Day 14

A Picture  Of You Last Year-How have You Changed?

When I look at my old photos of myself I see 3 different women...

The single girl I was 3 1/2 years ago

The happy woman I became after I found true love

And the woman I  am today

How I have changed in a year.

God has continued to help me become the woman I am today. Making me stronger yet teaching me what it is to feel weak. To share this wonderful life with someone I love and adore yet also teaching me that even this type of true love has it's struggles.Feeling confident and willing to stand up for what I believe in. Happy with myself  without worrying what other people think. Accepting that no matter how much I try to control it..the earth spins without me and life goes on. I have found the humility to admit I am selfish so I have been working hard at learning to be a more selfless giver.It has taken me along time to embrace the ol 'cliche "dance like no one is watching" as I keep myself reserved to avoid looking like an idiot. Slowly,as time passes I am learning that the "dance"  is more about who will get up and dance with you rather than watch with judgement. I have found my place as a Mother and my biological clock is satisfied. This house is slowly starting to feel like home although most days I silently wish I could move. I have a 6 inch scar on my tummy that I am still getting used to. I know it is common and all but..I had one of my organs removed! Still trying to wrap my head around that. My 30's have been so full of personal growth for me and I feel confident that I am right where I am supposed  to be. Here. In this small country town. With Vern by my side and 3 happy,healthy kids.

A Break From The Challenge

 I have been having a little fun with the blog challenge. It makes me think and talk about things that I usually might not. I haven't been good at actually blogging each day,more like 30 opportunities to share more about myself. The pressure to blog daily was zapping the fun right out of it! ha ha
 Today I thought it might be time to catch up on a few of life's highlights....

I finally broke down and gave Chipper his summer haircut. I think it looks pretty good...? I still have some touching up to and a LOT of  brushing out to be done but at least he doesn't look like an orphan anymore! Our poor fur babies went weeks without a bath or brushing while I was ill and their fur matted faster than I could heal!Tomorrow  I will groom them both one more time before we head off to Idaho on Thursday.

Idaho or bust,here we come!5 days of vacation,2 nights at my parents and 2 nights camping with high school classmates. We are bringing the camper with us and I am excited to take it on it's longest road trip yet. Just Vern,the dogs and Me escaping for some much needed time away and R&R. I've had a rough few months and I need to let my hair down. I don't want to be a co worker,a step mom,a sister in law,a care giver or any other title of responsibility. And even though my body is still a little tender and sensitive,I am going to hope it cooperates so I can enjoy a few Bloody Mary's and some of Vern's awesome BBQ.

Maxine....ohh Maxine. Well.............

I think we are experiencing the puppy version of the "terrible twos". We have made significant progress with potty training. We still have a few accidents now and then but for the most part she goes outside.The problem is that it seems she has found her bark.....and she hasn't stopped barking since. ha ha No really it's not that bad but we keep trying everything we can to minimize this new habit and we are getting exhausted! I have been such a soft Mother with her and at times I wonder if I have created a monster...but then our little 6 pound bundle of love begs to snuggle and gives the sweetest kisses and I melt all over again.All she wants most of the time is to be held and snuggled,I think because she is so small she has learned to appreciate the view from our arms. I am sure in time,she will outgrow this barking phase...but in the meantime we are trying hard to teach her some manners! ha ha

As for me I am back to life and work as normal. 5 weeks post operation and feeling good. So far I can eat most anything I want without issue but I have to avoid large amounts of fat. I struggle to change 33 years of bad eating habits but I can say progress is slowly being made. I also made the change from Paxil to Zoloft and I am feeling great! I hope all of the things I have changed the last few months leaves me feeling better in the long run.

Time to sleep,all this catching up has worn me out!

Stay tuned,,,one of these days I might add pictures again! ha ha

Day 13

GOALS

Dreams

Wishes

To live on or near the beach

Make more money

Help

Serve

Give

Return to New Orleans & Hawaii.

Travel somewhere tropical

and all over these united states!

Eat healthier.

Keep Vern under my spell ;)

Spend more time with my family

Walk into a room and see my photography on the walls

Have more

trust

forgiveness

patience

Pay off my debt.

Retire

Have a big garden

Buy a catering truck

Live long enough to see Trevor get his GED

and a job. ha ha!

Learn to make bread

and grow happiness...

I could go on and on...

but I won't.

Life is good,

I am just along for the ride!

:)

Day 12

Something You Don't Leave The House Without

My cell phone

I really wanted to add a cute quote or cartoon here and had no luck finding one.

I love that ridiculous device.
It's like a mini computer...and so much more!
I have no shame,
I confess..
I don't leave home without it! 

Day 11

Your Favorite TV Shows

Vern & I's favorites

My personal all time favorite

My secret celebrity fascination

Day 10

Something You Are Afraid Of

Not my favorite assignment so far but I will play along...

Earwigs

Losing my loved ones

Bridges

Heights

People Who Tailgate

Snakes

Those times when things are bad and you don't have the power to fix it,no matter how hard you try.

Day 9

A Favorite Picture Of Your Best Friend

I hate the term "best friend" but I do know the 2 women who come to mind first...

Jessica

Here we are a few years ago out on the town having a good time

Shannon

Here is a great photo of Shannon (left) and our friend Julie,beautiful girls!

Please excuse my pictures I grabbed from Facebook...I am on Trevor's laptop these days and my usual PC is in his bedroom. I think I was a little crazy attempting this blog challenge under these conditions...ha ha