Doubling the DeWitts

Lesson Learned

2011-10-31T10:59:00.001-05:00

Don't throw nail clippers to the bottom of your purse. You will lose a valuable layer of skin.

Always put pants on a baby who is taking "upper respiratory" antibiotics.

Music does not stop the crying of said baby, but rolling down the window makes a nice "white noise" sound to block it out.

*Hello blog friends! It has been, and will continue to be a busy time for me at the office. Don't give up on me. I will return regularly.
Is anyone watching Once Upon a Time? or Revenge? LOVE LOVE!!!

Missing in Action...

2011-10-21T10:41:00.002-05:00

Ever feel like your husband and children are trying to kill you will a slow and draining death?

Lack of sleep...
Inability to care for themselves...
Stress...
Stupid questions...

Yea, I do.

Day 12: [15 Day Challenge]

2011-09-26T09:36:00.001-05:00

Day 12: Bullet your whole day.

Ok, I was DRAGGIN BUTT this Sunday, so this should be silly list.

3 am: Wake up with hacking cough. Go get water. Peek outside front window. Stray cat sleeping on front bench. How sweet. Oops! I woke it up. Tip Toe back to bed. Don't wake Callen.
6 am: Wake up with pounding headache and burning sensation in throat from Cajun Crawfish boil at the Schroeder's last night. Go back to sleep.
730(ish) am: Poke husband in side when Callen wakes up. Stay in bed. Oh the horror from the headache.
8:30 am: Arise from morning slumber. Stumble down hallway to. The boys are the in the kitchen. Ryan is making breakfast. This is great. Make a cup of coffee. Oh, the sweet coffee.
8:45 am: Sit at the table. Close eyes. Why are they talking so loud? Dogs barking? Why do I have dogs? They are so LOUD!
9:00 am: Sit down to eat turkey sausage and eggs. Take pain meds and happy pills. Oh, I need the happy pills. Give dogs heartworm pills hidden in turkey sausage. Laugh (quietly) at Callen putting eggs in his hair.
10:15 am: All three get ready for church. This is Callen's first day in the nursery. Make sure his outfit is cute.
10:20 am: Brush and pin hair up so that it doesn't look like I was at a party last night. Use fancy Benefit eye pencil thing to look awake. Brush teeth. Sad. No more coffee. I am too old for parties. Why did I go again? Oh, Kyle's birthday. Man, we are old.
10:23 am: Mad dash for church. Why are we always so late?
10:40 am: Follow maze to underground where nursery is. Sign paperwork. Drop sad faced child off in his mobility appropriate room.
10:49 am: Follow maze back above ground to sanctuary. Services start at 10:50.
10:54 am: Find a seat, during worship music. SQUEEZE by.
11:55 am: Take maze back to nursery. Pick up happy child. First day, CHECK.
12:00 pm: Hungry. Tired. Drive. Home. Fast.
12:30 pm: Put pajamas back on. Carve a spot on the sofa. Wait, I was hungry. Eehhh... I'm comfy.
1:00 pm: Eat celery and peanut butter. Easy. Back to sofa lounging. My head hurts again.
1:45 pm: Callen is overdue for a nap. Work this out.
2:30 pm: Callen down for a nap. I'm down for a nap.
5:30 pm: Whoa, what day is it? Stumble down hallway. Am I still in Oz?
5:45 pm: Guess its time to make dinner. Go to the kitchen. Feed animals. Get out fruits and such for Callen. Put away clean dishes. Put in dirty dishes. Move laundry from washer to dryer. Start washer for new load. Start dinner. Go get clothes for new load. Start new load. Finish up dinner.
6:30 pm: Eat dinner.
6:50 pm: Callen in swing outside. Water lantana.
7:15 pm: Back on sofa. That was a rough hour and a half. Callen play.
7:30 pm: Crap. I need to check the DVR queue for this week for conflicts. My head hurts. I don't wanna.
8:00 pm: Callen bathtime. Thank goodness daddy can do it. I'm still on the sofa.
8:15 pm: Sad I'm missing bathtime. Get butt off sofa.
8:30 pm: Daddy in shower. Mama and Callen watching TV having a bottle.
9:00 pm: Callen in bed. Pull out the Nook COLOR and read some of I Don't Know How She Does It. I tell you how she does it... She doesn't go to a Windthorst Party and then expect to function the next day.... that's how.
10:00 pm: Sleepy time. I took a 3 hour nap today. No sleepy time.
12:00 am: Are you kidding me? Am I still awake?

By the way, this is what my Lantana look like now! I managed to keep them alive and they still bloomed through the WORST SUMMER EVER. I am very proud of myself.

I keep rotating it, but it keeps going back.. Just turn your head 90 degrees to the right.

Day 11: [15 Day Challenge]

2011-09-26T08:59:00.000-05:00

Day 11: What if your favorite movie and why?

My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice. Not the new one, the original A{and}E Classic. Technically its a TV mini series, but I have it on DVD and I watch it in one sitting, so its a movie.

via google!

I actually can't stand to see things more than once. This is a movie that I have watched over and over. This version fallows the book more closely than the 2005 version.

Colin Firth with forever be Mr. Darcy in my mind. In fact the role he played in the Bridget Jones Diary is slightly reminiscent of Mr. Darcy.

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book. Jane Austen is my favorite character. She was such a brilliant author, her characters so complicated yet simple at the same time.

Love. Love. Love it.

I may watch it soon.

PS- Sorry I am 3 days behind on my 15 Day Challenge...

Day 9: [15 Day Challenge]

2011-09-22T09:05:00.000-05:00

Day 9: Describe someone who fascinates you.

I don't quite know if I have an answer to this. I could go all corny like and say my son or my husband, but I think that's expected and forced. Not that I don't love them to pieces.

It would be less forced to say that some actor or actress fascinates me, but that seems kind of teenage/mid-twenty like... and well, I'm well on my way to being thirty... so, I guess that isn't allowed.

Although I will say that Patrick Jane from the Mentalist (played by Simon Baker) is quite fascinating. He's multi-dimensional and I love his knack for understanding and manipulating the human psyche.

See how contemplative he looks?

via google search

There are others.
People with great skills.
People with skills I want.
People who I can't stop thinking about.

Authors like Jane Austen. Ryan Gosling, need I go into why? My friend Brittani with her fantastic sense of humor. My officemate Nick who can conjure up a song from long, long ago at a moments notice. People from my past, who will remain nameless, whose intellectual conversations leave me thinking about those words for days. Kellie, Callen's babysitter, who makes it through 5 days a week with 5 children under 5.

Ok. So not very deep and meaningful, but there you have it.

Day 8: {15 day Challenge]

2011-09-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Day 8: What is one of your favorite television shows? Explain.

Well.... I would be lazy and direct you back in time a day or so.... to see the extensive list of shows that I cannot live without and the new shows I am about to embark on.
But... I won't just leave it at that, I'll talk some here as well.

Choosing a favorite TV show is like choosing a favorite color, It's damn near impossible and is entirely dependent upon my mood and season in life.

I guess I could look at which show has stuck with me through the years, never getting pushed aside for something new, never getting left to gather virtual dust on the DVR memory. A show that I still have not deleted the series finale from said DVR, because then it would symbolize and end to specific time in my life. Oh, lets say 19-29... those are supposed to be the best years. right?

I waited anxiously for its arrival, in the first year I was in college. I watched even more anxiously as the story line progressed to where I knew it had to go one day. I watched the series finale with exhilaration, in the first year I was a mother. When it was over I felt a small emptiness in my soul.

What would I do on Friday nights? Look at what had transpired over the years I have become and lived as an adult? I was just forced, by the ending of a television series, to close a chapter in the book of my life. Man, I hope they make a movie take off from right now at this moment in the story, with the CORRECT actor as superman.

Smallville. Yes, Smallville.

THIS.
Don't know where this came from.

NOT THIS.
Also, don't know where this came from.

Yes, Tom Welling as Superman. He should have been in the movie. Not the one who became the bad guy on Chuck, that's for dang sure. Although both quiet attractive, Tom's got my vote.

I have always been a sucker for comic book movies and shows. I have always loved Superman shows. Lois & Clark was definitely on my list of shows before this one.

I wonder what show will symbolize the beginning of this chapter of my life? Perhaps NCIS: Los Angeles, I did get inspired for my son's name {Cal-len, not Colin. Will he hate me for this when he's older? Or will he thank me for naming him after such a bad-arse dude?}

via

Maybe it will be one of the new shows I've picked up this fall? it's conceivable that I won't even know until its over, if I am ever again forced to close a chapter by its ending...

Day 7: [15 Day Challenge]

2011-09-20T08:36:00.001-05:00

Day 7: Describe your relationship with your parents/siblings.

I have been kind of avoiding this one, not wanting to be a Debbie Downer {and if your name is Debbie I do not mean to say that you are a downer, that's just a phrase}.

I'll just give you the basics, both good and bad.

My Mom.

She died on mother's day in 1991, when I was 9. She was 30. Motorcycle accident. She and the group of them were not making smart choices. My relationship with her now is with my memory and my trying to relate to being a mom myself. I look a lot like her. I have her laugh. I wish I had her green eyes.

My Dad.

He died in June 2009, just barely after I got married. I thank God that he got to go to my wedding. He had a thoracic aneurysm. I was 27. He was 68. He worked his ass off til the day he died, literally. It was Sunday and he was coming home from the store to work on a project. I loved my father more than anyone else. I don't know if I would have ever "fully relied" on my husband, as I should, if my father hadn't died when he did. He was the one person like me in all of the universe. I hate that he will never get to meet my son while we are all on this earth. I miss him everyday.

Without my daddy, in my opinion, the relationship with my sibling has fallen by the wayside. I'm sure between them, there is a long lasting bond., but all came into the family in different generations and/or different extensions of my father.

I have a total of 9 brothers and sisters. I am the only child of my mother and father. I am the youngest child of my father's children. I am my mother's only biological child. The disconnect I speak of exists between my father's children and I . The only sibling I have ever shared a home with is the only one I have a connection and protection for.

Now, go read someone else's post and have some happy thoughts! Thanks for stopping by.

Finally! Fall TV is Here!

2011-09-19T17:34:00.001-05:00

It feels like it has been the longest summer EVER! I have just been chomping at the bit waiting for Fall TV to show back up. We have a pretty extensive TV schedule in the DeWitt Household. Behold the Magic....

You will definitely have to click on it to see it larger. This list is pretty comprehensive of my high school and college days. It is always comprehensive of Ryan's shows as well, but I can't help it that his weird SyFy shows always get cancelled and don't get to stay on the list long. I will never give up One Tree Hill. It will probably even stay on the list, just lined through like Smallville. I just can't bear to hit delete.

As you can see, my Mondays and Tuesdays are a bit tight. I even have some overbooking {shown in red} that I am avoiding until it is abolutely necessary to make the choice. I probably will wait until Ryan is hollering from the living room, into the kitchen where I ~~slap together some crap for dinner~~ slave over the stove for gourmet meals, that the DVR is telling him that he must make a choice or nothing within that hour will record. I feel like if I make a snap decision is it less painful than a long drawn out thought process over which to give up. I have recently been considering streaming Netflix for some of these issues, but my budget is also as tight as my Monday/Tuesday nights, and furthermore it seems like the CEO of that company doesn't quite have it together these days, so I think I'll wait a while.

You may also notice that my Saturdays are completely empty. Is this a ploy by the production companies to make to go out and shop? Do chores? Well, whatever their problem, I just use it to catch up on all that is on the DVR, cause heaven knows I can't sit around and watch TV all night in the week!

I am willing to take a few suggestions to help fill my Sunday and Friday timeslots. I pay a lot for cable and I make it work overtime. I don't get PAID overtime, myself, but I remember what it was like. You have to work hard to get ahead.... but all it seems I will be doing it watching TV and perhaps blogging about it... huumm.... Anyhoo, suggestions welcome for any of my open timeslots. Remember that I can record two things at once and watch another in the back room. Oh, and I don't have any premium channels. {No overtime pay, remember?} Plus, I watched Camelot and Game of Thrones this summer, while I had premiums free, and it seems like HBO thinks they are welcome to show me all the private parts they want, regardless of if it is pertinent to the storyline. I am not a shy person, but I was embarrassed to watch some of that with my husband.. and if you know me, you know that takes a lot of private parts and private expressions {if you know what I mean}.

Also make note of missing information. I don't have as much time on my hands as I used to... producing and rearing offspring has taken up much of my free time {whatever that means}. SO.. if you have any of that information stored in your brain, do feel free to share...

Happy Television Watching!!

Day 6: [15 Day Challenge]

2011-09-19T10:38:00.001-05:00

Day 6: Any job in the entire world and why?

I have always been interested in the "parts to the whole." I started as a Genetics major - uh.. NO! Then moved on to Psychology - Statistics? uh, NO! Then on to Art History - BO-RING!

Interior Design for me is a big puzzle. My dad was a residential contractor so I fell in love with old homes and the history they represent. I should have gone to work for him when I graduated {sniff.. sniff}. I quickly realized that residential clients are... challenging.... so I went to work commercially {not designing commercials, design for non residential clients}.

Two dream jobs:

{One} Super dream job.

Design for Disney.

I would design hotels and restaurants AKA hospitality design. I would design for the parks. I would design the paper cups you get your Coke out of.

Bottom line, I believe in what they are selling. An experience. A whole package design/life experience. I follow along with their principle that the details make or break the design.

{Two} Realistic dream job.

Design residential house plans for a builder. I feel most comfortable with this job. I can get lost in making the floor plan work. In this instance, I would not be tortured by a residential client, so long as I had the Builder as a buffer to explain that design time cost money and crazy designs are expensive to build.

Oh yeah and an event planner would really fun too! Kind of a mix between the previous two, but much more risk financially.

Decisions Decisions...

Day 5: [15 Day Challenge]

2011-09-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

Day 5: Favorite Websites

{1} Google .. I mean, come on, it has the answers to the universe.

{2} Amazon.com... I can GET anything in the universe.

{3} Joy's Hope... She's the first blog I ever read, I still read her daily.

{4} Organize.com... Helps keep me motivated and inspired.

{5} My Google Reader Homepage. Nuf said.

What are your favorites?

Day 4: [15 Day Challenge]

2011-09-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

Day 4: Put your iPod on shuffle and list the first 10 songs. How do they describe you.

Well, you are either Apple or you are not. I am not. I don't have an iPod. Oh Shut up...

I will however, turn on my Windows Media Player and shuffle it...

{1} Breaking Benjamin, Give Me A Sign

{2} Micheal Buble, Lost.

{4} Tracy Boham, Brain Crack.

{5} Billy Currington, Lucille.

{6} Lady Antebellum, One Day You Will.

{7} Dixie Chicks, Cowboy Take me Away

{8} Switchfoot, Meant to Live

{9} Chevelle, Forfeit

{10} Three Days Grace, Over and Over

This list of songs says the following about me:

I don't buy music often.

I need to work on the shuffle, because it not shuffling very well.

I like a variety of music.

I've been listening to Pandora more lately, not my harddrive music so much.

Day 3: [15 Day Challenge]

2011-09-16T17:00:00.000-05:00

Day 3: Discuss how you hope your future will be like.

Whoa. Deep stuff.

I hope that my future is drama free. I want to have figured out this being married and parenting thing so that life can be peachy again.

I see all three of us traveling and seeing new things. I want to explore more of Texas and the other states. I want to take Callen to all of the fun places I didn't get to go to when I was little.

I hope that one day I will get my head back together and be a higher functioning person at work again. I want to be in the business of being awesome.

In my future we are a happy party of three {party of 9 really when you count the furry ones}. I see us free from credit card debit {we were great on this until I went on maternity leave.} For one in my existence, I see a simple future. Being happy with the life we have.

Day 2: [15 Day Challenge]

2011-09-15T18:00:00.000-05:00

Day 2: 30 interesting facts about yourself.

O.M.Gosh. Really? I don't think I'm that interesting.

{1}I was president of the Math Honor Society in High School, but I barely passed Pre-Calculus and Calculus because it's just not my forte.

{2} I still sleep with my "woobie." The quilt my mother made for me while she was pregs.

{3} My sons middle name is Jax. Because I wanted it to be Jaxon. By I have a dog named Jaxon.

{3} I really wanted my sons middle name to be Rankin, my mom's maiden name, but meanie Ryan nixed that.

{4} I have a weakness for nacho cheese Doritos dipped in FritoLay bean dip.

{5}I love shoes but most days I take them off as soon as I get to work. And walk around barefoot all day.

{6} I can make a meal from anything - anything - in my pantry.

{7} I have a very hard time throwing away pens that still have ink in them. It's kinda about 'completing a task."

{8}I have a Harry Potter poster hanging at my desk. Right next to my State of Texas, Board of Architectural Examiners Interior Design Registration Certificate... cause im cool like that.

{9} I always wanted to be as gracious and as kind and as beautiful as my friend Courtney, from college.

{10} I don't like vanilla scented candles. My dad said that my mom was addicted to them when she was pregnant. I think they are gross.

{11} I have a tattoo of a star on my big toe. My mom had one too, but not on her toe.

{12} I still remember many of the words to many of the New Kids on the Block songs.

{13} I can't do the "MC Hammer" anymore. Somehow I forgot....

{14} I get excited by color coded spreadsheets. It makes me warm inside. I am the original Excel-A-Master.

{15} I love, love, love avocado.

{16}Open toilet lids feels like an open zipper to me. Almost like you are showing your private parts.

{17} It drives me batty when closet doors are left open, especially at night. see #18.

{18} I am afraid of the dark.

{19} I won't stick my hand into the garbage disposal to retrieve important items. It will stay in there until Ryan gets it out.

~I had to take a break here and then ask Ryan for some help~

{20}I wish I could live at DisneyWorld. In an apartment above the shops on Main Street, USA at the Magic Kingdom.

{21} I loathe crumbs in the butter or the peanut butter.

{22} I loathe drippy sticky stuff on the syrup, ketchup, jelly... Why?!

{23} I loathe when you tear the protective cover off of the peanut butter or baby formula, you can't get the last bit off the ring.

{24} I can get sunburned within 20 minutes of being outside without protection.

{25} It took me 10 minutes to give birth to my son. Then I asked "Can I eat breakfast now?"

{26}I have 45 shows scheduled on my DVR. I watch them all.

{27} My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice. I am going to read Sense and Sensibility next.

{28} My office mate, Nick, thinks it is interesting that I burp out loud.

{29}I laugh hysterically when people pass gas. Weird. I know.

{30} I close my eyes and put my fingers in my ears and sing "la la la la la" until someone changes the channel when the SPCA commercials come on. Otherwise I would cry, the ugly face cry.

Day 1: [life of love]'s 15 Day Challenge

2011-09-14T22:00:00.000-05:00

Ooo Ooo I wanna play! That's what my inner voice said when I read this. Here's the scoop on ths link up. No extra time involved, just a little 'getting to know you.'

Day1: Discuss your current relationship status.

I am married. That's my relationship status. Ryan and I been together 5 yrs 7 mths and married almost 3 yrs. With no break ups. That's a record for us both. {Is that weird to say when you are headed into your thirties?)

He's the sweetest and most genuine man that has ever been in my life. He came along just when I needed him. I always say that he dials me back a few notches. I too, and pretty high strung, and prone to panic attacks. I can say that I havn't had a single panic attack in 5 years. We laugh all the time. He's the best and hugs and kisses. He's also a big old geek. Like World of War of Warcraft, SyFy, and Wheel of Time.... yea. i. know.

With that I should also say that my NEW relationship status is Mama. Callen is 9mths old and is a silly goober. I'm learning how to do this, day by day. Ryan is the bestest daddy that I could ever have asked for Callen.

Overall, I think I'm doing good.

Wild, Wacky, WHAT?! Wednesday

2011-09-14T14:41:00.002-05:00

You like that? I just made it up. I decided on Wednesday, I'm going to post a picture or story of something that I found just wild, wacky or outrageous. If I can stay on top of it, I hope for this every week.

Join in. It will be fantastic.

Here's today's wild and wacky.

This is my fabulous android photography. I should have an award, I know.

I see this car EVERY DAY at lunch time. See that license plate? It says "MUHAHA." Yea it does. At first glance you might think this is some rich punk kid or a smokin' hot older guy in his "crisis." Nope it's a grandma.
Yea. It. Is.

Mimi.. Do you need one of these?

Friday Fill-In's

2011-09-09T09:55:00.001-05:00

I prepared a Fill-In-the Blank from Lauren last week, and I still couldn't get the white highlight on the text to go away, then things started getting really wonky with text overlapping images... I got REALLY pissed and just deleted it. SO.. here I go again.

Let's have some Friday Fill-In's already!

Thanks Lauren!

1. Somewhere someone is picking their nose.

2. Experience is/are my muse.

3. If would suck if post-its were/was no more because, I would never remember anything.

4. Getting off work at noon is/are my favorite thing about today.

5. Life is kind of like ~~a magic carpet ride. a box of chocolates~~. a three ring circus.

6. If I could have anything I wanted I would want to have more time and money to travel.

7. A funny things happened the other day... One of my coworkers was looking through pictures of a building we visited and asked if we were there when I was pregnant. NO! It was THIS WEEK!

Unckie Nickie's Pick of the Day

2011-09-08T09:06:00.000-05:00

Unckie Nickie is Callen's not so uncle. We share a "workspace," as it is not quite a cubicle as it is more a space where they shoved two desks.

He sends out these ridiculously cute pictures ever now and again. I thought I'd start sharing.

I do not know where this image came from. I do not claim to own it.
If it is yours and you want it back, don't make a fuss,
just let me know and I'll remove it. Thank you.

Wee Bit Wednesday

2011-09-07T11:14:00.000-05:00

via

linky, linky!

{one} what's your guilty pleasure tv show?

One Tree Hill.

{two} ear piercings on men: yes or no?

No way.

{three} do you have dish or comcast?

Dish. DirectTv.

{four} what's your favorite current fashion trend?

Feathers and flowers on hair clips.

{five} if you could learn to do anything, money not being an issue, what would it be?

Organization, Creative, & Design Coach.

{six} red or white wine?

Both. I would never discriminate.

{seven} what type of food is your favorite

(ex. italian, mexican, etc.)

Italian.

{eight} hp or mac?

{nine} what color is your bedroom?

Behr Agave

{ten} what's your favorite form of exercise?

Swimming.

If You Thought Wal-Mart Was Annoying....

2011-09-01T09:05:00.002-05:00

Let me point out that I do not think Wal-Mart is annoying. I love going to Wal-Mart. I may be the last person in the world who does, but none the less I do not hate it.

This month a new store opened in Wichita Falls, promising low, low prices. Sounds good to me! This is not a store I have ever seen, so I'm excited to see what they offer.

The Dudes and I went last weekend to check this place out. It isn't the size of a Supercenter, not eve the size of a large grocery store. The parking lot has been full since it opened, as is for any new place that opens here, for the first few months.

I have outlined our experience below.

{1}
Parking spot right up front. SCORE!
All of the shopping baskets are neatly stacked next to the front door, and there stands what seems to be a cute greater located next to them. How nice. Right? NOT!
She's guarding the carts, explaining to all of us that you must insert a quarter into the mechanism to release the cart for your use.

via

Upon further googling, I discover this store seems to be the only one who uses this method, as a way of "Shopping Smarter" and saving money on not having to hire someone to round up these carts daily. Huh? Aren't they paying someone to stand there and tell me to put a quarter in the slot? My husband ~~steals,~~ ~~scavenges~~ borrows all change of the silver variety from my purse for energy drink purchases, so I did not have a quarter. So they are also not saving money by having to hand out quarters to unsuspecting shoppers.
I am both intrigued by a new gadget and the idea of tidiness and irritated at not being trusted and having to leave a deposit for my cart.

{2}
As we stroll on in, I notice that the cart has room for two children to sit upfront. While I only have one offspring, I think this is a thoughtful gesture.
I noticed quickly a wide aisle of brands I do not recognize stacked high in piles - kinda like the checkout line at Garden Ridge Pottery {perhaps a Texas only chain?}. Interesting. But hey, I see veggie chips. SCORE!

More walking, more brands I don't recognize. I hear there are lots of these stores up north, maybe they are brands from "up there." I feel a little like I am in Oz...

via
Not this one..

More like Return to Oz when Dorothy doesn't recognize anything, but she still goes forward.

{3}

Good news. I find decent Havarti cheese and freshly grated Parmesan for a great price. Not much else that I would need or want. Let me be clear, that I AM NOT a brand snob. I buy tons of WalMart and Target brand items. Some things, yes, I like name brand, but I am always willing to try. All of this stuff seemed like it could have been at the Dollar Store. No biggie, just not for me.

{4}

Here's where it gets worse. Even more so for Ryan.

We get to the checkout. We have to buy our own bags. Ok. $.06 for paper, $.10 for heavy duty plastic. A warning that we needed to bring out reusable shopping bags would have been nice. I'm the only dork at WalMart with a cart full of groceries in blue and black reusable bags. I do not mind bringing my own bags, I just don't like not having a choice. I'll be damned if those bags I had to buy get tossed out when I get home. They. Will. Be. Used. For. Something.

Ryan is livid. "This is stupid." I instruct him to step aside and not embarrass me.

We must also bag our own groceries. There is also a handy counter across from all the registers for you to do this. Ok, ok. No biggie. We just have some produce and some cheese. Ryan is livid. "Really, really?!" Again, I instruct him to just step aside and bag the groceries.

{5}

I step forward to pay. They do not take credit. What the HELL!! Now I am livid. Again, a warning would have been nice. Choices people! I like to have choices! I do not like to be forced into something I wasn't planning on.

Then I notice that all of the cashiers are sitting on chairs. Huh? I do not understand. Ryan is just beside himself, muttering under his breathe how this stupid store promotes laziness in their employees and we will not be shopping here ever again.

Let's recap.

I must provide a quarter for a "cart deposit," all in an effort not to pay someone minimum wage to corral the carts. {I think asking someone to multitask and get off their chair might solve that problem...}

I have to bring my own bags. I have to bag my own groceries. I can only pay with cash or debit. And the cashier cannot be bothered to get out of a chair to lift a finger.

All of this for items that I would not buy.

Not. My. Cup. O. Tea.

If I Could Live in the Ballard Designs Catalog...

2011-08-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

My world would be fabulously beautiful. I'd have to allow no eating, drooling, drinking, slobbering, or general tom-foolery in any room in my house, maybe the backyard,

First
Lets mention how I get the 'To The Trade' discount, cuz I'm cool like that.

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Second
I love this {dot} circle graphic they have been using on their catalog and site recently. I think I saw an address stamp like it when I was planning {designing} my wedding.

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Third
There's not enough time for me to show you ALL the things I would like nor would you have the time to go through it all. Because, surely then you would get lost in internet window shopping land looking at the of the things yourself. I will just show you a few things that if I were able to make over one room in my house that I would choose. Let's make over my ~~unused room at the front of the house~~ my ~~giant entry~~ Front Room, shall we?

Exhibit A: Entry Cabinet for storing "drop off items." I would place a large vertical mirror on one side of this. Last min under-eye bag check before I start the day.

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Exhibit B: Upholstered Setee {AKA Loveseat}

Yes, I chose that fabric.

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With pillows like this.

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This is a stray from my normal Autumn palette, but that's why I'm not a good residential Interior Designer, because I can't make up my mind, and I like too much. Right now, I am feeling fresh and springy...

Exhibit C: Two Side Chairs {fantastic fabric, wouldn't you say?}

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Each with one of these. I like a little pop of red in every room. Plus the wall dividing my Front Room and Dining Room will be this color red some day, both sides.

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Exhibit D: 6' Round Rug. This is the best fit for this room, I would be using it to anchor this seating group while still allowing the travel path along the two other walls.

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Exhibit E: Cocktail table. The room isn't quiet big enough for a full on coffee table, so this is the best choice. Note that If I were to get a square rug (not rectangle) I would look for a round cocktail table. Yes, I mix woods, that just how I do it.

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Exhibit F: These wall prints. I guess I could always MAKE them myself, but for now we are assuming that I am SO rich, it is easier to buy off the rack. I wouldn't out them all together like this. I would also shop out some prints that have some pops of red and use them as two different groupings.

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Exhibit G: Lighting. I have a ceiling fan, it would stay. It's Texas and it's HOT people. I know there are many Interior Designers out there that feel like ceiling fans are the downfall of the industry, again, this is why I am in commercial design. Don't touch my ceiling fan.

Now, I'd take two of these lamps, please.

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Now, I know I've left some things out, side tables, draperies, dust balls, pet toys, etc. But this is just a small glimpse into what I'd like today. Tomorrow, things may change. Today, this is it.

Please note that Ballard Designs has not sponsored me, I honestly love them all on my own. IF they should give me free stuff, it would be welcomed.

It's OK Thursday..

2011-08-25T09:44:00.001-05:00

Linky... Linky..... Look what I've found...

It's Ok...
...to eat tater tots even though you are supposed to be dieting.
...to hang out with other people's babies at day care in the morning, but still not want another one.
...to be mad at yourself for screwing up stuff.
...to wear slippers at work under your desk.
...to use needing diapers or cat food to go to the store for beer or wine.
...spend money on a pedicure even though you still have other bills to pay.
...to hoard coupons.
...hang Harry Potter posters at your desk, even though you are {twenty nine}.
...to miss your friends and consider letting them live in your guest room so they can be around all the time.

It's a short list.. but here it is.

What you YOU OK with? Link up with Amber!!

{Frogs} and Snails and Puppy Dogs Tails...

2011-08-22T08:28:00.001-05:00

That's what my little boy is made of. He's growing so fast and getting so big. In fact, he's kind of a giant. Just a good old fashioned boy.
He's always tumbling around, bumping his head, pulling the tails of my animal babies. And here you see, eating a frog. A friend of mine on facebook said "Wait until that's a real frog hanging from his mouth." Barf!! I will jsut D.I.E. My mother in law made mention while I was pregnant about how her boys always showed up with wriggly things in their pockets from outside. Again, I. Would. Just. D.I.E.

I guess that's why little boys have Daddy's.

Here's another sneak peak from our photo shoot from a couple of weeks ago with Jessica Wood. In true Monday Mama fashion, I have forgotten the CD with all the pictures at home, so please enjoy the picture that I have already put on facebook this weekend.

Have a {MAGICAL} MONDAY & Happy Reading My Friends!

{Fill In the Blank Friday}

2011-08-19T08:27:00.003-05:00

My idea of pure perfection would be wake up on my own terms on the weekends and then enjoy my coffee without being bothered {I am not a morning person}.

2. Good friends makes the world go 'round.

3. If it weren't for work and bills and a mortgage I'd travel the world and have adventures with ~~Craig~~ Ryan & Callen {Lauren, are you inside my head? Thanks for pre-preparing that statement for me!}.

4. Bloggers are a special breed of folks who have magical powers, sensational creative skills, uplifting spirits, and out of this world technical savvy. I love then all like I grew up with them, they have helped pick me up this difficult year.

5. If I had more money I'd buy you {Ryan} entrance to all the seminars you wanted, and babysitting for me, so I could go with you . {Callen} a house for Mimi to live in here so you can spend as much time with her as possible, she misses you very much. {Jessica} a house here at a Neighborhood Designed by Disney, oh to live the Disney Lifestyle.

6. I'm glad it's Friday because this afternoon I can either take a nap or go on a date with Ryan.

7. Something I'm excited about is Lindsay & Matt's new family addition, coming Spring 2012.

What do your {blanks} say?

Say "Thank you Lauren! For these great Fill-In's. You never let us down!

I CANT GET THIS STUPID HIGHLIGHT OFF!!! THE BUTTON IS NOT CHECKED, ITS KILLIN' ME!!

Weight Lost Challenge at Work

2011-08-14T09:58:00.002-05:00

I hate to work out. I hate to sweat. On top of that, I sweat just walking through the house putting up stuff, since its ~~hotter than hell~~ been over 100 for many days here. Furthermore, when would I have time to work out even if I waned to? In the 15 min's I have to myself each evening after all mouths have been feed and butts have been cleaned? Or at the ~~ass crack of dark~~ early in the morning? I am not a morning person, and I already have to go to a counselor because I'm about to lose my mind over having not time to myself. Why would I want to cause myself pain in that free time? Or sweat?

Bottom line? I'm the only one in the office who DID NOT lose weight this first week. Not only that, I GAINED WEIGHT! What the freakin' crap!!

You would think with the control issues, the postpartum depression, and the OCD tendencies, I would jump at the chance to analyze, chart, control, and see results. Nope. I want to reward myself with yummy treats. I think this may be where the Zoloft is hurting me. I need anxiety to have the reaction to do all of those things.

Being Mobile and Making Babbles

2011-08-11T11:43:00.000-05:00

Little Callen boy has started to make more sounds. He used his tongue to make some of these sounds. He says Baaa... Buuubbaaa... Bluuuh.... Blaaahhh... Very sophisticated.

He also blows spit, otherwise known as a 'razz' I guess. He also <> at the top of his little lungs, just for fun, then he laughs about it. Maybe I didn't need those two steroid shots for his lungs when I was in the hospital in Ft Worth - or - maybe those two shots made this new communication possible.

He is quiet mobile now as well. He gets very excited about getting to a particular point and then pulling up to get something. I am not as excited. The coffee table is now void of all objects. If I'm wearing elastic waistband pants, he pulls them down. He follows me around from my bedroom, closet, and bathroom each morning. He's not happy that I can walk faster than he can crawl.

We started introducing the Dogs and Callen to playing together on the floor. Jaxon doesn't really care much for it, he's just happy to be in and on the sofa - IF there is a Callen toy on the floor, it becomes a Jaxon toy. He's a toy hoarder. Tootise gives him a little sniff and circles him once or twice, then goes to find somewhere to curl up. Leo {Boogie} luuvs him some Callen. I think they are going to be good friends. As it stands, Callen feed Leo his snacks from his booster seat and lets Leo lick his hands when they are covered in baby food. Sure way to make buddies with a dog. Leo completely encompasses Callen in little dachshund circles and proceeds to lick and lick and lick and lick. Callen pushes him away with his feet. Leo takes a break. Then it starts all over again.

What are your babies up to?

I'm Not Awesome...

2011-08-09T08:22:00.001-05:00

I did not meet my weekend goals. Those damn picture frames are still empty.
It seemed liked I was cooking and doing dishes all weekend though... geeez...

Did anyone see CJax's photo shoot teaser this weekend? No? Well, I'll show you...

j-wood photography

Got Ideas?

2011-08-05T08:23:00.002-05:00

Grab a Cup 'O Joe. Take a seat and have a read.

I know I've not been the most devoted blogger this summer, BUT.... I'm hoping a little freshening up of the 'ole bloggity-blog will help keep me going into the fall.

I {heart} my background. I colors, the shapes, the designs. I feel like my header needs some help, and I don't have the ~~time~~ patience to redesign it. Along with that, I need a new grab me button. I want to keep the owl, of course, but maybe a newly built owl?

I would also like a custom signature and maybe some new sidebar headers.

Any ideas where I can get this on the cheap? Within my style?

So, THIS WEEKEND... What are you up to? Me? What am I up to? Oh, it's so nice of you to ask.

Clayton, Ryan's nephew is here with us for two weeks. It's been alright. They pretty much play World of Warcraft in their free time. Tonight we will be out taking some pictures, with Jessica Wood. I am so glad that she was able to squeeze us in while Clayton was here. It's going to be a ~~burning inferno~~ GREAT! We were scheduled a few weeks ago with Rachel Archer, but Callen decided to have a "i can't go poop" incident, therefore we did not make it. We have been bumped down to the Christmas mini shoots. I feel like I am cheating on one or both of them by openly sharing this information.

Other than this, I hope to get around to a task that I was supposed to complete while in maternity leave. I have at least four empty picture frames in Callen's room. Two of which are little crafty projects, the other two just need prints. I hope to complete this task over the weekend. Check back in Monday to see my progress.

A sidenote, I have mentioned that the very, very first blog I ever followed was Julie @ Joy's Hope. While I was having my summer meltdown's I totally missed the birth of her first son, which I had been waiting and waiting for. This little dude has made me fall in love with her cute little family even more. It wasn't until more than a year in that I actually went back in archives and read the origin of the name of her blog. I loved her even more. Go check them out. You will thank me. She ALWAYS makes me happy.

Summer Leave of Absence

2011-08-03T08:31:00.000-05:00

So... I took a little break... not that I wanted to, but the summer has been so busy.

Been traveling.
Had a PPD flareup.
Dealing with my Dad's Estate.
It's flippin hot!
Got swamped at work.

Are those enough excuses? Do you forgive me yet? I'll do better from now on.

It really has been a long hard summer for me. I am definitely ready for a break. I am in need of a trip to Disney that's for sure! I did have a teensy tinsey little break for myself, I went to a Painting with Wine class. How do you paint with wine, you might ask? You don't. NEVER waste wine on canvas! You drink wine while you paint. I do have some background in art, so it was nice to spend some time with this side of me again.

It's great fun with friends. I will definitely be doing it again.

It's an art studio called How Great Thou Art {love the name}, she has adult classes and kids classes/camp. Callen will for sure be doing these when he's older.

This class we painted the peacock.. It was fun.
See the amazing artwork below. Forgive the photography. It was a lowlit room.

This was the example.

This was mine.

Travelin' Gal

2011-07-06T11:08:00.000-05:00

I've been traveling.. again. This time for work. Now I have lots of work to get done. By Saturday. Man I love the inconsistent nature of Architecture & Interior Design. NOT.

When I get a moment to myself, I will post about my San Antonio and 4th of July fun.

Until then, have a taste of this:

Remember when I spoke of how Weather.com is trying to torture me slowly with their Disney World hints?
Well, now Weather.com has been caught in yet another tidbit of cruelty... Go read this Open Letter to Weather.com. Your welcome for the laugh break.

I think I've found another blog friend. Thanks Breann for sharing.

Fill in the Blank Friday!

2011-06-24T09:02:00.000-05:00

1. The last thing I ate was roasted garlic hummus and crackers.

2. The next thing I'd like to eat is Pasta. I'm craving pasta. I think it's because I had some awesome pasta last weekend and I wish I had more.

3. The best things snickers, baby laughs.

4. Something that makes me supremely and utterly happy is hanging out with Ryan & Callen, just doing nothin'.

5. Sports are BOORING. Except Baseball. If it includes Beer, I can tolerate it.

6. I miss Free time. Like when I was in college.

7. Right now I am SO excited it Friday. Trying to find a babysitter for next week so I can go to San Antonio for work.

Who's Going to Get Donuts?

2011-06-22T08:58:00.001-05:00

Today is National Chocolate Eclair Day. Did you know this? I did not. These little mini ones look OH SO good!.

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Here's a recipe for some from Paula Dean, from the Food Network. I like to camp out on that channel on the weekends. Or, at least, I used to, before I had a Son. He keeps me pretty busy now.

Yesterday was National Peaches and Cream Day. I wish it was yesterday again. This is how someone else honored yesterday.

Recipe

I would accept a delivery of chocolate eclairs today, from any of our local bakeries. Margie's Sweet Shoppe is one of my favorites.

Vistin' H-Town!!

2011-06-21T08:53:00.002-05:00

So... the Travelin' DeWitt's as we are, we went on another road trip this weekend. Texas is pretty big, and it takes a while to get places.

I am from Houston and Ryan is from Nacogdoches, and our respective families and friends are in those towns. We don't get to Houston much, because two more hours, for a total of seven, is pretty rough. We get to Nacogdoches pretty often, Ryan's mom sometimes has withdrawals when we don't. Ryan is the first of her children to move away from here, then we went and had a baby. Her other grandson lives with her, so you see where she might get anxious.

This time we went to Houston. I had to go to Mediation for my Dad's Estate. It's been a long process to get here, and a pretty unpleasant one. I'm glad we were able to reach a settlement - neither of the two sides are 100% happy, but at least we can move forward.

Thursday:
We started off our adventure at my Brother's. He lives in Coldspring, Texas. It's by Lake Livingston. My dad has/had property there also. He didn't get a chance to finish building his house. My brother IS building his house. He failed to mention that there are no sinks in his house and not really a kitchen. We were surprised when we arrived. I grew up in housing construction, so it was alright.

Let't take a mental break. Callen was.

Friday:
I ride into Houston with my Brother for Mediation. It was practically right next door to where Breann works! I'm a goober and didn't realize this until days later.
Ryan drives up to Nacogdoches and back for the day to hang out with his family. We meet back at my brother's, then pack up. We decide that we should go back into Nacogdoches for the rest of the weekend because his Dad is in town only for a few more days. He works in Africa. We see him when we can. Callen loves his Pops.

Saturday:

How bout a snack? Callen was.

Drive back into Houston to eat at Tia Maria's. Why you might ask? #1 We had origianlly thought we were going to be at my Brother's the whole weekend, so this wouldn't have been such a drive. I made plans with the girls. #2 I wasn't going to pass up good food and friends.
We ate lunch Aunti Sarah and Luke, Breann and her brood of boys {Lee, Logan, & Unka Bunny} - CHECK US OUT HERE! Then we went to see Aunt Lindsay and Unckie Matt at Lindsay's parents, where they were hanging out for the day. We were busy bees. Back to Nac, where we drove past an ENORMOUS wildfire. We went to eat at Auntie Pasta's for Father's Day. Another of my favorites. I ate too much.

Sunday:
On the road again..... Back to the Falls. Man were all three of us tired of being in the car. Mama's new Jeep sure wore it's tires! We also drive through some SERIOUS wildfires on this day. I sure hope Texas makes it through the burning inferno. Pray for us. We need rain.

We ate at this AWESOME place just outside of Fort Worth called Boston's. I had this fantastic Flatbread Pizza. Callen gummed on the crust.

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This may be cheating, but I'm using this to link up to Tasty Tuesday. I never have yummy recipes to add, partially because I'm much better at being an Eater Outer instead of being a Eater Inner.

Help Me Choose.

2011-06-15T17:56:00.006-05:00

Ryan has finally agreed to let me put SFA plates on my JEEP. I am SO excited. I designed a few. Help me pick.

{DEWITT was Not Available}

{Callen Jax}

{Ryan, Jessica, Callen, DeWitt}

Which One Do You Like Best?

Post Office @ the Lunch Hour. Don't Do It.

2011-06-14T14:03:00.001-05:00

Sheesh... You'd think it was friggin' Black Friday at Target or something!

Here's an idea of what I saw when I walked in the door. That little sad child walking away....? That's me.

VIA

Worst part? There was one {yeah, swallow that ONE} mail clerk at the counter.

Sent Hottie Hubs back later in the day. NOT during a time when all of Wichita Falls is mailing something at once. You may remember a few days back when I ferked up our bills pretty good... Today I WAS trying to mail out my FIRST new JEEP payment. I am going to Little Miss Pattie Perfect with Bill Paying from now on.

Monday Moo's

2011-06-13T10:54:00.002-05:00

I {heart} For the Love of Blogs. It is always there to give me a good read when I'm down. It is always there to save me when I can't think of something witty to post.

So here you have it, Monday Moo's. Answering the blogosphere's most wanted questions... {well, at least a few other FLTOB readers' questions}

King Corvid asks:
"What do you do when you run out of things to do on the internet?"
Well, I'm glad you asked. Once I've read all the blogs I can read without feeling guilty about taking time out of work {even though I am allotted one hour of 'general office' a day}, and after all my email accounts are checked, I turn to my spreadsheets and calendars. These are related to any and all things DeWitt. Finances, events, things to do. I've got a small control problem. I am seeing a counselor since I developed PPD, don't worry. :)

Delaney ask:
"How do you gain and keep followers?"

I'm pretty crap at this. I don't put in nearly as much effort as many others. I think this is in part to my fear of obligation. I worry that if I gain too many followers that I will feel pressured to post every day and that it be OH SO interesting. I sort of like my slow growth. I do like hanging out on sites that have linky's and such, like FTLOB, because I get to meet so many new blog friends. And that is what it's all about, right?

Emma asks:
"What are your blogging inspirations?"

My life, of course. The crazy and wonderful and infuriating and fabulous life that I have. I like to share. I talk to much. This is a good compromise. We also live far from both our families, so my blog started as a way to share baby updates, then started as a way for me to share when my PPD kicked in and I didn't want to see the world. Now, it's a way for me to speak to close friends, when I don't have time to email or talk on the phone. It is most definately, the best way for me to get inside my own head, to empty it out, and 'let it go.'
"Do you edit your posts?"

Not sure what all this question entails.... I do edit my posts frequently, because my fingers and my brain do not cooperate and I spell things wrong very often. Then sometimes I accidentally post when I mean to preview, therefore requiring an edit.
"How much time do you spend blogging?"

I will nether confirm nor deny any certain amount of time. But lets just say I could make it a part time job. Unfortunately, for my followers, I read more than I write sometimes.

I Got the Blues.... The Broke A$$ Blues

2011-06-10T09:56:00.001-05:00

I'm sharing with you deep down deep personal information here.... I make mistakes!

I sit here, sippin' from my new coffee cup, pondering over the phenomenal financial mistakes I made over the past week or so. I bought it new, from teh Disney Store in Chicago. I have a shopping problem. I have a Disney addiction. I DID just mention that I'm sharing personal financial mistakes with you? Yea. I thought so. But isn't it a fabulous cup?

It says, "It's a green world after all."

OK on to the bad stuff. Many people know me as a very organized person. Which I am. Motherhood had tested me on these skills. Time IS NOT on my side. I make mistakes when my brain is going a million miles a minute and sometimes even round and round like a Merry-go-Round.

I AM the original Excel-A-Master. You hadn't heard? Here's the proof.

This is a screen shot of our yearly budget.

This is a screen shot of Ryan's yearly Martial Arts budget. I am Wife of the Year for this.

These sheet all calculate back and forth to about 4 others. I got it all under control.

Here's where it all went wrong:

I had three months off work, unpaid, where I continued to rack up hospital bills and buy baby crap. I did get some Aflac checks {they are DA BOMB}. ~~I blew through~~ We used our savings and the Aflac money ~~shop, shop, shopping away~~ to continue to live whilst I was tortured by our new baby. This resulted in more shopping and eat out. OH My OH MY the eating out.

I started back to work, with a clean slate, ready to get back on track and build the savings back up. The tortured continued by my ~~screaming and crying~~ sweet, sweet new baby. Mama decided she needed some time away with Aunti Brittani. So last week, I did just that.

Here's were it REALLY went wrong.

Somehow, by the time the trip came about, there was no "extra" money to take said trip. Tickets were bought, hotels were booked, flights were reserved, Mama was going! I survived. {And bought a few things. I realize the problem. Don't judge.}

Saturday, while I was sitting at the Chicago Aquarium, about to watch the dolphins WOW me with their wonders, I get an email from Travelocity that says, "How was your flight?" Huh....? I haven't flown yet..?

Quickly go through inbox to find confirmation. SONOFABITCH!!! I bought a flight for Friday night instead of Saturday night. These are not the type of mistakes I normally make. It's the Mama brain, I swear. Things are always swirly around in my head and I don't always make it back around to where I'm supposed to be. None the less, I swiftly go to Travelocity and find and purchase another flight. For the SAME time, CORRECT evening. {Because I think if I do this, I won't have to tell Ryan. We'll get to this} I go back to watching the Dolphins. Thank GOD for Andriod! Let's just say, "a few hundred dollars" down the drain. {I just threw up a little in my mouth.}

Sunday

I sit down with Ryan and Callen to watch TV and schedule all the bills to pay on my fabulous BofAm Online Bill Pay. {Heart} it, Mucho. I keep telling Ryan that I need to focus this is 'serious business.' He says, "Ok, whatever.' He doesn't pay the bills, he can say this. I usually sit down just twice a month and schedule payments, transfers, etc. all the appropriate dates depending on when they are due and when our paychecks direct deposit. I finish. Check that box. Relax for the evening.

Skip to Tues.

Check the bank, as I do every morning. WTF! Colossal Mistake. Why is that read number so big!?! What the HELL happened. I see what happened. The Swirly Ice Cream Cone that is MY BRAIN scheduled the Mortgage payment for Tuesday, instead of Friday {when Ryan's check goes through}. I did mention previously that our savings was depleted while being off work? Yes? I scramble to transfer what we have from three other accounts to cover. Not enough. No more back up available. HOW EMBARRASSING HOW STUPID! I get on the "Chat Online with a Representative," like PRONTO! After some explanation and begging to postpone an Online Bill Pay that is already processing, I find out this is not possible for an electronic payment. CURSE YOU ONLINE BILL PAY!! Then I bed for them not to charge me fees {I spare her the swirly cone explanation}. She says, "Kindly be aware that your account is $xxx.xx overdrawn. You will be charged fees." NO SHIT! REALLY? I DIDN'T SEE THAT! I ~~scream at the top of my lungs for all the office to hear~~ I quietly sob to myself. I sit and watch my account rack up EFFING fees. Embarrassed. Angry. Have yet to tell Ryan what has happened. I mean, he trusts me to "take care of it." OH, I TOOK CARE OF IT ALRIGHT! Straight into the CRAPPER!

Thursday. {Oh... It continues}

The Boss-Lady {who does the bookkeeping} is headed out for vacation so she's doing next weeks pay today. 'Kindly' informs me that last weeks days off {to have fun with Aunti Brit spending money I shouldn't have} will be UNPAID. WTF!? I thought I was salary? How can this be? Doesn't she just balance it all out in the end? Don't they always say "It will come out in the wash?" How can she do this to me, doesn't she know I just took us to the cleaners with all this OTHER SHIT I've just done!! I go back to my desk, have a bit of a freakout, then go back to her office. Ask her what's happened. She informs me that she JUST realized that she needed to 'rest' my work anniversary to July due to my maternity leave. JUST REALIZED?! Perhaps she might have realized this when I submitted for the time off? And told me then?!? Then she tells me that this also means that time I need off next week to go to Houston for Probate Court is also UNPAID. Wholly Crap!! Thats half my check, GONE! Then I ask her if she can't just borrow from my future PTO for this.. she says "Well, I just faxed it in. It's too late." I think, just maybe, she should have initiated this conversation with me BEFORE she sent the fax. More ~~screaming out loud~~ sobbing to myself ensues. I try to tell her that I simply cannot have unpaid time for next weeks time of, she says its on another check it would be ok. I briefly tell her the mistakes I made recently and how I need that check to be as BIG as possible. She says I should have told her, she would have given me a pay advance. SURE.. tell the people who pay me that I don't know how to manage my money!! Which I DO, but I'm not doing so swell this go 'round. MORE EMBARRASSMENT.

So here I am. I have no savings to speak of. Used Ryan's Martial Arts 'set-aisde' to cover my ass. Have purchased TWO plane tickets from Chicago OHare to Dallas/FtWorth. While all the bills are paid this check, I have embarrassed myself fully. Have to tell Ryan what I've done {BTW, he shrugs his shoulders and says "I'm sure you will figure it out." Wow.} No matter how much you make, how many raises you get, how much commission you earn, or how organized you are, MISTAKES STILL HURT!

BUT

I HAVE A NEW FABULOUS COFFEE CUP!!!!!

Just a place holder...

2011-06-06T08:35:00.001-05:00

Whew...I'm back from my Power Walking Vacation to Chicago and back in 4 days. Whilst I get myself together and design a witty post, enjoy this tidbit:

Checking email Monday before my trip. What do I see? Wow, have I really received a bunch of money from Nigeria, again? I don't know about all of you, but I get emails like these quite often. This one is the most convincing, and least grammatically awful of them all. Go ahead have a chuckle.

On the Road to GLEE!

2011-06-01T15:25:00.002-05:00

I am SO excited about my road trip with Brit! We are headed to Indianapolis to see Glee. I'm sure we are going to be bombarded by tweens, but us almost thirty somethings can hang.
In Oklahoma right now, as I type, getting gas and taking a potty break.
First trip away from Callen, I'll let you know how that goes.
More exciting news... I was featured on For the Love of Blogs today! {I don't know how to link from my Andoid Blogger app, but go check me out! It is linked on my bar on the right!}
First stop.... St Louis!

Need a Portable DVD Player

2011-05-31T10:07:00.001-05:00

I'm discovering that children do not like to be in the car for 6 hours. I guess I could have figured that out. Even as his, not yet 6 mths old, he throws a little fit.

I think he's figured out that if he grunts like he's trying to poop, we will stop and let him out of the car seat to check for the mess. Sure, I feel bad for him, but i'm stuck in the car too.

Here we are going to Nac.

Here we are on the way back, Eatin' some Chikin at Chick-fil-A.

You see he's a very happy rider most of the time. It's about the 3 hour mark that I need to be able to throw on some Baby Einstein and keep him occupied.

Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday weekend!

Notice to the CoWorkers

2011-05-27T08:23:00.002-05:00

This is what my 7:45a was like this morning:

To: ALL
From: JESSICA

There was a bug, the kind that will remain nameless because it’s gross and it usually likes nasty messes…. in the kitchen sink this morning – ALIVE and trying to get me. Everyone knows, when there’s one bug, there’s a hundred more behind it.

I don’t mind washing some dishes, don’t even mind washing the coffeepots. But I don’t like bugs.

If you make something dirty, please also clean it. Water in a bowl for a week isn’t clean – bugs apparently like soapy food particles.

J Thanks kindly.

NOW

Who's ready for some Friday Fill-in's? ... I AM! That's who! I'm headed out of town this weekend, so hopefully I can get one in before I hit the road!

It's Torture I Tell You... Torture!!!

2011-05-25T11:14:00.001-05:00

It's no surprise to everyone that the weather in the South {and other places} has been craptastic lately. Luckily, Wichita Falls has been missed by the hellacious tornadoes of late, but Oklahoma is just over the River and it could've been us.

I've been checking weather.com ~~every second~~ frequently to know when to ~~hide under my desk~~ get ready. Now that I have spawned, I am much more aware of post-apocalyptic possible Wal-Mart outages and a little freaked out about how I will feed said young-ling. Ryan keeps telling me to chill out. This coming from the man who wants me to stock up on enough water and canned beans to fill the garage.

Anyway.

EVERY TIME I visit the weather site, I see this, starting at me, TAUNTING ME!

If you look over to the left, and click the link Wanna See My Most Favorite Place? then you will understand why this is torture to me.

Not once, but many times a day, I dream of being there. I wish I could live there. Hell, I wish I was there right now.

Funny Story

2011-05-24T09:06:00.001-05:00

Just a little funny tidbit for Tuesday.

Nick (aka Unckie Nickie), who sits next to me at work has a problem with his dryer. It has to be jump started to function. He says that he has to put his arm in there, give it a whirl, while holding the time button, then slam the door.

Funny, funny, visual.

His fiancée can't do laundry when he's not home because he's better at it.

Can you picture it?

Fun Post Day

2011-05-22T09:16:00.003-05:00

Today's Fun Post Topic is "What is Your Most Viewed Post?"

Mine is Office Scavenger Hunt.

Have a great Sunday!

The Rain in Spain....

2011-05-20T10:33:00.001-05:00

OH.. just kidding.
The rain in Wichita Falls. It's been a long time coming. We seriously were about to burst into flames OR fall into the dry cracks in the earth.
I'm hoping now the Lantana I planted will actually survive. Have I told you that story? I have a black thumb. I killed Ivy once. And a Cactus.

I had planted Lantana in some cool hanging plant bowls from Ikea. Like the ones below, but black. Way cool. No drain hole. See where I'm going with this? They 'died.' .......So I thought.

They turned to flowerless brown twigs. I buried them in the planting bed under my crepe myrtle {who can take care of itself, thank goodness}. I covered them up to be with their maker. Every so often, I would toss a little water their, just for grins and giggles. One winter I even covered them with mulch, as if to protect them from one of the Texas Blizzards we had coming. One summer, I saw some little leaves come up. I thought to myself, how did MINT get planted in my ~~trashy~~ leafy crepe myrtle bed? {Lantana leaves look like mint when they are tiny, I swear.} Then, just as I was coming up out of my PPD induced coma, I saw these!

They're ALIVE!

I can nurture something into life! Wow! Whoda thunk it? I did get a little burst of happiness and joy from this. After some time, to be sure they weren't going to die again, I bought more and added them to the Lantana/ Crepe Myrtle Party.

I'm going to give them some time before I take pictures, just in case.

Where Have I Been?

2011-05-17T10:45:00.000-05:00

Good question. A week just passed me by without warning.

I've been busy at work and pretty darn sleepy.

Let's recap some of the fun for this weekend.

Naps. This was me. Man was I beat.

google image search.

Smallville SERIES FINALE. That's all folks. A decade of my life. Gone. I can't seem to erase it from my DVR. He finally donned his iconic suit and fulfilled his destiny. My household things it too WAY to long for him to learn to fly, but I watched every Friday none the less. {not sure where this poster came from, cause it's Fridays around here.}

via

We went to see Celtic Woman. Yes. They came to Wichita Falls. We got a babysitter. YAY! This is not a picture from what we saw. There was a no camera policy. Not sure how this picture came about. The set and costumes are the same. There was a new member, Lisa Lambe, who is not pictured here. The two on the right, in this picture, were not there. So we had Pink, Grey, and Green Celtic Women. Ryan loves him some Irish gals.

via

Food Aversion at Work

2011-05-10T17:10:00.001-05:00

I'm tyring to NOT gain weight after having a baby. Not really working out for me. Have I mentioned that I hate to sweat and I love to eat? See how this is not a good formula for success?

I have a plan.

Anytime I want to snack. I eat these.

Wint-O-Green. Please. Thank you.

I hear the emit some kind of park when crunched. Next time I'm "snacking" at work ...in the dark ...in front of a mirror - I'll let you know.

Meanwhile .. I have SUPER fresh breath.

Happy Mama's Day!

2011-05-08T10:23:00.005-05:00

AND IT'S COMMENT LOVE DAY @ FTLOB!

My Mama & Me!

This is my first. Still struggling with PPD some, so it's been a hard weekend. Well, after the week I had with no sleep, no wonder I've struggled.

Love my Callen. Don't love life changes. That's where I am.

Here's the backstory.
That's my mom up there. She died when I was {9}, on Mother's Day, 1991. Sucky, Huh? {I always wondered what kind of cosmic joke that was supposed to be.} I've always known that things happen for a reason, and I am just tasked with finding out the lesson.
It was not some freak accident, she was not sick. They were out partying and made some poor choices. That's all. It happens. I've never held any animosity towards anyone, for anything. {If you are reading this, know that God chose what would ultimately happen that morning. It is what it is. I love you.}
Sure. I wish I had more of my life to share with her, but I wouldn't be there person I am, if things hadn't gone this way. It may be an ugly thing to say, in some people's eyes, but that's how I grieve.
I spent the rest of my childhood and teenage years with my Dad. Times that I go grieve, as he died {2} summers ago. Story for another post.

Having my own child, having my own Mother's day, has officially made the switch for me, from the Kids Table to the Grown Up table.

So here I go, setting my place, filling my plate, for the Grown Up table.

Then.

Of to DisneyWorld. So I escape to the Kids Table for awhile.

Paula JoAnn Rankin Tanner

I got this, because she had one, but in another location. Very Prison Break-esque.

My Own Brand of Therapy

2011-05-07T10:13:00.001-05:00

Sure. Maybe I have some control issues. A little bit of OCD. Whatev's. But this makes me feel better. I can do it in my 5 minutes to myself. It doesn't hurt anyone.

It's Friday! Meet Some FAB New Friends!

2011-05-06T08:45:00.000-05:00

I did! See.. Look... New Friends...

Maybe I just like her because she has freckles like me....Huummmm???

But of course!

She's going to be in Dallas tonight!

I'm sure I will meet more throughout out the day, there are LOTS of New Friend Fridays around the blogsophere. But, lets not forget all the friends I already have!

Prayers for Andre

2011-05-05T14:24:00.001-05:00

Hello. My Name is Andre. Dre for short. I'm very sick right now. My belly is in some serious trouble. I may have eaten something I shouldn't have, but my Doctor just doesn't know yet. My Parents are very worried. I need your prayers. My Mama needs your prayers.

I stole this picture from Sarah's Facebook

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them."
LUKE 12:6

Dre is my Bestie Sarah's Great Dane. For as far as I can remember, she has wanted a Great Dane. As anyone who has the pleasure of being owned by a dog knows, this little face isn't just a dog, it's someone's heart. He's getting all the medical attention he needs, and we are all making sure it can happen, but a little divine intervention or protection would be appreciated.

Early Morning Brain Function

2011-05-04T13:35:00.001-05:00

When I say early, I mean EARLY. 3:30a kind of early.

My son had decided this week he will not sleep through the night. Once he's woken up, and I get him to sleep again {by any means necessary} he wakes up again every hour. So, I just stay up. What's the point in going back to sleep.

I attempted to have some time to myself during these very early hours. Making coffee, trying out a new workout video {I KNOW... against my nature], catching up on DVR, and actually FULLY getting dressed for work. Not the case.

I've only been able to pick one from the following tasks while showering each day this week, {1} wash {2} wash hair {3} shave legs. Only one, not two, definitely not three. Any more than one seems to send signals to Callen that I am awake, therefore so must he. Then, while wrapped in towel and and Turbie Twist atop my head, I get him out of bed, change him and take him into my bedroom so I can get ready. He cries and fusses all the while {Even thought I put him in front of Jungle Junction}. Thus leaving me with another option of choices, for getting dressed; {1} brush teeth {2} blow dry hair {3} put on makeup. Again. Only One. Not Two. Definitely Not Three.

If, while in the shower, I didn't have hope that he might NOT wake up - I could just forgo washing my hair, so as not to have blow drying it as an option later on, therefore considering that maybe, just maybe I could brush my teeth AND put on makeup - but I always have hope {I have to have hope or I might not take any of these options}.

Before the showering and getting ready debate, I attempted to catch up on some TV. I'm glad I just switched cable companies, because now I have like a month's worth of storage for my shows. I have at least two things recording, every hour, of every night. This morning I was able to watch bits and pieces of One Tree Hill. Yeah, I said it One Tree Hill. I'm a avid follower, have been since episode one. Story lines feel like they are winding down. This makes me sad.

Doesn't this life look fabulous? I would like to live in Tree Hill. Although, my dream is to one day live in North Carolina. Maybe HERE. Ryan..?... Colorado..Something like THIS.
This may be a problem...

Techy Super Mom

2011-05-01T18:28:00.001-05:00

I am one of those moms that read every book about pregnancy and about babies.. too bad Callen didn't read those books too... things might have been easier.

So when I came across this, I had a small "jump for joy" in my chair at work.

gerber.com

Why, yes, I would like help planning my child's meals. How did you know?

You see that little chart on the right? Oh yeah baby, A CHART! You can customize each meal. Quantity, Food Item, Meal. It's FAN-TAS-TIC! I thought my son ate alot, but not 7 times a day. I'm alright with that... because I was able to customize the meals he does eat and see that we more than meet the minimum calorie needs. Although we are still trying each food a week at a time, I was able to make a pretty chart. I. Am. SO. Excited about customizing this week by week. So. Excited.

Drawbacks:

It is that it is brand specific. We don't use Gerber formula, but we eat Gerber foods.

You also choose foods outside of the "Supported Sitter" category. For instance - I buy the Stage 2 foods, because they are the same food, in more quantity, for $.03 more. Double the quantity $.03 more. HELLO. I can measure out the correct serving for that savings.

You can't copy one day to the next. You have click, click, click to get each day planned out right. I'd like to copy and paste and then edit. I like super techy things, but I don't have all the time in the world.

I've already warned Kellie that she should expect a print out on Monday and that it was OK if she giggled a little at me. We've just been wingin' it all along. Which is ok. My Meal Plan is really just an organized version of our Wing It Plan, with the calorie, food group, and nutrient list.

SO. EXCITED. SO. SUPER. EXCITED.

Any of you mom's have any cool techy mommy helper tools that you are using? I'd love to try them. If you tried this, what do you think of it?

Friday Fill-Ins

2011-04-29T18:12:00.001-05:00

1. I am looking forward to Callen learning to talk so he can run up to me and say, "Mama!"

2. Something kind of embarassing that I still love anyway is My woobie. Quit my mom made for when i was born. It's almost 30 yrs old and I take it everywhere I go and i wrap it around my neck when I sleep.

3. My favorite car is Jeep Commander, Green.

jeep.com

I have this. It's too small.

jeep.com

I know. They look the similar.

4. If I could pick one type of weather to live with for the rest of my life it would be Fall. Cool Breeze. Sunshine. Sweaters. Boots. Candy Apples. Pumpkin Coffee. Yum.

5. My favorite thing to do after a bad/stressful day is Take a nap. A skill I aquired after having a baby.

6. This weekend I am having a BBQ & Bohemia Birthday Bash for Ryan's friend Lance & My friend Tiffany.

7. If I were a color, I'd be red because, its sassy and loud.

What are your plans for this weekend?

Here's Chloe's Plans...

Thirsty Thursday & Good Morning Randomness

2011-04-28T10:06:00.006-05:00

It's
~~Tasty Tuesday~~ {What's WRONG with me? I posted this first}

THIRSTY THURSDAY on FTLOB.

I have discovered new flavor {love} at Sonic. Well, I didn't have this fabulous idea myself. My mouth watered as I heard Julie {at} Joy's Hope talking about it. Everyone should know that she's the FIRST BLOG I EVER READ. Special big puffy {heat} for her.

What is this flavor?!? Are you wriggling with anticipation?

Borrowed from HERE

It's a Diet {yes} Strawberry Cranberry Limeaide. Joy gets a slush, but they give me brain freeze.

Some randomness.

I am a total Big Ole' Gleek. I am counting down the days for when Brittani and I make a trip to Indiana to see them on tour. She's coming from Clovis, NM to Wichita Falls, Tx {to get me and drop off some work} then we are headed out! Why, when gas is $500/gal, you ask? Because we are THAT dedicated. Really, we planned this before gas prices went TOTALLY ridiculous. We are committed to it now, not that I would EVER back out!! SO excited that I bought us prezzies for the show. I bought her THIS and me THIS. I can't put actual pictures because she doesn't know that it is... and well... although I am crap at keeping surprises, I'm trying SO hard.
Serious Glee Thoughts. I just watched last weeks Glee. {Thank my Goodness for DVR when you have a baby}. I was uplifted to see some serious topics covered {the beginning of this season was a little shaky for me in the 'subject matter" area}. I felt a little less crazy and alone in my own postpartum issues. Thank you Glee for making me feel not alone in this universe.

On that note,
Here's a little Glee Eye Candy.
{Swoon.}
No to overshadow Hottie Hubs, of course.

Another random.
When you are sitting at a red light and another car goes shooting through... Do you ever have a second where you question what Red means and what Green means and what color you are ACTUALLY looking at? Like maybe you are the one who's not doing the right thing?
Maybe I just needed some coffee on the drive to work?

William & Kate...

2011-04-27T11:23:00.001-05:00

So... Am I the only one who isn't utterly and completely obsessed with this Royal Wedding? I love to see a big expensive wedding and all, but come one... I need my morning news... and the wedding doesn't pertain to me.

BUT

I did find myself thinking.... In 100 yrs... Will there be a new Furniture Style or Era of Interior Design added to the textbooks? Will it be named the William & Katherine Style? Whatwill it be like? Will it be modern? English Traditional? Is it weird that I keep saying "Will" about the William and Katherine style?

You see where my curiosities lie... I hear this guy is doing their Interior Design. That stuff is WAY out of my comfort zone.

Although, I am interested to see her dress and her hats. Fo sho...
I would just DIE if it looked like this...

Thx Google image search.

Tell me YOUR thoughts.

AFTER THOUGHT: Is it Katherine or Catherine?... See how much I know, or care?

Callen's Craptastic First Easter

2011-04-26T13:40:00.001-05:00

It's Tuesday. I've moved past the trauma that was the First Easter Weekend. I'm sure that the others who shared the weekend with me don't feel the same way, but I'm me... and I was stressed and tired when I got home.

Let's just remember that Callen is just like me - with the anxiety and the change problems. It's ok, I can deal with it. Other people may not understand it, and think something is wrong with him. This is not the case.

Ryan and I got all packed up for the trip to Marlin.Tx, where Ryan's grandparents live, and where the holidays are held as much as possible. Also known as "Cell & Internet Vortex, Tx." Not that I would have had time to blog, email, facebook or anything technological IF my phone or computer had been working correctly.

Here's the trip. See where I marked our stops for potty breaks, diaper changes, gas, or food.

Left WFalls @ 2p - Got to Marlin @ 730p

Ok, here's an recap of the weekend.
{Family Disclaimer: This is my blog. My mind. My thoughts. If I could not speak here, I might lose my mind. No feelings are intended to be hurt. As I am sure you would say the same. If you are scared to read further, then stop here.}

Friday.
Fabulous Easter Party at Kellie's - Callen. Friday Lunch Date - Mama & Daddy. Pick up Callen. Change Diaper. Get on the road. Callen meltdown. Surely he'll pipe down and sleep. Nope.

{In the back of my head, I could see this weekend unfold the way it did, but I thought to myself, "Don't be a negative nancy, have faith it will be great." The back of my head was not lying.

Many potty breaks. The child who doesn't poo decided today was the day. Gas breaks. Gas is $500/gal here. Not really, but might as well. Fight over which GPS to use - Garmin or SmartPhone. What a problem to have when many countries don't have water. I hear Clovis, NM is headed that way. {"Poke" for Brittani} Callen eat dinner, by spoon, in the car, after emergency stop in Meridian, Tx, at the world's oldest Brookshire's, for prunes.

No real naps. No real meals. Since before 2p. It's 730p. We walk in the door to Gr-Gma's, Callen has an F5 meltdown. Over what you ask? Need to poop. Who are these people? Where am I? Where's my quiet time? What happened to dinner time with Mama? What are these smells? {Small house, lots of people} We usually go to a quiet room and take a break with these F5's. Didn't happen. Everyone wants to fix a crying baby. Ryan & I know how to fix our crying baby. He is not an easy going baby. He is sensitive to routine changes. He does not do well with abrupt transitions. I feel invisible.
Unload 80% of personal belongings into small house. Have a team of 4 to "easy pop up" the PnP. Tucker was a great help, by the way. His cute little self gives me hope for the future in having a son...Could have done it alone, however. Starving. Ryan eats while I do stuff. WTF?!? Something about being with Gma, Mom, Aunts, & Cousins brings out the little boy in grown men.
Still no naps for Callen. The time between here and when Sat morning starts is a blur. Callen woke up every 2hrs +/-.

{Let's take a break from the reading}

Just hangin' out with the Peeps, Keepin' Austin Weird.

Shirt from Aunt T.K.

Wakeup Sat.
Need Coffee. Need shower {hadn't showered since Thursday morning. Don't judge. I have a baby.} Need to feed child. People everywhere. No room to breathe. There's talk of going places as a family this day. No times discussed. Have I mentioned that I don't "go with the flow" well, especially when I'm out of my environment and routine? The rest of the morning is also a blur as I try to caffeinate myself, take care of my child, and be "one" with the family.

Next thing I know, it's time to leave. What? Where? Now? Do I have time to get ready, or right now, now? NOW.
Have I brushed my teeth? No. Have I finished my coffee? No. Not showered, thats for sure. Callen has not napped. Callen has not eaten. He is refusing to eat a full meal or bottle, out of stress I'm sure. I tell Ryan that I feel invisible, that I don't feel like he is protecting our needs. Isn't it ok to be selfish, when you have a child to think of? I know this statement must be a blow to his "Daddyhood" but, I must speak my mind. I told him that it might just be best if Callen & I stay behind. Nope. Must be "one" with the family. Ok. I tell him, "We will pay for this later." And we did. Siren sounded for the F5 Meltdown.
Visit some family next town over. Callen has not napped. Callen has not eaten. Head back to Gr-Gma's. Talks of dinner preparation and Easter lunch for the next day. I'm pretty sure, for each holiday, I ask what I can bring, what I can make. Each time, the answer is 'nothing'. But every time, I am the only one who hasn't brought something, isn't cooking anything, or isn't doing anything to help. I feel invisible. First reason {read on for #2} why I feel like a crappy wife/mom.

A true southern girl doesn't show up empty handed, and always offers to help - so I feel like my southern sensibilities are being questioned. Let's not forget that a true southern lady can get bat-ass crazy, when needed, also {keep reading}. I read this somewhere "To be a southern lady is to carry even your misfortune with style and grace." Amen Ouiser. {side note: I've been spelling this Weeza. What a goob.}
The rest of this night is also a blur. All the way to 10 o'clock, when my son finally went to sleep. Good thing I brought my Bella's Blush from the Wichita Falls Winery. {shamless plug?}

{Let's take another break from the reading}

Having some Toes for Snack.

Sunday. Easter.
Now this day - NOT a blur. Callen slept - thank GOODNESS. Wake up. Need coffee. Need shower {yes, still.} Making coffee. What do I hear? Is that Easter basket un-wrapping going on? YES! Are Ryan or I in there? NO! This is MY child, right? I thought so.
Second reason I feel like a crappy wife/mother: There's no Easter basket from me. Ryan told me not to get one, because he was too young to know. I agreed. I regret it.
I can't just be mad at them for us not having good First Easter, because I feel awful for not having stuff for him, also. But, they could have waited. I didn't even get a chance to put on his Easter shirt or get my camera out before they started in with the festivities. I have no pictures of Ryan, Callen & I on our first Easter together, lookin' all cute and family like.

Emotional Recap:
Tired. Overwhelmed. Out of place. Invisible. Vulnerable.

Verbal Beating:
I am tired of being his "nice quiet wife." I am nice. I am not quiet. I voice my opinion. If he couldn't protect us when we were vulnerable, and risk the upset with the other women in his life, I was gonna have go all Steel Magnolias on someone.
He loves me for it. Callen with thank me for it.
We should have had a plan. We should have kept to his routine. Our child. Our way. First Holidays will be at my house or with us first. To avoid me having to go bat-ass crazy and hurting feelings.

Apologies:
I apologized to Ryan for being so harsh with him, but that I still felt disrespected as the Mama and invisible in the family.

Realizations:
Maybe I like my own family more than I thought? Maybe I should learn to talk to Ryan's family about our need better? Without worrying if I will come across selfish and bitchy? {My Daddy called it 'sassy.' Let's go with that} I plan on recreating the event this weekend, and having my own fun.

Hope I don't get hate mail from this......

PS - My counselor says that these are perfectly normal new Mama thoughts. So there.

Need I Say More...

2011-04-20T11:12:00.000-05:00

Etsy

Check out her nail polish... I wish I were so daring...

Saved from the Mess

2011-04-19T16:08:00.000-05:00

Whew... that was a close one! Those sticky notes almost consumed my desk like Kudzu!

I super. big. puffy. {heart} Evernote. I see this super cute elefante {thats Spanish, just in case you don't live in Texas and are required to know some to get on each day} on all my devices. I even made hottie hubs download it too. So I can share with him my 'baby do's." No, thats not code word for poopy diapers. It the list of things he needs to do to keep me happy.

I do also like this little elefante. He's well known around my house. He gets packed up to go to Kellie's each morning.

Well, as promised, Breann shared some of her techy smarts today. Would you like to make your digital existence A Little Less Complicated?

Please Excuse Me...

2011-04-19T10:25:00.001-05:00

Things are looking a little crazy around here.
Please do read on to other posts, but don't judge the mess. It's hard to do blog things at work sometimes. I've gone button crazy.. Good news for those of you whose buttons are down at the bottom.. you make have a few of them..

Attack of the Sticky Notes

2011-04-18T12:53:00.005-05:00

So, sometimes my brain gets into a traffic jam. Many lanes. Numerous thoughts in each lane. Never on just one highway.
Furthermore...
When taffic picks up, I'm not always near paper and pen to keep up with it all.

This picture of my desk is what happens:

Sometimes I have blog ideas, shopping lists, 'Google It' lists, work task lists, 'Call this person' lists... you name it, I list it. Have I mentioned that I am a list addict?

Breann {Parrot Head} uses Evernote. I decided to be a copy cat and download it. I am going to learn to use it and then have a traffic free brain.

By the way - Breann has plans to post about all her techy saavy and how it makes blogging {and her life} easier... Stay tuned... I will let you know when she does.

Until we chat again...

Friday Fill-In's on Saturday

2011-04-16T11:19:00.000-05:00

I'm SURE everyone went over to the Parrot Head {link to the right} and checked me out yesterday. Like EVERYONE!!

My besties from way, way, WAY back came into town yesterday, so I got behind on the Friday Fill-In's.

Following Lauren {at} the little things we do ... Here's more insight into my mind...

1. My favorite daily responsibility is, dinner with Callen, spoon feeding has helped me with my postpartum depression crap .

2. My least favorite daily responsibility is, shaving my legs, hence why it doesn't happen daily .

3. My favorite cuisine to eat when going out is "going out to eat" in and of itself is the favorite cusine. Good food and friends. A Southern Girl staple.

4. My favorite cuisine to prepare at home is Grill pockets - Meat. Potatoes, Veggies - always a corn on the cob, spices. Wrapped in a foil pocket. Put on the grill. Yuu-uum.

5. Andy Warhol said that everyone is famous for 15 minutes. My claim to fame is being born! Hello! Just Kidding. No fame here.

6. If I could have 3 wishes I would wish I had more time with my Daddy, I wasn't a worry-wort, and that I lived at Disney World.

7. My biggest pet peeve is waiting. For emails. For calls. In line at the ATM. You name it. I peeve it.

By the way... be sure you go to her blog... there is a HILARIOUS video at the end of her Fill-In!!!

Look at Me!

2011-04-15T08:14:00.001-05:00

My super fabulous friend from college, Breann, has done an exposé on me. She features other fabulous bloggers every Friday. I am fabulous blogger... Didn't you know?

Its called Friday Face.

Go see my face.

Purple Flats

2011-04-14T09:00:00.001-05:00

I need some.
Recently I purchased these wedges.

thx google.

From Payless. Yea, I said it. Payless. I buy cheap shoes. How else can I support my habit?

Plus with all my animals, things get chewed on and peed on sometimes. I figure if they are going to destroy something It better be cheap, or else they might be banished to the crate.

On top of that, I change my mind a lot {you don't say!} and there is much less guilt involved in the number of shoes when their added value doesn't add up to more than my school loans.

I need some purple flats. In this shade of purple seen above. I am no opposed to some sparkle or some ruffle. I do not like pointy flats.

Any suggestions? {If your suggestion involved a pair of shoes that cost as much as my grocery bill, thats just NOT NICE!}

Office Scavenger Hunt

2011-04-12T17:46:00.001-05:00

Well.. Kinda...
I went around my office, to each space and found something weird or interesting to share. Whether each of these things mean something about that person's space - I will not tell.

What is this? NO ONE KNOWS....

First lets take a look at the closet we call a kitchen. It used to be a janitor's closet and we somehow managed to insert a water cooler, a full size fridge, a sink and side counter, mountains of soda boxes, a microwave, and a wall mounted phone server thingy.

Next we have the Receptionist's Desk.

huuummmm....?

Then Jeani's Office. Then Troy's Office. He A Boss.

She's the Boss-Lady.

That's Dude. He's a giant.

Why yes, that is a bull testicle.

Then Jackie. Another Boss. Next is Nick. My Space-Mate.

That's our 'motto' in the background.

I never asked....

Then Me. Danny. Yet another Boss.

...but of course.

Was either this or his SI Calendar.

Craig. Another Boss. Darrell. Project Manager.

M&M playing Sax in the back.

Trying to kick a diff. habit??

Joe. All Around Computer Guru. Corey. He's away from his desk.

Dusty much?

Been there a few weeks.

Tiffany. Jill of all Trades. Buck. He's leaving soon.

Smile! {There's candy inside}

It WAS a Speckled Trout.

JD. He's Abroad. Nichole. Corey is here right now.

I'm jealous of his sunlight.

She's on Maternity Leave. Nuff said.

Brittani. {Sniff Sniff} Scanner Room. Or as I like to call it -

Where things go to die.

She's telecommuting from New Mexico.

Do you see the scanner?

Conference Room.

Giant Plasma TV. Check.
Did you see that all my bosses are MEN!

What can you find interesting around your office?

Play along. It will be fun.

The Dark Side

2011-04-11T14:09:00.000-05:00

No I don't mean Star Wars or one of Callen's meltdowns.... I mean Facebook.

I did it. I jumped in. Both feet. Now I'm drowning. In emails. In pictures. In memories. In comments. I'm quite overwhelmed. I forgot how big {extended} my family really was.

I have been successfully avoiding Facebook for many years now. It all started in college, when it blew up, and I got my heart broken a few times at the sight of things I didn't want to know about - with a few guys. I was safer not knowing about the life he had moved on to or not seeing a picture of him with a girl at a place that I was also at {you know how that all goes}. I also avoided it because I was sure that these social networks were just a way to avoid real face to face interaction with real people - therefore destroying the future generations ability to land a real job or have a real conversation. I was very forward thinking those days. I have to say that, at one point, I felt the same way about texting. In more recent years, my aversion to the social network world was about maintaining my sanity and reaching a certain level of contentment. I didn't want to be able to go out there and compare my life with others or see "what could have been." I knew this was not a healthy place for me. There was also this little twinge of excitement over the idea of digital revenge - over what? I don't even know.

~~Sometimes~~ My soapbox gets pretty worn out by all my "won't do's". ~~Sometimes~~ I am real stubborn. I have a very difficult time going back on things that I said I'd never do or that I am "done with." {I'm in counseling now, remember?}

None the less...

These days, I am a pretty avid blogger, a more than avid texter, do ~~alot of~~ my fair share of chatting on yahoo/Gchat, we started video chatting with Google & Skype recently, I even took RSVP's for my wedding via custom webpage {I'm always dreaming up cool parties so I can use evites. I never follow through}. I guess you could say I am pretty socially "online." So it was time to get off the soapbox, to let lose the reins of my stubbornness and accept defeat over my inability to say no any longer.

These are my new truths: {See I am a List Addict}

I no longer have the fears of having my heartbroken over seeing things I don't want to see. Ryan has to be the best-est man ever - would never do anything to hurt me - not even in his DNA.
I can't fix the ailments of the younger generations by boycotting Facebook. I don't control the world. {Whoda thunk it!}
I don't have time to talk to people. Even if I did, there'd be a baby crying in the background. Who wants to hear that?
Looking at other people's lives shouldn't cause me pain. I will learn to let it go. Before I got pregnant I loved my life, and I am learning to do so again. Maybe a little comparison is what I need to kick myself in the pants.
I miss my friends and family - and apparently, emailing takes too long. Being able to talk to them, just through yahoo, gchat, and blogger has gotten me through diffucult times recently. I need my village.
I am too old, too tired, and too busy for revenge {whaa haa haa... had to sneak it in there}.

So it is done. Go be my friend. Go see my friends and family, they are the best!!

Friday Fill-In's

2011-04-08T09:18:00.002-05:00

Normally I get these from Breann, but I beat her to it today... But check her out, she makes some yummy food and has a cute kid. She's the Parrot Head, look to your right for her button.

This time I went to Chloe who got it from Lauren. Lauren had a cool link-up thingy. Go see them too!

1. Something that makes me a great friend is, I like to make people feel special by remembering little things about them and sometimes even using them for surprises.

2. I am a person who had Faith in God, a Wife, a Mama, an Interior Designer, and a Survivor of Life.

3. I am not good with loss.

4. If I had to describe myself in 3 words, they would be one of a kind {is that a nice way of saying weird}, organized, sassy.

5. Something I'm really cheap about is does not apply. I am FRUGAL. I love a good deal.

6. Something I'm willing to splurge on is vacations. I would LIVE at Disneyworld if I could.

7. I would trade anything, but my soul for my dad to be able to meet my son in a heartbeat.

American Idol Broke My Heart!!

2011-04-08T08:57:00.000-05:00

Don't have much time for this, it will be short and to the point. I am super swamped at work. But, I have something to say....

Callen and I {heart} American Idol. We hang out and watch while he has his bedtime Milk Buddy. It's always from the DVR, so we don't necessarily watch it Live. This will be the origin of the lesson I have learned...

I simply CANNOT believe that Pia got sent home! This is ridiculous!!!! I don't want to say bad things about other people, so I will not put into writing what I think about the ones I do not like, and don't think should have stayed over Pia. Geeezz LaaaWeeezzzz!! Really America!? Are we that stupid!

She is gorgeous, has a gorgeous voice and such a humble attitude!!

{We won't vote him off because of his singing ability, but because we don't want to look at ourselves in the mirror... Really?!? Are you kidding me?!?}

Some critics around my office say that maybe she got votes off because American Idol has mainly a female audience, at least its the females that vote and females are less likely to vote for another female who is so talented and so beautiful.

THAT"S HORSE SHIT!!

I really hope she has a strong career ahead of her and go on to be a star, a ROLE MODEL FOR ALL THOSE FEMALES WHO WON'T VOTE FOR HER!!

Ok.. My lesson...

Stop watching it after it's too late to vote, just because it doesn't fit in my evening routine that way. Callen will just have to work around the Live show... we have priorities here... and picking the next American Idol OBVIOUSLY isn't going to happen correctly without my vote. =>

Dear Multi-Colored Gel Pen Maker...

2011-03-31T17:02:00.001-05:00

I am willing to donate, or maybe even trash, every pen in my stash just for these pens:

Snagged this image from Google.

Stay tuned to see if the gel pen fairy shows up at my desk overnight....

Is That the Sound of Angel's Singing?

2011-03-30T12:56:00.000-05:00

I'm chillin' at home... while new cable and internet are installed at my house. I scheduled them for the 12-4 time block so Ryan could take care of this.... because I need to work... they both called and said, "We're Here! Is that Ok?".... Sure party at my house. During work hours. Days before a major deadline. Who has the wine?

I'm reading magazines. Home alone. Checking e-mails. This alone is cause for angelic voices.

But then, what shows up in my inbox, but the most awesomest image ever, ever!

This image belongs to the Container Store, sent to my email as an add. Does that cover the copyright stuff?

Remember last week's Friday Fill-in's? Where I had to list ways to annoy me? I can now prevent this from every happening again! Now... just to have excess funds to design such a fridge interior? {I AM an Interior Designer...}

530a? ..... Try 430a...

2011-03-29T06:32:00.001-05:00

What do you mean, you ask? Bre had an early morning yesterday.... I can top that.... Somehow my sleepy frustration turns into humor... or perhaps we all just enjoy reveling in others pain....? Don't you worry, this is definitely worth the read. I thought I would do some work, perhaps fill in my time/billing sheets before Jeani finds out I'm 2 weeks behind.. NOPE. I think I'll blog.

My child had a GREAT day at Kellie's yesterday, he slept A LOT. Great for Kellie, bad for Mama. When Ryan called yesterday afternoon and read me off the little note Kellie writes for me, I should have predicted what would follow....

For a self proclaimed sleep-aholic the following story is disgusting....

Let'd got back:
On the Way Home From Work....
Stop at grocery store. Buy more baby food, although Callen prefers his toes recently. Toe flavored pears? Buy greasy fried grease for dinner from the deli. This definitely Stuck to My Ribs, but wasn't worthy of a true cook. We will revisit this later. Buy cute, small bundle of flowers, "to brighten my day".... HA! Drive home with thoughts of said toe eating baby, eating pears and smiling at Mama.

As I Walk in the Door....
Walk up the porch with grocery bags, work laptop, basket of finishes and drawings for Ft Polk job, purse, and bundle of flowers {I needed to do some work}. Toe eating baby, red in the face, screaming. Ryan, "What are those flowers for?" Day no longer 'brightened."

From the Door to the Kitchen...
Argument ensues over whether to attempt to feed with a spoon or shove a bottle. I want to go back to work. Argue while Callen is having a 'Milk Buddy'... I need not explain? Give up argument, agree its pointless and fueled by the screaming child.

The Evening...
Ryan eats greasy dinner, gratefully. I make Callen eat pears. I went to the store to buy them, dammit. Wipe face. Burp. Clean Butt, {still no poops}. Swaddled {remember red faced screaming from earlier?}. Rock 'til droppy. Lay down. Apologize to one another for argument for no reason. Hug. Kiss. DVR. CSI Miami. Open up all the work stuff. Wah... Waaah.... WAAAHHH! from the monitor. Sonofabitch. Ryan take care of irritating child. Rush to get work done. Email to furniture reps, who are also working at all hours.

Bed Time...
No funny business tonight. Sleep. Wait, what's that? Indigestion? Oh yeah... remember greasy, fried grease dinner? Awake 'til 945p {We go to bed at 830p... don't judge... Ryan goes to work at 3a.... and I, well, I have a baby}. Eat the last three rolaids. Wish there were 10 more. Ryan's talking in his sleep. Fall asleep, I guess, 'cause next thing I know. Cah... Cah... WAAAHHH! from the monitor. It's 1045p. WTF! Remember the great day at Kellie's? Child awake, no possibility of using the Pal trick. Milk Buddy. DVR. Kardashian's in New York. Back to bed for everyone.

Later...
3a. Ryan asks if Callen has woken up at all {he's immune to the sounds of the monitor, I guess}. I say, "Yes, I'm tired, Love you. Drive safe." In other words, "Why did you wake me up?" 345a. That damn monitor again! Stick in the Pal. Re-swaddle. His arms are out.... how, HOW? No luck. He's awake and ready for the day. I will be having a chat with Kellie about nap length today. Large Milk Buddy. DVR. Ruby on Style Network. Lay back down. It's 430a. I guess I'll just stay awake.

And Know the Fun Begins...
I guess I'll take a shower. First, I'll pluck my eye brows. Maybe look at the the weirdness childbirth has done to my womanly shape. I don't advise doing this. Shower. No mirrors. Remember this? What I didn't list were these soap scum eraser sponges. They are the real star of the show, I just didn't know it when I was posting that day. I have time, let's try these suckers out. Remember this? Well, brown water and white tile & grout don't mix. I could have made a commercial while I was in the shower! LOVE THEM! I should shower now. 515a. The lights go out. SONOFABITCH! I'm in the shower!! It hasn't rained her in ages. It IS now! Hey, I still have hot water. Lights come back on. Check on toe eater. Still sleeping. Thank Goodness. Use fancy products in wet hair. I have time. Use crusty heel cream on feet. I have time. Eat breakfast? NOPE. I think I'll blog.

Current Time:
630a. Blogging. Wishing I ate breakfast. Wondering if the child will wake up, just to spite me. Wait, what's that I hear coming from the monitor? Grunting... mute TV, local news is boring anyway. Yep, grunting... Poops!!! Yay!! Good thing I took a shower, cause now I get to clean a butt that hasn't pooped in 5 days. He's quacking now. I better go clean his butt. That's what mom's do right? Then off to work, where I make things pretty. Is this my life? Good thing I'm in counseling now.

HAPPY TUESDAY FRIENDS!! <3

Poopin for Pears

2011-03-25T19:03:00.000-05:00

There comes a time when your child jsut can't get enough to eat - if this falls outside pediatrician recommendations, oh well.

This week we started rice cereal by spoon, at the same consistency it would be in a bottle.

He also has a hard time pooping sometimes, so I decided to try some baby food pears. He's still learning to eat from the spoon and gets a little frustrated from how slow the spoon is compared to the bottle, but he likes the pears!

Oh.. and he BLEW. UP. HIS. DIAPER. Yea for poops! Speaking of poops, there's a funny blog I've been reading... The Poop of Others. There are so many other funny moms out there, it inspires me to work on getting my sense of humor back.

Check out Callen Poopin for Pears...

Friday Fill-In's

2011-03-25T18:47:00.001-05:00

I'm following along with Bre - who snagged it from Chloe. Play along!

1. My most prized possession is my woobie - this is the quilt my mom made when I was a baby, nothing like it.

2. If I could be one age for the rest of my life, I would want to be - honestly, I haven't hit an age I would want to be again yet.

3. The best way to spend a weekend is I'm still adjusting to motherhood and working, anyone got any good ideas? I do enjoy a good long nap....

4. My outlook on life is "The will of God will not take you where the grace of God will not protect you."

5. If you want to annoy me, do any of the following:

peanut butter in the jelly or jelly in the peanut butter,
crumbs in the butter,
dribble down the hand soap pump,
gunk in the cap of any condiment {or toothpaste}
put things out of place in my refrigerator

I am aware of the OCD implications of these...

6. I am completely defenseless when it comes to animals and cupcakes.

7. When dressing for the day one should put on a bra. I can't stand seeing someone out in public, very obviously without a bra of some kind.

Ear Buds

2011-03-23T15:09:00.001-05:00

I love my new ear buds....just sayin....

Why have I been so opposed to them all these years? Maybe because they remind me of an iPod and I am anti-apple. {Bre, please don't friend divorce me over this}.

**UPDATE**
Breann did not friend divorce me, she sucker punched me with her evening out at my high school favorite restaurant. I almost drove 7 hours to join them...

Soap Addiction = Germ Affliction?

2011-03-22T11:42:00.001-05:00

It is well known around my office that if you want some germ-x, I've got it. All kinds, all smells, all colors. I also spray the phones and door handles with Lysol spray.... AND I wipe down all parts of the grocery cart that I may come in contact with. Tiff and I were discussing how we are aware that we are addicted to soap. I need to change smells for different seasons... hello!? And heaven forbid I ever run out of soap. What else can I do when they smell so good and a certain smell good store puts them on sale so often?

Sometimes she asks certain boys in her life "What color was the soap in the bathroom" to check if they've washed.... {sorry I outed you Tiff} Why do boys resist washing {continue reading for more on this}.

I see nothing wrong with this soap addiction... Haven't you see those documentaries about what kind of germs are out there and how many surfaces have poo germs on them? {keep your toothbrushes in a drawer people!!}

If I weren't subject to further ridicule I would de-germ every surface at work... here's why....

We have a small office... Mine & Nick's area is strategically placed in the middle of everything. Pretty much we are in a nook {or bump out} off the main hallway. It used to be the sample library. Mostly we are here because we are "the ones that don't belong" and we don't have a matching pair. We are like Noah's Ark around here... I'm the only Interior Designer and Nick is the only Marketing person. We also make the coffee... but I bet thats because I get up at 4:30a because the spawn of my loin must feed, therefore I am the first to work every morning.

Back to the bathroom germ issue. I can hear the activities of both the main bathrooms. We don't have boys and girls... officially {I'll talk about that later}. They are just single person water closets {as we professionals call them}. I can hear the water flow... I KNOW who washes hands and who DOES NOT.

Furthermore, there has been a monthly office wide game of paper toss.... where the central shooting and scoring location is Nick's trashcan.. i.e. Jessica's area. In order to play, they must shoot at least 6x a day. So 6x a day 3-6 of my coworkers stop by my area {touching my bookcase} after going to the bathroom, to make their shot. The losers take the winners to a lunch of their choosing.

Yesterday I went to use the bathroom around the corner {usually designated the for the ~~stinky~~ boys}. I realize that the soap dispenser was empty. Not only was it empty, but it was dry and dusty. I also know that the soap refill is in the middle bathroom {designated unisex for non-stinky business} and that no one remembers this, so they always ask me where it is. No one has asked me where it is.

Here's my question:
Have they all been faking washing their hands? Then coming over to MY area with their poo germ hands?!?

{I'm pretty sure none of the boys from my office read my blog, so I am safe from their outrage of being foudn out}

Monday Morning Coffee Treat

2011-03-21T09:33:00.002-05:00

I had another PPD breakdown this weekend. I don't know what's wrong with me, I'm loosin' it I guess.
Don't worry I see my counselor this week...

I had a girl day Sunday with Tiff. We went to Ulta, Target, and Kohl's. It was either this or yet ANOTHER bottle of Wichita Blush... You choose which vice it best?

I bought random things... but these are the most notable...

Sweater from Kohl's

Cheap cute shoes from Target

New headphones - Thank's Bre for the great idea...

A grout scrubber... like I have time for grout scrubbing....

Jumping Beans Monkey Plate from Kohl's

Jumping Beans Monkey Bowl from Kohl's

This was my BEST idea....

Starbucks Caramel Sauce...

Callen's had a meltdown when I dropped him off at Kellie's this morning. I couldn't just walk away with him crying. so I stayed for 30 mins to rock, swing, hug, love him to quietness. What worked in the end you asked? The big mirror over her sofa... he saw himself (or some other crying baby in his mama's arms) and shut right up... Whoda thunk it..

Monday morning just got better with a little bit {a lotta bit}of caramel...

Decisions.... Decisions

2011-03-19T13:30:00.000-05:00

I keep trying on new blog outfits.... This one fits well... I'm going to wear it for a while before I decide if I need to return it...

Happy Saturday! The weather here is muy fabuloso...

We've done our bi-monthly grocery trip...I might go to Ulta later for a girly fix...

Ryan's playing Red Dead Redemption {hate video games},
Callen is napping,
and I'm... well... computerin'

I Need More Followers...

2011-03-18T11:47:00.000-05:00

I'm starting to feel poorly about myself and my blog...

Who wouldn't want to follow this?

Go ahead, you know you want to... just click the button...
Tell your friends...

There's a Point in the Day When You Realize You Will Get Nothing Else Done at Work...

2011-03-16T14:46:00.004-05:00

This was it for me... I CANNOT WAIT until Callen can laugh....
BONUS - Allergy season.... We blow our noses a lot...
BTW - I know this kid looks like Charlie Brown also, but it's not my Callen Jax

My Pipes Are What?!?

2011-03-16T11:01:00.001-05:00

My pipes are completely rotted through under my kitchen and my laundry room....

this has nothing to do with "Bryan's" water jug accident, this has to do with old house syndrome.... there aren't any pills to take for this syndrome.... the only option is to operate on each break as it occurs....

YAY!

Excuse the Mess While I Remodel...

2011-03-15T09:29:00.000-05:00

Making changes around here... I am a slow Interior Designer. I like to move things, look at it, move it again, look at it more....

Keep an eye out for my new fabulousness....

Water, Water Everywhere....

2011-03-14T14:35:00.001-05:00

As if I weren't having enough water problems....

Somehow...... Someone {who remains namless, but who's name sounds like.... Bryan)

Poured a glass of water from our water machine, went outside to work out and didn't flip the switch back...

AND

Emptied an entire 5 gal water jug into my kitchen....

{It needed a good mopping anyway, right?}

Thank you google for this image... don't know who this kid is.

Still Waiting on the Plumber...

2011-03-14T10:29:00.002-05:00

This is what I sent them...

After some dishwashing and a load of laundry....

After a second load of laundry.
AND
I forgot I was monitoring the leak, so this was quite some time after....

Don't judge my rusty 'ole insinkerator....
OR
My particle board interior.

I have a tentative appointment for tomorrow. I'm thinking it will take all day. Brit says perhaps they will get a hotel and stay the night. Old house... Old Plumbing.... Years of substandard repairs before we bought it... This could take a while.

OH.... AND....

My yahoo email account has been "disabled or discontinued," not by my doing.... My issue has been "escalated to the engineering department." In my world that means there is some kind of structural or mechanical issue... Maybe my email account has an old foundation like my house....or maybe the systems are corrupt or insufficient for the size, like my house...

Maybe I need to forward my house to the engineering department...??

Plumbers go High Tech...

2011-03-11T10:14:00.001-06:00

Got a call from the plumber.. they want me to email some pictures of the mess so that they can get prepared before they make this drive...

That's about 2 hours.

Why my home warranty company doesn't have a plumber closer to my area, I will never understand. They've been to my house a few times now, I bet I'm in their GPS {they're high tech now, remember}.

When they receive my pictures, they will review with the technician and on Monday and have him call me for an appointment. Again, I hope things don't fall apart this weekend, especially since Jane is going to be here... and Callen's living conditions must be safe.....

Coffee & Cupcakes

2011-03-11T08:04:00.001-06:00

That's going to be the name of my new blog one day.... if any of you steal it... I will find you, will be blended, rimmed with salt and had for happy hour...

To the point, I am having Coffee and Cupcakes - Green Velvet to be exact (thanks to almost over due, preggo Nichole).

Great day yesterday, huh? Callen was up all night... not screaming or crying, just AWAKE....
The only bonus to this?
Everytime I went into his room he smiled and silently giggled {he doesn't get a whole lot of sound out yet}
Not so bonus to last nite?
We are having some craptastic {this is my word for the day} allergy crap in Wichita Falls this week... so I drugged up last night, thinking that it would be alright.... since he sleeps a lot at night.... Just Kidding Mama...

Another NOT SO BONUS...
I intended on some crazy cleaning this afternoon while he was at Kellie's... since the in-law family is headed up here Sat morning.. maybe even a grocery shopping trip... also need to head out to the base to Aunti Brit's to salvage some furniture before she heads to her new home.... BUT I REALLY WANT TO SLEEP ALL AFTERNOON AND ALL NITE.....

Hence... the caffeine and sugar for breakfast...

Happy Friday! {said with a grumpy face}

Oh... and did I mention....

2011-03-11T07:58:00.001-06:00

I have a leak in my kitchen... under the sink, coming from the garbage disposal.. probably a big 'ole rusty hole somewhere...

AND

"Water present on the exterior of the home." That's the pull down option on the website for my Home Warranty.

WHO... BTW....

Sends a technician from a town far away to fix things at my house... subsequently, it takes forever for them to schedule me in... cause it takes their whole day....

I hope my kitchen floor and the foundation outside don't melt away from water damage over the weekend.

Today's Report Card

2011-03-10T15:35:00.000-06:00

I don't have a fancy report card like Breann gets from her daycare, although I'm thinking about making one so Miss Kellie can fill it out for me {she gives me little post-it notes}.

BUT

Callen's report card for today was great!! He didn't cry or fuss all day {can you believe it?!}. He took two 2-hour naps. He ate a normal amount of food {he's been eating SO much there since he started, maybe he's stress eating}.

AND

He didn't have a meltdown when Ryan got him home!

There is hope for the future!!!

Contractions

2011-03-09T09:37:00.000-06:00

While I was pregnant and trying to get pregnant, I asked lots of people what contractions were like. Rene {my fabulouso nurse} would also ask if I was having pains that were like my menstrual cramps or worse. People say, they are like menstrual cramps at first, then like 10x worse. Tiffany's mom even told me that if I survived having my wisdom teeth out, I could have a kid.

So, flash back three months. I was having contraction the night before we went to the hospital for induction. They did kinda feel like cramps - the kind that make you {me} all whiny, bitchy, and grumpy. They kept me awake all that night. Come Tuesday, when my water broke, there were no words to describe the "10x" worse contractions. I don't even think there is a multiplier that equates to "i think my insides are trying to die."

Flashback forward to postpartum. I know understand the "contractions feel like cramps" comparison, because in a way, this is correct. The first "warning" contractions do feel like that, now that I look back.

Why am I discussing this you ask?

Well.. now... every time I have cramps I get these anxiety attack flashbacks to labor. You all know that I spoke of how quick and easy it was. But i'm not denying the fact that I thought my body was dying while I lay there in the labor and delivery wing... it's just that my epidural came quick.

Week 2: I {heart} My Bed

2011-03-07T08:40:00.000-06:00

Week one went by fairly well. I was all hopped up on coffee for most of it, but I made it to Friday. I was all full of energy Friday afternoon.. Ryan and I went to lunch and ran some errands while Callen was spending the afternoon with Miss Kellie. We decided that Friday afternoons would be our date days. Well Friday evening came.. and I was a tired, grumpy mess.

We met with two potential in home babysitters for date nights and Mama's work trips. One Kaitlin, One Liz. We like them both - they are in college here - so given schedules - we'll probably use them both. {Just in case you girls happen to catch this, we aren't cheating on you, we like flexibility for everyone.} They have more experience with babies than Ryan and I, so I wished I had found/contacted them while I was REALLY having a hard time... totally would have been worth the price.

So.... I {heart} my bed.... Love me some sleep... Miss my sleep. When I get in, and the sheets are all cold, and my blanket is all cozy, and my pillow mountains are surrounding me - I am in bliss. Then sounds come from the baby monitor and I want to scream/cry {which ever suits me at the time}.

This morning Callen and I were ready for work WAY too early, so I took a nap a 7 am... fabulous.

Day 2 - Round Two

2011-03-01T16:02:00.003-06:00

Daddy and Callen just came by to see me at work. Gotta love a small-ish town and a 2 min commute between my work and home

Luv my boys!

Day 2

2011-03-01T08:18:00.000-06:00

Ok, yesterday went well. I got out the door on time, fully dressed...

It was nice to be at my desk again, talking to adults, hanging out with the girls. Although, as I am coming in Nichole is headed out. She's 38 weeks preggo this week... time for her to go home an incubate. Brittani is also leaving, in like 3 weeks... her hubby got his orders and they are off to New Mexico. Just me and Tiff left... oh and Nicholas...

Kellie said that Callen was a good boy with her. Then he turned into a fussy baby when Daddy picked him up. When I got home I wanted him to run and say Mama!!! A little to early for that I guess.

This morning didn't go as smoothly. We've never had a routine, and now it's time to have one, so we are working it out together. I am fully dressed though..

Breann starts work today.... thinking about her. Check in with her HERE.

2 Month Check Up

2011-02-24T17:51:00.000-06:00

We had our 2 month check up yesterdday... he was a trooper with his 3 shots.
He weighs 12 lbs 13 oz and is 23.5 inches long/tall. 75% percentile.. whatever those mean.

She said to start watching for his grabby hands and things he might swallow... yay!

The Final Stretch

2011-02-20T20:20:00.000-06:00

This is my last Sunday night on Maternity Leave.... There's a basket of mixed emotions next to me here on the sofa.

On the one hand, I am SUPER STOKED about getting my ass out of the house. This has been the longest I have gone without working since I have been of legal working age. I am comfortable when I'm at work, that's the "normal" I've been missing. I would love to say that being a stay at home mom these few months was fabulous, but it really hasn't been my cup of tea. It was nice to have the break from the stress of work, especially when I was still pregnant. But now I need a break from constantly having to take care of someone else. I do feel horrible for feeling that way, but I'm just being honest. I'm still going to be responsible for the night shift when i start back to work - it's not like he's going to magically start sleeping all night just because I have to go to work.

On the other hand, it is sad to think that I'll only see Callen for a few hours at night and on the weekends - that I'll only be involved in his parenting for these few hours a week. I trust his daycare provider and and I trust Ryan, so I suppose this is ok. This will be another "letting go" lesson for me - not being involved in every little decision. I think I will be sad if I miss cute things, but Ryan promises to bring him up to my office anytime I need.

Zoloft or not, I am still depressed a little each day - I am free of the emotional breakdowns (anxiety free, not depression free) of the early weeks, but I still feel what I feel. I am bored... I am tired of being in the house... I am tired of MY daily schedule being dictated by what Callen needs.... I am tired of not getting things done that I want done... I still want some parts of my old life back.... I can't wait for him to be independent of me a little bit. I realize that all this may seem awful to some people, but at least I can admit it.

I am anxious about what this new change in the routine (like there really has been one) will bring. I am worried how I will function at work with the broken sleep. I am worried that the evenings will be rushed and crazy and that I won't have a chance to wind down.

Off I go, to my last week at home. I will make the best of it! OH... my birthday is this week!! Yay me! 29!!

The Top 10 Most Irritating, Least Helpful Parenting Tips Ever...

2011-02-16T12:37:00.000-06:00

Man O Man am I glad that there are other people in the world who share the thoughts in my head.

You'll laugh the whole time.. unless you are one who gives this kid of advice... then... sorry...

Found it on Yahoo Shine CLICK HERE

Soap Operas and Bon Bons

2011-02-08T14:52:00.000-06:00

What's a bon bon anyway? I prefer Snickers or a nice cold Coca-Cola for empty calories.

I have been home, not working, since Friday, November 12, 2010. Callen was born Tuesday, December 14, 2010. That's a long time for a self proclaimed workaholic.

I have managed to NOT watch a single soap opera. You'd think this wouldn't be an issue, but it is. Something about the ABC Soaps (All My Children, One Life to Live, & General Hospital) remind me of my childhood with my mom. Throughout my life I'v been in and out of watching these shows, but I can usually catch up on what's going on - not that it's difficult. I do hate when they switch actors on me.

Anyhow... less than a month to go until I got back to work (Feb 28th) and General Hospital drew me in! I blame the 700 channels on my cable for not having anything else on to watch and Ryan for working a later day. I have things on the DVR to watch - Chuck & The Cape to be specific - but I need to wait for Ryan to watch them.

So here I am, watching soaps and having a nice cold Coca-Cola.

Victorious!

2011-02-07T11:33:00.002-06:00

Today... I successfully put Callen down, while awake and fussy, and he fell asleep... on his own... in his crib... and after waking himself up twenty min's later.. fell back asleep!

This is victory. Hopefully this is the first of many naps that go this way.

Backstory:
Callen is his mother's son, he's a little sensitive and gets overwhelmed easy... and when he's tired - he's TIRED. There are these "sleepy signs" to watch for in babies - sure sounds good - but he goes straight into a meltdown when he's tired sometimes. Arms and legs and head flailing, crying, pouting, all that - sounds like a toddler you say? Yea, I know - it's weird. Sometimes the "sleepy signs" come first, sometimes they come after the meltdown. If he's overstimulated - like to many people around, too much noise and light, or just not enough good sleep that day - we have to break out the swaddle and use the Happiest Baby on the Block techniques to bring him back from the dark side. This leaves me in the rocking chair for a long time, sometimes I even have to put a blanket over his head.
This isn't the case all the time, just when the environment is right - or if he's more hungry than usual. Dealing with these meltdowns have made me worry that he'll never be able to fall asleep on his own, that always being rocked, walked, swung, jiggled, held in to submission for sleep would make him sleep dependent. He's a big boy now!

RIP Callen's First Pal

2011-02-04T13:35:00.001-06:00

We call the pacifiers "Pal." This came from Ryan's family. It's his trusted friend. Daddy say's "Hey buddy, you wanna little Pal time?," when he's being fussy. We have LOTS of Pal time.

This is the culprit. Leo.... Bad Boy...