Happy Happy Friday!

Just a couple of random items running through my head:

• This lovely lady had a baby yesterday morning!  I can't wait to smell that sweet baby's neck.  Yea, that's my favorite spot on a newborn. 
• Thanks to this lovely lady, my awesome mother in law,
  Eric and I were able to spend a few hours tackling our overgrown yard yesterday.  Yea, it takes two of us to make it look like someone's been working.  Thanks for the help, Betsy!
• I'm REALLY excited to shower this lovely lady with bridal love tomorrow!

• My dad is out of the hospital and living in a hospital-support hotel, located right across the street.  The kidney still isn't doing it's thing.  The doctors haven't given up hope so neither have we.  Mom says everyone in the hospital loves my chatty Dad.  My dad just knows how to work a crowd.   I'll see you on Monday, Dad.  I love you!
• I miss having short hair.
  When this wedding is over, I'm chopping it all off again!
• I may or may not have checked out a fancy pants camera from school.  Eric has always been the fancy photographer and I've been perfectly happy with my little point and shoot camera (see photo above for evidence!).  I decided I'd use this bad boy all summer and upgrade at Christmas, if I liked using it.
• Here are a couple of practice shots - with no editing and absolutely no idea how to use the camera.
















Pretty sure I'm upgrading!


•  Now that I know I want a fancy pants camera, I'm itching to buy a fancy pants camera bag from my friend Jen, over at The Polka Dot Posie  She and her mom create everything and everything is SO cute!  This is the camera bag I am eyeing. Melinda, I know you've got a fancy pants camera - you should go check it out!

• Well, that's all that brewing up in my head.  Today is all about final prepping for the pirate party.   Bathrooms to be cleaned.  Floors to be scrubbed.  Laundry to be finished.  And final decorations to hang up!  But I gotta pop a couple of Advil...all that yardwork yestereday made me SOOOOORE!

Have a good weekend!!

Par-tay Prep!

Ahoy, mateys! 

The next few days are looking to be a whirlwind of craziness as we finish up the prep work for Jodie's bridal shower on Saturday.  And it's going to take all of us to get this place in shape!

Even this little guy knows what's about to happen! 

Full on party preppin'!

Last night, Alexander did his part and cleaned out his playroom.  He decided it was finally time to part with a few puzzles and donate them to the garage sale pile.

So, the party.  The party is for this gal.  My cousin Jodie. 

Notice the bottle she's drinking?  It's the Captain.  Yep, we love that shizz. 

We love it so much we decided to make the Captain a main guest. 

It's all about a pirate themed bridal shower for the wench! 

Before you starting judging me and assume I emptied all those bottles myself...well, go ahead. 

I probably did.

Most of the work has been delegated out to family.  I'm an ASB advisor.  I'm super good at delegation.

Food - RJ.

Check

Booze - Kim and Auntie

Check

Games - Fidelia

Check

Gift for the bride- Mom

Check

Which leaves me with cleaning the pirate hangout, putting together pirate decor, and filling bowls with Jodie's favorite candy.  No cupcakes.  No cookies.  No cake.  Just bowls and bowls of candy.

It's how we roll.

So, without further ado, I bid ye farewell.

The sun is shining and I HAVE GOT to clean those windows...

Rather than complain today

I went my endocronologist today.  I had to step on a scale.  A number came up that I haven't seen in years.  Wow.  I was prepared to write all about my weight gain angst but let's face it, who really wants to hear me complain about body issues?  If you know me, you know I will always struggle.  So, today I'm taking the attitude of "rather than complain, I'm going to do something about it".  And I have been.  By the way, my thyroid is doing perfectly well and the doctor was happy with my numbers.  He may have mentioned the weight thing but again, I'm not discussing that today!

Ever since school ended, I have exercised every day.  That's a pretty big deal for this former PE teacher because during the school year, I NEVER exercise (hmmm...maybe THAT's why the number is so high) and I actually miss it.  So, I started moving my butt. 

But exercise won't be enough.  So, over the weekend, I started the 17 day diet.  

I did this diet last year (read about it here).  It was something that worked and I actually didn't mind doing. 

I figure between those two rather monumental changes to my life, that number should be right where I want it at the end of the summer.

So, rather than complain today, I'm choosing to be resilient and determined to be healthier.  Do you ever have days when you have to choose to see the positive, rather than the negative.  I bet you do.  What do you do to get through those negative moments?  I'd love to hear some of your motivation right now!

Now, where is that glass of red wine?  I'm kidding.  Kinda...

Just a couple of new blogger friends

Has anyone noticed that I have blogged for FIVE straight days?   Pat me on the back!  This has only been made possible due to summer vacation and the need for coffee every morning.  Why not write a blog entry while sipping on a giant mug of coffee?  Sounds perfect to me.  My hope is I'll keep it up in the coming weeks.  I mean, who doesn't want to hear about my mundane summer vacation? 

You're welcome.

Today will be a busy one - starting off with a run/walk with my girlfriend Gypsy.  In truth, we will end up walking WAY more than running because we haven't seen each other in ages.  We need a serious catch-up fest and ya just can't chat when you're panting and sweating  running.  From there, I'm on "pick up stuff we forgot to take the hotel" duty for my parents.  They are staying in a hotel in Seattle as Dad recoup's from the kidney-miracle-transplant.  My sister and her fabulous family will pick me up and we'll complete the shopping list and then head into Seattle to visit our parents for the day.

So, I'll leave you with the names of a couple of new bloggers I've enjoyed "getting to know" in the past week.  Check them out! 

Jamie at Handling with Grace?    She's living life as a military wife and has the cutest little sweetie girl.

Carly at Lipgloss and Crayons.  She's living life as a teacher and as a newlywed. 

Erin at Living in Yellow.  She's real.  She's funny.  I dig real and funny.

Bonnie at Life of Bon.  Another teacher.  I do love me a teacher blog...or two.

Happy Reading! 

I think I can exhale now

Five days post kidney transplant, this little bundle of joy decided to wake up and start working for my Dad.

Isn't it a beauty!  I told you I'd find a way to get that kidney on the blog.  My apologies if you are bit sqeamish (Ann Broska) but I couldn't help but post it.  I love me this kind of medical shizz. 

Anyhow, Thursday afternoon, Dad peed.  Normally, one reads about pee on a blog when a kid is potty training.  Kinda like this post on Alexander's blog.  Or this one.  But for my old man, there was no better sight than that catheter filling up with pee! 

I hadn't realized I was holding my breath until Mom called with the news.  All at once, I was flooded with emotions.  Elation.  Relief.  Fear.  Then the emotions just stopped.  I texted my closest friends who have been traveling this roller coaster with me.  I FB'd the news.  And I would have twittered, if I was a twitter-er (is that even a word?).

And I exhaled. 

When Dad went into full renal failure in 2009, none of us realized the road our little family would wander.  Years of dialysis.  A heart attack (or two).  My son's only memories are of Ho-Ho Papa needing treatments or tiring quickly after an afternoon of play.  We never knew if Dad would be around for the next family adventure so we found ourselves rallying for every family event.  For me, I have learned to take each day as a blessing and I fully understanding the importance of spending time with my family.  All of us have learned from this journey.  All of us are thankful for the new path we are about to take.

I think we should celebrate with another trip to Disneyworld!!

Books-Turned-Movies

Bonnie at Life of Bon stopped by my little blog world the other day (THANKS!) and noticed I am a reader.  She suggested I read The Help.  Her English teacher self also graciously ignored the grammatical and spelling errors that often splatter across my blog.  Phew.  Well my new friend, I read The Help and I LOVED it.  But I haven't seen the movie.

 Seems to met that Hollywood is turning every book into a movie these days.

Books are an escape.  A place that only comes to reality in my mind.

9 times out of 10, Hollywood does not get it right.

Even Disney doesn't get the story right.

Read Little Mermaid.  You'll see what I mean.

I want to like books-turned-movies.  I really do.

I just can't.

Of all the books-turned-to movies that have been made, the ONLY one that I believe is any good is Shawshank Redemption.

I saw the movie before the book.  I was completely taken by surprise when I found out the book was written by Stephen King.  It is the only Stephen King book I have ever read.  I have yet to like a Stephen King book (my brother loves them) but I was willing to pick this one up because of the movie.

It did not disappoint me.

Several books that I want to see the movie but can't pull the trigger are

I even rented The Help through Netflix TWICE and couldn't put it in the machine. 

Water for Elephants is my favorite go-to book for summer.  It's sitting on my night stand waiting for me. 

I ADORED this book.  However, all the trailers I have seen do not match what is in my head. 

As I was writing this post, Eric reminded me that I have made him watch one certain book-turned-movie every time it is on TV.

 Can you blame me?

I'm counting down the days until Alexander is old enough for me to start reading the books to him every night!

Speaking of movies...

THIS is one I won't miss this summer!

I guess you could say Batman came from a book...a comic book. 

Whatev.  I love me some Christian Bales!



Time to declutter and clean!

Every summer, I go into freaky clean mode.  Now, that doesn't mean I actually spend my time cleaning my house (there are about 100 other things I chose to do instead).  It just means I want to declutter and deep clean my house.  With a wonderful stay-at-home husband, the house does stay clean during the school year.  But my Type A self wants more!

My mother-in-law and I are planning a garage sale in a couple of weeks.  Right now, I have a basement FULL of crap...er...wonderful items to sell.  Now seems like the perfect time to tackle other rooms in the house.

And this is where my handy dandy iPad comes in handy!  I downloaded this book last night and can't wait to see what it holds in store for me.

What organizing and declutter tips do you use?

Or am I the only Type A declutter freak out there?

sum...sum...summertime!!

It is not a coincidence my first day of summer break is the first day of summer.

That's just how I roll.

There are a few things I look forward to each summer.

Sleep!
Blessed sleep that is will not be interrupted by an alarm clock.

Exercise

 Having the time to exercise and feel better goes a long way to relaxing the next few months..

Yard work!

 Our giant yard is a never ending clean up but we'll get after it.

Reading!

 SO many books to catch up on.

What do you suggest?

My boys!

'Nuff said.

Cocktails.

 To celebrate...well, anything!

My dad has a new kidney!

About 12 hours after writing that last post, I'm home from the hospital.  Phew.  What a day.

Dad has a new kidney.  And a new lease on life.

Sure, we have to wait to see if his body will accept the new kidney.  He's basically going to feel like hell for the next few months and until the six month anniversary, we'll wonder if this new kidney will stay in the family or not.  It won't be an easy road but this road has GOT to be better than dialysis. 

In time, he will be able to travel with my mom.  Play poker on Friday nights with his lifetime buddies.  Celebrate his grandchildren graduating from high school, start careers and families of their own. 

Life starts new for my dad.

Not a bad ending to this Father's Day after all. 

Don't be surprised if my next post includes a picture of the kidney.  I totally made the nurse send me a picture.  For blogging purposes, of course!

Happy Father's Day

I am blessed to have an amazing father. My mother is pretty darn terrific, too, and has overcome her own battles to raise three kids while Dad worked a lot so I owe a lot to her. But this is about Dad. The man of advice. Strength. Unconditional love. He told me once I would meet my match with a man who had a similar background, level of education, and core values. He was right. He told me once that his being overprotective of me in high school would be something I thanked him for as an adult. He was right. He told me once that I should get an endorsement in business for the day I realized I may not want to teach. Well...two out of three ain't bad, right? During those dark days of infertility, time and time again, he would remind me that I'm strong, resilient, and would survive the darkness. Those moments sustained me through the hell of infertility. He taught me how to greet someone with a firm handshake and a look in the eye. He taught me how to work a crowd and use humor to break an awkward moment. He taught me family comes first. Today is Father's Day. Today we are waiting to find out if Dad will be the recipient of a kidney that became available late last night. This is the third time we have received this call in the past month. I'm not a fan of the process. Hope rises. Reality crashes. And we wait for another day. Right now, they are doing the final cross match because Dad is the primary recipient of this one. Will it be enough? We wait. We hope. And if, at the end of the day, there is no kidney? Well, we'll wait for his turn. He is strong. He is resilient. His turn will come.

Get up and run, lazy you

I ran 2.0 miles today.  It was not easy.  But it felt good.



Hair Flair

This girl is getting married.

No, not the blonde.

That beautiful brunette is my cousin and best friend Jodie.

She's about the only person I'd be willing to stand beside, at the age of 40, as her maid of honor. 

Or is that matron of honor?

I couldn't be happier to stand beside my beloved Jodie as she says "I do" in August.

Ever since we bought the dresses a few months ago, I've put together a hair plan.  Is that silly?  I say no.  It's very me to have a plan.  Even though all eyes will be riveted to the beautiful bride, I do love a chance to be girlie girl.

Here's the dress...

Love, right?

I used to think I wanted long flowy curls for the wedding.

Now, I think I'm in love with a messy bun.

Either way, I have officially agreed to wear hair flair. 

Naturally, I'll wear whatever the bride says I should.

Which do YOU think is the best?

love of music

Sorry I'm not writing these days. I'm currently in love with music. This first song I heard at the talent show, played by members (several favorite students) of the jazz band. When I hear it, I think of them. Song number 2 was introduced to me by a student, when he learned I was listening to less-than-mainstream music these days. It reminds me of the music Eric introduced to me when we were young and in college. It makes me smile. My last new fave is one I heard on the radio. Sunny day. Great song. What's not to love? Melinda, you might recognize this from Glee... 1. Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks 2. Mumford and Sons - The Cave 3. Florence and the Machine - Dog Days I tried to link to YouTube but I'm on my iPad and it looked terrible when I posted links. Don't worry, I still love me some 80s hair bands. It's just nice to change things up once in awhile!

Book Review - 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Book Review - 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James

There has been SO MUCH hype about this book, so called "mommy porn", that I couldn't resist.  I like to fancy myself a leader but when it comes to books, I have no problem following someone else's suggestion.

One of my sorority sisters suggested we read this for our book club.  Admittedly, I was a bit hesitant to read it because the last book Laura suggested was bad.  Really bad.

Another one of my girlfriends had all three books in this series as pdf files so I downloaded them to my iPad and got to reading.

Here is what I have to say:

1.  Not exactly literary magic which means it was really easy to read.

2.  Storyline was pretty good and got better with each book in the series.

3.  Erotica.  Loads and loads of it.

You should read it. 

Everyone else is.

Did ya miss me?

I sure have missed having any free time to blog.  To exercise.  Or to sleep for that matter.

It was right after spring break when issues at work started some crazy shizz.  CRAAAAZY SHIZZZ.  To make a long story short, I'll be working with a new principal next year.  As if that change isn't big enough, our district passed the construction bond.  I have to move all my ASB supplies and classroom and my office to a portable, where I'll be living for the next two years.  I have to have it all packed and moved by June 19.   Yes, I'm using my students to help but I still have to go through everything to make sure I know what I'm taking with me.  And there is YEARS worth of crap to go through! 

Add on assemblies, a couple of class fundraisers, district meetings, Prom, Campus Day, and Graduation...and this Activity Coordinator is beat.

I know I can make it to summer but man, it's been a long haul.  Thankfully, I was better prepared for the pace this spring so I'm not as wiped out as I was last year. Not to mention, teachers are really good at carving out time for happy hour! 

Pretty soon my focus will be about summer.  And exercising.  And sleeping. 
11 more days.  I can make it.