Let the count down begin!

This is my second post today, Apparently I have a lot to say....

Let the count down begin!

31 days to Christmas... 31 days to the first anniversary of my 25th birthday! WAHOOOO!

Our tree is up. I think I am missing a box of ornaments. Hubby WILL be back in the attic this morning to look for it, but this is our tree thus far.



It is rather difficult to take a picture with the lights on the tree. I think I need a new lens. But- you get the idea, its a tree... it's my tree and I love it. Just needs some candy canes and my lenox snowflake ornaments which as of this moment are among the missing...


Until next time...

A belated Thanksgiving Post...

It occurred to me this morning that I never wrote about Thanksgiving. I ranted about the drive home, but never filled you in on all that was wonderful about Thanksgiving 2007.

This is a small slide show of a few of the pictures I captured. Once again there are none of me, and mostly all of the pictures were of the midget. I really need to get better at remembering to get family photos during the holidays!

This year we started our day by waking up late. On a normal day being able to sleep in is a welcomed occurrence. On a holiday- not so much. Given that we have a lot of running to do when the holidays roll around we need to be up, caffeinated and out the door expediently.
SO- we got a late start. Of to visit my Mom and Sister. We had a lovely time snacking, singing songs in the kitchen, watching Hubby Hula Hoop (when he wasn't braining the midget)and laughing. Sadly I haven't many pictures from Moms house because it was late before I remembered to take out the camera, and everyone in my family always hides from the lens. I haven't a clue why considering we are a really photogenic bunch, but they run like the wind when I pull out my camera.
My mom's boyfriend arrived late this year, but in just enough time to enjoy a few riveting games of "hide and seek" with the midget.

Back in the car and off to Hubby's mom and dads home for dinner with them, the brother in law and Grand mom Barbara. Sadly Grandfather was unable to make it as he is still recovering from hip surgery.
We had a smorgasbord of foods and I think the general consensus is that we all indeed ATE TOO MUCH. The midget enjoyed running with their dog and riding My Mother in Laws rocking horse. This rocking horse was hers as a child. It has been resurrected and is very loved!

This year I did not see 1/2 of my immediate family. My father and his girlfriend hosted a rather large crowd at his house. We were unable to make it over there as the distance between My moms, Hubby's parents and Dad's house is just too great. I hope they had a lovely day.

My brother spent Thanksgiving at his girlfriends family mountain house. I spoke to him briefly, and from the sounds of it they had a lovely day.

My other sister lives in Tucson. Thanksgiving day was also her 24th birthday. She spent her day driving to California to go dirt bike riding in Glamis. From what I hear it is a lot of fun, and I hope she sends me some pictures! They drove out to California and celebrated a true Thanksgiving feast with friends complete with an ice cream birthday cake in honor of her birthday. Hopefully someday not too far from the near future she will be back in Pennsylvania permanently so we can stop missing each other. I find myself missing her more now than ever, and have no idea why.

BUT I digress...

Thanksgiving was a beautiful day weather wise. We actually didn't even need coats! I couldn't believe it!!

And now to my list of things I am Thankful for...

First and foremost I am thankful for my husband and daughter. My husband is my biggest support, my best friend and the best damned dad to have ever walked the earth. He makes most of my days brighter than the last and makes me look forward to the future. I can not wait to sit in rocking chairs on our front porch rocking grandchildren. Were working on 10 years, and as I have said before I would not trade a single day because without him I truly would be lost.

My beautiful daughter... This little girl makes my heart so full it could burst. A day without her is like a day without sunshine. She completes me in a way I never knew possible. Her zest for life and overactive imagination fill my days with enough laughter to fill the grand canyon. I can only hope that she never loses her love of life and that she goes on to do great things. Her intelligence and wit never cease to amaze me. She can turn a bad day into one of the best just by saying "I love you mama"
Michelle-
I'm thankful that we named you Michelle instead of Michaela, that you got your daddy's blue blue eyes and my ears. I'm thankful for your sweet laugh and how you are constantly bringing me "presents" (your own toys) even as I type this you are placing them at my feet and telling me to look, a present! I'm thankful for your hearing, your sight, your health, your smile, your little yet sometimes loud voice, your ability to take each new experience in and recount it every single day until something else grabs your interest, your quick inclination to earn a quarter for putting away your toys, your little fingertips on my chin and cheeks as you study my features, your love of hugs and kisses, the two years I've known you, the hell you've put me through at times and the rewards of a bliss that only a two-year-old like yourself can bring me.

I am also Thankful for my family. Without you I would probably be a great big mess. You provide guidance and solid ground when it feels like the walls are caving in. You make me laugh, you make me cry, you make me... Me. Thank you for the last 25 years, They have been fun, exciting and you never know what will happen next... here's hoping that the next 25 and beyond are just as wonderful and rewarding.

And finally, to my extended family or in laws as many call them. I am thankful to you for welcoming me into your homes and hearts as if I were one of your own. For putting up with my bluntness, for making me laugh, for giving me your son. I am lucky to have married into a family as wonderful as yours. The last 10 years have been an adventure beyond my wildest dreams at times, but along the way there has been much laughter, fun and love. I hope the next 10 years and beyond are just as wonderful and rewarding!

There is a lot in my life to be thankful for, but in the interest of time and keeping your interest I will stop the list here. In closing, I am one of the luckiest women on the planet!

Until next time...

First Time...

I am participating in a weekly blogger event on http://www.myspace.com/



Every week a new topic is posted on Tuesday, and we have until Saturday to come up with our interpretation of the topic at hand.



This weeks topic was First Time. I chose to write an Acrostic for this one. An acrostic is a poem in which certain letters of the lines, usually the first letters, form a word or message relating to the subject.



Just a warning heading in, this is a very personal subject matter and not meant in any way to be offensive. It is what came to mind, may for some be too much information, BUT- it is what it is and I wanted to share. The given topic can have many different interpretations. I typically write like I speak which means you get the very first thing which hits my brain. The beauty of writing though... I can EDIT :) whereas in speaking, once moved past the lips it is gone.



But I digress- here is my entry:



FIRST TIME

Feelings out of control

Intense urges realized

Rushed sexual pleasure

The first time



Time standing still

Immense anticipation

Melting two into one

Enjoyed several times over

Until Next Time...

Tis the Season...

... to be rushed.

Is it my imagination, or does it feel as if the world is spinning so ridiculously fast that everyone is losing touch with today, and continually looking to tomorrow instead of enjoying today???

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Lets take a few hours out of today, visit with family, eat until our pants are about to burst at their seams, then clean up, toss up some Christmas lights and break out the chestnuts because after all Christmas is a mere 33 days away!!

33 WHOLE days! My gosh! What ever will I do with 33 whole days between today and the next major commercialized holiday?

I was aggravated about the fact that the stores were shoving Christmas down our throats before Halloween had even arrived. In the past I have complained about the fact that Christmas seems to come earlier and earlier every damned year. Do not mistake me for a scrooge, I really do LOVE Christmas. I just hate that the world seems to have lost touch with the meaning of the holiday and only cares about the bottom line.

This rant was sparked by my drive home this evening after a lovely day with family, and enough food to sink a ship. Tonight while driving home I didn't see thanksgiving decorations, I saw several (not just one) home or business decked out to the nines in Christmas lights, those awful blow up Santa Claus decorations (which for the record should be outlawed for their hideousness) and Christmas Wreaths!
Did these people even celebrate Thanksgiving, or did they just completely bypass family time and being thankful for a T.V. dinner and light hanging??

Then there is Black Friday. The biggest shopping day of the year. I certainly can not speak for everyone when I say this, but who in their right mind would WILLINGLY put themselves in the middle of a shopping mall on this day? I imagine the crowds are much like those in the days of the Kmart "blue light special" and in my humblest of opinions is like the running of the bull and should be avoided at all costs. I may eat those words someday, as I am sure the midget will at some point request the "it" toy which is harder to find than a wooden nickel, and I will be cast into the masses to wait on line and get it- but for now, I will NOT be shopping at midnight or 4 AM, I will be sleeping. Spend some money for me, because THIS girl will NOT be tearing her hair out to shop no sirree bob!

I am ranting, which I often do when something like this gets under my skin, but seriously... Is it too much to ask for everyone to just slow down just a little bit? Is it too much to request that we sit back and enjoy today while we have it?

I am a planner. I confess, I HAVE been THINKING about Christmas, PLANNING my decorating and PLANNING Christmas Eve festivities, but in no way shape or form would I completely bypass today. Today was a beautiful day. We had absolutely gorgeous weather, fantastic food, a few good laughs, and just quality family time. Why would I want to waste even a second of that to be pissed off because I just hung a string of lights only to find that when I plugged it in there was a dead bulb somewhere and it didn't work???

To those people who rush the season STOP!
Be thankful for today. Enjoy TODAY, because tomorrow- there are only leftovers...

Until next time...

Things to do Before my time expires...

Everyone has a list. You know THE list... the one which lists everything we would like to accomplish befor the song and dance are over...Just what DO I want to accomplish before my time on this earth is over?

I try to live each day to the fullest and enjoy as much of it as I can, but life happens and that is not always very easy. We just make the most of things and keep on keeping on...

I have already made the first of my greatest achievements in the last 2 years and that my friends is my Beautiful little girl. I do hope that someday she will have a sibling to join her in this life- and that WILL happen in it's own time, for now it's just the 3 of us and things are GOOD!

This list is more a list of hopes and wants of things to do before time expires, My list could be eons long because there are just so many wonderful things this world has to offer... 8 seems like a good place to start. Some of these items are hopes, some of them are things to do…

1) I would like to go on a hot air balloon ride someday.they are so simple, and have always amazed me. I light up every time I see one, and it's even better now because the midget gets just as excited when she sees them. A few months ago we were on our way to my girlfriends house for dinner when midget spotted one. Knowing how much we love them my wonderful man decided to take a detour and go find it as it appeared to be landing. Just past Pumping Station Road is an open space and that monster was landing how fun!!

2) I would love to travel to Europe on a 3 week vacation and visit everything! Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Big Ben, The Eiffel Tower, and Princess Diana’s final resting place

3) I want to live on and own a farm. A real working farm. I would of course need to learn how to Milk cows and care for horses, but growing up we were entirely surrounded by farms and farm land and I miss it sometimes. I miss it terribly. I don’t really care much for the smell of manure these days, but you really do get used to it after a while and don’t even know it is there

4) WIN THE LOTTERY! In order to do these things, I would HAVE to win the lottery or marry a rich man, but then what would I do with the one I have??

5) Make my child(ren) happy. I mean really really ridiculously happy. The kind of happy you see when they get a new toy or see something awesome for the first time. I am not so naive to think that she/they will never experience heartache of some kind, some let downs, but if only I had super powers…

6) Become a photographer. The kind who share in those special days and moments and perpetuate them forever. We are all photographers in some capacity, I want to do it professionally. I do not aspire to shoot magazine layouts or celebrities- just weddings, anniversaries, children and milestones… I have my work cut out for me, but this should be fun

7) Get organized. Not obsessively organized, but organized enough so that everything goes as it should and I never again forget anything.

8) Collaborate with Crystal and get her drive through post office up and running. The more I think about this idea the more I just LOOOVE IT! Every city in every town would benefit tremendously from a drive through post office…

Well friends, number 8 was a cop out, but I need to get my butt in gear and get ready for the day. I think the midget and I will be meeting up with Traci, her friend Diana and Diana's children to go shopping and have lunch...

Until next time….

All the Beautiful Clouds

Today I thought I'd give you the clouds. endless possibilities in fluffy balls of white

Dark clouds come with winds, much power and might.

The morning sun turns darkness to light, pinks, yellows reds... such a beautiful sight!

Sadly today I missed the morning sun

No beautiful pinks for me,

Just blues and greys as far as they eyes can see...

Today I thought Id show you what I see in the fluffy white clouds floating high above me.

The sky in parts is the bluest of blue

then other parts a sad and scary grey

The sky has such beautiful hues today

I just thought I'd share my piece of the sky.

I find it beautiful...

Who knows why...

Until Next time...

Fort Fun!

Don't you just hate it when you make a perfectly great fort out of blankets and then the dog decides she needs a place to sleep??

The Midget and Hubby were having a wonderful time in their makeshift fort in the corner of the living room when all of a sudden the dog decided she would bring her dolly and find a place to rest... What followed was the chaos of the fort collapsing and the midget proclaiming that "the fort all gone now tanks to de dog"

Until next time...

Stupidity is often painful and can kill...

While perusing some blogs on my space this morning I came across a rather funny one citing Idiots in the news.

Have you ever heard of the Darwin Awards? The Darwin awards are compilations of news stories of people who really need to take a step back and reassess their thought process before doing something we like to call REALLY REALLY stupid. You can check this link here http://www.darwinawards.com/ to read some of the latest Darwin awards.


The following news stories are certainly worthy of said awards. Both of the below incidents occurred in Florida, and it just begs the question... Is there something in the water down there??? SIDE NOTE: We have family in Florida,(perfectly normal, intelligent family might I add) and I am certain they too will be left scratching their heads at these 2 unfortunate intellectually stunted individuals.


The first Gem: Man Found Dead, Stuck in Cat Door.

I could not make this up if I tried. Apparently this man and his girlfriend had a spat and she threw him out. He decided he would get back in by climbing in the CAT DOOR. Call me crazy, but I don't think any one person over the age of 2 has the ability to contort themselves enough to climb through a cat door, and even then it is a feat in and of itself.

I am not completely heartless- I am sad for the loss of life, yet it is somehow trumped by the mans obvious stupidity!

You can check out the rest of the story here...
http://www.news4jax.com/news/14577366/detail.html




The second: To escape Cops, Man runs-- Into Gators Jaws

Everyone knows Florida has gators. You can find them pretty much in any lake through the state if I was informed correctly. Apparently it is "quite uncommon for a gator to attack a human" Uncommon or not, anyone with all of their faculties about them knows better than to mess with this:
We have to coexist with our wildlife, and in my humble opinion is, if you jump into a lake and upset a creature like the above you may not make it out in one piece or alive.

It appears the man had an accomplice and was robbing cars... I hope it was worth it! You can find the full story here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/306467.html

Have any interesting news stories that left you scratching your head flashed across your televisions lately? Inquiring minds want to know!



Until next time...

The Red White and Blue

Think of our soldiers the young and old
They fight four our rights, they’re so brave and bold.

They’re brave, they’re proud, we should be too
They give all they’ve got to the Red white and blue

They go days, weeks and months through the sand and the rain
They see suffering, heartache, such terrible pain

They’re brave and proud, we should be too
They give all they’ve got to the red white and blue.

Some miss the births of their first born son,
Fighting a war that may never be won.

The ones who come home are never the same,
For fighting in wars is certainly not a fun game.

Our soldiers miss holidays, weekends and special events
Think of our soldiers, some sleeping in tents.

They’re brave and proud, we should be too
They give all they’ve got to the Red White and Blue

Then there are those who come home deceased
Pray for the fallen, may they rest in peace.

Our soldiers are strong, they’re proud and brave
Think of those soldiers who lie in a grave.

Pray for our soldiers. Remember them today
Think long and hard about what you’ll say
The hours are long, the days hard, Thank you just isn’t enough.

Keep them in your heart and mind remember what they do
Whilst you run around enjoying your day, without them YOU couldn’t be YOU.

Think of the soldiers, be as proud as they are strong
Pray for them, until they all come home…
Hopefully it won’t be too long.

They’re brave and proud, we should be too
They give all they’ve got to the Red White and Blue.

-----
Today is Veterans day. Remember our veterans, and our current soldiers.

Pray for them Until they all come home.

Until next time...

I almost had it...

Today Hubby, the midget, the dog and myself went to my in laws to watch the Eagles game and have dinner. Like many Sundays before this, my father in law makes sure there are a few snacks to enjoy while watching the game. The fare today consisted of chips and dip, cheese and crackers and one very good Ring of Bologna.

During a break in the game the dog who sat and stared at that table through most of the game decided to jump whilst she could and take off running with the entire ring of bologna in her mouth.

The sight that followed was enough to make anyone burst at the seams with laughter, and quite honestly will not be done justice through my words here, but I will try anyway.

My sausage with legs of a dog ran upstairs and down with myself, hubby, the midget, the brother in law, and the in laws dog chasing closely behind her. Under tables, through chair legs, and around in circles she ran while we all laughed like hell and chased until finally she was cornered, tackled by me and had the bologna pried from her mandible by my very upset husband.

It was really difficult to be mad at the dog because we were all laughing like hell.

If she could talk I would imagine she'd say "Dammit- I almost had it... I really really almost had it and they took it away!"

I propose we install cameras in the walls so that next time we don't miss filming something so hysterical!

Until next time...

Abra Cadabra...

I am often amazed at the things that come out of the midgets mouth.

Tonight I am cooking dinner and I hear Abra Cadabra... Mommy is a BOOGIE!

A boogie? Seriously? Is THAT supposed to be funny?!

I of course did not find this recent saying from the mouth of the babe funny.

So- I said "we don't say things like that to anyone. That is NOT nice"

To which she replied:

"Abra Cadabra I can't hear you!"


Until next time...

Recalled!

It is 6am, you are watching your local news and you hear the words
"Popular child's toy recalled due to lead paint" the newest- "Popular child's toy recalled due to toxic chemicals"

The common element- To date all toys which have been recalled have been made in CHINA.

As a parent it is hard enough having watch our tempers, watch what we say, watch what we put into our mouths, watch what we allow our children to view on television and even watch carefully when they're playing at the park because you just never know what that stranger is capable of, we are cautious about hygiene, concerned about coughs and colds and fevers, The ONE THING a parent had was the joy of buying their child a new toy and seeing their happy faces as they open said toy instantly claiming it as her favorite.

I am angry that this joy has been taken away from me. I now have to add one more item to my list of cautions. I now have to be extra mindful of what toys I am buying for my child and where the toys have been made.

I am for expanding our economy and welcoming imports, but what happened to good old fashioned AMERICAN MADE toys? Does our country make ANYTHING anymore?

In recent weeks billions of toys have been recalled. Nearly every fisher price Elmo toy my child has been given since her birth was on that list. Even her educational baby Einstein BLOCKS, cloth blocks with little painted pictures that she chewed and slobbered on daily as an infant were on that list. Thankfully she was born in September 2005 and not 2007 because her toys were not affected. Regardless, I am sure we will not always be so lucky.

Sadly the common trend here is China. The pet food recall over the summer... China
The toy recalls... China.

I highly recommend you subscribe to the consumer product safety commission list of recalls to be up to date on recalled toys and other products. Subscribing is free, and can save your life or a child's.


http://www.cpsc.gov/

Until next time...

"Colorblind"

The other night I watched a news clip about this man.

Meet "Dog the Bounty Hunter"

For those of you unaware of who I am talking about, he is a reformed ex-con turned reality TV star for his bounty hunter abilities. He has come under fire recently for the use of racial epithets spoken in a conversation leaked to the press regarding his sons girlfriend. Said slurs are degrading to people of color.

I myself can not even say the words this man is throwing around like water. His actions in today's world are more than disgusting, they are deplorable. He sits now making empty statements of apology which in my opinion are no more than feel sorry for me pity parties because his show has been quickly yanked from the network who carries it in 10 countries indefinitely.

I applaud the networks for removing his show from the air. Hopefully it will teach him a lesson, sadly though I think he will just become more bitter, continue his life as a bounty hunter and perpetuate hate and racism.

The point of my blog however was NOT sparked by this man. It was sparked by the innocence of children. The above was merely a vent that went along with the topic at hand.

Yesterday the midget and I visited McDonald's for lunch. She was less interested in eating than I would have liked, primarily because the establishment was crawling with other children and she wanted to play. I sat and laughed and watched her play with these complete strangers, her new friends.

I could not help but sit back and watch in awe at their ability to see people as people and not one particular race, social class or creed. These children laughed and played as if they were all EXACTLY the same.

I am sad for her however. There will come a day sometime when someone opens her eyes to the fact that we have different races. Someone will show her hate. Someone will show her differences. She herself may at some time be ridiculed for one reason or another. I am sad for her because some day, hopefully not too soon she will witness hate, and inequality. Lets just hope that when faced with said situation she will be able to discern what is right and wrong and that we as parents will have given her the tools she needs to do the right thing.

If only we could all be colorblind our whole lives. The world would truly be a better place.

Until next time...

Almost a decade...

Yesterday my curious little girl wanted to watch a video. Said video is one that is very near and dear to my heart and I am elated that she is so interested in watching it for what seems like the 100th time this year.


This video happens to be a compilation of pictures, music, and video memorializing one of the happiest days of my life and the years leading to said day.

Our Wedding Day.

An old friend from high school came for a visit yesterday. (Thank you Traci, it was great to see you, and I hope this is the new beginning of a great friendship!)


It seems that my little girl is much like myself. She is sentimental, nostalgic, curious. Yesterday, just like many before she wanted to share "Mommy's wedding day" with a new friend.


I have watched this video countless times before and it never ever gets boring. After Traci left she asked to watch it again; we did. She asked questions, compared herself to the baby pictures of hubby and myself, and even insisted that the younger pictures of hubby and myself were not "mommy and daddy" Someday she will understand ageing, but hopefully not too soon. Her curiosity and refusal to believe people get older is one of the few baby things we have left. In her world we have all always been as old as we are today and no one is getting older. (Boy wouldn't that be nice)



BUT- I digress...



The point of this blog and the title "Almost a decade"




Watching that video always gives me a chance to reflect. I look at the pictures, I hear the music and my mind is flooded with great memories over the last 10 years.

stolen kisses...

long walks...

a million laughs...

great family, friends, companions...


March 1st we will celebrate 10 years. TEN YEARS. That pales in comparison to the more than 30 years my in laws have under their belts, but today... 10 years is a big deal. I want to write it in the sky!


Hubby teases that we will celebrate 4 years together because on March 20th we will celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary. The beginning of a new chapter which trumps the 6 years that we had together previously. My honest opinion is that he says this just to get a rise out of me; the sentimental sap who saves Christmas cards and movie stubs. Somewhere around here I even still have the ticket stub from the play he took me to on our first date. That date which I had slept through because in a moment of idiocy I took Benadryl for allergies. Following my 2 hour long nap we went to have dinner where the clumsy side of me made her first appearance and I spilled soda all over myself, him and the rest of the restaurant section we were sitting in. (That still makes me laugh) But he was great about it, did not laugh, just helped me clean up and then held ever door from the restaurant to the truck, to my home... he teased me later, much later mind you- but at the moment he was as wonderful as my face was red!


That night I went home and told my mom we would be married someday. A silly 15 year old girl making wedding plans. In hindsight, I guess that sounded funny, crazy even. BUT- When you know you KNOW, and I was not letting this gem out of my sight.


Through the years he has been by my side through heartache, sadness, laughter, triumph. He has held my hand and my heart and made me see the world in a light I do not think I would have ever seen it in had I not met him. He has given me a life that some strive their entire lives to obtain. A true friendship, a beautiful daughter.


I am a better person for having met him; he and I are a great team.


As we approach the decade mark, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on all that is beautiful about this man, this love, this life. I can only hope that when we are 65 and celebrating 50 years I can look back at today and say that he is still by my side and we are still smiling.


When life hands us lemons, we reach for our best friends to help us make lemonade. I'm just glad I do not have far to reach.

Until next time...