Just Random Thoughts & Pictures

Do you ever wonder what makes you want to read someones thoughts, look at their pictures, and follow their every thought they post on a blog?  I have been surfing though tons of blogs this morning (procrastinating as long as possible) and the blogs lately that get my attention don't say much at all.  They have pictures.  Amazing pictures, pictures of absolutely nothing, pictures of everything.

(I found this little momma in one of our Cherry trees)

I don't mean that what people have to say is not important, just seems this morning I am in a visual mood.  That and Mikayla has had my camera stashed in her room and I guess I have been missing it.

(Mike's new toy.  Wasn't this pretty when he first got it)

Most of the Blogs I came across are moms with young children.  To me, not so interesting hearing about their daily trials of parenting.  Probably as I have enough child issues of my own and really don't have the energy to read someones issues with potty training.  I am sure to them it is a trying time, but with what we are dealing with now in our stage of parenthood that type of discussion is a bit trivial.

But some of the pictures ......  say so much more then their words. 

Pictures seem to capture a moment.  A moment you can never get back.  And gazing through pictures makes a person remember, good or bad.   And remembering sometimes is not a bad thing.

A smile.  It truly is contagious.

Friends are always there to get your back.

And a silly picture is worth its weight in gold.



A silly friend is priceless.

Paradise

The feeling of floating on a billowy cloud,

The roar of a waterfall to drown out the cicadas,

The feel of a babbling brook massaging my shoulders and back,

Glass of wine in my hand,

My husband sitting next to me...................

Where are we you ask?  Well I have to admit we are not at a secluded island resort.  Just in our back yard paradise enjoying the hot tub for the last 20 minutes.

Now back to reality, bummer.

But for your viewing pleasure .......... Showing off my backyard paradise:

We ( I ) always wanted to close in a room under the Gazabo.  This was our way around the "shed" rules of the subdivision.  It is now the pool storage and winter furniture storage room.  YEA



Still wish we had the money to have bricked a lot more of the back of the house.  There is just way too much siding for my taste.

This rocked area was the last thing we did.  We were having a hard time growing grass here and dirt was splashing up on the door all the time.  It looked nasty.  Not any more.

The sun HAD to be on a wall.  It use to be on the wall under the deck, but the door is there now.  Gotta love Mike he knew I wanted it up so this is where he put it. Perfect spot!

Our newly renovate room under the deck.  Only thing left we want to do is add the mosquito curtains.  Those are so cool.  But pricey hence the reason you don't see them yet.  Maybe a project for next spring.

My only flowers that I will plant every year just outside one of the basement doors.

It's Thursday ......... We are closed

Holy crap what a day!  First off Mike is feeling under the weather.  What started out as allergies in the beginning of spring has now turned into throbbing sinus blockage that is trying to turn into a sinus infection.  Mr. Mike has an ad version to doctors so I herded him toward the Walgreen's Nurse Practitioner.  She gave him a plefera of medications and sent us on our way.  BUT not before lecturing him about getting a sleep study done (which of course he will never do). 

And of course all his stuffiness and coughing kept me up most of the night.  Enter 6 am!  I am dead dog tired. Upside, school is out so there is no need to attempt to get the kids (kid) up and ready for school.  So there is only me to get motivated to get a move on.  Made it to work only 10 minutes late, but 2 hours before the boss decided to show up!

It was just Nipa and I today.  The other two admins were out of the office one sick and the other out in the field.  We had a wonderfully productive day.  It was 5 o'clock before I knew it.  A coworker who also owns a lawn service company (seems we all have our own side companies) brought back my mower I had him do some work on had it in the back of his truck.  He was still out in the field on a job site.  So I coerced another coworker to assist me in putting it in the back of my truck, and left an envelope of money on Neil's desk for payment of the repairs to my beloved mower (I dislike Mike's riding mower and refuse to use it).  I should have had enough foresight to make sure I had someone at home to help unload the darn thing though.

Of course traffic was not cooperating this evening and I only have 7 miles from work to home.  Tonight it took over 30 minutes to make that short jaunt.  Finally get home, unload the mower (by myself), dash in the house, chug some water, change into workout clothes, and head off to the gym to meet with Taylor (my new trainer since Tommy left).  Again I was late.  Meh

The workout tonight was great!  e did abs and chest and arms this evening.  All the areas I want addressed.    Then I leave there and get home to immediately start working on the monstrosity that is my front landscaping.  It seems that two of our trees want to grow a forest.  Their roots have shoots that grow like weeds and it seems that every two weeks I have 20 plus little trees in addition to the weeks I have to clean out.

Another upside Mikayla and her friends got another ride home from Six Flags and I didn't have to go get them. 

And now here I sit with Mike and his body aches watching a movie.  I am number 4.  Very productive day, whew.

Hi its me again

First off I have to share a picture of a friends little guy!  Isn't he just adorable???!!!  Usually this little cutie pie has the most serious looks.  I was too excited to see they got this picture of him smiling!

Okay now a picture of my baby!  Mikayla has had a great year in school, her 3rd art show, and she now has her first job.  She has been borrowing (stealing) my camera to take pictures of EVERYTHING. 

And of course she takes them of me too.  (insert sad face here). 

Do I look stressed?  I am feeling stressed.

Let me introduce you to what/who has spiked my stress levels

Background:  A couple months ago Devin was sneaking (Felicia said it was not sneaking he was just leaving) out and I  requested from his probation officer that she put him on house arrest.  That way he couldn't just come and go at will.  What she did was release him off probation.  I told her that if she did that she was just giving him free reign to do what he wished with no repercussion.  She released him anyway.

Soooo since then he started doing poorly in school, fighting with us more about everything, starting hanging out with the "wrong crowd" again.  He recently decided that since he was failing 5 of 7 classes he was done with school and started not going.  Then he turned 17.  And a week later he decided he was done with school.  The daily calls from school were getting old and interrupting.  I finally told the school that if he was not at school and I did not call then he was truant.  Next Memorial Day came and Devin decided to pick yet another fight.  Then he left and didn't bother to come home for 6 days.  Then came home for one night then left again for 3 days.  And that is just part of my stress.

We are now the Parent Inn. 

At least he got a hair cut.

Hi Againg

I am still here, just busy.  Be Back soon.

Lots going on..... craziness.

Monica

P.S. the boy got a haircut!   Almost a crew cut.  Wonder who talked him into that, how he got it and/or how he paid for it.  Yes details and filling in later.

Oh and Mom and Dad yes he showed back up here Saturday night.  Not saying much.

A Little ADHD Going on Here

I know my post go all over the place.  I start on one topic and ramble onto another.  Well, I guess I get distracted easy.  Or maybe I am just a too tired to keep dwelling on things.  Anyway this post is about food.

I get into the mood to cook a lot but only seem to have the time to do it on the weekends.  A couple of weekends ago I made a beef brisket.  And if I say so my self......................... it was amazing.

This was after browning both sides. 

MD was in heaven when he walked and smelled this cooking in the kitchen.  He LOVES mushrooms and onions.

If I remember correctly Dad was in town, he even got to be my Guinea pig.  I also made a creamed spinach as a companion dish (also made from scratch and never made before).    MD sometimes worries when I go after new recipes.  that we have never even seen made before.  But this time it actually turned great.

Tonight's dinner nothing fancy just a pork loin.  Today also marks the re-start of couponing.  I have a friend that started recently and is saving a incredible amount of money.  I haven't done it in years.  And yes it takes a lot of time preparing if you want to save some real money.  I will let you know how it goes, but for now I am off to scour sale adds and search for on-line coupons.

Cheers!

New Coming

I know, I haven't been here in a while.  But those that actually know me, know what we are dealing with here.  Will update soon and let you know how it comes out.

Meanwhile I am putting all positive energies out there.

I Have The Best Daughters Ever

My Mother's Day gift from my Girls. 

The Card on the basket reads 

"We all know how hard you are working to look extra sexy in that bikini, so it's only right for us to help you reach your goal like you do ours everyday!"

Yes Felicia you are correct, you should work for Hallmark. 

Fruit basket was a perfect gift!  And the Buckle gift card is going to be sweet when I get to go shopping.

They are sweet babies even when they are a pain in the BUM and driving me crazy.

Love you Girls!

Week 4 of Training

I have mentioned that I have a trainer.  MD was not happy with the thought of spending money for a trainer, especially when I have a membership to said Gym.  But I am a procrastinator and a good one at that, so I wanted someone I had to be responsible to besides myself (I can always and easily talk myself out of going).

We are in week 4 and may I say something................. UGH he is killing me about the food stuff!  Yes the workouts are hard.  I mentioned once that it felt like he was abusing my upper body.  his response "well I can't abuse your leg (ankle) yet".  Well that my friends stops tonight.  Doc gave me the go ahead to use weights but no twisty bounce aerobics.  I have only lost 1 pound and according to that stupid little hand held "fat" meter I have lost no body fat.  WELL, I am here to tell ya, I know I have lost something, as my jelly belly roll is not as pronounced and my jeans have been fitting a bit better.

But I have not mastered this whole eating healthy business.  Yes I have added more salads and veggies.  But I am missing my morning cheerios as they are not allowed.  Trainer wants me to cook breakfast.  HA this young man does not have two teenagers to get motivated before 6:30am.  Nor does he have a husband that can't sleep unless it is totally black and quiet.  So every week I boil eggs and that is my morning breakfast.  Too which trainer smirks.  I have to keep food journals, not really how much or keep track of calories.  He just wants to see what I am eating.  Ham off the list, salami off the list.  He said to eat turkey and chicken.  Man does not know what he is asking.  Bacon off, sausage off, white bread off, whole grain white bread off, pasta off.  Lots of days I do eat quite a bit of fruits and veggies.  Again I get chastised, about where my protein is.

You know I LOVE to eat, and normally I do eat often (except weekends when I get busy and forget) and healthy (or at least I thought so).  But I am not enjoying this change.  I am thinking that when my 6 weeks are over with Trainer I will cut it down to 1/2 hour visits cutting out the food part.  Because if I have to change too much at once I will do none of it.  I know not a very positive statement, but hey I know me, I know how I am.  And how I am is a slow changer.  So while I am adjusting my life and schedules to include the time to go to the gym I am not just quite ready for the food change.  So I will keep his list and adjust a little at a time.

I have however, stopped soda (well 2 glasses in 4 weeks).  No alcohol (that was not a big feet though), no candy what so ever (now that one was hard!), have started eating more turkey and chicken and fish.  Have tried eating more "meals" instead of grazing.  That is actually harder said than done.

I guess I will have to invest in some new cook books.

OMG it has been a while

Where do I start or how do I begin?  I keep telling myself I need to get on here and get a post up before I forget what it was I wanted to say in the first place.

Okay here we go:

This past Sunday I hosted a Pamper Chef show at my home. Jodi forbid me to take any pictures, she is such a party pooper.  It was not that I needed or wanted any more items (but holy crow they had some cool new stuff).  But it was more to help out a fellow blogger Davi.  I have been following her for some years now.  I was nervous as all get out to actually meet her.  You know you read people's thoughts, feelings, posts about whatever, and get an idea in your head what they are actually like and I was wondering how far off I was.  I have only actually met up with one other person I met in the blogoshpere (Leslie at Greathouse) and she was "normal" so I don't know why I was so nervous about meeting Davi.  My nervousness was for not.  She was great, friendly, and too totally adorable.  Though I did picture her as being taller.  Probably because everyone I meet is usually taller than I am.  Not that I am short by any means.  I am of average height (5" 4") but it does seem that most people I know are taller than I and I am use to looking up at people.

What else?  Oh!  My dearest Felicia has a new boy (I mean man) in her life.  She sent me a picture of him so I could see what he looks like.  Of course I passed it around to my friends for group approval.  And they all agreed DEFINITELY COUGAR MATERIAL and all gave their seal of approval for Felicia to continue with this young man. 

This is not the picture she sent me, I had to go steal this from her FaceBook page (yes I am the mom stalker).  The one she sent me was even better than this.   So ladies..................... what do ya think? 

The rest of life has been, well the same.  Still waiting to see the orthopedic surgeon about the ankle, which by the way I have had to go back to wearing my ankle brace because it has been hurting again to walk on it.  Thinking the doc is going to do surgery and I am none too happy about that. 

MD is busier than ever with both his remodeling company and his regular day job and with the stuff we are doing to our own house.

Mikayla has now has 3 more of here drawings in shows.  She did a great self portrait including her nose piercing.  The other two were abstract drawings.  MD and I are so proud of her and her drawings.  I know, Mom I need to get some pictures of them and post them.  They will be coming soon.

How is Devin you ask?  Come back in a couple of weeks and maybe I will have good things to say about him but right now I don't think I am in the mood to discuss our Mr. Devin.

Just another Kink in the Road

I mention a few posts back that I hurt my ankle playing volley ball.  I am use to playing in sand, and when asked to play on an indoor team over the winter of course I jump on the chance.  First night, second game in I was going for a ball.  Stepped forward, and all I heard was CRUNCH.  I finished the second and third game hobbling.  But I finished and even made a few good shots (no jumping of course). 

MD made me go to urgent care the next morning to get an xray to make sure I didn't break anything.  And no I had not.  But 3 months later I still had swelling in parts of my ankle and running was defiantly out of the question.  Even going DOWN stairs still bothered me.  So I made an appointment with my family doc to get it looked at while he did my annual physical.  He then decided that after 3 months it should have been healed and sent me for an MRI. 

The MRI showed I have 2, yes TWO torn ligaments in my lateral ankle and the swelling is due to inflammation from the tears.  So now I have to see and Orthopedic Surgeon.  And don't you know, they didn't have an opening until the end of the month.  So on the 27th I get to find out if I have to have surgery or something else.  But me being me could not wait that long for a response so I was checking around with a few people in the know about these things and they tell me to anticipate getting surgery.  They say that tears usually will not heal on their own.  Just Great.

This biggest disappointment about the whole thing is that I have been benched from playing volley ball for the rest of the summer!

I have been going to the Gym and working with a Trainer.  He is great.  His name is Tommy and I can always tell when he is up to something..................just in the way he has this crooked little smile.  I know that he is about to get me to do something I am so not going to like.  He does not have me doing any cardio other than walking every day that I don't see him.  I did ask the reason behind this and he said that I will burn more fat longer working with weights than with cardio.  With cardio when you stop doing it you stop burning the calories, but with weights you will keep burning for many hours after you stop.  Made sense to me so YEA no cardio.   But let me tell you what, sinse he can't abuse the lower body because of my ankle he has been taking it out on the middle and upper body for sure. 

I just can't believe how hard this winter has been on my body.  What I porker I became. 

Monday Funnies

I am currently at work but I just had to post something that was emailed to me from my sister in-law. 

Cigarettes and Tampons

A man walks into a pharmacy and wanders up & down the aisles.  The sales girl notices him and asks him if she can help him. 

He answers that he is looking for a box of tampons for his wife.

She directs him down the correct aisle. 

A few minutes later, he deposits a huge bag of cotton balls and a ball of string on the counter.

The sales girl says, confused, "sire, I thought you were looking for some tampons for your wife?"

He answers, "You see, it's like this, yesterday I sent my wife to the store to get me a carton of cigarettes, and she came back with a tin of tobacco and some rolling papers; cause it's sooo-ooo-oo-ooo much cheaper.  So I figured if I have to roll my own, so does she................"

Tee Hee!  Happy Monday!  Cheers!

When is enough, enough.  When can you say I have done all I could and I can not do anymore?  When can I say THAT was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back? 

I could chalk it up to my moodiness.  But that lets others off the hook for their behavior.  Lets them off the hook for their responsibilities.  Why is it I am held to certain standards, expected to behave and abide by these standards and others get the free pass, no matter the reason?

I am a person who likes to be in control.  I know this, I work on this all the time.  Especially since my children turned into teenagers and let me know I was never really in control of anything.  Except in my head.

But when do you say enough.  I am done with you and this ridiculous behavior.  You are responsible for yourself, your actions, and your behaviors, and ultimately your consequences.  It is not my fault if you fail, if you can't do you job, if your upset, if your having a bad day. 

Is it my turn to be selfish, to not care what anyone else thinks?  To say hey back off I am in a bad mood so don't get in my way and don't even think of asking me to do anything that is expected of me.  If I don't feel like doing something, then not do it.  With no repercussions.  If the house is a mess, someone else will clean it.  If I feel like surfing the net all day instead of working then so be it.  Tip toe around me for once, worried that if you say the wrong thing at the wrong time I will blow up in front of the entire office and then it can be your fault I did it because of how you spoke to me or asked me to do my job.  Come home when I want and not let anyone know where I am or what I am doing.  Have someone support me and my every whim and not give anything back to the household or for that matter even say thank you.  Do poorly in school and not care.  Do poorly at work and not care.

Yea this grown up, working, family thing ............... not all it was cracked up to be sometimes.  Why anyone would be in a big rush is beyond me.  But then again like I said before I could just be extra moody today.  Not that all of the above doesn't really happen, just usually better equipped emotionally to handle it normally.

I think I have lost my mind

Like I said in my previous post, I agreed to let Mikayla get her nose pierced while I got my tattoo.   All I keep thinking was.................

WHAT WAS I THINKING????

The needle kind of freaked her out a bit.

But she kept her smile on.

Even with that big ole needle sticking through her nose.

The last time she got her ears pierced she threw up.  Not this time.  She definitely was a trooper. 

It is barely noticeable so with that I am good.  And she paid for it and with that I am good too.  She would have never gotten it if she had not because I wasn't going to pay for it.

Check another Thing Off the Bucket List!

I finally got my tattoo!   I have wanted to get a tattoo for years but never knew what exactly I wanted.  And with this being a VERY permanent thing I wanted to make sure I got what I wanted .  I knew I wanted M&Ms for the last few years just didn't know how I wanted them.

This is the drawing my tattoo artist came up with.  She combined several pictures I brought her.

(looks like I have goose bumps, quite the opposite I was sweating)

This is after she got done with the outline and shading.  At this point it was almost two hours on that table.  She could have stopped here and I think it would have looked good!  But no I wanted color.  So on to another hour on the table.

And here it is with color.  The big question (next to "what was I thinking") is why M&Ms?  Well Lets see MD and I have M's in our first name.  Green because that is my favorite color AND is the only girl in the bunch.  Yellow?  Well if you knew MD you would totally understand.  But mostly because he is my NUT.

Up close.  Love the detail!

So to answer other questions I have been asked:

Yes it hurt!  But I should clarify, the outline was not so bad.  It was more of an irritation.  That was the first hour!  The shading, that was uncomfortable.  And the longer she worked the more it hurt.

I was on the table for just under 3 hours, but was at the shop for 4 hours.  Made for a very long night.

I got the work done in Chesterfield at the St Louis Tattoo Company.  Chelsea is the name of the gal that did the work.  How I found her?  I work with her sister and I checked out her work before I actually chose her.  Plus her sister (the one I work with) has several tattoos that Chelsea did. 

Now just waiting for it too heal to see how it will really look.  I am told that the color will be much brighter when it is done healing.

P.S.  Stayed tuned for Mikayla's adventure with me that night.  She got her nose pierced.  I think I may be losing my mind, agreeing to such things.

So mark another item off my bucket list!

Strange Mood

Have you ever been in an unexplainable mood?  One where no matter what you did you were not satisfied and kept looking for something else.

Well that is me tonight.  MD is sitting with Mikayla watching Young Frankenstein.  I am trying to get into the movie, but I am bored.  Cleaned the kitchen and got bored.  Started laundry and got bored.  Played a video game, and yep you guessed it, I got bored.

Even sitting here trying to write this down, bored.  Serious thinking I am in need of some sunshine.  That should help get my mojo going and get me some energy.

Yep this picture pretty much explains how I feel.

A Hallmark Holiday

Yes, as we gratefully leave the frigid cold of January behind, we embrace the month of love…which, for my old & newly single friends, leaves a frigid cold place their hearts. And they are quick to tell you what a crappy day it is.  I personally have no use for this particular holiday.  I enforce the no gift giving rule with MD (and he rarely listens).  And as V-day creeps closer and closer with each passing day, I dread it more and more.

Everywhere I go I am reminded of the impending doom. watching TV and listening to the radio I see and hear what seems like hundreds of people telling me and my significant other that it is expected of us to BUY something for that special someone.  Really?  Does a cluster of cold diamonds on a chain really say I love you and I am there for you and always will ?  Or better yet a $50 - $100 bouquet of roses that die within days really say "Hey your are my number 1"?   Not in my book, and there are better ways to spend/save that money.

The pressure of the media to buy buy buy drives me absolutely crazy.  Really are we as a society not in debt enough with everything else that we are pressured to buy?

Can someone pass me some chocolate and shoot the cupid?!

I have no idea where this irrational fear of V-day came from. It was never a holiday that I got all excited for, but I enjoyed it as much as the next person. If nothing else, I always loved the fact that I had someone around who would buy me all that stuff if I so desired and wait with me for two hours to get a table at a restaurant to eat.

MD felt the NEED to buy me something, the little turd.  I came home to a card (with his beloved wiener dogs on it) and a bag of Hershey kisses and a monster Hershey bar.  He said he knew these were my favorite candy and he HAD to get me something.  I smiled, laughed, and then kissed the top of his head and told him to get out of the house (he was getting ready to go to the hockey game). 

So here I sit in an empty house (no I have no idea where my kids are) on the couch with a huge bag of kisses.  I guess it is a good day after all.


Oh, hold that thought Devin just walked in.  So much for the quiet part.

So that was weird

This past Monday MD & I had to head to the Juvenal Court for a meeting with Ms. Probation Officer.  She wanted to discuss getting Devin off of probation.  I believe Devin knew this was coming and has been on his BEST behavior lately.  He has not argued about anything we have asked.  He has even gone out to eat with MD and I (that is if Mikayla didn't go).  He has texted me if he was not going to be home when I got home.  He has gotten home BEFORE his curfew.  He has even texted asking what chores he needed to do before I got home.

WEIRD

This pattern has not changed since he has been released off probation.  He did ask what he "new" curfew would be.  I told him and he has not complained once.  He has not even asked to stay out later, not once.

Just WEIRD I am telling ya.

Md and I are wondering if it is just a case of getting "the monkey off your back" syndrome or what.  But what ever it is I sincerely hope he keeps his nose clean and out of trouble.

Oh, these pictures are some his friend took while they were playing in the woods behind our house.  I never even knew there was an abandoned car back there!

Done with a Lot of things

Okay I have made a new list (yes I am a list person).  Things I am done with:

1.  So done with the cold

2.  Done with snow

3.  Done with feeling lazy (because it is so cold out)

4.  Extremely done with this sprang ankle. 

I need some sunshine and warm weather.  Something to motivate me off this couch.  Come on March lets get February over with!

Okay now I feel better, maybe I will go tanning also.

In Need of Time Travel

We are ice/snowed in.  And how I wish I could get out.  We have not been all in the house for more than 24 hours and the bickering has already begun.   I have to thank the boy for that.  I wish I could figure out why he is angry all the time.  Even when he gets his way or what he wants he is just down right mean.  Yesterday all that would leave his mouth was foul language toward MD and I and his sister.  When asked to turn off the video last night he threw a fit.  Yes a real live 2 year old temper tantrum.  He was informed that he would not be allowed on it today if he kept it up.  Well that just made him worse.

This morning before he got up I took the power cords.  So when he got up (already crabby) we informed him there would be no video games.  That started the arguing, swearing, and trashing of his room.  He has kept up the meanness for over an hour now. 

I wish I could travel forward in time to see how this young man turns out.  To see if everything we have tried to do and have put up with was worth all this grief.  Because at this very moment I don't see how it could.  Part of me wants to just beg his probation officer to find somewhere else for him.  He is wearing on our last threads of sanity, to the point that he gets everyone in the house on edge with everyone else.

And we are looking at being stuck together for days under the same roof with no escape.  I am not looking forward to this at all.

He is now talking on the phone, we hear him discussing WALKING somewhere.  Really there is a blizzard out there.  To stop him or not to stop him.  When will he learn and grow up?  I know he is going to call and want me to drive in this mess (as if I could) to pick him up from where ever is. 

Oh Calgon take me away.