Dream, Pray, Love Anyway

Project Life wk 4 thru 9....

What I LOVE about Project Life is that I can print my pictures for an entire month at one time, and sit down and have an updated project with in an hour.  Sometimes it takes longer but it's done and there is no stress.  AND I document the little things as well as the big things - it's an amazing journey.  I love getting my pictures back in one group and going back through the memories. 

Week 4: I added a 12x12 insert for the pics of Dane and Daltons birthday and more snow...

 

 

Week 5: This was superbowl weekend, so I had pics from watching the superbowl, some mementos and a great 5x7 of Haley feeding our neighbors horse: Fire.

 

 
 

Week 6: Valentine's week - I loves a vertical pic i got of Haley so I ordered it in 6x12 (well, I had to create a 12x12 with the pic being the size I wanted, very happy with how that turned out).  I took Haley's bag from class and adhered it to the back side of the pic, and stuffed all of her valentines in it.  Worked out great - one more thing off the kitchen table:)

 

 

Week 7:

 

Week 8:  This was the week we lost our friend Josh.  I wanted to make sure to include some fun pics of him so he has his one insert.

 

 

 
 

Week 9: Cookie Week!

 

At first I was so worried that every slot has something, and completing the slots I've had to put pattern paper in.  Now, not so much.  I have realized I may need to order another album, I don't think all 52 weeks are going to fit in one, especially if I keep adding inserts.  That's the beauty of this project, it is what I make it.  And I love it!  Did I say that yet?  No, well, I LOVE IT!

 

 

 

 

 

Last 7 Months in Pictures...Part 2

Again, in no particular order...

In 298 degree weather, Mom and I took Haley and Tyler to the park.  They didn't seem to notice the heat, Mom and I on the other hand....melting!

 

There does seem to be some genius and ingenuity in their genes.  They created their own water slide on another ridiculously hot day.  I do, however, question their choice of 'pool'...that would be one of Jasons coolers that probably smelled a bit like fish. 

 

 

And here are some of the many things my poor little doggies let Haley do to them....

 
 

 

huh..I thought there were more.  Must not have been fast enough to capture it on film.   There were lots of 'walk's around the house on a leash, wagon rides around the yard, and hanging out in 'tents' on the front porch.  Those poor poor dogs.  The white faced dog is Roxie and the other is Wrinkles (the object of Luke's affection). 

I'll wrap this up with Halloween:

At the fall festival at Haley's school.  Waiting on a balloon animal:

 

On the Hay Ride with Brianna:

 

Pumpkin Painting:

 

 

 

Baking Cupcakes for a Hayride at the Bobo's

 

Since we live so far out, we go to Labadie and trick or treat.  Labadie has such a great community, residents sit around small fires in their front yards and little ghosts and goblins (and high school musical & twilight characters too) trick or treat from fire to fire.  We met Nicole and Moms and hit the road:

 

With their prisoner Buddy:

 

 

 

 

 

So..I've been a college girl for...4 days...

And what a 4 days it has been. 

 

Let's start with Tuesday - my first official day of as a college student.  (and if we are keeping score, this would be my 3rd entry into college - once for 30 days at ECC and then my 2 years at Sanford-Brown)

Haley's bus was on time, the bus went one way and I turned the other way.  I wasn't yet sure how to navigate around the inside of the buildings so I parked in front of the main building my last class of the day would be in.  Walked along the building, then up 3 sets of stairs and once I reached the entrance to where my first class was located, my lungs were never so happy.

They were even more happy when I walked in the door and found that my class was right there.  Art Appreciation.  In a room with stadium style seating.  I chose my seat - 2nd row 2nd from the right - my favorite seat in any classroom.  Not right up front but no so far back that I can't see or hear what is going on. (and NOT because I'm old) 

Speaking of old, I've found that I am right in the middle.  There is at least one person in each my classes that is at least 15 years older than me. 

Teacher walks in - right away I like her.  She's warm.  She has red highlights in her hair.  She's an artist and she appears to comfortable in her own skin.  She says hello and gets no response in return.  She asks everyone what their brain needs - oxygen and blood - so lets all stand up and take a lap around the room to get some oxygen and blood pumping to our brains.  One guy only made it half way around the room and swore he would talk to her if she's just let him sit down.  It was just walking down the aisle steps, and up the other side but my lungs were not happy, they had just settled down from the stairs from hell outside.

She knew what she was doing and went over classroom rules, expectations, no cell phones but please keep them on silent in case there would be an emergency like God forbid a gunman comes in and holds a gun to her head she would like one of us to please call 911.  Sad we live in a day and age where the colleges have to have an emergency plan for gunmen.  And it's a little more seriously written than what was explained above.  In a nut shell, she used the entire allotted time and I got my money's worth that hour.

Next up, Music Appreciation with a new teacher.  Not her first day teaching but her first day at ECC.  Not a problem unless she is not prepared and then ends us thinking out like and saying thing like 'ummmm, what should we do now'.  No syllabus prepared - I've had this class twice and still no syllabus - maybe by Tuesday she said.  We did get a smaller version and she did go over the grading which includes 4 required attendances at an ECC concert - and a paper on one of these concerts.   When I told Jason he just said 'Oh Boy' and quickly changed the subject - I think in fear that I am going to make him go with me - he he he he...

This teacher did not use her time wisely and we were let out about 40 min early.  And what do you do when you are let out 40 min early???  Why you go to Target of course!  In all seriousness I was much happier when I had this class on Thursday - very much ready to go, no full blown syllabus yet but that's okay - I actually learned something on Thursday.

Wednesday I don't need the bus to take Haley to school - I take her myself then head over to the college and am about 25 min early for my class.  US History.  Right away I'm pretty happy with this guy.  Got started right away, handed out the first unit papers - including our homework for the next 2 weeks - got to love that.  And an outline for each discussion.  Went over fine points of the syllabus then left it up to us to read because guess what - we had a quiz on it today.  We also took a 'where are you now' quiz and scored it today - The entire class got one question correct - who is snoop dogg - no one answered the next question - the question was who is so and so - the answer....snoop doggs actual name.  Absolutely brilliant - he was showing us that everyday culture is in our heads but the detail stuff we don't need to know - not there.  Of course he did a much better job explaining it.

On Wednesdays I have a huge break before my 2nd and final class...Gen Psychology.  And I got there about 20 min early - walked the hike from the parking lot to the classroom - the seating is one big U shape so anywhere is good.  I thought I was in a pretty comfy spot till more people starting coming in and I ended up next to a big group of people who graduated together the year before and was very happy to see they all had the same class together - particularly one very outgoing loud girl who I didn't need to know that she's stuck here because she stayed for her boyfriend who is not longer her boyfriend and how weird it is that she is now sleeping alone after sleeping with someone else for so long...blah blah blah blah blah blah. 

This teacher - her very first day teaching...ever.  Not prepared.  Lots of Ummmm what should we do - should we do an ice breaker (90% said no - guess who said yes and we had to do the ice breaker - not me kids).   She's very flexible and will discuss whatever the class is wanting to discuss.  She even asked what we wanted to learn about and took notes.  I don't have this class on Friday's so I won't see her again till Monday - we'll see how it goes.  I don't want to transfer but I might have to if I end up learning more about the freshman next to me than I do about what's in the book. 

I'm sorry, I'm not here for fluff classes.  I'm paying for this, not my mom and dad.  Me, with a little help from the gov't but it's still my dime.  This class credit actually means something for me, I can't afford to waist my time.  I really hope it's a bit different on Monday.

Now I've been to all my classes but one...Bowling.  This is my one gimme class.  I have to have a PE credit and I'm too old and too out of shape to work out next to lean mean 19 year olds - not going to happen.  I did make it to Bowling on time - 10 min to get from one class to the bowling alley 3 blocks away from the school. 

It was raining - of course.  Not sure what to take in, I took in my whole bag.  Paid my add'l fee, got my shoes, got the bowling ball.  And learned the correct Bowling form.  When an instructor tells you you should not be taking more than 4 steps and you step off with the same foot and the arm you are hold the ball with - it messes up your head a bit.  The instructor went around to each individual as we were bowling - no scores, just fun that first day.  By the time he got to me I was counting in my head and my limbs were listening pretty well and the shock when I threw the ball down the lane and I heard 'Very Good Amy' was very apparent to the teacher, let me tell you.  I immediately turned around and said 'Really?  Are you sure?' 

He only had one change - I have to start the ball at my waist, not held up in front of my chest.  So all in all, I suck points wise if we were keeping score but I have good form. 

So that, my friends, was my first week at school.  Today, Friday, only one class.  I was done and home by 10am.  I should really enjoy this now cause I hear Biology is going to kick my ass.  At least that's what my bowling team has implied.  Oh boy...

Oh - and the best part about this week for Jason - He's now sleeping with a College Student.  (and if you haven't caught on yet...that would be me!)

2 days till Christmas and we...

made Christmas Cookies!

 

 

I'm slightly partial to the Girl Scout cookie myself.  Not sure if I'll let anyone eat that one or not...

Later we are going to the movies to see Princess and the Frog.  We read the book from Scholastic last night, very cute story.  We'll see if it keeps Haley in her seat.  She has a tendency to decide to use the restroom about 5 times in one hour, I think it's the walk to the bathroom and back more than the fact that she actually has to use the restroom.  We have a whole discussion before every movie about no crawling around the floor (she was all over the place during HM3), no talking, no getting up 500 times to use the bathroom.  We sit, we eat popcorn, we enjoy the movie.  Period.  She's gotten better over the past few years but it's been awhile since we've gone, the excitement might overwhelm her bladder...

Got all of my gift wrapped last night...except Haley's and Dane's.  We picked up Haley's cousin Dane a few hours after school yesterday (it was a half day) to play at our house.  After a trip through the arches for some much needed chicken and fries, I sent them to Haley's room and I started sorting gifts and getting organized for a wrap party of 1.  It was good having Dane here to occupy Haley.  

They were good helpers too, as soon as I was done with one gift I'd holler and they'd come running for it, placing it under the tree after reading the tag.  Dane wanted to know where his was and that he promised he wouldn't look.  No sell kid.  I live with Jason - KING of peaking and guessing.  No way was I getting out Dane's to wrap.  Then he wanted to know what was in his brothers gifts.  Looked at me with the too cute for my own good look too.  No sell.  He just does not understand.  We had a whole conversation about how he'd tell his brothers, they'd then know what they were getting for Christmas, and it wouldn't be fun for them, and it wouldn't be fun for me.  

'I promise Amy'  Go away Dane, go play.

They were playing all right.  It got a bit too quite for my own comfort and suddenly two little people come running from the direction of my bedroom telling me that my wall broke and they didn't do it.  Really.  They didn't.  Happens to be an injury from when we put the new roof on about oh 7 years ago when Jason was putting down insulation about our bedroom and his foot when through the ceiling.  Still have the redneck patchwork on the ceiling... and a few small cracks in the paint down the wall from the small little earth quake about 3 years ago.  Cute that they thought they did it and didn't want to tell me.  Turns out they were jumping on my bed.  Nice.

Haley and I traveled over to Kohl's after school Monday so Haley could do some Christmas shopping for her daddy.  She was very serious about it and this was the first year that I let her pick out what she was buying and I let her go with me to buy it.  The night before she told me exactly what she wanted to buy and Kohl's happened to have one of the items on sale.  (Well, it was on sale over the weekend, I love how just a few select items sale prices changed from Sunday to Monday but the big 60% off sign was still up everywhere else, just not on the stuff I wanted)  Haley was very particular, and I am not disposing our purchases here - Jason is that good - but they were good and her dad will love them.  I also happened to pick up a Christmas shirt for myself and Haley picked out these:

 

That's right.  Princess press on nails.  They lasted precisely 45 minutes.  She was very frustrated that her thumb nail was bigger than the press on nail and the sticky stuff wasn't on the whole part that sticks to your nail (for a reason).  She had to keep pressing them down because they were not 'prefect'.  Finally about 45 minutes before we had to leave for our GS meeting, she took them off and soaked her fingers in dawn water to get the sticky off.  It was a very whiny 45 minutes I was ready to be done with.  She did, however, put them all back just right in their box which this mom will hide as soon as she forgets they exist.  And by hide I may or may not mean put them in the trash can.  Ooo, did I just say that?

Everyone have a great day - off to get ready for the movies!  
 

Random Photos

Yet again...Haley has embarrassed my poor dogs.  Well, just one of them.  For some reason my dogs only listen to Jason and to Haley.  They let Haley do whatever she wants to them whenever.  On many occasions she will put a leash on them and drag them all over the inside of the house, not on long glorious walks outside, just around the inside of the house.

On this particular day, she decided to tie various items around Roxies waist to drag around the house.

 

Haley took this photo and 3 others just like it.  I've just walked out of the room in the direction Roxie is facing - she definately looks like she was beconing me to come back and help her.

A few weeks ago we recieved a letter from the county about a farm number and that it had changed.  The way the letter read was very confusing and after talking with the county myself, it seems that it has taken them 10 years to re-assign us a farm number from the original farm. 

Now that we are officially a farm - this is what I saw the other night:

 

We (and when I say 'we' I mean Jason, Tommy, and Keith) tilled the land and planted seeds.  You would think they would be seeds that would grow into delicious fruits and vegetables for us to eat at a later date and time.  No No No.  Clover.  We are growing clover for the Deer.  FOR THE DEER.

Last Friday night Central Elementary held a free Movie Night.  Here are Dane, Haley, and Dalton enjoying some popcorn before the movie started.

 

And because I promised to show the would - this is Devon in all his Freshman Football player glory.  After a skrimage and all nighter - he showed up with a mohawk and no eyebrows one week before school pictures.  His parents are so proud. 

 

Like Father...Like Daughter

Yep..She's just like her Daddy.  She's got a natural talent with a bow & arrow.  Sunday while I worked, Jason took Haley with him to RiverBluffs 3-D Archery shoot. 

Haley took 3rd in the kids division.  Her first trophy!

 

Very proud girl!  And yes, you are seeing double.  Jason took 3rd as well.

Don't tell Haley, she got 82 out of 300 possible points...but that still got her 3rd!

 

My Girl Queenie

This is my girl Queenie.

 

She will always be my girl queenie.  Till my dying breathe.  Even though Jason's Aunt Janet has had her for the past 6 years, we had her for the previous 4.  Got her from some friends of ours who adopted her from the Franklin County Humane Society.  Neighbors of theirs saw her in the back yard.  Called the city officials.  They were then told they couldn't have a Rottweiler in the city limits.  They had her for one month. 

I wanted a small lap dog.  We had Augie - a very large outside dog, huge curling tail, tan and white markings of a Rottweiler.  She was part chow chow part rott.  I wanted a lap dog, something to cuddle with while Jason was working out of town.  He takes me to our friends house to show me a dog.  As soon as I saw she was a Rottweiler I had my reservations.  The hour we were there, she kept her head in my lap, wouldn't leave me alone.  I was sold.  I was in love.  I went out and purchased her a bed and a toy to come home to.  We picked her up a few nights later, she went in the house and made a bee-line for the bedroom and layed on her new bed and had her new toy in her mouth.  It was as if she knew she was home too.

 

In those 4 years she really became a member of our family.  She wasn't too happy we left her behind to go on our honeymoon - but she got to spend the week with her good buddy Keith so all was well.  I have wonderful memories of Queenie during my pregnancy.  A bond we share that no one can take from me, a bond she still shares with Haley.  She was very involved in the process.  She would lay her head on my belly every night after I got home from work, and as the belly grew too big, she would wiggle her head on my legs some how, some way, even if it was just her snout. 

As we emptied out the spare room to decorate for the new baby, she was under our feet.  Watching everything we did.  Once the baby bed was in place, that's where she slept, on the rug in front of the crib.  I think she was just as excited for Haley's arrival as we were.

I sat down on Wednesday March 25th 2003 at 2:00 to watch a movie - Blue Crush (which I still have to watch to this day if I catch it on TV).  I didn't move from the chair till it was over and as I stood up, my water broke.  I looked down at the ground and up at Queenie who was relaxing on the couch across from me and she had sat up at the same time.  She knew it was time as well.

 

The picture above, that is Queenie's favorite past time.  Watching the kids in the water.  Anytime we took her to the river, if a kid was in the water, so was Queenie, and she stayed there watching over them until the last kid left the water.  And she loves to take a boat ride. 

As much as I love Queenie - she loves Jason that much more.

 

And Keith and Brian - Jason's cousins.  When these boys show up she's a puppy again till her legs remind her otherwise.

What a great girl, my girl Queenie.  I have a picture of Queenie and Haley when Haley was 1, Haley sitting beside her puling her hair and Queenie almost smiling.  I'm so thankful she's reached the mature age of 14 and we were able to spend the day with her on the river and get one more picture of Haley and Queenie. 

Bowfishing Tournament...Warsaw MO

Friday morning we woke very early and met Tim and Sheri in town, Haley and I jumped in Sheri's car and rode with her to Warsaw MO - where Truman Lake is located and Truman Dam.  The guys had a bowfishing tournament Saturday and the kids on Sunday all organized by MBH - MO Bow Hunters Association. 

The trip down was pretty uneventful.  We had to stop in Gerald to meet Tommy and Dan.  We left Gerald at 7:30 and arrived at our hotel - the Grand River Resort - by 11:30.  After a stop at Wal-Mart, our home away from home, for very important much needed survival items - a pair of solar glasses so Jason could see under the water, a sandwich for Jasons lunch the next day, and yummy almost sinful Wal-Mart Bakery made cinnamon sweet rolls. 

When we arrived at the hotel, we had reserved an A-frame cabin.  In my mind that is an actual cabin shaped like and A separated from other A-Frame cabins.  No no no my friends.  It's one building and the only A-frames on this building are the porch shapes above the doors.  There were about 8 doors and each room had a main level with a hide-a-way bed, kitchen, bath and an upstairs with two queen size beds.  Good news kids, there was an issue with the construction crew staying the weekend so we got an upgrade....to individual cabins (more like little houses, please don't envision log cabins here)...that smelled musty...and we had number 14, Sheri and Tim had number 15....you would think these were right next door....no no no.  The first cabin in the row of little houses was number 15, then 11, 12, 13, and then 14.  We were each on the ends of the row.  Silly.  Sheri and Tim had each even passed up theirs not seeing the number on their actual cabin and had to go turn around and come back.  OH and the cabins are 1 mile from the office. 

Friday night Jason, Tommy, Dan, and I (along with Haley) stayed at our cabin and fixed brats and hot dogs.  Tim took Sheri across the lake to the Lake of the Ozarks to Wobbly Boots (I thought Sheri told me Wobbly BOOBS - where was my mind!).  Late late Jimmy, Kathy, and Justin showed up and stayed in our cabin.  If you are keeping count, that's 3 in Sheri's Cabin (Tim, Sheri & Harley) and 8 in mine.  Jason volunteered us to sleep in the pull out couch in the living room.  Fine by me till we pulled it out and there was no sheet and no blanket and no pillows.  Good thing I brought an extra big blanket for Haley.  Jimmy and Kathy brought their blow up mattress and Justin slept on the floor beside them.  Needless to say for one night it wasn't that bad is you don't mind freezing....because the air was on high...and it was like 100 degrees outside....I was actually going outside to warm up!

The next morning Sheri, Harley, Haley, and I rode over the boat dock to see the guys off on their day.  We left a few minutes before them to go to this really cool walking bridge that was actually a toll bridge years and years and years ago - very cool history in Warsaw and it was really fun having someone with me who wanted to check it all out - to take pictures of the guys from the bridge.

Here's the bridge

 

Oh, and a really cute girl too!  And then the guys started buzzing by.  In the tournament, when you register you get a white chip and a red chip.  One gets put in a bucket to be pulled for the start, and the other you turn back in by a designated time.  They draw chips and call your number, you run to your boat where your partner is already waiting for the take off.

Tim and Justin K. (who really showed up about 3 in the morning but found a parking lot to watch the lightning show till 6 then called and came to our cabin) were first.

 

Next flying by us was Jimmy and Kathy.  Notice the matching shirts.  Kathy told Jimmy she was going to wear hers and kind of giggled about it and Jimmy's response was Why.  Men.

 

Then Jason and Justin B.

 

And finally Tommy and Dan.

 

Enough of that.  We had Dam things to see.  We drove around and located all 4 Dam sights while waiting for Mom and Dad to arrive for the day.  We found the Dam hatchery, the Dam Visitors center where we saw some really cool cabins, and the school house - my favorite - completely decked out as if school just let out for the day complete with bonnets still on the hooks.  Haley and Harley had to use their compasses to navigate the 1/4 mile clearly marked practically paved trail.  Here are several pics of the cabins and school house.

 

 

 

 

Needless to say, I loved the school house.  That's it for today - more about our Dam good time on our Dam tour sometime Tuesday.

More Summer Fun

We left off with Forth of July celebrations.  Saturday Keith and Patti had a BBQ on their new back porch.  I took Nicole's famous strawberries and dip where the recipe is sworn to secrecy but it is marshmallow-y goodness through and through.  Big hit.  I was only allowed to take it because Nicole was not going to be there and that is HER dish by golly and she'll take me down with just her glare...Trust me..do not cross Nicole.

Anyway, We had Dane (he's 4 and belongs to Keith and Patti), he and Haley fell asleep on the short ride to their house, the two of them had been going 90 to nothing since the minute they woke up.  They stayed at Grandma Janies, Stacy and Brad delivered them back to the house - Stacy wanted to see the miracle that happened to my home - the miracle of cleaning and re-organization.  Dane was so cute - he ran in and told me he stayed at Grandma Janie's for the first time, he went right to sleep, he was a good boy.  My response was 'Oh Good, I was wondering where you were'  He gave me a funny look and ran after Haley and Cole.  I have that affect on people.

The big kids were having a blast in the pool.  I had my new camera and was taking pics of the kids in the air.  Dalton was doing back-flips and on his second it didn't turn out so great so I told him to do it again.  Well.....the pic turned out GREAT, his head on the other hand hit the side of the pool.  Don't worry, he's fine, he came right up, shook it off, and would have jumped right back in if his Grandma had not made him sit down.  This is not his first incident with his head hitting a hard surface.  The first he was about 2 years old, Keith and Patti were in the pool, he came up between them (life jacket on) and as Jason and I were outside the pool talking to them - he got a bit too excited and slid OUT of the pool and onto the rock below - directly on his head.  Jason swooped him up, he cried a bit, and back to the pool he went.  The second time he was riding his dirt bike around our yard, came from behind the house, out to the road, down the road, turned into the yard and directly into the dusk to dawn light pole throwing himself off the bike.  He got up, dusted off with a bit of help from his mom and dad and took off again.  Thinking back, all three times Jason and I have been present...hmmmmm....lets keep that little coincidence to ourselves.  I'm SURE there are head injuries when Jason and I are not around.  Check out the cool pic anyway.

  

Cool, Huh.  He thinks so.  And his Mom got on to him but made sure he knew the picture was cool but no more.  Sorry Dalton.

Haley was a bit apprehensive  about getting in the pool.  The big kids were being very rowdy and even when they  were out of the pool chasing each other around with water balloons she was still a bit shy.

  

She sat on the edge with her Dad for a bit and didn't get in till she was certain all the kids were busy..you know...attacking her dad with water balloons and well, water.

 

Once she realized the boys were very busy and not coming back - the pool was ALL HERS.

 

Once it got dark it was fireworks galore!  Well, sparklers galore really.  I love this pic I got of Haley, she's a bit blurry but the sparkler is so cool I love it.

Sunday morning I wrangled Mom and Sheri to ride with Haley and I over to Chesterfield Bottoms to the Painting Paw to pick up our pottery.  We also did a bit of shopping. Haley was so good everywhere we went.  She had woke up asking to get a 'white box like Cole'.  It's actually a silver box that Cole uses to hold hand held Nintendo game, all his games, and a remote helicopter.  (Haley got her box at the end of the day but once it was in the cart, she 'needed' the helicopter and we had to put her hand held V-Smile in there with her games as well.  Best thing EVER.  She has played with those two toys like no tomorrow and carried that box everywhere - so cute.)  During our shopping, we stopped at Home Depot and I literally followed my mom around the garden section picking out plants and soil and mulch and silver block somethings for my very first flower garden.

In front of our house are two annoying concrete blocks that I believe were the foundation for a porch at one time or another prior to our living there.  We've had the house for 9 years and not done much to the outside but clean up all the trash when we first bought the place.  finally, my vision for a small flower garden has come to life - all thanks to leaving my ten year career for full time motherhood. 

Mom and Sheri obviously did not want to help actually put together the flower garden.  Dad helped me move my purchases from mom's car to mine.  Sheri suddenly had car sickness - I think she was totally faking it cause she admitted to thinking in the car 'I guess we have to go help her put these things in the ground' or something close to that.  And Mom was giving me detailed instructions then they all sent me on my way - like waving from the porch and everything.

Well, the second I step into my house after hauling everything out of my car and to the area I would be putting them in the ground, the electric went out.  So I call U.E. and apparently like 200 house were without power Sunday afternoon when it was 100 degrees outside.  So Haley hopped in her little pool and I sat reading a magazine while watching her and looking over my shoulder and well, hell, I might as well get this over with.
So here it is, my blood sweat and tears.

 

I figured I hadn't killed the ones in the pot in the lower right corner of the picture above so maybe I might keep these alive at least the rest of this summer.  I picked out plants that I don't have to replant every year - OH and Home Depot guarantee's their plants for a year so I think I'm safe...maybe.  The following conversation between myself and my husband should tell you everything.

He comes home after I'm done, and of course the electric came back on as he pulled in the driveway, and he just stood and looked at the marvel that I created.

'You did this by yourself?' - Jason

'Yep' - Me

'So your mom helped you?' - Jason

'Nope' - Me

He stood there thinking for a bit in wonder and then said: 'Wow Haley, you're mom did a great job'

Yes, yes she did.

Reflections, Reunions, and who in the world said I would be bored at home?

Last night was my 15 year high school reunion.  And I had a blast. Even Jason had a good time - but then again Jason usually has a good time just about anywhere.  (The cash bar may or may not have helped out that cause - I'm just saying)

We did not have a 10 year - if the rumors are true the reasoning is just ridiculous, but then again part of my reflections I probably felt exactly the same way.  Because 5 years ago I was still so wrapped up in how others would see me that I would not have gone for anything in the world.  Somewhere over the past 6 months, that has changed in me.  And maybe it's been trying to change for much longer. 

We rec'd questionnaires with our invitation.  Under Other things to share I wrote:  'Watching a parent fight cancer - my priorities have changed and my goals have changed.  I am now living the moments - big & small.'   And under the job category I made sure every knew I made a grand step in life leaving a career I was in for 10 years to be the stay at home mom. 

My comment was so small yet it holds a really big meaning.  I was working 50 hours a week - at one point it was almost 60 - WITH a 45 minute drive home with a baby girl in the car the entire drive.  This created not only a very long day for the momma, but for the baby as well.  And Haley had done this for 5 years, since she was just 3 months old.  While I was on maternity leave, a big change occurred in our payroll department and when I returned, my responsibilities had changed and my work load had changed.  I admired my own boss sooooo much that I did whatever I could to make her happy with me.  I stayed after when I was still hourly, stayed longer when I was made salary.  Jumped in to help other departments when I had time.  What did all that get me?  A big fat promotion with even more responsibility.  I realized about 9 - 12 months ago I was done.  I was drained, not happy anymore, my daughter was clearly unhappy.  At the time I worked for someone who understood, allowed me to cut back my hours just slightly to help my girl be a bit more happy at daycare.  Then when the person I worked for changed for the 3rd time in less than a year and the 3rd time was no longer understanding or respectful of me whatsoever.......I had decided I thought it was time to leave. 

Then the real change started to occur, not only was I working toward being able to not be at work, I was suddenly working toward these great accomplishments in our personal lives as well.  Going to Disneyworld in April was huge for me.  Not so huge for lots of families but a great big deal for me.  It was the starting point of me focusing on me and my families happiness rather than that of the company I worked for.  And then I found my Bucket List I had written months earlier when the movie of the same name had just came out, and realized I could cross 2 things off my list - why couldn't I cross off more?  What was stopping me from doing the things that made me happy?  Even the career I was in was not what I had dreamed of in high school.  So I did it - with the amazing support of my husband - I quit my job.  And I wasn't scared.  I was totally at peace about it knowing inside it was the right thing to do.

And it has been.  I've been a stay at home Super Mom for 4 wonderful weeks.  Wonderful HARD weeks.  So whoever told me I would be bored at home, you were wrong.  And I say that with the happiest goofiest grin I've ever worn.   You see, the first two weeks was spent cleaning out all the junk I'd ignored for 10 years - we filled a 20 yard dumpster rather quickly - sad to say actually.  THEN I injured myself and got a few days off to rest my foot.  In the last week with the help of my non stop get the job done Mom, I've painted my living room, painted my kitchen just today.  We've unloaded the old hand me down furniture, picked out new furniture that is truly...US.  Even my curio cabinet is no ordinary curio cabinet - it totally says I'm Amy.  I've unpacked 10 totes - I kid you not.  And re-packed quite a few as well.  Tonight I sit in one clean reorganized, refreshed home.....except for my scrap room, the breezeway, I had a few obstacles with my vision for this room and the ridiculous shipping costs I had to cancel for one very loved and desired piece of furniture from Ikea.  (which I won't be done dwelling about for at least another 5 months -  I really wanted that shelving unit)

So, walking into the reunion last night, no fears.  I was shocked for one thing - everyone was grown up - I still feel like I haven't changed at all except for 40 pounds give or take a few I don't know what I expected of everyone else.  I still feel like I look 12.  Of coarse I was still shy and just sat there and didn't really jump up and walk around and talk to everyone, but was pleasantly surprised at those who stopped to say hi to me.  Sad a few of the girls I really wanted to see were not there and only one had sent in an update for the book.  Which, by the way, Gwen - you look fabulous and your family is adorable!.  Sat with Amanda, Melanie, and Tina.  Cody, Amanda's husband, assisted in keeping the table alive with laughter - he even offered me a few lap dances I had to refuse.  Jason had a good time laughing... a lot....still, I have a feeling it was the bar but that's just the all knowing wife talking.  I made sure to lean over and say 'Dude, you think I'm a dork now, you should have seen me in high school'  Just the fact that I call him Dude every once in a while proves that small point - I call him Dude often and Jay and WHAT when he has absolute no reason to call me from whatever I'm doing in the next room just so I get up and walk in the room he's in just so he can say.....Never mind with a shit eating grin on his face.  God love him.  Poor guy loves the dork in me just as much as well....the dork in me:)

And it has to be said that Rose knows how to move on the dance floor.  I can move too - at home - in the privacy of my living room - if the television could talk - really - I'd have my own reality show.  And occasionally in the car when I have my nephew with me - he gets very embarrassed with good reason and says that I win the award for the weirdest person in our family.  Just puts a smile on my face.   I have yet to shake that 'OMG - some drunk is laughing at me' feeling just yet.  Maybe if I'd visited the bar a few more times I would have shook what my momma gave me but alas, I am the designate. 

My curiosity of my two big crushes in high school whose names I will take to my grave where cured last night.  One made me smile at his success the other made me wonder why in gods name I crushed on him.  And no, like high school, I spoke to neither.  They just aren't Mike Rowe or Dale Earnhardt Jr - you know my current crushes - and they aren't Jason.  But who is really?   

Hopefully there is a 20 year and I can say that my job is a photographer and that I've crossed off quite a lot of items on my bucket list.  With that said, my new semi-pro camera is due to arrive on Tuesday and I'm so excited knowing what is coming I just can't pick up my little big Kodak.  I did not take one picture last night - I know, shocking.  BUT, I knew there was a real professional going around and I could just buy the CD.  :)

Oh the goals I have set for myself now.......