Shootin' Pigeons

My BFF's daughter's 9th b-day party was yesterday. I think I finally realized then just how redneck her husband is. He brought his shotgun out to the farm and he and his brother in law proceeded to shoot clay pigeons. I watched for awhile and then decided to give it a shot. It was just a 20 gauge 3 shot rifle so not much kick. I missed all three of my pigeons. Ah well. And yes, I also realize I may just be a little bit redneck for shooting it in the first place and wishing I had a picture to post so you could see how redneck I looked.

A Challenge for Myself

I'm realizing that I spend a little too much time online when I'm home. If I worked or went to school, no biggie. But I don't do either of those on my computer. Therefore, I'm going to try and only be online twice a day. Once in the morning and then after Ethan's in bed. I'm really hoping I can do it. More than likely I can because we're so far away from the IQuest base or whatever, that my signal is weak...whatever. But that's my goal.

It's Official

I have to cut caffeine COMPLETELY out of my life. It's not a huge deal since I really only had coffee on the weekends. It just made me nauseous and I felt like my head weighed about 50 pounds 20 minutes after my coffee was done. I could do the decaf coffee, but we don't have any in my house. And tea isn't so bad. I've switched to Celestial Seasonings Decaf India Spice Chai Tea. It's pretty good. I LOVE it! And it works because it's something hot and sweet in the morning and doesn't make me sleepy.

Not a good idea

I should not be at work today. I feel like crap. And I just want to go home and go to bed and get some rest.

Another Chapter

In the ongoing chapter of being a Mommy, Ethan is now going to real preschool. He started last Wednesday and I couldn't help but shed a few tears as I left. He's getting to be such a big boy and not a baby anymore. He hasn't been a baby for quite some time but I still think of him like that sometimes. At least I did. He's always going to be my little angel, but my little is growing up so fast and I don't know if I'm ready for it. Guess I better start because next year, is the big deal...REAL REAL school. Now I just need to figure out where we'll live before he starts kindergarten..........

No Rain

It's been 6 weeks since I've seen any REAL rain. Rain that lasts for more than 2 minutes. It freakin' sucks. I just want it to rain for about 3 days straight and where I can ENJOY it and not be at work stuck inside wishing I could see it and letting Ethan go out and play in it if he so desires. I know these songs aren't, you know, I don't know what the hell I'm trying to say, but they have the one simple message that it needs to rain...more or less.

I Wish It Would Rain
By Phil Collins


Now I, I wish it would rain down, down on me
Yes I wish it would rain, rain down on me now


No Rain
By Blind Melon


And I don't understand why I sleep all day
AND I START TO COMPLAIN THAT THERE'S NO RAIN!!!!!

Free...Mostly

I get Woman's Day magazine. It's not for old women...it's pretty cool. Has some quick fixes, how to's and recipes in every issue. There's one issue that I loved. Simply because there was an article on free stuff (or mostly free). I don't know how great any of the other things were/are because I just found the issue again and wanted to see how one thing in particular could catch my fancy. It's a site called www.silverjewelryclub.com All one has to pay for is S&H. No catch. That's it. And when you go to checkout, they'll give a retail value (a ring I looked at earlier today was RV'd @ $60), what you pay($0), and the S&H. I LOVE jewelry. Particularly earrings and rings (even though I don't wear rings so much anymore because they kinda get in the way at work). Sterling silver jewelry with a myriad of different designs and gemstones to go with them. I'm thinking I'm going to get some blue (because it's pretty), citrine/topaz (my birthstone), and maybe some CZ if they ever have it (Ethan's birthstone). So really, go check it out. It's worth it, I think.

And it's another great gift idea for me if you want to get me something and don't know what to get. ;) (sz 5.5 or 6 ring)

Bleh

I think somewhere in the past few months I have developed migraine/tension/cluster headaches. Not fun. Sometimes I have a shooting pain on one side of my head that, well, shoots pain. Other times it's this throbbing numbing pain that somehow manages to make me want to vomit and lie down and close my eyes. Other times, it's a mix of piercing pain with nausea. This is what webMD had to say about them:

Tension Headaches
People with tension headaches commonly report these symptoms:
Episodic Tension Headaches (occurs less than 15 days per month)
Pain is mild to moderate, constant band-like pain, pressure or throbbing
Pain affects the front, top or sides of the head.
Pain usually begins gradually, and often occurs in the middle of the day
Pain may last from 30 minutes to several days


Chronic Tension Headaches (occurs more than 15 days per month)
Pain may vary in intensity throughout the day, but the pain is almost always present
Pain affects the front, top or sides of the head
Pain comes and goes over a prolonged period of time

Associated Symptoms of Tension Headache
Headache upon awakening
Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
Chronic fatigue
Irritability
Disturbed concentration
Mild sensitivity to light or noise
General muscle aching


And the Migraine List:

Migraines
The symptoms of migraine headaches can occur in various combinations and include:
Moderate to severe pain (often described as pounding, throbbing pain) that can affect whole head, or can shift from one side of the head to the other
Sensitivity to light, noise or odors
Blurred vision
Nausea or vomiting, stomach upset, abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Sensations of being very warm or cold
Paleness
Fatigue
Dizziness
Fever (rare)
Bright flashing dots or lights, blind spots, wavy or jagged lines (aura)


And one more possibility since I seem to have more of these symptoms throughout the week:

Cluster Headaches
Intense one-sided pain described as having a burning or piercing quality that is throbbing or constant
Pain is located behind one eye or in the eye region, without changing sides
Pain lasts a short time, generally 30 to 90 minutes. But, it can last from 15 minutes to three hours. The headache will disappear only to recur later that day (most sufferers get one to three headaches per day during a cluster period).
Headaches occur very regularly, generally at the same time each day, and they often awaken the person at the same time during the night.

Maybe sometime soon I should go see my MD and see what he has to say about the whole thing. So now I'm going to go so I can watch my son play his pool and sprinkler...with my superb headache that I got an hour ago...bleh.

WOO-HOO!

Mom and Dad are on their way to Maine for a much anticipated anniversary stay at a B&B in Bar Harbor that the three of us saved to give them for a 30th gift last year. I think they'll be with my Uncle Geoff and Aunt Gerry on their actual anniversary so maybe they'll get lucky and have some Maine lobster for dinner...here's hoping anyway.

I plan on:
1) Having fun with Ethan
2) Getting my room finally put together and taking some stuff down to storage that doesn't fit in my room anymore
3) Not spending so much money
4) Going to the Fair once the kiddies have started school...I'm thinking Wednesday
5) Start walking and eating healthier (this was one of my resolutions and I'm pretty sure it's past time I get my butt up and out the door.)
6) Hang out with my "little sister" Samantha and my BFF Tina if I'm lucky
7) Go back to Central Library because it's a BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL place to spend a couple hours.

That's my plan anyway, whether I do any of it is still pretty up in the air right now.

FINALLY!!!

I have my wireless internet back!!! A month of having only one computer in the house with internet and today my awesome Dad hooked up the wireless router so I have my computer fully functional once again!!! YAY!!! Can't wait to start downloading songs again! And letting Ethan play his games! And getting online whenever I want! OOOOO, I'M EXCITED!!!!

Vacation

Every year, at least once, Ethan and I go up to Michigan for a vacation. Usually when we go up I have something to do every day. This year, I didn't have anything planned. To start our week of vacation we went camping up at Indiana Dunes. Not at the state park because by the time we got up there, there were no campsites left. So we found a different one and it was fun. The only thing that sucked was that Randy and I had to set up our tent in the rain. We had no fire on Friday because it was rainy and wet and was rainy and wet all night. We did alright. Ethan and I woke up...well Ethan woke up because it was daylight and we just kinda laid around the tent and hung out outside the tent while Randy slept. We made campfire doughnuts (i burned them...but luckily we had more than one can of biscuits) and decided it was time to wake up Randy. He suggested we go to Chicago so that's what we did. We were only 45 minutes away so it seemed like a good idea. We played tourist...went on a double decker bus ride/tour of the city, took lots of pictures,

Trump Int'l Hotel and Tower

John Hancock Building

Sears Tower from the Bus

went to the Sears Tower Skydeck, took some more pictures,

Skydeck South View

Skydeck North View/Chicago River Y

and then hopped on the bus again and rode around to Millenium Park where we hopped off,

"Sportacus" in Millenium Park

got our free souvenir hat/visor/shirt (we got to pick) and took some pics under the bean.

Under the "bean"

Mandatory self portrait


Since it didn't rain on Saturday night we actually got to camp. We had fire, roasted hot dogs, and made s'mores. Ethan played with his pop gun that Randy got for him at Cabela's and went for a "night hike" with Daddy.

Playing with his pop gun and being like Daddy

Back from the "night hike"

Hanging out at the campsite

Ethan was pretty tired from his busy day so he ended up falling asleep in my chair.

He had a busy day

It did storm about midnightish, but when we broke down camp it was sunny. We hung out for a few more hours and then headed our seperate ways.

Monday and Tuesday we went to the beach and just played and had fun and relaxed.

Baywatch Baby

Check out those waves!

Ridin' the waves

Relaxing in the hammock

Wednesday we went to Grand Rapids to see my friend Emily. I managed to not pay attention to where I was going and missed my turn and thought I was going the right way when I figured out I hadn't gotten to my exit yet. I think I managed to get us about 15 minutes off course. But we made it so everything was fine. We went to John Ball Zoo and then Meijer Gardens. Both were fun places to go. Ethan's not one for watching things for very long. The longest we stayed anywhere at the zoo was in the frog exhibit and the petting zoo.

Poison Dart Frog

Brushing the cow

Meijer Gardens was wonderful! There's a waterfall that's just beautiful, a huge 24 foot bronze horse, and a Children's Garden. We spent about 2 hours there and we all had fun.

Waterfalls

Yep, it's pretty HUGE

Look out!

Come find me!

Emily and Me

Thursday Ethan and I went into Saugatuck, played at the park, had some ice cream and went back to the house to await the arrival of my mom and aunt. Once they got there we went out for dinner. Friday we went into Douglas and had lunch then came back and went to the beach for a little bit...at least I did because I had to come home yesterday. So here I am, once again at work during the weekend and wishing I was still in Michigan with my family. But at least my Daddy has someone to keep him company and talk to in the evenings. It was a great week and I can't wait to do it again.

I HATE Packing

We're moving in three days to the Big City. None of us in this house have lived in anything but small town rural communities since we graduated college. Granted my stay in the Big City was not quite as long ago as my parent's, but still, long enough. I still have my upstairs to pack. I think it's mostly done but there's just so much JUNK to go through that it's really turning into a pain in my ass. I'm excited about moving because I'll be closer to everything. Family, friends, attractions like the zoo, canal, etc, and work. I'm just glad that I'll get to sleep about an extra 30 minutes on the weekends now since I'll be about 20 mins closer to work.

I can just do without all the packing. If could have a magic wand and just magic it all into the boxes and get rid of all the junk I've accumulated over the past who knows how many years (I found an old electric bill and it's been 4 yrs since I've lived in Indy and an old hospital bill for Ethan), it would just make my life a teeny tiny little bit easier. I can't wait until I don't have to move around anymore.

Misadventures at Work

It's a Sunday. I'm at work. I haven't been overly busy today. I've read the National Geographic that's all about China...pretty interesting stuff. I've played online, I've taken my lunch break. I helped two nurses figure out what to do to get new parking passes. One of them (one of my very most favorite nurses I work with on the weekends) didn't know her license plate number since she just got a new car and new plates. I told her I'd go check for her because I wasn't busy. And it got me up out of my chair and doing something so I wasn't falling asleep or taking goofy ass pictures of myself with my phone.

As I was walking to the stairs (because that's what I do when I'm at work) I was almost to the guest bathrooms down the hall and I slipped and looked down and there was some water. Not just some water...a SHIT TON of water. Why???? A guy used the bathroom and when he flushed the toilet just kept filling and filling and filling and filling and then spilling and spilling and spilling and spilling. So much so the water was running down into the elevators and into the unit on the other side of the hospital. I'm a nice person so I let the other unit know, "If you come out, be careful because the toilet overflowed." And I got some blankets to soak up some of the water until housekeeping or maintenance could arrive to clean it up.

So here I am, helping lay blankets down on the end unit, talking with one of the maintenance guys, and he's wondering how it could happen, it's unbelievable to him. So I said, "He must have had a lot of shit come out of his butt." He just laughed and said he was trying to be more delicate about it since I was around. I'm only a lady when I have to be. Any other time (usually when I'm not around my son) I'm pretty much a sailor.

When I got back from checking the LP# I washed my feet, my crocs, and traded my work scrubs for some hospital scrubs because I wasn't gonna walk around for the rest of the time with poo water all over myself...vomit inducing right there.

And I'm guessing the water's cleaned up by now but I'll share my picture with you anyway, because honestly, it's kinda funny!!!

the blankets were the "sandbags" against the poo water. the black looking thing down the hallway on the left is the sign for the bathrooms. where the maintenance guy is standing is the "entrance" for the elevators. poo water was all the way to the end of the elevators...there are 4 of them in that area. the double doors lead to the unit at the other end of the hospital.

Animal Fun

My parents got Ethan and me an Indianapolis Zoo membership for Christmas...I think I've said this already, but it was probably the best thing I received. I mean, a whole year of cool stuff to do, pretty much free for me. I have to pay for the food, which is pretty expensive, and the train ride, but $20 for the both of us as opposed to about $50 without it, isn't too bad. We've been twice in 2 weeks. It's pretty cool. I think once the summer comes around, when there's more stuff going on, it'll be a little more fun than it already is. And I've been researching other zoos so that Ethan and I can go to at least one of them this summer. I'm really leaning towards the Cincy Zoo (www.cincyzoo.org) because it's the closest of them all. And I used to go there when I was a kid and I want to go back. Check out the map to this place!!!It just looks like the coolest place in the world!! Okay, maybe not, but still, it looks super fun. And with my Indy membership I get 50% off admission for each of us. Or I could get what they call the Grand Safari Pass and pay a little extra and get unlimited rides on the train, tram, and carousel. Really, how much more awesome could it get? Let me tell you...how about $10 for an all day pass???? Yep, $10. But that's at the St. Louis Zoo, more like a weekend trip (www.stlzoo.org). (I'd post a zoo map but it won't let me.)
And then there's the Louisville Zoo. (www.louisvillezoo.org) (again, I'd post a map, but I couldn't find one.)

PLUS when Ethan and I go to MI for our summer vacation, I plan on going to Meijer Gardens...wonder if there's a Zoo nearby we can visit? Em, help me out, I know you live there.

So so so many Zoo's from which to choose in the Midwest and I can't wait to visit them all!!!

My How a Month Flies

I didn't realize that it had been so long since last I posted anything. I know my faithful readers (all 3 of you) have been wondering where I've been. Nowhere really. I just have way too many thoughts in one brain to put them into cyberspace thoughts. More than likely this is probably going to be a shmancy smashup (that's Spanish for Fancy Mashup) those who have children know what I'm talking about. If you want to know, go to Noggin's website and find The Upside Down Show games...I <3 it.))

The past month and a half I have been challenged by my mom to keep my room and upstairs clean. It's gone well for the most part. There were a few days when it went to crap, but I fixed it. I kinda like having a clean living space. Makes me wonder why I never did it before?? Maybe because I was never bribed with things I wanted. Yep, that's right, I'm being bribed to keep my upstairs clean. But hey, it works. And maybe someday, when I'm on my own, I might do the same thing. Keep my house clean, buy that new pair of shoes I've wanted...or a new CD (not so much that anymore because I have my limewire and mp3 player, but it was good example)...or a new DVD...or a night out with friends...something so that I feel the incentive and the need to keep my living space clean, not just for me, but for those around me...mostly Ethan. I don't want him to grow up in a shit hole of a house and think that it's okay.

I'm still reading The Wheel of Time series. I think I'm on book 5. I LOVE them. I'm hoping to have all 11 done by the time the 12th one comes out. I'm pretty sure I'll have them all read because the final book won't come out until Fall 2009. That's still a good year and a half away. And since it's taken me only 3 months (less if you count the time that once I got REALLY started, there have only been a couple days where I haven't been able to read) to read the first five (and okay I'm not done with The Fires of Heaven yet, but i've put a big dent in it), I'm hoping to be done with the 11 that are in print by my birthday. That gives me roughly 7 months to get them done. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to do it.

I must be getting older and wiser and not so naive because I'm actually researching the Democratic Presidential candidates. I printed off the issues they want to work on and how they'll get to it. My big thing, I think, right now, is the energy stuff. I'm liking Obama's plan as opposed to Clinton's because he wants to spend three times more than she does. I'm thinking that $150,000,000,000.00 (that's a lot of zero's...and yes, it's billion) is going to go more than $50,000,000,000.00. But that's just my thought on the matter. And I like that fact that Obama isn't taking lobbyist money for his campaign. I don't know, I have LOTS of reading to do before the IN primary, or whatever it is, in May. When I say lots, I mean 60+ pages for BOTH candidates. I've pretty much made up my mind on who I'm going to vote for, but I want to make sure first. And if you're smart, you've figured out who've I chosen as of right now.

I've been spending more time with Ethan the past couple weeks. He and I had a HUGE blowout about two weeks ago. It's one of those times where I'm kinda glad I have my parents around, because I don't know what would have happened. I think I wouldn't have melted down and left (my dad was home or else who knows...i'd rather not think about it, thanks) had my dad not talked some sense into me. I still left, but I knew Ethan was in good hands, as opposed to my angry ones. I stayed away until he fell asleep and had my first true parenting breakdown. It was awful. I didn't hate myself, but I came close. I think just the thought of what could have happened, made me realize that there are other ways besides yelling at Ethan to get my point across. I'm not really sure what they are, but I'm working on it.

We've started doing crafts together so that gives us some good bonding time. Dad has a Bible Study group at the house on Wednesday night and Ethan and I go upstairs and just hang out for about an hour, hour and a half, before it's time for him to go to bed. I made us a craft box that has all kinds of stuff in it. His favorite is the paint. He LOVES to paint. I'm hoping to get more stuff as time goes on, but right now, we're okay with what we have.

I'm going to start looking for apartments soon. I think it's time to be out on my own. The tricky part is finding someplace I can afford. I know it's out there somewhere, I just have to find it and be real intentional on what I want. Not only for me, but for Ethan as well. Hopefully something will happen. But for now, that's pretty much what my life has been like the past month. Not too exciting, but eventful.

The Wheel of Time

I have become engrossed in the world of Robert Jordan. More specifically The Wheel of Time series. I have become addicted to these books. I just started the third one but they are FANTASTIC. I'm so addicted, I didn't even try and find another book to read after I read the second. I don't want to read anything else until I've read all 12. Well, I may have to because sadly, Robert Jordan passed away in September 2007 and the final book had yet to be written. But a new author has been chosen to finish the last book and I can't wait until it comes out so that someday I can own all of them, plus the three prequel books to The Wheel of Time series.

Thanks to my brother (who gave me the first book for Christmas when I was pregnant with Ethan) I have found a substantial story to occupy my time and keep me interested for months to come.

My Scooter

Here's what my new scooter looks like. To see how it works, go to www.trikke.com

IT'S HERE!

My new scooter is here. I was telling my dad on Tuesday that it should arrive sometime that day and it was coming by FedEx. Literally, right after I told him, the doorbell rang and it was the FedEx man! I assembled it, went outside and didn't do so hot on it...unless I was going downhill. I took it to the trail that's in town and tried it there. STILL hard to do. But I got the hang of it...after about 15 or 20 minutes of trying. It's pretty fun, but for someone who's not physically active (but in the process of becoming so) it's really challenging. I can't wait to go out again and do it on Tuesday (I have to work Monday morning) after I drop Ethan off! I'll put a picture up when I get home so you can see what it looks like. YAY!

Jackass Drivers

Since I've become a mom I've noticed how badly most people drive. It's almost as if they don't get there "right now" the world will come to an end. Bobbing and weaving in and out of traffic is ridiculous. I know I'm not the world's greatest driver, but when I have precious cargo with me, well, I tend to be a little more coherent as to what's going on around me. It's not a race to see who gets there first. It's not a race to anywhere unless you're driving around a track in circles for 500 miles...that's just stupid if you ask me. It would just be nice if people would actually take the time to see what's around them, being careful, instead of rushing to and fro all the time. Stop being so stupid and road ragey and just relax. You'll get there eventually.

Change of Taste

Recently, I'd say since about Christmas, I've discovered I enjoy chocolate. It used to be the only time I liked it was after I read "The Prisoner of Azkaban." We did secret Santa at work and the nurse that had me got me two kinds of Dove chocolate bars. I wasn't too thrilled about them but I tried them anyway. They were dark chocolate...I don't like dark chocolate...at all. Being the brave person I am, I ate them. One was 70% cocao and the other was just dark. Oh. My. Yummy. Seriously, I am now a HUGE fan of dark chocolate.

The darker it is, the more I like it. Lindt makes a 99% cocao bar but it's SUPER expensive and I just don't have that kind of money to spend on chocolate. Though someday I DO plan on buying it.

They also make 60% cocao truffles that are just absolutely fantastic.

I bought an 80% cocao bar today from the coffee shop downstairs. And yes, I can justify spending $3.13 on it just for the simple fact that 10% of proceeds go to helping endangered species, wildlife habitats, and humanity.

Also, last week I wanted mustard. Just out of the blue. I took a bite of my sandwich at lunch and thought, "This needs mustard." I don't like mustard. I think it tastes too much like dill pickles for me...I HATE dill pickles. But apparently my body said, "Feed me mustard." I wonder if mustard has some kind of something that my body is lacking??? Or maybe it was just one of those weird unexplained cravings I get every once in awhile?

A Project

I love hands. I've always liked them. I love the differences in them. There are so many different kinds of hands. I took a picture not quite a year ago of Ethan's and his dad's hands with Ethan's on top of his dad's. It turned out really well. I took some at the White River Gardens of my hand and another. They're on MySpace but you can only see them if you're a member. Anyway, I think I'm going to actually try doing a photography project of just hands. Singles, couples, groups. I don't know what I'll do with the pictures once I have the ones I want, but I'm sure it will be just for my enjoyment...or I'll actually figure out something to do with them. So if you ever see me with one of my cameras (I have 4 now (2 digital and 2 film) because Ethan found my other one that was lost...in the couch cushions where my dad and I had looked NUMEROUS times) and I get close to you, don't be alarmed, I just want your hands.

The Farm

My family has a farm in rural Indiana and I've always remembered it from when I was about seven years old. It's property actually on what used to be the family farm. We have about 11 acres left of I don't know how many. Anyway, when I was seven or so we had a family reunion at the church down the road. And when I say "down the road" I mean about 3 or so miles. There was one part that I always remembered about that day and I wanted to go back when I was older to see if I could find it. There's a creek that runs through the property and it has these beautiful trees just "floating" in the water. The roots are in the ground, and sticking out over the water, and then the trunk goes up from the water. I went there yesterday and I called my dad to see where the creek was. He said it was pretty far back but just my luck, it wasn't as far as he remembered. I made my way slowly back to the creek taking pictures as I went. There was old farm equipment and I was so fascinated by it (I have this wonderful love of history) I took quite a few pictures. Then I found the creek. I found my tree that I remembered from my youth. I actually got brave enough to go out on the roots and take pictures of the creek from the tree. I think once it starts to get warmer I'll make a trip back there, but for now, this is what I captured on my venture (the tree shown isn't the tree from which I took pictures, but it's living the same way):

Giving Up and Starting Over

I still can't find my camera. I've torn my room apart, I've looked in weird places where a camera wouldn't normally hide. I've grown weary of playing hide and seek with it. I haven't given up hope of one day finding it, but I was tired of going without a camera. It wasn't something I just wanted...I needed it. I know it sounds ludicrous, but this is my therapy. This is what makes my life just a little more sane than it is already.
With that thought in my head, I bought a new camera. A bigger, badder, better one...a Kodak ZD710. Or at least it seems that way to the one I had before it went and got lost. I haven't taken any serious pictures yet, just fiddled with it, trying to get the hang of it. I've taken some close ups of my eyes because I like them and the not quite brown, not quite hazel color of them...maybe a dark amber color. I know there's a place where I want to go take pictures but it's a matter of finding the right spot and finding that exact spot on my own. I started to go there last year about this time but I wasn't quite sure once I got there so I didn't capture anything. I'm just thrilled to have another camera in my hands if I so desire to go out into nature once again and take pictures. And I'm able to capture the moments I get to spend with my family being ourselves.

The End

Today I bid a fond adieu to the Indianapolis Colts 2007 football season. They lost to the Chargers 24-28. It was a fantastic outstanding game and I hated to see them not win. I won't say "lose" because it was too good of a game for them to "lose." And there's always Super Bowl (sans Colts this year) and the rest of the playoffs to see who plays in that game. I hope so very badly that someone will beat the Patriots and kick them out of the running. Whoever does that, and makes it to the Super Bowl, that's the team for which I will be cheering. Or if the Pats do end up going, I'll be cheering for the other team.
So for now, I say, "Adios mis amigos. I'll miss you until next season...IN THE NEW STADIUM!!!" Which I would love to go to a game there, however, with saving my money this year, I doubt I'll be able to go. Ah well, maybe someday.

One Gallon

Part of the newer, healthier me is to drink more water. I only drink about 16oz a day, if that. At work I have these gigantic plastic cups that are about 29oz to the top. I've had not quite one of these today and I have never been to the bathroom as much as I have in the past 8 hours. Kudos to those of you that do it on a daily basis because it's hard for me. I think if it build myself up to the recommended gallon a day (that's right, 64oz = one gallon) it won't be so bad. But one gallon a day is a bit of a daunting task for someone who doesn't consume that much in a day. I'm determined to do it though because the more water I drink, the healthier I'll be. And I'm done with the first cup...wish me luck on the second. I'll probably be up a lot tonight visiting the bathroom.......

Here's What I Want

I want a nice guy who's intelligent, will love me and my son, is funny, gets along with my family and respects them and me, can hold a job and not switch from job to job all the time, can handle his finances, has a nice vehicle, nice smile, hygienic, attractive, muscular, and tall, can lift me up like I'm nothing, will be there when I need him most, won't be over critical of my ocassional lack of common sense, take me places and not make me pay all the time, do things that I want to do and compromise if we can't agree, won't throw a fit if he doesn't get his way. I don't think that's too much to ask. Really I don't. And yes, I want a man. Not a guy, not a boy. A MAN!!!


It's a start at least....

Something About It...

And by "it" I mean music. I grew up listening to all sorts of music genres. I don't have one particular favorite, I just like music. I listen to whatever my mood dictates. Lately I've been leaning towards the classical area. There's something about it that just makes me relax. I have two classical presets in my car and when I got in my car this morning to come to work I was trying to figure out what to listen to on my way in. I had forgotten that I had WICR (UIndy radio station that plays a lot of classical, jazz, and blues type stuff) on when I came home on Thursday so when it came on this morning, I was okay with it and left it there. I just find it amazing that someone could be so talented as to make music (says the girl who knows how to play trumpet). I can play the trumpet and pick out tunes on the piano as long as they're not too difficult. My family is full of musicians. My dad can play guitar, harmonica, trumpet, and autoharp; my mom can play the dulcimer, I think she used to play violin, and kinda piano; Aaron plays trumpet; I don't know if Annelise can play anything; Adriane plays flute, guitar, and maybe piano; Asher plays guitar, bass, and piano; and Ethan, he's still a bit young to play anything but he shows interest in piano, trumpet, and guitar. I know my uncles play guitar but I'm not sure which ones play and my Grandma can play the violin and piano. My cousins are talented, too but I don't know what they play.
I just find that music can relax me and match my mood. I have chillaxin', classical, motivational (pop type stuff), classic rock, and kid music on my computer so I can pick my mood and go from there. I have a couple CD's that are my "mad" music and tend to listen to those only in the car at full blast when I find myself in a shitty mood. Besides my family, I think music is the most important thing in my life. It defines who I am and what I like...and there's always something for me to listen to on any given day.