I had three birthday parties to buy gifts for today (the parties aren't today but if you're goign to shop for one, might as well get the other two out of the way while you're out, right?). I racked my brain thinking hmm.... what to buy for an 8 year old boy (NOT that I don't already HAVE one, mind you) and thought, well, I could get crafty and MAKE something but what 8 year old and what 3 year olds want or would appreciate anything handmade.... I see you shaking your head.... right -- none of them. Gifts to wrap, that was the ticket. :)
So where can I go -- that's NOT Target or Wal-Mart to get something fun, unique and unusual? Then, I remembered a new store that I saw that I wanted to go into that was full of learning toys. It's next to the Central Market in Southlake..... Learning Express Toys http://www.learningexpress.com It was FULL of ... well, FUN! It was mostly educational toys but had some fun mixed in there too. I could have spent hours reading over the walls of board games they had in there.... I definitely know where all of our birthday presents will be coming from from now on! It was just THE neatest store that I'd been into in a while. Drew had fun playing with their section in the middle that had all these bins full of stuff you'd put in goody bags. They had one bin full of little cars and train cars and helicopters and boats...and then he pulled out a green slug bug (Volkswagon beetle) and he said, "MOMMY LOOK!!!! GREEN HERBIE CAR!" It was beyond adorable! Why do I not have a camera during these moments? Ugh
I tried so hard to be good today, was planning on eating my salad leftover from last night's dinner for lunch but I was shaking so bad from hunger by the time I dropped Josh off that I had to get food...and I had to get it immediately! I stopped off at Panda Express -- Oh, I love their mushroom chicken... mmmmmmmmmmm... :) Eating it now. Shame on me, I know..but hey, I'm not shakey anymore! Ha!
And if ya'll can say a quick prayer for Tristen... he's in the hospital. Not sure what all is wrong... lethargic, lots of swollen glands in and around the neck area... he's 9... I don't know if he's being admitted or what at this point but prayers are prayers....and that's what he needs right now!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
One Sided Friendships -- and a galaxy far, far away
I had a good friend (or so I thought) at one point in my life. We were neighbors, our sons were best friends, we were scrapbooking buddies... I had thought that we'd really established some roots to a friendship that would really last through whatever might come... I was wrong. She moved. First she moved up north... we stayed in contact. Josh missed his friend and they spoke on the phone a few times. He was really too young to grasp the concept of a long distance friendship since children are general of the mindset of immediate gratification (aren't we all?) She had come to town while I was out of town one weekend... she phoned me while I was on the road back to town and I had hoped to hook up with her and spend a little time catching up. Unfortunately, my car had other ideas and I had to drive to the dealership IMMEDIATELY. If I'd turned my car off, it wouild not have started again. I was losing power intermittently on the drive back. It was kind of scary. I went to the dealership iand just literally was wanting to get home and just unwind. I'd been gone in Oklahoma all weekend, was stressed out, tired and just needed to see my kiddos. I forgot to call her when I got to the house... and I think she just never forgave me... I'd sent e-mails, placed phone calls, sent Christmas cards... nothing.
Out of the blue a few weeks ago, she telephoned. I unknowingly answered the telephone b/c I didn't recognize the number. She proceeded to say, "Hi April, it's ____, are you home? I was goign to run the money by for working on the house." I was like did you realize you just called April in Texas? Because I certainly haven't been near your house to do any work. :) She laughed, was a little embarrassed, made about 15 seconds of small talk and said she'd call back and we could catch up. She never did. She hadn't called in over a year, why would I expect it now?
So, I'm an administrator on a trivia site that I run for my friends... and realized that she took time... EVERY DAY to log on and play this stupid trivia .. but she couldn't take two seconds of her time to just shoot me an email and say, hey, how are you?" So yes, I went in and deleted her and banned her IP address from the site. I'm just so tired of one sided friendships... for me and my family. I want friendships that are enriching -- for me and for them. I want to be a good friend... I want my children to see me be a good friend and to know what it means TO be a good friend. I want to lead by example. I think one of those examples is to also let them know how to understand when you're the only one perpetuating a relationship and that sometimes, you just have to cut your losses and move on. It's a hard fact of life, but I chose to do that.
It's not two days later... and guess who calls me up out of the blue.... it was actually completely taken aback and beyond irritated that it took me banning her from a site I run to actually evoke any type of a frienship-like response from her... which then sends out the message that I want to be your friend when I have something to gain from it (i.e., you letting me back on your site). So that's not a friendly call... yes, she called both home and cell. How bizarre... I just don't even want to bother with the time of day for that.
My son, Josh has had to make the same type of decision here lately. There are two boys that live on our street... and he said that one of them (a boy that is older) told him that he didn't want to be his friend or play with him anymore because he wanted to play with kids his own age... mind you, he has had no problem the entire school year playing with him...but it IS his decisions. So, as Josh wants to go out and play and wants to go invite him to play, I have to remind him ... it's a one sided friendship... and when he's ready to be your friend, maybe he will come back and ask you to play but until then, just let him do his thing and you do yours. Maybe they'll meet back up in the middle, and maybe they wont... but you've been a good friend and that's all you can do. So, I've been proud of him for understanding such a grown up concept at a young 8 years of age. :) Boy the do have to grow up fast don't they?
Speaking of Josh, he had a buddy spend the night last night. They had a BLAST playing in the rain (yes, we've had like two feet of rain in the last 30 minutes (not really but it feels like it)... they went to the "playground" (as Drew likes to call it) and in the rain decided to blast down the slide... which had a puddle of water at the end and that turned into a puddle of mud. They were COVERED with mud...but were having a BLAST... they watched one of the original Star Wars (they're the only REAL Star Wars aren't they?) and then they went to bed. I got them up in time to eat some cereal, let in the housekeeper and then we jetted off to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History for the Star Wars Exhibit. Should I have taken my camera? Sure... the exhibits were AWESOME...but putting up with Drew during the whole thing was a WHOLE other story. He's been really whiney lately... maybe he realizes it sucks getting older! Ha! Turning 3 is hard to do! He's going to have to bounce for it! But this, today, was his first time to go to a movie.... an OMNI movie! He lasted about 24 minutes... until he was done, pretty much begging to go home, wanting a nap, wanting to leave. I was waiting for him to toss his popcorn, binkie, drink... anything but he didn't. When the movie was finally over, thank goodness, we started our ascent up the stairs to the exit at the top of the theater he was whining because he wanted to see the dolphins again...then he cried because he wanted to walk... then he cried because he was being crowded in the mass exodus and got frustrated someone ELSE (how dare they) were attempting to hold the very hand rail he was holding! I realized, it was just time to go. We loaded up and headed for home. I'm glad Josh had a good friend there to view the exhibits with since if he'd just been with Drew and I ... it would have been just sporadic and bizarre. :)
At the museum, Drew was enthralled with Chewy... he LOVED seeing "Darf Gay-ger" Sounds like some homo-porn title huh? Ha! He was also transfixed with some white snow beast "thing" that had pretty intense claws. I think he thought it was a real "animal" in a cage and was waiting for it to move. I wish I'd taken my camera... just to get some of his reactions if nothing else. But alas, the Canon SLR Digital Rebel is just so bulky and hard to transport that I tend NOT to take it with me b/c of having to tote everything else... it's just annoying.
So, I called Canon tonight.... found two cameras that I think would serve me well.... the one I really want is the Canon Powershot S5 IS. The zoom capacity on this is SICK man.... just awesome... it's got an image stabilizer... fastest processor.... (no lag time).... I'm going to go try one out if I can find a retailer that has it. The other one that I found that would work well, had less than half the zoom capabilities of this one...and if you know me and my photographic needs -- I gotta have zoom. I LOVE my zoom! AND with going to Disney World in October... I need something smaller and transportable. :) It also has the ability to take self portraits.... you can hold it out... turn the LCD screen around and point it towards you so you can see it and click... :) How fun woudl that be to get great mom/kid shots?! :)
Anyway, it's late... just thought I'd blab... and boy did I! :) Toodles...
Tomorrow and this weekend, my Memory Makers Master work will be completed along with my The Scrapbook Club Design Team entry! :) WISH ME LUCK!
Out of the blue a few weeks ago, she telephoned. I unknowingly answered the telephone b/c I didn't recognize the number. She proceeded to say, "Hi April, it's ____, are you home? I was goign to run the money by for working on the house." I was like did you realize you just called April in Texas? Because I certainly haven't been near your house to do any work. :) She laughed, was a little embarrassed, made about 15 seconds of small talk and said she'd call back and we could catch up. She never did. She hadn't called in over a year, why would I expect it now?
So, I'm an administrator on a trivia site that I run for my friends... and realized that she took time... EVERY DAY to log on and play this stupid trivia .. but she couldn't take two seconds of her time to just shoot me an email and say, hey, how are you?" So yes, I went in and deleted her and banned her IP address from the site. I'm just so tired of one sided friendships... for me and my family. I want friendships that are enriching -- for me and for them. I want to be a good friend... I want my children to see me be a good friend and to know what it means TO be a good friend. I want to lead by example. I think one of those examples is to also let them know how to understand when you're the only one perpetuating a relationship and that sometimes, you just have to cut your losses and move on. It's a hard fact of life, but I chose to do that.
It's not two days later... and guess who calls me up out of the blue.... it was actually completely taken aback and beyond irritated that it took me banning her from a site I run to actually evoke any type of a frienship-like response from her... which then sends out the message that I want to be your friend when I have something to gain from it (i.e., you letting me back on your site). So that's not a friendly call... yes, she called both home and cell. How bizarre... I just don't even want to bother with the time of day for that.
My son, Josh has had to make the same type of decision here lately. There are two boys that live on our street... and he said that one of them (a boy that is older) told him that he didn't want to be his friend or play with him anymore because he wanted to play with kids his own age... mind you, he has had no problem the entire school year playing with him...but it IS his decisions. So, as Josh wants to go out and play and wants to go invite him to play, I have to remind him ... it's a one sided friendship... and when he's ready to be your friend, maybe he will come back and ask you to play but until then, just let him do his thing and you do yours. Maybe they'll meet back up in the middle, and maybe they wont... but you've been a good friend and that's all you can do. So, I've been proud of him for understanding such a grown up concept at a young 8 years of age. :) Boy the do have to grow up fast don't they?
Speaking of Josh, he had a buddy spend the night last night. They had a BLAST playing in the rain (yes, we've had like two feet of rain in the last 30 minutes (not really but it feels like it)... they went to the "playground" (as Drew likes to call it) and in the rain decided to blast down the slide... which had a puddle of water at the end and that turned into a puddle of mud. They were COVERED with mud...but were having a BLAST... they watched one of the original Star Wars (they're the only REAL Star Wars aren't they?) and then they went to bed. I got them up in time to eat some cereal, let in the housekeeper and then we jetted off to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History for the Star Wars Exhibit. Should I have taken my camera? Sure... the exhibits were AWESOME...but putting up with Drew during the whole thing was a WHOLE other story. He's been really whiney lately... maybe he realizes it sucks getting older! Ha! Turning 3 is hard to do! He's going to have to bounce for it! But this, today, was his first time to go to a movie.... an OMNI movie! He lasted about 24 minutes... until he was done, pretty much begging to go home, wanting a nap, wanting to leave. I was waiting for him to toss his popcorn, binkie, drink... anything but he didn't. When the movie was finally over, thank goodness, we started our ascent up the stairs to the exit at the top of the theater he was whining because he wanted to see the dolphins again...then he cried because he wanted to walk... then he cried because he was being crowded in the mass exodus and got frustrated someone ELSE (how dare they) were attempting to hold the very hand rail he was holding! I realized, it was just time to go. We loaded up and headed for home. I'm glad Josh had a good friend there to view the exhibits with since if he'd just been with Drew and I ... it would have been just sporadic and bizarre. :)
At the museum, Drew was enthralled with Chewy... he LOVED seeing "Darf Gay-ger" Sounds like some homo-porn title huh? Ha! He was also transfixed with some white snow beast "thing" that had pretty intense claws. I think he thought it was a real "animal" in a cage and was waiting for it to move. I wish I'd taken my camera... just to get some of his reactions if nothing else. But alas, the Canon SLR Digital Rebel is just so bulky and hard to transport that I tend NOT to take it with me b/c of having to tote everything else... it's just annoying.
So, I called Canon tonight.... found two cameras that I think would serve me well.... the one I really want is the Canon Powershot S5 IS. The zoom capacity on this is SICK man.... just awesome... it's got an image stabilizer... fastest processor.... (no lag time).... I'm going to go try one out if I can find a retailer that has it. The other one that I found that would work well, had less than half the zoom capabilities of this one...and if you know me and my photographic needs -- I gotta have zoom. I LOVE my zoom! AND with going to Disney World in October... I need something smaller and transportable. :) It also has the ability to take self portraits.... you can hold it out... turn the LCD screen around and point it towards you so you can see it and click... :) How fun woudl that be to get great mom/kid shots?! :)
Anyway, it's late... just thought I'd blab... and boy did I! :) Toodles...
Tomorrow and this weekend, my Memory Makers Master work will be completed along with my The Scrapbook Club Design Team entry! :) WISH ME LUCK!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Shocka duh haah
My sweet little crazy toddler.... likes Bon Jovi. ;) I can thank his older brother for that. Josh likes to put on his Zune and sing "You Give Love A Bad Name" by Bon Jovi... but Drew's interpretation of the lyrics leave much to be desired --- IF you want the song to sound like it's traditional melody. I kind of like Drew's version.
Shocka duh haah, yoooo to brain
you give luuuhh a baah name
I pay my car and you pay game
you give luuuhh a baah name
:)
He likes that song... as well as Uncle Krackers' "Drift Away"... gimme the beat boy and free my soul...
We went to a new grocery store today.... Sprouts... they're a whole foods market. It was GREAT. It was like an indoors farmer's market -- the prices, you couldn't beat them! :) we stocked up on lots of colorful foods.
Then, of course, had to hit Albertsons because a little man needed some Lucky Charms. I don't know many whole foods that would sell organic Lucky Charms. LOL. We're listening to Go Diego Go right now... they're coming in concert to Grand Prairie at Nokia Theater... I'm thinking of taking him. Not sure right now.
I've got so much to do over the next few weeks... love the busy! :) Among other things, I'm trying out for three design teams. :) Wish me luck!!
Shocka duh haah, yoooo to brain
you give luuuhh a baah name
I pay my car and you pay game
you give luuuhh a baah name
:)
He likes that song... as well as Uncle Krackers' "Drift Away"... gimme the beat boy and free my soul...
We went to a new grocery store today.... Sprouts... they're a whole foods market. It was GREAT. It was like an indoors farmer's market -- the prices, you couldn't beat them! :) we stocked up on lots of colorful foods.
Then, of course, had to hit Albertsons because a little man needed some Lucky Charms. I don't know many whole foods that would sell organic Lucky Charms. LOL. We're listening to Go Diego Go right now... they're coming in concert to Grand Prairie at Nokia Theater... I'm thinking of taking him. Not sure right now.
I've got so much to do over the next few weeks... love the busy! :) Among other things, I'm trying out for three design teams. :) Wish me luck!!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Pass the cheese, please
Have you ever looked back on the movies you really dug as a kid...they were cool, exciting, new... only to watch them as an adult and realize just how completely STUPID they were?! I swear I LOVED Conan the Destroyer when I was a kid and as Josh lies on the couch right now watching it while smacking his Big League Chew... I realize just how gay it is! Good GRIEF Charlie Brown! Clash of the Titans is another one...but I'm still not sure it's as bad as this one...
so hmm... wonder what other movies would hit that quota in my book. I remember when I was married to Bob we watched the movie "Cabin Boy" with Chris someone... Elliott maybe? I don't remember his last name... but it was the single most insanely stupid movie I have ever seen. I just sat there thinking that ... surely it HAS to get better than this... then I realized that was two hours of my life that I could never get back.. I wanted to hurt someone! LOL
I have spent most of the day trying to recuperate from the weekend... I was very tired, a little sunburned but all in all it was FANTASTIC! :)
Josh went to Six Flags and rode the Titan with his Great Uncle Russell. He isn't tall enough to ride the Batman but I told him when he was, that I'd ride it with him. :) So, oh boy... what fun I have to look forward to. Places like that are just a whippin to me now... I know we have to do it just because it's for the kids but darnit sometimes if you just don't want to. :)
Right now, Lola is curled up behind me in her spot on my chair... Drew is running around like a crazy man being a Power Ranger hyped up on Jolt Cola... I'm wondering where the day went... the wet, humid dreary rainy day we had... I would have preferred a Sangria by the pool... aaahh... but alas... rainy skies and children quickly throw rocks at that little glass house. :)
Not much else to report... Oh, I'm trying to plan a shin dig for my family next Labor Day -- a family reunion -- yes... I know, I need to be committed the things I elect to do but I'd really love to get to see my dad's side of the family on more than one occasion (funerals)... in the recent past, I had three people within three days tell me someone they loved had passed... leads you to understand and appreciate the time you get with your kinfolk... so I'm going to try to make the most of the time with mine. :)
Bed time for the beasts... Moo ha ha ha ha ha... later taters
so hmm... wonder what other movies would hit that quota in my book. I remember when I was married to Bob we watched the movie "Cabin Boy" with Chris someone... Elliott maybe? I don't remember his last name... but it was the single most insanely stupid movie I have ever seen. I just sat there thinking that ... surely it HAS to get better than this... then I realized that was two hours of my life that I could never get back.. I wanted to hurt someone! LOL
I have spent most of the day trying to recuperate from the weekend... I was very tired, a little sunburned but all in all it was FANTASTIC! :)
Josh went to Six Flags and rode the Titan with his Great Uncle Russell. He isn't tall enough to ride the Batman but I told him when he was, that I'd ride it with him. :) So, oh boy... what fun I have to look forward to. Places like that are just a whippin to me now... I know we have to do it just because it's for the kids but darnit sometimes if you just don't want to. :)
Right now, Lola is curled up behind me in her spot on my chair... Drew is running around like a crazy man being a Power Ranger hyped up on Jolt Cola... I'm wondering where the day went... the wet, humid dreary rainy day we had... I would have preferred a Sangria by the pool... aaahh... but alas... rainy skies and children quickly throw rocks at that little glass house. :)
Not much else to report... Oh, I'm trying to plan a shin dig for my family next Labor Day -- a family reunion -- yes... I know, I need to be committed the things I elect to do but I'd really love to get to see my dad's side of the family on more than one occasion (funerals)... in the recent past, I had three people within three days tell me someone they loved had passed... leads you to understand and appreciate the time you get with your kinfolk... so I'm going to try to make the most of the time with mine. :)
Bed time for the beasts... Moo ha ha ha ha ha... later taters
Friday, June 22, 2007
In life you learn...
As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.
Hormonal Hostage
Between going on some pills, getting off some pills, I think my hormones have been held hostage. I think I'm just done with pharmaceuticals in general. I'm left now with this huge bloated feeling like I'm having PMS... and frankly I don't want PMS for like...3 weeks... nor does anyone around me! So today... I just stick it all in a drawer and say... fuggetaboutit!
I was looking up some sights/sounds of Disney today... getting excited about that. :) I can't wait. M-I-C--- SEE YA REAL SOON! K-E-Y -- WHY BECAUSE WE NEED A VACATION! MOUSE!
I was thinking today... that there is a loss in the world, of the human touch. Before e-mail, before PDA's, I-POD's, before Tivo and all that junk... people took the time to write letters to one another.... that's something tangiable that you can really hold onto and cherish. I think I'm going to take the time to make a habit of once a month, writing a letter to my children to tell them, just what wonderful things they accomplished that month, how I feel, where we are, what impresses me, what I miss about them... something that when I'm gone from this earth, they can look back on and really hang onto it... it's not going to be something that a hard drive can erase.. it's going to be something they can hold onto and treasure that their mom loved them enough... enough to take the time to let them know how important they were... even when they won't know it until they're much older... what a wonderful way for them to be able to look back on their journeys as young men... what a gift to myself when my freakin memory is all gone taht I'll be able to have them read it to me... Ha! :)
Today is Josh's last day of camp... so far he's had a great time. Jackson and Austin have been his little running buddies... we've got a busy weekend coming up which is nice. I like having a full day planned! :)
You know what else.. I need a stapler! I went in my studio to scrap today and was just at a loss without my stapler! So wake up little suzie... it's time to go shopping for a stapler!
TTFN
I was looking up some sights/sounds of Disney today... getting excited about that. :) I can't wait. M-I-C--- SEE YA REAL SOON! K-E-Y -- WHY BECAUSE WE NEED A VACATION! MOUSE!
I was thinking today... that there is a loss in the world, of the human touch. Before e-mail, before PDA's, I-POD's, before Tivo and all that junk... people took the time to write letters to one another.... that's something tangiable that you can really hold onto and cherish. I think I'm going to take the time to make a habit of once a month, writing a letter to my children to tell them, just what wonderful things they accomplished that month, how I feel, where we are, what impresses me, what I miss about them... something that when I'm gone from this earth, they can look back on and really hang onto it... it's not going to be something that a hard drive can erase.. it's going to be something they can hold onto and treasure that their mom loved them enough... enough to take the time to let them know how important they were... even when they won't know it until they're much older... what a wonderful way for them to be able to look back on their journeys as young men... what a gift to myself when my freakin memory is all gone taht I'll be able to have them read it to me... Ha! :)
Today is Josh's last day of camp... so far he's had a great time. Jackson and Austin have been his little running buddies... we've got a busy weekend coming up which is nice. I like having a full day planned! :)
You know what else.. I need a stapler! I went in my studio to scrap today and was just at a loss without my stapler! So wake up little suzie... it's time to go shopping for a stapler!
TTFN
Thursday, June 21, 2007
We Might As Well Dance
(This was written by an 83 year old...The last line says it all.)
I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not saving anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries..
I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank. Somedayand one of these days are losing their grip on my vocabulary; if it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past
squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love
them. I am trying hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and lustre to our lives.
And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.
--------------------
I couldn't think of anything more worthy of passing on today. :)
I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not saving anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries..
I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank. Somedayand one of these days are losing their grip on my vocabulary; if it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past
squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love
them. I am trying hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and lustre to our lives.
And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.
--------------------
I couldn't think of anything more worthy of passing on today. :)
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Stand By Me but don't talk!
Ever got one of those old movies from when we were kids thinking...wow, that'd be great to share with MY child. Well, don't get Stand By Me! It's rated freakin PG and I think they have every bad word in there under the sun! I heard G.D., A-hole, and the "f" bomb on more occasions than I would like to remember in a matter of like 10 minutes. I was completely taken aback! :( Maybe this movie would be better if they just didn't talk.
Drew is, I think, feeling a little under the weather. He's not eating worth a darn... is extremely fussy... I hate it when he gets like this.
I got my CTMH order this afternoon! I can't wait to get started on my Stamp-A-Stack projects for my classes next month. :) It will be fun... I just hope everyone wants to take the time TO do it.
Drew is, I think, feeling a little under the weather. He's not eating worth a darn... is extremely fussy... I hate it when he gets like this.
I got my CTMH order this afternoon! I can't wait to get started on my Stamp-A-Stack projects for my classes next month. :) It will be fun... I just hope everyone wants to take the time TO do it.
Monday, June 18, 2007
I !@#!#@%$!# LOST IT!
Ever had something that you basically need to do ANYTHING... and you LOST IT?! That's me... I LOST MY FREAKIN DRIVER'S LICENSE! I remember having it at Wal-Mart... in my hand... walking out the door and whoosh, the sky started falling so I just shoved it in a bag with some cereal in it... now I have no clue where it may be. And is it something that you can just... order a copy online and have it sent to you? Good GAWD no! You have to go down there amid the illegal aliens and testing rejects (no offense -- i'm just irritated)... and wait.. wait...wait...wait... I had to dig out certified court copies, social security card, etc. It's just beyond retarted taht I can't order one online...it's not like I'm going to change any information... just a complete reprint of what they already have on file... Sigh... governmental regs just put so much red tape on everything! It's maddening!
I was so frustrated with the waiting idea... I said -- FRIGGIT! and went to lunch... dessert was the best... I thinkI just have a thing for it. (I could live on cupcakes you know!) That's one of my favorite foods -- well, unless you ask JOSH... he listed my 3 favorite foods as BEER, apples and bananas! I was like...?? /when was the last time YOU saw me drink a freakin beer!?! What a little nuthead!
He's at camp this week. I can't wait to hear how his day went... speaking of which... I'm gonna go grab a nap until time to pick him up.... after the deluge we got last night... and the fact that I only got about 3 hours of sleep...a nap sounds uber good (does anyone use that word? LOL.. I have no idea where it even came from)
sigh.... here I come... naptime...mmm....
I was so frustrated with the waiting idea... I said -- FRIGGIT! and went to lunch... dessert was the best... I thinkI just have a thing for it. (I could live on cupcakes you know!) That's one of my favorite foods -- well, unless you ask JOSH... he listed my 3 favorite foods as BEER, apples and bananas! I was like...?? /when was the last time YOU saw me drink a freakin beer!?! What a little nuthead!
He's at camp this week. I can't wait to hear how his day went... speaking of which... I'm gonna go grab a nap until time to pick him up.... after the deluge we got last night... and the fact that I only got about 3 hours of sleep...a nap sounds uber good (does anyone use that word? LOL.. I have no idea where it even came from)
sigh.... here I come... naptime...mmm....
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Rain, rain go away!
Got to bed late last night / this morning. Ha! Woke up to the sound of binkies being smacked on the headboard in Drew's room through the monitor by my bed on the nightstand. He hasn't learned yet to just call out, "Mom, I'm awake.... or HEY YOU COME GET ME" That'd be better than that annoying little click of the binkies bashing together as he taps out signals in Morse Code for me to decypher and run to his rescue. :) Maybe it's a code only those in Pampers can understand... Instead of the Davinci Code, he's speaking the Pampers Code.
We were supposed to have a birthday party to attend at Bedford Splash. I know Drew and Josh were both looking forward to it. But... it's raining. Blah!
Drew's all about the birthdays now. He doesn't really understand but he knows it means parties and I think he thinks they're all for him. So, it's a great thing to NOT open presents at parties for little kids. I like that NOT opening presents at a party is the new trend because it just saves chaos and tears. :) I like not having chaos and tears.
So what have I done today? I went to The Dinner Station www.thedinnerstation.com in Southlake and picked up 12 dinners all prepared for me... for $195! What a deal! I can't wait to try it.
I counseled Corey on a new cologne -- told him to get Armani Code -- OMG I love that stuff... I wear it... it smells SO darn good! :) I think if crack were a fragrance, that would be the one. :) MOO ha ha ha ha ha!
As it stands right now, we're watching Tom and Jerry. I just baked a batch of M&M sugar cookies for the boys. The dogs are passed out -- Thor in the floor -- Lola behind me in the chair -- Sadie curled in a ball on the couch next to Drew (well, she comes and goes - he's a wiggle worm and won't leave her alone so sometimes she runs to the other chair)... in the next little bit we've got to run to Wal-Mart HELL and pick up some necessities. Crazy how I can pick up 12 dinners and not have anything set out for dinner tonight! Ha! I freakin froze it all... DUH!
OH.. and Coke stopped making my FAVORITE DRINK! Diet Black Cherry with Vanilla Coke - -it was THE best...and they STOPPED MAKING IT! :( And Cheer quit making my high-effiency washer detergent! I love the smell of Cheer -- I had to buy Tide b/c that's all the had but I wasn't happy about it! Funny how we can get so brand/scent/taste loyal... and who do these big ole companies think they are stopping making my favorite stuff? Bastages!
Oh well, off to more mommy duty. :)
We were supposed to have a birthday party to attend at Bedford Splash. I know Drew and Josh were both looking forward to it. But... it's raining. Blah!
Drew's all about the birthdays now. He doesn't really understand but he knows it means parties and I think he thinks they're all for him. So, it's a great thing to NOT open presents at parties for little kids. I like that NOT opening presents at a party is the new trend because it just saves chaos and tears. :) I like not having chaos and tears.
So what have I done today? I went to The Dinner Station www.thedinnerstation.com in Southlake and picked up 12 dinners all prepared for me... for $195! What a deal! I can't wait to try it.
I counseled Corey on a new cologne -- told him to get Armani Code -- OMG I love that stuff... I wear it... it smells SO darn good! :) I think if crack were a fragrance, that would be the one. :) MOO ha ha ha ha ha!
As it stands right now, we're watching Tom and Jerry. I just baked a batch of M&M sugar cookies for the boys. The dogs are passed out -- Thor in the floor -- Lola behind me in the chair -- Sadie curled in a ball on the couch next to Drew (well, she comes and goes - he's a wiggle worm and won't leave her alone so sometimes she runs to the other chair)... in the next little bit we've got to run to Wal-Mart HELL and pick up some necessities. Crazy how I can pick up 12 dinners and not have anything set out for dinner tonight! Ha! I freakin froze it all... DUH!
OH.. and Coke stopped making my FAVORITE DRINK! Diet Black Cherry with Vanilla Coke - -it was THE best...and they STOPPED MAKING IT! :( And Cheer quit making my high-effiency washer detergent! I love the smell of Cheer -- I had to buy Tide b/c that's all the had but I wasn't happy about it! Funny how we can get so brand/scent/taste loyal... and who do these big ole companies think they are stopping making my favorite stuff? Bastages!
Oh well, off to more mommy duty. :)
Friday, June 15, 2007
You Wanna Scrap with Me?
Ha ha... if I only had the Italian accent to really make that sounds MEAN! Ha!
We were going to start out our day at the swimming pool but darnit if I didn't wake up to rain. And the first thing I thought of was that Gary Alan song, "Songs About Rain." Man he's so darn sexy... got that smokey voice... mrow! :) sigh... I think he's going to be my Zune choice for the night. :)
I had to get on to Josh today for telling a lie. Got that good ole Catholic guilt trip going... should have shouted "Pack your bags, we're going on a guilt trip".... but at least they work ... for now.
The conversation started something like... him asking if he could let the dogs in…and I said YES -- AS LONG AS you check their feet and wash them off if they’re dirty. Simple enough. Right? I walk back into the room to see Josh putting a puzzle together at the coffee table and there’s freakin mud slides everywhere (from Thor the wonder Rot). So, of course, I pointed it out...
I said, "So, what’s that?"
Josh said, "I was about to clean it" (as he's now moving to see what I'm talking about)
I was like, "Did you check his feet?"
"Yes."
"Did you wash them off?"
"Yes."
"With what?"
"A napkin" (boy he can think fast on his feet can't he?)
"WHERE is this napkin?"
"In the trash."
So we proceeded to walk to the trash can. He tried to tell me that the napkin he used to clean all the mud off of Thor's feet is the one that is located beneath a cantaloupe that I'd used to pick it up earlier (did you know they get soft and gooey if you don't eat them in a week? HA ha ha).
So I bluntly said, "That’s a lie… that’s a ridiculous lie… and now I’m freakin irritated… you just LIED to me… go sit in time out.. I’m too disappointed in you to talk…. Just go sit."
And that’s when I was quiet for about 5 minutes…then said to him…
"Do you know why I’m so upset right now?"
“...because I lied”…
“No, actually it’s not just that. My job -- my very job on this planet -- is to make sure that you and Drew are responsible, caring, independent individuals who know the difference between what is right and what is wrong and that you DO what is right and that you conduct yourselves in a Godly way… and by you having lied to me… means that I have failed miserably.”
I think if it'd have been Drew, he'd have shrugged his shoulders and said "man it sucks to be you, huh?" Boy are they night and day. Takes all kinds to make the world go round huh? BUT I love 'em both... to pieces!
Somewhere in the aftermath of it all, I did remind him that if you lie about little things like this that really don’t matter at all… when you really want people to believe in you, they won’t. To just think about that… And that he'd have to earn my trust back now.
So on to other things....
Drew is having a chocolate chip cookie after devouring about 6 dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets. He thought he needed more "kep-pup" (ketchup) but I showed him how he only had one chicken nugget left so he really didn't need more. "okay mom, thanks".... he's SO polite... I think that's the balancing act for his two-year old tantrums. :) Boy are THOSE fun!
Oh well, off to Colleyville. Hopefully there's a margarita in the very near future. ;) moo ha ha ha ha ha I don't think I've ordered pictures for this WHOLE year.. .man I need to get busy!
I'm so glad my good friend Amanda is going tonight. I haven't seen her in what feels like forever...but she's just THE digital BOMB! If anyone wants to check out a digital diva... that'd be her! :) Amanda Dykan. Let me find her site and I'll put it up here for you to go check her out!
We were going to start out our day at the swimming pool but darnit if I didn't wake up to rain. And the first thing I thought of was that Gary Alan song, "Songs About Rain." Man he's so darn sexy... got that smokey voice... mrow! :) sigh... I think he's going to be my Zune choice for the night. :)
I had to get on to Josh today for telling a lie. Got that good ole Catholic guilt trip going... should have shouted "Pack your bags, we're going on a guilt trip".... but at least they work ... for now.
The conversation started something like... him asking if he could let the dogs in…and I said YES -- AS LONG AS you check their feet and wash them off if they’re dirty. Simple enough. Right? I walk back into the room to see Josh putting a puzzle together at the coffee table and there’s freakin mud slides everywhere (from Thor the wonder Rot). So, of course, I pointed it out...
I said, "So, what’s that?"
Josh said, "I was about to clean it" (as he's now moving to see what I'm talking about)
I was like, "Did you check his feet?"
"Yes."
"Did you wash them off?"
"Yes."
"With what?"
"A napkin" (boy he can think fast on his feet can't he?)
"WHERE is this napkin?"
"In the trash."
So we proceeded to walk to the trash can. He tried to tell me that the napkin he used to clean all the mud off of Thor's feet is the one that is located beneath a cantaloupe that I'd used to pick it up earlier (did you know they get soft and gooey if you don't eat them in a week? HA ha ha).
So I bluntly said, "That’s a lie… that’s a ridiculous lie… and now I’m freakin irritated… you just LIED to me… go sit in time out.. I’m too disappointed in you to talk…. Just go sit."
And that’s when I was quiet for about 5 minutes…then said to him…
"Do you know why I’m so upset right now?"
“...because I lied”…
“No, actually it’s not just that. My job -- my very job on this planet -- is to make sure that you and Drew are responsible, caring, independent individuals who know the difference between what is right and what is wrong and that you DO what is right and that you conduct yourselves in a Godly way… and by you having lied to me… means that I have failed miserably.”
I think if it'd have been Drew, he'd have shrugged his shoulders and said "man it sucks to be you, huh?" Boy are they night and day. Takes all kinds to make the world go round huh? BUT I love 'em both... to pieces!
Somewhere in the aftermath of it all, I did remind him that if you lie about little things like this that really don’t matter at all… when you really want people to believe in you, they won’t. To just think about that… And that he'd have to earn my trust back now.
So on to other things....
Drew is having a chocolate chip cookie after devouring about 6 dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets. He thought he needed more "kep-pup" (ketchup) but I showed him how he only had one chicken nugget left so he really didn't need more. "okay mom, thanks".... he's SO polite... I think that's the balancing act for his two-year old tantrums. :) Boy are THOSE fun!
Oh well, off to Colleyville. Hopefully there's a margarita in the very near future. ;) moo ha ha ha ha ha I don't think I've ordered pictures for this WHOLE year.. .man I need to get busy!
I'm so glad my good friend Amanda is going tonight. I haven't seen her in what feels like forever...but she's just THE digital BOMB! If anyone wants to check out a digital diva... that'd be her! :) Amanda Dykan. Let me find her site and I'll put it up here for you to go check her out!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
WOW can I spend money?!
It's crazy how fast little things add up... $160 for a birthday party here, $80 to reactivate your gym membership there, $400 in supplies here, $40 for business cards there... and it's been regurgitated to me a lot lately "you have to spend money to make money" and I'm well aware of that but darnit if I'm not just cheap. I mean, I adore quality and craftsmanship... but man... I guess I'm a Wal-Mart girl when it comes to a lot and since I really haven't "done" a lot for myself... hell, I JUST got a haircut for the first time in almost two years just recently... so for me to have the splurge of the year this past weekend... man did I ever... classes, shopping, and scrapping -- Oh MY! :) I feel beyond pampered and utterly spoiled... but hey... I deserve it right? Sure I do! I rock! Ha! lol...
I think I've made a very hard decision lately... but next year, I do not think that I will be going back to teach AWANA at Irving Bible Church. Logistically, it's just a nightmare to get there in time... ups and downs with Drew / care for the boys... etc. So I think I'm just going to pray about it but as it stands now, I really do feel like it's the best choice all around. I love LOVE my church though so the thought of NOT being involved in the AWANA program -- or anything -- is really just like a divorce almost for me.. it's painful... and it's unwanted...but it's just hard to make it happen. I think entertaining the idea of a church home closer "to" home.. is more logistically sound and that way the boys can foster some relationships with children that actually LIVE around here. We'll see, but right now I'm just giving it to God.
I've already started my volunteering campaign for this year. :) Landy, the MOPS Coordinator for Anchor Church called me today and asked me to be a table leader! I'm so excited. I LOVED my MOPS group there... loved the ladies, loved the program... loved it SO much that I didn't even enroll Drew in preschool 3 days a week for the upcoming year -- I only enrolled him in two JUST so we COULD go to MOPS! :) And when she called and asked me to lead a table... I couldn't have been happier!
I'm also going to be more active in the Pack administration for Josh's Cub Scout Troop. :) I really enjoy being a Den Leader... love my boys... each one of them is so special and unique...watching them learn and grow. It's been so rewarding for me... and I want to give back to them too! :)
OH... the other big news... I got the two dates on my CTMH calendar for workshops! :) Woo hoo... just gotta get the ball rolling and ka-chow... pretty soon, I'll be decorating my retreat! :)
OK.. it's nearly midnight, i've had WAY to much caffiene today, not enough food, my legs are tired from the pool and I think the Ambien is telling me that I'm about to start writing things that are both illegible and unintelligible :) is that a word?
So, for now, toodles and g/n!
I think I've made a very hard decision lately... but next year, I do not think that I will be going back to teach AWANA at Irving Bible Church. Logistically, it's just a nightmare to get there in time... ups and downs with Drew / care for the boys... etc. So I think I'm just going to pray about it but as it stands now, I really do feel like it's the best choice all around. I love LOVE my church though so the thought of NOT being involved in the AWANA program -- or anything -- is really just like a divorce almost for me.. it's painful... and it's unwanted...but it's just hard to make it happen. I think entertaining the idea of a church home closer "to" home.. is more logistically sound and that way the boys can foster some relationships with children that actually LIVE around here. We'll see, but right now I'm just giving it to God.
I've already started my volunteering campaign for this year. :) Landy, the MOPS Coordinator for Anchor Church called me today and asked me to be a table leader! I'm so excited. I LOVED my MOPS group there... loved the ladies, loved the program... loved it SO much that I didn't even enroll Drew in preschool 3 days a week for the upcoming year -- I only enrolled him in two JUST so we COULD go to MOPS! :) And when she called and asked me to lead a table... I couldn't have been happier!
I'm also going to be more active in the Pack administration for Josh's Cub Scout Troop. :) I really enjoy being a Den Leader... love my boys... each one of them is so special and unique...watching them learn and grow. It's been so rewarding for me... and I want to give back to them too! :)
OH... the other big news... I got the two dates on my CTMH calendar for workshops! :) Woo hoo... just gotta get the ball rolling and ka-chow... pretty soon, I'll be decorating my retreat! :)
OK.. it's nearly midnight, i've had WAY to much caffiene today, not enough food, my legs are tired from the pool and I think the Ambien is telling me that I'm about to start writing things that are both illegible and unintelligible :) is that a word?
So, for now, toodles and g/n!
It's a Gift
and a curse...
I'm one of those professional organizers... everything NEEDS to have a place AND be in it. When there is an imbalance in my perfect world, I get a little frazzled. I'm trying to get better at it but it really only seems to get worse the older I get. Call it a blessing that I CAN get things organized but when you have two children... they're not always on the same organizational agenda that you are.
I finalized my August workshop order sample last night and am quite excited about it to say the least. I'll be doing one stamp-a-stack card making session for the GCS Mom's League and one also for my friends each month as well as one seasonal altered craft item a month. I think that's the best way to get it all together.
Today is Josh's last day of VBS and I think Drew and I are going to hit the pool. I need some freakin sun. Having the Casper glow in June in TEXAS just ain't cool. I shoulda bought a tan! Ugh!
I'm one of those professional organizers... everything NEEDS to have a place AND be in it. When there is an imbalance in my perfect world, I get a little frazzled. I'm trying to get better at it but it really only seems to get worse the older I get. Call it a blessing that I CAN get things organized but when you have two children... they're not always on the same organizational agenda that you are.
I finalized my August workshop order sample last night and am quite excited about it to say the least. I'll be doing one stamp-a-stack card making session for the GCS Mom's League and one also for my friends each month as well as one seasonal altered craft item a month. I think that's the best way to get it all together.
Today is Josh's last day of VBS and I think Drew and I are going to hit the pool. I need some freakin sun. Having the Casper glow in June in TEXAS just ain't cool. I shoulda bought a tan! Ugh!
Monday, June 11, 2007
It's ON!
I've found one of my true callings in life thanks to a lady who used to be one of my dear friends and introduced me to scrapbooking. I enjoy it not only as a creative outlet but also as a way to connect with friends and make new ones. I've tried to figure out how to make my mark in the industry and I believe I've finally found something worthy of my time.... creation, design, oversight and running a scrapbook retreat. I'm so excited at the opportunity and idea of preparing for this. Not only because I love to have a "project" to keep me busy but also because it's SUCH a winning idea! :)
Wish me luck!
Wish me luck!
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