Stumbling Upon Life

Finding "It" at 39 ? !

2011-08-16T13:22:00.007-04:00

So tomorrow I turn 39, and I'm actually excited about it! I have decided that I am going to "FIND IT" at 39. This past year has been a great mix of crazy yet fun chaos but there has been something missing. "It" is missing. What is "it"? For each of us it's different. It is the thing that makes us complete, makes us, us. I don't feel complete. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband and children. But I just haven't found the "it" that makes me, ME.

What got me thinking about this was the book, Finding It by Valerie Bertinelli. She mentioned that when she was on Touched By An Angel she wore so many layers of clothing to hide her weight. She said that the one thing she couldn't conceal was the unhappiness in her eyes. That when she sees reruns of the show, she still sees the pain. I have been feeling that way this past year as I've seen pictures of myself where I look like there is something missing. I'm the one taking pictures of others who are having fun. I'm NOT the one having fun. I haven't learned to just let go. My life has always been about doing for others to make them look good or be happy despite my happiness, keeping my mouth shut even though I should say something, being the "good" girl, being so scared to fail I never try, never just throwing caution to the wind.

I want the old me back. The girl who sent a card just to say hello, who looked for the positive and not expected the negative, the one who was strong physically. I want to wear a real bikini - not just the top, get on the dance floor & dance even though I don't have a rhythmic bone in my body, get my teaching degree, maybe get a tattoo, finally take the honeymoon hubby & I never took, stand my ground, focus on being true to myself even with family or friends, make a bucket list and start ticking it off, try new foods and new adventures, play more, take the time to have a cup of coffee on the porch or glass of wine on the deck, organize my home, renew my faith (never lost it just got lax) and laugh, laugh - laugh!

So this year of being 39 is going to be a motivational tool. I have one year to get my ass in shape and my shit (somewhat) together before I hit the big 4-0, which falls on a FRIDAY - YEAH!! I don't have a lot of work to do to get there, but it will be work. I know what I need to do, I just needed the motivation to do it. And that's reaching 40 in the best shape of my life, mentally and physically. Here's a couple pictures that came up when I typed in 39. Kind of ironic that they correlate with my thoughts...

Pier 39 with the sea lions. I was actually there 2 yrs ago and saw the sea of sea lions. It smells horrible, but is an awesome site. Lately, I've feeling like a lazy, frumpy, blubbery sea lion. I got into good enough shape last 4th of July that I wore a bikini top. After the 4th, I stopped maintaining and gained the weight back. When I started to workout again, I fell snowboarding and broke my tailbone. That really began the pouting! So here's to getting off the dock and having some fun.

The 39 Clues is a book series that my son's LOVE! It's series of adventure books, combining reading, online gaming, and card collecting. I have had 39 years worth of clues to help me solve the mystery of what I want to be when I 'grow up'. Now it's time to put all the clues together and find ME.

I've been on the highway of life for 39 years and although I truly am blessed, there is so much more I want to experience along the road. Here's to continuing down the road with fewer potholes.

I love the thought of being 39. Would I love to go back to the face and body I had as an 18 or 20 year old? Yes, in a heartbeat. But I wouldn't want to change the knowledge I've gained for anything.

So here's to finding it at 39!

Like Sand Through An Hour Glass...

2010-09-15T12:45:00.005-04:00

Time flew by again without me keeping up on my blog. Summer vacation sure messed up my schedule. Now that the kids are back in school, I hope to find my routine again. Who am I kidding, I hope to find ME again! So here's to busses, hot lunches and homework. Happy School Days - happy me days!

Stumbled Away For A While

2010-07-26T12:34:00.007-04:00

I stumbled away for awhile and I'm sorry. I've felt like I was on one of those merry-go-rounds at the park. Ya know that kind that you can't wait to spin it in circles, the faster the better. Then you jump on and all you can do is hold on for dear life trying not to fall off (or throw up). Between personal and professional merry-go-rounds, I'm ready for a nice gallop on a springed pony!

While I wait for the ground to stop spinning, I've updated my blog with a new look and am off to mow the lawn while jamming to my favorite 80's songs on my MP3. It's so good to be back!

Yes! It's Friday!

2010-04-23T12:26:00.010-04:00

to you all! Can you believe it's the weekend, finally? Who's ready to kick off their shoes and relax? We have a weekend full of soccer which is fantastic. Love watching the kids play. Not biased or anything, but they are good! ;) Can't wait for tonight though. I planned a ~~bonfire and kickball game~~ 3 mi. run at the park for Brad and me, while the kids rode their bikes. Should I mention ~~S'mores~~ Taco Bell, ~~Moscoto~~ Tequilla and shaved legs (which went to waste b/c the electrician ~~short circuited~~ fell asleep before the power was even tested!) Happy ~~Friday~~ Saturday, Happy Weekend!

?????????????

2010-04-23T12:24:00.007-04:00

What Would You Do?
Okay blog buddies, I have a question for you. Brad and I have a family member that knew of my uncle's passing, but has yet to mention any kind of condolence to me. Sidenote: yes the person was told & yes the person is close enough that something should've been said.

We're pretty sure this person didn't pass along the news to other family members b/c Brad has yet to hear anything from them either. Another sidenote: one family member was told by us and did send along a very nice email! We love ya's! Both Brad and I are having a hard time with this b/c it's the second time this has happened. So on one hand, we aren't surprised.

And no, we didn't want gifts or anything like that. Just a simple email or text to say "Sorry to hear..." would've been enough. Yet there wasn't even that! Although we did get countless junk emails from this person over the past two weeks - so it's not a broken computer.

My question to you is, would you say anything or just let it go? If you would say something, what would you say and how would you do so? I don't want to offend the person, nor do I want to come off as a _itch, yet we are hurt that nothing was said. Who should say something? If it's my family - me? If it's Brad's family - him? Or doesn't it matter as long as one of us says something?

Can ya send a bit of advice? Thanks!!

Take Your Child To Work Day

2010-04-22T08:50:00.003-04:00

My oldest got to go to work today with his dad. Brad's an electrician for the University of Michigan. Yes, he knows how to "turn things on" and "make sparks fly"! Here's a picture of our kiddo standing in an old bank vault.

What The _____?

2010-04-21T07:42:00.019-04:00

Do you ever those times you find yourself scratching your head saying, What the___? You fill in the blank! There are several words I've used to end that sentence - all depending on what made me ask that question in the first place. So today I'm going to share some of my WT__ moments over this past week. The picture is of (l-r) Brad (my hubby - he thinks the glasses will hide the fear in his eyes!), me scratching my head, and Sarah (my sister's friend)

*I wasn't going to post about this because it's just nasty. But the more I thought about it, it really is amusing in hind sight. Last week as you know we buried my uncle. Well, at the viewing on Tuesday one of my daughter's came up to me and said she had something behind her ear. I looked and oh, WT__ is that? Oh $**!, it's a TICK! Talk about wanting to hide, barf, climb the wall but hello ding dong, you're the mom and you're surrounded by people at the viewing - be calm! I called Brad over and nonchalantly tried to have him look. "It's not a tick. It's just a blood blister." Seriously dear, a blood blister? Calm went out the window at that point. "Um, no! It's frickin tick! There's legs that are moving!" I know, gross, sorry. So we go into another room and I get on the phone to a friend who's a nurse. My sis gets on her phone and pulls up "How To Remove A Tick". We tried touching it with a heated tweezer end, nope. Tried freezing it's nasty @$$ with an ice cube, nope. Thankfully there was an urgent care at the end of the street, so Brad took our little bug girl for a visit. Good news, tick removed quickly & no sign of infection and it's not a deer tick. Not sure the kind (nor do I care), but apparently it's rare b/c 15 staffers came in to look at it. Leave it to The Smith's to add excitement to a viewing and then be a freak show at the Urgent Care. WT__?

*Funeral day comes and we arrive at the funeral home to be greeted by my uncle's "daughter". Long story short: uncle sterile - wife had 2 kids - U guessed it, not uncle's (DNA proved it) - divorce and only maybe 5 visits with my uncle for their entire life. "Daughter" beat all the family there that morning, told staff when asked she was his daughter and was waving her birth certificate all around while crying, sobbing, talking loudly and acting like she was on something. She said she flew in from Missouri yet her car was the first in the processional line b/c she arrived first and after all, is the daughter. WTHeck? If she had been smoking something, she could've shared at that point! The sad thing is, her daughter and husband were there too. The hubby was in his military uniform and kept quiet, and I felt so bad for him. All in all, the family did a good job keeping our mouths shut and not strangling this "stranger". Pastor also was a great help by removing her from the room. All during the funeral it was sob, snot, whah! Oh brother. Wait, or should I say cousin? Anyways, long lost daughter can't stay for the cemetary and leaves. But as we pull into the lot, guess who's pulling out? WT__?

*Now fast fwd. to Monday. My aunt decided to start the procedures of notifying the insurance co. and such. To her surprise, they had already been contacted. What? By Who? U guessed it, WackO had already called last Tuesday the day of the viewing! Another shocker, she might be the beneficiary to everything. WT__? It looks like my uncle had the kids as beneficiaries when he thought they were his and may not have gotten off his royal behind to change it. Oh crap this is going to be a bitter, nasty battle. Again I say, WTHeck?

*How about a good WT__? We went with my sister, her friend & her friends daughter to Kings Island in Ohio this past Sunday. I kind of conquered my fear of rollercoasters. I'm still terrified of them, but will ride again. I went on The Beast, The Racers, Vortex, FireHawk, all the Planet Snoopy kid rides, Monster, Scrambler, Shake/Rattle & Roll, Boo Blasters on Boo Hill and Drop Tower. This one was a WT__ moment! They strap you in, spin you up the 315 ft tower, then plumet back down at 67 mph. How fun, exciting, scarey, envigorating and memorable! But you guessed it, that was a WT____ am I doing time. Totally thought we were going to die and orphan our children. Kept praying for God to not make it hurt when I smashed to the ground! And our 10yr son. Oh he was not a happy camper. Think he had a WT__ moment too!

We Only Got 86,400 Seconds In A Day

2010-04-15T10:41:00.010-04:00

So what are you waiting for?

As Kris Allen say's in his song Live Like We're Dying,
"We gotta start looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying.
We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying"

So what are you waiting for? Make your "Bucket List". Get it out of your head and write it down on paper. Post it on your fridge and start living your life. Don't make excuses. Even if it's something simple like taking a walk at the end of your day - get off your a$$ and do it! If we start small we can accomplish big things. We don't know what today has in store for us. What if you had a stoke at the end of the day that left you paralyzed and unable to speak? Would you regret your life until that moment?

Why is it that if we are healthy, we all wait until a funeral to re-energize our view of life? We promise during the funeral to start living life but then revert back to not making time for fun and special moments in our lives. We get too caught up make a living and not a life. So why not make today be the day that you really start to live like you're dying? Honestly, we don't know how many more seconds we have left to hear the birds chirp, feel the sun on our cheeks, dance in the rain, blow bubbles, conquer our fear of roller coasters, tell someone how much we love them or have a beer in Mexico.

Start looking at the hands of the time you've been given, turn it all around... Live, live, live!!!!

Thank You Uncle Larry & Rest In Peace

2010-04-10T06:07:00.010-04:00

Peacefully at 3:50 this morning, Larry Albert Nichols took his last breath. I am so glad I got to be here to tell my only uncle how thankful I am for getting to be a part of his life and how much I love him. The hospice nurse is here right now and arrangements are in process. Larry was only 56. He loved life, hunting and most of all his yellow Lab, Sugar. His most favorite place to be when not in the woods was at his cottage at the lake. Which made visiting with him so easy because his cottage was across from my parents cottage.

Larry managed diabetes, a massive heart attack and survived a massive stroke three years ago which unfortunately left him paralyzed on the right side and only able to say 15 words. In February of this year Larry was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that had spread throughout his body by the time they found it. I am so thankful that God guided him peacefully and pretty much painlessly through this quick battle.

I will forever remember the memories made with my Uncle. Thank you for a lifetime of happy flashbacks Uncle Larry!!

Restless Sleep

2010-04-09T09:37:00.004-04:00

I can barely see to type. My eyes have never been this swollen. Yes, I fell asleep crying so now my eyes look like - oh heck, I don't know what - but it's scarey! Thank goodness I had some cucumbers. I sliced a couple circles and set on the bed with them on my eyes. Although I was tempted to do what you see on TV where they eat the cuke, nah, can't. That's just gross!

After tossing and turning all night long I am now here with my uncle. He looks good despite his condition. I pray God is with him and keeps him in His care and takes him peacfully.

The Dreaded Call...

2010-04-08T22:06:00.003-04:00

It came tonight. My father called to say hospice visited tonight and they are not sure if my uncle will make it through the night. NNNNOOOOO!!!! I want to be there to tell him one last time how much I love him! I did say it over the phone and so did the kids, but OMGosh, it's not the same. You all know that too, I know. I know he will be in Heaven with my Grandparents soon. But I do hope he waits until we can get up there in the morning. If by chance God brings him home overnight, I pray it's peacefully and that he really does know just how much he is loved!! So it's off to bed awaiting what comes with the rising of the sun. I so hate being an adult right now!!

It's Okay, Tuesday...

2010-04-06T15:01:00.008-04:00

Found this clever idea on the blog: Airing My Dirty Laundry. She actually saw the idea in Glamour Magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things that it's okay to be okay about. So I'm jumping in b/c today I'm too dam* tired to do the post-its. Go ahead and join us on the bandwagon. P.S. It's doesn't have to be done on Tuesday either. Any day you feel like saying, It's Okay well, is okay!

IT'S OKAY...

...to be frustrated beyond the point of screaming when you've lost 10 pounds, feel pretty good about yourself and then two people on the same day ask you if you're pregnant. WHAT? "Well maybe it's the shirt, but your boobs look bigger too." Seriously, how can my 33 A's look bigger? I've dropped from a 34 to a 33 since I've been working out. And I ain't one for padded bra's. That would just disappoint my husband to go from WOW to oh. So it's okay to wanna take a whack at Weeza's!

...to jump and have my heart race each time the phone rings because my only uncle is in the last few days of his life with terminal cancer - so I know the call is coming.

...to be semi disappointed when the call isn't my mother saying he's gone. I dread the phone call, the grieving and all of that. But this waiting and being able to do nothing sucks!

...to wanna have a cocktail at 1:00 pm b/c you are stressed about your uncle, still pissed about the pregnant statement, worried about your two boys being gone with their friends for Spring Break and PMSing. I don't know if I want to cry, scream, laugh or kick the couch.

...to hate being the big sister and be frustrated when your baby sister can't make up her mind as to where she's going on Spring Break in one day and taking my son with her.

...to be typing this blog when I really should be putting in my 3 miles.

...to hide the malted eggs that the Easter Bunny only put in the baskets b/c he knew mom loved them and no one else. If they are hidden no one will know that mom ate them!

...to wish men had a chance to experience REAL PMS so they'd stop thinking it's all in our head and funny.

...to be me!

Post-It Note Tuesday

2010-03-30T09:50:00.011-04:00

Frost On Tree

2010-03-30T09:46:00.003-04:00

It was so cold this morning that frost decorated the trees and ground. Then the sun rose and made the frost sparkle! Beautiful!

In the Arms of the Angels - Sweet Peace Retha

2010-03-28T17:26:00.006-04:00

There are times in my life that I just hate being a grown up. Friday night was one of those times. I logged in to my favorite online community (Prim Mart) only to find out that a lady from that message board had been brutally murdered - allegedly by her husband. I saw the post headings and wasn't sure what was going on. What? No! How can this be? After reading the news articles and watching a news clip, there was no doubt it was true!

I didn't know Retha very well, but had spoken to her several times on the phone and in the chat room. I can still hear her voice. How can someone that is supposedly your best friend do something like this? To kill, dismember, burn and throw your body out like last weeks garbage? I know we can mentally snap. I get that. But to hear what happened to Retha makes me sick. I pray that Retha felt no pain and had no idea what was happening to her. Whoever did this horrific crime will one day stand in judgement. But in the meantime, I hope Retha is safely in the arms of the Angels.

Thank you for the chats Retha - you will be missed!

Sunday's Mixed Blessings

2010-03-21T20:52:00.008-04:00

Today was a mixed blessing kind of day. I put on a brave face because of all the activities we had going, but now as I sit down to unwind, the emotions are kickin' in. Sadness is setting in. Today at a special voter's meeting at our church, a motion passed to close our daycare and PreK-8 day school at the end of the school year. The school has been open for 43 years. I attended the school K-8 and my children have been there for the past seven years.

Now in all honesty, we decided to pull our kids from the school at semester this year, after several years of prayerful consideration. This was NOT a decision that came easily or quickly as I was not just an alumni, but a member of the congregation for 37 yrs. I served as the PTS President for three consecutive years and this year was hired in as Admissions Counselor. My husband served as Athletic Director for three years and also soccer coach. Our heart and soul went into this school - so leaving was gut wrenching. But even though we chose to leave the school, we remain at the church.

The vote today was hard. First there are a couple teachers that are family friends and are priceless to us (YOU know who you are if you're reading this!). To think of them out of a job is distressing. Yet there are so many changes that need to be made to better the school. Not to mention financially, the church cannot support the school any longer. Although not having the school will mean more $$ to go to other ministries, it's still hard knowing that there will be no more school. I do hope souls in the congregation are willing to rebuild a bigger and better school and reopen in a couple years. If we can excel above the public school, my children will be back.

So today began with an unknown future open to possibilities, and now it ends with a closing of one door and a key to opening another door full of possibilities. May God be with us all on our journey through the future!

OUCH~ My WhoHa Hurts

2010-03-19T05:46:00.007-04:00

Got your attention huh? Well you read right. Maybe I shouldn't post about this but ya know what? Ya'll need a warning. Omgosh. Yesterday I decided to ride around the block on my bicycle (4 1/4 miles) instead of running half of it. Confession time, it's been years since I've biked. So as soon as I pushed off my thought was, "oh $*#& hope I didn't forget"!!

Nope, didn't forget how to ride a bike. But did forget how uncomfortable it is if you don't have a good cushioned seat. I got up this morning and stopped by the bathroom and WHOA. Oh my whoha hurt. Not the UTI type of pain. The tender to the touch type. The sad part, it wasn't from a night of lovin' with the hubby, it was from the bike ride. I knew last night the underside of my butt cheeks were sore, but not another area. Think today I'll jog instead!

Tip about bike riding: GET A GOOD CUSHIONED SEAT or wear a thick pad or Depends unless you want your whoha to hurt the next day! ;)

Time for Friday Follow

2010-03-19T05:34:00.005-04:00

Today's Friday Follow celebration is hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

SPONSORED BY:

Here's how YOU can join the celebration:
* Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.
* Grab the Friday Follow and Sponsor buttons and include both on your Friday Follow blog post.
* Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.
* Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you'd like
* Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow
* Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow
The list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

As hostesses, we realize the time required to participate in Friday Follow. Due to the overwhelming number of entries each week, we understand everyone, including ourselves, may not be able to follow every blog. To keep it fun, follow what you can at your own pace. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your continued participation!

Friday Follower of the Week!

You could be our lucky Friday Follower of the Week. Each week we will randomly draw from all the links, one Friday Follower. For the next week's Friday Follow the chosen blog will be placed in the highly coveted number 4 position on the blog hop. We love your participation and want to give back to you!

Take That Roundness

2010-03-18T10:04:00.005-04:00

This was this mornings weigh in. Dang my feet look like Fred Flintstones. Now before I get yelled at, I know I'm not overweight, but I AM out of shape. For my 4' 11" frame, that's not where I want to be. I'd like to be an in-shape 103. That's why I'm posting here. Hoping that you'll help motivate me to keep up the workouts. If I don't post what I've done at least three times each week, send me a comment reminding me to get my chookus off the couch!

Since January, the families been eating healthier & we love it! Brad & I have gone back and forth with the P90X workout but have only managed to make it 4 days in a row before we get busy with the kids. So we've decided to work out as we can and not focus on doing it together. Since I'm at home, it will be morning/afternoon workouts before the kiddos get home. The eating healthier and random workouts, I've gone from 115 in January to the weight on today's scale. So it hasn't been too bad. I just need to stay on track. My goal is to accomplish this by the end of April - just in time for baseball games to start! No more roundness son!

Watch Out Wednesday

2010-03-17T22:30:00.006-04:00

Today I got up in a good mood. Yes, that chalkboard hangs on our family room wall. But by my second cup of coffee, the ugly monster reared her head. Da** PMS! Someone needs to change the meaning of PMS. It's not always pre, sometimes it's post, sometimes during. Ugg. It was the grumpiness that got me. Why today? Didn't Mother Nature know I had to make St.Patrick's Day Oreo Truffles for the Lenten dinner at our church? The balls went together quick and easy until it came time for the coating. Truth moment - I didn't follow Jessica's directions. I opted for almond bark instead of the white baking chips. MISTAKE! The coating kept hardening too fast. Seriously you're giving me this %**& today? The lumpy green gunk went into the garbage and I was off to the store. Learn from my mistake - USE WHITE BAKING CHIPS!

Sent this picture to my husband and he said they looked like a Leprechaun had visited... can't be mad, he's right. The second set turned out better - but forgot to take a pic.

I was still grumpy so instead of hitting the treadmill, I hit the road.The sun was shining and it was warm. Figured two for the price of pain. Go for a jog while sunning my blues away.

I jogged for what I thought was only a mile and wondered why my time was so far off what I do on the treadmill. It didn't take long to tick me off more at that moment. No more roadwork. The treadmill will be my best friend. While trying to run off the bad mood, my son's bus went by. I asked him if I looked like a dork? My wonderful 6th grader says, "No. But not to be rude mom, you looked kinda round." Thanks for the motivation son, now run away fast! I took my bruised ego downstairs to finish my workout with the P90X Ab Ripper.

When I complained bit***d to Brad about how painstaking the jog was, he said, "Hun, you ran 2 1/2 miles!" ??? After I heard that, my mood totally changed. I had jogged longer and faster then on the treadmill and did the ab workout. Take that roundness!

P.S. The truffles were a hit. Was asked to make them again for next weeks Lenten dinner. Think maybe purple color?

*Do you get pre, post, during or all month long PMS?

*What do you do to combat it?

*Have you had one of those honest moments with your kids?

*Do you have good luck with almond bark?

*What color coating should I use for the truffles?

Post-It Note Tuesday!

2010-03-16T11:05:00.012-04:00

Friday Blog Follow

2010-03-12T10:06:00.006-05:00

Found this cool blog follow idea on my friend Sheila's blog, Living Smart Girl. Thought it was worth posting here for anyone that has a blog and would like to get their blog out there into cyber space. Feel free to follow along...

Welcome to the Seventh Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

Here's how YOU can join the celebration:
* Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.
* Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.
* Follow as many blogs as you like
* Comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow
* Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow

The Blog Hop is the same at each of our three hosts blogs so you do not have to add your blog at each site. Just one - but you can follow each blog. Follow a few or follow them all.

The list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed.

Beautiful Sunrise

2010-03-11T11:17:00.012-05:00

"Look at the beautiful sunrise!" That's what the kids said to me this morning. Honestly, I went out thinking "a sunrise is a sunrise". But you know what? It was so much more. My mood turned around with merely a step onto the porch and one look at that painted sky. Spring fever began to creep inside my soul! Maybe I'm sappy, but I DON'T CARE because it's beautiful outside! The glow was so much prettier then my camera actually shows. *Note to Brad, need a new camera!

It was so nice out the kids convinced me to let them go to school without a coat. Don't you just love seeing shadows? Well, the kids were off to school and you know what I did? I took some me time! I poured a hot cup of coffee, sliced a piece of pumpkin roll and sat on the front porch. I listened to the birds sing, let the sun warm my cheeks and relaxed. I am a sappy, relaxed woman!

P.S.
Yes Sheila, I will walk on the treadmill to burn off that slice of heaven!

God's Little Notes

2010-03-11T10:07:00.006-05:00

If the warm sunshine and birds singing wasn't enough to brighten the day, I found these little notes from God while searching online. Have a blessed day!

Yummy Indulgences!

2010-03-08T09:25:00.009-05:00

I love coffee! I love a strong fresh coffee but not the flavored bean kind. You know like a French Vanilla ground that you put into your pot. I do however love the specialty coffees from Starbucks, Coffee Beanery & Tim Horton's - like the Cafe Mocha, White Chocolate Mocha, etc. I'm too cheap to buy it though. Pretty much the only time I splurge on one is Black Friday shopping with my husband. Figure if we're spending $$, we'll lay down a $5 for an indulgence for ourselves. I also like the frozen coffees. Yes, they are calorie filled, but oh so good! Well, my mom found a recipe for frozen coffee that you can do at home. It was super easy, cheap and ALL MINE!

Frozen Viennese Coffee

Brew a STRONG pot of coffee. Pour in a pan and freeze.

Scrape the frozen coffee to create flakes/chunks.

Now pour in sweetened condensed milk to taste. I used maybe 1 Tbsp. b/c I like the strong coffee flavor.

Mix and enjoy!

Green M & M's

2010-03-02T08:36:00.009-05:00

Look what I found! A bag of all green M&M's. So being a thoughtful & considerate wife, I bought them for me but gave them to Brad. Remember as a kid having a favorite color, and even though it didn't really taste different, in your head it did? Each color had a meaning. Well I'm sure you've heard the meaning behind the green ones. So what do you think? If it's true I should probably go buy this mom another bag!

*What's your favorite color of M&M?
*Do you like plain or peanut?
*If the meaning was true, who would you buy the bag for, you, hubby or both of you?!

I Gave In...

2010-03-02T07:07:00.004-05:00

and went to the after hours clinic yesterday. Wednesday's flu turned into a head cold. Brad kept telling me to go to the dr. but I was too stubborn. Mom's don't have time to get sick. Right Mom's?

Can someone tell me where all the snot comes from? Seriously, you can blow and it's gone. Then by the time you throw the tissue away, you have to blow again. This may sound strange but have you ever blown your nose and as you're blowing the blow comes to a sudden stop? Ouch! It's like the snot just ran out and you blew your dry nose. You know what I mean? Shoot, I had it once I felt like I had been swimming all day and couldn't get the "water" out of my ear.

So what was the outcome for this stubborn mom? A double ear and sinus infection bordering on bronchitis. Way to go ding bat. Today I'll pick up my prescription since it was going to take an hour to fill and I had to get home to watch the Bachelor finale! Can't believe I gave up the prescription for that ending. Tenley was my favorite out of the two. But honestly I was hoping he'd dump them both and reunite with Alli. Vienna? Really? Jake, Jake, Jake...

*Do you put off going to the dr.?
*Did you watch the Bachelor?
*Which lady were you voting for?

WARNING - Pee Before Watching

2010-02-25T14:59:00.011-05:00

This Wal-Mart clown commercial aired during the Super Bowl and I laughed so hard I had tears. Saw it again today on Ellen and it had the same effect. Have you seen it? Here's a link to the commercial to bring some laughter to your day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsvAj6qfmFQ&feature=player_embedded

*Did you laugh at this commercial?
*Did you laugh because you imagined your husband as the clown?
*How many times did you watch it?
Are you still laughing?

Thank God for Unanswered Prayers

2010-02-25T11:34:00.013-05:00

Have you heard Unanswered Prayers by Garth Brooks? Well, I am thankful that God didn't answer my prayer yesterday to put me out of my misery. Ugg, I was down with the full blown flu and found myself "praying to the porcelain God". But thankfully God didn't take me seriously and let me awaken this morning to a kiss from my husband as he left for work. There was no more fever, nausea or aches. Only the soaked pajama's as evidence that either I peed the bed or my fever broke. Being that the sheets weren't soaked too, I say it was fever breaking. Very glad the horrible day yesterday is behind me. New day, new mom, but not a fun way to loose weight!

Today has been filled with turn the heat down, open a window in each room, wash all the linens, pillows, blankets and spray everything with Lysol.

*Have you had the flu yet this year?
*How do you handle being sick, like a mom or like a man?
*What do you use to conquer the flu bug?

"X" x 4 = OMGosh!

2010-02-23T20:10:00.000-05:00

Today was day 4 of the P90X workout. Holy crow I'm sore. I bend down to pick up socks or even walk downstairs to work out and my butt cheeks and abs scream in pain! No pain, no gain, right?

This is all in an attempt to get back into my athletic shape back in my 19-23 yrs of age. Oh yes, one can dream! I enlisted a "trainer" to push me like my trainer "Blakka" did back in my cheerleading days. So, Brad and I are working out together to get back into shape. We tell the kids it's to stay healthy so we can be a pain in their butt longer. ;) The soreness feels horrible but in a good way. Here's to staying on this fitness journey and being in great shape for summer!

*Are you doing any workout video, or walking, eliptical, etc.?
*How long/often do you workout?
*Do you workout by yourself, with your spouse, friend, trainer?

It's A Snow Day Monday!

2010-02-22T10:27:00.017-05:00

Don't think there's any better way to spend a wintery Monday morning then in your pj's, a hot cup of coffee and the kiddo's snuggling with you in a comfy blanket while watching Lilo & Stitch. Why? School's cancelled, it's a SNOW DAY!

The kids slept in until 8:00 and freaked when they saw the time. "Mom, it's 8 'o clock. We're late for school!" My ears are still ringing from the screams of excitement when I told them there's no school.

So what's up for today? I moved from the couch to make chocolate chip pancakes. Yes, score 1 for mom!! I made extras and threw them in the freezer for tomorrow morning. 2 points for mom! Then I saw the updated school closings. The University of Michigan is closing at noon. Oh crap, that means hubby will be coming home! Time to change out of my housecoat and throw on my "Wonder Woman" gear to speed clean. Thank goodness I cleaned up after breakfast. Hmm, how many clothes can I hang up before Brad get's home? Picture me spinning around and around like Lynda Carter... here I go...

Aaaa-choo!

2010-02-19T10:21:00.006-05:00

Don't know if it's my cold or dusting off this blog that is making me sneeze. Yes I've been slacking. I've found so many cool blogs since the new year that have inspired me to sit down and type. If I start to slack, hollar and tell me to get back to work.

It's Friday, oh happy day! That means family night with pizza and a movie. Maybe even a game of Yahtzee with the kiddos. What are your plans for the weekend?

Gooey Goodness For Only Two More Days

2010-01-02T10:24:00.019-05:00

This is the ooey, gooey goodness I got to enjoy this morning along with a cup of coffee. It's a tradition the make Monkey Bread for breakfast while at the lake. So despite wanting to get back into shape, I didn't want to let the kids down! ;)

P.S.
No, I didn't cheat on my goal of getting back into shape - I start on Monday!Seriously give up snacking over the holidays? Not a chance! So I'm enjoying the last two days by making some Monkey Bread and when it was getting devoured by the kids (young & older), my daughter and I made some cinnamon rolls. Oh so good!

Happy 2010 - Come What May & Love It!!

2010-01-01T18:15:00.022-05:00

Happy New Year from the Smith Party of 6 and Billy Bob the Snowman! Wow, 2010 - oh the possibilities we all have awaiting us this year. Here's to what may come this year and that we love it!

So, how did you ring in the New Year? This year the "Smith Party of 6" said goodbye to 2009 and welcomed 2010 by celebrating with family, friends, food and fun! We headed to the cabin for six days of nothing but R & R! We made a rink on the ice, went skating, sledding, made a snowman, an igloo, played games, ate, drank and were merry. The best part... we still have two more days before going back to the real world!

Confession time: Ms. Smarty Pants that I am, I had the brilliant idea yesterday that I'd be a cool mom and sled down the hill with the kids. Um, yeah, not such a great idea. Apparently you don't use your hand to stop yourself while going full speed down an icy, snow covered hill. Spent the evening with an ice pack, brace, ibuprofen and a couple vodka tonics to ease the pain of what ended up being a severely sprained wrist. Way to go cool mom - ouch!!

To end 2009 is a mixed blessing. It means another year has slipped by, but at the same time, a whole new set of exciting adventures is on the horizon. I followed the advice of the wise ladies over at Prim Mart and wrote down GOALS for 2010 and not resolutions. My goal is to have more fun this year and do so by achieving my goals. It's also to have fun while achieving my goals. So here they are for the world to see...

My goals for 2010 in no particular order:
* Read my son's book that he gave me, Bullies Are A Pain In The Brain
* Read Joel Osteen's book, My Best Life Now
* Be a better Christian, mom, wife, friend
* Stand up for myself b/c I'm darn good at my job!
* Drink more water
* Get back into shape & watch snacking (10 lbs to loose for this 4' 11" gal)
* Take hubby to Vegas in Sept. for his 40th
* Be on time!
* Blog more often
* Organize my life, house & mind
* Go back to school to work on my communications degree
* Pay off some bills
* Have fun while doing all of the above!!!!

Happy New Year & may God bless you and your family with a joyous and funtastic 2010 - COME WHAT MAY & LOVE IT!

The pics below are our fun closing out 2009: (1) skating rink (2) "Fox 'N Goose Path" (3) Smith 6, my dad, my sister, her friend & the friend's daughter (4) Smith 6, my mother, my sister, sister's friend and friend's daughter (5) making igloo (6) igloo (7) Me, Brad and our twin girls inside igloo (8) Sis's friend's daughter then my four kiddo's (9) Billy Bob the Snowman (he's up top)

Grateful for Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T14:35:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! May your Thanksgiving holiday be filled with love and laughter, family, friends and many blessings from God above. Find something each day from here on out to be grateful for and watch your attitude of grattitude change the way you think! Happy Thanksgiving!

Blogging, Boating & Fishing - Technology!

2009-08-10T17:55:00.012-04:00

As I type this I'm sitting on the boat fishing with my kids and husband. Wow, the joys of technology! I decided to take the computer out on the boat to make sure my article made it to my editor and to test out the connection on the water. It works!

I even took this photo with my cell phone while typing this post & fishing (ugg, my reflection in the computer screen trying to act like I'm not taking a picture), emailed it to myself and posted it here. Please excuse the grubby nails, and frown. It's sunny & I bait my own hook!!

This is the good life!

P.S.
We caught (5)Perch, (3)Bullhead and (2) Sunfish. One Perch was mine! Yeah, my kids out fished hubby & me!

What A Difference A Day Makes

2009-07-10T11:38:00.005-04:00

It's feels so good to be happy again! For some reason, nothing could shake my grumpiness yesterday. It's amazing what a small glass of wine, a good laugh and good night's sleep will do for the soul. Okay, maybe not the glass of wine, but it sure tasted good!
You know, I just realized, it's Friday. So here's to feeling like myself again and to kicking off a great weekend of travel baseball.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Scary Monster

2009-07-09T20:00:00.010-04:00

Today I met my scary monster. In fact she stayed and visited all day! Nah, not my Mother-in-Law. Nope, not even my children. Today was all me. I was the scary monster. From the moment I opened my eyes, I was grumpy.

I "meditated" over the warmth of two cups of coffee which only made me have to pee. I checked in several times with my best gals at Prim Mart, but it was a slow morning on the boards. I paid some bills, ya, that's a great thing to do while feeling in a funk. So I put on my head phones and mowed the lawn while listening to some tunes. The music was more like nails on a chalkboard today. Once the lawn was done, I swept the grass clippings with the mower and spread them on the garden. But even smothering the weeds didn't make me feel better.

It was just one of those pity party, blah-blah, same ole-same ole, feel bad days. The kind where you feel as if you're in that carnival ride the Gravitron; stuck to the wall with the world spinning around you till you're about to puke, then the floor falls out from under your feet. Oh stop the ride or let me fall to the bottom!

The kids must have seen the green, frazzled hair and were scared good. There was no yelling or fighting. And my husband even let me text my meltdown to him the whole day. Nothing seemed to put my nerves at ease or keep the squeaky wheels in my head from churning the negativity throughout the day. Until...

My husband came home with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine to go with the lasagna the kids and I made. Then after dinner Brad took us out to get a couple movies. So as the day came to an end, a smile grew upon this monsters face with the help of a delicious dinner, a hilarious movie (Role Models with Sean William Scott & Paul Rudd), and some cheese to go with my favorite "whine" - Good night scary monster!

Hey Batter, Batter!

2009-06-28T23:07:00.014-04:00

I can't decide which is more thrilling, watching my two boys play baseball or football. What a great way to spend a weekend, out in the sun cheering on a talented group of ball players who wear their hearts on their gloves because they are only 9 & 10. There's just something magical about watching the team rally to life by hitting the ball or turning a double play. Not to mention, hearing the cheers from the parents as they too get emotionally involved in the game. Well, at least our parents do! This year the parents ordered Sting shirts and tanks to support our players. We have posters with all the boys names, a "cheat sheet" with the kids names and shirt #, and we also recycled water bottles by labeling them with our Sting logo and filled them with black aquarium rocks that we use for Spirit Shakers.

If you've never been to a travel baseball game, you should. The level of talent is higher and play is more competitive and fast paced then rec. ball. I mean all of this in a good way. Kind of like watching a minor league game compared to a major league. It's fun to watch, but not as intense. The team is coming on strong this season. Their first tournament they finished 3rd and this weekend they finished 1st in their division and second all around out of 8 teams. The boys are doing great! Keep up the good work Sting & congrats on taking 2nd!!!!

Riding With Angels

2009-06-28T22:10:00.007-04:00

This picture is of our van that went into a 6ft. ditch last night on our way home from our two boys's travel baseball game. P.S. NO, I HAD NOT TOUCHED A DROP OF ALCOHOL!

The scenario? A long day, too much sun and chatting with an ecstatic baseball player. I was following my husband and son home from the baseball game and talking to our oldest about the team securing 1st place in their 10U division. My daughters were in their booster seats sleeping. Alec and I were talking and the next thing I know, life happened & I heard the sound of tires on gravel.
I've never been in an accident and I FROZE! All I remember I was feeling like we were flying through the ditch. It felt like a dream until my son asked "Are we going to flip over?!" I said "No" but then thought, "Oh dear Lord, please keep us safe and don't let us flip." We were tipping & I really thought going over. Then wondered "Why won't this van stop?" I couldn't do anything. I was frozen in time with the outside whizzing past me like I was on a roller coaster. After what seemed like an eternity and approx. 50 yards later, the van stopped. The ride came to an end. All that was missing was the "Please stay in your seats until the ride comes to a complete stop. Thank you for riding...."

The kids were safe, I was safe. Non of us were injured! After all that had been settled, I thought about how scared Brad and Mason must have been watching the accident and what was going through their heads. Then I wondered how ticked off Brad would be & what kind of damage did I do to the car? Good news, the car was drivable and Brad was thankful to see non of us were hurt. Mason, he didn't have a clue as he's too short to see into the side view mirrors! :)

According to the police officer I took my eye off the road, the tires hit the gravel & because they were worn, I didn't have traction to grab and take me back up the hill. He also thinks I "blacked out" in a panic and like I said, "just froze". That I may have hit the gas thinking it was the break and that is why it seemed like we kept going faster instead of stopping. But he thinks more likely, I took my foot off the gas, but didn't place it on the break, I just steered. He said I reacted like a typical first timer. Believe it or not, that was a bit comforting since I felt like a total messup!

After the tow truck pulled us out and Brad changed the flat, I carefully (!) drove Brad's truck home while he drove the van home. All in all, we made it home safe. I do believe we were kept safe because we were riding with Angels!

Stumbling Upon Life

2009-06-26T11:53:00.009-04:00

Today is a new day. A new chance to stumble upon life as it happens. Do you ever feel that you have life all figured out until, WHAM! You're smelling the gravel beneath your feet? Just how many times has this happened to you? For me, it seems weekly.

Life is unpredictable. Look at the recent news headlines. Just this week we lost a man that made millionaires, said goodbye to an angel and are "moonwalking" in honor of the King of Pop. I for one didn't wake up this week thinking this is how it would turn out. We as a nation have stumbled upon sadness. But what happens when we stumble, we stand up, brush ourselves off and go along our merry way watching out for potholes.

I once heard that life is not about how far you fall, it's about how long it takes you to get back up. That is so true. But to be honest, there are days I'd like to just lay there & stare at the sky. Yesterday around The Smith home was a perfect example. I filled the pool, mopped the floor and worked on putting the grass clippings around the garden. After I went to check the pool, I found it leaking, the dog had snuck into the house and tracked muddy footprints across the kitchen floor while the other dog was digging in the grass clippings in the garden. So the Sugarland "It Happens" song goes, "ain't no rhyme or reason, no complicated meaning, ain't no need to overthink it, let go laughing...it happens!"

So here's to the journey of Stumbling Upon Life as it occurs.