long time, no see or hear

      Wow. How long has it been? Since 2013 since I wrote one of these. Update. I went an entire year without smoking. Sadly I am back at it :(. Thinking about quitting again soon.
     Fell off the exercising wagon too but I have been super busy with work an stuff that I have stayed the same size I was at the end of 2013. Size 14. Want to get back on that wagon and lose at least 25_30 more pounds. Gotta start by cutting out the caffeine. Which is going to be a bitch with me working overnights. Drink lots of water. Preferably with lemon. Cut out my chips.*tear*. They are my favorite got to snack.and up my veggie and fruit intake. 
         My babies are growing up. They turn 7 and 10 this year. I am loving getting older more independent age. I love watching them become their own  little personalities. They are making me so proud. I love the not so little anymore humans I made.
      Hubby is great. We dont see much of each other because we work opposite shifts. But he has been super helpful with the kids when I am not here. He has also been super supportive. It was rocky at first but we managed to get passed that bump in the road.
     Turning 31 in a few months and it it was anything like turning thirty. I will be okay. I loved turning 30. 30 was good to me. Better than my twenties.
       Now that it is 2015. Hoping for another great year.

The start of a new school year, weight loss progress , etc etc

Well it has been one hell of a year . Lots of ups and downs.  School starts tomorrow and both my kids are now in school. K & 2nd grade. YAY! I can almost taste the freedom. I started work half way through the summer. I also am currently in a size 14 (dropped 6 sizes. BooYAH). I still have a couple more months before I need to squeeze into those 12's. I really surprised myself that I stuck with this weight-loss/diet/weight training/exercise as long as I have. I don't get a chance to get on everyday like I would like since I started work but I make sure my body is moving literally for 8 hrs straight. Well that is all for now. Need to make a date with my pillow and blanket. A.m comes early.

2013 Resolutions

My Goals for this year :

• Finish Career Diploma
• Gain Employment- I always said when the kids both were in school I was going back to work.
• Lose weight - Size 8 would be nice and is my goal. Fitting into a size 12 by the end of this year would be great too.
• More Family Time
• More Hubby time
• Save, Save & Save- To buy a house. This one is gonna take a few years

Edit to update : 

 Almost finished with my career diploma. Have one semester left. 

I am now gainfully employed. Not my dream job but I feel a little more human everyday.

I am currently in a size 14 pants. Pretty close to my goal and I have 4 months left of the year.

Still working on balancing all the new changes in my life with family time and hubby time. It has been a bit of a challenge but I am trying. All the money we had saved went towards an emergency operation for our cat so we are basically starting over. Should be easier after the new year starts. We have so many big stuff coming up like,  heating fuel , christmas etc.

Another month gone.

We are heading towards the end of the year. Countdown to Christmas is on and then the countdown to the new year comes. New beginnings, new attitudes. Bring on 2013. I have probably  alright most likely have mentioned that this year has pasted by in like a flash.

OMG it's 2013

YAY! We survived the supposed apocalypse (12-21-12) &  made it to the new year :) 

What has happened so far this year~

• Had the first PTO & Playground meeting of 2013
• My van FINALLY got fixed :) 
• Already celebrated 5 birthdays this year.
• My son was grounded once already this year.
• My son also has been doing excellent behavior wise since returning to school  Jan. 2nd
• Already had a Fuel Delivery
• Visited my Dad (who is a truck driver and rarely comes to town) & saw a whole bunch of family I haven't seen in 5 years.
• Pipes froze (this happened just yesterday. Thankfully it has been resolved.)

What is too come next month~

• Another PTO & Playground Meeting
• 2 hr delay (13)
• Pizza Project Fun Night
• community dance
• Winter Recess (16-24)
• My youngest school physical appointment
• School Fundraiser
• The Superbowl
• Groundhog's Day
• Valentine's Day

Sounds fun, right? Well we can go ahead and add bills & housework to all that. Plus add Studying , cooking , etc. Yay! Even more fun. So as to not make this a total disappointing post I am going to add things I am looking forward to this year:

• My husband, kids and my birthdays
• Enrolling my youngest into school. Kindergarten this Fall. It is bittersweet.
• Getting my career diploma (almost done..yay)

I accomplished one goal from my new years resolution for 2012 : The final goal for the year is to quit smoking and stay quit. I am hoping to have this goal accomplished before the year 2012 is over.
I Know I started it late in the year but I did complete it. Haven't had a cigarette since October 2012. YAY!!
I partially completed My Family night once a week playing old board games. We got the Old board games down. But we need to work on making more family time. 
 Also we accomplished the camping trip with the kids, another resolution completed :) 
Not bad if I do say so myself.

Day 40

Parent/Teacher Conference

The dreaded yearly event in every parents life of school aged children. It has arrived.....
  Well,That was a shitastic day all around. Car broke down on the way to the conference. At least I made it to the school instead of being broke down on the side of the road stranded. My son is having a rough start to the school year. He is mostly having behavioral issues this year and trust me it is going on at home as well. I guess he is coming to the age where he is becoming more and more defiant. Well I have news for the little man. He is gonna HATE me by the end of it. I don't care if I have to take away his video games indefinitely.  He will be a mindful and respectful child or I will make his life miserable.The choice is up to him on how he wants this to go down. He will be 7 in a few days.

Since Quitting

Since quitting smoking I have gained about 10 lbs. I feel like all my hard work over the past year to lose weight was wasted. I feel defeated. I haven't exercised in a couple of weeks. Haven't really felt like I had the energy. I feel like I look like Flubber , for those who may not know who Flubber was :

Need to get out of this funk and start getting back to eating healthy and exercising again. 

I just need a big one of these:

A giant swift kick in the pants.

For the record it is :

of no smoking 

Legalization

Last night it was also announced that Colorado and Washington state both Legalized Marijuana for both Medicinal and recreational use. I say good for them. I am hoping that more states will follow this lead. Just think of how much money it could make to be used for things like education, etc. It will save time & the state money trying to prosecuted for misdemeanor crimes (such as carrying, personal use, etc.) We can now use that time to go after the harder more dangerous drugs such as cocaine, heroin, meth , etc.

And the Winner is....

President Obama has beat out Romney in the 2012 presidential election. His speech was fantastic :)

This speech is 23 mins long but it has his entire acceptance speech.
I am happy with the results of this election. I know that a lot of people are not. But what is most shocking ,and it really shouldn't be surprising is the extreme disrespect that those have for our president. I am baffled at those that want to tear him down instead of standing behind him and helping raise this country out of it's current state. People need to get their heads out of their asses. Their Moms need to slap some respect into them. People in general leave me shaking my head and the election has brought out the worst in people. Even people you wouldn't expect it from. We should not be drawing lines and taking sides. We should be standing together for the greater good. We should love thy neighbor.

I Voted.....

                    I voted and I brought my daughter with me. It was bittersweet being able to share this moment with my young daughter. On the way to the Polling Place she asked why we were going to vote. 
          I said "Well my darling daughter we are going because it is our duty and our privilege as women to be able to vote. We fought hard for these rights and we should want to use our abilities. We are going to choose our new president." 
         She is probably too young to understand but I rather drill it in her head now the importance of voting than her not care later on. I will have to admit politics is not my favorite subject but I am glad I am smart about it. I do the research on each candidate. Vote Today and Make your voice heard! 

24 days

                 It has been 24 days since my last cigarette. I feel like I am losing my mind. The physical craving subsided weeks ago so I rarely get a craving now but the emotional toll has been much much harder. I call it the emotional roller coaster of death, doom and despair. Apparently this little phase can last up to months. I have talked to others and they all say it can take up to about 3-4 months to get back off this crazy train. Of course no one tells you about this fun little ride when they are lobbying for you to quit this oh so wonderful habit. If I knew my sanity was going to take even more of a hit I would still be smoking. Hello mother of two children my sanity has already taken quite a bit of a hit. So each day I don't smoke I am inching further from sanity and closer to the jacket that hugs you so tight and you can't forget the calming white room with padded walls. Each day sticks with an emotion. For example: Today is I'm pissed off and am seconds away from going on a murderous spree. Yesterday was On the Brink of tears. Tomorrow I am planning on ignoring all things related to responsibility. I would say about once or twice a week I feel like a normal person. I picked up some St. John's Wart cause apparently it is suppose to help stabilize a healthy mood. We shall see. Next stop is seeing a Dr to possibly be prescribe wellbutrin ( a mild anti-depressant). I am really hoping it doesn't have to come to that.

Young Adult - Movie Review

           




                           About the movie: Soon after her divorce, a fiction writer returns to her home in small-town Minnesota, looking to rekindle a romance with her ex-boyfriend, who is now happily married and has a newborn daughter.



My rating for the movie: 2 out of 5 stars and that is being kind. it is more like a 1

My thoughts on the movie: I would not recommend this movie to anyone. It was a complete suckfest. the acting was mediocre at best. The story line was a huge fail. It was actually really painful to watch. Charlize characters attempts to win back her ex who had clearly moved on was pathetic.

Preview clip:

Finally...

Reached over a 100 posts. Only took over a year because well I can be quite lazy when it comes to blogging. So I am quite excited about this :) 

30 Day Thankful for Thanksgiving

*will be adding to this daily

Day 1- I am thankful being blessed with the children I do have. 

Day 2- I am thankful for being blessed with a husband that understands me and wants to see me successful in all my ambitions.

Day 3- I am thankful for my In-Laws and the close relationship they have with my children. The effort they make to be a constant influence in their lives. 

Day 4- I am thankful for wine. It is so delicious not that I am a raging alchy because I rarely get to drink alcohol in any form. But when I do it is a great way to unwind after a hectic day,week, month, year, etc.

Day 5- I am thankful that we have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs and food in our bellies. 

Day 6- I am thankful that as a woman I have the ability to vote. I exercise that right and I am hoping to pass this on to my children. The importance of voting is too great not to pass on. Making your voice heard is uplifting and freeing. 

Day 7- I am thankful for my Mother in Law. She has been a huge blessing in our lives. Making me a better wife & mother. I know I can count on her if I need advice or suggestions. 

Day 8- I am thankful for my sense of humor otherwise parenthood wouldn't be as entertaining.

Day 9- I am thankful for movies & TV otherwise I would get no cleaning done with small children around.

Day 10- I am thankful family time. I enjoy just popping in a movie for us all to enjoy. Our silly traditions we have around the holidays mean so much more to me than anything else.

Day 11- I am thankful for all the men and women that fights for this country, for our freedoms. I am thankful for the Veterans. Happy Veterans Day :) 

Day 12- I am thankful silly television series that keep me entertained.

Day 13- I am thankful for growing up with caring parents that were a good example of right and wrong. Taught me to stand on my own two feet.

Day 14- I am thankful for a great support system. It has been really helpful in this journey to a better , healthier me. My husband is my greatest supporter. He is taking the brunt of my mood swings on my journey of quitting smoking. 

Day 15- I am thankful for Music. It knows how to speak to me when I feel lost or kicked down by life. Puts things in perspective and lifts my spirits. It is also a huge motivation :) 

Day 16- I am thankful for cover-up. Seriously I have been breaking out all over my face this month. BAD!! 

Day 17- I am thankful for sweatshirts and hoodies. As this weather gets cooler I love being able to have layers :) 

Day 18- I am thankful for intimacy. It is a great stress reliever. 

Day 19- I am thankful for Dishwashers. I would be seriously lost without one. I hate what the dish water does with my hands. Drys them out so bad they crack and bleed. 

Day 20- I am thankful for UPS and their fast deliveries. My kindle replacement should be coming today :) 

Day 21- I am thankful for everything God has given me. Good family & friends.

Day 22- I am thankful for my great children. Although they have their faults (realistically who doesn't) they are good kids.

Day 23- I am thankful husband the provider :) 

Day 24- I am thankful for my son's school. They have been extremely helpful and understanding. Without their constant support I am not sure I would be making it through this process as well as I am.

Day 25- I am thankful for everything good that has come into my life. 

Day 26- I am thankful for to be married to my best friend. His constant support and understanding of all the crazy I can give off. He really is my rock.

Day 27- I am thankful that the month is almost over.

Day 28- I am thankful that soon I will not have to be writing this post anymore. I really am running out of things to write. 

Day 29- I am thankful for the freedom of expression. I would't feel like myself without my tattoos, piercings or crazy hair colors I sometimes do. 

Day 30- Finally, I am thankful for all the love I am blessed with. Also blessed with being able to give it away and love unconditionally.

Halloween Pictures

Halloween has come and went. We went out trick or treating and by the end of the night I was pulling my hair out. First of all I didn't even feel well enough to get dressed up. For the 1st time and 28 years I didn't wear a costume :(  Second of all the kids were trying my patience & the Mall was way over crowded. People really need to teach their kids manners. There were kids shoving other kids, cutting in lines. Just Ugh! it was a nightmare. I most likely will not be going to the mall again in the future.

Me and the kids went with my BFF and her 2 boys. But anywho here are the pictures :

Mine are the Popstar & the taller Iron Man :) 

My version of the top 10 things to do for christmas

I was browsing the internet searching for a blogging idea when I stumbled upon this article : Top 10 things to do in bed this Christmas . This was clearly written with Married couples who have no children in mind. But seriously think about it. How many married couples do you know that don't have children?? I can tell you how many I know and that is exactly 1 and not by choice. Probably 90% of married couple out there have children. As we all know children change a relationship and finding time to make a connection with your spouse can be difficult at times. But sharing your lives with your children is a connection you will remember longer than any rumble in the sack. So here is a more realistic Top 10 things to do this christmas:

10. Share christmas stories of your childhoods. This you can do with your spouse and children. You Can reminisce and learn things you may or may not have known about your spouse and the children will enjoy hearing about traditions their parents had as children.

9. Make new traditions. Take a tradition from your childhoods that you both share and pass it on to your own children. Or make a new one up all together. For instance Pick one day (the same one) every year and go pick out your tree together as a family or decorate it together.

8. Snow ball fights can be foreplay. If you think about it adrenaline is pumping, you are letting loose and having fun. Hold on to the bliss you felt and rock it in the bedroom. Or after the kids are in bed rock it in a snow bank outside. It will be cold but the hotter you move it will melt the snow ;)

7. Snowmen, Igloos and Hot cocoa Parties. Need I say more. 

6. Christmas Cards. Have the kids help you make them personal. Or do a christmas family photo 

5. Make Ornaments that have everyone's name on them. A crafting family's dream. The kids will be proud of their work and when the kids are happy the family as a unit is happy.

4. Snow Day! Make the most of the bad weather and the cancelled school. A great opportunity to reconnect with your kids and spouse.

3. Visit Santa Claus. 

2. Write your Christmas wish list as a family.

1. Snuggle up on the couch and enjoy a christmas movie marathon. Check out my list of top 20 christmas movies to watch

Top 20 Christmas Movies to Watch

1. Elf

2.Santa Clause 1,2 & 3

3.Home Alone

4. It's a Wonderful Life

5. A Muppet's Christmas Carol

6.National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

7. A Christmas Story

8. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

9. Jingle All The Way

10.A Charlie Brown Christmas

11.Frosty the Snowman

12.A Year Without Santa Claus

13.Santa Claus is Coming to Town

14. The Grinch

15. The Polar Express

16. Ernest Saves Christmas

17. Arthur Christmas

18. Miracle on 34th Street

19. The Nightmare Before Christmas

20. White Christmas

Ticks

Starting off... I HATE ticks. They are so friggin nasty. I hear the word tick and I instantly feel like they are all over me and that feeling lasts ALL DAY! I have picked a quite a few off my cat this year and also from myself. Well this morning my youngest comes to me picking at her head. Asking what this little bump she found was. Of all things holy I tried my best not to freak her or myself out. It was a tick that has attached itself and was engorged on her damn head hidden in her hair. I safely removed it and called the Pediatrician.
It was a Dog Tick.

Nasty little buggers, right?

Information on Tick Removal 
Information on Ticks regarding Lyme Disease Signs & Symptoms , also Identifying Tick types

Yay YAy YAY!!

I found my camera that went missing .

I am SUPER ECSTATIC!!!  

I was so bummed that I was going to have to get a new one and miss this holiday season with pictures. I missed a few things like a halloween party, my son's field trip & festival parade and a trip to the pumpkin patch with the kids. But Tomorrow is halloween and I would love to get a picture of all the kids(mine & my nieces and nephews) with their costumes on.