tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32450717187477725112012-01-02T08:51:41.154-05:00Come hang out with me as I journey through marriage, parenthood, spirituality, work and life in general.abfab74noreply@blogger.comBlogger701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-52715698179940992232009-07-21T09:04:00.004-04:002009-07-21T09:47:18.673-04:00

Wow. A great word for the right now of my life. School deadlines (Marketing Management - gag me with a spork) looming. New websites happening. A little baby business to nurture into something made from the stuff of dreams. All of this is happening while we go into week two of NO INTERNET at the house, all the while my work load is currently sitting at the eve of insane. There is a rainbow

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-48868510797762671642009-07-20T15:26:00.002-04:002009-07-20T15:55:21.344-04:00

Ok, so a little confession here. Weighing myself totally freaks me out. Although I try to do it every day, that little number usually defines my mood and emotional relationship with my body and food in general for the day. If I'm down, I'm happy, but then I will sometimes use that as an excuse should extra calories find their way into my day, such as "Well, I was down this morning, so a few

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-80356596701517941362009-07-17T10:17:00.003-04:002009-07-17T10:51:21.224-04:00

While in Florida, we rented a pontoon boat and spent the day on the Crystal River, which feeds into the Gulf just south of Tarpon Springs. There is a small set of springs known as Three Sisters within the river, and these are springs that a lot of Florida's manatees call home. We parked the boat just outside the mouth of the springs and the 12 of us slowly made our way to the wooden structure

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-78995340879381333422009-07-16T10:01:00.002-04:002009-07-16T10:20:51.909-04:00

Thank you God for my grandmother's easy, virtually painless, and successful outpatient surgery yesterday. Thank you for the gift of her and our growing relationship. Thank you for the gift of time that we have left, and for all of the lessons, good and bad, she has taught me.Thank you for my husband. Thank you for making it possible that he could selflessly be by my side yesterday while I

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-8560010385768858022009-07-14T09:21:00.002-04:002009-07-14T09:56:16.107-04:00

...is one of the mantras of OA. I ran across this slogan yesterday while reading one of my favorite blogger's post on DD (see diet diaries in my side bar). I LOVE this. I promised last week that I would commit one entry per week to my weight loss journey. It should have been yesterday. Yesterday didn't quite happen. I woke up with that awful, sluggish, what-have-I-done-to-myself feeling and

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-63253999872010579452009-07-10T09:28:00.002-04:002009-07-10T11:03:41.607-04:00

Okay, so our lives have changed, A LOT, in the last year. Last summer JP and I were all about going to our favorite local pub for a few pitchers (yes, between just the 2 of us) of beer, a pack and a half of cigs (yes, in 1 evening) and a lot of shitty pool playing, at least on my part. Last November was the beginning of the end of that lifestyle. We still went once in awhile, but it was

abfab74noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-65365508823279678112009-07-08T09:26:00.002-04:002009-07-08T09:59:52.069-04:00

I love vacations. Usually I love them for the sake of the vacation itself. The escape from the norm of my day-to-day and the time spent with my people that doesn't focus on the hurried-ness of reality. This last vacation added another bullet point to the list of things to love about vacations: coming home. Nine days is entirely too long to spend with my parents. I love them awful, but they

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-57843924835925542892009-07-07T15:54:00.002-04:002009-07-07T16:32:00.423-04:00

Ok, kids. Time to get serious. It's official. I am fat. That's a big F.A.T. Back from vacay weigh-in was 190.2. Haven't worked out in eons. Always some excuse. I cringed at being involved with a camera lens the entire time we were gone. I also cringed at the thought of a suit, but was forced to wear them on several occasions.Something disturbed me a little while in Florida along the

abfab74noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-15188476757372477132009-07-06T10:48:00.006-04:002009-07-06T10:57:10.040-04:00

No real time to post today...just a few vacation pics and the need the settle back into my real life, blog and all. Vacay was weird and wonderful...many stories to share, later...

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-64780119886952785082009-06-26T08:27:00.002-04:002009-06-26T09:27:12.398-04:00

Warning: Mushy, love-drenched post ahead.He is home. The longest almost-two weeks I have ever lived through (at least that's the way it feels right now) is behind me. We leave for the airport as soon as I get home from work, and will spend the next nine days attached at the hip. I could want for nothing more.Last night I sat at the central hub, also known as the Itunes computer, while I

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-12360481768005955712009-06-25T08:49:00.006-04:002009-06-25T09:40:51.958-04:00

It seems to be the season for babies. Not just any babies, but baby girls. A few weeks ago a co-worker gave birth to a little Devani. Last Friday we celebrated the impending arrival of little Marley here at work, whose Mom is another co-worker and a dear friend. Saturday I attended a shower to celebrate little Maddison, who is scheduled to arrive in a few short weeks as well via my cousin-in-law,

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-90935975301268961092009-06-24T09:13:00.002-04:002009-06-24T09:47:26.784-04:00

Vacay in 2 days. TWO DAYS. Tonight will be full of running and laundry and cleaning and pre-packing. My mind is full of a zillion and 1 things that must must must be done before we leave the real world for a week. I was thinking last night of all the trips we have taken to FL to see my parents, making those trips our family vacations, too. I remembered the trip four or five years ago, when

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-78560734698373270642009-06-22T11:02:00.002-04:002009-06-22T11:49:25.456-04:00

The reality of living with a sixteen-year-old, or at least my sixteen-year-old, is a mixture of eye-rolling frustration and a lot of laughter. I do love that kid, and he is so much like my dad it's scary. My dad is one of the smartest people I have ever met, and because of that, or maybe in spite of it, he is also the world's biggest space cadet. He is one of those people that wanders into the

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-79834811264039926202009-06-18T08:39:00.004-04:002009-06-18T11:21:21.300-04:00

Let's play a game today. I'm gonna put my Ipod on random and post some lyrics from each song that comes up...let's see who knows them all? Who is a match to me as a musie? (This is a word I just made up that is equivalent to foodie in the culinary world). Here we go...How she wishes it was different She prays to God most every nightAnd though she swears it doesn't listenThere's still a hope in

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-11057895998460952032009-06-17T08:46:00.002-04:002009-06-17T09:26:04.960-04:00

I was in a great mood yesterday, for the most part. I had no desire to make a blog entry, and last night I had an epiphany: My blog is boring. Don't get me wrong. I love writing in it and find it extremely cathartic, and I love reading past entries...but most of them are so blasted serious I wonder why anyone reads it at all. I come in here and write, then check in my few blogs I read

abfab74noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-88547503759363700292009-06-15T08:58:00.003-04:002009-06-15T10:00:00.443-04:00

Have you ever watched a movie or heard a song that changed you or taught you something in some way? It happens to me all the time, really. It happened again Saturday night.Rach had recommended I see "Once" several months ago. I added it to my Netflix que, but it had not worked its way down the line yet. Saturday night, after learning that James would not be arriving home from work until the

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-74524481673127432652009-06-12T14:16:00.002-04:002009-06-12T15:04:07.927-04:00

I read a devotional yesterday that spoke of availability. In Exodus 3:2, which most people are aware of, the Bible tells of Moses going to check out the bush that was on fire, but did not burn. Although I have read this verse a few times throughout my life, something in the words fascinated me in the right now. God's love for his people manifested itself in the bright blaze but left it's host

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-81718360739524802112009-06-10T09:07:00.002-04:002009-06-10T10:23:21.341-04:00

I started off on a bad note this morning. I started my period (early). It was raining. My weight was up a little even though I have done great lately (probably because I started my period). I was just overall sleepy and grouchy and uncomfortable. Everything in my closet was wrong. I didn't wash my hair just because I was lazy and then felt like it looked like crap. All I wanted to do was

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-47664734817920238442009-06-08T09:04:00.003-04:002009-06-08T09:55:17.713-04:00

Yesterday we made the hour-long trek to Morse Reservoir to check out our good friend's half of a boat he had recently gone in on with his brother. After spending all of Saturday furniture shopping and running around, neither James nor myself were in a mood to do anything yesterday that did not involve serious vegatating on our new furniture. Kev and Mel are good friends though, and since

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-15236267029716684642009-06-05T09:25:00.003-04:002009-06-05T14:08:35.384-04:00

Afternoon Edit: After reading the below entry, my friend explained that she was not referring to the below mentioned group as the "they" that stir shit up, but to the government for appeasing said group by officially giving them a month, instead of the rights they deserve. On this point I agree and apologize to my dear friend for the misunderstanding.On another note, I found some song lyrics

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-56819673054902423852009-06-04T09:13:00.002-04:002009-06-04T10:47:30.165-04:00

Lately I feel, again, as if I have nothing to say, blog wise. I am just gonna make a promise to myself to start blogging on most days, even if all I do is vomit out the boringness of my life in words. This blog is for me, after all. I shouldn't worry if it's interesting reading for others, as not too many people read it anyway. Already, after just the five or so months since I started the

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-17661634644027597422009-05-28T10:20:00.003-04:002009-05-28T11:46:01.346-04:00

As much as I talk lately of happiness and balance, I realized that I am never quite there. That's okay. I love that about life. The randomness and unsuredness of it. Predictability is boring, and happiness comes moment by moment.This week, after the last few weeks of pure procrastination, I really got down and dirty with school. After accounting was behind me (not only did I finish but with

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-92006871754981249422009-05-27T12:06:00.002-04:002009-05-27T12:53:34.397-04:00

One of my favorite movies in the world is a little quiet film I'm sure most people overlooked called Sliding Doors. Beyond the British wit that I always adore, this movie takes a look at a normal girl's life and twists it just a bit to give the watcher a view of the other side...of what happens when the subway doors slide closed one second too soon. I love this film for so many reasons, but

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-87163541658457857092009-05-22T13:32:00.003-04:002009-05-22T13:38:38.893-04:00

...I love them oh so much and don't have much time to post today, here are some pics of my babies.Bree is the white one, Nina is the dark one, and George is the sad lookin' fawn.

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-30450986850124612462009-05-21T13:51:00.003-04:002009-05-21T14:29:31.875-04:00

So today I am struggling to get through an almost full day at work without hurling myself through my second-story office window and making my way to see my good buddy Kenny, who will once again practice his magic on a small bit of my skin...a birthday present to myself.While spending this afternoon in such a state, I was inspired by my dear friend Quirky to lightly blast some John Mayer through

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-10844233589443358902009-05-20T09:39:00.002-04:002009-05-20T10:25:31.826-04:00

So I was watching Lost last night. It was the season finale that I had DVR'd last week. Yes, I admit that even after all these years of utter Lost confusion, I am still hooked. I love that as strange as the show can be, it still reflects life. The characters are written well...they're alive and breathing and make you feel you want to know them. Lost has no rules in it's storyline...a lot

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-41894804599094312912009-05-19T09:13:00.003-04:002009-05-19T10:03:18.073-04:00

I've had a little bit of blog writer's block lately. This morning I figured out why...from pain or discontent comes inspiration, at least for me. Lately life has been pretty good, and so I feel I have nothing to write about. After weeks of indecision and many a heated discussion with myself and God, I have finally made my peace with the "where am I gonna go to church" situation. Despite my

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-91517725983200394132009-05-15T13:32:00.002-04:002009-05-15T14:03:31.351-04:00

I have decided I am not going to continue to find a church. I am going to keep reading and learning and praying and journaling and growing and loving, and that will be my church. I feel closer to God now than I ever have. Isn't that the point?I didn't like yesterday's entry. I don't need to be so structured, I just need to continue to try and find balance. Being a procrastinator is part of

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-66141182844128277682009-05-14T13:30:00.002-04:002009-05-14T14:26:38.259-04:00

...what you can do the day after tomorrow. ~Mark TwainOkay, so I love to procrastinate. I'm sure I'm not alone in this love. There is always too much to do, and always something better to do than whatever needs done. This attribute has gotten me into trouble more often than not. Although I do work better under a deadline, sometimes circumstances get in the way for this little

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-91147019298549045402009-05-11T12:54:00.002-04:002009-05-11T13:58:55.601-04:00

...will mark 19 years of me loving the same man.Of course if you ask James, as I learned last night, he would tell you 20. I asked him if he knew what next Sunday was, and he smiled and exclaimed "That's our 20 year anniversary of our first date!" God love him. He was certain for a few minutes that we had married in 1991, and since we dated for 2 years before we got married...well, you do the

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-40448932380953427812009-05-09T13:59:00.003-04:002009-05-09T15:57:49.544-04:00

Warning! Long, two-parted post ahead. I mean come on, it's been over a week, after all!Oh, and anyone who can tell me what my title references wins the prize...of my respect to the winner's knowledge of pop culture.This first part is waxing philosophical/religious/spiritual and probably meant more for God than anyone, but I'm sure he/she won't mind if I throw it out into the cyber universe for

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-47742589897108279692009-05-01T08:55:00.002-04:002009-05-01T10:03:53.212-04:00

I have a lot of feelings, or resentments, really, that have been weighing on my soul. I have been so used to carrying them for so many years that up until last weekend I really no longer felt the heavy weight on my shoulders. These feelings can be like a cancer, poisoning relationships and causing one to get stuck in a place of hate. The last few months, I feel I have really changed as a

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-47553545459473203132009-04-29T10:19:00.003-04:002009-04-29T11:52:25.989-04:00

...so much to say. I don't know where to begin, so I guess I'll just start at the beginning.I read a quote not along ago, and apologize to the source for not remembering who wrote it or the exact verbiage, but it was something like this:Open your heart and mind and just listen to people. We could all learn and grow so much if we could just let go of our egos a tiny bit and appreciate each other

abfab74noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-62368805723189138702009-04-21T08:47:00.002-04:002009-04-21T10:17:21.332-04:00

Last night we were hanging out in the kitchen waiting for Tori's dad to pick her up for dinner. We were discussing the unbelievable fact that my parents will be here in just a few days, and that lucky Tori is going to not only meet them, but hang out with us for several hours on Saturday evening. We all felt the need to, um, prepare her for the roller coaster ride that is my mother...Me: So I

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-16696011526712700862009-04-20T12:33:00.002-04:002009-04-20T13:45:57.382-04:00

Another incredible weekend. I was a little hesitant to type yet another entry that swirls madly around this spiritual journey I am on, but this is my blog, and I'll write whatever the hell I want, so there! :-)I spent my Friday cleaning and organizing, not wasting one single minute of the vacation day I burned. Mom and Dad are coming in this week, and as much as I know they really don't care, the

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-17059849753575783122009-04-16T08:59:00.002-04:002009-04-16T10:10:26.537-04:00

Okay, all together now: Hi Abby!The other day I was forlornly looking at my dust-covered sewing machine I bought last July. I had good intentions back then. I was going to A) learn to sew, and B) open a shop on Etsy where I sold my beautiful, hand-crafted bags made of eco-friendly material. Now it's about 9 months later. I never really mastered part A, since one of my deplorable attributes

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-58924649047469095572009-04-14T11:27:00.002-04:002009-04-14T12:09:50.611-04:00

Sigh.So many ups and downs lately. In marriage. In motherhood. In soul searching. In life. JP and I had a few little moments last night. I mixed him a cd and gave it to him in his Easter basket Sunday. In the card that accompanied it I explained that it was a symbol of me having faith in him, trying to share parts of myself that I normally hold back because I don't want to hear his negative

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-44715694235655028752009-04-12T07:16:00.003-04:002009-04-12T07:50:29.932-04:00

Well, I took a picture of the sunrise from my front yard this morning. I was unable to upload it as I wanted due to an "internal error." I am not at all surprised, as the past few days have been full of struggles. Friday night started out as a fun evening spent sharing a pitcher of beer and a few games of pool with JP. My relaxed state of mind caused me to stupidly open my mouth and talk

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-57575210988235161152009-04-10T12:46:00.002-04:002009-04-10T13:11:39.402-04:00

The following were read word for word at the beginning of the double funeral I attended yesterday:Michael D. Pence, 39JAN. 7, 1970 — APRIL 5, 2009MARTINSVILLE — Michael D. Pence, 39, of Martinsville, died Sunday in Martinsville.Born Jan. 7, 1970, in Indianapolis, he was the son of Woodrow and Anna J. (Quakenbush) Pence.He married Dawn M. Zimmerman May 1, 1993, and she survives.Mike was a 1988

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-29122665220322465952009-04-07T13:47:00.002-04:002009-04-07T15:29:44.134-04:00

A very dear and like-minded friend of mine has been sending me Dr. Zimmerman's Tuesday Tips for about a year now. Most of his tips are on the non-cheesy side of self help and motivation as they relate to business. Today's topic was entitled "Tips for an Exceptional Life" and was actually contributed by students that had attended the good Doctor's seminars. The tips were broken down into

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-4983872545607730362009-04-03T22:58:00.003-04:002009-04-03T23:35:41.156-04:00

It is probably extremely selfish and small of me to equate my son's most recent revelation to a tragedy...but nonetheless, a tiny part of this Momma's heart is broken. What could be more tragic than that?I knew this was coming, but I was unprepared for the emotional wrecking ball it took the form of. Not that his confession was in any way cruel or mean spirited. If you haven't guessed by now

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-13802328944921379252009-04-02T23:32:00.011-04:002009-04-03T00:00:25.643-04:00

Thank you, Kevin, for making being your momma so easy and fun. No matter what else I do or don't accomplish in this life, raising you and knowing you has been and will always be the bright, shining star of my life. Happy Birthday, Precious Angel! He was always happiestas a baby in nothing buta diaper...but then again, he was and still is almost always happy. Here is my precious angel just a few

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-66105779758819889492009-04-02T09:17:00.002-04:002009-04-02T10:18:34.035-04:00

Last night, while JP worked late yet again, I ventured to the big city with C to do some light shopping. We ended up at a Christian book/Gift store and I wasn't at all surprised, after the running dialogue I have had with God over the last few months, that it somehow felt like the right place to be. I have been reading a lot of Scotty McLennan's book lately, and his words have continued to open

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-4203785782061134442009-04-01T12:10:00.002-04:002009-04-01T13:16:36.030-04:00

So he loves her. I've known it for about a week now. Yesterday, in easy conversation, he confided in me. I was not surprised to hear my son was in love. I could see it in his eyes when he looked at her. He has traded in the weekends of X-box tournaments with his buddies for hanging out with his girl. Tori was not able to make it over last night, so I was not able to snap a shot of the girl

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-84211940569994436812009-03-27T09:10:00.003-04:002009-03-27T13:22:32.558-04:00

Last night I was making dinner for Tori and Kev (a pizza) and myself (whole wheat pasta w/ pesto and spinach, more about that later). A candle was lit, the washer was running upstairs, and the kitchen floor was freshly swept and wet-jetted. The dogs found a spot of sun by the back door and slept with one eye open so as to not miss anything while momma cooked. All was calm. I had a minute of

abfab74noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-32300705266839732912009-03-26T14:49:00.002-04:002009-03-26T15:20:41.093-04:00

The last few weeks have been spent under water. My brain cells have been treading in a murky pond of accounting and advertising. I am happy to say that the few times I have made it to the gym during this period were actually welcomed and enjoyed. I am now at the beginning of the end. The 2nd publication is as good as finished. Accounting is almost over, for better or worse. It looks like I

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-83081888393798481432009-03-20T09:34:00.003-04:002009-03-20T10:21:53.281-04:00

So I left work yesterday excited to venture to one of my favorite places in the world: The Hancock County Public Library. As an avid reader, watcher and listener, any place that offers up it's wares of books, periodicals, DVDs and CDs for as long as you may need (thanks to no hassle on-line renewals) is all right with me. My main goal was to find some books that help non-accountants get through

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-29524438118860697962009-03-19T09:13:00.005-04:002009-03-19T10:32:30.563-04:00

This entry started as a boring bitch session about the stresses of work and school and how they have kept me from blogging or doing anything that is remotely fun or relaxing all week. I soon tired of going on and on about things that are stressing me out and deleted the whole blasted entry. I would like, instead, to go on and on about the things I am grateful for during these strange days of

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-59842830247977877762009-03-13T22:50:00.002-04:002009-03-13T23:53:18.913-04:00

I was, and still am, lucky enough to spend this Friday evening doing whatever the hell I want(ed). Although I did have to work a tad late, I left work with a feeling of smug accomplishment and relief. One of the two yearly trade publications I put together was finalized and put to bed today, and oh, what a time I had. As much as I complain about it and stress about it, I admit it feels good to

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-71335603341615219042009-03-12T08:32:00.000-04:002009-03-12T09:04:34.527-04:00

I don't know who did it, and I don't care. All I can say is that, as much as I love them, I hope the dogs have mysteriously found new homes by time I get home today. I awoke at my usual 6:30 to whining and the lovely aroma of boxer gas. As I sleepily stumbled through the kitchen to let them out, and I slid in a cold puddle of stale pee by the back door. Lovely. I yelled at all of them, as I

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-51697240521539066972009-03-10T08:41:00.000-04:002009-03-10T10:21:52.015-04:00

Yesterday was a bad one. After some deep discussion Sunday afternoon with James, I realized that, in regards to my marriage over the last few years, everything has changed and absolutely nothing has changed. I woke up yesterday morning, after a night filled with tears and vivid, unpleasant dreams, with a world of doubt pressing down on my heart and head. All of the progress I thought I had

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-33154818354620464852009-03-06T22:55:00.000-05:002009-03-07T01:06:41.206-05:00

In the spirit of friendship and playing along, I have decided to dedicate an entire entry to Quirkygirl's little game regarding the personal theme songs of those closest to her. Some will be easier than others, but I am sure I will have fun from start to finish. Of course up first is my dear husband. He is not quite the music buff that I am. He is mostly a hard-rock kind of guy. One song that

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-65196092485313203732009-03-05T12:31:00.000-05:002009-03-05T13:08:23.897-05:00

A few times each year, my mind and heart and belly and soul all intertwine in a beautifully scary feeling of about to. About to what? I am not sure. Today, with the promise of spring in the air, the end of my overwhelming yearly work project in sight, and the official beginning of my senior year of college, I am there. I love change. I love making lists and setting goals and making plans.

abfab74noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-91855331798044925232009-03-04T09:29:00.000-05:002009-03-04T10:07:46.050-05:00

I pride myself on being a good listener. I have worked in customer service for the majority of my working life because of this. I enjoy listening to people and trying, in whatever way I can, to help them or solve their problem or dilemma, whether it be a client or a friend. I also know that not every problem has a solution. Sometimes people just need to be heard and acknowledged.I am not

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-25710139304128543522009-03-03T14:55:00.000-05:002009-03-03T15:22:22.410-05:00

In being the fairly positive person that I am, I find that I am pretty darn easy to please. There are so many little pieces of each day that bring me joy. Because I have been a busy little bee today and feel my brain needs a small break before moving on to the last part of my work day, I have decided to list some of the little yet mundane things that I am grateful for...Enjoying a hot cup of

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-39200626443792399062009-03-02T13:21:00.000-05:002009-03-02T13:55:19.735-05:00

is one of my favorite words. Happiness is, after all, the ultimate goal. The problems arise when people get the wrong idea of what true happiness is. They think it's stuff, or money, or power, or people. Usually when a person attains whatever goal they think will finally get them there, they find that finally getting the promotion or the hot girl- or boyfriend or the new car is not what it's

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-1312922105402683722009-02-27T08:44:00.000-05:002009-02-27T09:06:54.685-05:00

I ran across this little quote from Samuel Beckett in some one's signature on the Livestrong site yesterday...Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. Samuel BeckettI have been quiet regarding my never ending weight loss efforts over the last few weeks, as I have been doing more and talking less. It was what I needed. Less talk. More do. Of course I have been

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-64033051413369538642009-02-26T09:21:00.001-05:002009-02-26T09:45:06.565-05:00

The past few months have had a low hum running underneath them. Life has gone along pretty much as normal, except for these occasional blips on the radar that were born from the hum of my baby turning into a man. This picture was taken only three short years ago, and is oh-so-different from the Kevin of today. He is still sweet natured and diplomatic. He is still funny and sarcastic. He is

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-18655259141649053682009-02-20T22:37:00.000-05:002009-02-21T00:16:59.208-05:00

Warning: Very long post ahead with a couple curse words peppered in...Have you ever had one of those weeks that launched you directly into some sort of alternate universe where nothing seemed right or real? I have started about 127 blog entries in my head since last Saturday morning, and actually logged in and started 3 without finishing them. Now it is Friday evening. The strange week appears

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-6688618094383381632009-02-13T17:11:00.000-05:002009-02-26T15:51:49.707-05:00

Okay, I admit it. There is some stuff that I just love. By stuff I mean the material goods of the western-world. I know it is terribly American capitalist of me, but I refuse to apologize for it. Don't get me wrong. I have my priorities straight. I love my family and friends, and I know what is really important in life. I know the things I really can't live without aren't things at all, but here

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-67934755373713259952009-02-11T20:28:00.000-05:002009-02-11T21:29:14.341-05:00

I was raised by a Catholic mother and an agnostic father. My childhood was peppered with irregular mass attendance on Sundays, a year's worth of Monday-night Catechism classes to prepare me for first communion, and Christmas mornings that held nothing but the promise of a 2-hour long holiday mass. Looking back, I kind of feel that all of the effort my mom made to see me through my rites was an

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-90738072566737050802009-02-09T12:18:00.000-05:002009-02-09T13:01:52.579-05:00

I pulled some old gems out of my stuffed-full cd catalog yesterday while mixing a birthday cd for my dad. A couple of which were from The Counting Crows, one of many bands that saw me through the mid-nineties as I made the journey from care-free teenager to wife and mom, while my family and friends were roughly 800 miles away. I popped "August and Everything After" in the cd player here at work

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-41244015720348777132009-02-05T08:30:00.000-05:002009-02-05T08:51:26.415-05:00

Okay, here it is. Ready?194.8Yes, I felt it deserved a paragraph all it's own. I am not trying to contradict my earlier entries. It is just a number, and not that important when looked at as such. But all the same, it's my number. My big-fat-7-pounds-more-than-a-week-ago number. I will say, in my defense, that my body is built, well, let's say big. The lowest weight I have ever been as an

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-81008407157559975612009-02-02T10:20:00.000-05:002009-02-02T11:05:50.605-05:00

This past weekend I was lucky enough to make a trip to sunny Florida to see my parents. I was also lucky enough to bring my best friend with me, allowing her to see a side of my life she previously only knew through stories and pictures. Although I have never officially lived there, I feel that Florida is home. Most of my family has lived there most of my life. Growing up an only child, my

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-65697786063023638152009-01-27T21:42:00.000-05:002009-01-27T22:46:34.645-05:00

On and off over the last ten years or so, James and I had kicked around the idea of moving to Florida. Some kicks were harder than others, of course, but none of them ever worked out. When Kevin began to establish what will hopefully be his lasting, life-long friendships toward the end of middle school, we decided to put the dream on hold for awhile. We still want to go eventually, to be

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-12105870281966381032009-01-26T10:01:00.000-05:002009-01-26T10:48:08.194-05:00

Meet Bree. My son named her Briana, an ode to Brian, the animated dog from his favorite show, family guy. Bree is the daughter of our second boxer, George. Over the last two and a half years we have owned her, she has gone from my least favorite, hard to train pain in the rump dog, to my gassy, funny energetic best dog friend. Bree is like my crazy teenage daughter. I am a huge advocate of

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-16853738446291549522009-01-23T08:29:00.000-05:002009-01-23T10:41:56.227-05:00

In a few months, my husband and I will celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary. Although this number makes me feel slightly old, it also fills me with pride. I sometimes think of our marriage as a few different ones combined. In the beginning, we were very young and idealistic. All we had was eachother and our precious little boy, and that was enough. We didn't have much of a social life and

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-26512704618635643832009-01-21T20:37:00.000-05:002009-01-21T21:08:37.944-05:00

Two dear friends of mine, family, really, lost a son recently. I say recently, but in a few days it will be three years ago that it happened. I'm sure, to them, it's still happening.They have been near constant in my thoughts lately, as although I can't come close to imagining their pain, I have seen it in their eyes. January is not a happy month in the Midwest, with the holidays over and

abfab74noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-56770519196069789242009-01-20T08:35:00.000-05:002009-01-20T09:14:50.247-05:00

So I was trudging along at the gym last night, my speed close to 400 whatevers per whatever (I am not sure how such things are measured on the crosstrainer). George Michael singing about Freedom in my ears. My brow sweaty, my pulse strong and fast. Halfway through my workout I hit a wall, and to distract myself began to do one of my favorite things: people watch.Of course, marathon bird guy

abfab74noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245071718747772511.post-91323212288123613592009-01-19T14:03:00.000-05:002009-01-19T15:11:10.597-05:00

Today I am graduating from my little blog of old, meant strictly for weight loss, to this fine site. It is a new day, as almost all are. I am drowning in a pool of pride and angst lately. I feel I have come so far in the past 2 months. I have quit smoking. I have stumbled back from what I now realize was the edge of functioning alcoholism with sweaty palms, thankful my liver is still intact.

abfab74noreply@blogger.com1