2.28.2013

Darned Near Perfect


Today was basically, in my world, a darned near perfect day.
I worked last night and came home, fell into bed, and slept for a few hours.
Then it was time to pick up the girls.  Hunter's son T had a baseball game after school, so we went to watch him play.  My son came too - which I just loved.  He doesn't know H's son that well and it just warmed this Mama's heart for him to come to his baseball game.  Hunter's son's girlfriend was there too, along with her mother, and we all hung out.  It was a blast. Oh AND the team won.  Bonus!

Afterwards, we all went out for dinner and Hunter's mom met us there.  My son Tim got to the restaurant before we did so when we got there, he was sitting chatting with Hunter's mom, just the two of them.  So funny.  Hunter and I LOVED that.  Over dinner, Tim and Hunter's son bonded over making fun of me.  Thanks, guys!  And Shelbie and T's girlfriend talked more than they ever have before.  It's such a great group of kids!  I love teenagers....and my little pre-teen too, of course.  (and holy crap I just realized my son won't be a teenager any more as of next month!  Yikes!)

Dinner was a blast too, and delicious.  Latin food....YUM!
Tomorrow will be fun too - T has another game.  This one is out of town.  H and I are going, and taking Shelbie and T's girlfriend with us.  Poor Hunter will be totally outnumbered! Ha!


Speaking of Hunter.
I could write a whole blog about the stuff Hunter says.  Today we were buying plants from Walmart.  We got caladium bulbs, one of my very favorites.  H says, "What kind of plants are they again? Chlamydia?"
Um, no, babe.  BIG difference.  And just now about something on TV - "UGH.  That is GROTESQUE." I heart him.

I made these Cookies & Cream Cookies this week.  HIGHLY recommend.  I took some to work and everyone who tried them LOVED them.

We'll be planting trees and plants this weekend (LOTS of chlamydia).  AND...I'm getting CHICKENS!!  It's been many years since I've had chickens and I've wanted some more for so long.  I can't wait to finally get some!

We're also on a mission to take out some of the hogs that keep coming up in our yard.  Nasty, destructive critters - but delicious!

Hope y'all have a great weekend!

Mommy's Idea



2.24.2013

SIMC: Still in my Jammies Edition

I must say it's been a wonderful Sunday!

I woke up to noises in the kitchen.  I walked in to find my daughters saying "Dang it!  We were trying to surprise you and bring you breakfast in bed!"  I stayed up and helped very minimally as they made scrambled eggs, bacon, and cinnamon rolls.  Delicious!

Then, the girls, Hunter, and I bathed all three dogs.  I'd been procrastinating about this task for ages but it wasn't bad at all; they did so well and I am loving having three CLEAN dogs.


Patchy, the old man

Bo, the young whippersnapper

Mackenzie, the bossy little girl


The weekend has been as good as we planned.  Yesterday after the baseball game (which the kids' school won, 10-2), Hunter's mom and her best friend came over for dinner.  I gave his mom a copy of the photo of I took of the swamp here on our property (the one Unknown Mami insisted that I display!).  I also put mine in a frame and hung it on the wall.  I love it, and so did H's mom and her friend!

(beside one of SIX deer heads
 that adorn our living room
walls.)
Hope y'all are having a great weekend too!!



Unknown Mami


2.22.2013

Quick Frags


I totally made a typo on that subject line at first.
A very offensive typo.

Its not my fault.  Today I treated myself; I got my hair, eyebrows, and nails done (love making a itty bitty bit of money off of my blog!).  Darn nails are making me type things I have NO intention of typing!

this is pre-eyebrow-wax. ignore the caterpillars.

I deleted my Blog Facebook page today.  I doubt anyone even noticed; I rarely even log on there, much less post or interact in any way.  I may put a blog page on my personal Facebook.  Not quite sure yet.  If you want to find me on my personal FB, I'm not hard to find at all.

I really, truly appreciate the kind and non-judgmental support that I've received from all of you regarding the divorce and Hunter and all that good stuff.  I have made some wonderful relationships via this blog and I appreciate them!

We have a fun, friend/family filled weekend planned.  Tonight my best friend, Danielle, came over and saw my new home for the first time.  I LOVED visiting with her.  Tomorrow Hunter's mom is coming over and we're all going to Hunter's son's baseball game.  Sunday my niece and her family are coming over.  All of this adds up to a pretty perfect weekend for me!

Hope yáll have a good one too!!


  Mommy's Idea

2.18.2013

Dissolved


Almost a year and a half after John and I separated, we are at last officially divorced.

Why on earth, you may ask, did it take this long?  No children in common, no major property or assets?
Well the answer is basically the same answer to why I left him.

Repeated lies, promises to do something and never following through, and the fact that John never does ANYTHING unless a woman forces him to do it or just gives up and does it for him.

Most of this divorce, I ended up doing for him.  We had originally agreed to do it together and split the costs.  We made several arrangements to meet and do this, and he would always cancel last-minute.  He even claimed he filed at one point; it was a lie (shocker).  So I finally filed myself and filled out all of my paperwork, but there were still some things that he had to do.  First of all I couldn't even get him served because he couldn't even tell me the truth about where he lived.  (as if I care.  Please.)

Then he couldn't even follow the correct steps to inform the court that although he hadn't been served he was aware of the proceedings and in agreement.  Guess who had to meet him at his job with a notary friend, get the form from him, have it notarized AND FILE IT FOR HIM?  Yep that would be ME.

I emailed, texted, called, instructed, informed, THREATENED, and at last it is done.

I could go on and on about what a royal pain this was and why, but suffice it to say I am FREE from all of this at last.  The divorce filing procedure itself made certain that I never forgot and never regretted why I left him to begin with.  (among MANY other issues. Ugh.)

I feel sorry for whatever woman is leading him around by his cojones now to get him through day to day life (besides his Mommy, who is ALWAYS happy to do it), and I am just happy it's no longer me.


If you see this pic on a post on my main blog, it means there's a new post here.






2.13.2013

On Love


It's almost Valentine's Day, so what better time to talk about the Love Thang?

I have told you about the wonderful man in my life, who I call Hunter here on the blog.
I'm sure you've gathered that it's pretty serious and he and I now share a home.
But today I want to talk about Love.
I have known Hunter for over 25 years OHMYGODIAMOLD.
We went through Middle and High School together.  He was one grade ahead of me.  He was a HOTTIE and must have had 250 girlfriends.  There's just something about him.....
I wasn't one of them.  He was way too cute and cool for this chunky bookworm.  We ran in different crowds.
When I first met his Dad, he said "You know ever since Hunter was a kid he has brought the PRETTIEST girls home - and he's still doing it!  I don't know how he does it!"
"He's a charmer," I replied.

The girl he ended up marrying (and divorcing after 15 years) was in my Kindergarten class.  I saw him around town occasionally over the years, but didn't really talk to him until the last year, when we reconnected on Facebook.  We messaged off and on and then finally last year, met up in person.

I really have no words to explain how I felt that day when I first saw him again.  It kind of felt like fitting in the final piece of a puzzle.  It was like "Oh...ok.  THIS is what I've been searching and waiting for all of this time."  And he felt the same way.

We have been inseparable ever since.

(Holy Moly, while composing this post I saw this on another blog and cannot believe how perfect it is.)



I am going to try my best to explain the love I have for him.
He is my past, my present and my future.
My love for him is like the love I've ever had for any other man, multiplied by a million, and set on fire.

One of the things we say to each other a lot is "I love you more"; I even bought him a little wooden knick knack with that phrase painted on it. And while we tease that it means I love him more than he loves me (or vice versa), it has another meaning as well...I love him MORE than any other before him. I love him MORE than almost anything in the world (kids and other family being in another category entirely). I love him almost MORE than chocolate.  I love him MORE than money or any "thing" that money can buy.  I love him MORE than a fat kid loves cake.



I love him for who he is: strong, brave, tough, and fiercely protective of me.
He's also kind, sweet, generous, caring, tender, and loyal.
He has a very strong sense of right and wrong.
He's incredibly smart and knowledgeable about so many different things.
He is nowhere near perfect.  He drives me crazy.  I drive him crazy - and he doesn't put up with my shit.
He is quick to apologize when he is wrong - and quick to REFUSE to apologize when I'm just being a bitch.

Our relationship began when I was going through the worst time of my entire life.  He saved me.  He made me happy in a way that I never expected to feel again.  I truly have no idea what I would've done without him at that time.
We changed each others' lives.  He was also going through some hard times.  His friends and family tell me how different he is now that he's with me.  Happy.  Healthy.
He needs me.  I take care of him.  I need to be needed.  We fulfill each other.
When I'm with him I feel safe and loved.  He must tell me that he loves me at least 20 times a day, literally.  I've never felt so loved.
There are times that I stare at him and literally feel a physical sensation in my heart.  I ache with love for him. That's the only way I know to explain it.
I would walk through fire for him.  I would hold his hand and walk to the ends of the earth with this man.

The icing on the cake is that my kids and family love him, too.  And his family loves me.  His brother is one of my favorite people on earth.  His mother is kind and sweet, and LOVES me and my children.  She has called me an answer to her prayers.  His son is a miniature version of him.  His dad died knowing that he  is happy and has someone who loves him.

Of course there are no guarantees for what the future holds, but I am totally confident about our future together, and I know that right now, I am right where I need to be.







2.11.2013

Sweet Baby Cakes


I really can't imagine a better day than out at a park, celebrating the very first birthday of the sweetest baby on earth, with almost all of my favorite people in the whole world.

While other parts of the country were battling a blizzard (with the ridiculous name of Nemo....seriously?), we were blessed with a beautiful day.  Sunny, clear, and mild.  The party was held outside at a park, so we were very thankful for the gorgeous weather!  I love my Sunshine State.

I absolutely LOVE this cake!
And it was yummy, too.

Hayleigh is SO loved.  My children absolutely adore her.

Snuggles with Shelbie!
I LOVE to watch Tim with Hayleigh.
They love each other so much!
He bought her this Eeyore toy for her birthday.
How sweet is my kid?!

Hayleigh and Elayna played with leaves together.

Hayleigh walked all over the place,
holding hands with some little friends.

The quintessential first birthday pic.
She devoured her cake! 


Hayleigh and her Mama, Heather
I LOVE this pic because they both look SO happy!

We gave her a Hello Kitty bubble blowing machine
for her birthday.
It was VERY windy so the bubbles blew away quickly,
but she still had fun with them!


2.09.2013

Sundays in my City - Coco



This weekend we leash -walked a bunny.

We wanted the bunny to have some outside time but of course, couldn't just let her roam free.  I bought her a collar, but still was a little nervous; she's so little, what if the collar slid off?
We have a fenced area which we call a kennel.  The dogs go in there occasionally.  Elayna and I decided to bring her out there to walk around, just in case the collar was too loose and slipped off.

The collar fit fine and it all went well.  Coco hopped around all over the place; she obviously LOVED being outside!










It's funny how much personality
a quiet little bunny can have.
And she's only bitten me twice.

Random pic of mushrooms,
which I like to call Smurf Houses.


One more Bonus shot - I looked out the window the other day to see the hill just behind our house,
COVERED with cardinals.  Some females but mostly gorgeous, bright red males.
They were SO pretty! I scared a few away but managed to get a pic of several of them.

Visit Unknown Mami for more Sundays in my City - 
it's like a trip around the world, without ever leaving your living room!

Unknown Mami

Speaking of UM - last week on SIMC I posted the photo below.  Claudya (Unknown Mami) loved it so much and she suggested I print it out and display it in my home.  I've never displayed my own photos before (except for people pics) but she made me feel SO good - so I did it!
  I have an 8x10 in the process of printing right now.


What do you think? Display-worthy?

2.08.2013

Extremely Random and Incredibly Fragmented




Hunter and I passed a thrift store today and he asked if I wanted to stop.
YES PLEASE!!!
He knows me so well.
I got a few little things, but these were my favorite: 



They're dinner plates! 
LOVE!



Hunter's mom told me a funny joke today.
A couple got married and unfortunately, after the wedding the wife changed her attitude and started complaining.
"I am tired of you going hunting and fishing all the time.  And I'm tired of all these deer heads, guns, and fishing poles all over the place.  You need to stop going hunting and sell all this junk!" she declared.
The husband responded, "You know, you sound an awful lot like my EX-wife!!"
"What?? I didn't know you were married before!" the bride exclaimed.
The husband replied, "I wasn't."



Tomorrow we are going to my great-niece's FIRST Birthday Party!!  I feel like she was born, I blinked, and here we are one year later.  Hayleigh just started walking and is at such a totally adorable stage!  I can't wait to celebrate her birthday.



I was tentatively diagosed with Fibromyalgia this week (pending test results to rule out other illnesses).  The diagnosis fits my symptoms to a T so I'm pretty sure it's accurate.  If you have fibromyalgia or know someone who does and have any tips or advice for me, please let me know!



Alrighty friends, I'm going to get off of this computer.  Hunter and I are watching Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and when it's over, I'm making a batch of brownies.
Hope y'all have a great weekend!  Visit Mrs 4444 for more Friday Fragments.
P.S. I added a pic to the post about Hunter's Dad's funeral - go check it out if you'd like.  


Mommy's Idea


2.05.2013

The Service

Hunter's father was laid to rest yesterday.

This was my children's first funeral.  My parents attended the funeral as well, and I was glad because that way the kids could sit with them; I was in the front row with Hunter in the family section.
Tim (my almost 20 year old son) was originally scheduled to have jury duty but it was cancelled, so he called me in the morning to let me know he was coming.
It meant a lot to me.

The service was very moving.  It was standing room only, and they even sat some people in the fellowship hall with a closed-circuit television.  They had a very long slide show which I especially appreciated, since I have not known him that long and he's been sick since before I met him.  It was great to see him healthy and active.

Hunter's son sat beside me and cried his heart out.  I was so sad for him.  He was very close with his Papa and clearly loved him.  There were many pictures of the two of them together in the slide show, hunting and fishing and playing baseball, and at one point I looked over at him and his face was twisted in pain.  I had to hunt down tissues for him because he was crying so hard and didn't want to wipe anything on his new suit.  He was literally holding his tears in his hands.  Heartbreaking.

It was a Law Enforcement funeral, which was a first for me.  Police officers guarded the casket during the viewing and funeral.  They do a very formal changing of guards and salute the casket.  Very moving.

Our county sheriff attended the funeral; a former sheriff was at the viewing.  Several judges were in attendance.

Many people got up and spoke about him.  Not just the typical funeral "he was a great guy" stuff, but specific stories and testimony of what a truly wonderful man he was, and of the many lives he touched in his 67 years.

The funeral was held at the church that they have attended for over 20 years.  It's a small church, but they are currently building a large new sanctuary.  Hunter's dad said many times that he wanted his funeral to be in the new sanctuary, and would tease the pastor that they needed to hurry up and get it done.  They contributed financially to that building, as well as donating materials.
It is nowhere near done still, but they wanted to do something special.  So after the service, they wheeled his casket into that building, and in the midst of steel beams and 2x4s and stacks of material, said a prayer.  It was great.  I believe he would have loved that.

I wish I could really convey the emotion of the funeral, and the obvious respect that so many people had for this man.  It was just so touching.  I'm so honored to have been welcomed into this wonderful family, and to have been truly liked and appreciated by such a wonderful man.  Every time he said Grace when we were all together, he thanked God for me and my children, and for bringing us into their lives.  That meant so much.

Now, for Hunter's mom, comes the hard part.  Everyone else will go back to their lives, while her life is left with a huge hole.  We will be spending a lot of time with her.  She is alone now, just her and their little dog.  But we will make sure she's not alone too much.  She also has many dear friends and of course her family who will be there for her.

Cancer stole away her husband, and stole a Papa away from four boys who clearly adored him.  And way too young; he was only 67 years old.  It's just not fair.





2.04.2013

Medical Monday - Rough Days


Photo: Welcome to my life!


That sums it up pretty well.

Being a night shifter, I also get to wake people up in the wee hours of the morning, often when they've 'just fallen asleep' (or at least, it feels that way) to take their blood pressure or check their blood sugar.
In case you're new here - I'm a Nurse Tech at a hospital (a.k.a. Nursing Assistant).
I work on a Med/Surg floor; we get a lot of stroke and back/neck surgery patients.

I get to help people into the bathroom when I've been trying to get to the bathroom myself for the past hour but haven't had time.  (cross your legs and pray you don't sneeze.....)

For the most part, my patients are nice and understanding.  Especially considering that almost NOBODY is at their best when they are a patient in a hospital.

But you do get the others....patients who think that "H" on the sign stands for HILTON instead of HOSPITAL.  They expect you to do anything they ask, immediately after they ask for it.  There's no consideration for the fact that you have other patients (sometimes the nurses forget this part too....).  They want you to cater to them.
And we try - we really do. And if you're lucky you can win them over or at the very least, appease them and get them to sleep.
There are many benefits to night shift. 

There are drawbacks too though - and already I've realized that even though I last worked night shifts only two years ago, I'm not as young as I used to be and they're harder on me than they were.  I work three nights in a row and then I'm off for four, but my sleep schedule never really goes back to 'normal' on my off days.  It did before, but not any more!  I either stay up way late, or wake up at the crack of dawn.

There's very little that 'grosses me out', I've become pretty accustomed to things that some people find stomach-turning.  The other night I was emptying a device called a Hemovac which drains blood & other fluids from a wound.  I noticed the patient's teenage daughter out of the corner of my eye and looked up.  She looked positively GREEN.  She said "OH EM GEE that is SO nasty!"  Her mom said she used to want to be a nurse but after seeing her dad go through surgery, she wasn't so sure any more.

I love working in health care - but that doesn't mean that it's easy.  And just like any job, there are good days and bad days.  That's one thing I love about working three 12 hour shifts in a row then being off for four - on rough nights, I can always tell myself "just 2 more nights" and then "just one more night" and then "tonight is my Friday".....

*Sorry this post is a little scattered; I'm exhausted and have to get up early tomorrow morning for the funeral. Forgive me!*





2.02.2013

Pathways and Pawprints


Went for another nature walk here at home today.  This time, I had my new camera in tow!
It was a beautiful and peaceful day.  I slept in, cleaned house and made snickerdoodles, and then we went to visit Hunter's mom.
Then it was time for my walk.  I had a good time playing with the different features on my new camera.  It's fun figuring all that stuff out.
Even though I walk through these woods quite often, it seems there's something new every time.
Like the hidden path, and the critter tracks.
Hope you enjoy walking with me.......


swampy
Smurf houses


sunlight on the creek

hidden path

pretty but prickly

"Prosecuted": Fancy word for "shot".

meandering

soft focus

fish eye effect
raccoon tracks in the soft sand right behind our house

deer tracks right by the raccoon tracks

spiderweb


Visit  Unknown Mami's  for more
Sundays in my City posts!

Unknown Mami