THANK YOU!

A big thank you for all the blogger love. It means a lot to me to have all the comments of support concerning my last post. The fact that people, some that I have never meet have taken time to not only read my blog but to comment such words of support. Its very appreciated. As with every stressful situation each day looks a little brighter. Thanks again for the prayers and support.

Quote of the day

My friend at Sugar Sweet Thoughts used to do a quote of the day and I always loved it, so in lue of my week I am going to bring it back this week.

Faith makes things possible, not easy. ~Author Unknown

Its time for a change

Its only Tuesday and its been a rough week. I cant really go into the details out of respect to all the people involved. All I can say is since Sunday I have had to dig deep for strength, faith, and hope. I have had to try very hard to not let stress overcome my life. I have had to come to terms with the fact that I cant fix everything and to not beat myself up for only doing what I can do. Without my sister and husband I don't know how I would handle stressful things. I apologize for the vagueness but when the time is right I may be able to write more. The truth is that everyone is okay and I know each day will get better. I believe that God will only put on you what you can handle so with faith, prayer, and time this thing that seems like a huge crater in the road will merely be a small bump.

Its the small things in life.

Its the small things in life that make me happy. I know Valentines Day is coming up and last year I posted how overrated I thought it was and I still believe the same way. However instead of writing about that again this year I thought instead I would write about the small things my honey does to show he loves me. See I think we shouldn't just wait until a holiday dedicated to love to show our love for the people who mean so much to us.

I love when Eric

• fills my car up with gas because he knows I hate it.
• helps me pack my lunch when I am running late in the morning, which is alot.
• unloads the dishwasher even when I didn't ask him to.
• eats Mexican food even though he is truly sick of it.
• changes his clothes 4 times in one day and leaves them on the chest at the end of the bed. I actually don't love that but it makes me laugh.
• knows Im having a bad day and just hugs me.
• understands how much my family means to me so loves their craziness.

Just a few little things that I love that Eric does for me that sometimes I overlook. I hope everyone enjoys their Valentines Day but also make sure you tell the people you love that you love them everyday not just Feb. 14th.

Friends

Friends are one of the greatest gifts we can be given. They make us smile when we are sad or let us vent when we need to get something off our chest. I am so grateful to have good friends. The truth is there are many different types of friends. There are the friends that you've had so long you don't remember a time when you weren't friends. Some friends you can pick right up with even if it's been months since you've actually talked. Then there's the friends that you have a connection with that regardless of the time and distance it always seems to be there. Living in a small town I feel like I have a lot of friends I dont see often but know they would be there if need be. It's a great feeling to know that there will be people there for you if you fall or that will be there to help you celebrate the good things in life. Friends love you for who you are and dont give a second thought to your flaws, or short comings. They are the best to laugh with, cry with, and talk with. They give you perspective, support, love, encouragement and sometimes criticism. I have been blessed to have many friends and even more blessed that I married my best one.

Eric new obsession

I dont know if any of you have ever seen the NBC show Heros but it has taken over my husband. He started watching it on Netflix on a late night when he couldn't sleep and since then almost every hour of his time when he's not working or sleeping he is watching it. His schedule is weird so he usually has a few days off in a row throughout the week so it gives him ample time to watch 3 1/2 seasons in a short period of time. Sadly I have gotten into the season also but not to the level he is. Last night we were out and several times he would say things to reference to the show. Now let me remind you that this is a sci-fi show about people with special abilities so it was funny that he was making up stuff while we were out about people saying what their "ability" was. Even going as far as doing certain mannerisms like the villain in the series. I couldn't stop laughing nor could I stop going along with it because it was so funny. I think Eric is as crazy about Heros as I was about the Twilight Book series so I just have to laugh because he's never gotten caught up on something like this. We will see how the love affair continues since now he can only watch one episode a week now like all the other Hero lovers.

Am I lame???

Is it lame that for 2 Fridays in a row Eric has had to work and I have done NOTHING????!!!! It's not for a lack of invites but the lack of desire to do anything. Last Friday I laid down with Eric for a nap before he went to work and then fell asleep and instead of getting up when he left just stayed in bed till the next morning! Now tonight I am reading blogs and such which isn't lame in the least but I feel like I should be out being social with my friends. Even as I'm writing this Im frustrated with myself that I cant muster up the energy or desire to go out. I guess there's nothing I can do about it just hope it passes before to long or my friends may think Im becoming a hermit.

This and That

I have a bunch of jumbled stuff in my head that I am trying to sort through. Its like my brain is on overload and I cant get it to come out in writing correctly. Its not necessarily stressful stuff but just stuff.

For instance I am watching Jay Leno thinking why is Heidi Klum so pretty and she seems funny and nice. I have to say thats just not fair! Also with all the drama with Jay Leno, Conan Obrien and who will get the late night spot after the news. I myself haven't watched Conan since he took over the late show and find it hard to watch Jay at 9 because there's so many other shows on at that time. Such the dilemma....I guess we will have to wait and see what NBC decides.

I know I need to post pictures of my new sofa, which we love by the way! I knew I would like it I was unaware Eric would love it so much. Every-time we are on the sofa watching TV, he's like I love this thing, it makes me laugh. Speaking of laughing Eric and I have this constant battle with me turning off the lights when I leave a room. You would think I was 5 years old or something. Eric is constantly saying, "Are you going back in there?" Its horrible Im like babe Im sorry Im all for saving energy but I just cant seem to remember. So now when he ask me I start laughing and hang my head and go back to the bathroom, bedroom, closet, kitchen, laundry room and shamelessly turn them off. At a wedding we were at in December they had a little sign above the light switch that said "please turn off light." I ran and got Eric and was like we really need these! Anyway, moving on.....

Eric by fluke one night couldn't sleep and started watching Hero's on Netflix with his computer. He became obsessed with watching them until like 2a.m. I would wake up and he would have his ipod ear buds in with his little laptop just sitting there all into these shows. I was like I cant believe you like watching them like that, his new laptop is only 10 inches but he said wearing the ear buds made it seem like surround sound so that made up for it. I thought he was crazy but now Im am totally into them now and we are about to start on Season 3!

I colored my hair darker this week and its taking me awhile to adjust. I typically take to a new hair color very quickly but not this time for some reason. I guess I should post a picture of my new hair- do also, I need to make a list of things I want to do on my blog. Oh, and I am only a few post away from 100 and thinking about doing something fun....but what??? Any ideas would be great!

My Snow Day

It's the time of the year when you get lucky and get a snow day!! I had to go to work for just a little bit this morning but I really should have stayed home because the roads were slick. I made it home safely however and have been enjoying my unexpected day off. I have made cookies, washed the sheets in the spare bedroom, played on facebook, put supper in the crock pot and now Im just waiting for Eric to get home. I am thinking he is probably going to want to take the jeep out and play in the snow but its so cold, I am not sure Im up for that. For now Im going to make another pot of coffee and snuggle up on the sofa. Enjoy the snow everyone!

My first post for the New Year.

Its been so busy with the Holidays so here's a run down of whats been going on and things on my mind.

• We had a great Christmas but I don't feel like getting into all the details, call me lazy.
• I have had my blog almost one year and I am so glad my friend talked me into doing this.
• Speaking of that, Christina if you are reading this I think I would like a new blog look for 2010. I'm thinking, browns, maybe some teal blue, go crazy you know me and I trust you. No rush I know you are a very busy girl.
• I had a nice low key New Year but didn't get my New Year's Eve kiss because my hubby had to work:(
• We got our new sofa and I love it.
• I need to really deep clean my house for the new year but I know I'll keep putting it off.
• Eric is addicted to Heros that his has been watching on Netflix, via his computer. He uses head phones to listen to it and says it makes him feel like he has surround sound, I just laugh.
• This is my 90th post so I need to decide if I'm going to do something fun for my 100th one.
• I don't make New Years resolutions but I need to think about being a better saver.

On that note I wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2010.

Decisions, Decisions.....

Eric and I are in the market for a new sofa. The sofa we currently have is starting to look pretty worn and the cushions are starting to break down to the point that I have towels folded up under neath them to help out. At your first glance you wouldn't notice the wear and tear but if you seen it everyday you would definitely notice. Anyway we found a beautiful Natuzzi red leather sofa at a local furniture store and now we need to decide if it is the one we want and if its worth the money. We really like it but neither of us want to be the one that says "yes" lets get it. I've talked to a few friends that have Natuzzi and they say its worth the money. So to my blogger friends if you have any advice on this subject please let me know. Thanks

Its almost Christmas...

Yep its almost Christmas and I am so excited!!! Christmas Eve will be here in just a few hours and then the family togetherness starts. Tomorrow evening my Dad, Step-Mom, Brother, and Sister will come to the house and we will have dinner and then open gifts. My Brother n law most of the time doesn't make it because he has to work and we never know if Eric will be there or not. It usually stays pretty low key. Eric and I get up Christmas morning and open gifts together when we can but we never know what his schedule will be like.

The CRAZY Christmas doesn't happen until we go to my Mom's parents at noon on Christmas day. We pack 20 to 25 people in my Grandparents fairly small house and let the fun begin. Somehow we all manage to find a place to sit and eat. Imagine being in a busy restaurant with people being very loud, and some being rude all asking for 5 different things at once, well that's what its like. You get to a point where you cant hear yourself think. Its a little more than my Sister likes to deal with but I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way. After we eat we all cram into the living room for our dirty Santa gift exchange. That gets pretty hilarious to because we all end up fighting over a 6 pack a beer or lottery tickets....really redneck I know. Eventually that game ends and then we spend the rest of the day laughing and drinking and playing games in-which my little cousin wins every-time.

Later that day we will head to Eric's Grandmas where they will play cards into the wee hours of the night if possible. They like to play pretty serious so I usually try to hang back for a little bit and visit before I play. They don't really appreciate it when you are playing a game and trying to visit. They don't mean any harm by it, its just how they play.

As I wrap this blog post up we are 30 minutes before its officially Christmas Eve and I cant wait to spend time with my families. Even though we can be pretty dysfunctional it makes me who I am and lets face it will make for some good blog post.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

This and that

The other day at work Maria and I were talking about how we have been doing hair almost ten years. It seems crazy that I have been doing anything for that long but I have. We started talking about clients we have had in the past and our current ones and then inevitably started talking about the clients who we don't see anymore. Some people constantly shop hop so its not unusual to see them a few months in row and then not see them for a few, that happens and you don't think much of it. The ones you do think about are the ones that came to you for years and you felt like everything was going well and then all of a sudden they cancel their next appointment and then you don't see them again. We joked that it almost feels like getting broke up with. The thing is there could be a million reasons they aren't coming to you but you always wonder. Did I say something to offend them, were they completely unhappy with their hair? What did I do? I realize that people don't need to tell their hair stylist why they left them but it does leave some of us wondering what we could do to improve. I am a huge people pleas er so it has been a work in progress to not dwell on why people stop coming to me as their stylist. Anyway just a little of this and that in the mind of a hairdresser.

Im like a kid......I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

There is no denying it, I love Christmas! I love everything about it. I love the hustle and bustle, the decorations, the parties, all the lights and obviously celebrating the whole reason for this Holiday. Since I can remember Christmas has been a happy time. A time that even if things weren't going great they began to look up at Christmas. If family members were fighting or what have you that put that all to the side for the Christmas Season. The other night Eric and I were reminiscing about Christmas memories and it made me feel so warm inside, like I was smiling from the inside out. I am not ewwy and gooey about many things but Christmas I am. If I could afford it my house would be so decorated it would belong at the North Pole. I am big on Christmas traditions and try my hardest to keep them as long as I can. Christmas Eve has always been spent with my Dad and his side of the family. We used to do it at my Grandparents but since they have both passed we now do it at my house. Being at my Grandma Bonnies for Christmas is some of the fondest memories I have. We would arrive at Grandmas early and start getting ready for the celebration later that night. We would make cookies and practice for our "Annual Christmas Concert." I am not exaggerating to say that I was 19 years old when this tradition stopped. At that time a few of the younger cousins had taken over most of it but us 4 older ones still played a part. Christmas morning we would open presents with Mom and then head to our other Grandparents house and wait for the madness to begin. It was a whole different story at this grandparents. We didnt put on a concert or bake cookies but still have great memories of all of my cousins and I playing with our toys and when the weather was right sledding. We had a gift exchange each year and we are such a big family it really was madness when we all started opening gifts. Now so many traditions have ceased or changed in some ways but the feeling I get at Christmas remains the same. It makes me feel more thankful for all my blessings, and there is nothing better than remembering back to past Christmas's when I was a child.

Christmas List

I got this from Steph at Watching Airplanes. If you wanna play, copy and paste these questions into your own blog post.

1. Have you started your Christmas shopping?
Yes. I will be finishing up tomorrow or that is the plan.

2. Tell me about one of your special traditions.
We have so many family traditions and I am constantly trying to start new ones. One of my favorite ones that no longer exists is spending all day Christmas Eve at Grandma Bonnies getting ready for our festivities that night. Me and my 4 cousins would always put on a little Christmas concert for our family. A newer tradition would be making candy with my Mom and Sister.

3. When do you put up your Tree?

Usually the day after Thanksgiving.

4. Are you a Black Friday shopper?
Eric and I went to Midnight Madness in Tuscola this year and we won't be doing that again.

5. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home?
We have places to go but they are all within 20 miles or so.

6. What is your funniest Christmas memory?
One of my funniest Christmas memories would be my sister on a scavenger hunt to find one of her gifts. We hate surprises so it was torture.

7. What is your favorite Christmas Movie of All time?
Home alone or Christmas Vacation.

8. Do you do your own Christmas Baking, what’s your favorite treat?
Yes, with my Momma and Sister. My favorite is Ritz crackers with peanut butter in the middle dipped in chocolate.

9. Fake or Real Tree?
2 Fake trees.

10. What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
I dont usually panic about it.

11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
Not usually.

12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?
Playing the dirty Santa gift game at Grandmas.

13. What Christmas craft do you like the best?
Just Christmas Candy

14. Christmas music? Yes or No, and if yes What is your favorite song?
Yes, and I dont know what my favorite would be.

15. When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
Tomorrow!!!


Now it's your turn to copy and paste these questions into your own blog post.
Merry Christmas!!!

A collection of Facebook Status Updates.

Okay so I feel like lately I have had an abundance of Facebook Status updates but don't want to be that annoying person that updates their status every 5 minutes so I thought I would just blog about them in a Random blog post.

-One of my best friends got married Saturday and it was an awesome time getting to catch up with friends. Congrats James and Gretchen.

-My damn pre-lit Christmas tree has more lights that have burnt out!!!

-I need to get my Christmas shopping done but just haven't been feeling up to it.

-My New York Giants beat the Cowboys yesterday and that made me SO Happy!!!

-I am getting through Wurthering Heights and its actually getting good!

-Dear people that drive HWY 33, get off my ass if Im driving to slow I cant go faster than the person ahead of me.

-I have clothes that needed folded and they are just going to have to wait.

-I love the new electric heater Eric bought me. I can get our bedroom really warm in a matter of no time.

I guess thats all for now. I am sure there will be more random post to come!

New Flannel Sheets!

There's nothing better than new sheets, except for new FLANNEL sheets! Last summer I sold our old flannel sheets on our yard sale and since its gotten cold I have heard nothing but complaints out of Eric. Every night when we have to crawl into our cold sheets he says I wish we had our old flannel sheets. I finally broke down and ordered some from Amazon.com and they came on Friday. They are amazing! They are so cozy I fully intend to sleep in tomorrow just to enjoy them.

A challenge for myself

I don't consider myself a big reader but I am challenging myself to read a few of the classic novels. You know like "To Kill a Mocking Bird, Wurthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby, you get the idea. I have heard so much about these books and how great they are so I want to find out for myself. Currently I have two of the books on my dresser and have started neither of them so I am not doing so hot on my challenge. I supposedly read "To Kill a Mocking Bird" in high school but do not remember reading it. I guess I am posting this so when I do or don't do my little challenge I will have to answer to someone about it. Wish me luck.

Dear.....

So I have recently had a complaint about my lack of blogging. My good friend at Sugar Sweet Thoughts is disappointed in me and we cant have that. I told her I have felt like I haven't had anything nice to say and she assures me that it is okay. I have decided to take an idea that I have seen on Must Love Tots blog, Dawn hope you dont care...click here to check out Dawns awesome blog, and click here to check out my good friends blog, but first read this....

Dear RailRoad,

Why must you always ruin my plans? Don't get me wrong I am extremely grateful that you employ my husband and allow us pay our bills. Its just here lately you have not really been working well with our social calendar. Not only that you do not give your employees the respect they deserve, to you they are just a number. I feel very loyal to you Mr. RailRoad and I don't think you feel the same. I constantly defend your honor to RailRoad haters and what do you do? You take points away from my husbands almost perfect point system on a b.s. call. I will continue to defend you and be a positive voice for my husband to hear but ya gotta give me a little positive reinforcement. On another note please dont take it upon your self to get slow and lay him off, thanks for your time. Irritated Wife.

Dear Laundry and Dust,

Laundry please put yourself in the washer and then the dryer and then put yourself away. Thanks. Dust please leave my home immediately, please and thank you, Bad house keeper.

Dear Fun,

Fun, why have you left me? I have looked for you high and low and you just aren't there. I get dressed up and ready to find you and nothing. I am constantly disappointed. Its not as if I have a horrible time but the fun that I desire is missing. Am I to old for fun? Did fun just pack its bags and leave? Are you on vacation? Even Eric doesnt know where you went and he is usually the fun keeper. So fun if I have done something to make you mad in any way please let me know so I can apologize.

Dear New York Giants,

Please shake off your last 4 losses and get your crap together and win! You have an off week so

take this week to learn from your past mistakes and come back the great team you know you

can be.

Grandma Bonnie

I have been blessed with having many influential people in my life. Some good some not so good but all play a part in making me the person I am today. One of the most important people I have been blessed to have in my life was my Grandma Bonnie. She was like a second mother to my sister and me. She was strong, honest, and loving everything you could ever want in a grandmother. Since my parents were divorced when it was my Dads weekend it pretty much meant that we were going to be at Grandma and Grandpas. Honestly my sister and I didn't want it any other way. Grandma spoiled us. Not by buying us lots of things but in other ways. We had our own room there which occasionally we had to share with our other two cousins but that was okay we knew it was ours. We would spend hours playing dress up or barbie or house whatever our minds could dream up. We would sing, dance, put on plays the things you do as a child that can't be bought. She did her best to teach us to be ladies, to treat people with kindness and try to do what is right. She was a very traditional Grandma but at the same time understood that we were young and would inevitably make mistakes. Some of the best times were sitting around the table listening to Grandma tell stories of when she was a little girl. She would sip on her coffee and we would get so caught up you actually felt like you were living her memory. If there was blogging back then she would have been the blogger of all bloggers. She actually wrote a memoir and had a few of her stories published in magazines here and there. I admire her writing very much.

The sad truth is when Grandma passed away in 2001 I was 19 and it wasn't until then that I truly understood her influence. For awhile I felt anger because I wasn't there when she died, I felt my family had lied to me about how she was doing. We were on vacation which Grandma told us not to miss but anyway.... After the anger passed I realized that when I was younger, I cant say for sure how old Grandma was diagnosed with colon cancer. She fought like hell and beat the cancer, she beat the cancer because she knew she needed to be there for me and my Sister. My Uncle Doug told me not long after Grandma died that at one point she said to him,"I will beat this cancer because I have to help raise Bridget and Shelly." I think that she knew that there would be times that even with our parents best intentions that we would need someone to be a shoulder to cry on or a safe place to go. You see I was mad that my Grandma had been taken from me before I was ready but the thing is that I had been blessed to have her in my life for years longer than what could have been. I think of her almost every day and wonder if she would be proud of me and sometimes wish so badly I could ask her for advice. I miss her and will always hold her closely in my heart.