Freshman Year

Kirsten's Freshman year has come and gone. How is it possible that I have a child in high school???? Or that the child in question just FINISHED her first year???

This was the first year of high school. I had prepared myself. This is when all the bad things could start to happen. Be prepared. Don't freak out. Pray Pray Pray. Talk to her. Try not to let the little things bother you. Be strict, but not too strict. Believe in what she says, but don't be a fool. Get her involved. Be involved. Don't be too involved. Be there for her. Don't smother her. Gravy, I needed anti-anxiety pills before school even started!!!!

She floored me. That shy sweet child that would make me walk her into elementary school every year showed no signs of inner struggle when walking into the doors of the high school. She was EXCITED. ( I mean, I'm sure she was nervous... but for some reason she didn't want me to walk her to her first class! =P) Kirsten's biggest complaint about High School.... she doesn't like the food... and she refuses to take her lunch. (I'm not sure if it's an uncool factor or that she just hates to bring something extra to school each day) Nonetheless... I figured it went under the category of... Not MY problem. And let's face it, at the end of the day if that's your biggest issue you're doing alright for yourself. I watched... holding my breath all year to see how she would handle all the firsts AND if she would be able to solve any problems for herself. I finally am exhaling (until school starts next year) she made me so proud I couldn't stand it. She danced in Stars, Sang in Choir, performed services in the Key Club, was in the Christian Student Union and above all else... made Straight A's all year. I couldn't believe this self assured, dependable young lady was mine. (Where did she get it???? ) lol

I have to brag on this child. I know next year, she could stumble or fall. I know that in a teens world things change on a day to day basis. But, I'm relishing in this year alone. This year was great. This year me realize how grown up my little girl was becoming... and although it's sad to see that she doesn't need her mommy to help her make all her decisions, it amazed me to see that we could talk about things, and she could make her own decisions (that for now) were awesome!

(By the way... I know that after writing this very inspiring description of my child that she will now dye her hair blue, get a nose ring and fail the 10th grade. ) Hey... but 9th grade was Awesome Ya'll!!!

Now, here's hoping for an awesome summer!!!!

Trying something New

So many people's blogs I follow do this weekly menu blog. I'm not sure why they started but I know why I'm going to TRY it. We've been doing so much better on our war against eating out! lol But, our one downfall is that we don't plan well. So, there are days that if I didn't have anything set out, we end up having to eat out b/c the meat is still frozen. So, doing the weekly menu blog ensures that I have made a plan and that I have thought about it and hopefully will implement it into action. We'll see.

Sooooo, here goes my first weekly menu blog:

Monday- Dinner and game night with the Bryants.

Tuesday- Grilled pork chops, stuffing, and green beans

Wednesday- Chkn breast stuffed with broc and cheese, candied carrots and rice

Thursday- BBQ Chicken, corn on the cob, and roasted potatoes
ADDED BONUS**** Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown will be watched!!!!

Friday- Game Night. We will eat out and then go watch the football game! YEA!

Saturday- Ham, sweet potatoes, and mixed veggies.

Hopefully, this will stick. I'm trying to take the going out to eat thing down to only one night a week... and right now with Friday Night Football games, it's definitely going to be Friday. Although I'm dying for a little PF Changs.

Happy Menu Planning!

To my sweet friend...You're my family.

I can't sleep tonight. I don't know why some nights the sleep just alludes me altogether. I'll pay for it tomorrow, vow to take an ambien, a tylenol pm, not drink caffiene, or to make myself do something I really don't want to do, so I'll want to sleep. But, tonight... all I can think about is my friend.

I got a call from a close friend of mine two days ago. She was in distress about family issues. Things weren't going well, hadn't been for awhile... and she didn't know what to do. After all, they were her family. I listened to her, cried with her, and then gave her the only advice I had, if you can call it advice. I said, "What do you want to do?" and "What can be done?" Everyone has family problems, no ones family is any less than dysfunctional. But, do you allow someone to keep hurting you strictly b/c they are your family? I don't have the answer to that question. I did tell her this though... The term family is subjective. I believe family are people who love you, your spouse, and your children. Family is involved in your life, in good times and bad. Family won't buy into the awful things people say about you, will in fact, come to you and ask you about them. Family has been there for you in the past, is there for you in the present, and you know will be there for you in your future. Blood, is not a criteria to being family. (Ask anyone who's adopted) Family, can be your spouse and children, your blood relatives, your in-laws, your closest friends, your church family, or anyone else in your life you can count on and can count on you. Unfortunately, we as people hurt each other each and every day. Even when we have the best of intentions. So, when there is conflict... is it possible to make it work? I guess that is up to the individual and the problems that have arose. Family has the potential to nurture and uplift, or to alienate and destroy.

To my sweet friend, you have always been there for me, and I will always be there for you. Even though I don't stay in touch like I should, you can call me anytime day or night and I will be there for you. To put it bluntly, (and you know how I love to be blunt) "this is gonna suck." But things will get better. I won't promise you they will turn out like you would like them to, but they will turn out the way they are supposed to.

Love,
Someone In Your Family. =)

A New Month

It's been forever since I've had time to write. I sit down at the computer, check out facebook and absolutely can't make it any further. I completely missed September, but here are some highlights. ( Truly, I have so much to thank God about)

1. Went to a Nephrologist who made me feel lots better. We're going to keep watching my kidney's, but right now, all I have to do is take a couple of tests every three months, if those are good, next year, only twice a year, and so on. YEA!!! Mark and I were so stressed about this. It takes a real load off to know that nothing is happening RIGHT now. =)

2. Kirsten's dance team, the Sterling Stars is in full swing. We have had games, events, and competitions. I had no idea how busy I would be with HER drill team! lol. But we are loving it. Unfortunately, she hurt her foot last week and we ended up in the ER. She has a bruised bone, (whatever that means) and it made all the tissues swell up in her foot. She won't be able to perform this Friday, so she's bummed about that. However, the good news is that it's not broke so she should be back on track in a couple of weeks.

3. Sterling Homecoming! Her first Homecoming Dance. It was a tear jerker. They all had a blast and then she had a bunch of girls come over for a slumber party. I just can't believe how old she is. On the upside, we got to go out with some old friends and made some new friends! Hopefully we'll get to hang out again!

4. Chance has been having issues AGAIN. I swear I need to get medical insurance on this dog. Poor little man, his paw was so swollen I have no idea how he wasn't going crazy. Then once at the doctor, they make the discovery that Chance is going blind. His only chance is to see a dog optomalogist. I just don't know if I can spend that kind of money. He might be my inside blind dog. (Gravy, that sounded horrible.) =(

5. Work has been Craaaaaazy. Which is good, but I'm exhausted! (But in a good kind of way.)

6. My Birthday. I had a great time. Went out with some friends and family. Then got a home cooked meal. Yum Yum. I wanted to go to the zoo, but it rained. I'm so glad it did, b/c now Mark and I are going to the zoo Wed. and it's going to be gorgeous!!!

I need to set aside time to write, b/c I don't think these next few months are going to get anymore less hectic. All I can think about is how am I going to get my Christmas decorations up??? lol.

That's all for now.

~Tootles~

100 Things...

We (Mark and I) found a list I made about 13 years ago of the 100 things I wanted to accomplish/do in my lifetime. We got a pretty big laugh out of some of them. ( I think some of it might need to be tweaked at my age!!!) lol

1. Be truly healthy
2. Be a great mom
3. Be a great wife
4. Show people how much I love God.
5. Ride in a hot air balloon.
6. Take Kirsten on a mom/daughter trip. (Done July 2010)
7. Make a quilt (Done March 06)
8. Ride a bike ride with Mark. (maybe a small one)
9. Flip a house. (hold on... I was too busy laughing on this one. DON'T WANT To)
10. Take a cruise.
11.Go to Hawaii with my family.
12. Renew our vows
13. Go to murder/mystery B&B
14. Go down River (1993)
15. Find a job I love to do (Scrapbook Emporium 2010)
16. Help change someone's life for the better. (Mark said I must check this off)
17. Drive from Maryland to Maine during fall.
18.Take Kirsten to college
19. Give Birdie a Sweet 16 dance
20. Go to Las Vegas
21. See Celine Dion sing (2009)
22. See Sarah McGlachlin sing
23. See Stevie Nicks sing
24. Go to San Francisco with Mark
25. Swim with a dolphin or a seal
26. Write my memoirs (finished 2008)
27. Take a trip on a plane
28. Plant a tree
29. Build a house. (I'm not sure I want to do this either)
30. learn a salsa dance
31. Be passionate about a cause and spend time helping it
32. Get to my goal weight
33. Go camping (when it's cool outside)
34. Make a will (2009)
35. Go to Italy
36. Take Mark to see the Tour de France
37. Redo a Karmenghia (maybe buy a redone Karmenghia)
38. Run a half marathon (HHHHHHAAAAA... I'll settle for run 3 miles)
39. Make a pizza from scratch including dough
40.See the Rocky Mountains
41. Go to Yellowstone National Park
42. Take Kirsten to Vegas on her 21st birthday
43. Learn to rollerblade. (Why, oh why...did this make the list???) 1999
44. Ride in a horse drawn carriage at Fort Wilderness at Disney World
45. Go Vacation in an RV (After seeing the movie RV I really want to do this! lol)
46. Take Photography classes
47. Fly 1st class (however since we mostly fly Southwest this COULD be a problem.)
48. Ride on a gondola in Venice with Mark (or at least at the Venetian in Las Vegas...lol)
49. See the Northern lights
50. Parasail
51. Be happy with myself
52. Be sure to tell all family and friends that I love them and what they mean to me (which is kind of what this blog is)
53. Have a spa day
54. Vote (Done)
55. Watch the Sunrise on the beach (with Kirsten 09)
56. Host a big dinner party (2004)
57. Forgive my parents.
58. Go to Niagra Falls
59. See Rockettes at Christmas in NYC
60 See Ron White do Stand up
61 Go to the top of the statue of liberty (can you still do that???)
62. Read bible cover to cover
63. Make scrapbooks for Kirsten (2006-10)
64 Go to drive in theatre. (2009)
65. Start a buisness (2010)
66. See a shooting star
67Visit every state in the Country
68 Help Birdie plan a wedding
69 Drive Route 66
70 go to the longest yardsale
71 See my 65th birthday
72 Do Stand up (2000 Houston Laff stop)
73 Sit on a jury (WHY????)
74 Go to an auction and buy something (does Ebay count???)
75 Go to Disneyland/California Adventure
76 Go on a date in a limo (??? I've already done this, why do I want to do this again?? I don't.)
77 Go to New Orleans for jazz fest
78 Be there when Birdie has kids
79 Go somewhere and see major snow
80 Learn to say no
81 Go see a UT game (2010)
82 Stop cussing (Gravy, I try)
83 Go to Ground zero
84 Win a poker tournament (2006 Cherokee)
85 Sing Karoeke (2007- if you weren't there... tough, it won't happen again!!! Lol)
86 Skinny dip (or chunky dunk)
87 Go on a shopping spree and not worry about money. (um... right)
88 Foster a child
89 Volunteer in a soup kitchen with kirsten and Mark during Thanksgiving
90 See a lunar eclipse
91 Forgive myself for my past (2010- a work in progress, but it's workin')
92 Have a better relationship with my dad (Done)
93 Send Mark on a bike trip to Costa Rica
94 Save a year's worth of salary
95 Stay in castle for a night (huh?)
96 Get out of debt (almost there)
97 Don't worry about what other people think about me. (I think I've accomplished this)
98 Get on Survivor or Big Brother (No. Thank. You.)
99.
100.
(I left the last two open in case I had some other important things I thought about I guess)

This list made me think of a couple of things. I would like to do alot of these things and this list kind of gives me a reminder of what I would like to do. But, if I never do another thing on this list... I can honestly say I'm happy. I've got my husband... who most certainly is my best friend in the world... and I've got a wonderful daughter, that I couldn't be more blessed by. Plus, the wonderful friends and family in my life. What more could I possibly ask for? A spot on Survivor??? (Gravy, I was young and stupid when I made this list) lol

August 12, 1995-2010

August 12, 1995 is the day it all started. I remember being so incredibly scared, and totally unsure of what I was doing. If I had known then that this would be one of the best and most life impacting decisions I was to make I would have no doubt relaxed and tried to remember each and every solitary detail of the day. (I sure am glad we taped it!)lol

Let me tell you about my husband. Simply put, he is the best man I've ever met. There is no way that I can even begin to put into words what Mark has done for me. He has taught me how to forgive and let go, how to let myself be happy, and that no matter what, he's not going anywhere. He has healed hurts in me that no therapist could even touch. He is my family, in every since of the word. He loves me unconditionally, and I know that is incredibly hard to do. We've been through great times, good times, and bad times. Even in the worst of these, he has never so much as threatened to go anywhere. (I'm a runner~I run when things get bad... and Mark has showed and taught me that I don't ever have to run when it comes to him.) He's the best dad I could have ever imagined for Kirsten. Watching them together just makes my heart swell.

There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for sending Mark to me. I have no doubt that God put him in my life, and I am eternally grateful.

Mark, I love the life we've made together. There is no one or no where I'd rather be than right here with you. (Maybe I'd like to be with you in Hawaii though) Thank you for spending the last 15 years with me. Thank you for being with me when I'm good, fun, bitchy, kind, stand-offish, crazy-good and crazy-bad, moody, brave, and not so brave. I love you, every part of you, your good and bad, your quirks, and your OCD. (lol.) You're amazing to me and I can't wait to spend the next 50 years with you.

Christi

It's Late Again

Here it is, late again... and I'm up. Gravy, I can't be off work long before my hours start to turn around. I guess I need to get back to work.

I know I've totally blown off my 30 days of me. Of course, I really didn't blow it off, but I DID blow off writing about it. Problem is, when I don't do anything, I have plenty of time to write and nothing to write about. Then when I'm totally busy I have loads to talk about and no time to write. Oh well, so are the tough problems in life. Lol.

I've been on "vacation" since last Friday and it has been truly great. I was kinda disappointed that we weren't going anywhere til closer to fall to celebrate our 15th anniversary. We decided to stay at home and get some things done that really needed to get done that we have no time to ever do. I wasn't really looking forward to it if I can be honest. However, it always seems that the things I dread the most are the things I enjoy and the things I look forward to can sometimes bring me disappointment.

We've gotten all the big things done at the house we needed to get done. (Which is a huge load off our backs.) We've had kids at our house all week... which I love. It's been months and months since I've really been able to relax and have the kids hang out over here. I'm always at work and we're always running 90 mph to get to the next thing. I've had lunches and dinners and fun with friends and family. Mark and I have been able to spend alot of time together and we've caught up on our sleep. (Man, that's the best part!)lol. Normally we take vacation and when I get back from vacation I'm already behind b/c I need to do laundry, clean the house and take a nap! But I'm feeling good and like I can go back to work and be productive and relaxed. Weird. It's a first.

I've worked pretty hard on this 30 day thing. I think it's going to stay in progress. I can say that in the last 15 or more days I have decidedly begun to think more about what I'm feeling and less about what people are thinking about me. You can like me or leave me. I've begun to realize that I have a pretty wonderful circle of family and friends to support me. And for them, I am truly thankful.