Ticked me off

Yesterday, Blogger must have been mad at me because after noon I couldn't access my blog to save my life. I could get to the dashboard, but not the actual blog. Drove me nuts. Oh well...

6 day workweek this week. Fun fun...not... But its my own fault...lol. Since I can't work when I have the boys, my hours are sort of cut (not 40 hours a week) and my days are odd. But, that's ok. I'm supposed to go out for coffee with my 2 best friends, but not sure....anyone else wanna join me?? :-)

Showing off

Among my many talents interests is crocheting. Last week, at work, my coworkers and I were discussing knitting and crocheting. I do both and so do some of my coworkers. So one night I decided to make a hat.

So I forced asked my kids to model it....

Teenagers...gotta love 'em.

Wordful Wednesday - Peace

Tuesday Tribute

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.

Last week I wrote a tribute to my daughter, I will continue the trend this week. This week I pay tribute to my oldest son Brodie.

Brodie turned 16 years old at the end of December. He was my "clingon" when he was a baby, and to be honest, still is. Unlike most teenagers, he has no problem hugging or giving me a kiss when around friends or others. When he is with me, he is with me...lol.

Like his sister, he is talented musically. He started on tenor sax when he was in 6th grade, now he also plays baritone sax in the concert band. He loves marching band and is planning on trying out for drum major for next years band season. He is also thinking of going to college to study music in order to teach others. In addition to the saxophone, he has self taught himself the electric bass and guitar. This past summer he played in a band with some friends.

I don't favor any of my kids over the others, but I think Brodie has always held a special spot in my heart. All the kids and I were inseparable when they were young, due to their dad's work schedules and I was a SAHM for years. Brodie has had it tough with his dad at times and I was always his safe haven.

So, here's to my sensitive, sweet, and tall boy.

Weekend recap

I must say my weekend was pretty good. Bill felt much better, although he didn't eat a whole lot, he was able to consume some of his birthday cake on Saturday. I did offer to make it on Sunday instead but he would have none of that...lol.

Friday night M, B and I watched Mamma Mia, just as I predicted. J kinda rolled his eyes when I suggested the movie..lol. He spent that time playing Runescape on the computer. Saturday we just hung around the house and B went to visit a friend he hasn't spent time with in a long time. Then it was birthday cake time....German Chocolate was the request of the birthday boy. I found a wonderful recipe from Chef Tell. I will share later...the recipe I mean. If you want the actual cake you'll have to come visit.... ;-)

Sunday at church it was the 2 boys and me manning the nursery. Interesting to say the least, especially since the boys wanted to work there. Both guys are great with little ones and hey, it gets them to church. I hung around for bathroom duty...just in case.

So it's back to the old grind again. Calling for some major snow for us. We'll see...

Nada

Not too much going on around here. Bill seems to have gotten some kind of stomach bug, kept him up most of the night. The boys will be here for the weekend, pizza tonight and I'll see if I can get them to watch Mama Mia with me.....lol. Actually, J would be the only one to bow out of it.

See...not much. :-)

Tough decision

Here are the prompts from Mama Kat this week:

1.) Tell us about a memorable blind date.

2.) Other than the birth of a child or your wedding, write about a joyous moment.

3.) Write about one of the most difficult decisions you have made in your life.
4.) Share the best picture you took last month and explain why it's your favorite.

Well, the only blind date I had was so way less than memorable, so that's out. I'm drawing a blank on a joyous moment right now and I don't have my pictures on this computer so those are out too. That leaves #3.

I would have to say the most difficult decision I've ever made was to divorce my ex. Many of my friends and family would say that I was stupid to stay with him as long as I did, but that was my choice. I did leave him twice with the kids and spent weeks at the womens shelter in Salem Oregon, but I did go back. Yes, I was abused, both physically and emotionally. At the time I lived across the country from my family and friends and didn't have much of a support system outside of one or two people. Who wants to complain to people about their lives? I was and still am a fairly shy person.

I stayed with him through crap I probably shouldn't have. Two criminal trials (he's a convicted felon and worse), the obvious abuse etc... I could say that I stayed for the kids, and to be honest I've gone back and forth about this decision even today. Yeah, we're both remarried, but he continues to disparage me and I have to take the high road or I will self destruct.

Tuesday's Tribute

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.

It is time for another Tuesday Tribute. Today I pay tribute to my baby girl. I will say that I know that I am extremely lucky, as a mom, to have a daughter like M. She was the sweetest, most content baby and even as a teen, she didn't do the typical teenage girl stuff..ie: snottiness, moody etc... I know how I was as a teen and I wouldn't have been surprised if she acted out half as bad as I did. But, she didn't.

As other members of our family did, she took up playing a musical instrument. She has played the clarinet ever since she was in 6th grade. Like her uncle, she has excelled with it. She was a member of the marching and symphonic bands in high school where she also lettered in band. She is a talented girl. She also has played various sports in her life, soccer and basketball primarily. Right now she is in her second semester in college and I am very proud of her.

So, here's to my special girl. :-)

C is for.......

Heidi at Sacred and Profane was doing a challenge and I asked to be in on it too.

If you'd like to be in on this, leave me a comment and I'll send you a letter of the alphabet and you can list 10 things that you like that begin with that letter. Heidi has given me the letter C.

Coffee: Duh... ;-) This is my drink of choice, for better or worse.

Children: More specifically, mine.

Church: I have been a church goer all my life. There were a few periods in my life where I didn't go to church for one reason or another, but it has always been important to me. Other than the obvious reasons for attending church, I feel that I really need the fellowship to function. It's that feeling that you belong to something bigger that appeals to me.

Camera: I have started to keep my camera with me most of the day. Ok, I don't take it to work, but other than that, it's with me. Now if I can remember to post pictures.......

Candles: I am a candle freak. I usually have one lit always, if not, on a warmer. I think I need the feeling of warmth. I feel that I have some sort of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) which really manifested itself when I lived in Oregon. If it's gloomy out, all the lights come on and candles get lit.

Crocheting: I taught myself about 15 years ago and continue to do that and knit.

Calendar: If I didn't have my multitude of calendars I'd be lost.

Clocks: Or watches. Have to know what time it is at all times.

Cash: (Can you tell I'm running out of words...lol) Doesn't hurt to have a bit of money on hand.

And finally.......Me, Cheryl: If I didn't like myself, where would I be? ;-)

Comment and leave me your email and I'll get a letter to you. Sorry Heidi....I guess I don't follow directions well....... ;-)

Funky Friday Fun

Ok, I totally made that up..... ;-)

Melissa had this on her blog this morning and I thought, what the hey...sounds fun.

To find your ROCK STAR NAME take your first pet & current car:
Rosie Chevrolet

To find your GANGSTA NAME take your favorite ice cream flavor and your favorite cookie:
Chocolate Ginger Snap

YOUR DETECTIVE NAME? Your favorite color and favorite animal:
Purple Parrot

Everybody wants a SOAP OPERA NAME, so take your middle name and the city where you were born:
Ann Bryn Mawr

Want to know your SUPERHERO NAME? Just add the word "The" plus your 2nd favorite color, and your favorite drink:
The Blue Coffee

Oh gross. Your NASCAR NAME. Take the first names of your grandfathers:
Werner Walter

If I ever go into WITNESS PROTECTION you can find me with this name. Your mother’s & father’s middle names:
Lucie Jules

TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME? Just take your 5th grade teacher’s last name and add a major city that starts with the same letter:
Mumma Minneapolis

Of course, if you find me in witness protection I will assume it was because you were using your SPY NAME. Add your favorite season/holiday to your flower:
Spring Rose
Tell your kids their CARTOON NAME by taking your favorite fruit, an article of clothing you’re wearing right now, now add "ie" or "y":
Apple Sweatery

And lastly, your ROCKSTAR TOUR is heading across the northeast...it's called
("The” + Your fave hobby/craft, your fave weather element + the word “Tour”):
The Reading Sunshine Tour

Brrr..

It is freaking cold here. Only gonna get worse. Should be close to a big whoppin' 4 degrees tonight.

I get a daily motivational quote in my work email every day. They can be very inspirational and thought provoking. Today's is: He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.-- Epictetus. I really need to keep this in mind. This year I really will strive to be more positive.

Reality, or is it.........

Yesterday I got off work, went to the library and then went home. I was alone so I turned on the TV. I watch reality shows occasionally, and yesterday I decided to want the repeat of the season 3 opener of Rock of Love. Wow.... It really amazes me that Bret Michaels would stoop so low as to have the stripper contingent yet again vie for him. In watching this one, I really hope these women get tested daily. I saw things that I hope to never see again.....lol. I didn't think BM was THAT desperate, but I guess he is.

Now...wasn't that entertaining.......

Think I got it...and a Tribute on Tuesday

For all of you that had problems with the Twitter, I found a hidden code that I forgot to take out. Again......I'm sorry. :-( (The popup was bugging me too.)

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.

When I read Jay's tribute, it gave me an idea. I shall write about the (other) love of my life. My love gets me through the day like no other. It keeps me warm and satisfied and I am so very thankful I found it. My favorite description of it is: “Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love.” by Talleyrand. Ok, I admit it, I love coffee. ;-)

Do I like my coffee black? There are other colors? ~Author Unknown

Hmm..

Anyone having trouble leaving comments here? I was contacted by someone who couldn't comment....

Not a whole bunch going on here. Expecting snow tonight and tomorrow. I think I'll make a big batch o' chili and maybe some chicken noodle soup this weekend. Good cold weather stuff.

Gah...having total writers block at the moment.

Have a good day.

edit: Ok, I took my Twitter feed down for a bit. I hope that fixes the comment problem. Sorry...

6 words

From Mama Kat:

The Prompts:
1.) Describe your latest obsession.
2.) Ask a loved one to use 6 descriptive words to describe you and report your findings. How well do they know you?
3.) Who was your first bloggy friend? How did you find each other? Do you still correspond?
4.) Tell us about your pet! If you have a weird infatuation with your dog or cat we want to hear about it (or if they just plain drive you crazy)...but please don't compare them to children. It's just not the same.

I don't think I have a current obsession, no clue how to talk about my animals and could name way too many "first friends", so I'll go with #2.

I asked Bill to give me 6 words to describe me.

1. Thoughtful: Ok, I can get behind this one. I try to be thoughtful of others and teach my kids to do the same.
2. Caring: Kind of goes hand in hand with thoughtfulness with me.
3. Beautiful: While I appreciate his thoughts on this, I don't think I'm beautiful. But, it doesn't necessarily mean just outward beauty, does it? I feel I am average looking, outwardly...;-)
4. Intelligent: I'm probably average in this area too. Everyone has their own areas of specialty. I am full of useless trivia...lol
5. Patient: Lately I've had to be more patient. Really kills me at times.
6. Loving: I can agree with this too. I think I may love too much, though.

Shuttercal

Found a cool new photo site...Shuttercal... You can upload your pics on a calendar, add friends etc... If you click the link, it'll go to my calendar. I just joined today.

The smell of carne asada in the morning

Bill doesn't always sleep well at night. So, it is not uncommon for him to get up as to not disturb me. Considerate, always.

Last night I assume he woke up a bit earlier than he wanted. So at 4:45 am I wake up and find him gone. Ok, np...but then I smell something. Smells like a roast or something. I'm not concerned, but maybe a bit confused. Not something I'd come to expect at that hour of the day. I go downstairs and he's sitting watching the Sci-Fi channel with carne asada cooling on the stove. Quite humorous actually...lol.

Not about me....

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.

This year starts Tuesday's Tribute. There are a few people that I could choose to tribute, but I think I'll start out a bit closer to home.

Bill is my knight in shining armor. Given that I came from a relationship that, at best, was ok and at worst, abusive...I couldn't have picked a better man. He came into my life, probably kicking and screaming, and has taken hold. Even though the boys seem to balk at the fact they have a step dad in the picture, he keeps trying. It has gotten much better over the past year, even if things haven't gone the way I would have liked, and we all get along. And so...here is my less than stellar tribute to the one person who sticks by me, even when I try to push him away...

It's a New Year

New Year, New attitude......*cue Patti LaBell*

It's time to look forward, not back. I don't think I could do a retrospective of 08, too much drama, not enough substance. So, I'll just look forward to 2009 with a positive attitude.

NYE, after the boy's went to their dad's, Molly, Bill and I went to my friends house. We had a blast. Tons of food and laughter. It was the 3 of us, 3 in Kim's family and 3 in Lisa's. We told stories to the daughters (Molly and H, Kim's dd) about things the three of us did in our youth. Molly had heard most before, but we had fun laughing about all the "good times". Later the Wii was brought out and Molly showed some tricks in bowling and tennis. After watching the ball drop, we watched some guy in Las Vegas do Evil Knievel type tricks. That was pretty funny, actually.

Time to get back in the school and work groove. Molly starts back next week to Penn State, I go back to work today and the boys are back to the grind in their own schools.

Have a great day and a great new year.