Day 27 - humor is a must.

This made me giggle ALL day. A friend sent me this and I had to share it...

I was so thankful for laughter and good humor today!!

Day 26... I am thankful...

I AM THANKFUL THAT...

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, I am thankful that I can hear.
There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible,I am thankful that I can see.
Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising,I am thankful that I have the strength to rise.
There are many who are bedridden.

Even though I grumble at the clothes I wear,I am thankful for the collection of clothes I have.
There are many who don't have an assortment to wear.

Even though some hours of my day is hectic, when socks are lost,toast is burned, tempers are short, my children are so loud,I am thankful for my family.
There are many who are lonely.

Even though my face doesn't look so good like the pictures in the Fashion Magazine,I am thankful that I have all my features in my face complete.
There are many who cannot see, hear and talk.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, I am thankful for the food we have.
There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous,I am thankful for the opportunity to work.
There are many who have no job.

Even though at times, I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and sometimes wish my circumstances were not so modest,
I am thankful for life.

~~ Author Unknown ~~

Wordless Wednesday - Sunrise

Day 25

Taken w/ a Nikon D40 with a 55-200mm zoom, straight out of the camera - added a frame.

RTT - NaBloPoMo edition - Day 24

So - I didn't do Random Tuesday Thoughts early this morning, and in fact, I normally post it over at my other blog, which has suffered long bouts of postlessness since random life chaos has been all in my world, and I'm really late posting this one but here I go.... Oh - and to read more randomness go over to The UnMom right quick...

• Today my 3yo told me that he wanted to build a Lego® girl WITH boobies of course....


• I took too much of my medication this morning, on an empty stomach and have paid for it ALL day with dizzy and light headedness. It sucked. And because of that, I'm really tired now.


• It's supposed to snow at my mom's house on Thursday, and I'm going there for Thanksgiving of course, so we may get to see the snow fall!!


• I'm watching "so you think you can dance" and can't believe it was 2 hours long tonight!


• Why is it now that I've been in a wreck and hit by a Lexus SUV, that seems to be the ONLY vehicle I see all day long? Today, another white one almost hit me, it would have been a side impact - she ran the stoplight.


• My family rocks.


• My friends rock..... just sayin.


• I'm loving Digsby for all my social networking needs (no they didnt pay me to do that) I use it to combine aol, yahoo, twitter, facebook, myspace and gmail. I'm a social networking junkie I suppose. But then, you probably are too since you're reading my blog. bahahahaha.


• I can't wait to see The Blind Side, and plan to go by myself Friday Saturday. Exciting. Only those who know me know why that's so exciting. I'm pretty much a "wait until it's on DVD" chick.


• I do NOT plan to be anywhere NEAR the mall on Friday, which is why you see my scratch thru on the previous post...This mama's almost done with her shopping, and did most ALL of it online with Etsy.com and a few other fav sites. Scored free shipping on most everything too!!

who you gonna call?

When I went out to my mailbox I was surprised with TONS of advertisements for Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, Lawyers, auto body repair people. Over 20 envelopes addressed to both little J and I. Several free massage coupons, thanks to my accident. Evidently we're up for bids between all of these people....

I'm pretty thankful that I can walk to the mailbox, because I know of people who have been in car accidents that were less then 40mph impacts who have loss of use of their legs, or major back injuries. S for THAT yes, I'm THANKFUL.

Day 22

Today - I'm going to be short and sweet...

I'm thankful for my awesome friends and my awesome family.

a well planned surprise....Day 21

Day 21

Around 1pm today I was sitting at my coffee table clipping coupons and getting ready to make a grocery list and my phone rang, it was my friend Susan from CA. She and I have been friends for some time, she lived here and we met though a mommy/playdate type forum and our friendship grew from there. She and her husband moved to CA not long ago with a job change, and I've missed her SO much!! We rely on each other by phone, by email and by IM pretty much daily. We're seriously like bosom buddies, we may have been sisters in a former life... I can absolutely trust her with my feelings, opinion, and thoughts and I know that she's ALWAYS honest with me with her friendship. Those kinds of friends in life are keepers, and our living thousands of miles apart does not change our ability to be "there" for each other in almost every way.

She's in from CA to Virginia to visit her own family for the holidays, she along with her 3yo daughter Katie. I had sent her a email last week asking her what her plans were for this weekend because I really wanted to go try to visit her in VA and she told me that she was visiting a friend up in northern VA and wouldn't be able to meet with me this time.... I was selfishly disappointed.

However... I didn't know that she and my husband were planning a little sneak-a-visit of their own for ME!! When my phone rang, and I was clipping coupons, I saw that it was her and I answered, and I said "hello" and she asked how I was feeling and I told her like CRAP, and she said "wait, do you hear an echo??" I couldn't really make out what she said, and I said "what???" and then around the corner of my kitchen she walked. Honestly, if crying didn't hurt I'd have probably sat there and bawled my eyes out. And for a moment or two during her visit - I did. After my really CRAP week, it was the absolute BEST evening I could ask for. Dinner, drinks, laughter, and friends - that's what I'm talkin about people.

Our kids had so much fun hanging out too ;-)

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. ~Elisabeth Foley

it didn't work out...

Dear "Last Week",

I just wanted to say you sortof sucked, you've had me thinking that I deserve better and I am not going to settle for that kind of drama again. (If I can help it).

First, you handed me a broke car... it had to be towed in because it wouldn't even start by using jumper cables and another car. So, it gets towed in. Then I had to borrow my dad's car, and basically spent the entire day driving or sitting IN a car. (Literally). After all was said and done, and I picked my car up the next day from the shop - it just didn't "smell" right.??!!?? Weird, I know....

So, "Last Week", I told you then that I wasn't going to take your nasty attitude, but did you listen???? NOOOOOO..... I found out that the "smell" in my car could be the rear axle or transmission - because the tow service towed my AWD vehicle in PARK. So here we go again.... I took my car back to the shop (where I work ironically) and they were kind enough to hand me the keys to a loaner car to use while they gave it a good look over.

I said out loud to you "ok, this is enough, that's the car we depend on - really??? do you enjoy all of this" and you laughed in my face on Thursday morning when I found out that not only was my husbands tag expired but we had not paid our city taxes yet (I forgot - that one is MY fault) so there I go spending nearly 300.00 that I didn't want to spend.... on my way to get the renewal sticker for the tag I was rolling up the windows in the LOANER CAR and didn't realize that little J's hand was holding the window ledge (he has NO window in MY car) and I rolled his four fingers right up for about 4 seconds. That's about how quick he screamed and then cried for several minutes to follow. Then I cried, and I yelled at you AGAIN "Mr. Last Week" to stop being such a bully to me... (yes, I know it was MY fault) His hand was fine in the end. And IF we ever have a four door car, I'll use that window lock button for sure.

Later Thursday you handed me the biggest bunch of CRAP. I thought I had my point across to you about how I deserve better, and how you couldn't beat me down anymore. I was pretty clear that I was done with your abuse and then like a true arsehole you tossed me a beatin. A rear end collision with our youngest in the car. After doctors visits, xrays, meds and pain, I have come to realize that you're not what is best for me. I'm SO over you. I'm done, we're done. I've moved on....

..... hello "weekend". Let's get to know each other well. I'm so glad you are here for me. The past is the past, and I'm moving on! I'm going to pick up MY car today with you, and I'm driving home in it - and we're going to have the best time together you and I. I love you WEEKEND!

Sincerely

~BassAckwards Mom

a shout out

Day 20

I'm usually not the medication type. I prefer to TRY to heal w/o modern meds, but there IS a time and place for them (you know this if you've read about my gall bladder fiasco)... so, to the makers of Vicodin®, Skelaxin®, and 800 mg Ibuprophin - I'd like to kiss your faces and say thanks for helping reduce some of the pain my body feels. I'm not going to pretend I'm superwoman, I hurt like CRAZY and it really isn't what I expected. But the docs are saying that 40mph impact when I was completely stopped is fairly significant...

Long story short - whiplash SUCKS.

Either way, if I didn't have the medication it'd be pretty hard to function with the neck and back pain. So I'm grateful for modern meds!

day 19 - very grateful

The price of a 2007 Camry...... appx $19,000.00....

like the one pictured below BEFORE it was crashed into... (that I was driving today)

The cost of the car seat our child was buckled in.... appx $279.99

The time it took for everything to change.... a split second.

What it felt like to turn around and see our child perfectly safe..... PRICELESS.

... and for that I'm THANKFUL.

We were driving a loaner car today, because my car was in the shop for some repairs. We were headed to pick up big E on our regular route and had stopped for a car in front of us when a SUV came plowing into the rear of this Camry at 40mph. This picture may not look like it, but the front AND rear of this vehicle got smashed and the damage is around 7000.00. The entire rear end will have to be rebuilt. This would have nearly totaled my 2004 Honda Element. What matters most is that little J is FINE. He has some very minor bruises, a cut lip from biting it as we were hit, and never even cried for a second. In fact, he instantly said "wow mommy that was really loud, I think your engine is broken!! Will you hold my hand, it is scary!" We were the middle car, the car in front of us got smacked by our front end pretty good, but the drivers of both the car that hit us AND the car that we in turn hit - are FINE. I'm going to be ok, I'm very sore, my face hit the steering wheel before the seatbelt yanked me with hulk like force back into the seat, so I have some back and neck problems - but it could have been ALOT WORSE.

lazy moments

Day 18

I'm thankful for having a little time to myself right now. I needed a few minutes of 'lazy'. I put away my work (which I have ALOT of) and decided to read my favorite blogs, and goof off for 30 minutes. Got some Christmas shopping done online, and relaxed.... now - back to reality.

day 17 NaBloPoMo

Day 17

Last night little J fell into the coffee table nose first. I'm so thankful that he didn't get hurt worse. He was doing a Lego Indiana Jones stunt move... sortof a duck, tuck and roll move and lost his footing and slipped into the corner of our wooden table and cracked the bridge of his nose pretty good. It could have been much much worse.

hanging on

Day 16

This is the last leaf that was on our tree... it's officially naked as of today. When I took this picture the sun was blaring down on this tiny little leaf just hanging on for dear life after the aftermath of hurricane/tropical storm/tropical depression Ida ripped through here dumping 6-8 inches of rain in 4 days and lots of gusty winds. It was almost like the little leaf just needed to be noticed! Our tree wasn't bare until that storm hit. It funny to look up and see this one lonely leaf hanging tight after that storm. Such is the irony of life, and the storms we weather - sometimes we CAN just "hang on" - can't we ;-).

I'm thankful for most of the storms in my life, even though at the time I'm not very thankful. The aftermath of each circumstance and situation seems to build me. It's defiantly a crossroads with every storm, to decide which road to take. How to hang on, and survive without being beat down by the storms... that has become more important then stepping into the storms path. My emotional survival depends 100% on my attitude, my strength, and my will to see a positive outcome. This is a lesson that is REALLY hard to learn. Much much easier said then done, but I'm learning day by day ;-).

leftovers

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie

Day 15

lots of leftover mashed potatoes and devilled eggs...

leftover candid sweet potatoes....
leftover turkey, dressing, corn, green beans, gravy, potato salad, and even dessert....

I'm thankful for the leftover food (yummy!!)...

I'm also thankful for the leftovers of life. Sometimes life throws us alot all at once, and we handle what we can right then. What's "leftover" is usually bits and pieces to sort out, and I'm thankful for the many moments in my life over the past year where I've felt like my plate was too full and then found out that the leftovers were just bitter sweet in the end... Some days, I forget how precious life really is. Thanksgiving should really be EVERY day. (not so much the food - I'd be super huge and unhealthy...) Maybe that makes sense, but probably not. ;-)

giving thanks, early

Day 14

We have big J's brother in from Texas visiting, so we're having Thanksgiving early with him. Today will be full of yummy smells in the house, like candid yams, turkey baking, cinnamon boiling in water to smell up the house for the season. We're also making mashed potatoes, devilled eggs, cranberry sauce, oreo pie, and banana pudding. My mother in law is making her absolutely yummy dressing, and they're bringing over green beans, corn, and gravy.

It's destined to be a yummy day!!! I'm so thankful today to have our family to celebrate with.

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.

~Edward Sandford Martin

sunset

Day 13

Tonight while I was driving to pick up big E from his school club meeting, I was so thankful to see the gorgeous sunset. I pulled over to take photos. I took several, but I think this may be the better of them. I'm so thankful for such a beautiful ending to several days of rain!

The sky looked like beautiful lava pouring in all around me...

this photo is un-edited (minus the frame)

.

colors

Day 12

I'm grateful for being able to SEE! I love looking at the vibrant colors of fall. This photo is straight out of the camera and I added a frame.

This tree REALLY is THIS red!! I drive past it daily.

wow the rain...

Day 11

It's been raining ALL day, and heavy at times. I'm just thankful to have a home, to have heat, to have a cozy couch and bed. All too often I forget how fortunate we are....

I'm also thankful for all of those who serve and have served our country on this Veterans day...

quackers...

Day 10

It's supposed to rain today. Alot. However, over the weekend we had AMAZING weather. We went to one of our favorite parks with a couple of packs of crackers and fed the ducks. The scenery is always so peaceful and calming. We went around 430pm and the sun was beginning to set as we were leaving.

We finally found the ducks, and we fed them "quackers"... HA.

Again, not one of my most focused photos... I'm working on that.

Stellan is SVT free

Day 9

Tonight I'm thankful to read that Stellan is SVT free. If you've never read his story, go HERE to read all about it... it's been a long scary journey for Stellan and his family. The ride isn't over yet, there's still recovery ahead, but they were able to get his procedure done today and he's officially SVT FREE!

Absolutely. Undeniably. Amazing.

peek a boo

Day 8

ooo I'm so grateful for fun moments like this one....out of focus... but still, adorable to me!

the last competition

Day 7

I'm thankful to have been present to see my nephews last band competition of his highschool years. Today was the last time he'll play in competition since he's a senior.

Big E and I headed to Graham, NC.

With tearful and proud eyes, I watched.

I listened.... and I cheered. Loudly and obnoxiously. On purpose.

And then his solo made me get all tearful again.

I am so thankful I went to see this today.

For a moment, when the sun was it's brightest, and warmest shining down

it almost felt like my brother was there to watch his son...

Ava's Rule

As I was scrolling through my google.reader today I was drawn to this beautiful girls photo and read this story. I was asked to share this story on my blog. Most of us who read blogs, have one, so if you have one and can take a few minutes to copy and paste this card - it could save a life. Pass it forward - please.

Click the image below to make it larger.

If you have a moment, read her family's blog and her story HERE.

mmmm.... that's so sweet!

Day 6

So what am I thankful for?? Well, on a much lighter note....

I'm thankful for Halloween leftovers. Not that I'm shoving candy in my face all day, but it IS nice to have a treat to sneak every once in a while!

That's little J shoving his dum dum in my face. He usually gets sugar free suckers from the candy store, but who can resist the occasional dum-dum? Especially if it's one you scored all by yourself by saying 'trick-or-treat' on Halloween?

autumn colors

Day 5

I'm thankful for the colors of fall. They lift my spirits!

a little behind...

rewind to Halloween....

we carved a pumpkin, and I took photos of it with our point and shoot and I didn't think it was really possible to screw up a photo with a point and shoot camera, but guess what - I did!! I had the flash off. DUH. So, imagine a cleverly crafted pumpkin - by my husband who is a graphic artist shameless promotion and there you have it....

I didn't take ANY photos of little J!! I'm winning bigtime on this holiday so far, eh? Little J dressed as Robin (from Batman/Robin) and he was cute, of course ;-). Big J took this one with his cellphone while little J was playing Lego Indiana Jones before we left.

Here's the only two photos I took of Big E. He dressed as a 'slayer' and it really turned out to look alot like Neo from The Matrix. See the blueish sky in the background??? That quickly turned to crap and rain.

We headed to Union Street around 615pm (dark)- a big deal place to trick-or-treat in our area where they decorate the houses BIGTIME! Some houses even have a haunted theme, like "Nightmare on Union Street". This house had everyone stand in line to go up to the front door to get candy and the entire front yard is a makeshift cemetery and spooky place with dry ice and a wood shed where a guy comes out and teases you with a fake chainsaw. The chainsaw I could have done w/o, but otherwise, it was fun. I expected little J to get scared, but he only complained about the loudness.

After about 5 houses there, it started pouring on us. We decided to pack it up and come back to our n'hood and walk with an umbrella. Big E and the hubs did that while little J and I greeted a little over 50 guests at our door. Little J enjoyed seeing all the kids dressed up and hugged most of the kids his age before they left. I had purchased a bag of 50 pencils and each trick-or-treater got 1. So I ran out... that's how I know it was over 50. I'd say around 70! It was alot!! We emptied out our candy supply and shut the lights off at 930pm.

The rain was here and there, but never steady enough to ruin the night for the kiddo's. Big E came home with a heavy bag of candy, just from going to about 15-20 houses on our street. So, even though it rained, it was still fun for the kids.

Did I mention that Halloween is big J's birthday??? So, on top of all of that, we met papaw for lunch, and celebrated big J's birthday! We had white chocolate raspberry cheesecake + a balloon + cards, and a gift... busy day on Halloween!

blah

that's about it... just blah.

alot to write about, just no real urge to sit and type....

4 posts "in draft" for 30 days of thanks.... but I have not finished them! HA!

maybe tomorrow.

until then... thanks for stopping by to read about my 'blahness'

I'll be back!

Happy Birthday - Day 4

Day 4

Today's my neice's birthday.

There's not much more to write about that... I'm thankful to have been given such a wonderful person to call my neice. I'm thankful that she's a little piece of my brother walking around in this world. I'm thankful that she's happy, and had a great birthday!

fall

Day 3

Last night around 2am, my stepmom fell down the stairs at their house. She broke her ankle in 3 places, and has been admitted to the hospital and will require some pretty significant surgery to rebuild that ankle.

I'm not thankful for her fall.... but I am thankful that her fall didn't end her life, it didn't paralyze her, it didn't deform her, and all signs point to a great recovery. I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful that my dad can rest his head tonight and know that his wife is going to be OK. I can tell my kids Gma D is going to be OK. Her children know their mom is OK. A fall down those steep stairs, could have easily been so much more damaging. It STINKS that she has to suffer with this ankle surgery, recovery time, and physical therapy to get back use of her ankle and foot... but I'm SOOOO glad that it wasn't worse.

thankful on day 2

Day 2

Today, and everyday, I'm thankful that my children made it through the day without sickness.

I read about Stellan and how he's struggling and fighting with SVT, and it quickly reminds me that we should count our blessings. I know Stellans mom/family wouldn't want to have a pity party thrown their way - but they DO need support, loving thoughts and prayers. Stop by MckMama's blog if you get a chance.

30 days of thanks - Day 1

I have enjoyed participating on NaBloPoMo in the past, and this year it's whatever you want to post about - so I'm doing 30 days of thanks again!

day 1

thankful... today's thankfulness is private. I'm not at liberty to post alot about what I'm thankful for, out of respect to the people involved. In short, someone very close to me faced something very big and scary - and I'm thankful that everyone is ok and they can put things behind them now and move forward without worries.