I just had a nice visit with my big little brother and his wonderful wife. I call him my big little brother because he's much taller than me and I look up to him more than just vertically. Anyway, his wonderful wife (WW) hasn't been using her car and since my car was recently in the shop she let me borrow hers.
This was great! I'd planned on renting a car and so WW saved me money! Anyway, when my boss asked how I was getting to work, I told him my sister-in-law was loaning me hers. To which he replied, "It's nice to have a big family isn't it?" To him and to all of you readers, I respond with a hearty, "YES!"
I'm glad that we can laugh, joke, cry, strategize and fully enjoy one another, not only as family but as friends. My parent's had six children in seven years. We moved around a lot in my childhood. We always knew that we weren't alone at a new school. We had sibilings who were our first friends everywhere we went.
Now that we are all adults and have married stellar mates, we continue to enjoy great companionship and communication. I'm blessed to have my family be my friends. I can count my sibilings and their wonderful spouses to be there when I need someone. Thanks LBB and WW for helping us out with the car, but more importantly; thanks for the friendship!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
It's in the fine print
You know when you assume something it usually makes a mess? Well, Aunt Tootsie made a mess, sort of.
Swimming with BB and his adorable children I noticed the toddler get out of the pool and make a motion that said, "I gotta go!"
So, I told BB, "Hey, I think "kiddo" needs to go pee."
To which, BB says, to my darling nephew. "Hey, you gotta go? Go in the rocks."
Well, that's all fine and dandy for little boys and big boys. This little boy said, "No."
Daddy again, says go in the rocks. Well, a little bit later, Aunt Tootsie walks over near "kiddo" and sees something other than a puddle. After some questioning, we find out that my nephew is quite obedient, he went in the rocks. :) Aunt Tootsie's not a good "mom" yet, I laughed which caused all the other kids to laugh. I gotta work on my poker face!
Well, no harm no foul, kiddo, made it into the house before getting into the pool.
Daddy told him to go in the rocks. But unfortunately, Aunt Tootsie led Daddy down the wrong path of thinking. I'd say, I got myself into some doo-doo.
I hope they'll let me come back.
(BB & AW, if you want this post to come down, I'll take it down, I don't want to leave any scars.)
Swimming with BB and his adorable children I noticed the toddler get out of the pool and make a motion that said, "I gotta go!"
So, I told BB, "Hey, I think "kiddo" needs to go pee."
To which, BB says, to my darling nephew. "Hey, you gotta go? Go in the rocks."
Well, that's all fine and dandy for little boys and big boys. This little boy said, "No."
Daddy again, says go in the rocks. Well, a little bit later, Aunt Tootsie walks over near "kiddo" and sees something other than a puddle. After some questioning, we find out that my nephew is quite obedient, he went in the rocks. :) Aunt Tootsie's not a good "mom" yet, I laughed which caused all the other kids to laugh. I gotta work on my poker face!
Well, no harm no foul, kiddo, made it into the house before getting into the pool.
Daddy told him to go in the rocks. But unfortunately, Aunt Tootsie led Daddy down the wrong path of thinking. I'd say, I got myself into some doo-doo.
I hope they'll let me come back.
(BB & AW, if you want this post to come down, I'll take it down, I don't want to leave any scars.)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Replacement Plan
They (don't ask me who, I don't have a specific group,) say that to get rid of a bad habit you have to not just stop doing it, but replace it with something else, preferrably something better.
Well, I'm starting a replacement plan. I need to replace my unhealthy physical and spiritual lifestyles. I'm an emotional eater and that's got to stop! My head and my heart still feel like the trim, slim twenty-something of my college days, but those clothes on the sale rack below the size of 18 are telling me NO WAY, FATTY PIE! So, I'm going to replace my soda with water, if a sugar craving strikes, I'll try some juice, not much mind you. I'll replace my sugar (read candy, cookies, and more candy) cravings with a spoonful of honey. Seriously, have you ever tried to have more than one teaspoon full of honey. ACKKKK! It'll gag you, trust me, I know. Lastly, I'm going to replace my craving for Doritos and Lays Potato Chips with something crunchy yet low fat, like veggies or (cringe) rice cakes.
I've been tested for celiac disease, which runs in my family. I was 'borderline' yet my carb craving has always won out. Well, I'm going to try an experiment. This feels safer than just cutting it out, like the aforementioned atrocious habits that are being replaced. My experiment is going to be for 12 weeks. I'm going to eat gluten-free for 12 weeks and see if I don't feel better. I'll let you know how the gluten-free, sugar free effort goes. If it goes as well as my last attempt, seven years ago, I'll be on my way to becoming half the woman I am.
So, moving on to my Spiritual lifestyle changes. This is embarassing to admit but since this blog is for posterity, I won't sugar coat things. (What?! Did I hear something about sugar; Where?!) I've been terrible at daily scripture study and consistent daily personal prayers. It's not that I don't want to do it, it's that I haven't put the proper priority on it. I KNOW that I need to do it. I was a missionary for 18 months and saw the difference it makes in one's daily living. Yet, I've become lazy. Which is a lot of what's gotten me into my problem of being a HEAVYWEIGHT. Well, I'm shedding off the heavy coat of laziness! It's too hot in this place of Sunshine and Heat to be wearing that thing! If I don't shed it, I risk ending up eternally in a place of HEAT without the Sunshine! YIKES!
So, I'm going to replace my 15 minute snooze with 15 minutes of prayer and scripture reading. I'm also going to replace my 1 hour of loafing in the evening with pleasure reading or writing (actual books, not just blogging) and physical exercise. I'll report on this too, because I'm realizing that I need to be accountable.
My dear loving husband, Mr. Website Guy, is "body-blind" bless his heart. He doesn't care that I've grown and expanded in ways not so flattering. Well, I'm a lucky to woman to have a man who doesn't put me down or say mean things to me because I've failed to maintain my pre-wedding figure. But, you know that's exactly why he deserves to have a wife who wants to work hard to be that 'pretty, petite, pride and joy' on his arm. So, I'm going on a replacement plan! Do you have a replacement plan?
Well, I'm starting a replacement plan. I need to replace my unhealthy physical and spiritual lifestyles. I'm an emotional eater and that's got to stop! My head and my heart still feel like the trim, slim twenty-something of my college days, but those clothes on the sale rack below the size of 18 are telling me NO WAY, FATTY PIE! So, I'm going to replace my soda with water, if a sugar craving strikes, I'll try some juice, not much mind you. I'll replace my sugar (read candy, cookies, and more candy) cravings with a spoonful of honey. Seriously, have you ever tried to have more than one teaspoon full of honey. ACKKKK! It'll gag you, trust me, I know. Lastly, I'm going to replace my craving for Doritos and Lays Potato Chips with something crunchy yet low fat, like veggies or (cringe) rice cakes.
I've been tested for celiac disease, which runs in my family. I was 'borderline' yet my carb craving has always won out. Well, I'm going to try an experiment. This feels safer than just cutting it out, like the aforementioned atrocious habits that are being replaced. My experiment is going to be for 12 weeks. I'm going to eat gluten-free for 12 weeks and see if I don't feel better. I'll let you know how the gluten-free, sugar free effort goes. If it goes as well as my last attempt, seven years ago, I'll be on my way to becoming half the woman I am.
So, moving on to my Spiritual lifestyle changes. This is embarassing to admit but since this blog is for posterity, I won't sugar coat things. (What?! Did I hear something about sugar; Where?!) I've been terrible at daily scripture study and consistent daily personal prayers. It's not that I don't want to do it, it's that I haven't put the proper priority on it. I KNOW that I need to do it. I was a missionary for 18 months and saw the difference it makes in one's daily living. Yet, I've become lazy. Which is a lot of what's gotten me into my problem of being a HEAVYWEIGHT. Well, I'm shedding off the heavy coat of laziness! It's too hot in this place of Sunshine and Heat to be wearing that thing! If I don't shed it, I risk ending up eternally in a place of HEAT without the Sunshine! YIKES!
So, I'm going to replace my 15 minute snooze with 15 minutes of prayer and scripture reading. I'm also going to replace my 1 hour of loafing in the evening with pleasure reading or writing (actual books, not just blogging) and physical exercise. I'll report on this too, because I'm realizing that I need to be accountable.
My dear loving husband, Mr. Website Guy, is "body-blind" bless his heart. He doesn't care that I've grown and expanded in ways not so flattering. Well, I'm a lucky to woman to have a man who doesn't put me down or say mean things to me because I've failed to maintain my pre-wedding figure. But, you know that's exactly why he deserves to have a wife who wants to work hard to be that 'pretty, petite, pride and joy' on his arm. So, I'm going on a replacement plan! Do you have a replacement plan?
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Speed Stacking, StoryTelling, Snacking
The "Tootsie's Family" Reunion has been a HIT! Mr. Website Guy played softball, and has the scab on his knee to prove it. We've had good food (a feast for an army); the mountain of paper tableware has dwindled. We've played board games; circled the chairs for story time, and hiked and biked our way through the woods.
We've recalled old family stories and learned new ones from the newest additions to the family. There has been cute photos of grandchildren, silly photos of sibilings, and somber moments of honor at grandparents' gravesides. This is what a family reunion is about: reflecting on the past and learning of heritage, enjoying and loving the present and the sweetness of the moments, all the while making memories that will be remembered at future reunions. Too bad "Tootsie's Family" reunions only happen every three years. They are so WONDERFUL!
We've recalled old family stories and learned new ones from the newest additions to the family. There has been cute photos of grandchildren, silly photos of sibilings, and somber moments of honor at grandparents' gravesides. This is what a family reunion is about: reflecting on the past and learning of heritage, enjoying and loving the present and the sweetness of the moments, all the while making memories that will be remembered at future reunions. Too bad "Tootsie's Family" reunions only happen every three years. They are so WONDERFUL!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Tootsie's a hypocrite
This post is lovingly dedicated to my wonderful husband. He has endured days of my badgering him when he couldn't wind down for a vacation. He's a workaholic. So am I. Well, this family reunion is our first vacation that I've actually cared about what was happening at work. I've checked my email and voice mail several times during the day. I've even been chided by my co-worker, CC, my co-coordinator. She said I need to 'Go vacation!' I'll try harder tomorrow to stay away from work. I am having a great time on this reunion, by the way. Thanks, CC, for taking care of things at the office. To, you, Mr. Website Guy, thank you for loving me and my crazy family. I love you! I'm so glad we are vacationing together! You are my favorite roadtrip buddy!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Blondies for a blondie from 3 blondies
My three sweet nieces cleaned Aunt "Tootsie's" house this past week and they decided that perhaps some cookies were in order. They perused through my plethora of cookbooks and found a receipe for Blondies. They are like brownies, but without chocolate.
I came home from work and heard sweet little voices chatting on the other side of my entry door. Opening the door, I was greeted by the sight of three beautiful blondes and a wonderful scent coming from the oven. They were surprised! They had been working on a loving card and I caught them in the act.
After promising not to look and notice what they were up to, I was greeted with a warm pan of blondies and a note that said, "Blondies from 3 blondies. We love you." Well, I insisted that they partake of the yummy bars, so we all sat down, 4 blondies eating warm Blondies!
They even cleaned up the kitchen after making the treat. I enjoyed a warm treat, clean house and my favorite part, hugs and kisses from these three darlings. I wish coming home from work was ALWAYS this special!
I came home from work and heard sweet little voices chatting on the other side of my entry door. Opening the door, I was greeted by the sight of three beautiful blondes and a wonderful scent coming from the oven. They were surprised! They had been working on a loving card and I caught them in the act.
After promising not to look and notice what they were up to, I was greeted with a warm pan of blondies and a note that said, "Blondies from 3 blondies. We love you." Well, I insisted that they partake of the yummy bars, so we all sat down, 4 blondies eating warm Blondies!
They even cleaned up the kitchen after making the treat. I enjoyed a warm treat, clean house and my favorite part, hugs and kisses from these three darlings. I wish coming home from work was ALWAYS this special!
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