Step - Fabulous

Wishful Wed.......... Character's Role in a Book

2010-02-23T09:56:00.011-06:00

This week is a hard one so I had to start early, then changed my mind, then just added to my post..... I love to read and have many many many favorite books. This question has created a little chaos in my little brain. It's hard to sum up in one character who'd I'd like to b, or ummmmm who I am like. So I chose two......... First I think I would want to be........... drumroll please.................

Nico Reilly from the book (and TV show) Lipstick Jungle.

Who wouldn't want to be her. She's classy, independent, confident, sexy, strong, successful, a great dresser, and OMG just thinking of those handbags makes me ready to SHOP! And like me, she has a great circle of girl friends helping her manuver through life. It still is my favorite TV show ever - I re-watch old episodes online and I loved the book.

The other character I would want to be, who is really not a character she's a real person.....

LeAnn Tuhoy from The Blind Side (movie and book).

She's got amazing heart, a love for her family and she's just an amazing person of character. Two of the best compliments I have ever received were from Chosen Child (age 13), who told me while walking out of the theatre from seeing the movie "Wow... it's almost scarey that you're just like her" and from a very dear friend (age 60) who while describing Ms. Tuhoy during an interview on television, said "you know you are just like her, big hearts and brass balls, and you wear both with style". Compliments that will stay with me for ever. I have seen the movie 15 times....... at least, and I just finished the book which was so different, but just as good. How can you not love her!

Now tell me who you'd want to be or go visit Kelsey at The Seattle Smiths at http://kelseyandgabriel.blogspot.com/2010/02/wish-wed-topic.html and join in the fun!

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow

2010-02-08T09:57:00.008-06:00

I am ready for sunshine. I am ready to drive to work, without cussing, sliding, slipping, falling, getting stuck and ruining another pair of trousers, not to mention my oh so beautiful shoes!
UNLESS, I can stay home, with a nice cup of joe and just look outside in all the splendor, all wrapped up in my blankets with my laptop and a good book and all my little babies.

It's gorgeaus and living on a wooded 4 acres, it's breathtaking.

We have laptops, and I am dedicated enough to put in my time while at home, so why can't we stay there and work? My Ellie Belly agrees (with her snow-stach) that her momma should stay home.

I know it's not 36 inches at once, but seriously, we had 18, then 8, now 4 and more coming later this week. I want the sun before I go bananas, and that's my thought for the day!

Wishful Wed......... OMG That Gown

2010-01-21T20:49:00.008-06:00

I am a little late with my Wishful Wed post, but who could pass up an opportunity to blog about GOWNS! Beautiful, fashionable, amazing gowns. If you were going to the Golden Globes what would you wear? It's a hard decision for me, so I'll narrow it down to my final selections.

I would definately consider Glenn Close's gown, traditional, tasteful, classy, now I just need my arms to look as good as hers. Funnily, my other consideration looks similar and was worn by my favorite actress wore, Reese Witherspoon! If I were going to go a little sassy or frisky, I think I'd go along the lines of George Clooney's girlfriend, I love her look too!
Now, if I just had somewhere to wear them!

New Year, New Life.............. New Hair?

2010-01-18T16:39:00.003-06:00

Today is D day. I started my diet. UGH. Actually, I started it this weekend, making sure I ate everything I knew I would miss on a no-carb, low cal, no sugar diet. Ugh! It stinks, luckily though, I am not hungry, just thirsty. Hopefully, if I can lose some weight and get my bloodsugar under control I will no longer have to take Metformin. I have PCOS, and having it, I have all the lovely symptoms that go with it. I take 6 pills a day, which is tiresome and I think possibly having additional side effects.
Recently (like when I started taking all this medication) I noticed one day that my hair was shorter on one side. Significantly shorter in the back, like someone cut of 2 inches on one side of my head. I immediately went to my hairdresser and had it evened out. She told me how harsh the meds were on my hair, advised that I should start using premium products to offset some of the chemicals in my body and to make sure I am taking a multi-vitamin. So I am using Pureology and have cut way back on product....... But it's not helping, I went again and my hair was shorter on the left side by 1.5 inches. Obviously the measures I have taken are not working.

Do any of you have any ideas what might be happening? It's always the left side and it's always 1.5 to 2 inches shorter. IT IS DRIVING ME INSANE.

On a good note, I took my sweet chosen child to see "The Blind Side". We both walked out of the movie in awe. I loved it! We get in the car and Chosen Child looks at me and says "Wow, it's scary how much you and her are alike". I said who? Chosen Child says "Sandra Bullock in that movie, she was just like you". I had to laugh because we both know she means "bossy"! However, it's a grand compliment and one that helps me know at least I am doing something right to raise this child!

Happy Monday!

Gulity Pleasures

2010-01-11T22:03:00.004-06:00

I have several of them....... Designer Purses, high heeled shoes, dark rich coffee, online shopping, vodka tonics (with two limes please) but two of my all time favorites are trashy TV shoes and good books. I indulged in two of them tonight........ (and guess what they were free!)

To kick of my evening of debauchery, I first tuned into Bravo, while whipping up some baked rigatoni and tossing a salad (see sticking to those resolutions). I stood in my kitchen watching TV (yes Mr. Fix It got me a kitchen flat screen two years ago for Christmas to hang a-la-wall), well, not watching really but lapping up, "The Real Housewives of Orange County". Seriously, a 45 minute dinner turned into a 3 hour marathon event. Where I kept adding tomato paste, Italian Seasoning and pasta so I could keep cooking so I could keep watching. Dinner was FINALLY ready at 8:30pm. Ouch. Guilty - yes, pleasure - oh yeah esp. with those lovely glasses of wine.

After my torrid dinner affair with my TV, I decided a nice leisurely bath was in order. So I popped in the tub about 8:45 (I ate fast, changing THAT should have been a resolution) where I started a new book. WHY MY THIRD HUSBAND IS GOING TO BE A DOG. It's a hilarious read so far and a book every woman should read. It's for happy housewives, feisty fire-eating working women, or just every day extraordinary ordinary woman, and it's about them too. I have only gotten into the first few chapters but I can tell you I was hooked at the preface.

Pondering on these two guilty pleasures of mine, I thought about blogging and how even if I don't post daily, I love reading your blogs daily. It's a peak into some extraordinary, yet ordinary women's lives. Some of you, us or them perhaps may have a little "Orange County" (lol Orange Juice) in us but it's a great thing, blogging - that is. It allows each of us a little daily "guilty pleasure" of peaking into one another's lives.

Now....... go getcha some!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-07T16:31:00.006-06:00

It's a time of New Beginnings! I love the new year and the opportunity it gives us (i.e. excuse) to start fresh. I always put a lot of preparation into my resolutions, because I really try to reach them (goal oriented person that I am and all) and I am going to share them with you. This way I will be held accountable, which makes it all that easier to obtain.

1. Live Little. We're at a place in our lives where we've gotten a little comfortable and indulgent. Spoiled some would say. It bothers me to even type that about myself, but we're back at that accountable thing. The smallest things used to excite me, now I catch myself, Chosen Child and Mr. Fix It taking those "small things" for granted. Not that we're not going to go out to eat occasionally, or stop going on vacations, we're just going to make some changes, be a little more grateful. Living Little is my new motto for 2010. Remind me that when I write about a $400 pair of shoes that I "have to have". It's about what I need - not what I want.

2. Live Healthier (errrrrr that's a nice way of saying lose 30 pounds). This ties directly into Living Little. What family NEEDS to eat out at a nice resturant 3 to 4 times per week? I am a good cook, I enjoy cooking, I go to the grocery store regularly, I just don't feel like cooking when I get home from work so the food goes to waste - see this cycle? It stops today.

3. Increase my Assets. If I can accomplish goals 1 and 2 this should NOT be a problem. Not buying every cute handbag I come across or going into a couture coma while eating a 3 course meal each night will help me accomplish this. I have always been pretty responsible with money. I pay off my cards monthly, pay my bills on time and have very little debt, so I rather than spending my extra money on "stuff" I need to be investing it and I'd like to invest it in additional rental property. Mr. Fix It is with me on this one, but doesn't put my stock in my ability to be able to A. not shop, or B. cook on weeknights regularly (since I don't leave the office until late).

Which leads me to #4. I love my career. It's exciting and fun and stressful. I rarely leave the office before 6pm each night. For goals 1, 2, and 3 to work #4 has to be to work more productively rather than working so much. I always feel behind, like I am simply catching up, and overwhelmed. A big part of this is that my friend who went out on maternity leave, decided not to return and stay home full time. While I am super excited for her, handling the double work is hard. My job is very rewarding, there is very little I don't like about it, however, I need to be more time efficent and I got a "thrifty" little planner to help make it happen!

#5 is to begin giveaway's on my lovely blog. I have never done one but always wanted to, somehow it's just always gotten away from me, time, energy and always missing is the "know how" I know it doesn't seem that hard but are there rules, requirements etc. I need to do a little research to figure out how?

Do you make New Year's resolutions? Do you stick to them? Are you going to help me stick to mine?

Happy New Year!

2010-01-07T16:31:00.001-06:00

Mr. Fix It's Version of Holiday Decorating!

2009-11-30T21:46:00.004-06:00

I love the holidays, starting with Halloween all through New Years, aside from my birthday, which falls the day after Christmas. It's a time of family, friends, fun, fellowship (and eggnog with amaretto) and it's so darn festive! We have a feast on Thanksgiving with a houseful of family and friends (and some friendly competitions). I love taking the time to decorate our house, put up our tree, wrap gifts, sing songs (and drinking a lot of eggnog with amaretto). However, my husband doesn't get all wrapped up in the trimmings of the holiday season. If I left it up to him this is what you would get:

Yes, we'd have "Ditto" stamped across our house. What I can I say - to know him is to love him! I knew he married me for more than my looks and outstanding personality! :)

Love Is a Verb.......

2009-11-24T07:13:00.002-06:00

Loving, is a verb. It is an act. It is not enough to say you love someone, and then forget about them, or turst a relationship will stay strong simply because you share a house or children or a life. Love requires acts of love. It requires thinking of your spouse, doing things for them to make them happy. It requires acting in loving ways, even when you are tired, or bogged down with work, or so stressed you are waking up everynight with a jaw sore from grinding your teeth. Loving, is a verb.

Too Much Woman....

2009-11-19T15:20:00.004-06:00

I am too much woman for you....
I have more money....
I picked a specialty that makes you nervous.....
I bought your way into the practice.
I am strong and I am comfortable with being strong and I LIKE that I am strong,
and if that is too much woman for you,
if that's gonna make your junk feel tiny; I'm not gonna make myself smaller.
I'm not gonna put myself in a box so that you can feel like a big man.
I am a big woman, and either you get used to it, or you get out!

Wishful Wednesday - Movies

2009-11-18T16:22:00.004-06:00

'I wish' .... my life was a movie,
and I would want it to be
a romantic comedy!

I am thinking Step-Mom, with the Notebook, with some funny movies like Couples Retreat, The Hangover and 9-5. Probably a little of the Proposal thrown in (work ya know) and Sweet Home Alabama........... Mix all those together and you'll have my life in a movie............. :)

I've Decided to Join In! Last Chance Gift Exchange

2009-11-17T10:30:00.008-06:00

What a great, fantabulous, super idea - a Christmas Exchange! I'm lovin it! Tranquility... and Turmoil has decided to host a bloggy budding Christmas Exchange. I love buying gifts, and of couse giving gifts, so I'm on board - whoop whoop! If you're interested in participating, go check her out and sign up. She's got it all listed out with instructions, her cute button and everything, so it's easy "cheesy' and what a way to make our holidays even more fun.

About Me:

Hummmmmmmm, it's always difficult to describe oneself so I've enlisted the help of my good friend Niki.

Her description of me is: fun, vivacious, loves my family, love my dogs, very driven, reading, funny, outgoing, love handbags and shopping, generous, very successful, love decorating my house, wear a lot of suit, love's jewelry, shoes, traveling, coffee, candles - pretty much anything.

The way she describes me makes me like myself even more! LOL! Go check out the Last Chance Gift Exchange and join in the fun, as my 13 year old daugther says "everybody's doing it!"

Have We Become So Obessed?

2009-11-16T07:48:00.011-06:00

Last night I helped out one of my friends who recently became a single mom. It seemed such a small thing, to pick up something for her on my trip to Wal Mart to get dog food. To her it was a big thing, a relief, something she could check off her to do list and it was apparent on her face how much it would mean. Easy enough - so off I went to Wal Mart with turkey plates for her daughters Thankgiving dinner at school added to my list. I arrive with my list in tow, and pursue the isles finding each item on my list, until I get to the bottom "Thanksgiving Plates". I stopped, thinking to myself, I've seen white, I've seen halloween clearance, I've seen an abundance of Christmas, but nothing, NOTHING for Thanksgiving. Obviously, I've been mistaken so off I go to pursue the aisles again certain I had just missed the "Thanksgiving section". Up and down, up and down, looking left and right until eventually I ask a friendly Wal Mart associate where I might find plates and napkins for Thanksgiving. "We don't have anything for Thanksgiving aside from food or cooking item, we skipped right past it and moved to Christmas" says the Wal Mart associate. Ugh, are you friggin kidding me? I resign myself to check out and head to my car..... As I look up while unloading I see in the distance a wonderful illuminating sign Walgreens, yeah, they'll have what I need - they always have stuff for EVERY holiday. I opted to not search for their prized Thanksgiving items, rather I just waited on my friendly Walgreen associate to finish checking out someone and asked for the location of their Thanksgiving section. I got a very blank look and the response "we don't have a thanksgiving section, but I can show you where our Christmas section is". UGH! UGH! My response probably wasn't as nice as it should have been. Walking to my car dejected, I see the new CVS across the street. They are obviously competing with what I had once considered my "trusty Walgreens" (traitors), so I figured perhaps they would have what Walgreens doesn't. Nope, Nada, Zilch, Zero Thanksgiving items. Their christmas section however is as big as my garage. After a few select words randomly thrown together, I stalk to my car on a bigger mission................. To the BIG BIG Wal Mart 5 miles down the road. I marched in with determination and frustration (I'm pretty sure it was written all over my face as women and children scattered from my path) to the first Wal Mart associate (poor soul) working I can find (at the jewelry counter by the way). I ask her for direction to the area where I might find Thanksgiving plate and napkins and she informs me that "there is no section but there are odds and ends on endcaps throughout the store". Finally I found a somewhat piddly display of Thanksgiving items (paper plate and napkins only mind you), next to a screaming display for Christmas. Everything you could ever need, want or imagine to purchase to make your Christmas, bigger, brighter, more, more more of everything. I am relieved that I have found what I needed to pick up for my friend, but the anger and frustration washs away and is replaced with saddness.............

Have we become a society so obessed with getting more "stuff" that we have forgotten to be thankful for the things that we already have? Our families, our health, our blessings??????

Under A Rock

2009-11-05T22:01:00.003-06:00

I promise you I have not been hiding under a rock. I've been rolled over by a boulder! It's been a worldwind of work because my friend and co-worker is out on maternity leave, and my ONLY other co-worker on my "team" has a family crisis going on and has taken leave. Leaving me buried by a boulder of work (yes, the work of 3 people) and my days are filled with work, work, work from about 7am to 11pm at night. It's got to stop or I'm going to lose my sanity, my OWN clients, my figure from sitting on my butt all day, and quite frankly, my husband because he's tired of competing with my laptop for attention (LOL)! It'd be one thing if I was bring home extra cash, but nope I'm working from the kindess of my heart! Thank you to those of you reaching out and contacting me and checking in! I am healthy, well, but tired and over-worked. I'm gonna try better to get a line in occasionally and hope that things settle down soon so I can get back into the swing of it all!

You Know It's Gonna Be A Bad Day When................

2009-10-08T07:12:00.004-05:00

My office starts calling before my alarm goes off................
My husbands bashes his head (in the dark so he does not wake me) on the dresser drawer I left open last night while trying to put on his shoes.................
I step on the scale and realize UGH the diet is not working.........................
My hair dryer becomes a blow torch throwing flames everywhere and dies................
and....I'm not gonna be able to read all my morning blogs with my coffee because my laptop says I have 18 minutes of battery left and my cord is at work!

Step Mom in the Middle..A little help please?

2009-09-29T12:12:00.008-05:00

Have you ever watched Malcolm in the Middle, the child who always is in the middle and more often than not in trouble? Well, he and I have a lot in common.

Theodore Roosevelt once said:

“It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows great enthusiasms, great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

I don't think Theodore Roosevelt realized he was talking about Step Mom's, I luckily, have a great relationship with Chosen Child, but I also have to love, honor and cherish Mr. Fix It and that puts me in the middle. I often find myself stuck between the BioB and Mr. Fix It when it comes to Chosen Child and for the most part I am on the side of what is best for Chosen Child. Its just part of who I am and my desire to do the right thing (Thanks Mom!). We have two issues going on in our house right now, where I of course and planted smack dab in the middle of that arena and feeling the dust, sweat and blood from the battle.

Issue #1 - October Visitation

We have almost 50/50 time with BioB. We have Chosen Child every weekend of the month EXCEPT the last FULL weekend of the month (i.e. both Sat and Sun are in said month). Chosen Child, brought to our attention recently that BioB believes her upcoming October weekend to be October 30th through Nov. 1st. So Friday would be the 30th, Saturday would be the 31st, and Sunday would be November 1st - not exactly the last full weekend of the month. The weekend that is actually the last full weekend of the month is October 25th through October 27th. There is an event each weekend that Chosen Child wants to attend (keeping in mind we live 2 hours away from one another).

Halloween weekend there is a Halloween Costume party, can't fault her for wanting to attend. The evening of October 25th (a friday) is her big school dance (THE ONLY ONE THEY HAVE ALL YEAR). So she has requested that Mr. Fix It, not "correct" the visitation schedule with BioB (which trust me, will be abused and used for the next 5 years) so that she can go to the Halloween Party in a costume (this is key) and so that I (Yep Step-Fabulous here) can take her to her school dance, and help her find a cool outfit (no worries, nothing inappropriate) and so that I can do her hair and make up and take her and her friends in my "cool" ride. She doesn't have many clothes at BioB's and BioB is not really very girlie, so for things like this she likes me to be involved - I'm flattered. This is where I am stuck in the middle. I want Chosen Child to be able to enjoy all her activities and if I have to drive across country so be it, but Mr. Fix it KNOWS, as do I, not correcting the schedule is going to bite us in the ass at some point. With BioB you can't point it out and swap, she'll refuse for whatever reason and needle Chosen child until she comes out with the truth about the outfit, very light makeup and ride.......... Oh hell, that's when shit will hit the ceiling. So, do I support Chosen child and just stick to the schedule that BioB has drempt up (again) or do I stand firm next to Mr. Fix It and insist on following the schedule to prevent Chosen Child from having to miss other things in the future?
What do you think?

Issue #2 - SAT's & ACT's

Chosen Child is brilliant smart like her dad. Genius smart and it's very hard to live with the two of them together. She has been one of the few students selected from the 7th grade to take the ACT or SAT early to gain experience and guidance to prepare her for HS and College. I am super proud of her! However, there is a little tiny fee involved in doing so. BioB will only allow Chosen Child to participate if we pay a majority of the fee. It's not much mind you, but we pay BioB a small fortune in Child Support specifically to cover these types of things. Mr Fix It, stands on principle that Chosen Child can take it, although they are all on our weekends where we'll have to get a hotel and spend the night so she'll be there on time rested for the test rather than getting her up at 5am to get to the testing facility on time) but BioB needs to pay for 100% of it with her Child Support. BioB will not allow Chosen Child to participate unless we send her extra cash to pay for a significant portion of it. Alas, I am stuck in the middle again. I realize that if we pay, we're going to get nickle and dimed for the next 5 years over things that are covered by Child Support (as outlined in the court order and as discussed many, many, many, many, many, many, many and many times in court). However, I also realize that Chosen Child sees this as the honor that it is, and is really and truely is excited about the prospect of doing it. I WANT THIS FOR HER. I want to feed her excitement for education and future that includes a 4 year university and knowing that she can accomplish WHATEVER she puts her mind too. I am willing to pay the fee and move on despite the future cost, Mr. Fix It - not so much. Although, he realizes that once he points to the portion of the order that outlines what child support is for, BioB will blame us for not allowing Chosen Child to participate and we'll be the bad guys, his actions will save us a trip to court later. What to do, I have no idea? What would you do?

So there you have it...................... Step Mom in the middle - daring greatly, so I shall never been with the timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat......................

Warning - this post may not be for everyone.................

2009-09-09T16:33:00.004-05:00

So, we all know there's not a whole lot I won't blog about........... if anything? So, I am going to tell you about my "visit" yesterday, but first ya gotta hear the history................................

Back in May of this year, I was referred to Dr. Noel Williams (LOVE HIM) because another doctor recognized I had all the symptoms of Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). He quickly squeezed me into his busy schedule and I promptly showed up for my appointment. I'm not one who knows a lot about down "yonder" but I knew enough to know that my "yonder" wasn't working properly. I patiently wait for my turn to be seen and I am eventually called back through a maze of hallways deep down into the windowless office building. I undress (waist down please) and with my nice, tidy sheet, settle in holding tightly to my crackberry (and sheet) and wait to meet Mr. Wonderful who is going to tell me what I need to do to have a baby, or what he's going to do to "fix" my ovaries. (I guess I should point out, this is the first male GYNO I have ever been to - ONE of the FEW FEW MEN, ever allowed to peek at my nether-regions, so to say I was a little nervous is putting it mildly). My nurse comes in as I sat there with my crackberry (on vibrate - Oh I know the jokes, but hey I was being polite) it starts vibrating urgently.repeatedly.annoyingly. So I decide I'd better check it. "Tornado heading your way - where are you in Edmond?" from a friend that I work with along with multiple others feeding me updates from the weather department at the TV station I work for. I text her back all caps "ARE YOU SHITTING ME" and as soon as I hit "send" the power in the entire building goes off and I am sitting alone, in the dark, clinching my sheet, half naked, knowing there's a tornado on it's way - seriously. I pop up, try to get my suit and heels back on simultaneously and situated properly and fall down while trying to put my pants on, tripping over both stir-ups and the little stool on rollers and fall on my ass right as Mr. Wonderful GYNO decides to come in the room with a candle. Me, ass in air, pants half on, holding my crackberry - Nice to Meetcha Dr. who is supposed to help me have a baby! He chuckles (okay, it's more of a belly laugh) and leaves me a candle to dress by and instructs me (while trying not to laugh) that when dressed I need to follow him to the conference room. Me, conference room with preggers women (some dressed, some not?), and topless ladies who were getting mammograms - yeah - uh, no thanks. I kindly explain that I work for a news station, we have an all call to get back to the station in the storm and that the news desk will give me guidence to get back to my office safely. He hesitantly allows me to leave with instructions to call back the following morning (provided his building is still there) to reschedule within the week. His entire staff nicknames me "tornado girl".

FAST FORWARD TO CURRENT MONTH (and two abnormal results later):

I arrive to get a biopsy and some other tests of my cervix, and I am escorted to my room. Same instructions - ya know, undress from the waist down. So I follow instructions, grab my sheet and decide to leave my crackberry in purse for this one. (So I don't throw it across the room in pain if this hurts). Dr. William's comes in (I will forever be known up there as tornado girl) and we banter back and forth as he gets everything set up. I slide into the stirups and down on the table for all the world (okay Dr. Williams and his nurse) to see. As I get into "position" (ya - you know the one) Dr. Williams starts laughing, not chuckling, laughing - the big belly laughs he laughed when he found me ass in air, pants half off, shoes half on, clutching my crackberry. I quickly set up and give him "the look" and say "you know, you're gonna give a girl a complex laughing at her while she's in this position". He just smiles at me and says "forget something". I sat there for a minute thinking what???????????? Then, OMG, it hits me at that moment. I still have my underwear on, granted, they're small and there's not much to them - but OMG, they're on. I jump off the table as he says "you want me to excuse myself while you undress again" (snickeringly) and my reply? "Oh no worries, you're not the first man and won't be the last I've dropped my drawers for". At that, he doesn't even try to hold it in and he just busts out laughing..... At least if I am going to repeatedly humilate myself, I am doing it in front of someone who can laugh with me (and at me).

Have any of you humilated yourselves this way?

Happy 10th Anniversary to Me!

2009-08-28T07:27:00.007-05:00

Well last Friday was Mr. Fix It and my 10th wedding anniversary. I am a bit shocked that we made it to our 10th year. It's been a interesting ride with twists and turns, ups and down, and many many many ruined dishes because I myself am a plate thrower, ummmmmmmm we'll change that to "expressive"! No worries, I don't aim for heads, walls and hard floors are more of my kinda thing. :) No really, I haven't thrown too many plates because I haven't had to. I married young - VERY YOUNG, at 21, and while I wouldn't recommend it to most it worked for me. Not only did I marry so young, but I married into an instant family. POOF, I was a mom of an 18 month old and fit into the role the best I knew how. Mr. Fix It and I are both very independant, strong willed people. We realized early on in our marriage to recognized each others habits and find ways to live with them rather than fix them. He recognized and still does to this day that I am basically a wild child, that I can fight my own fights, spending time with my friends is like breathing, and that I view challenges as opportunities and I will never grown out of my man-craziness. Yes, Yes, I a know I am weird.

To celebrate our weird, kinda fun and interesting and different union, we opted to join some of our closest friends for an evening of dinner, drinks, silent/live auctions and dancing at a fru-fru charity event called Melody Lane. I got a great new dress, the girls were coming over early to all get smashing together, and then we were off to our fairy tale night. Until I F'd it all up! Seriously, we all get all ready (including the hubs and getting him into a suit is kinda big deal) and are ready to head out the door and I notice that A. I don't have my wedding ring on, and B. I can't find my wedding ring - ANYWHERE. THIS FREAKS ME OUT. When I got my ring it came with a warning along the lines of, "you lose it - you replace it!". Really, who can blame him for it.

Well, I had done it and lost my damn ring. All 4 of us, immediately began to tear apart my house (dustbunnies may have been uncovered or killed during this process) looking for it. From top to bottom, end to end (and my house is about 4000 sq ft - that's a lot of looking) it COULD NOT BE FOUND. Obviously I was devastated. What kind of dumb ass moron loses her wedding ring on the night of her 10TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! Me, that's who. I am almost in tears as we decide we HAVE to get going, our table is waiting on us and we're already 30 minutes late. So me and my sad face, in my pretty new dress that shows off my pretty new boobs, head out the door into the car to an evening that was supposed to be magical. We did have a good time and enjoy our evening, but it was tarnished with my fretting over my lost wedding ring. I was distracted the entire evening. We made it through dinner, desert and the live action, but Mr. Fix It knew I wasn't going to return to my happy go lucky self until I had nailed down where my diamond was so we bowed out early to head home to look for my ring.

I did finally find my ring, and before midnight which is a good sign. It was in the pocket of the shorts that I wore while I was getting ready, and doing my friends hair. It's a damn good thing, cause I wasn't going to get another one! Luckily, we get to do a redo, cause we're heading back to Miami in October and we can have another anniversary weekend, with a ring super glued to my hand.

Am I Doing this Right???

2009-08-24T22:57:00.004-05:00

God she's growing up so fast.............. experiencing so many things................

Often times I find myself wondering if I am doing a good job, the right job raising Chosen Child. Given that she is with me 50% of the time, I always try to set a positive example, be a good role model, do the right thing, show her that life can be FUN, and that she can have it all. Granted, I am not her Bio Mom, but I chose to be part of her life when I chose to say I Do, so it's my hope that part of myself , the good parts, will rub off on her. I think some have, let me relate a portion of our "car conversation" from the other night on our way to see the movie The Proposal:

Chosen Child: "I think I want to be like you when I grow up?"

Me: "Really? Why?" (Think Shock and Awe)

Chosen Child: "Cause"

Me: "Cause why?" (Thinking shit, she's caught wind of some of our crazy antics)

Chosen Child: "Will your head be able to fit outta the car if I tell ya?"

Me: "Ummmmmmmmm, I don't know, I already have ego issues ya know"

Lots of laughter

Chosen Child: "Well............ because all women want to be you"

Me: "HUH?"

Chosen Child: "You know what I mean, you're the leader, you dress everybody and can say rude things and still be liked"

Me: "HUH?"

Chosen Child: "Seriously, every woman wants to be like you, all your friends, the girls you work with, you are really good at your job, the girls you buy stuff from know your name, everywhere you go people know your name. They want to be like you or do something like you. I want to be like that when I grow up, Bailee does too"

Me: "Humm.. obviously you guys have talked about this - so why do you think that?"

Chosen Child: "I watch and I listen to you and what goes on around you"

Me: "Hummmmmmmmmm, that's dangerous but I don't know that that's accurate"

Chosen Child: "Oh yea it is, watch yourself and you'll see it"

Me: "See what?"

Chosen Child: "That everyone wants to be YOU! That's what I want to be like when I grow up, how do I do it?"

Me: Silence......... (internal thoughts are along the lines of "Boy, do I have her fooled"

Chosen Child: "Well????" (Emphasis here that perhaps I am not so cool now)

Me: "Don't Grow Up"

Chosen Child: "Don't grow up? What?"

Me: "Don't Grow Up, I never have...... What you got at 16 is what you get at 32, what you get at 32, you'll get when I am 54. Wild, Crazy, (Great clothes but she already knows this) Confidence and marching to my own drum.............. Don't grow up, enjoy life like your still a child............."

Chosen Child: "Okay, sounds good but can I still go to the PG 13 movie?

If only life could be so easy............. I can only wish for her a love for herself and the confidence in herself that my mother bestowed in me.

BUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-21T09:13:00.002-05:00

No worries, this post isn’t about the “twins”. It’s about the fact that I am at risk of losing my girl "woman" badge. I’ve worked hard all these years, and because I let the 16 year old still locked inside of me out, I almost lost it all! Here’s how it happened:

You all know that I am part of a gaggle of girlfriends. There are 4 of us, whom you have heard a lot about here and here. We are inseparable for the most part, and my hubs knowing he married a flirty, boy (now) man crazy wife, puts up with our antics, my “man crushes” and humors us as we run around like 16 year olds – he knows he has “4” semi-wives. SERIOUSLY. We don’t do the “hen” thing, we do the exchanging accessories, borrowing each other’s clothes, gossiping, drinking too much, going out, sleep over kinda girl thing. It’s a funnier, better, almost a more mature version of high school. We all have man-crushes, and we all share all about our man crushes. Thanks to my skills I have honed, working in the legal field, we sometimes seriously revert to the 16 year mentality and put said “skillz” to use, for the "greater girlfriend good" of course regarding those man crushes. One of said girls in our troop has a new serious hot and heavy man crush going on, which a few of us know personally, to the point that we lowered our typical status of real mature women, and cyber-stalked him. Yes, I seriously just admitted it out loud, err, I mean typed it on the record. By way of cyber stalking him, we located an address………….. his address……………where he lives……………….here in OKC. Ugh, what’s a girl supposed to do with that kinda information!! Well, when they are all in their early, mid to late 30’s they’re supposed to be the mature adult and remind everyone that we are too old to do the 16 year old DRIVE BYE! Alas, I am not that old and not that mature of an adult. In the midst of girl friend crisis, while drying tears, speaking about fears, we decide to lift our spirits, do the dirty, and do the drive bye. So off we toddle to the car. We head out with a virtual map-quest in our minds driving through the dark at 10:45pm, when ALL normal people are supposed to be in BED with their blinds closed. THANK.YOU.VERY.MUCH. With anticipation we finally reach the correct street and begin the crawl of shame down the road. What kind of house does he live in, will it look like a bachelor pad, is it taken care of, with all those questions swirling through our heads we lose our awareness and stumble upon…………… HIM, standing in the driveway of his neighbors house talking, right next to the street, staring and wondering what the hell a car is doing creeping through his neighborhood, by his house, at 10:45pm a night with a gaggle full of supposedly mature, successful, confident women. I about died…………………., oh yes it gets worse. One of us “mature, successful, confident women", recognize the neighbors house and start pointing at it (ahem… them) and gesturing…….. (you so know who you are!) KILL ME NOW CAUSE WE’RE IN MY CAR!!!!!!!!!!! SHIT! I happen to live in a small city, I also happen to drive a very flashy car, quite frankly - it’ screams my name - first name, last name and nickname. It’s very distinct and very red, and I just happen to be pretty well known in this little city. Obviously, I wasn’t thinking. I know, I know, I disappoint myself and realize that I am barely hanging on to my girl badge. However, as crafty as I am………. I’ll figure a way outta this……….. Stay posted. Operation haul our asses outta embarrassment jail (aka public humilation) mission is active…… Over and Out!

Random Thoughts of the Day:

2009-08-18T11:18:00.002-05:00

I have about 75+ active clients, 120 clients total but not all are active all at the same time. This said, I get some pretty funny stuff at work each day - LOTS OF IT. BUT THIS WAS HILARIOUS, and I am sure something on this list will apply to the life you lead today. For your reading enjoyment, I have highlighted in blue the points that apply to me (with side notes of course!)

Random Thoughts of the Day:

1. More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can
think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell
my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves
me.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you
realize you're wrong. (Which I might add, is a very rare occasion)
3. I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to
have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and
sticks when they've invented the lighter?
4. Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're
going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to
be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the
direction from which you came, you have to first do something like
check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to
yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're
crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.
5. That's enough, Nickelback.
6. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was
younger.
7. The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This
recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never
be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again.
8. Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't
work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically
fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all
know how to fix the problem? There was no internet or message boards
or FAQ's. We just figured it out. Today's kids are soft.
9. There is a great need for sarcasm font.
10. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and
suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first
saw it.
11. I think everyone has a movie that they love so much, it actually
becomes stressful to watch it with other people. I'll end up wasting
90 minutes shiftily glancing around to confirm that everyone's
laughing at the right parts, then making sure I laugh just a little
bit harder (and a millisecond earlier) to prove that I'm still the
only one who really, really gets it.
12. The other night I hit a new low at an open bar. I had already hopped
on highway blackout when, inevitably I had to find a bathroom.
Eventually I decided it was probably on the other side of the bar so I
tried to walk over there, but ran into a guy coming the other way. We
played that, Both go left, Both go right game to no avail, so I
finally put out my hand to guide myself past and that's is when I
realized, yup, that's a mirror I just tried to walk through. And the
guy on the other side is me. Even cats can re cognize their own image.
13. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
14. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand
than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.
15. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear
your computer history if you die.
16. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to
finish a text.
17. A recent study has shown that playing beer pong contributes to the
spread of mono and the flu. Yeah, if you suck at it.
18. Was learning cursive really necessary?
19. Lol has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else
to say".
20. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and
hunger.
21. Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantron
test is absolutely petrifying.
22. My brother's Municipal League baseball team is named the Stepdads.
Seeing as none of the guys on the team are actual stepdads, I inquired
about the name. He explained, "Cuz we beat you, and you hate us."
Classy, bro.
23. Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart",
all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".
24. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod
and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?
25. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams
up to prevent a dick from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!
26. Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in'
examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete
idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and
said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)..ummm...Goonies"
27. What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow
each other?
28. While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and
instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart.
29. MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I
know how to get out of my neighborhood.
30. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the
person died.
31. I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the
shower first and THEN turn on the water.
32. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get
dirty,and you can wear them forever.
33. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
34. Bad decisions make good stories
35. Whenever I'm Facebook stalking someone and I find out that their
profile is public I feel like a kid on Christmas morning who just got
the Red Ryder BB gun that I always wanted. 546 pictures? Don't mind if
I do!
36. Is it just me or do high school girls get sluttier & sluttier every
year?
37. If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring
would probably just be completely invisible.
38. Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go
around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly
nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be
a problem....
39. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work
when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything
productive for the rest of the day.
40. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't
want to have to restart my collection.
41. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are
going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
42. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me
if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I
swear I did not make any changes to.
43. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this
ever.
44. I hate being the one with the remote in a room full of people
watching TV. There's so much pressure. 'I love this show, but will they judge
me if I keep it on? I bet everyone is wishing we weren't watching
this. It's only a matter of time before they all get up and leave the
room. Will we still be friends after this?'
45. While watching the Olympics, I find myself cheering equally for
China and USA. No, I am not of Chinese descent, but I am fairly certain that
when Chinese athletes don't win, they are executed.
46. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?
Damnit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and
goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone
and run away?
47. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not
seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
48. When I meet a new girl, I'm terrified of mentioning something she
hasn't already told me but that I have learned from some light
internet stalking. (In my case this would be a dude - obviously but still ya gotta be careful!)
49. I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle,
then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.
50. Why is a school zone 20 mph? That seems like the optimal cruising
speed for pedophiles...
51. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers,
but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.
52. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still
not know what time it is.
53. It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood.
54. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to
answer when they call.
55. I think that if, years down the road when I'm trying to have a kid,
I find out that I'm sterile, most of my disappointment will stem from
the fact that I was not aware of my condition in college.
56. Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do
to with it.
57. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car
keys in a pocket, hitting the G-spot, and Pinning the Tail on the
Donkey - but I'd bet my ass everyone can find and push the Snooze
button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time
every time...
58. My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would
happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I respond to that?
59. It really pisses me off when I want to read a story on CNN.com and
the link takes me to a video instead of text.
60. I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they
drive behind obeys the speed limit.
61. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
62. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or
Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.
63. The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw
they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words,
someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think
about it, and then estimate d that there must be at least four people
eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by
myself. There's nothing like being made to feel like a fat bastard
before dinner.

MIA

2009-08-16T19:37:00.003-05:00

MIA - is where I have been, Missing In Action. Action being the key word. It's been a difficult transition heading back to work full time after surgery, sending Chosen Child back to BioB's (we have 50/50 time in the most untraditional of ways) and getting her ready to go back to school. Trying to function by myself - ya know, laundry, cleaning, dishes, cooking. Not that Chosen Child was our slave, but she was oh so helpful around here. Simple things like moving towels from the washer to the dryer, picking up the bag of 40lb dog food at the store, carrying the groceries in the house - all those types of things so I don't pick up over 5 pounds. It's been a hard, emotional and VERY tiring adjustment. But I will neglect you no more. My posts might be shorter, which some of you will appreciate, but they will be more frequent. I just have to get back into the groove of things again - ya know, that "trying to do it all" thing that I do so well! Most of all, I've been missin my girl Chosen Child, even though I see her weekly, it's not the same as daily.

There has been so much going on since her birthday party and all the craziness I want to share and hope that this week will give me some down time to have the opportunity to do so!

I have my baby back, baby back, baby, back...............

2009-08-05T22:29:00.005-05:00

Think, jingle from Chili's - that's what I want to sing!!! Wed was a physically tiring and emotionally exhausting day today. It's was one of the best days ever! Albeit hectic, insane and rushed, it is my life, I should be used to it but alas, I am kinda under the weather.

After I posted my Heartbroken post Tuesday, I go online at work, created an email, added pics of Cini Mini (aka Cinnamon) and sent out a huge mass email! It worked! I got a hit at 6:44am Wed. morning and the hunt was on. A lady 4 emails deep - had seen her on 63rd and Broadway (4-5 miles from home). As the day went on, I got several more hits via email and phone calls updating me to Cini Sightings as late as 1o:40am. As I mentioned before, I volunteer for Red Dirt Boxer Rescue, and lemme tell you, never before have I been so glad to be a part of something so special. They all knew I had surgery so they bust (pun intended) into action, sent out an APB through Red Dirt to all area animal shelters, and got a search team together because NOW we had a place to search. In addition, 3 ladies I worked with searched over their lunch hours, my 3 top girl friends search and all in all we search until 1pm. (I had to drive around posting pictures since I was in TONS of pain) At 1pm, we figured that Cini would hunker down in the 100 + degree heat. She loves to lay in super tall grass in the shade down by our pool, so we figured she'd head to some tall grass by a creek somewhere. At 2:30 I got a call from the Edmond City Shelter, they had a dog that matched Cini's description, but she didn't have on a collar, she was SOAKING wet and she was in Edmond on Danforth and Kelley (15 MILES FROM WHERE SHE WAS SIGHTED AT 6:44AM & 10:30am). They needed someone to come determine if it was in fact Cini BUT it had to be a Red Dirt officer. Teresa, my good friend and the president of Red Dirt, was on her way in a flash as she was searching up that way. 10 minutes later, I got a text picture of Teresa and MY CINI MINI!!!!!!

What they think is shortly after the 10:30ish sighting, someone picked her and drove her to their house intending to keep her as their pet, where they probably gave her a bath (she smells great for being gone 3 days) hence, her collar missing - then at any given opportunity she bolted. A Edmond Animal Welfare Office saw her hauling arse down the road and the chase was on.

I am so glad she's home, so thankful that I have such great friends and will forever be indebted to Red Dirt Boxer! I am also so Thankful for YOU - all my glorious bloggy buddies for your prayers for her safe return! They were heard and answered! :) THANK YOU - MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUWAH - that was a big ole kiss!

As for Cini, she is pooped. She slept all day Wed from getting home into the night, we both slept almost all day Thursday (She finally got around about 10am Thursday morning to potty, then back to sleep she went) and now she's back to her normal wiggle butt self, however, she's only been outside to potty - period! Alas, she'll be getting micro chipped next week!

Oh, and there is so much more as to why Wed was such a glorious day, and that will be in another post. Gotta run!

Heartbroken.............

2009-08-05T00:33:00.007-05:00

Ladies, I am sorry that I have been MIA since my last post, late late Saturday night. As I mentioned, I started back to work on Monday. If that wasn't enough to handle, on Monday one of my friends while dropping her kids off to spend the day with Chosen Child, accidentally left the gate open too long and Tecate and Cinnamon escaped. With no car, and no way to drive around, and my recent surgery, I could not trapse through the woods around our house to look for them. The kids went searching for quite a while and couldn't find them either, but they can't go to deep into the woods with out and adult for fear of bobcats and such. As soon as possible the first group of searchers went out.

Tecate came home Monday afternoon. Cinnamon is still missing.

I have spent the last 48 + hours (while not working) putting up posters, delivering fliers to neighbors and businesses in a 3 mile surrounding area, organizing search parties for her, posting her missing on every lost & found site I have found, purchasing ads in newspapers, starting mass emails, craigslist, and working with all the rescues in the OKC Metro in case someone turns her into a rescue or the shelter. I am heartbroken, Chosen Child is heartbroken. Ellie, my other adopted furgirl is lost without Cinnamon as they were rarely apart. My dogs are my children, ridiculous I know, but they are. This is a sweet sweet beautiful girl that I brought into my home to so she could live a better life than those who had abandoned and abused her. At this point everyone that I have spoken with seems to believe she has been picked up by someone. My fear is that this someone will either determine to keep her themselves, not take care of her as they don't know her special needs, or find a home for her without researching the multiple places I have posted online, newspapers, or plastered her picture. I simply wanted to post this because I have been gone and neglected you all, I also wanted to ask that you pray that Cinnamon would return to the family that loves her so much, or that if that is not the case, that the family that has found her would LOVE her and provide for her as we would.

Many Thanks ~ Angie

5 Things Tag & bubbies, bubbies and more bubbies.

2009-08-02T22:45:00.010-05:00

Aubrey over at Made You Blush created a fun little tag about 5 things that make you feel sexy. Then my awesome friend Alicia, at It Ain't Easy Being Cheesy, tagged me! The rules are

1. Post a pic
2. Tell us 5 things that make us feel sexy
3. Tag 5 sexy "bloggisitas"

So here we are - Sexy Shoes that I now want, must have, am on a mad search for in a size 7 (or 6.5) - Thanks Aubrey!

5 Things that make me feel sexy:

~ High High High Heels
~ Pencil Skirts or a Great Suit
~ Earrings - Chandelier, Hoops, Large Drops, Diamonds
~ Yoga Pants (totally stole from Alicia)
~ New (Healed) Bubbies! he he he

Now 5 Sexy Bloggisita's to tag:

1. One Sassy Girl at Hot Piece of Sass
2. La Belle Mere
3. JennyMac at Let's Have a Cocktail
4. Katie at Some Kinda Ride
and last but not least 5. Not-So-Mom-a-licious

Can't wait to see what these sexy ladies have to say for themselves!

More to come on Chosen Child Par-Tay, an installment of "The Journey" a Step-Fabulous original story, coming to a blog near you AND I got some awesome awards that I am excited about and can't wait to share!

However, I wayyyyyyyyyyyy OVER DID IT yesterday, started seeping and bleeding so I have been asleep 99.9% of the day to rest and I just took a pain pill (sleepy time). I am going into the office tomorrow for the first time since the big operation, so we'll see the reactions (most people there - HAVE NO IDEA I HAD IT DONE). I am only going for a half a day because I have to go by the doctors office & hopefully be released to drive and then I'll go back full time Tuesday with lots of restrictions. AND just.so.you.all.know, I took another show today (listen to all the oohs and ahhhs) and I totally did it by myself (okay with the help of a stool that kept me standing) but I washed and conditioned and cleaned all by myself with no puking! I did get dizzy during the end and I think it was cause I had gotten too hot but hey - I am clean, and I look like a girl again! I kinda fixed my hair and put light make up on - only to go back to bed but seriously, I think Mr. Fix It was starting to worry I was going for the grunge look. I am still in zip front attire, so that's going to be interesting to watch how that goes over tomorrow (rather than my typical professional dress). I may push it as far as I can by showing up in PJ's - just cause that would be sooooooooooooooo totally funny (if you knew my GSM you'd be peeing your pj's right now). Anyhoo, I've got to get to bed, I am still sore and worn out from yesterday! Til later my friends..............

Par-Tay was FAB!!!

2009-08-02T03:49:00.003-05:00

Just a quick note to let you know Chosen Childs BASH was a BLAST! I so could not have done it without my girls.......... or my Chosen Chiild and her friends help! She's pretty terrific and so worth the spoiled she is. I have so much to share, but as it's 3:51am I will have to do that tomorrow and I need to get all the photos organized so I can post some! I am so glad it's over, but it was so worth the pain and stress to see her beaming with happiness. I am so BLESSED to be her parent (remind me I said that later in the year - cause ya know, she IS now 13).

Nite, Nite, Sleep Tight - don't let my bandages bite!

Yeah (For me anyways!)

2009-08-01T01:18:00.006-05:00

I got the most-est (yes in my world it is a word) beautiful award today from my rockin friend and an AMAZING mom Orange Juice - she's the juiciest! She writes great product reviews (sadly, some not available in Oklahoma), holds give-aways galore, and is just down right fun and funny! You should go check her and her cutie patootie family out! I don't know that there are rules with this award other than to pass it on, so I am passing it on to 3 beautiful butterfly blogs. You always leave either learning something, laughing or just feeling better about yourself!

1. Miss Katie - from it's in the details............. She deserves the butterfly award because she's beautiful inside and out. She takes things that could be incredibly mundane and makes them beautiful! She gives the most amazing helpful hints and always knows the latest and greatest finds online. You definitely should go take a gander at the nursery she's posted on her blog - you'll get it!

2. GI Amanda - from Cheap Wine and Cookies - Although, she's battered and bruised right now (you should know she's also rockin a prestigious grey belt!) she's still beautiful (just check out her wedding pics) and has the most beautiful heart! She's got a heart of gold and a love for life, her precious family, our country and balls of steel. Gotta love that in a woman! She also gives great vocab lessons (most recent one was "HUMP")

3. Glorious Georgina - from Dad's Second Whatever - there is no "2nd" anything about this gal! She's got such heart and soul. It's a joy to read her blog and identify with her witty posts and appreciate her insight. She's someone to learn from and look up to - look her up - she's first rate! PS honey - next time you need some Charmin, lemme know - I can fedex!

Orange Juice - Thanks for my beautiful butterfly - I so needed it today! :)

Showers, Pain and Puking - you've.been.warned

2009-07-31T23:24:00.009-05:00

So, this is probably TMI. BUT tonight is the first time I have been able to shower since my surgery Tuesday - GROSS, I know but never fear - I've used lots of perfume and sponge cleaned all the important areas! Anyhoo, today I actually got out of the house and got some things done for Chosen Child's party tomorrow. My wonderful friend Stacy came over and picked me up and took me to Target - what girl doesn't love herself some Tar-Jay, it heals all ills! I got myself some comfy decent clothes that zip up in the front since I am limited on what I can put on, and they will be okay to wear my first few days back to "sit" at work (cause that's all I'll be able to be doing) Eventually the heat and being out and about got to me and into bed I went and stayed until about 8:30 - 9pm. See today was the day for all the bandages to come off and I was allowed to "shower". I was kinda freaking out about both taking the bandages off and taking a shower. See, the boobs are renewed and reconstructed to a smaller size, they are swollen, there are a lot of stitches in a very sensitive area, further on top of my stitches I have steri strips that CANNOT COME OFF, but my Steri Strips were stuck to the gauze and bandages which needed to come off (see I wasn't freaking for no reason). As for the shower, Hot water pounding on the extra sensitive and swollen goods wasn't such a great prospect either and bathes are strictly not an option at this point. But Peeeeeeeee-uuuuuuuuuuuewwwwwwwwww I needed a shower and my hair washed. So Mr. Fix It brought in his workshop stool and put it in our walk in shower, my soon to be a nurse friend Stacy came back over and we got started. Stacy, ever the professional, did not exclaim "oh my God they're gorgeous" while starting to take off the bandages (okay she totally did, and even in their dire state was totally jealous!). Mr. Fix It, couldn't look and doesn't want to until they're more healed (I can't blame him, I haven't looked either unless you count looking down my shirt like I've lost something a zillion times a day) so he excused himself to the couch. Stacy helped get all the bandages untangled and off while I got lightheaded and woozy. We had to take a break a few times while getting all the extremely bloody bandages off. I had NO idea that I had bled that much. I was pretty white faced and sick to my stomach when she got all of the bandages off (and no she didn't hurt me) but I was determined to get my hair wash and conditioned and my nice clean natural smell back! We soldiered on and got my hair washed and started conditioning. Then all hell broke lose - I can't even really describe it. I got white as white can get, almost passed out, then I shot like a rocket off the stool, demanded the trash can and violently threw up - again, and again, and again. Seriously, like NEVA before. Poor Stacy! The conditioner was for the most part (like you care) out of my hair but at that point, I just had to wrap up in a towel and lay down for awhile. It was ROUGH. I do not get woozy, weak-kneed, lightheaded, motion sickness, car sickness, in fact I rarely throw up period. It was a freaky, slow motion, "she's going down" kinda moment that will now live in infamy cause apparently it was so loud that Chosen Child, and her friend on the phone heard me all the way in her bedroom, Mr. Fix It thinking I am dying, comes rushing in the bathroom only to find his hysterical half naked bruised and stitched up wife puking on her friend and in the trash can. In his ever so gallant moment he says "well, that ruined "that" fantasy! What an ass, but he's my ass and he loves me and he's waiting on me hand and foot so I guess I'll keep him! One of the things you'll frequently hear me say to my chosen child and my friends is "Beauty is pain" now I've taken it to a whole new level!

PS - So sorry I am not my usual charming and witty self (Narcissistic much?). I'm kinda half drugged and half asleep most of the time while going through my recovery, so feel free to shoot me and put me outta my misery, or check back later when I have found my sense of humor again - hopefully they didn't take that out with the excess boobage.

Can I say OUCH!!

2009-07-30T16:51:00.003-05:00

I lay here, day 3 after my surgery, still in pain. It's not the same type of pain I'd expected. It comes and goes and when I move certian ways it hurts like hell! I had my follow up appointment and apparently it went well (I'm a little foggy on the details) I do know that I had 800 gms taken out of each side and 150 mg from each underarm and back area. If my math is correct, it was about 4-6 pounds. Dr. Jones also let me know that I was much much larger than even he thought before I went in. They took out enough that insurance may actually cover it after the fact, but if they don't it's still totally worth it. I also found out that I will still be a C or D cup AFTER they took that much out! I'm still dizzy and sleeping a lot, but Chosen Child's party is still on for Saturday (thank God for my girl friends) and I am still heading back to work on Monday!

I am trying to get some bloggy reading in, so sorry that I am behind - I hope to get caught up and return all the bloggy love you've given me! Not even sure if any of this makes sense?

Like they say on Real Housewives of New Jersey - "Bubbies"

2009-07-28T07:01:00.002-05:00

It's D Day... ummm I guess after today that would be a C day. Today is the day I go under the knife. I've been there before, ya know knees, wisdom teeth, but it has never been a self scheduled, self induced type surgery. I am nervous, I am excited, I am scared! Regardless, it's time, in one hour and 25 minutes. The countdown to my new rack has begun! So, I may be gone for a day or two from online. Writhing in bed, in pain, on drugs and cursing myself. But hopefully I'll be back to my little bloggy comfort zone by Thursday or Friday. I'll miss you, but I'll be nursing my new smaller bubbies back to health! Cheers!

My FurKids

2009-07-26T12:34:00.009-05:00

So many of you lovingly commented on my beautimuss Ellie Belly (aka Ellison is her "formal name" i.e. in trouble name) so I thought I would introduce you to my FurKids.

A little history behind my love of Boxers - When I met Mr. Fix It, I had a beautiful Cocker Spaniel named Bailey and he was my "man". He was a sweet and wonderful to me, however he hated men and wasn't always on his best behavior with children. He didn't want anyone else around me, alas he would try to bite anyone who got in his way, or he would simply pee on them. SERIOUSLY. (Men = Bite, Kids = Peeing or snarling). Well when Mr. Fix It and I started discussing marriage, one of the obvious problems was my sweet wonderful dog, and his sweet wonderful 18 month old daugther - who love to climb all over me and sit in my lap. It was not a good match. This would be where my mom stepped in. She'd recently lost one of her dogs and the other little dog was suffering from lack of companion. Bailey would go live with my mom, I could still see him and help her pay for his needs and he was always way BETTER BEHAVED at her house. Seriously, when he was at her house he LOVED Mr. Fix It and Chosen Child, even when I was there - why couldn't he behave that way at home?bWe were dogless for a little while, then shortly before we got married, Mr. Fix It got me a wedding present - 2 Boxers (they are rated in the top 3 dogs for children in case you didn't know). I have never been without a fourlegged pet and it was obvious I was suffering from not having a furry friend around. Little did he know, by bringing those two dogs home, he was altering his own future! Mr. Fix It doesn't believe in having just 1 dog and thinks Bailey has his "issues" because he'd never had someone (4 legged) to play with or had to share, hence the two dogs. We got a call two weeks later that there was a lone little pup, cousin to the first two and he was stricking. Would be interested in a tired - Well of course I was so madly in love with the first two, I had to see what the cousin looked like. And then there were 3. Those three babies, were Webe, Flick and Boogie. Mr. Fix It took them to work with him during the day in those weeee puppy days (hence their names - Chosen Child picked Flick (A Bugs Life) so Mr. Fix It and his buddies came up with "Webe, Flick N' Boogies. SERIOUSLY. They were so wonderful with Chosen Child. I would put her down on a quilt for a nap and each dog would lay down next to her and rest while she slept. If you came in the room - you got their "Don't make a noise and wake the baby" look. It was hilarious. They all knew Chosen Child ran their lives. Sadly, Flick was struck my a car and died in my arms, and Boogie was stolen out of our yard within first year of our marriage. I was devastated and Webe was too. He would lay down by the gate to our property, whimper and just look ever so lonely.

This is Webe at 10 or so (he's 11 now) and a healthy Ellie after months of being so sick from her previous owners.

I figured he needed a friend so I got a female friend this time named Tecate. She was a kinda-sorta rescue dog. A friend of a friend had her and was NOT taking care of her and they knew they couldn't give her the life she deserved, so they reliquished her to me. Her and Weeeb's were fast friends and his life was restored to his previous happy go lucky self. Tecate became immediately enamoured with Chosen Child. She took her roll very serious and to this day considers herself Chosen Child's FurMom. She herds Chosen Child, she sits patiently next to the pool and NEVER takes her eyes off of Chosen Child when she is in it. She goes bat crap crazy if Chosen Child is upset or crying and she has to be let outside when Chosen Child gets in trouble because she becomes hysterical and destructive (like peeing on mine or Mr. Fix It's pillow). Simply put, Tecate would without question die for my child. All of my dogs are extremely protective of me and Chosen Child. But Tecate would kill, or die trying if someone tried to hurt her girl. This is Cinnamon (who is about 2 now) and my "little old lady" Tecate who is almost 11 years old - they were in our guest house with me being naughty by getting on the bed.

Being that I had never had a "Girl" dog before I was a little dense on the whole "heat" cycle thing and didn' figure it out until it was to late. WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY to late. So once I figured out that Tecate was pregnant, I read all the books, searched the internet, and prepared for puppies. Tecate didn't disappoint. She had a beautiful litter of little ones. One in particular Mr. Fix It, honed in on. She was the runt of the group and thanks to Mr. Fix It spoiled ROTTEN. He carried her around like a little baby seriously on her back, cradling her, and rubbing her belly. He had deemed NO MORE DOGS, but determined I could have 1 more for Christmas, the pick of the litter if you, so long as the pick was "Prissy". Yes, her name is Prissy because she is a total PRISS. Took me forever to get her to poop and pee on grass not on the nice clean cemented or decked areas. She prances around like no Boxer ever has. She will also gladly dress up and play tea party. Here is our little "Miss Priss".

We were quite happy with our family at that point. Me, Mr. Fix It, Chosen Child, Webe, Tecate and Priss, until I decided that I had to start volunteering for Red Dirt Boxer Rescue that was new to the area. I was going to volunteer my time and use my PR advertising skills to get word out about Adopt-a-thons, Special cases, etc. That is, until I went to the first adopt-a-thon. Then came Cinnamon and Ellie. (Yes this is a picture of how they normally sleep - they luvers each other)

Both were dogs that I initally took in to foster. Well, Mr. Fix It watched me fall in love with them both as they became huge parts of my life and for our anniversary I got to keep them both. (It's a darn good thing that we have a ginormious house and 4 acres!) Ellie i my special needs dog. This is Ellie when I got her, she was in such bad shape, covered in burns, and infections and fever. However, I only saw how beautiful, good and loving she was. She's still a special needs dog and will have lasting affects of what the horrible people she was taken from did to her, but of all of our dogs, she is the most affectionate. It's amazing to me because all of our dogs watch over Ellie and help look after her and stick up for her with other dogs.

This is Ellie after she was better, and Ellie now (again, giving me "the look"):

Mr. Weeeb's and Ellie enjoying the cool floor!

Here are Prissy, Cotty and Weeeb's chilling by the pool while I am cleaning out leaves.

This is a common scene in our house.

Here are Tecate and Prissy playing in the yard last fall:

I am sure you can tell - I am a proud proud mama! My FurKids want you to know it was nice to meet you too!

How do you Blog?

2009-07-25T10:37:00.007-05:00

*WARNING* - I am the "girl" with the"nails", have had said "nails" since I was 15 - a long long time. Last night, I decided to pull off said nails (OUCH) and now I CANNOT type......... Seriously, I can't hear the clicks so I don't know if I am hitting the right keys. So this post is going to take forEVER with the backspacing and deleting I have had to do so far.......... Forgive me in advance for the typos that WILL occur. Now back to our regularly featured "post"gramming.

I thought of this question while I was sans internet"s". Thinking of HOW MUCH time each day I devote to this blog and the blogs of my friends. See, if someone leaves me a comment, I try my darnest to return it. Then if someone takes the time to read a post, I return that kind gesture to make sure and read their posts. I also check out all of my followers (WHOM I LOVE AND ADORE) websites each week if not day. However, some of my followers do not have their links so I don't know how to find them (some help here please). Then, I pick a friend or follower and go from the beginning (granted not back to 2005 or anything) but if they've started their blog in 2008 or so, I typically will go back to Jan of that year and read each post from that day forward. (for those of you who do NOT post a history or whateva it's called BOO!) It takes a while, it's a process (well obviously I skip the ones that are giveaways or are reviews for products that I either don't need or already have), but it's a good process and I love the pictures. It's how I myself have learned to blog. These new found bloggy friends aren't friends I can sit down and have a cup of coffee with (well in person anyway) Typically they can't join me at my house on Sunday nights when all my girls come over and I make an awesome meal and we watch girlie or scary movies. My bloggy friends can't join me for a "girls" night out at a bar where we have our share of lewd stories and drinks. So the only way I get to "Know" them is by finding out, where they came from and who they are from their blogs. For instance my friend ~Katie at Some Kind of Ride, when we became friends I went to her blog and started from her first post. She's my friend, I know her and know things about her that perhaps some others don't because they started mid-blog (and that's okay). Its also how I know that my friend Alicia is all in favor of a nudist coloney. For me, when I blog or par-take in someone elses blog, it's a book with a collection of short-stories, but they are non-fiction short stories about amazing women, who have done amazing things, or who are dealing with some of the same things I am. They are women who live far away and have such different lives than I do. Hello, how else would I learn what a "HUMP" was - Thanks Amanda! I get to read a new chapter in a new book daily. So if you see some new comments on some old posts - its probably me, laughing along with you, well, okay not with you, but laughing at the same things you laughed at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 years ago! Know that I am interested in you, in your life and in our friendship! (aughhh, was that a tear?)

PS - I told you I was crazy! Now my little baby Ellie has been bugging me all through this post, so I figured she wanted to say hi or perhaps she's peeved cause she's NOT got my full attention so now I am getting "The Look"!

Houston, we have a problem.................

2009-07-23T23:54:00.004-05:00

And that problem would simply be "ME"

On the upside, my electricity is back on and stable, which allowed Cox Communciations to get me back up and running with my cable TV (Seriously, I was screamming at them "I WANT MY MTV"), my home phone and hell hath no fury like a woman scorned "INTERNET"!!

On the downside, I am crazy. There, I have put it out there on the great wide web for you to all know I am crazy.

Here is why:
I got back from a long vacation, I had a tornado rip up my life for a week or so........... Yet, I am CRAZY and decide that I can go ahead and give a baby shower tomorrow (yes as in Friday) ALL BY MYSELF. So here it is Friday night at midnight, the food is not done, the decor is not hung, the punch is just now in the freezer to freeze, the cupcakes aren't picked up but hey, the cleaning lady came today so I did get one thing done. :) Too bad, the shower is NOT at my house.

In addition to the baby shower that I am giving TOMORROW, I am having surgery on Tuesday. Not a little bitty small, in and out type surgery, OH No, we're talking major change your life surgery that requires a week to two weeks off of work surgery. So what does the CRAZY lady do? She reschedules her daugther's birthday party (that was supposed to be the Saturday after the tornado came) to August 1st. SERIOUSLY - that is 5 days after major life changing surgery. Furthurmore, CRAZY lady didn't think of that, until after the invitations were mailed, the goodies purchased and child excited...................... while she was writing her check to PAY for her surgery! REALLY, can someone HELP ME PULL MY HEAD OUT!

So, I am going to spend all weekend getting ready for the big party, then my friends (ya know the ones I wrote about here) are going to execute it. I will of course make appearences for the big events (blowing out candles, presents, the rock band contest) but I will be taking breaks to rest in the main house cause I JUST HAD SURGERY. Seriously what kinda rockin girls are these to be helping out a CRAZY lady like me. However, what's a girl supposed to do, it's her daugthers 13th birthday, YOU CAN'T NOT HAVE PARTY! We had to postpone the "party" (her actual birthday is the 4th of July, we went to the lake, then to Florida, then had a tornado okay - I know it's now almost August) AND it's the last available weekend before school starts. I HAVE to go through with it, for her sake - I should be fine considering I am already CRAZY. Besides who can resist throwing a party for a girl as cool as this:

What I have figured out is this. I.AM.AN.OVERACHEIVER. I take on more than I can chew but somehow manage to gag it down, I truly believe I can have it all, and do it all with a smile. I realize why I drink - A Lot. But hey, I wouldn't have me any other way - than CRAZY!

PS - I don't spell check - even more crazy!

The Great Return

2009-07-20T09:22:00.010-05:00

To continue on with the little vicarious photos vacation tour............. Day 7 was the day we returned to KeyBiscayne (Miami) - don't worry puppies, I wasn't sad to leave Orlando, esp. since I got to visit (at least) one Outlet Mall. It eased the pain of losing my sunglasses a bit. We took in Ed Hardy (Chosen Childs favorite designer), I ran in the Coach Outlet to get a couple Christmas gifts (yes. I Am, almost done with my Christmas shopping) and we visited a few more stores and a surfer type outlet, where my nephew and Chosen Child went alittle nuts - but serious, Billabong, ROXY and those types of shirts for $19 - who could resist?

Anyhoo, we hit Miami late afternoon and went to dinner at Monty's there in Miami. It is one of the few docks left where you can actually live on your boat while it's docked (for some reason that struck me as weird). It was a fun little resturant that is outdoors and on the water so the kids could run around like the crazy bunch they are.

Boats, Boats and More Boats.........

Day 8 was the day we returned to reality - but not until late evening so we jam packed a lot into one day. First visited this really old really cool Venitian Pool - I loved it! Here are some pics from the pool - I wish I could have picked it up and planted it right in my back yard!

After we hung out at the pool, we dropped my nephews off and headed over to Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Hollywood Fl (aka Ft. Lauderdale) I am sure you know the one I am talking about - it's where Anna Nicole Smith died - poor gal.

What can I say, she's got great taste in music - Creed and Poison Autographed Guitars~ Rock ON!

I hit the jackpot when I married him and got her......................

Now upon getting back home around midnight, it was normal, jump in bed and sleep - then the storm of the century came through my back yard. Seriously, we had a little tornado (what the weathermen say is a "circulation") rip up through our back yard and then down the road that I live on. Seriously weatherdudes - IT WAS A TORNADO, that now requires an adjuster to come out and a roof repairer and all sorts of stuff. As you can see from the pics, it was a huge mess but the house is mostly okay and most importantly, we are okay! Currently we have 4 trees down,

1 tree uprooted, all the mess at our pool (and broken Teak Patio Umbrella UGH!),

all the mess at our back patio,

a broken back patio door, siding missing from the side of our house, a section of the roof from our guest house missing plus huge limbs and leaves everywhere. The power pole across from our house and behind our house are snapped and the power poles up our street for an entire mile are either snapped or just plan laying on the ground! I am going to be spending a lot of time on the tractor - and yes, I think my tractors sexy!

All this to let you know - I have no internet access at home (considering I had not electricity until Sunday, I can't complain about the small stuff to Mr. Fix It, tho not having internet"s" is a HUGE deal to me!) So we're waiting on OG&E to finish so that Cox can come back and hook us back up~ So if you're missing my bloggy love, it will only be available Monday through Friday's 9am to 4ishpm during normal working hours when I do not have appointments. I'll be back to my bloggy lovin self, once I get me some internet"s" so I can get up early and enjoy my blog time with my cup of coffee! I do have to admit, I was actually on time to work this morning since I didn't blog hog!

I'm Back~

2009-07-17T14:16:00.012-05:00

Well, so much to post about, so little time...................... I'll start with a run down of Days 4 and 5 of my vacation, then I'll do a vaca post later and give you a little idea of what I am home to yesterday............... It's not pleasant.

Day 4, 5 and 6 caused me some concern because they were spent in Orlando, where our hotel room was situtated as FAR from their wireless internet connection as humanly possible. I could barely get online and when I did, I had about 5 minutes to pound something out, so I decided to read my favorite blog posts rather than write two sentences. Bummer though, is when I tried to comment, I'd lose my connection.

Day 4 we drove over to Palm Beach and spent a good portion of the day sight seeing. We of course drove past Donald Trumps, where we stopped and had tea, then we drove over to Rush Limbaughs to discuss current affairs. After meeting up with our highrolling friends (not near as high-rolling as my bloggy gals of course!) we headed to their Center City (something like that) to do some shopping and eating.

It was so incredibly gorgeaus there, and not what I expected. I expected some hussle and bustle, but it was a sleepy large city if that makes any sense. Once we got down into Center City (or whatever its called) it was more like what I expected. After we had a late lunch there, we headed to NASA to watch the shuttle launch. Mr. Fix It and I thought it would be cool for the Chosen Child to see since their are only 8 missions left then volia' - no more. Sadly, we ran into a HUGE SCARY storm on the way to Cape Canaveral and the take off was cancelled.

Like these birds, we decided to hit Mc D's after the storm had passed to help overcome our disappointment about the shuttle launch.

Day 5, we hit two major Orlando Parks (not Disney mind you, our kids think they are too old for that - I HOWEVER will never to be old to be a PRINCESS), we went to Island of Adventure first thing bright and early, then headed over to Universal afterwards (with a quick stop by Hard Rock of course!)

This is my us arriving (not me of course) at Island of Adventure, then a picture of us in 2007 arriving at Island of Adventure - it's amazing to see how much the kids have changed!!!!

2009

2007

We brought my nephew Kai back in 2007, he's the little blonde on the left. Look at the different in Chosen Child - Wow, they grow up fast!

We did all this..........

Yes, I rode this big boy in the background..

On our way to ride the Dueling Dragons

Afterwards we headed to Hard Rock

(Let me give you a suggestion - do not, when heading to a very large amusement park, purchase TONS of Hard Rock mercendise for your child and yourself - its just a bad idea), then on to Universal Studios......... where I lost my FAVORITE Armani sunglasses on the Mummy - I was not a happy tourist!

One of the very first rides we had to ride was the new Simpson's Ride - it was tons of fun if you like that funny feeling in your tummy!

This photo below is the resting place that will house my GLORIOUS Armani sunglasses as they rest in peace. AMEN. (Unless some idiot teenager girl has to clean up the ride and snags them for herself ARRGH!)

Don't worry - I already bought a new pair - Same Glasses in White!

More to come later....... I have some major clean up calling my name - which you'll learn about in my next post~

Miami - Day Three - KeyBiscayne National Park Beach Place that I don't really know the name of...........

2009-07-12T22:18:00.005-05:00

Day 3, we decided to head to the beach again. We went to the beach that is on the far tip of KeyBiscayne island. It's a national park and it has a beautiful lighthouse. Such a pretty beach. We hung out there for most of the day playing in the sand and surf and tearing it up on Jet Skis. I saw the back side of P Diddy's house, and Andy Garcia and some mansions that made me green with envy LOL! But it was a blast. I slathered myself in sunscreen but I still look a little like rudolf, and I of course covered Chosen Child - but everyone else looks like LOBSTERS. They have such horrible burns.

Afterwards they recovered for a while then we all went out for Pizza for dinner. After a quick family friendly dinner. Mr. Fix It, my BIL and I headed back to South Beach for some UFC and Beer - this is the most amazing invention ever. It's my beer tower! Gotta love it. It was a fun night and all was well except Frank Mir lost to the major OX butthead brock that I don't like!

Hope your weekend was wonderful!

Miami - Day Two - South Beach and my sweet nephew

2009-07-11T09:56:00.005-05:00

Day two was spent at South Beach, where it was incredibly overcast and the water was ROUGH, I came out feeling batter and bruised. Seriously. We still had fun, but we didn't stay all day long. We swam and body surfed, then headed to Johnny Rockets for burgers and shakes (a big

treat cause we don't have those in Oklahoma).

After the beach, we came back to KeyBiscayne, cleaned up and went to see my nephew who lives here in Miami. Each time I see him, it seems that he's grown a foot. We went to the visit him in Coral Gables and hung out at an amazing park there. He is so precious and I adore getting to spend the time with all 3 of the brothers together. Chosen Child loves this time too and getting to let her "inner tom boy" come out. I have to admit, it's rather fun watching her whip up on her boy cousins.

This is my precious nephew. We finished the evening with a cookout of hotdogs and hamburgers and homemade guacamole and chips and hit the sack, exhausted but ready for the next day!

Sorry for my boring posts, but by the time I get to my computer......... I am exhausted and have lost my witt~ :)

Miami - Day One - Getting Here

2009-07-10T08:03:00.007-05:00

1 hour flight to Houston
2.5 to 3 hour flight from Houston to Miami
4 ridiculously spoiled children, screaming, kicking, crying, throwing crayons and pop
2 parents who don't believe in disipline

My offer to share my stash of Children's Benedryl did not go over well..............but their faces were PRICELESS!!!!!

(My MIL, Nephew, & Chosen Child at the airport when we landed)

After landing around 5pm (Miami time) we headed to Rosia Mexciana - it was super delicious! Finally made it to KeyBiscayne - the island just off of Miami that we're staying at. You know, it's the Island where Andy Garcia lives - yum! We did some shopping and ran to the grocery store for breakfast stuff and for stuff to take to the beach. I think we finally crashed around 1am. After a wonderfully "healthy" (cause that seems to be how they roll here) breakfast we are off to South Beach to worshp the sun, sand and surf (and for me to shop!)

Enjoy your day!

Taggy Tag Party

2009-07-09T23:09:00.005-05:00

So, Megan, my friend from Infertile Myrtle tagged me with her Lists, Lists, Lists. I am lay in posting this but things have been a tad bit hectic, if.i.do.say.so.myself. Here we go......

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. Going to SouthBeach tomorrow
2. Going to Universal Studios this week
3. Going to Island of Adventures
4. Getting to see and spending time with my nephew Dylan who lives here
5. Getting my new ta-tas (July 18th - thank you very much!)
6. Getting home next week - not to rush my vaca - just to see my memaw!
7. Getting to bed tonight - if you knew my night last night and my Tuesday and my Monday -you'd understand
8. Getting some rest and relaxation - is that possible with a 9, 12, 13, 39, and 42 year old children and my MIL?

8 Things I did yesterday

1. Packed my suitcase
2. Packed Mr. Fix It's suitcase
3. Packed Chosen Childs suitcase
4. Left instructions for my mom who is house sitting about the dogs - ALL 6 of them!
5. Clean and took care of the pool before we left
6. Worked, cleaned (then packed) until 3:30am in the morning
7. Took my Chosen Child to see her BFF - who always makes me laugh
8. Shopped and got some new clothes for this trip!

8 Things I Wish I Could DO

1. Protect my Chosen Child at all times
2. Win the Lottery
3. EAT ANYTHING I WANT AND NOT GAIN WEIGHT
4. Make a baby
5. Fix all my friends problems for them without hurting anyone else in the proces
6. Suspend time
7. Lose 40 pounds
8. Go on vacations all the time whenever and wherever and with whomever I want

8 Shows I watch:

In no particular order

1. Army Wives
2. LOST
3. Rise & Shine Oklahoma
4. Dollhouse
5. True Blood - Just started this one
6. Real Housewives
7. Secret Life of the American Teenager
8. Fox News

5 Friends I am tagging:

1. Aubrey
2. Amanda - she's busy right now so it may take her a while.......... :)
3. Angie
4. Sarah M
5. Jennifer Juniper

Sigh - Ya - Nar - A

2009-07-09T02:23:00.002-05:00

The last two days have been INCREDIBLY BUSY. My MIL, 2 nephews, Chosen Child, Mr. Fix It and I leave tomorrow morning for bright beautiful sunny Florida. So what in God's name am I doing up at 2:30 in the morning? I am packing, that's right, packing. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. In fact, some of you know I have a guest house and you have seen it here http://step-fabulous.blogspot.com/2009/05/show-us-where-you-live-fridays-guest.html well, Mr. Fix It actually decided to sleep up there because he knew I would be up all night because I am freak! I have to pack for the Chosen Child (poor thing can't dress herself yet), Mr. Fix It (cause he'd pack stained t-shirts and gym shorts and nothing else - Playa Del Carmen Mexico 1999) and myself (repeatedly over that 50 pd limit darn-it!). Plus I have to get all the special instructions for the dogs ready (medicines, their finkey eating habits, notes on each one, whose nothing getting along right now, what to do if.........) Seriously, there are 6 of them (5 Boxer & 1 Westie) so I have to leave sometype of instructions. Then I have to pick up the house cause the cleaning girl is coming tomorrow (but I'll come home to a sparkling house), leave my mom and grandma (who are housesitting) notes around the house, enter 3 orders for work, re-work a presentation, reply to all my emails from 10am this morning since I was in Tulsa all day, prepare for a conference call tomorrow at 9am (yes while I am sitting in the airport) and do 2 loads of laundry. Simply put, Mr. Fix It is smarter than me - he's up there sleeping and I have all this stuff to do (oh yea, shave my leggies) and I am sitting here blogging! :) I think I need a vacation getting ready for vacation, and then a couple days at home to recover from vacation!

Do you all go as crazy as I do when it comes to going out of town? The more I think about it though, my life is always this hectic, no wonder Mr. Fix It is always telling me to slow down!

I'll keep you posted (where I have internet"s") throughout our trip. I hope to have lots of lovely memories to share (unlike our last trip to Disney World - the F bomb actually got dropped at the Magic Kingdom!!!!)

Only my family - ya know?

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome - LIKE Totally!

2009-07-06T22:01:00.008-05:00

Her Royal Highness of Cheese Alicia, over at "It Ain't Easy Being Cheesy" has bestowed on me.............

In appreication of my royal (pain in the ass) servitude the MOST AWESOME AWARD! (and it must have been really hard for her to pick me, considering how she has to teach me how to do the technical part of blogging!)

Now, as part of my acceptance speech, I must in turn provide you all with 7 things about me that make me the awesome woman I am today! Since

1. I have AWESOME girlfriends - real ones - not imaginary - I know, you're shocked.

2. I have AWESOME style (my Chosen Child just helped me with that one - wonder what she wants)

3. I am an AWESOME to hang out with, I bring the fun like a suitcase!

4. I have an AWESOME Chosen Child - who is helping me with this list & an AWESOME Mr. Fix It who is currently looking at me puzzled as to why I want to know what makes me AWESOME!

5. I am an AWESOME cook, when not experimenting - see about me section!.

6. I am about to have AWESOME boobs

7. I have AWESOME Bloggy Friends that I adore!

Now that you have relished my Awesomeness as one would a fine glass of wine, as is custom in the great land of cheese, I must bestow the precious AWESOMENESS crown upon another...AWESOMENESS Bloggstress, KATIE over at It's in the Details!!!! We met through work and she actually turned me on (get ya mind outta the gutter) to several blogs that I read daily! She's fiesty, amazingly creative and gives the best suggestions of resturants and books and products and places to find amazing stuff!!! She's got serious flower power too! Check her AWESOMENESS out at http://tulsadetails.blogspot.com/! Her AWESOMENESS awaits!

Go show her some of your bloggy love~

I am Woman hear me ROAR...4th of July

2009-07-06T17:03:00.013-05:00

Seriously roar I did, actually the fire roared, I just forced all 16 people at the lake house with us to come down and see my roaring fire. It was a roaring success and a roaring good time because everyone loved their smore's and lighting their marshmellows on fire over my roaring fire!

Seriously, you may or may not know......... (but you're going to cause if you stick around you'll get my play by play and to see pictures of my precious nieces and nephews) I went with my brother's family and his inlaws to the lake over the weekend with my chosen child for the long 4th weekend aka Chosen Child's 13th birthday.

We arrive at the lake on Friday morningish to get everything set up church camp style. We got there, got all the cobwebs down, the beds made, the fridge stopped and the AC going and I finally started to relax. It was such a hot day, with the four wheeler riding, boat riding, fishing etc. we decided to get out of the cabin head down to the river and hang out, then go into town for Mexian dinner - the dinner gods were in our favor - we got a table for 16 the minute we walked in the door.

Upon returning to the cabin, my Chosen Child, Chosen Child's shirtless heart throb (oh yes, those of you with female children - yours will ge there someday soon), and some other friends decided to go down to the river bank to start a fire for smores. (I am sitting here smirking as I think about it) I drag a lawnchair to sit and watch (someone has to be semi-responsible) for about an hour. Finally I had enjoyed their frustrated fire efforts long enough and I waltz down to the riverbank ready to prove all Mr. Fix It's teachings had paid off. I instructed the kids to get some small branches, some dead underbrush, some leaves (not the green ones and logs they were using) and this was the result:

Don't worry no children were injuried in the making or enjoyment of this fire - he's not as close as it looks. The next morning we got up early to head to the cliffs with my brothers mother in law and the "big kids" where we did this:

(Chosen Child, my brothers MIL, CC's Shirtless Heart Throb, and his brother Josh)

I had never been to the cliffs but I loved them. Typically I am not what you call a lake person, I don't like water that isn't clear, I don't do walking in the grossy grossy mud, moss and critter banks to get into the water and I don't like fishes (that I can't see) swimming around my feet. Give me a beach and I can do sand and sun and some chest deep surf, but if I feel any moss - I'm outta there! This area was totally different! It was all these huge rocks with flat surfaces, that could almost be steps into very deep water - my feet went from rock to wata - I can do lakes if we do them this way! Then we headed to the beach to meet up with the rest of group and the little kids, where we did this......................

Then, we set off firecrackers until the rains came........... then the big kids and I set off firecrackers using an umbrella in the rain!

When we weren't donig all those things we were dong these things:

On their way back.... the view from our deck over the river leading to the lake! It was an amazing place to drink coffee and watch the sun come up before everyone was awake - I could do that everyday!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh a fish from their hard labors out on the open sea..............

Aside from me falling through the deck at a abandoned lake house we were snooping around (and yes it hurt like hell, my left leg is black and blue - not to mention my arm and butt cheek - got what I deserved for snooping) we had a fabulous weekend! At the end of the weekend in the long car ride home, Chosen Child told me, if I would buy us a lake house (there are several available right next to where we were this weekend) she'd save her money to chip in - hummm something to consider. :)

Quest for the Rockin Rack - Boobalicious

2009-07-02T09:48:00.003-05:00

I love music, I have my iPod with me everywhere I go. I am aging myself here, but think back in the "day" to the song "PUSH - IT, Supersonic" by Salt N Pepper - lol - well, there's a new song out that is by Salt N Pepper and Fergie. It was in the movie 17 again. It's a cross between Fergalicious and Push It - I have changed up the song a little and interjet "Boobalicious"! It's a way of giving my courage regarding my "little" upcoming procedure. I listened to it on the way to my 3 consultations (funny how i get courage from music, believe me there are many many more songs) My first consultation was with Dr. Juan Brou. He's an older gentleman and has a lot of experience, very nice and had a cool accent. I, of course was mortified about taking my shirt off and showing off my ta-tas, being taped and measured and HOLY HELL, photographed. Seriously, I drive my husband nuts. I won't even walk around our house with out a bra, I won't take off my shirt unless the lights are off, and I change in the closet - complex much? Lemme get back on track, his example photos were fine but he pointed out they were older and he hadn't updated his book. He went over my expectations and and straightened them out. Initally I went in for a lift and he pointed out that I fell in the medically necessary catagory for a reduction. Basically my boobs were to big and heavy to "lift". You can check him out here: http://www.drbrou.com/breast-enhancement. I left comfortable and confident, but quite frankly scared of the surgery, two weeks off work, no flying for 4 weeks and several other limitations. Although the procedure was explained clearly I was kinda freaked about going under the knife. My second consultation with was with Dr. Edward Shadid. A friend has had some work done on his table, so I went in upon her recommendation. Again, very friendly, very through about the procedure, needed a reduction not a lift, my goals were not realistic but these are somethings they can do for me... yadeadadeda......... and OMG more photos (I think I have figured out why most cosmectic surgeons are men). You can see Dr. Shadid's beautiful work here: http://www.dr-shadid.com/gallery.html. My last consultation was with Dr. Justin Jones. Lemme just say - I LOVE HIM!!! In a non-stalkerish kinda way. He was just as nice as the others, friendly, great staff, comfortable, however he made me laugh when he took my photos. Seriously, laugh out loud belly laughing, while flashin the goods for the camera. It doesn't hurt that he's 34 and smokin hot (his pics do not do him justice). The other thing I liked was he was young and had spent time in California working with Plastic Surgeons there. He knew more modern technologies and ways of doing a reduction that no one else had talked about. He told me that my expections weren't out of reach, they just needed to be modifie.d. He gave me realistic restrictions, and told me that he would only do the surgery if I would follow his post surgery instructions. He would prescribe me pain meds and I had to swear to take them, and that if I didn't, it would only delay the healing, cause more problems and quite frankly, could ruin the work he'd just done. His office was the only office I left where I was EXCITED, so EXCITED. I just think if you're going to make a change like this, you should be excited about it, not dreading it like ya know - gall bladder surgery or something. You can read more about him here: http://www.drjustinjones.com/photogallery.html

So, if you have a free minute and are as boob-obsessed (in a not weird kinda way) go check them out, then you can reassure me that I made the right decision! 26 days til "C" day!

The Journey - A Woman Scorned - Part Deux

2009-07-01T23:56:00.006-05:00

So, we left off before where CrazyGal refused to allow Mr. Fix It to meet his baby girl. Elizabeth, our attorney, filed for CrazyGal to submit the baby to a paternity test, sounds pretty shitty, I know, but at this point Mr. Fix It was figuring out JUST how crazy she is. After a few months, the Court ruled that the baby undergo a saliva swab paternity test. 3 separate appointments were made for a saliva swab (hey it was new back in the day) and all 3 separate appointments were missed. CrazyGal finally submitted Chosen Child to the test, the day prior to a contempt of court hearing. The test came back 99% positive that Chosen Child was Mr. Fix Its. (looking at her from about 4 on, there is no doubt she looks JUST like her daddy). The court at this hearing also determined that Mr. Fix It should be allowed visitation, despiste CrazyGal's resistance and her demand that the baby not be away from her while breast feeding. Mr. Fix It met his daugther, our Chosen Child, when she was 6 months old just in time for her first Christmas. At CrazyGals insistance all visits were to be at her house for a maximum of 1 hour. Mr. Fix It, anticipating the worst possible had my mother in law attend every visitation with him. The following month there was a temporary order hearing setting a trial date for the following March. The court system that our case takes place in requires a "settlement conference" prior to a hearing and that was the next step in the process. Both CrazyGal and Mr. Fix It had racked up a small fortune in legal fees, her to keep Mr. Fix It from their child, Mr. Fix It trying to meet and then see their child........... A settlement was knocked out and an agreement stricken. Mr. Fix It would play 100% of his legal fees and 100% of CrazyGal's fees in exchange for a set visitation schedule, and that the Chosen Child would bare & use his last name. As the years have gone by, the Chosen Childs college education could have been paid for 20 time over by us, probably 30 times over if you include CrazyGals legal fees, but the maddness doesn't stop here...................... This is the boring part but you have to know the details to understand what comes later......Its about to get good......in a later post because I am tired and I have a bash to prepare for tomorrow!

Summer Lovin'

2009-07-01T11:11:00.008-05:00

We are getting ready for our Annual Crab Boil & Pool Bash tomorrow. It's been a hectic week, shopping, cleaning, pulling weeds, working on the pool and late late nights. As I have been working outside I've been pondering my favorite things about this glorious (yet hot as hell) time of year we call Summer and thought I'd share them with you.

In no particular order:

1. Fireflys - we have 4 acres, there are millons and I sit amazed watching them at dusk each night.

2. Time spent with Chosen Child - our house it seems, is where the kids come, it's also the time of the year I get to spend lots of time with her......... I love watching Chosen Child with her friends. I get little glimpses into who she is becoming, who she wants to become and the woman she will be one day. Lemme just say - watch out world!

3. Pool Time - we have a pool in our backyard, I lay out, (sometimes over my lunch hour) with music blaring and either diet coke or mixed concoction in my hand, usually with friends or a good book. Chosen Childs friends are in and out and over and gone. It is precious time. (Oh yes, we can't forget the yummy pool guy that comes weekly - even my 13 year old goes down to watch him work!)

4. Annual Vacation #2 - We go to Florida every summer. It's a week with my brother in law and nephews that are fun-filled and action packed - Disney World, South Beach, Universal, Busch Gardens - we get around. I declare every summer that I get one entire day on the beach alone - it never happens - but I love it anyways! I think the best part of this trip is watching Mr. Fix It and his brother together, I swear they revert to 11 year olds and I love watching them together............ Oh the memories.

5. The 4th of July - I love everything about it, going to the lake, fireworks, smore's, hotdogs on the grill and best of all - it's Chosen Child's birthday.

6. The Annual Crab Boil & Pool Bash - Starts at 9am, ends whenever. Includes lots of drinks - soft, mixed and beer, two turkey friers full of shrimp, crawfish and crab - new potatoes, corn on the cob, tortilla rolls, fruit trays, marshmellow cream dip, pina colda pineapple cheesecake, chicken wings, and ummmmm did I mention drinks? Lots of them?

7. Weekend with my MIL - yes, I love my mother in law, she rocks. She comes up for a weekend with all my nephews and it's a fun filled, good family time, busy and tiring weekend. I take all the kids, get them new clothes and coordinating outfits to wear for our annual family picture - see:

8. Sundresses - Perk of being a woman around my office. It's has to hit 100 degrees + for the guys around here to wear anything less than a suit (i.e. a golf shirt and slacks) while I can prance into work every day in a cool little sundress and sandals. :)

9. Oh yes - flip flops - got all kinds, in every color (literally) - ummmm can't have enough. It's a little problem of mine - nuff said?

10. Patios - Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, Dinner or Drinks - I love a good resturant with a good patio - the atmosphere, eating outside, the chatter around the patio tables just makes for a good time.

11. Lushness (for now) - Everythings wet from watering and green - trees are green, grass is green and great for flip flops or barefoot. The flowers are in bloom and it's beautiful outside (at least until mid-July/Augustish)

12. Pedicures - summer = more pedicures than any other time of the year - I think you all "get" that one!

13. Sunday Nights..... My girlfriends come over on Sunday nights where I grill out on the patio and we have a grilled (or smoked) feast - ya know, shrimp, BBQ, brisket, grilled veggies, blackberry cobbler - we make such a night of it, it's almost impossible to get up for work on Monday!

So, what do you love about summer, I'd love to know? Share, Share away!

BOOBS - Warning...This post NOT for the faint of heart.........

2009-06-25T10:24:00.008-05:00

Mr. Fix It has a tractor - it was nice and shiney and new when we bought it, about 3 years ago.

Mr. Fix It has a post-hole digger - althought not as expensive as the tractor, it was nice and shiney and new when we bought it, um, I think 2 years ago.

Mr. Fix It has a digger thingy ma bob - ya know, you drag it behind the tractor and it puts nice dugout lines that you can put a sprinker pipe in, or cable lines in, got it about 2 1/2 years ago.

Mr. Fix It has a cement mixer, goes on the tractor, pretty expensive, never been used, it's a real pretty red, and we bought it about a year ago.

Mr. Fix It has a tiller - again, goes on the tractor, for the garden we don't have (yet), it was used once to help plant some grass - purchased brand new about 6 months ago.

Mr. Fix It has a brush hog, to mow our 4 acres, now this purchase comes in handy as Mr. Fix It uses it repeatedly, all the while that zero turn riding lawn mower rests in his shop, the brush hog, I think we got 3 months ago.

Mr. Fix It has purchased at least 10 new computers in the last 3 years (I can't complain too much here as one was a laptop for me in 06, then I got a new laptop this christmas, The Chosen Chik, also got one for her birthday 2 years ago)

Mr. Fix It just recently had Lasik, he doesn't know if it was worth the money or if he'd do it again. He just had it done 2 months ago...

Ya getting the picture??? I have kept my mouth shut, smiled and geniuenly pleased that he was able to have such treasures and things he wished for. Now you're wanting to know what this has to do with BOOBS......... (Sorry if you prefer breast, that word makes me feel like I am becoming my mother)

Here's the deal I want new boobs, not the saline ones, just smaller, reshaped, refined, and perkier ones. I was a cheerleader and dancer from 5th grade through college. All that jumping up and down, tumbling and running did some SERIOUS damage to the girls. Secondly, I have ALWAYS had big boobs, always. Popped right into a D at about 11 -12 years old and they've only gotten bigger, much bigger. I have always been teased horribly, my nick-name from Junior High through Highschool was "tig-o-bitties" (in case you don't get it, it's big o titties backwards). Didn't matter if I only weighed in at 100 or a 150, my Rack was right out there for display, large and in charge and given my nature, leading the way. Most girls, would be thrilled to be blessed with a larger upper half, but we always want what we don't have and I want to be back in the full C, small D area. Imagine, shopping for a suit to wear to work and having to buy a jacket 2 sizes bigger than the skirt or pants. Bathing suit shopping is a nightmare!!!!!!!!! I refuse to buy or wear a bikini, tankini or anything else of that nature and if I get a one piece, it's squashed city so it'll fit on bottom. Not to mention the back pain, indentions in my shoulders and $80 bras (and no they aren't $80 cause they're pretty).

Well, now is my time. After years (seriously since I was about 17) I am getting what I want. After years of dreaming, tons of research online, interviewing people who have had the surgery, and stalking girls with pretty boobs (in a non-perverted type of way of course) I am having my reduction surgery on July 28th. I am nervous, I am excited, I am hoping to come away looking like this:

I have visited multiple doctors in our area. Considering the thought and time and preparation my selection was given, you'd think I was going to marry this doctor. Well, I finally "proposed" and then I "accepted" his offer. Just so you know, it was not cause he's 34 and not because he's TOTALLY FRIGGIN HOT!

Now back to the tractor................ Mr. Fix It has always been all for it, ready for me to do it "if it makes me happy" up until the big day was scheduled. I know he loves me just the way I am, I know that he thinks my rack is rockin, I know that he'll love me regardless of what I look like afterwards, but damnit, I want him to be excited for me now and he's not. I want him to be truly pleased that I am getting something I want and have wanted forever! That's where all of you come in. I'll be giving you the blow by blow on my blog during my "Quest for a Rockin Rack" from my post later tonight about my consultations to the actual surgery to my post-op pain up until the final product............ and not don't worry, there won't be a big reveal or anything..........

The Journey - A Woman Scorned

2009-06-22T16:17:00.005-05:00

Shell-shocked is putting it mildly for what Mr. Fix It went through. He made a huge error in judgement and was already dealing with that fact. To get a phone call about a baby, a car, and a wedding about sent him running for the hills. Mr. Fix It's response was to slow down, they didn't know one another, hadn't really seen this coming since she'd specifically told him it was impossible for her to get pregnant and that one mistake (sex not baby) should not lead to two (sex and marriage). Mr. Fix It let her know that at this point a wedding wasn't an option however, he intended to provide and take care of this child and wanted to be a big part of his or her life. (Sometimes, Mr. Fix It is just too nice, living with me has corrected that problem - FYI). Upon arriving home from dinner with his brother (my brother in law) a few days later, he found her (she needs a name so we'll call her CrazyGal) not only at this house, but in his house, with a friend, giving a tour of where the nursery would be, the area in the yard that they would be getting married in and an expectation that she would be taking one of his cars back with her so she'd have responsible transportation.

YES.I.AM.TOTALLY.SERIOUS.

My brother in law, ran for the hills (otherwise known as the apartment) to let Mr. Fix It deal with the "situation". Mr. Fix It, not wanting to embarass CrazyGal, was not rude, did not kick her out, did not say WTF, or call her crazy. He told her, "this isn't a good time and I will call you later....... oh and by the way, no you cannot take my BMW back to T-Town with you." (He was much nicer than I would have been). This same scene, over the next two months, repeated itself in a variety of ways that I don't want to bore you with. The end result is that my Mother In Law, (the one who dearly loves me and I dearly love her) took CrazyGal to lunch and AGAIN broke the news that Mr. Fix It would not be marrying her, that he intended to provide for and be a part of the child's life, but he did not see them as a good fit for marriage, he did not love her, and simply, didn't see a future aside from co-parenting to raise a child.

Two days later Mr. Fix It's was served with a Summon's, Subpoena for Income Information and a Civil Paternity case filing. Ouch, but hey, Mr. Fix It's a big boy and he immediately went out and secured an attorney, we'll call Elizabeth (who eventually became part of our little family).
Elizabeth's first duty of the day was to file an entry of appearance, and start preparing for a Temporary Order Hearing . If you've EVER had to deal with the court system, it's a slow, tediously, humbling process. In the time waiting for this hearing to occur, my Chosen Child was born, July 4, 1996, two FULL MONTHS EARLY. She weighed right at 3 pounds and was obviously in neo-natal ICU. She remained in the NICU for, I think, 4-5 weeks. Mr. Fix It found out he had a daughter the last week of July. CrazyGal had not called to say she was in labor, had not called to let him know that their daugther might not make, had not called to let her know she was in NICU, HAD NOT TOLD HIM SHE WAS BORN. When she finally did let him know via voicemail that Chosen Child had arrived, CrazyGal also informed him he could not meet her until there was a court order in place to allow visitation (refer back to dealing with the court system, slow, tedious, humbling - ringing any bells?)

A child was born, a bitterness ensued and a man was broken..................

The Journey - A Woman Scorned will return after a brief break.................. I feel like a Lifetime Drama after one of these posts!!!!

The Journey - Part Deux

2009-06-19T11:23:00.006-05:00

I was very wrong and I learned something I will never forget. Some women are just plain crazy - no if's, ands, or buts, just crazy. There was no romance, there was no love, there was no relationship, there was only manipulation, calculation, fixation and a "goal" in mind (insert imagination). There was a pre-planned "event", an apology and a mission that ended with a call 3 months after the fact that simply said "I'm pregnant, when are you going to get up here and buy me a new car and we need to get married quickly". (Some of you are asking yourselves how I know there was a "mission" - that part of the story will come later) Mr. Fix It was shell shocked. Obviously. One Time. One Night. With someone he knew in Once upon a time. That he knew absolutely NOTHING about. We'll fast forward through his drama as it is his story, and get to A Woman Scorned...........

which will be the next chapter................... installment to be added at a later date............

GaGa over Garage Sales............

2009-06-19T10:25:00.007-05:00

So, as most of you have figured out ~ I love my girl friends.

They rock and are such a big part of my world. We just recently (as the posts show) had a delicious time in Las Vegas. Fun Fun Fun, and we're ready to do it again. All three of my Vegas Vixen's are going through a period of change in their life and it was time to get rid of the old and ring in the new............. My suggestion as we were "getting rid of the old" at each of their houses was a garage sale - their response was acting as though I had 6 eyes, blue skin and could shoot fire out of my nostrils. In fact I heard "ugh..... I don't wanna keep track of everyone's stuff, ........ ugh, let's just donate it............. ugh, are you *&^%^ crazy.............".

As I am considered "the government" in our little circle of life I said "because A. one mans trash is another mans treasure, B. we can sit around all day with each other drinking sans children and collecting money and C. if we don't keep track of whose is what's and just put it in a pool, we can put it towards paying for our next girls trip to where ever we wanna go"

All of a sudden the light blub lit and they were on board with me, aka "the government". So after 3 weeks of hauling things out of our homes (Mr. Fix It is so happy with the truckloads of "junk" leaving) and sitting up things in Lost Girl's garage - we had our first day of the garage sale yesterday and BAM beotches - we made ourselves over $500 buckaroos............ (in case you didn't know, that's two of our plane tickets!) 1 day down - 2 more to go! All though I am not one to go "garage-selling" as Ms. Fancy Pants puts it, I do love having them. As Dave Ramsey says, everyone has at least $600 of junk in their house they can let go of for a garage sale.

I will posting "the journey part deux" later today......... just cause............ I am "the government" so I can..........

The Journey

2009-06-15T22:12:00.007-05:00

It's taken sometime to be able to put my head around starting this story. It's 14 years in the making, emotionally tasking and forcing me to do something I don't particularly like doing - looking back into the past. I am one of those people who look to the future and roads untaken and try not to relive what we've learned from the past. That aside, I am going to share with you my journey into step-mommy-dom, piece by piece and bit by bit.

I was 20 years old when Mr. Fix It and I met. He was friends with my employer and had come by our office complex to look at office space for his business. Introductions were made, I noted he was cute, but I had sworn of guys so I moved on about my day. Later as the day was winding down a co-worker (who had been one of Mr. Fix It's friends since college) asked me if he could give my phone number to Mr. Fix It. Although, Mr. Fix It was cute, I knew he was much older than I was, and out of my "league" (i.e. responsible and mature) at the time. Being the straightforward kinda gal I am, I asked how old he was, (the friend lied and knocked a few years off his age) and what a guy "his age", wanted with a youngin' like me. At this point, all my co-workers, all male, all Mr. Fix It's friends, were egging me on to go on a date with him - ya know the whole "he's different" line, so I relented and said sure give him my number. He called and we talked - for HOURS. I was a young college student working my way through college, he was a successful entrepreneur - (I know what you're thinking and you're totally wrong) I was shocked that we found so much in common, that he made me laugh good ole belly laughs and had such good conversation. We went on our first date to dinner and movie - he paid for dinner, I paid for the movie. To hear him now, he says he fell in love at that moment and knew "I" was not a woman he was going to have to "take care of" but rather I was a woman who was willing to be a part of a team....... Little did I know how much of a team we would need to be.

Mr. Fix It was always upfront and honest about his situation, he never hid the good bad or ugly. He told me straight away that he had a daughter, a very very very young daugther. That she came first and there would be no dates when he had visitation and that there would be no meeting her until either we were serious, or never at all. I fell half in love with him then (WOW, what an amazing dad to love his daugther so much). Bit by bit, over our random yet fun dates and quiet times, Mr. Fix It told me more about his child, the situation, the schedule, the pain, and THE BOMB (which I had come to suspect) that he didn't marry this child's mother. Period. That one had me stumped, however I knew this was his story to tell and he needed to do it in his time. From my limited and quite frankly un-experienced perspective - you are in a relationship, you have sex with someone you love, you get her pregnant, you marry her. I was soon going to find out how wrong I was...

Step-Fabulous

Tired................. Tired..............TIRED.....................

2009-06-14T22:18:00.006-05:00

It's been a hectic couple of days. My mother in law (who is a delight) arrived on Thursday with my 3, yes, 3 nephews and left about 8:30pm tonight. It's been a houseful with my MIL, Nick (11, almost 12), Tate (9 almost 10) and Kai (11) nephews, my chosen child (the only girl of the group) and Mr. Fix It. In 4 short days we hit the mall, Old Navy, the movies, the Redbox (twice), Frontier City amusement park, White Water theme park, my pool (at least 10 times), Sumo Hibachi Resturant, Chili's, Baskin Robbins, Target, Wal Mart and all kinds of little places in between. For the most part the kids were to busy to cause much of a ruckus but I am tired, TIRED (and sunburned). So I'll leave you with this............ cause I gotta go to work tomorrow!

Show Us Your House Friday's - Bathrooms

2009-06-11T23:35:00.010-05:00

Well, its been a crazy busy past few weeks and I am trying to get caught up. I am about caught up on my blog readings and excited to be able to participate in this weeks show us where you live that Kelly over at Kelly's Korner so kindly created! This week is bathrooms. I am posting photos of my bathroom, with a few photos of my daughters room since I missed it. No words (okay maybe just a few), just glimpses this time into our home!

We have two bathrooms in our house, one is under construction and is basically marble, stemwall, painting hardware and that's sub-floor - this is the other one. There's one in the guest house/apartment - you saw it before. The main one by the living room in the house is what i am showing - it's tiny like things were in the 1930's, but doable. :)

Next to the sink

Our Vanity and pedastel sink - we're having the top covered with marble.

Love this rug - it's from India - and awesome!

Horrible pic of wall decor next to tolie

Mirror from Lance's Great Grandmother

Gift from Mother in Law - hangs over towel rack

Towels............. Need new ones.............

The Chosen Childs Room.... Miss Teen "Thang"

Her most prized possession......

The bottom one says Dream

Rock Bank Anyone? I purchased matching wicker baskets to go on the shelves and under part of her hutch. The smaller ones you can see here, hold DS games, microphone for Rock Band, guitar pics, remote controls, etc. The ones below hold all the games for Wii & Xbox and all her movies. Books go on bookshelves in closet. The Blue Guitar here, is actually a drink holder, purchased in Vegas to carry around the neck with a straw sticking out - does that ROCK or what!

Second most prized possession - no not the bed, the computer in the corner. She's awesome - she's writing a book and it's amazing to see her talent.

The weird flash one, gives a better idea of the color of the walls since it's not as washed out as my flash makes the others washed out. There's a gathering of pictures on this wall and there are more at the entry to the room, however that photo turned out bad sorry!

Thanks for visiting!

Bad, Bad Girl

2009-06-11T22:41:00.010-05:00

I am a member of the Junior League of OKC. It's an organization of women who come together create projects, fundraise and provide volunteer services through the OKC Metro. For the most part, our time together is spent working on a project, volunteering, preparing for an event or project or having a drink after the fact. Tonight however, was one of our random fun girls nights with wine, finger foods, friendship and jewelry. It's a great thing to hang out in a beautiful home, with a belly full of catered food and good wine, trying on one of a kind pieces of jewelry - it definately sets the atmosphere to shop! I was bad, very bad, very very bad. I purchased the two pieces below. These semi-precious gem & natural stone pieces were created by a up and coming Brazilian Designer Juliana Tanenbaum, her website is http://www.jvtbrazilianjewelry.com/Collections.html

I hope you enjoy it as much as I obviously did!

Tourmaline Ring (I think)

Titanite & Onyx an Stone Earrings.

To Be 13 again.............

2009-06-08T22:14:00.007-05:00

It's often come to my attention that most of the blogs I read are either newlyweds, still what I would consider newly married without kids, new parents, parents of toddlers or parents of young children (ya know 4 through 8). It cracks me up because I am the parent of a 13 year old. I often get the "you're one of those" looks when I introduce my daugther to someone who doesn't know us, our history or about our lives. I am barely sticking my toes in the waters of my 30's and my beautiful girl is about to be 13. (I know you're doing the math right now). Anyway - since most of my bloggy friends have kids of the younger variety, I thought I'd give you a glimpse of what's to come. :) This was my baby girl when Mr. Fix It and I were newly married......

This is her now.................

This Saturday I got up at the crack of dawn to take my daughter to Tulsa (about 1hr & 30 min away) to pick up her friend to spend the night. It was a HUGE deal that her friend got to come all the way to the city to have a sleep over (but that story is for a later time). We left OKC about 8am to get to her house by 10am and then ran to Heberts Meats in Tulsa for some beignets. (My friend Katie bloggged about it at her blog http://tulsadetails.blogspot.com/) and OMG it was everything she said it was. We had a pile of perfectly fluffy and powered sugery beignets. I had some chichory (sp?)coffee, bought too many cajun groceries, then we were off, back to Oklahoma City. We met up with two additional friends and took off to Frontier City. FOR.8.HOURS - Seriously 8 HOURS

This is us at the beginning of the day................... all nice and tidy and put together........

This is them mid day....... the professional pictures are so much better than mine........

This is after the last roller coaster of the night............ but the night wasn't over!

After our amusement part fun, we headed to house for the kids to "rock band" for a while and watch a scary movie............ We finally ended the night with me meeting the boys mom at a McDonalds around 1am. Truly it was so much fun. Parenthood is so different at 13 than it was at 3, or 6, or even 10. There are so many more concerns of a such a larger magnitude at that age and so many more reasons to be involved. Of course, how cool am I that I can kick all of their arses at Rock Band!!!!

I'll be posting Life with a Teen more often, sharing some of the funnier sides of my relationship with my little now big girl. Our relationship is amazing, it's always evolving and beyond description and maybe, just maybe, I might have a few nuggets of wisdom that you can use in the future - be trust me, they grow up too fast!

Yeah - I've been tagged!!!!!!!!!!

2009-06-04T15:22:00.003-05:00

My friend Katie, over at Some Kind of Ride http://somekindofride1.blogspot.com/ tagged me with the 8 things list.......... I'm so excited to be "tagged"! So here's goes my 8 things.

8 Things I am Looking Forward To.......

1. Taking my chosen child, her friend B and two of her guy friends D & C to Frontier City this Saturday - it's so fun to watch her grow up and make her way into this world...........
2. Our vacation to Florida this summer... We typically go on two vacations - skiing and sunning - I sooo prefer the "sunning" one. (bathing suit aside of course)
3. Sunday afternoon Brisket Barbeque - my girls are coming over on Sunday for some R&R, pool-side sun and I get to cook a great meal!
4. Pilates - sadistic I know, but try it - you'll like it!
5. Having the cleaning gal coming tomorrow - love it when she comes..........
6. Getting caught up on my blogs - got lotsa reading to do!
7. Getting a new set of ta-ta's - seriously, getting some smaller ones this summer! Yeah Me!
8. Getting some - period.

8 Things I did yesterday.............

1. Took a nap - one I seriously needed
2. Had sushi and beer with my girlfriends....... love'em
3. Worked, worked, worked
4. Attempted to return the movie "Taken" to Redbox - but it was broken
5. I was in a commerical for work that included dogs at a doggy daycare - fun times............
6. Drove ALL OVER OKC
7. Spent too much time taking quizzes on Facebook!!!
8. Spent too much time tagging photos on Facebook!

8 Things I wish I could do.....................

1. Lose 40 pounds
2. Go to Pilates everyday
3. Get caught up on my blog readings
4. Meet Marilyn Monroe
5. Visit Ft. Meade, Maryland and see some friends
6. Win the Lottery
7. FINISH MY HOUSE
8. Have more time in my day to live just a little more

8 Shows I watch:

1. Army Wives
2. Lost
3. Rise & Shine Oklahoma on OK43 and KFOR 10pm News
4. The Bachelor
5. Dollhouse
6. Real Housewives
7. Secret Life of the American Teenager (with my chosen one of course)
8. Fox News

8 Favorite Fruits

1. Plums
2. Strawberries
3. Canalopes
4. Grapes
5. Oranges
6. Cherries
7. Blackberries
8. Raspberries

8 Places I'd like to travel

1. Alaska
2. Ireland
3. Hawaii
4. Ft. Meade Maryland
5. Las Vegas (again)
6. Atlantis (Bahamas)
7. Paris
8. Greece

8 Places I've lived

1. El Reno, OK
2. Edmond, OK - College house
3. Edmond, OK - different apartment
4. Edmond, OK - different house
5. Oklahoma City, OK - different apartment
6. Oklahoma City, OK - different house
7. Oklahoma City, OK - different house
8. Oklahoma City, OK - permanet house

Okay, those are my 8 - here are my tags and cause I don't know how to do it the fancy way, I'm goin oldschool!

Katie - http://tulsadetails.blogspot.com/
Taryn - http://lovetaryn.blogspot.com/

Vegas Baby - Lights Camera Action..............

2009-06-02T13:27:00.016-05:00

I am so behind on my posts. I love to do Kelly's home tour, but I am behind and haven't gotten pics of my chosen childs room taken yet - um, those will have to wait until tomorrow. For now here is visual tour of our Vegas Trip with a few descriptions - cause a lot of words aren't needed. It all started innocent enough...............

With dinner at Koi - inside the Planet Hollywood Casino & Hotel......

We then headed out on the town and to Paris Casino and met ourselves some new friends: Tonya, Nick (her husband), Hot Josh, Allen and My Dave. (not My Dave literally - that's what we all call him)

I have no idea where this was taken??????????? We did a little karokee and it went down hill until 7:30am the next morning. I love Vegas!

The next day we did some serious pool side tanning, and had our massages we headed to a great resturant and walked down the street to see the new Treasure Island show.

It was great

That's me in the middle............. Aren't my friends gorgeaus! Gotta love'm!

The next day we did some serious shopping and sight seeing before our last night on the town!

And after we got back and got ready to go out, the camera got lost. The End.

What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas............. or goes on my blog........

2009-05-21T12:28:00.005-05:00

I am so excited. I sit here in the Denver Airport, with very very very little battery left writing this post. My galfriends are all on their way here to meet up with moi, then we head to Sin City. Over the past few days, we have been exchanging little tokens of excitement regarding our upcoming trip. We all have nicknames. I am "the leader" and no I didn't pick it out myself, I wasn't even there when they bestowed it upon me. My friends are: Trampy Girl, Bad Girl and Lost Girl. This recent email that went back and forth will give you and idea of what I am talking about............ The black and blue was the original email, the red is inserted below as their collective responses.

Good Mornin Darlin’s:

Well, reviewing our itinerary’s again, just goes to prove that YOU 3 SUCK! Not really, however you will be flying together ON THE SAME PLANE, drinking it up on the plane – but remember “you are with child”.

Um, hello, there will be 3 of us, 2 to distract, and 1 to pour. Tanks for figuring that out for us too bad OKC airport police won't let us bring beverages on board..... nope, not ever our very own bottle of "water"

Here it goes…………. (you might print this and take it so we know one another’s plans – I recommend deleting the blue before you do)

5/21/09 – Flight from OKC to Denver Colorado to Las Vegas

The Leader flies out at 9:30am and arrives in Denver at 10:10am (where she has a long ass lay over)

Um, why do you think we made you the 'Leader", you can use all that time being creative and planning the debauchery.. duh! :)

Trampy, Lost, Little one and Bad Girl fly out at 11:55am and arrive in Denver at 12:30pm where if we’re not on opposite sides of the airport we can gather for a drink……. Until…………..

The Leader flies out at 1:54pm and arrives in Las Vegas at 2:53pm (where she will sit and wait patiently in the baggage claim area to be “claimed” either by you girls or by some hot young bazillionaire that will battle Mr. Fix It for my heart)

Trampy, Lost and Bad Girl fly out at 2:15pm and arrive in Las Vegas at 3:10pm

Yeah, am I the only one who did the math here??? that's a grand total of 17 minutes. We are flying southwest and can sit in the front, while, you - my dear - will still be stuck on your plane waiting to get off (figuratively, you can do the literally later with that hunky bazillionaire who will have to find you by the pool) and we'll probably all meet up by the bathroom and meander to baggage claim together.

We all get on in a limo and ride off to never never land, to have a weekend of debauchery and lewd acts.

Ted's "limo" service is free. That leaves more $$ for drinking and debauchery.

Now, after we “create” our regrets, we HAVE to head home (with exception of Bad Girl, who might have new gig at the topless pool at Caesar’s with all her hotness) which explains our little excursion for good childcare by way of the outlet mall.

Well, somebody will have to bring littleone out to her.... guess we get to make another trip... better document the regrets we used so we don't duplicate on the next trip....

5/24/09 – Flight from Las Vegas to Denver (except Nonie) to OKC

Trampy and Little One and Lost fly out 10am and arrive in Denver at 12:54pm
The Leader flies out at 10:11am and arrives in Denver at 1:06pm (where she has another long ass layover all alone – oh what was that you ask? A little tear…….)

Bad Girl flies out at 12:25pm and DOES NOT GO THROUGH DENVER

Lost, Trampy and Little One fly from Denver at 1:35pm and arrive in OKC at 4:04pm
Bad Girl, flies straight from Vegas into OKC at 5:00pm
The Leader flies out from Denver at 3:50pm and arrives in OKC at 6:23pm

Our Leader needs a better travel agent... Good Job LOST!!

We all 3 will haggered, tired and bitchy, probably with one another’s items accidentally and a new tattoo or two, but secretly reliving our weekend of lewd acts and debauchery in our heads……………

(I'm in - and once she gets some booze in her, Nonie will get over her fear of pain and can finally get that skull (or whatever) painted on - gosh, oh where oh where shall she put it ???)

Remember – what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas……… Well, except for what I blog about.

Okay........... at this point you're thinking that we're all terrible, horrible, hoochie mama's and quite frankly you might be right! (Just ask Mr. Fix It) But, we are also considerate, self-less, successful women who deserve to let our hair down and have a good time and would do anything to help a girlfriend in need - including a debauchery filled weekend in Las Vegas - for you two - you know who you are!

Show Us Where You Live Fridays - Formal Dining Room

2009-05-21T08:01:00.012-05:00

Our Formal Dining Room is also our entry way. I took these photos while I was also packing for my upcoming trip to Vegas (today) so they are not so great - I was rushing. It's hard to tell in the photos, but this room has a curved ceiling. The light fixtures hanging down in the middles are a graduation gift from my hubbie from when I graduated college. The table is custom made and it's about 12 feet long soild wood - beatuiful and heavy as heck.

This flower arrangement in the middle of the table was a favorite gift from my MIL and I love it. I think it looks good with the bronze antique candleholders.

Again photos don't do it justice. I have taken photos from both sides of the room, right outside the front door and right outside the entryway into the room. We have a 1923 antique piano in the one corner, and a really tall beautiful flower arrangement right next to it in the other corner - its taller than I am.

On one wall next to the table I have matching frames (that are all uneven from dusting) with photos of me, Mr. Fix It, my Chosen Child, and ALL of my nieces and nephews. On the other side of the table I have a HUGE frame that holds probably 40-50 photos. Smack dab in the middle I take a piece of scrapbook paper and put the year in it, then I pull all the photos together from the previous year to display our memories. so for 2009, I have 2008 photos displayed. The large flower arrangment I got and market and I LOVE IT. Underneatht his huge frame is a buffet/table thing. It's folded down right now with an antique brass pail and antique milk bottle carrier on the bottom and random decorations on top. It folds up to be used as an additional table for our Thanksgivings with 40 people. :)

I also like the really big M that is scattered in with our photos, and some shots of other decoratiosn sitting around.

Next to our front door, I have a curio cabinet that Mr. Fix It got me our first Christmas as husband and wife. When in doubt, get me furniture. :) I have in there for safe keeping, all of the small details from when we got engaged in NYC (the playbill from Phantom, ticket stubs, etc.), anything that my Chosen child has done that is extra special. I also keep all the china dolls that my grandmother made for me. At the top I have all the Crystal that I have received for anniversarys and our wedding. I love getting to use it at wedding and baby showers. :)

We also have a hutch in here that is from Mr. Fix It's mom with more China and keepsakes in it.

There's so much more but so little time as I HAVE TO PACK, cause I leave to go to Vegas! Yeah. More on those escapades later.

Thanks for visiting!

It's a Bloggy Blog World or is it a Blog Eat Blog World???

2009-05-18T21:28:00.004-05:00

Someone should have warned me that it's so easy to get sucked in. Seriously, I think I am becoming addicted? Luckily it's a good addiction, if there is such a thing? Typically my mornings while getting ready include checking & responding to my email, balancing my Quicken, doing some online bill paying and all that has fallen to the way side. I have started being late for work because I can't get ready in my normal time allotted in the morning....... All because I have to read my friends blog posts and their friends blog posts, and the recommended blog posts - you get the picture! I'm lovin' it. Luckily, I don't get any grief for being late to work, unless it's to a meeting, so I have to hit the sack early tonight (meaning right after the Bachelorette eliminations). To fix my problem I rescheduled my alarm, reset my coffee pot and for the first time that I WAS NOT LEAVING TO CATCH A FLIGHT, I got up at 6:15am this morning to share my Kona coffee and sunrise with you all! We'll see how tomorrow goes, perhaps my coffee and I will join you in the morning. :)

Okay, on to more important things.............. The Bachelorette. I was not a huge Jillian fan during the most recent Bachelor. I was completely a Melissa fan. However, I liked Jillian better than Molly. Now, I see why she had so many fans. She's precious. I am not sure on the guys yet, but hopefully after next week I'll be able to pick my top 5. Off the top of my head, the memorable ones are Bryce, Kipton, David (it was so cute when he got nervous) and Wes - I don't think that Bryce will get a rose because it didn't appear that he talked much to Jillian - who knows. Mr. Fix It, obviously chose himself over them all. God I love that man!

It's a Wonderful Kind of Weary

2009-05-17T20:07:00.004-05:00

After an emotionally exhausting day yesterday, I decided today should be a physically exhausting one by knock somethings off my "home" to do list today. We have a pool. It should be open. We have had a month of rainy days. It's still green. Today however, was bright, sunny, hot and a perfect day to bust my butt outside. Tylar, my niece, decided to spend the night last night, so she, Lauren and I headed out early to Lowes to drop some serious dime on some flowers and shurbbery to plant. Once arriving home, I started getting those flowers in their pots while the girls started pulling "anything green" from the rock path we have leading down to the pool. I moved on to trimming back the Wisteria on our little pool building, cutting down bamboo growing in all the wrong spots and pulling any weeds in the little flower bed. The girls decided, A. it was hot, and B. Rock Band would be so much more fun, so they headed to the house to rock the roof off. I moved on to start shoveling the piles of dirt and leaves and brush that gather around the tables, chairs, and other furnishings we have sitting around into the trash, then moved on to the area by our back door. I planted more flowers, planted new herbs, cleaned up branches, pulled weeds, and then weeded with the weed eater (sp?) around the front flower beds, front door and pool area. That was a new one. This all leads to tired, sore, ACCOMPLISHED muscles. Even if our task is only half done - it's half done!!! To treat ourselves for our hardwork (the girls took a music break every now and again to come help) we went and had this done..................

After a day of work, what could be better than sitting back in a chair and having someone rub your feet, buff your toes and paint them alittle on the wild (but still weary) side. :) Next weekend, I am thinking a massage!

101 1/2 Years of Love

2009-05-16T23:35:00.009-05:00

Today, when we rode into town, it was raining and it was fitting. Today, we were laying to rest my Great Aunt Edith. She was an amazing 101 and half years old. Aunt Edith is the kind of woman you don't find anymore. Just to give you some examples:

My Aunt, as an infant crossed Oklahoma, from Arkansas to New Mexico in a covered wagon that was made by her father and grandfather..............

My Aunt, saved her niece from a dirty laundry basket of sheets shortly after her birth in the Hobert Hospital when she came to visit and they couldn't find the baby and she never backed down that she knew the baby had been born and was there somewhere and she was right...........

My Aunt, would drive cross county where ever when ever she pleased no matter the time of day or night to sit with a family member who was dying, so they would not be alone........................

My Aunt, gambled and drank "orange juice & tomato juice"(until her baby brother told her to slow down there is liquor in that) with brothers and sisters in Las Vegas in her twilight years that most seniors spend in their comfortable chairs at home

My Aunt, maintained every family members grave in and around the Hobert and Clinton area for years.............................

My Aunt, after her husband passed, and her son passed at a young age, adopted her son George, Her Chosen Child, at the age of 50, raised him alone and did an amazing job. Her prayers were to stay alive to see her son graduate highschool, then college, then to marry, then to see her grandchildren born. Our Father answered her prayers and gave her so much more.................

My Aunt, rode a motorcycle at age 100.................

My Aunt, celebrated 101 years cruising on the high seas still able to pull a slot machine..............

My Aunt, in her 90's counseled with her best girl friend about meeting a man on line

My Aunt, continued to remember her entire family with a birthday card every year to every family member without fault. I have received 32 birthday cards from my Aunt, every December, since birth.

My Aunt - was the original "Modern Day Woman"............ Godspeed Aunt Edith

Just so you know, when the day was done and we were headed back home........ the rain was gone, the clouds had passed and we had a day full of sunshine family and love.

Show Us Where You Live Fridays - Guest Room/House

2009-05-14T21:40:00.017-05:00

This week Kelly's Show Us Where You Live Fridays is all about guest rooms. We have a tiny little guest room in the big house, but we have a Guest House or Guest Apartment as well. I posted them both here, the big house first, the guest house directly below. As I mentioned before we are in the process of renovating our house. This is the only room in our house that we do not have a "project" going on currently. We actually haven't touched it since moving the furnishings in. It's kind of an old timey room with furniture that was inherited and both of our grandmothers old quilts.

This is the smallest room in our house. It's only enough room for a bed, dresser, quilt rack and possible a vanity (but that's in the master bedroom right now). The bed and dresser are from Mr. Fix It's grandmother and we received it when she passed. It was the bed he slept in as a boy during sleepover's at grandmas house.

Eventually this room will be "Tiffany" Blue, Turquiose Blue and Espresso brown - sounds terrible but looks great - promise! The last picture of my kitchen post are some the decorations I have already purchased in anticipation of this project. :)

GUEST HOUSE BELOW...............

Now, we are renovating an old estate. So we actually have a 1200 square foot guest house/apartment that guests normally stay in. Unless it's my nieces and nephews or a friend of my daughters, most guests (week long, month long, year long or however long) enjoy staying in the guest house. It's got their own bathroom, kitchen, living room - you get the picture. I tell Mr. Fix It that when we're old and retired, if our house is EVER finished we could open and bed and breakfast! I have posted pics of the guest house too, since it's where most company stays........

Living Room

North wall living room (with 2 of my 5 boxer babies helping me photograph)

Horizontal North wall - Aren't the windows AWESOME, great for dogs to, since its upstairs the dogs are up next to the trees. The squirrels and birds running on the branches right next to the window drive them crazy - makes me laugh!!!

Southwall - Living Room - still looking for a couple chairs. A lot of our guests actually like to sleep on this couch. It's from Mr. Fix It's Bachelor days and it's super duper comfy. You can't tell in the photo but it's about 8ft long.

Southwall - Living Room with a TV, DVD Player, VHS Player Movies, Books and Games. I am sure someday my daughter will want to turn this place into her "hang out".

South wall again, just bought a table to go here, still looking for chairs. I haven't gotten the movers to come bring the new furniture up here yet, (I don't do moving furniture up stairs - burned myself out in college) so just envision a black pedastal table and a new big black desk to push up against that north wall ya saw earlier. The living area is open to the kitchen area.

Kitchen faces the west when cooking. It's got all the pots, pans and dishes a girl could ask for. What can I say, I love to cook and can't imagine not being prepared to do so. We also stock up on pop, bottled water, coffee, creamer etc. for our guest to enjoy when they come.

Sink and work space. This place is still under deco-struction. I think I am going to do roosters in this kitchen??? Thoughts????

Looking east from Living Room into Kitchen

This is one of the two bedrooms we have in the guest house. It's really large but there's not much furniture so I just took photos of what we currently have in there. It to is decor challenged. :)

The second bedroom of the guest house has been turned into our workout area, while the other work out area is under construction. (NO, I did not paint it this bright blue, one of my year long guests did while they lived here)

You can't see it in the photos but Mr. Fix It, installed a huge mirror like you see in gyms on the North wall. It's VERY motivating to make me get on that treadmill and make it to my pilates classes. :)

The last room of our Guest place is the little bathroom. It's got a full bath and small vanity. I try to keep the little basket stocked with toothpaste, make up remover, shampoo, lotions, etc. You get the picture. I try to keep it stocked up for guests, esp. since we don't always know they are coming.

Weird piece of art - something about the delicate balance of life (yes, it's art & yes, it's real) that is signed by the author. My brother in law got it for Mr. Fix It wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy before we were married. It looks okay with the shower curtain though.

Sometimes we have a overnight guest who may have forgotten their toothpaste and I try to be prepared, but some people find themselves here at a crossroads in their life, a place to stop, sleep and breath and not worry about what tomorrow brings or where it will take them. It's for those, that I've tried to make this a home away from home.

I hope that you've enjoyed my little guest room, and our guest house. Keep in mind - vistors get a homecooked breakfast too - but ya gotta come down to the big house for that!

Be Blessed!

Step -Fabulous

Mothers Day Weekend

2009-05-14T09:18:00.004-05:00

This woman is so special to me. She is my 80+ year old grandma, affectionately called by all "MeMaw". She has 4 children, 18 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, with more on the way. This past weekend for Mother's Day weekend, my mom and I loaded up Mr. Fix It's truck to head to "nowhere" Texas and build a deck roof for her so that she'd be able to sit out on her deck and enjoy her flowers and view without having to worry about the heat and the sun. It was such a special weekend. Almost my entire family showed up - even the little ones came to keep us entertained!

We laughed, hammered, pounded, installed a new airconditioner, installed a new dryer, put up a fence for Memaws babies (Peanut & Sandy) and finished a deck roof - all in 2 days. It was a deliciously tiring weekend. I relish the time I get to spend with my grandmother. The big meals shared with our family, the family recipes that come out of hiding and take forever to make. Sorting through old photos of both my mom and memaw when they were my age and younger. There are not enough words to describe how special my Memaw is. Thanks for your help: Mom, Kyleigh, Coleman, Jamie, Ty, Randy, Jana, Gene, Vickie, Pam, Cole, Mandy, Mark, & Christie and anyone else who I have forgotten. Word has it we've created a "monster" that never wants to go inside her house anymore! What a joy it is, to share joy with others!

Show Us Where You Live Friday's

2009-05-08T15:03:00.017-05:00

I am new to the blogging world, so I don't know HOW this is going to turn out - but I'll do my best. :) If someone knows an easier way to put pictures on here with the text in the middle please let me know - this took FOREVER!!!!

Kelly at KellysKornerblog.com came up with a great idea to show fellow blogging friends one anothers homes. I have truly enjoyed getting great decorating ideas. I missed posting my kitchen - so I am going to do today's catagory "living rooms" and then below do my kitchen since I missed out on that one and it's MY FAVORITE room in our house. Aside from the living room (or den as we sometimes call it) it's our gathering place - which makes it extra special.

Let me start with a little history - our house was built in the late 1920's so it's often in need of repairs (large & small) and we have spent our entire marriage (almost 10 years) rennovating it. We've gone pretty much room by room and take turns with an "indoor project" and "outdoor project". Somewhere along the way (prior to our ownership) it became an estate that has 4 different buildings on our 4 acres. Our house, an apartment with the main laundry room, garage and work shop, a little workout/greenhouse building and the pool hut (which we added). Some are finished, others are not and some we just can't agree on what we want to put where. :) Yes, my husband likes to have input on how we decorate our home. :) So here it goes (keep in mind I am NOT the best photographer):

This is our den. It's much bigger than it looks but I can only get portion of it with my camera. I am still in need of two more chairs to go across from the big big chair on the side of the couch (and while visiting a client today - I found exactly what I had been looking for!)

This is a sewing machine & stand that "Mr. Fix It" inherited from his grandmother when she passed at 91 years old. He is the only grandchild who had ever asked about it and found out that this is the gift his grandfather gave his grandmother for their first anniverary of the their marriage. Because of his curiosity he was the one who inherited this family treasure. What an amazing thing to have to in our home. It's a symbol for us of the lifelong commitment a marriage is.There is a lot of storage and shelving in this room. The shelving area is not painted my favorite color of green, but we have this wood burning stove & marble background that is has to match

Next to the wood burning stove we have an antique preachers stand, framed photos from 3 different family vacations, and a projector TV/bay window. It's great because we can hid our TV if we want to or pull it down for those big fabulous OU GAMES - BOOMER SOONER!

The walls look horrible in photographs because they have the "candling" affect done to them to shimmer in lights, obviously not meant to Rebel XT 5000 Flash lights. So excuse the crazy walls. This is a buffet and table that we received from my mother in law that she had when she was married. It's not permanetly here. I would like to get a large 60-70" round table to go here, but have yet to find the one of my dreams. The pretty flower arranments on the wall behind the table are a pride & joy of mine because I made them myself! Thought I'd give you a close up! The rest is just photos of some of the shelving (if I showed it all I'd be here all day) and decoration from our den. :)

I hope you felt welcome in my home!

Here's my kitchen - just photos - no details, except that aside from my beautiful daughter - this double stove & oven is my pride and joy.........

How blessed am I

2009-05-06T16:50:00.004-05:00

A week ago, my husband and I traveled to Tulsa to watch my precious daughter play the Cello in her Orchestra Concert. I am always amazed at the precious gift our Lord granted me with this man I married. She is so responsible, mature, smart and beautiful - inside and out. I am so proud and wanted to share my proud "mom" moment. She is such a gracious young woman.

Sadly, she becomes very nervous when her BM and our family is in the same room & with very good reason. We decided for her sake to leave after her performance so she would not be stressed, be in the middle of a "situation" and to allow her to enjoy her special evening. I understand that it's OUR right to be there, but it's HER right to enjoy the limelight. I so hope she did.........

Day - Two & Three

2009-04-30T09:48:00.002-05:00

Getting in shape and losing weight is hard to do!

I am posting to follow up on Day's 1, 2, and 3. I have been fairly sucessful.

Day 1 was great - easy as pie, 45 minutes on the treadmill, a healthy breakfast lunch and dinner - Yeah Me!

Day 2 - was very hard because we drove to Tulsa (about an hour and half away) to see my beautiful daughter play the cello at her orchestra concert. (More on that later) That kind of round trip, trip - requires eating out. We joined my mother in law and uncle in law for a very nice dinner at Copelands - and I was bad - but I had been good up to that point. We didn't make it home until midnight - so no treadmill time!

Day 3 - It's amazing, I hear myself talk about how to lose weight and I KNOW HOW, now I just need to practice on my follow through and DO IT!!! Some of my friends have joined me in my battle against the bluge. When one got down on gaining 5 pounds (even though she's eating healthy) we talked about how it takes cardio and she wasn't eating ENOUGH so her body was storing what she was eating. Now I need to listen to my own advice. I knew that Mr. Fix It and I had dinner plans with a dear friend so I was super duper careful not to eat bad during the day. Then I rewarded myself with my favorite dinner (modified) when we went to the resturant. Once home, I hopped on the treadmill to hash out a 30 minute cardio walk with weights. Go Me!

See, I am improving on my follow through - now I have to get back to pilates!

Follow Through

2009-04-27T10:06:00.003-05:00

Follow Through is one of my not-so-strong subjects. I have approximately 4 weeks before i fly into the great blue yonder with my 3 girl friends to Las Vegas! This was supposed to be posted on April 6th - my public humilation to motiviate me into getting in shape - here it goes.......... posted in blue - cause my body matched this post - black & blue..........

Angie preparing for Vegas Trip - Day 1 (April 6th, 2009)

Since my 3 soul sista's are planning on embarassing me in Las Vegas in a mere 7 weeks (by forcing me to go to the resort pool in a bathing suit - gasp!) I have been trying to lose weight, tan and tone up this rolly polly body of mine.

Day 1 -

5:00am - get out of bed at this UNGODLY hour to head to "Bikini Boot Camp" (Seriously - not a chance I am wearing a bikini, I am no where near that brave but I invested heavily into 2 one pieces last year that I might be able to plaster myself into AND I figure all those size 2's & 4's that have NO NEED to be at Bikini Boot Camp, will motivate me towards my 1 pieces)

5:15am - arrive at Fit For Her, and seriously shock the hell out of my personal trainer "Jesse" who I adore.....and tell her to please be nice as she knows I am out of shape

5:30am - class begins and I am doing great, a few jumping jacks, and few squats, WTF - you want me to do pushups! ARE.YOU.KIDDING!!!!!!

5:40a - class continues, I have made it through 50 jumping jacks, and 30 push ups (yes Girlie Style) and some other exercises I cannot pronouce that include 6 pound weights in.each.hand.................

5:45am - class continues, have successfully completed half the amount of crunches I was supposed to but can't remember any of the additional exercises, clock is moving too slow, heart is beating out of my chest, my hair is on fire, my face and stomach are going to be bruised from bouncing boobs

5:50am - class continues, I don't want to remember any of the additional exercises - I say F)*&, bitch, whore and no longer "adore" Jesse the bitch of a personal trainer

6:00am - class continues, I can no longer see any of the exercises, my face is green and my vision is blurring, I keep on trying at my "modified" pace

6:05am - class continues, I can't see, hear or cuss, my face is white, my vision blurred and I realize I am about to go down, or something is about to come up

6:10am - class stops to watch my fat ass run out of the "aerobics torchure chamber" to the restroom so I don't throw up all over their new foam fancy ass kicking floor.

6:15am - class ends, I lay in the bathroom with my feet in the air, a cold compress on my head and start to remember my name.......... my weight - not so much............ I now get to pick my own numbers.

6:20am - class is over, Jesse the whore trainer comes to check on me and asks if I ate breakfast - at.5.a.m.in.the.f'n.morning.r.u.kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO! She points out that it's not so much that i am really out of shape, but it's that I am borderline diabectic (never should have told the bitch) and my blood suger plummeted which causes me to get sick and almost pass out. Jesse "otherwise known as miss size 4 and perfect" then reminds me to eat before next Monday's 5:30am class. WHATEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really, I know I will go, because of all the things I know I am and of all the things I know I am not, i know deep within my bones and now sore muscles..........................

I AM WAY TO F"IN VAIN FOR MY OWN GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 2 - Pilates - to be continued.....................

So, lemme just tell ya, Day 2, I did pilates, it hurt and I never posted it cause I could hardly lift my fingers to the keyboard, much less type. Seriously, every step I took it was, winch, step, spasm, say ouch............. So now I am back on the Wagon and today is the new Day 1 (with only 24 days to take off 20 pounds). Seriously, this time - I can do it.

Good Times.....................

2009-03-29T20:18:00.004-05:00

Today I got to enjoy two of my favorite hobbies. Shopping with girlfriends and finishing a good book. I just finished the new Jodi Picoult book and I loved it. Both things today reminded me so much of the similarities between my mother and I. While shopping I was talking on the phone with her and when she found out what store I was out asked me to pick up some chocolate almonds for her and for my grandmother. UBETCHA!!! I love chocolate almonds, I mean LUV them! She hated to ask me to get them because she knows they are my fave's and I am on a diet.............. Sad Face (because I am going to Vegas in May with the same girlfriends Happy Face). Since they are hard to find, I picked up several bags for both my mom and grandma then proceeded to eat half a bag while I was doing my other favorite pasttime - reading. I just got the book "Handle With Care" Friday night, started it on Saturday and finished it today. This is another similarity between my mom and I. We both love to read, typically the same authors and can finish a book in a day to 24 hours. Those similarities make me wonder what parts of me will be carried on to my children. Will they be 4th generation chocolate almond lovers? My daughter loves to read, it's a passion I hope she never outgrows. What similarities have you passed on to your children or chosen children?

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not............

2009-03-27T19:35:00.005-05:00

Remember the “love” game when we were young – pulling petals off a flower, he loves me, he loves me not? He Loves Me. I know my husband loves me and he reminded me just how much today. We have a house that was built in 1929 and we have been renovating the inside our entire marriage. Aside from my husband putting in a pool prior to our marriage, we have not done much outside. Just last summer, I spent an unbelievable amount of time and energy moving a flower bed and switching out annual flowers for perennial flowers both around our house and in the bazillon flower pots around our pool & house. I did all the research, prepared the beds, and did all the work. Although I didn’t get all of my flowers changed out, a pretty significant chunk of my flowers are green and in bloom and look f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s. Well……………….. We now have a huge winter blizzard heading right at us with anything from 2 to 8 inches of ice and snow. In a panic as it dropped to 34 degrees, I rushed home from work to protect my flowers, in freezing cold, sleeting and deteriorating weather. I realized that more than a few trash bags were going to be necessary so I went out intent on attacking our mulch pile to help secure my “smelly goods” future. A few minutes later layered in winter clothes and leather gloves, my husband followed to help me. My sweet husband, drove his tractor in the rain, slaved away in the sleet and snow in now 32 degree weather to help me preserve my pretty flowers and my hard work. Without being asked, without being nagged, just simply because……………… He Loves Me

"A CHOSEN CHILD"

2009-03-22T22:24:00.002-05:00

When you marry someone with a child, you're not marrying a spouse, you are marrying into a family. An existing family with traditions, ideals, schedules, methods for doing things - you get the picture - a family that you have to maneuver your way into and around. I married someone with a child. A man who had never been married and from a short indiscretion created a wonderful girl. My daughter was 18 months old when we met, 2 1/2 years old when I married her father. She's a beautiful and wonderful girl that I cannot picture my life without. My husband and I will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary this summer, it's not just a celebration of our love and marriage it's a celebration of our little family.