While I have not been blogging.....

....I have been running. Yes. Running. Again...I can't believe it myself. I have been running. Kay and I started running in May. We are still running. I'm not sure I can say that I actually like to run yet....but I like the way I feel when I am finished running. So maybe someday I will be able to say that I like to run? Maybe someday I will call myself a runner, too? Maybe. No run today though....it's raining. And I ran last night. And Monday morning. Thanks to the rain, I am forced to rest. Hmm...I just kinda sounded like a runner, huh? Sorry. I'll try to be more careful! It's getting harder and harder to find a 'good' time to run. We had been running at 5:30 in the morning. It's still dark at 5:30 in the morning now. I will run in the rain...(and have)....and I will even rain in a thunderstorm...(have done that too)...but I don't want to run in the dark. I will figure it out.
So, my friend, Molly, asked me to start blogging again. She's a good friend and I like her alot....so I'm back. Thank you, Molly! I have missed y'all! I might not be here tomorrow night, though. Wyatt has a football game....so until next time....y'all behave yourselves!

Today I am thankful for: willpower that is keeping me from making strawberry cupcakes. I really want a strawberry cupcake.....

Special request by Molly....

Well, here I am. Yes, it's been 3 months since I was here last. Maybe 3 months since YOU have been here, too. But....I'm back. For now, at least. Anyway, summer has come and gone. Busy as usual....that's nothing new. So, to recap the summer....Wyatt had basketball camp at Tennessee Tech, football camp at the high school, and football practice at his own school. Ben and Maria took a quick trip to The Aquarium in Chattanooga, and worked the rest of the summer. The King and I went on our first vacation without the kids.....yes, you read that correctly....our FIRST kidless vacation! We had a great time at the beach. I missed my boys, but still managed to enjoy the beach! So, now school has started for Wyatt. 8th grade. Already. It seems like he just started 2nd grade last year...and next year he will be a Freshman in High School. No way. Really?? Yes way. Ready for another shocker?? Ben will be 20 next week. I know. I can't believe it either. After all, I'm not old enough to be the mom of a 20 year old. Well, I am....but it sure doesn't seem right! Well, I'm pretty sure that catches y'all up a little. I'm sorry I have neglected y'all. Really. I am. I will do better. Until next time....stay cool and stay dry!

Tonight I am thankful for: Friends to remind me that they like to read my blog, homegrown tomatoes, and a hot bath.

Heavy hearts and worried minds.

I woke up in Florida Wednesday morning to a text message that makes my heart hurt. It was from one of my best friends from high school. Thankfully, through Facebook, we have been able to reconnect. Her son was killed Tuesday night in a car accident. It's a nightmare that we, as parents, face every, single day. His funeral is this morning, and I can't make it back in time. My heart and mind are right there with her, though, and I'm pretty sure that she feels it. As soon as she is ready, I will go to see her. She is being incredible strong through it all....I never doubted for a minute that she would be. If you're reading this today, please say a quick prayer for my friend and her family.

Today I'm thankful for: one more sunny beach mornings, text messaging, and lifelong friends.

Wow.

So, it rained. And rained. And rained even more. Two full days of rain in Middle Tennessee. Record rainfall totals....we're hearing reports of 18 inches of rain in two days. Many parts of Nashville are flooded. Riverfront Park up to 2nd Avenue downtown...underwater. Opryland Hotel...underwater. Opry Mills....underwater. The Opryhouse is underwater, too. Interstates are shut down and many roads are still closed. My little family and I are fine...others have not been so lucky. The local TV channels have been reporting non-stop since Saturday morning. No regular programming has been on....just news and weather. According to the TVA website, all MidState dams will be releasing water until midnight tonight...so guess what? More water. Anyway, the sun is out, the schools are closed and the weather is expected to be warm and sunny....until the weekend when more rain is expected. We've been asked to conserve water....don't use it unless it is necessary....don't flush, don't shower unless you have too. I'm pretty sure I need a shower everyday....but we'll see. Y'all stay safe and dry!

Today I am thankful for: a driveway that goes uphill and Lysol & ginger ale for Wyatt.

Over or under?

Do y'all have any pet peeves? Things that just bug the heck outta you? I'm pretty sure my biggest pet peeve.....is the toilet paper. Petty, yes....but makes me nuts when they put it on the holder to roll under. Everyone knows it goes over, right? Yeah...it's petty. OCD....maybe. Sometimes, I think they put it on the wrong way just to see how long it takes me to change it. One trip is all it takes. I will change it every time. I tell myself not to and that it's not of a big deal....but I always end up changing it. In fact, the roll in the boys bathroom is on wrong right now. I haven't had any sit-down time in there since I noticed it, but you can get that I will fix it as soon as I do.
I have no idea why this is my post for today. It's been a gorgeous day....super busy...but the weather was awesome.
Anyway, less than a week till the Marathon. I did 10 miles today...I'm ready. Mom and Dad will be here Friday...everyone is looking forward to their visit. Not much else going on lately.....EXCEPT.....there is one major announcement.....
I am going to be an AUNT! Sis is gonna have a baby!! She will be the best mommy ever....I just hope I can be half as good as she is in the Aunt department. We love you, Sis....and can't wait do this with you!!!

Tonight I'm thankful for: clean sheets, clean bathrooms, and a husband that can cook.

Walking the snake.

Yep...you read it right....walking the snake. Not MY snake....or a snake that belongs to anyone in my house. We don't have a snake. But, I saw a guy walking his snake this afternoon. He was walking toward me and looked like he had a ball glove on his right hand. Well...the closer I got to him....it was NOT a ball glove! It was a SNAKE...all curled up on his arm. he was carrying the thing like it was normal. NORMAL...is walking a dog. I might even go as far as thinking it's normal to walk a cat and I have seen people walk their pet ferrets...but a SNAKE??? Holy cow! Where the heck was he going with the snake? (Note to my friends: don't even think about dropping by with your snake, please.) Ben had a friend when he was little that walked around with his pet bird on his shoulder. We thought that was a little strange then....but compared to SnakeBoy? BirdBoy was totally normal. Anyway, that's my story today.

Today I'm thankful for: Pants that are too big and cozy pajamas.

Every other week loser.

Apparently, that's me. It seems that since I have been a Weight Watcher, I have lost pounds every other week. Luckily, I have only been a gainer once. Weigh day is Saturday....last week I lose zero pounds. Ugghhhh!! Frustrating. Of course, it's marathon time....it's in about 3 weeks...logging lots of miles. I'm pretty sure that if I mixed it up a little, it would help....but I need to walk the miles...walk, walk, walk....until the 24th. Know what else is frustrating? (I can't believe I'm about to complain about this...) I'm not hungry. I end most every day with 2-3 points left. It just doesn't make sense to me to when I'm not hungry anymore. I think that's a bad thing to have points left. I eat breakfast and lunch with a snack or two in between...and still leave points on the table. I still can't believe that I just complained about not being hungry. Crazy I know. I promise to never complain about that again.
So, the 1/2 marathon is April 24th. Lots of miles to walk between now and then. A few people have asked me who I'm walking for this year...and ya know what? This one is for ME. Of course, all of the sweet kiddos that I walked for last year will be on my mind as I walk...like always....but this one...it's for ME.
Anyway, bear with me while I go eat a few points. Enjoy the sunshine this week!

Tonight I'm thankful for: Spring, chocolate covered Ritz crackers worth 1 point each, and drinking straws.

I proofread. I can't help it.

In fact, Lindsay makes me proofread things for her. She calls me her "red pen specialist". Not sure that's a compliment or not. Especially since I just found an error in my last blog entry. Oh well, it's there...I'm human....it'll be alright. Most of the time, that's the case. Not a big deal. WELL. Let me just tell y'all what I saw tonight. The king and I went to Trader Joe's this evening. On the way home, we stopped at Subway for a sandwich. As we were coming out, a man in a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off was ordering his sandwich. He had a tattoo on his arm. It said "I'm not mean your just a sissy". Now, there are whole groups on Facebook dedicated to this sort of grammatical error....and like I said earlier, usually it's no biggie. But, Oh my gosh! This was a TATTOO....on his body. FOREVER. Wonder if he even knows that it should be YOU'RE A SISSY....or better yet...YOU'RE AN IDIOT! We walked past him and out the door.....I told the king..."I SOOO have a blog post!" Lesson to be learned...if you're going to put it on your body...make sure it is spelled correctly before the ink goes in!!

Hope y'all are gearing up for spring....it's right around the corner!

Tonight I'm thankful for: learning something in English class, hills on the greenway, and purple.

Random nice things. Do it.

It snowed most of the day today. Big, fat snowflakes. My found it hard to work when those big, fat flakes were falling. So...I was gazing out the window. I saw a lady tip over her whole buggy full of groceries as she was coming out of Publix. If I wasn't so far away, I would have gone to help her. So instead, I watched. I wanted to see how many people would walk right by her and not give her a hand. Well....I have to say, I was surprised. Only three people walked by her before a nice lady stopped her car, got out, and helped the poor lady. Yep...she STOPPED HER CAR. Way to go, random nice lady! Do you ever just do nice things for people? Help someone out when they need it? For no reason at all? One of my favorite things to do...and I usually do it around Christmastime....is pay for the person behind me in the drive thru line. Just be sure it's not a Mom with a van full of kids! Anyway....give it a try. It will make you smile....and it will make someone else smile, too. And best of all....most of the time it won't cost you a thing!

Today I'm thankful for: Coupons, free points, and bobby pins.

I'm back

I'm not sure what I'm back from....but I know I'm back. Everything went as expected on Monday. Tuesday I stayed home and dozed most of the day. Wednesday, I went to work....still somewhat in a fog. Slept like I hadn't slept in weeks last night and felt the fog start to lift today. "The fog" is the anesthesia fog. I don't know about y'all....but it takes awhile for it to leave me alone. So, today....I'm back. Still a little sore and a little swollen....but all is well. I heard from the doctor's office today....and all that he removed was scar tissue. That's great news, by the way. I just have to follow up with him on Tuesday and I'll be good to go.
Not much else is new this week....no snow to report, no teacher drama to tell about, basketball is over, so I won't be telling y'all about that, either.
So, until something exciting happens or I need to whine and vent....have a great rest of the week and an even better weekend!

Today I'm thankful for: no more fog, glue instead of stitches, and the new Trident layered chewing gum.

Why didn't I think of that?

Ok...first things first...I'm home. Pretty sore and a little nauseous, but home. The doctor said that it looks like scar tissue...so that's great news. The full pathology report will be back Wednesday.

Now....instead of the usual opens in the back hospital gown....I wore a Bair Paws disposable gown. I wasn't so thrilled at the though of a paper gown...but WOW! It hooks up to warm air that circulated though the pretty, purple, paper gown. Yeah, baby!

Today I am thankful for: the little patch behind my ear, warm air up my skirt, and Sprite.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways....

When the boys were little, I would plan a special Valentine's Day dinner for them. I'd fix something that was red and white...usually spaghetti...and get heart shaped balloons and tie them to the chairs around the kitchen table. I'd pick up some kind of V. Day dessert and everyone was happy. They were happy with their spaghetti and their yummy dessert and their balloons....and their new Valentine's Day boxers. Yep...years ago...probably when there was just Ben...I started buying Valentine's Day boxers from Old Navy. So, yesterday...I made a run to Old Navy, just to pick up their boxers. And guess what?!? They were ½ price! Sometimes it pays to wait till the last minute....sometimes I'm not so lucky...but yesterday I was.

So, I'm pretty much ready for tomorrow. I'm ready to not eat after midnight tonight. I'm ready to skip the make up and deodorant. I'm ready to drift into the slumber of anesthesia. BUT...I am not ready to throw up when I open my eyes. I am not ready to see another scar. I am not ready to feel like I have missed the entire day. Sorry....I'm whining. But, hey...it's my blog. I can whine if I want to.

Stay warm.....there is snow in all but 1 state today! Happy Valentine's Day y'all! I hope you all got some yummy Valentine-y goodness from the ones you love today.

Today I am thankful for: my new silk long underwear, another day closer to spring, and someone else to wax my eyebrows for me.

Here we go again

.....same as last time....biopsy. No needle biopsy first this time though. Thank goodness. Anyway....the doctor is great, I really liked him. He wants it outta there, too. So....wish me sweet dreams and send me good thoughts on Monday. At 9:30am to be exact.
That's about all I got for now. Just gonna busy this weekend with Valentine's day and a very, very special party on Sunday. We're going to Makenzie's "Stupid Cancer Has Left The Building" celebration!!!! She is a very special little girl and has so much to celebrate.....so it should be a great day.
So....until next time...y'all have a great weekend and stay warm!

Today I'm thankful for: Warm pups, your good thoughts, and bacon.

Overly cautious? I hope so...

About 4 years ago....I had a lump. A breast lump. It turned out to be scar tissue. Scary, but not a big deal....had the lump removed.

Fast forward to a few months ago. Another lump. In the same place. Except it feels different. Made an appointment with the super Dr. G...I got sick, I canceled appointment, and finally went in to see him a few weeks ago. He thought it was no big deal, but ordered an ultrasound just to be sure....and because they won't do an ultrasound without doing a mammogram first....I was super sized to the mammogram and ultrasound extra value deal.

Fast forward to last Monday. Mammogram sucked. No fun at all. But she said we made wonderful pictures together. Thanks. Ultrasound was easier. The radiologist even came in to see things for himself. (Not so sure that was a good thing now.) We decide to repeat the extra value deal in three months. To see if there are any changes. Ok...3 months. I'm ok with that.

Now...slow down to yesterday. Dr. G's lovely nurse, Linda calls me. They want to refer me to a general surgeon. What?? I thought we decided to be squished and slimed again in May?? Changes? He has noticed changes? What does that mean? There are 'changes'. I guess in the 4 years since Lump #1...something in there has changed. Well, yeah...Lump #2 has moved in.

So, tomorrow I see the surgeon. I'm scared. But....I will wear my big girl panties tomorrow and go. I will go to Starbucks first and then I will go. No, no one is going with me. Yes, I have had offers. Thank you. I want and need to do this by myself. I don't know why...I just need to be a big girl and do it. After all....I'm 40...I can do this. I hope.

Tonight I am thankful for: The sun that I felt today, the cold wind on my face while I walked, and Karma.

Try to remember....

It's so easy to forget the little things....but it's the little things that we must try to remember. Most of them (ok..all of them) have to do with the kiddos...give it a try. You'll be glad you did...I promise.

• the feeling in your heart the first time you saw them (x2)
  
• the way their little hand wrapped around your finger (x2)
  
• the smell of their newborn head (x2)
  
• the way you felt when they got on the big, yellow school bus all by themselves (x2)
  
• the way you felt when he walked across the big, black stage all by himself to get his diploma (just once so far)
  
• the way you feel when someone tells you something nice about them
  
• and the way you feel when someone tells you something not so nice about them

This post might be better suited for Mother's Day....or maybe their birthdays....but it's what's in my heart right this very moment. All of the Momma feelings. I have "baby treasures" tucked here and there in the house.....the sock hat that Ben wore in the hospital, the clothes that they both wore home, Wyatt's infamous "woo"....but I'm no different than all Momma's. It's who we are...it's what we do. I could go on and on with my list of things to remember. It's as long as my list of things to be thankful for. But, since it is Tuesday....and tomorrow is Wednesday...i must get some sleep. One last thing to never forget....“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” ~Elizabeth Stone

Tonight I'm thankful for: big fat snowflakes, an overly cautious doctor, and blankets.

Mairzy doats and dozy doats....

.....and liddle lamzy divey. Sorry, it's stuck in my head. I don't know why. It just is. It's stuck in your head now, too...isn't it? You're welcome.

Anyway, Wyatt is coming up on his 4th snow day! The big snow that we got on Friday is just about gone around our house, but apparently there are still some pretty slippery streets somewhere in the county...so they get one more day! To follow up on my last post, Wyatt has a new Language Arts teacher. He hasn't gotten to meet her yet, but hopefully will get to soon. The mere mention of an IEP (Individual Education Plan), and he was moved within the hour. It's a hassle to carry out an IEP.

Not too much else going on around here. We had big fun in the snow over the weekend. Festivities included sledding on a truck hood and in a bathtub. Only one minor injury to report. (Not including the bathtub incident, but that's a story for another day.) Wyatt scraped his arm pretty good, but I believe he is going to live. Sledding was huge fun for everyone,including Zoey. She hung out with us in the snow for a few hours. Lola snubbed her nose at the very thought, of course.

So, today is Groundhog Day. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow...of course. Seems like he would though, since there were 8,439 spot lights shining on him. Whatever. Everyone knows not to believe a word the hog says anyway. Six more weeks of winter predicted...we'll see.

I think that catches me up and let's y'all know that we made it through the Great Snow of 2010. Y'all stay warm! xox

Today I'm thankful for: Ibuprofin, cell phone insurance, and peanut butter cookies.

I don't know how to do this.

Ok...here it is. I haven't told anyone yet (especially my parents)....no real reason, other than that I'm not sure how to do it. Ben is not in school anymore. There. I said it. I'm sorry, Mom and Dad, that you have read it here. Really. I'm sorry.
I'm having a hard time adjusting to being Mom to an adult child....because really, that's what he is now....an adult. He will get a better job and earn some more money and the 'plan' is to figure a few things out and go back to school. But...we all know how 'plans' sometimes end up. I'm not mad, really....but I am disappointed.....in addition to lots of other emotions. I don't want to talk about it, either. I feel like somehow I have failed...I tease Wyatt all the time that I have failed him as a mother....always over silly stuff...like getting the wrong thing at the grocery store, or forgetting that he has to wear khaki pants on game day. But this feeling is more than that. I find myself wondering what I could have done better or differently. Ben has learned some very hard life lessons in the past 5 or so years. He has learned things and been through things that I never have. Anyway, the bottom line is...he is not in school. And, at this point, I don't know if he will go back....and there's not much that I can do about it. He has made an adult decision and will have to live with it. I hope that the reality of it all will sink in and make him want to go back to school.
*Mom and Dad...I really am sorry that you're reading this here. I'm not ready to talk about it yet, either...so please respect that. I have told Ben that it's not my job to tell anyone about this...it's his.... but I know you will ask me about it...so here it is. I know that I will talk about it, in time...just not now. There are lots of other things to talk about. I know that you know the feelings that I'm having....you had them to 20+ years ago. I'm sorry for that, too.

Today I'm thankful for: an awesome basketball game yesterday, this blog, and coupons.

The teacher from hell

It seems that there are a few in every school. I realize now that we have been extremely lucky over the past 14 years and haven't really had the teacher from hell....until this year. Ben never had one....he managed to end up with pretty good teachers the whole time he was in the public school system. Sure, there were bumps along the way, but nothing that a note or a phone call to the teacher didn't resolve. (Yes, I am intentionally forgetting about his kindergarten teacher....I have blocked it from my memory.) Now, Wyatt has the teacher from hell for Language Arts. I have been told that she is a 'good English teacher'. If embarrassing students and making them feel stupid makes her a 'good English teacher', then she sure has my vote. I won't go into any more detail about the ordeal here because if you know me or Wyatt, then you know the rest of the story.....but...
What really worries me, is when things like this come along the path of my life, I always ask myself....in the big picture of my life (or the lives of my children, I wish I felt the same way about this little ordeal). While it should not affect Wyatt in the future, the potential for it to do so is very real....and that really bothers me. Not only is he learning some very valuable life lessons about how to be a decent human being, he is also learning how NOT to be a decent, respectful human being, thanks to this teacher. It has been a very long two months since this started, and I expect it will be a very long 5 months before it is over. I'm sure that Wyatt will be fine because that's just the kind of kid he is....and that makes me very proud. Please keep your fingers crossed for us in the meantime....it's gonna be a bumpy road!

Today I'm thankful for: Good teachers, my dishwasher, and my boys.

It's only Tuesday?

It feels like it should be Thursday. Only Tuesday though, and it's already been a long week. Nothing in particular...and everything in general....the funk has jumped all over me and I need to shake it off....I WILL shake it off. Today. I hope. There is a sweet, three day weekend coming up...that should help. A little three day weekend usually will cure what ails ya...I hope I'm cured before then! OK....enough poor me....I'm done whining for the day....time to get up, get dressed and make the most of the day that is ahead of me. That's what I would tell my kids and my friends....not quite the same effect when I tell it to me though. Anyway....get up, get dressed, and make the most of YOUR day, too! xoxox

Today I'm thankful for: The hot shower I just took and good friends

It snowed!

Finally, late Thursday morning, it started to snow. It's Saturday morning now...and it's still snowing. Yes, it has stopped at times, but right now, there are light, fluffy snowflakes falling outside the window. To most seasoned snow people....it's nothing more than flurries. But, it's SNOW! And it's pretty....and it's still falling. I will enjoy it while it is here. High temperatures will be in the 40's this week...high enough to melt all of the pretty, sparkly snow. So, all of my snow dancing, inside out pajama wearing, spoon under my pillow sleeping has paid off. I should be inside the house cleaning and doing laundry today....but I don't think so. Zoey and I will take a walk later and try to get some of the flakes to stick together. Where ever you are, no matter what your weather...enjoy your weekend! xoxox

Today I'm thankful for: Sparkly snowflakes, hot coffee, and mittens.

S N O W

Finally, it looks like we have a better than average chance to get some snow. According to the weather gurus, the snow will start falling sometime Wednesday afternoon/evening. They're predicting 3-6 inches....maybe we'll get it this time. The last good snow we had was in 2003. We're due! Wyatt goes back to school tomorrow....just in time for a couple of snow days...perfect timing! So, we're officially on 'snow watch' for the next day or so...I'll keep y'all posted! xox

Two Thousand Ten or Twenty Ten?

So, which is it? It's a little awkward to me. Seems that the year part of the date should be more than one syllable. What do you think?
What's even awkward-er than that....is blogging again. It's been awhile and I've missed sharing my thoughts and stories with you. (YES, you!) I would say that not much has been happening, but that's not true. Lots has been happening. Thanksgiving. Christmas. New Years. Not to mention all of the everyday 'life' things that happen in between. Basketball. School. Work.
We made it through another holiday season without creating any new, unresolved family issues. The holidays were good. We were all glad to see the school semester come to an end. I hope I don't have to make that voodoo doll....but I'm ready should the need arise. Some of you will know that that means, and some won't....that's OK though.
Not only did we make it through the holidays and the semester, we have also made it through another year. I can't say that 2009 will go down as one of my favorite years, although, some good things happened....I finished my first half marathon, helped plan another successful Graden Gaines Foundation Softball Tournament, and reconnected with some great, old friends.
I'm not one to make a lot of resolutions in the new year....in fact, I don't usually make any resolutions. This year though, I resolve to be here more often....I promise.
Happy New Year, Friends. xoxox