Take a step back

I live by this credo: Have a little laugh at life and look around you for happiness instead of sadness. Laughter has always brought me out of unhappy situations. Even in your darkest moment, you usually can find something to laugh about if you try hard enough. -- Red Skelton

It's very easy to allow myself to get overwhelmed by life. There is a lot to worry about, to think about, to decide, to organize, to deal with. I can usually keep things in perspective. But, sometimes it's not so easy. The daily grind can wear me down. I read the newspaper and things that are happening out there in the world weigh on me.

It's times like those that it's good to take a step back. Just breath. Try and look at the bigger picture. Speaking of pictures, going through my picture folder can help keep me grounded. Pictures make me smile, make me laugh, make my heart swell with love for my friends and family and pets. I would like to share a set of pictures that I took last weekend. I think I can learn a lot about life from these pictures.

In front of the camera

I don't mind being in front of the camera, but it happens very rarely. It seems like my husband is as awkward with my camera as I might be with one of his guitars. My sister is a little more adventurous. She loves to have fun and play, even if she doesn't know what she is doing (admitted by her).

Here are some pictures from our hang out session on Sunday..the camera in the hands of my sister.

Tagged

Eight things I am looking forward to:
1. Friday..because I don't have to go to work
2. Friday..beause we're going to see the new X-men movie
3. Saturday..because I'm having a yard sale
4. Saturday..because it's my Mom's birthday
5. Sunday..because it's the Spring Festival at church..Mmmm..brisket
6. Next weekend..because I'll be in Dallas having a girls weekend with Jennifer
7. The Saturday after that..because my sister is graduating from college!
8. Um..September..because we are going to see METALLICA!

Eight things I did yesterday:
1. Woke up
2. Wanted to go back to sleep
3. Had a bagel for breakfast..it was my last one : (
4. I had a peanut butter and jelly for lunch..it was a nice break from Smart Ones
5. Only worked 8 hours!
6. Tried a new recipe for dinner, it was delicious
7. Was very bored and wanted to eat everything in the kitchen
8. Watched TV with the husband

Eight things I wish I could do:
1. Quit my job
2. Pay off all my bills
3. Join a gym
4. Make money doing what I love
5. Have a baby
6. Rescue all the abused animals (I know, it's a tall order)
7. Buy a new house
8. Travel more (out of this state)

Eight shows I watch on TV:
1. Biggest Loser
2. America's Next Top Model
3. Ghost Hunters
4. What Not to Wear
5. Good Eats
6. Extreme Home Makeover
7. America's Funniest Home Videos
8. Animal Cops

I don't really like to tag people. If you want to play, that's cool. Listing eight things was HARD! LOL.

Protection ~ Duke's Story

When we first moved into our house, I developed a slight fear/phobia that someone would break into my house. I would often have to get up out of bed to double check the locks on the doors and the windows (even though we never opened the windows). Sometimes I would lay in bed and could not go to sleep because my eyes kept wondering to the pitch black hallway. Jeremy didn't understand it. 'Have you ever had your home broken into?'..he would ask. Well, no. And I've never been physically attacked by someone in my home either. I know, it didn't make sense. I didn't feel protected even though I knew Jeremy would never let anything happen to me.


One day at work, as I was waiting for the elevator to make its way to my floor, I noticed a flyer on the wall. There were often flyers placed on each floor by the elevators to advertise all types of events. The one that caught my eye was for a mobile pet adoption that was being held in a few days. It provided a website to go and view the animals that would be available for adoption. Jeremy and I hadn't really talked about getting a dog at this point, so I'm not sure what compelled me to go to the website..but I did. I wish, so badly, that I had saved the first picture I ever saw of Duke. He looked so sad, so skinny, so scared. I read the quick bio about him. He was a 'special need' dog. Turns out Duke was missing a leg. It doesn't seem that his previous owner had protected him. I was very interested in Duke, but I didn't mention him to Jeremy. Instead, on the day of the mobile adoption (that was at the mall), I told Jeremy I needed to go look for a new pair of jeans. Sneaky, I know.


When we walked into the mall there were several people holding on to several leashes attached to several dogs. Duke was actually the first dog to hop over and say hello. He actually leaned against my legs and looked up with the warmest brown eyes ever. My heart melted, right there on the spot. Jeremy likes to say he didn't stand a chance. It would have been pretty hard for him to tell me (and Duke) no. So, we took him home that day. Now, I know that a scrawny (he only weighed 22 lbs when we got him), slightly handicapped (and understandably clumsy), collie mix isn't exactly guard dog material. But, I felt protected with Duke in the house, sleeping by the bed at night. He needed a home, and I needed him. He is the most sweet natured dog on the planet, a lover..not a fighter. However, I know in my heart that if anyone came into my home and threatened me Duke would protect me the best he could.

So Simple

My feelings on God, religion, and spirituality can be summed up in one Bible scripture. In my mind, and in my heart, it really is that simple. It's how I chose to live my life, even though I know sometimes I fall short. I believe that is all God wants of me. To love and respect others, to be a good and honest person, to work hard and live humbly, and to be happy and laugh.

1 John 4:7-8

7My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God's children, and we know him. 8God is love, and anyone who doesn't love others has never known him.

Holy Wind Storm, Batman!

I woke up at about 4:30 this morning to the sound of the wind. It was very strange to have so much wind without any thunder, lightening, or rain. Just wind. And then I looked up and realized that the ceiling fan was no longer spinning. I turned over to nudge Jeremy and he was already up with a flashlight.

We got up and took a look out the back windown. The patio chairs where turned over, cushions against the fence, one of my bird feeders was missing. Great. We set an alarm on my cell phone and try to go back to sleep. It's not so easy. Do you know how quiet it gets in a house when nothing is running? Very. And it was a little warm. Jeremy was tossing and turning, I was busy thinking about how I was suppose to fix my hair for work.

At about 6:30, just in time for me to get up and start getting dressed for work, the lights come back on. The hair went under a baseball cap because there was no time to fix it. At least I got my morning coffee. And thank GOODNESS for the coffee, because work was craptastic! Our system wasn't working right all day long. So, we worked everything we could and then had to sit there and watch the work that we couldn't do pile up. Around 3:15 the system is back up, it only took them seven hours, but because of the piled up work everyone had to stay two extra hours. AAANNND, they scheduled eight hours for tomorrow. That's right, EIGHT hours..on a SATURDAY. UGH. I'm crossing my fingers that they send us home early.

The bright spots in my day:

I got a hair cut. Nothing too major, basically a really good trim. It feels really good. Can't wait to play with it some more.

The gift I bought for my sister's graduation came in. It's even better in person! Can't wait to give it to her.

My Weight in Pictures III

Need a review? OK! Look here, here, and here to catch up.

Me on December 3, 2008. She doesn't look happy, does she?



Me as of today.

Things That Amuse Me

Watching my husband chance Otto around the backyard because he isn't suppose to be out. Otto really gave Jeremy a run for his money and I was nearly in tears by the end of the chase.

So, what do y'all think?

I know I've been switching backgrounds and headers like crazy. I usually change it and then stick with it for at least a few months. But, I wasn't really feeling any of them.

But, I was inspired by Jey Rey in SA to try and figure out the 3-column layout. It took me a few tries, a little tweaking, and a couple of backgrounds before I settled on this.

I like it!!

The Biggest Loser...

..of his moral compass.

I usually don't blog about the shows I'm watching. I'm not as witty as some of the other bloggers out there that do weekly run-downs of recent shows. But, I have been watching the Biggest Loser this season. This is actually the first season I've watched from the very beginning, so I'm pretty invested.

Anyway, it's getting close to the end *tear* and there is a lot of scheming going on. I don't guess I have any problem with general strategies. I mean it IS a game. But, when people right out LIE. I hate that. Ha ha..I guess it could have been creatively edited to look like he lied. Who knows. But, I still hate the sneakiness of it. So, this is what I think of Mr. Ron Liarpants:

Random Ramblings

I am sitting here, staring at this blank post, trying desperately to come up with SOMETHING to post. I have nothing. That's not to say I don't have things I want to share. It's just that none of them merit their own post. So, it looks like another random rambling.

~ I made a hair appointment for next Friday. Nothing major, just a trim. When I cut all of my hair off, the style was so severe that it hasn't really transitioned well as it's grown out. So, it's time for a re-shape as I continue to let it all grow out.

~ I do have the slightest itch to color my hair again. I can't decide if I want to do an all over color, or highlights. I haven't changed the color in a while.

~ I think I'm ready for another tattoo. It usually takes me forever, as in years, to come up with an idea that I really, really love. And then even after I have the picture in my head (or on paper) it takes me a while to go and do it. I like to sit with my idea for a while and see if I still like it or if it was a momentary want.

~ I'm trying to organize a garage sale with my Mom and sister. Jeremy and I don't have enough stuff to get rid of for us to have one alone. My Mom and sister on the other hand have plenty of stuff to get rid of. Neither one of them is thrilled with the idea of actually going through all that stuff to see what to keep and what to sale, but I'm working on them.

~ Jeremy and I have been researching hotels in downtown San Antonio. Like I mentioned we are going to see METALLICA!! in September and I would like to stay some place a little nicer than the La Quinta. It's harder than I thought to settle on a place. Everything is so expensive. Bleck! We still have time though, and we are narrowing it down.

~ We have FIVE more payments on our vehicle. F I V E more! Knock on wood that nothing happens to it, because it's the only vehicle we have.

To my Mom ~ With Love

"There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings." ~Hodding Carter, Jr.

I couldn't have put together a better picture and quote. My Mom has given me and my sister both, wings and roots. My husband and I have built our lives here in the same town I grew up in. My sister on the other hand is getting ready to strike out on her own. I know this is a little early for Mother's day. But since it is coming up and my Mom's birthday is also next month I've been thinking a lot about her.

I always describe my Mom as one tough cookie. She never took much crap from me or my sister but was the first to volunteer to help someone out. So, she is more like a tough cookie with a gooey middle. The older I get the more my Mom and I can laugh about my upbringing. It wasn't always easy. But, honestly, there aren't many people that can say that their childhood was easy. My Mom had the double responsibility of being the Mom and the Dad for me and my sister. I look back now and I can see how every decision she made was with us in mind. Not HER..but us, me and my sister.

I think about how humbling it must have been for her to seek out other people for us to live with. But she did it with a mind to allow us to go to better schools, or to live in a better neighborhood. She did it because she couldn't do it on her own, and our well-being was more important to her than her own privacy. She often went without a room of her own, instead sleeping on the sofa. I think about all the overtime she worked. That wasn't fun money for her. No, that was all for us. New clothes, new shoes, sports, girl scouts, Christmas, birthdays. None of that stuff came cheap, but she did what she had to do to make sure we had it all.

I remember how MAD it would make me for her to demand that I tell her what was wrong when I was upset. I was a teenager..EVERYTHING upset me. I was fighting with so-and-so over such-and-such. It wasn't even important. But she would insist that I tell her, going so far as to threaten to ground me if I didn't tell her. It would drive me crazy, because..hello..my Mom couldn't POSSIBLY understand what I was going through. And she often had cheesy "mom" advise for me..about how I just needed to TALK to so-and-so and tell them how I feel. BUT, I can look back now and see where her heart was. She knew I was upset and wanted to help, wanted to fix it.

My Mom made the comment last night how she didn't know how we had survived her up-bringing. Things were not all rainbows and butterflies. My Mom was at full speed from the moment she got up to well after she put us to bed. She was juggling three jobs, two kids, all of OUR activities, and the bills. Even a two parent household might be a little tense with that sort of pressure. It's a miracle that she isn't bald from yanking her hair out.

So, my Mom is one tough cookie (with a gooey inside). She knows how to get the job done and doesn't do a lot of whining about it. And I can say, for a fact, that my sister and I not only survived her rearing, but have grown into two fabulous women BECAUSE of it.

Wise words from The Universe

Give it thought, Jinny. Consider every angle. And then speak your mind.

You've not been drawn into anyone's life just to listen.

Loud and proud,
The Universe

You're not here to be quiet, Jinny. Actually, you're one of my spokes-peeps.

My own march madness

I realized today that I didn't really post about ANYTHING that went on last month. Maybe that's because there was A LOT of stuff going on. Ok, I just went back to look at all my posts last month. There were more than I thought, but I still wasn't really talking about what was going on.

~ I worked 45.5 hours of overtime last month. I am trying very hard to remain grateful for my job. I mean, I AM grateful for my job. But, I am SICK of my job. Ok, ok..I'm really just tired of work. Ready for my normal ol' eight hour days to be back.

~ My period was late. It caused a slight stir of excitement for both Jeremy and me. We were both rather bummed when it showed up.

~ We spent a long weekend in San Antonio at the beginning of March. It was a fabulous weekend, with good food and good company. And, we went to see Jeff Dunham. It was a really great show!


~ I mentioned the pictures I took for our anniversary. That was in the works through out March. It was very tricky to coordinate all of that without the hubs knowing about it.

~ Jeremy was having some serious teeth issues. There was an inflamed abscess, a yo-yo fever, several trips to the dentist, a visit to our family doctor, and a visit to the ER. That was the first time we have ever decided to go to the ER. He missed nearly an entire week of work. He was tired and hurting, I was tired and worried. It was very stressful. I'm happy to report that all the teeth issues have been resolved.

~ We bought a new set of mattresses. This is the first brand new set we have ever owned as a couple. It was such a thrill to be able to go and buy and PAY IT IN FULL. I love my new mattress! I sleep much better and have a lot less aches and pains in the morning..because really, I'm MUCH too young for that.

Wordless Wednesday

Wednesday Randomness

~ Technology really frustrates me sometimes. I've contemplated throwing my cell phone out the window several times.

~ I am SO being a cupcake for Halloween this year. Now to make sure that I have some place to go so I can dress up. It would be pretty pitiful for me to dress up as a cupcake just to sit at home.

~ My dishes were delivered today. I LOVE them! They are beautiful.

~ I've been thinking a lot about work and friendships lately. A little heavy for a random post, but I'm throwing it out there. Is it truly possible to make lasting friendships with co-workers? Is it even smart to get that close to co-workers? Why is it so hard to make new friends as an adult?

~ This ties in with above point, but merits it's own point. Why are people so physcho crazy? Is that just the norm, which would make ME, and others like me, the freaky one?

~ Sometimes I feel like a freak...really.

~ My sister is graduating from college next month. O_o

~ I'm going to see Metallica in September. I'm looking forward to staying in a fancy-schmancy hotel. And when I say fancy-schmancy I mean a step above the La Quinta.

Things that annoy me
Facebook being down at work. How am I suppose to survive the day without it?

Weekly Winners..or why I love my nieces and nephew

Ask and you shall receive..

After posting about my 101 list and what I had left to do, my husband and my sister stepped up to the plate to help me out.

First, my husband asks me how I would feel about playing in the dirt this weekend. Sounds good to me! After a quick trip to Lowe's we have everything we need to fill both front flower beds and the back flower bed. We planted Azalea bushes, hostas, gladiolas, dahlias, a bunch of different lilies, and scattered wildflower seeds. It will be an interesting spring/summer to see what actually comes up.

And then Megan texts me and asks if I want to go bowling. Heck ya! So, that's what we did Friday night. And it was a lot of fun. I don't know why we don't do it more. It's literally right around the corner from our house.

Plus, all of these stuff has me sore today. I didn't think I would be THIS sore. I typed in 120 minutes of bowling into my weight watchers tracker...do you know how many points you get for two hours of bowling? 6 points...SIX! That's crazy..and awesome.

So I can mark THREE things off my list. How great is that?

Just a peek

Here is just a little peek at Jeremy's anniversary gift. It was very hard to keep it all a secret from him, but so worth it.

101 things in 1001 days - Review

I have a little under two years to finish my list. I thought it would be a good idea to review the list and try and plan (loosly) to get something of the things done.

So, here are the things I still have left to do.

1. Go to Enchanted Rock . This could easily be a day trip, it's just a matter of going.

2. Spend the night at our state park. Again, just a matter of going and doing it. It's sort of crazy that we have a state park and yet never go to it.

3. Go to Oktoberfest. This could be a day trip, but considering how many adult beverages would be probably be consumed...better to just stay the night.

4. Go to Texas Renaissance Festival . Ok ok, I know y'all are sitting there...scoffing at how cheesy this is. My husband was the SAME way before we went. We've only been once and it was a wonderful time. And really, the place is too big for just one visit. There was tons of stuff we didn't get to see.

5. Take a second honeymoon to Corpus Christi. Next April will be our 10 year anniversary. I figured that was a perfect time for a second honeymoon.

6. Go to a sandcastle contest.

7. Visit the Hummingbird house. You have to call and make an appointment. Which I didn't know when I put it on my list. I still want to go, but we'll see how it works.

8. Go to the museum.

9. Go to the rodeo.

10. Sew a 'damn it' doll

11. Give the 'damn it' doll to someone that needs it

12. Re-plant the back flower bed. I'm thinking we should just fill it up with a bunch of iris blubs. We do great with them...they are hard to kill. - DONE

13. Paint the house. *sigh* This has been on the agenda for a while now. I have a few ideas of what I would like. That might have to be another post.

14. Get a new glass door for the front door. Nothing special, just a nice solid glass door. It's a screen door right now.

15. Pick my own peaches. I've heard it's really not that fun, but I want to try it anyway.

16. Visit the Circle E Candle Factory

17. Drive the Willow City Loop, which would be great to help with the next item.

18. Get a picture of the wild Texas bluebonnets

19. Hang Christmas lights on the house. Can you believe we have lived in this house for years without buying a ladder to get on the roof?

20. Try planting something in the front flower beds. I have a few problems with our front flower beds. 1) They are right up against the house and get NO sun. And I do mean none. So, it's been difficult to find anything that will grow there. 2) The neighborhood cats use them as a litter box and trash can. Short of harming the cats, we don't know how to keep them out of the beds. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON EITHER PROBLEM? - DONE. WE'LL SEE IF ANYTHING GROWS.

21. Buy one matching pair of bra and panties. Oh la la. ha ha.

22. Visit someplace with a whole lot of snow on the ground. Probably Colorado, we loved it there..but there was no snow when we went for a visit.

23. Put our wedding picture negatives on CD's. I have negatives. Yeah, that's old school.

24. Fly a kite. Just because it would be fun..and outside.

25. Visit the farmers market. I've never been but I would like to go and see what is offered.

26. Go to 10 restaurants that I've never been to before in town. I've been to two so far. Um, I'm not sure there are 8 more that I haven't already been to. What was I thinking?

27. Attend a sporting event.

28. Learn sign language, or try. I don't have to be fluent.

29. Make myself a piece of jewelry.

30. Hang another birdfeeder in the back yard. It's getting to the point where its a necessity. The birds in our backyard empty the one we have in an afternoon. - DONE. THANKS, MOM!

31. PRIVATE ~ ha ha..I have got to hurry up and do this. Not a big thing, but Jeremy will think its funny.

32. Get a small tattoo. At this point, I'm thinking if I ever end up getting another tattoo its not going to be small.

31. Be nice to myself for a full day (0/5). I might just give this one up. I'm pretty nice to myself on a faitly daily basis.

32. Go see Kidd Kraddick live.

33. Go to the planetarium

34. Buy six 'Heart Sings' bracelets and give them away to friends. Uh-oh, just checked the site for a link..they might not sell the bracelets anymore.

35. Spend an evening at D'vine wines. They have a great peach wine.

36. Have a dinner party with Mom & Megan. The trick is figuring when they can both be in the same place, at the same time, for more than 30 minutes, AND cooking something they will both eat.

37. Print and frame one of my own photos.

38. Go bowling. I don't know why we don't do it more often.- DONE, THANKS, MEGAN!

39. Find a geocache.

40. Visit the Lost Maples Park

41. Obtain a hammock for the backyard.

42. Buy a new stove.

43. Buy new pillows.

44. Take Mack to Sea World. We might do that this summer.

45. Buy a new blender.

46. Feed the ducks.

47. Go to the Texas State Fair. I hear the people watching is out of this world.

48. Try a fried twinkie while I'm there.

49. Buy at least one more classic Disney movie. We have a small collection going.

50. Get an ice cream cake for my birthday.

51. Ride a horse.

52. Stay in a treehouse for a night.

53. Visit Jocie and Travis.