Friday Follow - Stop Watching The Pot!

You know the saying 'The watched pot never boils'? What that saying means is that if we watch or wait for something to happen it seems to take much longer.... Well ladies and gentlemen - my life is that watched pot... We are waiting for that phone to ring... that email to come.. Something to happen to let us know if we are staying or packing up our bags....

You know what it is like - When all indication look good but you just don't know for sure until you have it in writing ... or the decision maker says - "Congratulations - you're hired!" After five (5) days of interviewing that ended on Wednesday - my husband was told they would try to give him a final answer by Friday... Well, Folks it's Friday at 1:50 PM our time..... 3:50 PM their time...

I'm trying to make myself to stop thinking about it.... Trying to focus on something else... But obviously by the post... I'm not succeeding...

Well Happy Follow Friday - Here's to NOT watching the POT!

The Most Romantic Night...

When I was a kid our family watched television together... There was one TV in the house and I was the human remote control... We later had a remote that clicked up and clicked down.(I'm thinking that is where the term "clicker" came from) It is very difficult for my kids to understand or imagine that we had one TV not several and no one - I mean no one had a computer in their home and cell phones (except for the phone in Maxwell Smart's shoe...) - were not invented yet....

The shows we watched backed then were very different than they are today - married people on sitcoms were just starting to share a bed... Father Knew Best and Pa moved his family to a Little Prairie near Walnut Grove, Archie liked his chair and The Jeffersons were moving on up..... I believe the world... my world was still innocent... still family oriented... still had morals...

Today - I think TV shows confuse our kids... Shows like One Tree Hill, The Secret Life of An American Teen, and many others like that - make it look normal... desirable.. to sleep around in high school... The show confuses sex with love.... with romance...

This morning my girls and I were talking about romance... love.. I told them I still remember the most romantic night of my life.... My thirteen year old automatically thought I was talking about sex... It's funny to watch my daughter get grossed out when my husband/her dad get all lovey dovey... We will often hear comments like "Get a Room" or something like that...

Both of my girls were very surprised that my "most romantic" night did not involve sex..... I remember that night like it was yesterday... My boyfriend surprised me by taking me to the Queen Mary. We had a great time exploring this grand ship... We went into areas that we weren't suppose to... that was part of the adventure... Later we were up walking on the deck -hand in hand - talking about nothing.... talking about everything.. and we heard the song off in the distance... A Kiss is Just a Kiss.... A sigh is just a sigh..... We drew closer to the music and walked into an old fashion piano bar... He took my hand and we danced to the music... I never wanted the evening to end... That's it... that is all we did... and over twenty-two years later I still remember that night.. That to me is romance...

I want my kids to know the difference between love/romance and sex.. I believe because of society's lazy daisy view of premarital sex and the various TV shows that make it appear to mean so little..... it is up to me as the parent to to teach them.. By my faith.... by my experience.... by my honesty...

He's Not In California Anymore.....

Well my husband will be heading home tomorrow after spending five days interviewing in the South.... We should have a definite answer by Friday... Because it is such a large move from California to Tennessee - the logistics of everything needs to be figured out... I will be sure to let you know when everything is a definite.... As I shared my belly and nerves are a wreck.. It's not that I don't want to go - I do... It's not that I am afraid... I'm not... It's not that I don't trust God - I very much do... It's just that it's something different and I want to start the ball rolling now... The waiting and the anticipation and the not knowing for a fact is making my belly do flip flops...

I wanted to share with you a few things that Dusty (the husband) experienced that told him he was NOT in California.

1. He saw more trees than people...
2. Rush hour traffic..... there wasn't any traffic...
3. He had several choices of restaurants... BBQ, Fried Chicken, or BBQ...
4. He was eating dinner and all of a sudden the table next to him broke out into song..
5. He drove through a torrential downpour for 3 hours - and no one rode their brakes...
6. There was a tornado warning...
7. People were friendly and looked you in the eye...
8. He saw bugs that he had NEVER seen before.... ewwww
9. The houses there make our home look really small...
10. Rivers and lakes at every turn....

I have a feeling this week is going to be a very long week... I am looking forward to something new...

I'm A Mess... TMI?

What I remember the most from the week before I was married twenty - one (21) years ago was throwing up everyday due to my nerves... I was a huge mess... Ever since I can remember - I have always had a nervous stomach... All major worries - life changing events had me bowing to the porcelain god.... TMI? Probably... Why am I tell you this? Well it so happens that something BIG is possibly on the horizon... Life changing Big....

As I shared with you not too long ago - my husband was laid off in March.... He is now in Tennessee - a long long long way from our Southern California home interviewing for a possible position... So far things are looking pretty good. He flew out there on Thursday morning - met with his potential co-workers - Friday he drove 200 miles through torrential rains and tornado warnings (something that a southern Californian doesn't hear too often) to another office to meet with a potential counter part... Today, on Saturday he met with a Realtor to get the lay of the land.... Sunday - he will look some more... On Monday and Tuesday he will be in South Carolina interviewing with more top level executives... It's crazy nerve-racking a process.....

I was delegated to get moving company quotes.... find out what we could list our home for... and my stomach is flip flopping away.... I am excited about the possible change.. Would love to have answers now.... But it looks like we will find out next week.... I hope the days go by fast... I remember when I was a kid and I was looking forward to the next day - my mom would say go to sleep and tomorrow will be here quicker... Well, I can't sleep for a week... but I pray the night and days go by faster.... until we get an answer....

How do you handle major life changing events?

If You Give Me a Garage Door.. I'm Going To Need A Cookie.....

We bought our home in 1992 - I can honestly tell you it was the 3rd ugliest house on the street... Then the two "uglier" homes decided to have complete makeovers and before we knew it - we had the ugliest house and when I say ugly.. It's with a capital U G L Y!!! Well, Dusty's parents decided to give us garage doors as a Christmas present one year....

Before



The beautiful white garage doors made our ugly brown house with dark brown wood siding look completely hideous.... So we decided to paint and not just paint we had the entire house re-stuccoed.. and after the beautiful peach paint was complete.. We noticed that our metal window frames were just plain awful... so we met with a window guy... and realized that instead of getting two very expensive sliding doors for the upstairs game room we should extend the room out over the never used balcony... So we did it and got two beautiful windows instead... and we learned up close and personal how awful city inspectors can be with their silly permits.... After the addition, paint, and windows were done - it really showed us how ugly our brown shake roof was so..... we decided to get a Caribbean tile roof... Oh the roof was sooo pretty... but all of a sudden we noticed how pitiful our front yard and walkway looked so we had it landscaped... oh we were happy.... until...

After



We realized that our backyard could use a face lift... And not just any face lift... We had the entire place completely demolished.... I'm not kidding.... See..

Before

Before

We turned our backyard into this...






Don't get me started on what we did to the inside of our home.... and it all started with new bedroom furniture..... that's another post....

Eavesdropping - Funny | Kelly's Ideas

Eavesdropping - Funny | Kelly's Ideas

I Hope He Says "Yes"

This morning when I was laying in bed - I prayed... I prayed to God to bless my family with a change... A Big change... It might be a relocation... it might be something completely different... Whatever that Big change is - I want it... I feel as if I am in a standstill.... I need an adventure... I need something... I just have not figured it out yet...

I've lived in Southern California my entire 44 years.... I have been in the mortgage industry for 24 years... I've been married for 21 years... I have had the same haircut for about six (6) years... I have about ten (10) main dishes I create... Not much of anything new has really come my way...

There's a possible adventure in my future... An adventure like no other... My heart is racing... My kids are excited.. My husband is nervous and dare I say excited... (he holds his cards very close to his chest)... Nothing is for sure... nothing really ever is until something happens... The anticipation can be fun... nerve racking... exciting... I have so much nervous energy that I feel like a balloon that is ready to burst...

So this morning - I prayed... and tonight I will pray again.. I know God answers all my prayers.... but I am really really hoping that the answer to this one prayer will be "Yes"

Saying No

I am very proud of my 8th grader - she made honor roll... again.. Come to think of it - she has maintained an "A" average her entire school career thus far... She has awesome study habits - I am also proud of the fact that she challenges herself by taking advanced classes... She is no wimp, my kid...

This week as an award for the students who have made honor roll with a GPA of 3.6 or higher for the past two (2) trimesters - they get to go to Knotts Berry Farm... My kid was so excited and then another opportunity came up... This week there is also a missions trip to a San Diego homeless shelter... She went last year and came back a changed girl.... The trips are back to back days... and she wants to do both.... and now she is angry we made her choose one....

It is difficult being the parent and saying "no"... I would love to say "yes" to all those things that can make her happy.... "Yes, you can stay out all night!" "Yes, you can have candy for dinner." "Yes, you can $100 a day allowance!" "Yes, Yes Yes.." But in the real world "No" is heard more often.....

My husband and I were discussing what opportunity she would choose..... I was hoping the shelter - she loved it last year.... the husband was hoping for Knotts - so we can all join her at the end of the day and go the World Famous Knott's Berry Farm Chicken Restaurant...... Can you get guess what she chose??????

It's All In His Kiss....

Just love the discussions I have with my girls..... Enough said... lol

If you want to know if he loves you soooo - it's in His kiss... But wait till your OLDER....

Loving Cher!

Have A Happy Period? | Kelly's Ideas

Have A Happy Period? | Kelly's Ideas

Friday Follow - My Hair Is In A Ponytail"

Welcome to the SPECIAL edition of Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! Please sure to visit each of our hostesses and join them every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

"My Hair Is In Ponytail!

My sister Debbie likes to tell the story of when I was a teenager and I was giving her a lecture about how I would NEVER leave the house without make up perfect... the hair done.. and the clothes on just right.... Personally, I have no recollection of this memory... but now that I am the parent to a teenage girl - I tend to believe her memory is most likely accurate....

Today - Dusty (the husband) wanted to surprise the girls by taking them to Boomers (an arcade and mini golf course) after their tennis class... The girls jumped into the car and he said "I have a surprise for you".. My twelve (12) year was excited about the adventure... The almost fourteen (14) year old just scowled.... They arrive at their destination - the twelve (12) year - is shouting praises of excitement to dear old dad... the fourteen (14) year is shouting and moaning in protest..... "My hair is in a ponytail - I hate ponytails!"... "I'm wearing this old tennis shirt - I hate this tennis shirt".... "I'm not wearing any makeup!!!" "I can't go in there - there might be cute boys!!"

So Dusty gave her a choice - you can stay in the car or you can come in with us and have fun.. She decided to go in and her moaning and complaining and "I can't believe you made me come here - there are cute boys here..." It got so bad - that Dusty told her to go wait by the front door - it wasn't fair to her sister to be so mean..... The youngest and Dusty had a great old time - hoping that the oldest would just loosen up... but unfortunately - it never happened...

By the time they were ready to go.... (30 minutes later) - the oldest was in tears.... They came home and I immediately saw something was wrong.... and she screeched - Dad made me go to Boomers dressed like this!!!!! (I'm trying not to laugh - how many kids complain about going to an arcade?) and she looked beautiful.....

Oh the Drama... God, please grant me patience during this teenage years......

Well, When I Was A Kid....

Today I realized that I say the dreaded phrase that I promised myself as a young child that I would never ever no matter what say..... You know that one phrase that always got us kids groaning... Rolling our eyes (behind the grown ups back of course) The Phrase..."Well, when I was a kid...." Yep, I have become a grown up... a bore... a "well I had it harder when I was kid" kind of mom.... Oh no...... The truth has become apparent .....

I've Become My Mother.....

Phrases I am guilty of saying......

When I was a kid.... I never was allowed to have attitude with my parents or I would be in trouble.

When I was a kid.... I took the city bus to and from school - you have it easy, kid....

When I was a kid.... I NEVER talked back to my parents...

When I was a kid.... I ALWAYS NOT dressed appropriately....

When I was a kid.... My parents always knew where I was except the times I would sneak out my window

When I was a kid.... I waited until I met your dad before I had my first kiss.. try saying that with a straight face

When I was a kid.... I was making dinner for the family before the age of 10! okay, this never really actually happened.. but I did set the table!

I can't use the die hard phrase my mom would always use - Well, when I was a kid - I had to walk ten (10) miles in the snow.. up hill.... in a dress to school everyday.. But I still have a feeling... my kids are groaning and rolling their eyes behind my back... What do you think?

**photo by yahoo

Yes, I May React Before I Think

Like many women and/or men - I can be hot headed when it comes to my kids. I may react before I think... When someone hurts my kids - I can get angry... and today I reacted in a very immature fashion and posted my anger on my status on Face Book.. Yes, that was completely wrong... but I do have to say - that the person I was angry with is not on Face Book and I did not expect nor did I think I would anger anyone with my stupid status... I immediately was proven wrong. Someone did get offended and I am sorry for that....

One of the things I like about blogging is that if I need to - I can vent... I can vent to my heart's content and the focus of my anger will not be affected... After I am done venting... I can return to a healthy and sometimes healthier relationship... and in doing this - I have not hurt nor have I done harm to the person I am angry with... I get it out - I get it done....and my anger dissipates. I think this is healthy.... at least it is what works for me....I have no desire to get into a battle... nor do I desire to defend myself.... I am angry - I have a right to be. People say and do stupid things - I know I am guilty... God knows, I am.. But I do try not to lash out - I vent by blogging..... eating too much.... listening to Zeppelin... or saying something stupid on Face book...

I am a firm believer that adults need to handle themselves with maturity and not get into tit for tats with children... I am a firm believer that a child should find security in their parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles... I am a firm believer that two (2) wrongs do not make a right.... I am not blind to my kids' faults and teenage angst and attitudes. But an adult needs to not yell at a child... or criticize a child... or break promises to a child... I know no one is perfect- I totally get that... But when a mistake is made.... a real "I'm sorry" will do... followed by behavior that matches the humility of the situation...

I am by no means making excuses for my kids' behavior or lack of respect.... They should be corrected... But the correction Must be done out of maturity.... Must be done the right way....And when a child sincerely apologizes - the apology should be accepted and not turned away. A sincere apology should not be used for additional fuel to berate... To get crankier... angrier and yelling will Never make it right... It only makes things worse.. As adults it is our responsibility to set an example on how to deal with conflict...

There are many sides to a story... and I am sure every side has a completely different version and outlook... I may not have all the facts (I probably don't)... That is why I will not pick up the phone and confront the person I am angry with... It would not do anyone any good... Yes I am angry on what I do know... What I have seen in the past.... When a behavior has happened before it is very easy to expect the same behavior to happen again.... But I will let it go.... I will eat a cookie.. turn on Stairway to Heaven and finish this post..... and when I am done festering - I will be ready to be forgiving.... and forgetful.... and ready to be a grown up once more.....

Ways I Save Money

The First thing I did when Dusty was laid off a few weeks ago was go back to the basics... What I mean by that is this: Pay attention to monies going out vs monies coming in.....

The First thing I do is access what is in my fridge and pantry.....

Next I do a weekly menu planner (thanks to 5 Dollar Dinners) - when I do this it helps me shop for exactly what I need - there is NO guess work or buying unnecessary items....

I pay very close attention to the weekly grocery ads... Recently Albertson's had a buy one get one free in their meats - I bought two (2) pot roasts, four (4) whole chickens, six (6) pounds of lean ground meat, and two (2) packs of pork chops... There some great deals to be had on certain days... You just have to keep your eye out for them..

I have the Sunday paper delivered just for their coupons - I have to say - I honestly save about $30-50 a month just on the basic coupons alone.... I also buy many of my paper, beauty, boxed items, and dog food at Target... Their prices are much lower than the regular super markets and many times better priced than the warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club..

We always pay off our credit cards off each month - I use the cards because I get great discounts by using them but it only works if you pay them off and never ever have a balance.. We live under the rule - that if you can't pay for it then you can't buy it.... A lesson I learned growing up - watching my parents struggle with finances...

This week's grocery bill about $50.... milk, bread, buns, lettuce, tomato, and avocado....



** On a positive note - the job search is going very well and we hope to have an offer soon...

Learning From My Mistakes

I believe it is necessary to be honest with your children... When my kids ask me questions about my colorful past I answer them... Of course, I will not go into the microscopic details...but I do tell enough to answer the questions... My kids need to see me as a person who has made mistakes... who has made HUGE mistakes and has overcome them... or at least has learned from them... I am not proud of the things I have done but I do believe that my mistakes and experiences have helped me to have better discernment... have better BS detection... and have an understanding of the way the world is... the way my kids' world is.... I am not naive... As I have told my kids many times...
Been There.... Done That.... Wrote The Book! Nothing they can think up or do or want to do would surprise me... or shock me.... I am a woman... I was a teenager.. I was a child... and my memory is long.. my memory is great... my feelings and emotions were once like theirs... and in many ways still is....

I don't want my kids to learn from others my life's story.... I don't want secrets.. I don't want shame.... A good friend of mine told me a story once about her experience with a "secret".. A "secret" that she wasn't ready to share with her thirteen (13) year old daughter.... She told me how a good friend of hers was watching her kids.... and this "good" friend of hers decided to tell the story of her mother's (my friend) abortion.... On that night - my friend's daughter lost her innocence... lost seeing her mom as perfect.... It took many years for my friend and her daughter to make peace with this... the pain... the shame... the damage that was inflicted by a careless "friend"..... Today - my friend and her daughter are advocates for pro-life... and my friend made peace with God.... But this story should never have been told by the "friend" - it's a story that should have had the chance to be told by my friend...

In my honesty to my children - I want them to learn from my experiences... from my joys.. from my happiness.. from my sorrows.. and yes, from my mistakes... They will make plenty of their own mistakes and I pray they will learn and grow from them... But if my experiences can help them to avoid some of the pitfalls of life... I hope... I pray that they will....

Would You Buy A Butt Bra?

I had to laugh this morning when I read an advertisement for a butt bra - seriously... It's a harness that lifts up the lower hanging buttock... and it's not only for women - men can get one too!!! I can understand the push up bras - but the butt bra.... it looks like some medieval device.....

So My Friday Question Today is:

Would You Buy A Butt Bra?