10 things meme

I saw that my friend Diane over at Diane's Place made up this meme and I thought it sounded like a good thing to do on a rainy Thursday. And Diane's rules were that you didn't have to tag anyone, but she was going to link to anyone who did the meme. So my rules are that you don't have to tag anyone, but feel free to copy it if you want and replace the answers with your own. Have fun and don't be shy!

1.] How come I can never find: a sharpened pencil, a pen that writes or those little appointment cards that they give you at the dentist and the doctor so you won't forget your appointment??

2.] I wish I'd never started: wanting to paint the inside of my house!!! It needs it, no doubt, but when am I gonna find time to do that???

3.] I wonder why: I always do things like laundry myself instead of letting the boys do it and make mistakes and learn from them? I mean, really, is it that important that I do it myself?

4.] Mama always told me: Honestly I can't remember her ever giving any advice to me particularly, but I do know that my Mom taught me how to work. She worked a lot, still does, and when I was in jr high and high school I had at least 2 jobs all the time. I am not afraid of hard work at all.

5.] There's this one thing in my closet that I just can't seem to get rid of: This one red dress that I got when I first got engaged. I wore it to some party, can't remember which one. It's red with white stripes, has a halter top, zips up the back and kinda a full skirt. I love it love it love it and couldn't wear it to save my life. I think it's a size 4 from back when I was all of 100 pounds. Can't get rid of it, I love it too much!

6.] My favorite guilty pleasure is: dark chocolate. Any kind will do, but really I prefer Ghirardelli dark chocolate squares or Starbucks dark chocolate... I gave up most sweet sugar type things when I decided to get healthier, but eventually I started eating dark chocolate again. I just can't stay away from it!

7.] I always forget to: start the dishwasher at night... or at least I used to, but I try harder now because there is nothing more aggravating than getting up and realizing that the dishwasher is full of dirty dishes from the night before and you have to run it before you can put the breakfast dishes in there. And with 4 boys, the dishwasher is ALWAYS FULL!

8.] I have never: flown in a helicopter or done a zip line, but boy, would I like to! I'm a pretty adventurous person, I climbed a rock wall this year with a bunch of younger kids, went back to school, and kind of got some focus in my life. Flying in a helicopter would be the bomb, I don't know how I will ever do it or when, but I'm gonna do it!

9.] I'm obsessed with: stupid reality TV shows.... I find myself watching The Bachelorette, More to Love, The Great American Road Trip.... they are such time wasters, yet there doesn't seem to be anything else on TV this summer!

10.] One of my favorite memories is: going fishing with my daddy when I was a little girl. Fishing is one of my favorite things I don't get to do very often, but it's relaxing and so fun!

This was great, Diane, thanks for letting me borrow it!

update on myself

Well, I said yesterday that I was back and here I am!!!

A few things... I mentioned in the last post in March that it was time to get serious about my health and fitness and it would prove to be a very prophetic thing... but for now, what I want you to know is that if you remember, I said that Barb at A Chelsea Morning kinda inspired me since she and her husband quit smoking cold turkey.

So here's what I did: I went to the fitness center that is owned and operated by the hospital in the town I live in. And I went every day, Monday through Friday, for 4 months. Every morning at 5:15 a.m. 5:15 am, yes, that's what I said. And on Saturday, every single Saturday for 4 months.

And I lost 35 pounds.... and 6 inches off my waist... and I think 5 inches off my hips...and dropped 4 pants sizes and 2 top sizes... and improved my fitness at least 10,000 %.

Am I done yet? No, I'm not. But I'm very proud of myself for sticking to it for so long, I've not been going every day this summer, especially not at 5 am but I did get 8 sessions with a personal trainer who helped me so much to find new exercises to do, new ways to challenge myself and make myself stronger... I can feel muscles in my legs and my arms and I feel good!

I have also decided to go back to school to get into nursing school. I feel a real calling, a real desire to be a nurse, to "mother" other people, to help take care of them and console them when they are hurting and when they are injured... so I have been taking an online class this summer to ease myself back into college after nearly 25 years and I'm enrolled in our local community college for the fall. When I graduated from college, I got a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and German. Needless to say, I did not take many science classes! But that's what I'm doing now. I'm taking Nutrition this summer, I'm taking Anatomy and Physiology I this fall, along with Math for Nurses, Professional and Ethical Issues for Nurses and I think one more class if everything goes well. I'm going to apply to nursing schools for the spring semester, for LPN school, and if I can't get in, well, I'll just apply other places and start nursing school next fall or whenever it happens to me.



I didn't mean, in any way, to disparage anyone who is a housewife and mother. NEVER. I have been happy as a stay-at-home mom and wife for nearly 13 years now. If I offended anyone, I am completely and deeply sorry! But I have always felt that something was missing from my life, even when I was working at my various jobs before I started staying home... some purpose in my life... and I think I have found it in nursing.

So my goal now is to become an R.N. before Ryan starts college in 2012! LOL I think one person in college will be all we can handle, or afford:)

That's a small look at what's been going on in my life the last few months....it's been busy and it's been fun and it's been intense and it's just getting started.... so come along for the ride!

Happy Homemaker Monday!

I'm BACKKKKKKK!!

It's been way too long since I posted on here, but lots of things going on. I will just start back by borrowing the Happy Homemaker Monday meme from Sandra to get me started again, hopefully more interesting blogging tomorrow!


Happy Homemaker Monday!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Hot today, it's been up to 90 already but it was rainy and humid this morning.

One of my simple pleasures:
Sitting under the back overhang by the deck with the fan blowing "hurricane" strength!

On my bedside table:
Harry Potter books, trying to read at least 1 again before the movie on Wednesday but probably won't get it done!

On my TV:
Great American Roadtrip on my DVR from last night and again tonight

On the menu for tonight:
stir fry shrimp.... unless we go out to eat Chinese! My 2nd son is violently allergic to shellfish and he's spending the night at a friend, so shrimp is definitely on the menu!


On my To Do List:
WOW so much! Packing for our trip on Thursday, ironing to get done, sewing to finish, camper to pack...

New Recipe I tried last week:
Sourdough bread from the starter I bought from King Arthur Flour and it was completely divine!

In the craft basket:
Several quilts that I am handpiecing on our trip and some embroidery quilt blocks


Looking forward to:
Getting to Washington DC, on Saturday, and wanting to have a good time in Gatlinburg on Friday at the crafts fair

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Ummmmmm I can't think of anything!

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Pioneer Woman's blogpost about her weekend with friends.

Lesson learned the past few days:
Summer goes fast... if you blink you might miss it!


On my Prayer List:
My family, both sons and husband and extended

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Luke 12:48...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.