Biggest Challenge Ever

I decided I am going to not buy any clothes between now and December 2011. I mentioned this to some girls at work and it didn't go over well. The common responses were "I could NOT do that!" and "No way you can pull this off!". But I'm going to try. I have a feeling I will have a lot more money every month and I will be able to pay off my Macy's card. I am excited about this challenge. It doesn't mean I won't be able to have any fun, girls. Don't fret. I will still allow myself to buy accessories. Here is the plan.

Not allowed:
*Pants
*Shirts
*Skirts
*Dresses
*Shorts

Allowed:
*Purses
*Jewelry
*Shoes
*Scarves
*Other misc. accessories

AND Gifts don't count!

So, I think this is going to be a good thing. I am actually excited to see if I can do this. Wish me luck!!!

Disclaimer: I might have to buy clothes if I get pregnant, but unless you've been under a rock and you know me, you know that will not happen.

Amazing Man - Amazing Legacy

*music by Pearl Jam - Just Breathe

Loss Part 2

It's sad that it takes losing someone to think of past memories. We should think of people and fond memories all the time. Some of my favorite memories of Pappaw are going over to his house with all my family and eating dinner and hanging out. Pappaw would always get out his guitar and sing old country songs. Some of my Uncles and my Aunt Margaret (who has an amazing voice) would join in. There were other times where me and my cousins would spend the night and sleep on the pull-out sofa staying up late watching Sunny and Cher or some old show from back in the day. I have several more memories than that too, obviously. I am so greatful to have such a large family that can share all these memories with.

Loss Part 1

I have lost people in my life and each one has been hard. But I lost my Pappaw last night and it has hit me harder than any loss I have had. It happened last night around 8:00. He had been in the hospital off and on with pneumonia and was finally placed in a rehab facility to start getting better. Over the past few years he had become all too familiar with hospitals. However, each time he went in he would bounce back. He was a fighter. A strong man. It was just too much for him last night. My Aunt called me and told me to get to the hospital last night because my Mom needed me there. I knew it wasn't good. Not 5 minutes after I arrived, the Nurse led us back to "the room" and the Doctor came in to deliver the news. I was so glad I could be there for my Mom and my Aunt (who I lovingly refer to as my 2nd Mom). They let us come in and see Pappaw to say our good-byes. I knew he had only been gone for a very short time, and I don't know what I expected to see. But it was surreal. As more family arrived, we all stayed in the room with him until the funeral home arrived. The strongest person there was my Mammaw. She didn't shed a tear. I think she felt it was her place to keep her cool and make everyone feel better by telling stories and joking. That's just like her.

I have so many memories of spending time with both my Mammaw and Pappaw. It seems like yesterday......

Dream Weaver

So random. Last night I dreamnt that I bought Frank a Harley Davidson for his birthday. The strange part is he is not a Harley fan, doesn't ride motorcycles, his birthday is in May, and clearly I have no money to up and make this kind of purchase in reality. Anyway, in my dream I waited until the last possible minute to buy his gift because in reality he is really hard to buy for. He has everything he wants and he isn't into any 1-thing. If he is into something, he researches and ends up buying it for himself.

So in my dream, I had to rush to buy his gift on my way to meet him for dinner. I just stopped by the local Harley store and bought him a nice vintage bike similar to the one below (minus Brad Pitt-sigh). No idea how much it cost in my dream or even if Harley makes vintage bikes. But I remember having to have someone drive it to the restaurant for me and for some reason he couldn't drive it home. Not because he can't drive a bike (he grew up on them), but no idea why...then I woke up. Dreams are strange and sometimes have no meaning. As if you already didn't know that.

Vacation 2010

Ole! We just returned from an 8 day vacation on the Mayan Riviera. We stayed at the Valentin Imperial Maya and it was wonderful. We got upgraded to First Class both ways, and had a private Suburban all to ourselves for airport transportation. I felt a little bit like a Celeb. Honestly, the private Suburban didn't cost much more than the hotel transport and was totally worth it!

Car Service (ignore the deflated hair, sweaty face, tired look I'm sporting)


Hotel Lobby



Our days mostly consisted of laying by the pool and reading. Oh, and eating. Did I mention we ate a lot? We ate a ton. The food by far was the best hotel food (all-inlclusive or otherwise) I have ever had in all my years of travel. Everything had so much flavor. I know I gained 20 pounds between the food and the pina coladas, champagne, and mexican coffee!

Main Pool (I didn't get any good pics of the pool by our room that we stayed at all the time)

French restraunt

Menu scroll thing at Indonesian restaurant

Inside Japanese Restaurant


Aside from non-stop eating and drinking, I WENT SCUBA DIVING AGAIN!!! After over 10 years it was time to get back on that horse and face my fears. It was AMAZING! I was more than proud of myself and I can't wait to do it again.
Me very nervous before my first dive

Best place to be ever

I've missed all this stuff so much


The hotel grounds were beautiful with a lot of wildlife. And when we got home to our own wildlife, our little Tangie went Brazilian. The vet had to shave her when they groomed her because she was so matted up. With all her hair I couldn't feel the mats under it all.






Tangie in her new sweater...she is not used to being so hairless.


It was an amazing trip and oh so relaxing. I read 3 books, ate my weight in food, and layed in the sun so much that I have a good reserve of vitamin D. Good to be home.

In The Quest For Less

Weight that is. I have read various articles that give good tips on ways to reduce belly fat and help aid in weight loss. In addition to exercise, of course. Some things are a given, like drinking water through out the day. A lot of people do this. It helps you feel full. People also put lemon in their water to give it some flavor.

Lemons - The pectin in lemon peel is an excellent source of fiber, which helps stop the body from absorbing sugar quickly. Pectin also helps eliminate cravings. Drinking water with a whole lemon for weight loss is an excellent way to speed up weight loss and detox the body.

Cherries - Cherries are low in calories, low in fat and contain a high percentage of water. Research has shown increasing water consumption will boost energy levels and help increase metabolism.

Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice - Drinking 3 glasses a day over 12 weeks, can help you loose an additional 3 pounds. Try the brands that are 100% juice and no added sugar.

Milk - Several studies have concluded that calcium-rich dairy products helped people lose more weight from the abdominal region than those taking calcium supplements or eating a low-calcium diet.

I definately plan on trying these tips in addition to exercising more frequenly. My body isn't the same it was 10 years ago. Hell, even one year ago. It's crazy what mid-30's can do to ones ability to lose weight and keep it off.

Expedition Great White

Oh. Mah. Gah. I am about to be in Shark Nerd Heaven. I just saw a commercial on National Geographic for a new show coming out called Expedition Great White. Amazing. Check out this preview!

If You Love To Travel...

You need to check out my friend Shannon's new website. That Travel Spark. She gives great advice on traveling with kids, packing, and planning great trips. You will also find good tips and ideas to know before you go!

Growing Up Is Easy To Do

Not only is it easy, it is rather seamless. Some people have kids and are kind of forced to enter into this phase of life. It just happened for me. One day I give a crap about being "young" and wearing the trends and knowing the most current gossip then the next I don't care. I still want to look presentable, but if I look 35, it's ok.

Last year I would have been mortified to look 34. You can't fight age. All you can do is embrace it and do your best to look your best. Nobody wants to be that lady who wears clothes from the junior department. We all know who they are because its so obvious.

Another reason I notice I am entering the next phase of life is if I am in Macy's with a chance to buy cute clothes or an awesome coffee maker...yeah, I'm going with the awesome coffee maker.

I no longer care what people think of me. I pretty much have spent my adult life not caring what people think of me, but it is more pronounced now. If you don't like me...that's your problem, not mine.

I am starting to see how I used to be in younger people now. When I was in my mid to late 20's, I was so freaking ambitious and wanted so badly to be the golden child at work that I once arranged a limo, Mediteranian dinner w/belly dancer at a restarant in Dallas for my Boss and all his direct reports...who had to fly in. Yeah, I thought I was the shit. Looking back now, if I were one his direct reports would have been rolling my eyes and wondering why the young'en was trying so hard.

It's just so funny how life changes over time and how much more comfortable I am with myself now. I no longer feel I have to impress, dress, or wow anyone. I do the best I can do at my job, I am a good friend, and I try to not look like a mess. And I am happier than I have ever been.

My Dog Is An Asshole?

My husband, Frank, thinks my dog Todd is an Asshole. Kind of funny actually. Here is some of his reasoning:

1. He's always mad at stuff.

2. He eats Bananas only because our other dogs Tangie and Lucy like them. He doesn't even like Bananas!

3. He gets mad (barks like hell) when Frank takes a shower.

4. He gets mad (barks like hell) when Frank goes into the garage.

5. He's a "buzz-kill". He barks like hell when he hears things outside. Usually when we are watching a movie or are into a tv show.

6. He only likes to get pet when the other dogs are already getting attention.

7. Todd is a cock-blocker. Anytime Frank goes to kiss me, he sticks his little self in the middle of us.

8. He doesn't give a shit about a toy unless one of the other dogs has it.

9. He pees on fucking everything.

10. He only pukes on carpet. Refuses to puke on the wood floor. This is typical when he eats grass outside.

With all that said, Todd monkey is my baby. He is 8 years old and dammit he isn't going to change a thing. He loves his mamma and does what daddy says because he knows daddy will smack him. Don't get it wrong though. Frank loves Todd monkey. He was a birthday gift for me in 2002 and Frank has trained him to do a lot of stuff.

I love my Todd. He is my O.G.

Blogging for Bill

Our neighbor of 6 years, Bill, passed away last night. It is so sad because he and his wife Cheryl were the best of friends. Bill was diagnosed with pancratic cancer last Christmas. We were told this at their annual Christmas gag gift exchange for 2009. Bill was one of the most kind and caring person I knew. He was a spitfire though. Ex Navy, wood-worker, smoker, diabetic, drinker, curser, sweetheart. So sweet and welcoming. We didn't go over there enough to visit. We normally would go over for their Christmas party and the occasional summer celebrations. Sad because they live right across the street. Bill always greeted me with a hug and a kiss on the cheeck. He always treated us like family, although he didn't know us very well. Bill was surrounded with a large family and great friends. It is so comforting to know that Cheryl is being comforted by them all in this difficult time. If I didn't know I would think this was just another outdoor celebration, which Bill would be at the center of. I couldn't imagine them not grieving any differently.

I went over to give my condolences this morning. It started Thursday night when I saw the ambulance and firetruck outside their house. I then saw Bill being brought out on the gurney. Friday went by and only 1 car was in the driveway. I thought this was a good sign. He was still in the hospital and Cheryl was by his side. It all changed when I went to get the mail this morning and saw all the cars and people carrying in food. I knew what had happened. I went across the street and my other neighbor was mowing his yard (which was really sweet) told me what happened. I went inside to offer my condolences to Cheryl. My heart goes out to her.

More family and friends gathered tonight so I went back over to say hello and offer condolences to Cheryls kids (who are my age), but I couldn't hold my shit together. I was going to start crying and they don't need more of that right now. So I will bake a cake and take over a card tomorrow.

God Bless you Bill...you will be missed.

Love, Frank and Amanda (a.k.a. Batman and Mrs. Batman)

Revelation and Responsibility

Today I accomplished 3 things.

1. I got approved for a Mortgage to buy a house.

2. I made a decision to stop drinking so much.

3. I went back to the gym.

Let me explain. The first time home-buyer program ends on Friday, April 30th. I was going to basically try to buy our house from Frank because he is the sole owner and I am not on the title. That way, I (we) would get the $8000 tax credit. It sounded great on paper. I was approved for a mortgage, which suprised me actually. All I had to do was fax all of my paperwork over, which I was able to easily get (W2, pay stubs, 401K statement, etc). Then we would just need a Realtor to write us up a Purchase Agreement and have us sign it on or before Friday this week. All of which could have easily been done. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it was. When I contacted the Realtor, she did some checking and it turns out we would have to be divoriced at the time we execute the sale (when we sign the purchase agreement) in order for me to buy the house. I also verified this by calling a 2nd Realtor and H&R Block. Well, divorice is not possible being that a.) we don't want to get divoriced...anymore and b.) you can't divorice in 2 days. Even though I am not on the title, Texas is a community property state and therefore I half-own the house in a sense already. Good try for us though and at least I learned that I can do things on my own and even own a house if I really needed to.

The 2nd item listed above is about how much I have been drinking lately. I mostly am doing it because I am bored and work has been really stressful lately. I would drink 2 plus glasses (because I'm a topper-offer) a night. Occasionally I would skip a night probably because I was out and it always felt like a big accomplishment. It shouldn't be that way. It then got to where I would feel dissappointed in myself for drinking the night before. I wouldn't get drunk because my tolerence was so high, which isn't right either. Last night I tried to go without drinking wine and I waited and waited but couldn't do it. So I had a couple glasses. And now I am out with no plans to buy any. I don't plan on quitting, but I do need to drink like normal people do. Occasionally, or on the weekend. My family history definately makes me see how this could get out of hand and turn into a problem.

The last item is about me getting back to the gym. I was a size 2 last summer and now I am squeezing into a size 6. I know its because all I do at night is lounge around and drink wine.

My plan moving forward is to spend my evenings being productive. Getting back to the gym, working harder, cooking more, etc. I have to do this. I have to get back to a normal balance.

Oceans Review

Frank and I saw Disney's Oceans last night and I was not impressed. It was kind of slow moving and the production value wasn't that good. I think Life on Discovery channel is much better. I just thought being Disney that it would be more over-the-top. It did feel good knowing that Disney Nature made a donation in our honor for seeing the movie in its opening week.

A few things I learned though:

1. Disney films make for good birth control. So many kids...and they were bored! I mean, hello! they are watching a DOCUMENTARY. Not many kids are going to be able to stay interested for an hour and a half.

2. Some Moms let their kids talk and run all over the theater because it's easier than chasinig them around and dicsipling them.

3. Babies cry in movies. Not that I am just learning this, but apparantly somone did. The mother who brought the new born to the movie. Who does that? Sheesh!

Connected

I've been on Facebook for a while now and have had my blog for a few years, but it feels like I am just joining the rest of modern society by getting connected. I joined Twitter, so I think now I am officially connected, but I am sure I am missing something. The funny thing is that I don't get Twitter. I finally understand when you want to talk to someone you have to type the @ sign. But I don't know what the # sign does. I also don't know when to Tweet or what to Tweet about. Of course it doesn't matter much if I don't have anyone to Tweet to. Let's see if I can do this.

Topper

A yummy topper for chicken, steak, and even fish. I made a batch and have had it on all 3 within the past 3 nights.

Mix together the following to taste:

Chopped Green Onions
Sour Cream
Blue Cheese crumbles

Top anything. It's D-lish (especially on chicken marinated in buffalo sauce then grilled)!!

Random Change

Over the past month or so I have noticed there are things I used to enjoy that I don't really care about anymore. It's stupid stuff really. Here are some of the things I just can't do anymore. Not sure if its because I am getting older or what, but here we go.

KISS FM. Can't do it. I try to listen to it in the car, but I just can't stand it anymore. I am sure it has to do with the crap being played that I just don't get...like Justin Beiber, Ke$sha, random rappers using chipmunk sounds in their songs and robot noises. Or rappers singing about drinking and getting tipsy. I used to like anything with a beat and up-tempo with a party feel (and I still do), but I have a cut off point now that I am getting older.

Bars. Why can't there be a quiet, smoke free, place to drink that is not crowded and has good music that isn't too loud and you can hear your conversations with cool people. Oh wait...there is. It's called MY HOUSE!

Trends. OK, I can do some trends like ruffley blouses or chunky jewelry. But I can't do leggings, ugg-style boots, skinny jeans tucked into boots. You get the point. I would rather stick to classic style that still looks relevent and not old lady.

Staying up late. I still do it, but is getting harder and harder. I feel so much better when I get a full 8 hours.

Drinking wine on weeknights. Yes, there are some night that I have to. But a night off every now and then might actually help me lose some el-bees!

Not drinking enough water. I need to stay more hydrated, epescially as I age. Don't want to dry out the skin!

Perezhilton.com. Why am I obsessed with this crap? Is my life better for knowing useless information about people I don't know or don't care about? Now, there are still interesting stories out there like when Britney shaved her head and went crazy. But I'll wait until there is something interesting enough and then I will read about it.

So I will be 35 roughly 4 short months. I wonder if age has anything to do with this. If it does, I'm cool with that. If not, then I guess it's just time to make a change.

Casa Bonita

Does anyone remember Casa Bonita? The Mexican restaraunt with the indoor waterfall that had cliff divers? I remember going there as a kid and it was like the most amazing experience. There were multiple rooms with different feels, but the best seat in the house was next to the cliff divers. The smell of the chemicals in the indoor pool mixed with the Pancho's quality mexican food. Does anyone remember this place? It was by Hulen Mall in Fort Worth. Think back to the mid-80's.

10 Years Goes By Fast

Today is the 10 year anniversary of the big ass tornado that hit Downtown Fort Worth. I remember that night like it was a year ago. Queue the hazy blurry dream sequence...Frank and I were living in North Arlington (technically Grand Prairie) off North 360 in an apartment. I was working for Ryder in Las Colinas and he was working with Bass in Downtown Fort Worth. I got home before he did as usual, and turned on Channel 5 news. David Fenfrock actually showed the tornado happening LIVE on TV!! It was crazy. I kept calling Frank and he wasn't answering and I was really scared. The tornado was ripping right through the middle of Downtown. Being on the 3rd floor of the apartments, I panicked because the storm was heading straight down I-30 towards central Arlington (close enough for discomfort). Still scared shit-less about Frank...I was a mess. Finally Frank got home and I demanded we go downstairs to our garage on the bottom floor of the apartments and sit in the car (my Jetta). I thought that would be the safest place. But it got really hot sitting in there because we couldn't turn the car on because the garage was closed...duh.

Turns out Frank couldn't answer his phone when I was calling to check on him because he racing down I-30 with the tornado in his rear-view mirror. Can you blame the guy? Good thing he had his fast new Audi A4. That was such a cool car. But I digress...it's funny how I remember things so vividly and others not so much.

Dreaming Of Blue Water and Sunny Skies

I am starting to long for the Caribbean. It's getting to be that time of year when we start planning. However, things might not go as planned this year. We normally have an idea of where we want to go by now, but not this year. We have had so much come up we are not even sure if we will be going anywhere. But here are some pics looking back over the past few years of where we have been:

2009-Dominican Republic


2008-Turks & Caicos


2007-Tulum, Mexico


2006-Puerto Vallarta, Mexico


2005-St. Lucia


Before that I didn't have a digital camera and have never taken the time to scan in photos. 2004-Caymem, 2003-Aruba, 2002-Bonaire, 2001-Belize

2010?

What Would Brian Boitano Make?

What Would Brian Boitano Make? Doesn't matter. He is hilarious! I caught this show on the food network last year and then it wasn't on again until recentlty. I was happy that it came back. You remember him, right? He was an Olympic Gold Figure Skater from 1988. Anyway, he is simply FABOOSH! This show cracks me up. I highly recommend checking it out. It comes on the Food Network on Sundays at 12 CST.

I found this "homemade" clip of him on youtube which shows just the tip of how goofy he is. Love it.

Douche Bags Rejoice!

Remember when Ed Hardy shirts were sold at high-end stores for $85.00 per t-shirt? That phase didn't last long before every hipster (a.k.a. upper-middle-class housewives and divoriced Dads on the prowl) in middle-America started buying it up. Soon after that, it became a staple of daily attire for the cast of the Jersey Shore. Well NOW, you can find anything from Ed Hardy gum at Target, lighters at gas stations, computer mouses and mouse pads, and BEER! Dear lord. Seriously? As if the first of the items previously listed weren't bad enough?

Ed Hardy is the next Tommy Hilfigger. Meaning it won't be long (if not already) til you can buy an Ed Hardy souvineer t-shirt in Cozumel.

Click Here to Watch 'The Ed Hardy Boyz and The Case Of The Missing Sick Belt Buckle'

Gaga-Mazing!!!

Either Lady GaGa is that amazing or I am a gay dude trapped in a woman's body. Her video for Telephone with Beyonce is MAYJAH! Loves it. Totally unexpected and totally brilliant (as far as videos go). I love the Natural Born Killers/Kill Bill/Thelma & Louise influence. Plus Beyonce in her Betty Paige inspired wig was great. Enjoy!



If the video won't play, try clicking here.

Brookstoner

I normally don't find myself wanting things from Brookstone, even though it's a pretty cool store with some pretty cool stuff. But, I got a catalog in the mail and found that I had "dog-eared" several pages. Here is just some of all the junk I want!

n•a•p® Lite All Season Bed Blanket


Tempur-Pedic Comfort-Step Slippers


Pure-Ion Advanced Air Cleaner


iConvert® Photo Scanner

ALDI, Whaaa???

A new grocery store is being built down the street from my house. It's something I have never heard of before. ALDI. I had no idea what to expect. My hope is that it would be another Whole Foods or Central Market type of grocery store, but I am not sure. I saw the first commercial for it tonight so I got curious and went to the wonderful world wide web to check it out. I am skeptical, like I am with all things I am unsure of. From what I read, here is how ALDI is different:

~To use a grocery cart, you have to put a 25 cent deposit into the cart in order to "check it out" of the stall and use it. Yes, you get that quarter back when you return it to the stall, but still...who carries cash or a lot of change anymore? To their defense, they do say with this system, they don't have to assign an employee to round up carts in the parking lot, thus saving money.

~They encourage shoppers to bring their own bags, by charging 5 cents for paper bags and 10 cents for bigger (heavier duty) bags. I like this option, I think all stores should go to this.

~ALDI does not accept checks, which I think is a good thing. I hate being slowed down behind the old lady writing a check. But with that, ALDI also does not accept credit cards. ALDI only accepts cash, food stamps/EBT cards, and PIN-based debit cards. What about people who use American Express, etc. as their main method of payment because of the rewards?

~ALDI carries mostly private label brands. ALDI will carry some national brands, but these are usually “special buys”—limited-time offers of products, that ALDI claims, score you huge savings, but are only available while supplies last.

The concept is definately different than what we are used to in Texas. It has potential to be great, or fail. I do hope it does well. I like the "green" aspect of it but I am not sure of the "private label" part of it. I am all for generic paper towels and private label (which is fancy for generic) items, but from stores I trust and shop at frequently...like Tom Thumb.

The only other time I remember adjusting to a new store was when CVS expanded to our area. Before that I had only seen CVS in Long Island, NY. I thought it was strange how it had carpet. I was so used to Eckerd Drugs. That was THE drugstore when I was a kid.

ALDI opens by my house this spring. It will be interesting to see how it does.

www.aldifoods.com

It's Not What You Think Your Eating

I saw this on the news tonight. Fox News reported about New York High School students that did a science project about food. The question at hand was, is the food we eat really what it says it is? They worked with a NY University to extract DNA of their samples. What did they find?

1. A product labeled "anchovy" came back as Protosalanx chinensis, which is actually not anchovy but a type of smelt fish.

2. One item was labeled "red snapper," but the DNA testing showed it was Lutjanus malabaricus, which is actually a different type of fish called the Malabar blood.

3. At a specialty store, a product labeled "sheep's milk cheese" was tested and proven to be cheese made with cow's milk.

4. Another item labeled "sturgeon caviar" was tested and the DNA came back as Plyodon spathula, a fish commonly known as the Mississippi paddlefish.

5. "Pacific Ocean smelt" was what was advertised in the store, but the DNA testing proved it was actually Odontesthes gracilis. It is not smelt, but a silverside family of fish.

6. "Frozen yellow catfish" DNA tested as Odontesthes gracilis. According to the fish database, this is not yellow catfish.

7. A dog treat labeled as "venison" (deer meat) tested as beef.

8. A fish sample that was labeled "mackerel" was tested and came back as Sardinella atricauda, a fish commonly known as Bleeker's black tip sardinella.

9. One product that was labeled "Jewfish" came back with DNA that showed it was actually Nemipterus furcosus, a fish commonly known as fork-tail threadfin bream.

10. A product labeled in Chinese translated to "Branchiostoma lancelet amphioxus, but DNA tests proved it was Salangichthys microdon, a fish commonly known as Japanese ice fish.

Yes, a lot of fish, but you can click here to see their full study.

Short Falls

I am 5'1" tall and there is nothing I can do about it...unless I live in China. Lisa Ling reported on a recent Oprah show about the new trends in cosmetic surgery in China. She said people are actually heightening by having their legs broken and stretched. You can grow anywhere from a few inches to a full foot. Amazing, but not without 6 months of recovery and pain. People are electing to have this extreme surgery all because height is a big deal in China. Jobs, Education Acceptance, Dating, etc. all depend on how tall you are. If that were the case here in the US, I would be jobless, stupid (hush), and single. Of course this elective torture is not cheap. It runs anywhere from $10K to $40K.

I have heard of this done in the States for little people (is that the right term these days?), but I couldn't imagine doing something this insane. Things like this make me glad to be part of Western culture.

Virtual Friends

Sunday Bloggy Sunday. Only two posts today, but feels like a lot. Anyway I was just thinking...These days it is easier to be friends with more people. I think the quality has gone out of friendship however. With applications and conveiniences like Facebook, email, texting, etc. it does make it easier to keep in touch with friends and family, but it also makes it not as personal. Just a thought.

Memories, Like The Corner Of My Mind...

I had lunch with my mom the other day and she mentioned how it had been like a strange blast from the past for her over the past week, seeing people she lost touch with and catching up on old friends. That night I dreamt of my old neighborhood and my friends from elementary school and jr. high. So today I had some time to kill because of a change in plans, so I made an exit off the highway and a detour into my old neighborhood. It was a nostalgic look back. I was suprised at how much I remembered about what friends lived where and even what streets lead to others, etc. I was able to remember what the insides of these houses looked like and I remembered what my friends and I would do around the neighborhood. It seemed like it was just yesterday but so long ago. Funny too that all the houses that I thought were so big and "fancy" didn't look so big, or fancy anymore. My old house looked much smaller than I remembered and it even looked like the people living there still had the same window treatments in the gameroom window. Odd. I also wondered if any of the families were still living in these houses. Every house I knew had a story and a memory. I guess we really didn't live their that long. I want to say it was from 1983 to 1989, but it seemed like a lifetime.

Looking back things were so simple and innocent back then. So much has changed with my family and even my friends families. It's somewhat sad to think we had no idea what the future held. Good or bad. Some friends lost sisters, moms, dads, and some families are broken by divorice now. Things definately are not as they were and certainly won't be in another 20 years.

Some random things that come to mind when thinking of that time period for me...

Flippy McFlipperson...That's Me!!

So my last post said I didn't want to move. I didn't want to leave my wonderful, comfortable home. Well give it a couple days and like the Texas weather, I will change. See, this is why it's not good for me to make big decisions. I am so worried about making the right one, that I basically can't decide. Now I am worried that if we don't sell now we will regret it. Our front bedrooms are small and there is nothing I can do about that. We actually have buyers who don't care. Imagine that. Next time we decide to sell will we be able to? I hate the unknown. I can't do big decisions. That is why I wash my hands in this and told Frank I am happy with whatever HE decides. I'll know Monday.

Home Is Where The Heart Is?

Is home really where the heart is? Most would probably say yes, but I'm gonna go with no and I'll explain why in a minute. We have had our house for sell since September of 2009. We had not had much traffic and zero offers (mostly due to the holiday season), then as soon as 2010 hit we have had several showings a week with 2 offers. The first offer fell through and we are in negotiations with our 2nd offer. What sucks though is that it is not a good time right now for us to move. Frank has so much going on with work and traveling a lot. My work is also crazy right now.

Here's the deal. We put our house up for sell and I didn't want to, but I kind of had to due to other things going on at the time. Then I was on board. Well, now that we have had a lot of activity and a couple offers, I'm kind of freakin out. Our house is really nice. We don't have to move. There is no new job we need to move for and we are not growing our family, etc. etc. etc. So my thing is that I am kind of scared thinking we are not making the right decision. We kind of know the area we want to move to, but we will have to rent before we buy then who knows if we will be able to find something as nice as what we have now for the price we got this house for?

So many thoughts going through my head right now. This has been my home for the last 7 1/2 years. We have put a lot into it making it how we want it. I feel so comfortable here. Thinking about leaving makes me a little teary eyed. So while some say 'Home Is Where The Heart Is', I can't say that would be the case for me. To me, home is where I am comfortable and familiar. Honestly, I am not ready for this. I don't want to leave my home.