Our Family Journal

I'm Here..Barely!

2011-12-07T13:30:00.000-05:00

...I honestly can't believe it's been over a year since my last blog post. At this rate, I'll blog for 1 year, then not blog for a year, then blog again another year.

I really want to have something that I can look through to remember where I've been or what I've done, and this blog has previously offered me that opportunity.

So, even if no one ever reads this, at least I will have it to look back on...

For now, I'm gonna just say I've been busy for the last year...but, it's a good kind of busy. Kids, work, married life. Gosh, in a year, I've become a wife. Wow!

Well, back to reality...I've got a database launching for work in less than 5 days...and I'm a little nervous about it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T08:05:00.000-05:00

Last year, Thanksgiving put life into perspective.

Last year, my father had a heart attack Thanksgiving morning and drove himself to the hospital.

Last year, my father almost died....but, he didn't.

After multiple surgeries, life support, and months of rehab, my father is alive, functional, and very much still a HUGE part of my life. Today, while I am thankful for the 'usual' stuff, I am totally giving thanks because my father lives, and walks, and sings!

I learned to appreciate the 'little' things in life. With all we went through, I learned to l ove my sister, even more than I thought I ever could have loved her.

I also learned to grieve. I lost my best friend, but I learned that if you love someone with all your heart, while they are here, and are thankful for them while they are with you, you can deal with their death so much easier and can even make wonderful things happen in their memory. I am so thankful I had a best friend like her...and I am so glad I cherished her while she was here. I am most thankful that I am able to continue to spend time with her family and continue to grow with everything that she taught me.

...and of course, I learned that another Thanksgiving meant another year alive!

Today, I am celebrating life...and everything in it...and I am celebrating my love for our God....for without Him, none of anything would be possible.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I can focus on the positive...

2010-11-21T12:55:00.000-05:00

Ok, so as if my post yesterday didn't reflect enough confusion...I am even more confused today.

My biggest fear in life is losing a child. My heart truly breaks for those who have lost children. My heart is breaking now for someone I know who just lost a child.

My heart is breaking all over the place and I just can't figure some things out.

However, for roughly the last 24 hours, I have had spent time with the youngest daughter of my dearly, loved best friend who passed away...and the time I have spent with her has been so amazing. We looked at pictures, some of which had her mom in them and some of which were actually taken by her mom. She didn't cry at all...she actually smiled quite a few times as we reminisced...all the while, I tried my best to hold back tears.

So, today, I am going to focus on the smile of a child who lost her mother just 8 months ago...for, if she can smile today, then I should, too...though, in times like this, it's definitely hard to do.

Today, I accept that I can't understand or fix everything...but, I can try my hardest to focus on the positive, which today, happens to be the smile of a beautiful 8 year old girl.

I just...don't get it.

2010-11-20T08:44:00.001-05:00

Life, that is.

I don't get why some women can have children without even really trying, only to abandon them by not wanting to love, nurture or guide them through life.

I don't get how a mother, who loved her children with all her heart, could be tragically taken away from her family due to an awful accident.

I don't get how a woman, who desires to be a mother so badly, can't bear children on her own....despite trying with all her might.

I am not angry, or mad...I am just confused and hurt.

I would have given anything to have had a mother that wanted to love, nurture and guide me through life...I would have loved to have mother like Beth or SIF...I just don't get why things happen the way that they do...but, I pray that one day I will be at peace with it.

For now, I just don't get it...

Happy Halloween...and Happy Blog-o-versary!

2010-10-31T09:46:00.004-04:00

General Information

10,955 - The # of times in the last year my blog has been viewed (probably by myself more than anyone else, but hey)

118 - Number of posts I have written in the last year

100% - My level of satisfaction with the time I have spent on my blog and the fact that I have kept it 'alive' for one whole year even through the busiest times of my life...and also with people I have 'met' along the way...people who I have learned to care deeply about since I began this blogging journey.

Initially, I started this blog to keep in touch with friends and family...never did I expect that I would meet so many of you who I respect and admire so deeply. Your stories, every one of them, continue to touch my own life on regular basis. The following are three people who I have deep respect and admiration for, and who have continued to show my little blog love along the way:

Angie, you are simply an amazing mother...your love for your daughters is beyond what I ever expected any mother could ever have for their children. You are such an inspiration to me and I want you to know that.

SIF, you know I respect how honest and open you are about yourself. You truly remind me that we all have our own stories and our own struggles in life. You have also been here for me during some VERY hard times and I will always cherish your friendship. I know you will make an amazing mother.

Deborah, you have no idea how much I appreciate your story. I can't begin to tell you how much I admire your willingness to make changes in your life that my own mother has never made. Your daughters are so blessed to have you as their mommy.

There are so many more of you like these three women and I hope you continue sharing your stories...each of us has a story to tell...and our blogs should always be a reflection of who we are.

Here's to my first year blogging!!!

Oh, and Happy Halloween!!!!

Happy Birthday, Baby Boy!!!!!!

2010-10-29T19:39:00.000-04:00

It seems like just yesterday that my son was born.

Truth be told, I learned more from my son in his first week of life than I have ever learned as a parent.

When he was born, he had fluid on his lungs and was immediately put in the NICU. For almost 7 long days, he stayed there...it was so hard not having my son with me during that time It was insane.

In that week, I learned that through the toughest trials in life, you have to have faith, love and hope...and if you have those things, you will always find your way through even the darkest storm.

Today, we celebrate two wonderful years with our baby boy, who is now a healthy, handsome little guy. I promise to spend every single moment of my life loving him.

I feel so very blessed to have been trusted with such a precious life.

Happy Birthday, Baby Boy!! I hope your cake tasted good! Mommy loves you!!!

Random Ramblings...

2010-10-24T20:28:00.002-04:00

Sometimes, life comes at you rather quickly...over the last two years, life has had some very unexpected twists and turns. I had a son in the NICU, while I was admitted to a different hospital with post partum pre eclampsia....then, one of my VERY close family members had a surgery with a scare of cancer...after that, my father had a heart attack Thanksgiving morning of last year, followed by another heart attack, a half dozen surgeries and almost 2 weeks of life support....my precious, dearly loved, cherished best friend, Beth passed away...as did Joe's grandma, who raised him from a wee babe...to tell the truth, it just hasn't seemed to end...although, despite it all, I feel as if I have been so resilient the last two years, I have somehow remained so strong.

Just in the last few weeks, I had another life changer which has required adjusting to an even newer normal. Let me preface this by saying that I completely understand most people have jobs that change every so often...but, for me, I have been with the same company since my Junior year in college (almost 8 years). Until very recently, I have also had the same boss. Well, that changed a few weeks ago...and with that, so did my work load and responsibility. See, I don't want to go into too much detail, but, let's just say, one blog post a month is about all I can find time to do right now. I am just...too...busy with work.

However, I am excited to announce my littlest babe, my boy, will turn two next week...yes, in one week, I will celebrate two wonderful years with my son...however, I will look back on two years of life coming at me unexpectedly and also celebrate my ability to stay strong during some very hard times...and, I will celebrate one year of blogging.

In one week, my boy will be TWO and my blog will be ONE...wow! Where does the time go??

I promise, I will post at least one blog post next Friday...even if it is just one picture of my boy blowing out his candles...this was the first picture EVER posted on this blog...almost 1 year ago:

30 Pints...

2010-10-02T09:08:00.001-04:00

I am always impressed when people choose to give of themselves so selflessly.

When people donate blood...they are saving lives while expecting nothing in return except for a few sugary snacks and some soda.

When people donate blood...they are saving lives of people whom they have never met.

When people donate blood...someone, somewhere will appreciate that person whom they have never, ever met.

When I donate blood...I feel amazing knowing that I, alone, helped to save up to 3 lives.

When we held our blood drive Thursday night in Memory of our Dearest, Beloved, Beth Kearse...we raised over 30 pints of blood.

When we held our blood drive...we potentially saved 90 lives.

I am so proud of our girls, our community and our parents....without this group, without Beth choosing to do this last year...none of this would have been possible.

Thanks to EVERYONE who came out in support of our blood drive. You guys truly ROCK!!!!

By the way, our troop is going to sponsor this drive every year from here on out...I can't help but think if we do this every year, in 10 years we can save at least 900 lives. What an awesome feeling!

Oh, and if you aren't local, please consider donating your blood today at a local blood drive.

Thanks and I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!

Envy and Guilt!!

2010-08-26T21:45:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, Eva failed her vision screening (she was 20/30, 20/40 and 20/50) during her physical.

She finally got in to see vision doctor today (I think it was called an optometrist)....and well, she failed her eye exam.

So, she gets glasses...she is far sighted, but it is bad enough that she will still need to wear glasses all the time for now...maybe forever...and I am a little envious.

I must admit, I faked an eye exam when I was 11 because I wanted glasses so badly (I wanted to not only BE smart, but LOOK smart, too). I was diagnosed as being far sighted, and I probably am a little bit, but man, I really pretended like I couldn't focus when I read. I got a nice pair of glasses that I was supposed to wear when I read...I looked so smart...but, they were so strong that when I wore them, I had to really focus hard and I would get a seriously bad headache. So, needless to say, I did a lot of homework in my room so that my father wouldn't ask why I wasn't wearing my glasses.

Fortunately, Eva is super happy about it...we ordered her a nice pink pair of glasses (which will be ready next week just in time for school) and bought her a princess case for them (which she brought home today).

At least my baby will see now..not that I had ever realized she couldn't see before. I had no clue! So, aside from being a little jealous that she gets to wear glasses, I also feel a little bad that I never realized she needed them.

Well, I guess I will get over it...both the envy and the guilt. :)

A Guest Post...Revisited

2010-08-22T09:12:00.000-04:00

So, after a long night of ups and downs, highs and lows, and then more lows, I felt the need to express, again, my undying loyalty to my most favorite football team, the Redskins.

As the regular season approaches, and we are still seeing double digit losses, I felt the need to remind everyone why, exactly, I love the REDSKINS!

I did this gues post a few months ago over at Ian's blog, so I thought I would post it here...now that we have had our first official loss of the pre season:

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The Story Behind a True Fan

I am sure most of you have birth stories of your own you like to tell…most of which are probably stories of how your own children were born.

Me, I like to tell me own birth story (narcissistic any?)…it is a story that contains deep ties to a life long commitment of trust, loyalty, and undying love.

Here it is…in a very big nutshell…

It was September 1979…my mother was 2 weeks over due with her second child, me.

Miserable, hugely overweight, swollen, and, more than likely in her worst mood ever, my mother decided, being the avid ‘Skins fan she is, to spend her Sunday afternoon watching the Redskins first season game versus the Houston Oilers.

Obviously, I don’t recall exactly how the game went (after all, I wasn’t even born yet), but I know the Redskins were leading by a point or two in the last few minutes of the game….apparently, Houston scored a last minute field goal to take the lead.

In that moment, my mother jumped up out of anger and disappointment. When she hit the ground on her way back down her water broke…I was born the next day, following the Redskins first loss of the season.

Now, without going into too much detail, let’s just say my mother isn’t the ‘most pleasant person’ to be around…So, along with a lifetime of traditions, there is one thing Redskin’s losses have done for me…I credit this particular ‘Skins loss with getting me ‘the hell up out my mamma!” So, I don’t mind them losing…consistently…or, that they haven’t led their division since my first child was born, in 1999. That’s all OK…and I still consider myself a true fan.

With that, you have the realest, most genuine reasoning behind being a true, die hard Redskins fan…win or lose (preferably lose)!

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So, see, win, lose, or whatever, I still love my Skins...now, I would love for them to give me FREE season tickets for my story...seriously! I think it's worth the publicity I give them! :)

Hair Cuts, Pink Skirts, Bras and....Barf!

2010-08-09T20:46:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow my oldest daughter turns eleven! Since she is going to Middle School in less than a month, I wanted to take her to get her hair cut and then styled for her birthday. Since tomorrow will be a busy day, I decided to take her to get it done today.

I must say, it was well worth the $65 we paid ($80 including tip....$100 including the nice shampoo and conditioner I got her). I love it...and so does she. I think she felt like a princess.

While she was getting her hair done, the rest of us decided to shop. First, I got Eva this awesome pink skirt that she adores...then, I decided I needed to grab a few new bras for myself. Well, after about five minutes in the bra section, Bub barfed...all over the place, all over the carpets, all over the bras, all over himself. How long can GERD really last in a child anyways?

Let's just say, while we had planned on eating at Chili's, we opted for carryout instead.

But, Victoria does look beautiful!

What she doesn't know, is I also decided to get her a cell phone..*Shhhhh* don't tell her!!!!!!!!!!

Long Time Coming...

2010-08-03T10:49:00.000-04:00

So, I know it's been like, FOREVER, since I wrote a post. It isn't that I don't LOVE blogging, it is just that I haven't had much time to write anything.

Let's see...in the last month and a half we have done so much.

We started our Summer break!

We went to Pennsylvania to visit my Nana and her family.

We went to Savannah, GA.

We battled fleas in and around our house (we have won that battle, so far).

The girls went to Vacation Bible School.

I got COMPLETELY caught up on work...something I haven't been able to accomplish since my father's heart attacks last Thanksgiving, and got even harder to do after Beth passed away.

We planned a trip to take my father to Ohio to his class reunion, which will happen next Friday. He still can't drive long distances, and he really wants to go, and I am so pleased that I get to do a little 'pay back' for all he has done for me and my family. So, we are going on a good old family road trip..with grandpa. We are going to ride a sightseeing train while we are there and get to see where my dad grew up. I am very excited about taking this trip with him!

On a final note...it's Birthday season around these parts. We had or will have, in order, a July Birthday (Joe), an August Birthday (Vic), a September birthday (Your's Truly) and an October Baby (Jr)....yup, and Eva, our March babe, is our only non monthly sequential birthday. ...and yes, only a true nerd like me would even pay attention to that.

Well, it's good to be back...and I hope to be around more frequently.

Happy Graduation, Baby!!!!

2010-06-17T08:36:00.003-04:00

Today is a BIG day...my first baby is graduating from 5th grade today! Woohoo!!!!

I am so excited for her....as for me, yeah, I feel a little (ok,a LOT) old today!

We went out yesterday to buy her a new dress/shoes for the BIG day! I also let her pick out her own graduation present. She chose a beautiful set of pearl jewelry (thank goodness it was on sale for 40% off...gotta love good old JCPenney) that matched her dress.

I think she looked like a princess this morning...and I am pretty sure she felt like one, too.

Here's to many more graduations in our future!

Way to go baby!!! Mommy is SOOOOO proud of you!!!!

Buckle Up...

2010-06-14T08:55:00.002-04:00

I don't have much time to write this, but I wanted to write this right away.

This morning I found out that a 17 year old local girl died yesterday in a car accident. From what the reports said, the girl's father was driving his vehicle when he swerved right, then over-corrected, then rolled. The girl was ejected from the vehicle and she died at the scene. Reports also note the girl was not wearing a seat belt.

This is all too familiar in our community.

I have to admit something...I have admitted it before to people, but haven't yet on my blog.

Beth never wore her seatbelt. She always said, "I'm too fat to wear my seatbelt." She wasn't wearing one the night of her accident.

She only rode with me a few times, but each time she did I would say something to her about it....but, there isn't a part of me that feels like I pushed her enough to wear her seatbelt. Since she has been gone, I have had an overwhelming sense of wanting to start a campaign in our community to promote the consistent use of seat belts.

I will not say that had Beth been wearing her seatbelt that she wouldn't have died...I know seat belts don't ALWAYS work...but, I still can't help but wonder, had she been wearing it, would she have lived.

What I will say, is that now, knowing our community has lost a child (yes, a 17 year old child) to another auto accident where seat belts weren't in use, I feel the need to start this campaign more than ever.

My heart goes out to the father who just lost his daughter...I will be praying for him and his entire family as they mourn this loss. I will pray that he doesn't live in constant guilt and blame. I will pray that he has comfort and that he knows his daughter is in the BEST hands she could possibly be in.

For all of those reading this, please please err on the side of caution...choose to protect your life as best as you can when you get in a car.

Just, Buckle up...if not for yourself, then for Beth and for this child and their families...and for your own family.

Facebook...and another LONG post!

2010-06-02T11:05:00.000-04:00

So, a few weeks ago my friend Shawnee asked me to look at some pictures of hers on Facebook.

After years of going against the societal grain of joining such a social network, I caved (Thanks Shawnee)...well, if you don't know already, when I moved to the country I moved from my hometown and left an 'old' life behind me. There was so much stuff I wanted to leave behind and not have to subject my children to...you know, that fast paced, suburban world that can open you up to too much at a young age. So, I sold the townhouse and bought a nice little house in the country.

I love it here...really...and since I have been here, I haven't had much of any knowledge of a prior life (except for family, of course).

However, the other day on Facebook, I got a friend request. It was from Victoria's Dad...nothing big there...I am already friend's with his wife (who is an awesome lady expecting their second child in a few months). I accepted his request...but, then, about 10 minutes later, I got a message. It was from a guy that was/is a good friend of his. Well, to put it nicely, this friend of his and I didn't get along too well towards the end of our relationship...and, well, he asked me if I still "hated' him...LOL! *For the record, no, I don't hate him, or ANYONE, for that matter...hate is such a vile thing to carry with you through life, and I REFUSE to have any of it! Although, I do really hate liver and sauerkraut!!*

Then, not even 15 minute after I responded to him, I got another friend request...from a guy who dated my ex best friend...in MIDDLE SCHOOL. Well, I mean, I have known him for a long time, but still...HOW THE HECK did all this come about in a matter of 20 minutes?

So much for being incognito in a Facebook world!!!

Memorial Day and Summer Fun!

2010-05-31T10:32:00.000-04:00

I am not someone who has lost a loved one directly due to war, but I have lost a loved one who fought in a war...my Pap was a veteran of WWII...he was one of the the most important men of my life and he lost a battle to cancer a few years ago. He fought for and risked his life for our country...and today, men and women like him are being honored all over our country.

Though my grandfather was able to safely return home from war, and lived many years beyond his military career, so many other soldiers don't come home safely, or at all...so many families sacrifice..so many families lose someone they love...so many soldiers risk it all, and lose.

My thanks and my heart goes out to all of those who have and will risk and sacrifice themselves or their loved ones in the future.

Happy Memorial Day!

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In closing, here are the first 'pool' pics of the summer...gotta love make shift baby pools on the deck!

Oh, and I think I have a future grill mate in my son!!!

Savannah, GA & Blood

2010-05-29T22:56:00.002-04:00

I can hardly believe there's less than five weeks until our Girl Scout Troops depart for Savannah, GA to visit the Birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Over the last few weeks, our troop leader and I have been working hard putting together the final touches on this 5 day/4 night trip.

Before Beth passed, she was working very hard preparing for this trip...she had began gathering information and making plans over a year ago. When I spoke at Beth's vigil, it was made public that our troops would be taking this trip in her honor.

...I just can't believe we will be there in less than five weeks...and I still have moments where I am sad that she won't be there. Even though I know she will be there in spirit, I just felt like this trip was her project, her way to give these girls an amazing, educational trip, and I want her to be able to see what she worked so hard for. She was always looking to enhance the lives of everyone she knew.

Last September, she also coordinated a blood drive as a service project for our troop. I can't recall the exact number of pints we collected, but I think it was around 30 or so (which, is enough blood to give to over 100 people). I donated blood at that drive and I also registered with Virginia Blood Services (VBS) to donate blood in the future. Well, on Wednesday evening I received a phone call from VBS asking if I could donate blood as there was a shortage in our area. Of course, I was willing to give my own blood...but, while I was talking to the representative, I had an ever better idea. I wanted to coordinate another blood drive with them for our troops.

So, I had the guy I spoke with send me an email, which I then responded to with our information asking him if he could find the contact she had worked with. Well, by Friday afternoon I had an email from the woman Beth worked with. I informed her of Beth's death and that I wanted to coordinate another blood drive in the fall. I explained that I wanted to not only help raise more blood than I could give myself, but that I also wanted to do this in Beth's honor.

Sooooo....after all of this looooong drawn out post, I just want to say that....1) We will be going to Savannah Ga (because of Beth) in less than five weeks...and...2) In September, our troops will be holding another blood drive to help save more lives (also because of Beth).

I am just amazed that even after she is gone, her goodwill continues to live on...her love, her kindness, her willingness to give back...it still lives...because it lives in those who knew and loved her and those who continue to be touched by her spirit.

I DID IT!!!

2010-05-23T08:34:00.002-04:00

This post is about me...all about me...and, warning, it is LONG!!!!

Rarely do I write about myself, but I wanted to today because for once, I have faced a huge fear of mine head on...and I am really proud of myself.

As a child, at the age of seven, I was abruptly removed from my mothers home. The situation I was removed from wasn't good. There was abuse and neglect in our home, and my mother and my stepfather were alcoholics and I even expect my stepfather may have done other drugs as well. After months of hell, my sister, who is almost eight years older than me, decided it was time to take action and began informing adults of our situation. She saved us from hell.

As hard as our living situation had been, being taken away from my mother was the hardest thing that had ever happened to me emotionally. Despite the abuse and neglect, I loved her...I needed her....I yearned for her once I was away from her...even though I had my Nana, who I loved very much, it wasn't my mom.

My Nana and Pap worked very hard to get my physical condition back on track. I was extremely underweight (about 45 pounds at 7 years old) and my teeth were rotting out of my mouth. Within a month of being taken from my mom, I had 7 caps, 3 fillings and a spacer put in my mouth. All of that work was done in a course of 4 weeks and it was so hard for me to go through...especially being that I was just taken from my mom. Not to mention, on the last trip, my Pap's SUV broke down, and we were stranded on the side of the road for about 20 minutes!!!!

I have always associated the dentist with both emotional and physical pain. I even wrote a short story about it in college that I got an A+ on...it has been a huge part of who I am and I have allowed my fear to prevent me from getting my wisdom teeth removed.

Well, this past Thursday, I conquered my fears...I had oral surgery to remove my wisdom teeth and I am so happy to say I am no longer letting the fear control me. I am now in control of that fear.

To be honest, it wasn't bad at all...I was really impressed with how well it all went...and the dentist, his nurse, my dad and my sister, all told me how proud they were of me....of course, I had a Valium or two before the big event, which helped...but, in the end, I did it. I did it!!!!!

...and I am so proud of myself!!!

Look at MY Daddy!

2010-05-16T22:28:00.000-04:00

I truly cannot express how I felt as I was taking these pictures. To see my father standing up on that stage today, singing...doing what he loves...after fearing he would never be able to walk, or talk, or sing, or even live again...was just AMAZING!

Here, you can see what I saw...you may never understand the emotions involved behind these pictures, but if you have ever experienced something like this or this, you could understand. I felt joy...true joy. After a long time of being sad, I felt joy...although I have had great moments of happiness, of feeling blessed, of being grateful, I really hadn't felt true joy since Beth died. I had been in such a stage of sadness...I would have highs, and lows, but I would never get high enough to experience true joy...until today...until I saw this...

...and this...

I will say, he left the parking lot, in his own car, before we did. He was going to celebrate with his friends. I am so glad he got to feel this again. I know it must have been such a wonderful feeling, to be on that stage again.

I am sooo proud of him.

Here are some more pics of my family!

Enjoy!!!

My Dad and I!

This is my dad and my sister.

My dad and the girls!

My Baby!!!

A BIG Day!

2010-05-16T10:57:00.002-04:00

If you don't know this already, my father had a heart attack this past Thanksgiving Day. He was having chest pains in the morning, and actually drove himself to the ER and walked in on his own while having it.

He was given a catheterization procedure and scheduled for bypass. Well, the night before his scheduled bypass he had another heart attack (worse than the first) and they had to rush him in to surgery.

After his bypass, his chest was so enlarged, they could not close him up. We (my sister and I) thought he was going to die. He had about a 70% chance of survival.

After 10 days of being in multiple forms of life support (one of which being a ventricular assist that actually pumped his blood for him), a mild stroke, and many blood transfusions, he was finally closed back up and began healing.

Today, less than 6 months since his heart attack, my father is having his first concert performance and he even has ~~a solo and~~ a duet (I was wrong, he just had a duet). I can't believe he has come so far, and I feel so blessed that he is still here and singing.

He has sang his entire life, even in prestigious groups such as the National Philharmonic, so when we found out he had a mild stroke, we feared he would never sing again, even if he lived.

But, today, we get to witness the miracles of medical technology, God's ability to heal, and our Dad's will to live! I am just soooo excited!!!

Anyhow, just wanted to share how very proud I am of my dad, and how grateful I am to his doctors, and to God, for working a miracle in our lives...and how grateful I am to my daddy for fighting so hard to stay here with us a little longer...he is truly our very own walking (and now driving, too) miracle! ;)

I love my daddy!!!

Father Daughter Dance

2010-05-08T00:17:00.001-04:00

Now, things have been kind of crazy the last month and a half. But going to the Father-Daughter Dance, and getting to see all the fun and excitement, was a true treat!

Sam vs. Snake

2010-05-06T11:38:00.000-04:00

Generally, I don't go around chopping up baby animals into little pieces, but today, I made an exception...Um, yeah, I won this battle!!! This baby copperhead didn't stand a chance...and I wasn't giving him a chance!

Now, for the record, I would only do this to a copperhead...I always leave our black snakes alone, because they actually eat copperhead eggs, along with rodents.

I have to admit, this snake sure did scare the crap out of me as I got out of my van today...and I also broke my hoe.

This Deserves Two Posts in One Day...read on...

2010-05-04T13:04:00.000-04:00

I got this in my work inbox...yes, I get URGENT news from the Washington Post! What do you say?

News Alert: D.C. marijuana bill heads to mayor for signature
12:47 PM EDT Tuesday, May 4, 2010
--------------------

The D.C. Council has given final approval to legalized medical marijuana. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) is now expected to sign the legislation, after which Congress will get 30 days to review it before it becomes law.

For more information, visit washingtonpost.com:
http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/VP6EHT/KDN3F/INPR5/WZZ2GJ/8YRY6/UP/t

Slowly, But Surely!

2010-05-04T09:50:00.000-04:00

Slowly but surely,things are falling back into place.

We are adjusting to a new normal...

I am almost caught up on work...almost!

Eva had a preK concert last night that was amazing. I am going to post pictures this weekend, once I have time to upload them on to my computer.

After her concert we went to Girl Scouts...and I cried last night...in front of just a few girls and adults (after most of everyone had left). I just couldn't help it. Eva and Beth's youngest daughter (who looks just like Beth) were playing red light/green light...and I just lost it. I don't know why, but I just started crying. Beth's oldest daughter looked at me and asked, "Are you crying because you miss my mommy?" I replied a very solemn, "Yes, baby." Then, the other girl who was in the accident said, "Oh, Sam, let it all out...I do it all the time." Funny how an 11 year old girl can make you feel all better.

Anyhow, I am sure I will still have tears from time to time...and I am sure I will always miss my friend, but I am so glad I can cry when I need to, and know that others have cried and will cry again, too....I am not alone in this.

On another note, our Girl Scout Council has nominated Beth for the Appreciation Pin at this year's Honoring Excellence Dinner. I was honored to write a letter on recommendation for her. I am also going to attend the dinner with our troop leader and hopefully Beth's family.

Anyhow, hope to write more soon. For now, back to work!!! Bye!

I'm Getting Caught Up...

2010-04-19T14:48:00.000-04:00

...sort of!

I mean, I am doing better today than I was this time last week.

We did have a great time at our Girl Scout's Father/Daughter Dance (yes, Bub and I went along to 'help' at the dance). Really, it was a great evening. I still need to weed through the gazillion pictures I took, but I hope to post some this week (you know, if time permits).

On another note, the baby woke up with a fever this morning (101.5 aux)...which is his first fever in about 8 months. He used to get them all the time when he was a baby (when he cut a tooth, when he got shots, when he had a cold), but he has gone a while without one. I think he has a small cold now, as he has a slight runny nose and has been sneezing. It has broke for now, but I will be taking him in if it comes back again in the next 24 hours.

And, one last thing...I read this today in a daily prayer I get every morning (it was ironic, because the pastor who sends out these prayers actually mentioned not knowing why this particular quote had come to mind this morning...I could only think how he always seems to say things that touch me deeply at times when I need to hear them the most, and I thought, "perhaps he is writing them just for me"...and I am glad I get a daily dose of prayer in the morning)...here it is:

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

Source Unknown

I just...Can't do it!!!!

2010-04-14T18:50:00.000-04:00

So, I wanted to do a nice post for my 100th post. Something reflecting the many memories and treasures I have gathered over the years. I wanted to showcase some of my most valued possessions...not for their monetary values (because, let's face it, I am the farthest from materialistic as one can come), but because of the sentiment values associated with them. One day, I hope to be able to do this...maybe for my 200th post, but right now, I just can't do it.

I don't have time...I don't have energy...I don't have the mindset to do it right now. My work inbox is overflowing (and, if you know me, that is not the norm), my accounting work is about a month behind schedule (because I wasn't yet caught back up from missing work from my Dad's heart attacks/hospitalizations and winter blizzards before the tragedy with Beth hit)...I am behind on paying bills, not because I don't have the money to pay them, but because I can't find the paper with all my password for online bill payment written on it)...I am behind on PTA duties (I told the PTA president I loved her the other day because she had cancelled out monthly meeting, which I thought I was going to once again be forced to miss)...I just scheduled an appointment to speak to a counselor (I am not quite sure how to put this, but I am just not sure what to say or do anymore when it comes to my dear friend's family...am I saying the right thing, am I not saying the right thing...am I being to overbearing?...am I not there enough?)...It is just so much to process right now. All of it!

Anyhow, If you have read this far, I am sure you are now as confused and tired as I am. Which is why I haven't been writing too much recently (I figured I would spare you the agony or reading my innermost thoughts)...I think this is all finally catching up with me.

Well, back to the grind. I did get our bed made today, for probably the first time in a week.

I will coin a term from one of my most favorite movies, "Baby steps, Sam, baby steps."

99th Post...and a WONDERFUL Update!!

2010-04-06T18:10:00.000-04:00

So, my life has been very CRAZY since Thursday...each day, since then, I have been at the hospital (except Friday because I had to work) visiting my friend's daughter, "S," who was in the accident that took her mom's life, and was sedated until last week...well, for now, there will not be any more hospital trips...why?...Because... "S," is home today!

Isn't that wonderful?!?!?!?!?!

On a side note, I want you all to know how truly WONDERFUL our community is...yesterday, on my way to the hospital, my friend's husband, "B," called me to ask me about a ramp...a wheel chair ramp for "S.". Of course, I have no idea how to build a ramp, but I knew our friend, "J," just had one built for the other girl in the accident (who is her 1st cousin's daughter) and could point me in the right direction...so, I called "J" around 1pm to see what she could do. I gave her "B's" phone number and she said she would take care of it.

Well, what do you know...I called "B" after I left the hospital, around 7pm, and to see if any progress had been made on the ramp...well, "B" told me the ramp was FINISHED!!! I even got to see a picture of it on Facebook when I got home...I cried when I saw it! I couldn't help it...it was so good to see the love and compassion in our community.

I mean, how wonderful is that?!?!?!?!

I truly live in the best community...in the WORLD (sorry, ya'll, but if your jealous, then you better move here)!

I haven't said this enough, so I will say it again, God Gives, and God takes away...but He CERTAINLY gives!!!!!

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!!!

Oh, and this is officially my 99th post! So, the next time you hear from me, I will be celebrating 100!!!! Woo-hoo! It's way better than turning 30, let me tell you!

Love,

Back to the 'Rock Pile'...

2010-04-02T21:29:00.000-04:00

Today was the first day I went back in to my office since before the accident. The last time I drove home from DC was the last time I had seen Beth (when I picked Vic up from her from a booth sale in town).

Driving in was solemn...lone, long commutes often are when you have a lot on your mind. I did chat for a while with one of my friends who was also very close to Beth, so that helped pass the time.

When I got to my building, I went straight to the restroom and washed my face and hands. I took a deep breath before I walked out, knowing my first day back in the office would be hard (you don't really have to worry about people confronting you about difficult issues when you work from home, but when you are face to face with people it is very different).

As soon as I got out of the bathroom, I saw our maintenance man, who I have known for 7 years...he is also a pastor. He, as usual, asked me how me and 'the family' was...It is impossible to look at someone and say, 'we're fine' with everything going on (and, you know, lying to a pastor isn't something I could do). I told him what happened, almost everything, and we prayed...in the middle of the hallway, on Good Friday. I felt a lot better (God once again shows He will make sure I am not ever alone).

Anyhow, once I made my way in to our actual office, quite a few people asked how I was doing (I guess word spreads pretty fast in a small company like mine). I had to respond so many times that it kind of got repetitive, although, I did get a variety of questions about different aspects of all that has happened.

I held it together pretty good, only shedding a few tears throughout the day....until I finally had time to sit in my boss's office....face to face with him. And, then, I LOST it!!! Big old baby tears...I felt so bad, but knew my boss is the kind of man who is compassionate enough to understand and handle it. Then, our president walked in...she too began comforting me with thoughtful words and let me know I had been on her mind.

I guess, as hard as my first day was, I am glad I went to the office...I am glad I got to see people I have worked with for many years and it was good to feel life moving on.

Oh, and if you have made it this far, my kids and I got to spend a few hours with my best friend's daughter last night at the hospital. It was so nice to see her and so nice to even see her smile a few times. We are going to see her again tomorrow...word is that she may come home some time next week.

Well, time for B-d-d (as my Nana calls it...you know, to bed). I am sooo tired.

Night!!!

Where Have I Been?

2010-03-31T11:56:00.000-04:00

Ok, this is a quick , very quick, post to say I am still here (if anyone is still out there).

I have been very busy in the last week getting caught back up on life in general...but I have also been very busy helping out our troop leader with some of the stuff Beth used to do for her (which, let me tell you, was a LOT).

It feels so good to be able to help, but of course, it means having to give up some of my other favorite things.

For now, I feel called to help our troop and Beth's family in whatever way I can. I will still check in and update about the kids and our life from time to time, but I definitely don't think daily posting is in my near future.

I hope to be able to check a few blogs and comment from time to time, too. I know, it has been a while since I commented on or visited my favorite blogs, but I hope to start again soon.

Miss you guys, but, I shall return...eventually!

Love,

Getting to Know You - 3/28/10

2010-03-28T08:22:00.004-04:00

So, last week was the first time I missed GTKY since I started playing along.

I truly love this meme...I love getting to know everyone else and I love to know that people are actually getting to know things about me. However, with the loss of my best friend last week, it was impossible for me to play along.

Well, there is nothing better than having Ian ask our GTKY questions to get me back in the groove...so, a BIG thanks to Keely and Ian for bringing me back to Bloggy-Life!

Ok, so, if you want to play along, and I suggest that you do, head on over to Keely's blog to play along!

**********************************************

1 - Why did you start blogging?

To keep in touch with friends and family who live far, far away!!!! Although, I don't think any of my family actually reads my blog anymore! ;(

2 - Who's the one blog friend that you would want to meet most in "real life"?

Well, there are a few...since Ian is so close to me, I would say him, but I already have semi-plans to go meet my dear, dear friend Robin in Texas over the summer. Then, there's SIF, who I really, really would love to meet...she is also a dear, dear friend.
3 - Why are you always concerned with losing that "extra 10 pounds" when chances are your husband/boyfriend/friends tell you that you look just fine the way you are?

I actually just lost 58 pounds and got off Blood Pressure monitoring!! Woohoo!!! So, I guess now I am losing it for my overall health. Not to say, I don't want to feel more attractive like I did when I was 23!

4 - What's the one thing you wish guys could understand about you?

That I have gas, too! ;) (for some reason, men don't think women pass gas...I mean, we do have the same digestive tract, you know)

5 - Tattoos. How many do you have and how many are visible when you wear your "everyday" clothes?

I have two tattoos...one on my ankle and the other on my shoulder blade...you can see eithe rof them depending on what I am wearing...but, I can just as easily cover them up! ;) By the way, I drew one of my tattoos by myself...the bad thing is, I can't draw! ;)
6 - What was the best year of your life and why?

Oh, Ian, you asked me this a few weeks ago and I said RIGHT NOW (yes, in caps if you recall)...although, I wish I could go back 8 days ago, to before my friend died, I would still say the time right now...I believe we are called to live in the moment, for this moment is the only one guaranteed to us.

7 - Name three things you would do if you were a man for one day.

Play professional football, be a racecar driver in NASCAR and scratch my bal....

8 - What's your alcoholic drink of choice that usually raises a few eyebrows?

A Virgin Pina Colada (no, I don't drink...ever...I have a horrible tolerance...or lack thereof)

**********************************************

Happy Sunday Ya'll!!!!!!

Love,

Every Moment...

2010-03-26T13:52:00.001-04:00

First things first...My friend's daughter's surgery went "very well" according to her surgeons. I am going to go up to see her once she is awake and her dad says I can go with him (he has to be with me to see her). Praises are definitely in order....but, prayers are definitely still appreciated for both her continued physical and emotional healing.

I have also been by to see the other child, who is now home. She is doing well, but in a lot of pain. Please also be prayerful for her continued physical and emotional healing. I took her some Reece's Pieces and Yoo-Hoo (at her request) and also a cute little handheld chick that chirps when you touch it. Bless her little heart, she is such a brave girl.

As for me, I had my first attempt at grocery shopping since the accident. I went to our local Food Lion in town...a place Beth and I frequented regularly...sometimes together intentionally and sometime by coincidence. I was about half way through the store when it hit me, I won't ever 'run into her' at Food Lion again....of course, I felt myself starting to cry...I felt alone, totally alone in the middle of this grocery store filled with people. Then, as I turned the corner, there stood my neighbor (who is like my adoptive grandma)...and I just ran up to her and wrapped my arms around her and started bawling.

In that moment, I was so sad, but so joyous. I believe it was God's way of saying, "You may think you are alone, my child, but I am making sure you are never alone in this journey." I was humbled...My neighbor just hugged me and started asking me about Beth' daughter. I quickly composed myself to share the good news of her successful surgery.

Every moment is different..each second has it's highs, and lows. However, it is impossible to ignore God's Hand through all of this...because, even through all this sadness, I have felt Him here with me every moment!

Love,

P.S. If you are interested, you can read about the vigil we held for Beth here...it is an inspirational read, and something I was so honored to do for both the girls in our troop and our entire community, but especially for Beth.

My Writing is Horrible!!!

2010-03-25T07:58:00.004-04:00

..as in my handwriting.

I think mine is the worst. I have always wanted to write like a 'girl.' I always wanted to have that nice, bubbly, perfect-letters-every-time style of handwriting. Instead, I have the handwriting skills of about a 7-year-old.

However, I got tagged to do something I find interesting over on my dear friend Robin's blog. The assignment was this:

The rules are simple.
Answer the following questions but, write them down. Snap a pic and post it!

1. Name/ Blog Name

2. Right handed, left handed or both

3. Favorite letters to write

4. Least favorite letters to write

5. Write: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

6. Write in caps:

CRAB

HUMOR

KALEIDOSCOPE

PAJAMAS

GAZILLION

7. Favorite song lyrics

8. Tag people

9. Any special note or drawing

Here's Mine

So, after I did this, I also took a writing personality test...I have to say, despite the offense I may have taken when I read it, I agree with 'most' of it...here is what is said:

Your Handwriting Says You Are Somewhat Traditional

You are sometimes a very energetic person, but you are sometimes quite lethargic. You're moody, prone to ups and downs, and you don't have a lot of endurance.
You are reserved and not very outgoing. You are deeply thoughtful and introspective. You have a lot of control over your actions and emotions.
You are extravagant, over the top, and indulgent. You set trends and influence people.
You don't need a lot of space, and you prefer to spend time with others. You are a little nosy and intrusive. You sometimes don't give people enough space.
You are somewhat traditional, but you are also open to change. You listen to your head and your heart.
You are a decent communicator. You eventually get your point across, but sometimes you leave things a bit ambiguous.

***************************************************

Does this sound like me? I mean, you know, other than the fact that I am not outgoing...I have always felt very outgoing.

Thanks again everyone for all your support, prayers and comments. Today is going to be hard as we say good bye to a dear friend, but I am certain we will be just fine as I know she is up there watching over us sitting right next to the Bug Guy!!!!

Please still be prayerful for her daughter as she undergoes an 8 hour surgery today.

Love,

Updates

2010-03-24T09:39:00.000-04:00

Two people very special to me sent me this...I have never met them in person, but I feel like they are just as special as if we had know each other all our lives...Thank you friends!!!! I love you guys and am so happy God put you in my life...I hope we get to create many wonderful memories together in the years ahead.

I heard this morning that the girl who was in the accident with my best friend and her daughter will get to come home today. I am going to take them dinner tonight. Praise God!!!

Beth's daughter will have an 8 hour surgery tomorrow, during her mom's funeral. She is still sedated and hasn't been told yet of her mother's passing. Please, please be prayerful for this sweet girl and her family. They need all the prayers and love we can offer them.

Monday we had our vigil for Beth...I prepared the slideshow, made ribbons and even got to speak on our troops behalf about our beloved friend. I don't know how I did it, it was so hard, but I know I did my best and I was so honored to be able to speak about my friend.

After the vigil, another mom and I were approached by two women from our Girl Scout Council BOD (Board of Directors). Before Beth died, she had been working on a trip we were taking to the birth place of the GS founder, Juliette Lowe, in Savannah GA...well, we decided, as a troop, to honor Beth, we will still be going to Savannah...well, these two women said they want to help us get there...they are going to request funding from the Council for our trip...Isn't that amazing? What a blessing!!!

Each day is getting better. Each moment is still different. There are true blessings during this storm...true friends...true family...life is so truly precious!

My friend had this saying stenciled on her wall in her kitchen: Live, Laugh, Love!!!! I am going to choose to live by her motto. I can't think of a better way to even further honor my friend.

There is much to be done for this family over the span of life, but I am thanking God that he chose me to be here for this amazing family. I am thanking Him for trusting me with her love, her friendship and her family. I will do my best to give back to them all the love she gave to me. I am so grateful to have had someone like her as long as I did....I bet many people go a lifetime without having someone as special as her in their life.

So, Live, Laugh and Love...every day!!!

Love,

The Day Ahead...

2010-03-22T08:52:00.000-04:00

Today will be a busy day, I have been working on a slideshow for my dear friend's vigil tonight at our church.

In place of our regular meeting, our troop will be hosting this vigil for our girls and our community tonight.

I feel so blessed right now to be working on this slideshow. Everyone has been sending me pictures and I feel so honored to get to be doing this project.

Thank you so much for your kind words and support. I know I haven't been responding to comments, but I haven't really had it in me. I have been reading everything and I really do appreciate it.

Life is too short sometimes, so please, live each moment to the fullest. Tell those that you love and care for and appreciate that you feel that way. Don't let things go unsaid or undone. I know my friend knew how much I loved her, for that I am so grateful for.

Just a few pictures I found yesterday...from my baby shower. Beth and my sister, mostly Beth, arranged my last baby shower...it was a football (REDSKINS) theme...she did everything in Burgundy and Gold...her husband even made me a football field to put my gifts on (complete with an end zone and field goal pole)...she was the best friend I could ever ask for...I was so happy on this day..so grateful...I will remember this time and all the other amazing times we shared.

Love,

Thoughts From a Loving Friend...

2010-03-21T10:49:00.001-04:00

Dear Beth,

I remember the first time I met you...almost 5 years ago right after we moved here, to Caroline County, VA...I walked into my first Girl Scouts Meeting and you were there. You were so together...so attentive to what you were doing...so organized and energized. However, you quickly approached us and welcomed my daughter and I to the troop.

Shortly thereafter, we worked the Girl Scout booth at the county fair together..Joe and I had had an argument before I got there and I was upset. I was so upset I began telling you, almost a complete stranger at the time, how I was feeling...I was so alone as I was without a friend in the world to talk to. You said to me, "I'll be your friend." From that day forward, you were just that...a friend like I had never had ever before in my life.

I know I told you this all the time...how much I loved you, how much I was grateful God put you in my life, how special you were, how mush I wanted to be like you, how important you were to our girls and our entire community. I will never be able to put into words how much you have done for so many people...how much you have given yourself to our children, our schools, our troop, my family, ME!

I know you are with Him (probably organizing his entire assortment of whatever needs to be organized)...I know He is using you as He sees fit...I am not angry with Him..I am so happy He put you in my life, even if it was for a short time. I am so happy He knows how good you are and that He has welcomed you into His home. He loves you way more than I ever could...I know why he would want you...I want you, why wouldn't He?

I am going to be here for your family....my entire family wants to be here for your family...they all know how good you were to me and my children and we all want to do whatever we can for your family. I am going to do whatever I can to help them...you have been here for me when I needed you EVERY single time...when I gave birth, when I had a son in the NICU, when I was in the hospital, when my father had his heart attacks, when I needed a sifter (yes, your sifter is sitting here right in front of me now...I am glad I never gave it back to you, even though I never ended up using it, because it is yours and it's here with me).

I always got so excited when I had a chance to do something for you, even if it was just taking you to Fredericksburg to get your car fixed...I was so glad to be able to help any chance I got (which was rare, it seemed like you never needed help...ever)...I am glad we were so close..I am glad you confided in me...I am glad you loved me back...I am so glad you were a part of my life.

I love you and I will never forget you...I know I will see you again.

********************************************************

This was our troop, almost 4 years ago, at Tangier Island...That's me, in the middle towards the back in the pink shirt, and that's you standing next to me with the short brown hair and gray t shirt. So many faces in this picture are missing you...We all love you! We all miss you! We all will see you again!!!

********************************************************

This is you and our girls (I don't know why Jr wasn't in the picture)...I took this picture with your camera (you, of course, had a camera with a charged battery...mine, of course, was completely dead)...we were at the National Zoo...we had a great day last summer (the last weekend before school started). I am so glad I had this time with you...I am glad I took this picture. I am so glad I will see you again.

I Love You!

********************************************************

I love you and I will see you again!!!

Please Pray!!!!!

2010-03-20T08:14:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone...thanks so much for your prayers and kind words. I just returned home from the hospital.

Unfortunately, my best friend didn't make it. Fortunately, both girls will make it...one girl, her daughter, was in surgery when I left to repair lashes to her face and arms (it is re-constructive). The other child has a broken hip and won't walk for at least 2 months, but will be able to walk again with many limitations.

Please continue to pray for these families...and mine...I am strong in my faith, but I just want to be calm and comforted enough to be there for these families, and my own, right now. My daughter took it hard at first, but it seems her faith is as strong as mine...she knows her friends will need her to be strong for them and I am so impressed with how she is acting.

I might not blog too much in the next week or so...but I promise to check in from time to time.

Thanks again everyone.

While I was writing a comment on the Bloggette of the Week over at SIF's BF forum I got a phone call from our Girl Scout Troop Leader.

She told me my best friend, her daughter who is 11, and another child in our troop who is also 11 were in a very, very bad car accident last night.

It took over 2 hours to cut my friend out of the car and she and her daughter were sent by helicopter. The other child was thrown from the vehicle and has a broken hip, but it conscious and going into surgery. The kids seem to be critical, but stable. My friend, however, is not at this moment and is in surgery trying to get her stable.

Please pray for these families...and our family...my daughter was with them at a booth sale just a few hours before the accident at an evening booth sale and is also a bit upset for our friends.

I am on my way to the hospital, but will update this post later with more details.

Thanks!

Lord, please be with my dear friends and their families. Please comfort them, and be there for them and give them strength during this time. For in my most difficult times I turn to you for strength, guidance, comfort and love. I know you are with them now just as you have always been. Please give me the strength and guidance to be there for my friends whatever the outcome may be.

Our Father,

who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Achievements!

2010-03-18T18:48:00.002-04:00

Achievements are such wonderful things, aren't they?

I mean, after my "Debbie Downer" post this morning, I worked, got showered and dressed, got Joe Jr. up from his nap, got him dressed and proceeded to drive to our doctor's appointments.

Now, in case you don't know, my son was born about 16 1/2 months ago in Prince William Co, VA (about an hour and a half north of us)...I chose to have him there as I wanted him to be delivered by my OBGyn of 15 years...and she only delivers there.

When Jr was born, he was put in the NICU for a number of things...fluid on his lungs, jaundice, lots of bruising, a broken collar bone and eating issues...however, before he was born, there were no indications anything would be wrong, and there wasn't...until he was born. Let's just say, he got pretty roughed up coming out.

After about 5 days of him being in the NICU, I began having a really hard time breathing. Yes, I had just given birth...yes, I was overweight...but, I had been those things twice before and had never felt anything like this. While my son was in the NICU, over an hour away, I went to the emergency room closer to home, actually in between our home and where he was.

My head felt like it was going to explode....I still couldn't breathe...they thought I had a pulmonary embolism. However, nope, what I had was blood pressure (BP) readings around 216/110..so, while my son was in the NICU at one hospital, I was admitted on day 5...to a different hospital...in a different town...away from my newborn.

That, was hard! Especially since he was discharged 3 hours before I was...I was an hour away from not being able to pick my baby boy up and take him home from the NICU.

Well, flash forward to today....we both had joint doctors visits.

My boy is perfectly healthy. He is 99% for height and 95% for weight. He is perfectly on track developmentally as well!

...and ME...well, let's just say, I have lost a total of 58 pounds since he was born (4 pounds since my last visit) and my BP is down to a nice 114/80...without meds...oh, and I am officially off of BP monitoring, too.

Aren't achievements great?

Shame

2010-03-18T08:13:00.003-04:00

I couldn't decide between making this a serious post and a sarcastic one...so, I decided to do a little of both.

The theme of this post is about shame...

shame (shm)

a. A painful emotion caused by a strong sense of guilt, embarrassment, unworthiness, or disgrace.

b. Capacity for such a feeling: Have you no shame?

2. One that brings dishonor, disgrace, or condemnation.

3. A condition of disgrace or dishonor; ignominy.

4. A great disappointment.

Now, below I am going to list things I have recently been shameful for...

My new indulgence in Facebook...or rather Farmville since that's all I really do while on Facebook. Yes, since I created my account last weekend, I now have chickens, cows, horses, goats, sheep, pigs and even cats...not to mention I just bought two tractors this morning.
My negligence to clip Eva toenails for God knows how long....they were pretty darn long...about an 1/8th of an inch!!! She does have GREAT nails though.
My kitchen floor...it is a little sticky. The other day, Jr figured out how to turn juice boxes upside down to make the juice flow out...now, he is intrigued with Capri Sun water falls.
Vic's recent treatment of her sister...she pulled Eva off of our stone fireplace and made her hit her head on the floor...then, to make Eva feel better, we let her sleep with us last night. Joe was apparently watching CSI (on FX) when he went to sleep and left the tv on...only for me to wake up in the middle of the night to see a "Girls Gone Wild" commercial on...yes, while Eva was in our bed, fortunately asleep! (I swear if anyone from BF is reading this, you know this was your fault!)...
My recent behavior on the BF forum...I lashed out when someone 'said' something I took too personally. I know better than that...I was wrong...I was a disgrace to myself, even though others might not agree...and I lost all control. I didn't curse, but I certainly threw a few stones back at people....something I try my hardest not to do.

All this to say, I still can't get over Locke's, aka Smoky's, comment to Kate on this last episode of LOST:

"Well, Kate, none of us are perfect!"

Ain't that the truth!!!

LOSTapalooza - 3/17/10

2010-03-17T11:58:00.001-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

Indeed, I do have a bit of Irish in me, just enough to celebrate, but not enough to have any real 'luck.'

However, I do feel like the luckiest girl alive after last night's new episode of LOST. I mean, wasn't it just awesome? And, you know what time it is...Time for LOSTapalooza! Our time to sit back reflect and try to guess what is going on. This fun fest is hosted by Robin...head on over to her place to join in on the fun!!!

Oh, and one final thing before I move on to my post, I just have to quote my favorite LOST line of all time, and it is from last night's episode: "Well, Kate, no one's perfect." I mean, you can't get better than that, can you?

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Sawyer...Sawyer....I don't know what to think...I mean, you're a cop?!?!?!? I won't go into too much on this, but aren't detectives con mans in their own way? So, I mean, even though he is a cop, he is still a con man! Some things never change....but, I was a little shocked and really didn't see it coming.

I am sorry, but Smokey aka Locke is manipulative (Robin, we will have to agree to disagree on this one)...and, did you see him slap the sh*t out of Claire? Really, it is his fault she is crazy...he is the one who manipulated her to begin with...I know, yes, he admitted that, but still, he hit her pretty darn hard!

Kate, I still <3 you! You still rock!!!

Oh, and so I know we are a little confused about who the 6 candidates are...well, I think one of them may be Ben Linus or Charles Whidmore...so, it's Sawyer, Sayid, Kwon (sun or Jin or both), Hurley, Jack and either Ben or Charles...unless, Locke, as Smokey, is still one of them...but, I don't think so.

Oh, and my last note before I get into the questions...I really think, in the flash sideways, they KNOW!!! Yes, I think they know what is going on...I think when they left the island, they got flashed to the different universe back to the time of 815...however, I think there is some or all of the residual memory from the last 3 years...I don't think they are ignorant to what is going on...Basically, they get off the island, they know they will be in a different world, and they remember each other, but are aware the world, and that their roles in it, have changed.

I guess we'll have to wait and see, won't we?

Ok, here are this weeks questions:

1. We've talked about our favorite characters. Were there any characters ever that you really didn't like?

I never liked John Locke's father...he, from the first time we saw him, rubbed me the wrong way....he was like, the meanest character in the history of LOST...I mean, I like Smokey better than him.

2. Who's your favorite couple from any season?

Oh, by far it is Rose and Bernard...and no, not because they are an interracial couple, but because of the love they have for each other...I really think they will play a bigger role in all of this...at least I hope they do.

3. Which candidate would you like to see become the "new Jacob"?

Um, duh, I wish it could be Kate, but since it can't be, I will have to say Jack...I guess...I mean, I am kind of going with my gut here...I don't think there will be a new Jacob...I think the island is going to end up under water...like we saw at the beginning of this episode.

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And, there you have it folks! Head on over to Robin's Blog to grab the questions and link up!

Happy Wednesday!

For Me?...Aw, You're Too Sweet!

2010-03-16T08:36:00.002-04:00

So, this is kind of an update and then a dual thanks!

My van is in the shop...I spent most of yesterday running around trying to get it dropped off, and then back home again...$1200 worth of repairs and it should be ready for pick up later today. I will say, even the mechanic was impressed that I have 200K miles on my van and almost ALL original parts still on it....not too bad, is it? I must say, I definitely got my $$'s worth out of my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan...and she's still tickin'!

On to the true meaning of this post...

I kind of stole an award and promised to accept it from Taiya's Blog (well, she was telling people to take it, so is that really stealing?)...then, Sam, almost a week later, gave me this award (no, I didn't steal this one...she gave it to me).

Thanks Ladies...I think both of you ROCK!!!!

The rules for accepting this award are:

- List 10 things that make your day (check!)

- Nominate other blogs worthy of this award (check!)

I love waking up in the morning, getting the girls up and laying in the bed with Jr while he has a bottle...that is about the only time of the day that he is so loving.
I love the smell and taste of coffee in the morning (well, I like the taste as long as it has cream and sugar added)
I love my new N-IRL (Not In Real Life) friends.
I love rainy days.
I love the sounds of birds chirping.
I love Tuesdays (yes today) because a new episode of LOST is coming on.
I love that I have a wonderful family that I know is here for me any day I need them to be, and I enjoy being able to be there for them, too.
I love my job and that I can work from home.
I love right now! Today! This moment! For in this moment, I exist!
I love God...for through Him all these blessings are possible in my life!

And, without further adieu, here are some fellow bloggers, and friends, I would like to give this award to:

And, I would also like any of my readers to grab this button yourself if you don't already have it!

Take it, put it on your blog and return the love to your favorite bloggers...

Happy LOST-day Everyone!

Getting to Know You - 3/14/10

2010-03-14T10:04:00.001-04:00

It's Sunday! That means it's time for another round of Getting to Know You!

Head on over to Keely's blog, play along and even enter her giveaway while your there (today's the last day to enter).

On with the show...

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1. What's your favorite Easter candy?

Hands down...Reece's PB Cup Eggs!

2. Who do you think is cleaner..men or women?

Interesting question!

Well, if you mean hygiene 'clean' considering most women I know shower daily...and most men I know shower more like every 3 days, I would say WOMEN!

But, as for household cleaning, it would so depend...Joe is so anal when he cleans, but he rarely does it. I am probably more relaxed about it, but I do it more often.

3. Which do you prefer..wordy blog posts or ones with pictures?

Well, I love pictures, but if a wordy post has a good theme, then a wordy one!

4. Were you popular in high school?

Popular? Well if I was, it was because I was probably the only straight A student in our class to EVER get 5 days of suspension for fighting...but, it WAS self defense...so I got to do all my classwork...and still had straight A's!

5. What's your bra size?

38C..now anyways...

6. How many states have you lived in?

3 - Virginia (for 27 years of my life from birth until now), Pennsylvania (for about 6 months when I was 8) and Texas (for about 1 1/2 years when I was 9-10)

7. What's one blog you read every day?

Gosh, so many, but I always read Ian's Blog...he is like, the best!...and he knows it! ;)

8. Peanut butter or Nutella?

Honestly, I have NEVER tried Nutella...but, it always looks soooo goood. So, I guess by default, I will say the good old fashioned crunchy peanut butter! ;)

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Ok, head on over to Keely's Blog to play along, and to enter her giveaway!

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Solitude

2010-03-13T08:29:00.004-05:00

I don't know why, but each Friday morning, when I drive in to the BIG city (Washington DC) I always seem to have reflection time. This time is what I deem to be time spent talking and listening to God and trying to let Him work through me and guide me in my life (I know, I don't usually 'talk' about this type of stuff because it really is hard to put my spirituality into words).

Yesterday, I was flipping stations on the radio trying to find a traffic update, as it wasn't time for WTOP's traffic on the 8's. Well, somehow, I landed on a religious station where a pastor was giving a sermon. Now, I can't recall a time in my life, prior to yesterday, where I actually stopped and listened to a 'radio' sermon (I don't know, but for some reason, I just can't get into them). For some reason, yesterday I did....and I ended up in tears of joy (no shocker there, huh?...I know I cry at everything)...

Anyhow, the pastor was talking about how loving God is...and how a little selfish God is in that He wants us to have alone time with Him....not praying, not reading your Bible, but just listening to Him and letting Him move in your heart.

These moments, are what this pastor called solitude.

Now, I don't know about you, but when I hear the word solitude, I think of people in jail who have been in trouble and are now isolated in a cell on their own. However, after hearing this sermon, I wanted to see what the actual definition of solitude was...this is what I found on wiki:

Solitude is a state of seclusion or isolation; i.e., lack of contact with people. It may stem from bad relationships, deliberate choice, infectious disease, mental disorders, or circumstances of employment or situation (see castaway).

The definition seems rather dark, doesn't it? Not something you would want as a daily part of your life, is it?

Now, if you don't know this already, there have been many times in my life where I felt alone....utterly alone. Isolation in a jail cell would have almost been welcoming as opposed to what I was going through. However, at a very young age, I learned to let God in my heart...to let Him work his wonders inside of me. Those alone times quickly became 'not alone' times as God was there...with me, holding me, guiding me, loving me as any wonderful Father would His child.

I remember the first time I read Footprints. I was in a friend's house and it was on their bathroom wall. When I read that, it made so much sense to me...like a lightbulb went off that said, "See, God was carrying you...just like you thought He was!"

It was when I heard this sermon yesterday, and heard the new meaning of this word, Solitude, that that same lightbulb went off in my head. That is what I have done my entire life...it isn't praying, it isn't reading the Bible and processing the words in it as you interpret them...it is allowing God to move through you, by letting Him in your heart, and in a sense listening to His guidance and direction by opening yourself up to His will and seeing the good in everything in your life, even if it doesn't seem 'good' to you at the time.

I now have a new word that I may use quite often...and as negative as it may sound, I look forward to my daily times of solitude.

Happy Saturday!

In Case You Missed It...

2010-03-12T20:39:00.000-05:00

Yup, today is Friday, which means I just got home from a looong (but wonderful) day away at the office.

Since I didn't get around to doing a post today, I figured I would be a slacker and just post the same post I wrote for my guest spot on Ian's Blog yesterday...you know, just in case you missed it.

So, here is my guest post...

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The Story Behind a True Fan

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Well, hope you enjoyed it...if you hadn't already!

Until tomorrow...for now, to bed! ;)

My First Guest Post

2010-03-11T06:44:00.001-05:00

Today, I am going partially 'post-less.'

Not really, as I have written a post...a good one...maybe one you will enjoy...but, alas...

....it....is...not....here!

To read it, head on over to Ian's Blog Daily Doses of Reality...he has an AWESOME blog and is an awesome guy, by the way, so you WILL find more you like while you are there!

Happy Thursday!

LOSTapalooza - 3/10/10

2010-03-10T08:18:00.003-05:00

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

I don't think you need an explanation about what this meme is about, do you? If so, head over to Robin's Blog to get instructions, grab the questions and link up with us for our weekly LOSTapalooza!

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Last night I got another fix of LOST...and it was such a GOOD fix!

Ok, so watching the rerun of last weeks episode, I am pretty sure at the bottom of the screen they said Dogan was worried about killing Sayid and that he would 'tip' his own scale from good to bad. Which, to me, means Jacob's side is indeed good, right? Unless, the comments shown at the bottom of the old episodes isn't LOST truth....I am thinking it is though.

Also, Richard is so Black Rock guy...I knew it all along! Does this mean he was slave OR a slave runner? I can't think he would have been chosen for 'the good' side unless he was a slave...I mean, slave runners don't exactly seem like good people, do they?

I <3 BEN!!! I mean, don't laugh at me, but I was crying at parts of his scenes with Alex...to choose a child, even if it is not your own blood, over yourself is such a selfless act. I am almost crying thinking about it (yes, I am a Sensitive Sally)...It was so good to see him choose good at the end...I do <3 you, Ben!...although, I am not quite sure why they had you referencing Napoleon...perhaps comparing your short stature and need for power to him...I like you MUCH better than Napoleon. I don't think you suffer from a Napoleon Complex!

Let me just say, is this not the 2nd week in a row without Sawyer?...or Jin? WTF? Hello! I bet they are already on Hydra! I guess we'll see next week.

I guess we really don't know which Kwon it is...Sun...Jin...or BOTH! See, I think it is them both. That way, there would be 7 candidates all together and would create a tilt of the scale depending on who went to which side. Oh, and did ya'll see the comment on the bottom of last's weeks episode saying Kate WAS with Locke!!!! Ughhhhhhh!!!!

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Ok, enough of my babbling...which is all it really is...with all this information, I don't feel the need to speculate further...so, on with the questions:

1. (Courtesy of Sam) - The lines have been drawn. Whose side are you on? Jacob or Fake Locke? Which way would you go?

Good question! ;) I am so on 'Team Jacob'...after seeing Ben's selfless change in heart and after seeing Sayid go nutso, I will stick with the side which seems obviously good. I guess we now know why Dogan and friends wanted Sayid dead...they KNEW what he would do. Plus, I think LOST people have confirmed which side is good...Bye Kate...I'm gonna miss you!

2. Do you think that the other "powers" we've seen have anything to do with the island?

I do, absolutely, however, they appear to work 'off island,' too...I so think the abilities are acquired 'on island.'

3. Who was Jacob talking about when he told Hurley that he needed to help someone get back to the island at the lighthouse?

Uhhhhh, I guess Whidmore! I mean, or pehaps it was his intent to have Jack destroy the mirror so Whidmore couldn't find it...ok, I don't think Whidmore is good, do you? Maybe it is because of how he treated Penny and Desmond, but he seems like a big piece of crap obsessed with power and the island.

4. Take a stand. Fake Locke- good side or bad side?

BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Final answer! I hope I'm not wrong! I would feel like such a dummy!

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So, if you are feeling a need to futher your LOST fix from last night, head over to Robin's Blog to participate in LOSTapalooza!

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

"Motherhood"

2010-03-09T08:28:00.001-05:00

I have entered a giveaway at Robin's Blog...part of the giveaway asked us to write about motherhood. I usually don't blog about giveaways when I enter them, but this is the second time Robin has asked us to write about her giveaway using a topic that I was very interested in (the other topic was for MLK Jr Day).

So, here it is!...the topic: What Motherhood Means to Me!

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This past August, I celebrated a decade of being a mother.

Becoming a mother, even at the young age of 19, completed me in so many ways. I was not 'prepared' to be a mom...heck, I wasn't even supposed to be able to get pregnant according to my current OB-GYN (without hormonal intervention...she has now delivered all 3 of my children), but I was determined to be a mom, the best one I could be.

At a very uncertain time of my life, my first child, Victoria, gave me certainty. She taught me how to love, and be loved, in such a special way. I didn't have that type of relationship with my mother, and I swore that I would do whatever it took to be 'that' mother for my child. I wanted to guide her, love her, nurture her and protect her. Most importantly, I just wanted to be there for her...in whatever way she needed me.

She became the driving force behind me finishing my education, buying my first home, getting my first 'real' job and leaving a life of uncertainty behind.

I now have 3 children...I was asked in a meme yesterday what the BEST time of my life was...I said, the best time of my life is RIGHT NOW (yes, I put it in all caps not realizing I did so...but I think it does deserve all caps)! Why? Well, because I have all of my children now...I would never want to go back to a time when any of them weren't yet a part of my life. I truly treasure each child and could never imagine my life without them.

They complete me in so many ways and reassure me of my ability to love and accept unconditionally.

That, to me, is motherhood!

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Oh, and Robin is also doing a giveaway for a flat iron and I want to win it for Victoria...so, I just thought I would mention her flat iron giveaway in this thread, too (hey, I am doing it for Vic)...

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!!!!

New Look!!!!

2010-03-08T09:08:00.003-05:00

I don't think I have to tell you I was cramped for space on my blog...do I?

I loved my previous blog design that Alexis set up for me, but I needed MORE SPACE! I decided to test out my brain power and try to redesign this thing on my own.

My goal was to have the following on my blog:

3 columns
a wider template
a purple and green theme...

Well....I think I did it! ;)

So, I know it isn't the greatest, and I am still working on my header (this is just kind of a temporary one that I did), but I did it ALL on my OWN! Yup, I did it...with the exception of a little reading from online sources, I had NO HELP!!!

What do you think?

Getting to Know You - 3/7/10

2010-03-07T09:48:00.002-05:00

Happy Sunday Everyone!

It is Getting to Know You time over at Keely's Place...she did her first Vlog today, so you should go check her out to see her 'uncut!'

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Here we go....

1. Are you more of a talker or a listener?

Well, considering my name means "Listener" in Hebrew, I am most certainly in line with my name's origins...however, I have began talking A LOT more as I get older!

2. Bra. Underwire or wireless?

Underwire...I need all the form I can get from a bra!

3. I wish I was.....?

....someone who could eat whatever I want and not gain a pound!

4. The Academy Awards are on tonight..will you watch?

Nope! I mean, unless I happen to pass it while skimming through channels!

5. Do you put your deodorant on before or after you get dressed?

Before...Unless I forget...then I do it after! ;)

6. Would you rather do the dishes or clean toilets?

I agree with Keely, NEITHER! But, since I HAVE to choose one, definitely the dishes...'cause, I have a dishwasher...two actually...one is stainless steel and the other's name is Victoria! ;) That is her 'chore!'

7. How much did you weigh at birth?

Ironically, my mother actually did a baby book for me that went up until I was about 2 years old...so, while I know VERY little about my early childhood, I do know how much I weighed.

7 Pounds 11 Ounces

8. If you could only buy one thing for the Spring/Summer season..what would it be?

I have already bought them, but HANDS DOWN...Flip Flops!

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Ok, so go, go now to Keely's Blog to link up...and to see her Vlog!

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Tag, You're It!

2010-03-06T08:16:00.003-05:00

So, I got tagged a few days ago...I think on Thursday, but I am really not sure. If this goes to show how slow I am, not only did I get tagged twice (once by Robin and once by Keely) but I am also just now getting this done (in my defense, my baby girl turned 5 on Thurday and I was in the office all day yesterday).

Ok, so here I go...to 'untag' myself, I have to first tell where I think my life will be in 10 years AND tag 10 other people to play along...

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I wrote this when I received my "You're Going Places" award from Sam...so, I have just copied and pasted it here:

In 10 years, my oldest will be approaching her junior year of COLLEGE!!! We will probably be sending in her application to MY JOB so she can study abroad (yes, I work for a non-profit organization that promotes diversity through college study abroad programs and SO FAR, both of my daughters have expressed an interest in studying abroad...yeah!)...Eva will be getting ready to go to high school (I can only imagine)...Jr will be getting ready for 5th grade! WOW!

As for me, I hope to be someone who raises most of her own meats...someone who grows, harvests and cans her own veggies...and someone who raises chickens to lay her own eggs. YES!!!! I want to be more self sufficient in life...I want to cut out processed, store bought foods as much as I can...I want to be more like my Grandma, my uncles and my aunt...THEY are so inspiring and I can't wait to watch my Nana can her tomatoes this summer!

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I am now tagging the following people...so consider yourself tagged!

Sam @ Life is Beautiful
Chasity @ Better Known As Mommy
Elizabeth @ Confessions from a working Mom
Ian @ You know who you are!!! (I realize you already did it, but I did say I was going to tag you, so I am)
Laura @ Blogging from Bolivia
Lisa @ Roerdink Ramblings
Kylee @ In My Life
Melissa @ Marsh Family Blogs
Elizabeth @ King J's Queen
SIF @ SIF ;)

So, each of you have to now do the same thing (well, you don't have to, but feel free to join in on the fun)...

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We are off to sell more Girl Scout Cookies! Yeahhhh! Oh, and we have already sold enough cookies to make our goal!

Happy 5th Birthday Eva!!!!!

2010-03-04T06:56:00.005-05:00

I can't believe

It's been 5 years.

Through all the laughs

and all the tears.

I've watched you grow

and I've watched you fall.

And I am so blessed

to have been there for it all!

I love you baby girl!

(By the way, that's like the BEST poem I have ever written...EVER!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVA!!!!!

LOSTapalooza - 3/3/10

2010-03-03T08:53:00.000-05:00

It's Wednesday...which means today is LOSTapalooza! Yes, today is the day we all try to make sense of the most recent episode of LOST and how it ties in to the bigger picture. So, if you are interested, and I know you are, join us over at Robin's blog for a sure way to 'get LOST!'

I think we are really starting to see the final take of Good Vs Evil...and hey, it seems like Sayid was just destined to be evil...in both parallels! They did explain what the 'tests' were about, but I don't think I really needed that answered...I kind of got that already.

What I am interested in knowing is who will end up on which side and which side is really good and evil...I mean, it makes sense that Locke's camp is 'evil' but, I am so not ready to be fooled by such obviousness...so far, it seems like this is how it will turn out (and yeah, I agree with you Robin, "Jacob's" people certainly didn't hesitate to leave, did they?):

'Locke's' side = Claire, Sayid, Sawyer?? (no, he wasn't on last night's episode, but I do think he was recruited, right?) and maybe Kate (although, I don't think she will follow them)

Jacob's side = Jack, Hurley, Llana, Sun, Lapidus and maybe Kate (I think she will look for Jack)

So, where did Jin go? I mean, is he still at Claire's...he wasn't in the 'Locke's' group!!!

Can I just say, I was so happy to see Keamy get killed...again! That guy is a jerk!!!!

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Ok, here are the questions this week:

1. In the beginning, the Survivors all took on jobs. Some hunted, some sewed up bullet wounds, some built rescue boats. If you were one of the Survivors, what would your contribution have been?

I would be a cultivator...yup, I recently learned how to grow my own veggies!!!...or, I mean, if anyone needs an accountant, I can do that, too!!!!

2. If you were deserted on an island, what five things would you want with you?

Ummm, my family (if that counts as one), seeds (you know, to grow stuff), weapons (you know, to kill stuff), something to use to start a fire and a laptop with wireless access, so I can BLOG!!!! Hahaha!

3. What's your favorite movie that takes place on an island?

Oh, well, I have always loved the Brooke Shields movie "The Blue Lagoon"...that, and Madagascar! ;)

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Ok, so head over to Robin's Blog to link up and join in on the LOST-crazed fun!!!!

Finally, for those of you who have not watched LOST, you are really missing THE BEST SHOW EVER!!!!! So, I suggest that you start from 'square 1' and rent the first season of LOST on NetFlix and get caugh up...hey, who knows, if you start watching now, you might be all caught up by the series finale!

Happy Wednesday!

Way to Go Victoria (and Me)!!!

2010-03-02T09:37:00.000-05:00

So, most of any one who knows me, knows I rarely 'brag' about my children. I feel each child is unique and while I do compliment each child individually, I never want to give out the impression that I have 'better' children than anyone else.

However, today I am going to take this opportunity to brag, just a little, on my oldest child. Why? Well, because at the end of this story, there is a lesson to be learned (at least, I hope there is).

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You may recall this post about procrastination where I wrote about a science project Victoria and I had 'waited 'till the last minute' to work on.

Well, what I didn't tell you in that post is that before we planned her project, there was another girl in Vic's class she wanted to work with. However, the girl in her class insisted on doing a project about what 'flavor of gum is most popular among 5th grade girls.'

Upon hearing of this idea, I immediately insisted that Victoria work by herself on something else. Why? Well, because I have done many 'stupid' science projects in my years (from each level of education) and, well, what I have found is that the more simpler a question is, the easier it is to answer and the better your grade will be. I personally felt that trying to determine which flavor of gum was 'most popular' would be to difficult for two 5th grade girls to determine.

So, being the 'know all,' genius mother that I am, I told Vic to do something that would give her the following: 1. a clear question 2. an easy way to collect data and 3. a clear conclusion.

So, we decided her question would be "What color shirt is most popular amongst 5th grade girls." Easy Right? Yeah, I thought so, too!

And, if you look VERY closely at the following, you can see what grade she got on her project...

So, of course I used this situation as a way to explain to Vic that sometimes in life (ok, most of the times), I am going to give her advice from a mother's perspective...a perspective of experience, love and understanding.

I want her to get the best grades...not for me, but for her! Because I want her to feel good about getting the HIGHEST GRADE IN THE CLASS, not so I can brag about her!!!!

And, while I know she will not take my advice ALL the time in life...and while I also know I may not always GIVE her the best advice...I do hope she will listen to what I have to say and think about this one time she got a 100% A+ (her friend got an 83% C+ by the way).

WAY TO GO VICTORIA (and me)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting to Know You - 2/28/10

2010-02-28T08:17:00.004-05:00

Today is Sunday...and that means it is Getting to Know You Day!

I just want to say before I begin, Keely, you do an amazing job with this meme...and the women who participate are truly wonderful. I can tell you that I have received the most comments on these memes than any other post I write. So, all you ladies ROCK!

Ok, on with the show...

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1. Would you rather bungee jump or sky dive?

Ummm, now I will confess, I am a total thrill seeker, but I am so TERRIFIED of heights...so while I will definitely never do EITHER...I still like to pick ONE...and that would be...ok, I guess skydiving...I mean, if I am going to go out, I better go ALL out, right?

2. When using a public restroom do you squat over the seat or sit?
It really depends on which public restroom I am using...the ones at my office, I just sit down, they are REALLY clean...but, if I go into another 'unknown' bathroom, YES, I cover it with toilet paper and hover over it praying my bottom doesn't touch any part of the seat.

3. Favorite flower?
Well, it is more of a bush, I guess, but it has flowers. It is the Lilac bush!

4. Pedicure or manicure?
Pedicure...although, I do them myself...I have had bad experiences with nail salons...but, I used to go to them quite often

5. How many siblings do you have?
1...a sister who is almost 8 years older than me....she used to torture me by curling my hair, doing my makeup and making me get all dressed up...I guess this explains my fear of mascara and curling irons.

6. Do you pee in the shower? (gasp!)
Really? Really? Even if I did pee in the shower, I would lie RIGHT NOW!

7. Bikini, tankini, or one piece?
Haha, one piece with a t shirt over it...No, I have a one piece...but it does have a skirt type bottom on it (I mean, I do have to cover myself a little bit, right?

8. Where do you hate to shop at, but go there anyway?
Nowhere really! I don't go places I 'hate' to shop! We are fortunate to have a GREAT grocery store with wonderful people working there...although I do HATE shopping in their bakery section...I mean, it is such a tease for a bread lover like me!!!!

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So, go, go now to Keely's blog to link up to participate in Getting to Know You...she has a specific goal to reach today...Let's see if we can break her record.

Would You Look For Her?

2010-02-27T21:17:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, during one of my drives to see my dad when he was in the hospital, I began having this innate desire to find someone. It was such a strong desire that as soon as I got to the hospital and settled in to the chair by my dad's bedside, I began to tell him of my desire to find this person. I was so excited...it seemed so right...it was as if this HAD to be done...I thought his reaction would be the same...but, it wasn't...he wasn't really big on the idea. So, being that I am kind of a daddy's girl, I took his advice and 'called off the search.'
Well, today, I am revisiting the idea of looking for this person. So, I want your advice on whether or not you would try to...given the situation...to find this person.

Of course, for you to answer that question, I kind of have to tell you what the situation is, don't I?

So, let's go back...Hmmm...almost 15 years ago...when I was the young age of 15. The date is August 20, 1995. It is a Sunday. I was living with my mother, 'stepfather,' and my 'setpbrothers' in Northern VA. Lee, the oldest of my two step brothers (and the one I was closer to), decided we were going to go swimming with a friend of ours, Patrick (who had just returned from Basketball camp), at a local swimming hole in a nearby resevoir. I remember while we were walking towards the swimming hole...about a mile away...we were eating a package of coconut cookies.

The area we were swimming in was a branch off the main resevoir and was about 20 feet wide...on the other side of the 'branch' was a huge rock that went out into the water...we decided to swim to the other side and jump off of the rock into the water. So, Lee went first, then Patrick, then me.

About halfway across, Patrick stopped. I know he stopped because I caught up to him. I was confused and I looked at him. His face looked completely blank...his eyes got big...in that split second he began frantically splashing and waving his arms...and, in the only way I know how to describe it, he began trying to 'climb me like a ladder'...pushing me down into the water as if he were trying to climb out of the water.

I remember coming up...SCREAMING for my brother...All I remember is trying to keep myself up while trying to hold onto Patrick...I could feel myself taking in a lot of water...and I was becoming weak...as my brother swam back out to us, he told me to go back...he was worried I would drown. So, I did...I left...I went to the rock.

Once I got there, I turned around to look to see what was happening. What I saw was nothing..no one! Not my brother, not Patrick...NOTHING BUT WATER and ripples. Then, Lee came up...I saw him. He said, "I got him, I got him." Then, my brothers face turned as white as a ghost...'HE LET GO, HE LET GO...HELP!!!!!'...then Lee went under water again...up, and down, and up and down he went as I yelled and yelled for help! It seemed like forever before someone came...I was running down the shore line to some boaters and a few people from their homes came out and called 911.

It seemed like forever...forever!

All I remember was an officer escorting us home...the road we went home on that daywas not the road we walked on to get to the swimming hole. The road we were on would never be the same road we walked on again in life.

Our friend drowned that day. It took over 40 minutes to recover his body.

His memorial in his family's South Carolina Southern Baptist Church was amazing to someone who had never sat through such a service (you know, the extent of religion in my house was a regular joke my Dad would tell)...During his memorial, the pastor spoke about how it was not our place to question God's will for calling Patrick home...he went on to say that for all we knew, God needed a new player on his Basketball team.

That day I found God...or rather, God found me. Moreso, that day I accepted God's will into my life.

It was an unbelieveable experience...one I can never tell, or write, with out shedding tears.

However, there is something from that beautiful day that doesn't rest well with me. I remember waking past the casket at his funeral and looking at his mother...I remember wanting her to reach out to me so we could comfort each other with an embrace.

I still want to hug her today! I want her to know her son did not die in vain...that he is still thought of...that his death 'saved' me and brought me to God...I was certainly not in a position to ever know Him otherwise.

I need to tell her how I feel...as a mother, if I lost my child, I would want to know something, anything, good came out of it.

So, that's my question...would you look for her?

Do You Agree?

2010-02-26T21:33:00.000-05:00

So, it's late...I was in DC ALL day...I am tired...I want to do a post today, but am lazy and want to go to bed...so...here it is!

I found this on the Libertarian Blog today:

Poll: Americans think the federal government poses a threat to our rights

posted by Staff on Feb 26, 2010

from CNN:

A majority of Americans think the federal government poses a threat to rights of Americans, according to a new national poll.

Fifty-six percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday say they think the federal government's become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens. Forty-four percent of those polled disagree.

DO YOU AGREE...WITH THE MAJORITY???

A Few Sincere THANK YOU'S!

2010-02-25T11:52:00.002-05:00

Despite only having been in the blog world for a little under 4 months, I have 'met' some wonderful people...intelligent, humorous, unique writers who are wonderful to interact with. Among all the wonderful people I have 'met,' I have a few bloggy friends of mine who have definitely shown me some love the last few days, way above and beyond the 'call of bloggy duty.'

So, I really want to take my time today to really thank them for being AMAZING bloggy friends and for being an inspiration to me in many ways and for showing me the love they have.

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(**Insert - Music, Golden Girls theme song “Thank You For Being a Friend"**)

First, I want to thank Ian...for some reason, he has taken an interest in me and my blog (Why…I have no clue…I mean, I am an accountant and by far the most boring person I know)...he has also given me some useful advice and some really good laughs over the last few days. He has an awesome sense of humor and isn’t afraid to share his most in-depth thoughts with his readers (and the most in depth pictures…of himself... wearing fishnet stockings while...performing in the Rocky Horror Picture Show…I mean, you can’t get better than that, can you?). He has also highlighted me on his blog (by stealing a meme from me that wasn't even mine...haha) and has asked me to do a guest post on his blog (MY FIRST GUEST POST...WOW!!!...I am sort of star struck over this)...it should be interesting (Here's a clue on what's to come of that guest post: Washington vs. Baltimore....Ian, I hope I am not violating any pre-guest-post-rules by doing this).

Next, I would like to thank Robin for being a fellow LOST-ie, hosting LOSTapalooza on her blog and being the instigating force behind many awesome LOSTie BlogFrog discussions. She also highlighted me and my blog today in her newsletter and I think that is just so nice of her. We are even in the discussion stages of possibly taking a family road trip to TX so Robin can show us around her neck of the woods (I do love the food in Texas....Mmmmmm). Ok, back to Robin...she also does some really awesome giveaways on her blog!...and I have even won one of her giveaways myself!

Finally, I want to thank Sam…yes, a fellow Sam in blog land…it is so nice to find someone you can relate to…and our similarities go beyond our name…she has faced many of the same situations in life as I have …and although she is still a youthful college girl, exploring life, she is wise beyond her years…she also spotlighted me on her blog and is also hosting an giveaway for 2 - $15 gift cards (one to Starbucks and one to Dunkin Donuts).

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So, go check out these wonderful bloggers and show them some love...you might even win yourself a giveaway in the process...or at the least, get a wonderful laugh (you know, at Ian's fishnet stockings...unless he took that post down...haha)!

THANKS guys!

P.S. it would only be fair to also recognize that EACH of the above mentioned people are also LOST craving maniacs in need of a local LOST support group, not just Robin!

LOSTapalooza - 2/24/10

2010-02-24T12:10:00.003-05:00

The last 18 hours have been THE hardest 18 hours I have had to endure in a Very Long time...

Why, you ask?

Well, because while attempting to download a new template for a blog design, I somehow managed to instead download a "Rogue Antivirus Virus." Yes, despite decades of internet and computer knowledge (and even a couple college courses in IST), I downloaded my very FIRST virus! So, to make a long (and very painful) story short I was without a computer almost 18 hours...and NO, Joe DID NOT let me borrow his laptop (yeah, I know, how RUDE!).

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Anyhow, now that I have tarnished my ego, yet again, I will move on to BIGGER and BETTER things...like LOST! Yes, today is Wednesday, which means last night I watched a new episode of LOST...and for those of you who didn't see it, IT WAS WONDERFUL (hey, at least I got the virus on LOST night, right?...the only night I am dedicated to my TV)!...and today is LOSTapalooza (which, for those of you interested in linking up, is being hosted at Robin's Blog).

So, I'll start with this...I know everyone is worried that ALL their questions might not be answered. But sorry guys, being the NUMBER-LOVING-GEEKY-ACCOUNTANT that I am, I only really care about 1 thing...4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42! The lighthouse, oh the lighthouse just explained it all to me!! The degrees are the numbers! Yeah! I love it!

Oh, and CLAIRE is CrAzY!!!!! Yuppers, she has the 'infection' for sure! I thought Jin was so dumb for lying at first, but I quickly realized...He so DID THE RIGHT THING! Um, yup, cause she is cRaZy!!!!

And, well, Locke AKA smoke monster...he is scared of that boy...or something, for sure!!...after re-watching last week's episodes, he mirrors the SAME anger and fears Locke had! "Don't tell me what I can or can't do!" Yeah, I get it! He's still a loser! Sorry Locke-fans! Then, of course, Peggy Bundy and her "Maybe it's Destiny"...which leads me back to this...some things can be altered...and some things are just meant to be!

But, I have to admit, most of you know, I am so a Team-Kate kind of girl...I know, she is so indecisive and was very broken, but I love progress...and I think she has done a great job with herself! I am just so worried she may not be a part of the final 'team.' I am hoping Sawyer is her soul-mate and they kind of get the 2-for-1 special going on...unfortunately, I think this is wishful thinking! I think I saw her name last night on the compass/sundial thingy...and I think it was already scratched out. ;(

And, one final thought on where I think things are going...obviously, we know the candidates are there to 'replace' Jacob as the 'protector' of the island...I am now thinking Jacob is definitely good (I questioned this before)...I also think Jack will end up being 'the one' as Jacob stated he has to 'see it' on his own! "It" being that he is the chosen one...and thus his importance! And, I think Hurley will be a "Richard" of some sort...the go between...I am not sure so much about anyone else, but that's my take on where things are headed.

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Usually Robin has a few questions for us to answer...so, after writing most of this all out, I went to her place to check out the questions...and well, she just wanted to hear our views on the series (so, no questions this week)...well, Robin, I think we are on the same wave length, because I did that BEFORE I checked out your blog today! ;)

I hope you all join in on the fun over at Robin's place! I would sure love to read what everyone else thinks!

Happy LOSTapalooza-ing everyone!

Not Me! Monday - 2/22/10

2010-02-22T08:38:00.003-05:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival is hosted over at MckMama's blog! So, if you feel a little guilty because your child was playing in your toilet while you were running his bath water, then you really should head on over to MckMama's blog to let it all out (I DID NOT let Jr do that by the way)!

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Well, I must admit, I have been a GOOD girl this week, really! My laundry is done (and folded and put away...all of it)...dishes are done, floors are clean, beds have fresh sheets, carpets are vacuumed...so, as you see, I don't have much to complain about as far as I go...so, what do I do when I have been a GOOD girl? Well, if you guessed "throw my family under the bus" you are absolutely RIGHT! So, this Not Me! Monday is dedicated to Not My Family!

Eva did not wear her school clothes from Friday morning until Sunday morning...Eeewww! She didn't totally love her outfit so much that it ended up smelling like God knows what once I finally made her take it off!

Jr is not now pulling the chairs out from under the table, climbing up on said chairs and then on to the table! Nope, and certainly if he was, he wouldn't have been on top of the table long enough for him to scare the crap out of me when I turned the corner to find him up there! Certainly, I would never take my eyes off of him long enough for him to climb up on our table. (yeah, and again, he DID NOT play in the toilet before his bath this week)

Vic did not end up going to World Thinking day to participate in a mock fashion show (they were representing Italy)...being the conservative mom I am I did not make vic weare a jean/jean jacket/sparkly shirt outfit that covered ALL skin so that she wouldn't bee too skimpy for the show....well, she was not deemed the "BAD GIRL" of the show as she looked, I guess, like a BAD-As* biker chick...honestly, I was trying to be GOOD mom! ;)

Ummm, well, let's just say I DID NOT have my 4th deer related vehicle accident...Nope, because this has been my Good Girl week, so I wouldn't tarnish my reputation by hitting my 4th deer in the last 4 years! (No, that is not an average of 1 deer related vehicle accident per year since I have lived in the country...you know, just in case you did the math)!

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So, what did your family (or you) Not Do this week?

Getting to Know You - 2/21/10

2010-02-21T09:19:00.003-05:00

Welcome to Getting To Know You...this fun meme is hosted by Keely. You can head on over to her blog to play along in this fun fest.

Here are this weeks questions...

1. How often do you wash/change your sheets?

Once a week at least...you know, when you have kids, they tend to track tons of stuff in your bed during snuggle time.

2. When is your birthday?

I was born on Labor Day 1979...you will have to do some research if you want to know my actual birth date....

3. Have you ever met a bloggy friend in real life?

No, not yet, but there are a few that I would really LOVE to meet IRL!...and have mentioned it to some length, even in a joking manner! ;)

4. Brad Pitt or George Clooney?

George Clooney all the way...there is something so attractive about gray hair! I have a few 'older man' attractions (Richard Gere and Sean Connery are two)

5. If you could change one thing about your body what would it be?

My Breasts...I had developmental issues and had surgery...I am 'reformed' up there...literally!

6. How often do you wash your hair?

Every other day...

7. Do you have pets?

Yes, all dogs and all are now outside (I no longer have puppies in my closet).

8. How many social networks do you belong to..if you had to give up one, what would it be?

Baby Center, Twitter, BlogFrog...are those all social networking? If so, then 3...I would give up BabyCenter if I had to...only because I can find the same things somewhere else and I haven't made quite the number of connections with people that I have made on the other two.

Happy Sunday!

Giveaway Winners - Announcement!!!

2010-02-21T07:31:00.003-05:00

Ok, so my first official giveaway ended Friday night at 11:59pm....although, not even I remembered that, so needless to say, I had a select group of entries (5 TOTAL to be exact - 4 for the Samantha and 1 for the Payton).

The winner of the Payton is Michele for her grandson (yes, she is brave enough to put Burgundy and Gold on her Grandson...but, apparently she is the only one brave enough...haha)...Next year 'Skins, next year...right?

And, using a Random Integer Generator (RIG) (and no, the RIG wasn't one of my children, altough I thought about that) the winner of the Samantha is.....drumroll please.....

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:4
Timestamp: 2010-02-21 12:30:38 UTC

Ok, so I know that means NOTHING to you guys, so I will just tell you...entrant #4 was my dear friend and co-LOST-ie, ROBIN at Lolidots!!!! Way to go Robin (and I swear, I did not rig this NOR did I do the RIG more than once...honesty is a HUGE virtue of mine, you know, being that I am accountant and NOT a politician).

Thanks to Alexis for making such beautiful hats....and thanks for all the lovely riddles from eveyone who participated...and thanks to Krystena for the inspiration for the fun giveaway!

Congrats to the winners (or veiners as I call them in my not-so-good-German accent). ;)

Happy Sunday Everyone!

"It's Official"

2010-02-20T07:43:00.009-05:00

I woke up with a keen sense this morning that there was something I had to do...and then I thought about what that was...well, I realized, It's Official...my giveaway ended last night...oops, well, at least those of you who entered have a GREAT chance of winning. I will announce the winner tomorrow before Getting To Know You!

Ok, so just a few points about life right now:

I spent 14 hours away from home at the office yesterday (yes, I left at 6am and returned home right before 9pm)! It was so nice to go into the office (you know, I hadn't been there in over 3 weeks due to the snow)...I really do love my days in the office... being around colleagues, away from laundry, and in a different setting! I did miss my babes though...
TODAY is World Thinking Day for Girl Scouts...Our troop chose Italy as our country and we are doing a fashion show...Victoria will get all dressed up and have her hair and make up done like a fashion model.
Eva Got her SECOND report card...She has mastered her alphabet and a few other things...She is definitely ONE SMART COOKIE (just like her mama...haha)
Jr is now just a talking and a walking and getting into EVERYTHING!!! He has figured out how to pull the chair out from under the table and climb up on said table...Do all BOYS do THIS???? My girls certainly didn't!
I hit another deer last night! Fortunately, I was paying attention and slammed on my brakes and only caught the 'tail end' (no pun intended) of said deer! For the record, this is my FOURTH deer accident since I have lived in the country!
I am going to select a winner for my giveaway! Stay tuned...it just might be you!
I have some really neat new readers (for some reason, I don't like the word 'follower', but hey)....HELLO and WELCOME New Readers! Thanks!
I officially feel like a blogger today...Why, you ask? Well, I feel guilty for not posting yesterday, I have comments I need to respond to, and I wrote this post before had my cup of coffee for the morning (certainly, if I can do this without coffee, it must be official).

And now, off to get a cup of coffee...I REALLY need it!

Happy Saturday!

Wanna Know What I Watch?

2010-02-18T19:01:00.003-05:00

Joining in on Elizabeth's Meme...Top 3 Thursday!

This week's Top 3...Television Shows!!!

Here I go....

Coming in at #3: Cheaters! Ok, I know, let me have it...I don't know what my fascination is with this show, but it just intrigues me...of course, I have to make sure no children are around when I watch it....ahem!

In at #2: Yup, you guessed it (you know I am a NERD!!)..."It's Jeopardy"

And, as if you EVEN had to ask what my #1, most favorite show of ALL TIME is...Drum Roll, please......LOST! Duhhhhh!

So, what are your favorite shows? Head on over to Elizabeth's Place to play along in Top 3 Thursday!

LOSTapalooza - 2/17/10

2010-02-17T14:11:00.003-05:00

Ok, so here's the deal...Every Wednesday, us fellow LOST-ies all gather around over at Robin's Blog to ponder, analyze and interpret LOST...and I am pretty sure we eventually come to the conclusion that we really won't know anything for certain until it is all over.

So, to start this fun fest off, here my responses to this week's LOSTapalooza questions...

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1. Do you believe in Destiny?

Yes, but I also believe one can change their destiny through free-will...I know, I love circular philosophy! It is never short and sweet though is it...ok, ok, so, yes, some things are meant to be...but some things you can change...it's sort of like the Serenity Prayer...you just have to know the difference. ;)

2. Kate's story is very much laden with the theme of running from things. Have you ever been someone who ran from something?

Um, yeah, I ran away quite a few times as a child...once I ran away to NY and then was stealing gas at a Newark NJ gas station (yeah, ever seen NJ Drive...the movie)...well, needless to say, I don't run from much of anything anymore as an adult...really.

3. In the seasons there were "filler episodes". The episodes that didn't answer or ask any questions. The episodes that have a tendency to infuriate those who are wanting every episode to go somewhere. But, they sure are entertaining. What was your favorite "filler episode"?

Hmmmm....Hmmmmm.....Ok, well I love, all the episodes of Hurley's bad luck...I mean, his house catches on fire, the asteroid hits his restaurant...not to mention Cheech...But, after seeing Peggy Bundy again last night (yeah, I have to call her Peggy), I really also liked all John Locke's history with her and his father. I didn't think either of those were question/answer giving episodes. This is a hard one though...

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Ok, off find Robin so we can chat on BlogFrog about last night's episode...head on over to Robin's place to grab the questions, play along and link up!

From a Cell Phone's Perspective...

2010-02-16T07:38:00.007-05:00

So, my new phone arrived yesterday...Before I programmed the new phone, I had to get all the pictures and videos off the old phone. So, I decided to share some shots, completely unedited (not even cropped), from my cell phone over the last year or so...

A Visiting Turtle!

A Tea Party at Church!

Summer Fun!

BUB...

Cupcakes!!!

Are You Awake?

Kings Dominion Trip.....

Bub....

He took this photo himself!

Big Blue Eyes!!!

Chuck E Cheese's...Eva Style!

Got Pumpkins??

Bub Turned 1 ... at Red Lobster!

And, I have a few post it notes to share!

Not Me! Monday

2010-02-15T08:29:00.004-05:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday…this is a collaborative effort to be brutally honest about the things we HAVE NOT done throughout this past week! So, if you are feeling a little bit guilty for sending your 4YO to school with her 10YO sister’s socks on, head on over to MckMama’s Blog to play along!
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So, here we go…

…This morning was NOT the first day back to school for the girls in over 2 weeks due to the snowy Mid Atlantic Tundra we live in.

…I did NOT neglect, once again, to fold and put away this weekend’s laundry…thus, having to search for a pair of socks for Eva, only to first find a pair of her sister’s socks and put them on her…nope, surely, I would have ALL laundry washed, folded and put away by Monday morning.

...Joe did NOT make my Valentine’s Day gifts…one of them being a card…the other being
a make-shift battery cover for my cell phone (ummm, yeah, using metal duct-work tape) to hold me off until my new one arrives today via UPS!!!

…I did NOT take the following picture with said, beat-up-on-its-last-leg-waiting-to-be-put-in-its-final-resting-place phone of mine!

…No, that is NOT Jr Covered in Chocolate in my bed…at 8am this morning….He is not crying because I would not give him the other half of the mini-Hershey-bar!

Happy Not Me!-ing Everyone!

Getting to Know You - Happy V Day!

2010-02-14T07:11:00.003-05:00

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

I am playing along on Keely's meme Getting to Know You! You can head over to her blog to grab the questions and to play along!

Also, before I get to my answers, I just announced my first official giveaway earlier this morning...there are two prizes and the entry is very simple...if you are interested click here for more details.

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Getting to Know You!

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1. Favorite Valentine's candy?

Reese's PB Cup Hearts!!!! The big ones!!!! Umm, my ultimate favorite for ANY holiday!

2. Pink or red?

PINK!!!! Any shade of PINK...But-Please-No-Red!

3. Will you be doing anything to celebrate today?

Yup, baking a cake with the girls, giving them gifts, relaxing....so NO! ;)

4. Do you put up Valentine's decorations?

Only on my AOL Toolbar and Homepage! It will go back to a snow scene (I guess, you know, since I live in a Mid-Atlantic Tundra)!

5. What does Valentine's Day mean to you?

Well, it is a holiday to celebrate love...although, IMO, it has turned mostly into a marketable holiday for purposes of selling LOTS of candy and other stuff....

6. Would you rather get..flowers, candy, or a night out?

How about a quiet night home...I really like being home with my kids as long as they aren't going crazy. I guess flowers...unless, of course, Joe will buy me a HUGE bag of Reese's PB Cup Hearts and let me eat them all...but, I imagine, if he did I would end up with a huge stomach ache....So, I will say FLOWERS!!!!!

7. Sexy lingerie or nothing.at.all?

Yeah, I am just going to say yoga pants and a tank top! I mean, sorry, but that's me! ;)

8. Do you say Valentine's Day or Valentime's Day?

'Valentime's' DRIVES ME NUTS! My oldest says it! Ughh.....Definitely ValentiNe's Day

It's Official - My First Giveaway!

2010-02-13T18:30:00.012-05:00

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!!!!

....and Happy Valentine's Day!

That's right! It's here! I have been planning this giveaway for quite some time...actually, since right after I won Krystena's Ale8 Giveaway that I blogged about here...

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First, the prizes (yes, there are two):

This hat and flower are called The Samantha (no, it wasn't named after me, *sigh*)! It is available for purchase here at Alexis's Etsy shop (Threads of Hope). I bought one for Eva for her 5th Birthday, which is coming up very soon...Eva looks amazing in natural colors...however, I wanted to give you all the opportunity to win one for ~~yourself~~ a special little girl in your life today...

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This next hat was designed by Alexis just for me...I wanted to give away a 'non-girlie' hat...I decided it was going to be a football theme (well, because when I started planning this giveaway, it was right when NFL playoffs began and I LOVE football...[some have said I had a son JUST so he could play football]...)...and, of course, when deciding on the color, the very clear choice was Burgundy and Gold (Go 'Skins...Next Year, Right?)...and, if you dare to sport these colors on your son, or daughter, then you can win one TODAY! However, if you like the hat, but ~~hate burgundy and gold~~ like another team's colors better, you can also buy this hat, named The Payton, here, in your choice of colors, at Alexis's Etsy Shop (Threads of Hope).

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Here's How to Enter:

You must leave a comment on THIS post with your favorite RIDDLE (click here for ideas)...along with the answer (Jess, you are pardoned, although I am curious to know who they are looking for...Note to self, pay more attention to small details)

You must also specify which prize you would like to enter to win (either The Samantha or The Payton)...

You can enter to win BOTH prizes!!!! If you want to enter to win BOTH prizes, you must leave two separate comments, with two different riddles, and still note which hat each entry is for.

*****The deadline for entry is Friday, February 19, 2010 at 11:59 pm (Eastern Time)...the winners will be selected (using Random # Generator) and announced before noon Sunday, February 21, 2010.

*****This giveaway is open to everyone, HOWEVER, the prizes can only be shipped to locations within the US.

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I can't wait to read all the riddles!

Happy Riddling Everyone and Happy Valentine's Day!

An Acknowledgement, an Award and an Announcement!!

2010-02-13T07:54:00.009-05:00

This morning, when I woke up, I checked my blog roll to see what all my bloggy friends had written over the course of the night (yes, I enjoy Saturday mornings before the kids wake up drinking coffee and reading blogs)...anyhow, I never know what I am going to find when I read a post! However, today, I read something on Robin's Blog that struck me in such a way, I felt very compelled to share it with you all.

Robin, while discussing how we sometimes judge others (yes, even I, someone who really, really tries not to judge others, do find myself judging sometimes) said this:

"...as little as I know about what I'm doing, it's massive knowledge compared to what I know about someone else's situation." - Robin

...so, please allow this to resonate within you, as I think Robin has hit the 'proverbial' nail on the head with this one comment.

Robin, you should be like a modern day philosopher or something! Really!

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Moving on, I have recently been given a VERY cool award from Sam at 'Life is Beautiful' (yes, I found another Sam in Blog-Land and she is a business major, a Lover of LOST and a very cool person...all JUST like me)...She gave me this:

"This award means you're really going places, Baby. You'll still be blogging about your great adventures 10 years from now, and I'll still be reading them."

In order to accept this award, I first have to express where I think my life will be in 10 years....

Second, in addition to telling you where I think I will be in 10 years, I also must select 10 wonderful fellow-bloggy-friends to share in this award. So, in no particular order, here are the people I ~~think~~ know I will be reading them blog about their amazing adventures in 10 years:

Robin at Lolidots
Melissa at The Marsh Family Blogs
Krystena at Baby Peas
Kylee at In My Life
Alexis at Where He Leads Me...
Laura at Blogging From Bolivia
Deborah at Mom's Sanity is Making a Comeback
Darla at Hissy Fits and Halos
Chasity at Better Known as Mommy
Elizabeth at Our Journey Through Life

These ladies definitely have some interesting things to say, pictures to share and stories to tell...So, go check them all out and see where they are in life NOW!

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And, FINALLY, last but not least, I will soon be announcing a giveaway (yea, this is sort of a pre-announcement) for two really neat prizes (that I bough from Alexis' wonderful Etsy Shop Threads of Hope). Here's a preview of the prizes:

The entry requirements will be REALLY easy (well, I think so anyways!)...All you will have to do, when the time comes (sometime early tomorrow...before Getting to Know You time), is leave a comment with your MOST FAVORITE RIDDLE! Yeah, fun, I know! I got the idea from Krystena's Giveaway that just happened to be the FIRST giveaway I ever won...She asked for Knock-Knock Jokes for her very cute son! I thought it was fun to read all the jokes and a great way to show love to her son! Thanks for the idea, Krystena!

So, tomorrow, sometime in the wee hours of the morning, the OFFICIAL giveaway will be officially announced. Be on the lookout and start THINKING of your absolute favorite riddle to share with us all!

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So, that's the three A's for the day!...oh, and in case you made it this far, I just want you to know, it is SNOWING AGAIN HERE IN VIRGINIA!!!!!!!

Do I Always Have to Prove Myself?

2010-02-11T19:05:00.003-05:00

I have been thinking a great deal about proving myself in life...and why I sometimes feel the need to prove myself to some people because of their judgements of me.

It seems like no matter how long I am someone, or do something, or think a certain way, or feel a certain way, I sometimes still feel pressured to prove these things about myself to others.

Take my job for instance...in April, I will have been an employee at my company for 7 years...For almost 7 years I have dedicated myself to my company, just as I do with anything I take on in life, and I have worked hard. Most of the time, my colleagues make me feel appreciated, valued, trusted, and genuinely liked. However, I don't always get this vibe from my colleagues (usually 'newer' colleagues)...I don't know if it is because I work from home and am not in the office like a 'regular' employee, but regardless of why it happens, it does happen and will probably happen again sometime in the future.

However, I was really 'hurt' the first time this happened...it was actually close to when I first started blogging last October (I blogged about it here). That post wasn't about proving myself, because at the time I didn't realize that was what I was trying to do, but it is definitely relative to this long-winded-post.

As I look back on that incident, and others incidents that have occurred since then, I have realized I DON'T have to prove myself to anyone!!! That all I have to do is be consistent in WHOEVER I want to be and who I want others to KNOW I am. If I do this, even then those who question who I am will eventually see ME for themselves, just like that 'new colleague' of mine did!

Therefore, the answer to my own questions is NO, I don't have to prove myself, I just have to BE myself consistently!

LOSTapalooza - Feb 10, 2010

2010-02-10T08:31:00.006-05:00

Welcome to Lostapalooza!

Robin is hosting an awesome weekly LOSTapalooza meme over at her blog...head on over to Robin's Blog for instructions on how to play along...either have fun in her comment section or link up your blog post and join in all the LOST fun!

Here are this week's questions:
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1. What was the biggest "wow" moment for you in all the seasons?

I think I was shocked when I started getting the idea that Christian was also Claire's Dad...also when Claire left Aaron...really, the entire Claire story line is very interesting to me and EACH time I see Claire, it seems to be something of shock values involved.

Also, I was really shocked, back when the numbers were a BIG mystery (not that they have been totally solved) that Hurley WON the lottery with this numbers! That was crazy (and very interesting to someone who LOVES numbers as much as I do...I know, I am such a NERD!).

2. Who was your favorite guest star?

Ok, Robin....I LOVE CHEECH MARTIN! You stole my answer! Haha, I mean, how could you NOT go with CHEECH? Now, if we could just get them to let Chong do a little guest appearance...they might find some MJ on the island for SURE! ;)

3. Which girl on the island would be your bestie?

If you don't already know, I am a Team-Kate kind of girl...yeah, I know, judge her all you want, but the PROGRESS she has made given her background is AMAZING! Me and you, girl, me and you!!!!!

4. What was your favorite vision or dream?

I loved when Charlie had visions of people dying...and himself! Those were cool...but I wish Charlie didn't die!

5. Since it all began with a terrible flying experience, what was your worst flight (or most interesting)?

I-DON'T-FLY!!!! EVER!!!!! The last time I flew was was when I was 17 going to my cousin's wedding in Las Vegas! We were on a smaller 2 engine plane (transferring from Dulles to BWI) and it was PACKED with people...we hit turbulence and that was it!!! Then, I started having dreams about planes crashing...all the time. I know what it feels like to be on a plane crashing and the impending death that awaits...NOT FUN!!!!!!!!

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So, GO, GO NOW, to Robin's Place to play along.

Happy LOSTapalooza-ing!!!

Not Me! Monday - I Admit Defeat!

2010-02-08T13:32:00.006-05:00

This is NOT my neighbor plowing our drive...

He is NOT plowing our drive because I couldn't get out on my own...

I am NOT admitting that I am perhaps NOT ready to be an Ice Road Trucker...

Well, at least I am NOT admitting that I am NOT ready to be an Ice Road Trucker in a Dodge Grand Caravan!

Ok, so what are you not fessing up to today? Head on over to MckMama's Blog to confess your Not Me's!

Getting to Know You!...From My Very Own Frozen Tundra!

2010-02-07T10:10:00.004-05:00

Welcome to Keely's Sunday Meme...Getting to Know You!

To play..Grab the questions..copy them onto your blog..answer them..go here..put your link in and let the Sunday Fun begin!

Here we go!

The questions..

1. How many piercings do you have?
Um, two...one in each ear, although I rarely wear ear rings.

2. I love the sound of.....?
The rain hitting our roof...a really hard rain!

3. Favorite city?
Oh, I love Washington DC...I just don't agree with what goes on there politically-wise!

4. Colts, Saints, or could care less?
NFC Team...all the way! And, I think the Saints deserve a win, don't you? I mean, if this were the NFC Championship and the 'Skins were there, of course, it would be them...maybe one day!

5. Frozen yogurt or ice cream?
I guess ice cream, although I am not a big fan of either...I LOVE Dairy Queen's Reese's PB Cup Blizzard! Ummm.

6. Favorite appetizer?
Potato Skins....Yummmmmmm! But I make awesome apps for any occasion. I could eat just apps all the time!

7. What item in your closet currently makes you the happiest?
Well, considering our closet is now completely cleaned out and hosting 3 week old pups (and their mom) because of the frozen Tundra outside, I would say it is what is NOT in my closet that makes me most happy...which would be actually having a closet again...a pup-free closet. ;)

8.Favorite facial moisturizer?
I have no clue and have never used any that I can recall! Is that good, or bad?

Happy Getting to Know You!

'Mostly' Wordless Picture Post!

2010-02-06T10:11:00.008-05:00

I feel like I have been writing a lot, so I decided to do a 'mostly' wordless post.

Here are my favorite shots of the last week!

Enjoy!

Jr Bath Pictures!

These were taken during last weekend's snow storm!

These were taken (by me) during a recent road trip we took to NC...

These behaviors are pretty typical for our family during any drive which lasts more than an hour!

These were all taken this morning during THIS weekend's snowfall, which is still in full swing...we are up to about 6 inches and should get another 6 inches or so!

'911...What's Your Emergency?'

2010-02-04T20:00:00.002-05:00

"Yeah, hi, ummm we have a 3 car pile up west bound, oh no, no, no, no, I mean east bound on Rt3 about 40 yards west of the intersection with Lafayette Blvd...can you please send an officer?"

This was the beginning of my very first phone conversation this morning...seriously!

Ok, so here is how it all began....I was driving out of the 'Big City' towards my route home. I turned a corner where the speed limit increased from 35 to 45mph. On the other side of the turn there was a black, squeaky clean Chevy Impala...going about 30mph. The car was moving side to side, almost in a jerking movement...but, never once ever touching either line. So, I brushed it off and decided to go into the left lane and go past them (I really thought it was an older lady and I didn't really think anything of it and being that the kids were with me, I didn't really want to stick around in case she did come into our lane)...

So, here I go, into the glaring, morning sun...speeding up to 45mph or so before I notice there is standing traffic at the light about 400 yards in front of me. So, I slow down...slower...slower.....slower and now, I am going about 15mph and about 100 yards from the stopped traffic at the light. Then, I look in my side mirror and notice the Impala, barreling up from behind me at about 35 mph...right towards the stopped traffic in her lane...

I immediately start honking...Beep, Beep, Beep! Beep, Beep!...then, as I see her look up and notice where she was heading, I see her start to swerve into our lane, so I in turn, I swerve away from her into the empty turn lane!

Then, all I heard was....CRUNCH!...and all I saw was her car, right next to me, crashing into the back of a small sedan, and then the sedan crunching up into the back on an SUV...fortunately, it was not her car slamming into the side of my minivan where two of my children were sitting.

So, I made my way onto the shoulder...I made sure the kids were ok...of course, they were surprised, but perfectly fine. I took off my seat belt, put on my hazards, and went over to check out the drivers involved...

ALL of them were on the phone, and NONE of them called 911. So, I called 911 and according to the dispatcher, I was 'a very good 911 caller.' Haha! And, would you believe I was so tickled when she said that? Well, I was! I don't know why, but I was! Maybe because she said I was so calm and collected given the situation...I know, I know, I already know that I work well under pressure.

Fortunately, all of the drivers were ok although all a little shaken up...However, after I was done talking to the officer on the scene, I started walking back to my van...I had a really good view of the accident scene from behind...My heart dropped when I saw that her car was only a foot away from clearing the car she hit...only a foot more and it could have been us she hit instead. Phew! Thank you God!

...and with that, on a more sarcastic note...I am really sitting here and seriously thinking about getting my cooler, going outside, filling the cooler with snow, mailing it to the Nobel Prize Committee and demanding a Nobel Prize for proving Global Cooling...I mean, we have already had 30 inches of snow so far this winter, and we may double that over the weekend...there is no way Central VA could possibly see THIS MUCH snow unless Global Cooling is in full force! Right? I better start working on my acceptance speech! ;) Anyone want to help me?

Thanks Deborah!...You Are My Sunshine! ;)

2010-02-02T10:45:00.007-05:00

WOW! What can I say?...My 2nd award...I am really speechless (or typeless, ?!?!)...One of my new friends, Deborah at Mom's Sanity is Making a Comeback, decided that I was worthy of this wonderful Sunshine Award!

Wow! Me, Sunshine? Well, although I prefer an overcast, rainy day over a hot, sunny day...I certainly can see how my compassionate, loving, charismatic, charming personality could perhaps make people feel like I have shined a little sunlight onto their day...haha, just joking...but seriously, I do love to make people feel good by trying to be all of those things. ;)

And, Deborah is an award recipient herself, so please show some love to her and head on over to her place to see why she received her award and who else, along with me, she selected to receive this award (she has certainly put a smile on my face a few times and has chosen some great gals to also share in this award). ;)

So, following the awards traditions, I must do the following:

1) Put the logo within my blog or on my post (check, check)
2) Pass the award onto 12 fellow bloggers (see below)
3) Link the nominees within my post (see below)
4) Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog (will do as soon as I post this)
5) Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from. (check!!!)

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I honestly didn't have time, or brain power for that matter, to select 12 fellow bloggers and friends to receive this award as I am training my new assistant and trying to balance maintaining all the stuff he isn't currently doing with my regular stuff (I really hope this isn't against the award acceptance committee rulebook) ...in no particular order here are a few wonderful people and blogs to check out:

Laura - Blogging from Bolivia She takes Amazing Pictures...with her cell phone at that...(I know, I know, you won it twice...haha...but, I couldn't resist giving it to you again...you don't have to do two separate acceptance speeches though, I don't think you do at least, but I don't have the official award acceptance rule book)

Robin - Lolidots My fellow Lost-ie!

Alexis - Where He Leads Me My Blog (and children's hat) designer!

Elizabeth - Our Journey Through Life An Awesome grandma with wonderful throw-back pictures!

Krystena - Baby Peas She awarded me my first giveaway win...and I got some awesome prizes.

Ok, back to work...I am so swamped! But, I am so grateful my job is busy, as it means I am really needed....and getting paid ;)

Not Me Moday - Let it Snow (Part II)

2010-02-01T08:19:00.009-05:00

So, if you have ever felt guilty for forgetting to get milk from the store despite an impending blizzard, and a 15 month old at home who just devours milk on sight, then head on over to MckMama's Blog to let it all out...and to ALSO feel a little better about yourself because...ALL of us have things we need to let out and let go of...Like, this huge pile of laundry sitting in front of me (that Joe washed...again...shhhh, don't tell anyone this is the 3rd time I have done this).

Ok, so here we go....

This is not my 2nd 'Let It Snow' version of Not Me Monday...WHY? Because it would never snow this much in central VA unless Global Cooling was making a comeback...

I did not initially title this post "Not Me Monday - Let it Snot (Part II) and almost post it with that title...I then did not think about leaving it that way because it sounded more interesting (is snot more interesting than snow)?

Well, if you haven't seen my post about what I want to be when I the kids grow up, see here, then you don't know that I didn't drive in 6-12 inches of snow, again, to get to town to buy milk...

...and I will not admit to actually intentionally forgetting milk, just so I had an excuse to drive in it! Nope, not me...surely I know a mom and a minivan have no business driving out in 6-12 inches of snow!

So, what wild and crazy adventures do you have to tell us about?

Oh, and if you like, you can leave me a comment in my new Disqus comment section (I DO admit to installing it all by myself...well, I will admit to doing it once I know it actually works...if it doesn't, then I DID NOT do it myself)...haha!

Getting To Know You...or Me!

2010-01-31T11:53:00.006-05:00

Welcome to Getting to Know You Sunday! This fun fest is hosted by Keely at MannLand5...you can head over there to play along.

Here are this week's questions:

1. Do you iron your sheets?

Nope, but I like to get things hot out the dryer and fold them.

2. Your dream car is....?

A 1964 Ford Mustang...

3. Do you have an innie or an outie belly button?

Innie!

4. What meal do you look forward to the most..breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Ironically, I don't like to eat in the mornings...But, I LOVE breakfast foods!

5. Favorite mascara?

What's mascara? Haha!

6. What would you say your decorating style is..traditional, modern, eclectic, country, french country, shabby chic, etc..?

I don't really consider myself someone to actually have style...but if I had to choose one...it would be Country, definitely!

7. Have you ever been skinny dipping?

Yeah, right! NO!

8. I hate the smell of...?

Sauerkraut...but I LOVE the smell of gasoline! ;)

I Want to be an Ice Road Trucker!!!!!!!

2010-01-30T18:32:00.012-05:00

I have always had a fascination with driving in the snow. The first year I had my driver's license I was out driving in a foot of snow, seriously! I have never got stuck...ever. I have never met a snowfall that has truly kept me stuck in the house. Perhaps it is the challenge of conquering the snow...of proving that even women driving mini-vans can be safe, competent drivers. So, today, with almost a half a foot of snowfall on the ground and only a half a gallon of milk in the fridge, I decided I better make my way in to town to get more milk (and some other things we wanted).

After about 10 minutes of fighting with the incline of our driveway, I finally made it to the road. I slowly made my way into the tracks that my neighbor made (she has a 4-wheel drive) and I was on route. I am glad to say, I made it safely to the store, I bought 2 gallons of milk (from a fully stocked shelf) and some other things and then proceeded back home...I took this shot with my cell phone on the way:

I am so good at driving in the snow, I think I might have to learn how to drive a Big Rig, so I can be an Ice Road Trucker when the kids are out of college. I just get so excited when it snows...and I got so excited today when Joe finally admitted I am a good 'snow driver!'

I wonder if there are any other insane people who want to be Ice Road Truckers when their kids are grown ups?

My name is Samantha, and I'm a LOST-ie!

2010-01-30T09:41:00.004-05:00

So, in honor of a highly anticipated event...the FINAL season premier of LOST, Robin at Lilidots is hosting an awesome LOST-ie based meme (her first own meme) that I am so honored to participate in (why am I honored, because for a NERD like ME a show like LOST is a rare find, really!).

...and, perhaps us fellow-daughters-of-Trekkie's are following in our Trekkie Father's footsteps...just with a new and BETTER show! ;) I guess it goes to say, like father, like daughter!

So, here we go:

1. If you were on the island, which would you be in? Survivors, Others, Dharma

Oh, this is a toughie, but I would definitely have to be a part of the OTHERS...so I could know all the stuff about them that I Have been guessing about all along! I mean, I think I know the least about them...if I couldn't have them, then I want to be a part of the Ajira flight people...I want to know more about them, too!

2. If you were stranded on an island, which character would you want to be stranded with?

Oh, wow! I would so have to say Jack...I know, I know, that is a cop out answer...He's a HOT doc (and he was already a hot item from Party of 5)...so, at least I could have a good 'view' and have wonderful medical care (well, if he at least if he isn't on painkillers). And, I think he has the survival skills and the smarts we need to Get Off That Island (obviously, he did get some of them off, didn't he?). But, I honestly don't think I would want to leave...BUT, BUT, BUT, if Jack wasn't available, my runner up would be that guy on the beach with Jacob...because I really want to know MORE about WHO he is (although, I think he is a bad guy)....haha

3. Which back story was your favorite?

Oh, I love Kate's story...I can so empathize with her character...bad upbringing, bad decisions (Not that I ever murdered either of my step dads, but I sure felt like I could at times)...and to see her character go from being so misguided to who she has become is awesome.

4. Are there any mysteries you really hope will be solved in this last season?

Well, as I have been keeping track of EVERY detail, I hope they are ALL covered...but I think that is wishful thinking. I really want to know what the Smoke Monster is about, but I think it is some type of being that is the 'judge' of the island...but, I also think it could be the guy from the beach with Jacob (the one with the black shirt) in a smoke monster form.

Thanks Robin for starting this....but, I am so LOST!!!!!!!!

Procrastinating...Me?

2010-01-28T20:54:00.004-05:00

So, I feel so swamped...I just helped finish a major deadline project that is due first thing tomorrow morning...and, the worst part about it is, I didn't even realize this highly important project was due tomorrow, until Tuesday. So, over the last 3 days, I have been guiding the project leader through data collection procedures via means of observation, reviewing rough drafts prepared by the project leader for the final reports, assisting in chart and cover sheet creations for the final report, printing, stapling, etc, etc, etc...if you haven't figured it out yet, Vic's 5th grade science project is due tomorrow (well, you probably didn't figure it out unless you have a child in 5th grade). We just pulled off a 3 day, start to finish, science project...(well, we did begin the planning of everything weeks ago, and had created the data collection tools last week...we just forgot about actually doing the project until Tuesday night).

But, I will say, I tend to work well under pressure. I have always been the write-the-report-the-night-before-and-get-the-highest-grade-in-the-class girl! It has always been so easy for me to do things that way.

Then, I got to thinking, does that mean I am a procrastinator? I mean, I love deadlines and knowing when something is due...I love planning...I love finishing something...I love doing a good job and (not to toot my own horn) I usually do a GREAT job! But, I also wait, and wait, and wait to start things. I wait until the deadline is so close that I am under actual pressure to get it finished...and, at that point, it is usually on a from start-to-finish basis (aside from planning it).

Then, I really got to thinking...is this a bad way to be? What if something happens the night before something REALLY important is due? What if it isn't work or school related, rather life-or-death related? What if it is not saying "I love you," or telling someone how much they mean to you, or making better health decisions, or forgiving someone...or forgiving yourself? I mean, those things should never be things you procrastinate on getting done. Right? So, today, I am going to make it a goal to try not to procrastinate in all aspects of my life, even science projects!...I will try to use every moment I have to accomplish something and not put anything off until the last minute!

Not My Child Monday

2010-01-25T10:39:00.004-05:00

Are you feeling ashamed because your children always say the most delightful things (or not) while they are in public? ...or because, after 10 years of parenting, your oldest still takes her clothes off and throws them on the floor? Well, you no longer have to keep those embarrassing quirks about your children all bottled up inside of you...Head on over to MckMama's Blog to find out how to let it all out.

This is my first ever 'Not My Child Monday'...so here we go:

Joe Jr did not make his way on to the fireplace ledge, open the door, grab a handful of soot and shove it in his mouth...nope, my child would never have the opportunity to do such a thing...why? Because I would never take my eyes off him long enough to do something like that...nope, not here at our house.

The following conversation did not take place yesterday:

Vic: "Eva, stop eating yourself!"
Eva: "But, I taste so good!"

Nope, my children certainly have better manners than to not only not bite their nails, but to also not eat the skin surrounding their nails...Uck, that would be so gross!!!

And, finally, Eva is not sick, again, and home from school because she vomited again last night...said vomit did not end up trickling down her top bunk bed onto her sister's pillow...that, too, would be SUPER gross!

So, what have you, or your children, not done this week?

I Won A Giveaway!...And it is Um, Um Good!

2010-01-24T15:03:00.006-05:00

So, if any of you ever wondered if memorizing Knock-Knock Jokes from your childhood was a waste of time, in my case it just wasn't...for, low and behold, it was this Knock-Knock Joke...

Knock, Knock...

Who's there?

Boo...

Boo Hoo?

Hey, Don't cry, it's only a joke!

...that won our family this...

And with that, we made this...

And now...this is what is left of one of our wonderful prizes...let's just say, it was gooooood!

Thanks Krystena! This was a wonderful prize and I am so glad your son liked my knock-knock-joke!

And, on one final note, I am in the process of creating my own giveaway, and in tribute to Krystena and her son, I will be asking for riddles when the time comes...I just love a good riddle...here's an example of an oldie, but goodie: What's black and white and red all over? A newspaper! ;)

So, while you start thinking of good riddles, I am going to start thinking of an awesome giveaway prize...although, I am pretty sure whatever it is won't be as good as this Ale8 Strawberry Jelly Krystena sent us...Ummmm!

Getting to Know You

2010-01-24T10:28:00.004-05:00

Happy Getting to Know You!

This blog carnival is hosted at Keely's Blog. To play..Grab the questions..copy them onto your blog..answer them..go to Keely's Blog..put your link in and then start reading other's answers...it's fun, really!
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Here we go...

1. Waffles, pancakes or french toast?

French Toast...definitely with Whip Cream....but I do love pancakes with my Nana's homemade strawberry jelly!...Now, I'm desiring more than just this cup of coffee sitting in front of me!

2. Dream home..What would it look like?

I LOVE ranch style homes...with a huge roof and a big basement. I would do brick though, definitely. and white shutters....and a large deck.

3. Favorite sport to watch during the Winter Olympics?

I was JUST watching women's figure skating last night...I loved watching Sasha Cohen! So, I guess that would be it.

4. The first word that comes to mind when describing yourself?

Tolerant...really, it was. Then it was laid back, but I will stick with tolerant.

5. Dresses, pants (jeans, leggings, etc.) or skirts?

pants...100% I haven't worn a skirt or dress is forever...to go a step further, I am a jean-person when I go out and a sweatpants person at home....and I work from home, so you can only imagine how I dress at 'work'

6. What is your favorite time of day?

I love night time after dinner when everyone is winding down and relaxing and getting ready for bed...there is no rush to the day whatsoever.

7. Beach or Mountains..which do you prefer?

Oh, I like both!...probably the beach, I spend more time there...but I do love the mountains.

8.Will you watch the Super Bowl?

100% YES!!!! I just hope the vikings get there (we'll know today) and win...wouldn't that be so awesome (and no, I am not a Viking fan, but my 'Skins just aren't looking good these days).

So, if you want to play, head on over to Keely's place to participate in the fun!

Thanky you, thank you...everyone!

2010-01-23T10:42:00.007-05:00

Wow! Writing an acceptance speech is not something I ever thought I would have to do. But, in light of the fact that a dear-fellow-bloggy-friend AND the designer of my new Bloggy makeover, Alexis, nominated 'Our Family Journal' for a Beautiful Blogger Award, I am now officially accepting this wonderful award and writing this very acceptance speech.

Thanks Alexis!So, to keep this wonderful cause going, I must do the following:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award and insert a link to their blog (Done!).

2. Pass on the award to about 15 other bloggers who you recently discovered and think are great! (I personally chose my top 5, but you new award recipients can do 15 if you like)

In no particular order, here are my nominations:

Laura (author of 'Blogging from Bolivia')...her pictures are just 'to die for' and she is giving her life to an amazing cause.

Elizabeth (author of 'Our Journey Through Life')...she is a grandma with some beautiful glassware and dishes...and grand kids, too. ;)

Robin (author of 'Lolidots')...after all, she did inspire my MLK, Jr Day Post)

Debra (author of 'Living our Storm')...because after two years of having a private blog, she went public for the first time this week...way to go!

...and, last, but certainly not least...

Kylee (author of 'In My Life')...an amazing young lady who I am certain will do amazing things with her life!

Go check out these amazing blogs...I did nominate them for a very good reason!

3. Contact the other bloggers and let them know they have been chosen for this award (Done!)

4. Say 7 things about yourself...

..this is going to be the hard part, but according to the MBTI test I am now, after at least 10 years of being an ISTJ, an ESTJ (which means I have gone from being an introvert to an extrovert...go figure)...so this should be easy for me...

So, that is #1...I am now, according to the MBTI test, an Extrovert.

#2...I LOVE my job...really

#3...I just hired a new assistant who is a Freshman at George Washington U and I just started training him yesterday...he has an awesome personality and is very smart!!!!!

#4...My oldest daughter was a Star Student this month for her grade level (2 kids are selected from each grade every month)...so I am SUPER PROUD of her!!!

#5...Eva has received Smiley Faces every day from her Pre-K teacher since she has started school...and she is writing her own name...so, I am SUPER PROUD of her, too!!!!

#6...My baby boy is walking every day and starting to run...he is also answering questions...with 'yeah' every time...I am SO PROUD of him!!!

#7...I cooked an amazing breakfast this morning of sausage/gravy, homemade biscuits and scrambled eggs...yum! Although, I didn't actually eat any myself as I am watching my figure! (that was a few things all in one, wasn't it?)

Well, I have officially accepted my award. Thanks again Alexis for all of your help with creating our new design and for nominating Our Family Journal for this award.

Now, off to bury myself in the pile of laundry in my room that needs to be folded and put away!

FQF (Round 2)

2010-01-22T20:34:00.002-05:00

So, this is my 2nd FQF...but officially my first FQF since I didn't actually do last week's FQF on Friday, rather, I did it on Saturday Morning.

Anyhow, this blog carnival is hosted my MamaM...you can head on over to her place to play along...so, here we go...

1. What is better, growing old with out money or dying young and wealthy?

Honestly, and I am not going for the sappy award, I would definitely say grow old without money...I have already learned that true happiness is not found in the things you own, but rather the experiences you have with what you have. So, I know 100% that even the money we do have is not at all tied into our happiness...now, I will be the first to admit that it is certainly stressful when you don't have it, so I hope we can have some money when we get old.

2. Who takes out the garbage at your house?

Well, anyone will, but mostly Joe...and he is responsible for taking it to the dump (we live in the sticks and don't have trash service.

3. Have you ever had the same dream many times?

Yes, and I have told everyone I know about it...I had dreams, starting when I was 17 in 1996, about planes crashing...everywhere...one specifically was off of Rt 30 in PA, not too far from my grandma's house. I was freaked out when I found out about the plane crashing on 9-11...not more than an hour from her house. Weird, but very true.

4. Can you play a musical instrument?

Yes, trumpet (started in 5th grade), french horn (started in 10th grade), and the piano (by ear...I don't read piano music with all the chords...uck).

5. If you owned your own store, what would you sell?

Gosh...this is hard...can it be services, or does it have to be goods? If services, then of course, I would do accounting work...if it has to be goods then I will choose...hmmm....hmmm....I would love to own a bakery, but I know it would lead to my ultimate destruction ;)

Happy FQF-ing!

Martin Luther King Jr Day - A Tribute

2010-01-18T17:36:00.003-05:00

A giveaway being hosted by Lolidots inspired me to write this post about what MLK day means to me and my family.

If any of you fellow blog readers don't already know this, my children are biracial (black and white) and we live in a county where 43 years ago, a black woman and a white man were denied a marriage licence (see here) and they were forced to move away from Caroline County, VA, to be married in a state that allowed interracial marriages.

Well, this is so pertinent to my life because I am also a resident of Caroline County and I too am in an interracial relationship...and, without the endless societal contributions of those like MLK, Coretta Scott King, Harvey Milk, Malcom X, Susan B Anthony and so many more (see here)
I would not be enjoying the freedom to live my life as I choose to live it with a man and children of mixed race...

With this said, I believe we still have a ways to go...especially in regards to same-sex rights. I am a firm believer in everyone being entitled to civil liberties (see my sidebar bio) regardless of how society as a whole views their beliefs.

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr Day!

Not Me Monday - Back from a Bye-week

2010-01-18T09:54:00.006-05:00

Welcome to Not Me Monday. Are you feeling guilty for letting your laundry back up so badly that it took you 2 hours to fold it all?...or even more guilty because it was not you who actually washed it before you folded it? If so, head on over to MckMama's Blog to share your own guilty consciences while reading about everyone else's.

So, the girls and I were not sick on Sunday/Monday of last week which caused massive vomiting and exhaustion with side orders of fever and body aches. It was fortunately not the boys of the house that escaped any sign of illness.

It was also not me who stayed in bed all day on Monday, not cooking, doing laundry and never once logging onto my computer to even check work emails. Surely, as a full-time-work-at-home-mom, I can't just stay in bed all day because of a little 24 hour bug.

And finally, it was not me who again let this week's laundry get so backed up that Joe again had to wash all of the laundry, for the second time in two months (fortunately, this time we didn't end up with new pink, formerly-white, clothes...thanks Joe!)...it was also not me who spent two hours yesterday folding said laundry...nope, not at all...all while I was watching the last half of the Vikings kicking Dallas's behind...Oh, so sweet. (spoken like a true 'Skins fan)...sorry Dallas fans!

What have you not been up to?

Getting to Know You!

2010-01-17T10:04:00.003-05:00

This Sunday morning fun fest is being hosted on MannLand5's Blog. You can head over there to find out how to play...this is my 2nd Getting to Know You (or Me)...Here we go:

1. Hair color...Au naturale...or not?
Not, I have been graying since 17...well, I take that back, the first 1/2 inch of my hair is au naturale as I need to color it...so, I am a little au natural.

2. If somebody has food in their teeth or lipstick on their teeth do you tell them?
Tell them in a polite and discrete manner.

3. Would you rather have a million dollars or your vision of the perfect body?
Hands down...A million dollars...beauty will always fade, but the things I could do with a $1million would serve people for a long time.

4. Favorite magazine?
I like Country Living...but don't read it too much.

5. Bra style..lacy or plain?
Plain, under-wire, cotton!! BORING!

6. If you walked into Victoria's Secret..would you most likely come out with something sexy or comfy?
Comfy...see #5...I used to get the $60 bra/thong sets from Victoria Secret..back when I was 23 and only had one child...haha.

7. Do you fake and bake?
Hmmm, I am seeing a pattern...I used to when I was 23 and had only 1 child, but not any more.

8. What's your favorite body part on a man?
Well, at least one thing remains consistent over the years...haha...ok, I will keep this g-rated/family friendly and say their arms...they are strong and can pick up things...and they are also gentle and can comfort things with their embrace.

Happy Getting To Know You!

FQF...or Saturday

2010-01-16T08:19:00.005-05:00

This is my first Five Question ~~Friday~~ Saturday!

I am late (I went into the office yesterday), but am linking up from Mama M.'s Blog! You can head on over there to find out how to play and to link up your own FQF (or in my case FQS)...here we go...

1. Worst trouble you ever got into as a teenager? Other than hanging around the wrong people, I didn't get into any trouble myself...thank GOD!!!!! And, I am grateful for having had the wrong people in my life before, becuase I know that I have the right people in my life now.

2. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning, all the way! (as long as I have my coffee).

3. Are you a one-handed or a two-handed Texter? Two handed.

4. Democrat, Republican, or Independent..or maybe even Green Party (whatever that is). OHHHHHHH, I LOOOOOOVE this question...None of those mentioned...I am a LIBERTARIAN...check out what that is here!

5. Are you a pet person? As long as they are outside pets....

Welcome Home Daddy!

2010-01-13T13:12:00.004-05:00

So, today is a big day for our family. The day we have so patiently been waiting for...the day we weren't sure would ever come...the day our Dad will get to come home (well, not exactly home but my sister's house) from the hospital.

I am still in awe that after 2 heart attacks (the first of which was on Thanksgiving morning), 4 surgeries, almost 2 weeks of multiple forms of life support to keep him alive, a mild stroke, a pulmonary embolism and some major rehab...he is getting to come home, today!

I won't get to see my Dad today (as the girls and I were sick Sunday and Monday with a really nasty bug, so I don't want to pass it on to him), but I will see him this Friday.

Thanks again to everyone....God, Daddy, his doctors, his nurses, his rehab techs, friends, family, fellow bloggers...you have all played a huge part in Dad's recovery and I know he is still alive today and able to walk out of the hospital today because of you...whether you performed surgery, or helped him learn to walk again, or prayed, or called, or emailed...we are able to get through this because of you all!

Welcome Home Daddy!

Getting To Know You

2010-01-10T12:10:00.004-05:00

This is my first time participating in Getting to Know You. I am linking up from MannLand5's Blog. You can head over there to find out how to play along.

Here it goes:

1. If you were stranded on a desert island and could pick one person to be stranded with you..Who would you pick? Family members not included. I love Bear Grylis from Man Vs. Wild, too. He was the first person that popped in my head (...and If I couldn't choose him, I would have to choose Survivorman)

2. Do you read celebrity gossip? No, not really, but I sometimes see it on TV...how can you avoid it when it is ALL OVER THE NEWS?!?!?!?!

3. Favorite show you're watching this season? Waiting for LOST and Fastforward to start again...

4. How tall are you? 5' 8"

5. What was the last book you read? In it's entirety?...then, "Codependent, No More!"

6. Flats or heels? Flats! Flip-flops, preferably!

7. If you had to choose one natural disaster to go through, what would you choose..Earthquake, Tornado, or Hurricane? Um, I have been through a hurricane, and have no interest in going through an earthquake, so I would say Tornado, definitely...as long as I have a basement or cellar nearby (which I do).

8. Thong, panties, or (gasp) granny panties? Panties...haven't done Thongs in about 5 years and haven't yet got to the "granny" stage...thank goodness.

Well, this was fun but may have been more information than anyone wanted to know...

This, That and...Doughnuts!

2010-01-10T09:49:00.007-05:00

We got some really GREAT news this week. Daddy is going to be released from the hospital on Wednesday. He has really worked hard to get as far as he has despite the obstacles he has overcome. I am still in awe with the fact that he is still here with us, yet alone getting out this week...I don't think he even understands how close he was to not making it. I just want to send a HUGE "Thank You" to everyone, friends, family and fellow bloggers for your thoughts, prayers, comments and genuine concerns for our father and our family!!! I know Daddy and his doctors/nurses have done amazing things, but I am sure that prayers and God played a huge role in the outcome.

We had another 2 inches of snow Friday! I can't believe it has already snowed 3 times here, all of which have completely covered our grounds. WOW! This is a really wonderful winter!

I have been on a baking spree since Christmas time, so, I decided to post my first ever quasi-cooking post to highlight my most recent venture. In the past few weeks, I have made over 70 cupcakes (don't worry, about 50 of them were for a going away party for my assistant who is going back to college), a few dozen sugar, oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookies, a cake and now, Doughnuts! I decided to try to make homemade doughnuts last night per Joe's request and I got this recipe (click here for recipe) for cake doughnuts from one of my regular recipe spots (I chose this recipe as I had all the ingredients on hand, but there are other recipes that look just as good). Here are some pictures of the finished product...and a few pictures of the girls enjoying these delicacies:

Vic likes it!

Eva with a mouthful!

Jr had a few bites, but not on camera.

(He isn't a fan of paparazzi while eating...haha)

(side note: the dough was easier to deal with after being refrigerated over night...it is also important that you use plenty of flour when you go to make the doughnuts, or else you will have very sticky fingers)