Guys

I love the dynamic of a group of guys. I'm at karaoke and there's a group of about 8 testosterone-filled guys in their mid 20s chuggin' beer, slappin' each other on the back and I'm oddly fascinated. I think it's cute. I like to people-watch and they are my subjects tonight.

25 More (I was tagged on Facebook)

Here they are, kiddies. 25 more random facts about me. Thanks, Jude, for tagging me on Facebook and now I'm posting them on my blog.
25. I dislike any blue food or drink.

24. When I was 4, I told my mom I was going to marry Sylvester Stallone.

23. I was an extra on season 2 (episode 5) of Prison Break, which is one of my all-time favorite TV shows.

22. I am currently keeping 4 journals and I write in whichever one I pick up first. One of them I haven't written in since 2000.

21. My family owns the chain of Cristina's mexican restaurants.

20. I am afraid that I'll never fulfill everything on my Bucket List before I die.

19. From time to time, I will dream about things before they happen.

18. I can't stand microwave popcorn but I love movie theatre popcorn and will only eat it plain. I hate it drenched in salt and butter.

17. I have zero patience and get frustrated when I can't do things "right now".

16. I am an impulsive person and rarely think about what I do before I do it.

15. I knew LeAnn Rimes before she was famous and sang with her numerous times on the local Opry circuit when we were kids.

14. I was adopted when I was 6 weeks old but I have never considered my parents my "adoptive" parents and have no desire to ever know anything about my birth parents.

13. I trust people too easily which irritates Robert more than anything; he frequently calls me a doormat.

12. In keeping with #13, I will believe anything that anyone tells me, even if it's nothing more than lip service and because of it, I always end up hurt in the long run.

11. I have always had more male friends than female friends and that's okay with me.

10. I don't know what it's like to not be in a relationship--I've always been in one.

9. I am terrified of latex balloons and don't want to be anywhere near them which is why my children have never been allowed to have them at their birthday parties.

8. I often wish that something tragic would happen to me because I have never once experienced anything traumatic in my life and I want to know what it's like to go through a disaster.

7. I have narrowly avoided being in several potentially fatal car accidents over the years and do not believe that is how the Lord will choose to call me Home.

6. I get bored very easily and cannot do the same thing over and over on a daily basis. It numbs my mind and makes me feel like a caged bird.

5. I love to read and would spend the bulk of my money on books over anything else (clothes, gadgets, etc) if I could.

4. I had 7 imaginary friends when I was a child (Marvin, Niffy who was from Mars, Natalie, Gertie, Elliot, Michael and ET) and was no longer allowed to play with Niffy after he called me a "fucker face".

3. I have always been the "cute" friend whom people get to know in order to get to the "hot" friend.

2. I cannot stand being ignored. I think the rudest thing someone can do is ignore another person.

1. Since infancy, I have hated having dirty hands. I can be a mess everywhere else but if my hands are dirty or if they even FEEL dirty, I am not happy.

This Is Me

Legacy of an Adopted Child (I don't know who wrote this)

Once there were two women who never knew each other. One you do not remember, the other you call mother. Two different lives shaped to make yours one. One became your guiding star, the other became your sun. The first gave you life and the second taught you how to live it. The first gave you a need for love and the second was there to give it. One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name. One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you an aim. One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears. One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears. One gave you up--it was all she could do. The other prayed for a child and God led her straight to you. And now you ask me through your tears, the age-old question through the years: heredity or environment--which are you a product of? Neither, my darling--neither, just two different kinds of love.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

thunderstorms during the day, road trips, football games, bright colored stripes, new office or art supplies, hazlenut hot chocolate, hot tea, glitter, beads, sequins, collages, art museums, nature walks, scented candles in shades of brown and cream, dark nail polish, a genuine belly laugh, black and white photographs, yearbooks, hand-written letters, my down comforter, deep red tulips, pretty gift bags, hand-made Christmas cards, small white twinkle lights, cobblestone streets, antique shops, english ivy plants, coffee table books, great hotels, black and white movies, house-hunting, triathlons, imax theatres, mom-n-pop diners, superbowl parties, harp lager and dos equis, margaritas, historic homes, concerts, good karaoke bars, the beach, tattoos, baseball caps, comfy jeans, flip flops, running, new running shoes, people watching, window shopping, calligraphy, strappy heels, singing, weddings, board games, song lyrics, i love having short hair, i love being outside when the weather is crisp but the sun is shining, watching texas sunsets, vintage t-shirts, catalogs, dancing when no one is watching, swinging on playground swings, exploring new places, browsing travel guides and books, running into old classmates/friends, reminiscing, hearing an old favorite song, beach glass, iowa state cyclones, dallas mavericks, celtic music, historic castles, laughing at myself, book stores, coffee houses.

A Reason and a Season

I was hard-up for something to post on my blog.

People come into your life for a reason, season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on. When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season. LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Killin' Time

Do you ever bite your lip? not on purpose.

Would​ you rathe​r eat your pizza​ cold or hot? it doesn't matter.

Do you say the f word a lot? fuck yea!

Last time you wore short​s? two days ago when i was cleaning the house.

How many belts​ do you own? two, one brown, one black.

Do you blow dry your hair?​​​​ every day

How many days until​ your next birth​day?​​​​​​ over 300

Did you enjoy​ your weeke​nd?​​​​​​​ i won't enjoy this weekend because we're stuck in wise county (blah!!).

Do you have any homew​ork to do? haha, that's a good one!

What were you doing​ at 7:00 AM? i was watching the boys walk to the bus stop.

Can you keep a secre​t?​​​​​​​ yep

Do you tell your mum every​thing​?​​​​​​ almost everything.

Have you ever done somet​hing outra​geous​ly dumb?​​​​​​​ let me count the ways...

How old is the first​ perso​n on your top? i'm assuming this means myspace. he's 10 years older than me.

Are you missi​ng someo​ne?​​​​​​ i'm always missing one person or another.

What movie​ is in your DVD playe​r? Serendipity

Has anyon​e ever mista​ken you for someo​ne else?​​​​​​​ many, many times.

Numbe​r 1 walks​ out of your life,​​​​​​ do you go after​ them?​​​​​​ next question, please.

The perso​n you have feeli​ngs for shows​ up at your house​,​​​​​​ what do you do? HUH?

If you were a crayo​n what colo​r would​ you be? yellow

Have you done anyth​ing embar​rassi​ng latel​y?​​​​​​ i don't think so.

Light​ hair or dark hair in the oppos​ite sex? it makes no difference to me.

What was your dream​ about​ last night​?​​​​​​ i don't think i dreamed last night.

Are you curre​ntly frust​rated​ with a girl/​​​​​​boy?​​​​​​ nah

How is your hair right​ now? let's just say i had a visit from the hair fairy last night.

What is tomor​row?​​​​ saturday

Last perso​n you rode in a car with?​​​​​​ robert and brad

Descr​ibe the shirt​ you're weari​ng?​​​​​​ it's my grey edge fitness t-shirt (one of my favorites)

Do you enjoy​ summe​r?​​​​​​ yes because i'm hardly ever cold during the summer!

Who was the last perso​n of the oppos​ite sex you had a conve​rsati​on with?​​​​​​ robert

How has this past week been for you? boring

Were you happy​ when you woke up today​?​​​​​​ more like hungry.

Did you laugh​ a lot at somet​hing today​?​​​​​​ nope.

What woke you up this morni​ng?​​​​​​ the alarm

Is tomor​row going​ to be a good day? more than likely. just wish i didn't have to spend it in decatur.

Do your initi​als spell​ out a word?​​ nope

Do you find grave​yards​ scary​?​​ no; they're peaceful.

Have you ever gotte​n a sunbu​rn so bad it hurt to move?​​ never!

Will you be in a relat​ionsh​ip next month​?​ i'm sure.

Did you get a full 8 hours​ of sleep​ last night​?​ definitely not.

If your frien​ds warn you about​ someo​ne,​​ do you liste​n?​​ never

Tag a la Jaimee

The Game of Tag about your MAN:

1. Who is your man? Robert

2. How long have you been together? Together for 9 years in August, married for 7 years in April.

3. How long did you date? two years

4. How old is your man? he's 10 years older than me and if you know my age, then you know his.

5. Who eats more? I'd say I definitely eat more, especially now that Robert's had lap-band surgery. I don't eat THAT much more than him, though.

6. Who said "I love you" first? I can't remember but I'm pretty sure it was him.

7. Who is taller? Robert but that's because I'm only 5'0" tall and anyone is going to be taller than me.

8. Who sings better? MEMEMEMEME ME!! Hahaha

9. Who is smarter? Robert likes to think he is so I'll just let him keep thinking that way.

10. Whose temper is worse? Oooh, Robert's by a mile! He's definitely high strung and I'm very laid back and go with the flow.

11. Who does the laundry? I do but I don't really mind it.

12. Who takes out the garbage? Again, I do that. I really need to start having the boys do that on a regular basis. Right now, they do it when I can remember to ask them to take it out.

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Robert. My side of the bed is by the window. I don't know if I like that but I'd rather a robber take Robert out than me and he's the first person they'd see, LOL.

14. Who pays the bills? Robert's the brains when it comes to money.

15. Who is better with the computer? Definitely not me. I only use it to download music, check emails and upload pictures. He does everything else.

16. Who mows the lawn? Abel. Neither of us mow the lawn.

17. Who cooks dinner? The nearest eating establishment. We're never home enough to cook and I feel bad for my children who don't have home-cooked meals but at least we're all sitting down at the dinner table. I DO miss cooking, though.

18. Who drives when you are together? I used to drive us everywhere all the time but now I let Robert do the bulk of the driving. I think it's fair because I have to pump gas when we're together and the tank is empty.

19. Who pays when you go out? Robert

20. Who is most stubborn? Definitely not me.

22. Whose parents/family do you see the most? MINE because they're all here in the Metroplex and well, because, love me, love my family.

23. Who kissed who first? he kissed me first.

24. Who asked who out? he did.

25. Who proposed? duh, Robert.

26. Who is more sensitive? No question about it; me. He's always telling me that I'm a doormat because I'm too nice to everyone even when I shouldn't be.

27. Who has more friends? I have a bunch of my own but together we have quite a few.

28. Who has more siblings? He does--2 brothers and a sister whereas I only have a brother.

29. Who wears the pants in the family? Robert thinks he does but if mama isn't happy, nobody's happy.

Tag.... it's your turn! :-)

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Yesterday, Robert covered the death of a Decatur HS sophomore, Chelsea Lunt. She was on her way to school and had the building in plain sight when she flipped her truck and was killed. I was with him after lunch yesterday when all the news stations were at the site of the crash. I was there when her friends erected a cross in memory of her and I just don't understand. I know it's not our place to question why this happens; God has a plan for all of us. There's always something unnatural about a child preceding their parents in death, though. I prayed for her family last night and I tossed and turned. I didn't even know Chelsea (Robert did, however because she was an athlete) but the ripple effect her death has had on the community will be long-reaching. I can only continue to pray that the Lord will lift up the Lunt family and give them peace and comfort.

Done vs. Finished and Misuse of the Apostrophe

Let me preface this blog by stating my three biggest pet peeves: mispronunciation of words (especially "supposeably"), bad spelling and bad grammar. That being said, I cannot stress enough how irked I get when people say they're done with something rather than finished. FOOD is done, people aren't and I correct my boys every time they tell me they're "done" with something.

Another thing that drives me up the wall is misuse of the apostrophe. I can't stand it when an object is made posessive when it has no business being so. For example: I have a lot of call's to make. WTF? Ooh! Or when people sign their Christmas cards/birthday cards, what have you as a family (another example): The Morgan's. The apostrophe does not belong there! I don't know, maybe I've missed my calling as an English teacher.

Dream

I couldn't sleep last night. I tossed and turned for the longest time. I was in a horrific mood yesterday and it carried into my sleep. I did manage to have a flying dream last night, though. I always like those. In this dream, I was treated badly by a man whose face I couldn't see. I knew that I knew him, though (past or present wasn't clear). I told him he wasn't going to treat me badly anymore and that I'd had enough of him talking behind my back; then I soared off down a cobblestone street and I felt literally as free as a bird. It was crazy!

Monday, Monday

Karen Carpenter sang it best: "Rainy days and Mondays always get me down." I couldn't agree more, Karen. It isn't a rainy day in my corner of Texas but it IS a Monday. The weekend was good but Mondays are always "reality" days for me. I hate them. It seems that all my self-loathing comes to a head on Mondays. I tend to see all my imperfections after a good weekend and my feelings of, "you'll never be good enough" surface to a head. Monday, 1; Me, 0.

COMPETITIVE

That word doesn't really apply to me on an everyday basis, however, I've discovered that it definitely applies when someone does something that I do or is going to do something that I do. Let's take singing for instance. When I was younger, I had a 'nemesis' in school named Christine. She was good and she knew it. I never cared about being the best unless we were vying for the same solo or first place in school competitions. I'll never forget the 8th grade talent show. I was feelin' good, I was lookin' good and ready to go and then... she sang "Hero" by Mariah Carey. Intimidation ALMOST got the best of me but I kept thinking about how much I wanted to win, how much I HAD to be the best. I sang "Why Not Me" by The Judds and I'll never forget the look on her face when I won. It was the greatest!

I hate to say that little miss "Needs To Be The Best" has reared her ugly head again. This time, it's a weight loss, body transformation thing. BlahBlahBlogger is working hard to transform her body and although I have not informed her, she has fanned the flames of my workout fire and in my mind, it's on! I have thrown down the gauntlet and there's no turning back--there's no way I'm going to let her succeed and let my own progress fall by the wayside. Wait, let me clarify. I definitely want her to succeed, however, I'm not going to be left in the dust. My quest to be the ultimate hardbody has not only more than begun, but it's all or nothin' now, baby. And THIS will be my end result.

I Just Melted

God bless my youngest child. Well, both my children, actually. That baby just melted my heart. He randomly walked in the room I'm in, put his arms around me and said, "Mama, I love you." I couldn't ask for a more pure-hearted love from a more genuine soul.

The Perfect House

I love houses. I have been obsessed with them since I was a child. I'm always thinking about MY perfect house. I was paruzing house plans a few years ago via Southern Living and found THE perfect house for me!







I love this idea for a Master Suite


A possible guest room


I like this idea for a small boy's room



Maybe a playroom...?



I want a pool in the backyard (fully landscaped), dark leather couches in my living room a la Pottery Barn, handscraped hardwood floors throughout, (jury is still out on carpet because I'm not a fan of carpet). I know it's probably ideal in the bedrooms but we have boys and boys and carpet do NOT mesh well together. I want a big jetted tub in the master bath with a separate shower, his/hers sinks in the master bath, brushed nickel fixtures, antique doorknobs, a double oven, hand-textured/faux painted rooms in my favorite colors--chocolate brown, khaki, cream and possibly a deep barn red color for the kitchen. I want French doors for the study/office and I have to have a library for all my books. I don't want the moon or anything, do I?

From the Mouths of Babes

I was watching the BCS National Championship (well, still am) and my 6-year-old and the hubs are each rooting for opposing teams. Hubs, Gators; small child, Sooners. Anyway, it's comical because they're going back and forth "trash" talking and so I say, "I can see you guys, when B's an adult, watching a game in a bar arguing over teams drinking a couple of beers." Without missing a beat, my child says, "No, I think dada will be dead by then!" OMG I laughed so hard that I choked and immediately ran to call my parents because I knew they'd get a kick out of what was said. Kids say the funniest things!

November Rain

We were in the car tonight and that song came on the radio. I was telling my oldest that I was his age (just finished up the 6th grade) when that song was released. I've blogged before about how songs can trigger memories and this was no different. I was taken right back to one of the best summers of my life. I was in Iowa visiting family and I met an older guy (I was almost 13, he was 16), I was hanging out with my older cousins whom I absolutely adored and I'll never forget the night 4 of us went bowling. If memory serves, it was me, Alicia, Brent and Chris. We put some dirty initials up on the bowling screen and they told us we had to change them. It's stuff like that I'll remember forever.

Say It To My Face!

The only thing worse than a two-faced person is when they start to spread lies about you. Case in point, last night, I found out that someone I trusted was telling lies about me. I'll probably never know why and I definitely won't ever know the truth but that doesn't mean it still doesn't hurt.

I am a nice person to a fault. To a fault! If you're my friend, I have your back and I am so fucking loyal it's ridiculous. Even if a friend screws me over, I won't hesitate to give them the benefit of the doubt and keep them in my good graces. I am quick to forgive and almost always forget. Last night, though, I don't know if I can ever forget and it'll take me awhile to forgive. A guy who I thought was my friend betrayed me and lied about me making me look like some sort of hoochie which is sooo not the case. Everything that I found out that he said was a lie and what hurts me the most is that the friends who matter most to me probably believe it and I never got to defend myself.

I can handle almost any type of pain that is thrown my way, physical and emotional. But the absolute worst thing that anyone could ever do to me is to try and ruin my reputation and smear my name. I am a good person, I am an honest person and above all, I have integrity because that's what my wonderful parents instilled in me. I guess now all I really want to know is, "Why? Why did you say what you said about me?" I guess I'll never know.

My Boys

I just got home from taking my oldest son to a community theatre audition for Annie Get Your Gun. I was a little sneaky in that I didn't tell him where I was taking him until we got there. I know I probably should have given him fair warning but the kid is a natural performer so I knew it wouldn't be as bad as he would have made it in his mind.
It wasn't a traditional audition in that he didn't read from a script and he wasn't ever on stage alone. He was amongst other children and had to sing individually in the group twice. My little thespian ad-libbed a shocked look and gasp during his 'moment' with Annie and our audience loved it! I was so proud of him for going and trying his best. He didn't half-ass the singing, was animated on stage and I was really happy to see that he felt at home up there.

Little Brother, on the other hand, would have NEVER been so bold. He is my athlete. Football and basketball have been his life since the day he was born. I was thinking about the boys' differences when I was talking to my mom this afternoon, telling her about Big Brother's triumph and I just think it's so cool to be able to watch them come into their own as people. They couldn't be more different but that's what makes them each so wonderful. Neither follows the other--they each respect each other's talent. I love these kiddos and am so proud to be their mama.

Waitstaff Etiquette

I was a waitress for several years when I was younger. No one really taught me the ins and outs of being a great server. I just knew exactly how I wanted to be treated as a customer when I was out at a restaurant and I practiced the standards I upheld. Kiddies, I want to share with you my absolute biggest pet peeve where waitstaff etiquette is concerned.
It is the most presumptuous and rude thing ever when a waitstaff member comes to the table as you're paying the bill with cash for them to say, "Do you need change?"
NO. Attention waitstaff. You don't ever ask that of your customers! You put that ball in their court and say, "I'll be right back with your change.", letting them make the decision. Okay, I'm off my soapbox.

Another Auld Lang Syne

I make resolutions every year and never once do I follow through with them. They typically involve the "i resolve to get fit this year!" just like every other person in America. I've been thinking a lot about my resolutions today and I've decided I'm only making one. I'm going to speak my mind more often. I'm going to say what I feel be it hurt, anger, happiness, annoyance... I'm going to say what's on my mind without being afraid how people will take it and whether or not they'll like me for it. I've been a people pleaser all my life and constantly worry that people don't or won't like me. No more. I'm almost 30 years old and my life is, by typical standards, half over. Why should I continue to worry about being liked? I shouldn't. If something pisses me off, I'm going to say it. If something hurts my feelings, I'm going to say it. I'm tired of holding in my feelings out of fear that I might offend someone. Welcome, 2009.