Looky there!!!

Day 282


It's fun to go to the different schools when the kids have games and check out the records and the pictures.  What's even more fun is when you see a picture of your little sister...

She's in the middle row all the way to the right.  That's my sister, Ellen, her junior year of high school.  Isn't she cute?!?!?!

Wow.

Day 281


Wow.  Those are...pretty?

Of course, you are aware that the female wearing the purple leopard print pants had to be about oh between 30-40.  Super attractive.....(please note the dripping sarcasm).  What was better that I didn't realize until afterwards is that the "guy" she was with was wearing black loafers (you can see them if you look real close) with skulls on them and royal blue skinny pants. Wow.

Lazy Ass

DAY 280


Yep, I'm lazy.  That's pretty obvious if you look at me...the excess weight proves that.  However, I'm also a princess.  Pretty sure I've mentioned that before. I like being waited on.  Seriously, who doesn't??  This place....

makes me happy.  It's the gas station down the road.  Why do I love it?  Because it's full serve.  That = me being waited on.

More food...

Day 279


I went through a stage when we first moved into this house where I wanted to constantly cook.  I still do, but don't have time.  Anyway, I went in search of a bunch of random recipes.  I didn't really have anything in mind, just things that looked or sounded good.  I had never had quiche before, but found a quick easy recipe so thought I'd give it a try.  First time - smashing success.  Second time - the damn things wouldn't cook.  We haven't had quiche in a LONG time.  Mostly because Phil says it's not filling enough.  Well, Meg had been asking for it for weeks, so I finally decided to do it.  I was smarter this time, though, I made 4 instead of two.  We ended up with enough left over to be able to have it for breakfast.  Even better was the fact that they turned out absolutely PERFECT!

It's time...

Day 278

What's that, you ask?  That would be my nappy ass mop.  What's wrong with it?  Well, my hair goes through stages.  Works like this...


Step 1.  Kick ass hair color/style done by the kick ass hair magician
Step 2.  A couple months of hair bliss....i.e. wearing it down usually straightened
Step 3.  Hair grows out some and gets a little long - wear it down occasionally
Step 4. Nappy ass mop worn up at all times because it needs color and cut


We are now to the step 4 portion of the program.  My hair needs to be done so bad it's not funny.  It's grown out so all my damn gray is showing again and it's WAY too long and looks stringy and nappy.  GROSS.  Needless to say, it is almost always in a pony tail right now.

words, sdrow, wrsod, srwdo

Day 277


I love words.  I love writing.  I love talking.  I love singing.  I love reading.  I just plain love words.  If I had the time, I would memorize the entire dictionary, just for kicks.  So, since I obviously have an obsession with words, it only makes sense that I would have an obsession with the game Words with Friends...

This is way too addictive for me.  First I just played it on facebook.  Now, I play it on my phone.  *sigh*  I seriously need a real life.  I'm going to have to give myself a time out from all things electronic immediately after school ends. 

Play and Pray for Paige

Day 276

Who is Paige?  She's the daughter of one of the doctors that I work for.  She has some evil cancer in her head.  She's a beautiful little girl who loves soccer and life.  So, the next time you go out to play - play (and pray) for Paige, ok?

Flips and Flops

Day 275


I love gymnastics.  Pretty sure we've determined this once or twice.  However, one of the things that strikes me as funny is open gym.  If you've never been in a gym during open gym time, or if you know nothing about gymnastics you probably won't care about this.  So, normally, with open gym, the kids go in and play.  By play I mean they work on skills they already have, or spend the whole time on the trampoline, or...

The girls hop on the events that they don't normally do.  Many facts are posted about how boys are stronger than girls and that may be the case most of the time.  However, I think a lot of times, the girls in the gym want to prove that wrong.  The young lady above (that would be my daughter) was doing no such thing.  She was just having fun and playing in the gym.  She happens to like to hang upside down like a monkey =)

Football football football

Day 274


Pretty much anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a huge sports fan.  Ok, that's not entirely true.  I love sports, I'm just picky about the ones I watch.  For example, I will (and do) watch gymnastics at anytime day or night if it's on television or I have the opportunity to be in the gym.  I also enjoy NBA basketball although many of my friends think it's crap.  I like watching my daughter play soccer and my son football, but I don't just randomly watch soccer or football.


That said, when given the opportunity to attend a college sport, I jump.  I LOVE going to college games.  I think it's a ton of fun.  I probably pay more attention at a college football game - when I'm actually there then I ever do if it's on television.

Oh yes, that was SO much fun!  I love being with the family and I love watching the game - and there were some pretty entertaining people around us :)

My girls

Day 273


It's been a long time since I've been able to say that.  That's not to say that all of my former girls aren't mine....I love every girl that I have ever coached (well, minus one or two) but it's hard to call them mine now when I don't see them or coach them.  Doesn't change my love for them.  Anyway, I've got some more girls to add to my list of "my girls" now.  I'm so insanely excited for this opportunity I can't even begin to tell you.  

The three in the back are not "mine" however they are a part of the team.  The rest, well, game on, girls.  Let's have some fun.  

DON'T LOOK!

Day 272

Oh just chill....I assure you I am fully clothed.  I just can't stand looking at myself in the mirror and had to get the picture just right.  So, it looks like I'm naked, but I actually had a tank top and jeans on.  Here's the story with this picture.  This is how my bathroom is set up.  So, when I open the shower curtain after showering, the first thing I see is this monstrous disgusting blob in the mirror.  Yes, that would be me.  I have to tell you, it is the single most absolutely depressing painful thing to have to see first thing in the morning....or any time of day actually.  Seriously, it's the easiest way to ruin my day.  I think I have to stop showering.  So, if you notice something smelling a bit foul and rather greasy, and I'm anywhere near you....well please refer to this blog...

Hmmmm, what's that??

Day 271


This happens every year.  Every year, one of my bestest friends gets flowers on her birthday/anniversary.  

Some of you know my flower dilemma, but for those of you that do not, please let me enlighten you.  Roughly 12ish years ago Phil did something that pissed me off.  Neither of us has any idea what that was.  However, he chose to send me flowers at work to - well, kiss my ass, basically.  I, being the loving understanding woman that I have always been, did not feel the need to forgive and forget, so I gave the flowers away.  Yep, vase and all.  


Wellllllll, I have NEVER been forgiven for that.  So, now, 12ish years later, I have not gotten flowers since.  Harsh, isn't it?!?!?!  But, sweet wonderful wife that I am, I send him a picture text or post the pretty picture of Carri's flowers on facebook every year to show him how lovely the flowers are.  I was thinking that I would just start ordering myself flowers and signing the card "Love, Your Secret Admirer" but I know him well enough to know that wouldn't work.  *sigh*  Good thing I love him.

Stop being a Diva...

Day 270


I'm like every other person on the planet.  I hate commercials.  Half the time I would love to just fast forward through them.  The thing is there are some commercials that catch my eye.  The Snickers commercials lately make me giggle.  You know, the ones where there are 3 guys and a "girl" in the car and the one guy hands the "girl" a snickers and tells "her" what a diva she is when "she" doesn't have her chocolate.  Seen that one yet?  Anyway, we were in the car going, I don't remember where, but it was all four of us.  I must have been in one of my snits because Phil looked at me and said, "do you need a snickers?"  Now depending on the level of the snit that I'm in, that could be dangerous, however, I happened to find it absolutely hysterical at that moment.


I was at work, recently, and in a snit.  So, I bought myself something...

It worked like a charm :)

I think it's a trend...

Day 269

It seems when I post about one of my kids, I end up posting about the others.  I love this kid.  I love that he has the "never say die" attitude with every sport he decides to try.  The past two years I have cringed when football season started.  I'm scared beyond belief every time he goes out there that he's going to get hurt and I'm going to have to kill someone.  Yet again this year, he proved me wrong.  It's a sad day when football season is over, but we look forward to next year.

OMG REALLY?!?!!??!

Day 268


I remember back in the day wanting to be that cute little awesome girl.  Yeah, never exactly pulled that off...EVER.  I was the goofy looking, average weird nerdy kid.  So, yeah, I'm a little biased here, but sheesh, I sure do wish I could've been even half the kid my daughter is.  

She's so stinking cute.  She's smart.  She's talented.  Good grief.  Of course, then she goes shopping with her dad to get basketball shoes and some flats for the new outfit she got.  What does she come home with??  Basketball shoes, flats, boots, 3 pairs of jeans and a shirt.  Hmmm, daddy's girl much?

P.I.T.A.

Day 267


What's a PITA you ask?!?!?!  PAIN IN THE ASS.  The picture below is an illustration of a PITA...

Yes, that is my devil baby.  My precious little Ziva.  By precious I mean when she's sleeping and by little I mean if you consider almost 80lbs "little." She drives me crazy.  I love her with every inch of my being and can't imagine life without her. That said, when I took this picture, I was pondering murder.  She had just jumped all over the darn sliding glass door because she wanted to come in.  So, I opened the door and that is what she did.  Yup, plopped her fat little fanny right down and looked at me like I'm some kind of idiot.  Damn dog.

Beautiful

Day 266


See, I hate it when people ask me what my favorite season is.  Why?  Well because of this...

Yeah, I know....it's not the pretty color changing leaves picture and it's that borderline time right before everything is all dead and gross, but it was beautiful.  I believe we were on our way to church and it just struck me as pretty.  The sun was just right and the trees were still (in my opinion) beautiful.  I love fall.  

Night time?

Day 265


I like fall.  I like the changing colors of the leaves.  I like the smell in the air.  I like the chill in the air in the morning and in the evening.  I like that it is the start of the holiday season.  I don't like the lack of sun.  I also don't like the dark.  I HATE that it gets so dark so early and it's so damn dark for so long in the morning. 

I took this picture at 7:29 a.m.  Can you see how stinking dark it is?!?!  Are you kidding me?!?!?  Ugh.  Why does it have to be so dark for so long?  If we could have light for more of the year, I would be far happier.

Just me

Day 264


I hate having my picture taken.  I don't like myself, so having my picture taken annoys me.  I end up studying the picture and pointing out all my flaws and then I get all depressed and well, it ends badly.  That's probably why 95% of the time, I'm making some goofy face...

Yup, like that.  Nice background, though.

Rednecks....

Day 263


So, I moved to the city to get away from the rednecks.  The funny thing is - I think there's a part of me that is part redneck.  Weird?  Yes, I know.  BUT I like some activities and things that may be considered rednecky...is that a word?  Eh, it is now.  Anyway, there are some things that are redneckish (another made up word) that I just cannot tolerate.  For example...

WHAT IN HOLY HELL IS THAT?!?!?!  Why is the damn muffler sticking up out of the hood?  Why does this blazer have a lift on it with lame ass stock tires?  Really?  If you're gonna hillbilly up your ride, can you at least do it right?  This pretty much just makes you look like a frickin brainless moron with an exceptionally small....nevermind...that's just rude, but still.  If you have to over compensate with your vehicle, well...

Damn the luck...

DAY 262

What's that, you ask?  *sigh* That would be the website I scoured looking for a loophole to get me to the Olympics in 2012.  Why?  Well, if you know me, that's a stupid question.  If not, let's suffice it to say, I know an amazing young woman who may/should/will be competing.  By know I do not mean that I have seen her name around.  By know, I mean I actually know this young lady...have spoken to her....have pictures of her when she was little.  


Anyway, who knew that there's a bazillion and four rules on getting tickets for the Olympics??  Who knew that the purchase dates for the tickets that are open (were open) for the US are sold almost a year in advance?  Bastards.


For family and friends that are reading this....I just wanted to remind you that I am graduating from college in June of 2012 and think this would be a fantastic graduation gift....*wink wink*


Just sayin...

Um, excuse me...miss...

Day 262


Right, so I'm all for originality and uniqueness.  I think people should be able to express themselves (within reason).  The thing is, there comes a point when you have to use common sense when expressing yourself.  For example, a 45 year old 300lb woman should not express herself by getting a belly button piercing and then flaunting it wearing a string bikini.  Why not?  Because that, my friends, is offensive.  I don't care who ya are, that's just nasty and while I am sure there are some freaks out there that would find it *vomits* sexy?  Pretty sure most people would rather ya just cover it up.  


I'm a big one for expressing myself through my hair.  I change my hair color all the time and have for years.  It's my way of expressing myself.  I don't have the piercings or tattoos.  I don't change the style of my clothing (even when others think I should).  I'm pretty much just a hair changer - and thank God for my hairdresser going along with some of my stupid ideas.  Anyway, I saw this....

and snickered.  First of all, if you're over the age of say, idk maybe 18, you probably shouldn't be dying your hair hot pink - unless it's Halloween.  That's just my personal opinion.  Second, YOU'RE LIKE 40 YEARS OLD.  Are you kidding me?!  OMG, I can't even imagine Megan's mortification if I walked up to her school this afternoon with hair that color.  I can assure you, she would never speak to me again.


Point here is that while I definitely encourage expressing yourself, I firmly believe that at some point you need to grow up.

Too. Damn. Busy.

Day 261

Yep, that's my car.  Yep, that's my gas tank and my car bitching at me for having minimal gas in the car.  Here's the thing, I know I shouldn't run it so low, but it's an art I tell ya.  I know exactly how far I can go before I start rolling on fumes.  Why?  Yes we're poor, but we're not THAT poor.  We can afford to put gas in the car, I just forget cuz I'm too damn busy.  Yea, yea, yea, I hear all of you calling me lazy and in the past I might have agreed with you, but not now.


I'm spoiled, I don't pump my own gas.  Someone else does it for me.  Yeah, I'm a princess...what's your effin point?!?

Work treats

Day 260


Here we go with the food again - well, actually drinks, but same/diff, right?  I've mentioned in previous posts about the snacks we have here at work.  We used to have the pharmacy right down the hall that had all kinds of goodies for us to purchase; however, they have left us.  Now, the office manager goes out and purchases goodies in bulk and we purchase them.  This is such a better situation for us.  First of all, we get to choose what she purchases and second we get the junk at insanely low cost.  Yep, you're jealous now. 


Anyway, recently she purchased a big fat box o' instant hot chocolate for us....

Now if I could just fill that the rest of the way to the top with, ummmm, something "special" I would be the happiest girl on the planet.

Technology

Day 259


Right, so yet again I prove that this whole 365 project is a big fat failure for me.  Eh, whatever.  So, this picture is just fun.  I have a love/hate relationship with technology.  I love some of the things we are now able to do.  I hate what it means for some other aspects of life - but that is for another blog another time.  

Yep, that's my beautiful alien? daughter?  *snicker*  It's fun.  

Continued....

Day 258


This goes along with the previous post.  I don't drink peppermint schnapps plain.  I do, however, drink it in my hot chocolate.  That's some goooood stuff.  That's also my drink of choice during the fall and winter.  Here's my first of the season...

Don't ya know there's a little something extra in there!!!!

More treats??

Day 257


This falls into one of those fall treats that I love...

Not the candy.  I couldn't care less about the candy.  It's what's on top of the candy.  You see that peppermint schnapps???  That's some goooood stuff.

Fall treats

Day 256


I love fall.  To be completely honest, there are things about every season that I love.  Fall smells beautiful and crisp.  I love raking the leaves and jumping in them like a little kid.  I like the first few bonfires of fall.  I like carving pumpkins and having hot chocolate.  I like watching the leaves change color.  Fall treats are the best.  This, however, was not the best...

This is an incredibly poor imitation of one of my favorite fall treats.  I love apples dipped in caramel.  I do not like whatever the hell this nasty thing was.  Blech

Uh, ok?

Day 255


What the hell is that?

So, there was a bake sale the other day to raise money for breast cancer.  I, of course, had to check it out.  I saw this thing and had to try one.  What is it?  Well, it's a s'more on a stick, of course.  What did you think it was?  Definitely an interesting concoction.  Way too sweet for me, but interesting.

Priceless...

Day 254


I love candid photos - even of me....

Please ignore the triple chin and the flabby arms.  The photo itself makes me laugh.

Sports, sports, and more sports

Day 253


Anybody that knows us knows that we are always endlessly running.  It's what we do.  The school year is the busiest for us - not just because of school but because of all of the sports.  As much as there are times when I do not think I will survive, I love weekend mornings like these...

Yep, that would be my boy out there.  Where?  Eh, out there on the field for a football game.

Awwwww

Day 252


Sometimes they are so cute I just don't know what to say...

That would be my beautiful (exhausted) daughter snoozing on the couch and my cute (devil) dog snoozing under the table.  They are so precious....when they sleep.

Cause for an eye roll

Day 251


So, I love the church I attend.  I love that it's laid back and everybody comes as they are.  That said, as much as I am attempting to be a better person, I still resort to my old ways sometimes.  For example...

This lovely little ginger boy sat in front of me with his little cutesy girlfriend.  I had to hold back my snorts of laughter because what you can't see is that his hat says "international harvester."  Please excuse me while I roll my eyes.

Yep, that's what it looks like

Day 250


This is what best friends look like....

Just in case you were wondering!

Fall is here...

Day 249


Michigan weather is screwy.  I hesitate to say fall is here because it will at some point get back up in the mid-70s I'm sure.  This always happens.  But, I was a bit shocked the other day when I got in my car to go to work and I saw that this was the temperature...

Seriously?  Are we at this point already?  I'm not ready for winter.  Can't we just hover at a comfortable 60ish for a few more months?!?!?!  *sigh*

Get used to it...

Day 248


I have this new found love for reptiles.  Well, not all reptiles, pretty much just Louie.  So, you're going to have to deal with the random pictures of him.  This was his first full day with us.  I was not yet brave enough to take him out myself.  Phil had to get him out and put him on my shoulder.  Weird, eh?  I wouldn't pick him up, but I would let him crawl all over me.  Whatever, somehow it was logical in my mind I think.

Gone Goth?

Day 247


Here we go with my other apparent fetish...feet.  Can I just tell you that I do not like feet.  I find them gross.  Other than baby feet - baby feet I think are precious.  But if you're over the age of like 8 months - feet are gross.  That said, in the summer time, I do paint my toenails.  Not so much in the winter cuz I almost always have socks or slippers on, but it's pretty much imperative in the summer.  


Well, I got a little wild and crazy the other day and decided on a new color.  I usually go with the dark reds or maroons or the obnoxious neon colors.  Yeah, not this time...

Reptiles Rock!

Day 246

Please say hello to our visitor for the next couple of weeks.  His name is Louis....Louie for short.  He's a bearded dragon not yet full grown.  Isn't he cute??  The green stuff laying there would be his dinner.  He isn't a fan of keeping his food in his dish.  The white outline on the glass?  Well, that was the other part of his dinner.  That would be the outline of a cricket after being covered with calcium.  He crashed against the glass as he fell in.  Gross?  Nah, it's actually rather cool.

Yep, again with the food...

Day 245


Right, so after I spend weeks eating next to nothing and when I did eat it was minimal calories, I wanted real food.  So, we ordered food at work for what reason I don't remember but we did.  What did I order??

A frickin salad.  I assure you, it was not overly healthy.  But it was damn good!

Where's that again??

Day 244


Yeah, I talk about these people from time to time.  Why?  Well, because we're with them a lot.  "Those" people I'm referring to are those that I fondly refer to as the Garage Crew.  Recently, I've taken to "checking in" at Murph's Bar.  Is it a bar like the ones you go out to with your friends?  No, but I assure you - we have just as much (if not more) fun.

The morning after...

Day 243


I remember putting it on my leg.  I apparently forgot to take it off.  I found this the next day - after I had left the hotel and gone home.  I was laying in bed...still in my lounging pants, not yet ready to shower and had an itch.  I pulled up my pant leg and well...

Don't hate...it happens.

Weddings

Day 242


Weddings can be fun.  Weddings can be nightmares.  Weddings are stressful.  Weddings (usually) make me want to scream.  My little sister got married.  The reception - well, I had a blast.  My daughter was less than impressed with me, but I had a blast.  This would be how the reception started for me...

I can't show you pictures of how it ended, cuz I was no longer able to take pictures =)

Our life...or lack thereof

Day 241

What's that, you ask??  That's our family's calendar for the month of September. The darn shame here is that it's not entirely filled in.  I didn't put on here cross country practice until 5 Monday through Friday and I left off my kickboxing on Wednesday nights.  So, all you people that seem to think I ignore you during the week...I do. 


I know we're not the only busy people on the planet.  We're also not the only family with multiple children in multiple sports.  I get that.  BUT I also have homework during the week and *gasp* on the weekends.  So, if i'm ignoring you during the week, trust me, I'm busy.  And if I'm not busy, I'm relaxing because I need a breather because otherwise I will explode. Deal with it.  I will get back with you eventually.

Lil' Phil

Day 240


So we have a mini-me, a devil dog, and a lil' Phil.  That name is from many years ago when he was little.  This kid is the polar opposite of me and of his sister.  He is the family comedian and the peace keeper.  He is amazing.  I'm pretty sure I would be suicidal if I had two Megans.  She's not a bad kid - she's just crazy.  Jason is the one that will cuddle up with me and confide in me.  He's not a sissy but he's sensitive.  He's my baby.  And I seriously HATE that my baby is growing up.

This was the first day of school.  This is my baby getting off the bus for the very first time.  This is me hiding behind the camera with my heart breaking because my baby is growing up.  This is me blogging about this right now tearing up.  Ugh.  When people say "it goes by so fast" they aren't kidding.

Devil Dog

Day 239


And then there's this creature...

I was looking at pictures the other day of Ziva when we first brought her home. She was so tiny.  Now she's a mini-moose.  She spent the first year and a half with us driving us insane.  She's slowly becoming a decent dog.  That's not to say that she's perfect, but at least she doesn't (usually) bite us anymore.  We still can't get her to go up or down the stairs, but she does let us just sit with her now.  Bottom line - she's perfect for us.

Mini-Me

Day 238


I jokingly call her mini-me.  The thing is, she's so much more than anything I have ever been.  She's beautiful and crazy intelligent and talented beyond words.  There are times when things are going all wrong when I wonder what the hell I did to piss off God that he dealt me such a shitty hand.  Then I stop for a minute and realize that I obviously did something right to be given this...

She pisses me off and drives me crazy.  There are times when I want to ship her to my mother permanently.  I can't live without her though.  I don't tell her enough how amazing I think she is and how beautiful and intelligent and talented.  I am in awe of what she has done and can't wait to see what she will do with her life.


I love you, Megan.

Family Portrait

Day 237


When I saw this sculpture, I laughed.  It's so my family.

Jason is the one on the left...squatting and waiting for the war to end.  I'm the one at the back standing all pissed off looking.  Phil is bent over pondering what in the hell he did to deserve this and Meg is up front in the fetal position crying her eyes out.  *snicker*  Whatever, we all have days like this, don't we?

Sexxxxyyyyyy...or something

Day 236


I work in an office full of women.  We laugh, we joke, we bitch, we cry.  You know, typical office full of women.  We also snicker about the men that come in who obviously prefer speaking with certain people.  I'm totally bummed that this picture didn't turn out.  This is one of the bus drivers.  I think he just got married or something, not real sure as I don't ride the bus and I don't like people so I don't make friends with (most) creepers.  BUT he has a crush on one of my bffs who just happens to work with me.  He LOVES Carri.  He's come into the office multiple times just to see her and the couple of times that she wasn't there - he was obviously heartbroken.  


Sexy he is not.  Creepy, he definitely is. We will call him, Leo the Latin Lover.  (He's not Latin...)

Again, Jamie? Really?

Day 235


Shut up.  We've determined multiple times that I like food. My fat ass proves that.  For the past month, however, I have denied myself most of the foods that I love.  I had to give in, though, when I saw this...

That box of yummy goodness is the new breakfast the hospital is making called the "breakfast skillet."  What this means, basically, is that they've got a bunch of food that they need to use and they know some schmuck will eat it.  Say hello to said schmuck.  Peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, ham, eggs, hashbrowns, and cheese.  Seriously, who could pass that up?!

So what?

Day 234

Yep that's a picture of my kids swimming.  So what, right?  This is the FIRST time that we were able to get Jason to trust the life jacket enough to get in the water and swim.  We were way out in the lake.  There's no shore close by.  It's not shallow.  He can't just drop his feet and stand up.  My son is swimming.  Those of you that know Jay know that this is huge!  I was so proud of him.  The best part?? He didn't want to get out of the water.  It was great.