Ready, Set, 40!

Ready, Set, 40! has moved.

2010-01-02T23:58:00.000-05:00

2010. New Year...New Blog.

You may or may not know that I have 2 blogs: "Ready, Set. 40!" and A Fine House. I have decided to merge both blogs into one. I felt as if each blog only showed readers a part of who I was. From today on, I will have one blog, Bona Fide, over at the old address for A Fine House.

I appreciate all of my readers and I hope that you will join me over at Bona Fide, and maybe become a follower while you are there.

This will be the last post at this site (Ready, Set, 40!) and all of my blogging will be over at Bona Fide.

Click here to get the whole story. Hope you will follow me over there.

Happy New Year!!

Stephanie

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T09:47:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas.

Happy New Year.

May your Christmas be filled with love of family and friends.

May you ring in the New Year with hope and peace in your heart.

From my family to yours.

Happy Holidays!!

I Invented the Friggin' Poof & all that jazz.

2009-12-21T15:20:00.000-05:00

Don't let the photo above fool you. We don't have any snow here in Ohio. We were spared.

This little guy was made by my Lizzie and her best friend 2 years ago when we lived in the old house.

I cannot be the only one that is so crazy, busy this week. Right? I have no time for baking, wrapping, or reading much less for blogging.

There are a few things that I want to talk about though, so I will most likely be back after Christmas to share my thoughts on cookie baking, Glee, last night's Survivor finale (that was B.S.), my girl's ever growing health issues (none serious thankfully), and how I am way behind on my Book Club which meets online January 3rd. Hello?? June Gardens?? Who schedules Book Club immediately after the holidays? How will I ever finish Serena? Also I will need to discuss about Avatar (loved it!), the arrival of Nine (can't wait to see it!), my sisters pregnancy (It's a boy!!), and OMG - I almost forgot the 2 most important things that I need to blog about....Jersey. Shore. Aghhhh! Please tell me that I am not the only moron that is highly entertained by this craziness!!

No time. Off to dig up my college diploma because I have a job interview tomorrow. Then to post office, and then to the store to try to squeeze my body into something presentable for this job interview.

Argh! When does this merry-go-round stop?

Merry Christmas & Happy Hannukah & all that jazzzz!

The Finer Things, like kicking Murphy in the Jingle Bells and gathering the Cheer Moms.

2009-12-17T13:01:00.000-05:00

photo: Michelle My Belle

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....at least it is at my house. I love Christmas and decorating for Christmas, so my house is decked out for the holidays. I even put up 2 trees this year, seeing as how I scored a new tree last January at Sears for $99. It was originally $399, so I got that going for me.

Other than decorating for Christmas I have been taking care of my girl who must have Murphy's luck when it comes to her health. Who is this guy Murphy? I'd like to give him a swift kick in his jingle bells. My poor child constantly has something wrong with her. She suffered all of October and November with Mono. While dealing with Mono my little piglet got hit with the Swine Flu - talk about a double whammy! She is just recovering from all of that and 2 weeks ago did a number on her ankle while tumbling and ended up in the ER. There is no fracture, but it is a "severe sprain". Now we found out she needs 2, yes 2, root canals, the first of which will be performed on New Years Eve. You know, cuz her December hasn't sucked enough.

Poor kid. I am showering her with love, and healthy food, and extra vitamins. Grandma is showering her with prayer. Daddy is showering her with love and an new ipod under teh tree. So we've got it covered and we are looking forward to a happy, healthy 2010!

In other non-Christmas, hurray for 2010, glass half full news: I have a job interview next week! Yay! I am making the switch from part-time to full-time. So wish me luck oh faithful readers. Speaking of readers, I am dying to join a book club. I happened to be at the library last Thursday evening getting a book for my online book club at Bye, Bye, Pie and I asked the librarian about Book Clubs. "Oh yes, we have 3 Book Clubs". Yay, I took the info. and was excited about the idea. As I was wandering the library I noticed all of these people coming in with books (imagine that) and pastries. I looked at my book club pamphlet and sure enough 2 of the 3 book clubs meet on Thursday nights. All of these men and women were arriving for their monthly Book Club meeting - and they bring desserts! Count me in! Then I noticed something...um.....every single one of them was 75+ years of age. Uh, not so sure about that. I was going to ask the librarian if everyone in book club was a senior, but then I pictured her looking at me like I was some horrible person who didn't like old people. Oh my gosh, what kind of person am I? I have since decided that I absolultely love old people and love to converse with them, but DO NOT want to join Book Club with them. I'd much rather converse and discuss with my peers. Does that make me bad? Where are all of my book-reading peers? Don't any of them read? They are probably all members of online book clubs, like me.

Solution? I am going to start a Mom Book Club at my daughters gym. Cheer Moms Book Club? Yup, Cheer Moms read too. There will probably end up being just 3 or 4 of us, you know, like Pam, Toby, and Oscar.

So that's what is going on with me. How about you? In the Christmas spirit? Member of a Book Club? Happy and healthy? Hello? Hello? Is this thing on?

Things that make you go hmmmm....

2009-12-08T12:51:00.000-05:00

Last night while working at a certain Cheer/Dance gym, one of my duties included getting parents to sign a permission slip for an upcoming competition.

When practice was over I said to a particular cheer girl, "CheerGirl, go tell your mom she needs to come in from the parking lot to fill out these forms".

Five minutes later little CheerGirl returns and says, "My mom can't come in to fill them out". Okaaay? "Then here are the forms and a pen, please have her fill them out in the car and then you bring them back to me".

Five minutes later CheerGirl reappears with completed forms.

Ten minutes later we get a call from said Cheer Mom. "I'm calling to explain why I didn't come in". "That's OK", we told her, "we figured you were in your PJs or your hair wasn't done". "No", she says, "I couldn't come in because I was wearing white socks and crocs".

Huh?

And here is a "completely unrelated to my story" picture of my Christmas Tree. Just because everybody likes a photo.

100th Post - Break Out the Champagne!!

2009-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Yay! This is my 100th Post!!! If I wasn't so cheap, I'd give my loyal readers (all 8 of you) a chance to win some fabulous prize. Instead I will treat you to my edition of:

100 Things About Me.

1. I am named after my Polish grandmother. She is Stefania Marya (a.k.a. Stephanie Mary) and I am Stephanie Ann.

2. When I was quite young I ran into an electric fence on a family farm. It could explain a few things.

3. I am a Virgo - for all of you astrology people out there.

4. I am married to my high school sweetheart. And he's still a sweetheart.

5. I went to Catholic schools for 12 years; but do not consider myself a Catholic.
Here are my cousins and I all dolled up for First Communion. That's me on the left:

6. I suffer from S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder) every winter. It hits me January through March. Don't you look forward to my enthralling posts next month?

7. I have Dutch Hebrew ancestors on my father's side, but everyone in the family is Christian.

8. I once was the Trivia Caller on "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee". Regis was out that day, so I got to talk to Bill Cosby.

9. I answered the trivia question correctly (answer: Al Pacino) and won $250 worth of pots and pans. Eh? I don't even cook. They have since upgraded to both Kelly Ripa and free vacations.

10. I listen to mostly pop and lite rock music, but I am a metalhead at heart. Some of my favorite bands are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool, Disturbed, and Rage Against The Machine. I gotta be in the mood, which for me isn't all that difficult.

11. At the age of 18 I got busted for drinking wine coolers in a moving vehicle. We were on the way to the INXS concert. We never made it to the concert, but that was OK with me, I was just so happy that I was 18 and they weren't going to call my parents. (sorry Mom). The driver wasn't drinking, but he might have been stoned. I'm not sure.

12. Red is my favorite color. I am obsessed with it. I am drawn to it. It can't be explained, it just is.

13. I have 2 cats, Ozzy and Josie. If given the opportunity, I could sooo become a cat lady.

14. I have been a nail biter my whole life. For the past year I have worn acrylic nails, and I adore having long, red fingernails.

15. Speaking of oral fixations, I started smoking at the age of 16. I quit at the age of 38. The only time in between that I didn't smoke was during both of my pregnancies, and for a long 4 year break in my early 30's. I quit on October 8, 2007. Two years later and 30 lbs. heavier, and I am still smoke-free!

16. I am a sun-worshipper. Seriously, I have to have sunshine. I know, I know, I live in Ohio - not exactly conducive to vitamin D intake. I tend to get really cranky if I have to go a whole week living under gray skies.

17. I began drinking Diet Pepsi at the age of 17 and it is still my drink of choice to this day.

18. I have a supernumerary nipple. Yes, you heard me correctly. This phenomenon, also known as a third nipple, the triple nipple, and an accessory nipple, occurs in 1 in 18 people. Other notable members of the Triple Nipple Club? Lily Allen, Mark Wahlberg, Tilda Swinton, and Chandler Bing just to name a few.

19. My favorite candy (other than chocolate which is a given) is Good 'n Plentys. Yum. I just love the licorice flavor. My bestie Denise and I call it the "food of the gods".

20. I am a Cheer Mom, which if you follow my blog you probably already know. My daughter dances and cheers competitively. I am one of those moms that shells out the bucks so my girl can follow her heart and compete like the athlete that she is. I drive for hours on end to travel to competitions in and out-of-state. I have worn blue wigs and sported facial tattoos and have had my nails painted in team colors, all to show my spirit and support our teams. If I have to explain any further, you just won't get it.

21. I am a genealogist. I love to research my family history. I've been doing it for years. So far I know that I am Polish, German, Dutch Hebrew, Irish-Canadian, and French. I am a mutt.

22. I have 5 brothers and 1 sister. I love big families.

23. I have had a bunion on my left foot for years. I am just too afraid to have it removed.

24. I have another blog, A Fine House, which is dedicated to my crazy passion of decorating my house on a budget. It's more like an obsession. The decorating, not the blog. I call it my "shiny, happy blog".

25. Reality TV is the best thing ever. Do you watch any of the following shows? I do.
The Amazing Race, Survivor, So You Think You Can Dance?, The Girls Next Door, Bachelor/Bachelorette, American Idol, Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, and all of mtv's Real World/Road Rules mayhem.

26. My absolute favorite tv shows are LOST, How I Met Your Mother, and The Amazing Race - in that order.

27. I am only on #27 and am realizing that this list is not going to be completed in just one computer session. Damn! 100 is a whole lot of numbers.

28. Speaking of numbers, I got pregnant when I was 18, I gave birth when I was 19, and we got married when I was 20. We may have done it backwards, but I have the most amazing 20 year old son EVER and my sweetheart and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary in 2010. Life is good.

29. I am obsessed with baby names. Steve named both of our kids: Steve Jr. after him (obviously) and Elizabeth after his mother. I never got to name my own kid. Although I had a hand in naming my neice Gabriella Renee (in a round about way) and my friend's daughter Bailey Ann. I still obsess over names. My girl names are Laney, Jensen, and Celia. My boy names are Jake, Nicholas, and Thomas. You can borrow them if you want. Just send photos.

30. I did eventually win a free vacation, but it wasn't courtesy of Regis, it was courtesy of The Plain Dealer. They had a contest that lasted months and had weekly winners. I won a trip to Cancun, Mexico. Steve and I went there in 1998. It was every part of amazing.

31. I had my first kiss in the 6th grade with a boy named Mark.

32. I hate the snow. I have lived in Ohio for all of my 40 years, and I really hate the snow.

33. I have worked in the furniture industry for the past 9 years. I won't lie. I have some nice furniture in my house.

34. I have many acquaintances, but just a few close friends. I like it that way. My mom and my husband are my best friends. My girlfriend Stacy is my bestie that I talk to and see the most, we have so much fun together. My girlfriend Jeaninne is my oldest and dearest friend, we don't talk that often, but when we do we can go on for hours. We just get each other. My girlfriend Denise is my soul mate I think. I just feel so close to her like I can tell her anything and I feel like we'll be friends till we are old and gray.

35. Dogs? Not so much.

36. The majority of my family loves country music, but try as I might, I just can't get into it.

37. My favorite flowers are hydrangeas and lilacs.

38. I miss both of my grandmother's terribly. They were amazing women and I love them both so much.

39. When I was 16 I lied about going to a Journey concert, then our car broke down in the Colesium parking lot and we fell asleep in the car. We were awakened in the morning by a sheriff and my DAD knocking on the car window. Not such a good scene. I was with a boy. He was 19. Dad was miffed. It was all worth it to see Journey. Don't you just love them?

40. That is my age - 40. Celebrated the big 4-0 back in September. It's a big whatev.

41. I just previewed my post and realized I need to make these 100 things a bit more concise and to the point.

42. One of my all-time favorite movies is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I like to watch it every few months. I never tire of them.

43. My first job was at McDonalds at the age of 15. I may have eaten a lot of fattening food, but I learned a lot about good customer service and had tons of fun. That's me in the purple:

44. I love football. The Browns are disappointing, but I love to watch me some Buckeye football. O-H...anyone? anyone?

45. I love the smells of new babies, the ocean, and a summer rain. Oh yeah, and lilacs and garlic too.

46. I do not cook. I can, but I don't. Steve is the chef in our house, and he is great at it. It runs in his family.

47. I miss the days of childhood when time was spent swimming, playing kickball, roaming in the woods, sledding at the hill, and playing Ghost in the Graveyard.

48. I learned to read when I was 4 years old. I didn't go to Kindergarten. I didn't skip that year, I just stayed home instead (early days of homeschool I guess). When I started first grade Sister Adele took me all around the school so I could read the newspaper to the other teachers.

49. When I was in the first grade my 12 year old brother went to live with his dad. I didn't get to see him until I was 10 years old. What were those adults thinking? I just can't figure it out.

50. I have just three words for you: Chipotle Fajita Burrito. (Cue Hallelujah chorus now.)

51. I graduated high school in 1987. I was an 80's girl. I had big hair, I rocked my Jordache jeans and Firenza sweaters, and if given the chance baby, I could wang-chung tonight.

52. My dream jobs (not necessarily in this order) are Real Estate Agent, Private Investigator, Wedding Planner.

53. I have a mild obsession with Brad Pitt. I have for years. If you haven't seen Legends of the Fall - stop what you are doing and go rent it. Now.

54. I was a Girl Scout Leader for 6 years. I loved it and I miss those girls. They are now all in high school and Girl Scouts is a thing of the past. It's a shame. High School is when the girl scouts get to travel to cool places like Australia and Greece.

55. Speaking of travel. My list of 5 places I want to visit? Italy, New Zealand, Egypt, England, and the Netherlands.

56. In 2011 my Aunt and I are planning a trip to Newfoundland, Canada. She doesn't fly so I'll be driving for like 4,736 hours. But it will be worth it. My great-grandmother was from Newfoundland.

57. I used to watch the Soaps. Originally it was Another World and Days of our Lives. One was cancelled and one went sci-fi. After that I got hooked on Y&R and B&B, but I gave them up years ago.

58. I am good at math. Like freaky good. In college I took math classes every semester, not because I had to, but because it was my "fun" class.

59. Ketchup and french fries should have there own food group. And it should be recommended to have 2-4 servings per day. Just saying is all.

60. I used to sell Creative Memories. I could have been good at, you know, if Sales was my thing. I'm a good scrapbooker though.

61. I don't drink ever, but when I do it's either a Long Island Iced Tea or a Sangria.

62. I went White Water Rafting a few years ago in Tennessee. I want to do it again, it was a blast!

63. I am deathly afraid of heights. As in I get dizzy in a 4-story stairwell and I can't look out the windows of tall buildings without freaking out.

64. One thing I am not afraid of is cemeteries. I love them, especially really old ones. My daughter isn't afraid either, because I dragged her to so many through the years.

65. Horror movies? Not such a fan.

66. In the 8th grade I dressed up as the Statue of Liberty. That's me with my best friend Terri. She was Cinderella. She is looking all happy with her princess self, isn't she? I say whatever to her. She might have a tiara and one shoe, but I have fire, a toga, and no curfew. That makes Lady Liberty way more fun if you ask me.

67. My first car was a 1978 Ford Mustang. Go ahead, click the link so you can see how uncool that car was. The only reason I paid $250 for it was because my brother smashed it up in the park. He was 15 with no license, no money, and a 16 year sister that was cool as hell.

68. I have two tattoos, both of which I got within the last 3 years. No it's not a mid-life crisis, just something I've always wanted to do.

69. I don't own an ipod, but I am determined that I will someday.

70. When I was a child we were not allowed to Trick-or-Treat, what with it being the devil's holiday and all. Of course my younger siblings got to do it, but not my brother and I. We were deprived. When my kids were little, they were most definitely NOT denied. Here is Lizzie at age 5.

71. I believe in climate change, NOT man-made global warming.

72. I have been to OzzFest three times. I took my son and his friends to the all-day heavy metal concert in the summers of 2002, 2003, and 2004. It was scorching hot. I people-watched for 11 hours. It DID NOT get old.

73. I am lucky at winning tickets. I have won so many over the years. I have won tickets to see Melissa Etheridge, Santana, the Cleveland Air Show, the Nutcracker performed by the Cleveland Ballet, and Def Leppard. I have also won the above-mentioned pots and pans and trip to Cancun, and also $180 in gift certificates to Tony Roma's restaurants. The only thing I can't seem to win? Money.

74. My little sister is in her 20's and is super cool. She is young, cute, bright, sensitive, caring, funny, amazing, and one of the sweetest people I know. Her boyfriend is a photographer, which is great for us because we get cute photos of her.

75. I like to do laundry. Seriously, it's the only household chore that I don't dread.

76. I am obsessed with hand-washing. Not raw, OCD obsessed, but clearly it is important to me. I freak out when I see someone in a public restroom not washing their hands, I won't touch anything, including a door handle, in a public restroom. When I arrive home the first thing I do is wash my hands. This is the wall of my powder room (you know, just in case my guests forget):

77. My favorite fried food is Fried Dill Pickles from Hooters. Yummy!! We get them whenever we are in Columbus because there is no Hooters Restaurant in our part of Ohio.

78. I love books. I have been an avid reader my entire life. I am currently reading The Kite Runner and Eclipse (book 3 in Twilight series).

79. I am obsessed with my black sharpie marker.

80. I must confess that I am in love with all things Oprah.

81. I collect buttons. Not buttons that say things, but buttons that are sewn on your clothing. I have old ones, new ones, colorful ones, unique ones, and tons of white ones.

82. I am quickly getting hooked on the tv show GLEE. So fresh and so fun!

83. I cannot stand Adam Lambert. No! Not because he is gay! I dont' give a hoot about that. It's because I didn't like him when he was on Idol (I voted Kris Allen), and I don't like him now. Some people predict big things for him, but I predict a "flash in the pan". He's too theatrical for me. If I wanted to see Broadway I would go to New York.

84. Speaking of the Big Apple, my girlfriend and I are taking our daughters to NYC for their 16th Birthday next summer. Our girls were born on the same day, same year. But we only just met 3 1/2 years ago.

85. I also collect Salt n Pepper Shakers.

86. I am hooked on decorating magazines. I have subscriptions to Better Homes and Gardens, Midwest Living, and Real Simple. I also buy tons of others.

87. I secretly want to spend hundereds of dollars on a Coach purse but won't allow myself to do it.

88. My biggest fears are heights, rats, death, and airplanes crashing.

89. When I was younger my dad was an amateur astronomer. We spent many nights stargazing. We also took trips to "star parties". They were overnight events with tons of other astronomers and telescopes and we slept in a tent.

90. I was in the Ski Club in high school. I haven't gone downhill skiing in years, but it would be so fun to try it again.

91. I have a brother that suffers from Mental Illness, and I try to remember to pray for him everyday. He is awesome and I love him a lot.

92. In the summertime I am always barefoot. I will wear flip-flops, but only if I have to.

93. My sister and I promised each other we would go to Egypt the year she turned 25 and I turned 40. Yeah, that would be this year and it looks like it isn't happening.

94. I am sentimental and cry easy. I can cry at movies, tv shows, even commercials. The other day I cried watching The Day the Earth Stood Still. I am such a dork.

95. I talk a LOT. Seriously, I love to talk. Steve is quiet and doesn't talk much. My daughter? Wow! She talks even more and even faster than I do.

96. When I was in the 8th grade I had to do a reading at the weekly school mass. When I was finished the priest reread the entire thing in front of the whole church because he said I went too fast. I was mortified!!

97. When I was in the 3rd grade Sister Antoinette paddled me with the Websters Dictionary because she said I was "boy crazy". Can you imagine? 3rd grade? That's like 8 years old. Whew, those nuns were nuts.

98. In high school I was in the Drama Club my senior year. Not once did I do a stitch of acting. It was mostly because Jennifer was my ride home and it was either join drama club with her or take the bus home.

99. I am so very blessed to have amazing parents, a loving husband who is SO good to me, a daughter that brightens my day, and a son that completes me. Life is good.

100. It was not entirely as easy as I thought coming up with 100 things, but it was fun. I am sure over the next few days I'll think of 50 more things that I should have added. If you made it all the way through the list, thanks for sticking with it, and thanks for being my blogging buddy!

Peace out, girl scout.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular

2009-12-04T16:00:00.002-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I was gifted with tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. I wish I could say that I saw it in NYC, but alas it was here in Ohio. This was the first time that I have seen the Rockettes perform. Being a big fan of dancing and Christmas, I was so excited to see the show.

Here are some of the highlights.

The Rockettes danced on the moving double-decker bus. The giant screen behind them gave the illusion that we were driving through New York City.

The Rockettes and the famous Toy Soldier Dance.

One by one they linked arms and fell backwards. It went ever sooooooo sloooowly. It was so amazing to watch. It was like they were moving in slow motion.

You could barely see them moving. They fell so slowly and smoothly.

Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without Santa Claus.

Here are the Rockettes on the stage again, this time dancing with toy blocks.

We were treated to a brief version of the Nutcracker, from beginning to end in ten minutes time. It was darling.

We mentioned several times during the very secular Christmas show that we hoped we would see Baby Jesus. We weren't disappointed. This nativity was breathtaking. It was done to some our favorite carols, We Three Kings and Joy to the World.

Here come the Rockettes one more time. My daughter is on 3 dance teams so I know what goes in to perfecting a routine. Wow! These ladies are perfect. Every photo of them shows not one girl out of place. They are so precise and move in perfect unison.

I loved every minute of it.

This show was fantastic and when it was over we all agreed we wished it went on for another hour or two. If you are a lover of all things Christmas like I am, I encourage you to check out the show. They are touring from now through December. Check here to see if they are coming to a city near you.

Cat Fix

2009-12-03T22:47:00.002-05:00

One of our favorite youtube videos. So cute. I just had to share.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-02T07:00:00.001-05:00

How did you spend your Thanksgiving?

This is what I did with mine.

2009-11-26T09:32:00.000-05:00

Baby, Oh Baby.

2009-11-24T16:06:00.000-05:00

I grew up in a large family. I have tons of brothers, and one lil' sis. There are seven of us siblings in total. During the first two weeks of December, over half of us will celebrate a birthday. (Apparently my parents have a thing for the month of March). The youngest will be 22 and the oldest will celebrate his 47th. Even though we were all spread out, I loved being in a large family. There ~~were~~ are so many wonderful things about it, that the good far outweighs the bad. I decided years ago that I wanted a large family as well.

Fast forward to 2009, and I have reached the over-ripe age of 40, and those two munchkins up there looking all cute and yummy? Those two munchkins are now 15 and 20. And that is it. Just 2. They are my blessings, and someone, somewhere chose to bless me with 2 children. And no more than that. I have been OK with that. Most of the time. Lately? Not so much.

I am having yearnings. My clock is starting to sound its alarm, and I am crumbling in despair. Why? Why? This is what I ask myself. "Self? Why are torturing you? Why do want another child? Why do you want to start over again?" I don't have a clear answer for that. I can't explain it. Sometimes I think it's my mind's way of denying that I am now in my "40's". Part of me thinks I want another chance. Another chance at what? I've done a damn fine job with my kids, if I do say so myself. Maybe another chance at doing it absolutely right? Won't I be a better Mom at 40 than I was at 20 and 25? Mostly I think it is because being a Mom is all I have ever known. My baby boy arrived when I was just 19 years old. I grew up with him. Being a Mom has defined me for 20 years and I don't know what I will do without being a Mom. My baby will be off to college in a couple of years and that will be that.

My husband says "You'll still be a Mom forever". Really? Really? Please shut the hell up. You are not me. You are not the Mom. You do not ache to feel a child growing inside of you. You do not yearn to nurse another hungry tummy. You do not dream about the infant, toddler, and growing up years. I want it all again. I want the good and the bad. The joys and the heartaches. The fun and the sleepless nights. I want. I want. I want.

And that my friends is the problem. HE does NOT want, and want, and want.

I do. He doesn't. End of story. End of discussion.

Here I am. I will love my husband and forgive him for denying me the right to be a Mom again. I will calm myself and focus my attentions elsewhere and eventually these feelings will fade. I will be a Mom forever. I will love those 2 munchkins with all of my heart. Because they are my blessings, they are my heart, and they are my very soul. I will love them and someday? Someday they will give me grandchildren. *sigh*

End of an Era

2009-11-20T11:47:00.000-05:00

Today is a day of mourning.
Today Oprah announces the end of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Next season, 2010-2011, will be Season 25 and her last season on network TV.
The talk show began in 1986. (I was a Senior in high school!)
She has been faithfully there for me for the past 24 years.
Say what you want about Oprah, but she is "my guuurrrrl".
I have always loved and admired Oprah, and I will miss her.

However....do not dispair yet, oh legions of oprah fans...she won't be gone for good.
The new Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) is set to debut in 2011. It is being formed in conjunction with Discovery Channel and will take the place of Discovery Health in millions of homes across the U.S.
Maybe she'll just move the talk show over to OWN?
A girl can only hope.
*sigh*

Peace out, Girl Scout

2009-11-13T21:37:00.001-05:00

Yep, it's that time again. I am leaving for the weekend to attend a cheerleading/dance competition. As I divulged a few posts back....I am a crazy cheer mom. Well, you probably guessed the crazy part already! Duh!

So have a great weekend, hope you do something fun for yourselves. Me? I will spend 2 full days in a convention center listening to the heart thumping, headache inducing music that is a cheer routine.

So you dont' feel left out, here is a little view into my world:

Have a great weekend!
Be back Monday!

Lordie, Lordie, Look Who's 40!

2009-11-09T15:44:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Sesame Street!!

Who knew that Sesame Street and I were born the same year? As far as I knew, Sesame Street had always been there. I vaguely remember watching as a kid. However, there were many years that our home was TV-less, so unfortuately Grover and Cookie Monster did not do much forming for me in my formative years.

Oddly enough the most vivid memory of Sesame Street from my childhood was from when I was about 10 years old. For whatever reason we had a TV repairman in the house (I guess the TV had been reinstated at this point), and he was doing some tweaking to the picture with my brother and I looking on in eager anticipation of a working television. As the guy is working away, up pops a picture-perfect image of Big Bird, and the repairman turns to my brother and I and says in his best "baby talk" voice: "Who is that? *gasp* Is that Big Bird? Do you like Big Bird?"

And we were all "Dude we are 9 and 10 years old, Big Bird is sooo pre-K". Obviously the guy didn't have kids.

By the time was son was born in 1989, Sesame Street was celebrating its 20th Birthday. I can tell you this, Sesame Street was HUGE in my house in the early 90's. How do you think mommy had time to ~~talk on the phone~~ clean house and cook if not for the magic of the gang from NYC? My son was hooked. h.o.o.k.e.d. When he was a toddler all toys and gifts were Sesame Street related. Here is a photo of him from Christmas 1990 receiving Dress Me Up Ernie. From that day forward to be forever known as "Ernie Baby". He went everywhere with us, and become his best bud.

Ernie-Baby even slept with him at night. He was propped up on the pillow against the wall as the official bottle holder. The bottle. Full of orange juice. Yeah, ok? What was I thinking? Nothing like letting my two-year old suck on a sugar filled, acid beverage all night long? Eck.

Funny thing is, he's got the best teeth ever! All of his teeth were in at age 8, including his 12 year molars! He rarely had a cavity growing up and never needed braces either! Maybe I found the answer to perfect teeth, OJ. Who knew?

Anyway, here's wishing Sesame Street a very Happy 40th Birthday!

Thank you for teaching my son that spelling, counting, and reading can be fun!

Oh yeah, and watching TV too!

And now for something a bit more cheery....

2009-11-07T22:46:00.002-05:00

Lizzie and I made a trip to Old Navy yesterday.

We were in search of boots.

We hit the motherload.

We are completely loving all of the new cardigan boots,

slippers, and socks that are everywhere.

The best variety and display were clearly at Old Navy.

I got the bright yellow slippers in the photo above.

I am saving them for next weekend's cheer competition.

Because, yes, the rumors are true.

Hello, my name is Stephanie, and I am a Crazy Cheer Mom.

I am ecstatic that I am not the only Ohioan that wears flip-flops in the winter,

as evidenced by the Ho-Ho-Ho footwear above.

Scarves, glorious scarves.

I love color.

It makes me happy in this gray landscape of ~~winter~~ November.

And how's that workin for ya?

2009-11-06T21:27:00.001-05:00

Hey there. Did you every have the need to just rant? Rant because if you hold it all in you might just implode? Rant because the silence is deafening. The gulf is wide. The anger is your only friend.

I'm ok with that, anger being my friend, that is. I am not ready to forgive. I am reveling in my anger. Right now it is keeping me strong and keeping you weak. Do I want you to be weak? Not necessarily, but maybe your weakness will be to you what your words were to me. They were lonely. They were stinging. You suck. Maybe my silence and unwillingness to forgive is too harsh, or maybe it is immature, or maybe it is stubborn. Whatever it is, I dont' give a shit. I will not apologize for my feelings. I will not apologize for who I am.

This is me. This is who I have always been and it looks as if I won't be a'changin anytime in the forseeable future. If you don't want to be my friend right now, that's ok. I don't want to be yours either. Forgiveness is a fickle ~~bitch~~ thing. Or wait, maybe that's me? Maybe I will forgive, maybe I won't. Maybe I'll choose to forgive eventually. Who am I kidding? I always forgive. I just find it incredibly difficult to forget. I try, it's just hard as hell.

Please think before you speak. Take responsibility. Realize who you are dealing with. This is me remember? The one who has been known to ~~go off the deep end~~ get a bit annoyed. I may talk too much, but I am damn good at silence. Have fun with it. My silence that is. I know I sound harsh. I realize I should forgive. I've heard it all before: "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” Blah-dee-friggin-dah-blah-blah. I don't care right now. I really don't.

What am I trying to say? Why am I rambling? Because you have hurt me and I'm mad as hell. I don't want the hurt to go away. I don't want to be right or wrong. It doesn't really matter. I don't want to make up. Right now I just want to be hurt, angry, alone, and free.

"The stupid neither forgive nor forget;

the naive forgive and forget;

the wise forgive but do not forget".

And I've never been accused of being stupid or naive. When I am over it, you'll know. Until that time - you are on your own. You don't like? Pray for me.

I am totally loving....

2009-10-30T11:33:00.001-04:00

This.....

parents.com

and this....

country living

Happy Halloween everyone!!

Cat Fix

2009-10-29T13:22:00.000-04:00

bandofcats.com

Lizzie, r u ok? r u ok? r u ok Lizzie?

2009-10-25T11:24:00.001-04:00

Wow! This has been such a long week for everyone here in our house. The piglet is finally over her swine flu, but the Mono lingers on. Did I mention that she had Mono at this same exact time last year? Methinks someone upstairs is trying to tell us something. This child needs to slow down!! She is a good student in the 10th grade, she is a football cheerleader plus she is on the competition squad at school. Then there is the whole all-star thing. She dances & cheers competitively and she is at practice for that 4 days per week.

Yeah, I'd say it's time for her poor little body to sloooow way down.

Before she fell ill I agreed to take her to the opening of Michael Jackson's new movie. THE. OPENING. As in Tuesday night at Midnight. "It'll be OK", I said. "So she sleeps in and gets to school late, or god forbid misses a day of school. She's a good student. She can handle it". Oh how silly of me! She missed this entire past week of school. That's 5 days. What do I do? Do I take her to the movie on Tuesday, and risk her being exhausted all day Wednesday. Or do I forfeit the cost of 3 tickets, and break her little heart? What to do? What to do?

You see, her hip-hop team is doing an MJ routine this year (no, not because he died. They actually started it in May), and I feel as if this movie would be like a personal dance lesson from Michael himself. So important for Lizzie and all the kids on her team to see. Not that we can't go another time, but seriously folks where is the fun in that?

What do you think? Should I take her, or no?

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-21T14:54:00.002-04:00

karma

2009-10-20T22:28:00.000-04:00

So last Thursday I thought I'd be cute and post a funny little comic about swine flu starring the lovable Pooh & Piglet. I should have known better than to pick on the poor little creatures of Hundred Acre Wood. They didn't deserve it. And what do I get for doing that? Well, karma has come around and bit me in the ass. Or should I say bit my daughter?

Poor little Lizzie has been struck with the Swine Flu. Not only does she have that miserable affliction, she ALSO has Mono. Really? Really? The poor kid can't even get her self to the bathroom. Forget the fact that the grading period ends next week and her grades will most likely take a nose dive, she doesn't even have the energy to watch her beloved Degrassi.

If I catch swine flu, I will not be a happy camper!! I've never washed my hands more in my life. Here's a glass of water. *wash my hands* Let me feel your forehead. *wash my hands* Time to take your medicine. *wash my hands*

Talk about paranoid. I'm already a germaphobe, now I'm going stir crazy. Steve walked in the door from work tonight and I smiled from ear to ear as if he'd shown up with chocolates and flowers. Reinforcements! Yay! Please just put me in a bubble and wake me when it's over!

OK. Enough about me. The poor girl is moaning for me from the other room, so mom computer time is over.

Damn pigs!

Just a little swine flu humor.

2009-10-15T17:50:00.003-04:00

(click photo to enlarge, don't say i didn't warn ya)

Wordless Wednesday - It's Apple Pickin' Time!

2009-10-13T23:56:00.000-04:00

Cat Fix

2009-10-13T11:39:00.001-04:00

Henry, oh Henry. How cute are you? Does anyone read Bye, Bye, Pie? It's only one of my favorite blogs ever. Occasionally June will generously share with us her sweet kitties Henry, Winston, and Francis. (Oh yeah, she has a dog too).

June has me in stitches on a daily basis, she is reallllllllly funny and I love all of her TV and 70's and 80's references. One of the best parts of her blog are the comments on each posts. Her faithful readers carry on "chats" in her comments sections that are almost as good as reading the posts themselves.

In case you are wondering, I am definitely on "Team Henry" after this post.

Never a thought.

2009-10-11T13:21:00.001-04:00

Once upon a time I made a decision; a life changing decision. I chose to quit smoking. I was successful (thanks to Chantix) and I don't wish for them, crave them, or yearn for them. When I am stressed, or tired, or anxious, or unable to deal, they are no longer my first thought. I feel healed. I feel whole. I feel like if I could zoom in and do a driveby of my lungs that they would have their color back. They woud be pink and thankful. They might be a bit worse for wear, they might not be perfect, but they would be healing and breathing and full of life.

It was a difficult decision to make. A decision that once made, was set in stone. Solid in my mind and solid in my convictions. I just knew it was time. So on that day I smoked my last cigarette, took my last drag, inhaled my last bit of my drug of choice, said goodbye to my best friend, and have not looked back since. It is gone from my mind, gone forever.

The day came and went so quickly. I didn't occur to me what day it was. I forgot to stop and think about that life-changing decision I made. It was one of the most important days of my life. October 8th.

It slipped by unnoticed, unremarkable, without even a thought. October 8th slipped by without even a whisper of importance. You see it was the two-year anniversary of that faithful day. And just like the cigarettes, it passed by without even a thought.

Rain, Rain Go Away!

2009-10-09T17:50:00.000-04:00

Really? Really? Could it rain anymore? Ugh!

Rain, rain, go away. I'm going crazier every day!

Seriously. It feels like spring time around here. Cool temperatures and endless days of rain. Big difference being there is no promise of Summer right around the corner. Only promises of early winters, and below-average temperatures, and crap such as that.

I have not been writing much lately. All of the inspiration has been sucked out of me and washed down the drain with this hackin autumn rain.

I need sunshine. I need fall colors. I can't take any more weekends of gray skies and wet weather. I can only take so many bubble baths and spend so many hours under a blanket in front of the TV. Sooner or later I feel like I will disappear.

Seeing as how this is only the second week of October, I think I am in for a bumpy next 2,854 months! Isn't that how long winter lasts in Ohio these days? 2,854 months? That's what it feels like to me. Again I say Ugh!!

Wordless Wednesday: baby Paislee

2009-10-07T16:44:00.001-04:00

Cat Fix

2009-10-01T01:00:00.022-04:00

My cats love to climb into anything and go to sleep. Each time I return home from a trip and am too lazy to unpack everything, my cat will find her way into the suitcase. She will nap amidst the makeup bag, dirty clothes, and souvenirs.

These kitties have the same idea. Maybe they secretly wish we'd take them with us. Or better yet stay away longer.

www.benchtest.com

www.jasonmedelson.com

This lady had the right idea. If the cats love the suitcases so much, why not make it permanent? Check out A Brooklyn Limestone for the tutorial on how to make this clever cat bed out of a vintage suitcase:

It's whatev

2009-09-30T10:29:00.000-04:00

Way ahead of its time.

2009-09-29T12:38:00.000-04:00

So I went to Home Depot on Sunday to get some end-of-season plants for my front yard and this is what greeted me:

Wha? This is just riDONKulous. It's the hackin Christmas display! I haven't even put out all my "fall decor" yet much less even thought about Halloween. Now you want to shove Christmas down my throat? Don't get me wrong, I absolutely lurve decorating for Christmas - AFTER THANKSGIVING!!! Every year it's earlier and earlier. Where do they think we live? In Canada? With all of the holiday shifting going on up there I could see this happening. But Christmas in September? In Ohio? It only stands to remind me that we are about to start 9 months of the season from hell. Ugh!

The cutest Single Ladie yet.

2009-09-25T01:18:00.001-04:00

What the hell is a Hubby?

2009-09-24T15:31:00.004-04:00

Seriously, in almost 20 years of marriage I have never once referred to this man as my "hubby". So I asked myself, "Self. Why are you calling him hubby"? I suppose initially when beginning a blog one hopes to retain some sort of anonymity for themselves and their family. At least I did. However, since I blog using my name, why not give this guy the credit he deserves? He is too awesome to remain anonymous, or to be called "hubby". When I say the word "hubby" I feel like we should be driving an RV wearing matching Disney World t-shirts.

Blogland, may I introduce you to Steve. This is my Steve. And he is a keeper!!!

Steve, meet blogland.

Cat Fix

2009-09-24T15:20:00.004-04:00

photo courtesy of Simply Seleta

I own 2 cats, Josie & Ozzy. You may have seen photos of them here on my blog. My desire for another cat is driving me nuts. Since hubby is totally against the idea, and smack me silly but he gets to make "those kind of decisions", I have been getting my cat fix online.

How cute is this guy? Does he want to be the baby? Or maybe he is just missing the baby?

In my experience if there is fabric involved, the cat is there.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-23T13:19:00.002-04:00

My Magnificent Monday

2009-09-21T13:15:00.003-04:00

OK, so it has been quite awhile since my last "Magnificent Monday" post. One would think that all of my Mondays suck. Nope, just a handful of them. I'm basically just too darn busy on Mondays to blog about my day, which may be the reason that my Mondays suck in the first place.

Anyway, here is another installment, since today is a slow work day and is basically not too sucky.

My Monday is magnificent because:

1) It's a slow work day.

2) My boss is out of town.

3) I had a decent night's sleep last night.

4) The sun is shining despite the downpour of last night.

5) My kids are pretty cute, I think I'll keep 'em.

5) My cat is curled up next to me in my office, which she is every day. Is it just me, or does she look absolutely thrilled? I think she's giving me the stank eye.

So there you have it, another installment of Magnificent Monday. I cannot guarantee when you will see another one. Let's all weep over that letdown.

Country Jam (aka Drunk Fest)

2009-09-19T00:04:00.006-04:00

Last weekend I volunteered to oversee the high school cheerleaders while they were working the Country Jam. This is a huge all-day country music concert sponsored by the local country music radio station and held at the county fairgrounds.

Let's analyze what I just said: 1) country music, 2)all-day, 3)concert. Listen y'all, I know how to add and last Saturday 1+2+3= drunken rednecks.

Country Jam, 2009

Wow. I thought there were a lot of drunks when we worked the Oktoberfest a few weeks ago. The lederhosen wearing germans have nothing on the barechested, boot-wearing, CowboyHat-donning country music fans. Those folks can drink!

Oktoberfest 2009

Fortunately for the cheerleaders they worked the Lemonade Stand all day for a fundraiser. And they were slammed. They were so busy squeezing lemons, scooping sugar, and shaking drinks that they did not have enough time to go and mingle in the crowd.

While working this stand there were mainly 3 types of people that bought lemonade: 1) Those that don't drink, 2) Designated Drivers, and 3) Drunks who have somehow realized that just one more beer might not be such a good idea.

That was our main customer base until about 4 or 5 hours into our shift when we (the cheerleaders and I) were accosted by "crazy, drunken mom". Hereafter we will refer to her as "CDM". This woman appeared out of nowhere and in a drunken tirade proceeded to call each girl at the booth a different unflattering name (bitch, whore, slut, tramp, just to name a few). All while pointing her finger in each of their faces one by one. Wha? Huh? I responded in what I felt was like slow motion, leaping in front of the girls (my daughter included, did I mention that?) with arms outstretched, prepared to do battle.

I am not a confrontational person. I can be moody and a bit cuckoo at times, but I am not known to engage in screaming matches (ahem, unless it's my hubby or kids - sorry guys). But here is a little taste of what happened in front of the cheerleaders and a crowd of, oh I don't know, about 100 people give or take a few.

Me: Stop! Stop! These are just girls here. You can't talk to them that way!

CDM: Well, these girls are a bunch of bitches. And I hope you girls know that I can't stand any of you. You are all little tramps.

Me: I said Stop! I'm sorry you will have to leave. You are a grown adult and you should not be talking to children this way. Please go away so these girls can do their job. Go have another beer and enjoy the concert.

CDM: I am 47 years old and I'll do what I want. You give me a call sometime honey and I will tell you about these girls. (Apparently her daughter goes to school with all of the girls. Her daughter by the way is fine with these girls). They are sluts and bitches!

Me: If you are 47 years old you need to start acting like an adult and stop this. We are not in high school anymore and you need to start acting more mature.

Oh Snap!

CDM: (backing up about 10 feet and screaming for all to hear) You wanna come out here and say that to me bitch?

WHA??????

CDM: You come out here and we'll settle this. Let's go. Come on.

Me: I am not interested in fighting you.

CDM: You don't have the BALLS to fight me.

Me: (Pretty much in agreement with that last intelligent statement). I am not going to fight you. I am an adult and I didn't do this when I was 22 and I'm not going to do this now.

CDM: You're not WOMAN enough to fight me!

Woooow! Did she just say that?

Me: (Really ticked and a bit confused) No! I am just not TRASHY enough to fight you!!

Oh Snap! Yeah, through her drunken haze she realized she didn't like that particular little insult. I was gearing up. I was on a roll. I was gonna let her really have it!

Me: I am going to call security if you don't leave right now!

She spewed forth a few more pleasantries in our general direction and then stumbled off into the night. Wow! Did that just happen? I was shaking, and glad it was over. Did I mention that the guy grilling the food in the other half of our tent watched the entire thing. Then after she left he had the nerve to chastise me for speaking to her. I should have just ignored her. Yeah, OK, and let her stand their vomiting up insults and accusations at a group of 15 year old girls? I dont' think so!

Did I also mention that a couple of my girls threw those insults right back at her? Yeah, in the midst of trying to get her to go away, I had to hold back and try to silence a couple of the girls. Yikes! Apparently everyone (and their mothers) have already have had dealings with this mother. They knew all about her, have had experiences with her, and generally agree that she is CRAZY!!

So there you have it. My drunken redneck fest. Turns out that the rednecks were harmless, amusing drunks and that a crazy high-school mother was the one causing all of the fuss.

Unless you count the drunken 60 year old man in the Hooters t-shirt who asked me which one of the girls he could @#*!

Yeah, I think we will stick to carwashes and coupon books in the future.

(Disclaimer: The term redneck is only used with the utmost love and respect, seeing as how half my family and my best girlfriend fall into that category. Later y'all. I'm fixin to go to bed now.)

"Bright, strong, and golden...Shine it all around"

2009-09-18T01:49:00.006-04:00

So the big day has come and gone. And I survived. My 40th birthday flew by in a flash of family and gifts and tattoos and crying. Crying? Yes, crying. I had anticiapted the day all summer. Two days before my birthday I lost it. Maybe it was the fear of all the attention I was anticipating. Believe it or not, I don't crave birthday attention. Maybe it was the build up. Whatever it was, I began crying Sunday morning and I couldn't stop. I put my hubby through heck that day. He didn't know what to make of it and honestly neither did I.

By 3:00 in the afternoon I had to pull myself together for a family birthday dinner planned by my wonderful mother. The rest of the day I was pefectly fine. The next day I was too busy at work to freak out. Then Tuesday, Sept.15 arrived. The day I had been dreading. My 40th birthday. What a great day I had!

So what was all the fuss about? As I look back 5 days later I still have no idea. I am not freaked out about turning 40 because I am getting old. I really don't care about saggy boobs, and wrinkes, and gray hair. All of that hit me at 25 when my daughter was born.

I realized that this past year I have really been dwelling more on the passage of time. I might even admit that I obsess over it. Not about death and dying, just the passage of time. It really does fly by. My son was just yesterday playing with action figures in the bath tub and now he is 20. My daughter only just learned to ride without her training wheels and now she is a sophmore in high school. Only last week I fell in love with a cute boy with glasses in 10th grade biology class, and now we are in our 20th year of marriage together.

Time flies by, and dammit, it just won't slow down. I have become one of those annoying "deep thinkers". I find myself dwelling on things like the meaning of life, the passage of time, the "we only live once and it's just a short time", and the "I don't want to look back with regrets".

This week I realized that I have been "dwelling" just too damn much. I have been spending too much of this precious time worrying about precious time. What an ass I have been. Time will pass. There is no stopping it, no slowing it down, no denying it. So we need to embrace every moment of it. We need to live each moment not with the thought that we will never get it back, but with the thought of how precious that moment is and how blessed we are to be living that moment. In the moment.

That is my goal for this year. To really live in the moment. No more worrying about my kids growing old. No more worrying about what a short life we have. Because the truth is we do have just one life, and how beautiful is. How beautiful it has been. And how beautiful it will be.

What a beautiful life I live!! Ready, Set, 40!

You can visit Melissa at The Inspired Room to hear others tell about what is Beautiful in their lives.

Turner 4 Life

2009-09-18T01:05:00.007-04:00

My sister Rachael and I have been talking for some time now about getting tattoos. We were going to do it a couple of years ago and plans just never materialized.

A few months ago we began to kick around the idea again. But what to get? I mean, if you are going to ink something on your body for all of time then it better be something with some meaning, right? If were going to be tattooed on a whim, then I would have done it in the 80's when I was in high school. Then I would now be walking around with the name "Bon Jovi" on my chest, and a tramp stamp in the shape of "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince".

No, tattoos are serious business to me. I got my first one in 2007 when my son graduated high school. I designed it to represent him and I got inked in honor of him. I told myself I wouldn't do it again until my daughter graduated high school, but my sister convinced me otherwise. We decided a sister tattoo would be the way to go. I searched high and low for some sort of chinese or buddhist or egyptian symbol for sister. Yeah, they were all like 6 characters long. Not something we wanted. So we put it off some more and waited for the right inspiration.

Then these 2 knuckleheads got tattooed (love ya guys):

These are 2 of our 5 brothers. They both got "Turner" down the back of their arms. Obviously it is because that is our last name. Rachael and I decided this would be the perfect tattoos to get: "turner". Obviously we didn't want Old English lettering down the back of our arms. No offense boys, but not the most attractive thing on a lady (OK, you're saying "neither are tattoos in general". Whatever!)

Our brother Brett hooked us up with his buddies at Tattoo Faction in North Olmsted, OH. They were really cool and we are very pleased.

Do we look nervous? I was as cool as a cucumber. Remember, I have done this before. I was not nervous in the least. Rachael on the other hand was a nervous wreck. She was so afraid she would pass out. It's a habit of her's.

Cool shop. Even cooler red leather sofa.

Finally the time arrived and Dan the Tat Man commenced the needlework on Rachael's foot. She reached out for something to hold. She wanted a pillow, but grabbed my purse and held on for dear life.

Priceless:

The finished product. Nothing fancy. It took longer to design it with him than it did for him to ink it. We didn't want calligraphy or scrolls or swirls. His cursive just didn't look right. We must have had him revise it 5 times. Bet your ass we did. It's permanent after all, isn't it? Finally I wrote out the name, and we used his "T" and my "urner". Loving it!!

OK, my turn. Um, yeah, my brother Greg was wrong. The foot definitely hurts worse. It hurt like a sumanabitch! I don't remember the back being so painful and the back took an hour. This was 4 minutes - at most.

My foot:

Dan the Tat Man:

Sisters for life.

4 siblings down, a couple to go.

Check another one off my "39 Things" list. Total coincidence that we went on my actual birthday. I wasn't putting off till the last minute. Really I wasn't.

My 40 days and nights.

2009-09-16T10:42:00.008-04:00

The big 4-0 birthday weekend has come and gone. I survived. I made it through the drunken arguments, the redneck fest, my own "it's-my-party-and-I'll-cry-if-I-want-to" pity parties, the audience with the pope, the gorging ourselves with food, and the tattoos.

Wow. Read that sentence again. Sounds like we are just ripe for our own reality TV show over here. Really it's just a fun filled, never without drama, 40th birthday weekend for me. The drunken arguments, redneck fest, and pity parties are stories that will have to wait for another day.

Right now I would like to just say what a wonderful family I have. My husband is a saint and is so loving, my parents and family are so loving and generous, and my kids are the best. I truly feeled blessed to have the family that I do.

Here is a little birthday recap beginning with an audience with the pope.

More like "the pope room" at Bucca di Beppo! You didn't think I had an acutal audience with the pope did you? Yea, I can see how that one would go. "Oh hello your Eminence, bless me father for I have sinned by declaring myself an ex-catholic because I think you are all a bunch of narrow-minded, ritual driven, misogynists that have nothing better to do than throw guilt at little children and condemn to hell those that dont' think like you do. Um, yeah, so I sure do dig your crib."

Wow, did I just say that?

Anyway, Bucca's was as fabulous as ever and the food was scrumptious. Of course I have zero photos of the food cuz once those family style platters hit that over-sized lazy susan it was a Turner family free-for-all. That lazy susan was whipping back and forth, serving spoons were flying, everyone filled their plates, and then there was dead silence for the next 15 minutes. Yea, we like our food and the restaurant did not disappoint.

If you've never been to Bucca di Beppo's, it is an italian restaurant that serves their food family style and is known for their kitchy italian decor. As you can see in the top pic, we were in the "pope room" which is just large enough for a round table that seats approx. 12 people. In the center of the table is a giant "lazy susan" with the pope bust in the center.

The pope approved of my sangria. Yummy!

My beloved Aunts Terri & Mary and my Uncle Ralph:

My Uncle Ed & my little sister Rachael:

My son and his girlfriend lookin all cute:

Me & hubby after I had one too many sangrias:

I love this picture of my parents. The candlelight, the statue on the wall, the peace on their faces. So ethereal. Such treasures.

Here's the hat they all signed with well-wishes and made me wear. No. You wont' be seeing a photo of that.

After dinner Sunday afternoon we went back to my parents' home where I was showered with yummy gifts:

Gorgeous set of dishes from my parents. My current set is from my wedding shower and is so, like, 1990.

My parents also gave me this adorable set of canape plates and serving dish. Now I just need to figure out what the hell a canape is, and how to make it.

A purse from my aunts. How did they know red was my favorite color? And did they dead-on pick my style of purse, or what? Yes! They defintitely did!

Some fun reading material from my Dad. I am such an American Idol junkie. I can't wait to dig into this book.

So we move on to Monday and that passed by like Mondays always do. Work all day, have an hour off and then head to the 2nd job in the evening. Yeah, I prefer not to discuss Mondays. Especially since it involved yet another heated conversation with yet another crazy cheer mom. What is with these trashy women? Again, another story for another day.

Moving on to yesterday, Tuesday, and it's my actual 40th Birthday. Yay! It's here. And I had a GREAT DAY. Of course I worked all day, but once I was off of work my daughter and I headed to Le Nails and I got my nails did. I let Lizzie pick out the color and she chose straight up "O.P.I. Red". It's got "hey big guy, here i am" written all over it. But it is pretty and well, my favorite color is red after all.

When we got home my hubby had the MOST DELICIOUS dinner for me. Ribeye steaks that he grilled outside along with baked potatos and green beans. OK, I can't even begin to describe how delicious his steaks are. Folks, he has a gift. Again, no photos of the dinner, cuz hey, I smell steaks and it's just all over for me.

I did get a shot of the yummy peach pie that he had for dessert. (Note to readers: Peach is my favorite pie. In case, you decide to hit up Ohio and take me out for dessert or something).

After dinner my sister Rachael showed up and brought me this next little bit of heaven.

Hello my precious ones. Come to mama. By the time I got the camera out we had one cupcake gone and 2 half-eaten. The one with pink frosting in the back row was a casata cake. Heloooo!

Then sister Rachael and I headed off to get tattoos. "Girrrl, no you di-ent". "Girrrl, oh yes I di-id". I already have one, but this was sister's first.

We got our last name, Turner, on our foot. Of course there's always a story behind a tattoo, and again that will wait for another post later this week.

So I settled in at midnight last night for my daily Oprah viewing and sighed with contentment and happiness thinking over my wonderful family and my fabulous birthday weekend.

Then my son walks in the door and showers me with this bit of awesomeness:

So today is Wednesday and the birthday has come and gone and it's back to the usual grind. Oh but wait, what was sitting on my front porch covered in dew this morning? It's a sweet bouquet of flowers from my brother Chuck, who got in from the road at midnight last night and made a pit-stop to leave me these:

So that is my birthday extravaganza and it's over and I survived and hey, I got to cross 2 more things off my list (which I'll update later today).

THANK YOU FAMILY! THANK YOU FRIENDS! 40 ISN'T SO BAD AFTER ALL. I AM BLESSED TO HAVE YOU ALL IN MY LIFE. YOU HAVE MADE ME FEEL SO LOVED - AS YOU DO MOST EVERY DAY. LOVE YOU!!

Diggin' on this song.

2009-09-15T13:29:00.004-04:00

Shine It All Around
by Robert Plant

This is the land where I live
Paint it all over golden
Take a little sunshine - spread it all around

This is the love that I give
These are the arms for the holding
Turn on your love light - shine it all around
Turn on your love light - shine it all around

Shine it all around - shine it all around

These are the times of my life
Bright, strong and golden
This is the way that I choose when the deal goes down

This is the world that I love
Painted all over troubled
Take a little sunshine - shine it all around
Send a little sign now - spread it all around now
Shine it all around now, when the deal goes down now

Shine it all around - shine it all around

This is the heart of the man
This is the heart of the matter
Break a little bread now - spread it all around
Come on, make a little bread now - all around

Shine it all around - shine it all around
Shine it all around - shine it all around

Don't Tempt Me

2009-09-14T15:35:00.000-04:00

For the Children.

2009-09-11T12:44:00.004-04:00

So today is September 11th and I have read many posts online this morning regarding the day. Some just post a photo, some tell the story of where they were that day, some offer prayers and words of thanks.

I don't know what to say honestly. I feel like I should make some grand speech about patriotism and sacrifice and honoring those who perished.

The only thing I can think and feel about today is a deep sadness for all of the children.

I am feel sorrow for the children who lost a parent on 9/11:

I feel sorrow for the children who have to say goodbye to a parent going off to war:

I feel sorrow for the children that have to live with a war raging in their country:

I feel sorrow for the children that have lost a parent to the war:

I feel sorrow for the children like our Anthony (pictured below) who have lost their youth and innocence by fighting in this war. Children like Anthony who was trained to be a sniper and had to kill for his country, while his buddies were back home chasing girls and playing video games.

Today and all days I feel sorrow for the Children.

It's The End of the Internet.

2009-09-10T15:41:00.004-04:00

So I was catching up on the zillion blogs that I follow in my Google Reader, when I reached the last post, clicked next and got this message from Google:

I know it's fuzzy, but it's the best my little camera could do. It reads, "Congratulations, you've reached the End of the Internet".

When I clicked on "End of Internet", I got this message:

"The End of the Internet.

Congratulations! This is the last page.

Thank you for visiting the End of the Internet. There are no more links.

You must now turn off your computer and go do something productive.

Go read a book, for Pete's sake."

HOW FUNNY IS THAT???

9-9-09

2009-09-09T13:01:00.007-04:00

So I am writing today about the date: 9/9/09.

So what is so special about today? Not much really, unless you're are into numbers or are superstitious. However, I thought I would share with you some "9" related facts.

Today is Wednesday, September 9, 2009.

There are 9 letters in the words Wednesday & September.

September 9, 2009 is the 252nd day of the year. Add those numbers, 2+5+2 = 9.

Speaking of numbers: If you multiply 9 by any 2, 3, or 4 digit number, the sums of those numbers will always equal 9. For example: 9x347=3123. Add those numbers, 3+1+2+3=9. Why does that work? I have no idea. Dad?

Cloud Nine.

Nine Lives.

9. (movie by Tim Burton which opens in theaters today, 9/9/09.)

Baseball is a game full of nines:

Nine players on the field.

Nine innings.

90 feet between the bases.

Nine strikes per inning.

To read about all of the excitement of 9-9-09, you can check out these articles at FoxNews, CNN, and Rolling Stone (to satisfy all you politicos & music junkies).

Insects & Birds & Cats. Oh My!

2009-09-08T12:37:00.006-04:00

As we were enjoying the beautiful weekend, we came across some critters in the yard. (Not counting the bee's nest that we need to take care of ASAP).

As hubby was weed-wacking along the neighbor's fence he was dive-bombed by this Hawk. The photo was taken from far away, but the bird was really quite big. The hawk either didn't like the noise, or hubby was getting a little too close to a nest of little hawklets. Is that even a word? Anyone know the plural for baby hawks?

Anyway, you can see the hawk perched on the corner of the fence where it landed a few feet from hubby's head. Hubby high tailed it back to the house, leaving the weed-wacker behind (you'll notice the orange extension cord). One time he was working in the yard and was chased around by a killdeer which, in case you've never encountered one, is a bird that runs on the ground and makes the most gawd awful screeching noise when trying to protect its young.

While clipping goldenrod and watering flowers we also found 2 preying mantis. One in the back meadow:

And another in the front holly bushes. They are so cool looking. This one had just turned its head to look at me. I think I was a bit too close for his liking.

This next creature is of the indoor variety. C'mon, how hackin cute is Ozzy? All curled up against that pillow. He loves to sleep on his back. Check out those cute little back paws curled up with his tail. Usually when he sleeps on his back he is sprawled out on the floor with his back legs splayed open. Such a dork! How could a kitty this cute be such a rascal???

How about you? Did you encounter any creatures this holiday weekend?

Happiness is...

2009-09-07T21:17:00.004-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-02T10:59:00.003-04:00

Must See TV

2009-09-01T16:51:00.005-04:00

So last night I spent an hour watching the new A&E Series "Hoarders". Have you seen this, or heard about this show?

I first really learned about the disease of hoarding from my girl Oprah. She did a show last season in which Peter Walsh, organizer of the gods, helped families of those who hoard and the enablers that love them. It was disturbing. It was gross. It was freakin' fascinating!

So when I found out this week about the A&E Show, I was on that like a hoarder at a 2 for 1 sale at the dollar store. This episode told the story of two women, Tara & Betty. Tara admitted she had a problem, felt like she was drowning, and wanted help. Betty was in denial. She didn't think she had (or has) a problem, and was resentful that the authorities were forcing her to "clean up or move 'em out".

Funny thing is that both women reacted the same. They freaked out. Betty couldnt' give up her rusty toasters, pots, & vaccuum cleaners that were BURIED IN SNOW IN THE BACKYARD. IN OHIO. Betty just keeps adding to the piles. She goes to yard sales, flea markets, thrift stores, etc and just keeps collecting stuff. My hubby heard this and took one look at me, and just shook his head. I know he was thinking of that little pile that I have going in the corner of the garage. Whatever!!

Tara had a meltdown when her girlfriend threw her Peanuts cartoons in the trash. Peanuts cartoons. From the newspapers. Yes, it was that bad. And it was that fascinating. I couldn't turn away. The psychology of it is so interesting, yet so sad. Betty's family had been plagued with mental diseases and alcoholism and Tara never knew any other way to live.

Professional organizers might help today, but these folks need serious therapy & counseling. I will be interested to see this year if Oprah does a follow-up on Sharyn & Marvin this season. How are they coming along? Can this disease be cured? I will say it again - FASCINATING!!

immortalized

2009-08-28T22:58:00.001-04:00

39 Things update

2009-08-28T00:49:00.005-04:00

updated 12/31/09

Happy Birthday Mom!

2009-08-26T14:11:00.004-04:00

Mom & me - Damascus, VA - August, 2007

Today I would like to wish my mother a very Happy Birthday! Today is definitely a day to celebrate! What better way to start my day than with a phone call from Mom at 7:30 this morning. I thought something was wrong, Mom is never up that early. Nope, everything was fine. Maybe she was just excited because it was her birthday? She thought I would be up that early because it was my daughter's first day of school. Silly, silly mother. My child is 15 years old and gets up at 6:00 to leave the house by 6:55. Yeah, um, I was definitely still sleeping when she called. However it was great to catch up with her since I just got back from our trip to Philadelphia.

What can I say about my mother? Do you have a couple of hours? No? Ok, then I'll give you the Readers Digest version. My mother is amazing. She always has been, but as any adult child will tell you, one doesn't really begin to fully appreciate their parents until they are adults (or parents) themselves.

My mom knows me better than anyone. I can go to her with anything on my mind or in my heart and she will always tell me truth, always put it in perspective, always delight in my stories, always share adventures with me, always cut me off mid-conversation if I am whining too much. She will always pray for me and with me. She will always give me her point of view and has NEVER butted in with criticism, or been pushy, or tried to tell me how to live my life.

She is wonderful to my husband. He is so blessed with a wonderful mother-in-law, not every guy can say that. He loves her lots even if he teases her all the time. She loves, loves, loves her grandchildren and showers them with her love and kisses.

It seems as if she knows just the right time to give us a push, and just the right time to pull back. Several years ago I must have been whining a lot or been unhappy with life, because she showed up at my house one day with a little window suncatcher (Mary Engelbreit, I think). "Isn't it so cute"? she asked. On the top of it were the words "Snap out of it". So subtle. I didn't even get it at the time, but that's mom gently nudging without coming on too strong.

She is a wonderful wife to my Dad. He's a lucky guy too. And I know he loves and appreciates her as much, if not more, than I do. She is the mother of 7. She has wonderful relationships with all of us and is always there when we need her. She has selflessly taken care of a sibling that has needed extra help in life, and for all she's done for and with him, I consider her a Saint.

She touches everyone that is blessed enough to have her in their life. I've never known anyone with as many friends as her. I've even had a couple of girlfriends that want Mom to be their freind too. "Your mom is so nice & sweet". I've heard that my entire life and it is so very, very true.

I love you Mom. You are my mother, my dearest friend, and I treasure you with all of my heart.

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Stephanie

Yo Adrienne!

2009-08-19T15:47:00.003-04:00

Well, I have been busy this week. Amish country last weekend (FYI - Never go to Amish country on a Sunday. It is the "Lord's Day" and everything, I mean EVERYTHING is closed), working all week, and now after I get home from work tonight I have to rush to do load of laundry and pack for hubby and I. The 2 of us along with Lizzie are heading to the City of Brotherly Love. Which I guess is appropriate since we will be visiting hubby's brother and his family. I will try not to get in the way of all of the brotherly love that will be flying everywhere. At least if the city lives up to its moniker.

So I will be gone for a long weekend. I'll be back on Tuesday. So please my faithful 4 (or 5) don't miss me too much. I really won't be gone much longer that my self-imposed exile of last weekend. At least this time my absence is for a good reason and not just because I am kooky.

I am just rambling on and on avoiding the 3 baskets of laundry that are awaiting me and the ironing board (wait till I get my hands on the someone that turned off the wrinkle control on the dryer).

I am now off for Philadelphia where I will try to cross off the more obvious items on my "39 Before 40" list. Later.

39 Things I Want to Do Before I Turn 40.

2009-08-19T12:46:00.008-04:00

I have less than a month....yikes!

Thank you to Michelle My Belle for inspiring me to create my list. I might not get it all done by Sept.15, but it's a great way to get those goals on paper.

Hobbits always return to the Shire, as do I. (a.k.a. Getting to know me & my mood swings).

2009-08-18T22:43:00.006-04:00

I'm baaa-aaack! Yeah, for those of you that know me, you are probably not surprised. When I wrote my post on Saturday I was going through one of my little funks & well, I guess it wasn't so little. Lucky for me, my mama came to the rescue and helped me swim to the surface and climb out of my funk. If you want to know how Super Mama managed that feat you can read about it at my other blog. You know, the shiny happy blog.

Two more reasons that I am back are 2 of the reasons why I said goodbye just four short days ago: my hubby & my mama. Hubby said, "Please don't give up your blog. You write so well". Mama said, "I won't let you quit your blog. You aren't even 40 yet. It's called Ready, Set, 40! for a reason, so you must blog at least till then". So between his flattery and her scolding here I sit posting away.

I know my count-on-one-hand readers are simply ecstatic!

So speaking of 40, I am off to compose a list of 39 things to do before I turn 40, which is coincidentally exactly one month from when I grew pointy ears and big feet, and made like a hobbit and vanished.

I'm out like a hobbit.

2009-08-15T16:28:00.004-04:00

Much to the chagrin of my family I have been in a quiet mood lately. By quiet I mean moody, contemplative, and restless. Not my usual self. I find myself wanting to journal about all of these thoughts and feeling rambling around in my head. However, I find myself holding back. Why hold back? Well, my journal of choice these days is the lovely blog. This is ideally where I can spill my thoughts, share my ideas, and just let it all hang out.

So what's the problem? Well the problem is that I have 3 regular readers (that I know of). Sure I get comments from random strangers and an especially nice "Amanda" that I have never met. But basically my faithfuls consist of a) a co-worker - and there's that whole pesky work vs. personal life thing to hold me back, and b) my husband & mother - I mean can you really just let it all flow knowing that they are reading your every thought? Not at the risk of offending one of them, or hurting someone's feelings, or getting questioned on your feelings, or teased for a goofy comment. I really just want a place to let all the shit hang out. I suppose ideally that would be with paper & pen under lock and key. But my hand doesn't flow as fast as my mixed up mind, and the typing comes more natural to me. So what to do, what to do?

I can't honestly say I'll be back at Ready, Set, 40 for awhile. If you are really craving my blogness, you'll just have to visit my shiny, happy blog. The one where I go on & on about my home, and love of decorating, and fun field trips, and don't blather on and on about things that make no sense and are just rumblings of my soul.

These things will remain in my head, or in my heart, and I will sort them out through thought and contemplation rather than through keyboard & blog.

And in the words of the endearing Bilbo Baggins, "I regret to announce, this is the end. I'm going now - I bid you all a very fond farewell".

summertime, summertime, wherefore art thou summertime?

2009-08-13T10:42:00.008-04:00

For 9 months out of the year I yearn for summertime. I can't wait until the flowers bloom, the sun comes out for more than 11 days per month, the temperature climbs above 65, and I don't have to wear long sleeves. So when summer arrived this year I was determined that this summer would be amazing. I would do so many things, enjoy the outdoors, see new places, experience new experiences. Well I guess I forgot about work, being a chauffeur, cleaning, errands, & general mundane yuckiness.

On August 1st I heard so many complaints from others lamenting the fact that summer was over. "Over?", I gasped, "You're crazy! We still have another full month!". Well here I am on August 13th, and my month is half over. The month when the hot weather would finally arrive. The month when I would do all of those things that I had been waiting all summer to do. Yeah, OK? I finally give up, summer has passed me by. I have been in the Metroparks approximately 3 times this summer, I could probably count on one had the number of walks I took in my neighborhood (unless you count the daily 30 min. treadmill walk). How did this happen? How is it gone? How will I survive the crap Ohio weather from September through May? I feel a baaaad winter coming on. And by bad, I mean "momma-done-lost-her-mind" bad.

I guess I will try to make the most of my August. My goal between now and the big 4-0 (which is right about the time of Sept. when crap weather will settle in) is to do at least 3 summer-inspired things per week. Starting with tomorrow's drive to Amish Country with my parents to enjoy the antique flea market. That'll be 1 thing this week, 2 more to go by Sunday. Wish me luck, for the sake of my sanity, please wish me luck.

Happiness is...

2009-08-10T10:42:00.004-04:00

19 years...wow...hard to believe. We were so young then - you & me & baby makes three. These years have been so wonderful to me. It's hard to imagine, and it sounds cliche, but I truly do love you more now than I ever have. You are the most kind, generous, loving, supportive, loyal man I know. Your love for me seems endless. You know how I can be (and I'll just leave it at that), but no matter what, I always feel nothing but unconditional love from you. You put up with my occasional tantrums & my mood swings as if you'd been living with me half your life. Oh wait - we have been together half our lives! Oh my gosh, half our lives. And I am ever so grateful for all of the days we have yet to come.

Thank you for cooking dinners for me, for being my mr. fix-it, for being such a patient, wonderful father to our children. When I am sad, you are there. When I am mad, you make me smile. When my back is acting up, you reach over in your sound asleep to rub it for me. You are patient, ever so patient. Please don't give up on me, I am getting there. With you I feel loved, I feel safe & secure, and I feel happy. You are my best friend, & OMG how you make me laugh.

You are my everything in my every day. You are my sunshine that warms me, and heals me, and brightens my day. I couldn't live without you & I am so blessed, and lucky, and ecstatic that you are mine!

I love you baby with everything in me. From my toes to my head to the depths of my soul.

Happy Anniversary.
I. LOVE. YOU.

Road Trip!

2009-08-04T13:49:00.004-04:00

I'm hitting the open roads of Ohio this Friday. My bestie Denise & I are road trippin to the 127 Corridor. U.S. Rte. 127 is host to the World's Longest Yard Sale!

4 days long.

Over 600 miles.

Across 4 states.

Endless miles of yard sales & fun!

We are just doing this on Friday, so we won't even make it out of Ohio, but the sale does cut through Kentucky, Tennessee, & into Alabama. How fun is that?
I'm really looking forward to some "girl time" with Denise and riding the country roads of Ohio. I love to see all of the quaint little farm towns & the beautiful Ohio scenery. Not to mention that I am a Yard Sale fanatic!!

Wish us luck & hopefully we won't get too tempted to stop at a country inn and continue on down 127 on Saturday as well.

You've been replaced.

2009-07-23T20:35:00.010-04:00

1 year, 9 months, and 15 days. That's how long it's been since my sanity packed its bags for the final time and actually left for good, slamming the door on the way out, and has not been seen since.

That is when I lost my one true friend I had that was able to calm me & keep me from coming unhinged. The one friend that was able to successfully lull me into feeling a bit more sane than I really am. This friend never judged me, never let me down, was always there for me. I miss my old friend.

My friend did come with some faults though. This friend was expensive to have around. Eating up my cash on a daily basis, slowly filling me with poison, and my friend really smelled bad and kept others away from me. Did I care? Hell no! God, I miss my friend.

Most days I do not think about this friend any longer. Once in awhile I have a day like today, and I wish this friend was still in my life. Where are you? Dont' you know I need you to calm me down & make me feel better? Damn me for kicking you out of my life!! What was I thinking?

However much i miss you, I really don't have the time or desire to have you back again. I have too much going on to depend on you. I am enjoying the challenge of being able to make it on my own.

Therefore here I sit. 1 year, 9 months, and 15 days since I kicked you to the curb.

I am surviving. I am hanging on. I don't need you anymore. You have been replaced with an even better friend. A more comforting friend. A friend that is actually good for me. Goodbye Marlboro Man. Hello bubble bath. We had a wonderful visit this afternoon after work, just me & my bubble bath.

You've been replaced.

I will never regret the decision to quit smoking once and for all. My meltdown this afternoon, followed by crying myself to sleep in my bubble bath was very good for me. Writing this post has been very good for me.

It just reinforces what I already know - that I have a beautiful life. I chose life when I quit smoking all those many months ago. When I do have to retreat to my tub for a good soak, I am choosing to reenergize myself. I am choosing to take care of myself. To retreat, regroup, and clear my head. When the fog clears and the tears dry up, I can see clearly that I have a beautiful life.

Today I am joining Melissa at The Inspired Room in recognizing the moments that make our life beautiful.

A Beautiful Life

2009-07-17T00:32:00.006-04:00

As I approach 40 I find myself yearning more and more for family. When spending time with the elder members of the family they seem to all share the same sentiment: "Isn't it nice to have the family together?" or "These are my favorite times, when we can all be together". Why is it that we usually hear those words coming from the elderly? Are they the only ones that care to voice it? Maybe they are the only ones that take the time to stop and think about it and enjoy it most? But then again aren't they the ones that actually have the time to stop and think about it?

I believe that as we marry, raise families, and make our path in the world, we are just too dang busy. Simplify. This is such a beautiful word to me. Can't we all just simplify? Of course we have to work, and raise kids, and do all the things that come along with all of that. But that, I believe, is what takes away from the importance of living.

Sometimes I think we just need to stop and move slower and with more purpose. Is that a contradiction? Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and relive my children's younger days. I would not have rushed as much. I would have listened to every little story. I would have played more on the floor. I would have marveled at the world together a little more. Hurry up and rush to get them off to school, rush to do homework, rush to make dinner so we can get in bed on time, so we get a good nights sleep, so we can have the energy to get up tomorrow and rush through that day! Ugh!

I want to reach back in time and tell myself, "STOP. SLOW DOWN! Don't you know they grow up so quickly?" Before you know it they are young women and men, and your time with them is gone. They are still around, but are they present? Was I present?

I believe the elderly love to be surrounded by family because by this age they have truly realized the importance in life. It is moments, people, loved ones, experiences. Relax about the school project, your financial portfolio, your Booster meeting, your deadlines. When we reach the golden years of life, none of that will matter. We will not think to ourselves "Wow, thank God I had dinner on the table every night", or "Whew! I'm glad I payed my bills on time".

What we will really be thinking about are the people in our lives. We will remember our experiences with loved ones, parents, children, grandchildren. We will treasure those times & forever wish we had more of those times.

Why not stop and enjoy those days now? Why not slow down, simplify, capture each moment in our heart like a flash of a camera captures a slice of life? Live those moments, love that family, treasure the unity.

This is what I wish for myself and my children. I wish to live each moment to the fullest, and sometimes it is so damn hard to do! But I don't want to go on and on when I am 78 about how it's so nice to finally have the family all together. I want to live it now, love them now. Once life is gone, it is sooo gone. There is no going back. There is no way to capture it again. There is no rewind button.

Grab it.

Experience it.

Love it.

Live it.

Make this a beautiful life.

Thank you to Melissa at The Inspired Room for reminding us to always strive to live a beautiful life.

It is a sign.

2009-07-11T01:38:00.005-04:00

Today I went on a little field trip of sorts. I set out for the day with my parents and their neighbor Karen. Our first stop was a fabric store. This place was packed to the gills with 2 floors and many rooms full of all the fabric & trim your little heart could desire. Except for my little heart apparently, because I came away empty handed. Whatever. I am destined to live in a curtainless house.

So as I am browsing through the fabric I turn around and the saleslady was standing there with a big ole' grin on her face holding THIS in my face.

What?? Am I destined to be tortured by this? I wanted him so badly. He was all cute and tiny, and mewing, and blue eyes and obviously completely irresistible. Ugh! And there were 3 other ones too. Double ugh! Every time I turned around there she was with another kitten in my face. Really? Really? Does she even know how bad I want one? So. Not. Fair.

Let me back up a day by saying that I had a dream last night that I was pregnant with another daughter, which is eerily similar to the last time I was yearning for another girl and the other kittens appeared in my life.

Is it a sign? Or just a coincidence? I prefer to think of it as a sign that it's time to bring one of these cuties home with me. At least that's what I will tell hubby. IT IS A SIGN!!

Happiness Is........

2009-07-06T11:25:00.004-04:00

......listening to my new favorite music genre:
Bossa Nova.

locks of love

2009-07-01T15:37:00.007-04:00

This is my neice Emily. She is 9 years old, and yesterday was the second time in her young life that she decided that her long hair should go to better use. She decided to cut it all off and give her hair to someone that needed it more.

Emily wanted to donate her hair to Locks of Love.

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair
due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.
~from Locks of Love website.

So yesterday afternoon I took Emily and her three cousins to see Ree, our favorite hairdresser. What girls don't like a day at the salon?

Although, they did get a little restless and goofy while waiting:

Here is Emily right before Ree did the deed:

GOING.....GOING......

GONE!!!??!!!

Now some more trimming to give her that cute little bob:

Here is Emily proud of her new "do" and her "ready to donate" locks.

Here is Emily and her bestie/cousin Gabriella, who also gave her long tresses to Locks of Love a few months ago:

If you or someone you know is interested in Locks of Love, please click on the logo below for all the infomation you may need:

Project 365

2009-06-29T11:19:00.003-04:00

So I've decided to join in on a little movement called "Project 365". The idea being that you take a photo a day for 365 days. Ideally I should have began this on Jan.1st, but June 22nd is just as good to me. I take photos all the time anyway, but now I will be carrying the camera with me everywhere I go. My goal is to inspire myself to take better photos, find the unexpected, capture my year in film. Some days may be odd photos that are a comment on life, others will capture events such as the intense Bocce Ball game below.

This is photo 8/365 and captures not only my family, but also documents my first picnic in my new home. To get to my Project 365, just click the button on the right side of the page, over there >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
or just click here.

Wish me luck. I am excited to be doing this and I think my Lizzie has decided she would like to do this as well.

inspiration

2009-06-28T10:26:00.003-04:00

Thank you to Melanie from My Sweet Savannah for this lovely quote.

I ♥ Faces - Week 24, "Let's Hear it for the Boys"

2009-06-22T09:17:00.002-04:00

In honor of Father's Day, I ♥ Faces challenge this week is "Let's hear it for the boys". All boys, all men, all week long. That's fine with me!!

ADULT CATEGORY - This is a photo of my brother-in-law and nephew enjoying some great father/son F-U-N!

KIDS CATEGORY - Here is my nephew at a wedding. His expression is one of a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, which is exactly what happened. He snuck a cookie before dinner and was caught looking all coy with crumbs on his face and cookie in hand.

Now go check out all of the terrific entries at I ♥ Faces. That's where I'm headed now!

Happy Fathers Day!

2009-06-21T09:44:00.005-04:00

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Father. You are a terrific dad & grandfather. We love you so much!

Happy Fathers Day to my loving husband. You are an amazing dad & I am so blessed to have you as the father of my children! I love you baby.

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad.

Author Unknown

7 Quick Takes Friday - vol.4

2009-06-19T17:30:00.005-04:00

~ 1 ~

A few days ago I won concert tickets on the radio to Def Leppard/Poison concert. I haven't done that in years! I was just driving home and listening to the radio and she said call now to win 2 tickets, so I called, and I won. The concert is next week already and hubby is going with me. Last time I saw either band I was 18 years old and yound and carefree. My guess is that most of the crowd will be 30-somethings like us, just takin a trip down memory lane to those crazy 80's. Can't wait!

I got my nails and toes painted today - Cha Ching Cherry! Love it! It's a great summer color.

~ 3 ~

I am going to a jewelry party tonight with my mom. What makes this kinda special is that it is at the home of my son's girlfriend. She lives with her parents and this is the first time I will be meeting them. The 2 of them have been dating for about 8 months so I guess it's about time I meet them. She is a total sweetheart, so I imagine her mom will be too. I am really looking forward to it (and buying some jewelry).

~ 4 ~

Blast from the past. I got a text message today from an old friend that I haven't talked to in forever. The friendship didn't end so well and we haven't really spoken since. She hurt me and a lot of others, but I hear she has her life on track now, so what to do? what to do? Still thinkin about that one.

~ 5 ~

My brother and I had a conversation yesterday and we have remarkably both been thinking the same thing - it is time for family Sunday dinners. It doesn't have to be Sundays, but that would probably work for most. We would each take one Sunday a month, and whoever is available that Sunday always knows where to find everyone else. With life being so hectic, and no one getting any younger, I think it would be amazing to do that. Family is most important after all, and what a great way for all of us to keep in tune with each other.

~ 6 ~

I've been really thinking of starting my own business. I have a few ideas kicking around, but the only thing missing is confidence to do it. It's definitely something that would be really super small scale at first, but in these economic times it would be something that really didn't take much of an investment at first and I could build it as I go. Hmmm.....great adventure or failed endeavor?

~ 7 ~

Rain, Rain, Go away, come again another day.........gotta run and get ready for the jewelry party.

Hop on over to Convesion Diary to read other's Quick Takes on their lives.

Life is a Rollercoaster

2009-06-18T01:45:00.002-04:00

This Life is a roller coaster full of twists & turns and ups & downs, but it is an exhilarating, thrill ride nonetheless.

opposites attract

2009-06-16T15:52:00.007-04:00

One of my favorite things in life is the outdoors. A sunny day, a warm day, being surrounded by trees & flowers, birds chirping, green grass, a soft breeze, little wispy clouds dotting the bright blue sky - these are a few of my favorite things.

I was raised to be in the outdoors. We were not an adventurous family in that we weren't snowskiing or bungi jumping, but we did spend a lot of time in nature. Whether it was hiking, walking, bike riding, or camping, we all learned to be in tune with nature and enjoy the outdoors.

My husband? Not so much.

Hubby is a city boy, born and raised. He's all about the indoors, which I guess you learn to be, growing up within the city limits of a major, metropolitan city. His idea of outdoors was taking out the trash, riding to the baseball diamond, or cutting the lawn. I have tried over the years to introduce him to the outdoors. He has endured several family camping trips, but I use the word "endured" very lightly. "Suffered through" is more like it. "You want me to sleep outdoors? In a tent? You want me to go to the bathroom where? You expect me to eat food off of what?" I think he almost passed out the first time he saw us using a real stick to roast our marshmallows. A real stick. From. A. Tree. Oh, and you can't forget his obvious glee when a camp worker had to come and shoot a skunk near our tent. In broad daylight. With a shotgun. 30 feet from our campsite. Highlight of his camping trip that year!

To Hubby, being out in nature ranks right up there with posing for a picture:

So my love of the outdoors and his not love of the outdoors brings us to where we were this past Sunday afternoon. Me reading a book on a blanket in the backyard, and hubby in front of the television. It was a gorgeous day. The sky was blue, the sun was beating down hot, and the breeze was cool enough to keep you comfortable. This is when I decided that the current state of our Sunday afternoon was NOT OK. So I marched right in and said to hubby "Hubby, get your shoes, we are going down into the Park. It is way too nice of a day to be a-wasting!"

Because he loves me and always wants me to be happy and because he's the best guy EVER, we headed off to the Metroparks. Of course as luck would have it, we no sooner left our street than the skies clouded over and the nice, cool breeze was not so nice anymore. This did not deter me, I was a woman on a mission. We will be outdoors and we will walk in the park dammit! We decided to hit the trails behind our local Nature Center.

This is the inviting path that greeted us at the park. How could anyone resist this?

We passed a pond/wetland and saw tiny baby ducks and heard bullfrogs croaking. It was so peaceful.

Forget-Me-Nots: my favorite flower from my childhood home.

We spotted a young buck in amongst the trees. He had the cutest fuzzy antlers growing up out of his head. I hid behind a tree and snuck up on him.

This is the beautiful path we followed as we looped around and headed back out of the park.

As we left the park we passed this stone:

How true this is! Even though we don't share the same love of the outdoors, we do share a greater love: the love for each other. He endures my outdoor "adventures" for that very reason. Because he loves me. And the end result of the afternoon was we were able to spend time together, alone, amidst the beauty and wonder of nature. So peaceful, so right. I truly did receive far more than I sought when I dragged my man to the park that afternoon.

I ♥ Faces - Adult Category

2009-06-15T15:25:00.006-04:00

Continuing on with the I ♥ Faces Sepia Toned challenge - this was an easy pic. I love this photo of my handsome hubby, it is one of my favorites.

Go check out all of the great entries at the I ♥ Faces photography blog !

I ♥ Faces - Kids Category

2009-06-15T15:08:00.008-04:00

It is that time of the week for I ♥ Faces photo contest. This week's theme is Sepia Toned.

In the Kids Category I had a lot of fun playing around with sepia, and finally decided upon this Super Hero from last weekend's Family Picnic. I think his face paint & mohawk gave him super powers!

Check out all of this week's entries over at I ♥ Faces photography blog.

Moments with Pinky & the Momma

2009-06-13T00:04:00.014-04:00

Ever have one of those days when all is right with the world? Today was one of those days. My day began with a whole bunch of "me" time, then flowed into some much treasured "mother/daughter" time. I try to remind myself as often as I can that "The best things in life are not things", and how very true that is.

Today was my day off work and did I sleep in? Hell no! I headed out the door bright and early to do a little yard saleing, one of my hobbies. I love the thrill of the hunt, the excitement of a good buy, and the anticipation of transforming other people's "junk" into something beautiful for my home. The sun was shining, the wind was in my hair, and the ole' mini-van was haulin ass down Rte. 252 to be the early-bird at the yard sales. Woohoo - what a rush. I know, weird, right? Well after an hour and a half of hittin the sales I stopped in to see Ree, my favorite hairdresser. She cut my hair as cute as always and since she is also my daughter's dance coach, I got the skinny on the upcoming season.

Loaded down with a fresh new 'do and a van full of "junk", I headed home and was met by a hungry daughter. Off I went again crusin in the mini-van, this time with my teenage daughter. We had the windows down, music pumpin, and made a pit-stop at Jimmie-Johns for lunch. YUM! If you haven't had their sub sandwiches then you are missing something special sister! I love these stolen moments with my girl. I call them stolen because her time does not really belong to me anymore. Her time is her own and she chooses to give most of it to the cell phone, her girlfriends, "the boy", and her endless cheer & dance practices. I wait ever so patiently for moments like this afternoon when I can stealthily swoop in and steal my moments in time. Moments that belong to only her and I. Moments when we are in sync, when I am not rushing like a mad woman, and she is not endlessly texting. Moments when we share jokes and stories, and laughs, and time together. Does it get any better than that?

She helped me pick out a paint color at Home Depot (Fresh Pineapple in case you're wondering), and she chose a perfect throw pillow to match my chair that will soon be glowing in Fresh Pineapple, and we shared in excited glee when she found her favorite candy at the cash register (Sour Patch Watermelon - VERY hard to come by).

Twice today we grabbed hands and cracked up laughing at something that was probably random and goofy and that I can't remember now, but who cares what we were laughing at right? We were sharing an awesome moment to remember. It is the little moments such as this that I treasure these days. The moments when I am not lecturing, or issuing warnings, or dashing here or there, or working. Moments when her phone is in her pocket and she's not worried about being taxied to a friend's house, or practice, or school. Just time for us to chill, enjoy each other's company, and get a little whiff of the good old days. The days when she was a little peanut and I was the mommy that she looked up to, and imitated, and adored. Today I was not the Mom that gets on her nerves. Today she was not my sassy-mouthed teenager.

Today I was Momma and she was Pinky, and the sun was shining, and the radio was blaring, and we were singing along. Today we laughed and we shared and we were goofy and we both just "got" each other.

Today, all was right with the world.

Edited to join Chatting at the Sky for Tuesdays Unwrapped.

Also linking up with Melissa at the Inspired Room for her Beautiful Life Fridays.

Happiness Is.....

2009-06-10T15:28:00.003-04:00

....flowers I picked from my yard - some wild, some planted. Love it !!

my magnificent monday - week 4

2009-06-08T14:34:00.005-04:00

My Monday is Magnificent because:

1. My perennials are in full bloom right outside my office window.

2. My boss stopped over today and we got tons accomplished without any friction. Yay!

3. I am "back pain" free today. Another yay!

4. I lost another pound (I know it's only 1, but I'm gettin there).

7 Quick Takes Friday - vol. 4

2009-06-05T20:26:00.007-04:00

~ 1 ~

Garage Sales, Estate Sales....Love them!! Tis the season and I am loving it, especially since I have Fridays off of work now. I get up each Friday morning and can't wait to rush out to the driveway to get the local newspaper and start circling the ads and planning my route.

~ 2 ~

Cell Phones.....are a necessity for my family.

Cell phone Companies....will be the death of me.

~ 3 ~

My daughter had summer plans to go to Florida with her best friend's family (her bestie's momma is my bestie). Well, life throws curveballs and with the economy being what it is, and with my bestie job-hunting after just graduating from nursing school, the summer vacation has been postponed. They were supposed to have spent 10 days in Florida which included 5-day "park hopper" passes for Disney. Lizzie and her best friend (who just celebrated their 15th birthday on June 3rd) were looking forward to this trip as a birthday celebration.

Our girls are so precious! Did they complain or whine when they found out they wouldn't be going to Florida in a few weeks? No! Instead they thought for a few minutes and graciously and enthusiastically asked, "Can we go to Dave & Busters instead"? Bless their sweet little hearts (and the pocketbooks of the parents involved)!

~ 4 ~

Last weekend my hubby bought me a treadmill!! Yay! I have really been wanting one, and I must say I got up early every day this week, with the exception of Wednesday (it just wasn't happening that day), to hit the treadmill. What a great way to get in a vigorous workout while catching up on all my reality TV shows. Simply perfect!!

~ 5 ~

Chicken Fajitas! Yum! I smell them cooking in the other room as I type this post. Have I mentioned that my hubby does the cooking? I know ladies, how did I get so lucky! Simple, I have the best man EVER!!!!!!!

~ 6 ~

Photoshop Elements. Does anyone else find this program difficult to use? Maybe I just haven't taken the time needed to go through all of the tutorials and study them as I should. It just seems SO NOT user-friendly at all. I use Memory Manager from Creative Memories, and it is just so much simpler and has such an ease of use about it. However, the photo editing capabilities are not as extensive as Photoshop Elements which is why I insisted on it as a gift this past Christmas. I don't want this to be another gift that hubby spent money on and that I don't use, *coughsewingmachinecough*.

~ 7 ~

Congratulations to my Bestie. She passed her State Board Exam this week and is now officially an RN. You go girl!! Not only that, but she was offered not one, but two jobs this week! Yay!

Now go visit Conversion Diary and check out loads of others' 7 Quick Takes!!

my little girl

2009-06-03T15:02:00.008-04:00

Today is June 3rd and it is cloudy and a Wednesday, which means that I have to work both jobs today and won't come in the door until 10:00 tonight. But what makes everything OK is that today is my little girl's birthday. She is my youngest, my baby, my little "pinkie", and today she is 15. Wow! Such a young woman she is becoming. She seems to have all of the great qualities that I never possessed as a teenager. She is beautiful, outgoing, a social butterfly, goal-oriented (meaning she's thinking about college), and confident.

She is the light of my life. Yes we have our mother/daughter moments, but she really is a joy to have around. If the occasional argument and sassy mouth is the worst that I have to deal with, then I am pretty lucky. Yesterday her and her bestfriend (who is also turning 15 today!) informed me that an acquaintance of theirs that is in their grade and the same age ---Is. Pregnant. Uggghhh!!! Is it that time already? Time to worry about boys, and sex, and babies, and boys, and growing up too fast, and boys! And my oh my, how she likes the boys. Yikes! Hubby is freakin out. She is such a daddy's girl. They have this special bond. She truly does have him wrapped around her finger, yet she doesn't dare upset him. Not because he is too stern, but because she just doesn't want disappoint him. Like that's possible!!

Thus far she has earned our trust and hasn't gotten into any trouble and is an absolute joy of a daughter. She is funny and sarcastic and cracks us up. She loves shoes & clothes & shopping. Actually she's obsessed with those things. She loves to do her hair and get her toes done, and shop for clothes, and text like mad on the lastest and greatest cell phone (which is on her birthday list) and hang with her friends and listen to music. She is an amazing athlete, cheerleader, and dancer. She astounds us with her tumbling abilities and somehow, with no dance training, has become a beautiful dancer over these last 2 years. She is quick-witted and keeps me on my toes. She knows when enough is enough, and regularly lectures her girlfriends when they talk back to their parents. I am so proud of the young woman she has become and so very excited with anticipation over what is to come. I know these high school years will go by so quickly. We will try to slow down, take a breath, and enjoy every moment. And take loads of pictures!

Elizabeth Marie, you are a joy, and you are sunshine in my day.

We love you so much pinkie.

Momma

I ♥ Faces - Week 21, Birthdays & Pets

2009-06-01T23:37:00.010-04:00

I love this photo of my neice. When you ask her what color her eyes are, she casually responds "Diamond blue". She's cute and she knows it!!

PIGGY-BACK RIDE :)

Check out other great birthday & pet photos at I ♥ Faces. The themes this week are Kids' Birthdays and Pets.

my magnificent monday - week 3

2009-06-01T23:20:00.003-04:00

My Monday was Magnificent because:

1) I had 2 visits from family today.
2) My wonderful hubby bought me a treadmill this past weekend (no more excuses).
3) Tonight I had my last "junk food" meal before tomorrow, the first day of workouts on the treadmills.
4) I ♥ Chipotle (see #3)

7 quick takes friday - vol.3

2009-05-29T07:34:00.012-04:00

~1~

Ever since I have begun following several decorating blogs, I have been so, so inpsired to get things going around my new house. I have done a few projects, one of which involoved spray painting furniture! I am so glad I have been bitten by the decorating bug because I was feeling like I would never be inspired with all of the bland newness of a fresh build.

~2~

Twitter. I am hooked, now why can't my besties get hooked too? My cell phone tweets at me all day long with little nothings from my son, his girlfriend, and even my girl Oprah, but none of my best girlfriends have jumped on the twitter bandwagon yet. C'mon Ladies, get with the program!!

~3~

I am going ghosthunting tonight!! A girlfriend and I are going on an all-night tour of the West Virginia Penitentiary. Now before you all get your knickers in a twist let me assure you that I am not a hard-core ghost/spirit person. My girlfriend on the other hand is all into it, and is addicted to the reality ghost-hunting shows like the ones on the Travel Channel. So since I am always up for a little adventure, and today IS her birthday, off we go to WV. I'll let you know how it goes.

~4~

Rain, Rain, Go Away. We needed rain badly, but 4 days now? C'mon! I'm over it already. How does a girl hit the Friday garage sales in the pouring rain? UGH!

~5~

Today is not only my girlfriends birthday, it is also my Dad's day. Happy Birthday Dad! I love you!

~6~

My girlfriend Denise lost her car to a fire this week. About 1/2 hour after she returned home at night she smelled smoke, but couldn't find the source. A short time later her next-door neighbor came a bangin on the door. "Get out of the house, I called 911", he hollered. Her car was parked right up next to her house. Fortunately the fire department came and put out the fire, but not before her whole front engine was engulfed in flames! The car is totaled! After a little "googling" she discovered that a recall was issued on her car last month, to take effect May 2009. Figures! Well, she hadn't been notified yet, but sure enough the oil, and the drip, and the something-something manifold, sparky-plugy thing happened, and now she has to get a new car. What a freakish thing to happen! Poor Denise!!

~7~

Here is what I did last night while I watched the Cleveland Cavs win Game 5 of their series against Orlando:

Just take tennis balls (or stryofoam balls), strips of your favorite fabrics, and a glue gun. Wrap the strips around the ball and secure with hot glue. And then, voila, you end up with this:

Stop by Conversion Diary to check out all the great "7 Quick Takes Friday" posts.

my magnificent monday - week 2

2009-05-26T12:20:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was Memorial Day so this is a day late....

My (Tuesday) is magnificent because:

1) I just had a fantastic 4 day weekend.

2) I love spending time with my hubby.

3) My fingernails and toenails are painted purple.

4) I am excited about plans to have a 4th of July picnic at our home.

7 Quick Takes Friday - vol.2

2009-05-22T16:23:00.007-04:00

~1~

I went "Garage Sale-ing" today. My first Friday of the season to venture out and pay money for other people's castoffs. I love it! I took my parents with me which made it even more fun. We found some great deals. I got a great crockpot at a steal. I have one already, but now I have a large one with the pot that comes out for easy storing and washing. Yea! My mom found some gorgeous silk window valances. I can't wait to see them up on her windows. My other little find was a little child's stepstool which I will use to put a flower pot on once I add it to my list of items to paint black this weekend. My favorites are estate sales but we didn't have any of those today. At least we have the rest of the summer.

~2~

MEMO TO: Elderly people, people that walk slow either with cane, limp, or some sort of ailment, or just slow walkers in general: PLEASE do not walk down the center of the lane in a parking lot. I love you all and have no problem being patient and waiting for you to cross the aisle going to or from your vehicle. BUT PLEASE do not walk down the center of the lane. There is nothing more annoying when running "quick" errands than to have to sit in a parking lot and wait for someone to walk ever so slowly ALL THE WAY UP THE CENTER OF THE AISLE TO GET TO THE STORE. Just cross the aisle & get it over with PLEASE.

~3~

Am I the only one that has noticed that when you click on "Next Blog" at the top of the Blogger page, you always get a blog in a foreign language? Or does this just happen to me? Go ahead give it a try, at the very top of my blog click on "next blog" and 9 times out of 10 you will either get a blog in a foreign language or a blog that is all technical with World of Warcraft gibberish. Talk about annoying!

~4~

My daughter's Cheer/Dance tryouts were last week, and Yea! she made the Level 5 cheer team and also 3 dance teams. The High School tryouts were the same week and she also made Football Cheerleading and Competition Squad. All of which will be for naught if she doesn't do something quick about that failing grade in English!

~5~

American Idol. Yea Kris!!! I am thrilled beyond words that Kris Allen won AI. Yes, I know the judges and all of America are in love with the over-theatrical, screeching Eddie Munster wannabe, but obviously not ALL of America, cuz the votes were cast, and Kris is the winner. Again I say it, YEA!

~6~

On Tuesday's finale Adam Lambert sang "Mad World" which was a song on the Donnie Darko soundtrack. This movie is about an extremly troubled teenager who among other things has disaster plans for his high school. And there is Adam singing on stage in a trenchcoat, a la Columbine. Just sayin' is all.

~7~

My last two posts were about Adam Lambert, which goes to show that even though he wasn't my first pick to win Idol along with more than 1/2 the AI voters, he is the only one we can't stop talking about. Things that make you go hmmm......

decorating my nest

2009-05-21T09:34:00.013-04:00

When we lived in our previous home I was all about the decorating. The house was a 1920's Craftsman Bungalow, and the wood floors and architectural features really inspired me. We lived in the home for 9 years and I finally had it completely decorated exactly how I loved it, just in time to sell it in 2008. I miss this house so much. I loved it because it was old and cozy and had a good soul.

Our beautiful new home is just that: a new home. We are the first owners, so what it lacks in character & charm, it makes up for in space, location, and is a blank canvas ooozing in decorating possibilities. The only problem is that I am having a difficult time finding design inspiration, until I found the Nester that is. The Nester has a blog, Nesting Place, that encourages women like me to decorate fearlessly. Her motto is "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful". I have spent numerous days lurking in the home design blogs of these talented, inspiring ladies and have decided to tackle a few design dilemnas.

Design Dilemna #1

My old (as in bought it in my early 20's), dorm room style, little entertainment center in my Living Room. At this time a fabulous Wall Unit & Flatscreen TV are not in the budget. Therefore what to do with the one I have? I was inspired by Nancy @ Live, Love, Laugh to go ahead and spray paint this unit black. It will go great with my decor and wall color and if I leave off the outdated glass door it should look awesome. I will keep you posted. Once done it would look great adorned with a whimsical Quote Jar being given away over at The Lettered Cottage.

Design Dilemna # 2

Curtains for my living room. I have the wood slat blinds which I love, but I am so afraid to invest money in curtains. Should I go with valances, draperies, tie-backs? I really have no clue. I think what I need to do is follow the advice of The Nester and carry my swatches & paint chips with me and just find either a ready-made curtain or fabric that I love, and just play with it. If I keep an eye on my budget I can't go wrong. I know fabric will bring such life to these sterile rooms. I just need to take the leap.

Design Dilemna # 3

My backyard is awesome and big. The only problem is that our home was built just a year ago and this subdivision was built on farm land, therefore NO trees! Which is driving me insane. First order of business this summer is to plant some fast growing trees (is there such a thing?). I was inspired by a video by Kara @ Made 2 Create. She is just jumping in with the landscaping and going for it. Again, with no fear. Here is my big, blank canvas of a backyard.

So now I just need to take the cue from all of these creative ladies and get going with my projects. Hopefully I can add to my decor with some of the great giveaways over at The 3rd Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway. Check it out, you could win some great items too!

I ♥ Faces -- Weekly Photo Contest

2009-05-19T14:45:00.008-04:00

Here is a photo of my infamous neice Elmyra. Who would have thought such a sweet little thing like this could earn such a dubious distinction as that? I am submitting this photo in the weekly contest over at "I ♥ Faces" .

I am submitting this photo into the www.iheartfaces.com Blurb book photo contest. If chosen, I grant I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites.

My Magnificent Monday

2009-05-18T09:48:00.012-04:00

My mantra has always been "Mondays Suck". I usually fall into depression on Sunday evening dreading Monday and what it signifies, which is "the work week", the "start of the daily grind", "5 days till the weekend". However, I have lately begun to look forward to Mondays. Why? Because it is another glorious day which we have been given. Each day is a gift that should be viewed with gratitude, optimism, and wonder at the world around us. (At least that's how I feel this Monday morning).

Therefore, I am starting "My Magnificent Monday", a list of things in my life that I am grateful for. I figure if I start each Monday this way it can only be the start of a great week. I am blessed with a great life and I intend to have a Magnificent Monday.

I am blessed because:

1) The sun is shining today.

2) I got to spend last evening with my busy teenage daughter.

3) I have a job when so many do not.

4) I have a hot, sexy husband.

The lights are on, but no one is home.

2009-05-16T23:53:00.007-04:00

Across the street from our subdivision lies this old house. My daughter and I are obsessed with this house. It is old, dirty, run down, and very creepy (click photo for larger image). It reminds us of a haunted house or one of those houses from a horror movie. You know the one that is the only one for miles around when the car breaks down. You are forced to seek shelter there and then begin seeing things, and feeling things, and then everything begins to go very, very wrong.

That's the kind of house we imagine this to be. It is so cool. If you could see up close you would notice the half-hanging curtains, the ripped window shades, the driveway overgrown with grass, and the rusted mailbox with no house number. In fact there is no house number anywhere to be found. The old cars sit next to the house. They are always in the same spot, they never move. Also, we have never seen a person there in 15 months. Imagine our delight as we were driving down the road one night and spotted lights on in the house. It is the one and only time we have ever seen lights on. We freaked out. "OMG, LIGHTS!", we both shouted as I hit the breaks in the middle of the road. There we sat in the road staring at our creepy house. There were lights on and silhouted in the old bay window was a large Christmas tree. The tree was not illuminated and it was nowhere near the month of December. Creepy! Even though the home was lit up and the outline of the objects in the house were visible through the sheer curtains, not a soul was in there. No movement, no people, just that creepy Christmas tree.

Is it most likely just another old, abandoned house? Probably. But we love to imagine so much more about "our" creepy house. If any one needs a house for a horror movie let them know we have just the one, down at the end of Nobottom Road.