Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Sunday, January 25, 2015
More Celebrating
Halfway through our dinner at BWW Friday night I had the brilliant idea that we should have invited our best friends to go along with us.
It was a such a great idea that they were thinking the same thing! So on Saturday night we decided to forego our pizza tradition and met them at Tortilla Flats for dinner. They arrived first and told the waitress that it was Zack's birthday so after we finished eating and were waiting for the check...
they brought out this big bowl filled with ice cream, whipped cream, and cinnamon chips.
And of course we all sang a nice loud rendition of Happy Birthday to draw as much attention to him as possible.
With all our family 1500 miles away, it's nice to have great friends to celebrate with.
It was a such a great idea that they were thinking the same thing! So on Saturday night we decided to forego our pizza tradition and met them at Tortilla Flats for dinner. They arrived first and told the waitress that it was Zack's birthday so after we finished eating and were waiting for the check...
they brought out this big bowl filled with ice cream, whipped cream, and cinnamon chips.
And of course we all sang a nice loud rendition of Happy Birthday to draw as much attention to him as possible.
With all our family 1500 miles away, it's nice to have great friends to celebrate with.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
The Boy has a Birthday
So today, the "little" boy is 16! The boy who came into our lives at precisely the exact moment we needed him most and who has filled my life with so much joy, happiness, humor, animation, wonder, and pride ( I am so gosh darn proud of all my boys).
He is growing so much every day - and not just in stature. He is taking on so much more responsibility with chores and school and since our blow-up at Christmas he is learning how to navigate around barriers to reach a goal. He is staying the course in eating better and losing weight and just yesterday he came upon an unexpected road block and problem solved until he reached a solution and he did so without becoming agitated. This may not seem like a big deal but trust me...for him it is huge.
Yes, he is surely a soul who wears his emotion on his sleeve. You never have to guess how he is feeling....he shows it! He is very loyal and dedicated. He loves with his whole soul and being.
He is simply one of the best sons a mother could ask for....the other two would be C.J. and Jon. Biased much? Naw!
Yesterday we celebrated his birthday with a Buffalo Wild Wings dinner. It wasn't really that special since we go there every Friday night but he did get to pick out a free dessert and they brought it to our table with a big flashing red light to announce to everyone around us that he was having a birthday.
And I'm pretty sure this was his favorite birthday gift - ever! From his dad and brothers
He is growing so much every day - and not just in stature. He is taking on so much more responsibility with chores and school and since our blow-up at Christmas he is learning how to navigate around barriers to reach a goal. He is staying the course in eating better and losing weight and just yesterday he came upon an unexpected road block and problem solved until he reached a solution and he did so without becoming agitated. This may not seem like a big deal but trust me...for him it is huge.
Yes, he is surely a soul who wears his emotion on his sleeve. You never have to guess how he is feeling....he shows it! He is very loyal and dedicated. He loves with his whole soul and being.
He is simply one of the best sons a mother could ask for....the other two would be C.J. and Jon. Biased much? Naw!
Yesterday we celebrated his birthday with a Buffalo Wild Wings dinner. It wasn't really that special since we go there every Friday night but he did get to pick out a free dessert and they brought it to our table with a big flashing red light to announce to everyone around us that he was having a birthday.
And I'm pretty sure this was his favorite birthday gift - ever! From his dad and brothers
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| Front of shirt |
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| Back of shirt - 15 for Tebow Happy Birthday Zack |
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
The New Me...
I've shared a bit about the process of leaving the husband and beginning a new life with just Zack and me. In fact, I've shared far more than I would normally share since I am usually a pretty private person.
I could go into depth about what life is like living with a person who borderlines on narcissism and who spends 99.5% of his life showing no emotion whatsoever. But...what purpose would that serve? I can only say that I feel 199.5% confidant (not a misprint) that I exhausted all efforts to make our relationship work.
Yesterday was D -day. The finalization. And the beginning of a new chapter.
...that will create a beautiful story.
Not a story of heartache and broken dreams or even a life that became derailed.
No...this situation will not be the end of my story - or even the chapter that ultimately defines who I am. This will be a chapter that was the beginning of creating a better, stronger, more determined me.
Discomforts in our lives should challenge us to become better and stronger individuals and a life of comfort does nothing to change us or mold us into more beautiful versions of ourselves.
So I rise above this, excited for the opportunity to face new challenges because I am capable of so much.
I'm in a good place right now...I am learning new things every day and I am striving to be the best version of me that I can be.
I love and have the love and support of my family and friends.
But most importantly, eleven years ago I made the conscious decision to build my foundation on the saving love of my God. In doing this, I know that my foundation will never crack or fail. I may have to rebuild my house every once in a while, but the foundation will always be there.
I could go into depth about what life is like living with a person who borderlines on narcissism and who spends 99.5% of his life showing no emotion whatsoever. But...what purpose would that serve? I can only say that I feel 199.5% confidant (not a misprint) that I exhausted all efforts to make our relationship work.
Yesterday was D -day. The finalization. And the beginning of a new chapter.
...that will create a beautiful story.
Not a story of heartache and broken dreams or even a life that became derailed.
No...this situation will not be the end of my story - or even the chapter that ultimately defines who I am. This will be a chapter that was the beginning of creating a better, stronger, more determined me.
Discomforts in our lives should challenge us to become better and stronger individuals and a life of comfort does nothing to change us or mold us into more beautiful versions of ourselves.
So I rise above this, excited for the opportunity to face new challenges because I am capable of so much.
I'm in a good place right now...I am learning new things every day and I am striving to be the best version of me that I can be.
I love and have the love and support of my family and friends.
But most importantly, eleven years ago I made the conscious decision to build my foundation on the saving love of my God. In doing this, I know that my foundation will never crack or fail. I may have to rebuild my house every once in a while, but the foundation will always be there.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Leaving
Yesterday was an in-service day for us.
After spending most of the day working on accreditation stuff, our principal gathered us all in our common area and announced that he was leaving at the end of the year for a job opportunity at a Christian school in Minnesota - and by the way, who wants to live in Minnesota? It's probably one of the only states that is worse than living in Wisconsin (the others would be North Dakota and Alaska)!
Anyway, initially I was pretty sad - then I remembered, "wait, I am leaving too" so why should matter to me?
I wish him well.
After spending most of the day working on accreditation stuff, our principal gathered us all in our common area and announced that he was leaving at the end of the year for a job opportunity at a Christian school in Minnesota - and by the way, who wants to live in Minnesota? It's probably one of the only states that is worse than living in Wisconsin (the others would be North Dakota and Alaska)!
Anyway, initially I was pretty sad - then I remembered, "wait, I am leaving too" so why should matter to me?
I wish him well.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Okay - I Gotta Say Something
Read as you wish:
I gotta say something
or
I gotta say something
Yesterday I had the "privilege" of witnessing probably the worst, quickest, and most painful collapses in Packer history. Poised to propel themselves into the Super Bowl by utterly dominating on both sides of the ball through 3.5 quarters...through a series of unbelievable and unfortunate (depending on which team you were rooting for) events the Packers D allowed over 200 yards and 3 TD's in a matter of 3 minutes.
This scoring involved a recovered onside kick, a 2 point conversion, and a touchdown on the first possession of overtime.
However....deep breath...it's only a game.
Truth is - I have actually been distancing myself from the NFL this year and here is why.
These are just some of the headlines involving NFL players lately:
I gotta say something
or
I gotta say something
Yesterday I had the "privilege" of witnessing probably the worst, quickest, and most painful collapses in Packer history. Poised to propel themselves into the Super Bowl by utterly dominating on both sides of the ball through 3.5 quarters...through a series of unbelievable and unfortunate (depending on which team you were rooting for) events the Packers D allowed over 200 yards and 3 TD's in a matter of 3 minutes.
This scoring involved a recovered onside kick, a 2 point conversion, and a touchdown on the first possession of overtime.
However....deep breath...it's only a game.
Truth is - I have actually been distancing myself from the NFL this year and here is why.
These are just some of the headlines involving NFL players lately:
NFL star Adrian Peterson arrested for child abuse
and then we have this:
Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin gave a passionate interview to ESPN 710 radio in Seattle. The reporter wanted to know what Russell Wilson's message to the team was. Baldwin's response: "He didn't have a fucking message!"
Later, Baldwin would go on to yell at reporters for giving up on the Seahawks earlier in the season.
The NFL may be fining Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch again.
ESPN reports Lynch could be forced to pay up for an obscene gesture he made after his 24-yard touchdown run in the NFC Championship Game Sunday.
Travis Kelce probably should have been more careful when he went to mock a referee's call on Sunday Night Football. The Kansas City Chiefs player got a little too close for comfort and wound up making an obscene gesture on national TV.
I could go on and on - but you get the point. The NFL is turning into a bunch of overpaid, entitled, spoiled rotten brats that have nothing better to do than spend their excessive money on fast cars, alcohol, and drugs.
Monday, January 12, 2015
All the Hype That Never Should Be
So the sport's world is afire with various opinions regarding the Dez Bryant catch call that was reversed.
First of all I have to say I never realized how many people across this country hate the Cowboys. I was shocked. I don't necessarily hate the Cowboys - but Dez Bryant is a different story.
He has passion for sure - but his tantrum throwing snit fits on the sidelines have turned me off! He is not a team player win or lose, he is an "I'll-only-be-on-your-side-as-long-as-we're-winning player. Otherwise watch out because I'll tear you apart right on the sidelines in front of the cameras. Oh, and if things don't go my way, I may just storm off to the locker rooms before the game ends."
So, yeah, I'm not a Dez Bryant fan.
That said, my opinion on the catch/no catch is...who cares?
It is being given entirely too much credit.
Bottom line is, the way the rule reads, it was not a catch because he did not maintain possession as he fell to the ground. Whether or not the rule itself is stupid is a different story and one I will not debate here.
Even if the call had stood and Dallas scored...there was still a full 4:00 left on the clock and the chances that Aaron Rodgers would have led the Packers to a game winning field goal are pretty high considering how they were playing in the second half.
So that one play is being given too much credit...just let it drop (no pun intended).
First of all I have to say I never realized how many people across this country hate the Cowboys. I was shocked. I don't necessarily hate the Cowboys - but Dez Bryant is a different story.
He has passion for sure - but his tantrum throwing snit fits on the sidelines have turned me off! He is not a team player win or lose, he is an "I'll-only-be-on-your-side-as-long-as-we're-winning player. Otherwise watch out because I'll tear you apart right on the sidelines in front of the cameras. Oh, and if things don't go my way, I may just storm off to the locker rooms before the game ends."
 |
| Yelling at one of his teammates |
 |
| 1:21 left but Dez is headed to the locker room because Romo threw his 4th interception |
 |
| Taking out his anger on the Gatorade cart |
So, yeah, I'm not a Dez Bryant fan.
That said, my opinion on the catch/no catch is...who cares?
It is being given entirely too much credit.
Bottom line is, the way the rule reads, it was not a catch because he did not maintain possession as he fell to the ground. Whether or not the rule itself is stupid is a different story and one I will not debate here.
 |
| Lost control as he hit the ground |
Even if the call had stood and Dallas scored...there was still a full 4:00 left on the clock and the chances that Aaron Rodgers would have led the Packers to a game winning field goal are pretty high considering how they were playing in the second half.
So that one play is being given too much credit...just let it drop (no pun intended).
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Day Twenty (and final day)
Is it possible to be lonely when you're not alone? I am now home, in my warm and cozy apartment, with my youngest son and my dog, but I long so badly to be with all my boys. And I miss C.J. being here so much that I cried.
These feelings only serve to reassure me that I am making the right decision to move back to Florida. After spending the past month with C.J, Jon, my mom, my dad, and my sister, I now feel so alone up here.
Well...to make the narrative of the day short and simple, we left Scottsburg, Indiana at 9:00 this morning and arrived home at exactly 5:00. The drive was much easier than last year but still a little shaky. Once again there was no plowing in northern Indiana and quite a few vehicles were in the ditches. Including one truck that spilled an entire load of lumber on I65 southbound and the interstate was closed.
Pictures from the day:
These feelings only serve to reassure me that I am making the right decision to move back to Florida. After spending the past month with C.J, Jon, my mom, my dad, and my sister, I now feel so alone up here.
Well...to make the narrative of the day short and simple, we left Scottsburg, Indiana at 9:00 this morning and arrived home at exactly 5:00. The drive was much easier than last year but still a little shaky. Once again there was no plowing in northern Indiana and quite a few vehicles were in the ditches. Including one truck that spilled an entire load of lumber on I65 southbound and the interstate was closed.
Pictures from the day:
 |
| 28* leaving Scottsburg, Indiana |
 |
| No snow in southern Indiana |
 |
| A little snow in middle Indiana |
 |
| Columbus, Indiana |
 |
| Cars in the ditch everywhere |
 |
| It would help if they plowed their roads |
 |
| Northern Indiana - even more snow |
 |
| Truck in the ditch and lumber all over the road |
 |
| Traffic on I65 south at a stand still |
 |
| Eventually routed traffic off the interstate |
 |
| Welcome to Illinois |
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| Getting close |
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| I've always loved this little assisted living community |
 |
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| BORING scenery of Wisconsin |
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| Home to 10* and 1,329 miles (my odometer resets at 1,000) |
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| At exactly 5:00 |
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| And, of course, it's dark out already |
Monday, January 5, 2015
Day Nineteen
A day of driving...leaving Tifton, Georgia at about 8:30 a.m. and getting to Scottsburg, Indiana at about 6:30 p.m.
Nothing too eventful outside of some construction traffic congestion in Louisville.
Some scenes from the day.
Once we got to the hotel we were in complete meltdown mode for the first 45 minutes or so as Zack discovered that he left his computer charger in the motel room in Georgia and then, after looking for it for at least 20 minutes and declaring it forgotten, could not remember what he did with my phone. We spent another 15 minutes or so looking for that.
We finally found the phone in the lobby (it must have slipped out of his pocket when he sat on the couch) and I called the Days Inn and asked them to mail the charger - along with a shirt he also left there - to our home.
Yes, the boy is a mess. We will be making an appointment to get him back on some ADHD medication soon!
After everything settled down he went swimming and we ordered from Pizza Hut.
Nothing too eventful outside of some construction traffic congestion in Louisville.
Some scenes from the day.
 |
| Hard to tell but the sign indicated the YTD death toll on the Tennessee freeways 2014 - 13 2015 - 5 (already) |
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| Monteagle, Tennessee |
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| Someone needs to be groomed when we get home |
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| Haven't seen gas prices this low in at least 6 years |
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| One of my gripes about Wisconsin is how early it gets dark in the winter so I took this picture at 5:30 to compare |
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| Louisville traffic |
 |
| Hampton Inn (love their beds) |
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| 27* - could be worse |
Once we got to the hotel we were in complete meltdown mode for the first 45 minutes or so as Zack discovered that he left his computer charger in the motel room in Georgia and then, after looking for it for at least 20 minutes and declaring it forgotten, could not remember what he did with my phone. We spent another 15 minutes or so looking for that.
We finally found the phone in the lobby (it must have slipped out of his pocket when he sat on the couch) and I called the Days Inn and asked them to mail the charger - along with a shirt he also left there - to our home.
Yes, the boy is a mess. We will be making an appointment to get him back on some ADHD medication soon!
After everything settled down he went swimming and we ordered from Pizza Hut.
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