Happy New Year!!!

So, here I am again. I slipped on this whole blog thingy ... again ... but I'm determined to make this work and try one more time!!!

The New Year is upon us, and for me, it seems particularly significant because in less than two months, I'll be thirty years old. This is my thirtieth year of existence ... WOW!!! Its hard to believe I've made it this far; it sure has been one hell of a ride!

My upcoming birthday doesn't scare me as it really is just a number and I really don't feel old (most days). It does, however, inspire me. Over the past couple of days, I've been looking back through the years to see what I've done, what I've accomplished, and working on a list of what I'd like to work on. I've reread my original blog posts and still agree with them. I've also realized that I need to do this now!!!

So, here is my list for 2009 ... I'm sure I'll be editing this to add or clarify things. Call it what you want, resolutions, goals, objectives ... whatever ... I'm calling it 'My List'!

• Eat healthier foods more consistently.
• Exercise at least 5 times per week.
• Start running again.
  
• Eat dinner at the table with the TV off at least 5 nights a week.
  
• Become more 'green' at home.
• Work towards becoming more 'green' at work.
• Devote at least 1 hour every day to family time.
• Devote at least 2 hours every day to school work.
• Learn yoga.
• Paint my nails at least once a week.
• Have a date with my hubby at least once a month.
• Have a family day trip to somewhere we've never been or a favorite place at least a month.

I'm trying really hard to keep this list realistic. Notice, I didn't write 'run a marathon'; although I'd like to start running again, I know that a marathon is an unattainable goal for 2009, so we'll focus on the running part for now and maybe the marathon will make it to 2010's list! Baby steps! LOL

I think my list fits me and what I want to accomplish this year. I can see that all of these are 100% attainable, and more importantly for me, they're all measurable. (Yay ... I feel a spreadsheet coming on!!!! LOL I'm such a dork!!!) Most importantly, these are the things that I feel will make me happier with me!!!

A Week in My Life, Fall Edition, Day 5

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

I'm really enjoying this blog thingy! Just a random thought! LOL

Got up this morning, showered and dressed as usual. Bubba scared the crap out of me, which is always interesting first thing in the morning! Noodle was fairly well behaved while I was getting her dressed. We've come to an understanding, Noodle and I. The other day when I was getting her dressed, Monday maybe?, she told me she doesn't like me when I holler at her. And, I told her I only holler at her when she doesn't listen, and I don't like her very much when she's like that. Our mornings have been increasingly better since this conversation took place; now, when she's not listening to me, all I have to say is "do you want me to holler at you?" and she straightens her pretty little butt right up!

Work was soooooo boring. It just dragged on and on and on and on today for some reason. I went to MV's granddad's viewing for a little bit, but those things are never fun. On the way there, I ran into T and N and N promised me a green hoodie!!! On the way back, I was being tailgated by D in his dump truck, who then proceeded to call me and tease me about skipping out on work! I so love my friends!!! Dobber was in a meeting all morning ... maybe that's why I was so bored ... no-one to text with?

After work, I went to M and T's house to to check on M. He's been worrying me. A lot. I hope I'm being a good friend. He's always telling me how much he appreciates what I do for him, and that I'm the only one who listens to him without yelling back. I wish there was something more I could do.

Tonight was the chicken barbecue dinner at the Methodist Church here in town. I had bought tickets last week, and I'm so glad I remembered to pick the dinners up! The chicken was awesome ... I love chicken barbecues! It came with salad, applesauce and a roll, and everything was really good, but I was secretly wishing for green beans!

During dinner, we watched What Happens in Vegas again ... hilarious! And then, it was 2 episodes of Ghost Hunters before I passed out. Dobber says I was asleep at 8, but I think it was more like 9. I was so exhausted all day yesterday, so I needed a good nights sleep. Noodle is in love with Grant from Ghost Hunters and she actually sits still and is quiet while the show is on! Dobber wants to take her to Millington with us on Friday, but I'm not sure she's ready for all that!

A Week in My Life, Fall Edition, Day 4

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Today was more of the same ... the weekdays typically are. Got up, showered and ... get this!!! ... even had time to straighten my hair!!! Got the kids up and out the door and off to work I went. I still trying to figure out why my mother-in-law tries to have an engaging conversation with me at 7AM ... she knows I'm not going to be nice that early in the morning! LOL

Work was ... well, it was work. I was able to get November's schedule pretty well wrapped up, which is amazing ... it only took me 2 days this month! Nothing out of the ordinary really happened, mostly chatted with J and C throughout the day. I brought in some leftover jambalaya for lunch and everyone loved it! Maybe I should consider culinary school next. Nah ... then I'd have to cut the heads off of fish! LOL

Tuesday nights are devoted to Noodle and gymnastics. I come home from work, fully prepared to have to argue with her to get dressed and ready, all the while having to argue with Bubba to do his homework, and what does my daughter demand? Cookies. Yup, cookies. And not those silly cookies you buy in a bag at the grocery store. Not the box of decorated Halloween cookies sitting on the counter that she conned her father into purchasing last week. Oh no, we had to make ... and get this ... homemade cookies. Now. Before gymnastics. So, being the wonderfully devoted mother and domestic diva that I am (read: not wanting to have to fight with my 4 year old) I whipped up a quick batch of cream cheese cookies and everyone was happy.

While our cookies were baking, I was able to get Noodle dressed for the gym, with a little help from Dobber, and then started preparing dinner so I could cook as soon as I got back home. Dobber doesn't cook. Period. The children, the fire department and I all prefer that he doesn't! Stoves are expensive! I asked him to peel potatoes for the hash browns. OH ... MY ... GOD!!!!! You would have thought I'd asked him to split an atom. He says, "You know, I'm doing a lot more than normal around here." Excuse me? Say what? Yes dear, I asked you to peel me 6 potatoes for dinner (I peeled half of them myself). I know, I shouldn't burden you with unnecessary chores like, oh, I don't know, feeding your children.

So, being the rational person that I am, I started crying and told him fine, don't touch another freaking potato, get out of my kitchen and take Noodle to the gym. his response, "Can't. I'm covered in hydraulic oil." Aaaahhhhhhhh ... I really do love him and he is really good for us, but I swear!!!

After the gym, and 8 chapters in my new novel, I came home and fixed dinner. Originally, dinner was going to be sausage, hash browns and scrambled eggs. (I was in a breakfast food mood!!!) But, by the time I got around to cooking, it turned into hash browns, sausage and sausage gravy. Noodle had a hotdog and ice cream (yeah, I really need to get back to healthy cooking, I know!) and soon after passed out with her gym clothes on. We let her sleep ... it was nice and quiet! About 9ish, I went to bed and had settled in nicely with my book. It was then that Dobber came in and asked where the eggs where? I told him the refrigerator and rolled over! LOL

Every Woman Should Have...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra

Aside from the bra, and it isn't lace, just black, I don't have these items. Dobber has a rather large tooldbox in the garage that contains, among hundreds of other things, the screwdrivers and I'm pretty sure the cordless drive is over in the sky basement. I do however have a very bright Home Depot credit card, so, in theory, I could purchase these items if I should ever need them. Does that count?

Oh, and I have a multi-tool in the center console of my truck! I use it mostly to take the antenna off at the car wash! LOL

A Week in My Life, Fall Edition, Day 3

Monday, October 20, 2008

Uuuuggggghhhhhh! I HATE MONDAYS!!! LOL It was nice and cold in the bedroom when the the alarm went off, and it was nice and warm under the covers with my Dobber! It was so hard to get up ... these are the days that I wish we were independently wealthy and I could sleep in!!! I did manage to roll out from under the comforter and drag my butt into the shower. I've got to call the doctors this morning; the cyst that I had rupture a few weeks ago opened itself up again last night and I'm so much pain I can barely stand it. I guess I'm due for another round of antibiotics. The kids were fairly well behaved this morning, which was a complete shock! I guess they got plenty of downtime and rest on our lazy day yesterday!

Bubba was not happy when I woke him up 15 minutes early so he could go search for the dog's collar and leash, but oh well! I don't think he'll be pulling that stunt again!

Work was blah! I really hope things start picking up a bit in the office. Thank God this week I have very little homework, just a midterm exam in accounting and an essay in my English class. I *should* be able to get all caught up. I was able to do a little bit of research for my essay, and hopefully will be able to get that done at football tonight.

Rushed home from work at 4 to get Bubba ready for football practice. There's some good, quality family fun for you! I don't understand what in the world possesses my child to think that when its as cold as it is outside, he doesn't need to wear a long sleeve shirt or jacket when he goes out. We have a rule at home ... if Mama is wearing shoes, you need to be bundled up to go out! Period! No exceptions! I hate wearing shoes, but I also hate for my feet to get cold; I've been wearing shoes instead of flipflops since Saturday. After telling my dear son I know at least 15 times, he finally broke down and found himself a hoodie.

All four of us loaded up in the truck and went to the in-law's new house before practice to see the work done on their hardwood floors. Such a mess, and oh, the smell! Nothing like fresh varnish that has been closed up in a house all day!!!!! I don't know what they're going to do about the flooring situation, and I don't know that there is even a reasonable solution to the problem. I'm having a hard time mentally reminding myself that it isn't my problem, that I gave my thoughts and advice and now I just need to let it go. But I won't ... its been bothering me all morning!

I left Dobber and Noodle there and Bubba and I made our way to Q-town for practice. I took all of my text books, laptop and notes with me with the hopes of having a productive night. Yeah, that didn't happen! I played Solitaire and Maijong (sp?) on the laptop for the first hour, and then found my friends that don't hate me and gossipped for the second hour! We had some very interesting conversation about prison. Wow! LOL K and G are hilarious and G's husband B, well I'm pretty sure he's completely lost it!!!

I made it back to Bubba's practice field with about 15 minutes to spare, I was completely frozen, and one of the mean moms decided to speak to me! At first I was a little excited about this breakthrough, but my excitement was soon diminished when I realized that I'm pretty sure she was criticizing my parenting. I'm sorry that I don't feel the need to be stuck up my son's ass for the 2+ hours of practice every night. I'm sorry that I trust my son and want to give him some freedom and independence. I'm sorry that I don't have the time or the energy to sit with you mean moms and pretend it doesn't bother me when you completely snub me. I'm sorry your life is that dull and that you are so insecure with your own marriage and parenting skills that you feel the need to criticize me and mine. I hope you have enough money for all the therapy your kids are gonna need!

After leaving the mean moms, we made our way out. I winked at one particular husband on my way out, you know, just to piss his wife off! LOL I'm so bad!!!!! Bubba and I had a nice conversation on the way home. Got home, heated up leftovers for supper, baths and bed.

Oh, and I finished the novel!!! M ... I'll PM you the name and everything when I get home tonight!!!

A Week in My Life, Fall Edition, Day 2

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Thankfully, today was a lot less eventful than yesterday, but then again, Sundays typically are. It was cold, and I was still slightly frozen from last night's football game, so I decided to stay in. Both kidlets were surprisingly well behaved, I think they were pretty well worn out from the week.

Dobber and I got to sleep in and have some nice cuddle time this morning! Noodle woke us up about 8 because Willow was in her room (oh, the horror!), so I sent her in to wake Bubba up! Let's just say he was less than thrilled! LOL He put the doggies out in the pen, and we closed our bedroom door and told them both we weren't to be bothered until at least 9:30. We really needed this time together ... just the 2 of us ... no Bubba ... no Noodle ... no Willow ... no Buffy ... just KD and Dobber!

Once we were up and moving, Dobber balanced the checkbook and started some laundry. Contrary to popular belief (my post from yesterday didn't go over very well with him!!!! LOL) he does do quite a bit around the house. That was the deal we made when I re-entered the workforce 3 years ago ... he would have to pick up some slack around here because I wasn't going to do it all ... and he's done rather nicely. We have a good balance, and for the most part, it works well for us. Then, I sent him to Safeway with the list that I made yesterday but was never able to get around to.

I settled in for my lazy day in bed with plenty of homework to keep me company. Two accounting and two English assignments ... I really need to devote more time to my studies during the week. I read the first chapter of my accounting text and got most of the first assignment done when I was interrupted by the phone. It was H and we were having a really nice conversation, so while on the phone, I multi-tasked by browning the sausage, ham and chicken for the jambalaya. By the time I was done with the call, Dobber was home from the store and the meat was almost finished. I cut up my peppers and onions, got everything going in the pot, and left it to simmer on the stove. Dobber had gone to his mom's new house to help move some furniture, the kidlets were coexisting nicely (I'm pretty sure dad threatened them before he left!) in the living room, and I once again retreated to my dorm room!

Somehow, I managed to get everything schoolwork-wise accomplished and even managed to squeak out an A on my accounting exam! I'm so anal when it comes to my grades and I'm hoping ... praying, actually ... that I will be able to maintain my 4.0 this semester. For the first time since I started back (I'm about 3 weeks into my third semester) I've gotten behind, but I think that I'm crawling out. I am really trying ... must be better than SJ ... must do better than SJ ... must have a better GPA than SJ ... nothing like a little sibling rivalry to motivate me!

Dinner was de-lish! Even Bubba loved it! Noodle had chicken nuggets, because, well, it was either that or hotdogs again. I really wish that she would develop a more diversified diet. I'm slowly going broke paying her to try new things, $1 at a time! Another reason why I will be glad football is over ... my passion for cooking is put on the back burner (sorry for the pun!!! LOL) during these busy months! We really do eat really healthy the other eight months every year ... honest! Seriously, don't believe the trash man when he tells you about the three lawn and leaf bags full of fast food wrappers he picks up every week!

I was enjoying some TV time to myself this evening when I heard Dobber open Bubba's bedroom door, close it, and mutter something under his breathe. Apparently, when the boy put Willow out this morning, he put her in the pen, but never bothered to take the leash off of her. So, when Dobber went out in the dark to bring them in, he went to grab for her collar, it wasn't there and she ran off. Guess Bubba will be searching for that first thing in the morning! And thank God that both Buffy and Willow always come back to the front porch after they brief tastes of freedom!

I went to bed once again happy that I was able to put away another chapter in my novel. It's been such a long time since I've read anything non-school or Dr. Seuss related that I'd forgotten how therapeutic that time can be! I'm really enjoying this book, its one that Nana gave me when we were up to visit last week, and I'm looking forward to starting another!

A Week in My Life, Fall Edition, Day 1

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Football season is almost over!!! After today's game, we have 3 more practices, 1 more game and possibly a Turkey Bowl, but that's it!!! Can you tell I'm excited? It's not that I don't like football, and Bubba absolutely loves it, but it is so time consuming as a parent and I feel like I'm living out of my truck.

This morning, I officially became a Snow Widow again. This happens every winter; anything that has to do remotely with snow sends Dobber to work and leaves me a single mom. Today it was readying snow plows for the impending winter. He left the house sometime around 5ish this morning; the only way that I was even remotely aware that he was gone was the addition of Willow, our German Shepherd, and Noodle. Apparently, they are both aware of the season, and with Dad gone, they *think* they are supposed to keep me company.

I got up around 8ish, not by choice, but Willow and Buffy (the other dog) needed to be put out in the pen and the kids were demanding breakfast. Bubba fixed himself a big bowl of Lucky Charms, which quickly induced a meltdown on Noodle's part. She was so upset that he used all the milk (which he hadn't) and just knew this meant that she wasn't going to get breakfast. Bear in mind that she rarely ever eats her cereal with milk, she just felt the need to be like her brother. After I fixed her cup of cereal ... a cup because she refuses to eat cereal out of a bowl like a normal person ... the tantrum subsided.

I took the time to get the ham, chicken and sausage out of the freezer for tomorrow's jambalya, breaking a nail in the process, quickly made a grocery list, put the dogs out back, run next door to the in-law's and put their dog out, got myself somewhat presentable for the coming day and then wrestled Noodle into her tights and leotard for ballet, all the while dealing with the whiny 10-year-old complaining that he didn't want to go to dance, that his knee hurt from ankle tackles at football practice last night, and that he absolutely despised having to sit through the hell that was anything his sister is interested in. I bribed him with promises of Starbucks to shut him up!

I was able to get my posse out the door just after 9 and made the trek to the local Starbucks. Normally only a short 5 minute drive, I got stuck behind MomMom in town and it took us twice as long to get there. I so cannot wait for our stand alone drive through Starbucks to open ... this will just make my life so much less complicated in so many unimaginable ways! I waited in line for 35 minutes to get my latte and a hot chocolate for Bubba. 35 MINUTES!!! For the love of God, its only coffee! How difficult can this possibly be?!?!?!? I did feel bad for the barista, she had a line out the door of the Safeway and the employee scheduled for 8 AM hadn't shown up, so she was on her own. I made sure to be overly nice and grateful and even dropped a extra $5 in the tip cup.

Ballet was uneventful. Our friends L & J were there with their 2 beautiful daughters, J1 and J2. J1 is Noodle's best friend and they are just way too cute together. I was able to get in some much needed adult conversation before we were able to preview their act for the upcoming dance exhibition. After dance, it was off to C-ville to go to the Walgreens for a new knee brace for Bubba, a stop at McDonald's and then back home. The good news is that Dobber didn't have to work nearly as long as he thought, so I don't have to drag both kidlets to my nail appointment!

I get to my nail appointment, my first time at this particular salon, and I instantly fall in love with this place. It came very highly recommended; a good friend of mine owns it! It was just a wonderful experience and most definitely the best mani I've ever had! C even fixed the nail I broke this morning and you can't even tell!!!

The only problem I had while at the salon was the phone call from home: "Mama, I can't find my game pants, we've looked everywhere and they aren't here." I get home and they are STILL lost. We search the entire house ... and by we, I mean me ... and can't find them. So now Bubba is crying since he "just knows that he won't be able to go to his game," I get fed up and send him to his room. Lo and behold, the elusive, gold game pants are on his bed. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

On the way to his football game, a 45 minute drive from home, we stop at the Verizon store and return the beautiful cell phone case that I fell in love with last week. I didn't fit ... almost, but, as we all know, almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades! I was able to find another case from a similar designer that suited my needs and my tastes, so off we went. I got slightly lost in C-ton trying to find a convenience store, but we found our way and made it to the field right on time.

I feel that I should add that to some extent, I do enjoy Bubba's football. I love seeing him out there on the field, knowing how much he loves it and how he just enjoys playing. I've also managed, despite the fact that the vast majority of the parents in our league hate me, to make a few good friends, and I was able to see some of them. Noodle also enjoys herself at the games and practices; she's made good friends with some siblings of her brother's friends and loves being able to run and shout and just generally do things that aren't necessarily permitted at home!

We lost again ... we've only won 1 game this year. Again, the boys played great in the second half, but it just didn't make up for the 3 touchdowns the other team scored during the first. Coach D even asked the boys after the game what he could do to make them play well during the first half; one of the kids suggested yelling at them more. Coach D told them he couldn't do that cause he cussed too much and would be ejected from the game. LOL I really don't care for the guy, but sometimes I think we have so much in common!

After the game, we went to Friendly's for dinner. Dinner was good. MV called me right before we got there and told me his grandfather had passed suddenly the night before. I know his mom is really upset, and I wish there was something I could do. As I always do when death comes around, I got emotional, but I was able to save face with MV and take it out on Dobber later in our meal!

At one point, he made this absurd comment to me: "I don't know why you're so tired, I was the one who had to get up at 5:30 this morning and work all day." So, it was at this point that I reminded him that a) he didn't work all day, he only worked until 11ish, and that he didn't actually do a whole lot of actual work when he got there and b) I do it every damn day! He rolled his eyes. Seriously. I could have reached across the table and smacked the hell out of him! Apparently, he doesn't think that I should be nearly as exhausted as I am on a daily basis, you know, because I don't do anything.

It was at this point that Bubba came to my defense, telling him, "I'd like to see you do everything that Mama does. I bet you wouldn't last a whole week." Go Bubba!!! I told Dobber this week, I'm going to sleep in, waking only in time to get a shower and leave for work, he can up at 5 AM, get both kids up and dressed, fed, ready for school, lunches and snacks packed and off to his mother's house, all the while, trying to get himself a shower and get ready, and yelling at me to get my sorry butt out of bed so I'm not late for work. And still manage to stop for a cup of coffee and make it to the office on time. Work all day, rush home to get 2 fussy children ready for whatever activity that particular night holds, feed them, help them with homework, get them where they need to be by yourself, deal with the other child while there, they're undoubtedly whiny and just generally unhappy to be there, and get them bathed and to bed at a decent time. Oh, and don't forget to do your homework ... you have an exam coming up! He can barely make it to his office on time on a daily basis and all he does in the morning is get up, get dressed, get in his truck and leave! Uuuuggggghhhhhhhhh!!! Men! He drives me absolutely crazy.

The ride home was uneventful, both kidlets fell asleep after the obilgatory in-the-truck arguing, and we had a very neutral conversation about a friends upcoming surgery. At least we agree on that! LOL I was able to read another chapter in my novel tonight before I passed out sometime around midnight! I so want to finish that book!

And, I'm so glad I don't do anything all day long!

So Where Is This Coming From Anyway?

My mind has begun to wonder where my inspiration for all of this is coming from. I've put a lot of thought into this (read: I've been sitting here at my desk with nothing else to do today other than evaluate my position in life) and it all goes back to this poem I found eons ago. I believe I originally saw it in one of those horribly long emails I tend to get, you know, the ones with about a gazillion forwards in it! But for whatever reason, this keeps popping up in front of me.


Originally attributed to Maya Angelou, this is not her work. It is, in fact, the work of Pamela Redmond Satran and originally appeared in Glamour Magazine in May 1997. Snopes cracked this mystery and you can read it here: http://www.snopes.com/language/literary/awoman.asp. Maya Angelou has also disclaimed authorship on her website here: http://www.mayaangelou.com/Contact.html; scroll down the page, it's in red!


So here it is, and I do find the original title humorously appropriate, given the nature of my blog!


30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know By the Time She's 30


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
Enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
Something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
A youth she's content to leave behind


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
A past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
One friend who always makes her laugh and one who lets her cry


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...
A feeling of control over her destiny


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
How to fall in love without losing herself


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
How to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
When to try harder and when to walk away


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
That she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
That he childhood may not have been perfect but it's over


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she would or wouldn't do for love or more


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
How to live alone even if she doesn't like it


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
Whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
Where to go, be it to her best friend's kitchen table or a charming inn in the woods, when her soul needs soothing


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day, a month, and a year


So, this is my jumping off point, and I plan on coming back to this frequently as I feel that my "issues" can mostly be correlated closely with at least one of these items. That's not to say that I feel this is an all-inclusive list by any means, but I can really relate to most of it!


KD :)

This Blog Thingy!

Ok, here goes my first official blogging attempt! I'll start with a little about me and why I'm doing this whole blog thingy!

I'm KD, I'm married to the love of my life, Dobber, who drives me absolutely crazy, and I have two wonderful, smart, funny, and sometimes slightly annoying children. My son, Bubba, is 10 and my daughter, Noodle, is 4. They are complete opposites, and they really do love each other, although at times they clash so badly that the hubby refers to them as fire and gasoline. Despite all this, they really do compliment each other! We are very blessed that we have a wonderful support system, both near and far, in our family and friends.

I work full time at a job. That's all it is. I'm not crazy about it, but I like what I do and I love (some) of the people that I work with. I can honestly say that these people have brought out so many qualities in me that was never able to see or that I was simply avoiding for one reason or another, they are super supportive and I have truly made some awesome, lifelong friends! I'd be lost without them ... LK, DC and JC ... they are my sanity! I also attend college full time, one segment of my changing life, which I'll get to here in a little bit. In my spare time, I am a chauffeur, running Bubba to football 4 days a week and Noodle to dance and gymnastics 3 days ... 4 + 3 = 7, stick a fork in me, I'm done!

The most important thing in the world to me is my family ... all of them, even the ones that drive me crazy. My children and husband come first, no matter what, and our family time together is what keeps me going. We really do enjoy doing things as a family, and more often than not (you know, in all that free time we don't have!) you'll find us camping, at the beach, camping at the beach, at a Civil War battlefield (thank you, Dobber!), fourwheeling or playing Frisbee golf. We try board games every once in awhile, but that normally involves someone storming out of the room in tears. That someone is typically me!

This "about me" thing always gets me, so in order to preserve the few brain cells I have allotted for today, I'm cutting and pasting the following from my Myspace page, as I did actually put some thought into it, and I feel that it sums me up fairly well:

I'm a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mama and a friend. The most important thing in the world to me is my family. My friends are a part of my family. I don't like to disappoint people. I can't stand confrontation. I'm a princess! I love firetrucks, I have since I was little. I like that they represent: people helping people. But, I don't like what they mean when I see them tearin' down the road. I'm scared to death of snakes. I'm even more scared of losing the ones I love. I can't stand drama, although I seem to attract it, and have been known, on occasion, to create it ... just ask Dobber! I love peanut butter! And Snickers! I could go camping in the mountains every weekend. I'm addicted to coffee. I've been really sick. But I'm getting better. I don't like being sick! I'm afraid of car accidents. Dobber's driving scares the hell outta me! I'm learning that you can not judge people. Period. I LOVE TATTOOS!!! I'm always learning something. I've learned that your friends can sometimes let you down and hurt you. But it's ok. They will come back and give you a hug and a kiss and tell you they're sorry if they are true friends. I've learned that if they don't, they don't deserve me. I love Chincoteague! I'm pretty outgoing. But, I'm also a little shy. I must have music at all times! I'm an honest person. Except sometimes I fib to my kids. But it's only to protect them. I don't like being lied to. I've learned that God does answer you're prayers. Even if it takes longer than you think it should. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. This doesn't mean that I have to like it though. I'm trying really hard to accept the things that happen. And not question them. It's hard. I'm pretty sure I can do it! The best thing in the world is when my kids look at me and say "I love you, Mama!" My kids are two of the smartest people I know. I really do like my job. Most days. I tend to have very strong opinions. About everything. But I try to always be open to new ideas. I have a temper. I'm working on that. Slowly. Things that are beyond my control frustrate me. Not that I could change them, but still. I love Mossy Oak! And my truck. But I want a bigger one! My Griz rocks! I love NASCAR. Especially when I'm there! I love the dirt track even more ... go Big O ... the girlz love Madness!!! We are friends of Madness, and no, it's not a charity! I'm proud to be an American! I like pink. But I'm not a girly girl. I think that's about it. Oh wait, no. I forgot. People know me! LOL

I should also add that I'm extremely intrigued by the paranormal, people in general (I heart people watching!), and I have an extreme desire for answers to questions I don't know.

So, why am I now blogging? It's a matter of accountability; if others know what I am trying to do, I am more likely to complete a task. I seem to have a real lack of follow through. It's not that I'm lazy, unmotivated or a quitter, but I am very easily distracted (oooohhh ... shiny things!!! LOL) and that, combined with my serious habit of procrastination, can quickly lead me off course. I also have many interests, some may say too many, and although my passions are always the same, my degree of interest in them varies from time to time, often getting me off track.

Why do I feel the need for this accountability? In almost 4 months, I'm going to be 30 years old ... this benchmark in my life has kind of snuck up on me. I'm not upset about this milestone by any means, but in a way it scares me. I've realized that there are a lot of things that I want to do, things that I want to achieve, and, well, I'm just not getting any younger! I've also learned that I really don't love myself. Sure, I like a lot of things about me, and I love the extensions of me (Dobber, Bubba and Noodle), but I have some things that need to be changed so that I can honestly say that I love me. I'm pretty happy with who I am, with what I have and what I've already accomplished, but all in all, I need to love myself above all else before I feel that I will be truly, completely happy.

All that, and, well, I can't afford therapy! The blog however, is free! I'm hoping that it will help preserve what little sanity I still possess and reduce the number of headaches my whining and complaining cause my hubby!

Make sense? See ... this is what it's like in my head! LOL

KD :)