Pinterest Sunday

When I search through Pinterest at home….

…this is the kind of stuff that gets SS excited.

 

He’s never been to the Pinterest website. Never even heard of it. But when he looked over at the screen and saw that, he immediately said, “Whoa. Pinterest? Pin that girl to my wall.” He’s such a guy. (rolling eyes)

I shook my head, thought of the old women from that new Esurance commercial, and laughed.
(I hope he never cruises through Pinterest. I’ll be in trouble if he sees my wedding board.)

 

 

 

P.S. Here’s the link to the Esurance commercial I was talking about…… click here

The April 2014 A to Z Challenge

Have you seen this A to Z Challenge for April? Post every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior). And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet.

On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on. You can use a theme for the month or go random – just as long as it matches the letter of the alphabet for the day.

Join me. The fun begins April 1st!

 

NASCAR

Gee. This is embarrassing. Let me apologize.

I’m sorry I haven’t posted anything about NASCAR in a while. It’s a shame, I know. I’m quite shocked myself, but alas, it’s true. So here’s a little catch up…

Week One – Daytona 500
*Winner: Dale Jr.
{Kyle Busch finishes a pathetic 18th}

Week Two – The Profit on CNBC 500
*Winner: Kevin Harvick
{Kyle Busch finishes 9th}

Week Three – Kobalt 400
*Winner: Brad Keselowski
{Kyle Busch finishes 11th}

Week Four – Food City 500
*Winner: Carl Edwards
{Kyle Busch finishes 29th}

Week Five – Auto Club 500
*Winner: Kyle Busch
{Kyle Busch finishes 1st}

This weekend we’re at Martinsville, and Kyle Busch starts on the pole.
#KBShow

 

Quote for Today

“I hate the idea that, when it comes to books and learning, hard is often seen as the opposite of fun. It’s strange to me that we should be so quick to give up on a book or a math problem when we are so willing to grapple, for centuries if necessary, with a single level of Angry Birds.”    {John Green}

Friday Letters:

It’s Friday. Time to write some letters…

Dear SS’s daughter : We miss you around the house. When are you coming back?

Dear RJ : Where are you? I’ve been trying to get in touch with you or your dad, but have been unsuccessful. Call me!

Dear Jamie : Thank you for covering for me all the times I didn’t want to go to work.

Dear Grocery Store : I wish I could order a delivery of groceries like I do a pizza. You know how much time I would save if someone else did my grocery shopping for me?

Dear FarmVille 2 : I’m addicted. I can’t stop playing. You have sucked me in.

Dear Jeffy: Thanks for sending me those snowflake pictures. They’re beautiful. And hurry home. I’m anxious to play with that camera.

Dear SS : Thank you for always taking care of the bugs. When that wasp thought he was going to set up shop on our patio, you came to the rescue. The other night, when a cricket crossed our path in the kitchen, you again, came to the rescue. I love you for that.

7 Cardinal Rules For Life

1. Make peace with your past…
   so it won’t disturb your present. Your past does not define your future – your actions and beliefs do.
   
2. What other people think of you…
   is none of your business.  It’s how much you value yourself and how important you think you are.
   
3. Time heals almost everything…
   Give it time. Pain will be less hurting. Scars make us who we are; they explain our life and why we are the way we are. They challenge us and force us to be stronger.
   
4. No one is in charge…
   of your happiness. Except you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside.
   
5. Don’t compare your life to others…
   and don’t judge them. You have no idea what their journey is all about. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we just might grab ours back as fast as we could.
   
6. Stop thinking too much…
   It’s alright not to know the answers. Sometimes there is no answer, not going to be any answer, never has been an answer. That’s the answer! Just accept it, move on, NEXT!
   
7. Smile.
   You don’t own all the problems in the world. A smile can brighten the darkest day and make life more beautiful. It is a potential curve to turn a life around and set everything straight.

Finish This…

Welcome to Finish This! This link-up is hosted by LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31).  If you’ve joined them before, then you know how to play. If not, play along. Add your post to their link-up. If you don’t have a blog, don’t fret. Answer the prompts in a comment. Next week’s prompts are provided at the bottom of this post. Let’s play…

I know it’s a little weird but :
sometimes when I cough, phlegm fills my hand. I dislike having a cold. And I dislike having a cough even more.

When stopped at a stoplight, I :
look to see who is around me. I want to know who’s watching me sing along to the radio.

My guilty pleasure is :
taking days off work. Now that I have someone who temps/covers for me when I am out, it’s easier to take days off. Monday, when SS showed up at my work on his motorcycle, I couldn’t help but want to ride off into the sun with him. And I did. Kind of. (In my own car.)

My favorite way to unwind :
sitting on my new recliner, staring at mindless television, with a margarita in one hand, and a J in the other.

I didn’t change, my priorities did

Marriage:
any of the diverse forms of interpersonal union established in various parts of the world to form a familial bond that is recognized legally, religiously, or socially, granting the participating partners mutual conjugal rights and responsibilities.

Marriage. Something that has scared the crap out of me from the moment I realized my last one was over.

I wasn’t the perfect wife. In fact, I was the exact opposite. I didn’t take care of our house. It was often a mess of papers and overflowing trashcans. I didn’t cook. We ate out a lot or The X would make some sort of meat and noodle mixture he thought would save us from starvation. It did. A few times.

When my marriage ended, I knew for sure it wasn’t something I was going to do again. I wasn’t any good at it, and didn’t really feel like putting any effort into fixing it. When I met Jeffy and found out we could never get married because I wasn’t Jewish, I still didn’t worry about it. Put it all on the back burner, and continued living life as I always have.

Then I met my former RM#1. She was amazing. She cleaned the house every single day. She cooked dinner every single day. Things were always so perfect in her life because she put the effort into making them perfect. And I can say all this with certainty, because I was there to see it. Every day.

Congrats on RM#1’s wedding, by the way. They just got married in Africa. Perfect for them.

When I moved in with SS last month, I made a promise to myself not to be that same horrible wife I was to The X. I made a promise that I would make a conscious effort to be perfect. And it shows. SS and I are nowhere near ready to even begin talking about marriage, but it is nice to know that option is on the table now. All because I gave up that stupid bad girl attitude and realized my future would be grim if I didn’t get shit figured out. And he’s totally worth it. Especially when I come into the living room and see this….

Friday Letters:

I’ve been watching Paula do this for a while, and figured I would make it a weekly thing just like she does. Hope I can keep up. I’ve written letters to people a few times on here, so why not make it more regular. I have fun doing it.  :-)

So, let’s write some letters….

Dear SS’s daughter : I have really enjoyed you being with us this week. Your presence around The Ranch has been particularly great. You’ve learned a lot, have some cool stories (and photos!) to go home with, and a great appreciation for the animals you see on TV now. Score!

Dear Sis : Happy Birthday!! See you tonight for chocolate cake.

Dear Production Companies : When we tell you that it’s not kitten season, but you continue to insist on us finding them in a specific age range, don’t get crabby when we tell you there are only four in all of LA County right now that age. How about trying again in May?

Dear Dancing With The Stars : I’m soooooo happy you’re back. Like always, there are several people I don’t know, but I’m looking forward to seeing them shake their hips. And welcome back, Maks!

Dear Mom : I’ve been meaning to call you, but life gets away from me sometime. Before I know it, it’s been three weeks. Whew. I’ll call you, I promise, but you have to answer this time.

Dear Pitbull : I don’t know what it is about you, but you are one sexy guy. I even dislike bald, yet you still do something for me. It’s weird, but I roll with it. And you sometimes blare out my car speakers. 

Dear SS : Be worried. I might run away with Pitbull. Ha. I kid. (Kinda.)  But seriously, when I listen to Taylor Swift’s song Red, it makes me smile really big knowing I’m never going to feel like that again. Thank you. Now go find that Chicken-Rabbit. We could be millionaires!!

Friday Letters:

I’ve been watching Paula do this for a while, and figured I would make it a weekly thing just like she does. Hope I can keep up. I’ve written letters to people a few times on here, so why not make it more regular. I have fun doing it.  :-)

So, let’s write some letters….

Dear Ikea : I’m annoyed that every time I try to go buy the bed frame I want, you’re sold out of it. Does everyone in Los Angeles want the same bed frame?

Dear Udon : You spent your first night at my new house, and it was sooo much fun. You’re an amazing little dog, and I can’t imagine loving another Poodle as much as I love you. And I think SS fell in love with you too. (Shhh. That was my plan. *wink*)

Dear Mom of SS : Happy St. Patrick’s Day Birthday!! I hope you like the gift I bought you.

Dear RJ : I’m disappointed in what you tried to pull at my house, but I still love you. Maybe next time you and I can talk about things instead of you trying to be sneaky. You just might find out I’m less angry and mean than you think I am.  ;-)

Dear Jeffy : Are we ever going to get together for lunch? I want Korean BBQ. Or Teriyaki Plus. Let’s make it happen.

Dear SS : I love you.

Finish This…

Welcome to Week 10 of Finish This! This link-up is hosted by LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31).  If you’ve joined them before, then you know how to play. If not, play along. Add your post to their link-up. If you don’t have a blog, don’t fret. Answer the prompts in a comment. Next week’s prompts are provided at the bottom of this post. Let’s play…

My boobs are :
smaller than I’d like. Perhaps one day I’ll visit the inside of the operating room. ;-)

My heart is :
full of love. At times, I feel overwhelmed with how much of a support system I have in SS. He’s been amazing from the very first day I brought him my car, to yesterday morning when I was throwing up, to this morning when he woke me up with a kiss.

One thing every woman should know :
how to change a tire. No woman should have to depend on a man to do this. It’s ridiculous and makes me irritated every time I hear a woman say, “I can’t do that.” or “I’ll break a nail.” Ugh.

My breakfast typically consists of :
some sort of breakfast sandwich and an iced tea.

I’m so glad I learned the secret to :
happiness. It’s created by me, and only me.

 

Now it’s your turn. Answer these prompts in a post on your own blog or, if you do not have a blog, simply add your responses in a comment. Join them next Wednesday for another round of Finish This, where we’ll answer the prompts below!

Prompts for WEEK #11 (March 19) are:
When I need help with life’s mysteries, I turn to…
My next challenge is figuring out…
I shake things up…
High heels are…

Quote for today

“It may be my family's redneck nature
Rubbin' off, bringin' out unlady-like behavior
It sure ain't Christian to judge a stranger
But I don't like her.
She may be an angel who spends all winter
Bringin' the homeless blankets and dinner
A regular Nobel Peace Prize winner
But I really hate her,
I'll think of a reason later.”      

-Lee Ann Womack

Friday Letters:

I’ve been watching Paula do this for a while, and figured I would make it a weekly thing just like she does. Hope I can keep up. I’ve written letters to people a few times on here, so why not make it more regular. I have fun doing it.  :-)

So, let’s write some letters….

Dear Sis : You’re amazing. Thank you for being my Oregon traveling partner. With the exception of SS, there’s nobody with whom I’d rather take that trip. Regardless of our reasoning for doing it.

Dear Garbage Truck Driver Person : Thank you for emptying our trash cans twice a week. I do not like seeing them overflowing with trash. (Some people are just so gross.)

Dear Boss#1, Boss#2, and Coworkers : I’m really sorry I haven’t been around the last few weeks. Losing my stepdad has been a really difficult thing to deal with. Especially since everything seemed to be going so well.

Dear SS : I’m sorry you slipped down the stairs while we were in a tickle war. That carpet is real slippery, I know. And I’m sorry for dropping the glass of tea. I’m glad you’re not mad. The stain is punishment enough.

Dear NCIS : I’m really liking the addition of Bishop to the cast. She has great chemistry with the rest of the group. And I can tell Gibbs really likes her as part of the team as well. Lovin’ it!

Dear Mom : I’m sorry. I’m just real sorry.

Dear Spanish Rosetta Stone : I’m scared to open you. All my life, including the full year of high school I was required to take it, I have refused to learn the language. Any language, to be honest. Suddenly, I have a desire to learn it. I guess this is just part of growing up and realizing I can’t keep pushing everything and everyone away. Cerveza, ¿alguien?

Dear RJ : I’m happy you are starting to come around more often. It makes me smile. And to prove how happy I am about it, I have a big surprise planned for Saturday. Can’t wait!  ;-)

Dear Stepdad : You died. I still can’t believe it’s true. It feels like a bad dream I haven’t awaken from.  The more information that comes out, the less angry I am. Which is good, because I don’t want to be mad at you. It’s nice to know this wasn’t your fault. Cancer is a bitch and was just too much for your body to handle. You’re not the only one that’s lost the fight to Cancer. I keep telling myself that in hopes that it’ll make me feel better. But I don’t.

Fuck Cancer!

Simple Woman’s Daybook

I've watched Paula at Smidgens, Bits, and Snippets do this for a while now. On the first of every month, you'll now see ME do this. 

Play along. Follow along. 

Outside my window… there is complete silence. Either all the people around here work, or they just stay indoors. Two days in a row now, there has been complete silence during the day. So quiet, that I fell asleep mid day yesterday. *wink*
I am thinking... about how sexy Penny (on Big Bang Theory) looks in a tank top.
I am thankful... that SS is being tolerant of me being off work this week.
In the kitchen... I make fabulous meals.
I am wearing... a sweater, because it’s cold in my house and I refuse to turn the heater on.
I am creating... a home. Ever since SS and I moved in together, I’ve done almost everything in my power, to create a home we are not only comfortable in, but don’t want to leave. I think I’ve succeeded.
I am going... to need to get some whimsical ducks for the bottom of my shower. It’s slippery.
I am wondering... how SS will react when he hears my bank account balance.
I am reading... nothing right now. Perhaps I should go through my bookshelf.
I am hoping... the steaks are thawed before SS comes home from work.
I am learning... Spanish! Yep, you heard me right. Sis is taking a Spanish class for her next degree, so while in Oregon, I helped her study her flash cards. Since my Spanish is limited to being able to order up to ten beers in a bar, I decided to download the Spanish version of Rosetta Stone. Between that and my Spanish-speaking boyfriend, I should be able to understand the gardeners at The Ranch before too long. And maybe order a Margarita?
Around the house... there is a clock in every room. SS rolls his eyes every time I ask him to hang a clock. I wish he’d just accept my addiction and hang it.
I am pondering... what color curtains should be in our living room. Two windows need to be dressed, and I’m out of money and ideas. I need a miracle!
A favorite quote for today... “Talk is cheap. Overspending is not.”
One of my favorite things... waking up with a sense of security.
A few plans for the rest of the week: maybe clean out another box or two? or paint my new gnomes? or hang a few more things on the wall in the guest bedroom?

Hope you guys follow along…

Finish This…

Welcome to Week 9 of Finish This! This link-up is hosted by LISA (COASTLINED), JEN (The Arizona Russums), BECKY (The Java Mama) and NICOLE (Three 31).  If you’ve joined them before, then you know how to play. If not, play along. Add your post to their link-up. If you don’t have a blog, don’t fret. Answer the prompts in a comment. Next week’s prompts are provided at the bottom of this post. Let’s play…

1. My favorite comfort food is:
Chicken Fried Steak, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob. This was a meal Stepdad used to make often when I was growing up. After I moved away from home, he would always make it for me when I’d come home to visit. Now, I will make it in my house, and hope that RJ thinks of it as comfort food as well.

2. My most memorable birthday was:
when I turned 29. I was given a gift of being able to go for a ride in a Richard Petty race car around California Speedway. Was one of the most awesome events I’ve ever participated in.

3. The best karaoke song is:
Love Shack by the B52’s.

4. Boots make me feel:
tall and sexy. I wear them any chance I get. If I could afford to have more pairs, I would.

5. I am grateful:
that SS has been so understanding about the amount of time I’ve taken off work lately. I know it bothers him. I know it annoys him. I also know that he loves me no matter if I go to work or not.

 

---

Now it’s your turn. Answer these prompts in a post on your own blog or, if you do not have a blog, simply add your responses in a comment. Join them next Wednesday for another round of Finish This, where we’ll answer the prompts below!

Prompts for WEEK #10 (March 12) are:
My boobs are…
My heart is…
One thing every woman should know…
My breakfast typically consists of…
I’m so glad I learned the secret to…

Let’s welcome a few new visitors

While I was up in Oregon for the funeral of Stepdad, there were a few things from his house I was allowed to take.

Meet Francis….

This was the little dwarf/gnome that welcomed people to Stepdad’s home. Now, he welcomes people to mine.

 

Meet Cliff and Will….

These two were playing in Stepdad’s yard. Now, they play at my house.

 

This clock used to hang in Stepdad’s dining room. I’ve made a beautiful home for it. It’s the first cuckoo clock I’ve owned. I’m sure he’d be very happy to know it’s in good hands.

Happy Wednesday!

True.

Someone posted this on Facebook today, so thought I would share. I originally felt like it was put there just for me to see, but I know there are others out there that might need that reminder.

A blogging friend of mine has been down lately because she just had a miscarriage. Having had one myself, I understand the pain that brings. She’s in my prayers and I hope they continue to try. The miracle that comes of it, is TOTALLY worth the continued trying.  ;-)

I lost my stepdad last week. One of the only things in my 35 years, to literally make me fall to my knees. Maybe his leaving this earth makes room for another….?

Anything can happen in just one day.