laundry laundry laundry...

Oh how I am HATING laundry right now!!! Granted for once in my life I am elated that there are only 2 of us with dirty laundry, but jeez... how much laundry should two grown people have? This post is going to be a hodge-podge because I am trying to kill time on the computer while the iMovie I am trying to publish is publishing (class slide show of the whole year... LONG VIDEO).

So back to laundry, during the initial clean sweep in February I got rid of bookoos of clothes. In fact I thought I got rid of all of my "skinny" clothes. Well, much to my surprise I found some today in my closet that were either hiding or we kept because I hadn't had my Ah YOUR FAT Moment yet. So, now I have another HUGE bag of clothes for the Goodwill. But, while making my closet my new favorite place today, I found a bunch of clothes that had somehow found their way into the back corner of my closet. Now mind you my closet isn't Sex In The City dream closet by any means but, it is bigger than any other in the house. Anyway, I decided they all had to be washed since they were in the dark depths of the closet. Much to my surprise... NOT, my hunka burning love had brought a huge pile from his room when we cleaned it out last week to the laundry room floor. I know what you're asking... Had none of those close found their way into the washing machine??? ALL WEEK???? No, so now I have a pile of probably clean clothes, but needing to be washed again in the floor of my bedroom, while I wash loads of clothes from the floor.... WHERE DID THEY COME FROM??? We literally wear the same 4 or 5 outfits each.

So I had a mini meltdown on the one who loves me so, apparently all I have done to try to get this house in much needed shape, is not seen as much around here. I know that he WILL NOT fold clothes, but wasn't sure why he couldn't at least wash them. Well, I "only cleaned out a closet today and wanted a pat on the back" ... I am pretty sure that he saw as those words were flowing in slow motion out of his mouth that I was going to blow a gasket. And, I did! After yelling, then came crying, then came banging dishes, slamming cabinets, and the comment from the peanut gallery,"you don't have to bang around cause your mad." Do they have amnesia? Quit while you're ahead buddy. Then he kicked it into high gear and helped me by putting dishes in the dishwasher... after I had cleaned the counters, reorganized the cabinets under the island, started more LAUNDRY, and packed a tote for storage.

Now don't get me wrong, he totally has a point when he brings up the fact that on weekdays, the last thing he will see me do is house work, but the weekends are when I have energy to do it. All I wanted was a hey you did a lot today or nice job babe.....

Before he hit the hay, he said, "It looks a lot better in here, night." Sometimes its times like this when my guts want to say, you just can't say what I want to hear can you??? But, I didn't I took it as his way of complementing me and went on with the 5 millionth load of laundry... Oh which contained his work clothes for tomorrow.

I love this man more than life itself, but sometimes I want to slap him.

This is a funny quote I came across, and ain't it the truth??? Off to dry the work clothes...

Love is the thing that enables a woman to sing while she mops up the floor after her husband has walked across it in his barn boots.

Hoosier Farmer

Great Day!

Well, aside from not wanting to get out of bed this morning cause Zeke looked so warm and snuggley... The morning started out great. The sun was shining, Starbucks wasn't wrapped around the building, made it to school early.

The U of Memphis came out to talk with the 11 teachers (including me) who will be mentoring student teachers next year. So, that was interesting to see how much the program has changed since I was in the program. I am so looking forward to next year. I hope my student teacher will be as excited about it as me. When I was in school we only did 1 semester of student teaching. But starting this year, they will be in the school for the entire school year. 1st semester only Mondays and Tuesdays (other than the first week of school). Then second semester they will be there more.

That lasted about 30 mins then I was off to weigh in... This is where my day could go terribly bad or awesomely good. I will be honest, I was expecting the negative. But much to my surprise the scale showed I have lost 8 lbs since the first weigh in... EIGHT POUNDS!!! That is great!!! I am super excited. Biggest Loser last night was a very emotional 2 hours for me. Olivia is my role model for this weight loss and life change. She looks amazing and I really think that she might just win this thing!!! Back to the 8 lbs, this really gives me the push I have been needing!!!

So for our celebration dinner tonight, we are having grilled salmon, green beans, and brown rice. Oh and weight watchers cookie dough dessert... I love those things!!!

Not the best 24 hours...

first, another pregnancy announcement, another 3rd pregnancy, another born in November. ENOUGH SAID

second, newest house motivation sold... in a freaking week. :( Only hope ours will sell that quickly.

third, Biggest Loser tonight was GREAT!!! Of course I was a blubbering idot... Thank goodness Robster was in bed ( hurt is back so you know its the worst back pain ever and I "just don't understand it"). Its just so close to home. And both girls in the top two have a lot in common with my story, I just hope and pray my happy ending is a sweet as theirs!!!

weigh-in in the am and this past weekend was NOT GOOD on the healthy front. I was ready to weigh in on Friday cause that is when I thought we were supposed to, and nope some time this week. So we shall see.

Operation Sell This House....

Well, as you all know from reading the blog that we are looking to move and put our house on the market blah blah blah....

Well this past week was the week for houses to be bought and or go into foreclosure. There were about 4 houses on my favorites list on Crye-Leike site either were marked contract pending (SHOOT!!!) or no longer listed (DANG!!!). Luckily I have found a couple others that can keep my desire to get out of the dirty dova going :) lol *Side note, some friends bought one of the ones I loved, so at least I know the people living in it are great people ;)*

Anyway, so I told the Hubs that we had to get it in gear so that maybe we would be able to sell and find a home that we could have our family over for Thanksgiving. I don't know why I have always wanted to have a bigger house for family holidays, but I have. I know it sounds silly, but I want to have family dinners at my house not always have to go to everyone else's house. Not to mention it would be nice to give the Mom's a free pass for a few holiday dinners.

Back to the reason for the post, I bird walk too much lol. We tackled the garage yesterday. It really was a major eye sore. In fact I am still wondering if our neighbor across the street was really just that bored or was tired of seeing it when the garage door was up, because he came over and helped us clean it up and take stuff to the storage place. We filled our garbage can, his garbage can, and about 3 super big garbage bags with stuff that was for the most part trash. Not things that we would want to keep, things that got broken from other things being stacked on top of it, etc. Unfortunately, the dust and such did a number on my allergies :( So, I will be starting this week with my manly raspy voice and sneezing fits that are super annoying. The fact that I could park my car in there now is worth every stupid sneeze. haha

Today we tackled the closet in the guest room. That is where the hubs is supposed to hang his clothes. Well, he is still in that college boy live out of the dryer or pile of clothes on the floor phase. So this guest room has been a thorn in my side for a while. Back at the beginning of this whole adventure we went through the piles and got rid alot. But, with painting rooms and such some piles had formed again. So while I went through my life in photographs tub from the closet hubs when through clothes to give to goodwill or wash... How do you know if they are clean or not??? In the end the closet is now one that can be opened by prospective buyers, and admired for the space. :)

I was also on a mission to get the few last things done to the former Tiger Blue room turned Black and White Chic room. That room is now the only room completely cleaned, organized, & staged for buyers. So, without further ado here are the pics:

I love the way the bedding looks in the room. It is cheaply made, but I expected that when I bought the whole set for 30 bucks on Macy's.com. I copied and pasted some pics of Paris from google and had them printed as photos. Those are the black and white pictures in the frames on the wall. The photos were like 50 cents and I had the frames already. I had a mission style black side table from the Tiger Blue room that was repurposed as a bedside table. The candle sticks were a Christmas present from a students that I was trying to sell in my garage sale. I did have to buy the candles, but that cost was minimal.

The curtains were the previous ones. I did by the lamp on the bed side table. The round mirrors were a steal at Home Depot for like $15 bucks. We bought the little laptop table at Walmart. And last but not least we were able to reuse the floor lamp we had in there previously. All in all I might have spent a Ben Franklin on the whole room.

Who knew my life could be defined by 2 little lines...

I never would have thought that so much would fall on two lines. Back in early years of high school and college, those finding the two little lines were not always happy about it. In some ways, back then those two little lines could ruin your reputation, make you the talk of the town, or even make you even think you life was over. Everyone was scared of the thought of being pregnant before you were married and such.

Fast forward a few years, college was over, and I looking for my hunka, hunka, burning love. I thought, oh I want kiddos, but was not worried about it cause it would happen when I got married and was ready for all of that responsibility.

A few years later I found him. So,...

Husband.... Check

1st Anniversary.... Check

Let's get this ball rolling!!! HELLO I am married... Why is this not working???

Well who knew, after all those girls earlier in life and now make it look so easy, it isn't just a roll in the hay so to speak to get those two little lines.

I truly was over the two lines after seeing so many single lines... UNTIL THIS MOTHER'S DAY.

I guess I really hadn't thought too much about it other then when people make their announcements, but then all of the sudden its Mother's Day and I am NOT a mother... All of my close friends around me are in fact mothers... I don't even know if I can BE a mother. I mean I have no way of knowing other than FAITH that I will be pregnant one day. Now I didn't throw a pity party, in fact (in a very PROUD voice) I didn't even cry. But, a few sweet friends thought about this and me on Mother's Day with thinking of you texts and messages.

So right now, I will not let those lines define who I am, I am a mother to my sweet puppy and 23 little 4th graders who depend on my guidance as their mom while at school with me. One day in the future I will celebrate Mother's Day as a parent. For the time being, I will be fine!

On the weight loss front, I am nervous, our second weigh in is on Friday... I haven't been so great in the past week. I am just looking for loss, because this summer its going to be on, and I will have so much more time to devote to it.

Happy Mother's Day!

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought I would write about my mother.

And everyone that sees you always wants to know you
And everyone that knows you always has a smile
You're a standing ovation after years of waiting
For a chance to fall and shine
Everyone calls you amazing yeah, I just call you mine

- Martina McBride

Barbara Mayo is my loving Mother! I don't know what I would do without her, she is always there for me. She gives me advice, sometimes even when I don't ask for it. lol She is funny, caring, kind, and always thinking of others before herself (sometimes to her own detriment). She has always done everything in her power to make sure that I have everything I could ever need and want. I am so proud to call her mom!!! She is a shining example of what a mom should be.

My only hope is that one day I will have a daughter who feels the same way about me as I do my mom!

I love you Mom!!!

The one I call Best Friend...

Through out your life you meet many people you think are worthy of your friendship. Some are just that, others not so much. I have been truly blessed to have many many friends in my 31 years, and I have seen some come and stay for a little while, and some stay for a long while. I had friends from childhood that even through the years we keep up, then those that I might hear from every once in a while. Then of course there are those I wonder what the heck are they doing now??? I had the best friends from high school that I was going to have in my wedding... Then graduation came a long and we all went our separate ways. Some of those friends have come back in my life years later, others haven't.

In college I met so many new friends, DG friends, U of M Athletic friends, dorm friends, education friends, etc. When joining DG I heard all about the life long friends that you will meet... I thought it was cool, but wasn't sure if that was the case.

I think that many people are friends for many different reasons. Some want to be like you, some want to be better than you, some just want a warm body in their corner, and then some just want to be there for you with you, beside you when you need them not just when they need you.

I think nowadays there is a misconception of what a TRUE friend is. I think many people think as long as they know you they are friends with you. Others feel like if you have ever hung out then you have a life long relationship going. Some think you are a true friend if you just have fun with them. Well the definition of friend is as follows:

–noun

a person attached to another by feelings of affection orpersonal regard.

a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends ofthe Boston Symphony.

a person who is on good terms with another; a person whois not hostile: Who goes there? Friend or foe?

a member of the same nation, party, etc.

When I stop to think about all of the people I call my best friends, there are some that fall under all of the above, and then there are some that don't really fit all of them. I tend to give my all to my friends because it is the right thing to do. I don't always get that in return. But, it isn't all about what I get out of it, after all it is better to give then receive.

So back to college... that was the time that I met the friend that I totally clicked with and would never have known at that time how close we would be. DG was doing spring rush, which wasn't a norm for us and a pledge sister invited a girl from one of her science classes. I thought she was nice, a bit loud, but hey she was probably nervous. I didn't really think much about it until I was asked to be her big sister instead of another girl that I originally was supposed to take as a lil sis. Well, our first encounter was in the Tiger Den. I was going to buy her lunch, except she seemed to be GAGA over this guy and he bought her lunch. I really didn't get a word in edgewise that day. I began to think great, I am stuck with "this girl." Well, next was big sis revealment. It was a little akward... but I was going to get to know her. And by the time she was initiated, I was starting to see that we were going to be great friends, although the boy was ALWAYS there. lol

Fast forward some time, and She and I were developing a friendship that was not like most. She and I could go out and have a blast, she and I were there for each other through thick and thin, crying, laughing, acting goofy. Wether it be hanging out at her tiny little apartment, or driving to DC to spend our spring break at her parents house, we were always together.

Well, that boy would ask her to marry him and then we got to be even closer planning her wedding. It was super fun getting to plan her wedding with her, kind of my first rodeo of many too come ;) I remember thinking, man I am so happy for her, even a little proud, because I had watched their relationship blossom from the beginning. Not long after her wedding, she found out she was pregnant. OMG I remember the phone call vividly, because I thought someone had died. She was a basket case, and at that time I was just telling her, at least your married. It's not so bad...

9 months later she asked me to be in the room when sweet little one was born. This was yet another time that we became even closer. She thought so much of me that she allowed me the opportunity to support her on this big day, but also take part in the miracle of life (I tear up thinking about that night, it was truly AMAZING). I was the first person other than the doctors to hold this precious miracle. Never in a million years would I have known then what an impact that made on me at that point. Not long after my best friend broke the news that she was moving her family to DC. I was devastated. It came right at the end of my college experience, the beginning of my teacher life. I needed her so badly, but it was the best move for her family.

Now at this point, it could have been the end of that chapter and one we both went our separate ways. But, neither of us wanted that to be the end. I had a big girl job now and could go visit every chance I could. A few years of trips back and forth and she called to tell me she was having another baby. This time I was not able to be there for the gender ultrasound, or showers... So, her parents flew me up to surprise her. It was the best day. Sweet little one was born a few months before my next trip.

Fast forward yet again, I get a phone call to say GUESS WHAT... we are moving back. This time I saw the house they were buying before she did. I wasn't impressed, but the hubs talked her into it. It looked much like a money pit to me at the time. But this is where I must insert that her faith and trust in her husband and her ability to take a risk just amazed me. I hoped and prayed that one day I would get the opportunity to trust and put my faith in someone like she did.

The first year back I was like mom no.2 while she traveled more days out the week than she was home. It was at that point (now looking back) that she was sad that she wasn't there for all the moments I shared with her little ones. But, me being there for her helped ease the tug of war that she was dealing with. She was promoted a little while later and was home. Just in time for elementary school.

It was so wonderful to have her so close. We were able to chat on the phone and hang out face to face. She was there for me when relationships began, were rocky, and ended. she always was there to listen, give advice, and make me feel better. Then one day, I met my boy. I had to have her and the hubs approval... and they liked him, almost more than me at first. lol Now it was my turn. Wedding planning, she stood right in the same place as I did for her, on my wedding day. She gave the most heartfelt, and special toast at my reception.

Fast forward, she was there when my first few months of TTC weren't working. She was there to listen, not really know what it was like, but she didn't pretend to know. I needed that. She prayed and prayed that we would have a baby. She was there for every step of the iui process, even when I couldn't talk about the fact that it didn't work. She really just listened. She never tried to smooth it over or turn the attention away from my feelings.

I love her so much, its like she is blood relative really.

Well, a few weeks ago, she called me, and I knew from her voice of excitement she was pregnant. Man, it really honestly sent me into a tail spin, but I was so happy for her. She always wanted to have bunch of kiddos. But, the most important thing to me was, that I was the one she wanted to tell before she told her parents and other friends. She wanted to share this with me... I was honored.

She ended up going to the doctor early, due to some stuff. And they saw two sacs but only one baby. I was so worried for her. She was super upset, totally understandable. I prayed so hard that everything would be ok. Well the prayers worked, when they went back this week, there were 2 sacs and 2 heartbeats. She is having twins. This is where I was reminded just how true a friend she is, she is so attached to my emotions, she wanted to tell me but knew it was going to hurt. She and I had a little cry about how life has taken us or not taken us where we want to go. But, with her I can say I feel "xyz" and she understands and/or gives me a pass. You don't find this everyday.

I thank God Jess came into my life when she did and has stayed for always. I know that God hand picked her just for me. I don't know that many can say they have a truly fabulous and wonderful friend like I have. I hope and pray that this pregnancy goes as well as her two previous. And maybe in some way, God is giving her twins so I can again be there for her, because hey, she is going to need more hands :)