i am really horrible about taking new photos and even worse about posting some. with my upcoming trip home, i thought i'd post some oldies but goodies over the past few years. enjoy!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
ahh, memories...
i am really horrible about taking new photos and even worse about posting some. with my upcoming trip home, i thought i'd post some oldies but goodies over the past few years. enjoy!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
the cards we've all been dealt.
i thought it was a little bit of a stretch for my sunday night small group to be playing spades, but my group leader swore it tied into the lesson. i did not play well at all. i do not know how to play spades and after the 3 games, i still do not know how to play spades(so i guess it's a good thing i don't gamble). and scott(my group leader was right) the games we played did tie into our lesson and that lesson is the same as my title post: the cards we've been dealt. it gave me a lot to think about and so much perspective. how you ever thought much about the cards you've been dealt in life? the good cards, the great cards and the cards that make you wonder why you even wake up in the morning?
let me go through some of the card classifications and leave you with some questions you can either respond to on my blog, or you can discuss with someone on your own.
these are the so-called "hard" cards. the dealer of the cards is God. maybe you've experienced a few of these or know someone who has you've questioned the why and how. that's not what truly matters. everyone is dealt a hard card or two or a billion and it isn't for us to know the how's and why's, but to bring to God.
here are some examples of the "hard" cards:
pain
depression
rejection
hard words spoken by someone
abuse
divorce
death
these cards are called the "pretty" cards. cards that pleasant. it has a lot to do with what other people think and you'll see that through these examples:
making someone laugh
when you learned to tie your shoes
your first kiss
your first job
the first time you stood up for someone
your first 'a'
these are God's cards. the cards He would choose for you:
good and bad cards
disappointment leads to hope and joy
cards that bring Him glory
it's His story, not our own
heaven's likeness
and this last list are my personal cards. good and bad, these are a few of my own cards that i want to share with you:
both my parents leaving
God forgiving me, leading me back to church and filling my heart
losing a good friend
2 beautiful, smart, amazing boys
an awesome family and wonderful friends
a great church
so, here are my questions for you:
have you ever really thought about the cards you've been dealt(good and bad)?
let me lead you through some questions and i'd really like to know what your answers are. you don't have to let me know. they can be private, but i do urge you to take a moment and at least answer them for yourselves. maybe you can get perspective or least be thankful for your life.
what are the best cards you've been dealt?
and what are the worst cards?
what cards in your life just don't seem to make sense to you today?
if you could trade any card, what would it be and why?
if you could give one of your cards to someone, which card, to whom and why?
i hope that through my stupid blog you can gain some insight on your life and be thankful for all the Lord has done and in your life.
let me go through some of the card classifications and leave you with some questions you can either respond to on my blog, or you can discuss with someone on your own.
these are the so-called "hard" cards. the dealer of the cards is God. maybe you've experienced a few of these or know someone who has you've questioned the why and how. that's not what truly matters. everyone is dealt a hard card or two or a billion and it isn't for us to know the how's and why's, but to bring to God.
here are some examples of the "hard" cards:
pain
depression
rejection
hard words spoken by someone
abuse
divorce
death
these cards are called the "pretty" cards. cards that pleasant. it has a lot to do with what other people think and you'll see that through these examples:
making someone laugh
when you learned to tie your shoes
your first kiss
your first job
the first time you stood up for someone
your first 'a'
these are God's cards. the cards He would choose for you:
good and bad cards
disappointment leads to hope and joy
cards that bring Him glory
it's His story, not our own
heaven's likeness
and this last list are my personal cards. good and bad, these are a few of my own cards that i want to share with you:
both my parents leaving
God forgiving me, leading me back to church and filling my heart
losing a good friend
2 beautiful, smart, amazing boys
an awesome family and wonderful friends
a great church
so, here are my questions for you:
have you ever really thought about the cards you've been dealt(good and bad)?
let me lead you through some questions and i'd really like to know what your answers are. you don't have to let me know. they can be private, but i do urge you to take a moment and at least answer them for yourselves. maybe you can get perspective or least be thankful for your life.
what are the best cards you've been dealt?
and what are the worst cards?
what cards in your life just don't seem to make sense to you today?
if you could trade any card, what would it be and why?
if you could give one of your cards to someone, which card, to whom and why?
i hope that through my stupid blog you can gain some insight on your life and be thankful for all the Lord has done and in your life.
hit like a mack truck.
it's funny how God works in our lives...
remember my post about complaining?
well, i feel like God was definitely speaking to me.
at church we've been doing this 8 part series on moses, and this last week was numbers 11. it was after God led the israelites to safety through the red sea, and how they just complained and complained and complained and they didn't stop for 40 plus years!
we learned that complaining is contagious! and you may think i'm lying or wrong, but isn't it? don't you ever notice that when you're complaining about this, that and the other that the people you're complaining to, start complaining as well. it's similar to yawning. have you ever noticed that when you yawn, others yawn, too. studies have shown yawning is actually hard wired in the human brain? so, could complaining be a reflex like yawning?
God gets irritated when we complain. if He is the loving God, one who provides every thing for us, why do we complain? isn't a part of what He has planned for us? hey, it may not always be what we want, but what He wants and in His great timing, not ours. it's hard not to complain because when does our lives go exactly as we planned? never. but in God's timing it is perfect!
for one moment can you imagine how God feels when we complain?
it's like telling God you don't like anything He does for you, when in fact, He does and He's the one giving us all we have. so, let's have a thankful heart, people!
let's touch on the israelites for a moment. God delivers the israelites from the egyptians and what do they do? they complain about the manna. they want the fish they had in egypt. God has provided them safety, food and all the provisions they need and yet they are remembering all this so-called "free fish' they ate in egypt, but if you think about it. the fish wasn't free. it cost them beatings, slavery, sometimes being murdered and absolute cruelty. so, was this fish free/ no, it wasn't. it was paid for at a huge cost. sometimes we have a habit of forgetting the past and making it seem better than it actually was. so, is the grass always greener on the other side?
complaining is actually a loss of perspective!
and it's also about not being grateful!
and isn't there a possibility that God can choose to worsen our situations because we loss perspective, complain and aren't thankful?
why are we complaining?
have you ever thought about why you complain?
let me just say that this lesson hit me in the face like a ton of bricks and i absolutely feel like that message was hand picked for my heart, mind and spirit!
i can trust in the Lord and trust that His plan is good all of the time, even when it's not when i need it to be or when i want it to be. and you know, i do lose perspective and i can be so ungrateful, but i need to be fully aware and i think that was what God was trying to do in my life, raise my awareness!
remember my post about complaining?
well, i feel like God was definitely speaking to me.
at church we've been doing this 8 part series on moses, and this last week was numbers 11. it was after God led the israelites to safety through the red sea, and how they just complained and complained and complained and they didn't stop for 40 plus years!
we learned that complaining is contagious! and you may think i'm lying or wrong, but isn't it? don't you ever notice that when you're complaining about this, that and the other that the people you're complaining to, start complaining as well. it's similar to yawning. have you ever noticed that when you yawn, others yawn, too. studies have shown yawning is actually hard wired in the human brain? so, could complaining be a reflex like yawning?
God gets irritated when we complain. if He is the loving God, one who provides every thing for us, why do we complain? isn't a part of what He has planned for us? hey, it may not always be what we want, but what He wants and in His great timing, not ours. it's hard not to complain because when does our lives go exactly as we planned? never. but in God's timing it is perfect!
for one moment can you imagine how God feels when we complain?
it's like telling God you don't like anything He does for you, when in fact, He does and He's the one giving us all we have. so, let's have a thankful heart, people!
let's touch on the israelites for a moment. God delivers the israelites from the egyptians and what do they do? they complain about the manna. they want the fish they had in egypt. God has provided them safety, food and all the provisions they need and yet they are remembering all this so-called "free fish' they ate in egypt, but if you think about it. the fish wasn't free. it cost them beatings, slavery, sometimes being murdered and absolute cruelty. so, was this fish free/ no, it wasn't. it was paid for at a huge cost. sometimes we have a habit of forgetting the past and making it seem better than it actually was. so, is the grass always greener on the other side?
complaining is actually a loss of perspective!
and it's also about not being grateful!
and isn't there a possibility that God can choose to worsen our situations because we loss perspective, complain and aren't thankful?
why are we complaining?
have you ever thought about why you complain?
let me just say that this lesson hit me in the face like a ton of bricks and i absolutely feel like that message was hand picked for my heart, mind and spirit!
i can trust in the Lord and trust that His plan is good all of the time, even when it's not when i need it to be or when i want it to be. and you know, i do lose perspective and i can be so ungrateful, but i need to be fully aware and i think that was what God was trying to do in my life, raise my awareness!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
a few things you may not know about me.
i twirl my hair and i have since i was a newborn baby. i still twirl my hair before i go to sleep each night. it helps me fall to sleep.
i'm a huge foodie, but when it comes to andrew zimmern type food, well, there is no way i'm going down that road!
if i had the choice between chocolate, vanilla and strawberry- i'll always choose strawberry.
i have worn chuckie t's since i was 15 years old.
my favorite colors are black and charcoal gray(surprise, surprise)
my favorite band is la dispute followed by fest, muse and touche amore.
i hate going to movie theaters.
i'm psychotic when it comes to my home. it's super clean and everything has a place.
i love sailor jerry and i also love classic tattoos.
my best friend and i have have know each other and been bff since 1995.
i miss going to ska/punk shows terribly and can't wait to take daylee and seth.
i love to sing.
i totally want a scion. i just love that box on wheels.
i want to travel.
i want to sell my car and most of my stuff and move to chicago.
i wear way too much blackberry eyeliner.
my favorite perfume is ralph lauren rocks.
i collect magnets.
i'm a salty/sweet snacker.
anyone who drives in amarillo pisses me off.
i'm afraid to be near anyone holding a knife.
i secretly enjoy rap music every now and again when i'm being nostalgic.
my favorite teacher ever was and is dr. DeVoe(humanities).
i like hockey.
i wish my eyes were green.
i don't like chocolate.
i have 3 bettas- itty bitty, lucy goosey and fishie.
i'm a total night owl and a morning grouch.
i don't like animals- especially cats.
i've kept a journal on and off about 15 years of my life.
i want to be in a band.
i wish i were fashionable.
i prefer road trips to plane trips.
i wish i could start my life over at 15 and not make the same mistakes.
what about you?
who are you?
what do you want or wish?
i'm a huge foodie, but when it comes to andrew zimmern type food, well, there is no way i'm going down that road!
if i had the choice between chocolate, vanilla and strawberry- i'll always choose strawberry.
i have worn chuckie t's since i was 15 years old.
my favorite colors are black and charcoal gray(surprise, surprise)
my favorite band is la dispute followed by fest, muse and touche amore.
i hate going to movie theaters.
i'm psychotic when it comes to my home. it's super clean and everything has a place.
i love sailor jerry and i also love classic tattoos.
my best friend and i have have know each other and been bff since 1995.
i miss going to ska/punk shows terribly and can't wait to take daylee and seth.
i love to sing.
i totally want a scion. i just love that box on wheels.
i want to travel.
i want to sell my car and most of my stuff and move to chicago.
i wear way too much blackberry eyeliner.
my favorite perfume is ralph lauren rocks.
i collect magnets.
i'm a salty/sweet snacker.
anyone who drives in amarillo pisses me off.
i'm afraid to be near anyone holding a knife.
i secretly enjoy rap music every now and again when i'm being nostalgic.
my favorite teacher ever was and is dr. DeVoe(humanities).
i like hockey.
i wish my eyes were green.
i don't like chocolate.
i have 3 bettas- itty bitty, lucy goosey and fishie.
i'm a total night owl and a morning grouch.
i don't like animals- especially cats.
i've kept a journal on and off about 15 years of my life.
i want to be in a band.
i wish i were fashionable.
i prefer road trips to plane trips.
i wish i could start my life over at 15 and not make the same mistakes.
what about you?
who are you?
what do you want or wish?
a life in perspective.
it's funny how God works.
i've totally been a whiny whinerson as of late. i don't feel 100%, i have a bad back, little time for myself, a bunch of stuff going, so little time, a sometimes wild child, this list could go on and on and on if i let it.
yesterday, i posted on my facebook that i needed an attitude adjustment, and you know what? i got it big time.
i hate being a complainer and i don't like people who do, but let's face it- we all complain sometimes... and that's okay. sometimes we just need to be heard by someone, anyone.
i've been praying for lots of things lately. nothing material, but for this so- called "attitude adjustment".
well, let me tell you, after everything i witnessed yesterday, i'm going to watch my bad attitude and try my hardest to change it once i recognize it! because God gave it to me big time!
so, yesterday was like any other boring, crap-filled jamie kind of day. chasing daylee, yelling, wanting to smash my brains into a brick wall, ect., ect.
it wasn't until we went to go visit daylee's great grandpa in the hospital(who had just had knee surgery for the second time in a decade) and i watching him struggle with the pain, just inching alone with a walker and a lot of physical support to go to the bathroom and then to get back into bed. it made me feel awful seeing pawpaw do this without a word said about how difficult it was for him. then, while we were there daylee's great uncle clayton was there as well, and whaddya know? he's having the exact same problems as i am and he's not whinnying or bitching(like me). what a wake up call from the Lord.
then to top it off, after leaving the hospital, i took d to medi park and let him play before the sun went down and as i was watching him play, i noticed a little boy that obviously had cancer. this little boy was so pure and beautiful. his head was bald, his skin palor and i couldn't help notice his attitude. he was kind, loving and had a sharing attitude. daylee stopped in front of the swings and the little boy and his brother were swinging and when he saw daylee looking he got up said that daylee could take the swing he was using, of course i said "no". daylee didn't need to swing because he didn't get there first, but also because daylee hates swinging, but i couldn't help feel like a horrible person. here this boy is with a rotten, hellish disease who isn't selfish, who didn't seem to notice that his brother was being unkind to him, but he was willing to share the swing with daylee(even though i know he probably didn't have the energy to run around and slide or chase the other children). that little boy has the exact spirit that i would like to have. a God- given loving, ultra kind attitude.
as we left the park i prayed and thanked God for letting me see these people at this specific time because without having had my eyes opened i probably would still be complaining this very monet, but the Lord with all His grace and love showed me everything i needed to see to change my "bad attitude".
what about you? are there any moments where God shows you where you need an attitude adjustment or where you need Him to change?
i've totally been a whiny whinerson as of late. i don't feel 100%, i have a bad back, little time for myself, a bunch of stuff going, so little time, a sometimes wild child, this list could go on and on and on if i let it.
yesterday, i posted on my facebook that i needed an attitude adjustment, and you know what? i got it big time.
i hate being a complainer and i don't like people who do, but let's face it- we all complain sometimes... and that's okay. sometimes we just need to be heard by someone, anyone.
i've been praying for lots of things lately. nothing material, but for this so- called "attitude adjustment".
well, let me tell you, after everything i witnessed yesterday, i'm going to watch my bad attitude and try my hardest to change it once i recognize it! because God gave it to me big time!
so, yesterday was like any other boring, crap-filled jamie kind of day. chasing daylee, yelling, wanting to smash my brains into a brick wall, ect., ect.
it wasn't until we went to go visit daylee's great grandpa in the hospital(who had just had knee surgery for the second time in a decade) and i watching him struggle with the pain, just inching alone with a walker and a lot of physical support to go to the bathroom and then to get back into bed. it made me feel awful seeing pawpaw do this without a word said about how difficult it was for him. then, while we were there daylee's great uncle clayton was there as well, and whaddya know? he's having the exact same problems as i am and he's not whinnying or bitching(like me). what a wake up call from the Lord.
then to top it off, after leaving the hospital, i took d to medi park and let him play before the sun went down and as i was watching him play, i noticed a little boy that obviously had cancer. this little boy was so pure and beautiful. his head was bald, his skin palor and i couldn't help notice his attitude. he was kind, loving and had a sharing attitude. daylee stopped in front of the swings and the little boy and his brother were swinging and when he saw daylee looking he got up said that daylee could take the swing he was using, of course i said "no". daylee didn't need to swing because he didn't get there first, but also because daylee hates swinging, but i couldn't help feel like a horrible person. here this boy is with a rotten, hellish disease who isn't selfish, who didn't seem to notice that his brother was being unkind to him, but he was willing to share the swing with daylee(even though i know he probably didn't have the energy to run around and slide or chase the other children). that little boy has the exact spirit that i would like to have. a God- given loving, ultra kind attitude.
as we left the park i prayed and thanked God for letting me see these people at this specific time because without having had my eyes opened i probably would still be complaining this very monet, but the Lord with all His grace and love showed me everything i needed to see to change my "bad attitude".
what about you? are there any moments where God shows you where you need an attitude adjustment or where you need Him to change?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
what's been going on?
i just wanted to catch you up if you read my blog on the goings on in my life. since i haven't posted much in the last month or so.
i guess it was a few months ago when my back started to flare up with the most horrendous pain i've felt in a long, long time and i was leery to go back to a physician after making a decision to quit taking any and all meds, but i could barely walk and bend down and i knew something wasn't right. last year i had an mri done but my doctor at the time didn't say much about it. she sent me a copy of the mri results and said to continue with physical therapy and that was that. so i finished physical therapy and i quit going back to see that particular doctor. she was a very nice person but medically speaking, she wasn't involved. she had to look at the chart every time i went there to know my name. that just speaks volumes to me.
so,
i decided when i went back to the doctor to get all this stuff figured out i'd switch and find a good doctor in my area and that accepted my insurance. luckily, i found this amazing doctor. well, the practice itself has two physicians, it's an extremely small practice with only 800 patients versus other physicians who average 3000. i have 24 access to my doctor. that's right 24 hour access. which means day or night i can call, text, email and they will answer my call 99% of the time, if not they call me back within 10 mins. so far, my doctor has answered my calls and texts immediately. i have a minimum of 30 mins set aside for each appointment, if not longer if i need it, he can admit me to both hospitals and be my doctor while i'm there. it's just amazing1 how many doctors are like that now a days? and the added bonus? both physicians are christians and so is the receptionist! oh, and there is only one nurse but she only comes in on fri mornings.
anyway,
so i met my doctor and we discussed options and he got the ball rolling immediately, he listened to my concerns and we made a plan together for my care. he got me into a pain specialist to get steroidal injections and he did what he could with various oral steroids and other medication to ease the pain without sedating me.
so last thurs i went to the pain specialists' hospital for my first round of injections and i was very hopeful, but after reading as much as i could and researching these various steroid injections i felt like it was about 25% in my favor but i was at least willing to try. it's just that these shots are 2,000 to 5, 000 per shot. well, i had four. yikes! and yes, i said 4. i'm really hoping that they were only 2,000 each because i'll be paying out 30%. well, i've never been in so much pain in my life after having those injections! i wanted God to kill me. the pain would not stop radiating, stabbing, burning, throbbing. it was awful. i highly recommend that you do not try it.
so, yesterday i went for a follow up with my primary and we talked for a while about what to do next. now i'm not opposed to a second round of injections(if they will possibly help this time), but my doctor and i both do not want to just throw band aids at a situation to buy time for the inevitable and the inevitable is getting back surgery.
let me add to my back story...
the mri.
the pain specialist and i went over my mir before these injections and i found out that i have a bulging disc, an extra vertebrae and air in my joints. yikes!
so, after leaving the doctor i feel okay with our decision to consult a neuro surgeon. we'll still be doing various medication and i'll be trying various holistic things, like yoga, acupuncture and seeing a chiropractor.
i'm thankful to have a physician who is very concerned and involved with my road to recovery and is willing to try any and all venues as long as it's not hindering and hurting and may possibly help down the road.
so, this is the majority of what's new with me. sorry if i seem grumpy and negative in my blogs, but i'm in pain and when you're in pain you just don't feel chipper.
how about you? what's new with you these days?
i've missed you guys!
i guess it was a few months ago when my back started to flare up with the most horrendous pain i've felt in a long, long time and i was leery to go back to a physician after making a decision to quit taking any and all meds, but i could barely walk and bend down and i knew something wasn't right. last year i had an mri done but my doctor at the time didn't say much about it. she sent me a copy of the mri results and said to continue with physical therapy and that was that. so i finished physical therapy and i quit going back to see that particular doctor. she was a very nice person but medically speaking, she wasn't involved. she had to look at the chart every time i went there to know my name. that just speaks volumes to me.
so,
i decided when i went back to the doctor to get all this stuff figured out i'd switch and find a good doctor in my area and that accepted my insurance. luckily, i found this amazing doctor. well, the practice itself has two physicians, it's an extremely small practice with only 800 patients versus other physicians who average 3000. i have 24 access to my doctor. that's right 24 hour access. which means day or night i can call, text, email and they will answer my call 99% of the time, if not they call me back within 10 mins. so far, my doctor has answered my calls and texts immediately. i have a minimum of 30 mins set aside for each appointment, if not longer if i need it, he can admit me to both hospitals and be my doctor while i'm there. it's just amazing1 how many doctors are like that now a days? and the added bonus? both physicians are christians and so is the receptionist! oh, and there is only one nurse but she only comes in on fri mornings.
anyway,
so i met my doctor and we discussed options and he got the ball rolling immediately, he listened to my concerns and we made a plan together for my care. he got me into a pain specialist to get steroidal injections and he did what he could with various oral steroids and other medication to ease the pain without sedating me.
so last thurs i went to the pain specialists' hospital for my first round of injections and i was very hopeful, but after reading as much as i could and researching these various steroid injections i felt like it was about 25% in my favor but i was at least willing to try. it's just that these shots are 2,000 to 5, 000 per shot. well, i had four. yikes! and yes, i said 4. i'm really hoping that they were only 2,000 each because i'll be paying out 30%. well, i've never been in so much pain in my life after having those injections! i wanted God to kill me. the pain would not stop radiating, stabbing, burning, throbbing. it was awful. i highly recommend that you do not try it.
so, yesterday i went for a follow up with my primary and we talked for a while about what to do next. now i'm not opposed to a second round of injections(if they will possibly help this time), but my doctor and i both do not want to just throw band aids at a situation to buy time for the inevitable and the inevitable is getting back surgery.
let me add to my back story...
the mri.
the pain specialist and i went over my mir before these injections and i found out that i have a bulging disc, an extra vertebrae and air in my joints. yikes!
so, after leaving the doctor i feel okay with our decision to consult a neuro surgeon. we'll still be doing various medication and i'll be trying various holistic things, like yoga, acupuncture and seeing a chiropractor.
i'm thankful to have a physician who is very concerned and involved with my road to recovery and is willing to try any and all venues as long as it's not hindering and hurting and may possibly help down the road.
so, this is the majority of what's new with me. sorry if i seem grumpy and negative in my blogs, but i'm in pain and when you're in pain you just don't feel chipper.
how about you? what's new with you these days?
i've missed you guys!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
is it just me?
many of you who know me know that i am not always the "nicest" person out there and i absolutely know that i can be a handful, that i'm short on patience at times, i=my words can cut like a knife and i can flat avoid you for months with no qualms. listen, i'm just being honest with myself and stating a few of my numerous character flaws.
here in the last year i have written off many of my friends without saying so much as a goodbye, i've reduced the number of friends(or so-called friends) by a third or possibly more... and to be honest, i'm okay with that. last year i started going back to church and many of friends were agnostic or flat out atheists and i have no right to judge, it's still intolerable for me to listen to them make fun of churches and church goers and so on, so i bowed out of those relationships but i still like those people and i wish them well, but it's not even that. i felt like i had a hard time devoting extra time and effort into building relationships. don't get me wrong, i love having friends but when i changed, i really changed. i quit going out. period. i quit surrounding myself with all that garbage. i figure i don't have the time for myself let alone going to a bar, ect. so now i'm trying to make friends at church and i have made a few and they are amazing but i still feel somewhat like i don't "fit" in anywhere. i'm in several small groups and there was only one that i felt like i belonged and now we're no longer a group, so i joined another and although everyone in the class is nice, i just don't think it's working. it's an all girl class(which i find difficult), the girls are all in their late 20s and are super kind, but i feel like i need to be in a group with like minded people. now i don't know if they judge me or not, but let's face it... there's a lot to judge. i'm basically a single mom with lots of tattoos and i'm not always open.
i don't know... i'm rambling. i'm praying that i find a place where i know that i belong and that i try my hardest to invest in people and not just sit here content with being alone. i think i should hold myself accountable to try and make some new pals but i just don't have a desire or see the point. i'm content having a few very close friends in my life and i'm okay being closed off. maybe i've been hurt too many times or maybe i'm just jaded.
anyways, it's late and i can't focus on my train of thought. sorry for blabbering on about nothing.
goodnight y'all.
here in the last year i have written off many of my friends without saying so much as a goodbye, i've reduced the number of friends(or so-called friends) by a third or possibly more... and to be honest, i'm okay with that. last year i started going back to church and many of friends were agnostic or flat out atheists and i have no right to judge, it's still intolerable for me to listen to them make fun of churches and church goers and so on, so i bowed out of those relationships but i still like those people and i wish them well, but it's not even that. i felt like i had a hard time devoting extra time and effort into building relationships. don't get me wrong, i love having friends but when i changed, i really changed. i quit going out. period. i quit surrounding myself with all that garbage. i figure i don't have the time for myself let alone going to a bar, ect. so now i'm trying to make friends at church and i have made a few and they are amazing but i still feel somewhat like i don't "fit" in anywhere. i'm in several small groups and there was only one that i felt like i belonged and now we're no longer a group, so i joined another and although everyone in the class is nice, i just don't think it's working. it's an all girl class(which i find difficult), the girls are all in their late 20s and are super kind, but i feel like i need to be in a group with like minded people. now i don't know if they judge me or not, but let's face it... there's a lot to judge. i'm basically a single mom with lots of tattoos and i'm not always open.
i don't know... i'm rambling. i'm praying that i find a place where i know that i belong and that i try my hardest to invest in people and not just sit here content with being alone. i think i should hold myself accountable to try and make some new pals but i just don't have a desire or see the point. i'm content having a few very close friends in my life and i'm okay being closed off. maybe i've been hurt too many times or maybe i'm just jaded.
anyways, it's late and i can't focus on my train of thought. sorry for blabbering on about nothing.
goodnight y'all.
what's in a name?
just a side note: i'm sorry to the few of you who actually read my blog. i recently decided to nix internet to save money but have recently started "borrowing" my neighbors occasionally to check various accounts but i haven't felt like i should "borrow" the internet long enough to blog, well, i'm going to post a few as exceptions because i have a few things to say.
so, what's in a name....
have you ever thought about how you got your name? is it a family name? or was it your parent's favorite superhero, or maybe a once famous singer or actor? i know many people that hate their names, while others love their name because it ties into their roots or is unique.
for instance, my name is jamie sue. i love my name and i always have. jamie is a play off of james(which happens to be my dad and grandpa's name). i was supposed to be a boy(duh) and my name was supposed to be james richard beckley the 3rd. i'm proud of who my family is and i'm proud of my first name, my middle name, sue(after my korean grandma's name) and beckley. you can trace our eastern european roots back to the old days, but take my sister who was supposed to also be a boy(john dean or something close) hates her middle name and while she hates it i love it. it is our grandma's middle name(hence mary lou). i guess it's all in how you view it.
anyways,
i digress....
so what's in your name? where do you come from/ how did you pick out your children's names?
i have two amazing little men. seth aaron is the older sibling, while daylee james is the younger of the two. i really wanted seth's name to be dylan, and looking back i'm glad shane strongly disagreed and seth ended up being seth. aaron(his middle name) is also his dad's middle name, so they both have the initials s.a.h. i've always been a little off and i wanted uncommon names but not too crazy and weird. when i was pregnant with d i loved the name daley or dailey. it's irish and not very common, but i hated the spelling of it. too dull, too boring, just not my style. my grandma mary lou had a beloved brother raymond lee and he was a very sick child, so when my grandma was 14 she had to drop out of the 8th grade temporarily to help her mother care for him. he died at the age of 8 months. for years(since i can remember) i could see how much my grandma loved and missed her baby brother, so i thought as a tribute to one of the most important people in my life, i'd spell daley-daylee in honor of raymond lee. so that is how my name came to be and my children as well.
but what about the names that are so off the wall you wonder if the parents were drinking when they signed the birth certificate making that name official.
i sometimes see yahoo ads claiming top ten best baby names, followed by top ten worst names. well, yahoo, i have my own idea of bad names.
my top names are all horrible. either names of possible future strippers or earth loving hippie kids(no offense to anyone who reads this and thinks i'm a narrow minded jerk). it's my opinion and you have your's.
1. destiny(too much of a stripper, hippie and there's this stupid chick i know with the same name)
2. jennifer(too plain)
3.serentiy
4. hope
5. baley(close to daylee but overused)
6. jayden, hayden. cayden(quit rhyming people)
7. neveah(heaven spelled backwards)
8. bella and edward(your children will be ridiculed for the rest of their lives)
9.chris and brian(sorry to all the chris' and brians' i know. it's too plain)
10. megan(i don't know why megan, i know a few of them and have no qualms but i hate this name)
you may have your own best and worst name list and you probably disagree with most of mine and that's okay, but i hope you take a few moments to discover how you got your name or to share with your kids how they got their name(because one day they will ask, especially if they get teased at school).
so, what's in a name....
have you ever thought about how you got your name? is it a family name? or was it your parent's favorite superhero, or maybe a once famous singer or actor? i know many people that hate their names, while others love their name because it ties into their roots or is unique.
for instance, my name is jamie sue. i love my name and i always have. jamie is a play off of james(which happens to be my dad and grandpa's name). i was supposed to be a boy(duh) and my name was supposed to be james richard beckley the 3rd. i'm proud of who my family is and i'm proud of my first name, my middle name, sue(after my korean grandma's name) and beckley. you can trace our eastern european roots back to the old days, but take my sister who was supposed to also be a boy(john dean or something close) hates her middle name and while she hates it i love it. it is our grandma's middle name(hence mary lou). i guess it's all in how you view it.
anyways,
i digress....
so what's in your name? where do you come from/ how did you pick out your children's names?
i have two amazing little men. seth aaron is the older sibling, while daylee james is the younger of the two. i really wanted seth's name to be dylan, and looking back i'm glad shane strongly disagreed and seth ended up being seth. aaron(his middle name) is also his dad's middle name, so they both have the initials s.a.h. i've always been a little off and i wanted uncommon names but not too crazy and weird. when i was pregnant with d i loved the name daley or dailey. it's irish and not very common, but i hated the spelling of it. too dull, too boring, just not my style. my grandma mary lou had a beloved brother raymond lee and he was a very sick child, so when my grandma was 14 she had to drop out of the 8th grade temporarily to help her mother care for him. he died at the age of 8 months. for years(since i can remember) i could see how much my grandma loved and missed her baby brother, so i thought as a tribute to one of the most important people in my life, i'd spell daley-daylee in honor of raymond lee. so that is how my name came to be and my children as well.
but what about the names that are so off the wall you wonder if the parents were drinking when they signed the birth certificate making that name official.
i sometimes see yahoo ads claiming top ten best baby names, followed by top ten worst names. well, yahoo, i have my own idea of bad names.
my top names are all horrible. either names of possible future strippers or earth loving hippie kids(no offense to anyone who reads this and thinks i'm a narrow minded jerk). it's my opinion and you have your's.
1. destiny(too much of a stripper, hippie and there's this stupid chick i know with the same name)
2. jennifer(too plain)
3.serentiy
4. hope
5. baley(close to daylee but overused)
6. jayden, hayden. cayden(quit rhyming people)
7. neveah(heaven spelled backwards)
8. bella and edward(your children will be ridiculed for the rest of their lives)
9.chris and brian(sorry to all the chris' and brians' i know. it's too plain)
10. megan(i don't know why megan, i know a few of them and have no qualms but i hate this name)
you may have your own best and worst name list and you probably disagree with most of mine and that's okay, but i hope you take a few moments to discover how you got your name or to share with your kids how they got their name(because one day they will ask, especially if they get teased at school).
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
23 minutes in hell
this is the name of the book i read. it is written by a man named bill wiese.
let me back up and tell you that yesterday evening i took a trip to the book store and wanted to get a few new books, since one of the things i really miss is reading in any spare time i may have. i was browsing around and i had walked over to the christian book section and on the end cap in bold letters with flames all over the front is, "23 minutes in hell". i was curious about this book, obviously because i knew it was a christian book and the title gets you going. what in the world, right?
i read the back and i was very interested in this man's journey to hell. the thing that i really connected with was this book has 150 bible verses that match up with what this man experienced, and no he was not dreaming or having a near death experience. it was an event in his life that God allowed him to have to help him to share God's message of His word and the Truth. i don't want to give too much away, but i highly recommend any of my believer friends to please get this book. nothing i write about will give it justice and i can't convey this man's conviction through my words. i know you'll probably have your own doubts and such about what it is i'm blogging, but please go pick up this book! i read it in a matter of 2 hours and there are so many bible verses that are in accordance to what this man wrote and saw.
hell is a real place and he writes that hell is desensitized in our world today, and he is absolutely true. it's scary to think about hell in the literal sense, but when you think of where you could end up if you don't know God and have never excepted him into your heart... it's horrible. i know that i want to seek His Truth to anyone and everyone because hell is real and i do not want anyone to go there. hell is torment and torture and loss, sadness, loneliness, fear and all the negative emotions and fears we all have as humans. God created us in his likeness and He doesn't want any of us to suffer that fate. He loves us so much and it's incredible. the last words that this man heard form God before he ended up back in his home was God saying, " i am coming very, very soon." and i believe that it is an absolute truth. we may not know when but we must be ready and ready those around us to His second coming.
i think back to all the times where i have failed and that i am still a filthy sinner and i fall short of His grace, but through His love i am saved. i can't ask Him enough to forgive me of my sins and ask Him into my heart, to guide my life and lead me to share with others, which is hard for me because i don't always have the right words but i know it doesn't matter. the message of God's immeasurable love and grace needs to be shared with everyone i can reach. i am thankful that He never gave up on me even though i don't deserve any forgiveness from Him or His love. it amazes me everyday and i will not go a day without thanking Him.
sorry this has drug out, but i urge you to read the book and go out and share God's word and love with anyone and everyone!
let me back up and tell you that yesterday evening i took a trip to the book store and wanted to get a few new books, since one of the things i really miss is reading in any spare time i may have. i was browsing around and i had walked over to the christian book section and on the end cap in bold letters with flames all over the front is, "23 minutes in hell". i was curious about this book, obviously because i knew it was a christian book and the title gets you going. what in the world, right?
i read the back and i was very interested in this man's journey to hell. the thing that i really connected with was this book has 150 bible verses that match up with what this man experienced, and no he was not dreaming or having a near death experience. it was an event in his life that God allowed him to have to help him to share God's message of His word and the Truth. i don't want to give too much away, but i highly recommend any of my believer friends to please get this book. nothing i write about will give it justice and i can't convey this man's conviction through my words. i know you'll probably have your own doubts and such about what it is i'm blogging, but please go pick up this book! i read it in a matter of 2 hours and there are so many bible verses that are in accordance to what this man wrote and saw.
hell is a real place and he writes that hell is desensitized in our world today, and he is absolutely true. it's scary to think about hell in the literal sense, but when you think of where you could end up if you don't know God and have never excepted him into your heart... it's horrible. i know that i want to seek His Truth to anyone and everyone because hell is real and i do not want anyone to go there. hell is torment and torture and loss, sadness, loneliness, fear and all the negative emotions and fears we all have as humans. God created us in his likeness and He doesn't want any of us to suffer that fate. He loves us so much and it's incredible. the last words that this man heard form God before he ended up back in his home was God saying, " i am coming very, very soon." and i believe that it is an absolute truth. we may not know when but we must be ready and ready those around us to His second coming.
i think back to all the times where i have failed and that i am still a filthy sinner and i fall short of His grace, but through His love i am saved. i can't ask Him enough to forgive me of my sins and ask Him into my heart, to guide my life and lead me to share with others, which is hard for me because i don't always have the right words but i know it doesn't matter. the message of God's immeasurable love and grace needs to be shared with everyone i can reach. i am thankful that He never gave up on me even though i don't deserve any forgiveness from Him or His love. it amazes me everyday and i will not go a day without thanking Him.
sorry this has drug out, but i urge you to read the book and go out and share God's word and love with anyone and everyone!
r.i.p.
well, many of you might have seen my recent status comments on fb about fishie, sushi, ebi and jack the ripper.
those were the names of my beloved pets. my betta(siamese fighting fish).
let me start off by saying that i know a few of you probably think i'm nuts to be mourning the death of fish, but growning up i was not allowed pets and quite frankly, i hate cats and am scared to some degree of dogs, so when i was 16 i got my very first pet. a betta. his name was blue wednesday and i loved him so. on and off for my entire adult life i have kept bettas. this is the most i've had at once. i live in an apartment complex that forbids pets but will allow small fish in small containers. you aren't allowed to have a tank with filters and heaters, ect. last year for d's 3rd birthday i got him fishie(i know it's spelled fishy) and then last may i got sushi, in february i bought my very favorite betta ever, ebi. let me tell you, this sweet little female would let me pet her! yes, i said pet. i took the best care of my fish, with twice weekly water changes with distilled bottled water, special food and when i went out of town i used to fret over who would care for my "babies".
now, let me tell you of the tragedy that happened four days ago...
i was busy with house stuff and daylee was supposed to be playing, well, i come out to the living room and i see that in fishie's bowl there is not just fishie, but jack the ripper and sushi. anyone who knows anything about bettas knows you cannot keep males in the same tank. they fight to the death, and adding a female makes it even worse because they want to mate. ugh. *side note* bettas don't actually mate, but the females lay the eggs and the male deposits his sperm and then you remove the female and the male cares for the frys until you can remove them as well.
so anyways,
i am shocked. immediately i go to ebi's tank and she isn't there and i fear the worse knowing she isn't with the others. i walk into the kitchen and i see her on a kitchen towel, i have no idea how long she's been there and she is out of water.... dead, obviously. i break down and cry and call b freaking out and after i calm down i go in and get jack and sushi from fishie's tank, figuring there isn't a damn thing i can do for ebi at that point. i stick ebi in her water and what i see amazes me. she starts swimming! thank you, Jesus!!! i go to a specialty fish shop here in town and get medicine for jack and anti- stress solution for the others. jack the ripper had most of his fins ripped off by daylee as he attempted to put them in the same tank to play and ebi seemed to have jumped form his hand and he forgot about her. it was such a fiasco. i was frantic to try and save my beloved animals.
after many talks with fish experts it was waiting, hoping, praying and doing my duty to keep their water clean, feed them and stay away til they recovered.
well, sadly, yesterday ebi passed on first, then jack and now today sushi has passed, too. i don't think fishie will make it. i'm hoping but i don't want him to suffer any longer. it would be selfish of me. i hope he goes and quits suffering.
some people may thing bettas can't feel, or they
're dumb, but it's the opposite. bettas know their person, they have personalities and they are so wonderful.
so, i'm mourning my losses, but i won't quit adopting my favorite pet. i actually got two more females yesterday. one is black and yellow and her name is itty bitty and the other female is rust/red and black and her name is lucy. they remind me ebi. they have let me pet them, they are so curious and sweet. i just hope that nothing happens to them like what happened to the others. i know daylee didn't mean to do it but it still broke my heart and now he definitely knows fish are for looking at and we do not touch them or put them in other tanks that aren't theirs.
those were the names of my beloved pets. my betta(siamese fighting fish).
let me start off by saying that i know a few of you probably think i'm nuts to be mourning the death of fish, but growning up i was not allowed pets and quite frankly, i hate cats and am scared to some degree of dogs, so when i was 16 i got my very first pet. a betta. his name was blue wednesday and i loved him so. on and off for my entire adult life i have kept bettas. this is the most i've had at once. i live in an apartment complex that forbids pets but will allow small fish in small containers. you aren't allowed to have a tank with filters and heaters, ect. last year for d's 3rd birthday i got him fishie(i know it's spelled fishy) and then last may i got sushi, in february i bought my very favorite betta ever, ebi. let me tell you, this sweet little female would let me pet her! yes, i said pet. i took the best care of my fish, with twice weekly water changes with distilled bottled water, special food and when i went out of town i used to fret over who would care for my "babies".
now, let me tell you of the tragedy that happened four days ago...
i was busy with house stuff and daylee was supposed to be playing, well, i come out to the living room and i see that in fishie's bowl there is not just fishie, but jack the ripper and sushi. anyone who knows anything about bettas knows you cannot keep males in the same tank. they fight to the death, and adding a female makes it even worse because they want to mate. ugh. *side note* bettas don't actually mate, but the females lay the eggs and the male deposits his sperm and then you remove the female and the male cares for the frys until you can remove them as well.
so anyways,
i am shocked. immediately i go to ebi's tank and she isn't there and i fear the worse knowing she isn't with the others. i walk into the kitchen and i see her on a kitchen towel, i have no idea how long she's been there and she is out of water.... dead, obviously. i break down and cry and call b freaking out and after i calm down i go in and get jack and sushi from fishie's tank, figuring there isn't a damn thing i can do for ebi at that point. i stick ebi in her water and what i see amazes me. she starts swimming! thank you, Jesus!!! i go to a specialty fish shop here in town and get medicine for jack and anti- stress solution for the others. jack the ripper had most of his fins ripped off by daylee as he attempted to put them in the same tank to play and ebi seemed to have jumped form his hand and he forgot about her. it was such a fiasco. i was frantic to try and save my beloved animals.
after many talks with fish experts it was waiting, hoping, praying and doing my duty to keep their water clean, feed them and stay away til they recovered.
well, sadly, yesterday ebi passed on first, then jack and now today sushi has passed, too. i don't think fishie will make it. i'm hoping but i don't want him to suffer any longer. it would be selfish of me. i hope he goes and quits suffering.
some people may thing bettas can't feel, or they
're dumb, but it's the opposite. bettas know their person, they have personalities and they are so wonderful.
so, i'm mourning my losses, but i won't quit adopting my favorite pet. i actually got two more females yesterday. one is black and yellow and her name is itty bitty and the other female is rust/red and black and her name is lucy. they remind me ebi. they have let me pet them, they are so curious and sweet. i just hope that nothing happens to them like what happened to the others. i know daylee didn't mean to do it but it still broke my heart and now he definitely knows fish are for looking at and we do not touch them or put them in other tanks that aren't theirs.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
moving?
that's right.
now, i've been mulling over the "idea" of moving back to arizona for some time now, and sometimes i really, really want to and other times i get cold sweats thinking of being back in az, living there dealing with similar issues and the like as i did so many years ago before i moved away the first time, but honestly, i know that in my heart of hearts it would be different this time, and dare i say... BETTER? yes, that's right. better. i was once a drug user and i was wholly consumed by that life and i didn't care. period. this time around i'd be moving back on my terms(and God's of course) and i know that i wouldn't be doing the same things, hanging with the same bad kids or doing any of that craziness. i know that i am such a different person, who refused to believe in what i honestly knew, namely that God was still God and He has always loved me.
I'd be going back a new and changed jamie. yeah, i'd have to deal with certain things that have always bothered me, but it doesn't matter if i live there or here. i can't run from my problems. and arizona is not the problem... i was!
so, more and more i've been contemplating this big change and man, i want it like nothing else. i feel as thought it's time and i'm ready. i had initially planned on waiting until i was done with school, but that could be three years form now and i feel like that's too long. there's too much at stake.
seth is turning 11 this year and i want so badly to be there for him like i wasn't there for him before, i want to be around for my family and to watch all the kids grow up together as brothers and cousins, i want to have family over for dinners and to celebrate special holidays and birthdays. i do not want to live on top of my family by any means, but i want to be close enough to see them whenever time allows.
i think God has been changing my heart towards this as well. i know it would mean so much to my grandma for us to not leave her after a week 3 or 4 times a year and i miss my little sister like crazy!
i've been trying to figure it out financially and really, it is so price comparable to amarillo. of course i'd miss some the people here, but if they miss me, well, come visit! in all honesty, i'm such a reclusive person these days i don't think anyone would bat a lash when i did move, and that's okay. i purposely changed everything in my life for a reason and i'm okay with my choices, in fact, i'm proud of them. i want a good life for me and my boys. i want them to have a happy and healthy, successful mother who has gumption, strength and character. i want to be a good role model and i want desperately to get seth into my life. i know it'll be rocky and i would never, ever try and take him from his dad, he has a good, no, wonderful dad, but i do want to spend time with him, see him grow up. he's such a shy kid and i'd like to do whatever i can as his biological mother to make him happy and healthy, too.
please keep all of us and this decision in your prayers. i know my mind and heart are absolutely set on this, but pray that i can make this move financially, that i can find a good, price comparable apartment, a good preschool and job.
thank you all so much for reading my blogs. it means a lot to have 4 followers!
now, i've been mulling over the "idea" of moving back to arizona for some time now, and sometimes i really, really want to and other times i get cold sweats thinking of being back in az, living there dealing with similar issues and the like as i did so many years ago before i moved away the first time, but honestly, i know that in my heart of hearts it would be different this time, and dare i say... BETTER? yes, that's right. better. i was once a drug user and i was wholly consumed by that life and i didn't care. period. this time around i'd be moving back on my terms(and God's of course) and i know that i wouldn't be doing the same things, hanging with the same bad kids or doing any of that craziness. i know that i am such a different person, who refused to believe in what i honestly knew, namely that God was still God and He has always loved me.
I'd be going back a new and changed jamie. yeah, i'd have to deal with certain things that have always bothered me, but it doesn't matter if i live there or here. i can't run from my problems. and arizona is not the problem... i was!
so, more and more i've been contemplating this big change and man, i want it like nothing else. i feel as thought it's time and i'm ready. i had initially planned on waiting until i was done with school, but that could be three years form now and i feel like that's too long. there's too much at stake.
seth is turning 11 this year and i want so badly to be there for him like i wasn't there for him before, i want to be around for my family and to watch all the kids grow up together as brothers and cousins, i want to have family over for dinners and to celebrate special holidays and birthdays. i do not want to live on top of my family by any means, but i want to be close enough to see them whenever time allows.
i think God has been changing my heart towards this as well. i know it would mean so much to my grandma for us to not leave her after a week 3 or 4 times a year and i miss my little sister like crazy!
i've been trying to figure it out financially and really, it is so price comparable to amarillo. of course i'd miss some the people here, but if they miss me, well, come visit! in all honesty, i'm such a reclusive person these days i don't think anyone would bat a lash when i did move, and that's okay. i purposely changed everything in my life for a reason and i'm okay with my choices, in fact, i'm proud of them. i want a good life for me and my boys. i want them to have a happy and healthy, successful mother who has gumption, strength and character. i want to be a good role model and i want desperately to get seth into my life. i know it'll be rocky and i would never, ever try and take him from his dad, he has a good, no, wonderful dad, but i do want to spend time with him, see him grow up. he's such a shy kid and i'd like to do whatever i can as his biological mother to make him happy and healthy, too.
please keep all of us and this decision in your prayers. i know my mind and heart are absolutely set on this, but pray that i can make this move financially, that i can find a good, price comparable apartment, a good preschool and job.
thank you all so much for reading my blogs. it means a lot to have 4 followers!
why, oh, why?!
*DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH*
so...
let me tell you all about the wonderful experience i had this evening, and let me also let this be a warning to you new moms out there who may read this.
i have a four year old as many of you know.
he has been potty trained since he was under three years of age. he wore a pull up at night up until about christmas, but that was more for my sake and not because he actually needed to be wearing one. occasionally we have a problem with him having an accident but it's few and far between. i never get mad. it's a part of childhood. i don't believe he will grow up and have a continuing issue. and that really has nothing to do with this particular story...
so, daylee is potty trained, which means that he gets his potty helper on the toilet(all by himself), uses the toilet, wipes, flushes and washes his hands(all by himself). i am really proud. he knows how to wipe his booty without using too much toilet tissue or leaving, ahem, poo behind. there has been times when it's not fully clean, but hey, he's 4 not 44. i figure, he may be little but he needs to learn to do these things for himself because i don't plan on wiping his ass forever!
so tonight he says, "mommy, i have to poop." so i say, "go to the bathroom."
so as usual he uses the restroom and when he comes out he's bare backed and asking for underwear and pants, and i'm like, "dear Lord, please, please help me!"
i go into the bathroom and see poop smeared all over the toilet, on the floor, on the sink and before i can tell him not to touch a thing, he's playing in his toy box, after he's found himself underwear and pants. ugh!
so, i spent hours, literally hours cleaning with bleach. i soaked all his toys in a tub of bleach water, scrubbed the floors, the tub, the sink, all the bedding, daylee's clothes and his dresser had to be washed off. it was horrible. i even had to clip daylee's nails to get the poop from under them out. disgusting, i am very aware. now, i'm praying, wishing and hoping that he does not wake up with pink eye(and i hope i don't either).
so, to all you new mommies, look out, you're in for lots of evening spent cleaning lots of crusty poop from toys, clothing, tubs, sinks, floors.
i'm so glad that i got everything cleaned and shiny, but the fear is in me. keep us in your prayers!
so...
let me tell you all about the wonderful experience i had this evening, and let me also let this be a warning to you new moms out there who may read this.
i have a four year old as many of you know.
he has been potty trained since he was under three years of age. he wore a pull up at night up until about christmas, but that was more for my sake and not because he actually needed to be wearing one. occasionally we have a problem with him having an accident but it's few and far between. i never get mad. it's a part of childhood. i don't believe he will grow up and have a continuing issue. and that really has nothing to do with this particular story...
so, daylee is potty trained, which means that he gets his potty helper on the toilet(all by himself), uses the toilet, wipes, flushes and washes his hands(all by himself). i am really proud. he knows how to wipe his booty without using too much toilet tissue or leaving, ahem, poo behind. there has been times when it's not fully clean, but hey, he's 4 not 44. i figure, he may be little but he needs to learn to do these things for himself because i don't plan on wiping his ass forever!
so tonight he says, "mommy, i have to poop." so i say, "go to the bathroom."
so as usual he uses the restroom and when he comes out he's bare backed and asking for underwear and pants, and i'm like, "dear Lord, please, please help me!"
i go into the bathroom and see poop smeared all over the toilet, on the floor, on the sink and before i can tell him not to touch a thing, he's playing in his toy box, after he's found himself underwear and pants. ugh!
so, i spent hours, literally hours cleaning with bleach. i soaked all his toys in a tub of bleach water, scrubbed the floors, the tub, the sink, all the bedding, daylee's clothes and his dresser had to be washed off. it was horrible. i even had to clip daylee's nails to get the poop from under them out. disgusting, i am very aware. now, i'm praying, wishing and hoping that he does not wake up with pink eye(and i hope i don't either).
so, to all you new mommies, look out, you're in for lots of evening spent cleaning lots of crusty poop from toys, clothing, tubs, sinks, floors.
i'm so glad that i got everything cleaned and shiny, but the fear is in me. keep us in your prayers!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
i finally broke down
and bought my very first parenting book. i took the advice of my very smart and talented sister and the kind encouragement of sarah.
man, i have to tell you...
i agree. too many "experts" say this and they say that, but bottom line is you have to go with your gut and what God tells you to do.
in the bible is says to spoli the rod and spare the child. so, for a while i was spanking, and well, it was an utter failure, and i don't want to be one of those parents who turn to spankings for minor infractions. it didn't feel right to me.
daylee has been wild and unruly for quite some time now, but with the issues he's had in the past with cysts on his frontal lobe, i've been leary to do and to that, but anyways, i got this parenting book and i'm not done reading it. i've used some of the tips in the last week and wow, there is such a difference in his attitude and the way he talks to me! we've been hugging and snuggling(something we could never do). i quit yelling because it got me nowhere, got him frustrated and well, was ineffective.
so, wish me luck guys!
we shall see!
man, i have to tell you...
i agree. too many "experts" say this and they say that, but bottom line is you have to go with your gut and what God tells you to do.
in the bible is says to spoli the rod and spare the child. so, for a while i was spanking, and well, it was an utter failure, and i don't want to be one of those parents who turn to spankings for minor infractions. it didn't feel right to me.
daylee has been wild and unruly for quite some time now, but with the issues he's had in the past with cysts on his frontal lobe, i've been leary to do and to that, but anyways, i got this parenting book and i'm not done reading it. i've used some of the tips in the last week and wow, there is such a difference in his attitude and the way he talks to me! we've been hugging and snuggling(something we could never do). i quit yelling because it got me nowhere, got him frustrated and well, was ineffective.
so, wish me luck guys!
we shall see!
may the 4th be with you.
for all you stars wars geeks(ahem, like my four year old).. today is STAR WARS day.
so pop a bag of buttery, salty popcorn and start from movie 1 and end at movie 6.
may the fourth be with you.
bahahahaha.
so pop a bag of buttery, salty popcorn and start from movie 1 and end at movie 6.
may the fourth be with you.
bahahahaha.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
water for elephants.
so, i know i'm behind in the times but i recently read water for elephants, and let me tell ya! i loved, loved, loved that book. i finished it in a day and a half and i was so excited that they turned it into a movie(and with the handsome robert pattinson to boot!). now, let me also tell you how much i hate going to movie theaters... i absolutely hate it. they are expensive, crowded(on the weekends) and their snack selections and prices are crazy. i'd much rather go to the drive- in. for one, it's always a double feature. two, they have so many snack choices. their nachos are gigantic and have the best processed cheese sauce ever. three, you can sit comfortably in your car and not have some loser on their phone a row in front of you texting, talking and being inconsiderate. it's just a good time. i highly recommend trying the drive-in at least once in your adult life. i will also buy movies at wal-mart or target, but only if it's a movie that i really want to own. i just don't have the patience for sitting through a two a hour movie when i have laundry, cooking, cleaning, running after a four a year old and other responsibilities to tend to, and not only that but daylee most likely will not enjoy sitting and watching a movie with me nor will he allow me to do so either.
tonight was one of those rare moments that i actually wanted to go see a movie, in the theater no less, and i wanted to see if there was any chance that water for elephants the movie held a candle to it's counterpart, and let me tell you: DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!! ya heard me right. it strays from the book from the get go and in all honesty i couldn't take it, so 45 minutes into the movie i got up and left. yep. i have much better things to do with my time than waste it on a such a stupid movie.
have any of you read the book or seen the movie?
well, i hope that if you haven't read the book that you do. it is fantastic, but save your 8.00 for something worth while.
tonight was one of those rare moments that i actually wanted to go see a movie, in the theater no less, and i wanted to see if there was any chance that water for elephants the movie held a candle to it's counterpart, and let me tell you: DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!! ya heard me right. it strays from the book from the get go and in all honesty i couldn't take it, so 45 minutes into the movie i got up and left. yep. i have much better things to do with my time than waste it on a such a stupid movie.
have any of you read the book or seen the movie?
well, i hope that if you haven't read the book that you do. it is fantastic, but save your 8.00 for something worth while.
Monday, April 25, 2011
have you been watching?
american idol?
oooooooohhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
althoughi was totally bummed to see paul go and not shocked that stefano didn't last; i am however rooting for my favorties: casey, scotty(if he can add some rock or rap, something funny or different from his country norm), haley definitely surprised me this last week with her adele cover. it was amazing. her rough, growly voice. it's the first time i actually liked her song choice and what she did with it! hmmm, oh! james durbin. wow. his muse cover and his idea for the drummers. dude! it blew my mind and it was so creative and cool. i really like his style, althoug, it is more like adam lambert than i'd like to see. jacob always has great song choices that touch the heart. he sings from his soul and it is beautiful but i don't know if america really likes his old school flair or not.
lauren is okay. hasn't been in my top favorites nor will she. just not my style of music or clothing, ect., ect.
i hope my top favorites stay for the coming weeks!
who is your fave for american idol season 11?
oooooooohhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
althoughi was totally bummed to see paul go and not shocked that stefano didn't last; i am however rooting for my favorties: casey, scotty(if he can add some rock or rap, something funny or different from his country norm), haley definitely surprised me this last week with her adele cover. it was amazing. her rough, growly voice. it's the first time i actually liked her song choice and what she did with it! hmmm, oh! james durbin. wow. his muse cover and his idea for the drummers. dude! it blew my mind and it was so creative and cool. i really like his style, althoug, it is more like adam lambert than i'd like to see. jacob always has great song choices that touch the heart. he sings from his soul and it is beautiful but i don't know if america really likes his old school flair or not.
lauren is okay. hasn't been in my top favorites nor will she. just not my style of music or clothing, ect., ect.
i hope my top favorites stay for the coming weeks!
who is your fave for american idol season 11?
it's been a while.
i haven't blogged in quite a while. mainly because i've been busy and the other reason being is that i think the only other person who reads them often are my sister, sarah h and laura. i must be some kind of loser. haha.
anyways, things here are good.
daylee is seriously testing me lately. i really don't know what to do1 he screams at me, doesn't listen. nothing seems to work. i know it's my fault but i just don't know how to get him to mind me. if any mothers have any suggestions, they are all welcome.
seriously.
help me.
thanks.
other than d being a mad man,
well,
life has been life.
busy.
had a good easter with d's great grandparents and grandparents. it was hard inviting them to church with u and having them say "no', but all i can do is pray that one day they will come to know Christ.
i'm missing my family a lot. it's so hard to be a 1,000 miles from them. i know i;m missing so much of set's life and margot's first year. it makes me so sad. i know d misses his brother and his cousins.
this summer we plan on going to az for seth's 11th birthday(man, that makes me feel old and skanky).
other than that, well, i've worked on my money doll and cleaned a bunch and now i have something(possibly) severely wrong with my spine. gah!! it never ends.
hope all is well with you.
thanks for reading!
anyways, things here are good.
daylee is seriously testing me lately. i really don't know what to do1 he screams at me, doesn't listen. nothing seems to work. i know it's my fault but i just don't know how to get him to mind me. if any mothers have any suggestions, they are all welcome.
seriously.
help me.
thanks.
other than d being a mad man,
well,
life has been life.
busy.
had a good easter with d's great grandparents and grandparents. it was hard inviting them to church with u and having them say "no', but all i can do is pray that one day they will come to know Christ.
i'm missing my family a lot. it's so hard to be a 1,000 miles from them. i know i;m missing so much of set's life and margot's first year. it makes me so sad. i know d misses his brother and his cousins.
this summer we plan on going to az for seth's 11th birthday(man, that makes me feel old and skanky).
other than that, well, i've worked on my money doll and cleaned a bunch and now i have something(possibly) severely wrong with my spine. gah!! it never ends.
hope all is well with you.
thanks for reading!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
shame on you!!!
SHAME ON YOU, INA GARTEN!!!!!!
recently it has come to the attention of the public that celebrity chef ina garten(of food network, barefoot contessa) denied a little 6 year old boy his make a wish, which was to cook a meal with her. she stated a year ago that she was just to busy due to her book tour. a year later make a wish calls her to see if she could make this little boy's wish a dream come true and she stated, "i don't have the time. i can't do all charities and blah, blah, blah." really? it's not like they were asking her to donate a liver or millions of dollars, just some time to fulfill a dream of a boy who's dying of cancer. i cannot believe this woman.
i am an avid watcher of food network and at one time i liked her show, but i plan on boycotting her show(exclusively). i hope that food network cancels her show and decides to stand up for this little boy. what i think is awesome is that two other food network personalities(more popular than ina and probably busier too) have offered to make a meal with the boy. how amazing? they have busy schedules but heard that this kid wanted to make a meal with her, she denied and they stepped up. food network is constantly doing charity work and charity this and food for hunger and so many amazing things to help charities. i hope they see what this selfish woman has done and take action.
recently it has come to the attention of the public that celebrity chef ina garten(of food network, barefoot contessa) denied a little 6 year old boy his make a wish, which was to cook a meal with her. she stated a year ago that she was just to busy due to her book tour. a year later make a wish calls her to see if she could make this little boy's wish a dream come true and she stated, "i don't have the time. i can't do all charities and blah, blah, blah." really? it's not like they were asking her to donate a liver or millions of dollars, just some time to fulfill a dream of a boy who's dying of cancer. i cannot believe this woman.
i am an avid watcher of food network and at one time i liked her show, but i plan on boycotting her show(exclusively). i hope that food network cancels her show and decides to stand up for this little boy. what i think is awesome is that two other food network personalities(more popular than ina and probably busier too) have offered to make a meal with the boy. how amazing? they have busy schedules but heard that this kid wanted to make a meal with her, she denied and they stepped up. food network is constantly doing charity work and charity this and food for hunger and so many amazing things to help charities. i hope they see what this selfish woman has done and take action.
Monday, March 14, 2011
home, home on the range...
i can't tell you how much i'm looking forward to going home(even if it's only for 3 days). i cherish every visit to arizona.
i get so excited as i drive through west gallup and i see the huge state flag sign. my heart beats really fast and i blast my music.
i've been making this trip now for 6 or so years.
some may ask why i moved if i love arizona so much, but really what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, or the absence makes the heart grow fonder(whichever).
i miss arizona more now than i did when i first left, but back then i was running from my problems(when in reality i was creating more problems for myself), but i have yet to move back, scared that i'll fall back into my old ways and feel the same way i did back then and i don't think i'm quite ready for that, besides, i want to return home with a bsn so i can have a career and not just some job.
so every year, i make the 900 mile trip 3-5 times to spend certain holidays and birthdays with those i love the most.
tomorrow d and i are going out to celebrate his 4th birthday with my side of the family. i think after spending his other three b-days with his dad's side of the family, it would only be fair to spend this birthday with my side.
i also really miss my grandma, my seth, my sister, my lily and my margot and my dad and mom. it's hard to let month after month pass and not get to see them and know that i chose this but it's for the best.
sure, one day in the next few years i'll choose to move home and i'll be happy to live in the sweltering heat, but for now these trips are worth the wear and tear on my car, the whole day behind a wheel... it means seeing the people i love and care about the most.
i get so excited as i drive through west gallup and i see the huge state flag sign. my heart beats really fast and i blast my music.
i've been making this trip now for 6 or so years.
some may ask why i moved if i love arizona so much, but really what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, or the absence makes the heart grow fonder(whichever).
i miss arizona more now than i did when i first left, but back then i was running from my problems(when in reality i was creating more problems for myself), but i have yet to move back, scared that i'll fall back into my old ways and feel the same way i did back then and i don't think i'm quite ready for that, besides, i want to return home with a bsn so i can have a career and not just some job.
so every year, i make the 900 mile trip 3-5 times to spend certain holidays and birthdays with those i love the most.
tomorrow d and i are going out to celebrate his 4th birthday with my side of the family. i think after spending his other three b-days with his dad's side of the family, it would only be fair to spend this birthday with my side.
i also really miss my grandma, my seth, my sister, my lily and my margot and my dad and mom. it's hard to let month after month pass and not get to see them and know that i chose this but it's for the best.
sure, one day in the next few years i'll choose to move home and i'll be happy to live in the sweltering heat, but for now these trips are worth the wear and tear on my car, the whole day behind a wheel... it means seeing the people i love and care about the most.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
teen mom 2
*long drawn out sigh*
geez, this last week's teen mom was... well... wow.
let's start with my least favorite girl ,kailyn. i can't believe she had the guts to just tell jo the way she did and expect something different from what happened. seriously? does she not remember all the things that jo and his family has done for her? she is so disrespectful. i think jo is acting a little immature holding her clothes hostage, but he does have a right to get his money back. after all, she did borrow it but holding her stupid clothes and shoes hostage isn't right. neither is asking the cops about the whole custody bit(even though it's absolutely true) it will not look good for him in front of a judge if he chooses to do that, but then again, his family can afford an attorney and maybe the baby is better off with jo and his parents. that seems to be where he's at most of the time anyway. i wish kailyn could watch herself doing this. she looks so bad and so does suzi. i had so much faith in kailyn in the beginning but you know... dr. drew warns kailyn about turning out like her mother.
jenelle, poor, blind, jenelle. i don't think her mom should have freaked out as bad as she did on her about taking the baby to the store but whatever... her mom does have custody(which she likes to throw in jenelle's face), but leaving to jersey with your loser boyfriend and lying about it... not cool. i think she should have been mature and told her mom. either way her mom would have gotten upset and her mom knew she was with keifer, so what makes the difference? and using her mom's credit card is a bad, bad, bad idea.
the whole chelsea and adam thing did not surprise me one bit. it was coming. their family and friends knew it was coming. damn1 did she expect different from a man that yells at her, talks to her like crap? doesn't have the motivation to get a job? i'm glad she doesn't act all crazy when he leaves and that she stay strong, but i have a feeling she'll keep taking more from him. she's not through with adam. not yet and it's a shame.
corey and leah...
yep, still love em. i think they continue to grow and mature as parents and yeah, they may not be super smart or classy but they have have love and if you have love, well, you have it all.
geez, this last week's teen mom was... well... wow.
let's start with my least favorite girl ,kailyn. i can't believe she had the guts to just tell jo the way she did and expect something different from what happened. seriously? does she not remember all the things that jo and his family has done for her? she is so disrespectful. i think jo is acting a little immature holding her clothes hostage, but he does have a right to get his money back. after all, she did borrow it but holding her stupid clothes and shoes hostage isn't right. neither is asking the cops about the whole custody bit(even though it's absolutely true) it will not look good for him in front of a judge if he chooses to do that, but then again, his family can afford an attorney and maybe the baby is better off with jo and his parents. that seems to be where he's at most of the time anyway. i wish kailyn could watch herself doing this. she looks so bad and so does suzi. i had so much faith in kailyn in the beginning but you know... dr. drew warns kailyn about turning out like her mother.
jenelle, poor, blind, jenelle. i don't think her mom should have freaked out as bad as she did on her about taking the baby to the store but whatever... her mom does have custody(which she likes to throw in jenelle's face), but leaving to jersey with your loser boyfriend and lying about it... not cool. i think she should have been mature and told her mom. either way her mom would have gotten upset and her mom knew she was with keifer, so what makes the difference? and using her mom's credit card is a bad, bad, bad idea.
the whole chelsea and adam thing did not surprise me one bit. it was coming. their family and friends knew it was coming. damn1 did she expect different from a man that yells at her, talks to her like crap? doesn't have the motivation to get a job? i'm glad she doesn't act all crazy when he leaves and that she stay strong, but i have a feeling she'll keep taking more from him. she's not through with adam. not yet and it's a shame.
corey and leah...
yep, still love em. i think they continue to grow and mature as parents and yeah, they may not be super smart or classy but they have have love and if you have love, well, you have it all.
american idol
so, did you watch american idol this last week?
so good, wasn't it?
my top 5
1. casey abrams
2. james durbin
3. paul mcdonald
4.naima
5.scotty mccreery
if you haven't watched this season... shame on you!! it's awesome.
so good, wasn't it?
my top 5
1. casey abrams
2. james durbin
3. paul mcdonald
4.naima
5.scotty mccreery
if you haven't watched this season... shame on you!! it's awesome.
daylee's birthday!
thought i'd try green. since my little boy was born on st. patty's day.
anyways,
i wrote a little bit about my car accident and i've been working frantically with the adjusters and the body shop trying to get my car in so that i could leave next week to go home for a visit. i didn't think the rental car company would let me take the rental out of town, but to my very surprise they do!!!! the best part? the best part being they are going to let me either take a dodge avenger(:D) or a crappy ford focus. either in my opinion are better than putting all those miles on my camry. so, i'm pretty jazzed about that, my little man will be four this thursday. i cannot believe how fast times flies. just yesterday i was rocking him, nursing him and snuggling him. now, it's hard to get a kiss! he's just too busy for mommy, he hasn't rocked with me in years and even if he wanted to, the rocker is in the local dump or someone rescued it. who knows? daylee is very much my little nerd. which is fine. i just thought it'd be sethikins and not the d-man. daylee is so in love with star wars(both old and new), he-man and she-ra, xmen and all the nerdy/comic book geek stuff. it's just funny because he's only four and i can tell that these things are important to him already, but he's still a fantastic fellow and if anyone dares to say different, well, i'll knock their teeth out. no offense...
i digress...
anyways, so yeah, four years old. my last baby. *sigh*
i know i can change my mind, but i know myself well enough to know that daylee james is my second and last child. seth aaron was my first and now he'll be eleven in july!!! i don't feel that old!!!! i just know the Lord only gives you what you can handle and i truly think that is why i have boys!!!
so, this st. patty's day, whether you stay in and eat bubbles and squeak, go have a green beer or spend the day doing your own irish thing. i hope it's fun and makes you smile and fills your heart.
anyways,
i wrote a little bit about my car accident and i've been working frantically with the adjusters and the body shop trying to get my car in so that i could leave next week to go home for a visit. i didn't think the rental car company would let me take the rental out of town, but to my very surprise they do!!!! the best part? the best part being they are going to let me either take a dodge avenger(:D) or a crappy ford focus. either in my opinion are better than putting all those miles on my camry. so, i'm pretty jazzed about that, my little man will be four this thursday. i cannot believe how fast times flies. just yesterday i was rocking him, nursing him and snuggling him. now, it's hard to get a kiss! he's just too busy for mommy, he hasn't rocked with me in years and even if he wanted to, the rocker is in the local dump or someone rescued it. who knows? daylee is very much my little nerd. which is fine. i just thought it'd be sethikins and not the d-man. daylee is so in love with star wars(both old and new), he-man and she-ra, xmen and all the nerdy/comic book geek stuff. it's just funny because he's only four and i can tell that these things are important to him already, but he's still a fantastic fellow and if anyone dares to say different, well, i'll knock their teeth out. no offense...
i digress...
anyways, so yeah, four years old. my last baby. *sigh*
i know i can change my mind, but i know myself well enough to know that daylee james is my second and last child. seth aaron was my first and now he'll be eleven in july!!! i don't feel that old!!!! i just know the Lord only gives you what you can handle and i truly think that is why i have boys!!!
so, this st. patty's day, whether you stay in and eat bubbles and squeak, go have a green beer or spend the day doing your own irish thing. i hope it's fun and makes you smile and fills your heart.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
just a reminder...
...................................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................................................................................
.................................... TEEN MOM 2..............................................................
.................................... TONIGHT!!!!..............................................................
...............................................................................................................................................................................................................
.................................... TEEN MOM 2..............................................................
.................................... TONIGHT!!!!..............................................................
Monday, March 7, 2011
i am a .... FOODIE!!!
all my life i have loved food. i think someone along the way should have told me to put down the fork, but i have a passion for cooking and for eating. i have my most favorite spots in every city i've lived in or traveled to... and i thought it'd be a neat idea to share them with y'all in hopes that you might want to taste them too.
i'll start with three and then continually post more and more.
i truly do hope that if you're ever in amarillo or phoenix or california that you'll really go try these places out.
1. carolina's(amarillo, texas)
wow. last friday was my first time trying carolina's and boy, oh boy, was it super fantastic. in amarillo there are probably 5 italian restaurants that are not the olive garden. i've tried napoli's and pescaro's and neither of them wowed me in any form or fashion, but carolina's is a hidden gem. it's a small building off of wolflin and it's non-descript, you have to know where you're going or you probably won't find it. the decor isn't wonderful, but they boast wood-fired italian. they have a casual fine dining setting, no booths(only tables) and they aren't super busy(even on a friday night). after being seated and drinks ordered this delicous wood fired bread comes to your table and it's still in loaf form but pieces are cut half way through so you have to grab and pull. and like many italian restaurants there are olive oil, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and dried chili peppers on your table but there are also little bread plates that you use to put oil and parm or salt(what have you) to dip the bread in. mind you the bread is phenomenal on its own but dipped lightly in the olive oil. so good. i ordered the manicooti(my italian staple. with easy sauce and a side ceasar salad). when the ceasar salad came to the table i was astonished on how much you get. it's a huge plate with heaping piles of creamy, salty ceasar salad. every piece of lettuce was covered in dressing and cheese and had so many croutons, then when my manicotti arrived it was bubbly and smelled heavenly! there were 4 rolls of the manicotti stuffed full of a ricotta, parmesan, mozzerella mixture soaked in the sweet, tangy marinara. ugh, so good. i couldn't believe the portion size, the price was very affordable(cheaper and better than the olive garden) and it ended with me taking home a cannoli(one of the best i have ever had).
so, if you're ever visiting me in texas(or traveling through) i will take you to carolina's and you will not be disappointed.
2. the corvette diner(san diego, california)
the corvette diner is classic american diner. it is such a fun place. it doesn't matter if you're 8 or 88. the diner has something for everyone. in the evenings on the hour every hour there are servers dancing around for your entertainment, a gamer's garage full of ski ball, guitar hero and bass fishing, a full soda bar for those craving a sweet treat like an elvis shake or real brown cow, but i want to tell you about my favortie item on their menu: the spicy fried pickles. you heard right. fried pickles. they are not for everyone but if you love pickles you'll crave these fried spears o goodness. trust me. now, there are other great items like the deedee burger or the popeye salad but for the pickles with their crunch and slight spice with the cool, creamy ranch. wooweee. seriously, go to san diego, then to liberty station and visit the corvette diner.
3. i have to mention this one and even though the name is the same, it's under different owners so their food is sub par to the real deal. that being: max's taste of philly in mesa arizona. the old max's made my mouth water. their philly subs were the ultimate. it was owned by my friend aaron and his family until his mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor and they sold the business but not their family recipe for the best damn philly cheese steak ever. it was thinly sliced ribeye steak in their family's secret seasonings, cooked on a flat top grill topped with ooey gooey cheese and placed in the softest sub roll ever and served with steaming hot pencil fries. and you could add onions or keep them off but trust me, you wanted those caramelized onions something fierce. you can go to max's today and get a philly but it will not be the true max's and you'll be so sad.
so, those are my reviews for today.
hope you get the chance to enjoy these places like i have.
j
i'll start with three and then continually post more and more.
i truly do hope that if you're ever in amarillo or phoenix or california that you'll really go try these places out.
1. carolina's(amarillo, texas)
wow. last friday was my first time trying carolina's and boy, oh boy, was it super fantastic. in amarillo there are probably 5 italian restaurants that are not the olive garden. i've tried napoli's and pescaro's and neither of them wowed me in any form or fashion, but carolina's is a hidden gem. it's a small building off of wolflin and it's non-descript, you have to know where you're going or you probably won't find it. the decor isn't wonderful, but they boast wood-fired italian. they have a casual fine dining setting, no booths(only tables) and they aren't super busy(even on a friday night). after being seated and drinks ordered this delicous wood fired bread comes to your table and it's still in loaf form but pieces are cut half way through so you have to grab and pull. and like many italian restaurants there are olive oil, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and dried chili peppers on your table but there are also little bread plates that you use to put oil and parm or salt(what have you) to dip the bread in. mind you the bread is phenomenal on its own but dipped lightly in the olive oil. so good. i ordered the manicooti(my italian staple. with easy sauce and a side ceasar salad). when the ceasar salad came to the table i was astonished on how much you get. it's a huge plate with heaping piles of creamy, salty ceasar salad. every piece of lettuce was covered in dressing and cheese and had so many croutons, then when my manicotti arrived it was bubbly and smelled heavenly! there were 4 rolls of the manicotti stuffed full of a ricotta, parmesan, mozzerella mixture soaked in the sweet, tangy marinara. ugh, so good. i couldn't believe the portion size, the price was very affordable(cheaper and better than the olive garden) and it ended with me taking home a cannoli(one of the best i have ever had).
so, if you're ever visiting me in texas(or traveling through) i will take you to carolina's and you will not be disappointed.
2. the corvette diner(san diego, california)
the corvette diner is classic american diner. it is such a fun place. it doesn't matter if you're 8 or 88. the diner has something for everyone. in the evenings on the hour every hour there are servers dancing around for your entertainment, a gamer's garage full of ski ball, guitar hero and bass fishing, a full soda bar for those craving a sweet treat like an elvis shake or real brown cow, but i want to tell you about my favortie item on their menu: the spicy fried pickles. you heard right. fried pickles. they are not for everyone but if you love pickles you'll crave these fried spears o goodness. trust me. now, there are other great items like the deedee burger or the popeye salad but for the pickles with their crunch and slight spice with the cool, creamy ranch. wooweee. seriously, go to san diego, then to liberty station and visit the corvette diner.
3. i have to mention this one and even though the name is the same, it's under different owners so their food is sub par to the real deal. that being: max's taste of philly in mesa arizona. the old max's made my mouth water. their philly subs were the ultimate. it was owned by my friend aaron and his family until his mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor and they sold the business but not their family recipe for the best damn philly cheese steak ever. it was thinly sliced ribeye steak in their family's secret seasonings, cooked on a flat top grill topped with ooey gooey cheese and placed in the softest sub roll ever and served with steaming hot pencil fries. and you could add onions or keep them off but trust me, you wanted those caramelized onions something fierce. you can go to max's today and get a philly but it will not be the true max's and you'll be so sad.
so, those are my reviews for today.
hope you get the chance to enjoy these places like i have.
j
Saturday, March 5, 2011
ugh....
here's the deal,
for the past three nights i have not been able to sleep. i'll fall asleep for 30 minutes or so, and then bam! i'm awake. it's driving me nuts. i don't want to take any sleep time aids as they make me sleep too deep and then i'm non functioning the next day but geez, i really need a good night's sleep.
that's all i can blog about for right now.
for the past three nights i have not been able to sleep. i'll fall asleep for 30 minutes or so, and then bam! i'm awake. it's driving me nuts. i don't want to take any sleep time aids as they make me sleep too deep and then i'm non functioning the next day but geez, i really need a good night's sleep.
that's all i can blog about for right now.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
quiche lorraine.
i love posting my recipes for y'all. i just hope you use and enjoy them as much as i love to share them!
here's one for the adults who crave savory/salty deliciousness.
quiche lorraine
6 oz bacon
2 stalks green onion
1/2 cup gruyere cheese
3 eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
black pepper(to taste)
pie crust( i just buy frozen pie crust but you can make your own)
set oven at 375
cook your bacon, crumble and set aside until you're ready to build the quiche
put your bacon, sliced onion and pepper in the bottom of your pie crust
in a seperate bowl add your cream, eggs and cheese
mix
add egg, cheese, cream mixture to the top of your bacon and onions
top with pie crust and place in oven for 40-50 mins
let the quiche cool
slice
i suggest serving with a light salad of field greens and an orange garlic vinaigrette or something light and tasty
dig in and enjoy your mouthful of goodness.
here's one for the adults who crave savory/salty deliciousness.
quiche lorraine
6 oz bacon
2 stalks green onion
1/2 cup gruyere cheese
3 eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
black pepper(to taste)
pie crust( i just buy frozen pie crust but you can make your own)
set oven at 375
cook your bacon, crumble and set aside until you're ready to build the quiche
put your bacon, sliced onion and pepper in the bottom of your pie crust
in a seperate bowl add your cream, eggs and cheese
mix
add egg, cheese, cream mixture to the top of your bacon and onions
top with pie crust and place in oven for 40-50 mins
let the quiche cool
slice
i suggest serving with a light salad of field greens and an orange garlic vinaigrette or something light and tasty
dig in and enjoy your mouthful of goodness.
american idol.
yesterday i admitted to watching american idol this season(and thankfully i was not alone). laura, you rock for admitting your idol watching!
so, anyways,
they chose the top ten, plus, 3 wild cards.
wow.
so my wild cards made it. well, two of the three made it. i was so happy that niema(?) got her spot. she truly has an amazing voice and style. and stefano, what a strong spirit... and voice to match.
i was also happy to see james durbin and scotty mccreery had made the top ten, along with paul and casey.
the girls did not impress me at all and i was very surprised that the girl from louisiana did not make it and neither did julie zorilla. well, like i said, the girls this season haven't done it for me but the guys... the guys rock my socks. especially casey, scotty and paul.
did your hopefuls make it through or were they cut?
do you even know how awesome american idol is?
so, anyways,
they chose the top ten, plus, 3 wild cards.
wow.
so my wild cards made it. well, two of the three made it. i was so happy that niema(?) got her spot. she truly has an amazing voice and style. and stefano, what a strong spirit... and voice to match.
i was also happy to see james durbin and scotty mccreery had made the top ten, along with paul and casey.
the girls did not impress me at all and i was very surprised that the girl from louisiana did not make it and neither did julie zorilla. well, like i said, the girls this season haven't done it for me but the guys... the guys rock my socks. especially casey, scotty and paul.
did your hopefuls make it through or were they cut?
do you even know how awesome american idol is?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
teen mom 2
i have yet to miss a teen mom 2 episode but i must say here lately almost all of the girls are irritating me.
joanna pointed out that we were that age once as well and that maybe i was being overly cynical and harsh but seriously?!
i have to say that kailyn is selfish, inconsiderate and totally rude. i think she has been given so much by jo's family and that they have carried her through and made her feel like she belonged in that family, supported her and stuck up for her. it's literally like watching her stab them in their backs. i wish i could strangle her!
jenelle has shown how truly depressed and lonely and insecure she truly is over the past few episodes and my view on her has changed slightly. yeah, i think she makes a lot of dumb choices and runs her mouth when she shouldn't, but to never hear that you're worth something, that you're loved in any way... well, i kinda see why she is the way she is.
leah and corey still get me. their redneck family photo is hilarious. they just make me smile. ahh! young love.
i could also slap chelsea. she chose adam over her best friend and her dad, instead of being like, "chelsea, you shouldn't choose adam over megan." was like," no, no, no chelsea, you made a good decision." wth was he thinking? honestly, chelsea has everyone pretty much do everything for her besides wipe her ass and you can see how much it's hurting her. i agree with chelsea's dad on one area- adam. he's a total opportunist and saw an opportunity to live away from home for free and jumped on it. he's lazy, she's lazy and i think they both should strive for something. chelsea is spoiled and i don't feel bad for her when she cries over adam. she let her best friend walk right out of her life for someone who isn't worth a dog's poop and she wanted to be validated for her actions. really? chelsea needs a dose of growing up. i feel bad for aubree because she is such a sweet child but her mother is lazy and absolutely spoiled.
those are my feelings on teen mom 2. maybe you disagree, maybe you agree...
your thoughts are more than welcome.
joanna pointed out that we were that age once as well and that maybe i was being overly cynical and harsh but seriously?!
i have to say that kailyn is selfish, inconsiderate and totally rude. i think she has been given so much by jo's family and that they have carried her through and made her feel like she belonged in that family, supported her and stuck up for her. it's literally like watching her stab them in their backs. i wish i could strangle her!
jenelle has shown how truly depressed and lonely and insecure she truly is over the past few episodes and my view on her has changed slightly. yeah, i think she makes a lot of dumb choices and runs her mouth when she shouldn't, but to never hear that you're worth something, that you're loved in any way... well, i kinda see why she is the way she is.
leah and corey still get me. their redneck family photo is hilarious. they just make me smile. ahh! young love.
i could also slap chelsea. she chose adam over her best friend and her dad, instead of being like, "chelsea, you shouldn't choose adam over megan." was like," no, no, no chelsea, you made a good decision." wth was he thinking? honestly, chelsea has everyone pretty much do everything for her besides wipe her ass and you can see how much it's hurting her. i agree with chelsea's dad on one area- adam. he's a total opportunist and saw an opportunity to live away from home for free and jumped on it. he's lazy, she's lazy and i think they both should strive for something. chelsea is spoiled and i don't feel bad for her when she cries over adam. she let her best friend walk right out of her life for someone who isn't worth a dog's poop and she wanted to be validated for her actions. really? chelsea needs a dose of growing up. i feel bad for aubree because she is such a sweet child but her mother is lazy and absolutely spoiled.
those are my feelings on teen mom 2. maybe you disagree, maybe you agree...
your thoughts are more than welcome.
addicted... to horrible t.v.
so, as many of you know. i have my die hard shows. the shows i will not miss or i get super cranky about. i know, right?! it's television. whatever. i know that you have your favorite something. be it, your radio or ipod, cooking, television, facebook, whatever. we all have our vices and mine is television.
so the shows that i must watch are(in no particular order)
1. teen mom
2. american idol
3. the biggest loser
those are my must see shows. you're probably thinking i'm nuts to actually admit to watching american idol but i can't help myself. and the boys this year are phenomenal. i also have to quickly let you know my top favorties...
1. scotty mccreery
2. casey abrams
3. paul mcdonald
4. james durbin
5. stefano something
6. brett lowenstein
for the girls, well, i haven't really liked too many of the girls and i'm not familiar with their names but i have compiled a small list...
1. niema(?)
2. thia
see? i can barely even remember the girl's names but the guys this year are blowing my mind! i really hope my top 5 make it into the top 5.
i'm so lame to be sharing my personal idol feelings, but hey, at least you know where i stand.
and you're probably wondering about the biggest loser...
well, years ago when i was preggers with daylee i watched the biggest loser non stop and i fell in love with the show and haven't watched it since but one night while waiting for teen mom 2 i flipped through the channels to see that it was on and bam! i was hooked again. it's such an emotionally charged show and it makes me happy and sad and fills my boring life.
obviously teen mom is up there in the number 1 spot. i have yet to miss a week and i hope i don't. i haven't posted my personal thoughts on it in weeks but plan to later when i have more time.
so, this leads me to ask...
what are your favorite shows? any of them too embarrassing to mention?
and why?
so the shows that i must watch are(in no particular order)
1. teen mom
2. american idol
3. the biggest loser
those are my must see shows. you're probably thinking i'm nuts to actually admit to watching american idol but i can't help myself. and the boys this year are phenomenal. i also have to quickly let you know my top favorties...
1. scotty mccreery
2. casey abrams
3. paul mcdonald
4. james durbin
5. stefano something
6. brett lowenstein
for the girls, well, i haven't really liked too many of the girls and i'm not familiar with their names but i have compiled a small list...
1. niema(?)
2. thia
see? i can barely even remember the girl's names but the guys this year are blowing my mind! i really hope my top 5 make it into the top 5.
i'm so lame to be sharing my personal idol feelings, but hey, at least you know where i stand.
and you're probably wondering about the biggest loser...
well, years ago when i was preggers with daylee i watched the biggest loser non stop and i fell in love with the show and haven't watched it since but one night while waiting for teen mom 2 i flipped through the channels to see that it was on and bam! i was hooked again. it's such an emotionally charged show and it makes me happy and sad and fills my boring life.
obviously teen mom is up there in the number 1 spot. i have yet to miss a week and i hope i don't. i haven't posted my personal thoughts on it in weeks but plan to later when i have more time.
so, this leads me to ask...
what are your favorite shows? any of them too embarrassing to mention?
and why?
dutch baby.
i know a dutch baby sounds weird or gross but honestly, it is so yummy and a different take on a plain old pancake.
it's sort of like a flat, thin, semi-crispy, delicious breakfast item, so, i hope you try it for yourself.
oh, and it's cheap and easy to make.
dutch baby
1/2 cup flour
3 tblsp sugar
3 tblsp butter melted(divided)
2 eggs(room temp)
1/2 cup milk(room temp)
1/2 tblsp salt
heat oven to 375
in a cast iron skillet or a regular oven safe skillet put half your butter in it and place in the oven
in a blender or food processor add all your other ingredients and blend till mixed and is thin and bubbly.
place mixture in skillet and leave in oven for 30-40 mins or until the top is golden brown and your desired crunchiness.
once out of the oven cut like a pizza, add orange juice(or lemon or lime juice) and sprinkle with sugar.
such a quick and easy recipe that is so good. enjoy, my friends!
it's sort of like a flat, thin, semi-crispy, delicious breakfast item, so, i hope you try it for yourself.
oh, and it's cheap and easy to make.
dutch baby
1/2 cup flour
3 tblsp sugar
3 tblsp butter melted(divided)
2 eggs(room temp)
1/2 cup milk(room temp)
1/2 tblsp salt
heat oven to 375
in a cast iron skillet or a regular oven safe skillet put half your butter in it and place in the oven
in a blender or food processor add all your other ingredients and blend till mixed and is thin and bubbly.
place mixture in skillet and leave in oven for 30-40 mins or until the top is golden brown and your desired crunchiness.
once out of the oven cut like a pizza, add orange juice(or lemon or lime juice) and sprinkle with sugar.
such a quick and easy recipe that is so good. enjoy, my friends!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
when it rains...
wow! what a rough weekend.
let me just catch y'all up.
so...
ugh...
friday night i joined my friend lindsey at the gym for some girl/buff time together. it was a lot of fun. i enjoy going to the gym. it makes me feel fit and healthy and just all around wonderful. well, lindsey enjoys tanning(which we all know i do not partake in) so i left. i was heading home and i was in the very right hand lane(going down western) and i was coming up on the light to turn right and head down 45th. a huge two-tone f-150 started coming into my lane and before i could honk my horn, the truck comes fully into my lane and hits me and i see my side mirror fly off and bounce and burst into a million pieces across western. i seriously saw my life flash before my eyes. mind you, i'm in a toyota camry and the top of my car doesn't even meet the f-150's window. i thought i was going to die. if she would have hit me any faster i'd probably be dead. thank the Lord i wasn't seriously injured but man, i was angry and scared! we pulled off into the parking lot of a pizza place and out comes this 80 year old woman and she's claiming it was my fault?! seriously? from the obvious damage it is her fault and so i called 911 and charley to get some help and i said something loudly along the lines of "if i were to have caused the accident i would have claimed responsibility because as adults and humans we should take responsibility for our actions." well, the lady heard me(i'm sure) but she said nothing more. we exchanged information. the lady ended up being very kind and nice and she was worried but i assured her it was okay, i was okay and that daylee(who wasn't in the car was okay). after an hour and 20 mins the cops show up and he assesses the damages and confirms that she was the person responsible for the accident and she actually admitted fault to the officer. whew! i felt bad for the lady because her husband had just had hip surgery and she was going to sonic to pick up dinner and head home and i felt horrible if i had been rude to her or unkind in any way but my car is messed up, but drivable(the side mirror is hanging on by a thread and the alignment and lights are screwy), but i'm okay and she's okay, so after the officer gave her the tickets and i was sent on my way; i was fine with it. i'll just call her insurance agent on monday and get it all handled.
well....
on sunday there were multiple, huge grass fires across the panhandle. well, heppe gets a call from his siter saying that his parents area out in the canyon is being evacuated. he's wrestling with the idea to go out there or not. around 7 he decides to go out to see if he can get to his dog. i see that he has called me 5 times and i call him back and guess what? his parents land, barn and property is gone. all destroyed in the flames. the only things left are the house, the wooden decks and a few trees but there are so many embers that the fire dept can't put out because there isn't enough water. brian runs into his house and grabs his dog and some clothes and leaves, honestly thinking his parents home won't be standing through the night. fortunately, on monday we found out that part of his parents basement and deck did go up in flames, the pool and deck were destroyed and the property was gone. i know, right? wow. worst weekend in a long time. thankfully his folks have great insurance and the damges will be taken care of but other people lost everything in the grass fires on sunday...INCLUDING THE LADY WHO HIT ME ON FRIDAY NIGHT!!! YES, YA HEARD RIGHT. THE SWEET OLD LADY, WHO'S HUSBAND HAD JUST HAD HIP SURGERY LOST HER HOME, HER DOGS AND THAT F-150 ON SUNDAY. wow. words cannot describe how sad i am for her at this point. so, if you read this, please pray for jodelle and her family.
anyways, brian and i are okay. it was just surreal and comical and i thought i'd share.
let me just catch y'all up.
so...
ugh...
friday night i joined my friend lindsey at the gym for some girl/buff time together. it was a lot of fun. i enjoy going to the gym. it makes me feel fit and healthy and just all around wonderful. well, lindsey enjoys tanning(which we all know i do not partake in) so i left. i was heading home and i was in the very right hand lane(going down western) and i was coming up on the light to turn right and head down 45th. a huge two-tone f-150 started coming into my lane and before i could honk my horn, the truck comes fully into my lane and hits me and i see my side mirror fly off and bounce and burst into a million pieces across western. i seriously saw my life flash before my eyes. mind you, i'm in a toyota camry and the top of my car doesn't even meet the f-150's window. i thought i was going to die. if she would have hit me any faster i'd probably be dead. thank the Lord i wasn't seriously injured but man, i was angry and scared! we pulled off into the parking lot of a pizza place and out comes this 80 year old woman and she's claiming it was my fault?! seriously? from the obvious damage it is her fault and so i called 911 and charley to get some help and i said something loudly along the lines of "if i were to have caused the accident i would have claimed responsibility because as adults and humans we should take responsibility for our actions." well, the lady heard me(i'm sure) but she said nothing more. we exchanged information. the lady ended up being very kind and nice and she was worried but i assured her it was okay, i was okay and that daylee(who wasn't in the car was okay). after an hour and 20 mins the cops show up and he assesses the damages and confirms that she was the person responsible for the accident and she actually admitted fault to the officer. whew! i felt bad for the lady because her husband had just had hip surgery and she was going to sonic to pick up dinner and head home and i felt horrible if i had been rude to her or unkind in any way but my car is messed up, but drivable(the side mirror is hanging on by a thread and the alignment and lights are screwy), but i'm okay and she's okay, so after the officer gave her the tickets and i was sent on my way; i was fine with it. i'll just call her insurance agent on monday and get it all handled.
well....
on sunday there were multiple, huge grass fires across the panhandle. well, heppe gets a call from his siter saying that his parents area out in the canyon is being evacuated. he's wrestling with the idea to go out there or not. around 7 he decides to go out to see if he can get to his dog. i see that he has called me 5 times and i call him back and guess what? his parents land, barn and property is gone. all destroyed in the flames. the only things left are the house, the wooden decks and a few trees but there are so many embers that the fire dept can't put out because there isn't enough water. brian runs into his house and grabs his dog and some clothes and leaves, honestly thinking his parents home won't be standing through the night. fortunately, on monday we found out that part of his parents basement and deck did go up in flames, the pool and deck were destroyed and the property was gone. i know, right? wow. worst weekend in a long time. thankfully his folks have great insurance and the damges will be taken care of but other people lost everything in the grass fires on sunday...INCLUDING THE LADY WHO HIT ME ON FRIDAY NIGHT!!! YES, YA HEARD RIGHT. THE SWEET OLD LADY, WHO'S HUSBAND HAD JUST HAD HIP SURGERY LOST HER HOME, HER DOGS AND THAT F-150 ON SUNDAY. wow. words cannot describe how sad i am for her at this point. so, if you read this, please pray for jodelle and her family.
anyways, brian and i are okay. it was just surreal and comical and i thought i'd share.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
planet fitness.
so...
i know i have been a.w.o.l. on my blog for a few weeks or so(like anyone really noticed), but hi there! i'm back.
update: i'm no longer on any medications and feeling absolutely wonderful. it took a lot of faith and prayer but i made the decision 8 days ago, during a very stressful time and it has paid off... in so many ways. Thank you, Jesus!!!!
i've also been using that gym membership i got and that is making me feel stronger than ever!!! it doesn't help that i am a smoker but it does help with my energy levels, my mood and my figure! i feel like a teenager again.
honestly, if i can do this, well, i feel like nothing can stop me now!!!!
i know i have been a.w.o.l. on my blog for a few weeks or so(like anyone really noticed), but hi there! i'm back.
update: i'm no longer on any medications and feeling absolutely wonderful. it took a lot of faith and prayer but i made the decision 8 days ago, during a very stressful time and it has paid off... in so many ways. Thank you, Jesus!!!!
i've also been using that gym membership i got and that is making me feel stronger than ever!!! it doesn't help that i am a smoker but it does help with my energy levels, my mood and my figure! i feel like a teenager again.
honestly, if i can do this, well, i feel like nothing can stop me now!!!!
Monday, January 24, 2011
my best friend.
* i don't want to upset my sister with this(she is my other bestie) but i want to let you all know my dearest pal, aimee.
here are a few of my favorite photos from our time together over the past few years. i just love this girl!
let me tell ya: i met aimee in the 8th grade and immediately we clicked. we were always together and even though we had a fairly large circle of friends, aimee and i were best friends. we were always getting in trouble(rather, i was getting her in trouble)!! aimee was there for me the night i got the news that a close friend of mine had passed away, she held my hand and talked me through my rougher moments over the years and i can't thank God enough for such a light in my life.
aimee and i went to different high schools and lost touch and then reconnected at 22 but that was short lived due to our conflicting lives, and at the time i thought to myself that if we were meant to be friends we'd make it work. i didn't hear anything from her or about her for years until one day when i logged onto my myspace and had a request from an aimee morris, and i was thinking, "who is this girl? who is aimee morris?"(i knew aimee by her maiden name, ballard) and she was holding a baby in her profile pic.. AND she looked nothing like her former self that i remembered.
so, being the girl i am, i deleted the request and went on with my day. the next time i checked my myspace there was another request from aimee morris and i was thinking, "okay, stalker! what do you want with me?!" anyways, this time there was a message and it was my long lost childhood pal!! that night i called her and we spent hours catching up and we talked about hanging out when i was visiting az. well, the next time i made it west, i called her up and we went and got chinese food and went to her cute little condo. aimee hadn't changed a bit(besides the fact she was married and had a baby)... so we hung out and had such a good time together and since that trip back home, aimee and i have kept in touch via phone calls and visits. it sucks that we live even further away now that she's moved to washington state and i'm in texas but we try to talk on the phone at least once a week.
i just want to say that so many people change with time. they change when they grow up and start making good money or can afford bigger and better things, or they change due to their surroundings, well, aimee hasn't changed at all. not through her ups and not even when she's gone through some really difficult things in her personal life. aimee has always been such a sweet, honest, kind, caring, beautiful person. aimee isn't a back stabber, she is honest but she never makes you feel bad for messing up. aimee is a wonderful mother and she is so good with children, she has such a light and she just makes you want to be near her, just to be her friend... and i feel so lucky to call her my best friend.
right now she is going through something extremely difficult and i just hope that if you read this(even if you may not know her) that you will pray for her and her family at this time.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
my very own "fake" family
in previous posts by my sister and sarah, they have talked about their own "fake" family. well, here in amarillo i'm pretty much alone. i'm literally 1,000 miles from my flesh and blood, which sometimes can be so hard. at times i want to be able to hang out and go to lunch with my sister or my dad or have my grandma's shoulder to cry on. i've mentioned that i quickly made friends at my church and that my life group have become my pseudo family. i have really gotten to know them and i'm so glad that i have Godly people in my life to lean on for support and friendship.so, let me introduce you to them:
the people in the photo above are the hatfields. they are so awesome! they were recently married and are the parents of 5 kids. they have such big hearts and are so fun to be around. i just love them so much. the hatfields are: mark, lindsay, andrew, xander, noah, alisabeth and echo.
in the second photo are my very dear friends- the abramsons'. they have opened their homes and their hearts to me and daylee and they give me such good christian advice and wisdom. i love having girl time with kat and i she is like my big sister. her and her husband have been such amazing friends to me and i love them to pieces.
in the photo above: kat, jason and nick(jason's son) and in the bottom photo: kat's two boys hayden and levi.
the people in the photo above are the hatfields. they are so awesome! they were recently married and are the parents of 5 kids. they have such big hearts and are so fun to be around. i just love them so much. the hatfields are: mark, lindsay, andrew, xander, noah, alisabeth and echo.
in the second photo are my very dear friends- the abramsons'. they have opened their homes and their hearts to me and daylee and they give me such good christian advice and wisdom. i love having girl time with kat and i she is like my big sister. her and her husband have been such amazing friends to me and i love them to pieces.
in the photo above: kat, jason and nick(jason's son) and in the bottom photo: kat's two boys hayden and levi.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
3 things:place i love to shop
so, these are my 3 things: place i love to shop. this was pretty difficult because i get random stuff everywhere and it's hard to narrow it down to three but i did. let me walk you through them...
first i chose target(i know, target of all places), but i find some good stuff there(including clothes). i don't buy too many clothing items there but sometimes they have really affordable, nice things to wear. i especially like their kids clothing. i can always find deals on stuff for daylee and seth.
next, you'll see an odd picture of an old man. for those of you who do not know who this is... well, shame, shame!!! this is sailor "jerry"(actually, his real name is norman collins). that's besides the point, but for those of you who know and love me know that i love, love, love sailor jerry everything. from his classic tattoos to his clothing and accessory line. the clothing line is ridiculously expensive but i've been known to splurge on occasion. i love his tees and sweaters and i especially love his bags. i constantly look at the website to see if they are having any specials or sales but usually they're not... boo.
lastly, just like my baby sister, i love forever 21. i can always, always find cute clothing, from jeans to dresses and it's crazy cheap. sadly, amarillo has not caught on and does not have a forever. the nearest one is in lubbock(about an hour and a half away), so when i make the trip home i have to shop at forever with joanna. this last trip home was a total score for clothing! i found jeans and shirts and sweaters. i was a very happy jamie, let me tell ya.
one more that i didn't post a pic of is thrift stores. i can always find funky, vintage pieces and since high school i have rocked thrift stores. who can beat a 70's banana leisure suit?! hmm???
i'm so glad i played again and i can't wait for next weeks 3 things...
first i chose target(i know, target of all places), but i find some good stuff there(including clothes). i don't buy too many clothing items there but sometimes they have really affordable, nice things to wear. i especially like their kids clothing. i can always find deals on stuff for daylee and seth.next, you'll see an odd picture of an old man. for those of you who do not know who this is... well, shame, shame!!! this is sailor "jerry"(actually, his real name is norman collins). that's besides the point, but for those of you who know and love me know that i love, love, love sailor jerry everything. from his classic tattoos to his clothing and accessory line. the clothing line is ridiculously expensive but i've been known to splurge on occasion. i love his tees and sweaters and i especially love his bags. i constantly look at the website to see if they are having any specials or sales but usually they're not... boo.lastly, just like my baby sister, i love forever 21. i can always, always find cute clothing, from jeans to dresses and it's crazy cheap. sadly, amarillo has not caught on and does not have a forever. the nearest one is in lubbock(about an hour and a half away), so when i make the trip home i have to shop at forever with joanna. this last trip home was a total score for clothing! i found jeans and shirts and sweaters. i was a very happy jamie, let me tell ya.one more that i didn't post a pic of is thrift stores. i can always find funky, vintage pieces and since high school i have rocked thrift stores. who can beat a 70's banana leisure suit?! hmm???
i'm so glad i played again and i can't wait for next weeks 3 things...
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
teen mom 2
okay, raise your hands if you saw the second episode of teen mom 2? anyone? damn!!!! another explosive episode.
i felt horrible for what leah is going through with the probability that her baby, ali has major spinal injury. it's just so sad. she's such a young woman, and any mom would struggle emotionally and mentally knowing that their child may possibly have a handicap. i'm glad she's handling it very maturely. she went about everything the right way. she is trying to brave but the poor girl is still a child raising two children and she can't handle the pain this is causing her. i'm so glad to see that corey is stepping up and wanting to resolve their petty issues to make things better for their kids.... this is why i'm rooting for leah all the way.
chelsea's decision to bring adam back in her life is foolish, just foolish. that girl needs some self esteem!!! she's beautiful and has so much potential and she's wasting it on a guy who proclaims that he's "changed". it doesn't sound believable.
kailyn... what is she thinking? she is being so disrespectful dating another guy while she's living with joe(her ex) and his family. it doesn't seem like the right thing for her to do. she can't handle her business and she should not be jumping into another relationship just because she's upset that her and joe broke up. she really needs a dose of humility. she has had such a great support system since moving in with joe and his family does so much to help her and it's like she's stabbing them in the back. it's unfortunate and i thought this girl would do the right thing and honestly, she's acting like her mother.
jenelle- the girl is a drug abusing loser. she proclaims she "loves" jace, she proclaims "how she never goes out". the girl doesn't get how much goes into being a mom(let alone a good mom). she physically assulted her mother, verbally abuses her only support system and acts like it's owed and justified. i wish i could whoop that girls ass. that's what she really needs. she needs someone to beat her down and maybe she won't buck up and act like that. i'm looking forward to barbara taking custody of jace. it's the best thing for that little guy. i hope jenelle can get help for her actions and attitude but she seriously needs someone really shaking her up to get the severity of her actions.
i hope y'all are just as excited as i am to be watching this season(especially joanna and sarah)!!!
i felt horrible for what leah is going through with the probability that her baby, ali has major spinal injury. it's just so sad. she's such a young woman, and any mom would struggle emotionally and mentally knowing that their child may possibly have a handicap. i'm glad she's handling it very maturely. she went about everything the right way. she is trying to brave but the poor girl is still a child raising two children and she can't handle the pain this is causing her. i'm so glad to see that corey is stepping up and wanting to resolve their petty issues to make things better for their kids.... this is why i'm rooting for leah all the way.
chelsea's decision to bring adam back in her life is foolish, just foolish. that girl needs some self esteem!!! she's beautiful and has so much potential and she's wasting it on a guy who proclaims that he's "changed". it doesn't sound believable.
kailyn... what is she thinking? she is being so disrespectful dating another guy while she's living with joe(her ex) and his family. it doesn't seem like the right thing for her to do. she can't handle her business and she should not be jumping into another relationship just because she's upset that her and joe broke up. she really needs a dose of humility. she has had such a great support system since moving in with joe and his family does so much to help her and it's like she's stabbing them in the back. it's unfortunate and i thought this girl would do the right thing and honestly, she's acting like her mother.
jenelle- the girl is a drug abusing loser. she proclaims she "loves" jace, she proclaims "how she never goes out". the girl doesn't get how much goes into being a mom(let alone a good mom). she physically assulted her mother, verbally abuses her only support system and acts like it's owed and justified. i wish i could whoop that girls ass. that's what she really needs. she needs someone to beat her down and maybe she won't buck up and act like that. i'm looking forward to barbara taking custody of jace. it's the best thing for that little guy. i hope jenelle can get help for her actions and attitude but she seriously needs someone really shaking her up to get the severity of her actions.
i hope y'all are just as excited as i am to be watching this season(especially joanna and sarah)!!!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
jamie mcmuffin
mmmmmmm... the jamie mcmuffin(granted it's not unique or special) but super tasty and i thought i'd share my recipe.
jamie mcmuffin
honey wheat english muffin
american cheese
baby spinach
mustard
honey ham
egg
toast the muffin, fry your egg(i usually fry it over hard or will scramble it), add the cheese and about 5-8 leaves of spinach, add one slice of ham and then i smear mustard on the muffin, smush together and enjoy with chips or fruit.
jamie mcmuffin
honey wheat english muffin
american cheese
baby spinach
mustard
honey ham
egg
toast the muffin, fry your egg(i usually fry it over hard or will scramble it), add the cheese and about 5-8 leaves of spinach, add one slice of ham and then i smear mustard on the muffin, smush together and enjoy with chips or fruit.
the heart of a lion.
a friend of mine went to jail today and i was trying to figure out a way to help out and while i was on my phone, my son, daylee went to his room and got his piggy bank, brought it to my room and dumped every penny, dime, nickle and quarter on my bed and he said, "mommy, is this enough to get $%&*^%& out of jail?" i was floored by his reaction. what 3 year old does that? he cared more about my friend than he did about his little savings(which he totally loves). i couldn't believe that he would want to give everything he had to save my friend.
what really gets to me is that lately i've been thinking that i'm failing my son in so many ways and here it just shows me that i've been teaching him generosity and how to help others. he didn't just get that from watching a movie but from seeing me(or others that are close to us) give help to others that need it.
i'm so proud to be a mother and it's moments like those that make all the fussing and fighting worth it. if i teach him one thing- it is to help those that are in need.
tonight was a reminder of how much i have to be thankful for and how a preschool kid can give freely, without question and how much more we can do for those in need.
what really gets to me is that lately i've been thinking that i'm failing my son in so many ways and here it just shows me that i've been teaching him generosity and how to help others. he didn't just get that from watching a movie but from seeing me(or others that are close to us) give help to others that need it.
i'm so proud to be a mother and it's moments like those that make all the fussing and fighting worth it. if i teach him one thing- it is to help those that are in need.
tonight was a reminder of how much i have to be thankful for and how a preschool kid can give freely, without question and how much more we can do for those in need.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
a really good day.
finally. thank the Lord above. daylee has had a better weekend. he hasn't been quite as argumentative, he's been listening and hasn't had any major melt downs. thank you to those of you who were praying for us.
daylee did complain of a headache and i gave him motrin and it definitely seemed to help relax him, so i plan on setting up an appointment for him on tuesday.
please keep him in your prayers.
daylee did complain of a headache and i gave him motrin and it definitely seemed to help relax him, so i plan on setting up an appointment for him on tuesday.
please keep him in your prayers.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
teen mom 2
okay, so as many of you know... teen mom, 16 and pregnant and teen mom 2 are one of my guilty pleasures... no, my crack. i must admit, last season's 16 and pregnant wasn't my favorite(and to boot, i hear that girls are purposely getting pregnant to audition for the show) made it much less appealing, plus, the girls were so... indifferent. indifferent towards their mates, their kids, their situations and it was aggravating.but i was really excited to watch teen mom season 2. after all, season 1 of teen mom was gritty and explosive.
joanna and i often talk about our favorites and our most disliked teen moms. out of season one, my favorite teen mom/couple was catelynn and tyler. they made the right choice for them and their baby. they ended up choosing wonderful adoptive parents for their baby girl(which doesn't always happen). i just think with all their struggles(having absent/drug addicted/alcoholic/ locked up parents), they wanted to better their lives and grow as teems and people and then take care of business. i'm just proud of them for overcoming so much and being so grown up about things when they could have chosen otherwise and been in a very difficult situation.
i also liked maci, but not as much as i liked catelynn. i had no connection, sympathy/empathy for amber or farrah. i thought farrah was a spoiled brat. i get that she misses her ex and father of her baby, but instead of leaning on those who love her the most, she chose to push them out, act out and just make wrong choices and then when she needed her parents she chose to let them back in. i also think she was a irresponsible mother... she left her baby in the hallway when she moved into her apartment!!! and amber, oh, amber. first off, she looked drugged up in every episode and her violent, explosive temper towards gary was probably only a glimpse of her violence towards her child. she was sleeping while her child was awake screaming. her home was filthy and disgusting. her poor daughter looked like a rag-a-muffin in almost all the episodes. ugh, moms like that should have their kids taken away. i just can't believe their are people in this world who pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to try to get pregnant and then there are shit moms like her who just keep popping kids out. it's sad and disgraceful.
OKAY, on to the next season... teen mom 2. starring: leah, chelsea, kailyn and jenelle.
here we go...
WOW. it was an intense first episode(full of heart break and drama). from the first time i was leah's 16 and pregnant i had mixed feelings about her being immature and for her cheating on corey. corey was doing all he could to provide for her and his two babies. you could see the love he had for leah and how she treated him was so shameful, but after the 16 and pregnant reunion, you could see that she knew how far she'd taken it and how she was sincere and wanted him back. then, she eacame my favorite(of the teen moms). i was super excited to see she had made the cut because i see that she isn't stupid and that she's a teen and she realized what she had done to ruin her and corey's relationship. i saw the clip where her and corey got married and oohhh, i'm just so happy for them and i hope their baby is okay.
chelsea is my next favorite(joanna's favorite of the season) and i can why. she has a huge support system and really good friends and parents, but the girl has no self worth or self esteem. she takes adam back in one of the clips that have aired and i was appalled. how could such a bright, beautiful girl take back such a piece of trash who did'nt even want his baby. in 16 and pregnant he abused her emotionally and verbally and then called their baby "a mistake". he is the worst father and shouldn't even have the right to see that precious little girl. chelsea's dad tries so hard to help his daughter with her self esteem and chelsea's so worried she'll end up alone, that she takes that fool back. ugh, girls that can't see their worth really anger me. it doesn't matter how many times you tell them how amazing they are, they don't believe it but you gotta let them figure out for themselves and then they can start to change their lives.
i really liked kailyn. i felt so bad for her having such a flaky mom but was so happy that joe's parents had stepped in and treated her like a family member. they let her move in, they supported her through so much and helped her and joe work on their issues as a couple. in this season, joe breaks up with kailyn for being ungrateful and miles on his car and feeling unappreciated. i'm sure there was more that we didn't see/don't know about. i feel bad for kailyn, she must feel like she's stuck or in limbo. her mom is still flaky and unreliable, so she moves into joe's parents basement(which must be awkward) but then she goes and starts dating her co-worker and that just doesn't sit well with me. if she wants to move on with her life, fine but don't do it while living at your ex boyfriend's house. it's not right!!!
and now, the season 2's version of amber: jenelle.
ugh, jenelle. i didn't like her in 16 and pregnant. i didn't like anything about this girl. she treats her mom and her mom's boyfriend like trash. she ignores her kid and all she does is party. i actually read something that said she advocates smoking weed while your pregnant and that she did during her entire pregnancy. what a great mom. throughout 16 and pregnant and teen mom2, jenelle has acted like she's a great mom, that she does all this work to care for her little guy and in reality, she did nothing except go out and leave jace with her mom. her mom made so many valid points but jenelle was either too stupid or high to understand what her mom was saying. and in this last episode, jenelle pushes her mom. that kind of behavior should never be tolerated. i can't imagine what would happen to me if i hit/pushed my mom or grandma. i would hope that someone would take me down for doing something like that. jenelle adds nothing to the season expect for ratings for her outlandish, wild behavior. she is a horrible mom and i'm glad to see that barbara is taking legal action to raise jace. jenelle obviously isn't capable, nor does she want the job of being a good mother and parent. you know, it's sad that jenelle and barbara can't handle things like adults because poor baby, jace is sitting on the floor hearing all of this and it's not fair to him at all.
so those are my thoughts on 16 and pregnant and teen mom. if you watch, please let me know who your favorite/least favoirte girls are and why!!!
Friday, January 14, 2011
calling all moms!!!!! i need help!!!!!!
i'm writing this specific blog to seek advice from more experienced mothers than i...
lately, i've had issues with my 3 year old son and this past week has been extremely difficult.
over our christmas vacation we went to see d's dad and his father called me some not so pleasant names and did some not so nice things and since returning home, well, things have been trying.
my son has been punching me in my face, calling me names like, "bitch", "fat" and "piggy" and they really hurt my feelings, but more than that, i'm angry because my preschooler should not be saying anything like that nor hitting. well, if that wasn't enough, he's not listening to me and he's frequently, whiny and uncontrollable. i've tried spankings, time outs, taking things away and threatening and nothing, i mean, nothing is working... i know, the part i play and i take full responsility for not having my son in line but i don't know where to start. i don't know if it's an emotional battle or just his age or if he's having problems with his emotions( when my son was born he had a seizure and almost died at 2 weeks old, after many tests including ct scan and an mri we discovered that he had multiple cysts in his frontal lobe but we were told not to worry about them unless he started to have behavioral problems and headaches). well, for the past couple of days, he's been complaining that his head hurts...
i plan on setting up an appointment with his specialist as soon as possible, but i don't know what to do to get his temper under control and not go insane myself.
any help you mothers can give me would be greatly appreciated... prayers are also asked during this time. thank you.
lately, i've had issues with my 3 year old son and this past week has been extremely difficult.
over our christmas vacation we went to see d's dad and his father called me some not so pleasant names and did some not so nice things and since returning home, well, things have been trying.
my son has been punching me in my face, calling me names like, "bitch", "fat" and "piggy" and they really hurt my feelings, but more than that, i'm angry because my preschooler should not be saying anything like that nor hitting. well, if that wasn't enough, he's not listening to me and he's frequently, whiny and uncontrollable. i've tried spankings, time outs, taking things away and threatening and nothing, i mean, nothing is working... i know, the part i play and i take full responsility for not having my son in line but i don't know where to start. i don't know if it's an emotional battle or just his age or if he's having problems with his emotions( when my son was born he had a seizure and almost died at 2 weeks old, after many tests including ct scan and an mri we discovered that he had multiple cysts in his frontal lobe but we were told not to worry about them unless he started to have behavioral problems and headaches). well, for the past couple of days, he's been complaining that his head hurts...
i plan on setting up an appointment with his specialist as soon as possible, but i don't know what to do to get his temper under control and not go insane myself.
any help you mothers can give me would be greatly appreciated... prayers are also asked during this time. thank you.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
okay, so here are four of my guiltless pleasures i thought i'd go ahead and share with you. mind you, i get that these can and probably are... HAZARDOUS TO MY HEALTH, but i'm a big girl willing to take the risk.
first, i posted keeping up with the kardashians. years ago when they came out in a big way i was so against three beautiful, rich sisters running around la doing whatever they like but here in the last 6months i have literally watched all the episodes of keeping up with the kardashians and knloe and kourtney take miami seasons 1 and 2. so, naturally, i'm super excited about kourtney and kim take nyc!!!
second, i posted my dirty little habit... okay... horribly dirty habit... smoking. i love cigarettes. they are my best friend and probably what is going to kill me, but i know that i have to be ready to quit and right now, i can be honest with myself and others and say that i am not ready to give up my "precious".
third, i posted teen mom season 2. i loved season1. i loved getting my sister addicted to teen mom. we have something to talk about almost all the time. discussing the good moms from the bad ones, the pretty normal girls to the bat shit crazy ones and it's just fun. besides all that, i had my first born son as a teen and i feel like i can really relate in many ways.
the fourth thing i posted was a can of coke.... i am a junkie. i am addicted, no i mainline soda. day in and day out. i never touch water unless i'm super thirsty. i think i probably drink at a minimum 4-5 cokes a day and at the most, maybe, 12. i know what you're thinking... gross, but i beg to differ. coke, is like a smoke... my bff.
so, now you know some of my guiltless pleasures.
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