Party of Five

I have been gone for so long that it is quite possible that I no longer have even one reader but none the less I think I will work my way back in the blogging world slowly. To start off I have been tagged by my friend Marlo for a fun Fives Meme.

The rules:
1. Post the rules of the game at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3.
At the end of the post, the player then tags five people and posts
their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment,
letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read the
player’s blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

What were you doing five years ago?

I was in my first year of marriage, working at Red Lobster for a short stint, and trying really hard to have another baby. I was also finishing my AA which took a gazillion years to get done.

What are five things on your to-do list for today? (the day is almost over so most of these should be on the “done” list instead)

1. Attend a water play date for the kids.
2. Go swimming.
3. Get a pedicure (traded this one up for new kids clothes that were too cute to pass up)
4. Catch up on emails
5. Go to a scrapbooking party :)

What are five things you would do if you were a billionaire?

1. Start savings accounts for the kids.
2. Get a personal trainer, cook, and house keeper.
3. Pay off all debt.
4. Take multiple trips around the world.
5. Become a regular contributer and volunteer for organizations like St. Judes.

What are five of your bad habits?

1. Cheating on my diet when life gets too busy (this happens daily).
2. Starting projects then waiting months to finish them.
3. Talking too much.
4. Putting off laundry til it is over flowing the laundry room.
5.

What are five places where you have lived?

1. Gardena, Calif.
2. Apple Valley, Calif.
3. Victorville, Calif.
4. (only 3 here, I’ve been in the same vicinity for 24 years).

What are five jobs you’ve had?

1. Taco Bell
2. Stater Brothers (bagger)
3. Texaco (which was actually Del Taco and A&W)
4. Waitress for a billion years (ok, so only eleven but it felt like a billion)
5. Substitute Teacher (best schedule ever)

Five people I tag:
Not really fair of me to tag anyone since I have been MIA for so long, but if you’re reading please leave me a link to your Fives Meme so I can check it out.

Goodness, Sarah asked me to check into all the spam she’s getting and it is horrendous. I’m going to put on a small captchya window, my apologies. It’s the only way to fight it for now. Wednesday we get fios up and running so maybe I can help her more with it then. Until then I know she appreciates your comments so keep ‘em comin.’ -Damien (hubby)

Someone I know decided they would write a sophisticated post on anger and our brains. Citing how we respond to anger and how it is linked to brain functions, blah blah blah. Funny enough what prompted this post was an argument with his wife. One where she got extremely angry and blurted out just about everything on her mind. The events preceding the argument however were such that this husband has dedicated his life to his computer. Oops, I mean his job and his computer. Meanwhile the wife is left to work, go to school, care for three children, dealing with new medical issues, and home business matters, AND packing a 2600 sq. foot home without any help from the above mentioned husband.

So here is my version of anger and the brain. If within a stressful situation you can count on no one to help you out, you are likely to have a mental break. Who might I ask will become the primary target? Probably the person who should be helping you  so that you do not break to begin with. In the event that you explode anyways, as that is the likely occurance when the brain is filled to capacity, all hope is that this will wake up the other person and get them to give you a hand. Caution however is advised here because what is more probable is the other party with snap back feeling justified for his/ or her anger as YOU have forced them to it. Do accept that this of course is all your fault, since that will be the only way out of this current argument.

In that case just sit down and blog about it since apparently blogging about it is better than actually solving the problem.

As usual I have gotten backed up and haven’t posted in forever, but this time I have good reason. So many darned exciting things have been happening. Lets start with this being my last class in my Bachelors program. With four weeks to complete a journey that started forever ago, it is super exciting surpassed only by super chaotic. Next I went to my best friends wedding. Now this was a very small intimate event with only the closest friends and family, but it was extremely touching and beautiful. Days later I made it to my very first theatrical event and wouldn’t you know it, it was AWESOME! I went with a group of friends to see Wicked. Now if you have any means to make it to this show, RUN! I couldn’t believe how incredible the story line, music, acting, and sets were. I want so badly to spill the beans and tell you what happens in the Oz spin off, but you have to go and see for yourself.

Finally as I mentioned previously, we recently started the home shopping experience. Actually let me reword that. We started the loan approval process. Luckily Damien’s brother has been in home sales for years so he set us up with an incredible guy who got us an amazing interest rate and clean approval. This allowed for us to officially jump in the market this week. So we went out Wednesday, found a home we wanted super bad. Made an offer Thursday morning and if you can believe it got the banks approval of our offer back the very same day. So in just over 30 days when escrow closes we will officially be home owners :)

It’s getting late but I promise to give you full scoop on the house later.

Blogged with Flock

A few days ago my son brought home a flyer for an event this weekend. It wasn’t the usual type of event you would be expecting a fourth grader to be bringing home as it was an announcement of a blood drive. As I read it over I learned that it was for a mother of one of my son’s friends. I didn’t know the details just that this woman, likely around my age, is suffering from cancer. I was shocked. I realize that cancer doesn’t discriminate and that it can happen to anyone of any age, but this seemed so close to home for me. Each time I thought of her situation it made me sad even though I have never met her. So today I went over and decided I would give blood for the first time. I’ll admit I was a bit nervous, but I must say it was one of the simplest things I have ever done that could help someone else out.
 

Here is a quick run through of the process if you have never done it. First you’ll fill out a form with general information and disclosures, and answer a simple set of questions to determine if you are eligible to donate (mostly if you don’t live a high risk party life you’re in). Then you are escorted to a cozy bed where you lie down and offer up your vein. A prick and a few minutes later you are done. No kidding. I was told I have a good vein, but 10 minutes was it. I never even saw the needle or the blood in case you are the squeamish type and thought that part might scare you off. I was then directed to a seat where I had to sit for 15 minutes before leaving but was offered an unbelievable assortment of snacks, juices, water, etc.
 

My hope in telling this story is that by eliminating any frightening misconceptions of the process you may take the time out of your schedule and head over to a donation center. One of the nurses informed me that there is a constant shortage. Best yet if you are just doing it without a person in mind to donate to, you can earn credits. These credits can be saved for yourself should you ever need them, or can be donated down the road if a loved one needs them. You can only give blood every 8 weeks, but it is my intention to start going regularly.

Tags: blood drive, donation,

I am always looking for inspiration to lose weight. Actually, more like motivation, as looking in a mirror alone is inspiring itself. They key difference here is that I want to lose weight more than anything, however with school, kids, home, work, etc. fast food becomes so darned convenient and I end up throwing the plan out the window all together. My last major incentive to lose weight was my impending 30th birthday. I got super motivated, signed up for Weight Watchers, was walking and doing water aerobics, and quickly lost 15 lbs and two sizes. I was on my way. Then I found out I was pregnant and due on my 30th achieving the precise opposite goal in terms of weight loss.
 

Since the baby was born, going on one year in May, I have struggled with getting motivated. I find myself eating all the wrong foods even when better choices are available. I now have a treadmill, a total gym, a weight lifting system, a stepper, you name it. I have no need to have to run off to a gym as I have got it all here at home. Now for the motivating part. I have in the following months a few events I really want to look and feel my best for. Starting with my best friend’s wedding, going to see Wicked with some friends, a first birthday party for my youngest, and my oldest’s tenth birthday. Holy Moly how did this happen? A DECADE! I am not going to disclose how many lbs or sizes I have put on since this guys birth, but it isn’t pretty for sure. With 4 1/2 months til this event I am super ready to get the ball rolling. I am also graduating this year and can say that a cap & gown on my current figure may leave the crowd wondering when my due date is.
 

Using what I know and seeing a nutritionist tomorrow I am planning a new me. Look for updates to my healthy eating page coming soon.