Yes, Love, it's Today!

Today is my birthday!!

I love my birthday...it's a fun day that I share with a groundhog.

But...

Once upon a time, my husband had a girlfriend before me whose birthday was the day before mine. So one year, he told me happy birthday a day early. And I cried. He doesn't remember me getting upset, but I do. Of course, this was way back in high school, when I was ultra sensitive about such a thing. He says he did it on purpose...well, maybe.

These days, it's a running joke.

He sent me an email yesterday telling me 'happy birthday'!

My facebook friends say I should ask for two gifts and two nights out on him, since he can't get it right!!

Ah well.

That guy loves me, and I love him.

And he does a pretty fine job of making me feel special.

As a side note...I was looking through pictures yesterday and I ran across this one of my brother and me.

It proves that I once had hair like my son's...and I feel like carrying the picture around to show everyone who says to Evan, "Where'd you get that pretty red hair?"

And doesn't that look like Evan in a dress??!?

Tina

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless...for YOU...not me!

I've been attending a wonderful Bible study/mentor program called Apples of Gold on Tuesdays. The more mature ladies in our church are passing on their wisdom to the younger ones, and it's great fun! We learn wonderful Bible principles, tips from the kitchen and enjoy a wonderful meal.
I'm Mrs. Picky. I don't eat many vegetables...I'm a meat and potatoes kind of girl. Sad but true. However, I decided that during this program, I would at least try everything I was served. On the very first day of this program, they served a salad before the meal.

I ate about half the salad...and I didn't die! It's still not something I think I will choose to eat, but I conquered it that day!

Everything since then has been easily edible for me. No problem.

And then yesterday they served steamed broccoli.

Gulp.

But remember my plan? At least try to eat it.

And I did.

The shocker of all shocks is that I ate my whole serving. Nevermind that nearly every bite was joined by either the ham or the macaroni and cheese that was also served...but it still counts.

I ate broccoli!!

Now you can have a wordless Wednesday!

Feeling Quite Special

My birthday is today.

The celebration started early.

Friday afternoon, I got a call from 'my husband's office' (his voice, speaking in 3rd person, funny) telling me that Mr. would like to Mrs. out on the town. To be dressed and ready by 4pm...and have the kids dressed and presentable. Oh, and don't forget...pack an overnight bag.

Eek! :)

My loving husband made plans just for US to celebrate my birthday.

We dropped the kids off at my best friend's place, and headed out for a mystery dinner.

Turned out to be the Melting Pot. LOVE THAT PLACE! We never have had any trouble being full when we left. I thought I should be getting a coupon via email for my birthday, but I never saw it. It had been intercepted. Hubby snatched the coupon! He told me that we could probably eat relatively healthy and that we would discuss the coupon which was for free dessert for two.

"What is there to discuss?" I inquired. No discussion. It's MY birthday and I WILL eat dessert for my birthday. So there.

The rest of the night was planned out just for me.

A movie for me.

A room for me.

Roses and candles.......for me.

We had a lovely night! All to ourselves.

He did a great job planning...and my best friend did a great job lying helping.

The next morning, we grabbed a delish chicken biscuit from ChickFila and drove to another mystery destination.

Huh? We're at a Spa!?!?! Oooo...

Yes, dear, you get a massage....

That's MY guy!

I love you babe!! Thanks for making MY day special!!

I'll let you off the hook for Valentine's Day.

Kind of.

"C" things I love

My bloggy friend JMB Mommy from His Grace Is Enough played this little game on her blog the other day. The 'tagger' gives the 'taggee' a letter...any 'ol letter...and the 'taggee' has to write 10 things they love that begin with that letter.

So I requested that she give me a letter and she granted me the letter 'C'.

Here goes!

10 Things I Love -- using the letter 'C'

1. Christ - the center of everything I believe in.

2. Children - I have two of my own and I love them more than any other children on the planet!

3. Chocolate - Hello? I'm female.

4. Chips (with dip - from my favorite Mexican joint)

5. Cruises - I've only been on one, but I loved it!

6. Chapstick - don't leave home without it.

7. ChickFila - especially their breakfast.

8. Cooties - the kind I get from my husband. ;)

9. Cackling - as in laughing. I love to laugh. Even at myself.

10. Cartwheels - yes, I can do them.

If you'd like to play...I'll give you a letter.

If you're on my good side, I won't give you 'x'!!

Not Wordless at All! More fun Pictures, though!

Wow...you folks LOVED yesterday's post!!

Many comments were made about my kids looking like me. I did this post in 2007 to show just that.

But with the help (and prodding) of my dad, I want to share a few more pictures.

Guess who's who!

Enjoy!!

I can't believe I'm posting these...

Ahem. I'm going to do it. Because I'm a good sport.

In Friday's Grilling Goodness, I posted that I had

the worst glasses, ever, as a child.

Leave it to some of you to ask for proof...pictures.

Agh....for real??

I'm cringing...

But enjoy!

First Grade - my first pair of glasses.

I believe they were E.T. glasses. Wonderful.

Second Grade - Same glasses...but I'm posting this anyway.

I never realized, until now, that I sported a mullet. Nice.

And the best of all.

The pair I had in mind when I posted Friday.

The exact picture that flashed through my mind.

The pièce de résistance...

What in the world!?!? There was four inches of EXTRA lense at the bottom. My little 'ol eyes only needed the top inch....good grief.

When you stop laughing...

...say something nice.

I need it today.

I Have...

I found this posted on this blog and I shamelessly lifted it...but I told her I was going to do so!!

This is a list of possible things you've done in your life...bold the ones you've actually done. I've also decided to color a few things I'd like to do in red. Enjoy!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - ugh, I admit it.
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - the Las Vegas version
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - wouldn't this be neat to do?
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted -I did it myself
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - again, the Las Vegas version!
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House – I’m counting this one even though I didn’t go inside.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life - fairly certain that my son would've choked to death on a quarter had I not been around
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Feel free to copy this and post it on your blog...I'd love to see what we have in common!

Seriously...I've Turned Into A Klutz

I should never have posted that I fell twice in two days.

The day said posted was published, ahem, yesterday...

I fell again.

What an idiot.

This time, I stumbled down a few stairs at my friend's house.

And she laughed.

I thought she might wet her pants.

But that's ok.

Somewhere on those stairs is the skin from my knuckle.

I got the last chuckle.

Where has my Monday gone?

I really don't have a lot to show for my Monday.

Not even a post...until now. (hi Dad! Happy?)

I had a fantastic weekend with my girlfriends...shopping...laughing...eating...shopping...not much sleeping. I could not sleep very well...I was very happy to get back home to my comfy bed.

We left on our mission Friday morning.

I was the chauffeur for the weekend (on the right), love that! No motion sickness for me! Debbie called 'shotgun'! She's great with directions...we make a great team.

And in the back...Kristy on the left, Tara on the right.

Our Mission?

Mission Get-the-Christmas-Shopping-Hopping!

We took my 'mommy mobile' because it has the most room...here is a before picture...just a little luggage.
We drove to Nashville in a flash; checked into our hotel and wasted no time. We dashed over to Toy R Us to get the party started.

Yes, we understand that nearly every store we went to we could go to at home...but we go on this trip to do the majority of our shopping in two/three days, with no children, no husbands, no interuptions and no schedule. It's divine!

We spent our entire Saturday at the mall...so fun, but completely exhausting! My dad, who lives nearby, came to have lunch with the four of us. We enjoyed his company! Tara hasn't spent any time around my dad and I together...and she couldn't get over how similar our personalities are. Kept her laughing...

Three amigas...guess Tara was indisposed.

I decided early Saturday that I'd capture 'funnies' with my camera...here are a few of our finds.

The shoes themselves are not so funny...the funny part was the 30-something aunt trying them on to see if they would fit a teenage niece.

I'm not even sure what to say about these...it's all one piece, like a boot...but it's hideous.

Nice abs, Debbie!

What is the funniest part of this picture? The clothes? The guy's hair? Or the people you see in the background who are obviously mesmerized by this pair?

We had a crazy waiter at Chilis...he kept Tara's Dr. Pepper separate by putting 6 straws in it...so of course we made her drink through all of them.

We had such a good time. Laughing, laughing, laughing. Oh, Tara and Debbie saw two chicks rolling on the floor punching each other and pulling out hair extensions...I was sorry I missed that show!

Saturday night, we decided that we'd go to a movie. None of us have read Twilight, but that's what we agreed to see. We were not disappointed...and we'd all like to go see it again. Three of us bought the book the next day...I got mine with a gift card, and Debbie is going to mooch a book off the first one done reading. She did purchase the soundtrack, so that was cool to listen to on the way home.

Anywho...here is a picture of our stash...we got a lot accomplished!! The luggage is under there somehere!

I love traveling period, but I really enjoy getting away with just the girls every now and then (thanks, honey!). If this is not something you do, I highly recommend it!

My sick day...

Mommies don't typically get a sick day. For some reason, the kids like to eat several times a day, their juice cups don't stay full and they like to play hide and seek.

But when mommy is sick, she doesn't feel like doing any of these things. Actually, she doesn't feel like blinking, much less pushing 'play' on the DVD player.

Super Husband to the rescue!!

Hubs is squeezing in some vacation time before he starts his new job, so he was home yesterday. He called three doctors offices until he could get me an appointment. He watched the kids while I went to the doctor. And he kept watching the kids while I took a 5 hour nap. (yes, five hours of glorious, uninterrupted sleep...but my head still hurts!)

I'm thankful for sinus cocktail shots...antibiotics...sleep...and mexican food.

But even more than those things, I am so thankful for my helpful, loving husband.

Thanks for letting me 'call in sick', babe! I love you...

Tell Me Your Story - Part II

I hope you read Part I first...

Donald broke up with his girlfriend. His feelings for me had changed...but I didn't know it.

My sweet 16th birthday rolled around in February. I had a basketball game that day, but before my game, a friend of mine told me that Donald liked me. Eek...what to do??

I had planned a bowling party followed by a slumber party (the first and only 'friend' party I ever had!) for after my game. I think I told my dad a little about my friendship with Donald...I had invited him to bowl with me and my girlfriends...I didn't want dad to freak. He came to bowl with us...and I think he gave me a card with money in it as a gift. (that cracks me up now!) And I now knew that he liked me, but I just couldn't muster up those feelings I had put away.

So best friends we continued to be.

That summer, I found out that he took two of my girlfriends to the movies.

Oh, what's this? I was jealous!

I began to think about him a lot. On our 2nd day of school as Juniors, he asked me to be his girlfriend. I said yes.

Our romance began in the halls of high school. And I think we made people ill. We held hands. We ate lunch together every day. He spoiled me.

We also got into trouble...but we stuck together, never playing that 'break up/make up' game.

We graduated high school and went on to college, together. We took every class, except for three, together. We graduated, together. We had been together for nearly six years. We were married that August.

God brought us through some rocky years of being young and really stupid. His hands crafted our relationship even in the midst of the ugly. I mean really, God worked hard on this, folks.

I have the best friend and husband that God created just for me. I can't imagine being married to anyone else. We grew up together. We've endured a lot. And we are stronger than most because of it.

Thank you, Lord, for my husband and our marriage. Help us to protect it and honor each other everyday. Amen.

I hope you've enjoyed my story. I'd love to hear yours!

I'm not officially tagging anyone...but I REALLY do want you to post your story. Please leave me a comment if you're going to participate. Thanks!

Tell Me Your Story - PART I

I don't know about you, but I love to hear how people got together. Some stories are funny. Some are lovely. Some are so romantically sweet they're kind of sickening, right?

Amy @ in my life was tagged to tell her very sweet story last week...and being the great bloggy friend that she is, she tagged me to tell my story.

I don't know what category this story falls into...maybe you can help me with that.

Hubs and I first met in the sixth grade. We were in the Spelling Bee together. I kicked his tail graciously defeated my opponent, although he'll tell you that he let me win. (guess that's where that started, ha!)

When we got into Junior High, we had a few classes together, but no real conversations to speak of. I did my thing. He did his. Whatever those things were. ???

When were Freshman, we became 'best friends' as sort of a joke. He had witnessed a girl friend of mine pass a note to another girl asking her to be her best friend. He thought this was so '3rd grade' that it became a joke. He then passed me a note to ask me to be his best friend. It was hilarious to me, so we became best friends. We'd exchange a big hug each time we saw each other, but we really didn't speak outside of school. Then, he 'dated' my best friend for about two weeks. There were really no dates, just phone calls and seeing each other at school. All the while, he was my best friend...

He soon broke it off with my friend. When she asked him why, the only answer he would give was that he was interested in someone else. The only hint he would give about this someone else was that she was an Aquarius.

I'm an Aquarius. (not that I give a hill of beans about astrology, but that's what I am)

So I began to ponder...'Could I be the one he's interested in? Do I like him as more than a friend? Could I date him?'

I began to imagine being his girlfriend.

I wondered how my friend would feel if he had dumped her for me.

And then I found out.

It wasn't me.

It was the chick he had dumped before he dated my friend. Ugh.

Ok, so now I had budding feelings that I had to put away. And I did. He began dating his ex again. And we continued to just be best friends.

Then in 10th grade, we both earned, or won, tickets to a local hockey game. My dad required me to take my older brother. But we went with Donald...and his girlfriend! She drove...she was my brother's age. (I know, he was dating an older woman!!)

So we went to this hockey game. Donald and I cracked jokes and goofed off all night...because we were best friends! My brother sat there doing whatever. The girlfriend sat there pouting with her arms folded. The team scored during some special time window in the game and we were given coupons to Burger King. After the game, we went to BK to cash in on our free whatever. Donald and I, being the mature ones (we were 15/16), hit the outdoor playground...so fun, right ? The girlfriend and my brother hung out by the fence, party poopers.

That night was a turning point...for one of us...

Tune in tomorrow for the 'rest of the story'...

Sew What?!

My husband gave me a sewing machine for my 30th birthday. Sew what?

I haven't touched it much. I got it out and goofed around with it for a bit, but it went to the attic when we put our house on the market...in March.

The first project I thought I'd do to get my feet wet was an apron. The 'pattern' called for only one yard of fabric, which I could buy for a dollar at the Wally World.

It hasn't been made. Not that I didn't want to do it, I just haven't made the time. Sew what?

Well, now it's time for something I want. And I got a little ambitious. Sew what?

My kids will be attending a Mother's Day Out program at our church two days a week. They will take naps there (yay), but I didn't want their little faces to sweat and stick to a plastic mat.

I wanted to make nap mat covers!!

I told my local sewing buddy Cindy what I wanted to do and she agreed to help me get started. She came over last Friday and taught me a few sewing basics.

It took me a while to wrap my brain around the ins and outs of the process...but when I got it, I think I got it pretty well.

I am very pleased with the results.

Here they are!

His:







Hers:








Nope, they're not perfect...but they are for sleeping in a dark room...not a contest.

I used velcro inside the bottom hem to keep the mat in. A travel-size pillow is perfect for the pillowcase. I made a strap to go around the mat to keep it together; it snaps closed.

I am very proud of my first little project...

...and now I'm sad that my project is over.

I need something else to sew...

Sew what!?

One of my Fantastic Friends in Blogland...

...loves to pick the brains of her bloggy friends.

Amy at 'in my life', came up with a series of questions in order to get better acquainted with the blog authors she loves. The series is called Inside the Blogger's Studio. Amy's first guest was Mama Mia...I've just started tuning in to see what Mia is up to. I'm getting to know her better...you can read her interview here. Next up was Yvette...my old co-worker and friend-turned-master-blogger...you can read her interview here.

Back in June, Amy sent me a message to ask if I would be interested in being a contestant on the Price is Right, er, being placed on a pedestal for a day, um, playing along. I responded with a very enthusiastic 'Yes, you bet!'

And then she sent me the questions.

And they required me to think.

So they took me a while to answer.

I'm proud to say that I finished said questions the other day and sent them on for publishing.

So without further ado...

Head on over to Amy's to read my interview!!

I Married My Best Friend!

Eight Years Ago:

- We were 22

- We had been dating for six years

- We had just graduated from college

- We bought our first house (and he moved in...but I would not let him sleep in the Master bedroom or use our new jacuzzi tub, uh uh, not until I was there to share it with him!)

- He called me his 'girlfriend' on our honeymoon while I couldn't stop signing my maiden name

- We had many dreams of what our life would be like together...with children


And today:

- We're 30

- We've been married for 8 years (!!!)

- We have two gorgeous children

- We're in the same house (but maybe not much longer...???)

We do not have the perfect marriage, but who does? We fight. We play. We pick. We annoy. We mess up. We I nag. We encourage. We laugh. And we laugh way more than we fight...that must be a good thing, right?? We would still rather be around each other than with anyone else (most days - hee!).

Honey, I love you! It's been a fun 8 (14) years with you! I don't think we could've imagined our life as great as it is today. You are the best father I know...it is a joy to watch you with our children. You are a fantastic provider and leader for our family...and I thank God for you.

May God bless our home with love and many more years of laughter!!


Happy Anniversary, babe!

Here's the deal...

I have been out of town.

I have had lots of fun.

I have two fabulous children who traveled fantastically!

I have only one load of laundry to do. (thanks Lori!!)

I have lots of great pictures to share.

I have lots of blogs to catch up on.

I have ten more pounds to lose. (thanks, Lori!!)

I have an anniversary coming up.

I have a clean house.

I have to go pay the electric bill.

I have to mail the mortgage payment.

I have to work today.

I have to gather my thoughts, pictures and stories to share the rest of the week.

I have to get busy.

What a girly-child-free weekend is all about...

I stayed up late.

I slept in.

I ate when the dinner bell rang I was told to come and get it that it was served.

Check out the fabulous presentation of a Taco Salad...

It was so good...and it was very easy for me to pick around the lettuce. wink wink

What could be better than meals you don't have to prepare for yourself or clean up after??

I met two very fun girls that Debbie and I will keep in touch with. We'll probably meet up with them again.

I slowly scrapped my way through nearly two dozen pages.

I've accomplished more in the past...but I would've never gotten so many pages done in one weekend at home, so I am pleased.

Here are a few of my favorites...

I came home to a very clean house. Happy children. And one super husband. Thanks, honey!

I had a wonderful, perfect weekend at Cropical Paradise.

I can't wait to go again...

If you live anywhere near Paducah, KY, you should book your retreat right away!!