Blended Families

  I have had so many topics running through my head and have not been able to decide which one I want to share with you all.  This afternoon I read a Huffington Post article about blended families.  The first family I read about decided after a few years of marriage that it would be easier if they both lived in separate houses again.  There was too much stress with the kids and ex's and they lived in the same neighborhood so why not?  Life was easier while they were dating so this was the solution they came up with.  Strange?  Yes, I thought so.  One of the things I most enjoy about being married to my hubby is being able to kiss him goodnight before I fall asleep and kissing him good morning right when my eyes open.  Now, don't get me wrong, there have been times when life got a bit too stressful that this idea did not seem like a foreign concept to me.  But, at the end of the day, it is about showing your family, as in the kids, that even when times get tough, running away is not the answer. You work through it and stay in it.  Now, Huffington (who I am not a huge fan of, but sometimes I actually like what they report) has a blended family Friday series so I decided to read on about other featured blended families, because I really need some assistance when dealing with mine.  I read about one family that really hit home for me.  I am going to quote quite a few things, but this is the best advice I have heard in a long time.  First, they were asked what are some of the biggest challenges you have faced.  Their reply, "Building a blended family is the toughest, greatest, energy-sucking, most heartwarming journey I've ever been a part of."  Yes.  I adore my step kids and looking at it, there has been way more better times than bad. My family, brothers, sisters, etc have welcomed my step kids and hubby with open arms. My hubby's family has done the same with me and my children as well. All of the kids get along, for the most part, and I absolutely treasure our family dinners together. The oldest stepson is absent from our lives at the moment, but I hope in time this changes. We really aren't the bad guys, I promise.  The question was also asked, how do you handle stress? The answer they give is gold! "But in the end, stress is stress so we eat the elephant one bite at a time like everybody else." What a great way to look at stress. From now on, I am going to deal with stress one piece at a time instead of trying to handle it all at once. The last quote from this interview is also gold. "I suggest exploring your thoughts about what peaceful means to you. Peaceful is not something that happens to us--it's thoughts that direct our feelings. Our feelings are entirely based on our thoughts so monitor your thoughts. In other words, be mindful and deliberate in thinking peacefully."  That last line, "be mindful and deliberate in thinking peacefully".  Chew on that for a moment. What are you being mindful of? I am always asking hubby how do I get these negative thoughts out of my head? How do I let it go? He says, just stop thinking about it. Easier said than done, huh? My goal is to live that last line, "be mindful and deliberate in thinking peacefully".

  So, I thank you, Jennifer Kessler and the Huffington Post for posting something I needed to hear today and giving me the tools to handle the elephants that come in to our lives. I am ever so thankful I have an amazing husband who is there to handle it all with me.

Hugs!
 
 

Health Kick

  Lord help me.  I am on a health kick.  I usually have a fairly healthy lifestyle.  I pay attention to what I eat, portion sizes, and get daily exercise, but here lately, I have been in overdrive.  I am not sure what has kick started it, but something has.  I have lost about 10 pounds in the last month due to illness and stress, so I am underweight at the moment.  I know, hate me now.  I have luckily gained my appetite back and said to hell with the stress and finally feel better.  I think hubby losing around 12 pounds has something to do with it as well.  It is so much easier when the entire household is on the same eating plan.  Hubby and I have started back to our twice a day walking during the work day and he is on the soccer pitch and I have taken up running again after work.  I managed 10,000 steps today!  Although, between you and me, I think my pedometer is a bit off.  Who cares?  I am moving again.  I have been running a mile straight and it is feeling awesome.  I am trying to tone up and that has been the quickest and easiest way in the past.  My goal is to maybe run another 1/2 marathon, perhaps the Little Rock one?, but I am not sure.  I need lots more training before I ever attempt a 1/2 marathon again.  The last one in May nearly did me in.  I am thinking about attempting trail running.  I know several people who do them and it looks like fun.  Running on pavement all the time gets a bit boring. I am a bit of a klutz so I am not sure if this would be good for me, but hey, I am always up for a new challenge.   I think I need to find a beginning trail running buddy.  Anyone up for the challenge?  Let me know what your new fitness challenges have been or are you needing some motivation?  I may be able to help.

Happy Hump Day!!!

Hugs!
 

Random lists

  Random list of things I like/love that most people do not:

Snakes
The sound a can of biscuits when opened...love the pop
Clowns
Sardines
Liver and Onions-only the way my mom makes them.  The gravy is to die for.
100 degree days
Kung Fu movies....they crack me up, but the talent is amazing to watch
Being busy at work
Anchovies
McDonald's French Fries( I love, love, love them!)
Working out at the gym/Exercising
Hair bows


Random list of things I do not like that most people do:

Thunderstorms(they seriously scare me)
Cold Weather
Nutella-yuck, yuck, yuck
Amaretto
First day of Fall (I am in mourning)
The first snowfall- I could truly do without the snow
Nooks- very convenient, but there is nothing like the smell of a book
Yoga pants as fashion-just say no, unless you are going to yoga or working out
College as an adult-I hated every minute of it.  I used to wish for each semester to hurry up and be over
Basketball

And now you know a little more about me.

Hugs!!!!

Fab Weekend

  What a fabulous weekend!  It would be hard to pick my favorite part because it was all wonderful.  Friday night, I was at home, alone!  Well, until about 8:30.  Stepson was working, oldest son was with friends, princess spent the night out, and hubby was on the soccer pitch.  Hubby and I stopped by Mugs Cafe in Argenta earlier to support a local artist who's work is on display.  She does beautiful things.  Her name is Denise White.  Check her out.  While I was there, I ordered a yummy smoked salmon sandwich for dinner.  It was excellent. This was my first time at Mugs and definitely not my last.  Hubby and I parted ways after the show and I went topless on the way home.  I stopped by Target to get hubby a little something for our date a versary(can you believe it has been 4 years!) and then came home to relax and clean(a little).  After hubby got home we spent a lovely night outside on the patio planning and talking about life.  I cherish these moments.   It was beautiful out.  I love my house.  We have neighbors, but it is still quiet and peaceful.  
 Saturday morning, I got up and went for a run.  Yes, I said run.  I managed to run almost a full mile without stopping.  A super accomplishment for me!  It felt good.  I should really do it again.  I am usually a walker, because for some reason, I got the running bug this weekend.  Will I ever love it?  Doubtfully.  Saturday afternoon, oldest son and I headed up to Fayetteville to call the Hogs or as lay people would say, watch the University of Arkansas play football. My nephew is in the band, so we sat next to the band, very close to the field with my brother and sister in law.  It was great. We won big, oldest son got to see his dad(who was at the game), and I got to hug my nephew!  The Razorback band works hard.  They never stop.  It is so much fun to watch.  I am so proud of my nephew. We left at the end of the third quarter and made it home by midnight.  It was a long day, but well worth it.
  Sunday, we woke up and had family yard clean up day.  Everyone helped.  It was a beautiful thing.  Hubby and I then took a lovely nap, went to the grocery store and then he made us a yummy dinner.  We had 3 out of the 4 kids with us and it made this momma very happy.  I love our family dinners.  One of these days we will have all 4 kids.  In due time, I hope.  After we played Scattegories.  I love this game.  The kids are very creative with their answers and it is fun to just sit back and observe.  They all have such wonderful personalities and they make smile.  I am truly blessed with my awesome family.  After the game, I introduced hubby and princess to one of my favorite movies, Breakfast at Tiffany's.  I love Audrey Hepburn and this movie is wonderful.  I am not sure what I like more, the story or the clothes.  I would have loved to live in that time period.  The clothes were so elegant and classy.  No sagging at all to be found.
  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and if not, I am sorry.  I know they cannot all be wonderful, so cherish the times that they are.  Have a fabulous week, my friends.

Hugs!
 

Pure Joy

  Experiencing pure joy is amazing.  Sure, we tend to experience happiness on a daily basis, but pure joy?  That is rare and wonderful.  I got to experience pure joy yesterday through my oldest son.  He attends an all boys Catholic School which is rich with tradition and emphasizes a brotherhood that only a Catholic High graduate can understand.  One of those traditions is the giving of the class ring.  Catholic High opened in 1930 and upon the first graduating class, a design for a class ring was established and is still the same ring design today.  Yesterday was ring mass where the class rings are blessed and presented to each senior. The entire school was in attendance, but what makes it even more special is that it is a mom's only event. I thought I was doing well with holding back the tears, but when Larry Wilson, class of 1953 got up and spoke these words, "This is my school.  This is your school.  This is OUR school" with such passion and conviction, the tears fell.  It was at this moment I realized my son is joining the thousands of wonderful men who have graduated before him.  Men such as my hubby, my brother, my brother in-law, and  my sis in-law's dad, just to name a few.  The Seniors also sang a beautiful song, "Here I am Lord".  Now, if you have not experienced an all boys choir, it is fantastic.  Knowing your son is one of those singers, makes it all the better.  After the mass was concluded, Mr. Straessle, principal, spoke a few words and then dismissed the boys, with the freshmen going first.  I had not experienced this before, but the whole school, squeals "wee, wee" as the freshmen were leaving.  It was hilarious.  Another tradition, apparently.  When the whole school was dismissed and it was just the Seniors and moms, Mr. Straessle addressed the boys and welcomed them to the official brotherhood of Catholic High.  He then dismissed the boys to the cafeteria to go get their moms a cookie and a drink because that is what men do, they take care of their moms.  As we moms were filing out of the gym, our sons were outside waiting for us with our cookie and drinks.  It was awesome!  It was so funny hearing all the boys say "mom", "mom" "where are you", because well, there were a lot of moms there.  We then proceeded to take a ridiculous amount of pictures.  All the boys were laughing, cutting up and admiring their rings.  My son had a smile on his face the entire time.  Now, my son has a very even keeled personality.  Rarely gets mad or super excited.  But, yesterday, pure joy.  It was wonderful to watch.  I am so grateful for this experience and I thank Catholic High for their traditions and molding our boys into men.  After the boys were dismissed back to class, I drove over to Cantina Laredo and had brunch with about 67 other Catholic High Senior moms.  It was fun to talk about the last 4 years at Catholic, their futures, and just having a great time.  I am truly blessed and uber proud of my amazing son.  I love you my son!
Enjoy a few pictures:

 Catholic High Class of 2015

 The ring

 Proud mom

 Proud Seniors

 Showing off the ring

 Which way do we look?

So proud

Hugs!!!

Truth

  Truth.  Such a powerful word.  We so desperately want to  know the truth.  At least in my world I do.  When I ask a question, I want a truthful answer regardless of what it is.  When someone tells me something I want the truth and not just a made up story to hurt me or protect me.  Little white lies are just what they are, lies.  Regardless of how they are sugar coated.  Telling untruths can have devastating effects on someone for the rest of their life.  I understand not wanting to hurt someone, but in the end, the truth is always found out and the hurt is usually even more devastating than it should have been.  I recently discovered that an untruth was told about me and it had a most devastating effect.  I thought things were going along fine and then bam!  it all fell to pieces.  I never understood why or where it was coming from until now and this happened 20 years ago.  It was nice to fully understand what was going on, but wow!  It came out of left field.  I am not sure why this came out now, 20 years later, but it did.  Maybe I would not have been prepared to accept it until now.  Who knows?  The good thing is that I do know and the air is cleared and both parties now understand a bit better about a past situation.  Does it affect my present life?  Not at all.  I do not believe things would have turned out differently, I just think the hurt and anger would not have been as severe.  So, let's quit spreading lies out there, okay?

  Topic change!   Happy Birthday to my wonderful niece, Sydney.  Sounds like you had a wonderful day!  Love and miss you.  Our family is full of birthdays this time of year.  We are all in September, October, November, December and January.  Luckily oldest stepson is in March so that gives us a bit of a reprieve, but I have not seen him in awhile, so who knows what's up with him?  If any of you all see him, tell him I said Hey!!!!  He works at Big Orange at the Promenade.  He is a hard worker and quite handsome, so he is hard to miss.  I guess it is time to  visit for a banana milkshake.  The whole if the mountain won't come to Mohammed then, blah, blah, blah...you know how it goes.

  We had a massive weather change this weekend.  Brrr!  Put the heater back on!  It is only September!  I still need some 90's.  I also need to get rid of this nasty cold.  It is hanging on like a bad boyfriend and we really need to break up.  Where does all that damn snot come from anyway?  It is wrecking my appetite and as a foodie, this is not acceptable.  At all!!!!

 I hope you guys had a fabulous weekend.  If you have time, run by Trio's for lunch.  We had a lovely long and leisurely Yaya lunch there on Saturday(minus one who is out of town, sniff sniff) and I forgot how awesome the food is!  The pimento cheese sandwich was to die for!

Hugs my friends!!!

I have Cooties

  Yuck, yuck, and more yuck.  I am going to be whiny today, so excuse me for today.  I am sick.  Tuesday and Wednesday I had some sort of stomach bug that caused me to lose 5 pounds and now I am down with some nasty cold virus.  I had a feeling I was going to get a cold because son had it last week, a co worker has it and hubby has it as well, so it was a bit unavoidable.  I had a very busy travel schedule this week so this is terrible timing.  I hate being sick.  I have taken all the precautions, washing hands, using germ x, etc, but I guess it was just my time.  I took some sinus medicine this morning because my ear is killing me and I am hoping it does not upset my stomach.  Okay, TMI I know, but I needed to whine.  So here is hoping to feel better soon.  Hubby and kids have been great in taking care of me.  I love my nurses.

  I finished Orange is the New Black book.  It was very good.  Highly recommend it.  I have also been catching up on television shows.  Nothing exciting to report.  I watched two not so good movies and Ellie and I have been catching up on Gray's Anatomy.  I loved that show back in the day and Ellie has rediscovered it so we watched back to back to back episodes last night.  It really is a great show.  I wonder why I quit watching it?  Oh yeah, that whole school thing.  I am so glad that is done.

  Okay, I am exhausted.  Take care my friends and try to stay healthy.

Hugs!
 

 

Princess is a cheerleader!

  It's Tuesday night and I am definitely trying to wind down the day.  I have been reading Orange is the New Black and it has been hard to put down.  The book is way different than the series, but I am enjoying both.  The main character, Piper, is not as wimpy and whiny as she is portrayed on the show and thank goodness.  She is my least favorite character on the show.  I am partial to Red and Crazy Eyes.  They are such great actors.  Anyway, quick post so I can go back to reading.
 
 Hubby and I both stayed home from work today. He has a bad cold and my digestive system and I are not getting along right now.  I am feeling a bit better tonight, but not by much.  I have to travel to Camden tomorrow, so let's hoping I wake up feeling as right as rain.  I did manage to get out and see princess cheer at her first football game.  She did amazing!  I am so proud of her.  Her dad had a business trip over the weekend and was able to make tonight's game before heading back home.  We sat together during the game and caught up about the kids.  We both agreed that it was nice to finally reach this point in our lives since it was not always the case.  I think you just have to get over the petty stuff, realize there is a reason you are not married to each other anymore and just focus on the kids.  We spent the night cheering for Ellie, discussing colleges for Jake, and how weird that our "babies" are growing up.  Like I said, it was really nice to be at that point.  Plus, it is great for the kids to see us finally getting along.  

  On the health front.  I have not walked this week.  Yikes!  I know.  Feeling crummy today did not help and I Monday evening venting, I mean socializing with some awesome friends.  I need some mental therapy more than I need physical therapy last night.  I am truly blessed with some amazing friends.  They put things in perspective and help you realize what is actually important.

Have a pleasant rest my friends!

Hugs

WPS!

  WPS!  What a fabulous game on Saturday.  The Razorbacks whipped up on the Colonels.  The final score was 73-7 and thank goodness it was in our favor.  I am a die hard razorback fan.  I love them, win or lose.  But after a 10 game losing streak, I was happy to have a W in the books.  I had three main reasons for wanting to attend the razorback game.  One, I am a razorback fan and there is nothing like watching them at home.  And by home I mean Fayetteville not Little Rock.  Second, my Mark has never seen a razorback game in Fayetteville.  I know!  How can that be?  I had to take him.  Third, and most important, my nephew is in the Razorback marching band!  We are so proud of him.  He is on the drum line and having a blast.  It was his debut on Saturday and I was not going to miss. The kids were already in Bella Vista with their dad.  Princess went to the game with her dad and step mom, so we took Jake. As you can see, I managed to sneak a peak with my princess.  It was a pretty amazing day. Here are a few pics:

 I have got to get one of these shirts

My brother and I.  I am so short!

The princess and I.

 Carter!  He is playing the cymbals.

Up close

  I am a proud aunt!!!  Go Hogs and Woooooooooo, Pig Sooooie!

Hugs!

You can say no, I promise

  It is hard to say no.  Especially to your children.  They want things and want to do things and you cannot always say yes.  The oldest son and youngest stepson have two very big financial wants that we just cannot swing right now.  Oldest son is wanting to upgrade his car and youngest stepson wants to go to Europe next summer with school.  Both things are pricey and honestly, just not feasible right now and let's face it, luxury items.  Oldest son has a working car so upgrading is not possible right now, especially since we are looking at sending him away to college next year.  And honestly, we are not going to go in financial straits to send a 17 year old on a 10 day European vacation.  Colleges afford international travel opportunity in abundance that is part of tuition costs and will not break the bank.  Hubby and I have been told we are selfish and do not care or respect our children's wishes.  Well, I think it is crazy to break your back for luxuries.  And like I said earlier, it is perfectly okay to say no when your child wants something.  If I gave my kids and step kids everything they asked for, we would have to get second and third jobs.  Heck no.  We live within our budget and anything outside of this just cannot happen.  Sorry, kids.

   Rapid topic change!  How is your fitness life going?  Mine is lacking at the moment.  I have been travelling the state for my job right now, and am utterly exhausted when I get home.  I need to find the energy to do something though, because when I am not active, I miss it.  I feel like such a slug. Especially when I know I have spent 6 hours sitting in a car driving.  I need to get up and get moving.  My goal this week is to walk some at least every day.  Even if I am dog tired, I am going to get up and move.  I am also going to try and find a yoga class.  I need a stress reliever and I think yoga would be the perfect thing.  I feel like life is coming at me on all sides lately.  Calgon, take me away!   Not from the family, just the stresses.

  Hope you are having a beautiful Sunday.  The weather is beautiful and perfect for spending it on the soccer pitch watching my favorite soccer coach and son play.

Hugs!!!

 

Labor Day fun

  Hello!!!  How was your Labor Day weekend?  Mine was full of romance, razorbacks, fun, relaxation, color and family.
 The romance came Friday night in the form of a lovely and romantic dinner at Cheers in the Heights with my hubby.  The night started off with happy hour with the yayas, came home, said good bye to my kids and then hubby and I changed out of work clothes and into going out clothes and had a yummy dinner.  The weather was great so we sat outside.  We had guacamole, chips and split a Kobe burger.  This was our first Kobe burger.  It was fantastic!  Highly recommend.  This was my first visit to Cheers in the Heights.  People seem shocked at this, but I just do not think about going.  It definitely warranted a return visit.  Soon.
  Saturday was Razorback time.  We had a great trip to the Farmer's Market downtown and finally got to purchase a beautiful glass cross from Judd Mann.  Go see him.  He has fabulous stuff.  We then spent the afternoon cheering on the Razorbacks with some great friends.  Even though we lost, it was still a great game. I am a hog fan, win or lose.
  Sunday was fun.  Hubby and I painted the hallway and then headed out to the Village pool for our year end cookout.  We had so much laughter my stomach hurt.  I am truly lucky to have such great friends.  I know I say this a lot, but I really am lucky.  Stepson was our lifeguard so I knew we were kept safe.
  Monday was relaxation, color and fun. Hubby painted our dining room while I spent the majority of the day relaxing at the pool with my yayas.  It was a beautiful and perfect day.  I came home after achieving a lovely light brown on my skin and got ready for a family dinner.  The kids were home by then and we all took my parents out for dinner.  Friday is my mom and dad's 49th wedding anniversary and Saturday is my dad's 78th birthday, so we had much to celebrate.  I ate too many appetizers so ended up eating my dinner for lunch today.  I am not complaining.  It was a yummy lunch.
 So, I believe it is safe to say that we had a great Labor Day weekend.  I love my hubby, friends and family.  I have a pretty fabulous life and certainly appreciate it.  I hope your eyes are open enough to appreciate all the fabulousness in your life.  It will pass you by if you let it.

Hugs!!!!