Mortified

A friend of mine has been listening to my parenting horror stories (she has none) for a while, saying they're the best birth control ever. So jokingly I told her last week that she doesn't know mortified till she has kids.

She promises that it'll be the title of her book someday.

It's become my mission to give her the dirt (actually any childless friend) so they know exactly what they're getting into when they make that decision. You literally have to be crazy to have kids. Yes, they bring a lot of joy to our lives, and quite frankly, life might be a little b-o-r-i-n-g without them, but good Lord, do they have to teach us such humility? There isn't a day that goes by that I don't sprout at least one new gray hair because of them.

Here is today's email to my childless buddies...

We are running late as usual this morning, and Evan decides he wants to drive to school. Great!




He finds his favorite Mac Miler song, so I can listen to rap on the way. Super!




He goes to back out of the garage and bumps into the shelves in front of us. He's in drive... in our garage. Excellent!




Screaming "GODDAMMIT, GO BACKWARDS," is probably not my shining moment in parental advice. Not to mention I threaten Blake that if he tells dad I'll take his iPod away.




You can stop laughing now, because it will happen to you someday.




You don't know mortified till you're a parent.




#mortified.




... I thought it might just make some of you others giggle too. And for the record, if any of you tell Toby, I'll take your iPod away as well.




Have a fabulous night!

Discoveries

The excerpt below is from my cousin, Michelle, who was diagnosed with breast  cancer in January.  

She posted this on her page last night and I just thought it might be the best thing ever, to learn so many wonderful things from something so horrible.  May we all learn something from her strength and faith.... 

I hope you enjoy.

I have been thinking about all the things I have learned during the last nine months of this battle (yes it has already been nine months – to me they are nine LONGGGG months, to you I am sure you are thinking – wow that went fast – if so, I might have to hurt you ;-) Here are a few things that I learned that I want to share with you (here is the really inspirational stuff ;-)

· I discovered that my husband really meant it when he said – “in sickness and in health” (have I mentioned how wonderful he has been). He has provided amazing care and showed me what true love really is.

· I discovered that cancer does not change who I am on the inside

· I discovered how many wonderful friends I have

· I discovered what a wonderful catholic community we have

· I discovered that Farm Bureau truly is a FAMILY of companies and is wonderful

· I discovered that some of my friends are wonderful cooks and some not so much (but I am not complaining – I appreciated all the help - except for that weight watchers corn bread - kidding, ok I am not kidding) ;-)

· I discovered some wonderful new friends that have been soooo supportive

· I discovered that my son Konnor can look at me and know exactly what I need, and provides that to me without me asking (hugs, cleaning, foot rubs, etc.)

· I discovered how truly blessed I am

· I discovered that I need to MAKE time for my family and friends because you never know when life will be cut short

· I discovered that my sister is amazing and cares about me a lot

· I discovered that I can’t focus on what “might” happen, but instead need to focus on the present

· I discovered that I need to do things I care about and do them NOW

· I discovered that I don’t need to be concerned with bad hair days, just be happy I have some

· I discovered that when you see someone with a disfigurement or a scarf on their head, not to look away and pretend I didn’t see them, but to instead look them in the eye and smile

 . I discovered that I can't always be wonder woman - sometimes you need to let people help you

. I discovered sometimes you have to give up control and let God guide you and you have to have faith in His plan for you

. I discovered that prayers really do work (I knew this already, but it was definitely confirmed)

. I discovered that bad things can bring a family closer together (and my family, both sides, have been awesome!!!!!!!!!)

. I discovered that my soccer team can do more than just play soccer, they are all caring and good cooks

. I discovered that maintaining a positive attitude can get you through just about anything

And most importantly,

. I discovered that God is bigger than cancer.

Apple

As Apple prepares to release the newest iPhone 5 (finally), I have been thinking about Steve Jobs this morning.  I haven't read his book yet, but I am intrigued enough to pick it up at some point.  It seems as though he truly had it all figured out, this thing called life.  And in his death, he continues to teach us.

I am going to print this quote out and paste it to my bathroom mirror.

It really says it all.  I know we all have to make money, but with the extra time in our day (yes, most of us have some) are we really doing what we love?  Do we even know what that is?

Right now, I feel like procrastination is my one great love.  I am an expert at it :)  I accomplish procrastination every single day.  Sometimes it's in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon, but most times it's in the evening when I literally zone out in front of the tv.  Seriously, I'm a first class procrastinator.

With a capital P!

So, with that I'll leave you to figure out what you would do with the last day of your life.

Will it be just like yesterday, or will it be something different?

Have a fabulous day :)

I Heart Fall

Shocking, I know.

But today was the bomb (yes, I still say that), and for the first time in a while, I was happy from beginning to end.  So happy I felt like writing.  So many things to be happy about...

Surprise flowers and jewelry waiting for me at work.  And no, I'm not having an affair.

Done with work at Noon.

Leaving Ashley in charge of Monday learn to skate.  Seriously, sharing the stress is definitely going to be my new mantra, and why I didn't think of it sooner is beyond me.

Watching Y & R while eating lunch.  Technically weight watchers frowns upon such things, but I'm not going to give up a moment like this.

Making P-Dub's Roast Chicken for dinner.  I swear Toby and the boys were downright drooling by the time it was done.  If you've never made chicken like this before, make it tonight for dinner.  Hands down, the best dinner we've had in a long time.

And now I settle down to watch a little tv, and while the repeats of Criminal Minds always call to me, I had to go with The Voice tonight.  Honestly, I love it when the networks start showing the new Fall shows.



So, as I sit here and write, I started to think about all the shows coming up, old and new, that kept me up at night.  Okay, tv's not the reason I have insomnia, but hey, it's fun to blame something.

So here is my line up for the Fall TV Season:

1.  I've already mentioned the first one, The Voice.  I have equal crushes on Blake and Adam.  And sometimes there is good singing.

2.
Last year's addiction, Revenge, is now moving to Sundays.  They could move it to Saturday morning at 3 am, and I'd still find a way to watch it.  Absolutely my favorite show in a long time, and I can't wait for the season premier.  The fact that they're making us wait till September 30 to see it, doesn't quite seem fair.  Sigh...

3.   One of the best. shows. ever. when it comes to families and relationships.  Love the characters, the witty banter, and best of all, I get a good cry at least once a week.  P.S.  It starts tomorrow!!

4. I know many of you might be cringing, but I can't help it.  Blake and I have never missed a season.  Yes, we'll miss an episode every now and again, but thankfully it's On Demand.
Survivors? Go!

5.  Out of all the new shows, this one might have the most promise.  Great story line, great cast, and well, I do love me some country music.

So there, that's my list.

What will you be watching this Fall?

Challenges

Who doesn't love a good challenge?  I like to think that I do, but when push comes to shove, I'm not sure I'm ever really up for completing them.  To face a challenge, especially life changing ones, a person needs to arm themselves for a battle and believe they will succeed in the end.

Well, it seems that I have taken on a challenge today.  I didn't wake up thinking I wanted to take the next six months to work on losing weight, but here we are.  And yes I am.

If there was one area in my life that I have continually disappointed myself in, it's my health.  I think I can count on one hand the amount of times I worked out in 2011, so this year with my spin obsession, I literally thought the weight would just fall off.

Well, it didn't.

And I realize that at my age and with my circumstances in life, I need a plan and a goal.  A different plan other that winging it, I suppose.

So, I have my armor in tact, my plan in place (at least for this month), and a goal in mind that is SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely).  Yes, my company's seminars have come in handy through the years.

And I'm putting it all out there for you to see.

If I can inspire just one person to take a six month challenge (okay, another person) I'll be happy.

Prepare for battle, my friends. It's a marathon, and we will finish it together.