Saturday, July 31, 2010

Could-a, should-a, would-a Saturday

I could-a...

gone to the store to get some cleaning supplies to clean my nasty shower and mop my tea-spotted kitchen floor (sweet tea...thank you very much Dylan)

I should-a...

paid some bills and reconciled my check book

I would-a...

gone swimming and to the Newsong concert if it hadn't rained today (the concert was outdoors)

Instead, I...

 - did a quick clean when I thought my favorite twins were coming to visit
 - bugged Dylan...A LOT
 - laid on the couch and read a book
 - went to dinner at CiCi's with my parents
 - read a lot of blogs today and found some new ones to follow

All in all, the best kind of Saturday! :)

Friday, July 30, 2010

Friday!

Time for some Friday Follows!!!



and...

friday-follow

and also...






Fun stuff!  If you are visiting from one of these, Welcome!  Look around...let me know you were here!

Now...I'm participating in a new blog thingy today...I love, love, love a survey...and I've seen this on some others, but never participated before!  So, here goes...




1. Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid? If so, do you still have it?

Yes - my teddy bear Joshua.  My uncle gave him to me when we visited him in Iowa when I was four.  My sister was 6 mos old and not a very good traveler.  I think he realized I needed something special.  And yes, I still have him and sleep with him at night.  Really...

2. Do you dream in color?

Usually, if I remember my dreams

3. How tall are you? Do you wish you were shorter or taller?

I'm 5'4"...sometimes I wish I were taller, but usually it's not that big of a deal

4. If you could have anyone's (celeb or other) voice as the guide on your GPS, who would it be?

James Earl Jones...I love his voice

5. Do you return your shopping cart to the corral or leave it wherever in the parking lot?
 
ALWAYS return my shopping cart...people leaving it wherever in the parking lot drives me nuts!
 
******
 
Hope you have a great weekend!!!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Distracted...

This week I've been super distracted.  It seems like no matter what, I just don't want to be at work...I don't want to do anything...I just want to "be".  I spent all day trying to stay focused on my work, but constantly checking my facebook, e-mail and blogger.  So many distractions.  I had plenty of work and the other girl I work with wasn't there today...I usually LOVE when she's gone because I get all the work and I get to do it the way I WANT the work done.  I'm just a tad particular and I wish she would do everything exactly as I do...but of course, that's not reality.  So, I try to choose my battles and decide what HAS to be done the way I want it and let the other things slide.  But, no...I've let everything distract me today. 

I'm blaming it on the "lazy days of summer".  That must be it.

So glad tomorrow is Friday...hopefully, it'll be a little more productive!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

A few of my favorite things...

If I were Julie Andrews, aka Maria von Trapp, and I had to comfort 7 children during a horrible storm, these would be in my song of "My Favorite Things":

cotton candy, rainbows, the beach, holding Aly's hand, Ayden's face, Redken hair products, my sister's front porch, my kid, puppies, kittens, pushing buttons, Gilmore Girls, coffee, Target, hydrangea, Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz, piano music, the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, mint chocolate chip ice cream in a waffle cone from Kilwin's Ice Cream in Blowing Rock, reading a good book, watching movies, sleeping in on Saturday morning, baptisms, lavender, chocolate chip cookies, Appalachian State University, Christmas trees, music, my family, coloring, chicken-n-dumplins, Sour Patch Kids, purses, old houses, antiques, "old" people, eating at The Loop, hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows, marshmallows by themselves, flip flops, pedicures, coffee mugs, looking at pictures, having a lazy day...

Happy Wednesday! :)

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

What-if?

Did you ever read those “Choose Your Own Adventure” books when you were younger? I had a couple of those and used to love reading them. You would get to a certain spot in the story and YOU, as the reader, could choose how the story would continue. I would always read the story to the end with one path and then go back and re-read it choosing the opposite path. No matter how many twists you chose, the story had at least two very different outcomes…which I guess was the point of the book!


In yesterday’s Monday Minute, the question was raised, “Who is your what-if person?” …to which I replied, “I could probably write a whole post on this” and then proceeded to give three of my what-if’s. Of course, my good friend Ian commented, “How's about you do a whole post about #1?” Well, nothing like a thought-provoking question…ok and a good thunderstorm…to keep you up at night.

I will say, the “what-if” road is a slippery slope to travel. Trust me…I’ve been there before. And it’s only because I feel full grounded in the “what-did” that I feel like I’m able to share my “what-if’s”. There are a few “what-if’s” that I will not explore…it would just be too painful to try to see that part of my life NOT unfolding as it did. And I’m good with that. But at the insistence encouragement of Ian, I’ll explore, for your reading pleasure, my what-if person(s)! :)

I first must give you a little background of me. As a high school student, I didn’t have one of those “these are the best days of my life” kind of high school experience. But it wasn’t horrible either. I had one small relationship as a freshman in high school…he “dated” me until another girl caught his interest and he moved on. It really wasn’t that big of a deal and we remained friends. It was hard for me to see most of the guys in my high school as “dating” material…I had known a lot of them since 3rd grade and the ones I didn’t know, didn’t seem to know me either. It was OK. I described myself once as “the girl that doesn't care if she has a guy or not, but secretly hoping that one will notice her”. But, as it were, I spent my high school days single…and not really upset about that. I was always the good girl…following rules…never testing my parents.

I think it’s important for you to know where I came from to understand where I went…

As a college freshman, I was young…immature…vulnerable. And that’s when I met my first “what-if”. His name was Travis and as I look back on the events, I see red flags everywhere. First, he was 23 to my very young 18 - he was a 5th year senior (double major). I met him at a football game where one of his friends tried to pick a fight with a guy sitting in front of us. He was rip roaring drunk…but he paid attention to me in a way no other guy before had. I dated Travis for 10 months…in all that time, he never once gave me an ounce of hope towards any kind of commitment. We’d go strong for a while…I’d get mad…we wouldn’t speak for a couple of weeks…and then the cycle would start all over again. He completely ignored my request to “stay pure” …although, I take partial blame in that in not sticking to my guns and putting myself in the position to be taken advantage of. And once the line was crossed, there was no going back. By that point, I had become a different person…not caring that I had made this major breach in the commitment to myself. And things finally came to a grinding halt the week before I was to move back for my sophomore year. I’d been begging him to meet my family…he kept putting it off. But he’d finally agreed that he would come to Boone on moving day to meet my parents. However, the week before, I could never get in touch with him. I called numerous times…left countless messages…and all for naught. He never returned one call. OK – he did…but I was two months into school and he’d finally gotten my number from a mutual friend. However, I’d moved on at that point to what-if #2. But, what-if I hadn’t? What-if I had not gotten tired of the on again/off again status of our relationship. What-if I had trailed along for a longer period of time…just waiting for him? I’m not sure…I said the other day that I most likely would’ve ended up divorced if I’d married him. I’m not sure that it would’ve ever come to that point…I’d like to think I would come to my senses before I made such a horrible decision. But what-if he’d been Dylan’s father? Now, there’s a question…one that I think I’ll just leave hanging out there. Because, I truly believe God protected me from that happening.

After the Travis fiasco, I met what-if #2…who became Dylan’s father. Well, didn’t “become”…he IS Dylan’s father. There is no “what-if I never met him” because the only way I wouldn’t have met him is if I hadn’t returned to school that year. Because, as it turned out, Andrew was my neighbor. My sophomore year, I lived in a co-ed dorm. They were suites…but the floors were co-ed. My roommates were determined to hook someone up with one of our neighbors…and I guess they felt like I needed to get away from the caustic relationship with Travis. Enter Andrew. Andrew was a 180 from Travis. He was a “good guy”. When I found out I was pregnant, things began to disintegrate. It was then that I realized I didn’t really know Andrew. I didn’t know him the way that a person carrying his child should know him. But here’s the thing, I know looking back that if he’d asked, I would’ve married him. I would’ve made it right. He didn’t want to marry just because we were having a child…which on this side of things, I’m very thankful for. And after Dylan was a little over a year old, we began dating again for the third time…and almost did get married. And so, what-if we had married? Well, this is a path that’s hard to see as well. I probably wouldn’t be living in NC. I’d probably be a school teacher. But, would I be happy? After 15 years of knowing him, I can’t imagine that I would be. He’s not the part that completes me…our personalities don’t compliment each other at all. I’m not sure if this happened because we didn’t end up together or if this is the way it would’ve really been. Again, I’m thankful that we didn’t end up together…because I truly believe he would’ve driven me nuts.

I didn’t date for a long time after Andrew…seriously, Dylan was 6 the next time I tried the dating scene. First of all, I’m just not a “dater”…and with Dylan…I didn’t want to introduce guys in to his life without feeling like the guy would stick around. But, a friend had a friend she wanted to introduce me to. He was a police officer…hence my nickname, Policeman Dan. Dan is my biggest what-if. Mostly because he wasn’t horrible…he wasn’t mean…he didn’t have commitment issues…he didn’t have depression issues…but, after a while, he just couldn’t see us moving forward. I take a lot of the responsibility for this. I mean, I know it takes two to make a relationship work…but after Travis & Andrew, I closed myself off. It was hard to open up, and still is, and be real to anyone. I think that was the biggest thing for him…I never let him see the real, raw me. And that was most likely because I was scared of the real, raw me. But what-if I had let him in? What-if I’d been open? Would we have ended up together? What would our relationship have been like? Would we have been happy? Would we have gotten married? There was a time in my life that I thought I would have. I mean, after not dating anyone for 5 years…you’d think the next guy would be IT. But, for me it wasn’t. And at the end of the day, I have to know and trust that it just wasn’t meant to be.

Do I regret any of my “what-if’s”? Not for a minute. I truly believe all things happen for a reason and that God has a greater and bigger plan for my life. For the most part, I am happy with my life. I have my days…just like the rest of us, but I feel like I’m right where I need to be.

So, there you have it. My what-if’s. It was a long journey…and I didn’t even give you all the details…just hit the high points. And if you stuck with me through this whole thing, thanks…I know it was a lot…but, Ian…you asked for it! :)

Monday, July 26, 2010

Monday Minute...a conversation with my mother...and now I am the obnoxious mother!

Ok - I know that's a lot...but it's Monday and I have a lot to cover!

First of all...it's time for the Monday Minute, brought to you by The Daily Dose of Reality!

Monday Minute

1. Who is your "what-if" person?
(What-if person being what if I married this person or am now in a relationship with "this" person)

I could do a whole post on this question...what-if I had married my first college boyfriend?  We'd probably be divorced because he cheated on me...he wasn't exactly committed.

Or what-if I married Dylan's father?  Probably also be divorced...because he drives me nuts now.  I just don't get him.  Yes...I'm thankful that didn't work out.

Or what-if I married Policeman Dan?  Well, I can honestly say I don't know how that one would've worked out...I didn't know him long enough to determine...but I'm guessing that one wouldn't have worked out well either since we didn't make it that far.

So...I can say I'm pretty happy none of my "what-if's" really were!

2. What is your nickname?

Jenn...it's the only one I accept

3. If you could choose how you died, how would you like to die?

Well...I've decided "I'm gonna live forever..."

Ok really - I want it to be peaceful with time to prepare my family...especially Dylan...

I really don't like this question...it's making me sad :(

4. If you could have named yourself, which name would you have picked?

You know, I'm just not sure!  I hated always being one of three or four "Jennifer's" at school...so I guess I could say something a little more original.  I have plenty of names on my future children "wish list"...but I don't know that I would claim any of them for me!  I guess you just get used to what you have and can't see it any other way.

5. Who were you named after or for what reason did your parents choose your name?

Well...I don't know where my first name came from...I think my parents just liked it...along with thousands of other mothers from the 1970's!  My middle name is the same as my Mom's...and my grandfather, that I never met. 

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

Now...for an almost actual conversation my sister & I had with my mother...I say "almost actual" because I can't remember it verbatim, but this is pretty close.  I have to preface this by saying that my parents have a date night every Sunday...they go see a cheap movie and have popcorn at the movie for dinner.  It's just so stinking cute...sometimes I forget that they've been married for almost 37 years!  Anyway...here goes...

Mom: Guess what movie we are seeing this weekend?

Me & Missy: What?

Mom: Killers.

Me & Missy: What is that?

Mom: I think it has Britney Spears' husband in it...what's his name?

Me: (not sure at all about this) Kevin Federline?

Mom: No...that's not the one.

Missy: I'm pretty sure she's only been married once.  Are you talking about Justin Timberlake?

Mom: No...oh, I can't remember his name...

My mom tries hard...bless her heart.
She was thinking Ashton Kutcher.
How she put him with Britney Spears is beyond me...maybe she was thinking Brittany Murphy because of that movie they were in together?  Who knows...

And sorry...that conversation was a lot funnier in person...sometimes I think I should carry around a tape recorder or have people following me around with a video camera.  It really would make good comedy!

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

When I was younger, I hated for my mother to wake me up.  She would come in singing, open my blinds or shades and pull the covers off of me.  It was obnoxious.  I always wanted my dad to come wake me up.  He would pull the covers up around my arms, gently shake me and say in a quiet voice "It's time to get up".  I have tried to take a lesson from my dad.  I wake Dylan up more like he used to wake me, although, it takes a little more force to get Dylan moving.
 
However, today...I became the obnoxious mother.  Dylan has been going to workouts for the high school soccer team.  They begin at 8am...so I wake him at 7.  This morning I went in, shook him and said "It's time to get up."  To which I got..."noooooooo, I don't wanna get up".  Five minutes later, I repeated the same gentle waking technique...got the same result.  Five minutes later, I walked into his room...turned on the stereo...bumped the volume...turned on the light and took his covers off of him.  Finally...he got up...but boy, did I pay for my choice!  What a grumpy bear!  I guess I'll think twice before being so obnoxious...or maybe not!  It did get results!
 
Hope you are having a great Monday!!!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Getting to Know You Sunday!!

Getting to know YOU


It's Sunday again! :)  I spent some time with my BFF today and we went to see baby Ava today...too sweet!!! :)

Linking up with Keely from Mannland5 for Getting to Know You Sunday!

1. Thong or Granny Panties?

well...just call me grandma...


2. If you see a guy with his fly down, do you tell him?

if I know him...and know him well...most likely.  If I don't, then probably not.

3. Spanx or no Spanx?

I don't own Spanx...so I guess no

4. Do you sleep in your sheets?

yes...with a quilt on top!

5. What is your favorite Disney character?

hmmm...that's a toughy...I love Winnie the Pooh...and Piglet...and Belle...and Cinderella...and Peter Pan...yeah, I can't choose!

6. Dream vacation spot?

I would say somewhere warm...but really, we are having highs in the upper 90's with heat indexes in the 100's...so, today...I'll take somewhere cooler, but not too cool!  But usually, I'd choose somewhere tropical.

7. What is your dream job?

to be a stay at home mom...I hope to be able to get that job someday!

8. Who is your hero and why?

I would have to say our Pastor's wife...she is a breast cancer survivor...and after beating it once, the cancer came back as a brain tumor.  She is absolutely and 100% a walking, talking miracle...having underwent brain surgery...she didn't spend one minute in ICU!  But her spirit was and still is amazing.  I just love her to pieces!

Happy Sunday!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Saturday!

So...I don't usually post on Saturday because, really, who has time?  But I'm taking advantage of these few minutes to post a little of what I did today! :)

#1 - I inherited a new vacuum cleaner...ok, not inherited in that someone had to pass on for me to gain it...I guess you could say someone "donated" it to me.  At any rate, I didn't pay a dime for it and it's won.der.ful!  So sad that this makes me happy.  I liked my old vacuum cleaner (it was free too) but it was v-e-r-y heavy.  This one is much lighter...has a detachable canister...and is red & shiney!  My favorite part! :)  I had used it at the church house the other night and the people who brought it were getting rid of it...YAY ME!!!  So, of course, I had to try it out this morning.  Just vacuuming the bathroom turned into the whole house...including Dylan's room, which I never vacuum...of course, I only hit the parts that weren't covered in clothing/shoes/junk.

#2 - I went to see Ramona & Beezus.  Oh.my.goodness.  Such a good, cute, sweet movie!  I loved the books when I was growing up and when I saw the previews, I told my sis that I wanted to go with Aly to see it!  I've even lent her the books that were ours (and I claim personally).  Hopefully, the movie will inspire her to read the books.  It really was so good!  My favorite lines - Beezus: "Who would ever love a girl named Beezus?" Ramona: "Jesus?"  I don't know why, but that struck me as hilarious!!!

The rest of my day was basically spent laying around doing nothing.  I think I've been going strong for two weeks now and my body needed a day off!

Looking forward to tomorrow...spending a little time with my BFF and we are going to visit one of the three babies that were born a couple of weeks ago!  May stop by tomorrow...but if not, I'll see you Monday!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Dear Wendy's Restaurants...

Dear Wendy’s Restaurants,

I live and work in small towns – two different small towns. In each of these towns, my fast food options are limited. In fact, in the small town that I live in your restaurant is the only option for fast food. I can’t say that I love your food, but I can tolerate it and definitely appreciate the convenience of having one of your restaurants nearby.

One of my favorite items on your menu is your salads. I was somewhat disappointed several months ago to find out that you were no longer offering the Low-Fat Honey Mustard salad dressing. Outside of Chick-Fil-A’s Fat Free Dijon Mustard dressing, it was by far one of the best low fat dressings I have found. However, I just dealt with the fat and used your honey mustard dressing because I liked your salads. My favorites were the Chicken BLT and the Southwest Taco Salad. I especially liked the Southwest salad because I could get the chili on the side and it was as-if I was getting more for my money – an entrée and a salad. And the tortilla strips just made that salad all the better.

Imagine my disappointment upon arriving at your establishment near my office the other day and finding out that you have “re-invented” your salads. And while I’m almost never usually open to new things, I have a few concerns about your “re-invented” salads.

#1 – The new Baja salad includes guacamole. I am suspicious of guacamole at the best Mexican restaurants. What makes you think that I’m going to trust guacamole from a fast food restaurant? I’ve known people who have gotten sick from eating bad avocados in their own home…I’m definitely not eating it from a fast food restaurant.

#2 – At least two of your new salads includes “real bleu cheese crumbles”. I noticed on your menu that you have several burgers that also include “real bleu cheese crumbles”. I’m just wondering if you got a special deal on these bleu cheese crumbles and why you think that makes these items more appealing to the general public. In the crowd that I regularly travel in, I think I only know of one person who likes bleu cheese. I guess you did some research on whether these items would sell and came to the conclusion that they would draw people in…but I can’t see the draw personally.

#3 – What is up with the “weird” salad dressing choices? Red jalapeño and avocado ranch? I can’t even imagine what either of these taste like…I’m just hoping you have standard dressings too…like ranch and the afore-mentioned honey mustard.

#4 – Were your salads really underselling that much or are you trying to compete with places like Panera for business? Because, quite honestly, I don’t go to Panera for the same reason I would go to one of your establishments.

Thank you for your consideration. I know that my opinion probably means little to you in the grand scheme of things…but I really feel like establishments, such as yours, should stop trying to re-invent the wheel and stick to what you know and what you already do well. Also, I think that your company should bring back the $.99 Value Meal at ALL of your establishments and not just a select few.

One more thing…when I order fries and just say “fries”…especially when all of my selections came from the “Value Menu”, your employees should automatically know that I meant the “Value” fry and not try to charge me for a “small fry”, which evidently costs more than $.99. Just saying…

Most Sincerely,

A Concerned Wendy's Customer

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Does anything look "off" here?

I had a doctor's appointment this morning - nothing serious - just a 6 mo. skin check...which came back clear, just in case you were wondering! :)  But anyway, I don't really have time to post much because I'm supposed to be working right now!  Shhh...don't tell on me! :)

I've been dying to post this pic for a while, but other things have come up...so, I think today is the perfect day!!!  I work for a construction company and our superintendents send us daily pics of the job progress.  Most of them are big mounds of dirt or pipes running through walls or walls in the midst of being framed...I think you get the picture.  However, sometimes they capture more than the job progress...do you see anything "off" here?



If you didn't see it the first time...scroll back up...look to the far left...BINGO.  The bottom half of a manikin wearing orange shorts and black boots!  #1 - Why does anyone have just the bottom half of a manikin? #2 - While I appreciate an attempt at modesty for people who may wander by the bottom half of the manikin, why orange shorts?  Why not a black sheet wrapped around it?  Or put a bag over the whole thing?  And last but certainly not least #3 - Why the black boots?  Are they afraid the manikin's feet are going to get cold?  Or wet?

Answers to any of the above questions are welcomed! :)

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Mowing...arrrggghhh

I hate to mow.

Before I moved out of my parent's house, I knew I wanted a yard.  I knew it would have to be maintained, but I felt like it was important for Dylan to have a yard to play in.  Thankfully when we moved, Dylan was almost 12 and definitely capable of mowing the yard.  He may not really enjoy it per se, but he usually takes care of it.  It's his "job".

Usually, though, there is a least one time each summer that I am forced to mow.  And each time this happens, I go into it thinking "This isn't so bad" or "It won't take too long" or some other lie that I tell myself to make me forget how much I hate to mow.  Last year when I mowed, Dylan had been visiting his grandparents in Florida and came home on a Saturday.  I didn't want to leave the mowing until Monday...so I did it.  Of course, it was hot.  Of course, it took forever.  Of course, I was not (and am still not) in shape and so it worked me to death.  But, the "piece de resistance" of the mowing debaucle was when I decided to mow over the grass growing up between the bricks of my front brick pathway.  For whatever reason, I thought it would be best to start on my front porch (it's level with the pathway) and go out towards the driveway.  So, I moved the mower and attempted to start it...when I pulled back the string on the mower, I slammed my right arm into the door frame of my front door.  The same arm that I had broken only a short year earlier.  I had a knot on my arm for days.  Thankfully, it wasn't broken.

Last night, Dylan had soccer practice.  He's going to go out for the high school team and I feel like it's important for him to make as many practices and work outs as possible.  Since we've had such little rain, the grass didn't have to be mowed for a couple of weeks.  Of course, as fate would have it, we got a lot of rain the week of VBS...which means that our grass was becoming overgrown.  To further complicate things, I live at the bottom of a hill (or in a hole as someone told me once)...so, my backyard grows faster than the front.  So, since I wanted Dylan to go to practice, I decided to mow.

I told myself "It's not that big of a deal...it won't be so bad...Dylan mows it in about an hour...I should have it done probably in an hour and a half."

WRONG.

I mowed from 6:30 to 8:15...and left a huge spot that still has to be done tonight.

And Dylan isn't feeling well...and has practice again tonight...either way, guess who gets to finish it tonight?

Yep...me

Wish me luck...

Honored!

I was so honored to find out that I had won an award from my new blog friend, Rachel at Randomness with Rachel! I think I found Rachel’s blog through one of the Friday blog hops (or vice versa) and the first thing I noticed was the scripture verse at the top of her page from Jeremiah 29:11! This is one of my favorite verses. Rachel loves the Texas Rangers, and it seems Major League Baseball in general and her family. You should check her out!

Now, on to the award rules. I am supposed to list seven things about myself and then pass the award on to some new blogs that I’ve discovered. So, here goes…

#1 – I have a degree in Elementary Education and was licensed as a NC school teacher for 5 years; however, I have never professionally taught!

#2 – I work for a construction company and am only one of two women on staff…so the Elementary Ed degree comes in handy! Hee hee

#3 – I am left-handed, but I do everything, except eat & write, with my right-hand. When I was in Kindergarten, we had 3 or 4 kids in our class that were left-handed and there were never enough scissors to go around…so, I had to learn to use my right hand. Plus, it’s a right-handed world…it’s hard to get around that!

#4 – I can write in mirror – as in I can write my letters and words backwards and you would be able to read it in a mirror. I can do this almost as easily as I can write normally.

#5 – I own every season of The Gilmore Girls on DVD and watch the shows over and over. I usually watch it before I go to bed every night.

#6 – I love Redken hair products! I used to think that shampoo was shampoo and there’s no reason to pay extra for salon products…and then I started using Redken regularly…and realize the difference! Thankfully I have a good friend who can get me the products at cost and it helps a little bit!

#7 – I love re-run shows. Most of my favorite shows I found in syndication and only watch them now that they are officially off the air. I have no problem watching a show or movie…or reading a book…that I have read/seen before!

These are some blogs that I have found recently that I really am enjoying reading:

Family of Shorts
The Gone Again Smiths
Yours, Mine & Ours


Thanks again, Rachel!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Monday Minute!

My weekend was busy...as most of my life is...although it didn't seem that busy!  I helped out with a painting project at our church on Saturday and then spent time with my family on Sunday at Mom & Dad's swimming until the storms chased us out of the pool! :)  It was such a fun afternoon...and I followed it up by heading home and falling asleep on the couch watching Shrek 2! 

So...how better to begin another week at the grindstone than with a Monday Minute, brought to you by Ian at The Daily Dose of Reality!  If you aren't already playing, you can head to his site and link up!

Monday Minute

What's your real name?

Jennifer

Have you ever fabricated a story or anything on your blog?

No - for me, the point of this thing is to be real...to tell it like it is...and if I did fabricate something, I would let you know.  Trust me, this is really my life! 

When in the car do you listen to the radio/CDs/iPod/etc?

I most often listen to the radio...usually Rock 92 (because they have a very funny morning show) or K-Love...which are two very different ends of the spectrum!  When Dylan's in the car, he flips around between channels...mostly country...and always seems to change the channel right in the middle of the song I'm enjoying!

Describe the 'sexiest' item of clothing that you own

I don't think I own any clothing that makes me look sexy...

Would you be willing to breastfeed your friend's three year old child?

I don't think so...I'm not even sure if I'm willing to breastfeed my own child...and my firm rule on that is once they have teeth, it's time for the bottle!
 
Hope everyone is having a happy Monday!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Well, it's that time of the week again! :) FRIDAY! YAY! First to get the following out of the way...



and...

friday-follow

and last but not least...
















What a week it's been!  Vacation Bible School every night...I haven't had much time to do anything, although I did manage to read some blogs, respond to some comments, even post an extra blog yesterday and finish a book!  It's been a good week, but I am looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow!

I've decided to not do "Feel Good Friday" (sorry to "The Girl")...just because I really shouldn't be posting at all right now (I am working, you know!)...although I do feel better today than I did yesterday evening!  Thanks for allowing me to vent yesterday!  I really appreciate it!  And it helped my boost my spirits immensely before I went to VBS last night.

And, one of the babies that I thought might have been born over the past weekend was actually born last night (as far as I know...haven't had confirmation, but I'm sure I will this evening).  So, that makes three babies in one week at our church!  Shew!  Just one more to go...but I think she will wait another week or so.  I guess her baby will get here when he gets here!

I hope you enjoyed my "throw back" posts!  They were three of my fav's from my Xanga account.  I didn't last there long...there was some drama associated and I only joined Xanga because there was a crazy lady in our church who had a blog there and I was fascinated with her blog for a while.  But she called us (me & Ash) out on it...sort of...I guess because we were reading and not commenting and not posting our own stuff...so we both deleted and moved over here to Blogger world. 

I'm hoping to learn a little on how to do a blog design here in the next several weeks!  I see so many cute ones out there and, while I like mine, I think I would like to do some things a little different!  I'm still learning...so, we shall see.

Have a great weekend!  If I don't see you before, I'll see you on Monday for sure! :)

Thursday, July 15, 2010

When is it my turn?

My work load comes and goes in waves…sometimes the waves are so huge and overwhelming that I think I will never get everything done. And then, there are days like today, were the waves are calm and there’s not much to do. Let me re-phrase that…there are things to be done…but they are tedious, mind numbing, hair pulling out tasks…so, I will put them off until I just have nothing to do.


I know I said that I had a super busy week…and I have. Each evening when I leave work, I have rushed home, picked up Dylan, changed clothes (if needed), ran around gathering last minute items and then ran out the door to Vacation Bible School. On top of that, we haven’t gotten home until 10:15ish each night…so, it’s been a crazy week. VBS has gone well…I’m teaching and the first night was rough, but from there it’s been smooth sailing. And to boot, K, one of the kids I have taught since he was 4, made a profession of faith last night. He couldn’t wait to tell me and I couldn’t be more thrilled. K is the kid that people always dread having in their classes – he has some behavioral issues – but, I enjoy him (when he’s not driving me nuts!) because he just adds so much to my class!

Also, this week has been one of increased blessings for our church! Within our church, we had 4 women due within about 3-4 weeks of each other. On Tuesday, one baby was born…and yesterday, another was born! I think (not had confirmation) that another may have been born last weekend…so, that leaves one yet to be born in early August! It’s quite a baby boom that I’m not sure we’ve seen since the year Dylan was born! The baby born on Tuesday is the result of 13 years of hopes and prayers. Truly a gift and a blessing from God!

And furthermore, I found out that two friends are pregnant. One wasn’t even trying! She has dealt with infertility issues for 11 years…she was finally able to get pregnant and carry one child to term about 5 years ago…and then they decided to do IVF…which resulted in two pregnancies, but she miscarried one. A little over a year ago, she was blessed with another little girl…and has just found out she’s pregnant again. The doctor asked her what kind of birth control she was using…she replied “11 years of infertility”! God is amazing.

I love hearing all of this wonderful news. Really, I do. I’m thrilled for friends who are blessed to increase their families…but then there’s the other side of me that wants to know “When is it my turn?”

My life has turned out nothing like I ever thought it would. I know that’s the case with almost everyone. At the age of 18…when I looked forward 10 or 15 or 20 years into my life…it didn’t resemble anything that it has turned out to be. At 18, my goals were to graduate from Appalachian State University, get a degree in Special Education, get married, and have a family. My plan derailed a little more than a year later when I found out I was pregnant with Dylan. Soon, my plan and goals changed – I would graduate from UNCG with a degree in Elementary Education, hopefully get married and have more children. I did graduate…did get the degree…chose not to teach (which is almost a whole other story in and of itself) and that’s where things have stood since 1999.

It’s hard to be in that waiting game. Too watch the days, weeks, months, years go by and still be waiting. I try to be patient. I try to be content. I truly believe God has blessed my life in so many ways. He has given me great parents – parents that I actually enjoy being around. Parents who supported me…allowed me to live with them for almost 12 years after Dylan was born. I have a wonderful sister and brother-in-law who make life fun. They have been blessed with two children, whom I love and adore and just can’t get enough of! I have a GREAT kid that I can’t imagine my life without. I have a best friend who loves me for me…and when she married, I gained another best friend that would do just about anything for me.

Yet…there’s always something missing. Always something I wish for. The companionship that I see between my parents, my sis & BIL, my BFF & her hubby. When my air went out last week, I thought, why do I have to deal with this on my own? Why do I have to be the one who calls the repair man? Why can’t I have a partner in this to share the load?

I don’t know the answers…I know that God has a plan for my life…I’ve been reminded all week of that through VBS as I’ve been teaching children that God has created us…that He cares about us…that He has a plan for our lives…a plan for good and to give us a future and a hope. I’m clinging to that promise today…

*sigh*

I’m sorry to be such a “Debbie Downer” today…just needed to get that out before I explode on someone in real life. I promise to return to my regular amount of contentment and positive thinking tomorrow.

From the Archives - "Rainbows and funny things..."

January 2009

Today we had a weird day weather wise. It started out cold...got warm...then got cold. About 3ish, it began to rain...for like the 15th day in a row. Really it's not been that many days, but it feels like it. I was driving home, noticing that the sun was finally out, although it was still raining and all of the sudden I looked over and saw the biggest, brightest rainbow I have ever seen. And to top it off, it was a double rainbow! You could see all of the colors and it even looked like you could see the end.
I love rainbows...I always take their appearance very personally...like God put that rainbow there for ME. I am always reminded of the precise promise that God made when he put the first rainbow in the sky - that He would never flood the earth again. And then it makes me think of all the other promises that God has made to His people - that He has plans for us, plans to prosper and not to harm us, that He will never leave us or forsake us, that He will never give us more than we can handle.

Now...to the funny thing...in another weather related story...

Our power flicked off three times at work today in about a 3 minute period. We think someone may have hit a power pole or I guess the wind blew a tree or branch on a line. We never lost power for more than a few seconds, but of course it cut my computer off. Well, after I was satisfied that the power was back on for good, I hit the power button on my computer...and nothing happened. I hit it again...and again...and again...and still nothing happened. I was kind of getting excited because the other two girls in the office got new computers recently and they are the tee-tiniest things and I've been whining about wanting a new computer. I don't NEED a new computer, but mine is big and old and clunky and their's is small and shiney and could fit on my desk.

Yes...I am four.

Anyway, I had to get down on the floor (since I have the big clunker of a computer) and take the cover off (which ironically enough I just put the screws back in right before Christmas because I was tired of it falling off all the time), unplug everything and check the power supply. I know I sound all techy...but really I'm not. I work with our IT guy, which translates into him teaching me how to take computers apart, replace processors and all kinds of other stuff that I really couldn't do without him in the next office! My power supply was fine, so I hooked it back up to the motherboard, hooked the power cord back in and pushed the power button. Sadly, for the jealous part of me, the computer started right up. I wanted to make sure everything was going to work before I put the cover back on so I got back in my desk chair...logged on...and still it chugged right along. Chuck (the IT guy) came in my office to make sure I was back up and running...I checked to make sure there was nothing else that needed to be done to the CPU and started to get back on the floor to put the cover on my computer. Here's where the funny part comes in (I know you've been wondering!)...at the church lock in the other night I slammed my left knee into a pew when we were playing a game and it's been bruised all week. So, I was trying to get back in the floor without coming down on my left knee...which put me off balance and I sort of wobbled towards my desk and SLAMMED my nose on the edge of my desk. Not the top part...but on the nostril side! I said "oh, crap" really loud and Chuck (who thankfully had gone back to his office) said "are you OK" and I said "yes"...but I was in tears. I don't think I've ever hurt like that before. I was just praying that he would be an insensitive man and stay in his office so I didn't have to explain why I was holding my nose and in tears...and thankfully he did. Of course, at the time it felt awful...but now, I totally see how funny it is! I am a mess...I know!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

From the Archives - "Long Live the Best Friend Code!!!"

I have a best friend...her name is Ashley. Now, this is not going to be one of those sappy things..."I just don't know what I would do without you, etc., etc." We've been there...done that...she knows the deal. But we do live by a code...a little thing we call the "Best Friend Code". I've been thinking a lot about it lately...mostly because I'm finishing up the last of the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" books, which are all about friends and sticking by each other and growing up together and apart. Excellent books, by the way!


Anyway, I've known Ashley pretty much all my life. I don't remember her from all of my life...but I have proof that I knew her when. There's a picture floating around in the thousands that Mom has of my sister & me when we were young...my sister is on a stage at Christmas time and in the background...almost cropped out (because the picture was of Missy, you know) stands Ashley with her long blonde hair and her corduroy jumper singing her heart out. I know its her because Ashley looks pretty much the same as she did when she was 4. At any rate, my first "real" memory of Ash is when she was probably about 13 and I was 14. Her family was just starting to attend Oaklawn...her Mom & Dad that is...her grandparents had always been there...and she had come to some youth outing and we were all in the church office. I'm sure Jamie Wagner was there and me and I don't know who else, but I just remember Ashley laughing at everything we said. Because, that's what Ashley does! Soon after we began hanging out, made even more convenient since our parents had gone to school together! And it always seemed we were one place or the other. Over the years, I wouldn't say we've always been close...we would drift away and then drift back...always picking up where we left off. Probably over the past 3 to 4 years is when we have become the closest...and it's in these last few years that we developed the Code.

There are no official rules to the Best Friend Code...they are more "understood"...and let's face it...we are GENIUSES at making up the rules as we go along. But just for fun, these are some examples:

#1: Ashley & I always stick together when taking on Zac. Whatever hair-braned scheme he has thought up, I back her up when she says no and she backs me up. Well...until Zac aggravates us to the point where we just give up...but we give up together...it's the code.

#2: We have found the best way to deal with the boys in our life is to let them have the big TV in the living room...we'll take the smaller one in one of our bedrooms. Of course, with the door shut to keep out the loudness and tuned to whatever WE want to watch...whether it be the Carol Burnett infomercial that we were hoping was the Carol Burnett show...or watching a good chick flick. It's just better that way...of course, until the boys invade...and then the fun's over.

#3: There are certain things that we tell each other that we don't tell Zac. They are things that we feel each other needs to know...but Zac doesn't. For example, Zac will probably never know about the date I had back in January. Because, obviously it didn't turn into anything...and also because we didn't want him to bother us about it. Too much information in his hands becomes dangerous...to us, that is.

#4: When I see something and then I look at Ashley and she starts laughing...I know that she has seen the same thing that I have and is thinking the same thing that I am. It's one of those weird ESP things between us...we just get it.

#5: While Ashley loves to spend time with her hubby and I love spending time with Dylan, we both understand that there are times when we just have to GET AWAY! And we make that time together. If I say...I've got to get out...she says, let's go. And vice versa. It's always nice to know you have an escape partner.

#6: It is not necessary to have a clean house in order to invite the other one over. Neither one of us really lives like slobs...but I cannot promise that Dylan has not spilled cracker crumbs all over the couch and Ash cannot promise that I won't get Elly hair all over my clothes. However, we don't care...and we don't make it a big priority. You know you've hit a level of friendship when you walk into a room with a bed piled high with laundry and your friend says, "yeah, I haven't gotten around to folding it" and she doesn't care that you are seeing this.

#7: We never get mad at each other. I can truly say I've never been mad at Ash...she's never annoyed me...she's never aggravated me. There are traits in her that I admire and wish I had, but we are honest and true to each other.

Like I said...these aren't rules to live by...this is the Code in it's barest form...there's more, but it'd be hard to put into words. The Code exists between us to keep our friendship strong and to keep us sane in this crazy world. LONG LIVE THE BEST FRIEND CODE!!!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

From the archives - "And this is why I DO love to come to work..."

Our company recently did some renovations to our buildings and parking lots...including asphalt paving and designating handicap parking. I am fully and completely in support of designated handicap parking spaces, but at our office it is really kind of ridiculous. The signs even have the "$250.00" penalty wording on them. Since we very rarely get handicap people in our office and, truly, who would enforce that here anyway, usually company employees park in the handicap space when they are either too lazy to walk the five extra steps to the office or if all the other regular spaces are taken. Well, yesterday, one of the guys had parked in the handicap space. We all pick with each other all the time...so I decided to give him a "ticket". It was real classy - written on copy paper with a red sharpie - and indicated that he needed to make the check payable to me. He didn't say anything to me about it, even after he got here this morning.

Well, along about 10am when I have to go to the post office, I called Kathleen (one of the other girls in the office) to see if I could forward the phones to her so I could go. I told her that she needed to speak to Stephen (the handicap parking offender) and remind him that he needed to pay up on his parking ticket. The one thing I can ALWAYS count on from Kathleen is for her to take it one step farther than I EVER imagined. Following is a transcript of our e-mails relating to the incident (TW is another employee - Tony & SD would be Stephen):

From: Kathleen
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:34 AM
To: Jennifer
Subject:

OK TW was not cooperating with SD’s citizen arrest so I had to put him under house arrest also and now he is Stephen’s girlfriend (or prison bee-otch as the thugs like to say).

SD did ask if a work-release program was available.

From: Jennifer
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:37 AM
To: Kathleen
Subject: RE:

WOW – you took this whole parking ticket to a new level that not even I would have gone to. Your commitment to my delusion is impressive.

And tell SD no – I want cold hard cash!!!!

From: Kathleen
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:41 AM
To: Jennifer
Subject: RE:

Hey when it comes to money I don’t joke around. I am designing my torture chamber right now and now that they say water boarding is a true form of torture – I may go that route so there won’t be any marks that can be used as evidence against me.

BTW – did you know he drove down the street with it on his windshield before he noticed it

From: Jennifer
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:42 AM
To: Kathleen
Subject: RE:

No – I haven’t seen him today & he didn’t call me to talk to me about it yesterday evening. That is hilarious.

What is “water boarding”?

From: Kathleen
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:48 AM
To: Jennifer
Subject: RE:

I am not sure exactly – I think something to do with pouring water over their faces and into their mouths. Just sounds bad and not very pleasant. And now that I have just been ambushed and hit with a rubber band – it is WAR!!!

From: Jennifer
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:51 AM
To: Kathleen
Subject: RE:

How in the world did you hear about it as torture? Do you get some kind of newsletter or something? I have never heard of that. Is it really hot or really cold water? Dirty water? Salt water? B/c pouring water over their faces and into their mouths doesn’t sound all that bad…unless it’s really cold or really hot or dirty or salty. I really think you are making this up.

And I know how long it takes you to shoot a rubber band…you may just want to raise the white flag…

From: Kathleen
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:53 AM
To: Jennifer
Subject: RE:

I am crying from laughing so hard!!

I really did hear about water boarding on TV with the Iraq prison thing. I don’t know how to actually perform it – but I will do my research:)

From: Jennifer
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:58 AM
To: Kathleen
Subject: RE:

Do you think that researching water boarding online is the best thing to do? I’m thinking the gov’t will be on you like white on rice if you start looking that kind of stuff up. And I’m not going to defend you against the gov’t. I am a single mother…I have to be able to raise him. You have Bert Bert to depend on. Maybe if you go to prison, you can go to the one that Martha Stewart went to. I’m sure the cell she was in is just so lovely.

From: Kathleen
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 11:01 AM
To: Jennifer
Subject: RE:

That would be sweet. TW told me research firing squad etiquette.


And that, my friends is why I DO love coming to work here.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Monday Minute!

Well, it's Monday again!  What better way to celebrate than with a Monday Minute. 

Today's host is Jen from A Daily Scoop of Chaos...you can go to her site to link up!

Monday Minute

1. Can you burp the ABC's?

No - I'm so vomit-phobic (do you like my new word) that I am afraid to burp any words, letters, numbers, etc.

2. So lets just say you have a 9+ hour drive ahead of you would you consider wearing Depends so you didn't have to stop multiple times?

No - that grosses me out on so many levels

3. Would you rather...run your tongue down five feet of a NYC street or press your tongue into a strangers nostril?

that's really a tough question because either way I'd probably avoid it, due to the "vomit-phobic" that I am...but if it was life or death and I had to choose...probably the street.

4. If you had an envelope that contained the date you would die would you open it?

I'd consider it, but I am one of those people who lives by the "out of sight, out of mind" philosophy.  I know that I'm going to die - it's enevitable.  I just don't want to think about it.

5. Which one song describes your sex life best?

not sure...but it would be one that basically means "non-existant"

****

Come by tomorrow to check out on of my throw back blogs! :)

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Getting to Know You Sunday!

Getting to know YOU


It's Sunday again!  And time for Getting to Know You Sunday!

1. What is YOUR definition of sexy?

hmmm...not sure about that one...

2. Would you rather clean up puke or change a poopy diaper?

poopy diaper...every day of the week...I'm a little too sympathetic in the throw up dept

3. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

I think I'm an introvert...but once I know you, I come out of that shell

4. If you had to give up one of your 5 senses for a year..which one would you give up?

That's a difficult question.  Probably taste would be the easiest for me to deal with...I can't imagine not being able to hear, see or touch.  I might be able to do without smell.

5. Cake or Pie?

Cake...birthday cake...with ice cream! :)

6. If you could play any character on TV (old or current) who would you play?

Punky Brewster...she was just so fun!

7. My favorite website is.....?

probably facebook

8. The highlight of my day is....?

coffee...when it's good...my coffee today wasn't so good :(

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

Yesterday was a really good day...kind of busy.  Started out the morning by going to the church to work on VBS stuff...then went swimming at Mom & Dad's...then to a baby shower and then to Bowman Gray (racing).  I got home at midnight...and then went to church this morning.  I have more VBS stuff to do this afternoon...so I'm going to miss reading all of the wonderful blogs I follow!

And, since this week is going to be so crazy busy with VBS, I've decided to post some "old" blogs that I did when I had a Xanga account.  I will most likely do the Monday Minute & Feel Good Friday...but Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday I'll be posting some archived blogs! :)  I hope you will enjoy them!

Happy Sunday!

Friday, July 9, 2010

So much Friday! :)

So much to do in blog-land today...first for some Friday Follows...



and...

friday-follow

and a new one...


















Wow! :)  I'm going to be reading blogs all weekend...as if!  I don't have that kind of time this weekend, but I do promise to go check some out and if you visit me, I will most certainly visit you back!

Now...to my favorite part of Friday in blog-land...



On Monday, I was pretty sure I would have a Feel Good Friday post...on Tuesday, I was kind of questioning it, but hoping that I would...on Wednesday evening, I sincerely doubted it...but by last night, I KNEW I'd have a Feel Good Friday post! :)  As you may have read, Tuesday I was sick and Wednesday I came home to a broken air conditioner.  No A/C in the hottest week of the summer so far = no fun.  Not to mention that when I look at my unit I see old and decrepit.  I just hoped that the repair guy wouldn't see the same thing.  Thankfully I have a friend that I used to go to church with who is in the A/C business.  Well, to be fair he's in the oil business - not like drilling down in Texas, but in servicing oil furnaces and supplying heating and fuel oil.  But, really, that's a bit seasonal...especially here in balmy, July North Carolina...so, he's also in the A/C business.  I needed him to come look at the unit anyway because my air has never really cooled the house well, but I didn't have the cash...so I put it off.  I thought the unit just needed to be charged with freon and I can deal.  Yes, I understand it's a cyclical thing - adding freon makes the unit cool better which makes my power bill go down...but, I'm on an equal payment plan with the electric company and so I had the $ for that bill, but not the freon charge.  You see my dilemma...

Anyway, the A/C being out forced me to call him. So I called first thing and the sweet lady that works for him (which I also know from church) said that he had a lot of calls and she wasn't sure when he'd be able to get to it, but she would let him know.  I was OK with that because I'm sure I'm not the only one who's air goes out with this kind of heat!  So, around 3ish, the repair guy finally is able to get out there.  And around 4:15 he called with the glorius news that the unit was working!  And when I got home, he'd left the bill - which was under $100...not by much, but still under - and on the bill it said that the unit was overcharged with freon...which he fixed too!

So, all in all...my very long 4-day work week turned out on a positive note after all!  YAY God for answering my prayer of a quick, cheap fix! 

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

I had a plan!!!!

I had a super busy 4th weekend...going to parades, hanging with my BFF, going to fireworks, etc., etc...I jumped on here on Monday, literally for a Monday Minute...thinking, it'll be OK!  I can blog about my super busy, super fun weekend on Tuesday when things slow down.  Yeah...as you can see...that didn't happen.

So...Monday...my niece had slept over on Sunday night and she was at my house until about noon.  She hates going anywhere, so I knew that trying to drag her to Verizon to get my phone fixed was out of the question...especially knowing how busy they'd probably be and we'd have to wait and, I love my niece, but she's not a wait-er.  My sis came to pick her up and so I decided to venture over to Verizon.  I knew what was wrong with my phone (needed a software upgrade) and I was hoping that it wouldn't take as long as the last time I'd had this done.  I'm sorry...what's that I hear...you laughing your head off???  Yeah...I should've known.  Anyway, I got to the store and I was only 4th in line.  I'm thinking - hey, it's my lucky day!  So, about 10 minutes later they call my name and I tell them my issue and that I think it needs a software upgrade.  The guy goes back to technical and they say, yes, indeed it needs a software update and it will take an hour.  An hour????  Yeah...

Since the Verizon place is about 15-20 minutes from my house, but a Target is conveniently located only 2 minutes from the store, I decided to kill an hour in Target.  Now, if I didn't need to waste an hour at Target, I would most definitely be there for an hour or more.  However, on this day I can't think of enough things to look at at Target.  I skip the clothes because quite honestly their clothes never fit me and I don't need any more clothes (I NEED to lose some weight so I can fit in the clothes I do have).  I go through the accessories and jewelry, wander through the shoes, look at books (my favorite thing!), look at movies & CD's, go through all the homewares, kitchen wares and seasonal...which I'm disappointed in because they are quickly moving it out to get ready for school supplies and I'm thinking "Not yet!!!"...and pick up a few things that I did need.  Finally I've wasted just about an hour.  So I hop back over to the Verizon store...only to have the tech guy look at my pick up ticket and say "Let's keep our fingers crossed that this one's done."  Oh, my...thankfully it was and I was on my way. 

After my Verizon/Target adventure, I headed home to get ready for a cookout at my parents house with them, my sis & her family and my Godparents, Don & Lynne.  My parents and Don & Lynne have been friends since high school.  In fact, my parents set them up!  Lynne was my mom's maid of honor.  It's all really sweet.  And they had two boys and Lynne is about as girly as they get...so, she always loved my sis & me.  We had a blast...even set off a few NC legal fireworks...which don't do much.  I ate way too much and went home very full and very sleepy.  And this is where my plan began to unravel...

About 2am I woke up with my stomach in knots!  We have Vacation Bible School next week...so of course, I stress over that.  I'm thinking this stomach thing and the non-sleep thing is just stress related.  At 6ish I drag myself out of bed, determined I'm going to work, inspite of the fact that I've had about 2 hours of sleep and I feel like crap.  I think I'll feel better when I get in the shower and start moving around.  WRONG!  I feel worse.  But the other girl I work with is on vacation this week and timesheets have to be done and I'm not running a fever, even though I'm getting chills.  And I do exactly what I absolutely hate for people to do...I go to work sick.  This is my pet peeve...mostly because the girl I work with does this ALL.THE.TIME.  And not with your average, ordinary cold!  I promise you she's gone to the doctor, from work, and she's had pneumonia.  And more times than not, she'll call and say...yeah, I have something very contagious!  GREAT!!!  And then she fusses at everyone else who walks in with a sniffle.  But I perservere and get up and go.  And I made it to 10:30am.  I just couldn't sit there any longer...all I wanted to do was sit and stare at my computer screen or put my head on my desk...and I thought, why am I doing this to myself???  So, I go home...barely able to keep my eyes open the entire 20 minute drive...and sleep for 2 1/2 hours.  Later, I realized I was running a fever...but it it didn't last long and by this morning I felt 100% better, except for no appetite.

But, it just gets better from there.  After work today, I run home to pick up a few things to take to Dylan because he & my dad have to go to get haircuts...and I walk in my house and think "gosh, it's warm in here".  I look at my thermostat and it says 81 degrees.  Now, my air has never cooled real well in the heat of the summer and the high today was 97...so, I think, I guess I'm really going to have to call the A/C guy...but maybe I can put it off another week.  But something just doesn't seem right.  My fan is blowing...but something's missing...and then I realize what's missing is the whirring of the unit out back.  And I check...and it's doing nothing.  Nothing at all.  Just sitting there like a lump of steel and mesh and whatever else is an A/C unit.  I go to my parents to give Dylan his stuff...ask my Dad...check everything that I can check...and nothing happens.  So, I sit in my hot house while I wait for them to get back.  On the plus side, I got a whole lot done for VBS...but it was REALLY warm in there.  He came and looked at it...nothing made it come back on.  So...now, here I sit in the "pink" room at my parents house.  It's the pink room because Mom has made it up for Alyson.  It's really cute, minus the rust orange carpet that is original to the house that my parents have never had replaced.  But there's no TV...no curtains...no toilet in the attached half bath (a long story on that one)...and it's not my bed.  But, on the other side, it's cool.

*sigh*

Yeah...that's my week so far.  I'm hoping and praying for a quick, cheap repair.  Yeah...I hear you laughing at me again...

So, you didn't get to hear about my fun 4th weekend...but, I needed to vent...to get that all out...because otherwise I might go crazy...

well, crazier...

Thanks for listening! :)

Monday, July 5, 2010

Monday Minute...

Happy July 5th!  I had a super busy weekend with all the July 4th celebrating...and just a little more celebrating to do this evening before going back to work tomorrow! :)  And now...for a Monday Minute from The Daily Dose of Reality!

Monday Minute

Who of all your blog friends would you like to meet and/or who have you met?

I'm not sure...some of my blog friends I already know...but I've "met" a lot of fun people in the blog world.  I haven't been blogging regularly that long, so I'm not sure who that would be yet! :)

What kind of vehicle(s) do you drive?

a Honda CR-V...love it!

What kind of cell phone do you have?

LG ENV3 (Verizon)

What's the most annoying thing you wish bloggers would stop doing?

Well, I haven't been here that long...but I do hate when people comment on my blog and then I can't find their blog...or they follow me and I can't find them to follow them back.  I'd like to return the favor! And if I'm letting you into my life, I want to be let into your life!

What's the one thing that you still have on your bucket list to do before the year is out?

Start exercising regularly...of course, I've put this off until summer...genius on my part!  Not sure what else...maybe a tattoo...not sure, though...

Happy Monday!  Hope you are enjoying the last day of your holiday weekend...and if you don't have today off, then I'm sorry about that! :)

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Getting to Know You Sunday!





Getting to know YOU



It's time for Getting to Know You Sunday...brought to you by Mannland5! Answer the questions & link up!


1. What do you look forward to the most on the 4th of July?

The East Bend parade...we go every year and it's always a great "small town" parade! This year we took my BFF's godchildren (who are 3 1/2 yr old twins) and it reminded me of the first year I took Dylan...so much excitement...and so much candy! And of course I look forward to the fireworks! Went to an awesome show last night and going to another one tonight!

2. Are you a hugger?

Depends on the people...I love hugging children...and if someone wants to hug me, I don't shy away. But I don't necessarily run out to hug people.

3. What is your favorite BBQ'd food?

Hamburgers! Love them...hot dogs are my second favorite!!!

4. Do you like to watch parades?

Well, I like to watch the 4th of July parade (mentioned above)...and I used to love the Macy's parade, but they have too many "exclusive shows" that they stop for...but yeah, I like parades!

5. Who has stinkier farts..boys or girls?

I live with a 14 yr old boy...so, yeah...boys!

6. Vampires or Werewolves?

hahahaha! I think I'm going to ride the fence on this one and say I root for them both! :)

7. Do you read your horoscope?

Sometimes...just for fun, though...don't really buy into all that...

8. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Mint chocolate chip from Kilwins in Blowing Rock, NC

Happy 4th!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Friday

How 'bout a little Friendly Friday Follow...



And a little Friday Follow...

friday-follow

I haven't been participating in the Friday Follow here lately because I'm slow and couldn't figure out the deal with the spots I've been really busy with vacation and stuff and haven't had time to read a lot of extra blogs!  But, here we are at a Holiday weekend and I thought, hey...maybe I'll try again! :)

And what about a Feel Good Friday???



Last Friday, when I was blogging beachside, I didn't think I'd be feeling too good by this Friday.  Usually it's a long week after a week long vacation, but this really has been a good week!  Probably helped that Dylan's birthday was right smack in the middle of the week...although being away for a week meant that I had to do all of my birthday shopping quickly...because you will quickly find out that I am not a good planner-ahead-er.  I procrastinate horribly...which caused a great deal of stress for my parents when I was going through school...and many late nights working on projects that were due the next day.  Unfortunately, I think I passed this on to my son...

Anyway, it has been a good week!  We began the 14th birthday celebration on Wednesday night with the family...we ate at Fire Mountain (like Golden Corral, if you aren't familiar with Fire Mountain) which I personally think is way over priced for not that great food ok, but Dylan loves Fire Mountain.  And it was his day...so, we ate there.  Then headed back to my house for gifts and cookie cake.  I baked and decorated myself...didn't turn out too bad, huh?

By the way...those are supposed to be fireworks...just in case you can't figure it out.  Dylan really loves the fact that his bday is so close to the 4th and usually picks red/white/blue for his cookie!  AND please don't be too impressed with my cookie cake making abilities...because that is a small package of Pillsbury cookie dough rolled out into one big cookie and decorated with store bought tubed icing.  I can make cake and really good icing like my mom, but this is what he asks for...and it is his day!

Then we celebrated AGAIN on his real birthday, which was yesterday.  He was asleep when I left for work...so I left these notes for him...

I had stuck these in different places...the first on his night stand...the second on his door frame...the third on the TV and the fourth on the bathroom mirror!  (I have to say that I think it's incredibly cool that he gathered them and put them together to keep...I figured they'd end up in the trash can!)  Then I came home from work early...took him to GameStop so he could spend some of his gift cards...patiently waited for him to look around (well, I tried at least)...took him to Target for a pretzel, which are his fav, and then went to pick up his friend Seth for some Go-Karting!  We went to a place in Pilot Mountain - Mayberry Shazaam - which was a REALLY good track.  And they were the only ones there...so I think they had a great time!


After that we drove about 10 miles up the road to Mt. Airy (the town that fictional Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show is based on) to go eat at Goobers 52!  We love this restaurant...they actually put one in Winston-Salem, but I think Dad said it didn't last (wasn't in a good place to do well, I don't think).  We had fried pickles...which if you've never had them...you MUST.  The boys had wings, I had a burger and then we went back home!  All in all, I think it was a good day for Dylan!

Now, we are starting on a holiday weekend...I love the 4th!  Dylan has gone to the lake with Seth for a weekend of tent camping & fishing and I'm staying with my BFF tonight so we can get up extra early and hit the East Bend God & County Parade.  This parade is absolutely the best.  East Bend is about as "small town" as you can get...fire trucks/EMT/police/sheriff from all over the county will be displayed...not to mention about a thousand John Deere tractors!  And they throw CANDY galore!  We are taking her Godchildren - J&J - I'm just hoping they are in good spirits because it will be no fun if they aren't.

So...this has been a good week and today does "feel good".  Happy 4th of July!!!