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Jan
31
To Me!
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Jan
30
I don’t mind winter, really, but being stuck inside with 2 kids, a dog and a husband can get on my nerves, not to mention destroy my house. Isn’t there some kind of award or trophy that says “I survived 3 snow days and lived to tell about it”?
Notice how many other idiots cars are out on these roads with us.
This would be why there were no other idiots cars out that day. And no, that is not my car, and it’s not the only one we saw in the ditch.
I do love gray days though.
They both have puppy dog eyes, don’t they? Pathetic. But I did give them both a treat for being so cute.
My sons refuse to dress warm, they go outside in hoodies and no gloves, knowing that it drives me crazy. But they wanted to make sure that this guy stayed warm.
He looks thrilled with his ear warmer, doesn’t he? I don’t have daughters that play dress up, I have sons that dress up the poor dog. That’s what happens when they’re really bored.
But we survived, no snow day today! Just lots of sun and melting snow, or you could call it a lovely, muddy, slushy mess. When is spring coming, anyway?
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Jan
28
We are iced in here. Not snowed in. Because snowed in would be more fun than iced in. After the huge ice storm we had last year, people panic when they hear another storm is coming. This one won’t last as long, thankfully.
I try to avoid driving in any kind of bad weather. I’m a slow, cautious driver, extra careful, but I cannot control the other drivers so I just stay home. But Monday, I had things to get done. Things were planned that couldn’t be rescheduled. So I had to be out.
I had to take my son about 20 minutes south to meet my husband at his office. Tanner and Mike had a concert to go to. The tickets were a Christmas gift and it was probably a once in a lifetime experience for my son, so I knew that I wouldn’t be able to convince them to skip it because of the incoming storm. So off we went.
This is normally a 30-40 minute drive round trip. When we started out Monday afternoon it didn’t seem too bad. Of course there was road construction and cars were moving at a snails pace, but that’s fine with me. The trip to my husbands office took about an hour. By then, sleet was coming down much heavier, and I just wanted to get home. Still slow going, but this time it was noticeably icy and slick. I noticed cars on an exit ramp sliding back down the ramp. I saw cars overturned in ditches. That ride was spent white knuckled, with Nolan in the back seat nervously watching out the window for any car to start sliding.
Finally we made it to our exit, which is a 2 lane road about 6 miles from our house. That stretch of road took an hour. I inched along, and everytime I had to tap the gas or the brakes I felt myself slide. I was barely moving, just like the line of cars in front of or behind me. We saw 2 schoolbuses in the ditch, empty thankfully. Several cars slid off into the ditch, luckily moving slowly enough that there was no crash, just a slow slide off the road. I saw several guys in big trucks stop to help those who had trouble, which is the great thing about being in that situation with so many other people. There will be help.
At one point we ended up behind a tiny pickup that was having a horrible time sliding off towards the ditch everytime he moved. Then he would gun it to try to get unstuck. He did this several times, but then he seemed to be stuck and not able to move at all. Instead of just stopping, he continue to race his engine. My son and I were behind him, not too close but not too far either. All of a sudden I saw flames under his truck! Not a spark, but flames. All I could think of was that I had to get away from his truck before it blew up. Thankfully he stopped the engine then. There were still flames underneath, but not as bad. A police car came by and stopped, and we were able to get past him. I can’t remember a time when I was so scared, and just wishing that Nolan was safe at home instead of stuck in that mess with me.
We finally made it to our neighborhood and I was saying how well we did, to never once slide off the road or into anything. Of course since I had the nerve to say that, I wasn’t able to get into my driveway and slid into the curb instead. No damage though, and we were so relieved to be home we didn’t care.
Our 30 minute trip took 3 hours total. I was really worried about my husband and Tanner coming home later that night, but by the time they came home there was no other traffic, which makes a huge difference. They didn’t have any problems.
Tuesday schools and several businesses were closed, so we were all home. Schools are closed again Wednesday. It’s kind of hard for the kids to enjoy a snow day when there’s not actually any snow, just icy roads. They will have to suffer through games and TV and baking and indoor fun, because we won’t be going anywhere. We’ll be at home, waiting for the ice to melt. If I never have to drive in it again, I will be happy.
Those of you who are having winter storms, stay safe and warm.
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Jan
26
1. A scary but safe trip home in the ice storm
2. An evening with just my youngest son.
3. All my errands ran before the storm hit.
4. The teenager telling me “it was a great day”.
5. No school tommorrow – normally this might not fall under the category of “grace”, but in this weather, I’m happiest when we’re all home safe.
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Jan
26
It’s that time again! I love this giveaway carnival from Bloggy Giveaways. I was planning on doing a giveaway this week, because my birthday is coming up, but this is even better, because there will be many bloggers having giveaways. You can enter here to win a $100 Visa gift card.
To Enter to Win a $100 Visa gift card: Leave a comment here telling me what was the favorite birthday gift you ever got. (I know, I’m beating this birthday theme to death. Humor me please!)
Open to US addresses only. One entry per person, but you can earn additional entries.
For additional entries:
- Subscribe to Unexpected Bliss.
- Mention this giveaway on your blog.
- Follow me on Twitter.
- For an extra entry, sent a tweet on Twitter about this giveaway. Leave your Twitter name in your comment. This may be done as often as you want, leave a comment for each tweet.
- Stumble this post
For each thing you do leave 1 comment ( 1 comment telling me your favorite birthday gift, 1 comment if you subscribe, 1 comment if you follow me on Twitter, 1 comment for each tweet, 1 comment for a Stumble, 1 comment for mentioning this on your blog)
This giveaway will end Tuesday February 3 at midnight CST. This giveaway has ended. Thank you everyone who entered! I will notify the winner by email and will post once I hear back.
Be sure to check out my review blog for another giveaway. Good luck!
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Jan
25
Saturday was all about Nolan. He had karate testing in the morning and the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby in the afternoon. It was his last Pinewood Derby, next month he moves up to Boy Scouts. I think my husband is more sad about it than Nolan. Mike has been involved with the Cub Scouts since Tanner was in first grade, as den leader and as Pack leader.
We kind of slack off karate during the summer and fall, because Nolan plays baseball too and it’s hard to find the time to attend every practice and game. But he’s back at karate now full force.
I got some blurry pictures, because every time he sensed that I had my camera out he jerked his head around. Here is he doing his form for the instructor.
Practicing his kicks.
The grand finale, breaking the board with his heal.
One common theme in every picture I got is how stoic and reserved Nolan is. He doesn’t get excited or agitated. When they do their forms, they are taught to yell in certain parts of the form. Nolan did that when he first started karate. But now that the instructor knows him, and understands that the reason my son didn’t join karate for years was because he has a very hard time being front and center, he doesn’t insist that Nolan yell. So he does his form without a sound. The instructor said it was like watching the strongest silent movie ever.
They sparred with other students, and even though Nolan is one of the smallest in his group, he is one of the few boys and one of the toughest. He has also been taking karate the longest. The girls are at least a head taller than him and outweigh him by probably 30 pounds, so I was a little concerned. Not for Nolan though, for the girls. I know my son is a little powerhouse, but it always surprises other people.
This sparring is very polite, quiet, and calm. They are to be in control at all times, which is not a problem for Nolan. He waited patiently for his opponent to get a good hit or kick in at him, then he would throw one of his kicks, which are hard and fast. I watched as my son never broke a sweat but at the end of each round, every one of his opponents was red faced, and a couple of the girls were wiping back tears. He wasn’t brutal and didn’t violate any rules, he’s just tough. But he also made sure that he took his fair share of hits and kicks, he would kick then back off until his opponents could connect with him. That’s fair, and it does take control.
After each student sparred with each other, they got to spar with the instructor. That is more fun to watch, because the kids can really show their stuff without worrying about hurting a student that may not be at the same level. The instructor encouraged Nolan to not back off after each kick or hit, but to really let loose and use all his kicks and punches. Nolan did, but still stayed very calm. It’s amazing for me to watch that, because I always say that my oldest son and I are just alike, and Nolan is just like his dad, but we do have that in common. We are both very quiet and reserved.
We’ve been dealing with so many challenges with our oldest son that we needed to spend some time focusing on Nolan. It was a good day for all of us. And I just had to write a proud mom post about it! I don’t want to only write about our parenting struggles, I want to celebrate their accomplishments, too.
Be sure to check back on Monday for another Bloggy Giveaways Carnival giveaway. I’m so excited for this one because it is the week of my birthday!
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Jan
23
1. A good day at work
2. My husband got to come home a little early to spend some time with our teenage son.
3. A clean house
4. No laundry to do – for now!
5. Tomorrow is Saturday
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Jan
23
1. Getting closer to the weekend
2. A sweater I’ve loved for months is finally on clearance for $19.99! Love a sale
3. A phone call from a good friend, with words of wisdom I needed badly today
4. Listening to my sons at their piano lesson
5. Picking out an adorable princess birthday card for my niece. There are no princesses in my house, so this is a treat.
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Jan
22
I’ve seen this several places on the internet, but I just took the time to watch it recently. And I cried. It’s beautiful and true and hopeful, and I love it.
I’ve always said that women need friends in a way that men don’t. I’ve said it, and I believe it, but I don’t really live it. I convince myself that I’m too busy or too tired to get together with my friends. I am tired and I am busy, but I’m starting to realize that friendships need to rank right up there with getting enough sleep and eating healthy foods. I need to make time for my friends.
When my kids were babies I had a group of women that I was good friends with. Our kids were around the same ages, so we had playdates, trips to the park, zoo and children’s museum. We turned to each other with concerns about potty training, teething and preschools. We commiserated over sleepless nights, colicky babies and toddler tantrums. And once a month or so we’d leave the babies at home with the dads and go to dinner, sometimes a movie. I’ve always felt like those early days of parenthood were some of my best days, but I see now that one reason those times were so good is because of my group of friends.
As our kids got older, life kept moving and one by one we all moved away. We moved here when my kids were 4 and 2, my husband was working long hours at his new job, and I had no one to call. I tried to find a local Parents as Teachers group, which was also a huge blessing before I moved, but there was not one in my area at that time. I was unhappy about moving away from my family, I was lonely and overwhelmed with two young kids and no social network or help at all. I became depressed and at that point didn’t care about finding a social group at all. I just stayed home with my kids. My oldest son even told me one time, Mom, you’ve got to get some friends besides us. The wisdom of a child.
I finally met some other moms once my kids started preschool, but I’ve never had that same tight group that I had before. I keep in touch with my dear friends that live out of state through phone calls, emails and occasional visits, and if they ever needed me I would find a way to be where they are.
I’ve let those emails and phone calls lapse recently, and if I am busy enough, and tired enough, I convince myself again that it’s ok, I just can’t do everything all at once so I have to let that slide. But it’s not ok. I miss our emails, miss our talks and I know I’m being a bad friend when I let myself disappear like that. So I’ve been making time, connecting with friends I haven’t talked to in months. Making plans to go visit in a few months, and possibly a summer trip.
I feel so much better when I stay in touch with my friends, when I don’t take their friendship for granted and try to give back as much as they’ve given to me. I feel horrible for letting things go as long as did, but the wonderful thing about friends is that with that first “sorry I haven’t been around lately” things are back to normal.
One of my goals for 2009 is to take care of myself, body and soul. Cherishing and nurturing these friendships falls into the taking care of my soul category. It’s necessary and vital for my well being. Friendships are a gift and a blessing, and I am forever grateful for the lovely women who have held my hand through the years.
My thirteen year old stresses out about kids not liking him. I tell him all the time, you will be lucky to have one true friend in your lifetime, maybe two. You’ll have lots of acquaintances, but few real friends. I am very lucky to have a few true friends, and I will make it a point from now on to not take them for granted.
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Jan
21
1. Wednesday night youth group = date night!
2. A clean house
3. A warm sunny day
4. The newest Sugarland CD
5. A phone call from a friend
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