What is it good for? Absolutly nothing :)

So, for the longest time, my favorite color has been yellow. It's just a happy color and I smile when I think about it. But, I can't ware it; it washes me out. I never decorate with it; it's too bright. The two times I have painted with it, I've reminded myself why I shouldn't have done so to begin with. I have used yellow in card-making, but that's about it.

Then, a little over a year ago, my whole view changed. I saw a bag while in Philly, PA for a work conference, and literally almost stopped breathing. I put it on my shoulder, and walked away with it (after paying, of course) in a happy daze and have been in love ever since!!

You can't tell from this picture, but the green is sort of metallic and shimmers beautifully in the light. The bag itself is the perfect size, too. Not too deep so as to loose everything, but it's roomy enough for the essentials and a book, with enough pockets for everything. I just clip my keys on and go!

Then, last summer, remember how I washed my phone? Why did I get the replacement phone that I did? Because it just happened to come in green! The same shimmery, metallic, loud green as my purse! Next, for Mother's Day, I picked out an MP3 player and they had one in bright green!

Interesting, I say. So I decided to do a little bit of Internet research (which is almost like getting your advice from the National Enquirer). Read the article here. So according to this one article, I am jealous of Ireland with a calm, Islamic-environmentalist attitude where time moves fast but I love Spring and Christmas. The military stability helps in my naturalistic recycling tendencies and leads me to an earthy, retro, conservative look.

Hmmm. But, I don't have a Green Thumb. Interesting. I'm too tired to look up any other sites and try to find something more meaningful, so this will have to do. It's just fun to mix things up once in a while!

Righteous Indignation

Not, really, but "Righteous Desires" isn't the Title grabber I was going for. Now, the Righteous Indignation made you stop and think, huh? :)

Naw, all kidding aside, I was pouting/venting this morning to a good friend about how it stinks that she gets to stay home and do Mommy things with her kids, or play at the pool (I bet you had so much fun, N!) and I have to go to work (pouty lip and everything). She let me pout, and I feel better. Also, D and I had a serious talk the other day about how, because of our situation (not any one's fault) that I am working and he is home (work AND school don't go too well together). So, someone has to pay the bills, and more importantly now the insurance!

I pouted, I cried, I considered increasing my medication, but my good friend told me that it's totally okay to have righteous desires. That's all she said.

I still want more children, too, but I can't have that either...at least not the way we had planned years ago. But when she said that, it made me realize that I'm not just being a baby. I want to have those things, but it's because of our circumstances and not our choices...

I know life isn't perfect and I can't have everything I want. And, just because I have a righteous desire, doesn't mean I need more medication! :) Besides, tomorrow is Saturday, and I will be with my kids ALL day. Maybe I just need to learn better time-management skills :)

Have a great weekend!

Unique 2009 Update

Waiting for lots of stuff, so i figured I'd update (mostly myself) on my Unique 2009 Goals.

The start of the year was pretty inspirational. I was training dilligently to run a 5K race (that turned into 2 different 5K races) and was quite successful in loosing some very-much unwanted weight. I was off to a great swimsuit-season-head-start! March came and really knocked me off my groove. I had the worst and longest sinus infection I ever remember having, which in turn seriously effected my training routine. Also, I had to increase my depression medication (probably because I wasn't able to be as physically active as I had been the previous 6 months). That's a love-hate relationship in itself. Then, working whily you're sick just bites and I never felt rested. The rest was a blurr.

However, I did run the 5K races (with tons of support from lots of family and friends, thank you!). As for the rest of my list...I just have to laugh and move on with life. Read this:

*Run a 5K - check and check!
*Enjoy Chocolate - That's harder than it sounds. It's not just eatting, it's having a piece of chocolate that is sooo good that you don't want to put anything else in your mouth to ruin the aftertaste of that which you have just enjoyed! Occational Check :)

*Get More Sleep - I don't even know why that is on this list. It would be nice, but...I guess there are still 6 months left in the year...

*Hide Chocolate - this referrs to hiding regular chocolate, like MnM's (when they are even in the house), tootsie rolls (possitive reinforcement treats for the kids), chocolate chips for baking, etc. This way the every-day chocolate doesn't ruin my palet for the stuff worth enjoying. :) Check!

*Marchmallows, Cheese and Crackers - Haven't done this one in a while. We haven't had cracker in the house for a long time because of L, but we have to do this one soon!!

*Send More Cards - Okay, I haven't sent one card so far :) Still have 6 months...

*Make More Cards - Yah, haven't got that far either...

*Kids Wash Dishes - Some days are better than others, but they enjoy helping. I'm just too neurotic to let them do it by themselves...yet.

*No Mis-matched Socks - Check, Check and Check! Actually, it's an ongoing process, isn't it :)

*Birthday Cards - Let's obviously not go there...it's on my "to-do" list

*Save Change - Cha-Ching! Check!

And that, my friends, is Me :)

Good News/Bad News

Good News:
The PET scan was "stable with no evidence of metastatic disease."

Bad News:
Don't know what the bump is, but as long as it doesn't get any bigger or painful, the doctor will watch it.

What Now:
Life as usual :) Thank you all so much for your concern and thoughts!!

To Add To Any Previous Confusion...

...Sorry for any confusion. Daryl has another "lump" only centimeters away from the original surgical site. He is having a PET scan today to see if this new "lump" likes radioactive sugar. Cancer cells take in more sugar than any other cell in the body (because they are reproducing so rapidly). So, after the body is given the radioactive sugar, it is "scaned" and any highlighted areas are problematic.

Since it's Friday, we won't know anything until the middle of next week. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers! More info as we get it...

One of THOSE days

First, I just have to say, "I willingly saw Star Trek the Saturday before Mother's Day, and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire movie, except what the heck was with the green girl and who knew Spock had a thing with Ohura!!" No, I don't speak Romulon (I don't even know if I spelled that right) and I don't have any Star Trek costumes. BUT, thanks to my loving mother, I saw every single one of the older Star Trek movies. So, in a way, that was a tribute to my Mother :) You're welcome, Mom xoxox

Anyway, have you ever found a lump in your neck and never realized it was there until a doctor asks, "Hey, does this hurt?"

Hu? Didn't even know it was there. Too bad, cuz the radiologist saw it on your MRI last Friday.

Oh. Bummer (sigh) PET scan to follow soon. We'll let you know when we know more.

Stumbled on a Surprize...

My good friend, who contributes to a literary blog to hone her writing skills, has unexpectedly given me an award!! I didn't even know I was up for an award, but I'm seriously honored that someone else thinks my writing is good for something other than computer/Internet surfing. :) Thanks, Carolyn! Chocolate is on it's way! :) You, too, are an inspiration.

Of course, as with every Bloggy Award, there are A Few Rules. They are, forthwith:
- Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
- Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
- Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
- Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
- Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

So, drum-role please!!

The first one who comes to my mind is my Most Creative and Deeply Generous Sister EVER Teresa :) She's inspires me in ways she doesn't even realize.

Next is one of my EVER HILARIOUS (and only blogger-) Brother, Mack! Sarcasm at it's most news-worthy funniest!! Seriously, Laid Off Dad may have two cute kids, but Mack has important and worldly topics...set to sarcasm. Not that your kids aren't cute, Mack :) xoxox

And, my cousin, who is currently out of employment, yet making the most of her time to better her world, and I love every minute of her view of her adventures. :)

And I'm stopping there because I have soooo many more inspirational friends and co-bloggers that there is NO WAY I would be able to STOP at 5! So, I choose Nepotism :) Not to mention, if you need a tremendously sarcastic funny read, these 3 CANNOT be beat!

Soundtrack

I don't know if anyone else has done something like this when they were...oh, anytime in their lives. But when I was younger, I used to wonder what it would be like to have a soundtrack playing whilst I lived my life. What would those songs be? Well, that depends on which time in my life to which we were referring. Someone asked me the other day what my Theme Song would be. I was completely silent as I contemplated my answer.

I couldn't answer! There are too many variables: major life events, emotions from the moment of reference, personal influences...I could go on but you get the idea.

In comes the MP3 player invention. Such a simple device, a digital music player that can fit in your pocket. Ideal, if you like to listen to music. Oh, the travails of technology to which I affirmed I'd never give in (just like I said about the cell phone when I was on my mission). I finally broke down and bought an 8G ipod for D for Christmas in 2007 figuring we could share it.
However, we don't have similar tastes in music.
He's added some songs at my request, but I decided to let him just take the reign.

Then, we stumbled on a sale at the U bookstore last week and I splurged the $15 for a 2G MP3 (not an ipod, but looks like the Shuffle) so I could have my own set of "workout" music while I ran or rambled through the hills. I lovingly downloaded song after song that very evening so I could have it with me on the next.

The next evening, as I'm listening to music while I'm walking home from work, I suddenly realize, "We've made it possible to have a soundtrack for our very real lives!" Not that anyone will be lining up to see the movie of my life, but at least I can dance alone on the trail if I want to! :) Just Dance!! Maybe that's My Song, for now...

Happy Mother's Day to Me

I sure love my Mom. In fact, it was her example and attitude which made me want to be a mother, too. :) I have met many Mothers over my 30 years; each and every one of them have been an inspiration. How would the world be without mothers?

I hate asking questions that have no answers, but someone always asks them. So, since it is Mother's Day, I thought I'd take some time on MY day (and all of YOUR days) to make a list of the things I love about being a Mother! (BTW, any of these enjoyments have been enjoyed by more than simply mothers) :)

*The time I DO sleep is very appreciated
*Taking multi-tasking to a whole new multi-level
*I missed the creative gene my sister inherited, but somewhere I picked up the willingness to get her idea on things that need to be creative (she's a great mother, too!)
*There is something fulfilling about making a satisfying, healthful meal for my family (even if it takes all day)
*I love the smell of fresh linen and a freshly mowen lawn
*The wrinkles in said linen have, on rare occasion, led me to iron my bedsheets and a few dishtowels
*Spending the entire day in your house, but at the end of the day, feeling the accomplishment of Spring cleaning/organizing
*Artwork of every medium (crayon, pencil, finger paint, real paint, markers, glue, glitter...)
*Even thinking of buying more magnets for the fridge
*Finding something you actually need...on SALE
*Sleeping through the night (or at least for 6 hours at once) after coming home from the hospital.
*Baby smells (yes, all of them)
*Bath time (means Clean time). Water can solve just about any mess, unless it is the cause of the mess...thus the invention of the towel
*Hand prints and measuring lines. They get bigger so fast!

I could go on and on, but I'd love to hear some of yours!

Happy Mother's Day to you all!

Race for the Cure

Thank you all for your support! Our "team" from Huntsman was able to raise over $5300.00 to go toward Breast Cancer research. What a great experience! Our team t-shirts were made by a cancer survivor:

Stupid Ideas 101

1. Run with Scissors

2. Play with Matches

3. Skip the Mammogram

Stop Cancer Before it Starts

I ran for:
*My Grandma, who is still alive today, going on 6 years survival after being diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

*A friend's friend who died after struggling with Breast Cancer

*My girls, so the research will be able to benefit them

*The people I love, and have lost, through any type of Cancer!

*Huntsman Cancer Hospital, because I love that institution

*Myself. Because I can. And for that I am truly grateful.

From the Mouth of Babes Part 2

I tried this with my own kids. There's a reason they do these things with younger kids. :)
(1=E, 2=J)

Why did God make Mothers?
1. Moms have to have the babies
2. So there would be people in the world

How did God make Mothers?
1. He chose a body that matched the spirit
2. God created Eve and it just kept going

What Ingredients are Mothers made of?
1. Lungs, bones, flesh and blood and everything else in your body
2. The same thing girls are made of: sweet, sour and everything nice

Why did God give you your Mother and not some other Mom?
1. Cuz I think he thinks you'd be nice to me, and I think you are.
2. Cuz you picked that one up in Heaven

What kind of little girl was your Mom?
1. She looked pretty cute.
2. She was really little.

What did Mom need to know about Dad befre she married him?
1. His name, his favorite color, ask him why he had such handsome hair. Then you can ask him back why he shaved his head.
2. If he'd be funny.

Why did your Mom marry your Dad?
1. She chose him, he looked nice.
2. Because he was funny.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom's the boss of me and my sister and Dad's the boss of the family.
2. Dad's the boss of everyone and Mom's the boss of the kids.

What's the difference between Moms and Dads?
1. Dads are bigger
2. Dads are boys and Moms are girls

What does your Mom do in her spare time?
1. Make her bd and make me breakfast
2. Plays with Daddy or take a nap

What would it take to make your Mom perfect?
1. Make-up and nice hair and choose the right dress.
2. If he would let me ware whatever I want.

If you could change one thng about your Mom, what would it be?
1. I would change her life to make it better?
2. I like her the way she is.