I owe some credit

I was having a TERRIBLE day yesterday. Like bad. My top six reasons? I thought you'd never ask! (Why six? Well six is a bad number, to further my point.)

1. The cable was out. AGAIN! We finally found out the problem, but it doesn't help when you can't get someone out until the next day to fix it. Therefore, I was going to miss The Office. The Big One. JIM AND PAM'S WEDDING! The weight of it all was only getting heavier when I realized we don't know anyone well enough here to just jump in and say, "Hey, we're gunna watch The Office, mmmk?" Sure we could have watched the full episode later, but there's no fun in that! Plus, we were going to miss Community, Survivor, AND our new favorite show, Flash Forward. It will fill the LOST shape hole in our hearts after it ends...tear.

2. I still can't find a job. The economy sucks! NO ONE is hiring. NO ONE. And if they are, I've been in touch. Trust me on that. Taylor has a wonderful job for the next 4-5 years. Talk about job security. When he's done here, I plan to be jobless with a baby on the way so I'm hoping I can make SOME money. Sure, I've babysat. But SAH moms don't need me very often. Which I wouldn't either so I don't blame them. In the meantime, I still don't have a job. There are so many bad connotations with not having one. People give me this, "So what do YOU do" face after meeting my brainiac husband. Then the face gets more twisted when they find out I sit home and eat bonbons all day. No, not really but I feel like I should get some now that I've been home for so long. I would say this is the only feminist bone in my body. The "I want a job and I want it NOW" bone. I'll keep praying, I know God has something for me. If not, I'll probably sulk. And then get over it.

3. The house is not clean. I've discovered there are other women out there like me. They HATE cleaning, but LOVE a clean house. It makes sense to me! I don't like looking at the clutter, but I don't want to make the effort to tidy up. I do eventually, but its like pulling my own teeth.

4. I don't have a gym pass. If you happen to live in Michigan, can you please tell some high up person from 24 Hour Fitness to build a stinking gym within the state? GOOD GRIEF! Back home I had TWO gym passes. One of them was for 24 through my family, the other through UCI. Oh how I miss it. There is the option to run outside, but the weather kinda sucks right now and I hate getting wet. Oh sure, there's a tiny rinky dink gym in the housing office but there's no elliptical. No point wasting my time.

5. I can't get my school records. I've been wanting to finish my last 4 stupid classes and I can't. I've called numerous times but all I get is sarcasm and some major attitude. Its infuriating. They want me to come into the office to get my info. Um, HELLO? Did you not hear that I'm 2500 miles away? All I can say is LAME. I'll try again but as Gwen would say, "I've had it up to here."

6. I didn't set anything out to cook and I didn't realize it until it was too late. Plus, I was too upset to think about being a good wife. Yeah, pretty selfish of me. But I was not in the right mind either. Things were looking a little better when I saw a job I might apply for at the mall. I thought this would be the turn around! I'd pick up Taylor from work, we'd go to the mall and have a fun dinner, (because eating out is a treat for us, not to mention food court food is cheap!)
and watch the latest Netfix because the cable was out and there was at least some replacement. We had never been to the mall prior to this so I checked out the website to see what kind of food court they had. Hmmm, you mean NON-EXISTENT food court? Dude, they had Chipotle, (lmbo, do you know how many calories are in those things?) some Chinese place, (um, no) and Ulga's Kitchen. Let me think for a sec...yeah, no again. Have these people heard of Sbarro?!

I was pretty ticked off by then. Everything I was doing was resulting in something that would be on FailBlog. It was more anger than anything else, so I started crying of course. I do put a lot of pressure on myself because I like to be perfect. Even if I'm not. I like to have an amazing husband, job, house, all that and a bag of potato chips. It wasn't working and I was crying like a baby.

:Que Trumpets: DA DA DA DA DA DA DAAAAAA!

I like to give credit, where credit is due. These people have saved the day, and I owe it to them to say my thanks.

Of course Taylor is numero Uno. I called him in my pitiful sorrows and told him about my sucky day. He was really busy so he had to go but he sent me a text later telling me he would take me out to dinner and all we would do is relax and put our feet up tonight. Nothing to worry about. How's that for Night In Shining Armor?

We ended up going to this really old diner and eating super cheap food. The main thing he said was I don't need a job, I just need to be a wife. Its so true! He can pay the bills. If I get a job or not, my first priority is to him. And him to me. Did I tell you he's super smart? And always right about everything? I hate that. But love it. Sometimes.

See these girls on the right of me? They freaking rock.

Amy (far right) and I text pretty much all day. I've gotten a lot better at it because she keeps me on my toes. She didn't even know I was having a bad day, and she sent me a picture of these beautiful flowers, just because she thought of me when she saw them. If I wasn't crying before, I would have been when I saw them. And Jenny, (middle) sweet Jenny. She's always sympathetic to everyone. She's got the most compassion I have ever seen in anyone in my life. I was asking her is she saw how badly Sheryl Crow screwed up Brad Paisley's song on Leno...she actually felt sorry for her! I'm a nice person, but maybe I'm not sympathetic to most people. She really reminds me when I should take a step back and see...ooh yeah, that would be bad for that to happen to someone else. I missed that lesson in preschool, or kindergarten?

Dear sweet Camille and her hilarious husband Kyle
They are from this blog.
I took the photo from her site too. Total klepto.

Where to begin? I discovered her through Katie's blog, I featured it on our blog in the one when I talked about HomeGoods.
I started reading from the very beginning, and now I'm caught up with her to present day. She cracks me up. A lot of times I read to Taylor something hilarious she wrote and we laugh about it for days. Like what she said about Martha Stewart. Hang on...Ok back from laughing.
Anyway, I've been emailing her back and forth because I just think she's so fascinating. I like to ask her about Mormon things. I swear we share the same brain sometimes. Her emails really put a smile on my face, especially the one from today. It did more than a smile, I laughed out loud. I only wish Taylor was here so I could tell him another funny thing she said.

Pam & Jim
The knocked up bride, and the guy I'm not so mad did it.

It was pretty amazing the cable came back just in time for Community. Especially since it had been out for 7 hours. But it happened, and I got to watch my shows. Including this one. I really wish things were a little different on the show. Like the whole shacking up, baby before wedlock, getting married really soon after dating thing. It is very true to Hollywood happily ever after, but love doesn't always work out so perfectly. I can't hate them though. They are just so cute together, and boy is that kid going to be cute too. If you haven't watched the episode, you need to reevaluate your priorities. Then watch it. I'm the grandmother. Kind of. And I will always feel bad for Michael Scott. No matter how badly he acts. Ok no more. WATCH.

This guy...

Years ago, I went to church with him. He was one of those guys that really had his head on straight, and everyone admired him. He's older by some time than me so I never really got to know him, but I very much enjoyed the talks he would give at youth group. Through some very unfortunate events, his family left our church, and then my family left that church too. It was such a sad thing and we haven't really talked since. Facebook is a mighty great tool for finding people, and so I did. I might have said before that I'm a FB stalker so you know I already saw his blog and have been watching his videos. Let me tell you, I've laughed my butt off for some time. Like all the crazy things that happen to him at work, and all the crazy things he says. Whether he meant them or not. I felt so much better after I watched a few yesterday. I only wish there were more because I've watched them all. It would be cool if I could edit like he does. It's already enough with all the Mac stuff I know. But I enjoy him. You will be a better friend to me if you watch his videos. Plus, he loves his wife!

There you have it. Just some of the people that made me feel a lot better yesterday! Key word, SOME. Have a great day! It's FRIDAY!

Today is not as good as yesterday...

Which is why I'm making another list of things that make us happy. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens! Here we go...


1. Christmas Music

Image from here

Every year without fail, I start to listen to Christmas music starting in September. What can I say? I think Christmas music is just so beautiful! Love celebrating Jesus! Not to mention, I have Enya's cd. Soo....soothing....ahhh....

2. Cold Weather

Image from here

I'm still wearing my flip flops. I plan to until it really gets cold. There's something about getting cozy with my Bomb Hot Chocolate with a blanket. So nice! And what makes it better is Taylor is hot. Like he runs a higher temperature than me so when my feet are ice blocks, I can defrost them easily.

3. Going Home for the Holidays

Image from here

We thought we would only be able to go home for Christmas. Well it turns out my fabulous in-laws are sending us home for Thanksgiving! It will be so nice!


4. Pot Roast

Image from here

I went to the store to get stuff to make it. They didn't have the meat. Yeah. So I'm going again tomorrow. Then my house will smell like sweet goodness. Can't wait!!!

5. Cards

Image from here

A nice game of Oh Bunny Rabbits always puts me in the beach mood. Only...9 months away.


When the dog bites! When the bee stings! When I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things! And then I don't feel so bad!

I'm having a great day!

Taylor is not having a good a day as I am but I feel the need to tell everyone about it. Currently he's at school, waiting for his students to finish their tests so he can group with other GSIs to grade until 2am, seriously.

So my wonderful day started out with a later alarm clock going off-always a plus! I made Taylor's lunch and breakfast because it is the least I can do as a housewife, FOR NOW. Taylor was off work and I got to my job of watching T.V. You see, I don't have a real job. If you know of one that I have not applied to, called about, or begged for, PLEASE let me know. Its Michigan people, worst economy of the country. But Taylor pays the bills now so hail to the couch I now sit my tush on everyday unless I'm cleaning. Anyway, the cable went out AGAIN but they fixed it!

That is no easy task in itself because we have had 5 repair guys come out. Yes, FIVE. This one was super duper nice and actually helped us. He was only here for an hour! Another one was here for 6. Yes, SIX. It was very nice to watch my recorded stuff because on AT&T, you can record 4. Yes, FOUR. Ok, I'm done with that now. But it is very nice. Both cats either sit so nicely next to me, or curl up on my lap, which is so close to what I think Heaven will be like. Except I'm the cat. Does that make sense?

Anyway, after eating my delicious grilled cheese, I was counting out my calories and realized I've lost almost 30lbs since I've been here. Yes, THIRTY. Whoops, I said I wasn't going to do that again. So yeah, I was a chunky monkey for sure a while back. Cheri (my sis's MIL) sent me some pictures from Summer and boy was I ballooned out. How unsexy for Taylor. I felt fat too so that makes it even more unsexy for our anniversary. Not that we didn't have fun and all. What can I say, I know how to make things that are really unhealthy. Oh, but so good. And some things that are really healthy but still not good if you eat too much. Oh well, those pounds are gone.

So I decided to try on my clothes and see what fits, and what will fit again. I pulled open my drawers and realized that I haven't tried on a lot of it because I think it will not fit and I shouldn't even try. But I made myself. I was shocked. Things I thought I would not be able to put a leg in, I was buttoning! Things from high school (yes, I have clothes from high school dang it!) were almost fitting. Wow, how cool. Let's just say I think 15 more pounds would do me some more good and then I'm done. There's no way I want to go back to my smallest weight I was before. Everyone and their mother was telling me how skinny I was. Would they tell people how fat they were? Um no, but whatever.

As I was getting more and more excited about seeing all the pants I could wear, I put on a nice pair of black pants that I could not button last year and put my hands in the pockets. Out comes a twenty, and a five. SWEET! How is that for a reward? I put it in our humble piggy bank (ask me about THAT story later) and put away things based on how they fit. Basically I have a 3 piles left. 1st one is about 5lbs away. 2nd is about 7-10lbs away. And the 3rd and last is for 15lbs away. I'm excited! Its fun to work towards these goals. I think when I get there I will post pictures of how I looked. Oh, that will be fun. Kind of.

How are you having a good day? If you aren't, come vent. I LOVE to listen!

Miss Halle Mae

Today is my niece Halle's birthday. She's 7 today and it makes me fee pretty darn old.

She's a looker she is.

I have to be honest the day she was born was the worst day of my life.

Long story, brace yourself.

After my sister had my first two nieces so closer together I assumed that she would quickly have another one with her husband. Wrong-0. Alexis was getting to be 4, almost 5 and there was no newborn coming along. I thought I might nicely ask (bug the crap out of) my sister and see what the deal was. Well I can't say I'M the one that did it, but my sister got pregnant pretty quick after that. Oh I was so excited!

My sister and BIL make freaking cute kids. I knew this one would be no different. I felt different with this niece because I was a lot older and I felt like I knew a lot more about being an aunt. BTW, my sister never found out what any of her kids were before birth. I so plan on doing that too. Who cares about the stupid shower! I even helped name her. I came up with Halle, no matter WHAT my sister says. Like Halle Berry.

So flash forward to September 16, 2002 my sister's due date. No baby. Flash forward two more weeks, no baby. At the time I was a sophomore in high school, busy with volleyball and ignoring my homework. I came home from school after practice one day to find my dad home. I thought it was odd because he usually worked a little later than my mom, and she was not home. I asked where she was and my dad said her car had broken down, had a flat tire and she was at the mechanic to get it fixed. Hmm..ok then. Really odd.

For some reason I felt like being productive. I did my homework. Gasp! I did extra credit. *cough* NERD *cough* I cleaned my room. Absolute miracle! Through all of it I was wondering where in the world was my mom. I ate dinner, where's mom? Through homework, where's mom? I asked my dad again, "Where's mom?" Still at the mechanic. .....Ok then. I started to get more and more worried and it was actually time for me to go to bed and she still was not home. I heard the phone ring and sighed with relief because that had to be her. I went into my parent's bedroom to say goodnight and see what she said and all I hear is,

"Oh that's so great Greg! (my BIL) Tell her I love her! Congratulations again!"

"Um dad, why is Greg calling you?"

"On Melissa (sis) had her baby, it's a girl!"

I couldn't breathe. I didn't want to think. I just went to my room and cried. I cried for hours. Why would my parents lie to me? My mom wasn't at the mechanic! She was at the HOSPITAL with my sister! She was there! I WASN'T! How could this be happening!?

I was pissed. I was livid. I was bloody boiling mad. When I get mad, I cry like a baby because I have no control. I need to be in control of everything and I was no where near in control. I had missed her birth and I never wanted to talk to my parents again.

The story gets longer so if you need a bathroom break take it now...

Well the next day I was about to do some major damage. I didn't say one word to my mom. How could she do this to me? She had to drive me to school because I didn't have my license yet. She was just like normal. Asking me when my practice would be over, did I remember my lunch, like nothing happened. For those that don't know, I have a major attitude problem when I'm angry and boy was a giving some lip. She finally asked me if I was mad at her.

I don't remember what I said but I unloaded. I was screaming, crying, blaming. What made it worse was she had NO CLUE what I was talking about.

"HUH? Dad told me that your car broke down!" I was in disbelief.

"He said what? Why would he tell you that?" She was more surprised than I was.

I didn't know why he told me that and neither did she.

I guess word got around that I was upset (understatement) and my dad took me out of school to go see my sister in the hospital. I had been crying all day long and the tears were like a dam being opened when I saw Halle for the first time. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. She was laying in this little crib with a pink blanket and hat. I was overcome with emotion. There was a lady from my sister's church there and she said she would leave because she knew something was up. Apparently my sister had been induced and she had a really unfortunate experience with it. It only made me angrier to think that I wasn't there to help.

To this day the only explanation I've gotten from my dad is he wanted me to do my homework instead of be at the hospital.

I call BS.

Who really knows what the reason is. All I knew was I had this beautiful new niece that I could now spoil the heck out of!

One random day in January we took the older three nieces and went bowling. It was so much fun until we had to get ready to leave. Halle had the worst fit I've ever seen! She's normally really cool go with the flow girl but she was ticked off at us. I told Taylor to just take her to the car and let her scream until we could get the other two and their stuff to the car. We tell that story to her every once and in a while and she laughs along with us. At the time was didn't know how to smile well so she made this awkward face. I did that too.

Halle and Ashlyn together are hysterical. They are best friends and sisters and so adorably cute together. I don't think they would ever choose anyone but each other.

I was so happy to have Halle as a flower girl. She was so well behaved and very girlie. Halle is really up for anything and more of a tomboy so I was really proud how well she cleaned up. I'll never forget the first time she met Taylor Boy. She was only 10 months old but she just stared at him like I've never seen. Must be those gorgeous baby blues that I fell for too!

Gosh I miss her. She's really one of a kind. She makes me laugh like none of my other nieces can because she's so honest. At our engagement party someone brought a jello mold that looked bad but no one said anything, except for Halle. She looked at it and then my sister and said, "Mommy don't eat that, it's disgusting." I about died laughing. I still chuckle thinking about how honest she is. Like me. Honest with an attitude.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful niece. I love you so much and miss you like nothing else. Your birthday may have been a sad time for me, but I have enjoyed everyday getting to know you and love you all the more. You will always be my Halle Baby!