We're all in the same boat!!!!

So, as promised...I duck-faced. It's the only one of it's kind from vacation because I simply couldn't bring myself to do it more than once. The above picture was taken on a cold rainy day midway through our families vacation at a lake house. We were tired of being trapped in the house, and decided that despite the shitty weather, the "Adults" would be setting out for a cruise on the pontoon. (can't say that without singin it) The duck face was an attempt to entertain myself and the others..and now, you. You're welcome. Soooo..I have to be honest. I was really nervous about vacationing for an entire week with another family. But it turned out to be so great a time that I actually MISSED them once we got home. We made some great memories together that's for sure, and I would absolutely do it again. In fact, I plan on it. I don't think I've ever laughed as much, or as hard as I did on this trip. It helped that the family we were with shared me and the hubs sick sense of what qualifies as funny. It was just awesome. We let loose, and just enjoyed every single moment. I would have to say though, that my favorite thing about this vacation, was watching the kids play. It was so nice to have all of our children unplugged and interacting, not just with us, but with each other. And for our family, that in itself is HUGE !!! Don't get the wrong idea. We all love each other very much...and generally speaking we all get along...but the hustle and bustle of daily life can get pretty hectic from time to time And really....being a blended family is rough sometimes. With four girls, emotions run high in our household,(which is -by the way- why I think the two boys hide in their room most days) But somehow, we magically transformed into one big happy family! We reconnected, and really got to know each other again. And, it was incredible, and I feel so blessed to have what I have. So there we have it. Operation "First Family Vacay" was a great success, and I can't wait to do it again... Life is good today.

Kids Today.... (yes I mean that in the old lady way)

Oh my god I'm old. Ok...not really, I'm not shrively yet. But...tonight, in reminicing with a friend that I grew up with (shout out to Lizzard) I came to realize that kids today are getting jipped. And in my humble opionion simply having that thought, even for a split second.. does indeed qualify me as "old".

I'm not going to get into the "we walked 5 miles up hill in the driven snow with no boots" schpeel... But I am going to shed a silent tear for the kids who will never get to experience a pool hall. A place where the same old Metallica song drones on, and 16 year olds shoot pool with cigarettes hanging out of their mouths. It was a place where parents didn't go. It was open on holidays so after we did the family "thing" we could all meet up and blow of some steam. Everybody went there, the preps, the nerds, the stoners..the people like me, who were somewhere in between. There were fights, and cliques, but for the most part, it was just fun! So, while I'm sitting here, all reminiscent and what not- I guess you could say it kinda bums me out that kids today don't really have "hang-outs" anymore. I mean, dont you worry, Ill totally get over it. But it saddens me that there is no driving around looking for your friends...no more going to the nearest mall, pool hall, arcade, in search of someone to hang out with. They are connected ALL THE TIME! They know where their friends are..because they've all checked in on Facebook, or Twitter posting duck-faced pictures of themselves in the bathroom of wherever they might be. It's crazy I tell you! Cuh-ray-zee! On that note, I'm taking my kids on vacation next week. We rented a beach house, and we are not bringing video games or computers...and our cell phones are going to be left off. We are unplugging...unlaxing...and rewinding. Wish us luck. (I will duck-face in as many vaca photos as possible!!)

Big Loser.

I joined a group of women today in an 8 week weight loss contest thing. It's a biggest loser challenge, and I couldn't be more excited.

I will admit that in addition to being excited, I am also sort of nervous to embark on something like this, and I'm not sure why. Maybe, it is because other people are involved. I am now accountable for my actions. It's easy to stay fat when all I am dealing with is myself. I can talk myself into..or out of...just about anything. BUT NOW!!! Oh my gosh. People will know that I'm a lazy slacker if I don't lose and aside from that, I really want this. Not just for the money, but I want to change things up with myself. If I can just stick with it, long enough to see some results....I will be golden. It all starts tomorrow......I intend to blog as I move forward in this crazy journey...we'll see what happens! Wish me luck!

Her Mothers Daughter.

I know, I know....I already blogged. But I had to share this. Mostly so one day, I look back on this and giggle.

Tonight I was helping Katie study for her social studies test and it went a lil something like this..

Me: OK Katie....who is James Polk?

Katie: A guy.......from Kentucky. Errrr no! Virginia. Yeah, ... Virginia. And, he's ... uhhh. He's Andrew Jacksons friend. I don't know mom. Who is James Polk?

Me:***awkward silence*** A president? ( I was hoping I was right..and I googled it when she walked outta the room to get a drink) SO then I shouted to her...."Yeah Kate...If I recall correctly James Polk was the 11th president of the US.

Katie:(Now back in the room) No! I know who he was.. He wasn't a president. He was a Democrat.

Me: Fer Real? *** Uproarious laughter***


Yep, she's blonde and left handed. It is a trifecta.

"Hey Tall Girls"

I went back to work today. It was nice. It's weird, after being a stay at home mom for 10 years, I could not imagine staying home ever again. I enjoy going out and doing my thing. And that week at home, was slowly killing me. I love my kids, and Mitch. But Holy crap, ... it's a lot to handle.

I'm doing well on operation "unfatass" today, when I came home from work, my Miznitch had prepared a big ol yummolicious fruit salad, and I hogged that down. In the past, I avoided anything carby. Including fruit. I'm not doing that anymore. I intend to stay away from breads, refined sugar n flour and all that jazz, but fruit on a beeeeutiful spring day? I'm not passing that shit up.

I have a funny for you. Allow me to set the scene.

The other night, Liz really needed to go out, and it just so happened that her favorite band was playing at a bar close to home. SO...me being the BFF that I am, I went with. We bellied up to the bar, and enjoyed the music, and each others company. We were drinkin our drinks....minding out own business, when the bartender came and gave us each another drink. I looked at mine, I had half left, I looked at Liz's , and she had about the same. I was really confused, cause usually, the bartender asks you if you want another? .but, I figured, eh, what the hell, I was going to have another any old way. I then looked at Liz quizzically , thinking maybe she secretly ordered them, and she looked back at me, sporting the exact same look.. Finally we both shrugged, and I got out my wallet to pay for these random drinks, when the bartender informed me that "the gentleman at the end of the bar bought them for us"

Seriousy?

Have I been outta the game for THAT long? That should have been the first thing that came to mind.. I mean, there was a time not too long ago when I would go out with 10 bucks, and come home drunk...with 5 bucks still in my pocket. I was the queen of getting drinks...you know, cause I'm such a nice person and all. But that night, that was the last thing that crossed my mind?!

Of course we then had to thank the guy who bought the drinks, and of course, he and his friend came over to talk. I SWEAR as they were walking over I heard "What is Love" from Night at the Roxbury in my head. They were your typical dorks..that didn't think they were...and he opened with "Hey Tall ladies, I had to buy you a drink cause you guys are beautiful and tall." I shoulda responded with..."Hey short Dork, I have to walk away cause you're really short and rather redundant" But due to the fact that I am the afore mentioned nice person...I stayed and listened to him ramble about height. He then continued to measure himself against us. When he asked how tall I was, I told him I was "tall enough to kick his ass" and that was that. When he asked my name, I replied that I was "Shaquanda" and when he STILL didn't get it, and kept talking... I simply walked away, and Liz followed. All night long, he kept waving. And he was really quite the enthusiastic waver too bouncing around in his seat, smiling really big! (all he lacked was a helmet)...OK..maybe I'm not soooo nice.

Anyhooters. It's crazy how much my life has changed for the better. I do not miss the bar scene at all. And quite honetly, as much as I love being out with any or all of my girls, I would always love to have the Mitchard by my side.

AWEEEEEEEEEEEEE.



My how times have changed! Huh?

Well, I'm feeling much better these days, moving forward....carefully and consciously. I feel good, and I'm ready to move on. I am a healthy person, and I intend to live like one.

Tomorrow, Mitch and I are embarking on our "Holy-Crap-We-Got-Fat-This-Winter" scramble to lose some lbs. before summer gets here.

For me this has been a continuous struggle for the past few years. I know what I'm doing....or at least what I should be doing..... but I just can't seem to stick with it for more than a few weeks. I just gotta keep putting one pleasantly plump foot in front of the other. Ya know,, I DO believe in the whole..."If at First you don't succeed, try, try again." Thing. But usually before I "try, try again" I "chow,chow" down on crap I shouldn't which puts me right back where I started in the first place! Seriously. I've been screwing with the same 20 lbs for quite some time now. And I'm done! I want to lose that 20..and 20 more! Obviously the way I've been going about things hasn't worked in the past. So I'm going to try to make some solid life style changes. I'm guessing it might be difficult, But...who knows? Maybe it will work this time? Maybe it will be easy!

I bet it will be easy for Mitch.

And I bet that will piss me off.

Well. One thing I have going for me is that I am ultra super mega competitive sooo, if he truely does this, and really sticks with it, I will naturally want to kick his ass. And in the famous words of Mr Forest Gump..."That's all I have to say about that."



So anyway. Away we go! operation "un-fat-ass ourselves" is underway.

Tomorrow.

Right now, I'm going to have some ice cream.



And some Skittles :)

Blood Clots, Good Friends, and Milli Vanilli.

See. What had happened wuz....

I went to the doctor for a normal everyday check up. I'm getting oldish, and I wanted to make sure every thing was under control As it turns out, it was not. I mean...y cholesterol is fine, blood sugar, dead on...blood pressure, a bitchin 120 over 74. But as it turns out my body was trying to kill me by forming a whole bunch of clots that, IF they had traveled to any of my major organs, would have left me dead on the floor. I'm glad I decided to go to the doc when I did. I am now on blood thinners (for life) and I am OK. I'm on bed rest, which SUCKS...but it's better than the alternative.

The whole "you find out who your friends are" thing rings ever so true for me after that whole episode. My besties helped me through, and were amazing as usual. I am SO lucky to have all of them....funny cards, hillarious phone calls, crazy corn! They know me too well, and they all know what makes me tick..

Which leads me to my very best friend of them ALL...Mitchard. He keeps my spirits up like no other. The man is truly amazing, and has got to be the best thing that has ever happened to me. He keeps me laughing when all I want to do is cry. When I am crabby, he lets me yell it out, and then asks me if I'm done? He sings Milli Vanilli. And color me bad. We have dance breaks, and hug a lot. He is just as crazy as I am....and well....it works. I'm lucky. I never believed in soul-mates before, and even still, I'm skeptical, but if there is such a thing, he is mine.

In fact, I am going to write a whole blog about that one day. Maybe even today? I'm on bed rest, and its MY blog! I can do what I want.......