Confessions of the Mom Next Door

Friday, 25 November 2011

  • Motherhood kills brain cells.

    It's true.  I read that...somewhere.  And you know, if it's in print, then it must be true.  Just like, if it's on TV.  Because TV doesn't lie.

    The truth here is, I miss xanga.  I come back often and browse, click on my "New Weblog" button, and then...sit.  I stare blankly at the screen, waiting for some bits of genius to come spewing out of my fingertips.  Believe me, it's not as though there is nothing new going on in my life, because believe you me... phew! Life here at this casa is far from boring. I think I'm just losing my creative touch! :cries:

    Instead of coming here and working out my little blogging muscles, I find myself being drawn toward other mind-numbing social networking outlets; I don't know, maybe you've heard of it? It's called, um...Facebook. And as if that wasn't already an infinite waste of time in itself, I've recently discovered Pinterest. Le sigh. I am an obsessed woman.  As ridiculous as it is -- "Hey, let's all look at each other's pins and "like' and "repin" so we look creative and artsy and FUN!" -- I am a pinning addict.  Oh em GEE, I can not stop!  Will I really ever attempt the 867 Craft Ideas that I've pinned? Will my home ever reflect the cute, yet oh-so-chic cottage charm as depicted on my Home Decor board? And really...will my children ever get to experience all the fun stuff I've pinned in Kids to make me seem like the most fun, coolest mom EVER? That would be a big, fat NO! Because I won't have the time, since I'm spending that would-be creative moment PINNING IT AWAY!

    "Mama, can we make crafts?"

    "No, sweetie...not right now.  I'm too busy pinning other craft ideas that I'll be too busy to help you with later."

    Until Pinterest, I was trying out a fast of sorts, from the ol' interwebz.  It's hard, though, you know? Especially because it's in my face, like, all of the time!  I'm homeschooling DD10 this year, and we are doing the K12 curriculum, which is almost entirely online.  Well, my responsibilities with it are.  I use the laptop to record attendance, check her daily plan, communicate with her teachers, access my Learning Coach materials.  I am literally one-click away from losing an hour to these soul-sucking websites! It was one would-be innocent status update by a facebook friend, something probably along the lines of,

    "Oh. Em. GEE! I am, like, totally loving Pinterest!"

    To which I promptly googled. It took about 30 seconds for me to realize that I HAD to have an account, so I requested an invite. I waited.  And waited.  And waited.  For, like, a week! WTH kind of website has a waitlist, anyway? I should have known then, that it was out of my league. I begged a friend to send me a private invite, and that was that.  I was in.  I AM in. I think I signed away my first born child with the Terms of Agreement.

    Is she still here? 

    That's strange.  I haven't noticed.  I've been too busy pinning.

    Anyway, xanga, I'm back.  Just please don't expect too much creative genius all at once.  It's currently pinned to my Inspire Me board. For safe-keeping. I'll get around to using it again someday.  Along with that 101 Uses for Baking Soda pin.

Sunday, 04 September 2011

  • We survived!

    Well, I am happy to announce that week 1 of homeschooling was a success!  It was a little harrowing (read: if I would have seen a school bus drive by, I might have chased it down, screaming, and forced my daughter onto it) that first day, but we made it through!  On top of a brand-spanking new family dynamic -- new baby, jealous 3 year old, being home all day long with everyone -- and new to this whole homeschooling thing in general, our internet connection kept spazzing out.  It NEVER spazzes out.  No joke.  We have never, ever had connection problems the entire time we've had our internet service.  So that was fun.  Blame it on the postpartum hormones, but when the Hubs called at lunch, I actually snuck into the bathroom with the phone and cried a little.  Yeah.  I totally did.  What?

    I do think we are really going to like this, though!  Each day got better, and by Friday we were working into somewhat of a routine.  I did, however, have to inform Madison (much to her dismay) that just because she was not physically leaving the house to go to school, this did NOT mean that she could sleep in until noon and then hang out in pajamas all day!  We have a schedule, which is flexible enough for me to be able to tend to the little ones, but structured enough that Madison stays on task and focused.  We get up at nine, take care of chores first, and we all meet -- dressed and ready for the day -- at the table for breakfast at 8:30.  We have Bible study/devotions first, and then Madison starts her school work at 9:30.  Break for lunch at 11:15-12:00, outside time until 12:30, then she resumes independent work while I get Paige down for a nap.  Around 2 (or whenever Paige wakes up), we have a quick snack and take another break (preferably outside) for a half hour or so.  Then it's back to work and we usually wrap up around 4 pm.

    I love how flexible it is.  For instance, we were invited to our first local homeschooling group outing on Friday, and we were able to hold off on school work for the day and make it up over the holiday weekend!  We spent a fun afternoon at the roller skating rink with a bunch of other families that home school.  We met a lot of great people and the kids had a blast!  It was nice to have other parents to bounce ideas off of while the kids socialized...because we all know that home schooled kids are terribly backwards and unsocialized human beings, right? winky  We have a K12 Back to School picnic to attend this Friday, as well; I'm REALLY excited about this one, because it is specifically for families in our area that are doing the exact same program that we are.  That should be a lot of fun and a great place for newbies like us to get the low down on this program.

    So far, my biggest issue has been keeping little Miss Paige occupied with something CONSTRUCTIVE while we do school work!  I did find this website: http://1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com/2008/06/tot-school.html that has some fabulous ideas, but I need to be on the look out for supplies.  I really love her suggestion for Tot Trays/Bins.  I also really need to get our front room (aka: My Hoarding Room, as coined by the Hubs) cleaned out so we can have an entire room for our space!  Right now, she has a nice desk with some organizing drawers for her supplies and it works, but I'd like to have something more, I don't know...permanent. 

    I am really happy with our decision to do this.  I had been thinking about it for a few months, but we had an incident about a month before school started that really sealed the deal.  I wish that I would have had more time to research our own curriculum, but for now the K12 program seems to be great.  Madison and I both would like to try out other systems, too, but there is SO much out there that I didn't have time to pick and choose in time for this school year.  I literally had about 2 weeks to make a final decision and get her supplies!  Thanks to a ton of prayer, and not to mention the support and guidance from a wonderful Been-There-Done-That mama I know, it all came together quite nicely.

    Well, I do believe that I need to get off to bed.  I have an early morning appointment with my DVD player and Jillian Michaels tomorrow.  It's time to start sweating off these hard-earned pregnancy (er, chocolate?) pounds that I packed on the last few months.  I can't wait to get back into my fitness routine.  My head is so much clearer and my spirits much higher when I'm taking care of myself. 

    Keep it classy, xangaland.

Tuesday, 23 August 2011

  • Baby love.

    She's here!  Sophia Blake made her grand entrance on August 16 at 2:59 am.  Of course, I'm a little biased, but she is perfect.  pleased 

    This was after being sent home from labor and delivery at 9 pm with "false labor."  I was having contractions every 5 minutes for 3 hours, dilated to 5+ and 90% effaced (yes, I know this is probably Greek to you if you don't have any experience with labor.  I apologize.) and THEY SENT ME HOME! 

    What the WHAT?!

    Anyway, I labored at home in the shower until about midnight and I just couldn't take it anymore.  I'm a wuss.  I need drugs.  This baby was coming, hospital or not!  I barely got my epidural in time (I was at 8+ and fully effaced by that time, contractions coming every 2-3 minutes that I was huffing and puffing through) and I have never been so happy to see an anesthesiologist before in my life.  I do believe he may have made our Christmas card list this year. 

    False labor my rear-end.  winky

    Just wanted to check in with a quick update.  After checking my inbox, I realized that I inadvertently caused quite a fuss on momaroo with my last post.  I haven't had time to read all of the comments, but some very angry xangans might just be coming after me with torches and pitchforks.  Yikes!  Too funny.

    With that, I'm off to bask in new baby bliss... much love, all!

Monday, 15 August 2011

  • 12 Days & Counting

    Dear Non-Pregnant Person,

    I hope you find these guidelines helpful in your interactions with pregnant women, as failing to follow them may result in serious physical harm. If you are thinking, surely she doesn’t mean me – then you should probably read this twice.

     

    1. The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is ‘Congratulations!’ with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you a jerk.

     

    2. Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father – not grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase ‘my baby’.

     

    3. On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in 2, the pregnancy, birth, and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it.

     

    4. The body of a pregnant woman should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone’s stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix, or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.

     

    5. Likewise, no woman wants to hear comments on her weight…ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is ‘You look fabulous!’.

     

    6. By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that the summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We don’t need you to point out that we will be miserably hot before the baby comes. Nor do we need to know how badly you will feel for us because we will be pregnant during the summer and how glad you are that YOU will not be pregnant this coming summer.

     

    7. There is a reason that tickets to Labor & Delivery are not yet sold on Ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, MIL, or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents. You weren’t invited to be there when the baby was created, you probably won’t be invited to be there when it comes out either.

     

    8. Like everything else in life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds, labor, delivery, the hospital, and the parent’s home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to ‘help out’. If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.

     

    9. If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules, and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.  If you really want to help, know in advance that you are hereby waiving your 'house guest' status and should not, under any circumstances, expect to be entertained or catered to in any way.

     

    10. The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask for you to wait three weeks to visit, appreciate that you are being given the privilege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing disappointment only encourages the parents to include you less.

     

    Sincerely,

    All the Pregnant Women in the World

Friday, 12 August 2011

  • Sometimes, you just have to roll with it.

    Wow, have I been MIA!  It has been months since I've been in xangaland!  I'm sure that I've missed an incredible amount of change and drama during my time away!  There have been a lot of changes in my own little bubble, too.  I noticed that my last post was announcing that I was pregnant again; well, I am still pregnant.  Le sigh.  Due any day now, actually.  This will be number 3, and number: last.  No "3 and counting" for us!  More power to the Duggars, but I'd steer away from the kool-aid that they've been drinking!  Sometimes I wonder if I'll be able to preserve my sanity with the 3 that I'll have!

    I quit my job!  Yes, I am officially unemployed...for the first time EVER in my life!  It's such a strange feeling, but I feel...oh, I don't know...free!  It was just the best decision for our family.  I was making decent money, but not enough to justify paying childcare.  We figured that we would be paying $1600 a month for childcare!  Yeah, totally not worth it.  If I had to miss a day of work because of a sick kid, we basically would just be handing over my entire check to the daycare.  We are MAJORLY cutting back, and it's been a little tough getting used to.  Not that we were living above our means before, but we had enough "extra" income where if we wanted something within reason, we had the finances to get it.  Now we are really picking and choosing what is important to us as a family.  I never thought that I would say it, but I'm actually enjoying the challenge!  I love scouring the ads for grocery sales, meal planning, and looking up all kinds of DIY recipes.  I even made my first batch of homemade laundry detergent at a fraction of the cost of the commercial stuff, and I have since declared True Love!  It is fantastic.  I'm sold!

    What began as neccessary cut backs has quickly become an entirely different lifestyle for us!  I find myself looking for natural alternatives for everyday needs.  As cheesy as it sounds, we are "going green!"  The Hubs laughs and tells me that I'm turning into a hippie.  I'm a stay at home, cloth diapering, babywearing, making my own detergent, cleaning with vinegar, and even (gasp!) HOMESCHOOLING mom to our 10 year old this year!  A year ago, if anyone would have told me that these changes would be a part of our everyday life, I seriously would have laughed in their face.  But...sometimes, you just have to roll with it.

    I don't know what my days are going to look like with a newborn, a busy 3 year old, and a homeschooling curriculum with my oldest daughter, but I hope to be able to squeeze in the occasional xanga break.  I miss blogging.  I miss xanga.  I don't even know if my old xanga friends are around anymore.  Xanga used to be my "ME time." 

    I guess I'll just have to "pencil it in." winky  Well, off to catch up!

     

Saturday, 05 March 2011

Sunday, 21 November 2010

  • Treasure hunting.

    I don't really do this whole "xanga" thing much any more.  Not because I don't want to or don't think about doing it, I suppose I'm just too busy doing life now.  A lot of things have changed in my life since xanga was a priority of mine, and while I'm surely not missed on here by many people (if any -- I never was what one might call a "xangalebrity"), I feel a kind of guilt for abandoning those who DID care.  A lot of what has gotten me to this point -- even having a life to "do" -- can and should be credited to many of the kind souls that make up this amazing internet community.  Thank you for being there.  Thank you for listening.  Thank you for advising.  Thank you for being you.

    As most of you know, my mom passed away very unexpectedly last April.  She struggled with a prescription drug addiction for as long as I can remember, and at age 48, she lied down for a nap and simply did not wake up again.  Her passing turned my world upside down.  At the time of her death, we were not even speaking.  We always had a very close relationship, but we happened to get into a disagreement a month or so prior, and I suppose that we both assumed we had all the time in the world to make nice eventually.  I've been struggling through all of the typical steps of grief...disbelief, guilt, anger, depression...but now, well...I am "okay."  I miss her each and every day, but one divine "thing" that has gotten me through this entire mess has been reevaluating my relationship (or lack thereof) with God.  I'm not going to get all preachy on you, but I have to share something amazing with you.  And that isn't a trick to keep you reading...if you stop here, no worries on my part...if you keep reading, well...I think you will come out feeling pretty inspired.  Not by me, but of the power of just listening.

    I've always been skeptical, mostly believing (if you could call it that) in God because that is how I was raised and what I just felt was the "right" thing to do.  Or at least say I did.  I never truly understood the depths of God's love for us and even though I was "saved" as a young child and DID have that child-like faith, I don't believe that I ever really FELT God's presence in my life as I do now.  The past few weeks have been amazing for me, this weekend in particular the most eye-opening experience of my life.  We had a conference at the church that I just started attending a few months ago, and it was about sharing your faith in a natural way.  Now...faith has always been a difficult thing for me.  As I mentioned before, I've always been a skeptic.  It's difficult for me to believe in something that I can't see.  It apparently just so happens that I didn't have my eyes open quite wide enough.  Or perhaps I wasn't looking in the right places.  Maybe I was even just afraid to acknowledge what I was seeing.  Everything changed this weekend.  I SAW the work of God with my own eyes.  Skeptical?  Ready to write me off as a crazy?  Allow me to explain.

    There is a book called The Ultimate Treasure Hunt, written by Kevin Dedmon.  Our conference was loosely based on this book, which happened to be written about something that people have apparently been doing for some time.  I had never even heard of such a thing, at least not in a Christ-based context.  Basically, what it affirms is that you don't have to receive a special calling or go through some rigorous training to be able to put the amazing power of prayer to work.  You just have to make yourself available and step outside of your comfort zone a bit...or for me, a LOT!  It turned out to be a lot of fun though, people didn't think we were crazy, and we saw tears of gratitude and amazement.  I am hooked. 

    So what the heck IS a treasure hunt, you ask?  Ahh...here is the fun part!  You get together with a few people (not a huge crowd, no freaking people out here) and pray.  Dial down and pray for God's guidance in leading you to people that are in need.  Open your heart and write down anything and everything that comes to mind for 2-3 minutes...any longer than that and you will start talking yourself out of some of the clues!  You will be surprised at what you get.  We prayed for guidance for locations of where to start, people's names, appearance, possible ailments, and any describing words.  God will give you answers when you ask!  Be prepared to receive them!  Something pretty amazing happened with my daughter and I...we were no where near each other during our prayers and recording our clues, but when we compared notes (she's 9, I might add), we had several similar words, but we then realized that we both had written down "purple shoes!" 

    Okay.  So...we chickened out when the conference dismissed for lunch.  It's intimidating to just walk up to someone and ask them if they need prayer for something!  But when everyone reconvened after the break, their testimonies inspired us to go out and try again.  And wouldn't you know...we found someone at the mall who fit several of our clues (movies, red, glasses, Christmas, fortune...and yes! PURPLE SHOES!) and we HAD to approach her.  What happened next was incredible.  I simply introduced ourselves, told her that we were on a treasure hunt, showed her our list, and she was pretty surprised that she undeniably met several of them.  I told her that she was apparently God's treasure for the day and that he had led us to her for some reason.  She started to tear up before I even asked the question of whether she might need prayer for anything.  She said that her mom (she was maybe around 16 years old) had been out of work for some time and they were about to lose their home.  They were losing hope and felt like everyone had forgotten about them.  What a wonderful opportunity to remind her of God's love!!!  She was excited to let us quietly pray for her, and she thanked us over and over again, saying that we had really made her day.

    Wow.  What an amazing experience.  We didn't get all "churchy" on her, didn't tell her she was a sinner and going straight to hell if she didn't repent right then and there...heck, we didn't even invite her to our church.  We just opened ourselves up and LISTENED for once, and we were able to be God's hands and feet for a few minutes and give someone hope.  I'm not saying this is for everyone.  It was hard to work up the courage to approach someone, but it was worth getting over ourselves for a second once we watched her entire countenance change. 

    Faith is a word that I have no problem with now.  No longer does it mean believing in something that I can't see.  We saw God's work yesterday.  We were THERE.  We experienced His love. Amazing.  Simply amazing.

    There.  I just had to share.  I'm done now.  Take care, xangaland.  I'm off to browse and catch up a bit.  How I've missed you!

Saturday, 23 October 2010

  • Bliss.

    I close my eyes as my other senses are heightened.  In the still of the morning, I can hear a dog barking down the street, the muffled cry of the neighbors' newborn baby.  I can smell the crispness of autumn in the air, and the leaves crackle under my feet.  I stretch, and the coolness tingles my skin, raising goosebumps.  My anticipation builds.  One deep breath in.  Out.  And another, in.  Out.  I open my eyes.

    Then, I'm running.  I can feel all of the everyday burdens that fog my mind and weigh down my soul...disappear in the cloud of dust behind me.  Stress, worry, disappointment, guilt, resentment, insecurity, hurt...all gone.  I can't help the smile of pure contentment that creeps upon my face.

    Out here, I'm free. 

    My focus is on my heartbeat, strong and steady.  The thump, thump, thump on the pavement made by my running shoes.  The flex of the muscles in my legs, as they do what they were designed to do.  My breath, deep and controlled.  And, oh!  The glorious cool morning air on my face and in my hair.  My body is music in motion.

    Out here, I'm me.

    Bliss.

     

Saturday, 09 October 2010

  • So incredibly good...

    it didn't even last long enough for me to take a picture of it.

    I am a HUGE advocate of clean eating, but once in a while you deserve to have your cake and eat it, too.  And let's face it... we all have those uber-ripe bananas laying around once in awhile, so I made the most delicious banana bread that my family and I have ever eaten, and the recipe is so simple that you'll want to make it, too.  You don't even need a mixer for this one! 

    The Mamarazzi's Ridiculously Easy Banana Bread Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
    • 1/3 cup melted butter
    • 1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup or substitute Splenda)
    • 1 egg, beaten
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • Pinch of salt
    • 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose (or almond) flour

    Method

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a 4x8 inch loaf pan that has been coated with cooking spray. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

    Enjoy! :)

Sunday, 03 October 2010

  • xanga, interrupted. [SH 2 (6)]

    Never have I been so excited upon a return from one of my notoriously unplanned xanga breaks than I was today, when I happened upon a marvelous chicken plug directing me to http://anvilsandedelweiss.xanga.com/732919053/you-are-cordially-invited/  How perfect!  I haven't been around for awhile, so I will be starting with the prompt "100 Things that I am Grateful For" just because I have probably been (insert a dramatic tear rolling down one cheek here) all but forgotten.  I also have a lot of new friends (don't ask me how that happens in one's absence) so this list should also give you newbies a little taste of who I am.  And what a better time of year to make such a list and remind myself to count my many blessings.  So... without further ado... I present, for 6 points in Mooncat Blue and Nelson Too Epic Scavenger Hunt Throwdown III... drumroll, please...

    100 Things The_Mamarazzi is Grateful For

    1. My Family (like you didn't see that one coming)
    2. My church
    3. My bestest friend in the whole world, Suzanne
    4. Our home
    5. AdvoCare
    6. functioning vehicles
    7. my camera
    8. brand new, untouched notebooks (oh, the possibilities!)
    9. coffee
    10. my iphone
    11. my intuition app for my iphone
    12. that new box of Crayons smell
    13. blue ink pens
    14. Better Homes and Gardens Magazine
    15. Family Fun Magazine
    16. pizza
    17. chocolate
    18. ice cold Coca-Cola
    19. while we're on the subject of food, CHIPOTLE!
    20. AdvoCare's Success School
    21. my broken-in jeans
    22. Snuggies
    23. bubble wrap
    24. my laptop
    25. xanga
    26. the smell of baking cookies
    27. a big, comfy sweatshirt and warm socks on a cold day
    28. the way my crazy-busy toddler instantly reverts to a perfect, sleeping infant in my arms when she's tired
    29. running
    30. thrift stores
    31. orthodontics
    32. the ability to feel instantly relaxed after a hectic day with one hug from the Hubs
    33. the power of prayer
    34. big sunglasses
    35. Downy April Fresh fabric softener
    36. Mom & Me Days individually with my girls
    37. the smell and feel of crisp autumn days
    38. my Weight Watchers cookbooks
    39. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers (hey, I have a 2 year old)
    40. also on that note... washable slipcovers for our furniture
    41. 104.9 The River radio station
    42. dry erase boards
    43. highlighters with built-in Post-It note flags
    44. Office Max
    45. relaxing summer nights in the pool after the kids are in bed
    46. margaritas
    47. s'mores and other miscellaneous campfire cooking adventures with the fam
    48. Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD
    49. cute workout clothes (they make all the difference!)
    50. Old Navy
    51. TARGET!
    52. Giant Eagle's Food & Fuelperks program (um, hello... FREE tanks of gas!)
    53. the smell of the coming rain
    54. going barefoot
    55. (with, of course) a brand-new pedicure
    56. being thanked by my 9 year old for all of the past gifts she's received... AFTER begging for the truth (gasp!) about Santa, the Easter Bunny, the ToothFairy, etc, etc, etc...
    57. telling my 2 year old "I love you" and getting her sweet response "...too!"
    58. the fact that I actually have pretty cool in-laws
    59. a really great bra
    60. Muscle Fuel and Catalyst pre-workout
    61. an icy cold meal shake post-workout
    62. Rookie Bonus awards
    63. the TempurPedic bed that the Hubs will be buying for me us for Christmas (hint hint Hubsy!)
    64. our awesome Praise Band at the Vineyard
    65. seashells
    66. the show on TLC... "Hoarders: Buried Alive"... it makes me feel better about our minuscule amount of clutter winky
    67. BASKETS!  ...poof!  ...said clutter is gone!
    68. that gorgeous promise of a rainbow after a drenching, refreshing rain
    69. the fact that I was lucky enough to be born in the USA... TOTALLY not dissing other countries, I just happen to love mine and the freedoms we are afforded here! <3
    70. electrical outlet covers (a curious 2 year old lives in this house!)
    71. the awesome relationship I have with my 9 year old... she hasn't hit her teen years yet, so I am relishing in this while I can and praying it continues!
    72. my marriage to a Jack-of-all-Trades... I don't know what I'd do without him... he's one of those guys who knows at least a little bit about practically everything
    73. lists like these that really make me think
    74. flip-flops
    75. motivational speakers such as Jim Rohn, Ron Reynolds and Andy Andrews
    76. Pandora radio
    77. my hairstylist... who happens to be moving far, far away... bummed
    78. my Garmin navigational thingy
    79. salsa
    80. a crackling fire on a cold evening
    81. dental floss
    82. family photos
    83. antidepressants (how could I almost forget that?!)
    84. a FANTASTIC family physician who really cares
    85. books, books, BOOKS
    86. the methodical, soothing crashing of the waves of the ocean
    87. digging my toes into the sand
    88. hummingbirds
    89. really good tattoo artists
    90. a husband that can cook... because that really isn't my forte... although I try, sometimes much to the dismay of my family
    91. nice handwriting
    92. people that held me up after the unexpected passing of my mom last year
    93. everything that my mom taught me, be it by words or example... I love you, Mom.  I am who I am because of you.  I miss you every day.
    94. my entrepreneurial spirit... sorry, Babe!  I love it and I can't help it!
    95. God's guidance, love, support, and most of all... mercy
    96. a really great pair of shoes
    97. trail mix
    98. the outdoors... camping, hiking, boating... the break keeps us sane.
    99. Mooncat Blue and Nelson Too for this prompt!

    And FINALLY... (phew! Kudos to those of you who made it this far!)

    100.  All my fellow xangans who rec my list and feel inspired to create their own!  Holla!  winky

One last thought...

the_mamarazzi

  • Visit the_mamarazzi's Xanga Site
    • Name: Natalie
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 3/7/2009

The Scoop.

  • I write about God, love, loss, kids, marriage, work, sex, and sometimes there's even the occasional post on poop. Not necessarily in that order. Welcome to my life.

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