Spring

Well folks it's Spring. I had a rough time the first several weeks...but now the sun is out, flowers are bloomed and the world is beautiful again. These are flowers that are right outside my front door. I adore Spring once my allergies turn off. I think I'm just about there (thanks to a steroid shot).

I have been working out a lot and watching my diet...which has really paid off. I have lost some weight and feel really good. I feel strong.

My "Houseaversary" is May 7th. Yes, it's been almost a YEAR that I've been a homeowner. I'm so happy/proud and loooooooooove my home still. It has been very rewarding to own and maintain my home for the last year. I have several projects that I need to do (of course).....but all will come in time. I'm in no rush.

Blogging

I think it's time I start blogging again. What do you think? I used to really enjoy blogging. I think I'll get back on it.

I know....

I just haven't felt like blogging ok? It's not like I don't have anything to say....just nothing that is so interesting I felt like blogging about it.

I am FULL...to the top. I ate some chinese noodles and chicken for lunch....oh and a few spicy chips........THEN....much to my displeasure my friend in the office put down in front of me one of the best pieces of apple cake I've ever had. Covered in Cool Whip too. I hated it, really ;) I was already full when she brought it in...but who am I to be rude right? Ok, so I let it sit on my desk for a good 20 minutes before I ate it. I hate feeling this full. It's not comfortable. At least I wore stretchy pants today ..hehe.

Damn diets. Damn budgets. Damn men.

Ok, I'm done.

Where to Begin?

I know I've been a slacker when it comes to updating this blog. So here is my big update. There is so much to update on that I'm afraid I'm going to have to section it out.

Home: We are unpacked and I even (finally) decorated this week! Everything I do to improve the way my home looks makes me feel so good. I've never "nested" in a home, because I've always knew it wasn't REALLY mine.....so why put forth the effort? This one is mine, and I plan to live there a very long time...so nesting I'm doing.

Personal Life: Single and loving it. I have no interest in anyone and I'm happy to keep it that way. Jeff and I have agreed to file for divorce next month, when we are best suited financially to do so. We are doing extremely well with having a friendly relationship...and for that I'm very grateful.

Kids:

-Jewel is turning 18 tomorrow!!! She is returning to SM East as a "super senior" ....that means she flunked 12th grade to be blunt. I'm proud of her that she is taking responsibility and going back. She is doing really well and I'm really proud of her development.

- Lizzy is getting ready to turn 13. She is very much a "tween". Still a reading fool and still being a great kid. I have FINALLY paid off her violin (3 years!). She is starting middle school in a few weeks.

-Chris turned 9 June 21st. He is going to start at a new school in a few weeks. He just finished out his baseball season with a 2nd place World Series finish. That is impressive! He is no longer on that team and is taking a step back and re-joining the team he played with the season before last. It'll be less stressful for everyone involved.

Dog: We got a new dog. Her name is Trooper Grace. Trooper is the name she came with...I added Grace because it makes her sound like a girl. She's a GREAT dog. Part Beagle and part Weiner Dog. She's 12.5 lbs. I love her to pieces.

That's it for now......will update more later.

Why I Love This Man

Kevin Skinner

MJ

I did a lot of driving last weekend....which meant a lot of listening to the radio. We heard a LOT of Michael Jackson music due to his passing last week. I was trying to explain to Lizzy how significant his music was when I was a kid because, to Lizzy...he's a singer who has had a long career and turned into a very strange person. When I was a kid..he was not strange...he was COOL. Really cool. I was telling Lizzy how when his music videos came out it was a prime time event. He was handsome, could dance and sing. We didn't yet know about his abusive childhood...and really, for me I was completely out of touch with the "Jackson 5". It was not until I was a teen that I became aware that he'd had a long career. Yes, he turned into a pretty strange, troubled, possibly criminal person. But when you look at the music he turned out over the span of 40 years, you can't help but reminisce a little. Name a MJ song and I could tell you what stage of my life I was in. The video below is the first performance I remember very well of him...it was in 1893 I believe...so that would make me 6. I remember thinking that I wanted to dance like that!!! I used to enjoy dancing (ask Penny) and he was definitely a person who could inspire me to do it.

Eating Out

For the last several years I've struggled with getting myself into the shape I want to be in. I am not overweight...but I don't want to just let myself go so I'm constantly trying new ways to make myself eat right...exercise etc. I have been "off" real coke for about a month and a half now...with the exception of just a few times of cheating. I'm very proud of myself actually. I think I may have discovered that I enjoy Diet Pepsi better than Diet Coke though...who knew? I can't help but to eat like shit when I eat out....esp in a restaurant. Eating out is a treat for me, so when I sit and look at the menu, I think "what sounds awesome at this moment" not "what is good tasting and good for me". That's what I should be thinking. Last night I went to 810 Zone with a few work colleges and had about 5 (fantastic) hot wings....half of a half pound burger and most of my fries. I was SOOO good, but when I entered the food into my fitday account...I was sad about my lack of control. 100 calories for EACH hot wing! Mmmm they were so good though!

At lunch we're going out to eat, and I'll be out again at dinner time. This is all because there is a person I work with in town and the company pays for everything. I am going to try to restrain myself from over indulgence ...but in all honesty, I can't promise anything.

Updates

First- the duct tape didn't work. Really, it didn't have a chace to because the tape wouldn't stay on her foot. So- we went to the Dr. and had the wart frozen. I think she's going to need another treatment or two.

We got a dog! Her name is "Trooper Grace".....Trooper was her given name be previous owners...I hate it but she knows it and comes when called. She is a fantastic dog. She is about a year and a half...potty trained and very well tempered. I just love her. She is a mini beagle and weighs in at about 10lbs.

Chris is 9- his birthday was yesterday...and it was a great day. He had two baseball games, they won both and the tournament. It was also fathers day, so his grandmother had a nice birthday/fathers day party at her house. It was a really fun time.

My Duct Tape Experiment

My daughter Lizzy has a "plantar wart" on her foot. It's right by ...actually almost between her big toe and her 2nd toe on the bottom of her foot. I know two people who have had them removed and both people have described very painful and long healing processes. I was doing some research a few days ago and discovered an alternative method : duct tape

So- we will begin the "duct tape therapy" tomorrow and I will keep you informed on how it's going. It should take a few months, but I'd rather try this and see if it works rather than taking her straight over to the doctor for a painful procedure.