't really want to see it, but I knew Matt did and I had heard so many people say it was so good....so I decided to give it a try. Well, turns out, I know myself pretty well. I didn't really like it. Matt did though. I supposed it was captivating and interesting...but I am not much into anything I can't relate to...and this was certainly nothing I could relate to. My favorite thing about tonight though was that while we were waiting on the movie to start we went into a little shop that I love but is usually too expensive to do much more than look...but today they were having a 50-75% off sale and I got $111.00 worth of ADORABLE stuff for $30!!! I love to shop, yes...but getting a bargain is like the icing on the cake! I feel almost silly being so excited about it! Anyway, I just thought I'd holler at you all. My nose is still stuffy....now it makes a little squeaky sound when I breathe. ha ha! I'll have to try to figure out what stuff you're talking about K. and try it. Anyhow....date night isn't officially over yet...so I better go for now! ta ta
Well, it's Friday night 9 pm and my hubby is already asleep. Brooklyn's watching t.v. so I thought I'd spend a minute or two rambling on here. My nose has been so stuffy today it's been exhausting just breathing. I have some weird thing where I can't STAND to breath out of my mouth and right now, breathing through my nose is like trying to drink a frosty from Wendy's through a straw. Ok, I know that is a weird analogy but if you've ever tried it---you'll understand. Anyway, for some reason, we have NO sinus medication in our house. It's crazy because I have a huge plastic tub full of medicines and I sat down and went through each and every one in there and the closest thing I could find was some Benedryl Allergy..but that says it treats itchy throat, runny nose and watery eyes....none of which I have. So, I stuck a Breath Right strip on my nose and hopefully that will do the trick. We do have Vicks vapor rub...but I HATE that stuff. Matt uses it anytime he's congested and it works great for him...but I can't stand that hot/freezing feeling so it is usually my last resort. However...if I have the kind of night tonight that I had last night..it probably won't take me long to give it a try. I was so icky feeling last night that I practically passed out in bed around 9:30 pm. I was in such a deep sleep that I woke up some time in the middle of the night to Matt asking me what I was doing. I answered, "I have no idea" but I was sitting up in bed turning my bedside lamp on and off over and over. I still have no idea what in the world I was thinking...but it's not like me to ever sleep that deep...so I know this sinus stuff is messing with my head.
Anyway...enough nose talk...Have I mentioned that my parents sold their house this week? They decided to put a For Sale By Owner sign in their front yard this past Sunday. They had 3 people come to look at it that day and the last people who came put a contract on it! Since then, they have been meeting with different builders and are probably going to start building a house out here pretty soon. It will be exciting to be close to each other again. We've always lived within about a mile of each other...so being 20 minutes away is getting old.
In other news...
Matt's dad is coming to visit tomorrow. We just found out about 2 hours ago...so it is a pleasant surprise. He hasn't seen our new house yet so it will be fun to get to show him around. I think we are planning on going out to dinner tomorrow night at the Olive Garden. (YUM!!!) It's a good thing Matt got my treadmill fixed today because I am going to need to be racking up some miles on it after this weekend. We are having my parents over for dinner Sunday night for Lasagna and today we went out for lunch and I had a patty melt and fries. It was sooooooooo good...but I feel like I just erased the two hours of aerobics I did yesterday. Oh well...
Well, guys..I guess I should get off here and get my girly into bed and then myself. Grant didn't take a nap today...so he went down for the night at about 6 pm.---which means he'll probably be up by 6 am tomorrow! :o( Hope you all have a great weekend! Don't forget to start looking for a valentine for your sweethearts!!!
Brooklyn and I have MAJOR stuffy noses so we put on Breath Right strips. We may look dorky but we sure feel better!!! (ps. for those of you who say you've never seen me without lipstick---here it is!) ..now you know why I always wear it!
Kisses that are easily obtained, are easily forgotten.
Life is a gift of nature, love is a gift of life, kisses are the gift of love.
Kissing is like drinking salted water, as you drink--your thirst increases.
You can't fake kissing.
Never mock love, for you too might fall victim to it.
Tears are like kisses. Both come from the heart when there are words you just can't say.
Kisses are jumper cables for the heart.
If in doubt, kiss.
The loves that survive the longest are those that didn't begin with finding the perfect person.
We never laugh or cry as much as when we are in love.
Nothing breaks the silence like a kiss.
Be happy with your love. Don't keep looking over your shoulder to see if there is anything better coming along.
Idolizing is when you put someone on a pedestal; true love is when you put someone on a pedestal but are there to catch them if they fall.
You aren't wealthy until you have something money can't buy.
....taken from the book "A Thousand Paths to Love"
As you all probably know, Valentines Day is a mere 2 weeks away (from tomorrow) and I thought I would see if anyone could offer any suggestions of what I could get my hubby...??? I usually give him what I wish he'd give me (an elaborate candlelit dinner, bubble bath and so on....) and while I am sure he appreciates it..I don't think that is his cup-of-tea so to speak. Last year I planned this whole big "event" that I completely ruined. See, I hate to admit it, but I suppose I can be a bit of a perfectionist at times...and I had found this adorable pair of undies that I wanted to wear on Valentines Day...however, the big dilemma was that I couldn't find a bra to match. So...I spent from about 1 pm till about 6 pm on Valentines Day driving all over this huge town looking for the "perfect" bra. By 6 pm, I was almost in tears because I still hadn't found "it" and Matt was already at home waiting on dinner--that I hadn't even began cooking yet. Mom had been keeping the kids for me all day (and was supposed to keep them overnight) but called and said she might as well bring Grant home since he was almost ready for bed. I was so bummed out that if it weren't for my sweet, tolerant husband...the day would have been completely ruined...but he eventually cheered me up and we ate a late dinner of pink and red heart shaped pasta, chicken and salad.
Anyway, I didn't intend to tell that whole story...but now you know. So, rather than have a repeat performance of something like that..I am trying to just think of a gift I can buy. So...I am open to any suggestions any of you might have...
And if for some odd reason my sweetheart reads this....all I want for Valentines is for you to take me on an elaborate date that you planned out all by yourself! (that's not asking for too much, is it?)
If any of you have called my cell phone recently...you have probably heard the message Brooklyn left on there for me (Yo Yo--Wassup?) It is SO cute and was actually her own idea. So anyway, I just thought I'd let you know that I did go on my weekend rendezvous to paint my niece's ENTIRE house. It wasn't quite as relaxing as I had imagined (we worked for 10 hours straight) but it was fun. One thing about my brother and his family....they are always having fun and making each other laugh! I always know it's gonna be a good time when we all get together...I also always know I am going to WAY over-eat--so it's probably a good thing we don't get to get together too terribly often! ha ha Anyway, so..we did end up getting her whole house painted and it turned out really good. We painted all the walls "Brown Sugar" except for one wall in her bedroom that we painted "Red Hot". Her bedroom decor is all black and white tiger...so it is going to be awesome when she gets it all done! I know she'll read this at some point or another...so I just want to say, Rachael....I am SO unbelievably proud of you and Matt! You guys are starting off better than a lot of our family will end up! Way to Go!!! Keep up the good work!
As for me coming home a better wife...well, I think Matt would agree. I can't believe how much being away for a night can make me miss my family!
Well, that's about all that's new for me. I am going to work on my taxes a little bit tonight before the Bachelor comes on. I am crossing my fingers that we'll get a decent return and can have our upstairs finished (professionally) and that Matt will be able to build his work shop! We'll see!
Hi ya'll! Not really a lot new going on so I thought I'd ask how many of you keep up with the ONLY two TV shows that I watch...The Bachelor and The Biggest Loser. Actually, last night was the first time I've watched Biggest Loser this season. It was very inspiring though. The "finale" is next Wednesday at 8 pm on ABC. If you haven't watched this show...you should watch next week. It was my intention last night when I sat down on the couch at 8 to cuddle up next to my hubby and grub down on a big bowl of ice cream....but then we started watching The Biggest Loser and there was NO way I was about to eat! I felt like I should get up and exercise instead! ha ha No, but really...it is very encouraging to see how much weight you can actually lose in 10 days if you really apply yourself and stick to a plan. I've always said that I am just not built "cute and tiny and petite" like all the girls I think look good. I am built stocky and thick...or so I've always said. Maybe that has just always been my excuse for being overweight though...!!?? Anyway, I've decided to make myself prove that I can't look that good. If I diet and exercise for the next 6 months...then I should be at an ideal weight by my 28th birthday in July. I should also be able to have my body pretty toned by then as well. If, after all that, I still don't look good (or at least what I consider good in my mind) then, I will have proven that it's just not possible for me. BUT!!!, if I do look "good" then, well...I'll look good for summer! Yeah! ha ha... Okay, I feel like a dork rambling on and on. Anyway, back to the T.V. shows...if any of you watch the Bachelor, leave me a comment and tell me which girls you like the best. This is my observation: Susan is beautiful and more "together" but Sarah is cute and more "impulsive". I think his heart says Sarah and his mind says Susan. I guess we'll see! Okay...I better get to work. I am leaving town in the morning to go stay a couple of days with my niece and her husband. They are moving into their new house tomorrow and we are going to put forth a team effort and try to get the WHOLE thing painted in one day so they can begin moving in on Saturday. For those of you who don't know this about me...I LOVE LOVE LOVE to paint. It's like some kind of therapy for me or something. I prefer to paint some kind of design or object over just painting wall after wall of the same color...but still, any painting is fun and will be a welcome relief form my day-to-day life. I think this will be a great way for me to get rejuvenated! So, if my hubby ever reads this...Thanks, honey for keeping the kids and letting me go! I think I will be a better mom and wife when I get back! I love you!
Okay everyone...Bye for now! Hope you all have a great weekend!
Jen
Seeing as how Valentines Day is only about 3 weeks away..I thought I would share some thoughts on Love with you.
The predicament of love--searching for it, falling into it, falling out of it, and living it--is the one abiding obsession of humankind.
Love is its own reward.
Finding love that is without jealousy is like trying to find a candle that doesn't throw shadows.
Hate is easy---love takes courage.
It is not only necessary to love; it is also necessary to say so.
It's easy to fall in love--the hard part is finding someone to catch you.
A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.
There are two times when men and woman don't understand each other--before marriage and after marriage.
Love is having someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you today just the way you are.
Love is like war: easy to begin, hard to end.
Okay, so, I know I've never been good at math...but I really goofed up on that post where I said it would be only 60 cents a day for that playset thing. I don't know how I figured $20/week breaks down into 60 cents a day...but the correct amount should have been $2.85/day. Good thing when I worked at the bank, they didn't let me touch the money! ha ha
Hi everyone! It's a quiet Saturday at my house and I thought I'd do a quick post while I have a minute. Guess what? We bought our first horse today!!!--a filly about 6 months old. She is a bay and she is SO PRETTY! I will take a picture today or tomorrow and post it so you can all see. I am so excited about this because the kids will be able to grow up with her and spend their childhood riding her! Plus, when we have friends over...we'll have a horse to ride. I am sure we will get another one or two later on...but for now...she'll be our baby. We haven't named her yet. We were planning to let Brooklyn name her...but like all of her baby dolls, she wanted to name her Jessica! She has an obsession with her teenage cousin, Jessica--thus the reason for naming every inanimate (and living, apparently) object Jessica. Anyway, maybe you guys can give me some suggestions for a name. I want it to be something original, but not weird.
Okay, quiet time is up...boy, that was quick. But, Grant is waking up from his nap now, so I guess I should end this! Hope you all have a great weekend!
Hi everyone! My mom and I took the kids to Carls Jr. for lunch today. I have never been a big fan of Carls Jr. and I am especially NOT a fan now that we got our french fries with hairs in them! DISGUSTING!!! But anyway, we went there because they have this huge, cool playset thing that Brooklyn has been begging me to take her to since we moved to this area. So anyway, after we ate, and the kids were playing, I began thinking..."I wonder how much a big playset thing like this would cost?" So I asked my mom if she had any idea. She said that when restrurants first started putting them in, she checked into the prices and that they were very expensive. I said, "Like what? $10,000 or something?" and she said "Yah, that's about right." Okay, so at first that sounds like a lot of money..but then I started breaking it down...my kids would play on something like that for at least 10 years between the two of them. So, that is a thousand dollars a year--which is 83 dollars a month---which is approximately 20 dollars a week--which is a mere 60 cents a day. I would gladly pay 60 cents a day for something that would keep them occupied for a while each day and give them some exercise (this was proven when Brooklyn was dripping with sweat and very red-faced after about 20 minutes of play today). So, now I just need to find someone who will let me pay them out in 60-cent-a-day increments for one of those playset things! Ha Ha....
Anyway, what this post was really supposed to be about was how interesting it is to find out how much you really spend on things when you add them up by the month or year. For instance, Matt and I both have to pay a 40 cent toll everytime we go anywhere from our new house. So, on a minimum, assuming we only go into town once a day 6 days a week...we are spending $9.60/week on tolls...which is about $38.40/month or $460.80/year!!! That doesn't include the fact that we both have to fill up our vehicles with gas about every 5 days which costs approximately $80 each time (for both of us)which comes out to $5,840/year!!! Add that with the amount we pay on tolls and we are spending over six thousand dollars a year (not including car payments) just to get back and forth to work and church!
Oh, and anyone who has ever bought a house knows how completely depressing it is to see how much you will have paid for your house at the end of 30 years!!!
Okay, I won't bore you with any more of my "figuring" but if you have a minute or two...pick something out that you do regularly such as getting your nails done or eating out...and multiply the cost times the number of times you do it a year and I promise, you'll be shocked at how much you really spend!
Okay, that is your math lesson for today! hee hee
Okay girls...this is probably a strange topic to share with the world...but I just want to know how many of you agree that underwear are way overpriced? I was in Dillards today and saw that they had tubs of underwear for $2.99/each. I thought, "Wow! That's not bad." So, I begin studying and analyzing each of them and making myself a small pile. (Guy's wouldn't understand, but all of us girls know how important it is that the waistband and legs of panties be wide enough, not too tight and if you're into the stringy kind...well, you gotta make sure that's to your liking too.) So anyway, I make my final selections and head to the register to check out. But, as the lady begins ringing them up, I notice they aren't ringing up for the promised $2.99. I point that out to the saleswoman who then points me to the fine print on the sign that says "and up". UGH! I hate those two little words when referring to sale signs. It's just a ploy to make you think that there is some real great deal...when there might actually be only one lone item on the rack that is actually that low price...the rest are in the "and up" category. So, back to my story...the underwear that I had picked, of course, were actually on sale for $5, $7 and $9. I settled for only getting the $5 pair but what I am referring to when I say underwear are way overpriced is that...those underwear were originally $10, $14 and $18!!!!! GIVE ME A BREAK! I am talking cotten undies...not Victoria Secret lacy things or anything. I admit, the most expensive ones were Ralph Lauren, but still...who, in their right mind, would spend $18 for a pair of cotton panties? Maybe I am just cheap? I am the one who had never spent more than $12 on a bra until this past year when I was introduced to Gap Body who makes an AWESOME bra! It's $36 for the one I like...but it's totally worth it. But then there is Victoria Secret...I could spend a fortune in there. You can't even get a simple satin nightgown in there for less than about 60 bucks.
Okay, well, back to reality..I could probably write a book on shopping so I better put a stop to this! I need to go get dinner ready. Tonight must be a special occasion...I am cooking a $15 brisket, squash and zucchini, mashed potatoes, salad and rolls...and wearing $5 panties (orginally $10)!!! Ha Ha!
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