(My parents begged for a new photo of the kids, so one night I just snapped this one - they're growing so much!)
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Just a few visuals
Since I've hardly updated during our transition (and working), here are a few photo to sum up what we've been up to:
Moving along...
For a while, I've chose not to post the things and goings on of our "humble" abode, and mostly out of privacy or respect for my family. But like most things in our generation, they don't last and crumble apart. Eventually, you find some glue along the way to pick back up the broken pieces and repair the cracks.
That being said, my children and I are moving from what has been my home for the last 11 years. I could fight to keep the 65 rancher, but in all honesty, despite the sweat equity I put into it, I chose to just let my children's father have it. I only hope he will refinance in just his name within the year.
I know many people have told me to fight for it, since we both own it, surely I am due equity in a sale. But to be honest, my (our) home needs a lot of work, the roof will need replacing, the siding needs to be redone, and the hardwoods need refinishing (something I could easily do myself).
I harbor no ill feelings towards my children's father, and vice versa. We are going to be as adult about this transition as possible. He will keep and reside in the 65 rancher and my children and I are moving on with my fiancee.
While I love all things old - in homes of course. We will be moving to the Wilmington area in a newer home. Over the last few months we have painted it and prepared to move myself and the children. It was several months in the making - I had to make sure the decision was in my children's best interest. After weighing all options, we know this is the best for us all.
My children will be starting a new school year at a new school - which can be intimidating, but they will make it with our help.
And the next time I blog, I will be adding new DIY projects from a newer home, but non the less it will be exciting to make it our home again.
It's amazing how a person can pick up your pieces and mend them back together and have so much in common with over the last year and a half. I'm ecstatic and nervous to start out new journey, but to be honest I haven't been this happy in a very long time.
I can't remember prior to, the last time I smiled and it was genuine, or that someone gave me the time of day and actually cared about not only mine, but my children's well being.
I am thankful.
I know God puts people in your path for a reason, and today I thank God for placing me at the right place at the right time. The last several years of hurt have prepared me for this moment to learn to appreciate the good in other humans. It was hard to see then how any of this would amount to anything, but I trusted God's plan and God in turn blessed me.
So, I will always love and miss Fayetteville, but I will be back here and there every other weekend for shared custody. I'm just glad in the end we will both be able to some what get along. And when the day comes to meet the other woman in my children's lives, I just pray she is like my sister is to her step children and I will have to put my jealousy aside and love her like family as well.
Until next time, happy blogging :)
That being said, my children and I are moving from what has been my home for the last 11 years. I could fight to keep the 65 rancher, but in all honesty, despite the sweat equity I put into it, I chose to just let my children's father have it. I only hope he will refinance in just his name within the year.
I know many people have told me to fight for it, since we both own it, surely I am due equity in a sale. But to be honest, my (our) home needs a lot of work, the roof will need replacing, the siding needs to be redone, and the hardwoods need refinishing (something I could easily do myself).
I harbor no ill feelings towards my children's father, and vice versa. We are going to be as adult about this transition as possible. He will keep and reside in the 65 rancher and my children and I are moving on with my fiancee.
While I love all things old - in homes of course. We will be moving to the Wilmington area in a newer home. Over the last few months we have painted it and prepared to move myself and the children. It was several months in the making - I had to make sure the decision was in my children's best interest. After weighing all options, we know this is the best for us all.
My children will be starting a new school year at a new school - which can be intimidating, but they will make it with our help.
And the next time I blog, I will be adding new DIY projects from a newer home, but non the less it will be exciting to make it our home again.
It's amazing how a person can pick up your pieces and mend them back together and have so much in common with over the last year and a half. I'm ecstatic and nervous to start out new journey, but to be honest I haven't been this happy in a very long time.
I can't remember prior to, the last time I smiled and it was genuine, or that someone gave me the time of day and actually cared about not only mine, but my children's well being.
I am thankful.
I know God puts people in your path for a reason, and today I thank God for placing me at the right place at the right time. The last several years of hurt have prepared me for this moment to learn to appreciate the good in other humans. It was hard to see then how any of this would amount to anything, but I trusted God's plan and God in turn blessed me.
So, I will always love and miss Fayetteville, but I will be back here and there every other weekend for shared custody. I'm just glad in the end we will both be able to some what get along. And when the day comes to meet the other woman in my children's lives, I just pray she is like my sister is to her step children and I will have to put my jealousy aside and love her like family as well.
Until next time, happy blogging :)
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Rooms to GO? Rooms to...not sure how to feel or review..
As part of trying to push a little money back into the local business' (Yes, even the large corporate entities), I decided my children NEEDED new beds. And before I go on a "hate" spree of my experience with Rooms To Go (Fayetteville, NC) location. I will let you know I am half and half - although not a very satisfied customer.
Let's start with my initial visit to the local show room. On February 16, 2015 I decided I was going to take my kids to pick out the bedroom sets they wanted. Being in customer service myself, I was a little put off by the fact that not a single employee greeted us. No, "hello", no, "welcome". Nothing. I walked to the children's (teens) section wandering around with my kids for a good 40 minutes. Sales reps passed us, but not a one greeted us. Eventually I had picked out what we were going to purchase. Now, I just sauntered around hoping to be "discovered".
Surely, someone would like a commission? No one seemed interested. I guess they forget during tax time some of us simple looking folks have a good chunk to spend. Eventually a VERY lovely and kind woman did approach us. I had to compliment her on her service, she was amazing, she was friendly and she was very helpful. I told her I was glad she came to us since no one else had.
So I opened a line of credit (I had every intention to pay it off once my purchases arrived). And $2,401 and $300 separate in delivery and tax fees later, I was the holding papers for the children's bed sets.
Ethan's was a super nice Bunk bed loft. (Excuse the cell phone photos; I took these in the show room). It's a twin loft with a storage stair case, the other side has a drawer and cabinet system, with an attached desk and a full bed and headboard/footboard underneath. It's seriously so beautiful! For $1500 I was in love.
MiMi's, was a full sleigh bed with a trundle. I even liked the hanging canopy so much that I decided to purchase that as well. After all was said and done, I was promised a delivery and set up date of 27 February 2015.
I was told delivery time was 7 am - 10 pm. So, I scheduled the day off work. Only due to the snow, they called a day before to let me know that they would reschedule delivery for 9 March 2015. So another 10 days? *shrugs* Okay, no big deal, stuff happens. At this point I was a little annoyed for missing a day of pay, but at the same time, the weather is NOT anyone's fault. So I understood. March 9th came. The delivery truck showed up at 6:45 am. The men were friendly, They put together my daughter's bed and it was perfect. No complaints.
Then as they were putting together my son's bed, the main headboard for the top was split and broken all over. The delivery guy told me that he would not put it together because it was broken but that he would make a note to have them exchange that particular piece and that when it came someone would be back out to assemble. I was a little annoyed, more so that he kept pushing me to sign that I accepted the item as is with out any hard evidence that I would be receiving the piece. I will admit I was difficult and annoyed but ultimately signed so he could be on his way. (I mean it wasn't the poor delivery man's fault, and he shouldn't have to hear me being upset). He told me rooms to go would call in thirty minutes to schedule a new delivery. Only, I ended up calling myself.
The new date I was given was 21 March 2015.
That day came and the new delivery guys were SUPER nice SUPER professional and beyond friendly. Only one problem: The initial delivery folks didn't leave the hardware or instructions. So they apologized that they would NOT be able to put the bed together. At this point, I was beyond frustrated with this company.
Really? I mean my Rooms to Go credit card was already charged at this point and at this point over a month later and still no bed to show for it? Come on?? So I tell the guys thank you, that I know it's not THEIR fault and I call to ask to have the hardware and instructions shipped to me per the delivery drivers recommendation. He offered to call for me, but I felt I wanted to handle it myself.
So the first person I call tells me she will 2 day air ship it and then hangs the phone up mid collecting my information. ::Annoying:: But, maybe a glitch? I call again, and the woman was very friendly, and offered to have it two day air shipped to my house and that when I received said parts to call to schedule to have a tech come back out.. I was also "TOLD" I would receive a $60 credit for delivery for my troubles.
Again, being in customers service myself, I know to be polite as it is not their fault and told her I super appreciated her and that I was thankful for her help today. - At least their customer service is on point - or at least the woman I spoke to was. :)
Tuesday, 17 March 2015, the parts came after 5 pm. I decided I did not want to wait another week, or two, or however many for a technician to come assemble again, and so the family put the bed together ourselves. It's beautiful.
I still have yet to receive my $60 credit, who knows where that is. So all in all my feelings on Rooms to Go?
Had it just been my daughters bed I'd say AMAZING.
Taking into consideration my first experience with the show room, the fact repeated reschedules were made and not satisfied in a timely manner and the fact we put the bed together ourselves, I'm semi bitter.
The product itself is great (my sons bed still has some scratches, but I'm not petty and don't want to return it, it's what I like to call "character" ). haha :) If it weren't for the fact that the majority of the people I spoke with were friendly, I'd probably rate them poorly. But, in all fairness, they did rectify the issues when I called with concern. Not happy that I did end up taking 3 days off work in order for deliveries that never ended in the fully assembled product, and as a mom that's money :(
I just don't like to give a business a bad review for a few mishaps. Maybe one day I'll see my delivery and set up fee refunded, especially since it had been a month later and we put it together ourselves. I wonder what Rooms to Go would say about this situation. A little more organization and attention to detail with delivery and better care of handling a customers product should be taken into consideration, in my opinion. But that's just me, and I'm just one person. I'll post more photos later.
Let's start with my initial visit to the local show room. On February 16, 2015 I decided I was going to take my kids to pick out the bedroom sets they wanted. Being in customer service myself, I was a little put off by the fact that not a single employee greeted us. No, "hello", no, "welcome". Nothing. I walked to the children's (teens) section wandering around with my kids for a good 40 minutes. Sales reps passed us, but not a one greeted us. Eventually I had picked out what we were going to purchase. Now, I just sauntered around hoping to be "discovered".
Surely, someone would like a commission? No one seemed interested. I guess they forget during tax time some of us simple looking folks have a good chunk to spend. Eventually a VERY lovely and kind woman did approach us. I had to compliment her on her service, she was amazing, she was friendly and she was very helpful. I told her I was glad she came to us since no one else had.
So I opened a line of credit (I had every intention to pay it off once my purchases arrived). And $2,401 and $300 separate in delivery and tax fees later, I was the holding papers for the children's bed sets.
Ethan's was a super nice Bunk bed loft. (Excuse the cell phone photos; I took these in the show room). It's a twin loft with a storage stair case, the other side has a drawer and cabinet system, with an attached desk and a full bed and headboard/footboard underneath. It's seriously so beautiful! For $1500 I was in love.
I was told delivery time was 7 am - 10 pm. So, I scheduled the day off work. Only due to the snow, they called a day before to let me know that they would reschedule delivery for 9 March 2015. So another 10 days? *shrugs* Okay, no big deal, stuff happens. At this point I was a little annoyed for missing a day of pay, but at the same time, the weather is NOT anyone's fault. So I understood. March 9th came. The delivery truck showed up at 6:45 am. The men were friendly, They put together my daughter's bed and it was perfect. No complaints.
Then as they were putting together my son's bed, the main headboard for the top was split and broken all over. The delivery guy told me that he would not put it together because it was broken but that he would make a note to have them exchange that particular piece and that when it came someone would be back out to assemble. I was a little annoyed, more so that he kept pushing me to sign that I accepted the item as is with out any hard evidence that I would be receiving the piece. I will admit I was difficult and annoyed but ultimately signed so he could be on his way. (I mean it wasn't the poor delivery man's fault, and he shouldn't have to hear me being upset). He told me rooms to go would call in thirty minutes to schedule a new delivery. Only, I ended up calling myself.
The new date I was given was 21 March 2015.
That day came and the new delivery guys were SUPER nice SUPER professional and beyond friendly. Only one problem: The initial delivery folks didn't leave the hardware or instructions. So they apologized that they would NOT be able to put the bed together. At this point, I was beyond frustrated with this company.
Really? I mean my Rooms to Go credit card was already charged at this point and at this point over a month later and still no bed to show for it? Come on?? So I tell the guys thank you, that I know it's not THEIR fault and I call to ask to have the hardware and instructions shipped to me per the delivery drivers recommendation. He offered to call for me, but I felt I wanted to handle it myself.
So the first person I call tells me she will 2 day air ship it and then hangs the phone up mid collecting my information. ::Annoying:: But, maybe a glitch? I call again, and the woman was very friendly, and offered to have it two day air shipped to my house and that when I received said parts to call to schedule to have a tech come back out.. I was also "TOLD" I would receive a $60 credit for delivery for my troubles.
Again, being in customers service myself, I know to be polite as it is not their fault and told her I super appreciated her and that I was thankful for her help today. - At least their customer service is on point - or at least the woman I spoke to was. :)
Tuesday, 17 March 2015, the parts came after 5 pm. I decided I did not want to wait another week, or two, or however many for a technician to come assemble again, and so the family put the bed together ourselves. It's beautiful.
I still have yet to receive my $60 credit, who knows where that is. So all in all my feelings on Rooms to Go?
Had it just been my daughters bed I'd say AMAZING.
Taking into consideration my first experience with the show room, the fact repeated reschedules were made and not satisfied in a timely manner and the fact we put the bed together ourselves, I'm semi bitter.
The product itself is great (my sons bed still has some scratches, but I'm not petty and don't want to return it, it's what I like to call "character" ). haha :) If it weren't for the fact that the majority of the people I spoke with were friendly, I'd probably rate them poorly. But, in all fairness, they did rectify the issues when I called with concern. Not happy that I did end up taking 3 days off work in order for deliveries that never ended in the fully assembled product, and as a mom that's money :(
I just don't like to give a business a bad review for a few mishaps. Maybe one day I'll see my delivery and set up fee refunded, especially since it had been a month later and we put it together ourselves. I wonder what Rooms to Go would say about this situation. A little more organization and attention to detail with delivery and better care of handling a customers product should be taken into consideration, in my opinion. But that's just me, and I'm just one person. I'll post more photos later.
Happy 10th Birthday, MiMi..
March 10th, 2015
Ten years ago, I was 22. I was recovering from what I still say was the worst physical pain of my life. I am ashamed to admit that after a failed 23 hour labor that ended in a c section, I was so out of it emotionally and physically that I couldn't be the mom I wanted to be. I barely saw my first child that day.
When I saw her for the first time (which would be hours later) I was so in love, but so very tired. The nurses kept her away much of the night and I just wanted to go home. The first few sleepless nights were unlike anything I had ever experienced. How did I go from so much energy and working two full time jobs to suddenly being a stay at home mom with a newborn who was without a doubt the hardest new "job" to me? When I told my family I was okay - I lied - I was in tears daily. I was more in love than ever before and I would kill for my baby, but I was just so alone and exhausted.
Things did eventually get easier. Did I say that? They don't get easier, you just learn to let go a little and it's a new kind of challenge. I sit here an can't believe it's been ten years and suddenly I yearn to hold that baby again. I ache to tell the old me it will be okay - "Stop worrying mama. It will be okay - you'll see".
We get so worried as new parents that we miss the joy in things. Is this perhaps me in the next ten years telling my current self, I'll be okay? Maybe. One things for certain - I am glad at 21, that I made the decision to keep the best thing that's ever happened to me. And by that last line, you may take that as you're probably thinking, and maybe at a later date, when my children are older, I will elaborate more without fear of them stumbling upon my blog. But just know this: God is good. God was with me, and God made sure I made the right decision. I love you MiMi, I am so blessed to be your mother!
When I saw her for the first time (which would be hours later) I was so in love, but so very tired. The nurses kept her away much of the night and I just wanted to go home. The first few sleepless nights were unlike anything I had ever experienced. How did I go from so much energy and working two full time jobs to suddenly being a stay at home mom with a newborn who was without a doubt the hardest new "job" to me? When I told my family I was okay - I lied - I was in tears daily. I was more in love than ever before and I would kill for my baby, but I was just so alone and exhausted.
We get so worried as new parents that we miss the joy in things. Is this perhaps me in the next ten years telling my current self, I'll be okay? Maybe. One things for certain - I am glad at 21, that I made the decision to keep the best thing that's ever happened to me. And by that last line, you may take that as you're probably thinking, and maybe at a later date, when my children are older, I will elaborate more without fear of them stumbling upon my blog. But just know this: God is good. God was with me, and God made sure I made the right decision. I love you MiMi, I am so blessed to be your mother!
Monday, December 8, 2014
Winter time randoms..
A whole lot of busy this way - of course. I wonder how my readers are doing this holiday season. I'm sure if you're anything like me, you're working, scrambling to keep your kids up to speed and rushing to get in your Christmas shopping/photos/decorating etc...
Wellllll, I got SOME things done. Or, should I say, I put a small dent in some things. Let's take a peek:
I took my kids Christmas picture. On a whim. Literally, I picked them up from school had them take a quick shower, get dressed and rush to take a couple photos (because I never know when my next day off will be).
Wellllll, I got SOME things done. Or, should I say, I put a small dent in some things. Let's take a peek:
I took my kids Christmas picture. On a whim. Literally, I picked them up from school had them take a quick shower, get dressed and rush to take a couple photos (because I never know when my next day off will be).
(Below: MiMi's dress was an overpriced Justice dress, Ethan's shirt & tie came for a whopping $10 at Wal Mart).
To cut Justice some slack, it's a beautiful dress, but truthfully the rewards program for Justice is pointless, the J bucks can never be used with sales and you really only save 10% more. I miss the days of Gymboree :(
And then we got a little crafty...
(Below: A pinterest fav: The snowman fridge. We made ours with construction paper and wrapping paper).
I wanted to buy a real tree this year, but my hours have literally been cut in half at work during the holiday and I decided other things were more important, and so old fabulous faux made her return - her lights don't work this year, but that's okay...
I know she's not really something brag worthy, but my kids decorated her and so it's gorgeous to me :) Maybe we'll try and find a tree topper bow tutorial *haha*.
I also went ahead and printed the kids Christmas Cards. Pottery Barn Kids sent me a free code to get some of their cards. They have an exclusive line with Tiny Prints - How cool?! They are adorable, and excuse the fact that my mobile photo isn't that clear, this card is beautiful in person. They had gorgeous designs, but this was my favorite:
And then I also ordered some of another design I fell in love with from one of my favorites to visit, my trusted and never disappoints: Shutterfly :)
The only thing I am not too fond of when it comes to printing via Shutterfly or Tiny Prints, is the fact they put a log on the back of the cards. I mean, I don't like the idea that I pay for something to advertise the business to family & friends. Then again, there is a hallmark logo on the back of Hallmark cards. (thinks...nevermind..carry on) ;) The cards are beautiful, why not let everyone know who does that great work so they can do them themselves. And come to think of it - you can literally always find a coupon code online for both Shutterfly & Tiny Prints.
The kids and I even decorated holiday cupcakes:
That same night, MiMi & I made lasagna..I think she was saying "it's all mine":
One of my favorite holiday traditions with my kids is to let them pick out a yearly ornament. It's cheap & a fun thing for them to do. These beauties were $1.97 at Wal Mart. PRECIOUS:)
Oh, and I turned 32, somewhere in the mix *haha* my sister cut my hair for my birthday. I can't wait for it to grow back out, but I like it:)
My, "I'm getting older face":
I did Christmas smart this year, by shopping a little at a time. I would like to say I am officially done with the kids and didn't break bank. - Too much anyway. Hopefully the next time I post it won't be months later. Enjoy the holidays lovelies!! <3 p="">
Friday, September 12, 2014
I find a hard time balancing time.
Long gone, are the days of being a stay at home mom. I always told myself, that as a mother, it was the hardest job I had ever had. Prior to my children, I had worked full time in both a real estate office and nights at a local restaurant. I remember being tired, but functioning on 5 hours of sleep and pulling my weight well with my employers.
Then, well, then I became a mother of one. It was an unexpected pregnancy (I say that as thought I don't know what happens..). SCRATCH THAT - we do the deed, we can expect what happens next.
I remember so much going through my mind as a 21 year old girl (and I say girl because I was still learning so much at that age). I became a mom for the first time and it was more than I had expected. There was joy and there was nights of, to be blunt, "I hate my life". And I say that only in that I was exhausted. I did NOT know how to manage being a new mom, keeping up house and worrying 24/7 that I was doing something wrong.
BUT, alas, every joyful moment made it all worth that. If you can survive the first couple of years of motherhood, the rest is seemingly smooth sailing.
By the time my daughter was 4, my second child came to be. I absolutely adored everything about my children. Ethan had so many issues from the get go (I don't particularly care to into depth here, again), but he overcame a lot. A LOT.
By the time he was 3 I noticed he wasn't catching on like most children his age had. I pushed relentlessly for speech therapy. Trying to get that under 5 year window when "the experts" say timing is crucial for development.
NOTHING. I mean, fighting with pediatrician's here is like pulling teeth. It's hard - it's painful - it stinks.
When Ethan turned 4, I got under their skin enough that I finally was given a referral.
The first speech therapist couldn't get him to talk at all.
It was such a waste of time.
I absolutely don't judge her, I mean, kids like Ethan seem to only open up to certain people. She just wasn't one of them. I kept pushing and he finally was assigned a new one. She is absolutely amazing. She has done so much for my son that I can't even put into words how thankful I am for her. She has a way with children (at least my son) and she has gotten him to improve so much from when he first started out.
But, back to the point of my blog - which I kind of missed entirely..
Time management...
I told myself once my son started school (last year) I would go back to work.
I did.
I enjoy my job, I enjoy the customers. I enjoy SOME of my co workers ;)
But, I tell you, I find it so hard to balance work, kids, house, home all at once. It's like, they restarted school & suddenly I'm running from work to pick them up, running to speech therapy for my son, going back to work some nights, trying to cook, clean and pack lunchboxes and meal plan and homework, and ..and...and
And, where am I? I seem to lose myself in the mix. I revert back to the 21 year old getting 5 hours of sleep and suddenly I am too old to function ;)
I mean, don't get me wrong, I function, but at best, I am utterly exhausted.
Then I come home on days off and I want to take the kids out to spoil them a little, I look around the house and think, "this would be a nice DIY project" or "that could use some fixing" and "man I really want to add to my blog it's been months, it's not a daily blog anymore".
I believe at some point I'll find the time to add a new project.
So much has been going on though. SO MUCH.
The kids started back school.
I bought a new mattress. (It is the most comfortable thing ever). For reference it's a Gel foam memory mattress by Seally (Sealy?) Boca Breeze firm. I typically don't want to plug things like this, but it's helped my back out A LOT. I finally get a decent nights rest. I bought it on sale for $499 for both the mattress and box spring during Labor Day weekend from A Goodnight Sleep Store in Fayetteville, NC. I came in at the last minute and thankfully the associate that helped me wasn't mad about it (you know some people lack customers service these days). She was above and beyond kind. I pretty much knew going in exactly what I wanted. She still pulled the model out and let me try it, can you say SOLD :) When I went to pick it up later in the week the man who helped was also very professional and kind. There was a mark on my mattress from where the plastic ripped during shipment, kind of a black scuff mark if you will..he informed me right away, but to be honest I didn't care, it wasn't a big deal because it wasn't cut, and I bought a mattress topper anyway. I'm not petty so it didn't bother me in the least. I LOVE THIS mattress:)
I'll pay it off over the course of a couple months, I decided to be fancy and get a deferred interest loan on it.
I just wish I had more time to sleep on it (haha).
No, really...I lay on it and I'm typically out like a light.
What else is new? Oh, my health. One day at work a month or so ago my eye was red. I thought nothing of it, until the next morning I woke up and the white on half my eye was filled with bright red blood. I happened to be off the next couple of days so thought I'd wait it out, only every day it was worse. Eventually I sucked it up and went to the express care.
It was a conjunctival sub hemmorrage. (I'm sure I spelled that wrong, and I'm too lazy to fix it or look it up).
They did one read of my blood pressure and diagnosed me with hypertension.
One reading? I contributed it to stress, my blood pressure had been low after losing 50 lbs.
I was prescribed hydrochlorothiazide (a water pill) and sent along.
I have to tell you having your eye filled with BLOOD is so embarrassing to go to work with. Customers didn't know how to react..I almost felt like a leper. A few people asked if I was choked or hit. Nope, just a dirty little bitty of hypertension.
Here is the progression of and eventually healing of the conjunctival subhemmorrage :
I never realized how much water my body held onto until I started the water pill.
It's insane what our bodies stop doing for us eventually. I always thought with such weight loss I'd be better..but I guess years of being a junk eater caught up to me.
I'm working on it.
I'm sure having a kidney problem doesn't help since blood pressure and kidneys go hand in hand.
In the meantime, this mama needs to sleep, figure a way to juggle work and parenting and find time for this blog, because truthfully, it had always been my little go to on the web. A temporary escape from everything else that was at the time going down hill in my life. Until next time, God bless <3 p="">
Then, well, then I became a mother of one. It was an unexpected pregnancy (I say that as thought I don't know what happens..). SCRATCH THAT - we do the deed, we can expect what happens next.
I remember so much going through my mind as a 21 year old girl (and I say girl because I was still learning so much at that age). I became a mom for the first time and it was more than I had expected. There was joy and there was nights of, to be blunt, "I hate my life". And I say that only in that I was exhausted. I did NOT know how to manage being a new mom, keeping up house and worrying 24/7 that I was doing something wrong.
BUT, alas, every joyful moment made it all worth that. If you can survive the first couple of years of motherhood, the rest is seemingly smooth sailing.
By the time my daughter was 4, my second child came to be. I absolutely adored everything about my children. Ethan had so many issues from the get go (I don't particularly care to into depth here, again), but he overcame a lot. A LOT.
By the time he was 3 I noticed he wasn't catching on like most children his age had. I pushed relentlessly for speech therapy. Trying to get that under 5 year window when "the experts" say timing is crucial for development.
NOTHING. I mean, fighting with pediatrician's here is like pulling teeth. It's hard - it's painful - it stinks.
When Ethan turned 4, I got under their skin enough that I finally was given a referral.
The first speech therapist couldn't get him to talk at all.
It was such a waste of time.
I absolutely don't judge her, I mean, kids like Ethan seem to only open up to certain people. She just wasn't one of them. I kept pushing and he finally was assigned a new one. She is absolutely amazing. She has done so much for my son that I can't even put into words how thankful I am for her. She has a way with children (at least my son) and she has gotten him to improve so much from when he first started out.
But, back to the point of my blog - which I kind of missed entirely..
Time management...
I told myself once my son started school (last year) I would go back to work.
I did.
I enjoy my job, I enjoy the customers. I enjoy SOME of my co workers ;)
But, I tell you, I find it so hard to balance work, kids, house, home all at once. It's like, they restarted school & suddenly I'm running from work to pick them up, running to speech therapy for my son, going back to work some nights, trying to cook, clean and pack lunchboxes and meal plan and homework, and ..and...and
And, where am I? I seem to lose myself in the mix. I revert back to the 21 year old getting 5 hours of sleep and suddenly I am too old to function ;)
I mean, don't get me wrong, I function, but at best, I am utterly exhausted.
Then I come home on days off and I want to take the kids out to spoil them a little, I look around the house and think, "this would be a nice DIY project" or "that could use some fixing" and "man I really want to add to my blog it's been months, it's not a daily blog anymore".
I believe at some point I'll find the time to add a new project.
So much has been going on though. SO MUCH.
The kids started back school.
I bought a new mattress. (It is the most comfortable thing ever). For reference it's a Gel foam memory mattress by Seally (Sealy?) Boca Breeze firm. I typically don't want to plug things like this, but it's helped my back out A LOT. I finally get a decent nights rest. I bought it on sale for $499 for both the mattress and box spring during Labor Day weekend from A Goodnight Sleep Store in Fayetteville, NC. I came in at the last minute and thankfully the associate that helped me wasn't mad about it (you know some people lack customers service these days). She was above and beyond kind. I pretty much knew going in exactly what I wanted. She still pulled the model out and let me try it, can you say SOLD :) When I went to pick it up later in the week the man who helped was also very professional and kind. There was a mark on my mattress from where the plastic ripped during shipment, kind of a black scuff mark if you will..he informed me right away, but to be honest I didn't care, it wasn't a big deal because it wasn't cut, and I bought a mattress topper anyway. I'm not petty so it didn't bother me in the least. I LOVE THIS mattress:)
I'll pay it off over the course of a couple months, I decided to be fancy and get a deferred interest loan on it.
I just wish I had more time to sleep on it (haha).
No, really...I lay on it and I'm typically out like a light.
What else is new? Oh, my health. One day at work a month or so ago my eye was red. I thought nothing of it, until the next morning I woke up and the white on half my eye was filled with bright red blood. I happened to be off the next couple of days so thought I'd wait it out, only every day it was worse. Eventually I sucked it up and went to the express care.
It was a conjunctival sub hemmorrage. (I'm sure I spelled that wrong, and I'm too lazy to fix it or look it up).
They did one read of my blood pressure and diagnosed me with hypertension.
One reading? I contributed it to stress, my blood pressure had been low after losing 50 lbs.
I was prescribed hydrochlorothiazide (a water pill) and sent along.
I have to tell you having your eye filled with BLOOD is so embarrassing to go to work with. Customers didn't know how to react..I almost felt like a leper. A few people asked if I was choked or hit. Nope, just a dirty little bitty of hypertension.
Here is the progression of and eventually healing of the conjunctival subhemmorrage :
BELOW: Day 1, looks almost like it was just irritated..
Day 2: You can see where the vein popped spread blood YUCK..
Day 3: Just kept getting worse...
Day 4: Yep, it got that bad..
Day 8: It was still there and reddish..THANKFULLY the white in my eye was showing at this point and I was able to put makeup on my peepers (I swear my eyes look so small with out eye makeup)..
Day 12: It was FINALLY absorbing and completely gone by day 13. THANK YOU LORD :)) haha!
I never realized how much water my body held onto until I started the water pill.
It's insane what our bodies stop doing for us eventually. I always thought with such weight loss I'd be better..but I guess years of being a junk eater caught up to me.
I'm working on it.
I'm sure having a kidney problem doesn't help since blood pressure and kidneys go hand in hand.
In the meantime, this mama needs to sleep, figure a way to juggle work and parenting and find time for this blog, because truthfully, it had always been my little go to on the web. A temporary escape from everything else that was at the time going down hill in my life. Until next time, God bless <3 p="">
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Obligatory Disney World Blog.
So, something exciting, and blog worthy, was in July we went to Disney World.
It was many wonderful things.
It was many NOT so wonderful things.
It was hot and humid. It was stormy near daily. You'd break out a poncho in the rain just to take it off moments later and put up with the heat and humidity all over again. THE LINES..oh my world, the lines would range from 10 minutes for the not so demanding rides, to an hour for the great ones. During the long lines, you'd just hope the people in your vicinity were kind enough to rock a stick of deodorant.
I'm sure Disney would make a small fortune selling traveler sized deodorants..I mean..it was bad..
I don't think I've every been around so many people who didn't know how to use it.
But that's just my little gripe.
The parks were immaculate. Employees would walk around constantly cleaning up after people who didn't know how to make proper use of the HUNDREDS of trash cans posted at every corner. Literally, people are that rude. So, kudos to the amazing employees who have to put up with that and keep the place beautiful for the visitors.
Here are a few photos I took while walking around the park.
This one is Rapunzel's Tower. Message me if you would like to purchase
an unwatermarked print, it will print up to 20x30 in size:
Below: Scenes from the Swiss Family Robinson
And some random cell phone shots I took:
Cinderella's Castle
Beautiful Sky @ Epcot
Dashboard Legs
DIY bathsalts @ Basin @ Downtown Disney :)
Cute Treat from Pop Century's on sight diner
Trying to be cool.
The kids having fun..
Pluto & Bubba
My daughter & I
We stayed at Pop Century - I loved it. I never did get into the pools, but I was too fascinated with the random amazing things going on for each decade. I mean, giant potato heads? Take me back to my 80's childhood, why dontcha ;) ??
One of my favorite parts of Disney happened at a restaurant - it was at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Not because the food was great (which, it was by the way). I have to say it was the princess'. One in particular (my own favorite Disney Princess, Snow White. In fact, she made my favorite memory for my son. So there they were, the princess, parading around with the children, letting us take photos of them galore, when this gorgeous one, Snow White comes along. She was just he most friendliest character ever..
She posed in pictures with the kids (my son got shy and sauntered off).
She pauses, she looks at him and says, "You remind me of someone I know. His name is, Bashful."
She smiles and says, "Come here, I have something for you". She bends down and kisses his forehead.
The look on his face says it all. WHOEVER, she is, she is amazing. THANK YOU for this memory for my little guy!
Of course there were the other beautiful princess', Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, & Cinderella:
A few random shots of the kiddos from around the park:
And then this happened when we were waiting to take a photo with Pluto. Tired Pluto had to take a break. Ethan wanted to pout because of the heat, a little girl took note of this and inched closer and closer until she was close enough to scope him out. I was in stitches:
I liked this place because of all the plants, but can't remember for the life of me what it was called, I WANT those sunflowers!
They waited patiently for The Haunted Mansion:
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