Beach Day

Sunday, in pictures

Peyton

Last night Larry and I were eating a late dinner and the boys were sitting on the couch watching TV when Peyton turned around with the blanket around his head like a shawl and made a funny face. It struck how big he is and I had a momentary lapse of reason when I longed for a baby.

Peyton is such a unique child/person that I don't even know how to describe him. He seemed to go from baby to child. There really was no in between and we've always treated him older than he is because he gives that impression even though his actions are still that of someone his age. See, even that didn't make sense. Let's see, he's always been smart, but Shey has too, and Shey still acts like a baby, or has babyish ways about him at 3. Peyton never had these baby ways. Sometimes he is very affectionate, but other times, he holds back. Like when he does programs at school and such, he acts embarrassed already that we are there.

I think all this is why it is hard to parent him at times. Sometimes he is so very reasonable and willing to help, and other times he is just downright confrontational. It's always extremes with Peyton. The boy came out of the womb high maintenance.

I worry for him as he ages, his extremes and what they will mean.

4x4 Meme

Anne tagged me to complete a meme and it's Friday, so I have agreed. Also, she has a wonderfully huge house for sale in Minnesota, if anyone is interested in moving there and freezing their tushes off.

4 jobs I have had (I'll try to offer new ones than last time): Gift wrapper at x-mas time, salesperson at an eel skin store (those were both with the same guy), Assistant to a lady selling health insurance out of her house (that one sucked big time!) and I worked for about a week, well long enough to do the training, at McRaes before they went out of business. I actually skipped town on the last one to come see Larry and called them to quit.

4 places I have been: Alaska, Mt. Rushmore, Bahamas, Yellowstone

4 shows I watch: Lost, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, Grey's Anatomy and The Office, oh and Biggest Loser Couples

4 foods that I like: I made these awesomely delish jalepeno, cream cheese and bacon apps from a recipe from The Pioneer Woman last night and they were YUMMY. I like hummus, hamburgers and fish as well.

Yay for Friday! Happy Easter everyone.

My Stained Glass Masquerade

I'll admit that after reconnecting with some of my high school (and even further back) friends lately on blogger, that I have censored my posts and the information I offer to the blogging community. We went to a small private Christian school and it was an automatic response to keep certain traits and habits hidden. And while I feel I have grown tremendously in the past couple of years in my efforts to reconnect with my upbringing, there are still some activities that I do partake of and hold on to that don't coincide with the 75% of me that is trying to live a more Godly life.

All that being said, there is one habit I am ready (although maybe not all the way willing) to ditch and I am going to put it out there for your prayers and accountability.

I started smoking (cigarettes, not the other) when I was 18 and have continued to do so more on than off the past 12 years. I stopped when I was pregnant and then stupidly picked it back up again after having each boy. I've never been a heavy smoker, 3 maybe 4 a day, and if I needed to, I could go days to a week without having one and be fine, which really just makes it even sillier that I keep it up. I rarely buy my own, content to bum off my friends around me and give them money, or buy their coffee instead.

I only smoke at home when we have friends over, but Peyton is definitely old enough to be influenced and remember it now, so it is time for me to be an adult and quit. If not for my own health, then for my kids.

I haven't had one since Friday, but I also haven't felt well this week, so it's been easier. In a few days when I have my energy back and I'm bored, stressed, or whatever at work, I know I will think "one won't hurt."

So that's it, all out there for everyone to see. And no, while it's not the worst habit in the world, like crack or whatever Amy Winehouse is on, it's not the best either. Please send your thoughts and prayers this way, I'm going to need them.

A Meme for you

My computer is frozen at work, so here's a quick Meme as I was tagged by Kristin.

What I was doing 10 years ago: Larry had just moved to Montgomery and we were deciding what we were going to do. He wanted to move back to South Florida to finish school as he had pre-paid college, but he never did, and we're still here.

5 Things on my To Do List today: I have to go to Hialeah to pick up a surveillance tape from a strip club. I'm going to clean the kitchen tonight and maybe try to get some knitting in. I've been slacking on that lately. That's about it.

Snacks I Enjoy: I like wheat thins and hummus. Papaya is always good with a spritz of lime juice. Does caramel lattes count?

Things I would do if I were a Billionaire: I really would just like enough money to not have to worry about paying my bills with some left over for some fun. I would donate more too.

3 of my Bad Habits: Picking at my nails, not spending enough time in the evenings with my kids, and another one that I'm working on.

5 places I have lived: Montgomery, AL, Cooper City, FL, Plantation, FL and Coral Springs, FL

5 Jobs I have had: Daycare teacher, barista at Barnie's, customer service, office manager/adjuster

Okay, I'm unstuck, back to work.

Oh, I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you are up for it, leave me a comment.

Scrapbooking

For the new scrapbooker in me, here is a great site for free fonts made from people's handwriting to download Fonts. My scrapbooking journaling just got a whole lot easier.

Life with Shey

(On the way to Peyton's baseball practice last night)

Peyton: On Saturdays when we go to
Shey: On Saturdays when we go to

P: Mom, on Saturdays when we
S: Mom, on Saturdays when we

P: Ugh, Mom (really fast) on Saturdays when we go to
S: (even faster) onSaturdayswhenwego

P: Shey! Stop!
S: Shey! Stop!

P: MOM!
S: MOM!

Mom: Shey, stop.
Shey: Sheeeey stooop

P: (bravely trying again with a bit of a whine) Mom, on Saturdays when we go to
S: onsaturdaysjfdkfnff (He quits making sense at this point, kinda like Steve Carrol's character in Bruce Almighty)

P: (half laughing, whining, crying) Mom! When we go to
S: (screaming) MOM! WHEN WE GO TO

We finally arrive at the field. I don't think Peyton ever got the whole sentence out.




The Blur



At Peyton's soccer celebration

Lunar Eclipse

As it was cloudy most of the day yesterday, I didn't think we would have the best view of the lunar eclipse, but the sky opened up as night approached and I was able to get some really clear shots.















The boys were in and out of bed looking at it till about 9:40 and then when I went to see if they were still awake around 10:00 for the full eclipse, of course, they had fallen asleep. I promised them pictures though.

Eye Freak

For the past three days, my left eye has been twitching almost non-stop. So much, in fact, that when it doesn't, my poor eyelid and eyebrow muscles are actually a little sore. What is up with that?

Peyton had a dentist appointment this morning and as always, he was excellent and had no cavities. I think I would live at the dentist if they would let me.

I've gotten a little scrapbooking club going and we met last night and will start meeting every third Monday of the month. There are seven of us, and it is so much fun. Throw in some wine and finger foods and it's a party. It's an eclectic group of people, but we mesh really well. I'm excited to have a mandatory girl's night at least once a month.

For Fun

For those of you with kids who love Spongebob, the following should make you at least smile.

I Did It!

I just solved a Rubik's Cube for the first time.

10 to 15

I'll admit it, I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan. I devoured all the books, twice and my mom and I made it a point to see each of the movies through The Goblet of Fire in the movie theater. Due to scheduling conflicts, I wasn't able to see The Order of the Phoenix on the big screen, so when I saw it playing on Pay Per View, I TiVoed it right away.

I saved it though, had to have the right time to watch it. Preferably alone, and at night so I could take advantage of our big screen TV and surround sound. With Larry out of town, last night was perfect. The kids were actually asleep by 9, so I settled into the couch and let the movie begin.

May I just say that Daniel Radcliffe as turned into quite a hot fine young man? The broadness of his shoulders emotions onscreen were just phenomenal. The chiseled way his face character responded to the situation at hand left me a little breathless overcome with emotion. I was amazed at just how sexy good he had become.

The movie itself was also very entertaining. I know they can't cram the whole book into 2 and a half hours and they chose plot and character development wisely. I recommend renting it right away so you can drool enjoy Daniel Radcliffe and his fellow companions as well.

Being a Grown-up

After talking with Tamara about their refinance, I started thinking that Larry and I should do the same. We have a 30-yr mortgage and an equity line that I wanted to consolidate. I kept putting if off though just because it's one of those things that's just a pain, you know.

Today I finally called our mortgage company and I'm so glad I did. It was super-easy as we are already customers and it got all the inital stuff done over the phone in about 20 minutes. Plus, we're going to save about $500.00 a month. Hallaleuh!

I feel like such a shmuck now for putting this off for so long, but now that it's in the works, I feel like such a responsible adult. Like, wow, I really am a grown-up. ha ha

Anyway, yay me!

(ok, spellcheck is not working, so I apologize for any misspellings.)

Kindergarten is for the Birds

First off, thank you everyone who left comments yesterday and are keeping me in your prayers. I feel better today, not quite so lost, or alone, so the prayers are working.

Aannnndddd, now that I know not only my friends from high school are reading, but their mothers as well, no more drug crazed orgy stories for you! (Don't bother searching Google users, it was just a joke.)

Seriously though, I really appreciate the thoughts and prayers and I am so very glad that our little chorus group has reconnected!

---

eight
nine
ten
eleven
twelve
thirteen
fourteen
fifteen

These are the words that Peyton's KINDERGARTEN reading teacher sent home last night for a SPELLING test on Monday. I really don't even know how to begin teaching my son how to spell these words. I mean, really, twelve? How many five year olds know that tw make the twah sound?

I'm planning on making him sit some each day to write a couple of the words, but again, five years old, we all know the attention spans of this age. I know they are not graded, but I just hope he doesn't feel bad for not being able to spell them all.

I hate to see what first grade will be like.

East to the West

I could listen to Casting Crowns "East to the West" on repeat all day long. They will be here in February and I really wanted to go to the concert, but Mom had a wedding they were commited to and my friends here that I know listen to Christian rock are planning a wedding and can't afford the extra expense. Anyhoo, maybe Way FM will give tickets away and I can win some.

Pretty much all of Casting Crowns' songs strike a nerve within me and "East to the West" is no exception. It's so incredibly hard to live in an area where none of our close friends are church goers and having a husband that is Jewish. Larry's gone with me to church, but he's just not comfortable there. I never appreciated how difficult it was for mom to take me alone week after week until I had the kids and got myself together enough to find a church home.

Tamara and I were talking the other day about those videos they would show us in high school about drug addicts and the like hitting rock bottom and finding Christ. I remember at the time, and even sometimes now, envying them in their struggles because they had something in their life that was so difficult that they had to rely on their faith and the changes in their life were so drastic.

I know this is silly and immature and I don't wish heartache on myself or my family. My personal demon is waiting for a huge sign when I should be listening for the whisper. To know that even though I don't feel the change, that it is being made within my life and my children are benefiting more than I could ever know.

About a Boy (or Two)

Because so many of you are nosey and want to know the sordid details of our fellow seniors that I kissed, here are the stories. Please remember, I was 17 at the time. With all that said, they aren't as interesting as I made them out to be.

I'm pretty sure it was winter time our senior year when the first non-boyfriend kiss occurred. My parents were somewhere for the weekend and I think Robert and I were either on the outs or in a fight. I know I wasn't happy with him and I was feeling bold, wanting to do something bad. ooooooooo ha ha It's funny because when I think back on the incident, I can conjure up the feelings of that night, my restlessness.

I remember that I wanted to loosen my inhibitions, so I raided dad's liquor cabinet, which wasn't that much really, and made a vodka and orange juice. Robert and John M had become friends, so the three of us had been hanging out a lot. Since Robert and I were fighting or whatever, John agreed to come over. He shows up, we're hanging out, I may have had another drink, I don't recall. The next thing I know John was sitting on the couch and I straddled him and then we were kissing. Right after that Tamara and her date showed up and I freaked out. I remember pacing up and down the kitchen and John left. ha ha ha I never did tell Robert about that and I don't think John and I ever talked about it.

The next kiss happened in the spring, I think. Ashley C, Heidi, Tamara and I had planned a trip to Gulf Shores, I think. Ashley and Michael D were friends at the time and Ashley had a crush on him, so somehow he was invited along too. The exact sequence of events is a little fuzzy, but I know that Heidi and Tamara were out at the beach with some guys we met and it was night. I was laying on the bed and I remember hearing Ashley and Michael talking in the bathroom/changing area of the hotel room. I think they may have kissed, but I'm not sure as I was trying to block them out. It was obvious though that Ashley liked him and something was happening.

Sometime later, Michael came over to where I was lying down and was rubbing my back and the next thing I know, his tongue was down my throat. Ugh! I was soooo not attracted to him and did not ask for that at all. Ashley got extremely pissed off and left to find Tamara and Heidi. I was mad because I didn't do anything wrong and everyone was mad at me. I remember Michael and me looking for Ashley and Tamara and Heidi because everyone had disappeared. I'm not sure where we all slept that night, and it was a long quiet car ride home.

So there you go. Now girls, it is your turn to share!

Heath Ledger

A small percentage of the population can claim friendships with celebrities; however most everyone who has seen a television show, movie, magazine, interview, etc feels a connection with the bigger than life stars. Many of us recall first movies we saw with loved ones, the song that was playing when the first kiss finally happened or the actor who always draws us to the box office.

I fell in love with Heath Ledger after watching A Knight’s Tale. I quickly became enamoured with the leading man and his quest to rise above the life into which he was born. I imagined myself as Lady Jocelyn who experienced the thrill of having a man chase her so unabashedly. My eyes shining with tears as the Prince of Wales bestows the title of Knight to William Thatcher.

Heath Ledger was quickly added to my “list” (you know the one) and I sought out movies with my new favorite actor.

Despite the controversy surrounding Brokeback Mountain, I made it a point to see the film at the theaters and was not dissapointed. Aside from a few raw scenes at the beginning, Brokeback Mountain is a brilliant movie and Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are phenomenal in portraying the struggles their two characters face. Also the cinementography is beautiful and the musical score haunting.

There were other movies as well The Patriot, Monster’s Ball, Casanova and the most recent movie I TiVoed of his Candy, a gripping story of two addicts in love and the struggle that comes with it.

When Larry pulled up Yahoo News yesterday and I saw the heading Heath Ledger dies at 28, I was shocked and saddened. I thought of his baby girl, Matilda, who will grow up without her daddy, his family who lost a son and a brother, and those who knew him who lost a friend. And while his passing may not affect my normal everyday life, I mourn the death of a talented actor.

Bring on the Weird

Because I was chastised yesterday for taking the easy way out. Here are 5 things about me. (Most of them you already know.)

1. I have chin hairs that I have to pluck almost every day. I am so tired of the chin hairs, seriously! My plan is to get laser removal sometime this year if we can swing it.
2. I snort salt water every morning in the shower in an effort to clear my constantly congested sinuses. It's sorta working.
3. I kissed two of the guys in our senior class even though I was dating someone else from another school at the time. One I instigated, One I did not.
4. I'm teaching myself to knit.
5. I dream vividly almost every night and I remember most of my dreams. Last night I dreamed about two of the characters from Lost, Syiad and Jack. The Others were trying to get us all. They were letting Syiad go because he was on the "List" but they were running after Jack, then I turned into Jack.

Tagged

I was tagged by Rebecca.

The Rules: Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

Share 5 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.
or
Share the 5 top places on your “want to see or want to see again” list.
or
Share 5 things you never pictured being in your future when your were 25 years old.

Tag a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
The tagees have a choice of which they want to do.


5 Places that I would like to visit

1. New Zealand
2. Europe
3. Isreal
4. New York City
5. Australia

Most of my readers/friends have been tagged, so if you would like to do it as well, drop me a note so I can read it.

New Hair

After high school I would change my hair color every few months or so. I get bored easy and that was my way of having a big change without cutting my hair. It seems though in the last couple of years, I have eased up on the coloring and now I cut my hair off just to grow it out just to cut it off again. Which I did again last night. I think it may be about an inch shorter than I would like to keep it and I'm not sure about the bangs, but it's just hair and it will grow. I'm also posting some pics of the bathroom since it's been finished, well, almost, a couple of places need grout and I need to hang something on the walls.



I seriously have a LARGE nose.