Seriously...

I should get some kind of prize for not blogging for over a year. hehehe I feel like if I make it sound like a goal I've accomplished, then the internet world will be high-fiving me instead of shaking fingers asking "what the crap? where have you been?!" Honestly, I've been right here. Got busy with life and forgot to record any of it on here. For that I'm really disappointed b/c I really like going back to my old posts and reading about my past self and the things that were happening around me. Narcissitic? Definitely. ;-)

So here's a 10 on Tuesday b/c I've always loved these:

1) I recently painted a wall in our living room (oh yeah, we've moved out of the apt into a house...) copper (complete with metalic sheen) and though I love, love, love the color, I'm a little scared that I've painted the wrong wall as an accent wall. We'll see, I've got to walk in and see it several more times before I make my mind of definitely. Liz, this is definitely why we should live closer together...

2) I may have to go to Thrift Store Anonymous. The deals there are soooo awesome ($1 canvases??? I'll take 20 please...) but when I'm not really in need of anything, then I'm still just spending money that doesn't need to be spent, thus losing the deal factor. KJ says, "But it was only a dollar" should be my personal tagline. Ha! He's right on that one.

3) Little mini is not so little anymore. I have a bonafide big kiddo and she's pretty amazing. I found out that I'm guilty of downplaying her amazingness sometimes b/c I don't want to come off as the "bragging, my kid's the best thing in the world" mom, but recently it hit me: She's one of the best things that God has helped me (and KJ) to create and that's nothing to downplay. The other day she told me I was the "best friend she'd ever had". Awwww. Very endearing and sweet but also made me realize how important it is that I keep her a circle of friends her own age as there will be a time that "the meanest mommy in the world" will trump my "best friend ever" card and I want her to have good friends that she can use as a sounding board when I'm scolding her for talking back and mumbling under her breath.

4) I've been moonlighting as a paint instructor. Everyday I have a thought that goes something like, "What in the world, just use your degree and go get a design job", but everytime I pick up a brush something in me responds, "BUT I don't want to!"

5) I bought a trial run to a firm body bootcamp about a month ago and I still haven't even checked the website to see when available class dates are. I'm that lazy.

6) These 10 are a lot harder than I remember them being... maybe I'm just out of practice.

7) Things that I wish had never been invented: little bitty stickers (I'm sure Satan himself came up with these). I find them EVERYWHERE, on the kitchen floor, on the underside of the toilet lid (don't ask, I sure didn't) on clothing that has just come out of the dryer. Sigh. The rest of this list of things that should have never been invented will have to be cont'd as there were a few more things I was thinking of, but all of them but the stickers have left my mind for the time being.

8) Did you know Pine-sol will remove acrylic paint out of clothing. A helpful little tip I feel the need to tell everyone I run into.

9) Taking little mini to her first movie in the big theater. She's super pumped about the popcorn. I'm super pumped that it's Tuesday and movies, popcorn and drinks are ONLY $1!

10) My new favorite artist EVER is : Laura Izibor. She sounds like an Irish Adele. (Trice I think you'd really like her too.) All of her songs are so from the heart and beautiful. She's got one called If tonight were my last, sigh, just beautiful. You tube her if you get a chance.

Whew! 10. I guess it's official... I'm back!

Happy Tuesday!

Not a Chicken

I'm all about making a halloween costume. Here's the thing, I don't sew. LOL But I love the idea of creating a little piece of pretend for the little mini, so I think real hard and then go about it in the least bootleg fashion possible. Last year it was the 2 minute tutu to make the cutest ballerina ever. And this year, with 3 feather boa's from the Dollar Tree and 1 piece of orange felt, a preowned whistle and cream/white onesie and pants, I'd like to present....



Our little duckie! Oh I should have videoed, because her quacking was hilarious. Plus the whistle makes a duck call so realistic that I won't let her blow it outside of our apt for fear that we'll be swarmed. :-O
We were out of town at KJ's parents and they live in the country, so no one was expecting trick or treaters. We basically drove her to a few cousins and great uncle's houses. She scored 2 mini bags of skittles, a mini snickers bar, a breath mint and $5. hehehe We should have probably given everyone a heads up, but oh well. All in fun. ;) I can't promise that this won't be my only post in October opps, it's November isn't it. Oh well, let's throw that out the window and just take it day by day.
Hope all is well with each of you!

Lots of lovin!

Ten

1) Week before last was a tough week. Long story short, a lot of stuff broke. Literally. The most depressing, my hard drive. And I'm the nutt that didn't back things up on an external drive or dvds. So long sad story shorter: I've sent it to a few companies, each reporting back more depressing news than the other. So I'm about to send it to the end all queen mother load of hard drive savers and we'll see what they have to say. ::sigh:: lesson learned. BACK-UP!

2) Out of all the stuff that's "lost" most important were preg and little mini pics and movies. Funny, but all my design stuff is gone too and I'm so unconcerned it's ridiculous.

3) I'm looking for a job. 'Nough said.

4) Does anyone want to buy a house in FL?

5) This 10 will be tough as I don't feel like I've got a lot of new things going on.

6) I'm back on Facebook. No pics or anything, I think I'm using it solely to look at other people's lives but not give too much into mine. Selfish? Yes.Bu I really don't even have the energy to try to keep it updated.

7) Belk's is having a great sale on baby clothes. Just FYI incase you're like me and have baby showers and little people bdays on the horizon.

8) This post has an overtone of "sadness" which I think stems from #1, but really, I'm okay and know that I'm really blessed in the midst of these little storms.

9) Project Runway on Lifetime has been very uninspiring so far. Is it just me?

10) Going to the library for some good books. As much as I know that reading the book before seeing the movie, kills the movie's goodness, I can't help it, and some of my picks are still in the theaters. Maybe by the time I actually get to see them, I'll have forgotten all the little details from the books. hehehe

Happy Tuesday all!

Things I'm seriously considering...

• That we may live in this apt. FOREVER.

• Driving across town to the thrift store to find a cheap pilates/yoga video just to save money.

• Pulling out my mini elliptical machine and using it while watching Real Housewives of ATL.

• Why Kourtney Kardashian is pregnant by that no good ex boyfriend.

• Going to walmart and buying the smooth away and trying it on my face (hehehe- I have the fuzziest face ever. great thing that no one but KJ and the little mini get close enough to see it.)

• Getting into the habit of spraying all of our door handles with Lysol.

• Going to the salon to get my hair done every week even though I can by no means afford it. I just hate doing my hair that much.

• Eating the left over cheeseburger pie for breakfast.

• That the little mini will never own a dog (KJ and I will never see eye to eye on this), but that I will get her a bunny so that she can have the responsibility and love that comes with a pet. Can you give a bunny a bath?

• Getting my old paintings from college that my mom has stored at her house and painting over every one of them.

• Getting the adult sour gummy vitamins I saw in a magazine the other day.

• Reading the book: It Sucked and Then I Cried because I love her blog.

• That I may have my mom's old family photo albums under my bed for FOREVER with good intentions attached.

• That I may need to wear sneakers for the rest of the summer as my piggies are going thru a really not cute phase.

• Catching up with the pregnant woman I just saw walking and then smoking her in laps around the complex for a mere physical challenge. Shame.

• Going to the movies by myself to watch My Sister's Keeper and the Time Travelers Wife (which I'm determined not to ruin by reading the book first). If only the matinee was a lot cheaper.

• Planning our anniversary trip and taking us to Seattle.

• How I have the best core group of friends that anyone could ever ask for. I just got off the phone with both Colleen and then Tricey and it makes me smile that I've got women in my life who know me like they do.

• How I can be on this computer for hours and get off without accomplishing a thing. hehehe

Happy later then before Monday!
(Two posts in one day!!!! I'm a wild woman!!!!)

Life

gets hectic sometimes. On the surface I feel like I've cut out the main component of an 8-5 so why so busy right? Truth is, I have no idea, but the under current is crazy as all get out.

• I've read some awesome books: A Thousand Splendid Suns, Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, and Tears of the Desert. All eye-opening as to how horrific mankind can be to one another and very humbling in what I choose to complain about. Excellent reads if you want to break out of a fictional series for a bit (A Thousand Splendid Suns is still a work of fiction but with a true basis).

• I've got some serious midsection flab and seriously no motivation to shrink it. I may check out a pilates dvd from the library, but I also may run around the parking lot of our complex. Both maybes have a strong possibility of being beat out by a box of krispy kremes. Shame!

• Working on being a better wife and friend to my husband. (do I say this in every post??) Tough as I've developed a short fuse and often have to talk myself out of extreme rage stemming from things like adding a bowl to the sink after I've just finished washing dishes or leaving the last batch of laundry in the dryer for a week. hehehe Even as I type this I can see the blessings in both and know that I really have a wonderful husband, but dog-gone it, he's such a man!

• The why am I not working and what am I really doing with my life debate is mentally exhausting. I read a quote once that said something about as women we feel guilty for staying at home and not working and guilty for working and not staying home. I've felt both and well, guilt is pretty much guilt.

• I've got 10 new students in my Sunday school class and they are hilarious. Definitely going to keep me on my toes. Especially the boys. Do you remember being in the 5th and 6th grades? ::good times::

• A girlfriend of mine's daughter just went off to college and I realized that a lot of the advice I wanted to give her was also very incriminating. In general I want her to have fun, be safe, and make wise decisions but realize that the mistakes will come. Ahhh, college ::great times::

• The little mini's a singer. This makes me soooo happy as I tend to make up songs about everything and she jumps right on in.

• Speaking of my wild child I've scattered a few fav recent pics through the post. Isn't she getting big. Love is wayyyy too small of a description.

• Want to rejoin the facebook world but really doubt that I will. Can you imagine how neglected this little blog would be then?!?


Happy Early Monday Morn!

I'm up ridiculously late...

... by my own standards, as generally I'm sleep on the couch by 8:30...
so technically it's Wed, but let's just pretend it's Tuesday for the sake of 10, shall we.

1) Lil mini stayed with her aunt/uncle/cousins last week and when we picked her up I was a little disappointed for her that she's coming home to a house full of adults. (not making ANY hints here!!!) I think she laughed every second she was there as those 3 kiddos main goal was to teach her new things and to keep her rolling. They were wildly successful.

2) On the quest to get more veggies in this family, I've resorted to creative measures to say the least. Unfortunately the lil mini saw thru my attempts to pass off black bean burgers as real burgers. They were a no fly. She's such a meat eater and I think she got that from me.

3) Our Walmart is revamping itself, it took me nearly 20 minutes to find the bread.

4) I had forgotten my love of bookstores. I went to both Barnes and Noble and Books a million last week and both times the smell alone made me swoon in the doorway.

5) We're implementing "bye-bye paci" this week and so far on day 3 I think we've just about got it. Lil mini only cries for about 2 or 3 minutes before just going to sleep. Today she saw a little baby in the library with a pacifier and she reached for it and then looked at me like, "What gives?!?"

6) Going to attempt to use some flax seed I bought a week or so ago. I bought it b/c it sounds healthy, but I keep forgetting to put it in stuff. I'm thinking that I'll make some silver dollar pancakes and some pumpkin muffins. Regardless of how they turn out, I'll be eating them as I hate to waste food. (I'm still killing off the black bean burger debacle)

7) The tendinitis in my wrist is getting worse, but I'm not making a doc appt b/c my thought is that maybe it needs to get worse before it gets better. Ludicrous I know, but I hate going to the doc about a problem he's already seen me about. Waste of a copay.

8) I'm typing in the dark, and my knowledge of the keyboard is not as great as I thought it was.

9) Lil mini has a fondness of b words. Bubble, ball, boy, baby, she always pronounces with surprising clarity, then she gets on a rambling roll and looks at me like somethings wrong with my ears for not knowing exactly what she's saying.

10) Our printer is broken which has forced me to rekindle my relationship with Kinkos. It's bittersweet. I'm always a little in awe of all their printing capabilities and I it makes me miss working in an office where oversize printing was at my fingertips... and free. Boy they're making a killing.

Happy Tuesday *Wednesday* friends!

Love this commercial

Have you seen this Prius commercial? I love it. It makes me smile watching all those people wiggle around. Happy Friday all.

Momma Mishaps

This mommy-ing thing isn't always as easy as I hoped it would be. I've made mistakes... many mistakes, some I consider big, some tiny, but none beyond repair. The blessing of children is that they don't have anything to compare your parenting to. I'm listing a few mistakes somewhat as a confession and admission that I know the Mommy of the Year Award won't be stopping by here, but I'm trying. Not for pity just if some random mom out there is reading and thinking that she doesn't have it all together, all the time, then she'll know she's not alone. ;-)
Lil mini is spending the week with her aunt/uncle and cousins, so it gives me a great time to reflect and restrategize.

Diving in:

1) My biggest mistake realization to date: I began 'spank*ng' too soon. My little mini is quite sharp and she's also quite headstrong. After no and stop failed to get her attention, I implemented a hand or a leg tap. For a bit, it seemed to be working. She stopped trying to touch the oven. She stopped banging her head on the floor during a meltdown. And then I noticed that she started to raise her hand (as if to hit something) when she got frustrated. So to her I became a hypocrite saying "No, sweet girls don't hit" but tapping her hands a few minutes later. Well when talking to my sis in law (who is a phenomenal momma I might add) she suggested maybe it was just too soon. That although the lil mini is bright as can be, she's not making the connection of the taps as punishment for an action, but more so a way to react when upset. ::sigh:: strike 1 million for me. So I'm revamping our whole 'discipline at this stage but to what exactly I'm not sure. I'm thinking of cry-it-out crib time. A baby time out of sorts, I guess.

Let me say here that I am a huge believer of discipline. Spank*ngs, groundings, time to calm yourself down, whatever. I think each child requires different things. I respect how you want to raise your kids, but I birthed this one and my husband and I believe in laying down our laws with love how we see fit. May sound harsh, but I will not be one of those mothers who is running scared from her 2 year old.

2) Not such a huge mistake but still one to boot. I introduced lunchables. They were great for church when I just needed to have something b/c we wouldn't be making it home for lunch. Toss a lunchable in the bag and some mandarin oranges and milk and I was good to go. Until this became her meal of preference. I want to be that momma that cooks wholesome, organic well balanced meals at every given moment, but I'm not. I hit the mark perfectly on some days (one nite I commented to KJ that the little mini had eaten berries and yogurt for breakfast, pasta salad with veggies for lunch and fish and spinach for dinner and I was on top of my momma game), and on others I fail miserably giving in to just wanting her to eat something (please reference above mention of her stubbornness, girl's got a will like iron sometimes). To remedy I plan on incorporating some veggie only meals and my concept is that if she's hungry she'll eat. I'll have to let you know how that goes.

3) Not a biggie: Not getting rid of clothes when they are just too small. Unfortunately I am that momma that sometimes rolls up the lil mini's jeans to capri height just to get a few more wears. I know it's pitiful and she's got plenty of clothes, but pants are definitely a stickler b/c it seems like they get too short before she's actually outgrown them. There are a lot of skirts and dresses in our summer future.

4) Kind of big: I don't speak up when random people in Walmart touch her hands. I know the germs that are floating around there and I can't seem to bring myself to say "Could you please not do that". I know pep mean well and babies just bring joy all around, but in all fairness couldn't they just tickle her knee? My remedy is that I keep anti-bacterial hand wipes with me at all times and I just wipe her hands when we're in another aisle. Then she licks her hands and any package she can get a hold of in the back of the cart. (Work with me kiddo, not against me!!)

5) Biggie: Some days I'm so busy concentrating on trying to get her to "act right" that I don't reveal in her just as she is. I feel like some days I don't remember if I heard her laughing because I was concentrating on telling her not to take her shoe off and lick the bottom (which apparently she thinks is hilarious). This is one reason that I'm so glad that KJ is my partner in crime in this b/c he's great at enjoying the moment. So what if she's banging her head on the couch cushion, do you see how funny she looks doing it and how hard it makes her giggle.

6) Maybe a biggie, maybe not: I don't freak out when she picks food up off the floor and then eats it. I know, I know that sounds horribly gross, but when a box of Cheerios is dumped on the floor I'm more thankful than ever that we vacuum regularly and that we don't wear shoes in the house. I know that this is not a 'habit' that's good to start b/c in public it is ridiculously nasty... no buts my subconscious knows that we need to stop allowing this and just suck it up and throw the cheerios away... the whole $2.33 box.

I think that's about all. Shoot that might be enough for DHR to come running. ;-) Like I said, I don't have this figured out and we're making strides thru trial and error. Overall she's a great kiddo despite or because of our efforts so far. ;-)

Happy Tuesday friends!

The Best Way

to make a self-proclaimed "Keeper of Things" purge is to put her in a wayyyy too tiny apartment.
More later. ;-)

Happy Monday.

Just Thinking

that....

1) Sweets should never enter our home. I've had 2 oatmeal cookies and a slice of cake for breakfast/lunch. Oh and water as I'm trying to drink it at least once a week.

2) When I ask the lil mini if she's my sweet baby or my sweet big girl, she smiles really hard at the latter and I'm starting to agree.

3) Need to clean this home and purge like nobody's business. Too many clothes not worn but taking up precious closet space. And why do I have 6 boxes of q-tips. Now wonder lil mini is scavenging them to her room, she must think that they're a hot commodity.

4) What do you do with old purses? I've got a box full and once I put a bag down, there's no going back. I've heard of pep doing purse swaps before... hummmm

5) Switched toes from fushia to orange and I'm feeling fiesty. ;-)

6) Need to return something to TJ Maxx and I know inevitabley that instead of just getting my $ back and leaving that my 'refund' will probably become the 'discount' on my next purchase.

7) Looking at things to do in parts, rather than the whole is the only way I can get from day to day.

8) Headed to the library and Michaels when lil mini wakes from nap. Today is all about ditching cleaning detail, as I'm just not in the mood.

9) Loving the rain, but even I'd appreciate a little break as I'm bound and determined to get us in some pool time this summer.

10) Long weekends (which was fantastic. Love nonchalant hang out time with fam and friends) make for short weeks which make to-do lists seem even longer... says the lady dodging household duties.

11) Watching the season premier of Jon and Kate Plus 8 was tough. Was it just me? That family is really hurting, or maybe I should say that it's obvious that Kate is really hurting.

12) It was not hard to watch this showHere Comes the Newlyweds. Has anyone else seen it? I'm going to give it a couple of more weeks, but so far it's cute.

Happy Tuesday!

To knock Colleen's socks off...

... hehehe Is that nice to do to a pregnant woman? Just messin', I too am ridiculously giddy that I've been able to blog so close together. I don't know how long it will last, so come and get it while it's hot.

Here's some randomness for your Friday.

1) Now that the lil mini is a mover and a shaker, I find the oddest things in her room. A box of q-tips, a package of bath fizzies, a funnel... there's no telling what else she's got stored in there. Like she's building a bunker, should we stop supplying for her...

2) Went to the doc this morn and 2 testaments that I'm no longer 22. A) I have tendonitis in my wrist, no doubt from years spent on this computer (wonder if I can contact some past company's for workman's comp...) and from lifting the cutest 20lb sack of potatoes ever. B) When doing my chest x-ray (this was my annual physical) there were 2 x's on the little machine and I asked the tech if they marked where my n*pples should be, thankfully, she said no (but I think she was sparing my feelings), as mine were way below the mark. Really, bre*st-feeding and pumping did a number on my girls.

3) Love my new general doc. I found him for KJ, but when he asked me if I was still working in my profession and I told him no, he commented, "Being a momma is enough, right?" LOL. Yes it is and I love you little ole man for making me feel great about my unemployment (outside the home).

4) Lil mini and I love cherries. But whoa are they expensive! So, whenever we get a house, I'm planting a cherry tree, a pear tree, an apple tree and a tangerine tree. hummm, does that count as gardening?

5) Saw the best recipe for a breakfast pizza in a magazine in the waiting room. English muffin topped with a tomato, scrambled egg, sausage or bacon, and something else. Shoot, I thought I could memorize it.... let me see if I can find it on the web. It was so simple and so delish looking...
Found it Breakfast Pizzas Scroll down a bit and you'll see it. Sounds good, huh?

Happy Friday folks. Most of you I think I'll see at the big 02 celebration in the park. Can't wait!

Oddities...

... things you may or may not want to know about me. ;-)

1) I rarely cry at funerals, but tv shows make me bawl. Really, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice all make me run thru a tissue box.

2) It drives me crazy when KJ stays up late. Like we have a marital bedtime that he must adhere to. ha.

3) I'm horrible at putting colors together. Really. Clothes, artwork, sigh... monochromatic is my style. hehehe and I'm a graphic designer. again I say ha.

4) I once took a family pack of toilet tissue back b/c they had overcharged me. I'm a stickler for savings. Oh and I'm boycotting the local Taco Bell b/c they over charged me for chicken tacos (hehe apparently once the food leaves the window and you've driven home with it, you can't take it back).

5) I could eat Mexican food every. day.

6) I've taken to cleaning the bathroom in the nude just before I get in the shower. I admit that this is ridiculously odd and probably way TMI. Don't stop by without calling first, hehehe you'd hate to catch me in the middle of cleaning.

7) I wear more flip-flops now that I'm back in Bama than I ever did in FL.

8) On nights when the little mini is sick and I'm up rocking her, I've contemplated how comfy it would be to just curl up in her crib. With or without her.

9) I love love love recipes, but not once have i ever followed one to the T.

10) I have a ton of photos, but they are all trapped inside my computer. And I have a ton of frames, some are even hung on my walls, but they all display people I'm tired of making up relations to. Why don't they just sell empty frames?

Anywho, happy Wednesday friends!

Oh, the little mini and one of her bffs are hanging out today, and I don't believe that there's anything cuter than hearing them trying to talk each other out of nap time. Really girls, go to sleep...

Being the Change

You Want to See.

I've adopted this as my "life quote". Not sure where I heard it, but I liked it instantly and saw that as a mantra, it eliminated my internal need to gripe or complain about any given situation. If I've run into nothing but rude people during the day, then I'm extremely kind to everyone that I come in contact with. If I feel like I haven't connected with friends in a while (life gets so hectic) then I make an effort to put a card in the mail. If I want KJ to step up his husband game, then I double check to make sure that my wife game is on point. See what I'm saying. It may not work for everyone, but boy does it work for me. It silences the inner negative nelly in a heart beat.

So in being the change I want to see, I've:

1) Slowed down to realize that a lot of the rushing around I was doing previously was ousting the very ones who were most important to me. I can take a phone call instead of rushing inside of Walmart. I can snuggle a little longer b.c the dishes aren't literally calling my name. I can revamp my agenda to pop in and see friends and family, b/c after all isn't that the bonus of not working outside of the home? ;-) Yep. It is.

2) I try to listen more intently. No matter how trivial the story may sound, it matters to some degree to the person taking the breath to tell it. Because of this, I've had some of the nicest conversations with the most random people. Mostly old women in the check-out line at Walmart. (oh and one really sweet girl in Dollar Tree who called me 'ladybug' which I found to be extremely endearing as that's what my mom used to call me growing up)

3) Made a conscious effort to hug the little mini every chance I get b/c she's quickly adopting little habits and I think compassion is often best displayed in a warm squeeze.

4) Decided to make a random doc appt to just check on my overall health (I feel fine, no worries, but haven't had a regular physical in about 2 or 3 years) b/c I want to say I've made every effort I can to ensure my health and vitality for later.

There are a hundred other things on my "being the change" radar ranging from being more environmentally conscious (seriously my family's 'footprint' is probably ridiculous) to being more 'kindly honest' (I don't think I could ever be brutally honest, but in not trying to trample feelings before I've either remained completely silent or taken a long detour of avoidance).

Other than being lost in this thought, the haps this way are that:
I'm hoping to start reading several good books. In the mood for thought provoking so I think I'll start with Thousand Splendid Suns or A Long Way Gone

Several graduations this week. Man, I remember that feeling of life being no larger than my experiences up through high school. My goodness, I'v gotten old. hehehe

Looking for new recipes. Made up a hashbrown and sausage casserole. Very good except the consensus is that I should omit the crunchy topping next time. I got a little crunch happy this time. :-)

Happy Monday friends.

Life's a Blur

Have you ever just sat and tried to remember exactly what you did 24 hours ago? Good night, time is like a whirl wind around these parts.

We went to go pick up the Mini from KJ's parents (she's been with them since last Friday. eek! Vaca for me yes, and that was nice, but whoa is this house quiet and boy am I pitiful when she's MIA for so long). I must admit as we were walking in the door I was a little nervous that she'd look at us like, who are you folks (side bar, I often have the sad thought that if I were to pass away today, she'd have no real memory of me, and it almost makes me hyperventilate, anywho), but no fear needed. The kiddo bust into the sweetest 8 tooth grin ever and took off running towards us. Those little legs are hilarious. Other than a horrible outbreak of her eczema and a few scratches on her nose, she's just as I remember her being. ;-) A tad bit more feisty, but I think that's what happens when you stay with the grands and can get away with EVERYTHING.

The rest of the weekend was like I said, a blur. We drove further south so see KJ's gma. It's a small little community, so all the men had gathered at the local church and cooked lunch for all the ladies. The fish was sooo good, and I made no bones about going back for 3rds and 4ths. Shoot, at one point KJ's uncle was bringing it to me straight from the fryer. I love me a fish fry.

We attempted to go to Tuskegee on Sunday for his cousins graduations, but that was just ridiculous. Apparently they only have one graduation the entire year so there are a million students walking and that means 10 million family members trying to get into a space that seats 20,000. We stood outside for 40 mins (they were well beyond standing room only) and then we found a relative that was going back to the house for dinner (we were going to head on home) and gave them our cards. We tried.

After stopping by the hospital to visit one of KJ's aunts, we hit the road home. The mini did great considering we were in and out of the car a thousand times and that whatever normal schedule we try to have was blown in the wind. By the time we left the hospital she was pooped so the hour and a half drive home was perfect. I always try to stay up and talk to KJ on drives so that he won't be bored, but it didn't happen this time. Car sleeping is some of the best sleep ever to me. ;-) And we made it home in time for evening service at church.

It was a weekend full of family and although every event didn't go as planned it was still pretty good. I didn't get many pics but I did catch this one of these two. It didn't last long, as she likes to stop and look at every blade of grass and she needs about 10 little steps to match his one, but still sweet none the less.

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day on both the giving and receiving end.

I was thinking...

of shutting this bad boy down. Really. I don't write enough. I feel like my life has lost tons of interest. But, yesterday I talked to my old friend Sumita. I miss her. High school was ages ago and our lives are completely different and very busy now. Hers especially. :-) So it occured to me that while she's up working at 3 am (like she often does) that if she needed a mental break that she might pop onto my blog to check in on my fam. It was my reminder as to why I blog. Thanks Sumita-mita. I've read others bloggers write how they blog for their family. So that they can look back in years and remember their day to day activities. The more I think of it the more I realize that I too love the thought of the little mini being able to read my ramblings one night in her dorm room when she can't sleep, kind of giving her a different insight into her momma at a time when she's going to think that I just don't understand, or that I'm an old foggy who can't relate to a hip youngster as herself. hehehe

So in short, I'm back.
Some things have changed, some things have stayed the same.
I hope to write more so that my friends feel like the gaps between us are fewer and smaller.
I hope to write so that my best friend and I can play a different kind of 'catch-up' (Now Liz, stop running around and honestly, take 5 mins to read my ramblings... I miss you. I miss us.)
I hope to write so that in time I can say I've been doing this form of 'journaling' long enough to stop saying "I can never stick to journaling". I hate that I'm a journal quitter.
Here's the beginning of a long road of catching up. And staying caught up.
Whether you're out there or not. Whether you've given up on me or not. Whether you comment or not. I'll be here.
And occasionally I can promise that there will be eye candy...
Behold:




Happy Friday friends. I've missed you.

Just making...

... the 10 on Tuesday deadline!

1) I've been a subscriber to the Kraft Food mag for years, but have only done a few recipes. I'm a recipe junkie. Anywho, today I noticed in an old mag, the 1 bag- 5 dinner menu. (They have the same thing on-line here 1 bag 5 dinners) So I'm giving it a whirl. Tonight we had beef stir-fry (very good) and tomorrow it's pork chops with cranberry stuffing. I think this is just what I needed to get me out of my cooking rut.

2) Finished Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner (same author of In Her Shoes) and it was WONDERFUL. Love her writing style.

3) I'm now reading The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. This is the first book of his that I've ever read and I haven't quite grasped his writing style yet, but to his advantage I'm really only about 5 pages in.

4) Trying to plan a 1 year b-day party when you live in a too little space is ummmm, daunting to say the least. I'm weighing out some options. Would it be tacky to rotate guest in and out at scheduled times??? hehehe just joking... maybe

5) KJ's been working from home since his surgery (he's healing up very nicely, able to do a lot more on his own every day) and I must admit that I've really gotten used to him being around. Although sometimes I find myself wondering how in the world are the bills getting paid. It's hard to let go of the traditional eight to five job idea...

6) I've decided to taylor my own clothes. I'm a mender, not a real sewer, but I have a pair of jeans I got from TJ Maxx that I'm going to practice on until I feel like I can do some of my other clothes. I hate when things don't fit me properly. Yep, wish me luck, I'm just going to jump in, no videos, no books, just me, a pair of cheap jeans, and a sewing machine...

7) My resolve to do better with keeping in touch with family and friends has been shot to Hades. I'm sure the few folks I knew in FL think I've forgotten them. I wish our thoughts would materialize themselves into emails and phone calls... hehehe I guess they do in the 'not so lazy' people.

8) The little mover and shaker of the house has taken to charming the elderly in Walmart. I've never seen so many giggles and little waves (mostly on her part, but some on theirs too). I think she's trying to figure out how to get a scooter like their's and ditch the slow cart pushing momma.

9) Ate a pomegranate for the first time the other day. I'm the ultimate fruit lover, but I tend to stick with the ones I grew up on, so recently I decided to broaden my horizons and I try to pick up something different every time I go to Target. I told KJ that I think pomegranate seeds are my equivalent to his sunflower seeds. ( you are suppose to spit them out after you suck off all the red stuff right???)

10) Think I'll leave you with a pic of the mini getting into paperwork that honestly, if she could write, I'd tell her to go to town on. Gotta love random forms that sit around so long you forget what they're for...

Happy Tuesday!

Missed the 10 on Tuesday...

Hey! I've been trying to atleast do my 10 on Tuesdays, but this one slipped by me.
So quickly here's what we've got going on.

1) KJ had knee surgery yesterday. He's doing great so far, starts physical therapy today. In some pain but I'm keeping him drugged up. Oh and I'm very thankful when nurses make cheat sheets b/c I don't listen well when given instructions in these matters...

2) Little mini has been staying with her Nana and Papa since Sat (KJs folks are helping us out while I take care of him after this surgery). I miss her terribly and can't wait to pick her up even though it will be tough having an immobile husband and a very mobile baby. ;-)

3) Somehow I'm still behind on most things.

4) Lauren, would love to do lunch. Can't wait to meet Miss Bee. I'll email you, hopefully sooner than later.

5) I still have to connect with almost all of my friends back here in Bama. I got back and went into survival hermit mode.

6) Shane and Brandi, not avoiding you. Just lazy. Lazy and lonely, so I'm putting a stop to the madness before the end of January. Mark my words.

7) Just finished Made in the USA by Billie Letts (same author of Where the Heart Is). Two thumbs up. Wonderful book, now I just need to do some research so I'm not wondering the aisles in the library looking pitifully as I was last time around. I can never think of all the good books I want to read until I'm sitting at home...

8) I've thawed out turkey sausage and ground turkey and have no idea what I'm about to do with either...

9) Computer battery is about to die so this will have to do.

Happy Wednesday folks!

Oh and today is our 3 year anniversary! Whoot-whoot. We're partying like post surgery-drugged-up rockstars over here. ;-) hehehe We always do our big celebration early so it's very cool that today is a little lax.

lots of lovin

10 on Tuesday

1) I have 2 grocery paper bags full of mail that needs to be sorted thru.

2) Started baby proofing home today. I watched as the little mini crawled over to a wall with a socket, sat in front of it, and looked at me with a huge grin on her face. She was so thinking, "Ahhh-haaa, prefect place for my finger"

3) Candi (my fellow One Tree Hill lover), did you see last nite's episode. Seriously, the creepy guy had me spooked everytime they showed him on screen or in someone's flashback.

4) I hate guns, but last night I told KJ that I want to go to a gun range. Reason being if ANYTHING should ever happen I don't want to be so freaked out by the feel of cold steel in my hands that I can't defend myself or my family. Weird I know but I've decided that I'm more afraid of being paralyzed by my fear than confronting what I'm actually afraid of. KJ's comment was that I am not to watch any more tv.

5) Sam's Club makes an excellent Cranberry Pomegrante juice.

6) I'm reading a book ( Wednesday Letters, a Cmas gift) and last night I didn't go to sleep until 1 b/c I wanted to read 'one more page'. I love that feeling.

7) Wish I could read my Bible like I'm reading this book.

8) Today is rainy and yesterday was crazy with me trying to finish a freelance project, so I'm taking today as a movie snuggle day. So far we've watch Second Hand Lions (loved it) and Fever Pitch. I'm working on Anger Management alone right now as my movie buddy is down for her morning nap.

9) I have over 1000 new msg in my email inbox. That's just pitiful.

10) This new year has started of with so many differences than past years that I'm really anxious (in a good way) to see how the year unfolds.

Happy Tuesday all!!

10 on Tues - The San Diego edition

1) Love Cali weather. I curled my hair this morn and it looked the exact same when I went to put it up for bed. sigh... life without humidity... must be good.

2) Our room at the hotel is gorgeous. Might have something to do with KJ telling the booking pep that we were celebrating our honeymoon. hehehe did you catch that. Not celebrating our wedding (as in an anniversary), but celebrating the wedding night... Anywho, thank you for the upgrade booking pep!

3) I packed a ton of sleepwear that has been sadly retired for some time. Ummm, let's just say that i remembered why they were put into retirement and I even hit the work out room this morn to do some elipitical time... on my vaca....

4) We got into town last night and KJ got sick today. I'm hoping it's just a 24 hour bug. ;-( I've whipped out EVERY home remedy in the book and the hotel staff has been wonderful keeping me stocked with disinfectant, extra towels, crackers and free water. FYI I'll never buy saltines again, oyster crackers is where it's at.

5) Tonight a group of kids (teenagers) got in the elevator and they just looked like it was prom night and their parents had no idea that they had all gone in on a hotel room... anyway, one of the boys asked, "Is the room a smoking room b/c I've got to smoke my cigs." Oh little boy please. So on their way out of the elevator, that same lil boy looked at me and said sarcastically, "You have a good evening maam." and I wanted to reply, "Young man give me your cigarettes and your momma's phone number..." I hate to see youth just wasting away.

6) I miss my little mini. She's staying with my parents and she's on the last little bit of recovery from the cold from Hades. (all that was left when we hopped the plane was a sparatic little cough). Oh and Christmas was a hit. I'm proud to say that one of her fave gifts was the new set of toothbrushes! That's my baby.

7) The San Diego zoo is pretty extensive and has all kinds of random animals. I got some great pics which in more organized life I'd use to make a picture book for the lil mini since Dear Zoo is a favorite book... anywho, we had decided that we would hit up the Wild life part of the zoo too before we leave (separate area separate admission) because it's suppose to simulate an African safari. And the main zoo's lions were ladies and didn't have manes and well, a lion without the mane just isn't impressive.

8) On the plane ride over some of the boys in the band that is going to perform at the Holiday Bowl were siting near us, and I commented to KJ how "pretty" most of them were. Really, perfect skin, flushed cheeks, they looked like a bunch of extras for High School Musical (which I've never seen, but I know the boys are pretty...).

9) Not really San Diego related - I've decided that I should earnestly pray for organization. If King Solomon can ask for wisdom, little ole Roz can ask for organization. I've come to grips with the fact that me getting organized is going to take some divine intervention.

10) I'll leave you with a few of my fav pics from the holiday and from our trip so far. Happy Tuesday!!!!

Ten on Tuesday

1) Clean clothes are fluffier than dirty clothes which means that the same hamper that they were in originally suddenly becomes too small and makes it painfully obvious that the clothes need to be folded.

2) Folding clothes and mopping are my 2 least favorite house chores. Washing dishes is my absolute fave... no, really, it is.

3) My goal everyday is to get out of the house for something/some amount of time. Today almost all of my attempts when down in flaming balls of failure. There's still some time left, so I may try to make it happen as I'm pretty sure the little mini has cabin fever.

4) I have only bought 2 Cmas presents. Ummmm, how many days do I have left?? Good nite!

5) I've been wearing my hair straight and low and behold I've lost the base to my hot curlers, which means the sexy tousled look I had envisioned sporting is more often a funky little bun. hehehe I'm thinking sexy is in the eye of the beholder...

6) This year I'm contemplating emailing out a video C-mas card. Yes, it's cheap, but is it tacky? I'm hoping not as if I don't do this then there will probably be no wishes of merriment from my little family. Shoot, I don't ever get C-mas cards out on time, but this year I wouldn't even make my normal New Year's deadline.

7) Speaking of New Year's, KJ and I are headed to San Diego after Cmas for our early anniversary celebration. I've got to think of attractions to see b/c right now I'm all I'm coming up with is the zoo.

8) I love the show King of Queens. Really, I don't think I've ever seen an episode that hasn't made me laugh out loud at least once.

9) Still have to get a Cmas tree... and Tricey, as much as you DESPISE multi-colored lights, I believe that's the route I'm going. hehehe You probably would have never known had I not typed it here, so pretend like you didn't read that.

10) I MUST get some new jeans pronto. I don't have a single pair that fit me properly and I've been wearing what I like to call "bedroom jeans" (b/c the way they appear to be painted on my body is only fit for the privacy of my bouduare) with long shirts. I'm determined to drop 10 lbs by the end of Dec, but for now, new jeans it is.

Happy Tuesday!!!