Ramblings of Kimberly

I am tired of babysitting!!!!!

2009-06-18T11:52:00.002-05:00

That is what my husband called me to say yesterday. While I was working. I couldn't help but laugh. Merrick is in her "I am walking so let me destroy everything" phase! Of course I've been there done that.

Here is the conversation:

Chris (C): I am tired of babysitting!
Me: ummm...whom are you babysitting?
C: Merrick our daughter, so far she has broken my mug, pulled everything off
the second shelf of the bamboo thing, pulled the shells off the entry table and she won't stop crying!
Me: Ok...sorry (giggle)
C: Alright I just called to tell you that...love you bye.
Me: Love you too.

I then get a text message shortly after this conversation....

It says: I want my nuts snipped.

To this I busted out laughing to myself in the car!

Then I get a picture mail on my phone about 10 minutes after the text. It's of Merrick sleeping with the caption "sleeping with her cookie".

I call Chris and he says...well I fed her and gave her something to drink and while she was eating her cookie she fell asleep.

Well...apparently she was hungry and mad that he had not fed her yet! The joys of parenting!

Not sooo bad....

2009-04-28T12:18:00.002-05:00

the teenage party that is. So Emily's party went off pretty well. I do have to say that her friend T's (don't want to use her friends full name..so T for short) Dad is pretty ... ummmm...overkill in the protective department. Now I have met T before and she has always just rubbed me the wrong way. Partly it's her quietness. A quiet teen to me is a sneaky teen. Which she proved and I will get into that later. On to T's Dad. So Emily, Jeff (Emily's Dad) and I head out to the driveway to meet and bring in T and show her to the pool. Well T's Dad wants to talk to Jeff and I. Ok...no biggie....right? Not the case.

T's Dad goes on to ask if there will be boys at this party. I reply "yes, two neighbour boys are comming with their sisters". He goes on this rant...and yes I mean rant about how they don't want their daughter around boys 13-14 years old. I mean even goes to say "you know I was a boy once and I know what they are thinking of sticking their fingers into". Ummm..yeah dude..really...I.DONT.WANT.TO.EVEN.PICTURE.THAT! Anyway, Jeff and I are standing there thinking "what the hell is wrong with this guy?" Also thinking she is going to have to go home because of the boys. After all his freaking out he leaves and leaves her with us.

From what I understand T's parents fight A LOT and only recently let this child watch even a PG-13 movie amongst other things that she is NOT allowed to do...normal teenage things even. Do these parents realize they are creating a child who in the moment she is out of their sight goes nutso?!

So...party starts. Miss T won't leave one of the neighbour boys alone. She is tackling him, smacking him with the pool noodles, doing pretty much anything to get her hands on him. Poor A (again another named shortened for privacy). I felt so bad for him and a little freaked that the kid was gonna go home with bruises because of her. Don't get me wrong...the other kids were just as abusive to the boys but not like her. You could tell she thought he was just cute (he is a very good looking kid) and you could tell she thought that this was going to make him her boyfriend...atleast in her mind! Jeff and I did speak to her and after that she kept her distance.

UNTIL...she spent the night at my house. Emily had T and B spend the night. T spoke two words to me the entire time and didn't even say goodbye or thanks for letting me stay when she left. RUDE! Emily's friend B...I really like her. Nice girl. Would strike up a convo with me. Wasn't being shady or sneaky. Not that I care if they had conversations with me...but atleast if I ask you something don't ignore me or be like..yeah.

Emily got the shock when we told her on Sunday to NEVER shut the baby monitor off again. I got an earful Saturday night before she realized it was on. I was right about T thinking A liked her. Ummm...sorry little one...when a boy tells you your aggravating...your aggravating. PERIOD.

Ok...now I am done. I like all but one of Emily's friends. They all behaved well and everyone had a great time!

Benaiah and his friend Bradley left for their Baseball game mid party. They won!

Until next time.....

Teenagers....OH MY!

2009-04-22T08:37:00.002-05:00

So officially today I have started my treck as a parent to a teenager. Emily is now 13 years old.

Yes I said it...13. First off I am having a hard time believing that my daughter is already 13 but that I am actually old enough to have a 13 year old.

So my journey begins. Actually it has begun for awhile now but officially I can say "she is a teenager". She has come a long way in these 13 years. I am a little scared. I thought it was bad when she was a little over 1 year old and she finger painted her crib/walls/self with her poop from the diaper she pulled off 5 minutes after I put her to bed. Then she pulled the little..."lets take a black sharpie to Mommys bedroom and make art." when she was 3. Then there was the time when she kicked her brother straight in the stomach for "annoying her", in the middle of Target. Oh yeah and the time she literally pushed her brother so hard that it knocked him out of his shoes and knocked over a rack of clothes in the middle of a department store. Then there was the beginning of her period...and the mess she left.... . I thought all this was bad.

Well apparently from what the other Mom's of the world tell me, it is going to get worse. MUCH WORSE. Oye vey, I am not sure I am ready for it! What else is there to expect? She already eyerolls and backtalks and boy does she lie...but those can be dealt with and are relatively easy to handle. How much worse can it get?

I am thankful that besides her quirks and teenage antics she is a good kid.

TEENAGERS.SCARE.ME.

And away we go....

2009-03-11T13:33:00.003-05:00

So tomorrow is the big day. Our yearly trip to Florida. We go to the house of the Mouse and visit family and friends. It is ALWAYS a good time.

I am very excited to get to Florida. Especially because this is the first year our Miss Merrick will be seeing Florida and meeting some family members she has not met yet.

So...we pack up our Dodge 4-door extended bed truck and off we go. My only complaint. Parking. I mean I realize being from Florida myself that there are few large truck drivers. Parking for a large vehicle is the suck in Florida. I mean...Downtown Disney we take up TWO FREAKIN SPOTS. It doesn't end there. Everywhere we go in our Big-Ass-Truck we have parking issues. There is handi-cap parking, pregnant woman parking and recently I have seen (atleast here in TX) people with small children parking. Can't they just designate a peice of the lot for Big-Ass-Truck drivers? For atleast places like Downtown Disney. I give a plea to Disney! Make a place for us!

One good thing about driving the Big-Ass-Truck with Texas plates...nobody seems to want to cut you off and nobody seems to mess with you on the highway. I wonder if they think all Big-Ass-Texas-Truck drivers are assumed to be carrying guns or something.

Anyway...we will be heading off tomorrow night. Wish us luck with 2 kids and a 8 1/2 month old in the backseat. This will be a new experience for us! Hopefully Miss Merrick will do well on the Long-Ass-Trip! We drive at night for a reason! The kids tend to sleep! Keep your fingers crossed!

Yup....getting older....

2009-02-25T09:17:00.003-06:00

My son turned 10 today.

My oldest is 13 in April.

I dyed my hair yet again last night to cover the ever accumalating grays that are very visible after 4 weeks since the last dye job.

I now use skin care products to help with the ever increasing wrinkles on my forehead. They are working. I have noticed the diminished lines from deeper creases to very slight creases! That is a plus!

I have aches where I never had aches before.

I am officially getting OLDER!

This really sucks. I don't like ageing AT ALL!

We were looking at pictures the other day reminising.

Pictures of when we pulled Benaiah's first tooth in the tent at the river. Emily's first catch...a rainbow trout. Then me...my gosh that was only 4 years ago and I still have my youthful glow! I was still officially in my 20's. Why is it you hit your 30's and it's like all downhill from there! Maybe I am upset that I am no longer the MILF. I am overweight and well...I hate it. I need motivation. Even the thought of being in FL in two weeks and the threat of a bathing suit is not motivating me. Oh and the excuse "you just had a baby" is long gone now...that was 8 months ago! *sigh* OK...maybe writing this out is motivation enough.

Anyway, my daughter is beyond beautiful. She is what I was at that age. I look at her and I KNOW I will be threatening boys with a gun...not just me but my husband too! She went to her second school dance this past week. She comes home to inform me that boys were whistling at her and boys were walking up to her asking her name and wanted to know WHO she was! I am in trouble. I thank god she is a bit shy unlike me at that age and older. My gosh...she will be 13 so very soon.

My baby boy...isn't such a baby anymore. I just cannot believe he is 10. I just want my baby boy back again. Not that he is any less a Mamma's boy. He is just growing up...in a just a few short years he will be in college. *gah* The time goes too fast. I am just thankful that, like most mornings he still came into my room and snuggled up next to me and told me he loved me. Those are the times that I cherish.

When we have kids we prepare them for adulthood. Watching them grow is exciting and frustrating and fun and maddening. It doesn't make the saddness that they are growing up any easier. I just want my kids to stay little forever. Is that too much to ask?

Valentines Day and My Husband

2009-02-12T13:17:00.003-06:00

I decided to do a challange brought forth by "We Are THAT Family". I think it was a wonderful idea to honour my husband for Valentines Day in my blog. Oh how he loves when I blog about him!

Here is the button...to link you to the challenge and read on about my wonderful hubby!

My husband is not to keen about me writing about him in my blog. I always tell him when I do and I usually get quite a few eyerolls because of it. I honestly have to say after years of kissing so many frogs I have found my Prince. He is in my heart my soulmate. Every single day he tells me he loves me. Not just once a day but multiple times a day. I just got a text from him today telling me "I was just thinking how wonderful my life is with you."

My husband is a "manly man". He is 6'-2" and just all MAN! He has a tough exterior but a soft loving heart.

*Here's where I get all mushy and he gets embarrassed reading it.*

He makes my heart melt when he tells me how much I mean to him. I still have a note he wrote me years ago in my car where he told me how much he loved me. How much me being in his life meant to him. I keep it in my car because that is where he left it for me to find. I read it often.

I love that he got sad because I bought him a card for Christmas and didn't make him one (I make cards). There are so many "little" things that he does daily that are so big in my eyes. I couldn't possibly list them all.

Everyday I fall more in love with him. He is a wonderful man, he is my best friend and I am honoured to be his wife.

Happy Valentines MY Superman! I love you!

Don't know if...

2009-02-12T09:46:00.003-06:00

I can handle these monthly blood themed conversations with my children. So yesterday I posted about the day befores conversation. Well a new one came about yesterday.

I was walking back into the house from getting something from the trunk. I hear whispering but "just" loud enough that I heard part of it.

Benaiah: "I'm telling Mommy"
Emily: "Don't I won't do it again...shhhhhhh"
Me: "Ok...now I know your hiding something just tell me...NOW!"

Benaiah blurts out is oh so boyish statement:

"Emily left her vagina blood toilet paper in the toilet AGAIN! It's gross MOM! I go in to pee and I have to first flush her vagina blood toilet paper because she FORGOT to flush it. It's REALLY GROSS MOM!"

Emily (thoroughly embarrassed at this point): "Mom...I just was in a hurry! I am sorry I will make sure it's flushed from now on."

*birds chirp*

Yes, I am fighting back absolute hysterical laughter because I don't want to embarrass my daughter anymore than she already is BUT the situation needs to be addressed.

So...I say "OK just make sure its flushed and Benaiah if there is a next time...make HER flush it. OK?"

"OK Mom!"

*phew* Now I did send them off to bed and had a good giggle about Benaiah being all grossed out. I think he now knows "what emily was doing" yesterday in the bathroom.

Boys are sooo nosey....

2009-02-11T14:09:00.002-06:00

or so my daughter would definitely tell you! So Emily has reached "womanhood" due to the monthly visitor she receives now. Let me tell you, she is NOT happy with this fact. Nor is she happy that her brother seems to want to know everything she is doing at all times.

Emily called me yesterday while I am at work to notify me that her friend came for the month. "It wasn't there earlier today Mom!". "Well", I said..."it comes when it pleases." She is not happy about that then goes on to tell me that her brand new underwear are now ruined because of this visitor. I said "NO...they are not ruined...just wash them out and clean them. That means touching the underwear and scrubbing away your visitor."

I get this response: "You mean I have to touch it?"

*sigh*

"Yes you have to touch it and clean it off...because I.AM.NOT.DOING.IT.FOR.YOU!"

Ok...so end of conversation and all is good in the world of the teenager.

Then the phone rings again.

It's Benaiah, the nosey little brother.

Benaiah: "Mom, Emily locked me out of the bathroom and told me to go away and wouldn't tell me what she is doing!" (voice in shock and disappointment)

ME: "Ummm...honey leave your sister alone. She is doing "woman things" and don't bug her."

Benaiah:"BUT...what is she doing?"

Me: ""woman things" now leave her alone!!!" (a little louder and more stern)

Benaiah: "BUT...."

Me: "Enough, just leave her alone!"

Benaiah: "OK" (all sad)

Really did he really NEED to know what was going on in there? I bet had she just opened the door...scared him with the visitor filled underwear he would have NEVER...EVER...wanted to know what she was doing in the bathroom ever again.

BOYS!

Sweethearts Candies are the devil....

2009-01-28T13:55:00.002-06:00

They call my name at the grocery store EVERY.SINGLE.VALENTINES. They are evil little things with their cutesy sayings like "cup cake", "soul mate" and "Be Mine". Although, I can't even take a breath from eating them enough to actually READ what they say.

I need to learn self-control when it comes to these heart-shaped sugary treats. I am now sporting a huge headache from the serious sugar-rush I have! Someone take them from me please! I have no control when it comes to their sugar filled colourful yumminess!

Now I am going to take some excedrin to try and get rid of the headache and eat some more of these darned candies!

I just called....

2009-01-06T09:13:00.002-06:00

*to say...I love youuuuuu*.

My husband called me yesterday singing that song!

How sweet is he?

It's the little things like that...that make me love him more and more each day.

I know I know...AWWWWWWW!

I have come to....

2008-12-31T10:04:00.002-06:00

the absolute conclusion that my sweet (most of the time) daughter is the biggest klutz to ever walk the planet. In her younger years I thought it was just being a little kid and being clumsy.

Well she is 12 and that is completely not the case.

She amazes me with her ability to trip over her own feet, walk into walls/doors, be tripped by dogs, and is somehow able to hurt herself in some way EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.

I know she didn't get this trait from me...and her Dad isn't really accident prone either.

Who knows....It makes her more lovable and gives us all a good laugh on a daily basis.

I've been thinking....

2008-12-29T20:25:00.002-06:00

About my Mother the past few days. She isn't one I think of a lot in a good light. Although, I think it's the Holidays that bring out the good in people. I guess this being the second Holiday season that she has been gone. One nice thing she always did around any Holiday/Birthday is she ALWAYS sent gifts. Not just gifts like the cheesy sweater or anything. They were actual heartfelt thoughtful gifts. She did tend to send an overabundance of gifts but they were pretty nice. There were usually things about Mothers/daughter, ornaments, little girly necklaces and stuff for Emily and something baseball for Benaiah. Grant it the card that she sent along with said stuff was usually filled with some sort of hateful undertones but I never kept those. Anyway, even though I dreaded the phone calls that she would make and the sound of her voice on the rare occasion that I picked up the phone...I still miss those thoughtful gifts...they were the rare insight at how caring she COULD be at times. Those she could not taint with hate...those were just as they were. I know in my heart that underneath her cruel exterior there was an actual thoughtful loving human being....rare as it was...it was there. Atleast towards me...to Emily and Benaiah she was always ... what I am guessing ... correcting her mistakes with me. She did a good job at being a Grandma to them.

2008....comming to a close...

2008-12-27T22:50:00.002-06:00

Ahh...the year is almost ended. I really kept nagging myself to write in my blog. Life has been so busy lately that I have yet to stop and just write.

*ahem* See this is why I have no time to write...my husband just came in and gave me his two cents on iTunes and what they charge and is now shooting Benaiah with the nerf gun!

Ok...on hopefully without interuption with my blogging.

*great now I am being shot at with the gun.*

Ok...he stopped because he shot me in the ear and has apologized and stopped after only two "nerf bullets". Men. I do consider myself lucky though to have a husband who is so loving and fun!

Emily my oldest daughter who is almost 13 years old. "Became a young woman" a week ago. From the attitude and moodiness she has been throwing around lately I knew it would be comming soon. I was right. I may complain about her "teenagerness" but I do consider myself pretty blessed with a good girl. She is not a trouble maker and for the most part does what she is told and is caring and sweet. I just with the teenage years would go by in 6 months and then our teenager girls can go back to being "normal". I did catch her dancing to Mama Mia on video. Now that was fun! Blackmail later on when she is starting to date. My husband is ready to great any young suitor with a firearm at the ready. Just to give them a bit of "if you don't bring her home on time...I WILL find you".

Benaiah..my sweet boy. He is the apple of his Daddy's (my husband...is adopting him...therefore is his daddy) eye. They share the same taste in music and everything else. He is very excited for baseball season to start up again. My arm is killing me from playing sooo many baseball games with him over the past 3 days on the Wii.

Miss Merrick is now 6 months old. She got her first tooth on Christmas Eve! She has been cranky ever since! She is sooo big! Especially compared to Emily and Benaiah at this same age. They both didn't crack 20 lbs. till they were well over a year old! Merrick is 22 lbs. ALREADY! Definitely taking after Daddy and killing my back in the process. Next time you go to the store...grab two ten pound bags of potatoes.....place in one arm...(as if carrying a baby)....now you see why my back hurts!

Anyway, there are my updates. I will start blogging more soon. I promise! There are multiple times during the day where I say..."I need to blog that". Then I never do. I will make it a resolution to blog when I need to blog and DO IT!

Have a wonderful New Years and see you in 2009!

Ick ick ick!

2008-11-05T11:50:00.002-06:00

Ok so...Emily went to her new friend's house for Halloween. I drove her there and met her friend and her friend's Mom. This meeting was outside being that the girls ran outside to greet Emily. I saw no issue in this and the mother seemed nice enough.

Fast foward a few hours...time for pick-up! So I get there and knock on the front door (like any logical normal person would do). Well apparently they don't answer their front door and the grandmother came out from the side of the house to get me. So I follow her in. Into the house of putrid funk. I swear I walked in that door and actually threw up a little in my mouth. The smell of cat/dog/rabbit pee/poop was overwhelming. That wasn't where it ended though...they had sooo much shit everywhere that it was like a maze going through the house to get to where the front door foyer was.

I couldn't get Emily fast enough. I just wanted out. The funk...the dirt...the whole uncleanliness was just horrifying. This was NO Halloween prank either...these people live like this! On a daily basis!!!!

I asked Emily later what she though and she actually said to me the Mother's room was worse. Worse?! I can't even imagine what would be worse than what I walked into!

So Emily will NOT be spending the night in that house EVER! YUCK!

Sincerely 'fro me to you - RIP my Big Brother

2008-10-16T12:41:00.003-05:00

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I am doing a different Sincerely this week. This one is dedicated to my big brother
Michael. On Oct. 21, 1994 he was killed driving drunk on his motorcycle. He was
22 years old. The days surrounding this date are always hard for me. Life just
doesn't feel fair when someone you love gets taken from you so early on. Grant it
he made a terrible mistake that day but it doesn't make the hurt any less. As the years pass the pain is still there. If you want to read about what happened that day you can go to my earlier posts and it is titled "Shattered Lives".

So here is my dedication to Michael my best friend, my protector and most of all my Big Brother.

This is one of my favourite photographs of Michael and me.

He was my buddy and I was never the "annoying little sister" to him. We did so much together fishing, hanging out with friends (yes his friends!), building forts, farting on each other, you name it we did it!

Here are some pictures of us just being brother and sister!

I miss my brother more than you could imagine. This is another one of my favourites! I actually have this picture in a frame in my bedroom.

I have so many more pictures but that is all I have on my computer right now. Thank you all for reading this Sincerely and hug your siblings today and thank God they are with you still alive and well!!!!

IKE

2008-09-12T11:09:00.002-05:00

So Ike is on his way to the Houston area. It would really be nice if it just turns a bit more and then we won't get as many winds. As of right now (from what my dad the meteorologist says) we will get winds at about 60-65 miles an hour for a while. When it makes landfall. We live about 45 minutes North northwest of Houston and a little over 100 miles from Galveston. I am most worried about tornadoes spawning. I can live with a hurricane. It's the unpredictable nature of a tornado. Luckily we don't flood here so that is great thing! Power outages are a given! So my readers wish us luck while we ride out Ike!!!

Sincerely 'fro me to you - Prom Edition

2008-09-10T21:33:00.003-05:00

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Ahh... the prom edition. Here I am on my way to prom with
my best friend Nate.

Let's give this my typical picture breakdown! Although, in my defense I must say
I went through this major "hippy stage" my last two years of high school. I lived on the beach on the Outer Banks (Kitty Hawk to be exact) of North Carolina.

NOW...lets give this picture it's proper breakdown...Starting from the head down:

1. My hair. Oh how beautiful sun bleached blonde it was. No I did NOT use Sun-in..it was all natural sun bleached blonde. Here is where the hippy starts. My hair is painstakingly parted in the middle with two braids that wrapped my head and joined in the back. I guess I thought I was one of those "flower children" from the 60's (no offense to my older FLOWER CHILD readers! hahaha).

2. My face. Of course in pure hippy fashion I DID NOT apply makeup. I guess in my pale pastyness I decided that I was too beautiful for makeup. I needed a tan badly. You are probably wondering "why no tan if I lived on the beach?" Well to answer that ... North Carolina is cold during the winter! It hadn't been beach bathing time yet! Plus, I lived on my own therefore could not afford to "fake and bake"!

3. My necklace. Ahh again adding to my hippy theme and matching my dress. I am wearing the quisissential leather necklace with the cool purple amethyst charm. Wow...I am a walking cliche!

4. The dress. Not TOO BAD. The bow could go. Although, beggars can't be choosers! This dress was borrowed from a friend! I am beginning to think she wasn't that good a friend to let me put on such a dress!

5. The legs. I am all pantyhosed up. Which is NOT very hippylike yet if you look closely I am wearing my leather ankle bracelt. With heels nonetheless!

6. My date. Nate. He was an awesome friend. Cool "surfer hair" and all. Look his outfit matches mine in colour and the black sets off my leather necklace and ankle bracelet! He looks so enthused also!

So there you have it...a memory caught in a photo. Nate and I went to prom. Hung out for maybe 30 minutes then he went with his girlfriend and I went party hopping...only to end up at the party Mothers Against Drunk Driving was hosting and giving away a car (all the parties got busted early!). Only if they knew that the backpack I was carrying had a six-pack of Zima in it (no I didn't drink any!)! I know...BAD TEENAGER!!!! All in all it was a good time.

Sincerely 'fro me to you - More 80's Fun at the Beach

2008-09-04T11:58:00.002-05:00

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Here I am...in all my glory...in a VERY.UGLY.BATHING.SUIT.

Oh yeah...there are just many fun things to look at in this picture. Besides me.
Let's have a breakdown.

1. Well me of course in the "oh so chick" striped bathing suit. Of course
I am sporting my reddish pink "waterproof" wrist watch.

2. My hair. If I remember correctly this is shortly after my Mother decided
that my long luxurious blond hair was not cool anymore and literally CUT MY
PONYTAIL OFF and styled it in a moch "Dorothy Hamill" haircut. (I will find
that lovely school pic one day that shows the haircut in all its glory)

3. The man between my legs. Now isn't that LOVELY. He is sporting a cool
white hat, very hairy back, and a lovely red mankini.

4. The guy sitting in HIS mankini...look at him all oiled up and ready to burn!
I guess I'll chalk it up to...this is MIAMI BEACH and they are probably tourists. I on the other hand did not have that excuse...I LIVED THERE!!!

5. Who didn't have the banana yellow beach raft?

6. My mother also had one of those cool grass mat beach "towels".

This picture might go into a scrapbook under...What the hell was my Mother
thinking when taking this picture and why did she save it??

Although, living in Texas now...I do miss the beach. A nice beach. Growing
up on Miami Beach and the east coast I am spoiled to beautiful beaches. Galveston
is just yucky!

Those were the days...not a care in the world and an ocean to enjoy!

Bodily functions = true love

2008-09-03T12:28:00.002-05:00

Anyone that knows me personally KNOWS I have NO PROBLEM with expressing myself through bodily functions such as "passing gas and burping". I do know some people that hate it to no end *cough Robyn cough*. Anyway, I do have enough sense to keep it within the confines of my family and close friends.

Now how does it mean love??

The other night my husband and I were getting all snuggled in to sleep. Well I felt one of those gas fests comming on. I did...I let out I think probably my most voluminous longest "fluffs" ever. It sent my husband to the couch. The next night he mentions it and my reply "well atleast it didn't stink." He laughed...I laughed. It was all good.

Funny...he left for the couch because of it. Yet this is a man that will call me over and tell me to bring a lighter so I can "light his fart".

Now that is Love.

Sincerely 'fro me to you - I've got that nostalgic feeling

2008-08-28T09:27:00.005-05:00

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Here I am....

...in my Grandmother's kitchen. This was the house I spent my Elementary years. My Grandmother pretty much raised me during those years. I loved that house. My Aunt Robyn (the girl in my first Fro' post) was like my sister. The house was in North Miami Beach and it was awesome. That kitchen brings back many memories.

When it was nice outside during the "spring" in FL my Grandma would open the kitchen window and the smell of her HUGE gardenia bushes would flow through.

The kitchen was a ghastly yellow and that wallpaper was yes..you guessed it Yellow also! Atleast it matched "Tweety" our YELLOW canary.

That chair I am sitting it was one of 4. See the pattern on the wallpaper that is what the seat of those chairs was like. I'll never forget the day that Robyn sat in one of the more "worn out" ones and fell through it!

My Grandma used to serve me milk with coke in it because I hated plain milk. She got the idea from Laverne and Shirley.

I loved that kitchen! I wonder what I was thinking in this picture. I look pretty sassy in it!

Thanks for going down memory lane with me! Next week I will try to post a more embarrassing picture like my friend sophia did over at http://adventuresofbrown.blogspot.com/ !

Sincerely 'fro me to you - Oh the 80's

2008-08-21T09:55:00.004-05:00

I must say I am excited it is Thursday again. If you would like to Join the circus every Thursday click here wearethatfamily.com

So yeah...this picture of me is reprenting the early 80's in FULL FORCE!!

This was a Halloween costume I chose during those lovely 80's. Back then the kids MADE their costumes or bought those really cheesy ones with the mask at Kmart or whatever. I preferred to make my own.

Anyway, lets note all this picture represents of the 80's:

1. Side ponytail

-were those not the totally in thing back then. How those ever got cool. never know but I think I pulled it off quite well!

2. Off the shoulder mini dress thingy

-I remember this being one of my mothers old shirts! Yes I was that tiny and to look
at this makes me sad...Oh to have a tiny body again!

3. Sequined belt

-This came from my baton twirling outfit. It was very versatile. It made a headband, belt, cool bracelet and I am sure few other things.

4. Picture of duran duran on the wall

-What child DIDN'T have Duran Duran on their wall?

5. My Little Pony on the dresser

-I was a My Little Pony fanatic! I had so many of those pretty little colourful horses!!!

6. The hideous mural wallpaper on one wall...it was of the forest.

-I think this may have been a 70's left over in this particular house. Although I distinctly remember their being another rental we lived in that had a rainforest mural. How those ever got popular I will never know.

7. The Pippy Longstocking barrett holder

-I LOVED that barret holder. I had that thing well into my teens (not out for people to see though hahaha). I wonder whatever happened to pippy longstocking?

It's funny I was smiling so big in the pic. So proud I look like an "punk rocker". I guess I did pull it off and was cute. Although it screams, put me on a poster and headline it "80's Child". Oh and look at all that jewelry! I am sure borrowed from the Mother.

Human turd on the floor....

2008-08-20T12:01:00.003-05:00

So I get a call yesterday from my husband. He is just leaving the bank that is inside Walmart. This is the conversation:

Chris: "Kim, I am so grossed out...I walked into the bank and felt something soft that I kicked. I look down and what do I see...a TURD on the floor. Kim, this wasn't dog turd...it was human turd. I didn't say anything cause I didn't want people to think it was my turd."

Me: *laughing so hard while driving and can't see*

Chris: "Seriously Kim, I think some old person TURDED on the floor. I mean...there is no way this was animal TURD. I think the guy behind me stepped in it also cause it was alot flatter than when I looked down at it the first time."

Me: *hysterically laughing with tears*

Chris: "Should I have told them?...No, no then they would of thought it was me. God Kim, what the hell? That was a HUMAN TURD."

Me: *laughing still*

So that was my conversation with my husband yesterday.

My computer sucks....

2008-08-18T10:23:00.002-05:00

I am not sure if its my computer or something wrong with my program. I took a bunch of photos this weekend to commemorate my youngest daughter turning 2 months...plus some of my older kiddos. I took them in what you call RAW format. Its essentially a digital version of a film cameras negative. A file you can manipulate without losing all the photos components. Well...I go to load these pictures onto photoshop. There in lies my problem....

The pictures will not load. *sigh* For hours I have wracked my brain, sought the help of others, searched the net, "repaired" the program etc.... yet they still will NOT open. I even called Nikon and got a program from them to download...and IT is having issues. So this is where I think it might be a problem with my computer itself. So I have decided I need to just shoot my pictures in JPEG form until I can get all this figured out. I am very annoyed!!! Atleast I was able to download ONE program that will open my RAW files and allow me to convert them to JPEG form! Atleast NOT all was lost...cause I got some darn cute pictures!

Sincerely 'fro me to you - Circa 1982ish

2008-08-14T12:51:00.011-05:00

Well I have been reading my friend Sophia's blog for a while. She has recently started doing the "Sincerely 'fro" blogs..which is an every Thursday blog featuring a picture of your past and a story that goes along with it. It doesn't have to be a long story just something. She got this idea from this pretty popular blog (as sophia said) called wearethatfamily.com

So every Thursday I will be joining others by posting a pic with a story about it. I hope you will join in also!!!! Its a good chance to laugh at yourself and yet give someone else a good laugh too!

I have decided on this picture:

This is a picture of me and my Aunt Robyn. I figured I would include her in my first post so you are not just laughing at me! I am bringing her down with me!!! What makes this image so funny? Is it the smiling happy faces...naaaa. Those will be explained later. It's those hideous outfits that our family put us in! Yes the bought them on purpose. I think with the intent on torturing us with them every week till they didn't fit anymore! What you are not seeing in this picture is the socks. I don't know why we are not wearing them in this particular pic but those outfits came with dark brown knee high socks. OH yes..they matched our lovely brown animals. Were we getting ready to go to a safari? NO! We were doing what any other little Jewish family would do being all spiffed up like we were! We were going out to eat, to more than likely Wolfies in Miami Beach. Oh and those smiles? Can you not tell how FORCED they are? We hated...that outfit. Not just a little but more than anything in this world. We would of rather of walked naked then be seen in that outfit. Yet they put it on us...time and time again.

I wonder what became of them. Maybe Robyn can remember? I'd like to think they were burned so nobody else had to see the likes of them again!!!

Click click....

2008-08-09T00:26:00.002-05:00

I absolutely LOVE the sound of my camera when it takes a picture. One of my favourite things to do is take pictures. Photography has been my passion since I was a kid. Something my Mother instilled in me. There isn't much that my Mother did when I was growing up...but photography was a passion for her also. I thank her for always being there with a camera to capture those little moments good or bad. That is what photography is for me. It is a moment, a memory. A picture can say so much in just that moment it has captured...it tells a story which in turn is a memory.

I drive my family crazy with the constant snapping of pictures. They just don't realize that they will look back at them and thank me one day for capturing their lives.

I have finally gotten to the point in my photography skills where I am trying to get a portfolio together. I still have LOTS to learn but I do pretty darn well with my skills. Everyone can take a picture but not everyone can capture that moment in just the right way. I like to think that, that is what I do. Whether it be with people or nature or anything that catches my eye.

I am so looking foward to capturing other peoples lives. Giving them their moments...their memories for years to come. Where they can look back and say...WOW...that was my graduation, that was ME when I was a baby, that is my Mom/Dad when they were my age etc...

It feels awesome when someone compliments my photos. Which not to "toot my own horn" or anything but I do get alot of compliments. I think I am my worst critic. I look at a photo and where it is good ... I say it could always be better! I am striving and learning everyday to make my life capturing moments better.

I just want to thank everyone who has complimented my photos and always supported me in my journey and most of all I want to Thank my family and friends who have had to endure my camera in their faces more often than not!!!

Smack...

2008-08-07T09:45:00.002-05:00

That is the sound a baby makes when falling off a bed and onto wood floors. Not a sound you want to hear...EVER! Monday night my little Merrick woke up in her pack n play which is nestled safely right next to my bed. I pick her up...make a bottle and lovingly lay in bed with her and feed her. Apparently I fell asleep...it was 3 in the morning ya know. All of a sudden I awake out of my slumber to the sound of bottle hitting the floor and then a smack and a wail from my sweet little girl. I jump up and pick her up and she is calm about 30 seconds later and really annoyed with my prodding and inspecting of her entire body. That was a terrible feeling. I knew what the problem was and why it happened immediatly after my inspection was done...I had NOT pulled the pack n play flush with the bed. Therefore allowing a gap in between me and my precious one. I thank God she is doing just fine...no bumps, bruises or even a sign as to what part of her body took the fall. Plus she nestled up next to me content and happy....this time in the middle of the bed surrounded by a blockade of pillows on one side and me on the other.

Ahhh..the trials and tribulations and accidentally fallings of childhood.

I am just thankful she was NOT hurt.

Poker Sundays....

2008-08-04T10:11:00.002-05:00

Every Sunday my husband and I play poker at the bar down the street from out house. It's free and fun! I know this "season" I won't be winning in the points department like I usually do, because I have missed most games and I only go to one of the two games they play. My husband last season won the final tournament! We won a two night stay at a casino in Biloxi! We have been there before and it is awesome.

I usually go to the 3 o'clock tournament and Chris usually goes to the 5 o'clock one. We need to rotate so one of us can be home with the baby. Well yesterday because the baby was in crying mode Chris wanted to go to the 3 o'clock so I could get her to sleep for him. I agreed. Well not 5 minutes after he left did she fall asleep. She slept the entire time. Well Chris came home and it was time for me to leave. I played a good game. I got 3rd place which is pretty good especially pointwise. I get home...and lo and behold...the baby was up and on and off crying the entire time I was gone! I guess next time he will be going to the 5 o'clock game again!

Very thirsty dogs....

2008-08-02T20:51:00.003-05:00

So this morning I go into my laundry room to our "other" refrigerator to get my morning shot of caffeine ... also known as Pepsi. I look down into our ginormous (I know its not a word but I like it) water bowl for the dogs. Now in my house my children who are 12, 9 and 6 weeks (she doesn't count yet though for chores) know to feed and water the dogs. We have 3 dogs therefore require LOTS of fresh water!

*Wow...in the middle of typing this said 6 week old just puked on me...greeeat...now she is trying to thwart my effort in blogging! Bah!

Ok now 15 minutes have elapsed....where was I?*

Haha! Water...dogs. So I look down in this bowl that should be full of say ateast 5 gallons of water! It's dry...dry as the Sahara. I think I actually saw a tumbleweed go across the bottom of the bowl. I am guessing the kids decided NOT to water the dogs for a couple days (they go through alot of water). We always give them fresh water...so this dry as a bone thing has me baffled. I mean I wouldn't NOT give my kids water or any drink period.

So I came up with this witty idea! I call the kids in the laundry room. Ask them why don't the dogs have any water? do they think its fair to deprive them of water? They said "we dont know why they have no water." Well I can sure tell you why! They also don't think its fair to them either to not have water.

So my witty idea?! You two are only allowed ice for liquid for the day. If your thirsty get some ice. See I couldn't in good conscience deprive them completely of liquid being that they need it! OH wait...what a concept...water or any form of liquid being needed to sustain life! Haha...what a concept! When they were thirsty they got their ice...it melted to water! They were not completely deprived but hopefully they were seeing the lesson in my idea! Well atleast I hope they did...we shall see in a few days...If the dogs bowl is full of fresh yummy life sustaining water or empty, devoid of that all so important thing!

Oh and for those of you thinking...well how could *I* allow my dogs to go without water also. They did have the toilet water and lake water that they so love! I was just trying to prove a point to my kids with the water bowl!

Yeah I know....it's been a some time...

2008-08-02T20:44:00.002-05:00

Although I have a wonderful excuse for not blogging in so long.
I had a baby and well most of the people who are remotely interested
in reading my blog very well know this! I am writing again because of
those few people who read my blog. I actually had one say "7 months since your
last blog!" Like it was the end of the world or something! Well *cough Erin cough* you have guilted oops I mean convinced me I need to write again!

I am soon enough going to steal my friend Sophia's "fro me to you" thing! I am a story teller...especially about things that have happened in my life. I am one of those "have a story for everything" type of people. Believe it or not though my stories are all true...no matter how crazy or dull they may be!

So for my first blog in 7 months I don't have too much to say. I am just getting
back into this...remember? I am going to attempt to write something everyday. Even if its just something short and sweet!

What a month this has been.....

2007-09-13T16:49:00.000-05:00

The month of September 2007 will go down in my memory as the worst month of my life.

Anyone who knows me knows of my tumultuous relationship with my mother. Well over the past few months I had kept in contact with her husband via email or the occasional phone call to see how she is doing. For those who don't know she suffered from Lupus (25+years) and Emphezema. I had not physically spoken to my mother since about December of last year. Not because I didn't love her or anything but because she simply could NOT be even the slightest bit nice (and this is after years of trying). To speak to her on the phone caused me stress and would make me visibly upset by not only my husband but my children too. So I chose to not speak to her but I would send pictures and letters letting her know how everything was.

On Sunday evening I checked my email to find a new update from her husband Stan. He stated that my mother was now in Hospice House and did not have much longer to live. This was Aug. 26th. So on Monday Aug. 27 at 7:00 pm I headed off to FL. Driving all night and finally arrived at my friend Dana's home, where I was to be staying for as long as I needed. Thank God for Dana. We have alot of history together. Growing up across the street from each other for many years and being there with her when her father passed from cancer at a young age and us being only 13 at the time. To say the least...we knew what each other needed then and even now. So I showered and off we headed to Vero Beach where my mother lived and was now in their Hospice House facility there. I must say...it was beautiful there and she couldn't have been in better hands. My mother was on lots of medication to make her pain free and calm. My mother got quite volatile at times so they thought best for her and the staffs safety to give her a few other things to keep her calm. She opened her eyes and gave a smile when she knew me and Dana were there. I even got an "I love you too" back from her after my short visit on that Tuesday came to an end. Wednesday was a little more of the same...visiting...sitting by her side...smiles...a few eye openings and lots of her sleeping. When I got there on Thursday it was different (Dana arrived a few hours later). No response from her. Just sleeping. I sat by her side and talked to her. I told her how she was loved and that whenever she was ready to go. That all here on earth would be ok. I know she heard me... So there I sat and held and read a book in one hand and held hers in the other. Same on Friday...a little more reading and talking and just in general being there for her. Something she had lacked in my growing up years. Don't get me wrong...there were good times but that bad ones definatly equal more than the good. Dana tried to keep me remembering the good. On Saturday I got there early...made my place next to her bed, grabbed my book and held her hand. After a few hours I noticed that suddenly her breathing changed. They were more short almost gasps for breath. I called in the nurse. She informed me that this would be the day. She said it could be 15 minutes or a few hours. So there I sat...there her husband sat taking turns with me. Dana showed up a few hours after that had happened and we all talked and waited. After 4 or so hours after the breathing change she seemed to be keeping steady so her husband and I after 6 or so hours (for me) and 4 or so for him decided to take an hour break. Dana stayed because we did not want to leave her by herself. I joked with Dana as we left and said "watch she is waiting for us to leave". I was definatly right. Within 20 minutes of walking out of hospice she passed. Dana said she had just gotten done saying to her "Stan and Kimmy will be back they just needed a little fresh air...they love you very much." With that she took three more breaths and she was gone. No more pain...just peaceful now. She died on Sept. 1, 2007 at 5:03 PM.

Now comes the mourning....how to deal with this pain yet relief that I feel. I have so many mixed emotions on my mother. I feel sad that she is gone. Angry at myself that I didn't pick up the phone the last time she called. Happy that she is in no more pain and not suffering. Guilty for feeling relieved that she will not be around to make my life a living hell. I truly the day after she died when I woke up...the first thought htat came to my head was "I am finally FREE". I can pick up my phone now, I can take the passwords of my utility bills (yes she had them turned off a few times just to be mean), I don't have to worry what she is up to next. I am free of all that (and that is only .5% of the horrors she put me through and those are mild). Although I feel sad...where as I did not like the person she was...I still loved her because she was my Mother and I loved the few good things she DID do.

On Sept. 5th I received a small portion of my mothers ashes. My best friends Dana and Eloise went to the beach and I stepped out as far as I could into the water and scattered her ashes as she wanted to be done. That was it...I left for Texas later on that night. She was 55 years old. So this part of my blog is dedicated to my Mother. I did and still do love you. RIP Mom April 12, 1952-September 1, 2007.

Now for the other things that have made this month sucky! My Great Aunt Bessie (my great grandfathers sister) who is 96 is dying. She is a wonderful woman and I did go and see her while I was in FL with my mother. Even at 96 she knew who I was and gave me lots of smiles (she doesnt talk real well now). Her nurse Elli did inform me that she doesnt have much longer to live. Which saddened me. The last of our family (on my mothers side, besides me and my aunt robyn). She has lived such a long wonderful life. So when she passes (which I got a call today from Miss Elli that she has taken and even further turn for the worse) I will be there at her funeral. She will be missed but she will be with the love of her life my Uncle Max again. To you Aunt Bessie...you are wonderful and I love you very much!!!!

The other thing that has happened this month is my husband was laid off from his job. Gee ... couldnt have happened at more of an inoportune time! So he is upset but this we will get through! He will find another job and if it were not for him I would be a basket case right now with all this death and dying this month! I love you honey....more than you know.

So .... that is it...I had to relieve myself of all this cause you know what! It makes me feel better!!

What is wrong with people????

2007-08-21T16:48:00.000-05:00

Ok I have to vent about this....

A little history. My boss and his wife have a room that they rent out sometimes to friends or family who need it. This place has its own kitchen etc....kinda like an efficiency. Well for the past 6 months a family friend has been staying with them. She is in the middle of a divorce. Has a daughter a little younger than me that has 3 children. Two boys and one baby girl ... ages from about 6 and younger. I know both her and her daughter through my boss and them comming in here...but that is the extent of my knowing them.

Ok...now on to today. The woman that is staying with my boss and his wife comes in here crying. When she leaves...my boss comes over and tells me what has her so upset. She tells him...her daughter yesterday dropped the two older children (the boys) off at an adoption agency and kept the little girl. I was like your fucking kidding me??? Who the hell does that. This girl is about to get married to a man that has a job and she has a job also etc... Not like she is hurting in the money dept. She just pretty much said she didn't want the other two kids. The woman that came in here crying is now having to head down to Houston and pay to get the children into her custody so she can take them and raise them for her daughter.

I think its wonderful that her mother wants them....but what bothers me is why wouldn't she give this option to her in the first place??? Those poor boys....being dumped off by their own mother. It angers me that people like her can just pick and choose which children they want and which they dont and have no remorse for letting them go. I swear if I see that girl walking around or run into her anywhere...it will take every bone in my body and much strength to keep myself from punching her in the face and telling her what a peice of shit person she is. I never really liked her in the first place but this makes me dislike her even more. Jesus, 10 years from now those boys WILL remember what their mother did to them. They WILL remember that their mother just dumped them off in Houston at some strange place but didn't dump the sister. They were the ones NOT wanted. It breaks my heart to know they will feel horrible because of her.

This is why people need to be licensed to have children. THIS is why stupid people should NOT breed. Its not them who get hurt....its the children.

Ok...I am done ranting.....

***UPDATE***

Ok...so ... this is what I found out.

The kids father had no rights. Apparently he had them taken away. Personally I dont know how because in the state of TX you are not allowed to "bastardize a child" yes that is the legal term. So not sure about that.

The grandmother got all the paperwork done and she will have the children at 5 today! YAY!

Child Services is looking at the case and may remove the daughter from the home and transfer her to grandmother.

From what my boss said she brought them to the agency and said "I didn't want boys. I got my girl and now I don't want the boys". Not word for word but she did ACTUALLY say she never wanted ot have boys.

Absolutely DISGUSTING this girl is!!!!

Grandmother completely will have NOTHING to do with her daughter now.

Ok..updated.

Shattered Lives

2007-06-25T11:09:00.000-05:00

This morning I was brought to literal tears watching a video on my friend Taras daughters myspace page called "Shattered Lives". I have heard of this from my friend Tara, where the schools around here will set up a fake alcohol related accident involving the kids from the school. Not just showing the banged up car/cars but actually having the students look injured, fire/ambulance comming to rescue, body bags etc... It hits close to home for me and alcohol related accidents are real and horrifying to all involved and it really does "shatter lives".

I have three brothers. One of which passed on October 21, 1994. His name was Michael Joseph Callahan. He was the oldest of all 4 of us children. I am second oldest then down the line is Regan and Rory being the youngest. I am now 30 as most of you know and when my brother Michael died I was 18. The day he died will be forever burned into my brain. A day, a week, a lifetime that I will never forget. My life was forever changed "shattered" from that day on.

A little history...Michael and I are from the same parents. Regan and Rory have a different mother..same father. I knew Michael my whole life. Regan and Rory I had the pleasure of truly meeting and getting to know starting officially in Nov. of 2000 (I met them back in 1997).

Michael and I didn't live together our whole lives. Although when we were together in the same household something in both of us knew (even though I was young) that we needed to make the best of our sibling time together because he could go back to our Dads house at anytime. A house I was never allowed by my Mother to go to. We had a relationship like no other sibling relationship. There is a 4 year gap in age between us but we got along so well and never fought like "most siblings" do. He brought me every where and I was cool enough to always hang around with "his" friends. I was never the bratty little sister that he HAD to bring along. I was the little sister he WANTED to bring along and hang out. We built forts, went fishing, rode bikes, climbed trees, laughed, threw stuffed animals at the ceiling fan...you name it...we did it...together as friends, as brother and sister. We were close. No matter what life threw in front of us...we were brother and sister and friends.

I moved back to FL in August of 1994. Main reason...to be near my brother, my protector, one of my very best friends. I was the only one that could joke that he was balding (he wasnt but it was still funny), or embarass him in front of his girlfriend. I was Kimmy...and I could get away with anything and he would never be mad. We did alot in those few months that I was back in FL. We hung out, I helped him figure out the name of his new business, hung out like old times. He was trying to get his life straight. He seemed to be doing so much better than he had been. He had a focus now...a business that he loved. Although, he was a drinker at the tender age of 22 and yes...he did his share of drugs. Both of which would end his ife at such a young age.

On Oct. 21, 1994 I called Michael from a pay phone (cells were not that popular then) from in front of the apartment he lived in with his girlfriend. He answered and I told him where my new apartment was and he told me he would be there later on at about 6-7ish PM. He told me..."I love you Kimmy" ... I replied "I love you too dork...see you in a little while." That was the LAST time I spoke to my brother.

I went back to my new apartment with my boyfriend Jeff and he left for work. So here I was waiting by myself with no phone (new apartment no phone yet) for my brother to get there. At around 8 my step dad came driving up to the apartment. It took him a while to find it cause he hadnt been there yet and didnt know the apartment number (rmemeber we just moved in). So I see him...he tells me to get into the car and come to the house. My mother was out of town doing god knows what in Miami (we wont get into what type of person she is). So on my way to the house my step dad Sonny tells me that something happened to Michael and since he wasn't a "blood relative" they could not give details to him...they told him to bring me to the house so they could come and talk to me. First thing I think of when I get to the house is... "why are they not telling us what hospital to go to...dont they only come to your house on TV if somebody has died?" I knew.... I think I knew the moment I got into the car and he told me something had happened to Michael. For an hour and a half I sat in that living room with my heart pulled from my chest in worry and hurt and the waiting....oh god the waiting was the worst part of it all. I kept saying...."god when are they going to get here....why are they making me wait?"

Finally, the police got there. I remember him asking my name and I told him. He then asked me to sit down....so I did. He showed me my brothers drivers license and asked me if this was my brother. I replied yes....that is my brother Michael. He then took my hand in his and said "I am so sorry Kimberly....but your brother was killed in an accident earlier today." Officially, my heart sank...the tears came and wouldn't stop comming. The officer still in front of me kneeling and holding my hand...I finally composed myself enough to ask..."was he drinking?" He said "yes, he was." I then asked what happened. He told me....in the nicest way he could that Michael was "speeding on his motorcycle (with his friend Bobby on the back) down a road and hit a guardrail." He added "He died instantly...he had felt no pain." The police officer than handed me his wallet and his drivers license (that was all he had on him) and hugged me, apoligized again and left. Left me to my tears...to sit there and be the one who was the ONLY next of kin in the town to be told and to identify him. Atleast I was able to do it through his drivers license. I looked through the wallet...and what do I find....directions written on a peice of paper to my new apartment.

I lost my brother...my friend...my protector. For what? No good reason....he was drinking to much and riding a motorcycle at high speeds and died because of it.

I will never forget that day....never forget my life changing for the rest of my life. I dont't drink and drive actually if you know me well I barely drink. Maybe one beer that I never finish. To all of you that think drinking and driving is fun or that this just wont happen to you...then you are dumb. My brother died drinking and driving...yes it was his own fault for making that decision but the hurt never goes away. I miss my brother everyday. I know there are millions of people that miss their brother/sister/mother/father/uncle/aunt etc....everyday also.

I hope that anyone who reads this will rethink drinking and driving and what it can do to you/someone else/your family. You could kill yourself or someone else. My brothers friend Bobby was lucky...he lived...and he will forever remember what happened to him from the scars he has from the accident.

Please DONT drink and DRIVE!

My brother would of been 35 on July 23rd of this year.

Interview....

2007-05-17T12:42:00.001-05:00

So my friend Sophia who blogs alot...reads another persons blog who then asks questions etc.... So ... I asked Sophia to "interview me". Then in turn the circle continues.

Here are the directions and then my answers to her questions:

If you'd like me to interview you, do this:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Now on to my questions:

-What's your best recipe that you're willing to share? Hmm...lets see. I have so many that people like. Chicken Florentine would have to be the favourite as of late. If you want the recipe I will email it to you. :)

-If money were not an issue, what would be your dream vacation?

I would buy a boat and sail all the tropical islands with my husband, children and pets!

-If you could change your career, what would you be?

My childhood dream was to be like Jaques Cousteau. I would love to live on a boat and explore the ocean and learn about it and its animals. Maybe even find a shipwreck or something!

-What personality trait do you hope to have passed onto your kids and why?

The ability to "tell it how it is" and express their feelings. I don't sugar coat things. I would love for them to stand up to people and not get walked on. It's good to be strong and outspoken! I want them to be able to express themselves without resorting to cruelty or yelling or screaming.

-What is the #1 mistake you've made in past relationships?

I used to yell and scream and fight alot. I have learned that I can say what I need to say but calmly or just wait until I am calmed enough to say it without resorting to yelling. I know my husband appreciates that. He joked a few times that "You would have no problem expressing yourself in therapy." hahahha This goes along with the previous question. The fact that I can express my self to the fullest but have learned from the past that expressing doesn't mean demeaning or yelling and screaming.

Sometimes....

2007-05-01T10:24:00.000-05:00

my boss is extremely gullible. I swear sometimes he just has "stupid" stamped in big bold print across his forehead. Don't get me wrong...I have a wonderful boss. I can come in late, leave early, take my kids to work, my dogs to work and actually have a friend in my boss. Just wanted to make that clear. He is 83 years old and just an all around nice guy...but god oh so gullible.

Anyway, let me explain. He is at the bank right now getting a loan so he can make yet another investment in some either...oil exploration, some dotcom company or any number of investment opportunities. In the past 6 1/2 years he has LOST atleast $70,000 that I know of. I keep telling him...those people are just out to screw you! Although, he just wants the "get rich quick" thing and will fall for anything! Not all of them are scams...he invested in one that he gets a check every month for like $200 but it has already paid itself back and over. So that was ONE out of MANY! I swear those people have a note next to his number saying that he is can be "taken". I feel bad for him sometimes...sometimes I want to smack him in the head. Yet I can't do anything. I just hate to see an old guy get taken. Anyway, whats done is done.

On another note. I finally, got the flower bed in front of the house all weeded and new special rose soil put in and I relocated my 3 rose bushes from another part of the yard to the new flower bed and planted 3 more. I am glad that I got it all done this weekend! Hopefully one of the ones I relocated will survive being that it was run over by my husband a week ago! That is one reason I relocated the flower bed in the first place! Now I will have pretty roses off all different colours and smells in the front yard for all to see! My favourite by far is the purple rose and it smells wonderful! All that work will be worth it...I jsut want my very sore and blistered hands to heal quickly!

So last night I was to work concession at the ball field where my son plays. We get set up and 1 hour later the games are called. Huge storm rolled in! So I get home and my husband has the new Bowflex spread across the entry and dining area. Yay! Took him a few hours to get the damn thing together but now we can work out in the privacy of our own home! Much cheaper than paying a gym! So I start my workout regime today after baseball practice! I am excited! I am tired of being overweight! Only 2 years ago I was 50lbs. lighter. I want to be back at that. I just blame it on being happy and finally having someone to cook for! I wasn't the only one who gained! So now we are both happy and want to be happy and lose weight!

My new camera works great! I am still learning how to use it but that will take time! It is alot harder to use comapared to my old Nikon being that it has all these Menus and such to change the settings instead of the good ole fashioned way of film cameras!

Anyway, I am done babbling for now!

So I have.....

2007-04-24T13:29:00.001-05:00

THE.MOST.WONDERFUL.HUSBAND.EVER!

With that said....I will tell you why. I have been wanting an awesome camera for some time now. I had a wonderful Nikon N60 35mm camera for years. It took wonderful pictures! Well everything is now digital and my favourite 35mm camera is of no use to me anymore. A few years ago my husband bought me a digital that has served its purpose and taken many wonderful memories and pictures for the past few years. Well the other day...he bought me my dream camera a Nikon D80 with 55mm lense, 300 lense, a wide angle lense, camera bag and UV filter! Of course I will never live down the $1200+ price tag or ever be able to match him in the gift department but...it is awesome! Wonderful! I cannot wait for it to arrive in a few days! I am on the edge of my seat and sooo freakin excited!

I have had many people ask me to take pictures for them even offer to buy some of my photographs. Well now I will be able to make good on that! I will be the picture taking queen! I cannot wait to hold it in my hands and feel its awesomeness and hear the click of its picture takingness! Yes I have made up a few words but I cannot think of anything else that would describe it any better!

Anyway...I am happy and the world is good and everything is freakin roses! WOOHOO!!!! Anyway...thats all...just had to share!

The winds of change.....

2007-04-03T13:07:00.000-05:00

It is amazing how one lone picture can bring in a flood of a thousand memories. My Aunt sent me a picture today. One that made me smile and yet when I started looking to see any recent pictures of it made me very sad.
This picture:

is what sparked it. No it is not of me or her but a picture just before our time...but yet looks like the Miami Beach we both grew up in.

The building in the background...that was where our Poppy's (great-grandfather) office was. It is right on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. Many a day we spent going up and down the elevator and hanging out at the souvenir shops that lined its street. My Poppy would give Robyn and me old pill bottles full of change and send us off to these shops. We would come back with all sorts of fun toys! Jacks, notepads, pens, pencils...you name it! Uncle Max had the old adding machine that we would play with to no end and Poppy always had a huge pack of markers in his file cabinet just for us to draw with! Ahhh...the memories....

There used to be a Woolworths 5 & 10 there on the corner across from it. From what I hear they tore it down a few years ago to make room for more "trendy" type stores and restaurants. We used to eat at the diner in that Woolworths. Breakfast was the staple eating time. I would get a small box of frosted flakes where my Poppy would cut the box through its wax paper on the perforated lines and then he would pour in the milk. YES! Right in the box! How cool was that?! We always sat at the counter...watched them cook etc... Oh the memories and now it is gone...for what? Growth and change. Change isnt always good.

If you look in the corner of the picture you see a sign that reads "wolfies". The memories of Wolfies. Owned by Wolfie Cohen. Who also owned the Rascal House. The famous Rascal House where my grandmother worked for years. The one where Frank Sinatra and other famous people would eat at. Where you would wait forever it seemed to eat at BOTH places. The silver bowls on every table filled with homemade pickles that were to die for and coleslaw and fresh assorted rolls...pumpernickle, rye...you name it! It was a typical New York Jewish Deli...with sandwiches so big you couldn't eat the whole thing. My family would eat there on a regular basis. Usually always got the corner table that was a partial circle booth. There were usually alot of us...my great granparents (Poppy and Nana), great aunt and uncle (Uncle Max and Aunt Bessie), Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Robyn and Me. As a kid I always ordered the Hebrew National hot dog. They cut it in half but not all the way...and cooked it just right. Mmmm...I still eat them at home and cook them for my kids just the way they did at Wolfies. I remember the time when Dom Deluise came in from shooting a movie as we were leaving and nearly knocked over my Poppy! How rude he was! Oh and the bakery part...with the cookies, pies and pastries! I loved the little cookies with the cherry in the middle. Always spoiled Jewish children we would always get a treat! Ahh but make way now....Wolfies has closed. A few years now its been like that. I brought my daughter there I am assuming just before it closed down. Not sure of the exact year that it did. Although I hear now they are closing the historic Rascal House. For what? Retail shops, offices and an epicurian market. For what? To take the last bit of old Miami Beach and turn it into some hip trendy place full of fake wannabe people.

*sigh* It just saddens me. The Miami Beach I grew up in is no longer. Make way for hip and trendy South Beach or SOBE. It has already come and destroyed all that made Miami Beach what it is today. I cannot bring myself to call it South Beach or SOBE cause it will never be that to me. My Miami Beach is long gone. Its sad that I will never be able to show my children where I grew up. Where I grew up they are slowly tearing down or making it "trendy" and virtually unrecognizable! I sure hope they never tear down my Poppys old building where his office was for so many years...the building with the clock on top always telling you the time and temperature. Atleast I might be able to show my kids that one thing. That memory I hope will never die and turn into a neon showcase of trend.

So to the Miami Beach I grew up in...I love you...and you will be missed! To the new South Beach (SOBE) a big fuck you....you have destroyed the true history of that area.

I guess things happen for a reason....

2007-03-28T12:59:00.000-05:00

Since January Chris and I have been trying to have a baby. Having tons of fun in the process of it too! Comming back from vacation on Sunday I had the feeling that all our good fun work had finally made that happen. Monday I stayed home from work and was feeling a bit not like normal. So I took a pregnancy test. Hazah! The little pink line showed up...not bright but it was there. Four tests later we were sure! We waited a few days to tell his parents and a few friends. With all that was going on last week I wasn't able to tell everyone yet.
Friday night came around and I noticed when I went to the bathroom there was a little pink on the paper. My heart sank. I didn't know really what that meant. Jumped online and was set at ease a bit that it could be something normal. So Saturday we head off to "opening day" for Benaiahs baseball. Baseball season has finally arrived. While out at the ballpark I went to the bathroom (like any normal pregnant or non pregnant person would haha). This time there was more blood...brownish in colour. Talked to a few friends and it seemed it wasn't all that much so I planned on going to the doctor on Monday. Sunday rolled around and same thing...little blood in the morning...very little throughout the rest of the day. Then Monday...the cramping and an awful lot of blood that wasn't going away like on Saturday and Sunday.
So Chris and I head to the emergency room. To find out for sure if what was happening was a miscarriage. To both of our sadness it was. Even knowing for only a week that I was pregnant losing a child even so early is a terrible feeling. I know there was nothing I could do about it or control what happened. It still doesn't make you feel any less sad.
So to my very small lost child...I am saddened by your short life inside me and I wish I could have been able to meet you.

Vacation cont....

2007-03-22T12:58:00.000-05:00

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Ok so I left off with Wednesday...midweek. We headed down south to visit family and friends. First stop...Shona's house. Shona is my best friend Elli's mom (a second mom to me). Anyway, we get there and she is finishing up Emily's birthday/easter dress. It is a beautiful pink dress. Emily loves them she looks forward to getting one for her birthday and christmas every year from her. Has all the dresses she ever made her hanging neatly in her armoire in her room and shows them to everyone! "My grandma Shona made me this." Anyway, I walked around the house checking out all the new stuff they had done to it. Refelecting back...the house doesnt even look the same as it did. Its even really different than 5 years ago!!! The memories flooded through....I remember being a kid there maybe 11/12 years old and where everything HAD been. Wow...how things change! You would think I dont go there every single year! hahaha Anyway, as I was walking around taking pictures of all the orchids and such around the house...my little god daughter Riley followed close behind. She is definatly a lover of the outdoors! Rusty (whom I always have called rustoleum) one of Shonas dogs (who is really old) remembered me (just like ever year). I have to say...I missed my dogs so much I gave him lots of lovins! Well off we went after a few hours there to Elli's house. There was my other god-daughter Alia. She gave me a big hug when I came in! Later on we went to dinner at RJ Gators. A place we have gone to for years and years. Everyone was there...Shona, Bart, Elli, Jerry, Riley, Alia, my brood, and even Stacie and Isabelle could come!!!! The kids ran amuck all over the outside area and had an absolute blast! After dinner I went and saw my other best friend Meredith (aka Ditto), her husband Scott and my god-son Khaldun. We caught up a bunch and alot of talking was done! Had a little incident with Emily and Benaiah but that was, thank god, the only incident on the entire vacation. I wont get into it though. We took a bunch of pictures and some goofy ones where the boys (Scott, Benaiah and Khaldun) all showed us the "bad finger" in the pictures. Its always funny to see kids do that. Well it got to be late and I had to head back to Elli's house and get some sleep. It was a long fun filled day.
Thursday rolled around waaaay to fast. I said goodbye to Elli who had to leave for work and took care of Riley and Alia (who got to skip school to be with her cousins) and then took them to Shona's. I then headed down to Davie to visit my Aunt Linda for lunch. I was supposed to have lunch originally with my friend Sophia (who was a major slacker) but she didnt call me back and we never ended up having lunch together. (hahaha that was for you Sophia...im kidding...next year we will definatly get together). Anyway, we hung out with Aunt Linda for a while...Benaiah got to sit in her police car (she is a metro-dade police officer) and set off all the sirens and such. It was good seeing her. I hadn't seen her since Feb. of last year. We talk all the time but I missed seeing her. Hopefully she will come to TX and visit me and my Dad soon! Well it was time to leave...hugs were given and off we went back to the resort in Orlando. John and Marilyn had a yummy bbq hamburger and hot dog dinner ready at the pool when we arrived! How cool is that? We ate...talked and in general just enjoyed the rest of the day.
Ahhh Friday...the last REAL day of vacation. We woke early...to a bit of rain. Oh no I was thinking...dont let it rain all day...and ruin our chances at a final pool and sun day. Well it stopped at like 10:30 thank god! It ended up being a gorgeous day. Lots of pictures and fun in the sun playing. At around 6 or so....I took the kids to the Disney marketplace. They bought some stuff and had fun.
Saturday...check out day. We said our goodbyes to grandma and papa (marilyn and john) and headed back to Aunt Robyns house. We hung out...went to walmart...got some food and just enjoyed each others company! Jorge (robyns husband) took me to a spring and it was just gorgeous. It wasnt a big one but cool nonethe less. Only sad thing...there was a beer bottle in it. I wanted to smack the person who threw it in there! Jorge explained that this particular spring is not state owned or anything and the teens and rednecks like to go out there and party. I just wish they would learn to respect the beauty nature provided for them. Anyway, Jorge has 3 macaws and a african gray. He was explaining that he just cant take the time they need for all of them. So he offered me his blue/gold macaw. With a little deal making with my husband I was able to accept the offer. I was sooo excited and sooo thankful to Jorge! He was happy also being that he knew I would take excellent care of him. I am attempting to change his name and see if he takes to it. I have renamed him Teach...after Edward Teach (aka blackbeard the pirate).
Sunday...time to head back to TX. Jorge and I got the bird ready for the trip (cleaned and took apart the cage, put bird in carrier, etc...) We all hugged and said our goodbyes and we were off for our 12 hour trip home. The trip went well....and everyone got home safe. Even the bird faired well in the truck! So that was my vacation....we had tons of fun and got to see our very important friends and family that we only get to see once a year!!!!
On a side note to anyone traveling to FL: FL parking lots are NOT meant for big trucks. I was driving my husbands new Dodge 2500 quad cab, long bed truck and my god...was parking it difficult. It was nice to see that I wasnt the only one having problems squeezing my big ass truck into these little itty bitty spaces. Anyway, just a warning to big truck people...you will have to park far away or take up two spots so your ass end of your truck wont stick out 5 feet into the road part of the parking lot!!!

Vacation...vacation...vaaacccaaation!

2007-03-21T12:55:00.000-05:00

So I was on vacation last week. As some of you already know. We had a fantastically wonderful time doing the tourist stuff, visiting family, and friends!
We left on Friday and drove relatively all night until we hit good ole Florida. We stopped at the "welcome center" and took a nap for a few hours before heading to my Aunt Robyns house. We got there at about noonish and hung for a few hours. Everyone got to meet Chris! Finally! After a nice visit we headed off to Orlando to our resort destination. :) There we stay with my other in-laws (they are actually my ex in-laws but I dont like calling them that). All fun was to be had...John (FIL) cooked a yummy stir-fry dinner and the kids all played with their cousin Isabelle! Then it was time for much needed sleep. We were exhausted from all the driving!!!!
Sunday...we woke up early and had a good breakfast. That is where Emily decided to tell us she didn't want to partake in the enjoyment of Epcot! I tried to guilt her into comming but she was having no part of it. Just wanted to hang with grandma, grandpa and Isabelle at the pool. Ahhhh...the pre-teen years have finally shown their face! So Chris, Benaiah and me went off to Epcot. Had a blast! Rode all the rides, ate an awesome lunch in "Italy" and just in general enjoyed the day. Although, we did miss Emily. :( When we got back from Epcot Stacie (sister in law) was finally there and we all hung out and had dinner.
Monday morning at 4:30 AM...yes I said AM! My sweet adoring husband wakes me up and informs me that we are heading to the beach to watch the sun rise. I tried crawling back into bed but he wanted to go so bad and he had never seen an "east coast beach" before so...I woke up ... took a shower and we got the kids off and headed to the beach. I opted we go to New Smyrna Beach being I lived there for a year and knew it was more of a small town beach and not all busy and concrete jungle like Daytona. So we got there and watched the beautiful sunrise! I must say...it has been a looong time since I saw a sunrise on the beach. All the years growing up in FL...I had taken for granted all the times I had seen it. It was neat to see it through my husband and childrens eyes. It was like seeing it for the first time again. (Yes I have pictures...I will be putting them on the page in a few days.) After sunrise enjoyment we had breakfast at a little local place. Then back to the beach to play in the water and sand. We left at about noon being we had to be back in Orlando cause Chris had a flight to catch at 6 to head home (he had to go back to work :( ). We got back to the room, changed clothes and had lunch at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. Surprisingly it was wonderful! I highly recommend the Mahi and Shrimp with bourbon sauce (i think that is the name). After lunch we packed up Chris and dropped him off at the airport. Back at the resort we suited up again and went to the pool! The kids played and played.
Tuesday...pretty basic. More pool stuff and Stacie and I took pictures of ourselves with our cells phones nad sent them to our men! hahaha I guess its one of those "you had to be there moments". Stacie and I = 2 peas in a pod. hahahaha The kids after dinner went to the resort hosted "kids night out". Which gave me and Stacie some much needed time to SHOP! And shop we did. Outlet style! Funny thing happened at the Gap outlet. We were standing in line and all of a sudden this big black woman is screaming at the employee girl. "Stop following me...leave me alone". The girl was throwing her out...because she was stealing. I have to say the girl handled it very well. That chick was HUGE...i would of been scared...i was scared for the girl! hahaha She did leave though and hopefully left the entire mall area. After shopping Stacie and I headed for Fridays and had dessert. Fridays makes a devine Vanilla bean cheesecake. If you havent had one....you. must. try. one.!!! It was like sex on a fork. God was it good...had my husband still been in town I would have...oh never mind on that. hahahhahahha
Wednesday....man the vacation was already half way over!!!! I will continue on Wednesday later...gotta get back to work....

Wifeness.....

2007-03-05T12:54:00.000-06:00

So ... before meeting my husband I was single for 4 years. Searching myself, finding myself and comming to great realizations. For me atleast. I figured what I must do for myself to keep me happy and any future person happy also. So with that said....with my new found tools I have managed to amaze my husband in many ways. Now don't take this as tooting my own horn or anything...I just feel good about the things I figured out for me and how well it works for me. Now on to how I amazed my husband this weekend.
I was in a relatively grumpy mood on Friday...being that I went shopping and Emily and Benaiah decided to be extremely unruly. To the point that while we were in the mall shopping for a bathing suit for me (reason 1 for grumpy mood)...I hear clothes and hangers falling on the floor. I turn around and what do I see??? Benaiah on the ground, bathing suits all around him and one of his shoes is off his foot and in the spot where he had been standing. Emily being such a loving sister at this moment decided that she was going to toss her brother on the floor because "he was annoying her". Yet they were both annoying the shit out of me and behaving in exactly the same way. So we left. I had had enough. So I was grumpy...maybe even to mens terms "bitchy". With good reason though. Well I woke up Saturday morning and apparently I was still in my "bitchy" mood. hahaha To this moment I still have NO CLUE...how I was bitchy and neither does said wonderful husband (to his own admission). hahahaha So he leaves for Walmart then comes back...grabs a shirt and pants and says Im leaving my phone and Im going away for a while. hahahha I say OK. No big deal...havent the slightest clue why your all mad but OK. Gives me a chance to get "unbitchy" and clean the house and make the kids do their chores extremely efficiently or they dont go to the birthday party they want to go to.
A few hours go by...and I know where my husband is headed. He is headed to Louisiana to play some poker at the big boy casino. Its his money...if he wants to gamble and lose it. OK with me! So while he is blowing his own money and hopefully having a grand time. I clean and the kids clean...then we head to the birthday party. I went ahead and did some shopping while they were bouncing it up at "pump it up". We get home...watch some TV and go to bed.
Sunday morning rolls around. I get up...kids get up....I write my husband a note..."Hope you had fun...see you in a bit...love you". We then head off to do a little more shopping. Benaiah wants to spend his birthday gift card to ToysRus and I need to do a little more money spending (with my money...seperate bank accounts are important). So as I am pumping gas...lo and behold...who should I see comming home from his little trip away? My husband. So I point out to the kids that Chris is home. We go to Walmart first and then at the asking of the children...we head home to see Chris. (this is where my 4 years of learning things shows itself). We get home...Chris is at the door with the note in hand. We all greet him and give hugs. No anger...no left over hostility...nothing. Like I said...I havent the slightest clue what he was so upset about. He says "what is wrong with you? why are my things not out in the yard? why arent you mad?" hahahhahha I start laughing...and say "havent you learned by now that I don't get angry? and if I do...its for a milisecond and its over?" He just hugs me...tells me he loves me and appreciates that I am not some psycho person whom he fears comming home to!
Now...had he been the past men in my life....oh whole nother story there! I have no anger, no meaness...nothing but happiness in my life. Therefore I am happier being a happy person. Why yell or be angry for long? It only exhausts ME and hurts everyone elses ears. I am so glad I found what makes me happy and what keeps my family happy. So...my husband's friend that he called and told about said note...thinks he is hiding something or lying to him. haha They wonder what he does that he can do whatever and NOT "get into trouble". (he brought the note and showed his friend today as "proof" hahaha)
I can tell you what he does...he is honest with me and me him. We hide nothing from each other and tell each other exactly what are feelings are. We respect each other. Him going off to LA ... not a bad thing. Gave us each a break for a day...a little time to ourselves. He had fun...I had fun. I knew he was comming home. I had no question that he wasn't. Other people I am sure where trust and respect and honesty dont exist would have wondered....they would have "freaked out" when their husband came home. The list goes on....Me...I had no worries...he came home...I was happy...he was happy...the kids were happy. We all went to ToysRus together and ate lunch. Shot off rockets together. All that would not have been possible if I was to be angry with him and him me...and keep the cycle going.
Anyway, I am so glad that I have found the soul mate that alot of people never find. He is my light and I his. What a wonderful life I have! It is nice to be happy and to be loved and just to be ME.

Let's See How I do.....

2007-03-02T09:45:00.000-06:00

I have been inspired by a friend of mine to write a blog. Never been much of a writer but hey...I'll give it a try and see if anyone will actually read it.
I am excited! A week from today we leave for our yearly trip to FL to visit the happiest mouse on earth and see our family and friends. My husband is comming with us for the first time this year! Our trip is relatively planned atleast its the same plan I have every year just with an extra person.
We leave for FL after work on Friday and drive through the night. I usually tend to take a nap at a FL rest stop but this year being there are TWO drivers that might not hae to happen. Yay! It is an extremely exhausting trip. I used to chat up anyone and every one of my friends during the duration of my drive while the kids sleep happily in the back. So I am excited a driving partner a person to actually talk to and help me drive! So when we arrive in FL we take a little detour to my Aunt Robyns house. This is always fun! Emily and Benaiah love to see her cousins and I love seeing everyone too. This is also a prime opportunity to take a much needed shower! They get to meet Chris this year for the first time. Which is also very exciting! He has only met my Daddy and two brothers! Then after a few hours of visiting we head down to Orlando where we stay with my ex-mother/father in law. Yes this sounds weird to most but we all get along great! My ex-husband though we had been through rough times over the years are great friends and we are all very close! My mother in law happens to really like my husband too! Sunday if the weather is permitting we head on to Epcot this year. The kids have gone to Disney pretty much every year since they were born...they are now old enough for the Epcot experience. I haven't been in about 15 years. The girl in the office next door to mine is a huge fan of the Walt Disney enterprise and she has given me the heads up on all things fun for kids at Epcot and how much it has changed! Monday will be a sad day...we will relax at the pool then pack up Chris to fly back here to TX. He has to work. :( Atleast he will have had a small vacation. The rest of the week is pretty much not planned except I know 2 days out of it I head down to Stuart and see my two best friends and my god children. I love vacation time! We all look foward to it every year!
On another note I think this weekend we will finally see the new fireplace/entertainment center to its beginning stages! A few weekends ago we got all parts of the roof fixed where the old fireplace was that we pulled off the house over a year ago (my husband is very ADD). This makes me happy! Very happy! Is it too much to think that while I am still away on vacation the thing will be finished? I hope he doesn't kill himself due to he is about the most accident prone person on the face of the earth! Once we get that finished the kitchen remodel will begin! That is going to take awhile I am sure. Although we do have all the new stainless steel appliances!
Baseball season has started! My life is officially taken over by practices, games and volunteering. I volunteered to make a cake for the "cake walk" for opening day. Definatly wont be serving food this year like I did the year before! The official name of Benaiah's team is the Nationals. Looks like they will be a pretty decent team. The past two years the teams he was on never lost a game and won the championship games two years in a row. Trophies galore in his room! Yay!
Emily is the back-handspring queen. She is now up to 3 back flips from the starting round-off! Just to think last year...she landed on her head and bout gave me a heartattack! Now she is bouncing around like its a second language to her! The trampoline in the backyard is definatly a good practice tool. Thank god for trampoline nets!
Well...now that I have gotten all that out...lets see if I can keep this up!