Finally

it stopped raining for a while and the forecast predicts sun in the future.


at least for next week.

Quotes

I subscribe to these daily quotes I get via email. I found this one I got to be very interesting:

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other people's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
--Steve Jobs

One thing I would add to this though is to be understanding to other people's opinions and respect it. Because otherwise you just have people running around spouting their opinions and not caring about the other one.

Unless they are of the negative kind.

Then you can just drown them out completely.

I Wanna Be A BAD Girl

My youngest comes to me this morning all dressed up like this and says to me: "Mommy, do you have any gum? I want to be a bad girl". Apparently she's been informed by someone that to be a bad ("ass") girl she has to dress all in black and chew gum.

Geez, what's next, she wants me to help pick out her posse and take some "kick your ass" lessons as well?

As you can see in the background our new couch came. I will take pictures later of the rest. Still waiting on the other recliner though.

Happy Valentine's Day

Yes, I know I'm a few hours early when I posted this, but where hubby is, it's Valentine's Day now. :)

Oh, and by the way, I didn't make this. My eldest did. She made it for her friends tomorrow. How stinkin' cute is this???!!! That girl has got some talent!

Happy Valentine's Day to you all and may it be a true Love Thursday!!

Looking For The Positive

I am one of those people who tried to look for the positive.

For example, if the eldest comes home and tells me about how one girl was acting at school, whether it be bitchy or mean or whatever, I listen, comfort her and then tell her, "Well, maybe she is just having a hard day, or problems at home or something else that's making her be this way". Because I KNOW that my eldest can certainly not have the nicest demeanor at times, and it's usually because she's hurting or upset or something to that nature.

Hubby is gone now for 4 months. It sucks. Let me tell you, it's NEVER a good thing when he goes out to sea because we miss him terribly. And I KNOW he misses us terribly too. I mean, I don't think I could EVER do that, be away from our girls for that long and home and everything else. A positive note? It helps us to appreciate each other so much more during these times.

Now that's not to say that I'm one of those people who always has a cheery disposition and in "la-la" land or one of those TV shows from the 50's.

I can be a downright bitch at times too.

And then there are the times when there is absolutely no way to find a positive in certain situations. Sometimes things happen and it sucks and it hurts. Like when my mom died over 3 years ago, 6 days before Christmas. There is no positive in that. It was awful. It was painful and it took me a VERY long time to get to a place in my life of now. That's not to say that I constantly miss her. I do, all the time. I went through major anxiety attacks and the fear that I was going to end up just like her and die and leave my girls and my hubby without me. It took therapy and a conversation with my aunt to get past that. After talking with my aunt, she helped me to see a different side of my mom who was most likely depressed and lonely and who chose not to take her medication. And after she said those words, it was amazing how my view of the whole situation turned. It made me look back at her life in a totally different way. She was lonely. She did have a hard life, raising 3 girls all by herself. The fact that she probably never got over her father's death when she was 13. The fact that her mother, my grandmother, made her go to a home for unwed mothers when she was about 18 or 19 and forced her to give up the baby, and another baby after that, but before me. She was always looking for that love that she lost when she lost her dad.

I certainly do not want to end up like that. I make sure I take my medication. I don't drink. I don't smoke and I exercise. I've already changed the course somewhat by doing these things that my mom didn't do. Maybe you could say that the positive in that is that I now take better care of myself.

See, there I go again, trying to find a positive somewhere.

I had a miscarriage before I was blessed with my eldest. It was such a devastating thing for me to go through. I don't wish that on anyone. And while it was an awful thing, if I had not had that miscarriage, I wouldn't have my eldest. I do mourn for that little one lost, but I have to realize that I have my eldest and I wouldn't trade her for anything. Or my little one for that matter.

I've also been one who hasn't had to have the most expensive stuff, or the biggest house. All I have ever wanted in life was to be married to a wonderful man, have children and a house. And I got what I wanted, thanks to my hubby. There have been times when he would say, "I wish I could give you more, or a bigger diamond, etc." and I tell him that while that would be nice, you have already given me my dream come true.

So, after all this rambling, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I do look for the positive, at least over 1/2 the time. It may not be right away, or sometimes it may not even be there during a situation, but it's life. And you might as well go through life with a good outlook. It's the only life you're going to get.

Blue Sky

I took this picture going over the Coronado Bridge on Monday.

Ahhh......blue sky again.....

We have had weekends of rain the past two weekends and it really bums me out. I don't care much for rain at all. Oh, I don't mind it every once in a while, but a lot? No way.

That's why I don't live in Washington (no offense all you Washington gals).

I need the sun.

Not so much for tanning purposes at all, but the sun rejuvenates me. It gives me energy. I'm one of those people who could be come really depressed living in rainy, gloomy weather all the time.

Thank goodness the sun is back. :)

Sports...

We are knee deep in sports around this house these days.

The eldest just finished playing soccer a few weeks ago, and now she's juggling basketball and softball.

The youngest had her first t-ball practice too just the other day. She enjoyed it, but I think she has more fun just running.

And me? Well, I guess I needed to be involved too, so I'm on the softball board for the organization the girls are playing in.

I think we will be eating, drinking and sleeping softball for the next few months.

This evening when we got home and after the eldest and I watched our General Hospital (yes, we watch it and we love it!) I was flipping through the channels and came across a hockey game. The Los Angeles Kings v. New York Rangers. Oh, how I used to LOVE to watch hockey. There was at time where I watched almost every game of a Los Angeles Kings season. I even went to a few hockey games too. Weird, huh, to think of me as a hockey fan. And it's a hard sport to watch too. That hockey puck whizzes by so fast it's hard to keep up at times. I was such a hockey fan that I even collected hockey sports trading cards at one time. And I still have them in storage. Luc Robitaille was by far, my most favorite player. And one of the cutest as well.

Hubby loves to watch football and baseball games too. I enjoy watching football as well. In high school when everyone went to the football games to socialize, I would enjoy watching the game itself as well.

Hubby and I used to watch baseball games together and I would come up with nicknames for the guys on the field. Hubby still watches baseball games though. Every once in a great while I'll sit down for a spell and watch it with him.

Now we just watch our children play sports. I know hubby is so upset that he isn't going to be able to watch the girls play softball. That's one of his favorite sports to watch too. So I'm going to have to tape a couple of their games and send the tapes to him.

Ahhh....I'm tired. Tomorrow is Wednesday and thank goodness we don't have any sports practices to go to. It will be nice to be at home all evening.

LOST

The new season finally starts tomorrow night!!!!

I can't wait! I so dig this show!!

Dorm Life?

We ordered a new couch but it won't be delivered for a week and a half. With hubby leaving, I needed him to get the old couch out of the house for Salvation Army to come pick up. So we are left with a few moon chairs for our living room decor until our new furniture arrives. We usually only bring these out when we are playing video games.


Minus the black couch I used to have with my roommate Sue, I feel like I'm back in our old apartment. Of course we had black butterfly chairs then.

A Juggling Act

I've got so many things going on right now.

It's good and it's bad.

It's good because it keeps me busy so I don't think too much about hubby going out to sea again.

It's bad because I don't want to overwhelm myself.

It's good because I'm working on myself and making sure that even with all I've got going on, I'm remembering to remember myself.

It's also bad because I do worry about myself.

It's good because just about everything I do have got going on, is something I am passionate about.

It's bad because sometimes I don't feel I have enough hours in the day.

It's good because I'm helping to celebrate one of my oldest and dearest friends bring a new life into the world. One she has been wanting for a long time, and has taken such a long journey to get to.

It's also good because I'm helping to make a softball season a good one for my girls and the rest of the girls.

It's good because I'm also creating a book of memories for a school.

It's bad though because not that many parents seem willing to want to participate in it, thus having me make a decision that this will be my last year doing it.

Now that is also a good thing because it will free up my time to spend more with my girls, sharing gardening with them, and sewing and crocheting.

And I just have to remember.

To take it one day at a time.

To write down my lists so I don't get that overwhelmed feeling.

To remember to check in with myself.

And when the juggling act is all over with, hubby will be home.

And that is DEFINITELY a good thing.

My New Best Friends

These are my new best friends.

These are my girls' alarm clocks.

I have always in the past woken up my girls for school. I would try and wake them up nice and cutsie and all, by rubbing their backs, lightly tickling them, kissing them all over their face, etc. You get the idea.

Until this year.

Now when I try and wake them up (yes, even the little one, although I know where she got it from, her big sister!!) they are all grumpy and snap at me and even try to hold onto the bed so I can't drag them out of bed when I've had enough.

So now they wake up to alarm clocks that are NOT next to their beds. They have to get up out of bed to turn it off. I've caught the eldest climbing back in bed though, so that needs to stop.

I don't mind waking up my children, if they'll wake up and not be grumpy little shits.

But that doesn't seem to be happening and I'm tired of having to deal with their crabbiness. So out came the alarm clocks.

The youngest one loves it because it makes her feel like a big girl like her sister.

Now, if the eldest continues to try and crawl back into bed, I may have to invest in this:

This will actually roll off the table and they HAVE to get up to find it.

I like this.........

Last Day of Winter Vacation.....

....last day during the week to sleep in.

Guitar Hero Mania

Guitar Hero is one of the most wanted games this year it seems.

And at our house, it's no different.

Hubby and the eldest put it on their Christmas Wish Lists, and so this year I decided to surprise the family and I was able to get it for them for Christmas.

We all have been having a blast with the game, including me. Of course I suck the worst at it out of all of them, but it's fun and with practice I'm getting better.

Hubby just loves this game and loves doing it.

So then the eldest comes out and tries it and pretty much blows hubby away with it.

She's good.

And she loves it.
The youngest likes to try it too, but to her, it's more of just a play thing and wanting to try it because of the rest of us doing it too. Her fingers aren't long enough to really be able to do it. She does get a few notes correct though.

I think she would just rather "rock out" with the guitar. Here is a couple of pictures of her rocking out with it.

Another Thing Checked Off

I am done with my Christmas shopping.

No more last minute things to get.

Now I just need to wrap.

And bake.

I'm doing a bit of that right now.

Most of the Christmas cards have been sent out.

Except for the ones that I needed to put school pictures in.

Got the pictures today.

So the rest will go out tomorrow.

We are going to drive around and look at lights tomorrow night.

One of our yearly traditions.

My youngest and I went for a sneak peek last night while the older one was at basketball.

Sunday I get to see one of my sisters again.

I love visiting with her.

I just wish my family lived closer, like in the same town or even within 20 miles or so from us.

I'm about to become an aunt again though, as my SIL is about ready to have her first baby.

Hubby is home for the holidays, yea!

The kids will be off for two weeks next week for the winter vacation.

I wish I could take off for two weeks too!

As much as I love our Christmas decorations, I can't wait to take them down next week.

After I take them down, our house always feels so much larger.

One of my goals next year is to continue to de-clutter my small house.

I've made good progress this past year.

We are also talking about getting a new kitty after the holidays too.

One that's nice and not mean, like my cat.

Let's just hope the two get along!

Toes

Sleeping in after everyone else was awake.

That's my youngest. She's either the first one awake, or the last one awake.

The Decorations Are Coming Out.....

It's getting closer to Christmas.

The girls and I got out our indoor decorations on Sunday. I have always loved decorating for Christmas. Now that my eldest is getting older, she likes to decorate too and so I let her organize a lot of the way the decorations go.

A friend of mine shared her collection of snow globes with our group of moms and I got to thinking that was a neat way to display them. I don't have that many snow globes (only 3 to be precise), but they all play music. I also have two music box decorations too. And that is, in part because I love music boxes. Other than the Christmas decorations, I have a music box that was my grandma's that came from Switzerland, one that my eldest gave me one year for Christmas and one that hubby gave me for our anniversary once. So I don't necessarily collect them per se, but I do love them. Here is my Christmas collection of snow globes and music boxes:

And they all play different tunes.

I also have friends who have their Christmas villages displayed at Christmas and some of them have shared pictures of them. That got me started on thinking of creating a Christmas village of my own. I finally have an area in my house where I could display them. The table is small, so that will be nice in the fact that I won't be able to get too carried away with it. Today we got a couiple more things for it and when my eldest was putting it on the area, she dropped one and it broke. Well, my creative child decided to use it in the scene, rather than have Daddy try and glue it back together. So in this scene, the woman it literally knocked off her feet by the two people helping them push her car out of the snow..........

Kids. Gotta love them.

We've Been Elfed!

Teehee!

Just some fun humor for Christmas! :) Enjoy our silliness! (Thanks Sue!! :D )

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1131857607

24 more days until Christmas!!

All-Star

My eldest made the All-Star team for her soccer division.

Yea Baby!!!

This is the first time she has ever made All-Stars. She has wanted to be on an All-Star team for so long!

She plays soccer and softball. She is much better at soccer than softball. But then again, she has been playing soccer for 7 years now, and softball for 3.

She is not the natural athelete though.

She has to work at the sport and after time, she becomes good at it. This year she played indoor soccer on soccer's "off season", which greatly increased her skill level. She definitely has the ability to play on a club team, however she doesn't like practices and it's not something she breathes, night and day. She enjoys softball too and wants to be able to do that as well.

I am so incredibly proud of her!!!!!!!!!! She worked hard to be on this team and she definitely deserves it.

Sugar and Spice?

My friend, Schmoopy just found out that she is having a girl.

I am so incredibly happy for her!!

Ahhhh, little girls. They are so precious!

That is until they turn into preteens.

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my girls. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world! They are THE most precious things in my life. I love to talk about them, I love to brag about them. I love to tell my birth stories about both of them, because they both had different births.

One put me in labor for 16 hours, 3 hours of pushing and I ended up having a c-section because she was 10 pounds, 6 ounces. Yea. OUCH is damn right!

The other one decided to come early and was 5 pounds, 15 ounces and I got to have her vaginally. I was so happy that I got to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section). Between the two, I definitely liked the vaginal birth better. MUCH easier recovery. Now obviously there are reason why women have to have a c-section, so I am in NO way putting those down AT ALL.

And talk about two different girls!

The eldest? Very much a "sugar" girl. (Well, that is until she hit the preteens and now she is just a heavy dose of Cayenne Pepper.)

The youngest? Very much a "spice" girl. She is definitely a feisty one! She keeps me on my toes, that's for sure. Who knows, maybe she'll turn into "sugar" when she gets older. I doubt it, but I can hope, can't I?

You Have GOT To Be Kidding Me....

Santas in Australia have been told not to use "hohoho" because it offends women.

Here is the article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071115/wl_asia_afp/lifestyleaustraliachristmasoffbeat

Yea, because all women are "Hos"??!!!!