All is quiet on the homefront.

It's just me and the kids this weekend. Chris left today for Washington. He won't be back until Monday. That means that the next three nights will be sleepless ones. I can never sleep when I know he isn't lying next to me. He's the same way. When I had to go to Ohio over a year ago and was gone for the weekend he had a hard time sleeping, even though he complains about having to remove my knee from his back every night. J I love the fact that he feels the same way I do.

The kids and I are going to see Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian tomorrow afternoon. I am proud that Jeff allowed Katie to pick the movie. He would have preferred to see Indiana Jones but he knows Katie would have a hard time sitting still for that one. We may go to the beach on Sunday but I have my seminars on Sunday so we will see. Not much else is going on, other than the kids are done for the year and now I have to find ways to entertain Katie. Jeff will be going to summer school starting on June 16^th. He is taking a Life Management class and a physical fitness class just to get them out of the way. I can't believe he will be a Senior and Katie will be in second grade. By the time Katie learns how to drive, Jeff will already have graduated College. OY!!!

Now we’re rolling!!

Lattegirl submitted her entry days ago but because of the tree fiasco it was the furthest thing from my mind. I hope she will forgive meJ She did a wonderful job too. See for yourself.

"It's spring – a time of renewal for body, soul, and home. Thinking of refreshing your décor, redecorating a room, or simply adding an unusual accent piece to house or garden? Does summer, just around the corner, hold the promise of leisurely evenings on the patio or in the yard?

Regalo Boutique is the ultimate online shop, with a wide selection of beautiful items: luxurious bath and body products, seasonal gift ideas (think Fourth of July – check out our Americana pages!), charming home accessories in our Shabby Elegance section, and an array of special objects that are perfect for gift-giving.... for him, for her, for pets, an upcoming vacation, a house-warming…

Regalo Boutique is constantly updating its stock, so check in often. And be sure to browse through our selection of classics and favourites. But most of all, stop by as of June 21^st for our
big summer sale!"

To date there are TWO entries. Remember the deadline has been extended to June 10^th. The voting will occur on June 15^th and the winner will be announced before the 21^st which is when the new sale starts. Put on your thinking caps and let the ideas rip.

The landlord lives...

He actually showed up today. Luckily Chris was home for lunch otherwise I probably would have knocked him out right where he stood.
Apparently the tenants next to us wanted the wood for firewood. So when Chris and Jeff were done cutting up the huge branch they tossed the wood over the chainlinked fence. The owner was not happy and wanted it cleaned up.
So the landlord came by with a few of his men and they took care of that. They also took all the shrub and debris away and they cut our lawn. I was floored.
Chris and the landlord discussed the fence repair and we will go ahead and do whatever needs to be done and take the expense off the rent. The landlord will be taking the tree out or at the very least cutting off the branches that are questionable. We told him it needs to be done soon and if nothing happens within 30-45 days than we will do it ourselves. Can you see where this will go?
Apparently his excuse for not getting back to us was he was out of town. Ummmm... we called his cell. Which I am sure he had on him. The house line was connected to his fax machine so no message could be left there. And apparently he and his wife are separated but not getting a divorce because it is cheaper that way. WTF????? So maybe that's why he hasn't gotten his messages as he conveyed. Does your wife have your cell phone? The one that you responded to when there was a ticked off neighbor? You only came by because you wanted to protect your reputation. You didn't have concern for your tenants.
So.. the next time I have an issue... I won't call him, I will tell the neighbor and have them call him and lets see how fast he sprints over here. I am a bitch.. hell.. I own that!

Another lovely weekend…. NOT

What started out to be a good start to a Memorial Day weekend ended up to one of hard manual labor. On Sunday, at exactly 12:15 pm as Chris and I were putting on our shoes in our bedroom, we heard an odd scraping sound that seemed to be climbing down our bedroom wall. Then we were left in the dark. The kids came out of their rooms perplexed because the t.v.'s turned off. We walked downstairs to find that the whole house was without electricity. I don't know what made us go to the lanai but when we opened the back doors to the backyard, we could immediately tell what had happened. A huge branch of the GINORMOUS tree in our backyard came off and hit the wires snapping them off at the pole. What we heard from upstairs was the riser from the electric meter coming off the house.

No one heard the branch actually fall. I cannot get that out of my head. The branch did not make a sound as it snapped off the tree, slid down the tree and took out the fence. We had to call an electrician to have him fix the riser because the FPL (Florida Power and Light) could not reconnect the wire to the pole unless that was fixed first. Needless to say we were out of electricity for seven hours. No big deal. Yes we were inconvenienced but we were damn lucky that tree branch didn't fall any other way otherwise it could have taken out the back half of the house including my bedroom.

Chris and Jeff worked very hard today cutting up the tree and getting the debris out of the backyard. When we looked at how the branch fell we could see that it must have been struck by lightning some time ago and it was rotting. This tree stands about twenty feet tall with other huge branches spreading out. We figure if the next one falls it will take out the pole and knock out the power to three other homes besides our own. Chris is going to call the county tomorrow to have them assess the tree to see if it needs to come down.

The thing that really bothers the hell out of me is that we rent this house. When we first moved in here we had to call the land guy to have him do something small. I think it was to bring over the handles to the back doors. Since then when we have called him he has never once returned our calls. We had a leak in the garage roof and a patch of ceiling came down. Chris called him and he NEVER called back. Finally Chris repaired it and we took it off the rent. When we were noticing an infestation of ticks in the house and our dogs have been treated monthly to heartguard and advantix we had asked the neighbor if they were having problems with ticks they told us that our landlord was having a problem with them and he had another neighbor spray ONCE but refused more treatments because he was too busy throwing his wife's clothes out the front door. So the landlord KNEW there was a problem. He never told us. So we had to pay for FIVE treatments to the house and the yard and you bet your ass that came out of the rent. We called him out on that, told him we would have someone treat the house and yard but that since he knew of the problem and since it is in our lease that HE is responsible for pest control we would take it off the rent. This was stated on his voicemail. He never called us back. In our lease it is also stated that his landscaping company would maintain the yard and it was included in our rent. His men have been here maybe a dozen times since we have been here and it is going on three years.

When Chris called him on Sunday to notify him of the situation and that he needed to call back asap… guess what… he never called. That shit burns me up. Yes we got it taken care of and you bet your ass it is coming out of the rent but damn call back at least. So.. if the county says the tree needs to come down… it's coming out of several months' rent. I am not going to sacrifice my family's safety! No way in hell will I do that.

With Hope

One of my favorite singers, Steven Curtis Chapman, is grieving with his family at this moment. On May 21^st, his youngest daughter, Maria Sue Chapman, passed away. Maria had just turned 5 years old 10 days ago. When I found out by the way of the Christian radio station that I listened to, I instantly felt sorrow, grief and loss. I can't explain it. I wept openly and without hesitation.

Throughout the day the radio station put together a compilation of his songs and would play them periodically and in one segment this one song hit me like a ton of bricks and I witnessed how God had been preparing Steven for this very moment. The song is called With Hope. If there was ever a song, that would help in this time of grieving this. is. the. song. I have it on my playlist at the bottom of this blog.

My prayers are with Steven and his family.

Psalm 147:3
"He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds."

Mr. Fab always has to be first in everything.

Summer is in full swing and is chock full of June weddings, July celebrations, and August vacations.  Summer is all about beauty, and beauty is what Regalo Boutique specializes in.  When you want to give a gift that will be truly remembered and cherished, Regalo Boutique should be the first place you visit!

 

Mr. Fab of Pointless-Drivel has submitted his headline and I posted it because I wanted to give you a visual of what we are looking for in this contest. Thank you Fab, for participating. I love you man.

 

So, what are you waiting for? C'mon show me some talent. I know you have it. And if you would like to submit more than one… the more the merrier!

Let's get this party started!

Confusion about the contest.

Mr. Fab pointed out the confusion in what I am asking for in the Regalo Boutique contest. I do not want someone to design a header. I would like you all to submit a paragraph for the headline of the upcoming sale. Please visit the homepage of Regalo Boutique to see exactly what the headline is. The contest is extended till June 10th. The voting will be done on June 15th. The new sale starts June 21st. If you have any questions. Please contact me at mnetsrek@yahoo.com or mindy@regaloboutique.com.

The paragraph should be at least 50 words but no more than 150 words. Everyone that participates will receive a gift.

Every entry will be voted on by you.

The top three will be chosen.

Go here to view the rest of the details.

I do apologize if I confused you all. It was not my intention.

Getting down to the wire...

Remember to have your header submissions in by May 30th, for the Regalo Boutique contest. I am disappointed that so far no one has submitted anything. I am hoping that you are taking an interest and maybe you are mulling over ideas in your head.

The contest is simple and everyone walks away with a gift just for participating. If you have some how been under a rock or just not paying attention for nearly a month now you can go here to read all the details.

There must be some people out there that love me enough to want to try this. Right?

Checking in...

I haven't been exactly on the ball with posting the last two days. I had homework to finish up. I am not a procrastinator.... really I am not, but when it comes to my school work I am somewhat a perfectionist. I need to know there is nothing else I can do before turning the projects in. So.. Mondays and Tuesdays are pretty much all about me agonizing over whether or not the projects are worthy. I know my world is weird. I am weird.. I will never deny that!

Last night I decided to treat my family to a movie. We went to see Iron Man in the early evening. That was the best $50.00 I spent to enjoy an evening with my family. There are more movies on our list to see at the theater. We don't go much unless there is a must see movie that can not wait until it comes out on DVD.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal skull

Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian

WALL E

Hancock - I saw this preview last night and it looks good. Will Smith stars

Harry Potter 6

There are a few others but they escape me right now.

Gotta run... new week in school starts today and I want to get a jump on my assignments.

My Mother’s Day

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother." My dad often told this to my sisters and me. He told me he read it somewhere and it was forever stamped on his heart.

Each year on Mother's Day, my father would wake my sisters and me early. We would cook my mom breakfast and serve it to her in bed. My sisters and I would then give my mom our presents that we made for her and my dad would give her his present. My mom would always tell him that she was not his mother. My dad would smile and tell her that she was a mother to his children and therefore deserved this. My dad always bought my mom jewelry. It was always something significant. My mom also did not clean or cook on her day either. My sisters and I would cook dinner or my dad would take us out.

When I first became a mom, and my first Mother's Day came around, it was my mom and dad that served me breakfast in bed and they gave me a necklace with my son's birthstone (garnet) in it. When I cried and told them that it was not their responsibility and Jeff was just a baby so I knew that Mother's Day wouldn't officially start for me for a few years yet. My dad however, smiled and told me that I was the mother of their first grandchild and I deserved this.

My children gave me a card, one of those that record your own voice, and it has the song "You're Unbelievable" on it when you open the card up. They have also ordered my Mother's Ring and I should have it within a couple of weeks. Chris gave me Queen's "A night at the Opera" CD that also has a DVD that has the videos that go along with the songs. I didn't question Chris on why he bought me something. I have a feeling my Dad had something to do with it.

 

Depression has made its home here.

Tomorrow, Katie and I will be heading to Girl Scout Camp. She is all excited and I am excited for her. I remember my days in Girl Scouts and she is going to have wonderful memories. With that said... Why am I not in the same mind frame as her? I am dreading this overnight excursion big time.

Is it because I will be in a non air conditioning cabin and even without hot hat flashes, I know I will be waking up in a pool of sweat water? Or maybe it is because all four of the girls that I will be bunking with are all 8 years old and their energy level combined is like that of a bumble bee on crack? Or the fact that I know I am dreading the 45 minute hike because my fat ass will probably not be able to keep up. Or just the fact the my comfort zone will seem like a million miles away?

I am in serious need of prioritizing my life. I absolutely must lose weight. Not ten or twenty pounds mind you… try 50-60!!! I have never been this heavy and it is really stressing me out big time. I am in a slump.. My clothes are getting tight and all I do is sit around wishing things were different. That I was different. It also does not help that Aunt Flo's visit is right around the corner and the civil thing she could do is wait until I get home but that may not be the case. I am cranky, no wait… I AM BITCHY and I hate that about myself. I am so stressed out and getting all of two hours sleep last night didn't help my demeanor at all.

My family is used to this and they should not have to be. I need someone to slap me silly and tell me to SNAP OUT OF IT but all my friends are thousands of miles away. I have one or two here in Sarasota.. But they have lives of their own and I don't like to intrude on other people. Besides it is difficult to express myself in person anyway. Mother's Day is Sunday and I am dreading it. I just don't feel I deserve it.

My body is falling apart...

I don't know what the heck I did to my left leg but it sure is mad at me. I have had this sore and stiff feeling on my upper calf, very close to where it meets the knee all day. I started limping because it hurt to extend my leg when walking. The pain shoots all the way to my hip. Now... my leg just falls asleep for no reason. I think it may be a pinched nerve but I am not sure.
I am not even sure I can climb the stairs to go to bed tonight. Chris would be happy to have the bed all to himself and I am sure the puppies would not mind in sharing the couch with me.
If it doesn't set itself right by tomorrow I don't know how the heck I can go camping with Katie on Friday. I do know that one of their activities will be a 45 minute hike.
Maybe my body is subconsciously doing this to get out of going camping... One thing is certain, gimp or no gimp, this girl is getting her fat ass to the camp even it I have to chew the leg off. My daughter comes first... not my body.. right?

This is not a pity party… it’s just me whining

Have you ever just wanted to switch lives with someone else even for only one day? I have often thought about doing that but then the other person would probably come back to their life all screwed up. Haha… I know that there are others that have it worse off than me but I would really like a change once in a while.

It's only going to get better once school lets out. Both kids home alone with me. Not a good combination because I am sure they will not survive the first week. All they do is bicker. What can an 8 year old girl and a 17 year old boy have to fight about? Apparently everything. I thought having so many years between them would be a good thing. My sisters and I were fairly spaced out between 3-5 years and we fought like cats and dogs. I mean smack down fights not just pushing and clawing. We get along better now that we are adults but we hated each other when we were teens.

I have admitted to myself today that I am extremely lazy. I don't like being that way and I know that I am the only one that can correct my own behavior. I am a creature of habit so in order for me to make a new habit I have to continue it every day for at least seven days. I haven't been able to make that work yet. But I am not going to give up. I don't know what it is. I am not sure if I am depressed or just don't give a rats butt. But sitting on my fat ass is going to get me to the solution any faster that's for sure. Speaking of my fat ass.. I hate to exercise alone. I need a partner to keep me accountable on daily walks and to encourage me when I am low.

Ok… I have said enough. I am going to bed now. Later

Mad Money Giveaway

My friend, Kat, is having a contest from May 1^st – May 11^th. To see the official rules goes here.

One lucky winner will get the movie, Mad Money. This actually looks good. I have entered. How about you?

It’s been a very busy week

And it doesn't look like it is going to lighten up for me for a while. Let's see…

Monday – I went to the One Stop Center here in Sarasota because it was required by Unemployment and if I didn't go it would affect my check… so they say. The appointment was for 1pm and I would have to be there at least ten minutes early. I was twenty minutes early and by the time I got into the building there were 100 people waiting for the meeting to start. That's 100 unemployed people!!!! It didn't stop there… by the time they called my group into the conference room There was close to 200 people. I wasn't sure what to expect from this meeting and I truly thought that maybe it was supposed to be like an interview process where they see what your skills are and they place you for a job right there and then. NOPE… this was just an informative meeting telling us what they are about and the multiple of FREE services that they offer. Oh.. and they are not affiliated with Unemployment. I am not the least bit agitated that I went. I received some valuable information. For instance.. They have this program that if you are unemployed through no fault of your own they will pay for you to go back to school for an Associates degree. It will not cost you one frickin penny. I will know more about this program on Wednesday. Hey, if it's free why not? Also there is a One Stop in every county in every STATE… Go here for info in your area www.jobsetc.org.

Tuesday - I completed all the loose ends for homework that needed to be submitted and took my tests. I am finally starting to understand algebra more without the constant help from my son. Jeff is happy that I am not calling him every 5 minutes..haha.. My man got his confirmation for his flight to Washington state at the end of this month. It's a long story and I may post about it later but it is very important to him and he is excited and yet hesitant at the same time. I also visited my mom so that I could show her how to maintain her computer so it doesn't drag butt. I have to show her how to do this because just talking her through doesn't help. I am like her in that way… Show me once and I got it. Except for algebra of courseJ

Wednesday – A new week in school starts every Wednesday and I usually try to skim through everything the night before but sometimes that doesn't always happen. So.. I normally start the school week doing a lot of reading and note taking and doing a crap load of practice problems. I can't imagine working right now with the two courses I am taking… I would either be bald or in a corner sucking my thumb curled up in a fetus position.

Thursday – Cleaned house, did laundry, rearranged my kitchen cabinets and uncluttered my counters. Then did more schoolwork but still had dinner on the table before 5:30pm. Needless to say that after my shower that night, I do not remember my head hitting the pillow. I think my man tried to get some loving but I was out for the count.

Friday – I did a little grocery shopping and we went to Wal-Mart (don't hate me Kat) for some needed Girl Scouts supplies. Katie and I will be going on her first camping trip next Friday – Saturday. So she is all excited and I am really not looking forward to sharing a hot, sticky cabin with four girls and another mother. I used to love camping but Florida is way too hot. I am hoping they will have fans but I doubt it. I may have to take a portable one because if I have a hot flash I am going to be a very bitchy woman. Hey… I can admit that.

Saturday – We went to my cousins graduation party. Jen has graduated from the University of Florida and yes she is a Gator fan haha… Her mother on the other hand, my aunt, is a fanatic!!! She has what we call the stalker wall… she has gotten Tim Tebow's pictures with autographs in frames hanging on the stalker wall. Tim even signed a lined piece of paper stating that she is his number one fan. Well before they told him not to sign autographs yet. If you don't know who Tim Tebow is… you're under a rock? He is the Heisman trophy winner and I believe he will be a junior this year at UF. Anyway… Jen is one smart cookie.. I am so proud of her. She graduated Magnum Cum laude and she will be starting her career with Carrier in June shortly after she comes back from her backpacking trip in Europe with her boyfriend, Grant. Jen's major? Industrial Engineering. Not bad huh? My son, Jeff, has taken a lot of advice from Jen and he would like to go into Aerospace Engineering at Embry Riddle on the East Coast of Florida. I plan on taking him there this summer. The party started at 2 and I think we were there until 7? I can't remember because I was too busy talking to relatives that I haven't seen in years.

Sunday – I attended both my class seminars and finished some loose ends with the powerpoint presentation that is due tomorrow night. Not sure if I am happy enough with it to turn it in. So I may be playing around a bit more with it. My man and son have been on WOW (World of Warcraft) on and off the whole damn weekend. They drive me crazy sometimes… Katie has been counting down the days until her camping trip. I made an authentic Mexican dinner last night. Cheesy Enchiladas, Spanish rice, and my own version of pintos and cheese. If anyone is interested I can jot down the recipe.

Ok… I have got you caught up on my boring life… sorry that blogging has taken a back seat to my school work. I have to believe that I do have priorities. But I will try and post daily…even if it is something trivial.

**** I do want to remind you all that the contest is still open until May 30^th. Even if you know nothing about headers, that is ok. All we are really looking for is a creative ad for our summer sale. So please take a look at the site and get a feel for what we are about and the products we sell and use your imagination. The rules are posted here along with the other requirements. ****