Moving and Ruts

For weeks now I have not had any desire to pack. Or declutter. Or anything related to moving. I think I have finally figured out why: So many times in life, I have looked forward to something and it's never happened. I guess in the back of my mind that this is going to be one of those things too.

At first we had planned on moving in December. Then February. Then when the Girls went on Spring break at school so I would have that week to arrange the new house and they could become familiar with the new neighborhood before starting a new school. Now our move has been delayed by a week (again). See, already my feeling is coming true? What happens if that delayed week turns into another delayed week? Or 3? Or indefinite? Then what?

So, for now I am just going to proceed with life not packing. If in the next couple of weeks it might look like the move date is really going to happen, then I will worry. And stress. And hustle..

Friends..

Do you consider yourself a good friend? If someone needs your help, do you offer to help? And if that person takes you up on that offer, do you actually follow through with whatever it is?

I would like to think I am a good friend to people. I try to help people I know and even some that I don't. I like having a giving heart. It just makes me feel good. I like to try to do right by people. I guess it's just the way I am.

If you offer someone a place to stay. For as long as you need. Don't worry about paying for anything. How about you stick to your word. If you have a spouse and offer this to "your" friend, make sure that your S.O. is on the same page. PLEASE!

My Hubby was offered just that. I heard it with my own 2 ears. Apparently the spouse wasn't in on  it because every time we turn around, that hand is out for money, money and more money. While my Kids don't get to go out to eat, go to the movies, etc. because after her grubby hand is out, there isn't any left!

I guess you should also take a close look at who you consider your "best friend"? Here's a thought; if you're married, maybe you should put some time and effort into making the one you chose for life to fill the "best friend" shoes..heck, you might even be surprised at how much more of a beautiful life you could have if you did!

Foul Mood

Is it okay that once in awhile we all seem to have had enough? That it gets old people telling us how we should feel? Or act? Or that things we do in life aren't "right"? How about you all just put a sock in it already!

I had probably one of the worst weekends that a person needs to have. I helped my Daughter and her Husband plant a memorial garden for their baby that didn't survive. Do you even realize how horrible that is? I don't wish that on anyone! The entire while that we worked in that garden, I tried to keep it together for them. I needed to be the strong one for them. I wanted to be the strong one for them.

Sunday at the service I read a little poem that I had written for Mack. Yes, he ended up being a little Boy and not a little Girl like they were originally told. So in a way, they had to mourn a loss twice. Reading that poem was so very hard.

Sometimes a person just needs to know there is someone there for them to catch them if they fall. Most days I don't feel that I have that someone. Sorry to hurt anyone, but since this is my blog talking about me and my life, I am speaking from my heart.

I think God has made me a strong person so that I can shoulder the burdens that I do..

 And then I found this online:

Please..

I am pretty tired of being told how stupid I am for wanting to move to Ohio. Maybe not in so many words, but I think if I hear 1 more person tell me how much I am going to regret the move, I will probably scream!

So friggin' what if I do end up regretting it? Who on this earth doesn't have at least 1 regret? If you say you do, I will probably call you a liar.

For more years then I can remember, I have wanted to move. I have been married for over 10 years now and my Husband has felt the same way since we've been together. I have lived in South Florida my entire life. No, it is not all sunshine and roses here. The Summer in South Florida can be as brutal as the snow in Ohio during the Winter. I am choosing to move. I WANT TO! OKAY? Geez already! My Husband has been in Ohio since October. He's dealing with this ice cold weather. And snow. And everything else that comes with it. Guess what? He loves it! And he feels that I will love it as well. He doesn't work in some nice heated office. He's out in it every single day working on a farm. So yes, he does know what it's all about.

And he has lived in South Florida since he was 8 years old. He is about to turn 51 this year. Just saying that so that you know it's pretty new to him and his system as well. I know plenty of people that do tell me I am going to love it. And my Girls are going to love it. This is a new adventure in our book of Love. So please, if you aren't happy for me, just hush it ;)

Loss

I got to spend time with my oldest Daughter yesterday. As her Mother, I just want to swoop her up in my arms and tell her that everything is going to be okay. But it will never be "Okay" or the same again. She lost her baby. I lost my 1st Granddaughter.

I thought this was beautiful..

29 Days

Let the countdown begin. I took another day off from packing. I think I am testing the theory of working better under pressure? Last night we got Netflix again, so today was spent watching movies. The Girls and I did take time to go outside and enjoy the gorgeous weather we had. Blue skies. No clouds. 70ish degrees out. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect day really.

I took my camera outside and snapped a couple pictures. I am sharing my big Boy, Wrangler with you. The picture makes me laugh every time I look at it. I hope it makes you smile as well:

Yes, he needs to go on a diet!

Happy Valentine's Day

This day is for "Lovers". Or so they say. I don't think a label should be put on it really. In my opinion, your Kids can be your Valentine. Your Friends can certainly be your Valentine. How about that elderly Neighbor that could be lonely and not have family close by? Just a random person in line in front of you maybe?

Why does everything seem to have a deeper meaning in life? Why can't we just love each other and not expect gifts? I sat here wondering what the word "Valentine" even means. Have you ever wondered that yourself?

So, I did a handy dandy Google search to see what they thought. Here's the very first thing it says:

val·en·tine

ˈvalənˌtīn/

noun

noun: valentine; plural noun: valentines

1. a card sent, often anonymously, on St. Valentine's Day (February 14) to a person one loves or is attracted to.

   • a person to whom one sends a card on Valentine's Day.

      _______________________________________________

     A card? That's it? So why then do people go out and buy flowers that are priced 3x higher than what they were yesterday? Or will be tomorrow? Or waiting in line for an hour or more to eat dinner out on this special night? Or the boxes and boxes of chocolates that are bought and given?
     
     Oh goodness, I think we all should just keep those dollars in our pockets and just be kind all year long!

Friday the 13th

Is it a superstitious day for you? Do bad things happen to you on this day? Car won't start? Stubbed your toe? Messed up at work? At home? Fight with the S.O.? Well, you get the idea? To some, there just couldn't be a worse day!

I am on the other end of the spectrum. You see, I was born on Friday the 13th. March 13th to be exact. Has my life been "wonderful"? It wouldn't be "life" if it hasn't had ups and downs now would it? Has my luck been any worse than the next person? Maybe. But you know what? Not everyone is the same. Some have it better. Some have it worse. But life really is what you make of it.

I cringe when I see people complaining about Friday the 13th. I just want to shake them and tell them to stop being SO silly! It's a day just like any other day. It's a Friday just like any other Friday.

Would you like to know one of the best memories I have of a Friday the 13th? I gave birth to my oldest Son on a Friday the 13th! September 1985 to be exact. One of the best 13ths of my life! He's grown into such a handsome, sweet, smart, wonderful, etc., etc., etc. young man, and I am so very proud of him. He's a great Son, Husband and Father to me, his Wife and their awesome little man, River.

Since there is such negativity on the 13th, my Son and his now Wife even decided to get married on a Friday the 13th. On the beach. It was such a beautiful ceremony. So glad I got to be a part of their love for one another.

So the next time you want to think of this day as being bad, think of me and smile. Know that there are good things that really do come of this day.

Now, go out there and enjoy this day! Be kind. Love one another. Make a difference to just 1 person. You can thank me later!

Valentine's Day

What are your feelings on this "Holiday"? Too commercialized? Is it a "Hallmark" holiday? Shouldn't someone love you all year long and show it everyday? Not just on a day someone says so?

Regardless, when you have Kids, you do what needs to be done. You make a Valentine's box if they need 1. Oops, maybe they should be the one to make it! And you either buy Valentine's cards or make your own. This year the youngest needed a Valentine's box. I did let her pick out what she wanted and we got to work! And I let both Girls look online for ideas to make their own cards. I printed what needed to be printed and they got to do the assembly work. Here are the fruits of our labor:

This is "Bob" the Valentines Minion. Apparently the Kids at school went crazy for him :)

And believe it or not, he was pretty simple to make! Remember if you are making a craft project, the Dollar Tree is a great place to start looking for supplies. I got everything except the box there for "Bob".

Olivia chose "Orange You Glad We're Friends" as her Valentine's card with a Halo and box of conversation hearts in each bag

In case you've never tried Halos before, I highly recommend you do! We're pretty addicted to them!

Brionna chose "Hope Your Valentine's Day Is Bursting With Happiness!" with some Starburst in each bag

Cute right?

They're both pretty excited with what they chose and they should be! Great job, Girlies <3

*edit*

Had to add 2 more pictures to this blog. Brionna decided we should add a little message to the Teachers' gifts. She came up with the Twix saying by herself. I had to search for a Reese's saying. That wasn't very easy since most of them are for Reese's pieces..

No Twix, You're the BEST Teacher ever!

There are many Reese's why I think you're a GREAT Teacher!

Now, I really think we are done. For real this time.

Bucket List Accomplishment

I don't have a huge bucket list. Only a handful of things really. 1 of the things I want/ed to do was learn to sew. I had done a little sewing tons of years ago while I was in Girl Scouts. Yeah many, many moons ago. I found a sewing machine some time ago, but had ended up giving it to my oldest Daughter. She was lucky because her Hubby knows how to sew and taught her!

I wasn't so lucky though. After wanting another machine for awhile, I finally found a decent looking one on a facebook yardsale site. Well, it's been sitting. And sitting. I always had good intentions. Longed for someone to buy me some sewing classes at JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby. No such luck. Yes, I could have found some tutorials on the internet, but I wanted a live person that could answer questions as we went along.

I have a Neighbor that knows this trade and is quite good at it! She's made her Daughters' some pretty amazing Halloween costumes. And other things for their birthdays as gifts to those that attend.

I tried to give her my machine instead of bringing with me on the move. She told me to come over 1 day and she would teach me the basics. This morning was that day! Boy am I thankful for her! So far I have made two little cloth bags for my youngest Girls. I sure can't wait to pick them up from school to show them what I have made.

SEE?

Might not look like much, but to me it's pretty big...

Life is Precious

Nothing like having a tragedy to make you realize how precious life really is. And not talking to people you love because of childish/selfish/stupid/asinine/etc. reasons is just...stupid!

Last week I found out that my second Grandchild, a little Girl named Mackenzie, passed away in her Mommy's (my oldest Daughter) tummy. Crushed. That's how I felt when I found out! I still feel that way. I cry for my Daughter. I cry for my Son in Law. I cry for my Granddaughter. I cry for my SIL's little Boy that will never get to meet his baby Sister.

I know we're told not to question what God has planned for us. That everything happens for a reason. I swear I try not to ask why? Not to question His plan. I know I really do need to trust Him. To have more Faith than I have ever had before. But, why my Granddaughter? Why my Daughter? Why my Family? So, if you've been so kind to have read this blog, please say a prayer for little Mackenzie. And my Daughter, her Husband and their Son. Thank you.

Wasn't That Fun?

Not really! Ended up in the ER tonight when my 8 year old. She was being chased by her little Sister and tripped and fell. That wouldn't have been so bad, but she hit her face on the corner of the wall. The ER Dr. seems to think her eye was cut because she had her glasses on. I'm not really sure because I was washing dishes while they were playing.

Good news is that she didn't need stitches, staples, glue, etc. Dr. wants us to not put anything on it so that it will scab over. Good because she wasn't very excited about the thought of any needles getting close to her!

She did a good job..

Of course she has school pictures tomorrow! Oh well, what can you do? Smile and say cheese is about all..

And if our evening wasn't exciting enough, there was a big round fishing weight sitting on the edge of the bathtub (don't ask). She accidentally knocked it into the water. It promptly found it's way to the drain hole that doesn't have a strainer over it! I could barely feel it in the hole. Panic set in. Then I thought, why not Google a solution? So I did! First I tried taking the overflow drain cap off. Stuck a wire clothes hanger down it hoping to push the weight back towards the top. Nope, not happening. Next idea was to use a vacuum. I thought why not try a shop vac? They seem more powerful. And guess what? It worked! Well, worked enough to get the weight back to the opening so I could get it back out.

So doesn't that sound like an exciting time? I know, some days I have to pinch myself because I'm living the dream.

There I Am

Been MIA for a couple of days. Had 2 sicks Kids home from school on Tuesday. Thank God they seem to be feeling better now. We went out to the beach that evening to soak up some fresh salty air! I do believe it helped.

 Being sick stinks!

Coming..

And Going (actually they were chasing some birds)

Feeling better!

Thanks Sissy! I love you.

 

 

How could this not heal everything? Why am I moving to Ohio again?

One of *those* days..

You know the ones. You wish you'd stayed in bed. Only you can't because you have real things to do! Although I'm in Florida and people think it's "paradise", not all days are wonderful weather wise here. I think that contributes to the blahs too..

Have 1 Kid that's been sick for days. I am guessing a head cold. She seems to be getting rid of it finally. Now I have another 1 that came home from school today not feeling well. She even asked to take medicine, so I am pretty sure she isn't "faking" it.

Hubby took his first tumble on the ice today. He said he fell pretty hard. I am sure he will be feeling it tomorrow. Hopefully he's been taking Tylenol or something for that. Hard to be of much help when we're still 1200 miles apart.

Throw in some random other events and we can call it my day. You know what though? I could sit here and be sad, mad, depressed, or whatever else you can think of and it wouldn't solve a thing. So instead, I will call this lovely Monday a test. Or learning experience. Or growing pains. Or something other than bad.

I found this little sign thing on facebook today and it kind of stuck with me. Puts things into prospective:

All we can do is pray that tomorrow is a better day. One thing is for sure, if God willing we wake up in the morning, it will be a good day.

Superbowl! Superbowl! Superbowl!

Sorry, I am one of those people that does not enjoy football. Or any sport for that matter. I do enjoy the half time show though. This year has been pretty great. Katy has done a very good job! And the Girls have been in awe. I guess that's what matters.

Now as soon as it's over, the tv goes off and I will find out who is the big winner in the morning!