Goodbye 2011

Well, it is the last day of 2011.

I really don't have any words of wisdom or advice to give. I don't want to make any resolutions for fear of just disappointing myself. I have no funny anecdotes to talk about. So, lets just talk about changes I would like to see for the new year. No pressure. No stress. No disappointment if I don't achieve them K? K.

1. I would like to keep up with my exercise routine. Maybe even amp it up a little bit. It has been quite successful for me and I am happy that I have finally found something that I like...gladly.

2. I would like to eat healthier and make sure that I am cooking dinners at home rather than eating out so much. While I am not fond of meal planning or cooking I would like to be better at it in 2012.

3. I would like to be a better watcher of the overall budget utilizing the couponing knowledge that my mother has instilled in me and keeping a tighter eye on waste. Not waste as in poo but waste as in buying that which is not needed or goes bad before we use it.

4. I would like to become a way more organized person. Sending clutter into oblivion with my fabulous organizing skills that I will call upon.

5. I would like to always find the good in things and helping my fellow planet mates to do the same.

6. I would like to attempt to at least blog once a day.

I am not going to say I want to lose weight even though I do because I mainly want to just be better at everything. I will turn 40 in 2012. You heard me. 40. I'm okay with it. I just would like for my 40's to be way better than my 30's in every way. I think it is possible as my 30's were a blur of motherhood and just attempting to keep my head above water. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed all of the changes that my 30's brought but I am looking forward to all that my 40's have to bring.

So, reader. I'm glad you're here and Happy 2012!!!!

Driving tips

Can we talk about some simple driving rules that I was pretty sure everyone knew to follow, but apparently I am incorrect?

1. The first lane aka the slow lane is thus named as such because it is the lane that people are to merge into traffic with. It is impossible to go from 0 to 70 in most cars therefore it is assumed that the "slow lane" will be able to allow drivers to adjust their speed and then progressively move left as need be in order to maintain a pleasing flow to the traffic pattern.

If you are going to use the slow lane to get around the people that have annoyed you by not going the speed of light in the "fast" lane then the only person you should be flipping off is yourself for being stupid.

2. The far left lane aka the fast lane is called this because people go fast in this lane. If you think you are going fast but someone is riding your tail then you must move right as you are not going fast enough. It doesn't matter if you are already going the speed of light if they are riding your tail then obviously they are willing to take their life into their own hands and therefore should be allowed to pass. Let them get a ticket you are not the judge and jury for their driving decisions. Just get out of their way.

3. All that being said do not ride on someones bumper flashing your lights and honking your horn in order to clear your path. They may seriously have no clue that you, the most important person of the year, has graced us with your presence! Unless you are on fire or about to explode take it down a notch or go around them you do not have to use the fast lane for your escapades. Next time plan for the fact that you need time to get where you are going we haven't figured out spontaneous transport yet. Sorry. Oh, and don't flip anyone off whilst passing as Karma shall bite thyself in the rear!

4. A turn lane is there for a reason. Never ever ever stop your vehicle in a row of traffic as to not utilize the turn lane that has been provided for you. I don't even want to know your reasoning. Use the turn lane.

5. If it is not possible to turn left due to traffic and you are holding up a million cars that are all turning right just turn right and figure out another way to get to your destination. No one needs a million people hating them. No one.

6. If it is trafficated and you are trying to get through a light and you see that there is no way you are going to clear an intersection don't block the intersection because you feel it your right. There is a groove to it and if you, one car, block the intersection then you are messing up the 13 or so cars that need to get through and if you would have just stayed put the congestion will not occur.

7. This being said if someone is waiting to see if there will be room for them to get through the light do not turn right on red therefore taking the courteous person's possible spot. It's all about flow people.

I'm sorry. I must stop now. I was trying to write this whilst my children were occupied and verily I say unto you I had one last nerve and I will be dag gone if they didn't just jump on it and do the hokey pokey. Holy cow!

Have a lovely day people I think I need a time out!!!

How much can you handle?

I've been seeing and hearing a particular verse lately. You know the one that talks about how God will never give you more than you can handle. It's true you know. He won't, but you have to understand that you can handle a whole heck of a lot more than you want to handle.

Let's take parenting for instance. So, one day before embarking on all that is the good ship kiddo, you are looking through the want ads for a new job. A change, a new direction. If you were to see this job description would you apply?

Wanted. Full time position with no vacations or time off. This position is not monetarily compensated. Sick leave is also not available for this position.

During the first nine months of the position your physical person will be completely utilized for the construction of your project. Vomiting, weight gain and hormonal imbalance should be expected and not necessarily understood.
Post the 9 month production phase your project will get progressively more and more challenging, applicant must be able to think on their feet and be a forward thinking proactive individual with absolutely no concern for their own well being. The project will be your primary concern 24 hours a day. 7 days a week.
Applicants must understand that their lives prior to this position will be completely subject to change and may or may not be recognizable post project arrival. Sleep deprivation, bodily fluids, sudden tantrums are all par for the course. If applicant allows multiple projects will be created in time.

Is that an ad you would answer? Would you say to yourself, yeah, I wouldn't be able to handle that? How about something more extreme? What about the untimely death of a loved one? Whatever your situation you are strong enough to get through it. There is a saying. How do you eat an elephant? 1 bite at a time.

Whether you are a new mom that feels completely overwhelmed by all that is your new life or maybe you have lost a loved one and can not imagine your world without them these holidays. Find strength in your trials. Stand firm in the knowledge that you are not alone. This too shall pass and when you get to the other side you will be a stronger and more confident individual.

I encourage you to get out there. Find others that understand what you are going through. You are not the first person to go through what you are going through get out there and connect. You are God's instrument let him use you even in your times of trials.

Leap of faith.

There is a country music song that is stuck in my head right now.

Take a leap of faith, wash away your doubt, honey come what may we can work it out. The first step's always the hardest one to take. Take a leap of faith!

Hold up. I know what you're thinking. That I'm trying to brainwash my husband into a third? Nope. Like I said he and I balance each other out, we are perfect for one another so if he isn't feeling it then we aren't supposed to go with it. I truly truly believe that. Just as if I wasn't feeling something and he was it would work the same way. He's just a whole lot better at swaying me over to his side than I am.

I will admit that it all started with our discussion and how I had felt guilty that I didn't want to analyze and mull over and disect like my husband does with all of his decisions. He is a highly intelligent well thought out individual who is most definately who I go to for advice in all things complicated, but hold up a second. This does not make me wrong or mean that I think my way is not the better way.

Sometimes my husband analyzes things so much that they never happen because he can't decide which one to go with. Thus today's post.....

Are you struggling with a decision? Are you over thinking something that seems to be a massive point in your life? Are you worried that you are going to make the wrong decision? I challenge you to change your perspective a little. If you are really truly struggling and both ways seem to be equal on the pros and cons for all people involved then I want you to realize something. There just might not be a wrong decision.

You have to realize that the choice you make is the right one. No matter what happens, be it good or bad you can't look back and think if only I had chosen the other path. You can't do that. The other path might have had a big grizzly bear on it that would have eaten you in the first five minutes of your choice. You don't know!

God's big huge plan that we are completely incapable of seeing in its entirety is wonderful and perfect and hard and challenging. There will be struggles. There will be pain. All that we go through makes us who we are.

When you were a newborn baby you couldn't do anything for yourself, but as you grew and your brain began to form and you were introduced to new and different things your body adapted to what you had learned and you grew from it. You became the person you are today from all of the situations and choices and people that you have been surrounded by for your entire life.

This choice you are struggling with will it kill you? Will it kill someone else? Does it go against the 10 commandments? Then just put the two choices in a hat pick one and go with it. Whole heartedly absolutely go with it. If you look back and worry that you made the wrong choice it will do you absolutely no good.

Live the life that God has blessed you with and live it to the fullest. Stop worrying about making sure the path you are on is the right one. As long as you keep your heart and mind open to what God has in store for you. You will be fine. No Grizzly bears. I promise.

Have fun on your leap!

Two or Three that is the question.

Okay, so I was good. I was fine. I was happy with my little family of four plus a dog. It wasn't even that my neighbor had a baby, it wasn't that my sister in law had a baby. I promise. It was a new friend. A beautiful precious new friend who I am going to look forward to getting to know. She has the most inventive wonderful blog where she chronicles all that is her life. She has three. Grr. There are beautiful photographs of her older daughter reading to the baby, and precious pictures of the stages that became a blur in the world of having two under the age of 2.

I realize that I am out of the woods. My kids can bathe themselves, feed themselves, dress themselves. They still need me but they don't NEED me. You know?

So, last night when my husband and I had "the talk" and he asked me to present the pros and cons and to talk to my doctor and to pretty much put together a power point presentation of why another child is a good idea for our family unit. I shut down.

I need to tell you something. 1. God has a most interesting sense of humor. 2. God knew exactly what he was doing when he put my husband and I together. (Some days I'm pretty sure it was more for his enjoyment than anything but I digress)

When it comes to decisions I am more of a pull the bandaid off and deal with the consequences after. My husband is more of the let's map out all of the details and then decide. I have to agree with him that when it comes to something as serious as the life of a child and how it will effect the lives of the 4 other members of this family his way is the more prudent way. I know this. I promise.

It's just I'm getting older and the age gap between my current children and the new possible addition is getting wider and I can argue either side and I just kind of want to give it a shot and if nothing happens before the end of the year be done. Turn the page. Decision made. Don't look back. I can't explain it any further than that. I just feel like I have been doing the 2/3 dance for almost 8 years and I just want a conclusion.

I understand that from the outside looking in it might seem hasty but in the world that is my head I have been singing this song for way too long and I just want to change the station.

Thank you for letting me vent that. I feel much better now.

I took my own advice.

So, I finally took my own advice and I have to say I am pleasantly surprised.

Since starting Zumba there has been this little, and I do mean little, girl on the front row. She is perfect. She doesn't mess up and her moves are just as snappy as the instructor. I had pretty early on decided that she was mocking me because if I was wearing a purple shirt and black pants she would be wearing the same color combination causing us to look like the XS and XL version of a picture. You know kind of like Before...After. So, needless to say I had decided I didn't like her pretty early on. I would even get mad at her when she would be doing something completely different from the instructor saying in my head "Oh, is that not hard enough for you little girl? Did you have to completely change the routine because it wasn't good enough for you?"

I guess I need to stop here and tell you that the little voice in my head gets pretty rude sometimes.

Anyway, after writing that post about not judging a book by its cover I decided if I'm going to type it I have to live it. So, I went up to her. There is this one song that she does particularly well she looks like she is on Dancing with the stars and she is the professional! I told her how good I thought she was at it and to please not think I'm some crazy stalker lady. Want to know what I found out? She's sweet!!! She was embarrassed that anyone was watching her but thanked me profusely! So, no if she's not there I miss her and I tell her so. I asked her the other day why she goes off on her own little tangent in some of the songs, you know what she said? She said Oh, I have no idea how to do what the instructor is doing there so I just do my own little thing so I don't look stupid. I DO THAT!!!! Here I was thinking she was snotty and she is more like me than I realize.

I also want to add that I know there are some other women in the class that think the way I thought before I talked to her because I've heard them talking about her. So, people of the world. Do not create an image of someone before you speak to them. You have no clue what the book says until you open the cover and read at the very least the prologue!!!

Enjoy your day!!

Random things I am thankful for.

On Thanksgiving I came to sit in the big blue chair and tell you all about my take on the holiday. I then realized I had done that...last year...it's called Memories you can go read it if you want.

So, I decided to be silly with this posting and talk about the random things that have come to my head that I am thankful for, some serious and some...not so much.

1. Sister Schubert. I love that woman. She was able to mass produce or at least come close to the rolls that my mother has slaved over for years. Delicious bits of carbohydrates that are pure heaven. Did anyone else notice that this year they even come in 2 pan packages that have 8 rolls in each package? Perfect for a family of four on a regular Tuesday night? or you know a bad hormonal day for one...whichever.

2. Lee premium fit jeans. It's like an elastic waistband but it's not! It's like magic! They are wonderful. There is no gap in which people want to attempt a 3 point shot directly into your underwear. Plus they fit all day long not just in the morning directly out of the dryer. I love these jeans!

3. Characters. Not like famous people but like the people you run into in your day to day life that make you take a second look or immediately bring a smile to your face? This can be either from the fact that they are downright disturbing or friendly either way they take you out of your normal hum drum and into their little life's play. There is a man that walks the track where my son plays soccer. He is like an olive on a toothpick. Tiny little legs, huge round body. That alone makes you look twice. Then add that all of his outfits are made out of what looks to be neon patten leather and consist of shorty shorts and a belly shirt.

4. Friendly customer service people. You know the ones that aren't just friendly to you because they want a good tip, but the ones that seem generally interested in how your day is going and you have a nice little 5 min discussion with them about whatever may be going on at that moment. I love those people! It makes you appreciate them more when you get a customer service person who should have selected more of a solitary position like...town grouch.

5. Appropriately placed breath mints. You know how you realize, after you have left home, that your morning tooth brushing is not going to stand up to the garlic laden curry dish you had for lunch and you are petrified that you are going to see someone and have to do that talk where you cover your mouth and you end up looking like you are telling a secret rather than just having a normal conversation? Then low and behold you notice a happy little dish of red and white miracles. I love that!!

6. A good scratch. You know how sometimes you need to scratch but it might be in an inappropriate place and you don't want to embarrass yourself, but then you find yourself alone and can go to town on that bad boy. It is a strange mix of pain and pleasure. I know it's weird but I am thankful for a good scratch, and the next time you have one you will be too! In fact, I bet something is itching right now isn't it....It's okay. Go ahead. We aren't watching. Well, unless your in the library.

7. A genuine belly laugh. Catch that...genuine. Now, we have all laughed out of sympathy for someone that we could tell they were trying to be funny and they just weren't getting there. I'm not talking about that poor soul. I'm talking about a hurts your ribs days later, stuff flies out of your nose, you can't stop coughing painful laugh! There are not many people on this planet that can make me laugh like that but I can guarantee you if you can you are very special to me! I love to laugh!

8. Good parents. Okay, yes, my own. That goes without saying. I love my parents they are two of my closest friends, but that is not what I'm talking about here. I'm talking about when you are just out and about and you witness a parent actually parenting, and not just because they know people are watching either. I love the dad's that get silly with their little girls or throw a football for hours with their little boy. I love the mother who doesn't blow her top after the 40 millionth Mommy? Mommy? Mommy? Parenting is a hard task and we are all human and will not be perfect all of the time but I get inspired when I see people out there doing it right. I get depressed when I go to Walmart after 10 and witness all of the ones doing it wrong but that is a totally different blog entry.

9. People that go crazy with their outdoor Christmas decorations. I have a next door neighbor who covers his entire house in lights and his yard in different Christmas characters. Add that this is all set to music and you have a fabulous display! I"m glad he does it because I can look out my window and enjoy it without electrocuting myself. We did lights this year and the very first day it rained and shorted my entire display out. His is fine. I will leave the Christmas fabulousness to him and I will drive around and look at the wonderfulness of others. It makes me happy!

10. Freshen up bubble gum. Just because I am.

What are you thankful for?

Love to all from the Big Blue Chair!

Christmas Gift Ideas

I'm not going to take total credit for this. I got the idea from someone I just can't remember who. This Christmas why not give gifts from local artisans? You will be totally surprised what you can find if you don't wait until Christmas Eve to do your shopping.

I do realize that children will want the latest and greatest gadget or gizmo but what about Aunt Sue or Uncle Bob? Trust me they have enough lotion and candles to start their own store. Enough is enough. Seriously stop it. How much rose scented lotion can one woman use?

This way you are supporting those living in your own community with your Christmas spirit. Not to mention you will shock the living fool out of Aunt Sue!

I recently went to a craft fair where a woodworker had made the most gorgeous wood bowls. If that isn't your cup of tea what about an embroidered shirt that promotes something the person does like Soccer Grandmother or Bingo Babe.

This still doesn't sound like something you would want to give? It's okay. I don't know you but I'm pretty sure you can come up with something that will not only be new and inventive but also support your local economy. Put your neighbors back to work. Gift cards to restaurants, gift cards for spa treatments, tickets to a local theatre or museum membership.

If you are still not sold on the concept and say to yourself if I don't give Aunt Sue her chocolate scented candle she will surely die, then find a local craftsman that makes candles and get one of theirs.

Most of all remember that the true meaning of Christmas has nothing to do with the gifts that you are giving and everything to do with the Gift that has been given to you. Jesus loves you! Happy Holidays everyone.

(I would also like to mention that the Christmas season should not officially start until after we have shown how very thankful we are for all of the blessings we have received. )

Preach it sister!

I feel as though I have a few hot topics that really set me off on a tangent and I just can't stress enough how much I feel others need to evaluate their perspective on these subjects.

Today's subject? Judging a book by its cover. (and how you shouldn't do it.)

I have been going to an exercise class for about 2 months now. I haven't lost a lot of weight but it is coming off and I am learning the routines to the point that I can do them without looking like an idiot. The other day two 50 something women, who were dressed scantily in extremely tight workout wear were standing directly behind me. One said to the other well, I have never done this either but if she can do it so can we. I was the she. I will not tell you how they looked like someone had tried to shove too much play dough in the container because that would just be wrong.

Now, I'm not going to lie, that really hurt my feelings. I get it I've put on some extra weight that needs to come off but I'm doing something about it so shut up a little!

My vindication came when the music started. I was having a great day. She was playing all of my favorite songs and I wasn't missing a step. If there was ever a part that I was feeling sluggish their condescending attitude pushed me to a better workout. I was not going to give them the satisfaction! I would catch their dumbfounded look in the mirror every once in awhile as they would stop to go get water. It was wonderful!

Today when you go out into your world I want you to do something for me. If you see someone that from their appearance alone you have formed your own opinion on who they are as a person, I want you to go up to that person and say hello. Especially if your opinion is a negative one. I want you to do this mainly because more than likely if you have had this opinion so have several other people that this person has come in contact with in that day. Be a light for that person. A smile. A Hi, How are you? Can make all the difference in the world.

My weight does not define me. I don't feel on the inside like I apparently look on the outside. I still feel like I look like I did when I was 20. When strangers look at me with a disgusted look or they won't speak it is just rude. It has taught me to look at all people differently. You don't know what another human being is going through. Don't pretend as if you are better than they are just because you seemingly have it all together. You never know what tomorrow holds!

Have a wonderful day people!

Band camp can change your life!

It was the summer of 1988. I had tried out and been selected to be the Assistant Drum Major in my high school band. At that point my knowledge of band directing was pretty much making sure I didn't forget deodorant because my arms were going to be flapping around...ALOT!

In a freak panic, I found myself atop the Head drum major's podium. Front and Center...in charge! If you must know the head drum major had started her period and had to run back to the dorm to "take care of business." as it were.

The band director was a large man who yelled most of the time and pretty much always had this vein on the side of his head that looked like it was going to explode. He screamed to me to do something that I had no clue what he was asking me to do and when I did not respond his rage was turned full force on me. Little old me. High atop a podium...by myself.

The director proceeded to bring the entire band...aka. my peers to attention so that they would be able to better witness my humiliation. I stood firmly at attention while his explosion of my stupidity and inability went on for about what seemed like 10 minutes! The assistant director just so happened to be at my feet and gently placed her hand on my foot to calm me. He then very sarcastically explained what it was he wanted me to do and I performed the said task.

This little tale is blazened in my memory. I can remember the weather. I can remember who was there. I can even remember which song we were about to play. At the time I was humiliated. Felt incompetant. Felt like everyone hated me. Hind sight told me that my peers were impressed that I could take that sort of humiliation without bursting into tears and how they were so glad it hadn't happened to them. Hind sight also taught me that because I stood there and took my harsh instruction without crying or running away it caused the band director to have a better respect for me.

Life is hard. There are going to be days where you feel like you can't go on and all you want to do is cry. Don't! If you made a mistake accept the responsibility and fix it. Don't blame it on someone else even if it is someone else's fault. Don't pass the buck. You will be better respected for the fact that you are the go to person when there is an issue. Remain calm and take it like a man!

Again with the phrases that I don't understand the meaning.

Have a fabulous day!

What am I going to be when I grow up?

What are you going to be when you grow up?

Why do adults ask this question of 3 year olds? My son would always say one of two things. A balloon salesmen or a roller coaster designer. The poor things have no clue. They just know that they like chicken nuggets, mama hugs and playing! Why on earth stress them out with things of the adult world. BACK OFF Grandma let my child enjoy their childhood. Heaven knows children these days are being forced to grow up way too early!

My husband and I are firm believers in helping our children be whatever they want to be albeit through education, encouragement, financial support. It is important to find something you love to do.

I bet you're wondering why I've jumped on this little train of thought. It is mainly because I am stressing over the fact that I have NO IDEA! I'm almost 40. My children are getting older. All I ever wanted to be was a mom. I wanted to raise fabulous children. It is all I know.

So, excuse me when I think about myself for the stupid look on my face. I have no clue. I know I love to write, but I didn't go to school to write. I went to school to be the next Katie Couric. That ain't gonna happen.

I can remember as clear as day the Milligan recruiter asking me what I wanted to major in and I had no idea. He said Well, what do you like to do? I said...Help people. He put me in Communications and thus my future was decided. I'm not proud of it. It is what it is.

I'm saying all this to say that A. Help your children better prepare for "The rest of their lives" and B. I'm almost 40 but that doesn't mean I can't switch gears. This time I want to be more educated in my choice of what I want to do.

Anybody know how I can get into writing? You know without the going back to school and the major degrees in journalism and what not. I'm fun. I'm hip. I'm happenin'!

Have a beautiful day and go out there and do what you love! The trick is finding the thing that you love that you can also provide for your family with.....Hmmmm. I'm on it!

Keeping up with the Jones.

Something has been bothering me lately. What is the deal with people who feel that the appearance of their reality is much more important than the reality of their reality. It is kind of like telling people "while I may have a rectum it is non functioning". Everyone has problems. No one is perfect.

If you are a normal human being you are probably not following my train of thought because to be quite honest it derailed a long time ago. Let me slow down.

I am not a person that gets all dressy matchy when I go out. I like to look nice and all but to be quite honest it just isn't very high on my priority list. I feel that if I have bathed and put on things that are clean, match and are season appropriate it is a great day.

Others would never dream of leaving the house without ironing their outfit and rolling their hair. This is not what bothers me. This is fine. If this is what makes you feel better and you enjoy getting dressed and fabulous then by all means go right ahead. The part that bothers me is when you have spent the 3 hours getting ready, weeks picking out the perfect outfit and when some one compliments you on your appearance you say. "What this? Oh, this is trash. I couldn't find a thing to wear. or Oh, I look horrible."

I shall insert a sound that my husband's family likes to use when they are wanting to be silly. It is kind of like when you pass gas and it sounds like your rear is asking a question. We will spell it Bwuh?

God made you the way you are for a reason. There will be things you have in common with people and you may be completely opposite on another topic with that exact same person. It is okay! You are you, not them. If you enjoy mayonaise, peanut butter, lettuce on white bread, be proud of that. Don't change your opinion for the people you are around.

I don't know who the Jones are, at least the ones that everyone is talking about because to be quite honest they have their issues too, and I can guarandagontee you they have to poo and it stinks. I'm just saying.

Please remember that it is okay to not be perfect. It is okay to not have done something first and it is okay to have problems. If you want everyone to assume you are perfect the only thing you are doing is creating a game where they find out how you're not perfect because none of us are!

Have a great day!

Zumba

I have finally found an exercise routine that I enjoy! It is called Zumba. It is like a Spanish aerobics. I had known about it for awhile and I always thought it to be my civic duty to not present myself to the world in this fashion. I had the preconceived notion that I would not only embarrass myself but I would most definitely hurt either myself or someone else in the class. Not so. I shall now knock wood as to not jinx myself for the next class.

I will say that there are good Zumba instructors and there are not so good Zumba instructors. The class that got me started was okay but I would not call it Zumba. It is more like the aerobics of days gone by. Now, the classes I have been attending at the YMCA? Honey. I can't say enough good things. There is one teacher in particular that at the end of the class, dripping wet you are not groaning you are thinking Cool. That was fun! What is even better is you burn about 800 calories....HELLO!

I do want to tell you about my observations that I have made whilst getting to know the lay of the land.

1. Even if you have the most perfect body, you can still look silly doing Zumba. The good Lord did not necessarily give all beautiful people rhythm. It is quite wonderful to watch a twig of a woman walk in very proud of her perfect body, perfect outfit, perfect makeup and perfect hair only to find out in the first song that this is not going to be a cake walk. You know, cake, it's that stuff people light on fire at birthdays that you never touch because you are way full after eating that pea?

2. At some point in time EVERYONE gets off beat. Even the instructor can lose their place, and if it is your first time you are not expected to know every step to every song. The instructor will give you a step to always go back to when you get lost. Learn that move and then just do your arms the way everyone else is. It works great.

3. Whereas you can be too large....you can also be too skinny. I was worried about the woman behind me this morning. We are not even talking stick thin. I just wanted to tell the woman if you are trying to disappear you're almost there sugar. You are about one Zumba class away from being transparent. Come to think of it I didn't see her walk out. Poor thing might still be there not heavy enough to open the door. How sad.

4. More power to the little old ladies that take the Zumba class. It is always an inspiration to see someone stepping outside of their comfort zone. The little old men that come are also amusing because they are never ever...ever...ever on beat. I think they are just big flirts and I say more power to them too!

5. It is important to maintain personal space. If the class is crowded you are just going to have to accept the fact that your arm movements are going to have to be subdued and if the instructor says take 3 steps forward this instruction is still within the realms of personal space. Taking 3 huge steps in a crowded classroom is hazardous to those around you. I realize that you are oblivious to this fact random asian grandma but you are just going to have to deal with it.

6. In Zumba most of the movements involve shaking or shimmying generally taking that what God gave you and waving it about for all to see. In these cases, you will need the appropriate sports bra otherwise the next thing you are going to hear is a paramedic saying mam...mam...can you hear me? You knocked yourself out with your jiggly bits. They will be talking about you in class for years! No one wants that.

I am glad that I have found an exercise that I enjoy. I'm hoping it will help my pounds slip off. A weekender to the beach and Greekfest did not help me thus far but at least I am doing something.

Have a great day!

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Who came up with that saying? Who skins cats? and seriously how many ways can there be? Then what do they do with the cat after it is skinned? I have a very grimmaced look on my face as this is not the way I wanted this post to go....let's move on.

When you leave your house and you are going to a specific destination is there only one route? I'm gonna go with no as it is the only answer that validates my post. You could leave your home and go right or you could go left. You could cut through somewhere or you could go the long way. You could walk or you could drive. There isn't a right way as long as you get from point A to point B. by the time that you are scheduled to arrive it doesn't matter how you do so.

Now, you might save gas if you go one way or time if you go another. You might get stuck in traffic if you go this way and you might get a hole in your tire if you go that way.

The choices you make come from the experiences you have had that have taught you what works best for you.

Now, take another person. Maybe they don't have a car or they don't know about the traffic or they can't walk for some reason. Their situation is different from yours. Maybe they know that the bus runs at a certain time and that is their option. It does not make them wrong it just makes them different from you.

Now, your way might be faster, cheaper and more efficient...FOR YOU. You are different from other people in this world. Your entire life experience is unique to you. You might be similar to some others in one way and you might be similar to others in another way but as for your life experience...just you.

Apply this to religion. Why is it that we are so exclusive when it comes to religion? We judge on things that really play no role in the scheme of things. We get so hot and bothered over music type or clothing choices. Time of worship. Too much communion. Not enough communion. Too stiff. Too loose. King James or New International Version. Realize that God loves you more than anything in this world and all he wants is for you to know him personally.

Your relationship with God is all yours. You will know him in a way that is completely unique to you. That doesn't make you wrong that just means that you are different, and the last time I checked we are all different. There is not another person on this planet that has your exact same life.

Open your mind a little this week. See the world around you as a big opportunity to show God's love. Understand that you can not truly comprehend someone else's situation until you get to know them. You are God's instrument of love. Go out and make a beautiful melody.

Don't make me raise my voice.

I yelled this morning. I'm not proud of it. It wasn't just a raise my voice either it was a full on crazy we're late your point is pointless I haven't put on makeup or done my hair but I am just going to have to suck that up because..as I stated before...WE ARE LATE!!!!

At one point I was screaming Why are you crying? We don't cry in this family to manipulate! The only time we cry in this family is if someone has died or if you are bleeding do you understand me?

Now, I am fully aware of how ridiculous that sounds and I am going to say again I am not proud of my behavior. Something just snapped this morning. I had felt it coming. I knew it was going to happen it's just usually I am much better at controlling it.

I have apologized to my children. I have explained that mommy isn't perfect and that we all need to try better to get ready on time in the morning.

2 lessons to learn from my explosion. 1. Always apologize to your children. Even if there was some rightness to your craziness you still shouldn't have allowed your emotions to get out of control. You will teach them the art of apologizing and your relationship will grow from it. 2. The only person who has ever walked this planet perfectly is Jesus and you are not him, and even he got so mad at the tax collectors he threw their tables over.

Anger is an emotion. It needs to be recognized but it also needs to be controlled. Find different ways to manage your anger through exercise or solitude. Absolutely do not beat yourself up over it because you are human and you will make mistakes. Learn from the mistakes and do better next time.

My throat still hurts from the yelling I think I deserve an icee right?

September 11, 2001 from my point of view.

I wasn't going to share this on my blog. Had the full intent to only share it with close friends, but then I let my husband read it and he said but then you aren't being a light and you never know who might read it that needs the light. So, I'm posting it on here. So, if it moves you I am very glad, please don't stalk me. Okay? Okay.

I'm not sure why I feel compelled to get up early this Sunday morning to write this down but just as I did 10 years ago I feel completely helpless to do anything to help anyone. Back then with the rescue and today with the recovery of that which they lost just by going to work or starting their day.

I never want to forget the way I felt that horrible day. I couldn't understand why no one was sending a helicopter to get the people who finally decided that jumping was a better option. I wondered if everyone I knew was safe but couldn't get through to find out because the phone lines were jammed. Mostly I was proud to be an American and wanted to buy the biggest American flag I could find, but I couldn't because they were sold out. The following is that day from my point of view.

I was working at Goody's family clothing in the advertising department. We were in a creative meeting when a man by the name of Tom Turner walked in interrupting the meeting. Now, the creative department was always known for our silliness and it would have been perfectly normal for Tom to be playing a joke so when he said "A plane just crashed into the World Trade Center." you didn't really believe him at first, but then there was just something about his tone. He ran off to see what else he could find out and as far as I was concerned meeting was over.

I went back to my desk to call my producer Jennifer. I knew she was in New York shooting still shots for me. I couldn't get her. I hadn't gone on this photo shoot because Michael and I had just returned from a trip to see his family in Greece less than a week before and I felt like I couldn't be out of the office that soon after I got back. I had decided that it was just still shots, no models so everything would be fine if I didn't go. As I type this, I have no idea whatever happened to that merchandise. Oops.

Turns out Jennifer was extremely close. In fact, they had stopped shooting and were watching the whole thing right out the window of the studio. After the first tower fell they decided they needed to get out of there and ran downstairs to leave. The building manager was handing out wet towels for people to cover their faces with so that the dust wouldn't get in their lungs, and he was screaming RUN!!!

Back at Goody's they were somehow broadcasting television in the auditorium for people to watch, but most people just went home. You didn't want to be at work. You wanted to be with the ones you loved as quickly as possible. The unknown of what was going on and how it was all going to play out was so scary! Everyone started filling their tanks for fear of gas not being available. Everyone started stock piling food. You just don't know what to do during crisis and I guess it made some feel productive.

I remember thinking we had just come through New York less than a week before, had we still been out of the country we would have been in limbo trying to get back in the country for a month. I remember feeling horrible for being glad that it hadn't played out like that because of all of the people who hadn't been so lucky.

When I finally got a hold of Jennifer and could actually hear her voice, knowing that while shaken she was going to be okay I felt much better. I went to bed that night not knowing what the future held and thinking what am I bringing a baby into this world to? I was about a month pregnant with my first child and hadn't told anyone yet.

It's 10 years later. So much has changed. I am still so saddened by all of the families that were closely affected by this tragedy. I know that they did not die in vain, God has a master plan that my puny human brain can in no way comprehend. Bad things happen in this world because there is sin in the world.

Never forget the way you felt that day. Never forget those that died just by going about their daily lives. Never forget that we are all connected on this planet and even though evil is out there it doesn't have to win. Be kind. Be positive. Be loving. Be a light in the darkness. Whatever you do do it for good and BE for those that can't.

Your life is a gift. You have a specific purpose on this planet get off of that whine fest you've been on for the last little bit and figure out why you were put here and get out there and Change the world, or just change your neighborhood or just your home but be a light people so that the darkness does not win!

I would like to add that the darkness won't win in the end God will come in and flip on the light switch blasting the ever lovin' fool out of the darkness but let's do our part today to bring the light to those that don't know about it.

May the love of the Lord bring you hope and peace in this day of remembrance.

Home repair.

When you call a repairman do you tell him what needs to be repaired? Do you call a Mr. Fix it and say there is something broken in this house you have to find it and you only have about 30 seconds before it blows up. Go!

No, that's ridiculous of course not but that is how some of us handle our relationships. I'm guilty of it too I'm not saying it's right I'm just saying I do it. There are days that I am thinking in my head this has been such a hard day if my husband doesn't walk through that door with a mountain dew icee he doesn't love me at all.

So, then when he gets home and he doesn't have the icee that I have not asked for or in any way hinted that I might be wanting. I go to an even darker place. Why didn't he think of me? Does he think I'm fat? Oh, that's it! He doesn't want me to have sugar and get all big and fat well! I'll show him! I'll eat this entire sleeve of girl scout cookies that I have hidden in the freezer. Not healthy huh? Well, it isn't that extreme but it is part of my point.

Imagine that you are the homeowner, your husband is the Mr. Fix it and the house is, well, it's the house. You can switch roles if you want but the house pretty much has to keep its role because that would just be strange if it doesn't.

Here, I will set the scene for you. So, today the refrigerator quit working. You were already running late when you figured this out and you had to stop and clean up the water or it would have flooded the house. This caused you to be late, when you got home you had forgotten about the fridge and went to make dinner realizing that you have now lost all of its contents and you don't have anything for dinner. You call a repair man. A specific repairman. You call a refrigerator repairman. You give him the model number and all pertinent information you can think of. When he comes he probably even has the part he needs to fix the problem. You even pay him at the end of the issue. Cue the husband to come in to no dinner and cranky wife. Husband just sees that after a hard day of work there is no food on the table and he's pretty sure there is smoke coming out of his beautiful brides ears.

My point is. Communication is key to a healthy relationship. When you are upset with your husband tell him why, give him the tools he needs to fix the problem, make sure he completely understands all that you have experienced. You could also pay him but that would be weird.

Just make sure that you always remember that the world does not revolve around you and your spouse has had an entire day of "issues" to. Your's might be bigger, they might not but COMMUNICATE!

I would just like to add that this is not pertinent in my relationship at this time so that my husband doesn't think I'm mad. I'm not. Our refrigerator is fine. This is just a post that has been rolling around in my head lately. I promise.

Broaden your perspective.

One day my mother and I were at the mall and needed to visit the little girls room. There was a restroom that had the man and woman symbol on it and my mother said..."That's disgusting". Now, as you and I know it means that it is a family restroom and if a daddy needs to take his daughter or a mother needs to help her son in the restroom this is the more appropriate place for them to go as to not disturb the little old ladies who are scared that a 5 year old boy is going to get a glimpse of them in the crack of the stall. You know...doing their business.

I said...Mother, what do you think that means? She said...You know...with a very knowing voice and I said yes, it means that it is a family restroom and I can take either one of my kids or both of them in there. Now, your turn. She looked at me so funny and said Well, that is a really good idea. I thought it was for cross dressers. Ha!!!!

When was the last time that you realized your perspective might need a little broadening? Have you ever heard the expression "Walk a mile in my shoes?" Are you quick to criticize the way a complete stranger is handling a situation? If a waitress is rude to you do you automatically get offended?

Have you ever thought that the person you are judging without having any information whatsoever about could have tried the way you would have done it 14 times ago and is so far past that that they are frazzled enough to be trying it this stupid way? Did you ever think this waitress is rude, I wonder if she is having a bad day or do you automatically jump on Oh, you're going to be rude to me I'll be rude to you even if you will spit in my food.

Broadening your perspective can change the way your entire world spins around. You have got to realize that just because you do not understand it does not necessarily make it wrong. I'm not talking about Whackadoodles here I'm just talking about if you are mean and rude to the man that smokes outside your favorite store, coughing loudly and glaring horribly do you think that these actions will make him think Hmm, I should quit smoking. No, he will blow a really nice smoke ring in your general direction.

Be kind and gentle to all things making this place a better world because you are in it, and the next time you go by a family restroom think of my mom because she's pretty awesome!

What are you scared of?

Lately I have been having many encounters with nature. Being of the mindset that I should not kill another living creature no matter how big or small makes this difficult.

The other day a snake had found its way into my garage and had gotten himself stuck in an ant trap, I don't know how he just did. He was completely stuck with no chance of getting himself out. So, what to do. My first instinct was to scream, which I did not go with. I picked up some long handled sheers and grabbed the trap he was stuck to. I carried it out into the yard with him wiggling. I placed him gently on the ground and softly told him to hold still it would be okay I was trying to help him. (This is just more evidence for my neighbors that I am insane.)

I had sent a photo to my husband with the word help beside it, but he was 20 min away and I needed a solution now. So, I freed the reptile from his cardboard trap and off he went into the woods.

I know what your thinking because I had several people say it to me. You're thinking Gross! I could never have done that! I would have gone back inside! I would have killed it!

Now, had the thing bit me I probably would have thought differently but the creature looked at me as if to say (We'll give him a british accent just for fun) Pardon me mam, but could you give me a spot of help. I've gotten myself into quite a pickle.

Why are we afraid of things? Why do things gross us out? Raw tomatoes are out of this discussion those things are just nasty. Why is it our automatic response to let someone else handle a problem that we don't like?

Do you realize the satisfaction I had when the snake was finally free and on his merry way? I had been confronted with a problem and I had figured out how to fix it. Me. Alone. Without running screaming for someone else.

Are you telling me that if you were dropped on a deserted island alone you would just die? You wouldn't at least attempt to fashion some sort of tent or eat a random berry? Okay, if you say so but that is a pretty horrible way to die.

Today I challenge you to try something new. Something that you wouldn't automatically gravitate to. I promise it will give you pride that you were able to "do it yourself". Now, if you get bit by a snake and die don't call me. K?

A rich man's problem.

I have a friend who was without her refrigerator for, I believe, 21 days. It was under home warranty and she had to jump through several hoops in order to get the thing fixed. That translated into a lesson in patience and congeniality.

I will say that my friend passed with flying colors. Everyday for that 21 days she would go and buy ice for a cooler and attempt to keep a 1/2 gallon of milk for more than a day without it spoiling. She was forced to waste tons of food and to say she was inconvenienced is an understatement, but do you think my friend was angry? ( Okay, she might have been but work with me people) My friend just kept saying, I'm sorry for complaining, it's a rich man's problem. She's right. If she lived in a third world country then she wouldn't have a refrigerator. She wouldn't have to worry about not having the proper tools to feed her family because a refrigerator had never played a role anyway so there you are. Now, while I see her point and I am impressed with her beautiful spirit of grace through this entire ordeal I would just like to say. What is a poor man's problem?

The first thing that came to mind is what if your Yak died? Which made me laugh out loud and thus started this blog in my head. But seriously, think of all of the problems in this world that could majorly effect one person and not even phase another. What if the computer network went down? What if your pot broke? What if you got a sore on your foot? What if it didn't rain? What if it did rain? What if the air conditioning went out? What if a herd of monkeys came into your home and trashed it? Which is the story I'm going with when my husband comes home just so were all on the same page!

Think about it. A farmer prays for rain for the growth of his or her crops so that their harvest will be plenty and they can achieve their goal of a good haul. Whereas, a builder prays for no rain so that he can pour a foundation and it can adequately dry so that the building will be strong. So, who does God listen to? Without food the builder would starve and a farmer needs a house.

As you go about your day today, I want you to see your problems through a different set of eyes. It will be hard because problems are, but think about how your problem might be helping another person and is your problem something that is really THAT bad? It might be and therefore I'm not necessarily talking to you, I'm more talking to you....over there..in the shower cap. Oh and put a shirt on for heavens sake it is way too early in the morning for any of that.

Because of my friend a refrigerator repairman had a job, ice maker people had a job, we are all connected and one man's problem is another man's opportunity. We are all part of the body of Christ. We work together through thick and thin. To quote the 80's hit show Facts of Life..."You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have..The facts of Life! "

21 days without a refrigerator with two small kids is a huge inconvenience, but my friend made it through the whole ordeal with her family still beside her and her butter is again not mushy. Go out today and enjoy your world!

A few of my favorite things.

You know it is really important to be thankful for every thing in your life be it large or be it small. I have been making an internal list for a few weeks now of things that make me smile every time I think of them. Some are large and some aren't but I wanted to share them.

1. I love the way that people who don't know my husband very well, think that he is quiet and shy or (perish the thought) a snob. My husband while a highly intelligent well trained workaholic can also be extremely silly and fun loving. It is one of the major things I first fell in love with. LOVE!

2. I love my parents yard. My parents, who have been married for almost 50 years love to work in their yard together. It is beautiful. There is a fountain, and paths and places of quiet respite. I can go there and sit in the swing while my children have a fabulous time playing hide and seek and we all leave recharged and at peace. LOVE!

3. I love glass bottle cokes, if (before you read this post) you were to bring me a 6 pack of glass bottle cokes as a gift, I would have said that person really understands me. It isn't even so much the coke part of it while at only 100 calories and 8 ounces of fabulous in itself is a blessing. It is more of an experience. A step back in time. I love the feel of the cold glass and the shape in my hand. It just makes me happy. I can't explain it. It just does. Love!

4. I love the way my husband's family celebrates his little sister's birthday. It is always the same. It is the first weekend in October. My husband's mom has a fire going in the fire pit outside with lots of candles and pumpkins and other such fall like frivolities. It really is something straight out of a magazine. We always have the same menu of hot dogs and chili with s'mores for dessert. My husband's cousin is famous for his raps that he puts together for everyone's birthday, and we all just genuinely enjoy the evening. Love!

5. I love my friend Kristine's chocolate chip cookies. Heaven help me those things are little blobs of heaven. She tried to send me some a few months ago only I never received them. She received back a portion of the box. I am convinced the mailman knew what they were and ripped into them right then and there. I can't say as I blame him. LOVE!!!

I will stop at 5 for now as to not bore you with my own things I am thankful for, but today I challenge you to think of the obscure things in your world that make you smile. I would love to hear what they are. Is it a smell? Is it clean sheets? Don't even get me started about Clean sheet monday!!! LOVE! Whatever it is be thankful for it right now. Stop thinking about the things that might be bothering you today and think about the things that make you smile. It will start your day off in the right direction.

Have a great one!

Happy Anniversary!

So, yesterday my sweet husband and I celebrated 13 years of wedded bliss. Do you know what the suggested gift is for a 13th wedding anniversary? Textiles. Yes, textiles. What am I even supposed to do with that? I'm pretty sure my sweetie would appreciate of a bolt of lovely blue fabric but then what on earth would he do with it? Hang it on the wall? Sit on it? Textiles. Bizarre.

13 years is a long time. It is crazy how fast it has seemed to go. Now, since you probably don't know me very well I will also tell you that I have known my hubby for even longer than that and if you go from our first date we have been together for more than 21 years.

The longevity of our relationship has not come without its bumps in the road. It takes a lot of time and pressure to make a diamond and that is what we are working on. I love him more today than I did on our wedding day. I heard someone say once that the way to have an interesting relationship is to stay in one. It is true.

It isn't easy to work through all the stresses and messes that life brings. It is much easier to go live by yourself and eat the same thing every night, but when I look to my parents who have been married for almost 50 years, I can see that the reward is well worth the challenges.

Be honest and truthful with your spouse. Tell them the things that bother you. If it causes a fight so be it, nothing worth having was ever easy. Just remember, you don't just sit down at a piano and know how to play you have to learn and practice.

Happy Anniversary sweetie! I'll get right on those textiles.

Humphammers

Oh my word you have got to know about this restaurant!

Humphammers is more of an experience than it is a restaurant. My personal favorite is their Humpburger because I don't know what they do to it but it is such a good thing that it has to be written about! I'm getting ahead of myself.

When I get together with my friend Leah she and I want to always eat in the restaurants that are the local favorites. Not chains but ones that have been there forever and locals eat at every chance they get. We call it Rachel Ray'in it.

So last summer, the kids and I decided to find places like that close to our hometown that, even though I've lived here my entire life, we might not know about. It was in this little summer program that we found Humphammers. (cue the angels singing.) Now I need to say, for all you healthy organic folks I'm not talking to you. Well, I'll talk to you but only if you're ready to walk on the wild side.

Humphammers is in an old gas station. There are about 7 tables at the front and it is a convenience store in the back. They carry Freshen up for goodness sake! Hump, the owner, is always there to welcome the customers and there will always be a few old men there to chew the fat with him between customers. Everyone feels welcome!

This morning there was some sort of police sting operation going on just up the street so you can imagine that the conversation was lively with everyone guessing what it might be. It is loud and greasy and it is wonderful!

They do breakfast which is wonderful especially if you love an egg sandwich but you can not go wrong with the burger. It is on Clinton highway next to Thress' nursery.

It's the thought that counts.

Have you ever heard the expression It's the thought that counts? I've used it. I've decided I don't like it. It sounds like the biggest excuse I've ever heard. Okay, I thought about buying you a car and because it is the thought that counts you need to be that much grateful to me. K? K! How silly.

Now, apply this to friendships. In order to have a friend, you have to be a friend and that doesn't mean sending them an email that says I'm thinking about you when your friend is down. That means getting uncomfortable and doing what the friend needs not staying in your comfortable position and yelling across the room I'm praying for you! We are called to be God's legs and hands get out of your easy chair and do something!!! Anything!!!

1 John 3:18 says Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

So, today I challenge you to get up! Get out of your comfort zone. What does your friend need? This is the fun part you get to pick which friend and what you are going to do. I'm guessing you know which one needs you. It is probably an easy choice, but there is probably something that is holding you back.

Job 6:14 says A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends.

Which of your friends is despairing? Have you already done so much for them and you are tired of it? They are just way too needy and you are thinking you are done and need to move on to your own family or another friend?

Today I challenge you, what if that was you? Would you want someone to keep trying to get a lifeboat out to you or would you want someone to suddenly stop trying and call from the shore. "Sorry, it's just too hard but I will pray for you!"

Today be God's hands and his feet. Love God's people no matter how unloveable they are. Remember it's not just the thought that counts it's the action that goes with it.

Oh for Pete's sake!

I just want to start by saying that I have no idea who Pete is, it is more so the nicest thing I could say today after every mishap of mine. Thus the blog entry....

Do you ever feel like nothing you do is right? I have had one of those days. The house is a wreck, the laundry isn't done, I did have a nice dinner on the table but it was so rushed you wouldn't have known it.

I must say that I am mainly grouchy because of the heat so take everything I say in the next few minutes with a grain of salt. Again...I have no idea what that even means.

Here are just a few of the myriad of offenses I committed today.

1. I left a shovel out in the yard and the people who were here working assumed it to be theirs and took it.

2. I went to the store for two reasons only, to get a prescription filled and to purchase one other item. I realized I already had the prescription filled and I forgot the other item.

3. It was dark when I came home and I for some reason left the windows down on my husband's car so when he went back out to get what I had forgotten at the drug store there they were open to the elements. It would have stayed like that overnight if he hadn't gone back out.

4. I was watering some plants and the hose wasn't threaded properly so I was apparently watering our foundation which is bad.

and these were all in a period of about ten minutes.

We are all going to make mistakes. Some of us more than others. We are not perfect and God loves us anyway. When you are having a day like mine remember to just try harder next time and better yourself. If you start to waller in the ooze of depression of not good enoughishness nothing good will ever happen.

Everyone makes mistakes. No one is perfect. You just need to try harder next time. Said the goob who just realized I left my keys in the lock of the house on the outside. Oh good night...I'm going to bed.

Everyone has their own opinion...and that's okay.

The other day I ran into a girl I had graduated from high school with. We chatted about what life had brought for these past 20 years and I learned some things. She was apparently pregnant when we graduated and now had 5 children who were all almost grown and she was herself a grandmother. CRAZY! She asked about me and I told her that I had gone to college, worked in advertising for several years and then had my children who were now 7 and 9. She said what do you do? I said Oh, I stay home with them. She looked at me so very confused and said, but you went to college.

I went to a new doctor yesterday. She looks to be about my age. As we talked, she told me that she has two children 1 and 3. She explained to me that because she was a doctor and her husband was a lawyer they had decided that a nanny was a requirement. I was probably just as dumbfounded as my former classmate who couldn't understand why I was wasting a college education on being a mom. I don't understand why on earth people have children if they don't want to raise them.

Before everyone gets all mad at me I'm not talking about parents who have to work because if they don't there isn't going to be food on the table. I'm talking about a lawyer dad and a doctor mom who have decided to hire someone to care for their children the majority of the waking hours.

That is about as foreign to me as the going to college to stay home is to my former classmate. I can't wrap my brain around it and it drives me crazy. I can stand on a soap box and argue until I am blue in the face about why people should stay home with their children but you know what? That is my opinion, and other people have their opinion and it takes a whole bunch of opinions to make this world go around and if everyone thought exactly like me it would be a very boring world.

So, your thought for today is to respect other's opinions. I'm not going religious or political on this because that is much deeper than the big blue chair can handle for this morning. I'm just saying there is a reason that when you go into a grocery store there are umpteen million different flavors of ice cream. There are a lot of us sharing this little planet and we all need to get along. We don't all think alike, we don't all look alike, but we all have something in common. We are all human and God loves us. Today celebrate who you are, but don't criticize someone else for who they are. You are the chocolate chip and they are the cherry vanilla.

Have a wonderful day my sweet friends!

Happy Birthday to me.

I wanted to post something on my actual birthday about the joys and fabulousnesses of gaining one more year of knowledge and insightful understanding of the world and the people who share this planet with me.

Yeah, I couldn't do that because life happened. It went a little something like this....

We all slept late and I took a shower so that got us starting out late. Which was a wonderful birthday surprise I must add. So, the first thing I was going to do was take my kiddos with me to my favorite breakfast spot. On the way there my hubby called and explained that I had an appointment to get new tires in less than an hour and couldn't we have an early lunch together while they put them on. I was dissappointed but how could I be upset. My precious husband had researched and paid for new tires for my vehicle. I decided it was okay I would just do breakfast with the kiddos on another day.

We then had to move our little party over to someone who could allign them. There was a misunderstanding and what could have been 15 min was 3 or 4 hours. Now, some of that time was having lunch with my little family but most of it was sitting in a tire place waiting room with two bored kids. Not exactly a Hallmark birthday moment.

We picked up a neighbor and did the Tour de Free taking all of the coupons that places had sent me for my birthday and getting the free stuff. Cupcakes, ice cream. It was fabulous.

The restaurant that I had wanted to go to for dinner with my entire family was taken over by Shriners. So we had to select a new location. I tell you all of this to say. My birthday was not what I had scripted to be "My perfect birthday" but it was a wonderful day just the same and I am blessed with a wonderful family and friends who want to help me celebrate it.

So my thought for the day today is life may not be going the way you think it should be going, but do yourself a favor and don't focus on being upset that it isn't going your way. You can't see the beautiful tapestry that is your life and God may be taking you on an even greater journey that you could never come up with for yourself. Go with the flow, be thankful for the many blessings in your life, and always remember you can't even dream as big as God can create.

Sometimes I'm inappropriate without meaning to be.

Facebook has completely rotted my brain. I think in status updates. If something funny happens I want to share it. Yesterday was no exception but what was swimming around inside my head was completely inappropriate. I couldn't post it. I would offend for sure and to be quite honest I have read some stuff on there that I then spend the day trying to get the mental picture out of my head and I was not going to infect someone with this completely inappropriate thought.

So, turn back now. I'm warning you. This is your last chance.

Here it is.... seriously. You may think less of me if you continue on.

I don't care how rich, beautiful, talented, intelligent, or fabulous you are if you don't wipe well on a hot summer day you are going to have a problem.

See. I told you it was inappropriate. All day long be observant, look around, people from all walks of life have the same problem and if they are walking a little funny you are going to say to your self I bet they would like a wet wipe.

It does have a larger point so hear me out. As you go about your day today remember that just because people are wealthy or beautiful or fabulous in any exterior way it does not make them better than you. You are special because of the things that you bring to this world. You have special gifts and talents that God gave only you and if you concern yourself with trying to be like someone else your gifts and talents will be lost. Another lesson to be learned from today's visit. WIPE WELL! Use a washcloth if you have to.

Ms. Congeniality.

Popularity. It plays such an important role in our society that pageants have given it a category. One of the pageant competitors. ( okay I don't even know what they are called pageanteers? pageantillians? ) Okay no clue. One of the people that is competing for the crown and sash K? K. Anyhoo, it is called Ms. Congeniality. They even made a movie or two about it.

My question of the day is how do you teach a child about popularity? How do you explain why the mean people are the ones with all the friends and even though your precious child is trying their very best to be kind to everyone they still end up being the last one picked?

I think this has been the hardest thing for me about parenting. I can't stand to see my children hurting and I want to take the pain away. In most cases, I am capable of fixing it. Bike wreck...I bandage. Nightmare...I cuddle. Sick...I comfort, clean up, and attempt to not vomit all over them. I'm a sympathetic vomiter what can I say. (A trick for this is put Vicks vapor rub on your upper lip then as long as the actual gag sound doesn't make you gag you're golden.) However, you can't protect them from their peers. The peer situation is always going to be an issue and my precious children are going to have to learn to deal with it.

My children are at a camp this week. They go every year, and they love it. My son is really good at sports but he is also painfully shy and doesn't like to speak to people he doesn't know. So, he gets picked last. Now, if the kids would let him play he would probably be one of the first picked every time. In fact, on the playground one year there were an odd number of players and one team had one less. It was my son's team. The boys on my son's team were complaining that they had less and then one of the "popular" boys yelled at them "Yeah, but you have "my son" he's so good he counts for at least 2".

This week I too have had to deal with my own peers. During pick up and drop off when the mom's are chatting about their summer and what not apparently I am not picking up when the people I know are picking up and these moms are not friendly at all. I have tried to speak, but they don't want to talk to me. Who knows what it is as an adult. I could make some educated guesses and all are pretty petty things so I will not go there.

My point is peers are always always always going to play a role in our lives. They will have the capability of making us feel bad about ourselves or as less than. The lesson we need to learn as early on as possible is that we are only responsible for the way we treat others. If others are mean to us the way we decide to react is a flashing sign about our character.

If someone new is standing alone in a crowd do you leave the circle of friends that you are talking to to include them? If someone you don't know comes up to talk to you are you warm and inviting returning the conversation to make the person feel comfortable or are you cold and spit out a quick answer to end the conversation as soon as possible.

I keep telling my son to not be shy, to speak up. It is hard for him. It might be hard for you to, but it will always going to play a role in your life and until you learn to handle it in a way that is positive you are never going to get voted Ms. Congeniality.

Have a great day today people! Talk to a stranger, preferably one that doesn't bite. :)

Do you know what assume means?

So if you do not know the expression about the word assume ask someone else because it is just a smidge inappropriate, but it is extremely accurate.

Why do we always assume the worst? We assume that if someone doesn't talk to us they don't like us. We assume that if someone is staring at us with a horrible look on their face then they hate us. We assume that if someone has not returned our message then obviously they are mad at us for some reason and end up in a horrible state of self loathing and confusion trying to figure out what on earth we have done to make this person so upset with us.

In case your mama forgot to tell you, allow me to say it now...."It ain't all about you!"

Do not assume that the reason someone isn't talking to you is because they don't like you. Let's list a few options. 1. They could be lost in thought. 2. They could really need to go to the bathroom. 3. They may not speak English. 4. They could be blind. 5. They could be shy. 6. They could be wondering why you haven't talked to them. 7. They could be trying to figure out where they know you from. 8. They could be trying to figure out if they owe you money. 9. They could be trying to figure out if you owe them money. 10. That look, as horrible as it might be, could be the natural state of their face. Sad, isn't it.

Now, don't get me wrong. All people are not nice, you are completely right about some people but their mama didn't raise them right either and their mama did a completely horrible job and should have never had children in the first place but that is a completely different blog.

I will give you an example. A not so close friend had requested prayer for herself several times. I sent her a message explaining that I was a good listener and if she ever needed someone to just be an ear I was pretty good at it. Months later I found out that the thing she had been talking about had set the grapevine on fire and everyone was "discussing" her situation. Now, I in all honestly had any idea any of this was going on, but my guess is she assumed I was just trying to get information. Problem is I'm assuming that the reason she isn't talking to me is because she thought I was trying to get the "scoop" from her when in all actuality I was clueless and just wanted to be a friend. All this assuming is making for a very uncomfortable situation.

All you are asked to do is love others as you would love yourself. You don't have to apologize to others for not being like them. You don't have to try to be more like others in order to make yourself better. All you can do is be the best you that you know how to be. Stop trying to be like someone else and be yourself. We need more of you and not so much of that other guy. They are highly overrated and honestly the more interesting person is YOU!!!

Here's Dolly!

So the latest installment in our family summer adventures was last night. Our entire little family, without the dog, traveled downtown to see Dolly Parton in concert. Now, she has not performed in Knoxville in some 25 years so it was pretty exciting.

We had decided to go a little late so our tickets were North Nosebleed but they were fine we were in the same room as Dolly Parton all was good. It was a wonderful concert. Now, I myself am not a typical concert goer so I would just like to put out there the questions that plagued my brain whilst Ms. Dolly was performing.

1. Does the woman in Extreme North Nosebleed think Dolly can hear her? I mean...I can hear her or at least I could the first few times she screamed "9 to 5" in my ear! She started screaming it the very first song and was extremely persistent and overly disgusted with Dolly by the end of the concert. Dolly did finally sing the little diddy but it was the next to last song and to be quite honest either the woman left or she had passed out from screaming so much because when Dolly did finally play it I would have thought the lady would have been at least a little excited. I wouldn't know I refused to turn around. My daughter, however, shot her enough dirty glances for all of us and the man directly behind me cussed her enough to complete the lovely picture.

2. Why do people dress up like the person that is performing? Especially if the performer is the opposite sex from themselves. I don't get it. Do they think they are going to get pulled on stage? Is this the goal? or asked for their autograph? As if someone would mistake the 6 foot tall overweight MAN for Dolly? No, I will never understand this.

3. Who brings a baby to a concert? Okay, who brings a baby to a concert that your seats are in North Nosebleed? The performer is less than an inch tall and could seriously be the 6 foot man dressed up like Dolly lip synching we would never know! To beat it all it was a late concert, it started at 8 and was not over until 11. I myself was feeling to be the horrible parent for keeping my 7 and 9 year old up past bedtime, but a baby? Seriously? The poor thing screamed! It could not be consoled, probably the LOUD music! Some people need to wait to have children until they are capable of not putting themselves first. Which in some peoples cases may never happen. Just sayin'.

4. I'm not sure who they went by to measure how much room each person would need in a seat, but who ever it was needs to eat a few cheeseburgers and take some sort of growth hormone. My 7 year old daughter didn't have enough leg room for goodness sake! I passed a highly overweight man on my way up, it looked as if he seriously was stuck.

All in all it was a wonderful concert, and Dolly is an extremely talented woman playing several instruments and singing beautifully, and I am very glad to be blessed with a fun husband who likes to take us to different and extremely interesting things.

Love one another.

Why is it that we judge people on outwardly aspects instead of inwardly ones? I'm guilty of it too, I'm just curious. A person is judged for the car they drive, neighborhood they live in, clothes they wear, even food they eat. These are all things that could totally be altered easily. It seems however, that things such as personality are way lower on the scale. You can be a completely horrible person but if you are living in the best neighborhood, driving the right car, and wearing all the right things people are going to want to be around you. It reminds me of the story of the prodigal son.

As long as the son was handing out the gifts and throwing the parties people were all about being his friend, but as soon as the money ran out there was no one there to pick him up and be his friend.

Today I want you to assess your scale. What do you judge people on? You can be truthful because you are the only one that is going to know. My challenge to you today is to remember that God wants you to be a fisher of men. He wants you to love others. So today get outside your comfort zone and don't worry so much about impressing people with your appearance or lifestyle but more so impress upon them the love of Christ. This world is not your home, the things of this earth are temporary. Look for ways to show God's love to someone completely different than you today. It might not be easy, but it will at the very least give you something different to talk about at the dinner table tonight.

Have a great day!

Bloom where your planted.

Do you ever look at people around you and think random things like...their house is prettier than mine, or their wardrobe is better than mine, or I am very interested in knowing how exactly they got their hair to do that? Do you then send yourself into a downward spiral of self loathing and jealousy? Okay. Stop it. I know. It's gonna be hard but I say stop it. God made you you, he gave you the gifts he gave you and you alone. If you are incapable of making your hair do that then so be it make your hair do something else. I can guarantee you someone else is looking at you thinking Wow, look at her hair I wish I could make mine do that.

My new expression for my kids is Bloom where you're planted. Whatever your situation is be happy in it and glorify others through it. If your house is small and not decorated to the nines don't be ashamed of your little house be glad you don't have to clean a big one you have a house! If your wardrobe is 5 or 6 outfits that you aren't really happy with get some accessories pieces that make your look different or unique. If your hair is less than desirable either get it cut or learn that scarves, headbands and hats can be your friend.

My point is I just spent 15 min of my morning looking at the birthday party pictures of someone I don't even know being jealous of a woman I have never even met because I think she has it all together. She may not. Her husband might be a jerk, she might have had her house professionally cleaned 10 min before the party and it will go back to "kid normal" 15 min after the party. You just never know. Do not drown yourself in the want for someone else's circumstance. Be glorified in your own and make it work for you.

God gave you special gifts that he didn't give to anyone else. If you spend all your time trying to be better than someone else at them being themselves then who is going to be you? Have a great Monday!

Ice Skating

So, as an attempt to keep moving and burn calories, instead of sitting on the sidelines and watching my daughter practice for her ice skating skills test I decided to strap on a pair of skates and join her.

Oh my. I want to say proudly that I didn't fall. I'm pretty sure I would have broken something if I had so it was a good thing that the lady had taught me the stance to help you not end up on your rear. I want to also tell you that said stance strangely resembles an elderly woman attempting to find the toilet in the dark right before the cheek to porcelain experience. It isn't attractive but it works.

My main objective is to never sit down. Okay, so I'm sitting right now but whatever. If I can keep the kids at the pool or park or outside playing and instead of sitting in a chair I get up and play with them it has to help right? Hey, if it doesn't help with the weight loss it will be a good thing for our relationship.

My secondary objective is to not eat empty calories. This one is going to be harder. I downed a bag of baby chocolate chip cookies while I was fixing lunch for myself and the kids. See, I have a problem. It is why I'm in this predicament.

My problem areas will be Coke and Mountain Dew icees. I think I will be okay with chocolate and other sweets because if they aren't in the house I'm okay with finding something else but the caffeine thing is going to be an issues. Does anyone have any ideas as to how to get past the hole the lack of caffeine is going to leave?

Okay, It's on!

I know I've said it before, but this time I mean it! I just got some pictures of myself back from a birthday party we were having for my husband and quite honestly I wanted to know who the hussy hanging on to my hubby was. The big large hussy was me. You know I knew it was hard to tie my shoes and I can tell that I get winded when I walk the dog but I truly wasn't aware that my weight gain had ballooned like this.

I know I said no pictures would be applied to my blog and it will all be anonymous and what not but if I don't show you what I'm dealing with you won't be able to help me and hold me accountable. Anyway there are only 8 of you reading this stuff so what am I worried about? So, rule number one...no stalkers. I don't have time for that crap and I'm telling you right here and right now that I am not going to be fun to deal with for the next little bit while I get used to my new eating habits. I'm pretty sure I will bite your head off if you ask me what is wrong. So, don't K?

My birthday is the end of July so I will set my first goal at 10 pounds by the end of July. So, wish me luck sweet people who read this stuff. I will be posting my struggles and what not and if you want to join me please do it would be nice to know I'm not doing this alone.

SEC friendships

My son and I were talking before he went to sleep. Who am I kidding he's still awake that child can't go to sleep for nothin', but I'm in here because I have learned that it is much better for him to go to sleep on his own than for me to keep going in there every time the child cries WATER!

Anyhoo, we were talking about how it bothers him that he doesn't have any friends. Which totally breaks my heart because he is a really sweet boy, he's just quiet. I know that he has friends but he doesn't feel like he does and he doesn't understand why it seems like the kids that are mean and rude and don't follow the rules have lots of friends but he doesn't have any.

I told him how growing up I didn't have friends and that I can distinctly remember coming home crying every day from 5th grade because of the horrible stresses of a little girl with no one friends in the fifth grade. I had friends at church but I only saw them at church. I was popular at church camp but it was only one or two weeks in the summer.

I remember in middle school I had a few friends and then in high school I had a few more but that it wasn't until I went away to college and then worked out in the real world that I met my tried and true friends. He knows them by name and I listed them. He laughed out loud. He said mommy, do you realize that your friends are living in states that are some of Tennessee's biggest rivals in the SEC? I guess it is okay though because at least they are all in the SEC.

My sweet precious child. He has such an intense personality. He learns everything he can about whatever is in his sights. Sports, history, you name it he knows it. Stuff I can't even remember I said he remembers. He gets made fun of for it. Kids his age like sports teams because everyone else likes them or they like the colors of the uniforms, my son likes them because of their stats or some detail like the fact that their team is privately owned by a town of hardworking individuals. I love my precious treasure. I pray that he can keep his thirst for knowledge alive and that the sweet thang can go to sleep!!!!