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.

I haven’t been sleeping much lately – which really isn’t anything new, but I’ve got so much on my mind that just keeps spinning and I don’t know how to get it to stop. Someone suggested sleeping pills but I really don’t want to start that! I’ve tried reading and then meditating right before bed and I find if I keep that up, that works the best. On the nights that I watch TV and then try to fall asleep, it doesn’t work. Too much stimulation right before trying to sleep. Even if I use my iPod or the computer right before – doesn’t work either. I need to come up with a before bedtime routine – and fast!

Thursday 13

Thursday Thirteen “C” Edition courtesy of Izzy and Emmy.

1. Children - I have 3 children – 2 boys and a girl. They are the best thing that has ever happened to me!

2. Cats - blech – hate cats! Maybe it’s because I am allergic to them. LOL

3. Caffeine - I must have caffeine at some point during the day! (ie coffee, soda, etc

4. Clarice - Don’t know anyone by that name. Except the girl reindeer in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

5. Calamine – I think we have about 3 bottles of this stuff. We’re always using it for bug bites.

6. Connecticut - I’ve been there many times. Via boat trips or by car. One of my favorite aunts used to live there – Aunt Marie – how I got my middle name actually of Marie, from her.

7. Chocolate – YUMMY!

8. Craigslist - love selling stuff on here!

9. Coloring – I love to color! I’ll still color with the kids if they ask me too.

10. Cranberry - I have been told ever since I was 13 I need to drink cranberry juice everyday for my kidneys (I have bad kidneys)

11. Carpet – hate the carpet in our dining area! Who puts carpet under a table you eat at?????

12. Car- Don’t have a car – I drive a mini-van. LOL

13. Calgon – Take me away.

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What are some of the things you do to make yourself look and feel better? Maybe eat healthier? Maybe exercise on a regular basis? How about a mid afternoon nap even? Or some chocolate (for when you’re feeling sad)? It depends on what’s going on with me on how I make myself feel better. I’m not someone who pigs out when I’m sad. But a piece of chocolate might do the trick. As far as looks, when I work out and eat right and then look in the mirror, I think I look great! Just because I know I’m trying!

I’ve heard of some people out there taking some human growth hormones!? I’m not 100% sure what that does for you – but what about human growth hormone side effects? I’d be worried about what those might be – just like I am when any type of drug is advised or taken. I’m not one to depend on drugs (as in Tylenol, sleep aides, etc.). To me they are a crutch – like a band aid – just covering up what might be really wrong. But that’s just for me and my humble opinion.

This is a picture of my oldest (who is turning 12 this coming Saturday). He was 2 1/2 in this picture. He’s wearing a tuxedo because he and I were in a friends wedding. She let him carry his Pooh bear down the aisle with him too. This is one of my favorite pictures of him!

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So happy to say that I started working out again. After a 3 week break (because of the kids last week of Christmas break, then kids getting sick and then me being sick for almost 2 weeks) I decided I needed to start it back up! And I feel so much better for doing so. I do need to find a better time to do it though. Usually I workout after the kids go to school (sometimes with friends, sometimes without) and that means working out around 9:30/10 and not being able to shower after – so I usually get a late start. Which sometimes sucks, but then other times it’s usually because on the days I work out with friends, we sit around talking for hours – and that’s actually fun! But I think I’ve figured out what the best way to lose weight for me is: working out at least 5 days a week and watching what I eat. I make sure to watch what I eat during the week so that I can cheat a little on the weekends. And it was working for the months of November and December. Happily though I haven’t gained any weight that I lost back! My clothes still fit loosely (I only weigh myself once a week – if that). So I know come summer time I’ll be looking like a hottie in my bathing suit at the beach!!!!

1. Thankful that my mom’s surgery went well this morning! They removed her gallbladder and any adhesion’s they found. Now praying for a speedy recovery for her. Love you mom!!!!!! (and wishing we lived closer)

2. Thankful for the fun lunch I had with a soccer friend last Friday. Mojitos, soup, salad and breadsticks and lots of laughs!

3. Thankful for the mommy time I got last Saturday night when I went to another soccer friends house and hung out with some friends I haven’t seen in too long a time. They are good people!

4. Thankful that I started working out again this week! Even though I dread it every morning, I know I’ll get to the point where I was back in December where I loved it (I do love the feeling you get after working out!!!!) So far I did the 30 Day Shred Monday and today and did the Couch to 5K yesterday! I was worried I’d be dying after both – it’s amazing though how your muscles remember! I’ll be back to where I left off in no time I’m sure!

5. Thankful that Sean and I cleaned out the garage this past weekend and I got my home office set up (I start training next week for my new job!). Still have to work on decluttering both the garage and the master bedroom but at least you can walk in both rooms! LOL

Such a dreaded word – wrinkles! Just the other day I was tweezing my eyebrows when I noticed wrinkles all over my face! ACK! They’re near my mouth, near my eyes – on my forehead! So now I guess I need to figure out what the best eye cream for wrinkles is. Does anyone out there have any ideas? It’s funny because it kind of just hit too. (or maybe I’ve been blind – LOL). I just never noticed them before. I’ve noticed my hands starting to look older but never my face. I’m working out, trying to keep my body looking good and I completely forgot about my face.

Well, if anyone out there uses a wrinkle cream that they love, please let me know! There are so many on the market I have no idea where to even start!

I normally do this at the end of the week but decided to do it today instead.

1. My neighbor who came through for me and gave me his desktop computer all souped up for my new job! Thanks!

2. My parents who came down this weekend for the night to give me their 17 inch monitor for my new job. Thanks!

3. My dad and Sean for installing the new microwave we bought a few weeks ago. It’s been 3 months or so without one and I’ve missed it! (And now I keep forgetting we have one again to use – LOL).

4. Tristan’s and Kieran’s report cards came home Friday with flying colors – Tristan has 5 A’s and one B (and made the honor roll again this marking period) and Kieran had all E’s except for 2 S’s! Caelie didn’t get hers because she was home sick. We’ll see hers this afternoon.

5. The weather finally getting back to being Florida weather!!!!! That cold spell sucked!