Monday, November 30, 2009

Did you know?

That Christmas is 25 days away? When I was little my mom would get me an advent calendar to count down the days and every night after dinner I would get to open one of the squares and eat the candy inside as I learned how to count down the days to my favorite Holiday. I am thinking of starting that tradition with my boy, not this year, but next.

Today is Cyber Monday and I don't know about you, but I for one am all about shopping online and not standing in line.

I went to 2 stores on Black Friday, PetSmart for dog food (I know..LOOKOUT, big spender on the loose!) and then right next door is Costco which had given out some awesome coupons to all of their members, so I took advantage of one of the sale items (and I wish I could share what it is that I bought, but it is a Christmas present for Mark), anywho, the line for Costco was absolutely ridiculous and wrapped almost all the way around Petsmart.

Did I stand it? NO way! I went and wandered around Petsmart and listened to the super annoying sales clerk at the front door (passing out coupons) tell EVERY person that walked in how the people in the Costco line were going to be killed because some of them were standing in the street and how it's so dangerous to be standing there because people drive to fast in the parking lot (unless you are a blind person driving, no way would you miss the HUGE crowd of people).

After purchasing my 40lb bag of dog food, I went out to my truck, drank my Starbucks Peppermint Mocha and waited for the line to go away. I was in and out of Costco in 8 minutes! I did witness the craziness of people frenzied by the coupons, people pushing, shoving and glaring at one another over a freakin TV or Ipod (the deals were good, but not THAT good).

So, this brings me back to today, I have already purchased my own Birthday present (thank you Mark) from Bath and Bodyworks, free shipping and 20% total purchase price. I am now going to shop at Kohl's and Target, my fingers are getting the work out today!

Happy shopping today online!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

I'm angry

I have to get this off of my chest before I run screaming to the State Legislature's office!

My hubs has been unemployed since September 9, almost 3 months now, of that 3 months he has received 6 weeks worth of unemployment benefits, for the first month he got nothing because of his severance pay.

The state decided that his severance money was enough to help us and then the measley 200 a week would help, in the mean time we've lost our credit, our house, our truck, our sanity!

I am so grateful for Indiana right now I could kiss the ground there!

As for the state of Arizona, they can suck it! They decided that this week my hubs isn't allowed to file a claim for benefits, no reason given, he still has plenty of money in benefits to last all the way until September 2010, I have been reduced to part time hours so what the F are we supposed to do now?

He doesn't start working until January and oh did anyone realize it's freaking Christmas time!

The State of AZ just did a giant budget cut for DES (Department of Economic Security..an EFFFING JOKE), the brilliant minds of this government cut the childcare help for families and other departments funding to pull AZ out of a hole, yet we were just given bailout money..soo..ummmm where did that money go?? This is beyond ridiculous.

I wonder how the big wigs in the government can sleep at night??

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thankful for YOU!

image borrowed from: http://thelegacybuilder.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/being_thankful_card.jpg
This Thanksgiving is quite different this year...I feel so incredibly THANKFUL for everyone that is in my life, including all of you bloggy friends who have shown me that even when I'm lonely, I'm not really alone. I am most thankful for the Man upstairs, because He keeps me going even when my faith falters and I want the world to swallow me, He pulls me up and brushes me off and reminds me that I have strength and people to lean on, He always finds a way to show me that, even when I'm stubborn :).



Ok, so what else am I thankful for this year?



I'm thankful for my family, that kind of goes without saying though....



I'm thankful for music...music has a power all it's own...



I'm thankful for food :-) (sometimes I'm too thankful for food...just ask my waistline!)



I'm thankful for Facebbok this year because it has kept me in contact with my family! You would think we could pick up a phone..lol..instead we Facebook each other! I love it!



I'm thankful for my awesome Algebra teacher, she is one of those teachers that will stand out in my mind for the rest of my life. She's one of the teachers that has inspired me to want to teach again!



I am thankful for the ability to laugh at all situations, even when it may seem inappropriate, I try really hard to find the funny in everything. It makes life much easier to go through.



So, inquiring minds (ok, just mine, but that should count for something right?) want to know what YOU are thankful for???




Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Pictures

So with the whole moving thing also comes the unearthing of things long forgotten..like pictures..




I tend to be a bit of a scatterer, not really super messy, just everything has it's own place and it's own place is never the same, so sometimes I'll have stuff hidden away that should be with another pile of stuff that is hidden away, have I confused anyone yet?




Anyhoo, I found 2 photo albums yesterday, both of which contained the very first pictures of Mark and I from our courtship period, you know when you look all lovey dovey and happy, and of course you both look GREAT because you're trying to look your best to keep the other one interested...you know what I'm talking about right?.. So, in said pictures, I looked at how different I look just 5 years ago and how he looks exactly the same just a shorter goatee.




I did not cry when I looked at the pictures, I laughed...I laughed because when I look at that girl in those pictures I realize that I am not her, I am so different from who she is, not just physically, but psychologically as well. I am not going to toot my own horn, but I have come a really long way in just 5 short/long years and I like who I am turning out to be and I like who Mark has turned out to be (most of the time...hehe).




With a new journey ahead of us I can't wait to see what new pictures we'll capture.....




Oh and for your viewing pleasure..here are some pics of our new house we'll be renting, not buying...no buying for a while..I'd rather have someone else come and take care of stuff..lol...




Indiana here we come..




So, far this looks like this will be my favorite spot in the house..I love window seats!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Friend Makin Monday


So I have decided to participate in a new blog fun thing called Friend Makin Monday hosted by AEFilkins :)...





1. Turkey or Ham? Both



2. Favorite side dish? Mashed Potatoes



3. Favorite dessert? Pumpkin crisp



4. Black Friday: Are you going or not? Online shopping for sure and maybe Old Navy at 3 am, gotta get me and my boys some more snow clothes :)



5. If so, what's on the top of your list? Snow clothes, hats, scarves, gloves :)



6. Going out of town or staying close to home? Staying home



7. Hosting or helping? Hosting



8. Name one family tradition at Thanksgiving. Sadly the traditions have passed on with my grandma's passing 2 years ago...I am trying to create new ones with my family, but since we seem to move a lot it's tough..



9. What do you do after dinner? Sleep..lol..



10. What are you most thankful for this year? My husband's new job, a new home to live in, healthy friends and family and the strength that God has given me to endure...

Your turn...go and check out Friend Makin Monday and make some new friends!!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

I went, I saw, I LOVED it!

I will do my best not to provide any details that may spoil New Moon for those that have not seen it yet.

I will tell you that I am thoroughly impressed with my new found love for Jacob Black's character. I was not a huge fan of Taylor Lautner, in fact, he kind of got on my nerves, until today.

I sincerely hope that they keep him as Jacob for the rest of the movies because his acting abilities and buffness made this movie what it is...undeniably AWESOME!

I still heart Edward, I am not a traitor, but he's got competition for sure.

Poor Bella...hehe...

I am also impressed with how much they stuck with the book this time! The one thing that still bugs me though is when they pull dialogue from the book, implement it into the scene and then leave out giant portions that are supposed to follow said dialogue.

Overall this was a great movie, totally worth seeing more than once and all of you who hate the ending just need to SUCK IT! If you don't like it, go read the books!

That is all for now, I must finish my finals :)...yes, I chose to go see New Moon instead of do my finals, that are due in 3 hours...ahhh the things I do for my Edward/Jacob...I mean Twilight, fix.....

Thursday, November 19, 2009

It's Here..It's Here..It's Here!!!




Ok so I may be seriously sick, but I am still beyond excited for New Moon. This is the interview with R Patts on Live! With Regis and Kelly from this morning...all I have to say is he is one smooth talking man, especially about us Twilight Moms! Love, love, love him and his soft British accent!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Darn it!

I missed a day of blogging :(. I didn't get all the way through NaBloPoMo for November. My stupid immune system seems to not want to work properly anymore. I have been sick since September, along with my son. It seems just when we get better this nasty cold/flu symptoms comes right back. I could barely move yesterday and today and my poor boy has the runnynose/cough, on top of feeling like death warmed over, I have also been coughing, coughing stuff up (I know gross) and coughing so hard it feels like my body is going to split in two. All I know is I have a date with myself this Friday and I will not let anything stand in my own way.

So, anyone got any handy dandy cold/cough remedies they'd like to share? I'm all ears...

Monday, November 16, 2009

New Moon Monday



Ok so I have theme going for this week...if you are not a fan of the Twilight Saga than I'm very sorry and don't wish to alienate you, but I happen to love all things Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn and still have my fingers crossed that there will be more books/movies to be made.



Today is my ode to all things New Moon, whether you are "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob"..there will be enough for all to enjoy.


Indulge in the yumminess for a while with me :)...










Sunday, November 15, 2009

Selling Stuff

I went through my closet today and pulled stuff out to sell on E-bay. Here is my listing in case you or anyone you know might be interested :-)...Check Out My Stuff

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Saturday Blahsssss

I watched "Bride Wars" tonight..alone..without a friend. I saw it when it first came out, I went with my cousin. We had a blast during the movie, laughed and cried at all the same parts....

I am sooooooo lonely....there's no other way to describe it, I have alienated and withdrawn from everyone I used to be close to. I have adopted a new body, one that has packed on so much weight that I don't recognize myself anymore, I have a face that has to hide behind makeup because my skin looks like a 14 year old boys who's going thru puberty and I can't remember the last time I laughed like a really honest tears running down my face laugh. Did I mention I'm losing my hair too? I am 30 and losing my hair, I can literally pull out handfuls without even trying. Don't even get me started on the last time I actually felt attractive, maybe 3 years ago, hell probably longer than that...

I have no idea who I am anymore. I know my roles, the mom, the wife, the student, the friend?, the keeper of things that should be thrown away (yes, a pack rat), the nomad who can't seem to find a home that will actually stay in one place. Maybe that's all there is, maybe this is all I'm supposed to be. Maybe this is why I'm lonely??? Or maybe its just a bad night?

Friday, November 13, 2009

Busy

Printing crap and trying to find a realtor and trying to find plane tickets and trying to find boxes and my head hurts....that's all I've got for you on this quite Lucky Friday the 13th!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Bitter Sweet

With this new adventure comes a sadness too... The house we are in was our first real home that was supposed to be ours for the next 20 years (the life of the mortgage..lol). Now, we are losing this home to foreclosure/bankruptcy, along with my truck. I am beyond grateful for our new opportunity and am chalking up our losses to another life lesson... I think I will take a walk down memory lane later in the week, for right now I just want to keep focused on all the good that's in store and going on right now!

So on that happy note, I bought WINTER clothes yesterday, for the first time ever! I bought a WOOL PEACOAT! I have been jonseing for Peacoat for foreeevvvverrr!! Now I finally have a place to wear one! Ok I'm overdoing it with exclamation points tonight :). Now I just need some snow boots, sweaters and scarves and I'll be all set! Old Navy here I come (again)......hehe...

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Some of God's Greatest Gifts

"Are unanswered prayers..." ok no I am not going to seranade you with Garth Brooks..I promise..

However, I am going to share with you some really exciting news!!! Ready.......

Wait for it.......

Wait for it.....

Ok..enough faux suspense, Mark got the job in the place where I said he went but wouldn't tell you where for fear of the jinx...hehe

Yes, folks, we are ON THE MOVE toooooooo Indiana....

I have never been to Indiana, but according to Mark I will love it because it has all 4 Seasons, it even snows and I finally get to watch leaves change colors. I will also love it because it won't be 150 degrees in the Summer and even if it is we'll be right off of the Ohio River...needless to say I'm a bit excited!

Am I excited to pack? Heck NO! But I am excited that we will be out of the desert, beautiful sky and all, I'm just done with the dirt. I think I need someone to pinch me... it hasn't really sunk in yet....

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Perspective

Today Mark embarked on an adventure all by himself to a state that will not be named for a something that will not be talked about for fear of a jinx, sooooo...that left me and my little man to hang out all day, ALONE! For two months now it has been the three of us all day everyday. I miss Mark, when he's gone it really puts into perspective how much Nate and I really love having him around, ok so sometimes Nate more than me..but you know husbands have a way of on occassion getting under your skin, just a little bit....right?

No?

I'm alone in this?

So for my day with Nate we woke up bright and early, ate some cereal, watched some Scooby Doo (8 episodes) and then went to rent the Disney movie "Up!" and a movie for mom, "The Ugly Truth", hilarious by the way, but totally predictable. "Up" was great, Nate now wants our house to float in the sky with balloons and a talking dog! Everyday that little man says something new that makes me wonder where the heck he gets things from? Oh, well, wait a sec..maybe he gets things from me? Hmmmmm going to have to work on some ummm choice words... maybe that'll be my goal tomorrow, create a better language for my boy..lol..

Speaking of tomorrow I have 2 choices, work with Nate here at home orrrrrr....take the day off and not work? Orrrrr.....take Nate to daycare and then come back and work? What's a girl to do????

Monday, November 9, 2009

Photo Dump Monday

One Year Ago......












Two Days ago....



*and to give credit where credit is due...I owe the idea of this post to Ms Janana Bee, go check her out!*

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Good Bye Toys

Well it's more like good bye to one toy....this one...


Yes, we sold the bike this weekend...it was a sad day, not as sad as when we sold the Harley, but still a sad day.


So many changes so fast, I long for a quiet period in time where we don't have to wonder or worry about what bill to pay and what not to pay...


Well, at least we have our sense of humor! Nate provides a daily dose of "nate humor", he is quite the ham these days and his new favorite saying is "hey, look at me!" followed by a dance, a cartwheel, a sommersault, a song or a monstrous growl with his hands hooked like claws...he mimicks every animal and any bug that makes a sound, Bees are currently his favorite! He's our sanity even when he's driving us crazy!


Thank GOD for this boy...

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Beauty

I got lost tonight on the way home from the gas station that is about 2 miles from my house...how did that happen you might ask?

Well, I live in the middle of no where, in the middle of the desert, where people don't believe in street lights or reflective street signs. It occurred to me tonight that I have become my grandmother at the age of 30, I no longer want to drive at night because I literally can't see, even with my brights on!

I usually take pride in my sense of direction, you know I always seem to find some sort of landmark so that I know where I am and where I'm going. When I was little, 3 or 4 years old, my mom worked at a restaurant, I had been there twice. My auntie Gina, who wasn't really my aunt, had to pick my mom up from work one day but didn't know how to get there, so I guided her by way of the trees, I remembered all the trees that lined that road leading to the restaurant. So you see, I should have been able to find my way home....

Tonight was a different story, I got scared not being able to see and not knowing where I was. Serves me right for trying to go one block over from where I started from..I should have just gone back the way I came, but nooooooo I had to try a different route. I ended up back tracking almost all the way back to the store until I finally saw a street sign that I knew would get me home.

As I pulled into my driveway I thought to myself "Self, if we move to another state, please let there be street lights or I'm not going!". Yes, I yell at myself all the time and make deals with myself too, none of which I ever keep!

Nevertheless, when I got out of my truck and closed the door I looked up and almost had the wind knocked out of me. The beauty of the night sky has always been my favorite thing next to cookies, cocoa, fudge (yes, I'm craving chocolate) and kisses from my kids.

There is something about the Arizona night sky that makes me feel small, but also like I'm so tall I could reach up and touch the stars and maybe catch one if it fell. If we move I will miss the beauty that I don't cherish enough of just a simple thing of stars in the sky......

Friday, November 6, 2009

It's My Thursday

For everyone else (that works a M-F job), today is your Friday, symbolizing the start of, I'm sure a much needed, weekend. For myself, today is my Thursday, because I have funky split days off, tomorrow is my Friday and Sunday is my Saturday and then Monday is my Friday again, and then Tuesday is my Sunday..somehow that sounded much better in my head? Anywho, I get to start packing this weekend, where are we going you might ask? Honestly, we have no idea, we just have A LOT of stuff that needs to be thrown away, I mean boxed up :-). So, that is my task to go through all the crap, I mean stuff, and box, box, box away. I'm beginning to see a trend in my life, I am but a simple nomad, I should start carrying my stuff in a shell on my back, but I guess t hen that would make me a hermit crab right?

All I know is that I seem to move every 2 years or so and wherever we go next I hope we get to stay there for a while.

Did you all know that it's November? I mean really? Where did this year go? I feel like the days just keep going by faster and faster and I am so not ready for any Holiday festivities. Anyone know of any good holiday music that will help me get in the "mood" for Christmas? I'm open to any and all suggestions!

Happy Friday everyone! TGIT for me....hahahahaha..ok, yea that was lame.... :)

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Bad Day

I should be all ecstatic right now...my Yankees won their 27th World Series last night!! I could have done without the "we did this for Mr. Steinbrenner" speech, but whatever, they won..FINALLY...only took them 9 years..lol..


But no I am in a crappy mood, I'm stressed out and people are not being nice today and I'm tired of being scared, of not knowing and even though I'm doing everything I can to hold it together today is just one of those days where I'm cracking and trying not to fully fall apart....


I think I'll go do some math homework..that always seems to calm me down! I know I'm weird....


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Game 6!

I am watching Game 6 of the World Series,...and biting my nails...


Can't focus...must watch baseball.....


This will be a two-part post....to be continued...

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

I am NOT a Monster!

I had today off, as I usually do since it is a Tuesday. I decided last night that we should all go to lunch today, ya know a fun family outting. Which it was, surprisingly Nate was very well behaved and ate his entire little kid pizza! I decided that I would try something new (why I continue to torture myself, is beyond my comprehension) which was HORRIBLE and Mark had a yummy pizza all to himself. I had a plan going in to the restaurant! I would not eat the same thing, I would find something else to try, against my better judgement. So, after lunch, we came home, argued in the car about how best to get Nate to sleep in his own bed and should we eliminate nap time during the day? My answer of course is keep the nap time, Mark wants to ditch the nap time. And the saga continues...


After the arguing I decided I wanted to give myself a mini-facial, to give myself a small amount of pampering...I just wanted to look like this...

And I did for about 5 minutes and then I did the unthinkable...........................................................

I opened the door leading from my bathroom into my bedroom and there is my lovely, sweet, perfect angel of a boy and he says......"AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MOMMY'S A MONSTER!!!!!!!!" So I did my best not to crack the mask that I had so carefully slathered on in the hopes of getting rid of the impurities, only to loose it completely when he said and I quote, "Momma, going to get treats now? Her Halloween mask on".......yea so much for relaxing.....

Monday, November 2, 2009

Just when you need it!

I have always known that things happen for a reason, that those reasons are sometimes bigger than what we may be able to comprehend at the moment and every now and then I am reminded why I have the friends and the family that I do. I don't always know when or why, but I always get a message of hope or love just when I need it and a lot of the time it comes in very unexpected ways. I don't talk a lot about prayer or faith, most of the time I save those for my darkest hours and I usually keep those to myself...but I know that prayer works and I have faith that the Man upstairs is taking care of me and my family.And to him I say, I am listening Lord, my ears and heart are open and whatever you have planned for me and my family, I can take it.

So, on this next leg of my journey, I hope you'll stay with me, it may be a bumpy ride, but as my grandma used to say, if it was too easy, it wouldn't be worth it....or something to that effect...(miss you grandma)....

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Happy November First!


I forgot to pop on yesterday to wish everyone a Happy Halloween, so how about a Happy November 1st!

Halloween was fun, we took little man out trunk or treating at a church function. He didn't quite know what to do, the people were very sweet and would come up to him since he was so shy. He made out like a little bandit (as my mom would say)! Mark was going to dress up as Shaggy since Nate was Scooby Doo and I was going to be Velma, but time did not allow me to search for the perfect Velma costume, so I donned a Witch's hat instead :). Here are some fun pics from Nate's first REAL Halloween..enjoy!





Marks attempt at being Shaggy :-)..."A" for effort!