A friend of mine came over the other day and we got talking about something. And I was just wondering what everyone esle thought on this subject:

Which one is worse:

1. Someone who talks badly about you to others.

2. Someone who chimes in on such talk.

3. Or someone who doesn’t chime in, but doesn’t do anything about it either?

Back in October my hubby quit smoking because he had dental work done. He did slip (in front of me) about a month or so ago when we went out one night with friends and he started to smoke a cigarette, then went “blech” and put it out. A couple of weeks ago I found the wrapper to a pack in the garbage can (happened to be on top) and so I asked him what that was about and he said it must have been in his coat pocket from months ago. Hmmmmm! A few days after that, wouldn’t you know there was a receipt on the den floor and guess what was on it – a pack of cigarettes. How dumb does he think I am? He swears he smoked only one, hated the taste and then gave the pack to his crew. Not sure whether I believe him or not. I do in a way just because you can smell it on people that smoke and I haven’t smelled it in a long time. I’m hoping he’s not because since the dental work he’s lost so much weight and is really looking good.

On the subject of smoking, a friend of mine who quit smoking not too long ago too was talking about the smokeless ashtray and the electronic cigarette. I had no idea what either of them were. I’m guessing they’re pretty self explanatory – just not so sure about the electronic ciggy. What is that about?

13 Random thoughts…

1. We have a crazy weekend in store! Both Tristan and Caelie have their end of season soccer festival’s and both in different counties. And Kieran has a soccer game here at the home fields. I’m exhausted already!

2. We have no open weekends from now until mid March due to soccer festivals, soccer tournaments and Region C. Soccer every weekend from now until then.

3. My hubby and my friend from dinner the other night really helped me out with something I’ve been going through with an old friend. And it really helped when I started a sentence about something in particular and Sean finished it for me and my friend said it was natural to feel that way. THANK YOU!!!!!

4. I’m LOVING the training we’re doing for my new job. I can’t understand why most companies wouldn’t offer work from home positions nowadays. I love learning in this environment. The teacher comes in and takes over our computers and we can watch what he’s doing. I think it’s so much easier to learn then in the classroom. Granted I know it costs them alot for the conference call, etc. But in the end I’m wondering if it’s more effective.

5. Sean wants to take courses to learn the computer. Wondering if there’s any he can take from home online.

6. Was looking through the discounts I can now get from my new job and they are AWESOME! Some like 15% off total monthly Verizon bill, get to go shopping at their emporiums (great for birthdays and Christmas), awesome discounts on their website and more.

7. Not sure what to do with a check Tristan got from his Godmother. We are no longer on speaking terms (I am done) and Tristan does not want the check, the note or the card. She already knows all this so I guess if I just don’t cash it, it won’t be a surprise. All of this is now showing me I made the right move for not just me but my family as well.

8. So glad that my mom is making a full and speedy recovery from her gall bladder surgery last week. (Was that last week? I’m so confused – so much going on!)

9. I can’t wait to get my 1st paycheck. We get paid every 2 weeks and luckily we all started at the beginning of the pay period.

10. Now that I use the computer for my job I find myself not really wanting to come on it just for fun as much.

11. I really need to change my blog look to something for Valentine’s Day. This look is getting on my nerves (plus I want the warmer Florida weather back!)

12. So tired of phone calls from bill collectors! Can’t wait for my added income to help pay them OFF and make them GO AWAY!

13. Still waiting on one more W2 form from when Sean worked in North Dakota last year and then we can get our taxes done! Show me the money!!!!!!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

Yup, this is something we still do not have. It is still on our list of “thing s we REALLY need to get done NOW”. LOL It’s just been so hard lately money wise – we haven’t had any extra during the month to set aside for it. I don’t even know who to go to to find cheap insurance. Sean has some through his work (which we just found out a few months back) so that would help. But it’s not enough. I’m hoping now that I have a job, once we get some bills paid off and stop people from calling us that we can sit down and get some life insurance. It’s one of the (10 million things) that keep me awake at night.

Ever since moving to Florida, we get about 6 different phone books every year! SIX!!!! Why do we need 6????? I don’t get it – it’s such a waste of paper if you ask me. Especially in a day and age of the computer! You can find everything online these days from pet sitting to house painting and motorhome towing. I seriously do not need 6 phone books in my house. I’m wondering if there’s a way to call someone to get off the list so they stop dropping them off at your door? Does anyone out there know the answer to this? We get one from Verizon (our carriers) one from At&T (not our carriers) on for our immediate town, one for Tampa, one for the next town over and even one for just restaurants. It’s crazy!!!

It was a very emotional, interesting weekend that we just had.

It started off (for me at least) on Friday where I met a good soccer friend for lunch and bread sticks, soup, salad and 2 mojitos later we had a blast (as usual). Then the rest of the day just got crazier with us all running around doing errands, dropping off and picking Caelie up from a friends birthday party, taking Sean’s work truck into the dealer to get fixed and me cleaning up the house for Tristan’s sleep over the following day. Then of course I got all melancholy thinking that was the last Friday I’d have with the family for who knows how long (since my job starts up this week). (And yes, I am having  hard time with this but that’s for another post).

Saturday morning we were all up early for Tristan’s soccer game (which they won 3-0 and Tristan only played goalie for 1/2 of the game and almost scored during the 2nd half). After his game his entire team stayed to have cupcakes and sing Happy Birthday to Tristan. Then it was back home for me to keep on cleaning the house for that night. Except, when I got home, I read something on Facebook which seriously pissed me off. I had been told things like this were happening, but maybe it was because I’m in such a great place in my life that I chose to either ignore it or throw it aside. But to see it for yourself is a different thing. Everyone thinks they know this person but I knew that at some point it would come to this and that I would be made to look like it’s completely all my fault and I’d be dubbed the “bitch” or “shitty” one. But again this is all for another post altogether. Even so, it gave me such a knot in my stomach I wanted to puke. Sean had been out and when he came home he knew immediately something was wrong. And thankfully he talked me down from the dark, dark place I was in. After about an hour of feeling like I either wanted to send a seriously nasty letter, punch a hole in the wall, or make a vile phone call, Tristan’s one friend showed up giving me the sign to drop it and enjoy my sons birthday. And I did just that!

His other friend showed up around 6 with his dad – which could be yet another post altogether as well since his dad is someone we used to be close with until soccer tryouts last June. Even so, we invited him in and he ended up staying until about 1am. It actually turned into a nice night. Tristan and his friends had a blast and stayed up until 5:30/6. And then of course were up around 9:30. I didn’t go to bed until about 3am and then was up all night listening to my inebriated husband snoring so I got next to no sleep that night as well.

Sunday his one friend left about noon while the other one stayed with us and went to Kieran’s soccer game with us as well. We dropped him home around 4 on our way home from the game. Then it was time for me to go out and meet another good friend for dinner (who I haven’t seen since our mommy’s weekend trip last fall). And I so needed it. I knew she’d be able to give me good advice and help me work through what’s been going on (Sean had helped me too but had I listened to him I would have told some people off that Saturday). I got home about 9:30 or so, kissed the kids good night, went to bed and had a pretty decent sleep!

A few weekends ago we cleaned out our garage. It was becoming such a cluttered mess and was driving me crazy! We were even thinking we’d need some bins with industrial handles to lug all of the crap in there around. Not only did I need it cleaned for my sanity, but also for my new job. My new job is one where I’ll be taking sales order over the phone and I need a very quiet environment. Well, we happen to have a 3 year old Labradoodle – and she barks when she hears things. We have her cage set up in the kitchen, but unfortunately, if she barks when I’m working (my office is in the master bedroom – and our house is only 1400 square feet) the person on the phone will hear her. So, for the hours that I will be working she will have to go in the garage. And in order to give her some room in there (and it’s a 2 car garage) we needed to clear it out and give it some organization. So far it’s working. When/if she does bark you cannot hear her in my office.

Ok, so we had a few weeks not too long ago where it was frigid here in Tampa. And by frigid I do mean waking up and there was ice on the ground and the cars and people roofs and the temp was 22 degrees. Then one day at Tristan’s soccer game he was actually playing in sleet! It got THAT cold here. Then it started to warm up again for a little – hitting the 70’s. Our Florida weather seemed to be back. But now it’s gone again. This weekend we froze at the soccer fields. 50 degrees and windy – I needed ear muffs!  I can just imagine everyone who lives up north right now saying “You think that’s cold? Well……” For someone that has now lived in Florida for 5 years and my blood has definitely thinned – yes – that’s cold! We might as well look into some of those Branson vacation packages or a ski trip if the weather is going to stay like this. I heard it’s going to be in the 50’s/60’s all this week. Fine by me since I start my new job today and won’t be up at the soccer fields at night for the next 5 weeks while I’m training. I just miss my warm Florida weather!

Happy 12th Birthday Tristan! I remember this day 12 years ago like it was yesterday – which makes me not able to believe it’s now 12 years later!!!! My sweet cheeks – my peanut – how is it possible? Although, like he had to remind me the other night – in 3 years he’ll be old enough to get his drivers learners permit (it’s 15 here in FL). But is so not happening – that is way too young!

We are off soon for his final soccer game of their regular season. Then he’s having a few friends here tonight to spend the night.

Happy Birthday my little man! You bring something new to my life everyday and make me laugh all the time. I love learning alongside you. You have taught me love, life and happiness! (along with some craziness)

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!

An Island Life hosts this meme. Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

My question:

Is it a “do” or a “don’t” to talk on your cell phone while you’re checking out in the grocery store?

My answer:

I have to say a don’t. I barely ever talk on my cell phone when I’m out to begin with and I find it rude when people are interacting with other people but stay on their cell phones. If my cell phone rings while I’m in the check out line I ignore it. I’ll be out in the parking lot soon enough to check it then.