I Want - I Need - I Love.

I Want: a cold Diet Dr Pepper.
I Need: a money tree in my back yard.
I Love: my kids.

I Want: a chocolate pool in my back yard.
I Need: to start drinking more wine. (or is that a want? not sure.)
I Love: my hubby.

I Want: a vacation.
I Need: to make some big changes. (Much as I hate to, I must.)
I Love: my dogs.

I Want: sleep.
I Need: sleep.
I Love: sleep.

I Want: a break.
I Need: some sanity.
I Love: this crazy dysfunctional life.

Thank You Very Much!

I'm in a bit of a mood with my little family right now, so it seems like the perfect time to tell them all....Thank You Very Much!

Thank You Very Much, Teenage Daughter, for literally sitting on the couch with your feet propped up while I mopped the entire house, then complaining because I put too much bleach in the mop water. You're lucky you weren't wearing that mop water after that!

Thank You Very Much, family, for letting me take care of all of the animals. I love seeing that they've had no food or water all day, nor have they been let outside. Because that is awesome!

Thank You Very Much, family, for forgetting how to use the dishwasher, washing machine, broom, mop, etc. Apparently I'm the only one who remembers how to operate them! Sweet!

Thank You Very Much, Sofia the boxer, for eating my coconut birthday cake. I didn't need any more anyway (but I did want more!). At least you didn't have explosive diarrhea this time!

Thank You Very Much, 8th Grade Social, for turning yourself into a mini-Prom and draining my bank account. Ouch! I can't wait until you're DONE!

And lastly, a sincere Thank You Very Much for all of your birthday wishes - I truly appreciate them!

Visit KMama @ The Daily Dribbles for more Thank You Very Much posts!

John 3/16

Today is my husband's birthday.
I thought I'd list some interesting facts about him.

Did you know....
....that he was born on March 16th which makes him John 3/16?
....therefore his favorite bible verse is John 3:16?
....that he is almost four years younger than me? Yep, I totally robbed the cradle.
....that he is totally hilarious and really does put the FUN in dysFUNctional?
....that when he met me, I was over 100 lbs. overweight, had three small children, major"ex" issues....and he married me anyways?
....that he just may now qualify for sainthood?
....that he promised to never raise his voice to me, and kept that promise?
....that I've only seen him truly angry twice? (neither time at me!)
....that he puts up with a whole lotta crazy from me, and loves me anyway?
.....that we both have tonight off and get to spend it together?
....that he is the most amazing, wonderful husband in the whole world?
....also, the best father and step-father?
....also, I heart him.

The Best Father I Know

Happy (Belated) Father's Day to all of the Fathers out there.

A special Happy Father's Day to all the good stepfathers out there. To those of you who have stepped up to the plate, and may not always get the recognition and appreciation you deserve. A special thanks to you.

And an extra special Happy Father's Day to the best Dad and Step-Dad I know.

I love you, honey. Thank you for everything you do.

Friday Fragments 3.20.2009

1. Three of the most important men in my life, were born in March. My oldest son, my husband, and my father. Interesting, no?

2. We're celebrating their birthdays this Sunday at my parents' house.

3. We're going camping on Saturday, our first camping trip of the year. I can't wait! I need this mini-vacation.

4. My MIL may be moving to England! That's where she and her family grew up, and now that she's getting divorced, she and her sister are seriously considering moving back. It would be so weird for them to be so far away! I really hope they fly us over if they do move away, though. How cool would that be?!

5. Andrew informed me this past week that he is "kind of gangstery". I asked him what that meant, and he said, "I say things like, What up, Yo?" That, my friends, is the definition of gangstery. Yo.

6 . I'm just about to hit my 300th post! And to celebrate, I'm going to do another round of Ask Me Anything. I did it for my 200th post as well. But I have a lot of new readers since then, and I figured some of you may want to ask some questions too. I'm all ears! Ask away, I'll answer pretty much anything within reason!

*Have a GREAT Weekend!*

Friday Fragments are courtesty of Half Past Kissin' Time. Go see!

To Nag or Not, Updated.

Remember when I posed the question to you all, To Nag or Not?

You all came through big with support and advice, which I greatly appreciate. I lots of comments on that post!

Now it's time for me to let you know how things are going now!

First of all, I took the advice of some of you, to have a talk with him. A heartfelt talk. I told him that I worry about his health, especially since his dad passed away at a young age due to heart problems. He said that he understood and that he did want to eat a healthier diet.

Although I was already buying & cooking relatively healthy foods, I made an even bigger effort to do so. I'm using the Mediterranean way of eating as a guideline, and we've completely cut out beef from our normal diet. I've realized that there are so many little changes I can make, that make a huge difference.

Also, since he always wants me to choose where we dine out, I try to choose places that offer a healthier menu so that he's not tempted by crap food. Like these!


He's started exercising every night.

I wouldn't say I nag, exactly. But I do suggest and occasionally remind.

One day last week, he looked at me sheepishly and said, "So, I went out to lunch with the guys at work, and I had a cheeseburger and fries...." and I said "okay...." and he continued "...and it made me sick." Those of you who have cut out greasy foods and then tried them again probably know this feeling....once your body isn't used to that crap, it makes you very ill! So, not that I was happy that he got sick of course, but I thought, "success! Muah ha ha!"

Best of all, he is more conscious of what he's putting into his body, and that's what matters the most. I can't do it for him, but I can help him along the way!

Thank you all so much for the great advice!

To Nag or not....

....that is my dilemma.

My hubby helps out around the house a lot. He's great with the kids. He's a great husband.

He doesn't smoke, or drink, or have any bad habits....except one.

It's his diet. He loves fried chicken, cheeseburgers, french fries, soda....total garbage.

I primarily eat a healthy diet since my weight loss surgery, but as someone who used to have major issues with food, I've tried to leave him alone and not nag him. I know how hard it is to struggle with food and eat healthy. I would still be eating a terrible diet if not for my weight loss surgery. So, I get it. And it's not about him losing weight; he's only moderately overweight and I swear from the bottom of my heart, it's not about that AT ALL. I love him with all my heart, exactly as he is.

BUT...here's the thing. His father died in his late forties due to complications of congestive heart failure.

That's FORTIES, people, as in 4-0-s, as in, J is already 31. The thought of losing him that early in life is terrifying to me....incomprehensible.

This past weekend we were talking about his dad, and I tried to subtly drop some hints that he should really start taking better care of himself. He's pretty active but we could always exercise more, too. He always agrees and says he's going to start eating healthy, and he starts off well but then goes back to the old habits.
So here's my question. I think if I stop buying him unhealthy foods and basically nag the crap out of him, he'll eat more healthy foods. At the very least, he'll only eat the crap occasionally instead of most of the time. But I don't want to be a nag. I'm not a naggy kind of person. I'm more the type to tell you what I think and then let you do what you want.
I also don't want him to think I'm nagging for any reason BUT the fact that I don't want to lose him at a young age. It's about his health....it's about his life.

So....please, tell me what you think. Should I nag, or not?