so have you heard of this twiiter thing? Apparently,its the hottest newest form of communicating via your computer/cell. You sign up "for free", and than you follow people to see what they are doing during the day when you cannot contact them via cell phone,email,IM,blogging. or texting! So you can keep up to minute tabs on everyone, like big brother!
You get on and put your updates by computer or by texting it to your account. So now we never have to be out of contact with people.We never have to be alone, not even for a nano-second, we never have to spend another second in our own thoughts.It is the cure all for loneliness. Than why are there so many lonely people in the world today? Why do so many people feel isolated or are on medication for depression? In a world where you can be connected to virtually strangers around the whole world, and have access to others, why is the suicide rate at the highest? Why are we so afraid of being alone,with our own thoughts? This is an obsession. It is an addiction.
I think it is because with all this techy stuff you never actually have to come face to face with anyone.You don't have to leave your house, hell, you don't even have to get dressed,brush your hair, or your teeth. You can waste all your time living vicariously through others and therefore never have to even live your own life. Since I got my laptop,I too have gotten caught up in this, so I am preaching to myself here. I started blogging,(which I will continue),learned to text these last few months, I email,talk alot on my cell, Surf the net, and now I have tried twitter. And I realized, that I have wasted so much time- hours will pass and I will lose track of time, my house could be burning and I would not notice, I think I have even forgotten to feed my kids once! All in the name of technology,to be computer savvy. It feels a little like those clicks in high school, where every body's doing it, so I don't want to be left out or not be informed on the newest and latest form of gossip!
So I have decided to protest, to take a stand, I am cancelling my membership on twitter, I am checking email only twice a day,I am setting boundaries on my cell phone, and I am placing this new awesome laptop computer in the bag so it is not so easy to use. I am not going to waste my time texting anymore(It takes me longer than to just call and tell you what I need!) Also,I learned that nothing is "for Free",it costs me something more than money, it costs me my time!
I am taking my life back, I am going to start living my own life, not anyone else's, I am going outside to meet my neighbors or see old ones, I am going to set a better example of my time for my kids! AND I promise to meet with you or invite you over for coffee to talk about what is going on with you, in your life, person to person, building our relationship the old fashion way, one coffee mug and a time!Oh and I promise to be dressed with my hair & teeth brushed!!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Got Gas?
I filled up my mini van up yesterday and it only costs $35.00,yipee!!! okay so I only needed a half-a-tank..but I decided I will re-fill my tank every time it gets to the half way mark, than I will never have to spend $70.00,at one time! I will just have to go to the gas station twice a week! UGH! oh well, whatever works,right?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Still the One
So as you saw in the pictures we went to the Nickelodeon hotel this weekend. They have two large pools with water slides, and so Bob and I got to tan by the pool while the kiddies, ran around all afternoon. sweet!
Bob went to get us drinks, and it was taking awhile. The lines for everything here is like Disney, its a hurry-up and wait mentality.
While Bob is gone I am laying in the direct sunlight,which can not be good. I sat up to see what was taking him so long,and as I looked into the direction he would be walking back in,I see this hot guy coming towards me, with a great tan. And yes, I checked him out.I was like,damn that guy looks good, he's got great legs, and a nice tan too! So I am scanning this guy,I started from the bottom and my eyes were going up towards his face, as I look I notice that something is familiar about this guy....and its BOB!!! this is no lie. I was checking out my own husband!I started laughing out loud, Bob comes over with our drinks and wants to know what I am laughing about. I told him. He started laughing, and then he looked at me and said "so,you check out other guys while I'm gone?". Only the hot ones!
So,I if I had to do it again, I would still pick Bob. He is my perfect type. He still turns my head. He is still the One.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Childhood Friend
On Saturday evening I got a call from my mom about a message that was on my phone. We listened to it, and I realized who it was. It was the mother of my elementary school friend. Her message was very urgent and she needed me to call her right away. She said "Brenda, its Cheryl C. please call me asap.Tabi is in the hospital and she is diagnosed with stage IV Kidney cancer. She wants and needs to talk to you." I hurried and called her mother back, and she gave me the devastating news. She told me how the cancer had spread to her spine, neck and I recently found out to her head. She told me that a few weeks ago she had a conversation with Tabi and Tabi told her"Mom I have had two great friends in my life, I was one of them.She told her mom that it had been awhile since we had spoken and, she needed to talk to me once more.
Tabi and I have been friends since we were 9yrs old. I had just moved to a new home and new school. I was walking home from school that first day(yes, this is the days that you walked the two miles) and a car pulled up beside me. I didn't know who this person was, but a woman rolled down her window and said, "Hi, would you like a ride home? you live right next to us", I was scared, I thought this woman must be crazy, I knew at 9 you did not ever get into a strangers car. I told her no and kept walking, well tabi must have seen the look on my face, because she poked her head out and said"she's not crazy, she's my mom." and then she had her mom stop the car, jumped out and said "can I walk home with you?" and that was the way it was. She knew I couldn't go with her, so she decided she would walk with me. We ended up walking home from school almost every day that year, weather permitting and thus began our friendship.
We were joined at the hip, I went on family vacations with her family, she would either spend the night at my house or I hers. Her family was the first on the block to get Atari, and we would play endlessly through the night. Her family was the first to buy a camper, and we would have sleep overs in it in the front yard. Her family was the first to get an in ground pool, and we would spend our summers floating in the pool. I went to NC,Tennessee,and Virginia with her family.
Over the years, I moved to Florida, we went to different colleges, and married had children, but we managed to remain in contact. Not impossible with phones, Internet, and email.We sent X-mas cards to each other, birthday notes. But of course there were times when well... life would take over and we weren't in contact like we should have been. It was only until recently, I mentioned to Bob that I had not heard from her. Until Saturday night when I got the call from her mother.
I have not been able to speak with her,her family has passed messages to her from me.At this point the doctors are not optimistic.
Tabi has been married to her high school sweetheart for 15 year they have two children ages 9 & 10.
If God chooses, I will not be able to walk home with Tabi this time, but I know I will be following her home one day. I hope she knows how much she touched my life.
Please pray for Tabi and her family. Pray for complete healing, pray for a miracle. Claim this promise for her life. I will keep you updated,but if you would like to leave a message of encouragment please go to her website and read her story:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/tabisteele. Thank you to all.
Don't let someone you know or care about go another day without telling them how you feel. Pick up the phone and call someone you have not talked to in years, but who is always on your mind. We do not have control over our life, we are not promised anything, there are no guarantees. We do not know how long we have. Hug your children tighter tonight, a little longer, kiss your husband passionately,meet with that friend you keep intending to, but well something always comes up,let go of something that you haven't been able to,forgive someone,and cherish every bit of happiness that you have. All too often we take people and life for granted.We think we have plenty of time to ________(fill in the blank), but don't waste time, because the truth is, we don't really know how long.
Tabi and I have been friends since we were 9yrs old. I had just moved to a new home and new school. I was walking home from school that first day(yes, this is the days that you walked the two miles) and a car pulled up beside me. I didn't know who this person was, but a woman rolled down her window and said, "Hi, would you like a ride home? you live right next to us", I was scared, I thought this woman must be crazy, I knew at 9 you did not ever get into a strangers car. I told her no and kept walking, well tabi must have seen the look on my face, because she poked her head out and said"she's not crazy, she's my mom." and then she had her mom stop the car, jumped out and said "can I walk home with you?" and that was the way it was. She knew I couldn't go with her, so she decided she would walk with me. We ended up walking home from school almost every day that year, weather permitting and thus began our friendship.
We were joined at the hip, I went on family vacations with her family, she would either spend the night at my house or I hers. Her family was the first on the block to get Atari, and we would play endlessly through the night. Her family was the first to buy a camper, and we would have sleep overs in it in the front yard. Her family was the first to get an in ground pool, and we would spend our summers floating in the pool. I went to NC,Tennessee,and Virginia with her family.
Over the years, I moved to Florida, we went to different colleges, and married had children, but we managed to remain in contact. Not impossible with phones, Internet, and email.We sent X-mas cards to each other, birthday notes. But of course there were times when well... life would take over and we weren't in contact like we should have been. It was only until recently, I mentioned to Bob that I had not heard from her. Until Saturday night when I got the call from her mother.
I have not been able to speak with her,her family has passed messages to her from me.At this point the doctors are not optimistic.
Tabi has been married to her high school sweetheart for 15 year they have two children ages 9 & 10.
If God chooses, I will not be able to walk home with Tabi this time, but I know I will be following her home one day. I hope she knows how much she touched my life.
Please pray for Tabi and her family. Pray for complete healing, pray for a miracle. Claim this promise for her life. I will keep you updated,but if you would like to leave a message of encouragment please go to her website and read her story:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/tabisteele. Thank you to all.
Don't let someone you know or care about go another day without telling them how you feel. Pick up the phone and call someone you have not talked to in years, but who is always on your mind. We do not have control over our life, we are not promised anything, there are no guarantees. We do not know how long we have. Hug your children tighter tonight, a little longer, kiss your husband passionately,meet with that friend you keep intending to, but well something always comes up,let go of something that you haven't been able to,forgive someone,and cherish every bit of happiness that you have. All too often we take people and life for granted.We think we have plenty of time to ________(fill in the blank), but don't waste time, because the truth is, we don't really know how long.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Summer Fun
The weather is starting to change,the days are getting hotter,and longer. School is almost over. Summer is here!!! I absolutely love the summer time. I love the hot nights, cookouts, beach, lazy napping afternoons. I love not having a schedule, and not being in a hurry to go somewhere or do something.My favorite activity in the summer is to hang by the pool, and apply more sunscreen.Does that count as exercise?
I don't over commit in the summer, actually I don't commit at all! If you remember correctly I am a commitment phobic. No, I don't sign my kids up for all sorts of camps.I don't believe in having to be anywhere on time, or by 9am or 10am for that matter in the summer! I let my kids go to bed late, drink soda(probably why they go to bed late),sleep in, and just relax,the truth is we stay in our pajamas sometimes until afternoon.
My good friend and I decided that this year we would make a list together of things we can do with our kids this summer. Good old fashion cheap fun stuff.
Apparently, this is offensive to some. Some of the other mother's can't understand why we aren't signing our kids up in camps, or buying more amusement park passes! Well, we are going against the norm this year! We are rebels. Our kids will not be signed up for sports camps,art camps, music camps or any other camps.
We are going to allow them and even encourage them to be bored! This is the best time for them to learn how to be creative,use their imaginations, make-up games to play late into the evening.They are going to learn how to get along with their siblings, maybe learn how to do some chores. So I thought I would supply a list of fun summer activities that you could share with your children this year. It is going to be a fun lazy summer!
1A.visit local museums
a.www.osc.org
b.www.omart.org
c.www.morsemuseum.org
d.www.wonderworksonline.com
1B .Visit your local parks
a.lake eola
b.Rippin riverside skate park(oviedo)
c.Shadow bay park
d.Capehart park
e.Moss Park
f.trailblazer park(lake mary)
2.the community pool
3.an old fashion lemonade stand
4.plant a garden
4.have a car wash,or dog wash
5.visit your local library (www.ocls.com)they have many free kid activities
6.Rock Springs park(tubing in the springs)
7.bike ride through local trails
8.Arts and Craft days @ Michael's (www.theknackkids.com)
9.Family vacations
10.visit the zoo(www.centralfloridazoo.org)
11. bake together(cookies,cakes etc)or learn to cook @ (www.youngchefsacademy.com)
12.free movies at(http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx?state=FL)or splurge and go to $1 movie
13.go family bowling(www.alomabowlingcenters.com)
14.have a yard sale
15 aguille rock climbing(www.climborlando.com)
16.see a play (www.orlandorep.com)
17.monkey joes(www.monkeyjoes.com)
18.Ipez(www.ipezorlando.com)
19.visit your local farms
a.green meadows(www.greenmeadowsfarm.com)
b.uncle donalds farm
20.Mini golf
21.learn to play a new sport(tennis)
22.GO TO THE BEACH(although this is really my #1)!!
There is so many things to see and explore in our hometown that this is only a partial list! even though these activities and places our in my town I know there is plenty to do in yours! Please let me know if there is a fun place or fun activity that you have done or would like to do in the summer.Some of these things do cost a little bit, but most are free. And hey if you do your yardsale early, you can use that money for your summer activities! I hope you all have fun this summer spending it together,making memories that last longer than three months!!!
I don't over commit in the summer, actually I don't commit at all! If you remember correctly I am a commitment phobic. No, I don't sign my kids up for all sorts of camps.I don't believe in having to be anywhere on time, or by 9am or 10am for that matter in the summer! I let my kids go to bed late, drink soda(probably why they go to bed late),sleep in, and just relax,the truth is we stay in our pajamas sometimes until afternoon.
My good friend and I decided that this year we would make a list together of things we can do with our kids this summer. Good old fashion cheap fun stuff.
Apparently, this is offensive to some. Some of the other mother's can't understand why we aren't signing our kids up in camps, or buying more amusement park passes! Well, we are going against the norm this year! We are rebels. Our kids will not be signed up for sports camps,art camps, music camps or any other camps.
We are going to allow them and even encourage them to be bored! This is the best time for them to learn how to be creative,use their imaginations, make-up games to play late into the evening.They are going to learn how to get along with their siblings, maybe learn how to do some chores. So I thought I would supply a list of fun summer activities that you could share with your children this year. It is going to be a fun lazy summer!
1A.visit local museums
a.www.osc.org
b.www.omart.org
c.www.morsemuseum.org
d.www.wonderworksonline.com
1B .Visit your local parks
a.lake eola
b.Rippin riverside skate park(oviedo)
c.Shadow bay park
d.Capehart park
e.Moss Park
f.trailblazer park(lake mary)
2.the community pool
3.an old fashion lemonade stand
4.plant a garden
4.have a car wash,or dog wash
5.visit your local library (www.ocls.com)they have many free kid activities
6.Rock Springs park(tubing in the springs)
7.bike ride through local trails
8.Arts and Craft days @ Michael's (www.theknackkids.com)
9.Family vacations
10.visit the zoo(www.centralfloridazoo.org)
11. bake together(cookies,cakes etc)or learn to cook @ (www.youngchefsacademy.com)
12.free movies at(http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx?state=FL)or splurge and go to $1 movie
13.go family bowling(www.alomabowlingcenters.com)
14.have a yard sale
15 aguille rock climbing(www.climborlando.com)
16.see a play (www.orlandorep.com)
17.monkey joes(www.monkeyjoes.com)
18.Ipez(www.ipezorlando.com)
19.visit your local farms
a.green meadows(www.greenmeadowsfarm.com)
b.uncle donalds farm
20.Mini golf
21.learn to play a new sport(tennis)
22.GO TO THE BEACH(although this is really my #1)!!
There is so many things to see and explore in our hometown that this is only a partial list! even though these activities and places our in my town I know there is plenty to do in yours! Please let me know if there is a fun place or fun activity that you have done or would like to do in the summer.Some of these things do cost a little bit, but most are free. And hey if you do your yardsale early, you can use that money for your summer activities! I hope you all have fun this summer spending it together,making memories that last longer than three months!!!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Lamp Post and Beyond!
Today, Regan,Nolan and I spent the afternoon in the front of the house. They love to ride their scooters & bikes around the street with me keeping a watchful eye out for the cars that blaze past us. We live in a small neighborhood with no thru traffic and leaving me to believe that most of these cars belong to fellow ADULT neighbors, its unbelievable.
Anywhoo, when I scream "CAR CAR"(in a very loud voice that my neighbors loathe) they know immediately to go to the sidewalk and get out of the street(it only took once for them to not obey me, and lets just say again it only took once!).So they are very conditioned to get off the street.
Today, Nolan has perfected his ability to ride a two-wheeled scooter! Now that he can, Regan was less than thrilled to share it with him.
Regan likes to go down the street to the lamp post, it is just far enough where my voice is in range, and I can see her, but it is not right in front of the house which allows her some freedom,and a little independence.She also can feel safe that I am a few yards away, if she were to need me. I have been allowing her to go this far for the past few years. It took a lot for me to give her that inch.
I watch her go down the street,she is going as fast as lightening,the breeze from her speed is blowing her hair back,a smile is on her face, and I can hear her squeals of joy echoing in the wind.
I realize to her this is no ordinary lamp post. This is a beginning of her quest for life, her adventure into the unknown. This lamp post is a place that she can reach when she wants, how she wants. A place where she is able to stretch beyond the front yard ,a taste for what it will be like to go a little further, to test her boundaries. she Anticipates the possibilities, the challenges, and the adventures she may encounter. Her chance to be in charge of her decisions,responsible for her actions.How will she handle them? How will they shape her?
I watch her knowing one day, soon, I will need to let her go a little further, just out of my reach, and than out of my sight. Have I taught her the things she will need to know to step beyond the front yard, have I showed her how to be safe, have I taught her how to handle it when life is hard, but how to embrace it when life is great? Have I prepared her to stand up for what she believes in,love with all her heart, forgive quickly,forget quicker,and to always be true to herself. There are so many things I still need to teach her, and so many more that I need to learn.
She turns around, smiles at me with pride that she has accomplished her journey. She starts back to me,anxious to return and yet hesitant to leave her post.I smile back at her, amazed at her confidence, poise,determination, and I know that she is ready,she knows more than I.
I sit there in the silence for one nano second,before I hear Nolan say "Mommy, can I go down to the lamp post? I know how to ride on the two wheeled scooter now." I look at my sweet boy, knowing two things,one,I will have to let him go,he is ready to start spreading his wings,and two,I know that Regan is going to hate that he is so close behind her!
My children are growing up. It is bittersweet. I never tire of our days together.They are some of the best moments of my life.
As the afternoon was winding down. Regan says "Mommy, when do I get to go around the whole loop on my own?" I looked at her, I could see the longing in her face.I let out a sigh "Not today baby, mommies not ready for that, but in time baby girl, in time. But don't be in such a hurry, for now just enjoy the lamp post." and with that she took off one more time to the lamp post, for good measure. with Nolan right behind! Both screaming "To Infinity and Beyond"! but for now, just the lamp post!
Anywhoo, when I scream "CAR CAR"(in a very loud voice that my neighbors loathe) they know immediately to go to the sidewalk and get out of the street(it only took once for them to not obey me, and lets just say again it only took once!).So they are very conditioned to get off the street.
Today, Nolan has perfected his ability to ride a two-wheeled scooter! Now that he can, Regan was less than thrilled to share it with him.
Regan likes to go down the street to the lamp post, it is just far enough where my voice is in range, and I can see her, but it is not right in front of the house which allows her some freedom,and a little independence.She also can feel safe that I am a few yards away, if she were to need me. I have been allowing her to go this far for the past few years. It took a lot for me to give her that inch.
I watch her go down the street,she is going as fast as lightening,the breeze from her speed is blowing her hair back,a smile is on her face, and I can hear her squeals of joy echoing in the wind.
I realize to her this is no ordinary lamp post. This is a beginning of her quest for life, her adventure into the unknown. This lamp post is a place that she can reach when she wants, how she wants. A place where she is able to stretch beyond the front yard ,a taste for what it will be like to go a little further, to test her boundaries. she Anticipates the possibilities, the challenges, and the adventures she may encounter. Her chance to be in charge of her decisions,responsible for her actions.How will she handle them? How will they shape her?
I watch her knowing one day, soon, I will need to let her go a little further, just out of my reach, and than out of my sight. Have I taught her the things she will need to know to step beyond the front yard, have I showed her how to be safe, have I taught her how to handle it when life is hard, but how to embrace it when life is great? Have I prepared her to stand up for what she believes in,love with all her heart, forgive quickly,forget quicker,and to always be true to herself. There are so many things I still need to teach her, and so many more that I need to learn.
She turns around, smiles at me with pride that she has accomplished her journey. She starts back to me,anxious to return and yet hesitant to leave her post.I smile back at her, amazed at her confidence, poise,determination, and I know that she is ready,she knows more than I.
I sit there in the silence for one nano second,before I hear Nolan say "Mommy, can I go down to the lamp post? I know how to ride on the two wheeled scooter now." I look at my sweet boy, knowing two things,one,I will have to let him go,he is ready to start spreading his wings,and two,I know that Regan is going to hate that he is so close behind her!
My children are growing up. It is bittersweet. I never tire of our days together.They are some of the best moments of my life.
As the afternoon was winding down. Regan says "Mommy, when do I get to go around the whole loop on my own?" I looked at her, I could see the longing in her face.I let out a sigh "Not today baby, mommies not ready for that, but in time baby girl, in time. But don't be in such a hurry, for now just enjoy the lamp post." and with that she took off one more time to the lamp post, for good measure. with Nolan right behind! Both screaming "To Infinity and Beyond"! but for now, just the lamp post!
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