Warning...Open Heart Below!

So, I don't blog nearly enough. Oh, I have lots to say, but I feel inadequate when I don't have pictures like everybody else. Like in junior high...when I didn't have the coolest jeans because I was so skinny my mom had to put darts in my pants and they were still highwaters. Or in high school when I didn't have, well, boobs. (Note: that problem is solved).


I also have a really hard time but Just Say Julie says I make Lemonade out of Lemons so I must have something going for me. Because Just Say Jule says so. I'd do what she said to do with it but I can't figure out how.

So, anyway, this speaks to one of my biggest struggles...believing I'm "good enough" for... whatever. I suppose many people who know me are surprised to find that out, but it's ever so true. Part of it is perfectionism and part of it are esteem issues that most people deal with.

How do I battle it? My friends are my support system. My Honey is priceless. My Pumpkin is living proof that I did something right. And my God...he sent his Son to save me because I at once was good enough for him to want me and not good enough to do it on my own.

Looking Fine in 09

I have decided that this year will be about feeling and looking fine (last year was Feeling/Looking Great in 08) so I am going to focus on the inside and outside and it begins with

MY Wii and Wii Fit!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's MINE! All MINE!!!! My Honey searched high and low and bought one of the first ones that hit the city after Christmas. I heart my Wii and Wii Fit! By the time we go on vacation this summer, I should be looking great! Hey, I can dream! And who knew I'd love yoga? I sleep better and feel better. Wow!

I have once again cut out as must sugar as possible. Splenda is my best friend. I have also found ONE diet soda that I can tolerate...even like if I forget it's diet...Diet Barq's Root Beer. Yum!

I did a two-week detox that pretty much worked like a brillo pad on my insides. I must have had a ton of junk plastering my insides because I KNOW I wasn't eating THAT much.

• I need a creative outlet so I'm pledging to blog three times a week. I will warn you that one blog will be about something on my heart as my faith is an incredibly huge part of who I am and I've neglected that part of me having an outlet for far too long.
• I am going to devote one night a week to have a devotional time with the Pumpkin. I've only got two plus years left with her before college and I'm storing up the memories now.
• I will do something with "my girls" once a month. February will be Ladies Night at Quiggly's Clay House. There is a softball game, but my friends have convinced me I won't die if I miss one.
• I will do something spoiling for my Honey once a week...foot rub, special dessert, whatever. He is amazing and supportive of me and my career (yes, teachers can have "careers") which is changing and challenging all the time...just one reason I don't get to blog enough.
• I will finish one chapter a month on the book I've been writing for longer than I'm willing to admit.

Hold me to it guys. I'm counting on you.

And for those of you keeping up with the Pumpkin's love life...the four-month "relationship" came to an end when she chose her integrity...not easy for someone her age. I am so proud of her. She so seldom bends to peer pressure and she is so comfortable in her skin most of the time. I wish I'd been like that.

Til next time!

I'm BAAAAACK!

Lookie here. I am still around. Barely. But I'm back with a vegeance! New year, new motivation, new me.

I have decided this post is going to be one heck of a post and I'm resolved to be a better blogger! Please hold me accountable.

So here goes.

First, let's catch up. My last post was in November. Isn't that a shame? Well, since then, I've had quite a life. In November, Nikki went to visit her dad and Stephen and I had Keri and Jason over for lunch. Food for TWELVE and FOUR of us dining. More on that later. We stuffed ourselves with stuffing and had turkey and ham. That's a must with me.
December flew by with taking my kids to the International Student Congress competition. We took home some bling...top Presiding Officer, Best Costume country AND individual. Ah, I love to get bling.

Nikki went to her dad's for the whole holiday (am I not the most generous ex?) and Stephen and I headed out to Ruidoso, New Mexico, via Lubbock. We stayed in a beautiful B&B lodge that is now a must visit again.

Here we are heading out on day one...first stop, Braum's for breakfast!

And, of course, I let Honey drive while I enjoy a great book. This is one of the Private series Pumpkin is reading.

The Black Bear Lodge is a great place to go. It's exclusively for couples...NO KIDS! The living area is great for sitting in front of the fire sipping freshly brewed coffee and nibbling on freshly-baked cookies.

There are four rooms and each is absolutely huge and cozy
at the same time with a jacuzzi tub and gas heater that makes a relaxing hissing sound making the room toasty.

It was COLD! It didn't snow while we were there, but we went up the mountain to Ski Apache and there was some snow there. We didn't ski, but we did drink hot cocoa on the terrace of the lodge...close enough!

On the way back, we stopped in Roswell, NM, and I found someone to make Honey jealous! Hee Hee

Next Post...not New Year's Resolutions...just what I'm going to do differently this year. Last year was "Feeling Great in 08" and this year is "Looking Fine in 09" so stay tuned!

Lettering Around

Nikki lettered in softball last year as a freshmen. I took her this summer to order her letter jacket complete with patches for "Newcomer of the Year" and Class of 2011.

She's hoping this year to make a district team (came close last year but was in a REALLY tough district). She's been working hard on her batting average (should be around 350-400) and on-base-percentage (should be over 500) and her angles in centerfield are getting better with every practice. She's even tightening up her infielding.

Right now she would like to go to Tarelton to play ball and become a teacher. Too soon to start worrying about that? I think not. Man, it's a lot of work...and MONEY!

Homecoming 2008

Nikki looked beautiful in chocolate brown and her date was an absolute gem. After picking her up at our house (entire family in tow), they met the "group" at a wonderful house with a wooden bridge and trellis area. Perfect for pictures. Then the group caught a "limo bus" to a Japanese restaurant and then it was to the dance. Nikki got sick (figured out later it was from some medication), but she had a great time. They even went to the "after party" and she slept over with a friend.I look at Nikki and I can't believe she's 15! She'll be gone before I know it. And then what will I do with my time? BUG STEPHEN!

Yep, that should do it.

Haven't had enough of the election process? Anxious for more details and predictions? Your wish is this website's desire.

http://www.change.gov/

It's the transition website for President-elect Obama. You can send them your election day memory or your wish for the country. You can research all the appointees and all the agenda items. You can even apply for a job! Hook me up. I'm thinking assistant to the speech writer for Obama. That guy's got talent!

If I'm hired, you can all come visit.

Stephen Turns 45...Well, Not Really!

I had the bright idea to throw Stephen a surprise birthday party. It all began 5 years ago when he turned 40. I just couldn't get it together. 50 seems such a long way off so I could not resist 45!
So I invited a few friends (he'd want it small) and began to plan. Wow. I don't think I've slept. Here's why. Stephen checks our bank account at least once a day. How was I supposed to pay for anything?

I ordered him a neat photo book of scenery pictures from our last two vacations, paid for it with a credit card and had it sent to a friend's house. Solved? NOPE! He found the email that confirmed shipping! I had to lie and say his mother wanted one because I didn't know it had the mailing name and address on it. I quickly lied again (not my specialty) and said she'd lost her card. Well, she did melt it in the dryer!

I bought the party supplies Friday night but forgot and put it on the debit card. Well, it is a weekend, right? Wrong. Sunday morning I'm greeted with, "So, what'd you get at Party City?" Ah, another lie coming...."Um, it's for our tournament." Safe? Hardly! Hours later he asked again exactly what I'd bought. Grrrrrr.

And then the day comes. I manage to get out of the house, fill my trunk with the goodies with one partner in crime while another partner called with a "flat tire" to use the whole damsel in distress ploy to get him out. What happens? Two guests arrive early and RING THE DOORBELL! Are you kidding me?

Ah, well, here he is enjoying his gifts fit for an old man. It was a success and I'll never forget the look on his face when he took me aside and said in his most romantic voice, "So, how much did this cost?"

Not really. He asked that second!