Thursday, February 25, 2010

Deep Thoughts...

Do you remember that segment they used to have on Saturday Night Live..."Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handy"? Then you also know how they weren't actually deep thoughts at all, just random weird thoughts. Well, these aren't really going to be like that. They are going to be more on the serious side of things.

~Inadequacy or Humbleness~ Definitely inadequacy. I am confident that I am pretty decent at most of the things that I do. But I don't think I can honestly say much more than that. Some people might call that being humble. But isn't being humble when you down play the fact that you know you're really good at something? Well then, that isn't the case for me. Not that I'm feeling sorry for myself, either. I've come to terms with that fact.

~I am very fortunate to never have experienced deep personal loss. I've lost the parents of some friends of mine (one of which was like a 2nd mom to me). 3 of my grandparents died when I was too young to remember them. My aunt died 2 1/2 years ago, but with her in South Dakota and us in Texas, we never had a chance to get close. Kevin's uncle died last year. And the daughter of a cousin of mine died when she was a baby. I only met her once, but I did feel a connection with her. This is not to say that I wasn't VERY sad and affected by these. But I just know that what I felt is nothing like what the children, parents, brothers, and sisters of these people felt. And with all of this, I've only ever been to 4 funerals. Yes, I cried a lot at each of them, but like I said, it doesn't compare to the ones that were truly truly close to these people. And for that I am thankful.

~Inspirations~ I get inspired by a lot of things. Sometimes a good song or even a movie will do the trick. Although I don't do it often enough, when I read the Bible I am inspired and filled with hope. When I go to church, I leave feeling inspired and at peace. But mostly, I get inspired by people. My kids inspire me to be a better mom, because they deserve the most that I can give them. My mom inspires me (by having modeled it my whole life) to be a better wife, mother, sister, and Christian. My dad inspires me to take pride in my work and never to do things half-assed, as he would say. My friends inspire me to find the humor in all of the crap that each day brings. Sheila and Joel inspire me to strengthen my personal relationship with Christ while not letting go of my sense of humor and sarcasm. Kevin inspires me to believe in myself and not take myself for granted.

~Peace Maker or Push Over~ I don't know. I tend to bottle up my frustrations. I do this usually because, I figure it's not worth the confrontation. I don't do well with confrontation. I suck it up, and move on. There are a few things that I try to stick to my guns about, though. But even then, I feel like I end up giving in more often than not. So rather than fight (or in my case, cry) about it, I leave it alone, and get quiet and pouty. So am I a peace maker, because I avoid conflict, ignore a lot of things, and accept the fact that I'm not going to get my way? Or am I a push over because I back down and put up with things that I don't want to argue about? I think the jury's still out on that one.

~I believe in making the world safe for our children, but not our children's children, because I don't think children should be having sex.

........OK, that one wasn't mine. That was Jack Handy's. But I figured we could use something light-hearted to bring this post to a close.

:)

Saturday, February 20, 2010

It Happens...

A few of these things might be better under the category sh*@ happens, but I didn't think that would be very appropriate. Anyway, here goes...


~There are 2 grown adults that I'm pretty sure could benefit from a good slap across the face. They repeatedly frustrate me. Oh well...it happens.

~Today I was nice enough to get donuts for the kids. After I pay, Hannah starts to get teary-eyed because I won't let her get chocolate milk...even though we have milk and chocolate syrup at home. I tell her to be grateful for what she's getting. When we get home and I make their milk extra chocolatey, she spills ever so slightly which gives Mason 1/2 a sip more than her. And in her whiniest of whiny voices she says, "Awwwe, Mason has moorrre than me!" I just ignore it and think, "You know what Hannah? I love you, but it happens."

~As soon as I start feeling better from my rib infection (yes, that's right...a rib infection), my neck, back, and knees start killing me again. And my sinuses flair up. ..... It happens.

~Almost every night Mason cries when we force him to eat even the tiniest amount of vegetables. Now, we're not talking brussel sprouts and spinach here. We're talking buttery corn, salad with lots of ranch, broccoli and carrots with pasta in a cheesy sauce. He knows the deal...you eat what we eat (at least a little bit). Yet every night, he seems surprised that we're actually making him do it. Come on, Mason...every night...it happens.

~I love writing this blog and my notes on facebook. It's very intrinsic, fun, and sometimes therapeutic for me. But no matter how much I tell myself I'm just doing it for me, I get very disappointed when I don't get the comments I wanted. I need to keep telling myself, "It's OK...it happens."


But GOOD things happen, too!

~Just when you think that all 19 of these 2nd graders have lost their minds, one of them replies with a "Yes, ma'am"...or actually says "Thank you". Really! It happens.

~One minute I'm pleading with Hannah and Mason to get their rooms clean. The next minute, they come to me and say, "OK, I did it. Do you want me to do anything else?" ... It happens.

~Just when I spend a week in pain thinking I'm going to need to have my gallbladder removed, it turns out to be a bacterial infection that was easy to treat with a $4 Kroger medication. It happens!

~Every day this week, Hannah came home with some kind of prize/token for good behavior. She had a reward ticket, a sticker, a pencil, a positive note, and the grand prize of having lunch in the classroom with her teacher. She said, "Wow, Mommy! This week was so good, I think I'll do my best more often!" Ah yes, the light bulb finally turned on. It happens.

~Mason started soccer this week. He's actually excited about getting exercise. I hope his excitement lasts. The cycle of laziness may be ending. (Knock on wood...cross your fingers) It happens.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Favorite Movies...

I started this post as one of my 25 Random Things. And as usual...I got carried away. But here are some of my favorite movies by certain actors/actresses...in no particular order. It's all I've got for now, but feel free to give some other names that I can comment on now...or tell me some of your favorites by these same people!

~ Hugh Grant:
Nine Months, Music and Lyrics, Love Actually, Notting Hill, Two Weeks Notice, Bridget Jones Diary

~ Sandra Bullock: Miss Congeniality, While You Were Sleeping, The Proposal, A Time to Kill, Hope Floats, The Blind Side (even though I haven't seen it, yet)

~ Matthew McConnaughey: A Time to Kill, How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days, TheWedding Planner, Dazed and Confused, We Are Marshall

~ Tom Hanks: Turner and Hootch, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, A League of Their Own, Big, Toy Story

~ Will Ferrell: Old School, Anchorman, Elf, Talladega Nights, Step Brothers

~ Meg Ryan: Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, City of Angels, In the Land of Women, Top Gun

~ Julia Roberts: Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich, Notting Hill, My Best Friend's Wedding, Runaway Bride, Steel Magnolias, Stepmother

~ Richard Gere: An Officer and a Gentleman, First Knight, Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride, The Jackal

~ Ryan Reynolds: Definitely Maybe, Just Friends, The Proposal, Waiting, Wolverine

~ Drew Barrymore: Everafter, Music and Lyrics, Boys on the Side, 50 First Dates, The Wedding Singer

~ Vince Vaughn: Old School, Wedding Crashers, Dodge Ball, The Breakup, Four Christmases

~ Adam Sandler: 50 First Dates, The Wedding Singer, Billy Madison, Happy Gillmore, Spanglish, Big Daddy

~ Ben Stiller: Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers, Along Came Polly, Tropic Thunder, The Heartbreak Kid

~ Diane Keaton: Father of the Bride, Father of the Bride 2, The Family Stone, Something's Gotta Give, The Other Sister

~ Claire Danes: Little Women, Romeo and Juliet, Le Miserables, Brokedown Palace, The Family Stone

~ Jennifer Aniston: Office Space, Rock Star, Bruce Almighty, Along Came Polly, The Breakup

Friday, February 12, 2010

25 Random Things (part 3)...

So, I realize this is only the first time for me to do this on my Blog, but it is part 3 for all of my facebook friends. Basically, it's a lot like a lot of my other random posts, but it's going to be exactly 25 things this time. OK, here we go...

1) I LOVE how my kids have begun to develop the same love of music that Kevin and I have. They both love to sing, although Mason's idea of singing is more like humming with a word or two thrown in for good measure. They both seem to appreciate a variety of genres of music. And neither one of them can manage to hold still when a good song is on...just like their mommy (I never quite could stop my booty from shaking)!

2) My pet peeves: negativity/bad attitudes, inflexibility/unwillingness to change things, rudeness/meanness, and disrespect.

3) I don't really have a "passion" in life. I see people on TV shows that drop everything to pursue their dreams: singing, being a Dr., acting, cooking, dancing, playing a sport, etc. I don't really have anything that I enjoy that much, or that I'm that good at. I guess you could say that my passion is my family and friends. I would do anything for them...does that count?

4) There is a State Farm commercial that makes me cry every time. Here's a link, in case you haven't seen it...or could just use a good cry: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fW8jMWiLXo

5) One of my favorite songs on the radio right now is Ima Be by the Black Eyed Peas. Ooh when that song comes on, I can't help but dance! My heartfelt apologies go out to all of the drivers who have seen me shamelessly groove to this song while driving (keeping 1 hand on the wheel and my eyes on the road, of course).

6) I used to be really in to bras. In High School, that was my splurge. I worked, and I didn't have bills, so occasionally I would just go buy new pretty bras just because. Trust me, no one was seeing them. It was just a little something I did for myself. Now I just can't bring myself to spend the money on new bras unless the ones I've got are virtually falling apart. It doesn't matter if I've lost weight and "the girls" are merely swimming in the old bras. It's still hard for me to rationalize spending the money on myself. What happened?! Why did shopping for myself (not just with bras, but any new clothes/shoes) go from something I felt good about to something I feel guilty about?

7) Cellulite...check. Rolls when I sit...check. Jiggling even after I stop moving...check. The knowledge that if I just worked out from time to time some of that would go away...check. The desire to do anything about it....NOPE!

8) I confess...I have no desire to see Avatar. GASP! I know, I know. I'm sure it's good in it's own way, for what it is. Yes, I know the concept. Yes, I know the special effects are amazing. But I'll just wait for the DVD to see blue people with tails that can plug themselves into things, thanks.

9) Words that I spell using "tricks": together (to get her...by my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Webb), bananas (in the song Holla Back Girl by Gwenn Steffani), dessert/desert (I want 2 desserts, so dessert has 2 s's), principal/principle (your principal is your "pal")

10) I think I thrive on being busy. I am far more productive during the school year when I have so many things going on at the same time than I am during the summer. I think it forces me to have a schedule that I have to stick to. There are deadlines that have to be adhered to, and it makes me get things done. However, even if I make myself a schedule during the summer, in the back of my mind I know that it's not a real schedule, and if I don't stick to it it's no big deal. So, I often let things go, forget what it is I'm supposed to be doing, etc.

11) That being said, if my schedule/calendar/to do list is not right in front of me...it's forgotten. As soon as I step out of my classroom, if someone asks me what's happening later that week, I can't tell them. If the groceries are not on the list, they don't get bought. My life is on Sticky Notes!

12) The kids have really gotten into all of the old school cartoons lately. They're on Boomerang. You know, Tom & Jerry, The Jetsons, and The Flintstones? Crazy, huh?

13) How surreal is it for shows that I watched as a kid (The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, etc.) to be playing on Nick at Nite?! I mean, when I was a kid, Nick at Nite was a place for black and white shows like Donna Reed and Leave it to Beaver (which aired 30 years prior). But now a mere 20, 15, and in some cases less than 10 years later classifies a show as being old enough for Nick at Nite. What's wrong with that picture? I'm not that old, yet!

14) I like to multi-task. Sometimes it's actually true multi-tasking like when I'm grading papers, watching TV, and making sure the kids are brushing teeth and getting ready for bed all at once. But sometimes it leads to starting one task, getting bored with it, switching to another task until I get bored with it, etc. But, if I do end up doing something like that I won't ever just leave those things unfinished. I won't let myself stop until all of them are done.

15) My wedding was a perfect day. Sure, Dad cried so much that he had to have is pictures retaken after the ceremony. Sure, I ended up with what looked more like weeds than flowers on my cake. Sure, my boquet was mostly white roses with a few lavender ones sprinkled in when it was supposed to be the other way around. But it was truly a wonderful, blessed, joyful day in which I think everyone was in good spirits and enjoyed themselves.

16) I was a terrible Matron of Honor to my sister. Unfortunately at that time, Hannah was just at baby. And anyone who knew Hannah as a baby know that that means she was crying...all of the time! I spent a good chunk of my time at Jaime's wedding shower upstairs nursing Hannah. My brother-in-law, Joel, had to keep Hannah in the cry room at church during the ceremony, because the wouldn't stop crying. And I missed almost all of the reception, because Hannah was STILL crying. Sorry, Jaime!

17) I've always wanted to go to: New York (heck, all of New England), Italy (especially Rome, Venice, and Florence), California, Africa (on a real safari), and Hawaii.

18) The kids got hamsters for Mason's birthday (and an early birthday for Hannah). Their names sound like a folk band from the 70's...Bootsie and Cotton.

19) Kevin, his brother, and a friend or 2 are going to Canton, OH to see Emmitt Smith smith be enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame in August. I'm quite jealous...but it'll be good for him to have a guy's trip.

20) I've forgotten what it feels like to just feel good.

21) I worry that I let my health effect those around me too much. As much as I try not to let it affect the kids or my work, it just does. I'm tired, so I'm not as active with the kids as they'd like. When I don't feel good, I can be cranky...I know I let it out on Kevin (sorry about that, Cakes), but I hope I don't come off as irritable at school, too.

22) It's taken me quite a while to finish this post, because I got side tracked with an idea for another post. (I know, the suspense is killing you, isn't it?)

23) I'd like to have all of the Harry Potter DVD's for my collection. I had been thinking I'd just wait until they all came out and ask for the boxed set as a gift....but then I just realized how expensive that might be. So to anyone reading this that is someone who gives me gifts, maybe giving me 1 DVD per gift giving occasion might be a better idea.

24) I'm on a "bland" diet per Dr.'s orders right now, which of course means that I have serious cravings for: a double cheeseburger from McDonalds, a butterfinger Blizzard from Dairy Queen, a cuban sandwich from Hooters, and some white chocolate cupcakes from Candy Haven.

25) I'm anxiously awaiting Mom's next 25 random things note on facebook.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Top 5

When I first got into facebook, I did a lot of different Top 5 ideas. I did it using their "flair" application, which gave each of my top things a cute picture/button. Well, I'm not going to go through the trouble of finding pictures for my top things here. I will, however, enlighten you with my oh-so-thrilling thoughts/justifications/stories that go along with them.

~ TV Shows ~
1. Lost = (One of the smartest, most interesting, and most frustrating shows ever made.)
2. Friends = (I can watch the reruns of this show and laugh just as hard, if not harder than I did the first time.)
3. The Cosby Show = (I appreciate this show more now than I ever did when I was a kid.)
4. Grey's Anatomy = (This show never fails to make me cry.)
5. 24 = (Such a creative concept...and Jack Bauer kicks a**!)

~ Funniest Movies (...well, it's hard to pick just 5) ~
OK, I don't have a story to go with each of these, and if I think about it for much longer, the list will keep changing, because there are just so many movies that I love to laugh at. However, I will say that there appears to be a bit of a theme...Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Vince Vaughn...except Space Balls which is just a classic that no top 5 list would be complete without
1.
Old School
2. Role Models
3. Wedding Crashers
4. Anchor Man
5. Space Balls

~ Ribbons I Wear (...or would wear if I had them) ~
1.
Purple: domestic abuse = (This is in honor of my Aunt Pam who was abused for many years and was shot and killed by her husband. And for all of the others who have endured abuse...and to those who currently are, in hopes that they get out before it's too late.)
2.
Yellow: support our troops = (This is in honor of my brothers who proudly serve in the Navy and the Army, my father who was a US Marine...as well as all of the other men and women who have, do, or will serve.)
3.
Pink: breast cancer awareness = (This is in honor of my Aunt and Godmother Eileen, my friends and co-workers from school, my mother-in-law, and all of the other women who have battled this disease.)
4.
Pink/Blue: pro-life = (This is for all of the babies that have had their lives taken away from them, and for all those who have had their lives cut short due to the decisions made by others, including: euthanasia, the death penalty, and other forms of murder...it is not our place to decide who should die or when they should die.)
5.
Orange: leukemia awareness = (Although I wasn't very aware of this until I was diagnosed myself, this would be more specifically in honor of those who have not responded to treatment and have a far more difficult time with it than I do...especially the children)

~ Chick Flicks that Make Me CRY ~
1.
Steel Magnolias = (According to several quizzes, I'm a Shelby. How can you watch this movie and NOT cry?)
2.
The Notebook = (Also one of my very favorite books...such a wonderful love story.)
3.
PS I Love You = (A recent addition to this list. I just love the idea of it. It's romantic and heart breaking all in one. Plus, it's got some pretty good eye candy!)
4.
Terms of Endearment = (An oldie, but a goodie. Although there seems to be a lot of cheating going on, I can't help but love it. And OMG, when Deborah Winger is saying good-bye to her kids in the hospital?! It kills me every time.)
5.
Sleepless in Seattle = (This is one that if I come accross it on TV, I can't change the channel...it's just too good. I mean, it was like, "magic".)

~ Chick Flicks that Make Me LAUGH ~
1.
While You Were Sleeping = (This is a favorite quote source for my family. We often use quotes from this movie in every-day conversation. "These mashed potatoes are so creamy".)
2.
The Holiday = (This one could actually be on both lists...actually all of these could be (have I mentioned that I cry all the time?)...however, it has more laughing moments than crying ones, so I think it qualifies.)
3.
Music and Lyrics = (I LOVE Hugh Grant. His quirky British ways get me every time. I can't get enough of his little motor cycle dance!)
4.
The Proposal = (Another recent addition. But I LOVE Sandra Bullock. This is one of her bests. And you get to see Ryan Reynolds in almost all of his glory...I mean, really!)
5.
50 First Dates = (Kind of cheesy/funny, but I still love it!)

~ Books ~
OK, so I cheated. I had to do 7 to try to make up for the nerd factor here. But once again, you will notice a theme: Harry Potter, the Twilight series, and Nicholas Sparks books. I can't help it! They're well written, entertaining, suspenseful in different ways, and just fun to read. And well, Little Women is just about the only "classic" that I enjoy.
1.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
2.
The Notebook
3.
Breaking Dawn
4.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
5.
Eclipse
6.
The Choice
7.
Little Women

Well, that's all for now, but don't be surprised if you see another Top 5 posting in the future. It was fun to write, and I hope it's fun to read.

How about you? Any Top 5's you want to share?!?!?

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Time Flies...

~ My little Mason will be 5 years old tomorrow. How can it be possible?! I know it's a cliche, but sometimes it really does seem like only yesterday that he was a baby. First it's gonna be dismissal from speech, then it's going to be Kindergarten in a few months. Next thing you know he's going to be playing High School football, going to parties, and having girls flocking to him left and right!

~ No matter how good or bad, or how slowly a school year seems to be going at the time...before you know it, you're planning the 5th 6 weeks and can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

~ Just when you think that you've got plenty of time to get everything done, time is suddenly up, and you didn't get half of what you wanted to accomplish done! I've got a to do list that seems to get 3 things crossed off and 4 things added on!

~ My best friend from all the way back in 3rd grade is having a birthday today. It really got me thinking...and I just can't believe she's been a part of my life for 22 years! Happy Birthday, Jenn!

~ Kevin first came into my life 11 years ago, when he walked into Pizza Hut in Abilene. I was a waitress, and he was a delivery driver. We were friends right away...I couldn't get enough of his sense of humor and love of great music. It only took 2 months for us to start dating, and I've had the huge (and annoying) task of waking him up ever since (although back then it was through many a repeated phone call...and I do mean many)!

~ The greatest show ever made (Lost, in case you didn't know) started it's final season last night. It's an amazing show that never ceases to amaze and frustrate me every week. I can't wait to see what it has in store. And I can't believe it's been on for 6 years already!


Anyway, whether your having fun or not, time sure seems to have a way of slipping right through your fingers. These are just a few of the realizations that have come to me in the past day or 2, but they really help you to see how important it is to make the most your time while you've got it. Do the things you love with the people you love...everything else can wait (at least for a little while).

**I choose to take my advice from Ellen DeGeneres: "Procrastination is not the problem. It is the solution. It is the universe's way of saying stop, slow down, you move too fast. Listen to the music.....so procrastinate now, don't put it off"!