I'm leavin on a jet plane... don't know when I'll be back again...

... no actually I'll be back in 10 days!

The suitcase is packed, passport is in the purse and sunglasses are on my head. I'm ready to go- well in 9 hours when I get done with work- but ready none the less!



I am off to sunshine, clear blue waters, 80 degree weather and lots and lots of umbrella drinks!

I know you all will miss me soooo much while I'm away- but be prepared for beautiful pictures and tons of stories when I return... in April!!!!!

Au revoir! Arrivederci! Adios! See Ya later!

College Commentaries- Part 2

I had made a decision and now all I had to do was wait...

The rest of my Senior year in high school flew by and before I knew it I was wearing a mortar board on my head and had diploma in hand. Tears where shed and promises of not loosing touch were whispered. Pictures were taken and parties were attended. We were no longer "high schoolers" and the open road streched before us.

The summer between my Senior year in high school and Freshman year in college was pretty uneventful. I spent a lot of time working and even more time with my friends, getting every last bit of time in with them before we all parted ways. But mostly I anticipated. Anticipated getting out of Dunbar, going to the city, living with a roommate and how fun and hard college was going to be.

Mom and I went shopping and bought dorm room stuff as well as school supplies. I had purchased a double loft from a friend of a friend at Stevens Point who was moving out of the dorms. I painted it in fun colors.

Half way in to the summer we had Freshman orientation. Mom, dad and I made the trip to Point to sign up for classes, tour campus and get information on extracurriculars from all of the campus groups. Little did I know that the attractive Junior I'd met in a basement party when I was a Senior in high school (and lied to regarding my status in college) was the President of a fraturnity and he was manning their booth the day of Freshman orientation. He recognized me and laughed as I passed by with my head hung low and bright red cheeks. According to what I had told him when we met I would be a sophmore- definitely not at Freshman orientation!

About 4 weeks from D-day I received a letter in the mail from the University. It was the contact information for the girl who would be my roommate and our room information. Her name was Carrie and she lived in Oshkosh. Our room was 306 Watson Hall- yes a smoking room. I don't remember who contacted who first but I remember our conversation going really well which made me all the more excited to go.

Everything was packed and ready to go. I was going to be driving my truck- packed to the gills and mom would ride with dad in their truck which had the fouton and double loft. The night before move in day my friends took me out to party one last time together. Needless to say I was in no shape to drive the next morning and was pretty under the weather moving all of my belongings to the 3rd floor. When we arrived Carrie was already there and had most of her things put away. Dad was going to put together the loft frame as mom and I were hauling boxes. 2nd trip up, dad informs us that he has left all of the connectors (nuts & bolts) in a bag on his workbench in Dunbar. He would need to run to Menards before we could put the loft together and move the rest of my stuff in. After a lot of cussing, dinner and a -whole-nother day the loft was put together, the fouton was in, all of my stuff was put away and mom and dad, with tears in their eyes, were on their way home. It was just me and the new roommate... and she seemed different from me in a lot of ways. I wondered if I was ready for what the big city was like and secretly missed quiet little Dunbar. I only hoped that we'd get along...

50 Completely Honest Things About Me: Part 10 of 50

Part 10 of 50: I have a color coded closet

As stated in an earlier post I have become extremely organized and anal over the last 11 years. So much so that I do infact have my closet organized and arranged according to color. I know it's a little crazy but it's also pretty easy to select an outfit!

It's quite simple actually!

For my hanging clothes is starts with brown and mostly brown to cream & white to mostly white to black to mostly black and so on... blue, red, green, yellow, purple and pink

My folded shirts are in piles according to color. Blue, green, pink/red, browns, black, white



I know I'm sick- but I wouldn't have it any other way!

May you have much luck this year and even drink a little green beer!!!

50 Completely Honest Things About Me: Part 9 of 50

Part 9 of 50: I am an only child (kind of)



I've been raised as an only child my entire life. When asked if I have any siblings my immediate reaction is "no, I'm an only child", but it's not entirely true. I am the only child to my parents- my mom and my dad together. But I do, did, have a half brother. My mom had a baby boy-Jason- when she was just out of high school, who passed away of SIDS when he was only a few months old. He would be a year older than J.

That being said, still I am an an only child. I did not have any siblings to mess with me and often sat bored and alone in my room. Being an only child was wonderful at times and crappy at times. The fact that my parents owned their own business didn't help as I often got picked on about being the "spoiled rich kid" in class. If they all knew now that rich we were not. Spoiled- yes, my mom had a tendency to spoil the crap out of me- still does to a point. But I worked my ass off as well. I started clearing tables on Deer Season at the age of 9, I made my first Bloody Mary at 10 (I was told it was fabulous by the way). It wasn't until my junior year of High School that I was allowed to take a Friday night off of work-and it was to go toilet papering for Homecoming! A time honored occurrence once a year! I did go on to become the TP Queen of the class of 1998 but that's another post.

I worked hard for a teenager and I often bought a lot with my own money. I was taught at an early age how to save as well and was able to purchase my very first vehicle with cash- my own cash.

I sometimes wish that I would have had siblings to grow up with but I also know that my parents and I are extremely close because I didn't. We're the 3 amigos, musketeers or stooges- which ever way you want to put it.

I was blessed that my wonderful husband grew up with 3 sisters that I inherited immediately. They all make me feel like I belong and I can truly say that I have sisters now- maybe late in life- but I have them. And after hearing some of the stories... I'm even more happy I was an only child growing up!

Signs of the times

With sinking stock prices, plummeting home values, a financial system on the verge of obliteration and soaring unemployment rates it is all but impossible to ignore the economic crisis that is in front of us. But national coverage aside, it is apparent everywhere you turn now. I have personally been seeing the "signs of the times" within the last month. I have witnessed family, friends and co-workers taking pay cuts, being laid-off and having jobs eliminated. I have witnessed a foreclosed homeowner being police escorted from their home carrying their belongings in garbage bags. I have even witnessed an out of work,middle aged man, holding a cardboard sign willing to work to feed his family.

They say that during a recent study the average american is spending 2.8 hours each day worrying about the financial situation. They also say we are deep in a recession and it will only get worse before it gets better. I don't know who "they" are but I'm sure to some families it feels more like a depression at this point. And I am terrified of what is really going to happen.

Have you been seeing the signs of the times. If so, what have you witnessed or how are you feeling.

Enticing...Tempting...Alluring...

Today, being a rather slow day, I have had the opportunity to do a lot of web surfing. Quite frankly, I'd rather be at home cleaning, doing laundry and walking the dog- but will take what I can get.

Everyone well knows that I have a bad purse fetish. I love them, I have lots of them, but I rarely switch out from one to another. However, until I get a second job to support my addiction I will just drool all over my desk dream about these that I found today!
Click on each link below to view my favorites!
Sofie
The Polly
Pleated
Small & Sexy
The Assemble
Celebtare
Pink Flower
Art Deco
Emma
Lollipop
Lily
Zuzi
Striped Leaf

Time flies when you're having fun...

Parker a/k/a PK 3000, Park dawg, P diddy dub is 14 today. Where has the time gone? It feels like it all just snuck up on me. Like last night when I went to bed he was 6 and today I wake up and he's taller than me.

Lets recap the years shall we.....

Here is Park- at 6 years old. This is the year that I met him and J and I started dating.
Then: he ordered dino-tots and mini-corndogs at Applebee's when we went out to eat. He colored- out of the lines. He got carried to and tucked into bed every night. He loved just running around outside and playing in the dirt.
Now: he eats enough to fill 2 grown men- and then eats some more. He has a Myspace account. He's usually in his room- so we don't know when he goes to sleep. He hangs out texting and playing video games.

Here's Parker at 7. This was an odd hair year. He had 2 bright blond spots that appeared that year and no one knows why.
Then: he still put his baby teeth under the pillow for the toothfairy to bring money. We had to tell him to brush his teeth, wash his hair in the shower & use soap on his body. He watched Disney movies.
Now: he has all his adult teeth. He takes 30 minute showers and uses all the hot water- J gets to take cold showers now. He watches movies with us and I get uncomfortable and fidgety when there is kissing scenes, sexual suggestions (or more).

8 years old and climbing. I love this picture- it looks like someone is pinching his butt!
Then: he started little league. He still had to have help making his cereal or a sandwich. He didn't know his address by heart yet. He still brought home art projects from school.
Now: he plays football, basketball and is in wrestling. He makes his own food, whenever he is hungry. He has his own cell phone number. He doesn't even bring books home from school.

Here he is at 9. This is the year J and I got married.
Then: he was the ring bearer at our wedding. His favorite toy was legos. Riding his bike and playing in the yard were his things to do.
Now: He still likes legos, but texting, video games and the computer are his thing. He plays cribbage and poker with J. He's in the popular group at school.

10 years old and all boy.

Then: he started begging for a cell phone- even though he had no place to go! He played with light sabers from the Star Wars movies. He still asked for toys for Christmas and his birthday. He had a portable cd player. He wants a green mohawk.
Now: he has unlimited texting on his own cell phone- a Razor at that. He spends his money on gifts for his girlfriend and stuff he needs. He has an Ipod Touch. He asks for cash and gift cards for holidays & his birthday.

11 going on 20
Then: he wanted to be old enough to stay home alone during the summer at our house. He did partially but my parents were only 1 block down the street and he had to check in with them every hour or so. He still has a twin bed and sports sheets. He has a different girlfriend every week.

Now: he's old enough to stay home alone- but he snoops! J still calls to check in every hour or so if we do leave him at home. He has a double bed and sleeps with 3-5 pillows. No kiddy sheets either.

Here he is at 12

Then: he thought his parents were cool! He didn't talk back and was always willing to do stuff to get money. He wore snow boots, snow pants, a hat and gloves during the winter.

Now: parents are definitely NOT cool! Even if he gets allowance doing chores is lame. It's hard enough to get him to wear a winter jacket let alone everything else. Teenagers do not wear hats, gloves or boots.

This is now

He loves long hair- the longer the better. He's 6 inches taller than me and an inch taller than J. He is ALL teenager. He's had the same girlfriend for a whole 3 months now. He knows all and wants to be treated like an adult. He thinks we're dorks! The count down to driving has started. We are closer to graduation and adulthood.

And even though I have watched him grow into a teenager, I still see the litte boy- on our first date- ordering dino-tots & mini-corndogs, coloring-outside of the lines and playing in the dirt!

Happy Birthday, bud!

50 Completely Honest Things About Me: Part 8 of 50

Part 8 of 50: I have an Anxiety Disorder

I have always known there was something wrong with me! In college, I had a nervous breakdown one day and was actually diagnosed with depression and put on medication. The medication was terrible- of the 9 side effects possible I had 10. I quit taking my medication, on my own, and was scolded by my doctor, but I didn't care. I would rather be "depressed" than be sick from all of the side effects. Besides, deep down inside I knew I wasn't depressed. I wasn't suicidal, I didn't cry all the time, I didn't stay in bed all the time, etc. I knew there was something wrong but I also knew it wasn't depression. Little did I know that it would be another 8 years until I was finally diagnosed correctly.
I was diagnosed with GAD- Generalized Anxiety Disorder- a little more than a year ago. At first I was a little disappointed in the actual disorder name. Generalized Anxiety Disorder? Well that really sums up my problems. But it does, in a nut shell. To learn more about it click here.
I've also realized, in speaking with my doctor, that it has probably been going on since high school. There are things that come to mind now and I immediately think "of course it was anxiety". My nervous breakdown in college... anxiety. I do also have panic attacks- but not bad enough to be labeled as having panic disorder. My past panic attacks are also a definite source of some of my anxiety. Not knowing that I was having a panic attack, I would freak out and think that I was having a heart attack. And with heart problems running in my family I was sure I was going to die.
My anxiety issues definitely caused a lot of problems socially. My marriage definitely suffered. J and I talk about it now and there was a point where we both thought that it was going to end.
I was put on medication again and told that "talk therapy" would be a definite help to me. We didn't have the money to pay a therapist so that was just not an option. J, being the wonderfully supportive husband that he is, offered to be "all ears" if I wanted to use him to talk to. It has proven to be a great decision. Our relationship is unbelievable. Probably the strongest it has ever been. And I've learned to deal with my anxiety enough that I quit taking my medication 3 months ago. I know that I will always have anxiety issues, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't have irrational thoughts, but the key is being able to manage it and look at them from a different prospective. I think I've actually found my "happy medium" and I feel great!